Your Wedding Website: Fun and Functional!

Sure, building your Wedding Website is fun: showcasing you, the love of your life, and more of you...

But besides a celebration of your journey together, a Wedding Website can communicate all the details to your guests that you don't publish within your invitation (and saves paper, $ and the environment). Especially at Northstar, how better could you associate your guests with the weekend's festivities, lodging options, and Resort activities?

Check out a few of my favorites from real Northstar Weddings last summer for ideas for your site:

Sabrina and Conor

Andi and Jason

Whitney and Curtis

The first example was their own design and domain purchase, but there are also free sites like http://www.mywedding.com/ (the last two examples come from here), as well as http://www.ewedding.com/ and http://www.theknot.com/. These sites make it so easy, and you can be very creative with the content and design.

Your guests will thank you for taking the time to provide them with all the particulars of not just the Big Day, but the Big Weekend. But most importantly, how else will they know where you are registered? ;)

Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night of Wedding planning!

(Please comment here to provide your wedding website url, and share with other brides and grooms!)

Flower Girls and Ring Bearers, Northstar Style!

Did you know that Northstar Resort is dog friendly? Your pup may be part of the family and you probably treat them like your children. Why not consider them to be in your Wedding ceremony? Your lady pooch can be the flower girl. Have your florist create a wreath for her neck like this:


What about your boy pup? Well, he can be the ring bearer of course! I loved how Heidi and Steve put a bow tie on their pooch (courtesy of Emily Main Photography):


You could also consider tying rings around his neck (not the real ones of course- those should stay safe with your maid of honor and best man).

Do you have two male dogs and you just can’t bring your self to make one the guest book attendant? Here is an interesting description of a Coinbearer from Wikpedia:

“The coinbearer is similar to that of the ringbearer. The coin bearer is a young boy who marches on the wedding aisle to bring the wedding coins. The wedding coins are more commonly known as wedding arrhae.

The coins are presented to the celebrant to offer their blessing upon the coins for prosperity, and unity. Once the minister administers their blessing to the coins, they hand the coins over to the groom to give to the open hands of his bride as a symbolic gesture that the couple will always be provided for.

The coins usually consists of thirteen gold and silver coins which represent Jesus and his apostles. The gold and silver brought together symbolises harmony and unity. Images on the coins can be simple or very artistic, images such as doves, hands holding, sun and moon, to mountain ranges.

Historically, Spanish colonizers started this custom. Initially performed only at Roman Catholic ceremonies, most other Christian wedding ceremonies have also adopted this tradition.”

Quick reminder, our lodging is generally not dog friendly because the next guest may have an allergy. However, we can make special accommodations for our Weddings, such as a deep cleaning fee after you depart.

P.S. Real Weddings Magazine just announced their Cover Model Contest for the next issue and she could be YOU! Entries are due by January 31st.

Date Change Anyone?

Who needs green grass, pink flowers, and a sunny warm day for your Wedding when you could have snow? Ha, ha- just thought you might want to see Overlook and the Village with real snow! We just took these photos minutes ago and it reminded me that as many of you continue your planning, you may be traveling to Tahoe soon. If you ski, ride, ice skate, tube, or just want to challenge your sweety to a snowball fight; Northstar opens tomorrow for your winter enjoyment!






Remember: Cold nights = more snuggling, yeah!

Happy Turkey Day, Who's Hungry?

Ahh, turkey, stuffing, grandma's home cooked gravy... As Thanksgiving approaches, is that what you are really hungry for? Or is it more REAL Northstar Weddings? (C'mon, tell the truth...)

Well, Grape Video has been kind enough to provide us with a sample of their fabulous work from this summer. You may need your tissue boxes, it's pretty sweet!

Wedding Package Standards and Details

Hello you busy little Wedding Planners! Our banquet department recently passed on some details regarding your Wedding Package that I thought might be useful in your preparations:

Standard table setting:

Dinner fork
Salad fork
Dinner knife
Teaspoon (if plated will be set on the table. If buffet, will not)
Napkin
One of our standard centerpieces (fishbowl, rocks, floating candle) and /or votives
Water glass
Wine glass (universal)….able to house a red or white wine
Champagne flute if there is a toast
Dessert fork will be served with cake (or whatever dessert you are serving)

Complimentary ceremony beverage station:

The pre-ceremony beverage station is designed to refresh the guests when they arrive at the ceremony and will be broken down thereafter. It is not intended to be the non-alcoholic beverage at the reception.

When the ceremony is at Dustin’s or the Daylodge, we will serve in 12 oz plastic. When the ceremony is at the Overlook, we will serve in 12 oz glass.

