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Getting engaged is such an exciting moment, and it’s easy to want to jump right in to all things weddings. One of your first tasks on your checklist will inevitably be finding your venue! It’s easy to find a venue you love the look of but make sure that you’re considering everything when it comes to your wedding day location. Here are a few factors that you should take note of when you head to those venue tours!

Location

Is the venue located somewhere that your guests can actually get to? If you’re doing the ceremony and reception in separate venues, how far apart are they (and will your guests travel that far)? If it’s in a busy city location, will you have to cover guests’ parking or adjust your timeline due to 5:00 traffic? If it’s in a rural area, will guests be able to get a ride after a night of partying or be able to get back to their hotel in a reasonable amount of time? There are a lot of questions that come with location, so it’s important to make that the #1 factor when you’re looking around.

Availability

Have you always dreamed of an October wedding? Then you may want to make sure that venue has an October date available. Venues book up extremely fast, and book pretty far out. It’s easy to have to change your mind on a date because you can’t find a venue. You’ll also want to make note of blackout dates. If you always pictured a New Year’s Eve soirée but a venue doesn’t go for that sort of thing, then it probably isn’t a good fit for your special day.

Capacity

It’s simple math. You can’t fit 250 guests into a room built for 100. Make sure you ask about the capacity of the space, specifically for a seated reception if you plan on having dinner. Numbers for capacity will vary depending on if you’re using the space for a ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception, so make sure that you’re picking a space that’s suited to that guest list you already sent Save-the-Dates to.

Style

Is it what you had in mind? If you want a lavish, formal affair, then are you choosing a venue that will “wow” your guests – or if you want a casual party, are you looking at something that will make your guests feel like they should have worn a suit and tie? You need to pick a venue that reflects that style of the event you’re planning, and the style of you as a couple. Your venue will say the most about your wedding, and will be the checklist item that sets the tone for everything else.

Cost

By now you should have an idea of what you can afford to pay for your big day, so does this venue fit your costs? Is it in the budget you set or does it take away your whole budget (and more)? As easy as it is to fall in love with a venue solely based on its looks, your going to want to spend some money on other things too, so make sure that you have that money to spend.

Vendors

If you’re looking at a venue that requires a certain caterer, but you already booked a caterer you’re in love with who isn’t on the list, then you have a problem on your hands. Don’t put yourself in the awkward position of trying to explain the mishap to the caterer or trying to beg the venue to let you use them. Ask about preferred/required vendors at your tour so that you have an idea of what (or who) is allowed and what isn’t.

Hope this helps! Choosing your venue is the first big step to the planning process and there’s a lot to choose from. Keep these factors in mind, and you’ll definitely find something perfect for your special day!

If you’re looking for the right team to put together your Multicultural wedding in DC, Virginia, and Maryland, contact Mimi Ebichi’s team to make your dream wedding come to life! We have a comprehensive list of wedding vendors who can cater to your personal requests.

 

Related Reads:

• The Most Luxurious Indian Wedding Venues in Virginia
• Invitation Etiquette: Wording, Mailing, and Other Important Details
• 5 Tips For Picking Your Wedding Music
• All About Wedding Gowns
• Multicultural Wedding Services
• Little Known Tips That Will Make A Huge Difference In Your Planning

One thing that doesn’t get talked about enough in wedding planning is wedding insurance. Don’t think it’s a necessity? Not sure exactly what wedding insurance is? We’re going to chat about a few quick tips on why your wedding needs insurance.

There are typically two types of wedding insurance: Cancellation insurance and Liability insurance.

Cancellation insurance covers you in the event of circumstances out of your control. If a hurricane rolls in or your venue floods, if there’s a fire or one of your vendors declare bankruptcy, you’re protected with this insurance. Depending on your policy, it can even cover lost wedding rings, damage to your wedding gown, gifts, or even lost photographs. Most companies recommend coverage based on your wedding budget, but you typically can choose the amount of coverage you prefer.

Related Read: What You Need To Know About Changing Your Last Name

Liability insurance (which some venues even require) covers you in the event that there’s property damage to the venue during your wedding or even if someone gets injured.

Insurance agents will be the most knowledgeable source for a discussion about policies, but from a planner’s perspective, it is highly recommended! Here are a few wedding insurance companies worth noting: Wedsafe, Wedding Protector Plan, Progressive, and Markel Insurance.

