The Burlap Trend

There was a time when the humble fabric burlap would never have been considered being used at a wedding or special event. Times have changed considerably. This plain, brown fabric has turned into something more than ordinary. Burlap gets a makeover by combining it with other textures, colors, flowers, jeweled brooches, lace, and using it in unexpected ways. It is a fun material in its unexpected charm and complements many other materials nicely when given the opportunity.

We have seen burlap used in table décor, bridal bouquets, invitations, and other applications. The range can be from casual to more elegant in its use depending on the event as with other factors such as the time of day and the tone you want to set. Burlap is a wonderful neutral and can take on bold accents while holding its own.

A couple of samples of the many beautiful uses of burlap our clever designers have created for wedding related events...

Burlap is very versatile and if you have considered using it for a shower or bridal party or wedding you can see it has lots of potential. 

If you have questions or comments about this story, we welcome them. If you have held a wedding at HORIZONS or the Temple Theatre in Saginaw and would like to submit your story or photos, please contact your wedding coordinator, they would love to hear from you.

Cake and Flowers

Create a visually stunning cake in addition to intricate frosting patterns, gently placed cake toppers and carefully placed ribbons. Create an even more beautiful cake and additional height by adding coordinating flowers from your wedding between the individual cake layers. Your cake looks nearly double in size and it is a nice way to fill in between the tiers. It is a wonderful way to add color and elegance and tie in your theme on your special day.

Some examples of our bride and groom's beautiful wedding cakes of which we added fresh floral...

At HORIZONS, we work with our brides in selecting and choosing appropriate floral designs to suit their wedding cakes. Our in-house designer and florist  as well as our wedding coordinators are able to guide our couples in choosing flowers that are suitable and that will hold up well depending on how they are used. If you are needing flowers to last a few hours and would like them to look nice for photos, we keep that in mind. If you choose to use more delicate flowers, we consider where and how they will be used. We want everything to look fabulous when your guests arrive and when you look at your photos after the event.

If you have questions or comments about this post or would like to know more, please contact us,
989-799-4122.

If you have held a wedding event at HORIZONS or the Temple Theatre in Saginaw, MI and would like to share your photos or story, we welcome submissions. Kindly contact your wedding coordinator for information. They would love to hear from you.

Coral - A Continuing Color Favorite

Coral is a very popular color choice among brides for spring and summer this year. It is a very stylish color this season and looks lovely on its own as well as when paired with other colors such as grey, white, fuchsia, yellow, green, navy, and teal. Many of our brides have used it in their floral, linen, décor, invitations, lighting, and tablescapes. You can even serve the color as a beverage to your guests.

We created a refreshing cocktail inspired by the gorgeous hue, the Coral Oasis. Serve to guests at a bridal shower, a rehearsal dinner, or as a theme signature drink for your special day. This specialty drink can be found on our Pinterest page at http://pinterest.com/pin/475481673128833578/ .

Be creative with your color theme.  There are numerous ways to add visual interest to your event, some being: favors, candy buffets, fountains, ice sculptures, centerpieces, colored water, candles, petals, ribbons, in addition to those mentioned above.

Our coordinators and design team have a passion and flair for making events special and beautiful and will be happy to assist you in achieving the look you desire. Contact us for questions or information, 989-799-4122.

Featured Bride and Groom - Shaena and Ben

We have another fabulous wedding to share. This month's couple celebrated their wedding at The Temple, a historic theatre, that is spectacular and charming. It is also known as "The Showplace of Northeastern Michigan." This is a beautiful venue in which to have a memorable wedding reception.

Shaena tells the touching story of how she and Ben met and became engaged in her own words...

"Ben and I actually met way back in middle school. We didn't have too much to do with each other then, but when we went to high school we ended up sharing quite a few classes throughout the year. There was much flirting, but as is the way with many high school crushes, the timing or circumstances never worked out.

After we graduated, I pursued my public relations degree at Central Michigan University, while he worked towards his engineering degree first at Delta then at Michigan Tech. Despite the distance, we still managed to run into each other a couple of times a year. We attended the same church in our hometown, and midnight mass on Christmas Eve seemed to be our special catch-up time.

