The Wedding planner la’s guide to the 1909 venue in topanga canyon
Dreaming of a rustic-chic wedding nestled in the heart of Topanga Canyon? The 1909 might be your perfect venue! This hidden gem offers a magical setting with ancient oak trees, a babbling brook, and stunning outdoor spaces.
This guide gives you the lowdown on:
Unique spaces: Exchange vows in the intimate Amphitheater, celebrate cocktail hour in the sprawling Meadow, and dance the night away in the rustic Ballroom.
Amenities: Enjoy a dedicated Bridal Suite, delicious in-house catering, and ample parking.
Planning tips: Schedule a visit, consider the time of year, and think about hiring a wedding planner to help bring your vision to life.
Want to learn more about hosting your dream wedding at The 1909? Read on for all the details and get ready to fall in love!
The 1909 | 1909 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290
So you're thinking about tying the knot at The 1909 in Topanga Canyon? Amazing choice! This place is seriously dreamy. Picture this: saying your vows under a canopy of ancient oak trees, with the sun dappling through the leaves and the sound of a babbling brook in the background. Sounds magical, right? Well, it totally is!
Let's dive into what makes The 1909 so special.
Photographer @kappenphotography
First things first, the location is chef's kiss.
Tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains, it feels like you've stepped into a secret garden. It's all rustic charm and natural beauty, with tons of magical spots for photos.
Here's the lowdown on the spaces:
The Amphitheater: This is where the magic happens! Imagine exchanging vows in this intimate outdoor space, surrounded by towering trees and with the warm California sun shining through the leaves. They have various arches you can marry under, or you can use the bough of a great tree as your natural arch!
Photographer @andyseostudio
Photography @kappenphotography
Photographer: @lulanphoto
Photographer: @lulanphoto
And that's not all!
Bridal Suite: Need a place to primp and pamper before the big moment? The 1909 has a dedicated bridal suite where you and your squad can relax and get glammed up. This private room can also store your personal items once your guests begin to arrive.
Yummy Food: Forget dry chicken and rubbery veggies! The 1909 has its own incredible in-house catering team that whips up delicious dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Think farm-to-table goodness, but make it wedding-worthy. And best of all, they can accommodate any of your guests’ dietary preferences or restrictions. In addition to the amazing food, the venue provides and sets up all your plates, cups, and utensils (as well as bussed and cleans everything up!).
Parking? No problem! They've got plenty of on-site parking, and even a parking attendant to make sure things run smoothly.
Thinking about numbers? The 1909 can comfortably accommodate up to 150 guests, so you can invite all your favorite people! Upgrade to their rustic package to use their beautiful long wooden dining tables.
Photographer: @purityweddings
Photography @kappenphotography
The Meadow: This sprawling green space (with built-in sound system) is perfect for cocktail hour, dinner, or even lawn games! String lights twinkle overhead, creating a super romantic atmosphere as the sun sets. Plus, it's right next to the creek, so you can enjoy the soothing sounds of nature while you mingle with your guests. Having an in-house outdoor sound system could save you on your DJ, as they will only need to provide sound equipment for your ballroom upstairs. However, you might want to book a DJ who is familiar with the 1909’s system!
Photographer @andyseostudio
Photography @kappenphotography
The Ballroom: Ready to get the party started? The ballroom is calling! It's got a cozy, rustic vibe with exposed beams and a big dance floor just waiting for you to bust a move. There is also plenty of space for tables and chairs for guests to rest and watch the dancing. Be sure to note that the meadow and the ballroom each have a separate bar. so you will need a bartender that is either comfortable transporting their set up from the lawn to the top floor OR you need find a bar team that can provide enough alcohol, glassware, etc. for two locations.
Photographer: @purityweddings
Ready to make The 1909 your wedding wonderland?
Here's what you should do:
Schedule a Visit: Seriously, go check it out! Pictures don't do it justice. You need to experience the magic of this place in person.
Think About the Time of Year: California weather is usually pretty awesome, but it's always a good idea to have a backup plan just in case. As your wedding planner/coordinator, it is our job to have options for different weather conditions.
Consider a Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Planning a wedding can be a lot! If you're feeling overwhelmed, we can help! We can help you with everything from finding vendors to creating a timeline.The 1909 is a very unique space, and you’ll want a planning/coordination team with lots of experience working there - a team like us!
Planning your wedding at The 1909? Our team is here to help:
Review all of our packages from full planning to day-of coordination
Reach out to us to schedule a call!
Check out our beautiful past wedding at the 1909 on our portfolio.
We're so excited for you to start planning your dream wedding at The 1909!
A Groom's Guide to Wedding Day Fashion
It feels good to look good, and on your special day you deserve to feel your best! As the groom, your attire plays a large role in the tone of your wedding. Choosing the perfect ensemble is a crucial decision, but since it is not a style most have to consider often, it can be daunting to start the search. Never fear, we've got you covered! Here's a breakdown of men's wedding fashion, from traditional suits to modern trends, accessories, and the pros and cons of renting versus buying.
It feels good to look good, and on your special day you deserve to feel your best! As the groom, your attire plays a large role in the tone of your wedding. Choosing the perfect ensemble is a crucial decision, but since it is not a style most have to consider often, it can be daunting to start the search. Never fear, we've got you covered! Here's a breakdown of men's wedding fashion, from traditional suits to modern trends, accessories, and the pros and cons of renting versus buying.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.*
Traditional Wedding Attire
Tuxedo: The classic choice, often featuring a black or midnight blue jacket, white shirt, black bow tie, and black trousers.
Suit: A more relaxed option, typically in a darker color like navy or charcoal. A patterned tie or pocket square can add personality.
Morning Suit: For formal daytime weddings, this ensemble includes a black or gray jacket, striped trousers, and a waistcoat.
Modern Wedding Attire
Casual Suits: For more laid-back ceremonies, consider a lighter-colored suit or a casual blazer with chinos.
Separate Jackets and Pants: Mix and match different pieces to create a unique look.
Vest and Pants: A waistcoat can add a touch of elegance without a full suit.
Accessories
Tie or Bow Tie: Choose a color or pattern that complements your suit and the wedding theme.
Pocket Square: A folded square of fabric that adds a pop of color or texture to your jacket pocket.
Cufflinks: A stylish accessory that can be personalized with initials or a special design.
Watch: A timeless accessory that completes your ensemble.
Shoes: Dress shoes, such as oxfords or wingtips, are the classic choice.
Renting vs. Buying: A Comparison
Renting:
Pros: Cost-effective, wide selection of styles, easy returns.
Cons: Limited customization options, potential sizing issues, environmental impact.
Buying:
Pros: Long-lasting investment, more customization options, sentimental value.
Cons: Higher upfront cost, potential for unused items, storage requirements.
Consider these factors when deciding whether to rent or buy:
Budget: Renting is generally more affordable, but buying can be a better investment if you are opting for a style with high rewear potential.
Frequency of use: If you'll only wear the suit once, renting might be the better option.
Style preferences: If you have specific style preferences or want a custom-tailored suit, buying might be the way to go.
By understanding the different options available and considering your personal style and budget, you can choose the perfect wedding attire that reflects your personality and makes you feel confident on your special day. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out or schedule a fitting at a local boutique- sometimes simply trying something on can guide you in the right direction!
Saying 'I Do' Again! A Guide to Planning Your Vow Renewal
Remember the nervous excitement of your wedding day? The thrill of exchanging vows and starting your forever together? A vow renewal ceremony allows you to recapture that magic and celebrate the journey you've shared as a couple so far. But what is a vow renewal really? We've got you covered with your guide to creating a meaningful and unforgettable ceremony.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.*
What is a Vow Renewal?
Generally speaking, a vow renewal is a ceremony where you and your spouse reaffirm your love for one another, reflect on your marriage, and look forward to the future. Beyond that it can be anything you want it to be! There's no one-size-fits-all reason for a vow renewal.
Pro-Tip: A vow renewal is not an official ceremony - no formal officiant or paperwork is needed.
Why Renewal Your Vows?
Maybe you want to celebrate a milestone anniversary or reaffirm your commitment after experiencing all the ups and downs of life together. Perhaps your original wedding was small or unconventional, and you now dream of a bigger celebration with loved ones. A vow renewal is a beautiful way to express your love and commitment no matter the reason.
Your Vows: The Most Important Part!
Unlike a wedding, there are no legalities involved in a vow renewal. This frees you to personalize your ceremony completely! You can revisit your original vows, write new ones that reflect your experiences together, or even include lighthearted elements that showcase your personalities.
Planning Your Vow Renewal
While vow renewals are less formal than weddings, some planning is still involved. Here are some key considerations:
Guest List: Do you want a grand celebration with loved ones, or an intimate gathering of just the two of you?
Venue: Choose a location that holds special meaning to you, whether it's a private spot on the beach or a favorite restaurant.
Attire: While some couples opt for formal wear again, vow renewals allow for more flexibility. Dress in a way that feels comfortable and reflects your style.
Photography/Videography: You can choose professionals to capture this special occasion, or you can set up a tripod and timer and take more casual shots!
Celebratory Touches: Live music, readings, or special toasts can add a personal touch.
Whether you say “I do again!” or “I still do!” the options for vow renewal decor are endless! Check out some of our favorite items below:
Pro-tip: People who were not part of your wedding ceremony (children, grandchildren!) can play a lead role in your vow renewal. Enlist an adult child to be the officiant or your youngest grandchild to be a ring bearer!
Remember: the most important aspect of your vow renewal is that it reflects your unique love story. It's all about celebrating your journey together and recommitting to your future.
So, are you ready to say "I do" all over again? (link to packages)
Wedding Planning Mistakes: 5 Hidden Pitfalls (and How to Stay Stress-Free)
You have gotten engaged, decided on an overall aesthetic for your wedding, booked a venue, and have specific elements for design in mind. Now the time has come to transition your Pinterest boards from dream to reality! While planning the logistics necessary to bring your vision to life is fun and exciting, the process has a reputation for turning stressful. There are some common pitfalls that people run into that can be key contributors to sucking the fun right out of something you've looked forward to. Below are 5 of the most frequent mistakes people make while planning a wedding and (more importantly) how to avoid them!
You have gotten engaged, decided on an overall aesthetic for your wedding, booked a venue, and have specific elements for design in mind. Now the time has come to transition your Pinterest boards from dream to reality! While planning the logistics necessary to bring your vision to life is fun and exciting, the process has a reputation for turning stressful. There are some common pitfalls that people run into that can be key contributors to sucking the fun right out of something you've looked forward to. Below are 5 of the most frequent mistakes people make while planning a wedding and (more importantly) how to avoid them!
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.*
Mistake 1: Forgetting to Budget Before Spending
The internet is a wonderful tool full of wedding inspiration - but all of the picturesque weddings popping up on social media don’t include price tags. Be sure to sit down with your partner and determine your budget before you book or buy anything! A budget is as much a price limit on your entire wedding as it is a guide for how much you’d like to spend on each vendor, decor element, or clothing item. Making a budget will also help you figure out what elements are most important to you - do you want lots of fragrant florals, or is having a top shelf selection at the bar more important? - and then allocate those funds accordingly so that you can manage your expectations and shop within a price range that you are comfortable with!
Pro-tip: If you are working on a limited budget, spend BIG on a few focal point items instead of spreading your budget too thin. Once the I-do's are said and the cake is cleared, the wedding photos are how you will predominantly look back on your big day! Choose a photographer that will produce quality images you will be happy to reminisce on your day over and ensure the elements in those photos are ones you are filled with joy to see. For example, the altar arrangements and your bouquet will be in more pictures than centerpieces or a welcome table, so prioritize those items when budgeting!
Pro-tip: DIYing your florals is extremely time-intensive and live floral arrangements can only be assembled 12-24 hours before the wedding day and need to be kept in a cool, somewhat humid environment (exact temperatures for ideal storage vary depending on flower type, though most would be ideally stored between 34-38 degrees F, with a humidity level of 75-85%). If this is a DIY project you are considering, be sure you have enough help and time to complete the arrangements without taking away from any of the other things you will need to do in those precious last hours leading up to your wedding!
Mistake 3: Constantly adding people to your guest list
Weddings are a time to not only commit your life in partnership and love, it is also a time to celebrate the support and community you are surrounded by! For many couples, drawing the line on the maximum number of invitees can be a challenge. It is helpful to create at least a rough draft of your guest list prior to booking a venue in order to ensure you are securing a space that can accomodate the number of guests you would like to host.
Organizing a list of everyone can be a very stressful feeling, but it does not have to be! Start by breaking up your guest list into small lists (An Excel sheet is great for this) - one tab for your family, one for your partner’s family, another for your friends, their friends, shared friends, work friends, etc. Prioritize each list into must invite, like to invite, and invite if the budget allows. Then as RSVPs come in, you can extend invites to additional people as needed.
Mistake 2: Trying to DIY Too Much
Wedding planning while newly-engaged can really bring out the artist in all of us. The idea of hand-painting signs and knitting favors for all 150 of your guests may sound like fun projects to incorporate bespoke touches to your big day- and they are!- but the reality may be a little different. While personalized, DIYed elements add a personal touch to your wedding and often save money, overextending your creativity and time can lead to wedding planning burnout! Instead of overloading yourself with too many projects, stick to only manageable projects that best use your creative talents, and leave the rest to Amazon Handmade and Etsy.
Pro-tip: Keep in mind that every guest costs more than just the price of a meal and a bar tab! Calculate the cost of every seat (table & chair rental, cost of centerpieces & table numbers, plates, drinkware, silverware, napkins, additional service staff to adequately serve & clean, etc.). Communicate with your partner about the importance of sticking to your invite list! For some people this is no problem, but if you and/or your partner are the kind that has never met a stranger and is at risk of inviting your Uber driver to the wedding, be sure you both are on the same page about the wedding guest list!
Mistake 4: Forgetting to delegate
Aside from actually getting married and celebrating the night away, you will have A LOT to do on your wedding day. Between gettting ready, taking photos, visiting with guests, eating (don't forget to actually eat!), you personally won't have time to do any of the set-up, breakdown, or logistical behind the scenes stuff that goes on in order to make your wedding day come together! To this end, seek out the support of professionals to ensure all of your hard work comes together in way you will be happy with. If professionals are not available for any certain task or are not within the budget, turn to trusted friends and/or family to assist with elements like picking up the cake, communicating with vendors on the day of, and confirming transportation. Delegate tasks, loosen the reins a bit, and enjoy the process!
Pro-tip: Even if you have a planner, coordinator, and/or decorator it is extremely helpful to delegate certain getting ready tasks to your wedding party or family members. A few examples include making sure your lunch makes it to you (and in you!) while getting ready, if you want to listen to music someone will need to make a playlist and bring a speaker, and someone will need to be in communication with your transportation team and/or wedding coordinator.
Mistake 5: Over-scheduling and Under-timing
Creating an unrealistic timeline that leaves no room for unexpected delays or breathing room is a sure fire way to add stress to any wedding. Build in buffer time between activities like traveling from the ceremony location to the reception (especially if they are at two separate locations across town!). Factor in time for travel, photos, and getting ready. Discuss a backup plan with your vendors in case unforeseen circumstances arise.
Pro-tip: Schedule the ceremony start time 30 minutes after guests are expected to arrive. Guests can mingle, sign the guest book, drop off cards and gifts, and find their seats during the in-between time, but allowing this 30 minutes will ensure your ceremony is not delayed due to guests' late arrival.
Bonus mistake! Forgetting to color coordinate your wedding attire with accessories!
There are endless shades of white and ivories and blacks and grays and really every color on the color wheel! Be sure to look at all of your wedding attire items next to each other, in person ahead of time to ensure they work well together. This goes for all wedding party attire, too! Check in with each wedding party member a few weeks in advance to ensure they have sourced any items they are to provide themselves (i.e. If the groomsmen all need to wear matte black dress shoes, make sure they know and are on top of it!)
Pro-tip: Champagne and gold go well with white and ivory! You can mix these shades in with your white or ivory for a regal accent.
Soaking Up the Sun: Ideas for Your Summertime SoCal Wedding
Los Angeles, and southern California at large, has some of the most beautiful wedding venues in the world. No matter your style, you can find a venue that matches your tastes. The endless sunshine, especially in summer, offers a unique canvas for creating a magical celebration. But planning a summer wedding in SoCal comes with some unique challenges. Here are some tips from our experience as Los Angeles wedding planners for planning a perfect summer wedding!
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.*
Start with the venue!
