The Best Class Reunion and Party Ideas

Class reunions are a great way to catch up with old friends, relive old memories and enjoy a night of fun experiences with people you have known for many, many years.  Whether your class reunion celebrates five years or fifty, the tips we have compiled below will make certain that your class reunion will be one for the ages.You can also see these tips and more on our Class Reunion and Party Ideas Pinterest board!

Class Reunion Decorating Ideas

When decorating for your class reunion, utilizing your school colors is an absolute must.  The following items should incorporate your school spirit, colors, mascot and motto as much as possible.

• Custom tablecloths, napkins, plastic ware, plates, drinking glasses, etc.
• Wall Art—Incorporate items like old school photos, class photos, school pennants, sports memorabilia, class year banners, school motto banners, school logos, etc.
• Balloon Arches—Balloons should be hung in the shape of an arch, alternating school colors for effect.
• Centerpieces—Flowers in school colors are a good option for center displays.
• Inflated Helium Balloons—These should be placed around the venue to keep school spirit alive.
• Confetti—It comes in many shapes and sizes, some of which include graduation-shaped confetti, school colors, etc. and would be perfect for decorating tables throughout the event space.
• Mascot--Try to get your old mascot in on the fun!

Class Reunion Party Games and Activities

All class reunion parties and class reunion events need entertainment like party games and activities.  Break the ice after all of those years—or pick up right where you left off—with some of these class reunion party game and activity ideas.

• Photo Slideshow—Have everyone who is planning on attending (and even those who cannot be there) send in scanned copies of their favorite photographed memories from school.  Combine them digitally into a slideshow and have that slideshow projected onto one of the walls at the class reunion event.
• Pin the Glasses on the Teacher—Find a picture of everyone’s favorite instructor from the graduation year and play “pin the glasses on the teacher” (the same way you would play “pin the tail on the donkey,” blindfolded, spun around and pushed in the general direction of the photo).
• A Year In History—Make a list of all of the significant school, local, national and worldwide news that occurred during the graduation year being celebrated so that everyone in attendance can recall the most momentous of newsworthy occasions.
• Imitations—Guests use imitation (because it is the sincerest form of flattery, after all) to mimic teachers, instructors, principals, deans, coaches and more, with the rest of the guests trying to guess who they are pretending to be.
• Guess the Top 10—Have your class reunion party guests guess the top 10 movies, television programs, singers, bands or other entertainment-based options from the graduation year, and hand out prizes to the most successful guess lists.
• Comparing Yearbooks—Many people had their yearbooks signed in school, and many of them still keep them today.  If you can find people that still have their yearbooks handy, have them bring those books along to compare and share old signatures, old hopes and dreams and plenty of old memories.
• Song to Artist—Using only bands popular during the class reunion’s graduation year, make a list of songs and artists and scramble them.  Have each guest attempt to match the song titles to the appropriate artists.
• Graduation Karaoke—Sing songs popular during the graduation class’ era.
• New Class Photo—A great way to remember the event, having a new “class photo” taken will be a great way to commemorate the night and see how much you all have changed.

Class Reunion Party Favors

Party favors are perfect for helping guests remember any event, and, to stand out from all the rest, your class reunion party favors need to be unique and exciting at the same time.  Try some of these unique and school spirit-filled class reunion party favors that will be just that.

• Alumni Items—It is very easy to get your hands on true “alumni” gear from any school, including bumper stickers, stickers, pens, t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweat pants, hats, ball caps, folders, notebooks and more.  Ordering one alumni item per guest would be a great way to not only commemorate the reunion, but also give each attendee something that allows them to celebrate their time in school.
• Monogrammed Items—Plenty of gift companies offer monogrammed items that are perfect for personalization.  These items, like wine glasses, beer glasses, tea light holders, candle holders, mugs, magnets and more can be inscribed with the school name, school logo, reunion year and/or graduation year to help each of your guests celebrate long after the class reunion party is over.
• Class Photo Items—A unique way to remember the “good ol’ days,” this idea utilizes old class photos, copies them and uses them as coatings and coverings for everyday items.  Wrap and glue them around pencil holders, put them in picture frames, shrink them down and turn them into magnets or find some other creative use, and turn everyday items into class reunion party memorabilia in a heartbeat.
• Flat-Backed Logo Marbles—Marbles can be purchased at any craft store.  Purchase plenty of flat-backed marbles, print out pages of size-appropriate school logos and secure them to the backs of the marbles to create unique paperweights and decorative items.
• Bookmarks and Key Chains—Monogrammed or printed bookmarks and key chains are useful everyday items that can be personalized, allowing users to remember the fun they had at their class reunion party for years and years to come.

Class Reunion Menu Options

You have a variety of choices when it comes to menu and dining style for your class reunion party.  Speak with your caterer to decide what would be most appropriate for your event, selecting from a variety of food service options based on your venue, the formality of your reunion, your guests and your budget.  Here are some ideas:

• Self-serve buffet
• Family-style table service
• Formal dinner service
• Tea, coffee and desserts
• Cocktail reception with bar and hand-passed hors d'oeuvres
• Brunch
• Chef-action station for interactive menus

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Event Spotlight: Tim’s Party of the Century

Tim, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) mascot, recently celebrated his 100^th birthday party, a milestone that MIT deemed more than worthy of a glamorous afternoon affair.  Held at MIT’s Johnson Ice Rink Center, this 900 guest, seated and plated lunch event and party to follow were both great successes.Take a look at the beautiful event displayed in the vibrant images below.Lunch was served at elegantly designed tables.  The meal included a delectable combination of:

• Grilled Rosemary Chicken with Lemon Aioli
• Charred Leek Potatoes
• Grilled Asparagus
• Soy Glazed Tofu with Asian Rice Salad
• Baby Bok Choy
• Artisan Rolls with Butter Balls
• Miniature Desserts with MIT logos
• Lemonade Service in the lobby
• Iced Tea and Water at each table
• Coffee and Tea Service at each table

After lunch concluded, we spent six hours transforming Johnson Ice Rink into “Tim’s Party of the Century,” creating an stylish space filled with all the accents of Hollywood glitz and glam.The event was designed to celebrate Tim, so his image and name were prominently displayed throughout the party.We worked with a lighting designer to visually transform the Ice Rink space, utilizing pools of warm light to highlight different event elements.Guests enjoyed a Hollywood-style red carpet, a VIP area, dramatic diamond décor throughout the event, and even a 1000 birthday cupcake display.The event was a great success, and everyone in attendance had a wonderful time. More Articles You Might Also Like:

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12 All-American Summer Drink Pairings

July 4^th and all other patriotic celebrations are filled with red, white and blue and plenty of picnic foods.  Make your 4^th of July celebration a little more unique this year by incorporating any of the pairings below into your All-American festivities.  These traditional summer food favorites couple perfectly with the American flag-themed drinks, the whole thing coming together in a distinctive red, white and blue package ideal for any USA celebration.

3 Red Patriotic Summer Drinks:

 

• Sandia Smash—watermelon chunks, ice, lime juice, agave nectar, elderflower liqueur and white tequila blend to make this red-colored summer drink hit.  It is refreshing, light and perfect with heavier food items such as barbeque pork or chicken.

• Rum Swizzle—dark rum, amber rum, triple sec, lemon juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, simple sugar syrup, bitters and cracked ice combine to make this beverage.  Add a splash of grenadine to turn it red, and enjoy it with a traditional 4^th of July burger, club-style sandwich or any type of salty finger food.

• Strawberry Margarita—blend crushed ice, strawberries, tequila, lime juice, triple sec and simple syrup to make the perfect margarita, a delicious summer favorite that will go well with spicy dishes such as jalapeno poppers or buffalo wings.

 3 Blue Patriotic Summer Drinks:

 

• The Blue Steel—made from golden rum, simple syrup, fresh lime and passion fruit juices, almond-flavored syrup, bitters, ice, blue curacao and orange and lime slices for garnish.   Add extra blue curacao for a deeper blue appearance.  It will pair well with anything tropical, like seafood skewers.

• Pacific Breeze—combine black currant vodka, lemonade, ice, blue curacao, mint sprigs and lemon wedges for garnish. The curacao helps this drink blend well with—and elevate—simple desserts like ice creams, whipped pies and any sweet items containing vanilla.

• Blue Cosmopolitan—mix Absolut Citron, white cranberry juice, blue curacao, lime juice and an orange peel to make a deliciously simple blue Cosmo.  Sip on this beverage while consuming fruit skewers, vegetable kebabs, summer salads and trail mixes.

 3 White Patriotic Summer Drinks:

• Horchata Milk Shake—a traditional favorite in Latin America, and paying homage to the mix of cultures that makes up our great country, this drink will bring a little ethnicity to your red, white and blue festivities.  Mix long-grain white rice, water, cinnamon sticks, sliced almonds, ground cinnamon, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, banana, vanilla ice cream and ice in a blender.  Drink it by itself as a dessert, or pair it with simple dishes such as a taco bar or traditional nachos.

• Pina Colada—ice, rum, coconut cream, coconut milk, pineapple chunks, sliced pineapple and a maraschino cherry make up this drink. Blend the ingredients together, and enjoy with burgers, brats and other summery favorite dishes.  Best enjoyed on the beach, by a pool or on a boat while listening to a playlist of summer classics.

