Now What Do You Do?

A Guide to Help Make Your Wedding Day Go Smoothly

There is so much stress involved in planning a wedding that when the day finally arrives, many a bride and groom are too tense to enjoy their magical moment.  Hopefully, we will help relieve some of the stresses involved with these helpful ideas.

By the way, we love feedback.  If you have some tips of your own or have questions about any aspect of running a reception, please e-mail here and we'll get right back to you with a response. And don't forget to ask about "Stressbusters".

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You've completed all the arrangements for your wedding day.  You've picked the hall, selected your wedding gown and hired your professionals:  band, caterer, photographer and videographer.Your invitations are finally in the mail and now it's time to sit back and just let things happen.  Right? Maybe not!

 
How will the events of the day come together so everything runs smoothly?  Are all the professionals working together with your best interests in mind?

Your caterer's goal should be to provide a splendid meal, served at the appropriate time, in a relaxed, unhurried manner.

Your band's goalshould be to involve all your guests in exciting and meaningful entertainment for the entire time for which they've been hired.

Your photographer's goal should be to get as many photographs as possible depicting you and your guests having a great time.

Your videographer's goal should be to capture all your guests, both on and off the dance floor, having a joyous time at your wedding.

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Communication prior to the wedding day is important to make sure you will not be disappointed.  After all, you are the boss.  You are paying the bills and making the decisions.  Your input should be taken seriously.  You should want the wedding professionals you hire to make suggestions based on their experience. but they should be willing to work along with your wishes.  Remember it is yourwedding!

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Here are some proven methods to ensure a successful wedding reception:
 

The mood is set with instrumental music for your Cocktail Hour.  From smooth jazz to current tunes, the music helps get your guests in gear for the party ahead.

 

Your band plays as the Wedding Reception begins and your guests move from the cocktail area to the banquet room.  Once your guests are at their tables we usually begin with introductions.

 

There are many variations on Introductions.

Bride & Groom only.

Parents, Bride & Groom

Parents, Grandparents, Bride & Groom

Parents, Grandparents, Bridal Party, Bride & Groom

You could probably think of a few more variations.
 

When we do introduce the Bridal Party, we usually use the following order:

• Bride's Parents (the groom's parents may enter first if they are paying for the reception)
• Groom's Parents
• Grandparents
• Junior Bridesmaids & Groomsmen
• Bridesmaids & Groomsmen
• Maid or Matron of Honor & Best Man
• Bride & Groom

The bride & groom typically come into the room and go right into the middle of the dance floor for their First Dance.  This serves to immediately bring the crowd together and open the dance floor.  The bride & groom  dance alone and then are joined after a couple of minutes by their parents and the Bridal Party.

 

The dance floor is now open and guests are encouraged to join the bride & groom.  Depending on timing, there may be one more short dance before the guests are seated.

 

The blessing and toast follow immediately.  Then dinner is served.

 

Whether dinner is served in courses or as a buffet, the flow of the party continues:

Courses - The band performs listening music at a volume level conducive to conversation at the tables.  Dancing continues between the courses and helps keep your guests from becoming lethargic.

 Buffet - Listening music continues throughout the meal at an appropriate volume level for conversation.  Usually dancing begins as soon as the guests at the bridal table have finished eating their entreé or after their dessert.

The cake cutting takes place as soon as the bride and groom have finished their entreé.  This way your caterer has plenty of time to cut and serve it for dessert or to have it inserted in bags for your guests to take home with them.  Remember to be kind if you feed each other a piece of wedding cake.  It may seem like fun to "smush" it in your partner's face, but there are lots of brides and grooms who will tell you otherwise.

While you have your guests' attention you may do any presentations or speeches then go right into the bride & father dance and groom & mother dance

If you are planning on throwing the bouquet & garter it's a good idea to do it right after dessert rather than at the very end of the party. Some of your guests who have travelled from a distance may need to get a jump on the long trip home and will be glad to be able to enjoy all the highlights before departing.  If you do not want to have the garter placed on the leg of the person who catches the bouquet, a great  alternative is a "catchers' dance" for the two who catch garter and bouquet.

 

Fun - have a lot of fun. Dance music continues to the end of your reception.

 

Information and communication are the keys

to having the smoothest possible transition through the day's events.  Talk to your caterer, band leader, videographer and your photographer. They may disagree but remember they are all working to make your affair perfect.  If you don't like a suggest, speak up! It's your day!
 

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Hopefully, this information will be of value in putting the finishing touches on your wedding day.  It should reduce some stress and allow you to relax and let the events flow perfectly.