It was at this mass in 2010 that I was telling him about my sister's engagement, and how I needed to work on finding a date (I couldn't resist the opening to see if he was single) he replied that he would be my date! We exchanged numbers, and wished each other a Merry Christmas.

The next day, he said he knew my sister's wedding wasn't until July, but that he was pretty clumsy and we should definitely go on a practice date. Needless to say it went well!  

Almost a year later at the beginning of mass at the same church we reconnected in, our priest asked if anyone had any announcements. Much to my surprise, Ben raised his hand! He walked to the front of the church and told everyone how in the past he has walked through life alone, but today he was hoping to rectify that mistake. He got down on one knee and asked me to spend my life with him. I said yes!

A little over a year later, we said our vows two feet in front of where he proposed! It was an incredible journey and we can't wait to write the rest of the story."                                             

Shaena and Ben's wedding day...

   

 

    

     
           

 

                 

   

The wedding reception was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Temple Theatre. As you can see the wedding party took some lovely shots within the interior of the theatre. As you may have also noticed, the bride and groom's names were featured on the marquee out front. These wonderful touches add up to an extra special day.  Something old, something new - The Temple provides this and more!

Warm congratulations to Shaena and Ben. May you have a beautiful future together.

If you held your wedding at HORIZONS or The Temple and would like to be featured, please contact us. We would be honored to feature your story here. For more information, please call 989-799-4122.

Wedding Inspirations Expo - Sunday, April 7, 2013

HORIZONS annual wedding expo, Wedding Inspirations, is coming up this Sunday, April 7 at our beautiful facility in the Great Lakes Bay region. We are excited to present a number of wedding services and vendors for brides-to-be all in one convenient location.

There will be 70+ vendors showcasing their services and available to speak to brides onsite. Wedding services include: flowers, caterers, wedding cakes, banquet facilities, bridal registries, entertainment companies, decorations, invitations, rentals, transportation, photographers, travel agencies, beauty essentials, photo booths, and much more. Talk to informal models wearing the latest in bridal and formal attire from a variety of apparel stores. Brides' registration enter them for free gifts and drawings.

For more information, please call 989-799-4122 or visit our website at www.horizonscenter.com . We look forward to seeing everyone there and to a great show.

Wedding Season is Approaching and We have an Invitation Offer

Our experienced Wedding Coordinators work with some of the nation’s leading invitation companies and we are pleased to pass this offer on and to provide you with countless options that will best reflect your personal style. 

BRIDES Fine Wedding Papers exclusive!
50 FREE Personalized Thank You Notes with any BRIDES invitation*

*Free Thank You Notes only available when ordered at the same time as invitations. Minimum purchase of 50 invitations is required. Other restrictions may apply. Offer only applies to Checkerboard's BRIDES Fine Wedding Paper collection. No cash value. Void where prohibited. Cannot be combined with other offers. Valid through June 30, 2013.

Here is a recent review by one of our many pleased brides...

"In LOVE With Our Invitations    posted 3/18/2013, WeddingChannel

I LOVE your invitations!! I am so happy we decided to go with HORIZONS for our invitations. It costs a little more than doing it yourself, but they are BEAUTIFUL!! If you can afford it, DO IT!! You will not be disappointed. They also have invites for smaller budgets. I looked at some, but fell in love with what we ended up getting, therefore, had to pay a little more but, they are so beautiful I even framed them and put it in the living room. Would recommend to anyone!"

We are proud to accommodate all of your wedding stationery needs: save the date cards, invitations, ceremony programs, place cards and thank you cards. For more information on how to personalize your wedding at HORIZONS, please call Ernie, Carol or Alaina at 989.799.4122 today for your free consultation.

HORIZONS NAMED WINNER IN THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDINGS 2013

We are thrilled to announce that HORIZONS has been rated by local brides and we have been chosen as a recipient of The Knot’s “Best of Weddings 2013″ Pick.  

SAGINAW, MICHIGAN (March 22, 2013) — HORIZONS is pleased to announce they have been selected as a 2013 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, a special section featured on TheKnot.com.

The Knot Best of Weddings 2013 provides a “by brides, for brides” guide to the top wedding professionals across the country, and is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources.
"This honor is very humbling, since the nomination criteria is based on brides that have shared their wonderful experiences, while planning their receptions at our facility," said Sales Manager and Wedding Coordinator Ernie Sbresny. "This award wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of every member on the HORIZONS Team. As our logo states, we are 'THE ART OF HOSPITALITY'…. together!"

