Happily welcoming guest author Rob Lowry with us today... I will now turn the blog over to him :)

As your wedding is the most important day of your life, you must take extra care when hiring your caterer to ensure it’s a great success. The last thing you want is a less than special meal to ruin it for you and your guests. A bad catering service reflects badly on you. So with this in mind I have prepared 7 questions you must ask them before you hire . . .

1. How many weddings have you catered for in the last year?
Recent and regular experience is what suits best here. You want your caterer to know what to expect and how to plan their wedding catering so the day can run as smoothly as possible. Regular bookings are a great recommendation for their standard of work, so don’t be afraid to ask this question and get the answers you want before hiring.

2. How many guests can they cater for?
This may seem an obvious question, but what you should also find out is on average how many guests they cater for. They may be able to cater for 300 guests, but if they normally cater for 100 they may struggle to handle 300. Ideally you want caterers with experience with weddings of similar size to yours.

3. Can they arrange a testing session?
You really shouldn’t hire your wedding caterer without a tasting session. You don’t want your special day overshadowed by the poor standard of the food served. The exception could be if you have attended a wedding catered by that company, and have been very impressed with their food.

4. Can they cater for the different needs of guests?
Everyone has their own tastes, but sometimes a vegetarian and non-vegetarian option isn’t enough detail for each guest. Some may even have severe allergies to certain foods or ingredients that can’t come into contact with anything served on their plate. This is an extreme case, but one that should be covered nonetheless. Allow your guests the chance to note any allergies in a space provided on the rsvp card. It’s vital that you have a caterer who can cope with these demands, as these errors could prove costly.

5. Do they have a catering license and insurance?
A licence shows they have met the recommended health and safety standards. And insurance protects you and them against any mishaps which happen on the day. Remember anything can happen when food is involved, people can be burnt, poisoned or have severe allergic reactions. Insurance is a required safety net.

6. What’s the ratio of staff serving to the number of guests?
To ensure smooth service and happy guests this is important. I once attended a wedding which was so understaffed that you had to wait for ten minutes on each portion of food being served, which ruined the day for everyone. Ideally you want one waiter for every 8-10 guests to ensure service runs smoothly.

7. What serving style do they use?
Some people get so caught up in the excitement of food suggestions that they forget to ask what serving style will be used. Seated service is when the food is put on plates in the kitchen and served to each guest. In Russian style the food is plattered and served by portion to each guest. French style is similar only the plattered food is set tableside and the guests serve themselves and pass the platters along. More table space is required for this and it takes longer to serve. Family style is where the food is left in bowls in the middle of the table and guests help themselves. Buffet style is where guests queue in a line for their food. Which would you like on your wedding day? Decide and be sure to ask if the caterer can offer this service.

So there you have it, 7 simple questions that you must ask your caterer before hiring. Everyone gets caught up in the excitement and stress of planning a wedding, so make sure you make a note of these questions and don’t forget to ask them.

About the Author:
Rob Lowry specialises in making sure your big day really is the best day of your life. His expertise has been sought by brides nationwide as well as by www.personalisedweddinggifts.co.uk where he advises on creating wedding lists for themed and seasonal weddings.

There's a new dessert company out there know as Bananappeal who carries a line of ready-to-eat banana-flavored cakes that are baked right in their very own vintage-inspired Mason jars. The cakes are the amazing creation of pastry chef Courtney Dougherty who is a graduate of Cornell and an alum of the pastry kitchens of 11 Madison Park and Tru.

I was lucky enough to receive samples of these desserts and have fallen in love with them. These individually-sized desserts are adorable, super tasty and perfect for bridal showers and weddings - well, actually any type of party. There is a flavor to suit all tastes . . . including four frosted cakes: Banana Peanut Butter; Banana Salted Caramel; Banana Toasted Coconut; Chocolate Chip Banana Fudge . . . and four cheesecakes {2 of which are gluten free}: Banana Gingersnap; Bananas Foster; Banana Strawberry {gluten-free} and Banana Tiramisu {gluten-free}. But, if you ask me to pick a favorite - I don't think I can do that as they are each delicious and have the perfect combo of flavors.

Why not serve your guests their very own Bananappeal in lieu of a cake? The jars then become the take home favors for the guests. Or, you can present your guests with their very own Bananappeal dessert as their favor with one of the many custom and semi-custom lid stickers. You can choose from one of their existing templates or create you own custom label with the help of their in-house graphic designer. Case pricing is available and Bananappeal ships anywhere in the country.

above photo taken by me with a Canon 60d

I have to say I am totally in love with not only the taste of Courtney's cakes {which are totally all natural by the way}, but the presentation of each little cake and her marketing goodies - her business card is letterpressed and shaped like a banana! Each little cake {which comes in 2 sizes to choose from} comes with red and white twine tied around the lid and sealed with a banana sticker. ADORABLE!!!!!!

above photo taken by me with a Canon 60d

Ready to try your very own Bananappeal Cake? You can order online from Bananappeal.com anytime and starting in March, you will be able to order online from Williams Sonoma.

Country Living has a great section on their site for summer party ideas . . . and with the Independence holiday weekend quickly approaching, I knew I had to share with you some of the great photos and ideas. I thought they'd be perfect for a festive 4th party that might also be an engagement party or rehearsal dinner. The ideas could also be used for a backyard bridal shower or even a wedding.
1. Wrap sparkling water, lemonade, food jars, and soda bottles in pattern paper that is secured with double-sided tape. You can either make use of leftover pieces of gift wrap or wallpaper that match your color scheme.

