Questions to ask the caterer

1. What types of food options are available?
2. What is the average price range?
a. Are customized menus, available?
b. What is included with that price (linen, tax, gratuity, china, flatware, glasses, etc.)?
c. Ask for a copy of the menus, with prices.
d. Are children discounted? 

3. What is the largest amount of people they can prepare food for? Are there any other events taking place the same day as mine?
4. Is there a certain amount of time the caterer will have the food out? Example: if a group eats at 6:00 p.m.; how long after that time will the buffet remain open?
5. Are samples or tastings available? Is there an additional fee for tastings?
6. Do they offer special menus for dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, kosher, gluten, etc.)?
7. Can they provide references from previous customers?
8. Can they provide photos from previous events?
9. Are there any additional fees (bartenders, travel fees, plating fees, etc.)?
10. When is the final head count needed?
a. Do you prepare anything over the guaranteed head count?
b. What happens if you have less than your head count? Over?
c. Is there a minimum number?
11. When are the final menu selections needed?
12. What happens to the leftover food? Are we allowed to take it? Can it be donated to a local shelter?
13. Do you cut cakes (wedding cakes)? If so, is there a cake-cutting fee? How much?
14. Are cake plates and forks provided or is there an additional fee?
15. Do you provide any centerpieces or decorations for the tables?
16. Do you provide bartenders? Mixers?
17. When is the final payment due?
a. What types of payments are accepted?
18. How much of a deposit is required to book services?
19. How many servers will be working my event, based on my tentative head count?
20. What will the servers be wearing?

Other General Caterer Questions

1. How long have you been in business?
2. On average, how many events do you cater each year?
3. If catering at an off-site location, ask if they have ever catered at that event location?
4. It's great to get a good idea of what is included in clean-up (who is responsible for setting-up tables and chairs, who is responsible for breaking them down, what happens to the trash, etc.).

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Stress-Free Holiday Party Tricks!!!

It's Holiday Party Season again and I wanted to share some great tips I found for you to host a stress-free party this year! Plus, There is no need to spend a fortune to decorate for the holidays instead be a little creative and turn your house into a winter wonderland!

Make a List

Perhaps the ultimate way to create a stress-free holiday is to live by a list. Plan ahead, and don't be afraid to delegate. "Know what you're capable and comfortable doing and give other people things to do," says Kathy Gunst, culinary expert and author of Relax, Company's Coming!and co-author of Stonewall Kitchen Harvest. Asking guests to help with a party-related task makes them feel more involved, so never be afraid to ask.

Candy Bar

Who doesn't love candy? Create a "candy store" on an entry or side table with jars in various sizes. Fill them with colorful taffy, chocolates and gummies, and put scoops and small baggies on the table. Plus, candy has a long shelf life (especially individually wrapped kinds), so you can enjoy the look all season long.

Wrap Gifts Early

Use holiday gifts you will be giving this season as décor in your home before you give them. Make them beautiful, and enjoy them yourself for as long as you can." Choose a coordinated group of papers, bows, and ornaments that look great in your home, and stack them throughout your house on side tables.

Dress Up Your Cocktails

Instead of plain ice cubes to keep drinks cool, place grapes and cranberries in your freezer now, so that come party time, you can use a couple of frozen fruits to add a quick and thoughtful touch to a cocktail or sparkling water. The shapes add dimension, color, and something to chew on when that delicious libation is swirling over your tongue.

Deck the Halls

Monica Gullon, former caterer, food editor and frequent entertainer, suggests going with the unexpected. "Bowls of vintage ornaments (from your family's collection or a flea market) grouped by color or glass bowls filled with white twinkle lights can both look striking. Or place a bare branch in a vase and hang small ornaments from it."

As for your exterior, you don't need a house encrusted in twinkle lights to make an impact. Try a single stand-out wreath, potted evergreens, or a big bow on the front door.

Great tips from InStyle & HG TV!

As we all know Vera Wang is one of the best designers out there when it come to bridal gowns, but with her name come a BIG price tag too. That is until now.... just released a few images of her new White by Vera Wang for David’s Bridal spring 2012 collection! Now you can feel like a celebrity on your wedding day and not brake the bank! The collection will be available starting February 2012—just in time for fresh Valentine’s Day engagements.

This satin-faced organza and horsehair A-line gown features an origami draped bodice and pick-up skirt. The dress also includes an exposed-tulle train and grosgrain sash.

Inspired by Kim Kardashian's wedding reception look, this Georgette mermaid gown features draped straps, Chantilly lace appliques at the bodice, and a dramatic skirt with basket-weave organza blossoms and petal embroideries.

Inspired by Kim Kardashian's wedding dress, this tulle ballgown features Chantilly lace appliques at the bodice, a basque waist, and cathedral train.

Learn more at Davids Bridal & InStyle

Official Royal Wedding Portraits Revealed

Courtesy of People

Monique Lhuillier Named Two of Her New Wedding Gowns ‘Catherine’ and ‘Pippa’

Famed bridal designer Monique Lhuillier, who has dressed celebrity brides such as Reese Witherspoon, Carrie Underwood, Pink, and Alicia Silverstone, unveiled her newest bridal 2012 collection recently. Lhuillier named each of the gowns with a woman’s name, as she typically does, but we noticed something interesting this time around. Two of the looks in her new lineup have names with a royal ring to them—Catherine and Pippa! The “Catherine” gown, right, looks fit for a princess with long sleeves, a high neckline, and an all-over lace approach. The “Pippa” dress, left, looks like it could be for a bridesmaid or maid of honor (and Pippa Middleton is the maid of honor at sister Catherine’s nuptials) with a short hemline and a more body-hugging silhouette.

Courtesy of Monique Lhuillier & InStyle

Kate Middleton’s Wedding Flowers: The Meaning of the Bouquet

Did you take a good look at the bouquet Catherine Middleton‘s carried along with her Alexander McQueen gown and Cartier tiara? Vera Wang commented on CNN that she loved it because it didn’t overpower the dress, and there’s a reason why. Middleton chose the flowers because of their special meanings—she carried Lily of the valleys to symbolize the return of happiness; Sweet William flowers for gallantry; hyacinths for constancy of love; ivy for fidelity, marriage, friendship and affection; and myrtle, the emblem of marriage and love. The myrtle is actually from a plant that Queen Victoria planted in 1845, and was also used in the bouquet of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding in 1947.

Courtesy of InStyle