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Ice House Louisville Wedding Feature: Emily + Kyle

March 13, 2019 by icehouse Leave a Comment

On October 27, 2018, Emily and Kyle Vaughn’s forever began on the Ice House Louisville’s downtown rooftop in Louisville, KY. Surrounded by loving family and friends, these two entered into their marriage in full celebration. We’ve asked Emily and Kyle for thoughts and advice they would share with other couples in the midst of their own wedding planning journey.

IH: If you were to share a few pieces of advice on wedding planning with newly engaged couples, what would you suggest?

E+K: Don’t sweat the small things! Slow down to ENJOY the planning and your big day because it’s going to go by fast! You won’t remember the tiny details years from now, but you will remember how happy you were and the memories you made with your family and friends.

IH: Give us a description of what it was like working with the Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering staff!

E+K: We had our wedding at The Ice House in Downtown Louisville and had THE BEST experience. Lindsay and the entire Crushed Ice Catering team were very accommodating, organized, and on top of everything! She was a huge help to our planning and we couldn’t have done it without her. We highly recommend finding a venue that will provide a coordinator to help you along the way. Lindsay brought creative thinking and an experienced perspective to each of our planning sessions while ensuring we were staying on top of our timeline and within our budget.

IH: What specifically stood out to you about your coordinator?

E+K: Lindsay coordinated everything with our vendors from the drop offs, to setup’s, pick ups, and more. It was a relief to know that everything was taken care of the day of. She even provided us and the bridal party with a timeline for the day to help to keep things running smoothly. The Ice House allowed us to drop our things off a few days before the wedding and set up the decorations we provided for us. Everything was arranged exactly as we had planned and the space was so beautiful. The day went by without a hitch!

IH: Tell us your thoughts on your menu selection and how the culinary aspect impacted your wedding.

E+K: The food from Crushed Ice Catering was AMAZING! We loved the KY and BBQ themed stations. The food, prepared by Chef Laurence Agnew,  was different from any food that we’ve had at a wedding before. The Hot Brown Casserole is a must! The food was laid out so beautifully and complemented our centerpieces surrounding it. The Ice House Catering team put a lot of thought and creativity into every detail. We are still getting compliments from people about the food! Being able to coordinate the venue, food ,and alcohol all in one place, rather than bringing in all separate vendors, made planning so easy.

IH: What do you think uniquely set y’all’s wedding apart from others?

E+K: Our favorite part of The Ice House was the cocktail space. The outside bar, firepit, and large light up L.O.V.E. letters made for a unique, convenient, elegant space for us to mingle with our family and friends between the ceremony and reception. There were garage doors that opened to the dining and dancing area allowing people to float in and out of the space throughout the night. It was set up perfectly for people to visit and dance the night away!

IH: Any last details that y’all would like to share?

E+K: The Ice House has so much to offer – a beautiful venue, fun add ons to the space (lighting, decorations, fire pits, etc.), great food, accommodating staff and a book full of recommendations for vendors they have worked with before to help make your planning less stressful. We can’t thank Lindsay and her team enough and will definitely be recommending The Ice House to our friends and family.

Florist: J. Elizabeth Designs

Photographer: Firm Anchor

Planner: Lindsay Brough – Crushed Ice Catering

Videographer: Paper Crane Cinema Co.

Dress/Shoes: Maggie Sottero/Gianni Bini

Hair: Echo Salon – Dakota and Mandy

Makeup: Sara Colvin

Bridesmaids Dresses: Rebecca’s Wedding Boutique

Music: DJ Mike Franklin

Officiant: Bob Cunningham

Cake: Stir Crazy Cakes

Filed Under: 2019, Additional Amenities, audio, Bar, BBQ Station, BBQ Wedding, Cocktail Hour, Couples in Love, Crushed Ice Catering, draping, Echo Salon, Engagement Ring, Event Planning, Event Spaces, Exclusive Caterer, Fall Wedding, Firepit, Ice House draping, Laurence Agnew, Louisville, Louisville Catering, Louisville events, Louisville Wedding, market lights, Marquee Sign, Paper Crane Cinema Co, Planners, Rooftop Event, Stir Crazy Cakes, The Ice House, Wedding DJ, Wedding Goals Tagged With: 2019, additional amenities, audio, bar, BBQ Station, BBQ Wedding, cocktail hour, Couples in Love, Crushed Ice Catering, draping, Echo Salon, Engagement Ring, event planning, event spaces, exclusive caterer, Fall Wedding, Firepit, Ice House draping, Laurence Agnew, Louisville, Louisville catering, Louisville events, Louisville Wedding, market lights, Marquee Sign, Paper Crane Cinema Co, Planners, Rooftop Event, Stir Crazy Cakes, The Ice House, Wedding DJ

