Specializing in Day of Coordination has made us extremely aware of things that are forgotten in the wedding planning process that are important to the flow of the wedding day. We have compiled a list of the top 5 things couples forget that we most frequently come across.
1. Meals on the wedding day. This pointer is probably one of the most common that we come across. Make sure you plan in advance what you and the wedding party will be doing for breakfast and again for lunch. Assign someone outside of the wedding party (parents or aunts and uncles) to bring you food to make sure everyone is happy and well fed before the ceremony. The last thing you want is a “Hangry” Bride or Groom!
2. Assigning helpers for the check in table. The check in table is crucial to the flow of the wedding day. Guests need to know where they are sitting and where to drop their gifts off. The check in table helpers usually will share the most important information with the guests: parking validation, restroom locations, table number assignment and description of drink tickets if you have them. Usually this person is a extended family member OR a close friend that is very organized and trust worthy. The rule of thumb is for every 75 guests you have you will need one more check in table helper. The more helpers you have the smoother the process goes!
3. Create a photo shot list. After your ceremony is the best time to take pictures with family members and wedding party. Create a list of the pictures that you want. Start with your bigger group pictures and then shrink to your smaller pictures so that your guests can go to cocktail hour sooner. Here is what we suggest: Extended family photos, Immediate family photos, Siblings, Parents, Entire Wedding Party, Wedding party without the children, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Maid of Honor and Best Man and then lastly a picture of just the two of you at your ceremony site.
4. Hiring wait/clean up staff for your wedding day (estate weddings). The word “Caterer” is used very loosely in this industry, some caterer’s offer full service: which means they pour water for the guests, serve the bride and groom both beverages and food, clear the plates when they are done and keep the tables tidy for your guests throughout the night. They will also clean up all trash at the end of the night and take it out to the nearest dumpster. Other caterer’s simply just show up with the food, set the food out on a table and break down the food and head home. This has proven to be very challenging for guests because they have to figure out where they can get water, take their own food waste to a nearby trash can and find a place to set their dirty plates and glasses. This also goes for the Bride and Groom, full service wait staff will bring you your food and replenish your beverages, a simplistic caterer will expect you to come to the buffet on your own and get your own drinks. It is extremely worth it to hire a few helping hands to wait on your guests and clean up at the end of the night.
5. Assign someone to take the gifts and extra left over wedding items. Always plan in advance who will be taking all the gifts and cards home. There are usually leftover centerpieces, food, decor and favors that also need to find a home. When you assign 1-2 people to take these items the coordinator can make sure it gets loaded up and safely put into their hands. You can plan to pick them up later or have them brought to you. This allows you to enjoy the wedding day from start to finish without having to worry about loading a car or being stuck with leftover food sitting in your vehicle. (not exactly a romantic start to your night together)..
There are many more things that a Day of Coordinator can help you with to be sure you have a relaxing and fun wedding day. Cheers to you and happy planning!!
Photo Credit: Andrew Satanapong Photography