Recently Engaged? Now What? The first FIVE steps in wedding planning.
It’s finally official, you are engaged! After all of the selfies, snapping, and celebrating are over- now what? The first five steps every couple should take to planning their perfect wedding.
FIRST things first. Get that dirty word dealt with and knock out the BUDGET. Sometimes it’s painful, but it is the first step in planning your dream day. Communication is key. Discuss with your families about who will be paying for what. Things to consider: stationary, dress & attire, rehearsal dinner, reception, ceremony, flowers & décor, music, photographer & videographer.
SECOND, identify a common VISION with your fiancé. Rustic Chic? Classic Romance? Elegant sit down? Or are you throwing an epic bash that you want everybody to remember. A good exercise is to close your eyes and play it out in your head. When you wake up on the day of your wedding, what will you do? Who will you see and how does it make you feel?
THIRD, what SEASON of year would you like to get married? Regardless of what your dream season is and why, thinking about the time of year helps you narrow down dates that will work. Keep in mind that you may often get good deals in the Winter, but Spring and Fall have become increasingly popular wedding seasons. Try to pick 2 to 3 dates.
FOURTH, choose your VENUE. Visit in person, it’s often the energy of a space that strikes a chord. Meeting the team behind the venue is as important as the site itself. You will want to work with people you like!
FIFTH, get a manicure and tell the WORLD!
Click here for more information on our wedding offerings and packages.
Congratulations on your engagement! Being an engaged couple is so much fun because it is all about celebrating one another and your love. Since the average couple is engaged a year or less, maximizing the fun is a must! With this in mind, here are some fun ways to celebrate your engagement.
Telling friends and family.
First, you must prioritize who you tell to ensure that hurt feelings don’t put a damper on your celebration. The proper order is:
- Children, if you have them
- Parents and immediate family
- Best friends
- Extended family and friends
- Social media
Coming up with creative way to share the news.
Instead of just telling the news to loved ones, share the news in a fun and unique way that also entertains.
- Cedar Creek couple, Aaron and Mollie, announced their engagement by calling their friends via FaceTime and then taking a screen shot of the reactions to be used during their wedding reception.
- Host a party with the engagement being a surprise announcement. The announcement can be made during a toast, as part of a game, placed in fortune cookies, or written on cakes/cupcakes/cookies as a sweet treat. The possibilities are endless!
- If you were lucky enough to have your engagement photographed or videoed, share the news with cute announcements that can be uploaded to youtube, emailed, posted, or mailed. You can make collages, timelines, or use other artistic mediums to personalize it!
Celebrating the news.
There are many ways to celebrate your engagement. Some of our favorites include:
- Recreate your first date or other memorable moment from your relationship
- Schedule an engagement photo shoot
- Plan a romantic getaway
- Host an engagement party to help future wedding guests to get to know one another
- Update your social media status
- Ask friends and family to be a part of your wedding party (ideas to be highlighted in our upcoming blog titled “Wedding Party Fun”
Your “happily ever after” is right around the corner. When you are ready to begin planning your big day, we are ready to assist in creating a magical experience for you, your family and your guests. Our extensive wedding packages cover everything you need and more! It includes a 4 hour reception, event space, buffet dinner, unlimited cocktails, beer, wine & non-alcoholic beverages, linens, tables & chairs, basic table setting, parking & overnight stay for the bride and groom. Prices start at $93.00 per person.
For more information, please click here
Wedding favors are one of the dozens of things engaged couples should consider for their upcoming outdoor wedding. Although a relatively minor detail, an out-of-the-box wedding favor can set the tone for a fabulous weekend. Of course, some couples are more creative in this department than others.
Ideal wedding favors match the personality of the couple and can be enjoyed by guests. The best wedding favors also consider the location of the wedding and even the season. You wouldn’t want to give wedding guests hot chocolate mix in the middle of July. Instead, take a look at some of these creative favors for the summer nuptials. They’re inexpensive, fit the tone of the season and are sure to please guests.
Fans
Guests might lose interest in your wedding if it’s 100 degrees outside with 90 percent humidity. Consider having them cool off with a portable fan. They’re inexpensive and will come in handy during that five-minute break away from the dance floor. Or you can get creative and personalize some old-fashioned hand fans for your guests.
