​Every bride imagines perfect 75-degree weather for her outdoor wedding, not too sunny with a few clouds for pictures. But what happens when it doesn’t work out that way? Planning is everything, and it is in your best interest to prepare for whatever Mother Nature throws your way. While some things can’t be controlled, having a contingency plan in place can help with the disappointment and likely frazzled feelings that are sure to arise.

Always speak with your potential venue about back up plans. Before booking your dream venue, ask about contingency plans should the weather decide not to cooperate. Will they have an indoor space available, or can they provide tents or a temporary structure? While you are probably looking at their space for the outdoor features, you’ll want to understand what will happen should the weather not participate. If what you see is what you get from the outdoor venue, you might be able to secure tents and platforms from a wedding rental vendor. If the contingency options are not satisfactory, you may want to forego the dream outdoor wedding venue for a more flexible venue.
Plan ahead.

A week or two before your wedding is not the time to start your contingency planning for foul weather. If an outdoor wedding is your dream, start the backup plans while planning the perfect wedding. Don’t allow your contingency plan to leave you feeling like the day wasn’t perfect due to lack of preparation. All wedding plans take time to put together, your contingency plan is not an exception.
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Put it on paper.
So that your backup plans don’t feel like backup plans, have it in writing that way all involved can help to execute them without undue stress. Provide a step-by-step action plan should need for execution arise. From where the food and beverages will be stationed to where the floral arrangement will look best now that your wide-open space has been reduced. Anything that you planned for the dream day should be taken into account for the contingency.

While rain is the typical culprit, it is not the only trick mother nature has up her sleeve. Prepare for all weather aberrations. Extreme heat and unseasonably cool weather are also typical weather concerns. Do you need to secure fans or heaters? Can these be rented from your venue or do they need to be outsourced? Are there electrical outlets for these accessories or will you need to bring in a generator and commercial extension cords? These questions and more are the sort of details that need to go into contingency planning.

Keep your guest in the loop.
Every outdoor wedding is subject to weather events, if your heart is set on one be sure to keep your guest in the loop by including a rain card in the invitation and on your website. Remind them your intent is to hold an outdoor wedding and what you believe the temperature range will be. For your out of town quest, remind them to dress appropriately and to pack additional items for slightly cooler or warmer weather. The more you can share with your guests the happier and more comfortable they will be.

The contingency space.
Mirror the intent and feel of your dream outdoor wedding venue in Lafayette, La while planning the backup. Include the dance floor, seating, photography area etc. Doing so initially will help you avoid disappointments in design if you are incorporating the details for your dream space.
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One often overlooked consideration is event insurance. On the off chance a natural disaster occurs, event insurance can help protect your financial investment. Event insurance coverage varies by carrier, so call your insurance agent to understand better how it can protect you.

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​Your bridal suite allows for quiet time with the extraordinary women in your life.  Where you dress is the space your closest friends and family view your transformation into a bride. Whether your bridesmaid’s number in the 10s or just two – your bridal suite is a place to find serenity, laugh, relax, or pray with loved ones.

Le Pavillon’s Bridal Suite is picture-perfect and a photographer’s dream.  Our suite is decorated with elegant antique furniture and open spaces; allowing for picture-perfect moments from any direction. Bridal suites are where many photographers capture precious, intimate images, such as your wedding gown, jewelry, shoes and bouquet; it’s also the perfect backdrop for intimate photos of you and your bridesmaid’s.  ​

​The ability to dress and prepare at your wedding venue offers a host of benefits, none more important in the South than flawless, fresh hair and makeup unaltered by humidity.  While we can’t guarantee you won’t perspire, it will not be from transferring from one location to another to another.  You and you’re your loved ones can pomp and primp on-site, with the added bonus of easy touch-ups when you need to reset your powder, blush, or lips after pre and post-ceremony pictures, food, and drink; you simply pop into the bridal suite.

Preparation for your wedding day can feel a little overwhelming; you can easily go hours without eating or drink.  The wedding reception will be packed with those who will want to congratulate and toast you, you may find you have not stopped to eat.  Your wedding suite offers a private space where you can take refuge, refuel your body, hydrate, or sip a cocktail and enjoy an intimate moment with your newly minted spouse.  Your caterer can provide a special spread with the bride and groom in mind.

Booking a bridal suite as a wedding day sanctuary for you and your loved ones will prove invaluable. Are you planning a wedding in Lafayette, Louisiana?  Put Le Pavillon at Parc Gardens wedding and reception venues on your must-see list.  With three exquisite event rooms, a luxurious bridal suite, and the grand colonnade, you may find that Le Pavillon perfect backdrop for the wedding of your dreams. 

