My Big Day Events Blog: Weddings, Events, Deals, Ideas, Planning, Colorado in the Know!

Advice on Picking the Perfect Wedding Venue

5/8/2018

Every couple wants to create the ideal ambiance for their wedding. Choosing the perfect venue for your wedding and reception is all about location and your personal preferences. Your venue should complement the theme of your wedding and speak to your love story, faith or maybe even your passions.

Some religions state that the couple should get married in their place of worship. So religion may be the main driving force in choosing your wedding venue. But even if you plan to say “I Do” in a place of worship, your reception venue can be somewhere unique.

Couples who are open to alternative settings for their vow exchange can and should think about unique venues like museums, parks, botanical gardens or even the beach (if you’re on the coast). Think about how the venue will photograph, and how the location will look as a backdrop.

Of course, you also need to consider the guest list. Is the location easily accessible for guests?
What about parking?
And public restrooms?

When looking at alternative locations, couples should take all aspects of the venue or site into account. As for choosing the reception venue, an entirely unique location may be selected. While some couples exchange vows and hold their reception at the same location, others choose to have their after-party elsewhere.

Here are a few tips to decide how to choose the ideal locations for the vow exchange and the reception:

Make sure the locations are close.

If you’re getting married on the beach, consider reception venues that are nearby.

Look at hotels, restaurants or other sites for guests to gather after the vow exchange. Some hotels on the beach also offer all-inclusive wedding packages. So you can have your ceremony near the water and the reception indoors…or even on the patio!

Budget is everything.Before you even begin looking for the perfect wedding site, you need to understand your financial bottom line.

That beautiful cathedral might charge more than you can afford, but your local family church may allow you to host your wedding ceremony for a nominal fee if you’re a member.

The money bottom line also speaks to your reception venue. Yes, that grand resort may seem like the picturesque place to host your guests, but you cannot spend the entire budget on just the reception!

Ask about the site rules and regulations.
Some venues may require you to use their on-site catering or may stipulate what you can or cannot bring on site. Ask about any rules and constraints...you may even want to inquire about any limitations on décor.

If the venue is a closed space, and you’re an allergy sufferer, you also may want to make sure your florist steers clear of flowers that aggravate allergies (like daisies or sunflowers).

Check the reviews.
If you’re not planning to marry in a house of worship, and you’re looking for a unique venue, always check the reviews before committing or forking over a down-payment. Read all the reviews and then tour the location.

Ask for recommendations.
If you hired a wedding planner, don’t be shy about asking for site recommendations. Talk to your planner about your personal preferences and be open about your budget; your planner likely will have some great suggestions.

Think about a home-based ceremony.
If your budget is tight, you could consider hosting the ceremony in your backyard. Or in the backyard of your parents’ house. You’ll need to be sure that the space can accommodate your guest list, however.

Choosing the right wedding venue is all about finding the destination that strikes the right note. Your ceremony location should speak to your story, personality and even your passions. If the two of you love the outdoors, consider hosting your nuptials at a park or on the beach. Some museums and historic sites also may be open for wedding events. Know your budget before exploring sites, and always read reviews of venues before committing. No matter where you plan your big day, just remember that the vows matter most…not the location.

Photos courtesy of My Big Day Events - from our many weddings!

Authored by contributing writer, Shannon Lochwood.
Shannon Lochwood currently lives in Southern California. She has a passion for weddings and loves to write about anything related to special "I do" moments. In her free time she loves to hike and spend time with her family and her two lovely dogs
@shannonlochwood
http://shannonlochwood.weebly.com/

Wedding Etiquette in the Age of Social Media

4/29/2018

Social media and omnipresent technology has changed the way couples plan their weddings. Today’s events now have their own wedding hashtag and web site. And it’s also not uncommon for couples to use social platforms as a means to share event updates.

But how much technology is too much for such a private occasion? Nothing ever disappears on the ‘net, and sometimes this reality can lead to an ultimate nightmare—and perhaps even a cancelled wedding! So how much is too much when it comes to utilizing technology?

