Purple Spring Wedding GWC April 2010

As the guests arrived from the Ceremony and walked into the Glendora Woman's Club entry way, all set up on a large round table was this enormous white painted tree with all kinds of silver and purple crystals. Laying near to the base of that tree were the name cards of each guest and the table numbers where you were to be seated. I thought this was a clever way to let their guests know, rather than everyone having to scramble wondering, where they should sit when they arrived.


What a fun Spring Wedding reception this turned out to be! The colors were so rich with the dark purples in the sashes that were used in the chair covers and on the table coverings. This venue was held at our very own Glendora Women's Club in April 2010. The florist that this Bride picked decided to have the centerpieces that stood up tall above the tables which really set them off.

Ritz catering's very own baker created a beautiful cake matched to the brides custom design. See a closer view in the top picture on the left, she wanted us to stack the cakes on an angle, then decorate them with fresh flowers.

In this picture you can get a closer look at the numbered guest tables with the fresh flower centerpieces. It did turn out really beautiful. This will give all of you that want to see what a purple and pink wedding would look like in case you need some ideas!

Bushnell Reception Chino, CA March 2010

This was a lovely venue that the Bride and Groom chose for us to cater their reception. It was located in the newly built Chaffey College auditorium in Chino, CA. As the guests arrived, Ritz Catering staff had ready to serve,a beautiful table of appetizers. Including a variety of gourmet cheeses and crackers, Sweet n Sour Meatballs, and a large basket full with Tortilla Chips and Fresh Salsa.

As the guests entered the ballroom to find their assigned seating, up on the wall was a large screen with the picture of the Bride and Groom, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bushnell! Throughout the evening the guests were shown a slideshow of the Bushnell's romance together. In the back of the picture you can see the buffet. We were asked to set up two so that the guests could serve themselves in a more timely manner. The menu they chose was Chef carved/Slow-cooked Baron of Beef, with au jus and creamed horse-radish sauce, Normandy blend steamed Vegetables, Dill/butter red roasted Potatoes, two salads and rolls with butter.

I thought it was very clever that they chose to put the cake behind the head table to use as a center backdrop for their pictures! They chose Ritz Catering's personal bakers to create the cake for this wonderful event. They picked a square shape with whipped cream frosting, and we decorated it with a yellow ribbon banding and fresh yellow and pink roses. They had 12 at their head table.

From the photo below, you can see a close up view of the slideshow for their guests.

This is the final picture I wanted to share with you. These are the tables we set for the guests at this party. Each table had a different pot of flowers as the centerpiece and their were no two the same color. Some were purple, pink, yellow, white, green, etc. It turned out really beautiful and light. While everyone waited for the Bride and Groom to take pictures after the wedding, the guests relaxed and ate some light appetizers. The bridal party came in and put the small pink gift bags you see in the picture below, at each place setting. They also placed a framed picture of the wedding couple on each table.


It was a joy to work with such a happy couple this day!

Pasadena Law Museum for April Wedding

This beautiful building is the Pasadena Law Museum, located in the fine homes area of old Pasadena. The architecture is amazing, with fine woodworking on all the walls, doors, ceilings and floors.

Ritz Catering is familiar with catering in historic settings such as this, since we have catered in the Pasadena Historic Museum and Mansion fairly often.
Jacque Kay Florals was the designer for these beautifully arranged table centerpieces, wedding cake, and various other florals.

The Bride and Groom were a really happy couple and so eager to be married. You can see it in this picture of them. This was one of many pictures they gave out at the door as the guests arrived.
We worked with a wedding coordinator that knew exactly how the bride wanted the wedding ceremony set up. So we, as the caterers, quietly worked behind the scenes to make sure that everything else fell perfectly into place as the ceremony ended. We were ready to serve the guests Appetizers while the bride and groom took last minute pictures before dinner was served.

At each place setting were placed these fun little gifts. In our line of business it is always enjoyable to see what creative ideas that each bride brings to their own event. I always wish that I could just take a peek inside to see what it is that the guests get to take home, Oh well, maybe next time...

A close up look at the tables after they are set up. The bride chose some beautiful colors. The groomsmen wore grey suits with grey converse tennis shoes. It looked really classy. The bridesmaids wore deep purple. I think it was a nice touch that she added that color in her linen cloths and flowers.

Another view with the guests gifts set at each setting.

It does seem a little dark for the picture, but it is of the whole room. You can see the oil paintings on the walls in this picture, which shows the quaintness and why this bride picked this venue.

