Why Private Venue vs Restaurants

Rehearsal dinners with the family can be just as stressful as planning the wedding. Generally the groom’s family plans and pays for the rehearsal and dinner and in most cases the groom is out of town leaving the parents with no clue where to host such and important event. They don’t know anything about the local restaurants or the area.

If possible I would try and hold my rehearsal dinner at a private venue or better yet at the venue where you will be getting married.

1) Talk about convientant.
2) Private, not the general public all around you.
3) You have a chance to really visit and enjoy family and
friends in a more intimate setting.
4) Most venues will offer you a package deal making planning
a zip.
5) You have no travel time or have to worry about guest not
finding the restaurant after the rehearsal you are already
there.
6) Many cases you can bring in your own alcohol, which make
the evening less expensive.
7) Most cases you don’t need to limit numbers in attendance
8) Don’t have strangers in the background of your photos.
9) Very convientant to work with the host of the venue in your
planning due to most grooms’ parents being out of town
or doesn’t want or know how to organize such an event.
10) Great time to give your personal gifts to family and the
wedding party.

New Budget Trends

With the unemployment rate being at an all time high and the economy suffering in general, wedding venues are really starting to hear brides talk about doing more of the work themselves to save money on their special day. This can work for some brides and others this can turn into a nightmare.

I think one of the best ways to save money and still be able to hire the vendors of your choice is to consider not hosting your wedding during the peak season. I would really encourage brides to check the off-season prices… THEY ROCK! You can generally get all the vendors and venues at a reduced price.

Hosting your wedding during the off-season doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful and memorable wedding and reception.

Destination Choices for Brides "Sweetheart City" Loveland, Colorado

As women, we have thought about our wedding day from the time we were little girls. Now the time has come to choose the perfect wedding location.

In my opinion the perfect location to share your sacred vows would be the romantic town of Loveland, Colorado, the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. A small sweetheart city romantically nestled in the heart of the foothills.

I couldn’t have said this any better than a quote I read from the website of The Loveland Wedding Professionals; “Looking for a wedding destination that has the services you need to help you create the wedding day you have always envisioned? Have you dreamed of a mountain wedding? A wedding ceremony by the water or in a park? A reception in a beautiful garden or an elegant ballroom? http://www.lovelandweddingprofessionals.com

So when considering sharing those scared vows I would recommend the "Sweetheart City"

Cater VS Self Catering. Which is the best choice?

At our venue Ellis Ranch Event Center & Wedding Park we are a facility rental only. Which means to allow self- catering. There are pros and cons on self -catering.

Sometime self catering does save you some money and then I have seen families by the time they rent all the equipment needed, left over food, stress and clean up they wish they had just hired a cater, the liability of self-catering. We have seen Mothers sweating in their beautiful gown, crying minutes before the wedding trying to get everything ready for the reception instead of being in the dressing room with their daughter and having a good time.

We would always recommend a bride to hire a professional cater for their reception. Most caters can customize menus and generally can design a fit to meet your budget and style. They take the stress out of your day. You will be able to enjoy you daughter or son’s wedding. This is a time to celebrate.

If you still feel self-catering is the way you want to go for your wedding you should always do a walk thru with the facility prior to your wedding date. They can show you where and how many pug-ins they have for roasters, where you can do the food preparations, clean up requirements, where and how you need to set up the food line. Every venue has rules and regulations to follow. If organized properly and kept simple self catering can work.

Officiates Role in Your Ceremony

Your Pastor, Reverend, Rabbi or if you plan on having a family member perform your ceremony (from now on I will call them the officiates) play a major roll in your ceremony. The person directing you to say your vows pulls the entire ceremony together.

Many venues offer an in house wedding planner. It is very important to keep in mind they do not replace the importance of what your officiate plays in making your ceremony run smoothly.

With the economy in the state it is we are seeing more and more brides choosing not to have the officiate not being present during the rehearsal, hoping to save a few bucks. Yes, you can save money but big mistake. Just don’t do it, you they need to know how the wedding procession is going to go. They need to know whom is walking with whom down the isle, when any music will be played, lighting of the candles, ect. They will not know unless you have the take part in the rehearsal. They have preformed many ceremonies and can offer a lot of advice and direction.

If you do have a planner for your wedding they should be working with the venue, officiate, musicians, carriage driver, and the wedding party. The clue here is communicate with each other. Everyone has a job to do and everyone wants to do make your day special. Your officiate along with your other vendors can take a lot of stress out of your day by helping everyone in the wedding party do what they should be doing and make sure your special day goes without a hitch.

Another point you need to keep in mind, if you plan on having a family member or friend perform the ceremony you will need to check with your local and state marriage licensing regulations on how this is to be handled, each state can be different. We have heard of many brides that thought they were legally married to find out later the paper were not signed and recorded properly.

Here is a link to help you find out the marriage-license-laws in your state.
http://www.weddingvendors.com/marriage-license-laws/

Take the stress out of your rehearsal and ceremony and include your officiate.

Making a statement with Jewelry Accessories

When one thinks of accessories you generally think of buying jewelry and I’m sure that is what you thought this topic was about. When I think of accessories I think of diamonds, pearls and gems to help bring out the pizzazz to your decorations.

Every bride wants her wedding decorations unique and memorable to you and your guest. If your wedding dress has pearls or diamonds sewn on the gown I would follow thru with attaching some in all the corsages, add some to your bouquet, cake, favors, and centerpieces. Please take note of the beautiful pearls being used in this brides centerpieces.

It is the little details that make your wedding stand out in our guest minds.








Headpiece photo was taken by the very talented Sarah Lee Welch Photography http://www.sarahleewelchphotography.com

The beautiful centerpiece was sent to me from FLEXX Prouductions http://www.flexxproductions.com

Receptions Are Not The Wild Kingom

Children's Play Area at the Ellis Ranch Wedding Park


This is a very touchy subject for couples and will spark so many emotions. In my writing this blog remember I am thinking strictly from a venue’s point of view.

We have heard of wedding facilities that do not allow any children to attend the wedding or reception. This is very sad when a venue feels they have to implement this regulation but I do totally understand and respect their decision. This is a time for two families and friends to join as one. The Ellis Ranch has always been a child friendly facility and always will be but would like all couples, family members and guests to keep a few thoughts in mind when deciding to or not to have children attend.

First and foremost parents need to be responsible for their children. Remember the venue is not their babysitter. For some reason parents think when attending a wedding or reception that the facility is the Wild Kingdom, especially after a few drinks.

Parents need to keep in mind SAFETY for their child. Many venues have ponds, rivers, stairs and livestock. We have seen very small children standing on the edge of a river and not parent in site.

The Bride has paid a damage deposit to the venue and will be charged any damage to the facility or property. We have seen unattended children, throwing rocks at the cars in the parking lot, stuffing objects down the toilets, running their fingers thru the wedding cake even before it has been cut. I truly could go on and on.

Even the best of best parents seem to forget about their children. We recommend that when going to a wedding or reception that you should make this a date night so you can enjoy your evening. Believe me your kids will love you for it.

If you do decide to take your children with you please remember you are the parent and drink wisely, and keep you children by your side.