Day of Wedding Schedule

As you start your planning one thing you want to think about it is the schedule. Often brides start planning and then all of a sudden the catering staff needs to know what time dinner is and you have no clue what to tell them.  Today, we are going to help with sharing a mock schedule for the “Day of Wedding”. Please note this can vary depending on what your needs are but below is a generic wedding and reception timeline.

We promise as soon as you start thinking about the schedule and at least having an estimated one, the better it will help you in your planning wedding day.

The first thing you will need to know and that will change every piece to the timeline is – “What time is your ceremony”? Depending on your ceremony time you can then move other times to better fit your needs.

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3:00pm Arrive to venue

3:30pm Getting ready Photos

4:00pm First look photos or separate photos with bridesmaid/groomsmen and family

5:00pm Wedding Ceremony

5:30pm Cocktail/ Appetizer Hour

6:15pm Grand Entrance

6:30pm Dinner Service

7:30pm Toast

7:45pm Frist Dance, Daddy Daughter Dance, Mother Son Dance

               Open Dance Floor

8:30pm Cake Cut

               Open Dance Floor

9:00pm Garter/Bouquet Toss

             Open Dance Floor

10:40pm Last Dance

10:45pm Grand Exit

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Now, there can be a lot of things that happen in between all of these pieces, you can add the shoe game or slide show presentation. However, this mock timeline can help you in getting started in scheduling the correct time for each piece.

Happy Planning

XOXO

Hidden Questions to ask when booking a Wedding Venue?

Melissa Ivy Photography

Today we are talking about hidden questions you need to ask when booking a wedding venue. Now, we still advise asking other questions and defiantly those common ones like - "What is included in the package"? But we want to help with questions that you might not think of in asking especially before handing over a chunk of change. 

Here are our top hidden questions to ask when contacting for you wedding venue:

Are taxes included in this price - if not how much more? 

How much is it per person after I hit my cap of guest? 

What is my payment plan? 

When do you need to have the full amount paid by?

Is gratuity included? 

How much is my deposit and is there a security deposit you hold until after the event? 

What is the cancellation policy? 

Are there any other additional fees with your vendors? Such as cake cutting fee or dish rentals? 

Do you work with a hotel nearby with discount room rates? 

What is the alcohol policy? 

What is your plan B in case of bad weather?

Is the ceremony rehearsal included?  

If I need to add an hour for set up or clean up how much is it? 

There can be a million questions you wan to ask and that's okay. You will learn as you do a site visit most questions will be answered. However, it's great to write a list out of question you wan to know as it will later help you in deciding between venues. Good luck hunting! 

XOXO

Venue: The Wright House 

Photographer: Melissa Ivy Photography

How to make your Wedding Ceremony Special

Ashtyn Nicole Photography 

A wedding ceremony is the opening act of the event, but also the opportunity to set the stage for a special and personal night. Today we want to keep it simple with a few of our favorite wedding ceremony details to help make the moment special for you, your man and the guest.

Of course a wedding ceremony is not a form of wedding entertainment, but there is no reason why it shouldn’t be entertaining for you and your guests.  Think of it this way, the more you and your loved one are invested in your ceremony, the more guest will feel a part of your commitment. You want your guest to feel apart, especially as many of them are witnesses of your love story and the greatest supporters, champions and cheerleaders in your lives.

Think of the following wedding details as options not necessary and don’t feel like you have to do all of them. Pick the ones that work for you and the ones you know your guest will enjoy.

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Include your Friends and Family in the Vows

Before you say your own vows, get your friends and family to respond to a communal vow to show their love and support for you. It gives them the opportunity to go from spectators to participators.

Have a Group Reading

Instead of putting one or two people under pressure to deliver a reading you can call on the entire group to be a part of it. To make this work, have someone still lead the reading but ask guest to chime in on one or two end  sentences sealing the ready.  One we have heard and loved is The Apache Wedding Blessing  

This can be another format in bringing guest from spectators to participators.

Have your friends and Family Bless the Rings

Before you exchange your wedding rings, why not have the rings passed around among your guest so that they can offer their blessings to you, before you put them on. I cannot think of anything lovelier than remembering that all your guest were a part of that ring you wear.

Play Background Music during the Ceremony

Playing background music during the ceremony might be one of my new favorite things in to do to set the mood. The key is picking music that is soft, meaningful and set the romantic mood while played very quietly in the background of while the ceremony takes place.  Talk about the ultimate ambience chills you will give your guest while they hear your vows.

Candle lighting

If you have decided to add a traditional unity candle ceremony to the wedding program think about upgrading it and having the guest participate in a candle lighting wave. How this works is having your guest from the back start by lighting their candle and then using their candle light their neighbors and keeps going on until it gets to the bride and groom who light the unity candle.  Don’t for get to choose an amazing song to play during this moment.

Share personal and meaningful Vows

We know it can be hard to write vows that are so personal but your guest have been a part of your love story and they want to hear the big moment where you declare your loved for each other. Just like any great Disney movie there is the moment where the couple declares the love for each other and you cry! Your guests want that and it’s not always easy to write the screen play but have it come from the heart and you will be great!

Remember, you don't have to use all of these or any. Do what make sense, what feels good. You got this! 

XOXO

Venue: The Wright House

Photographer: Ashtyn Nicole Photography