Photo by Annie Timmons Photography, Florals by Jenny’s Projects, Linens & Table Settings by Party Reflections

We recently hosted our Wedding Open House here at The Colonnade at Revolution Mill. The participating vendors created a stunning Spring-themed showcase.

Nearly weds benefited from viewing the various room designs for insight into how they can decorate our space for their wedding day.

Here are a few reviews we received from our guests:

“What an awesome open house!”

“Tasting was great!”

“Today was very helpful by the way!!”

“Thank you again for hosting us this weekend! The space looked beautiful and made me so excited for our wedding!”

Have a look at some of the photos from the event. We can’t wait to host another and have more of our couples join in the fun!

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A highlight of our day was the food tasting by our in-house caterer, Pepper Moon Catering. Current clients as well as prospective couples had the opportunity to talk to our chefs while trying out the variety of dishes and tasting our house wines. We’re already getting lots of requests to add the featured chef action station “Jar-B-Q” to menus. It’s described as North Carolina in one bite! A mini mason jar is layered with NC cornbread, baked beans, pulled pork barbecue, coleslaw, barbecue sauce and topped with pickled okra.

Did you know?…. We offer 2 complimentary open house/tastings per year. The tasting menu is selected to include a range of items such as hors d’oeuvres, entrees and side dishes. The purpose of the menu tasting is to assure you of food quality, much in the way that once you have a good meal at a restaurant, you feel confident that even if you order a different meal next time, it will be wonderful! Our chefs will be on hand for you to chat about options. It’s delicious and a lot of fun to attend!

Photos by Annie Timmons Photography & The Nixons Photography

The Colonnade featured 3 different ceremony setup options. Although rain put a damper on the courtyard setup, thank goodness we have great indoor ceremony backup options! Guests were able to see the various draping and lighting options we can provide along with gorgeous linens and place settings.

Photos by Annie Timmons Photography & The Nixons Photography

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Featured Vendors:

A Touch of Southern Events
Annie Timmons Photography
Botanica Flowers and Gifts
Branded by Bernel
Bugatti Valet
Calligraphy by Carole
Events by Summer Joy
Party Reflections
Macarons by Aline
Friendly Neighborhood DJ
Edible Artistry

Rob Massengale Entertainment
Songbirds Consignments
The Nixons Photography
The Prettiest Pieces
Tre Bella
Triad Photo Booth
Rev on Call
Jenny's Projects
Eventful NC

Photo by Annie Timmons Photography

Join us next time to be inspired with different setup options in our flexible space.

Contact us to experience one of Greensboro’s most distinctive event venues!

Tours are available by appointment only.

Photo by Jennifer Strange Photography

We’ve noticed a trend recently with our couples planning shorter engagements. We could not be happier! While there are always pros and cons of both the longer engagement and shorter, we’re here to help you through the planning process no matter what you choose. Everyone knows that planning a wedding can be stressful and time-consuming. Some brides live for this phase of their engagement, while others may dread the very thought of it. Planning the wedding of your dreams in a few short weeks is not only possible; it can be enjoyable as well. We’re here to offer you some tips to help make it an easy and enjoyable process.

Photo by Alayna Kaye Photography, Paper details by Design by Laney

CHOOSE YOUR VENUE WISELY

When choosing your venue, there are a few key points you should keep in mind. This is especially true if you have a shorter engagement.

Photo by Griffin Davis Photo

• Choose a venue with inclusive services to save time sourcing additional vendors. For example, The Colonnade at Revolution Mill offers not only a gorgeous space, but also offers chairs, linens, rentals and food & beverage service by Pepper Moon Catering — all in one effort. It’s also helpful to choose a venue that offers vendor recommendations.

• Make sure to check the reviews of a venue before you book. Mistakes can be made if you book a venue too hastily. Reading the reviews of past couples can be a great way to get a feel for the venue.

  Read more of Revolution Mill reviews on the site here.

"What an awesome experience we had at Revolution Mill Events for our daughter and now son-in-laws wedding. From the first day we met with Jaime we knew this was a perfect place to host this wedding that our daughter had always dreamed of. The venue, the staff and Pepper Moon Catering was right on point on every little detail. We are still hearing great things from the guests about the entire evening. The food prepared by Pepper Moon was a HUGE hit. Thank you again Jaime, Revolution Mills, Pepper Moon Catering and the entire staff!!!!" 

- GENA, MOTHER OF THE BRIDE

ASK FOR HELP

There is no shame in asking for help. Your friends and family are there for you and are excited about your upcoming nuptials as well! Let them give you a hand.

BE REALISTIC IN YOUR PLANNING

Yes, you can plan a stunning wedding in a short time, but it’s also important to be realistic in knowing you may not be planning an event equal to The Royal Wedding. There is something beautiful and even elegant about simplicity. Use that knowledge while mapping out your wedding day details.

INVITE YOUR GUESTS

While nothing beats a gorgeous invitation suite, Evites are a great option to efficiently invite your friends and family to your wedding in a time crunch! Evites are easily customizable to your wedding theme and are quick, easy and delivered directly to your guests’ inboxes. You’ll receive responses faster and email is a great way to get in touch with people. 

CONSIDER DECOR

Will you need to decorate your venue a lot or a little? Is the space stunning by itself? Adding small touches to spruce the space up just enough to show your personality and style is what you want when planning a wedding in a short time.

Photo by Alayna Kaye Photography, Design by Carly Marie Events, Flowers by Tre Bella, Rentals by Partymakers Event Rental

With extensive experience in planning and executing Triad weddings, Revolution Mill Events is uniquely equipped to help you express your wedding vision. Whether you envision a celebration that is traditional or trend-setting, have a short or a long engagement, we will work closely together to create a wedding day that reflects your personalities and delights your guests.

Photo by Alayna Kaye Photography, Dress and flowers by Tre Bella, Hair/Makeup by Face Forward

You CAN plan a wedding in one month and we are here to help! Only a few open dates remain for our March 2019 special:
15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 and 31.

✔️Elegant, industrial chic event space 
✔️Tables, chairs, and linens are included
✔️In house catering services and trusted vendor referrals

Learn more about our packages and rates >>> 
VIEW OUR WEDDING GUIDE

Contact us to experience one of Greensboro’s most distinctive event venues!

Missy and Aaron were married on August 25, 2018 at The Colonnade at Revolution Mill. It was a gorgeous, sunny day in Greensboro, and everything perfectly captured their love story.

The Backstory

“We met at Northern Elementary School on my first day to work in ACES. A month later, he asked for my BBM (for Blackberry phones) to start talking to me. We texted each other every day all day long. He would constantly keep me laughing and keep a smile on my face. Later on, we started dating (for 7 years), and then he finally popped the question. I coach two cheerleading teams so he got my JV & a few of Varsity to come to my middle school cheer practice and do this awesome cheer to lead up to the proposal. After the cheer was finished, they told me to meet him at the place we first met (the Elementary School). So I drove to the school immediately after my middle school practice because I was so excited for what was about to happen. Once I got there, my old ACES boss gave me my first clue. He had planned a scavenger hunt around the school of memorable moments we had together in ACES. At the very last clue, I came outside to see him standing there, then got down on his knee and proposed. To say the least, I was very excited, and am still very excited!”

