In this economy many of my brides have no extra funds to hire a coordinator and have opted for doing things on their own. Right now EVERYONE is on a budget and here are some helpful tips if you are planning to do things on your own.
1) Get organized -
Doing it on your own- actually means utilizing friends and family to help! Don’t be shy- ask! You might be surprised as to how many people you will be able to get to help. Then it’s time to assign tasks. That’s the first part of organizing.
Now let’s break it down - I like to break it down by timeline- pre-ceremony & ceremony/ reception/ clean-up
Pre-Ceremony - items needed might be -
Waters & snacks for wedding party as they wait
Safety Pins
Pins for flowers
Clear Nailpolish
Extra T-shirts for guys
Aspirin (usually a must)
Pens
Marriage License
Guest Book
Box for Enevelopes For Gift Table
Candles- etc...
****Alcohol- if providing your own to caterer should be brought to reception location PRIOR to ceremony
Bringing a DOLLY is recommended too!
Ceremony Items needed -
Flowers - bridemaids and groomsmen-
Podium
Microphone
Ceremony Table
Unity Candle/ and or items for Sand Ceremony/ and or Flowers for Flower ceremony
Lighter or matches! Bring a few!
Ribbon
Ring Bearers Pillow
Flower Girl’s basket
Runner for bride to walk down
Tulle for roping of aisle and chairs
Scissors (always handy)
Music for walking down the aisle- processional and recessional
VOWS if writing your own!
Reception Items Needed- might be
Candles
Table numbers
Seating Chart
Gifts and favors
Programs and or menu’s
Pictures and additional decor
Runners for tables (if providing your won)
*** If having a Jewish ceremony & reception- Chairs for Hora! Our chairs will not hold the weight and are not for lifting people in air! Bring heavy duty chairs!
Playlist of music for DJ
phone numbers for all vendors (assign a person to keep an eye out for the times with which everyone is scheduled to arrive and a number for the vendor if they are late!)
List of shots for photographer
Cake cutting knife
Personalized champagne flutes for Bride & Groom
TO GO BOX FROM BAKERY FOR LEFTOVER CAKE*****
Clean-up
Make sure someone is assigned to have and carry the marriage license and you know where it is when you leave
*** Tip envelopes for the vendors- should be passed out at end of night- easier if you leave this task to the best man- etc...
Know who is going to be taking gifts home for you and who will be loading them into the car.
You will need someone to check the bridal rooms to make sure nothing is left behind
Someone to take back any leftover alcohol- and pack it away and into the truck
And someone to take back any decor you brought in.
**** The normal policy is that if the bride and groom or any guests leave anything behind it is thrown out! So please assign people at the end of the night to re-pack your belongings! Cake knife - champagne flutes- shoes- ties- leftover flowers- all need arrangements to be made!
***Also- make sure that whoever you assign to help at the end of the night STAYS sober! You do not want someone who is intoxicated to be in charge of any family heirlooms! I’ve seen things broken or thrown out by people who are overly intoxicated- so beware!
I hope this all helps with your planning!
My best advice- approach your wedding day as if you were moving! Buy clear plastic boxes (so you can see what’s inside each one) and label them on the outside with a list of EVERYTHING in it! Also note for what part of the wedding it is for. Then at the end of the night- have a packing slip already made- where the person cleaning up can put each item back in the appropriate box and just check mark the packing slip so that nothing is forgotten. The best part is that this can all be done WEEKS prior to the wedding! You can have the boxes ready and not worry about it! Trust me this will save you time on the wedding day- and especially at the end of the night!
Good luck and happy planning!
Best of wishes,
Roxy Adlesh
Vice President
Truly Yours Catering
