1. Choose a venue without a financial minimum required. Make sure it includes tables and chairs. Consider options such as city parks and recreational areas, VFW's, Bowling Alleys and even historial buildings.
2. Minimize complimentary alcohol options at the bar. Often times couples feel pressured into offering a full bar and this gets extremely expensive fast. If you offer one domestic, one import and two wines (one red, one white) with a cash bar option guests are still able to find something to their liking.
3. Send out electronic invitations and RSVP's. This will eliminate the cost of both the invites and postage. There are multiple apps available via the web that offer this service for a minimal flat rate fee.
4. Eliminate the late-night snack. When serving a full meal a late night snack is not necessary. When my husband and I go to dinner we don't eat an appetizer, full meal, have desert, drink endless alcohol and then turn around and eat again 3-4 hrs. later. Thats alot of food! 
5. Have a friend officiate you're wedding. If you have a friend or family member whose a great public speaker have them get ordained and speak at your wedding.
6. If your able to bring your own soda purchase them when large grocers offer holiday discounts such as Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, etc. They often times run fantastic savings. 
7. Don't provide favors. This can easily add up to a few hundred dollars and can be eliminated. No one expects them and they won't go missed. 
8. Bridal shops typically have trunk sales once a year in the summer. This is by far the best time to purchase your dress and bridesmaid dresses.  Sign up for email and instagram alerts to stay in touch.
9. Grab some bouquets from your local farmers market for your tables, cocktail tables and the corner of the bar. Put them in Dollar Store vases or better yet bring vases from home that you've collected over the years. 
10. Setup your timeline to skip cocktail hour and go straight to dinner. If you do a first look, it's not necessary because your pictures are already done. Carving cocktail hour out of your timeline can save you thousands in food and drink. 

Often times I get asked for quick and easy rehearsal dinner ideas. Unfortunately, this tends to get lost in all the mix of wedding planning. Traditionally the groom's family pays for the rehearsal dinner but sometimes that's just not in the cards. Like I tell all of my clients, the new traditional is non-traditional. That being said if catering is out of your budget or your just hoping for something very chill with family and friends, here are a few easy prep suggestions that can be made in advance and are relatively inexpensive.

Taco Bout a Great Time: A walking taco bar with doritos and/or fritos, precooked hamburger and/or shredded seasoned chicken, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, salsa, tortilla chips and chili to top it off.

Soup, Salad & Breadsticks: Prep two signature soups in crockpots along with a full-scale salad,  fresh baked garlic bread sticks and alfredo dipping sauce for a tasty dinner. 

The Spaghetti Dinner:  Prep spaghetti in a crockpot along with a premade delectable side salad for the ultimate italian food frenzy.

Baked Potatoe Bar: Precook all the potatoes and place them in the crockpot to stay warm, provide sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, black olives, tomatoes and seasoned hamburger. 

The "I DO" BBQ: Grill some hamburgers, hotdogs and brats. Include some simple premade sides such as veggies and dip, cut up fruit, chips and cookies along with ice-cold beer. 

Classic Pizza Party: Order specialty pizzas from your favorite hometown pizza joint. 

Ive definitely felt a trend that couples are feeling more comfortable getting married again. At this point, its safe to say that any wedding in the near future will look differently. Here are just a few ideas that come to mind if your planning during the pandemic. 

You might consider decreasing your guest count. I know this can be difficult to navigate however; slimming your guest count down to just immediate family and friends can be helpful.

Be certain your event space has plenty of space for guests to sprawl out. If you can opt for outdoors its definitely the way to go.  Make sure all tables are a minimum of six feet apart.

When assigning your seating, plan to put those living in the same house together. This may mean more tables, but its worth the peace of mind.

When available avoid buffet and opt for plated meals. If buffet is your only option, make signs reminding guests to wear a mask while in line for the buffet, pay the catering company to serve the line vs. all the guests handling the utensils, put hand sanitizer at the beginning of the line. 

Consider more individually served items in sealed containers when possible, such as individually bagged popcorn or prepackaged cupcakes in clear clamshell style container with a monogramed sticker.

Regulations vary by state and even sometimes county, so stay informed as to your local guidelines in your wedding location. 

A close-knit corporate environment is one of the keys to a successful business. It encourages accountability, employee commitment, productivity, and motivates workers.
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One of the best ways to achieve a close-knit corporate environment is to hold corporate events and team-building activities. Team building activities will boost morale around your workplace. Corporate events are a way to let employees know they are appreciated and important to the company.

If you’re looking for great ideas for your business, Piece of Cake Consulting can help you put together ideas and plan your upcoming even. Here are some great ideas to help your workplace be a place your employees can’t wait to work at.

Want to throw a party your employees will remember for years to come? Let us help plan the perfect Halloween party for your business.

We were so happy to work with Ann and Victor to plan their special day at Olbrich Gardens. The day couldn't have turned out more perfectly. Take a look at more pictures from their wedding in their Gallery. ​

Be sure to have bug spray available for your outdoor wedding or consider fogging the area where you plan to host your guests.

I recently had the opportunity to work with Dominika Photography for one of my all time favorite weddings at the oh so famous Orpheum Theatre here in downtown Madison, WI. Here is a preview of what this amazing celebration had to offer. http://www.dominikaphoto.com/blog/orpheum-theatre-wedding-katie-Jefferson-Madison-wisconsin

Take a look at our gallery of this wedding here.

Its a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together! I am so excited to already be booking 2018 AND 2019 weddings. Its amazing how far Piece of Cake Consulting has come!

​To all of my clients, Thank you for your business!

Cheers, Betsy Pearson