Tag: outdoor weddings

Apr 29

Gorgeous Outdoor Wedding Decoration Ideas & Inspiration

April 29th, 2013 - By

Outdoor Wedding Ideas & DecorationsAre you on the lookout for outdoor wedding decoration ideas and inspiration?

From chandeliers hanging from tree branches to aisles adorned with rose petals, we’ve got ideas galore to ensure your outdoor wedding gets decked out in style.

 

 

Know Your Theme Inside Out

 

Before you even begin to think about your outdoor wedding decorations you need to know your chosen theme inside and out. If you want your outdoor wedding decor to be a success then you need to do your homework. The decorations will set the mood of the entire event so don’t charge ahead without a concrete idea of the style and look you are aiming for.

Check out these blogs to get your fill of inspiration;

 

– Style Me Pretty

– The Knot

– Hitched

 

Remember, if you choose a theme that incorporates greens you’ll have an easy time of decorating your outdoor wedding!

 

Location, Location, Location

 

A lot of your outdoor wedding decoration woes can be solved simply by choosing a beautiful wedding venue that draws upon the natural beauty of its surroundings. If your selected venue features an incredible backdrop this will lessen the need to decorate.

Some of the most popular outdoor wedding venues include;

 

Beach –

 

There is nothing quite like saying your vows with the glistening blue ocean behind you and the warm golden sand underfoot. Beach weddings require next to no decorations because the setting really does speak for itself.

 

Private Estate –

 

Private estates and their accompanying grounds are kept in pristine conditions making your life a whole lot easier. There are no unwanted distractions around and they are almost always set in a magnificent environment.

 

Botanical Gardens –

 

Botanical gardens are luscious with an array of tropical flowers, exotic plants and brightly colored arrangements. More often than not botanical gardens also have a selection of beautiful features such as historic columns, archways and ruins which make for the perfect altar.

 

Forest –

 

The forest provides a truly unique and somewhat magical venue for your outdoor wedding with natural trees and greenery everywhere. Depending on what time of year you choose to tie the knot you may also be lucky enough to be blessed with a blanket of snowdrops or bluebells. Don’t forget to take advantage of the trees for hanging all your gorgeous outdoor wedding decorations.

 

Vineyard –

 

Vineyards ooze charm. Nestled among breathtaking mountains and rolling hills, you won’t need to add much to make this venue shine for your outdoor wedding.

 

Parks –

 

One of the best things about choosing a park for your outdoor wedding venue is they often have a bandstand or gazebo that can serve as the focal point of the ceremony, plus they are super easy to decorate.

 

Outdoor Wedding Decorations

Image via Lina

 

Lights

 

Lighting will play a huge role in your outdoor wedding especially if it is taking place in the evening. Lighting is the key to add warmth and ambiance. Hanging chandeliers, candles, lanterns and string lights make a big difference to the overall feel of the event, so don’t be afraid to splurge a little in this area.

From hanging luxurious chandeliers from overhanging trees to using cute little mason jars as candle holders, lighting will add a special touch to your outdoor wedding decorations. And you don’t have to stop there! You can also line the aisle and walkways with luminaries, as well as have them double up as centerpieces for your table decorations.

 

Outdoor Wedding Decorations: Lights

Image via Ryan Polei

Outdoor Wedding Decorations: Candles

Image via shutupyourface

 

Linens

 

Dressing up your outdoor space with linens is a cheap and simple way to bring additional colors into the mix, even more so if many of your other outdoor wedding decorations are primarily white. While white is by far the most traditional option for table cloths and chair covers, why not spruce things up a little by opting for a color instead.

If you don’t want to go overboard with the color, you could always use colored napkins or runners as a color pop instead. Another fun idea is to use streams of colored fabrics to hang in the trees or from balconies. Tulle is your friend! Apart from adding elegance to your event, it is also a great way to provide some much needed shade to guests, especially those that aren’t looking to enhance their tan.

 

Outdoor Wedding Decorations: Linens

Image via makelessnoise

Outdoor Wedding Ideas: Linens

Image via drpavloff

 

Flowers

 

When it comes to the flowers the trick is to keep it close to nature, you are hosting an outdoor wedding after all! Depending on your backdrop, you may already be blessed with a whole host of wildflowers that simply require little complimenting, and this will act as your color palette. Try to stick with varieties that are in line with your setting.

So if you are tying the knot in the middle of the forest surrounded by purple mallows and creamy foxgloves then use this as inspiration for any extra flowers that you plan to add. Flowers make for simple centerpieces that can carry the whole table, and they are also perfect for filling up empty spaces. Be sure to use sturdy vases that won’t blow over in the wind, or buy potted plants and replant them into something a little more stylish if their original pot isn’t quite up to the mark.

