Tag Archives: wedding venue

Hiring a Limousine for Wedding Reception Centers in Utah

April 11, 2015 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

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.

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.

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!

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.

Beautiful Celebrations, Real events

Special Guests at Wedding Venues in Utah

October 9, 2014 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

It’s not every day that wedding venues in Utah can enjoy the appearance of a very special guest who comes to honor a beautiful bride and groom. We have photos to prove the visit of Elvis to Lara and Korey on May 10, 2014. He attended their romantic Utah wedding reception celebration at Ivy House Weddings and played a significant role in their farewell from the event.

This couple chose to have a simple ceremony with about 25 guests followed by a small reception for the closest of family and friends. Lara chose the stylish black and white Damask linen table toppers and runners over a hot pink base linen. These were included in her venue rental price. These colors set off the green boxwood wreath topped with hot pink rose petals with the classical tall silver candlestick centerpiece. With real candlelight and the fireplace, the ambiance was romantic and intimate. She used the Ivy House table ware package and self-catered with sandwiches and salads made by dear family and friends. Utah weddings can be affordable when the wedding venue allows the bride to make choices like these for her celebration.

Lara and Korey’s beautiful three-tiered cake was created by Granite bakery. The middle tier was lined with fully opened roses. The base tier was lined with seemingly perfect rose petals each delicately cascading over the one below it. Again the cake was in shades of pinks and whites set upon the black and white table linens.

Skyline Flowers created the bride’s bouquets, the boutonnieres, corsages, and simple rose petals for the tables. With close friends taking all the photos to document this momentous occasion, the wedding party of about 150 enjoyed simple socializing and the traditional bouquet and garter toss along with the bride and groom cutting the cake.

After a dazzling sparkler send-off, Elvis was their chauffeur driving the newlyweds away in his vintage pink cruiser! What an enjoyable and one of the most memorable departures from Utah reception centers!

Beautiful Celebrations, Real events, Receptions

Real Utah Weddings – May 9, 2014

July 4, 2014 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

Some 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.

This 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.

Beautiful Celebrations, Real events, Receptions

Real Events at Wedding Venues in Utah 02-22-2014

July 1, 2014 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

Today I’d like to share about this wedding celebration that took place in the cold of winter, but you’d never guess it. Liz and Matt added their touch of style and personality to the classic lines of Ivy House, one of our wedding venues in Utah; thus creating a Utah wedding reception with simple elegance that reflected the love they share together.

Liz chose beautiful pastel peaches and pinks and accented with golds, silvers, and ivory including a touch of lace. It was elegant, warm, and inviting. Not only was this Utah wedding reception a beautiful site, but even the sounds were elegant. Liz and Matt invited a friend to come play the harp as background music before the dancing began with their iPod music. The string instrument definitely added some class to the event that matched the classic charm of the style of this wedding venue.

The tables were covered with ivory base linens and topped with gold pin tucked toppers. Atop this was the centerpiece option of our tall Silver candlestick centerpiece to which Liz accents with color coordinated ribbons, a touch of mirrors, votive candles, and photos of her and Matt within beautiful silver frames. Again, it was absolute simple elegance as you will see in the photos.

Table Centerpiece at wedding reception places in Utah

We are one of the Utah reception centers that allow for self-catering and that is what Liz and Matt opted to do. They brought in a variety of scrumptious desserts and platters of fresh fruit. Loving neighbors kept the serving tables full for the guests.

Simple elegance can include a lot of fun too. They created their own photo booth with streamers in their wedding colors hanging from a garden harbor as the background and a few fun props. These photos were glued into the guest book and signed by all their fun family and friends.

Liz hired Natalie Gray of The Cake Market to create her exquisite cake. It was a unique two tiered ruffly and pearled masterpiece with a beautiful rose bouquet on top. The flowers were done by First Blossom, and her videographer was Dan Kettle with Elements in Motion.

Utah wedding venues are fortunate to have photographers like Lori Romney Photography and we were pleased to have her photograph Liz and Matt at Ivy House. As you can tell, her work is beautiful and we hope she returns with another bride and groom to our reception
centers in Salt Lake City.

Liz’s mother wrote: “Wonderful venue! It was beautiful. All the staff was so helpful. So glad we had it here!”

Beautiful Celebrations, How-To Tips, Planning your event, Receptions

Utah Wedding Venues Can Help Save Your Wedding Budget

May 8, 2014 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

The wedding budget is a common facet that nearly all couples have to consider when planning their celebrations and looking at Utah wedding venues. Budgets are inconveniently real and can be intimidating and stressful. If you let it, your budget can ruin the entire spirit of your beautiful day. Don’t let it! You can have a perfect wedding at one of Western Garden’s wedding reception centers.

