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May 3

What makes a great estate wedding venue?

May 3rd, 2013 - By Claire Lewis

If you are considering renting out your home, or if you are searching for the perfect venue for your event, there are many things that separate an okay estate venue from a great one.

If you are a client looking for an “out of the box” type venue, and you’ve decided to hold your event at a private house, you will need to be sure that the location has everything you need to produce your ideal event. Don’t get caught up in the excitement of the look of the property before going through all the ammenties this particular estate has to offer.

If you are a homeowner looking to rent your property, your home may be best suited for some types of events, but not all. If you are open to making improvements on your property so that you can rent your home for events, you have the ability to increase the value of your home as well as write-off maintenance and improvements. For more perks to renting your home be sure to check out our 5 top advantages to renting your home for events.

Use the following list of criteria to see if the estate is a great fit for events or not:

1. Outdoor Capacity

Orange County Mansion

An okay estate will have enough room to accommodate at least 50 guests seated. A good venue will be able to host between 100 – 150. A great venue will be able to accommodate over 200+ guests. On average, most estate weddings will have between 120-150 guests.

Most estate events will take place outdoors. Very few homes will be able to accommodate guests inside their house for events. Unless it is a loft or a penthouse, chances are if you are having an estate event, your guests will be dining outdoors.

Usually the only indoor event space which could seat all your guests would be a converted garage. So if you aren’t keen on being outdoors, your estate search may eventually lead you back to considering hotel options.

2. Indoor Access

Cairo Estate

If you have access to the inside of the house, that is a huge plus. Some estates do not allow you to use the interior of the home at all, so make sure you ask if the interior is available. A good venue will have the house open for your guests to walk through and use the restrooms, and a great one will include a “bridal suite” for the bride to get ready in on site (usually the master bedroom).

Some other perks to interior access are possibly the use of the kitchen for your catering team, an indoor cocktail reception, or a place to stay overnight surrounding your event.

3. Covered Patio or Room for a Tent

Bali Gardens Estate

If the estate has a covered patio or veranda, this is great news. If you aren’t allowed inside the home, but the weather is looking iffy, you will want a back up plan. If your guests can fit under the patio, that is a huge plus. It means you won’t have to worry about constructing a full tent to shelter your guests if it rains.

If you aren’t lucky enough to have a covered patio on the property, you will want to be sure there is ample room for a tent on the property which can cover all your guests.

4. Power

Emma Estate

This is perhaps one of the most overlooked issues that clients forget about, but one of the most important! If you are having any sort of lighting at the property (up-lighting, market lighting, etc.) make sure that there is enough power from the home to supply it. If you are having a stage with a live band, or a DJ with a lot of bells and whistles, a photo booth, and much much more, rent a generator or two.

5. The Ideal Property Layout

Emma Estate

Lets say you are looking for a wedding location. You want to have your ceremony, a cocktail hour and your reception all in the same place. A private home can pose a lot of difficulty if the flow of the property isn’t just right.

A good location will have two areas which would be great for a combination of these events. So in event area #1 you can host the ceremony, in area #2 you can have the cocktail hour, and during cocktail hour event area #1 would be transitioned into your reception area.

A great location will have at least three areas for events: a separate ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception location. If you have more than one option for each, you are in really great shape!

Look for an estate with a few great options for each. Don’t forget that if the house has a tennis court, this is also usable event space!

6. Catering Area

If you’re hiring a caterer to cook onsite, you will need an outdoor area or open garage large enough for a field kitchen. This should be in an area separate from all other event spaces.

What exactly is a field kitchen? It is a temporary on-site kitchen. This includes everything from prep tables to stoves/ovens. Depending on what catering services you need and how many guests you are serving, you will need a large open space to serve as a kitchen.

Most homes do not have a commercial kitchen so an on-site temporary kitchen is a must.

7. Luxury Amenities

Event & Wedding Venues in Downtown San Diego, Ca (Marina 5)

Marina 5 Penthouse view

Why are you booking this venue? There is probably a key feature that initially attracted you, right? Prime selling points include an ocean or mountain view, pool, etc.

Other amenities that make a great venue are overnight accommodations if you’d like to make your one day event into a weekend event.

If your venue already has permanent outdoor lighting installed, lounge seating, tables, that can also be a huge perk!

Don’t forget about restrooms. The estate venue you are considering should have at least 2 or 3 restrooms for 100 guests. If you want to avoid having guests lined up at the restrooms, you’ll want to have room to accommodate a luxury restroom rental trailer too.

8. Location

Just because the house is amazing doesn’t make it a perfect event location. The perfect venue will be in a prominent and desirable location central to hotels, places of worship, nearby parking lots for shuttle service, and a local airport. Of course some people are looking for a more remote location, but most are looking for a place that is convenient for their guests to travel to, especially if most are coming from out of town.

A great location will also be secluded enough from their neighbors as not to disturb them. It will also have ample street or lot parking for valet service.

9. A Great Management Team & Homeowner

A location isn’t great unless it has a great management team. You’ll want an estate whose management team is dedicated to protecting the home from any damages, helping you understand all the rules of the property and ensuring your event is a success! For more information on venue management, take a peek at our article about what an on-site manager does. To learn more about our team, click here.

A great homeowner is someone who trusts their management team to represent them and take care of their property during each and every event. They are flexible and open to hosting a wide variety of events at their home, and are enthusiastic about the opportunities presented to them. For more information about the advantages of renting out your estate for private events, you’ll want to read this article.

Your Turn…

Are you considering a private estate for your event or wedding venue?

If you have any questions or if you would like to share any thoughts/ideas please do so in the comments below…

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+.

event venues, how to find a wedding venue, private estate wedding venues, private event venues, private home wedding venue, private home wedding venues, searching for the best wedding venues, the perfect wedding location, wedding venues

May 1

Barn Wedding Décor Ideas & Inspiration: Dressing up the Barn

May 1st, 2013 - By Suzy Guese

The barn wedding venue is a couple’s blank canvas.

You must play the part of Picasso and Rembrandt to dress up that blank space into your wedding masterpiece.

