• How clear is the ice and how do you get it that way?

Typically, ice carvers will use large blocks that are frozen with water circulating during the process. Each block may take anywhere from 2 – 5 days to freeze. Ask your potential sculpture artist what form of freezing they use and ask how the clarity of their ice compares to the competition.

• How long does an ice sculpture usually last?

Depending on the design of your ice sculpture, you can typically expect it to look good for approximately 5 to 7 hours, when in a controlled 70 degree environment. If your wedding will be an outdoor event, exposure to the elements will reduce the lasting time of your ice sculpture to less than 5 hours. Work with your designer to come up with a design that will stand up to the environment of your wedding.

• How long does it take to carve an ice sculpture?

Depending on the design, some ice sculptures can be carved in 2-3 hours while more intricate and large scale designs can take up to 2-3 days. Different sculptures utilize different carving techniques. Ask your potential ice designer what techniques they use and ask to see examples.

If you’re going to make an investment of an ice sculpture at your wedding, consider where and how long your reception will be and what style of design will support your wedding best. Also consider incorporating the ice sculpture into a major centerpiece for your guests to appreciate – and maybe even include your ice sculpture into your drink service. Something interactive and fun will allow your guests to appreciate your investment and have fun at the same time!

Indoor Wedding Venue Ideas

You have dreamed of your wedding day since you were a little girl, and now your engaged and trying to put together your dream wedding. There are so many decisions to make and one of those tough decisions is whether or not to hold the wedding at an indoor or outdoor wedding venue. This decision affects many other decisions during your planning process. The venue can help you decide the wedding date, your wedding theme, to include decorations, wedding party attire, guest favors and more.

There are pro’s and con’s to choosing both options, and really it comes down to risk tolerance and personal preference. Holding your wedding at an indoor venue ensures that you and your guests are comfortable. You have air conditioning, even flooring, and comfortable seating for all of your guests. You’re protected from inclement weather and you have easy access to rooms dedicated to the bridal party for freshening up. High heels won’t dig into the dirt or the sand, and guests won’t sweat or get rained on. Plus, there are no bugs or critters to worry about. Allergies wouldn’t be a problem, and neither would sunscreen or bug repellant. Lighting would be continuous and even so your wedding photographer won’t have to keep adjusting his lens based on available light, and he won’t have to race the clock so that he doesn’t lose precious sunlight. This is a safe bet and if you don’t want the stress of risking everything there is to battle with the elements then having your wedding at an indoor venue.

If you love the look of an outdoor wedding, but don’t want the stress of possible rain, you can create the outdoor look inside as well. Lighting is a great way of creating ambiance at a wedding and indoor venues allow you to maximize its effect, creating the perfect mood and allowing you to have the exact lighting you desire. Indoor weddings also mean better climate control. The advantages of having your wedding indoors is the year-round aspect. Whether your wedding is during the winter, spring, summer, or fall, there is no issue with weather. There are so many options for an indoor wedding, from historic buildings, stunning hotel banquet rooms, luxurious reception halls to indoor greenhouses, just to name a few. The opportunity of having an “off-season” wedding in an indoor venue is also a plus, as hosting a wedding when venues are not busy may save you some money by the discounts that these venues can offer during their quiet season. Golf clubs, for example, welcome events with open arms and sometimes reduce their rental rates and offer special wedding packages to bring in some business during their off-season.

Submitted by: Dawn Rising — Delicate Designs — www.delicatedesigns-coord.com

Outdoor wedding decorating tips

When planning decorations and amenities for your guests at your Idaho outdoor wedding, consider the following tips:

• Amenities: When selecting your venue, be sure the location has access to adequate bathroom facilities, parking space, electrical hook-ups for lighting, music and other items.  You may need to consider rental of: a generator or restroom trailers. Note: Bug spray is also something to think of providing.
• Food and alcohol: If considering a caterer or do it yourself, need to be sure there is plenty of space for a kitchen set up or caterers vehicles for delivery and set up, recommend a buffet-like style keeping with the natural ambiance of the outdoors. Need to see if there are permits needed if providing your own beer and wine or if the outdoor wedding venue prefers a vendor they work with.
• Décor often makes the wedding: It is wise to use the natural décor of the area—the trees, shrubs and flowers. String lights or patio lanterns are very inexpensive and always add charm and elegance without over powering the surrounding natural beauty.  An arbor, gazebo, water feature or well-placed floral arrangements and candles will add class, sophistication and subtle charm.

Submitted by:

Diane Estey  —  Delicate Designs –  www.delicatedesigns-coord.com

Alternate Wedding Dessert Ideas - Utilize Eye Candy!

If you’ve been to a Wedding lately you may have noticed that instead of a cake, there was a whole table dedicated to several desserts and a variety of candy. These displays are a growing trend and have several different names; candy buffets, dessert displays, dessert tables and candy bars. A dessert display is a table filled with trays of desserts and ornate glass jars full of candy that coordinates with the colors of your event or Wedding.

The options for making these displays unique to your Wedding are endless. Not everyone loves cake, so why not try a dessert display full of cookies or pies? You can make your display unique by adding custom candy tags, a table linen that matches your Wedding colors, or your favorite childhood candy. A dessert display also doubles as a favor for your guests to take home. Providing candy scoops and treat bags that can be customized to match your Wedding are a perfect way to get your guests involved and they are a fun, do-it-yourself favor.

Dessert displays are gaining momentum in the Wedding scene and it looks like they are a trend that is here to stay. Presenting your treats in this whimsical way will make your guests feel like a kid in a candy store and it is sure to be the hit of your party. Try a dessert display for your next Wedding or event, it will make a lasting impression and leave everyone talking…when their mouths aren’t full!

