Are you looking for a wedding venue?

Sometimes the search isn’t easy.  You may have looked at a bunch of different locations (maybe even a few hotels), but none of them have that homely feel that you were looking for.

Do you have a large backyard?  Maybe your house is a possible venue contender. If you don’t, you aren’t out of luck just yet.

You may want to reach out to family members or friends that may have the perfect backyard.  And if that is out of the question, there is always the option of renting someone else’s home for your wedding.

Here are some great ideas on how to turn a house into a venue for weddings and events:

Maximize Space –

If you have a pool taking up most of the yard, you may think that you are out of luck, but a common trick of the trade is to use a temporary platform pool cover.  While this isn’t exactly cheap, if you aren’t paying for the venue, you’ll have more room in the budget for it. You can use this space for the ceremony, reception dining, lounge furniture, dance floor, or really anything.

Photo: Estate Weddings and Events

If your outdoor space is limited, you may have to narrow down your guest list quite a bit.  Even so, you may have to seat your guests wherever tables may fit.  There is a chance that not all guests will be seated in the same area.

If you do have some indoor space that would be large enough to host a ceremony or reception, you may want to find out the cost for having some furniture professionally removed.  That way you may be able to convert your living room into additional event space.

Customize your Ceremony Location –

Bali Gardens Estate

If you’re trying to distinguish your reception area from your ceremony location, here are a few tips.  Create a backdrop, line the aisle with flowers, or add an archway.  Get creative!  Remember, you don’t have to have seating for everyone, but you should provide some seating for older guests.

Provide Proper Lighting –

If you have an outdoor porch light, it will hardly provide enough light for everyone.  Plus, it isn’t the most wedding appropriate lighting.  You might want to consider market lighting or uplighting.  It will create a better event atmosphere.

Photo: Estate Weddings and Events

If you’re going for a more romantic vibe, use lots of candles for each table.  Just remember that your guests will want to see what they are eating and who they are talking to.  Do a trial run of the lighting well in advance so you can make adjustments as needed.

Landscape the Yard –

Now would be the time to get any projects done in your yard, including the ones you may have put off for years.  Re-sod the lawn if you have some dead patches.  Fix your broken fence.  Power wash your deck.  And most importantly, plant flowers that will bloom the month of your wedding (or buy already blooming flowers to plant right before the big day).

Indoor Prep –

Just because the event may be outdoors, doesn’t mean that guests won’t be using the interior.  A thorough cleaning will be needed throughout the house, including bedrooms.  Guests may need to use a bedroom for nursing their young one, or maybe just to store guest’s coats and purses.

Your restrooms will be used non-stop, so you should make sure they can withstand the abuse, otherwise you’ll need to rent some additional restrooms.

Emma Estate

Once again, if there are any home improvement projects on your list, this is the time to make them happen. Your carpets could use a cleaning. The house can use a fresh coat of paint. Maybe it is time you bought that new sofa.

Catering –

Having a buffet can make things a lot easier on you and your guests.  A plated, seated dinner can be overwhelming if you’re working out of a small space for a lot of guests.  In fact, it may be best to have the food prepared offsite and then delivered to the house.  Unless you have a lot of ample space to create a field kitchen in the garage, or you have a commercial kitchen, chances are you won’t want the caterer using the kitchen while your guests are walking through the house.

Other Things to Consider –

So many things go into a great estate venue.  Don’t forget about these important details!

– Tent in case of rain – How much does a tent wedding cost?

– Power Limits – Can your house power your lighting, DJ, and more?  Or will you need a generator?

– Local Laws – Can you host parties at the house?  What time can you play music until?

– Insurance – Does your insurance cover damages to the house as well as your guests?

– Transportation – Can guests park at the house?  Will you need to hire a shuttle service?

– Hiring a venue manager – Hire someone to maintain the house during the event.  What does an on site manager do?

– Hiring a wedding coordinator - Let someone else take the reigns.  Use their recommended vendors.  They’re experts!

– Notify all neighbors – The last thing you want is an angry neighbor.  Let them know about the party, and hopefully they’ll be understanding.

Your Turn…

After all is said and done, if you think that your home is perfect for weddings and events, you may want to considering listing with Estate Weddings and Events.  Renting out your home from private events can have a lot of advantages, and we would like to help you maximize your opportunity.

