Top Wedding Trends Which Are To Stay In 2021

We could never have predicted this year- the pandemic’s effect on the wedding and events industry has been enormous. As weeks of no events and lockdowns turned into months and rules on domestic celebrations varied from state to state, day by day, couples, event planners, designers, and vendors faced a plethora of obstacles. Sound guidance on what to expect while postponing your wedding and how and when to shop for a wedding dress became more challenging to manage. These unexpected developments and health issues have complicated preparations and influenced how we treat the joyous events that weddings are and were supposed to be. 

We’ve spent most of 2020 dreaming about small wedding patterns and how to host a wedding at home, but now we are thinking about what will happen once gatherings resume and we can gather and travel again safely. We are looking forward to 2021, representing a ray of hope at the end of the long road. The pandemic’s effect on weddings will continue this year, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Consider fewer visitors, smaller dinner parties, and a focus on the things that are in reach.

We are excited about the future. Hence, we at Ultima Functions bring you the top trends of 2021 on choosing your venue and activities related to your big day, keeping your loved ones’ safety in mind. 

LOCALLY SOURCED VENUES TOP THE CHARTS 

Before this year’s gatherings were cancelled, an admittedly late, heightened appreciation for sustainability was said to be a top theme in design for wedding venues in 2021. Although many activities were naturally more sustainable due to their smaller size, this year’s weddings were more locally-sourced than ever before, with vendors from the community helping organise the weddings in the backyards, gardens, and terraces. 

Weddings in 2021 are expected to continue this pattern, with much of the product-from food to beverage to floral-coming from as near home as possible, eliminating carbon emissions and promoting independent artisans businesses.

Although an all-in-one package may appear to be the most convenient option, couples realise that supporting small business and working with brands that resonate with their values is more critical than before. Getting married somewhere is now a dedication towards helping a local economy that has undoubtedly felt the impact of 2021, from sustainable farms to local vineyards, butchers, bakers, and more.

DESIGN YOUR WEDDING VENUE IN TECHNI-COLOUR THEME

Although all-white-themed weddings are timeless, the days of blush weddings and simple and pale colour palettes are long gone. Expect fresh bursts of colours, new palettes, print blending, and statement hues that haven’t been seen before at weddings in the new year will trend the charts. After all, we’ve spent the bulk of 2020 at home in our neutrals. Consider super-bright, vivid colours combined with fantastical decor fit for the parties you fantasise about while spending countless evenings cooking at home. 

The secret to this concept is that your entertaining ethos should feel familiar while daring to be unique at the same time. Bold splashes of colour are inherently decadent; after all, building a world for you and your family guests to enjoy for a single night is the definition of extravagant. Use your favourite colours in unexpected ways, keeping in mind stylistic wow factors like spectacular candlelight shows and surprising and delightful centrepieces. Bring your bold colour choice to the table in layers, including linens, glassware, china and more. After a year inside, we deserve laughter, smiles, and vibrancy at every turn at every event we may be attending in the upcoming year. 

ALL ABOUT WEDDING ATTIRE

2020 showed us that fashion is more pivotal than ever before, even if it isn’t just about clothing. As events evolve, shift and morph, next year’s small weddings and more significant events will depend on the wedding wardrobe’s flexibility and durability. Instead of concentrating only on the main ceremony gown, examine your whole wedding wardrobe and see if it all fits together. Choose things that you would want to wear more than once. Consider how an eye-catching reception gown could become the main look for a small ceremony in 2022 and how an after-party gown could become the look for a large-scale anniversary celebration. 

Consider how your wedding dinner and brunch can be used for civil ceremonies and small celebratory dinners that will follow. Prepare to dress anything differently if you intend on wearing it more than once; budget wisely and invest in looks you prefer. Consider ready-to-wear choices for a black-tie celebration in the future or someone else’s wedding in the future. In an unpredictable year, you can influence your fashion choices; make them work for you and any special events you have planned.

THE DESTINATIONS WILL COME TO YOU

We never dreamed about destination weddings before 2020, and we are still craving them now that travel is uncertain. Expect disruptive architecture to take centre stage in 2021 rather than experimental travel. 

