Sunday, October 22, 2006

Outdoor wedding? Reserve a tent

An outdoor wedding can crete a relaxed yet exuberant atmosphere, as well as many luxurious offbeat touches. Picture this: Dancing under the stars. Dining to the music of the sea. Strolling down a garden path.

It's a perfect scene. But brides who plan such an event have to prepare for reality as well. What if it snows or rains? What if a relentless sun beats down and scorches everything in sight?

Keeping one's fingers crossed or holding one's breath won't work - not when it comes to Mother Nature. The key element to a successful outdoor wedding is the big party umbrella - the tent.

There are very sophisticated tents available for rental today. They can be heated or air-conditioned and equipped with (full or partial) hardwood floors for dancing.

There are many factors that go in to choosing a tent, experts say, but the most important is determining how many guests will be at the wedding. This determines the size of the tent. Tent providers have formulas - for example, with a guest list of 150 people, a 40-by-80-foot tent is suitable. The base fee will range from $1,500 to more than $2,500.

Next, there's the type of tent: pole, tension, or frame tent. Pole tents are the most common and traditional. These tents have tall center poles that slope down to another set of poles and then out to perimeter poles. In the '80s and early '90s, these tents, in pink and white stripes, were the mainstay of most weddings. Today, all white is "in" for all types of parties.

Frame tents, by contrast, are free-standing - they have no interior poles. These tents are often used to cover a patio and are ideal for long, narrow spaces or spots where there is no room for ropes to anchor a push-pole tent. The third type is the tension tent. These tents have fewer interior poles than the push-pole tent, yielding more useable space. They are sturdy and very stable in wind.

Flooring is expensive, about $2 a foot, so most people order flooring only for a dance floor. If customized flooring is needed and the price is of little concern, Willis can build it over a sloping back yard or terraces. Flooring is so expensive because it takes the longest to install. But it sure helps to steady partygoers - especially women in high heels.

One warning: Book early. May and June are the peak months, so as soon as you have a date, book it.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Dreamy locations for outdoor weddings

A tropical paradise

There are literally hundreds of beautiful locations for an outdoor wedding in Hawaii, but perhaps the most popular is the stunning Haiku Gardens on Oahu. The Gardens sit on a hillside at the foot of the Koolau Mountains where cool breezes blow, island birds abound and brightly colored
fish laze in a lily pond below. The Chart House restaurant is nearby for receptions. Many brides and grooms, however, opt for a traditional luau. . Another option is to have your ceremony onboard one of the many pleasure boats based in Waikiki. A wedding at sea with the Hawaiian sunset as a backdrop can make wedding photos appear as if out of a fairy tale.

The Wild West

Getting married in the shadows of the majestic Grand Tetons of Jackson Hole Wyoming may appeal to adventurous brides who are inspired by the outdoors and Wild West. Imagine standing beside a pristine lake, surrounded by a field of wildflowers, or taking a romantic trek back to the days of the Old West, with a horseback adventure into the backcountry. The beautiful scenic vistas will make your wedding photographs unlike any others. The Jackson Lake Lodge is available for receptions year round, but the owners advise making reservations far in advance.

A Country Affair

The 200 year old Miles River Country Inn Bed and Breakfast is famous for lush meadows, woodlands and marshes. The Inn, with its sweeping lawns, terraces and woodland walkways, is graced by 10 gardens and two ponds. The Miles River flows past the property. Wedding guests can stroll the lawn that sweeps from the front door down to open marshes, on across meadows, on along paths under 70- to 100-foot-high beech trees. The property includes a stretch of river, two ponds, and no fewer than 10 distinct gardens.

Ancient Spanish Monastery

While it's a bit of a drive, brides and grooms who choose to tie the knot in Miami's Ancient Spanish Monastery, say it's worth the wait. In addition to wedding in the oldest (reconstructed) building in North America, the gardens are magnificent and the view is splendid. The Ancient Spanish Monastery, originally built in Segovia, Spain, in the 12th century, was bought by William Randolph Hearst in 1925 and eventually reconstructed in Florida as a tourist attraction. Grounds include a formal garden and an exterior walkway with arched columns. There are up to five outdoor locations to choose from for both wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Couple take steps toward earth-friendly wedding

Melanie was raised to respect the Earth. She remembers recycling before people did that sort of thing.

