Winter 2019 Issue
OF TRAVEL & HOME
In the winter months, the street vendors of Rome, bundled against the chill, hawk roasted chestnuts. Their blunt, gravelly solicitations sound the same as the solicitat...
PROMOTION
Focus on the Feeling
Tips for planning the wedding of your dreams.
Congratulations! You’re engaged. Now the hard work of planning your wedding begins. The process can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, planning your wedding ought to bring you joy. After all, you are orchestrating one of the biggest events of your life. The way you craft your nuptials reveal who you and your partner are as individuals and, more importantly, as a couple.
Though a Lot of details need to be sorted out, being intentional about your desire and staying organized can infuse your planning with a sense of ease. My advice for achieving this is to focus first on the big picture. What do you want your wedding to feel. Like? Once you clarify your vision, the fine details will emerge.
VENUE CHOICES
Nothing is more important than your venue selection. This should be the first decision you make. Selecting a venue that encapsulates your personality will enable your vision to manifest in a tangible way. When searching for your perfect wedding spot, consider nontraditionaL and extraordinary spaces. Are you a total do-it-yourselfer who relishes the maker culture? Look for a warehouse in an industrial space that you can truly transform. Does a certain space have exposed brick or wooden crossbeams? Perfect. Take this blank canvas and paint your dream wedding.
In deciding where your wedding will take place, Sarah Hatfield of Collum Hatfield Design suggests “the destination should be meaningful. Take into consideration the people you want around you and what it would take for them to reach that destination."
“There are so many beautiful venue options," notes Emily Matticoli of Emily's Café & Catering in Pennington who has worked with a variety of locations throughout the region, including Hopewell Valley Vineyard, The Watershed Institute and The Woolverton Inn. “Now, more than ever, couples really love to be able to personalize as many aspects of their day as they can. Gorgeous picturesque settings can be customized in terms of various elements, such as the style of table or the chairs that are used." Renovated barns are also a favorite. “At The Barn at Gravity Hill, you can have a tent on the outside and also a great indoor space", says Matticoli who has also catered wedding at Updike Farmstead in Princeton and Glenmoore Farm in Hopewell.
Are you and your partner art enthusiasts? Consider a venue that appeals to your creative sensibilities. Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton and the Hunterdon Art Museum, nestled next to a picturesque waterfall in Clinton, are just two of the many museum and art-focused options statewide. Food and décor can be themed to complement an exhibition on view; roaming sketch artists can create personalized portraits for guests.
A nontraditional venue delivers more than a look to your wedding: It sets the vibe. Love aviation, or is your soon-to-be spouse in the military? Consider an aircraft hangar. Enjoy craft beer or local wine? Breweries and wineries make for great party spaces.
If you want an extended or more intimate celebration with family and friends, consider an overnight destination venue. From the natural splendor setting of Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County to the Victorian charm of Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey offers a variety of enticing overnight venues well suited for wedding hosting.
CRAFTING THE EXPERIENCE
Your wedding is one of the most meaningful stories you will ever tell, so what do you want it to feel like? What kinds of details can you layer into your venue that will help create an everlasting impression on your guests?
“A big trend I'm seeing is people having their weddings, specifically their menus, customized to represent the couple's culture, interests, and theme," say Elizabeth McGlinn, events planner and director/general manager of One Atlantic in Atlantic City.
Keeping local, traditions and cultural, experiences in mind provides a special flavor and a memorable day for guests as well as the bridal couple. If you're planning a Shore wedding, consider hosting your reception at a restaurant venue, such as Parker's Garage In LBI. They're known for top quality Jersey seafood and will be happy to present a fresh-from-the-sea oyster bar.
Yes, planning your wedding Isa big deal! But remember, this Is your celebration, a way to show off your personality while creating a lasting, fond memory for you and your partner, and your family and friends. Focus on the feeling, and the rest will follow.
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