As the barn beams are the limit in terms of what you can do to the setting, barn weddings come in many different styles from elegant to country chic.

The look all depends on what route the bride and groom want to go with for décor and accents.

Décor for a barn wedding is one of the most crucial aspects to achieving the unique wedding style.

You want the space to be both inviting for guests but also special for your big day.

From casual and comfortable to elegant and vintage, we have listed below some classic barn wedding décor ideas.

Chalkboard and Handmade Signs –

Photo By moonlightbulb

Chalkboard and handmade signs compliment the barn wedding theme. You can use chalkboards to tell guests any number of messages from what’s on the menu or where the wedding favors are located.

Chalkboards can also be used for seating charts. They make for a relatively inexpensive decor item.

If you don’t want the chalkboard to appear overly rustic, you can dress it up with an ornate frame.

By their very nature, chalkboards are also easy to customize as you can handwrite messages and sayings to extend your wedding theme.

Handmade signs can also be used at barn weddings. As a popular décor idea for barn weddings, handmade signs often point guests in the direction of all of the night’s events from the ceremony location to the dance floor.

Again, these wooden signs can be inexpensive for the bride on a budget.

String Lights and Chandeliers –

barn wedding decor ideas: string lights & chandeliers

Photo By qmnonic

Barns are not always known for their lighting.

Most wedding venues with barns on the property will dress up the space with string lights. String lights create a more romantic and soft ambiance to a dark and dimly lit barn.

You can hire a lighting company to execute your vision. You might think that the cost should be low to hang up a few strings, but some companies will quote high bids. It’s best to get lots of bids before committing to one company.

If you are cash strapped, you can always string them up yourself if your venue will allow it (however not recommended). String lights are often at their most affordable just after the holiday season.

For brides looking to get away from the cliqued décor notions of a barn wedding, you can do so easily with the lighting. To add a more elegant and opulent feel, chandeliers can be added to the barn venue instead of or in addition to string lights. You can also hang lanterns from the barn beams for additional lighting.

Drapery –

Photo by John Schnack from Martha Stewart Weddings

Barn walls and ceilings are generally plain and wooden. Just like any room that is blank, drapes are added to enrich the space. You can add more visual interest and color to a barn with drapery.

Drapes soften the space and in turn can make barns more sophisticated at first glance. You can also use drapery to add drama to your space by adding fabric to entryways and across beams.

If you don’t want to use such heavy fabric, but you still want to adorn the walls of your barn with some sort of visual interest, buntings also work with the barn theme. Buntings come in all sorts of fabrics and materials so that you can cater to your level of formality.

Burlap Accents and Twine –

Photo from Wedding Chicks by Photographer Katrina Louise

Barn and burlap tend to go together like chocolate chip cookies and milk. A burlap table runner or burlap wrapped around jars always goes well with barn décor. Burlap is also inexpensive for brides watching their wallets.

In addition to using burlap accents, twine also harks on the barn theme. You can tie jars, programs and menus with twine to promote that rustic look and feel.

Mismatched Tables, Chairs and Dishes –

Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings

You might cringe at thought of mismatching, but an eclectic mix of furniture for your barn wedding can also contribute to the overall theme.

Chairs and tables don’t necessarily need to match for a barn wedding. The setting is already a bit hodge-podge.

Antique and colorful chairs and tables don’t just contribute to the style of a barn wedding but they also help your barn wedding look and feel unique. You can rent from companies with vintage furniture or see if your venue has a mix of tables and chairs.

If you can’t do mismatched furniture for your wedding, you can still create that eclectic look elsewhere. Mismatched dishes are an easy way to lend rustic chic and set a more casual tone to your barn wedding. The unmatched look provides a suggestion that this wedding is unique and not like every other gathering.

Glass Jars –

Photo By apairandaspare

Aside from decorating the walls and ceiling of the barn, you have to come up with centerpieces to suit the barn.

Colored glass jars go with the blank barn canvas. You can place flowers or candles in colored glass jars, staggered across the tables.

The classic Mason jar is always a barn wedding staple. To find these key centerpieces, you can look at antique and vintage stores, garage sales and online bidding sites. Your florist might also have Mason jars that you can use. You can find colored glass jars in all sorts of shapes and sizes to create a more assorted and unique look.

For a more sophisticated feel, you can stick to clear glass jars. For a more country look, you can try tin cans and pitchers as centerpieces. Also, for a different feel, you can suspend the jars from the barn beams for a floating presence.

Hay Bales and Wine Barrels –

Barn Wedding Ideas: Hay Bales & Wine Barrels

Photo By wharman

For guestbook tables and the like, you can accent the empty spaces around your wedding with hay bales and wine barrels. While hay bales aren’t for every wedding, if you want to create a country look, they work well as accents when you need to fill vacant spaces.

Brides looking for a more elegant alternative to hay bales can use wine barrels. You can construct bars and dessert tables with the help of a few wine barrels and an old antique door for the tabletop. They can also be used to fill empty spaces, similar to a hay bale. Barns are big after all.

Candles –

Photo By Wedding Photography by Jon Day

Back at the barn, lighting that is truly classic is that illuminating from candles. You can stagger candles on the table to lend that rustic feel with a romantic glow. Candles provide soft lighting that you might want instead of the string lights.

However, if the barn is composed of wood, your wedding venue might have restrictions on open flames. If this is the case, you can try battery operated candles or covered lanterns instead.

Bottom Line…

Barn wedding décor is truly an open book. You can make it fancier with drapery on the walls and ceilings, accented by crystal chandeliers. You can make it more comfortable and casual with just a few barnyard staples like twine, hay bales and burlap.

The important aspect is to have the décor all add up to the vision that you had in mind for your wedding day.

What’s your favorite décor item for barn weddings?

Share your ideas 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 16

Bar None: A Few of the Best Barn Wedding Venues in the United States

April 16th, 2013 - By Suzy Guese

The couple in search of a barn wedding venue in the United States seldom has trouble locating a barn.