Do you have any questions, concerns, or comments? Please share your thoughts below or feel free to give us a call, or shoot us an email anytime.

If you want to throw an eco friendly wedding then start off on the right foot with eco friendly wedding invitations. Every time we spend money we’re casting a vote for the kind of world we want, and when you look back on your wedding day the feel good factor of opting for sustainable wedding invites will offset any extra costs incurred.

Even Mother Earth will send you a thank you card…

Skip Sending Save the Dates

If you send your invitations early enough you can completely forego sending save the dates altogether. Unless you’re super traditional, save the dates are a waste of paper and dollar! Most people only send save the dates if they are having a destination wedding and they want to ensure that everyone shows up. These days plenty of brides skip save the dates and the environment is much better off for it.

Image via papermonkey

Go Digital

Digital invites are the next big thing in wedding planning. No longer are you considered ‘tacky’ for being techy. With chic and stylish companies like Paperless Post and Evite offering couples a sophisticated way to invite friends and family to their big day online,  you can’t get much more eco friendly than doing away with paper invites altogether. Leave the formal traditions behind and jump on the digital bandwagon. The downside? Older and less computer literate guests could be left confused.

Image via Thomas Hawk

Handmade Papers

Handmade papers make a beautiful and elegant choice for your wedding invitations, and they are a far cry from the majority of unsustainably harvested commercial papers that stockists have on offer. Believe it or not, most handmade papers aren’t even made from trees at all. Instead they are crafted from natural fibers including cotton, bamboo, rice and all sorts of other unique raw materials, leaving you with a soft and luxuriant feel.

Image via Borislav Domitrov

Use Recycled Paper

Recycled paper comes in all shapes and sizes. By making use of all the waste paper and upcycling it into brand spanking new recycled paper that can be used for anything (like your wedding invitation), you’re helping to create a more sustainable world. Paper production accounts for around 35% of all felled trees causing a massive strain to the earth’s already depleted resources, so why not do your bit to save the planet and reuse what would otherwise be sat on a landfill.

Image via Borislav Domitov

Opt for Unbleached Paper

In its natural state wood pulp is a brown or beigy color, and to get it that pristine white that so many consumer’s demand, it has to be subjected to a bleaching process using either a form of chlorine gas or chlorine derivatives, both of which have devastating effects on the environment. If you don’t want your wedding invitations to be marred with these environmentally harmful practices then opt for unbleached or totally chlorine free paper.

Image via amy

Look for Vegetable Based Inks

The problem with petroleum based inks, which are the ones most commonly used, is that during the drying process Volatile Organic Compound’s are released in the atmosphere causing environmental pollution as well as health hazard’s to those in the workroom. They are also derived from crude oil, a fossil fuel which is dwindling fast and they are much harder to recycle. Vegetable inks are an eco friendly alternative as they are derived from renewable resources such as corn, walnut, soy, coconut, linseed and canola. They are easier to de-ink during the recycling process and they produce far less VOC’s.

Image via zzlich

Avoid Plastics and Foils

Keep your eco friendly wedding invitations simple by avoiding plastic and foil embellished invites or envelopes. Yes they may look pretty, but mining bauxite to create aluminium is extremely grueling on the environment (don’t even get me started on plastic!) Stick to simple and sustainable materials that speak for themselves and let their natural beauty shine through.

Image via smcgee

Choose A Local Printer

One of the quickest and easiest ways to make a difference to the environment when shopping for eco friendly wedding invitations is to choose a local printer. By shopping locally not only are you helping to support small businesses in your area, you will also cut down on air miles and shipping costs.

Image via Visit St.Pete

Plantable Invites

You’ve probably heard about plantable wedding favors, but did you know that you can get plantable wedding invitations too! Whether you want your invites to grow wildflowers, edible herbs or trees, plantable wedding invitations are sure to blow your guests away. What better way to repay your debt to Mother Earth than by having your wedding guests replant an entire forest!

Image via Borislav Domitrov

Trim the Guest List

Nobody wants to trim the guest list in an attempt to greenify their wedding, but in reality minimizing your list saves on paper as well as everything else that is dependent on head count. Some people may argue that sacrificing the odd guest isn’t worth it, but the bigger your list the bigger your impact on the environment (and your wallet).

Image via agsaran

How do you plan to make your wedding invitations eco friendly?

