Today I’d like to share an event that we did recently that was amazing and for an even more AMAZING foundation!  We are were so thrilled to be able to work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and help give back by making their theme, “Wishes take Flight”, one to remember!  Take a look!

We had such a good time at this gala and our very own Mary Crafts-Homer got into a bit of a bidding war at the silent auction – all in good fun though!  We are happy to report that Mary did win her prize and all of the proceeds went to help a worthwhile cause.    Happy Monday everyone!

Check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photos by Logan Walker of Pepper Nix Photographers

Hi everyone!  Today, I’d like to share with you a fantastic Bride Access where our very own Mary Crafts-Homer and Holly Fowler talk about selecting your venue and then selecting florals and linens to fit your venue location.  As always, Bride Access puts together episodes with such wonderful tips and we are so thrilled to be a part of it!  Take it away Mary and Holly!

Check out our website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

We are always honored to be asked to share our expertise and advice with our readers, vendors, and their blog readers as well.  Today, we are doubly thrilled to share 2 guest post about town!  Firstly, we were thrilled to be asked to write our best advice for Utah Bride Blog, which you can see here. Secondly, we were equally ecstatic to be featured on Utah Bride and Groom‘s e-newsletter, The Scoop!  Our guest post from earlier this month is still buzzing and we love it! (You can check it out here.)  Thank you so much to both Utah Bride Blog and Utah Bride and Groom for the chance to add our voice to their AMAZING blogs!  Utah brides are lucky to have such wonderful resources at their fingertips – and I know we are equally lucky to be able to work with them!  Happy reading everyone!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photo credit: Pepper Nix Photography

Today, I am happy to have Miss Holly Fowler, Culinary Crafts’s wedding planner extraordinaire, sharing some really great advice for tipping your wedding vendors!  Many people are often confused or unsure of how to, when to, and if you should tip your vendors.  It has long been customary to tip your vendors as a way of showing them that you appreciate the fantastic job they have done for you, but Holly breaks it down so you can easily figure out how to do it!  Take it away, Holly!

Wedding Vendors: Tipping Cheat Sheet

When you’re already dipping deep into your (or your parent’s) pockets for so many wedding expenses, shelling out gratuities on top of that can be hard to handle.

Tipping is another way of saying “THANK YOU” to those vendors who have helped you create your special day. Tip vendors who have offered exceptional service; thank-you notes are always appreciated; and assign the responsibility to a trusted individual, such as your wedding planner, a parent or the best man. Here is a breakdown of what’s customary for each vendor.

Wedding Planner
Protocol: Optional
The Standard: Up to $500.00, or a nice gift
When to tip: The bride should hand off the envelope at the end of the reception, or, she should send a thank-you note with photos or a check after the honeymoon.

Wedding Hair Stylist and Makeup- Artist
Tip between 15-20% just as you would in a hair-salon.

Wedding Delivery and Set-up Staff
Slip a few dollars to anyone delivering important items to the site (wedding cake, flowers, tents, chairs, etc.)
The Standard: $5- $10 per person

Wedding Photographer
You’re not expected to give your shutterbugs beyond their normal fees.  Yet if the photographer doesn’t own the studio, consider tipping each person.
The Standard: $50 – $200 per person
When to tip: At the end of the reception

Wedding Musicians
Protocol: Optional, yet preferred
The Standard: $20 – $25 per musician; $50 – $150 for DJs
When to tip: At the end of the reception

Wedding Transportation
Check your contract, as gratuity is usually included. If it isn’t, then:
Protocol: Expected
The Standard: 15-20 percent of the bill
When to tip: At the end of the night or after the last ride.

Congratulations to you Brides and Happy Planning!

Thank you, Holly!  Such great advice and such an important and appreciated gift to people who helped make your wedding AMAZING!  It is important to note that every bride is different and may have more or less people involved to make her day special.  Just remember tipping is a way to show thanks to the people who made your day great!  And as Holly said, Happy Planning everyone and congrats!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

This is from another AMAZING Bride Access, simply stuffed with fabulous advice, tips, and ideas! My favorite segment, however, is the one shown here, with Culinary Crafts (of course!). Not only is the advice on selecting the perfect venue absolutely a must for any new bride, but Mary highlights one of the best venue’s in Salt Lake, The Leonardo, and also one of their most spectacular and unique aspects – The Beesley Sculpture! The Leonardo is a photographer’s dream for a one-of-a-kind space and also for a couple wanting something a little modern or unique! Add The Beesley to that mix and you have a showstopping element that would be an out of this world backdrop for a bridal session! I hope this inspires you to check out The Leonardo and find your perfect venue! Also, remember, when it comes to your bridal and engagements, the location is everything! Happy planning everyone!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Let’s face it.  Planning a wedding can be stressful – and not only for the bride and groom – but for the bridesmaids and family who are helping out (or just managing to calm you down before you have a meltdown.)  We at Culinary Crafts love to see a bride (and her gals) who have taken the time to get some much needed relaxation, so when we get to the big day, they can really focus on what’s important – GETTING MARRIED!  Yay!  It goes by so fast that its really important to not stress out about, say, the guest book table being over here (not over there!) or that your flowers are a shade deeper pink than that blush color you envisioned or any number of things that will go wrong – and something will, so it’s better to prepare to let it go when it does.    No one will notice the glitch and so, instead, focus on having a fantastic wedding day with your honey and closest family and friends!  Seriously.  I know it sounds like crazy talk right now while your in the midst of picking the absolute perfect shoes or favors or invitations, but it’ll make your day so much more memorable (for the right reasons), I promise.

