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Wedding Blog
July Weddings

We've had so much fun with all our weddings this month!  The weather has finally cooperated and that makes for happy Brides and Grooms - and happy caterers!

We've recently catered wedding receptions at Pt. Gamble's Pavilion, Laurel Creek Manor, Echo Bay Chapel on Fox Island, Fair Harbor Marina, Annie Wright School Commons, Pt. Defiance Pagoda, Thornewood and private homes and venues in Seattle and Lakewood.  We cover south Puget Sound!

Each venue is completely different as are all our weddings.  It's so much fun to cater in such beautiful surroundings and to have our bridal couples and their guests be so appreciative!

When you search for a caterer for your wedding in the Tacoma-Seattle area, be certain that they are familiar with your venue and know the best ways to set up and direct your event.

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Summer Wedding Menus

Summer is finally here in the Pacific Northwest!  When it finally comes, it is simply glorious!

Fresh fruits, melons and berries are at their peak, and are featured in most of the menus our brides have chosen for their wedding receptions this month.  Caprese Salad, that specialty of Italy, is so beautiful on the buffet and the fresh basil vinaigrette is the perfect finishing touch!  Our basil is organically grown and picked each morning for optimum freshness.

Organically grown flowers and herbs are also from Sharon's garden and mornings find her outside harvesting the day's requirements.

In my opinion, the best food has the freshest ingredients, simpy and perfectly prepared.  Healthy eating is so easy this time of year!

Sharon

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Catering Staff

Our professional, trained wait staff are an important part of the sucess of your event.  We hire and train our servers to be attentive to you and your guests as well as training them in proper food handling.

In addition to the food safety classes required by the Health Department, we train our staff in proper sanitation practices, how to transport food at the correct temperatures and how to safely prepare and serve food at the event.

All staff wear disposable gloves when touching any food and/or during preparation of food items. 

You are welcome to visit our kitchen at any time to see how clean and organized it is.  Our chefs wear gloves at all times and also are trained and certified in proper food handling procedures.

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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We're Flexible!

Sometimes, we hit a bump in the road of life and need to make changes in our plans.  It happens to some of our bridal couples and we are happy to work with them to make the necessary changes to their wedding catering.

This is a note we received from one of our brides in just such a situation:

"I just wanted to say thank you again for being so patient with me and re-working my estimate to accommodate the changes that were necessary to my budget.  It really meant a lot to me to still be able to keep you as our caterer!

Thanks a million times!, Melody

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Vegetarian Entree'

This vegetarian entree' was served recently for the Northwest Corks and Crush Dinner/Auction benefiting Good Samaritan Hospital's Cardiac Center.  Not only was it delicious and beautiful, but it was heart-healthy too!

Sweet Red Peppers with a Cous Cous - Quinoa Medley topped with Fresh Goat Cheese, Roasted Washington Asparagus and Ginger Glazed Carrots with Toasted Pecans.

Vegetarian Dinner Entree'

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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LeMay at Marymount Now Open

LeMay America's Car Museum, Marymount, is now officially open for weddings and special events!  Marymount, formerly a boys military academy, is home to the largest private collection of cars in the world.

The 80 acres of grounds boast almost unlimited parking and is located just off Highway 7 in Tacoma.  (Locals know the area as Spanaway.) The historic brick school building features a private chapel seating 100. 

Several rooms are available for events ranging from 100 to 500 guests, seated at tables.  Larger numbers can be accommodated by reception style events or by combining rooms.

Amenities include round tables and chairs, catering service kitchen, new restrooms, ample parking, handicapped access, children's play area in gymnasium.  Beautifully restored automobiles (and some busses, motorcycles and mini-cars!) are displayed for your enjoyment.

This is the hottest ticket in town!  You don't have to be a car buff to be delighted with LeMay at Marymount!

Visit their web site at www.lemaymuseum.org

Oh, did I forget to mention - Snuffin's Catering is a preferred caterer at this fabulous, newly refurbished location!

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Snuffin's Catering Benefits

More Benefits:

3.  Our menu prices are published on our web site and all charges are fully explained and itemized.

If you are comparing catering companies during your planning process, it's so hard to compare apples to apples.  Some caterers give you a total price with no break-down.  Others include items in the proposal without specifying the details of those items.  (Dishes included?  Are they cheap foam disposables, plastic plates, ugly, scratched dishes or high quality, procelain china?  Do you have your choice of colors and patterns of china and flatware?)

