If you couldn’t make it to this year’s Chester County Bridal Show, don’t worry.  Fortunately for all of us David Campli captured every moment of the always exciting event.  From meeting brides to showcasing new dishes, catching up with vendors and simply enjoying the sights, the show is an opportunity to get tips, vendors and one gorgeous venue all in one afternoon.

This year as brides reached the front door of the Foundry they were greeted by a very handsome Rolls-Royce Phantom, provided by Premier Luxury Rentals.  Philadelphia Trolley Works and 76 Carriage Company was out front with their signature trolley “bus” as well as a Cinderella style carriage.  All are available for rent for weddings and other events.

Inside the tent and through doors brought brides into the heart of the Phoenixville Foundry, the Cuppola Ballroom.  Here and throughout the rest of the building vendors for every detail of the ceremony and reception were waiting to answer questions, give out samples and show the endless options for the couple’s day.

Immediately to the left in the lobby area was Bette’s Bounces photo booth, where folks could get their pictures taken with fun hats and funnier faces.

To the left of the dance floor was the Phoenixville Foundry meeting area where couples could sit down with venue staff to discuss options.  Just past that was the bar featuring champagne from Frank’s Union Wine Mart in Delaware.

The far side of the dance floor held the J. Scott Catering gnocchi station.  Two of our chefs created the following dishes to order:

Sweet Potato Gnocchi- brown butter, toasted almonds, Chantrelle mushrooms, sage and Grand Marnier

Goat Cheese Gnocchi- peas, basil, shaved prosciutto, yellow tear drop tomato, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar

Potato and Cheese Gnocchi- short Rib, shiitake mushrooms, toasted garlic, micro arugula and cream

Table vignettes created with Party Rental Ltd. products by Sommerfield Design Flowers were the focus on the dance floor offering couples ideas on tablescapes in three different looks.

The J. Scott Catering meeting area was buzzing with the exchange of ideas and possibilities.  The area featured lounge furniture by American Furniture Rental and our new bookcases, an exclusive feature in our 2012- 2013 wedding packages for the Foundry.

Right next door was the talk of the show, the piece de resistance.  The fish station, aptly named for the goldfish swimming amongst the rocks at the center of the table, with  Sommerfield Design’s tall iron stands, sat in the water,seemingly bursting up towards the ceiling like fireworks with brightly colored flowers at the top.  The station not only featured beautiful décor but tasting plates including:

Asian Fork- seared sesame tuna, scallion, mung bean and mushroom soy

Madras Curry Shrimp Salad- blood orange mango relish, frisée and toasted coriander

Pan Seared Miso Salmon- bok choy, pickled ginger vinaigrette

The west wing was the home to most of the vendors in attendance each with tables offering fantastic options for couples.  Our last blog, Vendor Relations, talks about the various businesses that we were pleased to have worked with again this year.

At the far end of the West Wing was another beautiful car showcased by Premier Luxury Rentals.  On either side of the Bentley was a selection of blossom cups featuring:

Greek Salad- baby arugula, mixed olives, sheep’s milk feta, roasted pepper, tear drop tomato and red wine vinaigrette

Peanut Butter Mousse- mixed berry glaze, sugar brioche- a twist on the classic PB & J

Dark Chocolate Decadence Cake- cappuccino mousse, drizzled with dulce de leche

Fish Taco- Breaded tilapia, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, crisp iceberg lettuce

As if all of that weren’t enough the mezzanine played home to three of our favorite vendors, Sommerfield Design Flowers, Cake Art Studio and David Campli Photography.

Moving throughout the event were our t-shirt clad servers offering three of our newest passed hors d’oeuvres:

Smoked salmon tartar spoon caper chive creme fraiche & potato baton

Duck prosciutto,  roasted pear, peppered blue cheese

Fried goat cheese, prosciutto and honey

It was a tremendously successful event that could not happen without the support of everyone involved.  From the variety of vendors to of course the Phoenixville Foundry, J. Scott Catering is proud to have worked with such an outstanding group of businesses.  Thanks to all and we look forward to next year.

Our good friend David Campli of Campli Photography in Malvern, PA has been very good to us over the years.  He especially knows how much we love to see the photos of weddings he has captured while we are busy behind the scenes.  It sometimes escapes us in the middle of big events just how breath taking they turn out.  Fortunately, great photographers like David capture the beauty, fun and awe of weddings so we can remember the day long after the last dance.

This batch of photos was of a wedding we catered at Radnor Hunt this past fall.  When you do so many events at a venue you think you have seen all the popular photo-op spots there is to be had.  But David has captured Radnor Hunt in a way only he could, creating scenes we never imagined.

The simple glowing centerpieces combined with the bands multicolored uplighting, gave the main ballroom a new look, showcasing its elegant yet modern style.

Radnor Hunt has a picturesque quality day or night.  In fall, the colors of the seemingly far off forest are set ablaze with the changing of the seasons.  What could be more beautiful than a couple walking off into the beyond of reds, oranges and yellows?

Thank you David for sharing your work with us throughout the years; you are a credit to your craft.

We are so proud to have received the Brides Choice award from Wedding Wire again this year. Thanks to all the couples that made this possible. Also thanks to our tremendous staff who works tirelessly to make these couples dream weddings come to life.

This weekend’s wedding caused me to stop a moment and consider what it is we do as caterers and what impact our role plays in this momentous occasion. The journey of planning a wedding is a long and arduous one, made slightly easier with the help of an event planner, but the pay off on the day is indescribable. At J. Scott Catering we build lasting relationships with couples over the months before the vows, cake cutting and dancing. As event planners we see them throughout the process often after hair and makeup trials or to pick up linen samples for color matching at the bridal salon. We guide them on tips about seating arrangements and help plan the timeline for day’s events. J. Scott planners can be found mending dresses in the middle of the reception, organizing bridal parties for introductions and making sure that each and every detail down to the pen for the guest book, is exactly as the bride requested.
When the big day finally arrives, while we watch as they enjoy the splendors of their love, there is a sigh of sadness that can be heard from every J. Scott Catering planner. As the night comes to a close, we realize there won’t be any more once a week chats about china, and the sleepless nights and anticipation of pulling off their dream quickly dissipates. Alas, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
The end of the wedding doesn’t mean the relationship is over. Often times we work with couples through the years, catering baby showers and christenings, communions and close friends weddings too. In reality we aren’t just planning or catering a wedding, we are building a lasting relationship with a couple, one that is only just beginning with I do.