Wedding Tips 1 5

Wedding Tips

1. Invitations

One of the first and most important steps in the planning of the wedding is inviting people. Who wants a wedding without their family and friends there to celebrate with them? It is essential to get a few things absolutely right when preparing those invitations to ensure that everyone you want will make it on your special day.

When ordering your invitations, keep in mind that you only need one per couple or family. You may want to send older children who live at home an invitation of their own. Make sure to order fifteen to twenty extra invitations for mistakes and for those few you may have forgotten on your list. Also keep in mind that oversized invitations may require extra postage, which can add up to a small strain on your budget. Remember that you will need to factor postage for the return envelope into your budget as well. Skipping the stamp on those is impolite, and not a place to try and save money.

The invitations should be sent out four to six weeks prior to the wedding date. This will ensure that guests have ample time to prepare their schedule and traveling.

If you prefer that only adults attend your wedding, then simply address the letter to the adults or parents. When the card does not specify 'and family' or the children's names, a guest should not assume that the children are invited. Since some guests may be unaware of this 'unwritten rule,' you may want to print 'Adult Reception' on the invitation. Try to avoid phrases such as 'no children' or 'adults only', which is improper.

Another neglected rule of thumb in invitation preparation is that it is improper to list where a couple has their gift registry on the invitation. Rather, pass the word through family and friends. If someone asks you where you are registered, feel free to tell them without feeling impolite. Many people feel at a loss when searching for wedding gifts, and would prefer to purchase something that the couple wants or needs.

2. Catering

Many couples do not realize that the catering or food bill is typically your largest expense involved with your wedding (45-50% of most budgets). This is why it is essential to choose your caterer carefully. Spend plenty of time with your caterer talking about your budget, what style of reception you want (buffet, sit down dinner, cocktails, etc) and the types of food you'd like to serve.

If you are unfamiliar with the caterer, schedule a 'tasting' to sample their culinary skills and take not that food is presented attractively too. Another way to 'check-up' on your caterer is to check references. Many brides ask for references but never actually call them. Make at least 2 reference calls. Don't be shy—ask questions.

