Sure there is always two people committing to one another (or 3 if you’ve seen the Tiger King) + someone to marry them.
Usually refreshments of some sort + loads of happiness.
But there is plenty of opportunity to make your day be a reflection of your love story!
What are your fave foods?
What is your cultural background?
What do you like to do for fun?
We loved that Elena + Patrick opted for a Sunday afternoon wedding followed by fancy mocktails + Puertorican themed appetizers (complete with appetizer flags)! Elena’s father is Puertorican so representing their culture was something we knew we had to do! 23 City Blocks worked with us to create a mouthwatering menu to include tostones + empanadas.
But it didn’t end there…
There were countless things that made this wedding personal.
Let’s start from the very beginning (a very good place to start). Elena got ready at home where she grew up surrounded by family heirlooms while mama + papa bear laughed with the bride squad.
She had her first look with her dad there + read a beautiful letter from Patty that had us all in tears.
The bride + groom opted for the traditional route of not seeing the bride till the minute she walks down the aisle which we love!
Even the recessional song had meaning: You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall + Oates! Elena listened to this on her way home after hanging out with Patrick for the first time!
Once you entered the doors of Lumen, this guest experience was wow from every angle.
Not only was the decor STUNNING!!! Hello look at those flowers! But the delicious food + presentation by 23 City Blocks blew us all away (per usual)!
Since bingo was one of Elena + Patrick’s favorite things to do in college, we had bingo cards at each seat with winning baskets full of their favorite hobbies like movie night, game night + baking!
After dinner, Carlos with Mambo Revolution taught salsa lessons to our guests! This was probably my favorite thing we have ever done at a wedding!
And this wouldn’t be a blog post without me telling you how much I adored my mama + papa bear! Michele + David were such a delight to work with + I loved that from the very beginning David said: whatever makes my girls happy. I am pretty sure his girls were happy! Look at that face!
At the end of the evening the Sobrino men shared cigars with the newest member of the family: Patrick!
Every minute of this wedding so thoughtful!
You know that is part of the SSD Events planning experience: helping our clients imagine events that standout because they represent the couple. We are all about the creativity + special nods to their love story.
Ya’ll know at Signed Sealed Delivered Events, we are addicted to love + we ain’t afraid to show it!
Any + all weddings are our fave!
Especially intimate weddings.
Which brings us to Sam + Warren + their most memorable beach nuptials topping out at 52 guests.
Some of you may recognize this pretty face (Sam, not Warren’s although he is pretty too) as one of our newest weddings extraordinaires.
While Sam + Warren’s wedding was intentionally small, our current climate has intimate weddings on the rise.
With the dreaded COVID-19 getting in the way of our party plans, many of our couples are choosing to postpone their receptions + host ceremonies with their parents. While others are choosing to stick with a smaller guest count for the whole shebang!
You make my dreams come true!
As your wedding fairy godmothers + besties for the resties, we are here to support either decision (while tossing confetti your way)!
Things might feel downright sucky with a lot of ambiguity, but as your trusted wedding resource, we are not going to let this pandemic take away your planning excitement!
How cool are these GQ cover looking dudes?
It may not be what you originally envisioned, but it’s still going to be your best day ever because you are marrying your boo!
If you are hosting an intimate wedding this year, here is something to keep in mind: You don’t have to skip on the details just because you have a smaller guest count! We can still create a beautiful day no matter the size.
Plus local wedding pros are still open for business + ready to make magic!
Whether you are having a vow renewal next year or this is your official wedding day, you will want this magical moment documented. Have a professional there to capture this special time in your life! We highly recommend a photographer + a videographer!
One other thing you may consider is having your event live streamed so family + friends can tune in as you say I do!
These programs doubled as bags that held rose petals that guests tossed as Sam + Warren recessed down the aisle!
Have you always imagined the bridal march when you walk down the aisle towards your forever? Or a song that reminds you of how you met, or describes your relationship to a T? Then let’s play it! Hire a DJ or musician. Plus depending on how intimate, you may consider a sound system for all your guests to hear.
Don’t forget personal flowers: bouquet, boutineers, corsages plus altar arrangements, we can make that happen.
Instead of a big bridal party, pick 2 people to stand beside you!
Have champagne or a signature drink on standby to toast the moments after you say We Do! Or before! Heck, there’s no wrong way to celebrate when it comes to bubbles!
What’s your favorite drink to toast with? If you ask our crew, Sam will tell you margaritas while Kate would say Prosecco. Bonus if it’s pink Prosecco.
If you opt out of a sit down meal, having hors d’oeuvres or a variety of desserts will make all bellies in attendance happy. There may be some new procedures in place as far as food service goes, but your professional caterer + planner can share those details based on the county where you are getting hitched.
And let’s be real, you definitely need cake. A party without cake is just a meeting.
In a perfect world, all meetings would involve cake.
Don’t skip on the moments either, because remember, we have professional paparazzi coming so you might as well have an album’s worth of photos to remember this amazing day!
Do a first look or a first touch! Exchange cards! Write your vows! Cut your cake! Dance your first dance! Dance with your mom! Dance with your dad! Have sparklers or bubbles! Remember, SSD has the confetti toss covered! HOORAY!
Carrie + Warren danced to a live version of Unforgettable.
Now that we have all the fun details in place, let’s also talk a bit about keeping your celebration of love a safe + healthy one.
Remember earlier I mentioned the different phases + regulations by county + state. That will come to play again for a few more things:
Check in with your local courthouses on how to obtain a marriage licence during this time. Some may be closed or have limited hours.
Keep in mind there may be social distancing + max guest counts at venues that incorporate the 6 foot rule between seating – this will effect your lay out + guest counts.
When confirming your invite list, be sure to count your vendors as some county regulations require that wedding pros/ staff be included in that guest count max.
Will your guests be wearing masks? It might be a lovely nod to have some available for your guests upon entry + it wouldn’t hurt if they matched your decor. You guys know I couldn’t help myself.
Sanitation stations will be a necessity at all events moving forward as will new cleaning standards for all venues to ensure the healthiest environment possible.
If you are planning on serving refreshments of any kind be prepared for regulations on food presentations. Some venues/caterers may offer plated entrees only. Additionally disposable place settings might be the safest bet for events moving forward.
In case you missed these hand painted cookies by Sweet Cheeks, here they are up close! We are dog lovers at SSD so any time we can include your fur babes, we will!
Please notice my overuse of “may” + “might” throughout this post. It is intentional as guidelines are changing often. Seek the advice of your local government + venue for most up to date regulations.
If you are ready to jump in to plan your wedding, big or small, hollatcha girls at Signed Sealed Delivered Events + we can walk you through every step of the way… holding hands + skipping at some point.
Side note, we joyfully plan destination weddings + are ready to travel! Just say the word!
If you guessed this was not in St. Louis, you were right Dorothy! There’s no place like home, but there’s also no place like the beach!
