There should be little confusion or hassle when hiring a caterer. With all of the other things to do when planning a wedding or party, hiring a caterer should be a simple event performed near the start of the planning process. Taste testings are very definitely encouraged. After all, this is the only trial run that you will get before enjoying the meal at your event. To keep everything running smoothly, remember these eight simple tidbits when taste testing options from your local caterer.

Eight Simple Tips For Your Taste Testing Events

1 – Often it is a representative of the chef that presents the food. If this is the case at your taste testing event, ask if it is possible to pay your compliments to the chef. This positive feedback will be well received by the chef and likely work in your favor later.

2 – Bring others along who will be helpful in selecting the proper foods. Your wedding consultant or party planner can offer helpful tips during this process. Your mother, maid of honor, groom and others very close to you are also able to offer constructive advice during the sampling.

3 – There will be many options when sampling foods from a caterer so remember to pace yourself to enjoy each of them. A small bite or two is all that is necessary to enjoy the tastes of the dish.

4 – Discuss particular preferences with your wedding caterer or party caterer. If you have a favorite food or type of food, feel free to discuss foods with these particular ingredients that will be included in the meals. This information will be very helpful for the caterer to note later in the planning stages.

5 – Discuss alternative ingredient options with your caterer. If you like something but want it to be "vegetarian friendly," simply ask your caterer if this is possible.

6 – Look for signs of quality foods and other ingredients. Catering is not limited to the expensive or the inexpensive tastes. You want the best for your guests regardless of the budget so look for signs of freshness and quality when talking with your wedding caterer or party caterer.

7 — Ask your caterer to present the food to you the way it is to be presented at the wedding reception or party. If it is to be served buffet style over warmers, ask to try the food in this manner. If it is a passed tray reception, ask your caterer if it is possible to sample the food this way. This will help gauge how the food will taste at the reception as well.

8 – Though it does not necessarily pertain to the quality of the food, it is important to take note of the attentiveness of the wait staff. Pay attention to how the front end (servers) and kitchen (chef) communicate with one another. Do things move fluidly or in a disorganized manner? This tip is particularly important if you plan to hire the caterer's wait staff. 

Receptions vary but there is always a need for catering services. Whether a wedding reception, a gala reception or another party, there are three types of catering services from which to choose. Knowing which is your preference will help tremendously when discussing options with your caterer. When selecting on-site catering services for your event, consider these options.

Enjoying A Sit Down or Seated Meal Reception

Sit-down or seated meal dinners are perfect for very elegant wedding receptions, banquets, galas and other sophisticated affairs. This type of meal allows guests to mingle with those at their table. This puts a bit more pressure on preparing the right seating arrangement. However, seated meal receptions are arguably the most elegant type of dining and quite worth the extra attention to detail. When planning a formal dinner, ask your caterer about a seated meal reception.

Buffet Catering Is Another Good Option To Discuss With Caterers

Buffet catering is a type of food catering with which everyone is familiar. Many brides and other party planners prefer this type of catering due to its festive qualities. Guests are able to mingle while they fill their plates with party food or wedding food. There is little doubt that people will receive something that they dislike because they serve themselves. This reduces food waste. Alternatively, plan on the need for a larger amount of food because people tend to eat more when given many options.

"Garcon!" Preparing A Passed-Tray Reception

Passed-tray receptions are the perfect time to enjoy hor d'oeuvres of all kinds. During a passed-tray reception, wait staff weave between party guests while holding hor d'oeuvres and drinks on small trays (hence the name). They seem to flow seamlessly between guests who only notably acknowledge their presence when requesting party food or a beverage.

This is a very easy type of reception to coordinate with your caterer. It is also one that is preferred by many brides for a very simple reception, one with limited seating space, a reception that will be hosted in two places and other options. When guests are encouraged to mingle, passed-tray receptions are the finest option for the wedding or party catering.

Ok. So it's the big day and your wedding photographer is ready to start shooting. As a savvy bride you've discussed which wedding photos you'd like to have as part of your photo album. However, getting everyone in position can sometimes be an arduous task. Many photographers have assistants that are able to work with the photographer in readying the shots. However, many wedding photographers may either not have an assistant or opt out of using one according to the size of the wedding and other factors.

