Events On A Budget

Can You Feed Your Guests Breakfast for Dinner?

2009-09-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

A not-so-new concept, but a growing trend among brides on a budget is having a morning or afternoon wedding reception to cut down on catering costs. Most wedding coordinators, party planners and brides understand that morning or afternoon wedding receptions typically offer a completely different menu than what would be served at an evening reception, however have you ever given any thought to having a "good morning" wedding at any time of day...even after dark? Let's first discuss some time-of-day appropriate wedding reception menus that are easy on the pocket book...and taste buds.

Morning Receptions

For brides who opt for an early morning wedding reception, traditional breakfast foods like pastries, casseroles, and breakfast meats would cater well to the various needs of your guests, while keeping your budget relatively low. For drinks serving mimosas or champagne are certainly appropriate.

Afternoon Receptions

If you are on a budget, you can really save some money with afternoon wedding reception food ideas. Since your guests likely had breakfast and will soon have dinner, you can make due with heavy appetizers. Choose a variety of different foods to please each of your guests, but keep them in small bite sized portions. For instance, opt for mini quiches, wontons, or crab cakes, which are filling yet less expensive than a formal sit down luncheon. Wine, champagne, or even a Bloody Mary bar would serve well for drinks. For outdoor receptions, add a nice touch by serving your drinks (like a signature cocktail or Bloody Mary) in Mason jars.

Evening Receptions

For the most part, evening receptions are where the money is spent on food. When you ask your guests to come to your reception around a time that is usually reserved for dinner (anytime after 6pm), they expect to receive a meal. Buffet receptions are considerably less expensive than a sit-down dinner that requires servers who wait on individual tables. Country favorites work well as family style meals or as a buffet, but whichever you choose, be prepared to spend more feeding your guests at an evening reception.

Breakfast for Dinner?

Regardless of what time of day you are having your reception, there are different kinds of food that can fit your needs, but for any bride who likes to break the rules, you may choose to try something different like serving belgium waffles and quiches to your guests at your evening reception.

Who doesn't remember their mom making them pancakes for dinner once in a while. Ok, so maybe she was simply getting creative with a bare pantry instead of "breaking the rules", but who's to say we can't take mom's creativity and turn it into a low-cost menu idea for a late afternoon or evening reception?

Here's my idea of a classy and delicious"Good Morning Evening" wedding reception menu:

Assorted fruits, cheeses and crackers
salad nicoise
omelet station with a chef taking your guests orders
flat bread pizza
roast beef carving station *optional depending on cost
spinach & mushroom quiche
petifores (instead of cake)
orange-scented scones & walnut banana bread
iced tea bar (spiced, mint, green)
signature cocktail: Bellinis (fresh sliced peaches or peach juice and sparkling wine or champagne)

Hungry yet? Your guests won't be after the nosh-fest, but they will most definitely be talking about how much they enjoyed your unique wedding reception.

Where's a Wedding Sitter When You Need One?

2009-09-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

I've always wondered if having a sitter during a wedding or event was just a "Southern" thang, (never heard of it prior to moving to Nashville) but finding someone to watch the little kids while the big kids have some fun is becoming a popular trend. Finding the right someone for the job has gotten even easier, and may be the perfect solution for party hosts who want to throw a child-free soiree without offending the...eh-hem..."sensitive" guests.

If you are hosting an event or planning a wedding (sans toddlers) Elegant Event Sitters give you the freedom to "relax and enjoy the fun while the children are treated to a party designed just for them".

Currently covering Metro Atlanta, Middle Georgia, Florida, Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Chattanooga, Charlotte and Asheville.

LOVE the idea, especially for those brides who prefer to have a child-free wedding/reception, which can be a very sensitive issue.

While some don't mind leaving the kiddies at home, not all guests are as easy going about it, and having an alternative (if it fits in the budget) may keep everyone happy--especially the kids. I hope they come to Nashville so I can recommend this service to my Nashville brides!

Easy Ways to Go Green for Your Next Event

2009-09-17T20:10:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I turn (or click) when searching for affordable party products to share with my clients or promote on my website, I find more and more eco-friendly alternatives to plastic disposables. GreenPartyGoods.com is just one of many sites proving that eco-products can be sensible, stylish and not destined for a landfill.

According to GreenPartyGoods, the earth is suffering as a result of the way we consume resources and the most offending items in the tableware industry are plastic disposables that do not degrade. So, I want to do my part by encouraging party hosts to embrace the idea of going "green" for your next event, and I've found some great ideas to get you started.

Reuse Wine Bottles for Centerpieces
These unique centerpieces are easy to make and look stunning on any table from an outdoor dinner party to a summer wedding. Use local wines produced in your state or a find wines with fun, creative names (Marilyn Merlot) or that tie into your event theme. Get even more creative and use local wines produced in your state. Bonus: Polishing off the wine first.

Eco-Friendly Tableware
These environmentally-friendly plates, bowls and serving dishes from Verterra are made only from two products: fallen leaves and water. They're non-toxic, biodegradable, compostable, durable, lightweight, convenient and downright stylish.

Eliminate plastic at your party by adding Cloth Goodie Bags as the perfect finishing touch to the evening. These cotton party bags from GreenPlanetParties are made to last so your guest can re-use them to hold special treasures of their own once they return home. They have 10 designs to choose from, giving you more options to match the personality of your party guests (for smaller parties).

Also check out their reusable cloth table runners, 76" long x 13" wide, and add that "special zip of colour to beautifully showcase your party table and coordinate your party's theme". Many of their products can be matched up with other items such as a customizable birthday banner or the goodie bags to complete your unique party decor.

Any occasion worth celebrating represents a great opportunity to go green and show all of the your guests the benefits of living an eco-friendly lifestyle. For ideas on throwing a child's birthday party, check out Crunchy Domestic Goddess.

Going green is great during parties because it causes you to save money as a result of being more energy efficient. That's reason enough to throw a party!