Trend - Bite Size Hors D'oeuvres

Out with the large pastry puff appetizers and bowls of soup before dinner. Make room for the bite size hors d'oeuvres and demitasse of soup. More couples are planning receptions with poppable treats and tiny shots of flavor fusion. There's nothing more awkward then trying to enjoy a delectable hors d'oeuvre that's hard to handle and take a bite from without spilling the contents down your chin. Bite size solves your potential dilemma.

Photo provided by Sarah Maren Photography
Hors d'oeuvres by Events at Quarry Ponds

Tip - Wow Your Guests With an Intermezzo Course

The “WOW” factor. Every bride hopes, her guests will leave the wedding saying “WOW that was amazing!” Here is one simple idea that will really get a “WOW” out of your guests. If you are hosting a sit down dinner, consider incorporating an intermezzo course between the salad and entree. Serve a small lemon or mint sorbet to cleanse the pallet and prepare the taste buds for the dinner to come. Display the sorbet in a beautiful dish, or glass. You can even float the sorbet with vodka if you really want to impress your guests. It is a small, inexpensive way to get a big ”WOW” every time.

Tip provided by Quarry Ponds
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Tip - Coordinate Your Menu For The Season

Make sure you coordinate your menu for the season. Too many times brides overlook the fact that heavy pasta with cream sauce in July doesn’t work as well a light evoo and shrimp toss. In the winter have bisque and in the summer gazpacho!Tip provided by Quarry Ponds
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Tip - Unique Dessert Options

Elaborate tiered wedding cakes may become a thing of the past, we are now seeing many incarnates of the traditional wedding cake. Cupcakes and chocolate fountains are wonderful alternatives to a traditional cake.
If you want something really special, consider providing petite cakes as the centerpiece on your tables. If you have themed tables, you can customize each cake to reflect that theme. Petite cakes are a great way to save money -- you get a fabulous dessert and beautiful centerpiece all in one.

Tip provided by Quarry Ponds
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Demitasse Your Way To WOW!

The “WOW” factor. Every bride hopes, her guests will leave the wedding saying “WOW” that was so great. Here is one simple idea that will really get a “WOW” out of your guests. Incorporate a demitasse of bisque or gazpacho as one of your passed appetizers. A demitasse is simply a small china cup – similar to an espresso mug. The presentation is beautiful and it makes people feel very elegant, slowly sipping out of a tiny porcelain cup. This is a sophisticated way to step outside of the box -- you’re sure to hear quite a few “WOWs”.
Tip provided by Quarry Ponds
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Trend - Family Style Dinner

So you’re torn. You don’t want a buffet, but can’t afford a sit down dinner. What other options are there? Well an up and coming new trend is “family style”-large platters of food placed on the table for passing around. Family style dishes allow your guests to help themselves to more without having to leave the table. It also exudes a more casual feel which will allow people to relax and mingle at the table.

Trend provided Quarry Ponds
Photo courtesy Sharpe Photographers

Tip - Keep the Bubbly Bountiful

Everyone loves champagne at a wedding! Often champagne is only offered for the toast, but, a single glass per person is never enough. Consider cutting back in another area to offer champagne throughout the reception. It encompasses the entire thought of celebration.
Ask your friends, if they would rather have two white wine or red wine options, or would they rather have one of each and champagne? My guess is champagne will win hands down!

Tip provided by Quarry Ponds
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Themed Menus

No more typical wedding cuisine -- brides are now selecting Moroccan, Indian, or Hawaiian themed menus to compliment their wedding theme. Find a caterer who can cater to your theme, or food style. Don’t limit yourself- anything is possible!

Trend provided by Events at Quarry Ponds
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Trend - Hors D' Oeuvres vs. Buffet

Forget the tradition of sit down, wait to be dismissed and stand in a buffet line. Have different food stations with heavy hors d’ Oeuvres and light entrées.

Allow your guests to move and mingle while eating continuously. Offer a few low tables for the older generation and bridal party, but scatter cocktail tables throughout, it gives the feeling of movement and is very modern.

Trend provided by Quarry Ponds

Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl

Tip - The Smithtini

If you want to have a full bar at your reception, but can’t justify the cost, have a signature drink instead!

Take your wedding colors and theme to create a variation of your favorite drink, in a martini glass of course. You save on alcohol cost, the cost of a full service bartender and still have a beautiful drink to serve.
You never know...it might be so fabulous it becomes a classic!

Tip provided by Quarry Ponds

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Simplify the Process

Pay a little more and get a full service caterer who will also supply any rentals you need. By doing this, you will limit the number of vendors you are have to coordinate which will help to simplify the planning process.

Tip provided by Quarry Ponds

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Quarry Ponds Inc.

Nestled on a six acre pond in beautiful Granite Bay you will find an oasis of fine food, boutiques and a fresh market... the perfect place to have your wedding, celebrations, or rehearsal dinner. Imagine... saying your vows with a backdrop of rolling hills & wild geese -- an elegance unsurpassed. At Quarry Ponds we encompass a full circle of the finer thins in life.

Have your ceremony overlooking the pond and your reception under the front canopy. Quarry Ponds also has a market hall that can be used for your special event. Come celebrate with us!

If your heart is set on another location, we can bring our exquisite cuisine to you. We create perfect celebrations every day - especially for you.

site: www.quarryponds.com
email: rachel@quarryponds.com
contact: Rachel Kellogg
phone: (916) 797-4060
address: 5540 Douglas Blvd, Suite 110
Granite Bay, CA 95746