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The Citizen, 2005-02-10, Page 42Seasick fat KigJbt catcwi kcgui catty By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor Your wedding guests are special and you want to make your day one they will be remember as well. Part of making your guests feel honoured is showing them the utmost hospitality, which of course, includes good food. Selecting a caterer is as important a decision for your wedding as any other aspect. You will want to choose early to make sure that the caterer you want is available. “There are only so many weekends in a year and they fill up quickly.” said caterer Barb Smyth. FLAanA Once you say, “I’ll marry you,” you may be wearing more than just a ring — how about a wrist brace from writing dozens upon dozens of thank-you notes. Gifts are often plentiful from events like your engagement party, bridal shower, and, of course, your wedding day. Unfortunately, telephone calls and e-mail won't fit the bill here. Instead, etiquette dictates that you send a handwritten thank-you note to everyone who gives you a gift. If someone gives you a gift for your shower and another for your engagement, you have to send a separate note for each gift. Send one to everyone, even if it’s your best friend whom you’ve thanked 1,000 times over. Thank-you notes also aren’t just for tangible gifts like cash or those steak knives you registered for, though. Send thank-you notes to the person who let you have your engagement party at her home or O ° Spa ° Essentials Invest in Yourself Because You ’re Worth It! SPA DAYS AVAILABLE Starting February Certified Esthetics ’ * Certified Reflexogoy . Registered Massage Therapy k _ Bridal Parties Welcome J B Gift Certificates Available g 1 For The Perfect Gift I I NEW LOCATION 1' 406 Mill St., Blyth ' (Corner of Dinsley & Mill) 519-523-4793 ’ Before deciding, however, bridal couples will want to make sure they know as much about the business and the type of work a specific caterer does as possible. Caterer Fred Hakkers said it's important to talk to other people who have hired a caterer. “As well, once you sit down with them, you will know if they are the kind you can work with. Are they listening to you?” Smyth too, said that reputation is important. She also stresses learning about the business’s safety policies. “Make sure they have the equipment to safely handle the type of meal you want.” Today’s weddings are often held y,o-u, nate Ano-ui Aa-ut who helped make your wedding day special, like your band, florist or photographer. Notes should be written on stationery that complements the wedding. They are usually small, fold-over notecards with the words “Thank You” or your names on the front, and matching envelopes. For less formal notes, you can buy basic thank-you cards or monogrammed or personalized stationery. Just remember to use your maiden name on any notes written before the wedding, since your married name can’t be used until after the big day. You should write in blue or black ink, not a pencil or colored pen. Notes should express genuine appreciation and gratitude for the gift. They don’t have to be long, but should mention the gift and how you’ll use it. If you got that gravy in interesting places. Smyth has catered to events on the beach and on a tugboat. “The venues vary considerably and you need someone who can do the job meeting the food safety requirements.” Hakkers noted that a list of questions and items of importance is of value when talking with caterers. “This is a good way to make sure that the caterer can meet your specific needs.” Some caterers offer everything from setting up the tables to making the cake. “These things can make a big difference to some people. It’s a busy time and it can be important to some if they don’t have to run boat that was on your registry, say that you can’t wait to use it this Thanksgiving. For monetary gifts, you don’t have to say, “Thank you for your $100 cheque.” Rather, say what you will do with the gift, such as put it toward a payment on a home. Get started on those thank-you notes as soon as possible. You don’t have to write all 300 in one day. Pace yourself. The rule of thumb is to mail shower thank-you notes within two to three weeks after the party. Early wedding gifts should be noted before your wedding day arrives. Old- fashioned etiquette says you have a year to thank everyone else who sends you a wedding gift, but try to get them finished by about three months after the wedding. The process could take a little longer if you’re waiting on photo thank-you cards from your photographer. Chocolate (Fountain Rentals |BN/S Design • & Party Rentals RR #/ Hwy 4 North 81209 London Rd Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0 Phone 519-482-5184 Fax 519-482-5472 www. njsdesign. on.ca around to a lot of different places,” says Hakkers. Once you have chosen a caterer, planning the meal is the next step. Both Smyth and Hakkers say they like to sit with the clients and discuss some examples of what they offer. “Often they will see a menu they want or they pick and choose,” says Smyth. She generally asks if there is a theme to the wedding as the menu can be built around it. Setting the parameters of a budget is essential. Custom caterers can easily build a menu around a price. “The budget for the dinner can be very flexible,” says Smyth. Get the job done in that time frame by staying organized. Make sure no cards get separated from their gifts. Keep a record of all the gifts you received in a notebook, on your computer or on index cards. Be specific. Don’t just say “flatware” say “Mikasa flatware.” Record the giver’s name, when you got the gift, what it was and the date you sent the thank-you note. By the time you finish that last note, you’ll be a professional at thank-you note writing. And you’ll be prepared to do it all over again when you have your little bundle of joy! ;4cOt a, twceA cLaaa to- tfowt wedding! Solo violin, string duets, trios and quartets Gall Gappy for your free estimate (519) 523-9024 Evening weddings can often be a good way to cut the budget, she says, with appetizers served early, followed by a light lunch later in the evening. “Just because a meal looks elaborate, doesn't mean it has to be expensive,” said Smyth. “It's about presentation. It can look like a million dollar dinner.” * ’Slaw and Catering, Trust us with your Wedding Dinner! Reasonable rates and trustworthy service CriTf now {ot dininy options and puce estimates 233-5350 tax 263-5352 Sandra Turner w beautiful day of your life visit fts Shear for your whole wedding party's hair needs. i Rhonda McArter 819 Turnberry St., i Brussels | 887-9025 | The Citizen. Weddings 2005. Page 17.