Vendors We Love

Through the years, I have worked with many vendors.  I am proud to say that I have found a few that I consider part of our family.  If you are looking for any of the following services, I highly recommend reaching out to these wonderful people.  If you need further references or recommendations, let me know. We would love to help.

As I have said before, a good caterer knows what they specialize in and their limits.  While Cannon Events & Catering can make most dishes, we know that BBQ is not our specialty.  So when I need good BBQ for an event, we call Bullyz BBQ & Catering.  Doug has been perfecting his Texas style BBQ chicken, pulled pork, smoked brisket for years.  In addition, they also have tacos, Cubanos, Gyros and Panini Sandwiches.  While based in Wooster, they will travel to your location with their always fresh and tasty products.

Bullyz BBQ & Catering

Wooster, Ohio

330-601-3349

www.facebook.com/bullyzbbq

For desserts and cakes, we look to two different professionals for this - Jamie Lane Sweets and Sweet Beginnings.  Both will deliver fresh baked products throughout Northeast Ohio to your location.  Please see their websites for photos of their creations.  Sweet Beginnings also carries those items to make your own sweets including candy molds, chocolate melts, cupcake liners, cake pans, and many more baking items.

Jamie Lane Sweets

Mentor, Ohio

440-341-1321

www.jamielanesweets.com

Sweet Beginnings

4145 Erie Street, Willoughby

440-942-1313

www.facebook.com/sweet-beginnings

Looking for something special to wear for the big event?  Look no further than Creations Unlimited in Downtown Willoughby.  Lissa can take a dress you think you like and make it exactly want you want.  She has a vision for dresses that you cannot believe.  I have had the pleasure of see her walk a bride through a dress and create the dress of her dreams.  Additionally, she can work her magic on a vintage family dress turning it into a modern piece while keeping the integrity of the original family heirloom.  You will find not only wedding dresses, but evening wear and accessories at the store.  Found an accessory online, but not a fan of the outrageous price?  This is one more thing Lissa excels at.  She creates custom headpieces, broach bouquets, masquerade masks, hats, fascinators and more for your special event. 

Creations Unlimited Unique Boutique

4075 Erie Street, Willoughby

440-664-6080

www.facebook.com/heirloomboutique

Is your event being held in a room that doesn't quite fit the theme?  Are you looking for some interesting decor to set you event apart?  When we have this issue, I call Matt at Lindsay London Event Decor.  From unique backdrops, centerpieces & candelabras, plate charges, GoBo Projections to full room custom lighting, Matt has you covered.  He will take the most basic looking ballroom and turn it into the location backdrop custom designed for your theme.  Need something else?  Let Matt know.  He will work to make sure everything is perfect for your day.

Lindsay London Event Decor

38118 2^nd Street, Willoughby

216-513-3998

www.lindsaylondon.com

When preparing for an event, making sure you and your skin look their absolute best is very important.  This is what Lindsay London specializes in.  From onsite make-up to the very best in skin care.  Lindsay does everything from airbrush make-up & false eyelashes to facials, waxing and body bronzing.  Her calm demeanor and skilled hands will make even the most anxious bride calm and relaxed.  You can meet at her place or yours, whichever works best for you.

Lindsay London Event Make up & Skincare Studio

38118 2^nd Street, Willoughby

216-513-3998

www.lindsaylondon.com

Looking for a florist for your wedding or even to send those make-up flowers, look no further than Plant Magic Florist.  Michelle and her team always make the best impressions.  They work within all budgets.  Their product is very fresh and long lasting.  My personal favorite is to give them free reign over the design.  They have never steered me wrong.    

Plant Magic Florist

38015 Euclid Avenue, Willoughby

440-954-9030

www.plantmagicflorist.com

When selecting a jeweler, expertise comes to mind.  I am lucky enough to have worked with Steve and Tom of Daved Jewelers for years.  Daved has been in business since 1945.  They specialize in custom pieces and also have an inventory of jewelry including earrings, rings, and pendants.  They strive to offer high quality jewelry to meet all budgets.  If they can't custom create it for you, they will locate it.  They also sell and repair watches.  Stop in to see what they have in the store today or schedule a consultation to have that custom piece created.

