Wedding Party

Bad Weather Backup Plans – A Wedding Essential

 in Ceremony / Guests / Wedding Ceremony / Wedding Party / Wedding planning  tagged bad weather venue / wedding / wedding backup plans / wedding ceremony by

Bad weather backup plans are essential for Minnesota weddings. The variability of our weather makes an indoor ceremony plan necessary for anyone planning an outdoor ceremony.

Most people think of rain as the weather problem requiring a move to an indoor ceremony space, but our current hot weather demonstrates that there are more weather conditions to consider. Extreme heat is uncomfortable for everyone, but can be deadly for senior citizens like grandparents, and for guests with underlying health conditions. And don’t forget about yourselves and your wedding party. Tuxedos and suits are not normal daily wear for many of the men in your wedding party, and long dresses made of synthetic fabrics can cause your women to melt in the heat. Hair and makeup is not going to be optimal following photo sessions before the ceremony. Who wants to look wilted on their wedding day?

Over the years I’ve encountered other weather conditions that wreak havoc with outdoor ceremonies, too. The Rochester area is known to often be breezy, but there are many days when winds top 25 miles per hour. If it is a temperate day this might not be a problem, but consider a 50 degree late September day when the wind has a definite bite to it. Not pleasant conditions for guests or the wedding party. And the same can be true of early spring ceremonies.

Given the variety of weather we experience here in Minnesota, well considered bad weather backup plans are needed to address this critical but uncontrollable element of your wedding day. Knowing that there is a viable indoor space available, ideally at the same venue as your outdoor ceremony space, will allow for a graceful shift in plans if the weather requires it.

No one wants to consider that weather will adversely impact their ceremony plans, but the reality is that it can and too often does. Having bad weather backup plans in your back pocket can save the day and keep the celebration on track.

Rehearsals Reduce Stress

 in Ceremony / Wedding Party / Wedding processional / Wedding Rehearsal / Weddings  tagged stess reduction / wedding / wedding ceremony / wedding party / wedding rehearsal by

Rehearsals reduce stress for the couple being married, their attendants and parents, and anyone else who has a role in the wedding ceremony. While I often tell people that wedding ceremonies are not rocket science, a rehearsal will help ensure that everyone looks their best and is comfortable with the experience.

I include a rehearsal in the pricing for my celebrant services for weddings because I think they are an important part of ceremony preparation. At rehearsal I meet with the couple, their attendants (bridesmaids and groomsmen), parents, and any other people who have a role in the ceremony. This includes flower girls, ring bearers, readers, and friends or family who will be running the music for the ceremony.

Rehearsals reduce stress by allowing people in the processional to practice where they are going to walk and stand. They allow readers or musicians to practice in the ceremony space. The wedding party sees who they are following up the aisle, and we discuss what cues will tell them when to walk. Once in front, everyone can find their place and know where to stand for the ceremony.

Beyond basic movement, we chat about how the men are to offer their arm to the women, and where the women are to place their hand on the offered arm. Our world is so casual these days, that this small bit of etiquette is often totally unknown to the wedding participants. We also discuss how the women should hold their flowers and remind the men to keep their hands out of their pockets. These small things can result in a more elegant appearance and much better pictures, too.

Rehearsals are often followed with a dinner or social gathering. This also reduces stress as members of the wedding party who haven’t met before can get to know each other and be more comfortable with each other at the ceremony. The wedding day is full of hustle and bustle and many guests, so a rehearsal dinner is a great opportunity to celebrate privately with those special people who are part of your wedding party, too.

Wedding Ceremonies 2020 Style

 in Ceremony / COVID-19 / Personalization / Wedding Party / Weddings  tagged COVID-19 / livestream / Social distancing / wedding ceremony / weddings by

Wedding Ceremonies 2020 style have changed due to COVID. And the truth is that these changes may last well into 2021. So if you’re planning to get married this year or even next year, it’s time to move toward acceptance of that fact, and then plan a memorable wedding day. Memorable may not look exactly like you expected it to last year, but it can be special, safe, sincere and significant.

