Rehearsal Dinners/Family Gatherings

Ok, I know I haven't blogged in FOREVER due to circumstances out of my control.  However, I hope to blog more often.

I have been talking about weddings and one of the important traditions of a wedding is the rehearsal dinner.  My husband and I had to provide for our own rehearsal dinner so we decided to have good old fashioned Bar-B-Que (either pork, chicken, beef, you name it).  You can have this catered or you can make it yourself.  

If you are someone who loves to grill, there are many kinds of bar-b-que and grilling sauces available. If you wish to bar-b-que or grill chicken for your gathering may I suggest a Smokey Bacon Grill Sauce.  Although it tastes great on any grilled meat I personally prefer it with chicken.

Depending on the people at your event, if they are comfortable with a good old-fashioned cookout, you can dress up your hamburgers and steaks with a Merlot Sauce.  It gives your dish added flavor.

In addition to your main dish you need some fabulous sides.  If you are having a summer, outdoor gathering a nice salad is refreshing.  I love a nice spinach salad in the summer.  Instead of using iceberg lettuce, use raw baby spinach leaves.  Top it with slices of boiled egg, bacon, and raw mushrooms.  For dressing use a Vidalia Onion Dressing.  On the side serve Beer Bread.

Just a side note on beer bread.  You can use any carbonated beverage, you don't have to use beer.  I also discovered a yummy way of fixing beer bread is to brush it with Balsamic and Basil Dipping Oil and put it in the oven until it is crispy.  Then top it with shredded cheese and it is delicious!

There are many options for dessert in the summer time.  You can make classic dessert cheese balls, such as a Key Lime Cheese Ball or a Chocolate Cheese Ball. You can even serve refreshing drinks and smoothies to add a twist to your gathering. Most importantly, keep it simple and keep it fun!

Wedding Tips Part 2

Use what you have


One thing I learned when I was getting married that there are more than enough people who want to help or participate. So what do you do about that? USE THEM!!!!!! Use them in every capacity that’s possible whether it’s setting up the rehearsal dinner (if you aren’t going to a restaurant) to helping slice the cake at the reception. When I was getting married I was blessed to have contacts with a florist, DJ, and a videographer so I got all of those services at a very reasonable price.

However, what if you don’t have a family friend who is a florist or a friend who is a professional videographer? I’d like to share a really neat tip that a friend of mine did when she got married. She wasn’t planning to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars. She wanted it simple yet nice. Her parents had a nice yard so they planted a flower garden. They planted the flowers that she wanted to use in her bouquet. On the morning of her wedding, they cut the flowers in the flower garden and put them together in bouquets so that she and her bridesmaids had fresh cut flowers to carry down the aisle. They were beautiful!

When it comes to food…
The bride and groom have said their vows and now it’s time to head to the reception hall to celebrate. Many couples choose to have their wedding catered but some of us, like myself, would rather do it ourselves. My sister and I both did not have our receptions catered and in my opinion the food at our receptions was better than at some of the catered receptions. I’m not saying that catered receptions aren’t nice by any means. I have been to several catered receptions that were outstanding. It’s all in who you choose to be your caterer.

Our reception could be almost considered a planned potluck/cover dish meal. All of the food was planned out ahead of time ( ham biscuits, shrimp, cookies etc.) and the people that we knew who were really well known for their cooking we asked them to bring certain items. Some items that are great for receptions are cheese balls. They come in many flavors such as the traditional, chocolate, key lime, and more! There are many flavors for the many kinds of people. My husband even likes a pizza flavored cheese ball!!! With lots of careful planning it is easy to create a nice reception for a fraction of the cost of a catered one.

About Me

First of all let me say welcome to my new blog! I'm Melanie and I'm a consultant with a gourmet food company but I also love to plan parties and gatherings. I am NOT a professional event planner by any means. This is just something I enjoy doing. If you want a professional I can help you contact several. I am just sharing thoughts, ideas, crafts, recipies and products, my journeys, tips and websites that may be able to help you. I went to a bookstore the other day looking for a book on event planning and they didn't have ANY!!!!!!! Yes they had lots of helpful information for planning weddings but not for general events. So welcome to my muli-faceted blog and I hope you enjoy it!!!!