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The decision of whether to wear one dress or two for your wedding depends on your personal style, preferences, and the type of wedding you're having. Here are some considerations to help you decide:

One Dress:

Choosing a single wedding dress is a classic and elegant option. This choice may suit you if:

• You want a cohesive look: Wearing one dress allows you to maintain a consistent style throughout the day, from ceremony to reception.

• You prefer simplicity: If you’re not interested in changing outfits and prefer a more streamlined experience, one dress is easy and convenient.

• You're having a more traditional or intimate wedding: A single dress might feel more formal or traditional for smaller, formal, or religious ceremonies.

• Cost considerations: A single dress may be more affordable overall since you’re only purchasing one gown, accessories, and alterations for that one look.

Two Dresses:

Many brides opt for two dresses, one for the ceremony and another for the reception. This option is popular for several reasons:

• Comfort: You may want a more formal, structured dress for the ceremony and a more comfortable, fun, or easier-to-dance-in dress for the reception.

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When it comes to tying the knot in style, some couples dream of saying "I do" in the most exclusive, breathtaking, and unique venues in the world. From castles perched on hills to private islands surrounded by turquoise waters, these venues offer more than just a ceremony—they provide an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Here are the top 10 Exclusive Wedding Venues Around the World that promise to make your wedding day a true fairytale.

1. The Palácio da Pena – Sintra, Portugal

Why It's Exclusive: Set in the mystical hills of Sintra, the Palácio da Pena is a 19th-century Romanticist palace that offers an atmosphere of royal grandeur and old-world charm. With its vibrant colors, lush gardens, and panoramic views, it’s an idyllic setting for a luxury wedding.

Highlights:

• Stunning architectural beauty with sweeping views of the town and surrounding mountains.
• Access to the lush parkland for an enchanting outdoor ceremony.
• A truly regal atmosphere perfect for couples seeking a fairy-tale wedding.

Ideal For: Couples looking for history, charm, and a royal backdrop for their celebration.

Sending out your wedding invitation is a pivotal point in the planning process. We typically recommend sending them out 12-8 weeks prior to the wedding. The exact timing is mainly dependent on the deadline for final guest counts for various vendors you have booked (catering, rentals, remaining stationary needs, etc.). You’ll want to give yourself time to track down lingering RSVP's from guests and work through table assignments.

Addressing wedding invitations is an important task that should be done thoughtfully and in line with etiquette. A formal wedding invitation usually includes an outer envelope with a more personalized inner envelope. Is this completely necessary? No. However, it is always better to err on the formal side instead of informal. If you choose to forego an inner envelope, simply focus on properly addressing the outer envelope. Here is a guide on how to properly address the envelopes:

1. Addressing the Outer Envelope

The outer envelope is the more formal one, and it's important to be proper and respectful when addressing it.

• For married couples:

• If both have the same last name, you can list them together using the husband’s first and last name

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As we ring in the new year, we reflect on the magic of love, the beauty of union, and the joy of new beginnings. For couples embarking on their journey of marriage, the start of a new year offers a fresh chapter full of endless possibilities and exciting adventures together. Whether you're planning your wedding, celebrating your first year as newlyweds, or continuing to build a life filled with love, we wish you a year of laughter, growth, and cherished memories.

May this year be filled with love that only deepens with time, moments of joy that fill your hearts, and a bond that strengthens with every passing day. Here’s to new beginnings, new memories, and a beautiful love story that only grows more incredible with each passing year.

Happy New Year to all the couples celebrating love!

Dear Brides, Grooms, and Wedding Lovers,

As we reflect on this magical year, we are filled with gratitude for the love, joy, and inspiration we've shared with you all. It’s been a year of breathtaking weddings, unforgettable moments, and heartwarming stories, and we’re so thankful to be part of your journey.

This Christmas, we wish you a season filled with love, laughter, and the warmth of those you hold dear. Whether you're planning your big day or already celebrating your happily ever after, may this festive season bring you peace, happiness, and cherished memories to last a lifetime.

Here’s to a new year full of exciting wedding trends, beautiful celebrations, and of course, love! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Hoopes Events.

With love and joy,

The Hoopes Events Team

Tonya, Mackenzie, Angela, Kenzie and Lori

With its pristine beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and world-class resorts, Yucatán is a dream destination for couples seeking both adventure and relaxation on their honeymoon. Whether you’re lounging on the beach, exploring the region’s rich cultural history, or indulging in world-class dining, Yucatán offers everything you need for the ultimate honeymoon experience.

Here’s your guide to planning a luxurious, unforgettable honeymoon in Yucatán, Mexico, with Yucatan honeymoon tips and tricks to make it a dream come true.

