Whether it’s by the ocean, on a bluff at sunset, or in an overflowing garden during the afternoon, weddings in the summertime are just more picturesque and can provide the ambiance any blushing bride would need on her big day. But the excessive heat and blazing sun can make your special day unbearable for both you and your guests. How to deal without sacrificing your dream summer wedding? Below are some helpful tips.
During the ceremony and cocktail hour, have glasses of water ready and waiting. The relief will be almost instant and can last for up to one hour. Present them with slices of cucumber, lemon or orange to refresh your guests in true garden style. Serving soft drinks and alcohol, especially, will only dehydrate the crowd.
While giving out paper fans have been the go-to method for keeping guests cool, these are overdone and hardly effective in staving off the heat. Get electric mini fans that can also serve as your party favors. Your wedding won’t be the only event your guests will attend this summer, so the mini fan will be something they can take to any barbecue, beach, or campsite. Check out Inkhead.com for personalized fans for as low as $1.70 per for 150 guests. Keep in mind these promotional products websites always have a minimum number you must purchase to order.
A few other quick tips to consider are having only cold hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour and offering mint-infused products to guests throughout the night. Serving sushi or cold soup shooters will be a welcomed treat compared to a hibachi or carving station that will only add to the heat. And for the cooling mint effect, you can stick products like Bath & Body Works’ Nectarine Mint Antibacterial Hand Lotion or Clean Well Spearmint Lime All Natural Hand Sanitizer in the ladies’ and men’s restrooms. You can buy up now during their clearance sale.
Last but not least, if you believe the heat will still be too much to bear, consider adding tent and air conditioning rentals to your budget. While this option can be expensive ( avg. price is $2500 - $3000) when considering catering, table and chair rentals, lighting and flooring will all be separate charges, it will keep guests from running to their cars after your nuptials. A wedding coordinator would be especially helpful in these types of weddings as all the details can become very overwhelming. If rentals will stretch the budget too much, it would be best to find a venue that accommodates both your dream outdoor ceremony and provides an indoor reception space as well.
Happy Planning!!
by Tuesdi Kelly on Wednesday July 14, 2010
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A party isn’t a party without some spirits on hand, especially at a wedding! How else do you toast the new, happy couple? With Champagne, of course! But, how about beer, wine and everything else in between? Do you spring for the full bar, maybe do a cash bar if you’re not a drinker or forgo the whole thing all together? How you handle the liquor situation can make or break your wedding, so listen up!
Tip #1. Liquor is a supporting player, not an extra!
First and foremost, a reception without spirits is a no-no! I have organized a few weddings where the couple didn’t drink and was adamant about not serving alcohol. What was the guests’ response? They left early! Without some alcohol available, many guests will take their party elsewhere.
Tip #2. Cash bars are tacky (like you didn’t know this already).
Cash bars are also on the no-no list. These are your guests. Treat them as such. They’re bringing their well wishes and, hopefully, gifts for this new chapter in your life. Don’t ask them to reach into their pockets. But there are some tricks so the bar doesn’t break your own.
Tip #3.Hello! Consumption bars still look like full bars!
This is a great option if you know a good percentage of your guests are non-drinkers or light drinkers, and it still gives guests a full bar. Arrange for a consumption bar with the venue and place a reasonable limit based on the average cost of drinks and how many drinks you believe will be served that night. A planner can really help with estimating for these types of numbers.
Tip #4. The Wine and Beer Combo
If you don’t want to be terrified throughout your reception about the bar tab, go for a wine and beer bar only. Of course, you don’t get the full range of liquors, but this is the cheapest option and you’ll know the cost ahead of time. The price will be based on a head count, which you’ll know at least a week before the wedding. Remember to give just an adult head count, and not to mistakenly include children.
Tip #5.Forego the “deluxe” and/or “premium” bars.
Upgrading to Grey Goose and Belvedere vodka is nice, but rarely will someone know the difference if you actually serve Absolut. Once people start “enjoying” themselves, one vodka or rum will begin to taste like any other.
Tip #6.“Shaken, not stirred” will cost you!
