Planning Tips: Messaging with Purpose and Elegance

 Using signs for messaging is a popular wedding trend.  Signs can serve fruitful purposes, but they can also be overdone.  For example, signs presenting times for highlight-activities or food menu items can serve your event very well, because they inform your guests with desired information.  ‘Some tips for signing with elegance:

  1.  Place a simple leaf-vine or floret at the top or bottom of your sign.  This helps to connect signage with your overall event presentation.      

  2.  Be intentional with your signage (try not to over-sign).

  3.  Personalize your signage rather than buying mass-produced décor-signs. 

  4.  Present your signs – an easel is good for messaging, whereas leaning signs against a wall or fixture has the appearance of décor.

 Planning Tips: NAB's (Non-Alcoholic Beverages)

 The “NAB” setup is an often overlooked necessity.  With a little thought, and very little cost, well-done NABs can be the difference between ordinary and exceptional.  ‘Some tips for your beverage stations... 

  1.  Waters.  In lieu of water bottles on ice, consider using a glass beverage dispenser with fruit-infused water.  Cucumber, strawberries, citrus, mint, and mixes are easy to prepare, beautiful to display, and a refreshing treat for your guests. 

  2.  Traditionals.  Tea and lemonade can be made from scratch or simply purchased in your favorite brand.  When placed in a glass dispenser with some ice and mint leaves, beverages adopt the appearance of homemade elegance. 

  3.  Hot Spiced Cider.  Marionfield is now offering hot spiced cider, made fresh on your wedding day, and presented for the reception.  Everyone asks for our recipe, but it’s top-secret!!  Please inquire for details.  Offered only in September & October.  

 The Importance of Working with a Licensed Venue

 Each year, Marionfield hosts several events for couples who had previously booked elsewhere, but had their weddings canceled because their venue was shut-down for operating without a license. 

 As couples search for their ideal venue, many do not realize the importance of whether or not the venue is licensed.  Licensing is one of the ways that a venue proves their worthiness to host your big day.  Local and State requirements cover important matters ranging from life-safety to sanitation.  Will there be enough parking?  Is the building structurally sound?  How well will guests with disabilities be accommodated?  Working with a licensed (legal) venue ensures that your guests will be safe, your event size is well-served, and that your venue will not be shut down.   

 Planning Tips: Success with your DJ

 DJ’s play an important role throughout your wedding day, and planning well can help make the event more successful and better tailored to your personal style.  ‘Some tips:

  1.  Talk with your DJ about how much “MC work” you’d like, and in what style.  A good DJ will deliver the experience that you’re looking for, but couples need to prepare their DJ for success. 

  2.  Be sure that your DJ has downloaded specific songs that you want ahead of time.  Many DJ’s are equipped with a hot-spot for downloading on-site, but preparing ahead is always best. 

  3.  Coordinate specialty dance lighting options.  Many DJ’s have lighting options, so be sure to plan for the dance that you’ve envisioned.    

  4.  Coordinate for your DJ to arrive at least one hour before your guests.  This allows them time to set up, test equipment, and have music playing in advance of guest-arrival.  Help your DJ to be successful by requiring an hour to get ready on-site.    

WEDDINGS at the farm

 Marionfield's Tabletop Settings Option

 Marionfield now has an option for China dinner plates, dessert plates, silverware, water goblets, votive candle holders, dessert displays, and wood lanterns at a fraction of the cost to rent or purchase elsewhere.  We also offer water service to the reception tabletops plus water station using our oversize glass beverage dispensers.  Below are some example photos of our tabletop items--please inquire for additional information!   

marionfield

 Planning Tips: Buffet Design

 Space planning and decor for the food-set-out space is often overlooked as couples plan for their big day.  Designing a buffet space for beauty and efficiency will deliver a memorable experience for all.  Some things to consider… 

  1.  Flowers.  Just a couple of floral arrangements in the catering hall bring beauty to the space, while demonstrating care and attention to detail.

  2.  Color.  Crisp white linens with silver runners will set off warming trays nicely, especially when accompanied by a table-garnish of eucalyptus branches. 

  3.  Layout.  Talk with your caterer and the venue about how to best present the food while reducing wait times for your guests. 

  4.  Heights.  Variations in surface-heights can deliver a more dynamic space.  Consider placing a cocktail table or wine barrel to support menus or a bouquet of flowers.    

 Planning Tips: Lining Up Your Linens

 There is no shortage of misinformation on the internet when it comes to linens.  Below are some simple tips to help you get the look that you'll love! 

  1. Size.  For the nicest overall appearance, consider “full-drop” linens, which will kiss the floor on all sides.  For cocktail tables, both a full-drop (120 inches round) and the next larger size are beautiful.  The advantage to going slightly larger is that the gather on the ground will help keep your linens from shifting in the breeze. 
 
  2. Color.  Especially for larger receptions, consider changing up the tone of your color palette a bit.  Dressing your round tables in a lighter tone than your banquet tables for example, will deliver a more rich and dynamic feel without growing your budget. 
 
  3. Wrinkles.  Steaming is definitively less work and time than ironing.  Renting pre-pressed linens will save you the most time.  Pre-pressed linens may still have creases, but creases say    “clean,” while wrinkles say “sloppy.” 

 Planning Tips: Dessert Service

 It's a good idea to consider your options for how you would like your desserts to be stored, presented, and served.  'Some things to keep in mind:

  1.  Talk with your baker about refrigeration requirements (if any). 

  2.  If your guest desserts are separate from the couple's cake, consider presenting them on a mixture of stands & platters.  Varying the heights of your dessert display will make the overall presentation more appealing.   

  3.  If your "cutting cake" is to be brought out at a specific time, be sure to coordinate who will perform the delivery.  Some venues and vendors are hesitant to handle tiered cakes.      

  4.  Hiring your caterer to deliver guest desserts to the tables is a great way to elevate your overall event and can help with schedule efficiency if you plan to overlap dessert service with your toasts.