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Tenting Your At-Home Wedding
May 9, 2017

Happy Tuesday everyone! We hope you’re ready for some amazing wedding tips and tricks because today Janice of Bellwether Events is back and armed with even more at home wedding advice for our readers; today she is tracking at home wedding tenting. Take it away Janice!

Michelle Lindsay Photography

Welcome back to the second installment of my monthly series on United With Love about home weddings! I’m fresh from a home wedding in The Plains, Virginia, and have so much advice to share with you! If you missed my first post about home weddings, please check it out when you have a chance! And if you want a lot more information about home weddings, check out my free ebook, The Elegant At-Home Wedding.

Today I am going give you an introduction to wedding tents! After you settle on your guest list and your budget, you will need to work on booking your tent. This will be a big component of your budget so it is best to get this information sooner rather than later. There are a two different kinds of tents that are the most popular, each with pros and cons, and I’m going to discuss the basics so that you aren’t flying blind when you start calling tent rental companies. If you have additional questions, please reach out to me or to UWL vendor, Sugarplum Tent Company!

 

Katie Stoops Photography

Pole Tents

Pole tents are an affordable way to provide cover for your wedding guests. These are the tents with the swooping tops that are often compared to a circus tent. Pole tents can easily be found made in either white vinyl or sailcloth. Sailcloth tent tops fully protect you from rain but still let natural light in during the day, and offer that pretty “glow” in nighttime photos. They are also more expensive than the white vinyl tops, so take that into account when choosing. Pole tents require ground staking, so be prepared to have grass all the way around the tent with no obstructions; they will require a 10-foot perimeter for the lines that stake into the ground. Pole tents cannot be placed flush against a building due to the guy-lines. Another thing is keep in mind is that pole tents are not quite as sturdy in high winds.

Michelle Lindsay Photography

Frame Tents

Frame tents have a more squared-off look to the tent top, similar to the roof of a house. These tents are typically a little more expensive than pole tents, as well. They can be staked into the ground with a lesser perimeter, or they can be weighted down with giant water barrels. This means that they can be placed flush up to a building and they do not need to be exclusively on grass. The tent top will have a metal structure underneath that you can opt to cover with a liner other fabric draping at an additional cost. Frame tents can withstand higher winds a little better and there is version of a frame tent that is called a structure or Navitrac tent that is even more sturdy in high winds. Call me and I’ll tell you about the tents I had up in the 2012 derecho storm!

Michelle Lindsay Photography

Tent Accessories

There are a few other items you will want to talk to your tent provider about initially. Lighting for your tent and a generator to power your lighting and entertainment are a great place to start as they are necessary. Sidewalls for your tent in the event of hard rain, wind, or cool temperatures can also be helpful. You will also need to consider a safety railing if any part of your tent will be elevated. I will delve into these items in more detail in a future post, so be sure to check back!

I hope you found this introduction to wedding tents helpful! If you have additional questions, please feel free to leave a comment or reach out to me directly – I’d love to help you with your home wedding! And don’t forget to check back next month for my thoughts on how to spruce up your stationery for your home wedding!

 

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design, decor and details  / Tips & Advice

Organic Tented Multicultural Wedding: April + Thomas
September 12, 2016

When asked the quintessential wedding question of “What are your wedding colors?” April never knew how she could narrow down all of the amazing wedding color scheme options! She knew she wanted to be true to their personal style so they opted for using gold in combination with organic greenery and pops of white. The end result was today’s lush garland filled tented Virginia wedding with details that we rave over! For starters, they had cake table numbers; yes you heard that right! They used small rounded textured cakes with scripted names to serve as table numbers that guests could enjoy post dinner! We also love how they combined both of their cultures for a traditional western vow ceremony, followed immediately with a complete dress change for their Korean Pyebaek ceremony. This ceremony tradition allows the groom’s side of the family to be introduced to the bride properly. It involves the exchanging of marriage advice and presentation of gifts for the parents, then ends with the bride having to catch jujubes with her skirt! We love seeing cultural traditions weaved into such a momentous day, and thank you to the couple and Sincereli Photography for sharing their wedding with us!

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The following Washington DC area wedding vendors contributed to their wedding:

Venue: Joseph House Shenandoah Woods
Catering: The Local- Charlottesville
Photography: Sincereli
Ceremony Musicians: Two Rivers Chamber Music
Florals: Sweet Root Village
Hair: Nina Nguyen
Bride’s Dress: Couture by Posh Bridal
Groom’s Attire: Lapel
DJ: Danny DJ
Cake: Tout de Sweet

Don’t forget to visit our vendor guide for more fabulous Washington, DC area wedding professionals or our real wedding gallery for more beautiful Washington, DC area weddings!

