Guest Reception Activities

We know that guests can sometimes get antsy while they're waiting at their tables. Whether they're waiting for the first dance, dinner to be served, or maybe for the dance floor to open, it's always nice for them to have something to do.  Having fun activities at their seats can be a great way to keep them happy, entertained and share a little more about what makes your love story so special! Most of these ideas can be turned into really unique guest books after the wedding as well - double-duty awesomeness!!

via Style Me Pretty

A cheat sheet! "5 Things Her Side Should Know About Him" and "5 Things His Side Should Know About Her." This would be a cute, easy way, to not only keep guests entertained, but also to let everyone get to know the couple a little better. There's no need to put one at each place setting either - stand them up like your table numbers and save money on printing!

via Etsy

We think this "Wishes for the Happy Couple" activity would be great in so many ways. It's an interactive activity that the bride and groom can look at after the wedding and keep as a personalized memory.

via Pinterest

Absolutely loving this idea! Put Popsicle Sticks, Sharpies, and a Mason Jar on each table. Have the guests write a fun date idea on one side, sign their name on the other, and drop the stick into the jar. A fun table activity that the couple can use time and again after the wedding!

These are just a few creative guest activity ideas for your reception! Do you have any fun ideas to add?

Drink Escort Cards

Weddings are expensive enough - don't you want to be able to get your money's worth out of what you're already paying for?

I love this idea to take the place of traditional escort cards - put them on straws!!!

Beau Coup

Lots of couples use glassware as favors for guests, and who doesn't smile when you see a paper straw?! Put your escort cards on your favor glasses/mason jars, and you've got a two-for-one!

You won't need an extra table and set of linens for the cards themselves, and your guests will easily be able to find their way to their seats, drinks in hand!

What items are pulling double duty at your reception? Comment and tell us about your great ideas!

Lauren & Jeff

I am so pleased to get to share with you Lauren & Jeff's wedding images from the amazingly talented Lindsey Tropf with Pure by Lindsey Photography.

I truly don't know if I've ever coordinated a wedding that had more love present than with this wonderful couple. Love and happiness just oozed out of both of them and their families, making the entire weekend a complete joy for us.

Photographs by Pure by Lindsey Photography

Lauren got ready with her bridesmaids at the University Hilton Hotel. Her dress was a stunning, completely lace gown.

Photographs by Pure by Lindsey Photography

Their wedding took place at the beautiful Historic Thomas Center here in Gainesville FL. It was one of the few to utilize the entirety of the beautiful landscape and gardens at the location. Their ceremony was held under a majestic Oak Tree, with cocktails around the Veranda, Dinner surrounding the Fountain, and Dancing in Turtle Court.

Photographs by Pure by Lindsey Photography

Forage Farm provided the bright and vibrant flowers for the occasion. All of the flowers are grown locally right on Paynes Prairie!

Photographs by Pure by Lindsey Photography

We actually custom painted the directional signs to match the font on their invitations and programs. Another sweet detail - the lace on the ring bearer pillow was lace from Lauren's mom's wedding gown!

Photographs by Pure by Lindsey Photography

Growlers from our local Swamp Head Brewery were a huge hit with guests!

Photographs by Pure by Lindsey Photography

Lauren & Jeff's entire wedding weekend was one for the books for us and these stunning images from Pure by Lindsey Photography capture the feeling completely. It was such an honor getting to know these two and their families! Thank you guys for letting us be a part of your amazing adventure!

Congratulations again Lauren & Jeff!

If you missed our earlier post, check out their beautiful  and sentimental Teaser Video HERE by Platinum Digital Video.


Venue: The Historic Thomas Center, Gainesville, FL
Wedding Planner: MasterPiece Weddings
Photography: Pure by Lindsey Photography
Video: Platinum Digital Video
Flowers: Forage Farm
Catering & Desserts: Gainesville Catering
Rentals: Keith Watson Events
Beer: Swamp Head Brewery

Unity Tree Planting Ceremony

This Unity Ceremony idea is best for an outdoor ceremony, for obvious reasons. I found it on Every Last Detail and loved it for the idea itself as well as for the symbolism it held for the bride and groom.