Share with us in the comments below…

Whether you are getting married in your backyard or someone else’s backyard, a wedding at a private home can provide the most unique and intimate location for your special day.

When planning a backyard wedding there are a few easy to forget details that can make your day go from unforgettable to disastrous.

Here are a few backyard wedding tips to make sure you day goes off without a hitch.

Power — “There Goes the lights”

Ever imagine having your last dance in the dark? Or how about no last dance at all because the D.J. has no power to play any music? Often times couples don’t think about power when planning a wedding.

A hotel, country club or restaurant was built to host events and have lots of power, but a private home was typically not built for entertaining, they are built for living in. Generators are necessary almost 80% of the time. A typical home may be able to accommodate a D.J. or some twinkle lights, but once you add a photo booth, coffee service or some lighting you will be out of business and in the dark on your wedding day.

Trust me, it’s worth the investment!

Neighbors — “knock, knock…. POLICE?”

So it’s your wedding day and you are in the peak of the moment blasting your favorite Beyoncé tunes with your ladies on the dance floor and there is a knock on the door…it’s your local police officer saying you are having complaints and need to shut down the music.

“WHAT??? It’s my wedding day!!!”

It’s 8:30pm and now you have to turn your party down or even worse, shut down your wedding all together. Yes, this may sound crazy but it can happen if you do not follow a few simple steps. First, inform all your neighbors. Bring them a bottle wine or even invite them if you want, just don’t ignore them, that’s the worst thing you can do.

If you haven’t told them it’s a wedding they may think it’s a high school party or some other type of social gathering and once the complaint has been made there is nothing you can do about it. The cops will be by all night until your last guest leaves. Neighbors are people and people love and embrace weddings so pay them a visit and be extra neighborly.

Second, call your local police department and let them know you are having a wedding. Give them as much details as you can:

– Where will guests be parking?

– How many people will be attending?

– What time will the event be over?

Provide them with a direct contact (not you) in case there is a complaint so that you can monitor the amplification of the music and be proactive.

Lighting — “what am I eating…is this beef or chicken?”

So you decided to have a beautiful backyard garden wedding that goes into the late hours of the night. Just because you have had dinner on your patio doesn’t mean you don’t need to add any lighting for a dinner of 100.  Candles only provide ambiance, they are not a source of light. I can’t even count the number of times I have heard couples say they don’t want to spend a couple hundred dollars on lighting and that the candles on the tables will be sufficient. Pro-tip: it’s not sufficient…please invest in lighting, your guests will appreciate it.

People like to see whom they are talking to and also what they are eating so don’t deprive your guests of that. Lighting is part of the experience, so if $300 is over your budget, then cut $300 out of floral or dessert. But don’t let you guests eat in the dark.

Parking — “ We missed the ceremony and still haven’t found a place to park”

Residential neighborhoods were not built with parking lots. Therefore, having a parking and transportation plan is a necessity when planning a backyard wedding. If there is limited street parking then you need to find a parking lot, close in proximity for guests to park, and then shuttle them to the location.

If you decide to have them park in an off-site lot, make sure you have permission from the lot. You cannot just assume it will be okay to take over an empty lot. The last thing you want is for your guest to leave your wedding and get back to their car and realize their car is not there. Churches, Elementary schools and shopping centers are great resources. If you are going to provide valet, make sure the valet company has come out to the house and checked out the neighborhood in advance(very important). They can let you know right away how many cars they can park without having any issues.

Restrooms —  “OMG, the toilet has over flowed and we are on a septic!!!”

Remember the movie “Meet the Parents” when, well you know the part where the wedding rehearsal was ruined by a septic issue?  Well this is very much a real issue and something to consider when having a backyard wedding. If the home is on a septic system it can’t handle being used by 100+ guests over and over in a 5 hour time period. You need to bring in those lovely portable restrooms. I don’t care how ugly you think they are. Would you rather have your beautiful reception covered in…… well you know what? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Your Turn…

I may have stressed you out by reading this(sorry about that), but at the end of the day, backyard weddings are the most beautiful, intimate, unforgettable events that both you and your guests will never forget.  You can’t have a backyard wedding in a hotel but you can make a backyard into an incredible wedding venue. Remember, it is all about your celebration and keeping the stress as low as possible. With proper planning, and a team of experts on your side, eliminating 99% of the stress on your special day is definitely possible.

