Ten Wedding Mistakes to Avoid

Ten Wedding Mistakes to Avoid

Provided by: The Mockingbird Miraval Ballroom

There is something magical about weddings and we all dream of having the perfect wedding day. Even with the best of intentions, weddings can be complicated and there are many details that need to be considered. Here are ten wedding mistakes to avoid.

Bar Service
The selection of alcoholic beverages provided at your reception is entirely up to you. Dependent on preferences and budget, you may go with a full bar or beer & wine.  We suggest an open bar during cocktail hour or a predetermined dollar amount threshold.   We can also arrange for a gratuity payment to the bartenders and ask them to restrain from using tip jars. You do not want your guest to feel obligated to leave a tip.

Wear Flats
Although it may be very appealing and somewhat traditional to wear heels at your wedding, it’s not always a good idea. You will probably be standing for eight to twelve hours during the ceremony and reception. Wearing flats will alleviate any potential discomfort and allow you to fully enjoy your special day comfortably. 

Have a Little Faith
D.J.s often times have a hard time at weddings as they are likely to be micromanaged by the bride and groom. Trust the judgment of the D.J and try to keep your list of song requests to a minimum. A lengthy list of requests can disrupt the natural flow of the reception. It's better to supply a list of songs that you do not want to be played and allow the D.J to do what they do best.

Prioritize
It is important to determine what is most import to you.  Whether it be music and dancing, food and wine or photography.  Place emphasis and money on the aspects of the wedding that are most important to you. Skimping on a critical item will only lead to regrets.

Order the Dress On Time
If you choose to have a dress custom made or rent an existing dress, order it and finalize the fitting well before the big day. This will reduce the stress and worry of not having your dress ready for the wedding. The same holds true for bridesmaid dresses and tuxedos. 

Overspending
Whether the cost of the wedding is being covered by you or by someone else, it's important to have a budget and the discipline to stick to the budget.  Once the event is booked we create a good faith estimate giving you a fairly accurate cost of the food and venue.   It's tempting to overspend on certain items but resist the urge to do so. Spending too much on a dress will leave very little to cover the cost of shoes and accessories.

Do Not Do it Alone
Planning and executing a wedding is a time consuming process and there are many details to consider. Choosing to plan it alone means that you will need to manage every aspect of the wedding when you really should be enjoying yourself. This is where booking your wedding with the Miraval Ballroom helps you every step of the way.   We help in planning and executing all the details the day of the wedding.  Our service includes all the coordinating so you don’t have worry about anything other than enjoying the day with your family and closest friends. We will ease the burden by handling the timing and flow of the ceremony, music, seating arrangements and floor plans and address any unforeseen events.

Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
In order for you and your wedding party to be fresh and ready for the big day, avoid having the customary bachelor and bachelorette parties the night before the wedding. These parties can get a bit wild and hangovers or illness are real possibilities. After all, having your entire wedding party stagger around on your wedding day is not ideal.

Avoid Last Minute Beauty Treatments and Crash Diets
Many people feel the need to take last minute facials, tans and other beauty treatments to look their best on their special day. This should be avoided as there is always the risk of breakouts, swelling, infection and burning associated with these treatments. Crash dieting may result in your wedding dress or tuxedo not fitting as intended. Avoid these kinds of treatments or diets within two weeks of your wedding day.  Plan for a relaxing morning the day of your wedding start with going out for breakfast then to the spa for a massage then off to have your hair and makeup before making your way to the venue for the onsite ceremony

Wait a Few Days Before Going on Your Honeymoon
Although it's tempting to dash off to your honeymoon after the reception is over, you are better off waiting a few days before this is done. Weddings and the days leading up to them are often times exhausting and some recovery time is recommended before you embark on a honeymoon. This is especially true if you plan on going to a far off destination for your honeymoon.

At the end of the day, getting married means starting a life together and this is the most important thing. Proper planning will help you and your special one enjoy the experience and have a truly memorable day that you will cherish forever.

