Restaurant Weddings are an ideal choice for the bride would wants an intimate setting with her and her guests. If you are looking at a small wedding, this is a great option for you to look into. But where to start?! Here are 3 easy steps to finding the right place for your special day.
Step 1: Reading the Rants and Raves
Many Brides make the mistake of letting other people's reviews of a place determine what restaurant they pick. Checking a place on sites like yelp.com really can help narrow down your list but you need to remember while you're reading them that most people only write reviews when they are mad, restaurant staffs are constantly adding and changing, and just because some people didn't enjoy the food that doesn't mean your tastebuds won't enjoy the food. Look for reviews on wedding sites like the knot.com or brides.com to get a real insiders view on what the place is like.
Step 2: Go out to Eat
Pick out about 5 places from your internet search and go to eat there with your future hubby. Take note on the size of the place, the look of the rooms, the attitude of the wait staff and the amount of time it takes to get your food. Photos online sometimes are unreliable and places that say they can fit 175 people seated may not be telling you how tight of a fit it is. I wouldn't mention that you are looking to use the place for your wedding until you leave that way people aren't putting on a good show for your business. You goal is be able to envision yourself getting married and having a reception there.
Step 3: Sign up!
Restaurants tend too fill up quicker than other event locations because they are popular location for everything from bar mitzvahs to office parties. If you have your heart on a specific date, plan EARLY, over a year in advanced if you could. If not, then I would still recommend at least 12-9 months in advanced. Be sure to ask a lot of questions: do they charge a cutting fee if you bring your own cake? Which photographers to they recommend/allow? Where could a Band or DJ be placed? If the resturant already has a bar, is there still a cork fee for the wine? etc
Happy Tasting!
-The Southside Bride
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Muffin Weddings
My next request was for a muffin themed wedding and I really loved looking this up. This is a fun theme that doesn't have to be the main focus of a wedding. This theme could really compliment the bride and groom who are looking for a fun twist to the traditional wedding.
Invites and Thank Yous
I am really into DIY invites and thank you cards because traditionally they cost less, are easier to personalize and really are simple to make. I recommend picking up a Wilton Wedding Invitation Kit (between $20-30 for a fifty pack) and instead of having a traditional wedding message, have a fun wedding message like
The Wedding Party and Ceremony
If you were hoping for muffin themed wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses, I unfortunately believe that you are ahead of the curve on that trend. Head over to Michaels or your local scrapbooking store and scope out muffin/cupcake charms (about $1-2 depending on the store). Use these to make boutonniere for the guys and a small single charm bracelet for the girls.
Reception Locations
Fun ways to show off the theme can be having the table numbers or name cards muffin shaped. If you go to your local scrapbook store they will usually let you use a muffin/cupcake shaped die cut as long as you buy the paper there or if you are feeling brave you can cut them out yourself. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, have blueberry cheescake muffins or another flavor of gourmet muffins.
Favors
There are a lot of muffin and cupcake boxes out online that make really great favors for this theme. My favorite though is something I saw on BrideandBabyfavors.com, which was a personalized muffin mix with a small whisk with a heat on it. Now the site is a bit pricey so for our do it a home ladies, run to walmart, pick up a pack of white gift bags, premade muffin mix (divide your guest list in 2 and buy that many bags), and some glue sticks and you can easily make the same thing.
Here is a mash up of what I would plan for a wedding of 120 people at Salvatore's in Chicago
The total cost for everything above is only about $4200
Have a Delicious Day!
-The Southside Bride
Invites and Thank Yous
I am really into DIY invites and thank you cards because traditionally they cost less, are easier to personalize and really are simple to make. I recommend picking up a Wilton Wedding Invitation Kit (between $20-30 for a fifty pack) and instead of having a traditional wedding message, have a fun wedding message like
" Do you know the Muffin Man "These two love muffins are not Bluffin'
Has Found a Muffin Wife? Orlando Northman
We and
Justin Rennings Kristi Soundhouse
and joyfully request your presence"
Melissa Huffino
Invite you to share in the first moments
of our fresh new lives together"
The Wedding Party and Ceremony
If you were hoping for muffin themed wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses, I unfortunately believe that you are ahead of the curve on that trend. Head over to Michaels or your local scrapbooking store and scope out muffin/cupcake charms (about $1-2 depending on the store). Use these to make boutonniere for the guys and a small single charm bracelet for the girls.
Reception Locations
Fun ways to show off the theme can be having the table numbers or name cards muffin shaped. If you go to your local scrapbook store they will usually let you use a muffin/cupcake shaped die cut as long as you buy the paper there or if you are feeling brave you can cut them out yourself. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, have blueberry cheescake muffins or another flavor of gourmet muffins.
