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Archives for November 2015

3 Holiday Planning Tips

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By: Natalie Dedas, Sales & Events Coordinator

Between the entertainment, decorations, menu and guest list, every planner needs a few tips on hosting the perfect holiday gathering without stressing over the details.  Many corporate planners tend to leave holiday planning until the last minute, because their schedules tend to get busy at this time of year. It’s easy for the holiday party to get put on the back burner, with these simple steps your holiday planning can be a lot easier:

  1. Great Service is Key- This is an employee appreciation event. Even if you have the smallest of budgets, do not cut back on this aspect of your event. If you need to lower costs look elsewhere such as decor expenditures. People always remember poor service when they receive it. The holiday party is an important event, it shows your employees how much they mean to your company. If there’s one thing you should never sacrifice it’s your event labor. Your team has worked hard for you this year and it’s time to repay that service.
  2. Food Styles with a Twist- It’s always fun to think outside of the box. If your company has hosted its holiday party at the same place, at the same time, with the same buffet for many years, it may be time to switch things up a bit! You can always get creative with food. Instead of a traditional buffet, try stations and bars to offer your guests variety. Offering multiple stations around the room allows your employees to mix and mingle around the event space. You can even host a family style dinner. This type of dinner setting encourages interaction between your employees, while offering a more family style setting rather than the typical corporate feeling.
  3. Get Creative with Entertainment- You do not need a headlining rock band to set you over budget on the entertainment expenditures. Local musicians, college orchestras and bands offer discounted rates. You can even hire within the office for entertainment services. If you really want to put on a show, a karaoke machine rental will definitely liven up the party.

Instead of stressing over details, now you can relax and enjoy a cocktail at the party you helped bring to life.

Cheers!

Cocktail Hour

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By: Natalie Dedas, Sales & Events Coordinator 

If you’re in the initial stages of wedding planning and you’re trying to decide whether you should have a cocktail hour or not, the answer is simple… absolutely! Cocktail hour allows your guests to mingle, enjoy entertainment and some awesome mixed drinks. The prelude to your reception should incorporate three aspects for a successful pre-party:

  1. Hors d’ oeuvres. After your ceremony guests tend to get a little hungry. This is the perfect opportunity to offer them something light to nibble on prior to dinner. The best part about a wedding are the passed or stationed  hors d’ oeuvres! Three is the magic number. This amount can offer your guests a mixed variety without going overboard on the options. It’s always nice to offer a cold, hot and vegetarian option if you really want to please your crowd. Cocktail hour is not just about your guests, it’s about you too! Chances are you haven’t eaten all day and neither has the bridal party, which is why here at The Ice House our in-house caterer Crushed Ice Catering always saves a few platters of each option for your group. We know after your ceremony the first thing you want is a small bite and a cold beer to get the party started!
  2. Mixed Drinks. The bar, quite possibly the most important aspect of your wedding. This is your chance to personalize the details of your wedding. Add a few signature cocktails to help mix things up a bit. Give the cocktails funny names or title them something cute that means a lot to you and your hubby! They could be your favorite cocktails or a seasonal beer you like, the best part, the bar can make these ready to order at a fun beverage station as well. If the drinks are flowing, the night will kick off without a hitch! What if majority of your guests do not drink? No problem at at all! Remember those beverage stations? Crushed Ice Catering can even provide flavored teas, lemonade or infused waters.
  3. Getting Social. Cocktail hour is the first opportunity your guests have to socialize. Setting the scene is important. Here at The Ice House, our Main Hall Package includes an outside East Terrace that is perfect for mingling and even includes an outside bar. With seasonal flowers and market lights, the scene can be topped off with lounge furniture and cocktail tables to provide the perfect atmosphere for your guests. Presentation is everything, after all. While your guests get to know each other, set the scene even more with the proper entertainment. Whether it is the perfect playlist, an acoustic guitar or live band, every cocktail hour must be accompanied by musical entertainment.

Once you have set the scene and spoiled your guest with delicious hors d’ oeuvres & drinks, your on your way to wedding reception success!

 

Winter Weddings: you need to have one.

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By: Natalie Dedas, Sales & Events Coordinator

Who doesn’t want a snowy backdrop for all of their wedding photos?! Snow is everything. But in all seriousness, from event coordinator to client, Winter should be the prime time for all weddings. I will fill you in on a few planning secrets…

Booking a Date- Don’t let your world come crashing down when your venue of choice is booked on your wedding date. Typically, Saturdays book up first and most brides-to-be want a Saturday wedding. Look into the Winter months because there’s more availability, especially on Saturdays. Here’s why: Winter is corporate season. They mostly host their holiday parties on the weekdays, which is why you should be pouncing on these available Saturdays.  Also- wedding vendors tend to be less busy and if you have your heart set on a certain florist that has 12 weddings every Saturday in May, chances are they will only have one or two on your Winter wedding date.

