You’ve said YES! (Yay! Congrats!) Now what? With spring/summer wedding season upon us, Gardner Village is a convenient, one-stop spot for nearly all aspects of your big day. (See our brilliant Village Wedding Vendors here.) Here’s a checklist to help you with the many details you have to determine. Plus, find helpful tips for planning during a pandemic!
1. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
To best serve you, answer the following questions before placing your first call to our talented wedding team at 801.938.1999:
- What’s your budget?
- What's the size of your guest list?
- What’s your ideal date?
- What’s your ideal time of day?
- Do you prefer full meal service or a buffet approach?
- Do you have any special needs or requirements (allergens to be aware of, etc.)?
- What are your wedding colors? (Good news is, all of the venues at Gardner Village offer a beautiful, neutral backdrop that will coordinate with any color scheme you can dream up. If you aren’t sure on colors, we’re can discuss that more and find your perfect pick.)
2. TIME TO TOUR
During your initial call, you’ll be asked if you have time to stop by for a tour. This is a great opportunity to see what each Gardner Village event space has to offer and decide which area is just right for you. With indoor and outdoor options and venues that support small and large gatherings, we have a spot meant just for you.
Did you know Gardner Village also offers gorgeous bridal suites and spaces with our event venues? One such space is The Cottage. It's your fairytale wedding in the making!
3. SECURE YOUR DATE & VENUE
The sooner you can secure your date and space, the better. Whether this is at the time of your call or following a tour, you’ll want to make your reservation early to ensure your date is available.
WHAT TO EXPECT: PANDEMIC-SPECIFIC PLANNING
While COVID-related mandates are shifting, precautions remain in place where events and large gatherings are concerned. Never fear. Our wedding experts have had a year to get creative and find solutions that work for the happy couples we serve while respecting COVID guidelines.
THE SENTIMENTAL SIDE
Many couples still seek smaller ceremony solutions. If you’re tying the knot at Gardner Village, we have numerous ideas of ways you can create an initimate affair while still involving those who might not be able to join you in person. For example, a bride wore her grandmother’s bracelet to keep her presence near and felt in her absence. Don’t hesitate to discuss solutions that best serve a tight guest list. We’ve learned a lot this year and have many tricks up our sleeves.
TABLE PLACEMENT
Receptions lined with giant wedding-party-filled tables went away with COVID. In response, you’ll now see couples incorporating “sweetheart tables,” meant just for the love-struck duo, as well as “head tables,” set to sit the couple and their parents or other VIPs. These are just some of the unique seating arrangements offered. Your wedding planner can go over all of your options in more detail during your meeting.
LEAVE THE LINE BEHIND
Gone (or at least on hold) are the days of receiving lines. Instead, our planners will show you ways to welcome and greet your guests that still support safe distance and acceptable crowd guidelines.
DINING OPTIONS
Believe it or not, you can still opt for our popular buffet food service. We will simply have a food service team in place to serve your guests the buffet items of their choosing.
You also have a full-service option, which has our food service team bringing the meal to your guests at their tables.
Want butler service? We can still make this tray service happen, so don’t hesitate to ask about it and how it works with current safety guidelines.
LET THEM EAT CAKE (Just not the one you've cut!)
One of the saddest COVID changes has been surrounding the cake. Couples are no longer permitted to cut their own cake and then have that same cake served to guests.
Good news is, we have found workarounds for this tradition as well. If the ceremonial cutting of the cake is important to you, we can coordinate a show cake, meant just for this act, while a second cake is professionally handled and served to guests. (Cupcakes and donuts are also fun options we see brides going for these days!)
MASK TASK
To date, masks are still required for private events of 50 or more people. Don’t let this get you down. If it’s determined masks are a requirement for your guests, we have creative solutions that can make this look more memorable and personalized.
One of our recent brides had her guests’ names professionally printed on disposable masks, which added a fun touch. Another option, if you want to get even fancier, would be to have cloth masks embroidered. Our team of wedding pros have seen it all when it comes to COVID nuptials. Rest easy, knowing they can help you find your ideal option.
4. DECORATING MADE EASY
Gardner Village has a large variety of decorations for you to choose from, but we always encourage our couples to bring their own framed photos. It adds a gorgeous personalized touch. We recommend placing a large photo of the happy couple near the main entrance and adding smaller shots in key spots throughout the venue (near the guest book, on the cake table, etc.).
If you’d like to keep with the Gardner Village feel, our on-site photo studio, Camera Shy, can serve you well, with both in-studio and outdoor sessions available.
Fresh flowers are also an ideal addition to add to your planning list. They pair perfectly with our assortment of faux greenery. You'll find more on flowers below.
5. FLOWERS, DRESSES, FAVORS & MORE!
You’ll find many of your key wedding pieces available at the locally owned shops throughout Gardner Village.
GOWNS
For the dress of your dreams, you simply must visit Boda Bridal, where you can customize to your heart’s content or even come up with your own unique design. They also carry gorgeous reception, honeymoon, and wedding party attire, as well as accessories.
FLOWER GIRLS
Across from Boda is Spoiled Rotten Children’s Boutique. This is your spot for the prettiest of flower girl designs. They have your every detail covered, including satin sashes, kid-friendly jewelry, shoes, and more!
FLOWERS
What’s a wedding without flowers? Order yours at Simply Flowers. Not only are they breathtaking, but being on site at The Village, it’s super easy to get your blooms from the florist to your event venue.
FAVORS
To end your celebration on a sweet note, look to Chocolate Covered Wagon for locally made decadence. Whether you treat guests to caramel apples, caramel, or their famous saltwater taffy, this is a great resource for candy that doubles as eye candy!
FIND INSPIRATION
Follow @GardnerVillageEventVenues on Instagram for beautiful inspiration shots. It’s a great way to build your own vision board and see some of the many options available to you.
