Holiday parties are an enjoyable way for companies to end the year. But planning one of these corporate events does not just happen overnight. There are many details to consider when it comes time to plan a corporate holiday party; a potentially overwhelming task when considered amongst all of the other things that you love and which keep you and your family busy during the festive season. Let us ease your planning burdens by allowing us to suggest some useful tips to help you prepare for a success.

Plan in advance

The month of December is usually jam packed for most people as there are parties, family functions and other types of activities that consume a good deal of their time. Decide on a date long before the start of the holiday season and find a banquet hall that has an opening on that date. Many banquet halls book months in advance, so the earlier the better.

Pick the right venue

Estimating your number of guests will help decide on a place to hold your holiday party. You don’t want a huge hall that will look empty with a limited number of guests while you also don’t want to have to try and push a large group of people into a small space. Location is also an important factor as you don’t want your guests to have to travel too far out of the way.

Choose a theme

Theme does not necessarily mean your guests need to dress up in costumes. Themes could be as simple as business casual as far as a dress code is concerned. However, there are decorations to consider for a holiday party. Attempt to go with a theme that applies to everyone as you do not want to alienate any of your guests. Also, make sure to gather enough volunteers to assist with the decorating process as it could be a bit time consuming.

Make an agenda

The party will need to have a beginning, a middle and an end. That can happen much easier with the creation of an agenda that includes guest arrival, cocktail hour, food service, keynote speakers, gift exchange and any other type of activities you would like to include.

Recognition of guests

Most holiday parties are all about appreciation, so at some point, it would be a good idea to recognize company employees. That can include individual awards, group rewards or some words of gratitude spoken by a company executive.

SMS Catering specializes in hosting and catering all kinds of corporate events, including holiday parties and functions. Take the worry out of your holiday season and give the gift of fun to your co-workers with the help of SMS Catering Services in Charlotte NC. Our friendly and experienced staff is here to help you every step of the way from planning and entertaining to food, games, presentations and so much more! Contact the professional team at SMS Catering Services today.

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The Secret Ingredients of a Superb Catering Service

There are so many caterers out there who will promise you the moon and the stars, so you can never be too careful when picking the right provider for your event. These factors can be extremely important when trying to determine which catering service to consider and which ones to walk away from:

• A multitude of menu options. Choose a catering service that, no matter what time of night or day, can provide you with the appropriate types of courses, desserts, hors d’oeuvres or cocktail food. Your guests may have some special food requirements so be sure that your caterer has the right solutions for all of your special requests.
• The right venue. Most caterers can take their food to your event but there are full-service caterers like SMS Catering Services who don’t just stop there; they also give you the perfect venue to hold yours! If you need to host a large crowd for a conference, ceremony, private party or wedding, ask about their luxurious and spacious banquet hall rental options.
• A reputation for service excellence. What guests say about your event should matter to you. In the same way, be mindful about how others perceive your selected caterer to be. Check for reviews, recognitions and awards earned.

Two things an event can never be without: Superb food and a fantastic venue. Make sure you make the right choice for your next event in or around the Charlotte NC area by choosing SMS Catering Services. For more than 55 years, SMS has provided the best in catering Charlotte, NC residents have experienced. Learn More at http://cateringcharlotte.com

The post Your Caterer Does Matter: Making the Choice You’ll Never Regret appeared first on SMS Catering Services.

Renting out a banquet hall, which also supplies catering, will provide you with someone who is in charge of the event. That is the person you can come to with any issues. They are not the exact same as a wedding planner, but still help out immensely.

Wedding planners generally have the authority to select vendors and even negotiate prices with them. They often take care of booking the entertainment for your special day.

Banquet halls that specialize in hosting weddings are equipped with a staff that is familiar with local vendors and can serve the same purpose as a wedding planner. But if you simply rent a banquet hall that does not provide catering services, you will be left to deal with the task of hiring vendors and working out the details on your own.

Keep in mind that hiring a wedding planner means that you will have to relinquish some control. This is not always an easy thing for brides to do. Unless you and your wedding planner are on the same page about everything, you can probably expect some type of friction. Wedding planners also tend to charge a service fee on top of their bill, which can be rather pricey.

It is also important to note that a wedding planner is going to be part of your life for a certain amount of time. If the planner’s personality has the capability of clashing with yours, then it could bring about some unnecessary drama. That does not mean all wedding planners will present problems, but that continual correspondence is something to consider.

