Tullahoma Events Center     

TEC Express – The Quick and Easy Planning Guide

Some people are overwhelmed by the details of planning an event. Table arrangements, catering, decorations, music, photography, etc. – party overload! So we have come up with a simplified planning guide to help with some of the details.  Do not hesitate to ask for details or advice.

-- Table arrangements --

Don’t sweat it - let us come up with a great table plan for your event. After a few months of setting up events at the TEC, we have found what works ... and what works better. Let us design a plan based on your needs, then you can modify it if needed.

If you are having a head table or a speaker, place your tables in a star-burst pattern radiating from the focal point. That way, everyone has a clear view of the guests of honor. Otherwise, consider placing them diagonally to avoid the "school cafeteria" look.

　-- Tableware --

Fabric tablecloths and napkins can be rented locally at Master of Ceremonies (MoC). They have white in stock but can order other colors with advance notice. Fabric linens can also be purchased in Murfreesboro or online. If you decide to purchase linens, we have samples of colors, fabrics, and styles. If you don’t need them after your event, consider adding them to your next yard sale - tie up a bunch of colorful napkins - or donate them to a non-profit that holds dinner fundraisers.

China, glassware, and metal cutlery also can be rented locally at MoC. (You are to return them rinsed only.)

Paper and plastic tablecloths, paper napkins, paper and plastic plates and cups, and plastic cutlery can be purchased locally in a variety of colors at grocery stores, Walmart, Kmart, and Dollar Tree. If you need a large number, wholesale suppliers are also located here.

-- Decorations --

This part can be overwhelming because there are so many choices. Let us make some suggestions for easy, inexpensive decorations for tables, buffets, and niches. In a room with this much volume, height is a key player in decorations that show up. Balloons have been an effective (and cost-effective) decoration, combined with flowers, ribbons, etc. Remember that a flower arrangement that looks huge in your own living room may be almost invisible in a 4,000 square foot room.

Consider a colorful table runner to brighten up a white tablecloth. Add a clear vase with a battery-powered candle surrounded by colored glass pebbles. Or try a mirrored tile, a clear hurricane lantern with colored ornaments inside, surrounded by yew clippings or magnolia leaves. For the five red niches, consider bouquets of balloons (minimum of 5 each) anchored in colorful gift bags with colored tissue paper stuffed inside. A large bouquet of flowers (real or silk) on the buffet or entry table makes a great impact.

-- Catering --

A caterer can work with you to create a menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or between meals that is within your price range. Options include sit-down service, served buffet, self-service buffet, heavy hors d’oeuvres, light hors d’oeuvres, snacks, coffee-and-cake, and punch-and-cookies. Full catering is available from several local professionals. Ask for a list.

If you prefer to go it alone, here are a few suggestions. Most groceries and many restaurants can prepare party platters – just order, pick up, and serve. Remember, we have a full kitchen to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. GFS (open to everyone) and Sam's Club (members only) in Murfreesboro also have commercial-sized packages of many items.  (Ask about availability of items that follow.)

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Ready-to-Serve Items:

• sausage or sausage/egg biscuits
• breakfast burritos
• chicken tenders tray (with dipping sauce)
• chicken combo tray (tenders, wings, popcorn chicken)
• chicken tenders and potato wedges tray
• chicken wings tray
• popcorn chicken platter with dipping sauces
• fried chicken (mixed pieces)
• barbeque (by the pound from your favorite pit)
• pinwheel tray (meat/cheese/ veggies in wrap)
• all meat tray (sliced deli meats)
• all cheese tray (sliced deli cheeses)
• meat and cheese tray
• shrimp ring (with cocktail sauce)
• lobster and crab claw platter
• salmon platter
• jeweled brie platter with fruit
• stuffed brie platter with Italian meats
• deviled egg platter
• olive platter
• antipasti platter
• condiment tray (sliced onions, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, etc.)
• sub sandwich (dressings on side)
• sub ring (sandwich on ring-shaped bread)
• sandwich tray (dressings on side)
• cheese taster tray (cheese cubes and cheese ball, grapes)
• snack tray (cheese/meat cubes)
• veggie tray (veggies and dip)
• Caesar salad platter
• Cobb salad platter
• Chef’s salad platter
• Greek salad platter
• Caprese salad platter
• fruit tray (grapes, strawberries, melon, kiwi, with dip)
• fruit bowls (pre-cut melon and pineapple in your bowl)
• coleslaw (by the pound in your bowl)
• red-bliss potato salad (by the pound in your bowl)
• nut bar (shelled peanuts, pecans, cashews, walnuts, Brazil)
• cookie tray
• brownie bites tray
• petit fours tray
• decadent desserts tray
• chocolates tray
• cheesecake sampler
• pies
• cakes (off-the-shelf or custom)

Easy-to-Prepare Items:

• chicken tenders (frozen cooked, bake at TEC)
• grilled chicken breasts (frozen cooked, bake at TEC)
• stuffed chicken breasts (frozen raw, bake at TEC)
• shrimp (frozen cooked, thawed)
• pork butt (slow-cooked, pulled)
• roasted vegetables (hot or cold)
• large tossed salad (bagged greens, shredded carrots, and cherry tomatoes, serve with refrigerated jar dressings)
• coleslaw (bagged slaw mix and your favorite dressing)
• macaroni and cheese (frozen family-size trays)
• cornbread dressing (boxed mix, add onion/celery/sage)
• veggie nibbler (baby carrots, bagged broccoli florets, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, olives, gherkins, dips)
• cheese sampler (wedges of premium cheeses with crackers)
• cheese nibbler (pre-cubed cheeses from dairy aisle)
• cheese balls (2-3 varieties with variety of crackers)
• warm brie platter with crackers
• assorted rolls (warm with butter)
• fruit tray (seedless red grapes, white grapes, strawberries)
• cheesecake (frozen, thawed)
• cookie tray (premium cookies on your tray)
• strawberry shortcake (frozen pound cake, frozen strawberries and refrigerated whipped cream)
• mini cream puffs, cannoli and eclairs (on your tray)