Daved Jewelers

4137 Erie Street, Willoughby

440-942-3844

www.facebook.com/DavedJewelers

There are many limousine companies in Northeast Ohio.  What sets Vitalone's Limousine Service apart is their customer service.  From the very start when you request a quote, you will see the difference.  They will work with you to make sure you are getting the number of type of vehicles you need. The great service doesn't stop there.  The Vitalone's team make sure you get clean and safe vehicles with professional knowledgeable drivers.  Check out their complete fleet on their website.

Vitalone's Limousine Service

4041 Erie Street, Willoughby

440-946-1811

www.vitalones.com/limousines

When setting the tone for an event, table linens can really pull everything together.  When I am looking for a special linen to complete a look, I call Angela and her team at L'nique Specialty Linen Rental.  From soft burlaps for a rustic look to silk for a regal look, to a fun print for a birthday party, L'nique has it all.  Start by visiting their website to pick out looks you like, then schedule a time to go to the showroom.  They will work with you setting up tables to create that special look.

L'nique Specialty Linen Rental

7685 Hub Parkway, Valley View

216-986-1600

www.lnique.com

Photography is an art.  Most people think you just point the camera and push the button.  It is not that simple if you want to capture your event in the best possible way.  Knowing how to look past the actual event and capture the feelings of the attendees takes someone special.  Jessica Spuzzillo Photography does that.  They take the standard shots and capture those special little moments you may not have seen during the event. Jessica takes the time to get to know her clients to make sure she captures the event perfectly.  

Jessica Spuzzillo Photography

8500 Station St. Suite 300D, Mentor

440-796-6796

www.jessicaspuzzillo.com

For party rentals from tents to games to dishes to serving ware, we use Sun Rental.  Melanie and Jamie work their magic in a pinch for me when it comes to party rentals.  They have a large inventory of a variety of items, even some things you would not have thought of but add that little extra to your event.  You can pick-up or they deliver to your site.  I have rented from them even at the last minute.  If you don't see something on their website, just ask. They will be happy to help you.

Sun Rental

7467 Mentor Avenue, Mentor

440-942-6106

www.sunrental.com 

Prom Themes to Great Party Themes

Wouldn't it be fun to take a traditional high school prom theme and turn it into a great party for adults?  I took a few of those themes and listed out how you can make those into a great party for any occasion.  Need help past what is listed?  Contact me and let's see what else we can think of to make your party great.

Hollywood/Oscars

·    As a Prom Theme

o    Turn your prom into a red carpet event.  Celebrate in style by creating a starry backdrop by covering the walls in black paper and decorating them with glittery stars.  Make a banner of the Hollywood sign where the “paparazzi” can take pictures of everyone.  To make the event look extra luxe, cut life-sized Oscar statues out of cardboard and paint them gold and black to flank the entrance.  You can even drape a red satin curtain in front of the entrance where guests can walk through and feel like a star on the big night.

·    As a Party Theme

o    Create a red carpet entrance at the venue main entrance.  You can rent a red carpet from most local supply houses.  Create a backdrop specific to your event by ordering from a printer or creating your own with pipe and drape. 

o    Have a few of the guests children be the paparazzi and snap photos of everyone as they arrive. 

o    Have awards categories for each guest to vote on and include a link to online balloting in the invitation.  For under 100 ballots, create a free survey on www.Surveymonkey.com. Announce the winners throughout the night.  Provide an award for each category that can either be the same or different depending on your event. Make sure to have the winner’s information on cards to increase the drama.

o    Serve your take on designer Hollywood Food

o    Create a swag bag party favor for guests to take home.

Carnival

·      As a Prom Theme

o     To turn the school gym into a carnival, decorate the walls with red and blue painters tape to make carnival stripes.  Add a popcorn arch at the entrance.  For the anti-dance floor crowd, set up fun carnival games, like DIY ring toss and a bean bag toss.  Add a cotton candy stand and popcorn machine to the mix.

·   As a Party Theme

o     Rent a large tent to place in your yard.  Make sure they have sides for the tent.  If possible, get a striped tent. If you can’t get a striped tent, use lighting to give the effect.

o     Rent carnival food machines like popcorn, cotton candy, hot dog rollers, ice cream cart, and snow-cone machine.

o     Rent carnival games like balloon pop, skee ball, mini golf, Whack-a-mole, arcade games, etc.

o     Have a master of ceremonies to keep the fun going

Paris

·   As a Prom Theme

o   Set up the perfect photo backdrop with a cardboard Eiffel Tower and string lights. For an event more authentic feel, decorate the room with string lights and place gold tulle underneath the Eiffel Tower. 