Sunscreen
Many of your wedding guests have probably made an entire trip for your occasion, which means that during the summer, you can expect them to spend a lot of time outside. Provide them with a personalized bottle of sunscreen — you don’t want your guests grumbling about their sunburns on your special day.
Sunglasses
The glare of the sun can be a distraction from all of those wedding toasts and other special moments. By providing sunglasses as a wedding favor, you can be certain that guests won’t have to miss a minute of any festivities.
Reusable Water Bottles
If you host your wedding at a resort such as Cedar Creek, there’s a good chance that some of your guests might want to explore the trails and other outdoor amenities. A reusable water bottle is a good way to encourage your partygoers to toast to your wedding while also ensuring they stay adequately hydrated.
Customized Playing Cards
“I already have too many playing cards at my house,” said no one ever. Anyone can use an extra set of playing cards, especially as they go on their summer vacations. Since you won’t have wedding photos yet, you could use different photos of you and your soon-to-be spouse on each of the cards. Of course, this wedding favor is perfect for any time of year.
Golf Balls and Tees
Before or after the wedding, your guests might want to enjoy a nice round of golf. Treat them with a set of complementary balls and tees. Although they’re available at the golf course, the gesture is what’s important here.
S’mores Kit
For the outdoorsy bunch, summertime often means camping and campfires. Provide your adventurous friends with a tasty treat as they embark on their summer journeys. Just make sure it’s something that won’t melt too quickly.
Coasters
On a hot day, people often enjoy sitting outside with a refreshing beverage right at their side. Providing your guests with personalized coasters is a perfect way to have the memory of your big day live on long after the wedding itself.
Visors
It’s kind of like giving out hats, but it puts a summer spin on things. Plus, these gifts might come in handy at the wedding if your guests need to get rid of sun glare without messing up their hair.
Food & Drink Basket
Many people use some sort of food item for their wedding favors. But to get creative, make a summer-themed basket. Pina colada mix, lemonade mix and summer fruits such as mangoes, melons and peaches are all good things to include in your wedding favors.
Have any other good ideas for summer-themed wedding favors? Feel free to add them in the comments below.
Cedar Creek’s Town Hall is a great venue for wedding parties looking for a small space filled with unique character and history. Located in the heart of the Western Town, the Town hall offers a beautiful countryside property to our ample amenities.
What’s more, the Town Hall offers unlimited opportunities for wedding parties, and has been used for cocktail hours, rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, and receptions. The Town Hall accommodates up to 80 guests.
Brides who have chosen the Town Hall have added their unique, personal touch to the beautiful countryside setting with stunning floral arrangements, fragrant candles, softly-lit lanterns, beautiful centerpieces, and more, so it came as no surprise when one of our recent weddings was featured as the COVER of the Weddings & Celebrations special section for Town & Style Magazine. Click here to view!
For wedding parties and their guests, Cedar Creek also offers several overnight accommodations, including the hotel-style Cedar Lodge and several private homes. For more information on our lodging, please click here.
Next, our talented team of chefs will create a delicious, high-quality, made-from-scratch menu that will leave your guests raving. Our exceptional catering team can also create an entire dessert buffet tailored to your specifications. To view sample menus, please click here.
In addition to our catering services you may choose from a couple of outside caterers we’ve partnered with that we feel have the same standards of quality & service that we do. We also welcome any licensed vendors that you choose to work for the other details of your wedding however we have a list of a few that we highly recommend. Click here for the list.
Guests who attend weddings and receptions at Cedar Creek also enjoy the welcoming environment and local diversions, including:
- Fishing – the lake is stocked with bass, catfish, crappie, and perch
- Golfing – Cedar Creek is home to a nine-hole, par-three, executive golf course
- Hiking – Cedar Creek’s Bluebird and Deer Run Trails encircle the property and offer spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
- Wine Tours – Located in the heart of Missouri’s robust wine country, the area offers ample vineyard and wineries for tastings and tours. A distillery, Pinckney Bend, also offers tastings and tours of local, handcraft spirits.
- Beer Tastings – We carry a wide selection of craft beers made by the finest brew masters in the region!
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For more information, please contact a wedding coordinator by emailing [email protected]!
Cedar Creek’s “Patio and Pergola” is a great venue for wedding parties looking for an intimate space in an outdoor setting. Located strategically between Cedar Creek’s guest houses and the Western Town, the “Patio and Pergola” offers a 360 view of our beautiful countryside property to our ample amenities.
