Get the most out of your wedding day by making it yours!

It’s happened! Maybe by accident, maybe by years of growing together, but it’s happened. You are getting married! This is the day you have envisioned as one of the happiest, most beautiful days of your life. Now let’s make it happen that way!

The most crucial factor in planning a successful wedding is knowing what you want. It may sound silly, but it makes it easier for you to be able to compromise on some things with mom, dad and the soon-to-be in-laws if you know what is truly important to you and your partner. Get your priorities in line in order of importance-is it the style of wedding, the music that’s played, the food that is served? What time frame during that day will be most important to you- the wedding itself, the time right after the wedding, the reception, the dance, the honeymoon?

Choosing what is important to you allows you to be straightforward and honest with those helping you plan the entire day. For instance: I know I want the wedding reception itself to be a spectacular event with lots of flowers and decorations at the (insert church hall, rented room, outdoor location, etc.). Therefore, I can focus my energies there (as well as budget) to make that dream come true-spend more on the wedding reception decorations, be more selective with the menu for the dinner and so on. I will, however, allow the people around me to suggest options or even handle the planning of the wedding ceremony and dance, since the most important part of our special day will be exactly what I have in mind.
I can make those around me feel more included in the planning (if that’s what they want) and ask (for example) my soon to be sister or brother-in-law to help choose the D.J. or the invitations. I can ask my mother and/or mother-in-law about the traditions she values for the ceremony (they may also volunteer to carry these out for you-one less thing to worry about!).

Of course the first thing you need to do is guarantee yourselves the general spaces and services you desire for each time frame- the church, photographer and reception site (with or without caterer on-site is an important item-if they do catering on-site-that is again one less thing to worry about-they will coordinate the food for you once you choose your menus). Once you have these things, the rest can come together in time.

Also, once you have your priorities in line, and have a true list of what you want, it’s easier for everyone around you to help. They can look for items that fit your dreams when you don’t have time to. And they may just have the perfect suggestion that you didn’t think about for some point in your wedding day. Since your priority is not driving around after the wedding ceremony, someone may suggest and plan a line of classic vintage vehicles for you and your wedding party-unique and fun! You’ll be surprised how many other people have been planning for this day for quite some time! Once they know your priorities, they’ll be more comfortable suggesting ideas for the rest. Be frank about your budget, and you planning helpers will do their best to make their ideas work within your amount, or pick that cost up themselves, because it’s important to them.

Don’t forget that any and all professional planners you meet also need to know what’s important to you, so let them know what you truly expect at the church, from the photographer and at the reception site. This is your day, and they should help you realize your dreams as it fits into each vendor’s realm of responsibility.

All of the above also fits for the last-minute wedding planners. Just realize that instead of 8-12 months to finish up the final details, you may have 2 weeks. In that time, you may need to bend a little on some things, but stick to your guns on your most important issues. You’ll be happy you did!

What’s important to you should also be important to your vendors, ask what each vendor will include in their services to make your day more enjoyable and less stressful. They may surprise you with what they can offer at no extra cost (i.e. secure wedding gift storage until the next day, elegant table decorations for the reception, clean-up service afterwards, rental delivery and return service, referral services for cake vendors, DJ’s, etc. and much, much more)! This day is for you and the one you love-let it shine through and have a great time getting married!

For more help or to book your reception, contact us at the Hotel Winneshiek.

Submitted by: For more help or to book your reception, contact us at the Hotel Winneshiek.