We are here to help you every step of the way and make your day special, fun and memorable for the rest of your life.

Honeymoon Ideas for Every Budget

Honeymoon Ideas to Fit the Needs of Every Budget
Written by: The Mockingbird Miraval Ballroom Wedding Venue

Honeymoon, the next best thing to getting married: A honeymoon is of extreme importance. The end of the wedding also brings to an end the many months, even years, of  fantastic planning and stress-laden activity. As a newly engaged couple, it is time you settle in, relax and start spending some time of togetherness while embarking on your maiden journey as a family. If you want to make the most of this time then it is essential that you make the right plans for your honeymoon.

The evolution of honeymoon ideas and holiday destinations have taken them beyond the usual beach holidays and are now as varied and unique as the couples themselves who are a part of the journey. You can still make plans for a classic beach honeymoon with the very best services and accommodations on offer, or go unconventional by planning a low-budget honeymoon. After all, even cash-strapped couples have the right to make the most of this memorable once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

Honeymoon ideas for every budget:

Whether you are working on a high-end budget or looking for cheap ideas to fulfill your honeymoon experience, these unique honeymoon ideas will make this memorable moment in your life a truly special one. In order to make it easier for you, we have divided the ideas into respective cheap and expensive categories so that you need not waste much time wondering ifit is suited for you or not.


High-end budget honeymoon ideas

• Pacuare Lodge in Turrialba, Costa Rica: Tucked away in the steep gorge of a river and surrounded by pristine mountains covered in rainforests, this lodge that was recently listed as one of the best eco-lodges in the world by National Geographic stands on the banks of one of the best rivers in Costa Rica that allow white water rafting. Lit by candles at night the Honeymoon cabin, standing on a secluded spot, comes with its very own plunge pool and a hanging bridge that leads down to an observation platform. 

Visit: www.pacuarelodge.com

• Patagonia Camp in the Torres del Paine National Park of Chile: Standing on the shores of theLago Toro which is only an hour's drive from the Torres del Paine National Park, this is a campwhere you can get warm hospitality and a luxurious tented accommodation. Each of the huts offer a fantastic view and feature a private balcony as well as a skylight so that you can gaze upto the star-studded night from the very comforts of your room.

Visit: www.patagonia.travel

• Ananda in the Himalayan Foothills of India: Ananda stands amidst hundred acres of forestland along the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India. You can get exquisite views of the River Ganges, the Rishikesh Valley and the lower Himalayas from this region. The world famous spa in the resort is a place where you can enjoy complimentary yoga and treatments offered by Indian ayurveda. If you are lucky enough, you may come across Oprah Winfrey who makes it a point to visit this place at least once a year.

Visit: www.anandaspa.com

• Treasure Resort in the Koh Samui Islands of Thailand: A relatively new property, it stands on asmall island that can be reached from Koh Samui by speedboat in no more than ten minutes. Arustic and charming spot that is situated away from the madding crowd, it offers delicious Thai-fusion cuisine, lush gardens and a lovely beach. The villas are designed so as to provide an optimum size and also feature an infinity swimming pool and tranquil spa offering views out on to the neighbouring Koh Taen island and across the Gulf of Thailand.

Visit: www.thetreasureresort.com/main.html

Low-end budget ideas: 
For these low-budget honeymoon ideas, we are not suggesting any specific location ordestination. Couples can decide and choose the one that they unanimously agree upon as the most convenient place where they can fulfill and carry out these suggested ideas.

