The cocktail style event when planned correctly is one of the most enjoyable event styles for your guests!  That being said, there is a very specific way of planning these events so that they work.  There are aspects of the cocktail style event that can be slightly adjusted but for the most part the following items must happen for it to be successful and if you aren't comfortable with these items then you may want to think twice about having a cocktail style reception.  

- The food stations should be in the same room as the guests:
**Guests should feel as if they can grab food at their leisure and not have to load up on a plate.  Also, this way the caterer can keep up on replenishment so the stations do not run the risk of running out of an item.

- The food stations should not be next to each other:
**Guests should not feel the need to go through one food station, then through the next, and the next…  They should, rather, feel that they can have items from one station and then sit down, relax, and enjoy items for the other stations at their leisure.

- The plates for the stations should be appetizer sized plates.  The appropriate silverware and napkins should be at each station rather than on the table.  Drinks should be accessed from a bar.  A non-alcoholic water/lemonade/tea station is always a great idea!
**Guests should be able to access everything they need for each station without having to look for anything.  So if you are serving soup then a soup spoon would be provided on the station.  That way if they would rather walk around with their items they can easily do that.  On the same line of thinking, the seating and standing tables should not have place settings on the tables as this may confuse guests since those are items for sit down dinners or buffets.  Food items that you choose should be easy to eat and not require a lot (or any) cutting.  For instance, you can still do a carving station but use a more tender cut of beef or pork that can easily go on a bun rather than roast beef or prime rib that would need to be sliced with a knife and fork.

-Timing:  Food stations should open as soon as guests enter from the ceremony, so there won't be a cocktail reception but rather the whole event is a cocktail reception.  This way they can help themselves to food and drinks at their leisure.  You can offer passed appetizers for the first 20 or 30 minutes as guests arrive, but the stations must still be open at that time too.
**It's key that all the guests never sit down and then get up for food stations open after that, if this happens, all the guests will line up for the stations creating unbearable lines.  If you would like to have some passed appetizers for the first 30 minutes then this will help get food into the hands of those guests who are going to eat last and drink first.   If you are planning a prayer then this would happen after the Welcome from the father of the bride (even though the food stations have been open already).  This should happen about 30 to 45 minutes into the cocktail reception.  The father of the bride or the MC can encourage guests to eat and drink at their leisure and let them know that toasts will happen soon (about another 30 to 45 min after the welcome).

- How will people know that the food stations are opened?  The catering staff will approach groups of guest and will invite them to the stations, “Food stations are open, please help yourself!"  This way guests know that they may enjoy the food at their leisure.  
**Servers inviting guests to the stations is by far the most elegant way to communicate to the guests rather than someone trying get get people's attention on a microphone, but you may have a DJ or MC announce this too or simply have them remind guests that they may eat after the Welcome (see previous guideline). You may also place a short evening timeline on the program or on a menu card for guests that explains the flow too.

- Grand Entrance and Welcome:  The Grand Entrance and Welcome should happen 45min into the reception and at this time the father of the bride, MC, or whomever is making the welcome can remind guests that food stations are open and that toasts will occur shortly (about 30min after the Welcome).  Before the Toasts is the perfect time to have the Cake Cutting as this will help get people's attention for the Toasts.  After the Toasts it's a good idea to head into the First Dance (then Father/Daughter, Mother/Son) this way the evening moves forward and an exciting pace for your guests.

Feel free to contact me with any questions about the Cocktail Reception, it is by far my favorite type of reception and your guests will love how fun it is!

Thank you for reading!

Anthony

You wouldn't think that something as simple as a form would excite me this much, but it does!  If you haven't check it out yet jotform.com is a simple easy to use way to create any type of on-line form.  I use them throughout my website to collect information from my clients and potential clients.  As you plan your event you my find it also invaluable!  

If you want a very simple and organized way for your guests to RSVP for your event check out this sample RSVP form I created at jotform.com:

http://www.jotform.us/form/50624673956161

This will populate directly into an excel file for an always current RSVP count.  And since it has the ability to link with your Paypal you could also use it to create your own ticketing system or other fun ways for guests to interact with you and other guests for your event.

Give it a try today!

I found this article on the KC Allstar's website.  My client and I booked them for their wedding and I found this to be very interesting and helpful!  I hope it will help you also!  I must give full credit to Adam Blue from the KC Allstars and if you need a fantastic band, email me and I will introduce you to the booking agent!