Beach Bliss: Typically the California coastline boasts cooler weather than inland. So even in summer an outdoor wedding can be comfortable. When planning your wedding by the water in , opt for a light, airy feel with white chairs and pops of color in the florals.
DO: Choose a venue in a place Malibu, Palos Verdes, or Santa Barbara where the temperature is mild in the summer
DON’T: Plan an outdoor wedding during the summer in San Fernando Valley, where the temperatures hit triple digits during the summer months.
Vineyard Charm: Did you know that Los Angeles has a surprising number of wineries? These venues offer a sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance, perfect for an afternoon ceremony followed by an alfresco reception under the twinkling stars.
DO: Consider a vineyard style venue like Cielo Farms, located in Malibu!
DON’T: Forget about Santa Barbara! The area boasts many gorgeous vineyard style venues like Zaca Mesa Winery in Los Olivos, CA.
Rooftop Romance: A wedding downtown might suit your tastes! An early evening ceremony on a venue’s panoramic rooftop at a venue can capture the sunset with a touch of urban chic. Afterwards, your guests can head indoors for a sleek modern reception.
DO: Opt for a ceremony start date after 5pm - when the sun’s rays have dimmed a bit.
DON’T: Forget ambient lighting! String lights always have a magical feel.
PRO-TIP: Ask your DJ if they provide mood lighting!
Some of our decor picks for a beach wedding:
Working with the Elements
Dress for comfort: Choose light and airy fabrics over heavier ones.
DO: Choose clothes made of plant fabrics, like cotton or linen that breathe well
DON’T: Wear heavy, non-breathable fabrics like satin or velvet at an outdoor summer wedding
Floral Fantasy: Choose flowers that are heat-resistant, or dried even flowers! Succulents are always a quirky touch. Don't be afraid to get creative with centerpieces and floral arrangements.
DO: Choose flowers like lavender, geraniums, and zinnias, that tolerate heat well
DON’T: Leave flowers like hydrangeas, roses, or anemones out in the heat, as they will quickly wilt!
Beat the Heat: While the sun is a welcome guest, be mindful of your guests' comfort. Provide shaded areas, offer fans or parasols, and have cooling beverages readily available before and throughout the ceremony and reception.
DO: Have a refreshment station available to guests pre-ceremony
DON’T: Have your guests sitting in direct sun during the ceremony!
Have a Plan B: Consider an alternative indoor location for your ceremony should it be too hot on your wedding day. You may also reserve large umbrellas or tents from a rental company. Be sure to check the weather every day up until your wedding day! Make a plan with your planner/coordinator in advance in case of inclement weather.
DO: Have some indoor or shaded spaces for guests at an outdoor wedding
DON’T: Forget that weather forecasts are just that - forecasts! Anything can happen weather-wise, so be prepared!
Culinary Delights
Light and Fresh Fare: A hot, heavy meal might not be the most satisfying under the summer sun. Choose lighter dishes like fresh seafood, seasonal salads, and chilled soups.
California Cuisine: Embrace the local food scene! Offer a menu that reflects SoCal’s diverse culinary landscape, with options like gourmet tacos, fresh sushi platters, or wood-fired pizzas. A food truck is always a fun catering option
Sweet Summer Treats: Who doesn't love a cold dessert on a hot day? Set up a gelato stand or have a beautifully-decorated cake with lighter flavors like lemon or berries.
Time to Party:
Live Music Under the Stars: Hire a local band to create a lively atmosphere. Choose music that reflects your taste and gets your guests moving on the dance floor. Live music doesn’t have to be at the reception - a soloist pre-ceremony or during cocktail hour is great as well.
Photo Booth Fun: Provide a photo booth with fun props for guests to capture memories of your special day.
Backyard Games: Set up some fun lawn games like cornhole or giant Jenga to keep guests entertained during cocktail hour or breaks between dancing.
PRO-TIP: These games can usually be rented through a rental company, or purchased, if you are looking to have at-home entertainment in the future that doubles as a wedding memento
Don't forget the little details:
Sun Protection: Offer sunscreen or parasols as a thoughtful touch for your guests to protect themselves from the Angeleno sun.
Bug Spray: Warm evenings can bring mosquitos. Having bug spray on hand ensures your guests remain comfortable throughout the celebration. Citronella candles are also a way to keep bugs at bay.
Useful favors: Water bottles with custom labels, plastic sunglasses, and hand fans are cute guest favors that double as useful tool for staying cool during the wedding.
7 Wedding Decor Ideas to Set the Stage for Your Big Day
Wedding decor is one of the funnest parts of wedding planning. The options are truly endless, and it can all become overwhelming. To help you navigate the world of wedding decor, we've curated a list of popular trends that are sure to impress your guests:
Wedding decor is one of the funnest parts of wedding planning. The options are truly endless, and it can all become overwhelming. To help you navigate the world of wedding decor, we've curated a list of popular trends that are sure to impress your guests:
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.*
A Beautiful Card Box
Card boxes can be made of simple cardboard, or gold and glass! Since many guests opt to send their gifts directly to a couple’s home, a card box is a must have for collecting cards filled with well-wishes.
Our favorite card boxes:
Greenery Galore
We all love wedding flowers, but greenery is also an important accent to your venue. Garlands, hanging vines, and potted plants bring a fresh, organic feel to your wedding venue. This trend pairs well with a rustic or garden wedding theme, but can also add a touch of whimsy to a more modern celebration. Consider using different textures and shades of greens to create a layered and visually interesting effect.
Pro-tip: don’t be afraid of fake greenery! You can mix it in with real flowers or use it to line an aisle. Fake greenery is much easier to work with as well.
Statement Lighting
Lighting can completely transform a space, and your wedding day is no exception. String lights draped overhead, fairy lights in jars, or hanging lanterns can create a magical and intimate atmosphere. You can also use colored lighting strategically to highlight specific areas, like the dance floor or the dessert table.
Welcome Signage
A beautiful welcome sign sets the tone for your wedding and lets guests know they've arrived at the right place. But your welcome sign can be a mirror, a wooden board, or even a chalkboard. You can use custom vinyl stickers to personalize your welcome sign with your names, wedding date, or even a special message. No matter what style you choose, make sure it reflects the overall theme of your wedding.
Photo Backdrop
Create a fun and interactive element for your guests with a designated photo backdrop. This could be anything from a floral wall to a sequined curtain. Don't forget to provide props like hats, boas, and signs to add to the fun! For a unique touch, consider using a vintage car, a doorway adorned with flowers, or a scenic spot outdoors as your backdrop.
Signature Cocktails
This may not technically be decor, but you can choose a signature cocktail that reflects your personality. A well-placed bar sign with your signature cocktails listed is a perfect touch. You can even name them after your beloved pets! Garnishes like fresh fruit or herbs can elevate the drink’s presentation. If you're having a summer wedding, a refreshing lavender lemonade or a watermelon mojito might be perfect. For a winter wedding, a warm spiced cider or a pear martini could be delicious options.
Guestbook Alternatives
Guestbooks are a lovely way for your guests to leave you well wishes and memories from your special day. But there are so many creative alternatives out there these days! Consider an instant photo guestbook, where guests can take a polaroid picture and write a message on the back. Providing an empty photo album will allow your guests to slip the photo in so it doesn't get lost! A globe guestbook is another fun option - guests can sign a globe and leave a message. You can display your globe in your home and remember all the people who made your wedding special.
Skip the Flight: 5 LA Wedding Venues with European Charm
Los Angeles, often associated with Hollywood glamour and sunshine, might surprise you when it comes to wedding venues. This city and its surrounding areas boast a wealth of hidden gems that evoke the romance and architectural elegance of Europe, offering a unique and unforgettable wedding experience. Imagine exchanging vows in a meticulously-landscaped Italian garden, celebrating within the walls of a historic mansion, meandering around an English castle fit for a queen, or enjoying breathtaking ocean views from a Spanish style Hacienda – all without the need for a plane ticket.
Los Angeles, often associated with Hollywood glamour and sunshine, might surprise you when it comes to wedding venues. This city and its surrounding areas boast a wealth of hidden gems that evoke the romance and architectural elegance of Europe, offering a unique and unforgettable wedding experience. Imagine exchanging vows in a meticulously-landscaped Italian garden, celebrating within the walls of a historic mansion, meandering around an English castle fit for a queen, or enjoying breathtaking ocean views from a Spanish style Hacienda – all without the need for a plane ticket.
Here are five exceptional Los Angeles-area venues that will transport you and your guests to a European wonderland:
Maxwell House
Pasadena, CA
Step back in time to the opulent Gilded Age at the Maxwell House on Millionaire’s Row in Pasadena. This restored Victorian mansion, with its intricate woodwork and beautifully landscaped courtyard, embodies the grandeur of a bygone era. Picture yourselves exchanging vows amidst the opulent interior, or in the pretty courtyard. Capture moments with your bridal party on the dramatic staircase in the main hall.
Maxwell House | Photographer:@tailoredtotheheart
Adamson House
Malibu, CA
For a wedding with a touch of Spanish glamour, the Adamson House in Malibu is a dream come true. This Spanish colonial revival mansion, located right on the beach, has terracotta roof tiles, hand-carved doors, and gardens bursting with colorful flora. Exchange vows right on the Pacific Ocean, Then follow with a sophisticated reception. The sound of waves crashing in the background creates an extraordinary experience.
The Shakespeare Club
Pasadena, CA
Literature lovers will find themselves enchanted by the Shakespeare Club in Pasadena. This venue with its cozy nooks reminds you of an regal countryside home. You can have your ceremony on the terrace. Following the ceremony, your guests can move into the ballroom. Be sure to take romantic photos under the arbor. This unique and romantic venue will feel as though it's been plucked straight from the pages of your favorite novel.
Greystone Mansion
Beverly Hills, CA
For a touch of English stately home grandeur, look no further than Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. This iconic estate boasts sprawling lawns that could be straight out of a Jane Austen novel. Have your ceremony on the sweeping front lawn, surrounded by loved ones, clinking glasses and making memories.
Villa del Sol d'Oro
Sierra Madre, CA
Nestled in the foothills above Pasadena, Villa del Sol d'Oro offers a touch of Italian allure. This private estate boasts manicured gardens reminiscent of a Tuscan vineyard, adorned with charming water features and overflowing with vibrant flora. The grand villa itself, a historic building with original features, evokes images of sunset soirees under the Italian sky. Exchange vows a flower-filled archway, followed by a reception on the terrazza, all set against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain vistas.
15 Fun Wedding Favor Ideas That Won't Get Left Behind!
Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of exciting decisions, from the perfect dress to the flavor of the cake (chocolate, vanilla, funfetti?!). But there's one little detail that shouldn't get lost in the shuffle: the wedding favor!
Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of exciting decisions, from the perfect dress to the flavor of the cake (chocolate, vanilla, funfetti?!). But there's one little detail that shouldn't get lost in the shuffle: the wedding favor!
Wedding favors are a way to say "thanks for celebrating with us!" They also serve as souvenirs to remember your big day. But with so many options, how do you choose something that your guests will love? We present 15 of our favorite wedding favor ideas.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.*
Mini Honey Jars
Adorable and delicious, these little jars of sweetness are perfect for a touch of rustic charm. Fill them with local honey for an extra special touch. Tie a cute twine bow around the jar and attach a tag that says "Bee Happy Ever After!"
Gourmet Popcorn
Popcorn gets a sophisticated upgrade with fun flavors like truffle parmesan or dark chocolate sea salt. Package them up in colorful popcorn boxes for an easy, grab-and-go favor.
Sweet Candy Bars
Candy bars can be fabulous favors! Get a cute wrapper or have a custom one made with your names and the date of your wedding.
Personalized Wine Corks
A favor that your guests can use! Choose a design that matches your wedding theme or get creative with a cute slogan. Your guests will take the wine corks home and use them at future celebrations!
Folding Fans
Elegant and functional (especially for an outdoor wedding!)These fans are lifesavers for summer weddings. They come in a variety of materials, like lace or fabric, and can be personalized with your wedding monograms.
Baked Cookies
Who can resist a homemade baked good? Box up a variety of flavors for a delightful treat. If you're not the baking kind, there are plenty of amazing bakeries that can whip up custom cookies with your initials or wedding date iced on top!
Hot Sauce Trio
For the spice lovers in your life, a mini hot sauce sampler adds a kick to any meal. Look for artisanal hot sauce companies with unique flavor combinations, like mango habanero or smoky chipotle.
Succulent Favors
These little plants are easy to care for and add a touch of life to any home. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can find ones that fit your wedding theme.
Custom Hand Sanitizer
These little bottles are a practical favor that will allow your guests to spread love, not germs! Add fun labels or personalize them with your names and wedding date. Best of all, your guests will use the mini hand sanitizers long after the music ends.
Polaroid Photos
Set up a polaroid camera station and let your guests capture instant memories of the night. This is a fun way for guests to take silly pictures or document heartfelt moments.
Pro-Tip: No matter what favor you choose, presentation is key! Dress them up with pretty packaging, ribbons, or custom tags to tie in with your wedding theme. For example, you could use mini burlap sacks for a rustic wedding or decorate boxes with lace for a more elegant affair. Favors like fans can be placed on the welcome table, while food favors can be laid out by the door before guests leave.
With these ideas, you're sure to find the perfect wedding favor that your guests will love!
The Perfect Pairing: Wedding Veil Lengths and Your Dream Dress
So you’ve said "yes!" to the dress. But your wedding outfit search doesn't quite stop there. There’s the veil to consider - that delicate, flowy piece that adds a touch of romance and mystery to your bridal look.Veils come in various lengths. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get flustered! Don't worry, I have you covered.Here's a guide to wedding veil lengths and the wedding dress styles that go best with them.
So you’ve said "yes!" to the dress. But your wedding outfit search doesn't quite stop there. There’s the veil to consider - that delicate, flowy piece that adds a touch of romance and mystery to your bridal look.Veils come in various lengths. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get flustered! Don't worry, I have you covered. Here's a guide to wedding veil lengths and the wedding dress styles that go best with them.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.*
The Shy Smile: The Blusher Veil
Imagine this: you're walking down the aisle with your veil gently shading your face. It's a timeless, romantic image. The blusher veil - the short veil that can be flipped back after the "I dos," is the perfect way to achieve it.
Length: Short. Covers the bride's face.
Style: Traditionally attached to a comb and flipped back over the head during the ceremony.
Best with: Vintage-inspired tea-length or short wedding dresses. They also add a touch of whimsy to simple silhouettes.
Tease and Elegance: The Elbow-Length Veil
If you're looking for something with a little more personality than the fingertip veil, the elbow-length veil might be your perfect choice. It adds drama without adding volume to your bridal look.
Length: Mid-length. Reaches the bride's elbows.
Style: Similar to the fingertip veil, but offers a slightly more dramatic touch.
Best with: Sheath or trumpet wedding dresses, as well as tea-length dresses.
The Classic Touch: The Fingertip Veil
For a veil that exudes timeless sophistication, the fingertip length is your BFF. It ends at your fingertips without overwhelming the beauty of your dress.
Length: Mid-length. Reaches the bride's fingertips.
Style: A versatile choice that adds a touch of elegance without overwhelming the dress.
Best with: Fingertip veils complement a wide range of dress styles, from fit-and-flare to A-line, and even ball gowns.
The Twirling Dream: The Waltz-Length Veil
The waltz-length veil dances along the floor, skimming the train of your dress and creating a soft, romantic look. It's ideal for a fairytale aesthetic! Picture yourself twirling around the dance floor with your new hubby, your veil swirling around you – pure enchantment!
Length: Mid-length. Extends to the floor, skimming the train of a waltz-length gown.
Style: Creates a soft, romantic look.
Best with: Ball gown or A-line wedding dresses with a full skirt.
The Grand Entrance: The Chapel-Length Veil
Feeling like a queen on your wedding day? Nothing says regal like a chapel-length veil. It extends past the train of your dress, adding a majestic touch that's perfect for a grand wedding ceremony.
Length: Long. Extends past the bride's train, reaching the floor.
Style: Adds a majestic and formal touch, ideal for a grand wedding ceremony.
Best with: Ball gowns or formal A-line wedding dresses with long trains.
The Fairytale Ending: The Cathedral-Length Veil
For the bride who wants to make a serious statement, the cathedral-length veil is the ultimate showstopper. It flows well past the train of your dress, sometimes even pooling on the floor behind you. It's the most dramatic veil length. A cathedral-length veil creates a truly breathtaking entrance that will leave your guests speechless. This one is reserved for the most formal weddings and pairs best with ball gowns that have long trains – think classic fairytale princess with a modern twist!