Like all wedding details, even technology requires a little bit of grace and etiquette. When pulling in social networks for your wedding—and the ‘net—here are a few tips to keep in mind and to keep you from becoming too tangled in the world wide web of weddings.
Don’t overshare.

Yes, everyone loves a quick Facebook or twitter update about your weddings. However, some details need to be kept under wraps. Like your wedding dress designer and, of course, the dress itself. Do post a few crazy dresses that you vetoed, though. The poufier the better! When posting updates, also be sure to not give away any surprises for guests.

Don’t email a thank you note. Always send a thank you note for any shower or wedding gifts received. However, never, ever email a note of thanks. Etiquette dictates that thank you notes should be handwritten. Keep it short and sweet, but make that note personal!

Share registry info via word of mouth. Some couples think that wedding registry information can be sent with an invite. Think again! While you can post your registries on a wedding website, the information about registries must be shared via word of mouth.

Keep certain ‘fun’ pictures private. No one needs to see those crazy—and perhaps embarrassing—photos of the bachelor or bachelorette parties. Do not ever share embarrassing photos of guests, the bride, the groom or any friends without permission.

Understand the copyrights. The couple does not necessarily own the rights to photos taken by a professional photographer. Often copyrights are owned by the photographer, and you need permission to share any copyrighted image. Don’t post copyrighted images on social media unless you get written permission from your photographer. This is something that can easily be added to your contract.

Set tech boundaries for guests. If you don’t want hundreds of phones snapping pictures at your wedding, then make sure guests are aware of your wishes. It’s ok to tell guests to keep their phones off during your wedding. This ensures that you aren’t distracted by all those flashing phones and that a guest’s ringer doesn’t disrupt your vows!

Technology and the web can add to how we plan and commemorate a wedding. However, sometimes there can be too much tech. Use social media and technology to add to your wedding, but don’t go overboard to the point of being tech obsessed. Share a few details via Facebook or Twitter and keep out-of-town friends and family updated on the important happenings. But avoid spilling secrets and surprises and definitely don’t post any photos that could embarrass a friend or relative. If you want guests to limit their use of technology at your wedding, make sure that all guests know that phones cannot be used carte blanche throughout the ceremony. Set boundaries and stick to them, and always use common sense before posting anything online—especially when a copyright is involved!

Authored by contributing writer, Shannon Lochwood.
Shannon Lochwood currently lives in Southern California. She has a passion for weddings and loves to write about anything related to special "I do" moments. In her free time she loves to hike and spend time with her family and her two lovely dogs
@shannonlochwood
http://shannonlochwood.weebly.com/

Mother's Day Recommendations from My Big Day

5/5/2017

It's just around the corner... and if you don't have a regular tradition with your mom, we've composed some ideas and our own stories about how we celebrate with our moms. Whether you are a mom, have a mom, or have someone in your life who is like a mother to you... all moms deserve to be celebrated.

Enjoy some thoughts, advice and recommendations from the My Big Day planning team!

My mom loves to garden and we've always been outdoor adventure buds growing up (and to this day)! Growing up we would often go to the garden store in town on Mother's Day or the day before. My brother and I would each pick out our favorite flower then we would go home and spend the day outside planting flowers together. I think it's a great way to spend quality time as a family and we always enjoyed it as kids! Other years we would go to Powell Gardens, which was the big flower gardens near town.

Now, I don't get to see my mom on Mother's Day so I often send her cards with little notes and promises that "this card is good for...." and fill in the blank. Usually it's a voucher for either a trip somewhere, a day planting flowers or hiking, or something else we've always loved to do together when I get to see her next.

Here's a picture of my mom and I when she came out to visit once and used one of her "this card is good for" cards I made her in college!

-Katie

One of our favorite things to do is get up early, get ready together, and go to a Mother's day brunch. It is usually a day spent eating good food and sitting in the sun (if nice enough)! We also like getting pedicures together!

I love my mom as she is a hard working business woman. She has provided for my family my whole life.