 

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Real Weddings  / Real Weddings - Cultural  / Real Weddings - Green  / Real Weddings - Virginia  / Real Weddings - White  / virginia weddings

Tented Romantic Wedding: Sara + Kyle
September 7, 2016

Sara and Kyle refused to let a little rain ruin their romantic tented Maryland wedding last November; instead, they danced under the clear top tent and a glow of bistro lights that only made the gold mercury glass centerpieces feel even more romantic! Birds of a Feather Photography came prepared for the weather and were able to capture wonderful umbrella portraits in the rain that we just love! As a great tip, having a clear umbrella allows the light to still filter in while not blocking your face for photos! The couple came together with their families to create DIY elements of the wedding that truly made the wedding a family affair. They had personal touches such as the Pinterest worthy mercury glass votive candles and a performance by the bride’s aunt and uncle during the ceremony. Thank you to United with Love family member Birds of a Feather Photography for sharing a look into Sara and Kyle’s lovely wedding!

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Congratulations to Sara and Kyle!  Thank you for sharing your romantic tented Maryland wedding with us!

The following Washington DC area wedding professionals contributed to their wedding:

Wedding Venue: Woodlawn Farm
Photography: Birds of a Feather Photography
Videographer: Swehland Productions
Coordinator: Weddings with Christina
Hair Stylist: Karen Maynard
Makeup Artist: Miranda Paige Makeup
Bridal Gown: Serendipity Bridal and Events
Floral Designer: Weavers Fresh Cut Flowers
Invitations: Minted
Bridesmaids Attire: Alfred Angelo
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A Bank
Officiant: Mary Rahall
Rentals: Something Special by Tracy
Catering:Baileys Catering
Reception Entertainment: Bobby Rowland
Cake: Almond Creek Cakery

For more wedding vendors, please visit our Washington DC area wedding vendor guide and for even more amazing local ideas, check out our wedding inspiration galleries and other Washington DC area real weddings.

Photo Credits: Duhon Photoraphy

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maryland weddings  / Real Weddings  / Real Weddings - Maryland  / Real Weddings - Metallic  / Real Weddings - Red

Let’s Talk About Tents, Baby…
August 18, 2016

Today we are talking wedding tent budgets with the pro of at home weddings, Janice of Bellwether Events. She has written and published the fabulous e-book  The Elegant at Home Wedding and today she is sharing her knowledge to breakdown why tents cost so much!! Take it away Janice….

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this from engaged couples: “The tent for our wedding is going to cost how much?!”

Yes, tents for weddings and special events are expensive. Whether you are putting a tent up in your backyard, or over a hardscaped surface at your wedding venue, the associated costs for a wedding tent are going to begin at several thousand dollars. Note that I said begin, as in that is where the price for a wedding tent starts. I am going to lay it out for you, and show you, just exactly why wedding tents cost what they do.

To help you understand why wedding tents are so expensive, it might help to visualize a tent set up at a real wedding. At the most recent at-home wedding that I worked on in Great Falls, Virginia, I set up my Go Pro camera to film the tent set up by both the Sperry DC crew, and the wedding day set up by the staff from Ridgewells Catering who handled the tables, chairs, and other final touches. I hope that seeing this will begin to explain why tents cost so much money.

 

https://storage.googleapis.com/united-with-love/uploads/2016/08/Danells-Timelapse-Final-2-1.mp4

THE REALITY OF LABOR COSTS

With most service-based business, the bulk of the cost of a wedding tent is in the labor. For the wedding in Great Falls, Virginia as seen in the timelapse video, we had a crew of about six people working for three days in a row, for an average of six hours per day. That’s about 100 hours of labor just for the set up. The breakdown, or taking apart, of the tent after the wedding was over took another small crew about eight hours. The labor and hours it takes is the most crucial part of understanding why a tent for your wedding costs so much money.

EXPERTS ONLY

The single most important factor to consider when it comes to a tent is ensuring that it is installed properly and safely by a crew of experts. A tent for your wedding is no place to skimp. You are better off skipping the tent all together than going with a disreputable company who appears to save you money. You don’t want the tent to come down in the middle of the wedding or your wedding guests to be in any type of danger! It is critical that professional experts to install your wedding tent.

