Expert Tips for a More Picture-Perfect Wedding

You’ve put months of planning into your wedding day – from flower arrangements to bridesmaids’ dresses and canapes. However, once it’s all over, your photos are all that’s left to remember your day by. Therefore, it’s important to ensure your photos are as picture-perfect as possible.

While there’s no way to plan for every possible eventuality, these tips will cover the essentials.

•  Have a Touch-up Makeup Set Handy.

  Your makeup will look beautiful once you step out the door but sweat and tears could ruin that fresh look. Having a touch-up makeup kit handy will ensure you look great from start to finish.

• Stay Hydrated.

  It’s essential to keep drinking water throughout your day. However, to avoid smudging your lipstick, opt for water bottles and straws instead of cups.

• Clean Your Rings.

  Your photographer will want to take a few detail shots, and these look a whole lot better if your rings have been cleaned and polished. Be sure to send your rings in for a cleaning before your big day. You could also keep some ring cleaner on hand to get rid of smudges on the day.

• Get Someone to Keep a Few Tissues.

  You never know when you might need a tissue on your wedding day so ask one or two people in your wedding party to keep some handy.

• Consider Buying Sweat-proof T-shirts.

  The last thing you want in your photos is sweat marks. Whether your groom sweats excessively or you know it’s going to be hot on your wedding day, sweat-proof t-shirts will avoid unsightly marks in your wedding photos.

• Keep a Disposable Toothbrush in One of the Bathrooms.

  If your photographer will be sticking around for photos after you eat, it’s best to give your teeth a quick brush. This way, your teeth will look great in all of your photos.

• Buy a Beautiful Hanger.

  A wedding dress always looks more beautiful when it drops down from a beautiful hanger. These are inexpensive and will make all the difference to your wedding dress photos.

• Clear Up the Room.

  Before your photographer takes those all-important getting-ready photos, clear up the room. Get rid of clutter, including trash, handbags, accessories, and anything that shouldn’t be in any of the shots.

• A Shot List.

  Lastly, don’t forget to create a photo list for your photographer before the day. This way, you can focus on enjoying the photos instead of worrying about whether your photographer is getting all the shots you had in mind.

With these simple tips in mind, you can look forward to eye-catching wedding photos that you will love looking back on over and over again.

Tips to Stop Guests from Posting Your Wedding Photos Online

Your guests are like your personal paparazzi on your wedding day. But what should you do if you don’t want your special and intimate moments to find their way onto social media?

Unfortunately, you can’t fully control the situation but there are steps you can take to make your wishes known and limit social media uploads.

• Mention It on Your Invite

  If you will be creating a wedding website, mention your wishes there. Get specific though. Are you fine with guests snapping photos at the reception but not the ceremony? Would you prefer guests to wait until you and your partner have posted photos before they do? Tell them exactly what you do and don’t want – it is your day after all. Keep in mind that if you’re going to use a wedding hashtag, it might be confusing to also ask guests not to post photos.

• Include a Note on the Program

  If you’re sending out printed invites, you may have to mention your no-photo rule on your programs. You could even include a small printed note with your invites if you have the extra budget.

• Announce It

  Since you will have everyone’s attention at the start of the ceremony, get your officiant or master of ceremonies to announce your requests about photos and social media.

• Create a Sign

  Another option is to create a sign that you can place at the entrance of your ceremony. This ensures that all guests see it. Dream Field Brides can use our sign from the decor closet asking everyone to unplug!

• Alter Your Privacy Settings

  If you don’t want to take any chances, you can always change your social media privacy settings. This way, you can’t be tagged in any photos you haven’t approved.

Don’t feel guilty for asking your guests not to post your wedding photos on social media. By approaching it in a fair and even humorous way, it doesn’t have to be a big deal.

Ask guests to share photos of you and your beloved with you. This way if one happens to be something you don’t want shared, you can respond with a quick text - easy plus you may get the best shot of the day from one of your guests!

Either way remember that most people don’t even realize that you might not want them to post photos of you so if one slips thru, just smile and remember that they showed up because they love you and really do want to show their friends how amazing you are!

6 Things Your Wedding Officiant Will Want to Know

As you get closer to your wedding day, you’re going to need to find someone to lead the ceremony. You will probably have quite a few questions for your officiant, but they will have a few for you too.

Here is some of the information you should prepare prior to meeting with your wedding officiant.

1. Details of the Day

As you can imagine, your officiant will firstly want to know who you are as a couple, as well as when and where you plan to get married. This will help them determine availability and if they are willing to travel to your wedding venue.

2. The Vision for Your Ceremony

Next, your officiant will want to know more about how you would like to remember your wedding ceremony. Be prepared to describe your ideal ceremony and how you want guests to remember the moment. You can also make a list of what you liked and didn’t like at other wedding ceremonies so that your officiant knows what to avoid.

3. Your Relationship

To make your ceremony as relevant and personal as possible, your officiant will more than likely ask how you met and when you fell in love. You don’t have to provide every small detail – your officiant just wants to understand more about who you are as a couple. You can even provide the details of your engagement as this also offers valuable insights.

4. How You See Your Partner

To help your officiant learn more about who you are as individuals, he or she might ask you to describe your partner. How are they similar and different to you? What traits do you love the most and why are you marrying them?

5. Your Wedding Party and Guests

Since your officiant will also be in the same room as all your guests and your wedding party, they might want to know more about the people in your lives. How did you pick your wedding party and who is on your guest list? Is it more family, friends, or a combination of both?

6. Religion and Traditions

Next, your officiant will want to know more about your religious beliefs and whether you want to include any prayers in your ceremony. If not, they may also ask if there are any particular readings you want to include. This could be anything from poetry to passages from your favorite book. If there are any specific traditions or rituals you want to include in your ceremony, this is a good time to discuss them. Choosing the right officiant for your wedding is important, so don’t rush the decision or feel that you have to go with the first officiant you meet. Choose someone who understands who you are, what you want, and someone you both connect with.

With the new laws for marriages in Alabama, you can actually choose a close friend or family member to perform the ceremony. Remember someone who knows and loves you will make your day more personal and special.

A Wedding Day Surprise

In every wedding, a little humor must fall.  For Brittni Holliday, her new brother-in-law provided the necessary comic relief.  Brittni had spent all of her life “planning” her dream wedding.  Of course, the actual planning started only a year before the wedding. But, with fairy tale weddings comes great stress.  

“As a little girl, I always dreamed of a fairytale wedding that you see on television with a lot of family, amazing food, and a night full of laughter and fun.”

Brittni’s brother-in-law decided to spice the first look up a bit and add a lot of fun to the event.  

He and Brittni conspired. Instead of fiancé Alex seeing Brittni in her dress for the “first look,” Alex got a surprise. Boy, was he surprised. But the few moments of laughter took the stress off and allowed everyone to relax. 

For Brittni, wedding planning required a little bit more “planning” since her mom and dad were building a house (during the wedding planning time), moving to Georgia (during the wedding planning time), and selling a house (during the wedding planning time).  All of these events are stressful by themselves; however, when you add all four events together, the stress is REAL!  So, laughter was definitely a defining moment for this wedding.

When the groom saw Brittni for the first time as she came down the aisle, he was awed by her beauty.  

“I thought to myself, that’s the same beautiful girl I fell in love with in the parking lot of Tropical Smoothie.  Dang, that’s my wife, that’s my whole world.  Thank you God for placing me into a family who has been a blessing to me.”

Brittni was full of emotions herself.  “I felt so relieved walking down the aisle knowing that I was about to officially marry the man of my dreams.  I couldn’t see anything else around other than my husband standing at the altar waiting for me.”

One visit to Dream Field Farms was all it took for Brittni to know this was “the venue.”  “The farm was beautiful and Mrs. Cathy made us feel like family from the second we met her.”

Surrounded by friends, family, and four bridesmaids, Brittni and Alex recited their vows.  Co-workers who the couple “clicked” with, friends from softball teams, and guests with a sense of humor completed the picture of their perfect day.  “Our guests have constantly said the venue was beautiful . . . there wasn’t a best moment of the day because the whole entire day was the best moment of my life,” exclaimed Brittni.  “I would 100% do this day again and every day for the rest of my life.”

Bob Newhart once said, “I think one reason for a successful marriage is laughter.  I think laughter gets you through the rough moments in a marriage.” Based on the laughter shared at Alex and Brittni’s wedding, their marriage will flourish throughout their lives.

