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Laughing Chefs
  • SERVICES
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    • Private cheffing (In-home entertainment)
    • Corporate catering
    • Baby showers and Kitchen teas
    • High Teas
    • Grazing Tables & Nibble Boards
    • Platters and Canapes
    • Cakes and Bakes
    • Gifts and Favours
    • Workshops and Team Building
  • BLOG
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Tag: Wedding catering

7 Articles
How to plan a backyard wedding, Laughing Chefs caterers Pretoria East
Laughing Chefs July 23, 2020

How to Plan a Backyard Wedding

Isabella Caprario

How to plan a backyard wedding, Laughing Chefs caterers Pretoria East

Getting married is a major life event that you’ll never forget. If you’re planning to walk down the aisle with that special someone, a backyard wedding is a great way to say your vows and tie the knot on a budget. Whether your outdoor space is large or small, it’s easy to plan a backyard wedding if you know where to start. From summer celebrations to a beautiful autumn ceremony, read on to learn how you can plan your wedding for a special moment right in your own backyard.

How to Get Started: Review the Logistics

Before you pick out favors and décor, start with the logistics. How successful your wedding is will depend on where you live, the time of year, and the weather. Try to nail down a date where you feel confident the weather will hold out for a glorious day. You should also determine whether or not you need a special license to get married in your backyard, as some locations still require a permit to perform official ceremonies in a private space. You’ll also want to find out how to get the right amount of power for music, lighting, and more. An extension cord might do the trick but be aware that it also poses a trip hazard. Determine how much equipment will be needed for the wedding so you can get the proper power source set up. You’ll likely need a generator to create power for things like speakers and catering equipment.

 In addition to permits and power, now is the time to clean up your yard and get it ready for the big day. Get rid of old dead plants, tree branches, and weeds to create a clean slate for your ceremony and reception. Come up with a layout for seating and the stage now so it will be easier when it’s time to set everything up. Another crucial thing to keep in mind is wedding insurance. You might not think you need it in your own backyard, but it’s good to see what’s covered in case a guest gets injured on your property. Other things to consider include parking, notifying your neighbors in advance, and creating your official wedding program.

Once you’ve listed all of the logistics, the fun part begins. Think about the special features you’ll want to include in your backyard wedding. From a specific theme to your flowers, write down a list of ideas and tweak them as you go. Do you want an outdoor dance floor or stage? How about separate tables and chairs for the reception? Think of planning your backyard wedding the same way you would in any other venue. If you love music, add outdoor speakers so everyone can dance to your favorite tunes. A beautiful fountain can add a nice touch to an outdoor wedding, too. Brainstorm several different features you’d like to see so you can start planning ahead as early as possible.

Benefits of a Backyard Wedding

While a formal venue is always nice, there are plenty of awesome benefits to getting married in your backyard. First and foremost, you’ll save a ton of money on the cost to rent a venue which can run you into the thousands of dollars. That fact alone makes considering a backyard wedding worth the effort! Aside from saving money, here are some other benefits of hosting a backyard wedding:

  •   If your pets are part of the family, you can enjoy their company at the wedding. Most venues won’t allow pets, but you can certainly enlist your pooch to be the best man if you decide to get married DIY.
  •   Aside from the wedding itself, you can also host a backyard rehearsal dinner. Have casual food like barbecue catered in, or just cook some food on the grill for your wedding party to enjoy.
  •   Since your backyard probably has limited space, that means you can keep your guest list small, too. The fewer guests you have, the less money you’ll need to spend on things like food and entertainment.
  •   Backyard weddings give you the flexibility to choose any date you want to get married. Instead of planning around the “wedding season” to find an open slot, you can pick any day you like when you host your own backyard wedding.
  •   You might be nervous about getting married but doing it in a familiar place is a great way to calm those nerves and help you feel more relaxed and at home.

