Choosing Your Wedding Cake
January 23rd, 2012Your wedding cake is one of the most essential elements of your wedding day. It will appear in your wedding pictures, and will be a focal point for your guest as they arrive into the reception area. As you decide on your cake type remember that it is what will pull together the colors and theme of your wedding. Your wedding cake should be as individual as you. Take time to shop around and decide on a bakery, the cake, style, and decorations. Here are a few factors to keep in mind while you cake shop:
.Create a checklist:
.What is your cake budget
.How many guests
.How many tiers/designs
.What colors/decorations
.What is your cake top?
.When is Your Wedding?
.When is Your Wedding?
The date and location of your wedding will affect the type of cake you choose. If your wedding will be taking place in the summer, mousse or ice cream cake will not be a good choice. Discuss with your baker the types of cake that will be in season.
.Choose a Reliable Bakery
You can begin your research online. This will allow you to obtain customer feedback, and view images of the bakery’s work. Make sure to select a bakery that provides a wide range of cake styles. Once you have chosen a bakery, visit the location and meet with the staff. This is your opportunity to provide sketches, ideas, and samples of your colors to leave with the pastry chef. Make sure to get everything in writing.
.Give Yourself Time to Pick Your Wedding Cake
If you have already chosen a color scheme and the wedding venue, then it’s a good time to get the cake designed and ordered. Your cake should be ordered 6-8 weeks in advance.
.Go Cake Tasting
This is one of the most important steps before finalizing your cake. If the cake will consist of multiple flavors, taste all of them. Flavors like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla will vary depending on how the cake is made, its formulation, its frosting, and more.
.Cake Size, Icing, Decorations
Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes—the options are limitless. When deciding on the size of your cake, keep in mind the number of guests attending. The type of icing you choose can be a simple sugar and flour recipe, or even a rich cream cheese icing. Today, many couples are choosing to match their icing color with the overall theme of the wedding. You can decorate your cake based on the décor and theme of your wedding, go with crazy and outrageous decorations or decide on lace, embroidery appliqué or elegant drapes or swag. The decision is all up to you so have fun with it!
Making Your Event a Success
December 15th, 2011Have you ever wondered what makes an event a success? There are many components to achieve a successful event such as matters concerning your guests, food, entertainment and the very beginning preparations. With the involvement of speakers, attendees, audiovisual presentations, catering, and venue selections, any event is a complex affair. However, with the right combination of all the event elements yours can become a hit!
Some Tips To Help Get You Started On Your Event Preparation Can Include:
-Create A Checklist—Include food, bar, entertainment, venue, invitations, guest list, etc. Use your checklist as you plan your event. Make sure you add details as you go along and check off the tasks that have been completed.
-Plan In Advance—Send the invitations out and advertise ahead of time. The larger the event, the more time you should give yourself. Allow at least two weeks for a small private party and three months or longer for a significant event in which people have to travel. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan and prepare.
-Guests should be made aware of the purpose and theme of the event. Provide this information on the event’s invitation, poster, or flyer. This information will help your guests know how to dress and prepare for the event.
-Choose An Appropriate Venue—Begin by asking yourself, is there enough space for your guests to mingle, dance, and provide entertainment? Is there a bar and facilities for serving food? Is there enough space for a sit-down meal or is it limited to stand-up? Does it have adequate climate control and restroom facilities?
-Have an adequate number of bartenders and servers.
-Make sure that there is enough food that it is high quality, and that it fits the theme or mood of your party.
-Appoint hosts if you having a large event. Have friends or associates help greet guests and even introduce them
to other guests.
-Think About Having Name Tags—Providing name tags allows attendees not acquainted with one another to feel more comfortable approaching someone they might not know.
-A media presentation is a great enhancement to any event. You can choose from high-tech audio-visual productions to slide shows to exhibits to posters.
-Entertainment can make or break an event. Consider a mix of entertainers to provide a variety of entertainment. Some popular choices are a DJ or a live band. Most recent trends show that event planners and hosts are choosing magicians and stand-up comics.
-Review your checklist regularly to make sure that everything is running smoothly.
Last but not least, remember to show appreciation and gratitude for the groups and individuals who helped to make your event a success!
Lighting Basics for Your Reception
November 21st, 2011When planning your special day, lighting for your reception is just as important as the flowers and the cake. Making sure you have the right amount of light will turn your wedding site from simple to spectacular. Lighting creates the mood for the whole event, including making your wedding flowers, cake, and guests look better.
A Few Tips To Guide You In Your Lighting Selection Include:
Find a Pro
There are a couple of ways you can find your wedding lighting specialist. First, ask your event planner or wedding florist if they do their own lighting. If not, they may have a lighting pro they regularly work with. You can also ask the coordinator at your reception venue to recommend a lighting company that has worked with the site before. Also, ask to see pictures of the space having been changed by various lighting arrangements.
