Meetings & Tastings

How often will I meet with a Blue Ribbon Representative?

You will have an initial planning meeting, a menu tasting, a design and décor meeting, and a final meeting to wrap up details approximately 4 weeks prior to the big day. Your Blue Ribbon Representative will be happy to connect over the phone or via Zoom in-between meetings to discuss any updates or address questions. If required, additional in-person meetings can always be coordinated.

What do I need to know about menu tastings?

Because menu tastings require several days of prep work and a significant portion of our kitchen team to execute, we restrict tastings to specific dates. Please do your best to make one of these dates work with your schedule. Once you’ve selected a tasting date and timeslot, you’ll be guided through your tasting by one of our team members who can assist with answering your menu related questions and help make selections for your wedding meal.

Is a menu tasting included in my contract?

Each wedding contract is customized and created for each client. Due to budget restrictions, some couples may not have a tasting included in their wedding contract. If you wish to schedule a tasting and it’s not included in your wedding package, you may do so for an additional $150.00 for up to six guests. The fee will be added to your pre-wedding invoice.

What if I’ve already had a tasting?

If you have already had a tasting, please let our team know and we’ll move forward with scheduling your first planning meeting. Your menu selections may be modified

or changed up to four weeks prior to the event date. If you wish to schedule an additional tasting, there is a $150.00 re-tasting fee that will be applied to your pre- wedding invoice.

What if we have food allergies or dietary restrictions?

No problem! When scheduling your tasting, please let us know of your allergies and we will do our best to accommodate all requests. Standard cake tasting boxes are included at no additional charge. Specialty cake tasting boxes will incur an additional fee. Examples of specialty cakes include dairy free, gluten free and vegan. If you’re requesting a specialty cake, please let us know at least 14 days prior to your tasting.

What do I need to know about cake/dessert tastings?

If Blue Ribbon will be providing your wedding cake, you’ll be given a sample box of various cake flavors and frostings to take home after your menu tasting. All mini desserts or other dessert options with not be tasted but will be thoroughly planned.

When do I choose my flowers and table settings?

All flowers and table settings are customized for each client. Blue Ribbon’s event planning team is incredibly creative and full of wonderful ideas to bring your vision to life. Each floral and décor meeting is scheduled on a one-on-one basis, so we have the time we need to understand your style and desires for your special day. We will look at sample linens, tableware and discuss any additional décor you would like to include. Also, during this meeting, the timeline, flow, facility layout and ceremony details will be discussed. If you will not be using Blue Ribbon’s floral services for your wedding, a modified meeting will be scheduled to select your table settings. Again, not every client has opted to include our floral services as a part of their wedding package. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding floral and décor, or if you’re interested in adding this service to your wedding package.

Bar Options

What bar options are available?

Blue Ribbon has 3 different bar options to select from:

*See contract for further details & fees.

• Option 1: Client provides all alcoholic beverages and Blue Ribbon provides bartending services

• Option 2: Hosted bar provided by Blue Ribbon

• Option 3: No Host/Cash Bar provided by Blue Ribbon

I’d like to provide my own alcoholic beverages and mixers. When can I drop these items off?
You’re welcome to drop off your items on the day-of your wedding, but not before then. If you’re not chilling your beverages prior to delivery, please make sure our bartending team has your items 3 hours prior to the wedding.

Can I offer a Signature Drink?

Yes, please do! Our bartending staff loves creating custom concoctions and is equally happy to serve a recipe of your own creation. Signature cocktails can be served throughout the wedding, cocktail hour only, or even pre-ceremony.

Can I provide a keg?

Yes, absolutely! When providing kegs, please ensure that you’re also providing the necessary chilling tubs and keg taps. If you’re providing your own ice, please bring additional ice for the keg chilling tubs.

Do you allow shots to be served?

No...you’ll thank us later.

Rental Items/Enhancements

What items does Blue Ribbon have available to rent?

If you’re looking to add that special touch to your wedding, please check out our current catalogue of Rentals and Furniture Rentals for our in-house rental items. Your Blue Ribbon representative will be happy to talk you through availability and pricing.

I’m getting married at Sanders Estate. What rental items are available to me?

Sanders Estate has several options available to enhance the aesthetic and comfort of your event. Check out our current offerings. Sanders Estate Rental Items.

Due Dates

There are a few important dates to have on your radar leading up to the wedding day. These include:

• Floral and wedding cake orders are due 4 weeks prior to the wedding

• Final guest count (or best guess) is requested 4 weeks prior to the wedding.

  This will enable our accounting department to draft a pre-wedding invoice for your review. You will have the opportunity to make a final adjustment to your guest count 2 weeks prior to the wedding.