Have A Plan B in Place

There’s no way you can predict the weather to a T, so be sure you have an alternate “Plan B” in place just in case the storms roll in. Weather can change in an instant which means you might end up dealing with unexpectedly cold temperatures or a dangerous rainstorm. Draft up a reasonable Plan B where you can move everyone inside your home. If you’re insistent on keeping the celebration outside, reserve a tent that you can use in case of an emergency. Make sure someone can pick the tent up just in case you need it in a pinch. Ensure that the sides of the tent are covered to protect everyone from the rain. If the weather happens to be unseasonably hot, have plenty of fans available to keep the air circulation. If it’s cold, stock up on outdoor heaters. Having these safeguards in place will keep your stress level low and the wedding moving along.

Timeline

Wedding planners are experts at creating the perfect timeline. If you’re doing everything on your own, it’s crucial to make sure you create a timeline that works. Do your best to schedule the ceremony somewhat early so the skies don’t get dark before you’ve said your vows. Try to avoid too much downtime between the ceremony and reception since the guests won’t need to travel between venues. If possible, try to schedule your wedding photos before the ceremony begins so you can mingle and visit with guests directly after the ceremony is over. If you can’t get pictures beforehand, consider a few fun backyard games or activities to keep everyone entertained while they wait. Finally, remember to be mindful of your neighbors and try to agree on an official time when the reception is over. You can always move the party to a local bar or another hot spot later in the night.

DIY Décor and Inspiration

If you’re planning a backyard wedding, you’re likely already working on other DIY ideas when it comes to themes and décor. Doing everything yourself gives you the freedom to create almost any style décor using any theme imaginable. Here are some suggestions to inspire you and prompt you to create a memorable theme with beautiful décor that’s all done DIY:

  •   Hang outdoor string lights throughout your backyard to create a warm, magical glow when the sun goes down.
  •   For autumn weddings, focus on beautiful colors like orange, red, and gold for décor, flowers, and bridesmaid dresses.
  •   Place clear glass vases on each table and fill them with freshly cut flowers you picked from your own yard.
  •   Laminate some of your favorite photos of you and your better half to protect them from the weather, then display them on rope or string and hang them from a tree or around a fence line.
  •   Consider jewel-toned plastic goblets in lieu of glassware. It’s a great way to serve beverages in a beautiful way without having to worry about broken glass.
  •   Use texture and patterns outdoors by adding beautiful printed tablecloths or runners over tables. A pair of sheer curtains can add a gorgeous, romantic touch to the stage, too.
  •   Get creative with seating and place a few vintage sofas and chairs outside. You can also use some hay bales as seating if you’re aiming for a wedding with a rustic or farmhouse theme.
  •   Instead of paying tons of money for custom invitations, consider printing some at home or through a local printing service. Create the layout and design using a simple program, then print them in full color on heavy cardstock paper.

 Sentimental Value

Besides saving money and enjoying a smaller guest list, having a backyard wedding carries quite a bit of sentimental value, too. Imagine saying your vows right in the place where you grew up. If you don’t still live in the same house from your childhood, you likely still have plenty of wonderful memories from this special place. Your guests will probably feel sentimental as well, especially if they’ve spent a lot of time at your home and in your backyard. Have your furry friends join in the celebration, which is another great way to make this day more sentimental and special. Getting married in this place can create a very meaningful moment for you and your new spouse. Remember to enjoy the moment and capture the memories with lots of photos, family, and friends.

Originally posted at porch.com

Follow us! Laughing Chefs caterers, weddings, events, Pretoria East
Laughing Chefs March 26, 2020

8 Tips for your perfect vegan wedding

Weddings are a chance for couples to celebrate their life together by incorporating the things that matter most to them in their ceremonies, which is why veganism and sustainability are top wedding trends of 2020.

Planning a vegan wedding without any animal-derived products can be difficult, so Zola created the ultimate vegan wedding planning guide to help couples plan their dream wedding.

Planning a plant-based wedding:

1. Choose a vegan-friendly caterer

Delicious food is a top priority for a great party, and this can be extra intimidating for vegan couples hosting non-vegan guests. This means choosing the right caterer is huge. Luckily caterers are beginning to embrace veganism and are creating menus to accommodate any guest’s dietary needs.

