Wedding Dining Styles

Wedding Dining Styles

Served Plated to Each Guest

This is the most traditional of all wedding dining styles.  You receive the standard service that you would from any hotel or caterer.  The servers serve each guest their individual dinner selection.  Some brides get creative with how they display each guests dinner choice.  A Trends to Traditions bride this past winter used snowflake ornaments in different colors and set them out under the escort card.  Her theme was “winter wonderland” and the ornaments made perfect wedding favors!

Table d’Hôte

This style is one that encourages conversation and sharing among your wedding guests.  You select a variety of food for each table and your guests can pass around the dishes and share.  This serving is also known as “family style” at most restaurants.  Table d’Hôte is the perfect style for a very large wedding.  You will be able to accommodate more of your guest’s tastes preferences.

Russian Service

Russian Service is exactly that; a service.  The waiter carries a tray around of different dinner selections and each guest gets to select which looks most appetizing to them.  The server has the ability to control the portion size so each guest can have as much or as little as they prefer.  This Russian Service style is better suited for a medium to small sized wedding.

French Style

This style is very similar to the Russian Service.  The main difference is that there is an additional waiter who follows the headwaiter around with a sauce selection for the guests.  Another French Style of dining is when the chef prepares the food tableside and serves it to each guest’s tastes.  This is generally more appropriate for small weddings because of the time involved.

Small Plate “Tapas” Tasting

This is similar to a buffet style.  You present your guests with a variety of different small snacks and finger foods.  These are appetizer size and your guests can have a bunch of different finger foods.  Tapas are traditionally associated with Spanish cusine.  This is a great dining option if you don’t want to serve a full meal.

Traditional Buffet

Depending on your guest count you can have as many buffet stations as you need to accommodate everyone.  Typically, your guests will be “called-up” in order of table number to serve themselves.  After everyone has been allowed the chance to get a plate there is usually time for anyone to go up for seconds.  This option tends to be less expensive than a seated dinner and is great for large weddings.

Stations Buffet

This dining style is where you can set up a variety of stations with plates already there.  This style gives your guests the chance to have their pick of the cuisine and they can have as much or as little of each dish.  This style works well when there are cocktail tables stationed around so people can eat a little at a time and also keep the seating casual.  You can also add a grill onto this style and give your guests the chance to order their own grilled items from a chef.

Standard Cocktail Party with Drinks & Hors D’oeuvres

By doing this style you bypass the need to collect any entrée choices.  There is no formal seating and guests are free to mingle and walk around.  Hors D’oeuvres are displayed on a table for guests to serve themselves from.  This is a very casual dining style but can be very elegant and a nice alternative to traditional seated dinners.

Butlered Menu

This style is similar to that of having a butler in your own home.  Waiters serve Hors D’oeuvres and drinks on a tray.  They accept drink orders, which eliminates lines for guests to wait in.  This is a very elegant option but requires more waiters and staff than other options.

Butlered & Stationary

Here, you can combine both the standard cocktail party and the butlered menu.  This means having stationed Hors D’oeuvres as well as waiters walking around presenting them to guests.  Much more food is eaten when it is presented in this way.  This option may require more staffing if you choose to also have the waiters take drink orders.

Open House

If you are expecting guests to come and go from your reception this is a good dining option.  Open house allows for your guests to specifically order from a menu at any time in the night.  A lot of guests may prefer this if they are unable to make it to a predetermined dinnertime. This style is for a very casual wedding.

We Are a 2012 “The Knot” Winners!

 

TRENDS TO TRADITIONS NAMED TOP PICK IN

THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDINGS 2012

 

Pittsburgh, PA (January 26, 2012) – Trends to Traditions is pleased to announce they have been selected as a 2012 ­­winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, a special section in The Knot Pittsburgh magazine and on theknot.com. Weddings from The Knot (NYSE: XOXO; www.theknot.com), the number-one wedding resource that’s most trusted by brides. This is the third year Trends to Traditions has been voted the top pick for The Knot Best of Weddings.

 

The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 provides a “by brides, for brides” guide to the top wedding professionals across the country, and is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources. From New York florists and Seattle bridal salons to DC makeup artists, engaged couples will find detailed feedback on local wedding businesses reviewed by thousands of newlyweds who had great things to say.

