Monday, April 21, 2008

Make Sure Your Wedding Isn’t The Worst Wedding Ever

We’ve all been to weddings where they have been memorable—because they were horrible. Be it the food, the entertainment, or you name it, every detail counts to make your wedding enjoyable.


Choose a comfortable environment


· If it’s summer, make sure there’s air conditioning. If it’s cold, make sure there’s heat.


· Be sure you have enough space for everyone. The wedding and reception locations should be large enough so everyone can move about the rooms comfortably. The same goes for the tables. Many times vendors will tell you they can seat 10 per table, when really only eight will fit. Be sure to check out these small details for yourself.


· Make it convenient. Perhaps the reception hall you have your heart set on is one and a half hours away from the church. It may be worth the ride in a limo to you, but how will your guests feel? Try to make the locations as close and easy to find as possible. Not to mention, many guests will not want to stay late if they know they have a two-hour drive ahead of them.


· Perhaps an outdoor fall wedding sounds beautiful, but remember, fall can also bring wind, rain and possibly snow depending on your location. For a safe bet, keep your wedding indoors, or be sure to have a back-up location.


· A wedding on the sea may sound romantic, but consider your guests. After a few hours on the water, many people may get ill.


Food & beverages


· Be sure to get references or, even better, taste the food you will be serving to your guests. It’s important to know they will get a good quality meal.


· Also, verify your guest numbers carefully to make sure you have plenty of food and drink to make it through the entire evening.


Entertainment


· Just because Cousin Harry has a CD player, doesn’t mean he can be a good wedding entertainer. If you hire a friend, take a listen before you agree to let him or her play.


· Better yet, go with a professional. Try to get recommendations if you can. Either way, meet with your vendor and plan out the schedule of events and music to be played during the evening. Then call back to confirm. Twice.


Keep your attendants in the loop


· Make sure they know their schedule and responsibilities. It’s best to repeat the time pictures will start at least 20 times—especially to the guys. Nine times out of 10 someone will be really late and you won’t have time to get all the pictures you’d like.


· Confirm that your attendants know what to wear, how to look, and can accept it. I once knew a bridesmaid who was so uninformed she walked down the aisle in Converse hi-tops rather than heels.


Can’t we just all get along?


· Brides—yes, this is YOUR day. Although you are nervous, try to keep that “bridezilla” gal under wraps. If she pops out too many times, you’ll only end up making everyone miserable. Try to be calm and prepared for the day.


· A wedding is not the time or place for family squabbles. If your divorced parents don’t get along, make sure to seat them as far away from each other as possible. If necessary, give them pep talks beforehand that you’d like them to keep their issues quiet as a special wedding gift to you.


· Speaking of squabbles, don’t you start any either! If you don’t have a wedding coordinator, be sure to ask a friend to be your “go-to person” or “wedding day coordinator”. This is the person who should know the “ins and outs” of your wedding, and who should handle any problems with your wedding or vendors. The last thing we want is to see the bride giving the D.J. a left hook for not playing the right songs.


Last, but certainly not least….and this goes without saying. Don’t get so inebriated that you fall down causing your gown to fly over your head.

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