Author Archives: nikki

A Quick Guide to Reception Meal Styles

Food is one of the most important, and often expensive, aspects of any wedding. It’s a good thing you can choose from various wedding catering styles from catering services offering complete luxury service tailored to the needs of each clients.

A right menu is an essential part of every wedding. Apart from choosing what food you will be serving at the reception, you also need to decide the style of how your caterers will serve the food. Here is a quick guide about the different wedding reception meal styles to help you determine the right meal style for your wedding.

 

Meal Style # 1: Plated Service

Plated service has been the traditional and formal choice for wedding receptions. It’s a sit-down meal where food is served individually per person. A plated dinner is often composed of three courses: appetizer, main course, and dessert, and everyone gets the same dish unless someone with allergies requests for an alternate dish in advance. The specifics are, of course, dependent on the choice of the couple.

Advantages:

  • Every guest gets their food and can start eating at the same time.
  • Lower costs compared to buffet since each meal is pre-selected already.
  • Less chances of leftovers.

Disadvantages:

  • A plated dinner will require you to hire caterers that have many servers, both for serving the guests and preparing food in the kitchen.
  • The guests do not get any options.

 

Meal Style # 2: Family-Style

Family-style involves serving a variety of dishes on each table and allowing the guests to get their own portions. If there are guests seated at the same table that don’t know each other, it also provides a way for them to start interacting.

Advantages:

  • Your guests can choose their preferred dishes (and the portion size) from the selection served.
  • Family-style is efficient since guests can eat right away after choosing their food.

 Disadvantages:

  • This type of meal style requires larger space for all the dishes and platters, which could lead you to increase your budget on the rental items such as big tables and numerous serving plates.

 

Meal Style # 3: Buffet

Considered as the most casual meal style, a buffet allows guests to get their food from the various food stations on long tables. There are usually servers behind the food stations to assist guests.

 Advantages:

  • You can provide your guests with a wider variety of food choices.
  • You do not need a lot of servers since guests can serve themselves.

 Disadvantages:

  • Buffets tend to cost higher compared to the other meal styles since it requires large amount of food and different choices.

 

Meal Style # 4: Food Stations

A food station is one of the growing trends in the wedding scene. You’ll have various food stations disseminated throughout your wedding reception venue. For example, you could have a meat station, salad station, and an ice cream station, among others.

Advantages:

  • Since the food stations are situated in different parts of your wedding reception, guests do not need to wait in long lines.

 Disadvantages:

  • Space may be an issue, and you might need a larger venue.

 

When it comes to weddings, the food is often what makes a lasting impression on guests. Be creative in choosing the food that you will have and how it will be served.

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8 Top Best Beach Wedding Destinations in the Philippines

What are the best beach wedding destinations in the Philippines?

  1. Vivere Azure
  2. Bellarocca Island and Resort Spa
  3. Club Balai Isabel
  4. Club Punta Fuego
  5. Balesin Island Club
  6. El Nido Resorts
  7. Stilts Catalagan Beach Resort
  8. Shangri-La Resort and Spa
  9. Subic Grand Seas Resort

 

Your special day is fast approaching and, with that in mind, the perfect venue should be in order. With that said, a laid-back ambiance, the ocean breeze, fine white sand, and captivating seascape are few of the many reasons why couples choose the beach as their wedding destination. Nowadays, wedding packages in Manila offer a wide variety of options, including catering in resorts for the ultimate beach wedding.

Choosing the best beach wedding destination can be quite overwhelming as the Philippines is blessed with numerous beautiful beaches situated in every part of the archipelago. With every beach, comes a spectacular venue for your special day. To help you out, here are some of the most popular wedding destinations:

 

Vivere Azure (Batangas)

Sunset view at Vivere Azure

If you are looking to celebrate your wedding at a place that feels like home, Vivere Azure presents the best setting. This beach resort near Manila is situated on the mountainside of Anilao, Batangas. It was created to complement the nature that surrounds it.

Value the intimacy of toasting to honor the joining of your hearts as a couple at a location that exudes a sense of openness. Set up your dream wedding reception in front of the picturesque views of the sunset as well as an infinity pool that overlooks the horizon where the sea meets the sky. After the celebration, retire at the beach resort’s deluxe and presidential suites with an astonishing vista of the ocean. With the sunset in the background, your wedding celebration will surely be romantic!

 

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa (Marinduque)

Are you dreaming of a Grecian-inspired wedding? If so, there will be no need for you to fly to Santorini, Greece to achieve such kind of wedding. Couples need to look no further other than the province of Marinduque.

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa is a luxury resort situated on the south-west coast of Marinduque. The Santorini-inspired architecture, crystal clear water, seaside cliffs, and romantic ambiance of the island resort make it one of the best beaches wedding destinations not only in the Philippines but in the whole of Southeast Asia. The island resort has premium array of accommodations, activities, and recreation attractions, offering you and your guests an exquisite experience.

 

Club Balai Isabel (Tagaytay)

Despite being situated near the world’s smallest active volcano (and one of the coldest places of the Philippines), it is no wonder that Club Balai Isabel is one of the sought-after beach wedding destinations in the country.

