Happy Earth Day!

There are lots of EASY ways for your wedding to GO GREEN!

REDUCE-
I love gorgeous paper products and fully appreciate incorporating beautiful printed programs, menus and place cards into the wedding day decor, but I cringe when I have to collect and discard stacks of paper at the end of the ceremony and reception.  To cut down on the waste, plan to offer your fabulous programs per couple as opposed to per person, consider a beautiful seating chart in lieu of place cards or frame a few elegant menus on each table or the buffet instead of printing one for each guest.

REUSE-

Always ask your Wedding Planner and Floral Designer what supplies they offer for rental as opposed to purchasing them on your own. We reuse candle holders, vases, cake stands, frames, easels and lots of other wedding goods all the time. This will not only cut down your wedding supply budget, but also reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding by reducing transportation, storage and shipping of these items.

RECYCLE-

Be proactive in promoting recycling on your wedding day.  At your tented home wedding, provide recycling receptacles and ask your bar staff and servers to separate trash and recyclables as they clear tables.  Ask a friend or family member to be in charge of collecting the bins and make sure they get to the recycling center.    

RENEW-

Consider live centerpieces, decor and wedding favors as opposed to cut flowers. Potted plants and herbs are beautiful, fragrant and live on long after your wedding day is over.  The Arbor Day Foundation offers wonderful  Gift Tree favors, saplings which can be planted and enjoyed by your guests for years to come.

Happy Earth Day 2011!

Photos: Aphrodite Wedding Photos, Melinda Butler, Claris Photography

What's FOOD got to do with it?

We have been in the process of a lot of menu planning sessions with clients over the past few weeks.  There are a lot of things to consider in the creation of your wedding menu.

Season/Weather
Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall: each season has its own flavors. When planning your menu, think about and answer the question, What do I feel like eating on a (insert season here) day?
It could be a hot summer day/brisk fall afternoon/chilly snowy evening/bright spring morning...  The answer isn't always Prime Rib and Red Bliss potatoes!

Location

Hotel ballroom or oceanside tent?  Full on-site kitchen or off-site kitchen tent with limited power and plating space? Especially in the latter case, it is important to understand the limitations of your venue. Also consider the appropriateness of the menu item to the space where you are serving it-mashed potatoes on the beach just doesn't seem right, right?

Time of Day
Too often, clients come to the table feeling pigeon-holed into "traditional wedding food" menu ideas and timeframes, or don't take the initiative to think outside of the "wedding norm."  Wedding brunches are incredible! Who doesn't love breakfast food? An afternoon luncheon has a fun, casual feel and is perfect for a beach or camp location. Cocktail parties can happen anytime of day. 

What you LOVE
The first menu related question I ask of my clients is: "If you could eat anything on your wedding day, what would it be?"
If the answer is "a lobster roll" or "french onion soup" or "french fries"- embrace it!  Tell your chef about your favorite foods- there are lots of ways to incorporate your personal food faves into your wedding menu- whether in hors d'oeuvres, appetizer, entree, dessert or even a late night snack...

  
Your Guests
Be considerate of the dietary needs and personal tastes of your guests. "A little something for everybody" is a good rule of thumb.  Bear in mind that you can not please everybody 100% of the time.  Also realize that particular delicacies, though high on your personal list, may be polarizing.

Ethnic Background
Is a large percentage of your guest list from a particular ethnic background? It's always nice to include cultural family favorites or even Grandma's recipes.  This is a wonderful way to personalize your menu and pay homage to your backgrounds.

 Your wedding menu is very important. It will be remembered and enjoyed by your guests more than your flowers, table linens or your attire.  It's a great place to reflect your personal styles and tastes as well as celebrate your complete wedding vision!

Melinda Butler Photography, Claris Photography, Julie Dunfey, White Apron Catering, Gourmet Catering