— Missy, Bride

The Vendors

What did the couple have to say about their vendors? “Jordan Tickle was our photographer, he was amazing as always! FLORA did a perfect job with all the flowers! Cool Receptions is the best DJ around!” - Missy & Aaron, Bride & Groom

Day-of Coordinator: Savina Ceremony/Reception Music & Photobooth: DJ Lil’Vegas + Lynx Legacy
Florist: FLORA Fine Wedding + Event Flowers Photographer: Jordan Tickle Photography
Cake/Dessert: Easy Peasy Videographer: Stacy Green

“Aaron told us who his favorite DJ was and the only DJ he wanted was DJ Lil’Vegas, so we made sure that Vegas knew this wedding party was going to party!” - Cool R Receptions

“And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for awhile, cause you’re amazing, just the way you are.” ~Bruno Mars (Just The Way You Are)

Food and Drink

The guests sipped cocktail hour drinks while enjoying a cheese display garnished with fresh fruit alongside assorted crackers.

Dinner began with a classic Caesar salad. Then guests savored a buffet of grilled Italian chicken; sage-rubbed pepper pork loin served with stone fruit and smoked bacon sauce; fresh green beans; and zucchini, yellow squash and onion mix.

The menu was completed with Pepper Moon’s famous smashed potato bar. Missy said it was “the best!”.

Décor & Planning

The couple chose black, burgundy, gold, dark purple and lavender as the colors for their indoor ceremony and reception. They made their own centerpieces by spray painting wine bottles gold to put flowers in.

Missy’s advice to new bride’s? — “Don’t worry about the guests, it’s YOUR wedding, just the two of you. If they love you enough they will make it to your wedding. Don’t plan stuff around them.”

The Venue

Missy said she loved the “warehouse feels” that The Colonnade has and wanted that for her wedding. She also appreciated the fact that we “were always fast to answer any questions” the couple had.

It was an honor to be a part of Missy and Aaron’s love story! We can't wait to show you how The Colonnade in Greensboro can be customized for your wedding day! Contact us to chat.

Photo by Gabriel Van Heyking Photo

We are officially in the full swing of engagement season! This is such a fun and exciting time of year where we get to show our venue to couples and hear about their dream wedding.

We understand that choosing your wedding venue is one of the most important decisions you will make during your planning process. Our staff at The Colonnade at Revolution Mill are seasoned wedding pros and want to help you make the best decision. We enjoy sharing our event knowledge and answering all your questions during a visit. As you prepare for your venue tours, consider these tips to help you get the most out of your visits:

DO PREPARE IN ADVANCE

How often have you gone to the grocery store and forgotten your list? You don’t remember what to buy, do you? The same can go for this type of situation. Prepare a list of your most important questions to bring with you during your tour. You won’t be caught off guard or draw a blank when it comes time to ask the questions that mean the most to you and your special day. The Knot has a great list of questions to start you off.

Photo by Jodi Gray Photography

DON’T OVERCROWD YOURSELF

Yes, it’s important to get your loved ones input on your big day. But when touring a venue, having too many people (and their opinions!) can put a damper on your excitement. Instead, take photos and jot down some notes to share with your friends and family later.

DO CHECK BEHIND THE SCENES

Don’t forget to check the restrooms, dressing suites, parking area and other often over-looked points of the venue.

DO ASK ABOUT RESTRICTIONS

Ask about any venue restrictions. Can you bring in outside alcohol? What outside vendors are permitted? Do you have have to leave by a specific time? Are there decor restrictions?

DO CHECK OUT THE HYPE

Before you go on your tour, read up on any reviews. Make a note of any potential issues, and ask the venue their thoughts.

DO PAY ATTENTION TO PARKING OPTIONS

Will there be enough parking space for your guests? What if it rains - will the parking area get messy? Is there an area to drop off and pick up guests with special accessibility needs?

Photo by Jamie Blow Photography

DON’T OVERDO IT

Of course you’re excited to begin planning and you want to check out every available option! Keep in mind how much time each venue tour may take and factor in travel time in between each space. .

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Finding your wedding venue shouldn’t be stressful. If you follow these tips to help ease some of the pressure and enjoy the process. Our Wedding Guide is your all inclusive guide to selecting and planning your wedding at The Colonnade! Be sure to check it out.

Contact us to set up your visit.

Every year, we begin to see new trends emerge as couples look for fresh and innovative touches to make their wedding day unique. Over the past few years, some of the biggest trends we’ve noticed are geometric shapes, personalized food selections, and rustic tablescapes. 

As we move into 2019, we’re looking forward to seeing how brides reinterpret trends to fit their tastes and styles. Here’s the top 10 trends we already see emerging in the Triad: 

Brunch Weddings

Photo by Aesthetic Images

A brunch wedding can offer a fresh and fun feeling, without compromising sophistication. In addition to potential cost savings, a brunch wedding offers additional flexibility for the rest of your wedding day, not to mention a lot of fun food options. Think about it -- after having an early ceremony and brunch, you and your guests will still have hours to party and celebrate! 

Greenery

From centerpieces to bouquets, we’ve seen a huge increase in brides who utilize succulents, vines, ferns, and ivy. We’re also starting to see more greenery used as a backdrop for a couple’s vows – think lush arches and walls of foliage. 

Photo by Jamie Blow

NON traditional desserts

While many newlyweds still want to cut the cake, more couples are opting for alternatives to the large, traditional wedding cake. Macaroons, donuts, pies, brownie bars and cupcakes are popular options – and they all have the added bonus that they are easy to serve. Smaller desserts also allow for more flavor options, ensuring every guest will find a sweet treat they enjoy. 

Jewel Tones

Rich, moody jewel tones are back in a big way this year and not just for fall weddings. After a few years of muted and pale colors reigning, rich dark jewel tones are taking hold as 2019’s preferred palette. 

Velvet

We’ve been seeing this trend every where we turn – from velvet t-shirts and dresses to throw pillows. Now the trend is hitting the wedding scene, with couples opting for velvet table cloths and décor accents. Velvet’s rich texture is perfect for fall and winter wedding décor. 

Lavender 

We’ve seen a lot of blush over the past two years, but as 2019 approaches, we’re beginning to see a move toward dusty lavenders and purples. These muted shades of purple are versatile and can work well for any season. 

Minimalist wedding dresses 

The Meghan Markle dress trend will continue to inspire looks in 2019, with brides opting for understated frocks with clean lines. 

Neon Signs

You’ve probably started seeing the neon signs popping up on Instagram and Pinterest – they often have cute sayings in a cursive font – well, now these chic signs are working their way into the wedding scene. They’re the perfect accent for behind the head table at the reception or for a photobooth backdrop! 

Photo Courtesy of Revolution Mill

Venues with heritage 

Out with the barn weddings and in with the reclaimed mills and industrial spaces. In 2019, we’re expecting to see a continued increase in couples who are opting for the unique look of a reclaimed venue. Mills and industrial spaces offer the same great textures of wood and metal you would get in a barn, but with a more modern feel. You can probably guess why this is easily our favorite trend of 2019! 

Food stations

More creative dining options have been on the rise lately, and we anticipate the trend to continue into 2019. Many couples are moving away from seated dinners in favor of action or food stations. A few of Pepper Moon Catering’s most popular food stations are the mashed potato martini bar, shrimp and grits station, and carving stations. 

Leave us a comment and tell us what your favorite trends of 2018 were! What are you looking forward to seeing more of in 2019? 

Whether you’re a vendor, newly married, or in the early stages of planning your wedding, we’d love to hear what you think! 

Married 9-22-2018 

“Our wedding day was full of so much joy! We wanted something simple but elegant and we truly feel like the day could not have gone better! We had a traditional Catholic mass at St Pius X Church in Greensboro, NC. It was extra special for us to get married here, as it is Claire's home church where she has received all her sacraments. The ceremony was beautiful and the music and readings were all hand picked by us! Our reception at Revolution Mill was an absolute blast and we could not have picked a better venue! We ended the night dancing with our closest family and friends.” 

