Weddings

One of the biggest and most important decisions you’ll make when planning your dream wedding is picking out the very best location. Picking a location can be a bit of a headache when there are so many venues to choose from. 

As I am sure you have already experienced, it is difficult to find a location that has the whole package. Your location could tick all the right boxes but if it doesn’t have suitable parking it will be a pain for your guests. Or finding a nice location that doesn’t have sufficient space for a good old dance off at the end of the evening will also be disappointing. 

If you looking for some tips on how to find the perfect wedding location then you have landed at the right place as I will discuss how you can go about picking the greatest location and will also give you an inside look on the Baughman Center, one of my favorite wedding locations in Gainesville. 

How To Choose The Best Wedding Location 

One of the easiest ways to get an idea of great wedding locations is, of course, to speak to a Wedding Planner. But wedding planners can be expensive and a little high maintenance at times too, so if you are looking to get stuck in DIY style then take a look at the steps below that will help you to choose the best wedding location.

• Pick your theme. If you are after a more modern style wedding and a venue that you can really add your personal stamp and decor to then concentrate your search on newer buildings and more closed venues. However, if you are looking for a more traditional or rustic style wedding then narrow down your search to older style buildings that are well-renowned for fantastic architecture or stately homes that will require more simplistic decorations to help put everything together. 
• Calculate your guests. There is nothing more disheartening than finding the perfect space only to realize it will be way too small for your guest list. Ask about your venue’s maximum capacity before giving it the “I do”.
• Budget smart. When talking with the venue owners see what is included in the price. Calculate the table service and how many people will be invited to a sit down meal and look at the decor that is already at the venue so you can see exactly how much you will need to spend.
• Consider the experience. If you have a number of guests that will be traveling in from far, one of the most important things to do is to pick a venue that has hotels nearby. That way your guests can travel down near the venue a few days before the wedding in order to get settled in and wind down and be able to enjoy the whole evening with you and your guests without having to worry about facing a long drive back home. 

What is the Baughman Center 

The Baughman Center is a stunning and elegant location for a wedding. This building is located in the heart of the University of Florida campus with breathtaking scenery that will really wow your guests and is the perfect backdrop for some fantastic photos.

The Baughman Center is the perfect venue for weddings, but it is also known to host other special events. 

Holding Your Reception at the Baughman Center

The Baughman center was named the third most beautiful building in Florida by the American Institute of Architects, meaning it will be an unbeatable location for your wedding. Would you like to take a closer look at the venue? The Baughman Center is open for you to visit on weekdays so that you can take some pictures and imagine and take a walk-through of your big day. 

The building consists of high ceilings and floor to ceiling windows, letting in plenty of natural light making for the very best photos to capture the all-important moments. The floor to ceiling windows also give the feeling of being outdoors, no matter what the weather.

The church-like architecture and large, central double doors are in the perfect position to help capture the most iconic wedding moments and focus the attention on the bridal party. 

The lake outside for the Baughman Center is a great location for some picturesque photos to capture that will help capture the unique moments in their essence.

Conclusion

So if you are looking for the best wedding location, make sure you choose one that suits your budget, stays true to your theme, is appropriate for your number of guests, and is located to some nearby hotels if you will have guests traveling in from afar. 

And most importantly, when choosing a wedding location around Gainesville Florida, make sure you consider the Baughman Center as the perfect location for your dream day. Not only is the perfect scenic location for some fantastic shots outside the venue, but the stunning and classic, clean-cut interior will make for the most draw-dropping photos and spectacular all-round experience. 

When people think of weddings, they tend to picture a beautiful ceremony that encompasses everything the bride has been dreaming of since she was a little girl. What many of us fail to realize is that this day is just as much about the groom as it is about the bride. There are plenty of things you can do to show the groom how special he is on your wedding day. Here are seven ways to make your wedding the best day of his life.

