4 Tips to Keep Your Ceremony Running Smoothly

There are many things to take into consideration when planning, and eventually, hosting a wedding. Here are 4 tips to help keep your ceremony running smoothly from the behind-the-scenes side.

1. Advance Notice

Of course you have to book your reception area in advance, and 8 months to a year ahead of your date is a good rule of thumb. But don't forget the other people and places that should have notice of your big day.

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1. The Hotel: If you're wedding isn't at a hotel, don't forget to reserve some rooms for yourself and your bridal party at a hotel. If privacy isn't your number one concern, make sure to reserve some rooms for your guests as well. The last thing you want on your wedding day is to worry about how your guests are getting home. Just call the hotel and ask to set up a wedding block and they will walk you through the process. Depending on the area and the season, 3 months to a year is normal.
2. The Officiator: Whether it is a pastor, justice of the peace, of friend, make sure that they know not only what day your wedding is, but what time it is as well. Especially during wedding season, pastors have a lot of requests to officiate--if you are in a small area you want to make sure that you have who you want uttering "by the power invested in me." (Think Joey from Friends.)
3. Entertainers: Again, the DJ and/or band should be a no-brainer to book in advance. But don't forget other people in this industry, from florists and decorators to bartenders and caterers.

2. Extra, Extra... 

Even planning a pizza party requires special math (add an extra slice per person, round to the nearest 8-multiple and add an extra pie) and the same goes for your wedding.

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1. Food: The obvious thought on extras. If people RSVP'd to a chicken or fish dinner, make sure you have a few extra of each because you can't plan for someone who "woops, I checked the wrong box and I'm allergic to fish."
2. Seats: Whether you have seating arrangements or not, there will almost always be some hiccups in the number of tables and chairs needed. Having a few tables ready in the reception area (even if they aren't set up) saves the banquet hall from having to leave your guests unattended to or, even worse, not having the tables available. And on that note... extra tables means extra centerpieces!
3. Decorations: Chances are you have compiled a tremendous amount of decorations for this day, from centerpieces and fabrics to lights and hangings. And it looks beautiful. But don't let your toils be underscored when you have a drab hallway or bathroom. Take a few extra flowers and fabrics along, just in case those extra rooms aren't looking up to par.
4. Costs: This is a biggie. Don't forget the extra costs that don't show up right on the bill. This includes tips not only for your servers and bartenders, but for all your service-people.

3. Even Santa has a Handler

Elves don't just accompany Santa for the fun of it... they are there for a reason, because you can't just hand Santa a check. Elves are there to make sure Santa gets paid, keeps the kids calm, and tells Santa when it's time to go because the Reindeer are getting antsy. Make sure that the bride and groom have a point person to take care of the "un-eventfuls."

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1. Paying your vendors: Just like Santa can't take a check, a bride or groom shouldn't be worried about finding who to pay and when. Have the checks ready, and if it's not possible to pay beforehand, make sure there is a specific person in charge of handing the check over.
2. Timing: Weddings are fun, and sometimes you get caught up in the event. If you have a plane to catch for a honeymoon or your venue has a strict rental policy, make sure someone is keeping track of the time. Watch-peeking isn't very flattering on the stars of the party.
3. Places: Everyone has their places at a wedding, but almost certainly everyone will have questions about their places as well. Ushers help guests who need to find their seating, but don't forget about the bridal party who might be slightly jittery about their walking order or the officiator who isn't sure what door to come in. Have a level-headed person keep everyone going where they need to be going.

4. It's your party...

And you could certainly cry if you want to, but why waste the energy? Remember to have fun. This is your day and so what if someone didn't reserve their hotel room in time or the filet was medium-well instead of medium-rare. Everyone came to celebrate your special day, and smiles are contagious. If things didn't go perfectly, people are much less apt to remember the snafoos if they remember how happy the couple was together instead.

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