Prioritize Your Utah Wedding Venue Needs – It is important to prioritize what items are the most important to you. You may be able to cut costs on less important things so you can spend more of your budget on those things that are must haves. Here are some tips to consider as you plan and work within your available funds.

1. One way to look at your budget is to see it as a challenge before you. It’s there to stay. Make it a quest to work within your limits.

2. Remain flexible about many of the choices you have to make. Give and take along the way. A lot of headache and stress comes when you insist and demand everything little thing. After all, the most important part of your day will be when you look into the eyes of your man and say “I do!”

3. Seek advice from a wedding event planner at the wedding venue you choose. She has witnessed a lot of weddings and a lot of brides, some with big budgets, some with smaller. She has lots of ideas to share.

4. The reception venue is the first major cost to incur. Seek a venue that offers as much as possible in their base venue rental. Ivy House and Atrium Weddings include just about everything you would need for the venue – linens, tables, chairs, centerpieces, cake cutting tools, beverage servers, parking, etc. When you book with them, a lot of little details are already included.

5. Once you have scoped out all the wedding reception centers and have booked, now it is time to look at your guest list. You can quickly cut your costs if you invite only people that are your closest relatives and friends on both sides of the family. If you can cut it down, you will be cutting costs for invitations, food, flowers for the tables, guest favors, and even the size of your cake.

6. Remember there are a lot of details that you can handle personally. This will save a lot of funds for other things you may not be able to provide, possibly your wedding cake, wedding gown, or special gifts for your bridesmaids, etc.

7. Don’t forget who this party is for. You! It’s to celebrate your union. Keeping this in mind will make it easier to reduce or remove some of the items that can greatly increase your costs.

8. Most wedding venues in Utah can accommodate having your ceremony and your reception or dinner at the same wedding location. This will dramatically cut your costs of paying the minimum for two venues. This will also prevent the stress of transporting everything from one venue to the next. Also, if you reserve wedding venues during off peak season or weekday rather than weekend, you can possibly save additional money. Many brides have booked a daytime ceremony with nice luncheon.

9. Another great idea is to order a smaller two tier wedding cake and then use a sheet cake to serve guests. A gorgeous smaller wedding cake gets cut just as much as a larger one. This is one simple area you can save your wedding budget.

10. You can save a considerable amount of money when planning your dinner or refreshments. Instead of a main course, try finger foods, appetizers and beverages. See if you can self-cater and then have a good friend take charge. (Your immediate family members will be occupied tending to you and guests, so don’t let an immediate family member take on this task.) A full bar can also take a lot from your budget, so consider offering wine and beer instead.

11. Your wedding favors, menu cards, table signs and escort cards can be handmade. With today’s technology, these items can be created and printed very easily and look very professional. Ask a bridesmaid to help you design your stationary needs.

12. Last but not least, making your own flower arrangements can save you money. Simple flowers can have a stunning effect on your guests. Using greenery and flowers that are in season, can also cut costs. So there are a lot of the little details that you can do yourself or have family help you. Remember that Western Gardens reception centers include a variety of candlelit table centerpieces as part of your venue rental. You will not have to spend money on your table decorations. Many brides add a touch of rose petals or a simple ribbon, or even simply place frames of photos of the couple around the centerpiece.

Even when you are planning a wedding on a budget, you can cut costs and not completely destroy your style and flair. Prioritize what you want your money to go towards, then fill in the rest with help from family and friends. Choosing a venue that includes a lot in their base price will help save your budget for other items you want to have. Let the wedding planners of Ivy House Weddings help you plan a memorable wedding. This is a first step to making Utah wedding reception affordable and just what you have dreamed about.

About Our Venue, Ceremonies, How-To Tips, Planning your event, Receptions

Important Questions to Ask Wedding Venues in Utah Either Online or in Person

May 1, 2014 ivyhouseblog Leave a comment

bride and groom dancing at wedding locations in Utah — Beautiful wedding venues in Utah include Ivy House Weddings

Your boyfriend popped the question and you have eagerly exclaimed “Yes!” After the fog of excitement has lifted and possibly you have settled on the date, or several optional dates, it’s time to begin the nitty-gritty of wedding preparations. After setting the date, the next important thing to book one of the many choices of wedding venues in Utah. You will need to book early to ensure your chosen venue is still open for your special date. So don’t delay the beginning of your search.

You need to choose the wedding reception centers in Utah that is right for your style, flair, and your budget. So here are some questions that will help you in your quest.

