Archive for the ‘Menu’ Category

BRIDE-TO-BE BLOGGER CAROLYN: DESIGNING THE COCKTAIL HOUR

Posted by Carrie Denny on 11/11/2011 at 11:24AM | No Comments

iStockphoto courtesy of ThinkStock.com.

I love me some bite-sized food, and Chris is a bit of a beer snob, so altogether, I’d say we’re pretty big fans of a good cocktail hour. We’d really like to make this part of our day reflect our personalities and preferences, so we’ve been brainstorming ways to make this special.

I really think signature cocktails are a great idea. We would love to do two signature drinks, actually—one for me and one for Chris. I have a strong sweet tooth, so mine would have to be a sugary drink—and preferably pink—while Chris’ would have to incorporate some sort of bitter liquor or, even better, a particular beer (although I doubt he could choose just one). I love how signature drinks add some excitement to a standard open bar. I’ve also seen cocktail hours with assorted fruit sangrias and frozen drinks—I love this idea, too!
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THE 411

New venues and bridal salons you need to know about now.

Posted by Carrie Denny on 8/8/2011 at 5:46PM | 1 Comment

Stephen STARR Event's ARTS Ballroom.

{Venues} PARTY PLACES

Philly’s got some fab new venues for your Big Day soiree:

  • Stephen STARR Events’s ARTS Ballroom—located off the Avenue of the Arts at the former Hotel Sylvania site—has room for up to 250 in its Grand Hall, with mahogany floors, mezzanine balconies and a granite staircase. They’ll serve your favorite food and drinks from any Starr restaurant—or a 1923-grand-opening-gala-inspired menu. Prices start at $125 per person, and you provide the alcohol.
  • VIE, the latest venue from Joe Volpe (of the Cescaphe Event Group) is a 17,000-square-foot ballroom on Broad Street that can be completely customized depending on the size of your wedding (it fits up to 1,200 standing). The space features tile-mosaic walls and state-of-the-art video capabilities, with areas for live cooking stations and a lush outdoor garden where your guests can take a break from dancing the night away (215-328-5750).

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BRIDE-TO-BE BLOGGER DANIELLE: PACKAGES VS. à LA CARTE

Posted by Carrie Denny on 6/24/2010 at 11:16AM | 2 Comments

Tim and I have are blessed with an abundance of friends and family, which means we’ve been to an amazing number of weddings. We’ve been to an estimated 20 celebrations together since we met, and at least another 10 each prior to the fateful day we laid eyes on one another (incidentally, at a wedding). Once you’ve been to this many weddings, you can’t help but pick up on details; you notice what the bride and groom have done to personalize their Big Day — and what elements are part of the “standard package.”

Don’t get me wrong, this is not a judgmental post meant to put down couples who opt to not go à la carte. Wedding packages can be incredibly convenient. You pick a price point that fits within your budget and things such as your menu, bar choices, even table linens and ceremony décor, are laid out on the pages of your contract in black and white. And some vendors do a great job making the elements of their packages unique to avoid the “cookie cutter” look that is stereotypically associated with the standard Silver, Gold or Platinum options. For many couples they are a great option.

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BIG-DAY MENU IDEAS

Posted by Carrie Denny on 1/15/2010 at 9:33AM | No Comments

39375_articleWe realize it may feel like a lot of pressure when you, your groom, your caterer — and, well, probably your mom, dad, and his mom and dad — sit down to hash out your wedding-day menu. And we understand that it’s a big deal — but truly, this should be fun.

This really should be a place where you can share with your guests something about yourselves: Will your menu reflect your heritage? Your favorite food? The meal you were eating when you knew you wanted to spend the rest of your lives together? Any of these are fabulous inspirations behind the food you’ll serve that day.

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