CASEY GREEN WEDDINGS

Planning for a honeymoon can be just as exciting as planning the wedding itself! As you prepare for your romantic getaway, here’s a packing checklist to help ensure you have everything you need:

Honeymoon Packing Checklist for Newly Engaged Couples

Travel Essentials

• Passports and Visas: Ensure these are up-to-date and stored in a secure travel wallet.
• Travel Itinerary and Tickets: Keep a digital and a printed copy of your itinerary, flight details, hotel reservations, and any pre-booked tours.
• Travel Insurance Documentation: Bring a copy of your insurance policy details.
• Driver’s License: If you plan on renting a car, this will be necessary.

Clothing

• Daywear: Pack casual and comfortable outfits suitable for your destination’s climate.
• Evening Wear: Include a couple of dressy outfits for romantic dinners or special outings.
• Swimwear: Essential for beach destinations or hotels with pools.
• Outerwear: Consider a light jacket or sweater, even for warm destinations, in case of cooler evenings.
• Sleepwear and Undergarments: Comfortable options for both sleep and lounging.

Footwear

• Comfortable Walking Shoes: Essential for sightseeing days.
• Casual Sandals: Great for beach and pool areas.
• Dress Shoes: For evenings out.

Toiletries

• Personal Hygiene Items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and travel-sized shampoo and conditioner.
• Skincare Products: Sunscreen, moisturizer, and any daily skincare routines.
• Makeup and Haircare: Whatever you use regularly.

Health and Wellness

• Medications: Include any prescription medications, plus a basic first aid kit.
• Vitamins and Supplements: Bring what you regularly take.

Electronics

• Mobile Phone and Charger: Possibly including a portable charger.
• Camera: To capture those unforgettable moments.
• Travel Adapter: Necessary for international travel.

Other Essentials

• Sunglasses and Hats: Protection from the sun is key.
• Beach Bag: Handy for carrying essentials to the pool or beach.
• Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated on your adventures.
• Reading Materials: Books or e-readers for downtime.
• Snacks: Non-perishable bites for travel days.

Planning for Extras

• Honeymoon Registry Details: If applicable, include vouchers or paperwork.
• Small Gifts or Surprises: Little surprises for each other can enhance the experience.

Preparing with these essentials can help ensure a seamless and enjoyable honeymoon experience! This checklist covers the basics, but remember to customize it based on your destination and planned activities. Enjoy this precious time together as you start your married life!

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Casey Green Weddings, LLC | 2501 S Village Drive, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Choosing your wedding invitations can be overwhelming. From selecting the design, composing the phrasing and trying to remember all the different types of wedding stationary you will need – it’s easy to not know where to start.

To help you navigate it seamlessly, here’s a step-by-step guide to planning, designing, and sending your wedding invitations:

Establish a Timeline

There are a lot of philosophies around this topic, but here is my recommended invitation timeline.

• 9-12 months before your wedding – Send Your Save the Dates (with your wedding website link)
• 5 months before your wedding – Finalize your invitation Design
• 4 months before your wedding – Print and address your invitations; This gives you time for errors or slow shipping
• 3 months before your wedding – Mail your invitations
• 6 weeks before your wedding – Your RSVP Deadline (I believe you should have your relative final guest count numbers at least 30 days before your wedding. This deadline gives you a couple weeks to hunt down the silly guests who have not responded to your invitation.)

Finalize Essential Details

It is a best practice to have all the basic details you want to communicate in your invitations organized in one place as you start to look into invitation templates and components. Here is a short list of details to consider gathering before you begin the invitation design process:

Names of the Couple

Including the full names of the couple is a must. It’s usually the bride’s name followed by the groom’s, but variations exist depending on personal preferences and cultural traditions.

Wedding Date, Time & Location

Clearly state the date and time of the ceremony. Consider the format that will be most easily understood and elegant.

Venue Details

 Provide the full address of the wedding venue. For ceremonies and receptions held in different locations, you’ll need to specify each venue.

Dress Code

If the event has a specific dress code, this should be communicated clearly in the invitation to avoid any potential faux pas when guests are selecting their attire.

RSVP Details

Include a method for RSVPing, such as an email address, phone number, or reply card with a deadline. This helps with planning and seating arrangements.

Additional Information

Consider including additional cards or inserts with your invitations if there are more details guests should know. This might include accommodation details, a map, wedding website, or schedule of events.