MATERIALS + RENTALS

Another factor that impacts the cost of a wedding tent are the disposable materials. Even if these items aren’t as visible as the tent itself, they are critical to the tent’s set up and they impact the price. I’m talking about items that will end up in the trash after the wedding is over and the tent is taken down. For this tent set up in the video, the disposable materials includes the carpet on the floor, some of the floor pieces themselves, and the wrap used on the side of the tent floor to hide the internal flooring installation. It costs the tent company money to purchase these items and have them available for your wedding to make your tent look beautiful and gorgeous.

In addition to the disposable materials, there is a certain amount of the tent set up that is reused so you are essentially renting it for your wedding. For the tent wedding rentals, I’m talking about a gorgeous sailcloth tent, those beautiful wood stained poles, the hardwood dance floor, the string lights, the generator and more. These rented items for a tent wedding will see a certain amount of wear at your event. After each event, they need to be repaired and possibly replaced. It costs the tent rental company quite a bit to ensure that these rented items are in perfect condition and ready to be reused at the next wedding.

Waters_Squires547

OVERHEAD

The final big factor in the cost of a tent for a wedding is the overhead incurred by the rental company. For the small Virginia wedding in the video, the tent company sent a sales representative to the home to walk us through the proposal and survey the yard, she also worked hard behind the scenes to ensure that the generator could accommodate the lighting and the band, and she created a custom floor plan for the wedding. Tent companies have offices (rent, furniture and supplies, utilities), trucks (payments, maintenance, fuel, insurance) and the inventory itself. I could go on and on!

Waters_Squires549

There you have it – why your wedding tent is going to cost that much. Hopefully I was able to take you behind the scenes with this post and with the video to show the intensive process setting up even the smallest of tents can be. Tents for weddings aren’t cheap. And, they shouldn’t be, yet done right they can be show stopping venue alternatives for the perfect at home or outdoor wedding.

Photo Credit: Michelle Lindsay Photography

Thank you Janice of Bellwether Events for sharing your expertise and insight! Make sure to check out more DC tented wedding ceremonies and receptions including this Strong Mansion Wedding and this adorable Leesburg outdoor reception at the Birkby House. Also visit one of our favorite tent companies like Sugarplum Tent Company when planning your DC area wedding!

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ceremony and reception  / design, decor and details  / planning and budget  / Tips & Advice

Garden Chic Tented Wedding in Maryland: Kathleen + Joel
December 22, 2015

Kathleen and Joel wed in a beautifully elegant wedding at Strong Mansion in Dickerson, MD. Their garden chic wedding in Maryland was one filled with the beauty of nature – both inside and out. Their wedding ceremony took place in a gorgeous garden on the property, before their wedding guests moved under a white wedding tent for the reception. But not before guests played a few rounds of lawn games during the cocktail hour – Oh what fun! Then the reception decor incorporated elements from the outdoors in, like the garland flanking the reception tables (a favorite of the bride’s and ours too!). But it was the serenade with the band from the groom to his bride that really stole the show! What an amazing surprise for Kathleen and everyone in attendance to enjoy!? Their wedding day is certainly picture-perfect, but not without the help of Washington DC area wedding planners, Event Accomplished, especially when during the planning process, especially when the bride and groom moved to Toronto and had to plan their wedding from afar! It doesn’t look like they skipped a beat on their beautiful wedding day in Maryland! A special thanks to Washington DC area wedding photographer, Mary Kate McKenna Photography, for sharing Kathleen and Joel’s wedding photos with us!
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From the bride: We wanted a simple, elegant and timeless wedding that incorporated the beauty of Strong Mansion and the outdoors in Maryland.

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Joel wore his soon-to-be father-in-law’s cufflinks. I had my mother’s wedding dress fabric wrapped around my bridal bouquet along with a blue butterfly pin that was a dear family friend’s that had passed away.

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We moved to Toronto seven months before our wedding and I was very nervous about planning long distance. Vicky, our wedding planner, did an amazing job of keeping us on track, visiting our wedding vendors when we were unable to and assisting us along the way which made our wedding day perfect!

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The band and caterer were our main wedding priorities. We wanted our friends and family to eat well and not want to leave the dance floor at our wedding!

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Joel sang “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness during our wedding reception, which was a surprise to the me and our family and friends. The band had made wagers if he was going to bomb or knock it out of the park – he knocked it out of the park! I also loved the garland on the reception tables and the flowers. These decor elements brought the nature and beauty of Strong Mansion inside the wedding reception tent.

