Welcome to The Caviar & Banana Event & Weddings Idea, Inspiration & Design Blog

As humans, we have an innate need to connect with one another and spend time with the people we care about. We have watched the catering and wedding industry here in Houston do the rollercoaster over the past year but our books are nearly full with 2022 weddings and bride calling daily. The last several months have been challenging for us all on many fronts. We’ve adjusted to new routines and watched our communities and economies struggle, and that’s weighed heavily on our hearts. When we’ve needed each other most, we’ve had to keep our distance to protect ourselves and our neighbors. Thankfully, we’re finding new ways to stay connected and spend time together. Times have changed, but the celebrations haven’t stopped. With social distancing, masks and other important measures in place to keep our community safe, micro-events have become a popular way to get together. Whether you’re planning an intimate outdoor ceremony or a backyard movie night with friends, Caviar and Banana Catering is here to add some flavor to your festivities.

Rushed catering orders are sometimes inevitable in a fast-paced corporate or office setting. As a top Houston, TX catering company we know how hectic things can get. So, trying to organize a last-minute event is stressful enough, let alone when you have catering required. Caviar And Banana makes last-minute catering ordering easy and quick, we take the pressure off your back so you can focus on everything else you need to get done. Next time you need something last-minute, order office catering with Sweetwater! Quick pre-ordering checklist: We know you’re in a rush, but here are a few things to make sure you have everything covered, while making your last-minute corporate catering order: Have special diets covered: options for vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan or any food allergy and special diet in your office. Make sure you order enough (but not too much). Get in contact with an experienced corporate catering company like Caviar & Banana in Houston to take care of the food details. 8 last-minute catering food ideas If you’re after some quick meals, you’ve come to the right place! Check out our list of easy meals to order when you need something fast for that last minute meeting. Sandwiches Sometimes when you’re in a time pinch, it’s best to stick to what you know. Sandwich catering are a simple, effective and filling way to feed a team, cater for special diets and can usually be provided with little notice. Definitely worth keeping in mind if you need some same day catering which we can accommodate! Sushi Sushi is always a healthy, popular and satisfying choice when it comes to office lunch catering, and the best part is, it’s quick and we can deliver with less then 12 hour notice! This is also a fool proof way to cater for vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian and gluten free foods. Special diet catering? No problem for Sweetwater in Houston. Salads This may not seem like the most exciting option, but we beg to differ. Don’t just think of salads as the vegan food option on a menu, Salads are full of tasty and hearty ingredients that all of your guests can enjoy. You can get them as stand alone, or the side for an extra plate filler. Here are a few salad ideas to get you started: Greek salad - a perfect side to many meals. Caesar salad - a tasty classic Fruit salad - perfect for a fast dessert, morning or afternoon tea, or sweet touch. Caprese salad - simple yet satisfying. Flatbread Fast, delicious and a major crowd pleaser, fresh flatbread catering is never a disappointment. Take our word for it. Grab a few varieties and perhaps a couple of side salads for a buffet catering style line up and everyone in the office can grab a slice and fill up. Even though flatbread may not be your go-to gluten free food addition to your catering order, add a salad and as your Caviar & Banana Catering account specialist to order a gluten free crust, so everyone can grab a slice. Mediterranean Food If you need last minute catering without it seeming last minute, Mediterranean food may be the way to go. This offers a deliciously unique healthy corporate catering option, which gives the impression you put a lot of thought into ordering, even if you didn’t have the luxury of time. From kabobs, pita, gyros and spinach rolls, and rice bowls Mediterranean delicacies are a perfect mix of healthy and flavorful, all while still being easy meals for everyone to enjoy. Pasta Let’s face it, everybody loves a good pasta dish and if you’re after a way to get tasty, quick meals fast, pasta may be just the way to go. Opt for a tomato base, creamy pasta everyone loves Sweetwater Chicken Alfredo or a fresh pesto, a few salads and even some garlic bread for a perfect mix everyone can enjoy. Platters Platters and spreads are perfect for any time of day because you can really customize the wide range of delicious food you serve. Gourmet platters have taken the catering industry by storm and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy them in the office too. For example, an impromptu breakfast meeting might call for some seasonal fruits, waffle bites, yoghurt pots and mini pastries. Whilst, something filled with cheeses, antipasto meats and fresh bread could be a wonderful addition to any lunchtime meeting. Get a mix of gluten free foods, vegan foods and vegetarian options alongside your beautiful deli meats to keep everyone satisfied. Cakes and cupcakes If you have a client coming in for an afternoon or morning tea, ordering in a few sweet finger food options can be the perfect accompaniment to a warm cup of tea or coffee. Serving up a cupcake will give them the boost of positivity only a cupcake can achieve. Need last minute catering? Our signature last minute catering service in Houston Texas allows you to place a last-minute catering order and receive your food with same day delivery, within 90 minutes! Check out all the awesome catering menus in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Spring, Cypress, Montgomery, Conroe and The Woodlands in Texas. We have all your corporate catering needs covered, from event catering, staff lunch, boardroom meetings, morning tea, buffet catering and kitchen supplies.

