How to Plan the Perfect Wedding in 2015

2015 is here, and the new wedding season is being ushered in. Your wedding day is monumental, and it should go off without a hitch. If you want a successful wedding, then it needs to be properly planned.

As one of the prime wedding venues in Houston, Chateau Polonez has hosted a great number of weddings throughout the years We know a thing or two about wedding ceremonies, and our tips will help you plan the perfect wedding for 2015.

Refine Your Vision

The images of a perfect wedding have likely danced inside your head countless times. You've replayed the matrimonial ceremony like a movie scene—it’s your dream to see the real wedding play out like you've always wanted it to.

Your vision is paramount. With all of the ideas floating around on the internet, or on television, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. You may feel inclined to try too many things out. Don’t get distracted. Really think about how you want your wedding to look and feel, and start taking the steps to materialize that vision.

A good wedding needs a cohesive vibe, so you should refine your vision to achieve that.

How Does Your Budget Fit?

Think about your budget seriously and realistically. How does it fit into your vision? If your ideal wedding is filled to the brim with extravagant ideas, but your budget doesn't match it, then you’re setting yourself up for failure. You need to figure out where the money for the wedding will be coming from, and how much it will be. Then you should create a checklist of the things that you would like to see in your wedding. Be willing to compromise on some of these wishes, as you will probably not be able to carry out every entry that’s on your list. Don’t plan for a wedding that’s beyond your means, as that’s a surefire path to pure disappointment.

Secure as Much Help as Possible

Enlist your friends and family members to help out with the planning and execution of the wedding. If you have a job or task that a friend or family member is capable of doing, use them; don’t hire outside help. This will give you more breathing room on your budget.

On the other hand, don’t skimp on outside help if your crew cannot handle a task. If you want a good DJ, then don’t use your cousin who has very limited experience in that department. When called for, hire professional help.

Use the Venue to Set the Vibe

The space that you choose to conduct the ceremony and the reception is the first, most important element in setting the tone for the wedding. If you want, say, a romantic feel to your wedding, perhaps you could choose the indoor ballroom at Chateau Polonez; if you want something more earthy and nature-inspired, then you could opt for our outdoor gazebo and lake. Most wedding venues in Houston do not have this type of variety—you have a wealth of options to secure the vibe that you’re looking for.

Your wedding is a special day and it needs careful planning. Get started on planning it today and reserve the best wedding venue in Houston by calling us at 281.655.5656

How to Organize the Perfect Houston Corporate Event

It’s that time of the year. The year-end corporate festivities are knocking on the door, and companies are beginning to plan their holiday events. The holiday office party is the annual staple of the corporate world, and there is no better environment to host Houston corporate events than Chateau Polonez.

There are a lot of moving parts with planning a holiday corporate party; there are so many different responsibilities to juggle. We’re going to cover how a boss, manager or owner can deftly organize an event.

Choose the venue wisely

Your office may not be the best corporate event space to hold a party—with all of the desks, cubicles and equipment, it could get uncomfortable. Any cramped space will crowd the floor and interrupt the natural flow of the party. The venue that you choose will set the tone and the ambiance for the night; if the atmosphere is stylish and welcoming, then people will be more inclined to enjoy the festivities.

Because of its expansive size and lavishness, Chateau Polonez is the perfect venue to host your Houston corporate event. The variety of different indoor and outdoor environments gives you a wealth of viable options for the party. The sophisticated surroundings will boost the mood of the people who attend.

You Should Have Started Planning Yesterday

This is nearly true for any event or party: The Planning should begin as soon as possible. Because we’re already creeping well into December, it becomes more crucial to nail down every single important element that will go into the party. Having a disorganized, sloppily planned event will go against the grain of almost any corporate culture. Get a checklist, start inviting the guests, and secure the food and alcohol (if you’re going to have drinks at the party). Each company will have their own unique list of things to accomplish, so you should create your own checklist. A botched holiday party will only soil the festivities.

Pick a Theme and Choose your Decor

Traditionally, you have multiple options for the theme and appearance of your party. Here is a list of different themes that can use for your party:

• Formal- Suit and tie, sophisticated surroundings and décor.
• Wintery- Decorate the venue with soft, icy blue undertones and colors, among other winter-related paraphernalia.
• Vintage- Ballroom-focused, with classically styled decorations
•  Christmas- Classic holiday-themed décor

You don’t have to stick to those templates, of course. You can choose your own theme and look. Here are some more things to think about:

The entrance and how you want to greet the guests. Some events will have drinks or a small gift at the door when the guest arrives. Some do this as a way to lighten the atmosphere and nudge the party in the right direction; some think it’s unnecessary and don’t do it at all.

