Archive for category Food and Meals

The Great Alcohol Debate

Posted by Crystal in Blog Conversations, Food and Meals

Post #1 in my Cross-Blog Conversation with Ashley of Bride on a Budget.

Earlier this week, I introduced you to Ashley and our Cross-Blog Conversation. I started the conversation by asking Ashley how she felt about Cash Bars/Dry Receptions and what she did for her recent wedding. Ashley responded and shared her views on the issues as a recent budget bride.

Alcohol is one are that can really sink a budget and also one area that raises a lot of controversy as well. In my opinion – there are three ways you can cut down the cost of each – and each one is appropriate in some instances and not in others.

1. Cash Bar – Ah, the ever controversial Cash Bar lol. To be honest – when I first started in the wedding industry I was surprised at the response you get online when you mention a cash bar. In the area that I live in – cash bars are standard. Every single wedding I have ever attended here had a cash bar – with the exception of a few that were dry. EVERY SINGLE ONE – from $5000 weddings to $25000 weddings. To be honest – I have no idea why it is that way here – it just is – and when we were married 11 years ago, we had a cash bar. It wasn’t even something we discussed – it was just the way it is here. My opinion on cash bars is this: IF its what your guests are expecting. IF it’s acceptable in your circle of friends/family. And IF you are still providing plenty of non-alcoholic beverages. IF you meet those three conditions – then go for a cash bar and save your money for something else. BUT if having a cash bar is going to offend or shock your guests, don’t do it. Move on to option #2 or #3.

2. Dry Reception – AKA – an reception sans alcohol. When we renewed our vows last summer, we had a dry reception. This worked for us because we were having a much simpler reception this time around with a dinner and dessert but no dance. My younger sister was married earlier this year. Her fiance and herself choose to have an early afternoon wedding followed with a snack/dessert and punch reception. Because the wedding and reception were both during the day, no one expected alcohol anyway. When it comes to etiquette, you, as the host, are required to provide food and refreshments. That does not have to include alcohol. Keep in mind though that if you want to have a party and have your guests dancing late into the night – an dry reception is probably not the way to go.

3. Limited Bar – I think a limited bar is often the best compromise. I’ve seen this done a number of ways. Some brides go the way that Ashley did with a limited bar selection. This allows you to offer a selection of signature drinks while maintaining more control over the cost of the alcohol being used. If you want to have a wider selection for your guests, you could have a selection of signature drinks available for free and then have other options available through a cash bar. Guests are not required to buy their own alcohol – but if they want something different then you have offered, they do have the option to purchase their own. Another option is to have an open bar during set times. For example, you might offer wine at the tables during dinner and then open the bar after dinner for 2-3 hours.

So that’s my take on the issue of alcohol at weddings Ashley will have her final say and introduce our next topic early next week.

In the mean time – have your say in the comments. What are you doing to help control the alcohol costs at your reception?

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F is for Fruit

Posted by Crystal in Food and Meals

Okay so the plan HAD been to do Fairies for F, but today I stumbled upon Yummy Cakes and changed my mind! The first four photos shown are a few of the AMAZING fruit-topped cakes from Yummy Cakes that inspired this change to F is for Fruit. So, off I went to collect some more fruit ideas for you. Enjoy!

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#1-4: Yummy Cake Company #5: Fruit Buffet from Wikipedia Commons #6: Fruit Bouquets from The RiverWalk Restuarant #7-8: Delicious Treats from cuisinEtc #9: Chocolate Fountain from Chocolate Fountains, of course

And now, I am off to find me some strawberries:)

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Planning A Fourth Of July Wedding

Posted by Crystal in 4th of July Wedding, Bridal Gowns & Accessories, Decorations, Flowers, Food and Meals, Invitations, Wedding Themes, Weddng Party Attire

red blue wedding flowers wedding dress

Whenever you plan a wedding theme, the first thing to do is pick a key point. For a beach wedding, this might be the color blue, or sea shells. For a 4^th of July or Memorial Day wedding, red, white and blue – and flags, are the obvious choice. So, how do you plan a red, white and blue wedding that is gorgeous and affordable? Well, let’s take a look:

Start with the clothing. For the bride, a stunning red and white wedding gown, like ANNA shown here. For the groom, a white or navy blue suit with a red vest and tie. The flower girl will look beautiful in a red gown with a navy blue sash, to match the navy blue bridesmaid gowns. The groomsmen would be in navy or white tuxedos with navy vest and tie. Personally, I think white would look amazing. Tuxedos with tails and top hats would also be stunning. Finish of the look with red necklaces for the girls, and blue for the bride – and red roses for the bouquets and boutinierres.

