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How to choose your wedding caterer

When selecting a catering company you are looking for excellent food, service and the ability to work with the enormity of the detail involved in your day. There are certain key factors that you should discuss when meeting your caterer for the first time.

AVAILABILITY
First and foremost you need to see if your caterer is available on the date you require and find out what the booking and payment process is. Be sure to understand at what point your date becomes secure and when payments are needed. The last thing you want is a sudden shock and unexpected bill just before the wedding.
We suggest that you ideally start researching and meeting with caterers at 12 months before your wedding. Many venues may have a list of preferred suppliers, including caterers, so once your date is chosen and the venue is booked that’s a great time to start contacting catering companies.

BUDGET
It is important you get an early indication of catering costs and what they include. Ask about what options are available to you, if you are on a limited budget tell your caterer what it is – ideally they should be able to provide a package to suit your needs. Consider what is and what isn’t included in the price as often this can vary from one caterer to the next.

The big things to look out for are whether your quote includes VAT – you really don’t want to get stung if this is overlooked. Different caterers may or may not include tableware and linen hire within their quotes so make sure you run this past them as again it’s not something you want to have to find extra budget for right before the wedding.

QUALITY OF FOOD
When selecting your caterer you are looking for stunning presentation paired with sensational taste. Ask to see a portfolio of the caterers work with pictures of their food. It is important that your caterer has professional, commercial facilities and a team of talented individuals to serve your guests on the day. When meeting your caterer it’s advisable to ask about the quality and sustainability of the produce they source. Creating seasonal menus will impact highly on the quality and taste of you meal.

TASTING SESSION
Check the caterer offers a tasting experience but be conscious that popular caterers will have limited availability throughout the summer season. A tasting will allow you to fully understand the quality, style and presentation of their food and gives you the opportunity to explore how your own ideas can be worked into their existing menus.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS
A good caterer should understand your overall vision for the day and listen to your ideas, they should be able to use their wealth of experience and build upon your ideas to go beyond your expectations for the day.

EXPERIENCE
Choose a professional catering team with experience in delivering exceptional and inspired weddings and events. Use social media and websites to see what jobs they have most recently worked on and their presence in the catering market.

SETTING THE SCENE
It is important to remember the importance a caterer plays in your day, with the exception of brides using a wedding planner, your caterer is likely to be the last supplier to dress your tables before the celebrations begin. At Kalm Kitchen we take great care to ensure that every element of décor – including the flowers, tablecentres and candles look perfect next to our tableware, we go above and beyond to ensure a couple’s vision is achieved on the day. It’s vital your caterer takes the care and time needed to achieve this.

SERVICE
Finally, service is extremely important, equal to the quality and style of your food. It’s important that you receive the upmost level of service right from your initial enquiry, through to your tasting session right up until the end of the wedding day itself. Your caterer should provide you with the enthusiasm, excitement and expertise your wedding deserves!

sourse: here

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Destination wedding planning etiquette: fast and easy tips

Santorini island

We live in a world of bite-sized information, and with good reason! Hectic schedules, demanding careers and social lives leave little time for anything else. So if you're looking for the inside scoop on etiquette for your upcoming destination wedding without thumbing through a novel's worth of information, here are some fast and easy etiquette tips that we swear by.

Send invites early: Send save-the-dates 8-12 months out to give guests ample time to save and plan. If you don't have that long, three to four months is okay. Invitations go out 6-8 weeks in advance.

Include guests that can't attend: It's easy to make everyone feel included! If you have close friends and family that can't attend, consider a reception once you return home. There are hi-tech options for the actual ceremony too, like video cams so guests can watch the wedding live. Or, go the social route and create a #hashtag for your wedding so family and friends can follow along.

Be kind to the kiddos: Ask about camps, water parks, day and night activities for all ages and if babysitting is offered on the property. Plan fun activities for the kids during your rehearsal dinner, like scavenger hunts or leave out a basket of board games to win extra brownie points.

Make time for your spouse: It's important to remember why you're at this amazing resort celebrating -- because you're starting a life as a couple! Take a sunrise walk on the beach, get a spa treatment, and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in bed. Trust us, your guests will understand.

Thank your parents generously: They've been there for you through thick and thin, so don't gift them with anything cheesy or impersonal. Take your time to find something timeless that suits their personality and taste. And of course, don't forget the handwritten note.

Don't combat the opposition: And better yet, don't think about it as combat. You're trying to plan the best wedding possible for you and your guests, so why waste your energy on the naysayers? As long as you are thoughtful and communicate well with your guests, there's no reason you should have to explain or justify your choices.

Find out if your resort is handicap accessible: If it's important for your grandparents to make the wedding, then they shouldn't also risk life and limb at your resort. Make sure they have a comfortable seat at all times and that your resort has accessible walkways and attendants to lend a hand.