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The walk down the aisle is undoubtedly one of the most cherished moments of a wedding ceremony. However, it's important to consider the order and involvement of other significant individuals who make their grand entrance. Le Pavillon at Parc Lafayette - Reception Halls in Lafayette LA, offers the following information for your consideration.
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The wedding processional entails a group of people walking down the aisle in a specific sequence to signify the commencement of the ceremony. Depending on the type of religious wedding service, the participants and their seating arrangements may vary. Hindu and Jewish ceremonies, for example, involve more family members compared to traditional or nondenominational ceremonies. In Jewish weddings, both grandparents of the couple walk down the aisle, while Hindu weddings often include more active participation of the parents, who even sit under the traditional mandap.
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To ensure a smooth bridal march, it's essential to understand the processional order for different types of weddings. Here is a breakdown of the traditional processional orders for various ceremonies:

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When planning a Summer wedding in Louisiana, cocktails are a central consideration. When searching for a reception venue, you’ll want to be certain that your bartender has adequate space to create tried and true, and even new fun drinks for you and your guests.

Summertime heat calls for refreshing cocktails that can be made by the pitcher to share with a group while you are beating the heat. Some tips to remember when you are the drink mixer/master:

Use fresh juice—great cocktails come from great ingredients, so use fresh citrus and top-quality liquor.

Know how to free pour— it doesn’t have to be exact, you can avoid using a measuring cup or shot glass if you learn to eye-ball some basic amounts of liquid ahead of time.

Learn a recipes basic proportions—classic drinks, like a margarita, are easy enough to commit to memory, and you’ll impress your guests when you mix like a pro without pulling out a recipe.

Get some basic bar equipment—a Boston shaker, large pitches, stirrers, a hand juicer, and a jigger (if you decide you are more comfortable measuring) are very useful items that are worth the investment.

You’ve got your bar set up and now you are ready to mix cocktails. Whether fruit or vegetable based, here are a few popular summertime drink recipes to try:

Margarita (by the glass):  2 shots tequila, 1 shot Cointreau, ¼ shot lime juice. Mix together with ice in a blender for a frozen drink or mix and pour over ice in a salt-rimmed container.

Green Tree Frog (by the pitcher): 4 ounces vodka, 8 ounces lemon-lime soda, 12 ounces lemonade.  Mix together and pour into a large pitcher that you have filled with ice and sliced limes.

Purple Tree Frog (by the pitcher):  4 ounces vodka, 8 ounces grape schnapps, 12 ounces lemonade. Mix together and pour into a large pitcher that you have filled with ice and sliced lemons.

Blondie Marys (by the pitcher): 4 pounds of yellow tomatoes (cut into chunks, food processed and strained for the juice), 1 cup vodka, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon horseradish, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon Tabasco. Mix everything in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate at least 2 hours so flavors can blend. Fill glasses with ice, pour Blondies into glasses and garnish with a celery stick.

Berry Sangria (by the pitcher): 1 bottle sparkling white wine, 2 ½ cups white cranberry juice, 1 cup coconut rum, ½ cup each blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and chopped strawberries. Mix all in a pitcher. Chill for 2 hours before serving over ice.

And, in homage to a favorite New Orleans tourist drink:
Hurricane Punch (by the punch bowl):  32 ounces red fruit punch, 12 ounces frozen limeade thawed, 6 ounces frozen orange juice thawed, 1 2/3 cups light rum, 1 2/3 cups dark rum.  Stir all together and serve over ice.

No matter the concoction, be sure your guest drink responsibly.  Encourage guest to designated a driver, you could arrange for a few designated drivers, or create a list of numbers to the local uber and taxis services.

Le Pavilion is the perfect wedding venue that includes a spacious bar area. Tour the beautiful facility by appointment. You’ll lift a glass to toast yourself for finding the perfect reception venue.

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A reception venues thoughts on the thank you note.  Appreciation is shown for a variety of reasons.  After attending an event and giving a gift is one of the most common reasons thanks are expressed.  The tried and true way of offering a thank you is with a handwritten card. The card is usually delivered via mail or can be hand delivered as well.

Writing notes is nothing new.  Egyptian and Chinese cultures were the first known to exchange messages of goodwill and good fortune on pieces of papyrus. In the 1400s thank you notes were exchanged after someone invited you to their home.