For wedding invitations, use a navy blue cardstock, with a frosted vellum overlay printed with your information. Tie the two together with a red ribbon, and seal in an envelope with a flag sticker or a wax seal.

For the ceremony, decorate the center aisle with a white aisle runner. At the edge of each pew or row – place a pew bow of white tulle decorated with red and blue ribbon, ivy and a tiny US flag. If you need to fit into a smaller budget – put them only on the first few rows were immediate family and honored guests will be sitting. If you want an archway at the alter, decorate it with white tulle, red and blue ribbon, ivy and tiny flags to match the pew bows.

There are two unique guest book ideas that come to mind. You could take a large piece of parchment and have your names, date and place written on top in old fashioned calligraphy. Distress the paper, and tie it with a ribbon for a week or so before the wedding – so it has the just unrolled look. Have guests sign – just like the fore fathers did. Of, find a flag that is large, but small enough to still hang on a wall. Have your names and dates embroidered on the center, and then have guests use fabric pens to sign on the flag. This flag can then be framed and hung later on.

Remembrance – You may want to do something to remember those who gave their lives as well. Place a small side table with three candles – red, white and blue somewere were it will be seen. Place a wreath of red, white and blue flowers in front. This could be placed by the guestbook table, or near the entrance to the sanctuary. It could also go in the reception hall near the cake table or in front of the head table if you wanted.

For reception décor, use white table clothes. Decorate the head table with tulle, ribbon, ivy and tiny flags as you did the pew bows. For the guest tables, you can use small flower arrangements of red carnations with blue and white ribbons, and a little flag in the center. Accent the centerpiece with red, white and blue confetti. Oil lanterns with an old fashion look would also make great centerpieces. If they are clear –red and blue oil make a great touch! If you are using table markers – name each table after a founding father or a state. A rose bowl with a floating candle would make a great centerpiece as well – just tie red and blue ribbon around the top.

This is the perfect wedding theme for an All American Bar-B-Que! For an informal wedding, offer a buffet of freshed grilled beef and chicken burgers, fruit salad, potato salad, coleslaw, etc. For a more formal wedding, bar-b-qued chicken with baked potatoes is perfect. A cake or dessert dish decorated with strawberries and blueberries is the perfect end to the meal. We have another article posted on red, blue and white wedding cakes for a 4th of July wedding as well -you can read it here.

And for a finishing touch – don’t forget to leave the wedding in a bang: yes I mean fireworks. Plan for a fireworks display to take place as part of your farewell as you and your new husband leave the wedding! If you are not able to have fireworks, opt for some amazing 36” sparkles for guests to use to see you off!

AFTERTHOUGHT: Eagles would also make a great addition to your decor for a July 4th wedding. Don’t think eagles are romantic? You might change your mind. Eagles are one of the few animals on earth that mate for life. When a pair of eagles meet, they will soar together as high above the clouds – male chasing female. Then, she will allow herself to fall. If the male catches her on his back – they will remain together for the rest of their lives! What a wonderful display of love, trust, and faithfulness. “When you soar, I will soar with you. When you fall, I will catch you.”

FOR MORE 4th of July Wedding Ideas and Wedding Favor Suggestions, Click Here.

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OMChocolate Table!!!

Posted by Crystal in Candy Buffets, Food and Meals

Okay – there is definitely NOTHING budget friendly about this, but if you’re like me, you’ll want to just sit and look at it for a while……

Now, if you really really love it, you could do something similar on a smaller table like your cake table, etc. Now, stop drolling and get back to wedding planning. (More pictures on Hostess with the Mostess)

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The Cold Supper Reception

Posted by Crystal in Food and Meals

A cold supper reception is wonderful because all the food can be made in advance and you save a great deal of money by not needing to hire a caterer! You may also save money on the reception hall rental, because many halls charge less if you are not using the stoves. This is also a great option for an outdoor reception. Basically, you plan a menu of items that can be made the day before without going bad. You will need to enlist the help of friends and family to prepare and store the food the day before the wedding. Here are some ideas for items that can be offered:

“Make Your Own Sandwiches” – buns or bread with toppings available so guests can make their own sandwiches

Toppings could include cold cuts, cheese, pickles, butter, jam, tuna, egg salad, lettuce leaves, onions, tomatoes, mustard, etc.

