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Thursday 25 January 2007

Reception Catering - Where to start?

1. Firstly…

  • Finalise your reception venue, date and time.
  • Know what reception rentals you need to provide
  • Check with your venue coordinator if you can engage a caterer of your choice or can only use someone recommended by the venue management
  • Start with someone recommended by the venue management as they would most likely have a good reputation, and are familiar with the site kitchen, layout, coordinator, etc.
  • If you prefer to engage someone else, get 5-6 recommendations from trusted friends and family

2. Know how much you are willing to spend

  • Ask yourself how important a role food and drinks play in your dream wedding
  • Most couples spend roughly 30-50% of their total wedding budget on receptions
  • Factors that affect catering costs:
  • Number of guests
  • Number of courses and food choices
  • Cost of ingredients
  • Rentals
  • The way the food is served (seated service, tray passed or buffet style)
  • Caterer’s level of expertise

3. To maximise your time, do preliminary research over the phone

  • Is the caterer available on your wedding date?
  • Can they work within your budget?

4. Schedule meetings with your top three or four picks

  • Have a clear idea of your dream event before the meeting
  • Describe your event clearly to the caterer
  • Questions to ask:
    What range of menu options and courses can you offer that are within my budget?
    How much deposit do you require to reserve your services for my wedding date?
    What is your payment schedule like?
    What is your refund or cancellation policy?
    Do you charge extra to pour coffee for guests?
    Do you have a minimum and maximum requirement for number of guests?
    When do you require the final head count?
    Who will oversee the event and catering staff?
    How many servers will be at my event?
    Do you offer any rentals? If not, can you coordinate rentals, including pick-up and return, with a third party? Can I bring in my own rentals if the cost is less?
    How much time do you need to set up and break down?
    Do you provide bartenders? If yes, how many do I need?
    Do you provide liquor? What is the cost per drink/bottle? Will you buy back unopened bottles?
    Can I bring my own liquor? Is there a corkage fee?
    How do you handle guests who require vegetarian or special meals?
    Do you provide food for the photographer, musicians and/or videographer?
    When do I have to finalise the menu? When will you provide the final cost?
    Will you pack a to-go snack for the bride and groom?
    Will you provide a wedding cake? What about a groom’s cake?
    Will you provide cake boxes for the guests to take home the cake?
    Will you box the top tier of the cake for freezing?
    Do you offer food tasting?

Wednesday 24 January 2007

Upcoming Bridal Events in South Australia

Winter Bridal Ideas Expo 2007
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th July 2007
Ridley Centre, Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Road, Wayville
Entry: $12 Adults $6 Children
For information, visit website or phone 08-82317800

Upcoming Bridal Events in Queensland

Ideal Bride Expo
Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th February 2007
Coffee Club Auditorium, RNA showgrounds, Gregory Terrace, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
Entry: $12, children under 14 years free

d'fine Wedding Style Expo 2007
25th February 2007
9:30am - 3:30pm
Somerset Centre, Dundas Street West, Ormiston
Entry: $5, children under 12 free
For information, phone 07-3821 8303

Queensland Brides Wedding Expo
Friday 30th March till Sunday 1st April
Friday: 5:30pm - 9pm Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Merivale South Bank, Exhibition Hall 4
Entry:$10 Children under 14 yrs FREE

Upcoming Bridal Events in Victoria

The Terrace Reception Centre Bridal Expo
Thursday 1st February 2007
The Terrace Receptions, Royal Botanic Gardens, Corner Alexanda Avenue & Anderson Street, South Yarra
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Entry: Gold coin donation to Starlight
For information, phone 97268940 or email info@bridalexpos.com.au

Lyrebird Falls Bridal Expo
Sunday 4th February 2007
Lyrebird Falls, 175 Monbulk Road, Kallista
10am - 4pm
Entry: Gold coin donation to Starlight
For information, phone 97268940 or email info@bridalexpos.com.au

Myer Eastland Bridal Fair
Sunday 25th February 2007
Myer Eastland, Maroondah Highway, Ringwood
Register online for admission
For information, phone 131443 or email bridalregistry@myer.com.au

Mornington Racecourse Bridal Expo
Sunday 4th March 2007
Racecourse Road, Mornington
10am - 4pm
Entry: Gold coin donation to Starlight
For information, phone 97268940 or email info@bridalexpos.com.au

Myer Chadstone Bridal Expo
Wednesday 7th March 2007
Myer Chadstone, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone
7:30pm - 10pm
For information, phone 95676211 or email bridalregistry@myer.com.au

Moonee Valley Racing Club
Sunday 18th March 2007
Entry: Gold coin donation to the Starlight Foundation
Call 9726 8940 for a free colour brochure

Plenty Ranges Arts Centre Bridal Expo
Sunday 18th March 2007
10am - 4pm
Plenty Ranges Arts Centre
Entry: Gold coin donation to the Starlight Foundation
Call 9726 8940 for a free colour brochure

Linley Estate Bridal Expo
Sunday 25th March 2007
723 Mount Dandenong Road, Kilsyth
10am - 4pm
Entry: Gold coin donation to Starlight
For information, phone 97268940 or email info@bridalexpos.com.au

Upcoming Bridal Events in NSW

Wedding Expos Australia
Sunday 11th February 2007
10am - 3pm
Mercure Hotel Sydney Airport, 20 Levey Street, Wolli Creek, Sydney
FREE admission and FREE parking


