Including Kids at Your Wedding

One question that many brides ask is whether they should include kids at their wedding. While this is an entirely personal decision, we can offer some advice on the matter.

First off, figure out who has kids and how old they are. It can be helpful to break the list of children into different age groups, such as babies under 1, teens over 14, and everyone in between. In reality, different ages will have different requirements and present different issues.

Think about what you want from your wedding. Do you want the family atmosphere that children can add to, or do you want a very grown-up affair where kids will be a distraction or even a nuisance. Either is fine, and it is your wedding!

Whatever you choose, make it clear to your guests from the start. If you are allowing some but not all children -- whether this is by age group or by relationship -- be clear about the guidelines. This can help ensure that nobody gets their feelings hurt or feels unfairly treated.

It can also be worth considering your venue, and whether it is appropriate for kids. When you work with a great Philadelphia wedding venue like Flourtown Country Club, we can help you work out what is best for your wedding day. To find out more about what we offer, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/Ana Stanković Novaković

How to Choose a Wedding Color Palette

Do you know what your wedding colors are going to be? If not, don't worry. It's easy to choose the perfect wedding color palette.

A wedding color palette should be made up of your main color, a few shades of that color, a complementary or contrasting color, and a neutral tone. This gives you and your wedding designer the basis for a rich, vibrant wedding style.

For your main color, think about your favorite colors or the colors of your favorite team. Alternatively, if you've found a decorative item that you want to use in your wedding, this can be a place to find a color. Pick out one color and set this as your main color.

Your main color will generally be used for things like the bridesmaids' dresses, the groomsmen's ties and vests, and other big splashes of color. By adding in a few shades of the color, both lighter and darker, you can give depth to your wedding color.

A complementary or contrasting hue is a way to give your wedding an even more impressive style. This will make your main color really pop, too. This color can be added in across your wedding in small ways, such as in the centerpieces, napkin rings, or other details.

A neutral tone is essential as a background for the rest of your colors. This can be white, but also consider an off-white or grey for some color combinations to really look their best.

Another way to get inspiration for your color palette is to look at your venue. If you're looking for a truly inspirational Philadelphia wedding venue, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/Timothy Marsee

Should You Write Your Own Wedding Vows?

There are many different ways to make your wedding unique. From the decor to your dress, you'll have a wedding that is special to you. When it comes to the ceremony, writing your own vows is a great way to make it all more personal. However, it isn't for every couple.

While a growing number of couples do choose to write their own vows, many do want to stick with tradition. This might be to connect their wedding with that of past generations, or to reflect a religious ceremony. It can also be a good choice if you are worried about what to say.

If you are writing your own vows, you can be as creative as you'd like. The beauty of writing your own vows is that there is no right and wrong. As long as your words come from the heart and reflect what you want to say to your new spouse, they will be just right for the day.

To have both elements, you can also consider having traditional vows during your ceremony and a toast to one another during the reception. This can allow you to stick to tradition but still express yourself.

For more tips on planning the perfect Philadelphia wedding, or to find out more about using Flourtown Country Club for your venue, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/Jennifer Longaway

Planning Ceremony Seating

When your guests arrive at your wedding, they will need some guidance about where they should sit. Whether you follow tradition or not, you’ll need to make plans for your wedding ceremony seating.

Traditionally, a wedding ceremony would have a bride’s side and a groom’s side. This would be behind them as they stood at the front. In times when the bride and groom did not have friends in common, this was an easy way to arrange guests.

However, most of today’s couples share friends. This means that many of your guests might not easily fit on one side or the other. You can accommodate this fact in a few ways.

The first option is to stick to a bride’s side and groom’s side for most guests and have ushers who seat everyone else according to where there is space. This keeps both sides of the venue even, but still has a nod to tradition.

The second option is to invite guests to sit where they like. This means that family members may also mix and mingle so there really are no set sides. In this case, an usher can still help keep the guests evenly spread through the room.

A final option is to do away with sides altogether by removing the aisle. This means a creative entrance for the bride and bridal party, but can ensure that everybody feels they are there for both of you.

A great way to start planning your ceremony seating is to work with an excellent Philadelphia wedding venue. If you want to find out more about having a wedding here at the Flourtown Country Club, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/peteandcharlotte