Do I need a Flower Girl?

One of the most coveted jobs in a wedding party is the flower girl. The flower girl is the last person to come down the aisle right before the bride. They will scatter flower petals down the aisle giving the ceremony just a touch more whimsey. Symbolically they lead the bride forward, from childhood to adulthood and to her new role as wife.  Typically, we have seen these roles be filled by the youngest female members of the family or family friend. Not every family has a little one or even a child who is ready for this role. Here are some…Read More

Helpful Floral Tips for Your Wedding Day 

 The way we hold and wear our personal florals on our wedding day will be reflected in photos for years to come. On your big day, here are a few helpful hints to remember for holding florals and floral placement.  Let’s first start with bridal bouquet. One of the most common mistakes we see in wedding photos is brides raising their bouquet to their chest. Holding your bouquet too high unfortunately ends up covering the wedding dress and bride’s waistline. The ideal way to hold your bouquet is with your forearms resting on your hipbone. Also having your arms relaxed.…Read More

5 Dos and Don’t For Your First Dance

Do: Pick a song that is meaningful The song you have your first dance to will be special forever. When that song comes on the radio, or is played at other events, it will always remind you of your special day! We recommend picking a song that has been meaningful in your relationship or a song that maybe doesn’t have a history but has a special meaning for this new chapter of your lives. Don’t be afraid to pick something unconventional or unique either! Utilize different angles In ballroom dance there’s a thing called “line of dance”. It can get…Read More

Chicken Citrus With Chimichurri Sauce

Grilled Chicken recipe with amazing citrus-garlic Chimichurri. Sauce works double-duty, as marinade and as pour-over sauce. Easy and bold flavor recipe for this summer Bbq’s . INGREDIENTS  4 cups water 1/4 cup kosher salt 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1 teaspoon grated orange zest 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each) CHIMICHURRI SAUCE 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup packed fresh parsley sprigs 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon orange juice 1 garlic clove, diced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, whisk water, salt, honey…Read More

Tips for Writing Your Vows

Just the idea of writing down how you feel about someone and how they make you feel is daunting enough. Here are some tips to help you write your vows. Record your words-  Sometimes what flows out naturally is the most honest pure and best things to say. If you can set your phone to record video and have it record your audio. Go back and listen to it, you may be surprised how eloquent you are.  Write them down- Trust us, there are a whole lot of things that are going on leading up to your ceremony.  We all know…Read More

Inspiration for a Fairytale Garden Themed Wedding

When choosing to have a fairytale-inspired garden wedding, whether it be grand and elegant or charming and intimate, finding a beautiful venue with lush greenery and picturesque views will make all the difference in the world. Incorporating twinkle light and hanging crystals with vibrant colored flowers will help create a whimsical atmosphere.  This elegant ceremony site with rich colored flowers is creating a magical backdrop for the bride and groom to say their vows.  Consider hiring a violinist for the ceremony to set the mood for your guests as they arrive and during the ceremony. This will complement the serene ambience of…Read More

How to incorporate your pets in your wedding

We love when you incorporate your fur babies into your special day! They are a part of your family and should be with you, some way or another on the wedding day. Make sure to check with your wedding venue the guidelines and restrictions on bringing in pets before you make plans! A flower girl or ring bearer Having your pet as a ring bearer or flower girl is a cute take on a classic wedding role. Walking down the aisle means you are special to the happy couple, so why shouldn’t this include your fur babies? Although we don’t…Read More

Onions and How to Use Them 

Onions are a versatile ingredient used in everything, from roasted meats and pasta to soups and stews. They’re even added to some cocktails! They can be sweet and mild, or savory and intense. There are dozens of types of onion out there and each onion variety has its own unique flavor profile, and purpose in the kitchen. Knowing which type of onion to use and when will give you the perfect flavor every time. Take a look at this guide to help you navigate onions with ease. Yellow Onions: Yellow onions are the most common type of onion used in cooking.…Read More

