Embracing the idea of Elopement

Once upon a time couples eloped because they had to get married in a hurry, or because warring families objected to the match. We all imagine that scene where the young man, under the cloak of darkness, extends a ladder to the bedroom window of his love, and they sneak away to begin a life of secret wedded bliss.

Experts say more and more couples are embracing this once-covert form of nuptials, but turning it into a more public affair and boosting a cottage industry along with them.

While there are no firm statistics on different types of marriages in America, experts say elopement is becoming an increasingly attractive option for many — an option that’s much less expensive than the full-blown modern American wedding.

Today, couples elope not out of shame or secrecy but because they feel they can make their wedding feel more personal, romantic and memorable. Plans are made ahead of time, often in full view of their families, and elopement is viewed as a fun way to begin a life together.

Couples now use the term to describe many different kinds of small weddings — both spontaneous and pre-planned. There is even a book on the subject titled “Let’s Elope: The Definitive Guide to Eloping, Destination Weddings, and Other Creative Wedding Options.”

Elopement can take the pressure away from the planning and allow the couple to better enjoy the sentiment of the ceremony. Not only does it ease responsibilities, it can also cost a whole lot less.

Traditional weddings are not cheap, and many couples choose to go into debt for many years to pay off a single day of flowers and food and music and wine and party planners.

Some couples go the cost-efficient route by heading to a local courthouse or a weekend getaway to their favorite resort. Others want to go all out, and end up wrapping the wedding and honeymoon together at a dream destination — without the huge guest list.

Flourtown Country Club offers The Perfect Wedding Package for those who do not want to deal with the planning details and expense of a large wedding, but still want the magic, memories and traditions of a small, intimate, private and special day. Find out more about our packages at www.flourtowncc.com/weddings/wedding-packages/

If elopement is in your future, you will find that many of the planning details fall away, but it’s important to remember all the legal requirements. You will still need a marriage license, and requirements vary depending on the city, state and country. It’s important to call ahead to see if you need to do special paperwork or have physical tests done, such as blood work.

It’s also important to have all of your documentation on hand: a photo ID, certified birth certificate and proof of divorce or death if either of you has been married before. Some places may require a two- to three-week waiting period, and weddings in a foreign country may come with their own set of requirements.

How to Deal with Rain on your Wedding Day

As a Flourtown, PA wedding venue we've seen our share of weddings.  And as a professional we've made sure to eradicate any issues that come up but sometimes Mother Nature has a different idea.  So what would you do if during your outdoor wedding it started to sprinkle..and then pour rain?  Panic?  Not if you're prepared. 

Here are a few backup plans you can have in place for your Flourtown wedding day just in case it starts to rain:

• Tell your guests to bring umbrellas.  Girl you planned an outdoor wedding so it shouldn't shock your guests when you talk about covering themselves from the elements. 

• Provide your guests with umbrellas.  Some brides choose to take matters into their own hands and provide umbrellas for their guests.  We have quite a number of wedding professionals that provide the cutest umbrellas just in case.

•  Trust your wedding professional.  Because you hired professionals they won't even bat an eye if it starts raining.  A true wedding professional knows that rain is a possibility and they'll have prepared for it....so no need to stress about it.

•  Embrace it!  Hey so it's raining on your wedding day..have fun with it.  Wedding photos will be much cuter if you're smiling in them.  Don't stress over what you can't change.  Live life by this motto and you'll never have a bad day..rain or shine.

Of course, our goal here at the Flourtown Country Club is to ensure that your wedding day is perfect.  As we mentioned a true wedding professional in Flourtown will be prepared for come what may.  So give us a call and we'll help ease your mind as to what happens if it starts raining.

Hire a Wedding Planner to Avoid Wedding Blues

Will your wedding location be ready on time? How is the progress of the decorations and catering? How will everyone adhere to the schedule? Am I having the wedding blues?

From the looks of it, yes you are. Wedding blues will come knocking at your door one way or another when you plan a DIY wedding. It is definitely a more hands-on approach to plan the wedding on your own and save money along the way too. That being said, hiring a wedding planner can help you avoid the wedding blues altogether.

