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

Who Should Toast?

Your wedding reception is a time for great food and good fun. Part of that fun is listening to the toasts. As you plan your big day, you will need to decide who will be giving a toast.

Traditional choices

The traditional choice is to have three toasts. One from the groom, one from the father of the bride, and one from the best man. The groom's toast thanks guests for attending, thanks the wedding party and parents for their help, and says a few lovely words about his bride. The father of the bride will also thank the guests, welcome the groom into his family, and perhaps tell a story about the bride. The best man thanks the couple and says a few words about them, with a focus on the groom.

Common choices

In addition to the three traditional toasts, many couples also have a toast from the bride and her maid of honor. The bride's toast will have similar content to the groom's, while the maid of honor's toast will mirror the best man's toast.

Additional ideas

Depending on family situations, it can be a good idea to either cut back on the toasts or add extra toasts. For instance, if the bride has both a father and step-father, it could be necessary to have both give a toast. If you are worried about toasts going on too long, or there being conflict, you can limit it to just the bride and groom's toast.

Another way to limit the time toasts take is to split them into two sessions. One can be delivered with the meal while another set is given after the cake is cut. You should also be comfortable giving each person a time limit. 

Having great wedding toasts is just one part of having the perfect wedding. One big part is finding the right venue. To find out more about why the Flourtown Country Club is the Philadelphia wedding venue for you, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/pudgeefeet

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

Spring and Summer Wedding Reception Themes

Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner, so what better time than now to look at some of the fabulous wedding reception themes that are perfect for the warmer weather seasons.

Butterflies

With beautiful colors, delicate patterns, and a sense of natural whimsy, butterflies are the basis of a wonderful wedding theme. Butterfly patterns can be dotted throughout your decor, and even feature in your bridal accessories. Some brides are also using nature itself, opting for a butterfly release in place of the outdated rice toss.

English Garden Tea Party

Silver tea service, fragrant flowers, and bite-size treats make up this timeless wedding theme. For a fun twist, bring in a bit of Alice in Wonderland to the theme with nods to the Mad Hatter’s famous tea party. Either way, it is a perfect theme for an elegant but casual spring wedding.

Vintage Glamor

Vintage themes have been popular for a while now, and they are holding strong throughout this year. Give the theme a glamorous edge with crystal-laced centerpieces, lighting features, and cake decorations. Signature cocktails made with a bit of glitz are an excellent addition, too.

Any theme requires a fantastic wedding venue. If you’re looking for one of Pennsylvania’s best wedding venues, give us a call to find out what we can offer you for your wedding day.

Photo: Flickr/Beckham ever after

Using Arbors at Your Wedding

Every part of your wedding needs some decor, and that includes your ceremony. One of the most popular choices for wedding ceremony decor is to use an arbor. These come in a variety of styles and can suit any wedding theme.

The more traditional styles of arbor will use flowers to create a frame for your ceremony. You and your fiance will exchange vows under the arbor, or pass through it as part of the ceremony. This can allow you to use the same flower types as you are using in your bouquet or centerpieces.

Arbors can also be dramatic and modern, though. Metal arbors can be used to hold floral arrangements, candles, or as decorative pieces on their own. With different metallic tones available, you can convey rustic charm or glitz and glamor with your choice of arbor.

Along with being beautiful, a wedding arbor can also be a nod to tradition. Many cultures use arches and canopies in wedding ceremonies, and you can honor these traditions with your arbor.

The perfect arbor for your Pennsylvania wedding will reflect your wedding’s style and suit your venue. If you’re looking for a fantastic venue, check out what we offer at the Flourtown Country Club today!


Photo: Flickr/Jonathan Assink