Your Vision, Our Expertise: Crafting Your Perfect Event Layout
Imagine your dream wedding day, or that big gala for your company. Every detail, from the placement of each chair to the flow of the room, contributing to a magical atmosphere. At Blue Vista, we understand that vision, and we’re here to bring it to life – whether you want to take the reins or leave the planning to us.
Your Style, Your Setup
Do you want to guide every choice in the setup, or would you prefer a trusted team to handle the details? We cater to both! Some couples love our "just do what you do best" approach, and we have plenty of stunning examples to share. But if you’re a planner at heart, we’ve got you covered.
Dive into the details with Prsimm.com (formerly AllSeated.com), a fantastic platform that allows you to design your layout virtually. Simply create an account, select Blue Vista as your venue, and start crafting your personalized floor plan. With our 60" round tables (seating 6-10 guests) and 8'x30" rectangular tables, the possibilities are endless. Don't hesitate to use our sample diagrams below as inspiration or start completely from scratch. And remember, we’re always here to offer expert advice on what works best!
Guest Count Considerations
Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, we’ll optimize our space to suit your needs. For smaller groups, we’ll spread out to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. For larger events, we’ll balance table placement with ample dance floor space. Ultimately, your preferences guide our planning. After all, you know your guests best!
Our Signature Layout
Our most popular setup places the head table against the stunning window wall, with the DJ stationed in a corner. The dance floor flows seamlessly from the head table, and guest seating fills the room’s center.
For especially large events, we recommend 10 chairs per table, accommodating around 36 tables – you're taking advantage of every square foot! Keep in mind, a full venue is a lively venue, and we embrace that energy.
Other Options
The possibilities are endless! If you have a few less tables, set tables around the outside walls to leave the entire center of the room as a giant dance floor!
Have a backdrop behind the head table? Slide it over to the wall furthest from the lake to avoid blocking the views.
If you have less than 100 guests, we have some innovative layouts to fully use the space. Check out this "caterpillar" table design!
Indoor Wedding Ceremonies: Flexibility and Elegance
While our outdoor ceremony space is a dream, we understand that weather can be unpredictable. That’s why our indoor space offers beautiful backup options. For a casual, "Oscars style" ceremony, guests can remain seated at their tables. Or, with a bit more planning, we can arrange traditional rows of chairs for a formal ceremony, followed by a seamless room flip for the reception.
The Blue Vista Room Flip: Seamless and Stress-Free
Worried about the room flip? Don’t be! We’ll pre-mark table placements on the floor, ensuring a smooth transition. In true Kansas spirit, we find guests are eager to lend a hand! Our team will guide the process, preventing any bottlenecks and ensuring a swift transformation as your guests provide the hands for moving furniture. Typically, the room flip takes just 10-15 minutesand that's without needing to send anyone outside.
Let's Create Your Dream Event
At Blue Vista, we’re dedicated to making your wedding day unforgettable. With flexible layout options, expert guidance, and a commitment to your vision, we’ll ensure your event flows seamlessly.
Ready to start planning your perfect layout? Contact us today to schedule a tour and discuss your vision!
How to plan a wedding FAST!
Tips for getting from “I will!” to “I DO!” in less than 6 months (without losing your mind!)
If you’re wondering how to plan a wedding quickly, we’re here to help! A beautiful celebration with your family and friends is totally doable in just 3 to 6 months. Stay focused, be flexible, and trust your gut. You’ve got this!
First Things First!
There are a lot of big decisions to make in the first month. Here’s where to start:
- Set a budget
Having a realistic spending plan will help you prioritize the things that matter most. For example, some couples prefer an elegant plated meal, while others are just as happy with a buffet. Saving money in one area may give you freedom to splurge on something else. We recommend talking with your future spouse and making a “top three” list together.
- Start your guest list
You don’t need every single name, but get a rough idea of how many people will be at your wedding. It will help while researching vendors. For example, Blue Vista can accommodate 70 guests in the Stone Lodge, 300+ in the Cedar Pavilion, and many more outdoors.
- Research & book a venue
A lot of venues book weddings a year in advance, so be sure you have several dates in mind before you start making calls. Consider a Friday evening or Sunday option if your preferred date isn’t available.
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UPGRADE SPECIAL
Right now, we’re offering a FREE UPGRADE to the next package level when you book & hold your wedding at Blue Vista before July 31, 2019. Treat yourself to something special, like an extra night’s stay in the Stone Lodge or done-for-you set up and tear down.
