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Posts Tagged ‘idaho wedding planning’

Food and Dinner Options for your Idaho Wedding

01 Apr

Wedding food options for your Idaho Wedding

Even after a bride has spent months thoughtfully selecting the menu for her wedding, the butterflies in her stomach during those last few minutes before vows are exchanged can chase away any thoughts about dinner. But the guests, many of whom may drive several hours to make it to the ceremony, work up an appetite as they patiently observe the ceremony. The excitement of the day piques appetites, so sharing a delicious meal with friends and loved ones can make the experience all the more memorable for those in attendance. Though catering can be a large chunk of the bride’s budget, there are plenty of creative ways to cut catering costs.

For a Boise bride, there are plenty of catering options, so it’s easy to shop around for a caterer whose menu fits her budget and taste preferences. Beyond catering companies, a bride’s favorite restaurant may also do catering. But for brides in more rural areas, the choices may be limited. And for brides on a budget, a traditional catering company might not be the most economical option.

The easiest way to slim down the catering budget is by eliminating alcohol, but unless your group of family and friends is used to dry events, skipping the booze can be the death knell of a good party. If you do opt to serve alcohol, make sure you ask your caterer ahead of time if they bartend and communicate those costs up front. Idaho has pretty stringent liquor laws, so be sure that you research them ahead of time and find out what licenses your venue requires. Serving beer and wine will be far cheaper than hosting an open bar, but for a bride who wants to share a favorite drink with her guests, signature cocktails are a fun and relatively inexpensive choice. A bride can have a lot of fun with the cocktail—she can match the cocktail to the season or her wedding’s theme, and drink toppers offer a chance for her to showcase her creativity. Picking out a signature cocktail can even be turned into a fun girl’s night out with a bride and her bridesmaids.

A bride may even choose to forgo dinner in favor of a dessert and cocktail hour—a classy, budget-friendly way to celebrate the occasion. However, unless you plan on ending the celebration early or allow guests time to go somewhere to eat, goodwill can quickly sour into grumpiness after a long night with no food, and that’s not how you want your guests to remember your wedding. If you simply can’t stomach the thought of skipping dinner, think about asking friends and family to help prepare dishes for the wedding. Chances are that someone will be delighted to lend their talents to a happy occasion. The feasibility of this certainly depends on the number of guests you plan on inviting, but preparing your own menu also offers you the flexibility to prepare your favorite foods. Another money-saving option is to host a potluck, depending on how casual your wedding is. Potlucks don’t fit every bride’s vision for her wedding, but for an outdoor wedding in a backyard or a park, a potluck is a wonderful idea. They offer guests the chance to contribute to the occasion, as well as variety beyond typical wedding fare.

The camaraderie we share as we dine together is fundamental to human experience. From graduation picnics to birthday dinners to weddings, we mark our most poignant occasions by extending our table to those we love. Whether a bride chooses to have a potluck or a seven-course feast, guests will return home with a full belly and fond remembrance of the happy day.

 
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Posted in Idaho Wedding, Wedding Planning, Wedding Trends

 

More Wedding Mistakes to Avoid

10 Dec

The Wedding Channel.com recently posted a list of what they consider to be the top twenty biggest wedding planning mistakes. Following are 10 of the problems they identified, in no particular order, with our added comments based on many years of experience planning hundreds of events.

11. Waiting till after the wedding to pack for the honeymoon. If you are leaving for your honeymoon the day after the wedding, pack two or three days before the wedding. If you rush around at the last minute, you will forget something, and you sure don’t want to be doing laundry on your wedding day.

12. Planning to be your own wedding coordinator. On the wedding day you will be so focused on being where you need to be (hair appointment, photos, ceremony, reception) that you won’t have time to find out if the cake was delivered, the DJ has arrived and is set up, the centerpieces are set out, candles are lighted, and all the myriad details a wedding coordinator will handle. Don’t expect your mom to act as the coordinator. She will be busy too and she will want to enjoy spending time with the guests. Hiring a day-of coordinator is one of the best investments you can make.

13. Not considering transportation needs of your guests. It is a courtesy to consider the needs of your out of town family and friends and how they will get to and from the wedding. Check with the hotel where you blocked rooms to see if their shuttle van might be available for a fee to take guests to the ceremony and pick them up afterwards. Alternatively, you might rent a trolley or ask your wedding coordinator to have the phone number of a taxi service available for those who need it.

