The Art Of Wedding Planning: Masterful Maestros Of Nuptial Bliss

Planning a wedding involves a lot of decision-making, and there are many people involved in the process. The bride and groom are responsible for sending invitations, choosing a wedding band, and selecting a date and venue. They are often supported by their parents, the wedding party, and a wedding planner. A wedding planner is a person who helps to coordinate all the details of a wedding, from creating a mood board to reflect the desired style of the wedding to overseeing the smooth running of the day itself.

Wedding Officiants: A wedding officiant is a person authorised to perform a wedding ceremony

A wedding officiant is a person authorised to perform a wedding ceremony. The type of officiant you choose will depend on the type of ceremony you want, be it religious, civil, or otherwise.

Religious Officiants

Religious officiants are usually leaders within their particular faith and typically perform wedding ceremonies at their place of worship. They can include:

• Christian weddings: pastor, priest, or vicar
• Jewish weddings: rabbi
• Islamic weddings: imam
• Hindu weddings: pandit

Civil Officiants

Civil officiants are government officials who can legally perform a marriage ceremony in accordance with their state laws. They can include:

• Justice of the peace
• Judge
• Mayor
• City clerk
• Notary
• Magistrate

In the United States, civil celebrants are certified by the government and must undergo a training course of at least 26 weeks. They are responsible for witnessing the consent of the spouses for the wedding license, thereby validating the marriage for legal purposes.

Other Types of Officiants

In some cases, couples may choose to have a loved one, such as a close family member or friend, officiate their wedding. In such cases, the person can get ordained online with a simple form and fee. However, it is important to note that some states in the US do not recognize online ordination, so it is essential to be familiar with the marriage laws of the state where the wedding will take place.

Wedding Planners: They help create a mood board, colour palette, and wedding website

A wedding planner is a person who plans weddings. They can help with a variety of tasks, including creating a mood board, colour palette, and wedding website.

Mood Boards

Mood boards help create the look and feel of your wedding day and visually communicate your wedding inspiration and desired style. They can include images with certain colours or textures, as well as physical items that inspire you. Creating a mood board with your wedding planner can help you have a clear vision of the vibe you want and narrow things down to what truly matters. It is also essential when hiring and meeting with vendors, as it sets you and your vendors up for success by providing a visual representation of your wedding vision, leaving little room for miscommunication.

Colour Palettes

Your wedding colours are the anchor for your big-day décor. The colour scheme you choose will help drive the visual components of your day and ensure everything looks on-theme and cohesive. When planning your colour palette, consider drawing inspiration from your natural surroundings, the season, and your personal preferences. Not all shade combinations work well together, so keep basic design rules in mind when curating your palette.

Wedding Websites

A personal wedding website is a tool that engaged couples can use to communicate with guests and share their love story, wedding details, gift registry information, and more. It is also a great place to share engagement and wedding photo albums. Wedding websites can range from free services to highly customized designs.

Wedding Roles: The wedding party, including the best man, maid of honour, bridesmaids, and groomsmen, each have specific responsibilities

A person who plans a wedding is called a wedding planner. However, it is common for the wedding party to also take on some planning responsibilities. This includes the best man, maid of honour, bridesmaids, and groomsmen, who each have specific roles and duties to ensure the day goes smoothly.

Best Man

The best man is the head groomsman and the groom's right-hand man. He is in charge of the groomsmen and leads all communication, as well as delegating responsibilities. He is responsible for helping the groom choose and buy formalwear and coordinating the groomsmen's ensembles. The best man may also be responsible for driving the couple to the reception or wedding-night hotel and staying sober throughout the wedding reception. He should also be prepared to lend a friendly ear, offer support, and help with any tasks to alleviate the groom's stress.

Maid of Honour

The role of the maid of honour is to support the bride. She should be someone close to the bride who has the time and energy to complete tasks throughout the wedding journey. She should be open about personalities and decide with the bride how best to offer support. The maid of honour should also connect the bridal party via email or text so everyone can get to know each other. She may also be involved in planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party, as well as attending all pre-wedding activities.

Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids are expected to plan and attend all pre-wedding parties and help with wedding planning as needed. They should be prepared to pay for their own dresses, jewellery, and shoes. They may also be asked to visit a bridal shop to try on and select dresses together. On the wedding day, they should be ready to assist the maid of honour and provide snacks and support for the bride.

Groomsmen

Groomsmen are there to assist the groom before, during, and after the wedding. They are usually the groom's close friends and/or relatives and are responsible for keeping the energy level up and providing love and support. Groomsmen are also typically involved in planning the bachelor party and may need to organise their own travel and accommodation.