Club Balai Isabel has various facilities, such as dining, health and wellness, and recreation, making it a perfect choice for corporate events, holidays, and weddings. The picturesque setting and relax ambiance of the place makes it a popular location not only for a pre-nuptial photo shoot but for the actual wedding ceremony and reception as well. The resort will provide you the magnificent view of the world-famous Taal Lake as your beautiful backdrop, as well as all the fresh air for you to breathe in and relish.

 

Club Punta Fuego (Nasugbu, Batangas)

Batangas is known to be a home to the top beaches in the country. One of the province’s pride is the Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu.

Club Punta Fuego, a premier membership resort, is an ideal location for any type of beach wedding. The resort can accommodate up to 100 guests with its spacious area, yet still provides a solemn vibe. Club Punta Fuego’s scenic landscape, first-class facilities, and calm environment will surely create a memorable wedding experience.

 

Balesin Island Club (Eastern Coast of Luzon)

One of the most extravagant island resorts in the Philippines, Balesin Island Club provides luxurious villas and amenities to its guests. The luxurious island club also has seven theme villages with several villas and suites. You can be sure of an intimate wedding ceremony when you choose Balesin since it is exclusive to its members or those who are endorsed by a member. Plus, with the ambiance this venue exudes, you are sure to enjoy your special day even more when the entire wedding is done with all the beach you can go around in.

El Nido Resorts (Palawan)

Palawan is one of the hottest destinations for any occasion in mind, most especially for a wedding. If you’re looking for a nice wedding destination that’s sure to bring in the heat, then this hotspot is definitely for you.

Also, since this resort is situated in Palawan, you’ll also be able to give your guests (and yourselves) enough landscape to frolic and swim around to your heart’s content. Truly, this venue can do you wonders.

Stilts Catalagan Beach Resort (Catalagan, Batangas)

If you’re looking for the perfect beach venue for your dream wedding, then this destination is definitely for you. Only a 2 to 3-hour drive from Metro Manila to Batangas, this won’t take much effort for you to reach; and once you reach it, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view to behold for years to come.

Inside the resort, you’ll be greeted with a lot of nature in every corner, especially its many beaches for you to frolic around under the sun. Either section of the resort you choose for your ceremony and/or reception, the memories you make here will be all the more worth it.

Shangri-La Resort and Spa (Cebu)

Cebuanos love their fun, especially on the beach with any occasion they have in mind. For those looking for a paradise of white sands to match with the bride’s wedding dress, this venue is for you. With luxury and serenity all around, every stroll around this place can make you feel like the woman/man of the hour.

Subic Grand Seas Resort (Olongapo)

Subic is one of those places that everyone is willing to go far for pleasure, especially for the abundance of marine life available for you to marvel at. In this particular venue, not only will you be able to join your spouse-to-be in love and holy matrimony in the nearby Immaculate Conception Church, but you’ll also be able to enjoy some physical activity with the numerous water sports available. Either way, you’ll surely get your heart pumping with the endless amounts of happiness and excitement around you.

Key Takeaway

The country has one of the longest coastlines in the world, making it a home to many pristine and white beaches; and with 7,107 islands in the country, there will be no shortage of tropical-themed wedding ideas. It would be definitely hard not to find the perfect beach wedding venue you wouldn’t fall in love with. A beach wedding is absolutely a sensible choice to couples who enjoy the beauty of nature. The relaxed vibe and picturesque backdrop will surely be achieved when you choose beach as your wedding destination.

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7 Common Wedding Problems and How to Deal with Them

 

What are common wedding problems?

  1. Going over budget.
  2. Last minute need of a new venue.
  3. Having a guest lists that’s too big.
  4. Clashing or having issues with the entourage members.
  5. Having a wardrobe malfunction.
  6. Looking tired on the day itself.
  7. Power outage.

Everyone expects their wedding day to be magical and why shouldn’t it be? It’s when you commit your life to the one person you love the most in this world! However, that love is not going to magically make dream wedding become a reality. You, your fiancé, and your family and friends are the ones that will make sure that happens. The responsibilities that all need to take care of include choosing the right wedding packages, coming up with the final guest list, and making sure you don’t go over budget, among many other things.

You should also account for possible unavoidable problems that may come along the way. Instead of simply hoping nothing bad happens and then panicking when it does, it’s better to be prepared.

The Budget

Determining your budget is the first step in wedding preparations. Majority of the decisions you need to make will be determined by this. It’s a horrible idea to start planning a wedding without a budget because you’re bound to recklessly spend a ton of money without realizing it.

The budget will influence a lot of decisions like who you really want to invite, whether it’s better to DIY some aspects like the invitations, and whether you’re willing to spend extra for a more extravagant dress. In short, a well thought of budget will save you from throwing all your savings away.

Changing of the Venue

Reality is the venue may be perfect but the circumstances may be not. For whatever reason – such as double booking, venue bankruptcy, accidents, etc. – you may need to book a new venue at the last minute. While this isn’t in your control, the contract is. Before signing anything when booking a venue, make sure there are reasonable refund clauses and, if it’s possible, relocation reimbursement clauses as well.