 

Outdoor Wedding Decorations: Flowers

Image via Ada Be

Outdoor Wedding Decor: Flowers

Image via Ryan Polei

 

Details

 

There is a reason that they say ‘it’s all in the details’ you know. The little details, the ones that can so easily be forgotten when carried away with the chaos of wedding planning, are what will truly make your outdoor wedding have a lasting impression. The following ideas may seem simple and in many ways insignificant, especially when you are trying to find the perfect outdoor wedding venue or wedding dress, but trust me they can have a huge impact if done right;

 

– Floating candles and rose petals in water

– Bows on chairs

– Floral decorated trellis or arch

– Colored stones or pebbles on tables

– Balloons tied to trees and chairs

– Bowls of fruit

– Hanging pine cones

– Floral lined aisle

– Hay bales for seating

– Picnic blankets and baskets

– Unique food and beverage displays

 

Outdoor Wedding Tips

Image via JeremyMP

Outdoor Wedding Inspiration

Image via irunandshoot

Decor Ideas for an Outdoor Wedding

Image via Ada Be

Decoration Ideas for an Outdoor Wedding

Image via Dan et Lulu

Gorgeous Outdoor Wedding Decor Ideas

Image via Mannia&Titta

Fun Outdoor Wedding Decor Ideas

Image via Ryan Polei

 

Your Turn…

 

What do you think….do you have any outdoor wedding decor ideas to share?

 

About the Author

If you need to know about Weddings or Social Events, Abigail’s your gal, blogging away at Estate Weddings and Events! Sharing her passion for the environment, arts and crafts, and frugality, she enjoys adding a chic twist to anything DIY. Never seen without camera in hand, Abigail is completely and utterly in love with love! You can follow Abigail on Google+ here.



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Apr 12

How to Choose the Perfect Outdoor Wedding Venue

April 12th, 2013 - By

Outdoor Wedding VenuesHosting a successful outdoor wedding really comes down to finding the perfect venue.

But with so many beautiful outdoor wedding venues to choose from how do you decide which one is just right for you?

Whether you’re after a private estate nestled in spectacular woodland, a mountaintop castle overlooking a majestic lake, or a sandy beach with an ocean view, we’ve got some top tips to keep in mind when the time comes to select an outdoor wedding venue for your big day.

 

Weather

 

One of the biggest concerns for any bride and groom to be planning an outdoor wedding is by far weather. Where most couples only have to worry about the usual wedding palaver, those of you opting for an outdoor shindig will have the added stress of the not knowing whether your dream wedding will quite literally be rained off! 

Whatever the weather, here are some considerations to take note of when choosing an outdoor wedding venue that won’t disappoint;

 

Seasonality – 

 

Are you tying the knot in spring, summer, fall or winter? Seasonality will play a major role in weather conditions. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding in the height of summer, extreme heat and humidity may cause your guests to melt, whereas a winter wedding could end up being accompanied by the sound of teeth chattering.

Choose an outdoor wedding venue that has natural areas of shade in the form of trees or you can create shaded areas with the use of a tent. Throw in some fans, ice cold bottles of water and of course sunscreen and your guests will be cool and comfortable. For colder months try portable heaters and lap blankets or shawls.

 

Prepare For Wind –

 

Wind is not your friend.  Avoid light, flowing fabrics such as chiffon for your wedding dress and bridesmaids unless you’re planning on embodying Marilyn Monroe. Also be sure to notify your hair stylist and make-up artist that you’ll be having an outdoor wedding so they can plan a style that won’t leave you looking like you’ve been dragged through the bushes!

If you’re getting married at a particularly windy time of year try opting for a venue that is fairly sheltered, protecting you from any major gusts that may be headed your way. Wind can be lethal so for those of you featuring a tent or marquee, double check that it is up to the job and isn’t going to end up somewhere in Oz!

 

Rain –

 

Every bride and groom fears rain ruining their big day, outdoor wedding or not! Don’t sweat it. Chances are you’ve purposely planned everything to ensure the minimum likelihood of rain. A small shelter in place of the alter will more than suffice to keep a light shower at bay, couple that with some umbrellas and you’ll have nothing to worry about.

Ask potential vendors how they deal with these situations (they’re probably dealt with a 100 of them). If rain is determined to spoil your outdoor wedding then this is where your backup plan comes into play. More on that later…

 

Outdoor Wedding Venues

Image via johnhope14

 

Natural Beauty

 

One of the biggest bonuses of opting for an outdoor wedding venue is the natural beauty of your chosen location. Who needs a bunch of fancy decorations when you’ve got jaw-droppingly beautiful ocean views, dramatic mountainscapes and stunning sunsets? With that in mind when in the market for your outdoor wedding venue look for a location that stands out for its gorgeous surroundings and setting. Be it rolling hills, rocky mountains or exotic gardens, pick a naturally beautiful venue and its good looks will take care of all the hard work for you.

When it comes to decorations this is the mantra you want to stick to: simplicity is key. If you do feel the need to supplement your venue with additional decorations, keep it to a minimum. Potted plants, lanterns, strings of lights for the trees, and an arch or trellis to add focus to the ceremony space is usually enough.