 - Claire & Azer, Bride & Groom

The backstory 

“We met at the gym.  We both moved to Atlanta for work and routinely went to the gym around the same time each day (after work) and struck up a conversation and became friends. We started talking to each other each time we saw one another there and Azer finally asked me out on a date!”

The couple dated for a bit, and in 2017 Azer popped the question! When Claire’s annual family beach trip was cancelled for the first time ever, Azer planned a weekend getaway to Florida for the couple. Claire loves the beach, and when the couple was having cocktails on the balcony before dinner, Azer proposed. Claire says it was the perfect, intimate proposal. 

The planning process

Claire’s advice to new brides? “Delegate and take it a little at a time. Planning can be very overwhelming, but if you have reliable vendors and help from family/friends-it will go smoothly!” 

Make-up/Hair: Face Forward 

Florist: Botanica Flowers 

Dessert/Cake: Delicious Cakes 

Day-of-Coordinator: Kay Lentini

Photographer: Annie Timmons Photography 

Reception Music: Emerald Empire Band 

Décor

Claire and Azer didn’t have a particular theme, but the color scheme of navy and blush was consistent throughout their venue décor. 

Navy is one of Azer's favorite colors and blush is one of Claire's favorite colors – and they ended up making the perfect color combination for an early fall wedding. 

One of the most unique elements of the couple’s décor was a special tribute table that featured photos of Claire’s mother and grandmothers on a table alongside a portrait of Claire. 

Food and drink

The couple opted for a cocktail hour with passed appetizers that included caprese skewers, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, and spaghetti meatball skewers. The couple said the spaghetti and meatball appetizer was their favorite thing of the night!

Guests started off their meal with a baby spinach salad with strawberries, mandarin oranges, goat cheese, and almonds in a blood orange vinaigrette. A dinner buffet gave guests the option of bourbon and pecan coated chicken or marinated grilled flank steak along with a variety of accompaniments. Everyone enjoyed wedding and groom’s cake to finish their meal!

Venue

 “Jaime and her staff were absolutely amazing! She was so organized and scheduled meetings with us leading up to the wedding to review the timeline. We felt so comfortable with her and her team and were confident that everything would go smoothly-and it definitely did!” 

-       Claire, Bride

Claire said that after attending The Colonnade’s open house, they fell in love with the space. It fit their style perfectly and the large windows took their breath away. They loved the idea of letting in so much natural light, and knew the space would make a gorgeous backdrop for photos.

We had so much fun working with this couple -- we can't wait to chat with you about how The Colonnade can be customized for your wedding day! Contact us today.

About the event 

The Music Academy of North Carolina's Lessons for Life Gala fundraiser raises money for The Music Academy. The proceeds from the benefit go toward building a strong financial foundation, expanding the organization’s programs, and ensuring a stable future. 

Contributions enable them to maintain high-quality, affordable lessons, and increase access to music education. 

This year’s event was hosted on September 28, 2018. It was a wonderful Friday night that featured performances by students, faculty, alums, and friends of the Academy. 

The planning process

We were delighted to host the gala for the third time, which made for a smooth planning process. “The customer service is terrific.  I always receive a quick response when I have a question. Jaime in particular is a pleasure to work with.” – Stephanie, Associate Director

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Food and drink

The event featured heavy hors d’oeuvres so guests could enjoy a bite of food and a glass of wine while listening to performances or browsing the silent auction. Passed hors d’oeuvres included a gruyere tart; cheddar biscuits filled with Virginia ham, granny smith apples, and honey mustard; smoked salmon rosettes on cucumber wheels.   

There were four hors d’oeuvres stations located around The Colonnade. One station featured Torcia Formaggio, a hand-fired house mozzarella stuffed with Italian sausage and basil atop fresh foccacia with warm marinara. Another was a delightful dessert station. The BBQ meatballs were highlighted by the attendees as a crowd favorite!

Venue

The Music Academy team was originally drawn to The Colonnade because of the industrial-meets-elegance atmosphere. They loved the exposed wood and iron beams.

For more 

Visit www.musicacademync.org or call 336-379-8748 to learn about The Music Academy’s lessons and programs.

If you are looking for a Greensboro event venue to host your next fundraiser, be sure to consider The Colonnade at Revolution Mill!

Aesthetic Images

Today we’re going to tackle the tricky subject of tipping wedding vendors. This is a topic we are asked about quite often as couples reach the final stages of planning. Here are some suggestions:

• While it is customary to tip some vendors, deciding to tip is a personal choice and shouldn’t feel like an obligation. It’s a kind and generous gesture to those who go above and beyond for your special day.

• Consider tipping vendors (whether they are owners of their company or employees) that are hands on at your wedding.

• The gratuity should go to the lead person (i.e. catering supervisor, band leader, etc.) to be disbursed to their team.

• Organize gratuity in cash envelopes prior to the wedding. Give these cash envelopes to your wedding coordinator or another responsible person to distribute according to your wishes.

• Allot room in your budget for gratuities. If your budget doesn’t allow cash tips, consider a small personal gift or a thank you note. Writing a glowing online review or offering to be a reference means a lot!
  

Vendor Categories

If you choose to extend gratuities to vendors as a “thank you!” for providing exceptional service, consider these suggestions to help you plan in advance.

PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER/WEDDING PLANNER/COORDINATOR/FLORIST

Suggested amount: Tips are generally not expected by these vendors, but are a great way to appreciate their hard work and attention to detail.
5-10% of fee or a personal gift.
$25-50+ per assistant, depending on their level of involvement.
When to tip: At the end of their service

Catering wait staff/chefs/Bartenders

Be sure to check your contract to see if a gratuity has already been added to avoid double-tipping or forgetting to give staff a tip, since it’s customary.

Keep in mind a “service charge” or “operational charge” is generally NOT considered a gratuity. This should be spelled out in your contract, but ask your catering manager if you’re not sure.

Suggested amount: 15-20% of food and beverage total or $20-$50 per staff member

When to tip: It’s best to give this tip (in cash that can be easily divided up) to the catering supervisor to distribute accordingly to servers, chefs and bartenders. It can be done at the end of the event or following dinner.

event manager/BANQUET MANAGER

Suggested amount: $50-$150
When to tip: At the end of the event

catering manager/Food & Beverage Director

Suggested amount: $50-150 or a personal gift
When to tip: At the end of the event

Jennifer Strange Photography

Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist

Suggested amount: This is one area tips are expected. Provide 15-20% of fee, just as you would for a normal hair appointment.
When to tip: After services are complete

LIVE Musicians/Band

Suggested amount: Sometimes this is included in your fee, so check your contract. $20-$50 per entertainer.
When to tip: At the end of the event

DJ

Suggested amount: $50-$100 is a nice gesture if they did a great job, especially if they had to move heavy equipment during the event.
When to tip: At the end of the event
 

Ashley Latham Photography

Officiants

Suggested amount: While it isn’t common to tip religious officiants, if you want to thank them you can make a donation to their organization or house of worship. A $75 to $100 donation would be appropriate. It’s also a nice gesture to invite them to stay as a guest for dinner.
When to tip: At the rehearsal or before
the ceremony

Delivery/setup STAFF

Suggested amount: $5-$20 for each person, depending on how much labor they provide.
When to tip: At the completion of delivery

SECURITY

Suggested amount: $20-$50 per person
When to tip: At the end of the event

TRANSPORTATION DRIVERS

Suggested amount: Check your contract, as gratuity may already be included here. Otherwise, $50-$100 per driver is appropriate.
When to tip: After services are complete

VALET/COAT CHECK

Suggested amount: $.50-$2 per guest. This total would be split among the workers.
When to tip: After services are complete

Gratuities are a great way to show your appreciation and let vendors know they’ve done an outstanding job on your wedding day.