Forget About Planning and Managing

This is the most obvious benefit you get from hiring a wedding planner. With no burden of responsibility and management on your shoulders, you and your soon-to-be partner can relax and focus on looking sharp for the wedding day. A wedding planner will not only make sure that all the settings, decorations, and events are in place, but will also make sure that everything is carried out in a flowing and timely manner.  

Discuss Your Concerns

How do you the seating arrangement? When do you want the fireworks and confetti to go off? These are some of the many concerns that you will have before entering into marriage. A wedding planner is someone who can work closely with you throughout the week, including weekends. When you have the spare time, you can discuss what your aspirations are and the planner will most likely have something in mind to please you and your fiancé.

When it comes to wedding, we recommend that you, as a bride and groom, get as much time for yourself to rest and relax as possible. With a wedding planner by your side, you can rest assure that at the end of the day, you will be thanking him/her for making your dreams come into life!

How to Hire a Wedding Photographer

How to Hire a Wedding Photographer

When you begin your wedding planning, one of the experts you will need is a photographer. There will be so many special moments, and they will just fly by. This is why you need pictures of your special day. But, how do you select a photographer?

 

 

Research
Check the internet for photographers in your location. You can also ask friends and family who have used photographers or know people who have. Once you have a few professional photographers on your list, you can move to the next step. Keep in mind, a good site does not equal a good photographer. A website expert built the site. Also, be aware that while references are a good thing, only the good reviews will be on the website.

Price
Begin contacting the photographers to find out the prices of their wedding packages, and what is included. Be sure to carefully note this information for each photographer so you can compare them.

Budget
Once you have a good idea of the price ranges, you can compare them to what you have budgeted for a photographer. Keep in mind, if anything is too good to be true, it probably is, and the person is not a professional.

Selection
Narrow your choices based on price and the photos you see on the site. They should 'wow' you, and make you want to see more. Have a list of five to eight photographers to interview. Additionally, the photographers should be full time professionals.

Professional
You want someone who is passionate about photography, and enthusiastic about the latest techniques, and technologies, and will strive to make sure you receive the best quality images, as well as the widest range of products and services.

To use Philadelphia's Flourtown Country Club for your wedding venue, give us a call today!

Have a Celebrity-Style Wedding for Your Big Day

Think a celebrity-style wedding can only mean something over the top and gaudy? Think again. More and more celebrities are opting for a low-key wedding. This is the perfect option for your Philadelphia wedding, too.

The key to having a great low-key wedding with a Hollywood twist is to keep things understated but luxurious. Instead of having the biggest, go for the best.

For many celebrities, this means having a very small guest list at a fabulous location, with a designer gown and tux, and amazing food. For your wedding, you can have the same thing at a great Philadelphia venue like the Flourtown Country Club.

Another way to get the perfect celebrity-style wedding is to have guests keep things quiet on social media. Many celebrity couples go low-key to avoid unwanted attention, and this can mean having a technology-free wedding. This is something that you can include as part of your big day, too.

To find out more about how you can have the celebrity-style wedding of you dreams at our fantastic Philadelphia wedding venue, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/Ryan Polei

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

Keep Guests Refreshed at Your Summer Wedding

Summer is here and so are summer weddings! If you're planning a summer wedding, you'll want to keep your guests refreshed.

Keeping guests refreshed can help everyone enjoy your wedding much more. Summer in Philadelphia can be very hot, and some of your guests might not be prepared for the temperatures here. If you're planning on having all or part of your wedding outdoors, the heat can quickly become too much for elderly guests and babies.

The best way to beat the heat is by offering shade and drinks throughout your wedding day. A tent can be a great addition to an outdoor ceremony, or offer guests a selection of parasols for individual shade.

When it comes to drinks, make sure you offer plenty of water. Infused waters, lemonade, and iced tea are all great for keeping guests refreshed while offering plenty of flavor and even some color.

For more tips about keeping guests at your Philadelphia wedding cool, or to find out how to use the Flourtown Country Club for your summer wedding, give us a call today!

Photo: Flickr/Ryan Polei