You were wonderful to work with us. The evening was perfect and everyone enjoyed the Ivy House.
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Category Archives: Receptions
Planning A Wedding On A Budget
The wedding budget is becoming a growing concern for couples looking for SLC wedding reception facilities. The amount of money you have available for your wedding does not need to stop you from having the unique, elegant wedding you have always wanted. A wedding that you have dreamed of can still be yours, even through these unstable economic times. To prevent anxiety while planning your wedding, use an open mind and take a while to think about the choices you are presented with for the different details of the wedding.
The Ivy House Salt Lake City Utah wedding venues can help you plan a wedding you have always dreamed of, because of their spacious, elegant venue. There are different choices you can make, that the staff will show you, which might fit into your budget.
Handling some of the wedding details yourself, can save some of your wedding budget money. Focusing on the fact that you are there to celebrate your blessed union, some of the more expensive parts of the wedding can be reduced without sacrificing the quality of the wedding.
Reserve wedding reception centers in salt lake city, so you will know how much is left in your budget for the rest of the wedding. Your closest relatives and friends must attend the wedding to help you celebrate your union, however, cutting out other people will really cut down the cost of the wedding. Every person attending the wedding will contribute to the cost in a number of ways, like the food, table floral decorations, guest favors, cake, invitations, which could all be saved by cutting your guest list down.
Planning to use the same SLC wedding venue, as the Utah wedding reception, can help save on your wedding budget. Without the requirement of moving decorations from the wedding facility to the reception venue, will also save you unnecessary wedding day stress.
The wedding cake is another place you can save money on, by using a sheet cake for the guests and a small 2 tier wedding cake, instead of a large wedding cake. The dinner is where the majority of the per guest cost is allocated, so skip the entree and serve appetizers and drinks. Offering beer and wine, instead of a full bar, can also considerably cut down on your wedding budget. You can always leave off the champagne toast, to reduce the wedding budget.
Another way to save on your budget is to make some of the wedding items yourself, like the, menu cards, wedding favors, escort cards, along with some of the other wedding details. You can also save, by making some of the table decorations and flower arrangements yourself. Create these decorations with flowers in season, and lots of greenery to save on your floral budget. Do not choose the more expensive flowers, substitute them with non floral decorations.
These are just a few ideas that can help you have the wedding of your dreams, even on a budget. The Ivy House staff will work with your budget, to provide you with the wedding of your dreams, while using their spectacular Utah wedding venues.
Extra Tips For Memorable Weddings
An extraordinary wedding reception can be provided by Salt Lake City Utah wedding venues that provide unusual wedding extras, that will not add a lot more to your wedding budget. Elegant weddings can be held at the spacious Ivy House wedding reception centers in Salt Lake City, along with added extras for you to experience the wedding you have always dreamed of.
There are lots of wedding extras that can be added to make your wedding one of a kind, which do not have to be expensive, but can add a unique aspect to your wedding. Adding some extras is important to give your wedding a unique aspect, plus it is one of your most prestigious events of your life. An extra that includes everyone, is a memorable gift for each guest that attends your wedding reception. Check with Utah wedding locations to see what all extras they can provide.
Having a plant, like an herb that people can use, placed at every setting with a personalized tag, marker, or pot provides a nice touch that every guest will appreciate. Choose an herb or plant that people will use multiple times if not every day, so the memory of your wedding will last. Reception centers in Salt Lake City Utah can often help with many extras you would want to add to your wedding, which will give it a more personalized feel.
Another extra that can be added that does not cost very much, but adds a particularly dramatic effect to any Salt Lake City wedding reception is the addition of lighting under the tables. When lights of different colors are placed beneath the tables, they will produce an elegant soft colored glow through the tablecloth. Tables can be color coded using these lights to designate the family members from the guests, along with specific colors for the food and extra tables at your SLC wedding reception.
Adding a specialty food or beverage station can certainly add a trendy touch to any Utahweddingreception. There are wedding venues in Salt Lake City that offer these type of unusual catering services. Frozen yogurt or ice cream bars, specialty fruit, sushi, even popcorn can add a unique element, depending upon what you feel your guests would enjoy during the Utah wedding reception.