Linens come in many quality ranges.  Are you getting square cloths (for round tables) that are available in white or white or white??  Do you have the choice of colors and sizes to complement your decor?  Are you shown all the choices when you meet with your event planner?

Snuffin's Catering always gives you an itemized, line item proposal.  It lists exactly what you will be getting as to staff, rental equipment and other services.

There are no hidden charges. 

4.  We do not charge you for staff gratuities on your invoice. 

We believe gratuities are given for excellent service and that they should be your decision.  (Besides, in the state of Washington, you must pay sales tax on any gratuity that is listed on your invoice.

(The exception is for non-profit events.  Non-profits are often restricted from adding gratuities after being billed.  In those cases, we do add a modest staff grautity to the final invoide.)

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Benefits: Snuffin's Catering

Why choose Snuffin's Catering instead of another?  Other than we're the most respected, high quality caterer in the South Puget Sound, read on for benefits of choosing Snuffin's:

1.  We always promptly return emails and phone calls - always.  Think about the other caterers you've called to get information. 

How many actually have a real person that answers the phone?

How many return your messages or emails the same day?

How many get back to you with your proposal and estimate within one week? 

Or promptly make requested changes to existing proposals?

2.  We offer unlimited phone and email support both before and day-of your event. 

Our phones are monitored on party days and there is always one of our event planners that will answer any questions or last minute concerns.  If your event planner is not available, our owner, Sharon Snuffin, will take care of your questions.  She is either at the office or on her cell phone to be available to party staff and clients during your event.

During the planning process, we are always happy to make changes and modifications to your proposal or plans.  We don't get grumpy when you change your linen color for the 4th time, or ask the same question once again - just to be sure.  We llove what we do and are happy to take care of whatever you need us to do.

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Summer Wedding Special

2010 Summer Wedding Special

A Free Appetizer for your wedding reception buffet!  Your choice of our famous Crab and Artichoke Soufflé in Fluted Phyllo Cups – or – Warm Brie and Berry Tarts when you book your 2010 wedding reception with Snuffin’s Catering between 6/1/2010 and 10/1/2010.

Call us at  253-851-2900

Or email annie@snuffins.com

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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WA State History Museum

We're pleased to be named a preferred caterer for the Washington State History Museum in downtown Tacoma.

Elegant design reminiscent of the historic Federal Building next door makes this a perfect location for your wedding, corporate or social event.

There is an outdoor ampitheatre perfect for your wedding ceremony - if there should be showers - an indoor theatre available as well.

Check them out at

http://www.WashingtonHistory.org/wshm

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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NW Corks & Crush

NW Corks & Crush is the premier wine auction in South Puget Sound and Snuffin's will again cater this prestigious event.  It will be held this coming Saturday, May 22 at the Showpex on the Puyallup Fairgrounds.  This will be our 4th consecutive year partnering with Good Samaritan Hospital on this exciting event.

22 Wineries from around Washington state will be pouring their finest wines, partnered with our delectable appetizers. Surrounded by vintage cars from the the LeMay Museum, guests will sip, mingle and participate in the silent auction as well as bid on cases of exceptional wines from participating wineries.

The proceeds of the silent and live auctions will be Cardiac Service at Good Samaritam Hospital in Puyallup.  To honor the Cardiac program, Snuffin's Catering has designed a heart-healthy menu for the eventing.  Everything from appetizers to the formal dinner and dessert lounge will feature healthy choices.  (Of course, there will be a few decadent desserts lurking in the dessert lounge as well.)

We're at 400 guests and phones are still ringing!

There's still time to join the fun!  Go to http://www.nwcorksandcrush.com/

Tell them Sharon sent you!

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Finding a Venue

Don't have a location for your 2010 wedding yet?  Panicking? Here's some help:

Popular venues book up far in advance for prime Saturdays in the summer.  If you do not yet have your venue secured for your summer or fall wedding, you need to make this your top priority!

To save time, utilize the internet to screen potential locations.  The Knot or Wedding Wire have many listings of local venues.  Our website Venues has all the South Puget Sound wedding venues listed by area.  Along with contact information, we list guest size, amenities and features.

Remember, Saturdays in June, July, August and early Septebmer are booked first.  If the Saturday you want is not available, consider Sunday or Friday.

