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About Brenda Cascio
Expertise
As founder and CEO of GraciousBridal.com, I am pleased to offer suggestions for those puzzling situations such as wanting to give personal gifts to bridesmaids that have totally different interests, how to show appreciation to guests on a budget, what small things that can be done to make a huge impact for the ceremony and reception.

Experience
At the helm of graciousbridal.com, I am up-to-date on the latest trends. Our products have been featured in the finest wedding and style magazines. I am essentially a consultant to consultants. Because many wedding consultants are a small operation, they don't have access to the vendors, markets and other consultants that we have. Therefore, we use our resources to find those elusive items. Having a party and want to re-create the garden at Tavern-On-The-Green? We provided the marbelized balloons. Are you wanting a garden party with lanterns strung through the trees? We have provided the lanterns with coordinating parasols and hand fans. Want to plan a wedding merging two cultures, I can help navigate you through the potentially sticky situations (now is not the time for a social faux-pas!) It is important to be aware of the various customs in different parts of the country too, and I am more than happy to assist brides, moms and consultants in this.

Education/Credentials
Degree in Fine Arts and years of experience in design and marketing prior to becoming involved in the wedding industry.

You are here: Experts > Style > Weddings > Weddings > Evening wedding itinerary

Weddings - Evening wedding itinerary

Expert: Brenda Cascio - 10/23/2009

Question
Hi,

I'm having an evening wedding with hor d'oeuvre reception, but I'm having trouble figuring out the sequence of events. Guests will arrive around 7 pm. Should we get married at 7:30, have speeches to follow and then serve hor d'oeuvres? Or, should we mingle with guests and serve hor d'oeuvre while everyone arrives and have the ceremony around 8 or 8:30, followed by speeches and then dancing? Do we want everyone eating hor d'oeuvres during the ceremony? Do we serve hor d'oeuvres before and after the ceremony?

Basically here are the things we need to accomplish:
Serve hor d'oeuvres (caterer will serve for a total of 3 hours)
Get married
Speeches
Dancing

Thanks! I'm so confused.

Answer
Hi Kathleen,
Weddings can make even the simplest things confusing, so just stop and take a deep breath. Aaahh. I recommend that you go with the tried and true. Have the ceremony first, and then on to the food and dancing. It is the usual sequence of events, so guests will be prepared. Of course, the invitation should indicate hor d'ourves and dancing to follow, which tells the guests that it is not a full meal. This will alert them to have dinner prior to the event. If it is a meal, you would indicate dinner and dancing to follow. It isn't necessary to offer food before, however, it is a gracious gesture to offer a beverage prior to the ceremony if it is possible, perhaps bellini's or if it is cold, hot mulled cider. It sounds like a wonderful event and I wish you the very best.
Regards,
Brenda Cascio,
www.GraciousBridal.com,
Where Personalization is ALWAYS Free!

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