Save on Wedding Costs and Have That Chocolate Fountain
Chocolate fountains, once a rarity at weddings, are becoming more common -- but no less beloved. Still, they pose a budget crunch for many brides, coming in at only slightly under the cost of the wedding cake -- and that's for a one-day rental!
If you're like us, there's something that just burns our little Yankee hearts about spending over $400 to rent a machine that granted, costs a little over ten times that, but gets rented out many times. And yet if you're like us, you really want a way to fit that chocolate fountain in.
We're both in luck, because higher-end chocolate fountains are coming to the home market and becoming more accessible ... even to skinflints!
What We Didn't Buy -- And Why
You've seen the early entrants, maybe on eBay -- inexpensive chocolate fountains made by lesser-known brands selling for about eighty bucks. You've probably thought of trying one out, just because the price difference between that and a rental machine was so astronomical.
We did too, but as we read about the small, cheap versions, we ran into a lot of complaints.
One of the most worrisome was that the cheap fountains made such a loud grinding noise, you couldn't have a conversation standing next to one -- which was not the ambiance we wanted for our party.
Further, we weren't sure if we wanted to keep the fountain over the long term. We wanted to buy something with good resale value so we could recapture our money if needed.
Fortunately, as our deadline approached, Sephra -- the standard in high-end rental fountains -- began offering pre-orders on their first home market fountains. We snapped one up for about $250, an attractive fountain that holds five pounds of chocolate. The fountains were so new, we had to switch our order from the lovely cherry red we'd wanted to a stainless steel in order to get it in time. But we got it.
Showtime ...
And a Few Tips
Once acquired, it was time to test it out in live conditions! The first party we unveiled it at was on the small side, with about 25 people. Set-up was simple. The experience did, however, teach us some tips:
Try out and get comfortable with your chocolate fountain before a really big affair. You won't really understand the logic behind the instruction book until you try it. For example:
1)
The chocolate fountain really does need to be balanced to work properly.
Sephra models offer adjustable feet to accomplish this. When we first set up our fountain, we were so busy we didn't level it, and it didn't flow well until an left brained type in shining armor fixed it for us. Then things worked 100% better.
2) When melting large quantities of chocolate, don't even bother with a double burner. You need a glass bowl and a large microwave, which your venue hopefully provides. Heat gently, as advised -- no higher than 50% power.
3) Also, Sephra provides you with a little tool for telling whether your chocolate's melted enough to flow well. Err on the side of "too melted" rather than "not enough." Especially given the minute or so it takes to transport it, the chocolate can easily get too thick for easy flowing.
With 25 very interested people, we nearly (but not quite) ran through our first five pounds of chocolate. So you can guesstimate needing a pound of chocolate per five invitees. Just be sure to have extra on hand.
We worried whether it would be difficult to refill the fountain -- for example, whether we would have to lug the whole thing back into the kitchen, disassemble, refill -- but it turned out to be dead simple. You just pour melted chocolate into the bottommost bowl.
Our Chocolatey Conclusions
Sephra is bringing larger versions of their fountain to the home market.
For a large wedding or a party of several hundred, we would probably go with a larger version.
Yet you can also do very well with the five pound model. After all, it's hard to melt, carry and otherwise handle more than five pounds of chocolate at once (you wouldn't believe how many "chocolate chips" that is). All you need is someone willing to watch and refill periodically, which isn't hard. Pick someone who can get slightly messy without a problem -- not a bridesmaid in shiny taffeta.
If we'd had more time and a larger party, we'd probably get the largest fountain we could buy, care for it well, and resell it when the hoopla died down. That would save a huge chunk of change over the $400-500 one day rental, and bring the chocolate fountain within reach of a lot more brides (and happy guests).
And if you happen to fall in love with it and the day for selling it never comes?
Well, it happens.
Just ask us.
.
Blake Kritzberg is a web designer and small business owner. Find more on domain selection, buying and selling at www.buy-the-domain-name.com.
Structured Settlements
A structured settlement is an arrangement with the insurance company that involves periodic payments obtained as a substitute for release of liability.
As indicated, structured settlements are often obtained as a result of lawsuits and are an excellent alternative for lump sum settlements. Structured settlements are usually to be paid from the gross income to the injured party or as workers compensation settlement by the company against which the case has been filed.
Structured settlements are often not very helpful when there is a need for immediate cash, but a part or whole of them can be sold in case of a monetary emergency. People often wish to exchange these for a lump sum that would be readily available during an emergency.
Even with such drawbacks, structured settlements are still popular because the procedure usually benefits both the parties involved in an accident or an injury.
Structured settlements are best suited for cases...
Party > Structured Settlements
Enjoy A Weekend Break In Prague
Copyright 2006 Utopia Creative Solutions Ltd
Whether you want to spend your holidays in Prague, sample the Prague nightlife or hold your stag or hen party, you really could not go wrong with a Prague weekend break.
