Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb2016

91 / 194

91 | |
I started performing wedding ceremonies in 2010. Each ceremony is
solemn yet joyous and filled with emotion. So many couples are ready
to repeat their vows but not prepared for the intensity of their feelings at
the precise moment. I’ve seen tears of joy welling up in the eyes of both
bride and bridegroom. I’ve heard giggling and laughter. It is an amazing
moment. But there is a lot of planning leading up to that perfect moment.
Weddings are expensive and the costs can quickly get out of control. Many
brides attempt to skimp in some areas to try to keep the cost low, but that
can backfire. And your wedding is way too important to take that risk.
If you’re recently engaged, here are some very important things to consider.
• First, set a budget and do your best to stick with it.
You’ll see so many ideas you like, and the budget can
double or triple before you know it. A spreadsheet is
helpful to keep track of your spending.
• Determine the size of your guest list. This is one area
that can get out of hand very quickly, so be prepared
to cut the number of guests. It is better to have a
simple ceremony with family and friends who are most
meaningful than to go into debt paying for a big party
with lots of people you don’t even know.
• Hire a wedding planner. If you can’t afford a full-service
planner, look for a day-of planner to oversee the wedding.
No matter how efficient you are, you will not be in the
mood to handle last-minute snafus while you are getting
ready to walk down the aisle. You can always ask a friend
or family member to handle this chore, but remember
they would like to enjoy the festivities, too.
• Come up with a theme for your wedding and
reception. It doesn’t have to be over the top, but you will
want the event to be coordinated, down to the color of
the napkins. For the reception, you’ll need to consider
table settings – from linens, dishes and glassware to
centerpieces. A caterer may take care of these details for
you with your direction.
• Choose your venue. Charleston has many great wedding
venues. Some are small, designed for small groups. Others
are large enough to handle 200 or more guests. Weekend
dates are usually most expensive, so you can save quite a
bit by choosing a weekday. Many venues require you to
use their vendors – or pay a premium for the vendors of
your choice.
• Choose your caterer carefully. You may not have time
to enjoy even a bite, but your guests will remember forever
how wonderful (or how unpleasing – yes, it happens) the
food was. It’s smart to ask friends for recommendations
and to meet with several caterers to sample dishes. Ask
questions. You need to know if food will be prepared
in advance and brought to the location and how many
servers there will be to handle your group. The same goes
for beverages. Will you have just wine and beer or a full
bar? Will there be licensed bartenders? Many venues have
specific rules for caterers and bar service.
• The photographer will be responsible for recording
the memories. The wedding is a moment in time, and
you will want amazing photos to remember every moment
of the day. Photographers may seem very expensive, but
they typically work eight to 10 hours, taking thousands
of shots. This is not the time to have a friend or relative
do you a favor. You want a professional taking these very
important pictures.