2019 Wedding and Catering Trends To Bet On

February 7, 2019 by icehouse Leave a Comment

The dawning of a new year is exciting and an opportunity for transformation. The time to narrow down what we can expect from 2019 is now and we have asked our Event Stylist, Spencer Freeman, to give us the shakedown for this year’s event trends. Additionally, we have asked a few of our sister company, Crushed Ice Catering’s, team members to share their thoughts on the coming catering trends. Will your favorite 2018 trends hold their own and continue to make a name for themselves in 2019? What fresh ideas will 2019 bring to the table?

Continue reading below to learn what our team members believe Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering will be serving for the coming year and what trends you can expect to see across Louisville, Kentucky in 2019.  


Spencer Freeman
/ Event Stylist for The Ice House

“For 2019, we definitely will see couples continuing to favor a clean and more neutral palate, but adding pops of color and textured florals. Incorporating florals in event signage, in full floral walls, and in photo booths as well. Pampas grass, the Butterfly Ranunculus, and King Proteas will be choice florals to incorporate into a arrangements and bouquets. 

Similar to what we’ve seen in previous years, you can bet that brides will continue choosing to dress their maids in a color palette with a unique dress for each rather than choosing a uniform style. Variety will be the key to 2019 weddings. Rich textures such as velvet and pure linen will make their way to tablescapes as table linens, napkins, and dresses. 

What we are most excited to see is the incorporation of metallic accents! Against monochromatic and neutral palettes, metallic surfaces really pop. You can expect to see shimmery silvers and golds through mixed metal centerpieces and even disco balls. Seeing gold foiling on invitations is certainly here to stay.

Lastly, we believe more couples will begin to choose a signature touch for their wedding. Whether it be a monogram, custom logo, or color scheme, this option will appeal to clients looking to set a branding aspect for their event or wedding.”

  • Build your decor into focal points by combining florals and disco balls.
  • The gorgeous stamp made by Mark Mounts for his own wedding.
  • Velvet is extending its stay from 2018 and we are here for it.


Chef Agnew, Executive Chef for Crushed Ice Catering

“One trend we can be sure to see carry over from 2018 in to 2019 is the continuing interest in using local produce with more of a focus on plant based proteins served in fast and casual concepts. Similarly, I expect clients who are already focused on sourcing foods locally to also look for humane food experiences that promote sustainability. Think pasture-fed meats, farm-raised eggs, and supporting smaller producers who adhere to the ethical treatment of livestock. We expect floral flavors seeing more palate time by extracting flavor from teas, edible flowers, and ancient herbs like Moringa Leaves. 

Another 2018 trend that will gain more traction is the request for clean eating menus and new diets like Ketogenic, Ayurvedic, and Pegan. Introducing healthful choices like fermented foods with vinegars and kombucha will incorporate more probiotics to promote improved digestion, boost immunity, and help maintain a healthy weight.

Grazing tables will make a more prominent stand for events. Presenting guests with beautiful grazing tables comprised of a large variety of foods ranging from cheeses, fruits, meats, and spreads will make a statement. Hummus is in for a makeover with new recipes such as Red Velvet, Chocolate, Pumpkin Pie, and Snickerdoodle.”

  • Probiotic Beet and Red Cabbage Sauerkraut.
  • Grazing Tables are Taking Over.
  • Goat Cheese with Edible Flowers and Arugula.
Sisi Bright, Bar Manager for Crushed Ice Catering

“For 2019, we expect clients to be inclined to choose beverages that are experiential creations including natural, wellness minded ingredients. Something in particular that our bar is excited to mix up is color changing cocktails. Ingredients, such as Butterfly Pea Powder, can be mixed with various other ingredients which create a mesmerizing visual while enjoying the cocktail! Clients are looking for healthful minded ingredients to serve guests signature cocktails. Ingredients like grapefruit, fig, thyme, and rosemary will find their way into the glasses of event attendees.

