8 Tips for Booking Your Dream Wedding Venue

Choosing your wedding venue is one of the most important and difficult aspects of the wedding planning process. After all, it sets the tone, theme, and mood of your wedding. Not only do you want to ensure that the venue matches the vision in your dreams, but that it meets the requirements of the not-so-fun wedding logistics, from your budget to your available dates to be wed. Behold eight aspects to consider when making sure that your venue meets your demands on the big day.

1. Choose your Guest List

First and foremost, you need to roughly estimate how many people you want to invite. Without this, you won’t be able to confidently pick a venue. You don’t want to cram 200 guests into a barn, do you? While a firm count isn’t needed, venues often ask how many guests you’ll be hosting and usually have a minimum guest count.

Haiku Mill Hawaii

2. Set a Budget

Decide with your fiancé how much you want to spend. This will help you avoid the disappointment of falling in love with a place that’s well out of your price range. A good rule of thumb is to not spend more than 50 percent of your wedding budget on the venue. Once you talk with the venue, become acquainted with their rental fee, what’s included in that price, and what the refund policy is, as well as the deposit, when it’s due, and if it’s refundable. Don’t be afraid to inquire as to a discount if you’re booking for a day or season that’s not as popular!

George Peabody Library

3. Select a Wedding Date

This is one of the trickier parts of venue shopping, as dates can book up quickly at more popular venues. If your heart is set on a certain date or even a certain month, your dream venue may not have an opening for that time until the following year. If you’re more concerned about your venue than your wedding date, then this can be flexible — choose a date that best fits with your venue’s openings. Make sure to call ahead to check date availability before going to see the venue in person. Keep in mind your date isn’t officially reserved until you sign your contract and, generally speaking, make a deposit.

The Wightman Chapel

4. Keep the Season in Mind

On a related note, consider the season if you’re undecided on an indoor or outdoor venue. While it’s fairly obvious that getting married outside in Florida during July will probably be a sweat-fest or in Michigan during December might be a tad too cold, also consider unexpected weather, such as rain, which might be more common during certain months. But don’t let Mother Nature deter you from an outdoor wedding — talk to your venue about your concerns. They may have tips to address them or a back-up plan in case it rains. On the other hand, if you’re choosing an indoor venue, make sure the space has heat or air conditioning depending on the season.

Stein Eriksen Lodge

5. Consider the Ambiance

Are you a rustic glam or shabby chic bride? Have a soft spot for all things vintage or a modern, yet traditional wedding? Whether you want an elegant barn, a quirky chapel, or a romantic vineyard, take into account your wedding style and have a vision of what you want for the big day. The venue will play a huge role in setting the ambiance for the wedding. A venue well-suited to your wedding style or with a natural landscape that provides a stunning backdrop, such as a beachfront resort or enchanted garden, might save you money on decorations.

Sleeping Lady Resort

6. Check Lighting and Sound

You want to be seen and heard on your wedding day, right? Good lighting helps set the ambiance and mood. If a venue is too dark, it can be difficult for a photographer to snap photos of the details you obsessed over. Check the fixed lighting and find out if you can add more. Also pay attention to how many electrical outlets there are and where they are — your band or DJ will need them. If your wedding is outdoors, you’ll probably need a generator for the music. Find out if your venue offers them or if you need to rent one.

Bluemont Vineyard

7. Think Location

Are you okay with you, your groom, and all your guests traveling a distance to the venue? If so, roam the states for your favorite spot or have a destination wedding if you wish! If not, keep your search local.

On another note, find out how close — or far away — overnight accommodations are. You don’t want to book a venue only to discover there are no hotels nearby. Figure out how guests will get from point A to point B and make sure there’s ample parking. If accommodations aren’t as close as you'd like, or if there’s not enough parking there or at the venue, find alternatives. See if there’s additional nearby parking or ask the venue if they have a shuttle service or if there are valet options (it might be an extra fee). And once you do find accommodations, call the hotel and ask if they can provide a room block and special rate for your guests.