Assess Your Site
If you’re having an evening reception, make sure to visit your site at least once when it’s dark outside—this will allow you to look around the room and see where the lighting is being focused. Lights that illuminate the walls, windows, and ceiling draw attention away from the center of the room. You want to make sure the lighting keeps everyone’s eyes on the tables, dance floor, and each other. In addition, ask if the site has dimmers for their overhead lights, and if there’s any florescent lighting at all, keep it turned off!
If your wedding is taking place at home, discuss how much electricity your lighting designer is going to need. You may want to consider having your lighting expert bring a generator before blowing a fuse.
Learn About the Different Types of Lighting
Pin spot is a focused beam of light that shines directly onto an object, like a centerpiece or wedding cake, as a highlight effect.
Color wash is a blanket of colored light covering an entire area.
Gobos are circular stencils that are put over a light to project a design or pattern. Some popular gobo designs are monograms, dates, or any other wedding motifs. Keep in mind that the complexity of the design will affect the gobo’s cost. A simple stencil can be stamped out of steel, while a more intricate design must be laser etched out of stainless steel or a glass that can withstand high heat.
Led is short for light-emitting diodes. This type of lighting is currently popular for weddings because they use much less electricity and don’t get as hot as the regular, incandescent light bulbs. LEDs are great for color changes and vibrant colors.
Don’t be Afraid to Use Color
Think outside your wedding palette when you use colored lights. Stay away from colors that are part of your decor. Opt for colors that complement all skin tones, like magenta or a soft rose. Take advantage of the effect color can have on the atmosphere by changing the shades through the course of the night. For example, if your cocktail hour starts around sunset, you can splash your room with golden tones. During dinner, consider soft lighting that will mimic flickering candlelight. Remember you can change the mood of a room with the push of a button.
Lighting Set Up Outside
If your site has a path or steps that people will be using throughout the night, keep it lit with luminaries or paper lanterns so that no one trips. More dramatic lighting might include using dramatic, sculptural lights like large orbs, or rows of vertical poles of light that look like pieces of modern art. You can also fill your centerpieces with clear—glass marbles as well as small battery-powered lights to give an interesting glow to each arrangement.
Choose the Right Lights
The layout of your reception site can determine how you’re going to use lighting techniques. If dinner and dancing are happening in the same room, use a color wash to set the dance floor apart. Work closely with your lighting designer to figure out which type of lighting fits your budget. You can create a lasting impression with just the basic form of lighting and the right preparation.
Building A Lunch Menu
October 28th, 2011Whether you’re planning a baby shower, sports event, or an office party, a luncheon is a causal alternative to the late day dinner parties. The menu is usually lighter, served buffet style where guests grab a plate and serve themselves. There are different buffets to choose from to create the perfect luncheon. Keep in mind that it is important to include menu items that will hold up for longer periods of time—and don’t be afraid to step out of the box and try new menu ideas.
Caterers offer several buffet options to create a lunch menu suited for your guest. Some options include:
Deli Buffets: this option is popular and includes a majority of finger foods that pleases any crowd. The menu typically includes mixed green salad with different dressings to choose from, fruit salad, potato salad, antipasto or chips, three types of sandwich meats with a bread choice, and a dessert tray.
American and Ethnic Buffets: allows the event planner to select foods that go with the overall theme of the event. Some popular themes include: American burgers and fries, Italian pasta, pizza, Tuscan style chicken, Southwest tacos and fajita stations, Asian spring rolls, stir fries, rice and noddle dishes. You should also include a selection of appetizers, entrées, and dessert options.
Box Lunches: work best for working lunches where the guests can remain focused on the objective of the meeting. Box lunches offer at least four varieties to choose from, such as turkey, roast beef, ham and vegetarian sandwiches, including a piece of fruit with a cookie, and chips. Make sure to include condiments and utensils.
Build Your Own Lunch Menu: may include the option to go with a buffet style or plated meal. The menu normally includes lettuce salad options, fruit salads, and soup. The entrée consists of chicken, pork, beef, salmon, or Caesar salad with grilled chicken. There is also an option of sides including vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or rice. Don’t forget to include dessert.
No matter what type of meal you select, offer guests a variety of drinks to go along with their meal. Suggestions include assorted soft drinks and juices, bottled water, coffee and tea.
Have fun planning a luncheon, there is a lot to choose from to meet your needs and make the event as smooth as possible!
