Wedding Day Essentials

Wedding Day Essentials

When it comes to your wedding there are a million and one things that you plan for, an emergency kit, your transportation, and your day-of itinerary will all be locked down by the big day. Those things are just the tip of the iceberg of the wedding day essentials needed to get you through the day. Deer Creek Golf Club has been in the wedding industry long enough to know some of the not-so-obvious things you’ll need for the day. 

Our day of coordinator has a list of things that will have you fully prepared for any crunch-time needs or obstacles that may come up. The last thing you want is a delay in the ceremony because you have to get your legal documents or try to find an ATM. 

Things You Need on Your Wedding Day

Having a checklist of some wedding day must-haves will help you feel a little less flustered and worried about small details. Here are some things to add to your checklist:

  • Cash Envelopes
  • Marriage License
  • Chargers
  • Change of Shoes
  • Tools
  • Outdoor Supplies
  • Cosmetics
  • Medicine

 

Cash Envelopes 

Between the different vendors and tips that will need to be paid on the day of, it will make your life a whole lot easier if you have individual envelopes with the different cash amounts needed in them. Make sure that your day of coordinator knows where they are and what goes to who. It is also important to know who to tip and how much to tip them. There is a lot of heavy lifting involved in setting up your ceremony and reception. Having some extra cash on hand is also a good idea just in case one of your vendors doesn’t accept cards or their card reader stopped working. 

 

Marriage License

When it comes to your wedding ceremony, you’ll probably want your marriage to be legal, so don’t forget your marriage license. You’ll be so focused on your wedding day so make sure the officiant has it or that your day of coordinator has it to pass over to the officiant. Whoever has it make sure that they are responsible and can be trusted. 

 

Chargers

Even if you are having an unplugged ceremony or are just unplugging yourself for the day, you still might want to keep your phone charged  for family members, friends, attendants, and vendors to get in touch with you throughout the day in case of an emergency or they get lost if your ceremony and reception are in different locations. And given that it is such a big day, you and your partner will probably receive more text messages than you do on your birthday, so appoint someone to be your designated person to handle certain phone calls and texts. Have a charger nearby in case you need to plug it in. 

 

Change of Shoes

As much as you may be enjoying your brand-new wedding heels, by the time the dancing starts you will probably want to kick them off and put on something a little more comfortable. Having a comfy pair of sneakers or sandals on hand will be extremely helpful. Some brides even splurge and get cute “bride” label shoes to change into. 

 

Tools

You may be wondering why you would need tools on your wedding day, but they are the most important of the wedding day essentials. You will want to be prepared for any kind of surprises, so a basic set of tools, like a screwdriver, hammer, nails, double-sided tape (this is good to have for both wardrobe or decor malfunctions), glue, and a set of eyeglass screwdrivers in case they are needed. 

 

Outdoor Supplies

If you are having an outdoor wedding then have a few supplies ready to go just in case mother nature decides to crash the party. Some of these supplies especially in a South Florida wedding venue include bug spray, sunscreen, and aloe vera will all play a crucial role in daytime ceremonies. 

 

Cosmetics

Even after using the best makeup artist, makeup can still get smudged from happy tears. Keeping a small bag full of the cosmetics for touch-ups and fixes. Keep some basics for the groom too, tissues, deodorant, a mini brush, or other mini hair products that might be needed.

 

Medicine

After a long day of standing, crying, eating, drinking, dancing, and celebrating with their loved ones, most couples might need some pain relief or antacids for all the food, cakes, and possibly drinks. You can even bring enough for the wedding party and guests. 

 

Contact Deer Creek Today!

If all of this seems like a lot to take in, then you can hire a wedding planner to help you keep your mind organized and stress-free. Our experts have also put together a few wedding timeline tips to help you still on track too. 

Contact Deer Creek today to check out our wedding venue and wedding packages.

Wedding Exit Ideas at Night

Wedding Exit Ideas at Night

Picture this. It’s the night of your wedding day. You just married the love of your life. Now it’s time to head out. How should you get sent off? Most couples opt for the classics, like running through all of your friends and family lined up and cheering. At Deer Creek, we have been in the wedding industry for years. In those years, we have seen some unique wedding send-offs. 