Plant-based meals of flavorful seasonal produce are perfect for vegan plates and are extra sustainable. If you’re a fan of comfort foods, there are plenty of vegan recipes so you can serve favourite dishes that every guest will love.

2. Hire a vegan baker

Sweet treats are a wedding tradition and many guests will be looking forward to the cake. There is no shortage of vegan alternatives to butter, milk, and eggs in baking, and many local bakers already offer vegan options in their shop. So you can have your choice of cake, macarons, or doughnuts and eat it, too.

3. Prepare creative food stations

Interactive food stations are a growing trend that’s perfect for a vegan wedding. A vegan charcuterie board or olive oil bar is fun and unique, and dessert tables are always a hit that can show how vegans can enjoy sweets, too. Everyone is guaranteed to find something they like, and it’s great entertainment.

4. Plan for a vegan bar

Alcohol isn’t always vegan—beers and wine often use animal-derived ingredients for flavour and filtration. Liquor is typically vegan, so you can get creative with themed-cocktails. If you prefer wine, no worries! There is no shortage of vegan breweries and wineries to support. Just be sure you communicate your preferences with your bartender ahead of time.

5. Buy fresh flowers

Making your own bouquet seems like an easy DIY, but it takes a lot of time, money, and storage without any guarantee it will turn out well. Faux flowers are often made of silk and their production and shipping carry a huge carbon footprint. Save yourself the time and guilt—hire a local florist and know that your floral arrangements will be perfect.

6. Choose fruit and veggie centrepieces 

Fresh produce can be the perfect way to add colour to your decor. Bonus, they taste great and reinforce your plant-based theme. Clean-up is extra easy since leftovers can be taken as favours, donated, or composted.

7. Accept donations instead of gifts

Skip the registry and request that guests donate to your favourite charity. Prove your commitment to ending animal-cruelty and save yourself the time organizing hundreds of gifts. If you already have a wishlist, you can donate in your guests’ honour instead of ordering favours.

8. Style a cruelty-free look

Many cosmetic brands still heavily rely on animal parts and testing, but there is a growing collection of vegan alternatives. There’s a good chance you’ll find a great vegan beautician in your city, but if you’re hiring a non-vegan make-up artist ask that they use vegan products. Look out for common ingredients like beeswax, shellac (secretion from beetles), and carmine (made of crushed bugs).

Your outfit may not be vegan, wither. Avoid fabrics like silk and wool that are popular in formal wear. Keep an eye out for vegan-leather when accessory shopping, and try to find ethically-sourced garments and jewellery to make sure no animals or people were harmed for your big day.

Your ceremony is your celebration of love and lifestyle, so make sure it’s an authentic reflection of you. Start the rest of your life without guilt and have a happy vegan wedding!

Laughing Chefs March 12, 2020

14 Food station ideas to make your wedding day interesting

Warning: This post may cause you to want to get married all over again 🙂

Food stations and interactive bars, whether grazing tables, dessert stations or canape buffets, have really taken the wedding world by storm. Over the past few years, the trend just didn’t want to dissipate, and it is easy to understand why. Your special day will probably go on for 12 to 16 hours, and you do not want hungry guests, making food stations a great idea. Not only are they infinitely customisable, but they are also adaptable to any type of wedding – from formal to informal, as a full meal or snacks, a serve-yourself bar or something more interactive that serves as part of the entertainment. Sounds good? Then here is the list of our all-time favourite wedding food station ideas.

What you need to know about wedding food stations

Before you get dead-set on having food stations as your wedding food, there are a few things you need to consider:

  1. Would your venue allow it?
  2. Is there enough and suitable space for the station(s) in the venue?
  3. Would you need a caterer, or can you do it yourself? And – do you want to do it yourself?
  4. Would you need extra staff to man the station(s)?
  5. How many guests are you inviting?
  6. How many stations would you have?
  7. Who would do the set-up and styling?
  8. Would you need extra equipment?

