Planning a magical wedding that you and your guests will remember for years to come is a challenge for any bride. With an abundance of information on wedding websites, social media outlets, books and bridal magazines, brides begin to suffer information overload whereby the fun aspect of planning loses its luster. But it shouldn’t!
Step back for a moment and think of every wedding you have attended. Reflect on the events leading up to the wedding day in addition to the ceremony and reception. What do you remember? Was it the amazing dinner, dancing all night long or reconnecting with old friends? Take note of any unique elements or special moments and whether it produced a positive or a negative emotion within you.
Simply stated, weddings are emotional. So focus your attention on what really matters – generating positive emotions within you and your guests. Where are your guests’ attention? Besides on you (the bride and groom), your guests are unconsciously aware of how they are personally being cared for. Are they comfortable, well fed and pleasantly entertained? If your guests are enjoying themselves, so will you!
Charming Venue Local restaurants, B&Bs, museums, golf courses and boating clubs are perfect venues for smaller, more intimate weddings. Larger weddings should consider venues that will comfortably seat their guests, offer nearby parking and ample, qualified staff for exceptional food and beverage service.
Delicious Food Encourage mingling amongst your guests at smaller weddings by forgoing the traditional sit down dinner and serving passed hors d’oeuvres in addition to food stations. Family style platters passed around the table and a few dessert buffets provide guests attending larger weddings more opportunity to socialize.
Toe Tapping Entertainment If space and budget permits, consider a live band with pre-recorded music during breaks to dance the night away. Otherwise, invest in a reputable DJ company that knows how to keep the floor jammed packed. While hooking up a portable media player is an affordable alternative and works well for background dinner music, your own personal taste in music may not jive well with your guests. As most dances are three to four hours long – this is not an area where you should penny pinch!
Yes, floral centerpieces, crisp floor length table linens and matching menu cards do provide a polished look but it will be the charming venue, delicious food and toe tapping entertainment that your guests will most remember. Keeping those three elements at the top of the list will guide you to an amazing wedding.