Length: Longest. Extends well past the bride's train, sometimes even pooling on the floor behind her.
Style: The most dramatic veil length, creating a truly stunning and unforgettable entrance.
Best with: Ball gowns with long trains and a dramatic silhouette, often made from luxurious fabrics like satin.
Remember, these are just guidelines! The most important thing is to find a veil length that makes you feel like the most radiant, confident version of yourself on your wedding day. Consider the formality of your venue – a cathedral-length veil might overwhelm a small, intimate ceremony. Think about your personal style too. Are you a classic and elegant bride, or do you crave something more dramatic and glamorous? Try on lots of veils, twirl around like a princess, and find your happily ever after with the perfect veil to complete your dream look!
20 Ways to Make Your Wedding More Sustainable
Sustainability is more than just a popular wedding trend. It is a way of life that can be practiced in everything you do. Large events, including weddings, can create excessive waste. Luckily, there are lots of small ways to reduce the ecological impact of your event. Choosing more eco-friendly practices at your wedding is a beautiful way to honor your union and our beautiful planet.
Sustainability is more than just a popular wedding trend. It is a way of life that can be practiced in everything you do. Large events, including weddings, can create excessive waste. Luckily, there are lots of small ways to reduce the ecological impact of your event. Choosing more eco-friendly practices at your wedding is a beautiful way to honor your union and our beautiful planet.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.*
Here are 20 ways to make your wedding more sustainable:
1 - Source local flowers for your floral arrangements
For our Los Angeles area brides, The Los Angeles Flower District has almost unlimited options! For smaller weddings, Trader Joe’s is an affordable option for beautiful ceremony flowers. Do a Google search to find a wholesale flower market near you!
2 - Donate your leftover florals to a senior living home
This requires a little pre-planning - a great task for a bridesmaid! Call a local senior living home and inquire if you may bring your wedding flowers there the day after the wedding. You may need to supply extra boxes for packing up for your flowers, and assign someone to take them home, then drop them off the next day! The beautiful arrangements will brighten the seniors’ day! Here are some great picks for packing up and transporting flowers.
Pro-tip: not able to arrange this? Try donating any leftover florals to the staff at your venue - do not forget the staff in the kitchen and valet in the parking lot!
3 - Upcycle your decorations by selling them to another bride after your wedding
Great places to sell barely-used wedding decor include Facebook Marketplace and Mercari.
Pro-tip: list your items for sale before your wedding, and arrange for the buyer to come pick the items up at the end of the reception!
4 - Consider potted plants for centerpieces
Potted plants from your local garden center will last much longer than cut flowers. Guests can take them home and enjoy them long after your wedding day!
5 - Skip paper invites and send evites
Sites like Zola, the knot, and withjoy offer free wedding websites. All you need to do is share the link with your guests. You’ll be able to collect their RSVPS, communicate details, and keep track of your guest list all online!
6 - Buy used vases
Local thrift stores often have dozens of beautiful glass vases. Click here to find a local Goodwill.
7 - Opt for compostable plates, napkins, and cups
Compostable dinnerware will save them from a landfill, and conserve water that would be used to wash ceramic dishes. Compostable plates and forks are perfect for cake and desserts!
8 - Skip water bottles for water dispensers or pitchers instead of individual plastic water bottles
Water dispensers and pitchers create less plastic waste. Here are some dispensers and pitchers we recommend:
9 - Consider renting silk florals for your decor
Something Borrowed Blooms is a go-to for renting beautiful silk florals. They offer easy returns as well.
10 - Shop for a pre-loved wedding dress
Sites like stillwhite and loved twice bridal have large selections of used wedding dresses. Don’t forget to search local thrift stores as well!
11 - Rent your attire (tuxes, etc)
Why buy a tux just for your wedding!? The Black Tux offers menswear rentals for the groom and all groomsmen.
12 - Encourage guests to embrace their own unique style, rather than buying something just for your wedding
When you specify the event’s dress code on your invite or wedding website, you can request that guests choose an outfit they already own!
13 - On your bridal registry, ask your guests to donate to environmental causes in honor of your wedding
Zola allows couples to add their favorite charities to their bridal registry. Guests can donate directly from the site.
14 - Offer plantable seeded paper wedding favors that your guests can grow into their own blooms
Seeded paper invites and cards can be planted after they are read, rather than placed in the trash. Here are some of our picks for seeded invites and envelopes. Let love bloom!
15 - Consider natural daylight for your ceremony if possible
For spring and summer brides, this can be as easy as picking a late morning or early afternoon ceremony start time.
Pro-tip: a sunny ceremony can mean a warm ceremony! Be sure to provide your guests with options for shade! hand fans and paper umbrellas can double as wedding favors.
16 - Use energy-efficient LED lighting throughout your venue
Many venues require you to provide your own/additional lighting. Affordable LED lighting can help set the right mood at your reception!
17 - Encourage guests to carpool or share rideshare services to and from to your wedding
This can be listed on your wedding website. Connect guests who live near each other or are staying at the same hotel so they can carpool!
18 - Offer shuttle services to reduce the number of individual vehicles needed
Our couples in the Los Angeles area love Riz Transportation and United Limo and Charter. A nationwide Uber-like service for finding shuttles for your event is the Swoop App. If you have a room block at a hotel, that can be the perfect pick up location for shuttles.
19 - Work with your caterer to ensure you order only the amount of food needed to avoid leftovers
Your guest list will come in handy for this! By knowing your exact guest count at least 2 weeks before your wedding, you caterer will be able to provide enough food for your guests without unnecessary surplus.
20 - Donate any extra food to a local shelter or food bank
Like donating your florals to a senior home, this also requires a little pre-planning. Call a local shelter or food bank and inquire if you may bring any leftover food there after your wedding. If this does not seem feasible, consider supplying your guests with compostable take-out boxes to allow them to bring any extra food home. Don’t forget to also offer any leftover food to staff!
By incorporating just a few of the simple practices above, you will create a beautiful and memorable wedding that celebrates your love and the environment. Here’s to happy planning!
Wedding Vendor Tipping Guide
You worked hard to carefully select the list of vendors for your wedding. This rockstar roster of professionals is ready to work hard to make sure your dream day comes together exactly the way you want it to! Of course, you want to show your thanks, but what is the appropriate tip to show that appreciation? Follow our easy, one-shot guide to tipping wedding vendors!
Where to Find the Perfect Plus-sized Wedding Dress Online
Congrats on your upcoming wedding! It’s time to start looking for your dream dress. Curvy brides often have a difficult time finding affordable wedding dresses that fit well and flatter their figure. Don't worry – you're not alone!
Congrats on your upcoming wedding! It’s time to start looking for your dream dress. Curvy brides often have a difficult time finding affordable wedding dresses that fit well and flatter their figure. Don't worry – you're not alone! There are a ton of incredible plus-size wedding dress options available to make you feel like the gorgeous bride that you are on your wedding day. Shopping online for your wedding dress can give you the most options in every available size. We’re sharing tips for picking the perfect dress and where to start looking for curvy wedding dresses online!
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.*
Accentuate Your Shape
The perfect wedding dress will make you feel confident and beautiful. There are many flattering silhouettes for curvy figures, so don't be afraid to consider multiple types of dresses! The most popular silhouettes for curvy brides include:
A-Line
This universally-flattering shape flares out from the bodice, skimming your curves and creating a balanced silhouette.
Empire waist
An empire waist sits just below the bust, emphasizing your waist area and creating a flowing, elegant look.
mermaid
For brides wanting to show off their hourglass figure, a mermaid silhouette can be incredibly flattering.. This silhouette hugs your curves through the bodice before flaring out from the knee downward.
Special Songs for Special Moments
If you find yourself stumped on song selection - don’t worry! We’ve got you! We’ve compiled a few lists of song suggestions for important wedding day moments like your processional, recessional, first dance, and parent dances! We hope you find something you love or maybe even some inspiration that fuels your song search!
Like virtually everything related to wedding customization, wedding music selection is no different!! If you love Star Wars and want to walk down the aisle to the “Imperial March” DO IT! We have seen a lot of creativity from couples in the past when it comes to song selection and as long as those selections are a reflection of your personalities then they WORK!
If you find yourself stumped on song selection - don’t worry! We’ve got you! Below are a lists of song suggestions for important moments of the wedding day that are typically (or always) accompanied by music. We hope you find something you love or maybe even some inspiration that fuels your song search!
Songs To Walk Down the Aisle to:
“I love you Always Forever” - Donna Lewis Piano Cover
“500 Miles” - The Proclaimers Piano Cover Wedding Version
“Stand by Me” - Ben E King Piano Cover Wedding Version
“Marry Me” - Train Piano Cover Wedding Version
“The Office Theme Song” - Piano Cover Wedding Version
“Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” - Cello & Piano Cover
“Sunflower” - Post Malone & Swae Lee Piano Cover
“Love Story” - Taylor Swift Piano Cover Wedding Version
“A Thousand Years” - Christina Perri Piano Cover Wedding Version
“Lover” - Taylor Swift Piano Cover Wedding Version
“Halo” - Beyonce Piano Cover
Wedding Recessional Songs:
“I Got U” - Duke Dumont
“I’m a Believer” - Smash Mouth
“You Make My Dreams Come True” - Hall and Oats
“Everywhere” - Fleetwood Mac
“Marry You” - Bruno Mars
“Higher and Higher” - Jackie Wilson
“This is What You Came For” - Calvin Harris & Rihanna
“I Feel Good” - James Brown
First Dance Songs:
“Beyond” - Leon Bridges (too fast? Check out this cover!)
“Let’s Stay Together” - Al Green
“Let’s Get Married” - Jagged Edge Queres Cover
“The Way I Am” - Ingrid Michealson
“You are My Sunshine” - Jasmine Thompson
“Love me Like You Do” - Ellie Golding (Slowed, Acoustic)
“Sun & Moon” - Above & Beyond Acoustic Cover
“Everywhere” - Fleetwood Mac
“How Long Will I Love You” - Ellie Golding
“All of Me” - John Legend
“Perfect Duet” - Ed Sheeran / Beyonce
“Thinking Out Loud” - Ed Sheeran
“Better Together” - Jack Johnson
“Gravity” - John Mayer
Songs to Dance with Dad to:
“Wild Flowers” - Tom Petty
“In My Life” - The Beatles
“Like My Father” - Jax
“Sweet Pea” - Amos Lee
“I Loved Her First” - Heartland
“Father and Daughter” - Paul Simon
“Daughter” - Loudon Wainwright III
“Cinderella” - Steven Curtis Chapman
“My Little Girl” - Tim Mcgraw
“Always Be Your Baby” - Natalie Grant
“Just Fishin” - Trace Adkins
“Little Miss Magic” - Jimmy Buffet
Songs to Dance with Mom to:
“The Best Day” - Taylor Swift
“A Song for Mama” - Boyz to Men
“Days Like This” - Van Morrison
“My Wish” - Rascal Flatts
“Hand Prints on the Wall” - Kenny Rogers
“Mama Hold My Hand” - Aloe Blacc
“He Gets that From Me” - Reba McEntire
“Then they Do” - Trace Adkins
“Have I Told you Lately” - Rod Stewart
“Simple Man” - Lynyrd Skynard
“Beautiful Boy” - John Lennon
“Mom” - Meghan Trainor
“Mama Said” - Lucas Graham
“How Long Will I Love You” - Ellie Golding
“Because You Loved Me” - Celine Dion
“You’ll be in My Heart” - Phil Collins
“Never Grow Up” - Taylor Swift
“That’s What Mama’s Do” - Jason Matthews
“Mama’s Song” - Carrie Underwood
“Your Song” - Elton John
Wedding Vocabulary A-Z
Speak the wedding lingo like a pro! Or maybe just find this list when someone said something you don’t know the meaning of… no matter what brings you here, WELCOME!
Like any industry, the wedding industry has its own unique vocabulary that may seem commonplace to anyone on the inside, but to the many, many that just pop in for a short stint to plan their own wedding is a whole new world! Honestly, wedding planning should really come with a glossary… so we made you one! With our wedding vocabulary glossary you won’t feel left in the dark, in fact, you’ll be speaking the wedding lingo like a pro in no time!
A
Aisle- located between two clusters of seating where the guests will sit during the wedding ceremony, the aisle is the walking space between for the bride, groom, wedding party, and family members that leads to the altar where the ceremony will take place
Aisle runner- a covering, usually cloth or paper, expanding down the length of the aisle. The aisle runner is typically a rug, smother of flower petals, or roll of paper.
Altar- a backdrop for a religious wedding ceremony, typically made of candles, murals, floral arrangements, and/or a podium
Appliqué- a piece of ornate fabric, usually lace, sewn into another fabric to create texture and dimension
Arbor- and arch typically made of a collection of sticks, serves as a space for couples to be married under during outdoor wedding ceremonies
B
Bachelor party- a gathering of the groom-to-be’s closest friends to celebrate their friendship and his upcoming marriage (also called a “Buck’s night”)
Bachelorette party- a gathering of the bride-to-be’s closest friends to celebrate their friendship and her upcoming marriage (also called a “Hen’s night”)
Best man- the groom’s right-hand person, typically their closest friend or family member. This person is asked to stand beside the groom in support on his wedding day and assist with any wedding needs both prior to and on the day of the wedding
Black tie- a dress code in which all of the men wear formal tuxedos and the ladies wear floor length gowns
Black tie optional- a dress code in which men have the option to wear formal tuxedos, but a nice business suit is also acceptable
Bridal bouquet- a collection of flowers tied together, usually with a ribbon, intended for the bride to hold as she walks down the aisle to the wedding ceremony. The flowers symbolize happiness and satisfaction in marriage; the ribbon symbolizes fellowship and strength through community
Bridal shower- a party thrown for a bride-to-be where the guests are expected to “shower” the bride-to-be with gifts
Bride- a woman (or person who identifies as such) who is getting married
Bridesmaid- a close friend or relative of the bride who offers support throughout the wedding planning process and on the wedding day
Bridesmaid bouquet- a collection of flowers tied together intended to be held throughout the wedding ceremony by a bridesmaid
Boutonniere- a flower or small collection of flowers that is pinned to a suit jacket lapel for special occasions (like weddings)
Bouquet- a collection of flowers tied together intended to be held by a bride and/or bridesmaids as a symbol of happiness and good luck for the marriage
Bouquet toss- a tradition that usually occurs during the wedding reception where the single ladies in attendance gather and the bride tosses the bouquet into the crowd. The person who catches the bouquet is said to be married next
Buck’s night- a gathering of the groom-to-be’s closest friends to celebrate their friendship and his upcoming marriage (also called a “bachelor party”)
Buffet- a variety of dishes displayed on tables that guests can create their own plates from. This is a more casual form of serving food
Bustle- the process of pinning or buttoning the train of the bride’s dress higher on her dress to increase her mobility and function
Buttercream- a cake frosting made of whipped butter and sugar. Though it is generally found to be more delicious than fondant, it is known to quickly melt in heat
C
Cake cutting- a tradition that typically occurs during the wedding reception where the bride and groom cut their wedding cake together and take turns feeding the cake to each other
Calligraphy- an artful type of script writing known to convey elegance, often used on wedding invitations
Casual dress- a dress code that allows guests to wear whatever they would like, though dresses and button down shirts are typically still expected
Caterer- a wedding vendor that provides food for the guests. This service can be hired independently or provided through the reception venue
Cathedral- a Christian place of worship that is the seat of a Bishop
Celebrant- a person who is legally authorized to perform, or officiate, a wedding ceremony (also called “officiant”)
Centerpiece- an object placed in the center of a table intended for decorative purposes
Ceremony rehearsal- a practice run of the wedding ceremony, typically held a day or two prior to the wedding, usually followed by a rehearsal dinner
Chapel- a space, other than a courtroom and usually other than a church, where wedding ceremonies regularly take place
Charger- a large, decorative plate that goes beneath a dinner plate
Chuppah- used for Jewish wedding ceremonies, this is a 4 post canopy with fabric draped or stretched around the outside, beneath which a couple is married
Cocktail attire- a dress code that balances between black tie optional and business attire. Men are expected to wear afternoon suits and women are expected to wear nice dresses that are less formal than evening gowns but more formal than sundresses, suits, or skirts with a blazer.