Despite needing minimal decor for you outdoor wedding venue you will want to ensure that the site is well prepared, whether that means raking the leaves, mowing the lawn, or checking if bulbs have bloomed. These kind of tasks should be carried out approximately a week before the wedding, and possibly again on the morning of the event, depending on you venue. Speak to the vendor about whether this is included with the package, if not then that’s what friends are for right?

 

Image via Filhi Photography

 

Lighting

 

Lighting is something that many brides and grooms forget about. Don’t get blindsided. Take the following into account when deciding which outdoor wedding venue will work for you;

 

Consider Direction –

 

What direction will the sun be facing during the time of your ceremony? Will your guests, wedding party or officiant be blinded? If you’re planning a daytime wedding, make sure that your venue offers the option to orient your ceremony so the sun is on guests’ backs rather than in their eyes.

 

Sufficient Lighting –

 

If you’re hoping for an outdoor wedding ceremony or reception that will take place in the evening select a site that offers sufficient light. Large open spaces are ideal for maximizing light, as are those that feature lamps or strung lights so you’re guests can move around safely.

 

Outdoor Wedding Ideas

Image via offstandard

 

Noise Control

 

Can everybody in the back row hear? When fantasizing about your dream wedding on the beach we’re guessing that you’re not hearing the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, or the squeals of excited kids running around when exchanging your vows in one of the local parks. Your guests are going to want to hear what’s going on.

Even if there isn’t any apparent distractions, assessing the distance between where the guests will be seated and where you will share your vows is paramount. Ask the venue how couples have dealt with this in the past, they may be able to offer some valuable insights. If you’re still worried about people missing out, look into utilizing media equipment such as clip mics for both the bride and groom, and the officiant. If you’ve organized a DJ or band, they may be able to help you out in this department.

 

Outdoor Wedding Tips

Image via Liz St. Jean Photography

 

Facilities

 

The facilities that your outdoor wedding venue can provide will play a vital role in your decision making process. When scouting out potential venues keep your checklist handy and pay special attention to the following;

 

The Aisle –

 

Check out the aisle that you will have to walk down to ensure that it is safe and that the terrain is even. Tripping in front of all your friends and family is not fun, nor is getting stuck in the grass with your stilettos.

 

Restrooms –

 

How nearby are the restrooms? Will you need to bring in portable facilities? How will the lack of facilities affect guests with special needs (i.e. wheelchairs, etc.)?

 

Seating –

 

What outdoor seating is available? Are you responsible for renting your own chairs? If you have to provide all your own seating, are you free to place it where you see fit, or are there any regulations to take head of?

 

Wedding Venues Outdoors

Image via Princess Ashley

 

Critters

 

Is the site prone to certain critters at any given time of the year? This is a question you need to ask potential vendors and you also need to be dead clear that you want a straight up response. The last thing you want when leaning in for your first kiss as husband and wife is a swarm of mosquitoes or black flies trying to get in on the action. You may have fallen head over heels for a certain venue, but if your wedding is going to crashed by less than welcome guests due to the time of year, it may be worth reconsidering your desired venue as these pesky critters can be real party poopers.

 

Outdoor Wedding Planning

Image via koesbong

 

Permits

 

If you’re choosing to go with a registered vendor for your outdoor wedding, the question of permits won’t be an issue, and that’s one less thing to worry about! If not, you will most likely need to get a permit for your event. Your local governing body or city park department should be able to help here. Be sure to also find out about the rules concerning trash removal, torch and candle lighting, music(noise) and pre-wedding photography.

 

Outdoor Wedding Logistics

Image via josemanuelerre

 

If all else fails have a back up plan…

 

Outdoor weddings are unpredictable, unfortunately it’s the gamble you take when putting your faith in Mother Nature. The ideal outdoor wedding venue should have an indoor location on standby just in case of emergency. Don’t let unpredictable weather put you off when considering an outdoor wedding though. There are plenty of backups you can put into place to avoid disaster, and most venues will be more than happy to offer creative alternatives if the need arises.

Try not to stress over that which you cannot control. Even if you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding, get comfortable with the fact that your wedding may need to be indoors. Above all else, this day is about you and your soul mate exchanging something truly sacred, and it ultimately doesn’t matter whether you say your “I do’s” outdoors or indoors.

 

How to Plan an Outdoor Wedding

Image via Sean Molin Photography

 

Your Turn…

 

What does your dream outdoor wedding venue look like?

 

About the Author

If you need to know about Weddings or Social Events, Abigail’s your gal, blogging away at Estate Weddings and Events! Sharing her passion for the environment, arts and crafts, and frugality, she enjoys adding a chic twist to anything DIY. Never seen without camera in hand, Abigail is completely and utterly in love with love! You can follow Abigail on Google+ here.