It’s time to talk wedding budgets. To reduce wedding planning stress, it’s important to plan your budget in advance. You’ll want to make sure you and your fiancé are on the same page about what your top spending priorities are – and what you’ll be able to compromise on. 

In 2017, the average couple spent $33,391 on their wedding (excluding the honeymoon). Let’s start by seeing how the average budget breaks down: 

Source: The Knot

Allocating Funds

Typically, your reception will eat up the bulk of your budget. To avoid any surprises, you’ll want to plan accordingly and be sure to leave a rainy day fund for unexpected costs. 

• Stationery: 2–3%

• Wedding rings: 2–3%

• Parking and transportation: 2–3%

• Gifts: 2–3%

• Misc. costs: 8%

• Reception: 48–50%

• Ceremony: 2–3%

• Attire: 8–10%

• Flowers: 8–10%

• Entertainment/music: 8–10%

• Photography/videography: 10–12%

Photo Courtesy of Jodi Gray Photography.

Venue Cost:

One of the first things you’ll have to decide on is your wedding venue. There’s a myriad of options out there and you might consider everything from a barn to a ballroom – but no matter what you choose, this will most likely be the biggest line item on your budget. 

The average venue costs $5,400 (source) and most couples spend between $2,700 to $10,500. 

Things to keep in mind: 

There are a number of factors that can impact your venue cost.  

• Date: One of the biggest things that can impact your venue cost is your wedding date. A Friday or Saturday wedding will typically cost more than an event that takes place during the week or on Sunday. If you’re looking to save, consider a Sunday brunch wedding! 

• Tone: The more formal, the more expensive. A formal wedding means creating an overall upscale vibe – and things like a seated meal, fancy band, and all out decor can quickly add up. 

• Guest count: At Revolution Mill Events we offer flat rate pricing for our venue for up to 200 guests. But keep in mind that you’ll be paying per person for catering so the more people you have the more you’ll be spending.

• Outside vendor fee: Many venues have approved vendor lists or will charge a fee if you hire a vendor outside of their approved list. At The Colonnade, Pepper Moon Catering is proud to offer seamless event management and exclusive catering. We require that all food (with the exception of cakes and specialty desserts), beverage, and equipment rentals must be secured through our team. However, contracted vendors are welcome to provide other goods and services without an additional fee. 

• Parking: Keep in mind that if you select a downtown venue or a venue with valet parking your guests (or you) may end up paying parking fees. Both of our venues offer ample free parking, including a large amount of handicap spots. 
  
  
  

Photo courtesy of Danielle Defayette Photography.

What equipment is included? 

When comparing venue costs, you’ll want to keep in mind what the venue rental fee includes. Does it include basic furniture, flatware or linens?  

77 percent of venues include tables and chairs, but this is something you’ll want to verify. 

At The Colonnade, our rental fees include standard tables, chairs and accessories. Every package includes: 

• (25) 60” Round Tables

• (3) 48” Round Tables

• (6) 6’ x 30” Tables

• (20) 8’ x 30” Tables

• (8) 30” Tall Cocktail Tables

• Podium

• Decorative Easel

• Banquet Chairs

• Base linen package

• Audio/visual equipment

Calculate your costs

Starting to panic about how much this is all going to cost? The Knot offers a free Wedding Budget Calculator to help make sure you’re allocating your funds to the right places. Check it out here. 

If you’re looking for more details on what The Colonnade includes with our rental, check out our Wedding Guide here.  

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While Florence prevented a handful of out of town family members from making it, Allyssa and Dustin still ended up having a fantastic day – Hurricane Florence and all. The couple even collected rain from their wedding day. They made the best of it, because they knew nothing was going to stop them from saying “I do.” 

The proposal

The couple got engaged on August 2, 2017. After a long day at work, they went to dinner at Village Tavern. 

“He seemed distracted with his phone while at dinner but I didn’t think anything of it. We stopped by Sheetz after dinner for him to pick up some beer... When we got home there was a dog crate in the living room and my dog was sniffing the crate. As soon as I realized there was a puppy in the crate, I lost it. I have a passion for dogs so I was beside myself. I dropped to my knees in tears and hugged our newest addition. When I finally turned around to look at Dustin he was holding a little box. He then got down on his knee and asked to marry me. To this day he still thinks I haven’t fully answered his proposal question because I was too excited about getting a puppy. He put the ring on my finger and the first thing I thought is we have to go show my parents. Dustin opened the front door and my family and our closest friends came running in with champagne. It was the greatest proposal. August 2nd, 2017 will forever be one of my favorite days.” 

The planning process

The couple’s biggest takeaway was that you should ALWAYS have an indoor option, especially during hurricane season! Luckily, Revolution Mill Events works with every couple to make sure they have a backup plan in place, just in case the worst case scenario happens. Preparing a thorough rain plan ahead of time ensures you’ll love every element of your day and won’t have to stress about little details day of.

We can’t thank each vendor enough for going above and beyond to make the couple’s wedding day great… even in adverse conditions! 

Hair Stylist: Blush and Bobbys 
Make-up: Alex Quate
Event Rentals: Party Reflections

Planner/Day of Coordinator: Relish Design Company
Photographer: Gabriel Van Heyking Photography 
DJ: Jason Barnes Marketing
Floral Designer: Blooms & Thistle

“Your wedding is about you and your significant other, no one else. It’s hard to remember that sometimes when trying to accommodate everyone’s needs. Even if things don’t go as planned on the big day, in the end you are married and that’s is all that matters! Enjoy every minute of it, it goes by quick!” – Allyssa, Bride

Décor

Allyssa and Dustin opted for a color scheme of purple, blush, gray, and gold. 

The décor featured several DIY elements, including a handful of personalized signs. Allyssa said she loved creating the personalized mirror signs, which included the welcome sign, bridal party, and seating chart. 

“I loved writing my own signs for the wedding and yes, I would do it again!” – Allyssa, Bride

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Food and drink

The wedding party enjoyed a cocktail hour with passed appetizers that included caprese skewers; cheddar biscuits filled with Virginia ham, granny smith apples, and honey mustard; and bacon-wrapped sweet potato. Multiple guests, including the bride, were vegetarian, so meatless cheddar biscuits were prepared for them. 

The dinner buffet included tossed garden salad, grilled chicken breast, oven roasted vegetables, smashed potatoes, and assorted rolls. The vegetarian entrée was a zucchini boat stuffed with chickpeas, Mediterranean vegetables, and balsamic glaze.

A family friend made the dessert buffet.  

Venue

The groom’s grandfather grew up in the Mill – and this special connection to The Colonnade made the couple’s decision about venue even easier.  

They were also drawn to the old industrial beauty of the space and the windows.  

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The following is a guest post written by Larry Martin of A & A Disc Jockey Service. For more on A & A, visit their website or call (336) 292-5446.

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Why have a timeline

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Photo by Jamie Blow Photography

A complete wedding timeline will cover everything from arrival of the vendors, pinning on boutonnieres, to what time linens will arrive. For our purposes, because it's the part of the day I'm involved in, I'm going to focus on the timeline for the celebration. 

You absolutely MUST know your objectives. A wedding celebration consists of a lot of moving pieces. Think of it like a jig saw puzzle. If you have no idea what it is supposed to look like once it's complete, then it is more difficult to put all the pieces together in the proper order. Find your vision for what you want it to look and feel like.

Ask yourself some questions about your dream celebration: 

• How do you want your guests to feel about your day? 

• What do you want them to say about your celebration as they drive home that night? 

• What are the most important memories you want to have when it is over? 

Once you have a clear idea of a destination or your goals, determining the correct path will be much easier!

