So simple yet so lovely!

This would be gorgeous at a botanical garden venue.

I’m obsessed with this shot.

I’m thinking this would be awesome for a vineyard theme.

The doors for the entrance are brilliant.

This would be great for a late afternoon/early evening wedding – an area for people to wind down and “chill” before they head home!

I love this dance area

Happy Monday, y’all!

One of the advantages of having your wedding at a vineyard is that you can use the beauty of the natural environment to carry through as the theme of your wedding. Take inspiration from the wine, grapes, and grapevines and choose complementary stationary for your save-the-dates, invitations, thank you cards, seating cards, and programs. You could take this inspiration a step further and send your invitations on scrolls inside of customized wine bottles decorated with personalized labels.

The real beauty of a vineyard wedding is in the fact that the environment itself is decor enough. You don’t need to do much to create a breathtaking space for your wedding. Although a few simple touches can go a long way in evoking the look that you are envisioning. For example: Topiaries and mixed floral arrangements placed in terra cotta pots will enhance the natural beauty of the vineyard without distracting from it. Vintage paper lanterns or strands of twinkle lights hung from trees will create a romantic glow for an evening ceremony and reception. Tables that can be used during the cocktail hour or reception can be dressed with plum, gold, mauve, green, or brown linens and still complement the fall season and the vineyard equally well. Clusters of grapes, gourds, shards of wheat, or a combination of the three can serve as centerpieces. If tradition appeals more to you, consider using floral arrangements in shades of plum and/or green instead. Wine cork candles are candles that are shaped like corks and are placed into the tops of wine bottles, then lit like any other candle. These can also be placed on the tables to illuminate the conversation during the reception.

At the reception, consider serving a wine-pairing menu. Your caterer will be able to assist you in choosing the best wines for each course. Food can be served on either gold chargers with crisp linen napkins for an elegant event, or on rattan chargers with khaki napkins tied with raffia or grapevines for a more natural-theme. Cork seating card holders are a fitting touch and can be purchased at party stores or online. Your cake decorator may be able to paint a grapevine or cluster or grapes motif onto your cake or create it out of fondant or gum paste. You can personalize bottles of wine from the vineyard using labels purchased online or give your guests personalized wine glasses or wine stoppers as favors. These products are easily found online as well.

Lastly, consider adding clusters of grapes or grape leaves to your bouquet. Bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen accessories in plum, mauve, or green would be a lovely way to tie in the colors of the vineyard with your wedding party.

Many wineries have wedding coordinators on site that can help you select the wedding package that will suit your taste and budget. Whether you have your heart set on an elegant wedding or a ceremony that reflects a celebration of nature with family and friends, a wedding among the grapevines will surely be a unique and beautiful day that your guests won’t soon forget.

The matter of setting up activities for kids also becomes easier when you are outdoors. After all, you do not want kids running around in a church or a wedding hall. They might damage something and they will make a lot more noticeable noise. However, if the wedding is outdoors you can always arrange stuff for them to do.

Kids are happy as long as they are entertained. You are going to want to set up games for them to play. Depending on how old they are, you might want to pick different games. Sometimes you can have kids board games set up on the lawn, so that they can play with each other and interact while not disturbing the wedding.

If there is a lawn that is large and nearby, and it is safe, you can send the kids there with someone to supervise them. This way they can play a small sports game or something like capture the flag or hide and seek. These games are going to keep them very happy, and chances are they will tire the kids out too. Once the kids are tired they will be more content to sit quietly and rest and enjoy the wedding.  If you end up having your wedding at an venue where an indoor option is allowed as well,  you might even be able to set up a different room where appropriate movies are playing.  Is Halloween near the big day? Play ‘Hocus Pocus” or something along those lines! This is a good way for kids who are tired of playing around to relax yet still be entertained while the “big kids” have fun. Another great halloween/kids’ activity would be to have a bunch of small pumpkins that they can decorate with non-messy materials such as stickers. If there are markers (washable, of course!) around that have a chance of getting on clothing, have spare t-shirts around to avoid unhappy parents.

You can also have the kids play a sport. Playing a bit of soccer or American football may be a good idea. Soccer is a good sport that will have them running around, and everyone loves to play American football. Sometimes, if you do not want them running around too much, you can also get them to play easy sitting down games. They can play charades with each other. That is a game where you have to give clues to a particular movie or book and the other people have to guess. That can be time consuming and a lot of fun. It will keep them occupied.

Having the wedding outdoors is great, and the children will really appreciate it as well. They will not have to be stuck in a boring room or church where they have nothing to do. This way they can run around, play, have fun and not be a disturbance to everyone else during the ceremony or during the pre/post ceremony events. You can also relax and rest easy, knowing no one is bored and the kids are having fun.