Experimental Beach Ibiza

8. Find Out Any Restrictions

This can range from noise restrictions to hours of operation. If you want to celebrate under the stars, make sure the venue allows that. Find out if your venue has set hours and if you get charged for going past them. Also consider vendor restrictions, as some venues have a preferred list of vendors they want you to use. This can be advantageous if the vendors know the ins and outs of the space, but not so much if the venue’s list is short or if you’ve already booked some vendors.

Gramercy Park Hotel

8 Ways to Add Watercolors to Your Wedding

You don’t have to be an art lover to appreciate the beauty of watercolors. There’s something whimsical and romantic about those elegant brushstrokes that adds an ethereal touch to your wedding. It’s the perfect way to subtly and stylishly incorporate some color, especially if you’re a color fiend who can’t narrow down the choices. With watercolors, you’ll be able to capture the beauty of art in your own wedding.

1. Watercolor Invites

Tints of periwinkle, lavender and mint merge together for a pastel palette in these watercolor invites. Complement these soft colors with white text to maintain a beautifully muted look.

Elegant Wedding Invites

2. Watercolor Runner

This pink and blue watercolor table runner channels the shades of the flowers, vases and plates that sit atop it, making it the true statement piece of this vintagely romantic table. If you can’t find a watercolor runner that suits your tastes, buy a white one and DIY with the dyes of your choice.

Wedding Chicks via Bramble Workshops

3. Watercolor Cake

This stunning cake takes a different approach to watercolors, displaying them in bold, rich stripes. Gold accents and geometric shapes combine with these jewel-toned colors, offering a bit of glitz and glam with an Art Deco vibe.

Olofson Design

4. Watercolor Escort Cards

These watercolor escort cards pack a punch of color with vibrant teal and hot pink hues against a white background.

Colin Cowie Weddings

5. Watercolor Guest Book

This idea will add a personal and unique touch to your wedding and certainly amp up the wow factor with your guests. Hire an artist to do a watercolor painting of your venue (or do it yourself if you have the talent), leaving room at the top for guests to sign their names. You’ll be able to frame it later on and hang it up for display in your home. It’ll be so much more special than the standard guest book that will get tucked away in a drawer.

Cedarwood Weddings

6. Watercolor Menus

Watercolors often evoke light and airy spring weddings, but that doesn’t have to be the case. These plum watercolor menus perfectly tie in with the gold silverware and earthly bouquet of berries and blooms for an autumn wedding. Even the border of the plates have a watercolor-like appearance.

Ruffled Blog

7. Watercolor Save the Date

Instead of mixing different colors together, stick with various shades of one color, like these midnight blue save the dates. White stars and gold twine shine to complete the look and set the wedding’s theme.

Hoopla Love Etsy

8. Watercolor Marshmallows

You can’t go wrong with good nibbles, and these dipped marshmallows are just pure fun. Place them in a bowl of a complementary color for your guests to munch on during cocktail hour.

Idle Wife

5 Winter Wonderland Bouquets

There’s a reason winter is known as a wonderland. And although winter is considered an off-season for weddings, your choice of blooms is by no means limited. The season’s frosty and festive tones offer beautiful palette options for your cold-weather nuptials. Whether you’re inspired by the pine boughs and pinecones of an evergreen forest or the holly and crimson roses of yuletide cheer, there’s so much beauty to choose from in the chilly months.

1. Woodland Inspired

Pastel roses, succulents and dashes of burgundy combine for a stunning woodland bouquet that somehow manages to be both luxurious and whimsical. An antler adds a final touch, reminiscent of everyone’s favorite festive animal.

Wedding Chicks

2. Jack Frost’s Favorite

This frosted icy blue and green bouquet looks like it was kissed by the snow. A soft, neutral palette mimics winter’s muted tones and sets the mood for a serene and dreamy wedding.

Wedding Chicks

3. Earthy Elegance

Earthy elements are present in this warm bouquet of dahlias, lace hydrangea and wild grasses, creating an elegant look with a hint of rustic charm.

Ruffled

4. Dare to be Different

Who said you needed blooms? This bouquet of pinecones and Baby’s Breath is utterly chic and just as sophisticated as roses or tulips. Carrying this beauty down the aisle will surely make a statement.

Elegant Wedding Invites 

5. Deep Colors

Blush, violets and mahogany reds echo the season’s rich hues, making a gorgeous bouquet perfect for an outdoor wedding.