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Advice from the bride for other couples planning a wedding in the Washington DC area:

Trust your wedding planner and the vendors – they are the experts! Make sure that you tell your wedding vendors anything that can help in making your day go smoothly. For example, Joel hates taking pictures and Mary Kate (our photographer) was efficient and understanding and worked her magic to achieve beautiful wedding day pictures rather quickly.

tented-weddings-maryland-wedding-Mary-Kate-McKenna-Photography

Congratulations to Kathleen and Joel!  Thank you for sharing your garden chic tented wedding with us! The following Washington DC area wedding professionals contributed to their wedding:

Photography: Mary Kate McKenna Photography
Wedding Planner: Event Accomplished
Stationery: LBC Design Co.
Transportation: Reliable Limousine
Floral Designer: En Masse
Hair Stylist: Remona Soleimani
Makeup Artist: Leah Margosis
Bridal Gown: Romona Keveza
Bridal Salon: Hannelore’s
Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew
Accessories: Kate Spade
Groom’s Attire: Nordstrom
Groomsmen Attire: Joseph A Bank
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Strong Mansion
Officiant: John Crawford
Ceremony Music: Perfect Harmony
Caterer: Spilled Milk
Reception Music: Bachelor Boys Band
Cake/Dessert: Fancy Cakes by Leslie

For more wedding vendors, please visit our Washington DC area wedding vendor guide and for even more amazing local ideas, check out our wedding inspiration galleries and other Washington DC area real weddings.

Photo Credits: Mary Kate McKenna Photography

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maryland weddings  / Real Weddings  / Real Weddings - Blue  / Real Weddings - Maryland  / Real Weddings - Pink  / Real Weddings - Rustic  / Real Weddings - Spring

What You Need to Know About Tents at Weddings
October 2, 2013

Planning around the beautiful views and ambiance of an outdoor DC-area wedding goes hand-in-hand with planning around unfavorable weather – but don’t run for shelter! Tenting your wedding reception is a popular way in the DC area to create a special outdoor space while still making you and your guests feel connected to the outdoors. This blank canvas allows you to be a little more creative – lighting, chandeliers, fabrics and more – but where to begin?! If you are thinking about a tent for the cocktail hour, or the whole reception or event having on-hand for a possible rain options, there are many things you need to know about tents. We chatted with Barbi of Sugarplum Tent Company, who is here to share all about the basics of renting a tent! Take it away, Barbi…

Wedding Reception Tent Sugarplum Tent Company

Photo courtesy of Sugarplum Tent Company

Tented weddings or ceremonies are wonderful and can be quite personal. Sugarplum Tent Company is here to answer questions and give some hints to help plan a tented event, whatever your vision and budget may be.

Tent Styles

Tented weddings have come a long way. There are white, clear-top, sailcloth, even skylight tents. How to decide? How do you know which look is your starting point to bring your vision to reality? Here’s a short summary of the main styles:

  • White tents: These are classic, timeless and can be the blank canvas on which to create your own look. A white tent is always a great focal point and signals that “something special is happening here.” They can be used year-round and can also be lined or swagged with fabric to create a lovely ambiance.
  • Clear tents: These have become increasingly popular. The clear-top really brings the outside inside and provides an element of instant “decor.” Streamlined and modern, these sleek tents offer endless possibilities for creating your own look. At night, the lighting bounces off the ceilings providing a veritable “kaleidoscope” of color and beauty.
  • Sailcloth tents: With their creamy sheer fabric, these tents are best for spring, summer and early fall events. The natural wood poles and the beautiful stitching around the edges bring in a nautical feel to an event. Paired with hanging lanterns, these are a wonderful choice for a summer wedding on or near the water – or anywhere!
  • Skylight Tents: A white tent with clear panels just like real skylights in a house. They let the natural light in and panels can be alternating or in the center. A real showstopper!

The Basics

OK, you’re interested in a tented wedding – either at a private residence or a venue.Where do you begin? Secure the location and decide if your guest count warrants overflow or tented space. If it’s at a private home, make sure all family members are on board. Usually (and ultimately), a site visit is in order to take measurements and talk through the best flow and logistics for the event and the property. For example, where to have cocktails, will the ceremony be held at the same place; is the area flat; is it big enough? Can we do one tent or will we need a series of connecting tents to get you the space you need? Now for the fun! Once you have some of these logistical questions answered, you can get down to planning your own unique space and how you would like it to look.

Sugarplum Tent Company Wedding Reception

Photo courtesy of Sugarplum Tent Company

Planning for Weather

If you have your heart set on a winter wedding, tents can be provided year round. Tent companies often have the ability to provide heat (or air condition) our tents and will recommend the best tent for the time of year you want. While a winter event can be more costly, the ambiance created having your own beautiful space protected from the elements is priceless.