Centerpieces, High vs Low

Fresh flower centerpieces are the perfect finishing touch to your table design. Adding beautiful florals to your reception table completes your look and elevates your table. When choosing centerpieces, one of the main things to consider is if you like the look of florals sitting up high or down low. You also need to take into consideration your table type: farm, rectangle or round. This will play a key role in deciding to have centerpieces sit high, low or a mixture of both. Below I will list examples of high and low centerpieces on two table types to help you…Read More

Grand Exit Ideas

Cold sparks Cold sparks are a great grand exit idea and probably the most popular here at Villa de Amore. On our property you can easily rent them from our fantastic DJ, Ross. Cold sparks are fire safe and there is no actual flame. This means they are safe, beautiful, and fun! Cold sparks make for phenomenal pictures and can be used at grand entrance, your first dance, and grand exit to add some flare! You can use these as the prop for the exit or pair it with the addition of any other idea below. Fiber optic wands This…Read More

Wedding Memorial Ideas

Weddings are a joyous event! There are many things we are looking forward to on your wedding day. Unfortunately, there will be some who can only make it in spirit. Here are a few ideas to honor that guest during your wedding day.  Memorial photos- Displaying photos of your loved ones together in 1 spot is a beautiful way to remind everyone who else would be here if they could. Your guests can come and view at their leisure and This is perfect for a few or for many members who have passed.  Reserving a seat- Reserving a seat up…Read More

Wine Pairing

Food and wine pairing is a culinary tradition that has been practiced for many years across cultures. With a wide selection of wines and foods, knowing how to pair them well requires a certain level of skill. However, you can ease into the world of wine pairing by first understanding the basics.  What Is Wine Pairing? Wine pairing is a process of combining dishes with wines that perfectly complement the flavors for an elevated dining experience. The main concept is that some characteristics of both the food and wine, such as flavor and texture, work well together to enhance your…Read More

Who’s in the Wedding Processional

The wedding processional is a tradition almost as old as time. The traditional wedding processional varies by culture and religion. All these traditions are beautiful and meaningful; however, many couples today differ or vary from the traditional. Your wedding processional should be as special and tailored to you as all the other elements of your big day, so here is a step-by-step of how to go about including all the special people in your life in your wedding processional! Step 1: Make a list of everyone you want to walk down the aisle. Don’t be afraid if it is uneven…Read More

Moody Wedding Vibes

Moody weddings are not only trending, but are here to stay.  Non-traditional brides are leaning more towards a romantic, edgy, moody vibe with dramatic floral and black dresses. When deciding on the look and vibe of your wedding start with a color palette for floral and attire. Picking a venue that has lush greenery and secret areas to take romantic pictures helps with the overall feeling you are trying to create for your special day.  Let’s start with you color palette… common colors for a dramatic themed wedding are black and burgundy, but you can get creative with your color palette.…Read More

How To Make Classic Chicken Alfredo Pasta: The Easiest, Cheesiest Method

Hey, welcome back . Chicken Alfredo is a beginner-friendly dish that truly anyone can master. With a creamy, cheesy sauce and tender chicken breast , it's the pasta dish we turn to time and time again when we're craving the ultimate comfort meal . This comes together in  about 30 minutes, making it a perfect easy meal to whip up for any occasion, whether you're searching for a romantic dinner for two or the most satisfying weeknight for the family . Never made Alfredo before? Well we're here to help . You’ll have two pans going at one time —…Read More

Party Favors Ideas

Party Favors are a great little way to say “Thank you” to your guests for coming and partying with you on your special day. they are not mandatory but are a nice gesture. Many of these ideas are either favors your guests can use while at your event or items they should enjoy on a later date to remind them of your lovely day. Try to plan for this early to make room for this in your budget as you will be purchasing one per guest or family.  Sweet and Simple- A very easy simple party favor is Jordan almonds…Read More

What makes Villa de Amore different? 

