Rental Items

In an ideal world, each place you use for the ceremony and reception will have everything you need for a perfect event. However, things are rarely exactly how you wish them to be. Brides usually ask us for recommendations for rental businesses that can supply additional items that may be needed. But before we recommend any other business we try to help the bride deter- mine exactly what may be needed and sources for those items.

Before you rent anything, be sure to check with your wedding ceremony site, wedding reception venue, caterers, beverage providers, décor company, florist, entertainment, audiovisual, staging and lighting companies for items needed. It is hard to believe that one could need something these services couldn’t provide, but if there is, a reputable rental provider is your answer.

Once you have identified the items you think you’ll need, have a conversation with two or more rental services to check the quality of the items provided as well as the rental costs.  Your ceremony or reception venue may be able to refer you to a reputable service that comes with strong references from previous customers.

To help you with discussions about rental items, there are some questions you will want to ask them.

Ask the agency to be specific about the services they will supply. Will they merely deliver the items to your site or does the price include set up and tear down?

Ask if the items are insured against theft and/or damage and is that included in the rental fee. If it is not included, ask for the amount of insurance you may need.

Bear in mind that a full service décor company will likely be able to handle all or part of your décor, floral, table settings, glassware, tables, chairs and chair covers, linens, and lighting requirements. In addition to the usual items, the décor company may be your best source for any unusual items you decide you must have to complete the theme of your celebration. How much “extra” you want will likely be determined more by budget than lack of resources.

 

Have A Seat

The best way to describe the changing nature of receptions is to notice that they have evolved into more than just a formalized event as the term “reception” implies. More and more couples are choosing the term “celebration” to describe the party atmosphere and events they are planning for themselves and their guests. Instead of having the day slip away in a blur, brides and grooms want to have a good time at their party and take away wonderful memories. This is one of the biggest parties that most couples will ever give. They want everyone to have fun – themselves included.

Whether the celebration will be in a church basement or outdoors, one thing that is changing is the seating of guests. Reception “rules” have had the bridal party sitting at formal head tables, lined up according to one’s role in the wedding. But more and more couples are choosing not to have a head table and instead seat themselves with special family members or friends in the center of the eating area. Sitting in the middle of things – among family and friends – not apart from them, will help the couple to better enjoy their first meal together as husband and wife.

The remaining people in their wedding party and families are scattered at tables with other guests to encourage the celebration tone. They can talk about the wedding and events leading up to it that other guests may not know. It can make good mealtime conversation and is a way to involve guests more intimately with the event. You may still choose to have special place cards/table numbers for guests. For some brides and their mothers, trying to engineer the “perfect” mix of guests at each table is the hardest thing they do for the party. Others give up and let groups find their own places. Whether you are having a formal sit down dinner or a buffet, the best bet is to select round tables. These always allow an easier flow of conversation among guests. Providing a centerpiece for each table also places each guest at a decorated space at your party.

If you can’t have round tables and must use rectangular ones, request that they seat no more than six per table. At least with this number, everyone can hear everything that is said and conversation can flow. There is more space for each person to enjoy his/her food and beverage. For more celebration ideas, stop in and talk with one of our experienced consultants. We have party plans we know you’ll love. Ideas on music, cakes, decorations and favors can help you plan a party to remember.

Vera Fernandes, Owner, CWS
Weddings Simply Unique LLC
203-573-6702
vera@weddingssimplyunique.com

Member Weddings Beautiful Worldwide
The American Academy of Wedding Professionals

Ceremony Ideas

Once you have secured the site for your ceremony and have met with the officiant and/or his representatives you should have a good idea about ceremony requirements and guidelines. Working within those guidelines, you should be able to add your own personal touches with the goal of creating a beautiful setting that helps to create the mood for your ceremony to come. As guests arrive, the setting – candles, lights, flowers and music can create an impressive atmosphere. Instruct ushers to make friendly small talk with guests as they arrive and as they are escorted to their seats. This will help to put guest at ease. If yours is a small wedding, ushers can present a single flower to female guests along with a note from you welcoming them to the wedding. This welcome flower can also be presented with the programs. Consider having ceremony hosts greet guests at the entrance doors. Choose one from each family who is likel to recognize many of the guests as they arrive. Choose host couples to welcome your guests. Your parents may be mingling with guests at this point or may be needed with the wedding party. Guests hosts can welcome people in their name. If you have music playing as guests arrive and are seated, change that music – tempo or volume or both so that special music plays as the parents of the bride and groom are seated. More and more couples are choosing to have a card or note from them along with a single flower or small wrapped gift waiting in the pews for the parents as they are seated. Consider having a special song played as the groom and his best man take their places. As the processional begins, the music should break between the ceremony and the reception to allow for travel time. Arrange for a pre-cocktail hour at your reception site so that guests arriving early for the reception have a place to gather. You may wish to serve champagne or have a coffee bar set up. Stop in so we can discuss even more ceremony ideas that will make this most important day uniquely yours.