Kimberly and Charles Tie the Knot

“For just a moment in time, we were just a boy and a girl, running and laughing in the rain on our wedding day.” Mia Sheridan 

Every bride has a vision. Some dream up this vision for many years, and others wait for their engagement.  Kimberly Echols’ began envisioning her dream wedding about a year before the engagement, and she is glad that she started planning early!

A turnaround of only seven months between visiting Dream Field Farms and her wedding day meant that decisions had to be made quickly.  Having her vision in mind allowed Cathy and her team to create Kimberly’s dream wedding.  The ceremony was scheduled to take place outside in the garden with the reception taking place in the barn.

However, Mother Nature doesn’t always like our plans!  Mid-ceremony, the rain fell.  Many brides would see this situation as a negative. But, Cathy and her crew rushed everyone into the barn, relocated the ceremony inside, and then watched the couple share the vows that would bond them together in marriage.  True love can not be stopped by rain!

 “As a little girl, I thought I would have a small wedding surrounded by my friends and family,” said Kimberly.  “When I got engaged I wanted a rustic location that was nice and affordable. We toured Dream Field Farms in January and fell in love with the location.  The décor was amazing.  The event and location kept the rustic feel that I wanted, even with the rain.  Cathy used barrels and wagons to serve the food.  My guests all said it was gorgeous!”

“My wedding party was small.  My sisters were my bridesmaids.  My ‘twin’ sister was my maid of honor.  We share the same interests which makes everyone call us ‘twins’ even though we aren’t.”

“A lot of people would have been upset when the rain started pouring halfway through our ceremony.  But Cathy kept calm, moved everyone inside, and then set up a beautiful indoor site quickly that we all enjoyed so we could finish the ceremony.  I think the intimacy of the indoor venue in the barn made our unity ceremony much more special.” 

From getting ready with her sisters to the ceremony to the sparkler send-off, Kimberly had her dream wedding. We are thankful that Kimberly chose to celebrate her marriage with us here at Dream Field Farms!

Ian & Ariel A Mid-Summer’s Dream

Ian & Ariel were some of the unfortunate whose wedding got caught up in the 2020 covid shutdown.  They had planned for over a year when they found out that their family couldn’t attend in 2020 and so they were forced to move it to 2021.  So many things can change in two years that it was almost like they planned two weddings.

“In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

~The Beatles

Ariel always dreamed of a big party with lots of friends and family. Lots of dancing! Friends and family were so valued by this couple that they focused the entire event on ensuring that everyone would be over the moon with the food and that the stars would not outshine their reception!

From Ariel: 

As I began to look for wedding venues, I actually found Dream Field Farms on Airbnb. The venue looked beautiful and the options to have an indoor or outdoor ceremony with a large enough reception space to accommodate our families was a big plus! We were looking for anywhere in the state of Alabama and Dream Field Farms turned out to be more than perfect.

I had eight bridesmaids and three flower girls. These were all of my best girlfriends. I've known one since middle school and others from college and working in Huntsville. My twin sister was my maid of honor. My family friends' kids were the flower girls along with my best friend's daughter.

 I chose my twin sister as my maid of honor. She's always been there for me since the beginning and I wouldn't have wanted anyone else by my side!

As I walked down the aisle, I was thinking how I couldn't believe this was happening already, It was a whirlwind of a day. Weather didn't hold up for us and I made it just in time to the barn for the ceremony before I had to walk down the aisle.

 As I looked for Ian, he was holding back tears for joy. He didn’t want to ugly cry for the pictures.

The wedding ceremony was a bit of a blur to be honest. It was great to get to see everyone there while I walked down the aisle and to finally see my husband with tears in his eyes waiting for me.

The most amazing thing about my reception was getting to spend time with everyone! Seeing family and friends from around the country, enjoying great food, music and dancing.

I loved all of the reception decor. The table settings were beautiful. The centerpieces and floral were magnificent. The drapery in the barn with the fairy lights, moon and star accents were perfectly on theme.

Everyone told us it was an amazing day! Everyone loved the food, music, decor and overall merriment. The rain did not stop anyone from having a good time.

My absolute favorite part of the day was the bouquet and garter toss. We had such a good time dancing and drinking after the formalities were over.

I was asked if I could do this day again would I…..NO! Ha ha! I wouldn’t want to spoil the memories I have of my wedding day and night by trying to recreate it. It will be a memory cherished forever. A one of a kind experience I hope everyone gets the chance to have.

 We asked Ariel, what was your overall experience with Dream Field Farms?
It was wonderful working with Cathy and Ban.  Cathy made everything go so smoothly for us and was always willing to have a call or meeting to discuss wedding details. Ban and all the staff set up everything beautifully and took care of the rehearsal dinner and reception dinner without flaw. The food was better than we could have hoped for.

Meet Cathy & Take A Tour: https://www.dreamfieldfarms.com/tour

Rachel & Jacob’s Breathtaking Union

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” Maya Angelou

Looking back at our special day, Jacob and I are grateful for the memorable moments before my actual wedding, but my favorite was having my friends and family in one room anxiously  waiting for the moment just as I was. I remember looking around the room and seeing my mom, my mother in law, my grandmothers, my aunts, my cousins, and my friends all here to support me and my future husband. That was a humbling feeling and I felt immeasurably blessed.

As  I toured other venues, I felt overwhelmed and unsure of whether or not this venue was "the one". I never thought I would experience that feeling, but I did when my mother and I toured Dream Field Farms. I remember us going into the barn, walking around the beautiful grounds, admiring the gorgeous view, and stepping into the bridal suite. These all combined made me feel at home so to speak, and it just felt like Jacob and I.  

I brought my husband back, and he quickly agreed and we are both so glad we chose Dream Field Farms as our venue.

Choosing our wedding party felt the same way. Sometimes you need the support of a mighty oak! When I chose my bridesmaids I wanted people by my side that knew how to weather the test of time.

I had eight bridesmaids and three junior bridesmaids. I wanted the girls who have walked with me through my toughest times and who supported Jacob and I. I also wanted my family in the wedding, so my precious little cousins were my junior bridesmaids.

Our eyes met as I began to walk down the aisle.

My focus was solely on Jacob. This was the moment I always dreamed of, and it was perfect. I loved walking down the aisle with my dad, surrounded by people I love, heading to marry the one person God chose for me.

When Jacob saw me in my dress, I believe the words he said caught on my wedding video were, "She's beautiful". I will re-watch that part a thousand times.

This day was everything we dreamed it would be, but it was in the small details that I hwas covered. I had two matron of honors. My first was someone I have been best friends with since I was in 9th grade, and she has been with me through it all. My second, even though we have only known each other for five years, has become my best friend as well as we pray for each other and grow spiritually with one another. I am so luck and eternally grateful to experience this amazing event with these two by my side.

When it came to the ceremony we wanted someone that would bond us for all time and eternity. I loved being married by someone who is our family's spiritual leader and who truly knew Jacob and I. I loved the message he prepared for us, and how unique it was. I also loved the family prayer. It was so special having our family pray over us as we become one.

 Hands down, the best moment of the entire day was the actual wedding ceremony. It had been raining on and off that day, but during the ceremony there was not a single rain drop. I was very worried about the heat, and there was a cool breeze where my husband and I were standing. And for the August heat, the weather was not too bad at all. I loved holding on to my husband's hands as we became one before the Lord and all of our friends and family.

Dream Field Farms Delivered Everything They Promised! When it comes to the reception...where do I even begin? The reception was incredible. The food was delicious and band was amazing. My favorite part was hearing the band play as we all danced the night away.

My absolute favorite part was being able to have a hand on decorating the reception.  My favorite design element for the reception was probably the entrance,  with the beautiful rug, welcome sign, picture ladder, etc. This is followed by the centerpieces. My favorite design element overall was having "Love Is" signs coming onto the property with all of the love is descriptions in 1 Corinthians 13.

Mothers, sisters and brides everywhere, I want you to know about our overall experience with Dream Field Farms. If you are looking for a partnership and someone that listens, this is your place. I was very thankful to share my dream wedding ideas with Dream Field Farms, and being allowed to help execute that dream. I am also so very thankful for all of the help I received.

