Salute! The Italian Soda Bar

You’ve surely seen the huge increase in the fun, interactive food stations couples are having at their wedding receptions. The snow cone station, the biscuit bar, the Frito pie station, the s’mores station, the build-your-own-breakfast-burrito during the after party…all so cute and definitely entertaining.

Another idea we’re seeing and LOVING is the Italian Soda Bar! So fun yet chic, the build-your-own Italian soda bar give your guests the opportunity to create their own delightful and delicious non-alcoholic beverage. All you need are cups, crushed ice, sparkling water, an assortment of flavored syrups and don’t forget the cute straws! You can also include cream and/or whipped cream if you like. Make a cute sign telling guests how to assemble them and voilà! Instant delectable refreshment! Salute!

Icy Reception Snack Perfect for Summer

In honor of the first day of summer (stay cool, friends!), we thought we'd share this icy and tasty treat idea with you. For a late-night refreshment, why not have a grown-up snow cone station for your guests, guaranteed to cool them off after all of that dancing?!

via marthastewart.com

Offer cocktail flavored syrups such as Mojito, Daiquiri, Cosmo and Margarita, and stock the bar with the classic paper cones, plenty of crushed ice, straws and glasses to contain any drips. Aaahhhh, refreshing and fun! Happy Summer!

Trend Alert: Food Truck Late Night Snack

If you’ve been noshing around the downtown areas of Dallas or Fort Worth lately, you’ve probably enjoyed the super-cool food trend that has been rolling into the area over the past year – the food truck! It’s about time this fun and convenient idea cruised into North Texas, and we are thrilled that an army of cuisine trucks have been offering a great variety of delicious food including pizza, tacos, burgers, fried pies, grilled cheese, barbecue, Asian, healthy gourmet and more!

While all of this sounds good and yummy, “What does this mean to me as a bride?” you might ask. Well, some of these fabulous mobile catering units are available for events! What a fun and unexpected late-night snack for your guests! This would be especially great to incorporate as a transition between your send-off and your after-party! By that time, your guests will need to refuel to help keep the party going.

A few of the companies that we know do events are Ruthie’s Rolling Café, Mainstream Fish Camp, Crazy Sisters, Red Jett Sweets and Green House, but many more are getting into that option; contact your truck of choice to see what you might be able to work out!

Happy planning!

Trend Alert: Popcorn Bars

Who says the best popcorn is found in movie theatres? We think wedding reception popcorn reigns! One of the most fun new trends we adore is the popcorn bar as wedding favor or late-night snack! Quickly replacing the ubiquitous candy station at wedding receptions, the popcorn bar is based on the same concept, just made up of various sweet and savory flavors of the scrumptious snack. With amazing flavors ranging from the standard cheddar and pucker-producing dill pickle to traditional caramel and mouthwatering chocolate peanut butter, you can offer your guests a phenomenal variety satisfying a full gamut of taste buds!

The nostalgic treat looks fabulous displayed in huge apothecary jars, galvanized flower buckets or many other creative containers! Give your guests paper or cellophane bags or take-out food containers with your cute custom labels to put the popcorn in and they’re good to go! Or, if serving it as an after-party snack, offer super-cute mini paper popcorn buckets or cups for party-goers to munch from. Your imagination is the limit! Bon appétit!

Trend Alert: Breakfast Burritos at After Parties

Nothing brings out the party animal in people like a great wedding reception! Brides and grooms often don’t want the night to end after just four or five hours with their guests, and we are continuing to plan after parties for our client couples as a way to keep the festivities going.

One of the key elements you always need for a successful after party is more food! You don’t want the guests to continue drinking without consuming food as well, but guests also need nourishment to keep up their stamina for all the dancing they’ll be doing!

One of our favorite things we’re doing lately for this midnight snack is the build-your-own-breakfast-burrito-bar. These fun stations present guests with mouth-watering offerings of scrambled eggs, beans, seasoned meat, guacamole, shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapenos and more to fold into a large soft flour tortilla. Who can say “no” to warm, melty deliciousness topped with salsa and wrapped in a tortilla?! Ummm, practically no one, so faster than you can say “hola,” talk with your catering director about including one of these fabulous buffets in your after party plans. Go ahead…your guests will say “gracias!”

Late Night Treat Fun: The Snack Box

Looking for something a little fresher for your late-night reception snack than the been-done passed treats such as mini-burgers and tiny shakes?! We so love The Snack Box right now for tasty treats created onsite during your event! This mobile snack bar features attendants that cook up delicious mini-donuts right before your guests’ eyes (and noses!). The demure delectable delights are then embellished with chocolate, vanilla or raspberry icings, a cinnamon-sugar mix, sprinkles and more, and are served hot and fresh to guests. The Snack Box also offers funnel cakes or fried candy bars and cookies as additional onsite-prepared delicacies.

The company has been steadily expanding their offerings since its inception and now presents several ready-made deliverable options, including candy and caramel apples, cinnamon roasted almonds and their newest product – customized chocolate bars. The large chocolate bars, perfect for favors, can be made in white, dark or milk chocolate and then endlessly customized by adding your choice of some 40-plus toppings. Oh my!

We have used this fun onsite donut station at a couple of our clients’ wedding receptions, and it is always a huge hit! Guests can’t get enough of those donuts’ sugary goodness, and they’re a great way to kick up the energy to keep everyone dancing! Bon appétit!