Did your now fiancee recently pop the question or think that they are about to? Then this articles is for you! Once you’ve spread the news, drank plenty of champagne, and called each other my fiancé over and over, it’s time to make some wedding planning decisions. But where do you start? First, however, a word about COVID-19 Delta Variant and weddings. Weddings for the most part are back on track, the industry has seen a major increase in customer volume and many wedding venues are fully booked. Boxwood Manor as we recently found out is already fully booked for all of 2022 and has opened their books to 2023 weddings already.Most Houston wedding venues and vendors have solid plans in place to answer any questions about the what if's that may arise. Be prepared to be told its a requirement for you to purchase wedding cancelation insurance. It not only protects the vendor but also you the couple! Here are the first seven wedding planning decisions that should be on your To-Do list. Start with the basics for your wedding day. You don’t need to pick a color pallet yet, but before you make any other wedding planning decisions, it’s a good idea for you and your partner to talk about how you envision your big day. That way, you’ll both be on the same page. Some started questions would be, are you both wanting a small wedding or a gran wedding? Winter weddings in Houston are nice or are you looking for a spring or summer wedding? Formal, casual, or somewhere in between? Discuss your expectations and what’s most important to each of you. Choosing a wedding venue is the first decision you should make unless you are planning to hire a professional wedding planner (which we highly recommend). Caviar and Banana is much more than a Houston wedding caterer. Our team includes wedding and event planners, Houston florists, event designers, wedding rentals, and so much more! Our professional Houston wedding consultants will guide you in choosing the perfect wedding venue for your 2022 wedding! Choose a date (range). Choosing an exact date will usually depend on your venue and other factors (especially for 2022). However, it’s a good idea to settle on a preferred month or at least a season early on. If nothing else, it means you’ll have a ready answer when people ask (and they will!). Of course, you may ultimately need to be flexible with your date, but this will give you a starting point. Set a budget. Creating a budget can be a difficult and awkward task, but it affects all the rest of your wedding planning decisions. Best to get it out of the way now! Sit down with one or both sets of parents (if applicable) and come up with a number you’re all comfortable with. It’s also a good idea to agree on who will pay for what. Once you know what you can afford to spend, use a spreadsheet or other tool to track your expenditure. Draft your guest list. Once you’ve set the budget, it’s time to figure out who you’re going to invite to the wedding. Start by jotting down your ‘must-have’ guests and use this as a minimum headcount. It’s also a good idea to ask your families for input, especially if they are footing all or part of the bill. They may have a longer list than you expect! Your guest list is another area where you may need to be flexible thanks to Coronavirus restrictions. Be sure to keep your original lists as they may be helpful if you have to cut the number of guests later. Book the venue. With an estimated guest count and a budget in mind, you can start researching and contacting venues for virtual or in-person tours. Where you choose to say “I do” can make a big difference to the style of your wedding. Venue availability may also dictate the wedding date. So, be sure to confirm your booking and pay the deposit before you start shopping for décor or sending out those save the dates! And consider options like weekday weddings if you haven’t already. Hire priority wedding vendors. Maybe you have your hearts set on a particular band or caterer. Or perhaps there’s a top Houston wedding photographer like Swish and Click Photography whose work you need to follow on Instagram! Many wedding vendors get booked well in advance, so if you know who you want to work with, contact them asap. Our wedding planners at Caviar & Banana are able to refer you to their network of trusted vendors and save you a lot of time and research. Plus they can help negotiate the venue contract too! Now that you have the most important wedding planning decisions in place you can rest assured that everything will start falling into place for your special day! Happy planning!

