How To Organize Your Wedding

Are you recently engaged? You may start to feel the pressure of planning your wedding - but don't worry - we're here for you! Since Wednesday, April 26th is Get Organized Day, we've dedicated this week's blog to just that - getting your wedding plans organized. From our breath-taking chapel to our large event center, our venue in Colorado Springs offers a great place for your big day. If you're starting to feel overwhelmed, when planning your Colorado Springs wedding, take a look at our tips, provided below.

Make a List

To start, make a checklist of decisions that need to be made, as well as other tasks that should be accomplished, before the big day. You can get some great wedding planning ideas on Pinterest! There are also a number of time frame lists that can be found, to help with your checksheet of tasks. This list can help you stay on track, for what you need to do, at what time you need to do it.

Divide & Conquer

Once you have your checklist made up, it's time to take action! Divide your list into a time frame, to get a good idea of what needs to be complete by what time, depending on how far out your wedding day is. Recruit reinforcement to help you accomplish your upcoming tasks. Whether it's help the day of the wedding or a craft session with friends beforehand, to get your decor made, your friends and family will be eager to help you prepare for your big day.

Stick to Your Schedule

Once you've nailed down a schedule of when certain tasks should be completed by, try to stick to that closely. This can help avoid a pile-up of items that need to be completed, at the last minute. Your schedule should allow adequate time for all tasks to be accomplished, to help reduce your stress level, as your big day approaches.

Stay Organized

As the theme of this blog, organization is key, when planning a wedding. From making decisions about your big day to orchestrating your bridal party to making it all flow smoothly on the day of, staying organized can help a TON! Having your plans organized can also help you feel more at ease, about your upcoming event. Many brides will have a notebook or binder(or two!) dedicated to wedding planning. This can help keep all of your decisions, timelines, and other wedding information all in one place.

Ready to get to planning? Making decisions and planning for your big day should be a joyous time. To make it a little easier, we can help you nail down your Colorado Springs wedding venue today! Schedule a tour of our vast property, to decide exactly where you want your ceremony and reception, as well as any other accommodations you may want to explore. Contact us at 719-357-8613 to book your private tour of The Historic Pinecrest 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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Tips for Grad Party Planning

It's that time of year... high school and college graduations are right around the corner! If you're planning to celebrate your grad, it's time to start getting a game plan together. From food to invitations to a location, there are a few things to decide upon. Our Colorado Springs event center is the perfect place for your next celebration! Whether it's a wedding, family reunion, or even a graduation party - The Historic Pinecrest is the place for your next event.

Location

The first step in party planning for your upcoming graduation is to find the perfect location to honor your grad. Here at The Historic Pinecrest, we have a large event center, in addition to a smaller lodge. It's important to choose the right venue for your group size, and we've got plenty of options.

Invites

Once you get the location reserved and the date and time lined out, it's time to invite your attendees. If you're planning the party for someone else, ask them who they want there to help them celebrate. This is an easy way to ensure the people the grad whats to be there, are invited.

Decorations

Now comes the fun part - decorating for your grad's party! From festive plates and table cloths to banners and balloons, there are a number of routes you can choose for the big day. For inspiration check out Pinterest for your party decor. Remember, the day is about the graduate - don't stress about "perfect" decorations!

Menu

Ask the graduate what they would like to see on the menu for their party. Try to incorporate some of their favorite foods into your spread. Snack sandwiches, a veggie and fruit tray, as well as tasty treats make for easy to grab and snack on foods. BBQ is another menu option that seems to go over well! It really depends how much work you are wanting to put into the food portion of the party. You can always outsource the catering service to a professional, to save time and reduce stress.

Activities

Don't be overwhelmed by this step, there are no regulations that dictate which activities are best for your graduation party. If you have an active group, consider bean bag toss or giant Jenga OR board games or cards, if you want to keep the party inside. If you don't feel like planning out activities, put some music on and allow your guests to mingle and chat with the new graduate, after all - that's why they came!

We'd Love To Host Your Graduation Party!

We know it can be hectic to plan a graduation party, but we're here to help! Our Colorado Springs venue is perfect for any size gathering, and we look forward to helping you and your family honor your grad. Contact us at 719-357-8613 to learn what dates we have available for your Colorado Springs graduation party! We look forward to helping you celebrate this major milestone.

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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Seating Decor for Your Big Day

No matter what your wedding theme is, seat decor is a great way to incorporate your personal touch, to your ceremony or reception. Your wedding near Colorado Springs, CO, should be a direct reflection of you and your soon-to-be husband's unique taste. To help you achieve a simple, easy, and personal touch into your big day, The Historic Pinecrest has provided some great ideas below!

