The Catering of It All. . .

I find that most of the questions I get asked on a regular basis have to do with catering or food.  The questions usually deal with how to serve it, when to serve it, is buffet better than plated and so on.  

In this blog I will try to clear away all the muck and leave you with a basic idea of how to handle wedding day catering.  Please note that every catering company and catering venue has their own chosen set of rules and regulations so please read before you buy; I don’t care how much you love the room!

  

1.   Breakfast, lunch, or dinner; my dear?  The first hurdle to cross is what time of day is your wedding taking place.  Wedding food is no different than any other meal and needs to correspond to the time of day.  The later in the day your ceremony starts the heavier your reception fare should be.  
2.  Plated, Buffett, or Full Service?  Now that you have decided the when; how comes next.  The three most common types of service are plated, buffet, and full service.  Let us explore each.  

  

a.       Plated-this is when service staff will serve your guests a single plate containing a entrée, vegetable and side (or starch).  The pros to this option are the quickness and ease of service and you can almost guarantee everyone will start and finish their meals simultaneously.  The down side is that if you have a family of hearty eaters they will be left hungry or disappointed.  Also there may be guests who will not partake in any portion of the plated meal because it is not to their liking it all.  This option can be more accommodating if two or even three entrée choices are given.

b.      Buffet- this option is where several entrees, sides, and vegetables are lined up all-you-can eat style.  This is great but can (if not handled properly) result in a long never ending line. The positive of this option is there are usually food options for even the pickiest eaters and usually enough food for the hearty eaters to make two trips. 

c.       Full Service- this is a more upscale choice it combines the options of a buffet with the ease of the plated meal.  Often servers will come to each guest separately and ask them to choice from 2-4 entrees.  Then each guest is given their choice.  This style relies on apt training and swiftness of catering staff.  Since orders are taken it can result in a slightly longer wait time for food.  The option is also pricier because of the additional staff required.   

   

3.       And if none of that tickles your fancy- Other options for catering include cocktails and hors'd'oeuvres, champagne and cake and a breakfast buffet.  All of these are increasing in popularity for the budget bride as well as with individuals who are not celebrating their first marriage.  Just make note that these options are cost effective, but often much shorter than traditional style wedding receptions.  

Once again I hope this helps to make your wedding planning just a bit easier.  Don’t forget to check us out at www.blessedoccasionsevents and follow us on facebook: Blessed Occasions Events and Twitter: boevents

Introducing Ask the Planner

Beginning February 1, 2011 we will begin a new installment to the Blessed Occasions blog called Ask the Planner.  This will allow questions to be answered by Ms. Rogers via blog or video. If Ms. Rogers chooses to answer your question or provide advice on your dilemma you will receive an email from here letting you know when your response will be posted.  If you wish to take part please send your wedding related questions or dilemmas to asktheplanner@blessedoccasionsevents.com. 

We can't wait to hear from you.

It's All About the Gown

Every bride knows she has to eventually venture into the world of wedding gowns.  Depending on the bride this can cause a sense of barely containable excitement or overwhelming fear and dread.   No matter which side of the fence she is on the dress is an important (if not most important) detail of the wedding. How you come down the aisle will be a part of your guest’s memories for several years.  It will also be a important factor in whether your wedding is a success or a flop.  There are tips for wedding dress shopping to make your important decision a little less cumbersome.

1. Have a budget and stick to it.  Nothing is worse than falling in love with a dress you can’t afford; if you have a budget in mind the consultant won’t pull dresses that you can’t afford.  This small step can help you avoid a world of disappointment.  
2. Know your body type.  Buying a wedding dress is similar to buying any other piece of clothing.  Dresses are made to flatter certain figures and knowing your body type can make a world of difference.  This website http://www.style-makeover-hq.com/body-shape.html can help you determine your body type if you don’t know it. 
3. Wear the proper undergarments.  Undergarments can make a world of difference in the fit of your wedding dress.  Most dresses are made with built in corsets or body slimmers, but it doesn’t mean you can skimp on the proper bra and underwear.  Be sure to get fitted for a bra that fits correctly and compliments your dress style. ( i.e strapless dress-strapless bra) If it has been more than a year since the last time you were fitted for a bra make sure you get fitted again to ensure a proper fit.  To find a bra fit specialist near you: http://intimg.3by400.com/images/stories/intimacy-retailers.pdf 
4. Have an open mind.  How it looks on the hanger is no sign of how it will look on you.  Be open to trying on different styles and designers.  The dream dress you found in the bridal magazine may not be the perfect dress for you. 
5.  Less is more.  Try to limit your entourage to a 2-4 people who truly have your best interests at heart.  Taking a gang of people dress shopping can make a overwhelming experience almost unbearable.  There are several events that will take place during the course of your planning where you can invite friends and family.  Dress shopping is not the best environment for family gathering if puts unneeded pressure on you and your dress consultant to please such a large group.  Remember you’re the bride and you must be happy even if others are unhappy.  
6. Ask about policies and guidelines.  Ask the bridal salon where you are purchasing the gown what is their payment policy, how long will it take for your dress to arrive from order date, how much are alterations, if there is a flaw with the dress what is their return exchange policy.  If the store has their policies in writing be sure to obtain a copy.  
7.  Avoid crash diets or extreme weight loss techniques.  Once you purchase your dress try not to go on a diet.  Losing or gaining weight can affect the fit of your dress and add additional costs later for alterations.  If you want to lose weight do it before you go wedding dress shopping. 

If you follow these guidelines dress shopping should be a happy and joyous occasion.  I hope all of you knock em’ dead with your dress selections.