The Event Group Catering Blog

May 4, 2010

Wedding Aspects Part 5: DJ Services

Filed under: Events, Weddings — Tags: , — Shellie @ 4:29 pm

I recently had a great conversation with local DJ, Todd Rudisill of Groove Productions.  Todd and I have worked together for many years, and I always breathe a sigh of relief when I see him set-up at an event or wedding reception.

Here are some great questions/answers between the two of us:

Shellie:  If a bride is trying to decide between a DJ and a band, what should she consider and why?

Todd:  We know brides have a tough choice when choosing entertainment. There are only a few bands out there that can play a wide variety of music from the 60’s til today and do it well. With a DJ you get every genre and more flexibility on what music you want played at your reception.  Bands have a certain list of songs they know, so that does have limitations. Ask the band to provide their entire song list for review prior to booking.  

Also, with DJ’s there is more ability to customize your song list. We can play you and your fiance’s special song, the original, the one that has a special place in your heart and the one you know. Also DJ’s do not take breaks, so the party keeps going non-stop.   Make sure you understand how many breaks the band will take before booking them.

Shellie:  That is such good advice.  I know that I have run across some of those issues before.  What details or duties should the bride expect the DJ to handle at her reception?

Todd:  We highly recommend you have a wedding coordinator- or at least someone that is there to work with us to keep the night moving. You will really depend on your DJ to help with the flow of the reception–we have the best seats in the house and have learned to read the crowd. We can give you advice on when is the best time to cut the cake,  the best time to do the first dance,  and announcements etc.  Lean on the DJ’s experience at receptions, with over 15 years of experience- we know what works and what doesn’t.

Shellie:  That is good advice.  So many times we have worked with a bride and she has given a schedule/timeline to us and then a different timeline to the DJ.  Now, I always check with the DJ, first thing, to make sure we are both on the same page for the cake cutting, toasts, etc. 

Shellie:  What technical needs/criteria does a facility need to have for your equipment?

Todd:  At least an area that is 20 feet wide x 15 feet deep for our lighting and sound equipment.  Also, preferably a dance floor three feet from the front of our table.  Plenty of power (2 separate outlets on different breakers).  Also, make sure the DJ can easily run electrical cords to where they are not visible to your guests or in the path of traffic flow.

Shellie:  What are the most popular songs for the first dance, father/daughter dance, bouquet toss, garter toss, etc.?

Todd:  The first dance for the bride and groom is usually a special song that means something to them.  For the father/daughter dance, one of our favorites is “The Way You Look Tonight” by Steve Tyrell.  Very classy.  Others include “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman and “I Loved Her First” by Heartland.

Bouquet toss–of course the last year or so the favorite has been “Single Ladies” by Beyonce.

Garter toss–we do something special that you can only find out when booking us.

Shellie:  Anything else that a bride should know or ask a potential DJ vendor?

Todd:  Ask how many units/DJ’s they have.  Some big companies have multiple units, so you may or may not know who will be assigned to your wedding.  Make sure you meet the DJ that will be handling your reception, either in person or over the phone (preferably in person).  With Groove Productions, you are getting the owners of the company, who care about your big day and are guaranteed to be your DJ’s the day of your reception.  Also, be sure to ask for a contract with all the details in writing.

Shellie:  Todd, thanks so much for this great advice.  Todd and his brother, Brian, are co-owners of Groove Productions.  They can be reached at        479-200-1313 or www.djgrooveproductions.blogspot.com.


 
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April 28, 2010

Wedding Aspects Part 4: Photography

Filed under: Events, Weddings — Tags: — Shellie @ 4:44 pm

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks now that wedding season has started, but dear readers, I have not forgotten my promise of covering all things wedding related.

Recently I spoke with Brittney Carlton, owner of Focused Exposure Photography.  Here is just a small part of our conversation:

Shellie:  What do you think is the most popular style of photography for weddings and why?

Brittney:  Editorial photography is the perfect blend of candid and directed images.  In other words, the photographer takes a mixture of traditional shots along with more photo journalism-style pictures.

Shellie:  I do love that look!  I think it is important to have a little bit of both and not just all traditional group shots or just all trendy and artistic-type photos.

