Catering by Design has the pleasure of catering at some of the finest wedding venues in the greater Raleigh area. We recently catered a wedding at Haywood Hall, a historic building in downtown Raleigh, NC.

Take a look at the beautiful setting, the classic home, the outdoor photo opportunities.

Having a wedding or simply the wedding reception in Raleigh’s historic sites lends a timelessness and connection to history to your event.

If you’d like to have your wedding, or wedding reception, at a historic site in the greater Raleigh area, give Catering by Design a call, and we’ll walk you through the steps and facilitate your planning. We have great reviews and won the Service Excellence Pinnacle Award in 2012.

Whatever you imagine for your Raleigh Wedding, Catering by Design can help you.

Call 919-481-2366.

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sets the benchmark for other wedding catering Raleigh NC companies. When you’re ready to start planning your big day, .

Scary Wedding Invites

Your wedding invite sets the tone for your wedding. It is the first impression guests get of how you want your wedding to go. Guests will be able to tell if your wedding is themed, casual or formal. Make sure to pick an invitation that expresses your vision for your wedding and gives guests an idea of what to expect. Make sure to include all the correct details. These include dates, times and whether there will be food and alcohol provided.

Halloween Themed Wedding Attire And Decor

Here is where most couples make their biggest mistakes by going overboard. Try to take a subtle approach. After all, sometimes less is actually more. A classic white gown, with a black sash is perfect. Adding splashes of fall colors with your bridesmaids, groomsmen and decor is how you want to make your statement.

If you’re dead set on making an entrance, go with a nontraditional, black wedding gown with bridesmaids all wearing orange. If done correctly, this looks stunning against an autumn North Carolina back drop. And by the way … don’t limit yourself to just black and orange. You have a plethora of Halloween colors to choose from such as browns, creams, purples and all sorts of metallic colors.

Ghostly Wedding Cake

At most weddings, the stars of the show consist of the bride, groom, and wedding cake. Make sure your Halloween wedding cake fits the theme of your wedding. If you’re having a true, HalloWedding then your cake should represent your theme. If you just cannot veer from the traditional side of things in this aspect, try to take advantage of offering a unique, and spellbinding groom’s cake. Spooky treats will have the guests raving to their friends about your unique Halloween wedding menu.

Fun Fall Activities

Autumns in North Carolina are very mild and you can have your HalloWedding outside in most cases. Regardless, the fall season is a great time of the year to offer some outdoor wedding activities. A sack race, bobbing for apples, ring toss, corn hole – maybe even hire a face painter for the kiddos. All are great outdoor activities that kids and adults can enjoy.

Getting married? Check out our . You can even customize them to your own needs. We even offer free tastings. How about ?

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As social media platforms continue to expand and evolve, it should be no surprise at how they are merging into the personal lives of the people who use them.

The point of social media is to connect people to others around them and help simply the lives of the users. Planning a wedding is arguably the most romantic, personal, and stressful life experience a person can endure.

So how has the world of social media collided with modern wedding planning? The perfect example would be the new trend of personalized wedding websites and blogs.

Planning a modern wedding is no easy task. The average couple is doing all of the planning themselves, so with the help of a personalized wedding website they can easily communicate with guests the details about gift registries, accommodations for the ceremony, or share engagement photos.

My friends Skye and Jonathan Hakes got married this July. They personalized their own site using WordPress, and the result was fantastic. By personalizing their story, titled “The Blackberry & The Bee,” Skye and Jonathan were able to share their love story to the guests and create an organized method of distributing important information. Their site had appropriately labeled pages such as “The Story,” “About Us,” “Registry,” a photo gallery, and contact information. Guests of the wedding were mailed beforehand an invitation that directed them to the site as well. The site looked well designed and fun, but it also made accessing the gift registries very easy.

Skye and Jonathan shared the inspiration for the wedding and described their themes as hipster and woodsy, which was perfect for a modern outdoor wedding. The guests also gave great feedback about the site and how user friendly it was. People enjoyed how personalized it was (they wrote their own love story), the convenience of being able to access it from anywhere, and the overall functionality of the site. The happy couple loved being able to reflect their own personal style and creativity for their guests to see. It allowed them to bring the guests into their exciting engagement long before the actual wedding day.

