Louisville catering

The 2020 Catering + Event Trend Report for the 502

February 5, 2020 by icehouse Leave a Comment

The teams of Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering are in high gear for a year of fantastic events in Louisville, Kentucky and beyond. Continue reading below to learn how they are planning for 12 months of successful catering and special events:

The world of event planning and catering is one with many moving parts and is consistently influenced by the surrounding culture. At the pace of today’s culture, a key characteristic necessary of any business looking to succeed is their ability to anticipate their client’s needs and wants. For the Ice House and Crushed Ice Catering teams, their ability to intuitively anticipate their client’s needs is what sets them apart from the competition.

As we move further into 2020, while dutifully working for our corporate clients and brides, we are anticipating what this year will hold and what details and trends that you can expect to see in the coming months. Read below to find the 11 catering and event trends that we anticipate making a big splash in 2020.

REACHING BEYOND THE SOUTHERN COMFORT ZONE

“I am expecting to see people more and more choose menus filled with flavors from the eastern hemisphere. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing like digging into the comfort of classic southern dishes, but I certainly am anticipating the opportunities to showcase Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine for our 2020 clients. We already have a handful of weddings and events that we are creating Indian menus for. It’s a lot of fun.” – Laurence Agnew, Executive Chef

MEATLESS BEYOND MONDAY

I predict that as meatless meals are gaining popularity in daily food culture, menu designers will have the opportunity to explore options that not only provide alternatives for vegetarian and vegan guests but also shine as brightly as meat-centered dishes. Ingredients like jackfruit and parsnips can create the heft of meat in a dish with an entirely new flavor profile, I love that. – Darci Stuhlman, Client Experience Manager

CHARCUTERIE FOR EVERY TIME + EVERYONE

2019 proved that the charcuterie board is here to stay, which I am personally very excited about. But for 2020, we will certainly see a creative expansion on this crowd favorite, both literally and figuratively. I am excited to see the physical evolution as well. Rather than solely building the charcuterie out we’re going to see more boards featuring height varying elements to shake it up a bit! Expect to see charcuterie boards that cater to various dietary needs such as vegan boards with tons of veggies, crackers, meatless protein options, and vegan cheeses. Along with this, there certainly will be an expansion in the offering of sweet charcuterie boards such as a waffle board and fondue as well! – Lindsay Brough, Director of Catering Sales

CBD INFUSED COCKTAILS

Thanks to the legalization of CBD, Louisville saw a large spike in the consumption of CBD food and beverage products in 2019. Because of this, I am looking forward to seeing clients and couples wanting to feature CBD in their 2020 bar menus. With wide variations of cannabis flavor to use, the combinations are endless. – Laurence Agnew, Executive Chef

COMPLEX MIXOLOGY

I am excited to watch adventurous culinary energy inspire bartenders to develop cocktails with more complex profiles. This winter, I had a cocktail that was more bitters than spirit or juice (The Sawyer, a brainchild of Don Lee at WD-50 in NYC), and it was so refreshing to not be able to put my finger on what I was tasting! I would like to see more of that. – Darci Stuhlman, Client Experience Manager

HEALTHFUL OPTIONS TO SIP

Clients and couples who prefer serving more healthful options to their guests will have plenty of options to choose from. At this point in time, almost everyone is aware of the health benefits of kombucha, so why not treat your guest to a healthful hard kombucha such as June Shine? Between the 6% ABV and bubbling probiotics, you’re sure to have a good time. – Laurence Agnew, Executive Chef

DRINKS FOR ALL

I’m anticipating seeing clients looking to feature more non-alcoholic beverages like Phocus water for example! Infused teas and creative mocktails that incorporate local, in-season ingredients will be a great addition to any bar package. – Spencer Freeman, Catering Sales Manager

PEARL ACCENTS

If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, can we suggest that pearls are a bride’s bestie? This soft and timeless gemstone gives a dose of nostalgia when incorporated into modern designs. I predict that we will be seeing these little beauties more and more, from delicate embroidery details on wedding dresses to brides donning striking hairpieces solely made of the gemstone. – Morgan Blake, Brand Manager

ALTERED FLORALS: SPRAY PAINTED, DRIED, + DYED. OH MY!

Couples who are looking to tie the knot are likely to bring a bit more color to their floral pieces this year. Rather than choosing the classic winding greenery that beautifully accented the beloved neutral palettes of past wedding seasons, we are anticipating to see brighter fauna in the future. The possibilities are endless with various bleaching, dying, and drying techniques. – Erica Outlaw, Director of Business Development

A COOL 2020

We’re feeling blue but in the best way! The sleek look of a black suit just may be fading into cooler blue hues in the coming 2020 wedding season. While grey and black suits may be getting the pause, we see cobalt, navy, and Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year, Classic Blue, taking center stage at the end of the wedding aisle. – Lindsay Brough, Director of Catering Sales

OFFICE MORAL

Corporate Events are shifting outside of the traditional holiday party and annual meeting, and with good reason: studies show that gathering your teams outside of the office encourages them to think outside of the box. The benefits do not end there: Off-site celebrations are perceived as more validating, while off-site team-building exercises boost employee engagement. For these reasons, corporations are seeing the financial rewards of events and are hosting more creative functions to recharge and reward their teams. – Darci Stuhlman, Client Experience Manager

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

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

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)

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.

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

The 2020 Catering + Event Trend Report for the 502

Ice House Louisville Wedding Feature: Emily + Kyle

Ice House Louisville Wedding Feature: The LaMasters

Featured Wedding of the Week: Sara and Steve Stifano

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

Wedding Spotlight: Allison & Matt’s Ice House Reception

To The Bride on a Budget

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From Our Blog

The 2020 Catering + Event Trend Report for the 502

Ice House Louisville Wedding Feature: Emily + Kyle

Ice House Louisville Wedding Feature: The LaMasters

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Spencer Freeman/ Event Stylist for The Ice House

Chef Agnew, Executive Chef for Crushed Ice Catering

Sisi Bright, Bar Manager for Crushed Ice Catering

Kelsey Powell, Senior Catering and Event Manager for Crushed Ice Catering

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