Essence of Events, LLC

Knowing what kinds of foods you like is one thing (pizza, ice cream, yum!) but deciding what to serve your guests at your wedding is quite another. Formal or casual? Buffet or sit down? Red meat or white? There are so many options and I bet I’ve overwhelmed you with just those few!

At Essence of Events, LLC we have over 20 years of experience in this industry, which means that we know a lot about what kinds of food to serve at your wedding (and yes, some people do serve their favorites: pizza and ice cream, yum!) and we are here to help.

We are going to help you start thinking about catering options by breaking down what style of reception you want for your wedding catering. Read on for our tips and tricks!

Sit down reception. This is a formal way of serving your guests. Your friends and family will be served their entrée by wait staff. It is elegant and traditional; although many believe that it can be more expensive option, unbelievably, it's not! a good way to remember is less food, less cost.

Family style feeding. With this meal style, your guests are seated but are served from communal plates at the table. This is a great option for socializing, and is almost a forced mingling exercise. It helps to bond guests when they don’t know each other, easy for picky eaters or those with dietary restrictions to just have the option of passing what they can't have or don't like.

Buffet option. A popular option that offers lots of choice and requires fewer servers. however, it can be more expensive than the sit down reception. But, because you can offer more food selections, it is great for those who have guests who are known to be big eaters and want to skip the menu options for guests before the wedding. But long lines at the buffet mean grumpy guests, so beware!

Specialty reception. Depending on your personal taste and budget, you may not choose to serve a traditional dinner. Instead, breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea, dessert, and appetizers may be great alternative options.

At Essence of Events, LLC we can help you at every stage of your planning, from décor and design, menu selection, to budgeting and timelines; we create unique and beautiful weddings and events.

To find out more about us, the services we offer, and to schedule your free, initial consultation call 253.292.1482 or email contact@essenceofevents.com

Written by Samantha Macrae

Everything is better when it’s smaller; cute little babies, puppies, and of course your credit card bill! But when you think of food, bigger is better, right?! Engorge! Stuff your face!

Uh, wrong!

Mini foods are completely stylish, and are a huge (mini?) trend at weddings right now. So although you might be going to the reception thinking “Oh yeah! Free food!” and then get disappointed because you expected to load up at the carving station, just put down your (pitch) fork for a moment, because small foods are better than they sound!

These foods may just be bite-size but they are sure to pack a punch with your taste buds when it comes to their delectable flavors. Brides and grooms aren’t just shrinking their portions to save a few bucks; instead they are giving you new and exciting options to pick from instead of potentially icky wedding foods. Plus if you’re lucky, you can go back a couple of times and load up on a few of these yummy snacks.

So take a gander at what could be in store for you at your next wedding. You won’t be disappointed, we promise!

Mini sandwiches, beer, and sliders; this is a perfect late night wedding feast! We just can’t get over how cute the mini beer glasses are, and the food just looks so tasty.

Hotdogs that you can eat in one or two bites! Perfect! Now you aren’t going to make a mess of your wedding attire but can still enjoy this classic favorite.

Lots of plentiful salad options here!

Tomato soup with a grilled cheese for dunkin’! What a happy cocktail hour combination!

I’m really excited about this one; hot chocolate with a donut! And are those marshmallows in the glass? You can’t get much better than that!

Chocolate chip cookies and a shot of milk for dessert hour. This is great for kids, or adults who might have Peter Pan syndrome, or just anyone who loves this classic!

Mini chocolate parfaits. But there are so many other yummy options for desserts in a shot glass that you wouldn’t want to down them in one gulp!

There are many other delicious options available to miniaturize out there as well, including pancakes, quiches, pizzas, pies, and much more. Just use your imagination, or take a list of your favorite foods and make them bite-sized.

For more unique wedding ideas, and to get all your questions answered, contact Essence of Events today.

To set up your free, initial consultation call 253.292.1482 or email contact@essenceofevents.com

Written by Samantha Macrae

Food bars are increasingly popular at weddings nowadays. Typically, all a bride and groom needs to do to make these stations a success is to make them look creatively presented, in a bar or food station set up for guests, and provide food, it’s as simple as that!

