May 30, 2016

Top 5 Wedding Venues for WVU Grads

May 30, 2016

With Fête being a mere 35 miles from campus, we see many WVU students and alum planning their weddings. If you're a proud blue and gold wearing, first down chanting, Hail, West Virginia singing Mountaineer fan, here are our top venue choices for hosting your big day.

1. WVU Touchdown Terrace

Our first choice is a no-brainer. For the true football fanatic, Touchdown Terrace at Milan Puskar Stadium is a perfect choice with great views of Mountaineer Field. Many couples choose the stadium as the perfect backdrop for their engagement photos- what better way to highlight your love for each other and WVU football.

2. Erickson Alumni Center

WVU's Erickson Alumni Center was built to mimic the architecture of Woodburn Hall, one of the university's most popular buildings. The Alumni Center is only 400 yards from Mountaineer Field, and has some great views. Ruby Grand Hall is a banquet space that can accommodate up to 400 guests. Mountaineer Courtyard is a gorgeous open square featuring a working outdoor fireplace. This area can be tented and accommodates up to 200 guests.

3. Stonewall Resort

Stonewall Resort is a perfectly blended combination of the gorgeous natural beauty that is West Virginia and the convenience and amenities of a four diamond resort. Located in Roanoke, WV, Stonewall has picturesque lake and mountain views, and several different venue options. The Grand Hall is a popular ceremony space, with stunning architecture and large windows. During warmer months, the Terrace Lawn has a great lake view, and can be tented. For those wanting a more traditional feel, Stonewall also has a Ballroom option. There are several smaller rooms and patios for more intimate events, and the Little Sorrell Cruise Boat is great for smaller parties and cocktail receptions. We're a big fan of the fact that the Resort has everything in one location: great restaurants and lounges, activities such as swimming and golf, and room blocks so guests don't have to worry about travel.

“Is it any wonder then, how my heart with rapture thrills, as I stand once more with loved ones on those West Virginia hills”

— Ellen King

4. Cooper's Rock

Many a WVU student has taken a break from their studies to visit nearby Cooper's Rock. The breathtaking views are perfect for clearing your mind and calming your soul, and are the ideal backdrop for couples looking for an intimate ceremony. A true Mountaineer has an adventurous spirit, and this venue will certainly convey that. Make sure your guests understand that the terrain can be a bit rocky, and encourage comfortable shoes. If everyone in your party is willing to venture out to the overlook, the backdrop for your "I Dos" will be one they never forget.

5. Chanteclaire Farm

Although technically in Maryland, Chanteclaire Farm is a popular spot for WVU couples to say "I Do". Chanteclaire is located a short half hour trip down I-68, but will convince your guests that the hills of West Virginia have merged with a European farm estate. Unlike any of the other venues on our list, Chanteclaire focuses exclusively on weddings, and they have perfected the art of wedding planning. Guests will be wowed by the gorgeous views, eclectic decor, and barn reception which manages to be both quaint and chic. The renovated silo was transformed into a steampunk themed bar, which is always a guest favorite. Mountaineers will identify with the farm's appreciation of their history- the cabin and farmhouse available for bridal parties are historic buildings that have been lovingly restored. Owner Leigh Clarke tells us that Country Roads is the most often requested last dance at a Chanteclaire reception.

Interested in having Farmhouse Fete style your big affair? Give us a call at 301-750-6790, or email info@farmhousefete.com.

February 22, 2016

Fête Vetted

Chanteclaire Farm

February 22, 2016

Fête Vetted

This month in Fête Vetted, we take a closer look at one of the most charming wedding venues in the Deep Creek area, Chanteclaire Farm.

Chanteclaire Farm brings the casual elegance of the French countryside to an authenticly beautiful American farm. Couples love the outdoor ceremony setting, and the barn reception that is anything but rustic. One thing we hear over and over from clients is how stress free their Chanteclaire Farm weddings have been. The Farm focuses exclusively on weddings, so the care they put into planning and executing is second to none.

Amenities:

Private location on 100 acres
Outdoor Ceremony Location
“Plan B” Covered Ceremony Location
Onsite farmhouse and cabin available for rent
Experienced DJs and Emcees to coordinate the day’s schedule
Food and cake prepared onsite
Parking for 80+ vehicles
4 finished bathrooms
Bonfire "After Party"

Style

Chanteclaire Farm has been designed and styled for elegant country weddings. Clients can personalize the space through floral design and tablescapes, but the majority of the decoration has been thoughtfully prepared by the venue. The reception space features chivari chairs, chandelier lighting, and antique relics hanging from the walls. There is natural greenery and fairy lighting draped the length of the room, creating an incredibly romantic effect when the chandeliers are dimmed. A red canoe serves as the salad bar, and the buffet is made from reclaimed barn wood. The hardwood floors are gorgeous, so you'll have none of the typical barn worries about stability or splinters. And unlike barns that are not fully dedicated to weddings, you won't see a bird, bat, or mouse.

Formality

Despite the barn setting, a wedding at Chanteclaire Farm is far from casual. Guests in shorts and flip flops would be seriously out of place, but we wouldn't recommend full black tie either. The best looks at Chanteclaire are going to be hip, stylish takes on the tuxedo or a sharp navy or tan suit. Female guests be advised that the ceremony takes place on grass, so stilettos are not recommended. Need some inspiration for making style choices? Look to the steampunk inspired Silo Bar, whose construction was featured on Renovation Wild on Animal Planet.

Ideal Client

Chanteclaire Farm is far from a rent-a-venue. Clients should expect a great deal of attention to detail from staff in both the planning and execution of their big day. Because the farm only hosts weddings, it is the perfect venue for clients wanting a stress-free experience.

