Jenna wanted to make her wedding really celebrate the new year, so silver, gold and ivory were the staple colors with a dash of fresh green.  She and her bridesmaids wore amazing gowns from Priscilla of Boston, and Sam got dashing tuxes for the men from Suitors.

We began with the linens and flowers after picking the location, and BBJ Linen provided some lovely Ivory Deauville brocade linens for the guest tables, which spun together golds and silvers in delicate patterns, giving us a beautiful textural base.  Taupe, ivory, and silvery shimmery linens rounded out the look, and chair ties were spun into tight rosettes to give glamour to the ceremony and reception. La Tulipe came in with great ideas, and we collaborated to create tall centerpieces filled with roses and hydrangea and stephonatis and snapdragons.  Lower centerpieces were oodles of floating candles surrounded by a wreath of ivory blooms.  But the creme de la creme was the head table, where tall silver pieces filled with white flowers and silver branches were linked together by a sea of multiple different white blossoms in multiple vases and silver mercury candle holders.  Topped off with amazing paper pieces from Centennial Press Designs, every table was an elegant and chic affair in it’s own right  (invites themselves were out of this world gorgeous, with calligraphy from The Blooming Quill topping it off!).

We worked extensively with ACME, who lit the whole room with a warm golden glow, and provided huge white panels, which were uplit for the ceremony and as a backdrop for the band.  La Tulipe attached glittering crystal garlands to the panels which gave it just the right touch.  ACA Entertainment helped us coordinate with the fabulous North Coast Orchestra, who played a brass quartet for the ceremony, light jazz for cocktails and then full music for dinner and dancing.

The ceremony went off without a hitch; Rev. Jeff Best gave a very moving old fashioned hand fasting, and everyone immediately moved down for cocktails.  People mingled happily – we had guests who flew in from Egypt, London, Belgium, Canada and all over the United States.

That night, the dance floor was graced with a delicious and decadent cake from The Cake Lady, and Jenna and Sam enjoyed photography time with Front Room Photography throughout the evening (I can’t wait to see the photos!).  The food from the Bartolotta kitchen was of course out of this world – steak, chicken, ravioli and the fine touches of each dish made the guests gush.

As the band counted down to midnight, we handed out hand streamers, hats, horns and tiaras, and the packed dance floor continued to dance and wait expectantly for the new year, which then came with a bang and aud lang syne as all the golden streamers were released from the balcony over the dance floor amid cheers and loads of champagne.  It was a sight to behold!  The bride and groom then departed privately on a trolley, which then shuttled the rest of the guests later back to their hotel.

This was an especially fun wedding for me, as Jenna and Sam are so in love, so obviously happy to be together and start a life together – plus we all are Marquette grads, which makes it so much more personal.  Their families were a dream to work with, and I was thrilled with how elegantly the entire wedding looked in the end.  All the little touches and the sophistication of Jenna’s style were perfect; it was the best way to end 2010!

Backyard weddings can be exactly what you picture, as long as you’re willing to be flexible, accept that the weather is completely out of your (or your parents, planner, or fiance’s) control, and be set to make some adjustments in your budget to accommodate extra things that you wouldn’t need to worry about if you chose a more traditional and established venue.

First and foremost, you’ll need to make sure any city permits or noise permits are covered for bringing in a big tent and having a crowd in your yard.  At the very least, tell your neighbors about the impending party, and send a reminder in the mail the week of the wedding.  If your guest count can handle it, inviting them is the most courteous option, especially if this is happening in a more populated area instead of a farm field.  That being said, spray for bees and mosquitoes as well.

Next, the logistics of parking.  If you have room to park people in the fields, do so.  Watch for low areas; if it does end up raining, you don’t want anyone getting stuck in squishy mud.  If at all possible, find a nearby parking lot and get a shuttle to take people the short distance.  The last thing you want to do is choke up the roads of your neighborhood with 150 cars.

There are other logistical pieces that are less considered, but are absolute musts!  Port-a-potties (Kohler Power has some great luxury ones) that are well-lit are important, as well as renting a dance floor and a stage for you to conduct the ceremony (essential so your guests can actually see you) and turn over to the band or DJ later in the evening.

A respectable caterer who is used to off-site catering and unusual situations, like working in a tent or under the stars is one of the most important vendor decisions you’ll make.  Be sure to ask what they do in the absence of power.

And finally, think of your guests.  Provide high-heel protectors for the ladies, and enough entertainment while you get intimate photographs so your guests will have something to do between the ceremony and dinner.

But after all the odd pieces come together, you will indeed have a wonderful, beautiful ceremony and reception, that speaks to you; it can be as formal or casual as you want, and you’ll have, weather willing, that wonderful hazy lazy sunny afternoon to whittle away the special day with your family and friends.

This Shakespearean-inspired showcase will allow you to immerse yourself in a selection of Destination KOHLER’s unique wedding venues as well as give you a chance to mingle with some of the best-of-the-best wedding industry vendors.  Step inside the fully embellished ballroom featuring complete table  designs, fashion, live performances, tastings and so much more.

There will also be a special appearance by Romeo and Juliet.

Cocktails begin at 5pm, with the Showcase’s Grand Opening at 5:30PM.

Click here to be taken to Destination Kohler, where you can buy tickets and learn more!

Whether it’s apple or cherry pie, or burgers and fries, you can get creative and provide different soups and shrimp prepared with a Cajun American twist.  Think about the comfort foods you enjoyed in your youth and bring them out for your guests; it’ll be a hit, just like it always is every summer BBQ!