What I Know For Sure About Weddings With a Big, Large (Grande!) Guest List!

Shawn & Nicola, 2007

Grand Hilton Hotel, Seattle, WA

photo courtesy: www.jenandjody.com

I had the honor of marrying the very delightful Nicola and handsome Shawn in a wedding ceremony before a packed room of family and friends at the Grand Hilton Hotel this Spring.

Nicola and Shawn had quite the troop of family and friends - a very large gathering of people who were so happy about the marriage of this very delightful couple.

If you are planning a wedding with a large guest list, here are a three things I know for sure - tips I've picked up from "working behind the scenes" at many a wedding:

- If you have a large guest list, please consider my :30 minute rule - i.e., if you're having a 4:00 p.m. wedding, put 3:30 p.m. on your invites. This gives you more room to elegantly welcome people and fudge time if there are traffic snafus, etc.

- If you can squeeze it into the budget (delete other things!), hire a "day of" coordinator to help be your "air traffic controller" on your wedding day. In my opinion, there isn't better money spent. And if you'd like a referral, please let me know.

- Give guests a "job" and/or directions. Before your pronouncement in your wedding ceremony and/or in your ceremony program, give guests directions on "what to do next" once the ceremony is concluded. People like knowing what's going on and if they have have a strong sense of "what to do next," your reception starts in a smoother manner.

Making Your Wedding Processional Uniquely Your Own...Beginning your Wedding Ceremony...

Lauren & Steven

May 12, 2007, Whidbey Island, WA

On Saturday, May 12th, I had the honor of marrying Lauren and Steve at the Whidbey Institute on Whidbey Island.

Lauren and Steven made the opening of their ceremony uniquely their own. A large bell was rung to signal the beginning start of their ceremony. Beautiful harp music then began and the wedding party entered. For their entrance, Lauren and Steven together walked down a high dirt path outside of the ceremony area and took their time - enjoying the two minutes or so that it took them to make their way to the ceremony area. And when they entered, there were smiles all the way around.

As you work to create your ceremony start or "processional," look for elements to add that make it unique and special for the two of you. You don't have to do the "same 'ol, same 'ol" when it comes to a processional. Today, couples are shaking up ritual so that a wedding ceremony reflects a couple's tastes, interests, relationship and elegantly includes family and friends.

Wedding Ceremony Weather - Rainy, Cool, Very Hot - A Few Important Planning Tips...

Ryan and Jennifer Bolz *

May 27, 2007, Parsons Garden, Seattle

"and the sun shined through...

I officiate at many outdoor wedding ceremonies.

And there is this thing called "Northwest weather."

In planning your outdoor ceremony here are a few ideas and thoughts to consider if you need to go to "Plan B" on your wedding day:

On the morning of your wedding ceremony: Don't wait until an hour or two before your ceremony to make a decision about the rainy or cloudy weather. To make things easier and more elegant your wedding day, make your best decision as early as possible as to the location of your wedding ceremony and stick with it.

Create a "weather team" - Yes, if a week or so before your wedding the weather forecast is looking iffy, assign a couple of people jobs and tasks if you need to go to "Plan B." This way, there is a plan in place with specific people to move the ceremony indoors, call a list of guests, etc., change venues, etc. And if the weather is looking iffy and you still want to hold your ceremony outdoors, reserve and rent a tent for the occasion.

"Rain" is one thing - "Heat" is another - In this work that I do, I've officiated in the cold and rain and more often than this, in the blazing heat. And here is what I know for sure: many of my couples get married in the hot summer months and being married in 90' degree sun isn't comfortable. If you are being married outdoors and on a very hot summer day, consider being married in the shade (makes for better pictures!) or under some cover so that you and your family/friends aren't melting.

Just thoughts for this cloudy Monday morning...

*** Beautiful photo by Sean Werner, Werner's Photography, www.weddingphotog.com