In our South Florida wedding packages, we offer a day-of coordinator to help our happy couples execute their wedding exit ideas at night. Our experts have put together a list of some of our favorites. 

Ceremony Exit Ideas

Now that all of your wedding dreams have come true, it’s time to leave and begin this new chapter of your life. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Sparklers

This trend has become increasingly popular over the past few years. Guests will grab sparklers and line up outside the venue as the newlyweds run through, often stopping for one more celebratory kiss in the middle. It makes for some amazing photos and memories for the couple and their loved ones. 

Rice

This is an age-old tradition that offers memories that will last forever. You can have our coordinator hand out little bags of rice to each guest to get them ready for the couple’s exit. Once the newlyweds are walking through, the guest can throw the bags of rice in the air and all over the couple. This is seen as a symbol of prosperity. What better way to send off the happy couple than with wishes for a prosperous future together? 

Leaves

Having the guest throw leaves is a great way to send off the happy couple, especially for a fall wedding. You can collect the leaves yourself, or you can buy them. The next thing you need to do is simply make sure the day-of coordinator knows the plan and how to distribute the leaves. 

Music Sheet Confetti

This is one of the more unique wedding send-off ideas we’ve seen. Sheet music can be hole-punched and turned into confetti. This is a great and creative way to send off a couple who are musicians or just love the musical arts. 

Flower Petals

The couple can work with our day-of coordinator to have flower petals in their wedding colors ready for the send-off. Having the guest line up and toss the petals as the newlyweds walk by can create a beautiful moment for everyone. 

Bubbles

Bubbles are a mess-free option that still adds such a special touch to the end of the day. They also double as fun favors. Pass these out to the guests to have them help send the couple off on their new lives!

Contact Deer Creek Today!

If you are ready to book your wedding, contact Deer Creek today. Our team of wedding professionals can give you more wedding exit ideas at night and help make your big day dreams come true. To learn more about wedding trends and seasonal ideas, check out our blog.

Wedding Timeline Tips

Wedding Timeline Tips

While weddings are one of the most memorable events in some people’s lives, that’s not to say that they are not stressful. The planning, the event itself, and even the aftermath can be very overwhelming if you don’t have proper help. It’s always important to be prepared. Even having a loose wedding timeline in the back of your mind can help in a major way. Having your day-of wedding timeline template planned out is essential. It will ensure you have one of the most magical times of your life without stressing about wondering what the next move is.

Our experts at Deer Creek are here to help you have the perfect wedding day. Our experience has given us much knowledge on creating an outline plan for a wedding day. We have various amenities to choose from, including different ballrooms to select from and many different types of greenery for the background of your portraits. Below we have put together a guide of wedding timeline tips to help make your day as seamless as possible.

What Does a Day-Of Wedding Coordinator Do?

There is a big difference between a wedding day-of coordinator and a wedding planner. The day-of coordinator is in charge of the execution of already-made plans on the day of the wedding. The day-of coordinator is usually the point of contact for vendors and caterers being used because the bride and groom have many other things going on during their special day.

In contrast, a wedding planner comes up with ideas, creates, and books vendors, all prior to the actual day of the wedding. Wedding planners often are not present on the day of the wedding. While both types of coordinators are essential, they play completely different roles that anyone who is planning or participating in a wedding should be aware of.

Day-Of Wedding Timeline Template

Beginning of the Wedding Day

Start early. No matter what time of day your wedding ceremony begins, the earlier you start with preparation, the better. It’s pertinent to leave room for error. Venue decoration and prep should be one of the first things on your timeline. This could be you decorating yourself or ensuring all of the caterers, coordinators, and any other vendors are arriving on time and doing their job correctly. The bride’s and bridesmaids’ hair and make-up, and the groom and his party’s routine, should be done at the beginning of the day. Once everyone is excited and ready, before all the guests arrive is the perfect time for portraits and family photos.

