Autumn/Fall Theme Wedding & Shower Ideas
With the start of Autumn just around the corner, it’s a popular time to celebrate upcoming events. Whether it’s a shower for bride or baby or a wedding, it almost seems like a no-brainer to take advantage of the crisp air and cozy feel this time of year brings.
An autumnal theme is not difficult to carry out, no matter how front and center you want its elements to become. If you happen to choose a fall theme for your wedding and your planning begins well beforehand, stock up on décor and supplies at the end of fall the previous year when they’re marked down in price. Products are so similar from one year to the next, no one will ever know the difference!
Invitations
This is probably the most obvious play on words – but a wedding this time of year will automatically make you think of “fall”-ing in love. This works just as well for a bridal shower as it does the wedding invitation, itself.
Photo From Etsy Shop: Doodlebug & peep
Food
Pumpkins and apples are a versatile choice in food – and they make great displays on this theme.
Photo Found On Karlee’s Blog
A build-your-own caramel apple station would be a great favor or dessert table at any fall-themed event.
Photo Found Here Photo Credit: Cristel at Curiosity Garden Studios
Another sweet for the sweet? Donuts and cider! A sure crowd pleaser at any celebration
Photo Found on Wedding Chicks
Photo Credit: Amanda Dumouchelle Photography
Décor
If you used a theme like “fall”-ing in love with the invitations, why not carry it out to the event itself? A banner bearing the tag line and accompanying garland would be easy to craft but also readily available on a site like Etsy!
Photo Found Here
For a baby shower, why not make the day all around the little pumpkin? This is another theme that would be great to start out with on the invitation.
From Etsy shop: Paperstrip
All other décor – whether shower or reception should showcase the season’s best parts of nature – leaves, apples, pumpkins, pinecones, cranberries and spices all make for beautiful, simple and affordable ways to get into the spirit!
Photo Credit: Kevin Watkins Photography
Photo Credit: Bay Area Picture Production
Photo Found On Savvy Sassy Moms
Happy Autumn!
Picnic Theme Wedding Inspiration!
One of the great things about getting married in this day and age is that when it comes to your reception, there is no right or wrong way to go about it. Case in point, a picnic theme. While wicker and gingham might not be the first things that come to mind, there are endless ways to bring the laid back vibes of a picnic into a wedding, no matter how casual or formal you’d like it to be. And – great news is, no need to worry about ants or rain clouds when your “picnic” is inside!
Invitations
Brown kraft paper, simple doilies and the quintessential red gingham will leave no doubt in guests’ minds what to expect on your big day.
Photo Source Here
Cocktail Hour
Why not let your guests loosen up a bit between the ceremony and reception with some activities? Face painting will be a hit with both young and young-at-heart.
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Photo Credit: Channing Johnson
No matter how distinct the cocktail menu is, fresh lemonade will always be a great idea to mix in.
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Photo Credit: Megan Evans Photography
Table Décor
Make it super simple for guests to grab and go with utensils wrapped in portable bags or tied together with string to keep the carefree theme going.
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Photo Source ThinkGarnish.com
Wicker will no doubt be incorporated into the décor. Even something as subtle as a miniature basket will do the trick.
Photo Source: Etsy – Item is no longer available and no shop listed.
Same goes for gingham. Go for small touches like napkins or a bold statement like a table runner.
Photo Source Photo Credit: Rustic Wedding Chic
Food
Picnic food is simple and comfort at its finest. Allow guests to mingle amongst stations or tables instead of a formal sit down meal. Or make it family style with dishes passed around. Either way, let guests know what’s for dinner with chalkboard menus.
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Photo Credit: Red Shoes Photography
And see them off with homemade or local jam topped with what else, string and gingham!
Photo Source Style Me Pretty
Are you throwing a picnic-themed wedding or event? Tell us about it!
Nautical Theme Wedding Ideas
For all the images that come to mind when one thinks, ‘summer,’ perhaps that of the sea is one of the season’s most quintessential. After all, most would say that beaches, boats and all things blue are best enjoyed with blue skies and a cool breeze.
Not every bride has the luxury of saying “I Do” on a sandy shore, but there are plenty of ways to give your wedding a nautical twist.