The placement of the tables, chairs and bar areas. Once you secure the venue, start thinking about how these elements will fit into the party. If there is alcohol, the bar is an important area; if you’re serving food, then special attention should be made to the place of the tables.

Hopefully, the tips in this will allow you to close the year with the ideal Houston corporate event. Reserve the best holiday event space in Houston by calling 281-655-5656.

Choosing the Décor for Your Fall Wedding

With its beautiful backdrop of warm hues and its crisper temperatures, Autumn makes for a perfect wedding season. The downside, of course, is that it might leave you feeling stuck in the rut of a very specific kind of wedding style. Do you have to let the season dictate your decor, sticking to pumpkins centerpieces and terra cotta color schemes? You might be surprised to learn that the experts say ‘no,’ you don’t. Instead, the natural inspiration of this beautiful season can be a classy representation of your personal style.

Here are three alternatives to the typical Fall wedding décor options.

1. Decorate with the Natural Textures of Autumn
Your Fall wedding ideas can simply celebrate the natural landscape of the season by integrating its varied woodland textures. For example, you can incorporate delicate branches or seed pods into your centerpieces or use hemp and twine within your decorations. In the same vein, Real Simple magazine suggests personalizing Fall place settings by wrapping strips of burlap and kraft paper place cards around napkins.

There are also other decor elements you can work into your wedding that reflect the season’s ambiance in more subtle ways. Since it's the harvest season, any grains like wheat and millet might add atmosphere. Dried greenery and flowers, figs, and warm candlelight can also add the sublime textures and touches of Fall. Lastly, you can consider the use of ripe fruit in your arrangements for a sumptuous touch.

2. Use the Hues of Fall for a Classy Color Palette
Experts agree that you do not have to use oranges and browns for your Fall wedding theme. Instead, just think warm tones. For instance, a color palette of ivory and gold works well with the season. You can also try colors like plum, aubergine, cypress, mossy green, and shades of red. If you have your heart set on a brown, try mocha or cappuccino hues to get away from the overused chocolate color-scheme.

3. Take Advantage of the Seasonal Traditions
We suggest three other ways to bring the natural elements of Fall into your wedding ideas: by taking advantage of the clear skies, dark nights, and ambiance lighting. Perhaps a venue with large windows or a patio will bring the outdoors in. You can also use soft twinkling lights and an abundance of candles to create a romantic atmosphere on a dark, clear night. If your venue has a fireplace, use herbs and fir cones to scent the room and be intentional to create cozy corners for your guests to gather around the fire.

You can also weave traditional elements of Fall through your menu, offering cider on tap, or serving the hors d'oeuvres in a hollowed-out squash. A warm, cozy feel can also be accomplished by presenting a s’mores bar or a hot cocoa bar for your guests. These subtle offerings, remind us of Fall without making the entire theme a Fall one.

As you plan your special day, we hope that all the natural beauty of autumn can be used to fit the vision you had when you chose this beautiful season for your wedding!

This post was written by the team at Chateau Polonez, one of Houston's best places to have a fall wedding!

Eight Tips for Maximizing your Pinterest Wedding Planning

Pinterest Perfect. If you’re in the midst of planning a wedding, you’ve probably heard the term or even felt the weight of it. The virtual pinboard-based social network has millions of users posting theirs ideas and inspirations – and wedding planning tips abound. 

On the one hand, that can feel a little overwhelming. But it can also be a huge relief. If you keep it in perspective, Pinterest can be the perfect tool for keeping you sane as you embark on your wedding planning. In fact, Vogue calls it “an essential wedding-planning tool, providing themed inspiration in spades.” 

So, how can a happy couple navigate Pinterest in a way that actually helps their preparation for their special day? These eight Pinterest wedding planning tips will help you avoid the pitfalls so that you can maximize your time spent on its virtual pinboards. 

1. Create your boards. We recommend creating multiple boards based on categories of planning. This makes it easy to keep track of wedding ideas and narrow down preferences. Here are some board topics that might be worth creating: invitations, wedding dresses, veils, shoes, flowers, cake designs, hair styles, bridal accessories, bridesmaids, groomsmen, meaningful ceremony ideas, centerpieces, favors, reception venues, fun reception ideas, music playlists, and photography (engagement/wedding day ideas).

2. Find a theme or mood that will guide your process and help you weed through the plethora of ideas that are out there. Start by create a Pinterest board called ‘Our Style’. When you see something you love or moves you in some way, pin it there. Eventually you’ll start to see a style emerging from your random pins that is uniquely yours.

