Just a Tip... Scheduling Weddings on Holidays

There is no doubt it's very tempting. Holidays are full of warm memories of families, friends and celebrations so it's only natural to contemplate planning your wedding for one of these important dates. Whether you're thinking of a sparkly silver Christmas wedding, a bubbly all out New Years celebration or a 4th of July fete capped off by the ultimate firework display make sure you really think about the date from all angles.

Photo Credit: Emma Dodge Hanson

1. Concern: Make sure you are ready for some guests to respond negatively. I don't just mean checking the "Not Attending" box on your RSVP card, but generally put out that you would schedule this day over a holiday. Many people have their own traditions that they don't like to give up, even for just one year.

Solution: The people that really matter will be there, and if others are upset by the day they can choose not to come! Not really a solution, but this is one of those things you just have to be okay with when you set the date.

2. Concern: Depending on the holiday, where you live, and where your guests live the expense could really add up for your guests. Traditionally flights and hotels are higher around holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Solution:  Plan ahead. Send out save-the-dates to your guests close to a year in advance. They will have time to find the best travel deals, and save up if necessary. Work with local hotels, preferably a few with different price points, to set up room blocks well in advance. Your guest will love you for it!

3. Concern: Vendors like holidays too! Just like your guests, vendors have their own families and traditions to attend to. By no means does this mean that all vendors won't be available, but they may be a bit more scarce. For example, I'm happy to work July 4th, Labor Day and the occasional New Year's Eve, but Thanksgiving and Christmas is all family time!

Solution: Again, plan ahead! If there is a particular style of caterer or photographer that you want, start meeting with them early so that you have as many options as possible.


Before you get too discouraged just remember all the fun parts of planning your wedding on a holiday:
-Your anniversary will always be on or around a day off or long weekend!
-Holidays usually come with their own color scheme, special foods and drinks and decor which can make planning super easy (if you choose to use it)!
-You and your guests will already be in a festive mood because of the holiday and even more so because they get to celebrate your marriage!

Hannah & Will at Hannah's Family Home

When your family owns a beautiful barn and farm in Connecticut you don't need to go too far to find your wedding venue! Luckily for Hannah, and her soon-to-be-husband Will, her family home was just that and it set the stage for her romantic, garden inspired nuptials.

To say the day was warm would be putting it mildly. The sky stayed clear and blue, but they were married during one of the hottest weeks of the year, though you wouldn't be able to tell looking at the cool, calm bride! Take a look at these beautiful photos from the talented Alexandra Tremaine of Tremaine Photography.

Hannah and Will were married at a picturesque church just a short walk (or bus ride) from her home. The ceremony was beautiful and sweet and made all the more personal by not one, but two, performances by some alumni of the Buffers, one of Hamilton College's a cappella groups (Hannah and Will's alma mater).

 

How sweet is this couple? Congratulations and best wishes to you both!

Reception Venue: Private Home • Photography: Tremaine Photography • Caterer: Hillside Catering • Bakery: Second Street Bakery • Rentals: Northampton Tent Rental •  Flowers: Azalea Floral Design • Band: Average Bar Band • Transportation:  First Student Inc.

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Also, check out our facebook page for a peek at last weekend's 1950s diner themed wedding!

All In the Details... Billboard Programs

Have you designed your program yet? Not every couple needs one and not every couple wants one, but if you do you should have fun with it! I love this option from Etsy seller sunnyandstumpy.

Fantastic Flier Programs

Of course, as with any good personalized wedding item, you can customize the text to reflect your special day!

Fantastic Flier Programs

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I hope all of our friends on the East Coast are back with power by now and it didn't put a damper on any celebrations last weekend! Best weather wishes for my lovely bride and groom becoming Mr. and Mrs. this Saturday!

Trend Spotting... Vintage Brooch Bouquets

Most brides I work with are looking for a way to make their wedding day personal and unique (Of course! That's what we do at Curry Kay!). They have mused over menu choices, decor, stationery, but rarely have they thought about bouquets. Most brides think their bouquet choices are limited to shape, flowers, and type of stem binding, but there are so many options! Take these vintage brooch bouquets for one...

JewelBeGorgeous

 What I love about these (besides their vintage flair, shapes, colors, and general loveliness) is that they can fit so many styles. A bride who loves the sparkle can don a primarily crystal brooch bouquet like the one above. While a quirkier bride, who's wedding theme has a bit of a retro twist, can carry an enamel brooch bouquet like the one below.