Are you planning a backyard wedding or know someone that is or has? Please share your thoughts in the comments below, we would love to hear from you…

The winter wedding planning process can be tiring in some parts, and loads of fun in others.

We think invitations are part of the latter.

The first aspect of your wedding that guests will see (after any save the date cards) are your invitations, so you’ll need to invest some time into picking ones that will reflect your winter wedding theme.

Yes, you have lots of options to choose from, but that’s part of the fun of it all! Once you find a full or basic design you like, you can feel free to tweak, add, or remove any elements of the invitations you want to.

And when it comes to your wedding day, you can feel free to personalize as much as you want.

To help you get started, we’ve come up with six incredibly unique winter wedding invitation ideas that you can be sure will feel personalized as soon as your guests open them up.

1. Snow and Pine Cones Boxes

Yes, you read that right. These wedding invitations are in boxes.

The boxes’ bottoms are covered in a colorful, printed invitation and topped with fake snow and real pine cones before being closed and enwrapped in ribbon. These can be fun DIY invitations if you have the time to prepare them.

However, you’ll also have to keep in mind the cost of shipping these winter wedding invitations to your guests. They’ll cost a lot more than simple cardstock and paper invitations would.

Photo from My Personal Artist

2. Book Lovers

Okay, so this idea can be used any time of the year, but it was just too different to pass up.

If you love books and are willing to put in some more cash and work into your invitations, try customizing old books.

You can change everything from the cover down to the removal of the pages inside to create more space for your invitation pieces.

Photo from Oh So Beautiful Paper

This couple even made their reply card look like a library “due date” card!

Photo from Oh So Beautiful Paper

3. Glass Elegance

We’re kind of on a more expensive winter wedding invitation kick, it seems.

The problem is that they are just so darn creative, like these etched glass invitations which compliment the winter season perfectly.

Heavy? Yes. One-of-a-kind invitations your guests will most likely never see again? Absolutely.

Photo from Lela New York

4. Ornamental Creation

If you’re getting married around Christmas time, why not give your guests something they can use?

These winter wedding invitations are about as festive as you can get: customized ornaments.

Perfect for the DIY bride, you’ll print out your wedding details onto strips of paper in your wedding colors that you then insert into clear glass ornaments (which you can usually purchase at a craft store). Make sure the important information is facing the outside, and stuff or adjust as needed so that guests won’t have to open the ornaments and pull out the actual invitation part!

Photo from Something Turquoise

5. Woodwork

Instead of using the lighter version of wood, opt for the actual wood itself for your winter wedding invitations.

The wood can be etched or painted on to create an unforgettable reading experience for your guests (they better not forget your wedding date after holding one of these beauties).

If you’re having a rustic or tree-themed winter wedding, there’s no better option for invitations.

Photo from Martian Laser

6. The Joy of Music

Are one or both of you music lovers who want to share your passion with your guests?

Get ready to rock and roll with these CD-inspired wedding invitations.

The CD is really just a printed insert with more of your wedding details, and the rest of the CD case can be created to display anything else you’d like. You can even make it tri-fold, if you like.

Again, though not just for winter weddings, these invitations allow for lots of customization and will definitely impress your guests.

Photo from Oh So Beautiful Paper

Your Turn…

If you weren’t considering unique and creative wedding invitations like these, we bet you are now.

Are there any other winter wedding invitation ideas that weren’t included in this list but should have been?

Let us know in the comments – you’ll also be doing other creative brides a favor!

A barn wedding by design is one that doesn’t get lost in the shuffle of memories.

The barn setting is usually a spot that guests won’t forget, especially if you leave them with a lasting favor.

The options for barn wedding favors are limitless, but those gifts to guests should be associated with your theme in some way, shape or form.

Whether you select favors that are handmade or a little bit rustic, your guests will remember your barn wedding, the special day that stood out from the rest of the weddings that they attend.

With this unique theme for a wedding, you can play on the location with local products or actually craft something yourself.

Regardless of what item you choose, your barn wedding favors should be fun to assemble and compose.

They will lend that lasting impression of your day to your guests.

If you can’t seem to think of what favors will fit into your barn wedding, here are a few ideas.

Flower and Plant Seed Packets –

Photo by Magpie Paper Works

One of the most economical wedding favors for a barn wedding are flower and plant seed packets. You can mix wildflower seeds and place them in a burlap pouch or just plain paper packaging. It is a favor that lasts as your guests will be able to watch your favor grow in their gardens. Flower and plant seed packets also go well with barn weddings as they are often held on farms and ranches where nature reigns supreme.

