Photo Courtesy of Something Pretty.net
With the gorgeous late spring warm weather right now, we are particularly inspired by mint. Whether it be the classic mint julep or a mint champagne, mint is never out of style. For summer events, having a signature cocktail where the presentation includes mint is always a refreshing welcome for guests. There are many non-alcoholic mint beverage options as well. But there is something about the classic mint julep that is Read more »
By Ursula O'Neill on May 10th, 2013. Categories: Event Planning Tips.
Tags: classic mint julep, mint beverage recipes, mint cocktails, mint drinks for summer, mint julep recipe, summer drink inspiration
We have had in increase in requests for tea-related events. Whether they be bridesmaids luncheons, baby showers, graduation parties , rehearsal “lunches”, or birthday parties, Santa Barbara is always a perfect location for a celebratory tea party.
It has been said that “tea is just so civilized”. With vintage events being in the full swing of popularity, there is a return to some of the traditions of a bygone era. There is nothing so wonderful as Read more »
By Ursula O'Neill on May 8th, 2013. Categories: All, Event Planning Tips.
Tags: baby shower tea, birthday party tea, bridesmaid tea, bridesmaids lunch ideas, english tea history, english tea ritual, ideas for tea parties, santa barbara tea, tea menus, vintage event
With the movie The Great Gatsby coming out right on the heels of vintage -themed weddings already being “in” for several years now, we thought we’d take a look at the food and beverage side of partying like it was 1922.
Firstly, any party in the 1920′s was always preceded with a Read more »
By Ursula O'Neill on May 7th, 2013. Categories: All, Event Planning Tips.
Tags: 1920's food, food of the 1920s, Great Gatsby beverage, great gatsby event location, Great Gatsby food, Great Gatsby menu, Great Gatsby party, great gatsby tea, great gatsby themed, great gatsby themed corporate event, Great Gatsby themed event ideas, great gatsby themed fundraiser, Great Gatsby wedding, speakeasy food
For those who love the land, there are so many Santa Barbara wedding locations, including those ocean-loving beach front wedding venues. But for those who love the sea so much that they must make it a part of their wedding or special event, the Channel Cat is truly a memorable experience you and your guests will never forget.
The views from the Santa Barbara Channel are Read more »
By Ursula O'Neill on May 3rd, 2013. Categories: All, Corporate Events, Event Planning Tips, Social Events, Vendor Partners, Wedding Events.
Tags: boat weddings santa barbara, catering for channel cat, channel cat catering, channel cat cruises, corporate event cruises, harbor cruises, private boats for private events, rehearsal dinner cruises, santa barbara boat weddings, santa barbara channel islands cruises, santa barbara channel weddings, santa barbara weddings on the ocean, the channel cat, wedding cruises, weddings on the ocean
The weather in Santa Barbara has been sublime lately and is whispering of life’s celebration events which really hit a crescendo from now through August. With so many great schools around Santa Barbara and with the end of the school year rapidly approaching comes another season that we welcome annually: graduation. Graduations are one of our favorite types of events because, like weddings, families and friends from all over come together to celebrate the next chapter in a loved one’s life and all their accomplishments thus far. And what better way to come together to do just that than Read more »
By Ursula O'Neill on April 25th, 2013. Categories: All, Event Planning Tips, Social Events.
Tags: catering for graduation parties, catering santa barbara style, citrus salmon, graduation catering, graduation luncheon buffet, graduation party ideas, graduation party menus, graduation santa barbara style, graduation tea party, santa barbara graduation, santa barbara graduation catering, spice rubbed broiled chicken
In honor of Earth Day, we pause to contemplate some ideas that pertain to our unique special event industry and how we can make a difference in our every day line of work as it pertains to producing events. While there are many tips listed below that you have probably heard or seen before, we wanted to draw particular attention to the last one: environmentally-friendly rentals and rental practices for a special event. Many just focus on the decor and food being eco-friendly and forget about the event rentals.
While there are many ideas out there, below is just a quick sampling: Read more »
By Ursula O'Neill on April 22nd, 2013. Categories: All, Event Planning Tips.
Tags: catering eco friendly weddings, eco chic weddings, eco friendly event rentals, eco friendly santa barbara weddings, eco friendly wedding favor ideas, eco friendly wedding ideas, eco friendly weddings, environmentally friendly weddings
If you have ever had an event catered by Santa Barbara’s special event full service caterer Catering Connection, you may have met the people in the front of the house (your Events Manager, serving team, Maitre D’, etc). But what few know is that the backbone of any amazing event where exquisite and fresh food is served is the team in the kitchen – behind the scenes. These are the individuals whose job it is to time the delivery of your courses perfectly and not begin the preparation or cook time one second too soon or too late in order to ensure that what is delivered in front of the house is going to meet or exceed the guests’ expectations. If the event is running early – or late- it is their job to try and make up for it with the food preparation and timing in the kitchen . They are also in charge of ensuring that the ingredients that are ordered for your menu are from the freshest and best food purveyors.
Introducing the man who Read more »
By Ursula O'Neill on April 22nd, 2013. Categories: All.
Tags: award-winning Santa barbara caterer catering connection, catering connection, catering connection chef, catering connection staff, cuisine chez vous, full service catering, full service santa barbara caterer, santa barbara catering
Santa Barbara beach wedding locations directly on the beach are few and far between. Major Santa Barbara resorts with ocean views are generally located across a street from the beach itself. The Cabrillo Arts Pavilion offers a gorgeous Santa Barbara beach wedding location which is ideal for nuptials on the sand (or not) and also with sweeping ocean views during the reception. The spacious indoor ballroom has an A-framed, wood-beamed ceiling, features Mediterranean Read more »
By Ursula O'Neill on April 7th, 2013. Categories: All, Wedding Events.
Tags: bailey djs, beach ceremonies in santa barbara, Cabrillo Arts Center weddings, cabrillo arts pavilion, Cabrillo Arts Pavilion Weddings, catering and cabrillo arts pavilion, Discount Party Rentals, Elegant wedding dinner buffet, gene smith audio video, rincon floral, rob chan photography, santa barbara beach wedding locations, santa barbara beach weddings, santa barbara wedding catering, weddings at santa barbara beaches
Anyone calling the offices of Catering Connection is sure to have an international experience with the various voices answering the phones. From Irish-born and raised Founder/CEO Ursula O’Neill to Events Manager, Philippe Berger, born and raised in France. Catering Connection clients experience the best of world class service and menus when working with the diverse team at Catering Connection.
Few understand the demanding role of an Events Manager in the food and beverage world, but when it comes to an award-winning boutique full service caterer, the role of Events Manager becomes even more diverse, complex and takes on even more duties. From Read more »
By Ursula O'Neill on March 31st, 2013. Categories: All.
Tags: ACCOR hotels, catering connection, Cooks Bay, el encanto, French Air Force, General Forget, Hotel Ibis, Hotel Lesdiguier, Ibis, ISES Ventura, Kaveka Village, NACE, NACE Ventura, Novotel, philippe berger, santa barbara catering, sofitel, Tahiti
We have the opportunity to produce many Santa Barbara beach events- including Santa Barbara beach weddings on the gorgeous sandy shores of America’s own Riviera, Santa Barbara. While many of our own beach weddings can be viewed right here on our BLOG, we thought we’d share some inspiration boards that included other fabulous beach wedding ideas. Happy Spring! Read more »
By Ursula O'Neill on March 26th, 2013. Categories: All, Event Planning Tips.
Tags: beach wedding ideas, santa barbara beach caterer, santa barbara beach event, santa barbara beach weddings
