Reception tips and ideas

Oct 29, 2009 - Henry Hager And Jenna Bush Wedding Your wedding will no doubt be the most romantic day of your lives,  it's a celebration of love and commitment.  But it's also the biggest party you'll probably ever throw.  So pull out all the stops and make it a night to remember.  We've researched the top wedding experts to find their best ideas for throwing a fun and unique  reception, while maximizing the romance and tugging at the heartstrings of your guests.  Whether you use one or 10 of them, we hope you will find at least a few new and creative ideas to make your reception even more fabulous.

If you're planning an outdoor event, don't forget to spray the grounds for insects about an hour before the guests arrive.

Skip the huge head table at the reception, share an intimate dinner for two, or share a small table with your parents or children.

Ask your caterer to prepare a late night snack for the bride and groom.  As more often than not you are too busy with guests when dinner is served.

Want to use those disposable cameras on the reception tables.  To avoid having hundreds of the same pictures by turning your guests into creative photographers with a photo hunt.  Leave a list of ten great photos you would like that table to take during the reception.  Photo ideas could include; build a pyramid, group table shot, funniest pose, a guest kissing the bartender or grandparents holding hands.

Don't like the  disposable cameras but still want to get memories captured by your guests?  Set up a docking station so guests can load their photos to your computer on the spot.

Offer your guests one or two signature cocktails that you've personalized with a cute name and your wedding colors.

Want the expensive look of calligraphy for your invitations without the cost?  Calligraphic fonts that look like the real thing are readily available.  Free font sources: searchfreefonts.com, highfonts.com, dafont.com

Have a graphic artist create a custom wedding logo that you can use on printed materials and other elements of your wedding to create a cohesive look. (If you’re artistic you can do this yourself. - 0 Comments

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Angostura Entrée Salad

Jan 05, 2007 - INGREDIENTS Angostura Dressing (Makes 2 cups) 3/4 cup (6 ounces) orange juice 1/2 cup (4 ounces) California raisin paste 1/2 cup (4 ounces) olive oil Salt and fresh ground black pepper 1 teaspoon English mustard powder 1 tablespoon Angostura Bitters 1/4 cup (2 ounces) fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette Salad 1 boneless skinless chicken breast, about 7 ounces 1 slice smoked ham 1 tablespoon California raisin juice concentrate 3 dried figs 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 egg, beaten 2-2/3 tablespoons (1/2 ounce) dry bread crumbs 2-2/3 tablespoons (1/2 ounce) dry coconut flakes Oil for frying 1 cup (2 ounces) assorted greens 3 tablespoons (1 ounce) California golden raisins 1 cucumber 10 chives 1 leaf radicchio PROCEDURE Measure all ingredients for dressing into blender container and blend well. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve. Preheat oven to 350°F. - 1 Comment

America’s Unhealthiest Restaurants (Eat this, Not That)

Mar 26, 2009 - America’s Unhealthiest Restaurants by David Zinczenko, with Matt Goulding a Yahoo! Health Expert for Nutrition http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/26542/americas-unhealthiest-restaurants Your favorite fast food restaurant is often like your favorite city: Visit some neighborhoods and you live the high life. Visit others and you’re just plain asking for trouble. - 4 Comments