As part of the American tradition, barns litter the country, covering patches of acreage from the East Coast to the West and everywhere in between.

They set up picturesquely in meadows and brightly in classic red as most imaginations picture.

However, many of these barns are merely for the cows, horses and chickens.

You need to find a venue that has transformed the truly rustic into something fit for a wedding.

A number of barn wedding venues cover the United States.

Just as you must consider a variety of factors when you look for a barn wedding venue, you must also exam the barns themselves.

We have come up with a list of some of the best barn wedding venues from sea to shining sea.

Lets have a look…

New Hampshire

photo from Estate Weddings and Events

For the classic rustic wedding complete with a red barn, many couples host their wedding and reception at Bishop Farm.

Set up on 300 acres of land, the farm sits in Lisbon, New Hampshire.

Its proximity to major east coast airports and its location in the White Mountains make it an appealing destination for a barn wedding in New England.

The private location also boasts accommodations for guests including seven farmhouse rooms and 6 cottages.

For the bride looking for a historic wedding venue, the Bishop Farm barn hails from 1876, back when it merely housed cows and horses.

It was renovated and updated since that time to accommodate wedding guests.

The classic barn allows the couple to have a rustic wedding, but also an elegant one through adding certain opulent touches.

The Bishop family is one of the earliest settlers to Lisbon.

Virginia

Photo from Estate Weddings and Events

For the couple with an historical, barn agenda in Virginia, Ash Lawn-Highland House comes chalk full of history.

Set up in Charlottesville, Virginia, the estate served as the home to President and Mrs. Monroe from 1793 to 1826.

In keeping with the wedding tradition, their older daughter Eliza married on the estate.

Couples have since followed, appreciating the historic house and gardens for the ideal spot to tie the knot.

While the estate features several different locations for wedding ceremonies and receptions, it does boast a barn.

The barn measures 30’ by 70’ with a concrete floor.

In such a space, the couple can make their wedding decidedly more country or more grand and fitting of presidential tastes.

As part of the wedding deal, guests receive a tour of the historic Monroe home.

Washington

Photo from Pine River Ranch

Backed by the Cascade Mountains, those looking for a barn wedding venue in Washington tend to somehow find Pine River Ranch at some point.

Sprawling across 22 acres, this wedding venue features fields, meadows, ponds, rivers and of course that barn reception location.

With ceremonies held on the lawn in front of the barn, guests can retreat into the grand dairy barn from 1944 for the reception.

Its dramatic arched barn beams make for prime photo opportunities.

Pine River Ranch sits just 15 minute from the Bavarian village of Leavenworth and just two hours from Seattle.

It also features a bed and breakfast with six rooms in case the happy couple wants to spend their first night as Mr. and Mrs. just beyond their reception.

Vermont

Photo from Estate Weddings and Events

The classic red barn look for a wedding reception is embodied at West Monitor Barn in Vermont.

Located in the Green Mountains, the venue surrounds in forests, woodlands, hills, fields and Vermont’s third tallest mountain, Camel’s Hump.

It positions just 20 minutes from downtown Burlington, yet it provides that escapism many look for in a barn wedding.

The barn itself was originally built in 1903.

It was restored using 40% of its original timber to create the character of a traditional dairy barn.

The interior is covered in beautiful posts and beams and has the ability to hold up to 200 people.

The barn ceiling is truly the limit in terms of what you can do to dress the barn up or down.

Some of its barn features include rough-hewn lumbar and carriage barn lamps.

New York

Photo from Estate Weddings and Events

In the not so romantically named town of Medusa in Upstate New York, the barn wedding seeker will find Full Moon Farm.

The property is home to a barn that has withstood the test of time.

Spared from a fire in 2007, the barn boasts foundations in 1790.

Peter Jaycox built it at that time for storing grain and overwintering animals.

Today, the Hudson Valley Catskills barn hosts its fair share of wedding receptions.

The barn also has sliding doors for the couple that wants an indoor and outdoor feel to their wedding.

California

Photo from Estate Weddings and Events

California has a way of doing barn weddings with laid-back elegance.

Caballo Estate in Los Altos Hills claims this classic California barn wedding feel.

Around 11 acres, the venue can accommodate up to 600 guests.

Many couples choose the venue for its location with views of San Francisco Bay.

It is home to a 13,000 square foot barn, the perfect spot for either a reception or a wedding ceremony.

Barn Wedding Venues in Southern California

Photo from Estate Weddings and Events

The state also contains another idyllic barn wedding venue, Santa Margarita Ranch.

The ideal setting for a rustic barn wedding perches just beyond San Luis Obispo in Central California.

Over 15,000 acres make up the grounds, specifically with vineyards, gardens and open fields.

Many brides want to get married in the historic and grand barn.

With the ability to hold up to 200 guests, the barn exudes rustic sophistication.

Santa Margarita Ranch carries foundations from 1769, making this wedding venue a true blending of history and scenery.

Would you get married at any of these barn wedding venues? What’s your favorite barn wedding location in the United States?

Share your thoughts with us below…

About the Author

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Apr 9

Destination Wedding Venues: Top Picks Around The World

April 9th, 2013 - By Katarina Kovacevic

Your ceremony and reception sites set the tone for your wedding – classic or eclectic?

Glamorous or understated?

There’s a lot to consider!

No matter what your wedding style, choosing the right venue is important.

And that’s especially true when you’re planning a destination wedding.

You want the event to run smoothly. You want guests to be entertained. And you want to do it all while still feeling like you’re on vacation.

Following is a guide to destination wedding venues, which features some of our favorite estates as well as top resorts around the world.

Pleasantdale Chateau Estate, New Jersey

image via Estate Weddings and Events

Situated on 40 acres of formal gardens, meadows and ponds, Pleasantdale Chateau Estate is a historic and rare find. An ivy-covered gatehouse welcomes guests, who are immediately immersed in a private and serene setting of fascinating architecture – from the Scandinavian chapel to the Mediterranean-style Fountain Room.

