There are some things you should know when planning your wedding. But there are also things you must know. This advice is so important that any bride who hears it says, “I’m so grateful someone told me that!” Check out these indispensable planning tips if you are unsure if there is something you haven’t considered or if everything is under control.
Guests are First
Before you choose a venue, get a handle on how many guests you will invite. This will help ensure that you have enough space for everyone. A rule of thumb is to allow 25-30 square feet for each guest. It may seem like a lot but that’s not the case if you consider the space needed for tables, waiters and a dance floor.
Create a meal plan
Unexpected expense? Feeding your wedding party. Make sure that you don’t have to provide the same meal for your vendors as the guests. You could end up paying 20 more lobster tails. You can choose a cheaper, but equally delicious, meal for them. Your wedding caterer will need to know how many vendors (don’t forget the band roadies and photographers assistants) you have and what they want to serve.
Get organizationally focused
Keep a 3-ring binder containing all correspondence with video vendors. Also, keep notes from meetings and any photos or tearsheets from magazines that you would like vendors to see. You can create a separate email address for your wedding and keep important numbers in your phone.
Keep an eye on your bar
To keep the lines at bay, one bartender is usually required for every 50 guests. If you are serving a signature cocktail that can’t be made in advance (or in large quantities), it might be worth adding another server to the mix.
Prioritize your People
Use the “tiers-of-priority” method to reduce your guest list. Start with your immediate family, bridal party, and best friends. Then, add aunts, uncles and cousins to the list. You can also list your parents’ neighbors, coworkers, and other friends. You may need to trim some numbers. Start at the bottom and work your way up until you get to your desired number.
Take it one step at a time
You should create a schedule for your wedding and follow it in order. This will ensure that you don’t get overwhelmed and have everything fall into place. Hire vendors only after you have confirmed your date. Don’t design your wedding cake until you have envisioned the flowers. And don’t book a band until you have settled on a venue.
Encourage guests to pay attention
Make sure that your guests are able to see and hear from their seats. Renting a microphone and riser is an option if guests are sitting further than 15 rows from the altar or podium. Depending on the equipment, this could cost anywhere from $50 to $100. Your wedding planner or best man will coordinate delivery and set up with your ceremony space.