It’s important to mention here that all food stations are not created equally! Some options such as candy buffets or popcorn stations can be set up the day before (as long as you have access to the space – make sure to check this with your venue), while others, like tapas or carving stations, will need to be manned by staff for the ease of your guests. Then there are the foods that must be kept refrigerated or frozen, like oysters, sushi and ice cream, or heated, like curry stations. Some food stations need professional caterers to pull them off safely, and timing is often crucial, so your wedding timeline is of utmost importance.

Wedding food stations that you can do yourself

These food stations are super easy and simple to put together because you can prepare them in advance, particularly if you’ve got access to the venue the day before the wedding. If this sounds like something you would love to incorporate, we highly recommend delegating this job to a trusted bridal party member or friend – just do a practice run at home and take photographs to give to your designated volunteer, along with a list of all the items for your station, so they know exactly what they need to do!

Popcorn bar

Popcorn bars are one of the easiest and cost-affordable stations to set up. We have done our fair share of them over the past few years! This station is perfect as a pre-ceremony snack, a pre-dinner snack or as a late-night snack. You can even set it up for the entire time your guests will be at the wedding. The popcorn can be popped a few days in advance, just be sure to store them in airtight containers. Add flavoured salts, a few drizzles like salted caramel or browned butter, and maybe a few other bits and bobs (think lucky charms, small chocolates or other candy) and you have one popping bar! (remember the brown paper bags, nobody wants to be walking around with fistfuls of popcorn!)

Candy buffets

For candy buffets your list of choices are endless! You can opt to go with childhood favourites, more modern nibbles, or even themed ones according to colour, flavour, or country of origin. We recently did a German-inspired candy buffet chock full of traditional treats. You can also include nostalgic eats such as fudge, marshmallows, lollipops or coconut ice. All of these treats can be packed or placed into glass jars and bottles beforehand and then simply packed out on the day. Remember to add pretty paper bags for guests who would like theirs as a takeaway.

Cookie bars

Similar to a candy buffet, only better since it is cookies! Get an assortment, pack them out in piles or heaps or jars, put a name card or sticker on and you are good to go. They can be baked or purchased in advance, just store them in airtight containers until the day. Again, remember the brown paper bags!

Doughnut walls or stations

This is what most of our sweet dreams are made off – a selection of yummy doughnuts, for us to take from to our heart’s content. Order, bake or buy a selection of doughnuts, then on the day either hang them from a pegboard, stack them on cake plates, pile them on the table or thread them onto standing poles. Whatever you do, just make sure guests can get to them and get them off quickly, because they are sure to go fast!

Macaron towers

Another type of food station that just doesn’t go away. Buy (or bake if you are talented) a selection of delicious macarons, then display them however you find attractive. You can even serve this food station as part of your wedding cake, or as the wedding cake!

Oyster bar

This is our favourite food station – the oyster bar! Get a lot of shucked oysters (get them shucked, don’t do it yourself), put them out on crushed ice, then add a few hot sauces, lemon wedges, and other toppings such as salsa, caviar (if possible), etc. and allow your guests to help themselves. For the truly adventurous you can serve a shot of tequila with every oyster.

Gin bar

Gin is still the flavour of the moment, with rum coming in fast. For this boozy bar, you can substitute any hard liquor or even wine of your own choice. Pack out enough glasses, have enough ice, place the unopened bottles of drink of choice with the necessary mixers on the table or in an ice bath, add a few interesting details such as cucumber ribbons, lemon wedges, etc. and you are good to go!

Wedding food stations that need a little bit of help, from the professionals

Even though your guests will most likely still serve themselves, these are the food bars or stations that either requires a bit more setup, more specialised equipment, more hands, or even someone to cook the food on order. For these stations to be successful we would highly recommend getting in a professional, and you will most definitely need the cooperation and approval of your venue.

Tapas station

Tapas have become the word used to describe any and all bite-size food not traditionally thought of as a canape. What used to be Spanish is now global. For your tapas station, you can stick to traditional Spanish bites or go for International flair, including little bites from around the world. Usually easy to eat, with minimal utensils needed, these bites can be served hot or cold, depending on what you have available. A great way of serving the main meal!

