TIPS | RECEPTION DINING OPTIONS

The second best thing about weddings is most definitely the food. Or maybe it’s third, after the open bar? Either way, guests can’t wait for the telltale waft of yum headed towards them. Of course, based on your budget or preferred vibe, you have a few different ways to do dining. Below we’re discussing the most popular options and giving you the low down on all the ways you can throw down.

Buffet Style

Buffets are by far the most affordable dining option. Guests can be dismissed by table to choose what they want, don’t want, and how much. Buffets are also more casual and lend themselves to a mix and mingle vibe. Two significant detractors of buffets, though, are long wait times and cleanliness concerns. Depending on the buffet set up you choose (manned, unmanned, single-sided, or double-sided), buffets tend to get backed up. And in the time of Covid-19, you may be uncomfortable with guests or servers lingering over food, potentially spreading germs.

Our Favorite Buffet Menus: Mexican and BBQ

Photo | Meggie Taylor Photography

Plated Sit-Down

Plated dinners are less affordable but more traditional. Guests stay in their seats (often with named place cards depicting their preferred protein), and the waitstaff serves them a formal multi-course dinner. Plated dinners are perfect if you’re going for a more sophisticated affair, both because guests are served and that their food is professionally plated. One potential drawback is cost. Because guests are served, more waitstaff has to be hired, driving up your fees.

Potential Meal Option Icons:

Photo | Heather Thompson Photography

Family Style Dinner

Family Style dinners are one of our favorites! Guests eat communally with serving dishes in the middle of the table that they pass between them. The family style option feels upscale but its not as formal as a plated dinner. This style also gives your guests the ability to grab what they want and go back for seconds (or thirds)! One major con though is that you can’t get as creative with the your table decor because the serveware will take quite a bit of room.

Wedding Types That Go Best With Family Style: Intimate or Family-Only

Photo | Mountaintop Films

Food Stations

Food Stations are buffets but with a bit more style. Stations are scattered throughout the reception area and feature a variety of food at each. This option will get guests moving and is a great way to feature a few of the couple's favorite cuisine. You will have to keep in mind guests' dietary restrictions, making sure you have something for everyone.

Food Stations We Fawned Over: Sushi and chef attended Pizza Bars

Photo | Amy Karp Photography

Heavy Hors d'oeuvre or Cocktail Reception

A cocktail style reception will keep your wedding's vibe fluid and upbeat and cut down on catering costs. A wedding the features only heavy hors d'oeuvre doesn't need tables, seating charts, or the formality of a fully planned menu. You do have to keep your guest demographic in mind, though, if you're leaning towards this style. Older people may have a hard time standing for the entire reception and leave before things get going.

Hors d'oeuvres That Will Fill Up Your Guests: Meatballs, Sliders and Egg Rolls

Photo | Heather Thompson Photography

What’s your ideal dining style?

TIPS | TOASTS

Wedding toasts are a lovely tradition where friends and family can congratulate, share their love, and advise the newlyweds on their wedding day. Most of the time, toasts are funny, well planned, and illicit a few tears. Though, every now and then, they get a little awkward and uncomfortable, even with the best intentions. And we get it; finding the right words to say can be challenging, intimidating even. What’s the joke to serious story ratio? Which anecdotes cross the line? How long is too long? Well, funny you ask! We have the answers! This week we’re talking Wedding Toast tips!

Save Your VIPs For The Big Day

Photo | Silver Bear Creative

More than likely you’ll have a few people wanting to shower you with kind and loving words and you may be tempted to let them, but your reception should only feature your most important guest speeches. The more speeches you have the less charming they’ll be, we promise. If you want to give everyone a chance, have them speak at the rehearsal dinner! It’s a win for them and your guests.

The Couple Should Speak

Photo | Chelsea Kaye Photography

The couple should always share a few words. It doesn’t have to long and drawn out, just something quick that expresses your love and gratitude.

Short and Sweet

Photo | Reigh Walker Photo

Make sure that speakers know they don’t earn extra brownie points for longest speech. All the sentimental and funny anecdotes should stay around the five minute mark. Special allowances can be made, but choose wisely.

Advanced Notice Is The Best Notice

Photo | Jas + Mike Co.

Speakers should know they’re toasting waaay in advance. Advanced notice will give them time to calm their nerves, rehearse their quippy lines, and self-edit. A last minute speech is a risk that we don’t think you should make.

Set Boundaries

Photo | Wilderlove Co.

Set boundaries! This is a wedding not a roast or a rauchy bachelor party. Give your toast makers guidelines on what should and shouldn’t be said in front of Nana and PopPop. Thank us later.

Have Fun

Photo | Moutaintop Films

Toast can be nerve wracking for the couple and the guests. Everyone’s waiting for the perfect words and perfect story to share, but remember this is a celebration and it should be joyous. Don’t stress yourself or anyone else out trying to reach master orator status. Let your heart do the talking and you’re sure to say just the right thing.

What’s your favorite wedding toast?

HOW TO | FALL WEDDING GUIDE

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times, Fall is the absolute YUMMIEST wedding season. The colors are rich, the temperature is nice, and the vibes are just right. But, you don’t have to take our word for it, check your GCal or Instagram feed, weddings absolutely dominate the fall season. Because of that, we’ve already shared most of our tips, tricks, and autumnal inspiration. Since we’re not in the business of reinventing the wheel, today we’re bringing back some of our favorites Fall blog posts. Enjoy!

COLOR PALETTE

Deciding on color combinations can be one of the most challenging parts of planning a wedding. We love bright and cheerful, spring or summer colors accented throughout a wedding because it takes this already joy-filled event up a notch. However, as we enter into the fall season, color schemes change…If you want a crisp, fall wedding but still want some of those cheery pops of color, fear not! We have some new ways to extend those fun colors that we love so much.

