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...

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Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

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5 Tips for Planning a Delicious Wedding Menu

You've spent months planning and arranging all of the small details of your ceremony, the types of colors you'll use, and the smallest flowers that go in your bouquet. You've probably arranged and re-arranged the centerpieces to find just the right height, color, and feel - but you're not done yet. While you've been planning all of the visual details, there's still one of the five sense that needs to be addressed and that's the sense of taste! When you ask any guest what the best part of a wedding was, you will generally either hear that they loved the food and if they didn't love it, you'll hear that too! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you're planning a fantastic wedding menu for your guests.

Guess High, Not Low

You'll want to get your guest list lined out before talking with your caterer, and then as the date gets closer you'll give him the head count based on RSVP numbers. If you feel like the total number of guests is still a little shaky, though, you will always do well to guess higher rather than lower. Running out of food is not only a little embarrassing, but it can be a lot of added stress on you as you try to scramble and figure something out.

Think About Allergies

One of the kindest things a host can do is learn about the allergies of their guests. Many people have some form of allergy, whether it's gluten, shellfish, or peanuts. Sometimes it's odd things, like not being able to eat pork, or being allergic to mustard. While you don't have to plan your entire meal around allergies, you can talk to your caterer and see if they have alternatives for people with allergies. They will certainly feel special when there's a meal just for them. If you can't swing special food, just be sure to have the names listed on the food items to help warn people.

Choose Something That Everyone Loves

While you can have a meal full of rare delicacies at your wedding (and we certainly recommend doing whatever is special for you and your soon-to-be-spouse) sometimes it's also thoughtful to think of the majority of people who will be eating your wedding dishes. That's not to say you have to opt for burgers and mac & cheese, but you can always have some options in your menu that are familiar. If you're featuring a special Chinese dish that was passed down from your great-great-grandmother, you can also follow up with something familiar like cashew chicken!

Think About the Timeline

Happy guests are no hungry guests. Will you be taking photos of your wedding party and family after the ceremony and before the reception? Think about planning a small cocktail hour! Feature a fun beverage that is especially mixed for your wedding, and then include delicious appetizers. You don't have to provide so many that they get filled up before dinner, but enough that they'll be able to wait until it's time. You can also plan fun games, scavenger hunts, or bring out the DJ to keep them entertained.

Don't Be Afraid to Splurge

When you plan out your budget, don't be afraid to leave plenty of room for amazing food. While people will appreciate your decorations, it won't be a priority in their memories - and you can make a little go a long way! If your guests got to choose between beautiful hand drawn invitations and envelopes, or an amazing spread of food, we're pretty sure they would choose the food! This is your special day, and you should be able to make it everything you've ever wanted, but also remember that it's a party, and every good party needs a good spread.

Weddings in Colorado Springs

If you've just gotten engaged and you haven't chosen your wedding venue, consider scheduling your date with us! If you're looking for a wedding venue in Colorado Springs with charm, sophistication, and a really great team to work with, you've found it. We would be honored to help you plan your big day, and make it everything you've ever dreamt of. Let us help you plan your beautiful Colorado Springs wedding!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

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719-357-8613

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Repurposing The Pieces of Your Wedding

There comes a day after months of planning, that a bride and groom will say "I do," party the night away, get whisked off to a fairytale honeymoon, and then come back home. Now you get to relive all of those wonderful moments again and again through photos, videos, and all of the details that you now have stacked in your home that were once decorations.

While we have loved planning every minute of your wedding with you at the best wedding venue in Colorado Springs, we know the planning doesn't stop here! Now you need to figure out how to preserve your wedding dress, and then decide what you'll do with all of the extra pieces of your wedding. From your bouquet to the wedding invites, there are ways you can repurpose all of these! Check out these great ways to remember your wedding long after the day has passed.

Wedding Dress

Photo Credit: Floral Keepsakes

We'll start with the forerunner and highlight of your wedding day - the dress. There are many creative ways that women are preserving the wedding dresses nowadays, aside from putting it in a box under the bed. There are also many ways to do it so that you don't have to do any harm to it, and you can save it for your daughter someday if she would like it. Here are a few of the unique and beautiful ways people are preserving their dresses.

