Archive for August, 2010

Villa Siena Wedding Tips ~ Stress Free Weddings

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Wedding Planning Advice – Top Five Ways To Have A Stress-free Wedding

Many brides seek out wedding planning advice, however few ask the simple question, how can I have a stress-free wedding? It doesn’t matter how beautiful your dress is or how elegant the venue if you haven’t enjoyed the process or aren’t able to enjoy your wedding day. The following are a few tips for reducing stress as you plan and celebrate your wedding.

1. Have the Right Attitude. Happy people have happy weddings. Stressed out people have stressful weddings. It’s important to see the wedding in context of your life. This will be a fabulous, romantic, extraordinary wedding as long as that’s how you view it. Your feelings are transferred to your family, friends and guests. Getting frustrated by every little detail is going to leave you feeling frustrated with the whole planning process and when your wedding day comes, you will be so focused on everything that’s not perfect, you won’t be able to enjoy all the beautiful, perfect moments that are happening around you. Don’t sweat the little stuff. Stay focused on taking care of yourself so you can enjoy the big day.

2. Decide on a Budget. Have a get-together with everyone involved in deciding your budget. This may include you and your fiancé, or the bride’s parents or both sets of parents. Do some research before the meeting of what the ballpark range might be for the budget, then discuss. Once the budget is set, even if it is lower than you had hoped for, embrace your budget. Know that is what you have to work with and go forward making your decisions based on that. This may require you to buy a dress that isn’t special order or make your own favors, but in the long run it is the best policy.

3. Cut the Groom Some Slack. About 85% of grooms find wedding planning as exciting as brides find Monday night football. So when you present him with two possible color schemes and he tells you he’s happy with whatever makes you happy, he really is. It’s not that he doesn’t care about you, he does. He really is happy seeing you happy. So make choices that make you happy and be grateful for having a man who loves you and is going to spend the rest of your life finding happiness in your happiness.

4. Don’t Second Guess Yourself. There is a saying, ‘first thought best thought.’ If you make a decision, be happy with it and move on to the next one. Trust your first instinct, whether that has to do with color schemes, dress, hair and make-up or venue. Second-guessing is only going to waste your time and stress you out. You will enjoy the process a lot more if you stay confident with your first decision and move on.

5. Setting the Tone for the Family. Families are an important part of any wedding celebration. It is a time for the bride to forget about past differences and be gracious, loving, thoughtful and caring. Choose to be the mature one and people’s responses will mirror yours. Even if they don’t, you can be satisfied knowing you took the high road. This may mean offering a hug to your father’s second wife who is two years younger than you and complimenting her dress. The more love you give, the more you will receive.

Your wedding day will come and go whether you follow this advice or not. However, to get the most out of your experience and your special day, let yourself be happy, enjoy it, and forget about stress.

Shannon & Jeff ~ July 17, 2010

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Shannon and Jeff~ July 17, 2010 from Villa Siena on Vimeo.

Shannon and Jeff can remind us all that life is sweeter when shared.  They hosted their refreshingly upbeat wedding at Villa Siena this past July 17th.  We were pleased to work with such a fun and pleasant family throughout the celebration.  The entire family seemed to come together in company and love as they saw a bright new future ahead for Shannon and Jeff.    With a touch of country twang, Shannon and Jeff put a unique and fresh touch on Villa Siena’s European setting.  Full floral graced every table, as did the classy and elegant table settings included in Villa Siena’s Pranzo di Nozze package. 

As the wedding party rolled in, the picture of elegance and decadence was complete.  The entire party arrived in Limos and busses.    Lasting Images created beautiful and artistic memories of the fun occasion, laughs and smiles spread from face to face.  The bridal party had even more fun with the addition of “Man of Honor” (instead of Maid of Honor) Alex, who kept us all engaged with his positive energy and warm smile.

