Things to Consider When Hosting a Backyard Wedding

I love the idea of a daughter/son growing up and choosing to have their wedding in their parent’s backyard or maybe their own backyard. However, I think there is a misconception that backyard weddings are simple and inexpensive, so I am here to point out a few things you might not have thought of. Below is a list including some suggestions, as well as, questions to think of while planning the wedding.

1. The condition of the premises. You want to make sure the landscaping is beautiful for the backdrop of your photos.
2. Will neighbours be upset by loud music playing into the wee hours of the morning
3. Ensure the ground is ready for high traffic and high heels. You might want to put some stepping stones down in certain areas.
4. Do you have a backup plan if it rains or are you going to rent a tent?
5. Where is everyone going to park? Is there going to be someone directing the parking so it is organized? How is everyone getting home if there is going to be drinking? Taxi or are you maybe going to hire a bus at a certain time?
6. What if it is too hot or too cold outside? Will you have heaters or fans available?
7. ICE! If you are having a summer wedding ensure you have a freezer large enough to hold a lot of ice for the drinks
8. Consider the flow of people from when they arrive to the ceremony/reception location. You might want to consider putting up signs so everyone knows where to go and when.
9. Do you have enough easily accessible washrooms for the guests?
10. Don’t forget the amount of things you will need to rent. The cost of rentals can really add up. You will need: a tent with a floor, tables, chairs, a bar, music system, cutlery, plates, cups, portable washrooms, decor, linens
11. You might also want to hire servers and/or bartenders
12. If the wedding is going to go into the night do you have any light source to keep the reception area lit, as well as, the walking paths to the washroom and parking lot (ex. lanterns, flashlights, candles)

He Just Wants To Show Up To The Wedding!

So you get engaged and the next thing you know he is telling you he wants nothing to do with planning the wedding. This is a tough situation to be in because even if you are a bride who knows exactly what you want you will want to have that supportive second opinion throughout the planning process. What can you do to make him excited about the wedding and want to be involved in the planning?

First: It is important to understand where your groom is coming from. Weddings have a lot to do with colour schemes, flowers, cakes and dresses… all things that guys are not particularly interested in. Consider if he was having a big football party that a lot of people were going to attend, it was going to be expensive and he wants the day to be perfect. If it was a football party you might feel a bit out of place and not interested, this is probably how your groom feels. That being said, take the time to sit down with your fiancé and ask him how he feels about the wedding. A LOT OF FIGHTS AND HURT FEELINGS CAN BE AVOIDED BY SIMPLY HAVING OPEN COMMUNICATION. There might be some underlying reasons why he does not want to be involved and it is important that you both are on the same page.

Second: Once you understand how your groom is feeling you need to try to give him tasks he would be interested in. A few types of tasks you could assign are: buy the best man and groomsmen gifts, purchase/rent his attire and his groomsmen’s attire for the wedding day, picking the band or dj, transportation, honeymoon plans, or the rehearsal dinner plans. You could also suggest that he help pick out the menu for the wedding or participate in the cake tasting. If your groom is unorganized, forgetful or just extremely busy it might help to provide him with a list of things he can do.

Third: If your groom is still reluctant to help with the wedding try to explain to him why the day is so important to you. Some grooms do not understand the excitement around the wedding. They don’t care what colour the chair sashes are or how many tiers the cake is and they don’t understand why you do. Obviously your groom loves you and wants to make you happy so it is important to COMMUNICATE with him.

Fourth: The last thing I can suggest is to make sure you are supporting your groom when he is trying to help. If your groom is giving his opinion and you are instantly saying “no” it might make him feel like he is not needed. Although you might know exactly what you want for the wedding, make sure you are taking into consideration your groom’s needs and wants because it is his day too.

If none of this helps turn to your maid of honor and bridesmaids for help and support :)

An Event Planner.. I don’t need one!.. or do I?

Seven reasons you might not have thought of to get an event planner!

1.    It is not easy to plan an event! A common mistake is to underestimate the number of phone calls, emails, meetings and lists it takes to make an event come together smoothly.

2.    We save you money! Something that I don’t think people realize is that event planners get discounts at almost all venders. We practically pay for ourselves in savings!

3.    We listen! You work hard to be involved in and care about every little detail of your event. Although it is all IMMENSLY important to you, others might not care about all the trouble you went through to pick your venue or the perfect centerpieces. A planner is someone who lives and breathes these details and LOVES to chat about them and offer advice!

4.    We decrease stress! Not only do we decrease stress by helping out with all the planning, coordination and budgeting we also help with family negotiations and take the time to listen to all your ideas.

5.    We save you time! We drive to the venders, double check all details and ask all the questions. We also know about the vendors in town. We know what they specialize in, what they offer and their price point. Our professional opinion can save you tons of time!

6.    We are extremely organized! If you are worried you are going to forget something.. hire a planner. Yes, there are checklists available, but they do not cover everything. There are still many little details that can be forgotten. An event planner is trained to ensure all details are taken care of.

7.    Wow Factor: Event planners have the eye for knowing what to add to get the “WOW” factor. They also know the details to add to ensure your guests rave about your event.

Marital Bliss Hints: Can't Stop Fighting Over the Wedding

You bring up the cake or the seating arrangement or the budget and the fight begins! You are a happy couple whenever you are not talking about the wedding, but for some reason talking about the wedding always results in a fight. Maybe you have noticed this trend and have been pushing the planning to the side. Now you are noticing the date getting closer and closer and the stress is starting to build.

Weddings are a very important and emotional event, which makes each decision around the day significant. Weddings put any couples negotiating skills to the test. If you are a couple that have very different tastes and you both have strong opinions it can definitely make each decision a bit more complicated. Below are a few tips on how to discuss each other’s ideas and come to a compromise before the stress and anxiety kick in and the fight begins.

First: Set aside time to talk about the wedding. This way you both can insure you are in the right frame of mind to listen to what the other person has to say and express your opinion.

Second: Be respectful of what the other person is saying and be patient. Yes, your future wife really thinks it is reasonable to spend $2000 on a dress and yes, your groom wants his own cake in the shape of a beer can.

Third: Be organized. Writing down each other’s key points will help clarify the situation

Fourth: Don’t try to conquer too many decisions at once. For each conversation have about three main topics that you are going to discuss.

Fifth: Don’t panic if after the first conversation you do not have a decision made on the venue, cake and decorations. It is fine if the first time you both discuss a topic you don’t come to a conclusion right away. The decisions that are more important to you as a couple might take a few conversations until you find the perfect conclusion.

At all times, remember that at the end of the day the wedding is about celebrating your love and the future life you will be sharing together.

Marital Bliss Hint: When Your Families Hate Eachother!

It is true that opposites attract. That being said, although you love the differences in each other your families may not. The differences that can exist between families can be astronomical! Families may have different mannerisms, a different sense of humor, different likes and dislikes, hobbies, social standing, cultural background and even language. None of this makes bringing the two families together easy especially when you’re considering bringing them together to celebrate your wedding. One of the best ways to break the ice is to show your families something they have in common. Bring your families together to learn something fun and interactive together at a neutral location. For example, if there is going to be dancing at the reception have the closest family members attend a group dance lesson. In the process of learning a routine for your reception everyone will chat, learn a bit more about each other and need to work as a team. If on one’s into dancing try bowling, mini-golf or an activity both families have already expressed an interest in. Just be sure it is something interactive and easy-going! Splitting up the women and the men might also help as men and women bond in different ways. Most importantly, don’t let any discrepancies between family members stress you out. Remember that at your reception everyone will be happy and polite because both families will want to ensure you have the most perfect day!