Tag Archives: wedding reception venues in Utah

Avoid 4 Flower Mistakes at Wedding Venues in Utah

wedding venues in utah with wedding flower suggestionsHere are 4 common mistakes that Brides often make – Don’t fall into the trap!

Utah reception centers that let brides do their own flowers

Mistake #1 – Miscalculating the Cost

Realize that there are more to flower needs at wedding venues in Utah than just the bride’s bouquet and the groom’s boutonnière.  There are bouquets for bride’s maids, corsages for mothers, grandmothers, boutonnières for uncles, groomsmen, flowers for centerpieces, throwing bouquet, buffet table and the list could go on.  See basic lists of wedding floral packages here.  Also, our prior Flower Basics blog post gives a lot of ideas as well.   Whether you go extravagant or simple, don’t forget the costs of the vases for your flowers, the labor to create them, and any accents including pearls or simple ribbon.  It is not just buying a bouquet from a big box store and plopping them in a jar.  At least a little time, effort, and resources must be dedicated to it.  If you do not hire a professional, then at least put a trusted family member or trusted friend in charge of all the flower needs.

Swensen baby breath bouquets WM

Mistake #2 – Forgetting that it’s YOUR wedding, not a wedding found on Pinterest!

Don’t get too set on what you find on Pinterest and similar sites.  A few photos to your designer is a wonderful way to capture the overall feel of what you want for your wedding.  But allow your designer to make it personalized for you.  Think of ways you can put your own style into your flower designs or let them run ideas past you.

Extravagant wedding 2

From this Pinterest feel (above) to this Ivy House reality! (below)

Ravenburg white pumpkin floral WM

utah wedding receptions with elegant wedding flowers

Mistake #3 – Being stubborn and Insisting on Out-of Season Flowers!

Flowers can be seasonal.  It is very common for brides to have favorite flowers they want for their weddings.  Pink peonies are a good example. There are times in the year that a florist can absolutely not get any or enough of them delivered for an event.  You either need to change your wedding date to accommodate the flowers you desire or be willing to compromise a little with the local flower shops.  Seasonal flowers are not only less expensive; they are easier to obtain.  Click here to find out what flowers are in season during your wedding month.

 

Mistake #4 – Considering only the Appearance of the Flower

Some flowers are incredibly beautiful but have an odor that wouldn’t please your guests.  For example, Paperwhite or Narcissus is a very popular spring forced bulb, but some people find the odor quite offensive and gives them headaches in enclosed areas.  Guests at wedding venues in Utah wouldn’t enjoy that!  There are so many flowers that have sweet scents on their own. Other flowers have complimentary scents when grouped together. Your professional florist will know.  Consider all the senses when choosing your flowers.  One bride invited her aunt to supply flower bouquets at Ivy House.  She simply used pink & white lilies cut from her garden with greenery.  The reception hall was filled with the beautiful refreshing sweet fragrance of lilies.

Odor of paper whites can be offensive in wedding venues in Utah

 

Pink lilly 450px

wedding flowers at wedding venues in utah

Hiring a Limousine for Wedding Reception Centers in Utah

Getaway cars for wedding reception venues in Utah

Wedding transportation is important to consider when planning your wedding day, especially if your wedding ceremony and reception centers in Utah are far apart.  Many brides overlook a plan to graciously get family and friends from point A to point B until all of a sudden, you are not enjoying your day, but worrying about how your bridesmaids in their stilettos and grandmas are going to get to the reception which is a mile or more away.  Avoid these worries about your family and guests and plan ahead. Will everyone go in private cars and with who, or do you want to treat them to a memorable wedding day ride? While you and your new husband ride in your own private classy limo, treat your closest family and friends to a stretched limousine ride. If your budget allows, offering rides between the ceremony and reception venues is a very nice gesture, but not mandatory.  But you must remember that limos are not limitless and need to be reserved far in advance if you want to go this route.

