Planning ceremony and reception at private home on water
Question: We would like to have our wedding ceremony and reception at a private home on the water and would like your advice.
Answer: Congratulations! A wedding on the water in Northern Michigan is fantastic. We are so lucky to be surrounded by water and the aura this brings is the best.
If you are planning to be outside for the ceremony and reception at a private home you must plan for tents, tables, chairs and all other items necessary to create a “venue.” I always recommend a tent or tents for the day. Even if you have the most perfect day in terms of weather there are still things to consider. Many times when you think of bringing tents in you are planning for the possibility of rain or inclement weather but it is equally important to consider heat and sun. A tent will provide shelter in either case.
I also love to use (not a necessity) what is known as a tent liner as this has many values to it. These include esthetic appeal as the most visible value, but they are also great if the weather is chilly as you are heating less of the tent and keeping more of the heat in range of your guests (hot air rises) and during a warm day they tend to billow and help create a breeze of sorts.
When considering an event outside using tents it is very important to have a professional do a site inspection or survey to confirm that you have enough space available for the number of guests you have and the way that you intend to use that space. They will also be proactive in letting you know if the space is usable for a tent and seating. A quick guide for this before the site inspection is to take a basic folding chair and sit in it at various areas of your site as this will give you an idea of the grade (the degree of inclination of a slope, road or other surface) of the property. If you are feeling as though you are being thrust forward of falling backward your site may not be workable.
It is also important to have a back up plan. If you are planning to have your ceremony on the beach you will want to have a place to go if the weather should not be cooperating. Don’t just believe that it is going to be a perfect day weather wise (perfect in all other respects). We often will (if the space allows) create additional space in the reception tent that can be used for the ceremony should the need arise, with this we will use the space as cocktail/mixing space so that it has added value in addition to the use for a ceremony.
It has been my experience that if you have all your bases covered you will likely not need to use your back up plan (of course this is not a guarantee, but more likely really good luck).
If you are working with a venue (as many have outdoor areas for ceremonies) or any other professional that does not encourage a back up plan, find someone else to work with. Many times we as professionals want to tell you yes about everything but it is our job to make your day as perfect as possible and that may include telling you things that you may not want to hear.
Again Northern Michigan and our lakes are the perfect backdrop for an outdoor wedding or party; they just require a little more hands on effort to make them work for you!
Kris Rundblad is owner of Merry Makers, a local social and corporate event planning company. Her column, Cause for Celebration, appears on the fourth Friday of every month in the Petoskey News-Review. Send your questions about weddings and entertaining to Rundblad at (231) 547-5061 or info@merrymkr.com or use this form.
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