LionsgateDesigns

One thing to keep in mind with these stylish posies is that they tend to be on the smaller side. Think of how many brooches are in the first two pictures... lots. Now imagining the time it takes to collect and wire those (not to mention the weight!). Not every bride imagines herself with a tiny bouquet, so you may want to consider filling out you bouquet with some flowers, either silk or real.

Noaki

What do you think about this trend? Would you carry a brooch bouquet, do you prefer all flowers or would you do something completely different?

Just a Tip... Using Candles in Your Decor

If you are like most of my brides, you want candles and LOTS of them. I, myself, am a huge fan of using candles (assuming your venue allows it). They provide a beautiful low flicker that illuminates not only centerpieces but your guests in a most flattering way! There are endless choices when purchasing candles for your wedding so here are a few things to keep in mind...

Photo Credit: TM Photography via Style Me Pretty

1. Go for unscented. You may love the smell of "Pomegranate Cider" by Yankee Candle (I know I do), but now is not the time to decorate with 200 votives in that scent. Now Yankee Candle is a bit extreme as their scents are very strong, but even a lightly scented candle can become overpowering in numbers. For a guest who has a very sensitive nose, just one vanilla candle can make for an uncomfortable evening.

Photo Credit: Kristina Lynn Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

2. Look for a long burn time. Tea lights may seem like a great idea since you can buy them at bulk at a dollar store, but they burn very quickly and need to be replaced frequently. I like to use 10hr "food warming candles" that are available at restaurant supply stores. I can light them well before your first guest arrives and they'll be flickering beautifully all night!

Photo Credit: Annaboos House

3. Buy lots! Candles look gorgeous all over your reception venue and it's always a good idea to have a few extra on hand to fill in the decor. As the lights are dimmed for dancing they will be lovely on the bar, cocktail tables, the cake table and more. I'm sure you'll find a good use for them even if you have a few leftover after your big day!

And one more heads up... before investing in candles and holders make sure to check with your venue to see if they allow candles. Many venues allow candles as long as they are in a glass holder while others will request that you use the battery operated version.

All In The Details... Mr & Mrs. Forks

When putting together your wedding style and decor you need think big picture first, and then go to the fun little details!

I love these Mr. and Mrs. forks from Beach House Living on Etsy! It's an intimate detail to be sure -- the majority of your guests won't be able to see the little words stamped on the vintage forks, but they will always be a lovely little reminder of your first day as Newlyweds! (Just make sure that you let your photographer know about them before you get them all cakey... they will make for great photos!)

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I also want to send out a CONGRATULATIONS to Hannah & Will who tied the knot this past weekend. I can't wait to show you some photos of their reception at Hannah's family farm!

And last, but definitely not least, another huge congratulations to EVERYONE who was married in New York State last weekend! It makes me oh-so-happy to be from Upstate NY!

Melissa & Dave at Angevine Farm

We love weddings of all kinds at Curry Kay Events, but as a crafter and a lover of all things vintage myself, I have a soft spot for vintage inspired handmade weddings. So when Melissa and Dave started telling me about their plans I was crazy excited to help them the Month-of!

To set the scene for their vintage rustic fete they found Angevine Farm in Warren, CT. To say that this place had amazing views would be a huge understatement. Just look at that photo above from Josh Snyder Photography (all these gorgeous photos are from the oh-so-talented Josh)! It was beyond breathtaking. The day started off with clear blue skies but as the ceremony approached we had an eye on the dark clouds rolling in. Luckily the rain held off until the cocktail hour, but it definitely added a wonderful sense of drama to the day!

 

When I first met with Melissa and Dave, they made it very clear that they wanted their decor to be "simple". Though with this awesomely creative couple, "simple" did not mean they forgot about the little details. From the hand carved ring box at the ceremony to the vintage board games at the reception to the sparklers around the bonfire at the end of the night these two had given careful thought to every little thing. It was my pleasure to pull it all together for them and ensure that it was set up exactly as they envisioned!

 

 

All Photo Credits: Josh Snyder Photography

 

How sweet are these Newlyweds? Their love for each other was obvious from the moment I met them and I was so happy to play a part in their wedding celebration!

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Angevine Farm • Officiant: Kathy Angevine • Photographer: Josh Snyder Photography • Caterer: Ciao Catering • Baker: Cakes Unlimited • Ceremony Musician: Annalisa Ewald • Rentals: Party Rental, Ltd • Tent Rental: All Season Party Rentals • Flowers: Bouquets by Sarah Worden Natural Design, Reception flowers from Fifty Flowers