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Apr 8

A Needle in a Haystack: A Guide to Finding a Barn Wedding Venue

April 8th, 2013 - By

Barn Wedding Venues

Just as you can’t put the earrings on the outfit before you have the outfit, you can’t dress up a barn wedding venue unless you have the right barn for your wedding.

Barn wedding venues can be found all over the country.

Their popularity over the years has skyrocketed.

And while some might scratch their heads as to why a bride would want to marry in a place where cows and horses hang out on barrels of hay, the bride with an open mind can see the true potential in a barn wedding.

These simple and rustic places play into the different personalities that weddings take on in the end.

You can dress the barn up or down depending on the look that you want to achieve.

When you start searching for a wedding venue, you will no doubt stumble upon the idea of a barn wedding.

Obviously, the barn is the venue so it eliminates a great deal of decisions that come with other venues.

However, barn weddings are not always that simple, beginning with how you select a wedding venue complete with a barn.

Before the bride commits to the barn and the groom, we have come up with a few elements to the barn wedding venue that you must consider.

 

Theme

 

Wedding Theme: Barn Wedding Venues

Photo By simonsmith001

 

Perhaps what make these venues so popular around the country are the potential themes that you can have within them. Unlike a grand castle or a modern hotel, the barn is back to basics.

You can go for a variety of looks.

For an elegant and glamorous themed wedding, many barn wedding venues will add drapery and chandeliers to create that feeling of opulence in your basic barn. Others appreciate the barn wedding venue for simple wedding themes.

In true barn fashion, you can have a rustic and casual wedding with a few country details. The fact that the barn door is wide open as to what you can do with it, it is also important to consider what might go into dressing up this blank canvas.

Some wedding venues feature actual (used to be filled with hay) barns, while others were built to be wedding venues. The fact that the barn is a blank canvas can overwhelm some brides when it comes to their theme.

Some weddings in a barn require a wedding planner to help see your ideas through for the wedding. The versatility of the barn wedding can be a triumph and a challenge all in one when it comes to the theme of the wedding and achieving it.

 

Size and Layout

 

The Skinner Barn

Photo By dvs

 

Many wedding venues that feature some sort of antique barn have designated areas where the ceremony, reception and dancing can all take place. Before you book your barn, you need to go through the different venues and the layout of their spaces.

If you want to have your entire wedding within the barn, including the reception, you will need a barn that will accommodate your guests. Some venues can open up the barn doors to accommodate the overflow of guests so that you can have an indoor and outdoor wedding venue.

With each barn wedding venue that you consider, you will need to factor in the shapes and sizes for your wedding guests. The overall layout of the space needs to make sense. A barn wedding usually doesn’t just involve the barn. It involves creating spaces for the ceremony, the reception, parking, catering and dancing.

If you have too few or too many guests, you could run into some trouble if you don’t pick a barn and surrounding space that can accommodate your number.

Also, if the layout of the venue calls for a great deal of your wedding activities to take place outside, you need to figure out potential bad weather solutions.

 

Amenities

 

Barn Wedding Tips and Ideas

Photo By simonsmith001

 

After perusing the Pinterest wedding section on a daily basis, I often come across these barn weddings that look like they fell out of rustic, country storybooks. What these photographs don’t show is what goes on behind the scenes.

When you consider a barn by definition, it is usually constructed of wood and not much else.

If your wedding venue utilizes an actual barn, not one that they built up for weddings and events, it might lack that amenities that you need. These amenities can be an additional cost that you won’t have at other venues.

For example, my Mom went to a barn wedding in Colorado. They had dancing up in the rafters of the barn, with no air conditioning. In the dead of summer and in the dry heat of Colorado, she lamented how miserable it was.

If you don’t want to have your guests either pass out from the heat or shiver due to the cold, you might have to pay for heating and cooling systems for your wedding event. Barns can be hot or cold places due to poor insulation. Often, wedding venues will provide these amenities, but they might come at an additional cost.

You must also factor in water and electrical access with barn weddings. Some might require you to bring in bathrooms, generators and lighting.

When you are on the hunt for your perfect barn wedding, be sure you ask your potential wedding venues about the amenities of the barn. You should know what they provide, what they don’t and what you will have to figure out on your own.

 

Vendor Selection and Rentals

 

How to find the perfect Barn Wedding Venue

Photo By Wedding Photography by Jon Day

 

As a barn is a blank canvas, every bride dreaming of her barn wedding should be aware of the vendors and rentals involved. Some venues will allow you to bring in your own vendors, while others will require you to use their shortlist of wedding personalities.

Regardless, a barn requires a great deal of dressing from tents to tables and chairs.

If you are going for the mismatched antique furniture look or wooden signs lining the property, these all involve extra help if your venue doesn’t supply them. The best way to go about the vendors and rentals of a barn wedding is to see what your shortlist of wedding venues offer and what they don’t provide.

