Serving Fun, Fancy, and Delicious Mocktails at Your Event
To some, an anniversary party, wedding, or corporate event without a spirit to sip as they make their rounds simply isn’t appealing: Many folks equate the free flow of adult beverages with fun and letting loose.
However, this definitely isn’t the case for everyone. In fact, there are a number of reasons some guests will pass on alcohol, including religion, health issues, personal convictions, or aversion to the taste. These guests deserve tasty, interesting drink options, too, and, as their host or hostess, it’s up to you to deliver.
To that end, let’s talk about creative ways not only to serve non-alcoholic drinks but to present them, as well.
Have a conversation with your venue. To get started on planning a full bar experience that serves up trendy specialty drinks with or without the alcohol, make sure to discuss your plans with your venue. Their bar staff may have experience mixing up unique and yummy concoctions, and they might even boast a signature mocktail or two. You also should ask if your venue is open to taking recipe suggestions from you in case you have some ideas in mind. If they are, you also can ask friends for recommendations.
Do better than straight soda.
Yes, soda is standard, go-to non-alcoholic fare and the first drink of choice for a dry bar, but for some, it’s also boring. How about a soda station, where your guests can create custom refreshments with a selection of ingredients? You could stock the station with syrups laced with fruit flavors or options like mint, berries, ginger, honey, rosemary, crushed flowers, and other fun and surprising choices to spice up their soda. Also, mixing limes and lemons with Sprite or a similar beverage makes for a tasty limeade.
Making Water Great Again.
If you’re looking to offer fun, light water options, which are great for kids, there are many ways to go about it. Lemonade is always a good idea, but you can also provide water infused with lime, cucumber, or strawberries. Not only do these drinks mix well with dinner, but they also make a great accompaniment to mid-day lunch events or brunches.
Go crazy for kombucha.
You may have heard of kombucha, a fermented and sweetened black or green tea, but did you know it mixes well with cherries, rosemary, lavender, or berries to make a great alcohol-free beverage? Put it on the drink menu at your next event, and delight your guests.
Serve alcohol-free cider.
For teetotalers, cider is a suitable substitute to champagne for making toasts, so why not jazz it up with fruit juices for a flavor kick. Try blackberry, cranberry, or grape juice mixers.
Present a pressed-juice station.
Fun for health nuts, kids, or anyone looking for a refreshing drink, these juices are great ideas to serve at luncheons, showers, or at your garden-style wedding reception. Liven up your juice staples of apple, white grape, and orange with pomegranate juice for an outside-of-the-box option.
Offer herb-infused options.
Mix lavender lemonade with honey, or shake up a ginger-apple mocktail using ginger, lemon slices, ginger beer, and apple juice. Mint, basil, and rosemary can be combined with soda, too. How about a mint julep made from ginger ale, lemon juice, and mint? The choices are many!
Choose the fancy glasses.
This is a big one! One of the joys of having a nice drink is partaking from a beautiful glass, like an elegant tumbler or a champagne flute. Don’t leave your sober guests out when it’s time to toast or have a drink in hand — make sure their glass, like everyone’s, matches the tone of the event.
Have all drinks made at the same bar.
This aligns with the “drink from the same cup” advice offered above and keeps your guests mingling while ensuring those passing on the alcohol don’t stand out.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to liven up a dry bar and make sure all your guests have fun, interesting, and tasty drinks throughout your party.
A final tip: We suggest offering at least three non-alcoholic options at your event. With the many ideas we’ve given you, that shouldn’t be a tough task.
A Wedding Website Is a Great Tool for Your Guests. Be Sure Yours Is Up To Snuff
It should come as no surprise that creating a wedding website is an important part of your nuptial planning and that your site will serve as a valuable tool to communicate with your guests. However, when it comes to including all the needed elements, be it the time and place you’ll be married to links to nearby hotels, you may be unsure of how to effectively arrange it all.
A good way to approach the task is to keep your guests’ wedding-related needs at the forefront of your mind. After all, they will use the site to access the details they’ll want about your big day, including the itinerary, local attractions, and your registry to name a few, so you want to take care not to forget any critical elements.
To make it as simple as possible, we’ve compiled a list of dos and don’ts for creating your website.
Do create a beautiful welcome page, complete with your engagement photo or some other pic of you and your intended, with your names and a message welcoming folks to your site and telling them how much you’re looking forward to seeing them when you walk down the aisle.
Don’t clutter your site or the homepage with too many details. Keep your website clean, informative, and to the point.
Do make sure the most important details, such as the day, time, location, and parking information for your wedding are easily accessible, either on the home page or via clearly marked instructions on how to find them. It might even be a nice idea to include a digital map of your venue where guests can spot it quickly.
Don’t forget about those who likely won’t access your website. Many of your older guests, including important ones like grandparents, may not think (or would not like) to view a website to garner information about your wedding. For these people, make sure to reach out personally or send a save the date card in the mail with all your pertinent information.
Do include some fun “how you met” and “how he/she proposed” details on your site.
Don’t include overly personal or private memories that may cause some of your guests to blush when they read it. Keep it classy!
Do include your registry information, complete with links for online shopping. It’s generally accepted etiquette that including such information on your invitations is in poor taste, but your website is a great spot for it.
Do have a page dedicated to wedding events and clarify dates, times, locations, the parking situation, and dress codes for each.
Don’t include events that are meant only for certain guests, such as wedding showers and bachelor and/or bachelorette parties. You wouldn’t want to make some people feel left out if you listed your after-wedding lunch on your website as a featured event but they weren’t invited.
Do suggest hotels where your guests might stay and include the phone number, address, and website of these establishments. You might also make it easier on your out-of-town guests by conducting research beforehand on pricing and local sites close to different hotels to include. Details on local airports, routes into town and car rental agencies are a nice touch, as well, with links to all.
Do recommend some fun activities for your guests, particularly those who aren’t familiar with the area where your wedding is set and especially for those who are staying in town for a few days.
Do include information about how and when people have to RSVP. Experts are split on whether you should accept digital RSVPs via your website or stick to traditional RSVP cards included with your invitations, but, either way you go, the deadline should still be on your website.
Don’t print your website address on your invitation. No matter how modern and tech-savvy we have become, there are limits. Most etiquette experts would agree that listing your web address on your paper invitations would sully the effect. Instead, direct folks to your site via an email blast or on a specially printed card tucked into the invitation envelope.
Don’t use your website as a substitute for thank-you notes. Of course, you can add a note to your site after the wedding to thank everyone for attending and sharing in the festivities, but that is no substitute for hand-written notes to all who came and brought a gift.
Do make use of your site to post wedding photos and perhaps even honeymoon pics. Guests would love to see some of the best from the ceremony and reception, and sharing photos on the site gives them a fun way to remember the event.
Building a website for your wedding can be a fun task, but, remember, the goal is to create an online resource that keeps your guests abreast of what’s going on with your nuptials and gives them the information they need to make the most of attending. Keep your site simple, welcoming, and loaded with the ins and outs of your big day. Your guests will thank you for it!
Looking to Plan the Perfect Prom? We’ve Got You Covered
Ah, prom! A time-honored tradition and rite of passage for teens. Just the mere mention of prom conjures images of formal dresses; dapper dudes in tuxes; the requisite streamers, balloons, and punch bowls; and—for many—the last vestiges of high school life before college, jobs, and adulthood begin.
With so much riding on one event, it makes sense to have your ducks in a row, ensuring you’ll plan a fabulous and fun night, an event no one will soon forget. To get it done, let’s review several steps you’ll need to take to throw the perfect prom.
Gather your peeps. Staging a prom is a group effort, so find your friends, round up some trusted adults, and create your planning committee. Make sure to divide and conquer by organizing yourselves into subcommittees focused on such areas as budget, decorating, entertainment, food, ticket sales, royalty-crowning ceremony, invitations, venue selection, after-party, and volunteer recruitment. If your school is fund-raising to help cover costs, there will need to be a subcommittee for that, as well.
Get your money in check. Find out how much money you have for the big bash and allocate an amount for each committee has to work with. Appoint a person from the budget subcommittee to liaison with other subcommittees to keep the spending in check.
