How two New York-area caterers are making virtual events entertaining and delicious By Sara Perez Webber Hopefully we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic and its transformative effect on catered events. Yet even during the strictest days of lockdown, innovative caterers found ways to help clients celebrate events from home. … [Read more...] about Bringing the Party Home
Weddings
Getting Hitched Without a Hitch
With careful planning and a dose of panache, the wedding industry has paved the way for successful events despite the pandemic By Sara Perez Webber No one in the wedding industry will forget this year anytime soon. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted couples everywhere to change their 2020 wedding plans. Approximately 50 percent of weddings scheduled for this year have been … [Read more...] about Getting Hitched Without a Hitch
Butler’s Pantry Micro Wedding
How the St. Louis-based caterer transformed a wedding for 150 guests into one for 25 St. Louis-based Butler’s Pantry “has mastered the Pandemic Pivot—taking an event originally planned for hundreds and transforming it into a private ceremony for 50 or less,” says Bridget Bitza, vice president of sales and catering. The challenge is harder than it may seem. Not only do … [Read more...] about Butler’s Pantry Micro Wedding
Last But Not Least
Weddings may be smaller now, but mini desserts are adding big flavor and excitement to receptions By Deanne Moskowitz The pandemic has resulted in the postponement or cancellation of many full-sized weddings in 2020, but there is a sweet side. Regardless of the severity of restrictions, which vary from state to state, caterers hosting micro and mini receptions … [Read more...] about Last But Not Least
Back to Business
For its first full-service wedding post-COVID-19, Thomas Caterers of Distinction employed extensive protocols to keep guests and staff safe By Sara Perez Webber CATERER: Thomas Caterers of Distinction • thomascaterers.com VENUE: Black Iris Estate • blackirisestate.com EVENT DETAILS: On June 5, Indianapolis-based Thomas Caterers of Distinction catered its first … [Read more...] about Back to Business
What’s Blooming?
The Floral Trends Forecast predicts which flowers and styles will blossom at next year’s events By Sara Perez Webber Wondering which blooms your clients will be requesting for their events in the new year? The Flower Trends Forecast 2020, recently released by International Floral Distributors (IFD), gives a sense of how floral décor is expected to blossom next year. “The … [Read more...] about What’s Blooming?
The Wedding Planner
Lynda Barness—an award-winning consultant in Philadelphia—shares some of the trends she’s seeing in the industry By Sara Perez Webber In Lynda Barness’s book, I DO: A Wedding Planner’s View, she describes a mother-of-the-bride who wanted a well planned social media campaign for her daughter’s big day. “Her idea was to ‘generate some more excitement’ about her daughter’s … [Read more...] about The Wedding Planner
Art Deco Dream
EVENT DESIGNER AND PLANNER: Kat Creech Events •••katcreechevents.com CATERER: Jackson & Company •••jacksonandcompany.com VENUE: The Corinthian, a special event venue in Houston built in 1905 EVENT DETAILS: Kat Creech Events won the NACE One award for “Best Wedding of the Year” (budget greater than $100,000) for this April 2016 art deco-infused event. Creech says the … [Read more...] about Art Deco Dream
Beachfront Vow Renewal
Seaside elegance characterized this summer event by Mi Chicas Celebrations By Sara Perez Webber EVENT PLANNER: Mi Chicas Celebrations VENUE: Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven, Conn. EVENT DETAILS: Mother-and-daughter team Davii Mandel and Chany Kleinberger from Mi Chicas Celebrations in Spring Valley, N.Y., planned, designed and coordinated vendors for this June 2016 vow … [Read more...] about Beachfront Vow Renewal
Prepare Your Business to Book More Same-Sex Weddings
By Bernadette Smith, founder of the Gay Wedding Institute Steps to take to better serve the LGBT market Nationwide marriage equality brings tremendous opportunity for your catering business. The financial opportunity is obvious, but perhaps more exciting, same-sex weddings and LGBT events may bring new energy and a fresh perspective to your business. If you’re interested in … [Read more...] about Prepare Your Business to Book More Same-Sex Weddings
