Articles + Ideas

Diary of a Ritz Fan: Marina del Rey Edition

Filed in Articles + Ideas under Bachelorette Parties, Bridal Showers, Featured, Food and Drink, Honeymoons and Travel, Locations, Restaurants, Spas and Pampering

My colleague Jan invites me to spend the upcoming weekend with her at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey, where she’ll be staying while profiling new locations for Here Comes The Guide. I jump at the chance for some quality Ritz time. It’s a well-known fact around the office that I ♥ the Ritzes. (What can I say? I have a soft spot for superior customer service and a swanky setting!)

Creative, Sensational Wedding Showers

Filed in Articles + Ideas under Bridal Showers, Featured, Food and Drink

Think outside the wedding shower box with these unique ideas to celebrate the bride and groom’s big day.

Girls’ Night In: Bachelorette Party

Filed in Articles + Ideas under Bachelorette Parties, Featured, Food and Drink, Trend Watch

Your friend is getting married and there’s only one way to celebrate—host a bachelorette party starring martinis and good friends. It’s not only her last night out as a single girl, it’s also a way to quit worrying about that bridesmaid dress you’ll be wearing for the big day. Throw the bride a party and show all your friends a good time to send her off in style!

9 Celebrity Trends Revealed

Filed in Articles + Ideas under Accessories, Fashion, Food and Drink, Make-up, Off Beat, Trend Watch, Wedding Dresses

There’s another annual tradition right around Valentine’s Day besides flowers and chocolate hearts—exclusive celebrity giveaway parties called “gift suites.” At these high-profile events, fashion entrepreneurs and high-end product purveyors lavish entertainment VIPS with bagfuls of goodies. This is where trends are set, styles take off and specialty items are given two thumbs up.

Questions to Ask When Hiring Your Caterer

Filed in Articles + Ideas under Expert Advice, Featured, Food and Drink, Planning, Questions To Ask Your...

Besides your location, the food and drink for your wedding bash will probably consume the largest portion of your wedding budget. Catering costs are usually presented as “per-person” charges, sometimes abbreviated in wedding brochures as “pp” after the amount. But be aware—the per-person charge often doesn’t include everything: Tax and gratuities (sometimes called “service charge”) might be extra, and there may also be separate per-person charges for the meal, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and even setup.

Wedding Food Donations

Filed in Articles + Ideas under Food and Drink, Green Weddings, Planning, Wedding How-to

If you’re wondering why we’re including a brief item about recycling it’s because parties and special events often generate recyclable materials and leftover food that the bride and groom don’t want to take home. Nowadays, you and the caterer can feel good by donating the excess, and recycling plastic bottles, glass, metal and paper. An added benefit is that food donations are tax deductible for either you or the caterer. And if you recycle, the cost for extra garbage containers (bins) can be eliminated or reduced.

Brides Want to Know: Hors d’oeuvre Dilemma

Filed in Articles + Ideas under Brides Want to Know, Expert Advice, Food and Drink, Receptions

Can you tell me how many hors d’oeuvres per person is the norm for a cocktail wedding reception? I’m not having dinner, just hors d’oeuvres and cocktails for about four hours. I need to figure out my menu and am at my wits end trying to find the answer!—Lisa D., Eagle RockRead our experts’ answer.

Haute Appetizers!

Filed in Articles + Ideas under Expert Advice, Food and Drink, Receptions, Wedding Ideas
What about the humble cocktail hour? Gone are the days when a hostess could throw together a few trays of cheddar cubes, crackers and melon slices to tide guests over. Today's bride puts a great deal more consideration into what she presents to her guests, and the Bay Area bride is among the most discerning. Make your cocktail hour memorable.