Do's and Don'ts for Your Rooftop Wedding

Rooftop weddings can be beautiful. Catch a stunning glimpse of a city skyline or overlook a sparkling blue ocean. You really have the chance to impress your guests (and take some awesome pictures) with a wedding on a rooftop. But before you book your ideal rooftop venue, we've got the scoop on some important tips every couple should know in planning a rooftop shindig.  We got a some help from planner Latoya Parnell of Something Blue Weddings for this piece.

Keep reading to learn the do's and don'ts of a rooftop wedding.

DO - Have a Plan B!! Mother Nature is a funny thing and unlike a tent which has covering a rooftop is open to the elements so unless you plan for the unexpected rainy day of having an inside space available you may be in a pretty pickle with nowhere to go.

DO - Consider an evening shindig. Nothing is more gorgeous, especially in the city than the illumination provided by the surrounding buildings.  This will give your wedding that extra ambiance and something special.  If you can catch sunset just in time to say "i do" that too would also make for stunning pictures. If you're having a rooftop wedding be sure to consider all the ways you can take advantage of the setting. Which brings us to...

DO - Remember that the sky is the limit. Play off the beautiful colors of the sky and the open airedness (I know this isn't a word. lol) or the space. Natural sunlight is a photographers best friend so let the world be your backdrop and try not to over decorate the space.

DON'T - Forget to check the sound. If you're having a wedding on a rooftop, chances are the wind is greater than on ground level plus with the other outside noises be sure to make sure you have the necessary equipment so that your guests can hear important announcements.

DON'T - Assume that everyone knows its your wedding day and will adjust their plans accordingly.  Flights are still scheduled (their path may be over your venue!) and other normal events will unfold. Some things, such as a plane flying overhead just as you say "i do" can be managed, by ensuring your wedding accounts for scheduled flights so you can plan around them.  Be sure to look into what other events are happening the day of your wedding, so there are no surprises!

And now, as a bonus, for our DC area couples (or those considering a DC wedding), here are 3 local venue options for a rooftop wedding.

Point of View - Rooftop Lounge, Washington, DC

Newseum - Washington, DC

Tabaq Bistro Resturant

Cocktails Anyone?

Your cocktail hour doesn't have to be boring! Cheese and fruit displays are not required!
Here are some great ideas for appetizing bites sure to please any crowd.

Treat your guests to a delicious tossed salad served in a martini glass. 

How about these bite sized mozzarella balls with a tomato basil sauce?

Great fruit salad option, that won't go to waste!
Image via Hostess With the Mostess.com

Mini burgers are trending.  And it's easy to see why.
Very easy to  pop in your mouth, no mess and delicious!

And what is cocktail hour without the cocktail? We love this light  and refreshing
Strawberry Lemonade Sparkler. with vodka.  Omit the vodka to please guests who don't consume alcohol.  Perfect for a summer or spring wedding.
Click here for drink recipe

There is nothing wrong with adding a light dessert to your cocktail hour menu.
We think this tower of chocolate mouse is the perfect addition if you want to treat your guests to a little something sweet.
via Projectwedding.com 

Save The Date with Pride!

Ready to go to press your save the dates? Check out this useful save the date guide with oodles of ideas and inspiration for your wedding!

The Wedding Paper Diva's recently added a pride collection to their wonderful offering of wedding invitation stationery, it's only fitting we start this post out with designs from their new line!

From Gayweddings.com, a site specifically dedicated to gay unions we found some great options as well! Here are a few...

Modern Wedding Invitations bring us these same-sex save the dates...

We also turned up some fun save the dates from some other great companies, check 'em out...

Pro Tip: Your save the dates will begin to set the tone for your shindig.  

Truly the sky is the limit! You can go with a traditional style save the date, a magnet, a bookmark or send out a video save the date, it's up to you!  Your save the dates will let guests know what to expect at your wedding.  If you are planning a destination wedding, provide travel information and important details your guests will need giving them time to prepare well in advance  Consider setting up a wedding website where guests can get updates on the couple and the wedding festivities as it unfolds.

Special Guest Kathryn Hamm at Say I Do! LGBT Wedding Expo on June 3rd!

We are so excited to announce Kathryn Hamm, of Gayweddings.com will be a special guest speaker at Say I Do! LGBT Wedding Expo on June 3rd!  How awesome is that?

Practically a legend in the same-sex weddings community, Kathryn is a pioneer in the gay weddings arena; promoting marriage equality before it gained the momentum we see today. Kathryn will be providing a weddings Q&A for couples who are looking to get the scoop on everything wedding for their upcoming same-sex nuptials.

We are elated to have Kathryn as a workshop speaker at our 3rd Say I Do! LGBT Wedding Expo!