A fresh choice we see coming for liquor choice is the inclusion of cocktails made of Mezcal. Mezcal can confuse people, but the thing to remember is: All Tequila is Mezcal, but not all Mezcal is Tequila. The difference is that Tequila must be made from Agave Tequilana, but Mezcal can be made from any agave plant. Lastly, you can be sure to see cocktails finished off with charred cuts of citrus and other toppers.

But this is Louisville, Kentucky. The word going around is that we being recare ‘The Napa Valley of Bourbon‘. That is only going to increase the already steady demand of bourbon cocktails. In a similar vein, I am predicting that we will see a rise in Japanese Whiskey being used in cocktails around town. Especially so for the Brown Formanproduct Suntory Toki. “

  • This Magical Blue Matcha Paloma Cocktail Changes Colors
  • Pineapple & Turmeric Margarita
  • Color-Changing Kiwi-Lime & Mint Julep Cocktail
Kelsey Powell, Senior Catering and Event Manager for Crushed Ice Catering

“People are foregoing the traditional buffet and gravitating towards experience based designs when it comes to the dinner portion of the event. The serving and displaying of food is becoming more interactive with more moving parts. Just in the past few years, the focus on food has grown tremendously. The dinner of an event and wedding was another step on the event timeline, but we have seen clients choose for food to be more of a focal point of events, and more of an experience. 

The request to customize menus to adhere to Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, and Food Allergy restricted diets is also growing. For our team, this is not a new request, but it is one that we see growing in popularity and we are happy to cater to! Other trends we foresee making an appearance this year is Tapas with signature drink pairings that compliment one another. 

The phrase ‘It’s all in the details.’ will ring true for this new year. The attention to detail, not just in a design aspect, but in bar service and food service will gain a greater focus and demand. We see a movement of clients wanting to provide an experience to their guests that feels personal and specific. We can expect to see clients looking to provide a larger variety of options to give a VIP experience to their guests.”

  • Event and bar staff will be on the ready to provide VIP like attention to guests.
  • Whether eaten solo or topping a cocktail, a cocktail station is a crowd pleaser!
  • Delicious treats in personal packaging is a sweet touch for the end of the event.

Happy 2019 and event planning,

Morgan Blake 

Filed Under: 2019, Bar, butterfly pea powder, catering trends, Cocktails, Corporate, Corporate Holiday Party, Crushed Ice Catering, disco ball wedding, Event Planning, Event Spaces, Exclusive Caterer, Fall Wedding, kombucha, Louisville Catering, Louisville events, Louisville Styled Shoot, Louisville Wedding, mezcal, mocktails, pampas grass, Uncategorized, velvet, vip experience, wedding brand, Wedding Ceremony, wedding dress, Wedding Inspiration, Wedding Planning, Wedding Reception, Wedding Trends, Winter Wedding Tagged With: Buffet, Butterfly Pea Powder, Catering Louisville, Crushed Ice Catering, Drinks, Event Decor, Food, Gluten Free, Grazing Table, Kombucha, local, local catering, Locally Sourced, Louisville catering, Metallic Wedding, Mezcal, Offsite Catering, Pampas Grass, Seated Meal, Social Media, The Ice House, The Ice House Wedding, Uncategorized, Velvet, Venue, wedding, Wedding Brand, wedding catering, Wedding Menus

To The Bride on a Budget

October 11, 2016 by icehouse Leave a Comment

To the Bride on a Budget: Top Cost Saving Techniques When Planning Your Wedding

As sales people, and more importantly, Louisville wedding planners at the Ice House – we often hear “how can we cut our budget?” – “is this charge really necessary?” – “the estimated event total is much more than we expected”.

We get it. Budgets are undeniably important, yet often difficult to stick to – and the total overall cost does not come without a great deal of sticker shock. It is our goal to not only exceed your expectations, but to ensure no one goes homeless, broke or hungry throughout the planning process.

Quite often, you will hear your Ice House and/or Crushed Ice Catering team member say – “trust us”. Trust that we know what is best for you and your event. Trust that we know our venue best. Trust that we know some of the best cost saving techniques when it comes to food, beverage and venue costs. Share with us your budget – it eliminates the guess work and allows us to get down to the bottom line. It is your day – and you should have it exactly the way you want. We are here to offer some of our best techniques for cutting costs, without cutting out your vision:

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Every Bride and Groom should set a realistic budget

#1 – Negotiables versus non-negotiables: Just as important as your guest list, begin a list EARLY on in the planning process of what items are must-haves (non-negotiables) and which items are flexible (negotiable). Perhaps it has been your dream to have a live band and that is #1 on your non-negotiable list. But you and your fiance aren’t big on cake. Forgo the cake – and hire the live band! Just remember to offer your guests another dessert option (more often than not, at a lower price).