Our guests will never forget our special day. Everything everyone said was so sweet and positive. Many people came up to me and said, "That was the best food ever."; and that was my goal.

I love our photographer A&D photo & video. I honestly cannot tell you what my favorite photo is. There are so many great photos and they are all my favorite for so many different reasons.

”I wish we could relive that day over and over. I was truly blessed.”

Briana & Ryan Forever!

“I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.” - Angelita Lim 

Briana & Ryan Forever!

“My favorite pre-wedding moment was by far my first look with my dad. Those few minutes with just the two of us were so incredibly special and they are something that I will never forget and will cherish for a lifetime.”

Becoming a bride’s maid is an amazing experience, however choosing your matron of honor is a sacred event. 

A sister’s love is priceless!

I chose my older sister to be my matron of honor. She was the perfect fit because she knows me so well and knew exactly what I had in mind for all of the wedding festivities. My sister goes all out for everything that she plans and doesn’t do anything small. She made sure I felt loved and cherished throughout the whole wedding process 

My matron of honor, Melody, was my rock during the chaos of the day. She was wonderful in making sure all of the girls were dressed, ready to go, where they were supposed to be, at the time they needed to be. She managed the whole wedding party so that I could be present in this once in a lifetime event.

My dad is my first love, how appropriate for him to walk me down the aisle to my FOREVER LOVE!

Here Comes The Bride…

”As I was walking down the aisle, all that could go through my mind was “I cannot believe this is really happening!” It felt so surreal and was everything that I could have ever dreamed of, “ Briana told us after the wedding.

To a bride, her wedding is everything. To the couple, it is the foundation that the rest of their lives is built upon. For Brianal & Ryan, it was the PERFECT DAY TO SAY YES!!

To a groom waiting at the end of the aisle is like waking up in the middle of your favorite dream.

Briana sums up her most intimate moment of the wedding, “I never imagined the reaction that I got from my husband, Ryan. Ryan is not an emotional person and is very reserved in displaying the emotions that he has. However, as I was walking down the aisle he cried more than I had ever seen him before. This led me to tear up quite a bit, and I don’t believe there were many dry eyes there that day. “

Everything was just perfect!

My favorite design element from the reception was the drapery that hung from the ceiling of the barn, along with the lights. I also loved the table runners that Mrs. Cathy got to match the color of my bridesmaids dresses. 

We wanted our event to be something that everyone will remember. A million memories to last a lifetime...

For several weeks after the wedding, my guests continued to tell me how beautiful and perfect the day was. Many of them talked about how fun the DJ made the reception and how they had such a wonderful time. 

My favorite moment of the day? I had several favorite moments throughout the day. If I had to pick one it would be my first dance with Ryan. In that moment it truly felt like it was just the two of us in that barn and no one else existed.

It was a sweet first moment as husband and wife and I will never forget the feeling that I had in those few minutes. 

I would say the most amazing thing about our reception was definitely the decorations and how beautifully it was set up. Also, the love and support that we received from all of our guests, friends, and family made us feel so incredibly loved and cherished.

My overall experience with Dreamfield Farms was nothing short of AMAZING! Ms. Cathy is absolutely wonderful, along with all of her staff. If you have a vision, they will stop at nothing to make it happen. They made my wedding day everything I ever could have dreamed of and imagined.

Photo Credit: jadielynnphotography.com

Marcie & John David---A Dream Field Farm’s Wedding To Cherish

There’s so much to learn (and so many ideas to steal!) from Marcie & John David’s beautiful and charming wedding.

In a world where weddings are all too often about spending lots of money, using things only once and feeling like you’ve got to live up to other people's expectations this sweet couple created an unforgettable day which was uniquely theirs with thoughtful sustainable intentions!

It is good luck when it rains on your wedding day (old wives tale) and as luck would have it they choose a venue where the venue is large enough to accommodate their 200 plus guests. This charming wedding venue included enchanting elements that were important for Marcie’s big day. She wanted to play up her surroundings and craft a “day-of vibe” that included only hints of farm life, but wanted to keep in mind a refined aesthetic. She managed to create sophistication while adding in endearing vintage charm and she nailed it.

Dreams Do Come True…

“Love doesn’t make the world go round. It makes the ride worthwhile.”

Marcie planned for this day her whole life. She crafted it down to the very last detail with matching bridesmaids dresses, a stunning bouquet, a gorgeous and yummy cake, and a photographer that's sure to capture images worthy of the greatest Instagram captions at our perfect Montgomery AL venue.

The wedding day goes by so fast and a marriage is for a lifetime, so it's natural as time goes by that this beautiful couple take advantage of the spacious farm for beautiful photography opportunities to reflect upon when they  need a reminder of the kind of love and sentiment that drew them together on that amazing day they exchanged vows.

The day was beautiful, Marcie looked stunning, the florals were everything and the happiness that went along with every part of the day was simply amazing to witness. Everyone in attendance felt like family. They loved and cherished Marcie and John David in the most incredible way. It was stunning and inspiring all in one. Thanks to Josie Kitch Photography

Marcie and John David wanted their wedding to be one that everyone would remember and Dream Field Farms was able to accommodate. They spent an entire weekend making memories surrounded by friends and family at a centrally located Alabama venue that offers a stunning outdoor ceremony area with plenty of room to move indoors in case of inclement weather. Their family got to enjoy the whole day. And they got to work with Cathy, owner and executive wedding planner at Dream Field Farms to plan and execute the event from beginning to end.

John David and Marcie are a couple that desired elegant styling and meaningful details. They let us help them bring the beautiful vision of a wedding into reality. From cascading blooms, flowing fabrics with flickering candlelight - romantic weddings are sure to be an unforgettable experience!

We wish you many wonderful loving years to come!

We Loved Making Your Vision a Reality!

Thank you for letting Dream Field Farms Serve You!

With our creative vision, full decor closet, amazing team and servant’s heart -

We Always Include:

Climate Controlled Barn to make sure you and your guests are comfortable on your best day ever.

Separate Bride and Grooms Dressing Areas so you can stay relaxed and enjoy the entire day.

Tables and Chairs for up to 150 guests and space for everyone to be seated.

Custom benches for the wedding area so your bridal party doesn’t have to move chairs after the wedding before your party begins!

Full access to our decor pieces which includes choices of lanterns in multiple colors, mirrors, wood rounds, and floral boxes, signs, garlands, signs, crosses, custom serving pieces, old doors and windows, draping, candle holders and so much more.

Permanent draping and lights to brighten your event.

Open vendor policy so you can choose who you want to make your day the best day ever.

Alabama Sorority Mixers They Will Cherish Forever

Here in Alabama, the idea of Greek life on a college campus is one that brings up memories for many university students across the nation. For freshmen, recruitment is an often lengthy process but at the same time rushing to join sororities can be both social and fun which you're likely to remember forever.

Determining what to do for the social events this year can be a challenge. If you want your event to succeed, it's important that everyone feels included and engaged in some way or another.

For Bama’ ladies who have already gone through the recruitment process, organizing the events for their house's socials requires quite a lot of planning on part of each lady. 

It is hard enough coming up with an original idea but finding ways involving members from other houses requires much more effort which makes them feel stressed out at times . But they should always remember their ultimate goal-that every member has fun enjoying themselves throughout these activities no matter how stressful things get sometimes.

We all know that socials are about getting to know your classmates or colleagues. You can make it even more interesting by incorporating a theme into the activities you do, food you serve, clothes you wear and decorations up. As long as everyone is having fun then I think we've done our job! If you want some inspiration for your plan check out Pinterest because they have lots of great themes like 'Besties' where every pair has matching outfits with each other's initials on them - super cute idea if I must say so myself :)

Use these fun theme ideas to ROCK your next sorority get together:

Western Theme Party-To Harness Your Inner Cow-Girl

• A western theme is classic, but can be given your own special twist. Have guests show up in flannels, boots and denim for a cowboy & cowgirl experience! 

• This easy to incorporate into activities like games or snacks with cactus-shaped cookies that look just like the real thing.

• This wild-west theme can include a poker table, sexy fringe and generous portions of good barbecue!

• Hire a bucking-bull rental company and treat your guests to the thrill of the ride.

Did Someone Say Toga-Time?

A toga party is a fun college tradition that you don't want to miss out on.

• Togas are costumes made by wrapping sheets around one's body and wearing sandals, so it will be easy for your members and pledges to throw this once-in-a lifetime event if they can make their own outfits too!