• Mojito Lemonade—you’ll need mint leaves and sprigs, limes cut into wedges, crushed ice, lime-mint syrup, white rum, lime juice, club soda, sugar, water and lime zest to create this crowd-pleasing favorite.  Drink this summertime hit while munching on fresh vegetables, salads and other light-and-refreshing food items.

3 Red, White AND Blue Patriotic Summer Drinks:

• Red, White and Blue Daiquiris—the  blue layer is made from a  combination of ice, blue Alize, fresh lime juice, curacao liqueur, white rum and sugar.  Red is made from ice, frozen strawberries, watermelon chunks, lime juice, white rum and sugar, and the white comes from a mix of coconut sorbet, rum, sugar and lime juice.  When it is completed, one layer poured in at a time, the drink is super sweet and pairs perfectly with appetizers like queso blanco or fresh salsa and tortilla chips.

• Red, White and Blue Cocktails—make a favorite red beverage, such as a Red Cosmopolitan (see Blue Cosmopolitan above, and substitute grenadine or a splash of cranberry juice for the blue curacao).  Next, run a lemon wedge around the edge of the rim of a martini glass, dip the glass in blue Tropical Punch Pop Rocks (or blue colored sugar).  Pour the Red Cosmopolitan into the martini glass, and enjoy with any items that are lightly steamed, lightly breaded or just light in general.

• Non-Alcoholic Patriotic Drink for Kids (and Non-Drinkers)—perfect for children and non-drinkers alike, this red, white and blue beverage is a great patriotic treat.  It contains cranberry juice, blue Gatorade sports drink, sugar-free lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7-Up) and plenty of ice.  Pour the cranberry juice first, followed by Gatorade and then the lemon-lime soda to make a red, white and blue flag-themed drink that will go well with absolutely any summer picnic favorite, especially burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, fresh fruit and more.

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10 Awesome Outdoor Summer Party Lighting Ideas

Between good food, good family and friends and plenty of warm weather, having an outdoor summer party is usually a great experience.  Make it one that will be distinctive in your mind and in those of your outdoor summer party guests by getting creative with your lighting, turning your event space into something truly magical.

Outdoor Summer Party Lighting Ideas

Candles, candles and more candles—Covering your space with lit candles (each placed in a safe candle holder, of course) in a variety of sizes will make your outdoor summer party event space look both elegant and magical.  Be sure to get unscented candles or to choose some that have complementary aromas so as not to overwhelm partygoers’ noses.Light strands—Coat your summer event space with light strands (white for an elegant, sophisticated feel, colored for a more casual and entertaining experience) and notice how the décor comes to life.Rope lights—These can be purchased in a variety of colors, and that allows you to customize your lighting scheme to fit your yard, party theme or personal taste.  Wrap rope lights around banisters, patio furniture, tables, trees, plants, etc.  Tip: using multiple light ropes to line the majority of a focal piece on your house or yard—for example, coating a particularly central shrub—will create an eye-grabbing piece of natural art.Paper lanterns—Whether solo with lights in them or the long chains of smaller lanterns on Christmas light-like strands, paper lanterns are a great way to create ambiance in an outdoor event space.Lanterns—Use any kind of lantern you can find—metal, antique, camping, you name it.  Placing lit lanterns around your summer outdoor party event space will elevate your décor, creating a fun and exciting space with a truly outdoor focus.Night orbs—These unique granite-appearing blocks are an excellent addition to any outdoor event because of their natural feel and ambient glow.Colored spotlights—Easy to install and varying from electric to solar-powered, spotlights with white or colored bulbs are sure to bring some added pizzazz to your outdoor summer event space.  They allow you to easily highlight focal elements, drawing attention to the food tables, décor and entertainment elements, keeping your guests engaged in the party action the whole night through.Bonfire & tiki torches—You cannot go wrong with natural lighting, and bonfires and tiki torches both provide just that.  Tiki torches create pops of lighting around the event space and can also help prevent pesky mosquitoes and other bugs.  A bonfire doubles as lighting and an entertainment option, giving your guests the opportunity to lounge around the fire or make an outdoor summer favorite treat—s’mores.House lights and lamps—Take your indoor lighting outdoors.  Use table lamps, floor lamps and any other lamps you can find to light your outdoor space, bringing a stylish element to your outdoor tables, food tables, décor and entertainment areas.Glowing jars—Use mason jars, clear glass jars, translucent colored glasses and other see-through glass items as lighting canisters and use tea lights or votive candles to illuminate those glasses.

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25 Healthy Summer Brunch Ideas

There is nothing more beautiful than the opportunity to spend time outdoors, sampling delicious foods and drinks and spending ample time with the people with whom we are closest.  In the spirit of all of these things, and keeping with the concept of sharing food and drink, why not host an outdoor summer brunch to bring all of these fabulous items?  Better yet, why not serve your guests all items from the “healthy” category, thus ensuring that your outdoor brunch is not only delicious but good for them, too?Here we have laid out our best and most helpful tips for hosting a healthy eating-themed outdoor summer brunch, sure to have your guests feeling satisfied and all of your hearts’ content. You can also find even more great ideas on our Outdoor Summer Brunch Ideas Pinterest board.

10 Tips on Creating a Healthy Brunch Menu

Healthy is a current trend, but one that is likely here to stay.  Help your guests gets get acquainted with healthy eating and the best and freshest foods of summer with recipes that embody the most nutritious of focuses.  You want your guests to consume only items that have not been pre-packaged with preservatives or overly-saturated with unhealthy ingredients, and achieving that is easier than you think.Simple tips for turning any menu into a completely healthy one:

1. Write out a list of all of your guests and any dietary restrictions those individuals might have.  Count up the members of your guest list so that you know how much food you will need to prepare.
2. Make a list of you favorite summer brunch menu items, items you would love to serve your guests (and enjoy having for yourself).
3. Highlight any items on your menu that are made with excessive amounts of sugar, come from pre-packaged goods or that contain preservatives—anything that isn’t fresh.  If it isn’t a fresh fruit, fresh vegetable, freshly prepared sauce or dressing, or a freshly-made baked item crafted from top-quality ingredients, it doesn’t make the cut.
4. Research and find non-preservative-filled or fresh replacements for any un-fresh menu items or ingredients, making swaps such as applesauce for cooking oil in baking.
5. Rewrite your menu using only the freshest, healthiest options for each menu item.
6. Source those healthy items and ingredients from your local grocery or food market—choosing organic produce and items made from organic produce would be preferable wherever possible.
7. Have your guests bring an item to pass—making your healthy outdoor summer brunch event a potluck—and be sure that your guests understand the theme. They should only bring items that fit the healthy eating concept to keep the fun going.
8. Send out invitation emails or cards explaining the theme and how to stick with it.  Make it easy for your guests.  Explain that everyone should bring an item made from fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, spices and natural elements.  You will all be amazed at the delicious flavor combinations you can create using only the freshest ingredients.
9. Afraid your guests might all opt for “healthy” versions of sweets?  Break your guest list up into groups and assign each group a type of dish—breakfast items, salads, fruit-based, vegetable-based, grilled items, baked goods, health-conscious sweets, etc.—so that there are fewer duplicates.
10. Make sure you have something for everyone, accommodating all dietary plans—gluten-free, dairy-free, non GMO, vegetarian, vegan, etc.  If you have a guest that needs gluten-free or dairy-free options, having items that are all fresh (no baked elements, including veggies or fruits and tossed in herbs or other spices) will make it so that he or she can indulge in the healthy fun, too.

 10 Decorating Tips for an Outdoor Summer Brunch

If you are going to serve your guests nothing but the best in terms of food quality, it seems only right that you should also decorate with the best, too.  These tips will help you make your event one to remember.

1. Choose organic or eco-friendly linen tablecloths in the best and brightest hues of summer.
2. Utilize reusable plates and cutlery, eco-friendly drinking glasses and washable linen napkins to keep with the earth-friendly, healthy concept.
3. Decorate with plenty of fresh, bright, colorful flowers to adorn your tables.
4. Set those flowers in mason jars and other reusable, repurpose-able containers, and allow guests to take those arrangements home with them to double as party favors.
5. Light eco-friendly candles around your outdoor event space,  adding a little extra magic to your outdoor brunch event décor.
6. Embellishing your outdoor summer brunch location with plenty of fresh, earth-friendly items will truly bring your healthy brunch theme to life.
7. Use naturals like potted plants, a floral garden or other green decorative items already found on your patio or in your garden to accent your event décor.
8. Provide plenty of places for recycling and trash disposal (clearly labeled, of course) to make disposing of used items easier—this will help keep your space clean and beautiful throughout the healthy outdoor summer brunch party.
9. Place bowls of fresh fruits and vegetables around the event space for added pops of natural color.
10. Set healthy eating dishes in the middles of each eating table so that the potluck-style dishes double as decorations.

