By guest contributor, Wendilyn Adams of CV Linens
Have you ever left the house feeling as though you forgot something? You start mentally making a checklist of everything you need to make sure you have it. Keys? Check! Phone? Wallet? Check! Then you start to wonder if you really did lock your door before leaving!
Now think about what possibly most couples forget when planning their wedding. You might be surprised to learn that even simple things like wedding rings can be overlooked!
Thankfully, you have your “event planner gut feeling” to serve as a reminder. However, even the most seasoned event planners can become so preoccupied with their work that they lose sight of some important details.
Regardless of how experienced you are, you might forget a detail at any time because planning isn’t your only obligation. The most challenging and stressful part of the job can be the coordination on the actual wedding day. There are some things that are simply beyond your control, no matter how well you prepare. And managing these things is an important part of your job as a wedding planner.
But as they say, prevention is always preferable to cure. Reviewing a planning checklist can help you avoid some mistakes. Here are 10 things your couple might forget when planning a wedding—and should be added to your to-do list!
Prepare for Extra Expenses
Unquestionably, the working budget is one of the most important things to remember when planning a wedding.
As little things change or unexpectedly arise during the wedding, you will almost certainly encounter some hidden costs or other unforeseen expenses. Make sure the couple gives themselves some breathing room. Set aside 5% to 10% of the overall budget as a buffer to account for any unforeseen expenses.
The couple’s budget must also be taken into account when evaluating any requests for changes to the event. Let them know that the request, even if the bride or her parents are the ones making it, will have an impact on the entire event and that you need to double check all the numbers just in case.
How’s The Weather?
Having a backup plan in place to prevent bad weather from ruining the event is probably one of the things you might forget when planning a wedding. You and the couple need to plan ahead for what will happen if it rains, is very windy, or is extremely hot on the wedding day.
Dining Cutlery
Nobody ever thinks silverware will be as expensive as it is, and it’s extremely important! If your venue takes care of it, no worries, but if it doesn’t, make sure to rent the silverware because they enhance the look of any wedding table.
Speaking of wedding tables, buying wedding tablecloths in bulk is more cost-effective than renting them.
They will, in any case, be a wise investment if you are serious about planning events.
Buy your base linens in bulk to reduce your expenses. Then can create as many different arrangements for any celebration by coordinating these tablecloths with essential pieces like table overlays, table runners, and wholesale chair covers.
Marriage License and Wedding Rings
Sometimes couples will forget one or both of these things the day of the wedding and will have to hastily check back into their hotel. Yes, the wedding is going to be a fun party, but the main objective is for your clients to legally become married. Remind them right up to the last minute to bring their wedding bands and marriage licenses to the ceremony.
Emergency Kit and Mini-Toolbox
You might be surprised at how much a lack of scissors or tape can add to the wedding day frustrations. Making a mini emergency kit for the occasion will help keep those stress levels down. Your WPIC certified wedding planner will have this on them.
Must-have items include Advil for headaches, mini sewing kits for wardrobe malfunctions, first-aid kits, and a make-up kit for a quick touch-up. Extra pens, scissors, and paper, tape (clear, duct, and electric) will all come in handy. While they may seem unimportant, batteries, clipboards, walkie-talkies, labels, chargers, and extension cords are also some of the little things to remember when planning a wedding.
Name it, you should probably bring it!
Designate People
You don’t want the couple to be answering the phone, setting tables, and handling all those last-minute questions on the day of the wedding. The goal is to just let them enjoy their day.
At every wedding, there are always some tasks that need to be done on the day, it’s just the nature of a wedding. So, to get these tasks off your clients’ hands and for you to handle other tasks, put someone else in charge.
Put someone in charge of “wedding photo round-up” duty. Assign someone to collect and pack up the gifts and have them delivered to the couple. Designate to other people the task of gathering the personal belongings of the couple after the reception. Ensure that these people are someone you and the couple trust.
Look After The Vendors
Taking care of the vendors is one of the things you might forget when planning a wedding. Don’t let your service providers work an entire 12-14-hour wedding without any breaks for food or water. Find out what options the caterer has for vendor meals. It would also be ideal if your clients handled payments to the vendors in the weeks leading up to the wedding.
Lastly, it is a great idea to include a tip in the thank you note for the vendors if you and the couple felt that they provided exceptional service.
Change of Clothing For The Couple
At some point in the night, the newlyweds’ clothes are going to become restrictive and their shoes will definitely be feeling uncomfortable. Make sure they prepared an entire outfit change for the reception. Have them bring along a fun pair of Converse or comfy wedges so they can dance the night away without being crippled by blisters.
Arranging Transportation
Make a reservation for the couple’s transportation to and from the wedding reception. Make sure to inquire if the couple wishes to arrange transportation for their parents and close relatives. You don’t want them to be fighting over Uber with the other guests.
Ensuring that The Couple Eats
There are a lot of things people forget when planning a wedding, making sure the couple has eaten before the ceremony begins should not be one of them.
Couples can get so engrossed in the festivities on their big day that they forget to eat or eat sufficiently. Make sure they drink enough water and take light snacks throughout the day. Even if you brought Advil for it, you don’t want the bride to be complaining about headaches during the wedding. Remind them to take pleasure in the food they spend money on.
Being a wedding planner is more difficult than most people realize. It’s like trying to leap over obstacles and land perfectly on your feet while appearing flawless.
And, while most of the things listed here will be beyond your control no matter how well you plan ahead of time, it is still crucial to prepare as thoroughly as possible.
Do you need ideas on how to add to the wedding event? Or do you need help organizing and planning the perfect holiday events? Working with a seasoned event supplier like CV Linens will allow you to meet your clients’ expectations. They offer wholesale events supply at very affordable prices.
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