As for finding the new venue, if the original venue owner/manager has a good heart, then he can suggest to you many alternative places. Also, your caterers and other vendors have most likely worked in other venues that are suitable to your needs. Simply asking them can help you a lot. When those don’t work, resorting to recommendations from friends – both online and offline – is a good option. Who knows? You might end up with something even better than your original location.

Guest List Being Too Big

It is pretty common to have an inflation in the guest list. People may ask if they can bring a plus one or their kids along with them to the celebration. While it may be tempting to allow this to make sure that everyone has a good time, this could lead to more guests than you and/or the venue can handle.

You can avoid this by creating a set guest list that cannot be touched. From there it’s all about being polite but firm. Use the facts to your advantage. If people call to ask why they aren’t invited or allowed to bring a plus one that’s not on the list, then simply state that the venue cannot fit any more people or you can’t afford to accommodate any more. Also, doing this makes sure that only the people closest to you take part in your celebration.

However, if you decide that you want to accommodate everyone, then prepare to spend more on catering, rentals, and a bigger venue.

Clashing with the Entourage

With all the stress of the wedding planning, there could be times where you could clash with one more members of the entourage.

When this happens, take a step back and see if the stresses of the wedding is getting to you. Maybe you’re getting too demanding and forcing big choices on to your close friends and family. If you see yourself doing this, then take a breath and calm down. You don’t want to remember your wedding as the event that ruined your relationship with your loved ones. Make sure you apologize well – probably over food where you can mend the ties over a delicious meal.

However, if you see that you’re not the problem, then the key is to take a soft approach to dealing with the issue. First, let the perpetrator know how much your friendship means to you and why you chose him/her to be part of the entourage. Then, gently let him/her know how their behavior is affecting the way the wedding/wedding planning is turning out. Be sure that you don’t say this unless you have ways for him/her to improve; at least for the wedding. If he/she is truly a close friend, then he/she will make the necessary sacrifice for you. Lastly, end positively by telling him/her that you need him there by your side to make the wedding absolutely perfect – which should be true if you picked your entourage well.

Wardrobe Malfunction

A wardrobe malfunction does not only happen to celebrities on a red carpet, it can also happen to brides and grooms at their own weddings. Always have an emergency kit that includes safety pins, button pins, garment tape, and a mini sewing kit ready.

Beauty Disaster before the Big Day

It’s easy to forget yourself when you prioritize all the preparations. Make sure you always get enough sleep and drink a lot of water while planning the wedding to keep you hydrated and your skin moisturized. Then, a week before your wedding, plan a pampering day for facials, scrubs, or massages.

If there won’t be any makeup artists for the whole length of the celebration, then assign one of your bridesmaids/groomsmen to be mindful of how you look throughout the event. For the ladies, have you trusted bridesmaid carry a small pouch that includes an eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, translucent powder, and wet wipes in case of emergencies.

Failure of Electricity in the Venue

Wouldn’t it be horrible if you’re in the middle of the dance floor and all of a sudden, the electricity goes out? Make sure to choose a venue with a backup electricity plan.

Key Takeaway

Mistakes and problems are inevitable. But with ample preparation time, having back up plans and keeping a cool head, your wedding day will more likely be a successful one.

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How did chocolate become so popular?

How did chocolate become so popular?

  • It originated from the Mayans and Aztec who drank crushed cocoa beans. To them it was considered a food for nobles because of its spiritual effects.
  • It was discovered by Hernán Cortés who introduced it to Spain in the 1500s.
  • Here, it was mixed with sugar and became an addictive treat enjoyed by their court.
  • When King Louis XIII of France married the daughter of King Philip II of Spain, she introduced chocolate to France.
  • From here, the popularity grew all over Europe with plantations being setup in France, Netherlands, and England.
  • In the 1800s, Coenraad Johannes van Houten introduced alkaline salts to chocolate which extracted the fat from the food. This made it much more affordable to produce and it was sold at a cheaper price, which made it available even to the poor. This was called Dutch cocoa
  • In the same century, Joseph Fry made the first truly solid and edible chocolate bar by reintroducing cocoa butter to Dutch cocoa.
  • Finally, Rodolphe Lindt created the first conching machine which made chocolate into the taste and texture we all know today.

For the longest time, chocolate has been a staple in many dessert recipes. So much so that you wouldn’t see much wedding catering services leaving it out of their menus. It is also has a huge influence on culture; especially in gift giving. Chocolate has and remains to be one of the most popular gift options out there; whether for valentines, a birthday, anniversary, or just for the heck of it. However, it took a lot of development for chocolate and it wasn’t always a sweet and tasty treat. Discover how it became food behemoth it is today by reading on further.

Mayan and Aztec Culture

Chocolate wasn’t always eaten in delicious chocolate bar form. That came much later. Instead it was enjoyed as a bitter drink that was made from cocoa beans. The beans were grinded into paste and mixed with a number of ingredients, including vanilla, honey, water and pepper.

