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Event -
Weddings
- Wedding Theme Ideas
- Holiday Wedding
Ideas
Holiday Wedding Ideas
Today we'd like to speak with you
about holiday weddings. Lots of folks think they're the cat's meow, ...
but are they all that they're cracked up to be?
This is the time of year when catering establishments are loaded with
holiday parties of all kinds, for all types of clients, not just brides-
and grooms-to-be. This is "the season to be merry...." but is it the
best time to have a wedding?
Those of you who live in those parts of the country (and the world)
where the weather could put a damper on your plans, know that it's best
NOT to try to fool Mother Nature. After all, weddings are just too
expensive to take chances. A blizzard means that your catering property
could shut down and your florist, for example, may not be able to
deliver your flowers. And even more devastating, your out-of-town family
and friends, who are so near-and-dear to you, might not make it. A real
heart-breaker!
And then there's the expense. Vendors and venues charge more during this
time of sugar plums because they book fast and as previously mentioned,
not just for weddings. They can pick and choose the parties they'd like
to have and chances are there's a waiting line for cancellations. This
means you'll pay more, the same for vendors.
And what about TENDER LOVING CARE? That's an important factor. Who wants
to have a wedding when a catering property's only concern is how many
hams they should make and turkeys they should stuff? Where the wait
staff is so exhausted from working seven days a week, that your wedding
is a second priority? Or the florist has delivered so many holiday
flowers that your wedding flowers look a little limp? Or your band or DJ
has played at so many holiday parties that they're hoarse by the time
your wedding rolls around?
Sorry to take the HO! HO! HO! out of HOliday weddings... but Christmas
and Chanukah come every year. A wedding only comes once!
Still want to plan your wedding around a holiday? If so, here are some
tips.
Holiday
Wedding Tips
Plan Ahead
Some reception facilities charge an
additional fee for use of their facility on popular holidays and
hotels may charge your guests a higher room rate.
Be Considerate of Guests
Notify family and friends as early
as possible so that they can save the date and make travel
reservations early. If you are planning a winter wedding, be sure
that your guests allow a day or two travel cushion for weather and
airport delays.
Consider the Cost
Valentine's Day is one of the most
popular holidays on which to wed. Valentine's Day is also one of
the busiest days of the year for florists. If you choose to marry
on Valentine's Day, you may have difficulty securing a florist and
the flowers may have been assembled several days in advance. The
cost of flowers get higher, starting 2 - 3 weeks before
Valentine's Day and extend to 1 week after. Other holidays like: Christmas, New Year's, and
Mother's Day will also bring higher prices for flowers.
Use the Holiday to Your Advantage
The key to pulling off a coordinated
event: Evoke your theme throughout the affair. Whether that theme is as
general as a season or a feeling, or as specific as a special flower, it should be the subtle thread that ties
everything together. Your location, invitations, flowers, menu,
cake, and favors should all cleverly reflect one common concept.
Then, get as creative as you can!
If you choose to marry near
a Holiday, many facilities may already be decorated. Assuming the colors and decorations fit your taste,
this may reduce your decorating cost.
If you are planning a wedding for Christmas time, instead of doing
everything in red and green, select
linens
in silver or gold satin. Or, if a "winter wonderland" theme in
all-white velvet sounds good to you, go for it.
Have your florist design
centerpieces with materials naturally available at this time of year: pine
and evergreens, holly, and bayberry.
Give Christmas ornaments as
favors, or candy canes tied with silver or gold ribbon.
Serve a holiday-inspired menu,
complete with peppermint ice cream alongside your wedding cake and have
your caterer serve eggnog punch, cinnamon-sprinkled hot chocolate, and
flavored coffees with your wedding cake.
Have the band mix a Christmas
jingle or two in with the regular songs throughout the night.
Send your guests off into the
chilly night by lining the sidewalk with luminaries to bid them a warm
farewell.
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