Intimate Outdoor Vineyard Wedding

We may be in the thick of winter but this stunningly beautiful wedding at HammerSky Vineyards has us dreaming of the sun on our faces on a warm summer day. Curtis and Jesse's wedding is one for the books - the love these two share for each other brings these photos to life, and we can't thank A. Blake Photography enough for capturing this incredible wedding and sharing it with us. 

There’s so much beauty in this California vineyard wedding that it seems unfair to have to sum it up in a few short sentences. The day began with a breathtaking ceremony under an old oak tree atop a hill surrounded with unbelievable views and plenty of grapevines. Their exchange of vows is so filled with touching moments between the bride and groom, it has us wishing we were part of the family. After a wonderful day filled with too many smiles to count, it ended with a perfectly intimate dinner followed by dancing and late night snacks in the barn under twinkling string lights. Every last detail of this summer celebration shines on its own but put it all together, and well, you'll just have to see for yourself!   

The attire - from the bride's straight-out-of-a-dream blush wedding dress to the groom's light grey suit to the light blue of the bridesmaids' flowing dresses - is a lesson in pairing soft shades with a stunning natural landscape. 

We know what you're thinking - it can't get any more perfect than that breathtaking ceremony and these two lovebirds looking all kinds of adorable wandering through the beautiful vineyard grounds. As it happens, it does. Brace yourselves for more heartfelt details paired with solid wood farmhouse tables and string lights to keep this party going well into the night. Don't let us keep you - there's plenty more to see!

View the couple's wedding video here courtesy of Redmond Digital Media

Photographer: A. Blake Photography
Venue: HammerSky Vineyards

Bakery: Christine's Cake Creations

Caterer: Haute Skillet

DJ: Kramer Events
Videographer: Redmond Digital Media

Late Night Wedding Cigar and Bourbon Bar

After all the time you and your soon-to-be spouse spend planning your perfect wedding day, your reception is the time to relax and enjoy all of the little details you have put together with your friends and family.  We absolutely adore the idea of surprising your hubby and guests with a custom bar featuring specialty cigars and his favorite bourbon or scotch.  If you want to add an extra touch of sophistication, consider hiring a cigar roller for your event to give your guests a chance to see the art of making a finished cigar.

We created a custom cigar bar to give you a bit of inspiration - and we hope you love it!

Get creative with the set-up of your cigar bar by using a unique piece of antique furniture such as a dresser or secretary, or use a piano for an elegant look.  There are so many possibilities, and your guests will love seeing a distinctive display.

A monogrammed humidor makes the perfect addition to a classic cigar bar, and doubles as a wedding gift to your groom - and he will love it!

Personalized details like these cups, napkins, matches, and coasters really make your cigar and bourbon station one-of-a-kind.  They also make great favors for guests.

You can set up a cigar and drink bar fairly easily with just a few key items.  Here are some ideas:

Signage
Personalized Matches
Humidor
Cigars
Cigar Cutters
Custom Printed Plastic Tumblers
Ice Bucket with Tongs
Personalized Cocktail Napkins
Decanters
Your Favorite Whiskey
Custom Printed Coasters

Comment below and let us know what you'll be featuring at your custom cigar station!

Pamper Your Wedding Guests - Reception Lounge Ideas

Give your guests a chance to relax and get a break from the dancing and high energy of your reception by providing an area reserved for peace and quiet!

For the younger generation, weddings are all about the reception—the food, music, and dancing. But for the elderly guests, the party can be exhausting! Babies and toddlers, too, can get worn out from the party and no one wants to be around a fussy baby.

The lounge will also provide a place for the guests to mingle with others and catch up with old friends and family members. Even just a small space can help all of your guests enjoy the day to its fullest.

If you’re hosting your own reception, place a couple of chairs and couches with a small table in a room close enough to the dancing that your guests will still feel included, but far enough away so that they can rest.

If you’re renting a venue, ask if they have a room or even a hallway where you could set up a few chairs.

