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We loved being part of the Casa Vertigo re-launch and providing our Asian inspired dishes such as ramen, deconstructed spicy tuna sushi and Sake tasting!

Couldn't make it? Thanks to Zelus Media and AI International Events, they captured it all on video! Click the link below to watch!



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"Swooning for florals and beautiful, bright colors? Feast your eyes on this Floral Garden Dinner Party submitted by Good Gracious! Events, out of Los Angeles, CA, USA!
From the breathtaking florals to the exquisite decor, this summer party will have you begging for more!

Details I can’t get enough of from this lovely event, include:
Marble Chargers
Fruit-filled Floral Centerpieces
Flower Petal Guest Table Runner
Personalized Ombre Napkin Table Settings
Ghost Chairs
Flower-adorned Menus" - via Kara's Party Ideas

To see the full feature, click HERE.












Venue/Hots/Florals: XO Bloom | Coordination/Design: Cindy Celis | Catering: Good Gracious! Events | Cocktails: Scarlette Bartending | Stationery: Soolip | Rentals: Edge Design and Decor | Tabletop & Chair Rentals: Party Pleasers | Photography: Sanaz Photography | Lighting & Sound Coastal Events | Napkin Calligraphy: Handwritten Everything
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If you did not know, Pauline, or Good Gracious wrote a book of recipes many years ago. Over the next several months we will share those recipes, chapter by chapter. Today, we'll dive right in to Chapter 1: Drunken Tomatoes with Chili Salt and Zatar Spice!


I have always been interested in the idea that the power of ancient spirits exists and that it can give us the energy and ability to create positive change in our lives and the lives of those around us.

One day when wandering into a book store, a book of good spells caught my eye. I immediately thought it would be perfect to have a party based on this book and on the notion of good spells. After all, I believe that casting good spells is what we do over people when we bring them together for a meal.

The look of the book, with its deep red fabric cover,was my inspiration for the colorscheme of the table. And because my home is Spanish in style, I chose a menu influenced by the cuisine of Spain.
A book was placed at each setting. I added my guests’ names to each book, very easily, with a gold label and a label maker. That little detail was so effective in creating the first good spell – breaking the ice!



Before the party, I had chosen three spells from the book – one for love, one for health and one for wealth – and provided all the elements those spells took to perform (according to the book, a candle, a penny and a key) and placed them in a decorative bag for each guest. During the evening, we performed each spell as directed by the book. I’m sure you can see where this is going – dinner was a riot, with interesting conversation brought on by the spells...and the Rioja wine helped too!

It made me think about the nature of dinner parties. Really, we – the host and the guests – are the entertainment for the evening. But, because people have somewhat forgotten the fine art of conversation, The Good Spell Book gave this group a structure for their conversation, for the entertainment really. It enabled us to share time with one another in a completely different way. Now that is what I call a powerful energy!

To me, this is the essence of great entertaining – bringing out the best in people with food, fun and love to create a moment in time that is remembered forever. In the“spirit” of this evening of giving, each guest was given a copy of the book and their bag of goodies so they could continue to practice some good spells on their own.

Below, is the recipe!

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Our next creative in our “creatives that inspire” series, is Claudette of Scarlette Bartending! If you haven’t had the pleasure of tasting one of her custom cocktails do what you can to end that drought. Read below to learn more about her favorite cocktail and how she got started in mixology!



1. 5 things in your fridge at all times?  
Horseradish
Lemons
Limes
Popsicles
Bottle of really good Champagne and / or Rosé


2. What song can you not get out of your head?
Currently it’s Colors by Beck...the kid and I love singing that one


3. What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Taking surf lessons with the kid from the truly special Ace Conlon, my lead bartender and true supporter


4. What is your guilty pleasure?
Having an “at home” work day


5. What’s your favorite cocktail at the moment?
Our version of The Last Word with Mezcal when Karen Sours, my other lead bartender, works her magic.


6. What is your go-to drink?
Really good reposado tequila or Rye whiskey with a large clear ice cube or neat.  


7. What’s the favorite part about what you do?
Being at the event and seeing the guests reactions as they take their first sips and bites. At an event, food and drink is the great connector and I never tire of seeing that happen.


8. When did you first get involved with mixology?
It was my first corporate event for influencers. It was for American Horror Story, the carnival season. My colleague, Joe Moller, hired me and I thought, “we’re going to need a bigger boat”, so to speak. I told Joe and he said call D Max. D Max opened up Varnish. He was the 1st mixologist that I met who actually had a sense of humor and was willing to break some of the rules as long as we were creating amazing cocktails. I will never create a cocktail that only has form and no function. That is why you will never see a cocktail of ours that uses dye to create the theme color or has crazy flair that creates a line down the dance floor. D Max understood that it was an honor to be hired and that must be taken seriously, but if we take ourselves too seriously, well, that is really not so fun and terribly limiting.  A lot of mixologists that I have encountered scare the bejesus out of me. I love the art of collaboration. I also now work a lot with Gillian Georges. She’s truly touched and I am proud just to say I have her digits, yo.


