Author: Admin

Sometimes it seems that the decorations at your wedding can make or break the whole event, but know that achieving the look that you’re after isn’t nearly as difficult as it appears. Take a deep breath and rest assured that there are easy and beautiful options out there, capable of saving your bank account and your sanity. From DIY to renting, we love these kinds of financially savvy ideas, so we thought we’d gather up our favourites and share them so you can get inspired for your big day.

Fabric

Getting large amounts of fabric to drape, hang and gather around the reception hall will do a superb job of transforming the atmosphere and providing a perfect ambience for your wedding guests to revel in. Although, depending on the fabric, it may end up being a pricey option, there are many fabric suppliers that allow purchasing in bulk, and if you choose a less expensive fabric you can get a lot of bang for your buck with the many different decorating options you get from using fabric. Here are some of our favourite fabric decoration techniques:

• Drape the fabric from stairs or across tables
• Suspending it from the ceiling or rafters
• Hanging the material to cover walls adds texture and colour that matches your theme
• Laying it across tables as runners or table cloths
• Using the fabric as backdrops for photos

Table Lamps

This is a unique idea that demonstrates spectacular creativity and we absolutely love seeing at weddings recently. By using table lamps around the event, either as centrepieces or as decoration around the wedding venue, it adds a sophistication and classiness to the occasion. Not to mention, they’re big and easy to set up in the centre of a table. All you need is to visit any thrift stores or try garage-sale shopping to find some great lamps that fit your theme. You may even have generous friends and relatives who are willing to donate their lamps or loan them to you for the night.

Hanging and Dangling

Hanging things can add a magical ambience to your wedding, even in excess. Among popular options are large flower baskets wrapped in macramé or ropes, romantic chandeliers and crystal pendants, or even a sea of paper lanterns. They all amplify the beautiful and luxurious feel while being relatively easy to pull off.

Use Herbs & Branches

This idea is not only budget friendly, it’s beautiful and has a fresh, unique feel that can energize and animate your wedding decorations. From the tiny details to the larger elements, you can use simple green, living things to spruce up the surroundings. Here are a few of our favourite greenery inspired decorations:

• Tree branches and twigs mixed into bouquets or standing up in vases or buckets
• Sprigs of herbs wrapped in twine with the guests’ napkins
• Herbs used as garnishes on food platters and in drinks
• Ferns and greenery used to make garlands and wall décor
• Greenery scattered across the tables on runners and center pieces

Rented Glass and China

You can easily find the perfect coloured glass and china elements to make your decorations pop by employing a company that offers dishware rentals. You won’t have to worry about the hassle of buying and then either re-selling or storing it all later as the rental company will take care of the delivery and pick-up of the items.

There are so many ways to decorate a wedding and reception to make it infinitely easier on yourself by using more cost-effective and less work-intensive decorative items. You’ll definitely thank yourself later!

 

Finding new and enjoyable ways to make your special day unique and delicious isn’t as hard as you might think! People are coming up with all kinds of fun ways to add little twists and personal elements to their weddings and you can shop their awesome ideas to see what works for you.

Do you and your fiancé love doughnuts? Are you not huge fans of cake? Do you simply love the creative new doughnut flavors and trends that are plastered around social media? You’re in luck! People have found ways to pull ideas like this off flawlessly. Let others do the brainstorming and work for you and save yourself the planning stress by checking out these beautiful and intensely yummy ideas for adding doughnuts to your day.

Doughnuts are one of those treats that satisfy everyone from simple to sophisticated palates. They’ll be sure to deliver the smiles and tastiness needed on your special day. They are customizable and cost efficient making them a huge win for the décor and food budget as well as an easy way to work them into your wedding theme. From modern and festive style arrangements to glitzy and chic, doughnuts can fit in anywhere and we love them for that.

Doughnut Cake

We’ll start with the most obvious and probably the one you’ve seen the most of. If you haven’t encountered a doughnut cake, you’re missing out. You can completely forego the traditional style wedding cake in favor of a luxurious stack of freshly baked doughnuts and we guarantee nobody will complain. Not only does it eliminate the need to cut cake and serve the pieces on plates to all your guests, they are also very affordable and delicious.

Party Favours

Sending your guests home with something memorable that they actually use can be a bit tricky, especially when there’s a budget. Don’t let a tight budget or uncertainty over little knick-knacks get in the way of you sending them home with something awesome. Box up some pretty doughnuts with a sweet note thanking them for coming. You can wrap them up like gifts or provide a doughnut bar as a fun DIY where guests can select their own favours. This is one party favour that won’t make it home.