Choose a theme. Brainstorm a few ideas with your group and then put them to a vote. Good things to consider are themes from past proms, current events and pop culture-inspired possibilities, and how easy it will be to decorate for your theme.
Set the date and choose a venue. These two tasks are grouped together because often when you can hold your prom will have a big impact on where you can hold your prom. Of course, cost is a big consideration, but also make sure you consider how much space you’ll need—think room enough to cut a rug—and how well the venue will work with your theme. It’s also a good idea to check with the venue to see if they have decorations on hand or even neutral table linens that would work no matter the decor. Don’t forget to secure a written agreement with the details. Finally, connect with friends from neighboring schools about when and where they’re holding their prom. It’s inevitable, particularly in a big city, that several schools will have proms on the same night, but at least you can try to pick a night when the prom schedule isn’t so jam-packed.
Book your caterer, photographer, and entertainment provider. Before you scout out options, check with your venue to see if they have any go-to vendors. If not, be sure to look for chefs who know how to create fun and casual bites or even some tasty mocktails to enjoy and toast with. Make sure to find a band or DJ who’s hip to the latest tunes but can also put together a varied playlist to appeal to all types. Depending on your budget, you might even consider additional entertainers, like a magician or comedian. For a photographer, most seasoned professionals will do a great job, but you can also scout out photography students from your local university, too, particularly if you’re looking to save money in that area.
Get the word out. It wouldn’t be a prom without posters strewn around the school walls, and you can definitely have fun making them. Nowadays, there are so many great digital options for invitations, as well. Think e-invitations, social media announcements on your school’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages, and good ole’ group texts via Remind or your schools’ messaging system.
Set the rules. Make sure people know what is and isn’t acceptable attire, how late they will be allowed entry into the prom, and how early they have to purchase tickets and/or RSVP, particularly if you’re serving food.
Select chaperones. Find your favorite teachers and parents and ask if they can serve to keep the crazy to a low roar on prom night.
Rally the troops. When the big day arrives, so should everyone else! Whether you’re organizing volunteers, putting up decorations, setting up food tables, taking tickets, creating selfie stations, or doing whatever else needs doing, all prom committee members should be ready and willing to pitch it in to pull it off.
Plan the coronation. The annual crowning of prom king and queen is definitely a highlight, so make sure it’s special. Map out ahead of time who will announce the night’s royalty and ensure your entertainment provider is in on the plan. Perhaps they can have a special song planned to set the mood. Timing is also important, so aim to crown the king and queen midway through the event so they can bask in their regal glory the rest of the evening.
Dance the night away! Need we say more?
Hit the after-prom party. Most proms don’t end when the official event winds down. Instead, it’s tradition in many schools for kids to head to an after-hours party, usually hosted by parents. However, often this soiree is planned by the prom committee. If that’s the case at your school, make sure you have a subcommittee tasked with booking the space or informally reserving a local house for the party and working with the parents on the details.
Although there’s lots to do, organizing a prom can be almost as memorable as the event itself. So if you find yourself on the planning committee, commit to doing the best job you can and having fun while you’re at it.
The Sweet (And Occasionally Odd) History of Wedding Cake
Wedding cakes: They’re iconic, beautiful, and—with a few variations—an eagerly anticipated element of receptions around the world.
Today’s elegant, multi-tiered creations are a far cry, however, from the barley cakes prepared for weddings in ancient Rome or the Bride’s Pye of medieval Europe. Over the centuries, early versions of wedding cake have been more about symbolism than culinary pleasure, and during some eras, were sprinkled over brides as much as they were eaten.
Here’s a look at the history of wedding cake and how it went from an ancient means of ushering in good luck to a top-tier wedding tradition.
Crumbs and Confetti
According to an article by Carol Wilson for Gastronomica: The Journal of Critical Food Studies, we can trace wedding cake’s origins back to ancient Rome, though few modern couples will be lining up for the recipe.
“Ancient Roman wedding ceremonies were finalized by breaking a cake of (unsweetened) wheat or barley over the bride’s head as a symbol of good fortune,” Wilson wrote. “The newly married couple then ate a few crumbs in a custom known as confarreatio—eating together.”
Guests later grabbed up the remaining crumbs, which they thought would bring them good luck.
Over time, a gentler tradition evolved: Instead of smashing the bread on the bride’s head, guests crumbled wheat cakes over her. Wilson noted that after the wheat cakes were used up, wedding guests moved on to confetto made from nuts, dried fruit, and sweetened almonds. So, now, in addition to wedding cakes, we see how the tradition of throwing rice or confetti at newlyweds got its start.
Frieze of a Medieval Wedding, Thomas Stothard, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Stacks of Sweets and Bride’s Pye
Sweetened wedding pastries made their appearance in England in the Middle Ages. Weddings featured towering stacks of buns, cookies, and scones. The idea was for the bride and groom to try to kiss over it. If they managed to lock lips, they’d be blessed with good fortune.
Unfortunately, not all of England’s early wedding treats were quite so delightful. Eating Bride’s Pye was a way to bring newlyweds good luck, too, but from today’s perspective, the guests who were expected to eat it weren’t remotely lucky. The ingredient list in a 1685 recipe for Bride’s Pye, for example, includes lamb testicles and throat, oysters, pine kernels, and rooster comb.
“In Yorkshire, it was thought that eating the pie ensured the couple would have a happy life together, so declining a slice (even one filled with testicles and thyroid) was a major no-no,” Marissa Laliberte wrote for Reader’s Digest.
There was a bit of fun associated with the pie, though. It typically contained a ring, and the single woman who found it was supposedly next to be married.
Tiers of Joy
Pies gradually made way for wedding cakes in 17th century England. Initially, though, they typically were made of two pastry crusts, a sandwich of sorts, holding currants (no animal parts, at least) and dusted with sugar.
But all of that changed when refined sugar became accessible and affordable in England. Shortly after that, cakes covered with white icing became the norm.
Wedding cakes took another step toward the creations we’re familiar with today in the late 17th century, Laliberte wrote. Legend has it that a London baker’s apprentice, intent on impressing his employer’s daughter, created an elaborate pastry modeled after the tiered spire of St. Bride’s Church. The idea, apparently, took off.
“Formal wedding cakes became bigger and more elaborate through the Victorian age,” Abigail Tucker wrote for Smithsonian Magazine. “In 1947, when Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) wed Prince Philip, the cake weighed 500 pounds.”
These days, wedding cakes continue to serve as more than a dessert. They’ve become canvases of creative and artistic expression, and in some cases, augmented by technology. And while they don’t necessarily pave the way for good fortune, they do provide some of our sweetest wedding memories.
It’s Tasting Time! How to Make the Most of Your Wedding Menu Tasting to Ensure You and Your Guests Enjoy Every Last Bite
we’ve gathered some considerations you should take into account and important questions to pose to your caterer when you’re choosing your wedding bites.
A wedding is definitely a treat for the senses. The sight of the beautiful dress, the scent of the flowers, the sounds of laughter through tears and fun, celebratory music! If this weren’t enough, there is often the anticipation of a sumptuous meal to complement those experiences. And don’t forget the wedding cake! Nothing calms a sweet tooth like a multi-tiered cake festooned with cascading, edible flowers made from delicious buttercream icing. Just thinking about it is mouth-watering!
If it wasn’t already evident, making your menu decisions is an important aspect of planning your big day, so it’s wise to give your meal tasting the time and consideration it deserves. It's also a good idea to schedule your tasting anywhere from three to 12 months before your wedding. Any longer than that and you run the risk that certain foods are out of season or the standard menu options may change.
To make sure you cover all the bases, we’ve gathered some considerations you should take into account and important questions to pose to your caterer when you’re planning and choosing your wedding bites.
· Come prepared. Before you sit down with your caterer, you should have a good idea of your dining concept—buffet, stations, plated—and main food choices. The tasting is the time for you to sample what your guests will be eating and to help you choose between a few options you’ve pre-selected. Remember, it’s not productive to go into the tasting green, with no idea of what you want. Also, too many choices can easily overwhelm you; streamline your sampling choices ahead of the tasting so you can have a focused session and make good decisions.
