With a nasty spring snow storm on March 26th that dropped around 15 inches we definitely had our work cut out for us with Deandra and Brian's Wedding on the 27th. The good news is that as I am a member of the Alderman clan we were able to shift their rehearsal to Brian's parents shop and then practice again on the 27th at LCM before the wedding guests arrived.

There was a ton of snow on the grounds but the roads were cleared by our awesome road crew and ready to go that day with no delays. So even though we still had to go inside for the ceremony I think you can see that the photos turned out great (thanks to Ross with Elegant Images & Photographs).

I have known Brian for 10 years now and I can honestly say, I havenever seen him so completely in love. He was so happy as he stood infront of Deandra during the ceremony that I could actually see hissmile wrap around to the back of his head!

Now that I have thoroughly embarrassed my brother-in-law I better move on to the rest of the event. The food was amazing and the Greens Point Catering staff handled the transition from indoor ceremony to reception flawlessly as usual. Booth 66 photo booth was there as well and provided everyone, young and old with lots of laughs. For decor Deandra chose chocolate brown linens with our gold vine overlays. This elegant look was topped off by flowers from Kathy with Flowers Elite in ivory roses and sunset orange calla lilies. These colors off-set by the snow created a beautiful romantic winter dream.

Deandra and Brian's special day reminded me of childhood when you come in from snow sledding to a nice cup of warm hot chocolate and board games with the family around the fire. Maybe that is the ultimate complement for any event is when it leaves you with a feeling of warmth, love and nostalgia.

Let me guess... money is tight and stress is setting in? The good news is you are not alone! Daily we speak with couples from across the US who are working tirelessly to pull together an amazing event without breaking the bank. 

Here are my Top Money Saving Tips:

1. Less is More... I always recommend that couples try to cut down their guest list many times. It helps to divide your list out in to 4 categories: Mine, Yours, My Parents and Your Parents. Respectively the two categories that should have the most guests in them are "Yours" and "Mine" (if you are paying the bills)! Shoot for a realistic number and stick to it! I know it is a hard conversation to have but, if family members feel there are guests they just have to have there and you are over your count address the per person cost with them. If they can not live without the mail man in attendance then ask them to help with the cost. Believe me, you will find many people who you can trim out without causing a lot of hurt feelings.

2. My Big Fat Wedding Party... Now I don't mean it is time for your wedding party to join the "Biggest Loser" and cut the pounds! Sharing this life event with family and friends is very important. When asking your friends and family to stand up for you, keep inmind that you are not the only one paying for this event. From out ofstate guests paying soaring travel costs to the out of pocket expensefor having a large wedding party everyone is feeling the pinch. According to MSN Money, "The Bridesmaid's Survival Guide," on average many wedding attendants are paying close to $1,000 to stand by your side! It is not just the dress and tux that is eating at the budget. As weddings go cross country your attendants are paying for items like: Airline tickets, baggage fees, hotels, car rentals, meals (outside of the reception), wedding gifts, shower gifts, alterations, jewelery, shoes, undergarments, spa treatments, hair/makeup, bachelor/bachelorette parties and so much more. Do your bridal party nominees a favor and try some of the following options to save everyone some precious dough:

• Cut down the count. Do you really need 10 girls and 10 guys by your side? Have a Best Man and a Maid/Matron of Honor and from there ask everyone else to help in other ways. You can still have your great photos of your "party" after the ceremony and event have a "head table" if you like. Believe me it is the relationships and the bonds you have with these people that sets them apart, not their matching taffeta dresses!
• If you can't bear to cut the count then ditch the uniform. More and more couples are choosing a color palette for their wedding and then letting the wedding party choose their own look. Not only does this free up some cash as they are in the drivers seat but it also lets them choose something that fits them! Lets face it, we have all had to wear unflattering wedding attire and those dresses simply fill up a lonely section of our closets. Be kind and spare them the walk of shame.
• Multi-Purpose Poseys. Flowers can tip the scales when you are adding attendants. We suggest as a money saving tip to have the florist provide vases for your girls flower arrangements at your guest tables. 10 girls = 10 bouquets = 10 centerpieces and $0 extra dollars. These bouquets can be mixed in and spread around among the "real" centerpieces to give you a high end custom look without out the added cost. For added flare choose different flowers for each girl but that all fall in a similar color palette. This way each bouquet and each table is as unique and special as the girl!

3. Work it Out... Why do all of my tips keep sounding like chapters for a fitness book? Maybe it is because we can all relate to the idea that a healthy life style equals a long and happy life.