Extraordinary design is simple, not a fad. Still, a couple’s favourite vacation spots may play a more significant role than ever in influencing the event’s look, feel, colour palette, and other aspects next year. The aim is to use destination-inspired experiences, tastes, textures, and colours to bring your original wedding destination, your dream honeymoon spot, or an experience you shared abroad or out of town into your home or an intimate affair.

Immerse your guests in menus, music, scents, blooms, and multisensory experiences from your favourite destinations in the world. While being at home whether you set up tropical arrangements that call to the lush greenery of Bali, deck tables with accents that remind you of your favourite meal in Provence or have Moroccan-inspired lounges with trays of plentiful fruits and candies.

CUSTOM COCKTAILS ON THE GO

 

One advantage of this wedding trend for 2021 is that it decreases the amount of wait time for guests. Your guests will be ecstatic to be able to order a canned Moscow Mule or a delectable pre-made cocktail at your party. Couples will build dedicated grab-and-go libation stations for guests in 2021 as pre-packaged beverage choices become more sophisticated. Inquire with your caterers from Ultima Functions about adding extras to your custom, ready-to-drink cocktails, such as a special show of fresh mint leaves, citrus slices, and even custom coasters to help your guests enjoy their drinks on the go.

VIRTUAL WEDDING VENUES

Whether it’s attending a Zoom hen party, sending e-invites, filming your engagement shoot remotely, live streaming your wedding day, viewing venues virtually, or attending virtual bridal appointments, technology will play a big role in weddings 2021. Wedding photography and videography will be more relevant than ever before, as couples opt for smaller weddings to share their special day with family and friends who are unable to attend.

SMALL SPEECHES

Although a good best man and maid of honour toast are always welcome, weddings in 2021 will be innately more intimate, ensuring that the majority of guests will be those having a close relationship with the couple. Several top wedding planners and vendors expect an increase in “small toasts” at weddings, in which guests are invited to share a small memory of the couple in the form of a dinner party. 

LIGHTING FROM A FAIRYTALE BACKDROP

When the sun sets, the lights come on, setting the stage and atmosphere for your evening, whether it’s an indoor or outdoor wedding reception. As a result, it’s no wonder that fairytale lightning is one of the year’s top wedding trends. In 2021, expect to see a slew of dreamy, one-of-a-kind statement lighting choices, from uncovered bulbs to festoon and string light installations to antique chandeliers and classic fairy lights. Mixed and matched.

DECORATED IN A VINTAGE STYLE

Vintage is back, but in a whole new way, so dust off your grandmother’s wedding china and dig out some embroidered floral napkins from the attic. Tables with granny-chic meets English-country-garden designs are catching your eye, and we’re here for it. Think classy china, ditsy floral tablecloths, embroidered ribbons, and antique glassware for a wedding that defies a sleek, modern aesthetic look. This one of a kind wedding style is also unafraid of colours but in a tasteful manner. 

AT-HOME WEDDINGS

More couples are opting to celebrate their nuptials at home in 2021, proving that home really is where the heart is. A wedding at home is a lovely choice, whether it’s your childhood home, where many family memories have already been made, or your own home, where new memories are being created.

THERE IS A PLETHORA OF FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE TO BE FOUND.

 

With huge bouquets and epic floral displays in 2021 weddings, there will certainly be an array of flowers and foliage, with a clear urge to bring the outside in and blur the distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces. Florists are seeing an increase in demand for colourful and exotic blooms like orchids and anthuriums in 2021, which is making wedding flower choices more interesting. 

LEANING TOWARDS CHANGE

Couples are leaning into these changes and embracing them as opportunities for creativity and innovation. Social distancing, masks, hand sanitisers, and small guest counts-with several new steps in place to keep their guests secure, couples are leaning into these changes and embracing them as opportunities for creativity and innovation. The possibilities are endless! Customised masks for the couples and their bridal party, individual hand sanitisers for keepsakes, and thoughtful signage ideas for smaller guests lists are just a few examples. 

ROAD TO NOSTALGIA

The custom of making family pictures together on the wedding day dates back several years. However, as we come to the end of a year that has centred on the value of those we love and have lost, we expect to see more subtle references towards family history sprinkled in each and every case. The long-standing trend of “something old” is gaining the new normal, from antique family china and candlesticks to donning heirloom jewellery and apparel. Filling an event’s design or a closet of all things fresh will expect the couples to integrate retro in an unexpected way. 

