Archive for the ‘Maryland - Sunrooms’ Category

Are you planning a small wedding? Make it a gazebo wedding!

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

For those couples who prefer to keep their wedding intimate and relatively informal, an outdoor gazebo wedding is a great choice. A gazebo can be a wonderful attraction or backdrop to your special event. It makes a great alter to announce your vows and a romantic stage for the couple’s first dance.  But before the big day, there are a few things you must plan and prepare.

Plan #1: The bride and groom need to compile a guest list of attendees. This is something that should be done together. Neither the bride nor groom wants any unwanted surprise guests showing up, especially in such an intimate setting.  The bride and groom may also want to agree on how close the relatives have to be to get on the list or, how many people each person gets to invite.

Plan idea #2: If you are not hosting the gazebo wedding in your own back yard, you need to reserve a venue. The expected amount of people invited to the wedding is a good indication of how big the venue should be. Many public parks have been used to hold weddings; some parks already have large gazebos on the property. Gazebos can also be purchased or rented.    

Plan idea #3: Decided whether you will have just the ceremony outdoors or, if you will have the reception outdoors as well. Keeping the wedding in one location is generally the perfect way to stick to a small budget.

Plan idea #4: Have a backup plan in case the weather does not go as planned. Some ideas are renting a large tent that can hold all of your guests, and keep them out of the rain. Another idea is to reserve an indoor venue you can relocate to in case of disaster, such as a relative’s home close by.

Plan idea #5: Make sure to send out those invitations six to eight weeks before the big day. This should be enough time for family and friends to make arrangements to accompany you at this special event. For out of town guests, send the invitation eight to ten weeks in advance, allowing them to make travel arrangements.

Plan idea #6: Make arrangements for a sound system, band or DJ. If you do host your own music be sure to rent a microphone and stand for the ceremony and any guest speakers.

Plan idea #6: Make a list of the music you would like to hear at the wedding. If you are on a tight budget, you can compile a CD of songs to play on the sound system yourself. A thoughtful idea is to ask the out-of-age-range guest for a song or two that they would enjoy hearing that night. A special grandparent or great aunt would be delighted to hear something a little less loud or rebellious as today’s music can be.

Plan idea #7: Plan any additional items you will need during the ceremony and reception. This would include things such as, chairs, tables, linens, gift table, lighting, flowers, plates, cutlery, food and drinks.

Plan idea #8: Don’t forget those very important gazebo decorations! You can find out how to decorate your wedding gazebo in the article “How to decorate a gazebo for a wedding”.

Decorating your Gazebo for a wedding

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

It’s outdoor wedding season again! No matter if you are planning a gazebo inspired wedding outdoors; having a wedding in a park under a gazebo or hosting a wedding in your very own back yard, there are decorating ideas to add a splash of personal style or build on your wedding theme in a creative way.

Here are some ideas…

Ideas #1:  Light the pathway or stairs with luminaries or lanterns so the walk to the gazebo wedding is bright and easy to follow. If there are trees nearby you can also hang lanterns from the branches. This will create a larger and brighter space.

Idea #2: To enhance the beauty and simple elegance of your event, entwine plenty of twinkling white lights around the gazebo, using eave grip clips to fasten the lights down. You can hang the lights around the gazebo banisters, columns, rafters and roof. Then, wrap garland or flowers around the light strings. Be sure to watch for any fire hazards and read the safety precautions pamphlet.

Idea #3: Have your florist create a floral swag to pin up on the entryway of the gazebo.  Then place 2 large potted plants on either side of the swag to frame the door way. This will create an archway and frame for a grand entrance. You can also use grip clips to secure the swag onto the gazebo.

Ideas #4: Layers of tulle can help create a romantic setting and feeling of romance around the gazebo. Using grip clips or other standard fasteners, you can layer the tulle around the gazebo banisters, poles, railings, across the gazebo roof line and on the backs of seating chairs. The more tulle you use, the more of a grand feeling you will create. Use a little bit less if you are looking to create an understated, more conservative wedding.

Idea #5: Rose petals are always romantic and add a little bit of sweet, smelling colour to any situation. You can scatter petals on the floor of the gazebo or on the pathway to get there. Add flowers to the tables or just petals around your centre pieces for a sensual effect.

Gazebo Lighting

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Any gazebo space can be made to come alive at night with some fancy gazebo illumination! Not only that but you’ll be able to see your burgers burning on the grill 10 feet away and, see your companies faces only a chair away. Wouldn’t that be nice!