In the United States greeting cards and thank you note cards were first circulated in the mail with the invention of the postage stamp in 1840.  Mass manufacturing in 1856 led to the practice of sending thank you notes for attending weddings, showers, parties, and to acknowledge the receipt of a gift.

Sending a hand-written thank you note, rather than a letter, after a casual business encounter became an accepted and even preferred custom in the mid-1900’s.  Letters are still used today but by in large a thank you note still reigns supreme according to etiquette.

Both the receiver and sender of a thank note get benefits. Expressing gratitude benefits us physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Studies show that reading and writing sincere expressions from a thankful heart lowers blood pressure, increases serotonin levels in the brain, and creates a feeling of calm.

The power of paper and ink is strong.  All of these benefits begin with the procurement of a few supplies.  The first thing you need is a note card.  Designs range from formal heavy stock paper to whimsical stationary that can be custom printed with the touch of a button.

Grab a pen.  Do you have a signature color or do you know the favorite color of the person you are thanking?  Use it to write your thank you note.  Personalization will only increase the level of appreciation expressed in the note.

Stamps can be purchased on-line, at your local post office, and even at the grocery store in many places. You can select from a variety of shapes, images, and even have custom stamps printed if you want to go that far.

After you have your paper, pen, and stamps you are ready to say thank you.  How do you start? Simply include the person’s name, the thank you, the reason you are thanking them, and the feelings that you have from the exchange that made you appreciative.  An example:

Hello Bob:   Thank you for meeting me for coffee yesterday. I enjoyed our conservation and will use the tips of investing you shared. You taking time out of your busy schedule showed me how important your customers are to you.  All the best!

Or maybe:
Dear Aunt Betty:  We love the knife set.  It will be used practically every day when we cook. Thank you for the wedding gift we will treasure for years to come.  You are our favorite cut-up!

Regardless of what you say, the receiver and sender will receive the benefits of being gracious and saying thank you as a means of acknowledgement.

Planning an event that will make people want to thank you? Tour Le Pavilion. Whether needing a wedding venue, reception venue, corporate event space, or fund raiser location, the beautiful accommodations and knowledgeable staff can help you plan from beginning to end.

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The month of April is set aside in the United States as National Volunteer Month. This is a time to honor the many women, men, youth, and children who serve their communities by volunteering. Corporate venues across America will be hosting appreciation dinners and signature events all month long.
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It is also a time to encourage volunteerism so even more people will become involved in helping others in their neighborhoods, communities, and the world. These helpers inspire others to find out how they can make a difference in their local areas by the example they set.

Nationally honoring United States volunteers began in 1974. President Nixon set aside a week in April where communities showed appreciation to those who gave of themselves through service as volunteers. A week wasn’t long enough to celebrate and honor in some communities, so National Volunteer Week became a month-long time of recognition in the early 90s.

Studies by the American Medical Society and the National Mental Health Alliance show that people who volunteer consider themselves happier than non-volunteers. The studies also showed that volunteers have a greater sense of purpose and life satisfaction than counterparts who have never volunteered. What is it about lending a hand that makes folks feel so good? The answers vary as much as the volunteers that feel, and share, the love.

Volunteers feel satisfaction from a job well done and due to the multitude of ways one can volunteer, there are jobs for any level of ability that need to be accomplished. Whether picking up trash along a roadway, reading to a sight-challenged person, or helping out by distributing food at a shelter, becoming involved in your community helps build a sense of pride in accomplishment for young, old, and any age in between.

Time spent volunteering ranges from an hour a day to an afternoon once a year. The length of time a volunteer spends, again, will vary with the volunteer. Agencies like Volunteers of America, Habitat for Humanity, and local churches will help match the amount of time you have to spend with an appropriate cause that will benefit all in the community.

A dramatic increase in the amount of time Senior citizens spend volunteering has occurred in the last 25 years.  Senior volunteering increased by 60% in that time span. One reason for this increase of volunteer time is that we live longer and therefore have more time to volunteer.  The studies on those who volunteered showed that volunteers live longer. Want to expand on the time you have left, it could be as easy as helping someone less fortunate out.
Another way that volunteers help is in the planning of signature events that raise money for non-profits and in planning the special occasion that honors the volunteers who contribute time and money through out the year. Signature events are designed to shine the spotlight on a particular need or agency. Special occasions are designed to shine the spotlight on volunteers. April is a popular month to hold these thank your events.

To the volunteers in the Acadiana community, Le Pavilion celebrates your contributions and thanks you for your service. If your club or origination needs an event center for your next fundraiser in Lafayette, La, consider our unique location for banquets, events, and fundraiser.

