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We threw out a challenge to five top wedding pros to come up with unique low-cost receptions H eres what happened w hen they put on their thinking caps by Kristen Fillello

~Ji ~~~kygr9erJogoGUESTS 00 THE PLANNER Andrea Correale Elegan Affairs New York City A home with a large backyard is the perfect setting for a brunch celebration under an elegant white tent says Correale Since a backyard is usually a blank palette pretty much any color scheme will work You could do bold linens in fuchsia and yellow or go more traditional with pastels or florals Either way instead of assigning seats set up small cocktail tables For centerpieces buy masses of one type of flowershyroses or Gerbera daisies work nicelyshyand place them in clean sophisticated glass vases for a fresh look Fine Feast Keep food simple but get creative with the presentation Skip the

typical crudites platter and arrange cut-up veggies in individual servings Impress your guests with a robust buffet featuring frittatas room-temperature salads grilled chicken spring vegetables tea sandwiches and shrimp cocktail Deviled eggs are the rage right now Have two or three variations such as blue cheese with bacon and chives Cajun with chipotle seasoning and Boursin and beets Three Cheers At brunch you can get away with not having a fully stocked bar Serve a champagne cocktail a

vodka cocktail and a variety of fresh organic juices such as watermelon papaya and carrot For a pretty presentation arrange large glass jars of drinks on a

All set for a relaxed brunch r~eption POOTside

chilled hazelnut coffee Add fun extras like rock candy sugar sticks Sweet Things Have a small but

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Rentals (tent tables chairs linens) $2000

Hired help $1000 Fooddrinks $1000 Dance floor $300

Flowers $500 Speaker rental $200

Total $5000

beautiful heart-shaped cake Your helpers can slice a sheet cake in the kitchen to supplement with extra slices Or cut a sheet of strawberry shortcake into small pieces Place each piece on a spoon for a unique presentation Gatta Dance I nstead

of arranging for live music

Lovin spoonfuls of strawberry shortcake

table with ladles for serving A put money into renting quality specialty coffee bar is a nice touch speakers Download your favorite thats easy to do Offer herbal and music onto your iPod Have a small green teas regular coffee and dance floor for the first dance

122

$9$fyesectqGb$9r~~ GUESTS 50 THE PLANNER Jenny Orsini Pampered Bride Weddings Springfield NJ A chic beach party makes a delightful afternoon reception says Orsini Start with an ocean-inspired palette of

Iight blues and greens or aquas and add touches of brown and taupe Seat

plGnlGintb~P9rk GUESTS 50 THE PLANNER Tracy French The French Connection San Antonio Texas Rent a space ina park to create a beautiful setting for an afternoon reception with a laid-back vibe says French Top five round tables with simple linens in fresh colors-apple green white or ivory Buy pretty affordable blooms like zinnias daisies Gerbera daisies or sunflowers at your local farmers market and make arrangements in terra-cotta pots

your guests at long tables with to play during your cocktail hour Later tablescapes of grass river rocks and bring in a casually elegant three-piece branches Submerge sexy white calla band (guitar drums and piano) to

lilies in clear glass vases provide some lighthearted

of varying heights (place BUDGET jazz during dinner Postshy

river rocks at the bottom BREAKDOWN dinner crank up a dance of each vase) Use votives Tables chairs playl ist on your iPod to get and floating candles decor $1 ]00 everyone on their feet as accents Fooddrinks $3000 Sugar High Serve slices of

Casual Cuisine During the first hour of your

Music $600 Favors $275

sheet cake for dessert Also do a candy buffet with glass

party offer passed hors Total $4975 jars holding candies that

doeuvres like shrimp include white and aqua

cocktail and mini crab cakes Later MampMs rock candy sticks and

serve a buffet or family-style dinner chocolate-covered peanuts and raisins

of crab legs steamers with broth and Supply white paper bags that youve

butter min i seafood qu iches fried personalized with a Thank youl sticker

calamari and cold seafood salads

Beachy Beverages Serve pitchers of beer carafes of wine and mixed drinks that incorporate the cool blues of your color scheme Try the Blue Bay (Blue Curayao liqueur and bitter lemon soda) and the Blue Sapphire (Blue Curayao and cranberry juice) Give them cute names