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Deciding what is important, may be the most important thing you do.

#2 – Expectations versus reality: We live in a Pinterest driven event world. More often than not, clients come to us with inspiration boards from Pinterest from high-end weddings taking place in New York, Los Angeles, Hawaii, etc. It is difficult for us to explain that yes, we can execute that look – but for a substantial cost. Keep it realistic. Pinterest is wonderful tool for inspiration. But understand that while you can shoot for the moon, your budget may not permit.

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Pinterest is a great tool, but proceed with budgetary caution.

#3 – Beer and Wine Darling is Fine: It is perfectly acceptable to offer beer and wine only. By eliminating liquor from your bar package, you are not only saving a few bucks, but you are also saving some of your guests from the dreaded hangover the next day. If your caterer is as cool as Crushed Ice Catering, we can even have one or two secret bottles stashed for Wedding Party only, or your Bourbon Loving Dad.

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Your guests will be satisfied with a limited bar.

#4 – Off-season is in: Check with vendors for special off-season or non-peak discounts. Typically, Friday and Sundays are cheaper than Saturdays, and off-season months will save you some big bucks (as long as an outdoor wedding is not in the picture – remember guest comfort should be your #1 priority).

#5 – The Guest Count Debacle: By far – the easiest way to cut your budget is to trim your guest list. From our experience, this may be the easiest cost-saving technique, but it is BY FAR the toughest on this list. Discuss with your fiancé your “rules” for who is invited and who is not, and stick to your guns – no matter what your future MOL might say (unless she’s fronting the bill, of course). Here are some of our suggestions for who makes the cut:

 

  •                 Have you met this person before?
  •                 Do you allow a plus one if you know they are not in a LTR, engaged or married?
  •                 Have you sat down and had a meal with this person in the last 2 years?

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Who do you want to share in your special day? Spend some time on the guest list!

#6 – Hire Local: In hiring local vendors, you are not only supporting the local economy, but you’re saving a few bucks along the way. There is no charge for travel expenses, accommodations, etc. Also, many caterers offer discounts for vendor meals, so be sure to ask! Inquire about the Ice House’s list of suggested vendors for some of the top local talent!

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Local vendors are the best vendors!

#7 – Shop Smart: Shop for Bridesmaids dresses, wedding weekend outfits, shoes, and all of those other important fashion accessories on discount designer sites such as Hautelook, Zulily, Gilt. You can often find designer items for 50-60% off the full price. If you are okay wearing last season Badgley Mischka’s (who sees your shoes anyways?) then this is a great technique to cut your budget, but maintain your style.

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Online savings are the way to go!

#8 – Forgo Favors: Favors are a great way to say “Thank You”. But let’s be honest – who really needs another koozie to add to their bar collection? Favors are typically cheap, so you aren’t trimming too much fat from your budget – but a couple hundred bucks saved here can go towards something higher up on your non-negotiable list.

#9 – Chaaaa Chinnnnng, Make payments with credit cards: Why HELLLLLLLLO points! Want your Honeymoon paid for? Make your large wedding related purchases with that little piece of plastic and relish in the points that you earn. Depending on the card and their rewards, you could get your airfare, hotel and dinners paid for on your Honeymoon.

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Rack up those rewards with your credit card’s point system.

#10 – Don’t blow your life savings on one night: Yes, your Wedding is the biggest day of your life thus far. It is a fleeting moment that will be enjoyable for you and anyone that loves you no matter what amount of money you spend to make it one-of-a-kind. Remember what is important throughout the process – and that is the fact that you get to marry the love of your life and start your lives together. You don’t want to start the beginning of forever in financial peril. Your guests may not remember the gold flatware, or letterpress invitations two years from now (unless all of your guests are planners J). What they will remember is the two of you beginning your journey together, and being a witness to a phenomenal thing called love.

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In the end, remember the real reason for the festivities.

Keep in mind, these are merely just our suggestions to the common questions and concerns that we hear daily. It important to set a realistic budget, and even decide how much wiggle room you will allow for overages, if any. Ultimately, remember throughout the process to have fun, love each other – and accept help (and offers of help) from anyone.

Cheers and Happy Planning!

