Wedding Inclusions

Hi Ladies,

We will be setting a date in the next few months, but wanted to get your opinion of what inclusions you just HAD to have on your big day! Would you change anything like add entertainment or do something different?

The more I receive packages from reception venues, the more I'm noticing the 'additional' cost for sashes, yet another reception venue will include those in their price :rolleyes:

Also, how do you think the invitations should be set out? My mum first or DP's parents? My grandfather will be walking me down the aisle :)

We are also planning on having a jumping castle for the kids, but would like some sort of show for the adults (obviously not rude!) what would you suggest?

This stuff is doing my head in!!! :lol:

congratulations on your upcoming nuptials

when it comes to what to include, it's very simple. Whatever you want. So take a look at all the suggestions the wedding receptions have offered, and work from there to make a list that you and your DF are happy with. My wedding was very simple, with minimal guests and no music, just a nice intimate dinner. Others I know would not have wanted the day without a dance, and table centrepieces, not to mention favours their guests take home with them. None of that was important for me but I can see why it would have been nice to plan it all.

For a show for the adults, have you thought about a magician? I saw one once at a reception dinner and it was hilarious, and so entertaining. Plus I bet it will be something your guests will remember for a long time.

Have fun planning :D

Ooooh, congrats! We had a DJ which was ok but I wished we had got a band it would have provided much more atmosphere. If you start looking sooner rather than later you might find one at a reasonable price. Or those people (usually comedian or singer) who mingle with the guests posing as a waiter and then burst out into song or something are usually fun. I went to a conference dinner with the '3 waiters' they had everyone fooled and were brilliant. People love bands so I guess that could pass as entertainment for the adults too?
I think traditionally the brides parent/s go first on invites but these days people vary so much from tradition anyway.
The big thing I HAD to have was good food! I am so fussy with food so a venue that served up crap food would have ruined the whole day for me.
Good luck and happy planning, such an exciting time!!

Thanks :) I was actually saying to DP the other day, I dont know how comfortable our guests would be being put on the spot infront of everyone. I dont want anyone to feel unco. itms? Our families dont know each other, so there might be a fair bit of awkwardness but we'll see, I do like the idea of the 'waiters'

I'm actually a bit annoyed with a few reception places as I've asked for a package which includes pricing but only a few people had actually sent a package through the others told me to make a booking. Sorry, If you cant be bothered sending me a package I cant be bothered visiting your premise, Ill take my money elsewhere :)

All in all, we've pretty much decided on a venue, just need to negotiate price & select entertainment :) Will def keep in mind the singing waiters idea tho - i personally think thats cool :D

um, everything was really done by someone else... I had ideas, but most of them didn't get used (long - long story). I did, however, get my morning wedding! It started at 8am. And fresh Lavender for my bouquet, which apparently is hard to find in March :D

My wedding was awesome. The best day ever. We didn't spend a fortune, we just listed what was important to us and made it happen. I wanted a band and I wanted people to be comfortable. I didn't want my guests to have to 'get through the night' because they were sitting next to a loud/shy/old/young person IYGWIM, so I arranged seating so that everyone knew each other. I didn't have a parents table- I had a table for DH's fam and a table for mine. My DH's family are 'socially awkward', whereas my family are 'out there' lol....everyone ended up mingling thanks to the band ....we had an awesome night.

Do what YOU want to do- not what tradition tells you. Most people don't give a crapola these days as long as they are fed well they will be happy!

Good luck!

delphmoon - love your avi.

My 'theme' was good food, good drinks and good fun. I wanted everyone up and dancing as well. We only had 60 people and had a live band - at the end of the night every single person was dancing and it turned into this crazy danceoff thing with everyone having a go in the centre - it was a classic! even the uncles and crankies got in on it!!!

Our venue set up all the tables, we had to put the name places on them. the venue provided the bridal table flounces etc and cake table. We made our own runners (so easy and pretty cheap); used the centre pieces from my sister's wedding which were gold tulip tea light candles bought from the $2 shop, three sizes. I spent a couple of hundred on having fresh flower arrangements on the tables as well - in yellow, green and white (spring wedding).

We used the bouquets to "decorate'' the bridal table and cake table. We used the two big flower arrangments (these were one of the biggest expenses of the day) that were at the end of the aisle during hte ceremony as features in the venue ie one on the grand piano and the other over the fireplae (looked fab).

OUr venue was just so lovely that it didn't need a lot of dressing up.

We did bonboniere (sp) - locally made choc truffles which we bought in bulk and put in smalll noodle boxes bought cheap off the net. tied with ribbon and a thank you (which i made myself).

All in all it was such a great event. My big thing is no one remembers the table settings etc so just make it look nice and not OTT iykwim but people do remember if they have fun! so i'd be spending my money on doing something spesh. Our live band was cheap cos it was through mates, but they were absolutely fabulous and worth double what we paid.

Also speeches were huge - all ours were fairly short but ALL of them were really great. funny and entertaining - no waffling at all!

We also sat friends with friends etc so people felt comfy. The bridal table was me, dh and our parents... the bridesmaids/groomsmen sat with their partners at another table so their partners didn't feel awkward being lumped with strangers.

To break the akward 'people don't know each other thing" we had a combined hens and bucks night a few nights before the wedding. Dinner and drinks at the RSL which 45 of the 60 guests made it to and then all the young ones hit the clubs :) This gave our day a great party atmosphere and everyone felt like they already me... i reckon that made a huge difference.

ooh gas bag.
hth
ox