After the guests had arrived and settled for the indoor ceremony, Shannon brought a little extra sparkle to the room as she entered in her beautiful, flowing mermaid-cut dress with feather and flower detail. Ok…..she added A LOT of extra sparkle!  As the guests and wedding professionals admired the beauty of this bride, as well as the warmth and love of her friends and family, we were all reminded that life is sweeter when  shared.  Congratulations Jeff and Shannon!  We wish you a bright future from Villa Siena!

Carly & Rob ~ June 27, 2010

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Carly & Rob ~ June 27, 2010 from Villa Siena on Vimeo.

Rob’s Navy dress uniform, the tiffany blue bride’s maid dresses, and Carly’s alluringly dark coloring made for a lovely  June wedding.  Rob was only home  for a brief time for the wedding and a honeymoon in California, after which he returned to his responsibilities in the military.   Weston Neuschafer’s images capture the formality of this event, showing the groomsmen in precise military stance, and later the groom cutting a dramatic figure at Villa Siena’s entry hallway.  Carly stole the show in the picturesque, indoor ceremony, wearing a graceful and flowing halter-gown.  In one photo, Weston captures the party in a mock-ceremony through a picture frame, reminding us all to frame the moments that matter and enjoy our time with those who we love.  Congratulations from Villa Siena and we wish you a happy future!

Brytni & Matthew ~ June 26, 2010

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Brytni and Matthew ~June 26, 2010 from Villa Siena on Vimeo.

Both Brytni and Matt are very committed to principles and teachings of their  church so as you can imagine, worship was big part of their wedding ceremony.    Brytni’s youth pastor officiated the ceremony, and the couple was blessed by several church elders.  The reception was decorated beautifully, featuring burgundy, gold, and chocolate brown.  The natural colors of the Villa blended nicely with the colors the bride had chosen.  The pièce de résistance at the reception was their extravagant and unique cake created by Villa Siena’s baker.  No doubt photographer Ruby Rideout was excited to photograph it.  The cake was lined with rosebuds at every tier, and covered with a light dusting of chocolate powder, adding an antique look to the detailed piping over the fondant.  In addition to the photos of the cake, we were pleased to see such creative and engaging photos of the massive bridal party, who all wore floor length, pleated and ruffled satin red dresses.  As the guests finished their dinner Brytni and Matthew danced their first dance to a song recorded by the father of the bride.  The family again contributed to the festivities when Brytni’s younger sister caught the bridal bouquet!  We wish them both the best in future!

Julie & Eric’s review of Villa Siena

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

“We had the most incredible experience at the Villa Siena. It is such a beautiful venue. My husband and I were working with Hope and she does outstanding work. Very professional focused and always there to help. She responds to e-mails within a day. I was also very satisfied with the bar staff. In fact we had such a wonderful wedding and I could have not asked for more. Everything was perfect!” ~ Julie & Eric

Julie & Eric ~ June 25, 2010

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Julie & Eric ~ June 25, 2010 from Villa Siena on Vimeo.

 

We at Villa Siena felt like we were hosting a wedding magazine photo shoot at the wedding of Juliane and Eric this past June.  As is evident from the photos, the couple took supremely good photographs, reflecting the honest and genuine happiness they experienced on their big day.     Julie select tall kiwi-green centerpieces provided a lovely contrast to the floor-length black table linens.  Photographer Chelsea Hudson did a good job capturing the elegance of these choices in the interesting and candid photographsThe ceremony focused on the bride and groom and was held indoors in the elegant Chianciano room.    A translators were hired to translate the ceremony into German since Julie’s parents,  grandparents and family are German and had traveled  all the way from Germany for the big day.    Eric’s aunt provided prelude and processional music on the harp which added a very nice personal touch as well as lovely music. 

 The reception had its own European flavor as well.  Juliane and Eric served cake and gelato to  guests in lieu of a traditional cake only option.   As the group danced off the gelato into the night, the reception was energized by a guest who rapped “Baby Got Back” to the cheers and dances of the bridal party.  Eric and Juliane brought much happiness to Villa Siena and we wish them a happy and gelato-filled future!