As the wedding emcee, the fun of the reception lies heavily on your back. From knowing when to cue certain dances to announcing which table is excused to go to the buffet, you've got a pretty important job. Even the seasoned emcees might have a bit of an adjustment to make as brides plan more informal weddings, adding their own little touches of how they want the reception to run. To be sure you're holding up your end of the responsibilities and guests have a good time, plan ahead so you can make note of what needs to be done.
Book a Church Wedding
As a newly engaged couple faces the task of planning a wedding, they might find that every other decision will be based on the location of the ceremony. After all, it is the event that the entire day is based on. Though the possibilities for ceremony sites are endless, classic church weddings are popular among many Christian couples. If you have your heart set on a certain church, such as the one you attended as a child or the one that you currently attend, planning ahead is necessary. As a guideline, try to book the church a year in advance. More popular venues or weekends might require more time, while off-season events or small congregations could allow you more leeway.
Make Your Own Wedding Program Fan
A wedding budget can begin to dwindle quickly as the bride and groom pay for a venue, vendors, flowers and more. If you're trying to make the most of your wedding budget, you can cut costs with some do-it-yourself crafts, including making your own programs. For warm-weather weddings, programs fashioned as fans can be informative, decorative and functional. Recruiting the bridal party to help for a night can make this project go quickly and serve as a fun get-together as well.
Become a Wedding Bartender
Besides the dress and the cake, another essential element to a wedding is good drinks. Most weddings include an open bar for guests, which means there is a year round demand for freelance wedding bartenders and bartending companies. Contrary to popular belief, there is no need for an aspiring bartender to attend a bartending school or program.
Estimate Wine for a Wedding
Wine adds a touch of class to a wedding reception. Pairing wine effectively with the courses of the meal creates an enjoyable experience for your guests. Estimate the amount of wine you'll need for your wedding based on your menu, the number of guests and the amount of time you'll be serving the wine. Take into account whether the bar will be open serving beer or mixed drinks at the same time as wine. Plan on having too much wine rather than too little so that you have plenty for the celebration. Lower your costs by purchasing bottled wine by the case.