Tie a Bow

For a classic look, you can tie a fabric bow in your wedding color, over the back of the chairs in your reception space. If you are after a more neutral look, incorporate a white or cream fabric color, to add a simple and elegant touch. If you have a more rustic theme, consider tying a burlap and lace bow, around the chair.

Drape Tulle

A sheer tulle can be draped over a chair, for an easy and simplistic look, for your big day. Consider adding one of your wedding colors to drape over the chairs! This is the perfect way to incorporate your wedding theme into your reception decor.

Place a Sign

A popular reception decor option is to hang a Mrs. and Mr. sign on the bride and groom's chairs. You can take this one step further and add a sign to every chair. If you have a seating arrangement, this is a great way to show your guests where their designated spot is! For a sweet and romantic touch, consider adding a love quote to chairs, throughout your reception space.

Incorporate Beads

Draping beads at various levels along the chair back offers an elegant (and easy) touch to your wedding day. If you and your groom are a little more adventurous, add colorful beads in your wedding colors to give the chairs a pop of color!

Slip on Fabric 

From a complete chair cover to a short cover at the top, you can slip a variety of fabric and color combinations, over your chairs. For a sophisticated look, consider a white or black chair cover. If you're after a more rustic theme, slip over a piece of lace or burlap fabric on the chair backs.

Hang a Jar

If you want to incorporate flowers into your chair decor, consider adding a jar or vase with string to your chair back. Whether you want to hang from both sides to center the jar or hang it off of one side, this creates a beautiful look for everyone to enjoy. For a rustic twist, add baby's breath in a mason jar to your chair decor!

Now that you have seen some of the unique ways to spice up a chair, for your wedding day in Colorado Springs, Colorado, you are ready to start planning your seating decor. From adding a simple bow to a personalized sign, or any combination of items above, your wedding day at our Colorado Springs wedding venue will be breathtaking! We would love to give you a private tour of our facility where you can see the different ceremony, reception, and lodging options we have available.

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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Making Your Marriage Legal

There is a lot of planning that goes into your wedding day, and while the dress and the catering may come first, there's one more tiny detail that you don't want to forget about - the marriage license! Every state is a bit different in the way they approach the marriage license, but one rule still applies, and that is that you have to have one to become legally married. Whether you're planning an out of state wedding in Colorado Springs, or you just want to know what you need to do for your local wedding, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Get Your Marriage License

The first step to even getting your marriage license is to know where to go to get it. You can get your marriage license from the county clerk in the state that you are getting married in. That's right - if you are from Iowa, but you're getting married in Colorado Springs, you need to get your license from the county clerk in Colorado Springs.

Do I Need ID to Get My Marriage License?

The requirements for your marriage license can be a little different depending on where you go - but a standard would include your birth certificate, photo ID, proof of divorce if you've been previously married, and if you're under 18, you'll need proof of parental consent.

How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?

The price will vary depending on where you're getting married, but in some states, it can be as little as $35, while other states like Florida it can cost over $90! Make sure you plan accordingly for your payment as well. Many offices are particular about payment, and some won't even take cash. Call ahead before you head down and have to reschedule.

There Can Be A Waiting Period

Yes, you read that right. When you have gotten your marriage license, some states require that you wait so many days before you can get married. On the flip side, you generally can't get your license more than 30 days prior to your wedding day. Be sure to find out what the requirements are because some states require that you wait three business days before you can get married - and you'll want to know that before you wait too long on accident.

What Now?

Now that you have your marriage license, it's time to get married! On your wedding day, you'll need to give the license to your officiant, and they will be able to guide you through the process of signing everything. Some states require you to sign your marriage license, while others only require you to sign documents when you get your marriage license. Then you will need two witnesses (generally your maid of honor and best man) to sign the marriage license along with the officiant. Finally, your marriage license will need to be dropped off at the same place you picked it up. From there, you can either get a registered copy to use while you change your name on your driver's license, passport, bank and other legal places. Or you can wait until the official marriage license is mailed to you.

It's Official!

Or at least, it will be once you're wedding date is here! At The Historic Pinecrest, we love to see all of the happy couples who leave our facility as man and wife. If you're in the process of wedding planning, we invite you to follow our social media channels to learn more about our Colorado Springs wedding venue. We would love to give you a private tour of the facility, and if you are already signed up to have your wedding, we would love to invite you to a Bridal Open House where you can meet vendors, learn more about our venue, and more. Stay tuned for the next dates - you won't want to miss it.

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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To DIY, or Not to DIY - That is the Question!