· Don’t eat too much beforehand. Remember, although you’ll only be taking a few bites of each dish, you’ll likely be eating a good bit, so it’s important you have room in your belly to try out a little bite of everything that will be served on your big day.
· Limit your party. Speaking of being overwhelmed with too many choices, too many opinions can produce the same effect. To avoid that, ask only two or three people to tag along to offer their thoughts on the spread. If you have a wedding planner, make sure he or she is there to spot potential problems and to ask questions you might not think of.
· Ask about specialty foods. If the chef has a special dish that’s a known crowd-pleaser, it may be a good idea to have him or her cook it up for your guests, as well.
· Be sensitive to your guests’ special dietary needs. If you know some of your guests are gluten- or dairy-free eaters, vegan, vegetarians, or perhaps they avoid pork for religious reasons, it’s up to you to make sure they will have ample options. Talk this over with your caterer to see what he can offer.
· Be aware of what drinks will be served. The tasting isn’t just about sampling food; it’s also about sampling the drinks that will be served along with it. If this includes alcohol, it goes without saying that you should only sip to avoid becoming tipsy or drunk. It’s not a small task for a caterer to put together a tasting, so you should respect his time by keeping a clear head with which to make important decisions.
· Give honest feedback and ask lots of questions. The chef wants their food to be a success as much as you do, so don’t be shy about inquiring about how the food will be cooked, presented, and served. If there is anything you don’t like, tell your caterer; there’s a good chance a few tweaks can solve the problem.
Questions to ask during your tasting:
How many appetizers will be passed out per tray?
What’s on the children’s menu?
Are there options for late-night snacks?
Can you make any changes to the menu?
What type of wine and/or cocktail options do they recommend?
Will the wedding day food be prepared as it is for the tasting?
What type of linens will be used?
What will the servers be wearing?
Do they offer upgrades for chairs and/or linens?
Like other aspects of wedding planning, the tasting can be fun, and you can make it a mini-event for you, your betrothed, and the lucky few who get to tag along. Still, it’s an important part of the process for your chef, so respect their work to put the tasting together, and honor that work with thoughtful questions and honest feedback. It’ll all add up to a dining experience you and your guests won’t forget.
Is a Destination Wedding Your Destiny? What you Need to Know Before you Take the Plunge
Ah, the lure of a destination wedding! The romance of vows exchanged on a white sand beach while the waves crash just beyond. The breathtaking views of nuptials amidst a pristine mountain backdrop. Or, even the promise of excitement that comes with jetting off with your family and friends to tie the knot in an exotic locale. No matter how your destination wedding is pulled off, these shindigs bring the drama!
Planning your wedding in parts unknown definitely sounds like a great idea, and, for many couples, it’s exactly the right decision when it comes to starting married life together. However, before you book your plane tickets, let’s run down the good and maybe not-so-good of the destination wedding. After all, wedding planning is stressful enough, so let’s be sure you know what you’re getting into before you tackle it without the luxury of the home-field advantage.
Why a destination wedding is fab.
The photos will be amazing! This is perhaps stating the obvious, but let’s be real. Any couple considering taking their nuptials out of town is dreaming of how those bridal shots will look against a dreamy backdrop.
The wedding can double as a vacation and possibly set the scene for the honeymoon, as well. After all, if you’re going to all the expense of traveling for your wedding, you may as well make the most of your stay there. Your guests may enjoy a few days of sightseeing too.
An all-inclusive resort can be a real stress saver. In addition to the excitement of jetting off to get married, many popular spots offer all-inclusive wedding packages, leaving betrothed couples with little more to do than making a few decisions, paying the bill, and having a blast. Can you say relaxed?
It may save you money. Bet you didn’t expect that one, huh? It’s true though. Because destination weddings are so popular, many resorts offer discounts the more guests that come, or they offer you lower prices if you book your honeymoon there, as well.
Why it may be more your style to stay local.
Many of your guests may not be able to attend. In some cases, there will be no way to get around this. Some folks simply won’t be able to carve out the time in their schedule for wedding-related travel, while others won’t be able to afford it. Think long and hard about who you want at your wedding and make sure they can be there before you book.
You have to learn to let go when it comes to some of the details. Not being able to tour your venue or sample catering choices may be too much for couples who feel more comfortable with a hands-on approach to wedding planning. What’s more, you may have to fully rely on a wedding planner based in your destination location to make some of your most important decisions. Not only does that take putting your trust into someone you may not know, it comes at a cost you may be able to avoid by throwing a hometown bash.
Your guests may expect to spend more time with you and your new spouse after the wedding. If people have taken time and spent money to attend your wedding, they might not be satisfied with only socializing with the happy couple during the actual nuptials. As a result, you may find yourself planning an after-the-wedding-day brunch with family and friends when all you want to do is snuggle with your honey.
Going international comes with its own set of challenges. If you thought surrendering control to a wedding planner was tough, it may be even tougher to jump through the legal hoops—not to mention the potential language barrier—you may face when getting hitched in another country. For many couples going this route, hiring a local expert to ensure you follow the law and that your wedding is actually legit is an expense you can’t skimp on.
Now, lest we forget that we are in the midst of a pandemic, let’s be sure we are aware of how to plan a destination wedding while taking COVID-19 into account. Here are a few things to consider if you’re planning to take your wedding on the road.
Air travel is still tricky, what with mask requirements and the potential of being in an enclosed space with unvaccinated people. With this in mind, try to give people as much time as possible to get vaccinated or to make other arrangements for young children or those who cannot receive the vaccine.
Consider a destination people can drive to. If some of your guests won’t agree to take the vaccine, but you really want them there, avoid conflict by finding a beautiful wedding-worthy spot that is within driving distance but still requires an overnight stay to keep the “destination” factor in play.
Keep costs in mind. As airlines look to recoup pandemic-related losses, many companies are charging higher-than-usual prices for flights. Consider your location and give people ample time to book to ensure they land the best possible price.
Book ASAP. Although we are still suffering from the pandemic, the wedding industry is recording record interest as people look to get back to normal and others who canceled their affairs in 2020 or even as late as summer 2021 are ready to move forward. “Whether you’re doing this by yourself or with a planner, you’ll want to book many of your vendors simultaneously with your venue to guarantee availability,” said Alison Laesser-Keck, an event producer and creative director in California, during an interview with Brides magazine.
A destination wedding can mean unique and beautiful memories not only for the bride and groom but a wonderful experience for guests, as well. Before you take the leap and dash off, consider the pros and cons of such an undertaking. Whatever your decision, be it a wedding across the pond or right in your own backyard, make the decision that best suits your vision of your big day!
Something Even Newer: Personalization Trends for Today’s Weddings
Photo courtesy The Bell Tower on 34th. Photography: Always Us Studios.
When friends of one of our team members married in New Orleans a few years ago, they wanted their wedding to reflect more than just their own preferences and wishes. They believed the ceremony should incorporate and honor the special people in their lives, including the bride’s maternal grandparents who had died long before she was born. A few snapdragons, her late grandmother’s favorite flower, were tucked into her bridal bouquet, and pinned to the ribbons that flowed from it were Army medals awarded decades earlier to her late grandfather. Her paternal grandfather, who had passed away just a few years before, was also there in spirit, represented by a couple of honorary pins he had received as an officer in an organization.
Those small touches reflect a growing trend in weddings: personalization that goes far beyond the something borrowed, something blue traditions we’re used to. In fact, some couples are planning weddings that bear little resemblance to the celebrations of their parents’ and grandparents’ day. From mementos being carried down the aisle to signature cocktails served at the reception, customization is everywhere. As Flourish Events’ Allison McDonald said, couples are throwing out the traditional wedding rules and making more meaningful choices, including “personalized vows, nontraditional music, and special unity rituals.
“I have a couple planting a sapling in dirt from both childhood homes,” McDonald told St. Louis Best Bridal. “While traditional wedding parties are still the norm, many are opting to have mismatched numbers on each side, and even the traditional standing placement is open for interpretation!”
How can you add your own special spin to your wedding day? Here are some of the ideas we’ve noticed lately.
