Eldredge Manor Wedding Reception Center

Wedding Plans: Where to Skimp, Where to Splurge

Jonan Williams — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:28:03 +0000

Almost every couple who plans a wedding in Utah does it with some kind of budget in mind. Although this is the one time in your life when extravagance is worth it, you also have to take into account the costs related to the honeymoon and setting up a new life with the person you love.

That’s why we’ve come up with this list of places to splurge on your wedding budget and where you can get away with cutting a few corners.

Where to Spend Your Wedding Dollars

Venue: There is nothing that sets the tone for your Utah reception and wedding than the site you choose to host your big day. It is where your memories will reside. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to find the most expensive site and hand over your deposit. Instead, look for a wedding venue that offers timeless style and a comprehensive package of services—if you can find one that includes a consultant, you can even knock off several thousands of dollars from your total bill.
Photography/Videographers: It’s a sad truth that many brides have to face, but if your wedding photos don’t turn out well, there is no getting them back. Your Utah wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event full of the people you love and the stunning beauty of all your wedding planning efforts. No one ever regrets hiring the right photographer to capture every detail. Besides, some of the best photographers that we know are among the least expensive.

Where to Save on Your Wedding

Invitations: Yes, your invitations are the first impression your guests will have of your wedding. However, simple elegance often goes much further than the more expensive options out there. Skip the expensive colored graphics and engravings. Additionally, if you have the talent, you can even make your invitations yourself and wow your guests with the personalized attention to detail.
Gown: Don’t get us wrong, your wedding gown is important—perhaps one of the most important purchases for your wedding. However, you don’t have to buy a designer dress in order to look your best. By shopping early and spending some time researching which styles are right for you, you can shop sales, off-the-rack, or even used to find the perfect look for your day. You might also want to consider updating a precious family heirloom gown.

When It’s Your Call

When it comes to issues like wedding flowers, a live band or DJ, the catered menu, or the wedding cake, it’s up to you to determine how important the details are. If you choose an outdoor venue with a built-in garden, for example, you can skip the wedding flowers altogether. You can also skip the string quartet and a five-course meal by opting for a great sound system (and a CD you made yourself) and one or two really extravagant courses. And as far as the cake goes, you can often get away with a whimsical tower of cupcakes in place of the more traditional tiered cake.

No matter what your budget, you can enjoy every elegance you imagined—and in a Utah wedding venue that makes it easy. As long as you know where you want to splurge and where you can get away with a few cutbacks, anything is possible.

How to Choose Your Wedding Colors

Jonan Williams — Wed, 04 May 2011 09:00:33 +0000

One of the first things you’ll do when planning your wedding is decide on the wedding colors. That’s because before you can even order the invitations, you’ll need to determine what your overall theme and colors will be. Whether you go for a romantic pink with traditional touches or a vibrant blue that matches the sky for your outdoor garden reception, your colors will set the tone for your entire event.

Do You Have a Favorite Color?

For some brides, the wedding color is the easiest decision to make. Perhaps you’ve always loved the color purple or imagined a formal black-and-white masquerade ball for your reception. Maybe you know you want daisies for your wedding flower and need a crisp blue that will offset them. You might even have already chosen your Utah wedding reception venue and want to choose a color that will accent the Victorian décor.

If the answer isn’t that easy for you, take some time to imagine the overall style you have envisioned for your day. You might be able to eliminate a lot of choices this way. Bright colors won’t go well with a formal theme; a somber gray or deep red won’t work well with a beach-inspired wedding. Narrowing your options is a great way to get started.

Search Through Design Magazines

Although most brides assume they’ll need to stock up on bridal magazines, few of them worry just yet about the home and garden section. However, this is one area where it pays to pay attention. Pick up a few interior design magazines and browse the rooms showcased there.

These magazines are notorious for being able to select complementary colors or color combinations that evoke deep feelings. Find the ones you like the best and see if the same colors can be applied to your wedding reception.

Choose Your Gown Style and Color First

Although you hardly have to go out and purchase a gown right away, it is a good idea to know what type of wedding gowns you’ll be looking at. Are you imagining a classic white with sleek lines? A deeper ivory with lace accents? Find pictures of what you have in mind and put color swatches next to the gowns to see how well they go together.