• Staycation: Just because it is your honeymoon, it does not mean that you need to travel somewhere. In fact the very tradition of going on a vacation to celebrate one's honeymoon is a relatively  new concept. Around a couple of centuries ago, a honeymoon was all about spending time together at home for a period of a month or so in order to know each other betteralbeit physically. Just imagine, a month of bliss away from your work, disconnected from the external world with your prime focus being on  doing projects together with your better half. While your family and friends will not have pictures of grand locations to mystify themselves,they'll nevertheless be jealous of the way you managed to stay away from the rat race altogether


• Island getaway: It is common to find people overspending on their honeymoon vacations to the Tahiti and Hawaiian islands. It is not necessary that a vacation in one of these places needsto be expensive. If you are travelling on a Best Western budget, you need not book your accommodation at a five-star facility. In fact it is the island atmosphere you wish to spend your time in and not a claustrophobic hotel room! Book your travels on a cheap air carrier and choose to sleep either in your car or on the beach. What really matters in these occasions is the amazing view that makes you feel like you are in paradise.


• Fancy resort: Check into an expensive retreat, spa or resort facility in your hometown. While you may feel this is an expensive proposition, consider the huge amount you get to save on various travel costs, most notably your air fares. With that extra cash at your disposal, receiving a royal treatment within the limits of your own city now becomes largely affordable. Moreover, if it is a honeymoon package that you wish to book, you will be offered a lot of extra attention and free amenities. In order to lead a good life, flying halfway around the world is not always necessary.


• Themed retreats: Numerous destinations all over the world offer weeklong retreats where, as a couple, you  can completely immerse yourself into a hobby for which you share a common passion. Embark on a treasure hunt, backpacking adventure, ranch or vineyard, meditation retreat or anything that suits your fancy.


Conclusion: 
The best honeymoon idea is one that incorporates everything couples expect and want from what is possibly the most important trip they are ever going to take in their entire life. It is the best way to unwind and relax after going to the stresses of a marriage. We at the Mockingbird Restaurant & Miraval Ballroom offer special deals on reservations for receptions and amazing wedding packages. Apart from the honeymoon ideas mentioned here and irrespective of your budget, we can offer you a dreamy wedding ceremony and reception party for this very special occasion in your life that you are unlikely to experience more than once.  

For more information, please visit our website at www.mockingbirdrestaurant.com or call us today (508-378-4911) to speak with one of our wedding consultants to schedule an appointment to discuss your dream wedding.

Beginner's Guide to Wedding Planning

Give Yourself Inner Calm with the Beginner's Guide to Wedding Planning

Written by: The Mockingbird Miraval Ballroom Wedding Venue

Most people planning for a wedding want their wedding day to be something that people won't forget in a hurry. Planning a wedding should be an exciting, stress-free time, but it can become a mammoth challenge if you don't plan well in advance for it. Our beginner's guide to wedding planning offers good advice on being methodical in organizing yourself and your finances; it's about making your wedding day an exciting and rewarding step in your life.

There are many things you can do to ensure your impending new lifestyle gets off to an exciting start. At Mockingbird Miraval Ballroom we have pulled together heaps of advice and ideas that will help you make the best of this time of preparation. A lot of pre-planning is required to avoid wasting time on unnecessary details, and we have put some tips together that will help with keeping your wedding day preparations romantic, exciting and enjoyable.

1. Start Saving Early

The real secret to enjoying your wedding planning is having access to sufficient funds. With our beginner's guide to wedding planning, you will discover that it is wise to start putting away money early for the things you want like photographer, flowers, cake and wedding stationery and be well prepared for the costs involved. More and more bridal couples are going for simple and uncomplicated weddings filled with uncomplicated pleasures like great company, fresh air, great food and good wine.

2. Services Tailored to Suit

With us, you can enjoy this exciting time of your life supported by our wonderful services which are tailor-made to suit you. You will certainly get inspired with our ideas on beautiful and elegant settings, exquisite decorated tables, flowers, music and more. 

3. The Guest List

Evaluate first of all how many guests you want at your wedding. Choosing 30 guests may do well in a small cozy and intimate dining room, while 300 guests will be better suited in our gracious and spacious Miraval Ballroom.

4. Reserve your Venue

Deciding on a location for the ceremony and one for the reception becomes complex. Why not save on costs and have both at the same venue? Having your ceremony and reception at our venue is a fantastic money saver; saving you on transport and rentals such as chairs and tables. We've got it all here, complete with beautiful table decorations, dance floor, band stage and full menu catering kitchen.

