Picking ‘the’ Date

Recently engaged?  Congratulations!  One of the first questions you’ll be asked is, “When’s the wedding?”  Every couple has their own method of deciding this and you may not know right away.  Over time, we’ve seen many variables come into play when picking that perfect day.  To some, it’s more than just a date so the process can be more in depth than you may think.  As we wrap up engagement season, we thought it’d be fitting to discuss the most popular methods and what couples take into consideration.

Season – You’ll want to consider the season and its weather conditions where you’re getting married, especially if you would like an outdoor wedding.  Should you be prepared for a snowstorm and have a hot chocolate bar or will it most likely be 90 degrees and you offer an ice cream bar?  These elements can have a big impact on your wedding’s ambiance and style, as well so think about what your dream wedding season would be.

Budget – This ties in with the time of the year.  You can often get good deals during the winter, but that spring and fall have become increasingly popular wedding seasons.  Additionally, days of the week affect pricing.  Saturday nights are the most popular times so they have a bigger price tag on them.  Consider getting married during the week or on a Friday/Sunday and you’ll save some money for sure.

Holiday – You can definitely use holidays to your advantage when it comes to having a theme and specific décor.  Maybe you love the Fourth of July and want to have a backyard barbecue with fireworks or maybe you love Christmas time and want to incorporate ornaments, wreaths, etc.  Also, many holidays offer an extra-long weekend, which can give your guests time to travel and recover after the celebration, such as Memorial Day Weekend.  Do note that vendors may either charge higher or lower fees on holiday weekends.  It’ll all depend on the service and the holiday.

Dates to Avoid – No matter the location of your wedding, you’ll want to consider local, national and family events.  For one, your guests may want to be a part of those local or national events, such as the Super Bowl.  Secondly, if you’re looking to offer hotel rooms for your guests, there might not be availability if a convention takes over the entire city.  Also, you’ll want to confirm with your closest family members and friends about any important dates, like your father’s work convention, your best friend’s wedding or maybe your sister is expecting her baby next fall.  Lastly, religion can dictate some dates that are off-limits, like Rosh Hashanah.

Symbolism – We saved this for last because it’s our favorite!  We often see a couple choose their wedding date for symbolic reasons.  Some pick the date that they first met or kissed.  Others, pick their anniversary or even their parent’s anniversary.  It’s a great way to honor significant dates in your lives.  Alternatively, maybe there isn’t a significant event you want to recognize.  Maybe you just have a thing with ‘numbers.’  This is something that has recently grown in popularity.  In other words, patterns!  Dates that repeat (i.e. 7-7-18) are not only fun to say and write in wedding invitations, they’re easy to remember.  Palindrome days are pretty unique, too.  A palindrome is a word, phrase or number that goes the same way forwards and backwards (i.e. 8-19-18).  There are even palindromes and repeats (i.e. 8-18-18).  Crazy, don’t you think?  Lastly, there are novelty days called perfection sum.  That means that the month, plus the day equals the year (i.e. 9/9/18).  Because we think these patterns are so one-of-a-kind, we want to offer recently engaged couples the following wedding special:

The following distinctive dates are available to new bookings and will receive 10% off the food portion of our wedding menu package.

4-13-18 – Friday the 13^th
4-14-18 – perfection sum
5-5-18 – perfection sum
5-18-18 – only 18^th this year that falls on a Friday
5-25-18 to 5-28-18 – Memorial Day Weekend
6-1-18 – easy to remember
7-7-18 – repeats
7-13-18 – Friday the 13^th
7-27-18 – has a nice ring to it
8-10-18 – palindrome
8-11-18 – palindrome
8-12-18 – palindrome
8-17-18 – palindrome
8-18-18 – palindrome and repeats
8-19-18 – palindrome
8-31-18 to 9-3-18 – Labor Day Weekend
9-9-18 – perfection sum
10-20-18 – easy to remember
11-9-18 – perfection sum
11-11-18 – repeats, Veteran’s day
12-1-18 – easy to remember

*We’re flexible with menu customization and alternative menus
*Special is not combinable with any other offer
*Promotion expires May 1st, 2018

**The featured photo is from Cristie and Troy, who held their wedding reception with us on 11-11-17.  Their date has a nice ring to it AND it’s a repeat… pretty sweet, right?!