Seaside Sounds N oth ing says

romantic beach party like the sounds of calypso so hire a steel drum band

tied with raffia for natural simple fondant wedding cake with two

earthy centerpieces fresh su nflowers on top Or do a Tasty Treats Hire a caterer cupcake display You can use terra-to prepare a simple but cotta pots and saucers tasty lunch You could do to create a tieredBUDGET specialty burgers like blue presentation that looksBREAKDOWN cheese burgers and serve well thought-out andLocatio rental ~400 bull them on wonderful bakery (for four hours) outdoorsy rolls or you could serve Remtiiis lttabieschairs Music Notes H ire a

andHnens)$225mini burgers and fries in student from a local FacididrinkS $2300

paper cones Or serve college musicFlowers middot$50

everything on a stickshy department to playEntertainment $400 from chicken and sausage I Cupcakes an(j stand $ J50 the acoustic guitar

to min i roasted corn Favors$lOU while your guests

with different dine After lunchTotal p 625 seasonings like switch to a DJ to get cayenne and lemon your guests dancing Just pepper Grilled chicken be sure to check out the electrical panini fruit platters and setup at your venue since the DJ will cheese displays are other need to plug in his equipment outdoor options Fun Favors Flip-flops in your wedding Daytime Drinks Fill a clear colors make an adorable favor or white container-choose (Purchase them online in bulk and in one with a ladle or a spoutshy all different sizes) Stack them in a with fru ity Southern Comfort colorful bucket or basket and make a

punch Also offer guests cute sign instructing guests to help lemonade and bottled water themselves Some people will probably

Delightful Desserts Have a opt to wear them right away

MayJune 2009 BRIDALGUIDECOM 123

We threw out a challenge to five top wedding pros to come up with unique low-cost receptions H eres what happened w hen they put on their thinking caps by Kristen Fillello

~Ji ~~~kygr9erJogoGUESTS 00 THE PLANNER Andrea Correale Elegan Affairs New York City A home with a large backyard is the perfect setting for a brunch celebration under an elegant white tent says Correale Since a backyard is usually a blank palette pretty much any color scheme will work You could do bold linens in fuchsia and yellow or go more traditional with pastels or florals Either way instead of assigning seats set up small cocktail tables For centerpieces buy masses of one type of flowershyroses or Gerbera daisies work nicelyshyand place them in clean sophisticated glass vases for a fresh look Fine Feast Keep food simple but get creative with the presentation Skip the

typical crudites platter and arrange cut-up veggies in individual servings Impress your guests with a robust buffet featuring frittatas room-temperature salads grilled chicken spring vegetables tea sandwiches and shrimp cocktail Deviled eggs are the rage right now Have two or three variations such as blue cheese with bacon and chives Cajun with chipotle seasoning and Boursin and beets Three Cheers At brunch you can get away with not having a fully stocked bar Serve a champagne cocktail a

vodka cocktail and a variety of fresh organic juices such as watermelon papaya and carrot For a pretty presentation arrange large glass jars of drinks on a

All set for a relaxed brunch r~eption POOTside

chilled hazelnut coffee Add fun extras like rock candy sugar sticks Sweet Things Have a small but

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Rentals (tent tables chairs linens) $2000

Hired help $1000 Fooddrinks $1000 Dance floor $300

Flowers $500 Speaker rental $200

Total $5000

beautiful heart-shaped cake Your helpers can slice a sheet cake in the kitchen to supplement with extra slices Or cut a sheet of strawberry shortcake into small pieces Place each piece on a spoon for a unique presentation Gatta Dance I nstead

of arranging for live music

Lovin spoonfuls of strawberry shortcake

table with ladles for serving A put money into renting quality specialty coffee bar is a nice touch speakers Download your favorite thats easy to do Offer herbal and music onto your iPod Have a small green teas regular coffee and dance floor for the first dance