If you want to step up your barn wedding favor, you can always hand out potted budding plants if you want something with a bit more substance.

In addition to the flower and plant seed packets, you can attach cutesy sayings to those favors that further the laid-back feel of a barn wedding. Many brides and grooms pass out flower seeds with sayings like “Let your love grow” or “Forget me not” to give guests something that will put a smile on their  faces.

If you would rather steer clear of cutesy sayings, you can merely have you names and wedding date printed on the pouches or packets so that guests can remember where and why they received this budding favor.

Horseshoes –

Photo from I Love Farm Weddings

Throughout time, horseshoes have been known to be good luck charms. While you might not have thought of horseshoes as a wedding favor, they do make for an unique gift and keepsake for guests. By giving guests a cast iron horseshoe, you are in essence passing out a good luck charm.

You can have a message engraved on the horseshoe or just attach a tag with some twine so that your guests know that this is the favor item. They can place it in their homes as a good luck charm or décor item and always remember your special day when they see it.

Such a favor is one that lasts, unlike food and drink wedding favors.

Honey –

Photo from Green Wedding Shoes

Along the same lines as jam, another perfect wedding favor for a barn wedding is honey. Less labor intensive, you can purchase local honey in large quantities and then transfer the sweetness into little jars for your wedding guests. Honey with a honey comb promotes the natural vibe of a barn wedding, especially if you are having a more rustic barn wedding.

Just like with jam or flower seeds, you can attach sayings to the jars of honey like “sweet as honey” or “take the sweetness home with you” or even “meant to bee,” giving your guests yet another aspect to your wedding to smile about.

Box of Matches –

Photo by Orchard and Brown on Etsy

Matches as wedding favors don’t just make for great puns like “what a match,” or “match made in heaven.” They also further the barn wedding agenda. A matchbox made to look rustic or vintage with the names of the bride and groom and the wedding date suggests another time.

Barn weddings are often affairs trapped back in another time, especially if you are getting married in an historic barn.

Match boxes are also fully customizable which can be useful if you need mass quantities for a big barn wedding.

Jam –

Photo by Sweet Caroline Jams on Etsy

If you have a little Martha Stewart in you, jam wedding favors always go with a barn wedding. Rustic by nature, jam harks back to the days of old when jam making was a regular weekend activity. You can either play on the flavors of your wedding or go with something completely different. For jam that will impress your guests, it is always best to use whatever fruit is in season for the best tasting jam.

If you aren’t crafty or useful in the kitchen, rather than homemade jam, you can purchase a local product. One of the reasons that jam makes for a great barn wedding favor is that you can also dress up the jars to go with your wedding theme. From burlap covers to lace ribbons, the jam jar is much like the barn wedding venue. It is a blank canvas that will extend your wedding theme and also give guests something to remember you by as long as the jam holds up.

Just like flower and plant seed packets, you can attach sayings to the jar like “spread the love” to further the wedding tone.

Your Turn…

Have you had a barn wedding? What favors did you pass out to your guests?

Share your ideas with us in the comments below…

Photo of our featured Estate, Camarillo Estate in Camarillo, CA

Happy Saturday EWE-ers!

What a busy time of the year as we get ready to jump into a slew of Summer Events! We just had a lovely wedding this past week at our Valentino Estate that had fun elements like oversized Jenga and coral chevron prints. Check out the blog post below to see some photos.

Our blog posts this week were written in mind for brides currently planning winter time weddings- snowfall or not, your show will go on and it will be amazing!

Lastly our Executive Director/Co-Founder wanted to clear the air about some worries we’ve heard from homeowners interested in renting out their estate but worried about liability issues. The answer is easier than you think!

Please enjoy our latest post and don’t be shy!… We welcome your feedback and would love to hear any questions or comments you have. Have a wonderful weekend!

Here is what you missed this week…

– Barn Wedding Invitation Ideas: Best Invites to Send a Barn Wedding Message

– How to Pick a Memorable Winter Wedding Theme in 3 Easy Steps

– Are you interested in renting your home for events, but worried about the liability?

