Plan Your Party
If you are feeling a little ambitious, these tips will help guide you through a successful private event.
Whether for a gathering of friends or a more formal affair, A Taste of Excellence Catering will make your occasion spectacular. Our team of experienced professionals is ready to work with you on a memorable event. No matter the detail, we will be with you throughout every step of the planning process.
Things to Consider Before You Start
The Details
According to Oprah Winfrey, “The love is in the details.” And, whether you love them or hate them, sometimes it’s the little things that can get in the way of planning an exceptional event. Before you request a proposal, consider the following:
- Determine your budget
- Make the guest list–this will help estimate how many guests to expect
- Pick a location–visit our event sites list for suggestions
- Set the date and time of the event
Seating
Seated Meal
Works well at formal events such as weddings, galas or where a presentation will take place.
Standing Reception
Works well for events with limited space, a short event time or where you want to encourage mingling and networking-consider having your guests stand and place some cabaret tables around the room as places to rest drinks.
Partial Seating
Works well when your guest list includes a mixed age group or may extend for a length of time.
Bar Features
Dry Bar
If you have a budget-conscious event, eliminating alcohol completely will help with the expenses. To add options, consider a specialty non-alcoholic drink, such as hibiscus and ginger iced tea.
Beer and Wine
Variety is the spice of life except when you’re waiting in line at the bar. Offering beer and wine as the only alcoholic options is cost-effective and keeps the bar line moving forward so that guests have more time to enjoy your event!
Full Bar
A special day deserves the best. Events with large crowds or gatherings for an exceptional occasion may call for a bar with full options for mixed drinks. Please let your account executive know if you would like to serve specialty drinks such as appletinis or mojitos as they require additional mixers.
Food Presentation Methods
Please discuss food allergies or dietary restrictions with your account executive.
Passed Hors D’oeuvres
This option works for any event. Either as a pre-dinner appetizer or as the sole service of the party, they are easy to hold in your hand, offer variety to the menu and are easy to serve. However, keep in mind that it takes wait staff to pass the hors d’oeuvres, which may increase your personnel estimate.
Stationary Hors D’oeuvres
Work well for open houses, auctions, or receptions where guests arrive intermittently or move around within the event area.
Buffet
A popular service choice and familiar to everyone. This option helps keep personnel costs in line and is a good venue for offering a variety of menu choices.
Seated Meal
There are two options for seated meals: plated or French service. At a plated meal, our tuxedoed waiters serve plated courses to individual diners. With French service (also known as Russian service), our waiters serve an entire table from one beautifully presented silver platter.