It's important, at every wedding reception, to have a written schedule with a timeline of key events and activities. Commonly referred to as a running sheet, the schedule should detail start and finish times, when the bridal party enter and exit, when meals are served, when the speeches are conducted and the times of the cake cutting, first dance and bridal games (garter/bouquet) etc.
The Master of Ceremonies (MC) is essentially the person who ensures your wedding reception runs smoothly and that the running sheet or order of proceedings is adhered to. Following are some tips and pointers to help your MC do the best possible job.
Are suppliers entitled to food and drinks at wedding receptions? This question recently caused a somewhat animated discussion on a wedding forum and polarised opinion. Couples that have booked a photographer, videographer or DJ/musicians for their wedding need to consider this issue.
Following are 10 tips to help couples save money on their wedding receptions.
Speeches are an integral part of wedding reception formalities. When done right, speeches can be a real highlight. When done badly they can be a real lowlight. Following are some tips to help make the speeches memorable for all the right reasons.
Weddings can be logistical nightmares but with careful planning and preparation, even the most complex wedding day will run smoothly. The most important tool to help you through your big day is a detailed and thorough running sheet.
There are different types of wedding reception options available and they have their pros and cons. Whether it be a function centre, restaurant or yacht club, couples should consider the following variables:
I have developed a spreadsheet to help couples compare and review different wedding reception venue options. Click here to download
Every bride should be prepared for contingencies on her wedding day. Following are some items that should be on hand at any wedding – just in case!
One of the important decisions a couple needs to make when planing their wedding reception is how they farewell their guests. Following are some options.
Putting together your wedding reception seating plan is easier said than done. There are a number of variables at play when determining who should sit where.
Any organised wedding couple should use a checklist with timelines to ensure nothing is left to chance and everything runs smoothly in the lead up to the big day. Here are a couple of good examples that you can use as is or customise to include items that relate to your own planning requirements.
As we all know weddings are an expensive undertaking. Couples often don't realise how much money they will need to spend and just what they will need to spend it on when they first get engaged. Following is an excellent online checklist to help couples plan their purchases (wedding stationery, atire etc).
There are many web sites that provide wedding planning tools and there are some excellent free resources available. One of the most popular wedding planning tools is a budget calculator. For those that are not familiar with spreadsheets, or who would prefer a ready made and simple alternative to creating their own spreadsheets, here are a couple of online budget calculators that are worth a try:
When it comes to planning your wedding one of the major causes of stress and potential conflict will be determining who pays for the various costs involved. There are, of course, no hard and fast rules and nowadays it is often the case that couples foot the bill for some if not most of the costs. There are, however, traditional roles in regards to paying wedding expenses.