Thank you Evan and Devin for inviting us to be a part of your oh-so special celebration. And a huge thank you to the fabulous Emily G Photography for sharing these images!

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Photos by Emily G Photography

Compare Apples to Apples

Every catering company presents their quotes differently. Some will include all expected charges, like gratuity, set-up and breakdown labor; others will leave out these common charges and add them after your event – an unwelcome surprise! Similarly, some caterers package their services and show you one per-person price. Their proposals often leave out the details (how many staff members, how many chairs will be ordered, etc.) but are generally brief and simple to read. Other caterers will line-item all their services.While it may feel a little overwhelming to receive a seven-page proposal, you see exactly what you get.

Not all caterers are created equal – and neither are their quotes. Knowing what services are represented, and then filling in the blanks, will help you choose wisely.

Ask the Right Questions

What are your staffing ratios? How many servers & how many bartenders will be at my event?
A well-staffed event means food comes out of the kitchen quickly, water glasses remain full, and trips to the bar are brief. If these are important to you, find out how many servers and bartenders will be staffed at your event and consider rations when evaluating the right caterer for you.

Will there be an Event Manager on staff?
A clear person in charge will help ensure things run smoothly. Both you and the service staff know where to turn if something unexpectedly arises. Plus, he or she is familiar with the details of your agreement while individual servers may not.

Is the food prepared on site?
Where the food is cooked influences food quality. Prepared on site, chicken is more likely to be juicy, vegetables to be crisp. If no on-site kitchen facilities are available, a professional caterer is skilled at creating kitchens in unexpected places, but it will affect your catering costs. Be sure that any fees for the make-shift kitchen is included in the proposal as well.

How many hors d’oeuvres are included?
For hors d’oeuvres receptions or cocktail hours, know how many pieces per person will be served. Too few, and guest will be grumpy and hungry. Too many, and you’re paying too much. For a cocktail hour followed by a dinner, Vibrant Table recommends 2-3 pieces per person. On the other end of the spectrum, expect 14-16 pieces for an hors d’oeuvre supper.

Can I do a tasting? What are the policies?
Tastings allow you  to test the product, but they are expensive for the caterer. To offset costs, some caterers may invite you to an event to see their overall quality and professionalism rather than prepare your particular menu in a private-dining experience. Some caterers offer tastings with limitations: a certain day or time, how many items can be tasted, or how many guests can attend. Some may charge for a tasting – which can cost hundreds of dollars – while others may waive fees if you meet an event minimum. And there are caterers that do not offer tastings at all. Don’t be surprised if your caterer wants you to sign with them before they’ll provide a tasting, meaning you may have to rely on other resources to ensure they are all that they claim to be.

Are all tables draped with linens to the floor?
For a well-dressed look, your linens should reach the floor. To cut costs, some caterers go with shorter linens or do not include overlays.

Is there a food and beverage minimum that must be met?
Especially at hotels and banquet rooms with in-house caterers, events must meet a food and beverage minimum. It’s expensive to create an event, and a food-and-beverage minimum ensures the business a certain profit. Larger groups usually have no problem meeting the minimum, but modest or small parties may find themselves charged entirely too much for their group.

Is there a cake cutting fee?
It’s unlikely you’ll purchase your wedding cake through your caterer, yet caterers usually provide the cakes, forks, and staff to both serve and cut the cake. Some caterers will try to recoup these expenses with a cake cutting fee.

Do charges include all set up, break down and clean up?
Who “strikes” the tables and chairs? Who drapes and sets tables? Who hangs decorations and sets centerpieces? Who meets and instructs other vendors? Who will clean after the event?  If you expect your caterer to perform these labor-intensive chores, ask that their quote includes the man-hours to do so.

Are there any charges that will be added to my invoice post event that are not included on the proposal?
Avoid being sidelined by hidden fees. Common event charges left off proposals are equipment, gratuity, transportation and travel fees. Also, inquire about what happens if your guests stay longer than expected or break a few glasses in their excitement. Unexpected things happen, but at least you’ll be prepared.

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You might also like

• What to Expect at Your Caterer’s Tasting
• Tricks of the Trade: Room Flips
• How to Start Planning Your Event

Vibrant Table is intimately familiar with each of our partner facilities and their unique requirements. Allow us to assist you in finding THE VENUE for your celebration.

How to Arrange a Tour

We would love to bring you with us on our next tour! Please email Karen Rich and tell her what size venue you are looking for, general location preferred, and any other details you’d like at your venue. We will organize tours based on the general interests of everyone who emails us. The more info you provide, the better we can tailor our next tour!

You might also like

• To find a complete list of event venues where Vibrant Table provides services.
• To peruse our gallery of event venues with pictures from real events!
• To learn more about some of our favorite event venues in Spectacular Spaces.

