Commonly Asked Food Questions

Again, I've had some great questions coming in, I love to get questions so that I know what you guys are thinking and wondering. Please keep them coming.

Should we spring for an open bar?

Open Bars maybe the most expensive choice, because the bartenders have to cover all tastes, habits, and preferences. There are some options other than no bar or a cash bar. Trim costs with a limited-time open bar just during the cocktail hour, then shift to wine with dinner. My favorite is offer a signature cocktail rather than the full range, plus wine and beer. The cost depends on the length of time the bar is open, as a general rule, you can shave about 30 percent off the total bill by limiting hard liquor.

Should we serve food at the cocktail hour?

That's an easy, absolutely you don't want guests drinking alcohol on empty stomachs. Discuss the plan with your caterer. You can have these elegantly passed hors d' oeuvers, it may be wise to have a station, too; Such as one with a cheese and fruit display-so hungry guests don't gang up on the waiters.

I hope this information helps each of you. Please send your questions to stevenclaydesigns@fairpoint.net. I look forward to helping you out.

Clay
Steven Clay Designs

How Can We Stop the Cell Phones?

I received the following question or concern. "I recently attended a wedding. Everything was perfect except for one thing: It was interrupted several times by the ringing of a cell phone. Is there a tactful way to tell wedding guests to turn off their cell phones."

I have found the best way to deal with cell phones at a wedding is to stop it before it begins. There are several ways to accomplish this. Print a tasteful little notice in your ceremony program if you decide to give programs to guests. You could write something like: "We wish to remind you to please turn off your cell phone ringer and to refrain from using your phone during our wedding ceremony. Thank you!" or you could notify everyone as they sign the guest book just before they enter your ceremony site. You could put an attractive sign next to the guest book and the sign would have the same message. If you do not have a program and you are not having a guest book, then just have the Minister or Officiant make the announcement.

Please keep your questions coming, I look forward to our next blog.

Clay

Flowers for your Wedding

How to Choose Your Flowers

You should choose your wedding flowers based on the following factors:

1-The formality of your wedding. The more formal the wedding, the more formal the flowers such as formal bouquets, which are traditionally all white and generally one type of flower.

2-The time of day. For an evening wedding, for example, white or brightly colored flowers stand out, especially if the ceremony is held in candlelight.

3-The colors you and the bridal party will be wearing and the color of the table linens. I have had brides actually plan their bridal party colors around the flowers they love.

4-The Season. Flowers in season not only will be the fresher but will last longer and cost less, because they don't have to be shipped from far away.

5-The Interior Design of the wedding site and reception site. A church with a high ceiling, for example, demands taller plants.

6-Whether the site is indoors or out. If you are marrying outdoors, you may need to supplement a blooming spring or summer garden site with only a few flower arrangements here and there and bouquets boutonnieres, and corsages.

7- The unifying theme of your wedding. Are you planning a country-style wedding with baskets overflowing wildflowers and simple bouquets? Or do you favor a traditional formal celebration and see understated elegance carried throughout from attire to decorating? Do you have a color scheme in mind? Or are you considering all white flowers and decorations? Will you have accessory themes? Are you making floral choices based on as much fragrance as on color and texture? If you are having a real theme wedding, you will want flowers and decorations that match the theme.