What’s more, the “Patio and Pergola” offers unlimited opportunities for wedding parties, and has been used for cocktail hours, rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, receptions, and outdoor dance floor. The “Patio and Pergola” accommodates up to 150 guests.
Brides who have chosen the “Patio and Pergola” have added their unique, personal touch to the beautiful countryside setting with stunning floral arrangements, fragrant candles, softly-lit lanterns, beautiful centerpieces, and more, so it came as no surprise when one of our recent weddings was featured as the COVER of the Weddings & Celebrations special section for Town & Style Magazine. Click here to view!
For wedding parties and their guests, Cedar Creek also offers several overnight accommodations, including the hotel-style Cedar Lodge and several private homes. For more information on our lodging, please click here.
Next, our talented team of chefs will create a delicious, high-quality, made-from-scratch menu that will leave your guests raving. Our exceptional catering team can also create an entire dessert buffet tailored to your specifications.
In addition to our catering services you may choose from a couple of outside caterers we’ve partnered with that we feel have the same standards of quality & service that we do. We also welcome any licensed vendors that you choose to work for the other details of your wedding however we have a list of a few that we highly recommend.
Guests who attend weddings and receptions at Cedar Creek also enjoy the welcoming environment and local diversions, including:
- Fishing – the lake is stocked with bass, catfish, crappie, and perch
- Golfing – Cedar Creek is home to a nine-hole, par-three, executive golf course
- Hiking – Cedar Creek’s Bluebird and Deer Run Trails encircle the property and offer spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
- Wine Tours – Located in the heart of Missouri’s robust wine country, the area offers ample vineyard and wineries for tastings and tours. A distillery, Pinckney Bend, also offers tastings and tours of local, handcraft spirits.
- Beer Tastings – We carry a wide selection of craft beers made by the finest brew masters in the region!
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For more information, please contact a wedding coordinator by emailing [email protected]!
Cedar Creek offers several beautiful, natural settings for brides and grooms looking for an intimate location with a calming, home-like atmosphere. One popular spot, the “Lawn,” is able to accommodate approximately 1,000 guests.
Brides who have chosen the “Lawn” have added their unique, personal touch to the beautiful countryside setting with stunning floral arrangements, fragrant candles, softly-lit lanterns, and horse-drawn carriages so it came as no surprise when one of our recent weddings was featured as the COVER of the Weddings & Celebrations special section for Town & Style Magazine. Click here to view!
For wedding parties and their guests, Cedar Creek also offers several overnight accommodations, including the hotel-style Cedar Lodge and several private homes. For more information on our lodging, please click here.
Next, our talented team of chefs will create a delicious, high-quality, made-from-scratch menu that will leave your guests raving. Our exceptional catering team can also create an entire dessert buffet tailored to your specifications.
In addition to our catering services you may choose from a couple of outside caterers we’ve partnered with that we feel have the same standards of quality & service that we do. We also welcome any licensed vendors that you choose to work for the other details of your wedding however we have a list of a few that we highly recommend.
Guests who attend weddings and receptions at Cedar Creek also enjoy the welcoming environment and local diversions, including:
- Fishing – the lake is stocked with bass, catfish, crappie, and perch
- Golfing – Cedar Creek is home to a nine-hole, par-three, executive golf course
- Hiking – Cedar Creek’s Bluebird and Deer Run Trails encircle the property and offer spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
- Wine Tours – Located in the heart of Missouri’s robust wine country, the area offers ample vineyard and wineries for tastings and tours. A distillery, Pinckney Bend, also offers tastings and tours of local, handcraft spirits.
- Beer Tastings – We carry a wide selection of craft beers made by the finest brew masters in the region!
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For more information, please contact a wedding coordinator by emailing [email protected]!
Cedar Creek offers several beautiful, natural settings for brides and grooms looking for an intimate location with a calming, home-like atmosphere. One popular spot, the Lake, is located alongside the nine hole executive golf course, and offers native wildflowers; a serene, seven-acre lake; and stunning, handmade wood and ropes bridge.
Able to accommodate approximately 400 guests, brides have added their personal touch to the Lake’s natural setting with custom flowers, candles, lanterns, and custom arches.
From Danielle Anderson, a former bride, who chose the Lake for her vows, stated:
“The wedding couldn’t have been more beautiful. For the ceremony, I walked across Cedar Creek’s picturesque bridge with the sun shining down and the water gleaming. It was truly a scene out of a movie. The toasts were given with a beautiful sunset as the backdrop, and we were able to dance the night away beneath the stars.”
