AllGood Wedding Tips for November!

Welcome to "AllGood" Wedding Tips!  As the wedding planner at the Ruthe Jackson Center, my total docus is to provide you with the support and information that you need to have the perfect wedding!  If your wedding is next year or right around the corner, I know that it is a top priority on your list of things to think and plan about.   The Ruthe Jackson Center staff has handpicked useful ideas and information with he same meticulous care and concern that you would, saving you the hassle of research and the inconvenience of traveling around town.  Our single goal is to help you create your memory of a lifetime!

That's right, there are only 2 months left in 2011!  Many couples our there are starting to plan their 2012-2013 weddings.  Of all the decisions couples must make about their wedding day, the wedding and reception location is one of the most important.  Make sure to consider your unique needs to make the right decision.

Wedding and reception sites range from ballrooms to gardens, with costs from inexpensive to outrageous. Out of all the potential wedding reception venues, how are brides and grooms supposed to choose the right one for them?  According to The Wedding Report, the respected authority on wedding trends, more couples are choosing the same location to have their ceremony and reception, up 10% over last year's survey!

Indoor or Outdoor Weddings

The first thing a bride and groom need to decide is whether they want an indoor or outdoor wedding and/or reception, and then narrow their list of venues from there. If you choose an outdoor wedding and an indoor reception,  make sure to ask about the facility's contingency plan in case of rain.

Number of Wedding Reception Guests

The volume of guests expected will pay a large part in the type of wedding site you need to reserve.  A backyard wedding would be doable with fewer than 50 guests, but a larger party with a hundred or more guests will need to be a more structured affair held at a respected wedding facility.  Just keep in mind that respected facilities are keenly aware of what it takes to host a flawless, pressure-free event.  Your special day is the total staff focus, and you and your guests will feel relaxed and pampered!

After locating venues of interest, be prepared on the tour to ask all of the questions on your list - yes, you must prepare a list of important questions!

• What's the decor like?  When your guests walk into the lobby of the venue, what is the WOW factor?
• Does the venue have adequate parking and s there a cost?
• What are the catering policies?
• What are the cake policies?
• Are there any photography policies?
• Do they have adequate coat check and bathroom facilities?
• Is the wedding venue wheelchair accessible?  If not, are there any stairs to climb?
• How close is the parking to the ceremony and reception sites?
• What's the cancellation policy?
• What is the payment schedule? What kind of deposits are required?
• What are the overtime charges, if any?
• Do they have a liquor license?
• Is there room in the venue for a band/DJ and/or dancing? What are the policies?
• Does the garden or reception space provide A/V for a slideshow or sound for music and mic'ing the officiant.
• Is a rehearsal included and is there a price or time limitation?
• Is there a space for the bride and groom to change?
• Does the venue have a designated person that you work with before the day of your wedding?
• Are there any limitations on decor?
• Are candles or other open flames allowed?
• If it's an outdoor location, do they have any backup plans for inclement weather?
• Is there a preferred vendor list?

It is so very easy to be caught up with excitement and forget that there are lots of questions that need to be answered.  Take notes and realize that no question is out of the question!

Until next time, Happy Planning!

- Cheryl Allgood, Certified Wedding and Event Planner for the Ruthe Jackson Center