While many women and men get the itch to lose weight during the months leading up to their wedding, a recent Huffington Post article suggests that being a few pounds over might not be the worst thing in the world.

While it’s no secret that we live in an age where body image and self-consciousness might be seen by some as being at an all-time high, Wedding columnist Sarah Jenks suggests that while helping someone who wants to lose weight is a very admirable goal and one that is perfectly healthy, what isn’t so healthy is for someone to have a drive to be thin.

Jenks makes the argument for focusing on being secure with the body you have/want over wanting to be up to a physical standard:

I know from experience that dieting does not create confidence or self-worth. I know so many brides who lose weight for their wedding, still feel insecure and gain all the weight back on the honeymoon. Skipping the “weight loss” and working directly on our insecurities is the only way to create a confident and sexy bride. And amazingly enough, it’s the most effective weight loss strategy and the ONLY way it’s permanent.

In essence, by being comfortable with yourself first, you are then free to make the call on weight loss on your own terms (mostly one of wanting to be healthy, not thin) and not because of a preconceived self-consciousness.

And remember, as always, when it comes time to prepare for your special day, chez vous caterers is there to help you plan-out every step of the way.

Congratulations to all of our friends in the LGBT community who can now participate in the act of marriage in New York City. We at chez vous catering and party rental wish you all the best and would like to do our part by giving you a few places around the city to choose from when deciding on who and how to officiate your ceremony.

First up are the fine people over at New York Marriages. One look at their website will tell you that these guys know what they are doing. They have all the facts and prerequisites on-point and will help guide you softly into the comfort and joy of your wedding day with the ease and skill needed to make sure that everything you need is on the up-and-up for your big moment.

Next is The Center (the LGBT Community Center of NYC) on West 13th street in NYC. The Center, while not specifically a place for you and your significant other to go to get your actual license, is the closest thing and is noted here because of it’s vast amount of resources available to gay and lesbian couples; from the basic information about marriage licenses and what it takes to obtain one in New York City to a very detailed breakdown of the legal rights same sex couples are entitled to under the new law.

Another great officiant here in New York City is Kim Worley; an interfaith minister whose weddings have been featured in the NY Times, The Knot, and Brides.com as well as a fairly lengthy list of client quotes greatly approving of her services. You cancheck her out over at www.officiantnyc.com

But probably your best bet to find the person for your wedding is the marriage officiant database, where you will find every type of officiant of every faith that will allow gay marriage. No matter what situation you are in, you will find the right person for the job to officiate your special day.

And remember, chez vous catering and party rental is here for YOU! When it’s time to celebrate your special day, let us help you in planning out a wedding that will delight even the most-discerning of tastes. We’ll create the atmosphere you desire in your home, office, under a tent, or you may choose from one of our exclusive party spaces. Contact us today for more info!

Perhaps you’re like me: drives a EV recycles, conserves energy and uses all natural products in the household. But now that your big day is coming up, what about your wedding? Perhaps with all the planning involved, you didn’t think of the ecological impact a wedding and reception can have or perhaps you thought it might turn off your friends and family who are not as Eco-conscious as you are. Put your worries to rest and follow us on the green trail with suggestions for your Eco-friendly wedding.

Paper

In a wedding, paper is used for everything from the invitations to the party favors to being a part of centerpieces and even the bouquet. Yet you are an Eco-minded person so you want your wedding to reflect that. One way is to use 100% or partially recycled paper, for all the party favors and other things, which not only cuts down on paper waste but also makes the statement to your guests that everything old is new again. Another way to cut down on waste is to use the Internet. Utilizing the power of the many websites for registering guests, listing the flow of events from the wedding to the reception, and making the initial announcement to your family and friends via mass e-mail not only drastically cuts down on paper waste but also reaches far more people in less time and saves you money in the end.

Flora

Flowers play such a huge part in weddings, not only in the bouquet but also in centerpieces and even the tiara of the veil. One thing that can help is to get your flowers locally. Having them brought from another state or even another country is unwise as they wouldn’t be native to where your wedding is stationed. Another thing involving flowers is that you can give them away as favors to your guests. Try having seedlings gift wrapped with 100% recycled paper at each table with a “Thank You” note attached. Or having them mailed to everyone after the wedding and reception.

Wedding Bands

No, I’m not talking about a mariachi band, but the wedding bands you both put on each other’s fingers. I’m sure by now you’ve heard of “blood diamonds”, the diamonds that are mined in parts of Africa that are the result of slave labor. How can anyone in good conscience support such an abomination by buying a diamond from anyone that sells them from such misery? Fortunately there are alternatives such as diamonds that come from community mines or even man-made diamonds. Also, there are bands that are created from recycled gold and platinum and even wooden bands that you can both purchase.

Wedding Dresses
Ok, you’re probably wondering why this is here. Often, it takes alot to manufacture a dress… especially a wedding dress. So what does an eco-conscious person do about this? Why buy or rent a used wedding dress! There are many places you can get one from, like Brides Against Breast Cancer or the tried and true method of borrowing your mom’s wedding dress. As well, there are alternative fabrics you can find for your dress such as those made with hemp or organic cotton. Once the day is over, please donate your dress to the Brides Against Breast Cancer or save it to give to your own daughter when it’s her turn.