Here at Caviar and Banana Catering & Events, there are many options for service that set the tone for your event and create an atmosphere for your guests. Your food preferences and overall atmosphere goals will help you decide what works best for you, what makes the most sense at your Houston wedding venue and keeping your wedding budget on track. Passed & Displayed Hors D’oeuvres Our hors d’oeuvre selections make a great addition to any style of service and allow your guests to try a variety of items. Create a vibrant social atmosphere by going heavy on the passed hors d’oeuvres and adding a few small plates or stations, letting them take the place of dinner altogether. Featuring a favorite or nostalgic food item is popular for passed hors d’oeuvres. It can also amp up the cute or fun factor depending on selection. Our displayed hors d’oeuvres are a Houston wedding favorite and are suggested curated selections perfect for both casual and formal events. Displayed items allow you to play more with food décor- placing themed elevations and using floral on your display is a great way to carry ceremony floral into your reception space. Buffet Catering Buffets create a collective dining experience. With this service style, your guests can help themselves to a full meal presented with a selection of proteins, sides and vegetables. This does not have to be a traditional single line. We often see buffets accompanied by a salad display or dessert station to help break up the service line and allow for more of a flow. Chef Station Catering Stations, either displayed or chef attended, create individualized experiences at each table and will give great variety to your menu for the evening. This service style allows your guests to create multiple plates of food in smaller portions as opposed to one large plate at a buffet. Our station menu selections offer both heavy and light menu options, making them one of our most popular service styles. Anything from an empanada display to a traditional beef tenderloin carving station get your guests up and moving to a designated place to make a plate. This style will create an atmosphere that can be described as more “mixing and mingling” rather than everyone being seated at once for the entire length of dinner. Another aspect to consider with this style is that you do not need to offer full seating for every guest which can be a huge cost savings! You can supplement full seating with extra tall cocktail tables, and maybe even a fun lounge. Small Plate Stations Picture small plates as a segway between traditional stations and a served dinner. A chef creates a beautiful presentation on a composed plate and sets it out for your guests. Your guests are going up to grab their plates instead of being seated and served. Like stations, small plates allow your guests to help themselves to multiple plates throughout dinner time. These stations allow for a more social atmosphere with a variety of taste profiles and are a great way to offer more than one type of cuisine. Served, Plated Our plated service style allows your guests to stay seated during the meal while servers bring food to the table. This creates a more formal atmosphere with service similar to that of a restaurant. We often see a preset salad or dessert course on the table to limit service time and allow room for speeches or more dancing. For a served meal you may choose for everyone to receive the same entrée or perhaps have guests choose from a limited selection when they RSVP. A popular option for served entrees is a dual entrée course containing two protein options. This section saves yourself added steps prior to the event which will include collecting everyone’s choices, creating seating cards that clearly display their choice, and assigning seating. Served, Family Style Family style offers your guests a seated dinner experience with a twist. With this style servers bring large platters of food to the table for guests to pass as if they are in their own home as opposed to individually plated meals. This creates a more relaxed atmosphere and creates a sense of community amongst tables. Sweetwater Farms has catering options fit for any celebration. Our Houston Catering & Event Sales Team is here to help you determine which service styles will offer the best presentation for your event!