Invitations
Get creative with your invites. Use the coordinates of your ceremony location or antique map prints from bodies of water near where you live or either sides’ ancestry.
Photo Source Photo Credit: Gus & Ruby Letterpress
Attire
Keep things casual by having the groom and groomsmen wear boat shoes instead of the traditional formal dress shoe. This fashionable touch will double as a groomsmen gift, too!
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Photo Credit: Mike Larson
As for the bride, a pop of navy blue and white stripes make for a darling touch!
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Photo Credit: Katelyn James
Guest Book
Unrolling guests’ well wishes in this message in a bottle themed guestbook will aid in savoring your big day for many years to come. Large glass bottles should be easily spotted at flea markets and antique shops. Try buying a few in different sizes to make for a pretty display in your first home together as a married couple.
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Photo Credit: Keepsake Memories Photography
Décor
“Capture” guests’ cards in a lobster trap decorated with buoys that double as escort cards.
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Photo Credit: Laura Kimmerer
Stripes are for more than just clothing and table runners. Try decking out your dessert table with blue and white.
Sailors knots can be incorporated into almost any element of a wedding – from place holders to flowers and centerpieces large and small, they make a statement – you are tying the knot, after all!
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Photo Credit: Ashley Caroline
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Photo Credit: Alice Keeney Photography
Happy planning!
Graduation Party Ideas!
With June just around the corner, high school seniors are a few short months away from embarking on the next chapter of their lives. Whether it be college, military or entering the work force, a celebration is surely in store. And while pool parties and barbeques will be thrown in their honor, marking the occasion with an indoor soiree is a fabulous option. After all, Mother Nature is unpredictable and no one wants to spend a sweltering afternoon outdoors or worse – get caught in the rain.
From party décor to the menu, the ways to celebrate your grad are a plenty.
Food
It’s a year they’ll never forget. Wow your guests with a dessert table to spell it out.
Photo Found Here
Offer a menu that plays on school-themed catch phrases.
Photo Found Here
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Fun
Let your grad take the memories of their high school years – and those who came to honor it – with them by having guests sign Jenga pieces.
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Or have them sign the pages of their favorite childhood book.
Photo Found Here
Grab an extra large t-shirt (or two) from the bookstore at their prospective college and have guests sign it as a going away gift. This is one piece of laundry that’s sure to never end up in the hamper.
Photo Found Here
While renting a photo booth might be a stretch, creating a backdrop stocked full of fun props will keep the party going.
Photo Found Here
Décor
Show your grad’s alma mater pride with tablecloths and centerpieces in their school’s colors.
Photo Found Here
Photo Found Here
Take a walk down memory lane by attaching photos of your grad throughout the years to helium-filled balloons.
Photo Found Here
As a token of the day’s celebrations – and your grad’s accomplishments – gift your guests with custom stadium cups bearing the event. Not only will it make them feel special on their big day, it doubles as one less supply to buy before the event!
Photo Found Here
Congratulations Class of 2015!!
If you are interested in hosting your grad party at The Willow Room, you can request information here.
Our New Wedding Package! ~$10,000 ALL-INCLUSIVE ~ A Deal You Will Not Believe!
We have an awesome special to share with all of you! It’s our new $10,000 all-inclusive wedding package. Priced for up to 100 people and it includes tax and service charge!!
Your Package includes:
Venue for 5 hours
Bridal Suite with Bridal Butler
White Ivory or Black Linens and choice of Napkin
House Bar Package
Champagne Toast for Bridal Party
Choice of Soup or Salad
Two Single or One Duo Entrée
Custom Wedding Cake with Cutting and Service
Coffee Station
Fresh Floral Centerpieces
DJ (up to 5 hours)
Photographer (up to 8 hours)
Bridal dance with Attendant
Customized Room Layout and Design
Professional Vendor References
Invitation for Two to Tasting Event
This package is valid for any new clients booking weddings in 2015 but it must be booked by May 31, 2015 to receive the discounted rate. Call Cara at 724-379-5666 or email gm@thewillowroom.com today to schedule a tour, ask questions, or check date availability!
Photos Courtesy of Laurel Mountain Photography.