As an undergrad at Brigham Young University, she started an environmental awareness group to focus on recycling, using knowledge and experience gained in high school.

So it came as no surprise that when Melanie, 31, and her fiance started planning their June 26 wedding, they wanted to make it as Earth-friendly as possible.

That was easy when it came to designing their wedding invitations -- using recycled paper --and picking out her wedding dress -- made of all-natural fibers. But when it came to planning the reception for as many as 300 at her parents' home, the couple ran into environmentally unfriendly obstacles.

"We were sitting on the couch at Christmas, trying to figure out how we were going to afford all this wedding stuff, and how to do it with as little waste as possible," she explained. "I refused to use paper plates for the reception -- that'd be too much waste. But we found that renting table settings would cost between $ 5 and $ 11 per person."

That's when the epiphany struck.

If the couple could collect 300 donated dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, coffee cups, glasses, knives, forks and spoons to use at their reception, they could later make the collection available to others with similar needs.

When deciding which group could make the best use of the collection, Melanie said she thought back to the place where she learned "that it's wrong to use paper plates.".

"It was back in high school with the SAVE (Students Against Violating the Earth) group at her former high school. So I typed a letter to them in January with the proposal, and they agreed, and we just kind of hashed it out from there."

What SAVE and the couple came up with is a plan that has the group working to collect as many place settings as it can before the June nuptials, in exchange for the group's use of the collection for future fund-raising.

The SAVE members have volunteered to wash the eclectic collection of dishes following the couple's reception and return them to the SAVE House, where they will be stored and available to anyone in the community for a nominal fee.

"My fiance and I both work with students, so it wasn't unusual to think how we could get kids involved and make it a charitable event that would help us now and other people later," Brewer said.

And this way, we can give back as much as they're giving us. We'll make a donation to their organization, and they can use the plates again for future fund-raisers."

In the midst of the hundreds of details and decisions brought on by a wedding, Melanie seems unfazed by the daunting task of overseeing the collection of 300 sets of table settings, glasses and silverware.

But, she said,, it's no harder and no less important than the other tasks that remain: making tablecloths that can be reused, choosing plants and small trees as centerpieces so wedding guests can plant the decor when they leave, and living happily -- and greenly -- ever after.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Wedding chapel at sea

Princess Cruises celebrates a milestone marriage this month when Stephanie Kelly and Blair Byrne of Michigan become the 100th couple to say "I do" onboard Grand Princess. The line's wedding program allows couples to be legally married by the ship's captain, the first and only wedding chapel at sea.



It was introduced just 10 months ago when Grand Princess, the world's largest (109,000 tons) and most expensive ($ 450 million) cruise ship, debuted in May 1998. Stephanie and Blair are among a growing number of couples who choose to marry at sea because of the convenience of having the arrangements for their special day handled by the ship's onboard wedding coordinator, in addition to combining their wedding and honeymoon into one unique and romantic setting.



The who, what and wear of Grand Princess' first 100 weddings:




  • The youngest couple to be married were ages 19 (bride) and 24 (groom); the oldest couple were 76 (bride) and 77 (groom).
  • The majority of couples married onboard were from Canada. Within the United States, most couples hail from Florida and California. Many couples came from far and wide, including Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
  • Approximately 60 percent of couples saying "I do" were marrying for the first time. Forty percent had been married before.
  • Beachwear tops the list as the most unusual attire for a wedding. Most couples wore traditional wedding attire (suits/tuxedos and gowns).
  • Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was the most requested wedding song. "Twelfth Night" by Olivia Newton-John was one of the more unique choices.
  • The romance of "The Love Boat" lives on! One couple got engaged on Sun Princess and married exactly one year later during Grand Princess' Valentine's sailing.
  • One couple had known each other as kids but had drifted apart, each marrying someone else and later divorcing. They met again after 15 years, rekindled their friendship and tied the knot.
  • Following the ceremony, couples honeymooned in romantic cruise destinations -- such as the Western Mediterranean during the summer and the Eastern Caribbean in the fall, winter and spring.


