Wedding Receptions Can be Fun!

Your wedding reception is the first and probably the largest party you will ever host as husband and wife. So think about what is important when you plan a great party – great guests (that is a given, after all they are your friends and family!), great food and tons of fun! So wow your guests with beautiful décor when they walk in and then feed them the best dinner that you can afford but don’t forget about what happens the rest of the night. Wedding receptions are much more than just cutting the cake and throwing the bouquet and garter. The best receptions that I have been to this year are those that gave the guests lots of activities in which to participate during the evening. Make sure you have a qualified professional DJ or band to get the mood set with music and to get the party guests up and dancing but don’t forget that everyone needs a break now and then and also not everyone is a dancer. So some of my favorite guest activities of this year have been:

Photo booths – Get a photo booth that fits more people than one of two so that your guests can take multiple pictures with each other. Find out if your photobooth company provides props ( hats, wigs, boas, masks, - get creative). Some of the professionals I have worked with set up an entire table and hat rack full of creative possibilities to help your wedding guests in the mood for fun. Obviously it worked for me and a couple of other crazy One of a Kind staff members at Holly and Dave's wedding this summer!  Then choose the option of having a scrapbook where the guests take one photo strip with them and place the other in the scrapbook for you, even adding a line or two of best wished beside their pictures. These photo strips can also serve as your favors and are a lot more fun for your guests than a votive candle with your names on it!



If you want more edible wedding favors then you may opt for the interactive candy bar. Wedding guests LOVE these as they get to choose their favorite goodies to take home with them or eat while they enjoy the evening. This is another place that you can personalize your wedding theme and décor. Below are three very different candy bars that have been featured at our Indiana weddings. From the cool soft ivory and white shades with a touch of blue and very ornate cookies and pops, to the bold orange and hot pink and chocolate, to a table full of all their favorite candies, each of these reflects the bride and groom’s personalities and give a “sweet treat” in celebration of their love.

Hot pink and orange "Love is Sweet" with gerbera daisy trim featuring pink and orange carmel corn, orange covered malted milk balls,  raspberry and orange filled South Bend Chocolates and other decadent favorites

All the fun favorite from Tootsie Rolls, Skittles, M&Ms, Jolly Ranchers, Orange Slices, Spiral Suckers, and more (fill in with your favorites!!)- all set to be placed in small chinese take out containers to go!







 
An elegant all white/ivory and blue candy bar featuring white M&Ms, yogurt covered raisins, white chocolate covered Oreos, Salt Water Taffy,
white chocolate covered pretzels, Jordan Almonds, cake pops, and intricately decorated pretzel sticks and cookies! See the detail shots below!! A great feast for all the guests - they LOVED it!!!!

Make sure you think about your guests at your party and plan some FUN for you and them. They will remember this party for years to come!!!

Wedding Flowers and Color Trends for 2012

I am often asked by brides what I see for colors in wedding flowers and décor for the coming couple of years. This year was a year of shades of purple – from lavender to lapis in bridesmaids dresses as well as flowers and decorations. While I believe that we will still see many purple accents for 2012, next year will be the year of shades of blue. We have had some beautiful Fort Wayne weddings ahead of the blue trend this summer and fall. Our bridesmaids have looked gorgeous in gowns of deep navy, royal and horizon. Or mix in a touch of green and you will get great shades of teal, turquoise and pool. These blue gowns have been accented with wedding bouquets in great color combinations of navy, yellow and white and navy and pink. The turquoise and teal gowns have been accented in their favorite purple flowers with a touch of green or very natural green and white bouquets for great wedding photographs. For a softer look, choose simple gowns for bridesmaids in shades of tan, ivory, or taupe and have them carry bouquets of soft blue hydrangea.

Blue is a cool color and psycholocially makes us feel relaxed and comfortable. In the midst of crazy wedding planning, how great would it be to be able to relax and take some of the stress off! Also, blue is a color that goes well with all skin tones. Navy is becoming the new black, where brides don’t want to go all the way to black gowns, but navy dresses can be worn again and are very slimming on many figures. So as you are planning your wedding flowers and color scheme, think blue!

