Choosing the Perfect Table Style for your Wedding

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Farm Tables vs. Covered Rectangle Tables At Villa De Amore, we understand that every detail of your wedding contributes to the overall ambience and style. One of the significant choices you’ll make is deciding between our charming wood farm tables and our elegant fully covered rectangle tables. Each option offers a distinct look, and your choice will set the tone for your reception.  Wood Farm Tables: Rustic Elegance Our wood farm tables bring a touch of rustic charm and natural beauty to your wedding décor. These tables are perfect for couples who love an organic, timeless aesthetic. To enhance their…Read More

Champagne Floral Arrangement

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Looking for the perfect gift to bring to an engagement party? This champagne floral arrangement is a showstopper! This is not your typical gift; everyone will be in love with this creative wine and floral presentation. Start with buying your flowers picking out a variety of seasonal blooms and greens in your choice of color pallet, next get your favorite champagne or wine. At your local craft store or even Amazon you can find wet floral foam bricks. Standard size is 9” long. Let naturally submerge in a bucket of fresh water and floral food for 10 minutes as we…Read More

Cajun Shrimp Tacos

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These Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa are the easiest, most succulent shrimp tacos paired with a bright and flavorful homemade mango salsa. Ready in only 15 minutes – these tacos are fresh, simple and satisfying! Ingredients For Cajun Shrimp 1 pound large shrimp (shells removed)  1 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoon cajun seasoning  (or to taste) juice from half a lemon For Mango Salsa 1 mango (peeled and chopped) 1 cup cherry tomatoes (chopped) juice from 1 lime 4 green onions (chopped) 1 jalapeno (seeded and chopped) ½ cup cilantro (chopped)  salt and pepper to taste Directions In a large skillet melt the butter on high heat.…Read More

The Art of Timing

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Creating a Perfect Wedding Day Itinerary As wedding coordinators, one of the most crucial aspects of our job is crafting a seamless itinerary that ensures everything flows smoothly on the big day. The art of timing is not just about keeping track of the clock; it's about creating a harmonious sequence of events that allows everyone to enjoy the celebration without feeling rushed or stressed. Here’s a glimpse into how we approach this intricate task, as well as a few tips on how to create a perfect wedding day timeline. Understanding Your VisionBefore we begin crafting the itinerary, we take…Read More

Top 5 Wedding Songs

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There are just certain songs you hear, and you can picture an aisle outlined in flowers or a sunset with a suit and veil. They can be played in ceremony, at dinner or on the dance floor but one thing is for sure they belong in a wedding. They are classic, timeless and appeal to all of your guests. You will want to sure incorporate them in any form(instrumental, original recording or a newer recording) at anytime during your special day. Here are the top 5 weddings songs to listen out for the next wedding you go to.  At Last- Etta…Read More

5 Tips for the Men in Your Wedding Party

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Being part of a wedding is a huge task for everyone involved. If you are lucky enough to be in the Bride and Groom’s entourage your day may include extra duties.  Here is 5 things for the men in the wedding party to bring to help keep the day running smoothly. Iron your ties/pocket squares the night before! Instead of figuring this out while you’re getting dressed, take the time the night before. Take the pocket squares, ties and/or bowties out of their packaging, iron them, and agree on the fold and practice that fold. This will help keep the…Read More

Dress Comfort

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It truly is the little things can make or break your wedding day. All too often we see the scarifies made for “the dress.” The fit of your dress can play a huge part in your enjoyment of the day. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your next fitting.  Make sure you can walk and sit Yes, you look gorgeous while standing in the dress but remember it is a long day and you will want to sit comfortably at least during your dinner. Make sure you can eat in it With room to sit you'll…Read More

Classic Lobster Rolls

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Ingredients 1/4 c. Garlic aoli 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice 2 Tbsp. fresh chives, chopped 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard Kosher salt and black pepper 1 1/4 lb. lobster meat, cooked 8 split-top hot dog buns Lettuce leaves Directions Combine mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, fresh chives, Dijon mustard, and kosher salt and black pepper in a bowl. Add cooked lobster meat (cut into large pieces) and gently toss to coat. Butter sides of split-top hot dog buns and cook in a nonstick skillet until golden and crisp on each side. Line toasted rolls with lettuce leaves and fill with lobster salad.Read More