Some venues offer a lower rental price for Fridays and Sundays.  You also may have a larger choice of other vendors such as caterers and disc jockeys on Fridays and Sundays.

See our other post "Choosing a Wedding Reception Location" for additional tips.

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Agape Manor Photos

These are photos of the new Agape Manor in Enumclaw.  Only 10 miles from Auburn, it's a beautiful setting for the perfect wedding!

Agape Manor VEnue
Pergola for Wedding Ceremony
Tent for Reception
Wedding Catering Tables

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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New Venue- Agape Manor

Agape Manor is a brand new, fabulous country estate in the rolling pastures of the Enumclaw Valley.  It opens tomorrow, Saturday April 24 for the 2010 wedding season.

You have to see this one-of-a-kind venue!  Mt. Rainier is the backdrop to a charming pergola for your wedding ceremony.  Extensive lawns, waterfalls, a 40 X 60 foot terrace for tenting, round tables and chairs, ample parking, handicapped accessible.

Tomorrow's Open House, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, will feature Snuffin's Catering, photographers, cakes, disc jockeys, musicians, wedding planners, florists and much, much more!

There will be a drawing for a FREE venue rental for the 2010 season.  (You must be present to win.)

Come see this spectacular venue, try Chef Sharon's made-to-order Rissotto, and maybe win a free location for your wedding.

Check it out at:  www.apape-manor.com

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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NW Corks and Crush

Tomorrow is our final tasting for the 2010 Corks and Crush Wine Auction this coming May 22nd.  The funds raised will go to the Cardiac and Emergency Departments - so we're doing a delicious heart-healthy dinner.

Of course, a few of the desserts will be decidedly decadent!

Now we get to pair the wines with the menu!  Such hard duty!

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Thornewood Castle March Wedding

Check out our new photos of Thornewood Castle!  We catered Dawn and Roger's beautiful wedding there on March 20 - and it was an amazing warm and sunny day!  In March! 

The happy couple were able to have their photos outdoors in the walled garden and on the front lawn.  Their ceremony was in the Great Hall, with the seated buffet in the Ballroom.  Pale lavender sheer linens were complemented by centerpieces of white tulips and purple freezias.

Click here to view photos from Dawn and Roger's Wedding.

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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BBQ Wedding Menus

A picnic-style wedding menu may be the answer to lowering the food cost of your reception.  Barbecues are fun, casual, kid-friendly and include food that everyone loves!  What's not to like about BBQ Ribs or Chicken, Burgers and Dogs, Potato Salad and Fresh Fruit?

Not only are barbecue menu costs lower than more formal meals, using disposable plates, etc. "goes" with picnic-style food.  Less expensive linens, plastic glasses for beverages, do-it-yourself centerpieces are all ways to hold down costs, yet still have a great time.

We've just added two BBQ menus to our Value Menus for 2010.  Click the link to see if they will work for your budget and wedding theme.

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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New Table Design

Turquoise and all the Ocean Blues are supposed to be the hot colors for 2010. Right?

Interestingly enough, the HOT table designs this year at the International Catering Conference were romantic pinks or classic white.





Do the wedding designers know something we don't?

In any event, these romantic tables are simply fabulous and may be just the inspiration you've been looking for!

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Catersource International Conference

Catersource 2010 - the Largest Gathering of Caterers in the World!  was held in Las Vegas last week.  Over 3,000 caterers from as far away as South Africa, Malaysia and Chile came together to share the newest trends in food and decor, learn from the experts in the culinary, marketing, bridal and management areas and network, network, network!

I was honored to once again present three classes to the group in the Basic Skills category.  I love to teach this area because I think it is the foundation of sucess particularly for new caterers.  My classes went well and were well attended.  I was able to take many interesting classes from the "stars" in the caterering world and some of the top chefs in the nation.

Stay tuned for new menu and decor ideas for the coming season!

Sharon

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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Average Wedding Costs

The Knot, the global leader in wedding information both in print and internet, has just released statistics for the 2009 wedding year:

There were 2.2 MILLION weddings in 2009.

The national average a bride spends on catering is $10,465.

The average cost per guest is $68.00.

It certainly would be interesting to know how the Pacific Northwest compares to the national average, wouldn't it!

Posted by: Sharon Snuffin
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