Candles with your centerpieces:

I had one occasion that the florist did not think this through and as nice as the candelabra were, we had to remove them because they were not tearless candles. If your centerpiece contains candles, first check with your venue about the fire codes and their rules and regulations (since some of the venues only allow candles in a glass). Most of the florists know the candles need to be tearingless and not over the average size.

If you have a wedding planner they can take care of this but if you don’t, make sure someone is going to check all the centerpieces before it’s all set and done. Unfortunately I have seen some florists that they try to put “not so fresh flowers” in between the centerpieces and it does not look good.

The cocktail tables at the cocktail reception:

You must have a centerpiece at each table. After all this is one place that you can design and decorate differently from the main reception room (if you like more than one kind of flower or color theme).Don’t forget the bathrooms, hallways, bars, side rooms, piano, etc.  I had a bride who was willing to pay for the lobby’s main flower arrangement to match her flowers and believe it or not it looked awesome.

Place card table, Menus, Programs, Favors and the Cake table:

Most of the time brides and grooms drop off these items and leave them for the planner or the hotel manager to arrange. Unless your planner or hotel staff has a good vision and/or a taste for decorating, you will get the most basic design. Bring a picture of your favorite place card table; cake table etc.… Let them know how and where you want things to be. Having pictures not only makes things more exciting but also differentiate your wedding from the others.

Make sure you take a one last look at your ballroom and set up before the doors open.  No one knows your vision as well as you do and you generally must have enough time to fix things if they needed to be fixed.

Look for these:

• The menus: Are they the same way you wanted them? They all need to look organize and professionally put. Trust me it shows in the pictures.
• The napkins: Are they all the same set up, same place and most importantly the way you wanted them. Be very specific on how you want your napkins to fold.
• Check the favor, gift and cake table.
• Place card table is my favorite; I think it’s one of the most important things in the wedding. Check it out and make sure your photographer takes pictures of each one of the above setups. These pictures will make a very nice thank you and anniversary card.

Small details that often get forgotten until the last min:

• Pass/ rounds: Champagne, your specialty drinks and it’s all about the presentation when it gets to the pass hors d’oeuvres.
• Matches and plates for the unity candles.
• Chairs for the bride and groom for Hora dance and easel & frame for the Ketubah (Jewish weddings).
• An additional pair of shoe with a slightly different height for the bride (I can’t stand the flip-flops).
• Always have someone test the microphone before the ceremony.
• Poems and speeches (seriously double-check this one, I had a best man who embarrassed the hell out of my bride and groom with his speech).
• Sign: please turn off your cell phones!
• Tape to tape any loose wires from the band.
• For the ones they could not make it: FB or Tweet for friends or family members even if it’s one picture

• Double check with the venue management: Air condition and heaters. Staffing for the day of.
• If outside: Outside heaters, Umbrella, Throw and blankets, Extra pillows.

Don’t forget: To take your cake top.

with love,

Ferinoosh