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.
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!