For wedding parties and their guests, Cedar Creek also offers several overnight accommodations, including the hotel-style Cedar Lodge and several private homes. For more information on our lodging, please click here.
Next, our talented team of chefs will create a delicious, high-quality, made-from-scratch menu that will leave your guests raving. Our exceptional catering team can also create an entire dessert buffet tailored to your specifications.
In addition to our catering services you may choose from a couple of outside caterers we’ve partnered with that we feel have the same standards of quality & service that we do. We also welcome any licensed vendors that you choose to work for the other details of your wedding however we have a list of a few that we highly recommend.
Guests who attend weddings and receptions at Cedar Creek also enjoy the welcoming environment and local diversions, including:
- Fishing – the lake is stocked with bass, catfish, crappie, and perch
- Golfing – Cedar Creek is home to a nine-hole, par-three, executive golf course
- Hiking – Cedar Creek’s Bluebird and Deer Run Trails encircle the property and offer spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
- Wine Tours – Located in the heart of Missouri’s robust wine country, the area offers ample vineyard and wineries for tastings and tours. A distillery, Pinckney Bend, also offers tastings and tours of local, handcraft spirits.
- Beer Tastings – We carry a wide selection of craft beers made by the finest brew masters in the region!
[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”13″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails” override_thumbnail_settings=”1″ thumbnail_width=”150″ thumbnail_height=”100″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”20″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”1″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”0″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show slideshow]” template=”default” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
For more information, please contact a wedding coordinator by emailing [email protected]!
There’s no question about it – weddings are really expensive. According to The Knot’s 2014 Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding in 2014 was over $31,000. Moreover, 45 percent of weddings ended up exceeding couple’s budgets.
Maybe you still want to have an awesome wedding but don’t have a ton of cash or don’t want to take out a mortgage to pay for one. In this case, it’s time to find a way to cut costs. One way to do so – serve as your own DJ at the wedding. With services such as iTunes and Spotify, you can keep the party up while saving as much as thousands by forgoing the DJ or wedding band altogether.
But cutting the DJ/wedding band isn’t all that easy — if you’re trying to provide a memorable wedding experience, you can’t just set your smartphone up and dance the night away. The music portion of the evening should be as meticulously planned as any other part of your special day.
Note: We aren’t trying to put all DJs out of work — there are some advantages to having them at a wedding. They can set the tone for the reception, serve as a party facilitator and can easily adjust the atmosphere during the party. We are merely mentioning it is possible to have a successful wedding without one.
Planning is Essential
Throughout the evening, there will be several times where the music should be stopped (dinner, toasts, anything of that nature). There will also be several points in the evening where the music will fit with a particular activity (first dance, throwing of the bouquet, etc.) Don’t just wing it, make sure this is adequately planned out. Moreover, who’s going to know exactly when this is coming up? Make sure someone is available to pinpoint those parts of the wedding.
Must Have the Right Flow
Think of the weddings you have attended. What kind of music did they play? You’ve probably noticed some similarities. While the music playlist should be adjusted based on the guests at hand, there are definitely some safe bets and definitely off-limits songs. Use discretion when building the playlist.
But really, the playlist should fit you and your significant other. What songs have meaning to you? Was there a specific song that you danced to with your now-spouse for the very first time? Include it. Is there a song you and your friends love to rock out to? Include that too (within reason). Another good idea would be to solicit input from your guests. Consider adding a line for music requests on the invitation.
Also, build a playlist a bit longer than you would anticipate needing. There would be nothing more awkward than finishing a playlist early or having to repeat songs.
Same Goes for Equipment
You obviously just can’t show up with your iPhone and call it a plan. Make sure to have a good set of speakers that adequately fit the venue and its acoustics. Moreover, make sure that a good microphone (or two) is on hand. Often times the mics are provided by the DJ, so it’s something you’ll have to think about if you go without.
In addition, depending on the venue and the atmosphere you want to provide, you need to think whether you want to provide any additional lighting. If you want to control the lighting in the venue throughout the evening, someone needs to volunteer to take on that responsibility.
