Tag Archives: southern weddings

How to Plan a Wedding in a Week, Pt. 2

by on June 14, 2010

Um, all I can say is I’M EXHAUSTED.

I got back from Miami (where the wedding is going to be) on Saturday, and feel like I’ve been in a wedding tornado!

While my 10 days down there was exhausting, it was also really rewarding. I’m relieved AND excited to finally have a date, venue, and everything else finally in place. Since my last post, I’ve  made some planning progress. I’ve booked the photographer, finalized the wedding menu, sent out my save the dates (right in the nick of time!), bought my wedding dress and veil, completed my wedding website and registry, and started a whole slew of other things on my to-do list. Here’s what else I was able to accomplish in 10 days:

Decide on a color scheme

I actually got my inspiration from stamps I used on my Save the Dates. I also realized that strangely enough, my wedding website had the same colors. Since I’m having a Fall wedding with a sort of Renaissance/rustic Italian villa vibe (more on that later), I thought these colors would work perfectly.

Start thinking about table décor

This is a work in progress, but I’ve finally been able to figure out how I want the tables to look. One of the things I love about my venue is that they have these amazing farm tables instead of the round tables with linens on them that you see everywhere. Paired with a modern Phillipe Starck Bo chair, it’s a great mix between rustic and modern and I want to carry that over on the table settings as well.

Bo chair

I went to the local Anthropologie store for inspiration, and they were extremely helpful. A saleswoman was helping us with a few questions, and actually brought the creative director out to speak with us, who normally does the in-store displays. If you’re looking for some free help from an expert, try doing this in your local store! She actually gave us some great ideas, and who doesn’t love that store? I’d like to live in one of their catalogues.

Since I have a farm table at home, I am going to try and set up a “test” table so I can start to get an idea of what my ideas will look like together. I’ll post the results as soon as I finish!

Figure out the flower situation

I met with several florists when I was down in Miami, and of course I was shocked at the prices they gave me! There is no way I am spending thousands of dollars on flowers. Mostly because when looking through these florists’ portfolios, I wanted to gag. I HATE those tall centerpieces that everybody and their mother has at weddings and other events. To me they’re like the teased bangs of the 80′s. Gross.

I actually want my flowers to look natural, not like some superhuman creation that Edward Scissorhands could have made. Because of this, I’ve decided not to go with one florist for the event, and instead get my flowers from a wholesaler and hire a designer from there who can do simple arrangements (such as roses cut short…that’s it!). I want the flowers on tables to look like I did them myself (and that I have some skills. LOL). I *might* hire a florist to do flowers for the huppah and entry to the venue, but that’s it.

I still have lots to do (like finalize a cocktail hour band and dj, and find a reasonable hair and makeup person), but other than that, I would say I’ve planned 80% of my wedding in a week. Not bad!

Next up? Invitations.

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Wedding Venue: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

by on May 27, 2010

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Neighborhood: near Coconut Grove
3251 South Miami Avenue
Miami, Florida 33129
View their website

Average Cost: $27,000
*Average cost for THIS venue, including tax and gratuity, is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a 6-hour reception on a Saturday night using the least expensive menu and bar options and renting your own table and chairs (since they’re not provided by the venue). They do not include transportation to/from the venue, or any optional fees such as tents or decorations such as flowers and table linens. Numbers are rounded up to the nearest hundred.

How it breaks down:

Facility Rental Fee: $12,500 for use of the property from 6:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. for guests. Set-up and deliveries can start that day anywhere at 3, 4, or 5:15, depending on the location. Food: A licensed caterer must be used. Assume the going rate is anywhere between $50-$100/pp. Using the least expensive option, it would be $6,250. A $375 catering permit must also be obtained.

Bar: BYOB, so look for a caterer that doesn’t insist on providing the alcohol (ask them for bartenders and setups only). If you BYOB, you can assume a generous $20/pp cost for beer, wine, and liquor, plus up to $500 for servers. $3,000

Tax and Service: This will be unique to your chosen caterer, but plan for a 18% service charge and 9.25% sales tax on food, beverage, and any rented equipment. There is also a 7% tax on all facility rental fees.

Party On! Events can go until 1:00 a.m. for an additional $1,500/hour. Music is encouraged to be “lowered” past 11 p.m. since the museum is in a residential neighborhood.

What’s Included? Nada. Assume each table setup (tables and chairs with 8 people per table) will run you $75 each. So factor in another $1,200 for a wedding of 125 people. Keep in mind you also have to get linens, etc.

More Stats:

Space Type: Mostly Outside (Inner courtyard is covered, but the terraces and gardens are not). You can rent out the historic interior (basically, the museum part) for $2,500 for the first two hours, and $1,200 for each additional hour. You can tent the terrace in case of rain from $2,500-$4,000 depending on size and tent accessories.

Size: The inner courtyard can hold 100 people, and the outside (East Terrace) can accommodate up to 300 people.

Food Service Type: Your choice

Dressing Rooms Available: Brides have to use the restroom for a dressing room. :(

Elevator: N/A

Security Provided: No. Police officers are available for $100/hr.

Valet: No.