Here you can see the groomsman as they are taking their group pictures with the groom. They are standing on the stairs near the entrance of the main lobby. I never got to see all the bridesmaids together. The front door is behind us and the ceremony will be taking place right behind the doors where the photographer is standing.

This was taken from the other end, at the top of the stairs looking down at the front door where the guests will be entering. This was a beautiful place. It does not hold a lot of guests, about #150 max, but the setting is unique and very different.

Cozy backyard Altadena Wedding

Allie and Danny decided to have their romantic backyard wedding and reception in their families Altadena home. It was early April and the weather couldn't have been more perfect.


This is Ritz Catering's beautifully set dinner buffet. The bride's mother printed up the menu we were serving to their guests. She then set it in a framed stand on the buffet for all to view.

To the left is the beverage station we set up for the beginning of the reception. We offered a variety of lemonades, iced tea, ice water with lemon slices, and a marquerita machine.

The picture to the left is the sign in book for their guests and friends. I thought it was quite unique that they chose a vintage look to go with as the theme of their wedding.

You can see a full size view of their book and table in the drive-way picture below.

This was the driveway that let up to the backyard of the house. This was also the entrance the guests and friends used as they walked up from the street after parking their cars. The view ahead in front of the garage is where they set up for dancing.

You can see a close up view with the poster hanging from the garage door in this picture below. Then as the guests walked past the garage, they entered the wonderfully decorated backyard where the reception was fully set up.

The bride and groom were so excited to find this wonderful Willow Branch Arch, which fit perfectly with the look they wanted for their ceremony in an outdoor setting. They hung small fresh flower bouquets on several chairs along the aisle runner, as well as toule overhead for the bride and groom to walk under. It made for a romantic setting.

The cake was specially made for Allie and Danny by the bakers at Ritz Catering. We added fresh flowers and the Bride and Groom provided the cake top! It was neat to look around the yard to see how they made use of everything in the yard to enhance the decorating for the reception. Look around in the background of the pictures and note the ground flowers, the swing, hanging flower pots, shovels, even the fence had flower pots hanging on them.

This table below was set up as a place for the guests to put their gifts. The table next to it had place cards for the guests, directing them to their particular tables.

Below you can see a close up of the table setting. We set up with ivory table cloths and dark green napkins, a very country setting. The flower centerpieces were all unique with different colored flowers at each table. Some had yellows, purples, red, pink, and white & ivory.

It all turned out beautiful. I am very glad that I was there to get this final shot in order to share it with you. Just in case some of you are looking for this sort of wedding in your future. We hope that we can be of help for your event as well.

I think that it being in April, the day time was very warm but at night it did start to cool off a bit and so that is why they brought in the heaters you see here in this shot just in case. This party started at 5:00 pm and went until after midnight. They had strung twinkle lights over the tables and had the large chinese lanterns that gave off a perfect amount of light as well. You can see a better view in the picture below. What a neat backyard it is don't you think?

This was a beautiful setting for a cozy backyard wedding and reception. The home was located in the foothills of Altadena. When I drove up to the house to get set up for the event, I was taken back by the wonderful quaint street and other homes in the neighborhood. This family truly had a warm feeling they gave to their guests as they arrived to this joyous event.

Forest Lawn - Holiday Party (Hollywood Hills) Dec 2009

Forest Lawn invited us to host their annual Employee family and Friends Holiday Party. It was so exciting to get to cater for this wonderful group of 800 guests. They set up a large tent in the parking lot of their Hollywood Hills facility, which included electricity, heating, tables, chairs and large globe overhead lighting.

Each table was set with a silver embroidered overlay, floral centerpieces of enormously tall marguerita glasses, and festive poker chips spread around the base and all resting on a glass mirror.

This is the view of theRitz Caterers as we were getting our staff set up and ready for the big event. We had our own tent, to the left of the trailers, that we worked out of to prepare all the dishes being served on the 8 buffets.

In the picture to the right...are the finished buffets as we are almost ready to begin serving. Our uniformed staff is going over the last minute details. The host provided the large fresh flower dice used on the buffet tables as centerpieces.

The picture to the left shows just one of one of the entres we served this morning. We had a large menu to offer the guests. There were 4 Chef-carving stations, 3 dessert bars, 2 tall chocolate fountains, and 2 beverage stations. All while the 8 buffets are being served at the same time. The host asked that we have the guests served within a 60 minute period. So we were extremely well prepared very organized!