Choose Your Invitation Components

Now that many couples use a website to communicate most of the details for their wedding to their guests, the invitation suite has become much smaller. Many couples now opt to keep the majority of their wedding details to “one page” with potentially one or two “detail cards”. However, these choices are all up to you. 

Here are the elements of an invitation you can consider to include for your invitations. (Keep in mind, the less pieces you include, the more money you save on invitations. My advice is to only create what you REALLY need.

Main Invitation Card

The main card is the heart of the suite. It contains the key details about the wedding ceremony such as:

• Names of the couple
• Date and time of the ceremony
• Venue name and address
• Names of the hosts (traditionally, these are the bride’s parents)

One Page Option to Consider

This “main invitation card” is the card that can be designed as the “one page” invitation. If you want to go this route, just be sure to include all the information above, as well as a link to your website and/ or online RSVP link.

Reception Card

If the reception is at a different location from the ceremony, a separate reception card is often included to provide guests with additional details like the reception venue and its timing.

RSVP Card

This is the card the guests will return when they RSVP to your reception. This can also be a card with a link to your online RSVP form. Here are elements to include on this card:

• A request for response by a specific date (Your RSVP deadline)
• A space for guests to write their names
• Menu options if needed (Be sure to ask the guest to specify who wants what entree, etc.)
• Return address (often printed on an accompanying envelope) (If mailing this as a separate card)

If you are opting to collect your RSVPs online (which I STRONGLY recommend), here are a few other questions you might ask during your RSVP process:

• Attending the Rehearsal Dinner/Welcome Reception? (If invited)
• Attending the Post Wedding Brunch?
• Where will this guest be staying for the wedding (If traveling for the wedding)
• What date will this guest be arriving and departing for the wedding (if traveling for the wedding)

Directions or Map Insert

Providing a small map or set of directions helps guests navigate unfamiliar areas and find the venue with ease. This can also include parking information if applicable.

Accommodation Card

For out-of-town guests, this card offers information about nearby accommodations. It might also list any negotiated rates (room blocks) and contact information for booking.

Wedding Website Card

Many couples now include a card directing guests to their wedding website, where they can find further details about the schedule, registry, and more.

Budget Tip: I find more and more – this is the only additional card couples add in addition to the Main Invitation Card listed above. If you are using your website to help communicate details for your wedding – it is a good idea to keep it simple and direct your guests to your website to RSVP and all other details for your wedding. Just printing these two cards will save you quite a bit of time and money for your wedding invitations.

Design Your Invitations

As with all the design aspects of your wedding, explore Pinterest and other sources of inspiration to see what invitation styles you like best. It is always a good idea to know what invitation designs you are drawn toward. This will help as we move through the invitation process. 

Here are a few elements to consider:

• Select a Format: Choose from flat, folded, pocket, or layered styles.
• Typography and Colors: Pick fonts and colors that match your wedding vibe.
• Personal Touches: Add monograms, embossing, or illustrations for personalization.

Work with a Designer or Print Service

Once you identify the style you like best, I highly recommend either working with a design professional or printing your invitations through a professional online printing service. Here are my two favorite online wedding template companies:

• Minted.com 
• BasicInvite.com

If you opt to work with a professional designer, check out this guide to help you know questions to ask during the hiring phase.

Order Sample Prints

Before placing your full order, it is always a good idea to order a sample of your invitation suite. This will allow you to double check for errors – but also to make sure you like the overall look and feel of your invitation. You can still easily make adjustments if the samples are not quite to your liking.

Prepare for Mailing

Here are a few components to navigate as you prepare to mail your invitations.

• Address Envelopes: Handwrite or hire a calligrapher for addressing, or use printed labels.
• Postage: Weigh a sample invite at the post office to determine postage and consider custom stamps for a distinct touch. 

• Protect your design: If you’re opting for fun design upgrades for your invitations, please be sure you cover all the elements with a smooth, standard outer envelope. Elements like wax seals and belly bands are beautiful but they can get caught in the mail feeders and cause your invitations to be rejected by your local postal service. Outer envelopes will solve this problem.

Send Your Invitations & Monitor Responses

As I mentioned above, I think mailing your invitations 3 months before your wedding with an RSVP deadline of 6 weeks before your wedding is perfect. This will allow you to have enough time to wrangle your “maybe” guests and still give you plenty of time to manage the final details of your wedding. 