• Final guest count and final payment are required 2 weeks prior to the wedding. If you’re getting married at Sanders Estate and have rented the house overnight, payment for the overnight rental is due 2 weeks prior to your check-in date.

  Day-of Coordination

  What is a Day-of Wedding Coordinator?

  Blue Ribbon’s Day-of Coordinator’s are the sole point of contact for all on-site needs and questions on your wedding day. DOC’s allow you to focus on enjoying your friends and family, while flawlessly executing every detail and ensuring any unexpected complications are handled seamlessly. Our optional Day-of Wedding Coordinator service is perfect for the couple who wants to sit back, relax, and watch the day unfold perfectly! Rest assured that you’ll receive enhanced wedding planning support, information, and tools to take all the worry and stress out of your wedding day. In addition to your on-site Banquet Captain, your Day-of Wedding Coordinator will provide the following services with this optional package:

• Pre-wedding review and consultation 4-6 weeks prior to your wedding date

• 1 hour of ceremony rehearsal coordination Monday-Thursday

• Vendor Confirmation

• Ceremony processional management

• Coordinate the special events of your day: toasts, first dance, cake cutting, grand entrance, etc.

• Coordinate the bridal party as to how they can assist and where they need to be

• Family & bridal party photo assistance

• Assist with guests needs and inquiries

• Full timeline management

• On-site vendor coordination and management of all delivery’s day-of

• Setup of personal décor and detail accents (i.e. guest favors, escort cards, guest book, gift

  table décor, picture frames, etc.)

• Collecting all of your personal items, gifts, special table décor, guest book and other items,

  and assisting with making sure they end up with the correct person

  What are my responsibilities if I don’t add the Day-of Coordinator package?

  We want you to feel as comfortable and cared for on your wedding day as possible. Our Banquet Captains are more than capable of providing world-class service; however, their responsibilities are somewhat limited when it comes to the personal touches that some weddings require. Here is a list of items you’ll be responsible for coordinating if you decide to forgo Day-of Coordinator services:

• Ceremony rehearsal coordination (Venue fee may apply)

• All outside vendor confirmation (including DJ, Officiant, Photography, Videography, etc.)

• Ceremony processional and timing

• The announcement of toasts, first dance, cake cutting, grand entrance, etc.

• Setup of personal décor and detail accents (i.e. guest favors, escort cards, guest book, gift table, picture frames, etc.)

• Grand exit/send-off direction

• The collection of all your personal items, gifts, special table décor, guest book and other

  items at the conclusion of the event

  What is a Banquet Captain?

  Our Banquet Captains are experienced team members who are responsible for heading up the entire catering and event team on your wedding day and included in your contract. You can count on them to ensure every detail you’ve planned from your menu to your reception setup goes according to plan. Here is a list of responsibilities you can expect our Banquet Captains to provide for you:

• Facilitate the setup of all tables, chairs, linens, and place settings

• Manage the setup of any special floral or décor items that are exclusively purchased or

  rented through Blue Ribbon

• Manage the service and bartending staff throughout the entire event

• Assist with guest needs including providing facility layout information, answer menu related or setup questions, and aid with the flow of catering related events

• Manage breakdown and cleanup at the end of the event

• Check-out with venue facilities to ensure the venue is left in an appropriate and clean condition

Wedding Day Logistics

What can I expect the day-of my wedding?

Blue Ribbon’s day-of services greatly depends on the level of coordination you have scheduled us for. Included in every wedding package is full set-up and clean-up of items we provide – tables, chairs, linens, tableware, etc. This would also include set- up and clean-up of any floral and/or décor that is ordered through Blue Ribbon. A professional Banquet Captain will be on-site to ensure your wedding is seamlessly executed, in accordance with your approved Event Plan. We highly recommend adding Day-of Coordination services through Blue Ribbon or another wedding coordination company. Day-of Coordinators are so valuable in handling all the intricate details of your big day, so you fully get to enjoy the celebration.

When can I expect the Blue Ribbon team to arrive/depart on the wedding day?

Our team can comfortably handle most wedding set-ups in 3 hours and clean-ups in 1 hour. You can typically expect that we’ll arrive 3 hours prior to the ceremony start time and wrap up 1 hour after the event concludes. However, if Blue Ribbon is handling elaborate décor or your venue requires tricky navigation, additional time may be required. Please note set-up and clean-up hours do not count towards your event hours in regard to staffing. Pricing for additional set-up and clean-up hours is billed at $350.00/hour.

Thank you so much for choosing Blue Ribbon Cooking.

We can’t wait to celebrate!