LEARN MORE
This checklist is just meant to get you started. Find a complete list of Gardner Village wedding resources here. We can't wait to speak with you and help make your dreams a reality!
Wednesday Apr 14 2021
You’ve said YES! (Yay! Congrats!) Now what? With spring/summer wedding season upon us, Gardner Village is a convenient, one-stop spot for nearly all aspects of your big day. (See our brilliant Village Wedding Vendors here.) Here’s a checklist to help you with the many details you have to determine. Plus, find helpful tips for planning during a pandemic!
1. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
To best serve you, answer the following questions before placing your first call to our talented wedding team at 801.938.1999:
2. TIME TO TOUR
During your initial call, you’ll be asked if you have time to stop by for a tour. This is a great opportunity to see what each Gardner Village event space has to offer and decide which area is just right for you. With indoor and outdoor options and venues that support small and large gatherings, we have a spot meant just for you.
Did you know Gardner Village also offers gorgeous bridal suites and spaces with our event venues? One such space is The Cottage. It's your fairytale wedding in the making!
3. SECURE YOUR DATE & VENUE
The sooner you can secure your date and space, the better. Whether this is at the time of your call or following a tour, you’ll want to make your reservation early to ensure your date is available.
WHAT TO EXPECT: PANDEMIC-SPECIFIC PLANNING
While COVID-related mandates are shifting, precautions remain in place where events and large gatherings are concerned. Never fear. Our wedding experts have had a year to get creative and find solutions that work for the happy couples we serve while respecting COVID guidelines.
THE SENTIMENTAL SIDE
Many couples still seek smaller ceremony solutions. If you’re tying the knot at Gardner Village, we have numerous ideas of ways you can create an initimate affair while still involving those who might not be able to join you in person. For example, a bride wore her grandmother’s bracelet to keep her presence near and felt in her absence. Don’t hesitate to discuss solutions that best serve a tight guest list. We’ve learned a lot this year and have many tricks up our sleeves.
TABLE PLACEMENT
Receptions lined with giant wedding-party-filled tables went away with COVID. In response, you’ll now see couples incorporating “sweetheart tables,” meant just for the love-struck duo, as well as “head tables,” set to sit the couple and their parents or other VIPs. These are just some of the unique seating arrangements offered. Your wedding planner can go over all of your options in more detail during your meeting.
LEAVE THE LINE BEHIND
Gone (or at least on hold) are the days of receiving lines. Instead, our planners will show you ways to welcome and greet your guests that still support safe distance and acceptable crowd guidelines.
DINING OPTIONS
Believe it or not, you can still opt for our popular buffet food service. We will simply have a food service team in place to serve your guests the buffet items of their choosing.
You also have a full-service option, which has our food service team bringing the meal to your guests at their tables.
Want butler service? We can still make this tray service happen, so don’t hesitate to ask about it and how it works with current safety guidelines.
LET THEM EAT CAKE (Just not the one you've cut!)
One of the saddest COVID changes has been surrounding the cake. Couples are no longer permitted to cut their own cake and then have that same cake served to guests.
Good news is, we have found workarounds for this tradition as well. If the ceremonial cutting of the cake is important to you, we can coordinate a show cake, meant just for this act, while a second cake is professionally handled and served to guests. (Cupcakes and donuts are also fun options we see brides going for these days!)
MASK TASK
To date, masks are still required for private events of 50 or more people. Don’t let this get you down. If it’s determined masks are a requirement for your guests, we have creative solutions that can make this look more memorable and personalized.
One of our recent brides had her guests’ names professionally printed on disposable masks, which added a fun touch. Another option, if you want to get even fancier, would be to have cloth masks embroidered. Our team of wedding pros have seen it all when it comes to COVID nuptials. Rest easy, knowing they can help you find your ideal option.
4. DECORATING MADE EASY
Gardner Village has a large variety of decorations for you to choose from, but we always encourage our couples to bring their own framed photos. It adds a gorgeous personalized touch. We recommend placing a large photo of the happy couple near the main entrance and adding smaller shots in key spots throughout the venue (near the guest book, on the cake table, etc.).
If you’d like to keep with the Gardner Village feel, our on-site photo studio, Camera Shy, can serve you well, with both in-studio and outdoor sessions available.
Fresh flowers are also an ideal addition to add to your planning list. They pair perfectly with our assortment of faux greenery. You'll find more on flowers below.
5. FLOWERS, DRESSES, FAVORS & MORE!
You’ll find many of your key wedding pieces available at the locally owned shops throughout Gardner Village.
GOWNS
For the dress of your dreams, you simply must visit Boda Bridal, where you can customize to your heart’s content or even come up with your own unique design. They also carry gorgeous reception, honeymoon, and wedding party attire, as well as accessories.
FLOWER GIRLS
Across from Boda is Spoiled Rotten Children’s Boutique. This is your spot for the prettiest of flower girl designs. They have your every detail covered, including satin sashes, kid-friendly jewelry, shoes, and more!
FLOWERS
What’s a wedding without flowers? Order yours at Simply Flowers. Not only are they breathtaking, but being on site at The Village, it’s super easy to get your blooms from the florist to your event venue.
FAVORS
To end your celebration on a sweet note, look to Chocolate Covered Wagon for locally made decadence. Whether you treat guests to caramel apples, caramel, or their famous saltwater taffy, this is a great resource for candy that doubles as eye candy!
FIND INSPIRATION
Follow @GardnerVillageEventVenues on Instagram for beautiful inspiration shots. It’s a great way to build your own vision board and see some of the many options available to you.
LEARN MORE
This checklist is just meant to get you started. Find a complete list of Gardner Village wedding resources here. We can't wait to speak with you and help make your dreams a reality!