Now that your venue is selected and your invitations are done next you will need to plan the menu. This is one area that can be easily controlled. If you want to really impress your guests but don’t want to go over your budget I suggest you splurge on the dessert. This is the final thing your guests will consume and will therefore be the most remembered. If you are having a cocktail party you can do this with the hors d'oeuvres. Depending on your budget you can offer:
- Homemade
- Store bought
- Catered
- Shipped
Homemade can be time consuming and tedious. Store bought convenience items from your frozen food section will be far less so, but your deli or bakery may supply a fresher choice. Catered food, on the other hand, while expensive for an entire meal can be a nice alternative for those who want just one special course.
Mail order is fairly new as a viable alternative. You can mail order anything from steak and fruit to dessert. One of my favorite desserts to provide that always gets rave reviews are the tasty treats created with love and attention to detail from My Little Taste of Italy. This bakery located in Whittier, California provides the most authentic Italian pastries I have ever found. From their homemade cookies and cakes to their to-die-for Cappuccino Brownies you can’t go wrong.
If you can’t make up your mind what to order I suggest you go for the brownies. They are so well known and loved all over American that they have been dubbed, by Jan Verhoeff, “Orgasmic”.
While considering what you will serve also think about how you will serve it. While paper plates may be convenient for clean-up and a wise selection for your picnic be sure to invest in a plate that is strong enough to stand up to the task. For reliability you will find the coated paper products and Chinette® plates perform the best. However, if your party is indoors real plates and glasses add a hint of sophistication to your event.
A word of advice on beverages, “Go light”. Alcohol, beside the effect it has on people, can be one of the most expensive items you provide. To avoid this expense you might consider offering non-alcoholic alternatives or mixers and suggest your guests bring their own liquor. Another idea is to limit over indulgence by carefully calculating the number of servings per guest that you can afford and stay within your budget.
One last comment, if presentation is important for your event, the use of linens both on the tables and for guests will add class and beauty. This seemingly insignificant touch will absolutely be noticed and appreciated.
Ginger Marks and Kim Emerson are co-owners of Nibroc Marketing Solutions http://www.nibrocmarketing.com Ginger is also the author of “Presentational Skills for the Next Generation”, available through her company website at http://www.DocUmeant.net My Little Taste of Italy can be found at http://www.mylittletasteofitaly.com/ | 
