Wedding Stories | Jessica + Ian | Week 3: The Big Day | Orlando Science Center

We are so excited to share the grand finale to Jessica and Ian’s wedding story with you today! After three meetings and plenty of fluid communication with Puff ‘n Stuff Catering Special Event Planner, Heidi Brice, Jessica and Ian were ready to step out and enjoy their magical wedding day. A spectacular wedding like this one is produced by a collection of talented wedding pros working together to bring the couple’s vision and dreams to life. A special thank you to the Orlando Science Center, Encore Creations, VHVIDEO.COM, Chic Event Furniture, Harps Unlimited, The Redcoats, and Kristin Mizo Photography for your incredible contributions to Jessica and Ian’s special day.

Join us and watch the Curry-Garlic wedding day unfold!

Thank you for following Jessica and Ian’s wedding story with us for the last three weeks! We hope their journey inspired you and got you excited to begin planning your own special event. If you have questions or are ready to get started, just give us a call!

Wedding Stories | Jessica + Ian | Week 2: The Tasting | Orlando Science Center

Happy Tuesday and welcome to week two of Jessica Curry and Ian Garlic’s wedding story! If you missed last week’s post, be sure to catch up. Today, we are joining the happy couple just a few months before their big day as they taste the primary dishes in their wedding reception menu. The tasting is every couple’s favorite wedding planning meeting, and it’s ours too!

The cuisine is especially important to Jessica and Ian because cooking together, trying new foods, and discovering unique restaurants truly are a few of their favorite things. And if you haven’t noticed their “spicy surnames” yet, take a moment to think about their incredible fortune to find each other and fall into delicious foody love!

Jessica and Ian have chosen an Action Station menu that will offer their guests a variety of unique dishes prepared live by our chefs and presented as small plates. To learn more about Action Stations, click here!

Please join us as Jessica and Ian enjoy one of the things that set Puff ‘n Stuff Catering weddings apart – their complimentary, personal tasting!

If you watched closely, you caught a sneak peak of the custom dish incorporating both curry and garlic designed by our Executive Chef Paul Lorrain, exclusively for Jessica and Ian’s big day!

Again, thank you to our talented friends at VHVIDEO.COM for capturing this wedding story. Join us next week for the big reveal – Jessica and Ian’s wedding reception!

 

 

Trends | Centerpieces | All Eyes On the Center!

While we hold many wedding traditions dear, we love inspiring, of-the-moment centerpiece creations! The new trends show that brides are using their creative license to imagine, create and showcase their personalities through centerpieces. With so many DIY tips and tutorials available on sites like Pinterest and YouTube,  original and crafty centerpieces are rising to new heights on today’s tablescapes.  Whether your style is glitzy and glamorous, au natural, or modern chic, the possibilities are endless!

Using themed centerpieces unique to each table is a great creative trend right now. Fruit is also making a fresh new statement on the tablescape, from accents in floral arrangements to baskets and goblets brimming over with ripe fruits. Brides are also utilizing new materials such as wood rounds, paper products, color dyes, and earthy elements like rocks, sand and plants such as echeveria to make the centerpieces their own unique masterpiece. Check out the collages below for some of our favorite trending centerpieces!

Modern Marvels

 

Garden Paths

 

Natural Love

Collage 1:
Left: Paper Doiley Chandelier
Top Right: Bubbly Balls
Bottom Right: Designs by Ahn

Collage 2:
Top Left: Tea Cups & Saucers
Bottom Left: Layered Vases
Top Right: Terrarium
Bottom Right: Clipboard Candles

Collage 3:
Left: Ripe Fruit
Top Right: Woodsy Wedding
Bottom Right: Apple Blossom

Trends | Wedding Shoes | The Perfect Pair

The plain and simple white heel that’s been around for ages is finally stepping back. Walking the bride down the aisle is an important job requiring style, and lots of it! So in with the hot pops of color, philanthropy, words of love, and elegant additions!

Pops of Color
Colored shoes have made a grand entrance into many weddings from bright colors to mix-and-matching bright colors. Not only do bold heels add an element of fun, they give you a good reason to show off your dancing shoes!

Shoes with a Purpose
Another trend we’re seeing is shoes that give back. With all the money spent on weddings, it’s great to know that the shoes you’re wearing not only look amazing, but are also helping someone else in need. One of our favorite companies is TOMS Shoes. For every pair of shoes purchased TOMS matches a pair of shoes for a child in need.

Words of Love
It’s all about the details from head to toe… including the bottom of those beloved wedding shoes! From appliques and stickers to writing a sweet note to remember, Brides & Grooms are finding clever ways to share their words of love, special dates and of course the ever famous “I DO.”