• Creating a shadowbox to display their dress
• Making a hair comb from the lace to give each of your daughters
• Turning the pieces into a necklace or putting it in a locket
• Doing photos with your daughter wearing the dress
• Make a christening gown for your daughter
• Do a fun Trash the Dress photo shoot (Are you brave enough?)
• Have the pieces made into a teddy bear
• Create Christmas ornaments, a wreath, or a stocking from it

Bridal Bouquet

Photo Credit: DFI Designs

This is something you'll want to think about before the wedding because if you'll have fresh flowers in your bouquet, you'll want to preserve it properly. If you want to dry the flowers, you'll need to make sure and hang the bouquet upside down before you leave for your honeymoon. This will ensure that the flowers dry in the right position without getting droopy. Are you looking for some unique ways to preserve your bouquet? Try these!

• Make an ornament from the petals or flowers
• Commission an artist to paint a unique photo of your flowers if you don't want to save the petals
• Arrange the flowers in the shape of your new initial for a shadow box
• Have the flowers preserved into a tall candle
• Press the petals and arrange them into a frame
• Include your bouquet into the shadow box with your dress

Print Pieces

Photo Credit: Something Turquoise

There will be many different things you create for your wedding when it comes to print pieces. The save the dates, invitations, programs, thank yous, custom napkins, custom stamps, and more! With all of these pieces being created specifically for your wedding, it would be nice to find a way to preserve them instead of tossing them into a box to be saved for later. Try using some of these ideas:

• Including them in a scrapbook with your wedding photos
• Arranging them in a pretty frame with a wedding photo
• Shredding them and putting them in a clear ornament
• Cut hearts or other shapes out of the leftover invitations and glue them into a frame
• 
  

Creating a Beautiful Wedding in Colorado Springs

If you are still in the planning phase of your wedding, The Historic Pinecrest would love to assist you! Our beautiful Colorado Springs event center is a beautiful place to make all of your dreams come true. We're romantically situated at the base of Mt. Chautauqua, where the views are breathtaking and the weather is beautiful. If you would like to visit our mountain chapel in Colorado Springs, visit our website and schedule a private tour!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

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719-357-8613

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Take a Tour of Our Beautiful Lodge

Imagine waking up on the morning of your big day surrounding not only by incredible mountain views but in a beautiful lodge surrounded by the family and friends who mean so much to you. When you celebrate your wedding weekend at Historic Pinecrest, we have many amenities that will help make your wedding even more special, and one of them is the Lodge. Our Colorado Springs venue is beautiful, and the lodge adds to that beauty even more. Here are a few reasons we're sure you will love this aspect of our property.

The Lodge at Pinecrest

With accommodations for up to 20 guests, the lodge is the perfect place to bring everyone together. The Lodge features 9 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, a full-service kitchen and high-speed Wi-Fi access. Additionally, the Lodge offers dining facilities for up to 50 people and is the perfect setting to host your intimate reception or event.

Great Ways to Use The Lodge

Our lodge provides a great place for family and friends to stay if they're coming from out of town. It can also be a fun way to keep your wedding party together throughout the festivities, and can be a lot simpler than finding a hotel. Our lodge is perfect for any type of event, though, it doesn't just have to be weddings! Here are a few other events that would really benefit from our Colorado Springs Lodge!

• Family Reunions
• Bachelor or Bachelorette Parties
• Girls Getaway Weekends
• Conferences
• Vendor Events
• Family Vacations
• Birthday Parties & More!

Virtual Tour

From the large gathering rooms on both floors to the nine bedrooms and a full-service kitchen, we're sure that our lodge will be the perfect place for you and your friends and family to kick back and enjoy a fun and exciting wedding weekend. Here is a short video you can watch to learn more about our lodge and what to expect when you come stay here.

