[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”dropshadow” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”20px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
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(Photo Source: Jennilyn Proulx)
I haven’t been to many weddings. My close friends are not in that stage of their lives yet. In my adult life, I’ve been to three weddings now. Each time, I learn little lessons that I can either “steal” or avoid for my wedding.
For instance, I loved her rustic details and venue. She did an awesome job of carrying her colors and theme throughout all the little details. The whole event was very “them” and personal, which I really liked. I took photos of these details on my phone to showcase how great they were. 🙂
With my nuptials just four months away, I was taking mental notes at the wedding I just attended last night.
I loved their “rustic charm” with the table decor!
An important thing to note: I mention some of the negatives from last night but I thought that the couple had a lot of great ideas and their wedding– venue, ceremony, attire, vows– were beautiful! Congrats to them!
[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#1e73be” border_size=”” icon=”fa-heart” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#81d742″ width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]The ceremony and reception at the same venue is the best way to go.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]
I am thanking my 5-month-ago self right now. Having the wedding and reception in the same place is going to save so much headache and confusion for both the guests and us (the bride/groom). From a wedding guest standpoint, I was thankful not to have to go anywhere else for the event. It was also nice to be able to go right into a lunch/dinner after the ceremony while the bride/groom/wedding party took photos outside.
My ceremony will be at an outdoor location in the same venue as my reception, which will be held indoors. Read all about my venue search in this post here. Speaking of which, I am very glad that I am going to have the reception in a climate-controlled building since Florida is so hot and humid. I am also thinking that while still humid and hot, having our ceremony under a huge tree and in the shade will be more comfortable for the guests.
Ceremony Location
[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#1e73be” border_size=”” icon=”fa-heart” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#81d742″ width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Programs are underrated.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]
I have to admit that as a wedding guest, I wish I had a program.
If I had a visual reminder such as a program or a cutesy little chalkboard that gave the schedule of events for the evening, I would’ve been more informed. There were several times in the night that I asked Brighton when the dancing was happening, or when is the reception? Is this it?
We were confused.
This was partly our fault, but I felt a sign or program would’ve been immensely helpful at this point (for lazy guests like us). I know that programs isn’t in my game plan (most people throw them away anyways and it’s wasteful!), but having a sign which the schedule of events is now a must in my game plan.
See, isn’t this just adorable and informative?
[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#1e73be” border_size=”” icon=”fa-heart” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#81d742″ width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Two words: Booze, Dancing.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]
Now, I understand that weddings are different in all different cultures, but for my personal wedding, I plan to have booze and dancing.
They did have a hot cocoa station, which was cute and appropriate for the time of year and location.
After the light dinner, there was a strange gap in time and people started to leave. I thought I had been told that the reception started at 5:30pm, but everyone seemed to be leaving. The venue didn’t allow alcohol, but it was confusing that almost everyone seemed to be leaving before that. I also had the understanding that receptions are the part with the food. Am I right, or just confused?
Like I said, I haven’t attended many weddings, and all weddings tend to be a little different.
Well, after the dinner, I wanted there to be dancing and drinking. I was just waiting for the bride and groom to have their first dance together and invite everyone else out onto the dance floor. But they didn’t. Apparently, we left before the reception since we saw photos later online.
Overall, I learned that after people eat, I want to start that first dance and get everyone out on the dance floor to have a good time. I want no gap in time except the cocktail hour which we will be taking photos.
Guestbook Area– Look how cute this is!
I also think that having some type of activity (like a photobooth) during that cocktail hour for guests so they have something to do while they wait for us to start the dinner. Having large gaps in time confuses guests and you’re more likely to lose your guests during this type of event.
[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#1e73be” border_size=”” icon=”fa-heart” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#81d742″ width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Group photos are difficult without proper direction.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]
I completely understand the desire for a huge group photo at your wedding. If you know me well, I love group photos. Or photos in general, actually. The newlyweds asked everyone to go out on the porch and take a group shot. This was the first opportunity after the ceremony to talk amongst themselves.
It felt like there wasn’t much direction from the photographers or the wedding party, so everyone just meandered out there and didn’t really pay attention to where they were standing. I felt like this would’ve been much less of a headache if there was someone actually directing people from beginning to end.
I think that for our group shot, a giant selfie at the altar might be better. I had a college acquaintance do this, and it was awesome. Plus, no one has to move from their seats and requires almost no direction in comparison. Sounds like a win/win to me!
This is an example of what I’m imagining.
[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#1e73be” border_size=”” icon=”fa-heart” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#81d742″ width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]I would like an “unplugged” ceremony.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]
When I first booked my photographer, she asked if I was going to have an unplugged ceremony. I had to Google what that was at first, but essentially you ask people to put away their phones during the ceremony and ask that they do not take photos during the ceremony.
In my opinion, the main reason to have an unplugged ceremony is because phones are disruptive. It’s distracting to watch someone run back and forth trying to get the very best angle on their cell phone screen. Someone was actually doing this during the wedding ceremony!
Wedding photographers are expensive, and their time is precious. The less bright phone screens, the better their shots will be.
Now, what I do like is having photos of the bride and groom during the ceremony at the altar be available before the photographer’s done editing. What Brighton suggested was to allow people to take their photos all at once (prior to the vows, readings, etc.), and then politely ask them to put their phones away and enjoy the rest of the ceremony. I think that’s a happy compromise for the guests who are photo-obsessed and want their photos, but that way the photographer won’t be trying to move around these guests during the rest of the ceremony.
[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#1e73be” border_size=”” icon=”fa-heart” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#81d742″ width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Overall, your wedding day will be a special day regardless of what goes right and what goes wrong.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]
What I took away from this experience was that a wedding will not be perfect. Things will go wrong. Even the best laid plans are sometimes trashed. Do what we can, what we want, and the rest will fall into place.
I had a great time as a guest with some minor hiccups, and the newlyweds seemed to enjoy themselves, which is all that matters on their special day.
I can’t wait for our wedding in April! I’m getting so nervous/excited now that my mom and sister are planning the bridal shower and I’ll be doing some wedding planning on my trip to Florida which is in less than two weeks! Eek!
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