Questions to Ask When Looking for a Wedding Venue

You just got engaged and now it’s time to start looking for a wedding venue. For some, this can be an extremely daunting task. There are so many elements that go into choosing a venue and you want to make sure you cover them all. Here at The Historic Pinecrest, we want to make sure you know what questions to ask when searching for the perfect wedding venue in Colorado. Before you make any final decisions, make sure you know the answers to the following questions. This list will hopefully save you a lot of stress and potential surprise charges when it’s all said and done.

The Date

• Is the venue available around the time you want to have your wedding? Some wedding venues may be seasonal or closed on certain holidays.

• Does the vendor do more than one event on the same day? If so, is it possible to rent the venue exclusively? It’s important to know if there are other events going on the same day and/or time as your wedding. If there are other events occurring, you need to guarantee yours will be private and you and your guests are receiving the service you paid for.

• Is there a discount for booking an off-season date or Sunday-Friday?

• Can the venue hold both your ceremony and the reception here? If so, how does the venue do the transition for guests? Are there separate areas for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception? 

• How many hours are included in the rental? You need to make sure you have enough time for the setup and takedown of your wedding. 

Helpful Hint: The rental time is not just for the ceremony and reception. It includes the set up as well as the cleanup. You should budget about 2 hours for set up and 1 hour for the takedown. 

Fees and Payment

• What is the rental fee and what is included? You’re entitled to know the full cost of renting a venue before signing a contract. 

• Are there any hidden costs? Some venues tack on hidden costs after you’ve signed the contract. These could include gratuity, cleaning fees, overtime fees, service charges, etc.

• Do they have a payment schedule or payment plan? What deposits are required?

• What is the cancellation/postponement policy? Some venues give you up until a certain date to make any changes without completely losing your deposit. 

Logistics

• Is the venue large enough to accommodate your entire guest list along with all the activities you are planning? 

• Does the venue work with specific vendors, do they provide catering, or does the wedding party need to provide their own vendors? Some venues don’t allow you to bring outside vendors in. You should always double check with the venue before securing your own vendors.

• Is there a weather contingency plan for outdoor spaces? Knowing that there is a backup plan incase the weather does not permit an outside ceremony, will help give you peace of mind when it comes to your big day. 

• How are people getting to your wedding? Is the venue accessible by public transportation and what are the parking options? Is there overflow parking or large areas for a bus/limo drop off? 

• What will the venue look like around the time of your wedding? Are you allowed to use your own decorations? If your wedding is near a holiday, there might be seasonal décor up and there could be restrictions as to decorations that you can and can’t use. 

If you know the right questions to ask, finding the right wedding venue doesn’t have to be a daunting task. After reading this list, hopefully you are prepared to ask the right questions. If you haven't found the perfect wedding venue for your big day, The Historic Pinecrest can help! Our beautiful wedding venue in Colorado offers an indoor and outdoor space to cater to your specific wedding needs. If you want to schedule a private tour of our venue, give us a call or text 719-357-8613 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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What to Know About Capturing Your BIG Day!

You've spent months, if not years planning this one day in your life. From the color schemes and dresses to the location and menu, there are so many details that make up one single event - but you plan every single one. The question is, how do you plan on preserving your wedding day? Here at Pinecrest, we see many brides who use several different avenues to capturing their day, so we're going to talk about the most popular!

Photography

This is one of the most common ways a couple will choose to capture their special day. You can hire a professional photographer or convince your cousin to come out and take photos. No matter who you choose, it's a wonderful way to look back and remember your day like it was yesterday. Photos have the capability of capturing emotions, feelings, colors and textures in a way that your mind won't likely store for the rest of your life.

From there, you can take your photos to a whole new level by printing them out for frames around your home, printing them on unique materials like canvas, metal or wood, or even making a book filled with all of those wonderful memories. You can even have your wedding photos preserved on blankets, ornaments, puzzles, coasters and more. The sky is the limit with ways that you can use your wedding photos later on.