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Are you tasked with organizing an annual holiday work party? It can be a lot of fun if approached the right way. As with any event, the focus should revolve around the attendees. The party venue should also reflect your guest. If the guests have a great time, your event planning will be remembered as a success, even when some details were accidentally overlooked. The great news about planning a holiday party is that everyone wants to enjoy it, so your job is essential to keep the energy going.

Some of the best ideas for work parties are the ones that encourage attendees to laugh and smile. A successful party need not cost a fortune, but you do need a budget, so start there. Once your budget is established, ask your co-workers to participate in generating creative ideas. Below are a few ideas to get your creativity flowing.

Guess Who’s Santa
Simple, yet fun, and guaranteed to garner laughs. Enlist a co-worker to dress up as Santa. After your guest have arrived invite Santa into the room to deliver gifts and introduce him or her to the crowd. During Santa’s introduction, ask your guest to raise their hand if they know who it is. Offer a present to the first to recognize Santa.
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Door Prizes
If your budget doesn’t allow for gifts for everyone, consider door prizes. Crowd favorites are paid day off or gift certificates to local restaurants and coffee houses. For additional fun, offer prizes for guessing the number of candy canes or Hershey’s Kisses in a vase.

Christmas Around the World
Spice things up, consider an international Christmas menu. Traditionally, Mexican, Asian and Italian make this list, but don’t overlook unusually ideas such as Polish, Finnish, or Tai cuisine. For additional international flair, consider decor and traditions from each country.

Special Causes
Holidays are a time of giving. While everyone is the spirit, many companies include charitable giving to their holiday celebration. The company holiday party is a great opportunity to recognize those involved in charity work within the company. If your company is so inclined, consider collecting presents for the less fortunate in the community, or consider sponsoring a family for the holidays. You could supply a list of the sponsored family’s needs and allow volunteers to purchase items on their wish list.

Local Entertainment
If budget permits, hire a local entertainer to liven up the evening. Bands, comedians or local radio or tv personality can bring the event to the next level. Do limit the time your entertainment will be the focus. Remember that the idea is to have a company social where employees have an opportunity to visit.

White Elephant Gag Gifts
People find it easier to purchase funny gifts than traditional presents, especially when working with a range of personalities. More popular ideas for this type of gifting include prizes for the worst gift under $10 or $20. Be sure to establish gag gift rules to keep it clean and HR friendly.
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If your holiday party planning requires a corporate event venue in Lafayette, la, consider Le Pavillon at Parc Lafayette.  This beautiful venue has ambiance and hand-picked caters that relish in exceeding your expectations.

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​Undoubtedly, 2022 marked a historic year for weddings as the anticipated wedding boom unfolded, hosting countless celebrations worldwide. Following two years of scaled-down or postponed nuptials, weddings made a resounding comeback, brimming with intentionality and personalization.

This spirit of breaking away from convention and infusing personal touches continues to shape wedding trends in 2023. Brides (and grooms) are revolutionizing weddings, thinking beyond traditional boundaries to create a wedding day that is truly unique to them. These personal touches bring the couple's values to life, making the experience more meaningful.

The definition of personalization varies for each couple. For some, it may manifest as a commitment to sustainability, such as eschewing single-use items at their wedding reception. Other couples, especially those in the food industry, may seek to incorporate their wedding intentions by hiring a restaurant chef and serving a five-course meal with an open kitchen. 

The possibilities are endless. Our dedication lies in discovering these meaningful aspects for each couple and ensuring they become prominent features of their wedding, rendering it personalized and purposeful.

In 2023, couples will persist in making their weddings truly their own, resulting in a noticeable departure from the conventional wedding look and atmosphere. 

Many observe that large wedding parties are becoming less common, and traditions like the bouquet toss are being phased out. We predict a rise in the anti-bride trend—a less-is-more approach to the day that allows the couple to take center stage. Smaller, intimate, and intentional wedding days featuring non-traditional settings and attire will be prominent.

Some industry insiders suggest that trends, as a whole, will have less impact on the industry. Instead, the focus will be on what weddings are truly about—the couple themselves and the experience they provide for their guests. "On a day that revolves around the couple, clients prioritize ensuring that their guests have an absolutely incredible time. We witness couples warmly and hospitably prioritizing the guest experience, regardless of whether they are hosting 50 or 500 guests."

