Choosing Your Wedding Cake
Monday, 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
Thursday, 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!
Building A Lunch Menu
Friday, 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
Thursday, 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
Tuesday, 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.
Catering help required for any type of event: How to choose?
Saturday, 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.
Find a Wedding Catering Service at affordable prices
Friday, August 13th, 2010Planning a wedding is a mammoth but a very exciting task. The highlight of the ceremony is the party catering. Though, wedding catering can get very expensive it can be scaled down to your budget by keeping a few steps in mind.
Firstly, you need to find a caterer who will function within your budget. The food should also blend with the wedding theme, décor and scale of the ceremony. There are many good full service caterers available in and around Philadelphia. The wedding could have an outdoor theme which would call for a picnic catering or it may be a destination wedding demanding holiday caterers.
With some negotiation and smart menu planning you can easily get your desirable wedding caterer to deliver in your chosen budget. The thumb rule is wise selection of menu items which will make all the difference to the price strategy. Like for example, choose items keeping seasonal fruits and vegetables in mind so as to bring the cost down per item. This way the caterer does not need to use expensive canned ingredients which are not available in a particular season.
The way a meal is served can also make a huge hole in your pocket. A classic sit down dinner has many more elaborate menu items as compared to other arrangements like food stations. A food station is a popular concept serving a particular type of world cuisine. These could be limited in number and they serve full meals which are quite filling. Like, a pasta station is a must-have by all caterers in Philadelphia.
You may cut your catering bill by requesting a simple set up for the food stations and sitting tables. By using a single color for tablecloths, usually white, will cut down on hiring expensive upholstery. Also, no need to order for expensive dinner services and party trays, the caterer can use the standard cutlery available.
Even the time of the post wedding reception can make a difference. If you’re planning your wedding reception for 7 pm, your guests will be expecting a dinner set up. You can consider a morning reception, brunch, or an afternoon cocktail reception. This would make it a smaller affair in terms of an elaborate menu and require less food.
If the catering contract allows, buy your own liquor and ask a friend to be the bartender. Generally, they are stringent only for a certain amount of liquor which you have to purchase from the wedding caterers and the rest can be brought by you. Limiting the guest alcohol choices to wine and beer will bring down cost further.
The wedding cake can become an elaborate affair and good things don’t come cheap. Choosing one flavor instead of several and decorating it with fresh flowers will cut back costs. Instead of a fancy designer three – tier cake you can go for a sophisticated but smaller cake for the cutting and have a general cake laid out on the table for consumption by guests.
So it is as simple as this to get wedding catering of your choice in your preferred budget.
The Knot Best of Weddings for Philadelphia
Monday, April 5th, 2010Catering by Mario’s has been keeping busy this winter with weddings, corporate events, & holiday parties. We have also launched a newly designed website which is a one-stop shop for all of our services: off-premise catering, event planning & management, as well as our wedding & banquet venue, Richmond Hall. Check us out at www.cateringbymarios.com.
As the weather gets warmer, you may be starting to plan celebrations such as graduation parties and summer picnics. Check out the menus below for some party ideas. Mention this email and receive a 10% discount if you book a buffet or picnic package before 4/15/2010.
We also have great news to annouce: Richmond Hall has been selected as a 2010 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings for Philadelphia reception sites. We wanted to take a moment to thank all of our wonderful brides who took the time to comment to The Knot on their experience at Richmond Hall. It’s great to know we have lived up to your expectations on one of the most important days of your life. Thanks again!!!
Sincerely,
Mario & John Incollingo
Catering philadelphia, philadelphia catering , catering bucks county pa, bucks county pa catering, philadelphia caterer, wedding caterer philadelphia, philadelphia wedding caterer, wedding catering philadelphia, event catering philadelphia, montgomery county catering, catering montgomery county
Thank you and testimonial for our Wedding Catering in Philadelphia
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010Hello Lauren,
I just wanted to say thank you so much for making Saturday’s wedding so amazing. I just received the email about your honors with the Knot and I have to say that I can’t imagine a venue where this is more deserved. Your staff was incredibly friendly and professional! You eased a very indecisive bride and made everything just gorgeous! We received rave reviews regarding the food and everyone had a blast which was the goal of the bride and groom so I again say thank you so much and I will be certain to keep Richmond Hall and Mario’s catering on the top of my list for any upcoming events.
My sincerest thanks,
Tania Kinniry
Catering philadelphia, philadelphia catering , catering bucks county pa, bucks county pa catering, philadelphia caterer, wedding caterer philadelphia, philadelphia wedding caterer, wedding catering philadelphia, event catering philadelphia, montgomery county catering, catering montgomery county
Wedding Receptions Philadelphia – Catering Philadelphia – Banquet facilities Philadelphia
Monday, March 22nd, 2010Richmond Hall is pleased to announce it has been selected as a 2010 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings for Philadelphia reception sites.
We wanted to take a moment to thank all of our wonderful brides who took the time to comment to The Knot on their experience at Richmond Hall. It’s great to know we have lived up to your expectations on one of the most important days of your life. Thanks again!!!