If the proposal is any indication of what the wedding and marriage will be like, then this fabulous couple is sure to be happy for many years. Read on for more sweet details – and to watch the video!

About her…

Taureaun is from Marion, Arkansas, and graduated from West Memphis High School. She just recently graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Child Development (May 2013). She is a preschool teacher and also does ABA Therapy for children with autism. She has a passion for autism and plans to one day open her own center for children with autism.

About him…

Kenderek Harris graduated from the University of Memphis in 2012 and is now a graduate student there. He works as a Graduate Assistant (GA) for University College and as a Youth Specialist for the Memphis Ambassadors Program, which is a part of the Office of Youth Services. Kenderek hopes to one day become a middle school social studies teacher.

How they met…

Taureaun and Kenderek met at the University of Memphis in 2009. They had mutual friends that introduced them, and they’ve never stopped talking since then! That year it was a very memorable summer for the two of them because that’s when they began dating.

The Proposal:

The proposal was a complete surprise! Taureaun thought that she and Kenderek were going to the Memphis Botanic Gardens to visit and take photos. Upon their arrival, Kenderek’s fraternity brother was there and ready to take pictures (so she thought), but he was secretly recording the whole time. They took a few photos inside and walked towards to the door. As they opened the door, Taureaun was surprised by the presence of both their families, along with some of her sorority sisters and friends holding signs that read, “Will You Marry Me?” He then got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. It was a very special moment and something they will never forget!

The Wedding:

The wedding is set for June 21, 2014. We are currently looking for a place.

Planning:

Taureaun plans to attend some of the Pink Bridal Shows in the near future.

Many congratulations, Kenderek and Taureaun! We couldn’t be happier for you.

Happy Pink Planning!

Be sure to leave your congratulations to the happy couple in the comments below!

Images and video provided via email and Twitter by Kenderek.

The post Tying the Knot: Kenderek + Taureaun appeared first on The Pink Bride.

Don’t miss the unique way he popped the question and she said yes below.

Our Proposal Story, as told by the bride-to-be…

We had planned a vacation to Orlando, FL, to attend Coral Con 2013. We decided to book a day at Discovery Cove to snorkel, swim with the dolphins, and experience the underwater sea venture. We got there pretty early in the morning and spent a lot of time snorkeling in the grand reef. Then we had our dolphin experience, and the last thing before we were leaving for the day was the sea venture. They hooked us up and lowered us down into the water, and we were taking a bunch of pictures when our camera died. One of the divers decided to lend us one so we didn’t have to miss anything (if she only knew what was coming up).

We were almost ready to get out of the water, and Brad hand-motioned one of the divers to see if he could have his writing board. I was so scared, thinking something was wrong, like he couldn’t breathe or something. He began writing something and then turned the board around, which asked, “Will you marry me?” as he got down on one knee underwater. I was in such shock that I didn’t know how to jump up and down, scream, or cry with this helmet on my head and no one could hear me. So, I grabbed the writing board and wrote “Yes.”

The two other divers who worked for Discovery Cove took a bunch of pictures for us, and before we could even get completely out of the water, people were congratulating us and made us feel like we were famous! People were lined up, shaking our hands and saying congratulations as we had our kiss and were driving off. I was in such shock, and so much was going on, but it was such an exciting and amazing experience.

The staff put all the photos that were taken on a CD, and as we were leaving, they gave it to us. I had no idea that he was going to pop the question, but it was definitely an unforgettable one. I couldn’t wait to get in the car and share this with my entire family. My mom picked us up from the airport and had the ring for him to give to me.

Tonya at Your Reflections is our wedding photographer, and she just completed our engagement photos!

Many congratulations, Brad and Denise! We couldn’t be happier for you.

Happy Pink Planning!

Be sure to leave your congratulations for the happy couple in the comments below!

Images courtesy of the Discovery Cove divers, provided via email by Denise.

The post Tying the Knot: Brad + Denise appeared first on The Pink Bride.