· Getting married at a meaningful venue. Neither the bride nor the groom mentioned above is from New Orleans, but they met there as college students. Because the city provided the backdrop to their romance, their wedding in a historic home near the famed French Quarter seemed like a natural choice. It didn’t hurt that it’s a fun city for guests to visit!
· Walking down the aisle on a personalized runner. Custom aisle runners let you print your names or monogram (or any design, really) on non-slip fabric.
· Seating guests in a circle or winding the processional through the crowd. This way, the guests can have a better look at the bride or couple before and during the ceremony. "I love to create a winding aisle when it works out with the layout of the venue. It can look really whimsical and this way the bride gets to walk past more guests than if it were just a straight line down the aisle," says Jennifer Taylor, the founder of A Taylored Affair, told Brides magazine.
· Incorporating hobbies and passions. Hooked on traveling? Instead of a traditional guestbook, have your friends and family sign postcards from all over the world. Share a love of collecting old china or glassware? Incorporate it into your centerpieces or place settings. One bride who had been gifted her great-grandmother’s silver had spoons made into bracelets for each of her attendants.
· Being creative with escort cards or place cards (what’s the difference? Learn more about both here). Anyone can display printed or even hand-calligraphed escort cards to help guests find their tables or seats. To take the idea up a notch and make it far more personal, consider using guests’ photos or even illustrations instead of their names.
· Include your pets. Even if your venue doesn’t allow your pet to be physically present during the ceremony or reception, you can still make your best furry friend part of the day. The experts at Inside Weddings suggest naming a cocktail after them or incorporating their faces into signage, your ceremony program, or other stationery pieces. (Can you imagine an escort card display with a sign that says, Rover Says Sit! So much fun.)
· Making the most of your wedding program. Speaking of signage and stationery, if you’re printing a wedding program, why limit it to celebration details such as a timeline (although providing that information is a must). Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, Dallas, encourages couples to include “factoids about your VIPs VIPs (‘Father Don baptized Steven,’ or ‘Beth's mom makes the best pralines west of the Mississippi’), photos from your engagement shoot, a hand-drawn map illustrating your adventures together—anything that sets the tone for the wedding ahead.”
· Asking a friend, sibling, or even a parent to officiate. After all, who knows you better and can add treasured, shared memories to your day. Ordination is free through the Universal Life Church, American Marriage Ministries, and other organizations.
Whether you incorporate all of these ideas into your day, pick a favorite or two, or decide you prefer a strictly traditional ceremony and reception, planners like Taylor say it’s important to be true to yourself. It’s your day, and you’re creating memories to last a lifetime. You may want to include something blue—but the planning shouldn’t make you feel that way.
Libraries Are For Lovers: How to Throw the Perfect Library-Themed Wedding
Houston Public Library's historic Julia Ideson Building, which can accommodate weddings and events with up to 350 guests, features reflective Spanish-brick floors, a Tudor Gallery surrounded by large marble pillars, a reading room with its original, 1920s-era wooden fixtures, and stunning gold and vibrant colored wood flowers on the ceiling.
If you’re a “Sex and the City” fan, you may well remember the moment heroine Carrie Bradshaw walks into the spectacular and iconic New York City Public Library and has the revelation that the historic, art-filled building with its sweeping staircase was the must-have romantic setting for her upcoming nuptials. And even though Carrie’s dream wedding didn’t come to fruition, she may have been on to something.
Libraries hold a special place in many hearts. Oftentimes people describe libraries as a place of solace and calm, a place to be comfortable with a book, or just a quiet space to spend a leisurely afternoon. What’s more, many folks have happy childhood memories of being taken to libraries for their first library card, for storytime and craft events when they were children, or they have recollections of participation in summer reading programs.
From Bookworms to Newlyweds
If you or your intended have any special connection to your local library, share a love of reading, or are lucky enough to live near a beautiful space like the NYC Library or the historic Julia Ideson Library in Houston—known for its elegant Spanish architecture, artwork, and gorgeous gold ceilings—taking your vows among the stacks might be a good option for you.
In fact, the United States boasts several choices for dreamy library weddings, including the Boston Public Library and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum, which are both in Boston; Housing Works Bookstore in New York City; Seattle Public Library; the Douglas County Library in Douglas County, Colorado; the George Peabody Library in Baltimore, Maryland; the Richard Nixon Library Foundation in Orange County, and the Indianapolis Public Library.
Like museums that serve as wedding venues, each of these library spaces offers their own unique charm and singular ambiance for anyone’s special day. Many are historic in nature and boast beautiful facilities; several of them offer sweeping views of their locales, be it seaside or lush flower gardens.
If none of the examples listed here are realistic options for you, but you still dream of being married in a library setting, check out your local choices. You may be surprised to learn that your neighborhood library would be thrilled to host your nuptials; you may even be able to work with the library staff to transform the space for your wedding. Perhaps there is a garden on-site, a reading room that you can decorate and tailor to your taste, or even an outdoor reading area where you can stage a beautiful outdoor affair. Whatever the circumstance, don’t be afraid to think creatively to make your dreams come true!
Drawing Theme Inspiration from Your Library Venue
If you really want to up the ante on your wedding by not only getting married in a library but by going all-in on the book theme, there are several ways to make it happen.
Send out custom-made library cards as save-the-date reminders. You can also use this style for your bridal shower and wedding invitations.
Incorporate books into your centerpieces.
Have some of your favorite romantic poems printed out and displayed at some of the dinner place settings.
Invite your maid/matron of honor and best man to quote a love line from a favorite book during their toasts.
Offer bookmarks, or marriage-centered or love-themed books as party favors.
Hosting your wedding in a library is a unique choice that will ensure your wedding day is memorable, not just for you and your significant other, but for your guests as well.
If the idea speaks to you, go for it with gusto!
Wedding Traditions: Bridal Shower Origins and a Tale of True Love
While many wedding elements have fascinating stories behind them, the tradition of holding a shower for the bride goes a step further: It has its own folklore.
The practice of offering money or gifts to a bride before her wedding dates back to 16th-century Europe. There were no games, mimosas, or finger foods involved. These “showers” were about raising dowries—money and assets the bride’s family was expected to give to the groom.
This is where a tale of (economically) mismatched lovers comes in. According to legend, a young high-society Dutch lady was determined to marry her true love, a poor miller, against her father’s wishes. Furious, her father threatened to withhold her dowry unless she married the man he selected for her.
Etiquette expert Lillian Eichler included the tale in her 1924 book, “The New Book of Etiquette,” which Abigail Grotke featured in her blog, Miss Abigail’s Time Warp Advice.
“A beautiful young Dutch maiden gave her heart to the village miller who was so good to the poor and the needy that he himself had but few worldly goods,” Eichler wrote. “He gave his bread and his flour free to those who could not pay, and because of his goodness everyone loved him. Everyone but the girl’s father. She must not marry him, he said. She must marry the man he had selected.”
Fortunately, the other villagers sympathized with the heartbroken girl and the miller. To provide the girl with a dowry, each gave the couple what they could: linens, plates, a vase, and a “great, shiny pot.” Touched, the father of the girl changed his mind, and she was able to marry and her true love.
Years later, Eichler wrote, an Englishwoman who couldn’t afford much of a wedding gift for a friend remembered the story of the Dutch “shower,” enlisted a group of friends, and suggested they present their gifts at the same time to express their good wishes.
According to Eichler, that shower was so successful that that tradition continued.
How much of the Dutch shower tale is true? We’re not sure, but we love the elements of romance, kindness, and generosity woven into it.
Here are a few more tidbits about bridal showers of the past and the insights into everyday life they provide.
This depiction of an alewife, a woman who brewed ale for commercial sale, is in the "Thrice-Sinning Hermit" on page 114v of the Smithfield Decretals, c. 1300-1350.
The Bride-Ale
Another practice of the middle ages, the bride-ale (also referred to as bruydale) didn’t exactly involve gift-giving, but it did help young couples raise money. The bride-ale was a pre-wedding feast in England where brides sometimes made beer and sold it to guests.
According to Martyn Cornell, author of an award-winning blog about beer now and through history, these gatherings became infamous for rowdy behavior.
