I have lots of advice for my clients, but only if they would like to receive it. If I think a couple would like to know my opinion based upon my experience, then I gladly offer it. If I get the feeling that they want to do things exactly one way – then I would never try to change their minds. Everyone should strive to have the wedding day they truly want if possible. My advice is – go with your heart, but always be realistic. With that said, I do have a few tips:
HAVE AN USHER
I really believe an usher is an invaluable asset on the wedding day. Two ushers to greet and welcome your guests would actually be perfect. Ask a friend or a relative to take on this role for you, and I guarantee they'll be happy to help out. Perhaps you could choose someone whom you weren't able to have as a bridesmaid or groomsman because you simply couldn't ask all your friends or cousins as it would be too many! An usher is someone who is assigned to graciously greet your guests with a smile when they arrive and helps to provide information. For example, some of your guests may bring their wedding gift to the venue. However, they don't want to carry the gift around with them, so they will need to know where the Gift Table is located. The usher can either advise where the Gift Table is, or he/she can take the gift from the guest and place it on the table for them. This act of efficiency and kindness sets the tone for a very polished and well organized wedding event.
Ushers can hand out Ceremony Programs too, if you have them, and show people where they can sign the Guest Book. Additionally, guests (especially ladies who need to fix their make-up) usually head to the bathroom upon their arrival, and having an usher to tell them where it's located is always appreciated. Lastly, guests like to find out if the seating for the ceremony is 'open seating' or if it is 'traditional' (traditional seating is where the Groom's friends and family are seated on the right side, and the Bride's friends and family are seated on the left side). An usher will know this information and inform the guests so they feel comfortable taking their seats where the Bride and Groom prefer. You may think that your Wedding Coordinator can do these things - but really, your Wedding Coordinator has so many other tasks to do, it's better to allocate these things to a couple of very close friends or family members who are only too pleased to assist you.
HAVE A WEDDING FILE THAT KEEPS EVERYTHING IN ORDER
A well organized wedding file is most important. You will need to keep all of your vendors invoices and receipts and contracts in a safe place and somewhere that you have easy access to them. Get a large three ring binder with section dividers and categorize sections pertaining to: wedding venue/ wedding attire/ wedding officiant/ wedding coordinator/ photography/ catering/ entertainment/ wedding cake/ flowers/ lighting/ sound equipment/ props/ wedding favors/ gifts for bridesmaids & groomsmen/ transportation.
I really believe an usher is an invaluable asset on the wedding day. Two ushers to greet and welcome your guests would actually be perfect. Ask a friend or a relative to take on this role for you, and I guarantee they'll be happy to help out. Perhaps you could choose someone whom you weren't able to have as a bridesmaid or groomsman because you simply couldn't ask all your friends or cousins as it would be too many! An usher is someone who is assigned to graciously greet your guests with a smile when they arrive and helps to provide information. For example, some of your guests may bring their wedding gift to the venue. However, they don't want to carry the gift around with them, so they will need to know where the Gift Table is located. The usher can either advise where the Gift Table is, or he/she can take the gift from the guest and place it on the table for them. This act of efficiency and kindness sets the tone for a very polished and well organized wedding event.
Ushers can hand out Ceremony Programs too, if you have them, and show people where they can sign the Guest Book. Additionally, guests (especially ladies who need to fix their make-up) usually head to the bathroom upon their arrival, and having an usher to tell them where it's located is always appreciated. Lastly, guests like to find out if the seating for the ceremony is 'open seating' or if it is 'traditional' (traditional seating is where the Groom's friends and family are seated on the right side, and the Bride's friends and family are seated on the left side). An usher will know this information and inform the guests so they feel comfortable taking their seats where the Bride and Groom prefer. You may think that your Wedding Coordinator can do these things - but really, your Wedding Coordinator has so many other tasks to do, it's better to allocate these things to a couple of very close friends or family members who are only too pleased to assist you.
HAVE A WEDDING FILE THAT KEEPS EVERYTHING IN ORDER
A well organized wedding file is most important. You will need to keep all of your vendors invoices and receipts and contracts in a safe place and somewhere that you have easy access to them. Get a large three ring binder with section dividers and categorize sections pertaining to: wedding venue/ wedding attire/ wedding officiant/ wedding coordinator/ photography/ catering/ entertainment/ wedding cake/ flowers/ lighting/ sound equipment/ props/ wedding favors/ gifts for bridesmaids & groomsmen/ transportation.
You need to be able to look at the status on all of these items throughout your planning stages - so file everything into your large binder and you won't misplace any important paperwork. Also, make yourself reminders on your computer or smart phone when your final payments to vendors are due.
HAVE A MICROPHONE FOR THE OFFICIANT DURING THE CEREMONY
A microphone is most important so that all of your guests can actually hear the wedding ceremony. Discuss the microphone requirements with your Officiant - find out exactly what suits her best. I prefer a microphone on a stand as this is the best quality and provides good and clear sound. A mic on a stand also allows for guest readers to come up and read from the same microphone. And I can hand the microphone to the couple if they are reading personal vows to one another.
HAVE A MICROPHONE FOR THE OFFICIANT DURING THE CEREMONY
A microphone is most important so that all of your guests can actually hear the wedding ceremony. Discuss the microphone requirements with your Officiant - find out exactly what suits her best. I prefer a microphone on a stand as this is the best quality and provides good and clear sound. A mic on a stand also allows for guest readers to come up and read from the same microphone. And I can hand the microphone to the couple if they are reading personal vows to one another.
TAKE A WEEKEND OFF FROM WEDDING STUFF
It is great to be well organized and stay on top of everything. Your wedding day file will grow and grow during your months of planning. It will seem like there's always something to do and while this is an exciting project for you both, it can get to be a little overwhelming. It may not bother you, but your fiancé may love to have one weekend where you don't talk about the wedding at all. So do just that - escape! Leave the wedding file untouched and take a break - go away for a weekend to the mountains or a beach resort. Or go on a long hike or a picnic. Take the dogs to the park and follow up with a movie. Taking a breather - doing some simple things together (just like you did when you first met) is necessary to bring some fun and laughter and romance to each other.
It is great to be well organized and stay on top of everything. Your wedding day file will grow and grow during your months of planning. It will seem like there's always something to do and while this is an exciting project for you both, it can get to be a little overwhelming. It may not bother you, but your fiancé may love to have one weekend where you don't talk about the wedding at all. So do just that - escape! Leave the wedding file untouched and take a break - go away for a weekend to the mountains or a beach resort. Or go on a long hike or a picnic. Take the dogs to the park and follow up with a movie. Taking a breather - doing some simple things together (just like you did when you first met) is necessary to bring some fun and laughter and romance to each other.
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