Doughnut Truck

Speaking of thrilled guests, they will be ecstatic to see a doughnut truck pulling up at your wedding. It will be an unexpected arrival that guests will remember and talk about for quite a while. Food trucks are one of the newer wedding trends that really seems to be catching on. A doughnut truck will not only serve fresh and unique doughnuts; whether it is mini donuts or full size, it will certainly add a surprising twist to your wedding. A great way to have available desserts for the evening and guests will be lining up for seconds of this tasty treat. Get them while they’re hot!

Centerpieces & Décor

Doughnuts are a very festive dessert so this makes them the perfect option for a centrepiece or decoration at the reception. You can personalize the frosting and sprinkle colours to match your wedding decor as well as provide a variety of flavours and styles that will keep all your guests happy. Donuts look beautiful displayed even in the simplest ways but you can also use more creative methods to show them off. One way is to simply stack them up on pretty cake platters in the center of each table. Another great way to display them is to hang them from branches.

 

It can be hard to keep track of wedding traditions and etiquette these days as the trends change and new traditions are brought into the mix. Whether you have been going to weddings for years now or you just started attending them as an adult there are some important guidelines to stick to that will keep you in good standing. Although many weddings are more casual or have their unique vibes, it’s often safer to stick to the basic etiquette to be a great guest when attending someone’s special day.

What to Wear

Usually, the invitation will state a dress code of some sort. If you aren’t sure what it means, there are many resources available online where you’ll find ideas on how to dress appropriately and follow the dress code. If there are no instructions, semi-formal apparel is a good safe guess. Ladies, stay away from white. Many people don’t care anymore, and this is an old taboo but it still can end up being an awkward moment. Play it safe and wear any other color but white.

What to Do About Gifts

There’s usually a registry, so it’s always best to get something that is on their wish list and that fits your budget. If you don’t have time to get a gift, simply bring a check or cash along with a card. If you don’t happen to have the funds to lavish an extravagant gift for the couple, it’s okay, bring a card and maybe a small thoughtful gift but don’t sweat it. Ultimately, they want you there so just do what you can.

The Down Low on Invitations

People get confused and forgetful when it comes to invitations which can end up being a major headache for those planning the wedding so be sure to pay attention to the information provided there and especially the RSVP information.

There are some ways invitations can be worded but if you’re wondering who is invited and how many are included on the invitation, first look at who it’s addressed to. You can say for sure that whoever’s name is on the front of the invitation is invited. If the invitation does not say “plus-one” that means you’re solo as bringing an additional person not accounted for will only complicate things. If it says your name and guest, you’re good to bring one person of your choosing (just make sure they will be a pleasant wedding guest) When the invitation states family only that means immediate family so don’t automatically assume that your friends and neighbours can come along too.

Now, if it’s just your name on the envelope and you’re hoping not to go alone, you may be out of luck. However, do check the inside of the invitation and see if there are more specific instructions such as a spot to write in a guest name on the RSVP or the number of people coming. Always assume that you can bring one person and one person only if you are allowed a guest.

RSVPs – They are A Must

Never forget to fill out an RSVP form. Whether you’re attending or not, please respond either way with your intention to come or regrets if you cannot attend. People understand that schedule issues happen and just want to know who is attending and how many to plan for. Do not assume you can attend if you miss the RSVP date and please do not just show up. Weddings are hectic enough without having to rearrange for last minute guests.

Ultimately, just remember that weddings are a really special time for the happy newlyweds, friends and family involved. Following simple wedding etiquette will ensure their special day has a smooth and happy ending.

The artistic, fresh and healthy food known as sushi has saturated the food world over the past few years. From sushi dates to grabbing grocery store sushi on the go, it’s easier to find and more common than ever before. The sushi industry in the United States alone is worth approximately 2.2 billion, so it’s safe to say, sushi isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Stunning Sushi-Inspired Concoctions:

So now, naturally, people have started to step it up and are taking sushi to a whole new level. The creations coming out of the sushi infusion and hybrid trend are both appealing and mouthwatering.

With all the hype surrounding sushi, we can’t complain. There are some pretty cool and creative new creations coming into existence and they are fun to watch and admire. Experimentation and fusion with food keep things fun and en Ville Event Design and Catering has been creating for over 30 years designing and organizing your special memorable occasions with new and creative dishes that will make your event extraordinary.