Here are fifteen tips to remember when you're looking to hire a caterer! The relationship should be a partnership, and communication with your caterer can help you alleviate stress. We cater over a hundred wedding a year in Houston, The Woodlands, Spring, Montgomery, Texas. With that comes our knowledge and relationships of top Houston wedding vendors that we can refer to our Houston Brides. Communication is key. Your caterer needs to know your budget. We will respect it, and help you get the most for your money. Having Mercedes taste and a sub-compact budget is not a problem. We are trained to find your hot buttons, and give you as many of the important components as possible on your budget. At Caviar and Banana Events we want you to get the most for your money spent with us and work tirelessly to make it happen! We want you as a return future client, as well as your guests to think of us next time they’re planning. That said, we will not sell you food for 75, when you have 100 “light eaters and drinkers” expected. We want us both to look good. Saturdays in March, April, May, September and October are not bargain days, we're talking weddings. The more you can move your event to Friday, Sunday, and especially a slower month, the better pricing you can expect from your caterer and other providers. Caterers come in a wide variety of prices for a reason. Chances are that a more expensive option results in everything being made from scratch, in house, and the “bargains” involve opening cans and heating up pre-made frozen options. You have a right to ask for details. Your caterer is not an on-site restaurant, preparing one item at a time. We will propose menu items that we know can be offered at high-quality, in sometimes challenging environments. The best caterers can produce foods that will make your guests think their meal has been prepared to order, but the reality is that 300 is not the same as a 2-top. There is no such thing as a perfect event. You are hoping for one that is so close that you and your guests think it is perfect. Your Houston caterer cannot answer the question, “How much does a catered event cost?” There are many factors that are affected by location, logistics, and many other factors. Be prepared to answer a few questions that will allow for these things to be calculated. Communicate honestly with your caterer, and you can have a fabulous event, with your expectations met, and on your budget. We also asked our team to give some of their most candid responses to what they want you to know and here are their answers: You catch more bees with honey than vinegar! We love working with kind brides and will go out of our way to earn them as clients. I am not in the office 24/7. Work life balance is key, and we devote a lot of time to being onsite with our current clients. Read through your contract multiple times. Be sure that you know the times, conditions, menu, and details listed. There are quite a few dos and don’ts that come with tastings. We love doing them but be courteous of the team that just put together an entire specialized sampling for you. Trust us! You hired us to for a reason. Let us help you have a successful and delicious event. Don’t stress about sticking to the suggested planning timelines published in bridal books. They are not always accurate and can cause unneeded anxiety!

One of, or perhaps, the most important item on your checklist will be the party catering. The winter holiday season is all about the food, isn’t it? Here at Caviar & Banana Catering and Events we think so! Whether you’re converting your office boardroom into a gathering space or arranging dinner and drinks on the headquarters balcony, you’ll want to ensure a steady flow of delicious Christmas party finger foods, appetizers and Hors d'oeuvres. A delicious spread permits mess-free mingling, free of snapping hunger pangs that usher groans for the main meal. Not sure where to start? Read on for our eight delectable and easy Christmas finger food ideas you should consider for the office holiday party. 1. Mini pizzas All the delicious flavors of a warm slice of pizza in one bite-sized portion. Mini pizzas are great for office Christmas snacks at parties because they aren’t as heavy on the stomach as a standard slice. Colleagues can enjoy the cheesy goodness without filling up, allowing them to sample other delicious food on offer. Pizza catering ideas: For Christmas, you should choose something a little special. Our catering specialists at Sweetwater in Houston can arrange our chefs to create themed pizza bites, such as basil pesto Christmas tree pizzas or margarita Santa hats with blue cheese. 2. Mini pavlovas Pavlovas are a holiday party classic and holiday appetizer. Sure to add an addition palette of flavor to your Christmas catering spread. Crispy meringue that is sweet to the core and topped with seasonal fruits, this dessert will make anyone feel refreshed and impress at any summer celebration or Christmas dinner. 