Weddings are stressful occasions at the best of times, so be sure to plan ahead. You want a list of activities prepared well in advance, as well as any equipment you may need for those activities. Stake out the area too and decide which games will be safe and which the kids can play without creating any problems. This way, you can immediately set off the kids and tell them what their options are. They can decide what sounds the most appealing and whoever is going to supervise them can take them away. Just double check the surrounding area to make sure it is safe and no one can get lost.

The glorious countryside of Edinburgh makes for a wedding that nobody will soon forget. Fall in Edinburgh is utterly beautiful with the spectacular colors of the season. Everyone will delight in the crisp weather of the season, while the sun still provides some warmth during the day. A fantastic wedding theme for Edinburgh’s countryside is a barn wedding with plenty of natural decorations such as pumpkins, Autumn leaves and gourds. Stalks of wheat tied together with lovely ribbon also make terrific decorations. For people on a budget, there are many lovely countrysides right here in the states, as well.

Another wonderful place to have a fall wedding is on the magnificent grounds of one of the many historic inns in Pennsylvania. The grounds of a historic inn make for an extremely romantic and beautiful wedding and reception. There are many spectacular inns in Pennsylvania for people to choose among, and the best thing about having weddings at inns is that couples can book their honeymoons at the inns, as well. Many of these inns have gorgeous gardens that will look beautiful on the special day with their many glorious, Fall flowers.

The mountains of Branson, Missouri also make for the perfect wedding ceremony in the Fall. Fall weddings in the mountains are a perfect idea in that it is not too cold yet, and it is positively picturesque with all of the Autumn foliage everywhere and the magnificent scenery of the area below. The wedding pictures in this setting will be treasures that people will surely enjoy for many years. Since it may be a bit chilly in the mountains, brides and bridesmaids may want to consider wearing attractive wraps that will match their gowns. Will all of the beauty, that this time of the year has to offer in the mountains, couples will not need any other decorations unless they so choose.

Another fabulous place for an outdoor wedding in the Fall is one of the many beautiful vineyards in Switzerland. It can be quite lovely to host a wedding in the Fall surrounded by sweet-smelling, colorful grapevines. It can also be quite memorable, and it will make the event all the more memorable to offer some of the delicious vintage of the vineyard at the reception. When planning the reception, long tables are a perfect idea for this location. For those people, who may not have the resources to travel as far as Switzerland, there are many beautiful vineyards located all over the United States, as well.

Finally, one of the most beautiful places to plan a Fall wedding is New England. New England is a popular choice for Fall weddings with its fabulous weather and brilliant foliage everywhere. Although many people choose to hold their ceremonies on the beach, New England offers many other terrific choices where people can choose to get married. They may choose to marry in front of a historic wooden church or an antique barn, or they may choose to have their wedding ceremony on the grounds of a quaint inn in the country or atop a magnificent mountain. Wherever they choose to get married in this stunning city, they are sure to be satisfied with their choice.

In conclusion, there are many fantastic places to host an outdoor wedding in the Fall, and this article lists five of the top locations. From the glorious countryside of Edinburgh to the magnificent grounds of a historic inn in Pennsylvania or the picturesque mountains of Branson to the beautiful vineyards in Switzerland or the lovely town of New England, there are many places to choose among for that special, memorable occasion.

Any other ideas? Let us know!

The Alcyone Plantation, located 15 miles south of Valdosta, Georgia, offers many stunning options for your outdoor wedding. Sitting on 900 acres, you can exchange your wedding vows under the “Wedding Oak”, with tranquil views of the lake, or amidst mossy oak trees that rise in majestic splendor.

Rich in history and romance, the Monmouth Plantation, in Natchez, Mississippi, will delight you with their extraordinary attention to detail. Specializing in exceptional service, including an onsite wedding coordinator, the Monmouth Plantation will work with you to plan the wedding of your dreams.

In Crozet, Virginia, you will find beauty and elegance awaiting you at the King Family Vineyards. With amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and award winning wines, this rural setting in Virginia is perfect for your wedding day.

When describing the Southern Oaks Plantation, in New Orleans, Louisiana, elegance says it all. Offering daytime ceremonies, amongst the majestic oak trees, or evening ceremonies under the stars, your wedding day is sure to be a most memorable experience. Horse and carriage options are also available, as well as a magnificent fireworks displays in honor of your celebration.

Louisiana Castle, located in Franklington, Louisiana, welcomes you with charm and exquisite detail. Overlooking lush gardens and picturesque views, your fairytale wedding awaits you. Located on 10 acres, this romantic castle was built as a replica of an English Norman Keep Castle and is a favorite wedding location in the south.

In Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont Mansion offers opulent choices for an intimate indoor wedding or larger wedding outdoors. This stately Victorian mansion, with beautiful details found throughout, makes a perfect choice for the celebration of your wedding day.

