A Wedding's Success: Key Ingredients For A Happy Day

Planning a wedding can be an exciting yet challenging task. Here are some key ingredients to ensure your wedding is a success for you and your guests:

- Create a well-thought-out schedule: Develop a timeline for your wedding day that allows ample time for each element, ensuring your wedding party and suppliers are informed to avoid last-minute questions.

- Go with the flow: Accept that things might not always go according to plan. Keep calm and adapt to any unexpected situations gracefully.

- Gratitude and manners: Take the time to personally thank your guests for attending and show appreciation to those who supported you during the planning process.

- Think about your guests' comfort: Consider their travel arrangements, seating plan, and dietary requirements. Provide a quiet area and entertainment for different age groups.

- Food and drink: Ensure you provide enough food and drinks to keep your guests happy throughout the day, taking into account any special dietary needs.

- Delegate tasks: Don't hesitate to ask for help from your bridal party, family, and friends. Split tasks according to people's strengths and ensure everyone understands their roles.

- Personalise your wedding: Make your wedding unique and memorable by incorporating personal touches that reflect your style and interests.

- Choose the right venue and suppliers: Select a venue that is accessible and offers sufficient accommodation. Choose suppliers who understand your vision and can work within your budget.

- Entertainment for all: Offer a variety of entertainment options, such as games or a photo booth, to cater to different guest preferences.

- Set a realistic budget: Identify your priorities and allocate your budget accordingly. Be flexible and negotiate prices where possible.

Keep guests comfortable

Keeping your guests comfortable is an important part of making your wedding a success. Here are some ideas to ensure your guests' comfort:

Seating

It's unlikely that all your guests will want to be on the dance floor all night, so it's a good idea to create a seating area for older guests or anyone who needs a break. This means they can step away for a minute without having to leave the reception completely. It's also a good idea to create a quiet area for mothers with newborns.

Temperature

Whether your wedding is in summer or winter, keeping guests comfortable is key. Provide cooling fans, cold drinks, and shaded seating on hot days. Offer heaters, scarves, or blankets during the cooler months.

Facilities

Make sure there are enough bathrooms for your guests. Also, consider providing a baby-changing station, easy parking, and accessible routes from the ceremony to the reception.

Extras

Provide a few small comfort items like stashing a basket of inexpensive slippers near the dance floor so guests can take off their high heels. Stock hand lotion, tissues, gum, mints, or hairspray in the restrooms. For outdoor events, provide sunscreen or bug repellent.

Transport

If guests have to travel a considerable distance between their accommodation, the ceremony, and the reception, think about providing transport or pre-booking taxis.

Plan with personality

Planning a wedding with personality is a great way to make your special day memorable. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Invitations and Stationery

Add a personal touch to your wedding invitations and stationery. Include interesting details about you and your partner, a breakdown of the ceremony proceedings, and any important information for your guests, such as a translation of traditional vows or a note about photo-taking. This will capture your guests' attention and get essential details across.

Personalised Decor and Centrepieces

From the invitations to the table names and centrepieces, make your wedding highly personal. Don't be afraid to be different and unique! It is your day, so feel free to customise any event or tradition to fit who you are as a couple.

Music

Your choice of music is another way to showcase your personality. Whether it's the songs played during the cocktail hour, entrances, or first dances, choose music that reflects your taste and style. You can even add a unique twist to traditional wedding songs to make them more "you."

Food and Drink

Food and drink are essential to keeping your guests happy. Provide enough food and a variety of options to cater to different dietary requirements. Consider serving late-night snacks, such as handheld options like sliders and fries or coffee and donuts, to revive your guests' energy towards the end of the reception.

Additionally, you can offer a signature cocktail or two—a customised drink that reflects your personalities. This can be a fun and tasty way to make your reception feel more intimate and special.

Entertainment

When choosing entertainment, select options that cater to different tastes. Not everyone enjoys the same activities, so provide a variety, such as garden games, a photo booth, or a dance floor. Remember, your guests will also entertain themselves by socialising and catching up with friends and family.

Surprises

Adding a unique element that surprises your guests is a great way to make your wedding memorable. This could be anything from a live performance to a sundae bar or a cigar bar. Think about what you and your partner enjoy and how you can incorporate your interests into the celebration.

