Wedding Wisdom

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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:...

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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...

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Finding the perfect wedding venues is an important step in planning your big day. A venue can set the stage for the entire event and is one of the larger budget items as well. Here are three important factors to consider during your search:

Capacity and Layout: Before visiting potential wedding venues, consider the number of guests you expect to invite. Look for venues that can comfortably accommodate your guest count. Consider the layout of the venue, including indoor and outdoor spaces, ceremony and reception areas, rental timeframes, dance floors, and amenities such as restrooms and dressing rooms. Ensure that the venue's layout aligns with your vision for the flow of your wedding day events. Ask them about exclusivity on the day of your event. Will you be the only wedding taking place that day or do they hold multiple events per day?

Services and Amenities: Inquire about the services and amenities offered by each wedding venue to determine if they meet your needs and preferences. Ask about packages and pricing options, catering...

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Venue

Here’s an age old question - what’s the difference between a wedding coordinator and a venue coordinator? They both play crucial roles in your wedding day.

The role of a wedding coordinator:

A wedding coordinator is responsible for managing so many different aspects of your wedding. Every single vendor you’ll have at your wedding will be managed via the timeline provided by the wedding coordinator. They act as a liaison between the couple and the many vendors such as the photographer, florist, caterer, musicians. The detailed timeline that they’ve created will help everyone stay on schedule during the day so the couple won’t need to lift a finger.

Wedding coordinators are trained to handle any and all situations that may arise throughout the day. If sauce is spilled on the wedding dress, if a sibling to the groom shows up drunk, if the florist doesn’t have the correct color of florals, etc. your wedding coordinator is there to handle every minute detail and problem solve. The bride and groom’s experience is the wedding coordinator’s number one...

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Bride and Groom

A wedding day can be overwhelming and honestly, a very long day even if it was the best day ever! It’s so important to take the next few days and reflect on the marriage you get to build and take it easy. Jumping into life as a newlywed may feel a bit strange.

Most likely there have been months (or years) spent planning for the big day and it’s finally over. It’s ok to grieve. I personally cried a bit after my wedding because even though the event was fantastic I had to let go of the event that I had poured so much of my heart and emotion into. It’s normal to feel a bit empty without a big project such as a wedding to stress about and plan in one’s free time. Feel these emotions without judgment. On the opposite end of the spectrum, feelings of ecstasy may arise after having the day over with and it may feel freeing and joyous to be married with nothing else to think about besides a new life together. After taking a few days or a week to honeymoon and be alone, there are a few things to start thinking about.

The first thing on the list (and it really should be thought...

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Top Banner

Meeting with prospective florists is an exciting step in planning your wedding decor. Before you set up a meeting with a florist, here are four things to know:

1. Know Your Vision and Budget: Before meeting with a florist, have a clear vision of the floral aesthetic you want for your wedding. Browse through magazines, Pinterest, or Instagram for inspiration and create a mood board or list of specific flowers, colors, and styles you like. Additionally, have a realistic budget in mind for your floral arrangements. Knowing your budget upfront will help your florist suggest options that fit within your budget.

2. Venue Details: Provide your florist with detailed information about your wedding venue, including its layout, setup timeframes, and any restrictions or guidelines related to floral decorations. Share photos or floor plans if possible, so your florist can better understand the space and make appropriate recommendations for floral arrangements.

3. Other Décor Elements: Consider how your floral arrangements...

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Venue

When initially discussing a budget with clients, a common question is if the total budget they’ve allocated is “realistic” or not. This can be a hard question to answer unless you have knowledge of the general costs of the vendor you are wanting. There are also a lot of variables that come into play with a wedding budget as well.

Building a realistic wedding budget involves reviewing multiple factors to ensure you cover all necessary expenses without overspending. A local wedding planner can be a huge asset to determine if your budget is realistic or not. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:

Determine Your Total Budget: It’s important to start by figuring out how much you can afford to spend on your wedding. Knowing the maximum you are willing to spend on your wedding will help allocate the total budget into your prioritized expenses. Remember to consider contributions from family members as well.

Prioritize Expenses: Once you know your total budget, you can now go through and outline your top priorities for the wedding....

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Details

Invest in your guest tables. To get right into it, the table is one of the only places where your guests will be up close and personal with your florals and decor. It’s the place where guests are not only sitting and looking for a while but also where they’ll be exploring the event through their sense of touch. This experience should add to their impression of the event and give them pause to think about the beauty of the day.

Creating a wedding tablescape involves a combination of decor, design, and personalization to complement the theme of the wedding. There are so many different ways to create and think about the design of this aspect of the wedding.

Prerequisites for creating a tablescape: a theme/style and color palette must already be chosen. These tables should exude the chosen style and give guests an aesthetic to admire. If the wedding theme is highly colorful, think about choosing some neutral bases and then adding the pops of color in various places.

First things first, start with table choice and linens. Does the venue provide tables or will tables...

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Reception

Everyone loves a good band or DJ at a wedding. When the music is produced well, that specific vendor can make the whole event top notch. Don’t imagine that they’ll show up and everything will run smoothly - be sure to check in with them about six key things prior to the wedding day.

First of all, discuss their microphones. Will they provide: cordless handheld mics, a lavalier mic, or microphone stands? Ceremony microphones WILL be photographed so be sure to discuss with the band manager or DJ to verify the microphones they have available so the desired look is achieved for the event. Consider wind or water background noise as a factor in your event and plan your microphone choice accordingly.

Second, a conversation between the DJ/band and the venue is essential. Many venues have restrictions such as noise ordinances beginning at a certain time of night or of a certain decibel limit if the venue is attached to a hotel. Music levels still need to be in compliance with local government and policies. This discussion should also include mention of power limitations. If the...

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Wedding Ceremony

Selecting the ideal start time for your wedding ceremony involves considering all kinds of factors, such as: cultural traditions, season, venue, and personal preferences. Here’s a guide to help you choose the ideal time of day to start your ceremony:

  1. Consider the most important parts of your big day! Do you want 2 or 3 hours of dance time? When do you need to be out of the venue at the end of the event? How long would you like the cocktail hour to last? Those are some of the big questions that help to determine your ceremony time. My top suggestion would be to work backwards on your ‘day-of’ timeline, starting at the end of the night to help determine your ideal ceremony start time.
  2. Consider the season of the year: If you’re having a spring or fall wedding the sun will set sooner than during the summer. In winter the sun will start setting around 4pm and if you’re looking for golden hour photos, you may want to plan accordingly. Here in Utah your venue location will also play a big role! If your venue is in the shadow of a mountain the sun will set sooner...

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