Gatsby Themed Wedding or Bridal Shower Ideas: Classic and Elegant!
The Roaring 20s may have been nearly a century ago, but the decade’s affinity to host a grand celebration isn’t likely to become a dying fad anytime soon. Overindulgence was more normal than rare for many – including the characters in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The book has become synonymous with the times. If you, too, are a fan, here are some ways to bring it to life on your wedding or shower day. Just a few will easily carry out a theme, but if you’re staying true to form, you may want to incorporate every one!
Pay homage to F. Scott Fitzgerald by displaying one of his many poetic quotes about love during your reception.
Photo Credit: Dixie Pixel
Or use it as a backdrop for a dessert table or makeshift photo booth.
Photo Found Here
Ostrich feathers were a standard of 1920s style. With their luxurious aesthetic, they can turn something as simple as a place card into an elegant talking point for your guests.
Found On Etsy
Use varying sizes to create a large centerpiece or add an element of flair to the tables.
Photo Found Here Photographer: Fan Jiang
Dress the part! Adorn a classic 20s hairstyle – finger waves – with an ostrich fascinator.
Found On Etsy
No Prohibition laws here. Wow your guests with a champagne tower at the entrance to your reception. You may not be able to replicate the flow of bubbly, but your guests will certainly notice your nod to the times with these vintage coup glasses.
Photo Found Here
A string of pearls can dress your space just as well as it can you. Turn an ordinary piece like a candelabra or the bride and groom’s chairs into décor draped in class.
Photo Credit: EVENTful Moments
Photo Credit: EVENTful Moments
Leave your guests with a lasting impression of indulgence and glamour by sending them home with a slice of art deco wedding cake. The ultimate over-the-top send-off to ensure the sweetest (and most decadent) of dreams!
Photo Credit: Gaby J Photography
Sports-Themed Weddings! Ideas and Pictures!
The Super Bowl this past weekend inspired us to look at sports-themed weddings on the blog this week. If you and your bride or groom are sports fans, this is a great theme with so many options. Whether your favorite sport is football, soccer, golf, baseball, or beyond – we found ideas to suit every style! Check them out below.
Football
Use your Save the Date to get the theme rolling with these cute tickets from Etsy!
From Paper Cake Designs on Etsy.
And how about this cake? A perfect pairing of elegance and sports!
Cake by Cake Studio
Soccer
Maybe a more subtle touch is your style, so how about this cute garter set from Etsy!
From Star Bridal on Etsy
Or do something really different for your guest book, and have guests sign soccer balls! Easy to display in your sports-themed room at home. A daily reminder of your awesome day!
Found on Pinterest
Golf
These place cards are an easy way to add a little bit of the green to your wedding.
Photo by SB Childs Photography
And bring the course right to the table with these golf club and sunflower centerpieces!
By Flower No 5
Baseball
Bring the ballpark to your wedding with these Cracker Jack favors!
From Sweet Lil You
And how about personalized jersey chair covers?!
We know we left out a lot of great sports, so we will do another blog soon covering basketball, hockey, tennis, and more. What specific sports-themes would you like to see?? Comment below.
Willow Writer Jenna Shares How She And Chris Picked Their Wedding Song!
One of the most important items that need to be taken care of after you find a wedding venue is finding a DJ and picking the music that will be played at the wedding. As soon as Chris and I booked The Willow Room, we began looking for a DJ. I already had a good idea of who I wanted to be my DJ. When I was looking for my wedding dress at Alfred Angelo’s, several people who worked there and several of the other customers referred me to a DJ called 2nd II None. Everyone spoke so highly of them that I decided to meet with them. As soon as I met a few of the DJs that worked at 2nd II None, I could tell that they would make my wedding fun. Chris and I decided not to continue to look around and we booked 2nd II None as the DJ for our wedding.
