By Georgina Clatworthy

Throughout your wedding planning you will probably be told about how important paying attention to detail is & how it is the finishing touches that will make your wedding unique.  But much of the time you are not told exactly what these details or finishing touches are!

Colors & themes:  you will probably have begun thinking about your wedding colors without any prompting; it seems natural to most of us to use a combination of colors for almost everything we do.  Be it weddings or simply getting dressed in the morning!  What is important now is that every little detail & every finishing touch matches or coordinates with those colors.

Details actually lend themselves to providing accent colors, which are often very bold & which many would shy away from using in any great quantity.  Consider a scheme of pale pink & cream – a timeless wedding classic!  Adding details in chocolate brown or antique gold would bring this scheme to life & add interest.

With themes you need to coordinate your details with not only color in mind but theme as well.  Table centers arranged in Grecian urns would look odd in a Medieval wedding theme.  Likewise an Art Deco wedding theme would look strange presented in a color scheme of aqua blue & chocolate brown!  With wedding themes it pays to do some research & collect together a scrapbook of images showing various details which you could use.

Motifs, patterns & monograms: these will all be things you will consider primarily for your wedding stationery & then continue in smaller details at your wedding.  For instance, wedding monograms are popular on stationery, labels or tags on wedding favors & decoration on the wedding cake.

Patterns can not only be incorporated into your wedding stationery, but also into your table linens, napkins, wedding cake & wedding favors.

Motifs are another important element used in weddings.  Consider how bells & doves have become synonymous with weddings although these days many brides will choose something less traditional.  If you choose a motif for your wedding invitations continue it on your wedding programs, menus & other stationery items.  Also include it on your wedding favors either in printed labels, stickers or tags.

Flowers: Even if you don’t intend on using them for your table centers you will still have some floral elements such as your bouquet & bridesmaid posies.  Ensure your flowers coordinate with your wedding style & colors, for instance if your wedding has an Asian theme choose exotic flowers like orchids & other blooms like lilies, chrysanthemum’s & dahlias.  If your wedding is traditional in style then choose traditional flowers like roses, lilies & baby’s breath.

Wedding favors:  coordinate your choice of favor with your wedding style or theme & if there is a color choice coordinate that as well.  Do the same with your packaging, choosing color coordinated packaging &/or decorations such as ribbons, tags & stick on embellishments.

To finish here is a handy list of all the finishing touches & little details you need to consider:

• Colors
• Theme
• Motifs/monograms
• Patterns
• Flowers
• Table centers
• Wedding cake & topper
• Wedding stationery
• Wedding favors
• Your accessories
• Your attendants accessories
• Your table linens, crockery, cutlery & glassware
• Decorations for the venue
• Guestbook

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Custom made table plans from a wedding stationery store can actually be quite pricey, but you can save yourself money if you make your own.  Table plans are not difficult to make & you may actually find yourself enjoying the distraction from all the other wedding ’stuff’ that’s going on.

Whether you’re a nervous beginner or a crafty expert, our step by step guide will show you how to create a table plan you can be proud of!

Things you will need:

• Large piece of polyboard about 5mm thick about 60 x 38 cm
• Colored paper such as wrapping paper in your chosen wedding colors
• Thin white card
• Quality paper suitable for printing on
• Wide width ribbon or braid in your wedding colors
• Thin ribbon or cord
• Cutting board
• Craft knife
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Double-sided tape
• Spray adhesive
• Paper adhesive
• Colored marker pen
• Embellishments such as buttons, flowers, brooches etc