• You could also have a DIY day when everyone makes the decor as well as the clothing.

Support Your Colors!

Instead of planning an event around complicated details, just go with the color scheme from your school or sorority house! By choosing party essentials in solid colors, it won't be difficult to put together a simple outfit yourself. It'll also make things much easier for other guests who want to follow along easily too.

• Invite other sororities to join your party, or sisters from another school.

• Keep it simple and elegant just like your Greek symbols.

• Entertainment might include monogrammed party favors/bags.

If you are planning a lively mixer here are some exciting theme ideas that the girl’s will absolutely love:

• “I’m glad I’m not…”: Dress as something you are not (cheerleader, pregnant, the Joker, a freshman, a fan from an opposing sports team, a nerd, etc.).

• 80’s prom: Big hair, big sleeves and cheesy music are all you need.

• Above Par: You’ll need golfing attire like argyle and tweed, and monogrammed golf tees.

• Anything but Clothes: Dress in anything but clothes (Twister board, a picnic blanket, caution tape, a cardboard box, inner-tube with flippers, etc.).

• Be my Date: Dress as a date on the calendar (Christmas, Cinco de Mayo, Mardi Gras, Saint Patrick’s Day, 4th of July, Halloween, etc.)

• Board Shorts & Bikinis: A luau-themed party will be complete with tropical drinks and fresh, bright flowers.

• Celebrity: Spin this a number of ways – come as your favorite celebrity, have a red carpet Oscar-esque party, or even create the scene for your own tabloid debacle.

• Come as You are: Last minute social notice, you go in literally what you are wearing when you find out about the event.

• Cops and Robbers: Have fun dressed as good guys and bad guys, just don’t have the real cops called!

Below are some of Dream Field Farm’s Personal Favorite Sorority Mixer Ideas

• Decades: Dress as a stylish person from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, or ’90s.

• Dudes and Dolls: You and your date can dress like a well-known doll (Barbie and Ken, Woody and Jessie from Toy Story, action heroes, Cabbage Patch Kids, etc.).

• Famous Couples: Go as far back as the romantic Romeo and Juliet, or as recent as the train-wreck Tiger and Elin.

• Graffiti: Everyone wears white shirts, then have plenty of markers on hand to decorate one another. Ties in well with the 80’s theme!

• Kentucky Derby: Big, fancy hats, a crisp seersucker suit with a bright bow tie, and a supply of mint juleps will set the scene for this Southern-inspired party.

• Kindergarten: Recreate your look from the first day of kindergarten, serve finger foods, and try silly games like hopscotch or kickball.

• Letter S: Build your party around the letter S. Serve sandwiches and shiraz, play sixty’s music or bands that start with S, and dress like something that starts with the letter s, like a sailor, singer, softball player, snowman, Snoopy, shacker, etc.). This can apply to any letter.

• Masquerade: The ultimate in classic dress-up! Have everyone bring a mask, or have the supplies on hand to make them at the party.

• MTV: A true rock-star, music video-themed party where everyone’s favorite songs are played and they arrive dressed like MTV stars like Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, etc.).

• Nautical and Nice: Take a page from the Hamptons and wear nautical attire. That’s boat shoes, plaid shorts and bright Polos for the guys, and bold navy and white stripes against soft khaki shorts for the girls. A crab boil is the perfect dinner to tie the theme together.

• Neon colors: A perfect excuse to buy glow sticks, black lights, and really tacky lipstick!

• Olympics: Each couple can represent a different country, play light-hearted games like Bocce, horseshoes, or even volleyball, and serve an array of international cuisine. The torch is a must!

Making your own event timeline and using a party planning checklist will ensure everything goes smoothly even if you don’t have any experience with throwing parties. At the end of the day all that matters is bringing people together to celebrate having fun then it doesn’t matter how much (or little) money or time was put into hosting this special occasion!

Final Notes: Alabama Sororities, get yourselves out there. Represent your symbols  well, get to know some people, and have fun. Don’t take yourself too seriously, college is about finding yourself, not about being perfect. Work hard and enjoy yourselves while you can!!

How To Create The Most Amazing Honeymoon Ever!

Your honeymoon is one of those high-stakes trips that requires careful, thoughtful planning—and a well-padded budget. 

After all, the idea is that you'll only do it once, so undoubtedly there is a bit of (okay, a lot) pressure to make this extremely special. And just as weddings have become ever more extravagant over the years, so have honeymoons—why take one week off when you can take three weeks off? And why not multiple stops?

No matter where you are in your wedding planning, the opportunity to switch gears for a moment and start thinking about how to plan your honeymoon is always a welcome break. 

Wondering when to start thinking about booking your honeymoon? Here are a few planning tips from Dream Field Farms:

1. Start Early

Most couples start 6-8 months prior to your desired travel dates. If you are thinking about a European Honeymoon or other destinations that coincide with the summer travel season, January and February are ideal times to start planning for your July-August honeymoon.

2. Airlines Are Tricky

Airlines regularly change their routes, hotels update their pricing, and while all of these variables are in play, if you have your sights set on some seriously far-flung adventure destinations, you might want to look at planning your honeymoon as far as a year in advance. Patagonia, Antarctica and Alaska trips should be booked a year out because the peak travel season is so short. 

3. Plan Your Honeymoon Together

If one person is making all of the honeymoon plans it is likely that the trip will be tailored around only that person’s idea of an amazing trip. To avoid that, get your fiance’s input throughout your planning and make it a trip that both of you will love.

During your planning process you will probably hear tons of input from your friends and family. You will hear lots of suggestions about where to go, what to see and food to eat, but in the end, do things that you and your hunny will enjoy! 

Wedding planning can be so involved that it's tempting to copy another couple's honeymoon itinerary. But while your friends may have loved that no-stress, all-inclusive resort, you might find it tamps your adventurous spirit. 

Or, maybe you've heard your parents reminisce about their honeymoon in 

Bermuda your whole life... but that doesn't mean it's right for the two of you. It's fine to solicit advice from friends and family, but take it with that proverbial grain of salt. This is your honeymoon, after all, and it should be tailored to your interests. You only get one shot at this. Make it a time you cherish. We suggest getting a special journal and writing down what’s most important to you two honeymooners! 

PRO TIP: Do Not Copy Anyone Else's Honeymoon Itinerary

If you are looking for the best location, you may want to consider these things.

4. Lean On The Experience Of A Travel Agent

If you want extra guidance planning your honeymoon, travel agents can come in handy. They have insider knowledge on deals and discounts and have  relationships with hoteliers, which can sometimes mean a room is magically available in an otherwise fully-booked hotel. They can also save you endless research time and offer first-hand destination knowledge.

Using an agent means they do all of the research and planning, while you get the PERFECT DESTINATION and the RIGHT FIT. This takes some of the pressure off and enables couples to have the time of their lives.

5. Be Aware Of Hidden Costs

As you start putting your “PERFECT HONEYMOON” plans into motion you will want to be aware of the “EXTRAS” as you will want to avoid tacking on those last minute surprise expenses. Visas, airport transfers and resort fees can tack on additional costs. Make sure you understand all fees included in the cost of bookings. Will you need cab fare, ferry fees or remote island transportation? 

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER: Purchase Honeymoon Insurance. Things happen and you will want to ensure that last minute changes and delays have you covered and enable you to recoup costs if necessary.

6. Don’t Be Afraid To Put In A Special Request

Make sure you get that suite that faces the west so you’ll be facing the beach at sunset. Want to be poolside? Include that in your bookings. Keeping your schedule too strict means that you might miss out on a private beach dinner and parasailing. 

PRO-TIP: Planning Ahead Of Time Will Make Your Honeymoon Romantic!

Your Best Honeymoon planning timeline

One year before honeymoon: Dream. Think about where you’ve always wanted to go to celebrate your marriage, and get inspired by guidebooks, magazines and websites.

Nine months before your honeymoon: If you’re budgeting your holiday in tandem with your wedding, you’ll likely know at this point what funds you’re hoping to allocate to your trip and can compare your budget against that dream list of destinations.

Six months before your honeymoon: Properly slot in your travel dates after calibrating for personal commitments and taking into account the optimal time – as you deem it – for visiting your destination of choice.

