I love tent weddings. It is hard to find a cleaner palette for you to create the precise look you imagine for your wedding. Tents do, however, have some challenges. Here are my top five things to watch out for when renting a tent for your wedding.

1. Do you have enough space for the tent? You need to consider that you will need enough space for the tent and the stakes that secure the tent. Make sure your tent rental company inspects your property to ensure your tent will fit properly.
    
2. Do you have the right terrain for a tent? Is your yard full of hills? Do you have a stunning, old tree right in the center of your yard? If you answer yes to either of these questions, you may find hoisting a tent in your yard to be a challenge.
    
3. Do you have enough of a budget to rent a tent? Tent rentals are not an inexpensive prospect. You will need to rent the structure, pay for permits; you may need flooring, heaters, air conditioners, generators for extra power, and lighting. You will most likely also need to rent tables, chairs and linens. Make sure you have a realistic idea of what the tent and all the accouterments will cost you.
    
4. Do you have sufficient time for setup and breakdown? If you are hosting your wedding at home, setup time isn’t much of an issue, however, if you are renting property, you will need to find out how many hours the tent setup and breakdown will take and get it approved from your site. You may have to pay additional fees to allow for proper setup and breakdown time.
    
5. Do you have enough of a budget to decorate the tent? Tents can be challenging for the very reason I love them so much. They are a blank slate. You have to fill them with décor. This can be a costly project.
    

If you have enough of a budget and you love the challenge of creating a wedding venue that reflects your personality and style exactly as you envision, try a tent wedding. Trust me, there is no greater satisfaction than transforming a simple tent in to an extraordinary venue.

If you would like to share some of your tent ideas, post a comment here or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.

Your Partner in Perfect Planning,

Susan

Outdoor weddings are very popular here in Florida. My first thought is always, how hot is it going to be? A sweaty, uncomfortable bride is not a pretty sight. Of course, Florida doesn’t corner the market on hot days, so no matter where you live, you have to be careful when selecting your wedding date if you want an outdoor wedding.

It also helps, if you choose an appropriate gown for celebrating outside. You want something light and comfortable. I spoke with Karen Thomas from Distinctive Gowns here in Orlando to get some of her suggestions.

In addition to indoors or out, an important consideration is the setting. Will the ceremony and/ or reception be on the beach or in a private garden, at a country club or a friend’s back yard, in an open public area like a hillside meadow, a rocky outcropping next to the ocean or the gazebo in your town square? For most of these locations, a strapless, structured ball gown with heavy beading or sequins may seem out of place, with the exception being at an evening wedding at a country club.

Most fabrics are appropriate for outdoor weddings, except ornate, heavy brocades or fabrics that are delicate or fragile. Consider whether wind may be an issue (for example, on a beach) and avoid choosing dresses for the bride or bridesmaids made of fabric that is very light or a style that is short and/or very full.

Shorter dresses (ankle length or shorter) are a good alternative for outdoor weddings, however a long dress with a short train is acceptable. (Cathedral length trains look best in cathedrals.)

If heat is a particular concern, choose a dress that will not require a slip–perhaps a draping, flowing style or a gown with the body and shape built into the dress.

Shorter dresses are a hot trend in wedding gowns. Check out my post from November 13, 2008 to see some of my favorite styles.

For more information on 2009 wedding gown trends, click here. Also, if you would like to share some of your wedding gown ideas or questions, post a comment here or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.

Your Partner in Perfect Planning,

Susan

Who says that you have to have a dinner reception to have a proper wedding? I certainly don’t think that’s the case. A brunch wedding can be a formal elegant affair, or a more casual gathering. It can be outrageously expensive or very cost effective. My favorite aspect of a brunch wedding is that the couple doesn’t spend the day sequestered away from family and friends while going through lengthy preparations for the wedding. You can get the formalities over with bright and early and then relax and enjoy your day.

I spoke to a couple of my friends in the wedding industry, Bonnie Garfield, Director of Catering from Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and
Jennifer Lyzinsky , Director of Exceptional Events at the Double Tree Castle Hotel here in Orlando. Each of them has their own perspective on the wedding day brunch. Here is what they had to say.

Susan: What is your favorite brunch menu?

Jennifer: I really like breakfast items. My favorites are brioche French toast and eggs Florentine, Belgium waffles, and omelets to order. Then you can add some lunch items like a carving station with prime rib, ham or turkey. I also like salads, fruit salad, vegetable salad, pasta salad, and potato salad. Finish it off with a mini desert bar including, petit fours, melons, and berries.

Bonnie: I like a lot of lunch items, that’s what makes brunch, brunch and not breakfast. Some of the most interesting things items I’ve included on my brunch buffet are Corned Beef sliced to order served on a scallion hash brown potato pancake, eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and spinach, and caramelized banana and mascarpone French toast.

Susan: Can a couple save money by doing a brunch reception?

Jennifer: A brunch can save the couple money because they aren’t doing the wedding during a prime time. A wedding vendor could possibly do another wedding that day, so the couple may be able to negotiate special pricing.

Bonnie: There isn’t as much emphasis on alcohol which can save a lot of money. I don’t typically see brunches with full bars. Most often the couple chooses to serve mimosas, or Bloody Marys, others skip the alcohol and serve juices and coffee.

What else would you like to share about wedding brunches?

Jennifer: I think early weddings are becoming more popular because they can be cost effective and the couple can spend a more relaxing day with family and friends.

Bonnie: Brunches can be a cost-saver, but you have to be careful what menu items you choose. Some can be as expensive as dinner items. Also, if you have any dietary restrictions, like keeping kosher, or vegetarian, there are many breakfast items from which to choose.

For more information on choosing menus for your wedding, click here. Also, if you would like to share some of your brunch wedding ideas, post a comment here or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.

Your Partner in Perfect Planning,
Susan