Ballroom setup with Dance Floor at the Parking Lot End

 
 
 
 

The Grand Ballroom is set up here for 150 persons.

Usually we set up the Ballroom with the dance floor in the middle of the room, with the DJ or band right next to the kitchen doors. That particular set-up does have its advantages.

From time to time we get requests for this alternative style of set-up, with the dance floor and DJ or band at the end near the parking lot. I shot some photos of this alternative setting just for the wedding blog, so that you could see it. The majority of the other shots on this blog have the dance floor in the location near the kitchen doors.

Additionally, this set-up had chair covers with black sashes, something we don't see very often. So the photos serve a dual purpose.

By the way, the yellow-tinged photos were shot using a tripod and existing light, and the other less-yellow photo was shot with a flash and digitally lightened. Neither are great photos, but they were the best I could get with the little digital camera we keep here for this purpose. Makes me think I should look for a better camera!

Juli

An Unusual Christmas Wedding Theme

 
 
 
 

This wedding took place in our Nathaniel's and Sophia's Rooms on the second weekend in December. The couple chose a Christmas Theme, and carried it out with centerpieces that looked like presents, a wedding cake in the same theme, and Christmas Trees for the placecard holders. The favors were Christmas 'crackers' of course.

What made this wedding even more unique was that the couple chose to use family photos representing special milestone events, such as when they met, their parents' anniversaries, when Roxanne was born, when Rich was born and other special dates in their lives as the table numbers. We thought you would enjoy seeing this unique slice of wedding life here at the Hawthorne Hotel.

Juli

Here is the outcome of all that planning

 

A few days ago we wrote about Betsy and her planning organization. Today we receive a lovely thank you card, which read:

Dear Christine, Kelly, and Liz,

From start to finish you all helped provide Kate and Andrew with a wonderful wedding. Thank you so very much. I cannot believe how quickly the evening went by -- good thing other people were in charge!

We have received many compliments on how beautiful the ballroom looked, how delicious the food was, and how smoothly everything went -- All due to the three of you and the rest of the Hawthorne staff. Thank you.

Betsy

We thought you would like to see the snapshots that she sent us from that wedding, so we scanned them in to our computer so we could share them with you.

The photo of the bride and groom are Kate and Andrew. Kate is Betsy's daughter. The photo of the bridesmaids shows, left to right, Kate's twin sister, Kristi, as well as Meg and Kaela.

I hope you enjoy getting to see a slice of wedding life here at the Hawthorne Hotel.

Juli

Here is a DIFFERENT view of a Hawthorne Hotel bride

 

We found this photo on a roll of pictures, and are not sure of who this is, nor when it was taken. However, we do think every bride should get familiar with this kind of scene, because it may happen to them.

This is called 'bustling' the wedding dress, and it is just one more thing that your wedding coordinator will make sure that your mother or attendants know how to do for you. Here at the Hawthorne Hotel we are experts in all of the fine details that are important to be sure your wedding is perfect.

Juli

Organization is the Key to a Great Wedding

 

Here you can see Christine Turner, on the left, posing with Betsy, a mother of the bride, on our stairs in the lobby of the Hawthorne Hotel. The mother had to be the 'person on the ground' while the bride planned her wedding long-distance from Australia!

When Betsy came to meet with Christine she had a folder full of things, which she spread out on the conference room table. When our ultra-organized Christine 'strongly suggested' that Betsy get a binder, to make her life easier, and more organized, Betsy went right out and got one, and put everything in it. At their next meeting Betsy was happy and proud to show off this binder to Christine, and they both thought this would make a nice story for our wedding blog.

So, a word to the wise -- get your binder BEFORE you come to meet with Christine, and you will get off on exactly the right start with her.

Juli

The Winter Holidays are a Great Time for a Wedding

 
 
 
 

You can see from these photos how nicely the winter holidays and atmosphere here at the Hawthorne Hotel can be carried ofer into your personal decor elements.

Juli

DJ and Wedding Coordinator Share a Special Story

 

Several months ago we had two weddings here at the Hawthorne Hotel - a Day Wedding and a Night Wedding. The DJ, and the Hawthorne Hotel Wedding Coordinator, both worked both weddings. The DJ said that in 25 years of being a DJ he had never done back-to-back weddings in the SAME LOCATION before, and this was a first for him. Don't they look fresh and ready to rock and roll! This was taken after the first wedding, and before the second one.

Juli

Wedding Ceremony Line-Up on the Stairs

Here is a VIDEO of the wedding party from Friday night's wedding in the Ballroom. This bride had many attendants, so it took awhile for everyone to make their way into the room, and it took the wedding coordinator's ultimate attention to make sure everyone knew where to go, and how to get there.

I hope you enjoy seeing another slice of wedding life here at the Hawthorne Hotel.
Just double click on the arrow button to see this video that I shot.

Juli

A Very Unique Groom's Cake

Tonight's wedding features a groom's cake. Now that in itself is still a bit unusual. But this one is even more unusual, because it is made in the shape of a controller for an electronic game. Can you guess what this groom enjoys doing in his spare time?

Also in these photos you can see the floral centerpieces for tonight's wedding in the Ballroom. I thought they were so pretty, that you might like to see them. They were created by Peter Barter Florist, although they were a bit of an upgrade to the standard flower package, due to the quantity and specificity of the flowers used.

Juli