Kathryn is one of the original "Poster Brides" of TwoBrides.com. She joined her straight mom (and company founder) as a full partner in the family business in 2005. She holds an M.S.W from the Catholic University of America and an A.B. in Psychology from Princeton University. Prior to becoming the President of GayWeddings.com, Kathryn spent 10 years as an educator and administrator in the Washington, D.C. area. Though she and her partner exchanged vows in a memorable ceremony on the Eastern Shore in 1999, they are not yet legally married.  via @ gayweddings.com 


We think it's totally cool that Kathryn's mom, Gretchen Hamm founded a company so Kathryn could have the same choices for her wedding as straight couples.  Seeing the lack of gay wedding products and resources, she Mrs. Hamm took matters into her own hands and created what now is GayWeddings.com.  And for that, we are all thankful!

Join Kathryn at Say I Do! LGBT Wedding Expo in Washington, DC on June 3rd! Kathryn will be presenting a Q&A: Everything You've Wanted to Know About Your Same-Sex Wedding For Free!  To register visit www.sayidoexpo.com or get your tickets through www.equalityvirginia.org.

Meet Vintage Ivy Events

Next up in our spotlight series is Vintage Ivy Events who is ready to help you plan your wedding to a tee! They certainly know how to throw a party!  Keep reading to find out more about them...

Impeccable planning creates signature occasions! 

 
Vintage Ivy Events is an Events Planning and Design company with exquisite style, impeccable planning, and seamless execution. We will guide you through every step of the planning process from helping you choose a spectacular venue, connecting you with our talented vendors, taking your initial ideas and creating a personal style for your event that defines who we are. Having Vintage Ivy Events is an advantage because we reduce the amount of time, energy, and money you would spend if you were to do it on your own. With a touch of our expertise, resources, guidance, and personal attention, no details are overlooked. Planning and designing your exquisite celebration is our passion! Let us be your events planning and design team for your next wedding or event!

Visit Vintage Ivy Online at: http://www.vintageivyevents.com. 

 

Opinion Piece: Much ado about weddings, what about the relationship?

We are not without a fair share of wedding shows on television, from Say Yes To the Dress, Platinum Weddings to the over the top Bridezilla's. And while almost all of these shows claim to be "reality tv" (which we know is sometimes scripted and edited to alter how things really transpire...but that's another topic for another blog). 

A wedding is a celebration of love and a public acknowledgment of the commitment of two people to spend the rest of their lives together.  Yes, planning a wedding, even a small wedding takes a lot of work.  I think the advantage in some ways that gay and lesbian couples have over straight couples is that because our unions are not federally recognized and only a handful of states allow gay marriage, we don't take marriage as a given.  Now, this is not to say that straight couples don't value marriage at all, there are plenty of heterosexual couples in long, happy relationships. But with the divorce rates, shows like the Bachelor and 72-hour celebrity weddings, marriage for some is as disposable as a paper cup.

Depending on where you live, if you are gay no matter how much you love your partner, you can not marry them. In my personal opinion these sham marriages is an insult to those of us who truly desire to be married but can't because of our sexual orientation.  But I digress, this post isn't about ridiculous beliefs of others that are upheld as law...smh...this about not letting wedding planning cloud you to what really matters...marriage.

So to all couples planning a wedding, don't forget about each other.  The best advice I've heard is not to treat your partner like you've already "got" him or her, that makes things safe and sometimes boring.  Keep the pursuit alive, the passion.  Yes, a wedding should a wonderful affair. And planning, while intense should be enjoyable but don't get so swept away with table tents, wedding favors and wedding party gifts that you forget the reason why you are doing all this in the first place.

Say I Do! Kicks off Wedding Expo Plans With A Sweet Event

We are so excited to kick of the Say I Do! season of events.  And we figured why not start with something sweet AND raise funds for a worthwhile cause. It's a win-win!

On March 13, 2011 over 350 people will meet with cake bakers and dessert makers of all sorts at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bethesda, MD!  Couples looking for their perfect wedding cake, event planners looking for vendors, socialites looking for sweet treats for their next big shindig will all be coming together for a grand tasting.

We are so excited to not only put together this event but also to raise funds for Youth Pride Alliance, a local non-profit organization dedicated to creating safe events and support for our LGBTQ youth.

To learn more about Let Them Eat Cake! visit www.letthemeatcakedc.yolasite.com.  Tickets are almost sold out as the event is at capacity. So if you're planning to attend, grab your tickets now!

Kiss & Tell Contest

Did you pop the question on Valentine's Day?

Were you surprised with a proposal from your honey on Valentine's Day?

Tell us your story! We are looking for 4 couples who got engaged on Valentine's Day for our kiss and tell contest! Email hello(at)pinkdotconcepts.com to enter!!