Practical Tips for Planning Your Wedding in Athens

Many couples discover that finding each other in this hectic world actually turns out to be easier than bringing the wedding of their dreams to life. The thought of it is simple, but the planning of it and dealing with the many details that seem to crop up out of nowhere can be daunting.

Before bad decisions and poor planning get you down, step back and make a plan for your wedding that will save the day.

Event Planners

The first item on your to-do-list is hiring an event planner. An event planner can help you with the details, and will coordinate the different contractors you use for the ceremony and wedding reception. Often their experience adds up to smoother sailing for you, and saved money in the long run. Event planners usually know the best people to work with, and how to get the most out of your budget.

When choosing an event planner find out how many weddings they have planned and ask for references. Are they based locally and therefore are familiar with the local venues and contractors? Discuss your vision for the wedding to see if this person understands what you want and can bring your dream to life. An event planner should be someone you are comfortable with, someone with proven experience that you can trust.

Some wedding planners can also be the wedding director. A wedding director is one of the most important people at your wedding. Not only will the director orchestrate your ceremony and reception, but he/she will also enable your family to spend time and energy focusing on your "big day". Most wedding planners or directors have packages with a variety of options to choose from or offer an option of charging by the hour.

If no planner or director is hired, then the organization, coordination and synchronization of each part of the wedding is left up individually to the DJ, caterer, florist, baker, etc., and must be overseen by either you or a friend of the family.

Setting A Budget

The second item on your to-do-list is work out a budget for your wedding. If you have hired an event planner, he or she will guide you through this step. If not, here's what you need to know:

Begin with a total figure that you have available to spend. You may get this figure based on the money you or your parents have set aside, or you may consider taking out a loan for the wedding expenses. One way to come up with a budget figure is to estimate the number of guests you plan to invite and then multiply that by anywhere from fifty to eighty dollars. The average cost for flowers, food, beverages and/or alcohol, entertainment, ceremony music, reception site rental, DJ or band, limousine, wedding and grooms cake and other rental fees in Athens comes to between fifty and eighty dollars per person in attendance.

In case that figure shocks you, it might help your feelings to know that the national average is between one hundred and twenty five and hundred and seventyfive dollars per guest. Athens is actually a less expensive place to tie the knot. Of course you must remember that this does not include other expenses such as wedding attire for bride and groom, rings, honeymoon, invitations, etc. Use this figure as a base to build on. You will have to add to your budget amount to allow for clothing, gifts, rings, favors etc.

Next you should open a checking account that will be dedicated to the wedding expenses. This will help you keep track of your budget. Once you have one total figure for what you are planning to spend, remember that most couples usually wind up going ten percent over, so you might want to budget for ten percent less than the total amount you actually have available. That way you have extra money for those surprise costs that seem to always come out of nowhere.

According to the wedding budget calculator on the local web site, AtlantaBridal.com, consider allowing ten percent of your total budget for your dress and accessories and the Groom's ensemble. The photography will likely run you fifteen percent of your total as well. Plan on spending about four percent on stationary at a printer, gift shop, jeweler or mail order. Keep out six percent for all the miscellaneous items like the rehearsal dinner (if the Grooms' parents aren't paying for it), attendants gifts, wedding gifts for each other, favors etc.

Setting The Tone

The largest determining factor in the cost of your wedding (aside from the number of people involved) will be the style of wedding you choose. A formal evening wedding is the most expensive type of event. Morning weddings are more economical than evenings, and afternoon weddings are the least expensive of all. The difference is largely due to the kind of food and beverages associated with the time of day. With an evening ceremony you usually serve a seated dinner or cocktail buffet and full bar to your guests at the reception. A seated lunch, or a brunch buffet with coffee, iced tea or mimosa's, Bloody Mary's, a glass of wine or Champagne usually follows morning nuptials. An afternoon wedding can be planned with a simpler menu like light hors d'oeuvres, or an afternoon tea where there is less food and alcohol involved and therefore costs are much lower. Some event venues have only a morning or evening timeslot available, so make sure you check what they have to offer. Remember to note on your invitations the type of food or meal that will be served so that guests know what to expect.

Making Your Day Delicious

The food for your wedding will consume the largest portion of your budget, so it needs to be good. The key is selecting the right caterer for the job. You can start by asking friends whom they used for their weddings. A favorite restaurant can often be asked to cater the event for you, or at least recommend someone they trust. If you have already selected a photographer or florist, ask them about caterers they have seen in action. You might inquire about referrals from the bridal salon where you purchased your dress.