We are excited to continue providing wedding couples our excellent service and we are honored to have received this recognition. We are looking forward to the upcoming wedding season and to helping brides and grooms celebrate their special day.

The “Cinderella Table”, a Charming Idea!

The head table is often one of the main focal points at a wedding reception. A very lovely look we are currently seeing is the “Cinderella Table”. This is a visually stunning statement. The table skirting is made from sheer fabric which is gathered and draped, creating beautiful, symmetrical, layered swags. These are secured in place with large rhinestone brooches adding a sophisticated, regal touch.

   

The table pictured is from a show we did recently showcasing silver chargers, silver chiavari chairs, fresh white floral arrangements in clear vases, pillar candles, votive candles in glass holders for lots of shimmer, a fabulous, layered backdrop, and for added dimension and drama, accent lighting highlighting the crystal beaded curtain. The primary focus remains on the "Cinderella Table" where the Bride and Groom and their bridal party would be seated.

Imagine a Cinderella cake table to complement the head table, or perhaps a gift table, a champagne table, or even a sweets table with the same enchanting look. This would also look great at a winter themed wedding or a new year's eve wedding with a "Stroke of Midnight" theme table with guest favors. We are able to coordinate table linens, chair covers, floral, lighting, and backdrops to correspond with this option in completing an overall look for your special day.

If you would like to know more or have any questions, please contact us to discuss or feel free to leave your comments. We'd love to hear from you.

Featured Wedding Couple - Abby and Kyle

To kick off our blog we thought it appropriate to start on one of the most romantic days of the year, Valentine's Day. We begin by featuring one of our many, lovely couples we have had the pleasure of getting to know and the honor of hosting their special day.

Recently, Abby and Kyle held their wedding reception at HORIZONS. The couple met in 2004 through their best friends. Their first date was a double date to the movies with the same friends that introduced them. They continued to see each other after that, the relationship grew and they became more serious.

Things were going well for Kyle and Abby. Abby received her degree in Dental Hygiene from Delta College in 2008, followed by a BBA Management degree from Northwood University in 2010. Kyle graduated from Northwood as well with a BBA Management Degree in 2009.

In November of 2011, Abby received a raise at work. To celebrate, Kyle suggested going to dinner in nearby Frankenmuth, a charming Bavarian community. Upon arriving at the restaurant they proceeded to get out of the car but before going in, Kyle quickly suggested they go on a horse drawn carriage ride and escorted Abby to an available carriage. The scenic ride was a memorable start to the evening. As they rounded the corner back towards the restaurant, Kyle bent down on his knee while inside the carriage and pulled out a ring. Abby, in astonishment, held her hands over her mouth and exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! What are you doing?!" Kyle, grinning widely asked her, "Will you marry me?" Abby, with tears in her eyes and a huge smile on her face replied, "Yes!"

The date was set exactly one year later on November 3, 2012. Abby and Kyle were more than pleased with their wedding day. "It was everything we could have ever imagined and more. HORIZONS did an astounding job of making us feel like we were the Prince and Princess of the day. They went above and beyond to exceed our expectations and make us feel special. We have so many wonderful memories to take with us from this extraordinary day."

Abby and Kyle look forward to this new chapter in their lives and creating many more memories in the years to come.

And the Bride wore Blue

The bride wore a beautiful shade of blue. She had a stunning pair of heels in a vibrant blue and that color was carried throughout as the theme. HORIZONS was able to complete the color story from the floral to the lighting to the linens. The floral pieces had wonderful peacock feather accents as can be seen in the bride's bouquet and the groom's boutonnière. The linens made use of elegant chair sashes and table runners, again highlighting the blue color. The room décor featured blue specialty lighting throughout the ballroom giving it the right visual appeal. 

Additional elements included tall, cylindrical vases with long stemmed calla lilies similar to what the bridesmaids carried, placed on guest tables. A unity candle adorned with gorgeous, white flowers really dressed it up. Larger floral arrangements with elongated peacock tail feathers added a touch of glamour to the special occasion.