How Will Grandma Get There? The museum is a 5-minute drive from hotels in Coconut Grove and Brickell, and about 15 minutes (with traffic) to Miami Beach. Out-of-town guests can easily take cabs to these location.

The Report:

Vizcaya was built by industrialist James Deering, and he used the mansion as his winter home from 1916-1925. Deering wanted the house to mimic the look of an Italian Estate that had stood for 400 years…and it really does. The 50-acres that villa sits on are expansive and gorgeous, like something you would see in old-world Italy or France. The most beautiful thing about the house is that it sits right on the bay, and has an amazing stone terrace that looks out to it. Inside, there are over 70 rooms that are preserved with original furnishings (the majority of these rooms are roped off, and would be for your event as well.) The inner courtyard is covered, so if you are worried about rain you would have to tent the terrace.

Woman Getting Married Says:

Having grown up in Miami, I’m very familiar with just how spectacular this place is. It’s location on the bay is stunning, and I think it might be one of the most beautiful places in Miami, period. My two biggest issues are the price, and what happens if it rains. You’re paying almost $13,000 JUST for use of the property. You think for that price they could at least throw in some tables/chairs, right? Also, while the grounds really are gorgeous, if it rains you’re going to miss out on a lot of it. My advice if you want this place on a budget? Go low-key on the food and music. Instead of a DJ, just hire a local three-piece band (check the University of Miami). And for the food? Think Cuban and get a VERY inexpensive restaurant to cater some local favorites. Otherwise, you’re looking at a not-so budget friendly wedding.

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Wedding Venue: Belle Meade Plantation

by on May 20, 2010

Belle Meade Plantation

5025 Harding Pike
Nashville, TN 37205
www.BelleMeadePlantation.com
 
Average Cost: $16,500
*Average cost for THIS venue, including tax and gratuity, is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a 6-hour reception on a Saturday night using the least expensive menu and bar options, as well as the venue’s tables and chairs. They do not include transportation to/from the venue, or any optional fees such as tents or decorations such as flowers and table linens. Numbers are rounded up to the nearest hundred.

How it breaks down:

Facility Rental Fee: $5,000 for use of the property from 3 p.m. on. For brides (and wedding planners) wishing to start setting up by 8 a.m., it jumps to $6,000.

Food: A licensed caterer must be used. Assume the going rate is anywhere between $50-$100/pp. Using the least expensive option, it would be $6,250.

Bar: BYOB (you’ll just have to supply bartenders and setups, which can also be arranged via the caterers). You can assume a generous $20/pp cost for alcohol, plus up to $500 for servers. $3,000

Tax and Service: This will be unique to your chosen caterer, but plan for a 18% service charge and 9.25% sales tax on food, beverage, and any rented equipment.

Party On! Events can start anytime after 5 p.m. Music in the interior of the Carriage House must stop at 11:00 p.m. Music in any other area must stop at 10:00 p.m.

What’s Included? 250 natural wood folding chairs, 25 sixty-inch round tables, 10 eight foot tables, and 10 six foot tables. You’ll have to bring in everything else.

More Stats:

Space Type: Inside/Outside

Size: If not tenting, the interior(s) and covered exterior can comfortably hold between 175-200.

Food Service Type: Caterers can arrange for formal seated or buffet. However, a buffet would open up a lot more space

Dressing Rooms Available: Bridal room available

Elevator: N/A

Security Provided: No

Valet: No.

How Will Grandma Get There? The plantation is approximately 15-20 mins from downtown Nashville. Out-of-town guests would have to be shuttled to the plantation. This cost can be anywhere from $2-4,000.

Things To Remember:

-The event location is not in the actual mansion, but in the covered Carriage House, Stables, and Boxwood Garden. You can also opt to have a tent in their Paddock Area, however there is no covered walkway between the Paddock and the other areas.

-If you’re planning to have the ceremony in the Boxwood Garden (which most brides using this facility do) there is a Plan B if it rains. The Stables has a long walkway which can hold up to 120-125 chairs. However, the aisle would be a bit narrow.

-The on-site kitchen is very small and no cooking is allowed, so the caterer will have to bring in the food already prepared.

The Report:

The Belle Meade plantation is located in Belle Meade, an upscale part of town with huge houses and a lot of history. The plantation is a historic site that is situated on 30-acres of land and used to be a famous stud farm (hence the stables). The drive into the plantation is gorgeous…you cross an old bridge that brings you onto the main property, which is surrounded by patches of sunflowers and boxwood trees. The grounds are expansive, with old slave houses (this is the South, after all) and even a working winery. The Boxwood Garden, where the ceremony would take place, is a shady garden with a stone aisle for the bride to walk down. What’s unique about the garden setup is that guests can be faced towards the bride as she walks down the aisle, with the musicians behind them or to the side. Guests can then walk over to the reception area, either the Carriage House and Stables, or a tented Paddock Area, which is basically a giant lawn. The Carriage House and Stables are covered and have giant wooden doors, and there is a covered walkway in between and around them that can be used for either a food station area or additional seating and bars. In the winter, you can install plastic drop-downs on the covered walkway to insulate the area and keep it warm.