By finding inspiration online or in magazines, any couple can create their own unique website to share the details of their big day. The websites allow guests to share the excitement of the engagement with the couple, even if they are geographically distanced. Lastly, this method is tasteful and creative, but also more budget friendly and effective for today’s world. Consider adding some modern twists to your wedding planning, and create your own distinct wedding page to share.

Here are some online sites where you can create your own Wedding Website:

• Wedding Wire 
• eWedding 
• mywedding 
• Wedding Window 
• Wedding JoJo https://www.weddingjojo.com/

For an overview of some of these sites and a couple more, see the February 2013 Mashable post on Wedding Websites.

Check out Skye and Jonathan’s Wedding Page below
The Blackberry and the Bee
–Guest Post by Chelsea Holland

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From traditional wedding cakes to doughnuts, this yummy round-up of fall treats will hopefully inspire your own tasty ideas about how to make your fall wedding stand out with fun desserts. If you need wedding catering Raleigh NC services, please call ����vlog��� to schedule your free menu tasting!

Cakes and Cupcakes – Now that summer is over and we’re moving towards cooler weather, why not represent this change in the seasons with the flavors of your wedding cake and cupcakes? In lieu of having a traditional vanilla or a light lemon try a rich chocolate or spicy gingerbread instead. Devil’s food and carrot cake also make for great fall flavors and will pair well with buttercream.

If you want to really step out of the norm, why not have a cake buffet? There is something nostalgic about having a big assortment of cakes at a fall wedding because it reminds me of the cake walks during our Halloween carnivals as a child. Needless to say, having a table full of different cakes will be something that everyone, especially the kids, will love!

Tarts and Pies – Oh the pies! To me, the best part about the fall season is all the yummy goodies. That goes double for the pies. Nothing is better than having homemade pumpkin, pecan, and apple pie. A pie buffet also works great for your fall wedding. Just like above, fill a table with all of your favorite pies and enjoy.

Tarts also make for a great alternative to full sized pies. These mini versions can even be used as seat card holders or take home treats. A tart or pie buffet also makes for a perfect backdrop for a rustic or country-themed fall wedding.

Caramel Apples – If you’re familiar with our blog then you may have read one of our recent posts about why caramel apples make a great fall wedding dessert. !

Doughnuts – This trend has been really popular the past year or so, and for good reason. Doughnuts make for a great treat for North Carolina weddings, especially because of Krispy Kreme. You can even use a doughnut tower as a quirky alternative to a having a traditional wedding cake, or serve them as a late night treat with hot coffee or cocoa.

Croquembouche – This French dessert consists of a tower of cream puffs drizzled with caramel and covered in spun sugar. Croquembouche towers are not too common but one thing is for sure, they are delicious to eat and pretty cool to look at.

Award Winning Wedding Catering Raleigh NC Services – ����vlog���

Do you need the best rated wedding catering Raleigh NC services for your fall reception? Please call ����vlog��� today for a free menu tasting! We’re one of the most highly rated, and affordable, catering companies in central North Carolina. We have wedding menus that can be fully customized. We have the best prices and customer service in the Triangle. Give us a to schedule your free tasting.

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Catering by Design was very thankful to be chosen as the Raleigh wedding catering service of choice for a recent spring wedding and reception that was held here. We had a grand time serving Kristen and Sean, the bride and groom, as well as all of their wedding guests, and we wanted to share a few of our favorite pictures. To see the entire gallery from this lovely wedding reception, please visit us on .

Spring Weddings at the Mims House

Before dinner, we started the guests out with a few tasty appetizers. We served Freshly Grilled Tuscan, Pita and Focaccia Breads that were paired with a Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip, as well as Olivada and Tomato Basil Spreads.

When it was time to release the tables, guests were greeted with a georgous spring salad of Mixed Greens with Mozzarella Cubes, Cucumbers, Carrots, and Tomatoes. It was finished and tossed in our signature Red Wine Vinaigrette.

