10 Things to Tell Your Wedding Party for A Smooth Running Wedding Day
Your wedding day is one of the Happiest Day’s of your life! You have a lot invested in this day, time……you’ve been planning for months. Money…….. you and members of your family have made a sizable financial investment, not to mention your wedding party participants and even your guests with those new outfits and gifts they purchased. You want this day to be memorable for everyone involved so lets learn how you can make it run as smooth as possible and create a stress free and memorable day!
Like any successful relationship communication is the key. With so much information being passed on to many different people, it’s possible that some individuals get missed in the sharing of the details. So let’s look at what information needs to be conveyed.
Prewedding Events:
Engagement party details – if you are having an engagement party be sure to send an invite to your family members and your wedding party participants. Today social media is a huge part of our lives so an Evite is acceptable for this type of event. Also, be sure to include friends in the announcement as well if you plan on extending your list outside of family and bridal party members. Include Day, Date, Start and End Times.
Bridal/Bachelorette or Bachelor Parties – Usually these parties are hosted by someone other than the bride or groom, so be sure to provide a comprehensive list of guests to the party host. Your host is totally dependent on your for this invite list, because they may not know all of your friends or those of your fiance that you want to invite. Include name, address, phone number and an email address
Prewedding Meetings – Be sure to include all those involved in your wedding day. If you have children involved in your special day, don’t forget to invite their parents to these gathers so they are well informed on the wedding day.
Rehearsal + Rehearsal Dinner – It is very important that all wedding party members are in attendance at the Rehearsal. If they are out of town and have not landed at the scheduled time this is fine, but if they can make it or if you can schedule your rehearsal at a time for all to be in attendance that would be perfect and it will eliminate questions like, “When should I walk? Where do I stand? Who am I walking with?” on the Wedding Day.
Wedding Day Details:
Your wedding guests have seen the invite. They know where the event is located and the start and end time. But does your wedding party know all the details? Here are some details you need to share with them prior to the wedding day and I suggest it is spoken at one of your group gatherings, such as the rehearsal and written down on a post card note size.
- Picture time – There are many photo sessions planned for this special day. First Look, Family Photos, get-ready photos, bridal party, groomsmen, grandparents, etc……Let everyone know prior to the wedding day where and when these special pictures will take place.
- Arrival time for makeup (ladies) – This is one of the first things that happens on the wedding day. Be sure everyone knows their scheduled time and that they arrive with all necessary items and are prepared with hair washed, etc.
- Grand Entrance – Everyone made it to the wedding, after all you gave them the details at the rehearsal. After the ceremony pictures, your wedding party had a chance to enjoy a bit of the cocktail hour and wound up finding their seat with their dates. once it’s time to line up for the Grand Entrance a few people are missing. Someone has to go find them. It is important to let your wedding party members as well as your parents if they are participating in the grand entrance, what time this will take place and if you expect them to do something special during this time.
- Toast – Does your Best man and Maid-of-Honor know that they are giving speeches? Are they aware of the order? What about your parents? Let them know at least a month out so they are prepared.
- Special dances – In many cultures, special dances are part of the program. It is important that this is planned out and added to the Wedding Day Timeline. This should be a scheduled event and not an impromptu event.
- What to wear and when to wear it – If you expect your wedding party members to keep on that dress all evening, you need to let them know that detail at the time of purchase. Nothing should be assumed. If you are planning a cultural event and want your wedding party to stay in traditional clothing throughout the evening let them know. If you want them to make a wardrobe change at a second event or at a specific time this should be communicated so they have an appropriate second outfit.
- Time of Pre-wedding Events – See Above Details
- Time of post events – If you are having breakfast or brunch for bridal party and family members or those that traveled from out of town the following morning, be sure to include this information in your welcome basket or send and invite a month before your wedding so guests are prepared and don’t make other dinning plans.
- Transportation schedules – There are many details that go into the planning of event transportation. You have to consider event details, time of day, traffic and the distance from Point A to Point B and how many people you will be transporting. This takes time and you want to make sure your guests are aware of the schedule so they can enjoy all the plans you have made for them. Leave plans in their rooms, send information via mail prior to their arrival, or post the information on your wedding website so it is accessible to your guests. Make sure you can accommodate all those in need of the service.
- End Time – This seems like a no brainer, but you need to let your guests know what the end time is for your event. In some cases the property has to be clear for your to receive your deposit back.
If there are many moving pieces to your event it’s best if you create a schedule for all those participating. This will help everyone to be on the same page and create a smooth day.
Until next time…….
Eventfully your’s,
Jennifer
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