To prevent this from slowing down or dampering the mood on your day, select a member of the family or wedding party to be the photo coordinator. The photo coordinator that you choose will be in charge of readying people for the next photos. Your wedding photographer should have a list of the photos to be taken which will help your coordinator know who to gather for the next shots.

When choosing a wedding photo coordinator, consider someone who can command a room in a gentle way. "Firm enough to get the ball rolling but without a cracking whip" is a good description for the type of person that fits this role well. Often parents, aunts, uncles, or sprightly grandparents play this role well as younger members of the wedding party are inclined to follow the instructions of respected elders.

No matter who is chosen, having someone to follow the lead of the wedding photographer but who will also be able to gather the wedding party efficiently is a very helpful addition. This prevents things from slowing down which means that you have time for more shots. You also have more set-up time which means time for better wedding pictures. When your wedding photo album opens in your lap for the first time, you'll be amazed at the memories that will roll out and how thankful you are for your photographer and photo shoot coordinator.

We all dream of the wedding reception where the food is just right, there is enough for everyone, and the flavors kick taste bud butt. If you've been to this kind of wedding, chances are great that all of these things were the result of a fantastic wedding caterer. Want to know where to get your hands on a good caterer for your wedding? Here are some tips that will help you choose a wedding caterer that will keep guests' tummies happy and satiated.

Sample! Sample!! Sample!!!

It's perfectly acceptable to ask to sample food before hiring a wedding caterer. Now it's impossible to please everyone, but there is some food that even the most finicky eater can't resist. Your caterer will have several options and menus from which to choose. Whether buffet or individual meals, it's your wedding so pick the food that you want! The best way to figure out what you like the best is to sample the offerings at many catering companies.

Be Prepared When Meeting With Your Wedding Caterer

Catering a wedding is tricky stuff. Your wedding caterer is going to need a lot of information, but thankfully it's pretty easy to figure out. Ask yourself a few simple questions before the meeting and take your answers with you. Caterers are sure to ask the same ones.

• Buffet style or individual servings?
• How many people will be eating?
• Do you require special options such as a vegetarian/vegan option?

Discuss Alternative Ideas For Your Wedding Reception Catering

Have the theme of your wedding in mind. The catering company that you hire should be able to adjust the food options to reflect the style and theme of your wedding. For instance, are you opting for a cupcake cake? This shows whimsy and may inspire individual sandwiches with colored bread. It can also rule out other options such as petit fours. More traditional weddings may call for very traditional meals. It's all up to you and your groom, but be prepared to discuss alternative ideas for your wedding catering.

We all know what we like when it comes to photography. Certain things just catch our eye. The same is true of wedding photography. It's so easy to get lost in the romance and magic of the wedding when flipping through the photo album. It's enough that we instantly "ooo," "awww," and share the pictures with our closest friends. It's this exciting time to relive fine memories that makes having the ideal wedding photographs so important. To get the most from your wedding photography package, here are the top 3 most important questions to ask your wedding photographer.

What packages are available? — Obviously there will be many wedding packages to choose from. Package items can range from a small amount of snapshots and prints to a large amount of photos and prints with digital enhancement and unique photography techniques. For this reason, it is important to discuss with your wedding photographer which package best fits your ceremony.

*Remember:  The size, location, and budget are the biggest factors in the selection to bring this information to your consultation.*

What digital techniques and enhancements are available? — See a great black and white shot of a bride holding her full-color bouquet? These and other unique techniques enhance photos for more memorable, valuable shots. Discuss wedding photography ideas that you like such as black and white wedding photos, sepia tone and other colored photos, unique bridal portraits, collages and more.

Which portions of the wedding are covered in this package? — While most wedding photographers cover pre-ceremony to post-reception, many prefer to include certain time frames into specific pacakages. For instance, the wedding ceremony and reception may be included in one package while another package includes photos of the wedding part in a different location.

*Remember:  Most wedding photo packages are based on the number of photographs taken as well as the number of locations. A greater number of set-ups and material costs ups the price of the package, so don't be scared to talk with your photographer about which packages are right for your wedding.*

*Remember:  If also using a videographer, try to arrange at least one pre-wedding consultation with both professionals together. This will help solidify in your mind which packages are truly best for your wedding. A videographer may reduce the amount of pictures that you want in your package. Alternatively, a wedding photographer may be able to capture many moments of the entire wedding in a particular package while the videographer for the wedding may only include the ceremony or reception in the package.

