Browse Party and Special Event Tips


Cotton Candy Machine

COTTON CANDY MACHINE

(NOTE: After reading this article, you may want to take a test on its content. To do so, follow this link: Cotton Candy Machine Operation & Safety Test)

Using a damp cloth, moisten the inside of the floss pan. This will cause floss to adhere to the pan.

AFTER FOLLOWING THE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS, you are ready to begin making floss. Pay attention to the direction of the floss as it is spun off the floss head. It should be thrown against and adhere to the side of the floss pan.

Attached to the top plate of the spinner head are two floaters - these give additional air current for floss control. Twisting the leading edge of the floaters down will give more lift and floss will go upward - twisting down, the floss will go down.

TO PICK UP FLOSS:

  1. Pick up the cone, holding it an inch or two from the pointed end between your two fingers and thumb. 
  2. With a light flicking action, break into the web of floss that is building up in the pan. Usually some floss will stick to the cone; if not, brush the cone over a damp sponge first 
  3. Lift up the cone with the ring of floss attached and, by rotating the cone, wind the floss onto it. DO NOT ROLL FLOSS ON THE CONE INSIDE THE FLOSS PAN. ROLL IT ON OUTSIDE OF PAN ONLY.

When you have practiced a bit, you might prefer to lift the ring of floss out of the pan with a flick of the wrist, turn the ring into a figure 8 and whip it around onto the cone. This leaves air pockets making it appear that you are building a larger web. 

WHEN STOPPING operation for the day or any prolonged period, it is a good idea to run all of the sugar out of the floss head. When empty, turn heat to the highest setting for approximately one minute to remove carbon from ribbons. 

NEVER ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE FLOSS HEAD. A damp cloth will be sufficient to wipe off floss head after use. BE SURE TO UNPLUG MAIN ELECTRICAL SUPPLY CORD FIRST. Make sure all parts are dry before resuming operation.

SUGAR FOR COTTON CANDY can be any 100% pure cane or beet sugar. Regular granulated is recommended, but avoid the Extra Fine Granulated or Bottlers Fine, and the so called "free flowing" as they may contain cornstarch, which will burn and clog the ribbons. Coarser sugars such as "coarse," "medium coarse" or "sanding" sugars can be used but will require a little more voltage to the head for best production.

Premixed sugar, coloring and flavorings are available from the manufacturer. Ask your rental center owner for its availability. If you wish to "mix your own" using the manufacturer's "Flossine" and your sugar, follow directions carefully and mix well. About a tablespoon of water per five pounds of sugar will bring out bright colors. Do not use excess color as it will not deepen the color of floss since cotton candy is 98% air. If you flavor your own candy avoid using flavors that have a gum or starch base, which will burn on the ribbons.

 

 


How To Cut A Wedding Cake
By The Editors of RenTrain & Sheryll Lucas

With a little care and know-how, cutting a wedding cake is a task easily mastered. Once you learn a few, basic steps, your wedding cake will will look as beautiful and as appetizing after being cut as before. After the bride and groom have made their first cuts, the following directions will help the person in charge of the cake cutting. Remember, you probably will not cut the whole cake.

General Guidelines
The first step is to use the right knife. Always use a sharp, thin knife. The cuts should be made by first inserting the knife straight down into the cake, and then by pulling the knife at an angle toward the outer edge. Before the next cut, wipe the knife clean with a damp cloth.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Three-Tiered Round Cake


  1. Start from the top by removing the 6" tier, which is usually the bride and groom's cake to be saved. 
  2. Cut a circle about two inches from the outer edge of the 10" tier. 
  3. Work from this circle and make vertical cuts about one inch apart, until the ring is completely sliced. 
  4. Use the same starting procedure and cut another two-inch ring, again slicing into one-inch pieces. 
  5. Repeat the procedure until the tier is completed; then repeat entire process on 14" tier until all the cake has been served.


Step-by-Step Instructions: Three-Tiered Square Cake



  1. Start from the top by removing the 6" tier, which is usually the bride and groom's cake to be saved. 
  2. Work from any side to cut a horizontal line about two inches from the outer edge of the tier. 
  3. Slice from right to left to make vertical cuts about one inch apart, until the entire row has been sliced. 
  4. Cut another horizontal line two inches from the new edge, and slice this row. 
  5. Repeat until the entire tier has been cut. 
  6. You should produce five rows in the 10" tier. 
  7. Move to the 14" and repeat the process for seven rows.


