What I left in Vegas

We just returned from Las Vegas and boy am I tired! Me and 4999 other carefree from 25 Countries attended the 2011 Catersource Convention. We stayed at the AWESOME all new Cosmopolitan Hotel.

Engaged and what to do part 2

Okay, now you are overwhelmed. But informed which is good..believe me. Let’s look at this more carefully.

Now you know what you need to consider. What is most important to you? That is what it comes down to. Budgeting is the real deal and for many of you this is the first real experience at budgeting for yourself and your spouse to be. Most brides look at the wedding dress as the big thing. And that is true. My experience is that people remember wedding by 3 things; the dress, the food and the cake. Wow there is more to it than that! I mean what about the photo’s…isn’t that important? And flowers…what is up with that? The truth is it is all important in many different ways.

You will absolutely know the dress you want when you put it on. It is so personal I cannot reccomend anything to you. I will say that you should carefully consider how much of your budget will go into your dress. I know it is important, but consider that this is 1 day in your life to wear it.

The cake will probably follow your theme so consider this:

Let’s start with your theme. Is it beachy….chic…glam….unique in many ways? You can start your budget here, because you can decide where to go bearing budget in mind.

For instance, you can do DYI and go beachy by using shells you picked up on the beach on the tables as a throw or in vases or in a bowl for decor. Also sea grass in trellis small or large.. Maybe use sea glass and sand somehow. Blues and greens of course…

Maybe you do chic and use a single white orchid in a very tall black vase and use a classic black and white theme. I would use black linens and cover them with shorter white organza linens, or table runners of white. You can even do a white AND regular chocolate fountain!

Glam-orous is right up my alley. I LOVE bling! And black shows of bling like no other color. So start with black table linens and throw around some bling from craft stores and on line. Hang bling from the flower arrangements. Use crystal chandeliers. BTW they look great and glamorous in a tent!

Use a garden theme and have flowers in all kinds of pots and containers as if you were in a garden. A few years ago I created an English garden in a retail type bin display stand with colorful crudités in the bins to munch on and beautiful colorful flowers at the base with grass here and there poking out. Use pastel colors for linens and have everything scream spring.

Carry these themes and others into your food and beverage selections.

Beachy might mean a clam bake take off or at the very least seafood for food. I think of lobster bisque sip shots and clam cakes or crab cakes. How about lobster 3 ways? Maybe the lobster bisque soup shots, lobster salad on baby greens with a citrus vinaigrette of some sort and lobster tail with a lemon tarragon beurre blanc garnished with a filet and smokey bacon relish? Yummm if I do say so myself! Pair this with a signature drink of berries and aguave nectar and a pour of champagne- very refreshing.

Chic might start out with a classic martini- shaken not stirred poured through a fabulous ice martini louge. Serve wonderful scallops seared and presented with saffron aioli, then a wonderful micro green salad with pomegranate seeds and toasted candied walnuts and warm goat cheese with sherry honey vinaigrette, then lamb chops, with polenta, marscapone cheese, asparagus bundles and a dusting of smoked sea salt.

Glam might be starting with a simple seared scallop garnished with a light mole and gold leaf. Then a traditional Caesar salad prepared table side. Then beef Wellington and duchess potatoes with pattypan squash.

The garden theme is simple in season crudités in beautiful “picking baskets and flower pots. Then a harvest of seasonal vegetables for a beautiful simple salad and a light fish or chicken dish with a delicate lemon sauce with seasonal fresh vegetables.

The possibilities are endless really. If you can dream it you can create it and you can create it well with the help of professionals in the wedding business. Good luck and above all have fun!