It's a very special day for my mother and I. It's the simple things that end up meaning the most when life is stressful and clouded by work. All she wants do to on this day is spend it with me relaxing, and sometimes that's the best gift she could ask for. (Also, Mimosas)

-Victoria

I've always heard that you should wait to plant your flowers and gardens until Mother's Day weekend in Colorado (because we could always have that late season snow or hard freeze). My mom doesn't live here, but I've spent a couple different Mother's Days planting flowers and doing yard work with Anna's Mom, Colleen, and Dave's Mom, Sue.
Maybe I'll plant my own flowers this year?

-Carrie

How about taking mom on a weekend getaway where she doesn't have to cook or clean? Spend some quality time with your mom at Sylvan Dale’s annual Mother’s Day Celebration. With a bed and breakfast located right on site. After quality brunch, enjoy the day horseback riding, fishing or hiking. Estes Park is just a short drive away too!
This year’s brunch menu has everything from smoked salmon, to quiche-lorraine, brisket, chicken pesto Alfredo, tortilla encrusted Tilapia, ranch-made macaroni and cheese, assorted salads, fruit, and fresh baked breads and desserts.
Seating times are at 10:30a.m., 11a.m., 11:30a.m., 2p.m. and 2:30p.m. For reservations, call 970-667-3915. Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch 2329 North County Road 31D (Loveland)

-Randi

My entire childhood, my sister and I would wake up early and our dad would help us make breakfast in bed for our mom. It was always something fancy and extra special. We'd come into the bedroom with a tray that had flowers, breakfast, juice & coffee and our homemade gifts. Our mom would pretend to be surprised, but she knew what we were up to. There is no way we were quiet chefs!

After breakfast we would go to church and/or spend the day together as a family doing whatever mom wanted to do (which for one day a year was NOT cooking).

As a mom now, being appreciated and simply spending time with my family is the best way for me to celebrate Mothers' Day! Going to a new restaurant, getting a bouquet of flowers that I normally wouldn't buy for myself, or being gifted a day of relaxation (pedicure, massage, facial, NO errands) all sound amazing to me! I can't wait until my son is old enough to make me handmade cards. I know I will just melt.

-Christine

I am such a mommy's girl. I would do just about anything with her. Some of my favorite things to do with my mom are, get coffee together, get our nails done together, see a show (preferably a musical) or just walk around Hobby Lobby/ Target together!
We always have such fun adventures spending way too long in those two stores together dreaming about buying just anything we wanted to, or just actually picking up stuff for crafts to work on together!

-Lynzee

My mom is hands down my best friend, it has just been her and I since I was 6 so we're very close. I love going shopping with her, even if it's just grocery shopping, because it's quality time together, which we usually don't have due to our busy schedules. She always convinces me to get the shirt that I can't decide on, or makes me try on things that I would never think I would like but I turn out loving it. She knows me better than I know myself and I'm so thankful for her.

For Mother's Day I always make sure to buy my mom flowers and bring her out to dinner, I feel like it's a necessity for the day!

When it comes to gifts I usually spoil her with a shopping day or a mani-pedi day. I've always thought that shopping for my mom has been hard so I like to bring her to places that she's usually goes to and let her pick out what she likes and then I'll buy it for her! It's always a fun time buying her a few new outfits to wear that I know she likes because she picked them out.

-Makenzie

My favorite thing to do with my mom is to grocery shop together. As weird as it sounds, grocery shopping is something that is so simple that we get the greatest pleasure out of. We get to have quality time together and catch up on the things we haven't talked to in awhile. Whenever I have the time I offer to go to the grocery store with her and we have endless laughs and gossip to talk about. Every trip we have we pick out a special treat that we can have later that night. Grocery shopping is definitely something that I look forward to with her!

Some things that we also enjoy doing that I recommend in Colorado is hiking, off road driving, and camping! It's leaves for great family time and a lot of fun!

-Kasey

My favorite thing to do with my mom is getting to disconnect from our phones and spend uninterrupted time together, whether that is in the car on a long drive, at home, or out to eat. I love being able to surprise her with a treat or do something small to make her day easier. My sisters and I like to take the day to help my mom plant flowers in her garden on Mother's Day too to celebrate spring.

-Sarah

My Big Day Blog

Advice on Picking the Perfect Wedding Venue

Wedding Etiquette in the Age of Social Media

Mother's Day Recommendations from My Big Day

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