1. Provide your guests with cupcakes at your wedding reception.

If the idea of serving wedding cupcakes in place of a traditional wedding cake at your reception tickles your tastebuds, you are definitely not alone! Lori explains that wedding cupcakes are very prevalent in weddings today, and although there are special tips for wedding cupcakes, they generally tend to work well for brides of all styles. Lori tells us that while the “Wedding Cake” flavor is one of the most popular options at Gigi’s Cupcakes for brides-to-be, many brides like to mix and match from the many flavors they offer. She also suggests using cupcakes as wedding favors for your guests. Your friends and family will love being able to take an adorable treat home with them as a sweet reminder of the fun they had on your big day!

2. Give cupcakes to attendees of your bridal shower.

If you’d like to feature cupcakes in other aspects of your wedding, why not serve them at your bridal shower as well?  Delicious, colorful cupcakes are a great way to add some extra wow-factor to an already awesome hang-fest with your best gal pals (and guys too, if it’s a couple’s shower!) Lori tells us that cupcakes are a great idea for a bridal shower, since they can easily be customized with the bride’s wedding colors, monogrammed initials, and favorite flavors. Since portion sizes are already set, cupcakes will provide the added benefit of eliminating the stress of running out of dessert – you simply get enough for the number of guests attending your shower, and you’re all set! 

3. Create welcome gift bags with cupcakes inside for out-of-town guests.

I know that whenever I’ve had a long day, a cupcake is a great pick-me-up that instantly lightens my spirits. It’s hard to not smile at the sight of a delicious sweet little cake topped with brightly-colored frosting and sprinkles! What better way to keep your weary, out-of-town-travelin’ guests happy than by having a welcome gift bag complete with a yummy cupcake inside waiting for them at their hotel! With all of the flavors available at Gigi’s, Lori tells us it’s the perfect way to customize a treat for your guests and is just an extra token of thanks for making the journey for your wedding day.

Lori has only become the store manager of Gigi’s of Knoxville a short while ago, but has been with the company since 2011. A recent bride herself, she loves helping couples plan their weddings, because she enjoys being a part of somebody’s big day and has a lot of fun interacting with the bride and groom. To learn more about all the amazing flavors and options available for your wedding cupcakes, be sure to take a look at the Gigi’s Cupcakes website, and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest as well. Give Lori a call at (865) 675-1980, and tell her The Pink Bride sent you!

All photos courtesy of the Gigi’s Cupcakes of Knoxville Facebook page.

The post Wonderful Ways to Use Cupcakes for a Tennessee Wedding appeared first on The Pink Bride.

1. Figure out how much time you’ll need for pre-wedding activities.

Are you kind of gal who can be ready for a night out on the town in 30 minutes or less? Or, perhaps you’re the type who doesn’t like to rush and prefers to take her time with hair and make-up? Determining how much time you’ll need to get ready for your wedding is an important factor when choosing what time of day you want your wedding ceremony, Denise tells us. If you know you won’t need a ton of time to get ready, a late morning or early afternoon ceremony may work out just fine for you! However, if you have a large bridal party or know you’ll want to relax while getting your hair and make-up done, Denise explains that a late afternoon or early evening wedding ceremony is the best bet. You’ll also want to think about wedding photos and if you plan on having those done before or after the ceremony. It may be difficult (but not impossible!) to have a late morning or early afternoon ceremony if you want to get all your family and group shots done before you and your groom say your vows.

2. Determine what time of day will work best for the day of the week of your wedding ceremony.

If you’re getting married on a Saturday, any time of day generally tends to work for a wedding ceremony. However, as Denise explains, Friday and Sunday weddings can get a little trickier. She tells us that many times, if people are getting married on a Friday, they’ll choose to have the ceremony in the late afternoon or early evening time. This allows for guests to have more time to travel from work and be present at the wedding. On the other hand, Denise says for Sunday weddings, brides often choose to get married earlier in the day so they’ll have more time to spend with friends and family before guests have to head back to work.

3. Make sure you allow enough time after the wedding ceremony before the wedding reception begins.

A third factor in choosing the perfect time of day for your wedding ceremony involves considering how much time you’d like to have between your wedding ceremony and reception. Denise tells us that about 90% of the brides she works with go for a late afternoon/early evening wedding ceremony followed by a reception that starts at sunset. She advises these brides to search their wedding date on Google to find out what time the sun is supposed to set. Then, brides can work backwards, figuring in time for a cocktail party and photos between the ceremony and reception, to determine the best time for the wedding ceremony to start.

