Getting married isn’t something that happens every day, so it should be a special occasion that is remembered fondly, not just by the bride and groom, but all the guests as well. In order to ensure the day goes smoothly, here are some important things to arrange prior to the big day.
Photos and Video
Arrange for the photos and video services well in advance. Busy videographers need to be booked months before the date. Make sure to arrange for a professional company for, as there are no retakes with a wedding.
Anyone who is looking for a Perth wedding videographer can find many solutions online. Search for a company with several years of hands-on experience, so you can ensure that the final cut will be exceptional.
You want a video that you and your family can treasure forever. One such reputable video company is Dream Day Pro, and their website shows some examples of their previous work.
Music
Book the right music, as the wedding reception depends on the right tunes to get the party in full swing. Create some playlists that include favorite songs of the happy couple. Don’t forget a few tunes for the older guests, who will appreciate music they can relate to.
Decide whether you’d like to use a band or a DJ. Bands are generally more expensive.
Best Man
Make sure the best man is up to the job, which includes holding the ring for the groom and organizing the bachelor party. If he’s a dependable sort, you could give him a few more tasks to oversee, taking some of the strain from the organizer.
Remember that the best man traditionally gives the first wedding toast. Think carefully before choosing a best man who tends to drink a lot at parties. Remember that your reception’s first toast will be captured on video.
Wedding Planner
If you’re thinking of hiring a professional wedding planner, make sure you know what you’re paying for. Will she find the best potential venues, caterers, photographers and other vendors for your situation? Will she call references for all of the vendors and present the results to you?
Will she make all of the scheduling and payment arrangements? If the bride is going to do all of the work anyway, paying a wedding planner might be a waste of resources.
Reception Venue
It’s important to choose the right venue – one that regularly hosts wedding receptions. Make sure they have all of the necessary seating and tables, kitchen equipment and adequate off-street parking for your guests.
Good Food, Good Drinks
Choosing the caterer is another one of the most vital parts of planning a wedding reception. If you’ll serve a meal, decide on sit-down or buffet style. You might consider an afternoon wedding with hors d’oeuvres instead of an expensive dinner if money is tight.
Make sure the caterer knows when the food should be taken away and who gets the leftovers from the buffet or for unused plates for guests who RSVP’d but didn’t show up. You paid for the food, so logic dictates that you should get whatever remains after the event.
For the wedding cake, hire someone with a portfolio of designs to choose from. Remember that more expensive isn’t always better.
Bridesmaids and Ushers
Don’t be offended if some of your desired wedding attendants simply can’t afford to participate. Not everyone has enough spare cash for the travel costs if they live out of town, let alone several hundred dollars for buying special wedding attire.
It’s nice to make the offer so that nobody feels slighted, but follow up with something like, “I certainly understand if you can’t do it. It’s an expensive, time-consuming undertaking, and you live far away.”
Limousine Service
Do your homework before hiring transportation. You’ll find plenty of limo companies out there, some of which might consist of one guy with an ancient vehicle of questionable safety.
Make sure to ask around for referrals and/or check references. If your area licenses limousines, check online for any accidents or violations. Ask if limo drivers undergo background checks, criminal record screens and drug tests.
Ice, Ice Baby
If you’ll serve drinks at your wedding reception, make sure you buy plenty of ice, and that the reception venue has sufficient freezer space for it. You don’t want to have to send someone out for an ice run mid-reception.
Enjoy Your Big Day
When it’s all over, remember to enjoy the day and don’t sweat the small stuff. No matter how well you plan and organize, some things will go wrong, and that’s okay.
The guests won’t know if the DJ plays the wrong songs. It’s unlikely anyone will notice or care if you have a run in your hose partway through the reception.
The important thing is that you’re finally married. You made it.
This post was underwritten by Dream Day Pros; please read my disclosure here.
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