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Choose the Best Caterer for a Spectacular New Year’s Eve Event

Ringing in the New Year is easily the biggest event of the holiday season. As such, it is imperative to choose a great New Year’s Eve catering service. Your San Diego caterer should be able to handle any celebration to the satisfaction and delight of the host and guests. When looking for New Year’s catering, there are a few basic factors to keep in mind. The advice below will help you to choose the right caterers for any party.

Start Early

As mentioned, New Year’s Eve is one of the most celebrated events of the entire year. Because of this, the best New Year’s Eve catering services tend to book up quickly. As a result, plan early to ensure you are able to schedule a top catering company in the area. By planning early, you will be able to send out invites to be sent out early. Guests will love this, because they will be able to plan accordingly during this busy season. The larger and more complex the event, the earlier hosts should begin the process.

Get Recommendations

It’s likely that you may be choosing a New Year’s Eve catering service for the first time. If so, it can be very helpful to rely on references from previous clients. Ask friends or family members whether they have used a company in the past with great success. Any company that comes highly recommended should be at the top of the contact list. Also, be sure to check online reviews. This is another way to determine whether a catering service can deliver on its promises.

A Menu that Fits the Evening

The menu for any New Year’s Eve bash can vary considerably. Typically, the adjustments to the menu are based on the time of the event. They can also be influenced by the preferences of the host. Some hosts choose to host a formal sit-down dinner at the event. This can be scheduled earlier in the evening with appetizers or dessert selections throughout the rest of the night. Another option is to provide finger foods early, with a later dinner just in time to ring in the New Year.

No matter what type of menu fits the event best, the New Year’s catering company should be able to accommodate the request. In addition, a top catering company will have plenty of knowledgeable feedback to help hosts design a night that works best for guests.

The Best Beverage Plan

New Year’s Eve is a night for celebration and revelry, so the right beverage plan is just as essential as the appropriate menu. Most catering companies offer bartending services, which can range from whipping up magical drink concoctions to sticking with the basis well drinks like wine and beer. Hosts need to make clear who is providing the liquor as well as gratuity policies. Make sure the company also has a broad selection of nonalcoholic beverages as well.

More Variables to Consider

Food and drink may be the top considerations when planning a New Year’s Eve celebration, but they are not the only ones. Other factors to discuss with a catering company might include decorations, table settings, music and other entertainment. In some cases, the catering company might coordinate these additional features, while others will work with other contractors or even family and friends to ensure the entire party is a success.

New Year’s decorations can be an elaborate affair, depending on the specific type of event. In addition to the general décor for the room, it is common to include small party favors for guests, such as hats, confetti, and noisemakers. Hosts often supply these items themselves, placing them at tables or in baskets throughout the venue for easy access for guests. Plan for decorations and favors so the catering company knows precisely what is expected of them and what will be provided by the host.

The Package Deal

With multiple services covered by a single vendor, one of the biggest considerations for the event may be the budget. Hosts need to make sure all costs are included in the estimate to avoid sticker shock later. Some of the specifics to ask about might include:

Tables and Chairs
Table Linens
Dishes and Place Settings
Staffing
Gratuities

Once the package is determined, hosts need to be sure they have a signed a contract that states exactly what services to expect during the evening. This ensures hosts can stick to a budget as they plan their event while not leaving any of the details of the evening to chance.

Changes and Cancellations

Even the best laid plans can go awry from time to time and hosts need to know their responsibilities in case they require last-minute changes to the menu or venue. Guest cancellations can also be a problem for hosts and caterers alike. Discuss these issues ahead of time, so hosts know whether last-minute changes might be accommodated, and cancellations are eligible for refunds. This allows everyone to plan accordingly should any unexpected issues arise.

New Year’s Eve catering is an excellent choice for people who love hosting their own parties but want to enjoy the festivities themselves. Our San Diego party catering company offers a wide range of menu options that allow us to tailor any event to the specifications of the host and guests.

Contact a member of our team today to find out how we can help you create the occasion that will leave them talking well into 2020.

5 Stunning Buffet Options for a Cheerful Christmas Event

One of the most festive ways to celebrate the season is to host a Christmas buffet for family and friends. Whether serving up a full dinner menu on Christmas Eve or a light brunch buffet on Christmas day, these events are a wonder way to gather together without the stress of a formal sit-down meal.

With the help of a San Diego holiday party catering service, the event can be even more enjoyable. We have five stunning buffet options that are sure to be crowd pleasers at this year’s holiday party.