·   As a Party Theme

o   Create an afternoon tea party – works great for baby or bridal showers o   Set your venue as an outdoor café in Paris. o   Create a photo booth using prints of Paris scenes and props o   Decorate using Eifel Towers & tulle covered twinkle lights, place event specific menu cards at each place setting, and create centerpieces with sweetheart roses and baby’s breath in small vases or tea cups. o   For table linens, stick with black and white patterns. o   Serve macaroons, tea cookies, tea sandwiches, salads, croissant sandwiches, mini quiche and fresh fruit

o   Beverages – tea, wine and flavored water

Happily Ever After

·   As a Prom Theme

o   Pull off the look by decorating a castle in rose vines.  You can also string white tulle from the ceiling and weave string lights through the fabric, and hang lanterns to create faux chandeliers.  Or design a grand staircase backdrop with fountain.

·   As a Party Theme

o   Use lighting and balloons to make the venue feel like the inside of the forest.  Place a backdrop with a castle as a photo booth.  Hanging twinkle lights from the ceiling meeting at chandeliers or paper lanterns. o   Where possible use climbing vines to give visual interest and texture to your forest.  o   Use linens in pinks, purples, and deep greens; for centerpieces use mason jars with battery operated tea lights stacked on wood slices. o   Tables can be named for your favorite fairy tale characters o   Encourage your guests to come dressed as your fairy tale character

o   For food, think elegant picnic.

Alice in Wonderland

·   As a Prom Theme

o   Recreate the Mad Hatter tea party scene with twinkling lights, Mad Hatter centerpieces, a life-sized rabbit, and crazy signs all over the place.  Set up a garden wall with flowers for everyone to take pictures in front of. 

·   As a Party Theme

o   For décor – the wilder the better.  Get your linens from a specialty vendor and get bold patterns and colors.

o   Get mismatched tea pots and cups filled with flowers for centerpieces.  Use flowers from the book like tiger lilies, daises, roses and violets

o   Decorate front entrance to look like the rabbit hole or looking glass. 

o   Put clocks throughout the space stopped at tea time.  Get a dancefloor that looks like a chessboard.  Scatter lawn flamingos around the board

o   Scatter tables with chess pieces, small keys and keyholes

o   Food – Tea Sandwiches, Duchess Potatoes, party themed cookies, deviled eggs, vegetable trays, fruit salad, and tortellini pasta salad

o   Beverage – Hot Tea, Iced Tea, Strawberry Lemonade (add sparkling wine for a cocktail)

Mardi Gras

·   As a Prom Theme

o   Just stock up on beads, balloons, confetti and noise makes.  To really take things next-level, decorate each table with beads and hang yellow, green, and purple lanterns from the ceiling.  Dress up tables with boas, purple accents and drama masks that can double as photo booth props

·   As a Party Theme

o   For the front entrance, use signs that are unique to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street

o   At the entrance, have masks and beads for your guests.

o   On tables (food, dining and others), place doubloons and small balloon bouquets.  On the ceiling hang paper lanterns in gold, green and purple.

o   If there is a balcony available, toss items to guests periodically throughout the evening

o   Have New Orleans Jazz music playing throughout the venue.

o   Food – serve traditional food like Muffuletta sandwiches, Jambalaya soup, Gumbo, or a Crawfish Boil

o   Dessert – Mardi Gras King Cake, Pralines, Beignets and Bananas Foster

o   Beverages – serve Hurricane, Vieux Carre Cocktails, Ramos Gin Fizz, Sazerac and/or Pimm’s Cup Cocktail.  Have mocktail versions available

Source for this article -

Seventeen Magazine (www.seventeen.com/prom/g366/best-prom-theme-ideas) 

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Caterer

Unlike most professions, there is not standard ranking system for caterers.  Anyone regardless of experience can start their own business.  Let’s look at some possible ways to choose a good caterer for your event.  Use the methods to narrow your field.  There a many caterers out there but don’t become overwhelmed by the numbers.

Word of mouth recommendations.