Shellie:  What are some great local sites for shooting formal bridal sessions, engagement pictures, etc.

Brittney:  There are so many great locations around Northwest Arkansas.  I keep my best places “hush hush” so that each couple has unique and special images that reflect their love for one another.  Besides, when you have a professional photographer, a parking lot can be a great backdrop for marvelous images!  In my opinion, the couple is the focus, not the location.

Shellie:  You are so right about that!  But come on, you have to give me something!haha

Brittney:  Ok, the Legacy Building (off Dickson Street) has great natural lighting and a fabulous staircase.

Shellie:  This is a big one.  Every year, I have a few brides tell me that they are going to use a family member or friend to take their wedding photos.  This scares me to death!  I have heard of so many horror stories.  To me, the photographs are the only thing that you have left to document your special day.  What do you say to brides that are thinking of going this route?

Brittney:  Brides need to have their family be “a part of the wedding” NOT “working at your wedding.”  If the reason for having a family member or friend photograph the wedding is due to budget constraints, the solution is to have a professional photographer (Focused Exposure) take the formal portraits and the ceremony shots only.

Shellie:  So the family member or friend could then take candid shots at the reception, etc. ?  That makes sense and is a good compromise.

Shellie:  What can a bride do to make sure the wedding photos runs smoothly and fairly quickly, especially if she and the groom choose not to see each other before the ceremony?

Brittney:  Experienced wedding coordinators are a fabulous asset for keeping weddings run smoothly and according to a tentative schedule.  Also, the week of the wedding, I meet with the bride to go over the photography timeline as it fits in with the wedding day schedule.  Communication of expectations and feasibility is crucial between the bride and the photographer.

For more information, contact Brittney Carlton at 479-521-3686 or www.focusedexposure.com.

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April 12, 2010

April E-Newsletter

Filed under: Events, Newsletter, Weddings — Tags: , , , — Shellie @ 8:36 am

Graduation Parties

The spring season can mean a lot of different things.  Here at The Event Group, we are gearing up for Graduation Parties.  Whether it’s for a high school or college event, your graduating student will appreciate a party to commemorate this special occasion. 

Don’t try to do all the work yourself—you need to bask in this special day.  Hire The Event Group to take care of all your food and beverage needs.  If you don’t require staffing and would like to handle most of the details, our Hors d’oeuvres & More—Parties To Go division is the answer for you. 

Check out our menu.



New Facility: Creekwood Gardens

If you are searching for a great outdoor wedding and reception venue, Creekwood Gardens just might be the place for your one-of-a-kind wedding.  The beautiful garden setting, is perfect for the bride that wants to show up and have all the details handled.  Chairs, tables and linens are included.  There are also several all-inclusive packages from which brides may choose.  Those packages include catering (by The Event Group), flowers (Jules Design), DJ services, décor items, parking attendant and more…

Lisa Rose, local wedding planner, handles all bookings and is available for coordination services, if desired.  For more information or to make an appointment, contact Lisa at 479-586-1548 or CreekwoodGardenEvents@gmail.com.

 

Wedding Flowers: Do’s and Dont’s

Recently, I spoke with Jennifer Schnetzinger of Country Gardens (Springdale).  Jennifer and her husband Glenn are owners and designers, and they are the “go-to” shop for many local brides and social clients.

Here is what Jennifer had to say about brides, budgets and more…

Question:  Why are flowers so important in the overall scheme of the wedding?

Jennifer:  First, nothing signifies romance and love more than flowers!  The dress and the bridal bouquet are two of the most essential elements to make the bride shine on her special day.  One of the most important functions of the flowers is to enhance the wedding photos.  The photos are what they get to keep from their special day, so it is very important that we make them look as good as possible.

Question:  What are some money-saving ideas for the budget-minded bride?

Jennifer:  Reuse the attendants’ bouquets as reception decorations, use less expensive flowers, mixed strategically with luxurious blooms and lastly, petals, petals and more petals.  Petals are inexpensive but bring the romance of flowers to the event. 

Question:  What problems can occur for the DIY (Do It Yourself) bride if she uses a box retailer for her flowers?