Let's face it... the best way to have a "healthy" event just like a healthy life is to do the work yourself. Now I know everyone is busy and feels the stress mounting as you take on the challenge of planning what has to be the biggest event of your life. A common mistake couples make is to not sit down and work out the budget ahead of time. Not only do you need to sit down and go over where this event needs to come in at, but you need to avoid the major pitfalls associated with weddings. Many couples jump straight into booking everything they can get their hands on and do not re-address the budget as they move through the process. It is very easy to quickly get off track and out of control. I recommend that monthly you sit down and re-visit what has been spent and what you have left. Obviously every event has to make adjustments, but by planning properly and keeping your eyes open hopefully you can avoid getting to the end and having major sticker shock once the flower petals have settled!

4. Express Yourself... Use your talents and life story! Everyone has special talents and interests that can easily be incorporated into the wedding. All of the major bridal magazines talk about personalizing your event and creating your own wedding "brand". Here are a few suggestions to help your event to stand out from the rest and still be a true representation of who you are as a couple:

• Bring on the family. Many couples spend tons of money on decor that really does not say anything about who they are. Instead bring in beautifully framed family photos to personalize your event space just like you do your home. Have pride in where you have come from as it has brought you to this moment! Plus the cost is low and the memories are priceless.
• If you do want to bring in some decor pieces make them something you will use again. For example, we have many couples who will purchase an arch or have a family member make it for the ceremony. After the wedding it can then go in their backyard or garden and serves as a cherished reminder to you both of the love and commitment you made on your wedding day. 
• Centerpiece favors are a great way to have another element of you event serve double duty. Over the years I have seen potted plants, pottery, platters, vases, candles and more. These centerpieces look great on the table and have notes attached inviting the guests to take the item home afterward to remember the special day by. 
• For more creative suggestions and ideas go to The Knot DIY Ideas.

5. Rewards for Spending... I always recommend to clients that when they begin the planning/paying process if they don't have a credit card with rewards then get one! No matter what your budget you are going to spend money on your special day. If you can apply your vendor payments to a rewards credit card then you can very quickly rack up frequent-flyer miles, upgrades and certain comps that you can use towards your honeymoon travel.

Keep in mind that while traditionally the honeymoon is right after the wedding a lot of times if you can wait a month or two you can find better deals during "off-peak" travel times. Sometimes waiting not only helps you to save some green but can often help you to double the fun! The key to reward travel is to have a good understanding of how the rewards work with your card and DON"T FORGET TO PAY THEM OFF!!! Remember to always let people know you are on your honeymoon as many times you can to get additional perks like a bottle of champagne, room upgrades, free goodies and more.

Happy Planning!

Tana

Now that we are back from Spring Break and Shannon's wedding in Hawaii I can do a little bit of blog catch-up.

We want to thank everyone who attended our Spring Bridal Showcase and hope that you had as much fun with the event as we did. Also want to give special thanks to our amazing vendors without whom our shows would be very boring!

Here are some photos from the event, enjoy!

Booth 66 Photo Booth

Special Thanks to Kammi & Ross with Elegant Images for taking these wonderful show photos for us.

If you missed the show make sure to mark your calendar for the Fall Bridal Showcase on Sunday October 25th from Noon to 3 pm.

We wanted to let all of our clients know that there will be an All-Day Yoga Retreat at Lionscrest on Sunday May 3rd from 9 am to 5 pm.

The retreat will be focussing on "Finding Balance Through Yoga and Ayurveda" and is being hosted by Laura Kupperman and Jo Schaalman.

The cost for the retreat is $95 and that covers:

•Ayurvedic quizzes and educational program
•Morning and afternoon yoga
•Lunch and snacks
•Hike on Lionscrest stunning property or adjacent Hall Ranch
•Free mini-massages
•Karma yoga

Karma Yoga Beneficiary: HealthLinks Clinic provides rehabilitation services to
cancer survivors in Boulder County. Learn more about this organization, and consider
donating to their foundation, at the retreat. www.healthlinksclinic.com

Questions or to register  Contact Laura: laura@laurakupperman.com or 303.601.4603

A wedding officiant can make or break your ceremony. An uncaring or unprofessional officiant can sometimes spoil the whole day. Even so, when it comes to finding an officiant, many couples simply focus on two things:
– Are you available on our date?
– How much is your fee?

So, if I may, I would like to suggest an approach to choosing an officiant.

Spend some time talking with your prospective officiant. Does she/he sound nice? Easy to work with? Does she/he have a pleasant speaking voice? Is there a photo of the person that you can view – perhaps online? Is the officiant focused on pleasing you, or will you be expected to “do as you’re told?” Does the officiant have any objections to your location, music plans, plans for pictures or video, etc. What experience does this person have, and can you get references if you want them? Some officiants are basically traditional Christian ministers – others like myself are interfaith ministers, that perform the ceremony of your choosing. It’s not a matter of one being better than the other – but only of matching where you’re coming from with your officiant’s style, and the ceremony offered.

