Tag: Wedding Reception

A Cocktail Wedding Reception

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

A group of people at a wedding cocktail hour holding drinks with cherries in them.

It’s not news…the face of weddings has changed from 2019, largely due to COVID-19. Celebrations, not just weddings are smaller, more intimate, and in some ways…less.

Not only are we concerned about health related issues, but many of us are facing financial worries. Does this accept how you plan your wedding? You bet it does.

The powers that be are implying that we may be able to return to normal by the summer of 2021. I sure hope this is the case. But if you wish to be married in 2021, you are doing your planning NOW.

So what are the trends I am seeing with this in mind? Less food, for one. When you think about it, it makes sense. I am always disheartened when I’m at a wedding and I see how much food is wasted. Guests almost always consume the majority of wedding food during ‘Cocktail Hour.’ It’s not surprising, in the rush to get dressed in your wedding guest finery, make it to the church early, (as a good wedding guest should), often, there is no time to grab a meal. After the wedding, during ‘Cocktail Hour,’ we all tend to over-indulge. Then, when dinner is served, anywhere from one to two hours post ‘Cocktail Hour,’ no one is hungry.

insideweddings.com

Plan your wedding cocktail hour: fun, food & entertainment ideas for guests — Wedpics Blog

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What to do? I suggest scrapping the formal dinner and serving heavy apps like the ones above. It will be better for your budget, and your guests will feel lighter – more ready to dance the night away!

cocktail hour — A Garden Party

agardenpartyllc.com

Make sure, however, that you provide at least one chair per guest to rest and relax. Just because you won’t have a formal dinner doesn’t mean your guests don’t want a place to camp out for the reception and call their own. Above and below are some lovely decorating ideas. Enjoy!

Pin on One day

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Cocktail hour wedding. Tented wedding ideas. Outdoor wedding. Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club Wedding. Smo… | Cocktail hour wedding, Tent wedding, Outdoor tent wedding

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More… “How To Be A Good Wedding Host”

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

I have written quite a few blog posts on being a good ‘Wedding Guest’, but thought it was time for another post on “How to Be a Good Wedding Host”.  It is not hard.  I don’t think I have worked with a bride yet who hasn’t been thoughtful and considerate of her guests’ comfort.  But sometimes, it’s a good idea to check-in with some on-line resources, (such as this blog!  🙂  ), and you may run across something you haven’t thought of yet.

The next five photos are mine from a lovely “Camp” wedding I was the ‘Day of Event’ Planner for.  The bride and groom thought of everything.  Above, the female guests are invited to choose a pair of flip flops in case their party shoes began to pinch when it came time for the dancing to begin.

It was a lovely warm day, but as day turned to night, it DID get a little chilly.  Not to worry!  The wedding hosts had a basket at the ready with shawls to borrow if needed.

And why would I post the photo above?  Because the bride and groom at this wedding thought of everything.  They had an elderly grandfather, (we should all be so lucky!), and wanted to insure that he had an exceptionally comfortable seat with the dark chair above.

Serving ice cold drinks in the late summer heat?  How about a cozy to keep that beverage cold, and your hands comfortable?

With an outside wedding, you just might encounter a pesky mosquito or two.  Never fear, the wedding couple had bug spray conveniently located for their guests.  I love the novelty of it hanging in the tree.

This photo was from a wedding last summer.  When guests walked into the wedding venue area, they were greeted with a cocktail to keep them cool as they waited for the lovely couple to make their appearance.

And finally… you may not always have this option, but if you anticipate a hot day for your outdoor wedding, try to choose a time of day when it will not be as hot, and place your guests’ chairs in the shade it there is any.

Feel free to send me ideas you have used for your own wedding to make your guests comfortable!

The Fall Wedding

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

The Fall Wedding… Summer is almost over.  It’s time to look ahead to the Fall Wedding.

There are some simple things you should remember to make the most of your special day, AND to save you money.

Choose your flowers wisely, I.e., make sure you are purchasing “in-season” flowers. Your florist can advise you on this.  Out of season flowers will cost you, sometimes, more than double.  Love the flowers below.

And don’t forget the natural beauty of your outdoor wedding venue.

If your wedding ceremony or reception will be outside, watch the weather carefully.  When I think of Fall, I think cooler weather.  But that might not be the case.  You might experience Indian Summer, and have a heat wave.  Either way, think of your guests.  Cool weather, make sure hot drinks are provided.  If you DO have that heatwave, make sure  you have cool beverages to keep your guests hydrated.

Ha ha!  The guests from the wedding in the photo above made good use of the water provided by their hosts.  This cute tub was a brilliant vessel.

It’s a good idea to keep a list of your guests’ emails, and send out a weather update, especially for those coming from out of town.  They will then be able to dress appropriately.  And help them out.  If the weather will be chilly, consider blankets for your guests’ use.  And don’t forget the bride and her attendants.  The gentlemen usually have jackets to keep them warm, but not the ladies.  Perhaps a lovey cashmere shall would be a considerate bridesmaid gift.  For hot weather, how about a personal fan?  🙂

Don’t neglect to factor in time the of day.  Maybe your wedding will be after we return to standard time vs. daylight savings.  You may wish to have a lovely sunset wedding photo.  If this is the case, plan the time of your wedding ceremony accordingly.

Special Wedding Dances

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

Special Wedding Dances…what do I mean by this?  Well, of course I mean the standard ones, the “Father/Daughter Dance” and the “Mother/Son Dance”. But there are other dances of significance you may want to consider.  Yes, they are a little old-fashioned, but they are not only crowd pleasers, but make cherished memories as well.

Above is a photo of my parents dancing and WINNING the “Anniversary Dance”. All married couples were invited to dance to a pre-chosen song. Then the DJ politely asked couples married less than 5 years, then 10 years, then 20 years to leave the dance floor.  This went on until only one couple remained, the longest married couple.  As I mentioned earlier, at my daughter Maggie and son-in-law Robert’s wedding, the winner of the “Anniversary Dance” was my parents – at 63 years.  I was very proud, and isn’t it a lovely photo?  It’s a picture I will always cherish.  My parents always could “cut a rug”!

Maggie and Robert also chose to recognize their parents.  They played our wedding song and Robert’s parents’ wedding song as well, and we all danced to them. Above you see Rob’s parents, Debbie and Bob, on the right of this picture.

The next photo doesn’t showcase any special dance, but I love the picture.  The little girl, (not so little anymore!), dancing with Rob, is his new sister-in-law, my youngest, Julia. They have a wonderful, big brother/little sister relationship, as I think is apparent in this picture.

The next captures a lovely moment during the “Mother/Son Dance”.  Debbie, mother of the groom, looks just beautiful – and so happy.

And what wedding reception could be complete without the “Father/Daughter Dance”? Above you see my lovely daughter and my husband dancing to James Taylor’s “Smiling Face”. It’s now a family tradition for our daughters to dance with their dad to this song at their wedding.  Both our older girls have so far… All four of our daughters know their dad thinks of them when he hears it.  🙂

So don’t be afraid to be a little “hooky”. You’ll love the results, and so will your guests.  This post is a nice segue into a “Guest Blog” post my oldest will be writing and sharing with you soon…

All Photos: Stephen Wang