Submitted by:

Ashley Carlson
Eye Candy Event Design

208.869.8333
www.EyeCandyEventDesign.com

Do It Yourself Weddings and Favors can be fun and budget savers

Modern Choices:

A contemporary, modern wedding is still big in 2011.  Brides can opt for non-traditional dress choices, such as: beautiful hues instead of usual white or ivory; shoulder instead of strapless; and short cocktail dresses instead of a long gown.  The modern trend can also continue through the décor of your wedding as well, couples can steer away from the customary 10-person round table and opting to mix table shapes and sizes. Couples can also incorporate bright and bold colors, cool lounge setting and after parties; choosing cupcakes instead of a wedding cake and having the bridesmaids choose different styles of dresses in the same color or souvenir photo booth picture strips instead of traditional wedding favor trinkets.

DIY weddings:

“Do it yourself” is a big trend continuing into 2011.  Personalized touches and little details are very important; couples can incorporate their favorite interests, hobbies, places and even sports. It’s a great idea for a couple to plan every detail of their entire wedding. Then on the wedding day assign a trustworthy relative, friend or wedding coordinator, to help with the details so the bride and groom can relax and enjoy their big day.

Contributed by:
Dawn Rising   – Delicate Designs – www.delicatedesigns-coord.com

Consider utilizing wedding rentals for planning resources as well as budget savers

Even if you’re in the beginning stages of your Idaho wedding planning, don’t forget to utilize local wedding rental resources. You might not even know your venue or how many people you are inviting – or maybe you have the day and place picked out but aren’t sure how you want to decorate for your wedding. Don’t forget, the professionals at wedding rental facilities are experts who have helped plan hundreds of weddings – use them for their experience!

If you’re searching for ideas or inspiration, make an appointment and look through books of past weddings they have done. Go armed with questions! Consider asking the following:

• Are there any big trends you are seeing?
• What kind of things can be rented?
• What advice do you have to a bride that’s just getting started?
• How do you calculate the number of items you need?
• Do you have any cost saving ideas?
• Can you work within my budget?
• Do you recommend any particular venues?
• I’ve already chosen my venue – have you had any particular complications or things that worked really well at that venue in the past?
• What important things to people often forget to order?
• Can you handle all of my renting needs?

Want to get started right away? Call up some of our Idaho wedding rental specialists today!

Allow enough time in your timeline for your wedding gown

A commonly overlooked detail when planning a wedding is to give yourself enough time to order your dream wedding dress. If you’re looking for a customized wedding gown, you should allot at least six months for the dress to be ordered and altered. Anything less, you run the risk of not having time to do enough fittings or even getting the dress you want.

And one last piece of advice: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a wedding planner or at least a Day-of Coordinator to help arrange all the little details.  With their knowledge and high level of expertise in the industry they are uniquely positioned to create your memorable day at a lower cost to you, their client.  It is their goal to create a wedding that will reflect your unique personality and style, with your needs being of the utmost importance, and will be committed to meeting those needs and requests.

Contributed by:
Diane Estey – Delicate Designs – www.delicatedesigns-coord.com

Donate silk flowers or use real biodegradable bouquet

It takes only a few changes to make a big impact on the amount of generated waste. Following are suggestions for environmentally friendly choices that you can easily incorporate into your wedding.

Decorations - As you plan the decorations for your ceremony and reception, omit items such as balloons and crepe paper. Instead, choose flowers, herbs, leaves, grasses, and other natural materials. Rent vases for centerpieces from your florist or from a rental center. That way, the same item is reused many times. Consider using potted plants, including pots of herbs, for centerpieces. If you don’t have a garden in which to plant them later, give them as gifts to people who helped with the wedding.

Flowers - If you like the look of silk flowers and you have a use for the bouquets and arrangements later, then use silk. Otherwise, use live flowers, which will biodegrade. After the wedding you might donate large arrangements to your church or to a nursing home, shelter home, or assisted living center where the residents can enjoy them.

Check back next week for more green wedding planning tips!

-Submitted by Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
© 2006, all rights reserved
www.memorable-events.com

Another reason for holding your wedding reception with a full service hotel is the food and beverage licensing. In-house catering of the food and beverage comes with licenses and insurance so again, there would be no need for you to obtain them on your own. Many other venues and locations would require permits to have food and licenses for beverage at their location. Book with a full service hotel and enjoy the piece of mind that comes with knowing everything is already taken care of and you won’t lose your home should one of your guests have too much fun!

Many hotels also offer discounted guestroom rates for your friends and family as well as complimentary suites for the Bride and Groom! Go ahead…ask and you will be surprised how affordable it can be for your guests to stay the night.

When checking with a full service hotel location be sure and ask about free parking and complimentary airport shuttle. Many hotels still include this as part of their service and your guests don’t have to worry about outrageous parking garage fees, permits, or potentially walking long distances. Free airport shuttles transport your guests right where they need to be and there is no need to rent a car to navigate a strange city!

These are just a few of the advantages of holding your wedding ceremony and/or reception with a full service hotel. All things considered, it’s a great way to save money, make planning the event easy, and insure that you and your guests have the best time possible.

Submitted by:
Lori Knipe
Owyhee Plaza Hotel
208.343.4611
lknipe@owyheeplaza.com

Keep things simple. Sometimes a grouping of small vases with flowers has as much impactas a huge ararangement. Ask friends and family who they used for vendors such as caterers, music, rentals, florist or other details. Think ahead and do not procrastinate. Consider professionals to do details that you perhaps could do, but time restraints on your wedding day may make it a problem for you or your family to accomplish.

An example: You have a perfect location, but you have only two hours before the wedding to decorate. You should be having your hair and nails done and getting gorgeous.

Submitted by: Nancy Squire, consultant for Event Rents