1. The Cocktail Hour Christmas Buffet

Whether thrown on Christmas Eve, Christmas day, or the day after Christmas, everyone loves a good cocktail party. This event can be as formal or as casual as the host chooses, with plenty of Christmas buffet ideas designed to please guests. First, choose décor with bling in mind, as celebration is the theme for the evening. Silver and gold trimmings are the perfect pairing with glasses of delicious bubbly or colorful cocktails specific to the season.

A Christmas find food buffet menu tends to work best for the cocktail party theme. A selection of hot appetizers can be added to create some heartiness to the menu as well. Consider a separate dessert buffet to end the evening, which might include a selection of coffees and teas as the perfect finish to a perfect party.

2. An Elegant Christmas Eve Affair

Create the formal ambiance of a sit-down affair without the structure of a scheduled dinner. Christmas Eve menu ideas for a buffet might include an assortment of tantalizing and sophisticated options designed to please the most discriminating palates. Offer a choice of meat and a few different vegetables, as well as a starch or two. A fine selection of breads makes a delightful compliment.

Elegant buffets like this are as much about the presentation as the food itself. Tables should be spacious enough to leave room between selections, and signs to indicate each plate should be equally elegant to match the occasion. Christmas Eve buffet ideas might also include a full bar or a handful of specialty cocktails mixed with wine, beer and champagne. A full non-alcoholic beverage menu can also be offered.

3. The After Santa Christmas Morning Brunch

Once Santa has left his mark, celebrate the visit by sharing a midday brunch with family and friends. Stick with some delectable dishes that can be made ahead or enlist the services of a professional to provide the food for the event. Breakfast casseroles create a welcome meal after the business of the morning.

Complement the heavy casseroles with an assortment of fresh fruits and a few pastries. In addition to the standard coffee and fruit juices, consider adding a festive bloody Mary or mimosa to the beverage menu. A Santa theme for the decorating might include Santa hats for guests, wrapped “gifts” to accent the tables and plenty of red and white throughout.

4. A Down Home Christmas Comfort Buffet

There is no denying that Christmas tends to come and go in a flurry. Take some time to savor the moment with a down home Christmas comfort buffet. Just a few friends and an assortment of favorite comfort foods are all that’s needed to create the perfect end to a perfect holiday. Choose a basic meat like ham and add a pot of creamy mashed potatoes or homemade macaroni and cheese. Go classic with the vegetable recipes and finish off with plates of Christmas cookies or a traditional Christmas cake.

Beverages for this event could include a hot chocolate bar, as well as a few creamy cocktails to sip on once the wrapping paper and bows have all been cleaned up. Comfortable, relaxing and unrushed is just what the doctor ordered after the usual holiday rush.

5. A Meal for the Masses

When looking for Christmas dinner buffet ideas for larger groups like the office or an extended family gathering, focus on creating a spread that is easy to see. Put dishes at different levels on the table to allow guests to peruse all the different selections. Offer variety in each course and make sure dishes are clearly labeled so guests know what they are eating.

A large Christmas buffet is not typically something hosts want to take on single-handedly. A professional catering service can create the perfect event, while allowing the host time to mingle and enjoy the occasion as well.

Professional Services Complete the Event

Even small Christmas gatherings work well with professional catering services in charge. Companies like ours have the best Christmas party food ideas for a buffet. We will serve up favorite dishes with professional ease. We also offer rentals for tables and chairs so hosts can find all their party supplies in a single location. As a result, hosts spend less time worrying and more time enjoying when professionals are involved.

Don’t stress about hosting a Christmas buffet. Our San Diego catering company can help make this event the best of the season. Contact us today to learn more about your options, and get ready to enjoy the holiday season!

7 Tips for the Perfect LGBTQ Wedding

What does a San Diego LGBTQ wedding look like? This is completely up to interpretation – it’s your day! It can be as traditional or uniquely yours as you want it to be. Our team at Personal Touch dining is here to make your wedding day as special as possible. Follow our 7 tips below to ensure the perfect LGBTQ wedding.

Create a Detailed Plan

When preparing for a wedding, it’s necessary to create a detailed plan. Ideally, you’ll want to begin planning six months to one year before your big day. This way, you’ll have flexibility when choosing venue dates. This will help you minimize your overall stress level. Think about using Google calendar to keep track of important dates and appointments; it’s all about staying organized!

In your wedding plan, you’ll want to consider the venue type and the reception style. Do you want a venue that offers both outdoor and indoor seating? Are you looking for panoramic waterfront views or an idyllic countryside setting? Will your reception be small and intimate or large with plenty of room for dancing? It’s also important to make a detailed guest list. And don’t forget about the photographer and videographer! Planning upfront will help you to put all your must-haves in priority order, and you’ll be able to make better decisions. This will help your wedding run smoothly.