Budget: Know what yours is and be reasonable about what you can accomplish with that number. It's that plain and simple.

Add an opt-out clause: It's nice to let your guests know that their presence is a gift, not a requirement. We like the idea of an opt-out clause on the save-the-dates. Keep it upbeat and maybe mention a home reception or party if you're having one so they can still celebrate with you.

Be sensible with gifts: Try a honeymoon fund instead of asking your guests to lug bulky, expensive gifts. Or, opt out of gifts altogether if it feels right and try a charity fund instead.

Create enthusiasm for your wedding: Your guests might not yet have been to a destination wedding before yours. Get them amped up with a wedding website that includes excursions, details about your resorts and any group activities you have planned. A little weather forecast never hurts either.

Get everyone together on night one: Some of your guests might not have met each other before. Let everyone mingle and break the ice with a laid back party or event pre-ceremony. There might be some surprise friendships in the works!

source here

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Chios island: one of the top wedding locations in Greece

Medieval villages, a diverse landscape, beaches with wild beauty, Chios is much more than just its ‘miraculous’ mastiha.
Who doesn’t know this northern Aegean beauty, with its ‘mastic villages’ and proud Mediterranean captains? And yet, it’s one of the most unexplored and unspoiled islands of the northern Aegean, full of secrets, surprises and hidden treasures.

Chios is an island that has been blessed by nature and history. It is fragrant, and authentic, multi-dimensional and irresistible. When you come here, be prepared to leave behind a piece of your soul.

Contact our wedding planners now to find out more about for your Chios Wedding!

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Congratulations! You are enganged! Now what?

He popped the question. You said yes. Now what? These 10 things will help you figure out what to do first—and how to enjoy every second of the wedding planning process.

Congratulations! You're engaged. These 10 to-dos—from the fun (get a manicure!) to the nitty-gritty (set your budget)—will get you organized, on track, and well on your way to planning the best wedding ever.

1. Call your VIPs

Share the big news with your inner circle before updating your status on Facebook. It's not cool for your acupuncturist to find out before Grandma.

2. Get your engagement ring insured.

It may not be the most thrilling task in the world, but if your engagement ring falls down the garbage disposal, flies off a rollercoaster, or sheds a diamond or two, you'll be ever-so-glad you got that precious stone insured.

3. Get a manicure

Everyone's eyes will be on your hand, so grab your BFF, splurge on a professional mani, and start showing off that sparkler.

4. Enjoy the moment

Being engaged means you get to plan the wedding of your dreams. But it also means that you just committed to spending the rest of your life with your soul mate. Take some time (at least a couple of weeks) to savor how epically romantic that is before you dive into logistics.

5. Start dreaming

This is the fun part: brainstorming with your guy about the big day. Compare fantasies (tequila tastings! beach vows!), and sign up for a Pinterest account to create an online inspiration board. Go crazy—you can refine things after you've picked your venue.

6. Add up your wedding budget

Ready to get down to the nitty-gritty? Settle on a rough guest list and budget. Without them, you can't book the right venue and vendors for your price point.

7. Get out your calendar

Have a range of dates in mind before you tour venues. Are you envisioning a spring garden wedding, or fall I do's in the woods? Do you want to honeymoon in Yosemite, or cruise the Caribbean? The answers will help steer you toward your ideal time of year. Tip: Ask engaged friends when they're getting hitched, so you can avoid those dates.

8. Hire a wedding planning pro

If you want to work with a wedding planner, book her before you choose your venue.

9. Find a wedding venue

Your venue will influence every decision you make, from your color scheme to the style of your dress, so lock it down early. The key is finding one that meshes with your vision (black-tie ballroom, modern minimalist, etc.). And don't be afraid to think beyond the banquet hall.

10. Stay organized

This is not the kind of party you can throw together at the last minute. Stay on track by creating a comprehensive timeline of your wedding to-dos.

source: http://www.brides.com/

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Drum Roll: Happy planning!

Olive inspired wedding style

Happy Monday and have a great month!
Planning your wedding in Greece is one of the most exciting times of your life, but with so much to consider, its hard to know where to start.
When you close your eyes and imagine your dream wedding, you can probably see every little detail of your perfect wedding day, all beautifully planned and executed!
The style of your wedding is such an important element to think about, even before you start the hunt of the perfect venue and even before you think about the dress!
Our advice is to find your theme by creating a mood board for inspiration, a combination of all your favorite photos that could be incorporated into your wedding. It is really amazing  how soon a look will come together and point you in the direction of how your big day will look and feel!
Happy planning!

A botanical inspired wedding color palette found on onefabday.com

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Wedding venues in Greece

Best wedding locations Greece
Finding the best sites, services and vendors, at your choosen destination is easy thank to our caring and experienced planning team.