First, always ask about the availability of your wedding date. This will save you heart ache of getting excited for a particular venue, only to discover that your date is not available.
What is the capacity of the venue? Will there be enough space if you choose to have your wedding ceremony and reception in one location?
Does the venue’s ambiance match the kind of look and feel you want for your celebration? What decorations do they provide? What decorations would you need to add? Can the venue supply additional decorations and can match your colors chosen?
Do you want a classic old world charm ambiance for you and your guests?
Does the Utah wedding venue provide for other wedding related vendors? Or must you use their vendors? Do they allow your own caterers to come in or even self-catering? Do they freely recommend vendors? Do the venue get a commission off of those vendors they recommend? Ask the venue for photos of their caterers, florist, cake designers, and photographers.
Ivy House Weddings Bride’s Room is elegant and spacious and calming!
Are the venue facilities suitable for you and your guests? Is it wheelchair accessible? Is the bathroom easily accessible? Does the venue have a separate bride’s room and groom’s room for changing during your event? What kind of accommodations are available for younger children who will possibly attend your celebration?
If desired, does the venue allow alcohol? It is important that the facility holds a state liquor license if you want liquor during your wedding reception. Turn the drinks completely over to a licensed bartender so that you and your family are not libel should alcohol problems happen at your event.
What all is included in the main cost? Know the detailed list of what the venue includes so you are not disappointed or can plan on certain items. The details of your wedding plan are going to be very important as you proceed.
Upgraded linens and optional tableware are beautiful with our standard silver candlestick centerpiece.
What kind and how much space is available? Is there a dance floor included in the price? Is there enough space for a band, should you wish one?
Parking at reception venues can be annoying for you and the guests. Does the venue provide close and ample parking? Does the venue include a security guard to keep watch of activity outside the venue while you and your guests enjoy yourselves inside.
What staff does the venue supply during your event? Do they have a wedding or event planner to help you make sure everything is planned?
Are there restrictions you need to know about? Some venues do not allow for open flame candles. You will want to know any restrictions, especially if you want something unique for your wedding.

If you are planning a Salt Lake Valley wedding celebration, Ivy House Weddings at Western Gardens Downtown Salt Lake City is one of the Utah wedding venues that should definitely be considered for your celebration.

Outdoor fall colors at Utah wedding reception venues — Autumn colors for couple at Ivy House Weddings

Ceremonies, Receptions

Among Utah Wedding Venues, Ivy House Weddings Is A Beautiful Affordable Value

October 17, 2012 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

Among Utah Wedding Venues, Ivy House Weddings is a beautiful affordable value for any Utah Bride. This elegant Western Gardens downtown venue was a perfect backdrop for this exquisite bride and her entourage. Angela awed the guests as she walked down the isle. Her adorable flower girl had scattered rose petals along the wood floor leading to the officiator.

This was a daytime ceremony with about 80 guests. The groom’s sister served as the pianist and Lauren with LaLas Lens Photography took their professional photos. I enjoyed watching the bride interact with her little cousins who helped in the procession. Wedding venues in Utah are lucky to include such a beautiful Salt Lake City downtown venue that offers a lot for an affordable price.

Beautiful Celebrations

Witness Unique Elegant Style at Wedding Reception Centers in Utah Like Ivy House Weddings

August 14, 2012 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

Ivy House is one of Western Garden’s chic reception centers in Utah and the wedding reception on May 9th of this year proved so. I attended to snap some photos of this couple’s happy celebration with two great families. The evening was so enjoyable that I stayed almost the entire evening taking photos of nearly every aspect of the party. This bride and mother created a beautiful touch to Ivy House that just lit up the wedding place, with lots of love, joy, and laughter.

Unique touches that I will note here about this wedding reception Utah enjoyed are as follows and I hope they can inspire you as you create that wonderland that you’ve dreamt about.

This bride chose the delicate lacy feel. This matched her delicate frame compared to the tall stature of her new husband. Her theme of white lace was accented throughout Ivy House and the sophisticated black rod-iron fixtures and chairs of Ivy House wedding venue were complimented with this frilly touch.
She then touched the sophisticated and frilly look with sunflowers that obvious reflect her personality – bright, beautiful and happy flowers.
The bride’s tender last dance with her father really touched me. There was so much love and gratitude shared between them on the dance floor. I was blessed to catch a few of Dad’s whispers in her ear, a sweet tear in her eye, and that incredible look as Father passed his daughter on to her new husband. What a sweet moment I shall never forget.
Pulling off the garter was priceless. See the photo of the bride.
The decorated car was something I’ll never forget. Yes, it was a beautiful silver Toyota Cruiser that was absolutely plastered beyond recognition. The bride dropped her jaw in disbelief when she finally could see it after the sparklers. The good part was that the friends and family had first wrapped the car first in plastic, and then decorated with syrups, cream, cherries, strawberries. If the food was at the party, it was on the car. The couple simply had to cut the plastic off the car and it all fell to the ground and they drove away.
Family photos outside were prime. The beautiful Ivy that was accidentally stripped from Ivy House walls during construction, has now just about filled in and offered a beautiful backdrop for the bride’s maids in yellow. What smiles and beauty accented the Ivy House garden.