122

$9$fyesectqGb$9r~~ GUESTS 50 THE PLANNER Jenny Orsini Pampered Bride Weddings Springfield NJ A chic beach party makes a delightful afternoon reception says Orsini Start with an ocean-inspired palette of

Iight blues and greens or aquas and add touches of brown and taupe Seat

plGnlGintb~P9rk GUESTS 50 THE PLANNER Tracy French The French Connection San Antonio Texas Rent a space ina park to create a beautiful setting for an afternoon reception with a laid-back vibe says French Top five round tables with simple linens in fresh colors-apple green white or ivory Buy pretty affordable blooms like zinnias daisies Gerbera daisies or sunflowers at your local farmers market and make arrangements in terra-cotta pots

your guests at long tables with to play during your cocktail hour Later tablescapes of grass river rocks and bring in a casually elegant three-piece branches Submerge sexy white calla band (guitar drums and piano) to

lilies in clear glass vases provide some lighthearted

of varying heights (place BUDGET jazz during dinner Postshy

river rocks at the bottom BREAKDOWN dinner crank up a dance of each vase) Use votives Tables chairs playl ist on your iPod to get and floating candles decor $1 ]00 everyone on their feet as accents Fooddrinks $3000 Sugar High Serve slices of

Casual Cuisine During the first hour of your

Music $600 Favors $275

sheet cake for dessert Also do a candy buffet with glass

party offer passed hors Total $4975 jars holding candies that

doeuvres like shrimp include white and aqua

cocktail and mini crab cakes Later MampMs rock candy sticks and

serve a buffet or family-style dinner chocolate-covered peanuts and raisins

of crab legs steamers with broth and Supply white paper bags that youve

butter min i seafood qu iches fried personalized with a Thank youl sticker

calamari and cold seafood salads

Beachy Beverages Serve pitchers of beer carafes of wine and mixed drinks that incorporate the cool blues of your color scheme Try the Blue Bay (Blue Curayao liqueur and bitter lemon soda) and the Blue Sapphire (Blue Curayao and cranberry juice) Give them cute names

Seaside Sounds N oth ing says

romantic beach party like the sounds of calypso so hire a steel drum band

tied with raffia for natural simple fondant wedding cake with two

earthy centerpieces fresh su nflowers on top Or do a Tasty Treats Hire a caterer cupcake display You can use terra-to prepare a simple but cotta pots and saucers tasty lunch You could do to create a tieredBUDGET specialty burgers like blue presentation that looksBREAKDOWN cheese burgers and serve well thought-out andLocatio rental ~400 bull them on wonderful bakery (for four hours) outdoorsy rolls or you could serve Remtiiis lttabieschairs Music Notes H ire a

andHnens)$225mini burgers and fries in student from a local FacididrinkS $2300

paper cones Or serve college musicFlowers middot$50

everything on a stickshy department to playEntertainment $400 from chicken and sausage I Cupcakes an(j stand $ J50 the acoustic guitar

to min i roasted corn Favors$lOU while your guests

with different dine After lunchTotal p 625 seasonings like switch to a DJ to get cayenne and lemon your guests dancing Just pepper Grilled chicken be sure to check out the electrical panini fruit platters and setup at your venue since the DJ will cheese displays are other need to plug in his equipment outdoor options Fun Favors Flip-flops in your wedding Daytime Drinks Fill a clear colors make an adorable favor or white container-choose (Purchase them online in bulk and in one with a ladle or a spoutshy all different sizes) Stack them in a with fru ity Southern Comfort colorful bucket or basket and make a

punch Also offer guests cute sign instructing guests to help lemonade and bottled water themselves Some people will probably

