BY

A ALEXANDER EVENT CATERERS LLC

http://www.AlexanderEvent.com

Regardless of their budget every couple wants their wedding day to be special. One of the hardest things to budget when it comes to weddings is the cost of catering. When you are looking for Fort Lauderdale caterers the price per head with many of them can seem overwhelming. Nobody wants to have to slash their guest list or compromise on a lower quality caterer to make their budget. You don’t have to sacrifice the people that are important to you to stay within your catering budget. All you have to do is find Fort Lauderdale caterers that have flexible pricing options.

There are many ways to save money with Fort Lauderdale caterers without it being outwardly obvious to your guests. Many Fort Lauderdale caterers offer discounted pricing on certain days of the week as well as certain times of the year. If you do not have a fixed date in mind for your wedding date this can be an excellent way to save on your wedding expenses without having to cut your guests list. Additionally, it allows you to hire a caterer that may have otherwise been out of your price range.

In addition to saving money on Fort Lauderdale caterers who offer discounted days you can also save money when you are planning the menu. Most Fort Lauderdale caterers have a wide array of choices in cuisine. Certain dishes will undoubtedly be priced hirer than others. So, if you choose a dish that is more affordable as one of your options you may be able to cut costs there as well. This is an excellent way to save money without be obvious about it. When you are planning your menu with your caterer try and select dishes that are varied but inexpensive in costs. Make sure you have a variety so there is something for all of your guests.

Getting married? The first order of business is… congratulations, of course! But next comes a little piece of advice: hold on tight. Because it’s going to be a wild and bumpy ride.

Planning a wedding is a little like marriage itself. Just when you think things are going as smooth as fresh-whipped cream, everything gets… well… as bumpy as cottage cheese. There’s so much to do that, unless you have tons of money to spend on an expensive wedding planner, it’s practically impossible to make everything turn out perfectly. So before you set even one little plan down on paper, put down your pen, take a deep breath, and repeat after me: “It’s my wedding and it’ll be a beautiful, magical day– even if it’s not perfect.”

All done? Good. Grab that pen, print out this guide to planning a wedding, and let’s get started.

Wedding Pre-Planning

1. Your vision. Before doing any real planning, you need to sit down with hubby-to-be and discuss what you want from your wedding. Are you both dreaming of an intimate ceremony with just family and friends? Or does your 200-guest dream wedding clash with his idea of a “no stress” ceremony?

 2. Your budget. It may be unromantic and ordinary, but it’s a necessity– you have to have money to plan a wedding. Calculate a budget and do your best to stick to it.

Planning the Ceremony

 1. Date, Time, and Venue. These are the big ones. While you probably have a time of year in mind for the ceremony, the exact date you choose will generally be dependant on the availability of the ceremony and reception venue(s). Tour several venues to decide which you like best, and book your favorite early.

 2. Your wedding party. As a madly planning bride, it can be easy to lose track of what a wedding is about: the people. Discuss with your fiancé who each of you want as part of the wedding party, and ask them to take part. Bridesmaids can be a big help in the planning process– get them helping early on.

 3. Your gown. This is the fun part! You’ll want to start shopping for your wedding dress early. Find one you love? Ask the botique’s advice on when is the best time to order. Start thinking about tuxes and bridemaid’s dresses, as well.

 4. Your guestlist. Especially if you’re planning a small wedding, you’ll be amazed at the way the guestlist tends to… bloat. This one may take a long time to finalize, so you want to get started early.

 5. Save the date and invitations. As soon as venue, date, and time for your wedding are firm, send “save the date” cards out to guests– especially those from out of town. Also start planning your invitations, but don’t rush. Invitations don’t need to go out until 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

 6. Book ceremony services.

•  Photographer. Great photographers book up quickly, so be sure to shop for the one you like best early. Keep in mind that budget is a big concern here–photography can be one of your most expensive items.

•  Florist. Florists also get booked early– if you find a florist who can meet both your tastes and your budget, book her right away. Doing the flowers yourself? Start looking into wholesale flower services.