3. Christmas sweet treats It wouldn’t be Christmas food without some sweet treats to brighten your spread. Decorated cheese or bliss balls will add a pop of red and green to the boardroom (buffet!) table. Fruit tarts and mini Christmas themed cupcakes are also items you must include, as these classic bites never disappoint. Sweet treat tips: Don’t neglect cookies, Caviar & Banana can arrange a holiday cookie decorating contest for your employees! We supply all the ingredients and tools needed and you have all the fun! 4. Burger sliders Slide some Texas angus beef burgers your colleagues’ way. There’s no need to go crazy when it comes to your corporate burger catering. A variety of cheese, beef, chicken, turkey with cranberry sauce and veggie sliders will provide you with enough options to give everyone at the office a taste of the Christmas spirit. 5. Rice paper rolls These light and delectable morsels will bring a touch of fusion to any office Christmas event. A healthier alternative to the popular deep-fried spring roll, these rice-starch wraps come packed with a variety of fillings. From smoked salmon, grilled chicken, shrimp, fresh vegetables and tofu, you can please everyone with a gourmet Vietnamese catering platter from Sweetwater. Catering tip: Rice-based treats are great for anyone with special diets, on a health kick or a small appetite. 6. Skewered foods Put anything on a skewer and it becomes finger food for the corporate Christmas party! If you do go for food on a stick, ensure that you cater to everyone’s tastes by providing a variety of protein and vegetable combinations. It’s essential that skewered options aren’t too greasy or oily to avoid excessive runoff and mess. They should be able to be eaten comfortably, while seated or standing. The classic combination of cherry tomatoes, bocconcini cheese balls and basil are a great option for the office Christmas lunch. Their fresh flavors and vibrant colors will get everyone in the Christmas spirit! Kitchen supplies tip: If you need platters on which to serve your Christmas finger food, consider ordering them along with your corporate catering Sweetwater Catering is able to supply one of our many different styles. 7. Mini sausage rolls and hand pies There’s no party without a side dish (or two!) of party pies and sausage rolls. For the non Texans reading this we refers to them here in Houston to The Woodlands as kolache. These classic crowd-pleasers are well-suited to hot finger food catering and should be paired alongside a cold dish, such as rice paper rolls, to balance out the catering. Our smoked sausage rolls are a favorite at catered events and weddings in Katy and Royal Oaks in Houston Area Catering food. Remember to check if you need to provide gluten-free or vegetarian options as these carnivorous pastries will not fit the bill for either of these special diet catering requirements. Catering tip: Add a festive twist with a delicious pork and cranberry sausage roll, turkey and cranberry sausage roll, or try serving a spiced cranberry chutney with your hot food. 8. Puff pastry ‍ * Caramelized onion and apple tart * Cheese twists * Puff pastry bites with stilton cheese, fig jam and candy glazed walnuts * Mini chorizo sausage rolls * Cranberry baked brie bites * Dark chocolate cream horns * Blue cheese and brie pastry cups * Raspberry palmiers * Pear, prosciutto and goat cheese cups * Mini lemon and raspberry puff tarts Christmas party finger food catering tips Here are some other useful Christmas event catering tips to help make your office holiday event planning a breeze: How long should my Christmas party be? Follow these guidelines when planning the duration of your Christmas bash. * For a lunchtime function — 2 to 3 hours * For an evening function — 3 to 4 hours How many Christmas party finger foods should I order for my event? * 1-hour event — 6 pieces per person * 2-hour event — 9 pieces per person * 3-hour event — 12 pieces per person * 4-hour event — 16 pieces per person What finger food should I order? Hot versus cold food? A combination of both is best for your Christmas event. Serve the hot food first, followed by the cold. Worried about your finger food running out? Don't stress! Caviar and Banana local catering near you will help you order online with a selection of yummy cheese and fruit platters to serve after the finger foods have been eaten, about an hour before your Christmas party event wraps up. It's also a sensible choice when considering the responsible service of alcohol. It's not a celebration without the alcohol! How much alcohol should you order for your office Christmas party? Here are a few handy alcohol quantity guidelines for your Christmas shindig. * The first hour — allow three drinks per person, two glasses of wine or beer and one soft drink * Each subsequent hour — allow two drinks