Rustic Folk Weddings

6 Autumn Tablescapes That Will Have You Falling for a Fall Wedding

The bright hues of summer are out and the earthy, bold colors of fall are in. In light of it being October, here’s a look at some autumn-inspired tablescapes. Get ready for pumpkins, spice and everything nice.

1. Rustic Glam

Autumn often brings to mind colors of rich reds and golds, burnt oranges and deep plums. Yet, other jewel-toned hues work just as well, as proven in this gorgeous tablescape. Light emerald goblets and aegan blue vases give off a sophisticated and glamorous feel, balanced out by white blooms and flowered branches that offer a slightly rustic touch.

Ruffled Blog

2. Bohemian Woodland

This extravagant table is the bohemian bride’s dream. Peonies, pineapples, proteas and more juxtapose for an eclectic but polished look in this wonderful woodland. A dreamcatcher, string lights and oriental rug accent the tablescape, creating a striking, but soft statement.

Brides

3. Plum Vintage

Plum, fuschia and gold comprise this decadent fall palette. Vintage bottles and gold calligraphy contrast nicely together for an overall charming effect.

Colin Cowie Weddings

4. Enchanting Autumn

Take a leaf out of Mother Nature’s book — literally. This tablescape is the epitome of autumn, complete with rich greenery, fruits, pumpkins and succulents for an earthy delight. The warm colors and a glowing candle add a bit of heart to the table.

Style Me Pretty

5. Elegant Winery

Gold tableware and colorful flowers in shades of pomegranate, red and dark coral pop against a the neutral background of an elegantly beige linen. Perfect for any fall wedding at a winery.

The Scout Guide

6. Cozy Colors

This table setting is every bit as luxurious and indulgent as it is warm and cozy. An abundance of flowers brings in both the muted and vibrant colors of fall, with shades of amber and berry tones contrasting against muted creams for a beautiful centerpiece.

Festival Brides

10 Swoonworthy Looks From Fall 2016 Bridal Week

Bridal Week for Fall 2016 just wrapped up, and that means it’s time to swoon over some gorgeous couture gowns. On the forecast? Playful textures, sheer and illusion lace, sensual cuts and romantic looks were just a few of the trends that graced the runways. Take a look at some of the most captivating gowns from the collections.

1. Alon Livne

Embroidered lace overlay and a sheer, plunging neckline make this detailed dress a showstopper. A fitted silhouette shows off curves, while a delicate, romantic train balances the soft with the sexy.

2. Reem Acra

This ballgown beauty is rich in volume and satin. Elaborate beading along the bust gives this classic, timeless dress just the right amount of magic to make its bride feel like the elegant princess that she is.

3. Lazaro

This dreamy cream dress is nothing but romantic. Gold lace overlay steals the spotlight, cut to flatter the bride’s waist and curves.

4. Ines Di Santo

You’ll glide down the aisle in this modern masterpiece, which revels in its simplicity and refined silhouette. Sheer long sleeves complete this strapless dress for a chic and classy look.

5. Berta

Fit for a queen, this regal dress sparkles and shines in its debut. Shimmering pailletes and dazzling crystals make for ornate details and a dress that is nothing less than stunning.

6. Theia

This beauty screams elegance and sophistication. Slinky silk, a sheer overlay and unexpected embroidery combine for a dramatic statement and powerfully feminine feel.

7. Romona Keveza

An intricately detailed bodice with a sweetheart neckline accentuates the bust, while a a flowing skirt adds the final touch for an ethereal and slightly whimsical vibe.

8. Caroline Herrera

Blush pleats and a plummeting lace bodice with an illusion neckline juxtapose textures for a dress that is effortless, romantic and feminine.

9. Alon Livne

For the bride who wants to take the Gatsby look from the ‘20s to the modern era, this jaw-dropping dress is for you. Ornate beading emits an Art Deco vibe, while the structured sleeves take on a contemporary shape. Silver accents add a dash of glitz and glam without overdoing it.

10. Galia Lahav
From floral embellishments and a glistening lace applique to a tulle train and daring neckline, this medieval-inspired dress plays with textures for a luxe statement.