Cocktail hour- an “hour” directly following the wedding ceremony where guests gather to mingle, eat appetizers, and enjoy alcoholic beverages. Typically during this time the bride, groom, wedding party, and immediate family take pictures
Corsage- a small bouquet of flowers that can be worn on the wrist like a bracelet or pinned to clothes, typically worn by the matriarchs of a family, though on rare occasions bridesmaids will wear them
Cummerbund- a wide waist sash worn with double-breasted tail coats or tuxedos
D
Day of coordinator- a person hired to make sure the wedding plans are carried out. They typically act as the liaison between the timeline, vendors, and wedding party to ensure everyone is in the correct place at the allotted time doing the planned event. They will manage the vendors, communicate with the wedding party, and oversee the evening.
Destination wedding- a wedding taking place at a location where the couple and/or majority of guests must make travel arrangements in order to attend
Dress code- a specification of attire that guests are asked to adhere to
E
Engagement- the relationship between two people who intend to be married. It is also known as the time between a marriage proposal and a wedding
Engagement party- a party held to celebrate a recent engagement. Also serves as an opportunity to introduce members of the merging families and other wedding guests
Engagement pictures- typically a professional photograph, or series of photographs, taken to use for wedding announcements, wedding websites, social media, and/or decorate the wedding reception
Engagement ring- a gift given by one spouse when asking if the other will marry them, it serves as a symbol that the person wearing the ring is to be married
Escort card- a small card that lists a guest's name and their table number for the wedding reception. These are usually placed on a table together where guests will find them before moving to their assigned table
F
Family style- a food serving style where large serving dishes of food are placed on each individual table. The guests are expected to serve themselves and pass the serving trays around the table
Father of the bride (FOB)- just as it sounds, this is the father of the bride. FOB is a typical abbreviation used by wedding vendors and will commonly appear on timelines or other documents created by wedding professionals
Father of the groom (FOG)- just as it sounds, this is the father of the groom. FOG is a typical abbreviation used by wedding vendors and will commonly appear on timelines or other documents created by wedding professionals
Father/daughter dance- a traditional dance between the bride and her father to a meaningful song. It is intended as a celebration of their relationship. Typically no other guests will be on the dance floor, though occasionally the pair will request for other father/daughter couples to join them on the dance floor halfway through the song (See “How to Create a Timeline” for suggestions on timing this event)
Favors- a small gift from the newly weds to the guests to show their appreciation for the guests’ attendance; souvenirs for guests to take as they depart from the wedding
Fiancé (or Fiancee)- a person who is engaged to be married
First dance- typically occurring at the beginning of the wedding reception, this is the first dance that the newly weds will share as a married couple. (See “How to Create a Timeline” for suggestions on timing this event)
Floral arrangement- a collection of flowers specifically and artfully pieced together (See “All Things Wedding Florist” for more information)
Flower girl- a young girl who walks down the aisle before the bride, she will typically scatter flower petals as she walks
Fondant- a smooth cake icing that is rolled out over a cake to give it a smooth appearance
Formal attire- a dress code that is between cocktail attire and black-tie. Feminine attire includes a nice short or long dress made of higher end material, pantsuit, or skirt and blazer. Masculine attire includes a dark suit, tie or bowtie, and white shirt
G
Ganache- a combination of chocolate and heavy cream either used as icing or filling for a cake. They will also have additions like liqueur, vanilla, or fruit flavorings
Garlands- (1) also known as Mala in the Hindi language, used in Hindi weddings, flowers bunched together on a string and worn around the bride’s and groom’s neck (2) a lush leafy and/or flowery vine used as decor
Garter- a piece of bridal lingerie worn around a bride’s upper thigh, under her wedding dress. Traditionally a groom will retrieve the garter and toss it into a crowd of single men (see “Garter Toss”)
Garter toss- after retrieving the garter, the groom will toss or sling-shot the garter into a group of single men that have gathered prior to the garter retrieval. The bachelor that catches the garter is said to be married next
Gift registry- a service provided by websites and/or retail stores for engaged couples to create lists of desired items they would like to receive as wedding gifts and communicate those wishes with their wedding guests
Gobo lighting- a light that shines through a projected image onto a solid surface such as a wall or floor. Typically for weddings couples will use a Gobo to project their monogrammed initials
Golden hour- a time with optimum lighting for photographs that occurs twice a day, one during sunrise and once during sunset. Golden hour typically starts the first 30 minutes after sunrise, the final hour prior to true sunset, though most sunset photo shoots last about 30 minutes after sunset
Grand entrance- a presentation of the newly weds, often the bridal party is included and occasionally close family members are included. This typically occurs directly following cocktail hour and immediately preceding dinner
Grand exit- a formal send-off of the newly weds at the conclusion of the wedding reception. The grand entrance usually includes guests forming a tunnel of aisle for the newly weds to run through before getting into their exit vehicle
Groom- a man (or person who identifies as such) who is getting married
Grooms speech- the groom’s speech is usually made on behalf of himself and his new spouse to thank the guests for attending their wedding, acknowledge the continued support of friends and family, and appreciate his new spouse.
Groomsmen- an attendant to the groom that offers support throughout the wedding planning and wedding day; usually the groom’s closest friends and/or family members
Guest list- a list of individuals invited to a wedding. This list does not include anyone hired to work as a vendor on your wedding day (even if they are friends!)
H
Head table- a table at a wedding reception where the bride, groom, and their wedding party will sit to eat dinner. This table usually faces outwards towards the rest of the guests
Hen’s night- a gathering of the bride-to-be’s closest friends to celebrate their friendship and her upcoming marriage (also called a “bachelorette party”). Hen’s nights traditionally take place on the evening prior to the wedding, but with the rise in popularity of the bachelorette party, Hen’s nights have largely transitioned to earlier dates.
Honeymoon- a vacation taken by the bride and groom following their wedding
Hosted bar- bar drinks available to guests prepaid for by the host(s) of a wedding
Hotel block- an agreement made between the host of a wedding and a hotel to guarantee a predetermined number of rooms at a predetermined rate are available to wedding guests
I
In house catering- catering services provided by a wedding reception venue
Installation- any display, decor, floral or otherwise, that has been placed specifically for a wedding
Invitation- a letter sent providing information and a request for attendance of the recipient to a wedding. The invitation should state the date of the event, address where the event is being held, time they should arrive, and any other pertinent information to your unique event (i.e. dress code, will food be served?, will there be dancing?, is there a wedding website where further information and/or a registry can be found, a map to find the specific location if venue is in a low internet-service area, etc.)
Invitation suite- all of the paper goods sent along with an invitation. This usually includes an RSVP card, meal card, directions to the wedding venue, and any other important information necessary to share with guests
J
Justice of the peace- a court judge with limited legal abilities, but whose abilities include performing marriage ceremonies
K
Ketubah- a Jewish marriage contract that outlines the responsibilities of the groom in relation to the bride
Kickback- an amount of money paid from one vendor to another for a client referral
L
Letterpress- a printing technique by which many copies are made by repeated direct impression of a raised inked surface against sheets or rolls of continuous paper
M
Maid of honor (MOH)- the bride’s right hand person, typically a close friend or family member who participates in the wedding ceremony processional, adjusts the bride’s dress once she arrives at the altar, holds the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony, and offers continued support throughout wedding planning and on the wedding day. The MAID of honor is an unmarried woman.
Master of Ceremonies (MC or Emcee)- A person who speaks through a microphone to provide information and entertainment to guests
Matron of honor- the bride’s right hand person, typically a close friend or family member who participates in the wedding ceremony processional, adjusts the bride’s dress once she arrives at the altar, holds the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony, and offers continued support throughout wedding planning and on the wedding day. The MATRON of honor is a married woman.
Meal card- a card included with the invitations where guests who plan to attend the wedding will specify what meal option they would like
Money dance- a dance where guests take turns offering the bride and groom money in exchange for a quick dance. The money offered is typically pinned to the bride and grooms clothing, though it is occasionally put into baskets, or someone, usually the bride’s mom or an aunt, will pin the money together to form crowns and/or capes for the bride and groom to wear
Mood board- a visual representation of the design vision and inspiration for a wedding. Also called an “inspiration board”
Mother of the bride (MOB)- just as it sounds, this is the mother of the bride. MOB is a typical abbreviation used by wedding vendors and will commonly appear on timelines or other documents created by wedding professionals
Mother of the groom (MOG)- just as it sounds, this is the mother of the groom. MOG is a typical abbreviation used by wedding vendors and will commonly appear on timelines or other documents created by wedding professionals
Mother/son dance- a traditional dance between the groom and his mother to a meaningful song. It is intended as a celebration of their relationship. Typically no other guests will be on the dance floor, though occasionally the pair will request for other mother/son couples to join them on the dance floor halfway through the song
N
Newlyweds- people who have just gotten married. The “newlywed” period begins immediately following the wedding ceremony and extends through the first year of marriage
O
Officiant- any person who performs the role of officiating a legal marriage ceremony (also called “Celebrant,” “Justice of the Peace,” or any religious leader) (See “All Things Wedding Officiant” for more details on this service, questions to ask a potential officiant, & how to proceed once a wedding officiant is booked)
Open bar- a bar serving alcoholic beverages paid for by the host(s) of the wedding
P
Palette- a collection of colors intended to be used in the wedding design (See “Design Building Guide” for more information and guidance on how to select the right color palette for you!)
Place cards- small pieces of paper listing a guests name, placed at their seat. Typically guests will find their name and designated table on a seating chart and upon arriving at their table will look for their place card to locate their exact seat.
Plated dinner- dinner served to seated guests by wait staff. Typically their desired meal will have been specified on their meal card and communicated with the catering service staff prior to the wedding so no one will place orders directly on the wedding day
Place setting- a collection of plates, napkins, place cards, silverware, cups, and occasionally decorative touches at each guests seat
Plus one- an unspecified guest of a wedding guest. The “plus one” is up to the guest’s discretion. This is commonly allotted to guests who are single and/or may not be familiar with many other guests in attendance.
Photo booth- a vending machine or kiosk where guests can take pictures. The pictures are usually printed on strips for guests to take home or sent to them via text or email. Props are usually provided to encourage creativity
Photographer- a professional hired to take pictures throughout the wedding day
Procession- a group of people formally walking down the aisle in a wedding ceremony, typically occurs after all of the guests are seated
Processional- the music played while a group of people (i.e. wedding party, parents or parental figures of the couple, etc.) walk down the aisle in a wedding ceremony
Q
Queen Anne neckline- a high collar in the back, with a dipped cut in the font usually in a V or U shape. Common wedding dress neckline.
R
Reception- a celebration following a marriage ceremony that typically includes food, drinks, and dancing or other entertainment.
Recessional- the part of a wedding ceremony where the wedding party exits the ceremony area
Rehearsal dinner- a dinner directly following the ceremony rehearsal, typically the guests include anyone who attended the ceremony rehearsal and their dates. This usually includes the wedding party and immediate family of bride(s) and/or groom(s)
Ring bearer- a young male child who participates in the wedding ceremony by bringing the rings to the altar
Ring box- a box containing the wedding rings and bands carried by the ring bearer
RSVP- an abbreviation of a french phrase “repondez s’il vous plait,” which in english means “please respond. When this is listed on an invitation it means the guests are expected to confirm or deny their attendance
RSVP card- a card included with the wedding invitation that guests can use to confirm or deny their attendance and mail back to the sender
S
Sample sale- an event where boutiques and wedding dress designers offer the dresses used in their showrooms for bride’s to try on designs or worn at fashion shows at deeply discounted rates
Save the date (STD)- an announcement sent to guests of the wedding date and city. This announcement is sent prior to the invitations. They are often sent once the date is solidified, but other important details are still unknown
Seating chart- a display listing table numbers or names and the guests assigned to each table
Semi-formal attire- a dress code requiring guests to wear something dressier than what they would wear to a business meeting, but less formal than a tuxedo or evening gown
Signature cocktail- a cocktail selected by the bride(s) and/or groom(s) for guests to drink. Often used when the reception bar is limited
Speeches- an address given by important family or friends of the bride(s) and/or groom(s) usually providing well wishes or fond memories with the couple (also called “Toasts”)
Suit- a formal three piece outfit composed of dress pants, formal jacket, and nice button up shirt. A suit is less formal than a tuxedo.
Sunset pictures- portraits taken of the bride(s) and/or groom(s) during sunset or “golden hour”
Sweetheart table- a special table for newlyweds to sit while eating dinner. This table is usually separated from the other guests, but allows guests a clear view of the couple and vice versa.
T
Table pictures- this is when the newlyweds walk around to the guest tables during dinner and take pictures with the entire table
Tablescape- a cohesive, intentional design of a table decor and place settings.
Toasts- an address given by important family or friends of the bride(s) and/or groom(s) usually providing well wishes or fond memories with the couple (also called “Speeches”)
Trial- a practice run of hair and makeup prior to the wedding day to ensure the hair and makeup teams are prepared with all materials to achieve the desired look, and to confirm the bride is happy with how her desired look translates to her personally
Train- the long back portion of a wedding dress that trails behind the wearer
Tray-passed appetizers- hors d'oeuvres served to guests by wait staff from trays as guests mingle
Trunk show- a special event in which a bridal salon features a particular designer's collection. The bride has a unique opportunity to view and try on wedding dresses straight off the runway before they are available in stores as well as styles from previous seasons
Tulle- a stiff, fine netting-like fabric often used for wedding dresses and veils
Tuxedo- a formal three-five outfit composed of dress pants, matching formal dinner jacket, button up shirt, cummberbund, and tie.
U
Usher- a designated person to escort guests to their seats prior to and during a wedding ceremony
V
Veil- a piece of fabric worn in the brides hair that compliments her dress
Vendor- a professional hired to take care of a specific aspect of the wedding event. Examples of vendors include caterers, wedding planners, rental companies, florists, etc.
Venue- a location that either or both the wedding ceremony and/or reception will take place
Venue walk through- a visit to your wedding venue to map out the day-of plan on site. Typically a venue representative, the couple, their planner, photographer, caterer, and rental company are in attendance.
Videographer- a wedding vendor hired to film the wedding (For more information on this service, the styles of videography, what is common in videography packages, questions to ask a videographer, and what to expect after booking a wedding videographer, check out our blog “All Things Wedding Videography”)
Vows- an exchange of promises between the bride(s) and/or groom(s) during the wedding ceremony
Votives- small candles usually used to accent wedding decor. These candles are larger than tea candles, but smaller and shorter than candle sticks
W
Wedding band- (1) a ring exchanged during the ceremony symbolizing matrimony (2) a group of performers intended to provide musical entertainment during a wedding reception
Wedding ceremony- a legal and/or religious union of two or more people committing their lives
Wedding coordinator- a person hired to make sure the wedding plans are carried out. They typically will manage the vendors, communicate with the wedding party, and manage the timeline (see also “Day-of coordinator”) (For a complete description of this role, questions to ask potential coordinators, & what to expect after booking a wedding coordinator, visit “32 Questions to ask a Wedding Coordinator”)
Wedding dress- a dress worn by a bride at her wedding
Wedding planner- a hired professional who plans and organizes weddings (For more information on the role of a wedding planner, questions to ask a wedding planner prior to booking, and what to expect after booking a wedding planner, check out our blog “Questions to ask a Wedding Planner”)
Wedding website- an online platform specific to a wedding where guests can find important information regarding that wedding
Welcome bag- a collection of useful items gifted to wedding guests upon their arrival to a hotel block. This bag usually includes items relevant to the couple, the wedding, and/or the city the guests are staying in
White glove service- a premium service that is expected to be carried out with the utmost attention to detail and care
Y
Yuchid- a Jewish tradition immediately following a wedding ceremony intended to seclude the bride and groom offering them a moment in private
All Things Bridal Hair and Makeup
You are already oh so beautiful! We know it, your fiance knows it, and (hopefully) you know it! You spent so much time preparing for your wedding, this is the perfect opportunity to be the most polished version of yourself. That’s where professional hair and makeup teams come in. These amazing artists will make you SHINE! Follow this guide to feel confident in the selection of your hair and makeup teams.
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Things to know and consider before booking hair and makeup artists
Questions to ask prior to booking
Ways to maximize your hair and makeup teams services
You are already oh so beautiful! We know it, your fiance knows it, and (hopefully) you know it! You spent so much time preparing for your wedding, this is the perfect opportunity to be the most polished version of yourself. That’s where professional hair and makeup teams come in. These amazing artists will make you SHINE! Follow this guide to feel confident in the selection of your hair and makeup teams.
