So you’ve finished planning all the big details for your wedding and now in home stretch. It’s time to think about all the remaining wedding items you may need to purchase or make such as wedding favors, money box, and the guestbook. Rather than traditional guestbooks, we’ve come up with some alternative wedding guestbook ideas. Hope these ideas will help you come up with a fun and unique guestbook idea that is all about you.
Mason Jar of Hearts
Photo credit: Etsy
Message in a Bottle
Photo credit: Glamour and Grace Blog
Wooden State Cutout – Perfect for long distance couples.
We had the privilege of coordinating a NYC themed Bat Mitzvah for Lindsey at Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica. We were lucky to work closely with Lindsey’s mom who was extremely creative and organized which made our job really easy. The big day started at the Wilshire Blvd. temple and all the guests were greeted by Lindsey’s New York Bagel Bar after the service ended.
Michele wanted to transform the Casa Del Mar ballroom into a big NYC themed party. As guests entered the ballroom, they were greeted by a large I LOVE NY floral arrangement with escort cards on yellow taxi cabs.
Each table was decorated with a specific theme related to New York such as Broadway, Times Square, Statue of Liberty, TV show ‘Friends’, Little Italy and Chinatown. The backdrop was an image of the New York City skyline.
Another main theme was Lindsey’s Candy Bar. The Cocktail Reception area was decorated with candy everywhere and the kids’ area was transformed to a candy paradise with lollipops hanging from the ceiling and all sorts of candy scattered on the tables. Drinks from the bar were also decorated with candy.
Our lovely Guest of Honor, Lindsey.
A party is not a party without some party favors. Guests departed with a box of Krispy Kreme donuts.
We recently did a site visit at Westlake Village Inn which is located in the Conejo Valley. This 17-acre resort offers a luxurious retreat destination for its guests. The venue offers several stunning options for ceremony sites. The sites range from $1500 – $5000 which includes chairs, microphone and speaker, water station, gift and guestbook tables and one night stay in a courtyard hotel room.
Tuscan Garden
Mediteranneo Gazebo
Lakeside Gazebo
There are also many beautiful sites perfect for bride and groom and wedding party photos.
There are several reception spaces available with spaces ranging from 50 person capacity up to 200 person capacity. Dinner reception packages starts from $80.00 per person up to $150.00 per person.
For more information on the venue, visit the Westlake Village Inn website here.
We love to plan weddings that show off the personality of the bride and groom. We found the following unique place setting ideas that have inspired us. These place settings give guests a feel for the type of wedding they are attending. We hope you find one that you like and may possibly use at your own wedding.
We attended the Grand Opening and Bridal Show at Oak Canyon Ranch in Agoura Hills. This venue is perfect for you if you are planning a rustic, barn/ranch style and outdoor wedding. This gorgeous site is 48 acres and located in the Santa Monica mountains. The maximum capacity for an outdoor ceremony and reception is 400. The rental fee ranges from $4000 – $7000 and includes 12 hours of event time including set up and strike. Catering is also provided on site. Check out some of the photos we took of the venue.
Ceremony site #1
The venue also has beautiful groom’s suite and bridal suite for the wedding party to use for the day.
Groom’s Suite
Bridal Suite
This can be used as a cocktail reception location.
Ceremony site #2
This can be used as a cocktail reception or dinner reception.
You’re engaged! Congratulations! Most of you will begin compiling the guest list and think about whether or not you should send out wedding save the dates. Save the dates are highly recommended if you are planning a destination wedding or getting married during peak travel times. Sending out save the dates will give your guests time to make travel arrangements. We recommend sending out save the dates at least 6 months prior to your wedding day.
So now that you have decided that you need to send out save the dates, we have prepared some different ways of making this announcement to your friends and family. Enjoy!
Tying the knot card.
Photo credit – Brit + Co
Perfect for a destination wedding – Save the date luggage tags.
Photo credit: Feedly
Planning a formal affair – send your guests some confetti to show them what’s to come.
Photo credit – Green Wedding Shoes
For the book lovers, send your guests save the date bookmarks!
Photo credit – Etsy
Save the date passports – perfect for a beach wedding.
Photo credit: Oh So Beautiful Paper
Last but not least, how about some fun balloon save the dates for your guests?
One of the key components to a wedding is the food selection. Whether you are offering a sit down dinner with courses, food stations or buffet, you can add your own personal finishing touch by using an unique way of displaying the menu. We have selected some fun and unique wedding menu ideas for those looking for some inspiration.
Menu painted on a wooden pallet for an outdoor reception.
Photo credit: Intimate Weddings
Menu printed on a table cloth.
Photo Credit: Southern Weddings
Simply add a finishing touch to a simple menu by adding some other elements.
Photo Credit: Project Wedding
Menu printed on a paper bag filled with all the essentials.
Photo credit: Brit + Co
An elegant way of display your menu – food choices written on a mirror.
We were invited to attend the Open House at Rancho De Las Palmas in Moorpark, California. It’s a beautiful venue with many options. The venue itself allows for capacity up to 500 with buffet or seated options available. It’s nestled on a gorgeous outdoor space with tropical setting, waterfall, a lake and beautiful landscape.
We had the opportunity to attend an event at The London West Hollywood and checked out the event spaces available. We absolutely loved the poolside space and Rooftop West with panoramic views of West Hollywood and the LA skyline. The poolside can accommodate up to 300 guests. Rooftop West can accommodate up to 250 for dinner and 300 for ceremony and cocktails.
Photo credit: The London West Hollywood Website
The Hampton Court is another available space with a rose garden overlooking West Hollywood. The space can accommodate up to 275 for ceremony, 400 for dinner or 600 for cocktails.
Photo credit: The London West Hollywood Website
A 4,000 square feet of ballroom space is also available at The London. It can accommodate up to 275 for dinner and 350 for ceremony and cocktails.
Contact info:
Tel: 310-358-7749
Email: mgustashaw@thelondonweho.com
1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood CA 90069
Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit organization granting wedding and vow renewals for couples facing serious illness or a life-altering circumstance. We are strong supporters of what the organization is trying to accomplish. We attended the Blissful Wishes Ball that took place at the Intercontinental Hotel Century City. The ballroom was decorated with a modern love theme.
The highlight of the evening was when some of the wish recipients took the stage and and shared their experiences with Wish Upon a Wedding and their journey. We hope to continue to support Wish Upon a Wedding in any way that we can by either volunteering or donating part of our proceeds to help out those in need.