2016 Wisp Wedding Showcase

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Fête recently had the honor of styling the McHenry Lodge for Wisp Resort's 2016 Wedding Showcase.  

At our vendor booth, we showed off one of our rentable arbor options, dripping with greenery and blooms.  We featured some of our clients' favorite products: the flask tie and flask scarf (big hits for bachelor and bachelorette gifts), the girly go- garter, and our preppy selection of bow ties and pocket squares.  Sitting in front, we featured our rentable chivari chairs in gold and white.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

We always get excited for an opportunity to get creative with our floral design, and decided to focus on creating a range of options, each using some truly unique and beautiful blooms. Parrot tulips, ranunculus, anemones, pink astilbe and lush greenery were flown in from Italy and Holland.  We chose runners in subtle blush tones to set the mood for each chic look.  The variety of centerpiece options were brought together with our telescoping table number holders, and a selection of some of our favorite votives.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray                             One of our favorite centerpiece ideas: a selection of bottles                                                                            in varying heights featuring just a few dramatic blooms.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray       Trumpet vases are a perfect choice for couples looking a lush, opulent style. 

Photocredit: Shannon Gray                                           At Fête, even business card design is a chance to                                                                                                create something new and innovative.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray                  White parrot tulips and anemones are both and exotic and simple.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray            Garlands are a great option for couples looking for a soft, natural design.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray         Our short pedestals make a big impact with these gorgeous stems.  The                                                        size is perfect for creating an opulent look without a centerpiece so                                                                        large it blocks conversation between guests.

We'd like to thank Jessica and Katie at Wisp Resort for giving us the opportunity to style their event, and Shannon Gray for the fabulous photographs.  If you're interested in having Farmhouse Fête style your big day, please call 301-750-6790 or email info@farmhousefete.com.

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

Wisp Resort

We recently found ourselves at Wisp Resort styling their three event venues and thinking about how to optimize the unique personality of each space.  You are probably familiar with the Wisp as Deep Creek’s ski resort and golf haven.  Here we’ll give you an overview of Wisp as a wedding and event venue, along with our vision of each reception location.

There are three reception sites available: McHenry Lodge, the Wedding Tent, and the Yurts.  Couples can marry, dine, and dance in these spaces, although most choose to say their I Dos on top of the mountain with views of the lake below.

Amenities

All three venues have access to:

• Large on-site hotel for guest accommodations
• Restaurants and activities (golf, ski, mountain coaster, skating rink, etc)
• Grand entrance up the mountain on the ski lift (additional fee may apply)
• Katie and Jessica, Wisp Resort's Wedding and Social Specialist and Wedding Coordinator.  These ladies are great to work with, always answering our questions promptly and helping us create a great experience for our clients.  

POLICIES

• Wisp Resort provides all of the catering and alcohol for events on their property.  
• Cakes and cookies may be brought in for events, but a cutting fee may apply.
• No open flames may be used in the Wedding Tent due to fire code regulations.
• Room blocks of 10 or more are eligible for special discounted rates.

McHenry Lodge

Photocredit: Shannon Gray

McHenry Lodge is a large multi-purpose space located in the main resort building.  The room is used frequently throughout the year for meetings, business dinners, and to accommodate skiers, so it is designed to be more durable than elegant.  Here at Fête, we know just how to jazz the space up, and play up the unique and interesting aspects of the room, so the more commercial attributes seem to fade away.  Our favorite design aspects: the large window in the front of the room looking out to the slopes, and the industrial beams that crisscross the high ceiling.  Be aware that this is likely the least private of the spaces available, as other guests of the resort also use the main building.  Wisp provides large black curtains to add privacy to your event.

Style

One of the primary strengths of the room-it's size- can also be a challenge.  The Lodge can accommodate even the largest of guest lists, but may seem like a dauntingly large space to decorate.  Clients who have chosen this space have taken advantage of our large rentable pieces to bring structure to the room, making it feel more intimate.  The Lodge provides a great opportunity for guests to customize the space to suit their needs and tastes.  Many seem to agree that the addition of our rentable chair covers can make a huge difference in the feel of the room.

Formality

The Lodge has the ability to be dressed up for a formal affair, or decorated more casually if you prefer.   

Ideal Client

Clients who choose the Lodge generally have large guest counts, or are drawn to the beauty of the view of the slopes from the large windows.  Most are willing to get creative with decor in order to bring the space to life.

Mountain Mist Tent

Photocredit: Jessica Fike Photography

The wedding tent is a new addition to Wisp Resort, having only been open since 2015.   It is located off to the side of the hotel, where few passers-by would interrupt.  The tent has windows looking toward the slopes and the golf course.  There is also a covered entry that we love decorating for events.  The large white tent is air-conditioned, which keeps it comfortable during the warm summer months.   Our favorite design aspect: the hanging chandeliers against the draped white ceiling.  

Style

Of all the venue options Wisp has to offer, the tent is the most traditional space.  The large white space provides a literal blank canvas for couples in choosing their wedding decor.