•  Officiant. If you’re getting married in a church, the officiant probably comes with the venue. If not, you’ll generally have to book a religious or civil officiant for the ceremony.

•  Music. You may want a band or instrumentalist to play at the beginning or end of the ceremony. Start shopping now.

 
7. Rehearsal dinner. Start planning the guestlist, venue, and menu for the rehearsal dinner.

8. Your vows. You want to leave time to both write and memorize your vows. Don’t plan on writing your own? Sit down with hubby to be and go over your options, deciding what kind of vows you tend to like best.

Planning the Reception

 1. Your food and drink. Here comes one of the most expensive parts of planning a wedding… feeding your guests! While a full-course dinner and terrific open bar are ideal, sometimes they don’t fit in the budget. Calculate what you can spend, and begin shopping for:

• Catering
• Bar services
• Tableware and place settings
• The wedding cake

 Book a caterer early and start discussing the menu ASAP– it’ll have a huge impact on your budget.

 2. The music. First, decide if you want a band or a DJ. Then start checking out your options. There are tons of wedding bands and DJs out there, and they may not all be to your taste. Find one you like? Book him before he’s taken.

 3. The tables. Unless you’re doing open-plan seating, you’ll need to decide where everybody is sitting. This can be a big job, so get started early! You’ll also need to create and decide on:

•  Place settings
• Place cards
• A seating chart
• Table centerpieces

 4. The transportation. If you’re using a limousine service (especially a specialty limousine service) to take you to and from the ceremony and reception, you’ll want to book them early.

 5. The favors. Decide on wedding favors for your guests. Design them around a theme and get started early if you’re making them yourself.

 Planning for After the Wedding

 1. Your honeymoon. After all the stress of planning a wedding, you’re going to need this! So get planning your honeymoon early. Trying to get Dad to pay for the honeymoon as a wedding gift? Get schmoozing right away.

 2. Your name change. If you plan on taking your hubby-to-be’s name after the ceremony, start looking into the paperwork you’ll need beforehand.

 3. Thank you notes. The best time to order thank you cards for your wedding is when you order invitations. Get them addressed and ready to go beforehand, and try to send them out two weeks to one month after the wedding.

 The Married Life

 Congratulations on your engagement! While planning a wedding can be a crazily stressful experience, it’s also a really rewarding one– after all, you’re marrying the man of your dreams. So when you’re feeling a little daunted or a lot overwhelmed, sit down with your hubby to be, have a glass of wine, and relax. If you don’t let yourself get carried away with the details, the stress of planning won’t carry you away.

 Good luck!

Weddings are a handful and if you haven’t yet considered hiring catering options, it could easily turn to a disaster. Imagine the stress of feeding a mob of hungry people with the limited time available compounded by the emotional drama in wedding events, why it’s a time bomb ready to blow anytime! I’m sure you’ll have a hell of a day.

Still haven’t decided? Maybe you’re still weighting the cost disadvantages it will create on your wallet? Well if you are a concerned parent, a distant relative, a close friend or maybe the groom or bride, here are some tips that would certainly set your priorities straight and justify your catering decision on your wedding day or any eating event for that matter.

Consider the time element.
Wouldn’t you rather spend your time preparing yourself for other wedding essentials than getting stuck with lists of food preparations in your kitchen with your mom? Whereas you can have it delegated to people far better than you and can do a better job at it! Spend your time instead on memorizing your vows, have your hair and nails done, and do a perfect makeup job. Better to have wedding memories for these sorts of things than memories of how poorly the chicken was cooked, right? Catering will buy you time.

It may not be as costly as you may think it was.
Caterers usually offer package deals which give you a heads up on the cost per plate. This way you can allocate a budget for your guests ahead of time. Ask if they offer discounts. It won’t hurt asking. If budget is still a concern, then lessen the names in your guest list. Prioritize and cut it down to a more manageable size you can handle financially. It’s not a party after all.

It offers you menu choices that suit you and your guests.
The beauty about catered food is it offers a variety of food fit for most types of guests. You have meats, veggies, fish, fruits and dessert. Some caterers even have food themes like having Spanish menus or maybe even Mediterranean. If you have food specifications like food for vegans, food for certain religious beliefs and food for heath buffs, they will gladly adjust their food preparations accordingly. Try inquiring which menus they have that work best for weddings. I’m sure they have a lot to offer on their plate.

