2020 ROUND UP
Another year in the books means another year full of working with amazing couples and watching them pledge forever to their best friend at Hawthorne House. What a dream it is to bring each individual wedding’s vision to life and see the unique aspects each vision brings. A theme we saw weaved into each wedding was wanting to provide a wonderful guest experience. 95% of 2020 Hawthorne House weddings hosted both the ceremony and reception on property to alleviate guests from having to drive to different locations. A handful of couples provided transportation (most through our partner hotels!) so guests didn’t have to worry about driving. Cocktail tables were a very popular rental item so guests could mingle both during cocktail hour and throughout the evening. Although that was a common thread throughout 2020, there were many fun and unique aspects couples did to creatively show their personality on the wedding day!
Fun Food Ideas:
Brunch weddings: Buffets included chicken and waffle skewers and French toast casserole…I’m drooling just thinking about it!
Boozy milkshakes: Add these for a late night snack and your guests will NOT be disappointed. These amazing concoctions are created by Brancato’s and….you guys. They are topped with DONUTS.
Mini Chinese take out boxes for a late night snack: Talk about a great way to end the night! This was a simple addition from the couple’s caterer and is a fabulous way to serve your favorite date night meal if you want to keep your dinner meal selection more on the “standard” side.
Beverages upgrades/additions:
Lavender lemonade cocktail (with vodka): This delicious summer cocktail is made with lavender infused simple syrup that is pleasing to any palette AND is a super fun color!
Moscow Mule: Truly you can’t go wrong with this signature cocktail. You wouldn’t believe how many guests tell us they’ve never had one before and are so excited to get the chance to try it at the wedding!
Old Fashioned: For all you classy folks out there.
Dunkel as a special order for another local beer: We work closely with distributors and can source most local beers! This is a really fun and easy way to showcase your personality at your wedding plus it’s a great way to get your fiancé involved in the planning process :)
Champagne toast or Sparkling Grape Juice toast for nonalcoholic weddings: This was a HIT in 2020! A popular way to serve the toasts was preset at each place setting. A preset glass of champagne completes a place setting and looks fabulous in photos!
Morning beverages: Over 50% of couples took advantage of our morning beverage packages for both The Magnolia Room and The Bradford Room. All morning beverages are chilled and brought up the morning of the wedding to start your day the perfect way!
Outdoor bar: we had so many couples add an outdoor bar for cocktail hour, especially in the summer/fall months. This allows for two bars to be open at the same time and encourages guests to stay outside rather than sitting down at their dinner tables!
“Most Popular” Options at Hawthorne House
Ceremony location: Chapel! 69% of weddings in 2020 were hosted in the chapel
Head table location: 55% of couples chose the window nook
Beverage package: 44% of couples in 2020 chose Package Two
Favorite caterer: 60% used Brancato’s
How many couples had a coordinator: 75%!!!!
Rental item: 33% of couples in 2020 added on high top tables with a linen through Hawthorne House (table numbers came in a close second!)
Photo by Elizabeth LaDean Photography
Whether you’re currently planning your Hawthorne House wedding and want to know some of the “typical” options to kick start planning or you’re looking at venues and want to know what a Hawthorne House wedding looks like, these statistics and ideas are a great place to start! Every wedding is different and at Hawthorne House we embrace that. If there is a layout you’re dreaming up, a signature cocktail you saw on Pinterest or a late night snack you’d like to bring in send us a message through your Online Client Portal! Guidance can be provided throughout the planning process and layouts can start getting built as early as you’d like. We feel lucky to have had such wonderful #HitchedAtHawthorne couples in 2020 and can’t wait to see what fun ideas 2021 brings!
Happy planning from Hawthorne House!