Open Bar Budget-Friendly Ideas!

Generally the cocktail hour is located in the main ballroom, foyer, or patio. Upbeat background music is played for the guests as they mingle, snack on appetizers (hot & cold) and refresh themselves at the hosted bar. Hosted bar a little out of the budget? 

There are lots of chic ways around this problem. Host the cocktail hour by offering two signature drinks to your guests!  The drinks can be pre-made and elegantly served with beautiful garnishes.  We have had couples choose "His & Her" options, cocktails named for the "Maid of Honor & Best Man", or cocktails based on the occasion like "Something Borrowed & Something Blue".  Print up the recipe for your signature drink, add one of the ingredients, dress it up in a pretty package and it now does "double duty" as a favor for your guests. Win, win for your budget & your guests! 

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Another option to making your guests feel well taken care of and still keeping within the budget, offer a signature drink during cocktail hour and during the reception offer wine and local beers from the area. Offer a cash bar for those who prefer something different then wine & beer. We also love the idea of offering champagne for the toast! It's a very intimate way to invite your guests  to celebrate with you!  
 

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Whichever option you decide for your bar, make it unique and special to the two of you!

Rain on Your Wedding Day

Even though it's supposed to be good luck for it to rain on your wedding day, every Bride hopes it doesn't happen to her, especially if she plans a beautiful outdoor soirée! Although rain does change the original plan & look, it doesn't have to be the disaster you probably imagine.

When considering an outdoor wedding and reception,  we encourage our couples to choose a venue which also has an out of the weather "Plan B"  they love just as well!

This couple had plans to get married under a tree in the front yard of this venue and host their reception in this pavilion. Unfortunately Mother Nature had a different plan...they took it in stride and both agreed it didn't matter where they pledged their love for each other.

Their "Plan B" was breathtaking.

If an indoor option is not available at the venue you have fallen in love with, tents can provide shelter from the elements and can be dressed up to be quite beautiful! Look at these gorgeous options for ceremony and reception!

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If there's a chance of rain, we also suggest purchasing umbrellas to coordinate with your color scheme for the "just in case". They are a cute option if  your ceremony is outdoors and the reception is inside. Umbrellas also make for an adorable photo op for you and your new husband!

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Remember this is the first day of the rest of your life together...even if it rains! Make the best of it and enjoy each other in your celebration of love!

Spring 2015 - Pantone's Top 10

Pantone introduced their top 10 colors for Spring 2015 and the overall color palette is muted with blues and greens taking center stage! .

It's no secret we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE shoes, chocolate & wine! Since shoes are the only one of those three which come in an array of beautiful colors, we thought we'd showcase our take on Pantone's 2015 Spring colors in some of our favorite styles.

Besides shoes, there are so may ways to incorporate these beautiful colors into your event! We are so excited to help you with the design  of the  day of your dreams!

Glacier Gray - This neutral color is a perfect partner to almost every other shade
Marsala - This color is warm without being bold while still keeping earthy roots
Tangerine - This fun-loving cover invites a smile.
Custard - This mellow color remains subtle and relaxed while adding warmth
Classic Blue - This color inspires calm, confidence and harmony.
Lucite Green - This color has a minty, timeless glow.
Strawberry Ice - This subtle and charming color evokes a flattering and healthy glow.
Aquamarine - This color conveys a sense of carefree playfulness.
Toasted Almond - This color is timeless and versatile.
Scuba Blue - This eye-catching color is exciting and playful.

You've Been Invited!

You've been honored with a wedding invitation. Acting the part of a gracious, respectful guest is so important when you are invited to share someone’s big day with them. We thought we would share some pointer's from Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette so you can charm the bride and groom!

 

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1. RSVP. Immediately.

RSVP is French for “please respond” (répondez s’il vous plaît). Your most important obligation as a guest is to respond to the invitation immediately, especially if you are unable to attend. At the very least, it allows your host and hostess enough time to give an accurate count to the caterer. There is usually a card to return with your reply. If not, you may write a formal reply or a note indicating your intention.

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2. Respect your invitation.

Do not ask your host or hostess if you can bring a date or your children. The invitation will be addressed to the people invited. If you may bring a guest, your invitation will read “Mr. John Phelps and guest.” If your children are invited, they will either receive their own personal invitations or their names will be listed under yours on the envelope. This is not the time to question your host’s decision, to argue or to beg for an exception. And, please, do not add their names to a reply card or show up with them anyway!

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3. Send a gift.

If you are invited to the ceremony and/or reception, you should send a gift, whether you are attending or not. Generally, gifts are sent to the bride in advance of the wedding. In some localities, gifts are brought to the reception and placed on a special table. If you hear from family that the couple would prefer a charitable donation—as in the case of an older couple or an encore wedding—please respect their wishes. If you receive an announcement after the wedding has taken place, you may send a gift if you wish, but you have no obligation to do so. It is nice to acknowledge the announcement with a card or a note expressing your best wishes.