Have a Budget Determined

From catering to the venue to the color scheme, there are many options when it comes to throwing a wedding. Regardless of your budget size, it’s important to know how much money you have set aside for each service type. With a concrete budget, you’ll have funds in place to cover the fundamental services you need, as well as the little extra touches. However, you’ll still want to leave a little room to make adjustments. For example, if you see a décor option that is above budget level, but it brings the entire theme together, it may be worth the splurge. If you give yourself breathing room for these unexpected surprises, you’ll make the process easier.

Mix Up the Wedding Party

LGBTQ weddings often reinterpret tradition, and give new life and meaning to old customs. For example, the wedding party is the perfect time to be creative. You can have the most important people in your life included, and configure the wedding party any way you’d like. For same-sex marriages, don’t feel limited to a wedding party of all one gender. Or, do away with the wedding party all together! If you choose this route, don’t forget that you can still have your parents and best friends walk down the aisle. It’s your moment, so get creative and do what makes you happiest!

Get Creative with Your Ceremony and Reception

From large religious ceremonies to small, intimate family affairs, the ceremony is another opportunity to get creative. If you are a romantic, try writing your own vows to most accurately and passionately express your love to your partner. Or read a favorite book passage or poem that has specific meaning. Additionally, feel free to mix up the wedding attire. If you both want to deck out in formalwear, or something more tailored to your personalities, go for it.

The reception is also a chance to have fun and let loose. This may include time-tested traditions such as cake cutting, a dance with parents, or a bouquet toss. Or, you may have your own traditions that you want to start. If it’s a small group, go around the room and have people share memories of the two of you. If it’s a large party, why not have the DJ throw a dance contest? Either way, your guests will be thrilled to be involved in an interactive and engaging way.

Personalize Your LGBTQ Wedding

It’s always a great idea to have your wedding celebration reflect your personality as a couple. By infusing your sense of style and personal tastes, your wedding will stand out and be remembered by your guests. This can be anything from signature cocktails to an interactive photo booth with props from your travels together. If you put your heart into it, your event will be cohesive while highlighting your unique sensibility.

Showcase Your LGBTQ Pride

The theme of your wedding doesn’t need to be LGBTQ Pride, but don’t be afraid to incorporate it if you so choose. For example, consider making the inside of your cake rainbow. Or, use the color purple in strategic ways. Try using shades of purple for your linens or accents of lilac for your centerpieces. Additionally, think about incorporating rainbows into your attire. Try wearing a pride flag pin or holding a bouquet of multicolored flowers. Even further, consider reinforcing your LGBTQ pride with rainbow-colored wedding favors.

Enjoy the Day – It’s Yours!

At the end of the day, your wedding is yours to envision and enjoy. Plan, stay organized, and be creative, but don’t forget to have fun. Bring on wedding professional you trust who share a similar approach, and who will produce the ideal wedding day. Surround yourself with loved ones who bring positive energy, whether this means a small circle of close friends or a huge crowd. If you do what makes you happy, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll have a blast on your wedding day.

Bejeweled Goblets for Every Occasion! | Colored Glassware | San Diego Events

Color doesn’t have to only come from the flower arrangements!

Spice up your tablescape by adding pops of color at each seat with these gorgeous goblets.

These come in all different styles and shapes as well, so stick with one color or even mix and match hues to encompass the full spectrum of your wedding pallet.

Bar Glassware

Have a signature drink?

It wouldn’t be an actual Mule without a copper mug!

Your guests are sure to remember an eye-catching glass containing a tasty cocktail and mugs are just the tip of the iceberg.

Your guests could mingle while sipping from Martini Glasses or tip into a Tumbler for your signature old fashioned.

Authenticity elevates the looks and feels of your event!

Let designing your tablescapes be the most enjoyable part of planning your event!

Ask our gifted coordinators what available design options they’d recommend with our endless upgrade options.

Samantha + Danny | True Photography | Deck 655

Food, Food, Drinks, and More Food!

This gorgeous couple didn’t hesitate for a moment when checking out our extensive menus and wanted only the best for their friends and family to eat on their wedding day.

As guests arrived for the rooftop ceremony at Deck 655, they were invited to enjoy a Summer-inspired Welcome Drink we call the Watermelon Cucumber Cooler!

This revitalizing cocktail was perfect for enjoying the early Summer day on the sunny Patio Ampitheater where guests sat in anticipation for the ceremony.

For those who were seeking a non-alcoholic option, our rosemary, mint, cucumber, lemon water hit the spot!

