The Five Do NOTs of a Wedding

Expectations.  We all have them.  Weddings especially carry unspoken expectations.  When I go to a wedding I expect cake (I personally hope that there is chocolate cake).  There are so many expectations on the American Wedding.  One thing about weddings is that a lot of time is put into planning  them.  Every last detail is meticulously combed through.  And we do mean, every. last. one.  So today, we wanted to touch on the not so pretty side of your guests’ expectations.  Here is our list of the top five do NOTs of a wedding so that you are always remembered as the one who had THE BEST party of them all:
1) The Cash Bar
One thing we know from experience is that in order to have a rockin’ party you must have two things:  good entertainment and alcohol.  As enticing as it sounds to offer a cash bar, this is very rarely received well from wedding guests.  Let’s put ourselves in our guests’ shoes for a moment.  Your guests have taken time away from their busy lives to come and celebrate with you.  To celebrate YOU.  Asking them to pay for their own party, while at your party, may send a conflicting message about how much you value their attendance.
Our advice:  If you can not afford to offer a full bar for the evening, for all guests, think about cutting the guest list.  Also, beer and wine is a good option to keep costs down.

Photo: J.Woodbery Photography

2) The Unorganized Timeline
Nothing is worse than a wedding that does not have a functioning timeline.  Personal experience: I was at a wedding once where the bride did not have a timeline in place and had no idea that it was a good idea to cut the cake upon entering her reception.  Two hours into the night she finally cut the cake.  Needless to say, there was a lot of extra cake at the end of the night and a lot of money flushed down the drain.  Had she hired a planner, or better yet, had a clue, she would have known that timing is everything.
Our advice: Hire a professional, and preferably, Becky’s Brides.  By hiring a wedding planner you will ensure that not a single moment is missed and that your guests will get cake within a reasonable amount of time.

Photo: Allison Lewis Photography

3) The Registry on the Invitation
One of the most amazing things about getting married is going to Bed, Bath and Beyond, being handed a scanner and going throughout the entire store, aisle by aisle, and dreaming of all the fun new things that you will be given as wedding gifts.  Weddings are a time where every aunt, uncle, and that lady you have never met but who grew up with your parents, will send you gifts (Trust us, we know nothing is more fun than getting gifts in the mail).  As tempting as it is to put your registry info on your wedding invitation or your save the dates, trust us, this is a big no-no.
Our advice:  Most likely, your guests will go out of their way to find out where you are registered, or bring you a monetary gift, but leave the registry info for your shower invitation.

Photo: J.Woodbery Photography

4) The Friends and Family Predicament
Wedding tension arises when there is not a proper plan in place.  When you are trying to cut corners and start recruiting your friends to handle vendors, ceremony direction, set up and tear down, etc., things can go south quickly.  Remember, ladies, when you are planning the most special day of your entire life, you still want to have your friends beside you when it is all said and done.  Be cautious of having your friends and family do too much.
Our advice:  Hire a professional, and preferably, Becky’s Brides.  Wedding planners are professional event planners that LOVE to work timelines, handle vendor coordination and ceremony details, and every other little thing that goes into the perfect wedding.  We love these things; we live for them.  Your friends shouldn’t have to.

Photo: Unplugged Photography

5) The Rude Couple
Nothing is worse than when a Bride is acting like a girl straight out of Mean Girls, or when a Groom is only concerned about partying with his friends on the dance floor while taking shots all night.  Your wedding day is all about you, but remember, your guests took time out of their lives to come share your special day.  They deserve to be honored as well.
Our advice:  Mingle throughout your reception.  You do not have to have ten minute conversations with everyone, but make it your goal to speak to every guest, even if it is only to say, “thank you so much for coming.”  Small gestures go a long way.

 

Photo: Ava Wilde

We hope more than anything that this list helps you to earn “Bride of the Year” status. We believe in you.