Our 8 Buffets each served: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, California blend vegetables with melted butter, Baked Penne Pasta with Marinara sauce, Chicken & Steak Fajitas, Mexican style Rice & Refried Beans, Pre-heated Corn & Flour Tortillas, Tossed Field Green Salad with 3 dressings, Spinach Salad with Glazed Walnuts & Feta Cheese with Raspberry dressing, Fresh baked Rolls & Butter, Chips, salsa, and guacamole, grated cheese, limes, and cilantro. Whew!

You can see the busy Ritz Catering staff all working together to make this event very successful!

Chicken & Steak Fajitas

Chef-carved Baron of Beef, served with Au jus and Whipped horse-radish

For Dessert: The chocolate fountain was a great hit. So who doesn't love Belgian chocolate? We served a variety of items for dipping.

In the picture at the top you will see one of the dessert tables. We served cheesecake squares with fresh berries for topping, cream puffs, and chocolate eclairs.

8 large buffets to serve 800 guests

As you can see we set up 8 long tables of buffet space. On each buffet there needed to be exactly the same number of items offered for all the guests at the party. This was in order to serve the guests in a timely manner within 60 minutes. The draping of the soft greys and silver colors added a dramatic touch to enhance the look of the buffets.

The theme for this event was a "Casino/Las Vegas" Christmas!

Forest Lawn is VERY good to their employees..they planned several venues as entertainment. They had a live band, a magician that went from table to table doing tricks at eye level as several raffle games were going on. There was even a Christmas tree with gifts being given out during the raffles.





As the day came to a close, one by one the guests left. This was the last picture....of the big tent!

Once again we want to thank Roger Ruth Photographers who came and took these amazing photos of the event. Please go to their website and book your next event with them.

Young Presidents Dinner "Life After You?" at Forest Lawn OCT 09

Forest Lawn, in Glendale, was the location for the Young Presidents dinner. The actual location was outside the Museum and chapel. It was a great setting to also view the valley when the sun began to set.

The evening began at 5 pm with the bar opening for cocktails. Ritz staff served tray passed Hors de houvres to the Young Presidents Organization, and their spouses, while they mingled. They were served: Herb Stuffed Mushrooms, baby quiche, and tomatoe basil bruschetta served on toasted baghettes.

Our most experienced bartenders, Lloyd and Bruce, served drinks at the open bar all evening. They also walked around and made sure the wine glasses were full at each table.

Below is a full view of the dinner tables after we completed their settings with the silver chargers under each china plate. It turned out beautiful! The chapel doors are to the left in the picture below.

We served dinner "sit-down" style. Pre-set at each table was a basket of freshly baked rolls and butter, and a beautiful plate of chilled field greens with Raspberry vinagarette. For dinner we served English Prime Rib, with au-jus and Ritz Catering's own special recipe horse-radish sauce. Roasted Red Potatoes dipped in a dill butter sauce, and Roasted Summer Vegetables with a variety of squashes, completed the beautiful plate. A few guests asked for variations due to special diet restrictions So we added some: Cocoanut Rice & Vegetable Skewers for those guests.

Accompanying each centerpiece on the tables, as you can see in the picture to the left, were small headstones with the evenings theme, "Life After You?"

For dessert! We served our famous homemade Pumpkin Creme Brulee for each guest. All in all it was a tasty hit!

As the guests finished the evening, they were invited to take a bag filled with advertized items from several vendors in the valley. I'm sure to encourage these Young Presidents to want to use their services! We want to thank our own RogerRuth Photography for taking these amazing photos for your viewing. It was a joy working with Forest Lawn and our clients at this event!

Sketchers Shoes, Bosses Surprize 60th Birthday party!

Last Oct, we received a call from the secretary of the Sketchers Shoe Company. This office is located in Mira Loma, CA. She was planning a "Surprize" 60th birthday party for her boss during the lunch hour. She made all the arrangements to have her staff set the tables, chairs and decorate before we arrived.

We set tables for 50 guests for lunch. In the picture to the left, the table is set up for desserts. The host later brought in a cake decorated in the shape of a golf cart.

You can see from the picture on the left, that Sketchers had hung posters up in thier hallways advertizing their latest styles of shoes.

Ritz Catering Staff, Elba & Jacob, just as they arrived early that morning. Before getting dressed for the event!

All went well. The guests loved the menu of chicken parmesan, displayed fresh fruits, and pastas served with our "Italian Flag" sauces.

Luncheon Recipe for the Month

Baby Spinach Salad

1 bag Baby Spinach

1 can Madarin Oranges - drained

1/2 C. Pine nuts - roasted in oven

1/2 C. sliced fresh Mushrooms

2 Eggs - hard-boiled, sliced

Toss alltogether in large bowl with

1/2 Jar Spinach Dressing (Your brand choice)