Wedding Photo MUSTS!

Photography Love

Today we are going to talk about what wedding moments we think are SO IMPORTANT to document through a photo. 

You don't want to forget anything from your special day, but it's always good to keep a memory safe in a photo just in case :) 

Here are some of the top shots we think you should make sure you tell your photographer to get!

The famous Father-Daughter reveal

Some think the husband seeing the wife for the first time is the only "reveal" photo to take. We disagree. Fathers have just as wonderful of a look on their face, and are usually more emotional. 

Capture the moment that shows you just how much he truly loves you.

 The First Look

If you and your man decide to do a first-look before the wedding you gotta get a photo of this. We have seen so many cute first look shots like this!

You can use a blind fold or do a "sneaking" up on him shot.

If you wait until the walk down the isle to meet, make sure you get a photo of your man's first look. 

We can bet it's absolutely adorable.

 

These are so precious. <3

The Mother-Daughter Shot

Don't forget your mother. This photo is really not taken enough. Mothers are such an important part of their daughters' lives and this photo can really show your bond.

The Veil 

Women love to get images of their outfits and hair, but we feel the veil shot is under utilized! Veils complete a wedding outfit, and can create a really creatively beautiful photo. Like this...

Pick Her Up!

Make your day super romantic. Pick up your bride ladies and sweep her off her feet- literally! 

These photos are so cute and can really show the love between a couple. 

 This is adorable.

Walking off into the sunset.

Your Girls!

These women were chosen to be woven into your special day between you and your man. 

Take a few unique photos of all the girls - getting ready, laughing, jumping, etc. Show off your fun friends you love so much.

 And do it with the groomsmen. Especially if you have a few who are your brother or like a brother to you.

The MOH

 Then make sure you get a One-on-One shot with your leading lady.

Have fun with it and be yourselves. Those make the best photos.

 THE FIRST KISS.

Please don't forget this. This is one of the most important moments that seals your love. 

Nature Themes

There are so many weddings that are nature themed once spring starts.  We have pooled together a bunch of  neat ideas that can help bring out your natural side! 

We noticed that not only does any color theme go with wood pieces, but that in using little branches or tree trunks in your decor you can keep your budget low. Check out some of these DIY pieces:

To make these you use a drill or carve out the middle and simply add some flowers!

 The side piece is also unique. If you want something to lighten up the colors you could use birch wood!

Now, for some mood lighting. Try sticking a candle in the wood chunks as opposed to flowers.

 With bigger wood slabs, you can use them for "stools". We've notice these are really awesome conversational pieces!

Staying on the same theme.. here are some thinner slabs of wood that can be stained or painted to fit the theme of your special day.

This is a great idea for a guest book or quotes! You can put it in your home to remember all those who celebrated your special day with you!

You can also use the pieces of wood as a platform for the center pieces. 

You can also use smaller ones for guest placement cards or gifts.

Now onto cakes!!!! 

Weddings in Spring

In the spirit of the upcoming season we have decided to show you a few of our wonderful Spring Wedding ideas!!

Spring weddings are always associated with beautiful bright colors and flowers!

Check out these beautiful bouquets:
Seems tulips are PERFECT for a cute spring flower.

Even cakes can have a touch of spring-time charm!

Now that we've covered the cakes and floral arrangement's... it is time for the centerpieces of spring!

Here is one for the "bird" themed weddings we have seen out there (You'd be surprised how many!)

Gotta love that blue!!!

~Here are some cute centerpiece ideas for the DIY'ers out there~ 

Lanterns

Old soda bottles 

White vases :) 

Well, there you have it! A few cute spring ideas for a spectacular wedding.

Save the Dates!

One of the first steps in your wedding planning process:

To pick a date

That is the hard part right? Planning the official day you want to be wed in hopes that there will be no rain, snow, wind, or anything that could ruin travel plans!? 

So the hard part is done? 

Now you have to let everyone know. You have to announce to your loved ones the most important day of your life and make sure they mark it?! 

Don't stress!!! We have some great ideas (thank you Pintrest) that can help you decide the perfect and most memorable way to tell your guests to mark their calendars for your special day~

A lot of save the dates get lost in the clutter of the mail, or fall out of that tiny magnet holding it up in the fridge, or get thrown away when seasonal cleaning begins....

Here is a cute way you can make sure your date sticks with your guests through thick and thin!

~Magnetic Invites~

shop here or here

Many people are using magnets as platforms for their save the date. Not only can you be sure it will stay on the fridge, but it's even a cute way to hold up the kids' artwork!

Now maybe you really like to go picture crazy, but you don't know a cute way to display all of your lovey dovey photos... 

~Create a Cute Photo Keepsake~

step by step

These are cute and a great way to hold not only information (on the back of them) but your photos as well!

I don't know about you, but if I take a bunch of engagement photos.. I'm going to want my guests to see at least a few of them!

Here is a cute idea for those of you who are devoted to your state.. or even for those of you who would like to show your guests in a unique way where your wedding will be!

~The Crafty Cut-Outs~

Not only can you use this idea for your location, but you can ideally cut out design you like. For example: say you're theme was going to be at a winery.. you could have cut out an image of a wine bottle or wine glass! This is a cute way to keep the cards cheap and fun. 

Or you could cut your cards to create a picture cut out.

~The Pop-Ups~

Either way you prefer, a cut out adds another dimension to your card that will have your guests ooing and ahhing. 

Lastly, I'm going to tell you a few tricks to making the most efficient and cheapest save the dates. 

Tip 1: You can use a postcard as your save the date to save on envelopes!

Tip 2: Have you thought of putting the image in the envelope to save more room for information? 

