Coffee with Calluna Archives - Calluna EventsCalluna Events

Congratulations, you’re engaged! When’s the wedding date? This is often one of the first questions asked when people find out you’re engaged. Some brides know exactly when they want to get married, but then there are some of us whose favorite season is every season (maybe just me). Setting a date really gets the planning process started, and can set the tone for your vision! We’ve broken down each season and the benefits each one has to offer, whether you’re dreaming of winter wonderlands, warm jewel tones, dining al fresco, garden parties and more!

Following winter, spring is such a welcoming time – with fresh florals and warmer days. The greenery starts to peak out, and it’s no wonder why we associate this season with new life, and the symbolism is not lost on us!

However, unpredictable weather, especially in Colorado, can be a hesitation when picking this season. We could have gorgeous 70 degree days in March, and then snow in May. Not that this should deter you if you think carefully about having a back up plan if your wedding is outdoors.

Summer is always a wonderful time to get married. The days are longer, and in most cases, it’s easier for friends and family who live out of town to travel with summer vacations underway. With longer days, you can wait out the heat of the day and start your celebration a little later. With the sun setting closer to 8 or 9pm, your summer soiree can continue under the warm starry nights.

The most obvious hesitation would be the heat, especially with outdoor weddings. Even in the mountains, the temperature can get uncomfortably hot. Summer is also right in the middle of peak season, so availability on venues and vendors can be an issue, and you may not always get your first choice.

Fall is a magical time. The changing of the leaves, the crisp, cool air, and deeper jewel tones are just a few of the reasons why we love a fall wedding. This is a great season to experiment with darker hues more associated with the cooler months of the year.

During fall, possible conflicts with the beginning of the school year and Thanksgiving holiday can come up, but can easily be worked around. September and October have increasingly become very popular months to get married and are booking up fast for both wedding venues and vendors. Starting inquiries in advance can help you secure the venue and vendors you’re looking for!

Winter is incredibly romantic and cozy. Candles and fireplaces juxtaposed with wintery snowy landscapes bring about a romance. It also can make for some stunning photos – glittery snow, monochromatic vibes, and if you add in deep colors, the contrast is unbelievable! With winter being “off-season,” venues and vendors are often more available and can sometimes have better deals.

That being said, snow can also be a problem, especially for mountain weddings. Travel plans become more complicated as there could be weather delays. The holiday season can also be a tricky time to plan a wedding.

We hope you were inspired by all of the beautiful photos of each season, and the benefits each one has to offer!

Dress Codes For A Wedding: Cheat Sheet

As we fast approach wedding season, we are getting a plethora of questions about wedding dress codes. Most of our weddings take place in Colorado and tend to border somewhere between cocktail attire and semi-formal attire. We would like to just take a quick moment to highlight this fabulous dress code outlined from our pals at The Knot for what to wear and what to tell your guests to wear. If you’re ever stumped by a dress code request, the best bet is to ask the couple, or a well informed member of the wedding party. However, most invitations will fall into one of these following categories.

This is the most formal of all wedding dress codes though it isn’t very common anymore – think Oscars and state dinners.

He should wear: A black tailcoat, a white pique vest, a formal white shirt, a white bowtie and even white gloves for dancing are appropriate. Black formal shoes, or opera shoes should be worn.

She should wear: A formal, full-length gown. Heels are recommended, but you should be able to walk around in them. Glamorous makeup and dramatic jewelry and hair are appropriate, but keep it understated, white tie is as classy as it gets and it’s not ostentatious.

This is the next most formal wedding dress code and usually means the wedding is an evening affair. It’s only one step below White Tie, so you should still dress accordingly.

He should wear: A tuxedo and a black bow tie. A cummerbund is a nice touch, although now a tuxedo and vest combo is acceptable. Patent leather shoes are also suggested.

She should wear: A chic cocktail dress or a long evening gown in a formal fabric.

The wording here suggests something slightly less formal than black tie. This means that a tuxedo isn’t required but the event is still formal enough for one to be appropriate.

She should wear: You can wear anything in the same vein as Black Tie, though you may be overdressed in a sequined ball gown. Floor length dresses and cocktail length dresses are still appropriate, just be sure you’re still dressed for an evening affair.

The invite says: “Beach Formal” (or in our case “Mountain Formal”)

This suggests an elegant beach wedding — so dress to impress, but also dress for the elements (sun, sand, and water). Anything you’d wear to a nice restaurant on a summer day is appropriate.

He should wear: A summer suit with a linen shirt (no ties required), linen pants or khakis, and sandals.

She should wear: A formal summer sundress at tea- or knee-length with flat sandals. Makeup and hair can be natural and everyday.

