In With The Old..

from Around Here Wedding & Event Guide 2023

We are loving some of the newer trends today's couples are embracing for their weddings. Who doesn’t love a weekday ceremony, colorful gown, low-key hair, moissanite rings, sustainable and eco-friendly decor, and a private last dance?! ‘Unconventional is the new conventional’, we always say. However, there are some oldies but goodies we think should be honored no matter what. These are timeless traditions which will, hopefully, never go out of style.

Paper is impressive. Yes, we believe in the wedding website. But the touch and feel combined with the message conveyed on the surface of beautiful paper is something that will be appreciated and can be treasured forever. From the save-the-dates and invitations to paper cones for confetti and printed menus, your style and colors shine through on each of these pieces. They help to tie everything together in a tidy and cohesive package. Take advantage of paper’s potential and try to coordinate them all so they look like they’re goin’ to the same party! In addition, since you’ll have them anyway, how about handwriting your vows as a keepsake on lovely paper. Or write a note to your beloved (parents would love this too) the night before your nuptials. Even paper flowers are a thing!

Greet each and every one of your guests. In lieu of the receiving line, many couples are opting for a more lively version. For years, couples have practiced the “meet ’n greet”, usually during dinner, when the newlyweds stroll around the reception space and stop at each guest table to say their hellos and thank yous. This needs to be brief, or you’ll be there all night!

Consider these newer alternatives:

◊ do a “speed round” with your DJ or MC keeping you moving, and your photographer capturing a group shot of you with each table,

◊ host a pre-wedding event like a backyard brunch where you can visit at a more leisurely pace,

◊ take advantage of your photo booth by making it a point to get pics with each guest at some point during the festivities.

The key is to be intentional, just like your guests were intentional about being there.

Have a hanky on hand. It’s small but mighty! Once you’re dressed, and your hair perfectly coiffed, and you’re all made up, you might not have much of a chance for the rest of the day to dab, blot, wipe or blow. Keep a tissue tucked somewhere handy and inconspicuous, like up a sleeve or in your spouse’s pocket. It’s good for perspiration and happy tears alike. Disposable is fine, but a cotton ‘kerchief is ever so much nicer. Plus, it can be an heirloom (something old) or a novel new one just for your big day. Heck, order them custom embroidered as gifts for your bridal party (with the date and a cute sentiment like ‘keep your s!*t together’). Whether it’s snarky or sentimental, you’ll be glad to have one on hand.

Make an entrance. (And an exit) It need not be grand either way. But your guests absolutely want to see you introduced, along with your wedding party, so they can connect names with faces. Everyone in attendance came to see the show and your entrance is the signal they need to know this party’s gettin’ started! You can do something as simple as the DJ/MC announcing names and relations as you all enter the reception space together. You can go all out and choreograph a dance to a specific song for each member of your party, complete with props like sunglasses and feather boas. Your DJ/ MC can get the crowd involved and make it a bit of a competition between the “sides”. Any which way, this is the cue everyone needs that you’re in the house and ready to celebrate. At the end of the night, making a planned exit is the best way to indicate to the crowd that it’s time to go. Whether you’ve arranged for an after party or you just want things to wind down, a strategic exit is fun for everyone and ensures the night ends on a high note.

Do us a favor. While there are now alternatives to the couple’s gift registry (hello honeymoon fund and charitable donations), we still believe in favors for your guests to take home with them. (We know this is a hot topic!) Just a small gesture, a token of appreciation to thank your guests for taking the time (not to mention energy and expense) to spend this day with you. But gone are the days of jordan almonds and plastic pens. Yuck! The trick to a fave favor is that it must be meaningful AND useful. Both. At the same time. Unless you were raised on an almond farm or you’re the CEO of an international pen manufacturer, you’ll need to come up with something a little sweeter (pun intended). Certainly, anything edible is useful. Now make it meaningful. For example, sample size coffee grounds of your favorite blend if y’all are regulars at the local coffee shop. Or how about a mini bottle of BBQ sauce, if you have a reputation for outdoor grilling on the weekends. Of course, you could skip the consumables and go for a keepsake instead. The little pic that pops out from your photo booth will do the trick nicely. Or a seedling that can sit on a windowsill and continue on as a reminder of a fabulous day. Also, remember that some of your “extras” can do double duty; a paper fan for keeping cool, bug spray or sunscreen, or a coaster place card can serve their purposes the day-of and beyond. Whatever little something you decide to offer, the label and wrapping will go a long way in making it meaningful. BONUS tip: Ask your coordinator to remind guests as they’re leaving to take one.

