I attended a wedding earlier this month, and was surprised that on each table there were, scoops, cute little candy bags, and about 4 old fashioned glass candy jars filled with an array of assorted candy. Also, on the side of the room there was a long table with a server whom offered other variety of candy. I mean this was a spread even Willy Wonka would be proud of. Apparently Candy Buffets Bars are a spreading craze at wedding receptions and other events. Instead of over priced or cheesy favors, they’re being replaced with candy buffet style favors.

I’d typically thought, a candy buffet would be cool for a children’s party. However, it’s works out for many different events. Take a wedding for example; coordinating the candy can ultimately complement the décor and theme of the wedding, adding to the overall beauty. And you can never go wrong with coordinated colors; though, random selection can offer the same type of sophistication if arranged in the right way. Of course candy buffets can be fashioned without breaking the budget. Bulk suppliers can provide cost effective ways to create your ideal buffet. Some suppliers even organize by color, theme, or occasions to simplify the selection. You can also customize labels for the theme of the event. Try to be generous with the candy; if the tables overflow with candy, you have presence. You don’t want to be disappointment because the buffet didn’t look substantial enough or you didn’t have enough for your guest.

Why are candy buffet becoming so popular? Well, choosing the right favor can be a difficult task. You don’t want to end the night picking up a bunch of favors that guest left behind because they didn’t really like them. Personally, when I go to a wedding or any other event; I’ll take a favor, but it eventual winds up in storage or worse case; the trash. Sad but true. However, with the candy, I choose what I wanted, and how much I wanted and I ate it at my leisure.
Some may argue that the buffet lacks class and elegance. I’ve come to find that more people prefer them, than not. I think it really all comes down to how well the planner puts it all together.

NORTHJERSEY.COM : ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT : ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

NORTH JERSEY — This is the game that even non-football fans wait for. But you’re no part time fan. Despite the Giants being 7-7 two weeks before the end of the season, you knew they’d make it to the Super Bowl.

Blue chips and a blue drink: combine vodka, blue Curacao, and pineapple juice.
No great party is ever executed alone. Someone in the kitchen and another in the TV room will ensure full coverage entertainment.

Christy Bareijsza of Pompton Lakes and The Red Carpet Events party planning suggests donning plenty of big blue colors. Foods like blue Terra chips, blue M&Ms and bleu cheese for your hot wings will keep the fans cheering, especially when you coordinate your decorations to make the living room look like the Giants’ end zone.

Keep the blue theme going with the drinks by serving Blue Moon beer and Blue Hawaii Martinis, Bareijsza said. Blue LED ice cubes will give the drinks and the décor an extra rush for a touchdown.

Try a tailgate type party with small tables of food and coolers of beer spread like the offense, Ringwood native Daryl Johnson said. Plenty of televisions will ensure no one is blindsided and misses a play, he added. Giving door prizes after each quarter is a guaranteed touchdown.

It’s first half and the starters are down for the count. Time for the second string. Out come the boxes of frozen mozzarella sticks and pan pizzas.

While Madonna is entertaining is a good time for the half time hoagie. Don’t forget the meatballs. Cupcakes iced in red white and blue, or like tiny footballs, are the game winning field goal for any Super Bowl party.

Blue Hawaii Martini

8 ounces of vodka (1 cup)

2 ounces of blue curacao (1/4 cup)

2 ounces of pineapple juice (1/4 cup)

Blue LED ice cubes

In a pitcher, combine vodka, blue Curacao, and pineapple juice. Place ice cubes in a martini shaker. Add the liqueur mixture; shake.

Strain into four chilled martini glasses.

What is a contract addendum?

Wikipedia states ” In other documents, most importantly in contracts, an addendum is the additional text not included in the main text which may contain additional specifications, provisions, standard forms or other information, especially pricing information. A contract addendum is identical to a contract appendix (addendum is used more commonly).

Why do you need one?

When is it appropriate to use one?

For instance:

A hotel sends you a contract for meeting space and a hotel room block, should you just sign it and send it back? Of course not. You have to remember that since the hotel is sending the contract, they are the ones protecting themselves. So, who is going to protect you? That’s right, YOU. Understanding labor laws, strikes, over booking, meeting space assignments and inflation clauses are so key in building the proper skeleton to ensure your event is a success.

That being said, dissecting each contract paragraph and researching the meaning behind the terminology will help you understand and mitigate the possibility of incorrect interpretation. Allowing a balanced agreement will also help. A favorite term is “mutually agreed upon”, that gives you the right to have a joint decision with the venue vs. it being dictated directly by them.

Also, don’t be afraid to mark up the contract. Make a mess! But also remember to initial and date each change and confirm that the venue does so too. If your preference is a cleaner contract, pull your highlighted clauses and changes and compile them in an addendum. Just be sure that the addendum overrides the contract otherwise it’s a mute point. Getting the venue to agree to a second document may be more difficult but is definitely an option.

Don’t let the venue bully you! Do your homework. For example, a prestigious hotel in NYC informed me that written changes weren’t legal in a contract, but then didn’t realize that clause #22 “required all changes to be signed and dated by both parties”. Education is key!

Good luck negotiating and if you have any further questions, feel free to email us at info@theredcarpetevents.com.

If you are not from NYC or a major city in the United States, you may not be the most familiar with a Union supporting your production staff when planning an event. It sounds simple having a designated “in-house” staff but it can have it’s complications.

Originally blossoming in strength from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Presidential Administration with the establishment of the WPA, the Labor Unions and related associations were elevated to protect workers that had been taken advantage of post Depression. Fast forward 70+ years and we’re presently facing another “recession” and another labor issue in itself. We now are being forced to deal with often mediocre work, the threats of strikes and in general, overpriced labor. You HAVE to work with these organizations, how to you make it work for you?

The first suggestion is to understand the purpose of the Union, ask questions and get to know the mediator. We’re in a tight economy and the event business has been few and far between. Some work is better then no work and often they are willing to give into combining their labor with your non-union labor. Talk to the mediator about your budget, union labor can often be double the price of non-union and although it won’t be the same price, at least there may be a way they can reduce your costs. In this day and age it’s all about communication and the understanding of what both parties are trying to accomplish. With that approach, you will save yourself unnecessary resistance that could ultimately hinder your event. Besides, a blow up rat and picket signs isn’t aways the best option for decor!