Florida Keys Weddings
Amara Cay Resort – Real Weddings
Real Weddings in the Florida Keys Venue – Amara Cay Resort Photographer – Jannette De Llanos Photography One of your

Drift Wood Package
5 Helpful Tips for Choosing a Wedding Venue
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Are you thinking of having a Florida Keys

The Specialty Drink for Cocktail Hour
Written by Just the Bar The Specialty Drink and How it can make or break your wedding. Yes, make or

High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
Real Wedding in Key Largo – High Tide Package – Joseph & Constance
Share on facebook Share on pinterest Share on twitter Share on linkedin Real Wedding at Island Bay Resort https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdNmM25qy5A&t=2sJoseph and

Old Traditions & New Trends – Bridesmaids & Groomsmen
Where did Bridemaids and Groomsmen come from? The origin of the original bridesmaids and groomsmen (although not known the exact

What is the Reason for Cake Toppers?
Share on facebook Share on pinterest Share on twitter Share on linkedin History of the Cake Topper The tradition of

Why Does a Bride Carry a Floral Bouquet?
Share on facebook Share on pinterest Share on twitter Share on linkedin Old Traditions & New Trends The Bridal Bouquet

Wedding Ceremony
Setting your ceremony When Planning your Wedding things may tend to get overlooked. Today, we are going to look at

Wedding Videography
Why you should get a Wedding Videographer Writen By Bobby Doyle Videographer Why you may want to hire a professional

How to do a Rehearsal Dinner – Florida Keys Style
The Wedding Party Rehearsal You may be wondering why ceremonies require rehearsals. True, you’re not putting on a Broadway show,

Real Weddings in the Florida Keys

Venue - Amara Cay Resort

Photographer - Jannette De Llanos Photography

One of your more popular Florida Keys Wedding Venues located in Islamorada. This beautiful wedding was captured by Jannette De Llanos Wedding Photography. 

Florida Beach Wedding packages and Venues
Ceremony Wedding Venue at Amara Cay
Real Wedding at Amara Cay
Florida Keys Wedding venue
Florida Beach Wedding packages and Venues
South Florida Beach Wedding packages
Florida Keys Gifts

Are you thinking of having a Florida Keys Wedding? Well, you’re in luck! We are here to help you out with helpful tips on how to choose your wedding venue. 

Most, if not all couples when they get engaged, start looking wedding venues right from the start. Should it be a local gathering, should it be a destination wedding, should it be a simple elopement? 

 Don’t worry, in this following article, we will specify how to choose the perfect wedding venue right here in the Florida Keys! 

1.)Types of Venues

Theoretically, there are 5 different types of Wedding Venues in the Florida Keys.

  • Private Beach Houses
  • Beach Resorts 
  • Ceremony & Reception Only 
  • Ceremony Only 
  • Churches

Private Beach Houses are a pretty unique way to have a wedding and sometimes can be alot of fun. A private beach house for a wedding venue is usually rented (stipulated by the owners) between 4-7 nights at a time. Everything has to be built from the Ground up and offers a blank canvas to build yourself a masterpiece.  Some pros are you can bring in your own vendors, bring your own alcohol, and really have a wedding week instead of a weekend or just a couple of hours.

Beach Resorts Are similar in a way to private beach houses, except beach resort wedding venues typically require just a  2-3 night stay. These are properties where you and most of your guests can stay directly onsite.  

Ceremony and Reception Wedding Venues are locations and venues that don’t require any lodging or accommodations. These venues are typically helpful when you are concerned about where your guests might stay. 

Ceremony Only locations are usually great for small weddings and elopements. We have great recommendations for beaches for just doing a ceremony only and having dinner reception at a local restaurant. 

2.) Pricing for Each Venue

  • Private Beach Houses:  These homes as mentioned above are week long or long weekend rentals and can range anywhere from $4,000 – $17,000 for the entire week. 
  • Beach Resorts require a site fee only and mandatory that almost all or everyone stays on site and if not, you pay the difference. Beach Resorts run around $2,500 – $7,000 Site Fees
  • Ceremony and Reception Only: Usually these are at local restaurants locations and have a smaller site fee of around $1,500 – $2,500
  • Ceremony Only: We have wedding packages that start at $299 for a ceremony only package. 

3.) Pros and Cons for each Venue

Each  venue, I don’t care what it is, will have a pro and con attached to it. Some are minor and some can be major. My goal is to tell you them and you decide what bothers you and what doesn’t. 