Host Your Event at the Best Wedding Venue in Colorado Springs

If you want to keep your family, friends, and wedding party together to enjoy the festivities, our lodge is the perfect place to plan for. From our gorgeous wedding chapel in Colorado Springs to our spacious event center where can get party with everyone you know, we are certain you and your fiance will find our venue to be ideal for your special day. If you're interested in taking a tour of our facility, meeting our staff, and learning about all of the possibilities, visit our website, or give us a call at 719-357-8613. When you schedule your event, we also provide a Bridal Open House where you can meet vendors, test out the decorations, and get a good feel for how your day will feel when it gets closer. Book your wedding today!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

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719-357-8613

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Last Minute Graduation Party Planning Tips!

You thought you had months, and next thing you know, your baby is graduating, and you have to plan the party ASAP. Never fear, because Historic Pinecrest is here! At Historic Pinecrest, we can help you host wonderful events, from weddings to graduations, and our Colorado Springs event center is perfect for any number of guests. With a few easy steps and tips, you can put together a wonderful celebration that will look like it took months, and you can celebrate your child's big accomplishments.

Plan Your Menu

If you're in a crunch, save yourself some time and outsource the food for your event, and outsource as much as possible. From the appetizers to the cake, find some wonderful vendors in the area and find out if they will have time to put something together before your event. Sometimes, we feel pressured to throw an event that is "Pinterest worthy," but really, the whole event is about celebrating the new stage of life that your child is entering, and no one will notice if you didn't slave over the custom graduation cap appetizers.

Choose an Event Venue

If you are wanting to save yourself some added stress, you can find a venue to host your event so that you won't have to get your home "company clean." At Historic Pinecrest, we have a large event center, as well as a smaller lodge where you can gather with close friends and family to celebrate this great time of your child's life. If you wait too long, you may have to be flexible on the date and time of your event, but your best bet will be choosing an evening in the middle of the week. Fewer events are scheduled at this time, so you won't have as much competition.

Get Party Decorations

This step doesn't have to be intimidating. Choose one large statement piece, and then fill in with items of interest. You can use a large photo of your child, you can use a map with a pin in the place where they'll be attending college or even a large collage of photos of them throughout the year. You can fill in with easy pieces that you can pick up at your local party planning store, like tassels, caps, 2016 paraphernalia, and even awards and photos from your child's high school career.

Grab Some Fun Games

Every party needs some fun entertainment! If you have any of your child's favorite board or card games you can spread those around the area so that people can sit down and enjoy themselves. If it's going to be a beautiful day, you can put some fun outdoor games on our porch, or around the grass. Think of games like the bean bag toss game, giant Jenga, or even Twister!

Take the Stress Away with the Best Event Venue in Colorado Springs

At Historic Pinecrest, we realize how busy life can get, and before you know it you need you throw a fun graduation bash. Our Colorado Springs venue is perfect for any size gathering, and we look forward to helping you and your family gather together over such a fun celebration! Give us a call at 719-357-8613 today to learn what dates you can schedule your Colorado Springs graduation party.

A Beautiful PartyAwaits...

106 Pinecrest Way

Palmer Lake, CO 80133

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

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719-357-8613

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5 Reasons Why You Should Host Your Family Reunion Away From Home

Family reunions are a wonderful time to get together with the people who mean so much to you. As life gets busy, we don't always get to catch up with family members as much as we would like, but a reunion gives us that opportunity to stop time and enjoy each others company for a while. At Historic Pinecrest, our Lodge makes for a perfect venue to host your family reunions in Colorado Springs. Here are a few reasons why you should consider hosting the reunion away from home.

You Don't Put Pressure On One Family Member

There can be a lot of details that go into planning a family reunion, and if you're the one hosting it, there are added pressures. Not only do you feel like your house has to be clean when everyone arrives, but you'll constantly feel the need to continue cleaning throughout the event. When you host your family reunion at Historic Pinecrest, we can help take the pressure off one person having to prepare, by having it all prepped for you! Our Lodge has nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, a full-service kitchen and high-speed wi-fi access. It's like being at home, without the need to constantly keep it organized!