In the southeast, most of the wedding receptions average about 4 hours in length. Roughly, they usually break down this way: Approximately an hour for cocktail hour, about an hour for the meal, and then that leaves 2 hours for several traditional activities (bouquet, garter, formal departure, etc.) and open dancing. This is usually enough time for everything you wish to do, however you can always add more time if you like.

Purpose of a Timeline

1. It establishes your goals for the event. 

2. It sets out YOUR priorities for your event. If you don’t set them, someone else will. 

3. It assures things that are important to you are done and not overlooked in the excitement of the moment. 

4. It allows you to set the tempo and mood for your celebration.

5. You can use it to arrange activities in a way that flows smoothly and tells your “love story”.

There are certain activities that must be established and demand specific time allotments, so those must be set first to build a logical time. Keep in mind that almost anything you include in your timeline can be planned for and worked around. Anything that happens that isn't in your timeline, simply puts you behind schedule and cuts into other activities. 

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Photo by Danielle Defayette Photography

The ceremony: What time does it start? Keep in mind that your prelude music should start approximately 30 minutes prior. How long is your ceremony? Ask your officiant because the denomination matters. Vendors will be asking you what time the reception begins. Calculate it: start time for ceremony + length of ceremony + travel time (if any) for guests to get from the ceremony to the reception = the start time for your reception. 

Photos: Unless they take the majority of your pictures before the ceremony, most photographers will need some time to take post wedding photos after the ceremony. How much depends on your photographer and you. Are the photographs one of your highest priorities? If so, you might want to allow a little more time to get a few more "creative" shots. Include that time in your timeline and you can plan other activities around it, but be aware of extremes. 

Food: One of the most important reasons to have a reasonably accurate timeline is for your food service. Food has a short window of optimal time to be served and your caterer wants your guests to get their food within that window to maximize their enjoyment of it. 

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Photo by Aura Marzouk Photography

Toasts: Want to know what a difficult job is for a bride? Try going to your dad (who may be paying for all of this) and telling him to please keep his welcome speech short. It is going to be a difficult conversation, but we did an event last year where the bride's dad (while guests were waiting to eat) spoke for 25 minutes, even as his daughter was running her finger across her throat, which is a sign that we thought was universally understood!

Weddings are emotional times and if any speaker gets on the microphone without a script or at least bullet points to keep them on topic, they could ramble on longer than you would like them to. Perhaps the easiest way to deal with this is to simply contact each person that is doing a toast and set some parameters, if you want to maintain control over your schedule for the night. 

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Photo by Jodi Gray Photography

Party Time: First, let me state, no MC or wedding director will let you leave the night without cutting your cake or doing your first dance if those things are on your schedule. The party time is one area where you have some flexibility. If you’re running ahead of schedule, you’ll have more time for you and your guests to dance and celebrate your union. If you are running behind schedule, then this is the area of the celebration that will have to be cut. Here’s where knowing your priorities will help. If you know that your family and friends aren’t big dancers, this is not a priority for you and time could be cut from that if you get behind. No matter which events during the night are most important or least, you must not allow yourself to get too far behind. 

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Photo by Aura Marzouk Photography

Your Ending Time: One of the most important times to get from your venue is the time by which everyone (including your vendors) must be off the premises. As an example, the average DJ will need at least a solid hour from the time they play your departure song to pack everything up and get off the premises. If you added extra lighting and other equipment or in the case of a band it could take longer. When doing your timeline allow for your vendors to pack up and get out. 

Summary:

It may sound like just another piece of paperwork you have to complete, but your timeline is your opportunity to take control of your celebration and make certain that your priorities are observed. There is an old saying: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." One of the reasons I've always put a premium on proper planning is that I am, at heart, a bit lazy. And I have found over the years that it takes much less energy to avoid a problem, than it does to fix one after it happens. If you have questions or need assistance as you tackle your personal timeline, feel free to call.

Nana Ama Quansah and Adil Inusah were married on August 4, 2018 -- a little over a year after their engagement.  After a church ceremony, the couple hosted their reception at The Colonnade. 

They describe the entire day as exactly what they wanted – simple, fun, and elegant.

“Our wedding day was fun, epic and magical! it was an amazing weekend full of simplicity, love and happiness. We both don’t like being the center of attention, so, we opted for a very intimate wedding with just close family at our church and a fun reception to celebrate with friends and family. Everyone had a great time. Just like what we wanted it to be and to my surprise, I enjoyed the wedding planning process.”
– Nana, Bride

The Planning Process

“All our vendors did an amazing job and treated our guests with love. Our DJ did a great job entertaining everyone throughout the whole night. Our florist stayed within budget and made great recommendations that made our vision come into reality. Our Emcee fully engaged the crowd and made it more fun. Last but not the least our photographer and videographer made sure no moments went uncaptured.” 

Florist: Botanica
Cake/Dessert: Maxie B’s
Music: DJ Lexis
Emcee/Lighting: Friendly Neighborhood DJ
Photographer: Micciche Photography

Favorite Moment

Nana’s favorite moment was getting to see her new husband dance! They didn’t get a chance to practice their entrance dance but it turned out to be the highlight of the night. It set the mood for the reception. 

Nana says, “We started with a slow traditional love song and then we had our friends and family join in with the second song as they threw money on us to show how happy they are for us.” 

Décor

While the couple didn’t have a specific theme or color scheme, they knew they were going for a romantic and sophisticated feel. “Elegant” was the word that echoed throughout their planning process. 

The wedding party was seated at two long tables which were adorned with a greenery garland and accented with pale blush and white flowers. Ivory linens, gold chiavari chairs and floating gold candles in different size cylindrical vases finished off the look. 

The round tables which seated the rest of the guests, featured centerpieces with floating candles, floral wreaths, and mixed greenery.

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Food and Drink

The couple’s favorite part of the meal were the mini crab cakes with a mustard seed remoulade that were served during the cocktail hour.

Pepper Moon Catering provided a dinner buffet of tossed garden salad, grilled chicken breast with parmesan cream, marinated grilled flank steak, oven roasted vegetables and smashed potatoes.

Venue 

The couple was drawn to The Colonnade because of both the pleasant staff and the architecture. They cited the enormous windows, bricks, and courtyard as influencing factors in their decision, saying that the courtyard makes for some amazing photos! 

“Words cannot express how amazing the staff was. Our wedding reception was the first big party we have had as individuals. Jaime was so responsive to emails and phone calls and always ready to give a recommendation when needed. I love that Jaime is detailed oriented!” - Nana, Bride

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As summer comes to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on a fabulous season of fun events! From weddings to corporate meetings and other fun occasions, we had the pleasure of hosting 32 events this summer.

We love seeing how each and every event gives our space a unique feel. From decor to setup, there’s no end to the creativity. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next Greensboro event, go no further than this recap of some of our biggest summer events!

June 19, 2018: Spectrum Reach

120 attendees received a company update from Spectrum Reach and training on how to effectively use data to reach new customers. We served a hot breakfast of eggs, bacon, home fries, our delicious biscuits + gravy, and fruit.

Photos Courtesy of Spectrum Reach.

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June 28, 2018: The Business Journal

More than 260 people gathered at The Colonnade on June 28th for Triad Business Journal's Best Places to Work awards! With a fun Hawaiian theme, guests enjoyed tropical treats and pulled pork sliders. One of the most popular dishes was dubbed "Floribbean Surf & Turf." It's a fun mix of margarita grilled chicken in tequila cream sauce over lobster and shrimp infused rice!

Photos Courtesy of Triad Business Journal.

