Trendy Wednesday: Illuminate the Night

Trendy Wednesday: Jenna Paniccia

There is something magical about a room full of flickering candles. Candles add warmth, comfort, and love to a wedding ceremony and reception.

Votive candles are a wonderful touch to any space. These money savers can adorn big glass windows, can be placed as accent pieces amongst pictures and flowers, and can even illuminate bigger focal pieces such as guest favors, photo books, and of course the wedding cake! By using votives amongst all the other design details of your big day you’re allowing the venue to become warm and inviting for guests. Votive candles are also wonderful for outdoor lawn space. An evening wedding can have a backdrop of glistening candles… how spectacular!

From more of a design aspect you can illuminate your venue with different types of candles adorning the reception tables. Using floating candles, intricate candlesticks, and candelabras can bring your reception area to another level. I love the idea of a long table with floral arrangements and candles running down the center. This creates an inviting space that is exceptionally appealing to the eye.

Keep in mind that all the candles and candle holders can be unique. Adding variety helps when everything else in the design is very uniform.

Also, remember money-saving tips. If your ceremony is outside bring the candles in for your reception. There’s no need to buy bulk of something that is very reusable. In the end those extra dollars add up!

Photo Credit: weddinggirl.ca, unitedwithlove.com, rrlumin.com, weddingsromantique.com, bedgetbridesguide.com, weddbook.com, theknot.com

How To – Outdoor Wedding

How To by Jennifer Crone

It’s summer time and wherever you are there’s nothing better than enjoying the weather by being outside. How lovely to have an outdoor ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception spring through fall. But how do you deal with mother nature’s unpredictable ways? Here’s How To:

• Tent it! Some couples want everything au natural, and while I’m a nature lover myself, you must plan ahead and think about the logistics. Depending on the time of year and location of your event, it’s very likely that bugs could swarm around your food, and there’s nothing chic about that. Also in spring and early fall showers and wind are likely, so protect your guests, your food, and your rentals with a tent. Check out my article on venues for links to amazing tents. Trust me, a tent is your best insurance policy for an outdoor event.
  

  iTiki Torches

• Be sure to add a note about your wedding being outdoors in your invitation so that guests know that if your wedding’s on the beach or in open soil they shouldn’t wear their heels. If they’re aware they will dress properly and be comfortable in the surroundings you’ve chosen.
• Cool them down or heat them up! If your wedding is in the middle of the summer you want to assure that your guests are cool, so affix ceiling fans to your tent for a nice breeze. If your having fall nuptials consider renting heaters so no one’s too cold. You don’t want your guests to be your something blue!
• Another way to fight bugs is citronella candles, but who wants their wedding scent to be citronella? Choose tiki torches to put around the perimeter of the area to build a shield but not to overpower with smell. Check out these super cute tiki torches in chic designs to compliment any decor–no bamboo here!
• A lot of outdoor venues are plenty beautiful without a lot of decor, but there are also some unique things you can do that can’t be done in an indoor venue. My favorite is lighting up trees. Use small Christmas lights in white to wrap around branches, hang hurricane lanterns or tea lights for a romantic candle lit feel or use paper lanterns for a mod glow.

How To – Choose Your Venue

How To by Jennifer Crone

There are many ways to get married and there are many places to do it. The first step after the ring’s on the finger is choosing your venue. Let’s alleviate some of that stress by discussing what venue is right for you. Here’s How To:

• Church: Having your ceremony at a church is the most traditional way to exchange vows and of course incorporates religious elements. If you and your fiance are of the same faith and that’s important to you and your family, a church ceremony is probably for you. A church venue can be anything from a small one room church or temple in your hometown or St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the heart of Manhattan! How you choose to decorate and what you make of the space can transform a church, so keep that in mind when you’re looking at venues. Sometimes the space is so beautiful all you need is yourself and your groom to complete the look.

• Outdoors: Getting married outdoors can be gorgeous! Whether a park, barn, backyard, vineyard, beach or garden, there’s nothing like nature as the backdrop of your day. An outdoor wedding will usually feel a bit more intimate and a little less formal. If this sounds like you you should consider an outdoor wedding. If it’s late spring or early to mid summer have your ceremony and reception in the daytime, let it fall right at sunset, or have nighttime nuptials under the stars: just be sure to light up your space with lanterns or luminaries. If you’re worried about the weather, either too hot or too cold, check out these beautiful tents and choose a color and style to match your decor. For a fall wedding don’t forget the space heaters!

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  America History Museum

  Historical landmark: Let your venue be your something old by getting married or having your reception at a historical venue. If you and your other are history buffs or love all things old, this is the venue for you. Think mansions, museums, and antique hotels – Who wouldn’t love a wedding at The Plaza?! Try Locusts on Hudson for a throwback to the romance of the 18th century    or dance on the ocean floor at the American History Museum.

• More: If you and your fiance are foodies consider a wedding at your favorite restaurant. If the most important element is family choose a loved one’s home for an intimate gathering. To think outside the box explore options like renting out a movie theater, a boat or a yacht.

Most importantly, choose a venue you love upon first sight. If you want to change everything, that’s not a good sign, and let me tell you it’s not going to be cheap! Get married in a venue that has meaning to you and your groom and you won’t regret it. And ask your planner! We know venues inside and out and can be an invaluable tool in helping make the list before ever leaving the house!