Blog - Las Vegas Wedding Planner // Las Vegas Weddings

How to Prepare for Your Ceremony Rehearsal

August 29, 2021 - written by Paulina

Your ceremony rehearsal traditionally takes place the day before your wedding and is often the first of the wedding weekend festivities. For many couples, it’s the first time a lot of the attendants are meeting each other. There is a lot of joy & excitement shared at the rehearsal, but a lot of important details to cover as well. In the weeks leading up to your wedding, your Scheme planner will meet with you and go over all the details you’ll need to know to prepare for your rehearsal and be there on the day to manage everything, but here’s a look at what to expect and plan for.

Timeliness

Asking your wedding party to arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of your rehearsal is a great way to ensure everyone is there when it’s time to officially start. This gives a few minutes for those stragglers and also gives a chance for everyone to say hi and meet before we get started. Chances are you have a dinner reservation or something planned following the rehearsal. We want to make sure we get you to the next activity on time to continue the celebration.

Who Should Attend?

Ideally, anyone who is walking or being escorted down the aisle as part of the processional should be in attendance. This means even grandma and grandpa if you’re including them in the processional. Sure, they have quite an easy job, but it will give them comfort to know exactly what they’re doing and where they should sit for the ceremony. If there is anyone who is giving a reading or has a role in the ceremony, you’ll also want to make sure they’re at the rehearsal. It’s also ideal to only have the key people who are part of the processional and ceremony in attendance. The more people who attend, the more chaotic it can be.

The Lineup

Have the lineup of your family and wedding party in place prior to your ceremony rehearsal to avoid any negotiations or opinions from others. It also helps keep things moving along. The order of your lineup could be by most influential to your marriage, by importance in your life or simply by height. Traditionally the best man and maid of honor will stand directly next to you followed by the remaining wedding party members. Remember, the couple standing the furthest away from you is the first in line for the processional. It’s also important to know that this is what is traditionally common. This in no way means it’s how you should arrange your wedding party. We also want to acknowledge that some wedding parties might have odd numbers of attendants on each side or have opposite genders. We love challenging tradition and making sure the flow of your processional is perfect for you two as a couple.

Ceremony Songs

Traditionally there are three ceremony songs; processional, bride entrance and recessional. If you have a lot of family members or sponsors as part of your processional, it’s great to consider a separate song for them and a second song for your wedding party. It’s also great to consider songs without lyrics. Depending on how large or small your bridal party is, it could be awkward to fade a song out right before the best part! Keep your choices appropriate, positive and personal to the two of you. Start thinking about these now! It’s often one of the most difficult decisions our couples have to make.

Ceremony Outline

If your officiant is available to attend the rehearsal, it’s always a great idea for them to be there. Being able to do a quick run through of the ceremony, practice your vows, rehearsal the ring exchange, allow readers to read and polish that kiss is important! Running through the entire ceremony will help calm your nerves on the big day.

Wedding Day Timeline

Your ceremony rehearsal is a great time to gather everyone’s attention to review the wedding day timeline. Go over your hair and makeup schedule, give out room numbers, share photo schedule and transportation pick up information. Review venue details, explain where to park and spell out arrival times to everyone. It’s also helpful to share the photographer’s timeline before and after the ceremony. You’ll also want to break the news on who gets to enjoy cocktail hour and who will be smiling big for the camera, provide who will be in the grand entrance, when toasts will happen and if transportation will be available again at the end of the night. All this information is helpful not just for the wedding party to have, but for the wedding party to answer guests’ questions as well.

All in all, be prepared to enjoy the day because it’s the kickoff to an amazing weekend and one you’ll never forget! We can’t wait to walk you through the rehearsal and look forward to celebrating with you on your wedding day.

Kids at Weddings!

August 8, 2021 - written by Paulina

As Las Vegas Wedding Planners, we often get questions about the etiquette around inviting kids to weddings — especially a Las Vegas wedding. Below we’re breaking down some of the most common questions regarding children at weddings and offering some advice on how to go about including the little ones in your celebration or ensuring your wedding is an adult only affair.

Is it appropriate to invite kids to our wedding?

Of course it is, if that’s what you want. Children can often make the celebration so special & fun. Is there anything cuter than little kids on the dance floor? And nothing will get your guests smiling and letting out a big “AWWWW” quite like a gaggle of flower girls walking down the aisle or a little boy in a tuxedo carrying a ring pillow! Just remember, if you do opt to have children at the wedding, and especially in the wedding party, be light hearted and relaxed about it. You can’t control a child throwing a tantrum right before going down the aisle so if the ring bearer needs to walk down with mommy or pass on his duties to the flower girl, just go with the flow.

