Wichita Wedding Blog

When to Book the Wedding Officiant?

1/8/2020

You'll find that most Conventional wedding planning lists and tips often place this vital To-Do somewhere near the middle or bottom of the list, in some cases it's simply over looked altogether.
The important take away from is, just because it's conventional wedding advise, that doesn't mean it's correct.

In the real world, you should book your wedding officiant immediately after securing your wedding venue.
Here's the real life order in which to should proceed.

Decide on Your Budget
Secure the Wedding Venue -Set Your Date
Book the Wedding Officiant
Now...Order Wedding Invitations

Now you have a solid wedding foundation to work with.

The second priority is to place your focus on the Live Vendors you wish to hire.

Wedding Attire
Photographer
Entertainment - DJ
Caterer
A Planner if needed
Transportation if needed

The third focus now goes to various products.

Wedding Cake
Flowers
Favors
Special Decorations

Wedding Rehearsal Considerations

1/7/2020

To Rehearse or Not Rehearse.
Here are the answers to that question.

Not every wedding requires a wedding rehearsal.
If you are planning on a casual and relaxed ceremony, then a rehearsal isn't really necessary.

A good rule of thumb is...if you are having no more than one or two wedding attendants each, with one flower girl and perhaps a ring bearer, and you have decided on a simple ceremony...it's likely that you'll not need a rehearsal and you'll be able to manage it on your own with a few tips from your Wedding Minister.

That said...if you plan on having more attendants than mentioned above... a wedding rehearsal will be necessary to insure everything goes smoothly and beautifully during your ceremony.
If you aren't sure...always speak with your Wedding Officiant...he/she will be able to help you with that decision and offer available insight and advice.

A wedding rehearsal is based on the degree of ceremony formality.

The benefits of having a wedding rehearsal, aside from the obvious...it's a time to help you and your wedding party get comfortable with the timing and order of the ceremony proceedings before the big day.
Keep the rehearsal dinner to follow a casual, lighthearted affair, giving everyone a chance to catch their breath and get antiquated.

Wedding rehearsals are typically one hour and you'll need every moment of it to cover all the details and ceremony choreography. To void overtime charges from your wedding officiant, it's a good practice to avoid drinking prior to the rehearsal.

Being alert and attentive during the rehearsal helps everyone involved in the ceremony to feel less nervous on the day of the ceremony. In most cases, two walk-throughs is recommended to insure everyone is comfortable and confident with the ceremony proceedings. Everyone will know where to be and when. Also, the rehearsal is a good time to hand out lists of duties to the attendants of the ceremony.

During the rehearsal your officiant will go over many details.
Such as where to stand and what to do during the ceremony, where and how to enter and exit and how to pose for the best presentation of your ceremony.

Part of the rehearsal will address ( the processional ) entering and ( the recessional ) exiting, it's is a mixture of timing and graceful art form. Like learning to dance well, it's about the steps, timing and execution that makes a beautiful presentation.
If you plan on having live musicians for the ceremony, they should attend the rehearsal too, so you and your attendants will be able to recognize the musical cues throughout the ceremony.

Your Officiant / Minister will always insist on personally conducting rehearsal and arranging the ceremony proceedings from Processional to Recessional.

TIP: At times, inexperienced Wedding Planners may offer, as part of their services, to conduct the wedding rehearsal and conduct the ceremony proceedings.
** An experienced and professional planner will not. **
To clear the confusion...the purpose and function of a Wedding Planner is to coordinate all things to do with preparation prior to the ceremony and after the ceremony, not the rehearsal or ceremony proceedings itself.
When in question, always ask your Officiant for clarification on such matters.

There are never any two wedding ceremonies alike.

Just as there are no two couples alike, there are no two weddings alike.
There are always variations depending on the venue selection, available amenities, indoor vs.outdoor ceremonies, the time of year, the time of year, the level of formality and of course the personal style of the To Be Wed Couple...just to name a few. There are many factors the Officiant will take into account when contemplating the presentation of your wedding ceremony.
However, to give you a little insight as to how a wedding rehearsal and ceremony might be conducted, here's a basic sample to consider.