One of the most popular extras for any wedding receptions in Utah, is to add a chocolate fountain. Many of your guests love chocolate, and you can offer a variety of types, from milk chocolate to white chocolate. This one extra will always draw a crowd when it is provided at any Salt Lake City Utah reception center, because almost everyone loves chocolate.
A Utah wedding reception centercan provide you with help on adding extras to your wedding that will provide lasting memories. Keeping the guests in mind, and trying to provide extras that include them, plus help them build memories of your blessed union for a very long time can be accomplished when using wedding venues in Utah.
An Indoor Wedding With An Outdoor Feel
Outdoor weddings have become increasingly more popular in recent years. Unfortunately, the weather does not always cooperate enough to allow a lot of outdoor weddings, especially for people searching for Utah wedding locations. Utah has approximately 8 months out of every year that can drop below freezing, which makes an outdoor wedding out of the question for most of the year. It is easier to search for an open, spacious indoor Salt Lake City wedding reception facility, that offers an outdoor feel than hold an outdoor wedding.
The Ivy House can provide the feel of an elegant, open wedding in their beautiful Utah wedding reception center. With all the cold, rainy, and snowy weather that Utah experiences, using the Ivy House is an outstanding choice of wedding venues in Salt Lake City that provides lots of plants for a garden feel. Many guests have commented that they loved the wedding they attended, because of the snow storm they were able to watch out the windows during the reception, providing that outdoor appeal with the comfort of indoors.
Planning to use one of the Salt Lake City Utah wedding venues, as your Salt Lake City Utah reception center, can provide less stress, plus save on your wedding budget. There are a couple of reasons your wedding may cost less by using this type of strategy. You will be able to use the same plants for both the SLC wedding reception, and the Salt Lake City wedding venue, which will result in a floral budget savings. With both the ceremony and reception at the same place, you will not need to buy flowers for both venues, or spend time and take the trouble moving them between venues.
The Ivy House SLC wedding venue has connections with a variety of different vendors, and can recommend many of them to help you with details of your wedding. You can receive a 20% discount on your wedding invitations, plus choose from, hundreds of different types, to find the invitation that is just right for your wedding. This Utah wedding reception wedding venue also offers special extras for your invitations, like adding a thank you note, insert or maybe a picture.
Using the Ivy House for your wedding reception centers in Salt Lake City, you will have a spacious, elegant feel, with lots of plants for an outdoor effect. This is one of the best reception centers in Salt Lake City Utah for photographs, because of all the different places that provide such fascinating picture opportunities. Guests will use disposable cameras you leave around, to catch shots of the wedding you would never have gotten without the spontaneity of guest photos. Having these pictures, to add to your professional pictures, can provide you with a wedding album that you will cherish for the rest of your life.
Once your budget is set, you will begin to make choices on the catering of the food for your wedding, The Ivy House has 3 preferred vendors that can offer you with any type of wedding menu on a budget you can afford. By reserving the Ivy House out of all the reception centers Salt Lake City has to offer, you can have a spacious almost outdoor feeling wedding, with lots of plants all over the venue for the wedding of your dreams.
Customary Wedding and Reception Floral Arrangements
Wedding and reception floral arrangements are an important focal attraction of a wedding and reception. Western Gardens Utah wedding reception recommends Hillside Floral as a preferred florist, both for their designs and for prices that accommodate any budget.
There are varieties of floral arrangements that are customary for the wedding ceremony. These include the bride’s bouquet, maid of honor’s/matron of honor’s bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, groom’s boutonniere, best man’s boutonniere, groomsmen’s boutonnieres, corsages for each mother, boutonnieres for each father, a hair piece for the flower girl and rose petals for the flower girl to gently toss down the aisle.
The wedding reception typically includes centerpieces, the customary bouquet that the bride throws, flowers on a gift/guest attendance book table and cake flowers.
A wedding’s theme and colors incorporate into the flower selection process, including types of flowers, flower colors, ribbons, greenery and accents. Flowers are a beautiful reflection of a couple’s personality, albeit it the exotic orchid to timeless calla lilies. Flowers also help capture the theme of a wedding, from romantic, timeless, elegant, rustic, modern, antique to simple. A bridal bouquet reflects the essence of the bride’s gown and is an accessory that completes her attire.