Next to choosing a dress, choosing a wedding hairstyle for your wedding day is the biggest decision a bride must make. It is not exactly rocket science; up, down, or half up are the three basic hairstyles. With bridal tiaras, hair pins, wedding jewelry, and veils, we must use the wedding hairstyle to tie in all of the accessories in a classic fashion.

Wedding Hairstyles Meet Fashion and Accessories

When deciding how to wear your hair on your wedding day there are many different variables to consider.  First, and most important, is the style of wedding dress you have chosen and the neckline that it portrays. Depending on whether the dress is strapless, sweetheart cut, v-neck, or scoop neck, the hairstyle you choose for your wedding day may be changed.

If you are wearing a strapless wedding dress on your wedding day, and want to expose the collarbone and neckline of the dress, an up-do would be the best option to present the silhouette of the shoulders. Although up-do's are great for strapless dresses, wearing the hair down is very classic and also looks fabulous against the strapless neckline.

Sweetheart necklines are romantic and elegant in nature and look fabulous with a hairstyle that eludes soft curls falling from a half-up hairstyle. This hairstyle is very natural and when done with loose curls is very loving and romantic; perfect for the wedding day! Dresses with straps or sleeves are most elegantly accompanied by a classic up-do. In this case it all depends on how much of the fabric is detailed around the shoulders and neckline of the dress.

Plan Ahead For An Incredibly Beautiful Wedding Hairstyle

On your wedding day, a bride wants to feel as though she stepped out of a fairytale storybook, where everything, including her hair, is perfect. This is why it is so important to meet with your hair stylist in advance and discuss ideas and have a few practice runs before the big day. This ensures that everything on the day of the wedding runs smoothly and you are not disappointed with the final result.

Coming to a final decision on what hairstyle to go with on the wedding day may take quite a bit of thinking and coordinating with other bridal accessories such as the bridal veil and wedding jewelry. The most important thing to remember is when choosing a wedding hairstyle, it is best to look as natural as possible. Find a hairstyle that is similar to how you wear your hair day to day. The key is to look like a more beautiful, you on your wedding day; not someone who you aren't.

Coordination Is Key To Great Wedding Hairstyles

At your first appointment with the hairstylist, it is suggested that all brides bring a picture of flowers, the dress, any accessories you may be wearing, and maybe a few pictures of the ceremony decorations so the stylist can get an idea of the overall style of the wedding scenery.

The wedding hair stylist will be the most help to you in deciding which hairstyle is best suited for you. However, it is always best to take a friend or family member to the first hair appointment for advice in making a decision.

The wedding theme plays a large factor in selecting a wedding hairstyle and personal wedding accessories. Whimsical wedding decorations with flowing fabrics, delicate flowers, and feminine touches bring out a romantic ambiance that calls for simple but elegant wedding hairstyles and wedding accessories. More modern wedding decorations with bold colors and inventive décor call for more modern, edgy wedding accessories and up-do's. With pictures of the wedding décor, flowers, and wedding accessories, the hair stylist will be able to help you figure out which hair style is best for your wedding day.

Practice Makes Perfect Wedding Day Hair

You never see an athlete run a race without at least one practice run beforehand, or an opera singer bring down the house without rehearsing several times. To make sure everything runs smoothly on the actual wedding day, it is suggested that every bride have a trial run a few weeks before the wedding day. This means going through all the preparation phases: hair, make-up, and getting the dress on.

First of all, you want to make sure that the bobby pins and hair spray will be able to hold your wedding hairstyle for the length of time that the ceremony and wedding festivities will last. It would be terrible for you to arrive at the ceremony with your up-do unraveling as fast as you can say "I do". Secondly, you want to make sure you are comfortable. You may love a hairstyle the first few minutes of it being fixed, but after four hours of bobby pins pulling your hair in a million different directions you may have second thoughts. To make sure you are comfortable on your wedding day, have a trial run.

Pre-Wedding Pictures Are A Snap (And Helpful!)