Heart and Oval Cakes

Heart and oval shaped cakes are cut in a similar fashion as square and rectangular cakes. See the guide below.

 

Hexagonal and Petal Cakes

Hexagonal shaped and petal shaped cakes are cut up in the same way as for round cakes. See guide below.

 

 
Wedding Cake Serving Guide
 
Cake Sizes (Tiers)
Servings
Cake Sizes (Tiers)
Servings
6,10 (2)
45
6, 10, 12, 14 (4)
195
6,12 (2)
60
6, 8, 12, 16 (4)
205
8, 12 (2)
60
6, 8, 10, 12, 14 (5)
220
6, 8, 10 (3)
70
6, 10, 12, 16 (4)
225
6, 8, 12 (3)
85
6, 8, 14, 16 (4)
235
6, 10, 12 (3)
105
6, 8, 10, 12, 16 (5)
250
6, 8, 14 (3)
115
6, 10, 14, 16 (4)
255
6, 8, 10, 12 (4)
130
6, 8, 10, 14, 16 (5)
280
6, 10, 14 (3)
135
6, 8, 12, 14, 16 (5)
295
6, 8, 10, 14 (4)
155
6, 8, 12, 14, 18 (5)
300
6, 8, 12, 14 (4)
175
6, 10, 12, 14, 16 (5)
315
6, 10, 12, 16 (4)
190
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 (6)
340

 

Popcorn Machine

POPCORN MACHINES

Add to your party atmosphere with a popcorn machine!

Operational Tips

SWITCHES

Light and Warmer Switch - turns on heat lamp and optional strip heater under corn pan
Kettle Motor Switch -turns on motor that drives kettle agitator shaft
Kettle Heat Switch - turns on heat element inside kettle

Note: DO NOT COVER AIR VENT HOLES! Motor air intake and exhaust holes at
top of the machine must be clear of any obstruction.

AVOID SERIOUS BURNS! DO NOT TOUCH KETTLE WHILE IT IS HOT!

To Pop

  1. Turn on kettle heat switch and kettle motor and exhaust switch.
  2. "Test pop" a kettle of corn: place oil measure in kettle with three corn kernels; when kernels pop, place remainder of oil, measured corn and flavoring in kettle; close Lid.
  3. When corn has popped, rotate the handle to empty popcorn from kettle: return kettle to upright position.
  4. Repeat the cycle; subsequent batches are always more flavorful than the initial batch.
  5. Turn off the kettle heat switch on the final batch when the popcorn breaks over the lid of the kettle to eliminate smoke and odor.
  6. Turn off kettle heat and kettle motor and exhaust switches.
  7. Wipe exterior of kettle with heavy cloth after cooling of kettle to prevent burn or stain of oil drippings.
  8. Turn off all switches.


To Clean
  1. Allow kettle to cool until warm enough to handle.
  2. Unplug kettle and remove from machine.
  3. Wipe kettle, kettle lids, crossbar and exterior clean. DO NOT IMMERSE KETTLE IN WATER!
  4. Remove poppets corn and pack in bags.
  5. Remove the "old maid" pan, empty unpopped kernels and wipe clean.
  6. Wipe interior of machine clean.
  7. Return the machine clean to the rental center to avoid cleaning charges.

    Consult your rental center for additional equipment and accessories for your event.

 

Snokone Machine

Snokone Machines

The SnoKone machine is simple to operate and a great attraction for any event!

The Machine

The machine includes a 110 volt, single phase, 60 cycle. AC current motor with toggle switch,
shaving snit, dispensing case, and separate light switch inside THE case. A cuttethead is mounted
on the end of the motor shaft inside the shaver body (gooseneck). The pusher handle presses the
ice against the revolving cutterhead to produce the shaved ice.

NOTE: The machine must be properly grounded to prevent electrical shock.