Wedding and Reception Packages

Princess offers couples a choice of three wedding and three reception packages, which make planning the ceremony and honeymoon a convenient, one-stop affair. Each includes music, champagne, bridal bouquet and groom's matching boutonniere; a photo package; a video recording of the ceremony; a wedding cake; a souvenir parchment wedding certificate; and a special lithograph painting of Grand Princess signed by the captain. The couple can add music performed by an organist or string quartet, candlelight and floral arrangements, while the bride can pamper herself with preceremony salon treatments.

Packages begin at $ 1,400 and include fees for the ceremony, registration and an official marriage certificate. All reception packages include music, hors d'oeuvres, beverages and a three-tiered wedding cake. The ship's photographer is also available during the reception, with photos available for purchase. The one-hour parties for up to 80 guests begin at $ 70 per person. Princess Cruises is one of the three largest cruise lines in the industry and operates a fleet of 10 ships deployed on approximately 70 different itineraries calling at more than 220 ports worldwide. For more information about Princess' wedding program, call 800/421-1700

Monday, May 22, 2006

Tips for picking out a florist

It's hard to imagine a wedding without flowers. They add a special touch of beauty and fragrance to the event that complements the overall style and color scheme. But before you begin making up bouquets of roses and lillies, you must invest time in choosing a quality florist. Here are some tips from the experts.

  • Family and friends are excellent sources for recommending florists. If you've admired the flowers at a friend's wedding, request the name of her florist. The role of the florist is to demystify the whole experience. But there must be a level of trust.
  • The bride should allow them to use their discretion when it comes to choosing the right flowers.
  • The florist you choose should help you work within your price range as well.

Planning ahead is key to marrying outdoors

For Julia, the dream of having an outdoor wedding began long ago. In August, she plans to marry her fiancée at The Lyons Manor, at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

"My biggest hope," says Julia, "Is that it doesn't rain. We decided to go for it, but if Mother Nature doesn't cooperate, we'll of course wed indoors."

Experts say rain is everybody's biggest concern, yet outdoor weddings are beautiful when everything works out. "The key is to envision and plan for both scenarios," says Mary Jane Forrester, adding that she has attended outdoor weddings for as many as 250 to 300 people.

If you're planning your ceremony at a public park, have an alternate indoor site and indicate it on the invitation, she suggests. A private home makes the best alternate site, as a function hall is likely to require that you reserve and pay for space, even if it is never used.

"There are very sophisticated tents available for rental today" too, she says, adding that tents should be set up the night before the event so the ground beneath will be dry. "They can be heated or air-conditioned and equipped with (full or partial) hardwood floors for dancing."

Tents are a good idea even if the weather turns out to be perfect. "Have one anyway so your guests may seek shade. The food and the cake should also be sheltered from the sun so nothing melts or goes awry."

When marrying outdoors, whether it be at home or in a public location, Forrester says you should enclose maps with clear directions to guests with your wedding invitation. She strongly suggests checking with local officials to see if special permits are required for cooking fires or increased parking and traffic. If you'll be too busy to do it yourself, designate a friend or family member to be responsible for obtaining permit fee and payment schedule information.

One of the things that will make the event less of a personal headache is hiring a wedding consultant who agrees to be on hand for the event. "They'll come to your home and take care of things like keeping votives lit in the bathrooms and ensuring there are plenty of guest towels."

Once you've done all the necessary planning, there's nothing left to do but pray for good weather. But even with rain, an outdoor wedding can be beautiful. "Rain on the wedding day is considered good luck for the couple," says Forrester. "Rain ensures that crops will grow and bountiful crops
insure that the couple will eat and prosper."

Beach/Outdoor wedding checklist

-- For some brides, the impetus for having an outdoor or home wedding is to cut the cost. Experts suggest tallying up the cost of everything you need to rent (tent, floor, tables, chairs, linens, restrooms, etc) before making a final decision. You may find it more costly than renting a reception hall.

-- Once you commit to an outdoor local, start praying for a clear day. But in case of rain, be sure to reserve an alternate venue and indicate it on the invitation. Many professional wedding facilities have indoor contingency options. If you are planning your wedding at a public park,
experts advise that your home will often work in case of inclement weather.

-- Many outdoor facilities have rules and regulations that govern their use. Check with local officials to see if special permits are required for cooking fires, public parking, etc. Also, be sure to find out in advance if you will be able to serve food and alcohol there.