Built in 1840, Heartwood Hall was originally part of a 5,000 acre estate, and has a ton of Civil War history. Denise and her husband John bought Heartwood Hall eight years ago and added some amazing renovations, including an additional 3,500 sq feet, gourmet kitchen, courtyard, pool area, and a beautiful garden, to make it the fantastic wedding venue it is today. Denise considers it both a privilege and an honor to work with brides in making their wedding dreams come true, and would love to help you plan your wedding today! To read more about this history-filled wedding venue, be sure to check out the Heartwood Hall website and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter as well. Give Denise a call at (901) 854-2294, and tell her The Pink Bride sent you!

First photo courtesy of Memphis wedding photography company Creation Studios.

Second photo courtesy of Memphis wedding photography company Snap Happy Photography.

Third photo courtesy of Memphis wedding photography company Tammy Morgan Photography.

Fourth photo courtesy of the Heartwood Hall website.

The post Choosing the Perfect Time of Day For Your Wedding Ceremony appeared first on The Pink Bride.

1. Consider how familiar you want your wedding photographer to be with your destination.

Imagine that you and your groom are planning a fabulous destination wedding on the beautiful island of Maui. Although you’ve never been there yourself, you dream of the gorgeous scenery, warm tropical winds, and all the delicious meals you and your guests will get to experience during your stay. You’ve checked out various tourist websites to learn all about the best places to visit, but how can you be sure of the best sites for you to get your photos done? Bob explains that if you want your photographer to have the knowledge of the most amazing photo locations, you’ll definitely want to go with somebody on location. The local photographer who lives in your own city may have traveled to your destination wedding’s area in the past, but it’s hard to beat some one who’s actually living in the area and has photographed weddings there for years.

2. Do your research on the reputation of your destination wedding photographer.

When trying to decide between a local photographer and an on location photographer for your destination wedding, reputation is definitely an important factor in your decision. Bob explains that with a local photographer, you may be more familiar with the photographer’s work or may even know him/her personally, but with an on location photographer at your wedding site, it will be much more difficult to assess quality of work. He encourages brides who choose the latter to be extra careful and ask for referrals for the photographer. Finally, Bob tells brides to be wary of simply using the wedding venue’s in-house photographer – sometimes they can lack experience and creativity, and have little incentive to go the extra mile for making their clients happy.

3. Consider all the costs associated with your destination wedding photographer.

While booking the most amazing photographer in your hometown may sound amazing for your destination wedding, be prepared for all the extra costs that go along with it. If your local photographer is willing to travel to your far-away wedding site, Bob tells us that you’ll have to be prepared to pay for his or her expenses associated with the travel. This can include airfare, gas, hotels, and more. However, as Bob explains, working with your local photographer will give you more time to talk and plan, as opposed to hiring an on location photographer at your destination wedding site. It all depends on what factors matter more to you and your groom!

Bob got started in the wonderful world of weddings about 20 years ago as a videographer, which gradually led to him turning to photography. He has photographed many destination weddings and loves being a part of the wedding experience due to the fun, happy atmosphere it creates! To check out more fantastic photography by Bob and talk to him about photographing your destination (or local) wedding, check out his website, and connect with him on Facebook as well. Give Bob a call at (865) 719-2188, and tell him The Pink Bride sent you!

All photos courtesy of the Bob Franklin Photography Facebook page.

The post Tips on Choosing a Destination Wedding Photographer appeared first on The Pink Bride.

Read the story behind the video below, and then be sure to watch the video for the actual proposal. Way to go, Tim!

As told from the groom-to-be’s perspective…

Janine and I met one year ago through a friend staying here (in Columbus, Ohio) from her home city of Barranquilla, Colombia. When my friend traveled back to her home country, she said, “Talk to my friend sometime; she is learning a little English.” So we did, via Skype! I could only say, “Hola,” and she could only say “Hello,” but each day, we learned new words and enjoyed each other’s company, growing our love and communication. I have since visited Colombia twice to share time with her. For the past year, I was learning to play her favorite song in Spanish on the piano, in secret so that I might surprise her some day. When I realized I couldn’t fly to Colombia to propose and have the days of vacation we would soon need, I came up with a plan!

