Teri's Tips

Top Wedding Trends from 2011

 Kristina J. Smith

1. Fusion weddings – bringing together two cultures and celebrating as one.
2. Alternative registries such as assistance with the purchase of a house, honeymoon, or charitable donations.
3. French fries or similar Hors D’oeuvre items passed in paper cones.
4. Being “green” and using eco-friendly products from the wedding invitations to the cake.
5. Dessert bars that include candy tables, assorted pies, or various small cakes.
6. All shades of purple – lavender, lilac, eggplant…
7. Romantic and vintage looks that include pale pinks and yellows, soft, flowing gowns, and seersucker and linen.
8. Treats for the groom – cigar making station, groom’s cake, and blackjack tables.

Tips Blog

by: Mia-Faire Williams

Having a Holiday Party in the Corporate World

Properly planned, corporate parties can be a great opportunity for networking between coworkers, managers, and sometimes even clients and related businesses if included.   It is also a great opportunity for companies to acknowledge tenure, outstanding employees, accomplishments, and to promote corporate morale.

So, how does one pull off such an event?  Well corporate holiday parties can be simple or elaborate, formal or casual, elegant or whimsical.  As long as it is appropriate for the event and suitably planned, any theme that is chosen will help create feelings of appreciation and a memorable celebration for everyone to enjoy.  Top five tips for corporate parties all lye in the ground work.  Considering each of these factors is essential for a fun and festive event:

• TIME – Whimsical, casual and simple parties can pretty much be pulled together without a lot of time invested.  However, if your company is planning any type of formal, elaborate or exotic themed party, there is greater coordination and planning needed.  It is top priority to be realistic about the time needed to properly plan and execute corporate events.
• BUDGET – A low-budget party may need a simpler, easier theme, while a party with a bigger expense account can easily have more sophisticated flair.
• ORGANIZER – If the holiday party is being organized by an already hard-working employee, use a business like Leiters’ Fine Catering that takes the stress off their hands by allowing them to work with professional event planners. 
• GUEST LIST – Including corporate executives and high profile clients will generally have a more formal, sophisticated theme.  The number of people invited will also have an impact on how elaborate the theme ought to be.
• FORMALITY – An elegant theme is best for a very formal affair, while a more whimsical or humorous theme is suitable for a causal office party, even if you have it off site.