Let's go from the top!
An MC
Master of Ceremonies, Toastmaster, emcee, whatever you want to call it - people always forget to pick your hype-person who is going to get the crowd going, make announcements and keep the vibe going OFF!
You want someone who is confident on the mic and can work with your wedding coordinator to address the room and keep everyone informed. A few key areas for the MC to cover are:
introducing the couple into the wedding breakfast following the ceremony
introducing each speech
announcing that different areas are open eg, bar, dessert table
gather people for cake cutting and first dance
It's always great if this person is a family member or friend, but you can certainly hire a professional!
2. Traffic flow
Especially if you're doing a dry hire venue or if the whole thing is DIY, if you haven't worked with a wedding planner or coordinator, you may not have considered the flow of people traffic when organising.
Ideally, you want to pick a venue that has the facilities to cater for all this. Likely 1 space that has all the amenities and you move from 1 room to the other in order of when it happens (ceremony > welcome drinks/ canapés > wedding breakfast > reception). When moving people from 1 location to another, it needs to be simple and easy. It may be essential as the ceremony and wedding breakfast/ reception may be in the same room and require a change around.
Moving a large group of people around a venue is difficult at the best of times, and always slower that you anticipated! It's a key part in the relaxation and enjoyment of a wedding day for you and your guests.
Speak to your wedding planner or coordinator about any concerns you may have about this aspect of your wedding.
3. Make sure it's scheduled to finish getting ready AN HOUR before you need to be walking out of the door.
Yup. You read that right. An hour. It sounds like a huge amount of time, but it really isn't. On a wedding morning, especially if you are having hair & makeup and putting on a dress, there is so much more faffing than you realise.
4. Go over your check lists, weekly!
We have created some easy check lists that you can print off and add to for your own convenience.
Start to divvy up the remaining jobs, noting down who they were given to and check in with them in the weeks leading up the wedding day.
5. Lie about deadlines. Always.
Find out from the catering company when you need everyone's food options by but give your guests a deadline that's at least 2 weeks earlier.
Schedule reminder emails to go multiple times a week for those who haven't RSVP'd or given their menu options.
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