It’s an ideal destination wedding venue if you’re planning a large soiree as the Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 300 people! And foodies will be happy to know that the estate’s kitchen is led by a classically trained chef with a knack for the remarkable. Friends and family won’t have to travel far after the big event, either; Pleasantdale also has more than 30 well-appointed guest rooms.

Aspen Meadows Resort, Colorado

destination-wedding-venues-aspen-meadows-resort

image via Aspen Meadows Resort

Is there anything more romantic than a picturesque Aspen backdrop for your destination wedding? With the Colorado Rockies’ peaks and valleys surrounding, Aspen Meadows Resort sits on 40 acres of breathtaking natural scenery. Inspired by classic Bauhaus aesthetic, the entire resort features floor-to-ceiling windows and simple yet elegant décor.

And there’s no shortage of options when it comes to ceremony and reception sites, either, with more than 22,000 square feet of space. Resort amenities include a full-scale health club with spa services, decadent dining, and activities for every season. Getting to Aspen is easy, too, thanks to its local airport.

St. Helena Vineyard Estate, California

image via Estate Weddings and Events

Nestled in the foothills of St. Helena, Calif. and surrounded by hillside vineyards, St. Helena Vineyard Estate is five acres of stunning wine country. Onsite you’ll find a 5,000-square-foot main house, 1,200-square-foot guest house and a multi-purpose media and game building. Perfect for small destination weddings, the luxury estate is a quintessential Napa Valley experience with rolling, grassy knolls and blooming gardens.

And, best of all: no neighbors, no traffic and no disturbances! St. Helena Estate comfortably sleeps up to 12 people and your guests can enjoy amenities like a bocce ball court, pool, and full bar.

Château de Bagnols, France

destination-wedding-venues-Chateau-de-Bagnols-france

image via Chateau de Bagnols

Do you dream of feeling like a princess on your wedding day? Then Château de Bagnols in Beaujolais, France may be your perfect destination wedding venue. The centuries-old castle features manicured gardens and its very own winery – both of which are stunning options for wedding day sites. (Or, you can even walk to the nearby 15^th-century church.)

For accommodations, guests can choose from a number of apartments from demure to grand. Enhancing their stay is a series of activities like hot air balloon flights, horse carriage rides, wine tastings and chef-prepared picnics. Château de Bagnols is an enchanting location that looks straight from the pages of a fairytale.

Villa Helena, Florida

Destination-Weddings-Locations-Miami-Florida

image via Estate Weddings and Events

Villa Helena in Miami Beach brings together an alluring Art Deco design and thoroughly modern facilities in a 1920s-inspired estate. Marble floors, custom-made chandeliers and a large courtyard with bright green hedges add to its allure and classic ambiance.

Villa Helena is centrally located just 10 minutes from South Beach, so you’ll have easy access to sunny stretches of sand and an energetic nightlife scene. But you’ll find it difficult to leave the estate thanks to its sweet touches – high-end Bulgari bath products, freshly cut flowers and Godiva chocolates placed bedside for you and your guests. Optional extras include chef and mixologist services.

Tides Riviera Maya, Mexico

destination-wedding-venues-tides-riviera-maya

image via Tides Riviera Maya

On the Yucatan Peninsula’s Caribbean coast, Tides Riviera Maya is defined by its pure white sand beach. The villa resort is hidden in the small village of Playa Xcalacoco near Playa del Carmen and surrounded on three sides by tropical forest. Travel + Leisure called the resort “a sexy and eco-conscious hideaway in the jungle” – a proper title given its A-list amenities.

Your guests will love the personal service and palapa-roofed villas decorated in a simple Mayan design. Choose from six destination wedding sites, including a beachfront spot, jungle palapa, and lush tropical garden.

Hacienda Pinilla, Costa Rica

image via Estate Weddings and Events

Located near Tamarindo, Costa Rica, Hacienda Pinilla is a 4,500-acre beach resort and gated residential community surrounded by a tropical rain forest and wildlife refuge. This villa sprawls more than 7,000 square feet and features five bedrooms available for overnight accommodations.

Renting the villa as your destination wedding venue gives you direct access to the community’s private beaches, golf course and tennis courts. Within walking distance is Hacienda Pinilla’s Beach Club, where you and guests can spend all day hopping between the pool and beach. There’s also a spa and Beach Club Restaurant with homemade cuisine crafted.

Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, Caribbean

destination-wedding-venues-gansevoort-turks-caicos

image via Gansevoort Turks & Caicos

Gansevoort Turks & Caicos is a sleek boutique hotel with a sensual island vibe. Situated on Providenciales’ Grace Bay beach, the soothing seaside getaway houses just 91 rooms, which means you won’t feel overrun by other guests on the day of your nuptials.

Weddings can be stressful, but it’s nearly impossible to feel anything besides relaxed at Gansevoort Turks & Caicos thanks to a 7,000-square-foot infinity edge pool and award-winning spa. And the staff here is well prepared to make your wedding day perfect, whether you’re looking for small and intimate or over-the-top luxurious.

Blue Cave Villas, Greece

image via Estate Weddings and Events

A clear blue sea and ruggedly beautiful mountains are all that surround you at Blue Cave Villas, a private and peaceful complex of four traditional Zakynthian stone houses. There’s plenty to keep the wedding party entertained – from hiking and mountain biking to swimming, fishing and canoeing.

Destination weddings at Blue Cave Villas are completely personal and intimate, a complete vacation for all involved. It’s a venue that goes above and beyond with free amenities, including an astronomical observatory, wine bar, and organic Greek toiletries. Your wedding party can have run of the house while staff helps you organize transfers, tours and even pre-arrival grocery shopping.

Blantyre, Massachusetts

image via Blantyre

Imagine getting married at Blantyre in the height of fall foliage season, when the ivy along its Main House turns a vibrant shade of red and the main driveway is covered in an archway of golden leaves. Located in Lenox, Mass., the luxury country house hotel is a 1900s-era property made up of a main house, carriage house and four cottages.

Rooms are cozy and plush, and include details like overstuffed chairs, fresh flowers and four-post beds. Plan your destination wedding here in mid-September to late October when leaf peeping around the Berkshires is at its best.