1. Cut your wrapping paper to 76 x 53 cm & using the spray adhesive, spray the wrong side of the paper.  Position the board onto the paper center & press down firmly.  Turn the edges of the paper over on to the back of the board, folding the corners in for a neat finish.  Use any extra adhesive as necessary.
2. Now you need to work out how your table plan will look.  Get some inspiration from the internet if you need to.  You can add a ribbon border all around the board or just along the top or bottom.  Make sure you measure the position of each band of ribbon accurately to ensure the design is symmetrical.
3. Next measure the central space of your board where you will position the cards that contain your guest’s names & table numbers.  Use a pencil to mark the position of each tag.  This design will have nine cards in a tag style which will appear to hang by ribbon.  This mark will denote where you will place the ‘hanger’ on which you cards will hang.  This hanger could be a button, brooch, flower or some other embellishment of your choosing.
4. Cut out your tags from the thin card to a size of 12 x 6cm.  On your computer, type out lists of six guests names, centered & in your chosen font.  Print them out on your quality paper & cut them out to a size of 12 x 6cm.  You need to ensure you have enough space at the bottom to write the table number.  Use the spray adhesive to attach the paper to the card tags.  When dry you can write the table number on the bottom of each using the marker pen.
5. Now you need to attach them to your board.  Use the glue to attach a 10cm piece of thin ribbon or cord in a loop to the back of the tag on the top edge.  You can add another embellishment to the top of the tag at the bottom of the loop if you like.  When the glue is dry hang them on the board in number order.
6. If you want to hang your table plan up attach a piece of ribbon to the back in a loop using glue & some double-sided tape.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Whilst you may be thinking about the wedding gifts you yourselves will be receiving, you shouldn’t forget that you will need to purchase a range of gifts to give to members of your wedding party & others who have been instrumental in helping you with your wedding.

Here is a list of those people who you should buy for & some who you might want to consider purchasing a small gift for.

Maid of Honor – As your chief bridesmaid they have probably been your main source of support throughout the wedding planning stages & during the wedding day itself.  They are probably your closest friend so choosing a gift for them shouldn’t be too difficult.  Many brides will choose jewelry such as a locket or bracelet in silver as a way of saying thank you.

Bridesmaids – They, like your maid of honor will have helped you throughout the wedding planning & will be your support during the wedding.  Some brides choose to gift their bridesmaids their wedding outfits or maybe just their accessories.  Others will give necklaces or earrings on the wedding morning.  Jewelry is often the favored choice but think carefully about the things they like if you want to give them a gift with a difference.

Best Man – He is probably your Groom’s best friend & like your chief bridesmaid will have been his source of support before & during the wedding.  It also often the case that the bestman’s duties will extend beyond the wedding itself: driving you to the airport, returning the suits to the hire shop & tying up any other loose ends. Cufflinks are possibly the most popular choice & often the groom will pick matching sets for all his groomsmen.

Ushers – Their role on the day may be a small one, but it is still important so you should reward your ushers equally.  As mentioned above cufflinks are a popular choice although gift vouchers maybe a good alternative.

Mother of the Bride & Mother of the Groom – It is traditional to give something to the two mom’s to thank them for their roles in the wedding planning (even if they have been a thorn in your side!).  Most brides will give large bouquets of flowers, but you could also consider a decorative gift; perhaps they collect a certain type of porcelain or design range.  Give their gifts some deep thought if you want to come up with something special.

Father of the Bride & Father of the Groom – Traditionally they wouldn’t receive a gift, but you might want to think about giving a gift to both sets of parents to share.  Perhaps a bottle of wine or champagne (vintage or at least an expensive label).  Another suggestion could be tickets to the theatre, a weekend break or a dinner for two.

Other People – You might want to consider a small gift for your wedding planner or coordinator if you had one.  Although you are paying for their services, they will still have worked hard on your behalf & will be on hand during the wedding day to ensure any crisis is swiftly dealt with.  This needn’t be any grand gift, a box of chocolates, a gift voucher or even one of the table centers or floral displays would be a nice gesture.

Also think about those who couldn’t attend particularly if they are close to you.  Perhaps illness or some other event has prevented them from joining you, so it would be a nice gesture to send them a wedding favor or a piece of the wedding cake.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Traditionally you would let the groom decide on how he & his attendants will look on the day, but many brides like to have at least some input into his decisions, especially as most don’t trust their other half’s taste or judgment!