Four months before your honeymoon (or earlier): Cement the foundations of your plans, scouting airplane tickets, booking must-have items on your checklist (hotels, visa, park permits), and firming up a version – in very broad strokes – of what your itinerary might look like (which days in which destination for multi-stop trips).

Two months before your wedding (note wedding, and not necessarily honeymoon): If you’ve decided to ask your guests to help you fund your dream trip, now is the time to create an online registry detailing tangible activities to be undertaken at a gradation of price points to suit your wedding guests’ varying budgets.

One month before your honeymoon: The internet enables the world to move a million miles a minute, so once you begin the 30-day countdown you can take to your social platforms to snoop for upcoming events and trending bars, and even find friends that might be criss-crossing your itinerary.

When done right, your honeymoon is the perfect time to relax, catch your breath and truly celebrate your brand new union. Planning your honeymoon doesn’t have to be stressful.. especially if you do it together with enough time to save. This is the most romantic time of your life, you should enjoy it. 

Dream Field Farm’s 4 Tips For Planning The Ultimate Summer Party

Summer means engagement parties, baby & bridal showers, birthdays, company picnics and corporate retreats for team building. The list doesn’t stop here- we can find a reason to party for many occasions! A great summer party is one of life’s great treats! Summer parties are free from the formality of the traditional more formal get together and infused with that relaxing spirit of the season.

Summer parties are the perfect excuse to gather the team and have some fun. As one of the most popular summer party venues in Alabama, we’ve got some amazing ideas to make yours a bash to remember!

There are lots of things to take into consideration when you’re planning a summer event, but we’ve put together a checklist of the main things you might want to put in place to ensure the party goes off like a 4th of July Firecracker!

1. It’s All In The Planning

Our absolute top tip would have to be to get organized well in advance. It may seem extreme, but we recommend beginning the planning in January, right after the Christmas party. There are a few reasons why this is a good idea:

1. Summer is infamously tricky to get vacation calendars to align as they usually jam up with holidays, weddings, sporting events, baseball & swim parties. To avoid a slew of ‘regrets’ in your RSVP inbox, make sure you get in first. Send out invites early.

2. A date gives your guests something to look forward to and adds a touch of sunny motivation to the traditionally lacklustre spring months that were full of growth meetings and planning.

3. Get your plans set early on so that you’ll have far more choice in terms of venues and suppliers. Remember that in summer, you’ll be in competition with weddings which are customarily organized a long time in advance. You’ll find that many venues offer special early bird offers, so you can get some terrific deals if you plan ahead.

4. Another important (and necessary) part of the initial planning is finalizing a budget. Getting this in place will be a guiding light for most of your decisions such as venue, catering and styling. It will also help you or your event planners work effectively to create the perfect party without a shocking financial surprise later on.

2. Finger Licking Good → Summer Food Is Everything

The food and drink options are one of the most important elements of a successful summer party. Guests typically want to make the most of the outdoors, so a sit-down dinner can inhibit the flow of your event. 

Summer parties can be more informal and provide more interaction between your guests. We think this is a great opportunity for a high-quality barbecue, asado or hog roast, or to encourage mingling with street food or bowl food. Food should be kept light, in-season and easy. Unless your event is a wedding or a formal, the guests probably will enjoy an easy to grab menu.

Keep everyone quenched with refreshing cold beverages. Blend your own fruit juices or ices, or whip up a pitcher of homemade lemonade or iced tea. Want a prettier pitcher of water? Dress it up with fresh slices of cucumber, oranges or a handful of fresh berries for H20 your guests will raise a glass to. 

Pro Tip Conversation Starters: An ice-cream pedal bike or a doughnut wall.

3. Bathrooms & AC Are A Party MUST Down In the South

We’ve all been to one of those parties. You know the ones where the bathrooms are portapotties and the AC is nowhere to be found. Most guests will appreciate a venue like Dream Field Farms with nice bathrooms. Having a cool place for people to rejuvenate from the swampy summer heat will help your guests stay for the duration of the event. If the heat becomes a problem you will see your party end in haste and your guests will feel miserable as they drip and wilt due to extreme heat & humidity.

4. Summer Entertainment For Team Building, Friends & Families

Will You Let A DJ Rock The House Or Will You Rock With A Live Band?

Not every event needs entertainment, but if yours does, you will want to ensure that your venue enables enough open space to accommodate both your guests and the music. Keep in mind that adding a live band or DJ will mean that your guests will probably stay to sway. If the beat is right your guests will want to linger longer. Lucky for you, Dream Field Farms is quite accustomed to hosting bands and a dance floor! 

If your event is for team building you might want to make things exciting by putting together a few games to give your guests an opportunity to connect. Planning a party for familymeans you need something for the kids to do as you keep them in reach of their parents. Cornhole, ladder, and yard darts are fun for the kids and will keep them entertained and active while adults mingle and chat.

PRO TIP 1: Make sure you hire a venue that will accommodate inside & outside activities like: Giant Jenga, Pass the Pigs, Croquet and Pétanque.

Keep the jubilation going on past sunset with a silent disco and photo booth (along with plenty of interesting props and costumes!).

PRO-TIP 2: Parties are always over too quickly so we always recommend hiring a professional photographer who can keep track of the fun times ahead! 

Anyone trying to have a summer party needs to have a good location for it. An awesome summer party needs to have space and scenery for people to be able to enjoy it. Our lives are so busy. It takes being intentional to spend time with friends. JUST DO IT!!! When it’s all said and done, relax and enjoy your party. No one will remember if something isn’t exactly perfect, they will remember how you made them feel.

Planning Your Best Day Ever

Planning, budgets, seating arrangements, and fittings, all build hype before your wedding. If you are not careful, the day will come and go quickly, and you will feel like you missed your own event. 

Not to mention, you will be so exhausted that you might feel like the months of phone calls, shopping, planning, and budgeting were a waste of time because you were unable to be present enough to witness them as they were executed. 

The key to a wedding day timeline that runs smoothly is planning ahead. Breaking down your entire wedding day into an organized timeline helps to keep everything on track when the big day finally arrives. The more detailed you can make the plan, the better. As a rule of thumb, wedding ceremonies typically last less than thirty minutes, and the wedding reception typically lasts four to five hours. 

Who should handle all of this? The planner, the photographer, bride, or groom? The real answer - YOU. Decide what part of the day matters most to you and plan for it. You are in charge of this day and if you need your photographer to be there at 10 a.m., schedule it. If you leave it up to the photographer, you might miss your beautiful photo opportunity. 

PRO TIP: A great wedding timeline also assumes that the ceremony and reception are being held at the same venue. This means that guests won’t need to travel to a separate party location before cocktail hour begins. If you’re having your wedding reception at a different site, make sure to add travel time, accounting for the time it will take for the guests to make their way to the post-ceremony festivities. 

But those are just the details… let’s talk about how you can ease into your wedding day with zero stress so you can make this YOUR BEST DAY EVER! 

1. GET TO BED EARLY! YOU NEED TO BE AWAKE AND FEELING YOUR BEST First things first, go to bed early the night before. With excitement and nerves running high, it may take you a little bit longer to drift off. So, head to bed a little bit earlier than normal to get a good night's sleep. Might we suggest a little melatonin to help you fall asleep and stay asleep! 

2. PRACTICE GRATITUDE - MINDSET IS EVERYTHING 

Before you jump into your day, make sure you have set aside some time for reflection. What are you grateful for? What do you love about your day? What feels exciting? Do this again between your ceremony and reception. After your ceremony, pull your spouse into this grateful mindset and give yourselves a few quiet moments together before jumping into the crowds. You are now married! This is an amazing time to remember why you are so excited to finally be a married couple for all time and eternity. 

3. PLANNING YOUR FIRST GLANCE - CAPTURING INTIMACY

The first glance is when a couple sees each other for the first time on their wedding day. You may want to capture this in a private and beautiful setting. This intimate moment makes for an emotional photo opportunity and if shared with the crowds, it might not feel as cherished. If you want to wait until the ceremony, that is completely okay also - just plan it. Make sure your venue is large enough that you won’t run into him before the ceremony accidentally. 

4. A BRIDE HAS GOT TO EAT - GIVING YOUR BODY FUEL! 

With so much going on, it might be hard to find time to schedule a meal. But, you sure will be glad that you did! You need food fuel to fight brain fog, fatigue, and blood sugar crashes. Add breakfast and lunch to your list of wedding to-do’s. 