14. Using an iPod or laptop for your music. This works only if you carefully plan your play list and you have an experienced person to operate the iPod or laptop. You can’t hand it off to someone who doesn’t know how to operate it or who doesn’t know what to play when. A beautifully planned wedding can be ruined by problems with the music. If you are not totally confident in the ability of a designated person to handle everything smoothly, hire a professional and don’t risk ruining your ceremony or reception.

15. Making a seating chart the night before the wedding. Seating charts are a major headache. You need one only if you are having a sit-down dinner with multiple entree choices. If it is a sit-down dinner with only one entree or a buffet, have your caterer or coordinator reserve tables for the wedding party and parents, then allow the other guests to sit where they want.

16. Asking for gifts. It is socially taboo to indicate to your guests that a gift is expected and what it should be. An invitation to a wedding is a request for family and friends to join you in celebrating a joyous occasion in your life. It isn’t about gifts. If you register, and it is helpful if you do, registry information should not appear in your wedding invitation. (A shower hostess may mention it, however.) And it is never okay to ask for money in a wedding invitation. If you prefer money, then don’t register and when people ask, verbally tell them you prefer money, but don’t be surprised if some still bring gifts. If you live in another area, encourage guests to choose gifts from your registry and have them shipped to your home rather than bringing them to the wedding.

Forget about having a money tree; your guests are not obligated to help pay for the wedding or honeymoon. The same is true with money dances. Unless it is part of your culture, you may offend more people than participate.

17. Having a cash bar. This is frowned on in many areas of the country. In Idaho we have a host liability law which makes the event host liable for the actions of guests. Therefore, it is common in this area to host beer and wine or a champagne toast and allow guests to pay for other alcohol if they choose to imbibe. Alternatively, don’t make alcohol other than beer and wine available at all. It is also appropriate, and budget-friendly, not to serve alcohol at all.

18. Not having a hair or make-up trial. Plan to have your hair done about a month before the wedding. Take your veil with you and also take a camera to record the style you like. The hairdresser won’t remember every detail, so the photos will be helpful.

19. Not creating a day-of itinerary. You and your wedding coordinator should create a plan for the day, then she should share it with your photographer, DJ and officiant, so they can work together to make the day flow smoothly just the way you want. If you don’t have a coordinator, you will need to create your own plan before the rehearsal. Nothing frustrates officiants more than being unexpectedly placed in charge of an unplanned or poorly planned rehearsal. With a plan, you should be able to run through your rehearsal twice in less than 45 minutes. Without one, your rehearsal can easily take two hours or more.

20. Becoming stressed out and not enjoying your day. Don’t let all the details get to you. During the months leading up to the wedding, take some time away from the wedding planning; get enough sleep before the wedding; be sure to eat on the wedding day. Your guests don’t know what you planned, so don’t stress the details. Remember, it is the marriage that counts, not what happens on the wedding day. With a bit of pre-planning, you can have a wonderful day free from any major glitches.

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman; all rights reserved

 
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Posted in Idaho Wedding, Wedding Planning

 

Biggest Wedding Planning Mistakes

03 Dec

The Wedding Channel.com recently posted a list of what they consider to be the top twenty biggest wedding planning mistakes. Following are 10 of the problems they identified, in no particular order, with our added comments based on many years of experience planning hundreds of events.

1. Not sticking to your budget. You have a budget for a reason. It is never okay to overspend and then pay for an event for months or years afterwards. Decide what is important to you and where you can compromise. Your guests won’t know or care if you wanted steak but could afford only chicken.

2. Hiring a friend or family member as your photographer or videographer. You are only going to do this once. When the day is over you will have only your memories and your photos. If Uncle Joe spends his time at the bar, not behind the camera, it is your loss. And what if he doesn’t know how to use that camera, pose the wedding party and families, and other issues. Additionally, your family and friends should be your guests, not your employees. If things go wrong or you are disappointed with the results, it can strain relationships for years.

