Tag Archives: southern weddings

Wedding Style: Old Kentucky Home

by on May 3, 2010

My lack of updates last week was actually due to the fact that I was getting ready to go to Louisville for my first-ever Kentucky Derby. We drove up on Friday and were honored to go to the Governor’s Ball that night, and then the 136th Kentucky Derby the following day. We had SUCH a great time despite the lousy weather (even though the sun did come out just in time for the 11th race. It was amazing!). While we didn’t win any money on the races, I did score a ton of ideas for a fabulous Kentucky-themed wedding. Even if you don’t live in the commonwealth, you can still steal some of its’ charm for your big day. Check out my inspiration board, below.

1. Speciality Drink: The Mint Julep

Pass around the official drink of the Derby, The Mint Julep, during your cocktail hour. I can attest to how tasty and potent these are, since I had 5 of them last Saturday. Yee-haw!

Click here for a Mint Julep recipe

2. Horseshoe decorations

$17.50 for a 10 pack

Spread these out along your reception tables for a unique touch. (They’re good luck, too!) I found this cool website where you can order old ones in bulk.

3. Get a Bluegrass band

Hiring a bluegrass band to play music before, during, and after your ceremony (particularly during cocktail hour) adds a unique twist to your Kentucky-inspired wedding. Go to GigMasters.com to find one in your area.

4. Wildflowers

The Goldenrod (Solidago altissima), a wildflower, is the official state flower of Kentucky. Ask your florist for an assortment of yellow wildlflowers (or pick your own!) for your table and bouquets, but make sure you’re not allergic to any of them first!

5. Derby-chic wedding dress

This Ivory silk crepe gown from Carolina Herrera’s Spring 2011 collection (it’s called ‘Berenice’)  is perfect for balmy Kentucky days. And, if you mimic this Carolina Herrerra look and include a statement hat in lieu of a traditional veil, you’ll be paying homage to the Kentucky Derby.

For more info on the dress, click here.

Browse through derby dress hats here.

6. Use a bourbon barrel as a guestbook

$85 and up

Instead of a traditional guestbook, have guests sign an old (or new) bourbon barrel. Shipping might get a bit expensive, but how cool would it be to have an old barrel displayed in your home to remind you of your big day?

Click here to buy old and new barrels

Stay tuned for more inspiration boards!

Have a wedding style in mind? Send your idea to womangettingmarried@gmail.com
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Wedding Venue: Latrobe’s on Royal

by on February 17, 2010

Latrobe’s on Royal

Neighborhood: French Quarter
403 Royal Street
www.latrobesonroyal.com

Average Cost: $18, 500

*Average cost for each venue, including tax and gratuity, is calculated by figuring a 150-person guest list, ceremony fee, and 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. Numbers are rounded up to the nearest hundred.

How it Breaks Down…

Food: Three levels of Prix Fixe packages are available and range from $13,295-$17,295 for a three-hour reception

Bar: Upgrades to the premium bar are $5/person. Otherwise the price of liquor is include in Prix Fixe package cost.

Optional Extras: You can opt for a wooden dance floor for $850, but it is not required.

Hours Available: Rental is for 3 to 3.5 hours (the latter if you’re including your ceremony).

Party On! Each additional hour starts at $500. Parties can run from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.

What’s Included? Facility fee, Ceremony fee, tables, chairs, service ware, linens, wait staff, food, open bar, service charge, tax and gratuity included in package price.

More Stats…

Neighborhood: French Quarter

Space Type: Inside

Size: Up to 300 people (150-200 would be more comfortable)

Food Service Type: Stations and formal seated dinner available

Dressing Rooms Available: One

Elevator: N/A

Security Provided: Yes

Valet: No.

How Will Grandma Get There? The venue is located right smack in the French Quarter, meaning there are plenty of hotel options within a short walking distance.

Things To Remember:

-Sunday weddings are typically $1,000 less.

