Food tasting

Every season there seems to be a new trend that arises in the wedding world.  One trend that I recently came across is having tasting events at your party.  Whether it is food tastings or beverage tastings these events at your wedding can be very interactive to your guests.

One popular tasting idea is a tea tasting.   You can showcase exotic teas from places where you’ve traveled or regional teas from where your family is from.   Giving a little history about each tea and the significance to you can add to the experience.  Having an attendant pour into guests’ glasses elevates the experience for your guests.

For wine lovers a wine tasting is a perfect fit.  There are many vineyards that offer these at events or you can hire a sommelier come in and lead the tasting.  Pairing the wine with cheese also enhances the guests’ experience.  Your guests can get some education as well as party the night away!

Coffee tastings can end the night on a great note.  Hiring a coffee expert to teach guests about different roasts and locales can really be a hit.  Adding personalized little bags of coffee as take always will ensure guests won’t forget your big night.

When deciding to add a tasting event at your party, remember to hire people from reputable companies who have the credentials to host such events.  Remember to understand who the audience will be so that you can create tastings that reflect your guests’ preferences.  And always remember to have fun!

Wedding Programs

When it comes to deciding on programs for your wedding ceremony, there are a number of things to consider- how much information you have to share, the time of year, your overall theme/style, etc.

If you're having an outdoor ceremony in the summer, a fan program would fit wonderfully, but if you're planning a long ceremony, you may not have enough room to fit all of the information- so in that case you might want to do a traditional booklet program and set a basket of fans next to it. Your guests will love it. 

You can do a simple one page programs. It tells guests what they need to know in a simple and compact way. 

The type of style which I love the most now is a layered, vertical program, bound at the top. Each layer is longer than the one above it, so your guests can easily flip through. And you can even label each page on the bottom so guests know what information they're flipping to.

Regardless of what style you choose, be sure be to share all of the important information - What to include on your Wedding Programs …

1.      Your names

2.      Order of events

3.      Religious ceremonies

4.      Explanation of customs/rituals

5.      Translations

6.      Blessings

7.      Thank You message from bride & groom

Wedding Tents

There are many kinds of ways to hold a wedding.  You can have one in a hotel, banquet facility or outdoor area like a park.  When choosing to hold a wedding in an outdoor area it is important to always be prepared for the elements.  Planning for a tent at your outdoor wedding is ideal for providing shelter from rain, extreme sunlight and wind.  Having a tented wedding can also be a cost effective yet elegant way to celebrate your special occasion.  Whether you are planning a large wedding reception, or a small intimate ceremony, you can find a tent that is perfect for your occasion. However it is important that you know the different types available.

Pole Tents

These are some of the most popular and inexpensive tents available. They come in different sizes and are easy to assemble. The design comprises a tall center pole and shorter perimeter poles. The tent is supported with ropes or tie-downs and the anchoring has to be secure to ensure that the tent stays up. This type of tent, with its peaked roof, is very common for weddings but it requires a large space for the set- up.

Frame Tents

For those looking for a simple and elegant shelter, the A-frame tent is the perfect solution. This tent does not require tie-downs to keep it stable, making it convenient where there is limited space. The tent comes in different sizes and it has no center or interior poles creating an open concept for dancing and dining. This type of tent needs to be installed professionally, and it is often made of vinyl with metal side poles.

Clear Span Tent

These structure tents have an aluminum frame support with no center pole. They are often very large and look somewhat like an airplane hangar. They are ideal for large events and are weather resistant. They usually come in all white and can spread to over 160 feet wide. They have a vinyl cover and they need to be set up by professionals.

Tension Tents

A high peaked tension tent looks a lot like the pole tent, and requires the use of tie-downs round the perimeter, but it is much higher. The center pole is much taller creating more space that is interior and an airy feeling. The tents come in large and are perfect for upscale weddings, where the additional space is perfect for decorating.

Canopy or Marquee

For those on a tight budget, or those who choose to have a small intimate wedding, a canopy or a marquee can offer the perfect solution. This tent is easy to assemble and will not require professional installation. They are inexpensive and are ideal to use in the backyard when entertaining at home. With no interior poles, the sides are open and are perfect when the weather is beautiful, but they do not provide much protection from the wind or heavy rain.

When choosing the right tent for your event, you should think about the location, the number of guests and your budget. Make sure that you hire tents from a reputable company that has good quality products.