Monday, August 22, 2011

Wedding Reception Checklist


It is important that the company you choose for your wedding reception delivers a personalized service. There are so many small details involved in the success of a reception, that it can be hard to over look what matters the most� YOU! Any company you decide should maintain focus on your happiness and comfort with all aspects of your itinerary. Below, I�ve listed a basic time line for what happens when. Just as a reminder, any of the steps below in your wedding reception checklist can be taken out or rearranged. You should have complete control over what happens. Think of yourself as president of the big day.


* Confirm location of facility dimmer switch to be adjusted during dancesFortunately our lives are much easier and extensive searches on the internet can deliver remarkable discoveries. I kind of liken it to my impatience of going into brand name discounter shops. Even though countless clothes racks may hold incredible discounted designer finds, I frankly don't take the time flipping through hundreds of shirts to find the right ridiculously priced coup.* Find out seating arrangements for the bridal party to let them know where they will be sitting* Familiarize self with client songs & re-categorize into possible setsAlthough marquees come in various shapes & sizes, there are two basic types: a traditional style with center poles & guide ropes & the modern metal framed type which gives a clear span. Traditional marquees are often favored for their aesthetic qualities, the modern version does allow for a large clear area, with no poles getting in the way of the dance floor & no ropes for people to trip over.* If you have photo booth: Do a test shot to check custom message area� Wisteria, Fruit, and VineCake CuttingBouquet Execution* Remind bridal party to remain standing until the bride & groom are seated* Ask bride and groom if they would like make any changes to lighting color* Perform functional test on all equipment before guest's arrival* Make sure there is a serving knife, plate, and napkin at the cake table* Run through agenda with the head matradee of the banquet hall (check dinner start time)* Announce that the bridal party has arrived and for guests to take their seats* Take Glam Cam shots of the client during cake cuttingBefore Guest Arrival* This can happen either after the grand entrance, after dinner, or after dancing* Introduce self to guests, encourage requests, take photos for the Glam Cam* Locate the bouquet to be tossed* If you have lighting design: Adjust fixtures for maximum saturation of clients color* Create wait-list of all important client songs for quick access* Drag and drop songs online as must play and do not play* Fill in your wedding reception time line and itinerary details* Ask head table if they need any more bread or drinksDon�t however assume you can just erect a marquee at your favored venue. You will need to check with them first as some will not allow it or have the facilities available. Some venues may also be able to put you in touch with a reputable marquee that have used before or will organize the whole thing for you.Package SetupBefore Your Big DayI decide to narrow my search to lamps; this should be simple, right? Seems I need to consider table lamps, desk lamps, floor lamps, accent lamps, and let's not forget lamp shades. Other suggested search items include, cheap lamps, novelty lamps, discount lamps, and antique table lamps.Erecting a marquee in your parents back garden will make for a nicely contained wedding reception, you won�t have to worry about your mother�s carpets getting ruined & you carry on the festivities well into the night without the restrictions on time usually imposed by a hotel. Whilst it isn�t a budget option hiring a marquee can be more reasonable than hiring a more formal venue.* Pre-event consultation 1 week prior so there are no surprises* Instruct guests to form a circle around our guests of honor for a nice send off* If champagne is all tables make sure staff is pouring it* Visually confirm that all VIPs are in the room* Remind all important people involved in the dances they will begin shortly* Double check center piece pin spots are not in guests eyes* Hide and tape down cords (cords and tape are black)* Make sure the house music is turned OFFA typical marquee for around 100 guests can cost $2500, remember this won�t include other elements such as flooring, lighting & linings. Flooring is recommend even if you have a nice even lawn, as you can never be certain of the weather & a floor will prevent your lovely lawn from being ruined. The most economical choice is coir or coconut matting although if your ground is very uneven a wooden floor is more practical. If you have the budget you can even have carpet or a suspended wooden floor.* Play song while conducting grand entrance in either a high energy or low key format* If the client would like to mingle more, then perform another follow-up shortly after* 10 Minutes before the end, check with client to see if they want to keep the party goingNot going much beyond 'astronomical' as the price to procure an original Tiffany lamp, I decide to better understand the options for reproduction versions. I learn that, generally speaking, 'Tiffany lamp' really is a term used for a Tiffany style or something called a Tiffany Reproduction lamp. Seems that the original Tiffany Studios went bankrupt after making their hand crafted pieces between 1900 and 1932.Antique usually means a higher price tag but I've always wondered about Tiffany Lamps; perhaps this is my time to learn something. So a few more fast searches and I learn that Louis Comfort Tiffany was the inventor behind some extraordinary glass products, the opalescent glass being one of many. Apparently Clara Driscoll, the head designer at Tiffany Studios, was really the creator of the famous leaded glass design. It should be noted that this style is associated with Art Nouveau or the 'new art' movement, so we're talking early 20th century creations.