Garden Weddings Deserve A Little Extra Care

A garden can be one of the most beautiful spots for a wedding, but planning an outdoor affair in the garden can be challenging. With a garden wedding, timing is everything. If your planning cycle permits, consult with a gardener 12 to 18 months ahead of the wedding for information on plantings, recommendations on flowers, plants and trees.

Avoid doing any major reconstruction in the garden in the months leading up to the wedding. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, the garden should be in maintenance mode. Have trees professionally pruned or trimmed several weeks prior to the wedding. Make sure the garden is weeded and watered properly at all times. Also if the garden has a sprinkler system on a timer, make sure that the system is off during the wedding.

Flowering plants add a touch of elegance to the location, so be sure to select those plants that will be in bloom at the time the wedding is scheduled. If that’s unlikely, consider renting or buying greenery or flowering plants from a nursery.

Lighting in a garden setting is important, especially if the garden will pull double duty as the site of the reception. For an evening wedding, torches and lanterns can add both light and ambiance to the wedding site. For a daytime wedding, schedule the event to avoid having the sun beat down on the wedding party or guests. Also avoid times where the sun is likely to shine directly in the eyes of the bride and groom, the guests or the officiant.

Sound may not carry well in the garden, and with a large group assembled, hearing the ceremony may be difficult. Rent a good quality sound system and check it the day before the wedding. The bride and groom should be heard, as should the officiant. Speakers should be placed unobtrusively and in such a way as to avoid feedback.

Provide comfortable seating. Use plastic wherever possible. Metal chairs will heat up in the sun and may be too cold in crisp evening air. Additionally, they can make a substantial amount of noise when they’re moved during the ceremony.

Finally, make a backup plan that includes a nearby indoor site in case the weather isn’t cooperating. If you’ve rented greenery, it can be brought to the backup site to liven up the second-choice location.

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Couple Have Reception Site Go Up In Flames And The Band Plays On

Fire fighters crashed a US couple’s wedding reception being held at a hotel to douse a fire that started in a different part of the building. The bridal couple, Trey and Robyn Kunkel, were enjoying their wedding reception at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in East Pennsboro, Pennsylvania when the DJ announced that the building was on fire and guests needed to evacuate the room.

Thinking that the announcement was a joke, no one moved – that is, until fire fighters showed up and shooed more than 400 guests out of the building as a precaution. No one was injured in the fire or the resulting evacuation, which was deemed necessary by the fire fighters.

The fire was limited to the roof area of the hotel portion of the complex. The reception was being held in the convention center, which is connected to the hotel, but separated from the actual location of the fire by a parking lot. Guests poured into the parking lot and watched as the fire was extinguished. Once the fire was out, the bridal couple made the best of their plight by donning firefighting gear and posing for pictures on the fire engine with the fire fighters.

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Begin Your Reception Planning Early in the Process

There are only a few major decisions to be made when planning a wedding. After deciding to get married, the next biggest decision will likely be the location of the reception.

Some couples choose to set the date first and find an available venue. Other couples find it easier to find the reception venue and let that determine the date of the ceremony. Many venues are booked one to two years in advance, depending upon the popularity of the venue. If you have a long planning horizon – in excess of one year – you can probably choose your wedding date and find a reception location to suit you. The less time you have to plan, however, the more flexible you’ll need to be when it comes to the date.

Dates that fall on Saturday are the most popular, and they book fast. If you have your heart set on a Saturday evening event, you’ll have less control of where and when your nuptials will take place. A longer engagement isn’t the worst tragedy to befall a bride-to-be. Extending your planning period also gives you more time to save money for the wedding bills.

Before you choose a venue, you’ll need to know approximately how many people you will invite to your wedding. Understand that not all of your invited guests will be able to attend the reception, so choosing a reception site whose maximum capacity approaches or even exceeds your guest list should work out in most cases. The more local people you invite, the more likely they are to attend, so plan accordingly.

The choice of reception venue may also dictate other elements of your wedding reception. More likely than not, choosing a commercial venue will dictate your choice of catering service. It may also determine your reception decorations, the length of your reception, photography rules, alcohol service and more. If you choose a commercial reception site, ask about all of these things before you sign a contract.

If you’re having trouble making a choice, see if you can visit the site discreetly while a wedding reception is taking place. Seeing a reception in progress may help you make your final decisions about where you want to hold your reception.

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Wedding Venue Closes Leaving Couples Stranded

A wedding venue in Suffolk in the UK closed without notice, leaving several couples who had paid deposits without a place to hold their weddings. Although the deposits have been returned to each couple, couples involved must now locate new venues for their events.

Lewis Jones and Sarah Ratcliffe, of Ipswich, received a letter from the Westerfield House Hotel dated April 1 informing the couple that the hotel was closing. The letter cast their wedding plans in disarray, as the couple had already prepared their invitations and were ready to post them.