The Sushi-Rito

Labeled by Business Insider earlier this year as “the next big food trend in 2016,” sushi burritos have started their unstoppable takeover. Said to originate in the San Francisco area as the Sushirito, this monstrous sushi roll of heavenliness has stolen peoples’ hearts and made the jump to the east coast as well. New York has caught on to the trend and is now serving up sushi burritos wrapped in rice and seaweed and filled with different combinations of greens, salmon/tuna/crab, veggies, fruit, dressings, and seasonings. With the ease and convenience of a burrito and the tantalizing flavours of sushi, it’s a recipe for success.

The Sushi Taco

Riding on the coat-tails of the famous Sushirito, sushi tacos are popping up in restaurants and food trucks now as well. They’re a little harder to come by, but they are usually worth the search. Although they are much messier than their burrito inspired cousin, the sushi tacos come in many forms from bite-sized taco bites to giant Man Vs. Food worthy tacos that overflow with goodness.

Sushi Doughnuts

Now this is where we start to venture into the world of artistic creation. Popping up on social media near you are sushi doughnut creations that are absolutely gorgeous to look at and if you like sushi, equally delicious. Where can we get these beauties? It seems that the similarly insane craze over doughnuts has given some brave culinary artists inspiration in creating sushi into a doughnut mold. Absolutely a unique and stunning display at any event.

Sushi Cake

Just as stunning (if not more) than the sushi doughnut is the mysterious sushi cake. While some cakes feature more layers of sushi, rice and vegetables throughout the cake, others are wrapped in thick slices of raw salmon, tuna, and other fish. It’s a beautiful love affair of sushi meets cake and we are definitely in love as now we can have seconds without the guilt. The options are endless with mini cakes and stunning four-layer sushi cakes that is truly a masterpiece creation. We’re all for sushi in the shape of cake.

Sushi Pizza

We’ll leave you with more hope for the world of sushi and the interesting new combinations being made with it by introducing you to sushi pizza. Who doesn’t like pizza? Who doesn’t like sushi? Point made. Well actually, there’s more to it than just that. What we love about the sushi pizza idea is that it can indeed combine the right flavors and quantities while being bite-sized and beautiful.

 

A variety of food and beverage trends have been taking shape and dominating the restaurant industry this year. Some maintain tradition, while others flaunt their cutting-edge boldness and embrace a revolution in cuisine.

Culinary Culture

Mexican food has always been popular across North America, however the general standard leaned towards a more “Tex-Mex” feel. Now, abandoning the pedestrian, authenticity in the kitchen is prized, as traditional Mexican dishes actually offer healthier options than fast food restaurants might have you believe.

Taking a quick trip to the other side of the world, Filipino fare is making its way onto the scene in a big way. Mixing salty, sweet, and tangy, an unparalleled flavour fusion is created by combining aspects of Chinese, Malaysian, and Spanish foods.

Finally, with chefs exploring the multitude of multicultural spices, every meal is sure to have a little kick. Whether it’s a chili blend hailing from Japan, like shichimi-togarashi; or a more sweet-spicy zing from West Africa, such as tsire, experiencing the flavours of the world without leaving home is made simple.

Keep it Green

Vegetarian dishes are growing swiftly in popularity as health and ethics become a main component of dining preferences. With the versatility of vegetables, some chefs are choosing to forego meat ingredients altogether in favour of demonstrating the potential and allure of a purely plant based meal.

Noting the rising demand for fresh veggies, many chefs are taking a more hands on approach to their produce, whether it be through becoming more directly involved with their suppliers or actually farming the ingredients for their dishes themselves. It’s clear, however, that the best ingredients are key to the perfect menu.

Hey There, Sweetness

Dessert has become a dichotomy of deliciousness, encountering forays into the world of indulgence, and boasting tasty confections that are almost unbelievably healthy.

Though honey was – and still continues to be – a highlight in natural sweet flavouring, bakers and pastry chefs are turning to unique and light alternatives to sugar. Stevia, tree syrups, and natural fruit juices. Additionally, focus is being placed on portion control, so even if you do decide to spoil yourself with a little extra sugar, you’re not overdoing it. Individually sized tarts and pies, shot glass cakes, two-bite brownies, and even cake pops all fit into this perfectly pint-sized category.

On the extreme end of the scale, moderation is simply scoffed at. The deep fryer, that was once home to chocolate bars, is now being visited by cookies. Milkshakes are being adorned with candies, cakes, brownies, or doughnuts (or all of the above). The bubble waffle cone is the new way to wrap ice cream – unless you’re counting ice cream tacos. Served with a regular waffle cone folded much like a Mexican hard taco, it’s topped with anything from candies to syrups. The ice cream sandwich is making a comeback in a unique and delicious way. If it can hold ice cream, it can be a sandwich, whatever your fancy; brownies, cupcakes, doughnuts, and even mini pies!