Once we booked 2nd II None they gave us a questionnaire to fill out and one of the questions asked what our wedding song was. My stomach dropped when I realized that we didn’t have one yet. I knew what song I wanted to dance to with my dad, but not Chris. When we had first started dating, Chris had told me that he always thought of me when he heard the Train song “Soul Sister”, but that didn’t seem like an appropriate wedding song for our first dance. Chris and I began looking for a nice romantic song that would be meaningful to us and would be nice for our first wedding dance
After weeks of looking, we had narrowed our choice down to two songs. Chris liked the song “When You Say Nothing At All,” but I was leaning toward “1000 Years” by Christina Perri. Every time I heard “1000 Years” I got emotional and thought of Chris. I didn’t feel the same way about the other song. Something about the lyrics to “1000 Years” touched my heart.
Christina Perri. (2014). Retrieved November 23, 2014, from Billboard: http://www.billboard.com/artist/299255/christina-perri
“A Thousand Years”
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I’m afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone,
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.
One step closer
[Chorus:]
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What’s standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
[Chorus:]
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
[Chorus:]
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
(Hodges, 2000-2014)
Hodges, D. (2000-2014). Christina Perri Lyrics. Retrieved November 23, 2014, from AZ Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christinaperri/athousandyears.html
The song is about being afraid of getting hurt, but realizing that you love the person so much that there is nothing to be worried about. You love the person so much that you won’t be afraid and you won’t let anyone or anything else destroy the love you have for that person.
This is how I feel about Chris. I love him so much that I would never let anything take away from our love and I trust him with my whole heart, so there is nothing to be afraid of. I know that I will love Chris for 1000 years and then for 1000 years after that to eternity. When Chris saw how emotional I got over the song he realized how important it was to me and we decided to make it our song.
The melody of the song is very beautiful and whimsical sounding. I wanted to learn how to ballroom dance so that Chris and I would have a beautiful first dance. I found a basic class that was being offered through an elementary school and we signed up for it. The instructor was very nice and she taught us the basic dance moves for several ballroom dances. When she found out we were getting married she listened to our song and told us that “1000 Years” would go best with a Viennese Waltz. She explained that it was harder dance to learn, but she was confident that we could learn it. When the eight week class was over our instructor told us that if we wanted to continue learning ballroom dance, we could come to her studio for class once a week and that when it got closer to the wedding she would teach us the dance for our song.
Viennese Waltz. (2013). Retrieved November 23, 2014, from DokoLive-Ballroom and Latin Dance Events: http://dokolive.com/dancestyle/vwaltz.html
I really enjoy going to dance class every Wednesday. It’s a nice date night out and it is really fun leaning different ballroom dances. I hope that our first dance will be wonderful and I am looking forward to practicing it. I am nervous about messing up, but I know that the most important thing is having fun with my best friend and new husband. I’m anticipating having a great time at my wedding, dancing the night away with the man I want to spend the next one thousand years dancing with.
This Week in Weddings
A new feature to the blog! Every Monday, we will scour the web and find top news and trends about all things wedding. Read, share, comment, send us links you find, let us know what you think! Your one stop shop every Monday for all the latest. Enjoy!
Wedding Trends for 2014
This article explores the new trends in food, flowers, and decor!
From Waco Today
The rustic wedding theme is getting a cosmopolitan update in 2014, according to the experts. “People are tired of the shabby-chic thing, so they’re going for an old world glamour kind of vibe,” says Sara Burnett, the editor of wedding-inspiration blog Burnett’s Boards.
Peonies, photo courtesy of Waco Today
Peonies are the flowers of the moment, and the bigger the better to make a statement piece that pops. Round out a peony bouquet with fillers like roses and hydrangeas. Tulips are a hot flower that can stand on their own in a vase. Read more.
Wedding Proposals
There are a lot of great proposal stories out there. We want to hear yours! Send your story, or your video, to marketing@thewillowroom and be featured on next week’s blog. We found a really cool website called howheasked.com with tons of stories and videos. Check out Glenna and Mike’s beautiful proposal in the snow!
Photo courtesy of http://howheasked.com/glenna-and-mike
Wedding Shoes
Looking for a totally different kind of shoe for your wedding? We found a site called Irregular Choice that offers some very unique designs and styles! For info on the shoe below, click here.