You want to get the most for your money and the most out of your venue. If you don’t like the vendors at the barn venue, move on to another that will let you do more customization.

If you like the hands off approach, finding an all in one venue might be your answer to dress up the barn without lifting a finger.

 

Transportation

 

Wedding Venues: Barn Style

Photo By Wedding Photography by Jon Day

 

You won’t often find a barn in the middle of a metropolis. Barn weddings frequently take place in out of the way meadows and ranches.

As a result, another factor that comes into play with barn weddings is transportation. These barns might be in the most idyllic of meadows, down dirt roads with no name.

While it all sounds like what you might want to achieve in terms of isolation and privacy, you have to think about your guests.

How are they going to find this place?

Will they get lost?

Most wedding venues can answer these questions for you. However, you can look into transportation services for your guests so that they can just enjoy their time and not worry about finding the barn.

Bottom line, when you are looking for a barn wedding location, you need to stand in your guests’ shoes. If you think it will be a challenge to reach, transportation might be an additional cost to add to the wedding bill.

 

Let’s start looking!

 

Best barn wedding venues

Photo By johnhope14

 

A simple barn can be a complicated affair when it is used as a wedding location. Brides and grooms who want to get married in a barn must consider all of these elements when selecting their venue.

Like finding that needle in a sea of haystacks, now that you know what to look for and what to ask of potential venues, you can make the best decision for your wedding.

 

Did you or would you consider a barn wedding venue for your big day?

 

Share your experiences and thoughts with us below!

 

About the Author

Suzy is a freelance writer, largely penning travel and lifestyle pieces for a number of online publications including the Estate Weddings and Events blog. With a redheaded temperament she travels the globe in search of sarcasm, stories and travel tips to share with anyone willing to listen. You can connect with her via LinkedIn or Google+.



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Apr 24

Simple Ways to Disaster Proof your Wedding

April 24th, 2012 - By

Every couple wants everything… How to Disaster Proof your Wedding

…to be perfect for their wedding.

From the rehearsal dinner to the ceremony to the photos

to the reception and beyond, a wedding is supposed to be

about making memories, not solving problems and putting out fires.

Because of the high expectations,

it doesn’t take much to turn this most-special event into a problem-filled “disaster.”

By taking a few moments to plan for the worst case scenario, would-be newlyweds can avoid, or at least limit,

the damage from whatever issues come up and can focus on enjoying a stress-free wedding experience.

It is very difficult to plan for unforeseen illness or a last minute injury, but some pitfalls can be handled easily if there is a plan in place to deal with them.

Here are some common wedding-wreckers and some simple ideas for dealing with them quickly.

Account for the weather

No matter what the forecast calls for.  Any wedding planner or wedding host venue worth their price will have a Plan B for inclement weather that occurs during outdoor ceremonies and receptions.

But it’s up to those involved with the wedding, namely the bridge and groom, to make sure that they aren’t sacrificing anything if the unthinkable happens and an outdoor weddings is forced to move inside.

Have you ever been to a reception that didn’t have music?

Having a back-up plan for music is crucial.  Maybe the band doesn’t show up or isn’t performing as well as expected.

Rather than stopping the music, the guests can keep on groovin’ as long as someone has a back-up plan and the information required to implement it.

Solving musical woes could be as simple as bringing an iPod loaded with appropriate music.

As long as there is someone who knows how to connect the device to the sound system, the dancing won’t have to stop.

It’s an easy fix for what could be a reception-wrecking problem.

Unexpected Stains

Wine, make-up, mud from a pre-wedding photo shoot in a garden, or any number of other things could leave an expensive wedding dress looking less than perfect.

While no universal cure for staining exists, the dress-maker or your local dry cleaner can give some insight into how to remove stains on the fly without the aid of a laundry room.

The problem is that different materials require different stain-removal techniques.

Knowing what works with the bride’s particular dress is imperative to successful stain removal.

For some materials, it could be as easy as using over-the-counter stain-removing wipes or applying chalk or baby power to temporarily cover up the stain.

Extra make-up and make-up remover can be extremely useful, especially for summer weddings, when the combination of stress, excitement, and heat can cause clamminess and sweating.

For the groom, an extra shirt is all that is really necessary, but the bride’s make-up and hairdo can really suffer from a bit of perspiration.

As with all the other problems mentioned above, simply being well-prepared can make for an easy fix.

Heat-induced hair frizz can be taken care of with an application of anti-frizz hairspray, while make-up can be easily re-applied if the proper tools are at hand.

The make-up and hairspray bag can even include an adhesive roller for removing any hair or excessive dust that finds it way onto the wedding grown, and even things like a needle and appropriately-colored thread for repairing any tears or loose buttons.

Hire a Professional Wedding Planner

Dealing with vendors and service people can often be the biggest headache of a wedding.

Some people simply hire wedding planners to be the intermediary between themselves and all the vendors.

