Oh my, are you preparing to start looking for a venue for your event? Of course you are if you are here. First off, welcome to our blog. It’s a cozy little corner of the internet and we are just delighted you stopped by. We are very familiar with the stress planning an event can put on someone. So, we broke down the important bits to have set when searching for your venue to make life a little easier. And before you click away at the end, be sure to check out our amazing venues that are perfect for any event! Ok, let’s get to the fun stuff…
 
Know Your Guest List
You will need a pretty close estimate of how many guests will be attending your event. Capacity is going to be one of your top limiting factors when looking for a venue. Also, consider your guest’s needs like accessibility, areas for children to play (if invited), and separate seating areas away from the dance party or loudness. 
 
Chose A Date, or Two
You can quickly fall in love with a venue and be utterly heartbroken if it is not available on the date you want. If it’s possible to be flexible on the date, have a few to choose from. This is not always possible. Sometimes the date is set and it can not change. But that is no need to panic if the venue you want isn’t available. Just like there isn’t only one fish in the sea, there is definitely not just one event venue for you to chose from. There is a lot of them. Like a whole lot. With similar characteristics.
 
Set A Budget
Create a budget. You have seen all the wedding shows on tv and the one thing that gets out of hand faster than the bride’s attitude is the budget. Before you start touring spaces and getting all the details, set an ideal price of what you are comfortable spending on a venue. Also, ask if the venue has additional packages like tables, linens, chairs, place settings, catering, and setup. No matter what your budget is, any space can be transformed into whatever you heart desires with the right décor and lighting.
 
Take A Tour
You have an idea of your guest count, your date, and a budget. Now let’s get a starter list of places to see! Finding options can be a bit overwhelming when there are so many. Thank goodness for friends, especially the friends addicted to the internet. Delegate out some duties to your friends to find event venues for your guest count. Add their findings to your findings and start calling and arranging times for tours. Create a list of questions you want to ask and have them with you when you go.
 
There is a venue for every event and every budget. Armed with a little bit of research and the right questions you will have no problem finding exactly what you want. Gilreath Farms might even have what you are looking for. Check our event venues below and contact us at 865-219-2634 send us a message for more information!
 
Gilreath Farms Estate
Located along the winding Swanpond Creek, this historic dairy farm is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Knoxville, TN.  Beautiful scenery, water features, and rustic appeal will surround you and your guests.
 
Stables at Gilreath Farms
The Stables is located on the Gilreath Farms Estate.  Once a horse stable, it was purchased and renovated by Gilreath Farms in 2014.
 
Ponderosa Estate
​We are excited to announce the addition of our latest venue – Pond’erosa. Located at 7620 Hall Road in Knoxville TN. Our Pond’erosa venue has everything you could ever want as a setting for your event. Pond’erosa comes complete with two cabins, a large stocked pond, beautiful open fields, a rustic barn, and plenty of parking areas.

You have decided to hold an outdoor event and have your theme and décor all picked out and now it’s time to decide on catering. The options are quite endless and can be a bit overwhelming at first. We’re here to help. There is a lot to consider when it comes to catering an outdoor event, so let’s go over the basics to get you going and make the process as less stressful possible….
 
Consider the Season
We’re not going to go into the type of food available for the season, your caterer will have that covered. We are going to go over the extras you will need to consider.

                                                        For Winter
Believe it or not, you can have an outdoor event in the winter. Outdoor weddings (the ceremony not the reception) are quite lovely and plenty extras are provided for guests to keep them warm, even a few refreshments. With any refreshments you provide, you want to make sure they will stay warm enough to keep your guests comfortable. So, consider providing cups (with lids!) that will keep beverages warm and carafes that stay piping hot. A warm beverage, some extra blankets, and a selection of gloves are perfect little things that will make a huge difference.

                                                      For Fall/Spring
Fall and Spring are beautiful times of year to hold your event outside. Not too hot, not too cold, but just right. With the temperature not being a troublesome factor, it’s more what happens when the weather gets cool in fall and warm in spring – you know, all the things that fall out of trees and blow off roofs (leaves, sticks, acorns, pollen, just all the things). If you want to set up your catering near trees or a building, it’s best to have a tent set up or something to cover the food and drinks so falling debris won’t ruin anything. Once you have a solution to deter the falling things, it’s time to consider bug control.
There are a lot of options to keep the bugs at bay so you are not limited to those glowing bug zappers that are a bit of an eye sore. You have citronella candles, all those OFF insect repellent lamps and things, there are even essential oils you can use. Get your Pinterest on and check out some of the creative solutions people have come up with.