Videography

Some brides and grooms choose to have a videographer there to capture their big day in an even more real way - video. While there may not be as many options to utilize video after the wedding, compared to photography, it provides a real life perspective of your day. You can hear voices, watch laughter and smiles, hear the vows you have made to your special someone, and see how much fun it was to watch grandma get out on the dance floor.

If you're looking for a good videographer in the area, we would be glad to suggest some to you as you plan your Colorado Springs wedding.

Other Avenues

There is still one other option you can take advantage of while you're capturing your big day, and that is from the guests who take photos. In a generation where social media and technology is so prevalent, unless you ask your guests not to take photos at your big day, they most likely will. Sometimes that can be a great way to get extra perspective, though! Create a hashtag for your event, make sure everyone knows about it, and then tell them to post away! This is a fun way to see their perspective, and get fun photos of individual guests that may not have made an appearance in the professional photos.

Photo Credit: Shayla Velazquez Photography

Wedding Planning Tips

Are you looking for a team who can help you achieve your wedding day dreams? We would love to help! The Historic Pinecrest has been providing brides with wonderful and beautiful days for years, and we would love to do the same for you. From our beautiful mountain chapel to the spacious event center, we are a perfect fit. Visit our website to learn more about our Colorado Springs venue, and give us a call to secure your date.

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 Formal Eating Freak-Out

You've gotten dressed for this big fancy wedding, you made it on time, you haven't tripped over your dress or shoes, and now it's time for the reception. Have you ever sat down at a reception dinner only to realize that they are eating a formal meal, and there are WAY more forks on the table than you're accustomed to? Never fear, Historic Pinecrest is here! No matter how many forks, spoons, knives and random utensils you find at your place setting, we're going to help you start decoding what they are for, and how to look like you know what you're doing through this wedding season.

Not the Napkins!

One of the first things you'll approach will be the napkin at your place setting. When you have seated yourself, you will gently take the napkin from the table, unfold it, and then lay it in your lap. If the dinner is REALLY fancy there may be a waiter who takes the napkin from the table and places it on your lap. If you need to get up, you can loosely fold the napkin, and place to the right or left of your plate, and when the meal is down you can leave the napkin semi-folded on the left side of the place setting.

Silverware, Dinnerware, and Glasses, OH MY!

When all else fails, remember that you always start from the outside and work your way in. The fork on the outside will be your salad fork, the spoon on the outside is your soup spoon. The next fork is your dinner fork, the next spoon is your teaspoon. The final fork will be your dessert fork, it will either be on the left side of your plate or occasionally above your plate depending on how the table was set. The final piece on the right side of your setting is the dinner knife, and it is not supposed to be used as your butter spreader. You should find a small bread and butter plate with a butter spreader to the upper left of your plate. If there is soup, you'll find the soup bowl on top of your dinner plate, and now, you've successfully navigated your fancy silverware!

Have you ever been halfway through a meal only to realize that you've been drinking out of someone else's glass? You're not alone, so here is a little tip to help you out: eat to your left, drink to your right. Any food dish to the left is yours, and any glass to the right is yours.

Formal Eating

The American style of eating says that you keep your knife in the right hand, fork in the left hand holding your food. After a few bite-sized pieces of food are cut, place the knife on the edge of your plate with the blades facing in. Once the pieces have been cut, you will switch your fork to the right hand (unless you're left-handed, of course).

The Continental/European style is a bit different, and while we are an event center in Colorado Springs, it's always nice to know the other way of doing things. You keep the knife in your right hand, fork in your hand, and you will continue to eat with your fork in the left hand and not switch over. If you take a drink, both utensils will be put down, not just the knife.

Preparing For a Formal Wedding Reception

We hope that you feel adequately prepared to handle the most formal of dining situations and that you enjoy the reception and food so much, the forks and knives aren't even a concern for you. Every event will be different, and many times you will find less silverware than we've discussed. At Historic Pinecrest, we look forward to hosting you at our beautiful wedding chapel in Colorado Springs, and if you are a bride looking the perfect Colorado Springs wedding venue, we would love to show you why ours is exceptional.