Mimi Ebichi – Expert Multicultural Wedding Planner in DC Areas

If you’re looking for the right team to put together your Multicultural wedding in DC, Virginia, and Maryland, contact Mimi Ebichi’s team to make your dream wedding come to life! We have a comprehensive list of wedding vendors who can cater to your personal requests.

 

Related Reads:

• The Most Luxurious Indian Wedding Venues in Virginia
• All About Wedding Gowns
• Multicultural Wedding Services
• Little Known Tips That Will Make A Huge Difference In Your Planning

Sources: pbs.org, persianweddingshow.com

There are so many things that go into a wedding, but planning doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are a few lesser known tips that should ease your planning process!

 

Tip #1:

Instead of starting to scout venues, the first thing on your checklist should be your guest list. This may seem like something you can start to do slowly, but your guest count is going to be a key factor in the determination of most other checklist items. You’ll want to make sure your venue can easily accommodate the number of guests you’re inviting.

 

Tip #2:

Build an “emergency fund” into your budget. It doesn’t have to be major, but if you take a small percentage of your budget and put it toward “incidentals” then you’ll be good to go when extra things come up, or when you realize you forgot to purchase something.

Tip #3:

Know your guests. It’s a rule of thumb that 30% of your invited guests won’t attend, but it varies greatly on how many of your guests are out-of-town, if you’re planning a destination wedding, etc. Anticipating some of your RSVPs will greatly benefit your planning and costs.

 

Tip #4:

Hire plenty of staff for the bar. No one likes to wait for the party, and making sure you have plenty of bartenders available will ensure that your guests’ experience is excellent.

Tip #5:

Practice bustling your dress beforehand. Use this as an occasion to get together with a few of your best girlfriends. It’s rare that your girls will already know how to bustle a dress properly, and even if they do, every dress and bustle is different. Practice makes perfect, and in this case, can save you a few valuable minutes that you can put toward getting to enjoy your wedding.

 

Tip #6:

Have a rain plan! Whether you’re getting married outside or guests just have to be outside for a moment while shuttling between venues, nothing ruins the guest experience (and your hair) more than rain, so have a Plan B (or at least some umbrellas!) in case of unfortunate weather.

Tip #7:

Consider shuttling your guests. Not only does it enhance guest experience, but it also gives everyone the opportunity to let loose during the reception without having to worry about driving home afterward. It’s a win-win!

 

Tip #8:

Hire a planner (or at least a coordinator)! So this may be a more popular tip, but it’s such an important one, and not something you can typically do at the last minute. Even if you’re incredibly organized and don’t have that many moving parts to your wedding, you still can’t be everywhere at once, and you especially can’t enjoy the day if you’re running around handling everything. Let a professional handle it for you.

If you’re looking for the right team to put together your Multicultural wedding in DC, Virginia, and Maryland, contact Mimi Ebichi’s team to make your dream wedding come to life! We have a comprehensive list of wedding vendors who can cater to your personal requests.

 

Related Reads:

• Why You Should Hire a Wedding Planner
• How to Get the Groom Involved in Wedding Planning
• All About Wedding Gowns
• Multicultural Wedding Services

“Hey DJ, won’t you play that song? To keep me dancing all night long!”

There’s so many reasons to love weddings, but at the end of the day, let’s face it, everyone love a good party! And a good party needs great music, right? When it comes to your wedding tunes, you want it all to be perfect, so here are 5 tips guaranteed to help you get the party started.

1 Consider the moment

Does it seem like an appropriate choice to walk down the aisle to? Is it the song you always want to remember for your first dance? Or is it to kick off the reception and get everyone on their feet. Keep in mind what the song is being used for in order to set the right tone.

 

2 Let it reflect you as a couple

You should pick songs you can relate to, that have meaning to you or your culture, or that you at least know you love. No one wants to head into their ceremony or reception hearing a song they aren’t very fond of.

 

3 Remember your guests

Try to consider the audience of people attending your special day. While you both may love rap and want it played at the reception, your grandmother may hate it. Throw in a song or two that you know will make her happy. Having a few songs for a variety of genres and age groups is guaranteed to keep everyone happy to be there.

 

4 Variety is the spice of life

We already talked about genres and appealing to different age groups, but don’t forget to mix it up in other ways too. Toss in a few slow dances along with some great party dances that crowds always get on their feet for.

