Catering Tips: Additional Services

The process of planning an event, whether it be a holiday party, a wedding, or a family reunion, requires taking many factors into consideration, so finding one-stop shopping for multiple, related products or services eases the burden of shopping around and dealing with multiple providers and contracts. Ask your vendors about all the other ways they can help you create a spectacular event:

• Does your deejay provide microphones for the ceremony?
• Does your photographer design photo albums or bring a photobooth?
• Does your stationer offer addressing and mailing services?
• Does your caterer have linens and furniture rentals?

Even if vendors do not specifically have some add-ons in their inventory or repertoire on a regular basis, they often have strong partnerships with companies that offer complementary items at a discounted price, which they can package into their own services, upon request. Don't be afraid to ask your catering consultant if the company can provide the following:

• Tables and chairs (including those for the buffet/stations, bar, deejay, favors, gifts, guest book, etc.)
• Linens (including floor-length, overlays, runners, napkins and napkin rings, chair covers, chair sashes/bands/belts/ties/caps, chair pads and pad covers, etc.)
• Flatware (including salad and dessert forks, dinner forks, soup spoons, teaspoons, dinner knives, steak knives, cake-cutting sets, etc.)
• China (including chargers, appetizer and dessert plates, dinner plates, soup bowls, coffee sets, etc.)
• Glasses (including champagne saucers and flutes, red and white wine glasses, pilsners, high balls, juice glasses, margarita and martini glasses, etc.)
• Tents (including siding, heating, lighting, flooring, etc.)

Contact us today to discover all the ways we can make your next wedding or corporate/social event well-coordinated and easier to plan.

Here are examples of events in which we incorporated rentals from our own stock and that of our partners:

(Image courtesy of Allison Reisz Photography)

(Image courtesy of Allison Reisz Photography)

A Look at Past Events

As 2010 winds down, we're looking back at the events we shared with you over the past year:

Our Signature Shrimp & Grits, at the Fall 2010 Georgia Bridal Show

Wedding reception at the Knights of Columbus Council 631

Stay In Savannah Website Launch Party (Image Courtesy of Scott Hopkins Photography)

Wedding Reception at Savannah Station

Wedding Reception at the Harper Fowlkes House (Image Courtesy of Allison Reisz Photography)

St. Patrick's Day Wedding at Bamboo Farms

Grand Opening of Hampton Inn Savannah Midtown

Savannah Chamber Oyster Roast

2009 Biggest Little Christmas Party at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum

If you have pictures from an event we catered, we'd love to include them here. Please email them to us!

Catering Tips: Saving Money on the Corporate Holiday Party

Now you have some ideas for planning a fun corporate holiday party. Here are some ideas for cutting costs:

• Have your party catered, rather than going to a restaurant, so you can the control the costs and options by offering a set menu, instead of letting employees order off a regular menu.
• Purchase a table at a single group rate, where all the details are included, by joining other businesses in the festivities.
• Hold the party during the day, when venues often offer lower prices.
• Save printing and postage costs by sending invitations via a free online service.
• Reduce drink costs by limiting choices to one or two specialty drinks, rather than hosting an open bar.
• Instead of giving away favors that will be thrown away or forgotten, or having an awkward gift-exchange, ask attendees to bring a new toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

What's your favorite thing about holiday office parties? What does your company do that's unique and fun? Leave a comment here or on Twitter or Facebook to be entered into a drawing to win free delivery on a Set & Go Holiday Lunchtime Buffet in December 2010 (up to $35 value).