If you have full confidence in his ability to choose the right attire, then you may like to print out this list just to make sure he doesn’t miss anything out!

Suits – The choice of suit will depend on the style of the wedding.  A formal wedding would call for morning suits, whilst a casual wedding would call for a less formal suit & tie combination.  If you are having a formal wedding then it is usual to hire all the suits required, this includes:

• the groom
• the best man
• the father of the bride
• the father of the groom
• the ushers
• page boy

As with bridesmaids it is important that everyone comes together at the hire shop to try on suits & get measured.  The attendants at the shop will be able to advise on styles, accessories & shoes to complete the look.  Just make sure your groom is fully aware of the style or theme of the wedding & your chosen color scheme as accessories can be added to match.

Shoes – Let everyone choose their own shoes, as long as they are in keeping with the style of the wedding – cowboy boots may not be appropriate!  Make sure that they all choose the same color as well – black or brown.

Accessories - This can be quite an extensive list & they say its women who love to accessorize!  First up, waistcoats – traditional with morning suits & often available with a formal suit, it is really up to you whether or not you opt for them.  For a formal wedding you could choose fabrics that match your wedding colors, which can create a nice coordinated look amongst the groomsmen.  This brings me on to the next item – ties or cravats, these too can be made from the same fabrics as the waistcoats if you are having them.

Top hats are feature of traditional morning suits & are the finishing touch to formal wedding attire.  Be careful though as to hire them can often attract a premium as they are one item that can be damaged quite easily.  Cufflinks may also be required, but many couples choose to buy these as gifts for the groomsmen instead of letting them buy or use their own.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

After you have decided on the venue & the style or theme of your wedding it is time to turn your attention to your reception room by bringing together everything you will need to create the ‘look’.

This is an exhaustive list, & by no means a complete one, as creative brides will often think up other little extras to add in.  But I have tried to cover the basics & it is up to you to then add in anything else you feel is necessary.

Furniture – The venue may provide all this for you, including tables, chairs, extra side tables etc.  If you are perhaps hiring an empty hall or erecting a marquee in the garden then you will need to bring in your own.  A marquee company may have furniture packages for you to choose from, although you might want to look elsewhere to get better prices.

You will need to hire in:

•  Tables – top table & smaller tables for your guests to sit at. If you are having a buffet then you will need long tables on which to layout the food.
• Side tables – to display your wedding cake on & one for the wedding gifts & guestbook. You might also want some small tables to display your flower arrangements on.
• Chairs
• Other items to consider are sofas, couches or benches so your guests can sit in comfort & relax in small groups, perhaps during the cocktail hour before moving to the dinner tables.

Table Linens – This includes table cloths, which can be large covers to cover the full table with smaller cloths over the top.  These are often presented in two colors according to the wedding scheme, for instance, a white cloth underneath with a pink one over the top.  Napkins in your chosen main wedding color, perhaps to match the top table cloth & chair covers.  Many brides choose to add these to bring some extra color or to hide ugly chairs.  Usually they are white but you may be able to get them in a range of other colors.  It is more common to use white ones with a colored sash tied around the top.

Don’t forget to hire in extra cloths for any additional tables & make sure you take into account the shape of your tables, round, square, rectangular, long.  Square cloths on round tables doesn’t work very well!  Be aware that is you hire in linens you will likely have to pay a cleaning charge as well.

China & Crockery – Again your venue may provide this but if it doesn’t or you do not like it then you will need to look to hire it in.  There a re many hire companies out there who can give you a range of styles & options to choose from, from classic white to vintage patterns, you can find crockery to match just about any wedding scheme.  Make sure you hire enough pieces & don’t forget that you will need plates for each course, bowls for dessert, side plates, serving plates & a few spares.  You should also think about coffee & tea cups along with milk jugs, coffee/tea pots & sugar bowls & extra plates on which to serve your wedding cake.  Take note of any charges for breakage & collection/delivery costs.

