What’s In and Out for Catering in 2010
Catering expert, Cheryl Kahn-Bracco, director of Catering for the Glazier Group (a Manhattan event management company,) gave some insight on what’s right now and what’s so five minutes ago in a recent post on MitzvahMarket.com. Cheryl has “extensive experience in hospitality” and oversees unique events for clients at Bridgewaters, Twenty Four Fifth in NYC and The Beach Resort in Key West, FL.
Let’s take a look at what’s cooking in the catering world this season!
RIGHT NOW: Fried Chicken SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Sliders
RIGHT NOW: Gluten-Free Foods SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Nut-Free Foods
RIGHT NOW: Organic, Sustainable Local Foods SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Processed, Frozen or Imported Food
RIGHT NOW: St~ Germain Cocktails SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Cosmopolitans
RIGHT NOW: Short Ribs SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Rack of Lamb
RIGHT NOW: Lounge Seating SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Assigned Seating
RIGHT NOW: Email RSVP SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Response Cards Sent Via Email
RIGHT NOW: Woopie Pies SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Chocolate Fountains
RIGHT NOW: Root Beer Floats SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Frozen Daiquiris
Okay. Let’s talk about the questions you have, which are probably the same things I wondered about. We’ll start with a recipe for the St. Germain Cocktail. St~Germain is a liqueur made from hand-picked elderflower blossoms, and this recipe is from the St~Germain web site:
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| 2 parts |
Champagne* or Dry White Wine** |
| 1 ½ parts |
St-Germain |
| 2 parts |
Sparkling Water or Club Soda |
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| Method: Stir ingredients in a tall ice-filled Collins glass, mixing completely. Think of Paris circa 1947. Garnish with a lemon twist.Variation: Think of Sarte circa 1947. Be the lemon twist.
* Or Sparkling Wine, Prosecco or Cava
** Preferably Sauvignon Blanc |
My next question was about “lounge seating.” Rental companies can drop off and pick up lounge-style set-ups to match your color scheme. These lounges create comfortable, intimate groupings throughout your reception venue, making your event sophisticated and laid-back at the same time. It’s a great look you’ll probably have to pay more for. Here are a few photos I got from Google that give you a pretty good idea of the concept:
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Last one–whoopie pies (also called a gob, black-and-white, bob, or “BFO” for Big Fat Oreo.) A Whoopie Pie is a baked good made of two round mound-shaped pieces of chocolate cake with a sweet, creamy frosting sandwiched between them. Well, I’m on board. Here’s what they look like:
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As always, use what works for you and leave the rest–although I don’t think many of us would leave those Whoopie Cakes behind.
Make “Big Dreamzzz” Part of Your Next Baby Gift!
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes…well, you know the rest. We’re all about helping you get ready for two of the biggest milestones in life, and when your friends have babies, here’s where you’d come to find, not only some of the most adorably unique baby shower favors on the market if you host the baby shower, but totally unique baby shower gifts, too.
That’s why I’m here to show you the newest from Baby Aspen’s incomparable “Big Dreamzzz” collection. Their line of “aspire” attire—career-connected sleepwear sets—is delighting new moms and dads everywhere, giving the new mom, dad and baby a glimpse into the future! Baby Aspen recently introduced the fourth in their ever-expanding line—”Big Dreamzzz” Baby All-Star. Like all the “Big Dreamzzz” sleep sets, Baby All-Star comes with a cap, a bodysuit and booties. In this set, the booties look like little baseballs!
If you think this baseball-themed layette is for boys only, think again. Why shouldn’t girls go after traditionally male careers, too? Especially when this outfit is just as becoming on a girl as it is on a boy. Sure, people will take one look at the outfit and assume the baby is a boy, so 21st-Century moms simply need a prepared comeback to “Oh, what a precious little boy!”
Mom’s response: “Not even close. We’re teaching our daughter Grace Dyan that she can be anything she wants to be when she grows up instead of being guided by gender-biased assumptions. This outfit was a gift, and we love it!”
