Category: Uncategorized

By: Kayla Rigler

Bridesmaids, this is your time to shine! This is your time to take the reigns and plan shower for the bride. The bride has more than likely given her life to planning this wedding and she has probably enlisted your help in a lot of stuff, but it’s your turn to do all the leg work. This won’t be a cheap excursion, but it doesn’t have to be über expensive either. Anyone can plan a shower, but will you plan the best bridal shower ever?

Bridal Shower Basics

A bridal shower is a time to shower the bride in gifts in anticipation for her big day. Not only will you shower her with gifts, but more than likely there will be tons of girl talk and marital advice. The bridal shower is a party headed by the maid of honor and assisted by the bridesmaids. TIP: Make this party as personal as you can for your guest of honor!

Outreach

Not sure where to start? Reach out to all the bridesmaids in the wedding party. Include the groomsmen and coordinate with the best man about the bachelor party. This conversation can help you plan accordingly for the bachelorette party (yes, this is your responsibility too!) Bridesmaids may have ideas as well, so keep an ear out! You never know what you’ll find.

Ask the Maids

Along with the outreach and plans, you’re going to want help achieving what needs to be done for the actual shower. You won’t want to do it all on your own. Most bridesmaids will offer physical and monetary assistance. Who better to ask than your maids? You’ve asked their opinions, now ask for their help!

The Guests

Be considerate of the guests. This may sound silly since the party is about showering the bride with love and presents, but be mindful of the guests too. Occasionally there are inappropriate games or presents at the shower. This can be fun, but don’t let grandma leave thinking you’re distasteful.

Additionally, consider the number of guests you have for the venue you’ve booked for the event. Just like a wedding, certain venues might have a minimum or a maximum number of guests allowed… Be sure to ask!

Pro tip: Don’t invite anyone to the shower that isn’t on the guest list for the wedding.

Pick a Theme

Having a theme shower can make the party all the more fun. After you’ve got some plans thought out, place them all together and chat with the other maids. Give them the option to help with setting the plans. The more involved they are, the easier everything will be for you. Remember, the shower does not have to match the wedding, but make them cohesive. It will show the bride that you’ve put a lot of time and effort into it.

Games

Games (or an activity) elevate bridal showers. If you’re set on having inappropriate games, save them for the bachelorette party. There are countless games that the bride could benefit from in the long run. Interactive games are a blast!

Consider other activities as well! Stand out and make this an event that guests won’t forget!

Munchies

Ensure there are snacks to have during. The party won’t last much over a few hours, but during that time your guests may get hungry, especially if it falls over a meal time. You don’t have to provide a three-course meal with dessert. Snack foods work well.

Favors

Be sure that the favors that you give are constant reminders of the bride and her big day. Candy is a great, cheap favor, but face it… That is gone shortly after it is given. So what can you share that will cause them to think of the bride?

Growing with Love

Seeds or flowers are great to give. For those that don’t have a green thumb, give guests a plant that is already potted. If you’ve got a budget that doesn’t fit but totally love the ‘growing with love’ idea, give out seeds with a personalized label!

Sparkling With Love

What could leave you sparkling with love, other than being in love? Nail polish, of course! Many women enjoy that fresh coat of polish! The cool thing about this favor? They can wear it to the wedding! Add a cute tag to the bottle like this one.

Overflowing With Love

You’ve probably heard the Psalm 23:5, “My cup runneth over”… Well, why not give an etched glass to each guest? Each time they drink out of that glass, they’ll remember celebrating with the bride in anticipation for her big day!

Having Trouble?

Think outside the box. You don’t have to have a shower with games and favors. There are other options out there for a shower. They may be a bit more pricey but may be a shower that goes down in history.

Go Make Pottery

Making pottery can be a blast! What’s cool about this is, guests will be able to give their piece to the bride or can keep it for their self!

