02/15/2010

What NOT To Do When Planning Your Wedding

Many of you know that Colbert has been planning fabulous weddings (and other events) for Footers Catering for over 3 years. In the next edition of Colorado View, Colbert shares her feelings on what not to do when planning a wedding. Here is a sneak peak of her article.

I Don't

By veteran wedding coordinator Colbert Callen of Footers Catering shares her secrets of what to avoid on your big day

Don’t have black or blue frosting on your cake. Blue teeth and tongues are not wedding accessories.

Don’t stress about the timeline
This begins with planning before the big day. When compiling your timeline allow for blocks of time, not exact times. You and everyone around you will feel much less stressed knowing the ceremony should end between 5:30-5:45 pm, and not feel already behind schedule when the ceremony ends at 5:40 pm instead of 5:30 pm. It’s no secret that ceremonies are never on time. Other timeline tips: Dinner is the best place to make up lost time, allow a little extra cushion during this block of time. As the bride and groom, don’t dilly-dally getting to your seats! Everyone else is waiting for you to begin eating. Lastly, allow for “guest movement” time – it takes 15 minutes for guests to transition from cocktail hour to their seats, once they finish their conversation, get another drink, find their seat assignment and then find the table, go to the restroom, hunt down the DJ to pre-request their favorite song, and on and on…

Don’t pick bridesmaids dresses without getting your maids’ honest input, and even better, having them trying the dress on first. You’re not the only one who will be in front of a camera all day.

Don’t serve hors d’ oeuvres for dinner
If you are hosting an evening wedding and expect guests to keep boogying until the wee hours, sustenance is necessary. Your menu can absolutely be hors d’ oeuvres or stations style, but the quantity and menu price should be the same as a dinner menu. If you’re looking for less pricy menu options consider single entrée buffets or top-your-own pasta bars that are filling but have less exotic items. Hors d’ oeuvres alone are only appropriate for a reception ending before 5 pm, and dessert only for receptions starting after 8 pm. Don’t be tempted by a smaller bottom line; cutting corners will only leave your guests with bad memory of going home hungry.

Don’t do the chicken dance, electric slide or macarena. Just don’t. Seriously.

Don’t put all of your budget eggs in one basket
You may think you found the most amazing venue (or dress or band or …) but if it doesn’t realistically fit within your budget it will inevitably add a ton of stress to the rest of the wedding planning. We are not against splurging if you find something that is perfect for you, but take the time to understand how it will affect the rest of your wedding. Are you prepared to skip the videographer for the photo booth? Trying to get both out of the budget for one means you will most likely end up with two mediocre products and you won’t be happy with either.

Don’t forget to ask for help! Loosen the vice grip on your DIY projects and pass them off to bridesmaids and family. They want to see your wedding turn out just as beautiful as you do.

Don’t trust anyone else’s vendor recommendations
Your best friend may have loved her florist, but she probably also had a different style, budget, venue and season for her wedding. Use recommendations to compile of list of initial contacts, but get personal after that. Hiring your dad’s favorite “one man band” sight unseen (true story) never has a happy ending.

Don’t compare weddings
Forgot all the weddings you’ve attended and your cousin’s wedding coming up three months after yours. The only way your wedding will be a perfect reflection of you and the love of your life is to focus on YOU. No two weddings are ever the same and that’s what makes them so wonderful!