Large-scale and elaborate weddings generally require a wedding planner as some are just too much for couples to plan on their own. However, renting a banquet hall that also provides catering means that someone from that staff will be there to help you along the way. And that help will not come with the lofty price tag most wedding planners charge for their services.

When it comes time to find a banquet hall for your wedding reception, SMS Catering Services has everything you need to make your day a special one. Along with great food SMS Catering Services can provide you the perfect place for an indoor or outdoor wedding, plus a list of the best party and wedding services from DJs to wedding planner. There is no need to search through countless Charlotte wedding venues any longer.

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The summer months provide warmer temperatures and the perfect opportunity to host an event outdoors. A Bar-B-Q menu seems to fit the outdoor theme as it creates a casual atmosphere where guests can be a little more lax. It also allows for a more casual type of dress as people generally attend barbecues while wearing their summer attire. This makes for more comfortability among your guests.

Another good thing is that pretty much anyone can host a barbecue. And with a BBQ catering company, hosting is made very easy. That leaves plenty of time for socializing and networking among the guests and host. The guests will not be bogged down with the time-consuming process of a more formal type of sit-down dinner.

BBQ caterers also have the capability of coming to your venue with their own equipment. There’s no need to worry about any type of preparations on your part. Just reserve a place where the caterer can cook and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you see fit.

The food selection at a BBQ catered event is also more exciting than a typical catering menu. There are endless options to what BBQ caterers can put on the grill. The fresh smokiness off the grill will also provide a tantalizing aroma to set the mood. And there are plenty of vegetarian alternatives for guests who do not eat meat.

BBQ catering is a unique option that could make your event stand out from the multitude of other summer events and parties. Even summer weddings with a more casual theme can benefit immensely from BBQ catering. Couples looking to save some money on their wedding catering should look into Bar-B-Q as the theme for their menu as it could be a more affordable option.

SMS catering Services offers BBQ catering for all types of events. Our chef can put together a top-quality catering menu that will have your guests talking about the event long after it’s finished. Contact SMS Catering Service today and book your summer function with an exciting BBQ theme.

The post BBQ Catering a Perfect Choice for the Summer Season appeared first on SMS Catering Services.

The Healthy Continental Breakfast

There is no reason a continental breakfast has to include doughnuts and bagels loaded with cream cheese. There are also several ways to brighten up a continental breakfast, one being with a vibrant fresh fruit selection. Yogurt parfait, sliced cucumbers and fresh juice could add to the overall healthy selection and brightness of this morning-time corporate break.

Gourmet Salads

When salads come to mind, many people think of a traditional salad and picture the basics. However, a corporate event can now feature a top-of-the-line salad bar with all kinds of unique menu items. Fresh cheeses, smoked salmon, grilled shrimp and dried fruits are just a few of the items that can elevate a specialty salad bar. The addition of some cooked proteins will allow everyone to eat their fill.

A Trip to The Bar

Hosting a corporate event with a food bar that lets you build your own meal can be a refreshing change. The type of bar could range from such things as a taco bar, fajita bar or potato bar. A dessert bar can also be a fun afternoon twist. Adding your own toppings also allows each individual to personalize their meal. The possibilities can extend far and wide while this type of setup allows time for networking as well.

Indoor Picnic

Corporate workers are not always able to get outside on a nice summer day. But corporate events can bring the outdoors inside with an indoor picnic. Picnic baskets could include whatever menu items you want as the theme allows for a good deal of flexibility when it comes to food selection.

Tapas

A tapas menu includes a variety of snacks and appetizers that follow one another. There are plenty of ways to elevate a tapas menu, which could include grilled prawns, crab empanadas and serrano ham fritters. There is the option of keeping it more traditional or making the tapas menu items a little more mainstream.

SMS Catering Services can accommodate all types of corporate events, both small and large. When it comes time to hire a catering service in Charlotte, contact the team of experienced professionals at SMS Catering Services as we can make your next event a memorable one.

The post Unique Corporate Catering Ideas During the Workday appeared first on SMS Catering Services.

Many catered events come with the inclusion of wine and choosing the right kind can make a wealth of difference. If you are planning a wedding reception or any other kind of formal event, here are some considerations to make when selecting your wines for the night.

Complement the Season
Winter months generally call for menus that are comprised of richer, thicker selections. That usually means there is plenty of spice to go around. This would call for the taste of a bold red wine to help enhance all of those flavors. Summer menus are often a lot lighter, which generally calls for lighter white wines that are not as heavy.

