Limo and Leisure Blog

Louisiana is known for spectacular views, and an atmosphere like no other. You should have no trouble finding the location for the wedding of your dreams. Here are a few choices to get you started.

One fine location for your consideration is the Forrest Grove Plantation, in Denham Springs. This is an elegant lavish event facility. They have exquisite décor and beautifully landscaped grounds. The catering available is delectable Louisiana cuisine. This is the place for an extraordinary wedding.

The Carriage House is another wonderful choice for a wedding location. The Carriage House has been in the wedding business for over ten years. The location is a Southern Mansion and is quite picturesque. The staff is well known for their hospitality and their attention to even the smallest details. They can take care of all of your wedding needs, from cakes to catering and music, as well as expert coordination.

The Louisiana Castle is a replica of an English Norman Keep castle, which sits on ten acres of land. This setting is absolutely perfect for weddings, receptions, or any special event. They have affordable prices, spectacular surroundings, and can even accommodate overnight guests. The Louisiana Castle is the premier location in the New Orleans area, providing breathtaking outdoor ceremonies, and an elegant, glass enclosed ballroom, which is beautifully decorated.

The Glynns of Myrtles Plantation is located in Saint Francisville, and is another prime location for a dream wedding. This is one of the most unique and all-inclusive wedding and reception facilities anywhere. The atmosphere is breathtaking, and is sure to create lasting memories in both the hearts and minds of all who attend.

Kentucky is a great place to be married. Whether luxurious or traditional is your style, or you want totally unique, there is a location for you. Here are a few options to get your planning started.

Consider having the Lafayette Club in Lexington host your special day. Nearly 15 stories above the city, you can have your wedding in the clouds! There is a unique, private dining club that offers a wonderful atmosphere between the moon and stars. Now you can celebrate your wedding in the premiere place in Lexington.

Another unique option is the Winchester Opera House. This House is dedicated to special events and private parties. They have an award winning culinary staff that can cater your party of between 10 and 650 people.

The Thoroughbred Center can plan your dream wedding. This location is set among rolling hills of bluegrass, and is the perfect setting for your special day. They allow outside catering, so your options are not limited, and they have a professional staff available to help you with all of your planning needs. They are located just northeast of Lexington.

The Four Points Sheraton Hotel has an expert team to assist you with creating our most perfect of wedding days. They offer courteous service, exquisite cuisine, and a top-notch staff. Your day will be sure to be unforgettable. They have an award-winning chef to create custom fare for your reception, and they can also host all of your wedding events, from showers to rehearsal dinners and brunch.

The Madrid Theater's Spanish Revival style of the 1920's offers glamorous ambience with romantic touches such as art nouveau angels that are sculpted into the ceiling, carousel bars, a wraparound mezzanine with a private bar, and a spectacular Italian fountain and double staircases set in the tiled lobby. This location has packages that will accommodate 150 to 500 guests that are uniquely customized to meet your needs. Full service bar, security, custom seating, and an onsite coordinator will provide all you need.

If you want a less traditional wedding atmosphere, the Hobbs Building is for you. This location offers a more urban décor, an outdoor, secluded courtyard, and complete elegance for your perfect wedding, located in the historic West Bottoms.

The Loch Lloyd Country Club is the place for those who want the truly luxurious and traditional wedding. This is an architectural gem of stone and glass, which has been designed to harmonize seamlessly with the wooded landscape. The Club offers spectacular views of the championship golf course, and the breathtaking natural surroundings. They have professional wedding consultants, who are teamed with an award winning culinary staff; all available to help you create the wedding of your dreams.

Unique is represented no more perfectly than at the Arrowhead Club at Arrowhead Stadium. This is truly the alternative to traditional wedding venues. Scenic views of the historic field, sumptuous cuisine, and top-notch service are all waiting here to leave you mesmerized.

If you live in Iowa, the Hotel Winneshiek Opera House and convention Center in Des Moines is a wonderful place to have a fabulous wedding.

