Wedding Planning Step by Step

By Avis Shiveler Brangan

A wedding in your home . . or a friend or relative's home.

Hospitality is . . the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests.

Common courtesies . . etiquette . . and things to do.

Wedding Invitations . . If the ceremony is going to be held within the next seven to ten days a telephone invitation is acceptable. If the guest list numbers fifty people or less or if the ceremony will be held within the next thirty days a short, handwritten note is appropriate. If the ceremony is going to be held in the next four to eight weeks a printed invitation should be used.

The Reception . . If the wedding is held before 1PM it is considered "a morning wedding." If you wish to have a reception after a morning wedding you may serve breakfast or brunch. If the wedding is held in the afternoon (from 1PM to 4PM) you may have a tea, a brunch, lite fare items, a luncheon or simply punch and wedding cake. If the wedding is held from 5PM to 7PM an informal or formal dinner should be served. If the ceremony is being held after 7PM then a special dessert or assorted pastries or simply punch and wedding cake should be served (your guests have already eaten dinner). Asking your guests to bring food or drink to a wedding reception in someone's home is NEVER appropriate or acceptable, it is your responsibility, you are the host/hostess.

Rental Items . . Tents, along with tables and chairs, should be set-up at least twenty-four hours in advance of the wedding. If the ceremony is being held outside there should be enough chairs for all of the guests to be seated during the ceremony. It's also a good idea to rent some extra chairs for additional seating inside the house. Rental chairs come in several styles and colors, rental chairs range in price from $1 to $5 each. Renting glassware, place settings and silverware is relatively inexpensive and it looks so much nicer than plastic knives and paper plates. Rental items can be delivered and picked up by the rental company (there is usually a fee) or you can pick up and return the items yourself.

Decorations . . Decorations inside the home should be minimal. It's better to have several small bouquets of fresh flowers, blooming potted plants or decorative items placed throughout the house than one large bouquet. Avoid using pastel colors outside, the colors will fade into the background. Welcome your guests with "a wedding wreath" at the front door.

Your Guests . . Your friends, co-workers, and family members should be greeted at the door by both the Bride (or her representative) and the Groom (or his representative). Your guests should be offered a cool drink in the summer (iced tea or lemonade) or a warm drink in the winter (hot chocolate, coffee or tea) as they enter. They should also be informed of where the wedding is taking place, where the reception is taking place, where the other guests are waiting, where the gift table is located and where the restrooms/bathrooms are located. There should also be someone assigned to take your guests' coats, take them to where the other guests are waiting and, if possible, introduce them to the Bride and Groom's other friends and relatives.
The Bathrooms . . Your bathrooms should be neat, clean and tidy. If possible, there should be a bouquet of fresh flowers and/or a candle burning in each bathroom. Appointment someone who is reliable and responsible to check each bathroom every hour so it looks neat and clean (and well supplied with bathroom necessities) throughout the day. If you are having more than thirty guests or if you only have one bathroom in your home you will need to rent "a portable bathroom" (or several). One portable bathroom should be rented for every thirty guests. Portable bathrooms (that have sinks and flush toilets) are listed under "Toilets-Portable" in the yellow pages of the telephone book.

The Weather . . If you are planning an outdoor wedding and/or reception, there is always a chance it will not be "a bright, sunny day" so you need to be mentally and physically prepared for inclement weather. Several of the weather websites or weather channels will give you a five or ten day forecast, and if it sounds like your wedding day will not be a bright, sunny day then you need to be ready to start your Plan B (and you should always have alternative plans).
A Dressing Room For Your Wedding Party Members . . It is a good idea to set aside a bedroom for the ladies and another bedroom for the gentlemen so they can change their clothes there (before or after the wedding). The area should be well lit, have a mirror, and, if needed, rent a portable clothes rack.

Entertainment For Your Small Guests . . As we all know children get bored easily so I suggest providing several types of entertainment for your small guests. Have some reading books or coloring books on hand . . rent a few children's movies . . have a peanut or candy throw . . or hire a magician or a balloon artist or a face painting artist. You may also want to consider hiring a "day nanny" so the parents of these children can enjoy your wedding day.
Your Pets . . Even though you may love your pet(s) and want them to be a part of your wedding day, others may not be so enthusiastic. Some of your guests may have pet hair allergies or they are just uncomfortable around cats and/or dogs. To solve this dilemma consider using a pet day care center or asking a neighbor to watch "Sparky" for the day.

Signs and Directions . . Make sure those people who are not familiar with the location of your wedding know how to get there or where it is located. Signs can be made at local "sign stores" for about $35 each or create an easy-to-follow map.

One thing to keep in mind: never assume a home ceremony or reception is the quickest or easiest or least expensive way to have a wedding because many times it is not.


About the Author

Avis Shiveler Brangan
Certified Wedding Specialist
Professional Bridal Consultant
Nondenominational Minister
www.top-hat-productions.com
York, PA

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