Planning a wedding is no easy task. There are so many details to keep in mind and you don't want anything to go wrong on your big day. One way to make sure that everything goes smoothly for the happy couple is by avoiding awkward moments at weddings because of poor planning. We've compiled 10 tips below that will help lead you down the path towards successful wedding planning!
Here Are My Tips
1. Don't rush into things
Have you ever had the idea that you wanted to do something, but then didn't actually take any steps towards making it happen? Well, this is what happens with wedding planning too! It's easy for couples to get excited about their big day and jump right in without a plan of action.
Don't fall into this trap as there are many details that must be taken care of beforehand. Planning out your whole wedding from start to finish will help ensure everything goes smoothly on the actual date! Experience counts when choosing a DJ/MC. This person should have experience helping couples plan their wedding's entertainment so they know what to expect from the time the first guest arrives to the final send-off.
2. Experience is worth its price
Experience will help avoid awkward moments at weddings. No matter how good your friend is with DJing, it's best to have an actual professional take the reigns on your behalf. That way, you can relax during the wedding with your friend knowing that everything is being taken care of by experts in their field - the perfect recipe for avoiding awkward moments at weddings.
3. Stay organized
There may be many phases involved in planning out your big day but don't lose track of what needs to happen next or who still has yet to do what. I strongly recommend hiring a planner to help lead your vendor team throughout the event. Let me know if you need any recommendations as I have some amazing planning partners I work with. This leads into…
4. Communicate early & often
Everyone should know exactly where they need to be and what they need to bring according to the schedule well before the date arrives. Planners can help with this, but regarding the music, I say lean on the DJ/MC's experience for the music portion. Then, take that information and share it with your planner. Better yet, I can relay our conversations for you which will provide an even better experience on the day of the wedding.
5. Conduct multiple planning meetings
It's important to keep everyone on the same page. Even if you plan on using a planner, it's still vital that your team is meeting with you regularly so there are no misunderstandings or miscommunications about any aspect of what needs to be completed leading up to the wedding day. Full wedding planning services usually include this in the price, but double-check with the planner just to be safe.
I recommend having at least three meetings (more than one month apart) in order for everyone on your vendor team to feel comfortable reaching out and asking questions before they arise during the wedding day itself!
6. Don't be afraid to voice your opinion
It's easy to feel like you're bothering your planner or another team member, but they were hired for a reason. If there is something on the wedding day timeline that isn't quite adding up with what another vendor said, don't worry about sounding rude - speak up!
Being assertive will help make sure all of your vendors are coordinating their efforts towards making your event flow smoothly without any hiccups along the way. Don't think twice about asking questions as it won't hurt anyone's feelings if done politely and tactfully.
7. Ask for help from those close to you
This is a big day that will have some stressful moments, so lean on your friends and family. This can also include sharing the responsibility of planning with them as well! The more people involved in helping out, the better off everyone will feel come wedding day, but ensure that there is one person designated to be in charge. This is a big reason why I recommend a planner.
Real-World Example
Let’s say we have planned to do toasts and cake cutting at about 8:00 PM. A less experienced, less professional MC will just assume that everyone will magically be ready, hear the announcement, and jump in to do their thing. Hello, awkward moment! Mom is out on the terrace talking to Grandma, the Best Man is in the bathroom, and no one has seen your father in 30 minutes. Your guests now stand in AWKWARD silence as someone tries to round up the missing trio! None of this had to happen!
Here’s how to avoid this… Ten minutes before the appointed time I will check with you to be sure YOU are ready to cut the cake. If you are on the dance floor having a blast, or on the sidelines talking to a friend you haven’t seen in years, the cake can wait a few minutes. If you are ready, I will ask you to stay close by as I alert anyone scheduled to offer a toast, make sure your parents are in the room, and lastly alert my fellow professionals: catering manager, photographer, videographer, etc. that we are minutes away from cake cutting, and I will make sure they can be in place and ready before any announcements are made.
This kind of planning and attention to detail throughout the entire reception reduces the opportunities for embarrassing, awkward moments. A good MC keeps things flowing smoothly and naturally from beginning to end.