·         Anyone can pay to advertise, but you will not find better advertising than word of mouth.  Ask someone who recently got married or had an event who they used.  Ask how everything went from the first meeting to the event itself.  Even if they had a bad experience, you may find things you never thought to ask your caterer or pitfalls to avoid.

Ask for menus.

·         Not all caterers can do every menu type well.  They should be able to provide you sample menus.  It doesn’t hurt to ask for items not on the menu.  Most caterers cannot list every item they can make in a packet.  A good caterer will be looking to break from the norm as well.

Schedule a tasting.

·         Before I started catering, I was very leery of caterers who would not schedule a tasting.  When I was getting married, the exclusive caterer for the venue we were considering told us we could come to another wedding and sample the food.  I know as a bride I would not be comfortable with strangers at my wedding. 

Consider the caterer’s specialty.

·         Some caterers specialize in large scale events and have the equipment and expertize to handle the larger number of guests.  Other caterers specialize in smaller intimate events, cocktail parties, or specifically delivery & set-up of catered food.  Ask your caterer what their specialty is.  They may not fit the event you are currently planning, but they could be used for a different event.

o   Cannon Events and Catering specializes in catering smaller events or delivery for large events.  Cocktail parties are our favorite.  Additionally, we prefer not to cater events that we are planning and vice versa.

·         In addition to the type of event, ask what their food specialty is.  Not all caterers do bakery items.  If they do not, are you to supply those items such as a cake. 

o   Cannon Events and Catering refers our clients to Jamie Lane Sweets for bakery items.  While we do certain bakery items, it is not our specialty.

Know what they supply.

·         Be sure to ask what kind of rentals the caterer supplies, such as china, silver glasses, linens, etc. Sometimes the reception venue or florist will provide these items.  Make sure you understand what you are suppling.

Consider what services you need.

·         Find out if your caterer only delivers and set-up the food ordered or will they provide staff. If you have a more formal event, you may want service and support staff.  Find out if your caterer has their own service staff or if they hire them from a temp agency for the night.  Those that do not have servers on staff may not be accustom to catering the larger formal events. 

Ask for references. 

·         You are entrusting a single company with one of the largest parts of your event.  Don’t just ask for a list of names of those they have catered for; instead ask for referrals of several recent events they catered.

o   Cannon Events and Catering includes “Love Letters” in our catering packets.  These are feedback from those we have worked with.  We can also give you contact information for some of our clients to ask them questions about working with us.

Inquire about food freshness.

·         Not only if they are using frozen vs. fresh, but when do they start preparing your order and will they be reheating the dish for your event.  You can start with the freshest ingredients, but preparing the items more than they day before and then reheating can lead to a lower quality dish.  

o   Unfortunately, there are companies out there that operate this way.  Especially, if they are making the same dish for more than one order that week.  Some items should be started early to allow the flavors to properly marry or blend.  Certain items like sauces, soups, marinated dishes, etc. need time to blend together properly.  But not everything needs to be made days before.  Ask yourself this, would you make this at home and reheat it for your guests?  If the answer is no, then you shouldn’t hire a caterer that would either.

Contact the local health department.

·         Either by phone or on the county department’s website to see inspection reports, complaints, or issues for the catering company.  Depending on what you find, you may want to consider another company. 

Ask for a Quote.

·         Looking at just the bottom line number is not enough.  The quote should be detailed explaining the cost of each item/area.  This will help determine if the items listed are what you need/want.  This is the time to ask questions and make sure everything is exactly as discussed.  In most cases, the quote becomes part of the contract.

Ask for and read the contract. 

·         Never hire a contractor of any kind without a firm contract in place.  This includes a caterer.  This will protect your interests to ensure what you are paying for is what you are receiving.  Once you have chosen your cater, read through the contract thoroughly to ensure services and pricing are correct.  Do no sign until you have read everything and are confident everything is clear. 

I would like to thank the following sources for helping me write this article:

·         Wikihow.com – Choose a Good Caterer (www.wikihow.com/choose-a-good-caterer)

·         Belvederebanquets.com – 7 Essential Tips for Hiring the Best Caterer for Your Event

(www.belvederebanquets.com/7-essential-tips-for-hiring-the-best-caterer-for-your-event)

·         Canstockphoto.com – Blog Photo (www.canstockphoto.com/illustration/public-catering.html)