Private Beach Homes 

Pros: 

  • PRIVACY
  • Flexible with bringing your own vendors
  • Week Long Vacation / Destination Wedding
  • Bring in your own alcohol
  • Great for DIY Brides
  • Plan Rehearsal and Brunches on Site

Cons: 

  • Building from the Ground Up
  • Week Long Rental
  • No Indoor Space For backup
  • No Staff Onsite
  • No where for additional Guests to stay
  • Food for all guests all days 

Beach Resorts

Pros: 

  • All Inclusive
  • All Guests are on site
  • Lower Site Fee
  • Activities on Site

Cons: 

  • Not as Private (Ceremony)
  • 4-5 Hours Long
  • Cookie Cutter Effect
  • May have multiple events same day

Ceremony & Reception Only

Pros: 

  • No Guest Accommodations
  • Budget Friendly
  • All Inclusive Packages
  • Cash Bar after certain hour
  • No Nightly Minimums
  •  

Cons: 

  • Not Private
  • Shorter in Time

Ceremony Only

Pros: 

  • All Inclusive
  • Very Affordable
  • No Site Fees
  • Quick and easy
  • Beautiful locations on the beach

Cons: 

  • Not Private
  • Have to find reception dinner 
  • Not Ideal for large guest lists

4.) How to Choose a Wedding Venue

Now that you have an idea of what wedding venues are out there, and you have an idea of costs, and the pros and cons, this should help you make a more informed decision on how to choose a wedding venue. Which one should you choose? We have no idea. Each one is different in their own way and couples should choose based on what they want and their needs for their guests. If booking a beach resort or private home, check out some All inclusive packages to help get you started. 

5.) After Choosing a Wedding Venue

I hope that you have made the right choice, and this article has helped you in your decision. After choosing your wedding venue, go celebrate, you’re having a wedding in the Florida Keys. After you celebrate, contact us to secure room blocks and group hotel discounts, as well as packages, wedding vendors, and so much more! 

Popular Trending Articles

Written by Just the Bar

The Specialty Drink and How it can make or break your wedding.

Yes, make or break your wedding, you read that right, but it’s just a drink you might say? Learn some helpful tips from seasoned event bartenders and things that may help your event flow a lot smoother. 

Why do we have a specialty drink?

To this day, I still don’t know when specialty drinks made its course, but it seems every event that we now do seems to have one. Whether it’s the Brides Choice vs the Grooms Choice, or if its a mixture of their two favorites, you can almost expect us to have a specialty drink prepared for your wedding day. 

Other than pretty colors, cool shaved garnishes or that cute stirrer that you ordered off etsy, there should be a real reason on why you are having a specialty drink, the Reason? To alleviate me, the bartender. 

There are two major times that the bar is going to get packed. The first is after ceremony. After the ceremony, you and your fiance will run “Backstage” and take photos with most likely your bridal party, after that, everyone will look straight to our direction, and head to the bar. And why not, lets get this party started! After ceremony everyone will head towards the bar like an episode of the walking dead. A signature drink can help bust out half of these people, whether we have them pre-made, or if we have them made with a cocktail server passing them out. The bar will get alot less cluttered with people and will smooth out the wait time. 

I have seen events that have not had a specialty drink, and not having one makes all the difference in the world. 100 people coming to the bar at one time can make any seasoned bartender sweat. Especially if there is no signs at all, the questions are never ending and people are waiting alot longer than if there was an already pre-made drink handed to them after the ceremony. 

Mistakes made on specialty Drinks

Now contrary to many of my fellow bartenders, I like making difficult and fun drinks, but this is about time and convenience. I didn’t write a blog to just avoid making drinks like mojitos or old fashioned’s, but they definitely need to be brought up. I remember back when I first started doing weddings, and seeing a  mojito drink for the specialty drink, the event, was a wreck at the bar. True story, I thought that this was completely our fault and that we totally wrecked it, and while part of that was true, it was also inexperience on all of our parts, the wedding planner, the bartender, the couple, everything. Luckily, I’m here writing this so you can learn from our mistakes. 

The next event that we had mojitos and old fashioned’s as a specialty drink, was also a wreck. This can’t be a fluke can it? NO right, I think me and my time are pretty good at what we do? 

The problem is when we start planning on your wedding and talking with couples, we factor in the guest amount and the alcohol, then, when we get to the event, they also mention that they are doing Mojitos, or old fashioned’s or frozen pina coladas. What happends after that, is we lose a bartender right off the bat! So if we had two bartenders for your 120 person event, we have already lost one, even if we start pre-making, time is not on our side, and if the drink is a hit, expect it to go all night. 

So picture 100 guests coming to the bar after the wedding ceremony, and the sign is up for Mojito as a specialty drink, it takes time to make one. Then we have 4 ordered, then 5, then 6, then everyone is waiting for a specialty drink that takes way too long and everyone is starting to get upset. 