Make Jewelry For The Wedding

The bridal shower is before the wedding so this is a great opportunity to find a jewelry making class to either make the jewelry that will be worn in the wedding or maybe your guests will wear them to the wedding. Either way, cute jewelry will be involved.

Do a Painting Class

We constantly see those pretty, homemade paintings that usually include a glass of wine. Sit back and paint a picture to keep in your house. For the bride, she will be able to look at that painting and be reminded of what a blast her bridal shower was.

A bridal shower should be fit for the bride. Each shower will be different because each bride is different, but most of the time, each shower is the same in its own way. Don’t bring the hammer down hard on yourself as this isn’t rocket science. The maid of honor is in charge of planning such events and the maids are there to help with anything else. This particular group should know who the bride is; What a better way to plan than with people that know the bride the best? Happy planning!

By: Gennie Palmer

“The Barn Wedding” is for the creative and spirited romantic. You are that blissful bride and have planned an intimate and heartfelt way to celebrate your unique love. It is finally time to commit to that love with your dearest family members and friends in attendance—obviously, you wish everything to be perfect.

Wedding décor, picturesque views, dependable catering, and pleasant accommodations come into play on your big day. Chaumette Vineyards & Winery has a cozy and elegant wedding barn that is prepared for anything, so it will be an effortless day to say I DO! We care about our couples and have four insider tips on what to expect from a dream wedding barn venue.

Décor

There are many beautiful wedding barns to choose from in your search. You know what you want and deserve the decor to be tailored down to every harmonious detail. The problem? Many barns don’t have the correct structure and accouterments to make these details a reality. If you aren’t careful in your wedding venue choice, the wedding will cost much more time and money than you imagined.

Chaumette’s barn has two floors of generous open-space and a large covered patio where wedding guests can dance the night away. It also boasts a wraparound porch that overlooks gorgeous views of our vineyard and lakes. Our barn wedding venue is fully equipped with both an indoor and outdoor bar station so guests can easily grab a drink and mingle.

You won’t have to purchase pricey lighting or worry about electrical outlets because Chaumette’s barn wedding includes the crystal chandeliers and rustic bulb lights to brighten your night. There is also a variety of table centerpieces and wall accents we offer to couples for your big day. You are invited to bring almost anything to the barn to personalize your decor.

Views

Many barn venues you visit will have untamed wildlife and even domestic cows in a nearby pasture that can bring smells and unexpected emergencies. These troublesome happenings will steal away your important moments.

At Chaumette’s barn, there are only grape vines and the breathtaking views will enhance your wedding highlights. The wine barrels and vineyard transform the ordinary wedding day into a charming and whimsical celebration.

During the spring and summer months, your wedding guests will marvel at the blooming green foliage and dazzling pink sunsets that encompass the vineyard and lakes. In autumn, the colorful leaves will fall pristinely on the newly ripening grapevines as your friends and family gather near a bonfire. Winter brings snowflakes and pillows of snow that will dust the vines and frozen water, offering a fairy-tale view everyone will remember.

Catering

If the wedding barn you selected is off-the-beaten-path, you might have trouble finding a decent catering company to serve at the reception. Besides the narrow selection of caterers for a barn location, they will most likely charge a fee for the delivery distance. The long-distance caterer will sacrifice quality for the convenience of pre-made food and your reception can suffer the consequences.

At Chaumette, our Grapevine Grill Restaurant is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the wedding barn. Our seasonally inspired menu offers a variety of appetizers, savory main courses, and delectable desserts. Chaumette’s chef will prepare cuisine that is fresh and nourishing for you and your wedding guests to enjoy.

Let’s not forget the best perk of a vineyard barn wedding…the amazing wine selection!

Accommodations

Most authentic wedding barns are in rural areas and the accommodation options close by are limited. For out of town wedding guests, driving a far distance from a hotel to the wedding barn’s destination can be very inconvenient. This inconvenience not only dampens the wedding atmosphere but can lead to important guests being late or worse–Not arriving at all.