Tip 3: If possible or in the budget.. it is a LOT easier if you save yourself the trouble and buy or create a stamping system that will allow you address your cards easily. This will not only help on save the dates, but invites and thankyou's as well!!

Well, those are my ideas and tips for the day. Once again Pintrest, I couldn't have done it without you. 

(Well, I could have, but it would have taken longer.)

Check out our Pintrest boards for more wedding ideas at The Garden Room

Event Menu for the Garden Room

The Garden Room's Catering Company 

(GFG Catering, formally known as Skyfood Catering)

We, at the Garden Room, supply all the catering for our events. We take pride in our delicious choices and ability to bend to any guests needs! 

We also cater to organic, glutten-free, and vegetarian choices as well! 

Here is a list of some of the choices you are able to choose from at the Garden Room. Don't see what you are looking for? Feel free to let us know what you want and we'll make sure to meet all of your catering needs!

Garden Room Event Menu

Dinner Menu:

Side Salad: included in prices

Classic Caesar               Greek

Garden                           Pear Gorgonzola

Spinach Cranberry         Roasted Beet and Chevre

Pasta Entrees:

Lobster Ravioli with Tomato Cream Sauce  

Shrimp Pomodoro with Angel Hair Pasta 

Veal Ravioli with Truffle Cream

Filet of Beef with Trottole and Gorgonzola Cream  

Poultry:

Seared  Chicken Breast with Cranberry Chutney 

Chicken Saltimbocca 

Pan-Roasted Duck Breast with Tomato Ginger Jam 

Wild Rice Stuffed Turkey Breast with Sage Gravy 

Beef:

Braised Short Rib with Demi Glace and Black Figs 

Pan-Roasted Tri-Tip Sirloin with Port Wine Demi Glace and Wild Mushrooms 

Beef Tenderloin with Amablu Cheese Butter 

Classic Meatloaf with Wild Mushroom Gravy 

Pork:

Apricot-glazed Pork Loin 

Chili-rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Hoi Sin Sauce 

Fennel Crusted Pork Loin with Dijon Cream Sauce 

Smoked Pork Chop with Apple Chutney 

Fish and Seafood:

Pecan-crusted Walleye with Herbed Butter 

Sun-Dried Tomato, Olive and Artichoke Crusted Salmon 

Cilantro Lime Tilapia with a Tequila Beurre Blanc 

Pan-seared Mahi Mahi with Thai Red Curry 

Vegetarian:

Lentil Dal with Saffron Basmati Rice and Grilled Vegetables 

Roasted Vegetable and Mushroom Risotto 

Velveted Oyster Mushroom and Broccoli Stir Fry 

Spinach Walnut Florentine Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Coulis  

Starches: included in prices

Duchess Potatoes

Twice-baked potato

Herb Roasted Potatoes

Saffron Basmati Rice

Herbed Rice Pilaf

Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf

Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Vegetables: included in prices

Roasted Vegetable Medley

Ratatouille

Honey-glazed Green Top Baby Carrots

Sautéed Pattypan Squash (seasonal)

Green Bean Almandine

Broccolini

Kids Menu

Hamburger with Fries 

Cheeseburger with Fries 

Individual Pizza – cheese or pepperoni 

Roasted Chicken and Macaroni and Cheese 

Spaghetti and Meatballs 

Beef tacos with Spanish Rice 

Late Night Snack Menu

Pizzas (10ppl)

5ft Party Sub with Ham, Turkey and Roast Beef (25-30ppl) 

Beef Sliders by the dozen

Quesadillas – chicken and beef  for 12

Nachos  

Chicken Wings – teriyaki, bbq, buffalo   

Hot Appetizers by the dozen

Mini Beef Wellingtons  

Walleye Cakes (1 oz cakes)

Stuffed Mushrooms – sausage - tomato-spinach -crab

Spinach Artichoke Dip in Bread Bowl with Toast Points   8oz bowl

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops (20/30 scallops)

Chicken Wings– teriyaki, bbq, buffalo  

Beef Satays  

Chicken Satays 

Mini Meatballs – Swedish, BBQ, Marinara 

Beef Sliders  

Mini Vegetable or Pork Egg Rolls with Dipping Sauces  

Cold Appetizers

Imported Cheese Tray 

Domestic Cheese Tray 

Seasonal Fruit Tray

Vegetable Tray 

Anti Pasto Tray 

Smoked Salmon Crostini 

Horseradish Beef Crostini
Bruchetta Crostini  

Shrimp Cocktail 

Another Wedding Fair Success!

The Wedding Fair, Jan. 13th, 2013.

What better way to welcome in the new year than to go to the Wedding Fair?! We were very honored to once again attend the Minneapolis Wedding Fair on Jan. 13th! 

Here at the Garden Room, we really felt this wedding fair would be a hit. With the holidays, new year, and romantic snowy weather, we really felt there would be a lot more future brides and recently engaged couples roaming the floor.

Not only did we see so many new faces, but we were also blessed with the opportunity to be recognized by SO many more brides than our last visit to the Wedding Fair! 

We also saw a few of our old friends who took advantage of the opportunity to "ahh" the 
recently engaged brides. 

Festivities

Deckci Decor

From the future brides to the mothers-in-charge, we were able to stay busy marketing to the public the whole 11-4 shift! 

Although we were keeping busy, we still wanted to make sure we had the opportunity to see some of the fashion show this year so we could show some styles to our readers. 

Here are a few images from the  David's Bridal Line.

 Love the colors!

Here are a few images from the Posh Bridal Line. 

 What pretty dresses!

Love those suits!