Rethinking Reception Entertainment

Who says your only wedding reception entertainment has to be a DJ/Band and perhaps a photobooth thrown in?! That's right, no one! When thinking of ways to entertain your wedding guests, try thinking out of the box for a change. Do you and your fiance live for nights by the fire? Do you love spending countless summer afternoons playing lawn games? Don't worry if you haven't seen it in a wedding magazine or on a wedding blog, just do what feels right to YOU. Here are a few fun ways you can entertain your guests...outdoors, of course! :) 

Firepit/Camp fire.

Lawn Games - Bean Bag Toss (Cornhole) & Croquet.

Lawn Games - Horseshoes. 

Photo credit # 1 :: Marianne Wilson Photography. 

Photo credit # 2 :: Green Wedding Shoes.  
Photo credit # 3 :: Prepare to Wed.

Suspended Wedding Decor

One of my favorite trends in the wedding industry right now is suspended decor. I absolutely cannot get enough of it! You can hang virtually anything to match the look and feel of your wedding style. My favorite look right now is hanging decor from trees (more on that later), which works great for outdoor events. Whatever route you decide to go, proper planning is key. Be sure to discuss your wishes for hanging decor well in advance with your venue(s), and decide when these items will be hung. I recommend a test run prior to the wedding day, in order to iron out any kinks that may occur. Remember, hanging decor is not the easiest task in the world, but if you plan ahead of time, you can save yourself a great deal of time and stress in the long run.

Below are a few ideas that I hope inspire you...happy planning! 

Flower bottles.

Hanging frames. 

Chandeliers from trees. Swoon!

Vintage bird cages.

Mason jars. Oh, how I love thee!

Ribbon streamers.

Paper lanterns. 

Photo credit # 1 :: Eat Drink Chic

Photo credit # 2 :: Ruffled Blog   

Photo credit # 3 :: Everything is Better in Heels  
Photo credit # 4 :: Ruffled Blog 
Photo credit # 5 :: Green Wedding Shoes 
Photo credit # 6 :: Chiq Weddings
Photo credit # 7 ::  Wedding Bee

Alternative Outdoor Seating :: Hay Bales

Hay bales are the perfect alternative seating arrangement for a rustic outdoor ceremony. You don't have to be getting married on a farm to pull it off either. Hay bales work great for backyard weddings, barn weddings, and even lakeside weddings...really any outdoor space will do.

Where to find? Finding hay bales is likely a lot easier than you would think. Check with local farms or horse stables as a 1st option. Often times, farms and stables will let you borrow the hay for a small nominal fee (sometimes free!), with the promise that you will return the hay bales post-wedding. If you don't live in an area with many farms or horse stables, you may want to check with a local landscaping company. Landscaping companies use hay when they spread grass seed, so it is very likely that they will have hay on hand. 

Accessorizing? Yes, accessorizing. You will need to find some way to cover the hay bales, because you certainly do not want your guests sitting on bare hay for a 30 minute ceremony. Umm...can you say "uncomfortable"?! Yeah...you get the idea. Accessorizing is fun! You can cover your hay bales with virtually anything...blankets, quilts, pillows, cushions...you name it! 

Allergies? It's important to keep in mind that some of your guests may be allergic to hay; therefore, having a few extra chairs on hand is recommended. Don't forget about your elderly guests who may also need a chair to sit on as well. 

Reuse? Hay bale seating isn't just for ceremonies. Don't forget about reception and/or lounge seating later on in the evening!

Photo credit :: Tec Petaja via C is for Charmed.

Etsy Find :: His & Her Names Rustic Wedding Sign

Another fab Etsy find today...his & her name signs! I'm still a big fan of the wooden directional signs we often see at outdoor weddings, but I really love this unique spin on them. Not having an outdoor wedding, but obsessed with these signs? This his & her name sign can be used anywhere - opt for a few park photos in between your ceremony and reception and you now have the perfect photo op with your sign!

For more details including purchasing information, click here. 

Etsy Find :: Natural Moss Wedding Ring Pillow

Perfect for an outdoor ceremony or eco-friendly bride!

More info can be found here. 

One Wed Unveils Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2011

Onewed.com, one of the largest online wedding planning resources available to brides, recently unveiled their predictions on the top 10 wedding trends for 2011. Below is a look at their predictions. 