You might also want to look at adding in charger plates, which are large decorative plates which take the place of traditional place mats & sit underneath the main crockery.  They do make a nice decorative addition to your tables & are well worth considering.

Cutlery – From kings pattern to simple contemporary styles your choice of cutlery should also tie in with your wedding style.  A traditional wedding with lots of flowers & opulent touches would be complete with some luxurious gold plated kings style cutlery, whilst an Asian theme would be set off with some contemporary cutlery with bamboo style handles.

You will need to order the following items according to your menu:

• Knives & forks for the first course
• Soup spoons
• Fish knives & servers
• Knives & forks for each additional course
• Steak knives
• Dessert forks
• Dessert spoons
• Tea spoons
• Side knives – for bread & butter
• Servers – knives, spoons, tongs etc.

Don’t worry though as the hire company will be able to guide you, just furnish them with your menu & number of guests & they will do all the calculations for you.

Glassware – From cut crystal to smooth contemporary lines, your glassware can add the perfect finishing touches to your tables.  Some brides don’t like to use those often provided by venues as they can appear scratched or worn from years of being washed in a glass washer.  If you are a having a particular style or theme you may want a particular type of glassware to coordinate.

Glasses you will need to consider ordering include:

• Red wine glasses
• White wine glasses
• Champagne glasses
• Water glasses

These are the main types of glass usually found at a formal place setting.  Other types of glass such as beer or tumblers, will be provided by the venue or if you need to hire them in as well, you can choose a cheaper type as they won’t be part of your table settings.

Other items – You may also want to think about items such as hot food servers, chillers, serving platters, wine coolers or champagne buckets. A wedding cake stand if not provided by your cake maker.  There is also your entertainment to consider, things such as a dance floor, seating for your entertainment & tables.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Once you have the basics in place for your reception – tables, chairs etc, it is time to turn your attention to the details.  I have already discussed table cloths & linens in the reception shopping list & other items such as charger plates, so this is about all those other little details that will transform your reception room from bland & boring, into fabulous & wow!

Centerpieces – These are the decorative arrangements that will sit in the center of your tables.  Traditionally floral arrangements, these days anything goes & creative brides are coming up with ever more unusual versions for their reception tables.

You will need centerpieces for each of your guests tables, arrangements for the top table, in which you might want to include your bouquet in front of yourself & your groom & arrangements for additional tables such as the wedding cake & guestbook/gift tables, although many brides will use their bridesmaids bouquets for these tables.

Seating Plan - Essentially a map telling your guests where they are seated.  It is usual for the seating plan to be presented on a large board displayed at the entrance to the reception room.  You can make one yourself or have one custom made for you in your wedding colors & to match your wedding stationery.

Lighting - Lighting can be vitally important for your reception as it will help to set the tone & atmosphere.  Your venue may already have a good lighting system in place allowing you to adjust the lighting in certain areas as you want.  Alternatively you may have to introduce additional ceiling lights or change the shades on the existing one (get permission first!) & add in some table or floor lights too. 

Take some time to think carefully about your lighting, if possible visit the venue at different times of the day so you can see how the natural light plays out over the course of the afternoon & into the evening, this will help you come up with a lighting scheme that will keep the atmosphere at a constant.  Adding some candles to your tables or into your centerpieces will also help the ambience, but ask the venue first if you can light them.

Place Cards – Such an important addition to your tables is often overlooked by brides.  Your place cards will provide the final finishing touch to your place settings so take some time to consider how to best present them.  In their simplest form they are handwritten tent cards, but you can also purchase small frames or holders to set them off to perfection.

Wedding Favors - These are the little gifts you give to your guests as a token of appreciation for joining you on your wedding day.  Never overlook wedding favors, many guests will expect them!  Coordinate them with your wedding style or theme, including the packaging.  You can double them up as place card holders or make the place card holders the wedding favor! 