Recommendations for Specialty Drinks

For Recommendations for Specialty Drinks for cocktail hour, or if I’m discussing with a couple, I always recommend something fun, and something that we can bust out pretty easily. A lemonade or watermelon, rum punch, mai tai, or something general that everyone loves and something that everyone will appreciate. Usually I will have them recommend a drink that they like together, and we switch a few ingredients, and rename the drink after them or their event. Try to stay within 3-4 ingredients. 

With all that being said, I have done some really nice events where they specifically wanted mojitos or another specialty drink that seems to be very time consuming, somethings to consider. 

1.) Offer it as a specialty drink, but not the main specialty drink. 

2.) Set up a completely different station, like a mojito or margarita station where that bartender and those guests are all there just for that drink

3.) Use a quick cocktail for servers to hand out after ceremony, then when the dust settles, use the signage at the bar for your specialty drink. 

In Closing

We hope that this can help you with the flow of your event, specialty drinks are always a nice touch. Going to a bar years later and ordering your specialty drink will always have that nostalgia of your wedding day. Make it fun, make it smooth, and make it taste good, and you wont go wrong! 

 

Just the Bar  I  Florida Keys I Justthebar@wishestoweddings.com 

Real Wedding at Island Bay Resort

Joseph and Constance having their wedding at the Island Bay Resort in Key Largo in the beautiful Florida Keys. 

Our Hightide package is one of our most popular Elopement wedding packages. For under $1,000 we provide an arbor, flowers, decor, photography and an officiant. 

This Wedding Venue is a great choice for small wedding elopements. You can have your wedding directly on site for no additional site fee. There are only 10 rooms as it is a small property which makes your elopement very intimate and romantic. 

For after your ceremony, there are great restaurants all nearby to choose from. From Steak Houses to Local Seafood Restaurants directly on the water with live music. 

See pictures below of their wedding that was held with just two other guests. Very intimate and romantic wedding. 

High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort
High Tide Package at Island Bay Resort

Learn More About our High Tide Package

Hightide Elopement Package

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor
Click Here

If you would like an affordable beach wedding package or you want to your own Hightide package at Island Bay Resort, Feel free to check out the links above, or contact us to learn more. 

We always strive to match what your inspiration and expectations are. 

Whether you are wanting a laid back beach style wedding, or a formal suit and tie, we can help you choose. 

Our packages range anywhere from $299 – $2,499 and have an arrange of options. From video, arbors, flowers, decor, and so much more! We make having  a destination wedding in the Florida Keys is easy and affordable. 

Some Other Articles You May Enjoy!

Ceremony Options
Sabrina hocker

Seven Mile Ceremony Only Package

Rueben and Lorena chose our Seven Mile Ceremony Only Package and selected the stunning Smathers Beach in Key West as their ceremony location. They invited 40 of their closest

Read More »
December 23, 2025 No Comments

Where did Bridemaids and Groomsmen come from?

Where did Bridemaids and Groomsmen come from? The origin of the original bridesmaids and groomsmen (although not known the exact year)  dates back to ancient early Roman History.  

The tradition begins with 10 Bridesmaids and 10 Groomsmen.

Roman Wedding Laws required that there needed to be at least 10 male witnesses and 10 female witnesses in order for the marriage to be legal. ​Back in those days, Romans were very superstitious and would accompany the Bride to the Groom to ward off evil spirits, and protect them at whatever costs. 

The Bridesmaids and Groomsmen would all dress alike to confuse the spirits or enemies incase of such an attack. ​​

Why do the Men stand on the left? And Women on the Right?

Now that we are knowing where bridesmaids and groomsmen come from, why do each of them stand where they stand? Not only did they want to dress alike and ward off evil spirits, but some stories tell of men and woman protecting the bride from thieves who would try to steal Marriage Settlements and gifts bringing fourth from the Bride to the Groom. 

​Men would stand on the right side of the Groom, because they could easily draw their swords incase of such an event

The Transition: Where did Bridemaids and Groomsmen come from?

As Time passed the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen became less suspicious of evil spirits and the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen would dress down to pay more attention to the Bride and Groom on their wedding day.

New Trends:

Where did Bridemaids and Groomsmen come from? Now We are actually starting to see more Bridesmaids and Groomsmen than what we have been seeing in past real weddings. Closer to 12-14 (7 per person)  in total than 6-8 in years past. Obviously, the larger the wedding, the more Bridemaids and Groomsmen are expected. Having your best friends and family be able to stand their with you while saying “I Do” to the Love of your life is a wonderful and exciting experience and we dont see anything changing in the near future with that. 