2. I absolutely LOVE this idea. Anchor your tablecloths with pails of wildflowers - simply fill tiny tin buckets with flowers and about an 1/2 inch of water. Using a clip and string or narrow ribbon, tie and knot one end around the bucket's handle and the other end to the clip.
3. Using hibiscus syrup, which comes with the edible flowers - you can make 2 different drinks from the one ingredient. For one drink, the syrup adds a floral note and a red tinge to iced tea. For a second drink, you can add one of the hibiscus flowers to a flute of champagne.
4. A great way to keep bugs out of the side dishes is to serve them in single-serving lidded glass jars and then each guest receives their own individual portion.

5. Serve up a fun and unexpected dessert for guests with a simplified Sundae Bar. Pre-dip the cones in melted white or milk chocolate, then roll in goodies, such as tiny mashmallows, coconut, nuts, etc. Serve the cones with a selection of ice cream flavors that are chilled in a tub of ice. Guests then help themselves.

Click here to see all of Country Living's Summer Party Ideas

This past Sunday, I attended another class at my local Pottery Barn. This seasonal class was all about outdoor/backyard entertaining, perfect for those looking to throw engagement parties or bridal showers this summer. And the tips are well-suited for weddings themselves or the casual get together with friends. I attended one of the Pottery Barn classes in the spring that discussed tips for decorating and entertaining for a brunch.

Below are the easy to use entertaining tips that have been organized into 3 sections based on the multitude of notes I took . . .
• Casual Sit Down Dinner
• The Buffet Table and Drink/Bar Table
• Formal Outdoor Setting
above photos have been taken by me, Brenda

Casual Sit Down Dinner
1. Using different levels on the table: suggestions included using either sturdy placemats or chargers under the plates to make it easier for guests to pick their food up and move, adding in a lazy susan around the umbrella to help with serving of condiments and food {aren't the condiment servers just the cutest in the above photo?}
2. Use acrylic dinnerware: no need to worry about breakage {can also be for everyday use and is dishwasher safe}
3. Add fun elements: such as enamel pails which can be used for serving appetizers or fruit, as a holder for napkin of guest, etc.
4. For an upscale look that's also "green", consider using linen napkins: even though it's a casual dinner, linen napkins will create a prettier display on the table and it's the little touches that make the dinner extra special for your guests.
5. The simpler the centerpiece the better for outdoor entertaining: consider votive candles or lanterns
6. Another item that is coming back in style for casual entertaining is galvanized serving ware: consider wine/glass bottle holder, trays, etc. And, a plus side to galvanized is that it won't rust.


the above two images are courtesy of Pottery Barn

The Buffet Table and Drink/Bar Table
1. For the buffet table, you will want to keep the centerpiece at the back of the table: this way guests aren't reaching over the displays when reaching for food.
2. A printed menu: when displayed in a frame it creates a focal point
3. Have silverware and napkins available at the end of buffet table: guests don't need to be juggling their plates, the silverware and spooning the food onto their plate.
4. Have either chargers or sturdy placements for your guests to put their plates on: they can then balance the plate easier on their arm while selecting their food
5. When doing a buffet, you can skip the salad plates: one plate will suffice
6. Use tongs: as the guest will need to do everything with one hand (ex. the typical long spoon and fork for salad serving should not be used)
7. Keep fork, knife and spoon together: to make it easier for guests to pick up their silverware at the end, wrap the silverware in a napkin and tie with twine. It also creates a lovely display as well as making it easy for your guest to grab and go.
8. Labeling drinks: it's recommended that you add a label to the dispenser with the drink name to eliminate guesswork
9. Extra Towels: have a few towels nearby to wipe up spills and condensation
10. GREAT ICE TIP: for a 2 hr cocktail party, it's recommended that you have 1 lb of ice per guest


above photos have been taken by me, Brenda

Formal Outdoor Setting
1. Use linen, glass, ceramic and silver: great way to mix textures and layers
2. Mix & match linen napkins: same color palette/hues, but different patterns
3. Use a runner or tablecloth for formal setting: making sure there is something under the plate {ex. charger, tablecloth, etc}
4. Add outdoor elements: such as a lantern, shells, etc
5. Place cards: are a great wau to add an unexpected touch for your guests
6. Ambient lighting: helps keeps bugs away {turning on the deck light will attract the bugs}

And, lastly . . . with some simple pre-planning, it will be easy for the host to enjoy the party too.
Cold Dishes - prepare the day before and store in the fridge.
Hot Dishes - bake in the morning and keep warm in the oven {then you just need to pull them out when ready}

I'm so happy to bring you an exclusive announcement before it's even added to the designer's web site. Drum Roll, Please . . . Erica O'Brien Cake Design in Long Beach, California is launching a brand new line of edible goodies and to explain the new line, here's Erica herself: "Although cupcakes have been in vogue for quite some time now, until now they've been somewhat kitschy. Erica O'Brien's interpretation elevates the wedding cupcake to the same level as the wedding cake: sophisticated, modern, and in this case, earth-friendly. The wedding cupcakes seen here are filled with passionfruit curd and covered with fondant, and wrapped in elegant recycled paper to match the invitations."

I am loving this refreshingly modern approach to the cupcake. And, to go along with the stylish cupcakes, a moss green and periwinkle blue wedding inspiration board follows . . .

Ideas and Inspirations | Photos and Galleries
Color Palette: moss green and periwinkle blue
Image Credits and Resources
Mini Bouquet with Moss from Brides, Ivory Raw Silk Ring Pillow with Vintage Center Piece set with crystals from Eternal Covenant on etsy, Moss Green Crystal Earrings from Aide-mémoire on etsy {Vintage Inspired Jewelry}, Bird's Nest Save The Date in Moss Green on Ivory from Dear Emma Stationery on etsy, Wedding Bouquet from BHG.com, Jim Hjelm Occasions Bridesmaid Dresses in green and blue, Green Triangular Shawl from Berniolie on etsy {Handmade shawls, knitted and crochet gifts}