Santorini wedding

Meanwhile we continue to expand our Wedding Planning Services on every Greek island, by adding hotels, residences, complexes and fine dinning restaurants, that offer our couples both ceremony and reception, in elegant and graceful surroundings.
Want to know more? Contact us now for our new available wedding venues and locations in Greece!

Santorini Weddings
Crete Weddings
Rhodes Weddings
Monemvasia Weddings
Wedding on board
Chios Weddings
Fairytale in a Medieval village

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FAQ: valuable tips and advice for your Greek Wedding

Congratulations! You are enganged! Now what?
To elope or not to elope?
Its all Greek to me: How to deal with the wedding paperwork in Greece
FAQ: How to find the best wedding locations in Greece
FAQ: How far in advance should invitations send for a destination wedding?
FAQ: Why do we need wedding insurance?
FAQ: How do you travel with a wedding dress?
FAQ: How to choose your wedding caterer
Design and Styling
Destination wedding tips: Site visit
Picture this: How to choose your wedding photographer
Destination wedding planning etiquette: easy and fast tips

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Weddings in Greece

Wedding in Santorini

“There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends”.

Homer.

Your wedding day must be perfect. Event-gr has the expertise to make it so. It begins when we have our initial contact with the bride and groom. And it ends when every last guest is convinced they have experienced a fairy-tale come true.

Choose between our suggested wedding moods: Beach Wedding, Elegant Cliffside Wedding, Mamma Mia Wedding or share with us the wedding of your dreams to make it reality!

More intersting posts:
Greece: the ultimate romantic escape

To elope or not to elope?

Its all Greek to me: How to deal with the wedding paperwork in Greece

FAQ: How to find the best wedding locations in Greece

FAQ: How far in advance should invitations send for a destination wedding?

FAQ: Why do we need wedding insurance?

FAQ: How do you travel with a wedding dress?
Destination wedding tips: Site visit

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Happy Holidays!

Argentikon Luxury Suites, Chios Greece
Photo: Tolis Flioukas

Warm Wishes from Greece! Hope you all enjoy the Holidays with your beloved ones!

XOXO 

Joanna

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Event-gr has a new website!

Visit our new website and find out more about your dream wedding in Greece!

Thank you MediaSet Design!

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Wedding in Rhodes: Historic location and stunning views

Whether you are seeking a small, intimate wedding –  or a large and extravagant occasion, Lindos village in Rhodes is the destination to making your dream come true.

The wedding group can be accommodated at a beautiful boutique hotel on its spectacular position overlooking the Aegean. We suggest that additional guests may be housed at  the heart of the village, a 10 minute walk away.

The beautiful picturesque Saint Dimitrios and Saint George chapels are suggested for your wedding ceremony, situated right below the Acropolis of Lindos, with breathtaking views of Lindos harbor.

Also you may choose for your ceremony the ornate garden area of the hotel with view at the Aegean sea.

Please feel free to contact our wedding planners for a full list of available services to you and your guests according to your needs and budget. 

Lindos Bay view private villa

Melenos Lindos, Rhodes 

Saint Dimitrios chapel, Lindos Rhodes

  

Private dinner at the pier

The ornated Melenos Lindos, Rhodes

Wedding location in Rhodes: Kalithea Springs

Kalithea Springs in Rhodes

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Wedding in Amorgos: The perfect setting for your special celebration!

The Greek Island of Amorgos is perhaps most famous for being the filming location of the movie The Big Blue, but it is also an excellent choice for your dream island wedding . The traditional Cycladic destination offers the perfect climate and scenery for your special day.

Situated between Naxos and Astypalaia, Amorgos enjoys a beautiful natural landscape, green olive groves and sandy beaches. It is a year-round destination, with mild winters and a mass of flowers and herbs awakening the senses in spring, and plenty of sunshine throughout the year.

Your wedding ceremony can take place at one of the local churches and chapels, on the beach or even as you stand in the warm waters of the Aegean Sea. Waves laps gently on the sand, which will invite you to indulge in a moment to refresh and soothe your feet. 

As the sun lowers behind you, warm hues will infuse the surrounding hills and the faces of your friends who have gathered to share your special moment.

Contact us now for your Amorgos Wedding consultation!!!

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Wedding in Santorini: Magical and breathtaking atmosphere

No words can describe this amazing setting and the compination of the whitewhashed terraces with the colors of the sky....Here are some snapshots from our latest wedding in the breathetaking island of Santorini!!!

 Interested in your Wedding in Santorini? Contact our wedding planning team now!
Related articles: Find your Perfect wedding locations in Santorini

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Wedding venue in Chios: Argentikon Luxury Suites

On the magnificent island of Chios, Greece, at a superb location, is the 32,000m2 Argentikon Estate  built in the 16th century by the Argenti family, and has been designated Historic Monument.