-- Make sure you have enough restrooms. This applies to home affairs as well as remote sites. In many cases, this means that you'll have to rent portable latrines. If you're having a tent wedding, designate at least two easily accessible bathrooms. But remember, if scores of people are walking across grass before entering the house, the route you arrange should circumvent your mother's prized geraniums.

-- Have adequate outdoor lighting. If people can't see the face of the person they're talking to, they tend to leave once it gets dark. Also have your photographer and videographer visit the site in advance to test lighting before and after dark.

-- Have the disc jockey or band leader visit the site beforehand to check out acoustics and make adequate adjustments.

-- Have a plan in place for handling uninvited guests -- mosquitoes and bugs! Some experts suggest having the site sprayed in advance when possible and having citronella torches posted and ready to light as the sun goes down. You can also provide cans of insect repellent in decorative baskets accessible to guests. On hot, sunny days, a basket filled with bottles of
sunscreen would also be a good idea.

-- Be sure to wear high heels to your dress rehearsal. This will give you a chance to determine if the ground is too soft for you to walk down the isle without tripping because your heels sink into the ground.

-- If you don't want your wedding cake to melt or topple, stay away from mousse fillings, custard, or whipped cream.

-- Enclose maps with clear directions to guests. Be sure to specify an alternative location for inclement weather if necessary.

Make special arrangements for kids at weddings

When George and Jill planned their September wedding, they decided not to include children on the guest list.

"It was cost and also because we have so many children in our families," said Jill, adding, "I thought parents would enjoy themselves more if they didn't have to worry about their kids. "

Thus, the only children at their wedding were the two flower girls - Melissa's half-sisters - and the ring bearer.

The issue of whether to invite entire families or just adults to a wedding can be a touchy one. While some parents relish the notion of a few hours of dining and dancing without the little ones clutching their knees, others may be highly offended that their four offspring were not invited to the festivities as well.

Likewise some couples wouldn't dream of planning a major gathering of the clan like a wedding without including the youngest relatives.

Wedding etiquette dictates that it is strictly up to the bride and groom whether to invite some, all or no children to their nuptials. But this prerogative is not always recognized or happily accepted by other family members and guests.

Addressing an invitation simply to Mr. and Mrs., or whatever names the parents go by, should be enough to indicate exactly who is invited. If children are to be included, their names should be written on the inside envelope of the invitation. Example: Mr. and Mrs. Smith/Jennifer and Kyle.

Not all people are aware of this rule of etiquette, however. To avoid any misunderstandings, invitations could read "Adult reception to follow at . " This is an acceptable way of clearly conveying the "no children" rule, say wedding experts.

If you are going to invite children, experts advise that you have things for them to do. Some couples have set up special tables covered with cloths that can be colored or stocked with coloring books, crayons and puzzles. If there is no room for separate tables, you could make up little gift bags for the children with things like a little coloring book, crayons, a miniature puzzle...These can be used at their place at any table.

Another option for overseeing children during a reception is to arrange for a babysitter to take children off to a guest room where they can watch movies, play board games, have snacks or nap.

How -to: Rosebud topiaries are a perfect wedding craft

Today's stylishly frugal brides are turning to the friends for help in making their own wedding decorations and reception favors. Such projects are as beautiful as they are cost-conscious, and add a touch of handmade charm to even the most elegant of weddings.

Heidi Tyline King and Nancy Worrell have createdr a beautiful book of wedding crafts for Lark Books, a publishing company in Asheville. From an elegant, yet simple doorknob sachet - perhaps a gift for the maid of honor - to a dainty flower girl's basket, the book features dozens of traditional wedding projects for the big day. Also included are directions for items which can be made as tokens of appreciation by the bride to the wedding party or by family and friends to the couple.

Here's a look at two of the projects from their book, "Beautiful Wedding Crafts" (ISBN: 1-57990-084-4, $ 24.95):

Tabletop topiaries

Cut flowers last only days, but tabletop topiaries - whether dried or planted - can be enjoyed long after the wedding and reception. Use them as centerpieces at your reception, then give them as bridesmaids' gifts. If you choose a live topiary, start growing it well ahead of time, so that you can trim the topiary into the desired shape by the wedding.