“With all the drinking, things could get out of hand, and though one Elizabethan writer noted with satisfaction that there had been an improvement in his time in people’s behaviour and ‘the heathenish rioting at bride-ales are well diminished,’ the authorities sometimes took pre-emptive action,” Cornell wrote for Zythophile.
The Mehndi
In a blog for HuffPost, Jafreen M. Uddin argues that if you’re talking pre-wedding rituals (not necessarily gift-giving affairs) the first of these were mehndi ceremonies, when mehndi stain is applied to the bride-to-be’s hands and feet. This practice, dating back to the 15th century, has origins in South Asia and the Middle East.
“Mehndi symbolizes the strength of the union between the soon-to-be-married couple, and it is believed that the deeper the color of a bride's mehndi, the happier and more prosperous her marriage will be,” Uddin wrote.
It’s Raining Gifts
Most accounts of events resembling modern-day wedding showers date back to Victorian-era England and America.
Friends started loading small gifts into an upside-down parasol and opening it over the bride-to-be’s head, literally “showering her” with presents.
“Personally, we think that sounds like a horrible idea (ouch?), but when the story hit the pages of a fashion magazine, women all over thought it sounded great and started doing it on a regular basis,” Saphire Event Group wrote. “Hence, the ‘bridal shower’ was born.”
1922 bridal shower. Source: State Archives of Florida
Keeping Things Practical
By the 1930s, bridal showers were common practice in the U.S.
For high-society crowds, showers were opportunities for friends to gather for food and some gossip. For most, though, the gatherings were a way for female friends and family to give brides-to-be the basics she’d need during married life and, more importantly, spend time with her.
“Expensive gifts were not usually on the menu, though tea usually was,” Rose Heichelbech notes in a blog for Dusty Old Thing. “It didn’t occur to most women to ask for expensive gifts back then.
“In the 1920s wedding registries were invented, and became popular among certain groups. However, (some) couples never registered at all. Instead they often trusted that their female friends and family would know exactly what to get them for their new home.”
By the mid 20th century, according to Heichelbech, popular shower gifts included picture frames, kitchen canisters, Pyrex glassware, toasters, and rolling pins.
The Kitchen Tea
Today, bridal showers remain a popular practice, though in some countries, friends and family host a similar event for brides called a “kitchen tea.” These gatherings are most common in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
While shower gifts might include a wide variety of items, kitchen tea gifts tend to be, well, for the kitchen, according to a blog by Australia-based Divine Events.
“Common practice for a Kitchen Tea is to ask the guests to bring along their favourite recipe,” the blog explains. “These are then all collated into a personal cookbook and gifted to the bride.”
While pre-wedding gatherings for the bride today look much different now than they did a few centuries—or even decades—ago, the overall goals remain the same. This is a tradition of celebrating brides, extending kind wishes, and doing something tangible to help a soon-to-be-married couple make a new life together. We suspect that even if showers continue to evolve, those ideals will endure.
Who Knew? What’s New in the Wedding Business
Jobs in the wedding industry these days include welcome bag coordinators who will handle your party favors.
Looking back a dozen years ago or so, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who works as a wind turbine engineer, drone pilot, app developer, or (somewhat nebulously) an influencer. Today, though, each of those is a credible and sometimes highly lucrative job.
As businesses evolve and industries emerge, it’s common for new niche positions to be created along with them. The weddings world is no exception. While caterers, photographers, planners, and servers continue to be the mainstays of the profession, camping butlers, welcome bag coordinators, and bridesmaids-for-hire have joined their ranks.
Here’s a quick look at some of the new-fangled jobs and businesses in weddings and events. Whether you decide you can’t go on without a wedding speech coach or not, we hope you’ll get a kick out of this “what will they think of next” list. It brings a whole new meaning to the expression, “odd jobs.”
· Camping butler. Too tired to rub two sticks together to light your own fire? Want to take the idea of glamping up a notch? Hire a camping butler! When a couple wed at a 625-acre cattle ranch an hour south of San Francisco, their camping butlers did all the work, building a campsite that included 77 sleeping tents, two hair and makeup tents, a dinner and dancing tent, and an off the grid kitchen — and making the experience less intense for the bride and groom.
· Welcome bag coordinator. From individuals on Etsy to companies like Charleston’s A Signature Welcome, these are the people who will put together and package party favors, either customized or from a preset selection. Martha Stewart Weddings says this will save you the fuss of searching the internet or aisles at your favorite gift or party store for just the right thing to thank your guests for coming.
· Professional bridesmaid. We get it: The women in your life are busy people who, despite their best intentions, may not be able to offer the kind of help a bride-to-be needs. Hire a stand-in! As the folks at Insider.com note, a professional bridesmaid will be at your side leading up to the big day as well as during the ceremony, acting as a personal assistant. And who knows? It may even be the start of a beautiful friendship.
· Elopement planner. Remember when eloping was a hush-hush, spur-of-the-moment affair that meant stealing away to marry your beloved in a small ceremony with a witness or two? Today’s elopements are well-thought-out events that require committed planners. At least that’s the view of one company that has planned more than 9,000 elopements in 35 destinations.
· Wedding insurance agent. Sure, your wedding will be the perfect day, and everything will go according to your fondest dreams. But just in case, wedding insurance can protect you from financial losses associated with illness, cancellation, property damage, injuries, and even the theft of wedding gifts.
· Wedding speech coach. Want to help your best man, maid of honor, or father of the bride shake the “I have to speak at your wedding” jitters? Hire a wedding speech coach! A quick internet search will turn up hundreds of freelance writers and public speakers who can craft the speech and provide the training your attendants need to deliver a memorable toast or longer talk. Curious about how one wedding speechwriter got into the business? Check out this interview with Den Pope of NailYourSpeech.com.
What does the future hold? Are weddings in space the next frontier, meaning you’d need a weightlessness trainer to help you prepare? No one can predict with any certainty, but one thing’s for sure: When it comes to weddings, there’s always something new to look forward to — or be amused by.
Comfort Foods: Creative and Satisfying Options for Your Fall Wedding
August used to mean the waning days of summer vacations with back-to-school thoughts not far behind.
Today, though, when the calendar pages turn from July, many people start counting the hours until the first appearance of all things pumpkin spice. And while it may seem like everyone from the local coffee shop to candlemakers is rushing the season a bit more every year, the fact is, pumpkin-spiced foods and beverages sell not just because they taste good but because people equate them with comfort, coziness, and warmth on cooler days.
This means pumpkin-based cuisine is a natural for a late summer or fall wedding reception.
At least that’s the view of Chef Gabrielle Batiste of New Orleans’ Chef G. Adriane. In an interview with nola.com, Batiste said that pumpkin and its seasonal companions, sweet potatoes and squash, are all finding their way onto wedding menus for September, often in the form of slightly sweet and creamy soups that replace the salad course.
But why limit these versatile vegetables? Pumpkin and sweet potato are equally good in risotto while butternut squash and roasted apple slices atop bruschetta is an easy autumn riff in place of the more traditional tomato and basil recipe. Or what about pumpkin ravioli served in a hollowed-out mini pumpkin — that’s food and décor cleverly combined into one.
Of course, individual pumpkin pies can take center stage on a dessert buffet, but they’re hardly the only fall fare to entice guests with sweet tooths. How about a s’mores bar, sweet potato macarons, spiced carrot cake, mini fried apple turnovers, churros, or even bite-sized cinnamon rolls?
Comfort Food Cornucopia
Chillier weather definitely means more comfort food, according to Brides Magazine, and that’s true even if your tastes are outside the pumpkin patch. After all, from appetizers to the main course, fall comfort food can come in many creative forms, including:
· Grilled cheese roll-ups with tomato soup.
· Bacon-wrapped figs stuffed with bleu cheese and toasted pecans.
· Baked brie topped with cranberry chutney.
· Fried mac and cheese, maybe topped with lobster.
· Homemade biscuits (with sausage gravy if you’re in the South).
· A cornucopia filled with grapes, figs, cheeses, and mini croissants.
· Wood-fired mini pizzas.
