#TuesdayTips :: Make it Mobile

These days you have the freedom to get as creative as you want with your wedding day! I just love how just about everything is mobile these days! I personally did a wedding last year where the bride & groom had a surprise for their guests - - after dinner, an ice cream sandwich truck showed up! You should have seen everyone's faces! Make it mobile and give your guests an unexpected surprise!

"Maggie" the Mobile Bar from Saddles and Sapphires

Mobile Bars
How cool is it for someone to bring the bar to YOU? There are many different options when looking for a beverage service, so look into having a mobile bar at your wedding and all the attention that goes with it!

Penguin Perry's Ice Cream Sandwich Truck

Mobile Desserts
As I mentioned above, last year we had a wedding where the bride & groom hired Penguin Perry's to show up at their reception and serve ice cream sandwiches after dinner. The guests were absolutely in love! An ice cream truck of any kind is a welcomed surprise and a sweet treat for your guests!

Stella Buttercup from The Camper Concierge

Mobile Photo Booth
Photo booths have been popular for quite some time now. The mobile photo booth is another way to give your guests something entertaining to do, incorporate your colors or theme with props and signs, and it gives a fun lasting memory for you and your guests to take home.

Ruthie's Rolling Café

Mobile Food Trucks
Late night surprise snack? Outdoor reception dinner option? There are local food trucks available in just about every style of cuisine you could ever imagine, and you can book them to come serve delicious things at your event! Mexican? Cajun? Asian? Homestyle cookin'? There's a truck with just about any type of food you crave!  

Petunia by Bunches Rockwall

Mobile Flowers
Another attention grabber are the mobile floral trucks! They give off such a romantic vibe! They add romance and curiosity, not to mention the incredibly sweet scents wafting in the air!

Brookielynn's Bungalow Bus

Photo by Lauren Sellari Photography

Mobile Photo Props
Whether you want bridal portraits, family photos, or holiday special photos, renting a vehicle as a prop is a fabulous idea. You can rent just about anything from VW Busses (which so many people love!) to antique trucks and classic cars. 

#TuesdayTips :: Creative Catering & Bar Ideas

I always like to pay extra attention when planning the catering portion of an event. First of all, it's a significant portion of the budget. Beyond that, there are so many different options available to research and compare in order to decide exactly what you want. Here are some catering ideas so you can break the creative barrier and have a delicious spread without breaking the bank! 


Dessert Displays
While the traditional wedding cake is still prevalent, dessert stations are extremely popular as well. You can serve your guests anything sweet for the after dinner treat; pies, cheesecakes, cookies, donuts, chocolates, tarts, cultural desserts, cookies & milk, a S'mores station, or even have ice cream made to order right there on site! Mix and match, pick your faves, and display them in a manner that makes your guests go ooh and aah!

Photo by David Loi Studios

Grazing Stations
I'm always a fan of something that kills two birds with one stone. Creative food stations not only feed your guests, but also provide entertainment and eye-catching setup displays. Guests can serve themselves buffet style from a series of different food stations. Make a fun side station with tons of toppings - mac-n-cheese, grits, mashed potatoes. Make a taco station where guests choose their ingredients. Get creative! 


Food Trucks
Having one of these is an exciting addition to any event. It can be a late night surprise food truck for late night snacks, or a dessert or ice cream truck to arrive and serve after dinner. Both kids and adults alike love it when they are at the window of the food truck getting a yummy treat!

Penguin Perry's Ice Cream Sandwich Truck

Espresso Bar
You can always have a coffee pot with cream and sugar available. Take it farther by getting a full espresso bar. You can have a barista, flavor options available, and even personalized coffee cups and sleeves!


Signature Cocktails
Create a creative signature cocktail to match your event. If it's a summer soiree, serve popsicle cocktails or have a hard lemonade stand. For winter events, spiked hot chocolate and cider are always a fave! Find a delicious cocktail personal to you, give it a fancy name, a creative display, and create a sign letting guests know your personal signature cocktail to order!

Champagne Supply Co.

#TuesdayTips :: To DIY, or not to DIY?

DIY is a big thing to consider when planning a wedding. If you're able to pull it off with the skills and the girlfriends and the time, it can definitely be a money saver for you in the long run! Keep in mind that it takes planning and forethought so you don't run into last minute problems and no time to fix them on wedding day. Here are some of my suggestions as to what you should and shouldn't try to DIY for your own wedding:

Calligraphy, Invitations, Signs & Stationery
If you're an artistic person and have the time available, DIY'ing your Save the Dates and Invitations is always a great way to go! Other things like signs, table numbers, menu cards, etc... can be made in advance and put aside, so taking on DIY projects like these won't put you out and add stress at the last minute. Place cards and escort cards are the only thing that would have to be done semi-last-minute because guests are still rolling in with RSVPs until a week or so before the wedding.