There are also other reasons to hire a limo service. Imagine the excitement for you and all your bridesmaids being picked up at your home or other meeting place and stepping into a stretched limo and riding to your wedding venue for your ceremony and celebration.  There your trusted entourage are all there to help you with your dress and final touches in a spacious bride’s room and any other preparations, readying you to walk down the aisle.  That unique ride all together first thing would be a classy way to start your celebration close to your best friends.

hummer Wedding orange party narrow dresses

Of course, there is always the Bride and Groom departure getaway vehicle.  Here is where you plan and do exactly what you both want.  This is YOUR time to escape from the crowd and begin your honeymoon!  Limousines are often hired for this special romantic departure from most reception venues in Utah.

Most Salt Lake City Limo Services charge by the hour.  Some offer packages for blocks of time.  Whichever company you choose, be sure to clarify what their quote to you includes.  Does it cover the chauffeurs’ gratuity, fuel costs, and any other costs?  Also ask about additional hours if needed.  However, you be wise and book additional time knowing that you may not be able to keep the vehicle longer due to the other clients who have have already booked for their events.  Always book at least 1-2 hours more than you think you need.  Make sure the transportation company is completely transparent so you know what your real cost will be.  Using the good business practice of getting your quote in writing is also very wise.

SONY DSC

If your budget doesn’t allow for hiring a professional car service, some couples are able to borrow a fancy sports car from a family member or friend, or swap cars so that no one knows what car the couple is using which helps to avoid the car decorating mess.  If you use your own vehicle, make sure you and your fiancé wash and vacuum your car so that you will have that new beginning when you finally escape and run away!

SONY DSC

Be happy that you are planning now about your wedding day transportation to any of the many reception centers in Utah.  You won’t be caught in any awkward predicaments the day of your wedding.

Ten Basic Flower Tips for Celebrations at Wedding Venues in Utah

utah wedding receptions flower tipsFlowers are an important focal attraction of a wedding celebration.  Many wedding venues in Utah require brides to use their in-house florist for the event’s floral needs; however, Western Garden’s two wedding reception centers do not require but only recommend their favorite wedding florist.  As a courtesy to our brides, we recommend Hillside Flowers.  (Click to see their sample pricing)

Whether it is Hillside or other chosen florist, or even if you do your flowers yourself, here are 10 basic tips to know and remember.

1)  The Bare Basics include:  bride’s bouquet, groom’s boutonniere, corsages for each mother, boutonnieres for each father.

2)  Additional flower needs for the wedding party – Maid of honor’s/matron of honor’s bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, best man and groomsmen’s boutonnieres, hair piece for the flower girl and rose petals for the flower girl to gently toss down the aisle.

3)  Wedding reception flower needs include:  table centerpieces, customary bouquet that the bride throws, flowers on a gift/guest attendance book table, and cake flowers.   Flowers for a food buffet table may be considered.

4)  The wedding’s theme and colors can be incorporated in the flower selection process.  Consider the types of flowers, flower colors, ribbons, greenery and accents to be used.  Your flowers can be a beautiful reflection of your personality for all your guests to witness.  A bridal bouquet reflects the final touch of the bride’s gown and is an accessory that completes the attire.  Flowers also help capture the theme of a wedding albeit romantic, elegant, rustic, modern, antique to simple.  Exotic orchids to timeless calla lilies, your flowers can tell your guests a lot about you.

5)  To keep the flower budget reasonable, it is less expensive to select flowers that are in season and locally grown if possible.  You may need to improvise and coordinate colors and flowers around certain seasons, but this means you may be able to afford more flowers.  Being open-minded and willing to work with your florist so you don’t have to import flowers will save you a lot of money.

6)  Consider your reception venue.  Utah reception centers that already have some greenery, won’t need as much floral decoration as those that have none, containing only walls and hard decor.  Brides that book at Ivy House and Atrium find that they don’t require as much floral design as other Salt Lake City wedding venues.

7)  Coordinate with a florist that can accommodate you for both the wedding venue for the ceremony and the Utah wedding reception center for your celebration.   This will help you deal with one single florist who can create one cohesive theme for your entire day.  These professionals are able to provide guidance and advice to you about what flowers will work best for your needs.  Sometimes they can even supplement flowers in bouquets and centerpiece with more greenery, feathers, pearls, or artistic elements.