Jennifer:  The nightmares are really endless.  We have bailed out many brides who were trying to do the flowers on their own.  People always underestimate how difficult it is to do the flowers themselves.  It’s much better to choose a vendor who cares about you and your day, than to trust such an important area with someone who sees you as a number.  Product can arrive late or not at all, or it can be completely wrong.  The DIY bride doesn’t factor in the time it takes to open a rose bloom so it looks perfect that day.  Nor does she have the facilities to keep the flowers cool and fresh.  The unknown and lack of experience to deal with the unforeseen can ruin her day.

Thanks to Jennifer for her invaluable advise.  For more information, contact Country Gardens at 756-5531 or www.springdalecountrygardens.com.

 

Recipe of the Month:
Dress Up Your Potato Salad

Do you get tired of the same old potato salad recipe that was passed down to you from your great-grandmother?  Try some of the following tricks to dress up a traditional potato salad: 

 

~ Hard-cooked eggs and
   aioli (garlicky mayonnaise)
~ Green peas and fresh mint
~ Green beans, peanuts and
   a spicy Thai-style dressing
~ Roasted potatoes with
   roasted garlic, red bell
   pepper and fresh red onion
~ Crumbled bleu cheese, green
   onions and toasted walnuts
   in a walnut oil vinaigrette
~ Green beans, feta cheese
   and a lemony vinaigrette

Tips courtesy of www.colincowie.com.

April 6, 2010

Wedding Aspects Part 3: Flowers

Filed under: Events, Uncategorized, Weddings — Tags: , — Shellie @ 10:40 am

Well, here we are at the next installment for brides planning a wedding.  Our subject this week is flowers.  This is a favorite topic for many brides who have always dreamed about their perfect wedding day.

I had some great input this week from three local florists in our wedding networking group.  Today, I will feature Julie Mendenhall of Jules Design in Fayetteville and Shelby Shy of Shirley’s Flowers in Rogers.  On my e-newsletter coming later this week, I will feature Jennifer Schnetzinger with Country Gardens of Springdale.

Why are flowers important?  Imagine a wedding without flowers…I can’t, it would be impossible.  Flowers are so important–they reflect the mood of the wedding and the personality of the bride, according to Shelby Shy of Shirley’s Flowers. 

But what if the bride is on a budget, and she has to make some concessions to her wants?  Shelby encourages brides to concentrate on what is most important to her on that day.  It could be the ceremony decor or the reception flowers. 

Julie with Jules Designs has another great tip.  “If you only have $300.00 for the flowers at your reception, don’t purchase 10 arrangements at $30.00 each.  Instead, have one large arrangement for $300.00 to place on the buffet table and make a statement that will be memorable.”

That would be a WOW factor.

Shelby and Julie both agree on the wedding colors they are seeing this year.  Blues, purples, navy, peacock feathers, vintage jewelry, etc.  Julie has many clients that want an eclectic look–using antique milk glass, antique sterling silver, mason jars, birch and bark baskets and birds nests.  All of those ideas reflect the bride’s personality.

I know in many wedding areas, we are seeing a lot of the DIY (Do It Yourself) brides.  Sometimes DIY can be a dis-service to the bride, especially if is causes extra stress or time constraints on the wedding day.  I asked both ladies what problems can occur for the bride if she uses a “box retailer” for her flowers.  Here are their answers, which I think are extremely important:

Shelby (Shirley’s Flowers):  “The challenge the DIY brides have is they limit their flower choices and their color choices.”  To combat that problem, Shirley’s Flowers introduced a wholesale division last year.  They have a satisfaction guaranteed policy.

Julie (Jules Design):  I would highly recommend ordering flowers in bulk through a local florist instead of on-line or through the box retailer.  There will be no time to re-order if there is a mistake on-line.  If you purchase locally, the florist will make sure to correct any problems with blooms or substitute with a flower in your color of equal or greater value.

Ok, just for fun, here is my last question:

Shellie:  “If you had a bride with an unlimited budget, what are the top items you would suggest she incorporate with flowers?”

Shelby:  “Individual flower arrangements for each place-setting, spheres that hang from the ceiling or archways made out of all flowers (luch and WOW), and a monogram made of flowers for decor (see included picture).”