 

 

 

About XO Group Inc.
XO Group Inc. (NYSE: XOXO; www.xogroupinc.com), formerly The Knot Inc., is a global media and technology leader devoted to weddings, pregnancy and everything in between, providing young women with the trusted information, products and advice they need to guide them through the most transformative events of their lives. Our family of premium brands began with the #1 wedding brand, The Knot, and has grown to include WeddingChannel.com, The Nest, The Bump and Ijie.com. XO Group is recognized by the industry for being innovative in all media – from the web to social media and mobile, magazines and books, and video – and our groundbreaking social platforms have ignited passionate communities across the world. XO Group has leveraged its customer loyalty into successful businesses in online sponsorship and advertising, registry services, ecommerce and publishing. The company is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (XOXO) and is headquartered in New York City.

For more information, please contact weddingreviews@theknot.com.

February Linen Contest

It’s February… So how could we not do a Valentine themed month of linens?  Using beautiful tones of red and pink, a Valentine theme is exactly what we need this month to make it through to the end of winter!  Valentine’s Day is meant to be romantic, beautiful and flirty. Here’s your chance to set your ideal Valentine’s Day tablescape!  Using our new Trends to Traditions’ linen tool you can create Valentine inspired tables like the one here:

Think you can create a more flirty or romantic Valentine themed table with our linen tool?  Give it a try and submit your creations to us!  The winner will get to see their linen design used in a real mockup wedding tablescape!  Just select “email” once you’re happy with your design and send it to socialmediattt@gmail.com for your chance to be selected.  And make sure to use Pittsburgh Linen Rental for all your linen needs!

 

How To Use Our Linen Tool:

1. Select which type of linen you want from the list to the left of the blank table.
2. Then, underneath the linen type selections is an arrow that says, “Please Select Category”.  Choose your linen (satin, damask, pin tuck, etc.)
3. Once you choose your category, different color options will show up!  Select your favorite and then repeat the process for each type of linen (overlay, chair cover, napkin, etc.)

Peacock Inspired Linens

One of the best ways to add color and class to your event or wedding is to select the perfect linens.  There are so many linen choices out there that it can be overwhelming!  One of the great aspects about weddings is that there are always plenty of tables to cover!  If you are looking to pinch pennies, use less expensive linens for guest tables and more pricey ones on individual tables like your cake table.  Make sure you have exciting fabric for your candy table and escort card table also!  Here are some of our favorite “peacock inspired” linens:

Here are a few pretty linen choices to help create your look!

These are a sampling of our favorite purple linens that would look great for any peacock themed event!

Green, blue and teal make a beautiful peacock linen palette.

Like our blog?  Then you’ll love our Facebook page!  Make sure to “Like” us while you’re checking out all our wedding photos!  We also have a Twitter, so follow us at @TTTWeddings for updates and everyday wedding topics.  One last thing… Remember to enter our January peacock linen contest!  We just enhanced the prize.  The winner will get to see their design used in a real mockup wedding tablescape!  Winners are picked at the end of January so email your designs straight from our linen tool to socialmediattt@gmail.com.  Check out this blog post for more info!

Foxley Farm

Foxley Farm is a charming farm located in the middle of fox hunting country, 2 miles south of Ligonier.  Once owned by the Mellon family, this farm combines a cottage house from the 1800′s and a ballroom built in the 1970′s.  Set on a stunning 58 acres, there are numerous buildings on the property.  There is a grand ballroom, cottage house, barn and separate spring cottage to name a few.  Each building is unique and in the process of being renovated to be enjoyed by brides and their guests.

We were greeted by one of the owners who actually lines on the property.  THe owner gave us a full tour of the estate and pointed out all the great renovations they are doing.  We started in the kitchen, which held its colonial charm.  Following a peek at the kitchen we were given a tour of the guest rooms and the many bathrooms.  I was very immersed by the closet space in the house!

DIY Peacock Flower Girl Basket

Sometimes the little details of a wedding can make all the difference.  Paying attention to accessories like the guest book and ring pillow can really pay off in “wow factor”!  If you don’t have the money to buy jaw dropping accent pieces you can make them!  Making different things for your wedding lets you get exactly what you are looking for.  Also, you will put a personal touch on your special day.  One simple craft project for you is to make your own flower girl basket.  This DIY is simple because you start with a basket and build on the accessories.

