FIVE TIPS TO HAVE A STRESS FREE HAWTHORNE HOUSE WEDDING
This is going to be your
BEST. DAY. EVER.
So it needs to be stress free, right?! We’ve gathered five tips that will guide you through creating the ultimate (and seamless) Hawthorne House wedding no matter what your budget, vision or wedding month is!
1. Preorder Food
There are so many details to remember, things to do, and moments to enjoy on your wedding day. One thing that can be easy to forget is EAT! And no, the strawberries in your mimosa don't count ;)
While you're getting ready, light snacks are always best - pretzels, fruit, veggies, and cheese and crackers are great and easy grab and go snacks.
Lunch for you and your crew so you don't go hungry?! You can pre-order Jimmy Johns, Panera, or Chick-Fil-A. Be sure to include those who will be with you all day - family members, your bridal party and maybe even your photographer or coordinator if they arrive early!
2. Hire a Coordinator
You'll definitely hear us say this more than once! Venue Managers and Wedding Coordinators play two completely different roles. As your venue team, we will focus on keeping the space clean, the bar set up, the restrooms stocked and your guest experience at an all time high. This means that you'll want to hire someone who will decorate your tables, send you down the aisle, and answer all of your vendors questions. Imagine being upstairs in the bridal suite, getting pampered, when your florist or caterer comes up to ask you a question. Do you want to be the one who has to go back down to tell them where to go and what to do? We don't want you to! Thus, HIRE A COORDINATOR! Check our our Vendor Recommendation List (on your client planning portal) for some of our favorites and those that may include special offerings for #HitchedAtHawthorne couples!
3. Notify Your Vendors of the Hawthorne House Access Time
The timing of your wedding day will affect every single one of your vendors. From how many stylists you'll need in the morning for hair and makeup, to when your DJ can load in his equipment, to when your caterer and rentals need to be out at the end of the night. Just a reminder that your venue access begins six hours before your event begins, you have five hours of access for your reception with an additional half hour for your vendors to be cleaned up. Before you sign a contract, make sure that this time works for them!
4. Keep Your Parents and Wedding Party in the Loop
As you get closer and closer to the big day, your parents and bridal party will be asking you lots of questions. A little piece of advice? Create a separate timeline and informative guide for them. Here are a few things we recommend including:
- No alcohol can be brought on property
- No shots will be allowed at the bar
- Rehearsal Time on Thursday Evening
- When your Access Begins & Ends
- All items must go with you at the end of the night
Keep them in the loop BEFORE the big day!
5. Simple Does NOT Mean Cheesy
All of our spaces are naturally gorgeous, which means you don't need a lot to make your wedding day stunning! The less you bring, the more the things you DO bring will pop! So keep it simple.
Not sure about this tip? Take the advice from a past Hathorne House bride:
"Everything about the venue is stunning. We had our ceremony in the chapel, which was a DREAM! Bright natural light, wooden pews, grand piano, white exterior, big staircase, a rod iron bridge surrounded by trees -everything was so simple and beautiful, & that isn't even all of it! The reception space - the wrap around porch, bridal suite with a BALCONY, hardwood floors, natural light, gold chandeliers - I mean I could go on and on, but it was a literal dream come true. Everything was so beautiful that we hardly used any additional decoration besides flowers and centerpieces!"
- Samantha B