Your Turn…

What is your favorite Destination Wedding Venue?

About the Author

Katarina is a freelance writer specializing in travel, fashion, weddings and beauty/wellness. Her work has been printed in publications like The Knot, Sunset, Four Seasons Magazine, and Unboundary by USA Today. She is the author of The Food Lovers’ Guide to Phoenix & Scottsdale, founder of the fashionable travel blog Style Jaunt, and travel contributor for SheKnows.com. Follow her on Twitter @Little_K and Google+.

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Apr 8

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

April 8th, 2013 - By Suzy Guese

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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Mar 25

Flowered in Expectations: Questions to Ask Your Wedding Florist Before You Hire

March 25th, 2013 - By Suzy Guese

With each and every wedding vendor meeting, I am quickly learning that much of wedding planning is trial and error.

You meet with photographers, bakers and florists until you find the right fit for your wedding.

One of the most important vendor meetings that you will have is that consultation with a florist.

The florist will either have wedding flowers and services down or put simply, they won’t arrive to your wedding smelling like roses.

I sat listening to a florist last week tell me how she doesn’t deliver, set up or clean up for weddings.

If I wanted these services, I would have to pay a great deal extra.

I was beginning to wonder what this florist did provide.

It seemed as though they were offering wedding flowers when they didn’t have the resources to provide such services for a large event.

Leaving the meeting, I learned that there are must ask questions for your potential florist.

If you don’t like their responses, they aren’t the right fit for you.

Before you head into the sea of wedding flowers, equip yourself with this quiz for your florist.

Can I see a portfolio of your wedding work?

Photo By aurostar739

The florist that I visited with last week never provided a portfolio or book of their wedding work.

She tossed at me a few old books about wedding flowers, probably from the early 2000s.

I left the appointment without seeing the florist’s work.

This is a major red flag.

You aren’t going to feel confident in your florist if they don’t provide you with a portfolio of their work.

You need to see what they have done in the past before you fork over thousands of dollars in flowers.

I had another meeting with a different florist later on the week.

This florist first presented her portfolio of work before we discussed what she could do for me.

I could visualize her style before we even started talking.

The proof is always in the pudding.

If you don’t like the arrangements on your florist’s website or they never show you their work, steer clear and head for a florist who does.

How many weddings do you do in a weekend?

Photo By andrewmalone

Many brides forget to ask their potential vendors how many weddings they do in a weekend.

However, this is a key question, one you should especially ask your florist.

The first florist that I met with told me that the shop only does one wedding a weekend.

As our conversation wore on, she mentioned how they couldn’t set up or move flowers from the ceremony location to the reception because they would be busy with other weddings that day.

I caught the lie and luckily so.

If your florist schedules several weddings in a weekend that equates to less time spent on service and quality for your wedding.

Unless they are a large company with the man and woman power to handle several weddings in a weekend, it is best to find a florist that will devote the weekend solely to your wedding.

What flowers are in season around my wedding date?

Photo By koishikawagirl

There are florists that will promise you flowers that are out of season.

You might not even realize this if you don’t know when certain flowers are in season.

The end result will be a very high price tag.

Out of season flowers will be three to five times more expensive than flowers in season.

A florist might be able to promise you a flower out of season, but it will cost you.

Before you head down this slippery slope, you should study up on your flowers.

Find flowers that will be available around your wedding date.

The end result will be more beautiful, fresh flowers at a lower cost.

What is your delivery, setup and cleanup process?

Photo By Tobyotter

This might be the biggest question to ask your florist.

You need to find out if they will not only just deliver your flowers to different locations but also if the florist will set them up.

I was shocked at my first florist meeting when the florist acted as though it was unusual to deliver and set up the flowers.

As a bride, the flowers are the last thing that I want to be worrying about on my big day.

I also didn’t want a friend or family member worrying about picking them up and putting the flowers in place at both the ceremony location and the reception space.

You need to think about these logistics and their costs, rather than trying to do it all yourself.

Brides should specifically ask their florist if they will make at least three deliveries, one to the place where you are getting ready with your bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres, one to the ceremony space and one to the reception venue.

Some florists merely just set a charge for delivery for the entire day, rather than for each separate delivery.

However, others will charge for each delivery and each set up.

Another aspect to this process to consider is whether the florist will transport your flowers from the ceremony space to the reception.

When I asked the first florist that I met with this question, she acted as though this would be impossible.

She remarked how they would have to wait around the time of the ceremony and that I should just get a sister to do it.

If your florist doesn’t provide this service, you could end up being in hot water with your ceremony space.

A venue might have certain polices about cleanup and if you don’t abide by them, you could face additional charges.

In turn, the florist that wouldn’t take down and deliver will cost you time and money.

Can I use my ceremony flowers at my reception space?

Photo By karen.tkr

For the bride on a budget, flowers can be a serious wallet drainer.

Most wedding experts say that flowers will take up 10 to 15 percent of the wedding budget.

While they are a critical part to any wedding, you shouldn’t waste anything that you pay for in the end.

One easy way to save is to have your florist move your ceremony flowers to your reception space.

The second florist that I met with suggested using the flowers at my ceremony on cocktail tables at the reception space.

Rather than having to order more flowers for cocktail tables, she found a solution that wouldn’t waste flowers.

Most weddings largely take place at the reception space.

For this reason, you can generally keep your flowers somewhat simple for the ceremony and make your reception more of the floral showpiece.

What if a flower that I wanted isn’t available from your wholesaler? What do you do?

Photo By alvanman

Many florists order their flowers from wholesalers all over the country.

If you have signed a contract with a florist, you have probably agreed on the flowers that they will use for items like your bouquet and reception arrangements.

However, there is the chance that a flower you wanted won’t be available.

Some florists will disguise this fact in the contract with clauses stating that you give up your design rights.

If the flower isn’t available, someone will merely substitute another flower without telling you.

Just to be clear, ask your florist where and how they get your flowers.

You will have a better idea if this will occur or not.

Also, be frank with your florist that you want to know if changes have to be made.

