If your divorced parents are on good terms, count your blessings. If they are not, or if their relationship is marginal, proper handling of their situation can help avoid any unwanted tensions. There are several alternatives you should think of with planning your church wedding and reception arrangements.

Wedding Planning with Divorced Parents

 
According to protocol, the parent with whom you have lived the longest issues the invites. The other parent is usually not mentioned unless both parties agree to each of their names being represented. Protocol, doesn’t always create warm fuzzy feelings. It is best to have both parent’s names on the invitations.

When you’re introducing your parents to your future in-laws it is usually proper to introduce the parent with whom you’ve lived the longest, then introduce your other parent. The bride’s father almost always walks his daughter down the aisle, except under certain circumstances. If that is not possible, a substitute family member or friend can stand in with the bride. This is typically a brother, uncle or close friend.

Special church seating arrangements can be made in advance to smooth rough spots. The bride’s mother and her immediate family (parents, husband and children) are seated in the first row. The second row is left empty to afford a better view for the bride’s father, who after giving her away, is seated with his immediate family in the third row. The same seating arrangements pertains to the groom’s family if they are divorced.

During the grand entrance parents can either be mentioned or not recognized depending on their relationship status. If you would like to announce parents during the grand entrance, they can either rise from their tables or walk in escorting their dates. The style you choose depends on what makes you the most comfortable. These small details are very important and can eliminate last minute problems.

A fabulously prepared meal is one of the deciding factors of a successful reception. It might be hard to find a person that can cater to the tastes of both families. To help you choose a Michigan Wedding Caterer, we have included some important questions below. Keep these points in mind, and your meal should be deliciously memorable.

Questions to Ask Wedding Caterers in Michigan

What packages do you offer? What do they include? It is best to know what the caterer provides before talking prices. They should be able to give a wide range of possibilities.

Have you worked at my reception site before? Most caterers will prepare food on-site at the reception location to ensure the food is fresh. The cater should know the limitations of your hall, and if they will have to make changes in the way they cook the food.

Do you provide beverage service or bar service? It might help to kill 2 birds with one stone. This is also one less company you have to worry about with contracts, payments, yada yada yada. Also if the company does not have a beverage service, then find out if they will pour the champagne/wine. It is a nice touch if the staff helps your guests with their first glass.

Do you have opening or corking fees? This ties in with the last sentence of the previous question. If the company provides this, you should about the charges upfront. Last thing you want to find out is that you owe money for something you didn’t know about.

When is the deadline for the final guest count? We all know that your guest list is going to go up and down right up to the day of your wedding. It is hard to decide who makes the A list and who gets cut out. It is typical to say that 15% will not show up. A good rule of thumb is to over estimate in case more than you anticipate show up. Also remember to include your vendors in the head count. They word hard to make sure you and your guests have the time of your life.

Can you provide entrees for my guests who have special dietary needs? Keep in mind that not everyone will like the entrees you selected. As a matter of fact, some guests might have allergic reactions.

Will you provide flatware, china, stemware, etc? More often than not, the hall provides this. If you are having the reception catered at a residency, then you will need to rent plates for the evening. Caterer’s that do several events a weekend will most likely have silverware.

Do you supply or arrange tables, chairs, or linens? If your reception is outside, then the tent company will probably be providing the tables as well. If they are not arrange the layout, then who is? Wedding planners can also rent chairs/chair covers. It does hurt to ask your caterer if they can bundle in the chairs/tables.

How will you and your staff be dressed? Any reputable vendor will be able to answer this question quickly. If you are planning a themed event, can they dress accordingly? It is important that guests can easily identify the waiting staff.

When will we need to finalize the menu? There is usually a deadline for the for the entree selections. The caterer will need to know what ingredients to purchase, and some of them might be seasonal. The sooner you can decide on the menu, the easier it will be for your wedding caterer.

Will the caterer provide wait staff? Most caterers will have a team with them to help assist your guest with the meal. The amount of people they bring will depend upon your guest list.

Do you have references from previous weddings? Always do a background check on any company you are considering. Ask for a list of recent references! The last thing you want to do is call people from back in 1997 (they might not even remember the food). If they give you a list of 3 people, ask for more. If only have 3 references then run!

How far in advance must I book your services? If they are in high demand, then they might book weddings 2 years out. One year is the average for dates that fill fast. Friday and Sundays don’t book as fast. If you are planning your wedding during an off month (November – February), then ask for a winter wedding discount.

What is your cancellation policy? When you book 1 – 1.5 years out, a lot can change. We don’t want things to, but unfortunately thing might. Since this happens on occasion every year, they should be able to answer your questions. Just keep in mind that Michigan Wedding Caterers reserve your date and turn down thousands of dollars in business to set aside their services for you.

Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much? Your wedding vendor will ask for some kind of deposit and signed agreement as a sign of commitment. This fee is typically 50%, it is also common practice for the remaining balance to be due 2 weeks prior to the wedding day.

