By Lynda K. Houghtaling Detail Wedding and Party Planning www.DetailsWeddings.com

Bridal Starter

“That was the best wedding I’ve ever been to.” This is something that every couple planning a wedding hopes to hear once the dust has settled and the wedding is but a distant memory. Unfortunately, it’s not always the case for a lot of weddings. Your preferences can sometimes get in the way of planning a wedding that your guests can enjoy. While your special day may hold unforgettable memories to you and your new spouse, one small detail can set the mood for unhappy guests who won’t always voice their opinion to you. Something as common as mosquitoes at an outdoor wedding can drive guest crazy making them want to make a quick exit. And while this may be memorable for your guests, it’s not always the kind of memories you were hoping for. Your wedding should be about you and your future spouse. You should focus on the day and the lifelong commitment and journey for which you are about to embark upon. A wedding is about celebration both as a couple and with those whom you care about – family and friends. After all, these are the people who watched you grow as a couple, who supported you and who you will share future memories with. As a bride and groom should be aware that your guests are a very important part of your wedding and you need to keep them in mind when planning for it. For starters, when planning for an outdoor ceremony or reception, there are several important factors to keep in mind. First is whether or not you have a backup plan in the event of inclement weather. There’s nothing worse than being caught in the rain or having Uncle Sal’s toupee fly off due to heavy winds. Second, take into consideration any potential uninvited guests; the ones with many legs. Be sure to ask the location coordinator about any potential insect problems, and make sure that things are taken care of well before you say “I do”. Lastly, are you planning an outdoor ceremony in mid August where heat and humidity can literally melt makeup off your female guests? If you have your heart set on an outdoor ceremony be sure to keep it short. Don’t make you guests sit outdoors any longer than necessary. And, make certain that arrangements have been made for your guest to retreat where it’s nice and cool. Keep in mind that while the idea of an outdoor ceremony or reception during any part of the year may be a beautiful one, it may not always be practical. When it comes to food do you and your future spouse tend to enjoy food that are hot and spicy or are you strict vegetarians? Whatever your preferences you never want to impose those on unsuspecting guests at your wedding. Keep in mind that everyone has different tastes and trying something new at a wedding can make it memorable but for all the wrong reasons. Be sure to meet with your caterer well before the wedding and decide on at least 2-3 choices for guests to decide what they would like to eat. Be sure to include a vegetarian meal as a choice as well. Oh, and if you really have your heart set on having hot and spicy chicken or those barbeque tofu skewers you love, make sure they come in appetizer form. Lastly, let’s address the entertainment issue. A memorable wedding is one where everyone has a good time. That usually fall into the hands of whatever type of entertainment you choose. A string quartet is a beautiful choice for the ceremony and cocktail hour, but most often can bring down the mood of the party and will most likely receive many eye rolls if chosen for the reception entertainment. Be sure to provide lively entertainment for your guests whether you choose a DJ or Swing Band. Meet with them ahead of time and get an idea of what their performance entails, or better yet, ask if they are performing locally and view them in action. Determine if what they provide for entertainment with be appreciated by all guests at your wedding. While most often no wedding will go off without some glitch, it’s best to keep these important ideas in mind when planning for your ceremony or reception. Chances are if you do, you may just hear those words you were hoping for “That was the best wedding I’ve ever been to”.