It took 200 hours to video record, edit, and produce this movie in my apartment for her. When it was finally ready, I encoded the movie as a DVD and arranged for a friend to download it in Colombia, where they helped arrange the final surprise! All of her friends went with her for “Movie Night” (or so she thought), where my proposal video appeared on the big screen! It was a great night, and she was still in shock when I spoke with her on the phone. This video shows everything that happened combined in one movie!

Many congratulations, Tim and Janine! We couldn’t be happier for you.

Happy Pink Planning!

Be sure to leave your congratulations for the happy couple in the comments below!

Video provided by Tim’s YouTube channel, via email.

The post Tying the Knot: Tim + Janine appeared first on The Pink Bride.

With that being said, it’s no secret that Phillip and Leasha definitely know a thing or two about making your wedding a truly breathtaking event! I chatted with Leasha recently to discuss the most popular design elements seen at weddings today, and she let me in on what you can use each for to create the perfect look and feel on your special day. Read on for details!

1. Use draping within your wedding décor to transform your wedding venue.

As is the case with many décor elements at your wedding and reception, how little or how much draping is used at your event is very much a personal preference and doesn’t need to be a stressful decision. What brides may not realize about draping, however, is just how versatile of a décor element it can be! Leasha details that draping can be used to disguise aspects of your venue that you do not like or that do not fit the overall theme of your wedding.

“Draping can serve as a nice break between sections of your reception venue,” she details. She also went on to describe that draping is especially popular for the ceremony site, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be overpowering. It is either a small or large way to transform your space, depending on your vision for the day.

2. Opt for specialty lighting to customize your wedding venue.

Uplighting, spotlighting and underlighting are huge right now…and for good reason! Lighting has the ability to completely change the mood of your guests and your venue instantly, and such a powerful design element should definitely be trusted to an expert.

“Lighting allows you to really customize your space,” Leasha explains, “and it lets you draw attention to your favorite décor elements at your reception that might not be noticed immediately otherwise.” She details that Luma Designs frequently creates custom light designs for brides and grooms, including everything from patterns and logos to monograms and even flourishes from your invitation. This customizable ability allows you to create a cohesive design that pulls all the elements of your day together. Leasha details that you should consider highlighting the big-ticket items at your reception that may go overlooked, or won’t be as admired as you had hoped, without the assistance of lighting. This includes various elements of the night, like the centerpieces on each table and even your wedding cake. “Highlight what’s important to you and what you’ve really splurged on with your budget by using lighting to call attention to it,” Leasha states. “They’re ‘wow’ pieces, and you and your guests need to be able to see and enjoy them.”

3. Keep the “big picture” in mind for the overall design of your wedding ceremony and reception.

When it comes to planning your overall design, Leasha describes that you should take a step back and really think about how it all will work together in the end.

At Luma Designs, they sit down with each client and help them design the event of their dreams. Leasha is always sure to ask brides and grooms what’s most important to them and what they don’t like, and if she or her team has never been to the venue before, they visit it in-person to get a better feel for what the couple needs design-wise. Since different clients are always in different stages of the design-planning process, a high level of personalization and design assistance is what Luma Designs specializes in. Leasha details that trusting your designer is a big part of asking for this help, however. After all, you definitely won’t want to ask your family or close friends to slave away decorating and then tearing down the décor after the reception has ended, so definitely consider trusting your vision to a professional to oversee implementation.

Luma Designs works with many of the area’s best wedding professionals to bring you the most amazing look for your entire wedding day. Just give them a call at (855) 488-LUMA to set up a meeting, and be sure to connect with them via their website and Facebook page, too. If you’re in need of an amazing DJ for your big day as well, call Sound Force at 1-800-529-9278, and save money by bundling your DJ and event design services. Tell them The Pink Bride sent you!

Images courtesy of Leasha Newton via email.
Third photo by Bamber Photography.
Fifth photo by Garrett Nudd Photography.

The post Tennessee Weddings | Transform Your Venue with Event Design appeared first on The Pink Bride.

Read on so that you don’t miss their sweet Tri-Cities engagement story below…or Danielle’s totally classic outfits, hair and makeup!

