5 tips in Planning a Garden Wedding

Ahstyn Nicole Photography

Who wouldn’t want to exchange vows on a romantic garden setting! Chic garden parties have a long tradition among high society (think "Great Gatsby"), and some of the finest garden venues sparkle with sophistication. Above all, today’s couples crave a wedding experience that’s connects to nature, as their own new beginning is reflected in the beauty all around them. Obviously, The Wright House has 30 years of offering just that, a magical garden full of mature flowers and lush greenery. Today on the blog we want to share our wisdom we have gained over the years of planning our garden weddings.

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Consider the Season

You visit a garden in April and fall in love with the springtime show of blossoms…but you’re getting married in October. Be sure you’re not being lured by a visual display that won’t be there on your big day. Most gardens have something to offer year-round, but if you have your heart set on an autumnal turning of the leaves or cascades of purple wisteria on the ceremony gazebo, be sure your wedding date corresponds to the timing of Mother Nature. One thing we love about our Gardeners at The Wright House is that we are replanting all season long. We promise to always have some type flowers in bloom for your wedding day.

Ashtyn Nicole Photography

Protect Against Unforeseen Guests

Flora and greenery are sometimes accompanied by uninvited guests, such as ants, bees or mosquitoes. Discuss the precautions your site manager and/or caterer will take to ensure that bugs don’t spoil the party—everything from citronella candles to pre-event spraying. If you’ve chosen a DIY venue, then make your own game plan in advance. (And have an emergency kit on hand, just in case!) The Wright House understand this and that is why we take precautions in getting our venue professional sprayed ever mosquito season especially during the hot rainy season of monsoons.

Dress the Set

When you’re surrounded by natural splendor, extra décor isn’t really necessary. But adding personal touches goes a long way towards making the space your own. While there’s a ton of design ideas on Pinterest, we suggest you start with your own belongings, and those of your family: Time to polish up that old chandelier you found together at a garage sale! Your mother’s own wedding china would be a heartwarming addition to your head table place settings. Looking around you for inspiration and seeing where it leads can make the ultimate result all that more meaningful. Here at The Wright House we love to see these small details come to life, as they add personal touches to who you are as a couple.

Ashtyn Nicole Photography

 Be Weather Wise

Umbrellas, canopies, heat lamps, pop-up tents, portable outdoor fire pits and even personalized parasols for the guests and/or wedding party can provide shade and shelter, if needed. Weather is always something to be talked about at any Garden Venue. Doing this for years, we know how to make things work for what mother nature brings us. We have complimentary heaters for the cold winters, mister system and large industrial fans for the hot summers. We also provide commercial size umbrellas to provide shade if needed however one thing you will noticed at The Wright House is our mature trees all through the property adding natural shade all season long. We also can accommodate any wedding inside in case of rain. We got your covered!

Define the Space

Some gardens are formal, with brick patios, manicured hedgerows and trellises that logically dictate a perfect flow for your celebration. Others are more unstructured and rambling. You and your event designer can create “outdoor rooms” with modern or retro lounge furniture, cocktail high-tops, lattice partitions or potted plants. But we’re also seeing fun elements like picnic blankets, beach chairs, wooden benches and bonfires—casual additions that make a particularly dynamic contrast within an elegant milieu. Your choices will be driven by the overall mood you want to create, but don’t let convention stop you from daring to be different!

Ashtyn Nicole Photography

We hope that you consider all of these tips and make sure even if you do not book with The Wright House that you cover these topics at any venue.

Happy Planning

XOXO

Photographer: Ashtyn Nicole Photography

Content: https://www.herecomestheguide.com/

Our 30 year Anniversary, A Night in the Garden

As many of you have seen, we announced our big news in celebrating our 30 year anniversary, A night in the Garden. Yes, The Wright House has been hosting beautiful weddings for the pass 30 years in Mesa, Arizona and we don’t plan on going anywhere. Truly, there are not that many other venues that can say they have been creating and executing 30 years of garden weddings. So today on the blog, we are taking the time to tell you a little more about us and our history, plus highlighting the upcoming celebration on February 15, 2021 from 5:00-8:30pm.

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Our History

Every home has a soul, made up of brick and mortar and the memories lived there. The soul of The Wright House was born in the 1930’s as a farmhouse outside the young city of Mesa, Arizona. It had its own well for water, and a white picket fence fronted a dirt road that ran into Tempe where the old Hayden Flour Mill was in full operation.

In the 1930’s the home was purchased by Lorenzo & Teresa Wright. Lorenzo and his son, Harold, started a grocery business in Mesa that operated for 50 years.

In 1945, Harold and his wife, Leah, bought the house from Lo & Teresa. They remodeled, adding some rooms, and Leah planted many flowers and some of the trees and shrubs that still remain.