These chocolate drinks were well known in the Mayan and Aztec communities as a mystical drink that was spiritual in nature. This was because of the unique effects they had on the human body. The people of this time found that consuming the drink would make them feel more invigorated; it gave them better moods. Talk about comfort food! At times, it was even considered as an aphrodisiac.

With such luxurious effects, the Mayans believed it came from cocoa. This is why the right to consume chocolate was saved for nobles, spiritual leaders and rulers, and for sacred events.

In the 14th Century, the Aztecs began to conquer and dominate Mesoamerica. However, they started craving for cocoa which could not be found in central Mexico. Because of this, the Aztec people started to trade with the Mayans for cocoa. By this time, the beans were so coveted that they were even used as currency.

There were even accounts of the 16th century ruler of Tenochtitlan, Moctezuma II drinking three gallons of chocolate a day. He did this with the belief that it would increases his libido.

Sailing Across the Atlantic

In the early 1500’s Hernan Cortez invaded and conquered a part of Mexico in the name of Spain and was introduced to these special beans. He was fascinated by how the local cultures valued it and treated it as a form of currency. Cortez put up a plantation for the cocoa beans and started importing them into Spain. Because it was an imported product it was still saved for the royal and noble, and they tweaked the recipe a bit by sweetening it with cinnamon and cane sugar.

Spanish Discovery

When Christopher Columbus made his fourth trip to the Americas in 1502, he and his crew became the first Europeans to encounter cocoa beans. They found it when they seized a large native canoe that contained many trade goods. Columbus took the bean back with him to Spain where it was introduced to the Spanish court.

But it wasn’t until 1519 until a European experienced a chocolate drink. In this time, Hernán Cortés and his troops came across Tenochtitlan during the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs. He was introduced to these special beans in the court of Moctezuma II. He was fascinated by how the local cultures valued it and treated it as a form of currency. It was even documented that the servants would serve their ruler this drink made of cocoa in gold cups and large pitchers.

After the conquest, Cortés put up a plantation for the cocoa beans and started importing them into Spain. Because it was an imported product it was still saved for the royal and noble. They tweaked the recipe a bit by sweetening it with cinnamon and cane sugar. This quickly became a favorite in the Spanish court.

Spain Couldn’t Keep It a Secret Any Longer

When King Louis XIII of France married the daughter of King Philip II of Spain, her addiction to the drink migrated to France and from there the spread began. The aristocrats loved the sweet drink and the numerous health benefits they believed it brought. The social status it implied was another reason for its popularity. Chocolate was still a premium product, after all! In order to appease the growing demand these same European influencers set up plantations for the beans in different regions near the equator around the world.

Expanding to the Rest of Europe

Eventually, plantations started sprouting in France, England, and Netherlands. At first, they used Mesoamerican natives as their labor pool for these plantations. But eventually, disease would kill a majority of these natives and the Europeans resorted to importing African slaves. It was a bad turn for slavery but luckily, wind and horse powered mills were created to speed up the

The Real Chocolate Revolution Begins

Chocolate found its way in many stores not just in Europe. In America, they were incorporated in many recipes. Rather than being just a drink, chocolate became sweet treats and were included in pastries. The true revolution began with the invention of the cocoa press by Van Houten in the 1800s. This made the processing of cocoa beans into fine powder much easier and more affordable. Thanks to this innovation chocolate wasn’t just made for the rich and powerful, it paved the way for chocolate to be enjoyed by the masses.

Key Takeaway

The rest as they say is history. Many other players took advantage of the growing popularity of chocolate and created their own variations. Now we are exposed to a market with so many variations of this sweet and sometimes bitter treat. Next time you take a sip of hot chocolate, take a moment to appreciate its journey to where it is now.

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6 Ideas for a Healthy Wedding Reception

What are the best ideas for a healthy wedding reception?

  1. Healthy Finger Foods
  2. Start with Leafy Greens
  3. You Don’t Need Beef
  4. Desserts Don’t Need to be Unhealthy
  5. Healthy Drinks
  6. Healthy Wedding Cake

People from all over the world are becoming more and more conscious about their health, whether it be residents of California, Tokyo, London, or even here in Manila. Wedding packages now feature more diverse offerings as a result, since providers are riding the health wave to keep up with the demand. In today’s generation, more and more people are looking to be healthy; therefore, healthy habits like proper diet and daily exercise routines are now becoming normal activities, most especially on the former.

With this in mind, people are now looking to apply their healthy lifestyle in any event and special occasion, which includes weddings. Healthy food choices are now becoming more abundant and more accessible, especially with the wide array of selections anyone can choose from. With the rise of these ingredient substitutes and more innovative and healthy recipes, there is more than a wide selection of food ideas for you to choose from and try.

Not sure how to insert healthy dishes in your menu? Here are a few ideas:

Healthy Finger Foods

Hors D’oeuvres are a staple in any wedding reception, or any meal for that matter, those fancy finger foods that you just love to chow down on before the actual program starts is a definite diet killer. Instead of sticking to the traditional menu of appetizers you can look to some alternatives. Look to have seasoned grilled vegetable skewers or small bites of grilled seafood as your starters. These can be very tasty, and even if you eat more than one it’s unlikely you will feel any bit of guilt afterwards. Other choices include vegetable quiche, steamed dumplings, bean salsa, and stuffed onions.