Julie:  “Good lighting.  What is the purpose of budgeting thousands of dollars for flowers if you can’t see them?  Spotlighting or “pin lighting” is key to large spaces.  Flowers get lost in a room, no mater how fabulous the arrangment if the room is large and dark.”

All great advice from two great professionals.  Shelby Shy can be reached at Shirley’s Flowers at 636-0118 or 800-624-7225.  Julie Mendenhall can be reached at Jules Design at 263-1133. 

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April 2, 2010

Wedding Aspects Part 2: Rentals and Decor

Filed under: Events, Weddings — Tags: — Shellie @ 10:25 am

Last week, we had a great conversation with Camille Breeden, with Inscriptions, regarding invitaitons.  This week our focus is rentals and decor.  Lori Bova with Festivities, located in Springdale, AR, graciously sent some great information my way.  Here is our interview:

Shellie:  What is the latest trend that you see for 2010 weddings?

Lori:  The most fun trend that we see is the total customization of the wedding and reception.  The decor has truly become laser focused on the details, details, details.  One of my personal favorites is the monogramming of the table runners and napkins.  What a fun keepsake for the couple to use in their home after the wedding.

Shellie:  I totally agree.  It is all about personalization.  What are the most popular colors that you see brides choosing this year?

Lori:  As far as strong hues, shades of purple, yellow and turquoise are strong for 2010.  We have seen a re-emergence in the monochromatic scheme of white, ivory, champagne and taupe as well.  Texture will also play a big role in linens, including burlap, pintuck and dupioni.

Shellie:  Why are rentals so important to weddings?

Lori:  Rentals truly set the mood at the reception.  They are typically the largest and most dominant pieces in the space.  The selection of key statement pieces can clearly communicate the overall vibe of the party.  The quality of the rentals is critical.  Well-mainted chairs, linens, tents, etc., can ultimately make or break the aesthetic.  If a bride is on a tight budget, I would focus on some fantastic table linens for the maximum splash.

Shellie:  I agree!  What is your company’s specialty?

Lori:  We are pleased to offer a full-service menu of rental items, retail accessories and event design services.  We stock the areas largest inventory in ballroom chairs, which have become a staple for weddings.  We take pride in delivering the highest quality product and service possible.

Shellie:  What is your favorite part of your job?

Lori:  I most enjoy the varied clients that we serve.  They enable me to participate in a wide range of aesthetics from cool and casual to chic and sophisticated.  I love that every day is different.  I get great satisfaction in getting my hands dirty and seeing the final product–the dream wedding.

Shellie:  Thanks so much, Lori.  For more information, you can contact Festivities at 479-750-8981 or www.efestivities.com. 

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March 22, 2010

Wedding Aspects Part 1: Invitations

Filed under: Events, Weddings — Tags: — Shellie @ 3:10 pm

For the next few weeks, our blog postings will discuss the various aspects of a wedding.  First, we are going to discuss invitations.

Invitations can be traditional or contemporary–even a bit whimsical.  Camille Breeden with Inscriptions (located in Fort Smith and Fayetteville) is today’s expert.  Here are just a few questions that I posed to her:

Shellie (The Event Group):  Camille, I know we have all heard different answers to this question, but how many months out should a bride order invitations and “Save the Date” cards?

Camille (Inscriptions):  Invitations should be ordered four months prior to the wedding and “Save the Date” cards should be ordered six months prior to the wedding.  That gives ample time for proofing, addressing and any problems that might occur.

Shellie:  Is it pretty common to send out “Save the Date” cards?

Camille:  Yes, they have been popular for the past four years or so.  They give out-of-town guests plenty of time to make travel reservations.  The most popular cards are actually magnets with a picture of the bride and groom.  They are also relatively inexpensive.

Shellie:  How cute!  Ok, this is a tough one.  What in the world can we do about guests not sending in their R.S.V.P. cards?

Camille:  Yes, R.S.V.P. cards is a hard topic to cover.  Although with the stamped return envelope it does make it easier.  I think people do respond better to wedding R.S.V.P.’s than party invites. 

Shellie:  We must hear about the problem more since we are on the food end.  I always tell brides they will probably have to make some telephone calls.  A great way to cushion the conversation is to say that you are checking to make sure they received their invitation.  It saves embarrassment on both ends.