3. Planning your own shower, bachelorette party, or rehearsal dinner. You are the guest of honor; let your bridesmaids, your friends or your aunt do the planning. They should ask your opinion on the date and the guest list, but that is all. They are paying for the party and they get to make the decisions within reason. If they want to plan something with which you are not comfortable, however, (a male stripper, for instance), be sure to say so. If they are your friends, they should know your tastes and respect them.

The same is true for the rehearsal dinner. Traditionally, the groom’s parents pay for the dinner. As hosts, they decide where the dinner will be held, what will be served, and how many people they can afford to accommodate (just the wedding party or additional guests). As the guests of honor, you and your fiancé should relax and enjoy the evening.

4. Choosing members of the wedding party out of “obligation.” Just because you were someone’s bridesmaid years ago doesn’t mean she has to be your bridesmaid. Similarly, if your fiancé has never met your brother and he has several male relatives and close friends, he isn’t obligated to ask your brother to be a groomsman. Your attendants should be your close friends and relatives – people who will still be part of your life many years from now.

5. Arranging your own flowers, baking your own cake, etc. You won’t have time to do these things on your big day. Don’t work yourself into a frenzy trying to do everything yourself. That is what florists, bakers, hairdressers and other professionals are for.

6. Planning an outdoor wedding without a back-up plan. Things happen; it might be 100 degrees; it may rain; the wind could blow. Unless your ceremony and reception will be short, look for a venue with indoor – outdoor options or rent a tent.

7. Acting like a bridezilla. Though you are one of the stars of the day, you don’t have the right to treat others poorly for months leading up to the wedding. No tantrums, no pouting, no trying to control others. Rather, try to enjoy the process.

8. Not planning the ceremony. Even if you will be reciting traditional vows provided by your officiant, you still need to choose music, perhaps a reading or candle lighting, and other things to complete the ceremony.

9. Trying to memorize your vows. Even if you have practiced extensively, you will be nervous and you could be forgetful. Give a written copy of the vows to your officiant. That way, if you need help, he/she will be prepared to assist.

10. Wearing new shoes for the first time on the wedding day. You don’t want to be miserable on your big day, so wear the shoes around the house for a few days to break them in. Scuff the soles with sandpaper so you don’t slip while walking down the carpeted aisle. If you will be wearing a higher heel than usual, be sure you are comfortable walking in them. Bring a comfortable pair of shoes to change into for the reception.

Check back next week for more wedding planning mistakes!

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman; all rights reserved

 
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Posted in Idaho Wedding, Wedding Planning

 

More Security Tips for Your Idaho Wedding

19 Nov

Gifts – Gifts and/or cards (cards often contain money or gift cards) need to be kept safe. If the wedding will occur at a public place, such as a hotel, place the gift table inside the reception room, not in a hall or foyer. Bring a closed container for cards, not a basket. Once everyone has arrived your wedding coordinator should place the card container in a safe place out of sight. Someone with theft on their mind may not be an intruder, but a member of the catering staff, one of your guests or even the DJ or bartender. It is easy to slip a card or small item into a pocket or under a napkin without being seen, so be vigilant.

Coats and other valuables – If guests will be wearing coats, bringing purses, cameras or other valuables, provide a coat rack inside the room where the reception will occur, not in a foyer or hall. Ask guests to keep purses, cameras and similar items with them rather than leaving them lying around.

Guests who drink too much – Be careful about providing too much alcohol at your event. You could be liable for the actions of guests who over indulge. Hiring a professional bartender to keep an eye on guests will help, but not if guests have their own stash in a car or another place. You may want to ask a family member or a friend to keep an eye on things, particularly if you know that certain people may tend to over indulge. Better to send Uncle Charlie home in a taxi while he is still reasonably upright than to risk him doing something he, and you, will later regret.

Home events – If your wedding, rehearsal dinner or a shower will be held at a private home, particularly if it will occur in the yard, several security issues may arise. If the event is not occurring in a room near the front door, keep the door locked. Also lock side doors and windows. If you don’t want catering staff coming in and out of the house, set up a work station for them in the garage. The same goes for guests who need a restroom. If you are not comfortable with them in your home unsupervised, rent port-a-potties or in some way limit access to only a certain area of the house. Keep valuables out of sight and don’t allow anyone to linger too long in the house.

If the yard contains obstacles that might cause injury, such as sprinkler heads, hoses, uneven sidewalks, or clothes lines, be sure to point them out. This is particularly important with children, who run and chase each other and can easily trip and fall.

