After you have set a date, the number of guests you anticipate inviting is your next quandary. You must have a rough idea of your guest list so that as you research and visit the many wedding reception venues in Utah, you’ll make a wise choose that will accommodate your needs. Depending on what type of event you are envisioning, will depend on how much room you’ll need. If you want a simple sit down dinner with close family and friends, typically you should plan on about 25-30 square feet per person. This allows you plenty of space for the dance floor, tables & chairs, cake display, set up for a band, etc. As you visit the many Utah venues, be sure you inquire how many people they can accommodate for sit-down meals.
Sit-down meals are usually a small additional fee to an already booked event at a reception center.
If you are envisioning a flow-through reception, you can invite many more guests. But still you’ll need to inquire about the capacity of the venue. Consider parking for you and your guests and the flow of the room and space. If your venue has a wise event planner, they will be able to make suggestions to you about how to stagger guests arrival as to avoid congestion in the line.
Flow-through style reception line
Many couples are now choosing to wander around the reception venues in Utah rather than stand in a line. This is a new popular trend that allows the youthful couple to spend more time with their dear friends and family and allows their parents to spend more time with their close friends and family. Every event is different and you can make yours uniquely your own. It’s your day so plan it the way you want!
Bride and Groom may wander through their guests at their leisure
Some wedding venues in Utah, like Atrium Weddings at Western Gardens in Sandy, have hosted hundreds of events over the years and are so happy to share tips with you to help you save frustration, time and money. But no matter the venue you choose, be sure to have in mind before you begin your venue quest a rough estimate of how many guests you anticipate. Have your guest list in hand and ask about the capacity details.
Your guests will love your event because they love you!
A wedding planner and host can help with the little challenges at the moment
Weddings are celebrations filled with anticipation, excitement, and beauty. However, they can cause a lot of stress and pressure to the bride and her family. She dreams of having a wedding that is “perfect” and will tirelessly work to achieve that goal. A wise bride will get others involved to help her, especially by soliciting help from a wedding planner. Often, Utah wedding venues have in-house wedding planners that come with the booking, but some charge extra for this service. One way to ensure that you can fully enjoy your beautiful day and minimize your stress and hassle of the preparation, organizing and coordinating the day itself, is to use the wedding planner. It will be well worth your time and efforts. Here are some specific reasons why.
Be in two places at the same time. There seems to always be little issues that pop up at the last minute that need attention by someone in charge. You will be getting yourself all beautified for the day and don’t need the stress of dealing with those last minute tasks. You can’t be in two places at the same time, especially when you should be walking down the isle! The wedding planner will take care of little things that can stress you out such as a missing bouquet, a tear in the bridal gown or a stain on the flower girl’s dress. Remember Jennifer Lopez in the movie The Wedding Planner? A good wedding planner and a good wedding venue will be ready with their own emergency kit. Also, if you already have employment, you will soon discover that planning a wedding can become a full time job. A wedding planner will ease a lot of these demands. This way, you can even have time to pamper yourself before your big day.
Save money by going with a wedding planner. Even though you may pay a little more for a professional wedding planner, you could be saving money in the long run. He or she has already established relationships with wedding providers such as wedding reception venues, florists, cake designers, and photographers. If she is already part of the booking fee at a venue, that is a bonus savings for you. Wedding planners may possibly be able to get discounts on your behalf. A planner with integrity will have her bride’s best interest at heart and only recommend professionals that offer great product for a good value.
Your wedding celebration will uniquely reflect your style and taste!
Save time with a wedding planner. Researching potential wedding providers can be time-consuming. Imagine the time it takes for you to choose the right florist, baker or caterer. With a wedding planner, you can already narrow down your choices as wedding planners have already proven these providers throughout their time in the business. Wedding planners also know where to find sources for items you want included in your wedding – that means less time required for you to search out where to get that centerpiece you want or that cake topper you saw in a magazine.
Planners can show you many options to fit into your budget and style.
Benefit from the knowledge provided by the wedding planner. Wedding planners can provide you with valuable input as you decide on important parts of the wedding. They have experienced hundreds of wedding events so they are already aware of what can possibly happen so that you can prepare for contingencies. Will a particular flower last the entire ceremony? How can you set up your wedding venuein Utah in case it rains? These are some of the things that a wedding planner can give their advice on.
Wedding planners have time-tested methods. If you are willing to admit that you’re not the most organized person, a wedding planner is essential. After all, they are making a living out of being organized – they have their own methods to ensure that things are planned and implemented well. Aside from these, wedding planners are also in the know with regards to the latest wedding fashions.
Enjoy YOUR day!
You can hire a professional wedding planner separately or you can work with the wedding planner provided by many Utah wedding reception venues. Booking your wedding celebrations at a venue that includes a wedding planner can mean savings for you.