Usually they require guests to do their part in creating and customizing their own cocktail, meal, snack, or dessert. There is a reason why everyone loves them; unlimited options and unlimited fun! It is something your guests can do during cocktail hour, or even during the reception. Plus, bonus; it can even double as wedding favors, with the right amount of ingredients, of course! There is a reason this is a great idea, for guests and couples alike!

These stations featured below aren’t just about food that tastes good, but they are beautifully and inspiringly presented. So dig in, and try not to drool (too much, anyway!) to grab some ideas for your upcoming event!

These fireside munchies could encompass a larger theme of foods for a campfire. They are all so cute and bring guests together when they are roasting s’mores, chatting, and bonding over the different flavors of popcorn.

Who says coffee and tea stations have to be boring? Warm your guests up by creating cozy and inviting atmospheres with proper mugs instead of paper, toss-away cups.

These sweet treats look too good to eat! Whether you’re encouraging your guests to opt for donuts vs. wedding cake, or providing glass jars for take-away ice cream with signature toppings, there are always a variety of options to choose from.

These savory snacks are perfect for cocktail hour, or even the reception instead of a buffet. From tacos, to DIY grilled cheese, even put-it-together potatoes, there is bound to be something to appeal to everyone’s taste buds.

Drink up, and enjoy a cocktail! Why pay that bartender when you have guests who know how to shake and stir just as well? Provide them with some mixers and some extra ingredients and you’re bound to have some weird and wonderful combinations coming your way!

With a little bit of preparation, anyone can set up a fancy dessert bar or food station with a reasonable budget. First, decide whether you want to go with a larger theme, like foods for the campfire, an all-white candy bar, sweet and salty, movie munchies, childhood treats, or even just a collection of the bride and groom's all-time favorites. Or you may be set on a specific item; s'mores, cookies, cheesecakes, tacos, baked potatoes, French fries, whiskey, Bloody Marys or mimosas, for instance. Focus on that one item and go all-out. Think about different toppings, possible combinations and variety.

We are always here to help you at Essence of Events, LLC. Just set up your free, initial consultation and we can answer all your questions regarding food, planning, design, or any other concerns.

To contact us, call 253.292.1482 or email us at contact@essenceofevents.com

Written by Samantha Macrae

Wedding food used to just be limited to beef, chicken, or if you were lucky, a fish option. Then there was a champagne toast with a boring white cake to follow. Fortunately in the past few years, couples have become infinitely more creative and have started incorporating not only more delicious food options onto their menus, but foods from their cultures, and those from around the world. Couples who are finding ways to set their celebration apart from the rest are discovering the best way to do so is to stray away from the American wedding menu, and venture into new territory.

With traditions from world cultures, couples can draw upon their diverse backgrounds to create a unique blend for their day. Variety is the spice of life, and these foods from around the world will certainly add a new flavor to your wedding. Whether you are searching for ways to incorporate your heritage into your day, interested in learning more about other cultures, or are just a foodie; read further for how other nations use food to celebrate on wedding days.

Bermuda: Wedding cakes are topped with a sapling, which then couple then plants in the garden.

China: Wedding banquets in China consist of eight courses. Peking duck is usually on the menu, because it is a red dish and because ducks mate for life. Another popular dish is chicken; showing balance. The whole bird would typically appear on the dish.

England: The fruitcake that often people shun during the holidays is an enduring wedding food tradition in England. Not all fruit cakes are frumpy; the elegant wedding cake appearing at the wedding reception of William and Kate (above) was a fruitcake!

France: French couples often forgo a traditional cake in favor of a croquembouche, which are cream puffs assembled into a tower, and held together with sugar. There is the theory that if a bride and groom could kiss over the top of the tower, without knocking it over, then they would enjoy a prosperous life together.

Italy: At weddings in Italy, guests will receive five sugared almonds. The almonds remind the couple that life can be both bitter and sweet.

Mexico: I’m sure you’ve heard of Mexican Wedding Cookies. These delicate, crumbly, and just-sweet treats will finish off the banquet at a Mexican wedding. The butter and sugar reminds the couple of the richness and love in togetherness. The cookies are finished off by being rolled in powdered sugar.

Do you want to learn more about incorporating food and traditions into your big day? Do you have questions for our planners about cultures and catering? Contact our highly skilled Wedding Planners today to set up a free, initial consultation to get all your questions answered.

Call 253.292.1482 or email us at contact@essenceofevents.com to set up your initial consultation.

Written by Samantha Macrae