1. Choose the Right Resort for Ultimate Relaxation

When it comes to luxury in the Yucatán, you’ll have a hard time choosing between some of the finest resorts in Mexico. Many of these properties offer all-inclusive packages, private villas, and exclusive services to make your stay as indulgent as possible.

• Chichen Itza and Cenote Adventures: For those seeking a combination of history, culture, and relaxation, check out Chable Resort & Spa located near the iconic ruins of Chichen Itza. This serene resort offers private villas, a world-class spa, and the opportunity to take private tours to Mayan archaeological sites. It’s perfect for couples who want to combine luxury with a touch of history.

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Tipping wedding vendors is a common practice to show appreciation for their hard work and to reward excellent service that made your wedding day perfect. The amount you tip depends on the type of vendor, the level of service provided, and your budget. Here's a guide on how to approach tipping different wedding vendors:

1. Catering & Food Service Staff

• Who to Tip: Catering staff, servers, and bartenders.

• Amount: Typically, 15-20% of the catering bill, or $2-4 per guest. If the tip is included in the contract, no additional tip is necessary, but if it's not, this range is standard. It can be given directly to the catering manager or the staff, depending on the contract.

2. Wedding Planner/Coordinator

• Who to Tip: Your day-of coordinator or full-service wedding planner.

• Amount: 10-20% of the planner's fee. This can range from $100-$500 or more depending on the level of service and the size of your wedding. Often given at the end of the wedding day, or via a personal check or cash after the event.

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Weddings are monumental moments in our lives — moments of joy, love, and celebration. In the whirlwind of planning, the stress of deadlines, and the excitement of the big day, it's easy to get caught up in the details. But amid the décor, the dresses, and the champagne toasts, there’s so much to be thankful for, and expressing gratitude can deepen the joy of the celebration.

As we celebrate the union of two souls, we should take a moment to reflect on the blessings that make this day so special, including our gratitude for marriage, and the things we should truly appreciate — not just as we walk down the aisle, but every step of the way.

1. The Love That Brought You Here - At the heart of every wedding is love. The kind of love that makes everything else seem insignificant. Whether you met in college, through mutual friends, or serendipitously at a coffee shop, your love story is the foundation of your wedding day.

Take a moment to appreciate the deep connection you share with your partner — the laughter, the challenges you’ve overcome together, the quiet moments that feel like home. The luxury of a wedding day pales in comparison to the lifetime of memories you’ll create together. The love that has brought you to this moment, the bond that will carry you through a lifetime of adventures, and the commitment you're about to make to each other makes this day all the more special.

Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, connection, and gratitude. Here are some things many people appreciate during this special holiday:

1. Family and Friends: Being surrounded by loved ones is often the top thing people are thankful for. Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to reconnect and enjoy each other's company, whether near or far.

2. Good Food: The Thanksgiving feast is a major highlight. People are thankful for delicious dishes like turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pies, as well as the opportunity to share them with others.

3. Health: Many people take a moment to reflect on their health and well-being, feeling thankful for being physically strong, mentally sound, or recovering from illness.

4. Home: Having a place to call home, especially when it’s a cozy, warm place filled with loved ones, is a top reason for gratitude.

5. Time to Rest: Thanksgiving often provides a much-needed break from the stresses of daily life, allowing for relaxation and unwinding.

6. Memories and Traditions: People often appreciate long-standing traditions, like watching the Thanksgiving Day parade, playing football, or passing down family recipes. These traditions can bring a sense of continuity and belonging.

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Weddings are deeply symbolic events, shaped by a rich history of cultural, religious, and familial customs. From the attire to the ceremony and the celebrations that follow, every aspect of a wedding carries its own meaning and significance. Wedding traditions vary widely around the world, but many share common themes of love, commitment, and the celebration of a new life together. Here’s a little refresher as to the meaning behind some of the traditions we practice, as well as, different traditions from other cultures.

1. The Bridal Attire

• White Wedding Dress: The tradition of wearing a white wedding dress was popularized by Queen Victoria of England when she married Prince Albert in 1840. Since then, white (or ivory) has come to symbolize purity and innocence. However, today, brides may choose to wear any color that suits their personality, including red, blue, or even black, depending on cultural or personal preferences.

• Veil: The bridal veil is another tradition that dates back centuries. In ancient times, it was believed that the veil would protect the bride from evil spirits. The tradition also symbolizes modesty and the bride’s transition from a single woman to a married one.

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Luxury Wedding Catering is an elevated and exclusive service designed to create an unforgettable dining experience for couples and their guests. It's all about exquisite food, impeccable service, and attention to detail to make the event feel extraordinary. Here's an overview of what makes luxury wedding catering stand out:

1. Custom Menu Creation - Luxury wedding caterers often work with couples to design a personalized menu that reflects their tastes, preferences, and even cultural or family traditions. This can include:

• Gourmet appetizers: Think caviar, foie gras, or truffle-infused dishes.