Chaumette’s enchanting property includes the wedding barn, the countryside church, and the Grapevine Grill Restaurant. In addition, your guests can book a stay at the sophisticated Chaumette Villas—furnished with comfortable beds and modern appliances. The pool and fitness center are only a few steps away. The Chaumette Villas have everything your guests need to feel energized and arrive at your wedding on time.

Keep in mind that this is a once in a lifetime moment and you deserve all wedding festivities to be extraordinary. Chaumette Vineyards & Winery has happily provided the cheerful and smooth experience every couple dreams of when planning a wedding and we would love to help you make your dream wedding come to life.

By: Naomi Shaw

Retreating to a destination that captures a couple’s shared interests or passions creates the most relaxing and romantic honeymoon hideaway to celebrate the first few days of wedded bliss. For couples who are wine connoisseurs at heart, relishing lush vineyards while sipping glasses of the finest vintage at a relaxing retreat in wine country embodies the ideal dream honeymoon.

Incredible wineries are located throughout the country and, of course, around the world. Get ready to take a virtual world wine tour, because we’re going to check out the best places to visit for incredible wine, romance and intoxicating fun!

Here are the top five honeymoon destinations that offer the perfect vintage for honeymooners:

Morocco: Yes, Morocco! African wineries are amazing treasures. In Morocco, Islam is widely practiced. And, like many religions, devout practitioners do not drink alcohol. However, grapes grow lusciously in the ideal climate, and many cities offer wine tours… including the city of Casablanca (yes, THAT Casablanca). Channel Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman enjoy the beautiful and insanely romantic exotic honeymoon destination while sampling the finest vintages of the country. And, according to travel site BootsnAll, Morocco is also one of the cheapest destinations to visit for wine tasting. Feeling extra adventurous after a glass or two? Take a camel ride on the beach in Essaouira.

Tuscany, Italy: Sit under the Tuscan sun and enjoy the wines of the region. Like France, Italy is one of the top producers of wine in the world, and Tuscany really specializes in reds. The views are amazing, and the food is unforgettable…it is, after all, Italy! Smaller wineries in the region will offer a more romantic and intimate setting for couples.

Reims, France: About 80 miles from Paris, Reims is home to the premier French champagne house. Taittinger, per Frommers, “is a grand marque of French champagne, one of the few still controlled by members of the family that founded it.” Tour the cellars and enjoy custom tastings of the finest champagne in the world.

Missouri Wine Country: The Midwest is home to many local wineries that are dotted along the fertile edges of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The varieties of wines offered by Missouri wineries are vast, and each winery yields its own unique and inviting atmosphere. Chaumette is known for catering to couples—especially those seeking a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. The view from the villas at Chaumette is breathtaking, and couples can enjoy sipping the latest vintage as they toast to the beginning of their new life together.

Napa Valley: Sunny California also is home to some of the best wineries in the country. Travel to the inviting vineyards of Sonoma for wine tasting and relaxation. Stay in luxury hotels, romantic and rugged retreats or opt for a cozy bed and breakfast that overlooks the vineyards. For fun, enjoy a hot air balloon ride or opt for an unforgettable ride on the Wine Train. Leave your mark on the valley and create your own personalized ‘love lock’ to secure on the Love Lock Bridge.

Toast to your future by celebrating the beginning of forever in perfect vintage splendor. And drink in the intoxication of love with a honeymoon getaway among the vineyards.

By: Naomi Shaw

For brides whose personalities lean towards quiet-tempered and introverted, wedding planning quickly can become a daunting task that pushes them far from the comfort zone. Meeting with florists, cake shops, clergy and serving as the guest-of-honor at bridal showers with all eyes focused on the attention weary bride escalates feelings of anxiety and nervousness.

The stereotype of Bridezilla—the bride who must control every detail and wreaks havoc when the tiniest minutiae unravels—reveals itself differently and perhaps unfairly in the introverted bride. While not craving the devoted attention of everyone and everything in her path, the quiet bride does require a bit more reassurance and can appear aloof or controlling because of anxiety.