One thing most wedding industry experts agree on is that 2023 will be filled with multi-day destination events. "After feeling restricted for the past few years, there is now a surge in inquiries for destination weddings. Couples are eager to explore the world and bring their guests along! Clients are enthusiastic about venue and hotel buyouts, ensuring that guests are together throughout the wedding celebration and enjoy multiple days of events." Planners are noticing smaller guest counts for these destination events, accompanied by a greater emphasis on additional activities beyond the ceremony and reception. Many couples seek to extend the wedding experience beyond the typical Friday-to-Sunday timeframe, creating a sense of community that lasts for an entire week.

As 2023 unfolds, we anticipate witnessing weddings that defy expectations. Couples, supported by exceptional vendors, will blaze their own trails and curate celebrations that authentically reflect their personalities, style, and love.

Le Pavillon stands as the premier reception venue in Lafayette LA, providing an exquisite setting for weddings, receptions, corporate events, and more. Nestled conveniently in Parc Lafayette, it neighbors the Hilton Home 2 Suites and enjoys proximity to various stores and eateries. Our meeting space showcases magnificent French architecture, featuring three stunning event rooms adorned with elegant antique décor. Whether you are organizing a small-scale meeting for 20 or a grand Mardi Gras ball for 600, Le Pavillon guarantees to surpass your expectations.
 
At Le Pavillon, we present four elegant solutions to accommodate your special event. The Grand Ballroom serves as the ideal choice for larger engagements, while the Lafayette and Acadiana Rooms provide an intimate ambiance for smaller gatherings. For events that lend themselves better to the outdoors, we offer The Colonnade. Additionally, we have La Chambre, which serves as Le Pavillon's Bridal Suite and is well suited for intimate parties and meeting spaces. Our private event venue caters to parties ranging from 25 to 1200, ensuring we can meet your specific needs.

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​Summer brings heat and thirst and many gathered at event centers and reception venues will be craving refreshing non-alcoholic drinks. Tried and true summertime drinks can quench cravings and make impressions when served with popular modern twists.
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Lemonade is the most requested summertime drink. Easy to make and being refreshing to boot are just two of the reasons to mix up a pitcher of fresh, homemade lemonade.

To make lemonade you will need two cups of lemon juice. If you are squeezing your own, you will need 12-15 lemons. Make a simple syrup by taking one cup water and one cup white sugar and heating it in a pot over medium-high heat until the sugar melts and you have clear, lump-free liquid. Stir in the two cups lemon juice. This combination is a concentrate that you can store in the freezer or refrigerator. Make lemonade by the glass or pitcher by simply adding water to taste to the concentrate.

For a healthier lemonade, substitute local honey for the white sugar. Use the same proportions and directions and you have a drink that also helps build your immunities to local allergens.

Fruit lemonade variations are always popular choices for thirsty people. Make strawberry, blueberry, or raspberry lemonade simply by adding fresh fruit either wholes or pureed.

Iced Tea is a southern summer staple. Southern sweet tea is a traditional way to enjoy this standby or for a twist try Sunshine State Tea. This is tea with that has Florida Orange slices and a splash of juice added. Mint leaves are another refreshing choice to add to iced tea. A popular choice for children is to make Keep the Doctor Away Tea. This is half iced tea and half apple juice.

To stay hydrated, water is the best go-to beverage. To dress water up, infuse with cucumbers, mint, lemon, peaches, ginger, strawberries, and limes. Any seasonal fruit can add flavor and color to a refreshing glass of ice water. For a variation and to add sparkle, use seltzer water.

Sherbet punches are popular party choices and can be made with just two ingredients. Take a gallon of orange sherbet and place in a punch bowl. Add a chilled two-liter bottle of pineapple soda and you have a two-ingredient punch that is colorful and delicious. Raspberry sherbet mixes well with lemon-lime soda and lemon sherbet with fruit punch soda makes a tasty choice too.

For a punch with a few more flavors, try this lime sherbet-based delight: Chill a can of pineapple juice and a can of apple juice that is the same size as the pineapple juice. Mix the two together in a punch bowl. Add a half-gallon of lime sherbet. To that add 8-12 ounces of lemon-lime soda. Stir and enjoy. As the sherbet melts the punch becomes frothy.

Don’t want to mix your own drinks but want a delicious treat. Head to Borden’s for an old-fashioned ice cream soda or float. It’s a Lafayette landmark.

Another venue in Lafayette destined to become a landmark is Le Pavilion. This event center and wedding venue can be seen by appointment calling 337-371-1076 or email bookings@lplft.com.

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