Things like color, theme, price point and the overall look should be set in stone in the contract.

You should at least recognize your bouquet before you head down the aisle.

How did you get started as a florist?

What to ask your wedding florist before you hire

Photo By chantoozie

You won’t find this question on typical wedding checklists, but I am discovering through my own wedding planning just how crucial this question pertaining to passion can be for your vendors.

Many of the vendors that I have moved on from were not passionate about their jobs.

When I asked how they got started, it usually boiled down to a response about just falling into the line of work.

You want your florist to not just know how to identify flowers in a bouquet that you show him or her from Pinterest.

They should also have a vision, which usually stems, pun intended, from their decision to get into the industry.

A florist who is passionate got into the line of work because they loved doing it.

These professionals tend to have a better product for your wedding simply because they care more than the others who are just doing it for the business.

At the infamous first florist meeting, I asked the florist how she got into the line of work.

She remarked how it was a funny story.

She just scored a job at the shop in college and didn’t leave.

Going over what I wanted for my wedding, she had no ideas, no vision.

You could tell that she lacked the passion and experience to make my flowers special for my day.

On the other hand, the second florist that I met with told how she always loved flowers and weddings.

She gushed about how she understood this bouquet would be the most important bouquet of my life.

The passion and experience were there, lending me the expectation that this florist would actually design my wedding flowers far greater than I could imagine.

Have you met with florists for your wedding? Did you forget to ask some of these questions and regret it later?

Share your suggestions for questions to ask your wedding florist below.

About the Author

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Mar 6

How to Pick Your Perfect Wedding Venue

March 6th, 2013 - By Bree Brouwer

Hacienda-Hermosa-Estate-Wedding-Venue

By the time you get engaged, you and your significant other have probably already formed ideas of what you want your wedding to look like, sound like, and feel like.

The trick is now going on the hunt for just such a location.

How and where do you start with so many options out there?

Follow these six guidelines to help you find and pick a wedding venue that meets all your wedding day needs and wishes!

Budget

First of all, you have to consider budget.

What are you able to afford?

Set down a number up front and stick with venues within or under this price range.

Realistically, every couple will be able to afford different venues.

Don’t make the wedding planning more stressful on yourself by wishing you could afford what others can.

Fortunately for you, many wedding venues have different packages depending on things like how much of their location you use and on what day of the week you choose to get married on.

You should easily be able to find a wedding venue within your budget that also has the look and feel you want.

Wedding Sites

Size

Size is also very important for picking a wedding venue.

Though you won’t be sending out invitations for a while yet, discuss with your significant other the approximate guest count you’d like to aim for.

Take into account the day of the week you’re getting married on (many guests won’t be able to attend if you choose a weekday instead of a weekend wedding).

Search for venues that will comfortably fit these numbers, and avoid any that would feel too squished or too empty when filled with guests.

Private Venues for Rent

Location

Don’t forget location, too!

Though this is of course your wedding day, you have to consider your guests’ ability to attend depending on location.

For example, grandma probably won’t be able to fly to French Polynesia, and many of your friends most likely can’t afford it, either.

Aim to pick a wedding venue in a location where the majority of those you want to attend your wedding will be able to make it with little or no inconvenience.

Religion

Is religion important to one or both of you?

In this case, you could look for a venue that will properly incorporate this element of your lives into your wedding day.

This may be the same as or separate from a reception site.

Make sure to check with any church, synagogue, etc. that you might want to book as they often have their own requirements for religious ceremonies.

Feel/Mood

Of course you also want to look for a wedding venue that has the right feel for the type of wedding you’re aiming for.

A grand estate in Colorado, for example, definitely doesn’t work if you’re more interested in a beach-themed wedding.

This advice might seem like common sense, but sometimes even the smallest element of a location can mess up the feel of your wedding.

Pay close attention to the details of venues you’re considering, like lighting, angles, building, materials, and more to ensure it all contributes to creating the mood you want.

Beach Wedding Theme

Work Required

Finally, avoid any venues that will require too much work beyond what you’re willing to put in.

For example, if a venue is poorly kept or without basics like tables and chairs, you’ll have to factor in all this extra work into your own time.

Do you want a venue that provides the food without having to hire an outside caterer?

Would you prefer the venue already have its own table linens?

All these types of questions need to be considered.

Estate Wedding Locations

Go find it!

If you follow these six guidelines to picking your perfect wedding venue, you’ll find that your options are limited to an easily manageable selection.

Now you just need to pick and start preparing for your big day!

best wedding locations

Do you have any other tips for finding the perfect wedding venue?

best-wedding-venues

Tell us about them in the comments, and make sure to share this post with any couple you may know who’ve just started their venue search!

About the Author

Bree is a freelance writer and blogger who aims to create, discuss, and promote content worth consuming. She loves investigating culture and entertainment, pursuing geek enlightenment, and shopping for deals like a true Dutchwoman. Follow her at LinkedIn, Google+, or Twitter.

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Mar 4

Ireland Luxury Travel: Castles You Can Stay in Around the Emerald Isle

March 4th, 2013 - By Suzy Guese

Best Ireland Castles: Dunguaire Castle, County Galway (credit: stahrdust3)

Imaginations of Ireland tend to conjure up visions of pots of gold, rainbows and mist-draped castles.

Actual visions of the country might not include a leprechaun and their overflowing pots of gold, but Ireland lives up to imaginations in the castle department.

For the traveler in search of refuge, many of those former Norman fortresses open up their doors and allow guests to sleep in their imaginations for the night.

The hundreds of years of history, the isolation and even a few ghost stories are all included in the room rate.

These Irish castles have transitioned from defensive strongholds to hospitable settings.

For a honeymoon in Ireland, a wedding venue or even just a luxurious getaway, travelers should consider resting up in these pieces of Irish history.

Ashford Castle

Photo By bobfamiliar

When you want to get away from the world, you might as well head to Ashford Castle on Ireland’s western edges.

Set up on over 350 acres of wooded parkland, the 13^th century castle feels like it hasn’t been touched since its beginnings.

