Wedding Trends That Take The Cake

Before booking your wedding reception, you should gather a list of questions to ask the site manager. Use these suggested questions to get you started:

Ala Carte Reception Costs

Reception sites have different ways of breaking down their costs. Avoid any confusion when comparing wedding reception sites by requesting an itemized list of fees you’ll use for your event. (Tip: Have an idea of your guest count beforehand since your count will influence the estimated costs.) Questions to ask:

• What is the facility rental fee?
• What is the food cost?
• What is the beverage cost?
• If you want to hold your ceremony at the site, what is the fee?
• Is there a set-up and breakdown fee?
• What is the staffing fee?
• What is the fee for security personnel?
• Is there a parking/valet fee?
• What is the overtime fee?

Wedding Packages

Some locations offer wedding packages, which can be both cost-effective and convenient, but make sure to inquire about exactly what’s included and not included in the package. Questions to ask:

• What basics are included in the wedding package?
• Is the wedding cake also included? If so, can the design be customized?
• Does the package include floral arrangements? Can they be customized?
• Are linens included in the wedding package?

Booking Terms

Make sure that the site contract meets your needs by asking these questions:

• What is the length of the facility rental?
• Is there an overtime fee?
• Will you have use of the entire reception site?
• What is the deposit?
• When is the remainder of the fee due?
• What is the cancellation policy?
• Are there any music or noise restrictions?
• Does the site have any decorating restrictions?
• Will there be another party during, before or after yours? If so, how will this affect your event?

Essential Services

Determine which of these services the site provides and which you’ll need to contact on your own. Questions to ask:

• Is there an in-house caterer? If not, can the site refer you to a caterer? Do they have caterers that are under exclusive contract to the site?
• Does the reception site have a list of recommended vendors?
• Can the ceremony be held on site? If not, are there suitable locations nearby?
• Is an on-site staff available (coordinator, waiters, bartenders, etc.)?
• Does the site provide tables, chairs, plates, silverware, glasses and other essentials?

Amenities

Some of these important extras may help you determine your perfect venue:

• Are changing rooms available for the bridal party?
• Does the site offer guests accommodations?
• Are there hotels that are convenient to the reception site?
• Are there on-site locations for photo opportunities?
• Are there sufficient restroom facilities?
• Is there a coatroom?
• Is the facility in a desirable location?
• Is there adequate parking available?

When planning for your wedding, don’t forget to order your Rehearsal Dinner Invitations from Best Little Wedding Shop.

Lisa Bakewell

Planning your wedding reception seating may seem like a daunting task…especially if your wedding is large…but creating a satisfactory seating plan is relatively easy if you follow these tips:

Number of guests

You’ve sent out your invitations, and you’ve received your RSVP’s for the reception, but before you can start worrying about who is going to sit where, talk with your venue coordinator about the actual space that’s available for guest tables. Keep in mind where the head table will be positioned, as well as the music, cake table, buffet tables, etc. Also, ask the coordinator for his/her advice on which table shapes work best for the number of guests you wish to invite. Keep in mind, too, that it’s better to have fewer tables that are full, than many tables with just a few guests. Last, remember it’s beneficial to have some extra seats available for unexpected guests.

Head Table

The head table, or top table, is generally located in a prime location at the reception venue…typically in the front. This table is reserved for you, your groom, your wedding party and possibly your parents. If your parents do not sit at the head table with you, make sure that they are directly in front of you.

Guest Tables

Apart from the head table, guests traditionally sit at round tables. Have your family tables closest to the head table, and follow these tips for the rest of your guests:

• Keep couples, families, co-workers, etc., together. Those who share common interests will converse freely and be at ease. Small children should be seated with their parents, too, so that they will be supervised.
• Keep in mind that age is a factor. Seat elderly people together and other guests of similar ages together. They’ll have more in common.
• Solo guests should be dispersed throughout your seating chart, not thrown together at one table. Make sure they have something in common with those that they are seated with, though. One to two single people per table should be sufficient.
• Keep divorced men and women separated to avoid conflict. Even if they get along, you’ll probably still want to separate them, so that painful memories aren’t triggered, which may cause conflict.
• Guests with special needs will need extra consideration when you’re planning your seating arrangement. Obviously, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, etc. need special attention, but, also, keep in mind that your elderly guests will need to be seated in close proximity to the restrooms. Moms with babies, too, should be placed in an area where they can make a quick exit, if necessary.
• Balance your tables with even numbers of males and females.
• And, as a final note, check with your parents for any possible seating errors. There may be some tensions between people that you are not aware of, and seating them together might cause a problem.

For discount wedding invitations, visit Best Little Wedding Shop!

Lisa Bakewell

Vegas-themed Rehearsal Dinner Invites (click photo)

Where are you having your wedding rehearsal dinner? How about a trendy (fun) location your friends and family will love!

Your big day is FINALLY approaching and now it’s time to plan your wedding rehearsal dinner (don’t forget to order your Rehearsal Dinner Wedding Invitations!). For this fun get-together with friends and family, there are a plethora of options and venues to choose from. You could be traditional, but why not have a little fun? Try these trendy activity ideas to get the party started!

Make it a barbecue. Hamburgers, hotdogs, sausages and salads make a great, inexpensive meal–and may be perfect for your rehearsal dinner. Throw up a volleyball net for a little fun and games for your guests too. Or how about getting out the bocce balls or bags and hosting a tournament? Award your winner(s) with a small “trophy” from your local dollar store.

Twist and shout. Love to dance? How about hosting a 50s theme party? Rent a juke box, crank up the music and host a dance competition! For desert? Hire a “soda jerk” to make shakes and sodas in souvenir glasses for your guests.

Strike their fancy. If you have fun-loving friends and family, you may want to take them bowling. There’s nothing like a bit of competition among future family members to get everyone acquainted. You may want to have everyone draw numbers, too, to pick which team they’re on. That way your guests will be forced to mingle and make new friends. Food can be the standard bowling alley fair. Check with the alley to see if they’ll provide a pin of your own for all of your guests to sign as a souvenir.

Check their intelligence. Want to know how smart your family is–or how about his? A fun way to find out is with a trivia challenge. Whether you hold the event at your home, a hall or restaurant, you can pit your guests against one another for fun and prizes. Again, you can randomly split your guests into groups or play in three groups–your family, his family and a “friends” group–to see who’s the smartest.

Hold ‘em. The cards, that is. For a great time, and lots of camaraderie among guests, host a trendy casino night. Your guests will love playing against the odds–and each other. Let your bridal party act as dealers for the card games or hire a dealer. Consider, too, hosting bingo games and offering raffle prizes. As a souvenir for your guests, have poker chips embossed with your names and your wedding date.

Take them out to the ball game. Get the party started by planning your rehearsal dinner at your local baseball field. Many parks offer group discounts, and there’s plenty of fun for everyone. After all, who doesn’t love a ballpark hotdog and a bag of peanuts? For gifts to your guests, give personalized baseball caps or plastic beer mugs as souvenirs. For keepsakes of your own: have all of your guests sign a game ball and see if the park will post a congratulatory message on the scoreboard for you and your soon-to-be spouse during the seventh inning stretch.

Make it tee-time. If you and your fiancé love to golf, why not share you passion for the links with your guests? Host your rehearsal dinner at a country club or golf course, and let everyone perfect his or her swing at the driving range. Instead of dinner, you may want to hold a “cocktail hour” and offer light snacks or hors d’oeuvres. For gifts to your guests, think about personalized tees or golf balls with your names and wedding date on them.