Caring For Your Engagement Ring

It's finally happened! You've been asked the question you've always dreamed about, and now it's time to celebrate! Of course, let's not forget the other important detail - your engagement ring. You've probably wondered what it would look like since you were a little girl, and now you finally have that glittery rock on your finger. Aside from the obvious planning that would include booking your Colorado Springs wedding venue, and buying your wedding gown, did you know there are some important things to do to keep your ring safe? Check out these do's and don'ts for taking care of your new engagement ring.

Purchase Insurance

Not only has your fiance put a lot of effort into choosing your engagement ring - they have likely put a lot of money down as well. Make sure you take the necessary steps to getting your engagement ring insured. There are several ways to go about getting your engagement ring insured, some can be as easy as including it on your home or renters insurance. You also want to be sure and get your ring appraised every five years. The cost of materials in precious gems and metals fluctuates, and if something happens, it would be a shame to base the value off of 10 or 20 years ago.

Keep Your Ring On

While it may be tempting to take your ring off while you're washing your hands, the chance for something bad to happen is too great. Not only could it accidentally get left on the side of the sink, but it could even fall down the drain.

Clean Your Ring Regularly

Rumor says that Elizabeth Taylor recommended cleaning your gems (like her 33.19 karat Krupp diamond ring) with warm water, a toothbrush, and gin - but there are some other alternatives available as well. Maybe jewelry stores, especially the one your ring came from, will let you bring your jewelry back in for a steam cleaning.

Beware of Harsh Chemicals and Wear and Tear

If you're going to be using harsh chemicals, it's important to take your ring off and put it in a safe place. Certain chemicals like bleach can damage the finish - and some porous gems, like emeralds, can actually be harmed by it. While diamonds are also known as the world's hardest natural material, that doesn't mean you need to test it out by banging your diamond on hard surfaces.

Maintain Your Maintenance Appointments

Many jewelers require that you keep up with scheduled maintenance in order to keep the warranty on your ring. Put the appointments in your phone and don't forget to keep them. In many cases, it's just a quick trip in to have them check the prongs around your diamonds. Then they'll clean it and it will be back on your finger in no time!

Love Your Ring

Finally, always remember that your ring is a symbol of the love and admiration you and your beloved share together. While there will be many people after you who get engagement rings, and many brides before you who may have larger ones, try not to get envious of them. Your ring was bought specifically for you in mind - which makes it better than all of the others!

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage!

It's time to schedule your wedding bells and start planning your special day! At the Historic Pinecrest, we want to assist you with your planning and show you from start to finish how fun and easy your wedding day can be. From small wedding parties to large affairs - our wedding venue in Colorado Springs is perfect for any size. Visit our website to learn more about our wedding packages in Colorado Springs, or give us a call at 719-357-8613 to schedule your private tour today!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Weddings are surrounded by tradition and etiquette that can be hard to remember and maybe not even well known. From the way you plan your wedding to the music you use or the vows you say - tradition is part of what makes wedding planning complicated. Of course, in this modern era, many brides are tossing tradition out of the window and opting for weddings that are unique to the couple. One of the aspects of wedding planning that still revolves around tradition is the wedding invitations. The way they are created down to the way they are sent has been based on tradition, do you know anything about the tradition and etiquette surrounding your wedding invitations?

The History of Wedding Invitations

Did you know that many practices surrounding wedding invitations can date back to the 1600's? Before a printing press was invented (and because many people could not read) the town crier would announce your wedding to the public, and anyone who heard it was welcome to attend - supposing there wasn't a feud between the families. Once modern practices began to flood the area, the invitations could be printed in the newspaper for others to see. Does this sound familiar? A bride and groom can still announce their engagement or wedding in the local newspaper.

Did you ever wonder why there is a piece of tissue in some wedding invitations? In the past, the ink on the wedding invitations wasn't completely dry, and the tissue paper helped keep the ink in place.