Shellie:  What are the latest trends for invitations?

Camille:  Less on tradition and more on color.  For instance, the pocket invitation is very popular now with backers three deep, sometimes layering with colors and the pocket holding the R.S.V.P. card, direction card and reception information.

Shellie:  What are some average costs for invitations?

Camille:  For traditional, the average is $2.00 each.  For specialty invitations, anywhere from $3.25 up to $7.50 each.  I still have many brides on a budget, and invitations are where they tend to cut back.

Shellie:  What other materials are a “must have” for brides?

Camille:  Monogrammed napkins for the cake tables, programs and favors.  Although brides have been cutting back on favors the past couple of years, too.

Shellie:  Any final words of wisdom?

Camille:  When you come into the store to order your invitations, make sure you have all of your information (she does help with the various invitation wording styles).  I love my work–total strangers come into the store and by the time they leave, I give them the comfortable feeling that they can depend upon me to get the job done.  And I’ve made a new friend.

Thanks again to Camille Breeden with Inscriptions.   Camille can be reached at 479-484-5559 or 479-287-4190.

March 16, 2010

What’s Been Happening

Filed under: Events — Tags: , , — Shellie @ 3:33 pm

A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks.  First, I attended the Catersource conference in Las Vegas last week.  That was a great event–I brought back a ton of new and exciting ideas for events.  My favorites were the mini root beer floats (in shot glasses with neon-colored straws) and the meatloaf sliders.  Mmmmm…

At the same time, we had the fabulous Sweet 16 Birthday Bash for Blair Blankenship that I wrote about in last week’s Blog and newsletter. 

Then this past Sunday, we participated in the “Here Comes the Bride” show at the Fayetteville Town Center.  We showed off those root beer floats that I was telling you about, plus our donut skewers and milk shots.  We had a table that focused on the groom–”Groom’s Sweet Table”.  Instead of a traditional groom’s cake, the trend is to have a lot of miniature desserts or a favorite dessert of the groom.  Our banana pudding shots and apple pie served in demitasse cups are perfect for such a table.  Thanks to Eventures for providing our glass buffet table and other decor items.

Today, Sara Williams and I took soil samples for our garden project.  Sara is one of our kitchen prep/staff, and is an expert on gardening.  Watch for more updates on this “Going Green” project.

Anyway, it has been busy, and as always we appreciate our loyal customers and faithful Blog followers.  Have a great Spring Break!img_1064

March 12, 2010

March Newsletter

Filed under: Events, Newsletter — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Shellie @ 9:48 am

Theme Parties:
Alice in Wonderland Sweet 16

We have often used current movie themes for inspiration when planning events. Movies have a way of providing ideas for colors, moods, décor, menus—almost everything that makes up a great party.

Of course, the current favorite is the new, darker version of the classic “Alice in Wonderland”. The day after the movie opened, we had our own premier for birthday girl Blair Blankenship. Blair turned 16 and celebrated it with a bang!

When guests arrived at the doorway to the party, held at The Fayetteville Town Center, they discovered a rabbit hole entrance. Square, stone columns with moss, iron gates, topiaries, tree branches, faux rocks, faux stone flooring and a special “rabbit hole” sign transported guests down the rabbit hole and into the party “wonderland”.

There were two food stations. The first, “The White Queen’s Table” was placed under a frame tent draped in white fabric and included white rugs, hanging crystals, bling candle holders and a 4′ x 4′ light table.

The second, “The Red Queen’s Table” was placed under a frame tent draped in red sheer fabric. Red and harlequin linens, red dot rugs, a customized sign, oversized Queen of Hearts cards and a black chandelier suspended from the tent frame looked just fabulous!

The focal point of the room was “The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” station. A beautiful, customized cake from Rick’s Bakery was placed under a frame tent, draped in fabric. The cake was placed atop a double-glass table with teacups inserted between the pieces of glass. Additional teacups hung from ribbons from the tent frame.

“The Rabbit Hole Lounge”, featuring sodas and bottled water, was draped with yellow, blue and green sheer fabric. Tall cocktail tables, barstools and lounge furniture set the overall mood.