They are flexible to work around your choice of location.
They come in and come out prepared. Forget about concerns regarding table arrangements and order. They got it down to a science. Not only that but from the china to the forks and knives down to the glass and table details, these guys will make sure your guests are taken cared of and provided for. That’s a plus for you again.

You are sure they will offer you the best service they can offer.
Think about it. It’s a business that thrives on both quality food service and repeat business. They long to have sustained businesses with their loyal clients as well as create new ones within the guests in the event itself. So you are sure they will put their best foot forward for you. They will surely dress to impress.
No dirty dishes to wash. Need I say more?

A great wedding is always accompanied by a sumptuous wedding feast that adds to the total joy of an auspicious event. As a wedding is an one time event, no shortcomings in event management and care should be allowed and with food catering being one of the most critical juncture of a wedding function, care must be taken to ensure that the your guests are not left disappointed with the meals and drinks at store after all the formalities are completed. Unfortunately, wedding caterings can get pretty expensive if left astray and great care must be taken to ensure that you deliver a flawless meal without any shortcomings even if you are on a budget. Always keep in mind that even a rather humble meal course can be turned into a great success if delivered with modestly, class and love.

        Keeping Fort Lauderdale Caterers in mind, let us review certain ideas that will help you cut down on your catering budget without comprising on quality or taste.

            A buffet system for a wedding can always turn out to be much more cost effective than a sit down due to the lesser number of staff involved. Besides, a buffet based wedding in a decent location makes the event even more fun filled and classy. If the marriage is to be held in late morning, serving a good quintet of salads makes great sense. You can serve a wide array of wide array of salad dressings and fruits. Simillary if the wedding is to be held in the evenings, you can insist your Fort Lauderdale catering service provider to arrange a wide selection of deserts and with beverages like coffee and tea. You can also arrange for food items such as oysters, chicken wings and egg rolls. In addition, you can always serve your guests cake if the event is not held during meal times.

              One of the biggest follies of any wedding party is serving an overdose of wine and alcohol. This can often shoot your budget a great deal and often mess up your entire wedding plans. In this regard, you can ask your Fort Lauderdale caterer to stock only a limited supply of wine or even cut out alcoholic drinks from the overall menu so that you do not have to overpay and also avoid the risk of someone getting hung up and ruining the party.

              One of the biggest worries for any wedding event is that you may not have the total number of guests for whom you have reserved the meals. As a rule of the thumb, keep in mind that nearly 5-10% people fail to turn up for the event and a careful planning with this regard can save quite a lot of money which you spend elsewhere. Always appoint someone to keep a count of the total number of confirmed guests for the party so that you have a clear idea of who all will be missing out the event. Once you come up with a final number, talk to your Fort Lauderdale Caterer about the situation at hand and he/she can always alter the total number of plates to be served so that you end up saving more. One of the best ways to make a wedding a grand success is to ensure that you appoint those Fort Lauderdale Catering services that have a fine track record in serving with humbleness and modesty. Remember that good serving and a neat ambience counts for a lot in the end. A good choice of crockery will also help you as it makes the overall eating experience a royal one without burning a hole in your pocket.

             A wedding is that one time when you can forget all bitterness and ravel in the spirit of eternal union. While it is the marriage itself that holds primary importance, it should be noted that much of the fun and merry making takes place at the buffet or sit down’s . Unlike most other functions, a wedding catering service is not tied down by huge time constraints and you can always add to the taste to the food courses offered with your gentle and modest approach. With the above given ideas in mind, ensure that you communicate well with your Fort Lauderdale catering service provider properly before coming upon a final decision so that you get the bets of both worlds i.e. a great party without much expenses on your Fort Lauderdale caterers.

   Wedding Catering- The essence for any wedding party

A wedding is a perfect occasion and event for a together of family friends and relatives. While the marriage itself takes centre stage, it is the meal offered that often stays in the memory of most. Good wedding meals coupled with a fabulous selection of wines leads to a happy, jovial get together and adds to the charm of the auspicious event.            

