Top Wedding Trend: Ignore the Trends!

I had the privilege of being invited to a destination wedding a few short months ago. I have been to a LOT of weddings, and I was thinking back to this particular wedding wondering why I had SO much fun. Sure, it was in a fabulous location, and we were all itching to travel. That might have been part of the reason, but in retrospect, it was such a fun wedding because the bride and groom threw out the rulebook and tailored the weekend to fit their very unique personalities!

The wedding itself was so unapologetically about the couple. There was no wedding party! There was no pomp and circumstance! The vows were non traditional: The bride's vows were sentimental and sappy, while the groom's vows were silly and quirky. There was no first dance or bouquet toss but the cake cutting was theatrical and memorable and the toasts were funny and heartfelt. There was no formula and no one was rushing around to be somewhere or do something. It was relaxed, it was fun, and it was all about the the couple!

In these still-crazy times, it is more important than ever to focus on what is meaningful and personal. It is not the time to worry about having equal numbers of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Gone are the days of asking your mom's best friend's daughter's cousin to be in your wedding party. It is time to mix it up and pick your closest family and friends to share in your joy.

It is also time to skip the obligatory events that so many couples dread. Pick and choose the traditions that speak to you and incorporate the ones that you are truly excited about! Think a first look is silly and too much stress? Skip it! Think the bouquet toss is outdated? Skip it! Want to have your female best friend be your best "man?" Go for it! If you and your soon-to-be spouse are relaxed and having fun, everyone else will have the time of their lives! The #1 wedding trend for 2022 is having the wedding that YOU want!

Microweddings and Elopements are becoming the Rule and not the Exception

When we sat down to discuss ways to increase our microweddings and elopements back in January, we had no idea an actual pandemic would be changing the shape of the industry. 

Many brides and grooms were forced to cancel their large weddings because of Covid related lockdowns and travel restrictions.  Just thinking of planning an event where guests would be coming from afar or where older family members might be at increased risk, had many couples reevaluating their special day and opting for a much smaller event. What seemed like a Spring and Summer trend is now looking like a longer term shift.

The many microweddings and elopements we have witnessed this past year have varied greatly. Some are simple affairs that involve the couple, an officiant and a photographer.  Some are more elaborate, full blown celebrations, where the couple has decided to splurge on things that matter most to them.  Sometimes that means gorgeous floral design and gourmet catering.  Sometimes it is a celebrity wedding photographer. Sometimes it is a big city stylist and a couture wedding gown. Sometimes it is all of these things and no expense is spared for the lucky handful of invited guests. However the event unfolds, it is as special and unique as the couple involved.

At some point, the pandemic will be a distant memory, and time will tell if the shift toward microweddings is long lasting. Until then, we will continue to provide a blank canvas for our couples to design their perfect wedding day. We wish all of our couples a lifetime of happiness and will look forward to seeing them back at the Inn to celebrate their anniversaries!

Pop the Question in an Historic Barn

Thinking of doing something different than the typical “hide your engagement ring in the souffle” at a restaurant?  Read on to see how one couple spent a romatic dinner in our Barn!

"I really went into this with blind trust. Being from NYC my standards for accommodations are higher than most and my food ratings could seem brutal to some. The pictures of the Inn, in their site, were elegant and Lydia was on her game when I booked. I was trusting her! She shared with me that she was a chef and that if I wanted, she could provide, as an Inn guest, a special private Chef dining experience in the onsite barn!  This is where the trust really came in. She said she was a very good chef and could design a 3 course meal with me.  I'm thinking, alone in a barn with twinkly lights and crickets and a warm breeze, even if the meal was so so, I'd be happy anyway!

Upon our arrival it was clear that the Inn was even lovelier than on line, all the way down to the yummy sheets and toll house fresh made chocolate chip cookies!  My husband had no idea we were eating in the barn and even commented on how lovely it looked for the affair they must be hosting. When I ushered him in and asked him if he'd care to join me for dinner, his mouth dropped open. There was a printed menu with his name on it, the table was set with white cloth and silver and frankly it was like a wedding atmosphere. But, BUT!!! THE FOOD! This woman can cook!

We started with this fresh gorgeously presented salad with a hint of flower pedals, mind you, and an avocado vinaigrette...soooo delish '. She made us a roast beef that made me cry. Tender, cooked to perfection, all the right herbs, topped with crispy mushrooms and a side of roasted root veggies and potatoes. Yummy sounds were all that we could exchange. At one point I said, "are we in NY?".  We ended with two homemade personal apple pies topped with creamy vanilla ice cream, that were so, so ...SO freaking amazing.  At one point Lydia came out to clear the dishes and I actually gave her a standing ovation. I frankly didn't know how else to express my delight!

We danced by the light of the moon and the twinkle lights In a hand hewn barn like children. We slept like babies in the best bed and sheets ever, and had, as you can imagine, THE most yummiest breakfast of fresh ripe fruits with a dollop of yogurt and homemade granola (which I normally hate but since it some how tasted like crunchy apple pie, I ate it all), as well as these crazy creamy lightly herbed scrabbled eggs and, yes...AND, ricotta pancakes with blueberries and real maple syrup. Ridiculously good start to finish, AGAIN!

So, Run my friends, RUN to the "book now" button. I love this place, I love Lydia and we are now lifers. The actual owners of The Inn at Glencairn have done a spectacular job at renovating this wonderful old gem, but the glue that makes this Inn the go to place you want to be at, is Lydia! Her warmth( but not bff sugary), professional manor and true talent as a chef get this Inn it's 5 star rating! Someone made a great hire!"

The Microwedding Trend

Some couples dream of a large wedding, complete with ice sculptures and an over-sized guest list. Other couples dream of an intimate wedding, with only their closest confidants in attendance. Elopements, while seemingly spontaneous and romantic, can fall short of expectations, especially when you often have to settle for a stranger as your witness. Many couples crave the intimacy of an elopement, yet would prefer having a handful of their close family and friends present to share in their celebration. That’s where we come in.

The Inn at Glencairn specializes in microweddings. We define microweddings as a wedding ceremony with fewer than 25 guests, including the bride and groom. A microwedding can have all the trappings of a larger event, but the size, and therefore the expense, is much less. You can wear your fancy threads, carry a luscious bouquet, stand under a stunning arbor, and have that expensive cake. The only thing missing will be the over-sized guest list, and if you think about it, you might only want to talk to the people at the first three tables at that megawedding anyway!

Give us a call today at 609.497.1737 or visit us online at www.innatglencairn.com and let us customize a microwedding package for you!