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June 29, 2018: Snipes/Anderson Rehearsal Dinner

On June 29 Lauren and Will celebrated their upcoming nuptials with family and friends. They kicked the event off with a cocktail hour in the courtyard followed by a plated dinner. AM Rodeo entertained guests and everyone enjoyed a UNC themed cake from Sweet Meg’s. The couple dressed up The Colonnade with linens and floral arrangements (by Kari Sells) in a neutral color scheme of gray and soft green.

Photos Courtesy of Aura Marzouk.

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July 7, 2018: Whitfield/Edwards Ceremony and Reception

Carlie and Luke opted for a downstairs ceremony, followed by a dinner buffet. The buffet featured several gluten-free options, including a tossed garden salad, Jack Daniels pork loin, grilled vegetables, and roasted baby potatoes.

A dusty blue color scheme fit right in with the beautiful clear day they had!

Photos Courtesy of Jennifer Strange Photography.

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July 24, 2018: Leadership NC

Since 1995, Leadership North Carolina has provided cutting-edge programming to current and emerging leaders from across the state. Every summer LNC selects a class of engaged citizens to learn about issues related to government, economic development, health and human services, education, and the environment.

In July, Leadership NC alumni took a four day tour across the state. They stopped at Revolution Mill for a lunch presentation and a tour of the campus.

Photos Courtesy of Leadership North Carolina.

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July 25, 2018: Hooper Graduation Pictures

Did you know The Colonnade is available for rent by the hour for photo sessions? 

You can rent our space for engagement shoots, bridal portraits, or senior portraits! Prices start at $50/hour. 

Photos by Decoro Images.

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July 28, 2018: Boles/Millisor Ceremony and Reception

"Jaime and her staff at Revolution Mill were absolutely fantastic! My husband and I got engaged in January 2017 and booked our venue in February 2017. We were recently married on July 28, 2018. 

Throughout our one-and-a-half-year engagement, Jaime kept in touch with us, often checking in, and helped us plan our special day. She was friendly, hospitable, and kind from the moment we inquired about getting married at the Colonnade at Revolution Mill. 

As our engagement progressed, Jaime reminded us of items that needed to be complete, sent us our updated contract(s) as we made changes, and really focused on what was important to us on our wedding day.

She provided us with multiple opportunities to attend tastings and allowed us to walk through the venue closer to our big day to get a feel of how things would work. 

Jaime answered all of my emails immediately and was so easy to correspond with...Any time that Jaime saw an opportunity to help us save money, she shared it with us so that we could decide whether to pursue the suggestion. 

Our food was out of this world! We received so many compliments from our guests about our menu options. 

The staff was accommodating and made my husband and I feel like royalty on our wedding day. 

It truly doesn’t get any better than Revolution Mill. From start to finish, Jaime made the wedding planning process easy (and stress free)... Our ceremony set-up was everything we hoped it would be and I hope these photos provide a little glimpse of what an indoor ceremony at Revolution Mill is like." 

- Review by Britney Boles

Vendors: A Touch of Southern, Sedgefield Florist, Bake Me Happy, Rhino Weddings & Events, Minerva String Quartet, Point 200.

Photos Courtesy of Jodi Gray Photography.

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August 3, 2018: Campo/Davis Ceremony and Reception

Veronica and Maisson had a beautiful indoor ceremony. They were joined by their dog as they exchanged their vows. A beautiful double rainbow was spotted in the courtyard just before the ceremony (timing?!).

After the event, the couple left us a note saying: "Thank you so much Jaime, it was everything we wanted and more." 

Vendors: Jeffrey Surles, Delicious, Corda Entertainment, K2 Productions.

Photos Courtesy of Jamie Blow Photography.

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August 4, 2018: Quansah/Inusah Reception

Adil and Nana hosted their reception at The Colonnade on August 4, 2018! The couple had family attend from all over the U.S. and from as far as Ghana, their home country, to celebrate the special day.

Vendors: Maxie B’s, Botanica, Friendly Neighborhood DJ.

Photos Courtesy of Micciche Photography.

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August 5, 2018: Fuentes Photo Shoot

Late afternoon in the courtyard is a magical spot for a romantic photo session. Victor and Melody also celebrated her Vietnamese heritage by taking some traditional wear shots.

Photos Courtesy of Liz Grogan Photography.

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August 23, 2018: Progressive Business Media Event

This creative forum featured the Triad’s enduring legacy as a center for textile, furniture-making, and manufacturing. Designed to inspire, educate and entertain, the three day long event delivered five custom-designed educational experiences, as well as excursions to savor the best food and culture North Carolina has to offer. We were delighted to be a featured stop for the Designer Experience!

Guests arrived to The Colonnade at 5p to enjoy a cocktail hour featuring local wine and beer before sitting down to a three-course family style meal. Charcuterie boards, cheese platters, and caprese salad were followed by grilled salmon, oven roasted vegetables, and pasta alcantara. For dessert, a selection of petite fancy pastries was served.

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Once you’ve said “yes,” wedding day prep can become a bit of a whirlwind. All of a sudden you’re faced with a million small decisions – it’s not just picking the dress, it’s picking what kind of table cloths will be used, what time the ceremony will be, organizing a seating chart, and hiring a whole team to help you pull off your special day.  

To help you enjoy the build-up to your special day, we’ve pulled together four must-use wedding resources that can help you make it all happen… with minimal stress.

WeddingWire

WeddingWire is here to take the stress out of planning your big day – they have tools available for picking your wedding date, planning your seating chart, determining your budget, and managing vendors. 

They also have a huge database that lets you search vendors by location. You can browse for everything you need, including venues, photographers, officiants, bands, jewelers, wedding planners, and more. 

Need inspiration? Pinterest is not the only place -- you can get all the inspiration you need on Wedding Wire. You can browse dress styles, check out the user forum, or take advantage of their expansive blog. 

Website: www.weddingwire.com

The Knot

A popular alternative to WeddingWire, The Knot is another one-stop wedding planning shop. On one easy-to-use online hub, you can manage almost all your wedding needs including your:

• Registry

• Guest list

• Budget

• Wedding day timeline

• Vendors

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, The Knot even has a free quiz to help you define your wedding day style. After you take the quiz they’ll help guide you to the right vendors to make your vision a reality. 

Website: www.theknot.com

TriadWeddings

Looking to get more local? TriadWeddings is a premier wedding resource and planning guide in Greensboro. Browse local wedding resources or download their free local wedding guide. 

One of our favorite parts is The Real Weddings section, where you can browse photos of other area couple’s weddings. 

Website: www.triadweddings.com

Triad Bridal Association

Sometimes deciding which vendor to opt for can feel like a real stab in the dark. However, the Triad Bridal Association takes the guesswork out of picking a vendor. 

When you hire a Triad Bridal Association member, you will be working with one of the area’s top wedding professionals. Someone with plenty of experience, who is not learning on your wedding. All of the Members adhere to a Code of Ethics, and you’ll breathe easy knowing that you (and your wedding) are in good hands.

Revolution Mill Events and Pepper Moon Catering are proud members of the Triad Bridal Association!

They’ve also got a section dedicated to local wedding shows where you can even snag a discount on a future show!

Website: www.triadbridal.com

Other Resources

• Evernote: If you’re looking to stay organized, this app (available on desktop and mobile) will keep everything on track. You can make multiple notes/notebooks, add pictures, or set reminders for yourself.

• Google Docs: Check out all the tools available with your Google account! You can use Google Drive to store photos, Google Sheets to make spreadsheets of vendors, and even Google Forms to gather RSVPs. All of your files will be easily shareable and available on your mobile and desktop.
  

Our Resources

If you’ve narrowed down your venue to The Colonnade, we provide a free wedding guide to walk you through everything you need to know about our venue. You can get an idea of a typical timeline, find answers to frequently asked questions, and see what’s included with your rental. 

