Tuesday, February 4, 2014

How to Create a Candy Buffet

Last year we did a fair amount of candy buffets for various events. One of the displays we did was set up at Bancroft Bridals for Valentine's Day which you can see on Michelle Girard Photography's blog.

With the "Love" holiday upon us, we thought it would be fun to share with you the steps for creating a similar display on your own! These are great for smaller parties, showers, holiday events or a wedding!

1. Color Palette & Style: Decide on what colors you want to work with. There are so many color varieties to choose from, the sky is the limit! The style should coordinate with your overall event look.

2. Select Containers: You want to create visual interest by having containers of various sizes and heights. Having a few containers that are taller pulls the eye up. You could also use risers if necessary. You don't have to limit yourself to apothecary jars, incorporate other containers or plates into the design as well. The number of containers you use is dictated by the amount of candy you'll be including. For example, we had six containers for a display for 50 people, plus a platter of cookies and a small 2-tiered cake as the focal point.

3. Create a Focal Point (optional): This might be a backdrop with a sign or could be some type of centerpiece in the middle of the table.

4. Ordering Candy: Our rule of thumb is to provide 1/4 lbs. of candy per guest. You can find candy at local shops. (Ask them about options to purchase larger quantities.) Or you can find many online sources as well. If getting candy online, you'll want to order about 4-6 weeks prior to your event to ensure you get everything in time.

5. Think Outside the Candy Box: Don't feel you have to limit your candy buffet to candy alone. You can incorporate things like popcorn, biscotti, cookies, mini cupcakes, roasted peanuts, etc. Not everyone likes candy and this gives them an alternative treat to take home.

6. Packaging: Guests will need to have something to take their candy home in. You can opt to do bags, boxes, cones, buckets, basically anything you can think of! The container can coordinate with your wedding decor or theme.

5. Setting it up & Embellishments: You can set up your containers with the candy a few days prior to your event so that you can just transport and easily set out the candy. Use ribbon and cute labels for your containers. Make sure everything is labeled so that it is clear what the options are. You can also include a sign such as "Love is Sweet" or some other phrase that ties in to your wedding theme and décor. Lastly, don't forget your scoops!

Candy displays take some time and thought but if you plan ahead and collect the necessary elements, you can create a beautiful set up for your wedding or event that your guests will love! We have included a few of our displays that we have done in the past. All this candy talk has made us hungry for something sweet!!





Something Sweet!


We love Valentine's Day and all the delicious sweets that come with the holiday (have we mentioned we love chocolate?!). We want to share some sugary goodness so we're giving away 2 dozen Valentine's Day cookies from Cakes by Amanda to one lucky winner! Perfect to give as a gift or to keep for your own indulgence. ;)

Here is how to enter:
  1. "Like" our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/eutopiaeventsweddings
  2. Leave a comment on our Valetine's Day Cookie post
  3. Share the Cookie photo on your Facebook page
Be sure to do all three, otherwise you cannot be entered into the drawing. We'll announce the winner on Friday! Good luck!


Sunday, January 26, 2014

Pretty in Pink & Gold

In March 2013, we coordinated, designed & styled a photo shoot at The Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst. We loved how this shoot turned out and are excited to share more photos soon, WellWed will be sharing them on their blog in the next few weeks. Sandra Costello Photography took the gorgeous photos and Epic Filmmakers did an incredible video we adore!! We worked with a phenomenal group of wedding professionals to create a styled shoot we are all so proud of!

Bridal Gown & Tux: Bridal Heirlooms
Flowers: Forget Me Not Florist
Hair: Salon 241
Makeup: Makeup Artistry by Liz
Rentals: Michael's Party Rentals
Calligraphy: Megan Chapin Calligraphy
Jewelry: Cleary Jewelers, Greenfield
Stationery Design: Eutopia Events
Vintage props: Eutopia Events



Stylizied Lord Jeffery Inn Film || Stylized by Eutopia Events || Produced by Epic Filmmakers from Epic Filmmakers on Vimeo.



Saturday, January 18, 2014

Kristen + Jeremy

We've known Kristen for years—from our days working at a National magazine. We were honored when Kristen and Jeremy asked us to assist with their wedding! They are truly such a sweet couple with beautiful souls, we were thrilled to play a small part in helping to make their wedding day special.

Kristen's vision for their wedding was to create something classy and elegant with some vintage touches. Kristen is a designer so she designed all of their wedding stationery—wedding invitations, menu cards, labels, and seating chart. Jeremy is a carpenter and made their table numbers and Mr. & Mrs. sign. The favors, homemade vanilla extract, were made by both of them. We love how each of them brought their personalities into the wedding to make it really unique!

 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 






 



 





 





We love when the couple has a getaway car that is all decked out!


Kristen and Jeremy hired us for our Finishing Touch service as well as design consultation. They also utilized some of our rentals which included: milk glass vases for centerpieces, vintage cake stands and plates for the dessert table, and a vintage hat box for cards.

Here is a little note from the couple they sent after the wedding...

Dear Lauren & Ruthie,
We can't thank you enough for all you have done for us for the wedding. You really went above and beyond, and made us feel so much better during the stressful times. Having you involved made a huge difference! Thank you for everything, you two are the best!

Love, Kristen & Jeremy

And here we are, just a few of the vendors who were part of making Kristen and Jeremy's day special for them. We loved working with this team!

Photographer: Seth Kaye Photography
Videographer: JPod Productions
Venue: The Garden House at Look Park
Caterer: Portabella Catering
Florist: Forget Me Not Florist
Makeup: Makeup Artistry by Liz
Hair: Salon 241
DJ: Cloud 9 Productions
Officiant: Awakened Heart Healing Arts
Cupcakes: CocoBeni Confections
Gluten Free Cake for the Bride & Groom: Eutopia Events
Rentals: Northampton Rental Center


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

DIY Bride

Every year we select a favorite DIY project from one of our weddings. In 2012, it was a pair of shoes that the bride hand glued rhinestones onto. They were beautiful! We were in awe of the time and patience that went into creating them.

For 2013, our favorite DIY was from our Bride Joy, she and Sam were married in October. She made these super cute cake toppers and even included their two dogs, adorable! Joy did a beautiful job making many things for their wedding day. Their personalities were present in so many of the details.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Colorful & Casual

We work with a variety of styles, personalities and visions. Jocelyn and Jeff had a clear vision for their wedding, something colorful and casual! They didn't want to incorporate many of the traditions we see at most weddings. No cake cutting, no formal dances, no introductions, they just wanted to have fun! They had a small budget and were able to incorporate a lot of DIY projects in order to keep everything within that budget. Jocelyn even made the paper flowers that she and her bridesmaids held! Loved them!

This couple was a referral from one of our past clients. Jocelyn and Jeff knew they didn't want to worry about all the details on the day of their wedding (Jocelyn's mom also knew that she didn't want to worry either!) so they hired us for Day-of Coordination. Our favorite quote from Jocelyn after her wedding was "You were worth your weight in gold!" We loved working with this couple and their families!

Sean Wytrwal Photography did a beautiful job capturing the moments of the day for these two. Thank you Sean for letting us share these photos!



We had the pleasure of working with some new event professionals:

Photography: Sean Wytrwal Photography
Venue: Saima Park
Food: Shirley Catering
Music: EGO/Joey Eppard
Bartending: The Bar Shaker Company
Rentals: Central Mass Party Rentals