After some more delicious cocktails from the two separate bars, our skilled team served dinner from three food stations!

Danny and Samantha chose some of our favorites, including our luxurious Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese paired with a crunchy Garlic Toast Point.

We also served our Spinach and Artichoke Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with our famous Creamy Tomato Bisque.

Finally, their guests gobbled down our Crispy Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Skewers served with Caribbean Vegetables and our Jamaican BBQ Sauce!

Creative Affairs, Inc. was the coordinator for the event, and it was terrific to work with such talented coordinators.

We love how they were able to set up such a clever layout for this moving style reception!

J Design Florals incorporated fresh, simple, yet stunning floral arrangements with tropical inspiration on all the tabletops.

After dinner, we served EVEN MORE food, and our excited staff scooped guests off the dance floor for some ice cream at the sundae station!

A perfect Late Night Snack circulated the party about an hour before the dancing ended, just in case anybody had room for Mini Root Beer Floats and Pizza Bites.

Flour Power baked up a beautiful four-tiered masterpiece for the happy couple which our staff served to the guests as well!

We were so honored to be with Danny and Samantha on their special day.

They were a lovely couple who were so fun and sweet!

We wish them only the best for their future together.

Thanks to True Photography for all these incredible pictures! And Thanks to all of the other vendors who helped this day go so smoothly!

True Photography

Creative Affairs, Inc.

Deck 655

J Design Florals

DJ Rooster Entertainment

Flour Power

Decadent Dessert Displays! | Dessert Options | San Diego Catering

For some, a cake isn’t all it’s cut out to be.

Dessert trends have been pointing away from classic tiered cakes, with their overly sweet inaccurate count issues,

and towards experimenting with smaller portions or varieties of treats as options for guests.

Donuts in particular over the last few years have rocketed off the charts in popularity!

Honestly, who can resist fried dough covered in sugar?

Especially when it can come this personalized!!

Cupcakes can offer different options for your guests as well.

Instead of ordering one layer of cake hoping and worrying about anybody’s dietary restrictions,

ordering cupcakes allows for specific numbers of different flavors to please everyone.

Cookies, brownies, lemon bars, candies, and any other sugary concoction can also go on a dessert station.

Choose your favorite, and go wild!

We love seeing couples get creative with their choices.

Just ask for ideas on how best to display all of your treats!

Wonderful Review | Wedding Wire | San Diego Catering

What a complimentary review from Cortney!

We so appreciate any time or clients take the time out of their busy days to write reviews.

We’re so happy that everything went well for her special day and we wish her all the best in the future!

Brittney + Alfred | Fleeting Fox Photography | Mt. Woodson Castle

Let Love Take Flight!

Flight Attendant Brittney and US Navy OS1 Alfred both love travel and adventure.

They found each other up in the Bay Area of Northern California

and fell in love over long hikes with their dogs and exploring the world.

Finding someone to share such a high-paced lifestyle–or even keep up–is difficult.

Fortunately, these two old souls bring out each other’s best in every way.

The happy couple was so sweet and wrote letters to each other to read before the big First Look!

Friends and family traveled from all over the world to attend the five-day party.

Fleeting Fox Photography was able to capture some romantic, intimate moments before the craziness of the big day began.

Patricia Norvell and her team did such a phenomenal job with not just with the bridal makeup and hair,

but with all the bridesmaids, flower girls, and Mothers as well!

Floral arrangements were from Nancy Stevens Flowers, and Brittney’s vision for bouquets with paper flowers, succulents, and real flowers was made into a charming reality.

Alfred gifted his Groomsmen with custom pint glasses to commemorate the occasion.

The bridal party was looking sharp in their Platinum Gray suits and gorgeous mixed Plum, Champagne, and Navy dress tones!

Guests were welcomed by our staff at Mt. Woodson Castle and encouraged to take a cold Apple Cider Sparkler to drink on the way down to the ceremony.

The white pumpkins, lanterns, and candles tucked into moss framed wooden crates started the aisle at the lower Oak Tree Ceremony site.

The Ceremony was initiated by just about the cutest and most enthusiastic flower girl we’ve ever seen!

The day was sunny and warm, despite the late fall season.

As Brittney and Alfred held hands and said their vows, the giant oaks sheltering the ceremony site were reminiscent of where they first met in Northern California.

After the touching ceremony, officiated by Brittney‘s Uncle Butch, the guests celebrated and were encouraged to go up to the cocktail hour for a reception on the upper lawn.

This allowed Alfred and Brittney to sneak away for their first quiet moment together as husband and wife!