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Things to know and consider before booking hair and makeup artists
Questions to ask prior to booking
Ways to maximize your hair and makeup teams services
Things to know and consider before booking hair and makeup artists
Some people will bundle hair and makeup services, others will not. Hair and makeup artists often work in teams and bundle their services. This can be done by either one individual providing both services, or two professional’s combining their services into a single contract.This is great for cost effectiveness, as many offer discounted rates for booking both hair and makeup through a single contract. However, you may LOVE the hairstylist but not be as fond of the makeup artist (or vice versa). Be sure that bundling these services is worth it! If both services aren’t offered by one company or duo, you can contract the services separately. This is a great way to guarantee you love both of the services!
Bridal hair and makeup is more expensive than hair and makeup services for bridesmaids, family members, or kiddos. There are a few reasons bridal hair and makeup is more expensive. A bride typically has a more intricate hair and makeup design than anyone else getting ready for the wedding, which takes more time. She also needs her hair and makeup to be consistent and last throughout the wedding, which is accomplished by providing extra steps to prepare her hair and skin before beginning on the actual looks and using additional and high quality products.
If you are hiring a team, make sure you like everyone’s work. As the bride, you will typically do a hair and makeup trial with your professionals prior to the day. When you are hiring multiple people to take care of your bridesmaids and/or family members, this isn't usually the case. Be sure to inquire about the other professionals’ skills and experience and request pictures from their portfolios to get an idea of what their work is like.
Consider the space available in your getting ready area when booking a team of hair and makeup artists to provide services for multiple people. The space you are getting ready in may be a little cramped. If you have booked a hotel suite it may seem spacious, but once you, your bridesmaids, your mother, your groom’s mother, three makeup artists, three hair stylists, and a photographer are in the space, it quickly becomes cramped. Make sure that everyone will be comfortable in the space before hiring an extensive team and inviting extra people to get ready with you. A cramped space will have a lot of energy to process and quickly become hot. That doesn’t exactly set the stage for a calm environment. If you anticipate the space becoming cramped, pace everyone’s getting ready time slots appropriately so not everyone is on top of each other while trying to do hair and makeup at once!
Experience matters. A novelist hair and/or makeup artist may not be able to work around another professional, as quickly, or know how to make your makeup and/or hair last throughout the evening. A professional will be well versed on all of these factors and operate quickly, calmly, and efficiently.
Personality matters. Your hair and makeup team is around you while you are getting ready for an important and emotional day. Their energy truly matters. These people should be people you could see yourself being friends with. If they are high strung, easily stressed, or generally too much energy, they will alter the way you feel while getting ready. Ideally you want someone kind, easy going, and calming. The last thing you want is your makeup artist rushing around and creating unnecessary stress!
Have an idea of the hair and makeup styles you want & provide pictures. Prior to booking a hair and makeup team, have a clear idea of what style you want. Not every professional can achieve every look. Someone who is amazing at intricate braiding, may not be able to accomplish a curly up-do. A makeup artist who is incredibly talented at a Hollywood glam look, may struggle with a more natural look. Professionals want to set themselves up for success, so by providing them with plenty of pictures prior to booking they will be able to confidently tell you if they can achieve your desired look.
Do a trial run. Prior to booking, be sure to do a trial run. This is when the hair and/or makeup artists attempt to create your desired look. This is important and useful for a few reasons:
Check for product quality- During the trial run, check out the products that your professionals are using. If they whip out some drugstore makeup, RUN!!!
Make sure you like what they did- You will be able to see how closely they came to accomplishing your look and offer the opportunity for notes on how it can go better next time. Aside from their actual skills, this will also give you an idea of how your desired styles translate to you! You may have been in love with a certain hairstyle in pictures, but now that it is on your head, you may not be so in love with it!
Check for longevity of your hair and makeup- The trial lasts longer than just to when they finish your hair and makeup. Pay close attention to how your makeup settles into your face. Does it quickly become shiny? Does it fade, smudge, or smear throughout the day? Does it sink into your pores, making them more pronounced? How does your hair fall throughout the day? Does it stay perfectly? If curls start to go, do you like the way they are loosening? As fly-aways come out of an updo, do you like the natural transition or would you prefer everything stay put?
Make sure their personality works with yours- As previously mentioned, personality is important! Your trial run is the perfect opportunity to gauge how well your personalities mesh together and how pleasant this person will be to have around on your wedding day.
Make a general timeline before booking to make sure they are available at the time you need them. Makeup and hair teams often do multiple events in a single day. To guarantee they keep your time slot open, make a rough timeline for getting ready. This will also help them get an idea of how many professionals are required to finish everyone’s hair and makeup. Additionally, a timeline provides your professionals the opportunity to make suggestions about adding time or team members to make sure everyone is finished in time!
Not everyone needs to get professional hair and/or makeup services. If space and budget is limited, but your friends are talented, not everyone needs either or both professional hair and makeup services. Just be sure to communicate the desired look to your bridesmaids so they can practice the look beforehand.
Know how many people you need to get hair and/or makeup services. With space and budget in mind, have a clear idea of exactly how many people will be needing professional hair and/or makeup services. Oftentimes, services are discounted if purchased for multiple people. Also, if you add a lot of people to the roster of who is receiving hair and/or makeup services down the road, it may alter the getting ready timeline. Extra members of the hair and makeup teams may be required if more people decide to get professional services, but if you wait too long to make this decision your hair and makeup team may not have access to additional professionals!
Questions to ask your hair and/or makeup team before booking
Basics-
Are you available on my date?
Do you charge by the hour or by person?
What is the rate for bridal hair and/or makeup?
Is there a different rate for other people?
Do you offer discounts if we book for multiple people?
Do you require a deposit? How much?
When is the balance due?
What is your preferred method of payment?
What is your cancellation policy if I cancel?
What is your cancellation policy if you cancel?
What is your rescheduling policy if I need to change my date?
What is the backup plan if you are personally unable to fulfill your contract due to a last minute conflict?
Are there any additional fees such as travel fees, delivery fees, etc. that are not included in the package price?
Are you licensed?
Are you insured? Does the insurance cover all of your staff and property?
Service questions-
On my wedding day, will you travel to my location or will I have to come to your salon?
Can we do a trial run prior to booking?
What is the cost for the trial run?
Will the cost or a portion cost for the trial come out of your overall rate if I choose to book you for my wedding?
What products/application method do you use? (i.e. airbrush, creams, powders, etc.)
Roughly how long will it take to create my desired look?
Do you regularly work with a hair/makeup person that you recommend?
Do you offer bundled rates of hair and makeup services when booked together?
Do you work around the hair/makeup stylist as they work simultaneously or do you need to work at a separate time?
How many stylists will we need for the amount of people I intend to have professional services done on?
How much time will it take to complete everyone’s hair and makeup services?
Will you stick around throughout the day to do touch ups on my hair and makeup?
Experience questions-
Do you have a portfolio I can look through?
If multiple professionals will be providing hair and/or makeup services, can I look through each of their portfolios as well?
How long have you been doing hair and/or makeup professionally?
How long have you been doing wedding hair and/or makeup?
How many weddings do you typically do a year?
Will you have any other events on my wedding day?
Do you work with random other professionals or the same professionals mostly?
Ways to maximize your hair and makeup services
Pick a hair and makeup style that will work with your overall aesthetic and hair and skin type. Your hair and makeup should work with your dress, wedding design, and natural features. Think through how a style will translate to your head before falling too deeply in love with something! This well set your hair and makeup teams up for success and you up for happiness!
Understand that your face and hair is unique, so the style may look a little different on you. Even if you find a style that will complement your natural features, it will look a little different on your face than in pictures of other people. Be prepared to see slight differences. After all, your differences and uniqueness are a good thing! Your fiance agreed to marry you, not the ladies in the pictures! Your natural features are what make you an individual and particularly beautiful in your own way.
Provide a lot of inspiration pictures for your hair and makeup teams. Even though you will look a little different than the inspiration pictures, be sure to provide plenty of examples of the styles and look you are going for! This will help your professionals prepare. They need to think through how to accomplish your desired look and collect the supplies necessary to make it all come together.
Make sure there is adequate lighting in your getting ready space. Lighting is so important to hair and makeup services. Proper lighting will ensure your makeup is blended properly, your hair is all in place, and both the hair and makeup work together beautifully. Natural light is ideal, but if it is not available or adequate on its own look into alternatives. If you personally won’t be able to provide proper lighting, communicate this with your hair and makeup teams so they can bring ring lights or another alternative.
Make sure the hair and makeup stylists will have access to power in your getting ready space. Hair stylists will absolutely need power for blow dryers, curling irons, and/or flat irons. Makeup artists need power for their lights, airbrushes, or any other special equipment needed to accomplish your desired look. Check for nearby outlets to where you and anyone getting ready with you will do their hair and makeup. If there isn’t one close by, bring an extension cord and power splitters.
Make sure there is plenty of space for both the hair and makeup teams to work in your getting ready space. Allow plenty of space for two professionals to work at once. If you have multiple teams operating at the same time, make sure there are several designated spaces with plenty of room so everyone is able to work to the best of their abilities and everyone’s hair and makeup is completed on time.
Provide tables for your hair and makeup teams to set up their supplies in your getting ready space. Your hair and makeup teams both have supplies to set out for easy access. Each individual professional will need a table or adequate space to display their equipment. This table or display will need to be directly by their personal station for easy access.
Allow plenty of time in your wedding day timeline for getting ready. Don’t rush the getting ready portion of the day! This a fun time to spend with your closest friends and/or family, so allow for plenty of time to have a relaxing getting ready period. The key is having the bride’s hair and makeup finished last, to give her look the best chance at lasting the longest!
Discuss what you should do to prepare your hair and skin prior to the wedding day. Depending on your desired styles, hair type and skin type, your professionals may have advice on some steps to take prior to your wedding day. Your hairstylist may not want you to wash your hair the night before or they may want it freshly washed immediately before they begin your style. Your makeup artist may have a skin care routine they recommend to ensure your skin is in optimum condition. Don’t forget to inquire about your bridesmaids and/or family members, too! They likely will have a different hairstyle than you, and therefore need to do something different to prepare their hair! The makeup artists may not ask them to do anything too special, but it's worth asking just in case! Asking your professionals what everyone can do to make their hair and makeup experience as positive as possible is the very best way to maximize those services!
All Things Wedding Decorator
A wedding decorator is the person in charge of making everything pretty on your wedding day. Their work typically begins a few months prior to the wedding when they begin working closely with you to develop your design vision, plan how to implement that vision, and create mock-ups of potential designs. Follow this guide to feel confident you have selected a wedding decorator that will create the wedding of your dreams!
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Things to know and consider prior to booking a wedding decorator
Questions to ask a wedding decorator prior to booking
Ways to maximize your decorator’s services
A wedding decorator is the person in charge of making everything pretty on your wedding day. Their work typically starts a few months prior to the wedding when they begin working closely with you to develop your design vision, plan how to implement that vision, and create mock-ups of potential designs. It is important to find a professional who can create a design that represents everything you are hoping for in a wedding design. Whether you come to this professional with a very specific vision or need full support on developing your design, a wedding decorator should be able to create a custom design just for you. Follow this guide to feel confident you have selected a wedding decorator that will create the wedding of your dreams!
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Things to know and consider prior to booking a wedding decorator
Questions to ask a wedding decorator prior to booking
Ways to maximize your decorator’s services
Things to know and consider prior to booking a wedding decorator
Some coordinators or florists will act as wedding decorators, but not all will. If you are lucky, you will find a coordinator and/or florist that can provide decor and/or set up your decor. These professionals typically cost a little more upfront and may charge individually for decor rentals, but can ultimately save you money since you won’t need to find a separate decorator. Wedding decorators will occasionally also offer floral services, but they never include day-of coordination services. It is important to know the difference between these services and understand each professional's role in bringing your day together per their contract. Having a clear understanding of each professional’s services will save you a lot of money and headache down the road!
Some wedding decorators provide decorations, others won’t. Most decorators do have an inventory of decor, however, some do not. Some will show up with the sole purpose of setting up the decor that you provide. The professionals who do not provide any decor rentals typically are priced at lower rates, but the cost is made up by purchasing or renting decor from other sources.
Most decorators will assist with decor clean up at the end of the night, but it's worth double checking. If your decorator is supplying decorations they will almost always return the same night to break down decor and collect their belongings. Double check that this is the case, and confirm there are no additional fees if the wedding reception ends after a certain time. It is also worth confirming that they will break down any decor you supplied, make sure that it is packed away, and return your decor to its predesignated space. If you are supplying all of the decor, the decorator may or may not include clean up. If they do not include decor breakdown, you will need to make sure someone is assigned to take care of this aspect.
Most decorators will help with the overall design, some just implement, while others insist on doing everything. Wedding decorators include varying degrees of design consultation. Most of them will work with you to develop your design and plan the best way to bring your vision to life. A few decorators will simply take the designs you have already mapped out and implement them on the day of your wedding. This is more common for decorators who are not supplying any decor for your wedding. Some wedding decorators like to have the majority of control over the wedding design. They will typically still want input on color, themes, and general feel, but prefer to have free reign over how your desired design elements are brought together. This approach is more common for wedding decorators who are providing all of the decor, are hired early in the planning process, and have been in the business for a very, very long time. It takes a lot of confidence to assume they can create your dream wedding with minimal input from you! Confidence can pay off, but proceed with caution when a decorator says this is their work style! Some decorators that insist on picking and designing most of your wedding will have a very specific go-to wedding design that they recreate at multiple events. If you don’t like this look or are looking for something more custom, you may want to go a different route. Typically all decorators, even those who prefer to have the majority of control over design, will create mock-ups of their intended designs and get your approval before the wedding day.
Questions to ask a wedding decorator prior to booking
Basics-
Are you available on my date?
Can you work within my budget?
Do you require a deposit? How much?
When is the balance due?
What is the policy if your items are broken or missing after my wedding?
What is your preferred method of payment?
What is your cancellation policy if I cancel?
What is your cancellation policy if you cancel?
What is your rescheduling policy if I need to change my date?
What is the backup plan if you are personally unable to fulfill your contract due to a last minute conflict?
Are there any additional fees such as travel fees, delivery fees, etc. that are not included in the package price?
Are you licensed?
Are you insured? Does the insurance cover all of your staff and property?
Package & service questions-
Do you bring any assistants?
Will you provide some or all of the decor you will be setting up?
Will you set up decor that I provide?
I’m hosting my ceremony and reception at two separate venues, will you provide decor set up and breakdown for both locations?
Will you assist me with building my design vision?
Will you assemble examples for my wedding that I will be able to look over and approve?
When do we need to have the design finalized?
Do you have a catalog of your inventory I can look through?
Is everything in your inventory included in the cost of your services or priced individually?
Can I see examples of your past designs?
How long does it typically take you to set up the decor for a wedding of my size and my desired style?
Will you return at the end of the night to clean up decor?
If I provided some of the decor, will you also clear my decor from my venue?
Experience-
How long have you been a wedding decorator?
How many weddings do you do a year?
Do you do any other kind of design work?
Will you be decorating any other events on my wedding weekend? (Hint: While this doesn’t matter too much for most vendors, if your wedding decorator is working other weddings on your wedding weekend you run the risk of some items intended to be used at your wedding being damaged or destroyed at another event. If this happens a day or two prior to your wedding there won’t be time to replace the item.)
Ways to maximize your wedding decorators services
Communicate your vision clearly. Since almost all decorators take some level of your design preferences into consideration, it is important to communicate your vision, especially your must-haves, clearly. Be sure to provide inspiration photos if you have them, instead of simply trying to describe something you like. Show the decorator your wedding attire, floral inspiration, color scheme, and venue so they can develop an understanding of what styles you are drawn to.
Organize any decor you are supplying. Clearly label boxes, take pictures of things you have a specific vision for, and label the purpose for individual items. This will not only streamline the decorating process, but also ensure that your decor is placed in the way you intended.
You will be charged for broken or missing items, so do your due diligence to return everything in-tact! Have your MC make multiple announcements about not taking centerpieces or decor pieces. Believe it or not, some wedding guests assume the items they see are up for grabs. Some centerpieces, especially large floral pieces, are commonly given away at weddings, so they aren’t totally wrong for thinking this may be the case. If your decor items are rentals, be sure to have the MC clearly communicate this to guests. Your decorator (or any other rental source) works hard to collect these pieces and they often aren’t easily replaced. If items go missing, that usually results in a pretty hefty surcharge!