Formality

This location tends to appeal to clients who want their event to feel elegant and sophisticated.  While the word tent may conjure more casual visions, one look at the space will convince you it is perfect for a black-tie affair. The Wedding Tent is the most traditionally formal venue space at Wisp Resort.

Ideal Client

Clients are drawn to the tent for the gorgeous views, both inside and out.  It's a perfect choice for those wanting a formal and traditional feel for their big day.

Sundown Yurt Village

Photocredit: Jessica Fike Photography

Here at Fête, the concept of a Yurt was new to us with Wisp's introduction of this venue option.  A Yurt was traditionally a portable, round tent used by Nomads in Central Asia.  Ski resorts have adopted the design style across the country. The Wisp has three connected Yurts that they use for weddings. Our favorite design aspect: the circular room with high ceilings featuring a skylight.  We love the idea of progressing through the connected buildings, from cocktails, to dinner, to dancing.    Keep in mind that the yurts are the smallest of the venue options, and may not work for clients with large guest counts.

Style

The wooden trellis surrounding the room is a traditional design feature of a Yurt, and makes it a choice for couples wanting a rustic garden feel for their wedding.  There are several distinctive touches in the room’s decor, but it is not so stylized as to limit options for styling your event.

Formality

The Yurts put you in the mind of the ideal Sunday brunch location.  The smaller size can create a more intimate feel for the event.  The trellis, skylight, and fixtures create a space that is attractive, but not black-tie formal.

Ideal Client

If glamping is your ideal vacation, the Yurts are the choice for you.  The circular shape and trellised walls create a trendy and unique space for couples truly looking "outside the box" for their event.  

If you are interested in hosting your wedding or event at Wisp, please contact Katie at 301-387-4000.  If you’re interested in having Farmhouse Fete provide your floral design or style the space, contact us at 301-750-6790 or info@farmhousefete.com.

Deep Creek Lavender Farm

Photocredit: Jessica Fike Photography

When the Lavender Farm opened a few years ago, we were instantly intrigued with the idea of using local products, such as their soaps and sachets, as wedding favors.  After visiting this season, we understand why clients would love it as a venue.

The Lavender Farm is quite small, so it’s appropriate for intimate weddings, bridal teas, or luncheons.  The growing season for lavender is short, so if you are wanting to catch the bushes in full bloom, plan to schedule your event mid-June into July.

Amenities

• Lovely view
• On-site restrooms
• Facility tours available
• Gift shop with homemade products
• Lavender-themed snacks and drinks, such as lavender lemonade and lavender chicken salad.

Style

Outdoor locations, especially ones with this lovely of a view, are always fun for us here at Fete.  We love creating a beautiful and purposeful space for your event in the great outdoors. Using our larger rentable pieces, we can bring the structure and flow of an indoor space into the beauty of the lavender fields.

Formality

Decor is the key to determining formality in this space.  While an outdoor venue will never be black-tie formal, the decor you chose can be used to give the space a rustic feel or a more elegant tone.

Photocredit: Jessica Fike Photography

Ideal Client

The ideal client for the lavender farm would be looking for a place to host a small, intimate event in a unique setting that is elegant yet simple.  Clients should be willing to devote a portion of their budget to providing the tables, chairs, and decorations necessary to turn the outdoor space into an event venue.

For more information about Deep Creek Lavender Farm, contact Ann at 240-608-8282 or deepcreeklavender@gmail.com.  If you’re interested in having Farmhouse Fete provide the floral design or styling for your event please contact us at 301-750-6790 or info@farmhousefete.com

What's in a Word...

Fête 

[fet]

Origin: French

noun:

1. a day of celebration, holiday:
2. a festive celebration or entertainment:
3. a religious feast or festival

verb:

1. to entertain or honor

Fête Noel

Each year during Thanksgiving weekend, Deep Creek hosts an event called The Festival of Trees.  Businesses and organizations sponsor decorated Christmas trees, local vendors set up booths, and there are always plenty of activities for children.  Proceeds for the event support The Dove Center, a local group providing safety, advocacy, and counseling for individuals suffering from domestic abuse. 

Here at Fête, we knew we wanted to be part of this worthwhile community event. Being designers, we were excited at the possibilities.  We quickly determined that a “typical” tree was not our style.  Our worlds revolve around weddings and events, and a key component is always a show-stopping gown.  Why not make the gown itself the tree?  We call her Fete Noel.

As with any floral design, the magic was created with a beautiful mix of greenery.  While pine was obviously the star of the show, using seeded eucalyptus and fern added depth and dimension to the piece.  Attention to detail, such as her necklace and the pins creating the back "buttons", is key to adding visual interest.

We are pleased to announce that Fête Noel received Best in Show.  We're already hard at work planning next year's submission.  

Visit our Facebook and Pinterest pages for more unique floral design.

For more information on the Dove Center, visit http://gcdovecenter.org.  For more information on The Festival of Trees, visit http://www.fotgc.org.