9. Do you have a favorite venue to work or do you prefer private homes?
I love big open spaces, I always have. But I also am someone that needs constant change and to always be challenged or I can get a wee bit bored. This “business” is absolutely perfect for me. She gets me and I get her and even though we might have mad mad fights sometimes, there ain’t no other place I’d rather be...I hope that makes sense, lol.


10. Where can we see more!?
https://www.scarbarla.com
On Instagram





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Be realistic with your vision when creating a budget! In this edition of Pauline's Points, we are delving into the most important part of your event; Budget.


As they say, money makes the world go round. One would argue that on a wedding day, love makes the world go round. As long as a strong balanced budget has been prepared, and followed, then on the big day, it will be all love.

1. Here is basic list of principal elements that you will want to consider; as every wedding is individual, yours may need other additional considerations.

∙ Invitations and Signage
∙ Officiant and Ceremony site
∙ Venue
∙ Wedding Attire
∙ Transportation
∙ Flowers
∙ Photography/Videography
∙ Wedding Planner
∙ Food and Beverage
∙ Wedding Cake
∙ Music
∙ Favors
∙ Lighting
∙ Decor
∙ Rentals/Linens
∙ Honeymoon


2. No time like the present to start the family off on a healthy communication about finances. All those who are participating in the expenditures, finance, family, generous friends (hey some of us have those) should feel comfortable talking about who will be responsible for what part of the costs of the celebration. A ballpark figure must be established or the whole process will be more trying that it needs to be.

2. Take the time to discuss with your fiancé and if your family are going to help with the expenses, as to who will be responsible for what. Come up with a ballpark figure that everyone feels comfortable spending for your celebration.

3 For most, this is the most expensive party they have ever thrown. Many people have no idea of what it will cost to create their dream wedding. Try to be realistic about what you dollars will bring you.

4. Be realistic with your vision for your wedding day that it matches your budget.

5. Your highest cost items are generally venue, food, beverages and equipment rentals.

6. To get more bang out of your dollar amounts, consider having the ceremony and reception at the same location as this will be more cost effective.

7. Choosing a venue such as a hotel or country club can also help the budget as they usually have linen, flatware, glasses, chairs, tables, and usually staff built in to the cost of the venue.

8. When booking a venue that is a blank canvas remember that you have to pay for everything to be brought in. These costs can be as much as 45% higher than choosing a venue with all equipment mentioned above.

9. Really determine what elements of a celebration are important to you. It is so much better to do five things really well than 10 things poorly. You may want to indulge your guest on a more elaborate culinary experience, and entertainment or photography may not be as important to you. Choosing an open bar over elaborate decorations may suit your style. Having this conversation early in the process will also save you time and money.

10. Your guest list can make or break the budget when it comes to the cost of food and beverage, rentals and floral costs for centerpieces. The more guests and the more tables, the higher this cost goes. Most other items will remain nearly the same whether you have 50 or 200 guests i.e. entertainment, dance floor….

11. Work closely with your event professionals, as they are experts and quite often can find creative solutions that you never considered to bring prices more in line with your budget. Giving your professional team a ballpark budget to start makes their life easier, and more likely to give you added value. Making them play the guessing game eats into their time, and can be frustrating.

The budget process in many ways is a quick view into how your future as a couple and budgeting finances will run. Keep the communication open, and know there will have to be compromises. Remember this is a celebration of the love you all have more than anything!




To see more from Good Gracious, head to our website!
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Pauline Parry

Founder Good Gracious! Events

About Pauline

Educated in the prestigious British hotel and restaurant management tradition, Pauline is the renowned and highly sought after founder and president of GOOD GRACIOUS! Events. Professional event planners, private clients, and corporations - both nationally and internationally - seek out her innovative expertise and imaginative concepts.


GOOD GRACIOUS! Events was established over three decades ago and is an award-winning full-service LIFESTYLE food and beverage company that has earned the trust of a diverse set of clients and has a reputation for being a trendsetter in producing unique, quality and fabulous presentations in all aspects of weddings and events.


Pauline has been inducted into the Catering industry Hall of Fame for Events and Weddings and has published a book called FOOD FUN LOVE Party Styles.


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Joanne Purnell

Joanne Purnell
Vice President

About Joanne

Joanne Purnell is a graduate of the California Culinary Institute and before joining GG! Events worked and traveled in England and Paris to gain working experience.


Joanne has been Chef de Cuisine for nearly 20 years at GG! Events and during this time she has won numerous awards including Chef of the Year. She has been published in magazines on various food topics including presentation, trends and all aspects of cooking and is a contributor for, “Inside the Recipe Box of Catering Chefs”


Joanne is an educator in the catering industry and is regarded as a leader. Today, Joanne is Vice President at Good Gracious! Events.


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