Things happen, plan accordingly. Guests may miss the memo to not take items, or items may break. Although we all want to hope for the best, it is best to plan for the worst! Prior to your wedding day, have your decorator (or any other decor rental source) prepare an invoice with the cost to replace each item they are supplying. Not only will this help you mentally and financially prepare if something does go missing, it will also hold the rental vendor accountable to certain amounts (in other words, they can’t charge you an arbitrary and high amount that they came up with off the cuff after the fact).
All Things Rental Companies
The majority of weddings will require rentals in some capacity. Whether you need to rent everything down to the generators and restrooms or if you are just looking to rent a few decor pieces, it is important to thoroughly vet your rental company. Follow this guide to feel confident in your rental company selection!
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Things to know and consider before booking a rental company
Questions to ask a rental company prior to booking
Ways to maximize rental services
The majority of weddings will require rentals in some capacity. Whether you need to rent everything down to the generators and restrooms or if you are just looking to rent a few decor pieces, it is important to thoroughly vet your rental company. Follow this guide to feel confident in your rental company selection!
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Things to know and consider before booking a rental company
Questions to ask a rental company prior to booking
Ways to maximize rental services
Things to know and consider before booking a rental company
Some venues have requirements of which rental company can be hired. Certain venues are particular about what rental companies can work on their property. If this is the case, you will likely have to go with their company no matter what. Some venues with “preferred” rental companies will allow you to hire an alternative company, but charge an additional fee. Though it is unlikely, depending on the rates of their preferred company and the additional fee amount, you may be able to save money by going with an outside company even considering the additional fee. On rare occasions the preferred company will have limited rental options and not offer items that work with your desired aesthetic. In this case, and if your budget allows, an outside company may still worth the additional fees.
Some venues have requirements of certain specific equipment that you will need to rent. Venues want to protect their property, and for good reason! The quality of their venue is the foundation of their income. This means they may require certain protective elements be rented in order to keep their space safe. Common items include ground coverings to go beneath the caterer, fire extinguishers, adequate trash receptacles, and display equipment so no permanent measures are taken to display decor or lighting (i.e. poles, stand alone wall displays, scaffolding, etc.).
Venues often have specific rental drop off and pick up windows. Venues typically have a set beginning and ending time that vendors will have access to a space. The initial access time varies significantly from venue to venue, but the vendor “out time” is typically 30-90 minutes after the reception concludes. When discussing arrangements with a rental company make sure that they can guarantee their drop off and pick up falls within this window so you are not stuck with a hefty fine at the end of the night. Be sure to inquire about additional fees for tighter windows!
Consider the rentals significance and relevance to all other set ups when deciding on a rental drop off time. If you are renting all dinner & accent tables, ceremony & reception chairs, kitchen equipment, physical bar, power sources, lighting, bathrooms, etc., the rentals will need to be dropped off and set up before any other vendor or design element since they are essential to everything else. Make sure that you schedule the drop off with plenty of time leftover for the rest of your vendors to properly set up.
Think through all aspects of the wedding and plan for function first. Think about the space you have chosen to host your ceremony and reception. Before considering aesthetics, consider the fundamental items necessary to keep everyone safe and comfortable. There are some basic functional features you will need to check for and rent if they are missing from your venue space:
Is there power?
Are there restrooms?
Do the restrooms have lights and a handwashing station?
Is the path to the restroom adequately lit?
Is there adequate lighting at each vendor's station?
Is there adequate lighting for guests in the dinner area?
Is there a source of drinking water?
Is there a kitchen or prep space for your caterer?
Does this kitchen or food prep space have a handwashing station?
Are there tables for a buffet display?
Are there tables for your appetizers?
Is there a space that can be utilized as a bar?
Are there trash cans?
Is there a larger dumpster where full trash bags can be disposed of?
Is there one or more fire extinguishers?
Is plenty of seating provided for guests in the ceremony area?
Are there tables and chairs for guests to eat their meal?
Is there a dance floor?
Is there any climate control (i.e. shade, heaters, shelter from rain, etc.)?
Some vendors will need supplies from the rental company. Some vendors will require items from the rental company. Typically vendors that require equipment and/or supplies from the rental company will communicate this with you. However, some vendors may forget or assume that accommodations will have been made for them. Ask your DJ if they need a table and chair. Ask your caterer if they need any equipment (i.e. full kitchen, prep space, shade- no one wants a sweaty chef!-, chafers or serving dishes, serving spoons, serving trays, buffet tables, dinner plates, silverware, cups, water pitchers, etc.). Ask your bartender if they need any supplies (i.e. shakers, bar spill mats, bar back table, cups, etc.). Be sure to ask every single vendor if they need anything, just in case!
Styles, quality, and pricing vary significantly between rental companies. Once you have thought through the absolute necessities, consider aesthetics and quality when comparing prices. The main pricing and style differences you will find are between speciality/boutique companies and larger, full service companies. There are pros and cons to both rental company types!
Speciality/boutique rental companies- Companies that provide more specific and speciality items typically are very particular about the quality of their pieces. Specialty or boutique rental companies are likely to have higher prices to account for rental item upkeep and to accommodate for their typically smaller amount of business. These companies usually have a more limited inventory so they are less likely to supply rentals to multiple events on a particular day. This means they are typically more likely to be flexible with their drop off and pick up times. This also means they may not have enough items to accommodate a larger wedding. Supporting smaller companies is awesome and having unique furnishings is a great way to individualize your wedding design. However, these companies typically don’t offer all of the functional equipment (i.e. bartending supplies, kitchen supplies, lighting, dance floors, trash receptacles, etc.), so you may still need to source those items from a separate rental company.
Larger full service companies- Most large companies will offer items in a wide range of styles and price points. They typically offer basic items at relatively low rates, but also offer trendier items to match a variety of design aesthetics. Large companies tend to do a lot of business which means they are likely to operate as a very well oiled machine. They typically accurately fulfill orders, are on time to drop off items, efficiently set everything up, and are on time to pick up their property. A lot of larger companies offer similar items to one another, but the pricing and quality can vary. Since these companies have a vast inventory they typically will move equipment quickly from one event to the next, which does not necessarily allow time to carefully inspect for minor damage or stains. They are, however, way more likely to be a one-stop-shop for all of your rental needs. They usually have everything you need right down to power sources. The only item commonly left out of full service rental company inventory is portable restrooms. Due to the unique nature and specific cleaning requirements, those usually come from companies that specialize in these services. Visit the showroom or warehouse to test out the items to make sure they are comfortable and there isn’t a lot of damage.
You may need to source rental items from multiple companies. It is fairly common to source rental items from more than one company, especially if you are working with a blank slate venue or a space that isn’t typically utilized for events (i.e. private residences). Be sure to consider the logistics of multiple companies simultaneously dropping off and picking up items and factor the additional delivery fees and security deposits into your overall budget. You’re also more likely to need to source rentals from multiple companies if you have a specific vision that requires speciality pieces (i.e. vintage furniture, boho aesthetic, peacock chairs, etc.), since some of these items may only be available through a boutique company. Sourcing rentals from multiple companies is not a bad thing, necessarily. If you have the room in your budget, it makes sense logistically, and it will have a drastic impact on the overall cohesiveness of your design, then sourcing items from multiple companies is a great option!
Compare rates and reviews of rental companies to ensure you are getting the best value. After thinking through the functionality and design elements you are looking for in your rentals, thoroughly research any companies you are interested in. Make sure there aren’t consistent complaints about quality, order fulfillment issues, or punctuality. If you find that companies offer very similar services at significantly different prices, be sure to figure out why!! Some companies really do provide the same quality of rentals and service at more competitive prices to increase their overall business, but there is almost always a deeper reason for significant price variation than “this company really cares about my budget.”
Some rental items require some assembly upon drop off. For furniture, assembly is almost always included in the price and done by the rental company staff. The rental company may or may not include set up for lighting displays, overhead hanging installments, furniture placement, table linen placement, kitchen assembly, etc. They may offer this service at an additional cost, but one way or another you will need to make sure someone is designated to take care of the assembly and placement of your rental pieces. Keep in mind, this is almost never a 1-2 person task and these items must be assembled and placed before most other decorating and vendor set up can take place.
Some venues love their existing furniture and have limitations on outside rentals replacing their pieces. Most venues are happy to allow outside rentals in their space. Some venues will not remove their existing furniture. This may be because they don’t have a space to store their existing furniture or because they don’t want to risk damaging their property. If you want to add additional furnishings to complement the existing pieces in the venue, they may or may not allow this. Again it is not common, but some venues are concerned with outside companies moving furniture into their space and potentially damaging their property. Either way, this is something to consider and discuss with your venue prior to booking a rental company.
Questions to ask a rental company prior to booking
Basics-
Are you available on my date?
Can you work within my budget?
Do you require a deposit? How much?
When is the balance due?
What is your preferred method of payment?
What is your cancellation policy if I cancel?
What is your cancellation policy if you cancel?
What is your rescheduling policy if I need to change my date?
What is the backup plan if you are personally unable to fulfill your contract due to a last minute conflict?
Are there any additional fees such as travel fees, delivery fees, etc. that are not included in the package price?
Are you licensed?
Are you insured? Does the insurance cover all of your staff and property?
Equipment-
Is your full inventory pictured online or do you have additional pieces available?
Can I see the furniture pieces in person before committing to them?
What are the fees for lost or damaged items?
How often are your rental pieces inspected for minor damage?
Are you planning on adding any additional items to your inventory between my wedding? If so, will I be notified as these items are made available?
Logistics-
Can I add or take away items from my order prior to my wedding? (Hint: Guest count may change, weather may impose new rental needs, new vendors may require items from the rental company, you may find additional design inspiration and want to add some pieces to your order, or you may decide to save some money and cut some rental pieces out completely. Understand how flexible your order will be prior to booking!)
Am I obligated to pay a percentage of the initial order amount if I decide to decrease my overall order?
When do I need to have my rental order finalized?
Have you worked at my venue before? (Hint: A rental company's familiarity with a venue will impact the efficiency of drop off. A rental company that regularly provides services to a certain venue will also be able to provide valuable insight into what equipment is required or necessary to make the space functional. They will also be able to provide guidance on what pieces will look best in the space.)
Will you visit the site for a venue walk through prior to my wedding date to measure the space and make a plan for delivery?
When will you deliver and pick up the rental equipment?
How long does it typically take to deliver and set up the rental equipment?
What amount of setup of the rental equipment does your staff take care of? (I.e will they drop everything off for someone else to place, will they place your some or all of the furniture personally, will they install your lighting, etc.?)
What is the delivery fee?
Are there additional fees if I would like an alternative delivery and pickup dates or times from the ones suggested?
Ways to maximize your rental company’s services
If the rental agreement includes a venue walkthrough, take them up on this! Not all companies will offer this service, but if yours does it is a great service to take them up on! Arrange a time for you and a representative from the rental company to attend a venue walkthrough to measure the space and think through logistics. If a company frequently works in a space they may not find it necessary to visit the venue for spacing purposes. However, if they aren’t familiar with the venue or you are planning to utilize the space in a way that is not typical, have a representative from the rental company come to measure and offer their expert opinion of how sizing and placement of items will be most aesthetically pleasing while maintaining functionality.
Visit their showroom or warehouse to view and test equipment in person prior to finalizing your order. Even after confirming rental services with a company, be sure to test out the items you intend to rent and check the quality in person. Pretty chairs may not be comfortable. Certain items may be damaged and you might want to swap them out for a different, more durable type of furnishing.
Book extra items. Sometimes a vendor will need a table, shade, and/or power source, but not mention their need beforehand. Oftentimes, an extra table is needed to display items, store items, or for any other number of uses. Add an additional table (or two) and table linen (if necessary) for vendors or displays just in case. The additional tables you plan don’t need to be full dinner tables. Typically the extra tables are 4’, 6’, or 8’ tables, depending on the space you are working with and the design you have planned.
Make a backup plan for inclimate weather. Things happen, so be prepared! Before weather even has a chance to become an issue, ask what supplies the company has available to accommodate the climate (i.e. tents, umbrellas, heaters, blankets, fans, etc.). Be sure to inquire about the latest date you can add these accommodations to your order and the availability and stock of these items. Larger companies will have a lot of supplies which makes them more likely to have something available last minute. Small companies that only take on one or two events a day are also likely to have these ready to go, since they are only providing service to a few clients on a certain day. The medium size companies tend to be a little trickier and their stock of climate control items will quickly dwindle.
All Things Wedding MC
You spend hours of time, loads of energy, and a lot of money making sure your wedding day will be perfect. As you work to bring your plans together, your wedding will begin to develop a personality (aka a vibe, feel, or mood). Usually the personality your wedding takes on is a reflection of your own. As the primary source of communication to guests, a professional MC conveys this personality to the guests. Of course this person isn’t you and they will have their own unique personality to bring to the table, but it is important to find a professional who will accurately represent you, your fiance, and your wedding vision! Follow this guide to make sure you feel confident in the MC you select!
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Things to know and consider prior to booking a wedding MC
Questions to ask an MC prior to booking
Ways to maximize your MC’s services
You spend hours of time, loads of energy, and a lot of money making sure your wedding day will be perfect. As you work to bring your plans together, your wedding will begin to develop a personality. Usually the personality your wedding takes on is a reflection of your own. As the primary source of communication to all wedding attendees, a professional MC conveys this personality to everyone. Though this person will bring their own unique charisma to the table, it is important to find a professional who will accurately represent you, your fiance, and your wedding vision! Follow this guide to make sure you feel confident in the MC you select!
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Things to know and consider prior to booking a wedding MC
Questions to ask an MC prior to booking
Ways to maximize your MC’s services
Things to know and consider prior to booking a wedding MC
What is an MC? An MC (Emcee), or Master of Ceremonies, is essentially the voice of your wedding. They are the liaison between you, your vendors, your timeline, and the guests. Not to be confused with a coordinator, who communicates between you and your vendors to make sure everything is running smoothly and on time, an MC communicates between the coordinator and guests to keep everyone informed of what will happen next. In addition to making important announcements, they typically also provide an element of entertainment to the guests.
You need someone to MC. The role that an MC plays is a big piece of what separates a wedding from any other event. Even if you aren’t interested in hiring an MC as an entertainer, someone will still need to be designated to make announcements. Without an MC the guests, or even you, might not know what to do at any particular time. For example, the MC will direct people from one area to another (ceremony, to cocktail hour, to reception, to dancing, etc.), release tables to take turns at a buffet, announce when the bar is open and closed, introduce special events (i.e. the grand entrance, special dances, toasts, etc.), and bring energy to the dance floor!
Typically your musician will double as, or provide, an MC, but this isn’t always the case. Typically the DJ or lead singer of a wedding band will serve as an MC. If they don’t personally act as an MC, they usually offer an MC as an add-on to their services. Sometimes these professionals don’t include or offer options for this service, and you will need to find a professional on your own. In some cases, even if your musician can MC, a separate professional may be necessary if announcements need to made in multiple languages. When booking a musician, inquire about their MC work, and/or request an MC that is bilingual if necessary.
Professionals specializing MC work usually have a very specific style. Some people specialize in wedding MCing, but it is more common to find an MC who specializes in events as a general category. While anyone MCing will have their own “microphone voice,” professionals who specialize in this kind of work tend to have more niche styles. A professional MC may host game night at a local bar, fashion shows, bingo nights, drag shows, standup comedy shows, etc., all of which require a niche persona. This means they are likely to have a specific MC style that may or may not work for you. You can judge this based on samples of their work they provide, how they speak on the phone, or by attending an event they are hosting prior to booking.
Some MCs double as musicians; proceed with caution. Not to be confused with musicians who double as an MC, some professional MCs also dabble in music on the side and may want to do a performance at your wedding. Again, be sure to check out samples of their work to make sure this is something you are comfortable with! Sometimes it works out amazingly, and they offer an incredible show to guests. Sometimes it goes less than stellar. Do your due diligence and make sure any performance they will do will go over well with your specific crowd.
Some MCs double as comedians; proceed with caution. MCs are almost always at least a little funny and charismatic. This makes for a great host! Guests don’t want to hear a monotone voice making bland announcements. Often lack of character allows for announcements to go unheard, as even an amplified monotone voice is easily lost in the noise of the crowd. However, there is a difference between a little bit of charming humor and a full on stand up routine. Even if you love comedy and a full stand up routine sounds awesome, make sure that their sense of humor is in line with what you envisioned for your wedding!