Jello Salads

Potato or Pasta Salads

Fruit Salad but without apples or bananas – or add them just before if you want

Crackers with cheese

fruit or veggie platters

many many desserts

There are more, but those are a few ideas to get you started:)

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Chocolate Brown Gable Boxes

Posted by Crystal in Decorations, Food and Meals

Okay seriously, the Weddingbee’s ROCK!! Check out this amazing gable box they found on MrTakeOutBags.com! I love it – it’s a little big for a favor box (smallest size is 8x5x5) but it would be awesome for out-of-town guest packs or for kids at the wedding. Fill with a little coloring book, crayons and other little “keep me busy” type things and place one on each spot that will be filled by a little one.

Another adorable idea would be to do a picnic-style buffet for a garden wedding. Have your caterer (or yourself) fill each one with a picnic meal for two, and set up your reception area with picnic blankets, pillows, lounge chairs, etc.

Oh and the best part – these cost 55 cents each!!!! That’s it!!! (but you have to buy 100 at a time – $55 for 100)

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Wedding Buffets

Posted by Crystal in Candy Buffets, Food and Meals, Wedding Favors

Buffets seem to be the thing to do in weddings right now – and I don’t mean for dinner. There are some great buffet ideas hitting the top weddings and I thought I would compile a run down of my favorites and why I think they are worth considering.

1. Candy Buffet – How didn’t LOVE walking into a candy bar as kids? A candy buffet is a fun way to relive that memory at your wedding. A candy buffet replaces traditional wedding favors and gives your guests a chance to pick the candy THEY want. Surveys continually show that guests prefer edible favors – the a candy buffet has been a HUGE hit over and over again. A candy buffet is not always a cheap option, but check out our Candy Buffet section in the side menu for ideas on how to make more affordable.

2. Popcorn Buffet – This is a new one I read about last week and it sounds like a great alternative or addition to the candy buffet. Basically, you set this up like a candy buffet but with different flavored popcorns, regular popcorn with seasonings, etc. You can also look into renting a popcorn maker an offering theatre style fresh popcorn at your reception. There are plenty of types of caramel and flavored popcorns that you could make yourself and this could be a very very affordable alternative to candy and a affordable wedding favor.

3. Coffee Buffet – This is something I haven’t seen often but read about recently and loved. It’s like having a coffee bar at your wedding. If you have decided not to offer alcohol but want something more exciting then punch this might be just the ticket. A coffee buffet would include basic coffee, espresso, etc. You should also have things like teas and hot chocolate for those who don’t drink coffee. Your coffee buffet can also include dessert items like coffee cake, biscuits and other desserts that you might find at a local Starbucks or other coffee shop. A coffee buffet can be a very chic and affordable alternative to alcohol and it makes a wonderful addition especially for a winter wedding.

4. Dessert Buffet – Basically, the idea with a dessert buffet is to offer a selection of desserts rather then a wedding cake. If you want a wedding cake, you can have a smaller cake and then offer the buffet rather then cake for dessert. A dessert buffet has a great number of benefits. In many cases, a dessert buffet will be cheaper then a cake but that will depend on your caterer and the desserts you choose. If you aren’t having a caterer, you can get desserts at the local grocery store or bakery – or even bake them yourself. If you do them yourself, aim for desserts that can be made a week or two earlier and frozen so that you aren’t baking the night before. Another benefit of a dessert buffet is the selection. Not everyone likes cake and no matter what type of wedding cake you pick, some guests won’t like it. A dessert buffet offers more selection, and most guests will find something that will suite their tastes.

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Alcohol and your wedding budget

Posted by Crystal in Food and Meals

Alcohol has a tendancy to be a very touchy topic in wedding planning. Open bar, cash bar, no bar, limited bar, etc – everyone’s opinions very on what is or is not okay. SO, I thought I would take a moment to touch on some of those issues and give you ideas on how you can save money in this area.

1. Responsibility and Etiquette

- Many people argue that not offering alcohol at your reception makes you a bad host and shows bad etiquette. The first thing you need to understand is that THAT is NOT true. Your responsibility as a host is to provide a fun evening, which include food and refreshments suitable to the time of the event. There is no rule or tradition that say that refreshments have to include alcohol. Serving alcohol is an option, not a must. Keep that in mind when making your choice.