Depending on the time of the event, you’ll want to dress somewhere between formal and casual. Wear darker, more formal hues for an evening fete; opt for light colors and fabrics for a daytime wedding.

He should wear: A suit and tie, dark or light depending on the season and time of day.

Generally, casual means anything goes, but there is a difference between wedding casual, and casual-casual. That said, jeans, shorts, and tank tops are probably not appropriate unless they’re specifically noted as acceptable. For the purposes of wedding wear, assume business casual to be on the safe side.

He should wear: Dress pants or chinos with a button-down shirt or polo. A jacket isn’t required but it is a nice touch.

She should wear: A summer sundress or a skirt or pants with a nice blouse. Makeup and hair can be natural and everyday.

Wedding Etiquette: What To Expect When You’re the Plus One for a Bridesmaid or Groomsman

It’s another week of #CoffeeWithCalluna and we’re so excited to share a few more tips and tricks of the industry. Each week we’ll answer questions from YOU! Send us your questions to hello@callunaevents.com or send us a message on instagram at @callunaevents!

Getting invited to a wedding is fun and exciting! It’s a chance to dress up and socialize while enjoying the evening’s festivities. But what happens if your date is in the wedding party? Now, being invited as a plus one can be a little intimidating, especially if you have never met, or barely know the couple. What do you do if you don’t know anyone else at the wedding? How do you spend your time while your date is busy with wedding party duties?

The more information you have, the better chance you have to set yourself up for success. Stick to the dress code! I think it goes without saying, avoid white, and don’t show up in a ballgown if the event is more of a spring garden wedding. Ask your date about the couple and what they’re like. Even better, if you can get your hands on the invitation or wedding website, you can get a definite dress code. If you can’t get a clear dress code, play it safe and aim for classic dresses that you know you look great in! If you’re unsure of what a dress code means, you can read more about it here!

This one seems obvious, but if you’ve already RSVP’d yes, don’t back out at the last minute. If your date is part of the wedding party, know that you’ll have a lot of down time for yourself. Take some time to enjoy your morning on the day of the wedding, but make sure to be on time for the ceremony!

If the couple has a receiving line at the end of the ceremony, congratulate the newlyweds and thank them for having you at their wedding. If they don’t have a receiving line, find some time to meet them during the reception and offer your congratulations then.

Pitch in for the gift with your date! This is great especially if you don’t know the couple very well. Talk to your date about what they’re planning on giving, and if all else fails, you can always gift something small off of their registry, or give a reasonable amount of cash along with a nicely written card wishing the couple well.

I know we like to use our phones as scapegoats in uncomfortable situations, but try to unplug and enjoy the moment to connect with other guests. Follow your date’s lead and let them set the tone, but don’t be afraid to get out there and mingle. Make your date feel like they don’t have to worry about you! They are there to support the couple, and you’re there as a supporting role for your date.

That being said, being a plus one doesn’t mean you have to be the most poised person in the room. Partaking in the festivities is one of the best ways to be a good guest. Grab a drink and hit the dance floor, just don’t get too sloppy and make a scene!

Meeting new people can take a toll, and can be intimidating to some people. If you feel like you’re getting overwhelmed, find somewhere quiet and take some time for yourself to regroup. You can also find a smaller group to hunker down and chat with so you don’t feel like you’re getting dragged from group to group.

At the end of it all, weddings are a time to celebrate the new couple and to have fun! We hope these tips help you as we approach the upcoming wedding season!

COFFEE WITH CALLUNA: UNDERSTANDING WEDDING DRESS CODES

This week, we are featuring a Q&A from our #CoffeeWithCalluna series, where we answer your questions about all things weddings, planning and style! We look forward to sharing our tips and tricks!

“I’m wondering if you can explain the difference between wedding dress codes? I am not sure what to put on my wedding invitation and want my guests to have an idea of what to wear!”

This is a great question! We know it can get confusing sometimes, so we are happy to lay out how wedding attire is traditionally broken down.

White Tie: This is the most formal of wedding attire options, think tuxedos with a jacket and tails for men, and formal ball gowns for women.

Black Tie: This is the second most formal option after white tie – think a tuxedo for men, and a stylish cocktail dress of chic evening gown for the ladies.

Black Tie Optional (or Formal): This option is less formal than black tie, though still suggests black tie attire would be appropriate to wear. A tuxedo is still an option, though a dark suit and tie would be acceptable for men. For her, we would suggest a long evening dress or a more formal cocktail dress.

Cocktail: Cocktail attire can be interpreted in a few different ways, but normally implies men in suits and women in fun party dresses.

Beach or Garden Party Attire: Beach or garden party implies casual dress appropriate for heat or a spring/summer wedding. Think light summer suits for men, and fun sundresses for the ladies.