Consider the Sauce
Many times, pairing a wine successfully comes from complementing the sauce. Heavier meals generally call for a lighter red or white wine, such as a Pinot Noir or a Chardonnay. Meat dishes usually come with a heavier sauce which pairs better with heavier red wines like a Merlot.

Be Wary With the Reds
Remember that not everyone is a red wine aficionado. Some dishes work very well with heavier reds, although the heavier reds are not a necessity to make it work. You can get away with using a medium-bodied red wine that may be a little more mainstream. Don’t get too fancy with your red wines and the majority of guests will thank you for it.

Stick With the Theme
There are plenty of wines that will fit the theme of your event. For example, an Italian wedding should include plenty of Italian wines. High end corporate events could consider using more revered French wines. Outdoor events may want to lean towards lighter wines. Coming up with a theme extends to the décor, menu items and also the choice of wine.

Mind Your Budget
Many weddings and corporate events come with limitless drinks which means a lot of guests will drink their share. Spending too much on wine might not practical from a budgetary standpoint. If you are intent on using some fine wines, one option is to relegate them to dinner service and go with a more affordable brand the rest of the evening.

SMS Catering Services is available to enhance all your private parties, weddings and corporate events. Equipped with a spacious banquet hall and top notch catering menu, your next Charlotte function can be a success with the help of SMS Catering Services.

The post Tips on Pairing Wine with Your Catering Menu appeared first on SMS Catering Services.

There Will Be Special Orders

There are usually a few vegetarians at every wedding and there may also be some guests who have food allergies and special dietary restrictions. Plan to have at least a few special orders and make sure you go over those alternative options with your wedding caterer.

Don’t Wait Too Long

Hiring catering services for your wedding is a detailed process and if you wait too long, your options will be limited when it comes to quality. Most reputable caterers are booked far in advance and some will not even consider catering a wedding reception on short notice.

Source of Food Is Important

Any old caterer can prepare a salmon dinner, but that does not mean it will be the freshest catch of the day. Look deeper into each caterer’s ingredients and inquire about the source of their food. A reputable caterer will be able to rattle off those details immediately and tell you everything you want to know.

Presentation Matters

It may be easy for you to decide on menu items, but don’t neglect to ask what the presentation of those food items will look like. You should be able to see how the food is presented on a plate, as well as what kind of plates and serving dishes will be used on each table.

Control the Portions

You don’t have to overdo it with food in order to make your wedding a memorable one. However, shorting guests on food and leaving them hungry will be a memory that stays with them for years. Make sure that your portions are not too dainty and all your guests are able to eat their fill.

You Can’t Please Everyone

No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to please everyone at your wedding with the food selection. Trying to do that is just going to leave you exasperated. Select the catering menu items you feel strongly about and leave it at that. You already have enough to worry about.

SMS Catering Services goes over every detail when it comes to weddings, corporate events and other kind of functions. Guests can be assured everything will be just as they want it, which will make for a special occasion to remember. Contact SMS Catering Services today for the best catering Charlotte has to offer.

The post Important Things to Remember When Planning Your Wedding Menu appeared first on SMS Catering Services.

Weddings are often more expensive than many couples presume. Unexpected costs can escalate in a hurry, causing the overall price to soar. That is why it helps to save money whenever you can in the wedding planning process. Here are some tips on how to minimize your wedding catering bill.

Choose Your Seafood Wisely
When it comes to selecting seafood appetizers for your catering menu, remember that there is a difference in prices. Shrimp and scallops are going to be priced significantly higher than mussels and clams. Opting for the latter will still allow you to offer your guests seafood without spending too much money. Also, seafood that is in season will be priced cheaper, which could allow you to get a discount on a seafood item for your main course.

Limit Your Stations
During the cocktail and dinner hour, there will be the options of adding different stations, such as a vegetable crudité or raw bar. There is usually so much food served at weddings that a lot of food at those extra stations goes untouched. Limit the add-on stations that could be quite costly.

Hand-Pass hors d’oeuvres
Have the wait staff pass out hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour instead of just placing them out for self-serve. This will reduce the amount of appetizers that are served, thus limiting what you have to spend on the cocktail hour.