Caterers For An Exclusive Event
September 1st, 2011While many catering companies may only focus in on larger events or corporate meetings, many catering companies may also offer the distinct options of sending specific meals to a family or individual. There are many ways to use this option, whether you are sending meals to a new mom and dad or someone who is recovering from surgery or a serious illness. It is a great way to let your friends and family members know you care. It can be compared to sending roses or a humble get well card, but in addition to the thoughtfulness you are also giving the receiver something that really makes his or her life easier.
For Example:
Catered Meals For A New Mom and Dad
When a new baby is born, it brings joy, happiness…and of course a certain amount of anarchy! New parents are usually stressed by all of the hassle that goes into taking mind of a baby in its first few weeks (not to mention the serious lack of sleep they suffer due to those late-night feedings and lopsided sleeping patterns.) So, that’s why sending new parents a catered meal through a local catering company can be one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give them. It alleviates their worry about what to make for dinner so that they can relax and enjoy more time with their newborn. Plus, you save them money by generously buying them dinner!
Catering Service In PA
July 19th, 2011Philadelphia has many inhabitants, so special events are provided catering by several dozen places and services. These special events include family reunions, conventions, weddings, corporate functions, and small meetings. Catering services in PA is one of the best. Excellent customer service is provided to all!
Fantastic cuisine is a speciality of PA catering services. Proliferation of weddings each day also makes the catering services in PA abound. A dedicated, passionate team is at the disposal of all PA caterers. Current trends and flavours are kept up to date by them.
You should discuss everything with the catering manager. You should go over minor details such as number of guests, location, budget, date and time sensitive variables. Proper attention should be given to all of these factors. Three days of planning are required by small parties. Proper execution of larger parties needs a time frame of several weeks.
With catering services, food service involves two or three phases. Trays full of tantalizing and delectable mouth-watering appetizers are carried by the obligatory troop of caterers. A full service buffet is displayed at the same time for the ones that prefer a buffet versus a sit down dinner. Thirdly, the caterers have a sit down dinner. The event schedule, tempo, and tone of the party are determined by the manner in which the food is served. Small details are very significant in the catering business. Depending upon the need of the guest’s desires, menus are varied and an extravagant lavish buffet is available. They provide brunch, breakfast, and luncheons with varieties of dishes.
Your wedding or event will meet its full potential with lots of catering services networking with other talented professionals. A wedding should have many professionals in place. These professionals are very important to the wedding. There should be florists, musicians, wedding singers, wedding entertainers, and wedding designers who look after the various intricate details of the event. Additional features which are required are valet parking, bar attending, place settings and table displays. All these talented pros are branched out by the catering services.
Numerous listings are provided on Google Maps and Local Listings if you are unsure where to find a local caterer for an event in PA. There are various listings for PA catering. Local caterers can also be found by using a web company’s online software. There are a few details about your event which you need to plug in. These include budget, number of guests, and services required.
Tips for A Catering Service
June 10th, 2011Most event planners pay a lot of heed towards catering services to produce a successful event. If the food is not up to par, most people consider the entire event a failure. To ensure that all the guests and visitors have a memorable experience, an event planner must choose the best cuisines offered by his or her events caterer. At the same time, it is a very difficult task to find an appropriate catering service fit for the event. Therefore, and event planner must spend a good time finding details about all available caterers through online websites operating in the locality where the event is being hosted. Before finalizing a catering company, one must confirm their dish menu and previous experience. Also, before taking a final call on caterers and event planner should taste samples to ensure there are no mistakes.
The following is a list of Do’s and Don’ts that you must perform before hiring catering services for a special or corporate event to make it a hit:
It is of the utmost importance to choose a catering service in accordance to the event being hosted. Confirm whether the caterer would be able to handle the expected number of guests that would be attending the event. A caterer would generally allow its client to choose from various options amongst its specialties. Many guests prefer vegetarian or sugar free food, so most event planners must make sure that those needs are also taken care off.
It is advisable to discuss the budget with the preferred caterer to discuss available packages. Ensure clarity on the chosen menu and check whether the menu muses with the genre of the event. Often the budget constraints may determine the tractability of your caterer to cater to your needs. Always ask for a quotation of services to be rendered along with the payment options. Also, ensure clarity with any hidden or extra charges that might be involved.
After having chosen a caterer, inform them about the details of the event. This would help in eradicating misunderstandings that may arise later. The event planner must verify the total number of attendees and place an order for 80% of the total confirmed guests to optimize on your spending.
Confirm whether the caterer also offers serving staff. If taxes are included in the final bill, confirm with your caterer the number of staff that would be provided to serve the guests.
The catering service on request packages leftovers into food packets without any extra charges to the host of the event. This also must be verified with the company before hand.
Keeping these tips in mind will help and event planner choose the best caterer for any event at an optimized cost. Please note that there shouldn’t be any communication gap between the event planner and the caterer and in order to achieve success.