2. Know Your Area and Your Guests

- The truth is, every region and family group is different. I have never ever been to a wedding with a full open bar and I am sure there are many people who would say they exact opposite of their area. If you want alcohol, and you know your guests would expect and except a cash bar – more power to you. But, if you live in an area or are from a group where most people would find a cash bar to be offensive then you need to choose either an open bar or no bar.

3. Saving Money

- So, if you have decided you do want to offer alcohol at your wedding, and a cash bar is just not an option – there are still plenty of ways that you can save money. Here are a few great money savers:

a. Instead of a full bar, serve a signature drink or offer a signature selection of drinks. Some brides have even themed their drink selection to suit their wedding theme, the location or even the time of year.

b. Offer beer and wine – the majority of guests will drink one or the other and like above, this allows you to limit the amount supplies you need on hand. Plus – no mixes, etc.

c. Buy wine in bulk, or wholesale. When you purchase wine in cases, you will often save even more and while you have to pay a corkage fee to your caterer it is often still cheaper then offering the wines that your caterer provides. You can also save by buying magnum bottles (double size) which are cheaper and cut your corkage fee in half.

d. Limit the open bar. Offer a signature cocktail or champagne before dinner, bottles of wine during dinner, and then open the bar after the first dance.

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Book Review: DIY Catering

Posted by Crystal in DIY Weddings, Food and Meals

When you are on a budget, the price of catering can shred a budget in seconds. It is possible to cater your own wedding without it being totally tacky. I have done it a few times – my wedding and both of my sisters weddings were self catered, both had 150-200 guests, both had FULL dinners, and none cost more then $1500 (for food and service). It can be done.

If catering your own wedding is something you would like to at least consider, a great book to pick up is Cater Your Own Wedding by Mike Flowers. It’s a great book, which sells for less then $15, and has gotten great reviews on Amazon.

Here is what some of the readers have said:

I found this book to be very helpful in telling all the little details for catering your own wedding or function. Exactly how many people you will need to help, exactly what/how much food to buy, what serving equipment is needed, how many tables needed, and how to set them up, with detailed floor plans. All of the little details that will make or break the function – and your sanity.

It helped me plan a beautiful hor’d ourve reception for 300 people for under 1000 bucks! People raved about it and it was wonderful! This book helps you plan every last detail.

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Save on Catering – Plan a Tantalizing, yet Wallet-Friendly, Menu for your Wedding Reception

Posted by Crystal in Food and Meals

Suffering from catering sticker shock? You betcha! You will allocate about 50% of your entire wedding budget to wining and dining your guests. If you’re already dreading the look on their faces when offered bread and water, browse through these favorite money saving tips. Budget-savvy brides can get creative and wow their guests with a mouthwatering and memorable meal that won’t maximize their catering budget.

Eliminate Courses -
Break from the five course mold it’s tedious and expensive. Why not serve a 3 course meal that’s extraordinary? Eliminating a soup, salad, or an extra dessert at your wedding reception will go unnoticed and will free up some of your catering budget for what really excites you.

Appetizer Tables -
Passed hors d’oeuvres, while elegant, can drain your catering budget. Consider instead an appetizer table. And don’t fret that this decision will scream low end. Infuse the table with creative displays; even a vegetable tray can be done to evoke the ultimate in class and panache.

A Casual Affair -
The most stylish events are not always black tie. A recent trend has brides breaking from the stuffy formal wedding reception and embracing a more casual and festive atmosphere. Consider instead a down-home barbeque, a New England Clambake, a Mexican Fiesta. With a little insight and ingenuity, you can serve these relaxed themes in a manner that’s positively chic.

A Non-Dinner Affair -
Dinner is the most expensive meal to serve. Save on catering by considering a brunch, lunch or even a dessert reception. Your wedding budget will thank you.

A Cocktail Reception -
Along those lines, consider a menu consisting entirely of hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. If your wedding reception does not coincide with a meal time, a cocktail and appetizer reception is perfectly acceptable. Since these events typically run for only two hours, in addition to savings on catering – location, staffing and other rental fees are also considerably reduced.

For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource.

Resources:
Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for http://www.elegala.com and Elegala Magazine. Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding vendors, with the planning tips to keep brides in the know on today’s planning trends and styles.

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