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# 1 - Beverages
- Serving the right amount of alcohol at your
wedding will take some guesswork. You know your guests best; however, here are some guidelines.
An average for many weddings is one drink per adult guest every 45 minutes. Since most receptions
last approximately three hours, you can estimate three drinks per adult (on the high side). You can use the following guide for
the number of bottles of wine or champagne:
Bottle = approximately five servings per bottle
One case (one dozen bottles), approximately 60 servings
Example: 100 adults = 80% will drink champagne/wine
80 adults x three drinks during the reception = 240 servings
240/5 = 48 bottles of champagne/wine (total)
Purchase approximately four cases.
Real champagne from France was an astonishing surprise when a monk accidentally fermented
white wine accidentally. A sparkling wine is traditionally celebrated at weddings. You will find
a variety of champagnes as there are types of wines. The price range is wide enough to please
every budget. Although many guests don’t drink champagne on a regular basis, most guests participate
in the toast of one glass.
If you have a favorite sparkling wine and you are on a budget, you could always have a
special bottle just for the bride and groom, and/or the wedding party. You can also have a bottle chilling in
your hotel room.
If you aren’t a fan of sparkling wine and you believe the same for your guests, then there is no need
to spend on an expensive bottle if it’s just for the best man’s toast.
You may prefer not to serve any alcoholic beverages at your reception. If this is the case, then
there is nothing wrong with toasting with sparkling cider or other favorite beverages.
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# 2 - "Day Of" Tips
- Drink plenty of water
when possible (but not right before the ceremony when you may have to make a
bathroom stop during a long mass). Don’t worry about what’s supposed to happen.
What’s done is done. Everything will go smoothly and, if not, just go with the flow.
Don’t expect perfection – no matter how much effort you placed into planning and
coordinating the event. There will be things you can’t control; simply accept them. Smile as
much as possible. Your body and soul actually likes smiling. Remember to thank
everyone for spending time to witness your special day.
# 3 - Week-of Tips - Follow through on
all of your checklists. Cut them down from 25% and 10% completed by seven days before
the wedding. Stretch' it relieves the stress and keeps you balanced. Keep a
notebook and pen in your bathroom where you get ready for the day, in your car (but don't
write while driving!), and next to your bed. Your mind will
think of little details and the best way to handle those thoughts is by writing
them down when you think of it. Sometimes we think we will remember, but how many
times have you said, “there was something important I wanted to do, but now I can’t
remember it”?
# 4 - After-Ceremony "Releases" - Many wedding properties do
not allow the guests to throw rice after the ceremony (it’s an inconvenient chore to
clean up). You have many options to get the same affect. One option is to give bubble
containers to the guests to blow bubbles outside the ceremony. This makes a beautiful
scene and it’s fun to do. Butterfly releases is another option. Legend has it that
butterflies are good luck and they make a spectacular moment! Dove releases is yet
another popular option. Doves are released by the Bride and Groom after the ceremony,
or many doves can be released right after the ceremony.
Contact the local yellow pages, regional bridal magazines or Internet sites for the
vendors near your wedding site. Your property may already have relationships with
these service providers.
# 5 - Ceremony Seating - Usually,
the bride's family sits on the bride’s side (usually on the left), and the groom’s
family on the right. At a ceremony where it is standing room only, the
guests may not have a choice as to which side to sit or stand. Neither guests nor
family should feel offended by sitting on the wrong side. The first row is reserved
for immediate family, normally the parents or primary guardian and the couple’s
children. The second row is reserved for the couple’s siblings and grandparents.
The third row is for other close family members (such as step mother or step father).
# 6 - Emergency Kit.- An emergency kit is a must. Prepare
one for the bride, and one for the groom, or one big one.
An emergency kit for the bride will include any personal items the bride may need on the
day of the wedding. Many of these items are normally packed in her purse, but the
bride won’t be carrying around a purse on her wedding day, A bride’s emergency kit
also makes a great gift for the bridal shower.
Here are some items to put together in an emergency kit:
Tissues, mirror, mints, lipstick or lipgloss, makeup, blush, sewing kit, clear nail polish,
wipes, face powder, tampons, extra hair pins, extra pair of panty hose, deodorant, hair spray,
safety pins, contact lense holder and eye solution, $1 bills, writing pad and pen, scissors,
bandages, hair iron, hair gel, sunglasses, glasses case, bottled water and over-the-counter
aspirin, any prescription drugs. Add any other items that could come in handy.
Other items that may be needed for anyone at the wedding event: Extra buttons and cuff links,
sewing kit, bandages, spot remover, anti-static spray, combs or brushes, chap stick, sun block,
$5 bills, pen and note paper. Maybe the best man can maintain these items in a small box.
An extensive emergency kit includes cotton balls, Pepto tablets, lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste,
snacks such as candy bars or crackers, scotch tape, and Swiss army knife, disposable camera.
# 7 - The Send-Off. The Last Big Event of the Day - Making your grand exit can be
just as fun as the grand entrance. Have a limousine waiting outside the front door,
or a decorated horse and carriage. Maybe a special car is already decorated by the
ushers and your friends. If the bride hasn’t thrown her bouquet, then this is the
time to do it. Fireworks? Well, only if it’s appropriate and in your budget. Helicopter?
Okay, some weddings are extravagant! Is the entire hoop-rah necessary? The guests are
cheering and wishing the newlyweds the best. The alternative
is to allow guests to leave quietly as they please. Of course, if this is your wish, then
it’s perfectly acceptable.
Some brides and grooms want to continue celebrating at their
reception/dinner with the guests until the wee hours of the morning. If this is the case,
then they can have the formal send-off, and mention that they will return within the hour
to continue socializing. The couple returns in casual clothes and continue their celebration.
Some of the guests feel better about leaving the event after the official send-off.
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