It is a lot of fun planning your own wedding. Over the years with the number
of weddings we have been involved with, we have come across a number of tips.
We'd like to share with you some of the little things we've found to be helpful.
If you find additional things you wish you had known or a friend offers some
advice you don't see here, let us know so we can pass it along to future brides.
1. When planning your wedding date, check with different organization websites for vendors that can work on only one wedding a day, like photographers and videographers. The Professional Photographers of America (PPA.com) and the Kansas Professional Photographers of America (KPPA.org) has a calendar of events for the year.
2. Place objects that will be used at the ceremony in a "ceremony" box, and reception items in a "reception" box. This way, you know exactly which box to look in when you are looking for the guest book or the unity candle.
3. Have a "bridal kit" This should include a sewing kit, finger nail kit, touch up make-up, extra nylons or stockings, facial tissues, shout wipes, hair spray, bobby pins, deodorant, and comb or brush.
4. Have a "groom kit" This should include extra black socks, breath mints, lint brush, shoe polish, handkerchief, hairspray and a comb or brush.
5. Have your florist use magnets rather than pins on the groom’s boutonniere, and the corsages for the mothers and grandmothers.
6. Have a notebook that has all of the vender's numbers, addresses and directions to their place of business.
7. Have your own personal attendant. This should be someone who knows both families if possible. Her main function is to make sure you have everything you need. She can find someone for you or refresh your make-up. She is everything you need her to be.
8. Cell phones and pagers, while are helpful prior to the wedding, become a huge distraction during the ceremony. Ushers should request all guests to turn off their phones and pagers as they are seating guests. Both the bride and groom will want to leave their communication equipment in the dressing rooms.
9. Each person, involved in your wedding, should receive a detailed list of their wedding day responsibilities. If you want the best man and maid of honor to make a toast at the reception, they should know about it prior to the rehearsal. They will need time to prepare.
10. Rain-X placed on your windows prior to the wedding will prevent shoe polish from sticking to the windshield. A good wash and wax will also protect the paint of the automobile as well.
11. Everyone in the wedding party should wear comfortable shoes. Maybe even take an extra pair of shoes to the reception.
12. If small children are involved in the ceremony have activity books or quiet games available for them in the first row to keep them occupied. You can also have some snacks or treats for them to get them by to the reception.
13. If there is a large difference in family size or the number of quests for either the bride or groom you may want to consider general seating.
14. When planning for your limo, have the limo arrive approximately 45 minutes into an hour long ceremony.
15. You can allow 60 minutes for most protestant ceremonies. (Candle lighting, processional, ceremony and recessional) You can allow 90 minutes for most catholic services with a full mass.
16. When placing an announcement in the newspaper for either the engagement or the wedding, it is unadvisable to place specific dates or times. The last thing you or your family will want to worry about is being broken into while everyone is at the church or you are on your honeymoon.
17. Place the gift table away from the entrance into the reception hall. You do not want people walking past to have access to all those wedding gifts.
18. The cake table should be small enough you will be able to cut the cake and not have to stretch unnecessarily. You also want to make sure the table has plenty of space around it. Your dress will require a bit more room than you think it will. You will also want your guests as well as your photographer and videographer room to work.
19. Candles have a funny way of not lighting when they are supposed to during the ceremony. It is a good thing to pre-light the unity candle prior to the ceremony.
20. Grooms will want to consider a full backed vest. Most think they are hotter than the other vests; however, a groom and the groomsmen can take off their jackets and still look great if the vest has a full back in it.
21. Your wedding is about you and the love you share with the groom. Make sure you allow some quality private personal time for just the two of you. You will enjoy your day so much better if you are able to truly share it with the man you love.
22. Make sure you eat something. The day is long and you don't want to be famished. Make sure you have some light snacks and finger food for both of you and those involved in your day.
23. Make sure if you have venders who need paid the day of the wedding that you designate some one other than your parents and yourselves to handle the payments. Maybe the personal attendant or the maid of honor or best man. You and your parents shouldn't have to carry money on your wedding day. You and your parents shouldn't have any specific tasks to do. Designate them all to someone else. Enjoy your day.
24. Unless you are prepared for a disaster with your car or your hotel room, never give out your keys the day of the wedding.
