Bridal Buzz

The Courtroom offers a gorgeous restored ceiling and wood accents throughout.

If you’re looking for a reception, shower, or rehearsal dinner location that is equal parts vintage, unique, and classy you should definitely check out The Venue at 400 North Ervay. The building, which was erected in 1930 and is now a registered historic landmark, houses not only the downtown post office but three fabulous venues reminiscent of a bygone era. The first floor Grand Hall, complete with original, ornate iron-work, high ceilings and marble walls can work for cocktail hour or for seated dinners. If you’d prefer an outdoor location, the Rooftop Garden, still under construction but taking reservations for all of 2012, boasts New York-style city views. The Courtroom is a former, well, courtroom with a gorgeous, restored ceiling, big windows, and elegant wood paneling. Valet parking is available as well as event planning services and custom invitation design. The Venue has three caterers to choose from – Festive Kitchen, Food Glorious Food, and Beyond the Box, and there’s a bonus for the budget-conscious – clients are free to have their own alcohol brought in. – Bailey Powell

Gina Gottlich, wife of Bijoux’s Executive Chef, Scott Gottlich, has just added wedding planner to her resumé. And to jump-start the endeavor, she’s offering her services for free to the first three couples who hire Bijoux to cater their wedding. (Check out my previous blog on wrote about their catering services here.) Gina will work with the bride and groom every step of the way. She designed the interior of Bijoux as well as The Second Floor at the Westin Galleria so she knows how to make a space look classy and sophisticated. With Scott´s incredible cuisine and Gina´s eye for design, your wedding will be nothing less than spectacular.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Or, in this case, frozen yogurt. And the people screaming will be your wedding guests because you could win Pinkberry catering for your reception (for up to 150 people)! How fun would that be? All you need to do to enter is send an email to pinkberry@strausspr.com and put “BridalBuzz Pinkberry Giveaway” in the subject line. Be sure to include your name, phone number, and wedding date in the email. Contest ends April 30, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Winner will be notified by May 5, 2011. Good luck!

(Valid only for couples getting married in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.)

Wendy Krispin, owner of Wendy Krispin Caterer, helps us out with this week’s inquiry:

If I am going to have my wedding catered, should I expect the person I do all the pre-wedding work with to be at the event? I’m afraid for them not to be!

“Well, as far as I’m concerned, when you have a company with your name on the door, the answer always has to be “yes.” I only allow myself one wedding a day in order to guarantee my attendance. Be sure to ask your caterer this question as it is an important one. If they will be there, it is imperative that you discuss exactly what their role will be. I’ve done everything from walking a bride down the aisle to cutting the cake to packing leftovers into the couple’s car. However, there have also been many occasions where I just help set up and a planner takes over along with one of our event managers. It really just depends on the bride and her needs…so be sure to make those needs clear. If they will not be there, it is mandatory that you meet the person who will be. Try to get a feel for their personality; you don’t want someone who will cause a ruckus in the middle of your reception should something go wrong. “

Cavalli is no ordinary pizza parlor. There’s a reason our reviewers gave them a “D Best” rating. They’re the first certified Neopolitan pizzeria in the state of Texas. What does this mean? Well, the simple answer is that they make incredibly delicious pizza. The longer version is that they are certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, an Italian organization dedicated to preserving the authentic Neopolitan pizza by keeping its ingredients from being replaced by cheaper, low-quality versions. Any pizzeria that wants to be certified must go through a rigorous testing process and adhere to strict standards. The folks at Cavalli are very serious about their pizza (aren’t we all?) and are happy to follow the guidelines set by the AVPN like having their tomatoes and flour flown in from Naples, Italy.

Another thing that makes Cavalli extraordinary is that the Irving restaurant (with a second location now in McKinney), offers catering. But this is no regular catering; if, for example, you’re planning an elegant rehearsal dinner, Cavalli offers a plethora of gourmet appetizers which are heavenly. I know this because I have personally tried them all. Think Gorgonzola and walnut tarts with homemade balsamic glaze, arugula and prosciutto bruschetta with shaved parmiggiano, artichoke tampanade involtini, Parmiggiano and pear skewers with honey glaze and shrimp bruschetta in a lobster sherry sauce. Or, if you’re keeping it casual, let them bring their mobile wood-burning oven to your location. Personal pizzas are served in thirty seconds and guests can choose their own toppings. I always thought the mobile oven would be great for a midnight snack at a reception. Just when it looks like things are winding down out come delicious made-to-order pizzas straight from the oven. The party will be revived and it will help those who may have imbibed a bit much to sober up before the drive home. And by all means, don’t forget to order their delicious canolis for dessert no matter what the occasion. NOTE: The catering info is not yet up on their website so if you are interested, just give them a call.