While the wedding party has specific roles, it is important to note that the couple and their families may also hire vendors and coordinators to help with the wedding planning and day-of execution.

Wedding Terminology: From fiancé to plus one, there are many terms to learn when planning a wedding

Wedding planning can be a daunting task, and the endless wedding terminology doesn't make it any easier. Learning the lingo before you embark on your wedding planning journey can help you feel more confident. From the moment you get engaged, there are many new terms to get to grips with.

Fiancé

The person to whom you are engaged. This term can refer to someone of any gender and is derived from the French.

Wedding Website

A personal website for engaged couples to communicate with guests, share their love story, wedding details, and gift registry information. These can range from free services to custom designs.

Mood Board

A visual tool to help you communicate your wedding inspiration and desired style. It can include images with certain colours or textures, as well as physical items that inspire you.

Palette

The range of colours you plan to use at your wedding.

Attendants

Anyone who plays a role in the wedding, including the best man, bridesmaids, ushers, flower girls, etc.

Usher

Usually a male relative or friend of the couple, ushers show guests to their seats, answer questions, and can also hand out ceremony programs.

Guest List

The list of people invited to the wedding.

Seating Plan/Chart

The seating arrangement for guests during the wedding reception.

Plus One

A term referring to a wedding invitation that allows an invited guest to bring a guest of their choosing.

Welcome Bag

A gift given to out-of-town guests, including family and friends who have travelled to attend the wedding.

Ring Bearer

Traditionally, a young boy who carries the wedding rings down the aisle on a pillow. Today, this role is often filled by a couple's pets or young relatives, or the best man.

Maid/Matron of Honor

The principal bridesmaid, usually a sister or best friend of the bride. If unmarried, she is known as the 'Maid of Honor', and if married, the 'Matron of Honor'.

Bridesmaid

Members of the bride's party, usually close friends or family members of the bride. They assist the maid of honor with wedding planning duties and help the bride with tasks like addressing invitations.

Best Man

The principal groomsman. He holds the officiant's fee, signs the marriage license, organises the groomsmen for photos, dances with the maid of honor, and makes a toast.

Groomsmen

Friends of the groom who help the best man plan the bachelor party. On the wedding day, they arrive early to greet guests and help seat them.

Officiant/Celebrant

The person who officiates the wedding ceremony. This can be a religious figure, civil celebrant, or ordained friend or family member.

Venue Coordinator

The person at the wedding venue who will book your wedding, help with in-house services such as the menu and flowers, and ensure the event runs smoothly.

Venue Walkthrough

An appointment for the couple to visit a potential wedding venue, take pictures, and envision their event there.

Rain Plan

A backup plan in case of rain or bad weather.

Room Flip

When a room is transformed between the stages of a wedding, often when guests leave the ceremony for a cocktail hour and then return to the same room for the reception.

These are just a few of the many terms you'll come across when planning a wedding. It's always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the lingo to help you feel more confident in your planning journey.

Wedding Venues: The wedding venue walkthrough is important to envision the event, and the venue coordinator helps with bookings and in-house services

A wedding venue walkthrough is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. It allows couples to visualise their special day and ensure that all the details, from the layout to the timeline, come together seamlessly. During the walkthrough, couples can ask questions, take pictures, and ultimately envision what their wedding will look like at the chosen venue. It is typically scheduled 30 to 60 days before the wedding, allowing for a more accurate final guest count and giving a clearer idea of the seasonal landscape.

The venue walkthrough is also an opportunity for the couple's vendors to familiarise themselves with the space. While the presence of the couple is ideal, it is not always mandatory, as some vendors may arrive early on the wedding day to scope out the venue. The final walkthrough ensures that any changes or updates are communicated to all vendors, including the photographer, videographer, and floral artist, so they can adjust their plans accordingly.

The venue coordinator plays a vital role in the wedding planning process. They are responsible for coordinating all venue-related aspects, including staffing, meal service, and ensuring the power and lights stay on. Their services are often included in the venue's fees, and they may also be the ones to provide a tour of the property. The venue coordinator works closely with the wedding coordinator or planner to ensure a successful event. They focus on the big picture setup, such as tables, chairs, and linens, while the wedding coordinator handles more personal details like place cards and favours.

In some cases, the venue coordinator may also take on the role of a wedding coordinator, especially if the couple is planning the wedding themselves without external help. Additionally, some venues offer a Maitre d' or Bridal Attendant, who handles the couple's needs, ensures the VIPs are well-taken care of, and oversees the sweetheart and family tables.

Overall, the wedding venue walkthrough and the support of the venue coordinator are essential to bringing the couple's vision to life and ensuring a smooth and memorable event.

Frequently asked questions