per person. So that means to allow five drinks per person for a two-hour event Remember, these are guidelines only and always have plenty of bottled water available to keep a safe and comfortable environment for all. Sweetwater Catering has bar, Bartending and refreshment packages for you catered holiday event at affordable pricing. What mix of alcohol should I order? Normally, a 50/50 split of beer to wine should be sufficient. But, if you know you'll have a greater number of males present at your event, try a 70/30 beer to wine ratio instead. If warm weather is upon us, white and sparkling wine tends to be more popular than heavy reds. Always remember to serve plenty of non-alcoholic beverages as well, such as orange juice, sparkling mineral water and a mix of soft drinks — Coke, Coke Zero and Sprite are great options. Helpful tip: There are 24 drinks in a case of beer and six glasses of wine in a bottle. Cater for your Christmas spirit Providing a variety of easy, yet festive finger food options for lunch or dinner is key to a successful and fun Christmas spread. Ensure you have both hot and cold Christmas party finger foods available, and a variety of flavors for a balanced palette. Getting your food menu right can make or break your holiday part, as when the food goes south, so does the Christmas cheer. For more advice or inspirational food ideas relating to office Christmas holiday party catering near you read up more on Caviar and Banana catering and event blog for inspiration, tips and advice for planning the perfect party in Houston. We offer delicious and fun catering that everyone will love, get in touch with the friendly team at Caviar and Banana Events in Texas. Alternatively, browse our online catering event holiday and wedding menus if you’d like to order finger food catering for your office Christmas bash. Don't forget that if you need help planning your holiday party, our event managers are on hand to help with themes, decorations, equipment, staff hire and more!

Whether it’s a holiday (we’re looking at you Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s!) or any other excuse you may have for getting your friends and family together, you can still have a great party even with everything that going on... or a busy schedule. As a host, the greatest and most time-intensive task inevitably revolves around supplying the food. Whether you go for a full spread or settle on snacks, holiday platters and appetizers, having to plan a party during the holidays can seem like an impossible task for many. Caviar and Banana Catering in Houston offers a convenient solution to this problem by preparing and delivering your holiday meals to any location within the greater Houston area. All you have to do is tap a few buttons or make a call to our friendly catering specialists. HOMEMADE RECIPES Our holiday catering menu features a variety of delicious homemade dishes prepared at the highest standards in safety using the best quality ingredients. You can control what everybody eats and the amount of food available. From carved turkey for Thanksgiving, Christmas ham with all of your favorite sides, or a chef carved prime rib for New Years we have a menu for every holiday occasion. Our food is freshly prepared. Our staff takes great care in packing the hot foods so they are fresh and ready to eat whenever you are. Whether it’s a small or large group, we’ll work with you to ensure the food arrives at the right time and temperature. CUSTOMIZE YOUR MENU With the option to customize your menu, there’s lots of room for creativity to make your event even more magical. Even without a lot of time on your hands, you can still let your guests know that you love them (since food is the sixth language of love). Simply order your guests’ favorite dishes and have them delivered to your doorstep with our contact free delivery. If you'd like us to set up your drop off order we can do that as well! If you’re planning an office party and don’t have the time to go over everything on the menu, our staff will only need a headcount and budget to give you useful suggestions. Hosting a corporate holiday party, office party or a large group for Christmas or New Years Eve? Caviar & Banana can supply more than catering, we can fully design your event. Our florists can make custom floral arrangements, set a beautiful holiday table setting and much more! If planning a holiday party sounds like a lot of work, that’s because it is. While all of your guests are out having a great time with each other, you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen or rushing to get the food in order. With our holiday party delivery service, we can relieve you of this stress and give you more time back to enjoy the best parts of the holidays. Simply peruse our menu and create your order with the perfect spread. Get in touch to book your holiday catering or learn more about our menu options.

