Friday, June 17, 2016

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

Call or text for a private tour!
719-357-8613

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Friday, June 3, 2016

The 411 on Wedding Flowers

The flowers you choose for your wedding will set the entire tone for the day. If you don't believe us, think about your wedding day as a whole. The chapel will, most likely, have flowers on the pews, stage, and entryway. The flowers will also make their way into nearly every photo of your wedding day since the wedding party, family and you and your soon-to-be spouse will be holding or wearing them. Your centerpieces in our event center will also, most likely be featuring a bloom or two, as well as the head table.

The floral arrangements are going to play a huge role in your big days, so it's important to take a moment to think about exactly how you want them to be. From demure and romantic to modern and sophisticated, there are many styles and colors that you'll be choosing from, and they're all important. Here are a few ways to make this easier on yourself!



Start at the Very Beginning

Your budget is the best place to start before even talking to a florist. Flowers will generally take up about 3-8% of your wedding budget, but can sometimes use more if you haven't considered all of the necessary places they'll need to be put. You will also want to know what colors you'll need for your wedding, what your wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses will look like, as well as photos of your Colorado Springs wedding venue. This will make it much easier on your florist when you ask them to give you a quote. 

Photo Credit: Bella Cakes by Thena

Find the Right Florist

It's important to find a florist who can not only help you create the look you're going for but can help you achieve that while still staying under budget. When you start looking for florists in your area, be sure to pay close attention to their portfolio, because that's where you will see what types of work they are capable of creating. If you don't know which florist to use, be sure to ask our team here at Historic Pinecrest. We have worked with many florists in the area, and we know who is not only going to provide the best service but create a quality design that you'll love to look back on. Not to mention, the florists we recommend have worked with us before, and they'll be very familiar with the layout of our building and what arrangements will be necessary, what you can get away with not including.

Possible Arrangments That You'll Need
Photo Credit: Lindsay Arlene Photography

If you don't know where to start on your floral list, here are a few suggestions. You won't need ALL of the flowers that are listed here, but it's a good place to start so you can truly visualize what you need for your big day.

Personal Flowers

  • Bride's bouquet
  • Bride's floral crown or hair flowers
  • Throw Bouquet
  • Bridesmaids Bouquets
  • Flower Girl Petals, Bouquet, or Hairpiece
  • Boutonnieres (Groom, Ushers, Ring Bearer, Fathers, Grandfathers, Minister)
  • Corsages (Bride's Mother, Groom's Mother, Grandmothers, Guestbook Attendant, Musicians)
  • Hairpieces For Any Wedding Party

Photo Credit: Stacey's Bloomers

Ceremony Flowers

  • Alter arrangement
  • Free standing arrangements
  • Candelabra
  • Pew/seating decorations
  • Aisle carpet
  • Entrance Decoration

Reception Flowers

  • Head tablepiece
  • Guest tables
  • Gift table
  • Hors d Oeuvres table
  • Arbor
  • Cake Topper
  • Cake Flowers
  • Cake Knife or Toasting Glasses

With so many decisions to make during this busy time of your life, count on the people who want to make it even easier! At Historic Pinecrest, we cannot wait to help you create the day of your dreams in our beautiful Colorado chapel. From the flowers to the catering, we can help you plan all of the details for your big day, and make it the best possible. Visit our website today to learn more about our beautiful Colorado Springs wedding venue!



A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way
Palmer Lake, CO 80133

Call or text for a private tour!
719-357-8613

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Thursday, June 2, 2016

Taking The Mystery Out of Wedding Guest Attire

Have you ever received a wedding invitation in the mail, and immediately went to Google to see what in the world that looks like? Don't worry, you're not alone. There can be many different fashion classifications for what a wedding guest should wear, and even though the bride and groom and told you what to wear, it doesn't keep you from wanting to take a picture of your outfit and text it to her, just in case. At Pinecrest Event Center we see many different wedding styles, and we're the first to tell you that no matter what you wear, the bride and groom are just glad to see you! Just in case you're feeling nervous about the wardrobe, we've got a few clues to help you out.

Farage Photography

White Tie

This is the most formal a wedding can be, and to get the picture, you're thinking of state dinners and the Oscars.

His Apparel
You will want to wear a tuxedo. This will include a long black jacket with tails, a white pique vest, and a bow tie. Black, formal shoes and even white gloves if there will be dancing.

Her Apparel
This is your chance to wear that full-length, formal ball gown! Choose a neutral color like dark brown or black. You can also wear glamorous makeup and dramatic hair and jewelry.

Black Tie

This is less formal than a white tie event, but it's still a classy event that is usually held in the evening.

His Apparel
A tuxedo, black bow tie, cummerbund and patent leather shoes.

Her Apparel
Pull that cute cocktail dress out of your closet and take it out dancing! You can also wear a long evening gown in dark or neutral colors. If you don't know about the appropriate dress length, you can feel free to ask the bride or the wedding party.

Formal Or Black Tie Optional

While this is still a classy event, it is a bit less formal than black tie, though you can wear that and look appropriate.

His Apparel
A tuxedo or formal dark suit and tie.

Her Apparel
A long dress, dressy suit, or formal cocktail-length dress. Choose dark or neutral tones like brown, gray or black.

Beach Formal

You've officially been invited to an elegant beach wedding, and this is your chance to dress to impress before you go put your swimsuit back on to take a dip in the water. Be sure to dress for the elements. Sun, sand, wind and water can do quite a number on your outfit if you aren't prepared for it.

His Apparel
A nice summer suit with a linen shirt (no tie is required), linen pants or khakis and sandals (or barefoot if specified.)

Her Apparel
A formal summer sundress at tea or knee length with flat sandal should do the trick. Your makeup and hair can be natural and every day.