Quiet, shy brides who favor the wall to mingling freely must not let anxiety take over the fun and happiness of wedding planning. Instead, focus on how to use a reserved demeanor as a tool in planning the ceremony and reception. Understand the individual comfort level of crowds and plan accordingly.

Scheduling Meetings with Vendors

Brides who are overwhelmed with large-group meetings should meet with vendors one-on-one or tag-team with the groom or a family member to have a familiar face in the meeting.

Introverts may struggle to make their voices heard and to advocate for what they want. Nothing is more important in the wedding that ensuring that the big picture is understood. If a vendor makes a suggestion that isn’t congruent to the big picture, then speak up. Communication is the key.

Brides with difficulty in speaking their minds will find it quite helpful to go into a meeting with the plans and general idea already outlined. Research flowers and which types are most appealing or meaningful and know the color scheme of bridesmaids so bouquets may be planned to complement the dress color. For cakes, discuss with the groom about different flavors and go in for a taste test. Agree on a few options and create layers of different flavors to appeal to a variety of taste buds.

Meeting with the Clergy and Pre-Marital Classes

Some religions require premarital classes to discuss religious views and allow the couple to work out and understand expectations of the marriage. Some classes involve large groups, while others might be one-on-one with the pastor, priest or clergy. Brides who feel overwhelmed by groups may always ask for private classes.

Deciding on Numbers

Shy brides might cower at the idea of walking down an aisle with hundreds of guests staring at her as she makes a grand entrance. Hosting a massive crowd is by no means a marital requirement. Discuss with the groom how many guests feel comfortable. Too many might also overwhelm a tight budget.

Many brides decide to take their wedding virtual via social media channels. Hosting a smaller wedding and live-streaming the ceremony pulls in guests while keeping the attendance crowd small for spotlight-dodging brides.

Some couples also cut down the guest list and plan a destination wedding with only a few close relatives and friends. Tight-knit and tender ceremonies can offer the most romance.

Showering Attention

While large weddings instill nervousness for introverts, wedding showers with a flood of guests also can up the anxiety. Shy brides might find the experience stomach turning, as all eyes fall on hands unwrapping presents. Many brides have pulled paper apart, hands shaking, and shyly trying to hide the nerves.

Keep parties like showers to a small guest list. To make sure guests aren’t unfairly omitted, divide showers up between families and friends. Most brides have more than one shower, so creating separate lists for co-workers, friends and families is perfectly acceptable.

Introverts are not natural attention seekers. Their shy personalities often keep them from taking the spotlight. Never plan a wedding that creates too much pressure or anxiety. Wedding planning should be enjoyable, and the wedding should create lifelong memories. Not foster nightmares.

About the Author: Naomi Shaw is a full-time freelance writer who focuses on parenting, education, food, crafting and DIY, mompreneurship, writing, and anything family focused. This working mom is married with three children living in sunny Southern California.

A lot of times brides and grooms get so caught up in the chaos of a wedding that they overlook small intimate wedding venues. They also forget the special day is supposed to be about them! They get so focused on trying to entertain their guests; they forget about the intimacy of a wedding. Here at Chaumette we take pride in helping brides and grooms plan their special day whether they want 20 people or 200+. We took the time to unveil to you what advantages our venues have to offer.

More options & Time with guests

When deciding to go with a smaller more intimate wedding venue you have many more options since you won’t need a large space to accommodate more people. A smaller guest list means more unique venues will be open to you, and here at Chaumette we have an experience unlike any other. When you want your wedding more personal, with a small crowd, our intimate wedding venues and event venues are often the ideal options for your event. The Barrel Room in the lower level of our Tasting Room provides an intimate venue for up to 60 guests interested in the unique ambiance of a private wine cellar. This candlelit setting is a cozy hideaway for guests to revel in a private celebration, such as a rehearsal dinner or a wine tasting reception and is available year round. Also, our Vineyard Gallery overlooks lush vineyards and spectacular views with seating up to 50 guests.