Wedding DJs in Troy

I love this place, Petruzzello’s staff always does an awesome job with events. I am not a big fan of their lighting, kind takes Encore out of the equation. But hey, if the client is happy that is all that matters. We celebrated with Ken and Sara. Since Ken is the producer of the Fox 2 News Show, I got to see Al Allen and Hugh Perkins tear up the dance floor. You can view the photos in their Glam Cam Photo Album. Congratulations and thanks for having us be a part of your special day.

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Before meeting with a wedding rentals vendor, it’s helpful to have a rough idea of what you will need, an approximate guest count, and information about the reception location. The more info you can give them about your reception, the more accurate the quote. I’ve included some helpful questions below to ask when working with a variety of Michigan wedding rental vendors (linens, vehicles, Michigan photobooths, silverware/dining, chairs, lighting design, floral, furniture, decorations).

Choose a Wedding Rental Company in Michigan

What items are available for rent? Some companies will niche market in only one category. Others may have bundled options to save you time and money. It never hurts to ask.

What is the rental fee? Do you have a price list? Some vendors resort to an all inclusive package, while others can give you several options. The second is more flexible with strict budgets. Any company you consider should be able to fully explain the differences of their various packages.

Have you worked at my reception location before? This is a biggie for event design and rentals. Not only is logistics a factor, but also facility layout. Any reputable person that has worked the facility before will be able to give an honest recommendation on what you need. They can base this off past clients, and future accommodations. There is no right or wrong way to plan a wedding, so make sure they completely understand your vision.

Do you provide delivery, set-up and pick-up? Is this included in the cost? Once again, logistics is a biggie. Some people have a limited coverage area while others will travel to Timbuktu. They should remove the stress involved with prepping by setting up the items being rented. Their price should also include tear down. The last thing you want to be stuck with is a bunch of center pieces that are due back at 10am the next morning?!

When will the items be delivered and picked up? Get this written out in detail in your contract. I have heard many horror stories because of a communication breakdown. You know what the most important part of your wedding is right… it is the part that gets screwed up. Your wedding has to be perfect. I recently was doing a wedding were another vendor ended up being 10 chair covers short for the whole room. They realized the client added on guests last minute and forgot to tell them. They had to run across town during rush hour to pull things together last minute. Always keep your vendors in the loop.

Will you move decorations from the ceremony to the reception site if needed? This is mostly done for floral arrangements. You paid the money for them, might as well get the biggest bang for your buck! But who will transport them to the reception? All you have to do is ask.

If tents are needed, do you recommend one large tent, or multiple smaller tents at my reception location? Different sized tents have different costs. Different locations require different sizes. Tents are cool. Tents are big. Tents allow your parents to invite 3,000 people who you’ve never met or heard of before. Oh yeah, you have to feed those people. Tents also require a small army of people to build, air condition, decorate and tear-down. Either way factor in the labor vs. sq footage.

What is you policy on damaged or missing items? Accident happens, and linens/chair covers are notorious for getting misplaced. Knock on wood that something doesn’t happen, but hey Murphy’s Law. It is best to have them go over a common problem situation with you. For example, if you go with lighting design, then they might require 3.5 feet of space between the tables and the perimeter of the walls to account for guest walk space.

Who will be my contact on the day of the wedding? Make sure you have a contact person that WILL be available the day of. This person should have a good understanding of the services you reserved.

How far in advance must I book your services? Vendors that do a stellar job tend to stay busy. On average, popular dates will book from 1 – 1.5 years. Some companies can handle multiple events on any given day. It is important that they do not stretch themselves to thin. They should have a backup plan for emergencies.

What is your cancellation policy? When you book 1 – 1.5 years out, a lot can change. We don’t want things to, but unfortunately thing might. Since this happens on occasion every year, they should be able to answer your questions. Just keep in mind that wedding vendors in Michigan reserve your date and turn down thousands of dollars in business to set aside their services for you.

Is a retainer required? If so, when and how much? Your wedding vendor will ask for some kind of deposit and signed agreement as a sign of commitment. This fee is typically 50%, it is also common practice for the remaining balance to be due 2 weeks prior to the wedding day.

Selecting a Michigan wedding ceremony site is very important. The ceremony is really the heart of your wedding, and picking the right location will set the tone for the rest of the day. Since you have probably never planned a wedding below, we’ve listed 12 quick points to keep in mind when visiting the location ceremony sites. Do not forget practical considerations such as parking and accessibility.

Pick a Michigan Wedding Ceremony Site

 
1.) Is your facility open to non-members? Some places are private and require you or your close family to be a member in order to use their facilities. These places include local clubs, country clubs, and yacht clubs.

2.) Do you have any restrictions or limitations on lighting, camera, audio or video equipment? Some venues have audio technicians on staff. They might charge you extra for outsourcing anything they can do in house.