– A bright May wedding at the Valentino Estate

– 9 Enchanting Winter Wedding Themes of the Typical & Not-So-Typical Nature

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Now that you’ve done the work of getting a date set for your winter wedding, you’re ready to take the next steps.

Perhaps you’re considering looking at wedding venues or are trying to figure out your colors.

However, you should be focusing on your wedding theme, because it will have a large impact on all your planning and what choices you make.

Last week, we ran a post on how to pick your winter wedding theme, and this week, we’re giving you some ideas to help you along!

Though many of these themes can be found in other wedding seasons, they have all been customized in one way or another for the chilly time of year. This does mean that some have been done quite often, while others are more recent trends.

It’s up to you to pick which one fits your wedding to reflect the couple that you are!

1. Victorian

All the rage during the past and current years, Victorian-themed weddings have been incorporated into almost every seasonal wedding, including winter.

The lighter, pale colors typical of the Victorian era actually work very well in a winter setting. Combine the dusty rose and ivory tones commonly found during this time with the recently popular wedding color of grey and you’ve got yourself a winning theme.

This winter wedding theme finishes off handsomely with lace accents, delicate jewels and pearls, and lace-up boots.

Photo from Ashley’s Bride Guide

2. Rustic/Country

If you’re more of the natural type, go for the rustic or country style for your winter wedding theme.

Rustic winter weddings fit barn or log-cabin style settings perfectly, and this theme allows you to add in almost any natural element you desire without it feeling out of place.

Cranberries, pine cones, iron, wood, and branches all complement this theme, and its colors are usually earth tones.

Photo by The East Coast Bride

3. Winter Wonderland: Snowflakes

The Winter Wonderland theme is probably the most popular winter wedding choice to date, but it’s also one of the most versatile.

For instance, many couples’ take on Winter Wonderland is the snowflake surrounded by similar light or dark blue colors and festive decorations.

The great thing about a snowflake-themed wedding is that you can make it more formal and classy, or focus on the “making snow angels” aspect of snowflakes to create a more casual and fun-loving setting.

Make sure to also pick your venue so it contributes to the type of Winter Wonderland snowflake theme you’re seeking.

Photo from Eindeloos Events

4. Winter Wonderland: Crystals & Metallics

Another popular version of the Winter Wonderland wedding theme focuses on the visual textures and composition of the season.

Snow and ice are mimicked with the use of crystals, clear vases, and rhinestones placed in eye-catching locations. Metallics are reminiscent of holiday decorations and string lighting.

Both crystal and metallic-based wedding themes are chic, updated alternatives to the traditional snowflake theme.

This Winter Wonderland wedding theme tends to work best in well-lit venues that allow for the natural shine and shimmer of the decorations.

Photo from Estylo Jewelry

5. Black & White Elegance

Simple is as simple does.

For the ultimate formal winter wedding, stick to an entirely black and white theme.

Some might think this is not a theme, but it is in its own way. Just think “Black Tie Wedding” and you’re good to go.

This actually makes your planning far easier, because it allows you to focus on details like calligraphy accents or mix-and-matched black and white patterns.

Photo by Maryland Wedding List

6. Shabby Chic

Popular in all times of the year, shabby chic fits comfortably into winter, as well.

It’s a perfect mix of Victorian-inspired and rustic for those couples who don’t like going 100% with either of those themes.

The great thing about shabby chic is that because of its popularity, you can find reams of ideas for incorporating the style into your wedding, and in almost any color, too.

Shabby chic can involve a lot of DIY elements, so it’s a great choice for the bride looking to save a few bucks.

Photo by The Frosted Petticoat

7. Modern Chic

Want to go the modern route and be a bit more streamlined or simplistic?

The key with a modern chic winter wedding is to focus on a fresh, clean look and to avoid overdoing too many details.

It may seem difficult to do a modern chic wedding during the winter, when things are usually considered more traditional (and a lot of times pretty gaudy). However, if you put some thought into it, your wedding will be the one that always stands out in your guests’ minds when they think of the winter weddings they’ve been to.

Photo from Snippet & Ink

8. Bare Branches/Trees

Bare trees make up one of the most breathtaking themes a wedding can have.

These wood pieces can be taller than your guests, creating a tunnel for you to walk through down the aisle, or they can be just a foot tall to give your centerpieces some natural visual appeal.

You can purchase these display trees and branches, of course. Or you can go the DIY route and collect dead branches a few months before your wedding, spray painting and decorating them all yourself.