The Chanteclaire team takes pride in their knowledge of event flow and timing, and have turned wedding execution into something of a science. They will certainly let you know if they think your ideas would disrupt or diminish the perfect guest experience. If you feel the need to control every process and item of decor, this will not be the venue for you.

Policies

Chanteclaire provides all food for their weddings, including the cakes. Meals are served as a buffet, where the staff makes each plate as the guest walks through. Clients can provide their own alcoholic beverages. No open flames are permitted inside the venue. Clients are free to use decor items from the farm’s sizeable storage room.

If you're interested in hosting your wedding at Chanteclaire Farm, please contact Ann at info@chanteclairefarm.com. If you're interested in having Farmhouse Fête provide your floral design or tablescaping, please contact us at 301-750-6790 or info@farmhousefete.com.

October 26, 2015

Fabulous Fêtes

Anniversary Fête at Wisp Resort

October 26, 2015

Fabulous Fêtes

We were thrilled when Yvonne called us to discuss non-floral options for her 25th anniversary soirée! The couple were married at Wisp Resort, and were coming back to celebrate the milestone! To celebrate the silver anniversary, Yvonne and Marc asked for touches of silver, crystal, and "bling" as the theme for the decor. Garrett County locals are familiar with the McHenry room in the Lodge- it is perfect for large receptions, being able to hold somewhere over 1,000 guests depending on how the room is set up. Size can be a blessing, but also a challenge for more intimate events. To create a more cozy space, we made use of the large black curtains Wisp uses to divide the room, but added some champagne color splashes to make them look purposeful and part of the overall picture.

We also made use of a client favorite- our large iron trees- which held crystals, beaded spiral ornaments, and gorgeous glass votive holders glowing with tea lights. These rentable pieces are so versatile, and can be used for everything from holding escort cards, notes from guests, or decor to match any theme. They also double as a great way to add structure to an outdoor celebration space, or in this case, a very large indoor space!

One of our favorite sayings here at the shop is that a party without a cake is just a meeting. Well, this was truly a party, because it featured not one, but four cakes! The group used the opportunity to acknowledge birthdays and anniversaries of other family members. We supplied the cake stands, and styled the tablescape, which featured a selection of our votive holders and mercury glass accents. The beautiful cakes were made by Tammy at Lorenzo's Frostburg Bakery.

We created two different tablescapes for guest seating to add visual interest. Both featured gorgeous satin chair covers in a lovely champagne color. Champagne is a great neutral for any event, as it really picks up either a silver or gold tone depending on the surrounding decor. Half of the tables featured our silver candelabras adorned with silver votives and strands of crystal sitting on a gray burlap runner and surrounded by mercury glass hearts.

The other half featured glass vases of varying heights with floating candles and a touch of sparkle provided by a submerged acrylic bead garland. The vases were surrounded by silver votives and sat on a flowy gray rayon runner. Yvonne and Marc included a hand-written note on each table to welcome guests, which sat in our harp stands.

The couple provided guests with chocolate wine bottle favors, and we had fun styling a table to house the cute confections. Our candle lanterns and a tin tray held the goodies, and we included a tin wine bottle label and resin Cheers sign to play up the wine theme.

We hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as we enjoyed styling the event! We'd like to thank the staff at Wisp Resort, it was a pleasure working at your venue! Also, a big thank you to Shannon Gray Photography! Shannon is new to the area, so be sure to check out her website for more examples of her beautiful photography work at shannon-gray.com. If you are interested in any of our decor, or having us style your next event please give us a call at 301-750-6790 or email info@farmhousefete.com.

July 29, 2015

Fabulous Fêtes

Styled Shoot at Deep Creek Lavender Farm

July 29, 2015

Fabulous Fêtes

This summer sunny days have been hard to come by, but luckily we found a few dry hours at the end of June during the Deep Creek Lavender Farm's peak growing season to squeeze in a styled shoot with Jessica Fike Photography. We are so thankful to Jessica for the amazing photos, and especially love the ones featuring her adorable daughter Ally!

We'd also like to thank the Lavender Farm for having us. Their farm is just perfect for small intimate weddings or showers. And talk about beautiful! How could you not be inspired by these beautiful blooms?

At Farmhouse Fête, we pride ourselves on being able to turn any field, yard, barn, or room into a magazine-worthy event. The pictures in this post show both smaller decor items we carry in the shop, and also larger rentable items that bring structure and visual interest to any space.

Imagine your guests being greeted by our beautiful wooden farm tables and using our large wooden frame as a backdrop for a sweetheart table or guest book display. We can also create custom back drops based on your ideas and theme.

The possibilities are endless with our collection of tiered trays, cake stands, glassware, and votives. We love how our simple burlap runner adds a nice touch to the gorgeous wooden table without stealing the show. We have runners available in a wide variety of fabrics and colors to suit your event.

Our iron trees come in various sizes, and can be used a million different ways! We especially like hanging votive holders or using them to hang notes for an alternative guest book option.

A few lavender touches in the cupcake wrappers and tied around the flatware were simple yet elegant.

Thanks for checking out our styled shoot. Please give us a call at 301-750-6790 or email info@farmhousefete.com for help in creating a beautiful shower or wedding day. Check out our Pinterest boards for more inspiration!

Top 5 Wedding Venues for WVU Grads

1. WVU Touchdown Terrace

2. Erickson Alumni Center

3. Stonewall Resort

4. Cooper's Rock

5. Chanteclaire Farm

Chanteclaire Farm

Amenities:

Style

Formality

Ideal Client

Policies

Anniversary Fête at Wisp Resort

Styled Shoot at Deep Creek Lavender Farm

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