To help you with this serious need for relaxation, what could be better than having a spa day with you, your bridesmaids, and family to calm down, get pampered, and start your wedding week out right?  Well, not much I can tell you!  One of the best spas in Utah, hands down, is The Kura Door.  They have so many FABULOUS treatments, manicures & pedicures (don’t do these too far in advance if you are wanting it to last for your wedding day), and a gorgeous setting – perfect for a girl’s retreat.  Plan a spa day the weekend before your wedding and you are sure to start out that hectic week relaxed and ready to go!  You, and your girls, will be so glad you did!  Happy relaxing!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Today, we would like to share the most recent Culinary Crafts’s spot on Bride Access! This segment is all about my favorite of our offerings – DESSERT! From cake pops to Culinary Crafts’s signature gelato (and so many things in between) we talk about it all and you are sure to be inspired for your wedding! Thank you so much to Bride Access for letting us be a part of such a wonderful bridal resource. You are awesome! Happy planning!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

We at Culinary Crafts love this bright and fun summer wedding!  (A perfect pick-me-up for the cold temperatures outside!) Piper, the blushing bride, is one of our first to embrace the newest retro fad for her wedding – PIES!  Gone are the chocolate fountains, cupcakes, macaroons, and whoopie pies – and say ‘hello’ to pie.  Piper selected to serve large full size pies that we cut into gorgeous (and big!) slices and finished with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.  Yum!  To further compliment the retro feel, we created a hot dog and french fry station and Culinary Crafts’s signature flavored lemonades.  A perfect summer wedding that was filled with joy!  We LOVE the handmade details, lovely food, and, see, – LDS weddings can dance!  Take a look!

Congrats to Piper and David!  Your wedding was STUNNING!  And a giant thank you to Heather Nan for sharing these photographs with us!  It was an amazing day and easily one of the favorites of 2011′s Culinary Crafts events!!!  And remember, pies are a great alternative dessert if you want to do something a little bit different for your wedding! Plus, they are DELICIOUS!  Happy planning everyone!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photo credit:  Heather Nan Photography

We at Culinary Crafts LOVE the Salt Lake Hardware Building!  This gem, located just north of the Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City, boasts the original 1920s architecture of the Salt Lake Hardware Company’s building with exposed brick walls, mile high ceilings with huge skylights, rustic wooden rafters, and vintage light fixtures.  It is a gorgeous setting for any event, but our favorites are the exquisite weddings!  This wedding was a favorite of 2011 and here Mary has shared some of her favorite highlights of the event along with beautiful pictures!

“Talk about a romantic wedding! This gorgeous wedding was hosted at the Salt Lake Hardware building with elegant linens, chair sashes, ceiling draping, and pastel florals.”

“I love the linens on the cake table and the special table just for the bride and groom.”

“We served chef stations for the freshest food with maple salmon, sweet potato ramekins, and our homemade breads, just to name a few selections.”

“Guests were treated to over the top desserts of fire…flaming donuts with gelato and flaming bananas foster with bread pudding!”

How amazing is the Flaming Bananas Foster station?!  We love incorporating a bit of drama into any event and this station is sure to please your guests and delight the taste buds!!!  Also, if you are looking for venue with a lot of character, the Salt Lake Hardware Building is tough to beat.  It is definitely one of the most gorgeous event spaces in Salt Lake!  Happy planning everyone!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

As you may have guessed, we here at Culinary Crafts LOVE weddings.  We love all the traditions a wedding celebrates and the beauty of joining two people very much in love.  One of our favorite things at a wedding (besides the food!) is the 1st dance!  This dance is even more amazing if the couple have taken dance lessons – and luckily, we have an AWESOME studio right here in the heart of Salt Lake City!  Utah Ballroom Dance (which is part of the DF Dance Studio Network) has received Best of State awards for being THE BEST dance instruction studio in Utah, so you know you are in good hands!  Even better, they have a special Wedding Program with private lessons and they’ll even help you choose a song and choreograph a dance that is personalized for you!  The 1st dance is a special time for a new couple, but it is also a time when all eyes are on you – so getting dance lessons definitely help you to feel comfortable in the spotlight and have fun too!  Happy weekend everyone!

Check out our NEW website at www.culinarycrafts.com!

Photos used courtesy of Pepper Nix Photography