Dried Herb Topiary

Here's what you will need:


  • 4-inch diameter polystyrene ball
  • Loose rosebuds, lavender, rose petals or potpourri
  • Floral foam
  • 6-inch diameter terra-cotta pot
  • 1/2-inch diameter twig, 15 inches long
  • Spanish moss
  • Ribbon (optional)
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks


Here's how to make it:

1. Cover a small portion of the polystyrene ball with hot glue, the stick rosebuds onto the ball one at a time until the entire ball is covered.

2. Cut a piece of floral foam to fit snugly inside the terra-cotta pot and wedge in place

3. Stick the end of the twig into the bottom of the ball and the other end into the floral foam.

4. Cover the top of the floral foam with Spanish moss.

5. If desired, tie a bow around the center of the twig or around the top of the pot.


Easy Etched Stemware

Though it may seem as if etching would require advanced crafting skills, this technique is really quite easy to master. All you do is apply etching paste to glass using a precut pattern. For the pattern, use stencil designs or patterns from gift wrap or magazines that have distinct outer edges and no small, intricate lines running through the pattern.

Here's what you will need:


  • Paper with adhesive backing
  • Purchased champagne glasses
  • Etching creme
  • Pencil
  • Craft knife
  • Spatula
  • Plastic container large enough to cover champagne glass (for etched glass with clear design only)

Here's how to make it:

1. First, trace the chosen design on adhesive-backed paper. Use a craft knife to cut around the design about 1 inch from the outside edge of the design.

2. Remove paper backing and position design on glass. Smooth adhesive paper flat against glass with a spatula. Make sure all bubbles and wrinkles are smoothed out.

3. To create an etched design on clear glass, cut around the outside edge of the design, then cut a slit down the center of the design with a craft knife. Using the tip of the craft knife, carefully lift the inside of the design from the glass. Smooth the edges of the adhesive paper against the glass with a spatula. Carefully apply etching creme over the clear cutout in the adhesive paper. Do not drip or spill etching creme on any other part of the glass, as it will cloud the glass.

4. To create an etched glass with a clear design, cut around the outside edge of the design. Using the craft knife, carefully lift the adhesive paper around the design from the glass, leaving the adhesive design intact. Smooth the edges of the adhesive design against the glass with a spatula. Pour the etching creme into a plastic container, then dip the glass into the creme.

5. Leave creme on glass for 15 minutes, the dab off excess with a clean rag. Rinse with cold water. Do not allow creme tat is rinsing off to run onto the bare glass. Remove the paper design from the glass.

Where to find it: Materials mentioned in this article are readily available from local craft and floral suppliers. You may even have some of the materials on hand.

The book "Beautiful Wedding Crafts" may be available at your local bookstore.

Preserving memories from your wedding

Wedding photographs are among the most important family photographs ever taken, and these mementos are often handed down from generation to generation. In order to preserve these memories properly, you have to take action.

Most brides and grooms assume that their color snapshots and portraits will survive in their wedding albums and picture frames as well as old black-and-white photos did. Unfortunately, that's not true, say preservation experts. If you live another 30 or 40 years, you're likely to outlive your color photos.

Shortly after your ceremony, you should take the time to identify what the pictures show, because only photos that are identified and labeled are worth saving. Buy a 6B drawing pencil or, second choice, a Stabilo "All" pencil. They're available at photo and art shops. Use it to write names and dates on the backs of photos. (Never the fronts.) Do not use ballpoint pens -- they
leave indentations.

When identifying the participants, write down their full names. You may know what you mean by "Grandma Henken," but your descendants may not. Don't be satisfied with "Father" or "Cousin Louise."

Avoid heat, humidity

The greatest evil to prints, slides and videos is variation in heat and humidity. They rapidly age images. The worst places to store them are in the basement (too damp) or attic (too hot). Fireplace mantels and walls with heat sources nearby also are poor. Wooden file cabinets are dangerous to photos. What's optimal is a cool, dry, dark place, with a steady temperature
under 68 degrees. A safe level of relative humidity is 30 to 40 percent. A closet in an air-conditioned, first-floor room may be your best bet. Keep the negatives there, too.

So what do we do?

Look for albums that have plastic enclosures of archival quality. Plastic pages should be made of polyethylene, polypropylene or polyester. Paper pages should be acid-free. Another very good method is the one our ancestors used: Corner mounts in a scrapbook. The glue touches only the page, not the print.