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Of course, if you’re still tied to those long-standing beliefs, we also have the gorgeously girly Baby Ballerina sleep set. Somehow, though, what I said in the previous two paragraphs, about gender bias and aspiring to non-traditional gender roles doesn’t hold up as well here. I don’t think many fathers would be evolved enough to appreciate seeing their son in this particular sleep set.
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But there are two more “Big Dreamzzz” options—Baby MD and Baby Camo, precious and proper for either gender, especially if baby’s parents are doctors, members of the armed forces or avid hunters. I’m sure they would be proud for their children to follow in their footsteps. I wouldn’t be surprised if your gift became a keepsake. After baby outgrows it, mom and dad can frame it and make it wall decor, continually reminding their baby to dream big! Here at Favors in the City, we like to keep the dreams alive!
Sweet Wedding Favors For About A Buck–Just Add Candy!
Our New Wedding Favor Kits Are A Hit! And, it’s easy to see why. With six sassy styles to choose from, all you have to do is fill them with candy, and you’ve got a thoughtful, delicious wedding favor that’s personalized just for you! If you’re willing to exchange a little time for big-time savings, these do-it-yourself favor kits are for you. Perfect for the practical bride, they allow you to save money and still present a personalized wedding favor to your guests. With everything included (except the candy, of course), it’s a no-brainer!
Find your style!
You and your guests will be bubbling with excitement over this Champagne Bottle Favor Kit. And, who could blame you? It’s personalized, petite and perfect! Assembling in minutes, no one would think you made them yourself.
Or gather the girls to help package your favorite treat in this mini martini glass. Wrapped in white tulle and accented with a hag tag that can include a special message from you, you can also use it as a place card holder by putting the guest’s name on the tag. What a sweet treat to find at your seat! I don’t know about you, but I think this would also be great as a girl’s night out favor.
If you’re looking for a cute bridal shower or baby shower favor, this frosted umbrella will catch all the compliments on your special day. Filled with your favorite treat, it’s a unique way to shower your guests will love. Perfect to present Jordan almonds, mints, chocolates or other delicious desserts. So simple, but oh-so sweet!
It’s easy to show your heartfelt gratitude with this heart-shaped favor. Perfect for all sorts of occasions, like baby showers, bridal showers, weddings and more, this do-it-yourself favor kit includes the personalized tags that can be printed on the computer to share your special message or the guest’s name. What a delightful way to end the day!
For look at all of our fabulously affordable favors, visit our website at www.favorsinthecity.com.
2010 Wedding Trends for Brides with Big Bucks
First, let me wish you all a terrifically Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’re planning a wedding, you’re already having a fabulous Valentine’s Day. WhooHooo!
As a blogger, I’m always interested in what’s happening on other blogs. I checked out the Luxury Weddings blog for the affluent bride, because they just came out with their top wedding trends and forecast for this year’s luxury weddings. While top-of-the-line wedding planning might be beyond your budget, there are certainly some elements you can easily incorporate into your plans without turning your pockets inside out. All it takes is some research and creativity.
Meanwhile, here are some 2010 wedding trends for couples whose cup runneth over with cash…
Gowns
There’s a return to “timeless romanticism” by top couture wedding gown designers this year, with collections that feature intricate lace, metallic fabrics, elaborate flower appliques, billowing ruffled tiers and all-over beaded embellishments. Also hot this year is the “daring” asymmetrical, one-shoulder necklines instead of strapless gowns.
Invitations
Sea and nature-inspired custom wedding invitations and hand-illustrated wedding invitations are big for couples planning a destination wedding. Also popular are couture wedding invitations that use luxury design elements and printing techniques like letterpress, foil stamping, embossing, Swarovski crystals, luxury embellishments, silk boxes, engraving, offset, digital and thermography (heating traditional wet ink with a powder compound to create printing that rises off the paper to simulate the refined look of engraving.)