It is best to know the vendors via a personal recommendation or at least to do the research and face-to-face meeting so that you know exactly what you are getting on your special day.

It is not necessary to turn into Bridezilla, but keeping it professional and business-like and making sure everyone is on the same page can significantly decrease wedding-day stress.

And that is the bottom line of all these extra preparations: being prepared for any potential pitfalls can alleviate stress and help the happy couple focus on making memories during their wedding.

About the Author

Jamie is the Co-Founder and President of Estate Weddings and Events. Jamie and EWE have been featured in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Premier Homes, and many other publications. When Jamie is not managing Luxury Events at EWE, you can find her traveling the world. Her favorite destinations visited are Laos and the Maldives.You can follow her on Google+ here.



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Jan 14

Plan the Perfect Beach Wedding!

January 14th, 2012 - By

From dramatic sunsets to the mesmerizing sound of crashing waves, the beach is a gorgeous place to get married. The popularity of beach weddings comes as no surprise.

To plan your own beach wedding effectively, it pays to approach the situation in a practical and measured way. Like most people, you probably already have a general geographic location in mind.

Before you do anything else, you need to pinpoint venue locations and luxury villas in the area to ensure that your big day goes off without a hitch. Pick up a few great tips by checking out the following information.

All-in-One Venues

It’s easy enough to choose a spot on the beach to exchange vows, but where are you and your guests supposed to go from there? The best thing to do is to choose a beachfront wedding venue.

If you think that finding such a venue is impossible, think again. Whether you’re investigating your options for San Diego weddings, Los Angeles wedding or weddings in other coastal areas, finding estate wedding venues that include beachfront locations doesn’t have to be difficult.

Amenities and Features

When planning a beach wedding, you should worry about your venue details first and the details of your ceremony second. After all, beachfront wedding venues are wildly popular. Many of them get booked solid years in advance. To get the features and amenities that you want, you’re going to need to get started with your search for the perfect venue right away. Whether you envision a romantic ceremony in a backyard villa or would like to exchange vows on the balcony of a stunning mansion, knowing what you want is essential.

Practical Concerns

To ensure a picture-perfect wedding day, you need to take as many details into consideration as possible. Beach weddings involve special circumstances, and it’s important to keep that in mind.

If you’ll be exchanging vows directly on the beach, will you and your guests be going barefoot? If so, you should plan an easy and convenient way for people to remove their shoes before the ceremony begins. Small points like these should be handled with care to ensure a worry-free event.

By taking the time to select an amazing beach wedding venue, the rest of your plans should fall into place with ease. It’s more than possible to have the beach ceremony of your dreams and follow it up with an amazing reception.

Start making plans right now to make it happen!


Wedding Inspiration Images Courtesy of Couture Events San Diego. Click here to view more beautiful images from “Seaside Pottery Barn Wedding at the Surf and Sand Resort.” Couture Events’ Creative Director, Krystel Tien, is now also a guest blogger with Estate Weddings and Events. Check back to check out Krystel’s insights into event planning!

 

About the Author

Jamie is the Co-Founder and President of Estate Weddings and Events. Jamie and EWE have been featured in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Premier Homes, and many other publications. When Jamie is not managing Luxury Events at EWE, you can find her traveling the world. Her favorite destinations visited are Laos and the Maldives.You can follow her on Google+ here.



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Jan 13

Top 15 Wedding Inspiration Blogs to Follow

January 13th, 2012 - By

With our Love for Estate Weddings, this list may be a bit biased since we love and specialize in all things Estate Weddings, Ranch Weddings, Farm Weddings, and Mansion Weddings.

Estates, Ranches, Farms and Mansions create the perfect setting for many popular wedding themes and inspirations, such as vintage, rustic, unique, gardens, fields, barns, destinations, green,  intimate, DIY, etc. Check out our top 10 favorite blogs for inspiration on your unique venue wedding…

 

Here are our top favorite blogs to get inspired

1. Green Wedding Shoes

Ideas for outdoor weddings, Eco-Friendly Tips, and DIY Ideas

2. Style Me Pretty

Provides inspiration for all design styles.

3. Ruffled Blog

Vintage, Chic and DIY Wedding inspiration.

4. Cap Classique

South Africa based blog with inspiration from around the world.

5. Love My Dress

Glamorous and Vintage Wedding ideas

 

6. Snippet and Ink

Inspiration Boards for every bride

7. Southern Weddings

Creative Southern Wedding ideas and Southern Inspiration

 

8. June Bug Weddings

Classic Brides and Stylish Real Weddings

9. Post Cards and Pretties

All Wedding things Sweet and pretty

10. Intimate Weddings

Creative Ideas for small intimate weddings

11. Magnolia Rouge

Classic Beautiful Wedding Ideas

 

12. Bustled Blog

Stylish and Modern Wedding Inspiration

13. Bridal Hood

Creative Wedding Photography to spark creative wedding Ideas

 

14. Santa Barbara Chic Blog | Kelly Oshiro Events

Santa Barbara Luxury Weddings

15. Grey Likes Weddings

 

“Love. Well Styled”

 

What is your Favorite Wedding Blog?  Let us know by commenting on our Facebook page!