 5 Entertainment Ideas for a Summer Brunch

It would not be a party without entertainment, and your entertainment should always match your event theme to help give that theme authenticity.  Host games such as these to help keep your guests in the healthy eating mood:

1. Best healthy eating flavor combination—give out a prize for what your guests vote is the best combination of healthy item flavors.
2. Most creative healthy eating dish—the person who brings the most creative dish made from only the freshest, preservative-free foods wins.
3. Best healthy eating twist to a traditional brunch favorite—award the individual who brings the best “favorite-brunch-item-turned-healthy,” because nothing makes a delicious dish taste better than making it as good for you as it is flavorsome.
4. Most beautiful healthy eating dish presentation—the guest who brings the most elegantly plated dish wins something fun.
5. Most exciting healthy eating recipe card—have each guest bring recipe cards with their healthy recipe written out, allowing each guest to take his or her stack of recipes home as a party favor (and an easy reminder to eat healthy!).  The individual who brings the most exciting recipe card design should get a reward.

Remember This When Planning a Healthy Brunch!

Not everyone is on board with trends like completely healthy eating or any other somewhat restrictive dietary program.  Remember to promote the fresh flavors of summer as you host and plan your brunch event so as not to make any of your guests feel uncomfortable.  After all, this brunch is about delicious, fresh, summery foods more than anything else.  The healthy eating part is just an added bonus.

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Outdoor Party Ideas for Summer Events in Boston

Outdoor entertaining during the summer months comes about for a variety of reasons, and this is especially true in a beautiful, historical city such as Boston. Here we have compiled our best tips for how to host an outdoor party at home this summer, perfect for planning an outdoor event in your backyard no matter what you’re celebrating.

How to Host an Outdoor Party

Several elements of hosting a party—either indoor or outdoor—are relatively universal, such as selecting a date and time for your outdoor party event. Once you have chosen the when, highlight the reason for the outdoor celebration—be it an outdoor cocktail reception, outdoor BBQ picnic, outdoor brunch, or some other outdoor gathering—and be sure that your guests know exactly why you’re hosting the event.Once the preliminaries have been established, choose the theme, menu, decorations and entertainment. These elements completely customize every detail of the event planning process, helping you take your outdoor event ideas and truly bring them to life.

Selecting a Theme for Your Outdoor Summer Party

Regardless of the occasion for your Boston-area outdoor party, the theme should match your event.  Here are a few outdoor event theme ideas perfect for a variety of party occasions:

• Outdoor cocktail receptions—create sophisticated fun in chic outdoor fashion: casino night, roaring 20’s, Hollywood gala
• Outdoor birthday parties—fit the theme to the person of honor, and don’t forget to have fun: Mexican fiesta, tropical luau, sports or sports teams
• Outdoor BBQ picnics—the sky is the limit with this category: Wild West, southern flare, backyard campout, a keep-it-local bash of local foods and drinks
• Outdoor brunch ideas—classy, summer fun abounds: garden party, a day at sea, make-your-own stations
• Outdoor engagement parties—think romantic, summery and fun: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wine tasting event, clam bake/seafood buffet

Any of these themes—and plenty of others—will be perfect for your outdoor party, and easy to execute in your own backyard using the tips below.

Themed Décor for an Outdoor Party

Decorating becomes infinitely easier after you’ve chosen a theme for your backyard outdoor party event.  Go all-out with your décor to fully immerse your guests in the themed experience, incorporating roulette tables, card games, flashing lights and dark velvet backdrops for a casino-themed party or twinkling strands of lights, pastel-hued paper lanterns and plenty of flowers for a Midsummer theme, for example.An important decorating note: the idea that “less is more” does not apply when transforming your backyard into a themed experience, which means that you are allowed to go above and beyond what you would normally use for decorating your event space. The more elements you incorporate into your themed décor, and the more aspects of your backyard you convert to match your theme, the better the overall experience will be for all in attendance.

Setting Up A Backyard Outdoor Party

If transforming your backyard into an event space worthy of remembering seems like a daunting task, we assure you that it will be easier than you think.  Here are six steps to setting up your backyard for an outdoor party:

1. First and foremost, know your guest count and set up ample seating and tables to accommodate them all.
2. Cover tables with theme-colored or theme-inspired tablecloths and dress them with theme-appropriate décor.
3. Set up tables near your house, preferably in the shade or on the porch (if you have one) to hold food and drink items.
4. If you’re providing the food for the outdoor party yourself, be sure to have appropriate warming dishes for hot food and cooling containers for cold items.
5. Gather plenty of theme-colored or theme-inspired dinnerware, plates, napkins and cups (and if you’re interested in making your party an eco-friendly one, see our blog post).
6. Finish your preparations by decorating your backyard event space—including walls, fences, sitting areas, dance areas, entertainment items, porches and railings, etc.

Once all of these items are completed, you’re ready to host—and enjoy—your themed outdoor party.

Add a Theme-Inspired Menu and Entertainment to Your Outdoor Boston Event

One of the most effective methods for bringing an event’s theme to life is to carry that theme throughout your menu offerings and entertainment options.  Once you have selected a theme, such as an outdoor tropical luau for an outdoor birthday party, keep that theme in mind as you choose the foods your guests will enjoy. Selecting matching tropical items such as fruit skewers, pulled pork, sweet potato chips and fresh salads will allow your guests to sample a little piece of the islands as they enjoy the outdoor birthday festivities.When planning the entertainment for your backyard outdoor party, make sure that your activities, games, entertainers, music and more all match the overall feel of your event.  For example, here are some themed menus and themed entertainment pairs for your backyard party:

• Wild West BBQ and country music band
• Mexican fiesta and piñata
• Tropical luau and a hula dancing competition
• Wine tasting event and wine-based taste test
• Casino night and magicians
• Campout and a make-your-own gourmet s’mores bar

Truly bring your outdoor party’s theme to life with the foods and the activities you provide for your guests.For more party theme inspiration, or to get ideas about the types of items you’d like to add to your outdoor party event, visit our website and peruse our photo gallery.Find even more Outdoor Party Ideas for Summer Events on our Pinterest board!More Articles You Might Like:

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How to Host a Green Event

Anyone can host a party or event, but creating a gathering that is eco-friendly probably seems like an entirely different undertaking.

Whether you are strongly supportive of conservation efforts, or just simply hoping to throw an earth-friendly bash of which you can be proud, going “green” in your party planning is easier than you think.  We have used our unrivaled experience in the catering and event planning industry to compile our top tips to hosting a green event, making your green party planning efforts an easier-than-ever success.

Throwing a Green Party

It starts with an eco-friendly vision.  Entertaining requires both passion and vision, and entertaining with environmentally-friendly practices takes additional planning.  Keep these items in mind as you prepare for your eco-friendly party:

• Locally-grown, locally-crafted and locally-sourced food and drink items
• Environmentally-friendly party decorations
• Energy-conscious lighting, heating/cooling, grilling and entertainment options
• Minimizing waste, utilizing sustainable options and recycling where possible

Eat, Drink and Be Local!

One of the easiest ways to “green” an event is to keep your food and drink local.  This means purchasing locally-grown produce, sourcing locally-raised meat products and drinking locally-crafted beverages throughout your event.  Keeping your food and drinks local incurs fewer costs—monetary and environmentally.  Local products use less resources to preserve, package, ship, store and distribute than those that come from farther away.  Purchasing local goods is also environmentally-friendly because it reduces the amount of gasoline burned in the shipping process.  Those goods come from local farmers and craftsmen, meaning your money is spent boosting your local economy.

Get Environmentally-friendly Party Decorations

Consider using eco-friendly décor when setting up your green party space.  Purchase decorations made from 100% recycled goods, or, better yet, utilize natural products like flowers, greenery, potted plants, whole fruits and vegetables and other live or edible items to enhance your earth-friendly party.  Flowers, especially those that are potted, and other greenery are great because they can double as eco-friendly party favors, living past their uses as party-time decorative items.  Whole fruits and vegetables placed in bowls throughout the event space add color to your “green” décor, can be utilized as earth-friendly party munchies and are easily taken home to be used for meals or snacks.        

Seek Energy-conscious Lighting, Grilling and Entertainment Options

Every party or event requires a variety lighting, heating/cooling, entertainment and sometimes even grilling options.  Consider these eco-friendly ideas:

• Energy-conscious lighting—utilize natural lighting as much as possible.  Move your party outdoors to a patio or porch, or employ energy-efficient light bulbs throughout your home and event space to minimize energy usage.
• Energy-conscious grilling—avoid lighter fluids, clean your grill regularly and use sustainable bamboo chips in place of charcoal to reduce carcinogens and obtain great flavor.
• Energy-conscious entertainment—gather items you already have to create your party entertainment.  Play cards, have a game of touch football or softball in your backyard or do something earth-friendly—like planting trees or picking up trash at a local park—to keep your eco-friendly event guests entertained.

Minimizing, Utilizing and Recycling

Minimize the amount of waste at your party by utilizing sustainable dinnerware and party products (items that can be reused or recycled).  Ask guests to carpool, ride bikes or walk to minimize the amount of gasoline burned en route to your eco-friendly event. Recycle as much as possible, setting out well-labeled containers for plastics, metals, glass, papers and food waste.  If possible, compost your food waste for added sustainable party practices.Visit our Green Party Pinterest board for even more green inspiration!

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BG's Spring Party Trends 2014

As you look outside your window you finally see the flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the people on the street are transitioning from heavy snow coats to light jackets. This can only mean one thing; spring has arrived. Now that a new season has emerged, a new type of party has as well. Here are BG’s four new trends for the 2014 spring party season!