About her…

I grew up in Brainardsville, New York, but I have lived in Fort Myers, Florida, and Knoxville, Tennessee.  I am currently enrolled in the nursing program at East Tennessee State University, and I will be graduating this coming December. I am in the honors program and do quite a bit of interdisciplinary research in rural Carter County, TN. I absolutely love East Tennessee, and I want to work in an Intensive Care Unit at one of the local hospitals upon graduation.

About him…

Albert was born and raised in Bristol, Virginia; his whole family has lived in the same area for generations, and they currently own one of the Virginia Century Farms. He graduated from ETSU with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in December of 2011 and is currently working on a Doctor of Physical Therapy there as well. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves to go camping, hunting, and kayaking in his spare time. 

How they met!

Albert and I met at the 2011 Blue Plum Music Festival held in Johnson City every summer. I had decided to keep my job as a Resident Advisor for ETSU’s Department of Housing over the summer months which kept me in the city, and he was participating in a Corn Hole Tournament with a couple of his friends. We met through mutual friends, although we barely spoke that evening. I ended up asking my friend what his name was and kept an eye out for him ever since the festival. We ended up meeting each other again on campus and have not stopped talking to each other ever since. 

The Proposal:

Albert and I came to be engaged under rather humorous circumstances. I’m not privy to all of the details that went into popping the question, but what I understand of the situation makes me laugh! We have come to acquire two goofy dogs since the onset of our relationship, and one of our favorite pastimes is taking them to the Johnson City Dog Park. One Friday afternoon, Albert and I headed to the dog park for an afternoon outing. He was acting exceptionally strange and just didn’t seem to be excited by the large amount of people visiting the park that day (which was odd for him because he loved having a lot of dogs to play with). He seemed grumpy and frustrated, so I just suggested that we go home. Halfway back to our apartment, Albert decided that we would go out to dinner, and when we got home, he made me wait in the car while he put the dogs in their crates. I waited about fifteen minutes before I realized something must be wrong and decided to go inside. Upon opening the door, I found an exceptionally clean apartment with rose petals scattered on the floor. Ernie (our Rat-Terrier) came running up to me with this obnoxiously large blue bow that had a little paper tag hanging off of it. The tag had a list of our biggest “firsts” on it and before I could finish reading it, our other dog Winnie started frantically barking from upstairs. She, too, had a large bow on with a tag that read, “I love you so much. Will you marry me?” When I turned around, I found Albert down on one knee with a ring! 

The Wedding:

Albert and I have decided to get married on June 28th, 2014. We have decided to wait until after my graduation to celebrate our nuptials. We will be getting married at Storybrook Farm in Jonesborough, TN. The wedding will be completely outdoors with the reception to be held outdoors as well in a large white tent down the hill. We are hoping for a clear, sunset ceremony to be followed by a starry evening reception!

Planning:

My maid-of-honor, mother, and I attended the Tri-Cities Pink Bridal Show this past fall. I have actually chosen my location and will be interviewing several of the vendors I met at the show for my wedding. I used an offer provided by David’s Bridal to purchase my wedding gown and order the bridesmaid dresses. I absolutely loved attending the show and definitely plan on going to the next one this September! 

Congratulations, Albert and Danielle! We couldn’t be happier for you.

Happy Pink Planning!

Be sure to leave your congratulations to the happy couple in the comments below.

Images courtesy of Natalie Gibbs Photography.

The post Tying the Knot: Albert + Danielle appeared first on The Pink Bride.

It’s true that food and drink are instant ice breakers for a wedding reception, but both can dwindle throughout the evening, whereas your entertainment choice won’t…as long as you choose the right professional! That’s why I spoke recently with Leasha of Chattanooga and Knoxville wedding DJ company Sound Force Entertainment. Read on to get the top five ways a professional wedding DJ can turn your normal wedding reception into a truly memorable celebration!

1. A professional DJ can read the crowd.

A professional wedding DJ has the experience and training necessary to read the crowd at your Tennessee wedding reception. This means that he or she can pick and choose the genre and tempo of music played to either excite or calm your wedding guests, all at the most appropriate moments. This makes for a consistently upbeat feel at your reception, giving guests the impression that the evening never hits a lull. Rather, they’ll be constantly guessing at what’s around the corner next. Leasha explains that a professional DJ will know when to take requests, how to weave interactive elements throughout the evening flawlessly, and will realize the importance of “playing to the crowd” by either keeping them on their toes or stimulating a relaxing, conversational feel to the evening.

