Planning Your Wedding in Omaha, NE

Another year, another wedding season! Many couples have already begun preparing for their nuptials in 2016, and many more recently got engaged over the holidays and are just getting started with their wedding planning. What’s more, with brides and grooms tying the knot year-round and the diversity among modern wedding ceremonies and receptions, there is much in store for 2016 and along the same lines, a lot of ducks to get in a row! Utilizing the professionals is a must, and we’ve consulted with our local experts to bring you some of the latest wedding tips, trends, and key information.

THE DRESS:

There’s little else that gets as much focus as the bride looking absolutely stunning in her wedding dress—as we are all well aware, it’s a big deal!

As one of the most valuable keepsakes from a wedding, it’s also important to plan ahead for the proper cleaning and preservation of the gown so it can be enjoyed by future generations.

“With all of the details that go into selecting the perfect gown, Stiletto’s understands the importance of applying professional knowledge in the aftermarket care,” emphasizes John Perlebach, owner of Stiletto’s Dryclean Delivery. “Since each gown is different, your gown will be examined for the most suitable cleaning method. Each stage of the cleaning and boxing process will receive the required attention for proper storage. Besides providing years of protection, Stiletto’s respects the possibility that there may be hopes of passing your gown down someday. Our program comes with a luxurious golden keepsake acid-free preservation box that not only offers premium protection, but extraordinary beauty as well.  Stiletto’s provides full-service delivery, which eliminates the potential for any damage during transport.  We can take care of your veil, your shoes and everything in between.

To preserve the brilliance of your gown, it is important to treat your garments as soon as possible.  You may look at your beautiful gown and not see stains caused by soil such as body oils, make-up, or perspiration. Although these stains are not visible right away, over time these stains plus other soils, such as food or beverages, could cause damage to the gown with discoloration and/or weakness to the fabric, even if the gown was only worn once.

Stiletto’s respects the importance of preserving your memories and will take great care of your gown. We are here to relieve the stress of caring for your dresses, suits, and other wedding day apparel and accessories as well.  With our knowledgeable staff and their decades of dry cleaning and laundering experience, you can be rest assured that your treasured items are in the capable hands of professionals.”

THE VENUE:

The Omaha Metro is home to many fantastic wedding venues and each has something unique to offer. Therefore, finding the right fit is much more about what you envision as the setting for your big day and your own personal style and identity as a couple.

Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm has an expansive property full of unique elements which allow it to transform for each wedding. There to handle all of the specifics, make recommendations, and help each couple design their perfect wedding is an experienced team of staff members focused on all of the key details.

“As the wedding specialist at Lied Lodge, I have the pleasure of working with couples from the time they first arrive until the day of their wedding,” says Patty Pierce, Wedding Coordinator at Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm.  “My years of experience help guide couples throughout the entire planning process including rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, ceremony, reception and a gift opening brunch. Couples also look to me to provide references and referrals for different vendors.

The most distinct aspect of having a wedding at Lied Lodge and Arbor Day Farm is our ability to cater to any wedding style and size. From large, lavish affairs to small and simple ceremonies, we have a space they will love. The options are endless with a choice of a rustic historic barn, elegant ballrooms, historic Morton mansion or a private place among the trees, all on our 260 acre property.  Regardless of the location, all feature a nature-inspired backdrop that provides a gorgeous setting. We are also fortunate at Lied Lodge and Arbor Day Farm to provide an ‘all-inclusive’ experience. Staying at one property for the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, brunch and gift opening is not only convenient for the wedding party but their guests too.”

She adds, “A big trend for 2016 is a nature-inspired setting. Couples are choosing to implement the outdoors into both their ceremony and reception. The Historic Morton Barns offers a rustic charm for the ceremony and reception, all just a short walk from Lied Lodge. Hazelnut Lawn, East Lawn and any location at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park provide gorgeous settings to exchange vows.

My best advice for any couple is to visit the venue in person for a tour. Looking online is a great starting point but to fully envision their wedding day, seeing it firsthand is a must. This allows them to meet the staff they’ll be working with on all the details and get an idea of how their special day will unfold.

Our staff at Lied Lodge and Arbor Day Farm truly do take great pride in making each and every wedding a success. Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm is honored to have received the “Best of mywedding Award” in the categories for both ceremony locations and wedding venues. This is a testament to all the hard work our staff puts into creating a one-of-a-kind experience for each and every wedding.”