Harold and Leah raised four children, creating many happy memories. In the early days, they often invited guest to ride horses on the twenty acres behind the house, cooked steaks & entertained dignitaries traveling through Mesa.

Harold’s son, Michael, and his wife, Peggy, developed the home into The Wright House, Garden Reception Centre in July of 1991. Since then they have been working to continuously improve the property and make it into an ideal setting for weddings, receptions, and all other special events.

The soul of The Wright House has always been one of peace, beauty, and entertainment. We hope that you and your guests will enjoy the special spirit that dwells here.

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Our Staff

The Wright House is still run by Peggy Wright with assistance of a great staff. If you call today you most likely will speak with Spencer, our General Manager who runs our office and speaks with each couple that is booked at The Wright House. We have a great behind the scene staff, our set up crew which includes a mixture of staff who have been with us for the pass 19+ years. All of our couples work with one of our four in-house day of coordinators, all with years of experience going back at least 10 years just at The Wright House. Our staff is made up a diverse group which we would love for you to learn more about them here at our website, www.thewrighthouse.com.

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Our Venues

Our property nestled in the heart of Mesa has two venues, The Garden Ballroom and Provencal. Each of our venues are unique with it’s own style and character but both hosting a unbelievable mature garden.

The Garden Ballroom

As you walk into the garden you’ll be reminded of the feeling you got the first time you and your fiancé held hands. Greeted by the large light up LOVE sign your guests will be able to share that enchantment as you walk down an aisle flanked by pristine lawns, immaculate fragrant flowerbeds, and mature shade trees, then take your vows in a picturesque gazebo.  Accommodating either garden weddings or receptions under the stars, this setting is the perfect backdrop for your future wedding album and all the memories tied to it.   Adjacent to the garden is an elegant classic ballroom with a covered veranda.

See below:

Provencal

Cozy yet breathtaking just like your romance, our Provencal is inspired by the Provence region of southern France, a quaint countryside that sidesteps the hustle of Paris without deserting the charm or splendor.  This property offers romantic chemistry, pairing the exotic and exciting, with the cozy and familiar resulting in an ideal wedding day ambiance.   Guests enter through the main villa and proceed through towering trees into a courtyard covered in flowers, shrubs, and ornamental fountains while scenic terraces overlook the property. An assortment of open and covered patios encircle the central gazebo, allowing your guests to view your outdoor wedding.

See below:

Lover of Love Photography

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Celebrating 30 Years

Megan Claire Photography

We are hosting, A night in the Garden where guest will tour the venue with a personal guide. The venues, both Garden Ballroom and Provencal will be lite up and set up for an actually event. Guest will be able to visit with our preferred vendors after touring the venue and enjoy cake, catering and bartender services.

At the end of the evening we will giving away the following prizes:

DJ service, Brides Bouquet, Engagement Photo session, Limo Services, Men wedding Suite and more.

The Grand Prize of a Free Wedding and Reception will be giving to one lucky couple, at 8:30pm sharp.

We hope you will be able to join us, please note we will be taking COVID precautions and requiring all guest to wear a mask on the property.

We look forward in celebrating 30 years with you.

Enjoy,

XOXO

Megan Claire Photography

PART 2: How to Choose the Right Officiant for Your Wedding Ceremony

Your wedding ceremony is about you, your partner, and celebrating the start of your life together as a married couple. But other than your vows and your “I Do’s,” you and your soon-to-be spouse aren’t going to be saying much during your ceremony—that responsibility falls on the wedding officiant. It’s a big job—which is why it’s important to choose the right person. Here’s are the questions to ask:

Questions to Ask Potential Wedding Officiants

Whether your wedding officiant will be a religious officiant, a civil officiant, or a close loved one, here are some questions to ask before you make a decision.

Questions for Religious Officiant

• How many weddings have you officiated?

• Will you give a sermon/homily?

• Can you officiate an interfaith ceremony? (If applicable)

• Do we have to get married in the church/synagogue/mosque?

• Can we write our own vows?

• Is there a donation we should make to the house of worship?

• How often will we meet?

Questions for Civil Officiant

• How long have you been an officiant?

• Will you give a speech during the ceremony?

• If so, can we review it ahead of the ceremony?

• Do you personalize each ceremony you officiate?

• What does your typical ceremony outline involve?

• What is your fee?

• Can you help us with our vows?

• What will you wear?

Questions for Friends or Family Officiant

• Do you understand the responsibilities of the role?

• Do you anticipate any scheduling conflicts?

• Are you comfortable speaking in front of our families?

• Do you have an idea of how you’ll officiate in mind?

• Can we cover any costs to make you an officiant?

Now you know exactly how to choose the right wedding officiant. All that’s left to do is get out there and find the perfect person to officiate your big day!

Happy Planning

XOXO

Photographer: Out Last Memories

Content: https://www.zola.com/