5. What's Your Style - Casual or Formal?

Wanting a scenic wedding breakfast in the garden or a sit down dinner and dance with flickering candlelight? At Mockingbird we offer you the most romantic wedding venue possible. Imagine making your way down a winding walkway to your garden ceremony with white chairs and pergola? Your cocktail hour will be most relaxed with the sounds of our waterfall while you nibble on hors d'oeurves and get a taste of what’s to come at the reception.

6. Choosing from a Delectable Menu 

With all its modern and fully equipped amenities, its scrumptious cuisine which makes use of different flavors and creative styles, everything we offer at Mockingbird lives up to our reputation of impeccable services, and our cuisine promises to be a tantalizing feast for the discerning wedding planner. 

7. The Small Things Count a Lot 

From personalized planning with an event consultant to tiny details like professional bartenders, parking lot attendants and complimentary champagne in the bridal suite, state of the art facilities and friendly, well trained staff, we ensure that each hour is taken care of. 

With our Beginner's Guide to Wedding Planning, our promise at Mockingbird Miraval Ballroom Wedding Venue is to give you peace of mind as you plan for your big day.

For more information, please visit our website at www.mockingbirdrestaurant.com/weddings.html  or call (508) 378-4911 to speak to a wedding consultant to schedule an appointment to discuss your dream wedding.

Perfect Wedding Venue in MA

 Comparable to None, Mockingbird Miraval Ballroom Grants You Your Dream Wedding Day

Founded in 1850, East Bridgewater is in Plymouth County, Massachusetts.  Its historic character and small-town, caring atmosphere makes it a sought after destination for weddings and other special events.  As parents, you look forward to the day when your children meet partners and their dreams of setting up their own lives start coming true.  It can be exciting being involved in their wedding plans; selecting the perfect wedding venue and ensuring a completely stress free event.  From intimate weddings to large ceremonies with exquisite details, the Mockingbird Miraval Ballroom lends itself to helping you create a perfect event.

Celebrate In Your Own Way

The staff at this chic East BridgewaterMA wedding venue are highly experienced and skilled and they know how important a couple’s wedding day is.  They believe wholeheartedly that the MB is everything that any bridal couple has dreamed of.  The setting is beautiful; it has the right feeling about it; a certain look of elegant sophistication but with an underlying element of fun to it.

The beauty of this outstanding wedding venue is that they don’t just give you the choice of a venue and then leave the rest to you.  They offer far more.  If ever there’s a time to grab their great value wedding packages, it is now.  This will enable you to take advantage of all that’s to offer and many times at discounts which make them even more of an affordable wedding venue.  The beautiful garden ceremony area is reached by an exquisite winding walkway.  Under a lovely wedding pergola, you can exchange your wedding vows while your guests gaze at the proceedings from their white wedding chairs.

Wedding Preparations That Are Expeditious and Effortless

This exquisite Massachusetts wedding venue offers ideal photographic opportunities too; in the gardens, beside the fish pond and fountains and inside the stylish ballroom.  The well cared for, landscaped gardens are the perfect setting for a range of different photographic opportunities.  Once the reception starts, you and your guests will love the warm, charming atmosphere created by the three large fireplaces.  The tables will be decked with beautiful quality linen, sparkling glassware, shiny cutlery, and can be arranged in a way that suits you and yours guests needs.  The stylish, splendid ballroom is able to accommodate between 30 and 220 guests and makes provisions for a DJ or band and a dance floor.

The Mockingbird is a wedding venue which is always looking for ways to give guests more.  They've created a magnificent setting, both inside and out, that is guaranteed to fulfill all of your dreams for a perfect, stress-free wedding. 

For more information on wedding packages, please follow the link to the wedding venue information or call today (508-378-4911) to speak with Chef owner Frank or one of their wedding consultants to schedule an appointment to discuss your dream wedding..

www.mockingbirdrestaurant.com/weddings.html