What about the double envelope? While it's true that the outer envelope could get dirty, is there really a need to have a "pretty" envelope inside? Before the twentieth century, the postal service wasn't very reliable and certainly didn't keep the mail in good condition. Addresses weren't always accurate or use as well, so the outer envelope served a few purpose. First, you could put the detailed directions to someone's home, think "turn left at the crooked tree, and go straight until you get to the big rock." The second purpose of the outer envelope was because the invitation was handed directly to the butler, and the outer envelope was discarded and a pristine envelope was then handed to the lady of the house.

Not all of the traditions may seem practical for the modern wedding, while other's could still make sense for your wedding. Thankfully, modern weddings don't require you to follow traditions to the T.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette

There are a few main things to include on your wedding invitations. Be sure to include the who, when, and where on your wedding invitations. If you want to be helpful, you can include the attire requested, a map to your Colorado Springs wedding venue, accommodation details, and any activities that you may have planned.

Invitation Timing

Save the Dates: Plan to send these six to eight months in advance.
Invitations: Six to eight weeks in advance.
Invitations for Destination Weddings: Three months in advance.

 Appropriate Addressing

• This can be the simplest and hardest part of your invitation. Each envelope will be addressed individually, and you have to pay careful attention to the spelling of names, addresses, and handwriting (if you are addressing them by hand). Here are a few things to be aware of while addressing the envelopes:
• Guests names should be written out completely with the appropriate social titles like Mr. or Mrs.
• Spell out all words in the address and spell out the house numbers less than twenty.
• The return address traditionally goes on the back flap, and in many cases is still handwritten, though you can get some fun return address labels to match your invites.
• Remember that responses are generally sent back to your return address. If you want your RSVP's sent somewhere else, remember to specify.

Colorado Springs Weddings

Your wedding invitations are one of the first details your guests will get from your wedding, and it requires as much care as you would put on decorations or menu choices. Take time to show your love in the details and make the invitations special and sentimental. You don't have to stick to the traditional invitations, though! There are many fun ways to invite your guests to your Colorado Springs wedding.

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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Who Should You Invite to Different Wedding Events?

From all of the showers, parties, and then the actual wedding - you will be sending out a lot of invites for a lot of different events. How are you supposed to know exactly who you invite to different events? At The Historic Pinecrest, we want to help take some of the stress off of your plate by giving you some ideas of how you can plan all of your guest lists.

The Bridal Shower

This is a fun event that is planned to celebrate your upcoming wedding! While it's commonly an event for women, many brides are making it a co-ed event to celebrate with everyone. Some brides have many different showers, as well, depending on different circumstances and even different locations if your spouse's family lives in a different state. Here are the categories of people you'll invite to your Bridal Shower:

• Bridal Party
• Family
• Friends

The Bachelorette Party

Get ready for some fun with your girls! The bachelorette party is a chance to get out and have a good time. Put the stress of wedding planning behind you, and enjoy a night out with a few of the close people in your life. From sleepovers at home to hopping on a plane and hitting the town -  there are many styles for your bachelorette party. Who should you invite to this fun event?

• Bridal Party
• Close Family Members
• Friends

The Wedding

It's time to celebrate! You've been working long hours to plan your Colorado Springs wedding and now it's time to enjoy yourself. Surround yourself with people who have meant so much to you and your new spouse along the journey of life and have a great time. If you don't know who to invite to your wedding, here is a good guideline:

• Family
• Friends
• Other (acquaintances, co-workers, friends of your parents, etc)

Post-Wedding Brunch

Are you planning a brunch after your wedding? Many newlyweds choose to do this after their wedding day, but before they head off on their honeymoon. This does not have to be a large affair with a lot of people, and if you're staying in our Lodge, it's the perfect size for this event. If you don't know who to invite, keep these people in mind:

• Wedding Party
• Family
• Out of Town Guests

Planning a Wedding in Colorado Springs

This is going to be one of the best days of your life, and it will be made even better when you are surrounded by all of the people who have made life so special. At the Historic Pinecrest, we can't wait to celebrate your day with you and help you make it everything you've always dreamt of. Our entire team is here to help you throw a successful event at our wedding venue in Colorado Springs. Visit our website to learn more about our venue and how you can reserve your date today!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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The Best Event Center in Colorado Springs

When planning your wedding, having the best venue in Colorado Springs is what can make or break your event. Working with vendors who work with you, helping you to create your dream wedding is what can help you have a beautiful and amazing day. Here at The Historic Pinecrest, we know that it takes a lot of work and planning to achieve your dream wedding day, and we're in it for the long haul to help you. Here are a few reasons you will love working with us and having your wedding in our event center in Colorado Springs.

Plenty of Space

Our venue event center is a great place to host your wedding or any other event because we have so much space. Our large open floor plan allows you to get out and bust a move on the dance floor or set up tables and chairs for an amazing dining experience. You can let the festivities begin with ample space because our venue can hold up to 225 guests. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with all of your family and friends.

A Room With A View

The Historic Pinecrest event center is ideal for any event because we have a stage at the front of the room. You can place your head tables on the stage and have a great view of your guests, or you can utilize this staging area for many different types of events. Are you hosting a speaking event? Our venue is ideal for the large stage at the front and plenty of room to place chairs side by side conference style. Do you have a private school or homeschool group that needs to host a graduation? Our venue is perfect for that as well! Make use of our stage for many different types of events!

Perfect For Any Season or Decor

While our event center has a distinct rustic decor, it can be styled in any way, shape, or form. We have had many brides with many different styles come in and make this space their own through table decor, lights, and props. If you've booked your wedding with us, we would love to invite you to a Bridal Open House anytime between now and your wedding. We host them once a month, and not only is this a great time to meet some of our amazing vendors around the area, you can also bring many of your decorations and see how they would look at our venue. You can take measurements and really start to see your big day unfold!

Many Amenities

When you book your event at our event center in Colorado Springs you will always get unlimited phone, email, and texting support, with access to communicating directly with our owners, Jess and Maria. You can get private tours of our facilities that you can schedule throughout the week as well. You can also get all dining, head table, and gift tables set up - you have enough to worry about with all of your planning, we've got this for you! We also provide tables and cushioned chairs, and a wide variety of colored table linens and napkins to select from. We have bone white china dinner plates and cake plates, silverware, coffee cups and water goblets as well.

Take your party outdoors when the weather is nice with the use of our outdoor decks and porches. You can enjoy the views of surrounding mountains, creek, and occasional wildlife like deer, bear, coyote, and fox.

We also provide an event manager to assist your caterer to cut your wedding cake and a digital sound system with mixing board to provide the entertainment to MC your reception. Finally, our staff performs the clean-up and tear-down at the end of the event, so you don't have to worry about it!

Plan Your Event Today!

Are you ready to start your wedding planning process by booking your wedding venue? It's never too early to book your date! As brides all around the country are planning their 2017 weddings and securing their dates with all of their vendors. Create your dream wedding by getting started today!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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Anniversary Gifts That Make a Statement

After a couple gets married, it's time to start counting anniversaries! Of course, now you have to decide what to give each other to celebrate this momentous occasion. Did you know that there are certain types of gifts you can give each other to make the selection easier to choose from? Here at the Historic Pinecrest, we want to help you even after you have celebrated your big day with us, so we have a few ideas to make your anniversary momentous.

Where Did Traditional Gifts Come From?

The history is a little spotty, but as best as can be figured out, these traditions came from the United Kingdom in the 1800's. Anniversary parties were elaborate and fun affairs, along with the gifts that accompanied them. Eventually, these traditions came over to America and took on a life of their own. A modern gift list was created, but it doesn't allow for as much flexibility in gift choices, so we're going to give you some creative ideas based off of the traditional gift list!

