Top 5 Low-Cost Wedding Venues In Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida is the perfect city to get married in on a budget. The beach and countryside are in close proximity offering the best of both worlds for couples ready to tie the knot. Whether you choose a formal venue, or a beautiful park or garden, here are the top five affordable wedding sites that should top your list.

1. The Thrasher Horne Center For Weddings

You can expect five-star service on your wedding day at the Thrasher Horne Center. It's located in Orange Park on the campus of St. Johns River State College. There are five suites available which will be configured to bring your vision to life with complete flexibility. With over 6,000 square feet available, the facility is perfect for your wedding ceremony, reception, and rehearsal dinner. The event experts at The Thrasher Horne Center have years of experience hosting weddings and understand the importance of this special day. They will guide you through the entire process all the way through the big event. The atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for wedding photos on the grand lobby staircase or the landscaped waterfall area. You may use your caterer or choose from their recommended staff for everything from hors-d'oeuvres to an elegant sit-down dinner.

2. The Springfield Woman’s Club

What used to be the Springfield Presbyterian Church, is now a perfect place for a small wedding. The Springfield Woman's Club can accommodate up to 100 guests. The building was gently restored with a cathedral ceiling, polished wood flooring, and décor that replicates Victorian style. The venue is a quick distance from downtown, North Main Street and is easy to reach from anywhere in Jacksonville. The garden and fountain areas are an excellent place for your guests to sample appetizers. The Springfield Woman's Club offers bridal specials if renting on a Friday or Saturday.

3. Club Continental

Club Continental gives you an affordable wedding venue with a ceremony under a 300-year-old Live Oak tree draped in Spanish moss. The outdoor patio area overlooks the pools, majestic river, and manicured gardens. Your guests will be impressed by the concrete and wrought iron arches, and distinct marble floors of the mansion. The food is made with the highest quality ingredients. The Club Continental chefs will create specialty hors-d'oeuvres and have stations serving their cuisine. Menus can be customized to reflect your individual needs. There are several wedding packages to choose from including an inexpensive bar package. You'll find their staff is very professional, accommodating, and pleasant to work with. They are dedicated to exceeding your expectations from start to finish.

4. Dolphin Plaza at Hanna Park

The Dolphin Plaza is a great choice for a vow renewal or beach wedding with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The venue can accommodate up to 125 guests on their premier 450-acre beachfront park. Brides and grooms are allowed to bring in their preferred alcohol and food. The facility is complete with a warming kitchen, outdoor grill, and open meeting room. There are many wedding and reception packages available. The staff at Dolphin Plaza will coordinate your beach wedding and address all of your concerns.

5. The Haskell Building

The Haskell Building overlooks the St. John's River from the balcony and has a grand hall and gorgeous fountain out front. You couldn't ask for a better location with the deco-inspired setting inside and the magnificent arch outside. Wedding packages include fees for the use of china, linens, tables, and chairs to accommodate 275 guests for a cocktail reception. Karen Fritts runs the RiverFront Café at the facility and oversees the management of your entire event. She will create the menu of your dreams, and you can check out sample displays on her website that include meat trays, spreads, dips and pate, and salads and desserts.

Top 5 Holiday Ham Recipes - It's All In How You Slice & Dice It

Learn how to prepare the ULTIMATE ham recipes. If it's for a traditional Sunday dinner or for the upcoming Holidays, you will enjoy these holiday ham recipes:

#1). Rum Pineapple Glazed Ham

With millions of glazed recipes out there, this recipe is a popular holiday fave. This recipe can be served with bean soup or traditional sides. What's unique about this recipe is what most of us love, RUM! There are healthy spices rubbed on top to create magic. Are you ready to bring a dish of love to your family gathering? Click below for the recipe and enjoy!