Flick Flack, photo courtesy of Irregular Choice website
Wedding Photography
Photo of the day from Amanda Patrice
From Bridal Guide Magazine
Credit: Amanda Patrice
Spectacular Wedding Sites
From Bridal Guide Magazine
With its awe-inspiring views and intimate, serene vibe, the South Peak of Seneca Rocks in West Virginia is a stunning place to tie the knot—if you’re daring enough to climb up to the 900-foot summit. Avid rock climbers Bob and Antonie Ewing did just that. Read the article here and check out the amazing photos!
Credit: John Ewing
Celebrity Wedding News
Dolly Parton and her husband, Carl, will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2016, and they are planning a HUGE party! Read all about it.
Honeymoon Ideas
Komandoo, Maldives Resort
Adults only, over water bungalows, water sports, fine dining; this resort has it all.
Photo courtesy of Komandoo Facebook page
This Week In Weddings
A new feature to the blog! Every Monday, we will scour the web and find top news and trends about all things wedding. Read, share, comment, send us links you find, let us know what you think! Your one stop shop every Monday for all the latest. Enjoy!
Wedding Flowers
The No. 1 Way to Ensure Your Wedding Flowers Look Fresh, Not Floppy
Article from Glamour
Wedding flowers, like all fresh flowers, have a limited shelf life. Once your florist takes your flowers out of their temperature-controlled room, you can start the countdown to when they’ll start drooping.
To ensure your wedding flowers aren’t already on their way downhill when your ceremony kicks off, ask your florist to hold off on the flower delivery until the last possible minute.
Think about when you’ll actually NEED your wedding flowers: If you’re taking photos before the ceremony, do you want your flowers in the pics? If so, ask the florist to arrive when photos are about to start. (You can take flower-free photos while the groomsmen are getting their boutonnieres pinned on.) If you don’t care about preserving your flowers on film, ask the florist to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the ceremony; give her a little more wiggle room if your ceremony has a complicated floral setup.
Also: In your first conversation with your florist, ask her to raise a red flag if you request any droop-prone blooms, such as cosmos and some types of wildflowers. And double-check that she’s using a hydration solution, like this one, to help your blooms retain water after they’re cut.
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Wedding Cakes
Wedding Cakes That Are Almost Too Pretty To Eat
Article from The Huffington Post
Cutting the wedding cake is a tradition most brides and grooms look forward to on the Big Day — and saving a slice to enjoy together on the one-year anniversary is practically a rite of passage.
Bobby Doherty/New York Times, Wood You Marry Me? by Butterfly Bakeshop, $9 per serving.
But the wedding cakes featured in the latest issue of New York Weddings, are almost too pretty to cut into. Almost. See more pictures and read article here.
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Wedding Shoes
Harry Potter Themed Stilettos Exist (And We Want Them)
Article from The Huffington Post
According to the post, the shoes were hand painted by the bride’s sister-in-law for the Big Day. As to who wore what? The bride got to rock the black Harry Potter and Hogwarts stilettos, while the bridesmaids each wore a pair representing the four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Luckily, he who shall not be named never RSVP’d.
Credit: http://www.AdmireStudios.com
http://www.edmontonphotographer.ca/weddings/harry-potter-stiletto-heels-sam-artypants-admire-studios
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Wedding Style
Do you know you can rent a designer gown for your engagement party or shower at RentTheRunway.com?
Read their story and see how inexpensive these rentals are!
Photo from RentTheRunway.com
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Wedding Invitations
How to Address Wedding Invitations
Article from CNN Living
Married Couple
In this case, it is proper to use Mr. and Mrs. Dean Wooley. Spell out the husband’s first name. If you decide to include the husband’s middle name, it should be spelled out, not abbreviated as an initial.
Single Female
In the case of a single female guest, it is proper to use Ms. if she is over age 16 or 18. If she is younger, than Miss is the acceptable choice.
Read more here.
Wedding Photography
Photo of the Day! Modern Centerpieces
From Bridal Guide Magazine
Photo credit:
Nadia D Photography / Flowers by: Dreams and Designs by Ana Hinojosa
Celebrity Wedding News
Check out this beautiful short video from singer Kelly Clarkson’s October wedding!
Honeymoon Ideas!
Every week we will feature a new destination. Let’s start with ARUBA!
Click the link to read about honeymoon packages!
Photo Courtesy of VisitAruba.com
Words of Willow 