Wedding Trends

Ice House Louisville Wedding Feature: The LaMasters

February 26, 2019 by icehouse Leave a Comment

Every so often, there comes along a couple who possesses such a charisma that you can’t help but admire them together. Kellie and Michael LaMaster are one of these couples. Their connection is undeniable and we were thrilled that they chose the Ice House in downtown Louisville, Kentucky to host their reception. Continue below to see details and photos from their day!

Kellie + Michael chose to be wed in St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church

“Working within the wedding industry over the past seven years, I thought surely planning my own wedding would be a piece of cake, when in fact it made things a little harder. Everything seemed so over-done in my eyes—I’ve seen it all! That’s why I tried my best to create a very unique wedding.

Michael and I met on Match.com four years ago. We were each other’s first date for the rest of our lives! Eventually we moved to southern Indiana, so it made perfect sense to have our wedding in Louisville, KY where we were building a life together. And, why not enjoy both sides of the Ohio River! Ceremony took place at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church in New Albany, IN for its beauty and architecture—then we held our Reception at the Ice House in Louisville for its industrial, modern feel that fit us perfectly. We fell in love with the Ice House the moment we walked in!

Making our wedding the most unique was truly my inspiration, down to every detail. Dreaming of a late fall wedding, I chose jewel-toned colors for the dresses and my color palette. Each bridesmaid wore different color/style dress, while my sister (MOH) wore a sequin dress. The groomsmen had little hoop boutonnières to mimic the bridesmaids fun hoop bouquets—which was my absolute favorite detail!

Looking back on our magical windy day, I wouldn’t change a single moment. It turned out more perfect than we ever could’ve imagined, and we’re so grateful. The Ice House team of experts are incredible and made everything so simple. Their stress-free planning process all the way to perfecting our big day—they nailed it! Christina, Erica, Morgan, Spencer, of the Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering crew were absolutely amazing and I appreciate everything they did to make our big day perfect.

I had the best vendor team all around! That is my best piece of advice to brides—you have to find/hire the best team who will make it all possible.” – Kellie LaMaster

Kellie and Michael’s Vendor List:

Church: St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church

Reception Venue: Ice House Louisville

Photographer: Stacy Able Photography

Florist: Amy Jo Goforth at Merci Bouquet (New Albany, IN)

Videographer: Alyssa & Ryan at Paper Crane Cinema Co.

DJ: Jason Shields at Music in Motion of Kentucky

Cake: Sweets by Morgan

Hair: Paige Brigman

Makeup: Ashley/Lola B Beauty

Dress: Modern Trousseau

Shoes: BHLDN

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid

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.”

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.”

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. “

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.”

Happy 2019 and event planning,

Morgan Blake

A Guide For the Benevolent Bride: 5 Steps to a More Socially Conscious Wedding

September 4, 2018 by icehouse Leave a Comment

It’s all too easy to become overwhelmed and blindsided by the constant focus surrounding you and your partner during your wedding season. Luckily, there are ways to consciously decide to focus on others to alleviate the load of being the center of attention. For the benevolent bride, it is imperative to make these decisions in ways that align with her socially conscious values. Our team, situated at the Ice House in downtown Louisville, has compiled a list of five ways you can walk down the aisle knowing your future, and the future of others, will be brighter.

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1. Conflict Free Engagement Rings

A bride’s engagement ring tells the story of her and her partner’s love story. Choosing various combinations of stone settings, jewel stones, and band style can communicate a love that is one of a kind. For brides who are socially conscious, choosing an engagement ring is not only making a choice of a beautiful ring, but also a stand for fair wages and safe working environments. In the past, the selection of ethically sourced engagement rings was slim and did not appeal to the everyday bride. But thankfully, many jewelry companies have taken the challenge to create beautiful pieces that are made with care and compassion. The Good Trade has compiled a list of 12 jewelers that produce stunning engagement pieces that brides can feel confident investing in.

2. Ethically Sourced Wedding Dresses

It is no secret that the wedding dress industry is chalk full of stunning gowns that will please most any bride. The choices are endless. But at what expense, or whose? Thanks to fast fashion there are distributors and retailers with the resources to create bridal gowns that keep up with the trends of every season, but the manufacturing morals are an ugly sight to behold. To avoid sewing into a designer who relies on unsafe working environments and paying deplorable wages to their employees, make the choice to select your wedding dress from a mindful designer whose vision is to design gorgeous gowns while doing their part to positively impact the world. Visit The Good Trade to find an extensive list of reputable designers.

3. Donate Remaining Food

In the past few years, many catering companies have stepped up their game in regards to serving local and sustainable options for events. Doing this boosts local economy as well as cuts down on a company’s carbon footprint. Today, it is important to continue to take conscious steps in the direction of the well-being of others and our Earth. Brides, choose a caterer that will honor your decision to have leftover food donated to local halfway houses or homeless shelters. We are pleased to say that this is an active practice that our exclusive in-house caterer, Crushed Ice Catering, participates in. For Louisville locals looking to incorporate this into their own wedding, Wayside Christian Mission, The Healing Place, and many other non-profits will gratefully accept food donations from your events.

