Chocolate Fountains Add Sweetness to Wedding Receptions
There's so much that goes in to planning a wedding reception. Choosing the venue, the menu, the music, the cake?it's all enough to make a bride-to-be go crazy.
If you've been toying around with ideas for food but haven't gotten anywhere, why not consider having a chocolate fountain at your reception? Chocolate fountains have grown in popularity over the past few years, and they're showing up at all kinds of events from bridal showers and wedding receptions to corporate events. It's an attractive addition to just about any special event.
With a spread of fruit and other dipping foods to go with it, it would be a place for your guests to gather other than the bar, and it would be a nice contrast to other finger foods. When they're running, chocolate fountains look like liquid chocolate sculptures, which make them like edible centerpieces. Plus, they're fun, relatively easy, and will be a hit with kids and adults alike.
If you like the idea of having a chocolate fountain at your reception, here are a few ideas of what you can do with it.
Guess what: you can do it yourself
You may be looking at your wedding budget and wincing at the cost of hiring a chocolate fountain company for your reception. Fear not. Like most things with weddings, you can save yourself a lot of money if you do it yourself instead of farming it out.
You can find chocolate fondue fountains for sale online at sites like LiquidationConnect.com, and you can find the chocolate to melt inside them the same way. Look for chocolate with a minimum of 34 percent cocoa butter to make sure that it will run smoothly in the fountain.
If you're worried about spills and such, ask a friend to watch the fountain for you. That way you'll have somebody you trust over there, and you'll be able to enjoy your receptions without worries.
Appetizer or dessert?
Chocolate fountains can work as an appetizer or a dessert, so your decision on when to do it depends on what kind of food you're having at your recepti
If you've been toying around with ideas for food but haven't gotten anywhere, why not consider having a chocolate fountain at your reception? Chocolate fountains have grown in popularity over the past few years, and they're showing up at all kinds of events from bridal showers and wedding receptions to corporate events. It's an attractive addition to just about any special event.
With a spread of fruit and other dipping foods to go with it, it would be a place for your guests to gather other than the bar, and it would be a nice contrast to other finger foods. When they're running, chocolate fountains look like liquid chocolate sculptures, which make them like edible centerpieces. Plus, they're fun, relatively easy, and will be a hit with kids and adults alike.
If you like the idea of having a chocolate fountain at your reception, here are a few ideas of what you can do with it.
Guess what: you can do it yourself
You may be looking at your wedding budget and wincing at the cost of hiring a chocolate fountain company for your reception. Fear not. Like most things with weddings, you can save yourself a lot of money if you do it yourself instead of farming it out.
You can find chocolate fondue fountains for sale online at sites like LiquidationConnect.com, and you can find the chocolate to melt inside them the same way. Look for chocolate with a minimum of 34 percent cocoa butter to make sure that it will run smoothly in the fountain.
If you're worried about spills and such, ask a friend to watch the fountain for you. That way you'll have somebody you trust over there, and you'll be able to enjoy your receptions without worries.
Appetizer or dessert?
Chocolate fountains can work as an appetizer or a dessert, so your decision on when to do it depends on what kind of food you're having at your recepti
10:28 AM | Was this helpful? | 
Maid of Honor is a Long and Honorable Tradition
If you have been chosen as a maid of honor, big congratulations are in order! This means the bride-to-be trusts you with one of the most important days of her life. You've been chosen not only because you are energetic and can get the job done, but because you have provided emotional support for the bride-to-be throughout a very special time in her life. Now she wants you to stand up beside her when she marries the love of her life. How special that is!
As a maid of honor, you are part of a long and honorable tradition. Throughout history, the maid of honor has been defined as the unmarried female that is chief attendant to the bride. If you are married, you would be considered a matron of honor.
The duties of the maid of honor have been the same for centuries. In history, maids of honor were considered the best maids in a lady's house, as they attended to her every need in such a way that she wanted for nothing. As a wedding approached, a senior maid of honor was assigned to take care of the details, such as helping the bride with her gown and her bridal wreath. The maid of honor also helped the bride in preparing the wedding feast.
Today, the maid of honor has even more duties on her hands! As wedding grow more and more extravagant, sometimes brides are choosing to have more than one maid of honor in order to spread the work around and make preparation a bit easier.
The most important part of being a maid of honor hasn't changed, however, no matter how big those weddings can get. During those days before the wedding and right up to the minute your bride-to-be walks down the aisle, you will be a lifeboat of support in a sea of commitments and worry. Your presence will help the bride relax and allow her to enjoy her big day, knowing you have all the details handled. What an honor to be trusted so deeply!
As a maid of honor, you are part of a long and honorable tradition. Throughout history, the maid of honor has been defined as the unmarried female that is chief attendant to the bride. If you are married, you would be considered a matron of honor.
The duties of the maid of honor have been the same for centuries. In history, maids of honor were considered the best maids in a lady's house, as they attended to her every need in such a way that she wanted for nothing. As a wedding approached, a senior maid of honor was assigned to take care of the details, such as helping the bride with her gown and her bridal wreath. The maid of honor also helped the bride in preparing the wedding feast.
Today, the maid of honor has even more duties on her hands! As wedding grow more and more extravagant, sometimes brides are choosing to have more than one maid of honor in order to spread the work around and make preparation a bit easier.
The most important part of being a maid of honor hasn't changed, however, no matter how big those weddings can get. During those days before the wedding and right up to the minute your bride-to-be walks down the aisle, you will be a lifeboat of support in a sea of commitments and worry. Your presence will help the bride relax and allow her to enjoy her big day, knowing you have all the details handled. What an honor to be trusted so deeply!
9:27 AM | Was this helpful? |
Chocolate Fountains - What Do They Cost?