8)  Inquire about vases.  Does your florist rent them to you?  Are they purchased by you as part of the cost of the arrangements?  This is important to know.  You will want to know if  you can send floral arrangements home with guests as a gift?

9)  Does the florist set up the floral pieces?  Does the florist take down the pieces at the end of the reception if the vases are rented or do you do this and return the vases?  These little details are important to know ahead of time.

10)  Many brides want their bouquets professionally preserved.  Some florists provide this service.  Inquiring ahead of time will help save you significant time and help to preserve the bouquet while it is still vibrant and fresh.

Flowers are a vital part of your wedding celebration.  Whether you choose one of the many Utah wedding venues that require the use of their in-house florist or use one of Western Garden’s two wedding reception venues in Utah where you can choose your florist or do it yourself, take heed to these 10 tips to have your flowers be the final accent to your beautiful celebration.

***J&S Wedding 133 credit SONY DSC SONY DSC SONY DSC Codymoffat-040414--8 View More: http://ravenbergphotography.pass.us/allieandsteve View More: http://ravenbergphotography.pass.us/allieandsteve IH12 06-02 Angie & Chase 105 IH12 12-01 Warnock small resolution 27 mfkphoto-ivy-wed-20 RLT CREDIT - 50

Reception Centers in Utah and Clever Love Story Display – 2.21.2014

Utah weddings with clever display of love stories

Wedding reception centers in Utah typically don’t have wedding celebrations quite like the one that Ivy House experienced on February 21, 2014.  This wedding reception was completely and solely about honoring the bride and the groom.  Many very clever and unique ideas were shared with their guests that must be mentioned here.

wedding cake at wedding in Utah

First of all, above their beautiful cake (created by a dear friend), the couple had strung ribbons with photos and short synopsis explaining each step of their romantic beginning and the fun along the way.  Everyone that waited in line to wish them well, was entertained by not only admiring their three-tiered simple elegant cake, but also could see the fun and love Erika and Jonathan already share.

Learning about the bride and groom at reception centers in utah
Things You May Not Know About Him or Her

Another unique idea that I have not seen before were two 8×10 frames containing “Things You May Not Know About Him” and “Things You May Not Know About Her”.  They were fascinating to read, and I don’t even know these two lovebirds!  Again, it was all about honoring the highlighting this beautiful new union!

WM 2.21.14 5 Erika’s favorite book is “Gone With the Wind”.  On display was a copy of the classic opened up with a photo of Jona and Erika on a romantic candlelit park bench.  It could be where he proposed to her.  With their names written in the book, it was another beautiful statement highlighting this couple at one of our Utah wedding venues.

WM IH 2.21.14 13The table centerpieces consisted of red roses with blue delphiniums and white baby’s breath in simple vases.  These were arranged by the groom’s father. These sat atop a stack of books wrapped in book covers of bright red, white, and blue.  A few red rose petals were scattered across the blue tablecloths and among the several votive canoes.  It was simple and again reflected the fun spirit of this beautiful couple.

outdoor wedding venues utah with majestic fireplace

Real Events at Wedding Reception Venues in Utah – February 15, 2014

utah reception centersThe mother of this bride deserves to be awarded this year’s most dedicated mother of the bride award at all wedding reception venues in utah.  Not only did support her daughter in all the stress and details of planning her daughter’s wedding, but she also dealt with the stress and time to make the wedding cake.  That in and of itself is enough to make any mother have her nerves completely frazzled and ready for a day at the spa.

Beautiful couple at utah wedding reception
wedding cake at wedding venues in salt lake city

The cake is a solid four tiers of exquisite unique decoration styles on each level.  It appears to have a fifth tier made up of gorgeous coral & white roses and blue chrysanthemums.  She created a beautiful masterpiece that was the envy of any of any Utah wedding venues.

utah weddings at Ivy house weddings

wedding locations in utah Guests at wedding venues in Utah

The couple enjoyed a beautiful sit down dinner for about 100 guests of family and friends that was hosted by Utah Celebrations.  Their photographer was the wonderful local professional Margaret Evans.