To help keep the flower budget at a reasonable cost, it is always less expensive to select flowers that are in season and locally grown. This may mean improvising and coordinating colors and flowers around certain seasons, but it also means that a couple can afford more flowers if they are open-minded and willing to work with the local expertise of a florist, instead of having their hearts set on certain varieties of flowers that require importation.
It is easiest to coordinate with a florist who can accommodate both the Salt Lake City wedding venue for the ceremony and Salt Lake City Utah reception center venue flowers. This allows the florist to help form a cohesive theme. Florists are professionals and are able to provide guidance and advice about what flowers will work best with themes and colors. Many times, they can supplement flowers in bouquets and centerpieces with more greenery, feathers, pearls or artistic elements.
It is important to inquire about vases for centerpieces, if they are rented through the florist, if the florist provides the service of setting up centerpieces, aisle runners, potted plants, etc. Another query is if the florist allows guests to take the centerpieces home as gifts and if the florist cleans up after the reception. These are all important questions to ask and items that should be readily addressed by a seasoned, professional florist.
Many brides want their bouquet preserved and some florists provide this service. Inquiring ahead of time will help save the bride significant time and allow her to preserve her bouquet while it is still vibrant and fresh.
Affordable Reception Menu Options
Weddings have evolved into a celebration of marriage, which typically includes dinner, cake and beverages. Western Gardens, Utah wedding reception center specializes in creating beautiful, special moments that both newlyweds and guests will fondly remember.
Food is the essence of our culture, drawing people together throughout the ages. When food is at a wedding it helps guests mingle, get to know one another and provides valuable time for families to become acquainted.
There is a variety of food options available for receptions. If a couple has a larger budget to work with, a multi-course sit down dinner is an excellent option. Another option is a buffet menu, which is less formal than a sit down dinner, promotes more mingling and typically offers a larger variety of food. If couples have a smaller budget, they can still accommodate guests with a cocktail or dessert reception with hors d’oeuvres, drinks and wedding cake.
Some of the most common types of food served at receptions are beef or pork tenderloin, smoked salmon, chicken and a vegetarian dish. It is always important for couples to remember that guests may bring a significant other who has special dietary preferences so offering a variety is advisable. It is best to keep the menu simple, not overcomplicate things or place unusual items on the menu, as this will accommodate most guests and leave them with pleasant memories of the Utah wedding reception at the Ivy House.
It is also important when serving alcohol to make sure that as soon as the reception begins, the food serves immediately so guests can enjoy their dinner and drinks on a full stomach.
Of course, the location of the reception is important when deciding what to serve. If the reception is outdoors, it may be more appropriate to serve hors d’oeuvres. If the reception is in a smaller indoor area, it may be more practical to have a seated dinner versus guests mingling in a buffet line.
Western Gardens Salt Lake City wedding reception works with several catering companies, all offering a variety of affordable menu options that will likely work with any budget. Hiring a caterer makes a significant difference in the quality of food and the ambiance of the wedding reception. It is important that all guests feel relaxed and have an enjoyable time. It is never appropriate to burden guests or family with assignments that include making food. While it is the couple’s special day, it is also a memorable day for family and friends, who all want to share in the celebration and have a truly unforgettable experience.
Sampling a caterer’s menu is very important. Every person has different expectations, taste and it is vital to find a caterer that can help make the food menu an extension of the wedding theme and the overall experience.
June 25, 2011 Wedding Reception
We were so happy with our wedding reception at the Ivy House. Our guests told us how beautiful our reception venue was.
Wedding Reception Décor
Western Gardens is an all-inclusive Salt Lake City wedding venue that seeks to help brides and grooms create an ideal wedding and reception experience with fond memories that last a lifetime.
