| Walk yourself through as: | | | | bathroom vanity |
| The Guest: You are driving to the wedding and have | | | | - Sewing notions: needle and thread, safety pins, |
| turned onto the street, you know the address, now | | | | scissors. Things needed for a quick emergency repair. |
| which one is the house? | | | | - Aspirin or something else for headaches. |
| You: A sign, such as: "The Smith - Townsend | | | | - Bottled water and fresh fruit or light non-messy finger |
| Wedding" will prevent guests from searching for | | | | foods. Chances are, the bride has been to busy or |
| numbers on the house. Attach some white helium | | | | excited to eat. You do not want her fainting at the |
| balloons with ribbon long enough for the balloons to be | | | | altar. |
| seen several houses away. Do not skimp on the sign. | | | | - The room temperature should be comfortable. There |
| Poster board has a tendency to flap and curl. Not | | | | will be people bustling about the room creating heat. |
| classy. The front yard is the first impression. That | | | | Set the thermostat on a lower setting. Ceiling and |
| means grass mowed, hedges trimmed, flower beds | | | | portable fans can be a big aid in keeping the bride and |
| weeded, driveways and walkways edged (use the | | | | her wedding party cool and calm. |
| blower or broom to sweep away clippings) and | | | | - Ask the parents of the flower girl to bring something |
| power-washed or hosed down. Even if you have the | | | | for play. Most likely she will stay occupied with being |
| guests go around the house and not through the front | | | | one of the big girls. She will be in a princess state of |
| door, sweep and wash the porch. Enhance the yard | | | | mind and will, for the most part, keep herself |
| with natural embellishment. Flowers in the flower beds | | | | entertained in that special fantasy world all flower girls |
| and/or in attractive containers will suffice. Do not do | | | | visit. |
| gaudy, this is a dignified occasion, not a circus. | | | | - A box of tissues, for those happy tears. |
| The Guest: You arrive at the wedding in your car. | | | | - If you want to do something special for the bride, a |
| Where do you park? Is there ample room on the | | | | vase of fresh flowers in the room will certainly add to |
| street? Is there valet parking? | | | | the felicitous occasion.The Groom's Room: |
| You: The number of guests you are expecting, at the | | | | - The perfect groom's room is a game room equipped |
| gathering, dictates what is enough parking. Can the | | | | with a pool table or other games. The guys will not |
| guest park within a short and safe walking distance? If | | | | spend as much time primping as the girls, and need to |
| not, is there a church or local business close by that | | | | be kept busy so they will not become bored or, even |
| you can work out an arrangement for parking? In that | | | | worse, wanderers. |
| case, you will need valet parking. Guests will not | | | | - Clothes rack or over the door hooks for the tuxedos. |
| appreciate parading down the street, in good clothes | | | | - Places to sit. |
| and high heels. They came to celebrate not to | | | | - Full length mirror, for that all important once over. |
| exercise. | | | | - Pocket combs for unruly hair. |
| The Guest: How do I get to the backyard? Around the | | | | - Shoe polish wipes. |
| house? Through the house? | | | | - Someone with knowledge of how to tie a tie, should |
| You: Clearly identify access to the backyard. A | | | | be on standby. |
| plywood (or other sturdy material) sign painted white | | | | - Sewing notions: needle and thread, safety pins, |
| and adorned with wedding motif and a directional | | | | scissors for emergency repairs. |
| arrow can lead the way. Again, attach a couple of | | | | - Bottled water and fresh fruit or light non-messy finger |
| balloons to attract attention. Carpet runners (available | | | | foods. Note: It is amazing the number of weddings that |
| at rental stores) make an elegant path for the gala | | | | the bride and/or groom have allowed themselves to |
| event. Have a sign in book ready on a small table or | | | | become so hungry they become lightheaded or almost |
| podium. Make it simple, but attractive. | | | | dehydrated from lack of fluids. |
| The Guest: I am standing in the backyard, now what? | | | | - The room temperature should be comfortable. |
| You: People enjoy being greeted. Have someone | | | | - the parents of the ring bearer should bring something |
| designated to be the greeter. Let the guest know that | | | | they know will occupy their son's time. The ring bearer |
| they are welcomed and give them any special | | | | will feel the camaraderie of the groomsmen and will |
| instructions. Where to set the gift they are carrying | | | | usually try hard to be one of the boys.Wow! |
| might be one. | | | | Something extra nice, for both the bride's and groom's |
| You probably do not want people wandering through | | | | room, are live video feeds to televisions in each room. |
| your house, but this is inevitable, unless you plan on | | | | The video camera can be set up to send real time |
| renting an unsightly port-a-potty. Ugh! | | | | feed of the guest as they arrive and mingle. The bride |
| Not only will guests need to use your bathroom, the | | | | and groom will both appreciate this gesture and feel |
| bride, groom and their wedding party will need | | | | more connected with their friends and families. |
| separate rooms to prepare for the ceremony. | | | | Even a simple backyard wedding takes major time |
| The Bride's Room: | | | | and hard work. There is more than just the backyard |
| - The perfect room, for the bride and her wedding | | | | involved: parking,the kitchen, the bathrooms, room for |
| party, is the master bedroom. They need access to a | | | | the bride and one for the groom, and the first |
| private bathroom. | | | | impression... the front yard. |
| - Clothes rack or over the door hooks for dresses. | | | | A luscious lawn, trees for canopies, and vibrant |
| - Places to sit. | | | | flowers, a perfect setting for two people to unite in |
| - Full length mirror is a must; a tri-fold mirror would be | | | | marriage. Is the time it took to plan and execute, and all |
| great. | | | | that hard work worth all that effort? It is, and it will be |
| - A dressing table with mirror for makeup and hair; or | | | | for all the years that follow. |