It's a Reunion and Vacation in One!

A family reunion in Colorado is more than just a reunion - it's a vacation! You have access to all of the fun adventures that Colorado Springs offers, as well as dining and entertainment. You can opt to do these activities as a group, or you can all split off and do them separately. No matter what season you plan your reunion for, we're certain that you'll find an adventure that is perfect for you.

You Can Choose a Central Location

If your family is spread out over the country, it can be helpful to choose a location that is centrally located. Colorado Springs is within easy traveling distance, and we have a regional airport that will make flying in a breeze.

Enjoy a Change of Scenery

If your family does all live in the same area, sometimes a change of scenery is just what you need. Colorado boasts of majestic mountain views, activities that you may not be able to enjoy in your own hometown, and of course, our beautiful Historic Pinecrest lodge. You'll be surrounded by natural beauty all around, and maybe even get to catch sight of our wildlife!

No Cleanup Necessary!

One of the best reasons to host your family reunion away from home is that you don't have to deal with the clean up. If you host a large event at your home, I'm sure you know how trashed it can be afterwards. Sometimes you need a vacation to recover from your vacation! When you host your event with us we will take care of this detail for you, and you get to enjoy time with family and then go home to rest and recuperate!

Family Reunions in Colorado Springs

Our Lodge is the perfect combination of rustic and homey. There is plenty of space, and two levels with large rooms to gather and have fun. While Pinecrest is typically thought of as a fantastic wedding venue in Colorado Springs, we also have facilities that are perfect for many different events. Give us a call today at 719-357-8613 to book your next Colorado Springs event!

A Beautiful Family Reunion Awaits...

www.PinecrestEventCenter.com

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Plan the PERFECT Wedding Menu

There are many details about your wedding that your guests will remember. From the beautiful colors and dresses to the fun music at the reception. One thing I think we can all agree on, though, is that guests will remember the food you serve. You can splurge and create a 5-course menu with steak and lobster, or you can make it more casual with your favorite finger foods. No matter what your menu preference, here are a few tips that will make your Colorado Springs wedding reception perfect!

Nail Down a Budget

While you may want to get to the exciting part first and start planning the menu, starting with the budget is pretty important. Every decision you make will impact the total cost of your wedding, from the style of serving, to the number of guests, appetizers, cocktail hour, and more. Determine ahead of time what you can afford, and work within the boundaries to create a delicious menu.

Consider Dietary Restrictions and Allergies

As the hostess of your wedding, it's important to consider any dietary needs of your guests. You don't need to plan your entire meal around the few people who may be allergic to shellfish or gluten. Yet you can make alterations to the menu and talk to your caterer about having a few plates that are compliant to their needs. You can ask your guests to RSVP with any dietary needs so that you know ahead of time and aren't surprised the day of.

Select a Style

By selecting a dining style, you can make the event more fun for everyone. If you choose a delicious dinner, and you want it to be the focus of the night, you may want to opt for a sit-down meal. If you know that your friends and family will be itching to hit the dance floor, and the DJ is your main focus at the event, you could choose appetizers and finger foods. By choosing the style of your reception, you can make the menu even easier to nail down.

Add Your Personal Touch

Tell your love story through food! You can make this aspect memorable to everyone when you serve the latte that you ordered on your first date or the scones that he 'tried' to make for your birthday. If you and your fiancé always drink specific soft drinks, you can serve them or toast your marriage with them! Get creative and use the menu to show the unique side of your relationship.

Use Local and Seasonal Items

You can rely on your caterer to help you select items for your menu that are not only easy for to obtain during that time of year, but also the location of your event. While a bright garden salad may be delicious, it could be hard to find the freshest ingredients in the middle of winter. You could go an easier route for the season by choosing a pasta dish, or a savory soup.