If you’re thinking “I don’t want a tent unless it rains, when can I decide?” as far as making a decision on the rain, this is a hard one! When will you know if it’s going to rain? A week before the event? A day before? Or a few hours before? We normally tell clients to simply plan a tent into their theme – even with gorgeous weather, people are always happy they had it. Simply work it into your ambiance and you won’t have to check the weather channel every 10 minutes as your big day nears.

A tent also sends the signal that something special is going on. It diffuses the light and makes the photos (and people!) look better without the harsh contrast shadows of the sun. Without sides, a tent is simply a canopy, protecting guests and food from the elements and the sun or a possible afternoon thunder boomer. Bottom line: Tents provide a wonderful ambiance whether it’s sunny or rainy. Don’t risk your entire event by waiting for the 5-day forecast to call for a tent rental. A great event requires sound planning.

Budgeting

Yes, tents can be as costly or as economical as you like. We help a bride work within her budget to get the look and feel she wants. It’s all about the joyous event, after all. And with a home wedding, you have the ability to control many things on your own. There is no “venue” charge. You can use the caterer of your choice, or even do a potluck; you can set up your own bar and even do a lot of your own decor. The event becomes personal and the memories will be far more personal than a wedding held in a banquet hall. We work with you to optimize the value for your dollar.

We normally set up a tent for a weekend event a couple of days in advance. You’ll have time to decorate and could even use the tent for the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, and the morning-after brunch. When you rent a tent for a home wedding, you are in charge. No one will kick you out at midnight. We do not charge extra for multiple events in the tent – it’s yours for the weekend. Take advantage! The time of day you choose for your event can also save you money. A brunch or luncheon wedding is far more economical than a dinner event. You may not need lighting for the tent and in warmer months, it is cooler earlier in the day. A brunch can also be more relaxed for extended families when children are included. The bar tab is also low for a brunch/lunch event.

Wedding Tent Styling

We can provide almost everything except the food and flowers, and you’ll love going over those details with your caterer and florist! But we can provide the rest: we have dance floors in teak wood, New England plank, and black and white, or all white. We have stages in all sizes, decor items such as taffeta tent liners, pole drapes and fabric swagging are also things we routinely provide – and we have a wonderful variety. We do full flooring (both level and lay-down). We have carpet and Astroturf options to cover the flooring or patio. We have many lighting options for you, including lanterns and chandeliers of all sizes and styles (also the rice paper lanterns); we have lots of up-lighting and pin-spotting options.

We also have a nice variety of streamer lighting and the bistro cafe string lighting. We can even do a starlight effect under a taffeta tent liner, or wrap the lights around the center poles. For lighting, a parking area or entrance we have a really cool light balloon that looks like a big full moon. We also have super-quiet event generators and can heat and cool our tents (both air conditioning and a variety of fans). We can even handle VIP restroom trailers and we know all the players in our industry and help coordinate to provide you with a seamless and worry-free event.

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Thank you so much for sharing all this great advice, Barbi! If you are looking for a fabulous rental company with tents, flooring, seating and more, be sure to check out Sugarplum Tent Company!

To find more Washington DC area wedding advice, check out our tips section with everything from flowers to budgets to venue searches. Don’t forget to look through our amazing DC area wedding vendor guide for all the vendors you’ll need to make it happen and and join the local wedding conversation on ourDC area wedding forums!

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design, decor and details  / inspiration  / inspiration and ideas  / Rentals  / Tips & Advice

Tented Maryland Wedding Reception: Lauren + Adam
December 12, 2012

We’re back with part two of Lauren and Adam’s Maryland wedding from Timmester Photography! (Did you see their classic, outdoor wedding ceremony?) This couple really showed their love for Washington DC, naming their tables after their favorite local neighborhoods! Purple also made it’s way into this blue and white palette for a pretty pop that really complimented Antrim 1844‘s style.

Take Your Seat Wedding Sign

Our biggest priorities for the wedding were that we wanted everyone to have a good time, and we wanted gorgeous photos to remember the day. To make that happen, we put a lot of thought into the food, the band, and photography. Adam and I are big foodies, so we chose a venue that would allow us to customize our own delicious menu through direct consultation with the chef at Antrim’s on-site restaurant. Working with Chef Michael Gettier to create our perfect menu was a great experience, and our food was amazing! Having a band was one of our non-negotiables from the beginning, and we chose to work with Free Spirit whose members were super energetic and made sure that folks had a great time on the dance floor.

