Planning a wedding is a very exciting time. However, it is important to create three important lists.; guest list, budget and wish list.
All go hand-in-hand and everyone knows that you can’t include everyone on the guest list. It would be wonderful to share with all you know, but it is impossible and expense is the biggest reason. It’s a special day with special guests. Your whole dream day will hinge on the guest list, so be realistic with your available money.
 John Lyons Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel Create only one guest list; this is the one! Never exceed the capacity of your venue. These guests most be very special to the bride and groom. And remember, once a guest is invited and accepts the invitation, that guest is counted as attending and can never be uninvited. Never feel that you have to add a guest as a courtesy.
When your budget is established and your final guest list tally is in; divide the number of guests into the budget and you’ll get your cost per person. Your total budget must include everything required for the day, so prioritize carefully.
Trimming your list is doable and sometimes those guests on the first draft are eliminated. You don’t have to invite everyone from your yoga class, office, home neighbourhood or workplace. In fact, you and your fiancé will have guests that have come to a beautiful celebration at a stunning location. The happy couple will be able to spend time with everyone.
Discuss what beverages you want served at your reception with both families, no matter who will be paying the bill. Ask a liquor store/winery or reception consultant to help you with choices and options. Consider both cost and the number of guests.
You may also want to create a signature cocktail that is unique to your wedding theme. It adds a special touch to your reception, as well as being memorable.
 Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel If your reception facility is furnishing beverages, ask how you will be charged- by the glass, by the bottle or per person.
While champagne is traditionally the festive drink used to toast the bride and groom, wine often serves to complement the wedding meal. Good tasting wines and champagnes come in all price ranges. Buy the best selection that your budget allows.
Hosting a wine tasting party for your attendants is a fun way to choose wedding wines.
Recent surveys indicate that a lot of guests don’t drink alcohol, so offer a selection of non-alcoholic wines, soft drinks and espresso or coffee drinks.
Should you decide to serve your guests cocktails, you can include an open bar before and after dinner. Offer guests their choice of beverages, including local and imported beer and wine.
If you are hosting your party in a private home or space, hire experienced bartenders. You can depend on them to pour standard drinks. Have them track liquor use so that you can account for your bar expense. And, of course, ensure that they are Smart-Serve according to the laws of the province.
If you decide to keep the bar open after dinner, close it at least one hour before guests prepare to leave. Serve coffee and non-alcoholic beverages after that time to ensure everyone goes home safely. Alcohol liability is an important issue, and one way to protect yourself and your guests is to hire a licensed company to provide security. They will oversee any potential problems with alcohol as well as protecting your gifts, including cash from being stolen.
Years ago, when deciding what flowers were accessible for a wedding at different times of the year, was rather easy. Spring flowers in the spring, summer ones in summer etc. However, with the worldwide floral markets opening up and becoming more global, the availability of blooms is greater, although there are still some recommendations and restrictions.
 Photography by John Lyons Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel When you consider your flowers, reminder to consider the season. Here in Southwestern Ontario, the climate is seasonally influenced; meaning tulips in July, although available, do not show as well as they do in March or April. Not only do they look better, they smell better and are usually a less expensive price. When there are lots of blooms growing at once, it does drive the price down, making them more affordable.
Know too, that nature can change everything due to crop failures from frost, floods, drought and other natural occurences. Not all flower shops can access every flower. Different importers offer different choices; smaller centres sometimes cannot bring in enough of one type to justify the cost.
Be creative and flexible when you pick your flowers for your bouquet, wedding accents for your attendants, Maid of Honour and Best Man and your ceremony and venue. Flowers are romantic, smell great and add a celebratory feel to any wedding day!
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You’re engaged and there is much to do and plan. One of the first steps that you should take after deciding your budget is to set up a bridal registry, which will help people who choose to bring you a gift for your engagement parties and pre-wedding celebrations.
Take your fiancé with you and make your registry a joint effort. This is a time to really have fun and items can be added like a deluxe BBQ, outdoor patio furniture, garden accessories, ladders, electric tools, camping gear and more.
Let your shower hostesses know where you registered so they can add it to the invitation. The idea is to have everyone “shower” you with gifts. When it comes to your wedding invitation, do not include an enclosure care or any mention of where your registered. Notify both sets of parents, as well as members of the wedding party where you are registered, so they can assist with casually spreading the word.
 Steve Pomerleau Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will trave When you are registering for your gifts, feel free to register at more than one store, which gives your guests more options. It’s always helpful to have a lot of price points in your registry, so guests can choose accordingly for engagement, shower and wedding items.
Once you have registered, review your registry often to make changes and additions to your list.
Do pay attention to the small print when you decide to register. Will gifts be shipped to your address or will you have to pick them up. Know their return policy time frame. Check too to see if they offer toll-free and online shopping for your guests.
Registering for your future is fun and it’s an exciting time. Do make sure you list a lot of options priced at or below fifty dollars. Don’t just register for high-end items.
And, when a gift is given, the etiquette tradition that remains steadfast is the thank you note. Don’t make guests wonder whether their gift got lost in the mail. Promptly send personal, hand-written thank-you notes after you receive a gift. Your note doesn’t have to be anything fancy or long; just let them know you appreciate their gift and thank them for being a part of your wedding celebrations. That is, in fact what matters most.
“Joy is not in things; it is in us.” Richard Wagner
I have been to many weddings and receptions. There have ranged from down-home to deluxe, from country to urban. I’ve eaten sandwiches in church basements, and attended receptions where the flowers, champagne and white glove service cost more than my son’s university tuition fees!
 Brandon Scott Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel Creating an unforgettable wedding day is possible, regardless of your budget. In Windsor|Essex County, there is an enviable list of vendors; florists, caterers, rentals, musicians, photographers, bakers and more to make your reception as warm and wonderful as you are as a couple. Wedding Guide Vendors love brides and it shows in every thing that they do!
The Wedding Guide is the perfect way to get started on your wedding planning. Your first priority is setting a budget and sticking to it. Once you know how much latitude you have in spending, the rest of the planning will roll out accordingly.
Our wish for you is that you have as much fun planning your celebration as you do on the actual day. The Wedding Guide makes it easy for you to stay organized with a realistic time line for scheduling.
In this, the 21st century, there are many options for you to choose, when you embark on your wedding planning. Be who you are and put your fingerprint on your special day.
So how do you make your reception one your guests won’t forget? It’s all in the details.
Get a feel for your reception site by visiting it during another wedding reception.
Serve food that is appropriate for the time of day and the season.
Mail your invitations early so you know who is attending, 2 weeks before the day.
Have an open bar for your guests and leave out that tip jar.
Have a great Master of Ceremonies who keeps the party moving along well.
Assigned seating is more work for you, but your guests will be more comfortable and appreciate being seated in a grouping of people that they know.
Mix up your music so there is something for all age groups, that are attending.
Keep your gifts locked up in a secure room to avoid theft.
When taking photos after your ceremony, keep the session short. Your guests are eagerly awaiting your arrival.
Your reception will pass by quickly so remember to stop and smell the roses and be in the moment. It is a magical time for you and you don’t want to remember it as a blur.
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