1. I started with a simple basket that had plenty of openings for me in which to weave various decorative items.  I purchased this basket at Michael’s for about $7.00
2. I chose a pretty string of garland with purple and pearl bead accents.  I also bought one peacock feather.  I also bought these at Michael’s for around $12.00.
3. I used a royal blue ribbon that I had to weave around the bottom.

I simply started by weaving the garland through the holes until it gave the wrapped effect I desired.  You can zip tie the garland in place if you want to ensure that it won’t move!  Next, I weaved in the peacock feather and bent it until it was at the angle I wanted.  Finally, I wove a thin royal blue ribbon around the bottom to add more blue to the basket.

So for about $20.00 I was able to make a unique flower girl basket!  Much better than a boring one from the bridal store.

Incorporating Pets In Weddings

For many brides, the thought of including family pets in their big day isn’t even a consideration.  While they love their pets, they prefer to keep them at home.  But what about those brides who treat their pets like children?  Is it considered “okay” to include pets on your big day?  While many people frown at the idea of animals in a wedding, there are definitely ways to include them!

There are a lot of different things to consider when deciding whether or not to include pets.  One of the most important things to take into account is how your pet will react to the setting of a wedding.  If your pet doesn’t respond well to large groups of people, perhaps it is in the pet’s best interest to leave them at home with a trusted guardian.  But if you know your pet will do just fine, follow these TTT tips for incorporating pets:

1. Assign someone to pet duties and to your pet’s “doodies”.  You will want to have one person to make sure your pet isn’t causing trouble!  Also, this person can help get your little friend to the appropriate area to “relieve” them self!
2. Determine what role your pet will play.  Will your dog be replacing the traditional ring bearer or will your cat be monitoring the guest book?  This will help you give your assigned pet-person a better idea of their duties!
3. Be considerate and let your guests know that there will be a pet in the wedding.  Give them some time to reconsider taking that anti-histamine before they leave the house.  Also, make sure your photographer is ready for pet photos.  They may need a little extra preparation time.
4. Make sure that your pets are groomed and looking their best!  Also, consider if you want them be wearing attire of any kind.
5. Have a backup plan and be ready to cut the pet’s part out last minute… Since you can’t reason with a misbehaving animal, it’s better to just move ahead without them than let them cause stress!

Cookie Tables: A Pittsburgh Tradition

Let’s take a little break from all our peacock talk to chat about cookie tables!  This lovely tradition is part of every *Burgh Approved* wedding and believe me, it’s a must.  Even Ben Roethlisburger, Steelers’ quarterback, who was wed July 23, 2011 was rumored to have had a cookie table at his wedding.  And whom are we kidding; of course he had a cookie table!  All I know is that when a bride-to-be asks me to bake three dozen cookies, I get a little warm feeling in my heart because I was entrusted with providing for the cookie table.

A tradition that started in South West Pennsylvania, cookie tables are starting to become more of an East Coast tradition now.  Traditionally though, cookie tables were primarily found at Italian and Catholic weddings and were meant to replace the wedding cake!  It’s easy to imagine how all those cookies would suffice as dessert for hungry wedding guests but I just don’t think I could swap the joy of taste testing and cake cutting!  Most modern brides also feel this was and so they do both.  Thus, they end up with a lot of left over cookies!  A great way to get rid of your cookie leftovers it to offer them as a wedding favor!  Put out empty boxes toward the end of the reception and people will happily fill them up and take them home!

Like our blog?  Then you’ll love our Facebook page!  Make sure to “Like” us while you’re checking out all our wedding photos!  We also have a Twitter, so follow us at @TTTWeddings for updates and everyday wedding topics.  One last thing… Remember to enter our January peacock linen contest!  We just enhanced the prize.  The winner will get to see their design used in a real mockup wedding tablescape!  Winners are picked at the end of January so email your designs straight from our linen tool to socialmediattt@gmail.com.  Check out this blog post for more info!

Peacock Bridesmaid’s Looks!