TO THE NEW NORMAL OF ENTERTAINMENT

As we reach the new year, dance floors may still be restricted for health protection, and social distancing reasons. No matter the size or scale of the event, it should be filled with love, joy, music, and entertainment. Couples will choose unusual ways to impress and delight their guests, such as massive bands that rival the number of guests on the guest list, DJs remixing your favourite songs, and alternative entertainment such as stand-up comedians, illusionists, aerialists, and other performers aimed at keeping guests amused while they remain comfortably seated. 

SMALL WEDDING CAKES THAT MAKE A BIG STATEMENT

 

Couples enjoy a part of the wedding that does not have to change at a time when certain customs must be altered to emphasise protection, and the wedding cake is one such tradition. With the popularity of small gatherings on the rise, brides and grooms who want to enjoy the traditional cake cutting experience can do so with smaller, but no less exquisite, one or two-tiered confections. 

WRAPPING UP

If you haven’t worked it out yet, wedding trends for 2021 are all an outcome of the pandemic’s reorientation of our goals. Registries and wedding presents would certainly change as a result of this new outlook. It was painfully clear this year that it’s not all about you, even as a bride and groom to be, it’s all about giving as we walk halfway down 2021.

Tips for Finding the Ideal Engagement Party Venues in Melbourne

 What do you think about beginnings? Why are they important and why are they considered so special? Do you remember your beginnings? or the end? We are sure you would only remember the beginnings if they were more than you expected and it left a special memory in your mind. Or are you someone who wished you had planned a beautiful beginning to just go back and remember it now in bad times and consider that you wish to plan the same and make it more special for your children or grandchildren? Well, you are at the right place then! We at Ultima Function Centre, have huge rooms that would help you fulfill your wish of dream engagement. 

How does the process work for the bookings and planning of your event?

1. Easy bookings

As soon as we receive your enquiry, the first thing we do is appoint a manager for you who would guide you through the entire process and solve all your queries. You need to just contact one person and all your work is done without worries about the function. The person will be solely responsible for your car parking queries, venue budgets, decor, food, guest lists etc. All you need to do is just sit down and enjoy your function to the fullest.

2. In-house food arrangements 

Food is by far the most important of any function and we cannot deny that fact at any cost. We at Ultima Function Center, have a facility of in-house catering to save you from unwanted cost as we know most caterers charge more for providing service to a different venue. We have solved this problem for you. You can just enjoy the best food and impress your guests. 

What are you waiting for? Just pick up your phone and book our engagement party venues at 03 9336 3344 or visit our website at https://ultimafunction.com.au/weddings/engagement-venues/.

What to Consider When Selecting Conference Venues in Melbourne?

 What to Consider When Selecting Conference Venues in Melbourne?

Businesses often organize conferences outside of the office. These help increase the market share, augment sales, train employees, impress clients and more. Hence, conferences are often super important. 

When planning such an event, you may want to hire the right one amongst the plethora of conference venues in Melbourne. For this, you may need to consider certain criteria. Below are a few things that will help you choose right. 

• Minimal Extra Cost

When it comes to choosing conference venues in Melbourne you need to take care of the budget. You don’t want to end up spending too much from your business earning. Therefore, you need to ensure that the space you choose doesn’t charge extra for facilities such as projectors, mike setup, catering and other such essentials. Do your research on these hidden costs before deciding. 

• Technological Capabilities

Any conference requires some technological equipment in place. While some may say that wifi, surround sound and projector facilities are available at most conference venues in Melbourne, you need to choose one that offers quality. Therefore, you need a wifi connection that is uninterrupted and an assurance that the technological equipment doesn’t fail you during the event. Checking this before you book your venue is vital. You also need to ensure that technical support is available when needed

• Good Service

Service is everything when it comes to your event. You need to select conference venues in Melbourne that offer unparalleled service. Someone needs to be available to attend to your needs and ensure no interruptions. This will keep you from stressing over people’s perception for your event and also take the burden off your shoulders. Good service is a necessity that will ensure that your event is successful. Moreover, if you have VIPs, they are bound to leave impressed.

• Catering Options

Another important factor that elevates your event is the food. You need fulfilling options that keep all your company associates satisfied. While some conference venues in Melbourne may offer sandwiches, these may not be enough and may make your event very basic. A venue that provides food as per your requirement can help you win half the battle. Minor discrepancies will also be ignored with good food. For this, you need to ask beforehand for catering options and then select a venue that fulfils your  expectations. 