3.) Do you have restrictions on times or days of the week? Some places might have functions planned at various time during the week. This might a strict schedule for setup time for weddings on off days like Sunday.

4.) Are outside musicians permitted to perform? Most places are very flexible with this requirement. There are only a handful of halls that make your vendors sign agreements before they perform at your venue. Some places will have a list of recommended vendors that they prefer. Just because they refer their services, does not mean they are the best. Sometimes wedding vendors will pay thousands of dollars to be on these lists.

5.) Will any decorations be available through you? Some halls provide chair covers and others can help you with the runner going down the aisle. If the price is right, then this might be a wise choice considering also all the time you will save by going through one vendor. Just make sure to see their previous work and give them a idea of what you are looking for.

6.) Are there dressing rooms? Think about it, it might be hot outside and a dress room would make it more convenient for any last minute pampering before the ceremony. Way better than relying on your limo as a changing room!

7.) When could we have a rehearsal? It is important to plan a rehearsal the night before your big day. Majority of your bridal party will not aware of the formalities involved in the ceremony. You want to make sure they are on cue, and a rehearsal is the best way to get everybody on the same page.

8.) Is ample parking available? You should consider how many people will be at your reception and make sure guests don’t have to park a mile away to make it to your ceremony. Last thing you want is your photographer taking photos with a bunch of empty seats. It is also a good rule of thumb to include a map with your invites to where available parking is located in relation to the ceremony site

9.) Are there handicap friendly restrooms? Remember, a percentage of your guests are elderly. It is nice to keep their accommodations in mind as well.

10.) How far in advance must I book your services? Different ceremony locations will start getting booked up at different times of the year. If you really like the site, reserve it ASAP!

11.) What is your cancellation policy? This is a biggie, remember to read the fine print. Most wedding vendors can only handle 1-2 weddings in a day. So when you book them a year out, they are turning down business from that day forward.

12.) What is the deposit? This will vary between a couple hundred dollars to 50%. Some places might be flexible and work with unique situations.

Wedding DJs in Mackinac Island

What better place to plan your dream wedding than beautiful Mackinac Island. This secluded area does hundreds of receptions every year, and they are known for the island’s natural beauty. Besides having the opportunity to take amazing photos, you can even make a mini-vacation. You get around the island by walking/biking/horse. Jennese and Chris had their reception at the Lilac Tree Hotel, which has a smaller banquet room for intimate receptions. We also provided lighting design to make for a nice backdrop in their photos. You can see the shots in their Glam Cam. Congratulations to both of your families!

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Wedding DJs in Westland

Now I can say I’ve seen it all! We had the opportunity of providing the DJ entertainment and lighting design for Lev & Sara’s reception at Hawthorne Valley Country Club in Westland. They requested a variety of music which also included Armenian songs for the “Pinky Dance”. Since Lev is a professional videographer, slideshows were playing throughout the evening.

I have to say, this wedding was phenomenal! At one point of the evening, there was break dancing, then crowd surfing, the dance floor couldn’t take it. By the end of the night, the tile was ripping from the floor, because it was over capacity : ) The banquet hall was realllllllly made at me, but hey… can you blame me!? I couldn’t decide which video clip was better, so I just included both of them. Want more photos of their reception then visit their Glam Cam… enjoy.

Wedding DJs in Mt Pleasant

James and Stefanie had their reception at the Pohlcat Golf Course. They wanted to add a little variety to their wedding, so besides providing the DJ entertainment, we also brightened up their night with lighting design. We had their entire room match the colors of their bridal party. This requires 20 fixtures, and on average it is enough to saturation your whole space with color. Feel free to browse the photos in their Glam Cam Photo Album. Good times with great people!

Wedding DJ in Southgate

We did (2) weddings back to back at the Grecian Center. We were lucky enough to celebrate with Jimmy and Janel for their big day. This wedding was a referral, which we always appreciate. If you can’t tell in the photo above, then I am here to tell you that they are a really fun group of people! Jimmy specially requested a song that a friend of his wrote. It is called Orangitango by Fly Golden Eagle, pretty awesome song. Besides everyone in the bridal party going crazy to that song, they also loved the N’sync Bye Bye Bye. I have a video clip of it below, or you can watch it in their glam cam photo album. Congratulations guys!

Wedding DJs in Southgate

I love it when we have couple like this! Sarah and Jim were very laid back, and we had a blast at their reception. It was a smaller wedding that was held at the Grecian Center in Downriver. We had a name monogram aimed on the floor in the main entrance. Guests would notice their name in wispy fonts as they entered the reception room. Besides taking a lot of awesome shots for their glam cam photo album, we even got some video. I would have to say that the best part of the night was when the Sarah surprised Jim by singing him an Aretha Franklin song. To find out how she asked for a little respect, you can watch the video below.

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