Planning your wedding is something that you need to start well in advance. There are just so many things to think about and so many decisions to be made that you simply cannot do it all in the space of a couple of weeks. Ideally, you should begin by writing a checklist of everything that you need to do/order/prepare and then you can tick each individual item off as you go.
Apart from the ceremony itself, where you will need welcome signage, wedding programme/order of service, possibly an aisle runner and ceremony arch, and definitely confetti, there is a whole long list of things that you will need for the reception.
At Kenza Creations we have produced a checklist for you, some of which you may not need and some of which will or may be provided by the venue. For instance, you will need tables and chairs, but unless you are hiring an empty church hall, for example, the venue should provide them.
Obviously, you will need cutlery and silverware, along with glassware. You will need a seating chart, and that of itself will take some planning because you may not want Uncle Jim to be sitting next to Cousin Rachel because they are not on speaking terms. Ensuring that you take family preferences into account when planning the seating can actually be quite complicated.
When you have completed the seating plan, you will then need table numbers and place names. Naturally, you will need centrepieces for the tables, and here you can let your imagination run riot if you wish. You don’t always have to use flowers, but whatever you do decide upon in the way of wedding venue decorations should blend in with the rest of the décor. Some people prefer to use minimalist design for the centrepieces, and this does have the advantage of keeping expenses down, while others choose to use expensive floral designs. Remember that the centrepiece for the bride and groom’s table should stand out from all the rest, as they are the focus of the day.
You will also need menus and you will require a cake stand and knife. Depending on your choice of venue, it may be able to provide these, but if not, they can be hired from an outside source. This is the sort of thing that you need to check with the venue.
You will obviously need table linen, napkins, and possibly seat covers. Then, of course, there is the choice of the menu itself. Does the venue provide the catering, or will you need to hire outside caterers? The type of menu will depend partly on the couple and their families. For instance, if you are Asian, your choice of food will doubtless be very different from cockney families from the East End of London.
Don’t forget the wedding cake. This needs to be ordered in plenty of time from a supplier, because it may well need to be baked some time in advance and iced just before the day.
Then there is the question of the overall décor. You may want lots of drapery and special lighting, and again, Asian weddings tend to go for really plush designs with drapes, and lots and lots of flowers, whereas other religions or those of no religion at all may opt for a much more minimalist approach.
You will also need a dessert table, and a bar or drinks station. Ideally, a bar is preferable so that guests can be served by a bartender.
Don’t forget the guest book and wedding favours, and you also need a wedding gifts table on which to display all the gifts. If you are having an evening reception, you may also want sound equipment and lighting, a DJ and music. Some receptions also include a photo booth and props, but if you are using a wedding photographer you can do without these.
Of course, at Kenza Creations we can supply and arrange most of this for you. Certainly, we can provide all the décor that you will need, drapes, flowers, chandeliers, candleholders, and much, much more. What you need to do is to book an appointment with us so that we can all sit down and discuss your plans, and you can browse our huge selection of decorative items, and also leaf through our gallery for ideas.