Bitter Sweet Cakes and Catering

Grand Opening/Bridal Show/Open House

admin — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:17:53 +0000

Smythwick Castle & Lodge is hosting their Grand Opening Sunday, March 24th, 5-8pm. Come and meet wedding vendors, taste wonderful food and sip wine in this fabulous new venue. Enjoy 10.5 acres in the serene Hill/Wine Country of Texas and start to plan your dream wedding under the stars and in the castle! Please call...Read the Rest of Article

Spotlight Article

admin — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:50:01 +0000

Please follow the link to my spotlight article on Thumbtack.

http://www.thumbtack.com/tx/austin/catering/

Happy Eating

Austin Fashion Week

admin — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:11:59 +0000

Please join us at the Green Alley Salon during Austin’s Fashion Week on Aug. 14th.
Ages 21 and up, please join us Tuesday, August 14th from 6-8:30pm for the unveiling of the Green Alley Salon mashup photo during a special Happy Hour fundraiser benefitting Austin Fairy Godmother! A donation at the door gets you in for all
of the fun! Plus the first 20 guests receive free Plum District swag bags! Southern Hippie will be there with their mobile boutique! There will be free food from Beanito’s and Bittersweet Cakes and Catering as well as Lala’s Lemonade and Tito’s Vodka

Congratulations!!

admin — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:35:18 +0000

Congratulations Jami & Dallas on your upcoming wedding this Saturday Aug. 11th at the Plantation House.
May you both have a wonerful life together!!

Catering Sale on Events January-March 2012

admin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:09:04 +0000

Book & put a deposit, before Dec. 30th, 2011, on any Full Event Catering service for 100 people or more and receive a 10% discount for your event between January – March 2012.

*Rental items not included in the sale

**Cakes ordered without Full Event Catering not included in the sale

Beautiful Weddings on a shoestring budget

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:50:59 +0000

This is the final blog entry in this series. I hope that these posts have been helpful.
I want to thank all of the contributors:

Wedding Warriors
JWG Photography
Cedar Bend Event Center
Sweet Sunday Rentals
Bittersweet Cakes & Catering

We all look forward to helping make your next event Memorable and Beautiful.

Blog #6–Finding a caterer

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:14:10 +0000

How much does it cost to serve 150 guests dinner? Typically this is the first question a couple will ask.
Caterers usually have a few set budget packages, but 95% of bridal couples want to serve serve a menu that will be memorable and special for them. There are many details that need to be discussed before a price can be reached. So when you talk to a caterer be prepared with information that will help them develop a menu and a pricepoint that is within your budget.

1)Share with the caterer your food budget. This may change eventually, but a starting point is necessary.
2)What is the budget for the Bridal & Grooms cakes.
3)What venue are using for the reception?
4)Expected guest count
5)Are there any food allergies for you or your guests
6)Do you need China, stemware, flatware, etc.

Please keep in mind that caterering menus can have a wide range of prices–$20-$70pp. If you are on a
relatively tight budget here are a few tips that will help you keep the cost down:

1)Have the Cocktail hour and the dinner served buffet style. Passed Hors D’oeuvres and plated dinners
need twice or three times the amount of servers and this will significantly add to the total cost.
Buffets can be very beautifully presented. In fact 95% of the weddings we do are buffet style and are quite beautiful.

2)Choose less expensive menu items. Shrimp and Salmon are delicious, but are also significantly higher
in cost than Chicken, Brisket or Pork Loin.

3)Keep the cake decorations simple. A simply decorated cake can be around $4+pp. Very intricate design
work on a cake can cost $6-$8pp or more.

4)Consider using plastic ware instead of China. There are very nice plastic ware options in the market
these days and this can save quite a bit of money.

Just remember we are here to help make your day a wonderful and memorable for event for you.

Happy Tastings!

Laura Eliel
Bittersweet Cakes & Catering
512-917-5223
www.bittersweetcakesandcatering.com

Beautiful Weddings on a Shoestring Budget

admin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:55:21 +0000

We are sorry for the lack of a post this past Thursday. But due to the wildfires in Central Texas we have
postponed our post until this week. Thank you for your understanding.
Laura Eliel

Blog #5–Finding a photographer

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:05:51 +0000

The key to a beautiful wedding is planning and communication. Too many times I see the frustration in a
bride-to-be overwhelmed by the entire process. Know how to work with your vendors, do not micro-manage
your photographer, but do not compromise your expectations.
Here are some tips on how to get the best photography deals for your event.
1)Choose a photographer that has worked at the venue you have chosen. Often photographers that work repeatedly at a particular venue will offer unadvertised specials.
2)If the photographer you have chosen is booked ask them whom they would recommend. Often a recommendation will get you a discount, particularly if you fill a slot from a recently cancelled event.
3)They might also recommend a new and upcoming photographer that charges a “new photographer” price.
4)Consider choosing and off-peak time for your wedding. May/June & Holiday weddings are literally competing against each other so the prices will be higher.
5)Be a great client—Bridezillas pay the price for their attitudes and often loose alot of the extra perks photographers are willing to throw in items to the package because of a brides pleasant attitude.
6)Ask for them to make recommendations for other vendors.
7)Take care of your photographer at the event: Make sure they are fed, have safe place to store their equipment
8) when choosing a photographer be careful of choosing a buget priced person they are ofter a person that is looking to “expand their portfolio” and simply do not have the experience to capture your event wityh any quality and often do not have the equipment to do the job well.

