Complete weddings Southwest Missouri wants nothing more than a successful, upbeat wedding reception for our couples, so we put together a wedding planning checklist. This reception starter checklist will help you get things rolling with planning the party of the year! Start here to create a list of goals so you can pace yourself and have a perfectly planned wedding reception that you can enjoy, too!
Wedding Planning Checklist in Springfield
Once you’re engaged, the questions start coming! When are you getting married? Which venue are you using? Will I be invited?! The first thing we suggest is to actually enjoy those first days or weeks of being engaged! Try to focus on what vision you see for you and your fiance on your wedding day. From a barn wedding to one in a greenhouse, spend time with your partner discussing how you can mend each of your visions into one perfect celebration of your love!
Invitations
Once a guest list is created, now you need to let them know about the big event! Are you picking a design from Etsy to print, hiring a designer, or going to a stationery company and working with someone one on one? Based on your budget and aesthetic, you’ll need to pick one then begin the process of creating an invitation that reflects the theme you’ve chosen, so your guests know what to expect.
Make sure it includes everything your guests need to know — you can use the “5 Ws” here: Who, What, When, Where, Why! But I highly recommend printing or ordering your invitations from a local stationery company (like Paperworld Stationer) because they can help you with the ins and outs of wording and etiquette. Make sure you send invitations well in advance, (6-8 weeks before the wedding) and include an RSVP card, stamped envelope, and due date.
Photographer
A picture is worth a thousand words and so are the memories you make at a wedding. With so many of your friends and family gathered together, it is the perfect opportunity to capture some photos of everyone. Hiring a professional photographer from the Springfield Mo area ensures that you have someone who is familiar with the local venues and will create memories that will last forever! Check out some of Complete weddings + events Southwest Missouri’s photographers here!
Videographer
While it’s standard to hire a wedding photographer, we promise you should not overlook hiring a videographer as well. No one ever regrets having video footage of their first dance, their cousins doing cartwheels on the dance floor, and their sibling’s heartfelt speech. Unfortunately, hiring a videographer to capture the reception is a choice many people regret passing upon, and we are working hard to not let this happen to future couples. Our videography team captures all the best highlights of your wedding so you can relive the fun later. It’s like watching home movies — only the upscale version with cinematic background music and high definition picture.
Menu
Food can be the highlight or the disaster of an event, so make sure you get this one right and hire a professional caterer. Also, ensure a proper guest count is collected early enough so the caterer knows how much food to prepare to make sure nothing runs out (nothing kills a party faster than hungry guests). Finally, avoid any unpleasant allergic reactions or issues by making sure you know which guests have dietary needs so you can plan accordingly.
Flowers
Bouquets and other flower arrangements add a delicate touch to any wedding. Your favorite flowers will need to be ordered in advance, which most florists recommend you do as far in advance as possible. Once the theme is set, and contact your favorite Springfield, Mo florists to see how they can help give your theme life!
Entertainment
Whether you are dancing the night away or having a relaxed backyard wedding, each reception has its own unique way of encouraging guests to enjoy themselves. There are endless ideas for party fun and mapping out what that will be is an exciting part of the planning process. Maybe you’re thinking of incorporating yard games, a high-energy DJ to keep the crowd dancing, or perhaps guests will hop in a photo booth for some silly pictures — the choice is yours!
Music
Music and wedding receptions go hand in hand. Not all DJs are created equal, and you want the best soundtrack to set the tone for your wedding reception. Hiring a DJ guarantees your event will be on point with the best tunes: even a smaller reception can benefit from having a professional there keeping the beats and the schedule of events that evening going. Sometimes the best idea will be hiring a DJ who can take care of all of those things for you. We’ll help you find the right playlist for your party — hear for yourself!
Cake
Wedding cakes are a delicious feature that guests will flock to at the reception. Your wedding cake should embody the formality that you have chosen, wedding style, and or theme. You will want to make these decisions about the cake after you have finalized your guest count as well as after you have decided on your vision for the reception. Not only should your cake look beautiful but taste great too! I highly recommend going in for a cake tasting to figure out what flavors you like best!
Complete Weddings + Events in Springfield
Creating your wedding planning checklist in Southwest Missouri is a big job, but it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. By making a plan to start and then working one thing at a time, you will find yourself a master party planner in no time. For any questions you have, Ask Complete Weddings + Events to get our expert help on wedding planning in Springfield, Mo and the surrounding areas!