Aside from an in-house wedding coordinator, Atrium Weddings, a premiere reception center in Utah, provides a full complement of wedding-related amenities such as a bride’s dressing room, buffet tables, tables and chairs for guests, an overall ambiance that’s romantic and also practical and much more.
Don’t run yourself ragged on your wedding day. Stop and enjoy the memories with friends and loved ones.
Think ahead! Don’t run yourself ragged and look stressed and tense up to the day of your wedding. Let a Utah wedding venues wedding planner worry about all those things. Your wedding day is your day – you deserve to enjoy it to the fullest.
Simple & Romantic flowers can help you stay within your budget
The most common challenge for most wedding couples is how to plan the celebration of their dreams while working within a tight budget. There are a few Utah wedding venues that can actually be very budget friendly. The following are some tips on how to cut your budget, including some ideas on what to look for before you choose your wedding venue.
Don’t fight it! Your budget can be viewed as a challenge to be met. Make it a game! It will not seem so overwhelming.
Give and take with the choices that come before you. Sometimes a little flexibility here and there will help you still achieve what you want, but for a little less money.
Most wedding venues in Utah should provide you with a consultant for your celebration. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice. A wedding planner has been involved with huge budget weddings and small budgets. She can give you a lot of ideas, if you choose.
Does your venue include beverage servers or do those cost extra?
Your wedding venue is the first big cost you’ll spend. Be sure to look for a venue that includes as much as possible for a reasonable price. Some locations rent only the space and then add set up, tables, linens, chairs, etc. to your ticket. In contrast, the receptions centers at Western Garden Centers, include just about everything a bride needs for a beautiful event in their venue – a lot of tables, linens, chairs, set up, and even beautiful and stylish centerpieces are included.
Remember who this party is for…..YOU! If you continually remind yourself of this, it can save funds for other things you really want for your celebration.
Who are the most important people you must invite?
Now it is time to check your guest list. Invite only your closest relatives and friends. If you can cut the number of guests, you’ll be cutting your costs for food, flowers for tables, guest favors, invitations, and even the size of your cake. In the past, some brides and grooms have tried to please their parents and invite the whole world. It’s okay to keep it intimate, especially if you have to work within a tight budget.
There are a lot of little details that can be done personally by you or by close family and friends. Labor is one of the biggest expenses for wedding events. Remember that you have a Maid of Honor and that is her job, to help you with whatever she can for your beautiful day. You can create your own wedding favors, menu cards, table signs, Our Story banners, etc. Again, labor is usually the biggest cost, so get your family and bridesmaids helping you!
Having your Ceremony at the same location as your reception or dinner, can save you money and time!
Booking your wedding ceremony and reception at the same wedding location will help cut your costs. Some venues simply add a minimal cost to add on a ceremony to your already booked reception or dinner. Be sure to find out what that same-day ceremony includes – additional hours, set-up, etc.
Slimming your wedding cake to only two tiers is a good idea. Simple can be elegant. Then order a sheet cake for the guests!
Another great idea is to save on your wedding cake budget by ordering a smaller two tier cake. The more tiers, the bigger expense. Consider purchasing a sheet cake to serve your guests.
Fresh fruits are less expensive than a main course meal
Your food menu is another place you can spend wisely. Finger foods and appetizers typically are less money. Also, a handful of venues allow for self-catering. With today’s options at warehouse stores, this has been a viable option for many wedding parties. Does your venue allow for self-catering? Can you bring in your own caterer? Many venues require you to use their caterers, cake designers, and florists. Seek a venue that gives you more leeway in these areas.
Beautiful bridal bouquet with roses and lilies tied with satin ribbon
Last but not least, your flowers can be inexpensive if you are willing. Simple flowers can have a stunning effect on your guests. I remember one bride who used only red roses. It was stunning and very romantic. Even her bridal bouquet was a dozen red roses and white baby’s breath bound with white satin ribbon. Using greenery and flowers that are in season can also cut costs. Some wedding venues in Utah offer candle lit centerpieces that do not require any additional flowers. Some brides have simply used rose petals scattered around an elegant candle centerpiece.
Wedding budgets can be scary but they don’t have to be. Face it head on and meet the challenge. Prioritizing the items that are most important to you, will help you see where you can trim and cut. Your biggest challenge can be to find a venue that is a good value with many of the trimmings you would have to add yourself if at another venue. Atrium Weddings and Ivy House Weddings are two wedding reception venues in Utah that include a lot of beauty for an affordable rental price.