2018 Trends & Themes

Continuing Trends…

Monograms – Monogrammed items such as napkins and favors will continue to be used less. Couples are looking to have bolder details with a centralized focal point. For instance, marquees or Gobo’s, which are designs that can be projected anywhere at your wedding (a wall, the dancefloor, etc.).

Relaxed Events – Couples still want to create a relaxed, laid-back wedding environment; it’s all about Peace and Zen again.

Alternative Dessert Tables – We saw a lot of Italian cookies, mini dessert bars and candy bars in 2017 as alternatives to the traditional cake. While these ideas will still be popular in the New Year, we’ll see more of new tasty treats: doughnuts and macaroons.

Late Night Snack – A late night snack has become a critical part of the wedding celebration as it provides a great transition into the after-party, which in itself is growing more and more prevalent.

Hashtags – Hashtags are a great way to gather your wedding guests’ photos on social media. Couples are getting extra creative! We’ve seen hashtags like #DonovanCuffedDavis (the groom was a police officer so naturally he cuffed his bride) and #SherlockedItDown (the groom’s last name was Sherlock).

New Trends…

New Food – This ties in with the more relaxed wedding vibe. Modern couples are choosing comfort food and food they love. In the New Year, we’ll see more of family-style dinners, food trucks and stations.

Copper – All metallic became popular in 2017, including rose gold. In 2018, we’ll see less of that and more of an industrial look with copper. You can incorporate cooper with cutlery, chairs, linens and more!

Cutting The Guest List – Weddings are definitely downsizing. Coupes are opting to leave off relatives they haven’t seen for years and prefer a more intimate gathering.

Balloons – No, these aren’t your typically birthday party balloons. We’re talking about 17” to 24” latex ballrooms! You can create colorful backdrops and even ballroom ceilings! For weddings, balloon décor looks more like lavish art.

Wedding Invitations – We’ll start to see a layered effect that combines various textures and materials, like fabric, acrylic and more.

Involve Your Partner

It can be trying when your sweetheart isn’t as interested in planning the big day as you are. Weddings are a lot of work so it can make tasks seem more overwhelming when he or she is less helpful and uninvolved. Today we’re discussing ways you can engage your significant other and work together to create the wedding of both your dreams!

The Date – This is something you both want to work on. You’ll want to double check for other important dates like birthdays, anniversaries, other weddings, etc. Also, if your partner is a big sports fan, you won’t want the wedding to be the same day as the Super Bowl or World Series.

The Guest List – To invite or not to invite? That is the question. A question more easily answered with your love’s assistance. It’s one of the more difficult tasks of wedding planning so tackle it together.

The Registry – Your one and only can reap these benefits, too! Address both of your wants and needs to create the perfect registry.

The Honeymoon – It’s really the best reward after all of the long, hard planning. Get your other half’s input to make it the best vacation you’ve ever had.

Attire – What does your partner really think about his or her attire? It’s not just your special day, so get an honest opinion. Whether there’s a bridal party or not, your partner will know what ultimately works.

Tunes – It’s a party after all and you want everyone to have a good time. See if your partner has any thoughts on DJs, bands, playlists, music genres, etc.

Food and Booze – Who doesn’t love to eat? Let your sugar help out with not only the dinner and dessert tastings, but also the alcohol selection. You won’t have the same exact tastes and neither will your guests; working as a team on this decision will ensure everyone has something to enjoy.

**The featured photo is from Colleen and Sean, who held their wedding reception with us in August 2017.

Wedding Myths

One of the ultimate rites of passage is getting married. And although weddings are a symbol of love and the future, they come with many expectations. Some perceptions are so deeply rooted that we don’t even recognize them. While working with couples, we continuously see these myths and how their wedding planning process evolves because of them. Some wedding myths actually seem to cause more stress than anything else. Here’s what we see most often:

Engagement period – Is there a perfect amount of time to transition from “fiancée” to “wife” or “husband?” We don’t think so. An engagement period can vary and is different from couple to couple. Many factors affect it, as well, such as careers, school, children, budget, etc. Think about what is most comfortable for you as a couple.