3. If you have a specific idea in mind, be specific in your Pinterest keyword search. If you only have a general idea, you are more likely to be flooded with too many ideas.

4. Go back to your boards and declutter from time to time. Evaluate your pins and ask yourself if they are truly feasible ideas: for your time, your budget, and your venue. As you make decisions, delete things when you realize you’re not actually going to use the idea.

5. Make good use of the Pinterest app for your tablet or phone. No more printing out pictures or lugging magazines around with you. Instead, when you are out and about shopping for wedding dresses and other items, your boards can be accessed while on the go. As long as you have your phone, your ideas can always be with you for unexpected stops or appointments. 

6. Would you like to ask a few trusted friends and family members for advice? You can give them a place to give you feedback, when you want it, by making your pinning more interactive. Simply ask a question and invite your Pinterest followers to leave a comment telling you what they think. Pinterest will even allow you to create “secret” boards for just a few friends if you want to pin wedding dress ideas without spoiling your dramatic wedding day entrance. 

7. Find and follow some of the experts for style inspiration. There are literally hundreds of creative and beautiful ideas being pinned by people who do this well. You can either follow all of their boards or just choose a few that most interest you. To give you a head start, we found two sites that give ideas for who to follow: Vogue’s Ten Wedding Pinterest Boards to Follow and Racked.com’s Fifty Most Inspirational Wedding Pinners. 

8. Don’t forget to think beyond the actual wedding day. You can use Pinterest to plan your wedding showers, store advice blogs and book ideas for newlyweds, or design your honeymoon trip.

 

Because of Pinterest, inspiration, wedding planning ideas and wedding–related DIY projects are literally at the tip of your fingers. If you can avoid the pitfall of feeling overwhelmed, your boards can help you stay on top of your wedding details and make your day a beautiful reflection of your union. This post was written by the wedding planners at Chateau Polonez.

Tips to Stay Organized while Planning a Wedding

Every bride agrees that planning a wedding can be a very stressful experience. They work hard to sort out every last detail, but no matter what, something will always slip through the cracks. There are just too many plates in the air and if a bride isn’t organized, the unexpected is always certain to rear its ugly head.

While the stress of planning a wedding cannot be escaped, there are certain things every bride can do to help ease this process. While many brides-to-be are likely muttering “wine” under their breath, the answer to easing the stress of a wedding is organization. Some brides take to this notion naturally, while others need a little guidance. At Chateau Polonez, our team has seen every type of bride and every kind of wedding. With this experience, we have compiled a list of tips to help you stay organized and sane for your special day.

1. Create a Master TO-DO Document: Trust us; this document will be your direct link to sanity. While the list will look long at first, the feeling that comes with crossing off responsibilities will make it all worthwhile. Start with a notepad and pen and write down everything that needs to be done before the wedding. After your list is complete, type it up in a Word document. One way to make this list look less terrifying is to break up the responsibilities by deadline or month. This helps you track the essentials that need to be accomplished right NOW, while you let the other duties wait until it’s appropriate.

2. Add all of important dates to your calendar: This calendar will be your lifeblood. Use this calendar to help you keep track of when invitations need to be sent out, when your caterer needs the final head count, when you need to have decisions finalized, and any other important dates that come to mind. You can use a personal notebook, an online calendar, anything that you know will keep you updated and organized. Some brides will even set alarms on their cell phones. Whatever works, just make sure you keep this calendar up-to-date and check it often.

3. Keep track of your vendors: From the flowers, to the food, to the cake, keeping track of vendors is essential. Whether they’re on your computer or in a wedding planning notebook, make sure you have a detailed list of each of your wedding vendors’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses. This organization will give you easy access to their information throughout the planning process.

4. Keep all of your wedding-related items in one spot: Whether it’s creating a specific folder in your email, a box in your bedroom, or a notebook that’s crammed with post-its and notes, it’s important to keep all your wedding-related information in one place. When it comes time for your special day, no bride wants to frantically search for their marriage license or the number to the caterer who has yet to arrive. If you keep everything in one central location, you will know exactly where to look and increase your chances of finding what you need.

5. Plan to delegate: When it comes to planning a wedding, no bride is capable of doing everything on her own. A major part of staying on top of planning a wedding is being able to delegate responsibilities. While not every bride will trust her fiancé to take on certain tasks, there are some things they can be trusted with. Along with your partner, friends and family are often eager to help make your special day special. Let them! If there are tasks you can pass along, don’t be afraid to ask. Once you do delegate though, this does require more organization. Keep a list of the things you pass on to others so you don’t lose track of who’s doing what.