Food, Cake & Other Edibles
My take on DIY'ing food for a wedding is always no. It's obviously not something that can be done far in advance, and it takes up a lot of time the day before and the day of the wedding. You and your family have enough to do already....feeding and bussing for 100+ people on top of all that is never an easy task to take on. Mom's cooking may be the best in the world, but don't do that to her on wedding day! Give a caterer Mom's recipes instead.

Photo by Courtney Lynn Photography

Artificial Bouquet by Michell Events

Fresh Flowers vs. Artificial Flowers
Flowers are something you can DIY if you have a plan! Artificial flowers can be done at any time and could be done well enough in advance that you don't have to worry about it in the days leading up to the wedding. Fresh flowers are a whole different ballgame and would have to be a last minute task! Get your girls together to help with assembling everything the day before or the morning of the wedding (I suggest day before in case there are any problems that need to be addressed). There are even folks out there who host workshops and classes to assist with learning and pulling off DIY wedding flowers. Last but not least, keep them cool and transport them safely to avoid last minute emergencies.

Music & Announcements
I never suggest that anyone DIY their music at their wedding. I know Ipods are great in every day life, but a big event like a wedding should have more attention. Maybe the groom's mom doesn't like to dance or be the center of attention.....your DJ can fade out her song early so she doesn't feel uncomfortable for too long. Your DJ makes special announcements about the wedding party, dinner, last call, and others....which are definitely needed throughout the evening with so many people going so many different directions.

Favors
Favors are definitely something that you can DIY at any time. If you're doing edibles, get together your group to help with creating and assembling so they can be done close to the wedding and stay fresh. If your favors are non-edible, you can take all the time you need making them and beautifully packaging them!

Planning Tips :: Creating and Cutting the Guest List

When you begin your journey down the road of wedding planning, the first thing you should begin with is a preliminary guest list. You should have an approximate number so you can establish your budget, know what size venue you need, estimate cost of food & beverage per guest, etc...

My suggestion is always to make an A list, B list and C list. A list of course being family and important people that must be invited to attend, B list being friends and acquaintances that you would love to attend, and C list being people such as co-workers, parent's friends or distant friends who you would like to attend but could be cut if need be without diminishing the day. (You don't need to share this list with folks, just your expected guest count number - just keep your lists in your planning binder or in a spreadsheet on your computer).

If you find yourself over budget, the quickest way to remedy that is to trim down the guest list. Each guest eliminated cuts back on appetizers, meals, beverages, place settings, favors, stationery, cake, desserts, chair cover & sash, or any other items you may have reserved for your day. Cut an entire table and the savings multiply further. If you get into budget trouble, approach the C list and see what kind of cuts you can make to save.

Planning Tips :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Food + Beverage

We're featuring a breakdown of the wedding budget on the blog this week, and we're starting with the largest section of the budget; the food + beverages! Our suggested percentage for food & beverage is 30% of your total budget. If you're budget is $20,000 overall, this means that your total budget for food + beverages would be $6,000.

Guest Count

X charge per person for Food & Beverage

+ Tax

+ Service Charge

+ Gratuity

= Total Food + Beverage Cost

Elmbrook Catering Co.

www.elmbrookcatering.com

Elmbrook Catering Co.

www.elmbrookcatering.com

Elmbrook Catering Co.

www.elmbrookcatering.com

If grabbing the budget by the horns is something you're struggling with as a bride, groom, mother of the bride, etc... please feel free to reach out to us! We offer budget consultations where we quickly help to establish a realistic budget for your event and give you tips and instructions on how to stay within that budget once it's established!

Citrus Events

www.citrus.events

Citrus Events

www.citrus.events

Citrus Events

www.citrus.events

:: TIPS ::

1. Keep in mind that your guest count is what will drive your budget up quicker than anything! The easiest way to remedy being over budget is to cut the guest list. Try to keep your guest list to a minimum from the beginning... 

2. Book your catering and bar service for your minimum guest count. You can always increase the number at your final cut off date, but you can't un-book what you've already contractually reserved.