There are many brides who like to get in the crafty mood and include DIY (do it yourself) projects for their wedding. April 1st is DIY day, and whether you're the type of bride who wants to craft everything, the type who won't craft anything or the bride who falls somewhere in the middle - we have some wedding DIY ideas for you. Here are some popular items you can make yourself for your wedding:

Invitations

Invitations can be a fun way to add a customized touch to your wedding style and can even be a fairly easy DIY. Whether you are into scrapbooking, digital art, or just want to do something no one else has done, Pinterest has TONS of ideas for the crafty bride. As with all DIY projects, they can be a bit time consuming, so you'll want to allow plenty of time to accomplish the task, especially when you're splattering paint on each of your 250 invitations ...

Wedding Favors

With Pinterest being the go-to planning guide for brides nowadays, the DIY movement has really hit the ground running, especially with wedding favors. From coasters made out of disks of wood with your initials burned into them, cute little jars of hot chocolate mix, seed packets with your wedding details printed on them or even packages of mints decorated with cute details and a tag that says "Mint to be." The ideas are endless when you want to create adorable wedding favors on your own.

Decorations

While many decorations are a DIY effort, you can create something as elaborate or as simple as you want. We've seen many brides come in and deck the house in beautiful flowers, fun props, sentimental photos and more. The decorations for your ceremony and reception are a great place to get your hands dirty in the DIY world.

Boutonnieres

Have you ever seen those cute boutonnieres that some grooms and groomsmen wear? The ones with flowers made from book pages, or cute lego men attached for the groom with a unique hobby. Especially if you only stick with doing the guys boutonnieres, you can get DIY crafty without committing to every single corsage for every important guest at your wedding.

Thank You Cards

After the wedding has been hosted, the guests leave, and you arrive home from your honeymoon - it will be time to send out the thank you cards. Now that all of the wedding planning has been completed, you may be feeling a little lost - invest your time in DIY thank you cards! Scrapbook pictures of your wedding to the front, learn to do calligraphy and pen a sweet sentiment on the front, and enjoy this last step of your wedding.

Your Colorado Springs Wedding!

Are you ready to dive into all of the fun wedding and details - but you still don't have a venue? Let the team at the Historic Pinecrest help you out. Our wedding venue in Colorado Springs is absolutely breathtaking - and ideal for all of your DIY projects. We are quietly nestled among the Colorado mountains, and our venue is a sweet combination of rustic, romantic, and incredible. Visit our website to learn more about our wedding chapel in Colorado Springs - and don't forget to schedule your venue tour!

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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If You're Going To the Chapel ...

If you're planning on going to the chapel to get married - we know just the place! Our breathtaking wedding chapel in Colorado Springs is the best place to get married in Colorado Springs. From close intimate ceremonies to larger affairs our wedding venue is ideal for your wedding. It's nestled quietly against the foothills in a beautiful Colorado setting. Whether you're looking for a rustic venue or a nostalgic place - our chapel is perfect. Here are a few things you should know about our beautiful chapel:

The Pinecrest Wedding Chapel

Nestled against the foothills in a beautiful Colorado setting, the Chapel at Pinecrest is the quintessential location for a romantic, mountain wedding. Capture your most precious moments in the intimacy of our chapel. Bride’s and groom’s dressing rooms, foyer with guest book table, fabulous sound system and numerous décor choices are just part of what make Pinecrest’s Chapel so inviting. Take in the warm, rustic surroundings as you join your lives together in the company of those you cherish most.

Photo Credit: Alison

The Historic Pinecrest Wedding Packages

We can accommodate groups of 50 to a maximum of 225 guests with our diverse selection of packages. All of our packages include unlimited phone, email and texting support, access to communicating directly with the owners, and private tours of our facilities that can be scheduled throughout the week.

Chapel Inclusions:

• One hour rehearsal, usually scheduled from 12:30 - 1:30 pm, the day prior to your wedding
• All standing décor, floral arrangements, and candelabras
• Bridal dressing room at Chapel with three (3) makeup stations
• Groomsmen dressing room at Chapel with mirror, table, chairs and couches
• Elegant entrance table for guest sign-in book or picture matting
• Digital sound system with mixing board - along with wireless microphones and instrumental inputs

Photo Credit: Alison

Chapel Testimonials

Thank you for having us at your beautiful venue. It was the perfect place to have our wedding and our guests were very pleased. We appreciate your accommodating approach and wish you success. Everything was beautiful and stress-free; All we could have hoped.
~ Salma and Max


