Your reception should have a little drama…not the kind where your Aunt Julie decides to fight with your Uncle Mike, but the kind of drama that takes your breath away when you walk into the party.

Some event spaces are so lovely, they provide their own drama…beautiful chandeliers, marble floors and large windows looking out to a spectacular garden.

Unfortunately, these rooms are usually beyond the budget of many brides. Don’t despair, you and your florist or party planner can create a pretty, dramatic space for your wedding reception almost anywhere.

The key to drama is to begin with as simple a background as possible. If the walls in the reception hall are an unacceptable color, or are too “busy” with unattractive artwork and dreadful “views”, the best suggestion would be to order “pipe & drape” for at least 3 walls and the ceiling. This system of gathered white fabric covers everything, much like the inside of a gorgeous tent or the frosting on your wedding cake, creating a uniform background to begin your creative fun.

Lighting is one of the best dramatic tools. With “pipe & drape” you can choose your color to flood the walls and ceiling. Select your wedding color…perhaps a gorgeous raspberry shade, and you will have instant drama. Up lighting plants, the cake table, or even illuminating individual centerpieces can add additional sparkle. Don’t forget the power of candlelight….I never do a party without tons of small votive candles placed everywhere.

The centerpieces for a dramatic look don’t have to be huge, complex structures. It does help to have height, but tall, or short, one of the most powerful floral effects is to choose one variety and color of flower, and use it in abundance. For example, in our reception room we’re creating, we’ve draped the room and flooded the walls and ceiling with raspberry lighting, scattered votive lights everywhere, brought in masses of raspberry colored peonies and simply placed them in vases short or tall. We’re on track for a breath taking effect.

Choose table linens, napkins and possibly chair covers in the same color as the lighting, or this is a place to add a pop of color that makes the whole space sing!

Unless you have a real eye, it’s best to limit your color pallet to one or two shades.

These are the basics of a dramatic environment for maximum effect. Share your ideas with your florist or party planner and together you can create a magical experience for your guests.

“Within the span of an hour at the DSIC holiday party, I was able to connect with two potential new clients, planted the seeds for a new collaboration, met one of my new Victory Blvd neighbors, had a mini-meeting 3 months overdue & laughed with the man responsible for one of my favorite street photographs. ” said local photographer Mike Shane who utilized the event as a networking opportunity “Staten Island is already a small world; gatherings like this make it even smaller, in the best possible way!”

Check out this slide show of the event by Flint Fotos:

Each of the aforementioned ceremonies included one of Sherman Heller’s children and each wedding has been a pleasure to work on. We anticipate catering the ceremony for his daughter Brandy which will be the fourth and final wedding, completing the superfecta!

Photo by Jennifer MacFarlane

The ceremony for Russell & Heather was certainly one to write home about. Held on Oct 10th at the Fire Museum in New York City. With beautiful decor, great food and an impromptu dance number featuring songs ranging from “(I’ve had) The Time of My Life” to “Here comes the Hotstepper” Beautiful photos from the event, taken by Jennifer MacFarlane, can be found at Pictage.com.

Check out this awesome video of Russell & Heather doing their surprise dance number!:

Other events catered for the Heller Family include Sherman’s 50th and 70th Birthday party, as well as Linda’s father’s 90th birthday at Edgewater Hall.

More information about the event after the jump:

“Relationship Ed Before Sex Ed” is the motto of The Relationship Foundation. Over the last year, I developed and taught a program called Healthy Relationships 101 at a top-rated Manhattan high school. The class was a huge success, and was the inspiration in developing a curriculum of common sense information about how to be in a fulfilling relationship.

Working with a group of dedicated professionals, The Relationship Foundation is reaching out to schools everywhere. Our purpose is simply to help relieve the struggle and suffering that affects so many relationships.

For more details, as well as a short video, please visit our website at: www.therelationshipfoundation.org

Check out more at 12years.org

Chez Vous Caterers and Party Rentals is 25 years old this year! To celebrate this momentus occasion we’re offering an amazing value to our customers. Our buffet menu which usually costs $22 per person is practically being given away at $16 per person!