Check out our UPDATED AUTUMN COLORS post!

Photo | Chelsea Q. White

FLORALS

Photo | Wilderlove Co. Photography

Shopping Seasonally is a great way to add a touch of nature without breaking your budget. Use Fall's sophisticated red and vibrant yellows to capture the warmth and beauty of the season. Pair these shades with romantic lighting and you've got a truly magical experience for guests to enjoy.

But, with so many options, we know it can get a little complicated. So, check out our cheat sheet to effortless Fall florals.

Check out our TIPS | SEASONAL FALL FLOWERS post!

ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

We're switching up the typical #MarriedFaceMonday post with an engagement shoot featuring our fall bride and her handsome groom at The White Sparrow Barn. Shot by the incredible Adria Lea, this gallery features a stunning rose gold dress and one seriously gorgeous couple.

Check out our LOVERS | RACHAEL + BLAKE post!

Photo | Adria Lea

DETAILS

Photo | Chelsea Q. White

FEATURED ON THE PERFECT PALETTE

We are so excited to share our Autumnal Bohemian Editorial! This past fall, we ventured out into Oak Cliff to find the perfect tree-filled grove and setup a dreamy scene for the bohemian bride in all of us. We chose super saturated tones like emerald, navy, and amber and accented with matte black and brass.

INSPIRATION

It finally feels like fall in Texas and we're excited to be celebrating one of our favorite wedding seasons! Of course, all seasons have their matrimonial magic, but we can't over that yummy fall feeling and an even yummier fall color palette. We've been lucky to be apart of so many Fall and Fall inspired weddings, but today we've narrowed it down to five of our favorites for you to enjoy! You can use these as inspiration to create your autumnal affair or swoon along with us.

Check out our TOP 5 | FALL WEDDING MOMENTS post!

Florals | Bloom Colorfully

Also check out OUR AUTUMN WEDDING PINTEREST BOARD!

Are you having a fall wedding?

TOP 5 | WEDDING FAVORS

This week we're talking Wedding Favors! These are one of our favorite fluffy wedding details. Fluffy as in you absolutely don't need them, and no one will probably miss them, but they're just such fun little details it's hard to let them okay. If you're unfamiliar with wedding favors, they are keepsakes that guests receive as a "thank you for putting on your very best clothes and driving into town for us" gift after the reception. There's really no right or wrong favors; it all depends on a couple's unique taste and interests. We've seen it all; coffee, seeds, hot sauce, and koozies galore.

As much as we love them, though, we have to be honest about one thing… soooo, many of your favors are going to go in the trash. I know, I know it sucks to hear, but it's the truth. People will forget or misplace them, and at the end of the night, quite a few them will end up in the trash. 

To make sure that you're gifting something meaningful and maximizing the take-home ratio, you need to keep in mind a few things. 

1. Make sure your favors are personal. It's easy to just do a little generic thank you, but people are more likely to hold on to a favor that is a meaningful part of the couple's story. 

2. Don't go over the top. Keep it sweet and simple. 

Even with those two rules, there are still tons of options, so check out our Top 5 Wedding Favors!

Integrate Your Interests

If the two of you are known for your green thumb, consider sweet little plant friends!

Incorporate Your Theme

If your wedding has a fall feel, cozy (and more importantly yummy) butter or jam in jars are perfect to keep the theme going all the way to the guests home.

Pay Homage to Your Furry Friend

Just because your four-legged friend can’t be there doesn’t mean they can’t be there. 

Give Them a Gift that Keeps on Giving

Favors can be functional too!

Commemorative Cookies

Stylish cookies aren’t just gorgeous, but they’re less likely to get left behind because they’ll be eaten up before you know it.

What’s your favorite wedding favor?

TIPS | BAND VS. DJ

This week we’re tackling one of the most hotly debated topics in the wedding world, Band versus DJ. Okay, maybe it’s not that big of a deal, but for a couple trying to choose between the two; there’s much to be considered. To help navigate you through the decision, we’ve put together a Pros and Cons list that’ll settle the issue once in for all. Let the battle begin!

Band

Band | Downtown Fever

Photo | WilderLove Co.

Pros

1. They’re SUPER interactive! Singers will get out on the dance floor and if you play your cards right, you might even get some time on stage.

2. They typically have a more sophisticated vibe. If your dream wedding is black tie elegance with more schmoozing than boogying, a band is your best bet.

3. Wedding bands are an experience. They have more of a “dinner and a show” vibe and are perfect for the crowd who doesn’t want to dance but still wants to have a good time.

Photo | Sarah Slover

Photo | Christina Childress

Cons

1. Your venue may not be right for a band set-up. Typically bands are made up of many people and even more equipment, so if you’re already going to be packed tight, consider a DJ.

2. More people and more equipment also mean more money. Is your budget band friendly?

3. Quality is also the name of the game when it comes to hiring a band. Sure they might be featuring all your favorite songs, but if you hate the singer’s voice or style it may ruin your good time.

DJ

DJ | Jason Esquire

Photo | Payge Stevens

Photo | Payge Stevens

Pros

1. Because DJs aren’t performing per se, they’re freer to mix and match music styles and music vibes.

2. Typically they aren’t too intrusive, so they won’t take up too much space.

3. They exist to get the party started and if you and your boo are trying to drop it low, DJs are the way to go.

Cons

1. DJs often also serve as MCs for the night so a bad DJ can mess with the flow of the night and the mood in the room.

2. If your guests aren’t as dance-y, a DJ trying to hype them up might get a little awkward.

Photo | The Brothers Martens

So what do you think? Band or DJ?