Plan to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary in style

I want to do something special….do I do a party for a 10 year anniversary? Do I invite a lot of people? Where do I have it, at home or at a hall? It is in September….where do I begin??? 4 years ago

WOW! I am wiped out. The party was a smashing success. The chocolate fountain… I definitely recommend it to anyone. Best investment I ever made. And I’m telling you, it was the main reason some people came to the party :)

27 people.
12 bottles of wine.
2 bottle of champagne.
15 cheeses (stay away from Saint Aubray Brie. It is not for the feint at heart – but I’m glad I tried it.)
6 lbs of cocktail shrimp.
4 boxes of assorted crackers.
3 lbs of chocolate.
1/2 of a pound cake.
1/2 packages Newmans oreos.
4 lbs of strawberries.
6 bananas.
1/2 package of marshmallows.
1/2 a cheescake.
6 lbs. grilled veggies.
1 lb. smoked salmon.

Oh my. It was quite an evening.

I would be happy to share my wine and cheese and beer and cheese pairing charts if anyone is interested. Can I save a pdf as an image on this thing?

So much fun! 5 years ago

that the party is now 6 days away. AAccckk! 5 years ago

Today, I stopped at the Dollar Store and picked up 36 wine glasses – a mix of champagne flutes, red and white wine glasses (12 each). I also got 2 martini glasses because hubby has been into that lately.

I got a few table clothes and some nice table toppers (you know, not flowers but tinsely things that sprout up on the table.

Then I stopped at the wine store and spoke with the very nice owner who helped me pick out a case of wine (we’re only going to have about 20 people it looks like. That is manageable (about what we had for our wedding). He was awesome.

Next, I went to the grocery store and picked up about 10 pounds of cheese I think. And I still have a few more varieties to get. I promise to post the entire list when it’s all done! I also picked up some of the items for the chocolate fountain – oreos in particular. I picked up 2 kinds to see which tastes better – traditional or mint. Hmmm. Maybe I’ll do both! I also picked up lots of different crackers.

Whew. Shopping is so much fun :)

I’ve decided to serve some grilled vegetable antipasto and perhaps a nice spinach and pear salad. Maybe crudite? Is that lame? Also some pita chips and hummus.

It’s a 7pm party, so I don’t need to serve much else.

I still need to buy a few more cheese, paper plates and plastic utensils, napkins, balloons (?), hummus, veggies for the antipasto and the crudite.

Next, I will need to borrow some cheese knives and platters/cutting boards from friends and family.

That’s about it. The nex tweek is all about cleaning the house. 5 years ago

I just got a voice mail from a couple last night. They were RSVPing for themselves and their 2 year-old daughter. NOOOOOOOO.

I just left this voice mail. Does it sound rude?

Hi there. Just got your message. I’m so sorry we missed you. I’m thrilled that you both will be coming to the party. I just want to note that this is an adults only party. We have so many parties with kids, that we’re hoping to give everyone an adult evening this time. So hey, give yourselves a break and join us!

If you have any questions, give us a call. Hugs! 5 years ago

This party is beginning to really contradict my goal of losing 20 lbs. But how does one resist a Rival 5lb chocolate fountain for only $25? Think of it, a flowing wonder of dark chocolate with a spread of marshmallows, strawberries, oreos, pound cake, oh yes, and frozen cheese cake bites!!!!!

Down girl.

The RSVPs are beginning to come in. We have at least 10 people total including hubby and I and my parents. That’s okay, more chocolate for us!

Seriously, I need to get on this wine thing now. Hubby was nice to put together an inventory of the wine we do have, so we can hopefully save some $ and not buy too much wine. Spend it on the cheese and chocolate!

Now I just need to find some things to supplement the cheese. I’m thinking lighter foods with cheese in them? Or is that too much?

Spinach salad with pears and gorgonzola?
Pita chips and hummus?