By taking time to assess and plan security measures, you and your guests can have a safe and enjoyable time free from accidents or injuries.

Interested in more tips? Check out our previous wedding security post.

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman; all rights reserved

 
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Posted in Idaho Wedding, Wedding Planning

 

Security Planning for Your Idaho Wedding

05 Nov

You plan the guest list, the menu, the music, but do you have a security plan for your wedding? If not, you may need one. Depending on the location and the number of attendees, several security measures may need to be considered, including the following.

Intruders – If there is any possibility of an intruder crashing your wedding, be certain to inform your event planner, the staff at the venue, and others as the situation warrants. This might include an ex-spouse or boy friend/girl friend, an angry family member or someone else.

If you or your wedding planner sees someone you don’t know and you aren’t sure they should be at your wedding (you may not know all the groom’s guests), ask how you can help them. Often, just the knowledge that someone is aware of their presence is enough to deter a would-be intruder.

Robbers – At a wedding a few years ago, someone entered the church through the basement while the ceremony was in progress and stole personal items that had been placed in the church kitchen. To prevent similar occurrences, be certain that after the wedding party dresses valuables are picked up and placed in a safe place. Lock outside doors and doors to dressing rooms, if possible, or lock valuables in a car.

Parking lots and other dark areas – If your guests may need to park in a dark area or along a busy street at night or park some distance from the reception facility, ask someone to escort them to their cars rather than risk an assault or injury, particularly in bad weather. You might also provide flash lights.

Water safety – If your reception will occur near a lake, pond, or river, ask a responsible adult to keep an eye on things. This is particularly important if children will be present.

Fire – Fire in any form can be a hazard. I have had fires caused by careless guests who placed items too close to votive candles. Pillar candles, even those enclosed in glass, can be knocked over. If you plan to use sparklers, they will emit embers that can burn people and clothing. Be particularly careful about children near fire.

Animals – If you are planning a wedding or shower at a private home and the homeowner has a dog that is easily excitable and might bite, better to board it at a kennel than risk injury to your guests.

More Security Tips in a couple of weeks – check back soon!

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman; all rights reserved

 
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Posted in Uncategorized

 

More Wedding Coordinator Myths

15 Oct

Myth: Hiring a day-of coordinator will insure that the day goes smoothly.

Reality: The coordinator can only control so much. If you have hired merchants who are new to the wedding scene or you have chosen a less than desirable location, your coordinator will do what she can to make your dreams a reality, but she can’t control the behavior of unskilled merchants, the leaking roof, the overflowing toilets and other issues.

Whether you are hiring a coordinator to help with all the planning or just for the day, she should be available to advise you throughout the planning process. Though a day-of coordinator won’t visit merchants with you, she should give you advice on questions to ask and what to look for so you make informed decisions. She should offer referrals to dependable merchants who have a reputation for providing quality service at an affordable price and who are willing to work with you and your budget.

You need to meet with your day-of coordinator several times before the wedding, often enough to develop a relationship. You should feel comfortable with her and she should understand your personality and tastes. That way, any decisions she needs to make will be ones you would have made.

Your day-of coordinator should help you create a timeline for the rehearsal and wedding day and she should be at the rehearsal to supervise activities in cooperation with your officiant. If your officiant doesn’t attend rehearsals (and many don’t), she should be prepared to conduct the rehearsal.

Hiring a day-of wedding coordinator is one of the best decisions you can make to assure your wedding day is as flawless as possible, but don’t wait until the last minute to hire her. Do it while she is available, then trust her to handle the details so you, and your mom, can enjoy your big day.

Interested in seeing more Wedding Coordinator myths revealed? Check out our previous post!

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman, all rights reserved

 
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Posted in Idaho Wedding, Wedding Planning

 

Wanted: Day-of Wedding Coordinator

01 Oct

You are planning your wedding and you are beginning to realize just how many details are involved, particularly on the wedding day. You won’t have time or opportunity to do anything; you have a hair appointment; you need to dress; you will be taking photos, and on and on.

Can Mom do it? No, she will be in the photos and you want her to enjoy the day. Can Aunt Martha do it? Maybe, but will she want to miss the festivities to spend her time rushing around in the background? So, your best option is to hire a day-of wedding coordinator. Right? Maybe.