3. To keep your bar tab down, offer something other than a full open bar. Greet your guests with a signature cocktail as they arrive...then offer a beer and wine bar for dinner and dancing. Signature drinks where you only have certain options available are another way to keep bar costs down. Check out the difference between top shelf and well costs as well for liquor purchases.

4. Remember to budget for service fees, tax and gratuity. Those are charges in addition the per person cost of catering and bar service.

5. Always ask what's included in your per person cost for your catering package. It may include desserts which could allow you to get a smaller cake. It may include fees you weren't aware of which could affect your budget (linen rentals, china rentals, corking fees, cake cutting fees, staffing, etc...). Always ask what the additional charges are beyond the per person cost so you can budget accordingly.


Watch for the next Budget Breakdown post coming up.... Flowers + Décor! Happy wedding planning!


Original Post: Planning Tips :: Budget Breakdown

Vendor Spotlight :: Citrus Events

I had the pleasure of meeting with Sheldon from Citrus Events this week. We toured the Hidden Pines Chapel in Highland Village, ooh'd and aah'd the gorgeous venue, and sat down for a chat about biz! I am so excited to begin a relationship with Citrus Events! They provide catering, bar services, and staffing for any party or event whether large or small in #DFW and beyond. They're partnered with other caterers, venues and vendors as well, so we're looking forward to developing new relationships! I'm so excited about Citrus Events and everything they offer, and I can't wait to work with them in the future!

Website :: www.citrus.events

Facebook :: @citruseventsDFW

Instagram :: @citrus_events

Twitter :: @citrus_events

Pinterest :: Citrus Events

Vendor Spotlight :: Elmbrook Catering Co.

Today I had coffee with the lovely Crystal from Elmbrook Catering Co. - - all I can say is I can't wait to work with them! They have so much to offer for weddings and events of any kind - - Mexican, Italian, BBQ, plus traditional dinner choices as well. They can also do some fabulous dessert stations, and they're presentation is really well done!

Whether you're having a small event at home with 20 guests, or a wedding with hundreds of guests, Elmbrook Catering Co. can offer you an amazing package with a great price and fantastic service! Call them today at 903-366-6959 or 214-406-2234 to schedule a complimentary tasting and tell them we sent you! :) 

  

  

Website :: www.elmbrookcatering.com
Email: elmbrookcatering@gmail.com

Facebook :: @elmbrookcatering

Instagram :: @elmbrookcatering

(903) 366-6959 or (214) 406-2234

5 Things Your Guests Will Love

As the hostess or host of any event, you always want to be sure to leave a wonderful lasting impression with your guests...so give them something they'll be sure to remember! There are a few things that are sure to get the guest's attention and create a lasting memory they will cherish!


Photo & Video Booth
Photo and video booths are an all-time favorite with the guests! They have tons of fun playing with the props and posing with friends, plus they get to take home a printed photo as a souvenir of the shenanigans! The bride and groom also get copies of the photos and videos, so it's fun for them to look back and watch everyone having such a great time!

Photo by EM's Event Photography

Late Night Food Surprises
Dinner is always fabulous, but it's a great idea to have some late night snacks for several reasons. Not only does it help with some of the alcohol consumed, but the guests just love a delicious surprise to give them their second wind! Food trucks, dessert stations, passed mini foods, a taco bar, a donut table, ice cream cakes....there are all sorts of options for surprising your guests with a delicious treat before they go home!

Photo by Michéll Events

Specialty Entertainment
Interactive entertainment for the guests is always something they will ooh and aah over! I've seen caricature artists and painters, cigar rollers, acrobats, tarot card readers, steel drums, live tables cruising the room, fireworks displays...think outside of the box and give your guests some entertainment that is sure to catch their eye!

Child Care
Onsite child care is a fabulous addition to be able to offer your guests. Some guests aren't able to make the event because they can't find child care, so this will take care of that problem from the beginning! I've seen the child care two ways - - same room as the reception, children had their own table / entertainment / supervision - - or a different room nearby with the same options where they could still be included in the event. Either way, parents can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that child care is available so they can relax and enjoy the event even more!

Anniversary Dance
The Anniversary Dance is a tradition that is still predominantly upheld at weddings. All married couples are invited to dance, and as the songs plays they are excused as their years of marriage pass...5 years...10 years...until the last couple dancing is the longest married couple. It's a beautiful thing to see all the married couples, and an even more beautiful thing to see the longest married couple beam as everyone cheers. They can be given a prize, or sometimes the bride chooses to give them a bouquet rather than tossing it to the single ladies.