Ultima Function is the best of all conference venues in Melbourne. We ensure the best service, catering and ambience. Enquire and book a tour at https://ultimafunction.com.au/corporate/conferences-seminars-venues/ or call 03 9336 3344

What are the Types of Wedding Catering in Melbourne?

 Hiring the best catering services in Melbourne to make your wedding a success is essential. The next step nonetheless is to select the type of wedding catering in Melbourne that you want to offer. These are explored below. 

Plated Sit-Down Style

The most formal type of wedding catering in Melbourne that is preferred by the majority of couples hiring catering services in Melbourne is a plated sit-down style meal. In this type of catering a pre-decided menu, commonly consisting of an appetizer, an entree and a dessert is served to the guests on their tables. Usually, a common appetizer in controlled portions is brought by a server to the table. Following this the guests are given entree options either at the venue or beforehand on their RSVPs. A common dessert is then served to everybody. This type of catering cuts down costs on food wastage and leads to beautifully presented dishes. The drawbacks are the high staffing cost and limited options.

A Buffet Spread

Another preferred type of wedding catering in Melbourne is a buffet style. Most catering services in Melbourne offer this option as it is easy to execute. This involves a long table with pre-prepared food kept in containers. A server traditionally remains behind the counter and helps serve food on your plate in a particular quantity. Easy to serve items make up the menu and the table is made accessible for multiple rounds of food for guests. The advantage is that there are more options and the guests can choose to get what they want as per personal preference. However, the food wastage is high and so are the costs.

Self Serve Counters

If you want to follow a theme and add creativity to your wedding catering, there is an innovative and economical method. Catering services in Melbourne provide self serve counters. These are cost effective due to the low staffing cost. This type of catering involves counters for different categories of food spread over the venue. Additionally, some live counters and DIY counters can also be set up. The food presentation on the counter can be made attractive. Self serve counters can present multiple options, are more affordable than a buffet and stimulate conversation. 

Family Style 

This style of wedding catering is inspired by family sit-down meals. It consists of a table shared by a few guests. The menu is brought in by the serves and dishes are served in shareable proportions on the table. The guests can then take as much as they want just like they do during meals with family at home. Catering services offer this to add a grounded and homely feel to your wedding. Couples prefer it due to the controlled food cost as well as the uniqueness. 

Cocktail Style 

At times, a couple may want a more casual wedding where conversing and socialising are the main agendas. In such a case they can enquire with catering services for a cocktail style catering. In this type of catering, servers go in rounds serving canapes, fritters and other such appetizers throughout the venue. In addition, this is a stand up reception and there are no or few seating arrangements. This is the most economical wedding catering option. 

Ultima Function Centre offers one of the best catering services in Melbourne. Enquire for our wedding catering at https://ultimafunction.com.au/catering/ or call 03 9336 3344

What To Consider While Choosing A Corporate Event Venue

 The location is a big piece of the planning puzzle, no matter the nature or size of your guest list. Your location will shape the experience of your participants and host all the other specifics of your case. Your location must be functional, cost-effective and appealing.  

Picking the right room can feel daunting because of all the factors involved. Follow these tips on how to select a venue for corporate events, and you will be on the right road to a smooth and unforgettable event.

Location Matters

You’ve probably considered this already. You may be searching for a location within a suitable distance from the homes or places of work of most attendants for a local event. If many participants come from outside the area, it would be helpful to have a location near the airport or their hotels. Don’t forget to consider traffic, transportation, and parking options in any situation.

If you want to reduce the potential for your guests to be late, send them a mobile app invite, which is common these days. Your attendees will feel relieved with GPS maps, driving directions, and parking/shuttle data at their fingertips. Maps with pins especially help a lot if the location is within a broad campus or institute. Interactive indoor maps can help attendants navigate easily for activities with exhibits, posters, or simultaneous sessions.

Parking

For several individuals, parking is a determining factor. They need to leave their car somewhere, but they’re not willing to give it up on the street or pay $50 for a spot a day.

Ideally, there should be some parking arrangements for your place, even if access requires an extra charge. Choose a location that has its own lot/garage or a location where parking space can be protected nearby if parking is necessary for your guests.