Elegant Additions
You’re wedding shoes should be as unique as you are. From pearls and embellishments to flowers and glitter, there are so many fun ways to dress your feet. Whether you’re going for classy, elegant or trendy, the possibilities are endless with these pretty little additions. Look below to see some of our favorite wedding shoes!

Pops of Color

 

Shoes with a Purpose

 

Words of Love

 

Elegant Additions

Collage 1:

Top Left: My Glass Slipper
Top Right: Cherry Tree Lane
Bottom Left: Etsy
Bottom Right: Bridal Buds

Collage 2:

TOMS Wedding Collection

Collage 3:

Top Left: Zank You
Top Right: Contemporary Bride
Bottom Left: Zank You
Bottom Center: Zank You
Bottom Right: Etsy

Collage 4:

Top Left: Etsy
Top Right: You & You’re Wedding
Bottom Left: Pinterest
Bottom Center: Pinterest
Bottom Right: Net-a-Porter

Real Events | Pepin Distributing Awards & Recognition Banquet | T Pepin’s Hospitality Centre

Ahoy Maties! Today we are featuring the Pepin Distributing Awards & Recognition Banquet that took place at the spectacular TPepin’s Hospitality Centre in Tampa.  On January 14, Pepin Distributing set a new standard for employee appreciation events with this lively and festive Pirate themed celebration! All hands were on deck to enjoy fun games like hermit crab racing, and guests couldn’t wait to plunder in all the pirate themed interactive entertainment including face painting/scars, a photobooth, green screens & TV’s, and of course Video DJ entertainment.

In honor of this grand awards & recognition program, a delicious Grand International Buffet fit for a Captain was served by the Puff ‘n Stuff Catering team. And shiver me timbers, the buffet was amazing! The three-foot pineapple centerpiece with fresh fruit was surrounded by pirate favorites such as roasted chicken & mango salad, glazed & grilled margarita mahi mahi, Jerk crushed boneless prime rib, Mojito mashed sweet potatoes, and more crew favorites.

By the end of the night, the entire crew was cheerfully singing “Yo Ho Ho” from the Black Beard Lounge! The giant pirate ship outside was a huge hit, and the entire crew posed for pictures to remember this phenomenal night. Scroll below to see some scenes from the night along with the full menu from the Grand International Buffet!

 

Grand International Buffet

Imported & Domestic Cheese Display cheddar, provolone, Swiss Havarti, bleu, Muenster, jalapeno & Chef’s choice artisanal cheese wedges served with crisp gourmet crackers & garnished with fresh fruits

Three-Foot Pineapple Palm Tree Centerpiece with Seasonal Fruit surrounded by mounds of colorful whole & sliced fresh seasonal fruits

Cuban Black Bean Soup topped with creme fraiche

Conch Chowder

Homestead Mixed Green Salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers & purple onions with a Orange vinaigrette

Roasted Chicken & Mango Salad with a Key Lime vinaigrette

Char-Grilled Pineapple with cilantro & black pepper

Hurricane Chicken Breast with Rum sauce

Glazed & Grilled Margarita Mahi Mahi with lime, tomato, garlic & a margarita glaze

Cuban Roast Pork Chef carved and marinated in dark rum, slow roasted & served with pico de gallo

Jerk Crushed Boneless Prime Rib of Beef Chef attended & served with fresh baked silver dollar rolls & horseradish cream

Cajun Fettuccine Alfredo with crawfish, shrimp & Andouille sausage 

Havana Black Beans

Cuban Yellow Rice

Mojito Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Honey Grilled Market Vegetables

Sweet Plantains

Freshly Baked Assorted Rolls offered with butter

Corn Bread

Chef Attended Late Night Breakfast

Shrimp a la Pepino

Pancake Station with choices of fresh fruit, chocolate chis, syrup & whipped cream

Omelet Station

Crisp Applewood Smoked Bacon

Breakfast Sausage Links

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs with Cheese

Traditional Coffee Station

Dessert Station

Key Lime Pie

Chocolate Ganache Cake

Coconut Cake

Banana Rum Cake

Event Credits:

Venue: T Pepin’s Hospitality Centre
Catering: Puff ‘n Stuff Catering, Nicole Briggs
Decor: Extravaganza!
Decor: M6FX

Inspiration | Napkin Folds | A Fold Above The Rest

Details, details, details- events are all about the details! Whether you’re hiring a professional Caterer for a grand event or hosting a small party in your own home, choosing the right napkin fold can add so much character to your table scape. We’ve collected twelve popular napkin folds for you to play with! Click on the name below each fold for a step-by-step how to.