Charcuterie or grazing tables

Although an easy station to set up you would want to have a dedicated professional do it. Consisting of cold meats, fresh bread, spreads and butter and cheese and all sorts of other antipasti, this type of station can quickly look messy if there is not someone who can tidy it up every now and again. And also refill butter and loaves of bread and olives as needed. This is one of our most popular options, we serve it as a starter at almost ALL of the weddings we do.

Pizza station

A tricky station to pull off if you do not have access to a big enough pizza oven or even a conventional oven. To do, simply pack out piping hot pizzas as they come out of the oven. They can all have the same topping, or different toppings, with extras that your guests can add afterwards such as fresh herbs, guacamole, etc. A great way to feed guests if you dream of having a fun, informal wedding.

Carvery station

More towards the traditional buffet, having a carvery can be turned into something special by included not so traditional cuts of meat such as smoked brisket, lamb ribs, or even venison. Serve with accompanying sauces and you have a delicious offering.

Tacos and nachos bar

What avo-filled dreams are made off. Serve bowls of pulled pork, chicken, salsa, corn on the cob, sour cream and guacamole with a choice of either nacho chips or taco shells and allow guests to build their own Mexican experience. Just remember the serviettes since this gets messy!

Breakfast or brunch station

A more “newish” station, the breakfast or brunch station has a lovely appeal. Serve your favourite breakfast food so that guests can build their own perfect breakfast. Think sausages, quiche, coddled eggs, pastries, toast, and more.

Dessert stations

You would think we have covered all of the sweet possibilities, but no – wait there is more! For dessert, you have so many options, from a lollipop bar with a selection of lollies on ice to a cupcake tower. You can have a fruit bar for the more health-conscious, or a chocolate fountain if you really want to indulge. Just remember to display all of the goodies beautifully since this is the last picture your guests will mentally take of your big day, and you want it to really stick!

How to style your wedding food station

The images should give you some inspiration and ideas, but here are the tips: use on-theme containers, remember your signage, have enough cutlery and crockery if needed, and don’t forget the serviettes. Add height by using taller containers, boxes to place the platters on, and cake stands, display stands, cutting boards or trays can add interest and visual impact. If you are hiring a professional, be sure to chat to them about your expectations as well as any colours or themes you would like to incorporate.

Feeling inspired?

Food stations are a wonderful way of getting the guests involved, serving a bigger selection of food and having fun. It can be pricey, so make sure you spend your money where it counts, and get professionals in to do it as far as possible. There is still a long list of other station and bar options, including sushi, candy floss, raw/salad, canape, curry, burger, and more, but the ones featured here are the ones we see most often.

And lastly…

For all the retro lovers out there, why not consider a champagne tower – you know you want to!

Laughing Chefs November 26, 2019

Wedding trends 2020: The reception

Wedding fever has taken off, and Stripes is loving every moment of it. For those planning to tie the knot in 2020, here are her predictions of what will be in.

Get your guests drinkingly to the table

Ditch the boring table seating cards and rather opt for a boozy alternative. Use shooters, cocktails, glass of bubbly or any other drink as your escort cards. Simply stick the guest’s name on a toothpick, swizzle stick or any other stick and place it in the drink. Guests can enjoy finding their table!

Colour for the win

Go for bold, eclectic or even clashing colours to make your reception not only stand out but be memorable. Vibrant colours can help guests feel at home, and can also be used to convey you and your partner’s personalities. Love Cherise pink, then go ahead! Pair it with canary yellow and neon green if that takes your fancy. Have fun!

The age of the bespoke cocktail

If you really want to impress your guests, hire in a mixologist. You can still have your normal bar, serving normal drinks and cocktails. And then you have THE mixology bar, serving creations that blurs the line between refreshment and entertainment. Mixologists make use of interesting ingredients and liquids, such as green tea, activated charcoal, jellies, etc. and are bound to give you that extra touch of drama.