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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4 Reasons to Attend Our Bridal Open House

When your wedding countdown is starting to get into the 100-day mark, the excitement becomes more real than ever - but so does your to-do list. Decorations, food, accessories, timelines, and linens oh my! Hopefully, you have already secured your Colorado Springs wedding venue but if you still have so many things to do, we can help. At Historic Pinecrest, we are here to help you plan all of these never-ending details, and help make your wedding a moment to remember.

We would like to formally invite you and your future spouse, family, and friends at our Bridal Open House! This event is a perfect way to start narrowing down on details and vendors when planning your wedding. Here are some great reasons you should attend.

Explore the Venue

When you booked your Colorado Springs wedding, hopefully, you had a chance to tour the venue and see how beautiful it is in person - but if you didn't, this is your chance! You can walk through all of our facilities and see where your bridal party can get ready in the dressing rooms, pretend to walk down the aisle, and even practice your first dance in our Colorado Springs event center. If you did tour our venue when you booked your wedding, there's a chance that everything was so new, exciting, and such a whirlwind, that a second look would really help you wrap up decorations and plans for the day. This is a wonderful chance to explore our venue and fall in love with it all over again.

Meet our Staff

Chance are, you've got lots of questions that you didn't have when you first booked your wedding. From ceremony packages, details about the venue, and even just some ideas on decor or planning. We would love to take this time to talk with you and assist you with anything you may need. Our Bridal Open House is a wonderful opportunity to once again meet our staff, and learn more about the people who are so excited to help you with your wedding.

Learn About Great Vendors

We don't make this Bridal Open House just about us, we also want to make sure that you have everything you need to plan your wedding, from bakers to florists and everything in between. We invite many vendors from the area who can show you their work, and even help you get that last needed vendor checked off your list! You can expect to see anyone from photographers, DJ's, florists, bakers and more at our Bridal Open House, and they would love to answer your questions!

Test Your Decor In Our Chapel

This is one of the highlights of the Bridal Open House - you can test out your decor, or ours in our facilities! If you want to use a special aisle runner, candles or floral arrangement in your ceremony, but aren't sure that there will be room for it, now is your time bring it and find out!

The same goes for our event center as well. If you would like to test our your table arrangements, linens, and more, now is your time to do that. We also provide our linens to help make it easier to test our your decorations and table arrangements.

Fall In Love With Eachother AND This Venue All Over Again!

If you thought you were excited BEFORE the Open House, you'll be even more excited after this event. Everything begins to feel so real when you see your decorations in the chapel and walk the grounds with your future spouse. This event is a wonderful chance to experience the venue before your big day, and get all of your questions answered. Our next Bridal Open House is on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM and we would be delighted to have you. Remember that this is an event that is exclusive for couples who have already booked their event with us. If you wish to visit Historic Pinecrest, or RSVP for this event, you can call 719-357-8613 or RSVP on our website.

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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7 Tips to Host an Amazing Quinceanera

Quinceanera celebrations mark the time that a Hispanic girl becomes a woman. This important event has many cultural and religious symbolisms included throughout the ceremony and reception. In recent years, it has been merged with American culture for some families, and instead of celebrating it on the fifteenth (quince) birthday, some combine it with a sweet sixteen party. There are a lot of details to be planned out for this large celebration, and we have a few tips to help make it easier.

Set the Date

If you're following tradition, the event will be held on the girl's 15th birthday, or the Saturday closest to it. One custom is to have a mariachi band serenade the birthday girl outside of her house the night before her 15th birthday. In many cases, this event is planned one year in advance to make sure you can secure all of the vendors for the big day.

Plan the Budget

Like any event, it's important to know how much you want to spend before you start looking for vendors and planning the details. Sometimes, family members will sponsor specific details of the event, like the quinceanera dress, flowers, food, etc. Here is a quick formula to give you an idea of how much to budget for each aspect of the event:

Reception/Catering - 52%
Invitations - 3%
Dress & Accessories - 5%
Flowers - 5%
Music, live band, DJ -5-18%
Miscellaneous 5-10%

Select Your Court of Honor

The court of honor are the people who the Quinceanera chooses to be by her side through the celebration. This can be made up of  cousins and other family members, or very close friends. The court is composed of men and women, and they will generally wear fancy dresses and tuxedos.