1. Sophisticated Elegance Returns

It's back to basics with elegant, sophisticated style in 2011. Wedding decor will be simple and understated, with modern design elements trumping DIY touches. Scripted calligraphy, custom monograms, and classic wedding cakes embody this trend. Brides will wear pearls, and grooms will ditch the Converse in favor of more tasteful wedding day kicks.

2. Outdoor Venues - Where It’s At

Couples tying the knot in 2011 will gravitate toward outdoor ceremony and reception venues. The raw, minimal backdrop of an outdoor setting leaves room for personalization and customization, a major perk for creative, hands-on nearlyweds. Lakeside venues, vineyard locations and spaces situated alongside sprawling mountains will dominate, and they’ll be spruced up with personalized touches that represent the bride and groom. You'll find some serious outdoor weddings inspiration in our real weddings blog category!

3. Grey is the New Black, Crazy for Navy

Gloomy no more, grey is the neutral IT color for 2011 weddings. Organic and natural, shades of charcoal, dove, stone, oyster and shell will be incorporated liberally into wedding color palettes and paired with vibrant hues to make the colors pop! And while grey remains the talk of the town for 2011, navy blue (and other deep blues) are definitely on-trend for the coming year. Wonder if Prince Will's royal wedding has anything to do with the crazy for navy trend... what do you think??

4. Mad for Metallics & Bold Color Palettes

Whether it’s two bright hues with a metallic accent, or several metallic shades used together, brights and metallics will be popular choices for wedding color palettes in 2011. Gilded gold, shimmery silver, and sparkling champagne will used alone or with accents of yellow, purple or teal. And since metallics make such a bold statement on their own, couples will scale back over-the-top decor in favor of a more restrained style aesthetic.

5. Big Ball Gowns are Back

Dramatic ball gown wedding dresses floated down 2011 bridal catwalks in droves. Wedding dress designers draped, ruched, and layered clouds of tulle, power netting, and chiffon to fashion wedding dresses with limitless volume. The outcome? Fairytale-inspired bridal style and whimsical wedding dresses for 2011 I Dos.

6. Grooms Take a Walk on the Stylish Side

Grooms are taking a stand in the name of fashion. Their tux choices will no longer be dictated by some “rent 5, get 1 free” deal. Instead, they’ll chose formal looks that represent their unique style. Bow ties will replace classic long neck ties, and embroidered dress shirts, engraved cufflinks, stylish lapel pins and the color of the season- grey- will grace the white aisles.

7. Wedding Invitations Go Green

The green weddings movement continues full speed ahead in 2011. From totally paperless wedding invitations and save-the-dates, to stationery printed on 100% recycled paper, invitations have truly gone green. Couples can find all they need with sites like WeddingPreParty (enabling online RSVP and party planning) and Nearlyweds.com (offering coordinating stationery and wedding websites).

8. Luxurious Textures-- from the Dress to the Tablescape

Luxe textured fabrics will bring a sumptuous, opulent vibe to 2011 weddings. Wedding dresses will feature 3D applique, layered light fabrics (tulle, lace, chiffon), romantic ruffles, oversized florals, and illusion fabric with eye-catching beading. Textured linens will be layered to dress up reception tables, chair covers may be embroidered or beaded, and branchy centerpieces and floral arrangements will captivate wedding guests.

9. Ethnic Influences, Cultural Wedding Details

At long last, brides and grooms are embracing and showcasing their unique cultural traditions and ethnicity. Whether it’s a religious wedding ceremony ritual, traditional wedding day garb, cultural cuisine infused throughout the reception dinner, or wedding decor with bold, ethnic prints, you can’t help but embrace the unique cultures and ethnicities of couples in 2011.

10. Revved-Up Wedding Receptions

Who wants the best day of their lives to end? Not couples and guests in 2011, that’s for sure! Couples will plan a post-reception after party lasting into the wee hours of the night with drinks, entertainment, dancing, and snacks so that wedding guests can party all night long!

Content courtesy of One Wed.

Paper Bag Ceremony Programs

There are really no words to describe how much I adore these paper bag ceremony programs that I found on Elizabeth Anne Designs this afternoon! I've seen some unique ceremony programs over the years, but these take the cake for originality! This particular bride & groom filled their bags with rose petals for guests to toss at the end of their outdoor ceremony. You could really fill these with anything that you wanted though...water bottles, sweet treats, confetti, sparklers - you name it! 

Ok, 2010 outdoor ceremony brides - who's up for giving these bags a try?! 

Photo courtesy of Max Wanger via Elizabeth Anne Designs.