The scene set before the guests on the Upper Lawn was immaculately polished to perfection; frosted in lavenders, sage greens, and metallic gold accents.

Guests picked up a Vanilla Old Fashioned or Blood-Orange Spritzer signature drink from the bar on their way to collect their boarding pass/escort cards.

Lavender goblets and gold chargers enhanced the purples of the succulent and eucalyptus centerpieces with gold geometric candle holders.

The Mobile Groovin’ Bus from DJ Pat of Sound Prodigy opened at the start of cocktail hour.

Each guest jumped on board the photo bus and filled the happy couple’s sign-in book with their best faux mustaches and disco afro pictures.

With the castle in the background and the surrounding mountains silhouetted by the setting sun, an ethereal feeling settles in.

Was that a fairy hiding behind the cafe light?

Or just one too many spritzers?

After a short welcome speech, our servers delivered a salad of tender baby greens in a cucumber ring with candied pecans, and bleu cheese crumbles to each guest.

Once finished with the first course, guests could help themselves to all three of the food stations.

There was Lobster Mac n’ Cheese with crunchy Bacon Toast, Braised Beef Short Ribs with decadent Garlic Whipped Potatoes, and finally the taco bar with Pollo Asado and Sautéed Shrimp.

As dinner wrapped up, our staff served champagne, toasts began, tears were shed, and the smiles were unstoppable.

Everyone then gathered inside the Great Hall of the castle where first dance, Mother and Father dances, cake cutting, and general rug-cutting took place.

Flour Power provided the ceremonial cake topper, which Brittney and Alfred saved after cutting, but made sure there were four different flavors of pie for their guests!

DJ Pat kept the dance floor rocking for the rest of the night and everyone had the time of their lives!

The rest of the night was full of merriment and joy as the two families and friends finally melded together.

After the Grand Exit, shuttles took guests back down the mountain to the hotel but scheduled a necessary stop along the way.

Guests were allowed to get off the bus to stop at In-N-Out, order, eat, and get picked up again all by the same service!

It was a dream-like event meant for the storybooks.

We just wanted to thank Alfred and Brittney for choosing us to share your special day with you.

We love your love and wish nothing but the best in your future together!

Thanks also to all the other vendors who helped us make this day perfect!

Sand and Sun, Blush and Fun!

Beth and Brian had a blissful day in blush for their Wedding and Reception at the gorgeous Scripps Seaside Forum.

True Photography masterfully captured all of these amazing shots, bringing so much energy to each picture!

We love those hanging terrariums! The stunning ceremony arch, aisle arrangements, and bouquets were all the from Flora Glamour.

Beth and Brian’s Bridal Party had such a blast during their post-ceremony photoshoot.

We wish we could’ve joined them on their beach run!

This venue offers some of the best photo spots!

What’s better than soft sand and a cool sea breeze to give you that “beach glow” in all your pictures?

Dinner was inside where our capable staff set the tables and guests could enjoy the scenery out of the sun.

The room always looks so elegant with the classic draping in the background, pulling the attention of the guests to the effort put into the details the happy couple wants to be noticed.

Recently, trends have strayed away from the traditional full-tiered wedding cakes,

but Brian and Beth went through French Gourmet for this impressive pastry and wowed all their guests.

We wanted to thank Beth and Brian for choosing us to spend their special day with them!

They were an absolute delight to work with and we wish them all the best in their future together.

Jessica + Dave | Aldous Photography | Martin Johnson House

Modern Twist on Traditional

Jessica and Dave had a modern take on a traditional Filipino wedding ceremony and reception at the quietly stunning Martin Johnson House.

Jessica and her Bridesmaids all glowed!

The gorgeous rose gold dresses, styles customized to fit each individual’s personality, were such a complimentary color to the bright pops of purple.

To shake things up a bit, Dave had two Groomswomen!

He and the rest of the Groomsmen wore more traditional Filipino outfits, breezy formal and transparent button-down shirts.

Once the Bridal Party was all together, they painted a beautiful picture of rose gold, creams, plums, and lavenders.

The ceremony was out on the front lawn overlooking the sea and the day couldn’t have been more beautiful!

A traditional Filipino wedding ceremony is often conducted in a Catholic Church, but they incorporated many aspects of that traditional ceremony to theirs so as to bring forth the traditional values into their marriage.

In the black and white picture below, we see the Bride and groom wearing a garland of flowers.

This garland was woven into a circle and placed over their heads in an infinity symbol to represent their lasting promise to each other.

After the ceremony, the happy couple was able to escape to take some quiet time for themselves where Aldous Photography worked their magic and caught some priceless moments.