2. He or she will know the top music.

Not only does this give the professional DJ an edge when guests walk up with requests (sometimes without knowing the song titles!), but it also lets him or her know what songs will be best to play – and when. Leasha details that the professional DJs with Sound Force are well versed in what kinds of songs to play as well as what times to play them. This includes during the various stages of your reception, such as cocktail hour, dinner, and even the dance portion of the evening. The professional will know not only when to play what, but he or she also will be practiced at transitioning the evening in such a way that guests hardly know a shift has happened in events!

3. As Master of Ceremonies, you’ll get professional announcements.

This is a big deal for any wedding reception, for multiple reasons. Since a hired professional will not have any personal attachment to you (past a healthy respect for your event), he or she will be tactful and completely outside of any family drama or issues that may go on around your wedding. This gives you an expertly directed wedding reception that never calls attention to “touchy” subjects or relationships. It also saves you from a long slew of potentially embarrassing stories being told by a family member or friend as your introduction to the party, when all you want to do is dance! Furthermore, Leasha states that guests often don’t know what to do during certain parts of your reception, and a professional Master of Ceremonies will take care of that. Every DJ/MC with Sound Force will be able to smoothly inform guests when it’s appropriate to partake in certain activities, like joining the bridal party on the dance floor, visiting the buffet, or jumping into the photo booth before the bride and groom arrive. “Remember that the DJ doesn’t just introduce you to your guests at the reception,” Leasha explains. “He or she introduces everything else throughout the evening, too.”

4. Your DJ often can provide lighting and/or décor to transform your reception hall.

A professional DJ will likely be able to use lighting to change the atmosphere of your reception throughout the evening, creating pointed shifts in mood that can also serve to calm or excite your guests onto the dance floor. This lighting can also simply indicate a new portion of the evening.

Sound Force is known for providing amazing lighting and design services! Leasha describes that the newest section of Sound Force, Luma Designs, focuses on providing elite lighting and décor needs. Best of all, you could save money by bundling your DJ and lighting services together with Sound Force!

5. A professional DJ can help you plan the order of events for the best flow in your reception timeline.

So much about guests’ interest in your wedding reception hinges on your timeline. Are things moving too quickly? Too slowly? A professional will be able to help you optimize your timeline for the best and most comfortable flow for your guests, from the entrance and first dance to your grand exit.

Leasha details that a professional will be able to adapt quickly to necessary changes in your timeline when the unexpected occurs too, like late guests or even a late bridal party. The professional DJ will be able to adapt to those changes with poise, while still keeping everything at a comfortable pace for guests so they hardly know the timeline ever got a little off-track.

Sound Force Entertainment has been serving East Tennessee and North Georgia for over 21 years and boasts a wide range of services past the usual scope of a wedding DJ. They offer several entertainers to accommodate any theme and find the best fit personality-wise for each bride and groom. Additionally, they pride themselves in providing highly professional and experienced wedding services in a flexible way, which means they can adjust to whatever your wants and needs may be for your wedding.

“The focus is to make sure that the bride and groom get a perfect day,” Leasha states. “We respect the fact that not everyone’s perfect day is the same, so we offer multiple services tailored to meet any need.”

To contact Leasha and the Sound Force team, call 1-800-529-9278 today. Connect with them also on their website, Facebook page, and Twitter. Tell them The Pink Bride sent you!

Images courtesy of Leasha Newton via email.
Second and fourth images courtesy of Bamber Photography.

The post Tennessee Wedding Receptions | Why Use a Professional DJ appeared first on The Pink Bride.

Knowing this, I reached out to Kristin Cocci, Event Coordinator and Co-owner at Ziparo’s Catering, to discover just why Memphis brides flock to the company for their weddings. She graciously answered my questions along with her husband and lead chef, Chef Joe Ziparo! Read on to learn more about the amazing culinary background behind the experience that is uniquely Ziparo’s.

