Catering By Victoria’s Blog

Christmas and New Year’s are excellent occasions for Popping the Question.  Every year about this time, our phone begins ring with newly engaged couples seeking our services.  As professionals, it is our  duty and responsibility to know the ins and outs of planning weddings.  That is, what’s “IN” and what’s not.  Some bridal couples want just the latest, and some are looking for long-standing traditions.  We help them realize their wants, wishes and dreams.

Budgets are very much a trend for brides these days.  Finding ways to create special days especially frugally is important to many couples.  Please visit our early post entitled Planning a Wedding on a Tight Budget for some tips and ideas.  This post highlights trending ideas for the reception, buffet and cakes.

RECEPTION: As more and more wedding pavilions and venues are popping up, some brides are opting for money-saving ideas such as backyard receptions and public parks with covered structures.  Depending up the size and scope of the reception, these may be good options for saving money.

When choosing a venue, consider the timing of your reception, along with weather, seasonal busyness and guest accessibility.  Most caterers will not cater events without running water, electricity and shelter, so this is an important detail to discuss with your hired professionals.  Often, public park pavilions are available by reservation and this really is something to manage if you intend to hold the reception in a public place.  Be aware that public does mean public, and you may have people wander through which can be very . Consider holding the reception on a private lake, scenic ranch estate or church rectory as an alternative.  For outdoor weddings, tenting can often be rented and set up by the rental company.  Feel free to call us for some contact information.

Some ethnic cuisines are very delicious and affordable.

BUFFET: A catered buffet is a major expense for the reception.  However, depending on the menu selection, there are ways to feed your guests well, without busting your budget.  Certain foods are less expensive to prepare than others.  Consider before you decide on a menu what you would like your guests to think about the food you serve them.  What are the most important factors, beauty, taste or economics.  A menu with beautiful bite-sized appetizers may be very delicious, however perhaps not so filling for your guests.  A delicious, simple menu may be quite yummy, and filling, but not very original or elegant.  Which of these menu options is going to fit best in your catering budget?  Consult your caterer, or gives us a call for some excellent menu suggestions.  This is a service we provide to our clients which helps them select the right menu and food options specifically for them.

CAKES: Bridal couples are more commonly choosing smaller ceremonial cakes with the balance of servings in sheet cakes.  They are also opting for cakes iced with smooth butter cream icing, instead of rolled fondant.  Butter cream offers a better flavor than fondant, and experienced cake decorators can achieve a similar smooth finish effect.

Wedding cakes are trending in a more simple, yet elegant appearance.   You will see them decorated with colors found in the bridal ceremony.   Teal, blues,  and bright greens  are the hot colors this year.  Think of the colors of the peacock, and you will have the right cues.  Some brides are asking their bridesmaids to wear monochromatic dresses, of slightly different styling, with a common color running through out.  These same colors are finding their way on to the cakes, and as accents on the guest tables.

Black and dark chocolate browns will be used through out as contrasting colors on the cakes and groomsmen.

Expect trending cake flavors such as pistachio, red velvet, pumpkin spice and German’s sweet chocolate.  However, as ever, traditional white cake with white cream filling still remains popular.  Icing will be piped in dress colors, black and chocolate brown in polkadots, damaske prints and a bit whimsical patterns.  Fresh flowers are still a popular choice for cake toppers, as are metalic monograms.  Birds, butterflies and dragonflies continue to land on cakes too.

The fact that budgets are “IN” is a very good thing.  We like to help bridal couples experience a special, life-memory for them and those who are important to them.  In doing so, we strive to help them stay within a reasonable budget.  After the lights have dimmed, and the party is over, the last thing anyone wants is a big bill that they weren’t counting on.  You can rest assured in working with us, we operate with full disclosure of all expenses upfront, and no hidden anything.  We think you’ll find our approach refreshing and our services exceptional.