The standard processional line is formed in order of appearance, which will be:

Bridesmaids
Maid of honor
Ring bearer and flower girl
Bride and father

The timing of each person’s entrance and the pace of the walk will be determined during the rehearsal. Timing is usually established by the distance between each person, and also by the music. Timing is especially important if you want to make the most of ceremony photo opportunities during the processional.

TIP ** The one of the many benefits of selecting an experienced and skilled Wedding Officiant is they will be able to anticipate and adjust effortlessly to any unforeseen seen factors that may arise in the moment without skipping a beat.

When the bride enters the room, she should walk on her father’s / escort's right, or on the right side. When she arrives at the altar, her father / escort will give her hand to the groom. The officiant will address the father / escort, "Who gives this woman." During the rehearsal, we will go into much more detail and teach you what to say and do. The maid of honor will move forward to take the bride's flowers and return to her position.

Vows that require a response from the bride and groom will be cued and guided by the wedding officiant-- that way neither the bride nor the groom will miss their cue during the ceremony. Going through these cues will definitely calm all the participants down a little on the day of the wedding, All can confidently enter the room, take their places, and execute their responsibilities with ease and grace.

The rehearsal dinner is a great time to hand out printed lists of duties for the attendants. They need to know what is expected of them, and when they are “on call.” Here are sample lists of the common duties for traditional attendants. Obviously, if the best man is a woman, she will not help the groom dress, so adjust the duties to accommodate your wedding party

The Best Man Duties...the team leader

The Best Man is seen as the team leader of all things to do with the men in the wedding party.
The Groomsmen are the team players...the offer support and assistance to the Groom and the wedding.

Help the groom dress
Get the clergy person fee in a plain envelope from the groom and deliver it to clergy person on the day of the wedding
Remind the groom of the marriage license, airline tickets, luggage, traveling clothes, etc..
Sign the marriage license as a witness
Keep the groom calm
Carry the ring in a coat pocket
Take the groom’s gloves during the ceremony, if he has any
Offer the first toast at the rehearsal dinner and the reception
Hide the going-away car
Help the bride and groom escape after the reception
Return the groom’s clothes to his house or the rental store

Maid or Matron of Honor Duties...the team leader

The Maid or Matron of Honor is seen as the team leader with all things to do with the women in the wedding party.
The Bride's Maids are the team players...the offer support and assistance to the Bride and the wedding.

Sign the marriage license as a witness
Help the bride dress prior to the ceremony, help the bride with her gloves, train, veil, flowers, etc. during the ceremony
Hold the groom’s wedding band until it is requested

Usher's Duties...the team players

Ushers are responsible for:

Lighting the aisle candelabra 15 minutes before the ceremony
Seating guests
Taking down pew ribbons as the pews are needed
Putting the aisle runner in position and removing it after the ceremony
Participating in the processional and recessional
Escorting the bride’s and groom’s parents out, then dismissing one aisle at a time after the ceremony
Dancing with the bride and bridesmaids
Bridesmaids
Help the bride with errands
Participate in the processional and recessional
Greet guests in the receiving line

As with any other rehearsal, all the participants should pay close attention to their directions. Working all the kinks out during the rehearsal will make your wedding ceremony proceed smoothly and beautifully.

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Affordable Spring Garden Weddings. Big Savings plus Whimsical Ambiance. Kansas Bride's Trends and Tips.

1/4/2020

There's No Place Like Home
for Your Wedding!

A bright and whimsical garden wedding is very wedding budget friendly!

Less is more when you take full advantage of what you already have at hand. Even if you don't have your own backyard yet, you likely know someone who does.

Ask friends and family if they would be willing to host your wedding. Chances are they will jump at the chance to get in on all the fun of decorating and arranging. The more the merrier and there are hundreds of great outdoor wedding themes to choose from that are delightfully whimsical and oh so affordable.

Set the tone of your wedding with a eye popping array of vibrant spring colors.
Accent with your reception tables with mason jars filled with colorful spring flowers.

Natural, Easy Outdoor and Home Wedding Decorations. Wedding Altar Designs.

Utilizing the wonderful gifts of mother nature insures a perfect wedding venue every time. Romantic charm is a sure bet with a garden wedding.

Even on the smallest wedding budget you can still create a home garden wedding worth a million with a little imagination and creativity.