The letter explained that the hotel was unable to meet newly implemented fire code regulations for Grade Two buildings and was forced to close as a result. The new regulations went into effect last 1 July, but the hotel was given until 31 March to comply with the new requirements. Upon failing to do so, the hotel was closed.

Mr. Jones initially thought the letter was an April Fool’s Day joke, but quickly realized that the letter was true. Jones and Ratcliffe have since located a new venue in Bury St Edmunds and their wedding will go on as planned, despite the stress of having had their first choice of venue close unexpectedly.

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Strolling Wedding Receptions Emerge As New Trend

Strolling wedding receptions are emerging as a new trend. The strolling format, which provides guests with small samples of food in lieu of a traditional sit-down dinner, are gaining in popularity. Most of what happens at a wedding reception is mingling and eating, and the strolling reception provides support for both.

The cost of a strolling reception is often lower because the food costs are generally less than those at a sit-down dinner or a buffet. Depending upon the number of menu options however, food costs can vary significantly from reception to reception.

As an added benefit, food stations that offer unusual options are also popular at a strolling reception. A food station might include an ice cream buffet, tropical mixed drinks, or specialty desserts. Food stations can also be designed to offer a “mini-meal” of wraps, carved meats, or seafood with complementary sides. Guests can build their own meals, or have them prepared by the catering staff.

In a strolling reception, food is served in waves, and guests can choose among their favorites. Many strolling menus offer between three and seven food choices, depending upon the length of the reception, whether or not alcohol is being served, and the number of guests at the event.

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Top ways to Save Money on Wedding Reception Costs

It seems that with each passing day, the cost of a throwing a wedding reception is rising exponentially. In truth, the costs are rising and in many cases, couples are forced to compromise on aspects of their wedding in order to be able to afford other aspects that they want more. Read more

Top ways to Save Money on Wedding Reception Costs

It seems that with each passing day, the cost of a throwing a wedding reception is rising exponentially. In truth, the costs are rising and in many cases, couples are forced to compromise on aspects of their wedding in order to be able to afford other aspects that they want more. Many couples or their parents will use credit cards or take out a loan in order to pay for a wedding, but this can leave a couple with high debt as they begin their new life together. While there is no way to ensure that every couple gets the wedding they dream of within their budget, there are ways to save money on wedding reception costs to avoid debt while still having the wedding they truly want.

Many couples want to have a wedding outside during the warm weather. This is considered primetime for the wedding season and so costs for both the ceremony and reception are going to be higher than during the off-season. Additionally, Saturday is the biggest day for weddings, so costs are also going to be higher. If a couple is willing to compromise on the season and/or day they get married, it is possible to save a lot of money on wedding reception costs. In addition to the wedding venue, all wedding vendors are going to be willing to give a discount on their services in order to make some money during their off-season.

Another way to save money on wedding reception costs is to make some of those essential wedding reception items rather than purchasing them from a vendor. Those couples that are crafty and creative can make their own wedding invitations, floral arrangements, place cards, wedding favors, and centerpieces. The only limit is the imagination. By purchasing just the materials for these items, the couple saves money on their wedding reception costs and only has to contribute some of their own time.

One of the easiest ways to save money on wedding reception costs is to have a small wedding cake. When the couple orders their wedding cake, they can order a small cake that will serve as the cake they cut together. In addition, they can order simple sheet cakes that can be sliced to serve their guests. Since decorating extravagant wedding cakes takes time, the bakery must charge for their labor accordingly. By cutting down on the amount of decorating and simplifying the bakery order, the bride and groom can cut down on this cost.

While there are many ways for a couple to save a little money on many of their wedding needs, the most valuable advice is to take the time to interview several different vendors and find the least expensive options while maintaining the level of quality that they are looking for. While this may take more time, it is worth it in the end to save money on wedding reception costs!

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Choosing the Right Wedding Caterer

Everyone remembers the food at a wedding if it is outstanding or if it horrible! Since the majority of the wedding budget is put towards the catering, it is imperative to choose a wedding caterer that is going to be memorable for the incredible food!

Prior to choosing a wedding caterer, it is a good idea to have a potential menu in mind. The atmosphere of the wedding and the length of the wedding reception will have an impact on the food. This means that the bride and groom need to decide on how many courses and how elegant or simple they would like the food to be. While they may have specific requests, an exceptional wedding caterer is going to have some wonderful ideas for the couple to consider.

Since so much money is going to be spent on the food, it is necessary to interview several potential wedding caterers. This means finding out their credentials, asking for references, and even tasting some samples! Before choosing a wedding caterer, it is good for the couple to ask for possible ideas as well as ask if the caterer is capable of making any special dishes that the bride and groom have decided upon. The wedding caterer should be willing to meet the needs of the bride and groom while also offering suggestions that will make the event more memorable.