Candy Evans on her daughter's wedding day.

This week’s wisdom comes from a unique perspective, that of the mother-of- the-bride. Candy Evans learned a lot from her daughter’s wedding and hopefully, her advice can help make your big day (and the days leading up to it) just a little easier.

“Last Sunday we celebrated Cassie and Jake’s first wedding anniversary. Not only was I finally able to clear the top tier of her wedding cake from my freezer, but my son was home and we watched the wedding video tape together for the first time. What a wonderful event – as parents, it was the biggest show we’d ever produced! But I was totally unprepared for what would hit me AFTER this huge production.

I’m not a food critic so I won’t pretend to be. In fact, maybe you should see what one of our food critics said about Bijoux first – before I tell you about their catering service. Let’s do that. Check it here. 

Sounds pretty amazing, right? Well, take it from me that it is. My recent evening there went beyond my expections. It wasn’t just the food (although that was a big part of it) but the cozy atmosphere and impeccable service too. So, what about the catering? Well, if you want your wedding guests to have a truly wonderful gastronimic experience, then Bijoux is at your service. From boxed lunches (for the bridal party as they get ready the day of the wedding) to sit-down dinners and buffet-style or passed hors d’oeuvres (for the reception, showers, engagement party or rehearsal dinner), Bijoux offers gourmet delectables to fit your needs. Just imagine serving your guests delicacies like sliced lamb with cucumber and mint, beef tenderloin with tarragon and roasted mushrooms, truffle risotto balls, house-made flat breads, beet bruschetta, mini eggplant parmesan with melted Dallas mozzarella, and salted caramel lollipops. Believe me, they’ll be impressed. Interested? Contact Bijoux’s Catering Coordinator Mark Young at 214.350.6100 or via email at markyoung@bijouxrestaurant.com. You can peruse their catering menu in advance on their website. Bon appetit!

I haven’t been to Bijoux (yet!) but one of D Magazine’s food critics has – and she liked it. Read her review here. Done? Ok. So now that you know all about it, why not consider them for your wedding cuisine? They’ve just started doing off-site catering and can help you with everything from boxed lunches the day of (for your bridal party to munch on while they’re getting all gussied up) to a gourmet reception feast. Executive Chef and Owner, Scott Gottlich, can tailor the menu to your needs. Just imagine offering your guests house-made flat breads and marinated roasted vegetables, canapés including beet bruschetta and mini eggplant parmesan with melted Dallas mozzarella and sweet canapés including salted caramel ‘lollipops’. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine too. Sit-down meals consist of “a sophisticated array of appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, cheese plates and desserts.” Bijoux has been given a 5-star rating and is one of only five restaurants in Dallas that can boast that fact. For a glimpse at the catering menu click on the restaurant link above. To book your party, or for more info contact Catering Coordinator, Mark Young at 214.350.6100 or via email at markyoung@bijouxrestaurant.com.

We just saw this on Wolfgang Puck Catering‘s Facebook page:

It is a great idea for engagement party, bridemaids’ luncheon, or rehersal dinner. TREAT YOURSELF, ALL SUMMER LONG Arrange to host a new event at Union Station, Reunion Tower, or the location of your choice before September 15, 2009, and we will treat you to dinner for two at Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck.* Call 214.741.7825 or e-mail dallasevents@wolfgangpuck.com to book your party today! *Minimums and restrictions apply. Please contact us for details.

Culinary Engineer, Christina LeBlanc Haywood of Myla Concepts, creates unique sugary delights that make for great decoration and are fun for guests to eat. The popular and colorful “Bitsy Sticks” (a bite of cake on a stick) and “Bitsy Jars” (a single serving of cake in a jar, complete with wooden spoon) can be personalized to fit color schemes or themes for wedding showers, receptions, and more. Choose from over 30 flavors including blueberry-vanilla, cinnamon sugar, german chocolate, lemon raspberry, peanut butter cup, red velvet, strawberry shortcake. A must for the fashionable bride, “Couture Wedding Dress” (and tuxedo) cookies are the perfect party favor for bridal showers or as take-home favors at the reception. The handmade goodies are made of 100% wholesome ingredients, made-to-order, and won’t break your budget ($1.50-$3.95/each). Be sure to check out the other tasty treats like brownie bites, cookie cakes, cherry cups, stuffed cupcakes, and double dipped pretzels. We’re getting a sugar high just thinking about them.