Try to avoid greasy and heavy food, these can make you feel a little queasy and bloated if nerves are heightened. If you are staying at the venue or a hotel, make sure to order your breakfast from room service the night before. 

5. HAIR AND BEAUTY - AN ABSOLUTE MUST FOR YOUR TIMELINE Time your hair and make-up trials so you will know how long they’ll take on the morning of your wedding. Double check how your hair and skin should be prepared before they arrive; you may need to have hair washed the night before. Confirm with the hair and make-up artists on the bridal party schedule and brief your bridal party so there’s no confusion about who goes first. Make sure you’ve tested any new beauty products before the big day to ensure there are no last minute reactions! 

6. BRIDAL PARTY CELEBRATION - POP THE BUBBLY! 

Your wedding party has been on this journey with you even before your engagement. Let’s face it, they probably saw this coming before you did. Make sure they are aware of deadlines for dresses and tuxedo rentals. Print out a schedule of the wedding day events and give it to them ahead of time so they don’t miss a beat. You are the star of the show, but you still need your support team to back you up. 

But, don’t forget to celebrate them! Each member means something to you personally or to you as a couple. Affirmation and acknowledgement on social media and in person will help them stay connected to your special event. Pop some bubbly and make time in your day to celebrate each member of the party. 

7. PLAN TO PLAN NO MORE - TIME TO ENJOY YOUR DAY 

Confirm timings with your vendors and bridal party, such as hair and makeup artists arrival, or flower and cake delivery a few days before. If you’re planning on making items, arranging flowers or doing some of your own decor, make sure to have everything ready to go and in place before the big day. This means no more DIY’s or actual wedding prep on the day of! 

If you want to check the venue or set up, make sure it’s the first thing you do so it’s out of the way. Have all of the cash for an on-the-day vendors in envelopes ready to hand over to a trusted bridal party member.

It is your day! To help keep things in perspective, prioritize the essentials- those things that are super important to making this your dream wedding. Then, refer to your “must” list over and over during the planning process so you don’t go down a spiral and overwhelm yourself in the process. Lean into your planner, photographer, caterer and venue as your plan for this special day. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed, stress less, and HAVE YOUR BEST DAY EVER!

Preparing to Be the Best You On Your Wedding Day

Planning for your wedding is an amazing time, but it can become taxing with all of the details that need to be prepared for:  choosing a venue, a dress, makeup, shoes, suits, catering, honeymoon destination - the list goes on and on - It is a whirlwind of planning, organizing and juggling.  

Sometimes you may find yourself overwhelmed with details and forget to take care of yourself. Parties, showers, planning, family, and career all vie for your attention.  It is important not to lose sight of the goal – to BE THE BEST YOU ON YOUR WEDDING DAY!! 

From our perspective, the brides who are the most self-aware during the process are the ones who are ready to enjoy their Best Day Ever.  Here are a few tips to help you prepare yourself to be ready for your special day!

Don’t focus on trying to whittle yourself down to some magic number. Take this time to become the healthiest “you” that you can be. Focus on looking and feeling your best. It's ok to grab a couple of bridesmaids and start exercising for your day. Plan two or three thirty minute sessions a week. Take a walk, play a sport, enjoy yoga class, go dancing or take a class that might be something totally new.  Physical activities boost serotonin in a matter of 30 minutes helping you look and feel great!

Eat healthy meals.  This doesn’t mean depriving yourself, it means including healthy nutrient packed foods and excluding high sugar and high carb counts (except for the wedding cake tasting – those carbs don’t count).  

Drink lots of water.  When you increase your water intake it makes it easier to cut those sugary drinks.  Drinking a 12 oz glass of water thirty minutes before a meal helps you to feel full faster.  Your body runs better when it is hydrated and your skin will thank you. 

Protect your mental health by taking time to practice gratitude.  We often focus on the fun and frolics of the wedding process, but we rarely talk about the emotional aspects of planning a wedding. Weddings are a time for celebrating, but they can also be stressful which can set off triggers for some people. The simple practice of keeping a gratitude journal will help you to stay focused on all the amazing things that are happening during the process.  When you have a particularly stressful day, taking time to reflect on the positive will help you keep your eye on the goal.

Keep your eye on the goal-enjoy this season of your life.  It is the only time you get to do this wedding to this person you love. If wedding planning and the myriad of tasks associated with it become overwhelming, remember this is normal. Take a break and step away from the wedding planning environment. Reconnect with your partner and just have some stillness for a while. Make things all about being a couple for a minute before stepping back into planning mode. Think of three reasons why you love him. Remind yourself that, at the end of the day, you want amazing memories.

Self-Care looks different to everyone. When we feel stressed, pressured or unwell, the first things we drop are the things we enjoy. When we are out of energy, it is important to recognize that this is a burnout moment.

To Avoid Burnout Moments Use These Self-Care Techniques:

1. Make simple changes to your daily routine. 

2. Set up a gab session with an old friend and don’t talk about weddings.

3. Hit pause on planning. 

4. Lean in on your support system – your maid of honor should be at your side.

5. Do something “non-wedding” that makes you happy.

6. Laugh out loud.

7. Pamper yourself…get a mani and pedi.

8. Allow yourself to feel upset & practice letting it go.

9. Plan a special date with your love.

10. Sing out loud (even off key) 

If wedding day stress brings on the wedding day blues it is time to put some boundaries in place and this means saying NO to things that don’t matter or feel out of place. Your wedding means you get to call the planning shots. 

Here’s a moment of truth; You're not going to love every idea, suggestion or detail others have for your wedding day. During this process it is important to remember that it’s your day, your vision, your way.  

Here are some key phrases to shut down unsolicited wedding ideas:

• "It'd mean a lot to me and [partner's name] if we could do it our way."

• "I love that idea, but let's tweak it a little bit."

• “Ooooh, that’s really nice but we already have a plan for that.”

Pick your favorite from the above list and practice saying it with a smile. It is okay to say “NO” with a pinch of grace and gratitude. When all else fails, “No” is a complete sentence.

A year seems like a long time to plan, but it goes by quickly! Don’t get sucked into tasks that don’t make your heart happy. Find the parts of wedding planning that bring you joy and sprinkle in items that feel big and overwhelming, or hire them done. This way you will find balance somewhere in between MUST, SHOULD and IT MIGHT BE NICE when it comes to checking those wedding tasks off the to-do list.

It is imperative that you make COUPLE time a priority, time for the “US”, the “WE”, in the relationship, and enjoy the bliss of your engagement. I’ve seen the planning frenzy take relationships over, and it is NOT PRETTY! Planning and solidarity won’t happen if you are so busy nurturing the guest list that you leave your partner out...(#TRUTH).

A bride will sometimes spend so much time planning this AMAZING, ONCE IN A LIFETIME DAY that they forget that the most important thing: You are marrying the love of your life. Don’t let stress and worry steal the bliss of enjoying all the special things people have planned for you and your love.  At the end of this planning process is a CELEBRATION of your love and the beginning of a great adventure.  Layer your process in creating time to take care of yourself and your newness as a couple.  Habits you set during this process can last a lifetime.

At Dream Field Farms we understand what it takes to plan for and create Dream Weddings. We offer packages that allow you to take the stress out of the planning process. For more information visit: www.dreamfieldfarms.com

3 Tips For Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Venue

There’s certainly plenty of things to think about when planning your wedding. There’s the date, your guestlist, your perfect dress, and so many big decisions like who will make up your wedding party, and what do we feed our guests?

However, one decision that you absolutely should not underestimate is picking your wedding venue. The location you decide upon is one of the most instrumental parts of your wedding, the base for your day, the backdrop for your wedding photographs and the place in which memories of a lifetime will be created.  

So, how do you make sure that you get this important decision right?

1. Let’s Start With Size:

Size really does encompass a lot of things, but it’s probably the most important factor for you to consider when selecting a wedding venue.

Don’t guess the size of your guest list, know it! The number of people a space can hold for your dream ceremony, reception, or both will have an effect on how many people you are going to invite to share in your special day with you and your forever partner.

