Wedding Do's and Don'ts

 Happy Monday!  Today I am bringing you my latest column from my Weddings 101 column over at US Daily Review, all about what you should/should not do to have an awesome wedding!

Being a coordinator, I often get asked about what makes a wedding a success.  I think most people want to hear one thing that will automatically make their wedding the best their guests have ever been to.  Truthfully, there isn’t just one thing that makes a wedding awesome.  A lot of factors go into a “good” wedding, and let’s just be honest: every bride thinks her wedding is the best ever (as she should).  I can’t give you one fail safe tip, but here are some things you can do to make your wedding the best it can be for you and for your guests.

DO take your guests into consideration.  This is “your” day, but you are asking a large number of people to travel to be with you, buy you a present, hire a babysitter, take off work, get a hotel…you get the picture.  The number one rule in guest consideration?  They should not have to pay for anything, including (especially) alcohol.  There are many ways to cut the budget without cutting the booze.  At the very least, you need to offer beer and wine to your guests free of charge. 

DON’T forget about your littlest guests.  If you are having kids at your wedding (and it’s totally fine if you don’t) have something for them to do.  If you can have a separate kids table, great.  Stock it with coloring books, bubbles, and small toys.  If you can’t have a separate kids table, leave said coloring books on their regular table for them.  Trust me, the parents will thank you!

DO take the time to say hi to all of your guests.  Even if you only get to chat with each guest for a few minutes, you need to stop by and say hi and thank you for coming.  Remember that you are the star of the day and everyone wants the chance to give you a hug and congratulate you, make sure they get the opportunity.

DON’T underestimate the power of a good DJ.  The DJ is the one who will have the biggest impact on the flow of your day.  He introduces dances, speeches, dinner, and along with your coordinator, will keep all events on schedule.  And that’s before you get to the dancing.  In my eyes (and most others’) one of the biggest indicators of a successful wedding is how many people are on the dance floor.  A dancing crowd is a happy crowd, and you will not have a dancing crowd if you have a lackluster DJ.

DO integrate your personalities into your wedding.  Last summer, my husband and I attended seven weddings.  The ones that we had the most fun at, and the ones we remember, included personal details.  Display photos, share cute stories, incorporate your interests and hobbies, write your own vows.  Find a way to make your wedding yours, not a wedding that could be anybody’s.

DON’T forget to have a good time.  Your guests take their cues from you.  If you look like you are having fun, chances are they will too.  Your guests come to your wedding to celebrate your love; if that love is evident, your wedding will be a success.

Use these tips to help create a day that is enjoyable not just for your guests, but for you as well.  And remember, if at the end of the day you are married to the person you love, the day was a success.