Delightful Desserts Have a opt to wear them right away

MayJune 2009 BRIDALGUIDECOM 123

$9$fyesectqGb$9r~~ GUESTS 50 THE PLANNER Jenny Orsini Pampered Bride Weddings Springfield NJ A chic beach party makes a delightful afternoon reception says Orsini Start with an ocean-inspired palette of

Iight blues and greens or aquas and add touches of brown and taupe Seat

plGnlGintb~P9rk GUESTS 50 THE PLANNER Tracy French The French Connection San Antonio Texas Rent a space ina park to create a beautiful setting for an afternoon reception with a laid-back vibe says French Top five round tables with simple linens in fresh colors-apple green white or ivory Buy pretty affordable blooms like zinnias daisies Gerbera daisies or sunflowers at your local farmers market and make arrangements in terra-cotta pots

your guests at long tables with to play during your cocktail hour Later tablescapes of grass river rocks and bring in a casually elegant three-piece branches Submerge sexy white calla band (guitar drums and piano) to

lilies in clear glass vases provide some lighthearted

of varying heights (place BUDGET jazz during dinner Postshy

river rocks at the bottom BREAKDOWN dinner crank up a dance of each vase) Use votives Tables chairs playl ist on your iPod to get and floating candles decor $1 ]00 everyone on their feet as accents Fooddrinks $3000 Sugar High Serve slices of

Casual Cuisine During the first hour of your

Music $600 Favors $275

sheet cake for dessert Also do a candy buffet with glass

party offer passed hors Total $4975 jars holding candies that

doeuvres like shrimp include white and aqua

cocktail and mini crab cakes Later MampMs rock candy sticks and

serve a buffet or family-style dinner chocolate-covered peanuts and raisins

of crab legs steamers with broth and Supply white paper bags that youve

butter min i seafood qu iches fried personalized with a Thank youl sticker

calamari and cold seafood salads

Beachy Beverages Serve pitchers of beer carafes of wine and mixed drinks that incorporate the cool blues of your color scheme Try the Blue Bay (Blue Curayao liqueur and bitter lemon soda) and the Blue Sapphire (Blue Curayao and cranberry juice) Give them cute names

Seaside Sounds N oth ing says

romantic beach party like the sounds of calypso so hire a steel drum band

tied with raffia for natural simple fondant wedding cake with two

earthy centerpieces fresh su nflowers on top Or do a Tasty Treats Hire a caterer cupcake display You can use terra-to prepare a simple but cotta pots and saucers tasty lunch You could do to create a tieredBUDGET specialty burgers like blue presentation that looksBREAKDOWN cheese burgers and serve well thought-out andLocatio rental ~400 bull them on wonderful bakery (for four hours) outdoorsy rolls or you could serve Remtiiis lttabieschairs Music Notes H ire a

andHnens)$225mini burgers and fries in student from a local FacididrinkS $2300

paper cones Or serve college musicFlowers middot$50

everything on a stickshy department to playEntertainment $400 from chicken and sausage I Cupcakes an(j stand $ J50 the acoustic guitar

to min i roasted corn Favors$lOU while your guests

with different dine After lunchTotal p 625 seasonings like switch to a DJ to get cayenne and lemon your guests dancing Just pepper Grilled chicken be sure to check out the electrical panini fruit platters and setup at your venue since the DJ will cheese displays are other need to plug in his equipment outdoor options Fun Favors Flip-flops in your wedding Daytime Drinks Fill a clear colors make an adorable favor or white container-choose (Purchase them online in bulk and in one with a ladle or a spoutshy all different sizes) Stack them in a with fru ity Southern Comfort colorful bucket or basket and make a

punch Also offer guests cute sign instructing guests to help lemonade and bottled water themselves Some people will probably