Start with Leafy Greens

Get a salad station! You can have a varied selection of greens and let your guests help themselves to it. Don’t forget to request for a variety of dressings as well! If it’s a sit-down style of reception, choose a tasty seafood salad or a simple Tuscan salad. Vegetables like lettuces, tomatoes, cabbages, and kale would be nice leafy vegetables that would make your salad selection a solid one. You can also offer a variety of salad dressings to enhance the flavor. Dressings like Thousand Island, Ranch, Herb, and Chile are great selections that would satisfy a lot of tastes.

You Don’t Need Beef at a Wedding

The main course is usually either a selection of beef, pork, or chicken. But there are other, healthier sources of protein such as salmon, lamb, or chicken.

Imagine a main course of boiled salmon with herb and butter seasoning, and grilled vegetables on the side, or a rack lamb grilled to perfection perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices. There are other variations of seafood you can serve in your reception such as squid or other forms of clams, even a perfectly cooked chicken breast can beat pork if done right.

Having these wonderful main courses on your menu would ensure that you have some hefty, yet nutritious meat to enjoy. For sides, sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and brown rice would complete the healthy package.

Desserts Don’t Need to Be Unhealthy

Desserts are the best way to end the meal with a bang, and having a healthy selection, which is why it’s not impossible to have a good dessert station with healthy options. You can start off with fresh fruits and some yogurt!

There are also other variations such as fruit tarts or fruit-based cakes, which are healthier alternatives to chocolate covered desserts. If all else fails a good fruit sorbet is the perfect back up. It’s full of flavor and is absolutely refreshing! Mixing up these healthy foods would give some nice diversity that would satisfy all of your guests.

Healthy Drinks

Most weddings serve a selection of sweet juices, which may not be healthy after a good number of glasses. The best alternatives to sweetened juices are fresh ones. You can choose from fruits like oranges, lemons, pineapple, pomegranate, and coconut for your healthy drink choices. These are great alternatives to sodas and alcohic drinks like wine, whisky, and champagne.

If you want to be a bit more creative, you can mix and match these fruits to create some wonderful flavors that go along well with your main course. Another option besides juices are smoothies. Simply get some ice and fruits, and put them into a blender. Smoothies are a tasty and chill choice that your guests would surely enjoy.

Healthy Wedding Cakes

The most important part of your wedding reception dinner is the wedding cake, which tends to be the centerpiece of your meal selection. One of the issues that these cakes have is that they are heavy and unhealthy. This is attributed to the high amount of dairy products and sweets present in most cakes.

One of the best ways to make sure your cake is healthy, yet still delicious at the same time, is to use substitute ingredients. These ingredients would be able to substitute your regular sugar, honey, milk, butter, and eggs which make sure that it will still be as good. You can also incorporate fruits into your cake to give it some fresh flavors that the couple and the guests are bound to enjoy.

Key Takeaway

With these alternative ideas in mind, it’s time to step away from the stereotypical wedding reception. You can do your guests a favor and feed them what they need more than what they want. They might even thank you for introducing them to other alternative types of cuisine! They might get blown away with these wonderful food ideas that they may not have seen before, and look for more of them in your next parties and events in the near future.

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11 Food Station Ideas Your Guests Will Go Crazy For

 

What are great food station ideas for a wedding reception?

  1. Cheese and Crackers
  2. Pizza
  3. Pasta
  4. Pancake and Waffles
  5. Sushi
  6. Dessert/Cake table
  7. Popcorn
  8. Taco and Nachos
  9. French fries
  10. Ice cream

Some argue that sit-down dinners and typical buffet layouts should be a thing of the past, as it can come across too traditional and impersonal. Wedding packages these days offer a variety of options!

One that stands out is food stations. A food station is not just your typical buffet spread, where the food is on one long table and people queue up for their food. Food stations are more dynamic than that, you can customize different food stations for different themes and offerings. This helps the host to create a more personalized menu and it can help show off their personality much better. The layout is also different, as stations can be placed around the venue or grouped together depending on the theme.

 

Cheese and Crackers Station

This is perfect for receptions especially in the beginning when everyone is socializing. The best part about a cheese station is that there are various cheeses to choose from, from creamy to soft or even hard. There are also numerous types of crackers – the variety of flavors and textures really make your mind race for which combination to try next! Just be sure you have the perfect glass of wine to pair these with!

Pizza Station

Everyone loves pizza so having a station dedicated to this crowd favorite is sure to please your guests. You can cover all kinds of pizza from thin crust, thick crust to stuffed crust. There are a few decisions you have to make mainly what flavors to offer – going with a classics like 4 cheese or all meat is always a safe bet. Just prepare enough to feed crowds of guests, last thing you want is to run out in the middle of the reception!

Pasta Station

Who says you have to settle for choosing between cream or tomato based when you can have both or even more! Having a pasta station in your reception can please many of your guests because of all the choices you can offer. From pesto, tomato, cream and even olive oil there is a lot of variety, that’s not including all the different types of pasta there is. Just to add a bit more fun put some olive, tuna or other toppings to give more of a homey feel.