Bless the Bride Expo - Sydney's St Valentine Wedding Expo
Sunday 11th February 2007
10am - 5pm
The Hills Centre, Castle Hill (Carrington Road off Showground Road)
Entry: $12 FREE parking
For information, phone 02-94818816

Grand Summer Wedding Expo
Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th February 2007
9am - 5pm
Homebush Sports Centre, Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park
Largest Wedding Expo Event in Sydney with over 200 exhibitors.
Entre: $15, Concession $12, Pensioners / Seniors and Children under 10 yrs Free
For information, email expomania@bigpond.com or phone 0406756136

The Macarthur Summer Wedding Expo
Sunday 18th March 2007
10am - 3pm
Historic Eschol Park House, 14 Eschol Park Drive, Eschol Park
Entry: $5 and receive a copy of 2007 Our Wedding Macarthur and Our Wedding Illawarra Wedding Guides and Your Wedding magazine.

The Illawara Summer Wedding Expo
Sunday 25th March 2007
10am - 3pm
Kembla Grange Race Course, Princes Hwy, Kembla Grange
Entry: $5 and receive a copy of 2007 Our Wedding Macarthur and Our Wedding Illawarra Wedding Guides and Your Wedding magazine.

Wedding Expos Australia
Sunday 11th March 2007
10am - 3pm
Cronulla Sutherland Leagues Club - Captain Cook Drive, Cronulla
FREE admission and FREE parking

Camden Autumn Bridal Fair
Sunday 11th March 2007
Camden Civic Centre, Oxley Street, Camden
FREE entry and FREE parking
For information, phone Ashley on 02-46558681


Forster - Tuncurry Wedding Expo
Sunday 1st April 2007
10am - 3pm
Forster Memorial Services Club, Strand Street, Forster
$7 admission, free for children
Call 02-6559 3335 for more information

Haut Monde Wedding Expo - Double Bay
Sunday 22nd April 2007
9am - 4pm
Stamford Plaza Hotel, 33 Cross Street, Double Bay
Free gift packs for first 100 brides through the door
Entry: $12 Concession: $10 Pensioners/ Seniors and Children under 10 yrs FREE
For information, phone 0406 756 136 or email expomania@bigpond.com

Weddings Expos Australia
Sunday 6th May 2007
10am - 3pm
Castle Hill RSL Club, 77 Castle Street, Castle Hill
FREE admission and FREE parking

Haut Monde Wedding Expo - Illawarra
Sunday 6th May 2007
City Beach Function Centre, Wollongong
Free gift packs for first 100 brides through the door
Entry: $12 Concession: $10 Pensioners/ Seniors and Children under 10 yrs FREE
For information, phone 0406 756 136 or email expomania@bigpond.com

The Macarthur Winter Wedding Expo
Sunday 6th May 2007
10am - 3pm
Campbelltown Catholic Club, 22 Camden Road, Campbelltown
Entry: $5 and receive a copy of 2007 Our Wedding Macarthur and Our Wedding Illawarra Wedding Guides and Your Wedding magazine.

The Illawara Winter Wedding Expo
Sunday 20th May 2007
10am - 3pm
University Function Centre, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Gwynneville
Entry: $5 and receive a copy of 2007 Our Wedding Macarthur and Our Wedding Illawarra Wedding Guides

Autumn Wedding Expo - Bass Hill
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May 2007
9am - 5pm
The Dunc Gray Velodrome, Carysfield Road, Bass Hill
Entry: $10 Concession: $8 Children under 10 FREE
For information, call 0406 756 136 or email expomania@bigpond.com

Is marriage an out-of-date notion?

A friend’s friend is moving in with her boyfriend of three years. My friend wonders why he hasn’t proposed to her yet.

Then I wonder, is marriage necessary in this day and age? Legally, a defacto relationship in Western Australia has the same standing as a marriage. And a marriage can be dissolved almost just as easily as a defacto relationship.

So why get married? Just to have another huge party?



To me, the answer is quite glaring. At heart we are traditional creatures. Many smart strong independent women out there will never admit this to themselves. We want to get married because society dictates that we should get married. Societal norms have been ingrained too deeply within our brains. No matter how much we try, It’ll probably take decades to de-claw our brains.

My friend told me she wants to have kids. And she wants to be married before she has her kids.

That’s a great traditional answer.

Tuesday 23 January 2007

Reception & Venues: Wedding venues

One of the first things you have to do is to pick a venue. Start off with these three websites, specialising in function venues, which offer you a huge array of venues in all parts of Australia.

Venues.com.au


Browse through thousands of venues all across Australia. Narrow down your search with your anticipated number of guests, wedding theme, location and others. Click on results of search to show a summary of the features and contacts for the venue.

Receptionsearch.com.au

Search according to your preferred state/suburb and type of location (e.g. beach, park, hotel). Click on the results to see a summary of features of the venue.

Wedding Reception Venues

See the Top 10 venues in Victoria for different categories

Weddings - fairytale or nightmare?

I’ve always loved weddings. Not only for the magic and the romance of it all. To me, a perfect wedding is like a well-oiled machine. Many many parts working together to produce the final magical romantic production.



Of course it also means a lot of hard work. I’ve started this blog to help all the brides-to-be out there to hopefully minimise all the stress and headaches related to organising and running a wedding. My ultimate goal is for you to enjoy every aspect of planning and executing your fairytale dream wedding.

Stay tuned for some useful tips to turn your wedding planning and execution from a nightmare into a fairytale.