cocktail hour

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

Wedding Spotlight: Allison & Matt’s Ice House Reception

December 8, 2016 by icehouse Leave a Comment

Ice House Louisville Featured Wedding: Allison and Matt

We host A LOT of wedding receptions here at the Ice House. We get the extreme pleasure of working with some of the best Clients in the wedding planning world! Allison was no exception to this. To say that this Bride-to-be was a joy to work with is an understatement. From the first meeting with Allison and her Mom, we knew that the Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering were the perfect fit for her. We instantly fell in love with this family – and secretly wanted to grab drinks, chat and become forever BFFs with them.

When choosing a wedding to highlight, we did not have to look far. We are so happy that Allison took the time to provide us with feedback and (AMAZING) photos from her special day.

Everyone in the event planning world knows that it takes a village to pull off a successful party. Allison’s Dream Team consisted of the most talented vendors in the city, and beyond!

Photographer: Bella Grace Studios

Caterer: Crushed Ice Catering

Planners: The Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering

Linens: La Tavola Fine Linens

Entertainment: The Respectables

Florist: David Williams at Magnolias

Cake: Nord’s Bakery

Transportation: Xtreme Transportation

Makeup: Jessica Hill

Hair: Belles & Co.

Shoes: Badgley Mischka

We asked Allison to share her experience working with the Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering – her testimonial speaks to what our mission is here at the Ice House:

“Erica and her team at the Ice House were a joy to work with. They were always responsive, providing helpful insights and advice and truly helped to plan the big evening. I never felt alone or lost in the process which was such a blessing. Everything turned out beautifully!”

And finally, Allison’s parting words for future Brides-to-be… “Write your Thank You notes as you receive gifts” – a Bride with not only style and grace, but good etiquette too. Now, you can see why we loved her as much as we did!

Congratulations to Allison and Matt, we were honored that you chose the Ice House for your special day.

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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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.

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.

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!

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.

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

Cross Motors Holiday Party

December 9, 2015 by icehouse Leave a Comment

The Main Hall was decked with Christmas garland, lights and festive holiday up lighting for the Cross Motors Holiday Party.

Their evening kicked off with cocktails in the Main Hall with passed appetizers including: House-Cured Bacon Wrapped Peppadew Peppers with Capriole Farms Goat Cheese, Sugarcane Chicken with Green Curry, Caramelized Pineapple & Coconut and Fried Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Balls.

Crushed Ice Catering hosted a wonderful spread of stations and bars for dinner that also included a brittle and bark bar for dessert with Chocolate Bark, White Chocolate and Peppermint Bark, Old Fashioned Brittle with Almonds.

All of the Christmas decor and tall spiral vase centerpieces were provided by our in-house caterer Crushed Ice Catering. Their addition of the LED colored up lighting package added a pop of Christmas colors to the event space. Our new fire pit rentals provided a nice warm area for guests to mingle outside on the East Terrace.

Their Louisville vendors included:

Showtime Photo Booth

DJ- James Hummel

3 Holiday Planning Tips

November 24, 2015 by icehouse Leave a Comment

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:

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.
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.
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

November 17, 2015 by icehouse Leave a Comment

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:

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!
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.
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!

Willis- Konczal Rooftop Wedding

September 10, 2015 by icehouse Leave a Comment

We topped off our Labor Day weekend with the Willis- Konczal Rooftop Wedding!

Labor Day weekend is ideal for a wedding! The Rooftop Garden on the third level of The Ice House, which overlooks downtown Louisville and Slugger Field, served as the ceremony site for Allie & Josh. The bride and groom were glowing! Both shared their personally written vows, which touched everyone in the crowd who came to celebrate this wonderful couple.

Their photo wall was a huge hit with their crowd, many of which went to college at Ohio University with the bride & groom. The photo wall served as the perfect place to take a fun photo with friends and family outside on our East Terrace where cocktails were hosted following the ceremony.

We loved her handmade horseshoe favors which also served as her place cards. Cupcakes served as a great substitute for her wedding cake which were provided by Gigi’s Cupcakes.

What a beautiful day!

Vendors

Florist: Kristen Kidwell

Officiant: Kara Lee

Cupcakes: Gigi’s Cupcakes

DJ- Night Owl DJ’s

Stigler- Heinekamp Wedding Reception

August 18, 2015 by icehouse Leave a Comment

The Stigler- Heinekamp wedding reception was filled with good laughs and great service!

Their wedding kicked off with cocktail hour in the Main Hall and outside on the East Terrace. Crushed Ice Catering provided their guests with delicious Raspberry Champagne passed cocktails and a few tasty passed appetizers.

The wedding dinner featured food stations & bars catered by Crushed Ice Catering. Their menu includes a carving station, a pasta station, the salad bar and the comfort bar. The Baron of Beef Roasted with Fresh Thyme, Rosemary and Garlic was to die for!

Their gorgeous floral arrangements and wedding decor were provided by In Bloom Again. They added the perfect mix of tall votive candles and bright floral arrangements to complete the look of the space.

See a full list of their Louisville vendors below!