Tips to Avoid Event Coordinating Inundation

The Non-Negotiables

When you envision your special day in your mind’s eye, what are some of the things you imagine that are absolutely necessary in order for the event to be picture-perfect? Perhaps your aspiration is to exchange wedding vows while encircled by nature’s beauty, or having a themed reception you’ve always dreamed of, complete with exotic surroundings. Maybe you just really want something simple. Whatever those must-haves might be, it’s really advantageous to establish the highest priority items at the very beginning of your planning process so you can have a well-defined sense of where you want your money to be allocated.

The Budget

Once your priorities are established, you’ll be able to construct your wedding budget accordingly. Be certain to keep the budget within reason, though. Otherwise, you might find yourself moving towards financial trouble.

One way to lessen periodic outlays is to reduce any recurring college debt payments you may have by refinancing your student loans. You could also consider cancelling non-essential subscription services until after the wedding, which can surprisingly add up to a bundle of savings each month. By responsibly freeing up more money, you’ll achieve greater flexibility in finding options that will make your wedding dreams a reality without breaking the bank.

The Venue

Determining where you want to host the event is undoubtedly one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding. As soon as you have it booked, however, every other decision you make should fall into place more easily. Remember, though, that affordability of your selected venue is tremendously important to maintain as this will be one of the largest expenditures you’ll contend with. Equally important, while affordability is vital, you’ll also want to choose a place that will capture the magic of your day for you and your significant other.

Since the possibility of selecting the perfect spot while maintaining affordability could be a somewhat delicate prospect, a little extra budget creativity may be needed to make it happen. Just be sure to research your potential venue selections carefully so that when it comes time to settle on a location, you’ll feel completely content with the choice you’ve made.

The Guest List

There are always a few required invites on everyone’s guest list, but don’t be afraid to be a little ruthless if you think it’s necessary. After all, your wedding day is ultimately about celebrating the love between you and your spouse and with those you love most in the world. So if there are people you’d really rather not share that celebration with, take a stance – put your own happiness first and remove them from consideration.

Final Thoughts

Arranging one’s own wedding can definitely bring about fruitful satisfaction. Bear in mind, though, that by assuming responsibility of any daunting task, there’s potential risk of it developing into a laborious endeavor, which could lead to regrettable frustration.

Therefore, if you find yourself becoming overwhelmed as you embroil yourself with the onus of wedding planning, adhering to these basic guidelines should help to avoid vexation and allow you to piece together the essential elements more effortlessly. Hiring a professional coordinator is always an option, but the rewards of arranging the details yourself will be immense knowing that the event will unfold exactly how you envisioned it, guaranteeing a very memorable experience of the most important day of your life.

Equally important in the selection of a professional photographer to photograph the most important day of your life, so too is the contracting of an experienced wedding videographer because once the event of a lifetime has ended, the photos and video are the only components remaining to visually recount the day in the years to come.

Since cameramen vary in expertise, it is paramount to be geared with the right arsenal to discern the accomplished attributes and the nondescript of potential production studios you’re considering for hire. In other words, be prepared to ask the right questions to qualify the candidates.

Questions for the Video Professional

• How much experience do you have in videotaping weddings?
• Are you familiar with and have you shot at our designated ceremony and reception facility?
• Can we view an actual wedding video rather than just highlights?
• How many cameras do you utilize during the event?
• Will each video camera be manned or simply placed on a tripod unattended?
• Will you have unobstructed views during the entire ceremony from where you will be positioned?
• Do you use high quality digital cameras?
• Will the final product received be delivered on a standard definition DVD or Blu Ray?
• How many copies of the disc will I receive and how much are additional copies?
• Should your equipment fail, do you have backup gear?
• How do you typically dress for a wedding?
• What is the total price of your video package and how many hours does it include?
• What are your charges for additional time beyond the contracted?
• Does the final edited version include a short clip highlighting the day?
• Are we able to choose our own music for the video highlights?
• How long after our event will it take to receive the video?
• Can we obtain all the raw footage?
• Do you have references from recent brides and grooms you videotaped?