The Anglo-Norman De Burgo family founded the castle in 1228.

It would become their principal stronghold for a time until it changed hands and ultimately fell into the beer soaked fingers of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness in 1852.

It wasn’t until 1939 that Ashford Castle would open up its doors to travelers in search of opulent shelter.

If Guinness is good for you, so too is the family’s former estate.

Ashford has that bubble surrounding it, one that seems impenetrable from chaos and harm.

With its backdrop of forests, lakes and mountains, guests check into the classic style rooms for the escapism.

Each room boasts its own touches, straying away from the cookie-cutter approach to most hotels.

Included in the room rate are the creaks of the floors and the chance to marvel at oil paintings that probably should be in museums.

Ashford Castle lends a number of activities for guests to take advantage on its grounds facing Lough Corrib.

You can play golf or shoot at clay pigeons.

Just beyond the castle’s grounds is the postcard perfect town of Cong.

The village was the setting for The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.

The film almost single handedly opened up the floodgates of Americans to discover what Ireland was all about.

Ballygally Castle

Photo By Philandthehounds

The landscape up on Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast is one of mist covered glens and causeways seemingly built by giants.

Resting up for the night in this setting comes with both history and legend.

Ballygally Castle positions on the scenic Antrim Coast.

The castle from 1625 gazes out on the sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay as it ponders its story.

James Shaw, a Scot looking for fortune in Ireland, constructed the now castle hotel.

Historians explain Ballygally Castle as a place of defense and residence in its early years.

It also functioned as a refuge for Protestants during civil wars.

By the 1950s, Ballygally Castle would transition into the role of hotel.

Renovated over the years, the castle features 44 bedrooms with a contemporary style.

However its older features are maintained throughout several turreted bedrooms.

If you prefer your luxury vacation to have a hint of legends and spirits, Ballygally Castle throws in the ghosts without an extra charge.

Shaw’s wife Isabella reportedly haunts the place, specifically in the appropriately named Ghost Room located in one of the oldest parts of the castle.

With ghost stories stretching across 400 years and its positioning on the tip of one of the world’s greatest road journeys, it is easy to see why hiding away in this Irish castle ticks all of the marks.

The setting compliments the spirit of the 17^th century building.

Waterford Castle

Photo By Matt and Kim Rudge

The combination of both historic castle and island is incomparable.

Waterford Castle proudly positions on an estuary of the River Suir, just one mile down the river from Waterford City.

In order to reach this castle hotel, you must board the private ferry service between the city and the island.

Perhaps no other castle hotel in Ireland lends quite the level of seclusion for a vacation away than Waterford Castle.

The island’s life dates between the sixth and eight centuries when a monastic settlement was found on the grounds.

It would fall into the hands of the English Earl of Pembroke and cousin of Strongbow, Maurice Fitzgerald.

He would construct the first structure on the island, a Norman Keep.

Additions to the castle were made from 1849 to 1895.

Over the course of its time with the Fitzgerald family, the castle played host to a number of feasts and banquets.

By 1987, the Waterford Castle would turn into a luxury hotel.

The luxury hotel keeps things intimate with just 19 guest rooms.

Suites are decorated with antique furnishings, Waterford crystal lamps, four poster beds and even marble fireplaces in some cases.

Guests have 310 acres of private island to explore on any number of nature trails.

You can pack a picnic and spot the wildlife on the island, which includes badgers and deer.

It isn’t hard to envision a Fitzgerald resting up for the night in a neighboring room at the Waterford Castle.

The mix of history and seclusion lends an Irish experience that you won’t find available for a good night’s sleep in most cases.

Dromoland Castle

Photo By JessyeAnne

It’s not everyday that one has the chance to rest up in a former home of Irish royalty.

Dromoland Castle sounds fictitious in name and description but it is not a figment of the imagination.

The castle boasts a history dating back to the 5^th century.

It was the ancestral home of the O’Briens, direct descendants of Brian Borun, High King of Ireland.

The O’Briens were one of the few native Gaelic families of royal blood.

Just 8 miles from Shannon Airport in County Clare, the estate presents itself in grand fashion with a meandering drive that approaches the grounds dramatically.

Hundreds of acres of magnificent lawns beckon the traveler in search of the Ireland of their imaginations.

Overlooking the golf course and sparkling lake, guests catch some ancient Zs throughout rooms decorated with old world elegance.

While all of the contemporary luxuries are readily available, you have the chance to play the part of an O’Brien by sleeping in the Queen Anne quadrangle of the hotel.

Sir Edward O’Brien built this section of 28 rooms in 1736.

The space of the castle prides itself on being a century older than the rest of five star hotels in Ireland.

Activities at Dromoland Castle range from hunting, fishing, horseback riding, golf, tennis and soaking up the spa.

Guests can also request fresh flowers, handmade chocolates and champagne to their rooms to truly feel like Irish royalty.

Dromoland Castle is famously known as one of Ireland’s best five star hotels.

Kinnitty Castle

By IrishFireside

Located in the village of Kinnitty in County Offaly in the Irish Midlands, Kinnitty Castle offers a taste of the 13^th century.

Basking in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Ireland’s Midlands, the castle has foundations in a 1213 Norman castle.

While destroyed in a fire in the 1920s, the castle was rebuilt in keeping with a neo gothic style.

Kinnitty Castle lords over 650 acres of parkland, lending a truly serene Irish castle experience.

The 37 guest rooms adorn in high ceilings, cast iron roll top baths and original features in keeping with the period of the property.

Guided historical tours of Kinnitty Castle are offered along with plenty of activities like fishing, clay pigeon shooting and walks.

Then again, Kinnitty Castle is just the sort of place where one might find relaxing by an open fire of which unquestionably can pass the day.

Photo By billfromesm

The drive up to these castles is sure to cause mouths to drop in wonder.

A hotel could just be a hotel, but in Ireland, travelers in search of a little luxury will find a hotel can be a grand medieval castle, a standing testament to time.