The cutting of the cake, the sparkler send off, the food, and all was beautiful and so much fun to witness. This couple was off to a beautiful start by having their celebration at Utah wedding reception centers like Ivy House Weddings at Western Gardens Center Downtown.

As for who-did-what at this affair, the wedding cake was brought in by Kneaders, the photographer was JacqueLynn Photography, and her beautiful sunflower arrangements were a creation of a friend that works at Flower Patch. The food was catered by our very popular preferred caterer Utah Celebrations. We are proud of the work they do and the value they offer at our Utah receptions to our beautiful brides.

At last night’s event, a friend of the bride in May also attended last night. She had referred Ivy House Weddings to another friend who had their celebration last night. The word is getting out what a wonderful Utah wedding venues are run by Western Gardens Center.

Happy mother at wedding places in Utah — Happy mother of the bride!

Beautiful Celebrations

Both Western Garden’s Reception Centers in Salt Lake City Hosted Two Celebrations for One Couple in One Day

June 8, 2012 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

Having two separate celebrations lent itself to choosing two different wedding venues in Salt Lake. This bride had the best of two worlds. Ceremony in a large majestic elegant room and an indoor garden reception. She used Western Gardens two reception centers in Salt Lake City – Ivy House Weddings in Downtown and Atrium Weddings in Sandy.

On Friday evening, the couple and their close family and friends, who also were part of the wedding party, celebrated at Ivy House Weddings at Western Gardens Downtown. After running through a rehearsal of the next day’s ceremony, the group enjoyed a sit down dinner. Family and friends relished a delicious meal catered by GoodWood. Guests enjoyed several choices – salad, prime rib, pineapple chicken, shrimp, fluffy potatoes, and steamed asparagus and another medley of cooked vegetables.

Goodwood Caterers Shrimp and Salad

Saturday morning, the wedding party returned for the real thing at this wedding venue. The bride and her bridesmaid prepared in the spacious and elegant brides room. This bride was elegantly adorned with a cream colored wedding gown which fit beautifully with the decor of Ivy House. Everyone was stunned at her poise and radiance as her father escorted her down the isle. Purple sashes accented several of the chairs along the way. Her bridesmaid’s wore purple and black attired and all carrying bouquets with a touch of purple with yellow, white, and deep red.

By early afternoon, the couple was on their way to another celebration with a different flavor. The wedding party would soon enjoy another one of Western Gardens wedding reception centers in Salt Lake City, Atrium Weddings further south in Sandy. Being done by 2pm allowed Ivy House staff to prepare for a different event booked at Ivy House the same evening.

Simple love!

Enjoy many beautiful photos taken by James Erick Photography and by Ivy House Staff.

Beautiful Celebrations

A Wedding Reception Utah Celebrated with Love and Fun

May 23, 2012 Wendy Pettit Leave a comment

A beautiful wedding reception Utah will long remember took place at Ivy House Weddings at Western Gardens Downtown. This fun vivacious couple had lots of twinkles in their eyes as they celebrated their new union. To begin the evening, guests were greeted at Ivy House entrance by two sweet family members dressed in adorable white dresses and green satin sashes. Their big smiles welcomed all to the celebration.

The bride chose simple green and white as her celebration colors. Simple glass vases were adorned with satin green ribbons and filled with beautiful lacy white hydrangea blossoms. The cake also was simple yet elegant. White with white pearls were complimented with sweet bouquet of white roses and white hydrangea blooms on each of the three tiers. The bridal bouquet rested at the base until the traditional bouquet tossing occurred later in the evening.

The only blue item in the room was the groom’s cake; a massive flat cake of a New York Yankee stripped baseball uniform shirt topped with ball cap and ball, all made with fondant icing. It was spectacular and definitely displayed the obvious love the groom has for this baseball team. Everyone was excited to see not only the cutting of the traditional cake, but also of the groom’s baseball cake, especially the young children.

Guests enjoyed chocolate dipped strawberries, salad, and finger foods including cheese garnished tomatoes and a delicate white cookies topped with pastel green frosting. Refreshing lemon and strawberry water was enjoyed as well.

Tossing the bouquet was a lot of fun. The bride chose to toss from the balcony of this Utah wedding reception center’s inner room. The groom also flung the garter from above to those singles waiting below.

Wedding receptions in Utah are beautiful in Western Garden’s new Ivy House Wedding venue.