Home Weddings, Practical, Affordable and Stunning!

Set the mood with some colorful and inexpensive paper lanterns, this adds a special flair to your wedding. By using simple well placed lighting you'll create an magical, festive and relaxed atmosphere.

Weddings are all about family and friends coming together to celebrate your marriage. If you were to take a poll of your guest list, you'll likely find that most would much prefer the intimacy and whimsical charm of a backyard wedding to that of a expensive commercial venue or even a church setting. It's so much more personal and welcoming.

Where to Have a Park Wedding in Wichita Ks and Surrounding Areas.

9/28/2019

There is no lack of beautiful and affordable wedding venue options in Wichita and South Central Kansas! With over 80 beautiful parks to choose from, many offer community facilities with full service kitchens, AC/Heating, restrooms, electricity, decorative fireplaces," perfect for Holiday Wedding plans", you will also find ample parking with handicap access most accommodating, with plenty of tables and chairs, many times provided, at VERY affordable rates.

Depending on the location you choose, many public areas are free to use for elopements and small wedding events. To learn more about the available options in your area contact us by Requesting a Chat.

Even the most frugal bride can have a beautiful and affordable wedding at one of the several Wichita, Derby, Andover, Haysville, Mulvane, Augusta and El Dorado Kansas locations.

Choose from any of the many lovely community-city-county venues, many provide great views of lakesides, ponds, waterfalls, gardens and riversides, all beautifully maintained and at a fraction of the cost of a commercial venue. You are sure to find one that's just right for your wedding desires and budget. Awesome! Contact us for help locating the best option for your wedding plans, Request a Chat.

City of Wichita Park Shelter Directory
Keeper of the Plains , Wichita KS
Mid-America All-Indian Center, Wichita KS
Old Cow Town Museum, Wichita KS
Garden Venue Suggestions Wichita
Andover Kansas Parks Directory
Derby Kansas Parks Directory
Sedgwick County Recreational Facilities
Sedgwick County Afton Lake Recreational Facility

All You Need Now is a Wedding Minister!

View Our Officiant Services

Simple Wedding Ideas in Wichita KS

9/24/2019

Simple is Truly Beautiful.
If simplicity is what you crave for your nuptials there are several stunning natural outdoor public park venues that provide balance, peace and harmony for your I Do's.
Feel it in air as Mother Nature lovingly envelops you and gently whispers serenity throughout you marital proceedings.
What could be better?
These are just a few of our favorite places for a lovely outdoor ceremony.
Prefect Venues for Elopements and Small Weddings.
Contact us for arrange for you ceremony.

Officiant Services

Fall Outdoor Wedding Ideas in Wichita KS

9/20/2019

Awesome Autumn Outdoor Public Park Venues in Wichita and Surrounding Areas.
Perfect for a Lovely Small Wedding or Elopement!

Fall Wedding Ideas for South Central KS

View All Venue Suggestions

View Current Elopement Ceremony Specials

Where to Have Outdoor Weddings in Wichita KS

9/18/2019

Botanica Gardens

Backyard Home Weddings

Public Parks

Gazebos

Officiant Services

Small Wedding Specials Under $250

Derby Kansas Wedding Venues

8/26/2019

The City of Derby has a variety of meeting rooms and special events facilities. These facilities are great for events both large and small, including weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, civic meetings, fundraisers and more.
Contact Meet in Derby

Arrange for a Wedding Officiant

View All Venue Suggestions

Top Pick Park Wedding Venues in Andover KS

8/25/2019

About Beautiful Central Park Andover
As you drive into the beautiful 80-acre park, you will notice the nature/walking path that winds around Lake George.
The lake is stocked with fish by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. The lake has six handicap accessible fishing docks. A state issued fishing license is required.
Learn More...

Officiant Services

Blended Family Mini Wedding Specials

8/24/2019

Our Blended Family Mini Wedding Recipe Is Just Right!

This is the perfect balance and blend of a wonderfully intimate, family affordable, delightfully whimsical and oh so accommodating
Blended Family Wedding Affair.
Even the family fur babies can attend!
There's no need to put off the wedding ceremony any longer.
This is just too easy not to do.
Celebrate Your I Do's at this Family Friendly Mini Gazebo!

Mini Weddings Under $250

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