Photo by Bridal Guide

9. Candy Cane

Similar to the snowflake Winter Wonderland winter wedding theme, candy canes give your wedding a definite festive spirit.

The red and white colors can be incorporated into all areas of your wedding, and candy canes can be a part of your centerpieces, cake decorations, and favors for guests.

Heck, you could even finish the night off with a hot chocolate bar and peppermint sticks at the reception.

If you want to make even more of a statement, try a retro-themed wedding with candy cane accents.

Photo from Bridal Musings

Your Turn…

Though these are some of the most popular or trending winter wedding themes in recent years, don’t feel that you must adopt one yourself.

Figure out what does or doesn’t work for you as a couple, and refuse to bend to the wishes of the industry.

Your wedding is a special day to focus on your love and relationship as a couple – pick your theme well and own it through the rest of the planning phase all the way until you hop in the getaway car (or sleigh)!

Surrounded by close friends and family, they exchanged their vows in a beautiful ceremony down by the lake with willow trees providing the backdrop.

Valentino Estate Ceremony Location

Wine was a common theme throughout the décor, including the two wine barrels on both sides of the aisle for the ceremony, corks used to support the escort cards, table numbers on top of wine bottles, as well as wine bottles used to support the dessert display.

The color theme was perfect for this warm May day, with lots of coral, yellow and oranges spread throughout the floral arrangements, table runners, napkins and more!  The bridesmaids even wore shades of peach, which were complemented by the groomsmen’s vests and ties.

Burst of yellow, coral & orange, with chevron table runners

Guests were treated to several lawn games throughout the evening including an oversized Jenga set, ladder toss, and bean bag toss, which provided endless amusement throughout the evening.

Oversized Jenga Set

Everyone danced the night away under the market lighting, and enjoyed great food and tasty cupcakes.

Of course every celebration must come to an end, but guests will sure to remember this night for years and years to come.

Congratulations to Kelsey & Michael!

Photos from this Noteworthy Event courtesy of Estate Weddings and Events

Special thanks to the following vendors featured in this post:
Coordination: BE Coordinated | Venue: Valentino Estate by Estate Weddings and Events | Floral: Rae Florae 

For our full event gallery of images, be sure to view our Noteworthy Event on this beautiful wedding!

If you are nodding your head and this sounds like you, that’s great because we are going to answer all your questions below…

Here are just a few ways Estate Weddings and Events protects you and your home:

Renting your home to strangers can be a scary thing. What if something breaks? What if they spill on my brand new couch? What if someone gets injured? These are just a few of the many concerns we hear from homeowners and of course you have every right to be concerned. After all, it is your home.

Estate Weddings and Events takes many precautions to protect your home and protect you from all the potential risk that is out there. Here are a few of the important ways EWE protects you.

Insurance Coverage –

Every client that rents your home is required to obtain special events insurance with a 2,000,000 general liability coverage. We also require them to name you as additionally insured. We verify every policy to make sure they are within good standing before anyone is even allowed to step foot on your property.

We also require the renters to not only provide coverage for the policyholder, but to insure that their guests are covered under that policy. For instance, many insurance companies will only cover the policyholder. So if the bride slips and falls and breaks her leg you’re covered but if uncle Bob slips and falls you are not covered. We insure that the proper policies and systems are in place so you are completely covered and do not have to worry about a thing.

Vendor Coverage –

Not only is the client required to obtain coverage, but every vendor that works on your property (caterer, rental company, dj, photographer, etc) must all carry the same 2,000,000 general liability coverage listing you as an additionally insured. So if the caterer spills a gallon of oil on your brand new paving stones, their insurance will cover the cost to replace the stones damaged.

Vendor Policies & Procedures –

It’s important to make sure you are covered and will be compensated for damages but why not avoid these things from happening in the first place?

Estate Weddings and Events will work with you and create a list of rules, policies and systems that every vendor must sign before working on your property. Although the renter is responsible for any damages, if the vendors sign a list of rules and are aware of what they can and can’t do from the beginning, we avoid many potential damages from ever occurring.  It will also help to assure a smooth execution because everyone will know in advance what the expectations are.

