fiancée. Your wedding should be done the way you want it and that's the only way. Do not let parents, family members or friends try and tell you what should and shouldn't be done. It's ok to get ideas, but if you start getting criticized for something that you want, then they are not thinking about you. I've come across many a bride who are basically living out her mother's wedding and the way she would have wanted it or your parents start inviting people that you don't even know because of social status. That is not fair to you even if the parents are paying for it. If you have generous parents that are going to be able to help you pay for most or all of your wedding, then these same parents shouldn't feel that they have control of everything. I'm sure there are things that may have to get compromised on, but it isn't their wedding, it is yours. Receiving Line - A receiving line should be done when a ceremony and a reception are done in separate areas. The purpose of a receiving line is for the bride and groom, bridal party, parents, etc. to be at the reception place BEFORE your guests arrive. When the guests arrive, then you greet them or "receive" them at the door. If your ceremony is in the same room as your reception, then a receiving line won't work in this situation and you should then just greet your guests by making your rounds before and/or after dinner. Outdoor Ceremony or Reception - Make sure you have a backup plan in the event of inclement weather if you are not going to be under a tent, preferably with sides. DJ's normally won't setup if they aren't under cover and there is a possibility of rain. Make sure DJ's are elevated when doing an outdoor reception. They should also be within 100 feet of a power source. Where does a bride and groom stand during the ceremony? - When you are looking at your guests, the bride is usually on the right and the groom is on the left Maid vs Matron - Maid of honor and Matron of honor are the same thing except that a Maid is single and a Matron is married How does everyone walk in? - There are many ways to enter into a ceremony.
Have the groomsmen and the best man meet the bridesmaids and maid/matron of honor halfway down the aisle and then walk together the rest of the way Have them all walk in together. Have them all walk in together with the exception of the maid of honor and best man. In this case, the best man is waiting with the groom, all bridesmaids walk in with their partners and the maid of honor walks in by herself. Try and pair up like height couples. If you have a bridesmaid and a groomsman whom are dating or married or brother or sister, that's fine unless it really throws off the look with varied heights. Order should be: Jr. Bridesmaid (optional) Bridesmaids Maid/Matron of Honor Ring Bearer and Flower Girl (sometimes spreading flower petals) Bride
Prelude - 15-20 minutes of music to be played as your guests are gathering for the ceremony Processional - Music for your bridal party to enter in to. Unless you have an exceptionally large bridal party, one song should be enough. Bride's Processional - Song for the bride to enter in to Recessional - Song for the entire bridal party to exit to Interlude - Some couples have friends or family who sing and they would like to sing a solo, or they want to have a moment of meditation, whatever the reason, you can add another song or two during the ceremony DJ - Work closely with your DJ about how you want the night to flow. Try not to be too restrictive of songs. Hopefully you have hired a good DJ who can read the crowd to keep your dance floor moving. Even though you think some songs are "the same old wedding music", it still the music that gets the people out on the dance floor. If you feel that you are not going to have a dancing crowd and really only want the DJ there for background music, make sure you let them know that and they will keep the atmosphere that you want. Your DJ is your coordinator for the night and should be the one coordinating with the banquet hall, photographer, videographer, etc. |
Helpful hints for your wedding ceremony and reception
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Faith