Final Thoughts

By following these steps, you can plan, design, and send wedding invitations that beautifully represent your style and provide guests with all the essential details for your special day. With careful planning and attention to detail, your invitations will create excitement and anticipation among your guests, setting the stage for a memorable celebration.

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I hope this guide helps you create the perfect wedding invitations and ensures a smooth and stylish start to your wedding celebrations!

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Casey Green Weddings, LLC | 2501 S Village Drive, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

The topic of wedding rentals is vast. And there are many factors that determine what rentals you need for your wedding. 

If you are hosting your wedding at a traditional (event/wedding focused) location, your venue may already offer or include the majority of the rentals you need. 

However, if you are hosting your wedding in a more non-traditional space (i.e. a park, beach, backyard, etc.), the list of rentals you need to coordinate will be much larger. 

Because this topic can be overwhelming, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the world of wedding rentals – no matter what your specific rental need circumstance may be:

Venue Necessities

Tents & Canopies

If you are hosting any part of your wedding outside, considering tents/canopies is a must. Adding a tent or canopy to your outdoor event can be a lovely design decision. There are beautiful tents that allow you to create an elegant indoor vibe in a lovely outdoor setting. Also, consider if adding some simply canopies or umbrellas could be a good idea to add shade or comfort to your guests during any element of the ceremony or cocktail reception.

However, if you’re thinking – “I don’t want to add a tent to my space. I picked this location because it is so beautiful – adding a tent is going to completely disrupt the vibe.” That is totally cool too. I understand. If this is you, you will still need to coordinate and reserve a “weather back up tent” in case of inclement weather. While I know this can be a bit of a pain, and not a scenario you want to focus on, believe me you will be glad you did if you do experience bad weather on your wedding day. A well coordinated tent (with cool lighting, side walls and carpet) can be the difference between still having a fun day and having your wedding completely ruined.

Whether you’re considering a tent for design, guest comfort or simply in case of bad weather, they are a critical rental if any part of your wedding will be hosted outside.

Lighting

This is another critical element to consider. Not just for design reasons, but for safety reasons as well. You must make sure all areas of your wedding are lit (even if it’s dimly lit to maintain “the mood”).

Here are a few lighting styles to consider incorporating into your wedding:

String Lights

These easily and affordably add ambiance and warmth to both indoor and outdoor spaces. They are fairly easy to incorporate into any space and create a really lovely, cozy vibe for any style of wedding. 

Chandeliers

While this might sound a little over the top. Chandeliers are a great way to introduce a touch of glamour and sophistication. If you don’t have a high ceiling to work with, think outside the box. Sometimes using cool shepherd hooks about 6-10 feet tall

Uplighting

Enhances the venue’s architectural features and matches your wedding color scheme. Uplighting is also very powerful if you are hosting your wedding in any sort of ballroom. The walls of ballrooms bounce the lighting from the uplights very well and can easily take on any color or theme you might be trying to create.

Guest Comfort

Seating

Chairs and seating is actually a big element to consider for your wedding. We will touch on it again when we discuss your ceremony and reception set up. 

However, for this segment I want you to consider guest comfort outside of the ceremony and dinner reception. 

Lounge Furniture Sets

Do you need to add additional seating for guests during the cocktail hour or post dinner reception? Does your venue provide enough seating for older guests who might need a break from the dance floor? If not, you might consider adding a lounge set area or two? Lounge furniture sets can really elevate a space and add to your overall wedding aesthetic.

Simple Low Rounds

If lounge furniture rental is not in your budget, simply renting/requesting from your venue a couple 48” or 36” low rounds with linens accompanied by simple chairs (the same chairs you used for your ceremony or dinner reception) to sprinkle around both reception spaces will usually do the trick. 🙂 

Climate Control

Another guest comfort you want to be mindful of is the temperature of the environment for your wedding. This is especially critical if your wedding will be outdoors. Take note of the temperature specifically during the dinner hour. This is the time when the guests will stop moving and be much more aware of the outside temperature (whether it be too hot or too cold). Take preemptive measures to make sure your guests will be as comfortable as possible. Here are some rentals to confider.