A splash of color

Who says color trends only apply to fashion? Color is a vital part of party planning as everyone loves aesthetically pleasing décor! Color Solutions International has given the trendiest colors for the spring 2014 season. The warm tones you can use to decorate are magenta, classic reds, yellow, and bittersweet oranges. Cool tones consist of lime greens, emeralds, and true blues. Lastly, a huge new spring trend are pastel colors of baby blues, light pinks, or lilac. Use these colors for table décor, wall art, hanging décor, and even implement them through your bowls and utensils.

Buy me flowers

When someone says spring, we say flowers because flowers embody what this season is all about. Flowers work as excellent décor and have various designs, shapes, and colors you can hand pick and customize! You can go from a simple flower arrangement to a fancy one, but always make sure to add a bit of color for the new season.        

The ultimate spring menu

Craving for something other than hot soups and stews? For your party, be a little more creative and cater towards the opportunities the spring food market has brought for you. This season is the time for fresh and bold flavors and more produce so here are a few of the trendiest spring ingredients to use in your recipes. For vegetables, we say go for everything. As vegetable produce is prominent during this time, try to incorporate them into you meal, especially new spring ingredients like asparagus, fennel, artichoke, and radish. Food Network rates the meat of this spring 2014 season as baby lamb. Incorporate this juicy and tender meat into your entrées and you will sure be the talk of the town!   

Don’t forget the drinks

A party is never complete without drinks! As spring emerges, so has the time for different types of fruits and other flavors like mint. These flavors leave you refreshed, satisfied, and wanting more! For this spring season, make sure your drinks are colorful, playful and fruity! Whether it’s a pink lemonade cocktail, fruity mojitos, margaritas, or sangrias, or custom drinks like tall tale, mint julep, and income tax. Each one of these names has a link for the recipe so try these and more out! A cute interactive play on spring could also be a fruit bar where you could add any fruits to your drink like mimosas or sangria. As you try out any one of these trends, hashtag #bgspringtrends with a picture of how you used these trends in any one of your spring parties on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or just by commenting on this post!   

Wedding Place Settings

Spring is on its way, bringing with it the excitement of plenty of spring and summer weddings.If you’re one of the lucky ones getting married this spring, or if you’re helping to plan the wedding of someone who is, you know that table decorations and place settings can be a big wedding planning stressor.They don’t have to be, though, especially when you have a base from which to start building your dream wedding place setting designs.  We’ve created this guide to 2014 Wedding Place Settings to help you find the perfect place settings for your upcoming wedding celebration.

What Type of Wedding Place Setting Do You Need?

When planning your perfect wedding place settings for your wedding tablescapes, it’s important to keep a few essential items in the front of your mind:

1. Type of Wedding—traditional, cultural, destination, 1^st vs. 2^nd wedding, etc.
2. Type of Food Service—plated sit down, casual, buffet-style, chef action station, etc.
3. Themes and Colors—beach party, winter white, rustic, color schemes, etc.
4. Wedding Décor—florals, lighting, entertainment, etc.
5. Functionality—the must-haves for guests to enjoy your wedding meal

The type of wedding you’re having can make a huge difference when it comes to how you plan your décor, including your wedding tablescapes. Tablescapes and wedding place settings should be functional while simultaneously working with—and enhancing—your overall wedding event décor.  Pinpoint what type of wedding you’re having, and then proceed to the next step for easy wedding place setting planning.What’s Trending in 2014 Wedding Place Settings?Florals—and in a variety of capacities! These flowers are coming in bright colors that accent the rest of the tablescape, match the bride and groom’s wedding theme colors, or provide excess elegance or fun. Place some in a small vase at each guest’s seat, work them into larger bouquets to adorn the table or lay them on top of each guest’s plate with a name tag to act as a place card. Don’t miss out on a great chance to really make a color splash with these easy-to-work-in elements.Simplicity & clean lines—instead of the common over-the-top tablescape production, we’re seeing many brides and grooms select simple tablescape and wedding place setting designs.  Choose a tablecloth or overlay that works with your wedding theme or wedding colors.  Next, select simple dinnerware and linens that provide elements of sophistication and elegance.  Accent with appropriate silverware and glassware, and use smaller elements—such as brightly colored florals (see above for more floral ideas!)—to bring a little something extra to this effortless wedding place setting design.Natural and rustic—bringing the outdoors inside. Utilize plenty of natural elements like florals, small potted plants, earthy candles and other natural items to bring your favorite components of the spring and summer into your wedding place setting designs. Choose colors that reflect nature, such as greens and browns, to create rustic-inspired place settings.  Focus on pastel colors, oversized flowers, and plenty of green accents to keep this natural and rustic place setting design truly alive.

Patterns—patterns, and more patterns! From vintage checkers and needlepoint-style linens to elegant lace and paisley designs, and encompassing everything in between, brides and grooms are selecting elegant patterns to adorn their wedding place settings and wedding tablescapes. Current patterned trends in wedding place settings include chevrons, not as a whole linen but as a table runner—that’s a big one! Patterns are an excellent way to grab your guests’ attention while also creating fun and stylish décor choices that are sure to be memorable.Elegance—may seem like a no-brainer when it comes to wedding décor planning, but this wedding place setting concept is here to stay.  Brides and grooms holding weddings with all types of themes are bringing out the fine silver, stylish china, crystal stemware, flawless linens and chic floral designs to create a rich, storied wedding event of dreams. Consider using menus and linens colored in pastel hues to really “make” this Victorian-inspired theme. Also, utilizing just a touch of glam—something with a little glitz added to either the table numbers, place cards, runners or other smaller decorative items—will add an air of sophistication that isn’t too over-the-top.Textured fabrics and linens—your tablescapes don’t have to be one-dimensional, and creating a textured look from the base up is a creative way to bring literal layers to your wedding place settings. Select linens with soft ruffles, lace overlays or three-dimensional flowers to help generate a more fun and fashionable aspect in your wedding place settings’ sophistication. 

Round vs. Square Tables—you can choose one or the other, or follow a current trend of mixing the two! Each style of table seats a different number of guests, which means that having a combination of both might make accommodating your guest count a little bit easier. Use both round and square tables for a creative, functional room design, and select square china for an added touch of simplicity in your wedding place setting.Round vs. Square China—a personal decision, but an essential one when completing your wedding place settings. Round china on square tables or square china on round tables adds a bit of a classy contrast that will help create an eye-catching and clever tablescape design. Additionally, sticking with your wedding theme while taking into account your guest count will help you to select the type of china (and tables—see above!) that will best accommodate your wedding day diners. Your wedding planner or caterer will be able to help you choose patterned china vs. plain white, as well as aid you in pairing your round or square china with the appropriate linens for your event.For even more wedding ideas, visit our Weddings Pinterest board.Need help deciding on an indoor or outdoor wedding or reception?  No problem!  We'll help you make your decision with this long list of pros and cons for indoor and outdoor weddings.  Indoor or outdoor, you'll want exquisite tablescapes and table settings for your big day.  View these 10 Ideas for a Beautiful Wedding Tablescape for more inspiration.You'll also be interested in the latest wedding trend in Boston--a wedding registry, for your actual wedding!  Take a look at this unique and growing concept.

The Best Seasonal Spring Beer and Appetizer Pairings

After this winter, the spring can’t come soon enough.  In addition to warmer weather and more sunshine, we are looking forward to lining our shelves, coolers and fridges with spring beers!In honor of the upcoming spring season, we have created five great springtime beer and appetizer pairings.  These handy pairings are pretty nice to have around, so we encourage you to pin it to one of your Pinterest boards.  You can also find drink ideas, beer pairings and so much more on any of these related BG Pinterest boards!

• Food and Beverage Pairings
• Beverage Ideas
• Beer Tasting Party Ideas

Spring Beer and Food Pairings

Fruit your beers!  Food pairings with Blue Moon Valencia Grove Amber Ale.Flying Dog Backyard Ale pairs with smoked anything!Get a taste of the south with Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest and some citrus-flavored foods.Widmer Columbian Common Spring Ale pairs with empanadas and other deliciously fried foods.Our last pairing for the spring is this list of appetizers and Alaskan Birch Boch.Interested in more great event ideas?

• Tapas and Sangria Food Pairings
• 2014 Event and Wedding Trends
• Our Favorite Fresh Summer Recipes

2014 Event and Wedding Trends

This year is already shaping up to be a wonderful, exciting and truly stylish year for events and weddings.Some of the events BG has put together thus far—and even more of the events on the horizon—are following similar trends and patterns thanks to some influence in the media and pop culture.Additionally, some of the trends from decades past are coming back into style, and we couldn’t be more excited.

What’s Trending for Weddings in 2014?

Wedding Trends: The Great Gatsby-effect is still going strong! Brides and grooms are loving the lavishly overdone roaring 20’s-style weddings and receptions. Other popular wedding themes and colors feature ultra-deluxe styles, neutral-muted palates and pops of a vibrant color such as radiant orchid or red poppy. It’s a beautiful contrast.Additional wedding trends include family-style service mixed with a “woodland glam.” Rustic and elegant are two words we hear often and have enjoyed incorporating into reception atmospheres. Most weddings once again feature artfully designed wedding cakes—a trend that disappeared for a while but is making a very strong comeback.One final trend is drama. Drama is a big wedding component this year—in the look that is! Brides are adorning themselves with oversized and extravagant veils and dresses, and they expect similar details in the wedding décor.

