When you are preparing for one of the most important days in your life – your wedding day, it’s critical that proper and intelligent preparation is at the top of the “To Do List.” Many couples spend most of their preparation time on the wedding ceremony and not adequate time on the wedding reception. John K. Lindsey with Busylad RENT-ALL shares his helpful tips for planning and preparation of your wedding reception.
Start early!
All too often, future newlyweds start working on their plans far too late and consequently encounter many disappointments and unforeseen problems. If your event is during peak wedding season, you may not be able to find the right number of chairs you want, or a particular item you’d like to have may already be booked.
Match your rentals to your reception venue
The most important consideration for a wedding reception is: “Where will the reception be held?” If it is a backyard reception, you will want to get the yard, gardens, patio, etc. in tip-top shape. Hedges and trees will be needed to be trimmed, lawns must be prepared in advance to make sure they are green and healthy, accent lighting should be considered, fresh paint may need to be applied, etc. If you don’t have the proper equipment for all these chores, it’s much smarter and more economical to rent the equipment rather than purchase it. When choosing a rental company, make sure the company has a reputation of carefully instructing their renters on how to properly handle and use the equipment.
Renting a tent for your backyard reception should be a definite item on your “To Do List.” Consult with the rental company on what size a tent you will need. Also, rent from a company that will bring the tent to the wedding location; set up the tent; and then, after the reception is over, take the tent down and return it to the store.
If you are having the reception at a public or private venue, make sure you know what items the venue will provide for your reception and what is expected that you (or a third party) provide. Reputable rental companies work closely with wedding-reception venues and can offer excellent suggestions on how to plan your wedding reception to be something both special and unique. You don’t want a guest comment, “This reception is set up exactly like one I attended here a few months ago.” You are unique and so should your reception be one of a kind.
Ask for references
Your reception should be one of the happiest days of your life. Don’t leave it in the hands of a company that says it has a great reputation but cannot prove it. Will the dishes and silverware be immaculate? Will the linens be clean and ironed? Will the tent be set up as requested? Do the individuals at the rental company really listen to you and earnestly try to meet your expectations and wishes? Will the rental company make it easy for you on your special day?
Be open to suggestions
Every couple has an idea of how their wedding reception should unfold. However, it is important for couples to be open to suggestions the rental experts may have. If the rental company has been established for many years, it has worked with hundreds of couples in planning for this memorable day. They know that this is your wedding and your wedding reception; however, you should be willing to carefully consider their suggestions which are based on many years of experience.
Would you like to see more wedding tips? The Winter/Spring issue of Premier Bride of Mississippi is out and throughout the state of Mississippi. Best of all, it’s free! You can pick one up at any one of our advertisers or go online to http://www.premierbridems.com/wedding-free-copy-of-premier-bride and find a wedding professional near you that has the latest copy! Or view our Winter/Spring issue online here.