You can have your wedding in the grand surroundings of Hotel Winneshiek and Steyer Opera House. You can have your ceremony and reception at this location. From champagne toasts, to savory appetizers and hors d' oeuvres to spectacular dinners, and even the celebratory dance, they have professional staff, who can make your day unforgettable, by customizing your experience. They can truly make your dreams a reality.

Alternatively, the Kingsley Inn located in Fort Madison provides a captivating location that overlooks the Mississippi River. This is a quaint eighteen-room inn, with rooms that are filled with restored antiques draperies, and beautiful wall coverings. The Kingsley Inn is a combination of an elegant hotel, and a quaint bed and breakfast. They have both indoor and outdoor locations for your wedding.

The Gateway Center in Ames is another fantastic location for your Iowa wedding. This hotel is a premier location for weddings. They have outdoor areas and formal indoor areas, and the experienced staff to handle all the details. The Waterfall Garden Patio is a perfect location for weddings and receptions. It is bordered by a tranquil waterfall garden, which has a main pond that is forty feet long, and mixed in with many beautiful mature pines, boulders, and a rolling landscape that is dotted with beautiful flowers. The waterfalls will easily make you feel as if you are high in the mountains in a secluded ravine with a relaxing stream nearby.

Indiana has all the charm a bride and groom could ever want. Your wedding in Indiana can easily be all you've ever dreamed of, with the right location. Indiana has dozens of locations to provide you with the perfect backdrop for your special day. Here are a few, to get you started.

The Grand Ballroom at the Mansion at Oak Hill is ideally suited for weddings, as large as 450 guests. The area can also be divided to accommodate smaller events. There are bars, dance floors, and entertainment staging, which are all built into the banquet rooms. These banquet rooms are elegantly decorated, and they feature large cathedral windows, providing breathtaking views.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art is a fantastic choice for a wedding location. They offer everything from intimate ceremonies to lavish receptions, and have the space and staff to create them. Your wedding can truly be a work of art, and you can even have Wolfgang Puck catering!

The Valle Vista Country Club, offering outdoor and indoor accommodations, is a spectacular choice. Wedding receptions can be for fifty to five hundred guests! Intimate private rooms are available, and all banquet rooms have wonderful golf course views. The location is convenient, and offers plenty of free parking.

You can have a meticulously planned wedding at the Ritz Charles in Overland Park. They have everything from imported linens, to beautiful floral arrangements. These can all be arranged at one of the finest venues anywhere. There is a chapel and a glorious garden pavilion available for use for your wedding.

There is no more spectacular and romantic place to get married than Hawaii. You should have no problem finding a spectacular location for your wedding. Here are a few to get you started.

The Turtle Bay Resort is a fantastic choice to celebrate the first day of your wonderful life together, against the breathtaking backdrop of swaying palm trees and beautiful ocean, surrounded by your loved ones. You can enjoy gentle breezes and the sound of the relaxing Hawaiian surf. They have a top notch catering staff, ready to take care of all of your needs. The Wedding Pavilion, located on the tip of Kuilima Point, is a glass walled sanctuary. Just a short way away from the Pacific Ocean, the Pavilion offers stunning views and some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.

With extravagant tropical settings, and spectacular cascading waterfalls, The Willows in Honolulu is a prime choice for a wedding location. They have six banquet rooms that can accommodate parties from a tiny intimate wedding of five all the way to 150. Let the banquet staff is available to help you create a perfect wedding and reception that will make your wedding truly memorable.

If a private paradise is what you had in mind, look no further than the Haiku Gardens. You can choose an open-air chapel or charming little gazebo, or a fantastic restaurant that overlooks the gardens for receptions. Haiku Gardens has a professional staff available to customize your wedding in whatever way you need.

Every bride wants their dream wedding...but every bride's dream is different! Georgia has a variety of wedding locations to suit any bride's tastes and needs. Her are a few to get you started.

The Bona Allen Mansion, built in 1911, is one fabulous choice in the Atlanta area. You can enjoy the luxury of the main house, with twelve-foot ceilings, carved paneling, stained glass windows, and several fireplaces. The mansion sits on six acres of land, and it's easy to see why this is a prime choice for some of the most beautiful weddings in the Atlanta area. The incredible gardens, attention to detail, and fine foods really set the Bona Allen Mansion apart from the crowd.