The bride’s family pays for the wedding – Weddings today are a lot different than weddings 50 years ago so the way that finances are handled have adjusted for that change, too. We see multiple family member’s chipping in for weddings. It’s not structured or assigned. Talk about finances with family members to see what works best for you all.

It’s not a wedding wedding – Your gown must be white. You must have something blue/old/new/borrowed. You have to toss the bouquet toss and catch the garter. Dad has to walk you down the aisle. Otherwise, it’s not really a wedding wedding… no, no, no! As a couple, decide which traditions you should omit and maybe even come up with your own traditions.

The bridal party – While having an equal number of groomsmen and bridesmaids is more symmetrical, it isn’t a necessity. We’ve seen more groomsmen than bridesmaids and vice versa. We’ve also seen women as grooms-women and men and brides-men. All you really need to consider when choosing your bridal party is which people you want standing beside you when you take your vows.

Your most beautiful day – There’s no denying that you look incredible on the day of your wedding. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best… just don’t let the pressure get to you. We know husbands and wives who look just as amazing now, if not more, years after marriage. Embrace your beauty at all stages in your life.

First looks are bad luck – We love first looks for two reasons: the couple gets a private moment before saying “I do” and can get some of the photos out of the way so they can enjoy more time with guests later on.

Bride’s side and groom’s side – You’re getting married and your two families will become one… why split everyone up? Both sides of the family will mingle at both the ceremony and reception. Plus, it’s more than likely that guests know one another, especially if you’ve been together for some time.

You’ll cry tears of joy – Every moment you experience is going to be different from another’s experience. So if you don’t cry tears of joy when he proposes, or when you slip on the perfect wedding gown or when recite your vows… don’t panic or think that something’s wrong. Everything that happens is unique to you and to you two as a couple!

Honeymoon right after the wedding – Some couples take off right after tying the knot. We know a few couples that actually waited. A few arranged a staycation in the meantime to save up money for a special trip and others waited until a particular season when it was easier to take off days from work. Whatever your style, it’s okay to do your thing, your way.

Wedding planners are too expensive – We’ve seen, firsthand, the benefits of having a wedding planner. Alternatively, consider having just a day-of coordinator if you’re really worried about the expense. In the end, it’ll be worth every penny as it’s less stressful and more relaxing on both the couple and all involved!

**The featured photo is from Elizabeth and Thomas, who held their wedding reception with us in August 2017.  Photo credit: Nadelen Imaging

We ❤️ Our Couples

Now we don’t like to toot our own horn… and we don’t have to!  We work with such wonderful couples that do it for us.  We’ve received numerous reviews, messages and posts from couples expressing their gratitude and love.  They truly say it all and we couldn’t be more thankful or more honored for that.  Our Wedding Wire website highlights some of the most recent reviews we’ve been given, but here’s a list of a few with photos from their special day:

**The featured photos are personally from the couples, as well as the  following photographers:  Alter Image and RC Photo Designs.  Please inquiry further if you’d like to learn more about these fabulous photographers!

Onsite Photo Ops

Lately, many couples have asked us if we have areas on property where they could take photos. We actually think that this is a huge part of the decision making when it comes to venues. Isn’t it so much easier knowing you don’t have to travel to location A, B or C for your dream photos? Isn’t is less stressful knowing that literally everything can be found in one place? Also, we don’t charge for taking photographs onsite. To help answer this recently popular question, we’ve listed our favorite places for photo ops on your wedding day, along with a few photos:

The Hotel Lobby – Our main lobby is warm and inviting, featuring a glass fireplace with modern décor. Also, the contemporary bar poses as a great location for fun and cheeky photos with the bridal party.

Front of the Hotel – This location can offer both a casual and dramatic setting depending on the time of day and lighting.