What’s Trending for Events in 2014?

Event Trends: More popular than ever are oversized, dramatic and spectacular food presentations. The industrial look has been popular for a while now, and that trend will continue into this year—think scaffolding, trusses and commercial shelving. Also, events are incorporating a sophisticated, appointed look with thoughtful touches of elegance.One HUGE trend that we will only see becoming more popular this year are events being totally plugged into social media—Instagram, Twitter and Facebook being the three biggest.

What Styles Are Most Popular for 2014?

2014 Styles: We are seeing a lot of combinations in style, for example, an event that mixes rustic and vintage with mirrored farm table tops and crystal centerpieces. This juxtaposition of contemporary elements and retro 50’s, 60’s or even 20’s styles is gorgeous.On the contrary, many events are still taking on the modern, clean, “museum” type style. Where the former is more popular with event design-focused clients, the latter is by far more popular for the food-centric events where the menu items and cuisine are the main focus.

What Are the Trends for Florals in 2014?

Floral Trends: One of our favorite florals continues to be the tree peony. It’s elegance is very diverse and beautiful. Bringing “glamping” elements to events has become somewhat of a trend this year as well, so in addition to the diversely elegant florals, natural elements infused with crystals and sparkles are extremely popular.Flowers that blend vintage fashion and art-deco style—black, gold and white—with some softer hues—think peach, blush and mint—combine for unique and elegant décor options.

What Are the Food Trends in 2014?

2014 Event Food Trends: This year, we are seeing a lot of wonderful food trends. For example, two popular items are chef action tables and pod presentations where guests are given a menu and can order from the service team preparing items at the chef’s bar.In addition to pods and tables, what is old is now new again. What we mean is that for every “vintage-meets-contemporary” design trend, there is an equal menu. Trending are the renovated classics prepared with amazing technique, approachable look and beautiful delicacy. Chicken is one of the most amazing of these 2014 food trends. Poultry is back, but it’s not your mother’s chicken. Think much more modern in uses and preparations! Ancient grains like faro and quinoa have also been big over the last couple of years, and they’re not going anywhere this year either.

What are the Drink Trends in 2014?

2014 Drink Trends: Nouveau! We love it—and so do our brides, event planners and event guests. One final 2014 trend in which our Dr!nk team is fully participating is infused ice cubes. We are using this technique to add flavor to and enhance cocktails of all sorts. They are fun, fruity and an impressive yet simple way to take a cocktail reception up a level.

What's in a gift?

While Emily and Walt were clicking away at expensive home essentials that they may never use or already had for their registry, Emily stopped and dreamt for a second. She envisioned her wedding with a spotlight as she entered her reception, sipping on a signature cocktail made just for her as they prepared for the toast, and a unique food display that amazed her guests, but she sighed as this all surpassed her budget. When Emily and Walt came to us at BG Events and Catering, we gave them an opportunity to have something more; a registry to include elements that would make up the dream wedding that she always wanted. BG’s wedding registry website is a first for the industry. “We want to be able to give couples the celebration they’ve always wanted, and this service allows just that,” said Ken Barrett, BG Events and Catering’s Executive Director.With the help of the BG Events and Catering team, couples can create a wish list registry of items they would like at their wedding and share it with their guest list. The guests have the opportunity to give a certain amount of money to any item on the wish list and contribute to the one-of-a-kind wedding celebration that the groom and his wife have dreamt of. There are a variety of items to choose from in the list including a gazpacho station, seafood station, and even helping contribute to the couple’s wedding cake design.    For Emily and Walt’s wedding, the bridesmaids pooled together to rent a photo booth for the reception, as the men pooled together to create a signature cocktail for the couple. Guests raved about these items days after the wedding, and these experiences were kept as life long memories.Pots, pans, bed sheets and candles, most of this will be stored away in the cupboards of your new home. However, the memory of your wedding will constantly be lingering in your mind, it will be the one to share with people you meet every day, and it will keep a lasting smile on your face for years to come.Check out more about Emily and Walt’s story on our website, along with a demonstration on how to set up your wedding registry!

Event Spotlight: High Wire Doughnuts

Our client approached us wanting a creative, quirky and cocktail-style breakfast party.  We were immediately excited to get started on this event!The client wanted a really fun and imaginative way to display doughnuts because the guest of honor loved doughnuts.  So, we brainstormed possible ways to display these tasty breakfast treats and dubbed the event “High Wire Doughnuts”.The BG team constructed a “high wire” custom copper display unit where we hung dozens of doughnuts for guests to admire…and eat!Since it was clear this wouldn’t be a typical breakfast event, we wanted to add even more interesting ways to display our food.  In lieu of the typical fruit display, we created a fun, deconstructed Berry Bar by filling vintage apothecary jars with fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.What the client really loved about this event was the juxtaposition of the modern white and plexi with the vintage jarsThe menu included tray-passed breakfast hors d’oeuvres, which were as inspiring as they were delicious. They included:

• Petite Chicken and Waffles
• Mini Potato Latkes
• Sausage and Biscuits
• Baked Eggs in Mini Bacon Cups
• Caramelized Onion and Egg Quesadillas
• Hanging Homemade Doughnuts
• Fresh Berry Bar
• Yogurt and Granola Panna Cotta

We also offered guests refreshing tray-passed mocktails, because what’s a brunch event without some fruit beverages?The awesome sight of hanging doughnuts sure made guests hungry, and we saw lots of full stomachs and happy faces.  Overall, this event was a smash hit.

16 Great Olympic Party Ideas

It’s Winter Olympics time, and though we’re not in Sochi, that doesn’t mean we can’t have our own Olympic fun back here.The Olympics are a rare and wonderful occasion, and one we believe should be celebrated, so we are sharing our top 16 favorite Olympic party ideas with you right here.

Serve International Cuisine

Of course this would make our list; we love international cuisine!  There are so many ways you can work your Olympic party menu.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Russian.  Russian?  Yes, Russian, and not only because they’re hosting!  Typical Russian cuisine might include: shashlyk, pirozhki or syrniki.  And, of course, you can’t forget the vodka.
• Eastern Europe or Middle Eastern cuisine.  Sochi is right across the Black Sea from the Eastern Europe countries, and it’s also a neighbor to the Middle East.  Concentrate on either of those cuisines for your party.
• Food from around the world.  Take your guests throughout all different parts of the world with sushi, Moroccan food, Ethiopian food, Peruvian food, Polish food, Thai food and more!
• Global potluck.  Have each guest bring a different dish from any country of his or her choosing to the party.  Or, to ensure there aren’t duplicates, assign a country to each guest and ask each to bring a dish representative of that culture to the table!

Mix Olympic Rings-Colored Cocktails

Cocktails are one of our favorite ways to transform an event.  In fact, our Dr!nk bartending team is one of the leading cocktail and bartending services in Boston!  We recommend serving up drinks and cocktails in any of the Olympic ring colors, such as these classics:

• Blue: Blue Sapphire martini (served with blue Curacao, Bombay Sapphire gin and dry vermouth)
• Black: Guinness or any dark stout beer
• Red: Bloody Marys
• Yellow: lime margaritas, frozen or on the rocks
• Green: mojitos (ok, these aren’t necessarily green, but when you use enough mint leaves, they sure look like it!)

Plan Fun and Games

What’s an Olympics-themed party without some fun and games?  You can do a variety of things for your at-home Olympic competition, and we have a few fun suggestions for you:

• Beer Olympics.  Teams split up, each representing a country, and compete in various drinking games, such as cards, darts and pong.
• Have your party at an ice skating rink.  Hold speed skating races or “figure skating” contests where you give participants a list of easy tricks to try and complete.
• Have your party outside in the snow where you can have actual winter games and activities.  Instead of snowboard or skiing, you can build snowmen or snow forts and gives prizes to the best creations.

Make Edible Medals

At your party, you can give away edible medals to either the winners of whatever competitions you hold or to everyone who attended your party.  You can make your medals out of string or ribbon and any round, cookie-like food!  Bake different cookies for a variety of medals, or add food coloring to your cookie dough so you can giveaway gold, silver and bronze-colored cookie medals.

Hold Cooking Contests

Don’t want to hold any athletic competitions for your Olympic party?  No problem.  If there’s one thing that brings people together, it’s food.  Why not turn your party into a cooking competition?  You can either ask guests to bring their best fill-in-the-blank recipe (i.e. chili, pizza, mac ’n’ cheese…) or you can make it a cook-off and provide the kitchen and equipment for everyone to “throw-down” their best recipe right then and there.  The winner could go home with one of your edible gold medals!

There are so many more great party ideas that we think you'll love.  Like these:

• 5 Awesome Oscar Party Ideas
• 10 Winter Party Themes and Ideas
• How to Host a Beer Tasting Party at Home

5 Awesome Oscar Party Ideas

Are you thinking about hosting an Oscars-themed party?  Invite a group of friends and family over and tune in on to see which stars will go home with a coveted statue.

