Recently Engaged? Jump Start Your Planning With These 5 Easy Steps

If you got engaged over the holidays, you may be feeling overwhelmed on where to begin with planning your big day. Saying "yes" was the easy part - planning a wedding can be a daunting task! The biggest trick is to make a move and just get started. One of our On-Site Coordinators here at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage has put together a step-by-step guide for stress free planning!

Rylee Hitchner Photography

Step 1 - Create Your Budget

Before any decisions can be made, you have to figure out who will be footing the bill, and have the money talk. Be realistic, and find a number you would be comfortable with going a little over. Decide which aspects of the wedding are the most important to you, and which are the least. This will determine where the majority of your spending will be.

Wedding websites, such as Wedding Wire, have budgeting tools to simplify the process for you.  Simply enter your total budget, and their tools will separate the budget into categories:  catering, DJ or band, florals, etc. Your budget will be your guide for picking every vendor, and making sure you stay under the original number. Don't forget to include taxes, fees, and tips.

Lotus Blossom Photography

Step 2 - Pick Your Date

Don't be afraid to dive in and begin making decisions. Deciding the time of year will help narrow down colors and décor. Spring weddings typically have much different color schemes than a winter wedding. Knowing your date also helps with ceremony and reception locations. An outside ceremony is perfect for an October wedding, but a December wedding might have more limitations.

Once you know your date, you can start looking at venue availability. Get a rough estimate of your guest count, to narrow down what size space you will need.The easiest way to stay under budget is to keep your guest list low.  Now you can have your engagement photos done, and begin sending out Save the Dates!

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage includes an engagement shoot with venue rentaI (India Earl Photography)

Step 3 - Book Your Venue

Wedding venues often have lists of preferred or required vendors you will need to use. Different vendor requirements will help make a lot of decisions regarding caterers, rentals, etc. From here, you can determine the overall atmosphere of your wedding. Black tie to intimate and casual, the style you chose will help navigate your vendor decisions.

Step 4 - Shop For Your Dress

Start trying on dresses, and learning what style works best for you. Try on as many as it takes until you have that "this is the one" moment. Chose who you want to be in your wedding party and schedule bridesmaids dress fittings. Alterations can take time, and you want your dress to fit you just right.

Step 5 - Vendor Selection

From here, the rest of your vendors will begin to fall in place. Book your officiant, and begin any religious requirements needed. Discuss ceremony preferences with your fiancé, and determine what traditional aspects you want to include, and which you prefer to leave out.

Photographers, florists, caterers, can all be booked at this point. Review vendor's websites, and reach out for a quote. If it fits your style and is within your budget, set up a consultation. Research caterers and narrow down your menu options. Tastings are the fun part! Go with the vendors you click with and trust. Don't forget to hire a wedding coordinator to make the day-of details and logistics run smoothly.

After vendors are selected, the hard part is over. It is mostly small details from here on out, and you are free to focus on celebrating this happy milestone! Congrats!

Winter Weddings

3 Unusual Color Palettes to Inspire Your Winter Wedding

https://ruffledblog.com/snowy-european-winter-wedding-inspiration/

Winter weddings have the potential to be beautifully designed, beyond the cliché winter palettes. Plaid, navy, white, or black are classic staples for this time of year, but surprise your guests with something unexpected, and make your wedding stand out from the rest.

1. Emerald & Gold

Incorporate emerald and gold into your winter wedding to create a classy and elegant atmosphere for your black tie wedding. Gold details continue to be trending season to season, and we cannot get enough. Don't shy away from mixing shades of green.

http://www.knotsvilla.com/elegant-emerald-gold-wedding-inspiration/

http://www.knotsvilla.com/elegant-emerald-gold-wedding-inspiration/

Adding in a navy accent gives the color scheme an unexpected twist, and an even more formal and traditional feel. Be inspired by the evergreen & winter berries of a winter landscape, but make it your own by putting an unusual twist on the average winter wreath.

http://www.adailysomething.com/2015/01/a-daily-gathering-natural-decor-beeswax.html

2. Plum & Black

Dark and moody winter colors, such as plum and black create a rich and sophisticated vibe. This color combination is unexpected for a wedding, which stays memorable for guests long after the night is over. We love this look is perfect for a chic bride.

http://www.wantthatwedding.co.uk/2016/10/30/pull-off-chic-black-wedding-theme/

Mixed metals feel edgy when combined with the dark elements of the color palette. Black candles and winter textures, such as velvet, create a rich ambiance.

https://www.weddingomania.com/moody-dark-summer-wedding-ideas/pictures/74171/

3. Burgundy & Blush

A romantic color scheme of burgundy and blush is a little out of the ordinary, but works to combine glamourous with a delicate and feminine touch.

http://happywedd.com/decor/42-refined-burgundy-and-blush-wedding-ideas.html

Blush tones are typically considered a spring or summer color palette, but in contrast with dark winter colors, blush has a new and different feel.As the 2017 Pantone color of the year, greenery continues to be on trend through 2017 into the New Year, and we aren't seeing signs of it stopping.Cozy winter textures and champagne tones go well with this theme, as well as fur wraps for brides and bridesmaids.

https://ruffledblog.com/a-california-garden-wedding-with-romantic-florals/

As we head into December, we cannot wait to see what color palettes our winter brides dream up!