All inclusive             When you book your wedding at Villa de Amore, you don’t have to look much further for vendors! Included in our package is a coordinator, designer, florists, caterer, photographers, DJ and even an officiant! All our vendors are amazing at what they do. The vendors included in our wedding package know our venue! We work together frequently and effectively, which makes our team more like a family than a collection of vendors. This makes booking Villa de Amore for your wedding easy. So from our family to yours, let’s make your wedding amazing! Taco cart             Our late-night taco…Read More

Who Gets Flowers on Your Wedding Day?

Personals are florals that are held or worn on your special day by yourself, bridal party, and family. These are my favorite florals as they highlight your wedding style and are with you and your wedding party all day. Here is a guide to help you decide what personals you will need. Bride and bridesmaids Bouquets: Bouquets are traditionally carried by the bride and bridesmaids. Bridal bouquets are larger and more intricate, they typically include special accents to stand out. Bridesmaids’ bouquets should accent their dress color, theme of wedding and designed to complement bridal bouquet. In your package at…Read More

Villa De Amore’s Chicken Marsala Sauce

A great sauce can make any dish something to remember, and Villa de Amore’s Chicken Marsala Sauce is definitely a crowd pleaser!            Our Marsala sauce is pretty easy to make, but it does take some time, and lots and lots of reduction. So, what ingredients will you need? Most important is a wide variety of wild mushrooms and classic button style.  In the picture below you can see a mix of mushrooms we are using for an event this weekend, looks pretty tasty.  From week to week the variety will change based on the season and availability from your local supplier. You really…Read More

Bridal Bouquet Design, What’s Your Shape?

When it comes to choosing bridal bouquet design its not just flower type you need to consider. The shape of your bouquet is a very important part of design and helps to set the style of your wedding flowers. When choosing photos for your inspirational board pick bouquets that have the shape you like. You can create 2 categories, if necessary, shape and size and flower choice and color pallet. This will help create a clear vision for the design process. Below you’ll find the 5 main shape profiles for bridal bouquets and the styles/themes they best match with along…Read More

Newly Engaged?

Just got engaged…. NOW what? After you announce your engagement. Where do you start the planning process.  First things first what is your budget. Start with what is your total budget (maybe ask parents what they would like to help with). Then start your guest list so that you can start figuring out where you can have your wedding. What time of year do you want your wedding to be in. Set a date or better yet pick a month so you can be more flexible when booking. Some areas have months that will be booked out years in advance…Read More

Tips on Giving a memorable Toast

Have you said yes to giving a toast at a wedding? Are you nervous and not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. Public speaking can be nerve racking, but luckily you know this public! However, if you’re still nervous here are a few tips to help you out! Introduce yourself. Everyone knows the Bride and Groom but not everyone knows their friends or family. You can start by letting everyone who you are and how you know the couple. It is a very easy way to begin your speech and allows you to roll into the next thing you…Read More

5 unique Guest Book Ideas

Are you wondering how to make your guest book personal and memorable? Maybe you are even thinking that the traditional guest book isn’t your style. Here at Villa de Amore, one of our favorite things is seeing how each beautiful couple tailors the venue and day to their specific story. One easy way to do that is to bring in a unique guest book! We have seen everything from the traditional book, to a set of skis, and even custom surf boards! Here are some of our favorites: Traditional guest book, but with a twist: A traditional wedding guest book…Read More

Tips on Being a Great Wedding Guest!

The day is here, you have received an invitation to your friend’s wedding. You’re very excited and ready to start planning your day. Before you get into your details here are a few tips to being a great wedding guest! Arrive on time! We all know traffic can really mess up timing but if you can try to allow plenty of time for travel and incidentals. You’ve been invited to an event that has taken a lot of time and energy to plan. Being on time is the best way to start everyone’s day.    Dress appropriately. We all have an…Read More