An LED dance floor, a customized photo booth, DJ and a fortune teller also provided entertainment for the evening.

Thanks to Eventures for running with our ideas and providing the amazing décor, Greg Hodges, Vintage Photo Booths, Keith Lyons, Taylor Mack Advertising, Focused Exposure, Blue Horizon Video Productions, Anthony Gulley and all the above mentioned vendors.

Going Green

With the help of our kitchen coordinator Tamara Parker, The Event Group made a few efforts in 2009 to “go green”. We purchased cloth bags for our local shopping trips, changed light bulbs to the compact fluorescent brand and started recycling our bottles and cans, among other small changes.

This year, we are stepping up our efforts with the following:

• Planting a garden. This spring we will plant our first-ever garden. The produce and herbs will be used for some of our events. The garden will be organic and will inspire some fresh, new summer recipes.
• Recycling cans and bottles at events. We are asking our event facilities that already have recycle bins to place them near our bar and beverage areas. If the facility doesn’t have bins, we plan to bring our own, especially purchased for this situation.
• Offering eco-friendly disposable plates and utensils. For those clients who want to offer eco-friendly disposables at their events, they will be available.
• Encouraging the rental of china, silver and glassware from our local event rental companies, such as Eventures, Intents and Festivities.

Those are just a few of the efforts we have planned for 2010. Let us know if you have any ideas—we welcome the suggestions.


Recipe of the Month:
The Classic Cheeseburger

I know we’ve just had a few days of warm weather, but it still wouldn’t hurt to think ahead to the upcoming grilling season. Nothing says summer like a classic cheeseburger…

Ingredients
Serves 4
• 2 pounds ground beef, preferably chuck
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 ounces cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 4 hamburger buns
• 2 tomatoes (12 ounces), sliced
• 8 leaves Bibb lettuce (1 small head)
• 1 small red onion, sliced

Directions
1. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium high. Season meat with salt and pepper, mix very lightly, and shape into four patties. Grill hamburgers 4 to 6 minutes per side for rare and 9 to 11 minutes for well done. If making cheeseburgers, lay cheese slices on top of the hamburgers after they have been flipped.
2. Serve immediately on buns (toasted, if desired), topped with tomatoes, lettuce, and onion slices.

Recipe Courtesy of www.marthastewart.com.

March 1, 2010

Expanding to Fort Smith and More…

Filed under: Events, Fort Smith, Weddings — Shellie @ 4:59 pm

0243Here is the latest news at The Event Group Catering and Event Planning.  We are expanding our catering and event planning services to the Fort Smith area this year.  Hoping to work closely with the local vendors and our own vendors to create additional offerings for the area.

Next week, I will travel to Las Vegas for the annual Catersource conference.  I try to go to this conference at least every two or three years to catch up on the latest and greatest ideas and equipment.  There will be lots more information coming your way.

Wedding season is upon us.  We are booking Fall weddings and just booked a May 2011 wedding/reception.

P.S.  I love the above photo from the Hubbs/Dorey wedding last June.

February 26, 2010

Brittney’s Baby Shower

Filed under: Events — Tags: — Shellie @ 10:23 am

We are excited to announce that a new edition to The Event Group family will be coming sometime in April.  Brittney Gulley, our long-time Director of Sales and Event Planner, is expecting a baby boy.

A few of her family and friends, clients and vendors and our staff showered her with gifts this past weekend.  The menu was a surprise, but included some of her favorite items:  BBQ Meatballs, French Puff Pastry Filled with Ham and Gouda, Mango-Strawberry Fruit Salsa and our Naive Indulgence Brownie Lollipops.  However, the hit of the day was the donut and chocolate milk shots. 

Donuts are a favorite of Brittney’s, especially from Rick’s Bakery.  I placed two glazed donut holes on each skewer, and then filled shot glasses with Brittney’s favorite–chocolate milk.  The skewers were then placed in the shot glass.  We made sure to not fill the glass too high, so that the donuts wouldn’t get wet.

Lastly, we served Creme Brulee Martinis, which the guests thoroughly enjoyed.

She received a lot of great gifts, and we had a fabulous afternoon.

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