When planning a wedding, two of the first decisions couples usually make are choosing a venue and setting a date (after hiring a wedding planner from Caviar & Banana Events of course!). And that means sending out a save the date is often next on the to-do list. These are typically sent out around six or seven months before the big day, sometimes more in the case of destination weddings. But what about couples getting engaged during the Coronavirus pandemic? First of all, congratulations! Even though it may feel like everything is on hold at the moment, there’s no reason why you can’t get started with your wedding planning, especially if you’re having a longer engagement. While you’ll need to remain flexible and know that your plans may have to evolve, don’t hold off on sharing the good news with your family and friends or on putting initial plans into place. In fact, it’s even more important to give your guests notice of your wedding, and keep them informed! Compared to the invitations, save the dates serve more as a heads up to your guests about your upcoming nuptials. They’re meant to be short and simple, but they still need to include some important information. Here are seven things you always need on your save the dates, and an extra for these extraordinary times. Your names. This may sound obvious, but your names are a must. These can be full names or just first names depending on your style. For heterosexual couples, the bride’s name traditionally goes first. For same-sex couples, you can choose any order. The wedding date(s). The date is the most important piece of info – after all, that’s why you’re sending out save the dates in the first place! This will allow guests to mark your celebration off on their calendars and make any necessary travel or work arrangements. Make sure the wedding date (or dates, if it’s a destination wedding weekend) are clearly visible. You don’t need to include the ceremony time at this stage. The location. You don’t need to include the actual venue here. (In fact, it can be fun to save the big reveal for the actual invitations!) However, you should include the city and state (or country). Destination weddings may present additional uncertainty, so give this information at this stage for travel purposes. Your wedding website URL. Having a wedding website has always been a great idea, but right now, it’s essential. It allows you to communicate effectively with your guests and give them up-to-the-minute information. It also creates a platform for you to give them details that should not be on the save the dates, like registry information and hotel accommodations. The venues and event times (if available) can also on the website at this time. The next step. To avoid guests thinking that your save the date is the invitation, it’s a good idea to include a note that they can expect the invitation to come later. Something simple like “formal invitation to follow” is perfect. Personality! It’s always a good idea to add a personal touch to your save the dates if you can. Whether that’s a photo of the two of you or something that speaks of your love story, your guests will appreciate it. You can go for a completely stand-alone, quirky design or fit in with the look and feel of your invitations. It’s up to you! No rules here. Your return address. One mistake many couples make is not including their return address somewhere on the save the date card, especially if it’s a postcard. However, if one of the cards doesn’t reach the recipient, you’ll want to know so that you can reach out to them in another way. A note about changing plans. It’s a good idea to include a special note alerting guests that plans may change in light of COVID-19 developments. Direct them to your website for updates and let them know that you are planning with their wellbeing in mind!