Color Palettes
Wedding guests will see varying shades of violet, rose, blues and greens to mirror the more popular palette for wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses.
Custom Wedding Cakes
Custom wedding cakes will tower to new heights. Fondant masterpieces like the one on the right will make triple-layered cakes a thing of the past.
Eco-Friendly Weddings
A popular way to go these days regardless of budget, the upscale eco-friendly wedding eliminates elaborate table arrangements in favor of miniature fruit or ornamental trees, live topiaries and herb baskets ready for easy transplant into a garden after the wedding.
Focus on Favors
Edible favors continue to gain in popularity—personalized and delectable dark chocolates, candies and exotic fruits thank guests with something tasty and often too beautiful to eat, like “The Perfect Pear” Gourmet Brownie Pops edible wedding favor on the right.
Concern for Humanity
Here’s a trend couples in every tax bracket can incorporate into their wedding plans. It’s simply “giving back on your wedding day and paying forward to those who are desperately in need.” Donate leftover food and delicacies from your wedding reception to homeless shelters and give your floral arrangements to area hospices, nursing homes and hospitals after your celebration so they can continue to bring joy, happiness and a smile into someone’s life.
Live Event Painting
Okay. This is pretty cool. Affluent brides are commissioning artists to create a live painting on canvas of their luxury wedding event as it unfolds, providing unique entertainment for their wedding guests. Most live event artists will gladly travel to your wedding destination anywhere in the world. Prices range from $1000 to $2,500 and up, depending on timing, location and duration, plus travel expenses. Pricey, yes, but what a unique keepsake!
These Newlyweds Prove You’re Never Too Old To Get Hitched!
Ahh, wedded bliss!
It’s the day young girls dream of. But, in this case, older ones, too. I just read a story about this cute little couple in New Hampshire, and I just had to share it with you. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it might put you in the mood for a wedding.
How the fairy tale began
Although married at the time to other people, 94-year-old Allen “Paul” Adams and 83-year-old Eileen Ethier-Adams initially met over 11 years ago. But, it was only recently that their friendship took a romantic turn. Courting each other during their stay at the nursing home, the two widows often enjoyed day trips to the beach, foliage trips to upstate New Hampshire, and to a local pond to feed wild ducks. After all of that, he knew she was the one and popped the question.
She said yes!
They were married at the nursing home where they live surrounded by their family and friends in a beautiful ceremony, complete with wedding cake, flowers, wedding centerpieces and a champagne fountain. No word on the wedding favors, but I’m sure they probably gave out something classy, elegant and useful, like the antique photo frame favors pictured below.
The bride wore white (something she didn’t do the first time around, wearing a green suit instead), and the day was filled with a lot of special moments for this forever-young couple. What was her reaction when she saw her groom for the first time? She said,”He looked so handsome I was afraid someone would steal him from me.” But Eileen wasn’t the only one dishing out the compliments. Paul said,”She looked beautiful. I think some people envy me a little. You should see Eileen when she’s all dolled up.” (Isn’t he a smooth talker!)
At their age, many might think, “Why bother?” But, when it comes to love, there’s no limit. And, when you have a combined age of 177 years, you really can’t put things off. So, they picked 1-10-10 as their wedding date. They liked the sound of that.
How did they end the night?
According to the local newspaper, the newlyweds spent their wedding night at Comfort Suites to get a break from the hustle and bustle of their big wedding day. Eileen adds that “After we got settled in he fell asleep, and I wasn’t far behind.” They’ll save the big honeymoon for the summer when it’s warmer. (Alrighty, then!!)
I hope when I’m that age I’ll still have a love for life like these charming love birds.
Expert Advice on Finding Your Wedding Style (His, Too!)
For some couples, finding their wedding style can be a bit of a challenge. In the current issue of Bridal Guide magazine, Karen Bussen, an event planner and author of Simple Stunning Weddings, offers some good tips for working through your tastes and priorities to arrive at your ideal wedding style. Karen works with engaged couples to smooth and speed up the process of nailing their wedding style, and I’m passing along a few of her suggestions:
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Karen’s first questions to an engaged couple are about themselves: How did you meet? Where did you meet? What are your interests? Are you outdoorsy, foodies, high school sweethearts?
