13 minute read
RECEPTION
5FAB FADS Local wedding trends we love
BY EMMA FRANKART HENTERLY
We staffers of Columbus Weddings see a lot of peoples’ special days.
From sifting through the real weddings found in these pages to endlessly scrolling Instagram and Pinterest to stay on top of the latest crazes, we’re inundated with ideas and inspiration on a daily basis. These are some of the trends worth following.
1
SKY-HIGH CENTERPIECES Nothing will make your guests gasp in awe as they enter your reception like a 3-foottall arrangement adorning your tables. The key is to choose a vase or stand that is tall and skinny, with all of its width—and that of the floral arrangement itself—focused at the very top, above the heads of your seated guests, to ensure conversation isn’t blocked. Thanks to affordable rental options, you can nail this look with ease, no matter what aesthetic you’re going for. Go ultra-mod- ern with black plant stands adorned with verdant greenery, held aloft by thin verti- cal rods; romantic with clear Eiffel Tower vases topped by peonies or white feathers; elegant with gold or silver candelabras, complete with lit taper candles—much like the height of the centerpiece, the sky is the limit for your possibilities.
OPPOSITE PAGE, A chic black-and-white palette made Kara and Jordan Aron’s plant stands look ultra-modern (Style & Story); LEFT, a whimsical arrangement from Evergreen Flower Co. included dangling tendrils of ivy at Julia and Ben Gaskill’s reception (Derk’s Works Photography).
ABOVE AND RIGHT, Danielle and Dwaylon Richardson set up a cigar bar at their reception (Comfort Photography, 2); BELOW, Semira Ibrahim and Bilal Mohammed’s reception included a sword dancer (Hillary Ferguson Photography).
2
INTERESTING ACTIVITIES Look, some folks just don’t like dancing. (We don’t get it either, but that’s OK.) It’s great when a couple provides an activity or entertainment that can be enjoyed more passively by those with two left feet—or even the dancing queens who just need a little break. From lawn games at a summer wedding (think: cornhole or giant Jenga) to the nowubiquitous photo booth, we love a wedding that offers a little something extra. Photo scavenger hunts have been smash hits, in our experience, as have cultural performances like belly dancers or Irish step dancers.
3
“GHOST” DÉCOR Fear not—there’s nothing haunting about this trend. Using clear glass or acrylic for certain décor elements like furniture, signage and place settings has been hot for some time now, and if we’re being honest, we hope it’s here to stay. There’s something elegant about the minimalism of a barely-there chair or a table spread with white linens and clear glass dishes. Bonus: Such a setup needs minimal floral décor as well, which could be very friendly on your wallet if done correctly.
LEFT, BELOW TOP LEFT AND BELOW BOTTOM RIGHT, Auburn + Ivory incorporated many acrylic elements into Carly and Joe Wallace’s reception (Derk’s Works Photography, 3); BELOW TOP RIGHT, a monogram and seating chart were printed on clear signage at Kara and Jordan Aron’s reception; BELOW BOTTOM LEFT, Zach and Kacey Wright-King opted for an acrylic cake topper (Style & Story, 2); FAR LEFT, tall, clear vases added elegance for Kelly Jansons and Korey Wilson (Hillary Ferguson Photography).
4
EDIBLE FAVORS While many couples are eschewing wedding favors altogether—a great way to cut the budget without making a major impact on the day itself—there’s something to be said about thanking your guests for joining you in celebration with a small token of appreciation. A book of matchsticks emblazoned with “It’s a match!” is a cheeky option for the couple who met on Tinder—and utilitarian items like keychains and bottle openers always are handy—but we find ourselves partial to favors that don’t even have to make it home to be enjoyed. That’s right—we’re all about those edible, often sweet treats waiting at the place settings or on a table near the exit.
5
LUSH HEAD TABLES For decades, bridesmaids placing their bouquets in empty vases was de rigueur for the head table’s décor. It’s practical, of course, but can leave the table looking a bit bare. With centerpieces becoming increasingly extravagant, you’ll want to make sure your head table has an arrangement to match. Don’t risk blocking your wedding party off from the rest of the soiree with wide floral arrangements, though. Opt instead to send an opulent runner of greenery and blooms down the center or along the front edge of the table instead.