Ribbon Place Card Display Purple Wedding Reception Flowers

Antrim 1844 Wedding First Dance Capitol Hill Wedding Table Number

Washington DC Neighborhood Table Numbers

Blue and Purple Wedding Flowers Candleabra Wedding Centerpieces

Father of the Bride Speech

Antrim 1844 Wedding Receptions

Antrim 1844 Weddings

In lieu of traditional wedding favors, we created a candy buffet that guests could enjoy throughout the reception, as well as create a bag to take home with them. The buffet was truly a labor of love from many of my family members; my parents and I spent months collecting apothecary jars from various locations and selecting and hunting down specific types of candy, and my aunt, uncle, and cousins spent the morning of the wedding creating a display that was more perfect than I could have imagined. The candy was a huge hit with all of our guests from kids to adults, and I loved seeing everyone chowing down on some sweets and making bags to take home.

White Floral Wedding Cake Antrim 1844 Wedding Reception

Jewish Antrim 1844 Wedding

Lauren’s advice to other DC-area couples:

Choose a great team of vendors, and then let yourself relax knowing that you have hired a great team of professionals who will do a great job. I am pretty Type-A and wanted to fully keep track of every detail of what every vendor would be doing and when on the day of the wedding. I could have saved myself a lot of stress (and probably would have pestered our vendors a lot less) if I had just let go and trusted that everything would be okay. We chose highly experienced and talented vendors, and they did an unbelievable job at making our wedding day run smoothly and more perfectly than we even expected.

Happily Ever After Wedding Sign

The following Washington, DC area wedding vendors contributed to Lauren and Adam’s wedding:

Venue: Antrim 1844
Photographer: Timmester Photography
Hair + Makeup: Alison Harper & Company
Floral Designer: Romance of Flowers
Ceremony Officiant: Rabbi Arnold Saltzman
Band: Free Spirit, Entertainment Exchange
String Quartet: Bel Canto String Ensemble, Entertainment Exchange
Invitations: The Dandelion Patch
Day-Of Paper Goods (programs, table cards, escort cards, signage): Little Bit Heart
Linen Rental: Table Toppers, 410-769-9339
Lighting: Event Dynamics
Tent Rental: Loane Brothers
Bride’s Dress: Distinctive Designs Bridal
Groom’s Tuxedo: Proper Suit
Bridesmaids Dresses: Nordstrom
Wedding Cake: Karen Rodkey Cakes
Engagement Ring and Wedding Rings: I. Gorman Jewelers

Don’t forget to visit our vendor guide for more fabulous Washington, DC area wedding professionals or our real wedding gallery for more beautiful Washington, DC area weddings!

Photo Credits: Timmester Photography

*Little Bit Heart, The Dandelion Patch & Alison Harper & Company are a few of our fabulous sponsors. For more info, please review our editorial policies or consider becoming a sponsor.

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inspiration and ideas  / maryland weddings  / Real Weddings

Fuschia and Gray Tent Wedding in Leesburg VA: Emily + Samir
September 4, 2012

Welcome back for part two of Emily and Samir’s pink and gray wedding from Stephanie Ascari Photography. (Check out their outdoor wedding ceremony, too!) If you were on the fence about using a bold, bright color in your wedding palette, this reception may just convince you! Everything in the reception tent was accented with fuchsia, with lanterns hanging from above, vibrant place settings and a few perfect peonies on the cake. I can never resist a great pop of color, can you!?

Leesburg Virginia Wedding Thomas Birkby House Wedding

From Emily: The best part of our wedding was being able to share our special day with our family and best friends. It was a celebration of love, family, and friends. It truly was a magical day! Our main priorities were to have a comfortable, relaxed and festive wedding venue. We wanted delicious food and drink and plenty of it. We also had handmade chocolate truffles and dipped strawberries to go along with wedding cake.

Pink and Gray Wedding Guest Book Pink Escort Card Tags

Fuchsia Wedding Reception Pink Virginia Wedding Reception

Pink Flower Wedding Centerpieces Hot Pink Wedding Decor

Hot Pink Wedding Reception Decor Virginia Wedding First Dance

We made sure we had a good variety of Latin music and a specific Bolivian beer to honor Samir’s culture.

Thomas Birkby House Virginia Wedding Venue Wedding Snack Station

Emily’s advice to other DC-area couples:

I definitely had in my mind what I wanted. By using websites and local blogs, like United with Love, I was able to visualize and put it all together. Once we picked our venue ,I researched all the different weddings that took place at the venue we chose and was able to get ideas and advice from other’s experience at our venue. Do your research and be confident in the vendors you choose. That will allow you to relax more, because you can trust that things will be taken care of fully. Also, don’t overwhelm yourself with TOO many ideas because you will never be able to do everything. Pick and choose your favorites and figure out a way to incorporate them even if you have to DIY. There are so many great sites that will show you how to DIY just about anything, especially on a budget.

