This step-by-step plan will ensure that you, too, will be able to sit down at your next dinner party, wedding reception, bridal shower or rehersal dinner.
Three Weeks Before
Choose a theme, if you want one. Decide whether it will be an elegant soiree or a cozy supper, then think about a theme in terms of season, occasion, and guest list. Make, buy, or borrow any related decorations you might need.
Extend invitations. Mail, phone, and e-mail invites are all acceptable; the more formal the dinner, the more appropriate a written invitation, perhaps tied into the theme. Include such details as the date and time (typically 7 p.m., which allows an hour for cocktails, appetizers, and mingling), the deadline to RSVP (a week before party day), your address, and suggested attire if formal.
Plan the menu. Keep it fairly simple, including make-ahead dishes if possible (so you don’t spend too much time running in and out of the kitchen), and take the weather into consideration.
Two Weeks Before
Come up with a playlist. It should be long enough to last for the duration of the dinner, coordinate with the party’s theme if there is one, and be kept at a level that doesn’t hinder conversation.Related: Create a Dinner-Party Playlist
Clean any crystal, china, and silverware you’ll be using. And launder and iron linens.
One Week Before
Clean the house thoroughly. To maintain it for the rest of the week, do a quick daily routine.
Take inventory of tableware, cookware, and serving dishes. If you don’t have enough for every dish you’re serving, consider purchasing inexpensive pieces from a discount or thrift store or borrowing—don’t be afraid to mix compatible patterns. Allocate a serving dish for each menu item, and label the dish with a Post-it note.
Make a detailed shopping list and cooking schedule. Map out where you’ll buy each ingredient or beverage to streamline your shopping route. Rule of thumb: Calculate three bottles of wine for every four guests. Place an order with the local butcher, fish shop, baker, or liquor store as needed.
Set the stage. Arrange the furniture as you’ll want it for the party, checking for the flow and removing any clutter. Designate a coffee table or side table for coffee and dessert if you wish. Figure out the lighting: Using low-wattage bulbs or candlelight will create the right mood.
Create a seating plan if desired. Mix together people who aren’t familiar with one another, and set out placecards.
Check the medicine cabinet. Remove any personal items you wouldn’t want guests to see.
Designate a place for coats. Make space in a front closet and fill it with hangers, or designate a bed for coats (and make sure the room’s especially tidy and clear of valuables, so you won’t need to worry about them).
Shop for food and beverages.
One Day Before
Set the table.
Buy flowers. Arrange and set out around the house.
Do as much of the cooking as you can. Also, for any foods that require cooking on party day, do as much prep (dicing, marinating, rinsing lettuce, etc.) as possible.
Make a sweep through the house. Do cleaning touch-ups where necessary.
Brides are looking to contract now for a wedding that is more than 12 months out so that they have the time to save up for it — brides are cutting their guest list to accommodate their wedding into smaller rental spaces at our location
Cupcake weddings and dessert bars
spend less on attire, more for food. Most of the people try not to think about economy and live normal like nothing happening
“Pocket” invitation packages
10% decline in projected yearly weddings gross based on bookings comparing position at beginning of year in 08 versus 09
A lot more people having a lot smaller weddings seems to be a trend to reduce costs during this economic crisis. I’ve had people contact us through our website and say they love what they see, but when I email back our prices (which I now offer smaller amounts of time to reduce the entry level cost), there is a dramatic reduction of people who request a meeting.
a lot of brides cutting back on getting an album…looking just for cd of images, which we are against and do not offer.
A lot of undercutting; A lot of un qualified people now in business charging less resulting in poorer service to the client giving the legitimate businesses a bad name.
alternatives in all areas and keeping cost down.
Althought we are seeing a change in spending money for items that are not eccential to customers, the overral cake and supplies sales are stable. Of course, this is probably due to some other cake shop near us closing because of the economy. It is sad that this economy is putting a lot of presure on the small wedding related business to that extend, but I am glad that my confident is not on my ability, skills, or expirience to keep our shop afloat, but in a higher power. Make no mistake about it, we will ride the this bad economy wave and come out better than ever.
Color themes, tones, shades with tones, and color parings demand for 2010 couples getting married.
Color Demand looks at color interest for the primary color theme and is based on 14 specific color shades; Black, Blues, Browns, Champagne, Gold, Greens, Ivory, Oranges, Pinks, Purples, Reds, Silver, White, and Yellows.
Color Tone Demand looks at interest in specific color tones and is based on 6 tones; Warm Tones, (Bright, Bold, Vibrant Tones,) Light Tones, Cool Tones, Dark Tones, and Pastel Tones.
Color Shade with Tone Demand looks at interest in the specific primary color theme in comparison to tone choice.
Color Parings look at primary color theme choice in selection with secondary color choices.
Top Line Results
Most couples choosing blues as their primary color theme
Couples looking for warm, bright, bold, and vibrate tones
Couples using blues as their primary color first want cool pastel blues
13.6% of couples choosing blues as their primary color look to pair with white
Harlem Weddings Bridal Show – our Engagement to New Rochelle has a new show date Saturday, April 3m 2010.
Meet face-to-face With the Hottest Vendors in the Industry and Learn the Latest Tips & Trends for Your Wedding See Spectacular Table Decor, Jewels, Honeymoons, Invitations, Musicians, Photographers, Florists and more. . .
Enjoy Beauty Make-over, Spa Lounge, Complimentary Wedding Favors by Favor Chic, Dessy ECO-Tote Bags, Las Vegas Destination Wedding Lounge hosted by Madlin McCargo of Liberty Travel, Cocktails and Hors d’euvres, Incredible Gift Bags, Bridal & Lingerie Lounge, and Bridal Fashion Show.
Find your Missing Vendors at the Harlem Weddings Bridal Show!
The cherry blossom theme’s a bit of a find. You won’t find it dominating back-to-back receptions from June to August — yet it draws on color and thematic trends that couldn’t be fresher.
Cherry blossoms are beloved: by the Chinese, the Japanese, fashionistas, home decorators, girly-girls and poets. They stand for virtue and new beginnings. Even more, they stand for ephemeral things: our lives, our joys, and those all-too-brief times on cloud nine, like your wedding day.
Thank you for your support of Your Wedding Affair & Harlem Weddings over the last year. We appreciate that you continue to look to us for wedding planning advice. We look forward to bringing you even more new and interesting wedding tips, tricks and strategies in the New Year.