Pancake and Waffles Station

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to have your reception in the morning, you might just love breakfast and want to share that with your guests. Imagine a station with freshly made waffles and pancakes, paired with different types of syrups and honey. Why not top it off with a selection of nuts or fruits? Having all that in one table is sure to tempt anyone to more than one serving!

Sushi Bar/Belt

Slowly becoming a more popular option at wedding receptions, a sushi bar provides a great bite size snack that is both convenient and exciting. With wide a variety of the raw Japanese dish, your guests will go crazy either picking out their favorites or exploring new ones they haven’t had before.

To add an authentic flair to this food station idea, you can hire an authentic and professional Asian chef. That way you can make it a create-your-own sushi type of station that the chef will professionally prepare for your guests. The interactive and customizable element is sure to please those with picky palates. For more authenticity, be sure to add soy sauce, chopsticks, and wasabi. But if you really want to go all out with the legit Japanese experience, then have a whole sushi conveyor belt installed!

Dessert and Cake Table

In place of the traditional cake as a dessert, dessert and cake tables are quickly making their mark as a staple at weddings. With such a setup, more guests are satisfied because they can choose the sweets and flavor of their preference rather being served something that’s “just ok” to them. With that in mind, if you choose to go for this option, make sure to have a whole assortment of flavors for the cakes and a variety of sweets for the desserts – such as cake pops, brownies, cupcakes, donuts, etc.

Popcorn Cart

The best thing about this idea is that it is so easy to do. Just have a lot of popcorn kernels, a popcorn maker, and some powdered flavoring and you’re good to go. It is also becoming a hot trend to have at weddings because this perfect little snack can be served conveniently during any part of the celebration.

Tacos and Nachos Table

Though it could be messy and could stain really expensive outfits, a taco and nacho bar is something no one can resist no matter what he is wearing. You can provide bibs so that guests can be carefree while enjoying their Mexican food creation. This will definitely bring a festive vibe to your wedding, especially since it goes perfectly well with some tequila. With a pairing like this, it also makes for a great option to serve during cocktail hour.

French Fry Station

Nothing spells guilty pleasure more than French fries. This fast food favorite is usually seen enjoyed by all; either by workers on a casual lunch or by the health buffs seeking a worthy cheat meal. But your wedding is not the time to worry about health. In fact, it could be everybody’s most epic cheat day ever. Let loose with your guests let loose and enjoy some fried potatoes. Offer all kinds of fries: regular, curly, waffled, sweet potatoes, etc. Then just provide all the condiments that fit the simple snack and the whole guest list is sure to leave all their inhibitions behind.

Ice Cream Bar

There’s never a bad time for ice cream; even during a wedding! This is a definite favorite for all ages and is a surefire way to make your guests happy. Offer them many ways to enjoy this kind of food station: give bowls, cones, syrup, candy sprinkles, bananas, strawberries, Oreos, and anything else that goes great with ice cream. There is sure to be endless fun for all when they’re trying to create their perfect ice cream concoction.

 

Key Takeaway

Events aren’t restricted to set menus anymore. You can be more creative and have food stations to make your wedding the most memorable one that your guests have ever experienced. Just make sure that the stations you end up choosing will cater to most of your guests as well as your theme.

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8 Tips for Writing a Wedding Day Love Note

How can one write a wedding day love note?

  1. Agree to it if you want to exchange letters.
  2. Write it casually as if you’re talking to your partner comfortably.
  3. Dedicate time to do it, whether you choose to do it on the day itself or not.
  4. Find a quiet and/or meaningful place to write it.
  5. Write it in a way that will give your partner confidence that he/she made the right choice to get married.
  6. Talk about your love and your future with each other.
  7. Don’t sweat over misspelling, and grammar.
  8. Keep it personal.

Of all the elements that go into the big day – from the actual ceremony to the wedding catering – the wedding day love note is hands down the most romantic and personal part of it. These notes are usually written days in advanced or on the night before the wedding day when emotions are overwhelming. The note is meant for the respective partners to read on the morning of the big day, as a reminder of its purpose and to prepare each other for the vows they are about to make.

There are no strict rules about what or how it should be written, but there are things to keep in mind.

Agree to It

While writing a love note may be tradition for some families, your partner may not have the same traditions. If you want to exchange love notes, then it is important that you discuss it with your partner.

When it comes to this, it’s important to not just do it out of nowhere. This could lead to your partner being surprised and, possibly, being pressured into writing one for the sake of it; you want the letter to be honest. That being said, discuss with your partner days in advanced so both you have enough time to gather the right words to show your love for each other. Of course, you could always write a love note without expecting one – if you’re really the one for surprises. Just be sure that you do it a way that doesn’t pressure your partner to rush to create his or own.

Keep it Simple

You don’t have to write like you’re the greatest poet this century has ever seen, nor use big words and complex metaphors to wow your partner. Remember that your partner loves you for who you are and should know you inside and out. A sprinkle of elegant language here and there will be good to show some class but for the most part sound like yourself because that is what matters most.