Included linen:

All dining reception tables
All napkins
Linens for cake, gift and guestbook tables
Black linen for DJ table
Up to 6 cocktail tables if at the Daylodge or Overlook, two if at Martis
Overlays will be an additional charge

Umbrellas:

Up to six, you may request all of one color and we can usually accommodate

Questions? Drop me a line, I love to hear from you!

Tahoe Weddings- In Harmony with Nature

Uh-oh, who was supposed to watch the cake?

I told everyone in my office that this happened at our last Wedding and they all believed me! LOL!

But, that's because I guess it really could happen, given that most of our Weddings have an outdoor ceremony and / or reception. It got me thinking that maybe I should point out a few things to consider regarding an outdoor Wedding at Northstar:

Sun: We will have a lovely ice cold beverage station for your guests at the ceremony site. This may be a good spot to place a few tubes of sunblock for guests that were not prepared. It also may be warm at the ceremony. Consider parasols and or fans with your program printed on them for your guests.

Sun: Be sure to tell your baker that your cake will live outside for a while. They may suggest fondant or marzipan over butter cream. Likewise, talk to your florist about more weather tolerant varieties of flowers.

Have I mentioned the Sun?: It melts chocolate, so if you are planning chocolate favors, please let us keep them refrigerated instead of decorating the dining tables with them. We can put them out as guests begin to leave instead.

Grass / cobble: Help your guests to wear proper footwear. You have all seen your venue and know that stilettos won't fly (but they may make your guest fly if they trip). This is a good tip for your Wedding website and / or welcome bags when they check in.

Wind: Consider low and / or heavy centerpieces. Also, candles, including unity candle ceremonies, need to be enclosed or the wind will blow them out. We've also seen many things on easels blow over. There is not usually strong winds as our slopes are protected, but there is usually a slight breeze and there is always the potential for a good sized gale. If you are worried about your veil, tiny fishing weights can be painted to match your attire and attached to the bottom of your veil to keep it from flying up during the big KISS!

Happy Halloween- have a Spooky time with your fiance this weekend!

Wedding Faire Date

Northstar brides and grooms, we have the official Wedding Faire date set. Drum roll please... Saturday, April 10th 2010!

Give yourself a break from all your hard work planning your Wedding and consider spending the weekend here instead of just the day for the Faire. April is prime for Spring Skiing and hopefully the weather will be spectacular! We will have discounted lodging rates and lift tickets for you and your guest(s) to enjoy. But on Saturday, plan on a full day of table sets, linen choices, upgrades and standard options, menu and wine tastings, Village retailers with Wedding services, lodging tours, and fun times chatting with other Northstar brides and grooms at this exclusive event just for you- a Northstar at Tahoe Resort Wedding!

The event planners are gearing up to make the Wedding assignments in the beginning of November and will be in touch with you soon. The invitation and more details for the Wedding Faire will follow from them. See you soon!

Brides Against Breast Cancer

In honor of October, national breast cancer awareness month, I thought I would ask, do you have your gown yet?

"Brides Against Breast Cancer gown sales continue to be important fund-raising events for Making Memories. Our more than 32 yearly shows provide brides-to-be with an opportunity to find their dream gown (at an incredible savings) while making wishes and dreams come true for women and men who are losing their fight against breast cancer.

The worldwide support of designers, manufacturers, bridal shops and individuals (who donate a most treasured possession) make possible our Nationwide Tour of Gowns sales. The proceeds from these events help bring a moment of joy into world of someone for whom a cure is too late.

This unique opportunity allows brides-to-be a chance to find the gown of their dreams at a remarkable price, while helping to make wishes and memory-making events come true. Most gown prices range from $99 to $799*, including hundreds of beautiful new name brand and designer gowns valued up to $8,000. *Exclusive designer and couture gowns valued up to $20,000 are also available at an incredible 25% to 75% savings."

If you live near Northern California, the next sale is on Saturday, 10.31.09 in San Francisco, but there are other dates and locations throughout the country. Check out http://bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/ for more information and other ideas on how to help.

Crane Crazy

The crane is a magnificent bird which finds a lifelong mate and is very loyal to its partner. Folding a crane takes time, patience and understanding. These same qualities are essential for a lasting marriage.

The ancient practice of a man or woman folding 1,000 cranes for their wedding is called "sembazuru". The tradition itself is called "tsuru wa sennen". It is said that the time and energy put into the project symbolizes the patience and faith necessary to support a happy marriage.

Origami crane colors at a Wedding may have meaning to the couple. Sometimes the cranes are strung on garlands to decorate the venue, while some are used as place markers or table favors. Here is a recent real wedding from the Overlook in which the groom folded 3000 cranes for use in their table décor (look closely as the cranes are in the vases, on the willows and placed around the table). I guess they will be blessed with a happy marriage x 3!

