Yummy!!

Some people think food is just food….not I!  I think that food is one of the centerpieces of nearly any event.  I look forward to seeing what kind of food is being served and what yumminess I have the pleasure of consuming!

So when it comes to planning an event I put a lot of stock in the catering.  My philosophy is that if you want your event to be memorable, make the food memorable.  And doing so does not require taking out a loan.

If you are planning a cocktails/hors d’oeuvres/dessert only type event, then advertise it as a scaled back version of what you will actually be doing.  For a wedding, on the invitation print: “Champagne and Cake Reception” but have a combination of champagne cocktails (like a Bellini!) or a beer and wine bar, do an assortment of mini pastries on display along with your cake, and have some tray passed hors d’oevures.  You will far exceed your guests expectations and they will be so pleasently surprised that your event will certainly be memorable!

For a full dinner, try some interesting sauces or variations on a classic.  Typically, the least expensive entrees are chicken but chicken does not have to be your good ol’ Rosemary Chicken or Chicken Marsala (unless that’s your personal favorite!).  I’ve been to events where a dish of chicken stuffed with jarlsberg cheese, granny smith apples and almonds was served with an apricot brandy sauce.  Can you say delicious!?  So surprise your guests with a new take on an old favorite!

Any caterer worth their salt will be able to help you create a menu that is special to you, but that does not cost an arm and a leg.

Here are some of my favorites:

Indulge Contemporary Catering - San Diego, CA
Truly Yours Catering - Los Angeles, CA
Thank Goodness It’s Sofia - O.C. and Los Angeles, Ca

Happy Planning!!

Capella at the Grand Del Mar

Stunning.  That is the only word to describe the Grand del Mar.  Perhaps the most exquisitely designed property in San Diego, the Grand del Mar feels more like an estate than a hotel.  And if you are planning an event here you simply cannot go wrong.  The food is delicious, the wine list is extensive and varied, and the event space is so impeccably decorated!  Hands down - one of my favorite venues.  And if you are looking for an old-world church setting  - the Capella Chapel is where you want to be!

The Grand del Mar
5300 Grand Del Mar Court
San Diego, CA 92130
858-314-2000

Courtesty of WeddingPaperDivas.com

Ahhhhh…..the ubiquitous Thank You cards!

For those of you who think that sending Thank You cards only applies to  weddings and any type of event ending in the word “shower”….have I got news for you!  Thank You notes are actually meant to follow any type of gift you receive (even the white elephant gift from the christmas party merits a thank you) from someone not living under the same roof as you.

Now for those of you who don’t know the first thing about writing thank you notes (and I am in the category!), here is a quick breakdown courtesy of Leslie Harpold from The Morning News:

1. Greet the giver: Dear Janet,
2. Express your gratitude: Thank you for the bottle of wine.
   
3. Discuss use: I have never tried this winery before but I can’t wait to taste!
   
4. Mention the past, Allude to the future: It really was lovely to see you and I cannot wait until the next birthday party to catch up again.
5. Grace: Again, thank you for such a great gift!
6. Regards:  All the best, Sally

Wasn’t that easy!  Now just be sure to actually send the card.  Technically, a card should be sent within 24 hours of receveing the gift, however if you get it in the mail within one week you’re fine (this is usually where I fall short).  You get a bit more time for wedding gifts and shower gifts (two to threee weeks), but the sooner you send the cards the more gracious you will be considered!

Congratulations!  You are planning a wedding / birthday party / business event / basically any type of shindig you don’t normally do.

What do you do first?  Commit to a budget!  Even if you have no idea what anything actually costs, you likely have an idea as to what amount of money you feel comfortable spending.  And that is where you start!  For most people, their first budget is a draft that allows them to prioritize and set their expectations.  Even if you have overestimated or underestimated your first budget, you will quickly find how much things actually cost, what is important to you, and what you can scale back on.  If you have underestimated (which many people do) then you may consider the following:

• Re-style your event (2 hour cocktail party instead of a 5 hour party with dinner)
• Evaluate the bar situation (beer and wine only is a classy choice - you can even add in one signature cocktail)
• Change up the entertainment (DJ instead of 10 piece band)
• Location Location Location (a venue with a natural vibe can save you $$$ on decor)
• Add in more money (which is the obvious choice, but not typically the easiest)

These are just basics to get you started!  But think of your budget as your game plan (which sometimes needs to be flexible) and then the task of planning your event won’t be so daunting.

SmartBiz.com has a great article on cost saving tips - geared mostly towards corporate style functions but there are still great ideas!

Brides.com has a great tool for all you brides and you can even modify it for a non-wedding event!

Happy Planning!!

With technology making things so much easier it is tempting to want to simply mass e-mail friends and family with all the details of your big event!  But before you hit that send button you may want to consider a few things.

First and foremost: how formal is your event?  Weddings typically require a printed invitation to be mailed.  Anything where attire is “Black Tie”, “Black Tie Optional”, or anything similar would require the same.  However, if you are having an informal gathering (rehearsal dinner, small dinner party, last minute get together) then e-mail works just fine! (Check Emily Post for more details!)

If you are looking to go the e-mail route to be Green, then there are a myriad of options to explore!

• Botanical Paperworks has several lovely options
• Eco Friendly Invitations even has plantable paper!

Maybe you are one of those people that would just love to save money on all that postage required to mail invitations!  Well here are some cost saving tips:

• You may not be e-mailing the invite but you can certainly have folks e-mail their RSVPs!
• Use standard sized cards (anything square is extra postage!)
• If your invite list is really tech saavy then mail the invite and insert an info card directing everyone to a website with all the other important details.  Emily Post may not entirely approve, but it is a good compromise!