Gazebo lighting can be anything, from a string of lightbulbs draped around the gazebo, to a lantern to some candles. Of couse we all know the dangers of a lit flame burning inside a gazebo but, with proper precautions it can be done safely and effectively.

Of course the best choice in lighting is what suits your budget, your needs and enhances the space around you. There are many different styles of lighting today- different shapes, sizes, etc.

In general, most gazebo owners choose to opt into a general lighting, low-voltage lighting system. Low-voltage lights are safe, inexpensive, easy to install, and cosume less energy- which means energy and money savings for you.

Another great place to install lights in anywhere there are paths or walkways, danger zones like a pond or high traffic areas of your yard such as, the BBQ and table area.

If your not sure what kind of lights would best suit  your gazebo or yard just ask the installer for their oppinion. They have seen it all before and would probably be happy to give you some ideas.

Gazebo Newsletter?

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

How exciting would a Gazebo Newsletter be everyone?
“Very exciting” you say!!
Well…. that is the response we have had so far!
People (people that view our website) are really looking forward to a potentially up-and-coming “Gazebo Newsletter”, containing News, tips, gazebo information, company growth, promotions and more.

So based on our viewers request we have a discussion going on about building a newsletter template to fill mothly or quarterly (we are not sure yet) to send out to those interested gazebo lovers. A great idea too might be to have a forward button right on the newsletter allowing the reader to forward it to friends, family and those interested. This could be a hit as someone always knows someone who knows someone who wants a gazebo! And why wouldn’t you? Well…you would! So the right question actually is Why would you -want a gazebo? There are so many answers…so you tell me!!

Sunroom Gazebos

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Having a gazebo or sunroom in the backyard is an excellent way to enhance the appearance while providing you with a quiet place to sit and relax after a hard day at work. Gazebos and sunrooms are wonderful for barbecue parties, family gatherings, or simply sipping on a cup of coffee or glass of lemonade on a lazy day. To create a romantic setting, you could string miniature lights along the railing and roof of the gazebo and then spend time with someone special out under the stars. However, as with any investment, you want to make sure you choose the right type. Which is better, a gazebo or a sunroom? For that reason, consider the top three questions you should ask.

What gazebo and sunroom choices to I have for size?

Most gazebo and sunroom manufacturers make three specific sizes. First, you have the smaller size, which measures 7.5 x 6.5-feet, followed by the family size that is 11 x 9.5-feet, and finally, the grand size that is 18 x 15.5-feet. Now keep in mind that you can also buy plans to build your own or hire a professional to construct one that is custom made if you want a smaller or larger size. Now the advantage of a gazebo over a sunroom in this perspective is that a gazebo is more flexible in size and shape as it will not be attached to the house. With a sunroom, you will be limited to what size you can build and this may influence your decision between a gazebo and a sunroom.

Do I need to attached the gazebo or sunroom to my house?

This is another important question that you will have to answer. Do you like the idea of being able to walk out from your house strait into another enclosed area without having to go outside? This is the advantage of a sunroom over a gazebo. If it’s raining outside, you can still enjoy the outdoors without having to take one step outside. You can walk into your sunroom right from your house and not get wet, and also not deal with any of those pesky mosquitoes, and relax with the windows open and enjoy the soothing sound of the rain and fresh air. With gazebos, you will have to be exposed to the outdoor elements for a few feet, depending how far you build it from your house, before you can relax inside.

How much will the gazebo or sunroom cost?

And finally, what it usually comes down to is how much will it cost me? In the end, you will more than likely have a budget in mind and this may ultimately make your final decision. Gazebos tend to cost less than a sunroom. The major cost that drives up sunrooms over gazebos is the fact that it needs to be attached to a house. For that reason, you will need special foundations in place in order to properly attach the sunroom without causing any future problems to your house or the sunroom (shifting). Sunrooms also will cost more due to the nature of the amount of windows. This is the main feature of a sunroom; in being that it allows a lot of natural light in and also protects you from the wind and rain. Gazebos tend not to have windows and go more with screens, but if you want to spend the money, gazebos can have windows in place also.

So in conclusion, there are obvious advantages of one over the other. It comes down to personal needs and of course your budget. Answer the above three questions and you will have your answer as to if a gazebo or sunroom is meant for you.