* Verbally run through names of bridal party for announcementsThese reproduced or Tiffany style stained glass lamp are known for the dark, rich colours and have shades containing many pieces of stained glass held together by a soldered web of copper. Although not all, most of the lamps have bronze bases. I think that works for me but can I find something in an affordable price range and will the style really fit my decor?* Arrive 1-3.5 hours in advance depending on your scheduled package* Keep a look out for wedding vendors, go over the agenda with them as they arrive* Wireless mic check behind the head table (ensures reception and gains)* Hold open door in lobby, congratulate client, and introduce self to bridal party* Slightly increase the music volume� Geometric Designs* Formally introduce those speaking, after they have spoke thank them on a first name basis* Ask bride and groom how the music volume is* Double check that your photographer and videographer are ready and in placeA marquee lining will create a dramatic look, as it will co-ordinate the ceiling area with the rest of the marquee & will hide the metal frame. Linings are a must have for metal framed tents although they are not always necessary with a traditional marquee. A typical lining will consist of swathes of ivory fabric although some companies may also offer tinted panels to co-ordinate with your color scheme.* Stand behind client and announce guests to give them a round of applauseLast DanceIf you fancy something a little different, look at hiring something more unusual. Indian style canopies or medieval style tents are two options you could consider. If your budget is tight or space is limited, think about hiring a gazebo instead, these are smaller than a marquee & offer the perfect solutionfor an intimate gathering without a sit-down meal.* Ask photographer/videographer if they want the bridal party to stand behind the cake for a nice backdropAnd since we luuuuv our clients, we always take a Glam Cam shot with them!� Floral* Instruct bridal party here to walk to* Direct everyone�s attention to the cake table, invite them to take photosFormal Dances* Start dimming the facility lighting* Instruct those toasting how to use the microphone* Top off the night with a farewell announcement and special congratulations to the guest of honor* Remind guests to leave room for the professional photographer* Change into company uniform (black tux, platinum tie, name tag)Dinner* Privately invite guests to join the bride and groom on the dance floor* Announce the meal procedure (plated, buffet, family-style, hor dourves)� Dragonfly and Peacock* Have their cake cutting song cued, and ready to goIt maybe that you have found your dream venue only to discover that they cannot possibly accommodate all your guests. This is where a marquee will come into it�s own & provide the ideal solution by allowing you to hold you reception in a marquee on the lawn at your favored venue. Another option is to look at the possibility of using the marquee as an extension of the building, allowing you to make the most of the existing rooms.* Give a heads up to those speaking so they do not leave the room* Replace battery in wireless microphone if necessary* Make sure client has all the single ladies she wants to see participating in the tossMy internet search begins with something simple, 'Tips for lighting a home office.' The instant search engine results in lots of great information I need to understand about task lighting and how to avoid strain on my eyes. There are lots of pointers to read about ambience and accent lighting. I'm intrigued with the massive list of chandeliers, pendant lighting, mini pendants, flush mount fixtures, semi-flush fixtures, wall sconces, outdoor lighting, bathroom lighting, ceiling fans, green lighting, the list is endless.The price is right. The size is perfect. And without leaving my home, I can have a new table lamp within a week. This was so easy, do I buy now or search some more?* Ask guests to help count down the tossIf you want to have your reception at home a marquee provides the ideal solution, particularly if you don�t have enough room within your house. A marquee can be constructed to any size of shape & can be erected to fit within your gardens perfectly. As with all suppliers connected with your wedding, ring around a few companies to gauge an idea of prices & what they offer. Another advantage of having your reception in a marquee at home is that you can personalize it however you want without being tied to a specific wedding package. There is also no need for transport at the end of the day - just fall straight in to your own bed!Shopping for light fixtures is not unlike shopping for fabric, it's just easier to settle for something that you can readily spot, rather than dig through countless catalogues or swatch books.A marquee will offer you a huge blank canvas when it comes to deciding on your color schemes so you can be as subtle or as dramatic as you like with the risk of your chosen decorations being in direct conflict with the surroundings. The only color scheme to be careful of is an all white scheme as a white marquee with white linens, white flowers & white decorations can be overpowering & appear as a huge mass of white.* Test all special requested songs by client, have a backup version available* Announcing the first dance with energy and poise* Ask bride and groom if they are ready to do the cake cutting/dances* If you have a name monogram: Aim behind head table or on dance floor

And since we luuuuv our clients, we always take a Glam Cam shot with them!




Author: Robert Reno


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