Comparing prices for chocolate fountain rental online can be very confusing. One company will offer a "full service" medium fountain for $299.00 that includes chocolate for up to 100 people. Another company offers a medium fountain for $395.00 that is recommended for up to 300 guests. "Full Service" means that you are renting a fountain in your local area, and will be provided an attendant during scheduled hours (usually between 2.5 and 5). "Cash and Carry" means you will rent the fountain online and will set it up yourself. You must provide your own attendant, and be responsible for clean-up, removal and shipping.
I recommend that you contact a minimum of six vendors, both locally and online. One local rental that I contacted requested a $200.00 deposit due at the time of confirmation date. The remainder was due two weeks prior to the wedding. They also charge $50.00 per hour for additional time. Any wedding reception is held Monday through Thursday will receive 10% off of their rental.
Most companies do not supply the foods for dipping for the basic rental price. For an additional fee they will supply the food, elegant platters and serving trays, and garnishments to accompany the fountain. They also have toppers, similar to a wedding cake, which might include floral arrangements, personalized Bride/Groom nameplates, or a festive holiday design.
Strawberries, when they are in season, are the most popular fruit to be dipped in the fountain. Fresh pineapple (not canned), cherries, and frozen bananas are more requested than grapes or melons. Pretzel rods (not pretzel sticks, but the 5" pretzel rods) are the most popular non-fruit dipping item. Marshmallows are second only to pretzels in their popularity. Any kind of cookie-homemade sugar cookies, macaroons, and Oreos are big hits for dipping in chocolate. Provide all of your favorite treats (anything that won't crumble) and your own attendant, and the only expense will be the fountain and white, dark, or milk chocolate.
I recommend that you contact a minimum of six vendors, both locally and online. One local rental that I contacted requested a $200.00 deposit due at the time of confirmation date. The remainder was due two weeks prior to the wedding. They also charge $50.00 per hour for additional time. Any wedding reception is held Monday through Thursday will receive 10% off of their rental.
Most companies do not supply the foods for dipping for the basic rental price. For an additional fee they will supply the food, elegant platters and serving trays, and garnishments to accompany the fountain. They also have toppers, similar to a wedding cake, which might include floral arrangements, personalized Bride/Groom nameplates, or a festive holiday design.
Strawberries, when they are in season, are the most popular fruit to be dipped in the fountain. Fresh pineapple (not canned), cherries, and frozen bananas are more requested than grapes or melons. Pretzel rods (not pretzel sticks, but the 5" pretzel rods) are the most popular non-fruit dipping item. Marshmallows are second only to pretzels in their popularity. Any kind of cookie-homemade sugar cookies, macaroons, and Oreos are big hits for dipping in chocolate. Provide all of your favorite treats (anything that won't crumble) and your own attendant, and the only expense will be the fountain and white, dark, or milk chocolate.
9:27 AM | Was this helpful? |
Maid of Honor - Eight Ways to Thank Her
When a bride chooses a maid or matron of honor, she is selecting someone special who can be trusted with a lot of wedding planning responsibility. She may be asked to help the bride select a wedding gown and bridal accessories. Her opinion will be needed selecting a style for the bridesmaid dresses. With the help of the other attendants, she will be expected to host a bridal shower and bachelorette party. And, most importantly, she may be a trusted confidant when the bride gets stressed out with so many details. Here are eight ideas on how to thank your maid of honor:
? Keep a scrapbook, including photographs, of all the ways she has helped make your wedding special.
? Collect poems about friendship and assemble it into a book. Include a special dedication page just for her.
? Purchase a book about something she is passionate about-cooking, fashion, biking, traveling, or whatever she does in her free time.
? Make a cookbook with your favorite recipes or those from your mother and grandmother.
? Buy a gift certificate for a spa, massage or pedicure.
? Purchase a gift card from her favorite restaurant.
? Ask her boyfriend, husband or mother if there is something she has wanted to buy, but has been putting off, and see if it fits into your budget.
? Observe what jewelry she normally wears-gold, silver, pearls-and let that guide you on selecting a necklace, earrings or brooch from a quality jewelry store.
The woman who agrees to be your maid of honor knows that she will be spending a great deal of time on your wedding. She may have a full time job, a husband and children. She may even be out of state, and traveling a great distance to be at your side. Repay her kindness and help in making your wedding a huge success by selecting a meaningful and lasting keepsake.
Kathleen Mary is the owner of Beautiful Bridal offering A A Bridal tiaras, veil, bridal and bridesmaid jewelry at discount prices. Visit our
? Keep a scrapbook, including photographs, of all the ways she has helped make your wedding special.
? Collect poems about friendship and assemble it into a book. Include a special dedication page just for her.
? Purchase a book about something she is passionate about-cooking, fashion, biking, traveling, or whatever she does in her free time.
? Make a cookbook with your favorite recipes or those from your mother and grandmother.
? Buy a gift certificate for a spa, massage or pedicure.
? Purchase a gift card from her favorite restaurant.
? Ask her boyfriend, husband or mother if there is something she has wanted to buy, but has been putting off, and see if it fits into your budget.
? Observe what jewelry she normally wears-gold, silver, pearls-and let that guide you on selecting a necklace, earrings or brooch from a quality jewelry store.
The woman who agrees to be your maid of honor knows that she will be spending a great deal of time on your wedding. She may have a full time job, a husband and children. She may even be out of state, and traveling a great distance to be at your side. Repay her kindness and help in making your wedding a huge success by selecting a meaningful and lasting keepsake.
Kathleen Mary is the owner of Beautiful Bridal offering A A Bridal tiaras, veil, bridal and bridesmaid jewelry at discount prices. Visit our
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