Regardless of background the words she/he will speak over you are lifetime words and need to fit for the two of you. The ceremonies she/he offers should be words you want spoken over you. The ceremony fitting your life style, having freedom to add things that make this day special for the two of you.

I hope this helps. Choosing the officiant is a big decision with important consequences.
Your officiant and your ceremony are the two key components in your entire day, and the least expensive of all.

I’d like to say one thing about the issue of price. Keep your perspective. Think about the total cost of your wedding ... if you save $100. on your officiant by shopping around, how significant will that be in five or ten years? Remember, it’s not like renting a car. You need to invest some time in the interview process – but in the end, you’ll be glad you did. Not all officiants are created equal. Good luck and best wishes for your big day! If I can help you, please call me.

Here's an example of part of my ceremony:

Real love is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring as much about the welfare
and happiness of your marriage partner as about your own. But real love is not total absorption in each other; it is looking outward in the same direction – together. Love makes burdens lighter, because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them. It makes you stronger so you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone.
When we speak of love we are not speaking of love, as this world knows it, that love is selfish and often subject to change. The love we want in this union is not based on feelings but rather on a decision to see one another and treat one another as valuable and precious all the days of your lives. May this love be the law by which your marriage is conducted and fulfilled.

About Pastor Weber

I am an ordained, licensed, non-denominational minister, pastor,chaplain and officiant, who specializes in beautiful weddingceremonies. As your officiant It is my commitment to help create theceremony of your dreams. Often times the wedding is less formal. Itravel to parks in the Loveland, Colorado area. I have been known toclimb a mountain, and ride a horse, motorcycle, ATV, or aerial tram toget to my weddings. Lots of lovely weddings have taken place by thefireplace in a home and in a back yard. I will travel to surroundingareas, from my hometown of Loveland, to perform your wedding at yourhoneymoon location.

I have been in Ministry starting 1979. Istarted performing weddings in 1998 as a favor to my daughter. Itturned out to be so enjoyable, being part of uniting couples, that Icontinued doing more and more weddings. I am licensed and ordained withHappy Feet Ministries Inc. I attended two years of Chaplain School and oneyear of Ministers Training school. I worked as a Chaplain for Hospicefor nearly 3 years.

Please visit my website at www.happyfeetweddings.com to learn more about my services. I will also be at the Lionscrest Manor's Spring Bridal Showcase on March 22nd from Noon to 3 pm. I hope to see you there!

It's time for our annual Spring Bridal Showcase of vendors. We have just sent the invitations off to the printer and will be mailing them to our couples shortly.

For each show we put on we always try to give you ideas about new trends, hot colors and ways to personalize your event. For this years Spring Show we are going with a "Royal Ball" Theme. The show will incorporate rich purples, burgundy, ivory and gold. We will also tie in a jeweled/diamond look with the decor. After all you can't have a royal ball with out some jewels!

To RSVP for the Spring Show just go to http://www.lionscrestmanor.com/rsvp.php and complete the registration form.

We wanted to let everyone know that the Spice of Life Tasting has been postponed. For more information on tasting opportunities contact Kathy Vaughan at A Spice of Life, 303-443-4049 or by email kvaughan@aspiceoflife.com

January 27, 2009

Thank you to all of our clients who attended this Inclusive Event. The final count ended up at 190 for the evening and we have heard nothing but rave reviews from everyone.

This year Greens Point Catering under the direction of owner Bridget Nannen, decided to go with a different format from their normal Tasting event. Greens Point proposed that instead of having a tasting where couples only had the chance to taste a few select Inclusive menu items, why not have an event where couples could come and try them all! So with that in mind Greens Point and Lionscrest set to the task of creating a two-seating tasting where couples were able to sample many delights. The menu included...

Appetizers:
- Green Olive and Citrus Tapenade Crostini with Goat Cheese
- Stuffed Mushrooms Florentine
- Meatballs with Wild Mushroom Bordelaise
- Crab Salad on a Wonton Crisp with Fresh Mango
- Smoked Trout on an Everything Cracker with Red Onion Caper Relish
- Asparagus and Goat Cheese Wrapped in Phyllo
- Mushroom Risotto Cake Topped with Crème Fraiche and Chives
- Chicken Sate with Peanut Dipping Sauce