Any suggestions? 5 years ago

What more needs to be said? 5 years ago

I took a picture of the invitations I made. But then I realized that my home address and phone number are printed on them. Sorry, I don’t have anything to edit it with. Well, now I just need to address the envelopes and find some cool stamps to mail them with.

Yay! 5 years ago

I stopped at my local wine and liquor store today. For those of you who don’t live in NY, it’s the only place you can buy the stuff. Anyway. The owner of the store is a Culinary Institute graduate and he has offered to help me plan everything. I am very excited about this! The web had so much contradictory information. And It will be helpful to have someone be able to pair an specific wine with the cheeses.

Now I just have to get working on these damn invitations… 5 years ago

Okay. I have spent a few hours on the web researching wine and cheese and beer and cheese pairings. It’s kind of tough because every site has something different. But I’m going to try to go with mostly familiar cheeses with a few new ones (if I can find them) and do what there is some consensus on pairing.

I don’t know much about beer, so I will have to enlist the help of a beer connoisseur to help me find some of these beers or beer types.

Next, I’ll make little booklets for guests that have a table with the cheese, then a beer and a wine to match. What a great party favor. Right?

Finally, buy everything and make up little signs for the cheeses like:
Hi, my name is Manchego. I come from the sheep in the Manchego region of Spain. I taste great with a brown ale, cabernet sauvignon, merlot or rioja.

Cool huh?

Then, I just need a few more food items so people don’t go hungry. A dessert which I’m not sure of yet and some dips and room temp things that I don’t have to cook. I’m working on it. 5 years ago

I need to head to a paper/stationary store to find good paper to print these invites. The idea comes from REAL SIMPLE magazine and it’s a say cheese theme. The paper would be bright yellow and we’d punch holes in it to look like Swiss Cheese. Haha. Isn’t that clever?

So I am looking to find a store that has nice yellow card stock paper and envelopes. I’ve been online, but I think I need to go to the store. There’s one in Lee, MA, not too far away. Perhaps on Friday I’ll take a trip. 5 years ago

I’ve decided on a wine and cheese theme. Very little work then.
The invites will say, “Say Cheese” on yellow card stock with holes punched in it like swiss cheese. Cute huh? Then the cheese will be laid out with wine pairings (I think I can find that on the internet. And the signs will be like meeting name tags – “Hi, my name is Manchego. I am made from sheep’s milk and come from the Manchego region of Spain. I pair well with full red wines like cabernet.” Isn’t that cute?

Now, I just need to discuss with hubby. What will he think? 5 years ago

I’ve decided. No kids. My nephew will be there because he’s from out of town. That’s it. No kids. Anyone know how this usually appears in an invite without sounding rude like, “get a damn babysitter.”

Whew. That’s actually a relief. I want to drink and cuss. Nephew will just need to go to bed early or get ear plugs.

Other decisions made:
Hosted at my parents home.

Food:
International food stations!!!
Asian: SUSHI, Summer rolls, dumplings
Mexican: Quesadillas, empanadas, guacamole and chips
Mediterranian: hummus, brucetta, olives
Seafood: lox, shrimp cocktail
American: Mac and Cheese, Roast Beef, mashed potatoes
Other: crudites and cheese platter

That should be plenty for 30-50 people. If I don’t kill myself. But I think a lot can be served room temp or cold and many prepared early. Hot items are only mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, quesadillas and empanadas. Totally doable. Right?

Just some things to think about. 5 years ago

Mom and Dad have offered their home. It’s a great place for a party. Big with a huge kitchen. And I won’t have to clean up my own home! Yay!

And perhaps we can send the kiddies upstairs with a baby sitter. 5 years ago

When we got married, it was a small affair, about 20 people. I liked it. But after 10 years, I want to party. We’ve made it through some rough times and now things are fantastic.

Hoping to figure out an easy way to celebrate with about 30 people that doesn’t cost too much but is still elegant. Not sure yet.

If anyone has any ideas, please send them this way! 5 years ago