Who says an elegant reception doesn’t include mac and cheese?

Second only to the Bride and Groom, the epicenter of many post-nuptial celebrations is the food. Whether you are serving an elegant three course dinner, or opting to let your guests choose their favorites at a buffet, much thought goes into designing a memorable menu. Although chicken, beef, or fish are the ‘go to’  building blocks of many a Reception Dinner, there are a number of alternatives to please even the most discriminating palates.

Forgoing the more traditional alternatives, some couples gravitate toward the idea of a more dynamic environment and create a reception menu conceived from the concept of a cocktail party. Cocktail style Receptions not only offer a wider variety of food for a longer period of time, but allow for more creativity and notable presentation. By working with your Event Planner or Caterer to create an evolution of your menu throughout the evening, your Reception will have a natural flow from Hors D’Oeuvres to Dessert. Your menus can also be themed, by offering a selection of different cultural foods at each ‘station’, or make them interactive with a build your own Smashed Potato Bar or grilled shrimp on the Barbie.

On a day dedicated to you and your fiancé,  you might  want to personalize your menu to include some of your favorites without sacrificing your elegant atmosphere… work with your caterer to take some of your favorites and contemporize them. Designer comfort food will not only tempt the taste buds of your guests but provide a stunning presentation while moving beyond the ordinary.

For dessert, consider a Chocolate Fountain display in addition to your cake, complimented by fresh fruits, pretzels and Jumbo Pink or caramel marshmallows for your guests to dip. Or for a midnight snack after hours of drinking and dancing, offer a station to satisfy their late night munchies with gourmet sliders and crispy potato wedges, or lobster macaroni and cheese served in martini glasses.

Your Wedding Day is a celebration of you, and your menu should reflect your taste and style. “Even if it breaks any of the cardinal rules, choose something that you enjoy eating and don’t be shy about it” (- Sam Godfrey)

And as always, you’re Birch Hill Event Planner will be with you every step of the way!

Vintage is the New Modern

Who doesn’t love a fancy-shmancy affair?... a chance to get all gussied up, and celebrate an evening in style? A posh soirée may be ideal for some, but for others, it just might not fit the bill. Sophistication and romanticism need not be defined by ball gowns and white-gloved servers.

There is a new contender sweeping the bridal circuit, satisfying motifs from backyard simplicity to understated elegance. Rustic-Chic and Vintage themes are both increasingly popular and unexpectedly refined.

Although location will enhance such an atmosphere, it will not necessarily define it. So do not fret if your celebration setting isn’t producing that perfect feel just yet. Fastidious use of color, lighting, florals, and accent pieces will help give rise to your dream setting.

**This is also where the expertise of a wedding planner can be an immense help. There are a few tricks of the trade that they can provide, pertaining to what works, what doesn’t, and some amazing ideas you may not have considered. They also may have some great location recommendations**

Whether your inspiration was your Grandmother’s 1920’s barn wedding, or the infamous airstrip scene from Casablanca, incorporating elements of classic charm is simpler than you think.

• You don’t have to spend countless hours in second-hand stores. The accent pieces you’ve been looking for may be right under your nose. If your family is anything thing like mine, you needn't look any further than your Grandma's attic and Jewelry box, or Grampa's old Barn out back. You’ll be surprised with the findings and it’ll be much more meaningful to have heirlooms as part of the décor. 

• Consideration to your lighting choice is essential. Some may think it to be a superfluous detail, but lighting creates the ambiance for the evening, and can conflict with your atmosphere. If you’re outdoors, consider tealight candles in mason jars suspended from trees, for an elegant evening cocktail hour, or paper lanterns to illuminate the interior of a rustic barn. 

• Throw matchy-matchy out the window. Bridesmaids need not look-a-like, and where is the excitement in identical tables? Create a sense of individuality, rather than meticulously planning coordination, and utilize a central theme or color to tie the evening together. 

• Forgo large centerpieces and try out runners made of vintage fabric and lace as the focal point for each table, accented with small clear or solid vases holding clean arrangements. Simple, classic, elegant.

• Trade in white linens for those in ivory or champagne, be creative with hand painted signs, use family photographs in sepia or black and white tones, and never underestimate the use of a well placed candle.

Most importantly, you’re wedding should reflect you and your personal style. This is a day to celebrate how far your relationship has come and the distance it will go.

Go Bold with Color

Elegance has been redefined. The muted tones and deep hues traditionally used to accent an elegant affair have become more frequently sidelined by vibrant shades and bold patterns. 

Thinking outside the color-box is not only for the audacious. Carefully considered splashes of dynamic color can give a space new life, and more modern feel without becoming overwhelming. Choosing specific elements or details in which to incorporate a little pop of color is the simplest way to begin. Although a hot pink table linen may be too bold for your specific tastes, consider details such as napkins, chair sashes, or flowers integrate a hot pink, turquoise, or even lime green. 

 Design a color scheme to suit your tastes and go to town. Try a vibrant table runner (see above) or brighten up a demure table with strong accents (see left). Napkins are a classic choice to add color in the world of weddings and events. Creative uses will accentuate smaller touches while making an enormous impact. The devil (as we all know) is in the details, so why not emphasize those little accents and really make them standout. 

• Flip the switch on colored napkin linen, and use a more delicate tone, highlighted by a vibrant napkin ring. 

• Using candles to heighten the ambiance? Why not trade in those white votive or ivory pillar candles for those in an eye-catching shade. 

• Give your guests place cards a bit of flair by using colored paper, stripes, or even polka-dots. 

• Even get your florals in on the fun with a softer, monochromatic arrangement and a more dynamic vase to really make a statement. 

The moral of the story really being that this is your celebration, and it should reflect you, your personal style, and your relationship. Don't feel restricted to the proverbial box.

Get out there! Try new things! And your Birch Hill Event Planner will be with you every step of the way!