do get to know your officiant ahead of time
do add extra time for getting ready
This is the person who is going to lead you through the emotional commitment you’re making, so it’s crucial they’re someone you’re completely comfortable with. And if you get to know them ahead of time, your ceremony will feel personalized and authentic. Your meet up doesn’t have to be formal—you could grab coffee together or take them up on their offer for premarital counseling (it’s not just for couples with issues). TIP FOR THE TAKING If you’re not required by your religious institution to use a particular officiant, you could choose someone you’re already close with, like the pastor of your childhood church or a friend who has known you both forever. Just check what the requirements are for getting them certified in your state.
From hair and makeup to photos and travel to the venue, there are a lot of prewedding to-dos that can potentially put you behind schedule and make your ceremony start late. In many cases, you only have the ceremony space for a limited amount of time, and you don’t want your guests waiting on you. Typically hair and makeup take about 45 minutes each, so plan two and a half (or even three) hours just for beauty. TIP FOR THE TAKING Ask each pro for a realistic estimate on how long it will take and then add on 15 to 30 minutes just to be safe. That way, if everything runs smoothly, you’ll still have some time left over if something unexpected sets you back. Plus, any extra time can be used for photos or just fun chatter before everything begins.
don’t pick a spot that’s extremely far away from your reception
don’t stress about the perfect program
Keeping your ceremony space close to or at your reception venue is the easiest way to cut costs (on venue rental, transportation, and even photography and videography), simplify your planning and cut down on logistics, like figuring out how your entire bridal party is going to get from the ceremony to the cocktail hour (not to mention all the guests). Book a ceremony venue that’s nearby or at the same place as your reception and you’ll have more time for things like photos and mingling with your guests at cocktail hour. TIP FOR THE TAKING If you’re dead set on your ceremony venue or have already booked a space that’s far from the reception, consider providing transportation for your wedding guests.
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Your programs can include anything from song lyrics to your love story. But before you start penning a novel, you should know there’s nothing wrong with sticking to the basics, like the names of your bridal party members, the order of events and info on any readings or cultural traditions you’re planning to include. So don’t stress about putting down every thought, or worry about giving acknowledgements to every guest (save all that for toasts or thank-you notes). That way, you have more time to focus on things like picking the perfect processional music instead. TIP FOR THE TAKING These days, a lot of couples don’t even have programs at all. We love the idea of one large chalkboard sign at the entrance to display all the ceremony info. >>
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