Dedicate Time to It

This is a very meaningful note for your partner, dedicate some time for it. May it be weeks or days ahead or even the day before, don’t rush this letter because it will be a something you and your fiancé will likely keep and cherish for many years. Find time to plan and reflect on your relationship together. Embrace all the emotions you’re feeling and find inspiration in them. Have enough time to write down your thoughts in a relaxed state and look back at the note and see if it’s the love note your partner deserves.

Now, love is a great big ball of emotions and you may have a hard time sorting out your feelings. It will be helpful for you to list down these thoughts in a notebook or your smartphone so you can reflect afterwards.

Gather Your Thoughts

As just mentioned, you want to dedicate time to writing the letter. However, many would recommend that you write it the night before the wedding or even on the day itself! This is because this is the time when both sides have overwhelming emotions about the big day; finally, their love will reach its peak. Even though things may be running crazy in your mind during this time with all the planning, you must remember that the most important part of any wedding is the love you have for your partner. With that in mind, find a quiet spot to think. Even better, go to a place special for the both of you to further amplify your feelings.

If you choose to make it on the morning of your wedding, then do it just a short while after you wake up. You will be really busy on the day itself and waking up could be your only time alone for the day.

Give Your Partner Confidence

This is your opportunity to be the voice your partner needs, to remove all their jitters and give them the confidence boost they need. Your wedding day is a very nerve racking day for both parties so it will be really help to know that the person you are marrying is confident in this decision. Remind each other of the reasons you are together and why this will be the best decision you’ll ever make.

Write What You Love About Them and More

It is important for your partner to feel loved, to know that every part of who they are is important to you. This will give them confidence and assurance in your relationship with each other.

Aside from that you should write about your relationship, write about the future, and your hope for each other individually and as partners. Remind your partner of the love that you share and the numerous years to come together and how it makes you feel. Then, talk about the future – the honeymoon, having kids, travelling around the world, etc. – to let him/her feel secure about the rest of his/her life.

It’s Not a Formal Letter

Your fiancé loves you – flaws and all. So, don’t worry about making grammar mistakes or misspellings. If you notice them, then don’t start over. Just cross it out and leave it messy; but at the same time don’t make it look like you rushed it. Maybe you can even apologize in the letter itself by adding a quirky disclaimer such as, “I’m sorry I have so many mistakes in this letter. You know me: forever fidgety”. It’s these nuances that will make your partner know that the note is honest and personal. Speaking of personal…

Keep it Personal

Remember, it is not just about what you feel right now, it is about what you plan ahead and how you want your marriage to be. The most important thing in this note is that it comes from you, not based on what your friends or family say, but from you alone. Pour your heart out and just let your partner feel the love you feel through this simple gesture.

Key Takeaway

The key to writing a touching love note is remembering. Think back to all the love you’ve shared over the years. Even the fights you’ve had which you overcame to learn how accept each other more. Remember all the things that made you say yes to the marriage. Then word it well in an honest letter. When your partner reads the letter, he/she will be reminded why you are celebrating in the first place. Then later on in the day, you both will no longer just be partners; you will be each other’s husband/wife.

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10 Tips and Tricks for Selecting the Best Wedding Favor

How do I choose the best wedding favor?

  1. It’s recommended that it is meaningful to you and your future partner.
  2. It is best if it is practical for the guests to use in the future and/or during the wedding proper.
  3. You must be able to afford it.
  4. You must try them out.
  5. It must be high-quality.
  6. It can be a ready-made item that you can customize.
  7. You can also try making your own DIY favors.
  8. Avoid adding your wedding details on the item because it may be discouraging for your guests to use the gifts.
  9. It is best to match the color with your color scheme.
  10. If you are stumped, then you can resort to giving customized sweets.

There are plenty of things to do when planning a wedding. You have to come up with a theme, look for the perfect venue, and track down the best wedding catering company. But aside from that, you also have to prepare small gifts that you can hand out to your guests after the merry event.

These giveaways are called wedding favors. They are souvenirs that you give to your family and friends to thank them for taking the time to witness you exchange vows with the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Aside from the wedding catering, theme, and reception venue, this is one thing that you should prepare in advance.

If you are in the process of preparing your wedding favors, here are a few tips and tricks that would immensely help you: 

Give Something Meaningful

The first thing you need to consider when choosing a wedding favor is the meaning it holds for you and your spouse-to-be. Think about your love story and the things you like as a couple. Are you guys foodies? If so, then you should consider giving your guests edible wedding favors that they can take home with them. 

It Must Be Practical

You have to consider your guests’ reactions upon receiving your wedding favors. Ask yourself if you would want to receive the same item; if the answer is yes, then you are on the right track. Be wise and practical by providing your guests with something that they can still use years after your wedding. This way, they will not end up collecting dust or, worse, in a trash can.

 Make Sure That They Are Affordable

The price is an important factor that you must consider when selecting a wedding giveaway. Set a budget and take it into consideration when choosing possible souvenirs. As much as possible, do not go beyond it. Instead, look for gifts that are affordable, practical, and meaningful. 