If you find your MUST-HAVE, I’m In Love kind of  space, but realize the maximum number they can accommodate is under the number of your total guest list, you will have to make some difficult decisions: choosing a different venue, or start making cuts on that list

This is something that can bring a lot of unnecessary stress. You don’t have to have your guest list written out to select a venue, but have a realistic idea of who will be getting an invite and remember, you are not obligated to invite “granny’s nextdoor neighbor” just because they used to wave to you everytime you would visit. 

VENUE MUST HAVE LIST

Most venues have similar offerings, however some have different rules and regulations to consider, especially since we’re still dealing with COVID-19. It is a good idea to sit down and write a list of all of the things that you are going to want from your wedding venue, that are absolutely 100% non-negotiable. Let’s take a look at some of the things that might be non-negotiable for your dream day.

Accommodations– Will you have a lot of out of town guests attending your dream day? Venues featuring onsite accommodations can be seen as a necessity especially when hosting a wedding with a majority of guests not local to the area. Dream Field Farms can accommodate guests in their beautiful on-site cabins for all of your out of town guests..

Licensed– When it comes to hosting your wedding ceremony for it to be legally recognized, the venue will need a marriage license. Some venues have several areas in which you can choose to legally marry whereas others offer only a symbolic ceremony.

Weekend Hire– A modern take on wedding celebrations is to enjoy a whole weekend of it, a vast number of venues now offer weekend hire to ensure you can really make the most of this special occasion.

Pet Friendly– Are you planning on having your furry babies like your dog, cat or even horse as a part of your ceremony? Make sure you understand the venue’s pet policy and be sure to ask about it before you put a deposit down.

Catering – Would you prefer your venue to include catering as a part of their service or do you want to bring in your own caterers? This mainly comes down to the preferred cuisine you want on the day. If you’re a real foodie then the type of catering is certainly going to feature as one your must haves.

Live Music -If hiring a band or acoustic performer is high up your priority list, make sure your desired venues don’t have a sound limit and double double check that they allow live music!

Fireworks – another popular addition to a wedding day is to watch an epic firework display. Some venues do have strict rules against their use, so do your homework to make sure you’re not disappointed.

REALITY CHECK--Be mindful of your guest list and venue must haves to accommodate their needs. But, you are in control of your list and this day will only happen once. Choose your ideal invitees, a fantastic venue and people that support your amazing union with your forever partner.

1. Service Style Is Everything

 

Service style looks different for every venue. Most locations have different levels of capacity based specifically on service style. 

Here are some things you will need to ask your venue contact about:

1. Are you planning a cocktail style reception or pre-dinner service with hors d’oeuvres and drinks?

2. Do you want a full seated dinner style reception? 

3. Would a buffet best serve your budget and guests?

4. Do you need to hire a caterer or does the venue provide food and service?

When touring a venue, ask for numbers and service style options, along with what’s popular for the space and examples of configurations.

There are so many little details that go into planning your wedding, and the venue staff knows this from experience. Behind every good venue is a FANTASTIC Venue Coordinator and AMAZING staff. When you’re seeing the space for the first time, you should feel like you have all of the information regarding sizing of the space, prices, possibilities and should be able to answer almost any question you can come up with.

At Dream Field Farms we craft every aspect of your big day to your exact wishes. Our mission is to ensure that you and your guests have an incredible experience, from the moment you first enter our property to when you depart.

3. Did Somebody Say Photo Booth or Photo Opp?

One thing to nail down on your venue tour is where you will have the chance to photograph your dream day. These pictures cement your love story for generations to come. You need to have plenty of space and the right lighting for your photos and videos.

Keep in mind that the sun plays an important role in capturing outside photos. Ask your venue manager to suggest lighting times and intimate spots for taking photographs of your wedding.

Selecting your wedding venue is one of the most exciting parts about planning your wedding. Once you’ve selected a venue and a date, most of your other details of planning will follow. Going into touring with a clear mind, list of questions, and budget in mind will help ease any stress. The perfect venue will check off all of the boxes!

Learn More About Dream Field Farms: www.dreamfieldfarms.com

Don’t Stress the Dress- Dream Field Farm’s Tips For Finding the Perfect Fit

Having the wedding of your dreams starts with two things – finding your partner for life, and the MOST EXQUISITE GOWN for your special day. You’re all set when it comes to finding the PERFECT PARTNER, so all that's left is to dive into the bride-to-be abyss of wedding gowns and find the perfect dress that will ultimately complete your fairytale celebration.

Most Brides-To-Be start planning for their wedding dress when they are children and you will want to embrace your inner 5 year old as you plan out every single sequin, bow & train. This is your day to shine. All eyes will turn to you.

WHEW! That is a lot of pressure. We are here to help make your dress selection simple & we have some good news! In 2021, let’s face it,  you are blessed with TONS OF OPTIONS. Finding the perfect dress will depend upon many factors starting with your silhouette, style, and budget.

With so many dresses to choose from, it might take longer for you to find "The One." It all can feel so overwhelming. Dreamfield Farms is here with some advice to take gown shopping to the next level.

Something to keep in mind as you begin your search is that each designer strives to be unique. Sometimes it is the style of the gown, or the construction, or the cost. Until you try on a few gowns, you may not be able to narrow down which designers you like. Pictures are great, but the way it feels, the way you look in it, and the price tag all contribute to the excitement you will feel when you slip it on for the big day. 

But there are other factors to consider as you begin the HUNT FOR YOUR PERFECT DRESS. But, before you get started, set your bridal appointment at your favorite bridal store.

1. The Early Bird Gets The Perfect Dress--You should start looking for your dress 6-9 months out. This will help you factor the cost of this Elegant Garment into your wedding budget and avoid last-minute shopping that leads to wedding day regret. No impulse buying as you search for the most important dress of your LIFE!

1. Location Is EVE-RY-THING!!---Knowing the place and time of your wedding will help focus your search. Will you be having a daytime ceremony on the beach? Will you be toasting at Sunset in the scenic countryside? 

Choosing the perfect location for your wedding will help you rule out ball gowns with long trains and dramatic embellishments. Exchanging vows in a candlelit cathedral? Avoid short slip dresses or anything that looks like it could be worn to a cocktail party. Most fabrics are suitable year-round, but some, like linen and organdy, are more appropriate for warm weather, while velvet and brocade are best left for winter.

PRO TIP: It’s suggested not to choose a dress until you have locked down your location. 

1. Set Your Bridal Appointment--- We mentioned above that this should happen 6-9 months before your big day. As you get ready for your appointment, you should keep these design aspects in mind.

• Pleats that gather around the waist often magnify that area. A well-fitted high waist and loose skirt will combat this.

• Fitted sheath, mermaid, and trumpet gowns are meant to accent your curves or can create the illusion of them. ;)

• If you are not sure which way to go, consider an A-line gown.

• If all of the above sounds like foreign language, ask the store to prepare to show you these types of gowns and to have them ready to view and try on when you get there.

1. Bring The Accessories---Take anything you know you want to wear, such as a special necklace or your grandmother's veil. Boutiques will often provide bustiers, strapless bras, and shoes, but you may want to bring your own for the perfect fit and experience.

PRO TIP: You'll also need the advice of a few trusted confidantes, but not too many: An opinionated entourage can be confusing and frustrating. Invite one or two people who know your taste, will be honest with you, and whose judgment you trust.

1. Focus On Fit, Not Size--- This is the Golden Rule of All Bridal Shopping: Bridalwear often runs smaller than ready-to-wear clothing!! If you normally buy an 8, you may need a 12 in bridalwear. Please afford yourself some GRACE and forget the numbers!!

PRO TIP: Do not insist on a smaller size because you intend to lose weight before the wedding—order the one that fits now. A gown is easy to take in, but difficult and costly to let out. (This can even double the cost of your dress in materials and time.)

1. To Bustle or Not to Bustle--- A little vocabulary lesson… A “bustle” refers to the process of transitioning a wedding gown to function as if it has no train. Why should you consider this? After the ceremony you will want to dance the night away. The Electric Slide is easier to shuffle to if you aren’t tripping over a train! You don’t want to spend the majority of the evening adjusting your dress instead of enjoying yourself.

Another reason to consider a bustle- you want to look just as good at the reception!! What we suggest is once you think you have found the perfect dress - check out how the dress will look bustled. You can ask your seamstress to show you how your dress will look buttoned up, or hook the bustle (if the dress has a hook built in) and then make your selection.

PRO TIP: If you do add a bustle, prep your mom or maid of honor to know how to use it!