Pink and White Wedding Cake Virginia Sparkler Getaway

The following Washington, DC area wedding vendors contributed to Emily and Samir’s wedding:

Venue: Thomas Birkby House
Caterer & Cake: Culinary Delights by Feist
Photographer: Stephanie Ascari Photography
Day-of Coordinator & Officiant: Suzanne Fox at Legacy Weddings
Floral Designer: Growing Wild Floral Co.
String Quartet: Emperors Ensemble
DJ: Rusty Bialeck, DJ D-Mac and Associates
Hair: Akram at Salon Cielo
Makeup: Le Mariee Makeup
Dress: Jeanette’s Bridal
Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Don’t forget to visit our vendor guide for more fabulous Washington, DC area wedding professionals or our real wedding gallery for more beautiful Washington, DC area weddings!

Photo Credits: Stephanie Ascari Photography

*Stephanie Ascari Photography is one of our fabulous sponsors.  For information on our editorial policies, please click here.

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

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diy  / inspiration and ideas  / Real Weddings  / virginia weddings

Sugarplum Tent Company
May 1, 2012

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VF Rentals and Furniture

A Tale of Two Destination Weddings at El Dorado Resorts
September 21, 2021

If your dream wedding is a beachy destination full of luxury and romance, we have the perfect place for you. We had the pleasure of visiting two different resorts in Playa Del Carmen recently, and fell in love with both of them! So if you are looking for more of a private romantic getaway, or something more family oriented, El Dorado resorts has something for you! While this trip was sponsored by Apple Vacations, all of my opinions are my own, and I promise to give a thorough and honest review of the resorts!

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

 

Effortless travel

VIEW OF COAST FROM THE AIR

One of the biggest things to consider when planning your wedding abroad is travel. Especially if you are inviting guests, ease of travel is a big consideration! Cancun airport is just a 30 minute drive from both El Dorado resorts, and travel into Cancun is a breeze. Plus, it’s just a 3 hour flight from DC making it an easy trip for almost anyone.

 

A tale of two weddings

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

One of my favorite things about visiting both El Dorado Maroma and El Dorado Casitas Royale was how different they were! Both resorts were beautiful but they each had unique aspects that cater to a different kind of destination wedding. So whether you are looking for a romantic elopement or vow renewal, or a large family affair, El Dorado resorts has something for you.

 

A Romantic Elopement or adults only wedding

 

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

The first resort we visited was El Dorado Maroma. This quiet, adults only, romantic resort felt very exclusive even on the drive in. As you drive deeper into the jungle, you start to feel how secluded and exclusive this resort is. A much smaller resort, El Dorado Maroma is known for its private, romantic atmosphere.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

One of the first things you’ll notice about El Dorado Maroma is the two different resorts on one property. There is the Maroma resort, and the Palafitos. If you are dreaming of an overwater bungalow like you’d find in Tahiti or Fiji, the Palafitos are the closest overwater bungalows to the US. These dreamy private rooms all have their own deck with insane ocean views, and an outdoor hot tub for you to enjoy. Plus the rooms have windows on the floor so you can see the waves below you no matter where you are. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

There is also an exclusive restaurant over the water in the Palafitos area that is absolutely incredible. Not only the food, but the views will take your breath away. This restaurant is also available to host your rehearsal dinner or cocktail hour, which would be absolutely beautiful with the ocean background.

If overwater bungalows aren’t your style (or in your budget) the Maroma resort is just as romantic and beautiful on land. With beautiful beaches just steps away from your room, dreamy blue pools, a gorgeous spa and even a nightclub, Maroma is the perfect resort for a couple or small group to get away. We had the pleasure of witnessing a beachfront wedding and it was absolutely gorgeous. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

And when you are done tying the knot, they have lots of fun things to do on property! With dance lessons, volleyball, canoes, and more, we were having fun from dawn until dusk! 

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

Another incredible perk at El Dorado Maroma is the Villa. This 5 room villa can be reserved exclusively with your family or friends, and includes private rooms, a communal area where you can gather and a private pool. You can even reserve a private chef that will cook exclusively for you and your guests! This would be perfect for a bridal party, to share with all your friends, and extend the fun into your honeymoon.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

El Dorado Maroma also has a marina where you can venture out into excursions like parasailing, ATV tours, scuba diving and more. So whether you are there for relaxation, or you want some adventure, you get both at El Dorado Maroma.