Many bridal party colors will clash with the more nontraditional gowns. For example, a vibrant yellow wedding and a champagne wedding gown won’t exactly compliment one another. If you aren’t sure just yet what type of gown you’ll be choosing, stick to less forceful wedding colors so that you have more of a blank template to work with later on down the road.

Spend Some Time at Your Utah Wedding Reception Site

If you’ve fallen in love with a place like Eldredge Manor, spend some time in our gardens and ballroom to build a vision of your big day. For an afternoon reception in the outdoor garden, you might be inspired by the pink and yellow flowers that bloom under the wide blue sky. For a formal evening reception, our ballroom might bring to mind sparkling rubies and elegant brocades. We want to be an integral part of your big day, and are here to help you create a vision that will carry you through your wedding and into the early days of your happily ever after.

Wedding Transportation Ideas

Jonan Williams — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:00:06 +0000

Your wedding transportation—whether it’s a traditional limousine or a romantic carriage ride for two—is one of those tasks that often falls into the groom’s hands during the wedding planning stages. However, more and more brides-to-be are taking the initiative and coming up with truly unique ways to travel in style. Go for the tried-and-true wedding transportation ideas, or make a splash in a big way: it’s your wedding and can have it any way you want.

The Family Car: Decorating the car or truck you two will share is one of the old standards in wedding transportation. However, this lot almost always falls to the groomsmen, who may or may not keep tact in mind. If you don’t want your car splashed in paint and dragging tin cans, be sure and ask a responsible bridesmaid to keep everyone else in check.

Limousines: Even limos are coming with more and more personalized options. You can travel in a standard stretch, spring for a Hummer limo, or choose a sleek, luxury sedan. Depending on how many people you need to accommodate, you can consider any of the above options. Remember, too, that paparazzi-style shots of you emerging from the limo are always a great addition to the wedding photos.

Non-Traditional Options: Some of the best wedding travel ideas take place a little off the beaten track. Hop onto a motorcycle or Vespa (taking care of wedding dress issues ahead of time), ride a two-person bicycle, or even walk or roller skate away to a car parked just down the street. Although these kinds of ideas work best for the husband-wife departure rather than the arrival of the whole bridal party, they can add a cute and personal touch.

Mass Transit: If you are coordinating a large number of guests (especially out-of-towners), you might want to offer shuttle buses or minivans to help them move from the hotel to the wedding site, or from the wedding site to the reception. This can be a great way to make your guests feel truly welcome and taken care of.

Horse and Carriage: If you are really getting into the theme of your Victorian-themed Utah reception site, the traditional horse and carriage provides an elegant touch. This also makes for incredible wedding photo opportunities.

Give Your Groom a Gift: If your husband-to-be is a fan of vintage or sports cars, this can be a great opportunity to surprise him with the gift of a lifetime. Rent a BMW, Rolls Royce, or Ferrari and toss him the keys on your way out of the wedding or reception site. These kinds of rentals can typically be made for just a few hours or the day to accommodate weddings.

Wedding transportation needs vary depending on your wedding. Maybe you and your groom want to arrive and depart in style. Perhaps you need a way to move a large bridal party from one venue to another. Maybe you even want to keep your guests together by providing travel options for them. Whatever your needs, be sure and plan ahead. During the busy wedding season, limo and carriage rentals can fill up fast!

What to Do the Day Before Your Wedding

Jonan Williams — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:00:47 +0000

In an ideal world, the day before your wedding would be a day of rest. You will have chosen a Utah reception center that provides a full range of services, including coordination and catering, and all your vendors will have their orders and be under the direction of your wedding consultant. The rehearsal dinner will be ready to go without a single hitch, and there is nothing to do but pamper yourself and sleep late as you head into the big day.

No matter how much you plan, however, this scenario isn’t likely to be entirely true. That’s because even if everything is in order and taken care of and ready to go, those last-minute worries are sure to get hold of you!

One of the best ways to avoid taxing yourself on the day before your wedding is to plan this day as your own personal preparation time. That way, you can tick things off your wedding checklist while also enjoying a slower-paced day of reflection. Here’s what we suggest:

Have your wedding gown pressed: This can be done the day before your wedding or in the week leading up to it. Depending on how close to the big day you want to do a last-minute try on, it can be a good idea to save the pressing for last. Then you can hang the gown in your bedroom, where it will remain safe and ready to go.