Oscar Party Idea #1: Make it an Old Hollywood Glam Party

Reminisce with a glamorous Old Hollywood-themed party.  This event’s décor would include lots of movie reels, statues, the colors black and gold and plenty of feathers.  Think 1920s and the art deco phenomenon.Libations: champagne toast followed by cocktails (martinis and mint juleps!)Red Carpet Recipe Ideas:  Seafood, such as crab-stuffed mushrooms or lobster ravioliOr, get a bunch of menu inspiration from these sample menus right here.

Oscar Party Idea #2: Predict the Winners

Print out a list of all of the categories and nominees and give one to each guest.  Hand out pens or pencils with each list and ask guests to predict who they think will win the Oscar.  At the end of the night, tally up everyone’s scores and give away your own Oscar statue to the guest who made the most correct predictions!Want to make your own statue?  Paint a male doll solid gold and glue it to a stand.  Or, if you would rather make edible statues, whip up a batch of sugar cookies using a cookie cutter in the shape of a statue.  Use frosting to glue the sugar cookie to a round chocolate cookie which will serve as the stand.

Oscar Party Idea #3: Pick Your Favorite Movie and Theme Your Party

Was your favorite nominated movie Captain Phillips?  Center your party theme on it by turning your house into a nautical wonderland.  Serve up some seafood and fruit cocktails, too.Maybe you want to set your party in the late-70s after Oscar-nominated American Hustle.  Recreate that world in your own home with plenty of sparkles, sequence and the appropriate music.  Serve plenty of cocktails and rich finger foods.  Maybe even dust off the fondue pot and serve up that 70s classic!Gravity is also nominated for Best Picture.  Give your party a whole new atmosphere when you decorate your house like outer space after this Sandra Bullock and George Clooney hit.It doesn’t matter what movie you choose; all you have to do is get creative!

Oscar Party Idea #4: Construct a Popcorn Buffet

Maybe you don’t want to incorporate an entire theme for your casual get together, but would still like to do something special for your party.  Try creating a popcorn buffet with different flavored popcorn varieties.  Some crowd favorites include caramel corn, cheddar cheese popcorn and buttered popcorn, but don’t be afraid to get creative.  Mix some M&Ms into one bowl of popcorn.  Offer different popcorn seasonings.  Make a batch of spicy chipotle popcorn or upscale chocolate and praline popcorn.  It’s easy to make your own seasonings or add your own goodies to a batch of popcorn.  Simply separate your flavors in big bowls on your buffet table and let guests come up and try whatever combination they think looks delicious!Bonus:  in lieu of standard small bowls, give each guest a popcorn tub or box to use just like the movie theaters do.  Serve other movie theater favorites like sodas and candy.  You could even provide a candy table with Twizzlers, Snow Caps, Sour Patch Kids, Peanut M&Ms and other popular movie theater candy.

Oscar Party Idea #5: Come as Celebrity Couples (or Singles)

Ask guest to come dressed as their favorite actors.  Couples can dress as famous Hollywood couples, and your guests’ actors don’t have to be limited to just those in attendance at this year’s Oscars.  Go back to the beginning of Hollywood time—and get creative!  Have your guests try and guess who each person is, or, if you’re having a large party, provide nametags for each guest so that everyone will know which “actors” are in attendance.Décor should still center on cinema, but instead of having an Old Hollywood party, turn your house into a modern red carpet movie premiere.

At this rate, we will still be in a winter wonderland come Oscar time.  Consider incorporating some of our 10 Winter Party Ideas into your Oscar viewing party!Keep guests warm and cozy with one of our six warm winter cocktails!Of course, TONS more wonderful Oscar party ideas can be found on our Oscars party Pinterest board.

Event Spotlight: Winter Wedding

Jaime + Ivy

Jaime and Ivy’s wedding and ceremony took place in a small church in front of close family and friends.  The couple felt that the intimate ceremony perfectly described their relationship.The church aisle was covered in flower petals and flowers which, as you will see, played an integral part in the décor for the evening.The couple had specific taste in both décor and florals, so we met with them to discuss their options. We came up with the idea of using flowers as the main element of décor, and the florist even designed 3-D sculptures of the bride and groom’s initials.

                                                                 

         The great room in which the reception took place was also decorated with tasteful floral centerpieces, which guests admired as they sat down to an exquisite BG catered meal.We worked with the couple to customize this menu.  The couple and their guests enjoyed a first course of Leek and Tomato Tart Tatin which was followed by the main entrée, Herb Marinated and Seared Chicken Breast, Sauté of Haricot Vert and Rainbow Carrots and an Individual Potato Soufflé.  Dessert for the evening was Red Velvet Cake served with Coffee and Tea Service.Because the groom is Spanish, and because many of his family members flew in from Spain to attend the wedding, it was only fitting that we also provide our table menus in both English and Spanish.  The groom felt this was so thoughtful and the family members from Spain were very appreciative.  Plus, we loved how romantic the menu looked and sounded in Spanish!In the end, after cutting the cake, sharing a first dance and indulging in a wonderful plated dinner, the couple had a fantastic experience, as did family and friends.  Our bride was moved to tears at the beauty of the day and night, and we were right there with her.  It was truly a wedding that fit the couple’s dream and we feel fortunate to have helped them experience it.For more wedding advice and inspiration, try one of these trending articles:

• Top 10 Backyard Wedding and Reception Tips
• Do I Want an Indoor or Outdoor Wedding Reception?
• Newest Trend for Boston Weddings and Wedding Registries
• How to Use Pinterest to Plan Your Wedding

Top 10 Backyard Wedding and Reception Tips

If you’re thinking about hosting your wedding and/or reception in your backyard, we have some great tips for you.

Here are our best backyard wedding ideas, tricks and answers, whether you’re getting married here in Boston or elsewhere.

Elegant Backyard Wedding Ideas

1. Plan it.  Backyard weddings are a great way to save money on the venue space, although you must remember that you’ll need to consider many things before you can commit to this idea.  First question:  Do you or your parents have a backyard big enough for your wedding?  To answer this, you must think about your guest list and about what type of reception you would like to have. Do you envision a plated dinner or a buffet?  Passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktail bar or grilled picnic food?  Each type of reception comes with different capacities.  Will you also be hosting your ceremony in the backyard, or just the reception?  You’ll need even more space if you’re hosting both.

Tip:  Talk to a rental company or a catering company—yes, we can help answer these questions!—before you make this decision.  They will know how much space you will need to set up tables, booths and a dance floor to accommodate your guest count, and will likely suggest different catering options that best meets your visions and space constraints.2. Prep it.  If you have at least 8 weeks’ time, you should be ready to prep the backyard.  If you’re hosting a backyard wedding in the summer, great!  Nature can take care of most of your décor costs—although you’re going to have to help it along.  Plant your gardens this year with your event design and layout in mind.  It will be difficult, though, to get your gardening in order without knowing where everything will go.

Here’s a great tip:  talk to your wedding planner, rental company or caterer about the event layout before you do any work.  Sometimes there are tables and prep areas that our clients forget to take into consideration or new layout ideas we come up with to maximize the space when we visit the site.3. Theme it.  Whether you’re looking for a simple backyard wedding or an elaborate, elegant wedding design, your theme will drive most of the aesthetic decisions from here on out.  Sophisticated country?  Vintage?  Rustic?  Whimsical?  Every theme comes with different flowers, photo frames, centerpieces, chairs, linens, catering choices and more.

4. Tent it.  This is one of our biggest recommendations.

We largely recommend this: rent a tent!  Not only will this come in handy should there be a little inclement weather on the day of your wedding, but it also provides you with much needed shelter from things as simple as too much sun or a light breeze (think of your delicate decorations on the tables…you don’t want them to tip, break or blow away!), gives you privacy and adds decorating opportunities (see: light it up).  Trust us when we say tents are great for backyard weddings large and small.5. Dance floor it.  What’s a backyard wedding reception without a dance floor?  Lots of holes in the grass, that’s what.  Be kind to all those women in high heels and those poor blades of grass growing in the danger zone, and rent a dance floor for guests to use in lieu of just a grassy area or even a patio or deck.  You’ll want something flat and smooth.

Hint: this is definitely a recommendation that’s right up there with renting a tent on the must-do list.6. Light it up.  A huge perk of a backyard wedding is that you can light up this space with as many (or as few) beautiful strands of lights as you could possible want—and you can begin the stringing as early as you need to since no one else is renting your event space.  We suggest stringing lights throughout the ceiling of the tent and wrapping them around trees.  Consider hanging or placing even more lights, Chinese lanterns and candles on chairs, tables, trees and other natural shrubbery.  Wedding lighting is worth the upgrade almost every time.  Take a look at these photos.  What would they look like without such exquisite lighting?

7. Rent it.  Rent your tables and chairs from a rental company—or through your catering team, who will either rent the equipment themselves or know with whom you should speak for the best styles for your budget.  When you rent your equipment, you won’t have to worry about the setup or take down.  You just show up, sign on the dotted line and the entire reception will be constructed for you.