Reserve the Perfect Colorado Springs Venue

As you go through the planning process, one of the most important details is to secure a venue. At the Historic Pinecrest, we have a beautiful Colorado mountain chapel that would be the perfect location for your quinceanera ceremony. We also have an event center that would be ideal for the reception or a ceremony/reception combo. There is a stage at the front of the event center where the ceremony can be performed, and a large dance floor where you can arrange tables and chairs for dining. The floors are hardwood, and will be ideal for the special dance program that you'll find is common in many quinceanera celebrations.

Create a Guest List

Your guest list should be composed of people who have been by your side through your formative growing up years. It can include immediate and distant relatives, friends, neighbors, church family, teachers, etc. Be sure to get the invitations sent out a few weeks in advance to help ensure that they can keep the date open for your celebration.

Work Out the Details

There are many details to be arranged when planning your quinceanera. You'll need to talk with a priest and make sure that he has that date available. You'll also need to choose your dress and accessories. For the ceremony, many families choose to have the priest bless special gifts (generally a tiara, cross, bible, and scepter), and the mother places the tiara on her daughter's head. There can also be a shoe change ceremony, where the father will change the Quinceanera's flat shoes for high heels. These are all details that you'll want to plan in advance.

Plan the Reception

This is the fun part of the evening where everyone gets to celebrate this coming of age. Generally, the court will be presented, and then the Quinceanera. There are special dances that can be reserved as well. Many times a waltz is danced with the Quinceanera and her father, then the court of honor joins them on the dance floor, followed by the Godparents. Then the rest of the guests are welcome to dance as well, and many people may take turns dancing with the Quinceanera. Finally, the toast is given and the cake is served.

Events at the Historic Pinecrest

From quinceaneras to weddings, and family reunions to company meetings, there are many wonderful events held at Historic Pinecrest, and we're excited to see what 2016 will hold. From small gatherings of 50 people to large events with 225 guests, we have the facility and accommodations to provide a good time for all. Give us a call today at 719-357-8613 to book your Colorado Springs event!

A Beautiful Colorado Event Awaits...

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Tips on How to Approach Your Wedding Guest List

As a newly engaged couple, one of the first planning details you may tackle together will be the guest list. You both sit down and make your plans for a small, intimate wedding, with no children and only plus one's if they've been together over a year. Next thing you know, your mother says that it's absolutely crucial to invite your third cousin twice removed and her three kids under ten. How are you supposed to handle these situations, and what is appropriate? Here are a few ways you can consider approaching those taboo questions when you are planning your beautiful Colorado wedding.

Start at the Beginning

Look at your budget, and realistically plan for the number of people that you can invite. There can be many factors in the number you choose for your wedding, from the size of the venue to the cost of the reception. Either way, it's important to set the number in advance, otherwise, it will be easier to make exceptions later on.

The Guest List

An easy way to create the guest list is by creating four lists: A, B, C, D. The A list will be the people you can't imagine getting married without - immediate family and your closest friends. The B list will be your aunts, uncles, cousins, high school friends you still stay in touch with, etc. Your "C" list is reserved for co-workers, your parents friends, and neighbors that you've known forever. Finally, the "D" list will be distant cousins, old friends you may have lost contact with, and your parents friends from church. As you start to hit the total number of guests, start removing the names from the "D" list.

Parental Requests

Many a bride has had her parents or future in-laws come to her asking if they could invite old friends or distant family. While it's always best to go with your gut, if you don't feel that they should be at the wedding there are several ways you can carefully say so. You can make it clear early on that you are going to be select about the people being invited to the wedding. Depending on who is funding the wedding, you may want to split the list in half or thirds - this can help your family see the total number they can invite for their side of the family. You can also reassure your mom that you'll invite her special bridge club friend after you've had a specific number of people RSVP that they can't attend.

"And Guest"

You are not required to put "and guest" on anyone's invitation, but in some cases, it's better to do so than not. If you know the couple has been together for a significant amount of time, it's appropriate to invite them both. If someone RSVP's to your wedding with a name that was not on your guest list, don't be afraid to let them know that you are trying to keep it small and cannot extend an invitation to their guest. In many cases, your guests may be relieved that they don't have to go find a "guest" to bring with them. If you have many single friends, it may be a good chance to seat them next to each other and see if one wedding really does bring on another!