The Grounds – Our hotel sits on a couple acres so there is plenty of greenery and natural décor.

The Grove – This is one of several areas where we like to hold outdoor ceremonies, so it acts as a beautiful backdrop for any photo.

The Terrace – Our Grand Ballroom offers this private outdoor terrace and we like to use it for photos during the day if it is available. When the sun sets, the lights are turned on to really set the tone!

The Courtyard – Rain or shine, photos are possible outdoors: by the pool, by the fire pit, in the landscape… the possibilities are endless!

Welcome Gift Bags

One of the latest wedding trends are welcome bags. It’s a great way to greet your guests upon arrival, give them some love right away and show your appreciation. Whether it’s a destination wedding or a local event, wedding bags have become more than just a nice gesture and truly add that extra personal touch. We’ve listed some of our favorite must-have items to put in your welcome bags:

Delivery – You can simply have paper gift bags, cellophane bags or treat boxes. Hint: boxes are easy to stack for hotels! If you want to take it up a notch, you could customize reusable canvas totes.

Paperwork – We’ve seen couples provide a program of the wedding day/weekend, which included details of contact information, addresses and times. Others have shared suggestions of local attractions such as wineries, restaurants, malls, etc. We think this is the perfect time to add a little thank you note.

Beverages – Quench their thirst! Whether it’s bottled water or mini champagne bottles… we’ve seen it all. Other libations could include tea, sparkling cider, mini liquor bottles or locally brewed beer.

Snacks – Think salty and sweet. For example, potato chips and chocolate. Some guests have to travel a distance so it’s nice to have some snacks after they arrive. Alternatively, some guests might get the late-night munchies.

Hangover Kit – If there’s alcohol at your wedding, you might want to consider helping your guests out with the hangover necessities: acetaminophen, antacids and mints. More recently, we’ve seen couples create ‘do-not-disturb’ door hangers so guests could get more rest after a long night of celebrating.

Supplementary – Some additional items, which are dependent on location and weather, can consist of the following: sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, lotion, tissues, lip balm, first aid supplies and a poncho. Your guests will greatly appreciate the fact that you have their back with a few last minute essentials.

**The featured photo is from Sam and Mike, who held their wedding reception with us in May 2016.

What Couples Wish They Did Differently

Sites like Pinterest and Wedding Wire are helping couples become expert wedding planners. However, it’s highly doubtful that your wedding will go off without a hitch. No matter how many times you review each and every detail, there will inevitably be things that you wished you did differently. To help you avoid any possible mishaps, we’re sharing some wedding-day regrets that some of our recent brides and grooms have experienced.

Straight Talk – Don’t assume that your parents will assist you financially or that divorced spouses will not want to sit near once another. Sit down and talk with your family before you start planning. It will help you avoid any unnecessary disagreements down the line.

Be True to You – Some people may try to talk you into a certain DJ, special table cloths or shot glass favors. Don’t listen! It’s your special day with your soul mate. Think about who you are as a couple and what you like. That will create a truly genuine day for you both and your loved ones.

Get Personal Recommendations – If you’ve never worked with particular wedding professionals, you want to check references and seek referrals from your friends and family. They’ve experienced first-hand the service you’ll receive if you move forward with that vendor.

Venue First – Narrowing down your dream venue isn’t as easy as you may think, but once you do, trust us when we say everything else truly does fall into place! It’s really a domino effect and every decision is tied to the next. Additionally, the venue dominates the bulk of your budget and you can utilize the venue’s manager/coordinator as a resource.

Hire a Professional Photographer – We’ve discussed this in earlier posts: there are some factors you don’t want to skimp out on for your wedding day and one of those is a professional photographer. Photos are something you’ll cherish and value for a lifetime so you want to make sure you find a professional that you can be grateful for within your budget.

Hire a Videographer – Wouldn’t it be nice to hit pay and revisit the day you were married? We hear this regret often among couples. Having a videographer is money well spent and doesn’t have to break the bank. Search for a professional who offers a highlights video package. These kind of packages are an overall synopsis of the day from start to finish and last about 5-10 minutes.