More Bang for Your Buck- In our industry, Winter is less busy. Enter, promotions and discounts. Many venues offer lower prices on facility rentals as well as catering and bar minimums. Don’t ever be afraid to ask your coordinator what promotions they offer at specific times of the year. You can always put the money you save towards another appetizer choice or specialty cocktails.

It the Most Wonderful Time of the Year- There’s a reason why we have a song titled this. The holidays allow many friends and family to take time off and head home or take a vacation. This is a the perfect opportunity for you to host all the most important people in your life without work or hectic schedules getting in the way. New Year’s Eve is becoming more and more popular for weddings. What better way to kick off the new year?

Endless Color Palette- If you’re a fan of color and want to incorporate this in your decor- there’s no better season. Experiment with your color palette. You do not need to feel restricted to any color scheme for this time of year, emerald is great, burgundy is classic and metallics are forever. Make your colors pop by adding some fun winter foliage!

Baby It’s Cold Outside- Another song title because it’s oh-so appropriate. Unlike Spring or Summer, where you never know what the weather is going to do… in Winter you know it’s going to be cold. You do not have to worry about rain or thunderstorms, you get the best alternative out there snow. You can prepare for this type of weather and your wedding festivities will be held indoors no matter what.

Your Hair- Obviously the most important reason was saved for last. Don’t waste cans of product trying to keep your hair from having its own zip code during the Summer. Ladies, you know what I mean. There is virtually no humidity in Winter. Let me just stress on that one more time, virtually NO humidity. Also, while on the subject, no sweating in your wedding dress because its not 98 degrees outside. Think about it.

Channel your inner Phoebe Buffay and shake things up a bit. Instead of sending out those invitations for a early Spring or Summer wedding (like everyone else), look at your options for the holiday season.

Cheers!

Wedding Traditions You Can Skip

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By: Natalie Dedas, Sales & Events Coordinator

Sticking with the romantic wedding traditions is not everyone’s cup of tea. After all it is your day, and it’s nice to break the rules every now-and-then. Your not cursed for all eternity if you do not throw your bouquet to a bunch of ravenous single ladies while listening to “Single Ladies.” If skipping the old fashioned wedding traditions make you and your future husband happy, do it! Simplify your wedding by skipping out on some of the old school traditions to focus on the traditions that mean the most to you two.

  • The Big White Dress– As the bride you’re expected to wear the big fluffy white dress with 20 pounds of ruffles. The white wedding dress is the tradition you should skip first! Wear whatever color you want. Depending on your complexion you may want to wear ivory or cream. If you want to be bold and go with color, be bold! Many brides seem to stick with an off-white and do accent colors with their accessories.
  • The Veil– Even though we all want to be Princess Diana, the long traditional veil is not necessary. You may want a specific look to fit the feel of your wedding. Top off the most important dress you’ll ever wear with a fun headpiece. In many religions, the veil is symbolic. If you are not highly religious, you may not want to include the veil in your ensemble.
  • You Can’t See Each Other Prior to the Ceremony–  Although this is the biggest wedding tradition of all wedding traditions, it is not one you have to do. Every couple is different. Many couples want to stick to a strict timeline and get everything done accordingly, others want to get the pictures and formalities out of the way to enjoy precious time with family and friends. You may want to opt for a first look. You will still get to see your groom’s amazing first reaction to how breathtaking you look! Let’s be honest- that’s the best part!
  • Vows– Some have a way with words, other do not. Personally written vows are very touching and quite humorous at times, but if writing is not your strength do not feel the need to come up with your own. Sometimes it’s beneficial to stick with the simple standard wedding vows.
  • Matching Bridal Party– You may feel the need to have matching nails, dress and hair for every member of your bridal party. Although our inner OCD screams yes, more and more brides are mixing it up a bit. Not every dress style will miraculously fit all of your bridesmaids. Allow your bridesmaids to wear different styles of a dress to help fit their body type. You can always have them styled in one matching color, or opt for a fun ombre option. Being mismatched is a style trend that’s here to stay!
  • The Long Ceremony– You do not need to have a unity ceremony, readings, lengthy vows or a long mass. Exchange simple vows, make your ceremony short and sweet, direct and to the point.  Trust me, people will thank you. No one will be upset with you if you don’t have the traditional hour long mass.

Before the wedding craziness sets in sit down a discuss which wedding traditions are important and which wedding traditions might need a new twist.