PLANNING
10 STEPS TO AN UNFORGETTABLE RECEPTION
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THE BUDGET The greatest factor to affect your budget will be the number of guests you invite. So, even though you’re ready to burst with excitement over your engagement, keep the wedding chatter to a minimum until you’ve set the budget and know exactly how many guests you can realistically invite. WHO PAYS FOR WHAT Will the two of you be paying for the entire event yourselves, or will your parents be contributing? As awkward as it may feel to ask, it’s important for the harmony of the family to get a firm answer of exactly how much each set of parents is planning to contribute. The days of the bride’s parents paying for the majority of the wedding are long past. So any support offered should be appreciated. PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS Before discussing their contribution,
do some research on overall costs for the wedding you’re envisioning. If they’re lending financial support, it’s likely they’ll expect to have some input and the right to invite friends, extended family and business associates that you would otherwise not invite. Have an idea of how many guests you’re willing to let them invite (which, realistically, will be affected by how much they’re able to contribute) and a few meetings or decisions you’d like them to be involved in, such as the catering and cake tastings, viewing invitation options, etc. It doesn’t mean you have to take their opinions over your own—it’s simply a way of including them in the wedding planning process.
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AN EVENT PLANNER A common hurdle for brides considering an event planner is the idea of relinquishing control. In reality, you’re not giving up control at all. You’re simply enlisting the services of someone with the organizational skills and resources to bring your vision to life. They do the footwork and research that allows you to make informed, intelligent decisions. Here’s a list of standard services: • An initial face-to-face appointment to review your ideas, expectations and preliminary budget. • Assist in creating a budget. 118
PLANNING
10 steps to an unforgettable reception
• Make suggestions and research options. • Create an overview that accommodates your tastes, preferences and budget. • Provide a list of recommended service providers (vendors). • Assist with the selection of vendors, should you so desire. • Schedule appointments with the vendors being considered. • Review all contracts. • Develop a detailed timeline for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. • Develop a detailed floor plan. • Stay in communication with the selected vendors. • Confirm timeline several days before the wedding and provide final version to you and all vendors. • Be on-site the day of your wedding to see that all service providers are on time and set-ups are proceeding smoothly and on schedule, and any emergencies are dealt with promptly. EVENT DESIGNERS If you’re looking for someone to create a total
design concept for your wedding, what you really need is an event designer. They offer creative design for the entire event, ensuring all elements compliment one another and support the overall design theme. Hire them in the early planning stages so they can be involved from the get-go.
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THE GUEST LIST Controlling your guest list will enable you to focus more time, attention and budget to the details that make a wedding so unique: the location, invitations, table décor, menu selection, music and other elements that are often limited by large guest lists. Begin by separating your list into two groups: one comprised of friends and family you simply must have at your wedding,and the other comprised of those with whom you’d like to have, but whose absence you can accept. On average, about 20 percent of your invitees will be unable to attend. As you begin to receive regrets from the first list, immediately send invitations to the like to have list. To reduce the level of discomfort when the topic of your wedding comes up in front of fringe-friends and coworkers not invited, exercise a little discretion. Avoid talking about it compulsively and limit Twitter