Huge tip: you will not regret this help on your wedding day.  Also worth considering is the temperature.  Are you hosting your wedding on the hottest day of the year?  Consider renting equipment that will help cool down your guests so that no one gets too hot and uncomfortable.  If you’re hosting a late fall backyard wedding and the evenings are known to cool down, there are plenty of attractive looking heater options you can also rent from your rental company.  Another big tip: temperature controlling equipment is always a good idea.8. Personalize it.  It’s your backyard—let people know!  Personalize your backyard wedding with the kind of intimate details only a backyard wedding could afford.  Hang Polaroids of you two from the tent or on the backs of your chairs.  Showcase your baby photos and engagement photos.  Display your parents’ and grandparents’ wedding photos around the backyard or frame them for a side table.  Decorate the tent, the trees and the tables with memorabilia that is special to you two.  Don’t forget about the inside, either.  In the bathroom, for instance, leave something special, like perfume and cologne, mouthwash and floss and other toiletries along with framed photos of either wedding-related things or photos of you and your fiancé.  Turn the living room and kitchen inside the house into a shrine commemorating your relationship.  This day is all about you.9. Separate it.  Depending on how much room you have to work with, consider creating different "areas" or zones in your backyard.  For example, incorporate a casual seated area away from the dance floor and tables that provides guests a little bit of intimacy.10. Game it.  With an outdoor wedding—and one in your backyard, nonetheless—you get to host games and entertainment your way.  Set up a couple of lawn bag or cricket games.  Guests can play while they wait for you to finish your photos or while they have a cocktail.  As long as the sun is still out and the music’s not dance-material, your guests will be looking for something to do.

Tip time: take a look at your guest list and make note of how many children will be at your reception.  Consider a small children’s tent or game area.  Backyards without fences might lead to wandering children, but the more occupied they are by fun and games, the less likely they’ll be to wander into trouble.11. Remember it.  Come up with creative ways to remember your wedding day.  The obvious is to hire a photographer, which probably seems as though it’s a must-do.  We agree.  Document as much of that day as you can.  Also consider hiring a videographer, renting a photo booth, setting up a photo or video guest book and more.  More creative guest book ideas for backyard weddings can be found here.

We hope you think these backyard wedding ideas are useful!  Even more useful, though, might be our biggest backyard wedding planning tips.  For your reference, we have laid out our biggest tips from within each backyard wedding idea right here:

• Tell your catering or rental company your guest count and ask them to visit the site before you decide your yard is big enough for your ceremony and/or reception.
• Talk to your vendors before you plan your garden so that you can incorporate this year’s design into the event’s layout.
• Rent a tent!
• Get yourself a real dance floor.  Decks and patios aren’t stable or comfortable enough.
• You will never regret the setup and teardown help of a respectable rental company.
• Rent equipment to cool down or heat up your outdoor area.
• Give the children something to occupy them, or risk little wanderers.

For even more backyard wedding inspiration, visit our Weddings Pinterest board.Are you considering a Winter Wedding instead?  Take a look at these hot winter wedding reception ideas!Don't know if you want an indoor or outdoor wedding or reception?  No problem!  We'll help you make your decision with this long list of pros and cons for indoor and outdoor weddings.  Indoor or outdoor, you'll want exquisite tablescapes and table settings for your big day.  View these 10 Ideas for a Beautiful Wedding Tablescape for more inspiration.You'll also be interested in the latest wedding trend in Boston--a wedding registry, for your actual wedding!  Take a look at this unique and growing concept.

10 Winter Party and Wedding Ideas and Themes

We’ve scoured the web for our favorite winter-themed party ideas and winter wedding themes, as well as perused through our repertoire of winter-themed weddings and events, and brought them all together for you right here.

Now that the holidays are over and we’ve rung in the New Year, no one wants to see another red and green party for at least ten months.  But, even though we’re holiday-partied-out, we can still enjoy ourselves this year with these awesome winter party theme ideas and any of these winter party tips.  Or, we can get a jump start on planning a beautiful winter wedding and reception for a year or two to come.

Winter Party Ideas and Winter Wedding Themes

Ski Chalet.  This theme is very wintery, cozy and chic.  Incorporate elegant, natural pieces and rustic, sophisticated wooden accents.  Fireplaces are a plus, so if your venue has one, feature it prominently.

• Menu:  Hearty stews, such as rabbit or beef, with a s’mores bar for dessert
• Drinks:  Craft beers and red wine
• Décor:  Acorns, pine trees, winter wreaths, snowy branches and other ski resort décor

White Winter Wonderland.  White, white and more white.  White décor, white flowers, a white sweets table, a white cake and white place settings will make this an elegant and beautiful theme.

• Menu:  White fish, shrimp, crab or lobster with veggies
• Drinks:  White wine
• Décor:  White everything!

Fire and Ice.  They might seem like clashing elements, but fire and ice is a sultry winter party theme that incorporates the best bright reds and light, icy blues.

• Menu:  A sophisticated surf-and-turf menu with cold seafood appetizers and hot hors d’oeuvres, such as this fire and ice appetizer
• Drinks:  Two specialty cocktails, such as drinks with Fireball Whiskey or Blue Curacao
• Décor:  A single event space divided into two distinct areas, one featuring fiery reds and the other frosty blues

Cozy Romantic.  This warm and welcoming theme will have guests wishing they were snuggled up on a couch with a mug of hot cocoa.  Warm colors against wooden décor are inviting and oh-so-cozy.

• Menu:  Soups, stews and chowders
• Drinks:  Winter lagers and warm cocktails.  Hot toddies, mulled wine and other warm cocktails from this list of warm winter cocktails
• Décor:  Deep reds, browns and purples with candles and votives throughout the entire event space

Winter Woods.  This is a beautiful theme idea that incorporates the deep greens of the forest, wintery trees and the sharp white of fresh snow.

• Menu:  Roasted or deep-fried game, such as turkey or pheasant
• Drinks:  White and red wine, craft beer
• Décor:  Pine green with plenty of pinecones, acorns and other forest-inspired elements

Fine Wines.  This scene can either be created in a wine cellar or recreated to appear like a wine cellar.  Oak barrels and other wooden elements could line the walls, and dark wooden tables and chairs serve as décor all on their own.

• Menu:  Mediterranean-inspired dishes with pastas and fresh herbs
• Drinks:  A classy selection of red and white wines with a dessert wine for after-dinner drinks
• Décor:  Elements of oak and deep reds with plenty of candles and candelabras

Re-New Year.  This beautiful and timeless winter party would focus around the concept of time.  Between the centerpieces, wall art, place settings and accent pieces, this theme very tastefully incorporates clocks, watches, timepieces and anything else time-related into the event design.  It’s chic, classy and very glitzy.

• Menu:  Roast duck
• Drinks:  Champagne upon arrival, but also classic cocktails such as martinis, cosmos and Manhattans
• Décor:  Sparkles, glitter, sequins and a big ball to “drop” at midnight

Snow Globe.  Welcome guests inside your favorite snow globe.  This winter party theme is floor-to-ceiling white with fun winter elements dancing throughout the venue.

• Menu:  Hearty menu items, though this event’s feature will be the sweets table with a variety of cakes, tarts, pies, cheesecakes and candies
• Drinks:  White wine, dessert wine and cocktails such as gin and tonic
• Décor:  Bring the outside in with snow-covered shrubbery, benches, light posts and other outdoor fixtures

Countryside Winter.  This theme is much more casual than most of the others on this list.  Guests can cozy up in big, warm sweaters while admiring the whites and rustic colors of their surroundings.  Those brave enough to endure the outdoors (with the help of a heater, most likely) can turn their outdoor party space into a beautiful and memorable evening.

• Menu:  Mashed potato bar and beef tenderloin carving station
• Drinks:  Something warm, like Irish coffee, and mulled wine at dinner
• Décor:  Lots of white, obviously, incorporating furry blankets, seat cushions and pillows into the décor to make it functional and warm as well as beautiful

Black and Ivory.  This theme is winter parties at their most sophisticated.  The two colors, used in elegant and tasteful patterns, will dominate the evening’s look, while an equally elegant menu feeds and hydrates guests.

• Menu:  Passed appetizers leading up to a plated dinner of parmesan crusted chicken or Portobello mushrooms
• Drinks:  Full, premium bar
• Décor:  Black and ivory, in a chic striped, chevron or other simple, decorative pattern, paired with assorted florals and elegant centerpieces on each table

All of these ideas and more can be found on our Winter Party Theme Ideas Pinterest board.  For more winter party and wedding ideas, warm up your guests by serving one of these six warm winter cocktails!

Do I Want an Indoor or Outdoor Wedding and Reception?

Deciding between an indoor wedding ceremony or reception and a wedding ceremony or reception held outdoors?Regardless of which you choose, either one can be turned into your dream wedding atmosphere, though there are positives and negatives to either scenario.You should be careful to weigh all of your wedding venue options, narrowing them down as you go.  Answering the title question will help you eliminate many of your venue options, getting you that much closer to finding the perfect spot to celebrate your “I dos.”To help you with your decision, we have compiled a pros and cons list that better lays out the choice between an indoor wedding and an outdoor wedding.