Less stress – More intimate

With smaller guest lists, the planning is not as time-consuming and is less stressful. It’s a lot easier to find the venue you want because you don’t have to worry about everyone fitting. Also, since you’re choosing to only invite close friends and family, you will have more time to converse with your guests. When you can touch base with everyone at your wedding and it will mean much more to you and your guests. Have you ever been to a wedding that’s so big you never even get to talk to the bride and groom? Smaller weddings aren’t like that. Most of what makes an intimate wedding venue more intimate is that you and your groom can have a few moments alone and have more time to spend with individual guests rather than floating around the reception for most of your night.

Save Money

Get an unforgettable experience without spending all your money. Choosing a smaller venue obviously comes with a smaller guest list and ultimately less money you end up spending. If you and your significant other cannot spend thousands of dollars on your wedding day – then don’t. When you want to put a down payment on a house think about your wants and needs rather than inviting every single person you know. Remember it’s YOUR day and no one else’s. You shouldn’t feel pressured to create your big day some extravagant event, especially when a more intimate one better fits your personalities.

Overall, with more intimate wedding venues you can have a wedding that people will remember. Because your wedding won’t be typical – the kind your guests have been to over and over again – your wedding is more likely to be remembered.

See what Intimate wedding venues Chaumette has to offer…

Interested in venue options at Chaumette? Contact our events team by calling 573-747-1000 or Events@chaumette.com

Your wedding day takes many months of planning and deciding on every detail can and will be tough. Nevertheless, the stress that comes along with wedding planning is inevitable (sorry to tell ya, ladies!). However, our expert wedding coordinators here at Chaumette have shared some pieces of wedding advice that will help ensure that your big day is one to remember.

Seating

Assign tables, not seats. Guests will know where to go and will feel more comfortable, and it is less stressful on you. Open seating is actually really stressful in the moment for the guests, the couple, and the staff around. It slows everything down.

When bringing your table assignments, make sure they are in alphabetical order, not grouped by table. I stress this wedding advice every chance I can get. Imagine being 1 of 100 people and having to find your name as it is randomly distributed by a table number you are not familiar with… it will take a while and you will be surrounded by 99 other people doing the same thing. Now imagine being 1 of 100 and walking up to a sign, and able to go straight to the first letter of your name to find your table. It will take you seconds and there won’t be a crowd of people around you because it took them seconds to find their names as well.

Organization

Use Excel or a similar program to keep your guest list organized. Have a column for the last name, first name, table number, age, if they have RSVP’d, if they are coming, if they can’t come, their address, phone number, and email address. Start this from the day you start your guest list. You can then use the sort feature to organize them for each task your encounter.

Keep it simple

Keep it simple and let your relationship be the focal point. Find the quirks in your relationship and show them off. Have a silly nickname for each other? Use it! If you call him stud muffin, then maybe serve muffins instead of cupcakes or cake. If the first present he bought you was a carnival ring with a fake sapphire, then consider making sapphire one of your colors. Find the things that are important to the two of you and use them. This above all else will make it your day and no one else’s.

Ask for help

One of the most important pieces of wedding advice that people are sometimes afraid of is to ask for help! Lots of your friends and family want to help. Let them. If you hire help, use them. Do whatever you can to turn the day over to those you have hired or those that want to help so you can just enjoy the day. You don’t want to be doing the decorating; you want to be able to walk into the room and in awe of how it came together while you were being pampered.

Remember it’s your day!

The last wedding advice we give to you, it that, after your ceremony, take 15 private moments to be married. You just joined your life with your best friend in front of so many witnesses. Take 15 minutes to get a drink and just be together and to let the stress and activity of the day fade into the background. Pick someone to stand by the door if you must, but do not let the photographer, parent, bridesmaid, or anyone other than you and your spouse be in that space for those 15 minutes. These will be the best part of your day, I guarantee it!