Every Last Detail

In her words:

We also put our own spin on the unity part of the ceremony because we both come from divorced and remarried parents. We wanted a way to include everyone and stress that we feel blessed to have had more than just two parents each. This will all make more sense if I explain that the ceremony was held under an ancient Water Oak tree, for which our venue was named. About a month before the ceremony, we collected eight tiny saplings that had sprouted underneath the tree with the hopes that one would survive. Sadly, they all shriveled up almost immediately – that is, until about a week later, when all of the sudden, one tree started sprouting new leaves. By the time the wedding arrived, it was still thriving, so during our ceremony, we planted it by having each parent bring soil from their respective homes. It was really nice to get to give each of them a hug as they brought their soil to the front, and at the end, my groom and I watered it together to finish the planting. (Update: the tree is still going strong two months later!) 

Every Last Detail

The watering can with their initials is incredibly sweet! I absolutely adore the idea that soil was used from each parents' houses. Talk about growing a marriage from love and family! Even if your parents weren't divorced, the idea would work just as easily. You could even include a sample from your new home or siblings, godparents, etc.

Ooh! Then imagine as an anniversary gift down the road a special bench to place by the tree, now fully grown! I LOVE this! :)

What do you think?!

Fourth of July Patriotic Wedding Ideas

Tomorrow's the Fourth of July - one of my favorite parts of Summer! I couldn't resist showing you all some fun, chic, Fourth of July inspired wedding ideas! They'll have you whistling "God Bless America" along with "The Wedding March" in no time!

via Minnesota Bride

Isn't this table gorgeous?! I love how classy and completely patriotic it is, all wrapped into one!

via Engaged & Inspired 

If you're going all red, white & blue - why not go vintage 50's glam too? I love how they mixed the bridesmaid colors.

via Minnesota Bride

What Fourth of July wedding is complete without sparklers? I think the specialized tags are the perfect touch, add your date and done!

via Pinterest

Isn't this the best idea? Complete place settings for guests, all together - silverware, napkin, and drink glass. I'd put a cute tag around it and make it the escort card as well. Genius and so pretty displayed!

via The Knot

I swooned over these shoes!!! How about you?

Are you considering a patriotic wedding? Tell us about your red, white and blue details!

Happy Fourth of July everyone! Stay safe & God Bless America!! :)

Margaret & Ben

In March, we were lucky enough to be out at Sweetwater Branch Inn twice! Margaret & Ben got married there and I'm so excited to share with you some special images from their day! We had a great time planning with them long distance, since they planned everything from up north, where they live. 

All the memories were captured by Kristin Kozelsky and they are seriously a-maz-ing! I say "memories" specifically too. Kristin practices what she calls "Beloved Photography." She describes it as "a very natural approach to photography. There's very little posing, and it helps people really get back to the core of what matters most in their relationships." Learn more about it out here!

You can't go wrong here: great venue, fantastic vendors, gorgeous flowers, couple so in love it shines through in every picture, and stunning personalized details scattered throughout the day!

Warning: I'm about to go a little picture happy in this post. I can't help it - they're that good! Just you wait and see:

all photos by Kristin Kozelsky Photographer

Mustaches were everywhere in their wedding details! They even handed them out to guests to party with at the reception! 

Do I need to say how much I loved these escort cards?!

all photos by Kristin Kozelsky Photographer

Margaret & Ben had their first look in the gardens at Sweetwater, where the ceremony would take place. So romantic!

all photos by Kristin Kozelsky Photographer

I LOVE how they look at each other! There's just so much joy shining out of their eyes....

By the way, their Bridal Party was the funnest! Who else could think of bouquet light sabers?!

all photos by Kristin Kozelsky Photographer

All of the flowers were by the talented, and seriously fantastic, Plant Shoppe. We love working with Betsy and her team and ooh'd and aww'd over the flowers all day long! How cute are the pictures of Margaret & Ben next to their centerpieces? Guests were having the best time checking them out!

all photos by Kristin Kozelsky Photographer

Their ceremony was held under the trees out in the gardens and completely fit them to a tee!

all photos by Kristin Kozelsky Photographer

My favorite moment of the night however was when Ben got up with his acapella group from college and serenaded his bride with an impromptu performance - priceless!

all photos by Kristin Kozelsky Photographer

Congratulations Margaret & Ben!!!! You made our jobs a joy and we couldn't be happier for you both! 

And, thank you so much Kristin for sharing these stunning images of their day with us!

 by Kristin Kozelsky Photographer

What do you think? Are you loving these pictures as much as I do?!

Venue: Sweetwater Branch Inn, Gainesville, FL
Wedding Planner: MasterPiece Weddings
Photography: Kristin Kozelsky
Flowers: The Plant Shoppe Florist 
Cupcakes: Cakes by J. W. & Co.
Rentals: Celebrations
DJ: Innovative DJ Entertainment
Hair: La Di Da Salon
Officiant: Kate Gray