Your Wedding Planner’s Top 10
When we say “we’ve seen it all”…you have to believe us! We co-ordinate over 100 weddings every season, and there is not much that can still surprise us. We love all the great ideas and fun activities our creative brides come up with. There are some things that we would totally recreate at our own weddings, but there are also somethings that even though are traditional, we would skip completely!
We’ve put together this top ten list of things we would keep, change, or reconsider based on our experiences…
Skip the Wedding Favours
we can’t begin to tell you how many wedding favours we have pitched in the trash after the guests have gone home! Forgotten, discarded, or just unwanted, they are really a waste of money and time in many cased. If you really do want to offer your guests a wedding favour why not offer a donation to a charity near and dear to your hearts! Canada Helps is a great place to start https://www.canadahelps.org/en/donate/
Hire a Great DJ
WE CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH! A DJ can make or break a reception. They are responsible for much more than just playing music. They work with your venue to keep you on time from the reception, grand entrance, speeches, first dance and whatever else you have planned for your nearest and dearest! We’ve all been to (or co-ordinated) that wedding where the DJ just wasn’t in sync with the crowd and guests were sat around or left early. Take the time to speak with your DJ beforehand and be clear about your goal for the night – if you want to create a jazz lounge feeling, or you want to have the dance floor jumping – have a plan, and remember to let the DJ do their job! If you have a playlist, go over it in detail…you would hate to have your father daughter dance song mixed up with your first dance song!
Speaking of First Dances…
we love when couples go straight into their first dance as soon as they make their grand entrance. Your guests are already excited and all on eyes on you. Doing things in this sequence is really a great way to kick off the evening, capturing your guests attention before too much wine has been consumed and also kind of lets the rest of the evening just flow organically.
Spend Money on an Amazing Photographer and Videographer
your wedding is a day, but your photos will last a lifetime…you want them to represent you. There are some phenomenal photographers in the region, be sure to do the research and ask to see tons of samples of their work. Remember, this is a big decision, take the time, and don’t be pressured into signing an agreement until you are really sure. Your videographer is the same – remember you will want to watch that video with your kids and grandkids one day. This is one aspect of your special day you will not regret splurging on!
Late Night Snacks
this is another great area to splurge on – you do not want the last thing your guests eat to be forgettable! Make the late night treat memorable, and reflective of your personalities. If you are the Taco Tuesday kind of couple – get some braised brisket tacos with fresh masa tortillas, if you like burgers and fries – have personalized happy meals, your caterer or venue should be able to work with you to create a custom and signature dish to really go out with a bang!
Have a Small(er) Bridal Party
sure – photos with 12 people in matching dresses sounds great in theory… but that’s 12 egos, opinions and preferences to contend with…we’ve seen some bridal party drama, and trust us, you don’t need that on your wedding day (or even the months leading up to it!) Ask 2 people you know will have your backs and don’t worry about hurt feelings, people will get over it and this day is supposed to be about you anyway!
Splurge on a Dessert Bar
while we love a gorgeous (and tasty) wedding cake, our mouths water when we see a donut wall, or a cake pop stand, even a cheesecake bar – ask us about this, it’s as exciting as it sounds! It’s such a fun way to add some variety to your reception and create an interactive element. You can still do a wedding cake or get one with false tiers and just a small tier of cake for you and your partner to enjoy.
Hire a Planner!
Based on the title of this blog, this should seem obvious, but many people still try to do everything themselves. This is another area we would spend the money on. At Orchard View, our weddings come with a planner, so you never have to worry that you are going through it alone. We are here to lean on, to talk to and to take some of that burden from you!
Ensure a Staffed Bar
there is nothing worse than a long line at the bar, make sure your bar is well stocked, and staffed. Even if you are doing a cash bar, at least ensure there is an extra bartender. We usually recommend 1 bartender for every 50 guests. If you are having craft cocktails, you might want to hire an extra bartender on top of that, as they take more time to build.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff!
things might not go exactly according to plan. Weddings can be unpredictable but remember, it’s your day, enjoy the moment and don’t let the small stuff weigh on you.
Let us know in the comments if you agree or have any other great ideas.
until next week!