Delightful Desserts Have a opt to wear them right away

MayJune 2009 BRIDALGUIDECOM 123

Exotic Indian Qinn~ramp pqIJGing GUESTS 50 THE PLANNER eslie Weekes Leslie Manmng Events Washington DC Dinner and dancing at an ethnic restaurant on a Friday night is a great option on a modest budget says Weekes Most Indian restaurants are very ornate so you wont

your centerpiece Fill the trays with pillar candles in different heights and use the teapots as vases Indian Taste Invite guests to indulge

I bullin an unusual and bountiful buffet of W ~

authentic Indian dishes including ~

yellow dal (puree of lentils or split -1 peas) naan and roti breads cucumber raita butter chicken io- -white rice and palak paneer (a

popular cottage cheese Cneed much additional decor Arrange tables to form cozy groupings of four or six guests and switch out the standard linens for those in rich orange red or gold Chocolate brown accented with royal blue andor emerald green is

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Fooddrinks middot (with dessert) $3020

Linens $635 Centerpieces

amp candles $695 Entertainment $650

Total $5000

another gorgeous color scheme For centerpieces fill wood copper or silver bowls or platters with roses or protea split oranges pods and tropical foliage Surround the centerpieces with votives in clear red amber or purple holders Or use a silver tea service (find one at your local I ndian mart) as the basis of

After-H ours Ballroom Blowout

GUESTS 50 THE PLANNER Lea Mcintosh lea Mcintosh Fine Events Santa Clara California Ballroom dancing is hot these days so why not celebrate with a Dancing Under the Stars reception at a dance stud i07

says Mcintosh Start your party at 8 pm and have guests enter the studio

and spinach dish) Fresh amp fruity =r Complement the meal with a mango lassi a popular Indian yogurt drink and fruity mangotinis Decadent Desserts

Rich hot hues and ornate Skip the traditional linens set the Scene

wedding cake in favor of a dessert table of traditional Indian sweets Some must-haves are rasmalai (sweet dumplings in cream sauce) kheer (rice pudding) and kulfi (homemade Indian ice cream) Exotic Rock Many ethnic restaurants have nightly or weekly entertainment with dancers or singers and musicians

by walking a red carpet Inside a color palette of ruby red dark teal silver and white hits a glamorous note To create a starlit effect tuck Floralytes into roses hung with clear fishing line Drape a few tall cocktail tables with teal linens and accent them with vase luminaries (wrap clear vases in star-punched craft paper) Place votives and rich red rose heads around the luminaries Classy Nibbles A caviar tasting station is the perfect choice for

Find out if you can arrange to have them perform on the night of your wedding Also pu rchase some South Asian music CDs online and have your DJ intersperse them with Top 40 tunes or whatever your favorite genre of music happens to be

A Fitting Finale A perfect end to an upscale evening Handmade butter tuille Florentine and meringue cigarshy

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Venue rental fee $400 Red carpet entrance $200 Rose constellation $425

Additional roses amp decor $535

Entertainment $150 Champagnebeverages $325

Caviar $330 Catering $2300

Rentals $185 Favors $150

Total $5000

shaped cookies elegantly displayed in cigar boxes You can even wrap the cookies individually and finish them with custom cigar labels from mycigarlabelscom The cookies can be purchased at a bakery or you might find something suitable at a gourmet grocery store Strictly Ballroom Dance studios typically have a sound system in place so you can load up your MP3

th is soph isticated soiree Present American caviars with lemon slices creme fraTche and toast points Also offer passed hors doeuvres like mini Cobb salads Dungeness crab and asparagus tartlets Sambuca-marinated breast of chicken medallions of beef tenderloin and portobello mushrooms on herbed asiago brioche bread pudding Bubbles Galore Pass champagne or prosecco and sparkling water

player with hours of dance music Check out the Dancing With the Stars section of abccom for a list of music played on the show Hire two ballroom dance pros for an hour to demonstrate and teach some steps Finely Tuned If the dance stud io has a ballet bar hang custom CDs with your favorite dance tunes Theyll reflect the light fora glittering effect and double as wedding favors bull

124 BRIDALGUIDECOM MayJune 2009