When it comes to planning your own wedding, you don’t have to follow these tips perfectly. Everyone knows what works for them, so whether it’s organized chaos or a color-coded calendar, do what works best for you and your planning process. All that matters is you save the extra stress disorganization brings, while getting ready to enjoy your special day. For more information about planning your wedding or for other tips, please contact the knowledgeable team at Chateau Polonez, by calling 281-655-5656 visiting us at ChateauPolonez.com.

3 Tips for Choosing a Wedding Photographer

At Chateau Polonez, we work with a variety of brides. Some know exactly what they want out of their special day, while others need a little guidance. When it comes to choosing the right photographer to document your wedding, this is no small task. These photos will capture a moment in time – you and your groom’s happiest day together. The pressure is most certainly on when making this decision. Brides need to find the ideal photographer who shares their vision. Since choosing the right photographer is such an important element to any wedding, the knowledgeable staff at Chateau Polonez compiled a list of top tips to help you get started.

1. Be a Detective: Before starting the interview process, it’s important to take the time to do your homework. This starts with researching different photographers in your area. Take a look at their style. Does it suit your wedding? If you’re having a traditional wedding, as fun as the edgy or bold photographer photos look, they may not suit the surroundings – this is why finding the right style of photographer is imperative. Finding the ideal style of photos for the setting and décor of your wedding is another way to narrow down photographers.

Once you have found a few you like, it’s time to assume an investigative role. Read reviews from past clients, look at their social media accounts, go through their portfolio, and see how they respond to client feedback on their social accounts. All of these elements combined will not only give you an idea of their style and track record, but also their personality. It’s important you have a gauge of whether or not you and this person will get along. If you don’t see you two meshing, move on. No bride has free time to waste on interviews. If you love everything you see, then call and see if they’re available on your wedding date. If so, it’s time for an interview.

2. Check Your Chemistry: The interview process is of the utmost importance before choosing a photographer for your wedding. Do they follow direction well? Will they take the “cheesy” picture that you asked them to? Or, will they refuse because of integrity? Before your in-person meeting, you should have a clear vision of your wedding and an idea of what kinds of photos you’re looking for. This is not only a time for the photographer to display their expertise as you go over photo ideas, but to also see how you get along.

If they’re condescending to your ideas, they won’t work. If they just sit there and nod, then you know you’re working with someone who will need a lot of direction – that’s not your responsibility and this type of person won’t work either. If they take your suggestions and offer further ideas, then you have found your photographer. The interview is also an ideal time to go over your rights. For example, there are many professionals who contractually own the rights to all of their photos. This means that they can use your wedding photos for their own promotional materials. This also means that you can’t post digital proofs or print the images with a third party, without infringing on copyright. If any of these factors make you uncomfortable or seem to be counterintuitive to the cost of photos that you don’t actually own, then you won’t want to work with these companies.

The in-person interview is a great time to go over full wedding albums with a critical eye, compare packages (along with hidden fees), and cover all of your concerns. This may require proper preparation and research beforehand, but the initial legwork can save you headaches and surprises in the long-term.

3. Confirm Production Details: Many professional photography companies have multiple photographers on staff. If you interviewed the lead photographer and loved their style, then make sure they will be the one actually taking the photos on your special day. Every bride hates last-minute surprises and having a photographer you don’t know show up can be a devastating shock.

When going over the contract, make sure this factor is covered. It’s also a good idea to have a plan B of a back-up photographer from the company who can fill-in if absolutely necessary. (Yes, this is another person you’ll have to interview and screen, but this contingency plan helps you fully check off this item on your to do list.) Before the day of the shoot, it’s also important to cover how long it will take to get your photos. Many photographers can take up to a month to retouch, resize, and edit your wedding photos. If this timeline doesn’t work for you, this needs to be included in the contract as well.

We all know that planning a wedding is a stressful endeavor. There’s a lot of research, proper planning, and details that can’t go ignored. However, finding the right photographer for your special day cannot be discounted as a detail. No matter who you choose, keep in mind that a lot rests on the shoulders of the surroundings. When planning a wedding in the Houston area, Chateau Polonez is a top Houston wedding venue and gives brides the scenery they need for memorable photos. We only host one wedding a day, meaning our grounds are open to brides – giving you plenty of room to roam and get that perfect shot in a beautiful setting. Chateau Polonez is here to help you make lasting memories.

Feel free to contact us with any questions by calling 281.655.5656 or visit us online at ChateauPolonez.com.

10 Ways to Personalize Your Wedding

Front Entrance to Chateau Polonez

When it comes to the perfect wedding, Chateau Polonez has you covered. From the venue, to the lighting, to the seating, to the food, and more, we are here to help. However, we also understand that every bride wants their wedding to feel intimate and personal to her and the groom. The devil truly is in the details, and when it comes to weddings, the details are what make this event specific to you. Since we understand that every bride wants her special day to be a perfect reflection of her and her groom’s taste and personal story, we’ve compiled 10 great ways to make your wedding unique.