Erica

Filed Under: Bar, Beer, Budget, Cocktails, Crushed Ice Catering, Discounts, Do it Yourself, Event Planning, Event Spaces, Louisville Catering, Louisville Wedding, Planners, Venue, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planning, Wedding Reception, Wedding Trends, Wine Tagged With: bar, Crushed Ice Catering, event planning, Louisville catering, Louisville events, Louisville vendors, Louisville Wedding, Main Hall Package, rooftop wedding, The Ice House, wedding catering, wedding ceremony, wedding planning, wedding reception

Brunch Weddings

August 15, 2016 by icehouse Leave a Comment

Are you a brunch lover? That’s a silly thing to ask because everybody loves brunch. Now here’s a real question: Do you think you’d have a brunch wedding? You may be thinking “no” right away, but I bet by the end of this week’s post you’ll be considering it for your Louisville Wedding!

Before I go into specifics, let me give you a general run-down about why brunch weddings are the best.

  • First off, hosting in the early hours of the day means that the heat hasn’t hit just yet. This gives you a few extra hours not having to worry about sweating off your fresh makeup and being able to enjoy being outside a bit longer.
  • You can also host on a Saturday or Sunday and many venues, like The Ice House, offer discounts for booking on a Sunday since it’s less popular. That means less money spent on your part. Plus, we have an awesome rooftop garden that would be perfect for a brunch reception!
  • Speaking of saving money, brunch events also tend to lean more on the casual side. This means the decor can be playful and even your dress, groomsmen suits, and bridesmaids dresses can match the event and keep it a little less formal. Your menu can also be on the lighter side, and there’s no need to pay for an expensive lighting package or a full bar!

Let’s break it down a little more:

 

DRINKS

Like I said, we don’t need a full bar at 10AM, but it’s nice to have a little somethin’ for your guests to sip on. I’m sure you already know what I’m talking about too- Mimosas. Ahhhhh yes, everyone loves a little bubbly in their OJ! But have you thought about a mimosa bar? Grab your favorite varieties of juice, put out some bowls of fresh fruit and let the guests be their own bartender. The combinations are endless and make for a fun and refreshing morning drink.

If mimosas aren’t your thing (Gasp!) then maybe you’d like to try a Bloody Mary bar. Have your bartender serve up spicy or sweet Bloody Marys and have your guests load up a skewer of their favorites! Pickles, bacon, celery, peppers, spices and more, are sure to add a fun twist to a morning cocktail.

Get creative with your drinks!
Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bars are Perfect for Brunch

As a former Barista, there’s one beverage that a brunch wedding would not be complete without: Coffee. Not only is it a “thank you” for those guests who struggled to put themselves together this early for you, but it’s an excuse to create the most adorable coffee bar or cart. Serve a cup to your friends and family as they walk in to the ceremony and keep it going throughout the reception. Personalize cardboard cup and/or sleeves to add a fun touch,  and a fancy mocha will keep those under-agers happy even though they can’t have a mimosa.

Coffee bars are a MUST for brunch.
Keep those early risers happy with a special coffee bar.

FOOD

Your Food choices also offer you a chance for you to stray from the ordinary. Find a caterer like Crushed Ice Catering that has an awesome breakfast menu and go to town. Omelets, frittata, muffins, quiche, waffles (yes please!), fresh fruit. I could go on forever with all of the awesome options.

Even though “brunch” and “cake” aren’t usually two words we put together, having a small cake for your dessert can still be a great idea. Ditch the heavy icing and 5-tiers and try something simple and sweet like a naked cake. Many bakers are trying these lately and they are really a beautiful and delicious way to keep with tradition. You can even pair your small cake with donuts or pastries to stick with the morning theme.

Try a waffle cake for something unexpected and delicious!
Feeling like you want to try something new? How about a waffle cake!

A small Naked Cake would be perfect for a brunch reception
“Naked Cakes” are a beautiful and delicious option for brunch.

RECEPTION

Receptions during the day may not require the same “entertainment” as an evening affair. A band or a DJ could be a great idea as far as music goes, but chances are, grandma isn’t going to want to cut a rug on the dance floor at 11am. This is a great time to socialize and have some yard games out for guests to just enjoy their time with their family and friends. Cornhole, ladder golf, giant Jenga, and even board games will be sure to make everyone feel like a kid again and have fun celebrating with you.

Personalize your Corn Hole Boards!
Add a personal touch to your reception activities.