The Maroma Wedding Experience

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

If having a luxury wedding experience is on your bucket list, El Dorado Maroma is exactly what you are looking for. Imagine waking up the day of your wedding for a couples massage, followed by getting ready in the most beautiful bridal suite, complete with make-up booths and brunch snacks. Then walking down to the most beautiful ocean side chapel or right onto the beach for your ceremony. With every last detail taken care of, your wedding experience is stress free in paradise at this intimate resort.

NAAY SPA BRIDAL SUITE

PRIVATE BRUNCH

With the incredible amenities, top notch service and experience, the El Dorado Maroma is the perfect destination for your romantic getaway, elopement or small adult only wedding. But if you have a large family, or even kids, El Dorado resorts has another option that might be more your speed.

Family Friendly Fun

EL DORADO ROYALE

In addition to visiting the beautiful El Dorado Maroma, we had the amazing opportunity to visit their sister resort El Dorado Royale. This property was truly unique because it was three resorts in one, each with their own unique flavor!

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

Immediately we noticed that the El Dorado Royale property was much bigger than the Maroma resort, and had an incredible variety of options for wedding venues. The other great thing about this property was the capacity to accommodate large scale events. Weddings with hundreds of guests can have an incredible experience, and one that is inclusive for the whole family.

 

Three resorts in one. 

Similar to the Maroma property, with the Palafitos resort, El Dorado Royale has 3 different properties that are available for guests to explore! First is the flagship property El Dorado Royale. This property had a lot of fun features and experiences, including an outdoor night club, dozens of pools, and various areas that were instagram ready! Including really fun eating opportunities like an “Iron Chef” style restaurant, and a world class spa, you would never get bored! 

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

But for the person who is looking for a quieter, more exclusive experience, right next door is the El Dorado Royale Casitas. This is where we stayed, and this unique area of the resort is made up of casita villages that are centered around their own private pool. Having a quieter, more exclusive area felt so relaxing and luxurious, and having easy access to the more fun and exciting side was such a nice change of pace.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

And unlike the Maroma property, the third resort in this group is a family friendly resort called Generations. With lots of activities for kids (including a kids club where they can play while the adults have fun) this is the perfect set-up for large family weddings.

All three resorts are connected through a system of trolleys that take you around the property, so you can spread out and have your own vacation, while still having a large wedding that is fit for a family of any size.

 

Scenic ocean side wedding venues

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

One of the most incredible things about weddings at El Dorado Royale was the incredible variety in wedding venues. Want a covered outdoor wedding with 180 degree ocean views- they’ve got it. Want to literally walk on the beach, with room for over 100 people, they’ve got it. Want a rooftop wedding with incredible views of the water and jungle- they’ve got it. Want a traditional Mayan ceremony in a cenote- they’ve got it!

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

And with on site florists and designers, everything is taken care of, so you can just fly in with your dress and your family, and celebrate your wedding without any of the stress.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

PHOTO COURTESY OF KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

Luxury weddings for large parties

FULL SERVICE BRIDAL SALON

In addition to having incredible variety, the spa at El Dorado Royale has an incredible bridal suite complex complete with 5 different massage rooms for couples, and a large scale salon and make up studio for you to get ready. This entire floor of the spa can accommodate even the largest of bridal parties with exclusivity, privacy and luxury on your incredible day.

 

And let me tell you about the FOOD.

One of the highlights of BOTH El Dorado resorts was the food! El Dorado resorts have what is called Gourmet Inclusive dining, which means its not the buffet style “all inclusive” food you may have experienced in the past. Both resorts offer gourmet food in an all inclusive experience, and I can’t say enough about how incredible the food was. If you are a foodie or enjoy high quality service and dining experiences, you can’t go wrong with either El Dorado resorts.

All in all, I was extremely impressed with the wedding experience offerings at both El Dorado Resorts. The resorts were gorgeous, and luxurious, the wedding packages were inclusive and extravagant, the food was incredible, the views were breathtaking and the overall experience will leave you wishing you never had to leave.

And no matter if you want a romantic elopement style experience, a large family event to remember, or something in between, El Dorado has something for everyone.

So whether you are planning a destination wedding, a tropical honeymoon, or a fun girl’s weekend getaway, El Dorado Spa Resorts by Karisma is the ideal choice for you. Ready to book? Complete this form to get all the information you need to plan your dream big event!

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