The Columbia Museum of Art was a rocking hip hopin spot for Dr. Andy Weisinger’s party that he held in honor of his lovely wife Bettina. I would like to thank the medical profession for their party attitude, these guys know how to party….like it’s not 1999! What a great time they had, we just hope none of them had to perform surgery the next day…especially after that booty shakin contest! Anyway, Andy had secretly planned for over a year to throw Bettina a birthday party that she would never forget neither will this caterer or the Columbia Museum of Art. I worked with Andy to create a hip funky party in jewel tones of fuschia and eggplant. We planned the entire party from every morsel to every sparkling bubble in every cocktail. Thanks to everyone that helped put it together. The simple centerpieces by American Floral were using fuschia Gerber daisies, rye grass and water pearls accented with acolytes. The room was accented by a retro disco ball over the bar and white ostrich feathers on the floating columns. We used bamboo chairs, bamboo plates and featured all of Bettina’s favorite foods. The Indian station was complete with themed décor, Vegetable Samosas, Pakoras, Tandoori Chicken and Gulab Jamun. We gave the room culinary balance by offsetting the Indian Station with an Italian Station where we served grilled Turkey Panini Sandwiches and had an assortment of Italian Antipasta. In the middle of the Garden Terrace we had a buffet complete with regional favorites such as Pimiento Cheese, Southern Style Chicken Salad and to end on a sweet note Strawberries with Chocolate.

The stacked bar had plenty of cocktail height chairs to allow for extra seating. We served Bettina’s favorite drinks in special engraved glasses by Smith Rubber Stamp. The featured drinks were very sexy featuring cotton candy and frozen blueberries and to bring back a blast from the past we tray passed “Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill” as a shooter. To make the medical staff feel at home, actually work, we gave them all jello shots served in syringes…now that’s a shot! The band “Too White Crew” from Chicago rocked the Chihuly suspended from the ceiling and all the guests! Thank goodness the Chihuly was suspended with steel cables. It was a great show; there wasn’t a boring moment or a sad face the entire night. A special thank you to Michael Koska for executing and planning the video booth..it is so super cool!  Please check out this video and see what fun everyone had. Thank you Andy, it was great working with you.



 

 

Sara and David’s wedding reception at 701 Whaley was a fabulous event.   After a beautiful ceremony at Washington Street United Methodist the guests arrived in great fashion ready to dance the night away.  The atmosphere at 701 Whaley was perfect for the couples ecclectic taste and style.  Cricket Newman designed the space to match Sara and David’s sense of understated elegance.  It may of been cold outside but it was definitely hot inside!  

The couples ecclectic taste was duplicated in the fabulous food we prepared for the guests.  The Asian Chop Suey station was complete with Vegetable Spring Rolls, Prawn Crackers, Freshly Prepared Sushi and Chicken Chop Suey served in Asian To Go boxes.  The station was decorated with Asian lanterns and even contained restaurant seating which the guests really enjoyed.  The panini station was very popular as a warm cheesy crusty sandwich is just what a body needs on a cold night.  This station was complimented with different antipasta.    We also served the Vegetable Cups,  Potato Cakes, Edisto Crab Dip, Beef and our famous Rosemary Cheese Spread.  We ended the evening on a sweet note by serving a fronds course…our delicious Chocolate Brownie Cobbler.  However everyone was already sweet!  It is no surprise that David and Sara have such wonderful friends and family!

What a perfect evening..the wedding reception of designer Katie Caston and writer John O’Connor.  The wedding reception was held at The Lace House at the SC Governor’s Mansion which is a beautiful backdrop for any event.  The twinkly lights in the clear top tent helped accent the evening.  The patio was full of dancing to the music by an awesome band Kenley Young and the Fires.

As a designer Katie knew the perfect color combinations for Autumn so she choose chocolate brown accented by burnt orange.  We used chocolate brown linens with orange sashes and gold chavari chairs.   Katie did a wonderful job with the Candy Bar all with shades of mocha, chocolate and orange.  She used candy corn, chocolate toffee, peanut brittle, chocolate jordan almonds and orange slices.  It was the most beautiful candy bar I have seen in all my 18 years of catering.  Katie’s mom used her talents as an artist to hand calligraphy all the food tags and invitations.   She also made the cutest cake topper I have ever seen.  Katie and John used an antique typewriter with a typed letter as a warm greeting for all her guests and had a Fall photo book for a registry book.  Katie and John’s wedding reception was truly a lovely event, thank you Katie and John.

Click here to see another Lace House Wedding.

We were honored to be involved in Columbia’s Ignite event sponsored by EngenuitySC.  This event was an engergizer for anyone who loves Columbia, our home town. This event was a part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, an initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity.  Basically to think BIG! Applause Catering  served delicious tasty food on sustainable bamboo plates to go along with our ecco-friendly theme.  Applause served Blackeyed Pea Cakes on Tortillas with Tomato Marmelade, Firecracker Shrimp, Barbeque Parfaits along with Edisto Crab Dip and many other tasty delights.  We were all inspired by the wonderful speakers such as Ray Tanner the USC baseball coach, Doreen Sullivan of Post No Bills, Mayor Steve Benjamin of the City of Columbia and Neil McLean the executive director of EngenuitySC.  We also served Spanish Vines wine which was a import winery started by a recent USC graduate.  Thank you Berry and Katherine on a very successful evening, it was wonderful to work with two great professionals!

Sara Justice and John McCann Wedding Reception

The historic Seibels House and Gardens was a perfect setting for this happy bride and groom.  The Applause Catering staff tray passed Carolina Cocktails and Bacon Wrapped Scallops in the Garden while Sara and John finished up with the photographer.   The guests also dined on Fried Adluh Grits Triangles with Spicy Red Pepper Sauce, Fried Chicken Bites and many other tasty treats.  Sara had a perfect candy apple as a giveaway for a November wedding.  Sara thank you for being a delight to work with…we will really miss you and of course we love you guys!

Elizabeth Segars from Hartsville, South Carolina and Sean Mascaro from New York celebrated their wedding reception at the beautiful Odonnel House in Sumter, South Carolina.  The neo-classical house was perfect for an afternoon cocktail party.  The guests enjoyed Elizabeth’s favorite dessert “Decadent Chocolate Brownie Cobbler” along with other tasty food such as the Maple Sausage Apple Bake and Mandarin Orange Cheesecake.  Elizabeth’s very special Mom Debbie provided  her many beautiful antique china plates for guests to use and also decorated the mantel with wedding invitations from special family members.  It was a really nice touch.  A special thank you to Wanda of the Odonell House for being such a delight to work with.  Best wishes to the Elizabeth and Sean! 

The City Art Gallery is a fabulous venue for a chic downtown Columbia event.  Applause Catering and Shannon Jones of J. Ellis Signature Events were a perfect team putting this elegant event for Adrienne and Ken.

The historic Seibels House and Garden is perfect location for a elegant outdoor event.  It is suitable for large and small groups entertaining indoors or under a beautiful tent under a South Carolina moonlight sky.