Creating the perfect peacock ensemble for a bridal party has never been so fun!  As modern brides start pulling away from traditions like all-matching bridesmaid’s dresses and black simple suits, it allows a newer market of young and fun bridal party attire to make it’s debut!  Modern brides love using different styles for each bridesmaid dress.  Finally, brides are considering their bridesmaids and letting them select a figure flattering dress that is as unique as they are!  When done right, this idea of mismatched dresses coming together can create a beautiful wedding party.  Using one of our favorite bridal attire designers, Jim Hjelm, we put together some unique bridesmaid looks inspired by this month’s theme: peacocks!

When you are creating a collage of gorgeous dresses there are many ways to do it!  One simple way to make sure all your dresses look great together is by sticking to one length and one fabric!  This dress combination is inspired by peacock feathers and the metallic hue they have.  Also, the common trait of a black accent on each ties the whole look together.   By having two dresses in the same color and two dresses in accent colors all with different necklines, it really emphasizes a fashionable approach to dressing your bridesmaids!

Bolder peacock hues and a burst of volume make these mismatching bridesmaid dresses strike a cord together.   What makes these dresses mesh?  Each dress is above the knee with a similar shine and fabric in different jeweled tones.  Also, each dress has a different section of volume to give your girls that extra pop!  These dresses are sure to give your wedding a unique yet fashionable twist.

Two colors, four amazing Jim Hjelm dresses.  This is a simpler color palette for a peacock wedding but what it pulls from the theme is drama.  Each dress is distinctive and dramatic ensuring you to have four stunning bridesmaids!  The length lends a sense of formality.  Not to mention, the length would help keep your girls warm during the cold winter month of January!  Since these dresses are so dramatic, sticking to two necklines and simple up-dos will really let the dress speak for itself.

Don’t forget that here at Trends to Traditions, we are available to order any of the Jim Hjelm Occasion dresses! Mention this blog post to receive 10% off your order. If you are interested in ordering one of his dresses, call us at 412-267-2108.

Like our blog?  Then you’ll love our Facebook page!  Make sure to “Like” us while you’re checking out all our wedding photos!  We also have a Twitter, so follow us at @TTTWeddings for updates and everyday wedding topics.  One last thing… Remember to enter our January peacock linen contest!  We just enhanced the prize.  The winner will get to see their design used in a real mockup wedding tablescape!  Winners are picked at the end of January so email your designs straight from our linen tool to socialmediattt@gmail.com.  Check out this blog post for more info!

Peacock Wedding Invitation

We all know how important the design aspects of a weddings are. You want to have linens that wow and lighting that transforms your space.  But what about the very first thing your guests see?  No, we don’t mean the ceremony décor… We’re talking invitations, and how they set the mood and tone for your whole wedding!  The invitation you choose will tell your guests just what your wedding is all about.  This is your chance to show guests how formal the wedding will be, what your wedding colors are, your personal style, and of course, the event details.  Modern brides are having more and more fun with their wedding invitations!  They are breaking the chain of formality and flowers by making bolder and fun choices.  Here are some cute invitations to fit our theme!

This fun yet subtle peacock invite is literal and whimsical all at once.  Each card is unique with turquoise peacock silhouettes and feathers accented with bronze.  This cute invitation is tea-length and comes in different color combinations!  A great invitation for a simple and chic peacock themed wedding.

We love this bold yet classy take on the peacock theme.  It sticks to two simple and rich colors with text in a ribbon like font.  Simple and unique, you set the tone for a stylish and fun wedding.  This is definitely a wedding invitation worth saving

If you’re looking for a less literal interpretation, try something like this invitation, above.  The swirls and paisley design resemble a peacock and the colors are fitting as well.  This is a bright white, tea-length invitation that is sure to inspire your guests!

But before you go jumping to conclusions… Of course we didn’t forget about  save-the-dates!  These are a great little way to send a heads up about your big day, especially when you’re expecting a lot of out of town guests.  Which one is your favorite?

Like our blog?  Then you’ll love our Facebook page!  Make sure to “Like” us while you’re checking out all our wedding photos!  We also have a Twitter, so follow us at @TTTWeddings for updates and everyday wedding topics.  One last thing… Remember to enter our January peacock linen contest!  We just enhanced the prize.  The winner will get to see their design used in a real mockup wedding tablescape!  Winners are picked at the end of January so email your designs straight from our linen tool to socialmediattt@gmail.com.  Check out this blog post for more info!