4. Donate Wedding Day Blooms

Much consideration goes into choosing bouquets and floral centerpieces to give a personal touch to a couple’s wedding day, but when the last guest leaves those botanic beauties most likely to be tossed to the trash with plenty of life in their petals. Instead of letting those blossoms go to waste, consider donating your florals to a local assisted living center or nursing home. Many of these centers are thrilled to accept your donations and share them with their residents to brighten their day. Arrangements to donate can be made personally by you and your future spouse, or you can coordinate with locally run The Flower Buds to bring joy to someone’s day.

5. Gifts that Give Back

Naturally you will want to give a token of thanks to your bridal party and wedding guests, and giving the gift that keeps on giving has never been easier. If you and your soon-to-be spouse would rather bypass the tradition of receiving gifts from your guest The Good Beginning is the wedding registry for you. Instead of making the difficult choice between gifting an elegant wine decanter or statement making vase, guest will make donations to charities selected by you and your partner. Likewise, the gesture can be reflected and guest can receive a certificate of a donation made in their name as a wedding favor. Lastly, if the idea of letting guest leave without a token to remember your day by is unbearable, purchase a favor that empowers. For those local to Louisville, purchasing take away treats for your guest from Scarlet’s Bakery not only satisfies a guest sweet tooth but supports a non-profit which pours 100% of their proceeds back into their community.

Making the most of your wedding day means more than choosing the perfect dress and most beautiful bouquet, it means making socially conscious planning decisions that will beautify both your wedding day and the world around you.

Happy planning!

Morgan Blake

Featured Wedding of the Week: Sara and Steve Stifano

August 7, 2018 by icehouse Leave a Comment

For most couples, when they start planning their wedding they don’t plan on making it “eh” or “just alright” they want to “knock it out of the park” and that is just what this week’s Featured Wedding did. Sara and Steve first met on a softball team so they made sure to add plenty of personal touches such as: a Louisville Slugger bat that everyone signed instead of a traditional guest book, and they even had a team huddle during the reception!

A common struggle when it comes to wedding planning is how to make your day as personal as possible. Sara and Steve had no problem with that. To get their family and friends involved, instead of having the DJ make all of the announcements, they had three friends introduce the wedding party, father-daughter dance, and cake cutting. This is just one example of how you can get your loved ones involved.

For Sara and Steve their wedding planning process was slightly different from most. While they both live in Rhode Island, Sara is from Kentucky and that’s why they decided to get married here in Louisville. They only had an opportunity to see the venue twice in person before their wedding. Thanks to plenty of emails, Facetime sessions, and phone calls, when it came down to it “the entire day was practically perfect, our guests were raving about everything, especially the food!” – Sara Stifano

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it takes a village to pull off the perfect day and we could never do it alone. This wedding was no different. Here is a list of all the vendors that help make Sara and Steve’s day so special!

Photographer: BG Photography

Florist: Nanz & Kraft

Planner: Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering

Dress: My dress was from Lara’s Bridals & Formals

Shoes: Kelly & Katie (from DSW)

Hair and Makeup: The Blushing Belle

Bridesmaids dresses: Morilee

Venue: Wedding and Reception were at the Ice House

Music: Family friend

Officiant: Family friend

Cake: Gigi’s Cupcakes

Wedding Backup Plans: What To Do and Why They’re Important

July 30, 2018 by icehouse Leave a Comment

Anyone that dreams of the perfect outdoor wedding with the perfect flowers, the perfect pictures, and a perfect first dance under lights strung from trees, also has nightmares of rain and storms. What can you do to insure that your day goes off without a hitch? Aside from a traditional rain dance, or saying a prayer to the Big Man upstairs, there is not much you can do to stop mother nature. This is why it is CRUCIAL to have a back-up plan! Just ask J-Lo she would know all about this…

No matter what venue you choose, make sure you discuss weather back-up plans. These can be anything from rain delays where you wait it out, tents, or moving the entire ceremony/reception inside. At the Ice House we have multiple back up plans. If you are planning on having your ceremony or reception on our roof-top garden or outdoor terrace, we can always move it inside to our mezzanine or to the main hall. Most venues will have an indoor back-up plan as well, just be sure to ask them about it.

Tents are always a good back-up plan, just know that with most companies they usually have a 24 hour notice policy to guarantee they have time to set the tent up properly. This is not always the case, of course it varies from vendor to vendor, but if the chances of rain on your wedding day are high it’s usually better to play it safe rather than sorry. However make sure to plan for the tent in your budget. It will be much easier on your stress level to have money left over instead of not enough money to pay for the tent.