Next, she asks them to describe the mood they envision for their wedding, and she recommends thinking in adjectives: hot and spicy? vintage? elegant and understated? whimsical and funky? Try some out to see what clicks with both of you.
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Write down your wedding priorities. Is it the food? the guest list? an eco-friendly event? the budget? Karen also says that if family members are contributing money and involved in the planning, you should play it safe and run everything by them to make sure their budget squares with your wedding plans.
After you’ve honed in on your wedding style and budget, Karen says, find your venue. Why? “This is your most important decision, because the venue will drive your choice of everything else, from the dress to the decor to the food.” As an example.: “Let’s say your mood will be earthy, but natural and elegant. You know you want something outdoors, with a certain number of people and you’ve agreed on a budget. So maybe, you’ll decide on a farm or a small inn.”
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If you choose, say, a farm, everything follows from there—sourcing your food and flowers locally, using seasonal flowers or even fruits for centerpieces, etc. Instead of a classic jazz trio, you might prefer a bluegrass group or a zydeco band. And, she says, it doesn’t mean you have to go casual. You can go rustic, but elegant in your choice of centerpieces, etc. Even some garden wedding favors can add a touch of elegance to your tables.
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For an urban chic mood, perhaps you’ll rent a modern art gallery, put in long tables, use a row of narrow, clear cylinders with a single flower in each for centerpieces and swanky cocktails. But if sustainability is also a priority, simply choose organic produce for the meal.
All this sounds like a simple, pain-free way to plan the wedding of your dreams—for both of you!
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Stir Up Some Fun With A Themed Cocktail Party
Tired of the same old gathering of family and friends? Stir up some fun with a cocktail party! Whether you’re planning an engagement party or looking to jump start the bachelor party, a cocktail party is a fun way to celebrate. And, the best part is, you don’t have to be an expert party planner to make it happen like a pro. It’s festive, it’s fun and it’s easy–with these tips:
Don’t go broke on the bar: Trying to stock the bar for every drink imaginable could be a disaster, unless you’re loaded with cash. Instead, pick 3-4 drinks that you know will be hit with your friends and purchase the alcohol for those. Allow for three drinks per person and keep in mind that a each 750 ml bottle will make about 15 cocktails. Complete the bar with a good selection of beer, wine and even non-alcoholic drinks for those who might not want the cocktails.
Create a signature drink: This is a fun way to personalize your party. Guests can sip the night away on a matrimonial martini or a cocktail named after something special for the couple, like the wedding theme if you’re having a beach wedding or the place where you met or proposed. A signature drink can help tell your story and is a great conversation starter.
Choose a theme: Everyone knows that party planning is a whole lot easier when elements are held to a central theme. For a cocktail party, choose a tropical theme with beachy drinks, a regional theme with local beers and unique cocktails or a martini theme with all sorts of martinis, and then mix in some unique party favors that accent the theme.
If you’re going with a martini theme, you might consider this martini salt and pepper shaker as a practical favor that reminds your guests of your totally fab party. With a classic olive on top, it makes a realistic first impression. Or, help guests keep the party going with cocktail mix favors. Whether you choose a Cosmopolitan, Margarita or some other drink mix, it will be easy for guests to make their own drinks when they get home.
Designate a bartender. Because you’re the host/hostess, you’ll have plenty to do mingling and making sure your guests are having a good time. Whether it’s a large or a small gathering, leave the bartending to Uncle Bob or a friend who knows their way around the bar, or hire a professional.
Don’t forget the food! Balancing the beverages with some light hors d’ oeuvres will help make sure that no one gets inebriated. Consider meats, cheese, fruits and veggies. Depending on the type of event, you can fancy up some favorites or go exotic, if you dare.
Bottoms up!