Middle of the Wedding Day

Once most of the guests have arrived at the ceremony venue, it is time to begin the commemoration. Having the wedding ceremony is the most critical step to remember. After the bride and groom share their first kiss as a married couple, it’s time to transition to cocktail hour and the reception party venue. The iconic first dance should take place, followed by family and friends toasts, and, finally, the meal should be served.

End of the Wedding Day

Assuming you don’t forget about the cake cutting, that should be next on the list. Breaking out into the dance party should almost effortlessly happen next. Other activities you don’t want to forget to include are the bouquet and garter toss, the Father/Daughter dance, the Mother/Son dance, and the bride and groom’s first dance. You may even have your own fun activities that you want to include. The last song, announced by the DJ, should end the night and then prompt the guests to then depart after a day filled with romance and fun.

Deer Creek Has Day-of Coordinators for You

Deer Creek is proud to offer some of the best indoor and outdoor wedding venues in Broward county. Contact us today for more information about our South Florida wedding venue packages. More wedding tips and articles can be found in our blog here!

Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

Planning your wedding is a large feat. While some brides want to take this on, some find it overwhelming. This is where having a professional who understands all aspects of a wedding to assist you plan can help calm down your nerves. They can also help elevate your big day to something even more magical. Deer Creek Golf Club has been a beautiful wedding venue in South Florida long enough for us to be able to put together a few reasons to hire a wedding planner. 

 

Some experts at our South Florida wedding venue have put together their advice and tips. 

Reason #1 Bring Your Dream Vision to Life

Hiring a complete wedding planner for everything leading up to the big day can help bring your wedding visions to life. Most planners encourage their clients to start collecting items and images that speak to the bride and groom both as a couple and as individuals. It lets the planner get to know the couple, which will make their job easier when trying to make their wedding dreams come true. 

 

Great planners will have a heavy hand in the long to-do list that comes with a wedding. In knowing the couple and what they envision, the planner will consider this when completing each task on the wedding list. 

Reason #2 Manage Your Budget

Many planners will ask the bride and groom what the 3 E’s of their wedding will be:

 

  • Emotion – What emotion do they want to invoke?
  • Environment – What kind of environment do they want to create?
  • Experience – What kind of experience do they want for themselves and their guests?

 

Once they have these items established, then the planner and the couple can identify the priorities and the ideal investments. Another key factor is knowing where all the funds will be coming from and who is contributing. Helping with budget management gives the bride and groom a better and more realistic understanding of their investment and financial decisions. It also keeps the couple on track and on target to stay within their budget. 

Reason #3 Problem Solving Pros

A complete wedding planner will be able to cut through the hours of research and get you directly in touch with vendors that fit your style and budget. Professional wedding planners can also objectively make quick decisions and be your guide in times of uncertainty. This will allow you to take a deep breath while they help to come up with unique solutions based on your needs. Even if a full-service wedding planner isn’t what the couple wants, we still recommend using a “day-of coordinator” to help with any obstacles that might present themselves on the day of your wedding.

Reason #4 Make Sure No Key Details Are Forgotten

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the planning process, key details can slip through the cracks if there is not someone or something to remind you of them. That is why a wedding planner is perfect. It is their job to handle all the details, no matter how big or small. They can help select vendors based on the couples’ theme, budgets, and preferences. With their ability to see the whole picture, they can make more impactful decisions for the bride and groom to be. Having the ability will also help the planner work through the upsells to make sure the couples’ money is being spent wisely. Upsell is a name for anyone providing a service or good. Sometimes they are beneficial and amazing, and other times there are better places for the money to be spent.

Reason #5 Keeps You on Track

The overall checklist of a wedding can quickly become overwhelming when looking at it as a whole. One of the best reasons to hire a wedding planner is to remove that overwhelming feeling. They are the stress relief that keeps the couple from losing focus and becoming unorganized. They break down the list into smaller parts that will help keep everyone on the same page and timeline for getting things done. The list can be tackled by weekly tasks or even monthly, depending on how large the task is. 

 

As items are completed off the list, the next set of tasks can be approached without the added stress. Some clients tend to dive head-first into the planning process and can quickly become overwhelmed. This can lead to details being missed or forgotten. Even if you don’t hire a complete wedding planner, reach out for help and advice and even outsource some of the to-dos on your lists. 