• Main courses: High-end options like wagyu beef, lobster tail, or delicately prepared vegetarian or vegan dishes using premium ingredients.

• Themed stations: Sushi bars, raw seafood stations, or interactive food stations like live cooking or carving stations.

• Desserts: Decadent desserts such as custom-designed wedding cakes, gourmet pastries, or chocolate fountains.

2. Exquisite Presentation - The way the food is presented is just as important as the quality of the ingredients:

• Each dish is artfully plated with attention to color, texture, and composition.

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Is creating your own arch or backdrop for your wedding worth it? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no.

For one of our recent couple’s it was an astounding yes! The couple loved skiing together and so much of their time was spent in the mountains that they wanted to incorporate that into their ceremony. They decided to use a pair of vintage snow skis that are currently used as decor in their home as part of the backdrop for their ceremony. As their planner I had the opportunity to figure out the best way to make that happen.

I first went to google and pinterest to find some photos of what I was picturing in my head but the exact look we were going for didn’t exist. I looked both for inspiration photos and then ski structures to try to see if I could buy something pre-made. After a good amount of searching I knew we needed to do something custom to create the exact look the bride and groom were looking for.

After having them send over the dimensions of the skis they wanted to use, I got to work to create a structure that would hold the skis at an angle above the couple’s head. The groom was a little over 6’ tall and we needed to make sure that the skis weren’t going to cross right behind his head as he stood in front of it. I began working with a skilled woodworking/contractor for the exact dimensions that would achieve the look we wanted and drew it out on paper.

Micro weddings are in right now and we are obsessed. They take away the stress of a large wedding with lots of guests and can be the perfect solution if wavering between eloping and a traditional wedding. A micro wedding has a guest count of about 30 people, some more and some fewer than that.

There are so many pros and cons to consider when deciding your guest count and wedding vibe. Here are a few things to consider:

Pros:

• Increased Intimacy - With fewer guests the bride and groom have increased time to spend talking and laughing with their absolute favorite people in the entire world. There aren’t as many guests to cater to and it can add to a more personal atmosphere. Everyone gets several moments with the couple and it truly turns the attention to them.

• Cost-effective - smaller weddings = more savings! Now you can spend the money you saved, by not having an increased guest count, on other areas of your day that may be more important to you.

• Flexibility - Increased flexibility is highly valuable on a wedding day and means that there will be less stress all around if something goes wrong. With not as many people to notice or care, rooms can be re-set quickly, decor and other items can be rearranged promptly and changes can be made on the day of the event with less man-power. Increased flexibility is a win for both the couple, the guests, and the vendors.

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Planning season is here for 2025 celebrations! We are so excited to work on some masterful events next season and want to share trends we’re seeing as we head into the season.

1. Bold colors and patterns: we’re seeing more and more bold colors and jewel tones and less and less pastel or monochrome color palettes. Instead of having simple linens, people are leaning towards fun patterns and matching them with all kinds of colors and other patterns.

2. Interactive Guest Experiences: either through food stations or unique vendors, people are moving beyond a basic photobooth or buffet and are finding creative ways to engage their guests to create a wedding experience guests won’t forget whether through unique food stations, temporary tattoo vendors or something else unique!

3. Destination Micro-Weddings: Unique villas and destinations are in for a small group of guests. Couples are opting for a vacation with their favorite people with a ceremony that reflects their priorities and we are here for it!

4. Non-traditional wedding attire: more people are moving towards bolder colors and patterns for their wedding outfits and are picking up additional wedding outfits for each aspect of their wedding day.

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When you reach out to potential event planners, you may not initially know what level of assistance you are in need of. Many event planners offer both coordination and planning services so it is important to understand the difference between the two so you can determine the level of assistance that best suits your needs and budget.

The terms "coordination" and "planning assistance" are often used interchangeably in the context of wedding and event planning, but they refer to distinct roles with different responsibilities.

1. Planning Assistance:

• Planning assistance typically involves helping the couple with various aspects of the wedding planning process from start to finish. These aspects may include guidance on budgeting, venue research, vendor selection, creating overall wedding design and theme, coordinating appointments with vendors, creating a timeline, managing stationary and RSVP’s… the list goes on and on.

• Planning assistants often work closely with the couple to understand their vision and preferences, offering suggestions and recommendations during regular meetings to help bring their ideas to life.

• Their role is comprehensive and involves supporting the couple throughout the entire planning journey, from initial concept to the execution of the wedding day.

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