Additional Decorations - These can include floral arrangements, which you may have brought over from the ceremony site, banners, garlands, paper lanterns, ornaments.  Whatever your style or theme make sure you add to the whole scheme with some additional decorations to complete the look.  Check out hire companies which specialize in props or interiors for some interesting items.

Extras - This includes your guestbook, post box for cards, cake stand & servers.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Wedding planning is an extensive process & one which will see you creating a hundred lists or more!  Aside from booking venues & suppliers, you will also be doing a far amount of shopping, be it on the high street or online or both.

So I have decided to produce a series of handy shopping lists to help you plan your retail excursions & hopefully to ensure nothing is left out!  This first list will focus everything you need to complete your wedding day outfit.

1. Wedding Dress – You may have something in mind already, but if you are not sure where to start then take a look through some bridal magazines to begin with.  Clip together images of those dresses you like the best & take them with you when you visit the bridal salon.
2. Bridal Shoes - Make sure you step out in style with the perfect shoes.  Choose shoes based not only on looks, but also comfort & practicality.  Consider heel sizes & whether or not you will be able to dance in them later, many brides will purchase two pairs – one for the day time & one for the evening party.
3. Tiara - Possibly the most popular choice of bridal headwear, tiara’s come in a range of styles & colors.  Your bridal salon may have a selection to choose from, but you will find more extensive ranges online, along with customizable designs.
4. Veil - If you want to wear a veil then try to purchase one from the same store as your wedding dress so you can try the two on together.  There is a range of styles & lengths to choose from & the store assistant will be able to advise you on the best choice for you.
5. Lingerie - What you wear under your wedding dress is vitally important.  Good lingerie will not only provide support, but will also help with whole look of your wedding dress & provide the perfect silhouette.  Again it would be preferable to try on your lingerie with your wedding dress but this is not always practical!  Take a look at our article How to Choose your Wedding Lingerie for tips on selecting the right style of lingerie to suit the style of your wedding dress.
6. Hair Accessories - Aside from tiaras & crowns there is a wealth of other options for accessorizing you hair do.  Pretty combs, slides & pins are all popular choices, others include alice bands, silk flowers or real flowers attached to combs or made into wreaths.  As with tiaras, you will find great choice online as well as customizable options.  It is a good idea to know what your wedding hairstyle will be before purchasing any hair accessories.
7. Handbag - You will need something to keep all those little essentials in that you may need during the day.  Items like tissues, make-up & your bridal emergency kit will all need to be stashed somewhere.  Choose a bag the coordinates with the style of your dress, for instance a dolly bag would be nice with a less formal gown, perhaps for a beach wedding, whilst a box bag would suit a more formal style.
8. Garter - Many brides go in for the tradition of wearing a garter & tossing it at the reception. 
9. Jewelry - You may already have an idea of your wedding jewelry; many brides like to wear something that is sentimental to them or maybe jewelry given to them by their parents or parents-in-law.  If you are going to buy jewelry specifically for your wedding think about what will suit your wedding dress, the style or theme of your wedding & cost! There are some beautiful costume jewelry pieces available on the high street which won’t break the budget or go online to Ebay & look for inexpensive vintage pieces.
10. Shawls, Wraps & Bolero’s - Many designers have a range of these available as separates to their dress designs.  Usually made from lace, chiffon or tulle they can make a nice accessory to your wedding outfit, especially for a spring or fall wedding when temperatures can be a little on the cool side.  For a winter wedding consider a faux fur wrap or even a velvet cloak.
11. Other Items - Gloves can be a nice accessory to a wedding dress, especially to a winter wedding or maybe a fairytale theme (think opera length gloves with a tulle skirted ballgown).  Petticoats maybe required for the style of dress you want.  They may just be simple net crinoline style petticoats or larger hoped skirts for a full skirted gown.  Make sure you know how to put them on & in the case of a hooped petticoat – how to put it together!  Sashes or belts are available for some styles of wedding dress & can be customize with colors, beading or embroidery.  Even if your dress doesn’t include one, you may want to add one to help coordinate your wedding colors with the other members of the wedding party.

