Goodbye caricature artists and hello live painters! What a fantastic trend among us; this is one that I hope stays around for a long time. I have seen my fair share of quirky caricature artists at weddings and don’t get me wrong, they are a fun touch. However, the idea of hiring an artist to capture the action and the little moments is just priceless. In a culture where we are becoming more and more fascinated with the past and all things vintage, it seems like a fitting trend. I am not hating on this in ANY way! I think it is a fantastic keepsake from your wedding. Something that you can be proud to hang in your new house together as art!
Enjoy and happy planning!
Photo Provided by Paint your eventPhoto Provided by Ryan Ray PhotographyPhoto Provided by
Part two of our “just engaged” segment is all about choosing a wedding venue…which we feel we have superb knowledge in! So, the big proposal happened, you and your fiance (eek!…it’s still weird to say I know) have already had your engagement party and now it is time to get down to business! Choosing a wedding venue can be an overwhelming and exhausting process. But don’t fret! We are here to guide you through the process so that you stay on track and pick a venue that you are completely happy with.
Over the past ten years of our operation here at Glendalough Manor, we have seen a lot of couples come and go and obviously a bunch that have chosen Glendalough as their wedding venue and become part of our family forever! This has helped up to learn exactly what brides, grooms and their families are looking for and find most important while searching for the venue that fits them perfectly!
Photo Provided by Haley Hopkins Photography
Before you begin visiting or calling potential venues, be sure to prepare a rough guest list for your wedding as a good portion of your budget will be driven by your head count!
Do your homework! Before calling any venues, be sure to research the top wedding sites for reputable venues… i.e. www.weddingwire.com and www.theknot.com! Study their websites and pricing and narrow down your choices between three to five potential venues. Then, you are ready to call and schedule tours with each venue!
Once you arrive to the venue tour, be sure to have a list of questions ready to go! Some questions may include: Does the venue offer a bridal suite for you to get ready in? Are there any head count requirements or food minimums? Are there any hidden costs or fees (at Glendalough there are not)?
If the primary ceremony or reception location is outside, be sure to ask if there is a rain plan and determine if that is suitable for you and your fiance. You should be 100% comfortable if the unforeseen were to happen.
Photo Provided by Todd Baugh Photography
Ask the venue if they have a preferred vendors list! This is a great option for you as a bride or groom because the venue has already established reliable relationships with the top vendors in the area. At Glendalough, we actually take full responsibility for our vendors so that you don’t have to bother going back and fourth with them. You will have access to all of your vendor orders under a private portal page that we set up for you! This makes it easy and accessible to you, your fiance and your families to see!
Be sure to ask to see samples of room designs and possibilities for the space! Some venues will offer complimentary decor. You want to make sure you know exactly what you are paying for in a room fee; are tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware, ect.. included in the fee! Some venues will have a ballroom fee and then extra charges for every rental item…at Glendalough, we do NOT!
Does the venue offer any type of event staff that will help you through the planning and on wedding day? For example, at Glendalough, you get a complimentary site planner that will help you in the months leading up to the wedding and a ceremony director that will execute your ceremony. We have an excellent reception staff that will make sure that your reception is flawless! This can really take the burden off you as a couple and allow you to enjoy your wedding day. If you opt to hire a wedding planner, be sure you discuss that with your potential facility to see how they work with outside wedding planners.
Before signing a contract with a venue, be sure to ask for a copy to review and that you understand the contract as well as any cancellation policy. A professional venue should be willing to go over the contract in detail with you and answer any questions that you may have regarding the contract. Ask the venue to refer you to past brides and grooms that were married there and receive some live feedback regarding their experience!
Lastly, we will leave you with a link to our brand new virtual tour of Glendalough Manor!
If you are a military bride, have a fiance in the military or you both are active duty it can be even more overwhelming and stressful than most to plan a wedding.
Choosing a venue is one of the hardest and crucial decisions a military couple will face.
Many couples choose a venue close to family and friends however that may mean the facility is not near the bride and groom. In that case, make sure to look for a facility with experience in dealing with military brides and grooms. For example, Glendalough Manor offers a portal where all the planning can be maintained online. For couples in different states and time zones it makes planning that much easier. You can stay in the loop with the planning and arrive right before the wedding without worry!
Another great thing to look for as a military bride is a venue that is all inclusive and has a high level of support throughout the planning process. You may even find a venue like Glendalough Manor that is owned by a military family so they understand military decisions and circumstances. Glendalough Manor also offers a military discount to help with the wedding costs!! Try and find a venue that does the same!
One of the hardest factors to deal with are military deployments which can make choosing a date very tricky. Choose a facility that can be flexible in changing things in emergency situations.
Also try and look for a facility that is equipped with the highest in technology. Glendalough Manor offers a live webcast so friends and family unable to fly to the States can watch the reception live from their home and don’t miss out on seeing you on your special day. We have even had a situation where the Best Man was deployed a week before the wedding but was able to Skype in on the screens and give his toast during the reception. So cool!
If you are a military couple and planning a wedding in the South make sure to look at Glendalough Manor. We understand the pressures and difficulties that can arise when planning a wedding in the military. Trust us to ease your stresses and help you plan the wedding of your dreams!