The other trend we see coming from the celebrity weddings of 2011 – the Royal Wedding and the Kardashian’s opulent affair is the luxury of all white. You need to be a little bit more daring to follow this trend all the way by putting your entire wedding party in white but it can be the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Think of how great Kate’s sister Pippa looked in her white gown with all the little flower girls walking down the aisle of Westminster Abbey. The formality of black tie affairs are definitely back and there is nothing classier than all black and white. But if you are a little leery of having everyone in white gowns, then choose a dark tone in dresses and tuxes (black, navy or chocolate) or tans and ivory in attire and then do all of your wedding flowers and décor in shades of white and ivory. There are a wide variety of white blossoms available in all shapes and sizes and in all seasons . Whenever you choose to go all in one color make sure that you include different textures and materials to give you interest and style. So if a elegant, luxurious wedding is what you are looking for, think white and those classic photographs will be as elegant on your 50th anniversary as they are on your wedding day.

The Total Package!

What awesome weddings we have had the past few weekends!! One that particularly stood out was a four day event focused on the guests. Weddings are thought of as a day that is all about the bride and groom. But if you really think about it, isn't it just as much for the loved ones that are witnesses to the two people committing themselves to one another? This bride did an amazing job at making those guests, and especially the out of town guests feel welcome and comfortable for a weekend that was just as sweet as the couple.

the entry. plan b.

I used to think I had the absolute perfect wedding day pictured out. I didn’t know all of the details, but I had a general atmosphere I wanted to share with my guests. I think most brides feel this way. It’s just what we do as little girls…we dream. As I was helping coordinate a wedding, I saw a bride’s dream. It was overlooking the lake on a quiet evening. Lanterns were strung across the ceiling of a grand tent, hovering over numerous tables that were adorned with lush flowers and lights. A short while later, I saw it flying across the field, and toppling onto the saturated ground. The wind and rain in just a few short minutes, created a demolition site. In a panic, I looked to my boss. Guests were about to arrive, and we were back at square one. As the rainstorm died, my hope came to life. It was our job to make it the best and most beautiful day of her life. As guests arrived, the true essence of what family is showed through.  Bridesmaids replaced linens, guests helped place centerpieces, groomsmen hung soggy lanterns and wiped off chairs. It was her day. We had to reinforce plan b. It wasn’t her dream, nor what she wanted. However, she was marrying her best friend, and that’s all that mattered. As I walked away from that tent that night with wet hair, I realized there was a lesson involved. Maybe our “plan” doesn’t really matter. Maybe obsessing over every detail isn’t as efficient as we think. Maybe we need to step back, and appreciate the important things in life a little more often. Isn’t that what really matters? A marriage is bond between a man and woman in good times and bad. We love every aspect of our partner, even when times are down. When that tent was down, we had each other to be thankful, and a couple ready to show they were in it for the sunshine, as well as the stormy weather.

the entry. caitlin.

This is the entry. Who am I? I am merely a broke, stressed college student doing what I love.  I take on a little more than I can handle. I have high standards, and have learned to have low expectations. I believe, trust, and love in a higher power that is bigger and more amazing than anything I could ever dream of. I think that any negative experience is a blessing. Not only is it a lesson learned, but an opportunity to create something positive. I believe that if you want great things and you want to do great things, there needs to be great risk involved. I know everything happens for a reason. I want to be a loving wife and very involved mother someday. I aspire to be an event planner that exhibits my best qualities and sets me apart. I don’t mind that I do things differently. I prefer it actually. I think a temper is necessary sometimes. I suppose that smiling and saying, “thank you” needs to be done more often. I am still growing and learning. Please teach me something?  An entry of my life. An entry to my life. This is me, Caitlin R. Turner. 

 

 

Hey! I am Caitlin, One of a Kind Events' intern! I am a Junior at Indiana University Purdue University, Fort Wayne studying Hospitality Management. My area of interest is event planning. However, a better word would be area of obsession or passion. I will be guest-blogging on the One of a Kind Events' page talking about my experiences as a busy college student while also getting to do what I love-working with brides and coordinating weddings! I juggle my time between classes, my internship, and also another job at Charlotte Russe. I love every second of it. I called my blog, "the entry" as it not only serves as a blog entry, but also the entryway to my perspective. More importantly, I aspire to inspire and help create the perfect day you envisioned.