      No marriage party is ever complete without a scrumptious meal and hence wedding reception adds plays a crucial part in the overall success of the wedding. After all the formalities of a marriage are up, the focus invariably shifts to eating and merry making coupled with a good dosage op wine and beverages. A wedding is a one-time experience and since all close relatives and friends are called upon, a proper catering plan should be arranged so that nobody goes home disappointed. While individual plans can be arranged, handing the catering over to a caterer is the best way to go about things. One should also take into account the total number of guests before deciding whether to go for in house or outdoors Fort Lauderdale catering services. While in house catering may turn out to be lesser heavy on the pocket, off premise caterers are always more preferable due to the excellent ambience and environment it offers.

        The main aim of any wedding catering should be to serve foods, which are both delicious and pacify the hunger of the anticipating guests. While a simple business event requires a dinner to boot, a well phased out wedding party often requires more than a single meal course as well as well-decorated wedding cake with proper bar service. It is always advisable to choose the dishes to be served out based on the total number of guests at the party. For example, if a Fort Lauderdale catering service is hosting a wedding party is based on some Italian theme, it would make perfect sense for the Fort Lauderdale caterers to serve Italian food dishes. Moreover one should always keep in mind that the dishes of one genre may not suit well to all people and additional side dishes should be kept in stock so that people who aren’t too fond of non vegetarian dishes or Italian food would not be let down. Though brining in more food stocks than required may sound as an afterthought, it is always good wedding sense to keep an extra stock of meals so that you do not face the embarrassment of falling short at any point of time.

                A good selection of wines and beverages also adds to the charm of a wedding party and is crucial to the overall success of the wedding. Besides the wine selection should be kept neat and spacious and a wise choice of crockery should be also be selected. Remember to add mineral water and other beverages such as soft drinks and fruit juices to the overall drinks menu so that those guests who aren’t particularly fond of bar drinks will always have an alternate to count upon.

             While a sumptuous meal always makes for a great party, care must be taken to ensure that the meals are served on time and those in charge of serving are humble and polite. It always makes great sense to appoint catering guides who assist the food serves on how to treat the guests at the place. In addition, it is always preferable to place food counters at different places instead of one to avoid unnecessary over crowding.

               One of the best ways to find top notch Fort Lauderdale caterers is to go online or to refer to yellow pages which keep details of all the reputed Fort Lauderdale catering providers. Always insist on selecting those Fort Lauderdale caterers who have built up a reputation for flawless catering services over a period of time. Most new age catering services have spread their wings on the World wide web and you can always go online to pick out premium Fort Lauderdale catering services that would assist you in making your wedding party a grand success.

       Only society’s who’s who can get away with decadent weddings, particularly on posh venues at Boca Raton; so if having a Boca Raton wedding seems normal to you, you’re undoubtedly among the ‘it’ crowd.  A Boca Raton wedding is pricey to say the least, and if you intend to have two venues for the occasion (for the ceremony and the reception), the costs can double easily.  But since you probably will have an open budget with such an expensive event, you’ll probably concern yourself with the minute details, regardless of the cost.

          Be sure that there are plenty of venues to accommodate your Boca Raton wedding.  In such an exclusive city and in such a balmy state, everywhere is a good place to get married so long as the occasion doesn’t coincide with the hurricane months.  There are plenty of villas and mansions with sprawling vineyards and gardens for an outdoor Boca Raton wedding, or if you want something more formal, you can have a church wedding in any of the denominational and non-denominational churches in the city.  It is best to hire an experienced wedding coordinator in order to avoid the potential hassle of missing out on important elements in your Boca Raton wedding.

            You’ll also have to thoroughly consider your Boca Raton wedding reception.  This is the festive part of the occasion, and the venue should reflect the mood.  Of course you can choose to have both the ceremony and the reception in the same general area, especially if the place itself is irresistible to begin with (as is the case with garden weddings).  But if you’re concerned about how the weather will affect your Boca Raton wedding, you might want to have the reception held indoors, within a reception hall.  The reception hall should be the first of the few things which you have to decide on early since it is a key element to your Boca Raton wedding.  Visit as many reception halls as you can with your fiancé/fiancée, and keep in mind the potential number of your guests; they hall should be accommodated cozily enough while providing enough elbow room for everybody.