To dispel the myths surrounding the day-of wedding coordinator and shed some light on what this really means for the couple, I sat down and wrote this article. We have recently seen a significant increase in the demand for day-of coordination, and I want to share some tips with you. This article is written in question and answer format. An often poorly understood concept, the day-of coordinator can is a life saver for couples who don't have the budget for a full-service planner; couples who thought they could do it all alone and then realize, close to the wedding, that they were wrong; and couples who actually manage to plan it all alone, but then wisely realize that they shouldn't leave the day-of nitty-gritty in the hands of their mother or maid of honor. Remember, your family and friends are your guests too, and you want them to be able to relax and enjoy your wedding. Caviar & Banana Events and Weddings has coordinated hundreds of weddings and we know exactly how to make your wedding day run as smoothly as you imagined. What exactly is a day-of wedding coordinator? Well, there actually is no such thing as a day-of coordinator. Although many planners use that title when describing this service, we are usually month-of planners. Since that's what it's become known as, let's go with the term "day-of coordinator." As a day-of coordinator, we do just that: We coordinate the logistics of your wedding day to make sure that everything that you have spent months planning runs exactly how you envisioned. From the arrival times of the florist, caterer, hair and makeup, first look, down the aisle, making sure all the photo looks you requested get taken, grand entrance, toasts, favorite songs, first dances, cake cutting, limo pick up and drop offs to packing all your gifts and goodies at the end of the night, the day-of coordinator will take care of it all. What kind of couple should think about hiring a day-of coordinator? I strongly recommend that every couple that is planning their own wedding hire a day-of coordinator. Planning the entire wedding without a coordinator is already stressful enough, so the least you can do is hire someone who can handle the stress of the day. Your peace of mind on your wedding day will be worth every penny! We keep hiring us simple with one price and one package. We know what it takes to have a successful wedding day and we don't cut corners. When a couple is interviewing prospective day-of coordinators, what types of questions should they ask? Ask what their day-of package includes. You definitely want to know how many hours they'll work for you on your wedding day. Also ask about their past wedding clients and see if they can give you some examples of how they handled thorny issues on the wedding day. Keep in mind that it's not always what you ask the potential planner, but your overall experience during the meeting. What kind of vibe do they give you? Are they excited about the conversation and your day? Does your intuition say, "Yes"? Most importantly, make sure this potential planner is truly listening to you and understanding the vision you've already created for the day. Remember, once all your own planning is done, your day-of coordinator becomes your spokesperson, no one does that better then Caviar & Banana Events. What kinds of tasks should a couple expect from the day-of coordinator? When your day-of coordinator comes on board, they will be the new point of contact for your vendors. They will introduce themselves to your vendors and get an idea of what to expect on the wedding day. Also, the coordinator will review your contracts and understand exactly who is doing what and when. They will create your day-of timeline, which will break down all the details regarding arrival times, setup and breakdown. This one is very important: Your coordinator will do a site visit with you, and discuss all of the details you have planned, to get an idea of how you envision the space on your wedding day. The day before your wedding, your coordinator will run your rehearsal, and on your wedding day, they will be there to run the show! For me, it's sometimes a 15-hour day, and we're there to make sure that each hour of your wedding day is worry-free and seamless. Depending on your arrangement with your coordinator, they will pack all of your goodies up at the end of the evening (cake knives, flutes and gifts), distribute the tips, and ensure the hotel has "romanced" your bridal suite. Conversely, what kinds of tasks should a couple NOT expect their day-of coordinator to take care of? Well, this really depends on the coordinator. As solution oriented people, once we are on board we usually want to do any and everything we can to make the last moments of planning a breeze. If you hire your day-of coordinator a month before the wedding and you still do not have major planning details in place, such as a photographer or caterer, you should anticipate an additional planning charge to get these last minute details in place. If your coordinator is gracious enough and does not charge for this additional planning, then consider that when you're tipping on wedding night. Do most wedding planners offer this day-of service, or is it a separate niche? There are wedding planners who are strictly day-of coordinators, and there are others who offer many planning packages, including day-of coordination. One is not necessarily better than the other. What's the biggest myth about day-of wedding planners? That you don't need one. I cannot stress this enough, you've likely spent tens of thousands of dollars on your wedding already don't let it go to waste. The last thing anyone want is to see you in tears while getting ready on your wedding day. What if the couple's wedding budget is really tight? Don't let the price tag keep you from contacting a day-of coordinator. Final words of caution. Some couples choose to forgo a day-of coordinator because their reception venue includes a coordinator. Although this may sound similar to a day-of coordinator, beware: It is not exactly the same. It's important that you identify exactly what your needs will be on wedding day and know ahead of time exactly what your venue coordinator is able and willing to do. Keep in mind that they may not be able to call the limo driver who is running late, or assist the groom who can't find his shirt. We actually seen a bride a groom once who was picking up streamers and confetti at the end of their wedding night because they didn't have someone to take care if it for them.