Hire a Planner – Many couples wish they at least hired a day-of wedding planner, who works with them just on the big day. It’s much nicer to relax and enjoy your wedding day when you have another person working with vendors, confirming details and putting the finishing touches on everything.

DIY in Advance – Creating your own centerpieces, favors or other decorations is a great way to save money. Nevertheless, you want to realistically plan ahead so that everything’s ready to go in advance. You don’t want to find yourself assembling programs the day before your wedding. You want the days leading up to your wedding to be easy.

Start Honeymoon Later – Many couples start their honeymoon the day after their wedding, even hours after their reception ends. We recommend to wait a day or two. It’s worth delaying your trip for some time to unwind so that you can arrive at your destination fully regenerated.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – Don’t get upset over the small details or get into arguments over silly things. Let go, enjoy your time with loved ones and have fun; it’s your wedding after all!

**The featured photo is from Sarah and Brad, who held their wedding ceremony and reception with us in July 2016.

Wedding Favors

Nothing’s worse than heading home from a wedding with a handful of something you’ll never use or eat. Nowadays, couples are becoming extra creative, choosing to provide more functional and practical favors. They also tend to incorporate their tastes and/or personality to customize the favor. We’ve come up with some categories that seem the most popular with couples, as well as wedding guests, and listed a few different ideas for each.

Donations – It’s a more meaningful way to give back.
-A children’s organization
-Animal shelter
-Cancer research
-Make-A-Wish
-The environment

Edibles – Would you turn down a bag of homemade cookies or macaroons?
-Baked goods
-Candy
-Maple syrup
-Jam
-Popcorn

Housewares – Simple items that are used on a daily basis are most useful.
-Candles
-Matches
-Measuring spoons
-Photo frames
-Sunglasses

Wine/Spirits – Who doesn’t like alcohol related gifts?
-Bottle openers
-Mason jar glassware
-Mini bottles
-Stemless wine glasses
-Wine stoppers

Nature – This is perfect for the earthy, eco-friendly couple.
-Bird seeds
-Herbs
-Mini potted plants
-Plantable seeds
-Terrariums

*Note that guests usually do not want the following: anything with your name on it, anything with your wedding date on it or cheap trinkets.

**The featured photo is from Dana and Sara, who held their wedding reception with us in March 2017.

Common Planning Mistakes

We do have an older post that discusses planning mistakes, but we just wanted to discuss a few more factors that we’ve seen come into play more recently…

Doing it All Yourself – There are plenty of benefits to DIY and taking on projects by yourself. However, you have to draw the line somewhere. You don’t want to overdo or overwhelm yourself. We suggest picking one or two projects that you’re really in love with and working on those.

Trying to Please Everyone – You want everyone to enjoy themselves at your wedding. Often, you’re even willing to give those you love what they want at the expense of your own happiness. We definitely believe in compromise, but also want you to end up with the wedding that you want, not a mixture of everyone else’s expectations.

Hiring Family – We recommend carefully considering this. If family is hired as a wedding vendor, they won’t be able to celebrate the day with everyone else because they’re busy working. Additionally, things might get awkward if something doesn’t turn out the way you envisioned. If you do decide to hire family or friends, be sure to clearly outline your expectations.

Hoping Guests Drop Out – It’s best to be prepared for all guests to RSVP yes. First off, you’d rather overestimate than underestimate when budgeting. Secondly, you don’t want to give your venue an incorrect guest count. Nothing’s worse than having to squeeze in extra seats and place settings in the middle of your reception.

Choosing the Cheapest Quote – You really do get what you pay for so don’t forget this phrase when hiring your wedding vendors. Yes, compare prices but also compare service and quality. Do your research so that you’re able to choose the best vendor at an affordable price.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – Don’t lose sight of what this day is truly about: marrying your soul mate and celebrating with all of your loved ones. Let the little hiccups slide so you can have fun creating happy memories!

**The featured photo is from Nina and Jason, who held their wedding ceremony and reception with us in October 2016.  Photo credit: Kevin Rivoli Photography