Next on the menu was Hot Marinated Grilled Vegetables comprised of broccoli, squash, mushrooms, and red peppers.

Also featured as a side was this Basil Cream Penne Pasta dish that combined Portobello Mushrooms with Sundried Tomatoes.

Finishing out the buffet was our Hand Breaded Chicken Parmesan and Freshly Baked Dinner Rolls served with Butter. For dessert, all the guests enjoyed the beautiful wedding cake. Thanks for taking the time to visit with our blog, if you need affordable catering please give us a call today.

The Best Raleigh Wedding Catering | Catering by Design

Catering by Design is the best Raleigh catering company for all of life’s grand events. We have affordable menus that can be customized for any occasion. To get an idea of the menus we offer, check out our wedding catering menus.

We’re also an award winning wedding caterer, and have been serving brides and their families for decades. If you do not need full service catering, ask us about our delivery services. When only the best will do, call Catering by Design to find out why we’re the top choice for Raleigh wedding catering services.

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Fair Barn Wedding Highlights | Pinehurst Wedding Catering

is the oldest surviving early twentieth-century fair exhibition hall in North Carolina. It was built in 1917 for use at the Sandhills Fair. This used to be one of the major country fairs in the Southeast from 1915 through 1925.

The Fair Barn has been recently restored and is now a multi-purpose community gathering place for exhibitions, receptions, private parties, auctions, educational clinics, business seminars, concerts, art and antique shows, and many other functions. It is located within the confines of the Pinehurst Harness Track. The original 56 acre track complex is the oldest continuously operating equine sports facility in North Carolina and provides a wonderful backdrop for a country wedding.

Catering by Design was honored to provide the Pinehurst wedding catering for the reception at a recent event. We wanted to share a few of our favorite pictures from this beautiful summer wedding. We took so many it was really hard to choose so to see the entire gallery, you’ll have to visit us on

For the reception, the wedding guests were greeted with colorful place settings and antique china. The adults were also gifted with koozies, that commemorated the wedding, to take home and enjoy for the rest of the summer.

To really play on the rustic feel of the barn, the bride and groom used a series of antique windows to list the Pinehurst wedding catering menu, as well as other aged windows for the seating chart.

The Butlered Hors d’ Oeuvres started out with a Pinehurst wedding catering favorite, our signature Fried Green Tomatoes with Roasted Sweet Pepper Aioli. Above, we featured a summertime classic, Caprese Skewers. These consist of delicious Skewered Mozzarella, Basil and Tomato with a Balsamic Drizzle.

Stationed Hors d’ Oeuvres were served outside for Cocktail Hour. The guests enjoyed an assortment of Imported and Domestic Cheeses with Gourmet Crackers.  A Sliced Seasonal Fruit Tray was paired with the cheese and crackers.

Family Style

After the wedding introductions, dinner was served in two courses, family style. The meal started off with a summer salad of Romaine with Strawberries, Mandarin Oranges, Pecans, and Feta Cheese finished with a light Basil Balsamic Dressing. The salad was paired with Corn Bread, Biscuits and Butter.

Featured above is course one. It consisted of Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Golden Brown Waffles and Maple Syrup. We paired these with Grilled Green Beans.

Course two featured Shrimp and Grits. We mixed them with Bacon and Shredded Cheese and sprinkled Fresh Scallions as a colorful topping. The shrimp and grits were served with Sautéed Squash, Onions and Zucchini.

For dessert, the guests were treated to a popular 2014 wedding trend, finger foods. The guests were able to enjoy an array of pie bites and miniature fruit tarts.

A chocolate cupcake tower was a huge hit with everyone. It was fun to watch the kids dash to be first. Everyone had their sweet tooth satisfied.

Probably the biggest hit of all was the photo booth. This wedding had a lot of children in attendance, so there needed to be something to entertain them and the adults. Along with the photo booth there was a dress up table full of silly hats and glasses, boas, wands and scepters, and other goofy accessories which created reception fun for everyone.

We love being able to serve such wonderful families and be a part of these big days and life changing events. If you need the very best in Pinehurst wedding catering, please consider Catering by Design. Our menus can fit any budget and we offer free tastings. Call us today or just drop by our kitchen.