Reception Centers in Utah like Atrium Weddings in Sandy, host beautiful celebrations for everyone. Anna and Raul said their vows on the Waterfall plaza on a beautiful July evening. Inside, Anna chose to use Atrium’s standard glass centerpieces with their lemon leaf wreath. Guests were treated to wonderful Mexican cruisine of pulled pork, rice, tortilla chips, salsa, cans of pop and plenty of cold bottled water. Anna and Raul’s cake was created by one of Atrium’s favorite bake designers Cindy Crump. It’s delicate little white with a tinge of pink blossoms casually flowed down the side of the Tiffany blue four tiered cake. The families provided sparkling cider and decorated goblets for a special toast to the honored couple. With a happy sparkler send off, they were off on their honeymoon.
Their photographer was Bellissima Images – beautiful work!
The bride and groom wrote the following comment at the end of their celebrations:
We loved everything about having our reception and ceremony here at Atrium reception center. Our day was everything we had hoped for. And the staff was wonderful! ~ Anna and Raul July 2013
Realize now that crazy things can and often do happen on your wedding day. But if you plan ahead and choose a good wedding reception center, like one of the Utah wedding venues run by Western Gardens called Atrium Weddings, then chances of having a perfect wedding day is dramatically increased. Let the wedding professionals worry about all those little things, so that you and your beau can focus on the things only you can do. For example….
On our wedding day, much like most other days, there are some laughable moments. You know, those moments that don’t seem very funny at the time but you can laugh about them later. Whether you like it or not, there will be a few of those moments on your big day. On my incredible day one of those moments was when my husband forgot to shave his face.
We had a few minutes to talk before getting ready for the ceremony. So we talked for a little bit telling each other how excited and nervous we both were. As I went to give him a kiss I noticed that he had forgotten to shave that morning. I touched his face and he realized his mistake. He told me how he was so nervous and had so much on his mind that he needed to remember to do that day that he did not even think about shaving. I guess he forgot to look in the mirror as well! He was sincerely apologetic. We thought about sending for a shaver, but at that point it was too close to the ceremony to do anything about it. So we just had to go on as if nothing was wrong. Luckily, the hair on his face is light and not easily noticeable on camera. He did end up getting many comments about his lack of shaving, but his sisters were especially amused by it.
Photo by Lindsey Shaun
You must realize that on your wedding day, things will happen that are beyond your control. You just have to take the day as it comes. If you don’t want your venue to be among those laughable moments, choose one of the wedding venues in Utah that brides are discovering, Atrium Weddings in Sandy. They provide a gorgeous setting and very little is left up to you to worry about.
Photo by Swensen PhotographyPhoto by TJ Romero Photography
I had always wanted a spring garden wedding reception so my fiancé and I decided on a date in mid May. His parents had the most gorgeous back yard that I thought would be absolutely perfect for the event. They agreed to host the event, but brought us to look at Atrium Weddings, one of Western Garden’s reception centers in Utah, just to be sure we didn’t want to use a venue that we would not have to worry about rain. I was adamant about having the reception in the backyard. The Atrium was beautiful but just not what I wanted. So it was settled, we would have the event in the backyard and pray for no rain.
We spent the following months planting new flowers, new grass seed and making sure the yard looked just right. I dreamt of where everything would be placed and where we would stand. We all prayed for the weather to cooperate. As the day speedily approached, everything was in order and the weather was beautiful. We checked the forecast daily just to be sure the day would be perfect. The week before there was no chance of rain but as the days went on the chance of rain increased. I prayed, no pleaded, that there would be no rain, with no luck. Two days before the wedding we were forced to come up with a change of plans. The day before, we set all the tables and chairs up inside. We set large white canopies up outside to accommodate the line. All I could say was “oh well” because there was nothing I could do at that point.
The day of the wedding was just as predicted by the weather man. It poured rain. I have never seen so much rain in Utah in my life. We were lucky enough to get some outdoor pictures while the rain took a little break, but other than that hour, the rain did not stop all day long. Although the day was not quite like I had hoped or dreamed, it was the best day of my life and the rain made it very memorable. Also, just so we never forget, it has since rained on every one of our anniversaries.
Photo by James Erick Photos
If you are planning a spring wedding and do not want to get caught in the rain as we did, I hope you will be wiser than me and consider using the Atrium, one of Western Garden’s gorgeous wedding venues in Utah. The Atrium has the feel of a garden reception without the chance of rain.
Atrium Weddings is one of those reception centers in Utahthat creates romantic moments without a lot of decorating. With all the green lush plants, water features, and garden furniture, the couple can feel like they are far away in an exotic comfortable setting. This couple chose Atrium and as you will see from the photos, their ceremony and dinner was magical and so beautiful. Their photographer is TJ Romero (RomeroPhotgraphers.com) who is lives in Denver, Colorado, but does a lot of work here in Utah. His style is very clean and he has a knack of capturing those special moments.