Kid Friendly...or Not

While our Colorado wedding venue is great for weddings with or without kids, the decision is up to you. Whether you want absolutely no children, limited, or the whole family, be specific about your requests. If you do not want children at your wedding, don't list them on the invite. This should convey easily that it's kid free event. If you're okay with them coming you can either list their names or put "and family" on the invite so there will be no doubt that you're okay with it. Also, remember that adult children get their own invite, especially if they live on their own.

Friends from the Office

If you have a small office with only a few co-workers, it's best to invite them all and not choose 1 out of 5 to invite. If you work in a large corporation, you can probably get by with not inviting anyone or only the close co-workers that you work with on a daily basis. Use your best judgment and don't stress over it too much.

Best Wedding Venue in Colorado Springs

When in doubt about your guest list, err on the side of inclusion. Like they say - the more the merrier! Weddings at Historic Pinecrest are not only breathtaking but incredibly fun. We have three different venues for you to choose from, depending on your event and your needs. Whether you want to have a beautiful wedding in our mountain chapel, or you're planning a small weekend getaway with only your closest family and friends in our lodge - your wedding will be spectacular. Contact us today to see if your wedding date is available and get it on our calendar!

A Beautiful Colorado Wedding Awaits...

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Exciting Ways Our NEW Blog Will Help You!

Welcome to the official blog of The Historic Pinecrest! We are thrilled to be sharing our venue with you through this blog, and learn more about you as well. Our beautiful Colorado event center is nestled in the mountains where the views are breathtaking and the nature is peaceful and serene. Between our three venues and our picture perfect backdrops we know you'll make memories when you celebrate with us.

Our blog is going to be a way to connect with you, and share more detailed information about Pinecrest, as well as fun wedding planning ideas and tips. Keep reading to see what you'll find in our future blogs!

Colorado Springs Wedding Venue

We have three venues that will make a perfectly romantic space for your wedding or reception. We love to host a variety of events on our property, from weekly meetings, conferences, parties reunions and of course - weddings and receptions!

The Wedding Chapel

You'll want to say "I Do" again and again. Nestled against the foothills, the Chapel at Pinecrest is the quintessential location for a romantic mountain wedding. Ample seating, a rustic setting, and a gorgeous aisle for your grand entrance. 

The Event Center

Vaulted ceilings, hard wood floors, and space for up to 250 guests ... our stage for the head table keeps you the center of attention, while the dance floor and reception amenities will keep your guests delighted.

The Lodge

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.

Event Packages

We have a variety of packages for you to choose from, depending on your event. From sound systems to tables and chairs, we have the important and functional details that complete a wedding. Our chapel has a beautiful bridal and groomsmen dressing room - both complete with mirrors and seating. In our reception hall, we can take care of the tableware, linens, tables and chairs. You will also have the beautiful outdoor decks and porches with views of the surrounding mountains and creeks. Our Colorado Springs reception venue has a large hardwood dance floor - making for a perfect place to dance the night away and celebrate your big day!

How Our Blog Will Assist You

We will use our blog to connect with you weekly about fun events happening here at Pinecrest. We host several Bridal Open House events each year. They are exclusively for couples who have already booked their event with us. We also want to keep you updated on fun wedding decor and styles. Here are a few other topics you can expect to see on our blog:

• Trendy Decor
• Party Ideas
• Testimonials
• Family Reunion Ideas
• Details about our venues
• Wedding Trends
• Table Arrangements
• Real weddings at our venue

Pinecrest is the Best Wedding Venue in Colorado Springs

We are excited to share the beauty of Colorado with you through our blog, and the beauty of the Historic Pinecrest Event Center! Rustic beauty and elegance collide at our beautiful Colorado wedding venue. We look forward to celebrating with you as you plan your wedding, conference and parties with us. Stay tuned for next weeks blog about Christmas parties at Pinecrest!

A Beautiful Colorado Wedding Awaits...

Call or text for a private tour!

719-357-8613

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