My Dream Wedding Design :: A Southern Garden Affair

Several weeks ago I introduced The Wedding Shoebox to you, a blog dedicated to showcasing what the wedding pro's would do for their own wedding. Last week my dream wedding design, "Southern Garden" was featured on their blog! Valerie Metrejean {mastermind behind The Wedding Shoebox} did a fantastic job putting my inspiration board together! Those of you who know me, know that I am happily married to my husband of nearly 2 years; however, I often tease my husband that we should have a wedding every year! If I had to do it all over again (there's always a vow renewal, right?!), my wedding would look something like what is pictured above...an afternoon southern garden affair.

Inspiration ::

My inspiration for my dream wedding design comes from growing up in the South. There’s something about spring time in the South that makes my heart melt! The smell of fresh flowers in the garden, birds chirping, and chimes floating in the wind…ahhh…there’s nothing better in my opinion. Late afternoon as the sun is just beginning to set would be the ideal time of day for my outdoor garden wedding.

Details ::

I love the southern charm feel to the wedding design as a whole. I consider myself to be a girly-girl, therefore, it was important for me to include feminine details throughout the design. Lace, beautiful blooms, and shades of pink are all key elements that I wanted to incorporate.

To see the entire blog post, including photo credits, visit The Wedding Shoebox.

Real Weddings 2009 :: Sarah & Pete 08.01.09

Sarah & Pete tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony overlooking the scenic country side at Armstrong Farms. Immediately following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails on the porch of the newly renovated Fieldstone barn. Following cocktail hour, guests were invited inside the barn for a country chic themed reception complete with a sit down dinner and an evening full of dancing. Mid way through the night, Sarah's Father surprised the guests with a picture slideshow of Sarah & Pete. The slideshow was extremely fun to watch and brought on quite a few tears from both of their families. The weather was absolutely beautiful the day of their wedding and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day! Congratulations again Sarah & Pete! I hope you had a fabulous time in Hawaii on your honeymoon...I wish you two a lifetime of happiness together!

The Wedding Team

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings
Ceremony/Reception Armstrong Farms
Caterer Rania's
Photographer Kathryn Eileen Photography
Florist Reed and Petals
Rentals All Occasions Party Rental
DJ Pittsburgh DJ Company
Makeup Kiss and Makeup
Hairstylist Eden Salon {Patty & Tammy}

Photos 1-3, 8-9 courtesy of Kathryn Eileen Photography | Photos 4-7, 10-13 courtesy of Simply Perfect Weddings/Robert Schmitt Photography.

Light up Your Wedding :: Paper Lanterns

Paper lanterns are a quick + easy way to add character to any event! As you will see from the inspiration below, paper lanterns can be used for almost any wedding style you are trying to achieve...romance, chic, southern charm, rustic, or even contemporary. We've brought in paper lanterns to the design of several of our 2009 weddings, and we're continuing to use them throughout our 2010 weddings as well. Our favorite place to order paper lanterns is from Luna Bazaar. Check out their huge selection of paper lantern products here.





{Photo credits}
Photo # 1 - Romantic Glow
Photo # 2 - Chic Pavilion Wedding
Photo # 3 - Accordion Lanterns
Photo # 4 - Yellow + Lime Green Wedding
Photo # 5 - Rustic Wedding

Real Weddings 2009 :: Chelsea & Brad 05.23.09

Chelsea and Brad tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony at the beautiful Hartwood Acres Mansion. Immediately following the ceremony, guests enjoyed an outdoor cocktail hour on the terrace of the Mansion, then headed over to Mt. Troy Ballroom for a Vintage Hollywood Glam reception. Chelsea and Brad were an absolute blast to work with! Brad was very active in the planning and attended all of our pre-wedding meetings (props to him for being a good groom!). Chelsea was one of the most creative brides I've worked with...all of the details that were incorporated into her day were well thought-out and absolutely stunning! From the adorable pink-themed candy buffet to the stunning floral arrangements, this is one wedding and amazing couple I will never forget! Congratulations Chelsea & Brad!

The Wedding Team

Wedding Planner Simply Perfect Weddings {Wedding Day Coordination Services}
Ceremony Hartwood Acres Mansion
Reception Mt. Troy Ballroom
Photographer Paul Meyer Photography
Florist Mocha Rose Floral Designs
DJ Booch-X Entertainment
Bakery Signature Desserts
Transportation Celebrity Limousines

Photos courtesy of Paul Meyer Photography.