Laurel Creek Manor: ::Wedding Layout Ideas:: Introduction:: Ceremony

One of the most common questions asked by our current brides is "how should i set up for my ceremony, dining, dancing, etc.?? What works best here at Laurel Creek?

We are ALWAYS happy to help you figure out your set up- so this week of blogging is dedicated to showing you specific examples to help you plan your event layout!

Each day I will show you set up ideas for different parts of your event... starting today with your Ceremony! Enjoy!

**CEREMONY**

There are multiple locations around laurel creek to do your ceremony (great room, patio, back porch, wedding arbor), although the wedding arbor is the most stunning. We will start though, inside the house for those of you with a group of 115 people or less, cooler weather, or a back up plan for a not so great day.

The great room will hold 100 people in rows of 5, with a great aisle down the middle. You can push it up to 115 people if you do two rows sideways near the fireplace

This bride ran two strands of silk flower garlands up each side of the aisle to add a little jazz to the ceremony. You can either do a ceremony in front of the fireplace or at the other end of the room in front of the french doors. One Tip: if you are doing a ceremony in the great room it is much easier if you have a small bridal party of 3 or 4 on each side!

Now for a ceremony outside! The best place for a ceremony outside is at our wedding arbor. There is room for up to 350 chairs out there... and they all have a wonderful view! when planning a ceremony at the arbor there are a few things to think about: what to decorate the arbor with? it is pretty alone, but also very sturdy. many people hang lanterns from ribbon, garlands, or floral hanging baskets from the three hooks on the arbor.

Another decision to make: how do you want your chairs? they can be in straight across rows, rows that are angled to face the arbor more, or curved rows. Here are some wedding arbor examples!

We only make about 8 or 9 rows of chairs in order to keep each guest close enough to the arbor to see and hear everything! It works really well, everyone has a 'good seat!'

The rows above are straight. Straight rows work well if you have a smaller number of guests- anything below 100. Below you see some curved rows, which works great with large groups, so every chair is angled towards the arbor!

The picture above shows one good idea, and one bad idea. The good idea is to decorate your aisles with something- this bride used pretty white buckets full of flowers to mark each row. We commonly see this or aisle stands /hooks holding vases or lanterns. The bad idea in the photo above? Rose Petals. although they may look pretty in this photo- in reality they were smashed and discolored by the time the ceremony came. we do not allow Fake rose petals here at laurel creek- but we do allow Real rose petals. my suggestion: if you really really want rose petals have your flower girl throw only a few while she walks, loading up the aisle with petals before hand turns mushy and and messy looking. One Rule: if you have Real rose petals... you must pick them up after the ceremony!

Lanterns or vases hung by pretty ribbon from the arbor is stunning and practical. when you are done at the ceremony, have someone snip them off and use them as table center pieces! two in one!