Another great choice is the historic Roswell Mill. This is a Civil War era complex, which features three sites. The Vickery and Brookside rooms in Ivy hall are two choices, and the third site is the River room. Each site has its own personality, they all feature floor to ceiling windows, new décor, and antiques scattered throughout. There is a spacious dock off of each building that overlooks the river.

In Savannah, the Mackey House is a spectacular colonial styled home, located at Red Gate Farms. With spacious, beautifully furnished rooms, a wrap around porch, a large deck in the trees, exquisite grounds, and fabulous gourmet foods, this is a perfect place to have your wedding. The Mackey House will give your wedding that old southern charm.

When it is time to start planning the wedding, most people start with choosing a place to get married. In Illinois, there are many interesting places to have your ceremony, from small chapels to large resorts.

Independence Grove is a natural treasure. This is a lovely 1,100-acre preserve, containing an event facility that is indoor and outdoor, an outdoor event pavilion, and a breathtaking native garden. All of these areas have been built around a spectacular lake. The creative presentation and contemporary menus provide all you will need for a spectacular wedding.

Does a luxurious Italian style villa sound spectacular? If so, Harrison Manor House, built on Chicago's beautiful North Shore, might be just the place for you. The mansion has glorious settings for your wedding, a courtyard, and gardens. This mansion is a secluded 45 acre estate is set in a convenient location, which is a mere 30 miles from downtown, and also offers personalized services, customizable menus, and experienced consultants available to help you plan your dream wedding.

The Grand Ballroom (Joliet Union Station) is a spectacular setting for a luxurious and lavish wedding. Joliet's union station was built in 1912, designed by Jarvis Hunt. Today, this area is available for private events, and can accommodate up to three hundred guests. The Grand Ballroom features classic architecture with crystal chandeliers as well as 45-foot ceilings. Capturing memorable photographs is effortless with a location like this. You can have portraits taken on the grand marble staircase, or the balcony.

For some couples a destination wedding is perfect. If you want a very small, or even a completely private wedding, a destination wedding might be just what you need. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Choose a location based on your personal style, and your nonnegotiable guest list, if you have one. Unlike having a wedding at home you cannot assume that everyone will be able to afford a vacation to attend your wedding. If you aren't bringing any guests a destination wedding can be quite economical for you.

If guests are coming along go easy on their bank accounts. Consider all-inclusive resorts or cruises during a slow season so it's cheaper for them. Try to choose locations that provide a variety of activities and comfortable accommodations. Guests should pay for all their own expenses with the exception of the wedding party. Tradition says that the bride and her family are to cover expenses of the bridesmaids, and the groom or his family should do the same for his attendants. If the bridal party is to cover their own expenses it's best if you insist that they not buy you gifts, and you should ask a travel agent or coordinator about group discounts or special rates. Start planning early, people will need time to get money together to accommodate such a trip.

While making arrangements make sure you ask any and all questions you may think of to ensure everything is as clear as possible. You don't want any unexpected surprises on your wedding trip. Make sure you get everything in writing before you pay even a penny to anyone.

Choosing a caterer is an important part of wedding planning. A good caterer is important because they often have plenty of contacts and can provide a variety of services. In addition to creating an inspired menu, a great caterer can often help you book a great band, find a great photographer, and assist with floral arrangements.

Here are some tips for finding a reliable caterer in your area. Ask friends, neighbors, and local businesses that have hosted catered events for their recommendations. Call museums and historical venues and ask what caterers they have on their preferred catering list. If you will be renting a tent, or tables, chairs, etc., ask the company what caterers they may know and trust. Look online to see if any caterer's website appeals to you and your spouse to be.

Once you have a few caterers you think you might like you should give them a call or email them to request a brochure. From there you might want to ask them for a proposal, in writing of course. To do this, the caterer will need a rough overview of your plans, and might want answers, at least estimates, for the following types of questions:
Where and when is your wedding, and how many guests do you expect?
Does the venue have a kitchen, and will linens and tables and chairs be
provided?
What type of menu are you looking for? Are there dietary concerns?
What will be the general atmosphere, casual, formal, or black tie?
Do you have a budget in mind?
Are there particular items on your wish list?

