Wedding days are NOT easy to plan! And many of you out there don't have an extra $1,000.00 to pay a coordinator- so what do you need help with- and how do you ask?
A wedding is personal and unique - every single one of them! What makes this true- the SMALL details! For example- the little frames with the seating cards, the programs, the special napkin rings you've made- etc... We so many small details- and this makes everything uniquely - YOU!
These are the small details we DON'T help you with as a caterer. However, family and friends would be happy to! At the Oviatt you have two hours to set-up everything prior to ceremony. Vendors and "helpers" are allowed in at 4:00 p.m.- guest arrival isn't until 6:00 p.m. So what happens those two hours?
First: Bride, bridesmaids (and spouses usually) arrive- along with photographer and florist.
Now if you are wondering who to ask for help it is NOT the bridesmaids- they are busy taking pictures with you. However, spouses of bridesmaids are GREAT! They aren't part of the picture taking- but they are there just "hanging out" usually very bored- so put them to work! They won't mind! Same for the wives of the groomsmen! So you will have help there- more than you think! The great thing is that in the Penthouse we provide all the big stuff- you just need to deliver and set up the small stuff!
So what is delivered? Alcohol! Most of my clients decide to bring in their own alcohol- this means bringing it up the elevator in a dolly and putting it all in the living room- yes this is a perfect job to assign someone to! At the same time- your decor is probably coming up, the programs, the favors, the seating chart, family pictures, extra flowers, etc... All of this you will need people's help setting it all up. Delegate these responsibilities! You do have the help- and they are in the room with you.
WARNING! DO NOT ASK ON THE DAY OF THE WEDDING! Ask PRIOR to the wedding day and explain how you want it done. Remember we have 120 person maximum capacity. This means 10 tables- 12 people per table. Breaking it down further- only 60 seating cards, 10 dining flower arrangements, and maybe 120 favors. No big deal! So COMMUNICATE! Talk to family and friends! They love you and they want you to have a wonderful day and trust me people are willing to set out 60 little cards for you- takes 10 minutes! No big deal!
The End of the night!
This part of the event is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the beginning! So many of my brides and grooms call me after the wedding to ask if I have "Found XYZ". Please remember that assigning people to help you take stuff back at the end of the night means you need to assign SOBER - RESPONSIBLE people! Don't lose pictures, Wedding License (yes this happens), Cake toppers- etc... Assign help!
Remember to assign a responsible party to do the end of the night walkthrough too! Now this walkthrough happens once EVERY GUEST and EVERY VENDOR is gone! We walk the person through the space and look and note any damages! *** In your contract you are required to give us a $1,000.00 deposit- and with that if there are NO damages we return that check to you that night. If there are damages then we note them- photograph them, and keep the money and either refund the balance or go through your insurance if something BIG- like a window or antique is broken.
I hope this all helps as you plan! We want your wedding day to go smoothly! So ask for help- trust me everyone that loves you wants the same thing!
Happy planning everyone!
Roxy Adlesh
(213) 379-4172