Rocky Mount, in Pratville, Alabama, offers a charming and romantic location for a southern garden wedding. Situated in the beautiful Alabama countryside, you will be inspired by the breathtaking scenery and lovely flowers in bloom. The garden will certainly make a delightful and picturesque location for your wedding day.

At the Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you will find many exclusive wedding packages to choose from. Your wedding will take place in either an oceanfront or smaller, intimate gazebo with scenic views overlooking beautiful Myrtle Beach. For a more modern southern wedding, you will be pleased with all the Crown Reef Resort has to offer.

The Gassaway Mansion, in Greenville, South Carolina, is simply divine. With intricate details and exquisite beauty, you will find yourself in the pages of a storybook. Specializing in creating the wedding of your dreams, your wedding day will be forever treasured.

These are some of the most beautiful and romantic locations to choose from when planning your wedding in the south. With such a wide variety of lovely choices, combined with southern charm and hospitality, your wedding day is sure to be all you ever dreamed of and more.

All About Dessert Tables

The dessert table could be put in place of a cake or you could have it as a part of your wedding décor. You will be surprised how well placed food could make for a great wedding accent.  A dessert table is one of the wedding accents that draw people in right away. Pretty colors, decadent sweets and a beautiful layout are sure to catch the eyes of your guest.

A few things to keep in mind before you set up your fabulous dessert table for your outdoor ceremony.

• Make sure you keep in mind of the outside temperature so you can take the appropriate measures to keep your sweet treats from melting.
• If you are having kids at or in your wedding, you may want to have someone keep an eye out for the dessert table. We wouldn’t want to little to make a mess.
• If you or your groom want to taste a certain dessert and you have more than enough to display for your guest, feel free to take one sweet treat aside and hide it. If not, the night will come and go and you wouldn’t have gotten a taste of your dessert.

#1.  Potted Plants—Try having a few potted plants as centerpieces for your wedding. Be unique, have different types of plants making a circle in the center of your table or if you are having long table you can have the potted plants going down the center of the table. The potted plants could act as favors and a great eco-friendly centerpiece.

#2. Birdcage with Flowers—This unique centerpiece will definitely be the talk of your reception. The birdcage adds a great touch for outdoor wedding, especially a beach wedding. While yellow flowers are very pretty, you can use any bright color that goes along with your theme to make your tables pop.

#3. Rustic Centerpieces—Get really creative and create a nice rustic or vintage style centerpiece by using an older base and some fresh colorful flowers. Depending on your wedding colors you could also incorporate bowls of fruit as your centerpiece; this will complete your rustic outdoorsy feel and add a unique touch to your ceremony.

Cherry Blossom Wedding Favors

If you’re looking for something that offers an Asian twist you will absolutely love cherry blossom wedding favors. With cherry blossoms being popular during the spring season and originating from Asia—this favor will add that perfect flair to your perfect day!

All About Going Green: Bamboo Wedding Favors

Now days who isn’t thinking about helping the environment and being eco-friendly? The perfect way to bring this element into your wedding day, is by gifting your guest with bamboo wedding favors. These eco-friendly wedding favors not only speak volumes on your love for the environment but they are also pretty chic! They will make a great accent to your eco-friendly wedding.

Plantable Wedding Favors

If can’t tell by now-I am a lover for the eco-friendly wedding favors. One of my favorites to be exact is the plantable wedding favors. What better way to say thank you to your guest, than have them take home a personalized plantable favor—that allows them to plant seeds, give it a little love and care and watch it grow. This is the perfect recipe for your marriage.

Wine Wedding Favors

Getting married at a winery is definitely one of the trends in 2010. If you’re looking to add that special touch, you can start by creating your own winery atmosphere for your wedding guest—saying “thank you” by giving wine wedding favors. With wine wedding favors, you have a variety to choose from. You could either go with bottle stoppers, wine glasses, cork place card holders or wine cork candles. With wine wedding favors there are a tremendous amount of ideas you can explore.

To make your escort card display extra special all you need is clothes pins and an old iron gate.  If you are  looking for a rustic chic look this is the perfect look for you!  Absolutely perfect for a vintage outdoor ceremony!

Pin The Escort Card To The Tree!

Having your escorts cards pinned to a tree trunk is definitely a creative way to seat your guest. This escort card display would be perfect for a garden wedding. Making use of your natural surroundings could also save you some extra bucks.

Use Shutters!

Many people may read this and assume that I have gone outdoor wedding crazy. But I haven’t! If you happen to go to an old junk yard or notice someone getting rid of their old shutters, scoop one up and use it for your outdoor ceremony. Depending on what shape it’s in, you could paint it decorate it how you like. Once you finally have it decorated to your liking you can just lay it against a tree. Viola! You have a wonderful escort card display!