Here are some ways to make wedding ceremonies 2020 style safe and special:

  • Reduce the size of your guest list: This can be tricky if save the dates or invitations are already out, but everyone understands the situation. You’ll want to stay aware of all state and local public health requirements so you are in compliance.
  • Provide custom masks for your guests: These can be simple disposable masks in your wedding colors, or elaborate ones with your monogram embroidered on them. While an added cost, the reduced guest list will make this more manageable.
  • Small or no wedding party: If you’re only going to have a few people at the wedding, you don’t want them all standing up with you. You also avoid issues with social distancing of your wedding party by limiting attendants to only one each for you and your fiance(e). Better yet, opt to go without a wedding party at all, and keep the focus on the two of you. You can have any guests of your choice serve as your official witnesses.
  • Seat your guests by household, with social distancing between each group: You can use sofas, hay bales, chairs or any other seating to accomplish this, but some creativity here can create a lovely visual.
  • Invest in a streaming service for your ceremony: Since only a small number of your community can be present in person, it’s a great idea to have someone livestream or Zoom your ceremony. A professional can provide this service so all your in person guests can focus on being truly present for your ceremony.
  • For a punch of interest, try a reverse receiving line: At the end of your ceremony, have your guests line the aisle by household, socially distanced, of course. Spread them out so you can walk down the aisle without getting too close to them. Then turn from side to side as a couple, pausing to acknowledge each group with smiles, receive their congratulations, and exchange a few words. It won’t take too long with only a few guests present, and can provide a great way for you to exit the ceremony space.

Wedding ceremonies 2020 style are certainly different than the large scale extravaganzas we’ve become used to in recent years. But there are still opportunities for you to customize your ceremony and your day to fit your style. Keeping the health and safety of your guests in mind shows your consideration and love for them, and allows everyone to celebrate with you in some way. In January of this year no one expected that wedding ceremonies 2020 style would be so radically different from previous years, but your wedding will be memorable in its own way.

Modern Wedding Parties, Leaving Tradition Behind

 in Wedding Party / Weddings  tagged attendants / modern wedding parties / wedding / wedding parties / wedding party by

Modern wedding parties can look very different than your parents’ wedding parties. Couples are leaving tradition behind as they seek to surround themselves with the people most important to them on their wedding day. Same sex couples have taken the lead in redefining the rules for wedding parties, and everyone is benefiting.

Traditionally, the bride had a number of female friends and/or relatives stand with her as bridesmaids, and the groom had an equal number of men stand with him. These days couples are more concerned with having the most significant people in their lives share in the wedding day as attendants. Gender no longer matters, so if a bride has one sibling who happens to be a brother, he can serve as her honor attendant or man of honor. Similarly, a groom can have his sister stand with him as his honor attendant or best woman.

Another tradition that is being left behind is the idea that the couple must have the same number of attendants standing with them. If one partner has 3 “besties” and the other partner has 2… or 4, it’s fine. Attendants can enter singly or as trios, or as combinations of pairs and trios. Two men or two women can enter together by simply walking next to each other (no need to link arms or have one escort the other).

With the traditions falling away and modern wedding parties becoming more eclectic, you may need to decide how you want your attendants to dress. Do women standing up for a groom wear a tux, a matching bridesmaid’s dress, or possibly a dress in the color of the tuxes or suits that male attendants for the groom are wearing? And conversely, do men standing up for the bride wear attire to match the groomsmen (possibly with a tie and pocket square to match the bridesmaids’ dresses), or possibly a suit or tux to match the bridesmaids’ dresses if possible – think navy blue or cream?

As a couple, you have free rein to select the people you wish to have join you as your wedding party. You can decide with them what you want them to wear. Your celebrant can help you figure out the logistics for the processional and recessional. The important thing is to have the special people in your life closest to you during the ceremony and reception as you celebrate your special love.