"Pinecrest was more than we could have ever hoped for and the Pinecrest family went above and beyond to make us feel like family too and to make our day perfect! I'm so glad we started a new chapter in our lives at an amazing venue surrounded by wonderful people like the two of you. May many blessings come your way as you continue to touch the lives of others."
~Carly Hennegan, Bride


"Thank you, both so much for being such a light in this process. You and your staff really dedicate your time and energy to creating a magical experience. Our day was incredible and we are incredibly grateful! What a fantastic way to start this new journey!"
~Kelly Hennegan, Groom


Thank you all for a wonderful and memorable weekend! Everything on the agenda was executed superbly. A beautiful service Maria! The photos were world class Jess and reception food and service five star Nikki! Carole and I and most importantly Christina and Paul were pleased beyond measure. Many thanks for making it all so enjoyable. Please pass along to your staff our grateful thanks and sincere appreciation. All the best,
~Ken, Father of the Groom

Photo Credit: Alison

The Best Wedding Venue in Colorado Springs

From your rehearsal dinner to your wedding reception - we've got you covered! At the Historic Pinecrest, we know how important your big day is, and we make it our goal to assist you in creating your dream wedding. Visit our website today to learn more about our wedding chapel, or give us a call today at 719-357-8613 to request a private tour!

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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Make Your Wedding Day Lucky!

You don't have to be Irish to look for luck - especially on your wedding day! There are so many fun and/or crazy traditions couples have incorporated into their wedding day to help bring them luck. They aren't all Irish traditions, but the Historic Pinecrest thinks that it's a pretty fun way to enjoy this "lucky" week!

Cambodia

Before the ceremony, the wedding party walks in a circle around the couple and the groom brandishes a sword as a symbol of his protection of his bride. During the ceremony, the couple kneels down while holding the sword in between their clasped hands (it's sheathed), and guests tie red strings around each of their wrists.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, tradition says that it's lucky for the bride and groom to cross the threshold of the church with their right foot first. It's a sign that the marriage will be blessed!

China

In China, it's lucky to light firecrackers after the ceremony. It supposedly chases away evil spirits.

Egypt

In Egyptian tradition, it's very good luck to let the women at the wedding pinch the bride. Maybe it started because she wasn't wearing green? *wink*

England

In English weddings of the past, they believed in carrying a horseshoe with ribbons tied on it during your ceremony. Then you would hang it above your doorway afterward - but make sure the ends are pointing up, otherwise the luck could fall out! How very fitting this tradition is for St. Patricks Day!

Germany

In Germany they celebrate Polerabend, or, the "eve of making racket" by breaking porcelain dishes the night before the wedding. This is thought to bring good luck. Afterward, they bride and groom generally work together to clean everything up to symbolize how they'll work together from here on out.

Greece

In Greece, brides can tuck a wrapped lump of sugar inside their glove or into their gown to help ensure a sweet life. A bride can also walk down the aisle with a gold coin in her shoe to bring prosperity, and the groom can put a piece of iron in his pocket to ward off evil spirits.

Holland

Newlyweds may plant lilies of the valley around their new home to symbolize "the return of happiness." Then the couple can celebrate and renew their love with each blooming season *romantic sigh*.

India

Brides have an artist paint henna on their hand and feet in very intricate designs. This is thought to bring joy, beauty, and spiritual awakening. Also, the darker the color of the ink, the stronger the marriage is thought to be.

Ireland

There are many fun Irish wedding traditions, but a sweet one is handfasting. This Celtic tradition says that the bride and groom's hands are tied together to symbolize the joining of a husband and wife. This is also where the phrase "tying the knot" came from!

Korea

Traditional Korean ceremonies incorporated wooden ducks as a symbol of peace, fidelity, and the future blessing of having many "ducklings". The designs are typically based off of the Mandarin Duck, which commonly found a mate for life.

Poland

It's considered good luck for a Polish bride to cry at her wedding, if she does, it can symbolize that she won't cry throughout her married life.

Romania

When the groom comes to get his bride and bring her to the church, he comes with several friends. When the young men arrive at the bride's house, they bring pine trees that are left at the gates for luck. Then the guests make a round dance with the groom and bride and after that, they would sit the bride in a chair and break a loaf of sweet bread above her head.

Getting Married in Colorado Springs

Whether you choose to incorporate these fun wedding traditions to make your day "lucky" or you have some of your own - we hope your day is everything you have ever hoped. If you're getting married in Colorado Springs, we would love to help you host your big day! Our beautiful wedding chapel in Colorado is a breathtaking venue, and perfect for your wedding style. Visit our website to learn more, and have a very lucky St. Patricks Day!

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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