Last week, Lu and I had to totally change our cake. Earlier this week, Lu and I had to change our catering! No worries -- the case isn't as extreme.
Since we're having more guests than we originally anticipated and had to switch up our floor plan, we've decided to have a buffet-style dinner instead of a plated dinner. We also changed around our menu choices -- instead of lamb chops and chicken marsala, we're now having grilled salmon and chicken san francisco.
This was a bonus for us in one area. Since a plated dinner costs more, we were able to apply our credit to hors d'oeuvres for our cocktail hour. However, it was a drawback in another because we have 200 menu cards that are totally useless now. In case you're not Ms. Etiquette, menu cards are only used for a plated dinner, not if you're having a buffet meal.
Luckily, we got our cards printed through Vistaprint, so we spent about $25 max (including taxes and shipping) on printing all of our cards.
I have to give a pitch for Vistaprint. This company is great! We've gotten 200 personalized menu cards (we used regular postcards and designed them ourselves with our menu), 200 advice/wish cards (folded business cards with our own design), 200 return address labels, 200 magnets, 20 sheets of stationary, 3 pens, a tote bag, and a lawn sign to direct people to the reception hall -- all for under $100.
The trick to Vistaprint is that they're always having specials. Once you order one item, they send you emails for tons of free stuff. All you have to do is pay for shipping. Granted, they email you nearly everyday with their specials, but Vistaprint is definitely one company that I don't mind being spammed by!
Back to the menu cards: Lu and I loved our menu cards. They pulled in all of the wedding colors, and they added the right amount of "pop" to the tables when you stuck them inside the folded napkin.
They also did double duty. Even though Lu and I plan to be on schedule, we want a way to keep guests occupied in case they have to wait a little longer for us at the reception venue than anticipated. Although the cocktail hour will take up part of the time, guests still might get bored.
So when Lu and I had our menu cards printed, we put some trivia questions about us on the back of the cards. The plan was that the DJ could ask guests trivia questions about us to take up some time if needed. If we were on schedule, then we'd just have questions asked/answered at various intervals throughout the evening.
With the switch in dinner service, we've decided to reprint the cards with the trivia questions on the front and the answers on the back. This way, we'll still have the "look" of menu cards on the table without break any etiquette rules.... Of course, people are going to figure out that the answers are on the back of the card, but it'll still be a fun way to keep guests occupied and hopefully spark some conversation before and during dinner.
Since we're having more guests than we originally anticipated and had to switch up our floor plan, we've decided to have a buffet-style dinner instead of a plated dinner. We also changed around our menu choices -- instead of lamb chops and chicken marsala, we're now having grilled salmon and chicken san francisco.
This was a bonus for us in one area. Since a plated dinner costs more, we were able to apply our credit to hors d'oeuvres for our cocktail hour. However, it was a drawback in another because we have 200 menu cards that are totally useless now. In case you're not Ms. Etiquette, menu cards are only used for a plated dinner, not if you're having a buffet meal.
Luckily, we got our cards printed through Vistaprint, so we spent about $25 max (including taxes and shipping) on printing all of our cards.
I have to give a pitch for Vistaprint. This company is great! We've gotten 200 personalized menu cards (we used regular postcards and designed them ourselves with our menu), 200 advice/wish cards (folded business cards with our own design), 200 return address labels, 200 magnets, 20 sheets of stationary, 3 pens, a tote bag, and a lawn sign to direct people to the reception hall -- all for under $100.
 |
| Our advice/wish cards. |
Back to the menu cards: Lu and I loved our menu cards. They pulled in all of the wedding colors, and they added the right amount of "pop" to the tables when you stuck them inside the folded napkin.
They also did double duty. Even though Lu and I plan to be on schedule, we want a way to keep guests occupied in case they have to wait a little longer for us at the reception venue than anticipated. Although the cocktail hour will take up part of the time, guests still might get bored.
 |
| Menu cards are an easy way to add to the table and bring in your theme. |
So when Lu and I had our menu cards printed, we put some trivia questions about us on the back of the cards. The plan was that the DJ could ask guests trivia questions about us to take up some time if needed. If we were on schedule, then we'd just have questions asked/answered at various intervals throughout the evening.
With the switch in dinner service, we've decided to reprint the cards with the trivia questions on the front and the answers on the back. This way, we'll still have the "look" of menu cards on the table without break any etiquette rules.... Of course, people are going to figure out that the answers are on the back of the card, but it'll still be a fun way to keep guests occupied and hopefully spark some conversation before and during dinner.