While many couples hire a professional wedding decorator or wedding planner, some brides have the organization and talent to create and decorate the wedding of their dreams. However, it is far less stressful for a bride to focus on other aspects of wedding planning and leave the decoration and décor to Western Gardens. There are certain factors a couple must keep in mind when creating an ideal Utah wedding venue. The most important aspect is setting and following a budget. If a budget is not adhered to wedding decorations can easily run over budget and take away valuable funds from other allocated wedding details. Western Gardens focuses on helping people adhere to their budget while creating an inviting, warm reception area.
Color schemes are a vital starting point to planning decorations. Some couples prefer to incorporate their wedding ceremony colors throughout the reception, to create a cohesive flow. Others prefer to express their artistic flair and seek to invent a creative adventure-filled theme.
The number of people attending the wedding will help determine the size of the reception room. The types of tables and chairs, the setup for the reception area, etc., are determined by how the couple prefers people be seated, etc. This also determines décor and decorations, including tablecloths, centerpieces, etc. Linens and chair décor are available, as well as organza bows tied around chairs to help color themes flow throughout the reception.
It is traditional to incorporate the same flower variety and theme from the wedding ceremony into the reception flowers and centerpieces. This helps keep the theme cohesive and flowing. Some people prefer soft lighting, whimsical tea lights that cast dancing shadows over the tabletops or softly strewn flower pedals.
Dinner plates, glasses and silverware should match the theme and tablecloths. Simplicity is best when selecting plates because it helps draw guests’ attention to the centerpieces and décor.
The area surrounding the reception hall should also have a décor that flows with the wedding theme. This helps create a unified theme, making guests feel warm and welcome. Plants, flowers and pictures are an excellent way to grace the perimeter of the reception area.
Western Gardens is a premiere Utah wedding reception center that focuses on accommodating a couple’s desires and dreams to help create their perfect once-in-a-lifetime wedding reception.
What Happens in a Wedding Ceremony?
A wedding is filled with many precious moments. And most of the times, these moments are to be found in the wedding ceremony – where you kiss as man and wife, when you say your vows to each other, when the groom sees his bride in her gown (presumably for the first time).
The question is what happens during a wedding ceremony? Oftentimes, when we attend weddings, we get caught up in the romantic moments that we don’t really get into the details of which part goes where, what happens during which part and so on. But when we’re planning our own wedding, it is important for us to know and understand what happens in each part of the wedding ceremony.
There are a lot of variations to a wedding ceremony. You can find many pre-set traditional wedding ceremonies or you may craft your own unique wedding ceremony. Or, you may go for a mixture of traditional with your own personal touch.
To give you an idea of what happens in a wedding ceremony, here are some of the more traditional elements:
The Entrance
– Seating of the guests. Guests, assisted by ushers, enter the wedding venue and take their seats. The prelude or pre-ceremonial music will be played during this time.
– Seating of the Parents. The groom’s parents and the bride’s mother are accompanied to their seats. If the bride opts to have her father give her away, the father would enter later with the bride.
– Entrance of the groom and other attendants. The officiant, the groom and the best man either enter through a side door or also march down the aisle. Then, they take their places in front.
– Entrance of the rest of the wedding party. This includes the bridesmaids and groom’s men walking in pairs, followed by the ring bearer, the flower girls and the maid of honor. The officiant instructs everyone to rise for the Bridal march. Here, the bride enters the wedding location, usually with her father (or other close relative).
– Giving away of the bride. This is an optional part of the program, where the officiant asks who gives the bride to be married. The parents of the bride will answer, “We do.” Sometimes, in modern ceremonies, the officiant instead asks, “Who supports the couple in this marriage?” and both sets of parents will answer, “We do.” 
The Address
This is the “meat” of the wedding ceremony.
– Welcome remarks and statement of purpose. The officiant says welcoming words to the guests and the wedding party and states the purpose of the gathering. In some instances, the bride or the groom may wish to include a loved one or a friend who has passed away or are unable to come. This part is where they can be acknowledged and recognized.
– Charge to the couple. The officiant gives some advice about marriage and how it is to be founded not just on romantic love, but also on respect, friendship and trust. The officiant will remind the couple of the challenges and joys of married life.
– Question of Intent. This is where the officiant asks, “Do you, __________, accept ____________ as your lawfully wedded husband/wife?”. This question is asked to the bride and the groom individually and they each should answer, “I do.”