Myth: A day-of coordinator can be hired shortly before the wedding, after all the details are in place.

Reality: If you wait, you may not be able to find a knowledgeable and experienced coordinator. (Beware the person who is hoping you will be her first client.) Coordinators book months, sometimes a year or more, in advance. They book day-of events just like they book events at which they are assisting with the planning. If her calendar is full, you are out of luck.

Myth: A day-of coordinator will take your plans and make them happen.

Reality: In most cases, unless you have planned numerous events in the past, the coordinator will need to tweak your plans to fit the realities of your location, weather, time of day and other considerations. For instance, if you are planning an outdoor wedding, those tall, skinny centerpieces may look pretty, but they won’t remain standing long. The slightest breeze and they will topple, leaving your linens soaking wet and the centerpieces unusable. Or, you plan to use paper plates at a windy location. If you do, your guests may end up wearing their dinner rather than enjoying it. Or how about those bees or the fruit flies at the winery that love to crawl around on your food? Ick! A knowledgeable coordinator will know about these issues and many others and will recommend solutions.

… more Wedding Coordinator myths in two weeks, check back soon!

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman, all rights reserved

 
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Posted in Wedding Planning

 

How to Dress When Attending a Wedding

30 Jul
Tips on deciding what to wear when attending a wedding in Idaho

Tips on deciding what to wear when attending a wedding

So you go to the mailbox and receive a wedding invitation. As you open it up, one of the first things you think of is “What am I going to wear to this?” It used to be that traditional wedding attire worked for just about any wedding, but now days there are much more casual weddings and even theme weddings, so wearing what is expected will help you feel more comfortable and appropriate when attending.

The first place to look for clues to the proper attire is in the wedding invitation. Does the invitation actually list “casual wedding attire” or “formal attire” or something else of that nature? If so, this is your easiest bet.  If an “attire clue” doesn’t exist in the invitation, take your cue from other details:

  • Is the wedding being held in a backyard or in a fancy hotel? Obviously, you’ll want to dress more formally for the wedding at the hotel.
  • Is the wedding happening during the day or evening? Evening weddings tend to be more formal.

If you still don’t feel comfortable in your determination of proper wedding attire from clues in the invitation, it is appropriate to call the mother of the bride or the mother of the groom. Asking what the appropriate attire is will ensure that both you and the wedding party are comfortable through the entire ceremony and reception.

Wearing black is generally considered acceptable in any culture. Wearing white or red is not appropriate in many cultures, and can sometimes draw additional unwanted attention towards yourself.

 
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Posted in Idaho Wedding, Wedding Trends

 

Choosing Your Wedding Cake

09 Jul

Choosing your Wedding Cake

Now that you’ve found the man of your dreams, booked your reception, ordered your dress, and selected your flowers….how about designing your wedding cake? Your wedding cake will be the most important cake you ever pick out, so make it a fantastic one! Wedding cakes are no longer just 3 tiers of white cake with a bride and groom on the top. They are expressions of who you are as a couple, be it a traditional tiered cake, topsy turvy masterpiece, or sculpted work of art. Most importantly, it needs to taste just as good as it looks, so here are some tips to help you select the cake of your dreams………

Start thinking of what you would like your cake to look like well before you meet with the baker. Even if you don’t have an exact idea drawn out, it will help them design a cake for you if you have an idea of what you are envisioning.  Bring anything that might help inspire creativity along with you to the meeting. Color swatches, pictures from a magazine, a pattern off of your dress,or pieces of jewelry are always helpful.

Bring your sweet tooth along with you for this meeting! After you are done talking about design, it’s time to sample some cake. Most cake makers will have plenty of choices for you to enjoy. Ask what their most popular flavors are, and also feel free to ask for special requests. Most cake makers will allow you to make each tier a different flavor free of charge. This is a great thing because you can make sure all of your guests have a flavor option they will enjoy. This is one of the best parts of wedding planning, so enjoy some yummy cake!

Submitted by:

Aimee Wyatt, Amaru Confections
Owner/Chef
(208) 991-CAKE

 
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Posted in Idaho Wedding, Wedding Decorating, Wedding Planning