Some caterers also operate their own restaurants. This gives you a wonderful opportunity to taste their work and see for yourself how they run things. If the caterer you are considering does not have their own restaurant, ask about scheduling a tasting of items from their menus after your initial consultation. Often the proof is in the palette.

When you have that first meeting with a caterer you should receive a detailed proposal that outlines the cost for the reception as well as the menu choices. You should have in writing what the fees will include. Does this include the rental of linens, china, silverware, chairs, tent, etc.? How about service personnel? Are gratuities included? What about alcohol? Every detail of the event should be laid out in writing to avoid misunderstandings. Of course this is a good idea for every aspect of the wedding, not just with your caterer.

Don't be afraid to ask for references. A good caterer will have many clients who are more than happy to rave about their work. Follow through by actually checking up on the references, don't just assume that because they are willing to hand you names that they are good. You should ask if the service and table clearing were handled in a professional and efficient manner. Was the food not only delicious, but also well presented and warm when served? Was the final bill what they expected it to be, or were there unpleasant surprises?

Verify that the caterer you are considering is licensed. This will mean that they are inspected on a bi-annual basis and have met the local city or county health department standards. This also means they should have liability insurance, workman's comp insurance and a liquor license. By using someone who is working without a proper license or insurance policy you are leaving yourself open to a potential disaster. If a server or other worker is injured at your wedding, the worker can sue you for expenses related to their injury if the caterer is not insured.

If a guest leaves the wedding intoxicated, and has an accident after being served by a caterer with no liability insurance, you can be held responsible. Also consider that if an unlicensed caterer fails to handle the food properly and spoilage occurs making people sick, again - you will be left holding the bag.

Find out if the person who works with you throughout the planning stage will be the one to oversee things on your wedding day. You want the person who has listened to your ideas and knows your priorities to be the one calling the shots, not some person you've never met.

It is also important to consider where the food will be prepared. Will the caterer prepare the food off-site and then bring it over in a truck or do they have the capability to prepare the food on-site? You might also ask if they are willing to prepare a favorite family recipe that is special to you. A good caterer will enjoy preparing a dish that may be new to them, because it makes you happy.

Most caterers can also handle the wedding- and grooms cake for you, thus simplifying your list of people to coordinate the details. Taste samples of their different types of cake to choose the best one for you. Ask if they charge a fee for cutting the cake. You may want an honored friend to do this job instead.

For Every Season There's A Wedding

If comfort and beauty are your top priority you might consider a spring or fall ceremony, however many gorgeous weddings have been held in January at a fraction of the cost. Contractors are looking for renters and clients in January, and so rates can be drastically cheaper.

Location, Location, Location

Of course the location of the ceremony, reception and rehearsal dinner play a large role in the cost as well. These locations should be decided on as soon as possible, because most local sites book at least a year in advance. You should also select your photographer a year ahead, as they schedule early in the Athens area.

If you are a member of a church you will save a great deal of money by having the ceremony and reception there. Local churches do not charge or charge a minimal amount to their members to use the facilities, but it is important to note that often they do not allow weddings of non-members. If you choose a church wedding, you should speak with your minister one year before your chosen date so that you can book the church and find out any restrictions that you may need to plan for in advance.

Most clergy require couples to come for a certain amount of pre-marital counseling before they will perform the ceremony. Alcohol is usually taboo at church receptions, as is dancing, and sometimes music is restricted. Churches may have rules about moving furniture, the use of birdseed and flower petals as well. Flower petals sometimes stain carpet when crushed underfoot, and birdseed is often for outdoor's use only because it scratches floors.

If you have enough time to plan to book one of the many fabulous local venues for your dream day, consider the Chapel at the University of Georgia for a rich and historical church setting that does not come with the usual restrictions. The Seney-Stovall Chapel on South Milledge Avenue by the Varsity, and the Day Chapel or Conservatory at the State Botanical Garden are two other wonderful possibilities for those who lack a church of their own.

Elegant dreams require stately surroundings. Dreams of a formal scale are beautifully displayed against the backdrop of one of the historic homes available for such occasions. The Taylor-Grady House and the Hardeman-Sams House provide facilities for the ceremony and the reception in the grandest style, while not always costing more. You can also choose to have your ceremony in the garden of one of these homes if you want a slightly more casual affair.