Woman Getting Married Says:

While the grounds are very nice and the Carriage House and Stables are unique, if you want to have a somewhat formal wedding here, there is quite a bit that has to be done to spruce it up. The space seems better suited for a themed rehearsal dinner or casual wedding. As you can see from the pictures below, there are a lot of things you can do to dress the place up. From flowing curtains and hanging lanterns, you can make the space look great. But if you’re going to attempt to make it look like you’re somewhere else, why get married there? Also, while the rental fee includes tables and chairs, a formal event would require something fancier than what they offer (you can see their folding wooden chairs in the second picture, below). Considering everything that would have to be done to make this place look great, you’re looking at at least another $3-5,000. Given all of that, I thought it was definitely a good option, but it didn’t WOW me.

In the Stables. The carriages are moved out prior to the event. This area is also the rain option for the ceremony.

The area alongside the Carriage House.

In the Carriage House. Recangular tables such as this one would not allow for a large dance floor/band area.

In the Boxwood Garden.

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Wedding Venue: Wolf Den Farm

by on May 16, 2010

Wolf Den Farm

Neighborhood: Brentwood

*NOTE: Since the owners of this farm do not have a large # of events here, there is no formal way to get in touch with the owners of this farm. The best way to contact them is to go through one of the caterers that do events there, Miel restaurant.
 
Average Cost: $25,000
*Average cost for THIS venue, including tax and gratuity, is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a 6-hour reception on a Saturday night using the least expensive menu and bar options. They do not include transportation to/from the venue, or any optional fees such as tents. Numbers are rounded up to the nearest hundred.
 
 
How it breaks down:
 
Facility Rental Fee: $1,500 for ceremony/reception.

Food: Using Miel’s catering service, menu options will range from $50-$100/pp. Assuming you go with the least expensive option, it would be $6,250.

Kitchen Setup: Because this venue does not have a kitchen, the catering company has to literally build one outside. Up to $4,000.

Bar: BYOB (you’ll just have to supply bartenders and setups, which can also be arranged via the caterers). You can assume a $20/pp cost for alcohol, plus up to $500 for servers. $3,000

What’s Included? What you see is what you get. All tables, linens, serviceware, lighting, etc. has to be brought in. Up to $7,000 (lighting can get pricey).

Tax and Service: 18% service charge and 9.25% sales tax on food, beverage, and any rented equipment

More Stats:

 

Space Type: Inside/Outside

Size: 50 people seated comfortably inside the barn; with tenting you can go up to 125 using the inside/outside space.

Food Service Type: Caterers can arrange for formal seated or buffet.

Dressing Rooms Available: No

Elevator: N/A

Security Provided: No

Valet: No.

How Will Grandma Get There? Out of town guests staying in downtown Nashville would have to be shuttled to the farm, which is approx. 35 minutes away. You can arrange to have an early and late shuttle leaving the event, so older guests can choose how late they want to stay. A wedding planner I spoke to said shuttles for 125 people could run you up to $4,000!

Things To Remember:

-This is an actual working barn, which means you or your wedding planners (which I highly recommend for this venue) need to “romanticize” the air beforehand, if you know what I mean.

-While the barn is covered, if it rains and you decide not to tent, it’s going to be very claustrophobic if everybody is forced to stay inside. The smaller the event here, the better.

-Bathrooms are limited (I saw one when I was there)

The Report: Wolf Den Farm is an actual horse farm in Brentwood, TN, a ritzy suburb of Nashville. Lots of celebs/country singers live in or around this neighborhood, and it’s beautiful. Events are held in the small barn and the green acreage that surrounds it, where you’ll see several llamas along with horses. The barn is modern and updated with recessed track lighting and giant iron chandeliers, and has lots of unique details, like wooden mirrors on the wall, an old carriage, and a blue claw-foot tub under a chalkboard you can personalize with your names. While the barn is somewhat narrow and the ceilings are relatively short, the entrance has 25-foot ceilings and would be good for a band/dance floor area.

Woman Getting Married Says: As a Nashville resident, I’ve been dying to see this venue ever since I saw pictures from the wedding of drummer Nathan Followill (Kings of Leon) and singer Jessie Baylin. While I knew it was called Wolf Den Farm, I could not find any contact info. I finally found out who the caterer was, and since I loved their food I decided to contact them for my own wedding search. I told the caterer what I was looking for and that I loved that venue, so she was able to contact the owners and we made the drive out there. The owners were EXTREMELY nice (as is the caterer), and their farm was gorgeous. I loved how updated their barn was, and I loved the possibility of what you could do to it. However, the barn really is on the small side. I wouldn’t feel comfortable having more than 50 people seated inside, especially if I was going to utilize the entrance for a band/dance floor. If you’re interested in an outside wedding with a tent, this would be beautiful. If that was the case I would then utilize the barn purely for a bar/dance floor. The rental fee is extremely low, but considering all the things you have to bring in it’s not going to be cheap to do a formal affair here, especially if you have a lot of out-of-town guests you’ll need to shuttle. I think this venue works best for a small, daytime, casual event.

 

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