Catering comes naturally to the Ziparo family. In fact,  Ziparo’s Catering has over 100 years of experience in the restaurant industry! Chef Joe Ziparo’s grandmother began the family business in the highly competitive central New Jersey area, servicing greater New Jersey and New York City. Chef Joe grew up in that restaurant industry in coastal New Jersey and enjoyed cooking with his grandmother in the kitchen at an early age. Now, Ziparo’s Catering serves Memphis, Tennessee, and surrounding areas with impeccable catering services and culinary experiences. For this long line of amazing chefs, catering is obviously a family heritage!

Kristin states that this family heritage and over 100 years of experience are what sets Ziparo’s Catering apart from competitors, explaining that it allows them a lot of insight that other caterers do not have. Furthermore, experience working in the original North East location has given the family business a definite edge in its operations side.

“The level of execution in the North East is very different,” she details, “and we pride ourselves on functioning in the Memphis area like we are still in the North East. This means a highly organized and well-coordinated event that delivers above and beyond the expectations of the bride, groom, and their families.”

Just what kind of food does Ziparo’s Catering specialize in, you may wonder? Chef Joe Ziparo is able to provide an amazing culinary experience for your wedding no matter what your preferences may be. He is classically trained in French cuisine but has been greatly influenced by his Italian heritage. These facts have led him to truly enjoy creating fusion cuisine, made up of simple flavors perfectly blended together.

“The goal of our team and Chef Joe is for all of the guests to leave the event feeling completely satiated on delicious food,” Kristin elaborates. “We excel in our station design and small bites for cocktail hour, but our events are about eating – not just picking on a few small items.” Ziparo’s strives to make sure that each and every morsel of food creates a flavor sensation for your guests – and that the overall impression is remembered in the best possible way. “We want your guests to still be talking about your reception food years later,” Kristin states.

Ziparo’s Catering began providing elite catering services at weddings around five years ago. The company branched out into the weddings side of the event industry as a natural progression from their private party business.

Kristin details, “While we had never really thought of ourselves as a ‘wedding caterer,’ we did a few [weddings] for some of our regular clients and really enjoyed the experience. It is a great privilege to be part of such an amazing day for a couple.”

It’s no secret that pressure is heightened for wedding professionals since the wedding day only happens once, which is why it is so important to choose wedding vendors who work well under this added stress. “There is much more pressure on all the vendors for a flawless delivery for a wedding because it is a once-in-a-lifetime event!” Kristin exclaims. “This is the type of setting where the team at Ziparo’s Catering really excels with our event execution and design.”

Kristin goes on to detail that Ziparo’s Catering’s focus on excelling in these aspects is what has led the company to completing 74 successful weddings since first beginning wedding catering. Not surprisingly, their clients have a lot of positive things to say about their experience, too! “Our customer satisfaction is unparalleled,” Kristin describes, “and this drives us to continue to bring the best quality product to our new couples.”

I always like to ask each professional for a few “fun facts” about themselves or their business, and here are three about Ziparo’s Catering that you won’t want to miss!

1. We have never had lower than a 98 on our health score. That’s a big deal for a kitchen that typically is open and working on events seven days a week!

2. Chef Joe wears a nice suit to all weddings he works. He will be on the floor overseeing everything to ensure perfect execution at your event!

3. The recipe for our Ziparo’s Red Sauce is 650 years old!

Where can we expect to see Ziparo’s Catering in the years ahead? Kristin and Chef Joe only see business accelerating in the future. Kristin states, “We would like to continue to grow in the special event, wedding, and corporate markets in the greater Memphis area. Our reputation is such that this is a very good possibility!”

As for the Ziparo’s Catering team, they really hope to meet you soon about catering your wedding or special event! “We know you can choose from a number of caterers to handle your reception,” Kristin details. “Chef Joe Ziparo and Ziparo’s Catering will be unparalleled in event execution and food quality. We’d love you to call us today, and come into our beautiful Germantown kitchen to meet with the Chef and the Event Coordinators. Let us help make your dream a reality!”

To contact Ziparo’s Catering, give them a call today at (901) 251-3759 or (901) 752-1996. Be sure to check out their website and Facebook page to learn more. Tell Kristin and Chef Joe that The Pink Bride sent you!

Images courtesy of the Ziparo’s Catering Facebook page.

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