1. Vibrant Table Catering & Events was voted Best Oregon Caterer by the readers of Northwest Meeting & Events Magazine!
2. Owners Art Fortuna and Kurt Beadell attended the Catersource “Top Gun” Conference. The “Top Gun” caterers represent the nation’s top 50 independent caterers, by region. Vibrant Table was honored to represent the Northwest. We gained invaluable knowledge from sharing experiences with some of the most successful caterers in the country.
3. We welcomed the stellar Food in Bloom Catering and two of the Daily Cafes into our growing vibrant family. The Daily Cafes at Montgomery Park and Rejuvenation are now f&b cafes, and they’ve expanded their services to include drop-off corporate catering.
4. We are happy to announce the formation of the VT Group. The Group consists of Vibrant Table Catering & Events, Food in Bloom Catering, and f&b cafe.
5. Vibrant Table added some magnificent new venues in 2011! VT Group now manages the events and booking at Lan Su Chinese Garden and the Imago Ballroom. We also can also be found at Leftbank Annex and Domaine Margelle Vineyards.
6. We had another outstanding wedding season at Zenith Vineyard, which also hosted a fun wine-tasting dinner with us for the fabulous ISES group.
7. Portland gained attention for some remarkable events, including the Allure of the Automobile exhibit at the Portland Art Museum. Allure brought record numbers of visitors to PAM and attracted many new event clients.

the Best Photograph of 2011?

We scoured the thousands of images that our very talented and generous photographer colleagues have sent us. We picked some of our faves but can’t whittle it down to one representative image. Please help us by liking or commenting on your favorite 2011 image. Find them on our Facebook Page.

From left to right: Holland Studios, VT staff, Sara Gray Photography, David Barss Photography, Evrim Icoz Photography 

Vibrant Table is excited to present our newest vibrant event venue: Imago Ballroom. Imago Theatre has recently renovated their 3,500-square-foot ballroom and is opening for private events starting 2012. Light walls, 25-foot ceilings and massive, 18-foot windows create an airy atmosphere that can easily adapt to nearly any event scheme.

That’s not all. Other highlights include beautifully refinished hardwood floors, a spacious Bridal Lounge, Groom’s Pad, and black Chiavari chairs. In addition, Imago Ballroom has a separate, gorgeous theatre, perfect for wedding ceremonies, plenary sessions, or special entertainment.

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stats at a glance

LOCATION: 17 SE 8th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97222

EVENT BOOKINGS: 503.297.9635

Arrange a Tour

Vibrant Table is honored that Imago Ballroom has selected us to manage private event rentals at their beautiful, new event space. Tours are by appointment only. Contact us and we will gladly arrange a private viewing.

Catering Options

When holding your event at Imago Ballroom, you will have three catering options:

Vibrant Table Catering & Events – Vibrant Table specializes in creating the entire event — from concept development to the final touches on your table top. Voted best Portland caterer for five years (Oregon Bride Magazine, 2006-2010) and best Oregon caterer (Northwest Meeting & Events Magazine, 2011) you can rest assure that you and your guests will be taken care of when choosing Vibrant Table Catering & Events

Food in Bloom Catering – Food in Bloom has been an influential front-runner in Portland’s catering community for over 30 years. They are “all about the food” — preparing world-class dishes with fresh, usually locally sourced, ingredients. From highly-trained, respected chefs to their knowledgeable event planners, their team knows cuisine. They will create a personalized, innovative menu for your celebration, making them an ideal option for food-focused events.

f&b cafe catering – Elevating traditional daytime fare with creative twists, f&b cafe catering is the perfect choice for those needing not-so-ordinary boxed lunches, elegant platters, or imaginative snacks. Their simple straightforward drop-off service makes them an ideal match for corporate meetings, luncheons, think-tanks, or conferences.

Other Things to Know

• Black Chiaviari chairs are included with your event rental. More elegant than traditional folding chairs, Chiavaris are normally rented for $9 each. These beautiful chairs will automatically elevate your event at Imago Ballroom without impacting the budget!
• The light walls at Imago make it a versatile backdrop. Consider adding colored washes with up-lighting to integrate your event color scheme. When it comes to maximizing a limited decor budget, investing in lighting provides significant bang for the buck.
• Imago Theatre is internationally acclaimed (based right here in Portland!) and is known for their magical productions that defy classification. Private event rentals will be worked around the theatre’s performance schedule. Looking to make your event especially memorable? Why not treat guests to a private show?
• Imago is a unique, very Portland space, with fun nooks, but there is no elevator. So be prepared for lots of stairs and narrow hallways. The Ballroom is on the third floor and the very spacious Bridal Lounge in on the fourth floor. Provide room in your budget for extra labor as items will need to be hand carried.
• Not all areas of Imago are wheelchair accessible. The Ballroom, for example, is only accessible by stairs.
• Depending on your menu and guest count, your caterer may need to augment available kitchen amenities in order to ensure your guests are served hot, freshly prepared dishes. Don’t be surprised if you see a few kitchen items added to your catering proposal.

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One of the first things I learned from Jacqueline Mandell, Portland wedding officiant and Buddhist meditation instructor, is that there is no such thing as a standard Buddhist wedding ceremony. Instead, she says, Buddhist symbols and elements are infused into the customs of whichever country the couple is from. Once the world’s largest religion, Buddhism is most commonly practiced in India, Cambodia, China, Tibet, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Laos, Burma, Sri Lanka, indonesia, Taiwan and Vietnam – covering a wide swathe of Asia rich in cultural diversity.