Selected among the 100 best villas in the world, the Argentikon is a perfect example of medieval, Genoese architecture in the Levant. Each suite is uniquely individual embracing the style and furniture of the period, with fireplace, chandelier, marble bathrooms and lovely appointments.

Exquisite Old World craftsmanship and 21^st century amenities have been combined to create an estate unsurpassed in beauty and refinement and great care has been given to the ceiling decoration of each suite.

Warm summers are enhanced by a light sea breeze, enabling the guests to dine outdoors in the romantic surroundings by candlelight, while soft music fills the air.

High walls of stone surrounding the mansion, shady pathways leading to secluded corners, and lovely gardens provide privacy and beauty for those who wish to enjoy the tranquility.

The Argentikon Luxury Suites is a member of the Great Small Hotels, member of the Exclusive Island Hotels & Resorts and is recommended by Conde Nast Johansens Hotels.

Treat your self and your guests to a dining experience at our unique Argentikon Estate and enjoy delicious dishes in a mysterious atmosphere indoors or dine outdoors in the romantic  gardens by candlelight . 

Greek & Mediterranean cuisine, delicate flavors from a rich, creative menu prepared with the freshest local ingredients and the fine, luscious products from the grounds of the Estate, as well as from all over the world, all in imaginative combinations . 

It is a gracious estate for the distinguished and most demanding clientele!

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Sunny days in Santorini.... so inspiring!!!

Terrace in Santorini overlooking Caldera.
Photo JL

  

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Wedding centerpiece tips and ideas

Wedding reception centerpieces with peonies, roses and olive leaves.
 Flower design by Xyntaris Flowers.
Event Planning by Event-gr, Joanna Loukakis

Wedding reception table decorations are the flourish of colour that transform a humble reception into a night to remember.

The colour and spice of a gorgeous wedding table setting are the hallmark of a truly memorable event and a signal to your friends and families that on this night, this is a magical place.

Wedding table design requires a little skill, coordination and some knowlegde of colour. If you plan carefully everything will glide into place. Don't over do the decorating, simplicity is the key. When in doubt, leave it out!!!

If you are having your reception at a hotel ballroom, a reception hall or restaurant, ask the venue; if they have anything in the form of table decorations or decorative table embellishments. As you are looking for wedding table ideas, this information will give you a head start.

They may perhaps have lovely metal or glass candlelabras or vases for each table, so you'll save money with not needing to hire them elsewhere. They may include them with the wedding reception package.

Have you ever been to a wedding were everything was white? Napkins, table cloths, white vases, white floral arrangement. It still works beautifully.
Personally I love a splash of colour or a combination of colours and textures. There is no need to for your wedding reception table decorations to be expensive. Simple wedding reception ideas are usually more classy and generally less expensive. They are also the easiest to coordinate and to get right.

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FAQ: How far in advance should invitations send for a destination wedding?

Proper etiquette dictates that you give guests plenty of advanced notice if you’re planning a destination wedding. This way, they can check their finances, adjust work schedules, and make travel arrangements in a timely fashion. The first step is to send save-the-date cards as soon as you’ve decided to take your celebration afar. Your invitations should then be sent eight to ten weeks before the wedding. Include pertinent information, such as flight options, hotel room blocks if any, airport transportation, and a list of activities that may be of interest.

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Grecian goddess wedding dress

Every bride wants her wedding to stand out. It is the one day that can truly be said to belong solely to her, a day in which she can see dreams come true and anything can happen. This is not merely some abstract myth; the same goes for you, as well. As the bride, you are the center of attention, and this day is yours alone. As the focus of the event, you want to be sure that every detail of your image is nothing less than perfection.
Feel like a Grecian Goddess in this  amazing Wedding Dress by Rita Peroni!
Want to know how do you travel with your wedding dress? Read more hear

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Wedding in Santorini: find the perfect wedding location

Santorini cliff side winery wedding

Dreaming of a wedding in the most beautiful island in the world? Have you envisioned your self getting married in Greece among your family and friends in a small private village or amazing views to the most breathtaking sunset? Santorini is by far the best wedding location in Greece! Have a look in some of the best wedding locations in Santorini and contact us  to make your dream Santorini wedding a reality!

Cliffside wedding in Santorini

Breathtaking views in Santorini whitewashed terrace

Santorini beach wedding venue

Oceanids Beach front wedding venue

Traditional restaurant on the volcanic beach, Santorini

Private village for you and your special guests!

Elegant chapel 

Wedding reception overlooking Caldera!

Elegant terrace in Oia for your wedding reception

Wedding terrace on the cliffside

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