- Small Wedding Packages: https://bluevista.info/pages/small-wedding-packages
- Large Wedding Packages: https://bluevista.info/pages/large-wedding-packages
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- Book additional vendors
Your vendors will want to know the date and location of your wedding, so be sure to take care of those first! Then, work through this list:
- Caterer
- Photographer
- Videographer
- DJ/Entertainment
- Officiant
- Florist
- Cake Baker
Helpful Tip: Find a list of local vendors on our website. These are people we recommend because of the quality of services they offer and the character with which they treat others. Check it out: https://bluevista.info/pages/recommended-vendors-new
- Say YES to the dress
If you’re opting for a traditional wedding dress, you need to start looking right away. It often takes 6 to 9 months to order and fit a gown. However, there are some options that can save you time and money:
- Buy a dress off the rack and have a seamstress alter it.
- Select a brand that offers free rush shipping.
- Negotiate the price. Ask the bridal salon if they would throw in free shipping if you buy the dress today rather than come back.
If you’re open to the non-traditional route, consider a white bridesmaid dress or white prom dress. Browse the formal section at department stores like Nordstrom or Dillards or visit a vintage thrift shop.
Be Flexible.
Don’t stress if your preferred vendor isn’t available (or isn’t in the budget). With a little creativity, you can still have your dream wedding. Here are some fun, fresh ideas:
Cake
- Buy a simple grocery store sheet cake. Make it YOURS with a fun cake topper. (Check Etsy!) Add personality and a pop of color with fresh flowers.
- Enjoy a tiered platter of cake donuts from your favorite donut shop.
- Have a potluck dessert bar. Ask friends who love baking if they could make a couple pies or several dozen cookies. Or, invite every guest/household to bring their favorite dessert to share.
- No time for a custom design? Choose a print-at-home option. You can find boxes of blank invites at stores like Hobby Lobby or Staples.
- Order online from a company like VistaPrint or Minted. They have cute designs and normally ship within a week.
- Send electronic invites instead of mailing traditional ones. Ask people to RSVP by email. If you go this route, consider printing a few invites for special guests (like your grandparents) or people who aren’t as tech-savvy.
DJ
- Use our speakers and put your favorite playlist on a smartphone.
- Ask a friend to play DJ for the night. Encourage your guests to request their favorite tunes.
- Designate someone as a "Master of Ceremonies" if you would like to announce dinner, first dance, cake cutting, etc. Give them a schedule so they know what they're supposed to do and when.
Flowers
- Buy cut flowers in bulk from a warehouse like Costco or Sams Club and arrange them yourself.
- Know someone with a lovely garden? Ask if they would provide simple arrangements for your wedding day. Tie stems with twine or ribbon for rustic, laidback bouquets.
- Contact the horticulture club on campus and see if they offer a student discount.
Include Friends and Loved Ones
People are excited to celebrate with you! Give them an opportunity to use their talents and share your joy.
As tasks come to mind, write them down so that you don’t have to wrack your brain when people ask how they can help. Create a shared spreadsheet to keep track of who’s doing what.
- Invitation Party: Pop in a movie and crank out those hand-lettered envelopes with the help of your wedding party and besties.
- Centerpiece Party: You’ve been pinning DIY ideas forever. Bring them to life with the help of some artsy friends. You’ll have a blast and make memories in the process.
- Skill Share: Know someone who’s great at photography, floral arranging, cake decorating, or alterations? Ask if they would share their talent with you in lieu of a wedding gift. (Be sure to compensate them appropriately for their time.)
Practice Gratitude
You’ll probably feel overwhelmed at some point during the wedding planning process. Keep a gratitude list things that are going well. Be sure to write down sweet things about your future spouse, too!
When you’re feeling stressed, read through your gratitude list and think about the bliss that’s coming on your big day. You’ll be saying “I DO!” in no time!
Honoring Native Stone
One of the unique features of the land on which Blue Vista sits are the incredible displays of rock. A giant boulder line (we’re talking car-sized boulders!) part way down the hillside runs all the way around the property. Building on this soaring rock outcropping has required us to let the land determine where buildings and roads and ponds go. As the large earth moving machines have worked to shape the land, piles of limestone rubble in diverse colors and textures have been left in their wake.
We felt this history beneath our feet deserved more than to simply be plowed under again. Luckily, skilled artisans Chris Thompson and Jake Morford had a vision.
Chris and his crew harvested limestone from these rubble piles to hand-chisel stone for the 30 ft. high, 11 foot wide stone fireplace that is the central feature of the Stone Lodge’s Hearth Room (and also the inspiration for the Lodge’s name). The mantels are doubled 2x12 beams from an old barn complete with the square wood pegs that have held them together for over 100 years.
On the other side of the property, we needed a way to help guests access the large green space that is separated from the Cedar Pavilion by a 10 ft. rock face. Jake saw another opportunity to use what our land provided and built a staircase entirely out of limestone he found in the rubble piles during construction. A limestone staircase was the perfect choice for accessing this large flat green space that is the remnants of an old limestone quarry used to build local bridges. We call this space the Rose Quarry for the amazing coloration of the exposed stone.
