One of the most exciting parts of doing research and development for our catering company is traveling to the coasts (both east and west) for inspiration!   International Caterers Association presented a Day of Education: Design, Trends, & Resources on Monday, August 17th. Produced and presented by Good Gracious! Events and Jay’s Catering, at Jay’s Catering in Orange County, CA. It was a full day of information and resources presented in an entertaining and fun way. Very interactive. These Regional Education Days (RED) are held at different locations throughout the year. This is a great way to stay informed and connected.  These are some of the great ideas we brought home to Utah!

Hello Brides!   We have hundreds of you that are following our blog every week.  This is pretty amazing to me as I can’t imagine how people find time to do this in our busy lives!!   If any of you have topics you would like to have me write about or question regarding just about anything to do with weddings, please leave a comment.  I’d be happy to share advise, experience, wedding referrals & vendor recommendations, and ideas on all things weddings…and for that matter, about life in general.  

In the past 25 years, as I have sat with brides, their mothers, their grooms, their bridesmaids, their mother-in-laws, their step mothers, etc., I have encountered about every question and every situation imaginable!  Consider this your  “Dear Abby” column and I look forward to connecting with you.  And remember to fill your life with scrumptious food and joy!    Mary

5)  The Butler-passed Hors d’oeuvre will never go out of style. What could be more gracious than serving guests one-on-one with trays of exquisitely garnished bite-sized masterpieces by handsome waiters.  Fabulous!  It is the perfect way to greet guests before a wedding dinner and start the conversation hour.  It is also a gracious way to greet guests at a large reception as waiters share the vision and flow of the evening with newly arriving guests.  If the bride is planning a receiving line, the passed hors d’oeuvre is a welcome treat as guests wait to greet the couple.  A beverage station positioned by the entrance is another way to say “Welcome–we’re so glad you’re here”! 

Hope you have enjoyed reading and have found some unique ideas to fit your perfect style!
Mary Crafts

4)  One of the newest trends to come around in the wedding world is the use of lounge furniture at a reception.  This is usually a cozy area arranged with sofas, end tables, ottomans, or even just jumbo pillows where family and close friends can relax away from the hussle and bussle of the celebration.  For years, we have been using high boy tables around the dance floor as a great place for guests to gather in the center of the action.  Now, we are providing lounge spaces for guests to gather for more intimate conversation and breath of fresh air.  A welcome idea for the large or small reception.
Check back next week for my final wedding tip!
Mary Crafts

3) I love wedding that have a theme other than “simple elegance”! Themes can reflect a bride and groom’s interests, travels, hobbies, colors, or style. Some brides select themes based on current trends such as “Vintage Chic” with the use of black and white damask linens and updated classic foods. Other brides select a location theme such as “Bali, India” using colorful fabrics and unique ethnic foods. There is nothing better than guests arriving at the celebration to exclaim: “This is perfect! It looks just like Jessica and her personal style.” Together the bride and her caterer can create a memorable evening that guests will remember and applaud.

Yours Truly, Mary Crafts