Mazel Tov!!!

Whenever you’ve partied, you no doubt danced like you couldn’t get enough, and partaken in any foods that were available. A party is a good time and something that should be remembered for years to come, but what about your own or that of one for whom you would like to surprise? What about the wedding reception you and your spouse-to-be wanted so that both your families can celebrate your union? It is times like these where you must put together lists to make sure all the “T”s have been crossed and the “I”s dotted. But what goes into finding the right kind of event hall for your specific party??

Do Not Go Into It With Blinders On

Say you’ve found nice place, not everything is as you’d want it, but the price is good and it can make do. But what’s this? There’s 4 other places that offer nearly everything or everything you wanted in an event hall for your party with varying prices, some cost more to rent than what the first place had to offer and others that were more competitive in price. So just because the first place you went to seems nice, don’t forget that there is probably other game in town that you can feel out and see for yourself if it’s a good fit for your planned party.

Location, Location, Location

While it is important to think of where you’re going to have the party at, look at all the things you must consider before deciding on a location. How many guests are coming? Is there adequate space to accommodate them? What about parking space? Is there going to be enough room for X amount of cars?

Another thing about location, how much privacy is going to be afforded to you and your guests? Perhaps a location within the city might not be such a great idea after all. What about somewhere within the suburbs? I know we’d all want to have a hall in the center of town that everyone can get to easily, but the point stands that you more than likely want some measure of privacy for your and your guests.

Necessary Amenities

Any large party is going to require food and drink and places in which to hold or prepare said food and drink. Are you and any others providing cold drinks for the party? Will there need to be food warmed up or actually cooked where your party is to be? What about the lighting? Is it adjustable? Is it bright enough so that everyone will be able to see clearly when on the dance floor or seating themselves at the table?

For the purpose of your party, whatever it is, it is important to consider these points so that you and your guests can enjoy themselves without fretting over parking space or if the drinks are cold enough.

Mazel Tov!

This spring chez vous catered the wedding of Dwayne and Nicole with celebrity party planner David Tutera. In this clip from David’s reality show “My Fair Wedding“, Chef Louis discusses the appetizers prepared by chez vous for the occasion.

I presented tonight at the Great Bridal Extravaganza at the Metropolitan Pavillion in NYC. I was surprised at the number of brides that were overwhelmed at the expensive prices  to cater their wedding. After adding in the location fee, caterer, party rentals, staff, bar service and flowers, they were shocked at the expensive quotes they received. One bride said, ” I am about to give up.”

Caterers are categorized as on premise or off premise caterers.  An on premise caterer provides catering in their own space. Their chef provides the food and china service, bar service and staff is included in one price. An off premise caterer provides catering at your home, office or location of choice. There are separate companies that provide the space, catering, party rentals and decorations. As a rule of thumb off premise catering is more expensive than on premise catering. Sometimes off premise events can run between $175 to $400 per person to the surprise of many. Some couples find out how expensive off premise catering can be after they leave a deposit on their space. Before leaving a deposit on your off premise space, make sure you have your vendors selected and make sure they are within your budget

chez vous owns two exclusive locations that there clients use for weddings and special events, The Historical Edgewater Hall in Downtown Staten Island and Shandelee Lake Inn in the Catskill Mountains. Full service wedding prices run between $70 & $80 per person. They are also one of the few catering companies in the country that provides both catering and party rentals when catering off premise, saving their clients up to 50%.  chez vous offers one stop shopping for catering at your home, office or your specialty location of choice.  We provide catering, party rentals, staff, bar service and flowers. Full service prices for off premise events runs between $80 & $100 per person. Call us to make your affair everyting you imagined.

chez vous caterers & PJ Charltons, a well established Italian Restaurant in the West Village has catered and continues to cater many events together. Some of the memorable events include Turner Construction 100th year anniversary & Saatchi & Saatchi Italian night.

When catering special events together, chez vous, a full service caterer and party rental company provides the hors d’oeuvres, tables, chairs, linens, china service and staff.  PJ Charltons provides dinner, bar service and dessert.

Events can be catered at your home, office or you can choose from one of our exclusive party spaces in and around nyc to include nyc fire museum, midtown loft & terrace, Alice Austen House, the south pavilion in Rye, Bartow-Pell Mansion in Pelham Bay or anyone of our lofts, ballrooms, yachts and outdoor gardens.

chez vous Edgewater Hall 691 Bay Street Stapleton, Shandelee Lake Inn, Livingston Manor & PJ Charltons Restaurant 549 Greenwich Street, nyc invites off premise caterers to their sites and supports them with party rentals, staff, flowers and event planning.

To make your affair everything you imagined, call chez vous caterers at 718 720 0900 and PJ Charltons at 212 924 9532.

You may know that chez vous worked on a recent episode of My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. On the WeTV network’s official blog, there is now a photo gallery of shots from that airing featuring the wedding of Nicole (The Poker Bride) and her new husband Dwayne.

To see all of the photos from our episode click here.