Salads:
- Classic Caesar Salad with Romaine, Parmesan Cheese, Croutons and Caesar Dressing
- Baby Greens with Tomato, Cucumber, Carrots, and Homemade Croutons, One Dressing of  Choice Included: White Balsamic Vinaigrette, Ranch, Greek Vinaigrette, or Creamy Gorgonzola
- Romaine and Spinach with Spiced Almonds, Sun-dried Cherries, Bleu Stilton Cheese  and White Balsamic Vinaigrette

Entrée:
- Grilled Chicken Breast Stuffed with Pears and Gorgonzola with a Light White Wine Sauce
- Grilled Chicken Breast with White Wine, Basil, Plum Tomatoes, Topped with Fresh Mozzarella
- Jerk Spiced Grilled Chicken Breast with Diced Mango and Mint

Second Entrée: (optional upgrade for the wedding)
- Carved Top Round of Beef with Creamy Horseradish Sauce
- Sesame Lime Salmon with Ginger Soy Glaze
- Grilled Pork Medallions Topped with Braised Leeks and Fennel in a Light Jus

Vegetables:
- Asparagus Roasted with Butter and Herbs
- Julienned Tri-Colored Carrots
- Green Bean Almondine

Starches:
- Red Skinned Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Oven-Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
- Wild Rice Pilaf
- Tuscan Orzo with Artichoke Hearts, Olives, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Dessert:
Wedding Cake Served by Colorado Rose Cake Co- (Flavors were as follows)
- Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cake with a Mocha Mousse Filling
- Amaretto Cake with a Raspberry Filling
- Butter Pecan Cake with a Bavarian Cream Filling
- Strawberry Cream Cake with a Strawberry Gel and Mousse Fillings
- Butter Yellow Cake with an Apricot Mango Filling

Photos provided by Elegant Images & Photographs

Lionscrest Manor and Greens Point have teamed up to offer our clients a Rehearsal Dinner Option at the facility. Download Rehearsal Dinner Flyer to learn more. To reserve your dinner please call Greens Point at 303-772-2247.

Lionscrest Manor Recommended Vendors from this event

Caterer- Greens Point Catering, Longmont CO
Cake- Colorado Rose Cake Co, Berthoud CO
Florist- Flowers Elite, Firestone CO
DJ- Pure Sounds Productions, Loveland CO
Liquor- 9th Ave Liquors, Longmont CO

Hello to everyone who is visiting our new Blog Journal for Lionscrest Manor!

We are so excited to have an outlet to share, learn and laugh with you all through your special event. With 15 years of experience in the Colorado wedding market we have many stories we can tell. We want to provide information that you may find helpful like spotlight stories on our recommended wedding vendors or real wedding stories about some of our past Brides and Grooms. Some stories will help you to personalize your event, while other entries we hope will shed light on how we do all that we do and of course highlight upcoming events you can attend at the facility.

Now I admit that being new to the blog scene there will be a learning curve through this process but be patient and hopefully we will get the hang of things fairly quickly.

FYI... No two Lionscrest Event Supervisors are the same (even though we may sound alike).
Being a family business all of our couples get to work with the whole family. That's right we have Mom (Leona), Grandmas (Darlene and Vera), Aunt (Wendy), and Sisters (Tana, Shannon Tati and Lauren). Sometimes even Dad (Bob), makes a special appearance. Like Punxsutawney Phil, if Bob sees a shadow of one of us ladies at the Manor, he will return to his cave for 6 more weeks of hibernation. Believe me we don't wake the sleeping Bob! I digress... We invite you to come to one of our open showings to take a tour and get to know who's who of the LCM crew.

2008 Family Photos at Lionscrest- Leona and Bob's 30th Anniversary. We wanted to give a special thanks to Susan and Nancy with Armitage Photography for the wonderful photos they took. We have had the pleasure of working with Susan for over 10 years now and consider her a member of our extended "Vendor Family".

Tana's Tip of the Day

Do's and Don'ts for the week of the wedding...

Do take the time to visit with your family and friends. Remember that this is a big event for you, your fiancee, family and friends. Many couples get so caught up in their plans that they forget to spend quality time with their loved ones. Plan a fun activity with everyone that has nothing to do with the wedding. Go hiking in one of our wonderful Colorado State Parks, have a game night, or treat everyone to a round of golf (putt-putt works too). I promise you they will have a blast and you will enjoy the down time!
Don't go paint balling! True story... Many years ago we had a Bride who planned a paint ball outing for all of the family... sounds like fun right! Everyone chasing each other, hiding, laughing, blowing off steam, what could be better than that. You know it is all fun and games until the Bride gets hit in the face and has double black eyes for the big day. No amount of make-up could conceal this mishap. On the bright side the Bride had built in sun-reflectors, so no squinting in her photos!

We hope you enjoyed our first blog and keep checking in for updates, tips, stories and more!