Security Deposits –

Estate Weddings and Events will hold a refundable damage deposit on your behalf which will cover any minor damages. Typically the deposit is 50% of the location fee or a minimum of $2500. Any damages that exceed the insurance deductible, which is covered by the security deposit, will be covered by the insurance. Estate Weddings and Events also work directly with the insurance provider to mitigate the damages so you don’t have to.

Limiting access to the property –

If you are considering listing your home with Estate Weddings and Events, a representative will come out and inspect your home. We will walkthrough the property with you and make suggestions on what should and should not be available to guests. We encourage installing locks on closets or bedrooms that are unavailable to guests. We also stanchion off hallways and other areas that are not accessible to guests. Limiting access will limit liability.

Pre-Event & Post-Event Walk-through –

Before and after every event, an Estate Weddings and Events’ representative will conduct a walkthrough of the entire property and document any pre-existing damages by taking photographs and video. Following the event we will conduct another walkthrough and document any new damages that are the responsibility of the renter. With photo and written documentation we are able to flesh out any concerns or unknowns and if the renter is or is not responsible for something found after the event.

Cleaning Fees –

Estate Weddings and Events will provide a professional cleaning crew after every event. It is the owners responsibility to have the home clean and tidy before each event but EWE will make sure the interior and exterior are cleaned and the home is returned to its original condition.

Your Turn…

These are just a few of the ways EWE’s team protects your home. There are many other systems we have in place to insure that your home remains safe and secure throughout the entire rental process. If you would like to learn more, please give us a call, send us an email or leave a comment below and we will be happy to answer all your questions.

If you’re anything like me, you’re inherently attracted to winter.

It could be the thought of cozying up in a blanket with hot chocolate, or the fact that snowy landscapes are too resplendent to ignore.

No matter your reason for loving the colder season, you’ve decided to have your wedding held during these months. And now you have to figure out the theme.

Wedding themes can be anything from a mood you’re aiming for, like simple elegance, or more obvious visuals or symbols to tie everything together (take this Disney-themed wedding, for example).

To help you make the decision process easier, follow the steps in this checklist to pick the absolute best theme for your winter wedding!

1. Decide on your wedding’s mood

The process of picking a winter wedding theme sometimes doesn’t differ at all from other seasons, and this is one of those similarities.

All weddings have a certain mood to them that permeates all aspects of the wedding, from everything like the wedding venues down to the very last cocktail napkin.

So ask yourself what kind of mood you want: are you aiming for a fun, quirky feeling at your wedding, or would you prefer something a bit more formal and elegant?

Photo from The Cleveland Bride

This is a crucial first decision to make as it essentially touches on all other elements of your wedding decisions. Even the type of wedding dress you buy will be affected by whether or not you want to be sassy or suave.

Though many winter weddings may seem more formal because of the typical need for longer dresses and warmer coats, you can choose to be daring and new.

You can easily have a more light-hearted affair by going with shorter dresses, fun-loving invitations, or even brighter colors (see the next step).

2. Consider your wedding colors

Take a look at your winter wedding colors – how can you work with these to create the mood you’re looking for?

If they don’t work well with how you want your wedding to feel, you may need to swap out a few colors or change them all together.

Consider adding some metallics or even a few plaid pieces here and there to help create the winter spirit (that is, of course if these would benefit your colors and theme and not be misplaced).

You may not have already decided on your colors – that’s okay! In fact, picking a theme and your colors all at once may be easier.

You can line them both up at the same time and be done, ensuring that your theme and colors are 100% in sync for the rest of your wedding planning purposes.

Photo from Wedding Reports

3. Think about visuals

This is where winter wedding themes are clearly set apart from all other wedding seasons. For example, you simply shouldn’t have spring flowers plastered on your invitations and table seating cards if they aren’t even growing yet.

Instead, lots of other details and images can make your big day scream “winter” no problem.

For example, snowflakes and pine cones are two of the most obvious symbols of the winter season, as are coniferous trees themselves.

Some other typical winter visuals are sleighs, sleds, sleigh bells, ornaments, nutcrackers, ice, etc.

A word of caution, though: don’t make your wedding look exactly like Christmas, especially a December wedding.

As much as you may love the holiday, it’s not the same thing as your wedding day. Try to keep the greens, reds, ornaments, and trees to a minimum.

Photo from Things Festive

Your Turn…

If you follow these three steps, you’re going to find a theme a lot more easily than you had originally expected.

What themes are you considering, and which do you think are inappropriate for a winter wedding?