The very best part is that you can enjoy this amazing deal from anywhere you’re party is happening! Chez Vous will gladly deliver your buffet to any location, we’ll even bring the tables and chairs!*. Wherever your occasion is being hosted, your food will arrive. We also provide talented servers and bartenders* so you can sit back and enjoy your meal without concern.

Chez Vous. Great Food at inspiring prices! Check out the Anniversary Buffet Menu!

*Party Rentals (Tables and Chairs) and Staff can be reserved at additional cost.

Chez Vous went on a road trip Saturday August 29th, to Candlewood Lakes in New Fairfield Connecticut to cater Peter’s 40^th birthday party. The guests all dressed in white, which complemented a beautiful all white décor. They enjoyed an elegant cocktail party followed by a viennese table and chocolate fountain. Chef Ettore Mazzei along with Executive Chef Jerry Modig prepared and cooked the hors d’oeuvres, pasta bar ,carving station and desserts at Peter’s summer home. The guests listened and danced to the awesome sounds of “The Blues Band”

Chez Vous caterers are experts when it comes to the tradition and elegance of High Tea. If you’re looking for something different to provide th spice of variety for your guests, high tea has both the tradition and novelty to make your occasion one that will be remembered for years to come.

High tea is an Americanized version of the English culture’s tea meals. Wikipedia explains the origins of the tradition which originated out of Great Britain:

“It would usually consist of cold meats, eggs or fish, cakes and sandwiches. In a family, it tends to be less formal and is an informal snack (featuring sandwiches, biscuits, pastry, fruit and the like) or else it is the main evening meal.”

Please check out our High Tea Menu here.

Last month, Staten Island photographer David Giordano made his way up to Shandelee Lake Inn and captured some beautiful snapshots of the decor and atomosphere during Lindsay and Troy’s wedding.

David runs and operates Freshgrafix.net, a photography and web firm based out of Staten Island, NY. The site’s about page describes the origins of his one man operation

“In January 2006 I bought my first digital slr. That opened a word of opportunity. By that time I started working as a full time web developer and started to get jobs taking photos of products for E-commerce websites. Most of my paid photography jobs at that time were shooting clothing or jewelry for boutiques located in Staten Island, NY”

Since then David has photographed at large events like the Vans Warped Tour and for DJ Rich Russo of WRXP 101.9 in NY.

When asked about his experience, David recalled his first impressions of the Inn “On my arrival to Shandelee all I could keep thinking is “why haven’t I gone here sooner!” It was such an amazing place tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Being from the city it was such a nice brief vacation. The grass even looked better out there!. The views in Shandelee are simply breathtaking”

Below you can find a gallery of the images from David’s trip:

Here at Chez Vous caterers and Dock Stree ‘On Location’ we are very excited to be a part of this year’s Siren Music Festival (also known as SirenFest if you’re hip enough.) On Saturday July 18th, We’ll be backstage providing some amazing food and ambiance for the performers.  What is it that makes this job stand out from any other catering gig?

The SirenFest is  an event that draws fans of the indie and experimental rock that comprises the bulk of Sirenfest’s performers, as the concert itself is held in high esteem for its high-quality sound and performances and for being free of charge. In other words, it’s kind of a big deal.

Siren proclaims itself “premier outdoor indie rock festival,” back in 2005 the event drew upwards of 100,000 fans. It’s association with the popular NY newspaper The Village Voice, which is also free of charge, also makes siren that much more interesting and hip.

Performers at previous Siren Festivals have included: Modest Mouse, Spoon, Guided by Voices, The Von Bondies, The Shins, Hot Hot Heat, Death Cab For Cutie, Cursive and The New York Dolls.

With all of that in mind, we’ll be there taking in the atmosphere, the music, and the un-mistakable New York experience.  In an event that promises to be unpredictable as new york, we can promise one thing… That the food will be excellent as the service backstage!