1. Create custom stamps for invites: Start your wedding planning off with personalization in mind, and create a custom stamp to add to your invites and save the date cards. There are a lot of custom stamp options available for download, offering anything from monograms to pictures. However, before you make any purchase, it’s better to be safe and check with your local post office for exact rates.

2. Make the Programs Personal: Wedding programs offer a plethora of opportunities to get creative and have fun. From adding favorite poems, to programs that also serve as fans for the hot summer days, and much more, programs are a great way for guests to get to know you and the groom. You could also give some information about your closest friends and relatives who make up your bridal party. This offers guests a streamlined way to know who’s who.

3. Share your Journey to the Aisle: Many brides are using the aisle as a creative outlet in their weddings. Whether you choose to hang flowers in the aisle, or adorn chairs with bows, the aisle of your wedding offers a lot of opportunities to express yourself. One very personal idea is to share childhood pictures of you and your groom leading into when you first met. This not only clearly marks the groom’s and bride’s sides of the wedding, but also gives guests a visual guide to your journey to finding each other.

4. Make Your Own Music: Many people are moving away from the old organs and personalizing their processional music. Whether it’s “your song” or a favorite both of you share, use whatever song really speaks to or about you. This can not only date how long you two have been together, but also give guests a taste of something different and uplifting. If you are musical couple, another idea is to welcome guests to the reception by playing them a song and sharing your talents.

5. Move Away from Plain Rice: The exit from the ceremony is meant to be a celebration. Choose something that is uniquely you to help guests celebrate. Modern wedding guests are prepared with anything from sparklers, to dried flowers, to colorful ribbons, and kazoos as the bride and groom exit the ceremony. This is an area you can really get creative with, so pick whatever you think will help guests celebrate your union (without staining any clothes).

6. Don’t Rely on Numbers: While the regular tradition of orderly table numbers still stands strong, many brides are moving away from this and adding more personal touches. Today’s weddings have table names of favorite trees for the earthy bride, favorite painters’ names for the artist within, and much more. One great idea that has been circulating keeps the numbers in place, but adds a more personal element. Use special moments in your relationship to create table numbers that highlight these dates. If he proposed on November 2nd, use that date by having the “2” enlarged on the card with the story surrounding it in smaller text. This will help guests find their seats from a distance. Once they’re seated, they can then see the card closely and read the details about your special dates and the significant moments you share.

7. Get the Kids Involved: If your wedding is going to have children, a great way to help them get excited about your special day is to offer some personalized activities. One idea is to make a coloring book that shares your love story. There are some custom coloring books available for sale online. Plus, if you’re a DIY bride, this can be such an adorable addition to any wedding. If you choose to make your own, have fun with it and include crossword puzzles, tic-tac-toe, and anything else you think the kids will enjoy.

8. Add Your Signature Cocktail: Offer your guests a signature cocktail that perfectly represents the happy couple. If you’re having a beach wedding, make it a Mai Tai. If it’s a more vintage wedding, serve an Old Fashioned. Or, you can also make your own concoction for guests to enjoy.

9.  Add Some Personal Flavor to Favors: When it comes to personalized wedding touches, favors are a great way to make your wedding your own and help others remember your special day. There are so many personalized favor options on the market, that is can be easy to feel overwhelmed with choices. One great DIY option is to make custom CDs for your guests. This CD can be packed with all of your favorite love songs, music that marks special moments together, or compilation of songs that tell a story about you two. These CDs will last forever and can also be a great anniversary tradition for you and your love in years to come.

10. Display Handwritten Touches: People always say, “There’s nothing more personal than a handwritten letter.” There is some truth to this saying and there are plenty of ways to give your guests that touch. Since no bride has the time to sit down and write all of their invites by hand, another idea is to display your handwritten vows on the cake table or use them as a backdrop to the bridal party’s table. If you have lovely handwriting the world is yours on this front. Have fun with it and know that you can never be too creative.

Personalizing your special day doesn't have to be a chore. This can be a great way to express yourself and share your love story in a creative way. Even for the brides who aren't crafty, there are a ton of sites to choose from that offer personalized elements. Whether you take the DIY route or buy, there are so many great ways that can help brides make their special day more special. At Chateau Polonez, we know this day of celebration is for you and the groom, so please feel free to contact us with any questions about the venues we offer by calling 281.655.5656 or visit us online at ChateauPolonez.com.