Reduce Cost by Eliminating Add-ons

An additional tip worth consideration if budget concerns arise is to eliminate unnecessary or unwanted offerings such as an engagement love story, a baby montage of the bride and groom (ordinarily used as the video preface), scrolled titling, and other inconsequential appendages. In short, stick with the substance of importance, which is the coverage of the entire ceremony and the main events at the reception.

Presenting the regimented questions to the contending videographer and receiving apposite answers is a sure-fire way to get a dazzling artifact you’ll want to watch more than once. Although it may be a temptation to accept Aunt Martha’s generous offer to shoot the event for free, and in doing so, avoid the cost of a professional, chances are the end result will not compare with the true expert’s version of the performance.

To gain insight to what constitutes a typical wedding video package and cost for filming a simple ceremony, visit the associated webpage.

Many couples that are planning to get married often have the perception that obtaining a marriage license in California is a difficult and time consuming process. They revert back to former years when blood tests and other formalities were part of the progression of planning a wedding.

Conditions to Procure a Marriage License

First, both the bride and groom must be at least 18 years of age. The second prerequisite is that if either the bride or groom has been divorced in the past 90 days prior to the wedding date, the final divorce decree may need to be presented to the county clerk who will be issuing the license. This is to ensure that the previous marriage has actually been terminated and the divorce is conclusive.

Additionally, current pictured identification must be presented at the time of issuance. This can be a driver’s license, passport, or other state issued identification. Lastly, you must supply personal information, including your parents’ names and birthplace.

Types of Marriage Certificates Available

Any county clerk’s office located within California is able to provide the necessary certificate. The clerk will present two types of licenses from which you can choose. One option is the public marriage license, and the other is a confidential one. Although the differences between the two are comparatively subtle, there may be explicit reasons that are significant to a particular bride and groom that would be cause for them to select one over the other. Brief research will help you decide.

Regardless of which legal document is obtained, securing the certificate is not an arduous procedure. Determining which type of California marriage license is best for you, confidential or public, would probably be the only part of the process that might require a little thought. The old days of blood tests and other constraints that were once in existence are now in the past, allowing you a little extra time to focus on the many other aspects of event planning.

If you need additional detailed information about California or Nevada marriage licenses, read the supplemental article on our blog.

One of the most important components of the wedding day that will leave a lasting impression upon you and your guests and is responsible for a large portion of your wedding planning budget is the meals that will be provided at the reception. Therefore, taking great care in choosing a caterer is sensible, and the rewards reaped will be a fine tasting meal at a price you expected in addition to contented guests in attendance at your event of a lifetime.

Queries for the Catering Chef

If the wedding reception facility where your banquet is held is providing the catering, asking the head chef the right questions can facilitate your evaluation. If responses aren’t fitting, inquire if the facility allows outside catering.

• Are we able to create our own menu or are your menus set?
• Once we choose a menu, can we sample the food?
• If we have special dietary needs, can you meet them?
• What is the latest date we can submit the final guest count?
• Could you provide references from recent weddings you have done?
• Will the children’s meals be at a discounted price?
• Can we view photos of previous receptions you have catered?
• What will the total cost be?
• Is coffee, tea, and soft drinks included in the total price quoted?
• Is the necessary tableware also included in the total price?
• Will the total cost quoted today be the same on our actual wedding date?

Following are a few extra questions to ask when considering a caterer outside of the acquired reception facility:

• Where do you prepare the meals you will be serving?
• Are you acquainted with the reception facility we have chosen?
• Will you be supplying all the essential cutlery?
• Are you going to need additional kitchen equipment or storage facilities other than what the reception venue provides?
• How many wait staff members will be supplied and what will they wear?
• Does your services include cleaning of the facility once the event is over?

Final Thoughts

Local Wedding Related Resources

Visit our wedding planning resources webpage for information about local caterer services or other wedding related services positioned in the Lake Tahoe area.