Tips

  1. Start the motor and fill gooseneck an inch from the top with ice cubes or 3" x 4" pieces of ice. (The larger the ice pieces, the better the snow.)
  2. Push ice down against the cutterhead with firm pressure for best sncw (too much - coarse ice; too little - mushy".
  3. DO NOT force the handle.
  4. A surface temperature of 1500 F. is normal
  5. Put only ice in the gooseneck to prevent damage to the blades.
  6. Keep fingers away front shaver body when motor is running to prevent injury.


Cleaning Instructions
  1. Unplug the machine.
  2. Wipe all surfaces clean to avoid cleaning charges.


Consult your rental center for additional equipment and accessories for your event.

 

Seating Arrangements
By The Editors of RenTrain


Either scroll down the page to read the complete article or click on

any of the hyperlinks below to go direct to the section you are interested in.



Table layouts 

Guest seating arrangements 

Printed table plans 

Table place cards 

The bridal party entrance 

Top table seating arrangements 

Top table too complex? 

 


Table layouts

The reception room table layout will depend upon the shape of the tables your
venue provides and how the tables are best arranged to make the room look
balanced for the number of guests to be seated. Round tables, for example,
give a much more pleasing and spacious look than two or three long tables
that join to the top table. 

A typical reception table layout (shown left) will have one long top table
for the bridal party and as many round tables as required for your guests.


A round top table should be avoided if possible because the view of the bride
and groom will be obscured by others on the table and several of the bridal
party will have their backs to the other guests.


A small table placed to one side of the top table is ideal for displaying
the cake in its full glory!




Guest seating arrangements

Your close family and friends should be seated nearest the top table with other
relatives and friends sitting further away. If you have round tables, guests
with partners are usually seated side by side. If you choose to have long tables,
partners are usually seated opposite each other. It is customary to alternate
male and female guests. If you decide to split up couples, they should not
be too far away from each other. Children should always be seated with their
parents.


You should ensure as much as possible that your guests sit with people that
are known to each other as this will make them feel more comfortable and facilitate
good conversation. Although this will not be possible in all cases, at least
try to have similar age groups or guests with similar interests seated together
such as aunts and uncles, friends, work collegues etc. Guests may be very uncomfortable
if they are seated with people they do not know. It is particularly important
to bear this point in mind if you have round tables, because the temptation
is to fill up the tables with unconnected guests.


Printed table plans

So that guests can easily find their places, a printed table plan positioned
just inside the reception room will be very helpful. You may also wish to
place a printed seating plan in the pre-reception drinks area. The most efficient
form of table plan is where guests' names are listed alphabetically with
their table number printed alongside their name. An adjacent map showing
the physical table layout with the table numbers marked allows guests to
locate their table quickly.


As an alternative to numbering your tables, why not give each table a name,
particularly if you have a theme running through your wedding. Alternatively,
you might wish to name your tables after people or objects relating to an interest
or hobby you both share or name each table after a poet and have a love poem
written by the poet left on each table. We have a very good selection of poems
and readingsassociated with love and marriage from which to choose if this
idea appeals to you.


Table place cards

To ensure guests sit at the correct seat, table place cards should be used.
They can either be flat for placing in card holders or fold tent-like to
be free-standing. The style of address for place cards should match the style
written on your wedding invitations. If your invitations were written in
the formal, traditional style of, for example, Mr. and Mrs. David Smith,
the place cards should show Mr. David Smith on one card and Mrs. David Smith
on another. Less formal place cards, where the invitation was written in
the style of, say, David and Sarah Smith, should simply have David Smith
written on one card and Sarah Smith on another. As with the names on wedding
invitations, place cards should be hand written.


Specialist wedding stationery companies can provide printed table plans and
table place cards to co-ordinate with your wedding stationery.


The bridal party entrance

Once your guests have passed along your receiving line, they will move into
the reception room and make their way to their tables. If you have engaged
a master of ceremonies, your entrance will be announced and your guests asked
to stand. The bridal party then enters the room to take their places at the
top table (even if you are only having a buffet meal, it is usual to have
a top table reserved for the bridal party). The bridal party is led by the
bride and groom walking side by side, followed by the bride's father with
the groom's mother; the bride's mother with the groom's father and the best
man with the chief bridesmaid. Your guests are seated once the bridal party
are seated.


Top table seating arrangements

Deciding who sits on the top table can be a straight forward matter if both
sets of parents have conventional relationships. However, problems can arise
when there are separations, divorces or tension between people you would
like to include on your top table.