 By Georgina Clatworthy 

Mention the words eco-friendly wedding dress & many people would conjure up images of hemp & recycled fabrics.  But an eco-friendly wedding dress is simply a dress made from naturally sourced fabrics.

This includes fabrics such as silk, cotton & linen.  All of these fabrics come from sustainable sources, which means they are as good for the planet, as they are for your wedding dress.  Add to this vegetable fabric dyes & fabric remnants from pre-owned gowns & eco-chic has truly hit the wedding dress market. 

Eco-friendly wedding dresses are still in their infancy, but as the world begins to take note of the seriousness of the environmental impact we are having, you can be sure that this is a growing market. 

One designer of eco-friendly wedding dresses is Adele Wechsler who works from her headquarters in Toronto.  She has always been noted for her work with different fabrics & her creativity in producing stunning gowns.  Her wedding dress designs offer brides a couture gown which doesn’t cost the earth – literally!

Take a look at some of her designs from her Hello Africa collection.

Another eco-friendly designer is Jessica Iverson.  She has designed some stunning bridal gowns in hemp silk or natural silk fabrics.  She adopts Fairtrade practices for those who make the gowns for her & has a strong passion for green living & humanitarianism. 

Here is a handy guide to eco-friendly, sustainable & biodegradable fabrics used in eco-friendly wedding dresses:

Hemp Silk Satin: This is a luxurious blend of 60% hemp & 40% silk.  It has a lovely sheen & is 100% biodegradable.  It is also sourced from sustainable sources.

Hemp Silk Charmeuse: This looks very similar to normal charmeuse but has a natural slub to it.  It drapes beautifully & is very luxurious, it contains Tussah silk & organic hemp which is grown without the aid of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.  It is also a fabric suitable for vegans.

Natural Silk Shantung: A wonderful silk fabric with a natural slub & light reflecting sheen.  It is biodegradable & comes from sustainable sources & without the use of chemical bleaches or dyes.

Natural Silk Chiffon: Biodegradable & sustainable, this lovely fabric has a natural sheen & a beautiful drape.  There are no harsh chemical bleaches or dyes used.

Natural Silk Charmeuse: A slinky fabric with a shiny side & crepe back.  It drapes beautifully & is best for figure clinging styles.  It is biodegradable & sustainable without the use of harsh bleaches & dyes.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

If you are about to embark on your wedding planning & your head is already swimming with phrases such as wedding officiant , gift registry & wedding favors, then here is a handy glossary of wedding related terms & phrases that you may come across.

Wedding Planning

Simply the act of planning your wedding.  The first essential task are to set the date & work out your wedding budget.  From then on your wedding planning will consist of decision making on things such as venues, dresses & flowers.

Wedding Reception

The after show party! This is where you meet with your guests after the ceremony.

Wedding Officiant

This is the person who will marry you, other names include minister, celebrant or rabi, depending on your faith.  A registrar will marry you in a civil ceremony.

Centerpieces

These are decorations that will go in the center of the tables at your reception.  Traditionally floral, but can also be candles, favors or even goldfish!

Wedding Favors

Little gifts that are given to your guests at the reception, as a token of thanks from yourselves for joining you on such a special day.

Wedding Party

This is all the important people who are directly involved in the wedding.  The wedding party includes yourselves, your parents, your bridesmaids, best man & ushers.

Wedding Breakfast

Despite what you may immediately think this isn’t anything to do with breakfast! It refers to the meal you share with your guests at the reception.

Master of Ceremonies

An MC will help to organize your guests, announce your arrival, announce the speeches, announce the first dance & be on hand to help out with any problems that may arise during the day.