An MC is an entertainer, but they shouldn’t steal the show. As the host of your wedding, an MC is expected to provide entertainment for guests. This may include walking around to guests and asking them questions about the newlyweds, encouraging guests to dance, or making announcements in an upbeat and engaging way. There is an incredible finesse required to provide entertainment without making the day about themselves. This is easily avoided by checking out their work prior to booking!
MCs don’t usually provide their own sound equipment. Since it is unusual for MCs to provide their own sound equipment, you will need to source this elsewhere. Typically your DJ, venue, or wedding band will provide the sound equipment. Make sure that whoever is providing sound equipment is on board with sharing. If none of these vendors are supplying a sound system, you will need to source it elsewhere so music and announcements can be heard throughout your event space.
Meet with a potential MC you are interested in on the phone or in person and pay attention to their speaking voice. Listen to the cadence of their voice. Pay attention to their energy, word choice, personality, and overall sound they produce when they speak. This will provide a lot more insight into their MC style than any single question ever could. If the person is engaging, interesting, and professional in a meeting, there is a good chance those qualities will carry over to their MC work.
Don’t just read reviews, read into reviews. An MC may have five stars across all review platforms, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are a good fit for you. While this is true for all vendors, it is especially true for MCs because their work style is so subjective. Look for trends in the reviews that can provide a little more insight into what this professional's work style is like. For example, if you see multiple 5 star reviews that consistently say something to the effect of “they playfully teased all of our guests and did a lot of funny celebrity impressions,” recurring throughout reviews, that person is probably going to perform similarly at your wedding. Other couples may have loved this and left all five star reviews, but if the thought of your guests being the butt of a joke and having to listen to celebrity impressions all night makes you cringe, that professional isn’t going to be the right fit for you.
Questions to ask prior to booking an MC
Basics-
Are you available on my date?
Can you work within my budget?
Do you require a deposit? How much?
When is the balance due?
What is your preferred method of payment?
What is your cancellation policy if I cancel?
What is your cancellation policy if you cancel?
What is your rescheduling policy if I need to change my date?
What is the backup plan if you are personally unable to fulfill your contract due to a last minute conflict?
Are there any additional fees, such as travel fees, that are not included in the package price?
Are you licensed?
Are you insured? Does the insurance cover all of your staff and property?
Experience & style-
How long have you been a professional MC?
Do you specialize in a certain type of event?
How long have you been MCing weddings?
How many weddings have you MCd?
How would you describe your MC style?
What makes you stand apart from other MCs?
Are you open to hosting games or special events we have planned?
Do you offer any additional services or typically do special performances?
Have you worked at our venue before? (Hint: This is particularly important if the venue includes a house sound system. An MC that is familiar with your venue and their system will be familiar with how to start up the system and quicker able to troubleshoot, should any issues arise.)
Have you worked with our musician(s) before?
If applicable, can you make announcements in English and another language? (Hint: Typically at multicultural events a special MC will be hired to make announcements so that all of the guests can understand. Usually these MCs will make announcements in English and your preferred language, but some MCs will only make announcements in the language you have specifically hired them for. This can pose an issue if some guests don’t speak this language, and creates the same problem they were hired to alleviate in the first place! Make sure that someone is available to translate for guests so everyone is in the know for important events!)
Can we see videos of you hosting a previous event or attend a live event that you are MCing?
Logistics-
Do you provide your own sound equipment?
If you do provide sound equipment, will our guests have access to your microphone for speeches/toasts?
If we decide we want the party to last longer, can we add extra hours onto our package on the night of the wedding?
What is the rate for additional hours?
Do you require breaks?
Do you require a vendor meal?
Will you MC any other events throughout our wedding weekend?
Ways to maximize your MC’s services
Set up a phone or in person meeting prior to the wedding to go over all of the details. It is important that the MC is well versed in all of your wedding day plans so they can do their job to the best of their ability. In order to set themselves up for success, most MCs will require either a phone or in person meeting prior to your wedding to go over the details. If they don’t require a meeting, arrange one yourself! Everyone will be better off if the details are reviewed together in advance. This meeting will be most beneficial within the final week or two of your wedding. As you finalize planning details, slight things may shift. Set up your meeting with your MC as close to your wedding as possible (without it being so close that the MC doesn’t have time to prepare and you feel overwhelmed with a lot of last minute to-do’s) to ensure they are receiving the most finalized and accurate information regarding your wedding plans.
Send the MC your timeline prior to having a final details meeting with them about your wedding plans. This will give the MC an opportunity to look through the timeline and prepare any questions they may have for you. The MC will need to be familiar with the timeline to make sure they understand the flow of the evening, when to make announcements, and, on the day of your wedding, know when to check in with your coordinator and other vendors to make sure everyone is ready for the next scheduled event prior to making the announcement.
Specify how you, the newlyweds, would like to be referred to. Your MC will be announcing, at least referring to you, several times throughout the evening. Make sure you specify what you’d like to be called as a couple. While traditionally newlyweds used to be referred to as “Mr. and Mrs. [man’s full name here]” that isn’t always the case anymore. With so much variation in who can be married and the dynamic between couples shifting, weddings have come a long way from the days where new couples were introduced as “Mr. & Mrs. John Smith!” Some other alternatives include just your first names, “the newlyweds,” “the Smith’s,” “John & Philip Smith,” etc.
If you need your MC to announce any names, spell the names out phonetically. Even simple names get mispronounced on occasion. An easy way to avoid this is to write out the phonetic spelling next to the names so the MC knows exactly how to say the names (i.e. Mary = M-air-ee). Write out your name, your fiance's name, and your last name(s) phonetically so the MC pronounces them correctly all evening long. Even if you talk to your MC many times and you and/or they say your names repeatedly, it is YOUR special day and your names are worth guaranteeing correct pronunciation! Usually more than just the newlywed’s names will be announced at some point during the wedding. Important guests will give speeches and often newlyweds want to include additional people in the grand entrance (i.e. the wedding party, immediate family members, sponsors, etc.). Provide these names in writing with specifications on how to pronounce them, so everybody’s name is announced correctly!
Thoroughly discuss any announcements your MC will need to make. Prior to the wedding, you will likely plan and predetermine specific announcements that will need to be made. Make sure to provide these announcements in writing to your MC. The timeline is the perfect place to write out the specific announcements so the MC can track exactly when announcements are intended to be made. Be sure to discuss all of the announcements with your MC. Let them know if you want the exact wording you have provided, or if they have a little leeway on what should be said.
Let the MC know ahead of time when to NOT speak. Some people only want the MC to speak when it is time for designated announcements. Others want entertainment all throughout the event. Many people want something in between. If there are any times throughout the night you’d rather the MC keep to themselves (i.e. special dances, the duration of dinner, the duration of cocktail hour, etc.) let them know ahead of time. If the MC isn’t given any specifications of when to keep quiet, they may feel the need to fill in gaps by telling jokes, narrating special events (i.e. “wow look at that twirl,” “Oh they’re going for dip,” “smash the cake!!”, etc.), or engaging guests on the microphone (i.e. inquiring about how they know the couple, asking for a random guest to provide relationship advice, asking for a quick impromptu speech from a random guest, etc.). All of these examples are fairly typical of an MC, so they can’t be blamed for doing any of this if they haven’t been told otherwise!
Discuss specific jokes, questions, games, etc. that you’d like included with your MC. If there is anything specific or out of the norm you’d like included at some point at your wedding, let the MC know! If you want any games, specific forms of guest engagement, or other out-of-the-norm approaches to entertainment make sure the MC knows ahead of time so they can prepare accordingly! While the examples listed under #6 are not out of the norm for MCs, they also shouldn’t be expected unless you specify you would like them to engage and entertain guests in these ways.
Be sure to inform the MC of any “don’t breach topics.” If there is anything that should never, ever be brought up with your family or guests LET THE MC KNOW! There is nothing worse than an MC making a statement, telling a joke, or asking a question and it being followed by a dramatic, awkward pause amongst the crowd! The best way to avoid this is to let them know about any “don’t go there topics” ahead of time. Even if it feels like an overshare, it will be better for everyone in the end if the MC knows what topics to avoid.
Specify who should and should not be given a microphone. It is fairly common for a distant relative or friend to suddenly become inspired and want to give an impromptu speech at a wedding (especially once the alcohol starts flowing). Some couples are happy to open the floor to anyone who wants to give a toast, while others strictly want to stick to the planned speeches. There are any number of reasons for either of these approaches, but if you anticipate any guests becoming an issue, make sure your MC knows who, under no circumstances, should never get a hold of the microphone.
Provide all information in writing. While a phone or in person meeting is of the utmost importance, it is equally important to write down all instructions, wants, dislikes, etc. for your MC. While it is important that information is provided in writing for all vendors, it is especially important for your MC, because their mistakes are amplified (literally, via the microphone). If your caterer forgets to set out appetizer plates, they can quickly fix the problem with minimal guests noticing. If your MC messes up your last name, everyone will be aware. Your MC will likely be pouring over your written notes prior to the wedding in order to prepare, but will typically bring all of the notes with them to make sure everything is going the way you discussed! Little details are much more likely to slip by the wayside if they don’t have written notes and are simply trying to remember everything you said in a phone conversation! This will also help if your coordinator or a guest approach the MC to inquire why they are or are not doing something. If the MC has specific instructions in writing that they are not supposed to tell jokes or engage with guests during dinner they can prove they are doing their job exactly as you wanted!
Preparing and Planning Your Wedding Ceremony
Your wedding ceremony is the start to your married life. This is what guests are here to celebrate! Follow this guide to make sure your ceremony is the perfect beginning to your wedding celebration and life as a married couple!
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Writing your wedding ceremony
Walking order for the ceremony
A series of Pro-tips on things to consider when planning your ceremony
Your wedding ceremony is the start to your married life. This is what guests are here to celebrate! Follow this guide to make sure your ceremony is the perfect beginning to your wedding celebration and life as a married couple!
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Writing your wedding ceremony
Walking order for the ceremony
A series of Pro-tips on things to consider when planning your ceremony
Writing your wedding ceremony
Typically the person officiating your wedding will prepare the wedding ceremony, but there are plenty of reasons you may need to create your own. When it comes to writing a wedding ceremony, there are very few rules. The only piece you absolutely need is an exchange of some sort of committal statement that both parties involved in the marriage recite. This is the “Do you X, take X to be your lawfully wedded...“ part of the ceremony. Even this part can be customized, but there are a few basic sentiments that need to be included.The rest is completely up to you!
A standard flow to a wedding ceremony is as follows:
Guests asked to take their seats (usually about 5-10 minutes prior to the ceremony start time, depending on how many guests you are expecting)
Everyone participating in the ceremony is lined up (usually this includes the wedding party, immediate family, flower girl, ring bearer, bride(s), and/or groom(s)- (the order everyone walks in will be discussed in the next section of this guide).
The processional starts (this is the music that everyone will walk down the aisle to) and everyone enters in their pre-discussed order to their predetermined locations
Everyone except the bride and her escort(s) (if she chooses to have any) are in their places, whether it be seats or at the altar
The bride and her escort(s) walk down the aisle
The officiant welcomes & thanks everyone in attendance
(in a religious ceremony) the officiant leads a prayer.
The officiant introduces themself & describes their significance in the ceremony (they may describe their friendship with the bride(s) and/or groom(s), their role as a religious leader, what qualifies them to lead this ceremony, etc.)
The officiant tells a personal anecdote about the bride(s) and/or groom(s) (This can be anything! Sometimes it is a story of how the couple met, a description of a common theme throughout their relationship, a funny story they shared with the officiant, etc.)
Words of wisdom are offered to the couple (this can either be advice coming directly from the officiant, a reading- religious or other- by a friend or family member, or a meaningful song either played or performed live by a musician or friend/family member, etc.)
Special ceremonies typically occur next if they occur at all (i.e. sand ceremony, cord ceremony, candle lighting ceremony, glass ceremony, etc.)
The couple will exchange vows (this can be standard vows or personal vows prepared by the couple)
The couple exchanges rings (this is the “I Do’s” part!)
Final closing thoughts from the officiant (this can be a closing prayer, well wishes to the couple, etc.)
The pronouncement of the marriage (“I now pronounce you…”)
The kiss
The recessional music begins (exit song) and the couple exits together
Once the couple is all the way back up the aisle the bridal party follows them
Following the bridal party’s exit, the ushers will escort immediate family members up the aisle
Once all family members are back up the aisle, the officiant announces that guests are released and gives direction on what to do next (head to cocktail hour, leave for the reception venue, pose for a group picture, etc.)
While this is a common ceremony flow, you can choose to rearrange this however you want. Certain religions will have additional traditions incorporated throughout the ceremony. Some people will choose to have multiple readings and/or performances spread out throughout their ceremony while other couples choose to exclude many pieces listed here. As long as you exchange promises in some sort of ceremonial format, the marriage is legal and the rest is up to you!
Walking order for the ceremony
Depending on how formal your wedding is, how extensive the guest list is, your relationship with your family members, and who you each choose to escort you down the aisle (if you choose to have anyone at all), your ceremony walking order can be anything! Some couples choose to only have themselves walk down the aisle, others choose to include all of their “VIP” guests. Plenty of people choose to have something in between. There are no wrong answers as long as you, your fiance, and the officiant end up at the altar!
The most standard walking order is as follows:
Entrance (procession)-
All guests seated
Immediate family like grandparents, parents of the bride(s) and/or groom(s) who won’t be escorting their to-be-married child down the aisle, and siblings who aren’t in the bridal party walk first (typically the siblings who aren’t in the bridal party will escort the parents who aren’t walking their to-be-married child down the aisle.) If any of these people need assistance walking or don’t wish to walk alone, you can assign ushers to escort them to their seats.
Officiant
Groom & mother (or Bride #1 and escort)
Bridesmaids and groomsmen
Maid/Matron of Honor & Best Man
Flower girl & ring bearer (depending on how many of each you have, they may walk together or separately)
Bride & father (or Groom #2 and escort)
Exit (recession)-
Newly weds
Wedding party in the reverse order from which they entered (after newly weds have completely exitted)
Immediate family with ushers/escorts
Officiant & guests (after the officiant makes an announcement for guests to leave)
A series of Pro-Tips on things to consider when planning your ceremony
List the guest arrival time on your wedding invitations 30 minutes prior to the actual ceremony start time. Some guests are punctual, others not so much. Don’t risk latecomers walking in during your ceremony and causing a disruption. If you are worried about the punctual guests being punished for being on time, a simple solution is to prepare some entertainment! Have music already playing to create some atmosphere and provide water, alcoholic drinks, snacks, games, a guest book, etc. to entertain them!
Write your vows down! No matter how much you practice or how confident you are in your memorization skills, write them out and keep a copy handy. When the time comes, you may not need them at all, but it is always better to be safe than sorry!
Write your vows on notecards. Writing vows on a phone or large piece of paper is a recipe for distraction. Keeping track of a phone before the ceremony is not fun. Other notifications may be distracting when it comes time to pull your phone out. Also, with a phone getting to the vows may be a little difficult! Nerves tend to make for shaky hands which is incredibly apparent if you brought a large, floppy piece of paper. A side effect of trembling paper is becoming hyper aware of how nervous you are when you see the page shake, which can make you more nervous! Even if nerves don’t get to you, wind might! A large piece of paper blowing around in the breeze can create a crinkling noise that is easily picked up by a microphone. Another downside to large sheets of paper is how easy it is to lose your place when reading from them. Big pages are a no no! Notecards allow you the opportunity to write big enough to keep your place, minimize distractions, and avoid obviously trembling.
Write two copies of your vows and hand a backup copy to someone responsible. With so much going on the morning of your wedding, forgetting something as small in size but incredibly vital as your wedding vows can happen. Prepare a back up copy and give it to the officiant, wedding planner, or member of the bridal party just in case!
Save your family seats. Most guests know not to sit in the front few rows of your ceremony space, but there is always one or two who don’t think about it. Make sure the people who matter most have a clear view from a front row seat! This can be done either by having reserved seat signs placed on their designated chairs, or tying a ribbon with a reserved sign across the chairs intended for family. Have your wedding planner or day-of coordinator keep an eye on those seats prior to the ceremony just in case any guests miss the memo!
Let your family know where they are supposed to sit. Even if you aren’t designating “mine and yours” sides for guests to sit during the ceremony, designate sides for the immediate family members, especially if they are walking down the aisle! This will expedite the seating process for them and alleviate any confusion once they reach the front of the ceremony area. Make sure to let them know during ceremony rehearsal where they are supposed to sit!