Think Drinks

Being responsible is admirable, but it can be annoying when the group’s drinking delicious cocktails and you’re stuck with a plain old pop. Lucky for you, “mocktails” are skyrocketing to notoriety. Old classics are replicated and new creations are imagined, full of flavour, but sans alcohol, so your palate can rejoice.

And if you are down for a drink or two, but find that your libation needs a little more oomph, caffeine is here to save the day. Coffee is the new trend for beverages, creating a vast new territory of refreshment. The many different types of coffee provide a fresh canvas for cocktail creation and the possibilities are endless.

 

Corporate lunches are a perfect way to impress your business partners and leads, as well as ensure an advantageous future for all events. By utilizing some of these creative ideas, a successful event can be achieved easily.

Where to Start

Appetizers are so varied that they can be the perfect beginning to a meal or they can be the whole meal itself. The term finger food applies to anything bite-sized; hard cheeses, breads, sliced meats, savoury hors d’oeurves, sandwiches, the list goes on. Exercising creativity with these selections is a surefire way to delight your esteemed associates.

Sublime Settings

Designating an appropriate venue can be critical when planning a successful business luncheon, and is possibly the most daunting aspect of your event when you stop to consider the fact that you must take into consideration your guests’ interests, your budget, the theme of your meeting, and the season in which you’re holding your lunch. In choosing your venue wisely, oftentimes the rest will just fall into place.

Not Quite Breakfast, Not Quite Lunch

A unique way to satisfy your guests is serving breakfast for lunch. Crepes, croissants, yogurt, and fruit are all delectable options for a lightweight luncheon. Should your guests or business associates be travelling from overseas, this is often a superior choice, as they may not have adjusted to your time zone yet, and might not have the stomach for a heavy meal.

Meats are Good Eats

For a hearty addition to the menu, barbecued meats can offer full flavours. Whether you opt for a more casual menu with burgers and hot dogs taking centre stage, or choose to go all out with steaks and ribs, succulent meats can be wildly popular. Even if your function will feature food stations, a deli station serving an array of mini or full sandwiches can satisfy any meat lover’s cravings.

A Toast to Great Taste

The usual hot coffees, teas, and cold pops can be tiresome and, let’s face it, cliché. A new and popular trend in beverages is iced coffee and tea. Not only are they refreshing, but they still add that extra little jolt of caffeine that people so often rely on in the early afternoon. Full juice bars also showcase a variety of flavours that are sure to appeal to the most discerning of tastes, making canned pop a thing of the past.

Hungry for Health Food

Should you know your clients or associates would appreciate a healthy menu, consider offering up a smoothie station, complete with fresh fruits, yogurt, and natural sweeteners. Another trending concept is a DIY trail mix buffet, providing granola, raisins, nuts, and other dried fruits to add to the mix. And naturally, fresh fruits are a must have for any buffet or station set up – particularly those which are in season.

Sweets and Snacks

Desserts are always a fun and welcome addition to any business luncheon, as there is a huge variety to be taken advantage of. Appeal to chocolate lovers with a cookie station, or sweet treat finger foods, such as two-bite brownies. Allow your guests to indulge in pastries or candy. You can even provide for those who might not have an overtly tooth by offering popcorn or almonds as an alternative.

In Season and Around Town

Talking to your caterers can sometimes yield inspired ideas as well. It’s their business to know what foods are in season and to connect with the best local vendors. This can be an excellent experience for travelling clients and colleagues, as showing off the best your hometown has to offer is an essential aspect of hospitality.

 

Planning a corporate event can be a stressful assignment, particularly if the budget happens to be your responsibility. There are countless factors to be aware of and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Thankfully, there are some helpful planning pointers that can be a great help in even the most difficult of situations.

Remember to Be Realistic

Your budget will need to be solid and reasonable. Sit down and, either with your team or – if you’re working on your own – by yourself, list point by point, to which department or list item your money will be allocated. Keep in mind that your chosen venue will utilize the majority of your budget, with food directly on its heels. Decorations, seating, paid entertainment, such as guest speakers, audio/visual equipment, printing costs for programs, marketing and promotion, and service staff are among the many other monetary considerations to be made.

Take Advantage of Savings

There are some areas in which conserving costs is not an option, and this is often up to personal preference. Some don’t mind foregoing decorations in favour of the venue’s current interior design. Others want to adorn the walls in their brand logos and company colours. It’s important to know the areas in which you feel the spending is imperative and when you think economizing is tolerable.