For a little pre-prep for all of this click here & take the assessment to understand what type of dress is your style. It is a handy resource to help you get started with your dress buying process.

Through this process, you should be constantly asking questions. Questions of the bridal store & seamstress staff, questions of your wedding planner, questions about the budget with anyone involved in your planning process—but most of all also questions of yourself. 

"You should always ask yourself a few questions to make sure the dress you love not only makes you feel spectacular but also works for the activities of the day," says Nicole Brewer, David's Bridal style council member and celebrity stylist. "Make sure you have the answers to these: Do I feel beautiful, confident and comfortable? Can I dance in it? Can I sit down? Am I self-conscious about any part of my body in my dress?" Although a gown may be gorgeous, if you can't move in it all night and feel trapped, mummy-style, it's not the right one for you.

Still in need of a venue? We have a few fall dates available. (But hurry….they won’t last long.) Check Us Out: www.Dreamfieldfarms.com

https://www.theknot.com/wedding-dress-styles

davidsbridal.com

Put your money where your heart is! 5 Tips to Stay on Budget!

You're Engaged!!!! And chances are you're Flying High!!  You've already got your PINTEREST PERFECT WEDDING BOARD started, and you are steadily planning. Just a quick reality check before you go into debt, the average wedding in the United States costs couples around $35,329, according to "The Knot."

Don't throw your plans out the door after hearing that statistic; get real & put your money where your heart is. What aspects of your wedding are most important to you? Keep those, put them on paper, say them out loud, and narrow down your priorities. Not sure where to start? No problem. We have you covered with Dream Field Farm's 5 Tips To Stay On Budget:

Tip 1. Establish a budget with everyone involved.

Who will be paying for the event? Parents, bride, groom, grandparents, or anyone contributing should be included in the budget planning. Start a spreadsheet and share incoming and outgoing expenses with those contributing to paying for the wedding.

Tip 2. Determine What Kind Of Wedding You Want

When you looked at Pinterest, which photos make your heart sing? Is it flowers? Maybe it's the photos of the bride and groom with the beautiful lake in the background? Was it the band at the wedding you went to last month? Take a look at what will be the most important thing to you and let that be your splurge item. If you aren't quite sure what that is, think about the last two or three weddings you went to and what you love about them. 

What was their wow factor? Every bride has a different perspective of what is going to make her day special. If you loved the arch with flowers draping to the ground, then plan for that. What about that great video of your best friend's wedding? Decide what you want, and then no flip-flopping.  

Tip 3. Did Someone Say DJ or Do You Prefer Live Music?

Music is the heart of your reception. The ambiance of a live band at the reception is one obvious way to liven up the party. But the variety a DJ can offer your wedding day is appealing too. Each come with their own sets of Pros & Cons.

Option 1: Hire A DJ and set the tone:

Pros:

1. DJ's are generally less expensive        

2. A DJ with a fantastic personality will create excitement & set the mood.         

3. DJ's offer an eclectic mix of music balance.

Cons: 

1. Not as personal as a band.

Option 2: Hire A Live Band and create the ambiance:

Pros:

1. Live music will include you and your guests in the action.         

2. A live band personalizes the entertainment         

3. Can quickly raise the excitement level of your reception.

Cons: 

1. Limited Variety

2. More Expensive

Tip 4. Boutonnieres, Centerpieces & Bouquets...OH MY!!            

From Bouquet to Centerpiece, our budget-friendly tip is to have your bridesmaids' bouquets double as centerpieces. Centerpieces for the entrance can be moved during the wedding to food tables for the reception. Using ferns & ornamentals to fill in the receptions is beautiful and budget-friendly. Not to mention, they make lovely fillers. PRO TIP: Take your ferns and ornaments in your new home & life that you are creating together.

Tip 5. What Is On Your Wedding Menu?

Did you say formal or fun? Cocktail time with h’or-derves or food stations? What is your favorite wedding food? Do you want to do something unusual? Don't forget your groom. Make sure you plan for his unique tastes. Taco bars, potato5 bars, bacon bars are just a few of the trends that add pizzazz to your day without breaking the bank. Think outside the box and work with your caterer to plan the perfect mix for your budget.

Lockdown your budget, put it in writing, say it out loud!! You do not want to enter into the most important time of your life in debt, and you certainly do not want to have the stress of unexpected changes in the middle of your reception. Staying on a budget will take some restraint, but it will help you start your marriage on a strong foundation. Put your money where your heart is! Figure out what is most important to you, and ENJOY YOUR DREAM WEDDING!

You Got The Ring. Now What? 10 Things to Think About After The Proposal.

Girl….It’s Happening….It’s Really Really Happening!

You’ve got the ring, CONGRATULATIONS! Now what?

Everything feels so surreal! You said yes, and like it or not, the weeks following your proposal are guaranteed to feel like you’ve been swooped up in a whirlwind!

You have so much to think about, people to tell, and tons to get done. It can all feel overwhelming and many times a Bride-To-Be becomes so consumed with the planning that she becomes overwhelmed. With friends to tell, colors, venues, & wedding parties to pick, it is hard to know the perfect starting point!

No problem, Dream Field Farms is here to help!

1. START HERE: The first thing you will need to do is call the folks. Both sets. In-person or over a screen share. They should always be the first to know…..(The answer that is.) Next on the list are siblings, grandparents, and BFF’S. Please don’t be “That” couple that shares their news on social media before they share it with the people that support your relationship the most.

2. Listen UP! This next tip is crucial! GO GET A MANICURE. (Like right now!) For the next few weeks, your hands are going to be in the spotlight. You don’t want to have some sorry looking banana fingers that prevent you from showing off your new bling.

3. Instagram is the best platform for you and your fiance, (because you can say that now.) to post a, “WE ARE TAKING THE LEAP”, “JUST GOT ENGAGED”, “SHE SAID YES” selfie that highlights your new ring. Better yet, post the proposal video for the world to see as though they were there with you when it happened. PRO TIP: Each year on your anniversary go back and watch the video together to commemorate the moment you decided that your love was BIG ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL.

4. Celebrate! Gather your family and friends together for a simple engagement party, dinner, or dink. Keep it simple, but make it official. You’re engaged and that is totally toastable.

5. CORNERSTONE MUST: Think about a date! Wedding venues get booked far in advance and if you want a space that is special and works within your budget you will need to have some advanced notice. Think about the advantages of a day vs. night wedding, pick a convenient location for your guests, and make sure that you are not pressured into something that is well beyond your budget restraints.

6. Narrow Down Your Top 5 Venue Choices. Get on the same page regarding your desire to have a big or small wedding. Being on the same page is critical. If your family is paying you will want to make decisions together and ensure that you’ve nailed the guest count & want to stay within budget. If you are considering Dream Field Farms we would love to answer any questions about size, space & venue attributes. A major plus for using us is that your wedding party can book one of our cozy cabins and stay on site, along with you and your groom in the newlywed suite, of course. Simply call: (334) 534-6976

7. Create a Pinterest Board. Organize the look and feel of your perfect event. Find inspiration and save it for plans to come. Share this board with your wedding planner, bridesmaids, mother and fiance. Use this as your master wedding collaboration tool.

8. Choose Who Will Be In The Wedding Party. How many bridesmaids and groomsmen are you planning for your big day? Will you be choosing a maid of honor and best man? Consider how much time the individuals will have. Will there be someone organizing bachelor and bachelorette parties? Do they have funds for dresses or tuxedo rentals?

9. Dress Selection: Do not make a snap decision on the first dress your eyes fall in love with. Be sure to take your time in choosing the most important outfit of your life. Budget, designer, style, fit, and season should be your guiding pillars for dress shopping.

10. Planner or Not? Are you thinking about hiring a planner for your special event? If the idea of planning a wedding makes you pick up a brown paper bag, then it might be time to hire a wedding coordinator. Working with a wedding planner can keep things streamlined, stress-free, and even cost-effective. We have worked with countless professional coordinators and would love to help with a referral if you need one.

We know how excited you are; how beautiful being in love feels. Now that you have the bling the next part of your life is just beginning. It sounds like you have a lot of choices to make and that you are going to need to be at your best. Take a few moments to embrace your next steps. Practice self-care as you go. Enjoy the moments and take your time!

Best wishes to you as you journey into this thing called marriage. It’s the most wonderful ride you will never want to get off!