When it’s all said and done, your wedding day will be memorable no matter what. Don’t sweat the small stuff because in a month or year from now it won’t matter – what will matter is that you’re married!

What makes the perfect rustic themed wedding?

This is a question we get asked often. That is why we dug deep into our professional’s creative minds to find out what makes the perfect rustic themed wedding a memorable night. One Chaumette event coordinator said, “I love anything personalized and down to earth at the Barn. One of my favorite couples brought potato sacks and lawn games that were personalized to them. The potato sacks spelled out their last name and it made for something that all the guests could talk about and have fun doing.”

While fun personalized lawn games make for a great way for guests to mingle, personalized centerpieces are the perfect decorations for the barn. Our event coordinators add that “We love personalized centerpieces. In our barn venue you don’t need anything big and over the top, because you let the barn do your decorating, but adding personalized centerpieces, like photos of the couple, adds a lot to the feel of the day.”

One of the most important things that add the perfect touch to a rustic barn wedding feel is letting loose. We love when a bride and groom are completely relaxed and at ease in the Barn. When a bride is wearing flip-flops or cowgirl boots and has a relaxed hairstyle and the groom isn’t wearing a tie or coat, the day feels so much more THEIRS. The guests feel so much more comfortable and let their hair down. Those are the parties we always remember and it fits so well at the Barn.

Below, find a handy rustic wedding checklist to make your wedding planning a little easier! And remember, no matter which way you choose to decorate and entertain your guests on your big day, the Barn at Chaumette itself is sure to add the perfect rustic touch to your magical night! Interested in touring our barn wedding venue? Contact Events@chaumette.com or give us a call at 573-747-1000.

Kasey and Adam were married on our Barn lawn on June 2, 2012. We met Kasey about 13 weeks before her wedding. Some things had happened with her previous ceremony location causing her to look for a new location in what should be the final stages of planning. It was a pleasure to meet her and her family! We quickly went to work planning her wedding for our Barn! She was to be our second wedding in the Barn.

On the day of the wedding the normal thing started to happen (the part I always look forward to) items started arriving such as the cake, music, decorations and the flowers, oh the flowers!! I have NEVER in my life seen so many flowers!! They were beautiful! I don’t have a picture (yet) of the inside reception space, but there were flowers everywhere. She also added a very nice touch and brought in old-fashioned oil lamps for every table, I adored these! All of these things that are brought in really make a wedding unique. As of this day (at this point we have had four Barn weddings) each one of them have been. Sure some things have been similar but they are all so different, as different as each Bride is. One thing that seems to stay the same is the first dance has always been on the patio under the strung lights. Every one of the first dances has left me with a tear in my eye. The bride and groom danced to the song “The Greatest Sum” by the Avett Brothers.

Kasey and Adam chose to have their head table outside on the Patio. This turned out to be one of my favorite details about this wedding. It was the perfect backdrop for speeches as you will see in the pictures below.

I asked Kasey what her favorite moment of the day was and she had the following to say, “I don’t know if I can pick just one because everything was SO perfect. It was better than anything I could have expected. Exchanging our rings was funny because we both couldn’t get them on each other. The best man’s speech was HILARIOUS! (pic blow as well) I was not expecting Adam to break down dancing when he took off the garter, everyone was cracking up laughing. So many special things happened that day, I wish I could do it again.”

Wedding planning is an exciting time, but can also be stressful! Our goal here at Chaumette Vineyards & Winery is to remove as much of your stress as we can, so that you can relax and enjoy your day. We have provided this checklist to help you plan your wedding day.