· Cider-braised chicken or pork tenderloin with fall vegetables such as Brussels sprouts.
· Slow-roasted eggplant.
· Pan-fried fish with carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips.
· Squash empanadas.
· Brisket or other smoked meat sliders.
· Individual potpies.
· Mini meatloaves with mashed potatoes.
· Meatballs! Have your caterer put them on skewers for less mess.
What to drink with these savory items? In addition to the usual choices, mulled wine is a seasonal specialty, an apple cider bar (with or without alcohol) just about shouts autumn, and hot chocolate with various dippers is not only fun, but it’s also a can’t-miss, fall-into-winter tradition.
“Worried that a classic homestyle menu might be too casual for anything but a rustic wedding, and you’re going for something more formal? Even MarthaStewart.com is behind the comfort wedding food trend.
If you think your favorite comfort foods are too casual for your wedding day, think again! Wrote Rosie Purdy, the site’s former assistant digital editor. “These homestyle classics have been reimagined and are ready for even the most formal of celebrations.”
By working closely with your caterer, you’ll harvest all sorts of great ideas and make your fall wedding reception something your guests will fall in love with, regardless of how they feel about pumpkin spice.
Hosting a Baby Shower? We Have 6 Tips to De-Stress Your Menu Planning
Hosting a baby shower can be tons of fun, hugely rewarding, and, depending on what you have in mind, a bit daunting.
As a host, you have so many choices. Should your shower have a theme? Would guests enjoy games or find them embarrassing? It is best to let the guest of honor open her gifts in front of everyone else or wait until later?
Menu planning comes with its own set of challenges. Generally, you’ll need a nice selection of foods that accommodate varied tastes (and dietary restrictions), but at the same time, you’ll want to keep the needs of mom-to-be front and center in your planning.
While we can’t tell you what theme to go with, or whether the Baby Price is Right game is a good fit for your particular event, we can help in the area of food and beverages.
Here are six tips to help with your planning.
1. Ask the mom-to-be for her input.
Keeping the mom-to-be in the loop is key to avoiding disaster. That guideline applies to all of your planning, including food and beverages. The dessert that sounds delicious to you may not sound remotely appealing to her. And, she may be finding that certain foods have started disagreeing with her since she became pregnant. Find out what she would enjoy and which dishes or ingredients should be avoided.
Also, don’t forget some foods are off-limits for pregnant women because of health risks including pate, raw or partially cooked eggs, certain cheeses, and raw or undercooked meat and fish.
2. Offer yummy non-alcoholic beverages.
This goes back to remembering the needs and limitations of the mom-to-be. Alcohol is not an option during pregnancy, and you don’t want your guest of honor to feel left out.
Safe alternatives (depending on the conversation we recommend in Tip No. 1) could include fruit punches, apple cider, limeade or lemonade, and iced tea.
Another fun option is to offer creative mocktails, from Virgin Sangria to alcohol-free Mojitos.
“You can serve them in fancy glassware or play up the baby theme (and kitsch factor) by serving them in little sippy cups,” suggested writer Larkin Clark in an article for Marie Claire.
3. Give your guests variety.
When you’re planning a shower, or any kind of event, your guests will likely have a wide range of tastes. And while you won’t be able to please everyone, guests will appreciate it if you, at least, give them options. We suggest offering at least two choices for each type of food (appetizers, entrees, and desserts).
4. Don’t be afraid to venture away from finger foods.
Don’t get us wrong: Finger food is a helpful choice for events like showers, especially if guests will be mingling and munching at the same time. Still, if you decide to hold the shower at an event venue or enlist the help of a caterer, you may want to capitalize on the availability of tables, and a professional cooking team, and offer a wider variety of entrees, side dishes, and desserts. (If you do decide to book a venue, be sure to make your choice and reservation early.)
If you’re thinking of a morning shower, brunch selections like bagels and cream cheese, biscuits and gravy, waffles, pancakes, French toast, breakfast meats, breakfast casseroles, or mini omelets could be fun. If you’re working with a caterer, ask about brunch food stations.
Lunch entrees could include sandwiches and wraps, fajitas, or mini pizzas.
For supper, how about skewers (veggie and/or meat), barbecue sandwiches, or even a carving station?
If you feel finger foods are the best choice for your event, you have a wealth of options available including finger sandwiches, empanadas, sliders, and quiche bites.
Dessert is another area that lends itself to baby shower creativity, from customized cookies and cupcakes to a candy table.
5. Consider a craving station or table. For many women, food cravings are part of the pregnancy experience. In fact, about 50-90% of American women have a specific food craving during pregnancy, a Healthline article reported. Why not play up that idea and offer foods associated with cravings, from pickles and olives to chocolate and peanut butter? This is another area where input from the mom-to-be will be valuable. If she’s been craving something, you’ll want to include it.
6. Don’t forget dietary restrictions. Do your best to find out in advance if you’ll need to provide vegan selections or gluten-free menu items.
We recommend adding a line to the shower invitations encouraging guests to alert you to food allergies, intolerances, and dietary preferences in their RSVPs.
As an added precaution, you can always display ingredient labels or cards so guests will know what they’re eating.
A bonus tip: If you need more ideas, please don’t hesitate to ask us. We’d love to help you develop a shower menu that both the guest of honor and your guests will love.
Food Stations: A Crowd-Pleasing Alternative to Buffets and Sit-Down Dinners
Not every sports fan is willing to be married on Super Bowl Sunday, but Mike Sneen was.
Well, sort of.
As Sneen told Minnesota Bride, he hadn’t realized at first that his wedding date coincided with the biggest professional football event of the year.
Once it was on the calendar, though, there was little he and his fiancée could do about it. Rather than try to pull off what would have been an epic alteration in plans, they decided to accommodate the die-hard Super Bowl enthusiasts among their guests. Working with their Minneapolis venue, they transformed a room into football party central, complete with a full bar and large TVs.
But what about food? Did guests have to choose between either watching the game hungry or sitting on the sidelines at a traditional dinner?
Not at all.
Because the couple had worked with their caterer to set up food stations — like mini buffets, each with a specialized menu, arrayed throughout the reception area — the Sneens were able to please everyone. Guests could pick exactly what they wanted to eat, walk around and mingle, or take a plate back to the game room.
It’s probably safe to say that everyone, football aficionado or otherwise, went home full.
Customizable Cuisine
“Accommodating” is likely the best word to describe food stations and the reason they’ve become so popular. Guests always appreciate options, and food stations (also known as food bars) make more options possible.
While not every couple has to go to the extreme of setting up a separate space for Super Bowl viewers at their reception, most do have to consider some sort of arrangements or adjustments to keep guests happy (and, sometimes, healthy).
Where a sit-down dinner or buffet can offer limited options, food stations are the culinary equivalent of a guest-centric free-for-all — they’re completely customizable. Vegetarians or vegans among your guests? No need to consign them to a vegetable platter while everyone else dines on chicken or steak — set up a food station just for them. (Need menu ideas?)
And what about people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance? A food station full of carefully selected gluten-free options can eliminate worries. Guests can enjoy themselves without having to poke around their plate for an errant bread crumb.
Creativity on Display
Food stations also provide an opportunity for you to amp up your creativity.
Sure, anyone can serve the customary formal wedding fare, but consider how much more interesting it would be to have food stations that reflect your heritage, where you met or became engaged, or even the places where you hope to travel someday. Your caterer will be able to help develop menus that best reflect your preferences and personality — and that are also suited to your budget. The Sneens, for example, had five food stations. One featured seafood enchiladas, tamales, and build-your-own tacos; another served sushi and other Asian fare in Chinese take-out containers.
By the way, those take-out containers are another example of how food stations let your style shine through. Unique presentations — think a donut wall instead of (or in addition to) a three-tiered cake — or a build-your-own mac-and-cheese bar double as entertainment in addition to being delicious. Decorating each station adds “flavor” as well.
No wonder Julie Savage Parekh of Strawberry Milk Events told MarthaStewart.com, "Food stations are the new buffet — a little bit trendier and more modern way to do it."
Other food station ideas include:
· Crudité and fruits with dips.