Bellevue Berry Farm is another perfect example of a charming, one-of-a-kind venue that’s enhanced by the picturesque countryside and the beauty of nature.

“As rustic-chic has really been on-trend with weddings in recent years, we fit that niche perfectly and especially enjoy working with couples to plan out their special day,” says Tyson Schaefer of Bellevue Berry Farm. “We have four different lodges in varying sizes on property that all offer a very nice outdoor area, which allows for ample room to dine, dance, and socialize. With several different areas for kids to play and for adults to explore, it’s nice to be able to take a break as opposed to being stuck in the same room for hours on end.

Aside from the distinctive setting, we also set ourselves apart with our catering offerings. We’re all about options; our most popular fare is our house BBQ but we also have a culinary team who is able to make authentic Mexican dishes and a selection of Italian dishes. As appetizer spreads have also been trending, there are plenty of possibilities for putting those together too.

Bellevue Berry Farm has been in the family for years, so in that time we’ve made a lot of connections with local vendors. These are professionals who are familiar with our venue, so they are already well prepared and have experience with past events. Whether you are looking for a deejay or a decorator, we can certainly make a great recommendation. Our goal has always been to minimize stress and maximize the experience. Our team can collectively handle just about everything with the exception of the wedding attire and cake.

As such, special requests are always welcome; we are no stranger to Pinterest, it’s great for inspiration and to get on the same page in terms of translating an idea into reality. Oftentimes we refer couples to our house designer, who can replicate a look nicely and is talented at bringing our barns to life. Our flexibility also extends into scheduling, with a nice selection of dates left in 2016 although we’ve already been reserving 2017 dates.

When it comes to choosing a venue, I think it’s important to ultimately pick the one that best fits your style while also being able to accommodate your guest list and any special ‘must-haves,’ such as the trend to incorporate pets in the celebration and so on. I also think it’s very important to see the venue in person before making the commitment and booking your date, and most venues are happy to accommodate a visit. We encourage our guests to come out for a tour, which also gives us the time to get acquainted, go over important information and answer any questions. It’s our honor to be a part of so many special wedding days, and to ensure it’s a hassle-free, unforgettable experience for all.”

Choosing to host your reception at a hotel continues to be one of the most traditional choices because of the ideal amenities and capabilities for entertaining large groups. Furthermore, as previously mentioned the convenience of guests being able to retire safely to their rooms after the celebration has ended is a nice perk and allows everyone to enjoy themselves.

“Our hotel is uniquely equipped to take care of all of your wedding needs by having the ability to provide on-site banquet facilities, hotel rooms, shuttle service as well as off-site catering through the catering company we operate, Main Event Catering,” explains  Bill Vanderpool, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites at Ameristar. “This allows us the flexibility to take care of all of the different aspects of your big day.  Whether you choose to have your wedding in our ballroom or at another venue we can provide the same high quality meal and excellent service to you and your guests.  We can package group rooms, catering and transportation together to provide the maximum value to each wedding couple that chooses to have their special day with us.

In addition to having the ability to provide many of the services needed for a successful wedding we are also located right on the banks of the Missouri River which can provide great views from your room of the river and Omaha skyline.  We are also conveniently attached to the Ameristar Casino through and indoor walkway and provide a 24-hour shuttle within 5 miles of the hotel, so if your guests are in town for a while we can help them find plenty to do!”

Not all venues are created equal, so make sure to do your research on what they have to offer vs. what you will have to provide yourself. To fill in the gaps, an event rental company is your go-to resource for just about anything you can think of that’s wedding-related.

For all of your other needs besides shelter, Honeyman Rent-All offers an extensive selection of rental items including tables, bars, chairs, linens, china, chafers, arches, lighting, slush and soft serve machines, and much more. If you are renting tables for an outdoor event, Honeyman Rent-All will even supply clips at no charge to secure covers or tablecloths to the tables so the wind cannot blow them off. Many weddings and receptions are held in outdoor areas, and Honeyman Rent-All offers delivery and on-site set up of all necessary equipment, and will take everything down after the event. Bill Reynolds of Honeyman Rent-All explains, “Most of the outdoor weddings we do involve setting up the arch, chairs and an occasional P/A system. We always give the highest priority to these events, and make sure we arrive prepared and on time or even well in advance. We have also been to most all of the venues that brides like to use, so we are familiar with the set up options available and can suggest what works best for that particular venue from experience.” He adds, “We can also help in planning the event with respect to the layout. We have a program that can tell the couple how many tables and chairs will fit in a particular area. All we need for this is the dimensions of the area and the type of tables, and the program does the rest!” Additionally, Honeyman Rent-All offers an adjusted rental/payment schedule for the convenience of their customers and to lower stress levels before and after the wedding. They will deliver or let their customers pick up their rentals the day before the event and return them the business day after while only charging them for one day of rent (Ex: Pick up Friday, use Saturday, and return Monday).