TOP LEFT, Brian Coovert Floral Atelier created arrangements at Erin and KJ Johnsen’s wedding (Style & Story); LEFT, Danielle and Alex Press’ head table featured a green runner dotted with lanterns and small bouquets (AddVision); ABOVE, a full, green runner and elegant taper candles in clear vases at Fran and Sean Stricker’s reception (Style & Story).
Center of Attention
Renting table centerpieces instead of purchasing them can save money, time and post-wedding work.
BY JACKIE MANTEY
Though reception table settings are probably not top-of-mind for a couple planning their wedding (what, with dresses and flowers and photos to discuss?), but these tables matter. After all, where are guests spending much of their time at your wedding? A put-together, place-making centerpiece can elevate your event from just another reception to an evening they’ll remember.
The option to buy and build your own centerpieces can seem appealing at first, but don’t discount the, well, discount you can get from renting some or all of the items you need.
“Renting is generally cheaper because you end up paying a fraction of the cost of what it would be to buy,” says Emily Kreindler of Got Ya Covered Linens & Event Rental, which rents linens, glassware, décor, reception tech, candles and everything in between from its Shops at Worthington Place showroom. The company will drop off and pick up the rented pieces the day of the event, too.
“DIY is a miss at saving money,” she says. “When you are renting, you don’t have the hassle of driving door-to-door to buy supplies. Consider the time and gas money doing that. Or imagine if you made centerpieces for 15 tables, then need to add a 16th table, but you bought stuff a year ago and it’s no longer available. [With] DIY, you have to buy more than what you think you need. Plus, all those pieces are priced individually, whereas when you rent you can have more flexibility.”
And if you’re thinking about reselling your DIY centerpieces to recoup some of the cost, Kreindler warns against banking on the idea.
“Sometimes you get lucky, but people’s tastes are so different—what you’re trying to sell is not the right color, not the right quantity,” she explains, “and sometimes, another bride could just walk into a
Michael’s outright and get what you’re trying to sell used for new at the same price.”
Kreindler recommends couples come in to discuss rental options as soon as they’ve decided on a venue and caterer. You’ll want to know if those vendors will provide your linens and chairs, as well as if the venue has any rules about bringing in rental items. You’ll also need to know the general thematic colors and style you’d like the event to have.
Couples can then book an appointment with Got Ya Covered online or over the phone, answer a few questions, and come into the showroom for a consultation with a full display of options—from simple greenery and candles to dramatic table chandeliers—so they can test out a table’s look before making any decisions.
How many items to rent? Better safe than sorry.
“We have a limited supply of items, so we tell everyone to reserve enough for the max amount of guests invited,” recommends Chase Merriam, operations manager at
Lori and Greg Borojevich rented dramatic centerpieces for their June 2019 wedding. (Comfort Photography)
Main Events Party & Event Rental. “We then give you two weeks prior to your event in order to adjust your order to final RSVPed numbers.”
Main Events’ popular centerpiece rentals include different types of vases, rustic wood pieces, galvanized buckets and other items to keep up with evolving trends.
“Most of our centerpieces are the basic starter pieces … pieces that would be costly to buy for a large amount of tables,” says Merriam, adding that the rental price of most of Main Events’ vases and tabletop items range from around $4 to $12 each. “When compared to buying, this is usually around 10 percent of the purchase cost.”
Couples can peruse the company’s rental options online, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t see what you’re looking for. Merriam says his business is always open to purchasing new items to offer for rentals. Just ask.
“If it is an item that we feel would rent for other events,” he says, “we are always open to expanding our inventory.”
Hillary and Chris Belmarez gave their guests long sparklers to hold for their grand exit photo at High Line Car House. (Derk’s Works Photography)
Out with a Bang
Make your grand exit one to remember.
BY ABERNATHY MILLER RINEHART
You’ve said “I do” and shared the last dance; now it’s time for you and your spouse to ride off into a future of wedded bliss. A grand getaway ends the night on a high note, creates share-worthy wedding shots and gives your guests a chance to cheer you on into happily ever after. Local wedding industry veterans share their insights on grand exits and grand exit strategies, from the theatrical to the personal.
“More planning goes into a grand exit than most couples expect,” says Michelle Richey, wedding planner at Devoted to Details. “You have to consider the flow of the party, the venue and logistics.”
For daytime weddings, eco-friendly confetti, fragrant herbs and streamers create a simple and stunning exit. You can minimize clean-up with clutter-free alternatives like ribbons, pennants and bubbles.