Contact Deer Creek Today! 

If you are a bride or even a planner who is interested in hosting a wedding at Deer Creek Golf Club, contact us today. Our team would be more than happy to assist you.

South Florida Wedding Venue Packages

South Florida Wedding Venue Packages

Deer Creek Golf Club is not only one of the best golf courses, but we also offer some of the best South Florida wedding venue packages, as well. We have a variety of options for our happy couples to choose from to make their day as special as we can. 

All of our wedding packages include:

 

  • Open bar
  • Cocktail hour displays & passed hors d’oeuvres 
  • Buffet or plated dinner reception
  • Champagne toast
  • Custom wedding cake with the preferred bakery
  • Round guest tables with floor-length linen & napkins
  • Chiavari chairs in 7 different color options with cushions
  • Day-of coordinator
  • Food tasting (for a minimum of $5,000+)
  • Charger plates in gold or silver
  • Table numbers
  • Cake stand

 

The details change depending on which package is selected by the couple, but this is the basic list of what is included in all of them. As for the fees, the ceremony fee is $1,200. For parties of under 120 people, the fee is $1,000. 

Before we get into the details of each package, there are some other options and items included in our wedding venue packages:

 

  • Ceremony at Arbor Terrace or Waterfall Terrace
  • Indoor ceremony location, if needed
  • White padded folding garden chairs
  • Infused water stations
  • Rehearsal with the day-of coordinator 
  • Use of bridal suite with champagne
  • Small fruit & cheese platter

 

Different Wedding Packages

Using wedding venues with packages will make planning easier for the couple, but it is important to understand what each of our packages offers. 

Sterling Package – $115 Per Guest

  • Four-hour brand name open bar
  • Two displays
  • Four passed hors d’oeuvres 
  • Buffet dinner – 1 salad, 2 entrees, 2 sides (chef’s fees may apply)
  • Wedding cake

 

Gold Package – $125 Per Guest

  • Four-hour brand name open bar
  • Three displays
  • Four passed hors d’oeuvres 
  • Plated dinner – 1 salad, 3 entrees, 2 sides
  • Wedding cake

 

Platinum Package – $140 Per Guest

  • Five-hour premium brand open bar
  • Three displays 
  • Five passed hors d’oeuvres 
  • Buffet dinner – 1 salad, 2 entrees, 2 sides (Chef’s fees may apply)
  • Wedding cake

 

Sapphire Package – $150 Per Guest

  • Five-hour premium brand open bar
  • Three displays 
  • Five passed hors d’oeuvres 
  • Plated dinner – 1 salad, 3 entrees, 2 sides
  • One specialty station
  • Wedding cake

 

Diamond Package – 170 Per Guest

  • Five-hour premium brand open bar
  • Unlimited Champagne & Cordials with Desert
  • Three displays 
  • Six passed hors d’oeuvres 
  • Plated dinner – 1 appetizer, 1 salad, intermezzo sorbet, 3 entrees, 2 sides
  • One specialty station
  • Wedding cake

 

Bar Packages for Weddings

All of our South Florida wedding packages include beer and wine for our selections, as well as a champagne toast. Here are the differences between each of our bar packages for weddings.

Our brand name open bar includes Absolute, Bacardi, Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, Dewar’s, and Cuervo Tequila. The premium brand open bar has Ketel One, Bombay Sapphire, Bacardi, Johnny Walker Black, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, Malibu, Crown Royal, and Patron Silver. 

Upon choosing Deer Creek as the venue, couples will be met with different menus for each of the packages. They will be able to choose from options for:

 

  • Displays
  • Passed hors d’oeuvres 
  • Salads
  • Sides
  • Plated appetizers
  • Entrees (upgraded entrees available)
  • Savory specialty stations
  • Sweet specialty stations
  • Brunch wedding reception

 

 

Contact Deer Creek Today!

Deer Creek is proud to offer some of the best outdoor wedding venues in Broward county. Contact us today for more information about our South Florida wedding venue packages. More wedding facts and guidance can be found in our blog here!