· Charcuterie boards — a great way to accommodate guests who keep Kosher or only eat halal meats, for example. Just make sure any cheese is separate.
· A build-your-own waffle bar with all the toppings is perfect for a brunch reception.
· Made-to-order pizzas.
· An omelet station where guests pick the fillings, from veggies to meats.
· A fast-food bar. Not just for children, this can include wings and sliders, or more gourmet choices such as mini lobster corn dogs or butterscotch popcorn served in paper cups that match your theme.
· A fondue station. Yes, that throwback delight is popular again. After all, who can resist the allure of melted cheese?
Bye-bye, Seating Chart
Varied menus that appeal to a variety of guests aren’t the only benefits of food stations. Let’s take a look at some of the other advantages.
· There’s no congestion or long, slow-moving lines like you might find at a buffet.
· There’s no sitting for hours like at a sit-down dinner.
· You don’t have to worry about a seating chart. Trying to keep your bickering cousins away from each other is no longer your problem!
· Because food stations don’t require the same number of servers as a sit-down dinner, you may save money. However, if you have cook-to-order food stations, you might need more chefs.
· Cook-to-order stations mean guests will get to enjoy their food prepared exactly as they prefer.
· Guests get to eat when they want to, whether that’s as soon as they arrive at the reception or after they’ve had a chance to visit with others and maybe even hit the dance floor. That said, you can leave your food stations open for the entire reception or for just a couple of hours. Either way, they provide more flexibility than a buffet or sit-down dinner.
Working with Your Caterer
To ensure your food stations are a hit with guests, your caterer will need to know:
· How many guests you expect.
· Any special diets you need to consider.
· What kind of atmosphere you want to create.
· Your budget.
With those factors in mind, together you can create a memorable reception that scores big with everyone, even if it’s not Super Bowl Sunday.
Stepping Back in Time: American Catering in the 1800s
In 1881, a former slave named Abby Fisher made history: She became the second Black woman in the U.S. to publish a cookbook (Malinda Russell was the first). And publishing “What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking” was only one of Fisher’s many notable achievements.
“In California, where she and her family moved after the Civil War, she opened a successful catering business,” Amanda Moniz wrote for NPR “She won medals for her cooking, and it is her professional accomplishment that she stresses (in her book).”
Fisher’s legacy helps illustrate an important chapter of U.S. catering history.
As we wrote in our first blog about the history of catering, many of America’s first and most successful caterers were Black. That trend continued from the Revolutionary War era well into the 1800s.
Seizing Opportunity
“In the early 19th century, the title of caterer encompassed anything from being the master of ceremonies at an event to the preparer of the food and manager of service,” The Lowcountry Digital History Initiative (LDHI) wrote for an exhibit about Charleston caterer Nat Fuller. “Caterer was also one of the few, and most lucrative, prominent public positions that could be acceptably filled by an African American during slavery…These men and women had the training and skills to cook for large numbers; manage books to minimize costs; transport china, silver, tables, linen, tents, and foodstuffs; hire reliable wait staff and cooking assistants; contract for entertainment; and speak eloquently at major gatherings.”
Many of these entrepreneurs became local celebrities. Fuller, for example, made news when he, his wife, Diana, and an assistant named Tom R. Tully prepared a feast for the 600 guests attending the Jubilee of Southern Union, which celebrated the completion of a rail line between Memphis and Charleston.
According to LDHI, one newspaper wrote, "All hands and the cook were busy from an early hour in preparation at the Military Hall, which had been generously tendered for the reception dinner, which was contracted and built up by that well known caterer, Nat Fuller.”
Another Black caterer of the era, Emeline Jones, was credited in her 1912 obituary with inventing Saratoga chips, or potato chips, while she was a cook in Baltimore, though we can’t confirm the accuracy of that claim. We can tell you Jones was a tremendously sought-after caterer.
“By the 1880s, she had settled in Manhattan, where she built up a formidable catering business,” Food Tells a Story wrote. “Her obituary lists a number of prominent New York chefs who had trained under her. It is said that Presidents Arthur and Cleveland, both of New York, were so fond of her cooking that both had offered her a big salary to come to Washington and be the White House chef, but she turned down their offers.”
While small entrepreneurs have remained an important part of the catering industry over the years, they started facing stiff competition as the 1900s approached.
According to a blog on Restaurant-ing through history, “Black caterers started becoming less numerous by the end of the nineteenth century, with much catering having been taken over by the big hotels that by then were dominant in the field, particularly for large banquets.”
Cuisine of the Era
Wondering what people ate during America’s 19th-century catered affairs? The answer, just like today, varies by location, decade, and circumstances.
In his book, American Restaurants and Cuisine in the Mid-Nineteenth Century, Paul Freedman wrote about some of the ingredients identified with certain regions of the country in the 1800s. At some lavish banquets, those dishes appeared on the same table.
“At a ball held in honor of Lord Napier, the British ambassador, on 26 February 1859 at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., an elegant super brought together Potomac River terrapin (turtle), James River oysters, canvasback ducks from the Delaware, reed birds from Savannah, wild turkeys from Kentucky, prairie vends from Iowa, mutton from the Cumberland mountains, venison from North Carolina, ‘and other Native American dishes,’ according to an account in Harper’s Weekly,” Freedman wrote.
We’ve also found glimpses of the dishes that successful Black caterers of the 19th century served. An ad for Caterer William G. Barron noted that his Charleston restaurant accepted orders for private parties, adding “The very best Oysters and all of the Delicacies of the season always on hand.”
And an advertisement for A.J. Caston, another Charleston confectioner and caterer, mentioned ice cream and fancy cakes, along with dressed poultry, oysters, all kinds of choice game, and New York celery and cauliflowers.
And what about San Francisco entrepreneur and cookbook author Abby Fisher — What dishes was she known for? The preface of her book provides an overview of the dishes she excelled at preparing.
“…I concluded to bring forward a book of my knowledge — based on an experience of upwards of thirty-five years — in the art of cooking Soups, Gumbos, Terrapin Stews, Meat Stews, Baked and Roast Meats, Pastries, Pies and Biscuits, making Jellies, Pickles, Sauces, Ice-Creams and Jams, preserving Fruits, etc. The book will be found a complete instructor, so that a child can understand it and learn the art of cooking.”
From Canapés to Tavas: 10 Food, Alcohol, and Catering Terms You Should Know
If, during your catering research, you’ve worried you’ve been confusing apéritifs with appetizers or you’ve wondered what in the world napery is, you’re not alone.
Many people find that while they’re familiar with most of the names, services, and descriptions they encounter on caterers’ websites and menus, they can’t necessarily say what everything means.
That’s why we created the guide below. In it, you’ll find some of the more common catering terms you’re likely to come across these days.
We hope these definitions make your catering research considerably more appetizing. And, if you still have questions, we’re always happy to help.
Apéritif
This is a French term for an alcoholic beverage served before dinner, possibly during a cocktail hour, to stimulate the appetite. These drinks are not very sweet (sugary drinks can be appetite quenchers), and tend to go light on the alcohol. You may also encounter the Italian version of this word: aperitivo.
Canapé
This finger food generally is made up of a pastry, cracker, or small piece of bread holding one or more toppings, from savory spreads, vegetables, and meats to cream cheese, jellies, and fruits. At celebrations, you might see people holding a canapé in one hand and a cocktail in the other.
Charger
In the catering world, a charger isn’t the device you use to keep your phone or laptop battery functioning. It’s part of a formal place setting. The charger, also known as a service plate, is a decorative base for dinnerware. It remains in place as each course is served, through the entree.
Food stations
You can think of food stations as mini-buffets: food tables set up at strategic places in your event area. Whether you’re offering gumbo, carved meats, or parfaits, these stations can be a great way to infuse a creative touch into your meal or reinforce the theme of your event. A macaroni and cheese food station, for example, works perfectly with a country wedding.
Intermezzo
During a multi-course meal, an intermezzo is a brief delay or intermission before the main course is served. Some caterers offer sorbet during this time so the hosts and their guests can refresh their mouths with a clean flavor and enjoy the next course even more.