However, by following established tradition, the decision-making process can
be simplified. Traditionally, the wedding party, who sit at the top table,
comprise the bride and groom, the bride and groom's natural parents, the best
man and chief bridesmaid. Even where the parents are separated, remarried or
divorced, it is still usual for only the natural parents to sit at the top
table. Other family members, such as step-parents, are not part of the traditional
bridal party but are treated as honoured guests. As honoured guests, they should
be given importance by being seated on a table close to the top table. Having
an honoured guests' table also solves the problem of where to sit bridesmaids
and ushers. Since these helpers are also honoured guests, they would join step-parents,
and partners of separated parents, on this special table - although young bridesmaids
and page boys should sit with their parents.




Top table seating arrangement for the traditional bridal party:




Chief

Bridesmaid Groom's

Father Bride's

Mother Groom Bride Bride's

Father Groom's

Mother Best Man 

Top table




Should you decide, for whatever reason, to have a different seating arrangement
to the above, there are a few points worth mentioning. It is usual for the
bride and groom to sit in the middle of the top table - with the bride seated
to the left of the groom - and for the gender of those seated to alternate.
It is also generally accepted that the hosts of the wedding, whoever they
are, sit at the top table.


In the case of divorced or separated parents, where you are unsure of their
reaction, the best course of action is to first ask them what they would like
to happen; 

If the parents of the bride (or groom) are hosting the wedding, despite their
separation, they may be happy to sit at the top table without their partners
thus avoiding having too many people on the top table. 

If they have not remarried, or do not have a current partner, they may be happy
to sit alone or be accompanied by another relative such as a sibling or child. 

If they have a new partner and the relationship is generally recognised, they
may like to sit with their new partner. 

In the case of parents whose spouse has died, again ask them what they would
prefer to do. They may feel that they would like some moral support at the
top table. If the bride is being given away by someone other than her father,
that person may be of comfort to the mother of the bride. Otherwise, perhaps
a brother, sister or grown-up child of the single guest could be included on
the table.


You may find that your wishes and those of your parents and others are similar,
or that everyone is happy to go along with your decisions and the wishes of
each other. If this is the case, find a solution you are all happy with and
go for it. If a simple agreement cannot be found, it is down to the bride and
groom to decide the course of action they would like to take, and then ask
the guests to comply. It would not be unreasonable to ask those who have differences
to put them aside for just one day!


Always bear in mind that the number of guests on your top table is, ultimately,
a matter for you to decide. It is possible that there could be twelve or more
people at your top table, if all parents have new partners, or as few as four
if you decide to solve the problems by sitting at your top table with just
the chief bridesmaid and best man.


There are a variety of ways the bridal party can be arranged on the top table.
Here are a few alternative suggestions:




Bride and groom's parents still married and speaking

(alternative to the traditional seating arrangement): 

Groom's

Mother Bride's

Father Chief

Bridesmaid Groom Bride Best Man Bride's

Mother Groom's

Father 

Top table



Bride's parents divorced and remarried: 

Bride's

Stepfather Chief

Bridesmaid Groom's

Father Bride's

Mother Groom Bride Bride's

Father Groom's

Mother Best

Man Bride's

Stepmother 

Top table





Groom's parents divorced and remarried: 

Best

Man Groom's

Stepmother Groom's

Father Bride's

Mother Groom Bride Bride's

Father Groom's

Mother Groom's

Stepfather Chief

Bridesmaid 

Top table





Both sets of parents divorced and remarried: 

Groom's

Step-

mother Bride's

Step-

father Chief

Bridesmaid Groom's

Father Bride's

Mother Groom Bride Bride's

Father Groom's

Mother Bride's

Step-

mother Groom's

Step-

father 

Top table





Tension between bride and groom's parents: 

Chief

Bridesmaid Bride's

Father Bride's

Mother Groom Bride Groom's

Father Groom's

Mother Best Man 

Top table




If the above examples do not suit your requirements, use them as templates
to create a seating arrangement suitable for your particular circumstances.


Top table too complex?

If, because of second spouses, step-parents or inter-family friction, your
top table seating arrangement is too complex or impossible to get right,
you could consider an alternative seating arrangement where couples from
the bridal party each host a separate table (preferably round tables).