History of the Cake Topper

The tradition of a wedding cake goes back to Roman times, when pieces of the wedding cake were drizzled over the bride’s head for good luck. (Yes, true story. Google it) 

The Wedding cake symbolizes good fortune and fertility. Years ago, it was assumed that a married woman would have a baby within a year after her wedding. The tradition is that the top tier of the wedding cake would then be thawed and used for the baby’s christening. The tradition has been modified over the years and now it is customary to thaw and eat the top tier of the wedding cake on the first anniversary. Below are some alternative options to eating and storing your cake for future events. 

The history of the cake topper is a little more debatable regarding its origin. Some accounts deflect to a baker centuries ago who made a cake topper for his daughters wedding to signify the unity and love between the two of them, while others suggest that it was due to a large number of guests attending the wedding that can see the couple on top of the cake. 

Here are a few options for those who would rather not eat year old cake:

  • One option is to ask your caterer to make a duplicate cake that can be picked up in a year.
  • On your anniversary you can ask a local baker to create a new cake for this special day.
  • Or, you can ask your baker to make a cake with the same flavors of your wedding cake.​

If you do decide to save the top tier, here are a few tips on preserving your cake:

  • Place the top tier of the cake in the freezer immediately following the ceremony to allow the frosting to freeze.
  • Ask a Friend or a relative to do this for you as you may forget.
  • Wrap the cake loosely with freezer safe plastic wrap, and just when you think you’ve used enough …. use a little more, just in case.
  • Make sure the entire cake is wrapped to protect it from freezer burn. Then place it into a cake box.
  • Ask your baker for a cake box, if they are not able to accommodate you, check with a local craft or grocery store.
  • Once you have placed the wrapped cake into the box….. wrap the entire box with with the same freezer safe plastic wrap.

The Transition:

As Weddings became more mainstream the cake and the toppers seemed to go with it. Although couples still seem to revert back to the history of the cake toppers, lavish, comical, and elegant designs seemed to be following right along.

New Trends:

I don’t think we will ever see a replacement for a cake topper. I think its a tradition in which now will most likely stand forever. Although we may see new ideas and ways to become unique and one of a kind with each couple, we will still always see a topper on a cake.

Seven Mile Ceremony Only Package

December 23, 2025 No Comments

Rueben and Lorena chose our Seven Mile Ceremony Only Package and selected the stunning Smathers Beach in Key West as their ceremony location. They invited 40 of their closest

Read More »

Old Traditions & New Trends

The Bridal Bouquet

Ahhh the Bouquet. So beautiful, so detailed and compact. So much time is thought on the Flowers, the layout, the colors, design, the backing, the size, and the cost. They are a lovely accessory and if I didn’t know they had a history I would think that we would have created this idea anyway. 

Our nerves are probably jammed pack when walking down the aisle. Having a bouquet to hold while doing so keeps are hands nicely in place instead of flailing about nervously while passing our relatives as we approach our soon to be partner. 

The History

Now we have heard a lot of wedding stories on why a Bride carries a Flower Bouquet and the most popular one that we hear is that in the 1500’s that people would usually bathe very seldom and that May was the first bath and therefore June was a popular wedding month because it took roughly less than a month to plan a wedding back then (Woudn’t that be nice. The month to plan part, not the bathing). 

Now we are not denying that this may be factual, but the tradition stems much farther back than this and yes, it still tails back to the Aroma. 

The custom of having a bridal bouquet dates back to ancient times when woman would carry strong herbs and spices from reasons such as warding off evil spirits to creating lust and fertility.  Flower girls and brides maids would carry sheaves of wheat which symbolized growth. 

​The most common bouquet that was held was the Dill Bouquet in which afterwards they would chop up the bouquet and use it for their feast which also symbolized fertility and growth.

The Transition

As Weddings became more symbolic the bouquet was not left behind. Flowers were starting to have purpose and their colors were given meaning as well. Even arrangements started coming into play as slightly opened blossoms signified tranquility and virginity. Colors like white were symbols of purity while Orange and Purple were signs of happiness and fertility. 

New Trends:

The Bridal bouquet hasn’t slowed down and there isn’t any trend that looks like its going to do so anytime soon. While I find that most people are more concerned about their color scheme wanting to coordinate their bouquet. Brides do show some sentiment in their backing and design. Brides seem to be trending towards a seashell bridal bouquet, costing almost the same price, a Seashell Bouquet can be taken with you and will last forever.

Some Other Topics you might Enjoy!