Coffee With Calluna :: Bachelorette Parties, Wedding Traditions & Technology!

We are back with a brand new #CoffeeWithCalluna and we are absolutely loving some of the questions you all have been asking! This week we have questions ranging from Bachelorette party ideas to technology at weddings. The industry is constantly changing and so are the “rules” so tonight we are sharing our answers with you!

This is a great question and we truly believe that it should be your choice which wedding traditions you choose to embrace or ignore. Ultimately, whoever walks you down the aisle is your choice and we have seen plenty of brides stroll down the aisle with both their parents, just their mom, a step-parent, sibling or you can even go solo! Don’t be afraid to mold the tradition to your own personality, after all it is YOUR big day!

This is a fantastic question! While Vegas is always a fun option, tons of brides also stray away from it as a bachelorette party location. The answers to this question are endless but here are a some of our favorite spots for a potential bachelorette bash!

For the Outdoorsy Bride : We mentioned the Vail Collective in our Bucketlist Venue blog a few weeks ago, and we think it would be the perfect spot for a girls weekend getaway. With locations in Vail, Montana and Aspen, the outdoorsy bride will fall in love with these spots for a bachelorette weekend! For more information click here!

For the Foodie Bride : Admit it, sometimes vacations that are planned around delicious food are the best vacations! Try taking a culinary tour with your best gals and you are guaranteed to have a great time. We loved Travel & Leisure’s list of “America’s Best Cities for Foodies” which includes some seriously amazing places like San Francisco, New Orleans, and Nashville. Good food is often accompanied by great nightlife, arts and culture so any of these places would be a great option!

Technology is such a huge part of our world and we completely understand if you want your wedding day to simply be focused on good friends, delicious food and of course you and your new hubbys love! We love the idea of a having an “unplugged” wedding and we think there are some fantastic ways to express this to your guests. One option would be to include your desire for a phone free celebration in the wedding program, this way all of the guests will see and respect your wishes. Another way would be to have your Dj or officiant make an announcement. Your guests will understand what you want to focus to be on, and everybody will have a great time no matter what!

Coffee with Calluna ::

It’s a brand new year and a brand new #CoffeeWithCalluna! We love sharing some tips and tricks of the industry. Because we love to share the love, each week we’ll answer questions from YOU

1.I love the blush and neutral color palate, but am afraid that it’s been done a lot. What’s a unique twist to the neutral palette that keeps it fresh and interesting?

We love this question! As much as we love the blush and neutral palate, (it’s oh-so-timeless), we are wanting to see some variety this year. One thing we are suggesting with our brides is to incorporate one or two pops of color into the neutrals. Perhaps a peach or coral, a green or blue. This year the Pantone Color of the Year is Greenery, so along with greenery a pop of color into a blush palate is a way to add a unique touch. It could be in your bridesmaid dresses, in your linens, paper goods, or in the florals themselves. However you do it just make sure the color stays true to your personality and goes with your venue!

We love gifting. Next to coffee and weddings, it’s our favorite! Jewelry is always a great idea but if you’re wanting to switch it up a little, we have a few alternative ideas.

Coffee with Calluna :: save the dates, wedding photography & Rose!

We are excited to start our Coffee with Calluna series. Each week we’ll answer questions we receive on from our readers. Send your questions about weddings, style, fashion, or anything really and we’ll answer them!

For our first Coffee with Calluna we present these questions from some #callunabrides!

1. How early should I send save the dates? We say 6-9 months prior. 9 months for sure if you are getting married over a holiday weekend.

2. Is it better for me to hire a photography company who includes one photographer or two? This is a great question! We typically feel like having two photographers on the day of the wedding is better than one. However some of the photographers we work with like are the Main/Lead photographer and prefer to capture all the images and if they bring a 2nd photographer the 2nd is there to capture details and other shots but the main photographer is wanting to be the priority person capturing. The main disadvantage of this is the main/lead photographer has to be with the ladies getting ready and then with the guys getting ready so the timeline can get pushed out a bit. If there are two Lead shooters then the lead photographer is often with the bride getting ready when the 2nd is with the groom getting ready. Both photographers can capture different angles during the ceremony (the bride walking down the aisle with your Dad, the groom seeing the bride for the first time). A 2nd shooter allows the Lead to focus on main shots and then the 2nd gets details or other angles. When the lead is doing family and wedding party formals the 2nd can be capturing the reception details. That said some of the best photographers prefer to only work by themselves and then bring in 2nd shooters more as assistants.

3. We are going into the fall is it still ok to serve rose at my wedding? Of course! Rose is acceptable any time of the year really. You might serve rose or sparkling rose during the cocktail hour and then move to a sparkling wine or champagne during the toast to round out the offerings.

When’s The Date? How to pick the best wedding season for you