Contact your coordinator, just once: Do this in the morning. Call your coordinator and go over any last-minute concerns or preparations. Then try to put the phone away and let things take care of themselves. If you simply can’t stay out of the last-minute details, ask your mother or maid of honor to check in for you.

Confirm any vendors or details: Things like hotel reservations, your limousine pickup service, and delivery times can be confirmed today, if you need. This is one of those tasks that could be handed over to someone else, but if it calms your nerves to participate, go ahead and make the confirmation calls.

Get a mani-pedi: Even if you’re not going for full acrylic nails for the big day, it’s a good idea to get a simple manicure and pedicure. Not only can you get a professional polish and finish, but spas are designed to relax you. Make the appointment with your bridesmaids or with your mother and grandmother to make it an entire experience.

Pack and have everything ready to go: From your makeup and shoes to a button-up shirt for getting ready in the morning, you should double-check to make sure everything is ready to go for tomorrow. You can also use this time to pack for the honeymoon if you have one planned for immediately after the wedding.

Go for a run or to a movie: If anticipation is causing you additional stress, it’s a good idea to fill your day with a normal activity. A quick run in the park or a movie with your bridesmaids can be a great way to get your mind off things for a little while. Any activity that isn’t wedding-related can work for this step.

Of course, the most important bit of advice is to go to bed early and do your best to get a good night’s rest. If you’ve planned your wedding at a Utah reception venue like Eldredge Manor, most of the heavy lifting is being done for you, so all you need to do the day before the wedding is step back, relax, and prepare to enjoy a day that is all about you and the love of your life!

Why Have a Wedding Consultant?

Jonan Williams — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:00:38 +0000

One of the best reasons to choose an all-inclusive Utah wedding reception center like Eldredge Manor is that you get access to a wedding consultant who will help you plan and perfect your wedding day. It doesn’t matter whether you have 50 guests or 250 guests coming—organizing an event on this scale is a large undertaking – complete with several pitfalls and hazards most won’t even think about. And because typically brides are doing this for the first time, there is a lot to learn and even more to remember in the weeks leading up to your big day.

Why Have a Wedding Consultant?

For many brides-to-be, it can be difficult to hand over the reigns to someone else for awhile. After all, you’ve been planning this wedding since you were a little girl, and you know exactly what your vision is. However, when you have the right wedding consultant at your side, you get a partner, not a planner.

Your consultant can help with:

Wedding invitation etiquette, including the proper wording and timeline for sending out the invitations and coordinating the RSVPs.
Choosing a wedding cake and wedding flowers in keeping with your theme and tone. Your consultant will also be able to direct you to local bakeries and florists that can be relied on to provide quality, consistent results and keep you on budget.
Coordinating vendors. One of the biggest challenges in planning a wedding is coordinating the many different vendors who contribute to the event. From photographers and musicians, your wedding consultant will ensure that everyone is where they need to be at the right time.
Ensuring the decorations are just right. The amount of preparation that goes into setting the scene at your wedding reception is immense. Tablecloths, place settings, garlands, flowers—everything must be set up ahead of time. A wedding consultant can oversee all this while you prepare for the ceremony.
Answering questions and being supportive. Perhaps most important of all, a wedding consultant is there to hold your hand when things get stressful or overwhelming. Remember—your consultant has years of experience in the wedding industry, and no last-minute catastrophe is insurmountable.
Putting out fires the day of the wedding. The last thing you want to worry about on your wedding day are all the details of planning and making sure everything is running smoothly. Your consultant is there to take on the burden so you can just enjoy yourself.

When you choose a Utah reception center like Eldredge Manor, so many of the important details are taken care of for you. Because we provide the catering, venue, and a consultant (with many years of experience) to be by your side, you have less time to worry and more time to focus on what really matters: your new marriage and all the family and friends who have come to celebrate this momentous occasion with you!

Photo Tips for Your Big Day

Jonan Williams — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:00:12 +0000

You’ve already chosen the perfect Utah reception center, your dress is fitted and ready to go, and the big day has finally arrived. In addition to the memories you will be making as you attend your wedding and say your vows, chances are that you are also going to capture this day on photo and/or video.