Once you provide those answers and get a proposal from the caterer, review the proposal carefully. You should find a good interpretation of your ideas. Has the caterer taken time to provide appropriate suggestions with regard to your plans? If you are still interested in working with that caterer, it's time to sit down and hash out menu ideas and review suggestions. Know what is covered in the caterer's price. You might also want to request a tasting, and references from recent weddings.

The fondest of your wedding memories is probably when the love of your life proposed. When you were presented with that sparkling diamond your heart must have been overcome with love. Keeping that memory also means taking special care of your diamond. A diamond will last forever if you take special care of it and treat it well. For the stone to retain its luster it is important to take care of it properly. A jeweler is one person you need to visit at least once per year. Professionals will clean your ring and check to be sure prongs are not loose or weakened.

It is also important to take care in between these visits. Jewelry pieces should not be stored together because if they are they can become scratched or tangled. Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, but diamonds can scratch each other or other pieces of jewelry. Keep your ring in its own box when you aren't wearing it, perhaps even the very box it was presented to you in.

Your ring should always be removed when doing heavy work. The diamond can chip, scratch or even get lost. Always place your ring in a safe place where you will always remember it. In between visits to your jeweler use a mild detergent to maintain your diamond. Fill a small bowl with warm sudsy water, and brush gently, with a soft toothbrush while it is in the suds. Rinse your ring completely with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Following these easy steps will ensure your diamond retains its brilliance.

Bridesmaid gifts are a tradition and should be selected carefully. Gone are the days of boring generic bridesmaid gifts. Charm your friends who have done you the honor of being with you on your special day. Your maids deserve better than a boring key chain or a string of fake pearls. Keep each individual maid in mind when shopping, and remember that there is no rule saying you have to give them all the same gifts. Here are some innovative ideas to help you get started!

You could choose to buy her a set of videos, films that include her favorite actor, or film era or theme. Tickets to a musical or dinner show might be a great choice also. You could choose a subscription to her favorite magazine, a gift card to a favorite bookstore or theater, computer games, a special edition of her favorite novel; maybe a signed edition, a new camera, or some interesting game sets.

You could offer lavish gifts. Perhaps some silk pajamas, a beautiful robe, or a designer handbag. Personalized stationary is a great choice for a writer, a monogrammed set of towels, a spa gift certificate, designer makeup, or a beauty gift basket. If you are crafty, and you're sure your maid will appreciate something handmade as much as you do, there is a world of options. You could make some handmade jewelry, custom soaps or candles, homemade bath products, a personal scrapbook, or even a hand painted vase.

If your maid has a particular hobby or passion, use it! If she loves antiques, check out estate sales and the like for an antique piece of jewelry, Depression glass, or maybe an antique lace scarf. Dance classes might be a great choice; something exotic like ballroom, or salsa. If she is a fitness nut some new workout gear would be a great choice, or a personal trainer.

If she's a wine and food lover, a gift certificate to a gourmet restaurant might be well received, or a bottle of wonderful wine. French Press makes delicious elegant coffee; some delicious chocolates or a deluxe picnic basket could also be great choices.

The piece that completes your wedding attire is the veil. If you've been shopping for veils and headpieces you probably already noticed that a veil can easily run into the hundreds of dollars! If you're planning your wedding on a budget perhaps you should consider making your own veil. Not only will you save money (and probably lots of it!) you will have a unique headpiece that you can wear proudly, knowing that you made it yourself.

A headpiece is a good starting point. Decide what type of headpiece you would like to wear. A floral garland? A crown or tiara type of headpiece? Perhaps you want nothing more than a comb or two to keep the veil in place? Whatever type you want there are plenty of choices available. You can find these in the craft stores, in the craft department at local mass merchandisers, even online or at an auction website. In fact, looking for pieces online can yield some great bargains. There are dozens and dozens available at popular online auction sites, many made with Swarovski crystals, all beautiful and elegant. Keep in mind what you would like your hairstyle to be so that your headpiece can accommodate that.