Michelle and Jeremiah were planning on having their ceremony outside, but due to a Utah heat-wave, the event was brought indoors to the air-conditioned main hall of Atrium. With a touch of white sashes on some of the chairs, the setting was ready. Their adorable children helped as ring boy and flower girls.
Mindy Mellenthin was their caterer for their wedding luncheon which was served buffet style. The menu included pecan green salad, fresh fruit, and delicious home made rolls. Guests could enjoy the sweet crystal candy sticks or their gift box of a mini wedding cake. These were placed at each table setting. Our Atrium wedding venue dish-ware package was used for the dinner before the reception.
Her floral designs were by Skyline Flowers. Simple vases of lilies and roses adorned the buffet tables. Atrium’s wood bases were used for the guest tables along with Atrium’s boxwood wreaths. The bride’s bouquet was created with elegant flowers in whites and creams. A variety of textures were combined with the soft touch of lamb’s ear giving it an extra chic feel. Boutonnieres were white roses with a touch of freesia.
One Sweet Slice was the chosen cake provider at this Utah wedding. This stunning cake was a majestic square three-tiered masterpiece. One large fondant ribbon draped over the chic grey walls and the rows of pearls at the base of each tier. Rose petals were scattered at the base over the Tiffany blue table linen. Simple and extremely elegant is how I would describe this work of art.
Wedding reception centers in Utah can already have the atmosphere a bride needs without spending a lot of money on added flowers and decorations. Atrium Weddings is one such Utah wedding reception venue.
Utah wedding venuesare many, but few allow the bride to experience that outdoor garden weddings in the middle of winter. Several issues can hinder an outdoor garden wedding like weather, out-of-season plant material, and safety concerns for family and guests. Utah only has about 4.5 months of the year that are freeze free, therefore brides looking for Utah wedding locations should seek Utah wedding reception centers that provide an “atrium” for that garden feel. Hence, Atrium Weddings is such a venue.
Atrium Weddings provides that beautiful outdoor feeling without the worry of winter snow and cold outside. If it does snow during the ceremony or reception, you and your guests will love seeing the winter wonderland from the spacious windows of this reception center in Utah.
Having your ceremony and reception or even a wedding luncheon or dinner, in an atrium setting liberates your funds to be used in other details you wish. Why? First of all, because you don’t have to decorate a lot. The greenery of many varieties of plants is a beautiful backdrop for an accenting color selected by the bride! Dad’s pocketbook doesn’t have to pay for extra floral arrangements to create a beautiful setting for the ceremony and celebration.
When you choose Atrium Weddings at Western Gardens in Sandy, from so many wedding venues Utah has to choose from, you can have your garden wedding of your dreams without weather worries. Whether your special day is in January or April, you and your family can still enjoy a garden wedding with Atrium Weddings.
What wedding information do you want to read about? Take a look at the following Calendar of Topics for Atrium Weddings, one of a few indoor garden wedding venues in Utah. The calendar outlines several topics I will write about in the next weeks on Atrium’s Blog. Periodically I will ask your opinion what you want to learn about in the wedding planning world. I’ll research some ideas and pass the information to you.
Topics that will be covered for the next six weeks include Traditional Christmas Touches, A Thanksgiving Wedding, Winter Wedding Wonderland, Inexpensive Decorating Tips, Avoiding Long Guest Lines, The Bride’s Photographer, Time Lines for your Ceremony and Reception.
Beginning in January, I am hoping to focus on ideas about Spring Weddings in Utah. Like our Facebook page Atrium Weddings at Western Gardens Sandy and list the topics you want to know about! Your perfect wedding celebration is important to us! We don’t want to be just one of the many Utah wedding venues. We want to be YOUR celebration venue!
Western Garden’s wedding venues in Utah both celebrated wedding ceremonies and receptions on a beautiful day in August. Atrium Weddings’ outdoor waterfall plaza was the setting for the ceremony of Steve and Cari and their wedding party.
This dashing couple enjoyed the warmth of the sun and the trickle of the waterfall as they exchanged vows and rings at this Utah wedding venue. After congratulating the newlyweds in an informal line on the plaza, everyone came inside and enjoyed dinner which was self-catered by the family. Costco sandwiches, fruit, veggies, cheese, crackers and sheet cake were all on the simple and delicious menu. Atrium allows self-catering, especially during these trying economic times.
The wedding cake was created by a friend of the bride and the floral bouquets and boutonnieres were fashioned by this Utah wedding venue’s preferred florist Hillside Floral. A dear friend John was the couple’s photographer.
Reception venues in Utah are lucky to have a wedding place like Atrium Weddings that recommends great partners, but is versatile to allow a bride to stay within her budget. This indeed was a beautiful celebration of love and joy!