In order to make the most out your wedding photos, here are a few tips for looking your best and capturing your big day:

Your reception center matters: Having a good foundation is necessary to get the best wedding pictures. Choose a Utah wedding venue that offers great architecture and unique settings. Look for a venue that provides a photo background better than just a wall in a large hall. Plus look for options for outdoor garden pictures, then you’ll already be set with a colorful backdrop and that perfect setting for your photos.

Select a good photographer: Although it might seem more cost-effective to have your amateur photographer cousin do your wedding photos, you have to remember that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Choosing a photographer who specializes in weddings—who has the portfolio to back up his or her experience and understands the lighting at your particular venue—is often more important than saving a few bucks.

Variety is your friend: Talk with your photographer to ensure that you’ll have plenty of wedding photo options. Try to get black and white, sepia, and color photos, and try a variety of different backgrounds and poses. Not every picture will be perfect, but having a large selection is better than relying on just one or two options.

Add some candid photos: Increasingly the best and most sought after pictures are the ones that no one is posing for. A stolen embrace at the back of the garden courtyard, the dance floor in full swing—these types of situations make for great memories and tell a wonderful story. Be sure and select a photographer willing to work the whole wedding…not just an hour or two of staged pictures.

Be comfortable: A large, formal ball-gown and layers of makeup you aren’t used to will restrict your movements all throughout your wedding. Although you might be able to nip a few inches off your waist with a corset or feel picture-perfect with a thick layer of foundation on your face, your photos will reflect your discomfort. Wear what makes you feel good, and try to be as natural as you can throughout the day. Your wedding photos will be better for it.

Of course, the best advice for good wedding photos is to enjoy yourself. One of the biggest certainties is that the mood and atmosphere of your wedding will come through in your photographs. Laughter and love are the two best items you can bring to your wedding photos—and they come from within.

By choosing a Utah reception venue that will take on some of the stress for you and remembering what your marriage is truly about, you can have a great time and create great memories to go along with it.

What is a Personal Wedding Website? Do I Need One?

Jonan Williams — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:22:18 +0000

One of the more popular wedding trends for today’s couples is a personal wedding website. In an age when Facebook, Twitter, and FourSquare allow us to update our friends and families on all of our daily activities, it is becoming more and more acceptable to be “plugged in” when it comes to the big events in our lives. A personal wedding website, which is basically your own website dedicated solely to your wedding plans and updates, is actually less expensive and less work than most prospective brides and grooms assume.

What is the Purpose of a Wedding Website?

A personal wedding website allows you to announce your plans, communicate with guests from around the world, and even organize your event from an online platform. While this might seem like a sort of one-woman variety show, and not at all in the spirit of your upcoming marriage, many brides find wedding websites ideal for distributing information and connecting with others.

After all, when your family and friends are able to participate in the planning of your big day, and when they get to read about your “how we met” story or see the honeymoon pictures, the result is a closer relationship all around. The guests who will attend your wedding are only wishing the best for you, and being able to share in your joy is a big part of that.

Depending on how you design your wedding website, you might include:

Travel information (air reservations, car rentals, hotel rooms)
City information (for out-of-towners)
Map to find the wedding and Utah reception center sites
RSVP features
Registry options (a great way to let people know where you are registered, especially if you have reservations about including that information on your invitation)
“How we met” stories
Engagement photographs
Personal blogs
Forums for comments and conversations

Depending on how your wedding website is set up, you may even be able to provide wedding photographs in the months following the ceremony. In most cases, however, the wedding website is disbanded soon after the event.

How to Create a Wedding Website

Wedding websites come in a variety of types. Some providers allow you to choose a template form that you then fill out with your personalized information and with all your wedding colors in place, and these can come at a minimal cost and with minimal upkeep.

Other options include securing your own URL and building a website from scratch. This is great if you have experience in web design and coding (or if your husband-to-be is!), but it can be costly if you hire a web designer. There might also be quite a few months of preparation needed, since building websites from the ground up can take some time.

The Final Word

A wedding website isn’t for everyone, and it isn’t a requirement, but more and more bridal parties are finding the online platform a great place to communicate. If you have guests coming in from other locations, or if key family members won’t be able to make it to the event, having a wedding website can be a great way to share information and the joy of your big day!