Heaters

Essential for fall or winter weddings in outdoor settings. Decide if you plan to create hot spaces for guests to congregate to warm up OR if you want to try to warm the entire space. Heaters can be expensive $80-$150 each (depending on what rental companies/venues will charge for the propane and labor costs) – therefore you want to be strategic. For example, if you’re trying to warm the area for dinner, you will need to plan for at least one heater per table. If you’re settling to just create a simple area for guests to congregate to warm up, you can obviously get by with less heaters. 

Cooling Fans, Misters, Shade Creators

Just as heaters are essential for chilly days, having gentle fans, misters or umbrellas or canopies to create shade reprieve for your guests is equally important. If you are hosting your wedding during a warmer time of year, also remember to have plenty of water stations available to your guests. All of these components will help guests stay cool and collected throughout your wedding day.

Remember, while all of these rentals are an additional expense, keep in mind, your guest comfort is key to your wedding being an enjoyable experience for everyone. The last thing you want is your guests remembering being uncomfortable at your wedding – this will overshadow all other memories and experiences they have that day. Whatever these costs will be, iIt is definitely worth the investment.

Ceremony & Reception Setup

This is the meat and potatoes of your wedding rentals. The good news is many times your wedding venue will help you with these staple rentals. However, just in case you have to figure it our from scratch, here are the elements to consider:

Tables

Dining Tables

Round, rectangular, or farm-style tables for your reception.

• Round tables are the best if you are trying to fit the most guests in a smaller space.
  • The typical round tables sizes are: 60”(8-10 guests per table), 66” & 72” (10-12 guests per table); I find opting for the 60 table size is best if you are looking fir the most guests into your venue space.
• Rectangular tables (Farm/Wood tables or King/Queens tables) can be a fun option to mix with round tables or create more a feasting style look for your reception. These tables typically take up more space than rounds – therefore they might not be the best choice if you are trying to make the most of your space. Conversely if you have plenty of room, these are a fun way to fill a large space if needed.
  • The typical sizes for the rectangular tables are:
    • Wood/Farm Queens tables: 8’ long by 40” wide (You can fit, 4 guests on each side and 1 guest on each end caps (if you have to)
    • Kings Tables: 8’ long by 48” wide (You can fit 4 guest on each side and 2 guests on the end caps (if you have to)

High Cocktail Tables

Perfect for the cocktail hour or a casual setting. (As I mentioned in the guest comfort section above, also consider adding a few low cocktail tables as well for an inexpensive low seating option for guests.

Sweetheart Table

A special focal point where the newlyweds can sit during dinner. This table can be a 48” round or a 4’ or 6’ rectangular table. I strongly recommend you consider a sweetheart table (vs. a head table) for your wedding. Choosing a sweetheart table over a head table usually allows you much more flexibility with designing the layout for your reception – because it takes up a fraction of the space a head table does. However, this is completely up to you – and you can usually get creative and accommodate either option if a head table is your preferred choice. 🙂 

Chairs

Ceremony & Reception Chairs

Resin folding, chiavari, x-back, chameleon are just a few styles to consider. If your venue includes chairs, it is important to see what they are to make sure they vibe with your wedding design. I am usually all about being frugal with your design elements, however, chairs are one element I always recommend my couples “splurge” on if the chairs the venue offers are not the best. Because chairs will be sprinkled throughout your wedding, they have a large impact on the overall look of the wedding. What’s more your guests will be intimately interacting with the chairs – as they will be sitting on them for a good portion of the wedding. Your chairs are definitely an element of your wedding you need  to address and not overlook.

Linens & Tableware

Tablecloths and Runners:

Complement your theme and add texture. Linens are a great way to add dimension and fun details to the overall look for your wedding. However, if you’re trying to cut costs, opting for a basic floor length poly linen (in a neutral tone – white, ivory) is always a safe bet no matter your color scheme or theme.

Here is a quick guide to linen sizes I recommend for a floor length look for your chosen tables sizes:

• 60” round table = 120” round
• 66”/72” round table = 120” round
• Queens Table or Wood Farm Table = 90”x156” rectangular linen
• Kings Table = 108”x156” rectangular linen

Napkins

Napkins are a must have for the table. You can keep them basic or decide to upgrade them to a speciality linen or color. This is often a fun way to add interest to your table without adding costs to your design budget.  