Experiential favours

Luckily you don’t have to choose between giving a keyring or a bag of spices, there are so many other options for the couple who still want to give their guests a thank you gift. Favours that either invoke the scences or ask of the guest to get involved are all the rage. Think DIY perfume blending bars, make a terrarium, string a necklace, etc. Use your imagination and incorporate something, whether a hobby or a passion, into your wedding for the guests to take home.

Food boards

Communal eating is bigger than ever before. More and more couples are opting for shared starters and even main meals, with the food being served on large serving platters or wooden boards. Guests help themselves to tasty morsels such as cheese and cold meats, antipasti, bruschettas, even DIY pasta with various sauces. If you want a relaxed and laidback wedding, this is the trend for you.

Creative seating

You no longer have to choose between round or rectangular tables, 6 or 8 seaters. Go crazy with your seating plan. Think long tables that snake through an orchard or a variety of tables to create interest. Use square tables to all the guests can see each other, or one long table with the bridal couple on one end. Use what you have, and don’t fret if it is not all uniform.

Moon bouncing

Yes, you read right. Bouncing on a jumping castle as part of your reception is a thing. These jumping castles are specially designed to allow the BIGGER kids to jump to their heart’s delight, and most come in white to reinforce the wedding feel. If that sounds like you, then go ahead! Hire a moon bounce castle and make all your little girl/boy dreams come true.

DIY refreshments

Beer on tap, blend your own margaritas, g&t on tap, basically a drinks bar but with equipment. Get your favourite keg, or gin brand, and allow guests to pour for themselves. Less finicky than a cocktail bar, more rewarding than an ice tea station.

Modern blended with traditional

Want a super modern wedding with monochrome colours and clean lines but wish you could incorporate your Grandma’s crocheted runners or placemats? Now is your chance! Mix old and new and have fun!

Simplicity

Stripe’s favourite trend – keeping it simple. Less is often more, so if you want long vases with a single stem in them and a couple of candles then you go ahead and do you.

Those are Stripe’s predictions; if you have any to add, please leave a comment!

Laughing Chefs November 19, 2019

Wedding trends 2020: Cake

Stripes love her some wedding cake, so this topic is very close to her heart – as in her stomach! Luckily for her, 2020 is seeing a bigger move back to actual cake, something we have not experienced for a number of years. Sure, the cheese-tower and alternative “cakes” like pies and tarts are still big news, but more and more couples are opting for a more traditional selection of chocolate, vanilla and carrot. Yeah!

As part of this series of trends, here are Stripes’ other predictions when it comes to wedding cakes for 2020:

  • Mini cakes

Adventurous couples, or those who simply cannot make up their minds, are opting for a selection of mini cakes, all in different flavours. This trend is wonderful if you consider that they can have all the flavours they dreamt off without wasting cake. Mini cakes are much bigger than cupcakes, but also much smaller than a normal celebration cake.

  • Different shapes

Simple round cakes are so 2019. For 2020, couples are going for squares, hexagonals, geometric designs, even cakes that look like they have been sliced in half. The emphasis is on individualism, so live out your biggest cake fantasy!

  • Interesting displays

Cake stands are so boring. 2020 couples are looking for other interesting ways to display their wedding cake, from suspending the cake from the ceiling to displaying it on a swing. We have seen floating cakes, swinging cakes, even cakes that hang upside down!

  • Non-traditional colours

A decade ago having a black cake would have been taboo. Today, that is just one of the colours that you could consider. In 2020, the cakes are leaning toward the dramatic, with lots of deep dark colours such as burgundy, black, maroon, etc. Your cake should fit in with your overall decor and theme, and with the resurgence of heavy fabrics such as velvet, of course cakes would follow suit. Another big trend? Metallic cakes! Bronze will be THE colour next year, taking the spot of the once-very popular rose gold. Cannot wait!

  • Interesting details

From geodes bursting out of the cake to geometric shapes, cakes are becoming more and more interesting. Now is your chance to work in any detail special to you as a couple, be it butterfly wings, mosaic or superhero logos. Your creativity is your only boundary!

