SEND OFF IDEAS AT HAWTHORNE HOUSE
So you’re interested in a send off, huh? We don’t blame you. They are super fun and mega cute.
Oh, you wanna know what kind of send offs are approved at Hawthorne House?
WOW, we heart you. We really have the best couples getting #HitchedAtHawthorne.
Photo by Kymberly Janelle Photography
We never want to be seen as party poopers, but there are a few rules and regulations in place revolving around send offs because we do want to make sure our all wood building and 11 acres of landscaping look fabulous for the next couple saying, “I do!” Generally, these rules and regulations revolve around fire, which ultimately, is a no-go. You will see a few items listed out in your contract and you will also submit your send off plan in the questionnaire provided a few weeks before your final walk through to ensure you are able to fulfill your vision on the wedding day.
There are three opportunities to have a send off: after the ceremony, after the reception and after cocktail hour. Be sure to connect with your photographer if you want to snag documentation of the send off. If your photographer is contracted for eight hours they may not be there at the end of the reception so you’ll want to choose an earlier time!
After the ceremony
Post-ceremony send offs are the best IMO. All of your guests in attendance and able to partake in the festivities, you don’t have to worry about squeezing it in before your photographer leaves and you have more options since the sun is out! Simply place a basket at the gift table as guests enter the ceremony, whether that be in the chapel or outside at the gazebo, with a sign letting guests know what to do with the send off item. Another fun idea is to place the send off item on each chair- ribbon wands are great for this! See a few other neat ideas Hawthorne House couples have done for send offs after the ceremony:
● Bubbles
● Ribbon wands
● Bells
Photo by Lacey Rene Studios
After the reception
When building your timeline, keep in mind that it will take about 15 minutes after the DJ plays the last song to get guests to gather their personal items and head outside for the send off. The send off itself will last another 5-10 minutes! Assign someone to have your personal items from the suites packed and ready (this could be your coordinator if you choose to hire one) to go so your only responsibility is to wave goodbye and hop in your getaway car. We’ve seen a handful of fun ideas, but the list below are some of our favs for after the reception!
Photo by Alyssa Barletter Photography
● The items listed above!
● LED balloons
● Fiber optic wands
● Glow sticks (they have the thin little ones, or the large foam ones which are always a hit)
● Metallic ribbon wands (the flash will make these look fab!)
After cocktail hour
This send off would be completed by just your wedding party! This is a great way to get the send off documented if your photographer doesn’t stay until the end of the reception. Think of it as a faux-send off. Any of the send off items listed for after the ceremony or after the reception are great options! You can plan this with your photographer to be directly before the grand entrance if lighting is ideal, or you can do this during dancing if you’d rather have photos when it’s dark!
Not feeling like a send off is for you? No problem! Send offs happen at probably half of the weddings held at Hawthorne House. You can hang out to the end hugging guests as you leave or take the route of a good old fashioned Irish Exit, meaning you sneak away quietly. Whatever you decide, know that it will be the perfect end to the perfect day.
Happy Planning from Hawthorne House!