» Assigned seating. Do it! I made the mistake of assuming my 150 guests would be happier sitting anywhere they liked. I realized my mistake when my drunk and very loud cousin chose to sit with one of my husband’s oldest and most sophisticated friends.
» Rain or shine. Other than having an indoor backup plan to account for weather, the most important thing about having an outdoor ceremony is doing your research to find out whether other events are taking place on your wedding day. My guests did not hear much of the vows my husband and I slaved over because of a Harley-Davidson bikers club gathering around Frederick.
» Make use of resources. Even if you don’t have a wedding coordinator, nearly every location you rent out will have someone to help you plan your event. He or she will likely provide you with a list of caterers, florists, photographers, etc., he or she has worked with in the past. Explain what you want in detail. Arranging decorations and making sure people are directed to where they need to be is NOT the job of your wedding party.
» Take a step back. If your wedding space is already decorated, don’t overpower it by adding elaborate and expensive flower arrangements. A small arrangement and some tea light candles will make any table look romantic. The same goes for you, ladies. You don’t have to look like a meringue pie to wow your guests. And your bridesmaids will love you forever if their simple, classy dress can be worn more than once.
» Food for thought. If a sit-down meal is out of your budget, I recommend a buffet that includes different stations. For my wedding, I had a pasta station, an outdoor grilling station, a carving station and a vegetarian station. This prevented one huge buffet line, and people could go straight to what they wanted to eat. And yes, have an open bar. Whether you drink or not, your guests do.
» With or without kids? If you don’t want children to attend your wedding, make sure to inform your guests when they get the invitation. You want to give them plenty of time to make arrangements. If you do have kids at your wedding, have an area for them to hang out. A room with tables and chairs their size, coloring books, video games and kid-friendly snacks. I learned this lesson watching two bored kids dive into a reflecting pool during my ceremony.
» Don’t sweat it. Something will go wrong in every wedding, no matter how big or small. Chances are nobody will notice, so have a sense of humor. A friend of mine had to wear her custom-made gown backward because it didn’t fit properly. Only she knew. My “wine ceremony” turned silly when the cup my husband and I were sharing was left empty. Our guests only found out when my maid of honor and I were laughing about it during the reception.
» Speeches. Like your ceremony, keep it short! Give speakers a time limit, and don’t allow 10 people to grab the microphone and ramble on. Have a plan and stick to it. Make sure whoever is speaking is not drunk, and don’t be afraid to ask to read speeches before they are given.
» Have fun! Weddings are not meant to be stressful, serious occasions. You want your guests relaxed, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. And if anyone is ticking you off, kick him or her out.
» A magical 10 minutes. The most memorable moment I have of my wedding is the 10 minutes I spent alone with my new husband right after the ceremony. We went into a room together to cool off before going to the reception. Set aside a moment to take it all in. You’ll never forget it.
