When it comes to wedding planning, getting engaged is only the beginning. Even though creating a straightforward wedding set up can feel overwhelming, Elysian Events Catering is here to help! As a caterer with extensive experience in the wedding industry, we’ve picked up some tips for smooth wedding planning. Keep reading to learn our insider recommendations!
The Importance of Planning Ahead
There are a lot of choices to make when it comes to planning a wedding: who will cater, how many people will be in the wedding party, what wedding package you are going to select, what flavor (or flavors!) to choose for your cake—and that’s only the tip of the iceberg! With that in mind, it’s no wonder it typically takes engaged couples between six and eighteen months to plan their wedding thoroughly.
While that may seem daunting, event planning doesn’t have to be scary! Here are some ways to make the planning process as seamless as possible.
Hire a Wedding Planner
A wedding planner, otherwise known as a bridal consultant, works with the couple to fully realize their wedding’s vision. This involves determining the theme of the wedding, how the venue will be decorated, hiring vendors, and putting together a planning timeline.
A wedding planner can be especially useful for couples unsure of what theme they want for their wedding; whether you and your partner have too many ideas to choose from or don’t know where to start, the wedding planner will help you create an event you’ll love.
A common misconception is that bridal consultants are expensive and will cause you to exceed your wedding budget. As it turns out, in many cases, event planning is cheaper with a wedding planner at your side. Due to their extensive time in the wedding industry, they often have connections with other wedding businesses that give them exclusive discounts. Not only does a planner streamline the planning process, but they can also make it less costly.
Consider the Layout of Your Venue
As you plan, you and your partner will tour several different wedding and reception venues to determine which is your personal favorite. As you do, keep in mind how you would set up the venue for your event and visualize that layout during the visit. For example, if you are thinking about hosting the wedding ceremony outside, there may not be anywhere to plug in sound equipment. You might need to plan on allocating space for a live band instead.
Alternatively, as you look at reception halls, think about how to arrange your dance floor, dinner tables, and food. This is especially important if you are hosting a buffet- or station-style dinner; you need to make sure that moving through the space is simple so that guests can easily grab a bite to eat (all the while avoiding any dancers).
Plan a Food Tasting
You’ll want to ensure your wedding dinner is delicious and unique. In order to guarantee serving options you and your guests will love, schedule a food tasting with your caterer. This will allow you to sample several different dinner options before finalizing the dinner menu.
We at Elysian Events know how impactful food can be on the memories you make, which is why we always offer tastings for our wedding clients. With Elysian, you will surely create a delectable menu that embraces New Orleans’s culinary traditions. From fresh oysters and jumbo Gulf shrimp to mini beignets and bread pudding, we serve delicious Southern cuisine that will leave your mouth watering.
Organize Transportation Between the Wedding and Reception
If your wedding and reception are not taking place at the same venue and are relatively far away from each other, it’s best to plan out a route for traveling between them. If guests are expected to provide their own transportation, send them directions in advance and encourage them to carpool to reduce traffic.
Alternatively, you may consider renting a coach or van that will take large groups of your guests to the reception hall. This eliminates the stress of guests getting lost and prevents them from worrying about driving themselves.
Creating a Successful Wedding Set Up on Your Big Day
At long last, your months of planning have paid off and the wedding day has nearly arrived—congratulations! Before you say “I do,” there are just a few remaining tips for a smooth reception and wedding set up.
Host a Wedding Rehearsal
Nothing can prepare you better for the actual wedding than practicing in advance. Wedding rehearsals provide you with the opportunity to run through wedding party entrances, time music cues and address any other concerns that arise. Hosting the rehearsal will give you and your partner more confidence on your big day because you’ll know exactly what to expect when you arrive at the altar.
Communicate with Vendors Before the Ceremony
Communication is critical for relieving stress, both for you and your wedding vendors. Most venues will allow vendors to arrive and set up several hours before the wedding and reception. Talk to your venue about when they permit vendors to begin the wedding set up process, and inform vendors of exactly what time you expect them to be there. On the day of the ceremony, check in once again with each vendor and caterer to ensure they and their wares arrived safely.
If this sounds daunting and like it will be a source of stress on the wedding day, consider hiring a wedding coordinator. They work at the tail end of wedding set ups by staying in contact with vendors and making sure that the venue is set up correctly.
Have a Back-Up Plan
Having a Plan B never hurts! No matter how much planning you dedicate to your wedding, there will always be some factors you can’t fully control. For that reason, it’s best to think ahead and consider potential challenges you might face at the wedding.
For example, if you are hosting your wedding and/or reception outside, make sure that you have an indoor area booked that can accommodate all of your guests. If bad weather happens to strike, you will want a safe, dry celebration space. The rest of your party will undoubtedly appreciate your thinking ahead, too!
Stay Flexible
No matter what happens, just remember: this is your special day, dedicated to celebrating your love and having fun! Even if not everything goes according to plan, you, your partner, and your guests are certain to have a lovely time making memories. Staying flexible and not focusing so much on the little details will allow you to spend more time enjoying your celebration. You deserve to have a stress-free day where your love shines bright!
Take the Stress Out of Wedding Set Up with Elysian Events
As you arrange your wedding, consider celebrating with Elysian Events! We have been in business for over a decade and have extensive experience in catering weddings. Traditional or trendy, indoor or outdoor, Elysian has seen it all and is dedicated to meeting your event’s vision. Check out our wedding packages menu to explore a world of delicious flavors that you and all of your guests are certain to love.
To learn more about us and our services, feel free to contact us today. In addition to our contact form, we can also be reached by email at hello@elysianeventscatering.com and by phone at (504) 541-0091. We can’t wait to make your wedding memorable and a day you will cherish forever.