Try Them Out

Before choosing a wedding favor, sample them first. For example, if you are going to hand out something edible, taste them first to see if they are truly delectable. If you are going to give away mugs or cute baubles, it’s important to first check how durable they are before making a purchase. Do not wait until the wedding day itself to check your wedding favors because by then, it would be too late to return them. 

Personalize Your Gifts

Make the most of your budget by giving away personalized wedding favors. For sure, your guests will appreciate the thought and effort that you put into adding a touch of personality to your favors. However, you have to remember that it will take some time to customize these items as compared to just buying and packing them nicely. So make sure that you have enough time on your hands. 

Go DIY

In line with the previous tip, why stop at adding a touch of personalization when you can go all out? Creating DIY favors – in the form of cute little trinkets – is just what you need to do this. It’s not as simple as simply adding your name to an item and it will definitely take much more time. However, you can be as expressive as you want. The list of DIY items on the internet is endless! You can find the one that describes your love the most while being super useful to your guests. It’s that care and love that you put into making these trinkets that will touch anyone that gets their hands on it.

Think Twice Before Monogramming Your Gift

If you want your guests to use your wedding favor, do not monogram it. Why? Because attaching your photos, initials, and wedding date on the mug or pen holder you are planning to give away will discourage people from using them. No matter how practical they are, they become decorations as soon as you monogram them. That means that instead of utilizing them, your family and friends will probably put your wedding souvenir on display.

Consider Your Venue

It would also be very practical for your guests if they can use your favor to further enjoy your big day. But, of course, you will want the gifts to be fitting for your theme and venue if this is what you’ll be going for.

Take a beach wedding for example. A great giveaway here would be sunglasses. This is so that they can protect their eyes on the hot day. Another great gift to give is a stylish hand fan. With this, the guests can keep themselves cool while they witness you tying the knot. This is also useful if your theme requires guests to dress in stuffy clothes.

In a colder setting, hand and neck warmers would be perfect!

Match With Your Colors

As you may know by now, the color scheme dictates everything. While your favors don’t have to be an exact match to this, it has to at least complement it so it doesn’t clash. This will not only be easy on the eyes for everyone, but it will also make everyone remember your special day in a subtle way.

Take note of these tips when preparing your wedding favors. They will surely help you acquire the best and most memorable souvenirs that can efficiently express just how grateful you are for your friends and family’s presence on your wedding.

Anything Sweet

Like with any gift – whether for Christmas, weddings, birthdays, etc. – you can never go wrong with food; sweets in particular. Cupcakes and cookies are one of the best choices for this because you can easily add custom designs. These will be really cute and will definitely make your guests smile. Just make sure you have an alternative for those with health concerns.

Take note of these tips when preparing your wedding favors. They will surely help you acquire the best and most memorable souvenirs that can efficiently express just how grateful you are for your friends and family’s presence on your wedding.

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Tips for Your Wedding Invitation

Wedding is an important milestone in anyone’s life. Plenty of people plan this big event meticulously, making sure that everything – from wedding catering to the venue – is organized as soon and efficiently as possible. After all, every couple wants things to run smoothly during their big day.

However, in the midst of all the planning, couples should not forget small details such as preparing and sending the wedding invitations. Make sure to allocate enough time and effort in crafting invitations. After all, your wedding will be devoid of guests without one. To help you, here are four tips that you should consider: 

Your Invite’s Design and Output

It is vital for you to conceptualize how your invitations are going to look like before you even print them. These are the factors you need to consider:

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  • Colors – Your wedding invitation should incorporate and display your theme and colors. This is essential because it will give your guests an idea of how your wedding would look like.
  • Shapes and Sizes – The shape and size of your invitation should also be taken into account. If your wedding is traditional, then you should hand out rectangular cards that are 4.5 inch by 6.25 inch in size. Meanwhile, if the wedding is modern and playful, consider other shapes such as square, circular, and scalloped.
  • Legibility – While you are considering all the style and colors you would like to be displayed on your invite, don’t forget about the text and make sure it is legible. Remember to avoid using light colors for your text if your background is also light in color. Also, make sure that the font you choose can be easily understood by your guests.
  • Words and Spelling – Be wise with the words you use on your invitation. To be safe, use formal language as it is best when inviting someone to a wedding – even if you aren’t exactly holding a “formal” ceremony. Lastly, check and double check your grammar and spelling before printing out a copy. 

Extra Invites

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You may think that ordering the exact amount of invitation cards for your guest list is a good idea, particularly since it can help you save money. However, that’s not the case, especially when you consider all the mishaps that could happen during the printing process and while disseminating them. Order at least an extra 25 wedding invitations, just in case. It is better to be safe than sorry, after all. 

Use Glue Stick

Using wet sponges to seal off the envelopes to your invite is risky. This method might end up damaging your wedding invitations in the process. Opt to use glue stick instead to ensure the safety of your invites.

 Think Ahead of Time

Wedding invitations, as mentioned above, take time and care to prepare. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead of time. Moreover, it would do you well to send them out at least two to three months before your wedding day to properly inform your guests and to give them enough time to save the date.

Keep these tips in mind when preparing your wedding invitation. Surely, they will help you efficiently prepare and distribute your invitations.

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