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4. Be on your BEST behavior.

Be on time, wear appropriate clothing and be respectful during the marriage ceremony. Pay your respects to the hosts, the wedding party and other guests at the reception.

And remember—

“The good guest is almost invisible, enjoying him- or herself, communing with fellow guests, and, most of all, enjoying the generous hospitality of the hosts.”

— E. Post
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Every wedding is different, however these tips are pretty universal. Keep them in mind, and have fun celebrating the new Mr. & Mrs.!!

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Adam & Leah

Every wedding touches our hearts but this one was a particular tearjerker and emotionally-attached wedding: the wedding of Susan's brother and beautiful wife-to-be!

Despite the tears and the reason behind them, it was absolutely the happiest day. Guests traveled from all over the U.S. to share this day of love and celebration!  We were all beaming from morning into the night.

Adam & Leah tell their story...

 

How We Met
 

We met five years ago in Alaska, while we were both working for the Riverboat Discovery. On his first day of work, our boss introduced us, since he knew we would be working together for the summer. We started talking and even dated for a couple of weeks.  When it came time for Leah to move to Utah, they both decided to not pursue a relationship at that time.  Two years later, they got back into touch, and Leah suggested that Adam come down to visit. After that first visit, they were inseparable and, as they say, "the rest is history"
 

When “IT” happened
 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013
 

The Engagement
 

Since Adam works in the drilling industry, work kept him away from home on Valentine's Day. When he came home for his week off, he told Leah to pack a couple days’ worth of clothing, including one nice outfit. After Leah's day at work, they were off to this secret escape. We arrived in Midway, Utah, where Adam had reserved the bridal suite at the Homestead Resort, and had made a crater soaking and dinner reservations for the day. After the soak (which was incredible) we got ready for dinner and were off to a little place called the Blue Boar Inn. We enjoyed dinner and drinks, and Adam kept wanting to say something. So, I asked what he was trying to say, and he went into how incredible our last year was together, and how we were essentially perfect for each other. From there, he got up, walked behind me, and got down on one knee right in the middle of the restaurant! I (obviously) said "yes", but we both decided not to plan anything until I was finished with school.  So, in mid-May, I bought my dress (well, mom did) and from then on we have been planning like crazy!

Wedding Planning

 

As a couple we enjoy romantic and intimate evenings out together. We wanted to create a simple and elegant atmosphere for our wedding to capture how we enjoy spending our time together. Our families and friends are important to us, and we chose to invite the closest of our family members and friends to create an intimate celebration. We wanted Love to be the theme of the wedding, and with inspiration from Leah's mom, we chose to use wedding photos from our family to showcase the Love of the people that have influenced our lives. We spent much time calling & texting Susan discussing details of our upcoming wedding day. For the rest of the decorations, we still wanted to keep it simple and elegant, so we chose rose petals, dim lighting, and minimal wall decorations. Our venue is a stage, and provided the needed lighting, wood floors, and large window for viewing Christmas lights and ice skaters. Our cake was also stripped down and beautiful. For the cake we wanted it to be lightly iced, resembling a birch tree, and decorated lightly with flowers. All of the flowers used for the wedding, including bouquets, were handpicked by Leah at the florist. She loves wild Iris and white Freesia, and we were able to incorporate them beautifully into flower arrangements for the sign in table and bouquets. For the ceremony, we wanted something simple to express our Love for each other. We planned an intimate ceremony to include a hands ceremony, and also a rose ceremony that involved our mothers participation.

What inspired you when planning your big day?

We always wanted something small and intimate with only our family and close friends. We went through a lot of magazines trying to get ideas, but everything we saw was grand, elaborate designs which didn't match our wants and needs. We followed our hearts and ended up with something more beautiful then we could ever imagine!


What was your favorite part of the day?

In reality, both the ceremony and reception were (at least our) favorite part of the day! Getting to experience this with the one that you commit your life to...how is it not amazing?
 What advise do you have for other couples?

Take it all in! It all goes by so incredibly fast you feel like you only saw your guests for 10 minutes. Also make sure you eat something at the reception! I remember getting to eat dinner, but only having a bite of the cake my husband and I shared when we cut it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of their planning was done with beauty, simplicity, and Love in mind. We are so honored Leah & Adam asked us to be a part of their special day and allowed us to orchestrate everything they had planned together with Love!

Photographer

Michael Scott Photography

 

Venue

The Gallivan Center

 

Caterer

Have Party Will Travel

 

Cake

One Sweet Slice

 

Florist

Brown Floral

  

Officiant

Rev. Irene Bozich

 

Guest Book (Signature Plate)

Brushstroke Plates