DECOR

This may be my favorite point of all. Your decor can be simple yet make an impact at the same time. Focus on plants and pops of color instead of lighting and candles. Paper garland or bunting banners look so cute and bring more color and height. Your buffets or stations are bound to be delicious so play up how good they look set up! Chalk signs, menu tags and greenery will make them stand out and look as beautiful as they are yummy.

Love you a Brunch!
Chalk walls and menu tags look awesome on your buffet set up.

Liking the idea but still feeling that a brunch wedding isn’t for you? Take these ideas and pass them along to your family or bridal party and turn them into a shower or day-after party for a smaller crowd. You can’t go wrong with brunch!

 

Cheers,

Madeleine

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Bar, Brunch Wedding, Catering Off-Site, Cocktails, Crushed Ice Catering, Event Planning, Event Spaces, LGBT Ceremony, Louisville Catering, Louisville events, Louisville Wedding, Rooftop Event, RoofTop Wedding, Uncategorized, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planning, Wedding Reception, Wedding Trends Tagged With: Bloody Mary, Breakfast, Brunch, brunch wedding, event planning, Louisville, Louisville Wedding, Mimosas, wedding, Wedding Trend

Summer Weddings: Why We Love Them!

July 6, 2016 by icehouse Leave a Comment

Picking a date for your wedding is a big decision. You may be trying to land a specific day, one with special significance to you and your partner, but often times it comes down to what the venue has available. Many couples shy away from summer dates thinking either spring or fall has better Louisville weather, availability, etc. However, there are so many upsides to choosing summer for your big day and here’s why we at the Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering love summer weddings!

WEATHER: Yes, you take the risk of it being a bit hot, but chances are that the day will be warm and beautifully sunny. By choosing summer, you’ve just opened the door to a whole other group of venues that offer outdoor spaces. The options to do an outdoor cocktail hour, rooftop ceremony, or even a garden-party type reception are available. Not to mention the photos ops that are presented for an outdoor space. Which brings us to our next point…

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Guests enjoy cocktail hour on a beautiful July evening at the rooftop garden.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Just think about the fun that your photographer could have being outside! Not only is the natural lighting a huge benefit, but day-of photo op locations are now endless. You don’t need to worry about taking off and putting on jackets, rosy cheeks, or goosebumps, but you can take advantage of the natural greenery, flowers and sunshine through the clouds. You’ll really appreciate the photos after it’s all said and done.

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Photos at sunset create the perfect romantic lighting.

COLOR/DRESS: Fall and winter weddings limit themselves to a darker color palette. Although this could lead to a more “romantic” or upscale wedding, your options for bridesmaid dresses are limited. The decision of long versus short dresses may be made for you. Summer offers a huge selection of color options from linens, dresses, suits & ties, and flowers. Plus, flowers are in abundance and your florist will be excited to put together bouquets or centerpieces full of color to stand out and make an impact.

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We love this bright and colorful tablescape by Crushed Ice Catering.

GUESTS: Most people usually save their vacation days for summer and have an easier time traveling during this time. If you’re expecting more guests to be available, generally summer is a better option.

COCKTAILS & FOOD: When it comes to picking out your food and bar menu, you really can’t go wrong in the summer. Foods and ingredients are their freshest and generally make everything tastier.  Caterers like Crushed Ice Catering and our Chef Lawrence Agnew take advantage of the freshest locally grown foods for a top notch meal. To top it all off, pick a signature cocktail that reflects the personality of you and your significant other. Your guests will surely appreciate a refreshing beverage unique to you!

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Adding a signature Cocktail or champagne toast is a great and refreshing way to add a little something to your summer menu.

HONEYMOON: Now lets not forget about the honeymoon! Having a summer wedding gives you a good chance to schedule your honeymoon directly after the event. More destinations are available during the summer months and traveling back and forth is easier. However, since the weather is good locally, you don’t have to travel to a tropical location. You can have your honeymoon is a big city or out in the country based on your preference.

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Bride and Groom leave for their honeymoon in style.

The Ice House could be the perfect summer wedding venue. From the rooftop garden to the terrace directly off of the main hall, we aren’t short on beautiful outdoor spaces. Our exclusive caterer, Crushed Ice Catering, provides the highest quality fresh food, and summer guarantees the best ingredients for you and your guests. On top of the awesome space and food available, during the month of July we offer a 20% discount for the venue pricing which means more flowers and fun for you! See, summer isn’t so bad after all!