Is it okay to not invite children?

Absolutely! There is nothing wrong with wanting your wedding to be an adult only celebration and it’s not something you should feel guilty about. With enough notice, parents can make arrangements for the little ones and enjoy a night out without worrying about the needs of their kids. We strongly encourage setting the tone from the beginning by noting this on your save the dates, wedding website and invitations.

Should I provide childcare for those traveling with their children?

In some cases with destination weddings, your guests are going to need to travel with their children. This is totally understandable. A wonderful gesture you can offer them, especially if your wedding is an adult only affair, is providing childcare. This can be done in a number of different ways. Perhaps it’s hiring a few caretakers and reserving a room near your reception where kids can play, have dinner and be looked after. Maybe it’s booking a suite at the hotel your room block is at and having a nanny service come. This is a lovely courtesy that will alleviate some stress from your guests with little ones and also ensure you’ve done everything you can to accommodate everyone and make sure your celebration is an adult only affair.

Can I include a flower girl and ring bearer but no other children?

You most certainly can! It’s totally normal to want to include some of the most special little ones in your lives, but not open up your wedding to include everyones children. You’re totally allowed to do this and your guests should understand. Often times, arrangements are made for the little ones to head out after the ceremony or dinner, allowing mom and dad to enjoy the rest of the night kid free.

Your Scheme planners feel strongly that you and your partner should do exactly what you want. If you want children in attendance, by all means, include them in the invitation. If you don’t, please don’t feel guilted into including them. Over the years, we’ve planned and coordinated weddings with 30 kids in attendance all the way to ones that include no guests under 21. We are experienced in how to communicate who is invited and prepare for your guest of all ages.

Tiny Little Pads with Nicole Hernandez Photography

What Does is Mean to be a Maid/Matron of Honor?

August 1, 2021 - written by Paulina

It is such an honor to be asked to stand next to your dear friend’s side as they say, I do! The role you’ll play as maid of honor or matron of honor is so special. We’re here to explain some of what might be expected of you and how you can make the bride’s time as fiancé easier and more enjoyable!

Pre Wedding Activities

As the wedding plans begin to unfold, you’ll likely be tasked with attending & spearheading a number of different events. It’s nice to make yourself available for dress shopping — and it’s also important to be at the final dress fitting to practice how to bustle the dress for the bride. It’s customary to host a shower or brunch to honor the bride in the months leading up to the wedding. Though there is usually family and friends to help share the load, the maid of honor is generally heavily involved in the planning and execution of this. Then of course, the bachelorette party. You’ll want to consult with the bride to get an idea of what she has in mind. Is it a trip to Mexico with a gang of girls or simply an elegant dinner with her closest friends and family. Whatever the bride desires, you’ll be an intricate part in making it happen.

Lending a Helping Hand

There are many ways you can be there to help the bride as she is planning her wedding. Sometimes it’s attending a vendor meeting with her, sharing ideas to a Pinterest board or listening to her gripe about family dynamics. Beyond that, having a girls night to help stuff, seal and stamp save the dates or invitations is super helpful. Maybe your friend has decided to take on a DIY project for the wedding, being there to assist will mean so much to her. It is such an exciting time in the bride’s life, and simply being there and being present is huge! But don’t forget to ask for her to delegate a task or two your way!

The Wedding Day

The day you have all been waiting for is here! Yay! You’ll want to make sure you’re at your best on the wedding day, so consider limiting the cocktails at the rehearsal dinner and getting a good nights rest. On the day of the wedding, you become the point person for the bride. Helping her answer questions and being there for things she might need. You’ll want to make sure she eats, help her get dressed and make sure she has everything she needs when it’s time to head out the door. And if your couple has decided to include toasts in their reception, you’re on! Spend time working on your toast in the months leading up to the big day. Don’t rush it the night before. You’ll want to keep it to around 3 minutes. Consider a little humor, share a quick story of you and the bride and don’t forget to acknowledge the new spouse and just how happy you are for them! After that, it’s time to party! Join the bride on the dance floor and celebrate the night away!

As Las Vegas wedding planners, your Scheme Team can’t wait to meet your bridal party and maid/matron of honor. If you have any questions at all, leave a comment below!

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