How To Style and Incorporate Whiskey Barrels Into Your Wedding

We are such suckers for any rustic cabin or barn weddings trend, and we currently cannot get enough of the whiskey barrel craze. They are entirely versatile and complement any vision. The amount of uses and ways to style whiskey barrels at weddings are endless!

By adding glass in between two barrels, the perfect bar or beverage station is created. Drink menus with painted calligraphy look perfect propped against the front. Display your signature cocktail, and feature the bride and groom's go to drink. Overflowing greenery goes a long way in creating that balance between rustic and elegant. Crates, wood slabs, lanterns, mason jars, and glass bottles are all décor that complement the whiskey barrels.

We love seeing weddings with an interactive aspect, such as a Whiskey Tasting Area. Amp up your cocktail hour by setting up a corner of your reception space with a whiskey barrel bar, and offer samples of your favorite whiskey or bourbon. Whiskey and cigar bars go seamlessly with this style wedding, and give the groom and groomsmen their own domain during the reception.

Replace your high top cocktail tables with a whiskey barrel, and instantly add a rustic charm to your dance floor. Decorate them with flowers or a centerpiece, and your guests can use the barrels to sit their drinks while they join the party. Barrels also make for a dramatic cake or dessert table.

Whiskey barrels can be incorporated into your outdoor ceremony as well! Barrels look stunning framing the aisle way, or used as a table for a welcome sign. Invite your guests to sign in, and grab a fan or program from on top of the barrel.

Practical, versatile, and trendy! Barrels can also be used to add décor and fill a room. Top with oversized floral arrangements, lanterns, greenery, and mason jars. Add lace or roses to give the barrels a romantic and feminine feel. All budget friendly, but you would never know it!

The possibilities are endless! Our venue offers whiskey barrel rentals for weddings and events at The Hermitage. Let your coordinator know if you are interested!

Pinterest: The Good. The Bad. The Ugly

Written by Kylie Frock, Event Intern

Pinterest is a fantastic resource for all things weddings. From center pieces to venues to unique wedding favors. We love Pinterest because it gives us the opportunity to see the vision the couple has for their wedding day. Here are some pros and cons for planning your wedding on Pinterest.

Wedding Planner or No Wedding Planner

Pros: You can plan out your entire day on Pinterest from flowers, linens, cake, venue, photographer, lights, catering, and so on. It’s a fantastic tool to use while planning your wedding to make your day perfect.

Cons: Pinterest can plan you perfect day on paper, but when it comes down to the actual day we high recommended a wedding planner. Wedding planners know how to take care of set up, the flow of the ceremony, coordinating with the catering company, the DJ, the florist, and the photographers. They are there to take care of all of that so you can relax and enjoying your day.

Your Wedding Theme

Pros: Pinterest has an abundance of ideas for themes. You may want an English Garden theme for your wedding, but are lacking inspiration. Pinterest will give you all aspects of the theme, and you have the option to narrow your search down.

Cons: Because Pinterest has so many ideas it is very easy to get overwhelmed with your theme. Also, Pinterest has been around for a few years and some of the theme ideas are out of date.

Perfection is in the Details

Pros: Pinterest is great when you are a detail-oriented bride. There are so many great ideas for flowers, cakes, place setting, linens, color palets…..you name it! The best part, many of the pins are linked to the company website where you can order it.

Cons: Details are great, but you can get caught up in them and forget about the bigger picture. For example, the wedding budget. You may love this specific floral arrangement, but the florist can’t make it just like the picture with your floral budget.

Groom ~ Don't Forget About Him! 

Pros: Tuxedos are great for weddings, but if you want something more unique Pinterest has some great ideas. Trends, colors, textures, and styles are all there for you two to choose from.

Cons: You want your groom to be looking great, and we understand that, but does he like the options? Make sure that his suit fits his physique so that he is comfortable all night long. It maybe be hard to find the style you are looking for in your area. We suggest contacting your local Tuxedo Rental Store. Also, let his personality show in his suit. He wants to wear a Super Man shirt under his suit....let him! Its his day too.