 

 

About the Author

Jamie is the Co-Founder and President of Estate Weddings and Events. Jamie and EWE have been featured in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Premier Homes, and many other publications. When Jamie is not managing Luxury Events at EWE, you can find her traveling the world. Her favorite destinations visited are Laos and the Maldives.You can follow her on Google+ here.



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Jan 10

Hot Wedding Trends & Themes for 2012

January 10th, 2012 - By Jamie Ehrsam

The New Year has just begun and is bringing a wide variety of exciting new wedding themes and trends along with it. If you’re in the early stages of planning your upcoming nuptials, you’re probably curious about what’s hot in wedding trends this year. As always, private estate wedding locations and villa rental locations are popular choices. Beyond wedding venues, however, there are many other exciting trends. Check below to learn about a few of the best ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playful Themes

Playful wedding themes started picking up steam in 2011, and the trend will intensify in 2012. These types of weddings have whimsical ambiances, so they are perfect for couples who prefer less formal affairs. From pirate-themed weddings to ceremonies in offbeat locations, playful themes will be all the rage this year.

DIY: Personalized Weddings

By default, every wedding is personal. In the past, however, the majority of the decorations and party favors were purchased from wedding supply companies. Due in part to the economy, many couples are creating their own wedding favors and decorations. This helps to keep costs down, and it has the added bonus of producing a more personalized look and feel. If you are crafty by nature, this is one wedding trend that you’ll want to explore.

Mismatched Dresses and Decor

In an effort to create more organic and natural ceremonies, many brides and grooms are opting for dresses and decor that encompass different aesthetics and textures. To keep things from looking too disjointed, a single color palate is used to unite the decor elements. The end result is a purposefully mismatched look that puts a chic, modern edge on any wedding day. This trend is easy to incorporate and can help keep costs low too.

Green Weddings

Eco-friendly weddings are more popular than ever. People opt for green weddings to help protect the environment and to save money. There are many ways to go about planning a green wedding. You can incorporate as many green touches into your big day as you’d like, so this theme is easy to customize.

No matter what type of theme you choose for your wedding, you should take care to select a phenomenal wedding venue. From New York weddings to California weddings, there are amazing venues available just about everywhere. You can use the preceding themes at just about any venue too, so jump-start your wedding plans by finding the perfect location now!

 

For more wedding ideas and inspiration, take a look below:

Playful Wedding Inspiration…

Tips for finding a Unique Event Theme…

How to Cut Costs without Cutting that, “Je Ne Sais Quoi”…

 

*Images courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes

About the Author

Jamie is the Co-Founder and President of Estate Weddings and Events. Jamie and EWE have been featured in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Premier Homes, and many other publications. When Jamie is not managing Luxury Events at EWE, you can find her traveling the world. Her favorite destinations visited are Laos and the Maldives.You can follow her on Google+ here.



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Jan 6

Top 10 Private Estate Wedding Venues

January 6th, 2012 - By

Estate Weddings and Events Ranked Our Top 10 estates for 2011. From Rustic Ranches to Luxurious Mansions, to backyard Garden Weddings, Check it out to see if your estate venue made the list

1. Emma Estate

Located in Rancho Santa Fe area of San Diego, California. Provides the perfect backdrop for an intimate Backyard Garden Wedding or Large Corporate Events.

Emma Estate

2. Chateau De Beverly Hills

If you are looking for a luxury event location or plan to live like the stars and have a Celebrity Wedding, This exclusive Los Angeles Mansion is our number one choice for Luxury Entertainment.

3. Beach Rose Farm

The Beach Rose Farm in Maine is our top choice for Maine wedding Venues and Maine Vacation Rentals with accommodations up to 36 guests makes this ocean view venue the ideal destination.

4. Lower Lake Ranch

With its Colorado Mountain Views, the Lower Lake Ranch is located outside of Denver Colorado is the perfect setting for a Ranch wedding and also offers a Colorado Bed and Breakfast for large group accommodations, retreats and vacation rentals.

5. Abbey Estate

The Abbey Estate in Montecito is our choice for our top Ocean view Venue. Santa Barbara Estate Weddings feature an elegant setting and also offers Luxury Accommodations as a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental.

Santa Barbara, California

6. Sebastopol Sanctuary

This unique Sonoma Estate, located in the Sonoma Wine Country, is our top choice for Eco Friendly Weddings and Green Events. The estate is LED Certified, has a certified Organic Garden and Vineyard, private lake, and much more. If you are looking for a Sonoma Wedding Venue or a Green event venue, Sebastopol Sanctuary is the place for you.

7. Le Bac Estate

This South Africa Wedding Venue, located in Western Cape, South Africa, is our choice for the perfect destination wedding location or luxury vacation rental in South Africa.

