Venue tips: the quality of service

The idea of writing this next tip was generated by the attendance to a breakfast networking event.

The venue was absolutely gorgeous, the surroundings breathtaking. To be honest, I also enjoyed the breakfast served. However, on the way back, the friend accompanying me confessed that she was really disappointed with the service. She is a vegetarian, and by the time she was served, all the others had already finished their breakfast.

Certainly, you want to make sure you find the ideal location for your big day. However, you should also pay attention to the details of the service provided on the wedding day. Whether the catering is provided by the venue or by an external catering company, do make sure you discuss how the service will be provided, not only the menu or how beautiful the area is.

Here are some tips:

• ask where the food is prepared and how long it takes to be brought at the table. This is most important if you're serving hot food. You do not want the dishes to arrive cold at your guests' table. Having to carry the dishes through long corridors until they reach the guests won't help too much.
  
• ask how many waiting staff they will hire for the day. The number of your guests will influence the number of waiting staff needed. Five waiting staff will under no circumstance be sufficient for a 100-guest function. Another important factor is the type of meals you decide to go for. A buffet will undoubtly require less staff than a seated meal.
  
• think also of the possible dietary requirements your guests have. If you have any vegetarian guests, like my friend was, how will they be served? Will they be served after all the others have been? When will their meal be prepared: the same time as the normal menu or after everything else is finished?

Paying attention to these small details will allow your guests enjoy the day as much as you do :)

Happy planning,
Alina :)

Seaside themed wedding

Summer is here and most of us contemplate the idea of spending some days at the seaside. But why not bringing the sea at your wedding?

Here are some ideas on how to define your seaside inspired wedding theme:

1. Decorating the venue
Simply using a blue and white colour scheme can give you endless possibilities. Just take a look at the lovely board belowYou can also incorporate sea inspired elements, like stars and sea shells. A bowl with sand, a candle and little seashells can be a perfect table centrepiece.
2. Catering
Simple dishes like fish and chips can be delicious and integrate perfectly with your theme.
Canapes are another solution. These look really tasty ....
And how about some cocktails that match your blue and white colours ... You can even come up with a cocktail especially designed for the two of you!
3. Cake
No wedding is complete without a cake.
You can choose a classic cake or a more modern one formed of cupcakes which can be given to guests as favours. And you can still have the pleasure of cutting your cake with a first layer of proper cake ;)

Or you can be bold with colours and shapes. Here are two interesting examples ....

Hope these little ideas are of help ...

Wish you a great week,
Alina :)

Photos credits:
Decoration items: www.polyvore.com; www.sandiegoweddingblog.com
Canapes: www.magnumevents.eu
Cocktails: www.cocktailtimes.com
Cakes: www.sweetfiscakes.com; www.sedonaweddingcakes.com; www.squido.com; www.mariannecreativecakes.com.au