– Saying of Vows. This is where the bride and groom pledge their vows to each other. The officiant may dictate the words. One of the more common vows go,
I, _____________, take you, _____________ , to be my wedded (wife, husband), to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; in joy and in sorrow; to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live. I give you this ring as a sign of my promise.
The bride and groom may opt to write their own vows beforehand.
Unity Ceremonies
– Blessing and exchanging of rings. The officiant briefly explains the meaning of the rings and their significance in the couple’s union. The bride and groom then exchange rings.
– Optional unity ceremonies. The couple may also add a unity ceremony at this point. The most popular is the lighting of the unity candle. Two smaller candles are each held by the bride and the groom. Other unity ceremonies are the rose ceremony (where the bride and groom exchange roses) and the sand ceremony (where the bride and groom pour different colored sand to symbolize their union).
– The Pronouncement. The officiant will declare the newlyweds as officially man and wife.
– The Kiss. Another much-awaited part of the ceremony is when the couple kisses as husband and wife for the first time.
The Closing
– The Presentation. The officiant presents the bride and groom as Mr. and Mrs. The introduction depends on your preference – would the bride like to take on the groom’s last name or does she want to keep her own last name? Or, would the bride go for a hyphenated name?
– The Recessional. The newlyweds lead the wedding party down the aisle.
When crafting your own wedding ceremony, it is important to remember that this is a reflection of who you (as a couple are). The ceremony ideally reflects your values, beliefs and intentions. It is best if you and your fiancé feel comfortable with each part of the ceremony. You should also carefully consider your choice of wedding venue or SLC wedding reception center. This will provide an excellent backdrop to the beautiful wedding ceremony you have prepared.
When planning a wedding in Sandy, Utah, check out Western Garden’s The Ivy House. It has all that you need for a dream wedding – a beautifully decorated hall, exquisite chandeliers giving your wedding the extra sparkle, plants, artwork and classic-style furniture. The Ivy House makes a perfect Sandy, Utah wedding venue for your dream wedding!
Choosing the Right Venue for Your Reception
Planning a wedding has its own unique set of stressors and considerations, one of which is deciding on the correct Utah wedding venue that fits the majority of your reception qualifications, if not all of them. While reception centers in Salt Lake City abound, there are many that are a mixed bag of questionable quality, limited services, and/or are unreasonably costly. Here is what you should take into consideration before putting down that possibly substantial holding fee on a venue:
Cost
Before starting the move towards purchasing wedding supplies and booking your wedding venue in Salt Lake City, you should have a firm grasp of what your total wedding budget is and itemize it. Once this is done you should have an itemized list that dictates how much you have allotted toward each wedding expense such as a wedding dress, floral arrangements, wedding cake, catering, and venue, to name a few. Once you know the maximum amount you are able to spend on a reception location you will be able to narrow down the right Utah reception venue for your big day.
Services
If you haven’t hired a wedding planner you can take a lot out of the guess work and stress of arranging a wedding if you book a Salt Lake City, Utah reception center that offers you a variety of services such as catering, floral ordering, linens, invitations, hostesses, and musical setups. Venues that present these extra services often provide them at a reduced rate to you due to their ongoing relationship with certain vendors, thus saving you money and the hassle of organizing these wedding services individually.
Type of Venue
Do you want your wedding and reception to take place at the same venue? Would you prefer an indoor or outdoor reception? Are you looking for a location that expresses your uniqueness? These are some of the questions that you should be asking yourself when figuring out which Salt Lake City wedding reception location would work out best for you. Ideally you should not make a venue something that it is not and pick a location that suits your overall personality and style.
After considering all of this, Western Gardens’ the Ivy House has an existing setup that is geared specifically for events like weddings and receptions. Their Salt Lake City, Utah wedding venues present the perfect combination of affordability, extensive services, and an elegant atmosphere that is sure to please both you and your beloved guests.
The Ivy House has an in-house wedding organizer who can assist you in making your wedding and subsequent reception a memorable experience with little fuss. At this Western Gardens venue you are given the opportunity to customize their offered services or employ your own vendors to supply your wedding with the necessary accoutrements.