GUESTS:

• Gather your guest list- how many guests are you inviting? Try to gather information on the following.
  • Any allergies or dietary restrictions?
  • How many children? (food and beverage pricing typically varies)
• Design and mail “Save the Dates” about six months before your wedding
  • Design and mail invites twelve weeks before your wedding
  • RSVP’s should be returned six weeks before your wedding
• Remind guests that they may be walking on gravel or grass so they can wear appropriate footwear if applicable.
  • Devise a seating chart
  • We strongly recommend assigning your guests to specific tables for ease of your guests
  • Seating chart/escort cards should be in alphabetized to easily find one’s name

FINANCIAL:

• Make a wedding budget
• Devise a payment schedule in your calendar (provided in your contract)

ACCOMMODATIONS:

• Arrange additional hotel block at a local hotel, if needed
• Consider shuttle service/ transportation options

HEALTH AND BEAUTY:

• Arrange hair and make-up appointments
  • Schedule a hair consultation
• Decide where you want to get ready

WEDDING DAY TIMELINE:

• Before the Ceremony
  • Arrange a refreshment station prior to your wedding ceremony for family, friends, and wedding party
• Photo Time (before and/or after ceremony?; Consider “magic hour”)
  • First Look
• Ceremony Start Time
• Bar Open (bar will open at the conclusion of ceremony)/Cocktail Hour Start
  • Receiving guests line
• Announcement, Welcome/Prayer, Toasts
• Dinner Service Begins
• Cake Cutting/Dessert Service/Dessert Bar Start Time Special Dances
• Special DancesBouquet
• Bouquet Toss, Garter Toss
• Late night snacks
• Last Call at Bar and Bar Close
• Conclusion of Event

CEREMONY:

• Find an officiant
  • Decide how you would like your ceremony to flow
  • What items will you need for your ceremony?
• Programs ~ design & print
• Décor: arbor/ wine barrels / florals / welcome sign / fansMusic- consider the musical piece(s) to be played
• Music- consider the musical piece(s) to be played
  • Seating of family
  • Processional of wedding party
  • Recessional Other?
• Unity Candle/something similar
• Flowers and/or other decorations
• Flower girl petals (real required for outdoor ceremonies. No dyes. Half dollar size or larger)
• Ring bearer pillow

DÉCOR:

• Ask for a mock room layout from your Event Coordinator
  • Think about what extra tables you will need and how you want them decorated (Gift table, Table Assignments, Cake Table etc.)
• Flowers
  • Centerpieces
  • Wedding Party
  • Ceremony
  • Gift, cake, and other non-guest tables
• Wedding Favors
• Gift Card Box
  • Provided by venue or supplied by you?
• Candles (some restrictions apply)Linens- white, ivory or black are provided in venue rental
• Linens- what colors are provided in venue rental?
  • Rent specialty linens if desired

WEDDING PARTY AND FAMILY:

• How many people are in your wedding party?
  • Order of your wedding party in ceremony
  • What type of head table would you like at your reception?
    •  Sweetheart table
    • Traditional head table (wedding party facing guests)
    • Dual side head table (often used to include spouses and dates of wedding party members)
    • No head table
• Order of wedding party at head table
• Will your wedding party’s spouses/dates be sitting at the head table also?

MENU:

• Menu Selection
  • Hors d’oeuvres
  • Entrée
  • Sides
  • Late Night Snacks
• Choose Menu Service Preference
  • Family-style
  • Plated
  • Buffet
• Dessert
  • cake/cupcakes/pies

PHOTOS:

• Design a “photos wanted” list and discuss with your photographer. This will help you and your photographer work efficiently on behalf of you, your family and friends.
• Consider photo locations and design a photo timeline/location schedule.
• Consider taking photos during “magic hour”, the hour before the sun sets.
• We strongly recommend serving hors d’oeuvres if you choose to take photos post-ceremony, considering guest travel time and implications of bar-only service.
• Consider a “Plan B” in case of rain, such as covered patios, and methods to protect attire from wet ground.

REHEARSAL AND REHEARSAL DINNER:

• Schedule rehearsal
• Discuss dining options with venue

VENDORS:

• Entertainment
• Flowers
• Cake
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Officiant
• Ceremony music

There you have it! Just about everything you need to consider when wedding planning. Have more to add to this list? Comment below!