Chargers

First of all – what is a charger? A charger is essentially a “placeholder plate” for your table setting. The china for your dinner will not actually be on the table when your guests sit down for dinner. Therefore adding a charger, finishes the look of the place setting. Chargers are beautiful – but honestly completely unnecessary. (Haha!). They can also be a little on the spendy side. Glass chargers usually start around $11 each (and go up). If you opt to purchase melamine chargers they can also be around $3-$5 per charger. Therefore if chargers aren’t in your budget, consider opting for a colored napkin (as I described above). Napkins can bring a fun pop to your table design, creating more of a finished place setting look while not breaking your budget.

Glassware, Flatware & Plates

These are the last elements of your table design to consider. They are truly small details most of your guests will not even notice. Therefore, if you’re able to use what your venue or caterer includes, I say go for it! However, if you have the budget, it is sometimes fun to explore additional decor options in these categories. These little details can really elevate the overall look and feel of your wedding tables.

Decorative Elements

Arches & Backdrops

In my opinion these rental elements are completely optional. If you have a tight wedding budget, know you can still have a beautiful wedding without adding these elements. However, if you do have some wiggle room in your budget for these elements – they are definitely fun additions.

Ceremony decor

 Arches, chuppahs, floral columns, pedestals all create a lovely sense of an “altar” space for your wedding. 

Photo Op Backdrops & Spaces

Arbor walls, wood panels, neon signs, lounge furniture, balloon installs and fun floral arrangements combos have really become a fun focal point for many weddings. If budget allows, it is sometimes fun to create a beautiful backdrop for guests to take photos and sit and mingle. Obviously, this is not necessary, but could be fun to explore if it is in your budget.

Dance Floor

Solid or patterned dance floors can be a fun way to spice up your reception. Also consider wrapping your dance floor with your personalized monogram or symbol for your wedding.

Entertainment & Extras: Audio/Visual Equipment

Sound Systems & Microphones

This is a critical component of your ceremony and your wedding reception. Do NOT rely on your officiant or guests to simply “project” for speaking elements of your day. Microphones and speakers for your ceremony, emcee announcements and toasts are a MUST. Be sure to figure out if you need to rent these elements or if your venue or vendors will provide them.

Power Access

Many of your vendors will need access to power for your wedding. Be sure you know where access to power is for all of your wedding spaces. Also be sure the power that is available at each wedding space is sufficient for ALL your vendor needs. The last thing you want, is for your DJ and lighting source to be plugged into the same power source – and accidentally overdraw the source – causing your lighting and music to “go dark”. Yikes. Definitely a record scratch type of experience you want to avoid.

Stages

Adding a stage might be a necessity for your DJ or Band – or it could completely just be a fun upgrade to offer your entertainment vendor. Stages for your ceremony or your entertainment vendor, definitely create a more elevated professional vibe for your wedding. They are fun additions (again, if they are in your budget).

Projectors & Screens

These are sometimes must have if you hope to incorporate a video or slideshow into your wedding. These elements are not always provided by your typical wedding venue or vendors and usually have to be outsourced. Good to start this process early if this is an element you want to incorporate into your wedding.

Final Thoughts

Whew! I know that was a lot. Believe it or not, what we just reviewed is just the tip of the wedding rental iceberg. You can definitely expand on this list if your vision and budget allows. However, considering these main categories will definitely give you a running start. 

Rentals can significantly enhance the atmosphere and functionality of your wedding. By understanding what elements align with your vision, you can strategically choose rentals that match your style, fit your budget, and ensure guest comfort. Partner with a reputable rental company to explore available options and make your vision a reality. Here’s to designing the wedding of your dreams with ease and elegance!

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I hope this guide helps you navigate the world of wedding rentals and create a memorable celebration!

If you’d like weekly wedding tips and secrets, but sure to subscribe!

Casey Green Weddings, LLC | 2501 S Village Drive, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Once dinner is served and the toasts are made, the real celebration begins at your post-dinner wedding reception! This is the time to relax, enjoy, and create unforgettable memories with your friends and family. 

Here’s how to plan a perfect post-dinner reception that keeps the energy and excitement going strong:

Set the Mood with Lighting

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating the right atmosphere for your reception. 

Consider:

• Ambient Lighting: Use string lights, lanterns, or uplighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
• Dance Floor Lighting: Consider colorful or moving lights to energize the dance floor.
• Candlelight: Add elegance and a romantic glow with candles on tables and around the venue.

The bottom line is, whatever lighting you choose, you want it on the darker side. The darker it is, the safer your guests feel to let loose a little bit and enjoy themselves on the dance floor.

