Planning an Amazing Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner is part of your wedding celebration that allows those closest to you to get together in a more relaxed setting. However, it's not enough to just get everyone in a room and put some food down.

Along with a great meal, you should also consider having some entertainment. This can be a DJ, band, or something fun like karaoke. This will allow your guests to relax and have a bit of fun after the meal. It can also help break the ice for family members who might have met before.

The other thing to think about is who to invite. Traditionally, the guest list for the rehearsal dinner is limited to the members of the wedding party, immediate family members, and the officiant. This keeps the group small and allows for a more intimate event.

Just like the rest of your wedding, your rehearsal dinner takes planning. You should make sure you have an excellent venue to host it. This can be your wedding venue or another local spot that is right for the event. If you're planning a wedding and want to find a fantastic Philadelphia venue. To find out more about what we offer, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/Rona Proudfoot

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

Three Things Your Dad Should Do at Your Wedding

Fathers are an important part of any wedding. For the father of the bride, there is plenty to do. Traditionally, this included paying for the whole affair! While this might not be the case today, there are still three things that your dad should plan on doing at your wedding.

1. Walk you down the aisle. This bit of tradition can be a special moment for you and your dad. Even though he might not admit it, he's probably thought about it since you were a little girl dressing up as a bride. Beyond being tradition, though, it's a way of your dad standing in for your entire family. It's a way of giving the family's blessing to your marriage.
   
2. Give a toast. When it's time for the reception, the father of the bride should say a few words. While this should include thanking guests for coming and otherwise making people welcome, it can also include an anecdote or two about you. Let him have his moment talking about his little girl and how far she's come, but don't be afraid to put a time limit on him, either!
   
3. Dance with you. A father-daughter dance is a great addition to the special dances at your reception. Usually done after the first dance, and sometimes alongside the mother-son dance, this is a way of symbolizing that even though you're now your husband's wife, you're still your father's daughter. Be sure to have your maid of honor ready with a tissue, though, as it can be an emotional moment!

These are just a few ways your dad can be involved in your wedding. If you want to include him in the preparation, why not bring him to check out the beautiful Philadelphia wedding venue we offer. Give us a call to find out more!

Photo: Flickr/tearsxintherain

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

Entertaining Your Wedding Guests

Along with your venue, one of the big ways that you can set the tone for your wedding is with your entertainment. There are lots of options, but you should always include music so your guests can dance the night away.

For music, the decision is generally whether to have a live band or DJ. A live band can add a great atmosphere to a wedding, while a DJ will be able to play a wider range of songs. In either case, they should be able to include the special songs you want for your dances and keep guests having fun.

Many couples also look for other entertainment to add more fun to their wedding day. Popular choices include magicians, who can walk around the reception performing card and other sleight of hand tricks for your guests, and caricature artists. Like photobooths, a caricature artist can give guests something to take home, too.

Whatever entertainment you choose for your Philadelphia wedding, you will want to have an amazing venue for the day. To find out about using Flourtown Country Club for your big day, give us a call!

Photo: Flickr/Chris Schroeder

When Should You Take Wedding Photos

As you plan your wedding day, you’ll come up with times for the ceremony and reception, but there are many other elements that also need to be scheduled. Along with deliveries to your venue, meal times, and when to have your first dance, you’ll also need to figure out when you’ll have your wedding photos taken.

Many photographers will work with you to create a schedule for photography. This can include your preparation photos and other photos before the wedding. However, the posed photos of you and your wedding party are generally taken during the wedding. As your guests are already there, this can cause a disruption if it isn’t planned right.

The most popular time to take wedding party photos is during the cocktail hour. Your guests are kept entertained and you aren’t missing because you haven’t yet arrived at the reception. This is also an ideal time because you will be looking your best. There’s no risk of a stain from a dropped bite of dinner hitting the front of your dress if you get the photos done before the meal!

When you plan your wedding day schedule, you’ll want to think about where you have your photographs taken, too. A beautiful Philadelphia wedding venue will offer you many locations to choose from, all of which will be perfect backdrops for beautiful photos. A venue that offers both ceremony and reception locations, such as the Flourtown Country Club, is an excellent choice because you can spend less time travelling for your photos and more time celebrating with your guests.

To find out more about having your Philadelphia wedding at the Flourtown Country Club, give us a call today!

How to Bring Tradition Into Your Wedding

A wedding is more than just the union of two people, it’s the union of two families. This is why it can be so great to bring tradition into your wedding day. From what you wear to what you eat, there are many ways to add traditional elements to your wedding.

Your Attire

Your attire can offer a chance to add tradition to your big day. You might have a family wedding dress to wear. However, if this isn’t to your taste, you can consider wearing the same accessories as your mother or grandmother wore at her wedding. You can also honor your dad by using a tie pin in your bouquet.

Your Menu

Your wedding menu can bring family favorites to the table. If you and your new spouse have different cultural backgrounds, the wedding menu can be a way to reflect the blending of these two cultures.

Your Venue

Choosing a beautiful Philadelphia wedding venue provides you the backdrop for decor that reflects your family heritage. Great decorating ideas include family photos from generations past. Surrounding your venue with historic wedding photos can give a vintage family tree look that you and your guests will love.

If you’re looking for a Philadelphia wedding venue that will offer you everything you need for your big day, get in touch!

Photo: Flickr/Fotos Biblioteca Uruguay