1st - Paper
While paper doesn't sound exciting, it does allow for creativity! You could give your sweetheart personalized stationary with their *still* new name on it!

2nd - Cotton
Fun socks or matching couple shirts can be made out of cotton, and are a bit more exciting than a cotton plant. You could even go out and enjoy some cotton candy!

3rd - Leather
Nothing says "I Love You" like a brand new leather jacket, right? Or maybe you could keep it a little more simple and get leather gloves, a leather wallet, or a suitcase to commemorate the way you'll "travel through life."

4th - Linen or Silk
You could get new linens for your table to help add finesse to your home. Or you could get something silk! We're pretty sure we don't need to give you any ideas ;).

5th - Wood
Whether you have a rustic style or not, wood can be as romantic as you want. You could go big and get a large carved sign for your front yard with your last name on it, or you could buy a new dining room table.

6th - Iron
If you and your spouse like to cook, invest in some nice cast iron pans. You could also get an iron bench to sit on and admire the beautiful sunsets.

7th - Wool or Copper
Wool blankets to cuddle up under during the winter are a romantic way to show you care. You could also look for a copper penny from the year of your wedding and have it framed as a simple way to show you care.

8th - Bronze
Are you looking for a special gift for him? Bronze cufflinks would make a great statement. You could also invest in some beautiful bronze statues or wall art for your home.

9th - Pottery or China

After nine years of marriage, maybe it's time to up your table setting game by investing in a beautiful china set. If that's not your style, you could go make pottery together as a date and a gift!

10th - Tin or Aluminum
You may have to think outside the box on this one, but there are still some sentimental gifts to choose from. You could make mix and match art out of pieces of license plates to create your anniversary date. There are also some beautiful aluminum jewelry pieces to choose from.

11th - Steel
We may be stretching it a little, but stainless steel appliances are practical, and maybe even a little romantic. Otherwise, you could get new silverware for fancy dining, or even new cookware. I mean, you have been cooking with it for eleven whole years!

12th - Silk
I'm pretty sure we went over this for year four, but there are some great ideas out there for gifting silk to your significant other. Silk scarves and neckties are a fun way to incorporate the material into your anniversary.

13th - Lace
Lace is such a trendy material now that you shouldn't have any trouble finding something made out of it. From lace, accessories to lace curtains, pillows, or clothes. In many cases, you'll find lace accenting other materials.

14th - Ivory (now banned)
Ivory is now a banned material, but you can still find imitation, or find items that used to be made from ivory. Piano keys come to mind if you and your spouse love music - a piano is a beautiful piece for a home.

15th - Crystal
Crystal dishes are a beautiful gift and something that you'll cherish forever and maybe even pass down to your children. Crystal glasses are also a way to celebrate your fifteen years together with a toast!

20th - China

If you have never splurged on new china, now is a fun time to do it. As your children are getting older you don't have to worry about them getting broken or you could save it for the holidays when family comes over.

25th - Silver
Silver coins, silver bracelets, jewelry and more are all great ways to commemorate your love for each other.

For the 30th through the 75th wedding anniversary, you will notice that they are all jewelry related, from pearl and coral to gold and diamonds. After this many years of marriage, you can treat yourself to some beautiful pieces that celebrate your love for each other.

30th - Pearl
35th - Coral
40th - Ruby
45th - Sapphire
50th - Gold
55th - Emerald
60th - Diamond
75th  - Diamonds, Gold

Happy Anniversary From Historic Pinecrest

At the Historic Pinecrest, we are elated to celebrate your wedding day with you, but also your anniversary as well! If you are just in the planning stages of your wedding, we would be honored to help you throw the most beautiful wedding in Colorado Springs. If you have been married for many years and want to celebrate with an anniversary party, we can help with that as well. We have a beautiful venue in Colorado Springs and would be honored to celebrate with you.

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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