Displaying photos

Of course, some of your photos from your wedding should be displayed prominently throughout your home. Choose an elegant collage print as a beautiful way to remember your special day.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Brides-to-be should consider pre-wedding getaways

While many bachelorette parties involve drinking, dancing and carousing from dusk to dawn, more and more brides are opting for low-key activities to celebrate their last weekend of singlehood.

Today's bride is older and has different interests and priorities," says Millie Martini Bratten, editor in chief of Bride's magazine. "Bachelorette parties are reflecting that change. Brides are more interested in getting together with their girlfriends and doing something they all enjoy - going out to dinner or getting away for a spa weekend - rather than staying up all night partying."

The main purpose of a bachelorette party is for the bride, her bridesmaids and other close friends to get together, relax and have some fun. It can be as simple as a potluck dinner at someone's house or as extravagant as a weekend cruise in the Caribbean.

Bachelorette parties are usually held the weekend before the wedding, often the same night as the bachelor party. The party is typically hosted by a close friend (often the maid of honor), although sometimes the bridesmaids will plan the event. In most cases, everyone chips in and pays her own way, whether it's dinner out or a weekend getaway. Depending on the activity, it's often nice to include the mother of the bride and groom.

With most brides and attendants holding down full-time jobs, a day of pampering at a local spa has become a very popular venue for bachelorette parties. It's the perfect way to unwind and escape from all the pre-wedding hassles and responsibilities.

Many day spas offer special group packages for bridal parties. You can choose from a wide range of services, including Swedish massage, hydrotherapy, European facial, body loofah, scalp treatment, French manicure, reflexology foot treatment, spa pedicure, aromatherapy and other rejuvenating treatments.

Many of the upscale spas offer extra services, such as transportation to and from the spa in a chauffeured limousine, a spa lunch and take-home gift bag packed with exfoliating soap, body lotion, eye gel and other beauty boosters.

Most day spas offer a wide range of services that can take anywhere from a half-hour to a full day. If you're short on time or money, you can still get revitalized with a 30-minute massage, salt glow, herbal bath, mud masque or reflexology treatment.

Spas understand that time is of the essence - particularly for the working bride - and can often schedule two or three spa treatments at the same time. For example, you may be able to get a pedicure while you're having a scalp treatment or body wrap.

When planning a spa vacation for a bachelorette party, look for a spa that offers something for everyone - and is affordably priced.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Survey says roses remains favorite wedding flower

A recent public opinion poll conducted by FTD, Inc., the world's largest floral company, indicated that roses are the most popular flowers for the ideal wedding. Seventy-two percent of Americans polled associated roses with the ideal wedding, with carnations as the second choice (40%). Another thirty-four percent voted for lilies, twenty-three percent prefer daisies, and 19% favor tulips for the ideal wedding.

Flower petals have paved the way for many brides, but now a shower of flower petals is the most popular ceremony send-off. The poll indicates that when honoring the bride and groom as they depart the wedding ceremony, tossing flower petals is the best way to see the couple off. Twenty-one percent believe birdseed is the way to go when honoring the bride and groom,
while 20% feel the traditional rice tossing is still suitable. Fifteen percent of those polled would like to see bubbles blown, and 13% would release butterflies or doves to respect the newlywed couple.

While many celebrity weddings are created by wedding planners, the majority of Americans polled (84%) would rather plan their wedding themselves or with family and friends. Only 12% of those surveyed would prefer to hire a wedding planner.

Another wedding tradition that seems to be changing is the ideal location of a wedding. While 35% of Americans still believe the wedding should be held in the traditional spot, the bride's hometown, 39% feel the wedding should take place in the town or city where the engaged couple currently lives.

The time of day that a wedding is held and the number of guests at the ceremony can set the theme for the occasion. The majority of those polled believe afternoons are the most desirable time of day (56%). One quarter prefer evening weddings, and only 16% of those polled favor morning weddings. While the number of guests at a wedding can range from the bride,
groom and wedding officiator to a cast of thousands, the majority of those polled (53%) prefer to have fewer than 100 guests. Only 7% responded that the ideal wedding would include more than 250 guests. Younger people (ages 18-24) were the most likely of anyone to want a large wedding of more than 250 guests (14%).