  • Hand-painted cakes

Brush-stroke cakes, watercolour cakes, cakes that look like the design was quilted on – artisan cakes are all the rage!

  • Floral cakes, as in pressed or crystalised flowers

Decorate your cake with dainty pressed flowers, crystalised leaves and other botanicals, or even sugar flowers that look real enough to eat!

  • New flavours

This year has seen a huge movement away from the traditional flavours of vanilla, fruit and lemon, and instead has replaced them with flavours far more exciting and a little unexpected. In place of the British fruitcake is the equally British flavour of Earl Grey, which creates a delicate yet fragrant sponge that won’t overwhelm your guests. Other flavours that are popping up in wedding cakes around the world are pistachio, pink champagne and lime, which all add a beautiful flavour and pastel shade to a simple sponge.

  • Alternative cakes

From cheese cakes (cakes made out of *actual* cheese) to doughnut towers, cakecicles (yes, cake in the form of an ice cream!) taking a step away from a traditional wedding cake is more popular than ever.

  • Vegan cakes

Want to ensure your wedding cake is inclusive to guests with dietary and allergy restrictions? Get yourself a vegan wedding cake!

With that being said, we hope you have a sweet day! Had an interesting wedding cake or planning on having one? Please share!

Laughing Chefs August 08, 2019

21 Ideas for a frugal (not cheap) wedding on a budget

Getting married but worried about your small(ish) budget? Want to cut costs without looking cheap? Here are Stripe’s tips for planning a wedding on a frugal budget:

21 Tips to plan your wedding on a budget

1. Keep your guest list small – intimate is better!

2. Use the expertise of the people close to you – it can be their wedding gift to you

3. Consider a ceremony at your own, your parents or another close friend/family’s house, or have it outdoors

4. Be smart with the food

5. Be creative with your flowers and decor

6. Have a small bridal party, and skip their gifts

7. Go digital

8. Dance from a playlist

9. Skip the cash bar

10. Where possible, hire trainees instead of professionals

11. Contact the local university

12. Buy pre-loved

13. Tap into your local community

14. Buy dresses off the rack – and on sale.

15. Rent tuxedos as a group, or simply wear matching suits.

16. Choose affordable wedding rings.

17. Plan a simple honeymoon, not an ostentatious one.

18. Involve your closest friends and family in the preparations.

19. Try not to mention the ‘w-word’ at first when hiring a vendor.

20. Plan, plan, plan.

21. Don’t stress.

Good luck (and congratulations)!

Laughing Chefs April 11, 2019

Winter wedding trends 2019

The winter is upon us, and with the change of season, we always note a decline in weddings. Although we know it is because of the cold, we cannot help but wonder why more brides are not interested in a winter wedding. Even in South Africa, with our lack of snow, you can still create a magical wonderland. And in Stripe’s opinion, nothing is sexier than a form-fitting long sleeve dress with a faux-fur wrap or long cape. To prove her point, she has created a Pinterest board to give you some inspiration, visit the board here

For the colour palette, she would recommend you focus on warm colours – think berries, gems, and forest colours. Deep green, cherry red, sunshine yellow, and so forth. Focus on lots of candles in the venue, and serve soups with freshly baked loaves of bread.

For more inspiration, visit her Pinterest board for Winter wedding trends 2019 here

Winter weddings can be beautiful, romantic and memorable. So if you want to get married in the winter, go for it!

Laughing Chefs

Pretoria East


Esrida 0725114946
Maggie 0828237846

info@laughingchefs.co.za

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Category Posts

  • Cool Groomsmen Gifts for a Hot Summer Wedding August 27, 2020
  • Why booking a private chef is the new going out, Laughing Chefs private chefs
    Why booking a private chef is the new going out July 30, 2020
  • How to plan a backyard wedding, Laughing Chefs caterers Pretoria East
    How to Plan a Backyard Wedding July 23, 2020
  • Laughing Chefs vouchers and gift cards, Pretoria caterers, wedding catering, celebration and event catering
    Vouchers and gift cards April 29, 2020

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