If you’re ready to start planning your reception food and drink, you can view Pepper Moon’s Catering menu HERE. 

Matt Farver and Susie Lewis tied the knot on May 12, 2018. It was an unexpectedly warm day, but that didn’t stop everything from going flawlessly! 

Matt says he was attracted to Susie from day one, and it only took a handful of dates for him to be sure that she was the one. He proposed on the family boat at Smith Mountain Lake on Labor Day 2017. He had champagne and a selfie stick hidden on the boat for the post-proposal festivities.

The couple enjoyed an outdoor ceremony at The Colonnade, followed by a buffet dinner and dancing. 

“Most everything was turn-key. Jaime was very easy to work with and very responsive to my emails along the way, which meant a lot.”

– Matt Farver, Groom

The Planning Process

Matt and Susie started planning shortly after their engagement. Matt attended another wedding at Revolution Mill and knew they wanted to consider it as an option for their big day. 

Their advice to other couples? “Just know something isn't going to go as planned. Be ready to roll with it once the big day gets here, and don't sweat the small stuff.” 

The couple highlighted both Amanda Ward, their wedding planner, and Scott Adams, their florist, as standout vendors who went above and beyond their expectations. 

Photographer: Ashley Latham Photo
Florist: Bob Adams Florist
Cake: Easy Peasy

Coordinator: A Touch of Southern
Ceremony music: Blue Sand Entertainment
Music: Simpsounds

Favorite Moment

The newlywed's favorite moment turned out to be their first dance! They did a customized routine to Stand By Me. After the first dance, they tore up the dance floor with their five bridesmaids and eight groomsmen. 

Décor

Matt and Susie opted for a color scheme of peach and ice blue. They based the palette off the groom’s favorite colors, orange and blue, but went with soft shades that were more fitting for a spring wedding.  
 

The couple opted for traditional white tablecloths, gold rimmed white china, and an assortment of floral centerpieces. 

Food and drink

The couple enjoyed a cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres that included mini sundried tomato biscuits stuffed with pimento cheese, mushroom caps, and jumbo shrimp wrapped with bacon.

The dinner buffet featured a caprese salad; prosciutto, basil, parmesan, and feta stuffed chicken; grilled vegetables; and the couple’s favorite dish: beef tenderloin medallions.

Venue

There were many things about The Colonnade that appealed to Susie and Matt, but most of all the were drawn to the courtyard. They loved the idea of being able to have their ceremony and reception in the same venue, and were drawn to the layout of The Colonnade’s interior. After seeing several square rooms, the unique shape of The Colonnade stood out to them as a perfect fit. 

Once you have your guest list, it’s time to figure out how and where to seat everyone. First, you’ll want to figure out what types of tables you’ll be using. 

Traditionally, round tables are a popular option. We also love the trend of mixing table shapes like rounds, squares and rectangles.  Between your ideas and our experience in designing within our event spaces, we’ll come up with the perfect layout to fit your vision. 

Here’s how many people we can fit at each table:

TO ASSIGN SEATS OR TABLES? 

We recommend for you to assign a place for guests to sit – either a table or specific chair. When guests first arrive, they are looking for direction. Minimizing confusion on where to sit creates a smoother event and welcoming environment for your guests. 

Guests can be assigned a specific table, where they will choose a seat, or they can be assigned a specific chair. Either approach will work well, you can decide what’s right for you.

SEATING CHART

Once your guest list and layout is finalized, it’s time to work on your seating  chart.  Unfortunately, this task must wait until close to the wedding after all the RSVPs have come in. 

We suggest working through this task with your partner and other decision makers, so you can talk through the potential issues of where to place each guest.

It's helpful to start by grouping people that already know each other - think tables of families, coworkers, and college friends. However, mixing in a few people that don’t know each other yet will keep things fun and get everyone making new friends. 

A few quick tips: 

• Group people who don’t know each other with those who are similar ages or have shared interests
• Try to balance male and female guests at each table
• Make sure not to put ex-partners together or people who you know don’t like each other
• Instead of having a leftover or “single” table, mix in guests who fit this category at the other tables
• Try to place elderly guests where they’ll have easy access to the restroom and away from the music speakers
   

SEATING CHARTS, PLACE CARDS, AND MORE

Once you’ve got your seating chart set up, you’ll want to make sure your guests know where they’ll be seated. If you have assigned guests to specific seats, you will need to create a seating chart, table numbers, and place cards. If you’ve assigned tables you can skip the place cards. 

We suggest a poster sized chart you can display near the entrance to the seating area. You can organize your seating chart by either alphabetical guest name or table. Depending on the size of your party, listing alphabetically makes it easier for people to find their names. 

You’ll want to make sure table numbers are easy to read and are prominently displayed on the table, but not so large they keep guests from being able to see each other across the table. 

LOOKING FOR SOME INSPIRATION? 

Check out this gallery of table set ups for ideas!

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The following article was written by Jaime Gilliam, Venue & Catering Manager for Revolution Mill Events, and was originally published in Triad Weddings in August 2018.

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Your wedding dinner is a celebration of the first meal shared as newlyweds and an expression of appreciation for your guests. Because of it’s significance and the variety of catering options available, you may find it challenging to decide what to serve for your reception.

Instead of worrying about the particular dishes to be served, begin with thinking about the style of meal you want. This decision will impact the structure of the reception and likely the food you choose, so it’s a great place to start. 

Let’s take a closer look at three key serving styles for wedding reception food: plated, buffet or hors d’oeuvres stations. 

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PLATED

TIP: Ask guests to initial their entrée selection on the RSVP card so you’ll know which entrée to indicate on their place card.

Guests are seated then served all courses by the catering staff. It’s common to offer salad, entrée and dessert (wedding cake or other) courses, but for more formal occasions you could consider additional courses along with wine pairing.

Plated meals are a good option for both intimate and formal gatherings. To provide more variety, you can offer several entrée options on your RSVP card or a dual entrée plate. 

A variation on the plated meal is family style, where platters of food are brought to the table and passed around by the guests. 

Considerations:

• Higher level of guest service
• Every guest will be able to eat at about the same time
• Reduced chance of spilled plates
• Guests can focus on conversations 
• Control over portion size so the food cost may be lower
• Some guests may feel underfed or not like the limited choices
• Tracking guest menu selections is necessary if offering multiple entrée options
• Takes longer for dinner service
• Generally the most expensive option due to the number of staff required for efficient service

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BUFFET

TIP: Talk to your caterer about their preferred plan for dismissing tables to help keep a smooth guest flow. They will work with your coordinator or DJ to efficiently move guests and prevent a long line.

A buffet is set in one central area and will display your food selections for guests to self-serve. There are many variations from casual BBQ to semi-formal. In the Triad, we have seen buffets as the traditional preference over the years.  

Considerations:

• Guests may select what they want to eat
• More menu item choices
• Guests can mingle in line
• No need for RSVP meal cards
• The most practical and cost effective way to serve a large crowd
• Fewer servers needed so you will save on staff costs
• No control over portions, however you could request buffet servers
• Guests must wait in line for their dinner
• Less elegant than plated table service
• Depending on guest count, some guests may finish eating before others have gone through the line
• Increased chance of spilled plates
• The food cost may be higher because a portion of each item will be provided for every guest

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HORS D’OEUVRES STATIONS

TIP: When selecting your stations, make sure your menu contains at least one protein, starch and vegetable to comprise a typical meal. Choose heartier items to fulfill guests during the dinner hour.

This style of service provides small plates of a variety of hors d’oeuvres spread out into multiple stations. Your guests will remember the fun interactive displays (think -  mashed potato bar, salad station or mac and cheese bar) and chefs cooking on site (think -  gourmet grilled cheese with soup shooters, carving station, fired ahi tuna or pulled pork tacos). 