And while a great deal is included in the room rate from antique covered rooms to classic activities that the former owners would probably appreciate, visions of leprechauns and pots of gold might cost extra.

Have you stayed in an Irish castle?

Tell us about your trip back in time below!

About the Author

Jan 27

5 Most Glamorous Wedding Destinations

January 27th, 2013 - By Josh Lew

All would-be newlyweds want their wedding to be perfect.

But the definition of perfection differs from couple to couple.

For most people, though, glamour must be part of the equation for a “dream wedding.”

Luxurious surroundings, a touch of exotic-ness, and plenty of style can bring a sense of glamour to any celebration.

If you want to be certain that your wedding is a stylish affair, you can choose one of the world’s best places for a glamorous destination wedding.

Searching for the perfectly glamorous destination for your wedding? Here are five worthwhile options…

1. The Caribbean

image via Lenny Baker

The Caribbean region contains many islands that are the very definition of “tropical idyll.”

Palm-fringed, beach-side villas can host a wedding that will feel both casual and extremely stylish and unique.

You needn’t head to some small, out of the way island to find these kinds of wedding venues.

It isn’t even necessary to leave the US.

Places like the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have both modern and historic estates that can host weddings.

If you choose one of these islands, your guests won’t even have to bring their passports.

2. Bali

image via Estate Weddings and Events

Bali is one of the world’s most famous island destinations.

Yes, it is more far-flung and harder to get to than the Caribbean.

But if you are looking for tropical landscapes and want your wedding to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, this Indonesian island is certainly worth considering.

Luxurious Balinese estates can give your wedding a sense of glamour, while the lush and utterly exotic surroundings will bring romance and unmatchable ambiance to your special celebrations.

Even if you don’t choose Bali for your wedding, it is certainly a great choice for a honeymoon.

3. New York City

image via Estate Weddings and Events

New York City is one of the world’s most famous metropolises.

It boasts amazing wedding venues that range from classic ballrooms to luxurious penthouse event spaces.

The bright lights and big city attractions of Gotham provide their own sense of romance, while the estates that host weddings in NYC are undeniably glamorous.

If you think that looking out over the skyline of the world’s greatest city with your new spouse is the perfect highlight for your wedding day, then a destination wedding in Manhattan is certainly worth considering.

4. Santa Barbara

Luxury Private Estate Wedding Venues in California

image via Estate Weddings and Events

California is home to some of the most attractive destination wedding venues in the US.

Santa Barbara, a favorite vacation destination for celebrities, is arguably one of the most glamorous places in the Golden State to tie the knot.

Sometimes referred to as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara boasts always-perfect weather and historic Spanish architecture, which really give it a strong sense of romance.

Luxurious estates near the water or in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s wine country provide the perfect setting for a stylish and special celebration.

5. Spain

image via Bogdan Migulski

Europeans are very aware of the charms of Mediterranean Spain.

This region of Iberia is a popular vacation destination for sun-seekers from all over the world.

Beach-side villas and historic estates in Barcelona and the surrounding area are the perfect place to tap into the stylish charms of Spain.

These luxurious event venues can provide a sense of glamour and culture that is just not available in most destinations.

Tell us what places we should add to our list of the most glamorous wedding destinations…

About the Author

Josh is a freelance writer whose articles about travel and culture have appeared on Mother Nature Network, CNN.com, and, of course, the Estate Weddings and Events blog. He has traveled all around the US and East Asia, but is just as happy at home with a cup of coffee (or a quality microbrew) and reruns of Mad Men or 30 Rock. You can connect with him via LinkedIn or Google+.

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Jan 4

EWE featured in the New York Times and Baltimore Sun

January 4th, 2013 - By Claire Lewis

Private Estates for Rent

Estate Weddings and Events has been featured in two prominent publications over the last two weeks and we’re excited to share them with you!

Pick up a copy of the New York Times this Sunday, January 6th and you’ll find this great article in the Style Section regarding “Renting Someone Else’s Home for a Dream Wedding.”

If you don’t pick up a copy, be sure to check out the online version here!

A quick sneak peak at the article:

After browsing through dozens of homes and estates in Southern California at estateweddingsandevents.com, Ms. Giovannelli visited and booked her dream location: the Emma Estate, a four-bedroom Tuscan-style ranch on three lushly landscaped acres in Rancho Santa Fe.

“I could create what I wanted, instead of adapting what I wanted to a venue,” she said. “It felt elegant and comfortable and intimate. It’s like hosting people in your home.”

The 115 guests entered the house at the Sept. 29 wedding through the double-height foyer, peeking at the living room, dining room and den on their way out French doors to the ceremony by the rose garden. After cocktails on the patio by the pool, spa and outdoor fireplace, guests crossed a lawn lighted by lanterns to a tent for dinner and dancing.

Emma Estate in San Diego

Another fabulous feature “Ritzy and for Rent: Grand Residences in Demand for Events, Weddings“ was published December 21st in the Baltimore Sun.

Some highlights include:

One company that handles such rentals is Estate Weddings & Events, which has become a key online resource for luxury private estates worldwide that are available for weddings, events, and corporate retreats.

Owner and executive director Jamie Ehrsam founded the company in 2007, after cutting her teeth as a wedding and events coordinator.

Ehrsam explains that she found many beautiful event venues, but quickly realized there were few luxurious, exclusive sites without time limits, tourists, or traditional banquet hall constraints.

“Many brides were looking for something out of the box. They didn’t want the typical venue or hotel ballroom,” she says.

An idea was born: Ehrsam figured she could organize the array of private homes and estates that were available, and help clients find ideal settings for the exclusive events they envisioned.

“At the time there were lots of luxury estates on the market due to the recession,” she explains. “I began reaching out to Realtors, and the word of mouth grew.”

Today, the California-based operation has hundreds of listings across the country and globally, including in the Caribbean, Thailand and Australia.

Kentlands Mansion in Maryland

For more information on listing your home, please contact us here.

If you are looking for a venue for your wedding or private event, browse our current estates here.

Let us know that you found us by reading the New York Times article or Baltimore Sun feature!

About the Author

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