-Have a date? Book this place NOW as their wedding calendar fills up fast.

The Report: This former two-story bank building is right in the heart of the French Quarter, but off the beaten path enough so you don’t get the crazies on Bourbon Street. The exterior of the building is quintessential New Orleans, complete with a wrought-iron balcony and gas lanterns. The venue is on the building’s first floor and has been refurbished so it feels modern yet still maintains it’s old-world charm, making it the perfect setting (the Carried Underwood video, Cowboy Casanova, was filmed there). Two large, distinct rooms allow you to have both a ceremony and reception easily in the same location, with a smaller “bar” area and foyer in between. There is no outside space, but the ceilings are tall and the space feels open. Bathrooms are in great condition, and contain several stalls for females. The menu is diverse and customizable, and the chef is Cordon Bleu trained.

WGM SAYS: If you’re going to have a destination wedding in a city like New Orleans, your guests should feel as if they’re in a unique part of the city’s history…and this venue definitely captures that. The location was perfect…guests could stay at the Royal Sonesta one block away, or another hotel in the French Quarter and be within short walking distance. The menu options were delicious (citrus smoke salmon with lemon crème fraiche, anyone?) and are customizable to suit your party…meaning if you wanted famous New Orleans beignets passed around for dessert, you could.  I’m a liquor snob, and the brands they choose for their various bar levels, such as Woodford Reserve bourbon and Grey Goose vodka, are definitely up to par. All in all, I think this venue offers a great value for food, bar, location, and decor.

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Wedding Venue: Moore Building

by on February 4, 2010

Venue: Moore Building

Where: Miami’s Design District (about a 10 minute drive from Miami Beach)

Rental Rates: $8,000 will get you full access to the building from 6 a.m. the day of the event to 6 a.m. the following morning. I’ve “heard” that they want to start charging an additional $1,000-$4,000 for the accompanying Garden Lounge, which was considered part of the package when I saw it.

Notes: The Moore Building is located in Miami’s Design District, a newly “hip” area that has lots of great galleries and stores. (I saw a Christian Louboutin store two doors down. I was salivating.) The building is a historic landmark and used to be an old warehouse, however they’ve made some great modern touches (such as wood/finished black cement floors, an atrium, and the next door garden.) and the place is 4 stories and massive (it can hold up to 10,000 people). You can hire security for the event (at around $12/hour), and their valet/parking attendants. Because the Design District becomes a ghost town at night, you’d also have to arrange for a taxi/limo company to get guests back to their hotels if they’re not driving. Bridge House Events, who rents the facility, has a catering company you can use, and you can also bring in outside catering companies as well. There is an elevator and prep-area for catering, too.

WGM SAYS: This venue was a bit too modern for me, and for a 100 people I wouldn’t need this much space, so the 4 floors would go unused. The garden was nice and lush, but it didn’t flow very well as there were planted bamboo plants throughout that you formed a bit of a maze. I feel like I could have made it work if I could have gotten it for a steal, but for $8k (plus a potential additional fee for the garden), it didn’t do it for me.

Click here for bookings and info and for pics of the Garden Lounge.


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MIAmi

by on February 4, 2010

I’ve been MIA the past few days because I’ve been in Miami with my FH who has been working down here. I decided to join him so I could visit with family. The city hasn’t been TOO crazy considering the upcoming Superbowl, which meant that my mom and I were able to scope out several wedding venues. I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised at what I’ve seen, and I finally feel like I’m starting to make some progress as far as venues are concerned. The one great thing about doing it down here is that their “off season” is actually during the months I want to have the wedding in (September/October), so fortunately I haven’t heard “we’re booked” once yet! My ears are happy. While I’m not 100% convinced we’d have it down here yet, it’s making more and more sense. I mean, I am FROM here, which is something. Plus, most of our friends that we talk are putting in their vote for Miami. It is a popular vacation spot, after all. Even though we’re still going to check out New Orleans, Miami seems to be in the lead.

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