Top Table

This refers to the table on which the wedding party will sit.  It is traditionally at the head of the room or the top hence the name & all other tables will be positioned so that the guests can see the bride & groom.

Boutonnière

These are the flowers worn by the wedding party & other guests.  Often worn on the lapel or in the buttonhole, they are often called buttonholes.  Female guests may also wear a corsage which can be pinned to their dress or worn on the wrist.

Wedding Toast

Not bread related!  This refers to the raising of your glass – usually filled with champagne or similar, & giving a ‘toast’ to the bride & groom.  Often called by the best man, the groom & the bride’s father after their speeches.  It has become popular for the bride to call a toast & other guests to do so as well.

Rehearsal Dinner

This takes place after the ceremony rehearsals usually on the eve of the wedding or the day before.  You may not have a ceremony rehearsal but many couples still like to follow the tradition of the rehearsal dinner with friends & family.  It is a good opportunity to thank all who have helped & to give gifts to the wedding party.

Destination Wedding

A popular choice in recent years, destination weddings take place away from the couples normal place of residence & often abroad.

Gift Registry

This is a service set up by yourselves with your favorite store or website where you choose items from their product ranges.  These items are then placed on a wedding gift list & your guests can then contact the store to arrange a purchase.  Once purchase it is removed from the list so no-one else can buy it.

Wedding Directory

A list of wedding related vendors & service providers, both nationally & locally.  You will find many directory websites & possibly a number of local publications all with directory listings.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

The majority of your wedding planning will focus on your wedding reception, but it is important not to forget that your wedding ceremony will also need a certain amount of planning too.  The ceremony really is the most important part of the day, it is the entire reason for the party that follows so you should give it equal consideration.

After you have found a potential ceremony venue you should arrange to meet with the officiant who will conduct the ceremony to discuss any pre-wedding requirements, what will happen during the ceremony & other things such as music, readings, vows, prayers & hymns.

This meeting is important, not only will it enlighten you to what is required & what will happen, but it is also you introduction to the officiant who will marry you.  This is your time to discover if the officiant is open to your ideas for your wedding & if you feel comfortable with them & ultimately work with them.

When you attend this meeting for the first there are some important questions you should consider asking.  Firstly you should find out if there are any requirements for you to marry at that particular venue.  Some officiants may require you to attend services on a regular basis, others may want you to have been christened or baptized there.

Next you need to know how much your wedding ceremony will cost.  Ask if they have a fixed fee structure or if a donation is required to the church fund.  At some places you may also be expected to leave any floral arrangements & decorations in place for the venue to use in the future.

Find out how much you can personalize the ceremony with your own music, hymn choices, prayers & if you can write your own vows.  It is important also to run any changes or additions to the service past the officiant first.  Some may be more than to happy accommodate your choices, whilst others will be less so.  Remember that for a civil service your choice of music should have no religious overtones.

Other things to consider & ask of your officiant are if they will be delivering a sermon or speech on your wedding day & if you can see it before hand.  Find out what they will be wearing also.  Ask about any site restrictions such as photography, filming & more commonly confetti.

Depending on your wedding date the venue may already be decorated, for example at Easter or Christmas.  Ask about decorating the venue yourselves & find out what will be provided to you, e.g. is there a PA system in place, will there be an organist or choir?

Finally ask about arrangements for the wedding rehearsal & when you will be able to do it.  You should also ask about your marriage license, you may need to bring it with you on your wedding day or they may sign it before.

It is important that your officiant can inject the right kind of atmosphere into your ceremony, according to what you want of course.  You will find some officiants who are very formal & solemn in their approach whilst others take a less formal approach & will inject some humor into the ceremony.

If the officiant is unknown to you it is important to consider how you get along with them.  Do you like their style or approach, will you enjoy working with them?  It is also important to remember that they will be performing the most important part of your day & having an officiant whom you trust can help calm your nerves & keep you both relaxed.  A good officiant will also be able to offer you guidance & advice in both spiritual & non-spiritual matters.