Wedding Reception Exit Strategy

You’ve had a beautiful ceremony and an amazing wedding reception, but the night is over. Enjoy your wedding day a little longer by leaving the end of the night activities to someone else. Too many brides make the mistake of forgetting to hand these tasks off to a trusting friend. (Want to know the other mistakes brides make? Click here)

Gifts

This is a job that you can give to your most trusted friend. At the conclusion of the reception, someone should be tasked with collecting the boxes, bags and envelope holder. Decide in advance who this person will be and where they will place the items. Often the gifts are placed in the couples hotel room if at the same venue or given to the parents of the couple. This is particularly important to decide if you are departing in the morning for your honeymoon.

Decor

If you have rented any items for your decorations, you may need someone to not only collect them at the end of the evening, but also to return them to the vendor. Some companies will pickup the rental items, but there may be a fee for doing so.

Floral arrangements may be given to guests as they part, donated to a hospital or nursing home or disposed of by the venue. Be sure to check with the venue to see what items can be left on site at the conclusion of the evening.

Fees and Gratuities

Typically, most fees are paid prior to the wedding day, but it is possible you will have some due that evening. One of the best man’s duties is to handle any fees or gratuities for the couple. Prepare and label envelopes in advance so he can handle those tasks for you.

We’re ready to help. Email us or call 248-689-0777

Wedding Planning Schedule

Wedding planning can seem like a huge task, but not when you do it in small, manageable pieces. Unfortunately, waiting until the last minute to complete tasks is a mistake too many brides make. (Want to know the others? Click here)

The first thing a bride should do is get organized! Block out time for planning and prioritize what you will do when. For a copy of Metro Detroit’s ultimate wedding planner, click here.

Depending upon how long of an engagement you will have, the following schedule can keep you organized.

Shortly After the Big Announcement

1. As you begin to have ideas about the wedding, sit down with both families to formulate a budget. Remember, parents who planned their wedding twenty or thirty years ago can be surprised by today’s costs. Expect to be flexible.
2. Decide on a date that works for both families and your work schedules. Be aware of family birthdays, anniversaries or annual events that may cause a conflict.

12 to 18 Months Prior to the Wedding

1. Begin visiting venues! Peak dates go quickly, so if you have your heart set on a Saturday in June, lock in your venue early.
2. If you are using a wedding planner, begin interviewing now. They can help you with the decisions to follow.
3. Visit bridal shows, the Internet, and look in current magazines or directories for ideas for your wedding day.

9 to 18 Months Prior

1. Hire the photographer, caterer, videographer, officiant, and DJ. Prime dates book quickly, as do good vendors. The earlier you book, the better chance you’ll secure your first choice vendors.
2. Begin looking at wedding dresses. If you are considering a custom designed dress, you’ll want to leave plenty of time for it to be prepared.
3. Schedule your engagement session with your photographer.

6 to 9 Months Prior

1. Bridal party dresses should be ordered, save-the-dates mailed, overnight accommodations reserved for wedding guests.
2. Order your wedding cake, flowers and transportation for the wedding and reception.

4 to 6 Months Prior

1. Reserve rehearsal dinner location, establish bridal registries, rent tuxedos, order wedding invitations, reserve necessary rental equipment.

2 to 4 Months Prior

1. Book your honeymoon and secure arrangements for wedding night accommodations.
2. Schedule appointments for hair, makeup, facials, massages and spa treatments
3. Order reception favors
4. Begin dance lessons if you want a choreographed first dance

2 Months Prior

1. Mail wedding invitations
2. Verify requirement for marriage license
3. Purchase bridal party gifts
4. Create ceremony program

Final 6 Weeks

1. Confirm all vendors, finalize food and beverage choices with your caterer or reception site. Schedule a final dress fitting (tuxes for the gentlemen) and plan seating arrangements for your reception.
2. Establish a timeline for the wedding day.
3. Select songs for your ceremony and special dances
4. Schedule a consultation for your hair and makeup. Many brides do a “dress rehearsal” to make sure they like the look.

Week of Your Wedding

1. Confirm timeline and desired shot list with your photographer and videographer
2. Discuss song selections with your DJ
3. Get plenty of sleep and practice good nutrition
4. Relax! It’s almost time for the big day!

Click here to get started!

Email us or call 248-689-0777

Leaving For The Honeymoon

If you’ve ever tried to go to work after a night out, you know how hard that can be. Now imagine trying to catch a 6am flight – after your wedding reception. Many brides make the mistake of attempting just that. (Want to know the other mistakes brides make? Click here)

After a night of dancing, many couples are enjoying an additional day with family by hosting a morning brunch or afternoon barbecue. This gives you another chance to thank your family for their involvement in your wedding day – especially if you didn’t have enough time to visit with out of town guests. How often are all of these people gathered in one place after all?

As most weddings take place on the weekend, delaying your travel arrangements by a day can result in less airport congestion and maybe even better pricing. Fewer travelers are likely on a Monday. You’ll also have time to pack your bags when you aren’t trying to plan a wedding.

An added benefit to leaving a day late; you’ll have time to unwrap gifts – you may even have time to take those wedding gifts to the bank too!

We make the planning process stress free. Email or call 248-689-0777 to learn more.

Military Wedding Protocol

The majesty of a military wedding is a heart-moving experience. The ceremony, respect for tradition, and recognition of sacrifice touches all that attend. Their unique nature adds to the beauty of a wedding day. Military weddings are an honor reserved for any man or woman — whether enlisted, officer or cadet —who is serving or has served in any branch of the United States military, each branch having their own unique traditions.

A couple can decide what level of formality and tradition they would like to incorporate in their wedding. The couple can choose a civil service or a military chapel. They may choose to wear dress uniforms, or simply add elements of a military wedding.

Military Dress

Dress military uniforms are often the most visible sign of a military wedding. Most service women opt for a more traditional white dress, while military men might may wear their uniform for the day or choose to wear it during the wedding ceremony, changing to a traditional tuxedo for the reception. If he chooses to wear the uniform, he will usually drink moderately, doing nothing to dishonor the uniform he wears. It is important to know that nothing may be added to a uniform – that includes a boutonniere.

The couple can choose to wear “Mess” or Class A uniforms. The “Mess” uniform would be appropriate for a formal or black-tie wedding . The Class A uniform is well suited for semi-formal events.

Details

A nice way to pay homage to military branches is to incorporate the branches colors into your wedding color theme. This can be done through bridesmaids dresses, bouquets, and table linens. Many couples choose to make a donation to military charities in lieu of guest favors, simply announcing the donation on place cards.

Saber Arch

Military weddings often include a saber arch for the couple to walk beneath. Each branch of the military has protocols that must be honored for the timing and location of a saber arch.

Seating Considerations

Special consideration is given to the seating arrangements of high-ranking military officers. All military guests may be seated at one table or the may sit among civilian guests. If they are seated among guests, they should be seated very near the head table as a sign of respect.

Additional Information

A military wedding is rich in tradition and history, and few compare to their beauty. If you are considering a military wedding, the local base protocol officer or chaplain can provide additional information to ensure your choices are in compliance with current military requirements.

Mike Staff Productions proudly supports our military and is ready to help with your wedding day. Click here to learn more.

Email us or call (248) 689-0777.