            Settling in early on your choice is important since Boca Raton wedding reception halls book as early as nine months prior to the event, and you’ll want to secure your reservations before someone else makes it; a Boca Raton wedding is a common event, and most venues are usually fully-booked for an entire year.  Ask in detail about their services; reception halls should be fully-furnished and should even offer added frills, such as table centerpieces and votive candles.  Once you are set on a specific reception hall, you’ll have to put in a deposit to secure your reservation; the normal amounts range from five to ten percent of the total cost, and you have to fulfill the entire amount at least two weeks prior to the event.  Ask about cancellation policies; if these apply, play safe and place only the minimum amount as deposit.  A Boca Raton wedding may be expensive, but even you should be able to save with such extravagance.

Tips For Choosing Boca Raton Caterers

        Boca Raton is one of the hippest places in Florida to be in, and those who live in it can be considered as part of the exclusive elite.  So if you’re hosting a gala or even the most intimate functions in venues within the city, no one can doubt that you are in tune with Floridian chic.  Naturally, you’d want to impress your guests with the minutest details, but particularly their palates.  Since Boca Raton is famous for everything upscale, you’d achieve this purpose by hiring the best of the best Boca Raton Caterers.  There are plenty of fine dining restaurants in the city which also offer catering services, but how exactly should you choose among various Boca Raton caterers, each with its own specialty and brand of service?

The Caterer can make or break your reception , and before you choose one, you have to consider several factors; the nature and formality of your function, for one thing.  Are you having a post-Superbowl party for friends?  Choose Boca Raton Caterers who specialize in barbecues or grilled foods.  If you’re having a formal wedding, you’ll naturally go for Boca Raton Caterers who offer more intricate dishes.  Consider your budget as well, especially when choosing between a buffet-style dinner or per-person meals.  You should also be concerned about how the food is delivered and prepared at the venue, and who will prepare and serve the meals.

        Your decision in choosing for Boca Raton caterers should be guided by reliable sources, personal recommendations first.  Ask around among your friends, relatives, and colleagues if they opted for a caterer on their own functions, and as to which of the Boca Raton caterers they hired.  You’ll get more juicy tidbits on the quirks and merits of each caterer in this way, those which you won’t find in the brochures and the online sites.  Online directories and phonebooks also have listings for Boca Raton caterers, but choosing among them can be difficult since you don’t have much to base your decision on.  You may also ask your function coordinator or the venue manager for recommendations.  Filter out your choices, and look for Boca Raton caterers who specialize in the menu you intend to have for your event.  When you’ve narrowed them down to the chosen few, interview them for an in-depth knowledge of what they have to offer.

Request for sample menus from the Boca Raton caterers, and browse through these thoroughly before you spend time with an interview; this will help sort out the ones which don’t offer services for your particular needs.  Inquire as to who will be in charge of food preparation and catering management; who will serve the meals, and if the catering team is familiar with the venue.  Boca Raton caterers should also comply with state regulations and health requirements.  If everything you ask for fits to a tee with your needs, your Boca Raton caterers should then make a formal offer to you to sample their food, so you can decide if their specialties and the style of their cooking will be suitable to your taste.

Boca Raton Catering Services; Tips And Warnings

        Hosting an event at a posh venue in upscale Boca Raton can be quite pricey, but if money isn’t an issue for you in the first place, then go ahead and splurge to your heart’s content.  Business is booming, no doubt, with a party happening at any given time and place.  If you plan to have your own function at Boca Raton, you won’t go wrong with Boca Raton Catering services.  The city is dotted with fine dining restaurants, and it is but natural that Boca Raton Catering services rank among the best in the country as well.

