Flower Power

www.paradisebeachflorist.com if you are getting married in the Melbourne area or need flowers, I recommend this place. Mind you I do not use flowers at all in my life but one of the weddings I attended had theirs done by Paradise Beach and I thought they were beautiful. No 2 were alike and each was done with such uniqueness.

Photos

If you come from a family that has had divorces and remarriages, long lost cousins or a really great friend who flew in from Australia you may want to consider writing a list of professional pictures you want. We have a large family and at my brothers wedding my sister didn’t get in any of the posed photos. They were taken all evening randomly but she was dealing with a sick flower girl and no on thought about it until it was too late. At the church family photos were taken but not enough time was allotted, the limo was waiting and the reception, so we left thinking we would gather again but it didn’t happen.
Make a list ahead, have both of you make one, ask the mom to make one and compare, then compile to create one. I will be photographing a wedding in a few weeks and I plan on going by my list, plus taking many random shots as well, but I do not want to forget an important person to the bride / groom.

added 2/9/09 from the wedding that I took the photos, I love this one!

Introducing...

As a person who grew up with an 11 letter last name, 24 total in my entire name, let me tell you if you have unique names in your wedding party you better make sure the DJ knows how to say them. Writing in phonetically might not be all you need to do. This should be done in advance unless you want the DJ to stall while trying to figure out how the heck to say the names of your friends or family. Nowadays all kinds of first names are spelled weird, if so; just spell it the correct way.

Coordinating

Music – even if you are not responsible for the DJ, have everything cc to you so you are in the loop. Luckily the bride sent me the same emails that she sent the DJ and I printed each one out and kept them with me. About 3 minutes before he was to introduce them he told me he forgot the list with the names of everyone in the party including parents. I ran and got my copy for him to use, good thing because I didn’t know all but 4 of them. Having an agenda is helpful to the DJ as well; often I referred to it and told him what was coming up. I tried to have him play a song to give me time to let people know what was coming. The groom’s mother was appreciative for the heads up that her dance was 2 songs away. Just before everyone leaves glance around for any left behind items. I saw a suit jacket and shoes, so I had the DJ announce it. The jacket was returned to its owner but the shoes were not, another guest did take them though.
Rentals – the wedding I helped with rented a dance floor, tables and linens. Of course check everything on the list before the rep leaves. They provided 2 linen bags to collect the dirty linens. I personally checked them before putting them in the bags before I left so I had some piece of mind that everything was accounted for. Also find out ahead what the company’s policy is in returning things. Will they pick it up and if so can it be stored at the reception until then?

Coordinating

Some things I learned, a few too late, but would be helpful:
Well before the big event find out who you should contact should a situation arise. You don’t want to assume you should call the bride. Although I called the bride during the week I managed to call the maid of honor the day of for the circumstances that were not foreseen (thank you Ashley!). The family pitched in where needed and the bride hopefully didn’t know any different. If you have anything technical that is going to be done, such as a video or slide show, I cannot recommend enough that you try this several days ahead of the event. The couple I helped was unable to show their DVD because it didn’t work the way they wanted, this was after 2 family members trying over an 1 hour prior to the ceremony. Also at my brother’s wedding he sweated quite a bit trying to get a slide show he spent countless hours making to work…which it did, and it was so awesome.
Bakery – having a copy of all contracts is a must, this way you know what each vendor is supposed to bring. Also have a time frame of when to expect them. Find out ahead of time if the bakery will supply the bride & groom with a replica of their top for the 1st anniversary. Knowing this ahead of time will save some running around during cake cutting. Most companies now provide this service but you would hate to find out they didn’t and their cake top was already cut & eaten. If the bakery is providing the stand, find out how it will get back. Don’t forget to get the topper to return to the couple and any other ornaments used to decorate, also the cutter.
Florist – if centerpieces are ordered find out who owns the containers. If the bride & groom do they may want to “raffle” them off, perhaps with a dot under the plate or some other cute way. Play a song, pass a cloth napkin around and when the music stops that person gets the centerpiece. If the bride & groom do not own them find out ahead of time what is to be done with them. Check on the special items, such as the throw away bouquet. The wedding I helped with, the flowers were left on the cake table but I had no idea, fortunately the maid of honor realized it in time.