 

5 Remember that it’s your day

It’s YOUR wedding and there’s technically no right or wrong way to do anything. Go with your gut and choose what makes you happy as a couple. You don’t HAVE to walk down the aisle to “Canon in D.”

If you’re looking for the right team to put together your Multicultural wedding in DC, Virginia, and Maryland, contact Mimi Ebichi’s team to make your dream wedding come to life! We have a comprehensive list of wedding vendors who can cater to your personal requests.

 

Related Reads:

• The Most Luxurious Indian Wedding Venues in Virginia
• Things You May Have Forgotten To Put In Your Wedding Budget
• All About Wedding Gowns
• Multicultural Wedding Services
• Little Known Tips That Will Make A Huge Difference In Your Planning

It’s time to send those invitations! Confused on the wording? Don’t know when to send them? Keep reading!

Traditional Wording

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith

request the pleasure of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Heather Marie

to

Michael Francis Jacobson

Saturday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand and nineteen

At six o’clock in the evening

Plaza Hotel

New York, New York

Reception to follow

One Set of Parents Hosting

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their daughter

Heather Marie

to

Michael Francis Jacobson

Saturday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand and nineteen

at half past four in the afternoon

 

Both Sets of Parents Hosting Jointly

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith &

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Franklin Jacobson

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their children

Heather Marie

and

Michael Francis

Saturday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand and nineteen

at half past four in the afternoon

 

Couple Hosting

The honor of your presence

is requested at the marriage of

Heather Marie Smith

to Michael Francis Jacobson

Saturday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand and nineteen

at half past four in the afternoon

 

Everyone Hosting

Ms. Heather Marie Smith

and

Mr. Michael Francis Jacobson

together with their parents

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith &

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Franklin Jacobson

request the honor of your presence

at their wedding

Saturday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand and nineteen

at half past four in the afternoon

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Keep in mind the three Ws:

• Who. Include the full names of the bride and groom. For a formal invitation, include the full names of the hosts, too.
• When. Clearly list the time, date, month and year of the event (spell these out!)
• Where. Include where the event is taking place, with a full address (zip code not required).

As a general rule of thumb, the main invitation should only include the key details of your event. However, guests will appreciate additional information to be included in your invitation suite. A few details you may consider:

• Attire. Should guests wear black-tie, garden party attire or will the wedding be themed? Don’t leave them guessing—tell them what to wear to a wedding!
• Map. Whether you’re getting married in your hometown or you’re heading to a destination, out-of-town guests will appreciate a map and clear directions to any venues.
• Accommodation Details. If you’ve reserved a block of rooms at a local hotel, give your guests plenty of time to reserve in advance.
• Activities. Will there be dancing? A casual rehearsal dinner? A rollicking after-party? Let your guests know so they can plan appropriately.

Perfect timing. You want to ensure that your guests have plenty of time to clear their schedules in order to attend your event, so it’s important to send your invitations well in advance. Here are the general timing guidelines:

• Save the Dates: Six to eight months in advance
• Invitations: Six to eight weeks in advance

In addition, you’ll want to request RSVPs within three weeks of the event so you can get an accurate head count.

 

SOME THINGS ARE BETTER LEFT UNSAID

While certain rules have loosened up over the years, there’s one that still applies: don’t include gift or registry information on your invitation. This little detail is considered quite a faux pas. Instead, recruit family members and your wedding party to fill guests in on the detail if they ask, and include a link on your wedding website as well.

Speaking of your website, that link is better shared on your save the dates or invitation insert than on your actual invitation.

 

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED

Here’s what to keep in mind when addressing envelopes:

• Guests’ names should be written in full, with appropriate social titles included (i.e. Mr. and Ms.).
• Spell out all words in an address and spell out house numbers less than 20.
• The return address traditionally goes on the back flap and in many cases they’re still handwritten.
• Keep in mind that responses and gifts will likely be sent to the return address on the invitation. If you’d rather have them sent to a different address, list it below the RSVP line.

If you’re looking for the right team to put together your Multicultural wedding in DC, Virginia, and Maryland, contact Mimi Ebichi’s team to make your dream wedding come to life! We have a comprehensive list of wedding vendors who can cater to your personal requests.

 

Related Reads:

• The Most Luxurious Indian Wedding Venues in Virginia
• 5 Tips For Picking Your Wedding Music
• All About Wedding Gowns
• Multicultural Wedding Services
• Little Known Tips That Will Make A Huge Difference In Your Planning