Semiformal Or Dressy Casual

Before you start digging through your closet, look at the time of the event. If it's being held in the evening, you'll opt for darker colors if it's in the afternoon than you can wear lighter colors and fabrics. Either way, it's somwhere in between formal and casual.

His Apparel
A suit and tie will pair perfectly with this event. The colors and materials are dependent on the time and season of the event.

Her Apparel
A cocktail dress or a dressy skirt and top.

Casual

If you see casual on the invite that generally means that anything goes. Though you probably don't want to opt for jeans, shorts, and tank tops - unless they are mentioned on the invite. Just assume this means business casual, and you should come in the right apparel.

His Apparel
Dress pants with a button-down shirt or polo.

Her Apparel
Summer sundresses, or a skirt or pants with a nice blouse. Your hair and makeup can be natural and every day.

The Best Colorado Springs Wedding Venue

We hope that this list has taken some of the mystery out of the attire you'll need to wear at your next Colorado Springs wedding. At Historic Pinecrest, we want to not only help brides prepare for their big day, but help you know exactly what to do when planning for it as well. If you or a bride you know is still looking for a beautiful wedding venue in Colorado Springs, we would love to get in contact with you and help you find the perfect date! Visit our website to learn more about our venue and what ot expect when you get married at Historic Pinecrest!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way
Palmer Lake, CO 80133

Call or text for a private tour!
719-357-8613

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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Ways To Successfully Conquer Wedding Reception Etiquette

Receptions are the fun part of the event, and everyone looks forward to enjoying each other's company, eating delicious food, and dancing the night away. Of course, there are also some etiquette rules that can be important, and even if you think you're following them, it can be easy to miss some valuable ones. At Historic Pinecrest, we want to help you ever step of the way through your wedding planning, and help make your night go smoothly and seamlessly. Here are a few things you'll want to remember as you prepare for your Colorado Springs wedding reception.

Include the Location On the Save-The-Date Card

Whether your wedding and reception are going to be in your Colorado town, or you'll be having a destination wedding in Colorado Springs, you'll want to include the location even on your save-the-dates to ensure that your guests can start making the appropriate accommodations, and so they won't ask you 100 times where the wedding will be. You don't have to list the venue, just simply put Palmer Lake, Colorado, and it will give them some guidance.

Be Straightforward About Who's Invited

There are some lines you can't draw, like between aunts and uncles on different sides. You really need to include all or none when it comes to family, but there are other areas where you have to be very straightforward. Generally the most confusion happens with "plus ones." As a rule, couples who are married, engaged or living together get invited together, even if you haven't met their significant other. Some couples only allow dates for anyone in a relationship, while others only invite couples who have been together for a year or more. Make your own call on it, and then stick with the decision.

Hand Write Your Invitations

We realize that life is incredibly busy, especially when you're planning a wedding, but one of the best ways to add a personal touch is to hand write your invites. You don't have to hire a professional calligrapher to do this, you can just grab a bunch of your girlfriends and sit down to a fun movie while addressing them. Fun Fact: you can print your addresses in a light gray font on your envelopes and use that to trace your invites if you want them to be pretty without the hassle. It will probably help you address them more accurately and waste less envelopes as well.

When To Not Send An Invite

This may not be common knowledge, but if you've sent out the save-the-dates, and someone says that they won't be able to attend, it's important to remember to NOT send them an actual invite. This can seem confusing, but you have extended an informal invitation out to them, and by sending a formal one, it can give the appearance that you are just looking to get more gifts. 

Your reception is going to be the talk of the town, and we are just certain that everyone will have a good time, especially when you utilize proper etiquette. We can help you navigate confusing etiquette rules, and make sure that everyone has a good time. If you're ready to book your reception in our beautiful Colorado Springs event center, give us a call at 719-357-8613 today!

A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way
Palmer Lake, CO 80133

Call or text for a private tour!
719-357-8613

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Friday, May 20, 2016

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.



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

Call or text for a private tour!
719-357-8613

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Friday, May 13, 2016

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

Call or text for a private tour!
719-357-8613

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Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Our Spectacular Event Center!

Envision walking into a large room full of friends and family that you love with the person you love most by your side. They are all celebrating you and you and the vows you've made just minutes before, and now it's time to celebrate! You walk to the front of the room, climb the stairs to the stage, and take your seat next to your fabulous bridal party. The evening is full of delicious food, fun music and beautiful decor that you've been planning for months, and now the moment is finally here and you get to enjoy the party of a lifetime!

When you book your Colorado Springs wedding reception with us, these are only a few of the wonderful experiences you'll have! Our venue is perfect for your next event, whether it's a wedding, graduation party, anniversary, birthday party and more!


Our Colorado Springs Event Center

Let the festivities begin! With ample space for up to 225 guests, you will enjoy the experience of a lifetime with all your family and friends! The stage for the head table sets you apart while providing a bird’s eye view of your event. Enjoy the views from our spacious deck or relax inside, knowing our friendly, professional staff will maintain your event with the utmost care. Our digital sound system and professional DJ’s will ensure a celebration worthy of your special occasion.


Reception Inclusions

The advantage to hosting your event with us is that we don't just leave you hanging without help. Our staff is here to support you and your family in the running of your event to make it move even smoother. Here are the inclusions in our reception packages:
  • 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 -fireplace is lit with candles during warm weather
  • 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
Photo by Farage Photography
At Historic Pinecrest, we love nothing more than to provide you with an excellent reception venue in Colorado Springs. From our spacious area that holds over 200 people to the intimate feel that you'll notice just from stepping foot on our grounds. If you're ready to start planning the wedding of your dreams, give us a call today at 719-357-8613!


A Beautiful Wedding Awaits...

106 Pinecrest Way
Palmer Lake, CO 80133

Call or text for a private tour!
719-357-8613

Follow us on