An excellent cost saving device is to use industry contacts if you have them. Knowing vendors, caterers, or decorators can work to your advantage, and it’s an advantage you should not be afraid to use. Often, venues will offer packages, which bundle food services with space rental costs, and this can be another cost-effective planning recommendation. Many locations also are outfitted with a/v equipment and extra seating, eliminating the need to rent from an outside company. Lastly, try to refrain from ordering excess food. It may feel like it’s preferable to have too much rather than not enough, but this line of thinking often leads to excess spending and waste.

Plan for the Worst

Though it may seem self-sabotaging, being prepared for the worst case scenario is the first step to executing a successful event. Providing yourself with a surplus of approximately 20% is an optimal amount for alleviating budgetary stresses that can come with unexpected expenses. Another invaluable piece of advice is to physically write out what you believe would be the best and worst situation that could befall your event, then plan accordingly. Preparation is key!

Monitor Your Expenses

An important measure in event financing, specifically when working with a team is to audit your expense records from each department to ensure your team is not going over budget in any area. Having your staff check in with receipts or reports to confirm adherence to the budget will keep everyone on the path to a fruitful event.

It’s Okay to Take Your Time

Last minute event planning can lead to uninformed and financially regrettable decisions. Allowing yourself plenty of time to peruse the market for fair prices from vendors and venues ensures a wider selection of locations, dates, and wares. As well, added time for preparation is fundamental in creating a solid event and budgetary outline, which is a strategy you’ll be more likely to adhere to. You may find, as the date of your corporate event looms closer, you feel the need to expand on your ideas and effect grandiose changes. At that point, take the time to remind yourself that it’s imperative to stick to your plan. If you took adequate time to prepare sensibly, know that your outline is stable and reliable, and success is at your fingertips.

If you find yourself becoming bored with the same old finger food and cocktail party shindigs and are ready to explore some more interesting event themes, you’ve come to the right spot. We’ve looked at many of the current styles of events to see what’s trending around the world and what seems to be not only fun, but entertaining. Whether you’re a full-time event planner or just planning a special event, you’re sure to get some great ideas and inspiration here.

Events with a Purpose

As of late, we have seen events centered around charity or various benefits. Many people are looking for ways to give back and are either short on time or creativity, so offering them an enjoyable way to show they care is a massive step in a positive direction.

There are a multitude of races to support different disease research organizations or charities. Many businesses have turned their company events into silent auctions to support a cause or to raise awareness and funds for a favourite charity. With so many options and methods to add some purpose to an event that will touch people’s hearts and lives, it’s no wonder these have become so popular.

If you need high quality and top notch event planning or catering services for your events en Ville Event Design and Catering has over 30 years of expertise and can turn your event into a fun and entertaining experience.

Pop Up Events

Pop up events can offer a variety of activities but there’s one thing for sure, and that is they are everywhere. Pop ups give people a sense of urgency as well as a feeling of exclusivity and uniqueness. People love finding new and exciting things to do so if you offer pop up events, you are surely bound to gather the curious and adventurous.

One of the most popular pop up events are food-based events, where a restaurant will rent out a location for a few months, or a celebrity chef will set up shop for a weekend. These types of events sell because they are exciting and sensational. You’ll also see pop up boutiques and artisan events as it is easier for artists and boutiques to draw bigger crowds and it’s more practical to band together and create fun events for people to shop multiple small vendors in one place.

Experience Events

Due to the heightened popularity of realistic immersion games and experiences in the technology fields, people have been toying with new types of events that use these experiences to include more people. These types of events could be online or in large stadiums because the variety of technology and the rapid development has made the creatives run wild with fantastic experimental ideas.

Some ways businesses use these types of experiences are for the promotion of their brand and products as well as a heightened sense of atmosphere at a party. Some companies have already created experiential products that include scavenger hunts that lead to rewards and gift cards while others use this technology to wrap an entire event in colour and unworldly decoration.

Tech Events

Beyond the Experience type of event, some companies are looking to fully embrace the rise of social media and online networking to its fullest extent. The utilization of apps, online broadcasting, 360° video and virtual reality cameras can be a powerful tool in marketing to a new generation of tech users. Building an event around these aspects is a bold and fresh step towards growing a new brand or reviving an old one.

These newest trends may not all be tried and true, but they are the perfect way to step up any event you may have. Look for ways to incorporate purpose, a unique and limited vibe as well as a more experience oriented event. Don’t be afraid to go above and beyond what’s normal because that’s where events really get peoples’ attention.