#2). Slow Cooker Christmas Ham

Most hams are cooked in an oven, but not this ham. You can simply add this ham to your slow cooker and let the cooker do the work. The tang from the apple cider along with smoked paprika will combine natural flavors along with honey for a nice glaze. This recipe fits nicely for someone that doesn't have time to slave in the kitchen, yet in 6 hours, your ham is perfectly done and ready to slice. Click the link for the recipe:

#3). Chipotle Pineapple Jerk Glazed Ham

Do you love Jamaican jerk dishes with a hint of spicy and jamming flavors? If so, this recipe will spark questions in whether this was prepared on a Caribbean Island with a side of Jamaican rice and beans or if this was prepared in the comfort of your own home. The pineapple secures the entire flavor and acts as a simple glaze. If you're ready for the ultimate compliment and ready to jam on, click the link for the recipe. This recipe will have people jerkin':

#4). Apricot-Mustard Ham with Herb-Roasted Root Vegetables

This table centerpiece will have guests admiring the colors along with multitudes of medley vegetables. With the combination of apricots and mustard, the hint of sweet and sour together makes a happy holiday meal. Skip the table flowers. With red beet radishes, carrots, and baby potatoes, no extra decorations are needed. Simply bring a 5-star restaurant to your own kitchen. For the recipe, click the link:

#5). Sriracha Ham

Why not enjoy a slow-cooked ham with a hint of heat, made for a meal, as a pizza topping, tacos, or in between two slices of bread? This simple recipe only entails 3 ingredients along with cured ham: honey, sriracha, and brown sugar. Kids will enjoy coming home from school and spreading a few slices on a sandwich without mom and dad. The cool thing about this recipe is it being oven-free. You can simply add all ingredients to a slow cooker and let the cooker do the work. For a simple, easy life cooking dish, click the link:

Ready to Start Cooking and Eating?

The simple side of things has never been so easy, with so many hams ready for the fast approaching holidays. Whether you are looking to cook a ham or buy an already prepared ham, this is should be bookmark saved on your browser homepage. There are a vast variety of ham and turkey specials to fit all lifestyles; even if you're on a budget. Just click on "specials" and enjoy the Fall discounts. So, what are you waiting for?

Holiday Gift Guide 2018

Movie Night Prize Package

One WINNER will win a Movie Night Prize Package

Hosted by: Night Helper

Dates: 10/15~10/25 12 AM

USA Only 18 yrs & up

Prize: Popcorn, Peanuts, Licorice, 4 Family movies

Disclosure: We reserve the right to make revisions, to cancel, or suspend this contest for any reason. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to the US 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. Night Helper Blog (and any other blog participating) is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not.

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Fun Fall Festivals

With fall weather moving in, it’s pumpkin season. Fall festivals are in full swing including Oktoberfests, pumpkin patches, and haunted houses. Here are some of the best things you can do with your family this fall.

Trailing of the Sheep

Second to Sydney, Australia in sheep ranches is the state of Idaho, and every year, the Wood River Valley hosts the Trailing of the Sheep Festival to honor this tradition. The sheep and human population ratio is practically 1:1, so it’s a huge celebration including both species.

Family events include storytelling, championship sheepdog trials, culinary demonstrations, and a sheep parade. Third generation sheep farmers sponsor this parade in hopes of bringing visitors through Ketchum, Idaho to the sheep’s winter home, raising awareness and having fun.

North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival

Pecan pie is as southern as sweet tea, and the North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival celebrates the pecan harvest in the most delightful way. With a pecan run, a cooking contest, and a car show, southerners, and those who appreciate this southern tradition, can enjoy these good eats.

Kids can get up close and personal with animals in the petting zoo and participate in a hands-on exhibit to learn about natural sciences while their parents tour the quintessential southern homes. Wrap up your day with the pecan queen’s lunch and a parade.

Adirondack Balloon Festival

The Adirondack Balloon Festival has been around for almost fifty years. Balloon pilots come from all around the world to participate in Glen Falls, New York. Enjoy music as more than twenty hot air balloons take flight to kick off the four-day festival.

Stick around to see eighty balloons launch, including shaped balloons as well as moonglow displays in the night sky. Honor the beauty of these balloons with food vendors, pancake breakfasts, crafts, and more! It’s fun for the whole family all week long!

Celebrate this season together with your family in your comfy Tommy jeans and enjoy the cooler weather, beautiful colors, and bountiful harvest.