Prague in Czech Republic is a beautiful city filled with culture & diversity and the Prague nightlife is legendary with music and movie stars frequenting for the fun and lifestyle. There are many nightclubs and bars around and some recommended places are Club Mecca, Karlovy Lazne, Duplex, Stonx, Zlaty Strom Bar & Club, Roxy Dance Club and Radost FX in Wenceslas Square, at the city's centre.
Party the night away to Funky House, RnB, Hip Hop and whatever else takes your fancy, but be prepared to have fun and party the night away with people from across the world and enjoy the nightlife and party vibe of this wonderful city.
Eating out in Prague is a great experience and the standards are high with prices very good compared...
Party > Enjoy A Weekend Break In Prague
Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? version 8.0 overview for IT Director/Controller
This is short article, written in question/answer/FAQ style to give IT Director/Controller balanced top level information on Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains upgrade. If you have Microsoft Great Plains as main accounting and ERP system you need to know some technical details on Great Plains version upgrade and what is going on behind the scenes, which options do you have in case of Dexterity, VBA, SQL customizations, ctree/Pervasive migration to MS SQL/MSDE. As of right now it is reasonable to upgrade to Microsoft Great Plains 8.0 Is upgrade required? Not actually, but you have to consider these factors ?Technical Support discontinuation - the old version may not be supported - currently if you are on version 6.0 - support is already discontinued. You can not have Microsoft Business Solutions help you, but obviously you have MBS partners who can still help you. If you are on Ctree or Pervasive SQL, then your support expires December, 31 2004.
?Tax Updates/Magnetic media...
Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? version 8.0 overview for IT Director/Controller
Party > Microsoft Great Plains Upgrade ? version 8.0 overview for IT Director/Controller
Hottest New Trend in Wedding and Party Favors
(ContentDesk) August 16, 2005 -- We have found the most fun and high quality wedding and party favors that make party and wedding planning a breeze. These adorable eye pillows have a pocket filled with themed products for every occasion.
Wedding party, bachorelette party, teen and pre-teen slumber party and even a faux mink pillow with salon quality spa products and pearl necklace.These Pocket Spas were featured on a cable gardening program that followed a bride and groom through their wedding planning and wedding day,
and are used by mobile spas in California and also offered as guest favors at hotels and hair salons.We've recently filled an order for a large party favor website as part of their gift basket contents.They are perfect for the busy bride or party hostess as they are packaged and ready to hand out or display on your reception table.
No fuss!
All are personalized for your event, no charge, and are customized with your choice of fabrics...
Party > Hottest New Trend in Wedding and Party Favors
No Stress Holidays
The holidays are coming soon. Get organized now, and you'll have plenty of time to spend with your family. With everything that needs to be done throughout the holiday season, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a simple system that would help you get your holiday season organized?
Start with a family meeting. Family meetings are perfect for organizing things from chore schedules to parties.
It's also the perfect time for everyone to keep in touch with each other. Schedule one or two per holiday season. Start now for Thanksgiving and schedule another one for Christmas before the end of November. Schedule a call-free hour for each planning session and let the answering machine field calls. Planning early will give everyone something fun to look forward to.
Don't overbook your schedule. Pick the things you enjoy doing the most, and focus on them. This way, you'll have plenty of additional time for yourself and your...
No Stress Holidays
Party > No Stress Holidays
No Stress Holidays
The holidays are coming soon. Get organized now, and you'll have plenty of time to spend with your family. With everything that needs to be done throughout the holiday season, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a simple system that would help you get your holiday season organized?
Start with a family meeting. Family meetings are perfect for organizing things from chore schedules to parties.
It's also the perfect time for everyone to keep in touch with each other. Schedule one or two per holiday season. Start now for Thanksgiving and schedule another one for Christmas before the end of November. Schedule a call-free hour for each planning session and let the answering machine field calls. Planning early will give everyone something fun to look forward to.
Don't overbook your schedule. Pick the things you enjoy doing the most, and focus on them. This way, you'll have plenty of additional time for yourself and your...
No Stress Holidays
Party > No Stress Holidays
New Upscale Dinner Social Gay Club Launched
Washington, D.C. (ContentDesk) March 29, 2004 - Circleinthecity -The Alternative Social Network
is proud to announce it's Washington, DC launch of a new way for busy professional gay men to meet, network, and socialize. Circleinthecity is the premiere networking and dinner club company providing busy professional gay men opportunities to meet, socialize and network in the Capitol city's best restaurants and lounges, today announces plans to host the grand opening party at Dupont Circle's Caf? Savino in April The founders describe CITC as "a new concept, providing gay men a place to meet in a relaxed atmosphere and comfortable environment, while enjoying fine dining," They added, "Functions will be arranged for small groups composed of six or eight compatible clients drawn from a client pool listings.
Client pools will be selectively determined from the results of personal interviews, helping ensure a pleasant and rewarding experience for all. Circle In The City is...
Party > New Upscale Dinner Social Gay Club Launched