No matter the country of origin, Buddhists value qualities of love, wisdom, respect and follow a standard of ethics that nearly all religions support – do not lie, steal, cheat, etc. A Buddhist marriage ceremony often provides space for the newlyweds to meditate on transferring their Buddhist principles into their marriage, allowing for a more spiritual, mature union.

Jaqueline, who runs Pure Heart Sangha, finds that many of her clients are contemporary couples attracted to Buddhist philosophies, meditation or Asian cultures. others are practicing buddhists with different styles of meditation.

Having grown up in a somewhat-average American family, I personally know very little of Buddhism and was struck by the beauty, deep respect for family, and peacefulness that exudes from the five weddings showcased here.

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Buddhist Values & ways to represent them in a wedding

As there are no pan-cultural Buddhist wedding traditions, the ways a particular couple express their Buddhist values are designated by their cultural influences. Look for symbolic elements throughout the ceremony, reception, and venue.

• Love, Respect & Honor – altar with meaningful symbols and photos of loved ones or ancestors, meditation, victory banners,  tea ceremony
• Positive Space & Blessings – incense, prayer flags
• Non-Harming of Life – vegetarian menu, though not all Buddhists are vegetarians. Buddha ate whatever was offered, demonstrating gratefulness, another key value.
• Generosity — abundance of food, donations to a charity
• Transformation & Wisdom – lotus flowers, candles, prayer, meditation, bells or gong
• Joy & Happiness – golden fish
• Connectedness – red string, endless knot, white ceremonial scarf
• Protection – Buddha statue, victory banners, parasols
• Purity – water, white ceremonial scarf

More juicy Tid-Bits

• Some Buddhist monks do not officiate weddings.
• In Buddhism, the body is respected as a holy vessel with the head, being the highest point on the body, symbolizing enlightenment. For that reason, it is disrespectful to touch another person’s head or point the soles of your feet toward someone, including Buddha.
• Expect an abundance of food. It would be seen as a negative omen if provisions were to run out. Leftovers are most commonly given to family members or donated to relief agencies.
• In many Buddhist cultures, public displays of affection are viewed negatively, so the newlyweds may choose to forgo a kiss at the close of the wedding ceremony.
• Couples may change clothes frequently, and you may see lots of rich fabrics such as silks, brocades, and fine cotton.
• The traditional wedding colors vary depending on the country or culture.
  • Red, Crimson, & Gold – China
  • Saffron & Brown – Thailand, Burma, India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Vietnam
  • Black & Gray – Japan & Korea
  • Red, Blue, Green, White & Yellow – Tibet
• Common flowers are peonies, orchids, ikebana, roses, wisteria, and lotus

Share your Buddhist Wedding Experiences

Have you ever attended a Buddhist wedding? Did you include Buddhist elements at your own nuptials? Please share your experiences with future brides who may be looking for ideas in the comments below!

Shout Outs

Vibrant Table is indebted to the amazing photographers that so generously share their work. A special thank you to the photographers featured in this blog post – who spent precious time this busy wedding season searching for images we could share with you.

MOSCA PHOTO – Buddhist statue (VT modified for use in header), incense
SARA GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY – brown altar with family pictures on wall, bride in yellow dress handing tea to relative
EVRIM ICOZ PHOTOGRAPHY – tea pot with flowers, koi in Lan Su Chinese Garden lake with lotus, Lan Su waterfall with Chinese characters, altar with gong and incense
JAMIE BOSWORTH PHOTOGRAPHER – table with umbrellas (at Lan Su Chinese Garden), drum performers, fan with flowers, laughing Buddha placeholder, eternity sign
JESSICA WATSON PHOTOGRAPHY – Urban couple with red tea set

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About Vibrant Table

Vibrant Table Catering & Events is an award-winning, catering and event production company in Portland, Oregon. We provide services in Portland, Salem, Vancouver, and surrounding areas. We offer a wide range of services including custom menus, event planning, event design, floral and decor.

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appetizer Options

• Salad Rolls – Thai delicacy with tofu, carrots, mint and a ponzu dipping sauce.
• Vegetable Samosas – East Indian fave with potatoes and peas. Served with lime-cilantro chutney.
• Corn & Shrimp Fritters – Tasty bites from the South, made with roasted sweet corn, Oregon pink shrimp, and watercress aioli.

The Nitty Gritty

• You may choose one or all of the above options. Average of 1.5 hors d’oeuvre pieces per guest, to be passed by Vibrant Table event staff.
• Purchase of full-service catering package required. (Peruse our seasonal holiday menu or other Vibrant Table catering menus for ideas!)
• Book with us by Thanksgiving (November 24, 2011). Event date must occur by January 31, 2012.
• Available to new bookings only.

About Vibrant Table

Vibrant Table Catering & Events is an award-winning, full-service catering and event production company serving Portland, Salem, Vancouver, and surrounding areas.

shout out

Header image by Portland photographer Jamie Bosworth.