How to Involve Your Fiancé in the Wedding Plans

Jonan Williams — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:50:16 +0000

For brides, wedding planning typically starts long before there’s an actual ring on your finger and a date set for the big day. Whether you began imagining the wedding of your dreams when you were a little girl, or if one special man has put you on the fast track to saying “I do,” chances are you have a good idea of what your ideal wedding looks like.

While many grooms are happy to let their brides-to-be handle all the wedding planning, some men want to have a heavier hand in the process. You might also have visions of including your fiancé in the wedding plans, incorporating him in the process so that your wedding reception is a true collaboration. Here are some tips on including your fiancé in a way that will suit you both:

Communicate Early and Often: Good communication is the foundation of any marriage, and wedding planning is no different. Talk to your fiancé about your expectations and ask what his are. Some grooms are happy to be given the reins on the honeymoon and leave the wedding completely up to you. Determine how involved he wants to be or if he has any ideas about the wedding. From there, you can build a plan that suits you both.

The Way to Man’s Heart is through His Stomach: Some aspects of wedding planning (like flowers or bridal party gowns) tend to be a little bit less appealing to men than others. One area in which most men are happy to help is in choosing the menu and wedding cake.

Set Aside “Groom Days”: Chances are you’ll be planning your wedding every day until the big event. Little details, phone calls, and decisions will take up quite a bit of your time and mental energy. Asking your fiancé to contribute the same level of commitment isn’t always fair, since his perception of wedding planning is inherently different than yours. However, you can set aside entire days in which he can be your partner in the process. Choose a weekend or a few evenings to make a “date” together. You can listen to bands, go shopping for wedding favors, or perform other necessary tasks. Be sure and end the date with something fun, like a romantic dinner for two or a visit to the movies.

Narrow Down the Choices for Him: Asking your fiancé what flowers he wants or who he thinks you should hire for photography might not be the most effective way to get answers — especially answers you agree with. Instead of asking his opinion on a whole array of choices, narrow the field down. Set three flower choices in front of him or narrow the videographer down to your top five. This way, your fiancé won’t be overwhelmed by choices, and you’ll be sure to approve of the final outcome.

Don’t Take Things Personally: The truth is that many men don’t approach wedding planning the same way women do. Just because your fiancé doesn’t take the initiative to help or make decisions doesn’t equal a lack of caring. He may feel like he doesn’t want to intrude, or that his opinion won’t matter. He might also prefer to support you rather than take the reigns himself. If you want or need help, ask for it directly — but don’t micromanage. Give him tasks he can do (but that won’t be catastrophic if they aren’t 100 percent the way you would do them).

The most important thing to remember is that the success of your wedding plans isn’t necessarily an indication of the success of your marriage. Although putting an emphasis on communication will only help solidify your relationship, many happy marriages began with a groom whose sole responsibility was to fit into his tuxedo on the day of the wedding. Trust your fiancé to do his best…and do your best to enjoy his help. Planning a wedding is stressful, but it can also be fun!

Outdoor Wedding Receptions: Planning for Uncertain Weather

Jonan Williams — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:54:45 +0000

If you’re getting ready to choose an outdoor wedding reception center in Utah, you know that the weather isn’t to be trusted. Although Utah is one of the most beautiful for an outdoor reception, there are quite a few unknowns when you’re dealing with Mother Nature. In fact, even in the balmy summer months, the occasional overcast skies and cool mountain breezes can make it difficult to plan your reception outdoors.

Fortunately, it is possible to have your outdoor reception and enjoy it, too. With the right kind of planning and reception venue, you can hope for the best while planning for the worst — and still have a beautiful, elegant wedding reception that will meet all your expectations.

The Time is Right: The traditional wedding season runs from May to September. During these months, you have a better chance of warm weather, clear skies, and a little dependability when it comes to the weather. Although you will most likely have to compete with other brides-to-be for the best outdoor venues during these months, it is important to time your outdoor reception appropriately. Plan ahead and secure your location and wedding date well in advance.

Your Wedding Reception Venue: The most important thing you can do to ensure a great outdoor reception is to find a location that can support both indoor and outdoor and events. An estate like Eldredge Manor offers two acres of gardens and a courtyard built in the Victorian tradition, and both of them are built to support garden receptions of all shapes and sizes. However, if the weather forces you inside, you will find just as much grandeur and beauty in the ballroom. A versatile reception venue is key in planning an outdoor event.