Many couples today prefer to make their own playlists on their iPods and use them at their wedding reception.  To do this, all you need to do is create seperate playlists for every phase of the reception and make your iPod available for the band to operate it from the stage.  No special cables are needed - just get your iPod to the band before guests arrive.

Programming your iPod correctly:

To program your iPod for your wedding reception you must create the following SEPERATE playlists on your iPod:
Cocktails - program about 1 hour of cocktail music - keep it upbeat but classy - Sinatra, Buble, James Taylor, etc.

Intro - if you are being introduced by the band to your guests then put your intro song on this playlist - make it something fun like "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" or maybe your college fight song, etc.

Cake Cutting - some couples like to have a song for the cake - it usually goes un-noticed by the guests but if you would like put a song here - "build me up buttercup", "how sweet it is to be loved by you", "sugar sugar", etc.

Dinner - about 1 hour of dinner music - strictly background - your guests will all be talking so they won't really hear it anyway - stick with jazz or other "laid back" songs.  If you're a Kansas City Jazz fan, our favorite dinner music CD is from Kansas City's own jazz pianist Joe Cartwright - his CD's are PERFECT for dinner music at weddings and you can pick them up at Joe Cartwright's Jazz CD Store online.

First Dances - put your first dance song, your father of the bride song, your mother of the groom song and your wedding party dance song on this list IN ORDER.  It is SUPER important that these songs are in the correct order on your playlist or embarrassing mistakes will occur!

Break Music - put at least an hour of break music on this playlist - the band may not use it all so put your favorites at the top of the list.  DO NOT put any songs on this list that are listed at www.kcallstars.com/songlist .

Tosses - put your bouquet toss / garter toss songs here IN ORDER.


*Credit to KC Allstars

Brides Against Breast Cancer™  is an organization serving  a very “pink” purpose – their gown sales fund programs and services that are free to cancer patients and their families.  BABC will be headed to the Stoney Creek Inn on Sunday, February 8th!

Through its “Original Nationwide Tour of Gowns” bridal shows, Brides Against Breast Cancer plans to unveil more than 100 shows in 2014.  In cities nationwide, with an average offering of nearly 600 new or gently worn bridal dresses, brides-to-be will find their dream gown at a greatly reduced cost.  BABC sells new and gently used designer gowns, including all designer brands imaginable.   We also have the perfect bridal accessories -- including Tiaras, veils and shoes, all available for purchase.    

“Wedding gown sales are an important fundraising program for Brides Against Breast Cancer.  Our organization makes it possible for future brides around the country to purchase wedding gowns at dramatic savings, and give back,” said Amy Paulishak, VP Business Development, Brides Against Breast Cancer.   “Most gown prices range from $75 to $799, including beautiful new name brand and designer gowns valued up to $3,000. We also offer layaway.”

Another benefit of attending the event is the opportunity to meet with local wedding vendors. Brides Against Breast Cancer brings in a limited amount of local vendors to exhibit, and many will have exciting giveaways for you and your friends.

Here’s how you can help:

·      If you’d like to help Brides Against Breast Cancer fulfill their mission, there are several ways to get involved. They are accepting donations of contemporary gown styles, slips and veils dating from 2009 to current.

·      Tell your friends, family and soon-to-be brides about the Upcoming Event in your city.

·      Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at https://twitter.com/BABCTour and https://www.facebook.com/BABCTour

·      Go online to www.bridesabc.org  to learn more.  Or call 877-721-4673 

Talking about wedding insurance can be as difficult as chatting about a prenup!  You wouldn't imagine going to a concert or some other large public gathering with out being confident that the organizers have insurance, but how different is a wedding?  Not much, except for the face that at least half the guests know you.  Even when people know you and love you, things do happen from a slip an fall to drinking and driving.  And your cousin's date may not think twice about legal action.  And who would be responsible?  Usually the bride and groom.  This is because the venue typically will be held harmless for issues like this and so will the caterer.  Legal action because of wedding accidents happens and it's very simple to protect yourself, you can get 1 million dollars of insurance for usually between $150-200.  I recommend LMC Insurance (www.coverevents.com) or Wed Safe (www.wedsafe.com) to start to get a quote.
Be safe!
Anthony

Gobo

Having a wedding logo can really pull the decor, invitations, and all other details very well!  We offer logo design and really it can be used for almost anything that can be printed on or in the case of the dance floor, projected on.  Matchbooks, napkins, menus, coasters, glasses, and many other items can incorporate the logo very well!  Logo design is $150 and for March we have it on special for $75.  Contact us today for a quote!