Bridal Faire

Hello! As you all know, we will be inviting you to the exclusive, invitation only Northstar Bridal Faire, just for Northstar Weddings. We have a new video clip from last year's event, so I thought you would enjoy a sneak peek! Looking forward to seeing you all again at the event (tentatively scheduled for a Saturday in March).

P.S. If you haven't been to our website in a while, there are new photos in the online Wedding gallery: http://www.northstarattahoe.com/info/ski/groups-meetings/wedding-gallery.asp

What a Grape Idea!

Do you and your fiance share a passion for wine (Ok, really, who doesn't)? Maybe you met in a wine bar, were engaged in Napa, or he proposed over your favorite glass of Chardonnay. If you answered yes to any of the above then let's talk about a wine tasting bar at your Reception!

Are you considering the hosted bar package for your Reception? It includes up to six types of the wines of your choice. Your guests can sample one or all of the wines before ordering. To make it realistic and interesting, you can create a tasting card to go in front of each selection on the table for your guests to explore. Do you have a dear friend that didn't make the cut into the bridal party, but is outgoing and knowledgable? Maybe they could staff the bar for you too and answer questions! Or take it up a notch and hire a professional Sommelier (http://www.courtofms.com/).*

Cheers!

*(We require a bartender to actually pour the wine at $50 per hour, plus and additional $1.25 per adult to cover the additional glassware required at a tasting. For most Weddings, this could be a fun Cocktail hour activity with an additional cost of approximately only $200.)

Meet the Wedding team!

So most of you know me, but who are these other lovely ladies? Well, you will soon know them as your Northstar Wedding Planners! For all of you 2010 brides and grooms, your Wedding Planner assignment happens in November. But in the meantime, please allow me to introduce you to the Wedding Dream Team: (from the left) Sharon, Nancie, Brett, and Amber. Now you can put a face with the name of your new BFF! Happy Wedding Planning...

Congratulations Tara and Matt!

Thank you to our July 24, 2010 Overlook bride and groom for visiting my office to sign the contract, sip some bubbly, and toast to a fun year of Wedding planning. Congratulations!

Overlook Photos

I continue to be stunned by all of you creative couples because no two weddings ever look the same at the Overlook! It is truly your palette to create your dream Wedding!

Who likes the orange lounge furniture? Well this Wedding tied directly into that which created a smooth transition of color throughout the venue, and added a hint of turquoise which really made it pop:

http://blog.ciprianphotography.com/ciprian/2009/08/nort-star-at-tahoe-wedding-updated.html

My favorite touch was the antique buttons, each different and unique (like their loving friends and family) that were carefully tied with ribbon around each napkin as a special napkin ring holder.

Enjoy these ideas and I hope they inspire you!

Let's Talk Decor

Have you been thinking of linen color for your tables? Well, we've got it covered- literally! Our standard linens will now be floor length for dining and these are the colors you can choose from below. I don't know about you but I think it looks very elegant and am excited it is Northstar's standard and not an upgrade!

Speaking of tables, we now have gold chargers for plated meals for just $1.00 each. These are them in the photo. I think they really dress up the table. We can use them for your buffet or stationed menus too, but because they should be removed prior to dining, it works best with a plated meal.

Looking for a simple way to create a Mountain Wedding table card holder? Look at this idea from last weekend's Wedding- too cute!

Ta ta for now lovebirds! - Brett

Calling All Cover Models!

Hello you gorgeous Northstar brides! Ever dreamed of becoming the Cover Model of a bridal magazine? Well now is your chance. Real Weddings Magazine just sent me the entry forms and we uploaded it to our "Useful Links" section up top on the left of this page. I know you are busy planning your Wedding and all, but hurry! Deadline is 08.15.09. Good luck!

On a side note, I have plenty of copies of their most recent issue, so shoot me an email or give me a call next time you are in the area to swing by and pick one up.

Centerpiece blunder

Welcome! I hope you enjoy my entries and will leave feedback and posts for me as well as your fellow Northstar brides and grooms.

To kick things off, as most of you know, I just got married too! You know how we have fishbowls, vases, river rock and floating candles for you to use for centerpieces at Northstar? Well, I love that look and wanted it for my Wedding- with a twist. See, my Wedding was all bright yellow with hints of orange. Instead of using river rock, I had the super idea of chopping lemons and oranges into the vases, filling with water, and then floating the candle on it. Guess what? Fruit floats. So does the candle. Can't have both- dilemma! I had to choose between the fruit or the candle as the Wedding was only a few hours away. I chose the fruit because I also had 10 votives on each table.

Lesson: Try these things out ahead of time, although I can guarantee you our river rocks will definitely sink! Happy planning! - Brett