When hiring your caterer, be sure to ask about the dinnerware or china they use. Some will include the dinnerware in their price, but it may be chipped, scratched, or worn down. Ask to samples to make sure the place settings will nicely compliment your wedding décor. Service is a very important element when choosing a caterer. Be sure to ask about the ratio of servers to guests. This can vary depending on the type of reception you have. A good estimate is about one server for every 8-10 guests. When determining a final head count for your caterer, be sure to include a meal for your entertainer(s), photographer and wedding day coordinator. But, always confirm with these vendors that they do want a meal before you include them in your head count. Make sure to separate these from your guest head count, because a caterer may charge less for 'vendor' meals. Ask your caterer to prepare a 'leftover' basket with a sample of all the food at the reception. Most likely, the bride and groom will not get the opportunity to eat and enjoy all the food at the reception. Even if you're leaving the next day for the honeymoon, it will be a good snack. Be sure to ask your caterer about 'guaranteed numbers.' Many caterers will quote prices based on a minimum or 'guaranteed' number of guests. Many base their figures on a minimum of 100 guests. If your final guest count is less than 100, there may be an additional fee. 3. Flowers Flowers are the most common and most beautiful of wedding decorations. Make an effort to choose flowers that fit your taste and style for the wedding. They will show up at the ceremony, reception, and in photos for years to come. Most couples choose to use a florist to arrange bouquets and decorations. You can help your florist plan your arrangements if you bring pictures or fabric swabs of gowns and colors used in the wedding. Also try to bring along a layout of the church and reception facility. If your floral designer is unable to be present for the ceremony, ask for specific instructions for handling the flowers. You may want to assign specific people (a bridesmaid or family member) to handle floral items. Be careful when designing a bouquet that it is not too large, which would obscure the details of your dress. Flowers should compliment, never upstage your look. Keep in mind the proportion of your body when selecting the size of your bouquet. In terms of floral color, pick something that offers a contrast to your gown. Floral arrangements that closely match the gown may get lost in photographs. When planning the color of the flowers at the altar, keep in mind that dark colors tend to lose visual impact in photos. Lighter colors will stand out better. Ask the florist to separate the men's lapel buds and the flowers for the mothers, grandparents, brides, and attendants. This keeps people from running in and out of the bride's dressing room to get flowers. When working with your florist, do not hesitate to be specific about what you like and what you want. If you want something lush and lavish, DO IT. You should expect a spectacular bouquet just for you on your special day. Have your florist arrange two bridal bouquets, one for the ceremony and one to be thrown at the reception. This will allow you to preserve a bouquet that was designed especially for you. Finally, begin searching for a florist at least 3 months in advance of your wedding date. Ask for references and check them closely. Check their shop to get a feel for the designer's style and taste. 4. wedding favors As a way of thanking your guests for their participation in your special day, give them a small favor at the reception to help them remember this event. It is challenging, however, to find the right favor for your wedding and your guests. Firstly, favors do not have to be expensive to be meaningful. If you are on a tight budget, homemade favor such as cookies, candy, soap, or candles, or purchase something small or meaningful for less than $2 each. Making favors may take more time, especially in the last days before the wedding, but it can help your budget. You may want to inquire the help of friends, family and bridesmaids if you choose this route. Do not skimp on favors, but don't feel bad about creating something beautiful for your guests on a low budget. Remember if you plan to give favors such as candles, potpourri or soap that have fragrance, you wont want to place them at the table to mingle with food and create an unpleasant aroma. Set up a table by the entrance of the reception hall where guests can pick up their favors when leaving. An easy '$2' option is a small picture frame with the couple's photo or an insert saying the date and couple's names. You can even pick up photo magnets that guests can place on their refrigerator to remind them of the couple on a daily basis. Another option is to offer favors that go along with the meal. Give a box of fudge or chocolate-covered cherries. Almonds or fancy nuts can be placed in a decorative box for a special touch. You can try chocolate candy bars in different shapes, a heart, rose, or have the label say something unique about your wedding. If you prefer something a little more romantic, you can always wrap the candy in plastic to keep it protected and then wrap it in a piece of toile with coordinating ribbon. The key is to show your guests that you put time and effort into choosing or making favors. You want the guests to feel special and impressed with your choices and work. They should feel as though they were a part of the planning process, not an after thought 5. Wedding Entertainment Picking out a disc jockey for your wedding entertainment can be very key to the success of the event. Below are some questions that should always be asked before saying 'how much do you charge?' 1. What type of party experience does your DJ have? Is he or she experienced enough to handle unforeseen circumstances that may arise. They should offer appropriate music during certain times. Dinner and cocktail music should be played during the meal and change to dance or upbeat music after, when the couple feels is appropriate. Additionally, the DJ should work well with other professionals, such as the caterer and photographer. 2. What type of events does your DJ regularly play? Obviously one would prefer the answer 'weddings.' Many disc jockeys serve other markets and only do weddings when one comes along. Weddings are unique from proms or clubs and should be treated that way by entertainers. There is certain etiquette that needs to be displayed in a wedding entertainer, and an inexperienced DJ can end up ruining your wedding reception. 3. Can the DJ provide local references? The key to a disc jockey service is repeat business and word of mouth advertising. Ask for phone numbers or email addresses of past customers and have questions prepared to ask them about their experiences with the DJ. 4. Is the disc jockey's price a good value? Shop around but don't settle for the bottom line. There are bargain DJ services where you get more than your money's worth. There are also services that will charge you too much. Watch out for companies that will try to take advantage of a couple preparing for a wedding. 5. What type of equipment will your DJ use? Make sure there is all professional equipment, no home speakers and home-built lights. You are hopefully hiring a professional who takes his job seriously. Make sure they have made an investment in equipment. Only expect the best. No bride and groom should have to worry about the microphone or speakers dying in the middle of their reception! 6. Will the DJ play a wide variety of music? You want to find a DJ that will entertain everyone at the reception. The music library should contain everything from big band , oldies, disco, country, rock, and should be on digital compact disc. They should also offer to purchase any of your special songs that they do not have in their music library. Also, ask for a sample music listing.