Once you have a headpiece you simply need to head to a local fabric or craft store. You will need to purchase some tulle or bridal illusion fabric for your veil. How much you will need depends on how long and full you want your veil to be. This material is very inexpensive so it's best to buy some extra just to make room for any mistakes you might make. If you want a finished edge on your veil consider using a wide satin ribbon, as this will be easy to attach. You might also want to consider attaching some small rhinestones intermittently on the veil for a little added sparkle. If you aren't a very good seamstress you might want to purchase a hot glue gun. Try to find one with a small tip preferably a low temp glue gun. If you are finishing the edge with ribbon ask an employee in the sewing department about using a no sew hem product like Stitch Witchery. This way you will not need any needles and thread, just an iron.

Cut the veil material to the length you want. Round off the edges with some scissors, and if you chose to edge the veil, stitch or iron the ribbon to the edges. Take care to turn any corners neatly. You might want to fold the ribbon in half, and iron a sharp crease into it with a low iron so it's easy to attach. Then you can either stitch or glue it to the edge of your veil material. Using a matching color thread run a loose stitch through the top part of your fabric so that you can push the fabric onto the thread to get a gathered look. You can either attach this to your headpiece with glue or a loose stitch. That's all there is to it! You now have a unique, beautiful bridal veil!

The tradition of a bridal shower seems to have come from the Dutch. It is said that a Dutch bride married her lover even though her father refused to give her a dowry since she had intended to marry a poor man. Her friends got together and 'showered' the couple with gifts for their home to help them begin their new lives together.

Traditionally, it is the role of the bridesmaids and maid of honor to organize the bridal shower. A good wedding consultant can also help with preparations for the shower. It is best to consult with the bride about who she would like to attend the party. When you choose a theme it would be best to choose a theme that reflects the bride's interests and her personality.

Here are a few ideas to get you started with planning the bridal shower. Have a lingerie shower! Have everyone bring and wear an article of clothing that is associated with sleepwear like slips, teddies, nightgowns, pajamas, etc. Put your sense of humor to work for you! Whatever you bring give one to the bride as a gift as well.

A romance shower is fantastic as well. Give the bride items that will inspire romance in her married life. The couple might like satin sheets, champagne, bath bubbles, candles, and maybe even his and her vouchers for a spa. A sweet memories shower is another great option. All guests take a turn telling the story of how they met the bride, their special moments together, etc. All of these can be recorded, and put together with photos in a scrapbook for the bride to enjoy forever.

A music shower is another unique idea for the bride who is a music lover. Everyone brings a few cds and play their favorite songs for the bride, or songs that remind them of her. Make sure there is a cd player and get a list before the shower of songs that will be played. For the wine lover a wine shower might be nice as well. Have each guest bring a bottle of their favorite wine to share with the bride and friends.

Surely wedding invitations are a must have. But is the extreme cost really necessary these days? Certainly not! There's no reason why you can't make your own beautiful wedding invitations! For a very simple style you can simply purchase specialty paper at an office supply store that's made for printing your own invitations at home on your printer.

If you want something a little more elaborate, here's an idea. For a beach wedding how about a truly unique message in a bottle invitation? You can purchase bottles at thrift stores, online, or a craft store. There's no rule that says they all have to be the same type of bottle. You can feel free to mix and match. They don't have to be glass bottles either. There are many suppliers you can order clear plastic bottles from online. These will be light for mailing as well. Then buy some parchment style stationary at an office supply store, print out your invitation with an appropriate font, and roll it up! You might consider tearing the edges, and rubbing a little bit of dark colored chalk or ink on the edges for an aged look. You can also burn the edges with a lighter, just take care when doing this. Roll the paper and slip it in the bottle. If you want to dress it up a bit more you could tie some shells and raffia around the neck of the bottle. You could also put a tiny amount of sandbox sand in the bottom of the bottle with some tiny shells mixed in. To avoid loose messy sand, mix the sand and shells with some white school glue in a bowl, and spoon it into the bottle. When the glue dries, it will dry clear and the sand will be held in place.