8 Not-so-Boring Dessert Ideas

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Wedding desserts can be an easy way to incorporate your personality and make your wedding stand out. These are just some of the unique ideas we have seen here at Villa de Amore that we have loved! Candy Bar A cute twist on a timeless classic! Making a mini candy station at your wedding can be a fun way to mix desserts and wedding favors into one. You could include each of your favorite candies or pick candies that match your color scheme. Personalized candy bags or boxes also make this idea unique and memorable! Some ideas for this include:…Read More

Classic Macaroni Salad

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This macaroni salad always gets lots of compliments. It's an easy recipe to make and has a pleasing taste that everyone seems to love! Ingredients 4 cups cooked elbow macaroni 1 cup mayonnaise ⅔ cup white sugar ¼ cup distilled white vinegar 2 ½ tablespoons prepared yellow mustard 1 ½ teaspoons salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 1 tablspoon diced garlic 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped ¼ cup grated carrot (Optional) 2 tablespoons chopped pimento peppers (Optional) Mix everything together and refrigerate for 1 hour and enjoy This homemade macaroni…Read More

Who is Going Down the Aisle?

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The honest answer is whoever you like. Different cultures and religions have a set order of who walks down the aisle and if you are strong in that faith then you will be guided on the order.   Who are these honored guests? If you have people who had a stronger hand in raising you like grandparents, aunts, uncles, close family friends and would like them to walk down the aisle we call these Honored Guests. These people are part of the couple’s up bringing and first part of life which makes it great that they are the first down the…Read More

Unique Ways to Personalize your Wedding

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Planning a wedding can be stressful but personalizing can be worth it. A wedding day should reflect you and your partner. Find ways to personalize and reflect your personalities into your special day.   A seating that tells the story of your travels or maybe the history of your family. Set the tone of the day with a seating chart that not only speaks volumes of the silly way to ask where they’ll be seated but a journey through your history. Cute and very personal touch to this beautiful wedding. Or if you're fun and want to get the festivities started,…Read More

Tips and Tricks to Help Keep You Organized.

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How to make the daunting task of table layouts, excel spreadsheets, and seating charts easier and more efficient. This is not be a fun part of the of your upcoming nuptials but is necessary. When sending out invitations give yourself a cutoff date 45-60 days prior to event. This should give you plenty of time to have everything ready for your venue. Upon all your ALMOST Rsvp’s arriving on time everyone knows there will be last minute confirmations and cancelations.  You can start the excel spreadsheet as soon as you start getting RSVPs, this helps make the end process a…Read More

Choosing Rose Variety for your Wedding 

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Here is a helpful guide to look at when choosing rose varieties for your wedding flowers. It is important to note that color shades can always vary a little. Factors are season, crop, weather and the location they are grown. Below is a good general idea of popular standard size rose varieties . It is interesting to see the difference in white roses. A rose is a star flower in its own right.  White Tibet  White Tibet is a beautiful choice for a classic true white rose. They have large heads and can be “flexed” easily. Flexing is a floral…Read More

Bouquet and Garter Toss Ideas

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Do you want to have a bouquet or garter toss but maybe you don’t many single friends? Or maybe you don’t want your now husband retrieving the garter in front of you family. We have a couple of sweet alternatives for your wedding day.  1 event for everyone: Attaching money or a gift card to a toss bouquet can make the event more inviting for all party goers. Instead of bringing just the single girls up to catch the bouquet you can invite all single people.  The one who catches the bouquet leaves with flowers and that little bit extra you…Read More

How to plan and set-up the perfect at-home date night 

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Food: Food is so important! Think about a dinner and dessert that are special. Try not to make the drinks and food something you would have every day, but rather elevate it by making it more meaningful, fancier, or a recipe that is special to you. For example, break open a fancy bottle of wine or champagne, cook something a little fancier like steak or lobster, and maybe make a delicate dessert. If cooking is not your forte, you can pick something up from a restaurant, just make sure to plate and display it nicely and not in the to-go…Read More

Summertime Watermelon Salad

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Watermelon salad is the essence of summer. The refreshing combination of sweet watermelon, cool cucumbers, and salty feta with a pop of fresh mint means this recipe is easy to make and great to enjoy with friends and family. INGREDIENTS 1 mini watermelon (approximately 4 cups), rind removed and cubed  2  cucumbers (approximately 1 cup), sliced , cubed 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled 1 tablespoon chopped mint 1 tablespoon chopped basil 1 lime, juiced Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste Olive oil to taste DIRECTIONS In a large serving bowl add the watermelon, cucumber, feta, basil and mint.…Read More

Do I need a Flower Girl?

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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 

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 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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? 

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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?

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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

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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?

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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?

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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

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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

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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