Rain is not the only weather issue, cold fronts and heat waves can play a major role in outdoor weddings as well. If that is the case there are always heaters, blankets, fans, misters, etc… Not only will the guest appreciate your efforts to keep them comfortable but there are plenty of ways you can work these items into your décor or theme. Pinterest will be your best friend for cases like this!

If it’s going to be a hot outdoor wedding these are just a few options to keep your guests comfortable and cool! Fans make great programs/wedding favors, refreshment stands are a perfect option to keep your guests hydrated, and make for a great photo-op!

If you’re afraid it might get a little chilly depending on the time of year, there are plenty of options when it comes to keeping your guests warm. Such as: using blankets as your wedding favors, setting up a hot chocolate stand, or having a s’mores station set up around a fire pit!

So no matter the weather just remember, it’s your special day and nothing can rain on your parade! Not even the rain…

(Photo Credits: Pinterest)

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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#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).

#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.

#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.

#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?

#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!

#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.

#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.

#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.

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

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!

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

Our Favorite DIY Projects

July 26, 2016 by icehouse Leave a Comment

Over the Past few years, new websites like Pinterest have provided us with a treasure trove of Do-It-Yourself ideas for home, life, events and more. Taking on DIY projects to use at your wedding is a great idea but it can be a little overwhelming when you see how many ways an old wine bottle or wooden palette can be used in a new creation. Before you stress and become a wine bottle hoarder, let the ladies at the Ice House and Crushed Iced Catering share a few of our favorite projects that we’ve seen online or in our Louisville venue!

DIY Party Favors: Party favors aren’t a necessary item for your wedding, but sometimes it’s nice to remind your guests that you truly thank them for sharing in your special day. There are so many cute, inexpensive ways to DIY small party favors that everyone will use and love. We love “living favors”, plants, seeds, etc. Succulents are very popular right now and look so pretty in your home. Why not gather up some small pots/buckets, have a planting day with your bridesmaids and put together some personalized pots for your guests to take home. Find cute paper that matches your colors and just wrap the little plastic pots they already come in- easy enough! Plus, succulents can go a long time without water and will be a perfect hardy option for your favors!

Pack up seeds for your party favor! — Seed from your favorite flowers are a fabulous and small favor for your guests

Wrap your pots in paper to match your theme. — Step by step wrapping for your little pots!

DIY Guest Book: Although the traditional Guest “Book” is a nice and classic way to have people sign and give their well-wishes, couples are experimenting with more fun options that reflect their personality and the theme of their day. Louisville loves their bourbon. If you do too, then maybe having guests sign a painted bourbon barrel head is a fun option for you. Frame your favorite quote or new monogram on heavyweight paper and have your guests sign around it. Let your guests have a little fun adding leaves to your “tree of life” or go movie themed and have them stamp a balloon! Choose a design that allows you to hang it up or display back in your home instead of storing on a dusty shelf. All you need to make these is just a steady hand and a little creativity!

A "Tree of Life" guest book option — These little wooden shapes can be ordered at most craft stores and put together.

Use guest's thumbprints and names to create your picture — If a storybook romance is up your alley, then try something like this!

DIY Menu Boards: Let your guests know what thy’re loading up their plates with by labeling your menu. This can be one simple board at the front of a buffet line, or place cards by each individual item. The Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering use items as simple as small square mirrors with a paint pen/chalkboard pen. Grab your friend with the best handwriting and toss her a pen! Cute handwriting adds a personal touch and saves you money on printing fees. You can use whatever items you can find that go along with your theme.

Mirrors with chalk pen used for menu board. — Mirrors are a good way to reflect the lighting inside the venue.

Chalkboard bar menu. — Chalkboards are always a good option for listing out drinks or food items.

DIY Centerpieces: Centerpieces are going to be a huge component of your decor. Floral arrangements are most commonly used in the center of a table, but that doesn’t mean that you are limited to using only giant vases full of flowers. Here’s where your wine bottles can come in handy! Find a color of spray paint that will compliment your colors without overpowering, and spray different sizes and shapes of bottles. Place flowers or candle sticks in each. Glitter is also good for bottles or jars. However, before you go buying a bunch of glitter, know that it does not always stay where you place it and that you may be picking glitter out of your hair until the second you walk down that aisle 😉 Be sure to work with the season too! Colorful leaves, pine cones for fall, or ornaments for winter make for very inexpensive centerpiece additions.

Bottle and flowers as a centerpiece. — Painting old bottles and pulling flowers from your other decor is a great way to make a centerpiece.

Winter centerpieces. — Pulling pine cones and other greenery is the perfect chance to reflect the season.

So there you have it! DIY can be a great way to add a fun personal touch to your big day and it could end up saving you some money in the long run (and who doesn’t love that). Have you done a DIY project that you feel the world needs to know about? Share it with us and maybe you can be our next feature! As for now, Happy Crafting!

Cheers,

Madeleine

Ice House Louisville Wedding Feature: The LaMasters