Favors
There are a lot of muffin and cupcake boxes out online that make really great favors for this theme. My favorite though is something I saw on BrideandBabyfavors.com, which was a personalized muffin mix with a small whisk with a heat on it. Now the site is a bit pricey so for our do it a home ladies, run to walmart, pick up a pack of white gift bags, premade muffin mix (divide your guest list in 2 and buy that many bags), and some glue sticks and you can easily make the same thing.
Here is a mash up of what I would plan for a wedding of 120 people at Salvatore's in Chicago
The total cost for everything above is only about $4200
Have a Delicious Day!
-The Southside Bride
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Butterflys
My 1st request is to search for some Butterfly wedding ideas!
Invites and Thank Yous
There are a bunch of websites offering "luxury butterfly invitations" and "Handmade crystal butterfly invites" but I really don't think you want to pay $5 and invite for your wedding especially if its a big one.
I recommend picking up a Wilton Wedding Invitation Kit in a floral or plan style (between $20-30 for a fifty pack) and then heading over to your local scrapbook store or Michaels to pick up some butterfly bling. A simple way I would butterfly it up would be to add a butterfly embellishment either to the inside of the invite or on the outside on top of the seam where to invite opens (or if you choose a pack with a ribbon on the ribbon).
The Wedding Party and Ceremony
If you search the web enough you will find a bunch of butterfly themed wedding dresses, and bridesmaid dresses so it really depends on how far you want to go. Green Dresses with Butterfly wings, butterfly Boutonniere , or whatever your heart desires. I recommend tiny glimpses of the theme during the ceremony itself, Have your flower girl toss colorful paper cut outs of butterflies instead of flowers, have the ring bearers cushion be a butterfly stuffed animal, have the bridesmaids have bouquets of butterflies rather than flowers, have shinny butterfly clips holding your hair back.
Reception Locations
You really can glam up any location to fit your theme with Butterfly themed center pieces and decorations, but lets say you want to go all out a few of my favorite butterfly picks include contacting your local botanical garden to see if they have wedding packages. The highest rated butterfly locations include The Missouri Botanical Garden Butterfly House, The Original Butterfly house on Mackinac Island and The Chicago Botanical Gardens.
Favors
Butterfly favors seem to come in all shapes and sizes, from fun butterfly shaped candies to elegant butterfly decorated candles. It really depends on you and your grooms temperament towards a traditional wedding or a fun social gathering or somewhere in between. My favorite includes these gorgeous little boxes.
Here is a Butterfly Mash Up!
Now that we have it all planned out, how much would this all be for a wedding of 120?
Only About $7,172!!
Thank you so much for the request! I hope this helped!
-The Southside Bride
Invites and Thank Yous
There are a bunch of websites offering "luxury butterfly invitations" and "Handmade crystal butterfly invites" but I really don't think you want to pay $5 and invite for your wedding especially if its a big one.
I recommend picking up a Wilton Wedding Invitation Kit in a floral or plan style (between $20-30 for a fifty pack) and then heading over to your local scrapbook store or Michaels to pick up some butterfly bling. A simple way I would butterfly it up would be to add a butterfly embellishment either to the inside of the invite or on the outside on top of the seam where to invite opens (or if you choose a pack with a ribbon on the ribbon).
The Wedding Party and Ceremony
If you search the web enough you will find a bunch of butterfly themed wedding dresses, and bridesmaid dresses so it really depends on how far you want to go. Green Dresses with Butterfly wings, butterfly Boutonniere , or whatever your heart desires. I recommend tiny glimpses of the theme during the ceremony itself, Have your flower girl toss colorful paper cut outs of butterflies instead of flowers, have the ring bearers cushion be a butterfly stuffed animal, have the bridesmaids have bouquets of butterflies rather than flowers, have shinny butterfly clips holding your hair back.
Reception Locations
You really can glam up any location to fit your theme with Butterfly themed center pieces and decorations, but lets say you want to go all out a few of my favorite butterfly picks include contacting your local botanical garden to see if they have wedding packages. The highest rated butterfly locations include The Missouri Botanical Garden Butterfly House, The Original Butterfly house on Mackinac Island and The Chicago Botanical Gardens.
Favors
Butterfly favors seem to come in all shapes and sizes, from fun butterfly shaped candies to elegant butterfly decorated candles. It really depends on you and your grooms temperament towards a traditional wedding or a fun social gathering or somewhere in between. My favorite includes these gorgeous little boxes.
Here is a Butterfly Mash Up!
Now that we have it all planned out, how much would this all be for a wedding of 120?
Only About $7,172!!
Thank you so much for the request! I hope this helped!
-The Southside Bride
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