       Elbow-rubbing functions usually start with hors d’oeuvres samplings, whether you plan to have a full dinner or a cocktail party.  For Boca Raton catering services which come with full meals, hors d’oeuvres should be available at the early hours of the function.  For cocktails and tea parties, these usually take the place of the main course.  Finger foods come in all assortments, depending on the function and the entrée on the main meal (if it is offered).  Hors d’oeuvres can be laid out on tables, allowing the guests to choose as they please, or they can be offered on separate trays by roaming attendants.

Receptions which are held in facilities like restaurants and hotels usually come packaged with Boca Raton catering services, and all you have to do is to select from a set menu.  However, if the venue does not offer food as a part of the package, you’ll have to hire Boca Raton catering services from third parties.  Boca Raton catering services are responsible for the preparation, decoration, and the serving of food.  These also answer for the beverages, and for the task of cleaning up after the function.  Ensure that you are in agreement with your Boca Raton catering service provider before you sign the contract; the agreement should detail the kind and amount of meals to be served, the per-head cost of meals, and the number of attendants to be provided.

          The meals can be served either in buffet style, or as individual per-plate portions.  Choose the menu in accordance to the time of the day, the season, and the type of function.  Boca Raton catering services offer lots of dish alternatives which suit every purpose, but for larger events, you won’t go wrong with chicken or beef entrees.  Talk to your Boca Raton catering service provider and ask for their specialties.  It is best to choose a Boca Raton catering service provider which specializes in a specific dish if you want that option to be available at the meal.

If you want to have an open bar at the reception and the venue does not offer liquor, your Boca Raton catering service provider can answer for this need as well – so long as it carries an alcohol license, and the venue allows the serving of such beverages.  Make sure that the bar sticks to the laws on minors, and since you may be made to answer legally for your guests, you may want to moderate alcohol consumption, say a drink per hour per guest.

Tips For Hiring a South Florida Party Planner*

        Throwing a party can be quite a task if you consider all the
preparation which is necessary to pull it off. Outdoor parties are great in South Florida’s balmy weather, but if you relatively have no experience with organizing gatherings, you could ease the burden off of your shoulders and hire a South Florida Party Planner.

     Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a grand bar mitzvah, a good South Florida party planner takes care of all the work to the minutest detail, and can pull in together all the strings (catering, accommodations, décor, entertainment, invitations, valet parking, venue search), which make a great party work.

         Of course, you want only the best in service. An ideal South Florida party planner should do more than facilitate a party, but should take an active part in the event itself, cutting costs where it is needed, and
adjusting when necessary. Since the planner should have enough
experience with putting together such gatherings, he or she should also
be able to make suggestions in the menu, the location, and the décor,
anything which probably haven’t crossed your mind but is a good idea
nonetheless. If you’re having a bar mitzvah, your South Florida party
 planner should naturally be very familiar with Jewish customs and
kosher food for the occasion.

How should you choose a South Florida party planner?

 You consider his or her advertised qualifications, and get as much previous customer
feedback as possible. This is why many people opt for those who are
recommended by a friend or relative. You get to really know a
planner’s good and bad side with second-hand knowledge. You may have attended a
friend or relative’s party and liked how it turned out as well –
this is first-hand knowledge of service, and is probably the best way to go.

 If you choose to select your South Florida party planner from a directory,
 try to contact the people whom they have serviced in the past so you
get an idea of how they work.

          Once you’ve settled on a few candidates, it’s time to arrange an
interview with each of them; it is recommended that you meet the South
Florida party planner in person to ascertain if both of you click at
the get go. Alexander Event is one of the very few in the market that has a FULLY OPERATIONAL SHOWROOM.Do some research on the planner’s service history, and ask
about recently-organized parties. Let the planner talk in detail about his or
 her latest event; did something go wrong with the event, and what did
he or she do to make up for it? How was the food? How many guests
attended and were they all accommodated accordingly? Was there a particularly
difficult guest whom the planner had to deal with personally? How was
the situation handled? Only after you’ve ensured that this South
Florida party planner is the one for you should you talk about rates. Inquire
about flat rates, and also whether the cost covers for an all-inclusive
 package, or it is for specific services only. The fee should be
competitive enough when compared to other candidates.