Consider the ceremony space and assign sides for family members accordingly. In some spaces, if your family sits on the side that you stand they won’t be able to see your face! If this is the case, have them sit on the opposite side so they get a clear view of all those beautiful emotions you are going through!
Talk with your wedding party about where and how to stand throughout the ceremony. This is what rehearsals are for! Well, not just this, but this should definitely be discussed during the rehearsal! Let your wedding party know where to stand, what angle to stand, where to hold bouquets (belly button height), etc. so the guests have a clear view and the pictures look uniform and beautiful!
Talk with the Maid/Matron of honor about adjusting the bride once she gets to the altar. The maid/matron of honor will need to fluff the bride’s dress once she settles into her standing space for the ceremony. She will also need to retrieve the bride’s bouquet when it comes time to exchange vows and rings! If there is a veil, the maid/matron of honor can also adjust this so the bride looks polished and photo ready throughout the ceremony. This is another great thing to address while running through the ceremony rehearsal!
Make sure the MC or officiant makes an announcement for guests to sit close. If you have a large ceremony area that will accommodate a guest list much larger than yours, have all of the guests move in closer prior to the ceremony starting. Not only will this give everyone a better view, it will also translate to pictures better!
Some venues have restrictions on where your photographer can take pictures from. To avoid any last minute surprises, talk with your venue about any rules and restrictions they have in regards to photography. Typically only certain religious places of worship (and even then, usually only during certain times of year) are likely to have restrictions on photography.
Your officiant will be in a lot of your ceremony pictures, so their attire is important. Not only will they be in a lot of pictures, but they will stand front and center for all guests to see! Make sure they plan to wear something professional yet simple so they don’t take too much attention away from you.
Your officiant needs to MOVE IT when it comes time for the kiss. Communicate with your officiant about quickly sliding to the side, and taking their microphone stand with them, when it comes time for the kiss and your exit from the ceremony.
Make sure whoever is in charge of your music knows all of the important cues. Discuss prior to your wedding day with the person who will be in charge of ceremony music. Let them know the signal for changing the processional songs and let them know the very last thing the officiant will say so they can use this as a cue for playing the recessional song.
Let your family and ushers know the exit strategy. Some pairs will need to change so everyone needs to know who they will enter and exit with. They will also need to know when they are supposed to leave. Occasionally the officiant will dismiss the family, but usually the family begins exiting without a formal prompt following the ceremony.
Make sure someone is lined up to make two very important announcements to guests. Guests need to be asked to take their seats and released at the end of the ceremony by someone! This can either be the officiant or the MC. Make sure the person knows they are in charge of making this announcement, when to make the announcements, and is ready to provide clear instructions on where guests should go next.
Have a game plan for yourself after the ceremony. A common oversight is a predetermined space for the newly weds and wedding party to retreat to after the ceremony concludes. Map out a space beforehand so everyone knows the plan!
Set some time aside for yourselves directly following the ceremony. After the ceremony, if possible, carve out 5-15 minutes and a secluded space where just you and your new husband or wife can be alone to process the ceremony together. The rest of the day will be a whirlwind so giving yourself the gift of peace and quiet for even just a few moments makes a big difference in how you remember the ceremony!
Ask your wedding planner, bartender, and/or caterer to have some snacks set aside for you in your hideaway space. Typically wedding party portraits and/or family portraits directly follow the ceremony, which leave you with little to no time to snack and have a drink. Ask your vendors to prepare something for you to enjoy while you take your 5-15 minute processing time so you can keep your energy level up! Make sure they give you some water, too!
All Things Wedding Officiant
A wedding ceremony is, in many ways, the single most important piece to a wedding. This is what brings all of your friends and family together to celebrate! When you become engaged you are agreeing to make a commitment through a marriage ceremony. Agreeing to make this ceremonial commitment is the catalyst that inspires all of the additional pretty, fun, and functional aspects to your wedding day. It is important to find an officiant that will preform a ceremony that aligns with your vision, values, and beliefs. Since the officiant will lead your wedding ceremony, and is typically in charge of writing the ceremony, this person will play a pivotal role in getting your marriage started on the right foot. Follow this guide to feel confident in the person you select to officiate your wedding!
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Things to know and consider prior to booking a wedding officiant
Questions to ask an officiant prior to booking
Ways to maximize your officiant’s services
A wedding ceremony is, in many ways, the single most important piece to a wedding. This is what brings all of your friends and family together to celebrate! When you become engaged you are agreeing to make a commitment through a marriage ceremony. Agreeing to make this ceremonial commitment is the catalyst that inspires all of the additional pretty, fun, and functional aspects to your wedding day. It is important to find an officiant that will preform a ceremony that aligns with your vision, values, and beliefs. Since the officiant will lead your wedding ceremony, and is typically in charge of writing the ceremony, this person will play a pivotal role in getting your marriage started on the right foot. Follow this guide to feel confident in the person you select to officiate your wedding!
This guide is divided into 3 sections:
Things to know and consider prior to booking a wedding officiant
Questions to ask an officiant prior to booking
Ways to maximize your officiant’s services
Things to know and consider prior to booking a wedding officiant
Officiants are called many things. A wedding officiant is any legally certified person delivering a wedding ceremony. This can be a religious leader, non-denominational ordained professional, or an ordained friend. Some of the most common names for officiants are:
Officiant
Celebrant
Justice of the Peace
Any religious leader (i.e. Priest, Rabbi, Preacher, Pastor, Swami, Minister, etc.)
Any person can officiate your wedding, but they must be ordained in order to legally marry you. Whoever is delivering your wedding ceremony must be ordained prior to your wedding ceremony, in order for your marriage to be legal. Becoming ordained online is easy and FREE! This is awesome news if you want a friend or family member to officiate your wedding! It is also a great reason to properly vet any person claiming to be a professional. Since it is so simple to obtain certification to legally perform marriages, essentially anyone can provide this service. Be sure to read reviews, gather samples of their work, have a clear understanding of the exact services they will provide, and ensure your personalities mesh well before hiring a professional wedding officiant.
Certain places of worship will require you to use their religious leader. If you find a chapel other than your usual place of worship, you may have to use their in-house worship leader to perform your ceremony. This is typically only an issue if you are hosting your wedding out of town and wish to fly your own religious leader in for your wedding. Confirm with your chapel prior to booking that this is okay! If you intend to be married at a place of worship, confirm with them their policies on outside vendors, prior to booking your officiant to avoid potentially loosing a deposit.
Certain religious leaders require both parties involved in the marriage be officially baptized (or the equivalent) into their faith. Most couples who come across this issue are already aware of this prior to becoming engaged. A couple important things to note on this topic:
Just because some or most religious leaders of a certain faith require this, doesn’t mean that all leaders in your faith will. Finding someone who will do this may prove a challenge for certain religions, but they are out there!
(Take or leave this point as you see fit…) If your fiance is uncomfortable changing religions, it isn’t a great idea to pressure them into switching. You are agreeing to marry this person because you love them for who they already are (and vice versa!). Their religious beliefs (or lack thereof) are a huge piece of who they are- so to change this, is to change them. If this proves to be a huge hinderance on wedding planning, seek the professional guidance of a marriage counselor whose services are rooted in any faith (especially neither of your own) for some unbiased support as you navigate this delicate territory.
Sometimes neither of the engaged parties will really care about each other’s religious beliefs, but family members will. The best advice on this is to make your family feel heard by addressing their reasoning for wanting you to have certain religious aspects incorporated into your wedding, but ultimately remember and remind them that it is YOUR wedding and YOUR commitment, NOT your family’s. For more advice on this incredibly touchy subject, reference the “Managing Outside Opinions Surrounding Your Wedding” guide.
Certain religious leaders require you to take premarital counseling or classes with them prior to your wedding. Premarital counseling or classes are not a bad thing! They provide the opportunity to gauge how “on the same page” you and your fiance are by encouraging you to discuss your visions and plans for some of life’s common and major milestones prior to making a major commitment. However, you may not find counseling or classes necessary in your unique situation and these services almost always cost additional money. Check with your potential officiant for their policies and rates for these services. If your officiant doesn’t require premarital counseling or classes, you may still want to consider doing this! There are plenty of professionals out there offering premarital counseling completely separate from officiating services.
Most wedding ceremonies are customized by the officiant based on the couple they are intended for. The officiant will write your wedding ceremony. Many couples, especially those opting out of full religious ceremonies, will choose to write their own wedding vows. Aside from the vows, the officiant will plan the rest of the speaking. They usually include a little background on themselves, why they were chosen to officiate (i.e. “I’ve been a close friend…,” “I have been X’s Rabbi since they were little…” etc.), an anecdote about the couple, and some words of wisdom to the couple. Make sure you find someone who is going to write a beautiful ceremony that will put you and your guests in the right mindset for commitment!
You will likely watch the video of your ceremony many times throughout your life, make sure you find an officiant you want to hear over, and over again! Aside from the ceremony itself, make sure that you like your officiant's voice, speaking style, level of formality, and ceremony delivery style. You can do this by requesting sample videos from previous ceremonies! If you choose to have a friend or family member officiate, they don’t necessarily need to write the ceremony in its entirety. However, you probably won’t want to hear the whole ceremony prior to the wedding (the element of surprise in the moment makes the ceremony fun and extra special!). You can get around this by writing a decent portion of the ceremony, but leaving a section in the beginning blank for them to prepare something special. Alternatively, you can let them know specific things you’d like included (or left out!) to help guide their ceremony creation process. For example, if you love a particular quote or want special readings done you can ask them to include these in the ceremony.
If you choose a friend or family member to officiate, choose wisely! Choosing a significant person in your life to lead your wedding ceremony is a great way to add a level of personalization to your wedding. This is also a great way to save money, since becoming ordained online is free! If you are exploring the possibility of asking a friend or family member to officiant your wedding, there are a few key characteristics to consider before signing them up.
Find a person that is close, but ideally not too close to either party being married. Being extremely close to one of the parties shouldn’t necessarily count out an individual as a possible officiant, but it does open the door for the person getting a little too emotional. A little emotion is great! It makes the ceremony that much more special! However, if you, your fiance, AND your officiant are all heavily crying throughout the ceremony you may need to take a lot of breaks and the ceremony may last longer than you anticipated. Alternatively, if you and your fiance aren’t big criers, having a blubbering officiant may seem out of place and alter the vibe you wanted for your ceremony. That being said, if a family member or very close friend is perfect in every other way and you’re confident they will have a very appropriate control over their emotions, they might just be the ideal person to lead your ceremony. In contrast, a person too emotionally distant from the couple may not take the role as seriously, may be unable to write a heartfelt and/or meaningful ceremony, and may not be in your lives down the road. A person in the sweet-spot will be close enough to be a constant presence throughout your lives, know enough to create a thoughtful and genuine ceremony, and be removed enough to keep the crying to a minimum.
Are they a good public speaker? Think through how confident this person will be speaking in front of a crowd. Even if they are usually an outgoing and gregarious person, this won’t necessarily translate to public speaking. Does their job require them to speak publicly or give presentations? Do they have any experience speaking into a microphone? A few factors that will play into the overall success as a public speaker are experience, confidence, natural speaking volume, and meeting the perfect sweet spot in closeness to you.
Will they respect the significance of the ceremony? Including a few jokes and taking a playful approach to delivering your wedding ceremony is totally fine, if that is what you want! However, there is a difference between keeping things light-hearted and playful vs. turning your wedding ceremony into a complete joke. You want to feel like you just made a meaningful commitment to one another at the end of your ceremony, not like you just were the butt of a joke.
You want an officiant, not a character. This is an extension of the last point, but it is worth diving further into detail. Confidence and cockiness are two different things. When selecting an officiant, be hyperaware of the difference. If the person you are considering always seems to be “on” when around people, they are likely not the best person to officiate your wedding. Your wedding ceremony shouldn’t be an opportunity for your officiant to put on a show for the guests. If this person tends to be a “class clown” type, commands all of the attention when they walk into any room, or has an air of self-importance, you run the risk of them making your special moment about them, instead of about your love and commitment. Again, putting their own flavor, personality, and a level of playfulness into the ceremony is great! Taking advantage of a seated crowd and microphone access to practice their latest standup, is not so great.
How likely is this person to adequately prepare for our wedding ceremony? If you have an individual in mind who is a great public speaker and will be respectful to the significance of the day, in theory they will adequately prepare. They will write a thoughtful and beautiful ceremony that matches your personalities and practice enough to deliver the ceremony like a true friend and professional! However, if you are considering someone with a notorious track record of procrastination, maybe keep searching.
Make sure they are up for the task. Let them know what the job entails in-full, upfront before allowing them to commit. If you sense any hesitation, don’t pressure them! This is a big favor you are asking of someone, so if they don’t want to do it or they are worried about their ability to perform let them off the hook! Whenever you ask make sure they know they don’t have to officiate, but that you thought they would be a great and meaningful person for the job!
Questions to ask an officiant prior to booking
The basics-
Are you legally certified to marry people in my state? Through which institution did you receive your certificate?
Are you available on my date?
Can you work within my budget?
Do you require a deposit? How much?
When is the balance due?
What is your preferred method of payment?
What is your cancellation policy if I cancel?
What is your cancellation policy if you cancel?
What is your rescheduling policy if I need to change my date?
What is the backup plan if you are personally unable to fulfill your contract due to a last minute conflict?
Are there any additional fees such as travel fees, delivery fees, etc. that are not included in the package price?
Are you insured? Does the insurance cover all of your staff and property?
Experience & style information-
How long have you been officiating weddings?
How many weddings do you typically officiate a weekend?
How many weddings do you typically officiate a year?
How do you identify religiously?
If you identify with a certain religion, how much of that religion is incorporated into the ceremonies you deliver? (Hint: Some non-denominational religious officiants will still incorporate mentions of God or prayers into the wedding ceremony. If this is something you’d like to minimize or avoid completely make sure they are willing to comply with this request!)
If you don’t identify with any religion, can we still request a few mentions of God in our ceremony? (Hint: Some couples wishing to minimize mention of God, still want one or two references. If you find a non-religious officiant make sure that they are comfortable and willing to make this accommodation!)
The ceremony details-
Do you have a set ceremony script or will you customize our ceremony for us?
How do you create and customize our ceremony?
Are we allowed to have input in certain aspects of our ceremony? If so, how much input and on what aspects are we allowed to offer our opinions? (Hint: If you want any readings done by the officiant or a wedding guest, special ceremonies such as sand ceremony, glass ceremony, cord ceremony, etc., songs sung by friends or family, etc., be sure to confirm that the officiant is comfortable and willing to allow these things to happen!)
Can we write our own vows? Can you help us with this? If we decide we need support with our vows, how will you offer guidance?
How long do your ceremonies typically last? Can we shorten or extend this time if we were picturing something a little different?
When will you arrive on our wedding day?
What will you wear on our wedding day? (Hint: This person will be front and center for the duration of your ceremony, which makes them a focal point for your guests. They will also be in a lot of your ceremony pictures, so make sure their attire is something professional that won’t distract from you and your fiance!)
Pre-wedding access & requirements-
How many times will we meet before our wedding?
Will you attend our ceremony rehearsal?
Will you lead our ceremony rehearsal? (Hint: Oftentimes religious leaders of certain faiths prefer or require they lead ceremony rehearsals without any assistance from wedding coordinators or planners. If running the rehearsal is not included in your officiant’s services, your wedding planner or day-of coordinator will typically lead the ceremony rehearsal.)
Do you offer or require premarital counseling? Is there an additional fee for this service?
Ways to maximize your officiant’s services
Communicate your vision for the ceremony clearly. Whether you want long, short, deeply religious, no mention of religion, etc. let your officiant know! Be clear about your expectations so they can make adjustments accordingly.
Meet with your officiant and tell them a little about yourselves! In order for a ceremony to be personal, the officiant needs the opportunity to get to know you and your fiance. When you meet with your officiant, give them some details about how you met, some important chapters in your relationship’s history, and a good idea of who you are as individuals and a couple.
Do some research on your own into wedding ceremonies. Not only will this help you find things you want to incorporate into your own ceremony, but it will also give you an idea of things you don’t want included in your ceremony. Even if you don’t find anything you’d like included verbatim, you may find general ideas or even smaller ceremonies (i.e. sand ceremony, cord ceremony, glass ceremony, etc.) to incorporate into your overall ceremony.
Write your vows and share them with your officiant. Some officiants will offer feedback on your wedding vows. If they do, take advantage of this service! Make sure your words are coherent and cohesive to a third party and will fit into the time you have chosen to allot for your overall ceremony.