Over-scheduling in the Bride's Room

As obsessive-compulsive wedding coordinators (what other kind could there be?), we understand the need to multi-task on your wedding day and get the most from your time in the Bride's Room.  After observing hundreds of brides schedule their pre-ceremony day, it becomes obvious that less is more and trying to have too many mandatory events scheduled for a limited time creates unwanted stress.  Most of our brides schedule hair appointments for her and her bridesmaids prior to arrival at the Chapel and allow ample time for a light lunch or snack, sharing a bottle of wine with friends and enjoying using the makeup tables with the great lighting for those last minute touches.  Remember to include some time for photography while in the Bride's Room and consider including a "First Glance", which should allow your bridesmaids a chance to use the room during your absence.  Have you thought about who you want in the Bride's Room prior to your ceremony?

Glenda Kraettli, Wedding Coordinator
for Hermann Hill Missouri Weddings

Getting Groomsmen to pay Attention

Groomsmen are predictable for blowing off rehearsals and then being clueless for the ceremony and that's not counting the probable hangover from the previous night's frivolities!  Here is a list of three things that we do to help avoid groomsmen problems:

• During the rehearsal, it is vital to make the groomsmen feel important and spend extra time explaining why they must perform in specific ways that is different from their grand entrance into your reception.
  
• Our wedding coordinators and officiants meet with the groomsmen prior to the ceremony to review the groomsmen's responsibilities.  This is also the time that our wedding coordinators will straighten the groomsmen's ties, make sure their shirt is buttoned correctly, shoes tied and occasionally wipe off some lipstick, allowing for much better ceremony photography.
• Groomsmen can be used as ushers prior to your ceremony to give them a responsible activity that your guests appreciate as they are escorted down the aisle.  Groomsmen must be made to feel important and not just ornaments standing in front of your guests during the ceremony.
  

Glenda Kraettli, Wedding Coordinator
for Hermann Hill Missouri Weddings

Why is offering a Cash Bar a bad idea?

 At Hermann Hill, you will often hear that the way we want to be judged by a couple is by the way their guests tell them they were treated and how months after their wedding they are still being complimented on how their wedding was the best they have ever attended.  From a guest's viewpoint, they have invested a great deal of time and resources to attend your wedding.  They expect to be elegantly fed and provided with refreshments as a reward for being there.  Cash bars hurt this impresison because it is difficult to celebrate your marriage when guests have to keep paying for drinks.  Moreover, when we do host a wedding with a cash bar, we have noticed that a lot more guests show up to the wedding ceremony intoxicated because they know it is going to be a cash bar.  This is never a good situation and frequently these guests have to be asked to leave because of their behavior.

Finally, since there is usually about an hour between the ceremony and the reception, having an open bar for your guests who aren't involved in photography is essential to their happiness.  These guests already feel somewhat left out and must see that they are welcome and appreciated.  Having an open bar and appetizers during this critical time leads to much greater satisfaction.

Glenda Kraettli, Wedding Coordinator
for Hermann Hill Missouri Weddings

Why is a Wedding Coordinator so important?

Some of you have probably experienced the horrors of a "do it yourself wedding" at the moment when a stressed out bride and both families finally realize that they have created a disaster that their friends and relatives will be laughing about for years.  The typical reson for attempting a "do it yourself wedding" is money ,but frequently once realization occurs at the impending disaster about ten days before the ceremony, couples start throwing extra money (that they never planed to spend at their wedding,) trying to cover up for unplanned mistakes.  A good example is hiring a limo at the last minute instead of replacing a cash bar with a per person bar, real versus artifical flowers, or a DJ versus having one of their friends play some CD's.  Overspending on guest favors will never cover up poor planning.

Wedding coordinators who have done hundreds of weddings can make a planning session and subsequent communication with the bride invaluable because they know how to make a bride's vision happen and not get sidetracked.  Wedding coordinators help the bride establish priorities that will allow for a ceremony and reception that reflects the couple's actual plan and not just a fleeting idea that should never be implemented.  Complex families also require a neutral party that can manage a rehearsal and ceremony because of their experience in dealing with such issues.  The goal is for everyone to feel included.  Our reputation depends on you having the perfect wedding and that is why at Hermann Hill wedding coordinators are included as part of all of our wedding packages.  You will also have a wedding coordinator at your planning session and rehearsal.

Glenda Kraettli, Wedding Coordinator
for Hermann Hill Missouri Weddings

Why are serving Hors'doeuvres and an open bar important folloiwng a ceremony?

We are all familiar with weddings that occur at 1:30 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. and the reception starts around 6:30 p.m. at a hotel conference center.  At these weddings, guests go see a movie, shop, or grab a late lunch prior to arriving to the reception site.  Weddings at Hermann Hill are different because most of your guests are not local and may have driven a long distance for your wedding.  They will remain at the chapel following your ceremony and wait for the reception to start.  We want to be evaluated based on how well your guests tell you they were treated and we know that they will be looking for an open bar and something to eat at the end of your ceremony.  Allowing our trained Hermann Hill staff to take care of your guests while the wedding party and family finish photography takes a lot of pressure off the bride and groom.  An open bar and
hors d'oeuvres also gives guests a smooth transition and an opportunity to talk with each other between getting a beverage and making their way into the pavilion for your reception.  Have you thought about your signature frozen beverage for your reception?

Glenda Kraettli, Wedding Coordinator
for Hermann Hill Missouri Weddings

Choosing a Menu That Makes an Impression

Brides frequently face a dilemma in selecting their menu because they must balance so many different issues and strong feelings from those offering advice.  Should your choices reflect what you as a couple most enjoy, or should you focus on what you think your guests would most appreciate eating at your reception?  Durng your planning session, you will discuss these issues with our Chef and a Wedding Coordinator and if you attend one of our Hermann Wedding Trail events, you'll also sample our most popular entrees, salad and side dishes.  After watching thousands of wedding guests at hundreds of receptions, we can offer a few basic guidelines:

• A buffet allows your guests to select exactly what they want and return for seconds if they desire.
• Two entrees is the easiest way of dealing with vegetarians, kids, and guests who simply want to be offered a choice
• Our signature salad with two dressing choices is the most popular with our wedding guests
• Adding color, flowers and varying heights to the buffet tables makes them much more appearling and interesting to your guests

Do you know what type menu you would like to choose?

Glenda Kraettli, Wedding Coordinator
for Hermann Hill Missouri Weddings

How to Make your Reception Guests Feel Welcome

We all know that the first impressions are important and following a great ceremony it is crucial to keep the momentum going as your guests experience your reception.  Since the wedding party is frequently involved in post-ceremony photography for about an hour, it is our responsibility to tend to your guests' needs.  Many of your guests have not had anything to eat or drink for hours prior to your ceremony and by having an open bar and some kind of hors'doeurvres immediately following the reception, you create that great first impression.  Your DJ should also have welcoming music playing softly and the gift table should be near the pavilion entrance so your guests can leave their gift and proceed to a table.  Our staff will help guests with children who need high chairs, booster seats, or special food preparation.  We will also assist those in wheelchairs who need a chair removed from a table.  Throughout the evening, you will see our staff talking to your guess and making sure their needs are being met.

Glenda Kraettli, Wedding Coordinator
for Hermann Hill Missouri Weddings