Best Event Management- Catering By Marios
May 5th, 2011Organizing an event big or small is not a small task. It is big undertaking. You have to look after each and every aspects from welcoming guest to catering, decorating the event venue to maintaining smooth flow of different things in an event. An ordinary people cannot efficiently and decently organize an event. However, there must be event management companies in your city. You can assign the duty of managing your event to the one of good companies. These companies have large crew of staffs to manage different activities of the event. The company is responsible for successful organization of your event. Many of the companies efficiently and decently organize events in small budget. So, your budget will never be a problem. There are many such companies in different cities. You just need to little research and find a good event organizer in your city.
It is well known fact that hosting an event is a big headache for the hosts. If you have to organize an event and you are in tense situation then find an efficient event organizer in your city and stay relaxed. The company staffs will make your event dazzling and memorable in your budget.
You should meet the company representative personally and state your demand. You should also state the theme you want to represent in your event. The company will provide you best theme and ideas for event in your budget. The company staffs will personally welcome your guests warmly and escort them in all the ways. You can also ask for the DJ and other entertainment options you want to keep in your party. The event organizing company will do all that for you.
Event managing companies deal with various types of events. Catering by Marios handle corporate event, social event (wedding planning, kitty party, birthday party, NGO meeting, society functions, etc), press conference, product launch event, exhibition, fair, etc. These events are organized on large scale and ordinary people get puzzled in doing different tasks on time.
Catering help required for any type of event: How to choose?
April 9th, 2011Catering business have become huge in sometime and due to that there is a lot of competition, which makes its hard to choose the best out of all. When getting a caterer for an event one has a lot in mind and the one major thing they worry about is that things should not mess up.
When it comes to catering for wedding, it ought o be excellent as it’s the most important event for two individuals and people would remember these events for good or bad food served. The first thing that you must do while choosing your wedding caterer is to check the menu they offer. Wedding caterers should be flexible in adding or subtracting items from the menu. While you hunt for caterers for wedding catering then you must not forget to see their experience in serving and providing services for wedding catering.
Every event has its own unique style so the catering has to be very innovative and experimental as menu is different depending on the event. When you plan to hire catering one thing you must see how many events have they catered. And also go through their website for reviews from customers regarding the services.
When it comes to corporate events then catering has not only to be good food but also for good arrangements to suit the mood of the occasion. Corporate catering needs to be handled in the most professional way in terms of catering and managing. Corporate events cannot look fancy at all so the catering company must understand also good food and pleasant atmosphere is essential in corporate catering. Not everyone can be trusted for the same.
There are some consequential factors that you must consider while hiring catering services. The first thing that must be considered is the experience of the catering services in catering business. If they have good experience then it becomes obvious that they know their work very well and mistakes are a rare factor for them. So, they can be trusted.
How Can You Get Premium Banquet Facilities in 3 Easy Steps
February 4th, 2011In order to avail premium banquet facilities may not take a substantial amount of time and energy on your part. However, by hiring the services of a premium banquet your event or wedding may turn out to be very memorable and extremely pleasurable. You may just have to follow simple guidelines and other procedures so that you can avail the services of a premium banquet for your event. However, the best and the most advantageous step is to start consulting your family members, friends or other acquaintances who may hire the services of a premium banquet company in the past. You will be able to obtain extremely beneficial advices and recommendations that may be of immense help to you. In this way you can get the finer details and other important facts about a premium catering company. All these advices or suggestions may be truly genuine without any false impressions and therefore you can easily decide as to which type of banquet facility would be more effective as per your requirement.
Secondly, you can also explore the internet in order to find the best premium banquet service according to your current needs. You just have to explore the net and you can easily get in touch with several premium banquet services located in your city or area. You can call the office telephone number and may inquire about the necessary aspects. Don’t forget to bargain with the selected banquet company in order to avail attractive discounts and other reductions in charges. At the end of the day, your event may turn out to be more eventful if you can manage to secure the best possible deal according to your desired expectations.
Thirdly, you can also check the local advertisements that may publish specific ads about premium banquet companies and their overall packages. It has been observed that several premium banquet services try to promote their products and services to the maximum number of probable client and hence you may obtain an effective and feasible deal from a prominent banquet company. Yellow pages may be other alternative in order to find affordable premium banquet services that may be able to gratify all your aspirations in the most professional manner. In the end you may also have to analyze your existing obligations in order to have a clear understanding.
In order to avail the services of a premium banquet facility you have to make it sure that the number of invited guests is no more. It has been observed that any catering or banquet company may only cater to 75% for invited guests and the rest of the guests may be totally neglected. You may definitely want to avoid this embarrassing situation and thus you have to make a complete list of all the invited guests. In this way a premium banquet company will be able to cater effectively to all the limited numbers of invited guests in the most accurate manner.