Family-Style
There is the option of choosing family-style dinner entrees which are served to each table and passed around. This can drastically reduce your overall food costs. And if you are set on serving dinner courses, don’t go overboard as a salad course and main course are usually more than enough after a hearty cocktail hour.

Buy Drinks Responsibly
Making liquor available to your guests at the bar will boost your overall bill. If you are set on offering liquor, go with mid-shelf liquors instead of top-shelf liquors as there will be a noticeable difference in price.

Stay Simple With Sweets
When buying a wedding cake, remember that three tiers are cheaper than five tiers. Any gourmet type of filling is also going to cost more. Keep the filling simple. By this point in the evening, many people are already full, so bite-size desserts are not a bad idea as well.

SMS Catering Services caters all kinds of wedding receptions for all kinds of budgets. Also equipped with a spacious banquet hall, SMS Catering Services can create the perfect setting for your wedding reception.

The post Ways to Save on Your Catered Wedding appeared first on SMS Catering Services.

Bar-B-Q Theme
This is particularly popular during summer months as guests can dress more comfortably. The menu can also include typical bar-b-q selections, which are generally lower in cost. Desserts could also be cheaper by offering smores, which guests can make themselves with a simple campfire.

Accommodate Outdoor Fun
To keep an outdoor catered event fun for your guests, purchase flip-flops for all in attendance. This way, guests can kick off their uncomfortable shoes and let loose outside. Outdoor settings should be more relaxed and what better way to relax than with comfortable footwear.

Buffet Style
No matter what kind of food you choose for your event, offering buffet style will create a more casual atmosphere. This takes away the formality of having to sit for a dinner that is served in courses.

Hawaiian Theme
The mere mention of a Hawaiian theme takes away any formality. A pig roast is a great addition to a Hawaiian theme and guests can even be encouraged to dress in Hawaiian shirts. This is typically better suited for the outdoors, but can also be a refreshing indoor change in the winter months.

Clam Bake
This is a unique summer experience like no other. Clam bakes do not even require formal dinnerware. This is not only a relaxed and comfortable setting, but it is a great conversation piece even after the party has concluded. The décor can also be very informal and cost efficient.

Tapas Menu
A tapas menu brings out a lot of small plates, which are often shared. It also provides people with a less formalized dining experience. There is a lot more time for interacting without having the pressure to sit down through various courses of a meal.

SMS Catering Services can accommodate all types of catered events and even provides a spacious banquet hall for those looking for a venue as well. No matter what kind of style or theme you choose, the team at SMS Catering Services will work to make your event a success. For the best casual catering Charlotte has to offer, contact SMS Catering Services today.

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The winter months provide the opportunity to be a little more creative when it comes time to plan your next catered event. Here’s a look at some tips on how to create a unique winter theme for your next corporate event, holiday party or wedding reception.

Winter Wonderland
The winter months bring snow to everyone’s mind and creating a winter wonderland theme would include more than just white décor. The menu could also include white wine and food selections could even stay with that theme. Fish, crab and lobster are just a few examples of the way you can incorporate the winter wonderland theme into your menu.

Rustic Theme
Nothing says homey like a country setting with a lot of rustic charm. Warm, earthy tones could decorate your next event while the menu could be set up to warm the soul on a cold winter day. Hearty mashed potatoes combined with a carving station would help to provide that rustic feel. Warm drinks would also add to this type of them such as warm apple cider, with or without spiced rum.

Red Wine Tasting
Red wine is warm and inviting, and a particularly good fit for the winter months. Offering a selection of different types of red wine along with cocktailed hors d’oeuvres is a good start. Pairing the wines with different dishes is also an elegant setting for any winter party. With all that wine, it would also be a good idea to serve a hearty main course as well. An oak-inspired décor would also pair well with this theme.

Ice Theme
Bringing the winter theme inside can be done tactfully with decorative ice sculptures as a showpiece. That will make for a cool setting and could be complemented with a lot of cold dishes that would precede the main course. Cold seafood appetizers will maintain that theme while cold soups and chilled salads would also add a nice touch. Cool blue colors that are dimly let can enhance the overall mood and a variety of frozen desserts can finish the night off.

If you are looking for a unique catered event during the winter months, contact SMS Catering Services. The best catering Charlotte has to offer is available to enhance your next wedding reception or corporate event. SMS Catering Services also provides a spacious banquet hall that can put an exclamation point on your next special occasion.

The post Creating a Winter Theme For Your Next Catered Event appeared first on SMS Catering Services.