Heat is Just as Bad as Cold: Most brides-to-be worry about a reception getting rained out or being too cold; however, extreme heat can be just as disastrous. Choose a wedding reception center with natural shade trees is always best. Wedding tents can also work if there is enough of a breeze to move the warmer air that can build up underneath. Make sure that there is air conditioning nearby for guests who have special needs.

Guest Comfort: Many brides and bridal parties are able to adjust to weather issues by purchasing capes, shawls, and other clothing items that can stand up to a slight chill in the air. Remember, though, that while your comfort is important, you must allow for your guests, as well. Elderly guests and children are especially susceptible to extreme heat and extreme cold, so have a back up plan if you think the weather isn’t going to cooperate.

The Great Outdoors: Even in the most ideal outdoor space, nature will still be nature. Insects can only be controlled so far. The best photographer won’t be able to coax the sun out from behind a cloud. Wind can sweep in and blow your careful preparations away. In order to have a truly successful outdoor wedding, flexibility and a sense of humor must be the order of the day. Although having a sheltered, well-cultivated area like the courtyard at Eldredge Manor will help keep the worst of nature at bay, you still have to be prepared for setbacks.

An outdoor wedding reception can be one of the best decisions you make for your wedding. The natural backdrop of flowers and greenery, the elegant exterior of a mansion, and the enjoyment you get out of nature can all combine to create unforgettable wedding memories. Remember, though, that while you can control your wedding reception venue, you can’t control the weather. Make the most out of the space you have and do your best to enjoy what nature hands you.

How to Make Your Wedding Reception Family-Friendly

Jonan Williams — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:50:06 +0000

If you are planning on inviting children to your wedding, it’s important to ensure the comfort of all your guests, both young and old. It is becoming more and more common for brides to include young children in the wedding plans, whether the kids are part of the ceremony or simply invited to join the celebration.

Planning a wedding reception that is family-friendly means that you have to do more than just include “and Family” on the invitations; if you want everyone to have a good time, it’s good to plan a few activities that will keep small children entertained and happy — and, by extension, their parents, too!

Safety: Your wedding reception center will have stairs, outlets, hiding places, or even an open fire, make sure your guests know ahead of time. Although there is probably little you can do to change these features, equipping parents with all the information they need will help them plan accordingly.

Babysitters: Having on-site babysitting can be a great way to ensure that everyone has a good time, and teenage nieces or nephews can be a great source for sitters. Ask your wedding reception center if they have a separate room that is (or can be) equipped with a television and movie equipment, or with toys and games that you bring from home. This way, parents have the option of keeping their kids with them during the reception or dropping them off for a little while so they can enjoy some grown-up time.

Little Diners: Not only are kids not very likely to enjoy your dinner menu, but it isn’t exactly cost-effective to serve them the same foods you have for your adult guests. Plan a separate, kid-friendly menu and make sure there is a seating area set up that can either fit highchairs and booster seats, or that allow for families to eat together without upsetting your seating arrangement. Having a separate room for breastfeeding mothers is another nice touch.

Bedtime: If you’ll be having an evening reception, there’s a good chance kids will get tired a little bit early. You can either bring in some pack-and-play carriers to put in the “babysitting room,” or set up a quiet area in another room with pillows and blankets. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have a sitter or responsible party who can keep an eye on the little ones.

Communication: Let parents and other guests know your plans. Tell them what features you’ve set up to make the wedding reception kid-friendly, and ask for RSVPs so that you can hire the appropriate number of sitters. Being open and honest about what they can expect (as well as your expectations in return) will make parents feel better about the decision to bring their families and result in a better reception experience overall.

Not everyone likes having children at a wedding, and that’s okay, too. If you’re planning a grand, formal affair at a Utah wedding reception center that doesn’t cater to families, you have every right to keep things child-free — as long as you’re upfront with your guests about your wishes.

However, with the right kind of planning, you can have kids at your wedding reception and still have an incredible experience. After all, marriage is about family and sharing your union with those you love…and in many cases, that means letting everyone — of every age — participate in the event.