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The North Carolina Botanical Garden, located in Chapel Hill, is a beautiful and unique place to get married and have your wedding reception. With several different spaces available, this venue can support large weddings and has intimate settings for smaller private affairs. If you’re looking for an outdoor space with lots of charm, be sure to click the link and check out their wedding packages.

We recently had the great pleasure of providing the food for an amazing wedding at the and wanted to share some amazing pictures. We want to wish the newlyweds, Lindsey and Chris, all the best and thank them for allowing us to help out and take part in their special day. If you’d like to see all the pictures from the wedding reception, . If you are in need of affordable Raleigh wedding catering, contact Catering by Design. We offer free menu tastings for brides and grooms, a service some of our competitors charge for.

Highlights | North Carolina Botanical Garden

For cocktail hour, the guests were greeted with a Southern favorite, Fried Green Tomatoes with Roasted Sweet Pepper Aioli, along with a colorful tray of Imported and Domestic Cheeses with Assorted Gourmet Crackers garnished with Seasonal Fruits.

For dinner, the buffet started with a beautiful spring salad consisting of Crisp Romaine with Fresh Strawberries, Feta Cheese, and Walnuts Tossed in our Tangy Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette dressing.

We also served these Lightly Seasoned Green Beans, which paired wonderfully with the carving station.

One of the menu favorites was this interactive Creamy Mac and Cheese Bar. Toppings for the station included: Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Blue Cheese Crumbles, Fresh Cut Chives and Bacon Bits, Diced Smoked Ham, Fresh Green Onions, and Diced Fresh Tomatoes.

Anchoring the dinner buffet was Chef James manning the Carving Station. Guests enjoyed this tender BBQ Beef Brisket which was served with Fresh Assorted Rolls and Sweet Cornbread. For dessert, everyone enjoyed the lovely and delicious wedding cake.

Really Affordable Raleigh Wedding Catering | Catering by Design

We love being able to serve such wonderful families and be a part of these big days and life changing events. If you need the very best in Raleigh wedding catering, please consider Catering by Design. Our wedding menus can fit any budget and we offer free tastings. Call us today or just drop by our kitchen to find out more.

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Every year brides from all across North Carolina descend upon the Jim Graham Building at the NC State Fairgrounds for The Wedding Show hosted by . This awesome two-day event is the longest running, and most popular wedding show in the state. Hundreds of the best wedding experts from all over North Carolina attended the event to show off the hottest new wedding trends for 2015, and of course was there for both days. We were well established in booths 500-504 with our sister company,

Each January, The Forever Bridal Wedding Show is filled with fun and all sorts of wedding related excitement. There were also fashion shows featuring the hottest trends in wedding gowns, tuxedos, and bridesmaid dresses along with live on-stage entertainment. This event is a must attend for brides getting married within the next year or so.

Several of the Triangle’s premier bakeries and Raleigh wedding catering companies were in attendance this year. This included The Matthews House’s very own in-house bakery, , and ����vlog���. Soon to be brides, and other show attendees loved being able to indulge in samples of the wedding cakes, and all of the delicious food we served up from our wedding menu.

For the wedding show, ����vlog��� featured some our most ordered menu items that we served up to brides, and their guests, during 2014. Since the show got rolling early in the morning, we started off the show attendees with our famous Garlic and Cheddar Homemade Biscuits stuffed with Country Ham.

As the guests filled our booths and the time raced by, everyone visiting was raving about the Toasted Phyllo Cups stuffed with a Mango, Cilantro and Lime Chicken Salad (featured above, in front of our wedding catering awards). Below we have our famous Pesto Smothered Grilled Shrimp appetizer. We hope you enjoyed the wonderful pictures that we wanted to share from the Wedding Show. To see the entire gallery, you’ll need to visit us on .

Top Notch Raleigh Wedding Catering

If you missed out on trying our wedding menu, don’t fret. At ����vlog���, we offer free menu tastings to brides and their families. Other Raleigh wedding catering companies charge for this service but we let our food do all of our talking. to learn more about these amazing opportunities and go ahead and get for our a free wedding menu tasting.

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