9)Please remember that a photographers work is mostly done after the wedding is over and that these images become the most important part of your wedding memories. THey spend days in fromt of the computer going through images, retouching selections, enhancing and styling the final images, backing up files, formatting, creating an online gallery, etc…. Let them know that you appreciate all of the work they are doing.

By following these tips you will find that it is possible to get quality photography services foryour specific budget.

Joey Gallahan
JWG Photography | Design
Imaging and Photography Services
(512) 589-9807

Blog #4—Do you need a wedding planner?

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:32:52 +0000

8 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

I have heard more than once, a bride that did not have a planner sigh and say “I wish I had hired a wedding consultant!”. It does not have to be a large wedding either to hire a planner, as small weddings have the same needs with logisitcs, assistance, set-up . . the list goes on.

Why Wedding Planning?

Reason # 1:

A Theme Is More Than A Hodgepodge of Great Ideas
Your ideas are fabulous. But they are only the foundation of your theme. Remember: They are only ideas and pictures ripped out of magazines. Brides have ended up blowing their budget on one item to the detriment of the whole wedding. This is where your wedding planner becomes your magician. Knowing all the tricks and resources, your wedding planner can create a theme that runs through the whole event. They see the whole picture. If budget is a constraint, they will advise you how to economize and still achieve a similar look.

Reason #2:

Is Your Budget A Guideline Or A Blueprint For Bankruptcy?

A budget is an essential part of your wedding planning. Even a million-dollar wedding has a budget. A budget will give you perspective and it will center you. It will be a great comfort to you when you want to know where you stand financially. Expenses tend to mount up quickly, and your budget will always give your a realistic assessment. I have witnessed brides being so out of control that they end up randomly buying items that have no rhyme or reason. That money could have been spent elsewhere to make the wedding a better experience for the guests. Being realistic about your budget is essential. Don’t fool yourself with a figure knowing you can go over it. You will only be hurting your chances of selecting the best possible vendors. Your wedding planner is your accountant and will believe the budget you give them. They honestly try to work within your parameters. Therefore, decide on a realistic figure so your wedding planner can recommend the vendors who will deliver the best work within your budget.

Reason #3:

The Venue Event Manager
When the event manager from your venue tells you they can do your wedding planning, they are not lying. They will do everything under the sun to oversee everything they are responsible for; however, they are not responsible for 90 percent of the details that go into your wedding. Some brides are shocked when things go wrong. They thought their venue person would be on top of things. Not necessarily. If they have several events that day, they can’t be held responsible for letting you know your flowers haven’t arrived or your best man is held up in traffic. Imagine walking into a bald room instead of the floral intensive ballroom you paid for. Your wedding planner is your overseer. Their job is to make sure everything arrives on time and complete. If you have 15 tables, 13 centerpieces just won’t do. They will get the florist to fix it. If the videographer does not show up, they should be able to find a replacement for you. Things happen, but it is your wedding planner’s job to see that things are fixed and end up perfect. Your wedding planner is your fairy godmother.

Reason #4

Timelines And Other Annoying Details
Checklists. Do we know anyone who likes them? And timelines. “Who has time to think of these boring things? I’m getting married!” I recall one bride saying. Actually, you might not be getting married after all if the minister does not show up. Timelines are critical. Timelines are necessary. And timelines keep your wedding planner sane. They thrive on them. You, however, should never be subjected to them. These are the things a bubbling bride should be kept far away from. They will certainly kill the excitement.

Reason #5

Synergy Applies To Vendors Too
There are vendors who work so well together you almost get double your monies worth. Having a vendor with an attitude can affect everyone. Your wedding planner knows these things and will steer you in the right direction. By involving your wedding planner in the selection of vendors from the invitations on, you will be guided down the path of success. After all, synergy is what we are striving for!

Reason #6

What Are The Rules?
Brides need a go-to person for etiquette, wedding-related questions, and to keep the planning timeline moving forward. All brides need a liaison to help keep emotions and relationships from straining during planning. Your wedding planner is a combination of Martha Stewart and Emily Post. Do you really have the time and inclination to research, answer, and solve the problem yourself?

Reason #7

Overtime Charges Accrue Faster Than Champagne Pours
One hour of overtime with a location site or photographer can cost you plenty! Everyone is on the clock and so is your wedding planner. The difference is your wedding planner is on your clock. They keep everything in motion so extra costs are avoided. In the end, your wedding planner is the most cost effective choice you can make.

Reason #8

Frazzled Is Not Fabulous
Wedding planning and the events that lead up to your day will be stressful. You should have one job only. Keeping yourself relaxed and living in the moment. You need time to take in and enjoy this special day. Be with your loved ones. Be happy. Be kind. And mostly, be assured that your wedding is going to be the most fabulous day of your life.

Yes, all weddings have glitches. And yours will, too. But your wedding planner will make sure you never have to deal with or see them. You may never even know anything out of the ordinary happened. And that is the sign that you are a genius at wedding planning. You started out with great ideas, hired a wedding planner to bring them to life, and sat back like a pampered princess on your wedding day accepting all the accolades that you deserve.

your intrepid Wedding Warrior, Christina

Wedding Warriors
eco chic events & design
www.theweddingwarriors.com
Austin to San Antonio & the Hill Country between
101 FM 3237, Suite C, Wimberley TX
PO Box 2115, Wimberley TX 78676
512.233.8084