When the time comes to interview potential wedding caterers, it is always good to start with recommendations from friends and family, especially if they have been married recently. Some couples are lucky enough to have a wedding caterer as a close friend or family member. This will likely save them money while they have the ability to work closely with the wedding caterer.

It is very important to choose a wedding caterer that will be willing to work closely with the bride and groom. When choosing the wedding caterer, make sure that the contract is completely ironclad. This means that the date and time are specified, the price is outlined, and any payments that must be made prior to the wedding are taken care of. It is also necessary for the couple to realise that the price can change if they decide to change the menu and add or upgrade the food.

As with any wedding vendor, choosing the right wedding caterer takes time. It is not a decision that should be rushed. However, it is also important to consider that the best wedding vendors book quickly so it is a good idea to start the interview process as soon as possible. Remember that the food is one of the most major expenses and one of the most memorable parts of the wedding, so it is imperative to hire the perfect wedding caterer!

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Serving Alcohol At Your Reception

Yet another question that must be answered when planning a wedding is whether or not alcohol will be served at the reception. As with other elements of your wedding, the decision to serve alcohol is strictly yours, but serving alcohol will add expense to your bottom line, so you’ll need to budget accordingly.

In a location like a hotel, restaurant or hall, verify that the venue has a proper license to serve alcohol. In some cases, the venue may be able to secure a temporary license, if it does not normally serve alcohol, except in dry communities, where no alcohol is served.

Serving minors is always a no-no, if alcohol is served in a public place. Likewise, the hours during which minors may be present when alcohol is served may impact your reception. The laws regarding the service of alcohol to minors in a private home are different. If you plan to have a reception in a private home, check the law (and ask a minor’s parents first!) before serving alcohol to an underage person.

How much alcohol you should provide is always up for debate. Generally, an acceptable rule of thumb is one alcoholic drink per person per hour over the course of five hours. Multiply your adult guest count by 5 and that will produce the number of drinks you’ll need for the evening. This rule assumes one type of alcohol per drink. Martinis, for example, consist of gin and vermouth or vodka and vermouth, so some cocktails will alter your calculations a bit.

A “full bar” would contain beer (draught or bottled), wines (both whites and reds), Champagne, Vodka, Scotch, Bourbon, Whiskey, Rum, Vermouth (both dry and sweet), Rum and Tequila. Additionally, a full bar will have various mixers and juices, as well as a supply of non-alcoholic drinks and water for guests who don’t drink alcohol.

Consult with the venue about the amount of alcohol you should supply. If you plan to have your reception in a private home, consult a bottleshop for information on how much alcohol you should provide for your guests, the mixers and other supplies you’ll have on hand.

One advantage of having a reception in regulated premises is that the staff will keep track of guests who have had too much to drink. A responsible person may not serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated guest and may ask a guest in that state to leave. If you plan to have alcohol at your reception, also make a plan for guests who are too intoxicated to drive themselves home. Drink driving is a serious offence, and an arrest or accident involving one or more of your guests would provide an unhappy ending to what should be a beautiful evening.

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Choosing a Wedding Reception Venue

When planning your wedding reception, the most important decision to make is where to hold it. What type of wedding reception venue should you choose? What amenities does it need to have? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

First and foremost, check to see that the wedding reception venue is available for the date of your wedding. Find out how many people the location can accommodate, as well as how many parking spaces are available for your guests. It is a good idea to ask about the function centre’s policies should you arrive late or need to stay longer than originally planned. If you are having both the wedding and the reception at the same venue, make sure that additional rooms are available for use as dressing rooms for the bridal party.

When looking at the room for your reception, check for amenities you will need. Is there equipment available for making speeches? If another event is scheduled before your reception, will there be adequate time for the band to set up and for you to decorate? If there are no events scheduled before yours, when will you be able to access the room to begin preparation? Some wedding reception venues will allow you to set up the morning of your wedding, or even the day before. Ask whether decorations are supplied for the event, and get a detailed list of items that will be provided. Don’t forget to inquire whether any kinds of decorations are prohibited, such as lighted candles, fireworks, or confetti.

If your wedding reception venue is outdoors, ask about alternate facilities that are available for you to use in case of bad weather. Keep an eye out for picturesque spots where you can have photos of the wedding party taken, too.

Some wedding reception venues require you to use services that they provide, such as catering and alcoholic beverage services. Be sure to find out about such requirements and the pricing of each level of service. Many function centres can either supply or recommend other services, too, such as a DJ or band, florists, photographers, and so forth. It is also common for a wedding reception venue to have special pricing arrangements with local hotels and cab companies for the convenience of your guests. Finally, you might wish to ask if the function centre offers baby-sitting services, or at least has a room available that could serve as a children’s area.

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