Some event coordinators have a valet service for guests in specific circumstances, even though the venue doesn’t. Valets ferry cars to nearby lots back and forth. (In general, this approach is only sufficient for events with large budgets.)

Capacity

For a few reasons, you’ll need to know the room size of the venues. Firstly, 500 people can not fit comfortably into space with a capacity of 250 people (if it is your intended event size). And second, there are codes for fire and safety that the venue needs to comply with.

What are the minimums for F&B? If your venue provides food and/or drinks and sets a minimum amount of food and drink expenditure (known as a minimum of F&B), ensure that the existing F&B records from previous events are in line with the minimum. If you estimate much more F&B spending than the venue wants, it means you’d be a good client for them. Negotiate whether if the spending exceeds a certain threshold, they will offer free service (e.g. Wi-Fi upgrade or A/V support) in return.

Amenities and Programs

Does the venue have a kitchen and will it provide the event with catering? If so, a venue will also waiver the facility fee and only charge a down payment for each attendee along with the cost of food. Those venues without kitchen facilities have a relationship with a food supplier you’re expected to use. Maybe you would like to check their food in advance. If it is not good enough, it may have a negative effect on the experiences of the participants.

So, either go to a place that serves great food or allows you to bring in food vendors from outside. Do you have tables, benches, and sheets for you to use? If a venue has these things, by using what they have, you can save a lot of money and effort, assuming it suits your theme and ambience.

Does it have a crew for setup/cleanup? If you have found a place that offers a team to set up and clean up, rejoice! This isn’t always the scenario. You’ll need to develop your event team or find volunteers if these resources aren’t available.

Has it got AV capabilities? Some venues have audio-visual equipment installed for you to use, and others would require you to carry it in yourself.

Design or Floor Plan of The Venue

While you will find your location early in the planning process of the event, you will also want to have a rough understanding of what kinds of activities you are going to do, the facilities you will need, and the needs of your team and the participants.

Get an illustrated floor plan of each venue when narrowing down your selection, and walk around your favourites at least once, make note of important items, such as where the outlets are and where AV equipment is or can be placed.

A few different elements of your event would be significantly influenced by the layout and floor plan:

Traffic flow- Think about how traffic flows through your event. For each case, the kind of flow you’ll like will be different. Where would be the areas of high traffic at the event? For registration? The doors of the auditorium? Keep this in mind when selecting your place, recognising this will also greatly influence how you set up the tables and decor.

Activities of the event If you want to have keynote speakers at your event, you’ll either need a stage or a leased stage venue. Are you going to need a demo area? Will there be a bar there?

The Ambiance

Within the place, pay particular attention to the current decor. What is the architectural theme, and what does the interior of the building convey? If you’re hosting a gala, you’re probably going to need different accommodation for the venue than you would for an expo. The less the environment suits your event’s ideal feeling (upscale, high tech, etc.), the more decorating you’ll need to do to compensate for it.

Accessibility

Accessibility refers to the possibility that the building and its facilities can be accessed by anyone, including those with special needs. You’ll need to understand who your attendees are and what their needs are before you can answer this question.

You will definitely know if kids will be at the venue, but you do not know if people with other special needs will be there. Reviewing recent events hosted by your organisation can give you a sense of this situation.

The Acoustics

Have you ever attended an event at such a noisy place that it was hard to hear others, causing your hearing to strain and lose your voice, all in one night? This is caused by poor acoustics. Acoustics accounts for how sound moves through the venue. A low ceiling will make the venue look comfortable, but if it’s crowded, it will make it louder. Alternatively, echoes, or what architects refer to as “reverberation,” will result in a large warehouse-style venue.

Event Date Cost and Flexibility

Being flexible with dates can be a perfect way to negotiate with venues on the event day. They may have open dates that they want to fill out on their calendar. You are more likely to get reduced rates by providing 2-3 date choices.

How to Choose a Place

It can take quite a bit of your time to find the correct venue for your case. Thankfully, to help you save time, there are a few shortcuts:

1. To inquire about locations that best fit your needs, contact the local Convention & Visitors Bureau in the area.

2. Find similar local events to yours on event listing websites, like 10 times, eventful, etc., and see where they host events.

3. Using an online tool like Peerspace, Unique Venues, EventUp, for example. To find the right one for you, they help you parse through the many venues.