Miniature Food Catering
Offering tiny versions of popular dishes has become all the rage at weddings and special events, and caterers are responding with increasingly creative options, from pulled pork sliders on little buns to desserts served in shot glasses.
Napery
These are your linens, including tablecloths, napkins, and runners.
Rentals
If a catering service offers rentals, that means that in addition to preparing and serving food for your event, they also can provide you with the equipment you’ll need. Catering rentals generally include tables, chairs, linens, and tableware. Some caterers give you the option of renting non-essentials, too, from centerpieces to signage.
TABC licensed
If you’re in Texas, and you want to serve alcohol at your event, your catering service and event venue must be licensed by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Tava
A tava (or tawa) is a griddle or frying pan frequently used to prepare Indian cuisine. If you see a reference to Tava-Fried Vegetables on a menu — a popular catered dish these days — it means your veggies are being prepared, and possibly served, on a tava.
Centuries of Good Taste: Your Catered Meal is Steeped in Rich History
One of the more fascinating revelations brought to light by research into the famous Giza pyramids, at least from our perspective, didn’t involve mysterious pharaohs, treasures, or hieroglyphics, but the catering services provided for pyramid builders.
Scientists in 2013 described a workers’ town that housed as many as 10,000 seasonal laborers who helped build the pyramid for the pharaoh, Menkaure. There, in "the Lost City of the Pyramid Builders,” scientists unearthed the bones of thousands of lambs, goats, cattle, and pigs: entrees for a massive catering operation that spanned decades.
Dr. Richard Redding of the Ancient Egypt Research Associates told LiveScience that people were taken care of, and they were well fed when they were down there working. “They probably got a much better diet than they got in their village.”
It sounds like ancient Egyptians understood the value of delivering an excellent meal.
And they weren’t the only ones. Catering history is woven throughout human history. Here are a few more intriguing examples.
Greek Hospitality
If you were a weary traveler in ancient Greece, you might have found yourself stopping for rest and sustenance in one of the world’s first inns or hostels, according to Dr. Tanja Grünewald of the Bavarian State Office for Health & Food Safety, who writes frequently about food and researched the history of catering for a 2004 paper.
While you were there, Grünewald wrote, you had the option of joining other travelers for a meal — for a price. You could say this hospitality was a forerunner to the modern catering and restaurant industries.
Not only that, some of the meals may have been surprisingly similar to dishes our guests enjoy now, according to Greek Reporter. While we don’t get a lot of requests for the thrushes, quail, and deer that ancient Greeks enjoyed, we definitely serve other choices that were popular in that time and place, from pork and beef to seafood and shellfish (eaten mostly by the wealthy).
Ancient Greeks even liked dishes we now think of as vegan and vegetarian, including
beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
The Beer Mug Rules
Fast-forward a few centuries to Europe of the Middle Ages, and you find catering entering a new phase: one of rules and regulations.
In 14th- and 15th-century Germany, Grünewald noted in her paper, the catering trade was gaining steam, so much so that it started to gain the attention of lawmakers.
“The first licenses for ‘beer inspection’ were granted for money by the Elector of Augsburg in 1530,” she wrote. “…A lot of rules for inns and hostels were issued, which for the first time regulated the serving of drinks, the size of beer mugs, and the purity and quality of beer; even the kind and quantity of different dishes were laid down in a regulation called ‘Zehrordnung.’”
In case you’re wondering what inns and hostels might have been serving in addition to beer, popular dishes in 16th-century Germany included roast beef and pork, sausages, seasoned hard-boiled eggs, cherries stewed in wine, pea soup, and fruit tarts.
Wm. Birch and Son, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Star Quality
When catering appeared in early American history — Philadelphia was the site of America’s first major catered event in 1788 — it foreshadowed today’s events, right down to the celebrity chefs who ran the kitchen.
Many of those food stars were Black.
A Philadelphia Inquirer article about that era describes the response when caterer Robert Bogle was spotted at an elegant 1830 dinner gathering at the home of Nicholas Biddle. The reaction was on par with a group of 21st-century dinner party guests learning Gordon Ramsay or Wolfgang Puck was preparing the meal.
“A bit of fuss over a mere caterer? Not for 19th-century Philadelphia, where men such as Robert Bogle — men equally at home dismantling a 10-pound bull terrapin, securing credit from a bank officer and serving a seven-course formal dinner for 500—were among the most sought-after elements of the busy social scene,” Inquirer Staff Writer Sue Chastain explained.
Bogle even received the early 19th-century version of a five-star customer review, though it came in the form of a tribute after his death in 1837.
Dinner-party host Biddle, who had become a regular client, wrote a seven-page poem titled “Ode to Bogle.”
“Biddle suggested that no human ritual, be it marriage, christening or even death, was complete if not attended to by the “stern, multifarious Bogle,” Chastain wrote.
If history shows us anything, it is that good catering matters, whether it plays a role in recruiting ancient Egyptian pyramid-builders or enhancing family and business life in a new country.
Stay tuned for more blogs about catering history, including a look at the industry’s evolution in the United States.
This Easter: Fewer Dishes, More Memories. Don’t Be Shy About Enlisting Help.
Easter is a time of hope and renewal. A time for family and cherished traditions.
And while food often is a big part of those traditions, it isn’t necessary to let cooking eat up time you’d rather be spending with loved ones.
If you’re planning a family gathering for Easter, you always have the option of enlisting help, whether you ask friends and family to share cooking responsibilities, order food, or hold a small catered celebration.
Whichever option you choose, you’ll free yourself to make the most of your holiday.
Sharing the Food Love
Food editor Meghan Splawn wrote for TheKitchn.com that she considers delegation a secret to successful holiday meal hosting. She was writing about Thanksgiving, but why not take the same approach to Easter?
“There are probably a few folks who may think this is cheating and that hosting means you have to cover every detail, but I believe Thanksgiving (just like Easter!) is designed to be a collaborative celebration, so let’s collaborate,” Splawn wrote.
Most guests ask if they can bring something when they’re invited to a holiday meal, anyway. Although many hosts and hostesses demur, simply in an attempt to be polite (or a martyr!), Splawn suggests saying yes and telling guests specifically what would round out the menu. Just give them time to plan and prepare.
That said, depending on where you are in the planning and invitation process, maybe you don’t feel you can offer potential volunteers enough time to make a dish.
Or maybe you want more extensive assistance, as in, “Yes, I want someone to make the dessert. And the side dishes. And the main course. Help!”
Bring in the Professionals
If, for whatever reason, you realize that you’d like someone else to handle most, if not all, of your Easter cooking, you certainly won’t be alone.
Interest in professionally prepared meals is on the upswing. That’s one reason that, even with setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the North American catering industry is growing. Time is a limited resource, and there are times when hiring skilled caterers makes sense.
There’s something to be said for being able to leave the details of your meal to a trusted ally, for being able to offer your loved ones one fantastic course after another without the time and stress that goes into preparing them.
Egg-Stravagant Options
Leaving the Easter meal preparation to the experts also gives you a chance to dazzle your guests a bit.
Want to serve Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb or a Roasted Ham Leg? Go for it.
Do you think your guests would enjoy asparagus with hollandaise sauce or whipped sweet potatoes? Your caterer will have you covered.
While your expenses will vary depending on the size of your gathering and your menu selections, the cost of catering your Easter meal does not have to be exorbitant. Excellent Events, for example, charges only $32 per person for a cuisine-only (no service or rentals) catered meal that includes one entrée, soup or salad, dinner rolls, traditional toppings, and condiments. And, last-minute orders are accepted.
Personal Touches
You always have the option of a compromise: adding a beloved, made-from-scratch family recipe to the food your caterer provides. This saves you from being overwhelmed with cooking duties but still gives you the pleasure of preparing, and sharing, a dish that has special meaning.
Many families have Easter favorites with ties to where they live now (deviled eggs and green bean casserole are Southern favorites), their family’s heritage (from Russian Pashka for dessert to the Mexican bread pudding known as Capirotada), or a specific family member: “Grandma made the best Easter bread ever.”
Whatever you decided to do for your Easter meal, we wish you a safe, happy one that leaves you with special memories.