Create a Presentation

Choose a caterer who is just as concerned about the taste as the appearance of the meal. If you are getting married in the fall, and will be serving a pumpkin soup, you can make tureens out of hollowed out pumpkins! If you'll be serving coconut shrimp, you can garnish it with a tropical flower. If your Colorado wedding is rustic, you can use small tree stumps to display platters of delicious desserts or appetizers.

Be Generous

If you've worked this hard on planning a delicious menu, don't skimp on the portions. Your guests have been generous in their giving gifts for your marriage, and they may have traveled a long way to share this day with you. Thank them by providing plenty of delicious food to enjoy.

Colorado Springs Reception Venue

While you are busy planning every detail of your reception, don't forget to book the best event venue in Colorado Springs! Our team is available to you throughout the entire planning process to answer your questions and help make your day amazing. Call or text 719-357-8613 today to get more information and find out if your wedding date is available!

A Beautiful Colorado Wedding Awaits...

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Host YOUR Next Event at Pinecrest Event Center

Let the festivities begin in the beautiful Pinecrest Event Center! Our Colorado Event Venue is perfect for any variety of celebrations you can imagine, from an exquisite wedding reception to large meeting room. Our event center can be personalized for any group size, large or small. With our beautiful venue, breathtaking location, and the assistance of our amazing staff, you will have an excellent event here!

When you first enter our event center, you'll notice the beautiful stage at the head of the room is an ideal location for a head table at weddings or a speaking platform for meetings and gatherings. This room features beautiful hardwood floors, making it ideal for dance workshops while also creating a warm coziness that is perfect for Holiday parties and reunions. No matter where you look, you'll find the beautiful Colorado scenery. There is a spacious outdoor deck where you can enjoy the gorgeous Colorado views, and on the inside, there is a large fireplace that we can keep lit in the winter and full of candles in the summer.

What to Expect at the Pinecrest Event Center 

When you book an event with us, you will receive many inclusions that will make your event perfect. Our beautiful Colorado Springs Event Center holds up to 225 people, and all of our packages include unlimited phone, email, and texting support. You will also receive direct access to the owners, and you can schedule private tours of our facilities throughout the week. When you first set foot on the Pinecrest Property you'll see how beautiful it is, but the beauty is magnified by our wonderful and professional staff, who work hard to help you host an amazing event.

Our event center packages include the necessities that make your event perfect, from weddings to concerts, we've got you covered!

• All dining, head table and gift table setup
• Tables (seat 6-7 guests) and cushioned chairs
• Wide variety of colored table linens & napkins to select from
• Bone white china dinner plates and cake plates
• Silverware: knives, forks and spoons
• Coffee cups and water goblets
• Use of outdoor decks and porches with views of surrounding mountains, creek and occasional wildlife; deer, bear, coyote and fox
• Cake table with lit décor
• Event manager to assist your caterer to cut wedding cake
• Use of fireplace, firewood and tending, if desired in cold weather. The fireplace is lit with candles during warm weather to create a perfect ambiance.
• Hardwood dance floor
• Digital sound system with mixing board to provide the entertainment to MC your reception (if using a Pinecrest preferred DJ)
• Pinecrest staff will perform all clean-up and tear-down at the end of the event time

Types of Events for our Colorado Event Center

At first glance, our event center may appear to be just for weddings, but there are SO many other fantastic celebrations you can enjoy here! These are just a few ways you can enjoy our event center:

Holiday Parties
Concerts
Sweet Sixteen Parties
Ballroom and Swing Dance Classes
Meetings and Lectures
Anniversary Parties
Weekly Morning Coffee Meetings
Bar mitzvahs and Bah mitzvahs
Quinceanera Celebrations
Family Reunions
Weekly clubs, for Adults or Youth
Graduation Parties
Benefit Dinners
Crafting Clubs (Quilting, Scrapbooking, etc.)
And More!

Best Event Venue in Colorado Springs

The possibilities are endless, and your event can be made fabulous when you host with us.  Give us a call at 719-357-8613 and book your dates today. Let our team help you plan an event in Colorado Springs that your friends and family will be talking about for years to come.

A Beautiful Colorado Wedding Awaits...

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