THE ENTERTAINING:

In making the wedding reception memorable and enjoyable for all, all of the special touches that come together to result in an incredible event are key. While it’s important to book the deejay, band, or live entertainment that you have your heart set on as soon as possible, which along with the décor will create the right atmosphere, you’ll also be making arrangements for hosting your guests in style. This would include catering and the bar service, which are both ways to get creative in putting together signature dishes and unique craft cocktails. Not to be forgotten, though, is the dessert and of course, the ceremonial wedding cake!

“Weddings are something we do a lot of, and we take pride in doing anything and everything you can imagine!” says Michelle Kaiser, owner of Alotta Brownies Bakery. “Our creative team of designers and decorators are highly skilled and enjoy staying on the cutting-edge of wedding trends. From the traditional wedding cake to the trending dessert bar, bride and groom cakes, and bridal shower goodies, there’s plenty of ways to incorporate sweet treats into your wedding festivities. Our dessert bars have been really popular and many brides have been booking with us from eight months to a year in advance, which is a good rule of thumb. This allows for plenty of time to plan all of the details together—consultations are a key part of the planning process at Alotta Brownies. We take just as much care with presentation as we do with the quality of the desserts we make, because it all ties together on the big day. A popular display has been smaller tiered cakes on pedestals surrounded by an array of treats—cupcakes, bars, brownies, or premier desserts such as Belguim mousse cups and cannolis. We have even done a brownie sundae buffet! We will take your budget into consideration and spread out the cost from the initial deposit up to the final consultation, which is helpful for planning. Changes WILL happen as you get closer to the date, so we always take a conservative approach in the beginning and allow our clients the option to add at any time. For example, if your guest list starting out is 200 people, during our initial consultation we would advise to book for 150. This way you can always add, even up to a week before the date with our bakery because everything is made fresh to order!”

In being a good host throughout your wedding events, providing safe transportation may also land on your list of things to nail down. Particularly for venues that don’t accommodate overnight stays, you may want to consider hiring a bus to shuttle guests from your reception to a nearby hotel. Also, in customary bachelor and bachelorette party fashion, there’s no better (and easier) way to get everyone together and out for a good time than by hiring a party bus for the night. Safety first, especially when it comes to affairs like these when everyone is enjoying the party!

THE HONEYMOON (OR DESTINATION WEDDING!):

Not only are you marrying the love of your life, but customarily going on an adventure with them afterwards to share plenty of quality time as Mr. and Mrs. and make more memories that will last forever. Incorporating travel is not only popular for honeymoons, but also for destination weddings, but to make sure everything goes as planned minus any horror stories it’s important to work with an experienced travel agent!

“Thailand, Riviera Maya, Mexico, The Cook Islands, and Italy are just some of the hot places to honeymoon in 2016,” advises Kris Reddy, owner of The Vacation Store & The Cruise Company.  “Whether you are looking for adventure and sunshine or romance and culture, we can create the perfect honeymoon to fit your needs!

The Vacation Store & The Cruise Company are the experts with over 30 years with helping our clients plan their dream destination wedding and honeymoons. We are here to assist and walk you through every step of planning your honeymoon and destination wedding needs. Our Travel Specialists work closely with the bride and groom to find the honeymoon or destination wedding package that best fits their specific needs, wants and dreams!  We can coordinate air, hotels, resorts, cruises–anything to make your romantic getaway special.

Come see us!  With over 30 years of experience, we can sit down with you and discuss what you are looking for in your honeymoon. Call or come in, we looking forward to seeing you.”

So for those who will be planning for their future nuptials this year and beyond, keep in mind that the professionals you work with will make all of the difference in the final product, which should be the wedding you’ve always dreamed of. Make sure to use your resources wisely and rather than putting everything squarely on your shoulders, let the experts do what they do best while you take it all in. With that, we wish each of the brides and grooms tying the knot this year all the best!