Blog

Today on the blog, we have a STUNNER of a wedding for you!  This event was amazing from the locale to the decor to the food (oh, the food!)  Here's a bit about this wedding from our very own Mary Crafts-Homer, "This was a destination Jewish wedding from Chicago. We had another Jewish destination wedding from Chicago only a month before and both brides were concerned that they not have the same menu or the same look as some of the guests would be the same...  We did two tastings for this particular bride to make sure that every single detail was just the way they wanted it - Or we can say that it was just the way the mother wanted it. :)"  Check it out!

Isn't this head table BEAUTIFUL???  The Arena at Blue Sky Ranch was PERFECT and made even more so by Rachel Derman Events's design and Decoration Inc.'s florals!  Plus, we LOVE the custom signage of the couple's hashtag!  So fun!

This wedding was on a brisk fall day, so of course Culinary Crafts wanted to keep the guests warm!  As guests arrived for the wedding ceremony, we served delicious Hot Spiced Cider - which the guests loved!

How beautiful was this day???  And we totally love that event the space heaters were dressed up with beautiful garland.

For a couple that wants a rusticly GORGEOUS mountain wedding, you can't beat the backdrop at The Arena!

After the ceremony, we were ready with a variety of butler passed hors d'ouevres to keep guests happy during the cocktail hour until they were invited inside for dinner.  A few of the bites were these 3 - the Heirloom Cherry Tomato and Bococchini Mozzarella Skewer with Fresh Basil and Balsamic Reduction; the Local Artisan Cheese with Harvest Apple Crisp, Honey Drizzle, and Micro Green; and the Bacon Wrapped Date with Cold Smoked Goat Cheese.  Some of our favorite classics!

We also served Ahi Tuna Tartare with Fresh Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes, Ginger Vinaigrette, in a House-Made Wonton Cone and Petite BLT Sandwiches with Maple Bacon, Butter Lettuce, and Heirloom Tomatoes.  These mini BLTs are a fav of mine!

To round out the offerings, we also served Chipotle Encrusted Shrimp with Lime Crema and Cilantro; Salmon Sashimi, Pickled Jalapeño, Fingerling Lime Caviar on a Potato Crisp; and French Lamb Chop with Coffee Crust and Mint Pesto.  YUM!  Such a great selection to get the guest excited for dinner!

Another overview of this beautiful reception!  We love the floral chandelier installation over the dance floor!  Magical!!!

This color palette was perfect for the fall wedding, plus the touches of natural greenery was GORGEOUS at this venue!

We love a beautifully set table and think that it makes guest even more excited to enjoy their dinner!  Not only was the decor and ambiance of this table beautiful, but we also set out our House-Made breads - our Brioche with Utah Sea Salt Butter and Multi-Grain Muesli Roll with Honey Butter were a perfect addition to the table!

Alongside the other beautiful details at the table, the couple chose to have these pretty candies and nuts at the table too!  Such a fun and delicious touch!

Of course, the couple chose to serve custom cocktails.  We loved the bar signage and loved the use of local spirits in the libations!

One of the unique things about this wedding dinner was the request to serve everything restaurant style which meant that guess didn't order in advance what entree they would like for dinner.  We asked each guest what they would like at the time of service (like a restaurant) and then the kitchen made it to order. This is always the most challenging type of service - especially when you are catering and serving for 250 guests within a 15 minute window of serving dinner!  It was a challenge, but also such a great way for our team to flex our culinary and service muscles!  What did we serve, you ask?  Well, the guests had a choice of Seared Beef Tenderloin Filet with Wild Mushroom Chasseur Sauce and Smashed Butter-Roasted Red Potato and Brussels Sprouts; Pan-seared Honey Soy Sea Bass Filet with Wilted Spinach, Parsnip Puree, and Fried Parsnip Chip Garnish; and Quinoa-Stuffed Red Pepper with Granny Smith Apple Chutney, Parsnip Puree, and Brussels Sprouts.  DELICIOUS!

A fun capture of the guests enjoying dinner.  Love the vibe of this reception!

After dinner, we served guests Flourless Chocolate Molten Lava Cake with Fresh Whipped Cream, Berries, and Mint.  So decadent and the perfect end to the plated dinner!

I couldn't help but share this detail!  The couple's dog was very much a part of the celebration, even though he could join the party.  They used his face on the welcome bags and napkins and had a cake topper made with a nod to their pup!  How cute!

Of course, we weren't done bringing the eats!!!  Being very loyal to Chicago, the bride and groom wanted to serve some fun specialties of their city during the wedding - and this was best illustrated in their late night snack! They were definitely foodies and knew what they liked so they served Mini Vienna Beef Dogs (Chicago Style, of course); Beef Burger Sliders with Lettuce, Tomato, and a Dill Pickle; and Mini Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup in an Heirloom Cherry Tomato Shooter.  So tasty and perfect dance party fuel!

We also served some sweet treats for the late night snack portion of the evening!  We served our mini Chocolate Chip Cookies atop a Chocolate Milkshake Shooter and Culinary Crafts's Signature House Made Gelato in Salted Caramel, Chocolate Chip Mint, Mixed Berry, AND Chocolate flavors.  Mmmm...

This wedding was truly the 'Best Night Ever' and we were so happy to make this a wedding of the couple's dreams - and they were over the moon with the food AND service!!!  So fun and we loved being able to create a truly unique menu for this sweet bride and groom!  Congrats again to Madeline and Andrew!