Comments from Kate, the Maid of Honor, included “Everything was wonderful and everyone was very helpful.  The facilities are absolutely beautiful too.”   We invite you to check out wedding places in Utah like Ivy House Weddings for a stress free beautiful wedding celebration!

wedding reception mantel decorations

Real Utah Weddings – May 9, 2014

wedding venues in salt lake city with simple beautySome Utah weddings are simple yet just as special and beautiful as those Utah reception centers that are extravagant.  That is one of the beautiful aspects about Ivy House.  A bride can dress is way up, or simply enjoy it as it is because it already has a stunning simple beauty and charm.

Utah weddings at Ivy House at Western Gardens Downtown

Relaxed bride at slc wedding venuesThis event in May was a beautiful gathering with little fanfare but with a ton of love and happiness for this newly united couple.  Victoria and Christian celebrated their marriage with about 350 family and friends at Ivy House.  Our preferred caterers Utah Celebrations catered the event with delicious appetizers, sandwiches, and tarts. Cheers’n Swizzles was the alcohol provider and everyone sat back, relaxed and chitchatted the evening away.  Victoria chose a beautiful Royal blue base linen with an elegant black topper.  Along with our Chic mirror centerpiece with base candle, everyone was comfortable and enjoyed themselves.  Their photographer was Manuel Rascon who kindly shared photos with us and you can see that he does beautiful work. This is his second time shooting at Western Garden’s wedding reception venues in Utah.  He has been at our sister wedding venue Atrium Weddings in Sandy.

reception centers Utah Celebrations caters at Yummy tarts at indoor garden wedding venues in utah Manuel Rascon at wedding places in utah

Wedding Planners at Wedding Venues in Utah

wedding venues in Utah with wedding plannersBooking with wedding venues in Utah that have in-house wedding planners is worth it.  One way to ensure that you can enjoy your dream day and free yourself from the stress and hassle of preparations and organizing the day itself, is to hire a professional wedding planner or book with a venue that has one. Here are some reasons why a third party planner is worth the expense or better yet, worth booking with a venue that has one.

Two of you – You can not be in two places at the same time.  As talented as you are, you can’t be finalizing the last minute details or solving last minute problems while you are getting your hair done, doing the last minute makeup and hair touched up, or even walking down the aisle.  A separate coordinator, a wedding planner, can take care of all those little things so that you can focus just on you and your wonderful man!

Utah wedding reception venues with wedding planners
You have more competent hands available to help in those crunches just before the ceremony.

Time Saver – It takes time to track down ideas and combine all the details together.  Wedding planners at wedding places in Utah can help point you into the right directions for what you want.  They have already gone through the planning process hundreds of times, so they can help you cut the corners where you can.

Money Saver –  Wedding planners are familiar with other vendors in your area.  They know who offers a good product at a good value and who are professionals.  If your wedding planner is honorable, they don’t accept commissions from those vendors referred by them.  Their best interest should be in you, their client, as they are representing the wedding venues in Utah.

SONY DSCAdded Knowledge – Wedding planners can give you valuable input as you decide on important aspects of the wedding day.  They are already aware of what can possibly happen so that you can prepare for contingencies.  They are full of experience and advice, especially those wedding planners at wedding reception venues in Utah like Ivy House Weddings at Western Gardens Downtown.

Reception centers in Utah have helpful wedding planners
Your wedding planner can give you tips on all the choices you have to make so you get what YOU want!

Time-tested Methods – If you know that you’re not the most organized of persons, a wedding planner is highly recommended.  After all, they are making a living out of being organized — they have their own methods to ensure that things for your wedding reception are planned and implemented well.  Aside from these, wedding planners are also in-the-know with regards to the latest trends in a wedding.

SONY DSCDon’t run yourself ragged and look stressed and tensed up on the day of your wedding.  If you utilize a reception center with a wedding planner, you’ll be more apt to arrive at your wedding reception venue in Salt Lake City feeling gorgeous and relaxed for the best day of your life!  Your wedding day is your day – you deserve to enjoy it to the fullest!

Utah wedding venues for beautiful celebrations