questions & answers
We have put together an assortment of questions and answers for your wedding planning questions and have tried to organize them best we can! Be on the lookout for new blogs with new insider tips on all things wedding and beyond.
Rehearsal Questions:
Q: What time will my wedding rehearsal be and what time should I schedule the rehearsal dinner?
A: We typically want to host your wedding rehearsal at the same time as your scheduled Ceremony the following day so you have a better idea on where the sun will be during your ceremony. We ask that you arrive 30 minutes to an hour before your scheduled rehearsal to go over personal items with your wedding coordinator and meet with your bridal party. The rehearsal will take 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Q: Who should be at the rehearsal?
A: Everyone in the procession should attend along with your officiant and immediate family. If you are asking extended family such as grandparents to be in the procession, it is very helpful to have them attend the rehearsal if they are able. Any flower girls or ring bearers are encouraged to attend as well.
Q: What time should I schedule the rehearsal dinner?
A: If you plan to go straight to the rehearsal dinner from your rehearsal, Schedule your dinner for an hour to an hour and a half after the start time of your rehearsal - dependent on how close the restaurant is. If you prefer to freshen up and then head to the dinner, you can schedule this later.
Timeline:
Q: Who will create the timeline for our wedding day?
A: We will work together with you to create your wedding day timeline. We will solidify the timeline during our walk through 3 months prior to your wedding.
Q: What time should I put down for a start time on my invitations?
A: If your guest count is over 100, you will have a 6 hour event. Schedule your start time 6 hours before your end time and explicitly write “ Ceremony to start promptly at … “ opposed to “ invited at”
If you guest count is under 100, a 5 hour event is perfect. Schedule your start time 5 hours before the event end time.
Q: What if I want to host a welcome drink?
A: Welcome drinks before the wedding ceremony are becoming more and more popular, especially if you are asking your guests to take a shuttle that needs to do multiple trips. 30 minutes prior to your ceremony start time is sufficient for welcome drinks. It is nice to offer something special that you are not offering during cocktail hour. For example: aperol spritz, champagne (very cute in cans or splits with a straw, a welcome drink wall, the options are endless!)
Q: What does a sample timeline look like?
A: 6 hour event:
1pm first look (optional)
3pm-3:30pm Ceremony
3:30-4:45pm Cocktail Hour
5:00 Introductions and welcome speech
5:15 Dinner service
5:45 Speeches
6:30 Cake Cutting
7:00 First Dance
7:15-9:00 Dancing, Bouquet toss etc.
A: 5 Hour Event:
2pm First Look (optional)
4:00pm Ceremony
4:00-5:00 Cocktail Hour
5:15 Introductions and Welcome Speech
5:30 Dinner
5:50 Speeches
6:30 Cake Cutting
6:45 First Dance
7-9 Open Dance Floor, Bouquet Etc
Vendors:
Q: Who handles the trash?
A: Your caterer will typically handle the trash. If they do not, we have a team that can handle trash from $350-$500 depending on your party size.
Q: Can I repurpose our flowers throughout the event?
A: Absolutely! Our staff will help move flowers throughout your event. If you use ground arrangements during your ceremony, we can move them to your head table, sweet heart table, desert tables, etc. Your bar and cocktail table arrangements will move as well. We also work with an amazing company that donated flowers to hospice and we can help facilitate this!
Q: How much should I expect to tip vendors?
A: We have a tips on tipping note that we will send you, just ask!
Q: Who sets up the rentals?
A: Often, your caterer will include a set up fee in their quote. We have a team that can set up rentals for $300-500 depending on the size of your event.
Q: How long should I book my photographer for?
A: 8 hours is the most common booking time. Factors that come into play are, are you planning on doing a grand send off and are you planning on doing a first look? How important are the getting ready photos to you?
If you are planning on doing a sparkler send off, or want your photographer there until the end of your event, you should extend their booking time. We will often recommend you book your photographer for just one hour past your first dance. No one needs that many sweaty dancing photos, unless you plan a grand exit.
You also do not need your photographer to start as early unless you are doing a first look or have a very large bridal party and want more getting ready photos. 12pm-8pm is a great place to start with your coverage time which would include a first look and plenty of detail shots! Refer to the timelines above.