Considerations:

• Trendy
• Exciting and entertaining for guests
• Promotes guest interaction and movement
• Can offer a large variety of menu items and flavors
• Don’t need to provide seating for all guests since this is cocktail party style
• With multiple stations, there will be less time waiting in line
• The cocktail party style may be too informal for some
• Depending on menu selections, it may not be as filling as dinner
• Multiple stations will take up more space than 1 buffet
• More expensive than a dinner buffet and may require more staff (i.e. station chefs)

If you are still struggling to figure out which service style would be best for your wedding reception, reflect on your vision for the big day. Your catering selections are the perfect place to express your unique personality. Consider the best option for your number of guests, those in attendance and your budget.  It’s an honor to create a memorable reception where you get to share a meal with all the people in your life that matter most!

Kendelle Cooper and Ryan Federico tied the knot on March 31, 2018. The couple opted for an indoor ceremony with a start time of 5pm. A soft ivory backdrop with an accent of burgundy framed the downstairs ceremony location. 

After the nuptials, the guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and buffet style dinner.

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"Jaime-

I wanted to take a brief moment to give you our greatest thanks and appreciation.  From day 1 of meeting with you, We were confident and comfortable.  You have been an absolute delight to work with.  Both you and Randy were inviting, accommodating, flexible, patient....I could go on and on with the level of our satisfaction in working with you.  There was not one single thing that comes to mind that we were not pleased with.  Kendelle and Ryan had the wedding of their dreams, our guests thought everything was amazing and beautiful, compliments were innumerable, and a great deal of that accomplishment belongs to you and your staff.   You are at the top of our recommendation list!

  

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you have done for us and with us to make our children's wedding experience the most memorable time of their lives.  

 

My Deep appreciation-

Tiffanee Grindle, Mother of the Bride"

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The Planning Process

Floral Arrangements & Decor: Sophisticated Florals by Stephanie
Catering: Pepper Moon Catering
Cake: Sweet Josephine’s

DJ & Entertainment Services: Mr. DJ Gary Hunt
Photographer: Danielle DeFayette Photography
Hair: Avanti Salon and Spa

Décor

Ryan and Kendelle chose a warm color scheme of burgundy, blush, champagne, and forest green. We worked together to design a custom reception layout with a long head table and mixed table shapes (rounds + squares), which added visual interest to the room setup.

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Food and drink

Ryan and Kendelle kicked off their cocktail hour with a cubed cheese and fresh fruit display. For dinner, they served a buffet of tossed garden salad, parmesan herb crusted chicken and chef-carved roast beef with au jus and horseradish cream sauce. Fresh green beans and smashed potatoes were served up on the side. 

The couple highlighted their Italian heritage with a selection of Italian petite pastries from Pepper Moon Catering. 

We love sharing photos of your ceremony or event! When you share on social be sure to tag #RevMillEvents or @RevMillEvents so we can share your pictures! 

Looking for wedding color scheme inspiration? Some colors never go out of style! 

To help you get inspired, we’ve pulled together four of our favorite color schemes – one for every season. Each time of year has it’s own feel that you’ll be able to incorporate into your signature cocktail, food, floral arrangements, and décor.  

When it comes to picking season appropriate colors, think about your venue and what will work in the space. Every year different colors are trending, but no matter what time of year you decide to get married, don’t be afraid to incorporate your favorite colors. 

Spring Inspiration

Spring is the perfect time for soft colors and muted tones. With flowers blooming, our courtyard looks better than ever – making it the perfect time to incorporate extra greenery and soft pinks. 

This scheme of soft pink, linen, and moss is one of our all-time favorites: 

Photo Credit: April Larson Photo

 

Summer Inspiration

Summer is the ideal time to get bold and adventurous! Fruity cocktails, sunflowers, and bright pops of color are all on the table for your summer soiree. 

Why pick one shade of pink when you can pick them all? We love this combination of blush, strawberry pink, coral, and rose:

Photo Credit: The NIXONS Photography

 

Fall Inspiration 

No need to make your bridesmaids wear orange -- think outside traditional autumn colors for your fall color scheme. Fall is the perfect time for warm lighting, cozy drinks and seasonal centerpieces with pinecones and leaves. And hey, we won’t judge if you want to incorporate a pumpkin spice cocktail!

Spicy and imperial, this color scheme combines rich eggplant and garnet for a lush feel:

Photo Credit: Amanda Sutton Photo 

 

Winter Inspiration

Winter is a great time for soft, dusty colors or deep rich tones. Candles, rustic wood, and a signature cocktail can help create a cozy feel for your big day. 

For an unexpected winter scheme, we love this dusty lilac, sage and rich purple scheme. The succulents and berries are an ideal way to keep your bouquet season appropriate: 

Photo Credit: The NIXONS Photography

Still feeling stumped? Play with one of these color scheme generators to help you come up with the perfect look: 

• Magnet Street Color Boutique
• Wedding Wire Palette Generator
• Coolors.co Color Scheme Generator

Curious how The Colonnade might work for your ceremony and reception? Our space is extremely flexible and we’re always happy to work together to customize the space, but there’s a few tried and true setups we’ve found work well for weddings of all sizes. 

Part of our expertise is knowing what will and won’t work for our space. We host well over 100 events a year, so we can help ensure that your creative ideas turn out to be a success! 

We’ve put together 3 graphics to help you visualize where your ceremony, dance floor, food, gifts, and cake can go in our space. To start, we suggest picking a dance floor location and building the rest of your layout from there.  
 

Step 1: Pick your dance floor

We have 3 popular options for dance floor placement. Tables can be placed around the dance floor in Option 1, allowing all your guests to watch as your family busts a move. 

Some couples enjoy how the dance floor is separate from the dining tables in Option 2, which is conducive to conversation for the non-dancers.

Of these three options, Option 3 allows for the most seating capacity, making room for tables across the main level to seat up to 200.

Keep in mind – we don’t lay down a separate dance floor, because our historic hardwoods work great as-is! Once you pick your dance floor spot, we’ll determine where the DJ and band setup should go. 
 

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Option 1

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Option 2

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Option 3

Step 2: Ceremony Location 

Before we nail down the rest of your reception details, we’ll want to figure out where your vows will take place. 

A courtyard ceremony is a popular option – depending on the season – and can seat up to 180 guests. 

Option 2 provides a wonderful decorating opportunity for a customized floral arch or drapery backdrop. This option can seat up to 130.

Option 3 offers great flexibility -- 72 guests can be seated on the lower level while additional guests can stand around the railing, giving them a great view of the ceremony. This setup highlights the textured brick and expansive windows for stellar photos. 

Depending on guest count, we can use Option 2 or 3 for an inclement weather plan.
 

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Option 1

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Option 2

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Option 3

Step 3: Everything else

Now that you have the two big decisions locked in, its time to determine the flow of guests and the placement of your food, gifts, and cake. 

While some folks opt for guests to arrive through the courtyard, most people utilize The Colonnade’s main entrance for guest arrival. Guests can set presents down on Gift Table Option 1 or 2 (as pictured below) as they arrive. You can also place a guest book table in the entryway or near the coat closet for easy access. 

Our main buffet area gives Pepper Moon Catering staff easy access to the kitchen and allows for guests to freely flow on both sides of the table, cutting down on serving time. Additional interactive food stations could be placed around the room to encrouage guests to mingle. 

Your cake can be highlighted in various locations. 
 

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No matter what your vision, we belive we can make The Colonnade work for your wedding! You bring the ideas and we’ll bring our knowledge of past events. Together, we’ll create the perfect ceremony and reception for you and your guests.