The Indoor Wedding Venue

PROSNo Weather Issues.  One of the biggest pluses to an indoor wedding is that there is no stress or worry over unpredictable weather.  Rain is not an issue, neither is snow and clouds, wind and blazing sun are all non-issues, which equals a load off of the couple’s mind.  Granted, weather will play a small role in wedding photos and perhaps transportation, but weather at an outdoor reception is such a huge worry—especially for brides—that indoor weddings are often chosen because of this reduced risk factor alone.Plenty of Décor Options.  There are little to no restrictions—sans any fire hazards or code violations—that would restrict you from decorating your indoor venue just the way you want.  Again, this is somewhat weather-related, but the wind won’t knock down your hand-painted centerpieces and bugs won’t attack your giant heart cookie.  When you envision loads of other small and fragile details, an indoor wedding is sometimes the safest bet.Temperature Control.  Is the groom notoriously warm, even in the cooler months?  Is Grandma always cold, even in the summertime?  When you’re outdoors, there is little you can do about temperatures, except to provide hand fans to guests and/or encourage them to bring sweaters.  You control the temperature from the beginning when you’re hosting an indoor wedding reception.  Plus, you can seat your guests under vents or next to fans depending on their affinity for getting chilly or overheated.CONSSpace Constraints.  This will always be a factor for indoor venues.  Depending on the size of your wedding, this may not be an issue for you.  Every indoor venue has a maximum capacity, though it will vary slightly if you’re having a cocktail reception or a seated dinner.  This number is non-negotiable, as per fire codes and other safety restrictions, and must be taken into account before booking (or even looking at) indoor venues.Logistical Issues.  Most indoor venues have tried to address logistical issues for larger events such as weddings, but, especially here in Boston, there are so many old, charming buildings that just don’t have the most convenient parking, delivery ramps, docks, etc.  This can prove challenging for vendors trying to load in equipment and décor for your wedding, but that isn’t necessarily your concern.  Vendors are professionals, many of which deal with logistical challenges every day.  They will be the ones to figure out this “con” for you.

The Outdoor Wedding Venue

PROSAtmosphere.  On that perfect, clear, starry night, there isn’t much that can compare to a beautiful outdoor wedding reception.  Outdoors is truly where the majority of our most breathtaking receptions have taken place.  For all that extra stress over the pending weather report, a night like this is worth every worry in the long run.  You simply can’t recreate that kind of beauty indoors.Less is More.  Often times you can ease up on the décor budget when planning an outdoor wedding.  Depending on your venue, the natural beauty of the landscape and gardens is more than enough to create that desired magical atmosphere.Best of Both Worlds.  There are many venues that offer the beauty of an outdoor wedding or reception and the refuge of a roof and four walls.  Though the indoor space associated with an outdoor venue isn’t typically large enough to host your entire event inside, it would offer shelter to Grandma when she gets cold or a quiet, semi-private place to sit and catch up with an old friend from college during the reception.  Often times, there is some shelter on the property that might include a small greenhouse or boathouse that isn’t big enough for more than a few people.  But again, the spontaneity of talking a stroll down to the boat house or to visit the greenhouse garden is entertainment enough for many guests in need of a break from the dance floor.  It all adds to the charm of your guests’ wedding experience.CONSCosts.  There are a few extra costs that you must consider when hosting your wedding outdoors.  If your outdoor location does not include a tented area, for example, we recommend you rent one for your reception to cover the tables and dance floor—both of which you might also have to rent separately.Restrooms.  Sure, outdoor weddings and receptions will have restrooms nearby, but those facilities might be located in a building that is a slight walk from the party.  For many, this is a non-issue, but for those few outdoor venues with a hike to the main building, this is enough of a concern to ask about while visiting each site.Wildlife.  Ok, maybe the term “wildlife” insinuates wild animals crashing the party, but that’s not exactly what we mean.  The outdoor wedding reception—and this is especially sensitive to the temperature, proximity to water and time of year—will occasionally have to deal with a bug situation.  Mosquitos are the most common “wildlife” to show up uninvited to an outdoor wedding.  If you have a game plan for those little creatures, or they’re not an issue at your venue, then this might not be a con to consider after all. Looking for more professional advice for your wedding?  How about reading up on the newest trend for Boston weddings?Get all the fusion inspiration you need, as well, with our event spotlight on this Asian-Italian fusion wedding.What's a wedding without the best (and free!) planning tool?  Learn how to maximize your wedding Pinterest boards, and see our wedding boards for TONS of beautiful wedding ideas!

Winter Cocktails and Warm Drink Recipes

This time of year means cold Boston weather, and cold Boston weather means we need warm cocktails and beverages to keep us nice and toasty.Since we love mixing traditional cocktails and coming up with crazy concoctions, we’re going to take advantage of this cold weather and share with you a collection of winter cocktail recipes along with snack and dessert pairing suggestions for those winter beverages.Guide to Winter Cocktails and RecipesEach of the hot winter cocktails listed below makes a variety of servings depending on the ingredients.  Each is perfect to serve at winter parties, to enjoy during romantic nights in or to have by the fire after a long day of skiing and outdoor activities.

Blizzard Cocktail Recipe

Makes four servings

Mix 5 oz Irish Whisky, 3 oz Frangelico and 3 oz Bailey’s. Add 3 cups of hot coffee—toasted hazelnut flavored coffee blends well with this recipe. Top with whipped cream and garnish with whole coffee beans. Snacks for blizzard cocktail:  Biscuits or crackers with a variety of jams. Desserts for blizzard cocktail:  Bailey’s Brownies.  Baking tip:  in lieu of milk in a standard brownie recipe, add ¼ cup Bailey’s Irish Cream.  Mix and bake as directed.

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Hot Toddy Recipe

Makes four servings

Boil 8 oz of water, and once boiling, remove from heat and add a few zests of lemon peel and 1½ tbsp Demerara (raw brown) sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add 6 oz single malt Scotch.  Stir and pour into individual glasses. Top individual glasses with an additional splash of boiling water to keep the temperature of the drink hot when serving. Snacks for hot toddy:  Something smoked, like smoked oysters or smoked sausage. Desserts for hot toddy:  Crème Brule.  Even though Scotch is typically consumed by itself, no one will mind indulging in this delicious dessert while drinking a glass.

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Swedish Glogg Recipe

Makes six servings

In a large pot, heat one bottle of port wine on low heat for about 15 minutes. Add ¾ cup bourbon and ¾ cup light rum for about 10 minutes.  Do not boil. While the mixture is heating, put 1 whole cardamom pod, 1 small cinnamon stick, a little orange zest and 2 whole cloves in the center of a cheese cloth, gathering the ends of the cloth and tying the four ingredients inside the makeshift sack with a string or fastener to secure it. Once the mixture has reach a high temperature, light it on fire with a long match stick, and—with the proper heatproof protection, pour ¼ cup sugar into the flames. Let the fire burn for 30 seconds before placing the pot lid over the flames to extinguish the fire. Turn off the stove, remove the pan from heat and let it cool for 30 minutes to an hour. Strain the glogg before rebottling it for storage (glogg should age for a least two weeks and up to one year before consuming).  Heat for about five minutes on stovetop before serving. Garnish with dried cranberries or raisins. Snacks for glogg:  Rum-soaked raisins and cranberries. Desserts for glogg:  Gingersnap cookies.  This is a typical winter or holiday combination in Sweden.

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Hot Mulled Wine Recipe

Makes six servings

In a large pot, combine one bottle cabernet sauvignon, one sliced (and peeled) orange, orange zests from peel, ¼ cup brandy, 8 cloves, ½ cup honey, 4 cinnamon sticks and 1 tsp ginger. Cook the concoction on low heat for about 20 minutes, but do not bring to a boil.  Stir occasionally. Ladle into individual cups, remembering to pour it through a strainer to avoid sediments. Snacks for mulled wine:  Cheese and cracker tray. Desserts for mulled wine:  Cheesecake.  For an even better combination, try a mulled wine cheesecake recipe including a glogg and sugar reduction topping that is drizzled over the top of the traditional cheesecake.

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Hot Buttered Rum Recipe

Makes four servings

Place four thin slices of butter, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg and a splash of vanilla extract at the bottom of a pan. Keep over heat until the butter is softened and the ingredients mixed. Remove from heat and add 8 oz of dark rum and hot water. Stir well and serve in individual mugs. Snacks for hot buttered rum:  Fish cakes, fried calamari, roasted shrimp or other finger seafood. Desserts for hot buttered rum:  Dessert bread with pecans and brown sugar crust.

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Irish Coffee Recipe

Makes four servings

Add 6 oz Irish Whisky and 1 tbsp brown sugar to a full pot of fresh coffee. Stir and pour into individual mugs. Top with whipped cream and garnish with whole coffee beans. Snacks for Irish coffee:  Irish soda bread. Desserts for Irish coffee:  Irish cake pops.  Baking tip:  substitute a little bit of whiskey and a little Guinness for the liquids in a chocolate cake recipe.There are plenty more pairings to help warm your winter season.  Just visit our Winter Beverages Pinterest board to check them out! If you liked these pairings, check out our Wine and Cheese Pairing Ideas for the Fall or these hot Tapas and Sangria Pairings.  We also have plenty of winter holiday-related articles that are sure to help you plan your holiday parties, such as this year's 7 Corporate Holiday Party Trends and this Holiday Party Case Study, full of wonderful photos for inspiration.