8. Castle Ladyhawke

This Scottish inspired Castle, located outside of Asheville, North Carolina, is our top choice for a unique venue. Set on over 60 acres of private land and offer overnight accommodations for the perfect North Carolina Vacation Rental.


9. Gridley Ranch

Gridley Ranch, located in Ojai, California, is the ideal setting for Rustic Weddings or Ranch Style Weddings. This intimate estate is perfect for small intimate Ojai Wedding receptions and also is a place for a luxury vacation rentals.

10. Infinity Bali Villa

Island Weddings are truly unique and intimate. This Bali Villa, located on the Island of Bali, Indonesia, can accommodate 25 guests for a holiday rental and is the perfect destination for a destination wedding.


About the Author

Jamie is the Co-Founder and President of Estate Weddings and Events. Jamie and EWE have been featured in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Premier Homes, and many other publications. When Jamie is not managing Luxury Events at EWE, you can find her traveling the world. Her favorite destinations visited are Laos and the Maldives.You can follow her on Google+ here.



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Sep 12

Our Favorite Romantic Garden Wedding Locations

September 12th, 2011 - By Jamie Ehrsam

The Cape Cod Estate

This charming estate, located just north of Los Angeles, will transport your guests to Cape Cod. With its pristine gardens and charming exterior, guests can relax in the California sunshine surrounded by beautiful foliage.

Casa Corinna

Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, the Casa Corinna features a beautiful poolside garden setting as well as views of surrounding vineyards. With several outdoor living rooms, this property is ideal for weddings and private events which are looking for a backyard vineyard aesthetic.

 The Emma Estate

With its rose gardens, breathtaking ceremony backdrops, and the charm of an Austen novel, this Rancho Santa Fe estate is an idyllic romantic garden location that is sure to charm your guests. With the glow of market lighting and the property’s lush landscaping, this property is the perfect warm and welcoming summer outdoor wedding location.

 

The Valentino

The Valentino seems to capture a certain feeling of a Southern wedding. The property features an equestrian center and a park-like setting with sprawling lawns and willow trees. With the ability to host a ceremony along side the property’s private lake, this expansive estate has the perfect relaxed environment for any event, large or small.

 

 

About the Author

Jamie is the Co-Founder and President of Estate Weddings and Events. Jamie and EWE have been featured in The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Premier Homes, and many other publications. When Jamie is not managing Luxury Events at EWE, you can find her traveling the world. Her favorite destinations visited are Laos and the Maldives.You can follow her on Google+ here.



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Sep 2

What to expect for an Estate Event

September 2nd, 2011 - By

Have you ever considered having an estate event with us but you aren’t sure what to expect?

We’ve put together a list of things to keep in mind when planning an estate wedding with Estate Weddings and Events!

 

Some of the pros:

  1. You get the intimacy and privacy of having a garden wedding, without worrying about all the prep work and cleanup associated with having it in your own backyard!
  2. Break away from traditional hotel reception halls and their restrictions, and find a stunning estate of your dreams! (See our previous blog entry on our top 5 reasons to pick an estate vs. hotel.)
  3. Customize every aspect of your event from your linens to catering and beverage services, without anyone dictating your options to you.
  4. Ranch properties are a great blank slate to get your creative juices flowing, bring in tenting or dance the evening away under the glow of our market lighting, the possibilities are endless!
  5. The estate is available to you for a total of 12 hours on your special day, and usually 5 of which are for your event time, but additional hours can always be added on, and customized requests are always welcome.
  6. Holding both your wedding and reception at the estate will be more convenient for both you and your guests and will give you more time to spend with one another.
  7. We provide staffing to manage the estate on your wedding day to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the property.
  8. We provide special events insurance which protects both the homeowners and the clients in case of property damage.

 

Some of the cons:

  1. Although music at the majority of our venues must end at 10pm due to noise ordinance laws, that either means you have more time to go out afterward, or spend some quality pre-honeymoon time with your new spouse!
  2. Expect to pay more for a private estate than you would for a traditional hotel/reception hall venue.  You will need to bring in everything including tables and chairs, lighting, dancefloor, to some more unusual rentals like luxury restroom rentals, generators, and build out kitchens for your caterer. 
  3. In case of bad weather, you might have to leave room in the budget to bring in tenting to keep your guests dry and warm for any outdoor weddings.
  4. We require either valet or shuttle service at our estates, but some estates only have a shuttle option as there is not enough space for all of the guests to park at the venue.

 

Next week we will have some Frequently Asked Questions answered for you regarding having your event at a private estate.

About the Author

Claire is the Director of Client Relations for Estate Weddings and Events and will often be the first person to greet you and answer any questions you may have about planning your estate event. In her free time, she loves to make succulent arrangements, homebrew craft beers and put her love for crafts to work! You can follow her here Linkedin or Google+.



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