Remember, your wedding day is about celebrating your love and throwing a party that your guests will remember. By infusing your personality into the planning process, you'll create a wedding that truly reflects who you are as a couple.

Choose your suppliers carefully

Choosing the right suppliers for your wedding is essential for making your big day a success. Here are some tips to help you select the best ones:

Ask for Recommendations

Word-of-mouth recommendations are a valuable source of information when it comes to choosing suppliers. Ask your recently married friends about the companies they used and their experiences. This way, you can get a sense of the quality of service and products offered by different suppliers.

Research and Compare Options

Don't just settle for the first supplier you find. Take the time to research and compare multiple options. Visit their websites, read reviews, and ask for references if possible. This will help you make an informed decision and ensure you're getting the best value for your money.

Communicate Your Vision

When meeting with potential suppliers, clearly communicate your vision for your wedding. Discuss your theme, style, and any specific requirements you may have. This will help suppliers understand your needs and make tailored suggestions to meet your expectations.

Consider Their Reliability

You want suppliers who will deliver on their promises. Pay attention to how they communicate and respond to your queries. Are they timely in their responses? Do they seem organised and reliable? It's important to feel confident that they will arrive on time and provide the services or products as agreed upon.

Read Contracts Carefully

Before signing any contracts, read them thoroughly. Ensure that all the important details are included, such as dates, times, locations, quantities, and any additional fees. Be wary of restrictive clauses, extreme cancellation policies, or one-sided terms. A contract should protect both parties and provide a clear outline of expectations.

Manage Your Budget

When choosing suppliers, consider your budget and negotiate when possible. Suppliers may be open to customising their packages to fit your needs and budget. Be clear about your financial limits and don't be afraid to shop around for the best value.

Plan Ahead

Start your search for suppliers early in the wedding planning process. This will give you enough time to compare options and secure your preferred choices. It also helps to avoid last-minute stresses and ensures that your desired suppliers are available on your wedding date.

Remember, choosing the right suppliers can make your wedding planning journey much smoother and help create the day you've always dreamed of. Take the time to select carefully, and don't hesitate to ask for recommendations and read reviews.

Provide good food and drink

Providing good food and drink is essential to a successful wedding. It's a long day for your guests, and they need to be well-fed and watered to keep their energy up and ensure they have an enjoyable time.

First, consider the time of day your ceremony is taking place. If it's around lunchtime or later, your guests will be hungry, so it's a good idea to provide some nibbles during the post-ceremony drinks to keep them going until dinner.

Next, think about your guests' dietary requirements. Ask them to let you know of any needs when they send in their RSVPs so that your caterers can make the necessary adjustments. It's a shame for guests with special diets to feel left out, so ensure there are options for them.

If you're not providing drinks with dinner, make sure the bar is easily accessible so that guests don't have to spend ages away from the party to get a drink. It's also a nice touch to provide a desirable, creative, and refreshing non-alcoholic alternative for those who aren't drinking.

Finally, don't forget about late-night snacks! If your reception is going on into the small hours, your guests will be grateful for some handheld options like sliders and fries, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, or coffee and donuts about an hour before the end of the night.

Create a relaxed schedule

Creating a relaxed schedule is an important part of a successful wedding. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Start creating your schedule early: Begin at at least 6-8 weeks before your wedding. This will give you enough time to gather all the necessary information, consult with your suppliers, and address any questions or concerns.

Factor in some time for just the two of you: Ensure you allow some breathing space in the schedule for you and your partner to simply enjoy the moment and connect with each other.

Don't linger too long: While it's important to take your time, you also don't want your guests to get bored or lose their enthusiasm. A good schedule should keep the day flowing smoothly.

Distribute the schedule in advance: Share the schedule with your wedding party and suppliers ahead of time. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and reduce last-minute questions or pressure.

Be flexible: Accept that things might not go exactly according to plan. Be prepared for timings to slip and go with the flow. Remember, the most important part is that you are surrounded by your loved ones and are immersed in the joy of the occasion.

Keep a relaxed mindset: Don't feel the need to run your wedding with a stopwatch and clipboard in hand. It's okay if some things over-run or don't happen exactly on time. As long as everything happens and everyone is having a wonderful time, that's what truly matters.

By following these tips, you can create a relaxed schedule that contributes to a successful and memorable wedding day for you and your guests.

Frequently asked questions