Vendor Spotlight: Paulding & Company

Although Tracy and Terry Paulding of Paulding & Company cater the occasional wedding, their focus is the night before. Terry and her staff do incredible hands-on cooking events for rehearsal dinners. Of her unique business model: “Most of my business is in-house cooking events, including team building, birthday parties, etc., but I hold the rehearsal dinner as a special favorite. The dynamic is lovely as two families get to know each other with their hands involved in a cooperative effort.”

She began working in restaurants during her teen years but ended her restaurant career in the mid ‘70’s to have a family. Years later, the Piedmont Adult School invited her to teach. She taught their Basic Cooking classes and they were always sold out. Eventually she went to CCA and got her degree in ’94. Terry speaks so highly of her teaching experiences and it’s clearly what drives her business today. “As a teacher, I introduced so many people to healthy, flavorful and fresh food, that I began getting requests to cater. So, a dozen years ago, I rented space in a commercial kitchen and started catering. I moved my teaching to that kitchen as well, as there was a dining area.”

Eventually she built a place of her own. Open since January 2004, her Emeryville kitchen is built specially for group work—it’s a fully inspected, 2400-square-foot, large, catering kitchen; and it's set up for teaching and activities with prep stations for large groups. It seats 56 people comfortably for dining, or she can accommodate up to 100 guests next door at Periscope Cellars winery.

So if you’re looking for a truly unique idea for how and where to host your rehearsal dinner, consider calling Terry. Your families and friends will get the chance to mingle while achieving something you can’t quite do any place else: eating a delicious meal that you each had a hand in making. The alchemy of creating food together extends itself in many ways and this is perfect for foodies or families that just love being around a warm, cozy kitchen. This is a great way to bring families together before the craziness to ensue the next day. There is truly magic in Terry’s kitchen: we’ve experienced it and you should, too. Learn more about them at: http://www.pauldingandco.com/

Julia's Fashion File: MOTB

While thinking about my next post it dawned on me that when I conjur up thoughts of wedding fashion I rarely think the Mother of the Bride, famously known as MOTB in wedding acronym speak. Which is a shame because it's just as important as all the other style aspects that go in to creating a beautiful, chic wedding.

When I imagine a MOTB, I see poise, elegance, class, and glamour. A lot of mom's feel that due to age and fear of overshadowing the bride, fashion has to suffer. But, I'm here to shine another light on it; there's no reason why mom can't be gorgeous right along with you.

As with bridesmaid dresses, I think MOTB dresses can get a bad rep because there are some bad (cringe-worthy bad) seeds out there. So I decided to poke around Bride.com and find some pieces that I would be proud to see my mom in on my big day.

I love the sassy black and white strapless dress for a mom who likes a more youthful look. Or, alternately, the floor-length forest green strapless with a lace shrug for those who like to be a little more covered up. The great thing about the lace shrug is that it's still sexy while being modest.

I was heartened to see so many beautiful styles out there. I for one can't wait to help my mom find hers when it's my turn. With dresses like these it's going to be hard to choose!

Wishing both you and your moms champagne toasts and fabulous fashion finds.

xoxo

Jules