Known as a family playground, Lake Tahoe is a fun mountain town that provides virtually limitless things to do. Situated in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at an altitude of over 6,000 feet and bordering Northern California and Nevada, people from all around, both young and old, make the expedition to Tahoe to enjoy its recreational and entertainment attributes throughout the year, with various activities changing with the seasons.

Hiking, Sightseeing and Wintertime Skiing

There are many characteristics that Lake Tahoe is known for, two of which are its inherent beauty and that it is home to one of the largest alpine lakes in the world. The pristine 72 mile circumferential shoreline and its picturesque surroundings attract multitudes of tourists desiring to vacation in an exquisite and exciting place.

Together with a lot of sunshine and mild temperatures, hikers become very active during the spring and summer months in Tahoe. With trails nearly at every turn, vast exploration of the many summits surrounding the lake is possible, which present spectacular views deemed unbelievable. Desolation Wilderness and Emerald Bay Falls are only two of the famed places hikers delight.

Skiing the Slopes and Golfing on the Green

Depending on your fancy, scores of other activities are readily available. Water skiing and parasailing provide a lot of summer fun along with camping, picnicking, miniature golfing, kayaking, shopping, and sunbathing, which you’ll have a large assortment of beautiful beaches from which to choose.

Final Thoughts

There are practically no bounds to what you can do in Lake Tahoe. Vacationers thrive on the variety of choices they have, activities they can take pleasure in as a family or singly, if preferred. What’s more, even though some things change with the season, Tahoe is a year-round resort, which means that the Lake Tahoe fun and adventures can incessantly be enjoyed each and every day.

Regardless of the season, weddings in Lake Tahoe occur daily throughout the year, and the brisk days of winter are no exception. However, due to weather unpredictability and rapid climate changes, it’s a good idea to do a little extra research and planning to assure that your winter wedding will proceed as planned.

Helpful Advice to Ensure a Successful Event

The first and foremost thing you’d want to do before making the journey to Tahoe is to check the day’s weather forecast for the Lake Tahoe area. While your local hometown may be experiencing sunny skies, even if it’s just as little as 50 miles away, Lake Tahoe could be experiencing blizzard-like conditions.

Nevertheless, if you properly prepare yourself for the possibility of snow and allot extra time for the drive, altering your plans due to snowfall may not be necessary. This holds true as long as driving conditions are not too hazardous on the mountain passes and they remain open.

Indoor Chapel as an Alternative to the Outdoors

For the less intrepid, however, there may be a local chapel in town that can offer refuge. If weather conditions become so severe just prior to your appointed wedding time, the alternate plan of moving indoors is a common practice and not all too difficult to do, as long as the desired chapel has availability. Keep in mind, though, that these local chapels are often setup to accommodate a limited amount of guests.

Another rather important tip to adhere to when planning your winter event is to avoid reserving an outdoor wedding area and paying the corresponding permit fees for its use. It would be disappointing to spend hundreds of dollars for a permit and then have Mother Nature force your wedding party indoors, later finding that the facility you reserved does not offer refunds.

While there are a few places in South Lake Tahoe where it’s unnecessary to acquire a permit in order to conduct a ceremony outdoors during the winter season, you’re generally restricted to an unembellished service and just a few attending guests. The Beachfront is one example. Although the restrictions may initiate a strategic revision in setting up adornments and the number of attending invitees, it could be a fair tradeoff since money for an unused permit won’t be lost if the outdoor design is forced to be abandoned.

Final Words

In essence, organizing an unadorned ceremony with limited attendees during the frosty midwinter is pragmatic, particularly if unpredictable climate variations cause a nuptial strategy alteration. With just a little judicious thought, planning a winter wedding in Tahoe is quite workable.

Weather can be a deterrent at times, but most often than not, the majority of winter weddings tend to proceed as planned, with only a small portion having to make some location adjustments. Perhaps a winter chill may present itself with a backless wedding gown, but the general consensus of former winter brides and grooms is that the awesome experience of an outdoor winter wedding in Lake Tahoe is well worth it.