For both lighting and sound, the equipment that you will need will vary considerably depending on the venue you use. Make sure you get clear guidance from a venue staffer on the acoustics and lights. Once you receive that information, then you can go about the rental process. Needless to say, there are a lot of places online and in-store to look into when trying to find the right equipment. Given the event is one day, make sure that you can find a place, if possible, that will rent you the equipment you will need by the day.
A Backup Plan is an Absolute Must
Maybe one of the speakers goes out. Maybe your device goes bad. Or maybe you just get the vibe that people just aren’t quite into the dancing mood. Whatever the case may be, having a clear plan in place when things don’t necessarily work out as planned is an absolute necessity.
If you’re going to DJ your own wedding, a good backup would be to have at least two sets of everything: speakers, iPhones, playlists and microphones.
Have any other good tips to keep down the cost of the wedding? Feel free to provide your suggestions in the comments.
For more information, please contact a wedding coordinator by emailing [email protected]!
The love of your life just proposed, and while it is hard to take your eyes away from that beautiful ring, people are now beginning to ask you about your wedding plans. Unfortunately, many newly engaged couples like yourself are busy working or in school and cannot find the time to plan a dream wedding.
Because of this, hiring a wedding planner has become a popular wedding trend to ensure that the details (big and small) are properly taken care of in a timely manner, thus relieving many angst-filled brides of their stress. However, choosing a wedding planner is not an easy decision, and several should be interviewed before a decision is made.
To ensure that you choose a wedding planner that is right for you, Cedar Creek offers the following questions to help aid in the interview process:
- How long have you been in business & how many weddings have you done?
- How many weddings do you average a year?
- Is this your full-time or part-time job? Do you foresee any conflicts in this situation?
- What services do you offer?
- Do you double book weddings? Will there be any conflicts on the day or weekend of my wedding?
- What is your preferred form of communication?
- Have you coordinated weddings based on the style of interest I have expressed?
- How much of my time do you expect planning my wedding will take?
- Can you work within my budget?
- Do you charge for the initial meeting?
- Do you provide a contract?
- How often will I be billed?
- Do you require a deposit to get started?
- When is the final payment due?
- Do you charge for travel or is it included in your fee?
- Are there any additional expenses outside of the package/hourly fee I might incur?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Do you have a preferred vendors list?
- Are you available for all meetings with the caterer, location and other vendors?
- Do we pay you one fee and then you pay the vendors, or do we pay the vendors individually?
- How many people from your staff will be on hand during the wedding?
- Will you attend the rehearsal?
- Will you personally attend my wedding?
After each interview is complete, take a moment to ask yourself:
- Did you feel heard?
- Does the planner understand your vision?
- Did we get a strong sense she will work with your budget?
- Was there a good connection and did your personalities mesh well?
Trust your instincts. If an interview doesn’t feel right, then maybe that person just isn’t a good fit for you, and that is okay. It is very important to take the time you need to find a wedding planner who is compatible with you and your fiancé.
We hope this helps, and remember that Cedar Creek provides a romantic setting for a truly unforgettable destination wedding. We are a picturesque option for celebrating everything from the rehearsal dinner to the ceremony and reception, as well as delicious on-site catering, wedding cake bakery, and overnight accommodations. We enjoy working with wedding planners and are ready to assist in creating a magical experience for you, your family and your guests. For more information about the wedding options available for you, please click here.
After looking at a handful of destination wedding venues, choosing Cedar Creek was a no-brainer. Jennifer and the team went above and beyond to customize my entire wedding experience. From the food to the setup to the accommodations, everything was tailored to what I wanted and what our large group needed.
As weddings typically go, something of course went wrong. There was a huge storm the night before and setup had to be postponed. However, Cedar Creek’s team rose to the challenge and everything went off without a hitch. As a bride, it was an incredible feeling to know that everything was taken care of and that I could focus on our big day.
The wedding couldn’t have been more beautiful. For the ceremony, I walked across Cedar Creek’s picturesque bridge with the sun shining down and the water gleaming. It was truly a scene out of a movie. The toasts were given with a beautiful sunset as the backdrop, and we were able to dance the night away beneath the stars.
Along with the amazing Cedar Creek team, another benefit was that everything we needed was in one location. Our guests could all stay at Cedar Creek in Cedar Lodge. And, the bridal parties got to stay in the Little Lodge and Manor House, which allowed my groom and I to spend more time with our family and close friends.
I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful, stress-free day, and I have Cedar Creek to thank for my amazing wedding experience.