“Pennants and ribbons are becoming more popular,” says Angela Rulli, an event specialist with Together & Company and High Line Car House. “They are light, easy and add a pop of color to your wedding photos.”
After dark, extra-long sparklers, glow sticks and other luminous items guarantee a jaw-dropping photo op.
“Sparklers are really popular, because there is so much you can do with them to get a great shot,” says wedding photographer Hillary Ferguson.
But before you go on a Pinterest frenzy, discuss limitations with your venue and wedding planner. Many venues won’t allow paper lanterns or sparklers for safety reasons; some prohibit tossing confetti and other items. To minimize stress, Rulli suggests leaving coordination of your chosen exit accent to the professionals.
“Let them worry about the setup,” she says. “That way, you can enjoy your day and get amazing photos.”
If you’re more interested in a grand photo than a grand exit, Richey suggests staging a faux exit photo-op. It will keep the flow of the party moving and save money by allowing your photographer to leave before the party’s actually over.
“Gather a few select people for the photo and plan it at the rehearsal dinner. Let the photographer know and get the shot while the rest of the party is still continuing,” Richey says. Your wedding party and immediate family members are a good start; add in other close family and friends to get the desired group size and effect.
If you opt for a staged exit that includes all your guests, you’ll need to get them back into the party mood after you get the shot.
“Announce that a food station will be open or cocktail hour will begin after the photo,” Rulli says. You also could instruct your DJ to play a popular line dance or Top 40 hit to get folks back on the dance floor.
Whether you decide on a grand production or a more personal affair, start your future together with a grand ending to your special day.
Check out Via Vecchia’s styled photo shoot at cbuswedmag.com/ Spotlight .
The New Old Way
Via Vecchia embraces a modern aesthetic in its new space.
BY EMMA FRANKART HENTERLY
For nearly a decade, Via Vecchia Winery was the place to go for an upscale, rustic wedding with a touch of urban sophistication. Located in the Brewery District, the winery-cum-event venue had a charming brick alley for ceremonies, a cozy barrel room for cocktail hour, and an inviting, brick-walled reception space.
That all changed this year, when Via Vecchia—which means “the old way” in Italian—moved farther south and reopened at The Fort, a new business complex in the Steelton neighborhood, a onetime industrial district in South Columbus.
“We were kind of outgrowing that space,” said Michael Elmer in an interview with Columbus Weddings’ sister publication, The Columbus Dispatch. Elmer also cited construction issues and an impending loss of parking spaces at the former Brewery District site, which shuttered in January 2019 to prepare for the move. The Steelton site opened just this summer; a media preview event in August gave Columbus Weddings staff the chance to see the space firsthand.
“We kept things really, really raw. That was one of the things that we really wanted to do,” says Elmer. He runs Via Vecchia with business partner and vintner Paolo Rosi. “It’s fun to watch your place kind of transform. … If you keep it raw and you keep it neutral, then every weekend it’s a completely different [space]. Every wedding can be a completely different wedding.”
The open, airy main space of the venue features polished concrete floors, cinderblock walls and exposed girders, giving it the perfect industrial-chic structure to build on; floor-to-ceiling garage-door-style windows flood the room with natural light. During the preview event, it had been decorated by Madison House Designs, Prema Designs and Got Ya Covered Linens.
The full bar—serving Via Vecchia wines, among other offerings—sits behind the main area, next to a staircase leading up to the mezzanine level. There, Elmer says, is the perfect spot for a photo booth and the DJ, who can overlook the dance floor from on high without cluttering the action below.
When we visited, the space had been transformed with trendy touches of gold, marble and greenery. But equally elegant would be warm wood paneling and succulents in ceramic planters; mercury glass vases and dangling Edison bulbs; or brass details with candles providing a soft glow throughout.
The 13,000-square-foot outdoor space includes a 3,000-square-foot patio with a ceremony arch and benches for guest seating. The veranda that connects the indoor and outdoor spaces is strung with charming café lights.
Head to the back of the main room, past the bar, to find the bridal suite, complete with its own private restroom. There’s also a parents’ room with a changing table, as well as a comfortable chair and bottle warmer/cooler for nursing mothers.
“To me, a wedding is about the guest experience,” Elmer says. “The first time you have a wedding and you don’t have a place for a nursing mother, it’s pretty embarrassing. So I know that it’s not a requirement [to have a parents’ room], but it’s something that we really wanted to have.”
Via Vecchia can accomodate up to 300 guests for dinner.