 

Napkin Ring                                   Rosebud                                 Goblet Fan

Diamond                                        French                                         Pyramid

Crown                                      Bird of Paradise                             Standing Fan

Fancy Pouch                                   Basic Pouch                               Diamond Pouch

 

Trends | Mason Jars | From Preserving Jars to Decorations!

What was first invented back in 1858 to preserve and can food, has evolved into a ever-changing piece in today’s events. From drinking glasses to decorations, these useful jars are showing up all over the map. The possibilities are endless, we’ve collected a few of our favorite ways to incorporate mason jars into your special event!

Collage 1:

Top Left: Tie a clear wire or fishing line around the neck of the jar, insert a candle, and hang from the tree branch or other object.

Collage 2:

Top Left: Click here for how for step by step instructions
Bottom Left: DIY: Tint Mason Jars
Right: Mason Jar Chandelier

Collage 3:

Bottom Left: Break open a glow stick, dump it in a jar, shake it up and you have an instant glow stick lantern.
Right: Water down Elmer’s glue to a thin paste. Take colored tissue paper, and place it on the mason jar. Use a paint brush to apply the glue mixture over the tissue paper. Insert a candle and enjoy.

Inspiration | Holiday Planning with Puff ‘n Stuff Catering!

The holiday’s are here and they’re not slowing down! Whether you’re celebrating with your closest friends and family or hosting a grand-scale party, Puff ‘n Stuff Catering wants to make this holiday season a jolly good time for you!

Our Holiday Planner was hand-crafted for this holiday season and is sure to leave your guests raving for more. Hors d’oeuvres such as our brie in phylo cups with pecan praline filling, baked stuffed mushroom caps, pepper berry crusted lamb chops, or coconut chicken brochettes are just a few delicious ways to start off any celebration!

From buffets and plated dinners to chef-attended stations and appetizers, we’ve got you covered! With so many options like our traditional cranberry glazed Virginia ham to our popular red-hot-holiday mango & chile-glazed spiral cut ham, and eight different styles of potatoes, the possibilities are endless making your holiday party as unique and special as you and your guests.

And a holiday party wouldn’t be complete without desserts like our Chef-attended crème brulee, S’mores indoors, and French dessert crepes stations. We know its hard to pick just one, but don’t worry, our seasoned Special Event Planners are here to help with that too!

There are so many ways to add holiday flavor to your home. We’ve paired a few of the spectacular dishes that you can find in our Holiday Planner below along with some of our favorite holiday centerpieces. Enjoy and Happy Holidays from the team at Puff ‘n Stuff Catering!

 

Check out our Holiday Planner HERE to see more great ideas.

A Mad Men Styled Wedding Inspiration Shoot | Postcard Inn

Here is a little ’60s infused inspiration for your Tuesday! We had fabulous opportunity to partner with Divine Light Photography and several other Tampa/St. Pete wedding pros to create this retro Mad Men inspired wedding at the Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach.

Already featured on Style Me Pretty, this fanciful day will hopefully get your creative juices going and take you back to a cooler era. Check out the gorgeous images and video from the shoot, and read on for the details on our throwback comfort foods and clever treats.

 

Starting Off Right

Antipasto Kabobs

grape tomatos, fresh mozzarella balls, Kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts skewered ’60s style and served with aioli dip

Mini Monte Cristos “On the Rocks”

a classic indulgence served in a small rocks glass with layers of organic berry preserves and white powdered sugar

The Chicken & The Egg

even more sinful than mom’s deviled eggs and filled with spicy southern fried chicken

Smokin’ Dessert Cigars

classic crêpes rolled tightly, filled with chocolate mousse, dipped in chocolate and decorated to look like smoldering cigars

Mom’s Classics with a Twist

Classic Shrimp Cocktail

Chilled Small Shrimp served with cocktail sauce in a mini martini

Porthole Caesar Salad

fresh lettuce tossed with shaved parmesan cheese, an Asiago tuile and a classic Caesar dressing and tucked into a large crouton

Personal Beef Wellingtons

a retro entertaining staple stuffed with mushroom duxelles, wrapped in a puff pastry and served with Madeira wine sauce

Dutchess Potatoes

garlic smashed potatoes swirled and lightly browned

Green Bean Casserole

the original recipe served in a mini casserole dish

 

Thank you to the amazing vendors who made this inspiration shoot possible!

Photography: Divine Light Photography

Bar Service: Bella Bridesmaid

Cuisine: Simply Divine Events

Floral Design: Holly Nazario of Collective Creations

Linens: Jess Waldrop

Models: Raph Schwyter + Lili Rey + Kriss Pugh + Brianna Strum + Christina Kolosvary + Chris Dube

Stationary: The Postcard Inn

Vintage Furniture & Typewriter: Cakes By Nomeda

Wedding Gown: Anglo Couture