There are several Bed and Breakfasts in town, such as Magnolia Terrace and Ashford Manor in Watkinsville that host weddings, but bear in mind that they often require you to rent all of their rooms during your event, so that they don't have guests disturbed by your festivities.

Law And Order

Speaking of festivities - be sure to check local ordinances for a noise control ordinance before you set your plans. May townships have strict local noise ordinances and time restrictions for amplified outdoor music. If you plan on outdoor music a special permit must be obtained from the local police department 72 hours prior to the event. Of course if you have an event planner, they will make you aware of specific local rules and regulations.

Cost Cutters

If your dreams don't seem to be matching your budget, there are a few ways to cut costs. The biggest cost cutter is to shorten your guest list. The fewer people, the smaller space you need, which calls for less flowers, food, and favors. When you look at each name on your guest list and envision an eighty-dollar price tag beside it you can better decide if you really desire that person to attend.

Sometimes a friend or relative may be willing to let you have the ceremony in their garden or even in their home, thus saving you rental fees. You may consider a church or other venue for the wedding, and perhaps have the rehearsal dinner and reception at a friend's home.

The cost of flowers can be reduced by selecting a smaller bouquet for the bride, and by allowing the bridesmaids to carry a single exquisite bloom. You might also consider fewer bridesmaids. I have also seen brides carry a single flower with beautiful ribbons tied around it to create simple elegance.

Floral Facts

When you speak with your florist, try to convey to them the "look" or style that you are hoping for, and then let the professionals select the type of flowers to be used. You may want an exact replica of a tiny little nosegay you have seen in a magazine, only to discover that the flowers used in it total as much as your house payment. If you show the designer the picture of what you have in mind, he or she can usually create that same look with similar flowers that fit your budget.

Many times brides forget to consider the "kind of white" they are wearing when they order the flowers for their bouquet. White roses will make an off-white dress look dingy. For the best "white bouquet" effect, try mixing creamy white, pure white and peachy or pale pink roses. This arrangement achieves a greater depth and layered texture that the eye finds very pleasing, while complimenting any shade of the dress.

Weddings are very much tied in with the symbolism of the life cycle and the changing of the seasons. Therefore it is very appropriate to choose seasonal flowers for your wedding. Selecting flowers that are in season also saves you money. Consider dark red roses and various berries for winter weddings, while spring provides tulips, hyacinths, lilacs, sweetpeas and viburnum. A summer wedding will be beautiful with generous use of sunflowers and yellow and orange tone roses. Fall weddings should reflect darker tones like those found in Leonidas roses, fall leaves and berries.

The size of the bride's bouquet should be determined according to the height of the bride, style of the dress and personal taste. For instance, if you choose a dress with intricate embroidery and a full skirt, a simple bouquet works best. A dress with cleaner lines allows for a more elaborate bouquet. Remember that the bouquet should not detract from your dress, or from you. It should serve as a beautiful compliment that ties your ensemble together.

Personal Style

Your wedding day is not the time to try and look like someone else. Your dress, your hair and makeup, and even your bouquet should reflect who you are. Afterall, the person he fell in love with is you. If you are into sports and the outdoors, you might want to select a more natural bouquet that is playful, but not too busy. Elegance and formality are best represented by a simple clean look without a lot of frills. If your romantic side is what caught his eye, consider pastels and delicate flowers with a soft look.

Making Memories Last

When ordering your flowers, consider arranging to have them preserved after the ceremony as a lasting memory. Wedding flowers can be preserved through several different processes and in a variety of ways. Some brides choose to have their bouquet displayed in a shadow box or frame, while some have them made into a topiary or wreath to decorate their home. It is important to arrange for the flowers to be taken into professional cold storage immediately after the wedding to ensure freshness. If you put them in your refrigerator the petals accumulate moisture, and that damages the blooms.

Making The Most Of The Moment

The most important thing to remember is to try and relax. If your plans are causing you and your fiancée to be unhappy, maybe you should rethink your plans. Sometimes we have to put aside a little of our childhood images, and work with what you have, to make a day that can be enjoyed and savored for a lifetime. Your memories are as good as you make them.

The late Roy J.C. Jahn enjoyed 25 years of experience in Event Planning, and was the owner of Blooms of Holland Complete Event Planning. Roy was also the owner of the historic Hardeman-Sams House, a special event facility on Milledge Avenue.

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