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought "Wow, I look good!" and then reflected on pictures of that same night and hated them? Photos don’t always capture what you want them to which is why the pre-wedding picture session is so necessary. Pictures are a very important part of your wedding day. This is why it is so important to make sure wedding hair and accessories are perfect. What better way to assure your wedding photos are fabulous than to have a pre-wedding picture party? This could be done when bridal photos are taken, or just as a simple trial wedding photo session. By doing this you can rearrange wedding accessories, flowers, tiaras, and any other hair décor that might need to be adjusted for photos on the actual wedding day.

Selecting a wedding hairstyle can be a stressor, but as long as you follow these simple suggestions, you are sure to be confidently stunning on your big day. Choosing your wedding day hairstyle is the hardest part of the process, so when the big day comes, just sit back, relax, and enjoy being pampered on your wedding day!

There are some photos that are standard across most wedding ceremonies. Whether twisting the night away at a wedding reception in Indianapolis or exchanging vows at a wedding ceremony in San Diego, these popular poses are stand-out additions to the wedding photo album.

• Wedding cake photos are among the most popular wedding pictures at everyone's special occasion. Then again, what better way to detail the intricacies of everyone's favorite reception staple?

• It's easy to show off the beauty of the bride, but wedding dress pictures bring to light her elegance and style as well.

• What better time than the wedding to capture unique shots of the families looking their best? Family portraits allow both families to come together for the first time as one.

• Bridal portraits stand alone as the single most sought-after wedding photos. The bride in her radiance is a beautiful woman. Her stunning appeal on the wedding day is a cherished memory that no one wants to forget.

• Of all the pictures in the wedding photo album, the most treasured of all is the bride and groom picture. Never more in love than that day, wedding photographers love capturing the sweetness of newlyweds.

Ask your wedding photographer about the best ways to capture these photos then sit back, relax, and watch the magic happen!

Modern weddings are a lot of fun. Throughout the wedding day, pre-ceremony to post-reception, there are many moments that brides and grooms want to remember forever. Cutting the wedding cake and walking down the aisle are pretty standard to most, but sometimes even the simple can be easily forgotten during the hustle and bustle of busy celebration. To make sure that your wedding photos capture every precious moment, discuss this checklist of the top five pictures during the wedding day with your local wedding photographer.

Popular Wedding Ceremony Photos

• Sweet and innocent -Flower girl and ring bearer walking down the aisle.
• Who gives this woman away – Father and daughter walking down the aisle, giving her away. Read the rest of Start To Finish Checklist: The Top 5 Photos For Your Wedding »

Wedding cakes come in many shapes and sizes, giving you plenty of tasty options. For a traditional or contemporary wedding reception, the cake stands out as the delicious representation of the bride’s personality. The flavor of the cake may be largely a personal choice, but the shape of the cake should be as much about practicality as design. Form and function playing a large part, consider these popular shapes when choosing the wedding cake design of your dreams.

• Square wedding cakes have recently gained popularity and can be decorated to reflect a traditional or contemporary feel. Alternating corners of each tier is a simple way to add creativity while selecting a unique design for the icing definitely ups the appeal. Perhaps the easiest to cut, these cakes tend to feed more people than round wedding cakes.

• Fountain wedding cakes are tiered cakes that begin with the main tier on a pedestal surrounded by smaller tiers suspended on lower pedestals thus resembling a fountain. These tiered wedding cakes are especially popular for ease of cutting, unique design, and a decorative way to provide more cake for large weddings.

• Round wedding cakes are the most traditional but modern weddings also favor this design. Elegant wedding cakes are usually round with many layers of decoration and creative icing design. Round wedding cakes feed less people than the same sized square cake, but only marginally.

Whether tiers of wedding cake flow across the table or a simple wedding cake will do, consider this shapes and size information when visiting your local cake bakery.

Ideally, we would all have our weddings run smoothly without complications or snaffoos. (What a fun word!) However, this is rarely the case. Many prepared brides or their maids of honor come to the ceremony equipped with a bridal emergency kit. These kits help to quickly tame any wild issues that may arise so that the bride can have an unspoiled, wonderful wedding ceremony.

"What goes into a bridal emergency kit?" This is the question on everyone's mind. There are many items that can calm a range of situations. Here is a list of our favorite items to carry with you on your wedding day: Read the rest of What To Have In Your Bridal Emergency Kit »