If your reception is outside, find an area that gets plenty of shade. If shade is not an option, you might want to get a small tent.

Be sure to offer various types of seating so everyone can find somewhere comfortable to sit. Think about how long your guest list is, too. Plan accordingly to provide adequate seating. With the furniture, you might want to include a few photo albums and games. It’s also a good idea to provide some light snacks, ice water, and coffee.

If you’re not worried about guests being tired, you can use the lounge for lots of other things.

• Add a few ashtrays and make it a smoking lounge.

• Have a build-your-own drink station and provide multiple mixers and alcohols as well as different glasses and stirrers.

• Set up a photo booth next to the chairs so guests can sit and wait for their turn to take a picture or just watch everyone else pose.

• The lounge would also be a good place for a caricature artist to set up. You could set up board games or other games such as cornhole, ladder golf, or any other game that requires a lot of space.

• If you and your partner are sports fans, you could set up a television and turn on the game.

• Another option with a TV is to hook up a gaming system and have games like Just Dance or Temple Run, so multiple people can play together at one time. Make sure you have extra controllers and batteries!

There are, of course, many more ways to use a reception lounge. Comment below and share your ideas with us!

Image Credits:  Pink and gold theme outdoor reception lounge area, Wedding reception lounge with TV, Outdoor coffee table lounge, Contemporary outdoor wedding reception lounge with zebra print rug

Elizabeth Grace

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as create multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.

Backyard Wedding Ideas Inspiration Board

Most people think that the best thing about a backyard wedding is the price. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The best things about a backyard wedding are; the intimacy, the gorgeous decorations, the fun and the food. When planning your backyard wedding consider using rustic decoration and signs to greet your family and friends as they arrive. Use the outdoors to create your backdrop for the ceremony. What is more beautiful than Mother Nature herself? Fill mason jars or vintage watering cans with wild flowers or loose bouquets to create stunning center pieces for your reception tables. Serve a buffet style meal with all the fixings and fresh lemonade and ice tea to cool your guest down on a hot summer day. Of course don't forget about dessert. Homemade cakes and cupcakes would make the perfect dessert for your guest and be the most fitting for your fabulous backyard wedding.

 Photo Credits: The Wedding of my Dream Blog, marthastewartweddings.com, modern keepsake and The Natural Wedding Company.

Not-So-Distant Destination Weddings

Want a Destination Wedding? Look no further than your own backyard! Well, okay, maybe a few miles down the road at least! Either way, it is definitely possible to bring your wedding closer to home and still feel like it has taken place in an amazing and unique location.

If you have your heart set on a beach wedding and are not lucky enough to live in a coastal state, it is most likely that there is some sort of sand surrounded body of water nearby. A lake can be just as beautiful and seem almost as vast as the ocean. The picture above, for example, is compliments of  the Lake House Inn on Lake Erie, Ohio. Consider renting a lake house to combine lodging and venue costs. This way you can have your ceremony overlooking the water and then invite guests to your outdoor reception at the lake house. This would work best if your wedding was small and you enjoyed a casual atmosphere. A bonfire and s'mores on the beach would be the perfect ending to your day!

State Parks are another great place to find beautiful locations for weddings. Some even offer wedding packages that include lodging and photographers. If you are a nature lover this would be the venue for you! If you and your guests are adventurous, one unique idea is to invite them to spend a few nights camping, canoeing, and exploring the park. Finish the mini-adventure with a beautiful ceremony and a big bash to follow! Even the fussiest bride could make this work by finding local salons and designating dressing areas ahead of time. The National Park Service can help you find your state's parks.

Other options for a not-so-distant destination wedding are local bed and breakfasts, small wineries, local farms, and favorite local landmarks or historic sites. Some of these places may not advertise their space for weddings, but remember that it never hurts to ask! They may say no, but they may also be pleasantly surprised and grateful for the business.

Finding a closer destination site may also make the ceremony that much more special. It may already be a place that is close to your heart. Also it will be that much easier to revisit on your anniversary!

Bon Voyage!

~ Jenna