d is for details

d is for details

details are what can make your wedding personal to you as a couple, can make your day stand out compared to the rest your guests have attended, and overall can just be enjoyable and/or entertaining! they can also be the little snaffus that can slow the day down or make it more difficult for everyone. in coordination preparation meetings with my brides and grooms, there’s always seems to be the same few details that are often forgotten or left to the last minute. here’s a quick list of a few details to be sure to take care of:

1. line up

• so often brides and grooms will alphabetically list the bridesmaids and groomsmen in the ceremony program but don’t think about an appropriate line up for the ceremony processional. try not to leave this decision for your rehearsal when you will have to pick priorities of people while they’re standing there… it’ll feel a little too “red rover, red rover”, slows down your rehearsal and will likely cause confusion for the next day.
• you’ll likely submit your bridal party names to your emcee for reception announcements, but don’t forget to assigned bridal party seats for dinner. if you have a bridal party table, think about whether you want all the men on one side and all the ladies on the other, or would your rather every other one? if the bridal party isn’t at a head table, be sure they know what table they’re going to post-announcements if the schedules doesn’t allow them to get to the place card table before being seated.

2. announcements

• when you’re formally announced as husband and wife, how do you want your names to be listed? the traditional way is mr. and mrs. (his last name), but is that the way you want? also consider: (his first) and (your first) (his last name – if you’re changing yours) or just (his first) and (your first) without last names if you will keep seperate last names. there are a variety of ways to choose, just be sure you pick and let the emcees know.
• do you or your bridal party members have hard-to-say last names? be sure to offer your dj/band emcee a pronunciation guide for your reception announcements. bridal party with those hard to say names are expecting your emcee to get it wrong, so help them out to get it right. and it will avoid the whispers/snickers/guest YELLING the proper pronunciation. above ALL make sure your vendors know how to pronounce YOUR names correctly to save them the embarrasment.

3. parents

• speaking of reception announcements – do you want your dj to announce your parents before the bridal party? will the walk in with everyone or being announced from their seats? do they even want to be announced? try not to leave this as a game time decision when parents might assume their being announced, and other won’t assume and might balk.
• will your grandparents be in attendance? are they able to walk down the aisle as a part of your processional? do they want to? again, find out before the big day whether or not you’ll have them formally process.

4. photography

• do you have a lot of family members who you’d like to be in formal photos? make a list of everyone you want in the photos and what groupings. while your photographer probably won’t appreciate a list of “must-get” photos that you’ve seen in magazine, he/she will definitely appreciate a list of the family members photos to be sure to get.
• don’t forget to TELL in advance the family members you want in the formal photos to stick around after the ceremony. often aunt susie and uncle mike want to beat the crowd and bolt for their car and cocktail hour before you can track them down and ask them to stay. don’t waste time sending scouts around your ceremony site trying to track down your family for a 30 second photo.

5. flowers

• check with your other bridal party or family members to be sure no one has flower allergies. the last thing you’d want is a bridesmaid sneezing through your entire ceremony!
• don’t assume the mothers or grandmothers will want a pin-to-dress female bout or wrist corsage. many moms are choosing mini bouquets or single stem flowers to carry during your ceremony so not to pin and snag their dresses.

6. transportation

• if you got a limo or limo bus, will everyone in your bridal party ride with you? can the photographer come? will the flower girl and ringbearer? what about parents? who else can you fit and ask to join you… will all of the bridal party dates fit too? consider your space and don’t forget to allow room for bridesmaids totes, coolers, your dress train, etc.
• do you know what transportation you have after the wedding? will you have the limo still? or do you need a ride to your hotel or airport? don’t forget to make arrangements for yourself and be sure to have someone put your honeymoon luggage in the vehicle!

7. vendors

• planning to tip your stylist, make up artist, limo driver and other vendors? don’t forget to have the petty cash ready for you before hand. you won’t want your limo to go through the bank drive-thru, now will you?
• your vendors (usually the photographer who is with you ALL DAY) will have to eat, too. some  – such as band members – require it in their contracts, others – such as djs – will tell you they won’t eat. find out from your caterer what kind of meals they can provide your vendors; and if there are choices, get your vendor pick in advance. also be sure to find out if there’s a set place for them to eat, such as in the reception room or not. your vendors might prefer one to the other – ASK them! some want to take a break in a separate room, others would rather be closer to your reception in case a spontaneous speech breaks out and photos need to be taken.

there are hundreds of more suggestions throughout my blog, check out the blog category “heidzilla helps” for more.

what are the last minute details you’re working on?

previous posts:
a is for art museums
b is for blogs
c is for cleveland