Get Him a Gift He Can Use for the Wedding

Presents are a great way to show someone you love them, and the best presents are ones people actually have a use for. Surprise your husband-to-be with a gift that can help him get ready for the big day a few weeks before the wedding. One small detail he might not already have is a nice smelling cologne, so you could surprise him with a brand new bottle. Scents like John Varvatos—which give a soft, masculine, and luxurious scent— is the perfect choice for a wedding day cologne. The way the groom smells is just as important as he looks, and he’ll be happy to wear a scent that was specifically picked out for him by his bride.

You could also think outside the box and get him a subscription service that is functional for both the wedding and after you say “I do,” such as a shaving subscription box. Services like Harry’s delivers a box filled with your custom order of fresh razors and shaving products straight to your door, ensuring that your man is always shaving with a clean razor without you ever needing to leave the house. He’ll love using his new grooming tools to sport a well-kempt look for the wedding, and the subscription will keep him looking amazing for years to come.

Involve His Groomsmen

Your wedding party is made up of some of the people who know the groom the best— his groomsmen. Find different and unique ways to incorporate his best friends into the wedding. For example, instead of having only the best man give a speech, you could have all the groomsmen go around and tell their first thoughts when they heard that the groom was getting married. If the groom and groomsmen were in a fraternity together, you could have the groomsmen pay tribute to that in some way. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the best man or the other guys for ideas on how to make this day special for the groom. It’s part of their job to make sure that the groom has a good time, and they’ll be happy to come up with some great ideas for you.

Hire an Amazing Caterer

Everyone loves good food. One way you can make the day all about the groom is to serve food that he loves. No matter if he’s a health fanatic, southern food enthusiast, or a barbecue lover, you can certainly find a caterer who is willing to create the perfect wedding menu for your groom. There are plenty of resources to help you choose the best wedding caterer if you’re having trouble finding one. Just be sure that whatever you choose, you’ve got your husband’s tastebuds in mind. He’ll be glad to celebrate his wedding with a meal that was picked out specifically for him. 

Serve His Signature Drink

Whether you serve his favorite at dinner or have a custom-made cocktail available at the bar, you can make the groom feel unique by dedicating a drink at the reception to him. You could either do “his and hers drinks”, where you both have a signature cocktail that guests can order, or you can just make sure that the groom’s favorite drink is made available to him regardless of what’s being served on the menu. Some couples are even having beer tastings at the wedding, which is a great option if your groom loves discovering new draught. There are plenty of different ways to incorporate his drink preferences into the ceremony.

Create a Playlist That He’ll Love

You’ve spent so much time with him that you know all of his favorite songs. You know the ones that make him dance and the ones that make him think of you. Make sure those songs get played at the reception by incorporating them into your wedding playlist. Alternatively, you can create a separate playlist that is completely dedicated to him. He’ll feel super special once he hears all the hard work you put into choosing songs that make him happy. 

Also, think about creating a playlist that is dedicated to you as a couple. This playlist can include the first song you danced to together, the song that you always sing at each other in the car, or the song from that movie that you guys always watch together. This will give you and the groom a shared moment that separates you from your guests and lets you celebrate the joining of your love.

Get Him a Groom’s Cake

Groom’s cakes used to be very popular in the south and are almost unheard of everywhere else in the country. However, getting your man a groom’s cake for the reception is a great way to celebrate him and his individuality. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and decorations, and there are plenty of examples of amazing groom’s cakes for you to take inspiration from. You could ask him what kind of cake he would want, or surprise him on the day of the wedding with a delicious, artsy treat that shows off his personality. 

Ask Him What He Wants

There’s never any harm in just flat out asking the groom “what do you envision for your dream wedding.” Incorporate the groom’s wants and needs into the ceremony and keep him involved in the wedding planning process. Whenever a decision needs to be made, ask him what he would prefer, and be willing to make compromises with him. While no one can deny that this is your special day, you can’t forget that this is the groom’s special day as well. Make sure that it’s everything he’s ever dreamed of.