Want to see more of the ways Blue Vista helps you connect with nature and the people close to you? Contact us today to schedule a tour!
Catering Fees
We’ve recently come to a decision about our catering fees that we think you’ll be happy with.
Wait – catering fee? What’s a catering fee?!
A lot of venues charge a fee to catering companies who work at their events for the use of their facilities and equipment. Some venues have made extensive investments in all kinds of kitchen equipment, and they feel that provides enough benefits to the catering companies that they charge a fee for the value provided. This is pretty common practice in the Manhattan, KS area, with fees commonly ranging from 12-18% of the catering charge. While the fee is charged to the catering company, it’s pretty much always passed along to whoever is paying for the wedding.
During our design phase, we met with multiple high-quality catering companies in the area to find out what equipment would be really useful (and what wouldn’t!), how much space was needed, and what layouts would work best. We’re making targeted investments so that our catering prep kitchens are a pleasure to use and, most importantly, allow for smooth, quick, seamless service for the event at hand. It’s easy for a catering fee to feel like a hidden charge, too, and that’s why…
Blue Vista has officially decided NOT to charge a catering fee. We do require the use of eco-friendly dishes (compostable or recyclable) if disposables are used to help us achieve our goal of zero-landfill. The extra costs for that will be much less than a catering fee would be, and it benefits the earth.
If you’d like to know more about our recommended vendors or what’s require to make the list, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!
Making decór easier!
There isn't a ton to see yet when you click on our link to Something Blue Vintage Rentals, but there will be soon! Once we get all of our inventory online, there will be many items that span a variety of decades and styles. Although some people love designing and working on the details of an event, we know this can be a bit overwhelming for others. To make navigating our large collection a bit easier, we'll be using a tag system to give you suggestions of what items may go together based on the look you want. Here is a preview of what is to come!
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For example, although my grandmother was quite practical and rarely splurged on herself, she loved gold and glamour. In her honor, I've started an Old Hollywood Glamour collection. Think 1930s-60s sophistication with lots of gold, shimmer, clean lines, and cut glass. |
| Perhaps a common use of vintage items is to create a romantic shabby chic ambiance. This look tends towards soft and romantic with visual markers of wear and tear that bring out the story of the item. |  |
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Given the location of BV, themes that have rustic, earthy, and country vibes are also quite fitting. We bring in decor that references nature and treasures that have come from old farmhouses. |
These are just a few of the styles that our landscape and buildings lend themselves to. What kind of style do you envision for your big day? What elements would you like to see available from us to help create your vision? Hit us up in the comments and let us know!
New Wedding Package!
We've been making some major updates to the website, but perhaps the biggest is a new wedding package! Based on customer feedback, we've added the Classic Celebration, a 24-hour event package using our large Cedar Pavilion event space and Rose Quarry outdoor area. To allow turnaround time to host 2 Classic Celebrations in one weekend, Saturdays are excluded. Other than that restriction, it will include all the features and amenities of any other package.
As another major update, we've decided to make all our prices visible online to help couples more easily make decisions about whether Blue Vista is a good fit for them. It's common for venues to require potential customers to contact them before seeing prices. That means that the venues have more opportunity to explain their options, the value that different options offer, and different ways their offerings might fit into a plan or budget. We certainly believe in all those things and are happy to talk to you about all that and more!
With packages ranging from $1,000 - $6,900 based on size, month, and package, we feel confident in the value of each package, and we know you will have a wonderful experience if you choose to celebrate with us.
ICF and Eco Friendly Building
When you look at our construction pictures, you don't see much wood yet, just funny looking white foam blocks. Those blocks are called Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) and are making our building both eco-friendly and tornado resistant! How this works is:
- The blocks assemble like Lego blocks, so the walls can be built pretty fast.
- The gap in the middle of the blocks is fitted with rebar and then filled with concrete, so the structure of the walls is steel-reinforced concrete, making the building exceptionally strong
- Unlike most concrete forms, these blocks stay in place after the concrete is formed, and the foam becomes the insulation for the walls (our Stone Lodge is 4" foam on the exterior side, 2" interior)
- That level of insulation makes our walls R-30, and the concrete makes them extremely airtight, so the building ends up being very energy efficient
- And super strong!!
- So although they cost a bit more up-front than traditional wood framing, ICF will save us money in heating and cooling bills.
This is a learning journey for us and as we continue moving toward opening to the public, we'll share what we're discovering in the world of eco-friendly and socially-responsible options from the obvious things like the solar panels you'll see going up to the less visible such as what soaps and shampoos we choose. Stay tuned!
Broken Ground!
Spring at Blue Vista
Our first spring at Blue Vista brings with it the discovery of all different types of Flint Hills wildflowers. We have found milkweed, primrose, penstemon, dame's rocket, rocket larkspur, pale dock, and several others we have yet to identify!