Write a note. Handwritten thank you notes will forever be the norm and a quintessential part of the wedding planning process. It is literally the least you can do to thank someone for attending and if they were kind enough to bring a gift. Just accept that this is a thing you will need to do. In fact, plan ahead for it. Make it something you’ll look forward to. When you’re selecting your stationery, back before you even send your save-the-dates, be sure to add coordinating thank you notes to your order. Also, consider a custom return address stamp or matching labels, and extra postage when you purchase these for mailing your invitations. This way, you’ll have everything you need when you receive gifts before the wedding. Send those thank yous within two weeks. For gifts you receive at the wedding, and for anyone who attended your wedding (that’s right, even if they didn’t bring a gift), send a note within three months. This shows your gratitude in a respectful and timely manner. You do NOT want to hear rumors of folks wondering if you even received their gift or if you’re ever going to say thank you. Just do it. Plus, you can use the same note cards for any gratuities to your vendors the dayof. They love a personal note from their clients! Don’t we all love a heartfelt note?

Enjoy planning your wedding! Whether you’re a DIYer or you’d rather hire, make it yours.

Melanie & Katie Best Day Ever

Officiants

John Fitch

530.906.0520

Sylvia Rubio 530.560.5203 sylvia.the.officiant

The Paperwork of Marriage

“Deputy for a Day” Officiant Program

» For CA weddings only

» Applies to One Specific Wedding

» Online Application Prior to Swearing In

Marriage

» In Person - Available by Appointment, Application Available Online

Via Mail - Available Online

Via Email/Fax - Notarized Signature is Required, Payment Through Outside Vendor

» 8am-12pm or 2pm-4:30pm

» $80 to $85

More Information Online

For more information about getting married in El Dorado County, or to apply online, please visit edcgov.us/recorderclerk.

Cameron Park

Cameron Park Community Center 530.677.2231 cameronpark.org

Cameron Park Country Club 530.350.1187 cameronparkcc.com

Camino

Apple Mountain Golf Resort 530.647.7408 applemountaingolfresort.com

High Sierra Iris & Wedding Gardens 530.642.1222 weddingsnflowers.com

Indian Rock Tree Farm 530.622.4087 indianrocktreefarm.com

Sierra Banquet Center 530.644.0345 sierrabanquestcenter.com

Silverthorn Meadows 530.621.2379 silverthornmeadows.com

The Lake at Apple Hill 877.920.0952 applehillwedding.com

Coloma

Coloma Resorts 530.621.2267 colomaresort.com

Gold Trail Grange 530.626.1194 goldtrailgrange.com

Villa Florentina 916.662.2144 villaflorentina.net

Venues

Cool

Black Oak Mountain Vineyards 530.802.0062 blackoak.cool

Diamond Springs

Mother Lode Lions Hall 530.957.9831

MotherLodeLionsHall

El Dorado

El Dorado Community Hall 530.622.9840 eldoradocommunityhall.com

Frontier Photo Studios 530.591.0138 frontierphotostudios.com

Lotus

Camp Lotus 530.391.3208 camplotus.com

Coloma Weddings at EarthTrek Expeditions 530.642.1900 colomaweddings.com

Pilot Hill

Bayley Barn 530.823.9090 gdrd.org/bayley-barn.html

Hart to Hart 530.885.9463 everhartcellars.com

Lotus View Ranch 916.417.5937 lotusviewranch.com

Placerville

American Legion Hall El Dorado Post 119 530.626.3956 legionpost119.org

Bella Vista Bed & Breakfast 530.622.3456 bellavistinc.net

Bluestone Meadow 530.621.1830 bluestonemeadow.com

Camp Nauvoo Roses and Acorns 916.207.9441 rosesandacornsweddings.com

Cold Springs Golf Club 530.622.4567 coldspringsgolf.com

Davies Family Inn 530.295.1000 thedaviesfamilyinn.com

Gold Hill Vineyard 530.626.6522 goldhillvineyard.com

Placerville Shakespeare Club 530.626.7626 placerville-shakespeare.com

Saureel Vineyard 530.409.3421 saureelvineyards.com

Sierra Vista Winery 530.622.7221 sierravistawinery.com

The White Barn at Powell Ponds powellponds.com

Wakamatsu Farm 530.621.1224 arconservancy.org

David Girard Vineyard 530.295.1833 davidgirardvineyards.com

Sequoia Mansion 530.364.5453 wedgewoodweddings.com/ sequoiamansion

Smith Flat House 530.621.1003 smithflathouse.com

Pleasant Valley

Pleasant Valley Grange 530.644.1602 pleasantvalleycommunityhall.com

Rescue

Rescue Community Center 530.677.9345 rescuecommunitycenter.com

Shingle Springs

Cielo Estate Winery 530.672.8575 cieloestate.com

Elks Lodge 1712 530.672.9120 placervilleelks.org

Lehman Barn 530.417.1000 lehmanbarn.com

Shingle Springs Community Center 530.672.7442 shinglespringscommunitycenter.org

Somerset Mediterannean Vineyards 916.230.8467 medivineyards.com

Saluti Cellars 530.957.2528 saluticellars.com

Stand Ready Ranch 916.300.0237 standreadyranch.com

The Barn at Rooster Cellars 530.303.8101 roostercellars.com

The Ranch at Stoney Creek 530.4014940 theranchatstoneycreek.com

Rehearsal restaurants