Curate an Engaging Music Playlist

Music is a key element that sustains the vibe of your reception. Work with your DJ or band to create a playlist that includes:

• Must-Play Songs: Include your favorite hits and songs that are meaningful to you as a couple.
• Guest Favorites: Add crowd-pleasers that get everyone on their feet.
• Slow Dances: Include a few slow songs to offer guests a chance to catch their breath and enjoy a romantic moment.

Remember, it is okay to trust your DJ/Band for this segment of the night. The goal here is to get your guests out of their seats and dancing on the dance floor (or at least mingling around). Let your emcee read the room to see what is working to keep the guest energy high throughout the night.

Plan for Entertainment

Beyond dancing, plan additional entertainment to keep your guests engaged:

Some ideas might include:

Photo Booth

Photo Booths just never seem to go out of style. Photo booths create fun memories with personalized props and backdrops – and if you opt to print your photos – your guests will have a nice keepsake from the evening to take home. If you decide to host a photo booth for your dinner reception, I suggest opening the booth after dinner (skip cocktail hour). I find this timing allows your guests to loosen up a little bit and they are more likely to interact with the photo booth later in the evening.

Live Performances

Consider a surprise performance, instrumentalist, dancers, cultural show, tarot card reading, live artists – just a few ideas to consider.

Games or Interactive Activities

Offer games like giant Jenga, Connect Four or Cornhole for some lighthearted fun. They are always crowd pleasers.

Organize Special Moments

Highlight key moments during the reception to enhance guest experience

Here are some ideas:

First Dance

My favorite time to host your first dance is actually right after you are introduced as a couple for the first time (right before dinner). However, if this feels out of place for you, your first dance can also be a good way to kick off the “open dancing” portion of your evening.

Bouquet & Garter Toss

This is a tradition that is still popular among many couples. If you want to add this tradition to your wedding reception, my two cents is to make sure you have enough ladies and gentlemen for both “tosses”. The last thing you want is to call out your recently divorced friend and your 15 year old cousin as the only “single ladies” in the room to catch your bouquet. Gulp. 

Parent Dances

This is such an important tradition in my opinion. Even if your relationship with your parents is a little strained, or you’re concerned this dance might feel awkward, I would encourage you to still consider hosting parent dances at your wedding reception. Remember, this is more for your parents than it is for you. 

Offer a Late Night Snack

This is always a fun way to surprise and delight your guests. Late night snacks are still not always expected at wedding receptions, so guests are always eager to see what delicious snack will be presented to them later in the evening. 

Here are some fun ideas to consider:

• Snack Stations: Consider mini sliders, tacos, or pizza slices.
• Sweet Treats: Offer a dessert bar with cookies, donuts, or cake pops.

Remember, this is a place to get creative. Is there a special snack that is your ultimate favorite that everyone will know is uniquely you? For example, are you a big buffalo chicken wing guy? This might be a great time to feature and share your favorite chicken wing recipe with your friends and family.

Arrange a Special Farewell

It is always a good idea to have a plan for how you want to end the evening. The goal is to leave your guests wanting more! 

Here are a few ideas to consider:

Grand Finale Song

Choose a favorite song you know your wedding guests love and will know the words to – the goal here is to have everyone shouting the lyrics at the top of their lungs and then come in for a big group hug after the song is over. This is my favorite way to end the evening.

Grand Exit

Another option is to choose a coordinated send off for yourselves. There are many ways to do this, but I suggest skipping trendy things like sparklers (which are often not allowed at many venues) and consider elements like bubbles (bubble guns are the best) and maybe lighted wands. Both of these items photograph well and are usually approved by the venue because they make minimal mess.

Getaway Car

Consider hiring a driver with a fancy car (sports car, vintage car, limo) to drive you off into the “evening” sunset at the end of the night. If you opt to go this route, make sure you have pre-planned for a “go bag” with all your essentials for the evening. This will allow for quick goodbyes and a fun way to end your wedding day. 

Have a Strike Plan

Ensure the end of your reception runs smoothly by creating a strike plan. The last thing you want to have to manage at the end of your wedding day is a bunch of questions regarding what to do at the end of the night. Get these details sorted out WELL in advance.

Make sure the following details are pre-arranged and planned for:

End of the Night Point Person

Whether it’s your Mom, best friend or favorite sober uncle, determine who is in charge of making sure all your decor, gifts, cards, leftover alcohol is accounted for and properly transferred at the end of the evening?