Mixing up a dirty martini is not included in any of these bars, premium or deluxe. Liquers (i.e. triple sec liquers, peach schnapps, etc.) are extra. The only items included are scotch, gin, tequila, rum, vodka, soft drinks, juices, and water. And one more thing… Don’t believe you’ll get off cheaper by pairing a wine and beer bar with a specialty drink. Sometimes this can become costly if your specialty drink require a liquer.
Tip #7. Timing is everything!
Do you still want the full bar, but can’t afford the cocktail hour and a 4-hour reception? Then stop trying. Close the bar down during the dinner hour of your reception and have a wine pour instead. The wine pour may be included in your package. Want to go a step further? Close it down a half an hour before the party ends. You’ll now only pay for 3 and ½ hours and no one will suspect a thing. The end.
Happy planning!!
by Tuesdi Kelly on Wednesday June 30, 2010
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by Tuesdi Kelly on Tuesday April 20, 2010
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Do you have out of town guest coming to your big day? Have you thought of where they will stay? How many rooms will be needed? How much will it cost? I can assure you a pop up tent in your backyard will not be a great solution to this problem. Or even consider asking friends and family members to take them in their homes. As you are planning your wedding make sure you consider your out of town guests. Remember everyone can not afford to stay at the Ritz Carlton. Pick 3 options that will give your guests an affordable choice of the hotel they can stay in.
The way you can get this accomplish is by notifying your local Convention and Visitors Bureau. I have used them for a few clients. They will send out a RFQ (Request for Quote) to the hotels in the area. You will get their quotes without much effort on your part. Also remember if you are having your wedding at a hotel they will give you their best possible rate. Keeping your guests comfortable will make the experience that much nicer. This is one thing to check off the list.
by Tuesdi Kelly on Tuesday April 13, 2010
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The minute you get engaged you are making plans and fantasizing about your big day. But remember reality starts to set in when you hear about pricing. Lifestyles and budgets determines what direction you can go. Make sure you do not get caught up with the fabulousity. This can be a budget buster and it can ruin your relationship with friends and loved ones.
Remember throwing your expenses off to others is not the answer to having a fabulous wedding. Asking your attendants to not only use the hairstylist and makeup artist you choose but to pay for it is not appropriate. Ordering linen rentals to dress up the room but feeding your guest on paper is not glamorous. Losing deposits because you are making hasty decisions puts you further in a financial conundrum.
Think outside the box. Visualize things you want to happen on your big day. Ask questions to see how you can improvise on what you want without breaking the bank. But do not think too far outside the box or you may drive yourself insane.
Remember throwing your expenses off to others is not the answer to having a fabulous wedding. Asking your attendants to not only use the hairstylist and makeup artist you choose but to pay for it is not appropriate. Ordering linen rentals to dress up the room but feeding your guest on paper is not glamorous. Losing deposits because you are making hasty decisions puts you further in a financial conundrum.
Think outside the box. Visualize things you want to happen on your big day. Ask questions to see how you can improvise on what you want without breaking the bank. But do not think too far outside the box or you may drive yourself insane.
by Tuesdi Kelly on Tuesday April 06, 2010
no comments
Rain, Rain, go away you can't show up on my wedding day!!!! Snow is so high it makes me want to cry!!!! In all your excitement from the minute you get engaged you are thinking about the wedding date. You choose a date that will satisfy the time of season, vacations or even the right price. But do you ever think that depending on the time of year the weather may be a big question mark. I have worked with couples who want to have an outdoor's wedding in August and only think it will be hot. They can not conceive that it could be hot and rainy. The majority of couples can not postpone due to inclement weather. But I also find they do not have a backup plan if the weather goes bad.
My recommendations is have an alternative if there is bad weather. Think about renting a tent if you are having an outside affair. Venues may have a space to accomodate you and your guests but that is not guaranteed. Consider that weather with water is not the only culprit. Your big day maybe too cold or too hot. Think about having bottled water available for your guests if it is too hot outside. Think about hot chocolate for guests when it is too cold and you may have a ceremony outside or in an very drafty space.
Your day will be special even through the storm. The weather is just preparing for the marriage.
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