                                                        For Summer
‘Tis the season for outdoor events (hopefully in the evening as the sun goes down as well as the temperature). You have a lot to consider when planning your catering for a summer outdoor event. There is location, bugs, the heat, available water, type of containers for ice to keep food cool, what food will do well in the heat, the list goes on but you get the idea. Let’s tackle a main one that you might not think about – Location. Side note: bugs are also a main concern, but we went over that for Fall/Spring and it would be the same for Summer.
Location
Shade is the name of the game with this one. You really don’t want anything in direct sunlight. Kind of a given but needs to be said. A tent would be a great solution to shade your serving area, and with some decoration, be a lovely addition to your venue. There is also the natural route with using the shade from a tree, or use the limbs to hold up a canopy. Be sure to discuss food safety with your caterer and if you have pictures of your venue or an idea of where you want to set up, talk to your caterer and get their expert opinion. They might have a concern you would not have thought of.
 
Now of course there is a lot to consider when you have an outdoor catered event. We just went over some of the important decisions that are good to make before you get started. What tips do you have when it comes to serving delectable delights outdoors?
 
Check out the Estate and the Horse Farm at Gilreath Farms for your next event. Tents, tables, and chairs are available for rent.

                                  Contact us today to find out more!
 

2017 is going to be the year of colorful weddings filled with simple sweet touches that will forever be remembered by your guests. Wedding décor is going to be delicate touches of romance instead of a face punch of love. Some trends from 2016 will carry over, but thank goodness, some annoying trends are out the door (messy food, social media everything, multiple fonts, and crazy seating charts to name a few). Let’s check out some great trends to spark your creativity and make your own…
 
Color Me Happy
Color is not just trending for wedding dresses this year, but it will be big for décor. When we say color is going to be a trend, you might be thinking that color has always been a trend. Brides choose colors and use that to decorate their venue, but the color trend really takes it up a notch. Walls of color, brightly colorful bouquets and center pieces. This isn’t Steel Magnolia’s blush and bashful color, oh no. Many complementing colors that just dazzle your eyes, not make you want to find a blindfold and block it out.
 
No Pics Please Ceremony
Social media was all the rage for weddings, but now a romantic private moment is really trending. Brides and Grooms are opting for a more private affair for their ceremonies and requesting guests put away their phones as they say I Do. Now for the reception, it’s a different story. Personal hashtags won’t be going anywhere in 2017 so guests can snap and share their experience across all social platforms. Even disposable cameras are making a comeback for receptions so the pictures developed and kept forever.
 
Sky Décor
How do you add an unexpended ‘Wow’ factor to your wedding? Hang things from the ceiling, trees, beams, whatever is above that can hold something pretty, do it. Anything that would make guests look up and their jaws drop to the floor is going to be huge. There are a ton of DIY options out there to keep everything in budget. Hanging your decorations is a great way to really declutter your reception tables – things do get spilled and guests pick at the flowers leaving little bits all over the place to clean up. If you are trying to find a way to give your big day that extra something special, this trend is really the way to go.
 
Games Aren’t Just for Kids
A little secret – guests get bored, especially during that hour when all the pictures are getting done. Larger than life versions of games are a great way to keep your guests entertained and those good vibes flowing. Think giant Jenga, checkers, tic-tac-toe, and twister (because why not). Tail gate games are also super fun to have and are a sure fire way to keep everyone’s mind off waiting for the food. Little appetizers and drinks would be good to serve to help tie them all over.
 
The After Food, Food
Ever be at a wedding and after a few drinks need something to eat and all the food has been taken away. Talk about a heart-breaking experience! A big trend is the After Food, Food. Brides & Grooms are adding a late night course to the menus to keep their guests late night craving satisfied. A big thing to have fast food burgers & fries, or sandwich bars with tons of chips. If it is considered munchies, it is perfect for the after food, food. One of the best ideas ever!
 
Trends come and go and some get the luxury of sticking around for a long time. What is great about weddings is that they can be anything you want them to be. Every trend is customizable to fit your style and budget, so never think you can’t do something. Pinterest it up and make your dream wedding come true. Congratulations brides of 2017!

If you are looking for an outdoor, tent, or rustic wedding venue Gilreath Farms has exactly what you need. Contact Tine for more information on packages and pricing by calling 865-219-2634.