Decor & Event Strike Plan

Who is responsible for breaking down the event? In most cases, these details will be managed by your vendors. However, it is important to double check that you do not also have responsibilities for elements of the strike.

Guest Transportation

 It is always a nice gesture to arrange options for guest transportation if needed, such as shuttles or ride-sharing services. (Especially for guests who may have accidentally over indulged during the wedding.)

End Time

Be sure to confirm any venue restrictions regarding end times or noise limitations. Do everything in your power to make sure these guidelines are adhered to. 

Final Thoughts

The wedding reception is the heart and soul of your wedding. Take some time to consider the different aspects you want to include – and be sure to make them your own. 

With a little strategic planning you’ll create a celebration that is lively, engaging, and will leave your guests talking about your wedding for years to come!

I hope this guide helps you orchestrate a post-dinner reception that perfectly caps off your special day! If you’d like more free wedding planning tips and resources please subscribe to my blog to receive weekly updates to help you plan the wedding of your dreams. 🙂

Happy Planning!

Casey Green Weddings, LLC | 2501 S Village Drive, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

No matter how many weddings you have attended, when it comes to planning your own ceremony, the task can be a little daunting. You thought all you really needed to worry about was saying “I do”. In reality your ceremony may be a little more complicated. Now if you are planning a faith based ceremony, you will be off the hook – a little bit. More than likely your faith leader will guide you through the ceremony process.

However, you may need a little guidance if you’re not planning a faith based ceremony. 🙂

Here’s my usual guide to creating a meaningful and loving ceremony for your wedding.

Prelude

Approximately 30 minutes before the start of your ceremony, you will want to have music playing and ushers at the ready to welcome your guests as they arrive. Music can be provided by the venue, DJ or maybe an acoustic instrument like a string trio, classical guitar or harpist. Be sure to choose music that fits the overall theme and tone you’re hoping to set for your entire wedding. This music is a little bit like an “event first impression” for your guests.

Seat Honored Guests

Honored guests may include folks like grandparents, parents, siblings, etc. These are individuals are usually immediate family who are not in the wedding party. Ushers usually assist with the seating of these individuals immediately before the formal wedding processional begins. This process usually signifies the beginning of the wedding ceremony.

Wedding Party Processional

After the honored guests are seated, the music typically changes, and the processional begins. Bridesmaids and Groomsmen usually lead off. They can walk down the aisle as pairs or individually depending on the makeup of the wedding party. Then the ring bearers and flower girls steal the show. Finally, the music changes, all the guests rise and the bride and her escort walk down the aisle.

Officiant Provides Welcome Remarks

After the processional, the officiant usually opens the ceremony with a welcome to the guests and possibly share an inspirational story about marriage and talk about your love story.

Vows

After the officiant has laid the foundation, it is now time for you to exchange your vows. You can chose to recite your vows or write your own. If you choose to be brave and write your own vows, check out my post on how to write your own vows. I hope it will make the task less daunting – and super meaningful!

Ring Exchange

Your officiant will walk you through this portion. Just do your best to pay attention and follow your officiant’s directions! 😉 This is often a “repeat after me” segment. Therefore, don’t forget to do a little exploring for this segment. You can be as traditional or creative as you want to be for this section.

Add a Unity Custom

This is the time when you might consider including a unity candle or sand ceremony. Or maybe a beloved family member will give a reading or sing a special song. If you need a little inspiration, check out this article for some unity ceremony ideas.

Pronouncement

This is when your officiant makes your union official and announce you as “Mr. & Mrs.” (or however, you want to be announced) to the wedding guests.

The Kiss

I suggest you practice this one a few times… 😉

Recessional Music

This music should be fun and joyful! I suggest you pick a song that makes you both feel happy and makes you want to dance.

Recessional

This is basically the processional backwards. You and your fiance will lead the way, followed by your maid of honor and best man and then your remaining wedding party will bring in the rear.

Well done!

You did it! You planned your ceremony program!

Now you should celebrate by practicing your cocktail reception! 😉 Maybe try to craft your favorite signature cocktail. Just for practice, of course! 😉

Happy ceremony planning!

All my best,

Casey

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Casey Green Weddings, LLC | 2501 S Village Drive, Cottonwood, AZ 86326