This is simply a guide... we encourage your creativity in the contents and order.
Tip 1, If using a DJ or Band which invlove setting up equipment, and you would like for them to also provide the music for your Ceremony,consider having the Ceremony in the same location as the reception, so that the DJ or musicians can set up in one spot and stay
there with little or no adjustment, other than turning their speakers to point in a different direction. This will make the transition from ceremony to reception much smoother.
Tip 2, Keep it simple. Try to condense your events to the most important ones. Prioritise, and give everything around 30% more time in your planning than you think it will take. The average well planned ceremony/reception in the same location will take 5 hours.
Try to plan to take the bulk of the pictures, which are before the ceremony. This will save time in the transition between ceremony and reception, and will save money if you are paying anyone by the hour, or stress if anyone is restricted to the hours they can spend with you.
So here is a basic check list
1)Number of Guests Estimated to Attend:
2) Provide directions to Ceremony/Reception (maps are appreciated by guests and suppliers alike:
3) Transport- Does anyone need trasnport to / from the airport and venue on the day?
4)Prelude Music (15-30 minutes before the ceremony to set the scene)
__________________________________________________
4) Special music for Principal guests Parents, Bridesmaids Processional Music
5)Special music for the "Bride"(or Alternative name if appropriate)on Arrival
The ceremony
1) Introduction by the celebebrant- anything you want him to say?
2) Musical Performances or Readings
3) Wedding Vows/Exchange Rings/ candle ceremony/ Binding ceremony
4) Any words to say when the celebrant presents you as Married Couple (or any terminology you want) and encourages you to seal your unity with a kiss
5) Music at the end of the ceremony
6) if there is a receiving line, who stands in it as Guests file past.
7)Transition to Reception- ( Advice:- Try to take a short break together before this... to celebrate alone and collect yourselves for a few minutes.)
That was short and simple wasnt it !!
Other Tips...
Every officiant has their own habits of running a wedding ceremony. This should be combined with your own ideas and preferences.
Why not ask us to help act as a locallly based WEDDING COORDINATOR! Even though many couples prefer to organise things themselves in view of the distances involved, an experienced coordinator is worth it. And it saves you and
your friends and relatives unnecessary stress, both in planning and in their enjoyment of your special day. Plus, everything will go smoother and will simply be more rewarding.
Ensure your parents/children/ stepchildren/siblings/ friends know how you feel about their roles in the planning/ceremony/reception, and vice versa.
On the wedding day,sometimes you never know how people will react, and communicating with family
and friends well before the day comes is the best policy. It avoids at least some conflicts and unnecessary hurt feelings.
Things to Remember to do in your Planning...
_____ Talk a lot to the officiant they want you to be happy and dont mond you calling even if it is something trivial
_____ Wedding Coordinator/Planner
_____ Choose the Wedding special guests (Best Man, Maid/Maitron of Honour, Groomsmen
and Bridesmaids, Ring Bearer, anyone who you want to read or speak - advise the officiant of any Alternate Terminology that you prefer to use)
*Select and acquire your Wedding Rings
*Get each other a gift
*Transport
*Florist
*Accomodation
*Venue
*Caterer
*Photographer
*DJ/Band/Musicians
*Wedding Cake
* If you are going to dance at the reception then you will need to decide on the song for your First Dance, and practice it. Also select the music for your dances with your principal guests, and any other special music/dances that you want.
_____ Gifts for the Wedding Party
_____ Decide on a Color scheme and Clothing
_____ Bar? Or no alcohol.
_____ Decorations
_____ Reception Hall/Site
_____ Ceremony Site
_____ Limousine or other transport
_____ Hairdresser/Makeup
_____ Garter (or not)
_____ Bouquet for Bride, and Flowers for Ceremony and Wedding Party Corsages
_____ Lighting (it does get dark eventually)
_____ Outdoors or Indoors (Even in Portugal it can sometimes rain, in the height of the summer gets too hot, too crowded ( on the beach for example) or windy.)
_____ Rain Plan
_____ Invitations and Thankyou cards
_____ Guest Register/Pen/Cake Knife and Server/Toasting Glasses
_____ Book for guests to write messages
_____ Table for Gifts
_____ Enough Chairs and Tables for Seating
_____ Plan order that guests will be served or go through serving line
_____ Portable One-time use Cameras to disperse and return.
_____ Ushers and Ceremony Seating Plan
_____ Cleanup Crew
_____ Plan on guest bathrooms/ toilets and hand washing facilities (especially if your ceremony/reception is outdoors at a private villa...
_____ Plan the Rehearsal earlier in teh day or even the day before the ceremony, and offer refreshments.
_____ Coordinate time of wedding. portugal can be very hot at certain times of day even in the winter months- we can advise
_____ Tips for suppliers for a Job Well Done ( we can always hope !!)
_____ Know when to pay everyone and do it without delay.
_____ Share your itinerary with suppliers and key personnel (Try not to make last minute changes, that's what planning is for.)
_____ Always communicate fully with all concerned, in advance when possible.
_____ Consider an MC/Sound System rental for your reception. Manuel is prepared for this, as are some DJ´s / bands. If you have no entertainers to
perform Master of Ceremonies services, then hire an MC, or have a competent friend MC. Ensure they know the atmosphere you want them to project, and talk over the itinerary with them. Make sure you coordinate with the MC throughout your day. MCs make the reception flow smoothly, and ensure all guests know when important activities take place.
The sound system can be used to ensure all guests can hear the toasts.
Also, plan how to use your space efficiently.
If dancing later at the reception, try to use enough area so that the dance floor is left empty, and no dining tables, etc., will need to be moved. If you cannot acquire that much space, then be sure to plan how to move the tables for dancing before the time comes.
There are undoubtedly other things to add to this list, but for now... have fun....phew
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