 

Cheers!

Madeleine

 

Filed Under: Bar, Brunch Wedding, Cocktails, Crushed Ice Catering, Event Planning, Event Spaces, Exclusive Caterer, Louisville Catering, Louisville events, Louisville Wedding, Rehearsal Dinner, Rooftop Event, RoofTop Wedding, Uncategorized, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planning, Wedding Reception, Wedding Trends Tagged With: bar, cocktail hour, Crushed Ice Catering, Crushed Ice Events, Curshed Ice Events, East Terrace, event planning, Honeymoon, Louisville catering, Louisville events, Louisville Wedding, Main Hall Package, mezzanine, Photography, Rooftop Garden, rooftop wedding, stations and bars, Summer Wedding, The Ice House, The Ice House Lounge, up lighting, Weather, wedding catering, wedding ceremony, wedding checklist, wedding planning, wedding reception, wedding show

2016 Event Trends

January 5, 2016 by icehouse Leave a Comment

2016 Event Trends: What will the future hold?

The 2016 Event Planning Season is upon us here at the Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering. With every passing year, we reflect on the trends of that year’s previous events and weddings and look forward to what the New Year will bring. We don’t claim to be psychic, but we typically have a knack for predicting trends for the New Year. Here are the Team’s predictions for 2016:

Erica’s Predictions

The Big Bucks are Back

Luxury. Spending is on the rise again for Weddings and Corporate Events. Clients are willing to spend more money now, than in the previous years. What does this mean? For Weddings, it means more Champagne, longer parties and extravagant amenities. For corporate, it means entertainment, entertainment, entertainment – bands, lighting, audio/visual. Corporate Clients are looking to deliver that “wow” factor that is bright, bigger and louder than ever.

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Pop the Bubbly for 2016!

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Bigger Budgets = Brighter Lights

Lindsay’s Predictions

Say Goodbye to the Southern Theme

The Southern Theme is taking a backseat to the Earthy/Woodland/Bohemian trend.  Expect to see more earth tones and elements such as wood, stone, garland, lanterns – the list could go on and on. Need inspiration for this concept? Look no further – our Friends over at Ruffled Blog (ruffledblog.com) seem to nail this trend on their Blog and their Instagram page.

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The Ruffled Blog nails this upcoming trend

Derek’s Predictions

Classic Cocktails are the Crowd Pleasers

Gone are the days of the Grape-Apple-Cherry-Flirtini-Martini-Whatevertini. The Classic Cocktails are back. You’ll see the bartender’s serving up more of the originals such as a good Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Moscow Mule – just to name a few.  These tried and true cocktails eliminate long lines at the bar – consisting of few ingredients.

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Bar Trends: Classic Cocktails are Back

Lauren’s Predictions

Don’t let the Sun Go Down on Me

Daytime Weddings are increasing in popularity now more than ever. Couples could be utilizing this option as a budget-saving tactic – or it could be that daytime wedding food and drinks are just more fun. There is so much more variety you can offer your guests in the cuisine department (breakfast, lunch, brunch, light appetizers or hor d’oeurves) as well as beverage services. Daytime Weddings give you the perfect opportunity to showcase that pinterest-inspired Champagne, Bloody Mary Bar, or creative “mocktail” station.

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Mocktails are a hit at Daytime Weddings

Chef and Zach’s Predictions

Eat Your Veggies

No one ever said Popeye was a genius, but he did have something behind that whole “spinach” concept. Our Chef and Sous Chef at Crushed Ice Catering predict that we’ll be cooking, and eating, a vast variety of vegetable focused dishes this year. Our Clients’ palates are more adventurous – and health conscience in 2016.

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Vegetables Rule in 2016

In just 12 short months, we’ll be able to reflect back on 2016 and all it had to offer. Here’s to hoping we are on-point with our predictions!

Cheers!

Erica

Filed Under: Additional Amenities, audio, Bar, Brunch Wedding, Cocktails, Corporate, Event Planning, Louisville Catering, Louisville events, Louisville Wedding, mocktails, Wedding Planning, Wedding Reception, Wedding Trends Tagged With: additional amenities, bar, bohemian, champagne, cocktails, corporate, Crushed Ice Catering, event planning, Louisville catering, Louisville events, Louisville Wedding, mocktails, seated dinner, stations and bars, The Ice House, up lighting, vegetables, wedding planning, wedding reception

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