Ceremony Options
Sabrina hocker

Seven Mile Ceremony Only Package

Rueben and Lorena chose our Seven Mile Ceremony Only Package and selected the stunning Smathers Beach in Key West as their ceremony location. They invited 40 of their closest

Read More »
December 23, 2025 No Comments

Setting your ceremony

When Planning your Wedding things may tend to get overlooked. Today, we are going to look at the Ceremony. The Wedding Ceremony is the most important part of the wedding and the reason you all have gathered here together today. 

The Overall Look

If you had a chance to actually visit the location then you probably have a great idea of the over all look. Where the musician will be, where will you walk from, where your bridal party will stand and what items you will need / want for a decor point. Most properties in the Florida Keys do not need a crazy amount of decor considering the backdrop itself is why you are here. Crystal clear blue waters, painted sunsets, and the occasional dolphin jumping or sailboat cruising by.

Finding an Officiant

When planning your ceremony it should begin with the type of ceremony you would like.

Religious or Civil.

A Civil ceremony is preformed by a legal official rather then a religious official. 

If you are needing an officiant we suggest that booking one is on the top of your priority list. An officiant is a must need for any wedding and finding one that you like and is available for your date is clutch. If they are available and you connect with them, put down a deposit as soon as you can. 

No matter what type of ceremony you are having, go over the details with your officiant. Make sure you both are on the same page and prepared. Be sure to go over – Opening remarks, vows, readings, and time.  Make sure you are comfortable with the language and be sure to go over any  responsibilities of the person marring you.  


If you decide to have a family member or friend preform your ceremony and this is their first time –
A rehearsal is always helpful to go over the details and go over these helpful tips
* Ask guests to be seated after you come down the aisle and to speak into the microphone so everyone can hear you. 

Ceremony Music

Whoever you select to host your ceremony music ask if they provide a mic, your guests want to hear this special moment. 


* Prelude Music – Which is music that is played as guest enter in the ceremony area


* Quiet Please – Have your wedding officiant or MC remind guest to silence their phones.


* Your processional and processional music – Which refers to the formal entrances of family and bridal party -Try and practice the night before the wedding

* Exchange of rings – If you do not have a wedding coordinator place some one in charge to make sure the rings make it down the aisle


* Your Recessional – the song you get to walk down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife 

Ceremony Table

Do you plan on having a sand ceremony, wine ceremony, or something that you will need a table for? Make sure to inform your rental company that you will need a table, normally a round 30″ table will do with a 108″ Round Linen. This a table that often gets overlooked. Also if you plan on having a unity candle ceremony, I would suggest to place the candle in a large enough lantern because having an outdoor wedding on the beach, the candle will most likely not stay lit. 

Ushers

Most weddings I have done the couples prefer not to have assigned sides for seating, but it is still good to have a couple ushers to direct guests for the ceremony flow, where to park, when they may take their seats, they can also pass out wedding programs that often get  over looked or save seats for your reserved family that will be walking down the aisle.​

* Reserved seating

The first few rows should be reserved for family members, this is a small detail that is really important and can be overlooked, you can place a usher in charge of this or add reserve seat signs to the chairs, as family members walk down the aisle you want to make sure they have a seat reserved and do not end up in the middle or back row.
Ask your parents to also make a list of who they would like to sit next to and where and place someone in charge the day of to make sure that happens.

Who is in charge of the rings ?

The person you place in charge of the rings that day always needs a little friendly reminder, place a bridesmaid in charge to remind the Best man right before the ceremony begins to have the rings. 50% of the time when I remind who ever is in charge of the rings they do not have it with them. (YIKES) 

* Ring Bearer & Flower Girls

When dealing with children at your ceremony, prepare to laugh and smile. They definitely relieve alot of tension and nerves. Be sure to let them know the day before or at the rehearsal dinner where they are standing and sitting. 

In Closing

Your ceremony will be a whirlwind. There are butterflies rattling your stomach, knees are shaking, nerves are going overload. RELAX! Take a deep breath and knock this out of the park. Everything will be fine and if something happens, its supposed to happen. Laugh it off and get back to the real reason you are having this joyous occasion. You are marrying the person of your dreams. From us to you, Congratulations. 

Written by
Sabrina Hocker
Wedding Planner

Why you should get a Wedding Videographer

Writen By
Bobby Doyle
Videographer

Why you may want to hire a professional wedding videographer

The best investment you can make for your wedding day is a video. There are no couples who regret having a video, but I have met many who regret not having one.

Is it worthwhile for Video?

Brides sometimes ask if it is worthwhile to have a videographer of their wedding if they already have a photographer. Videography is a must have. Photography is important but does not recreate the vows, the toasts, the first dance, the un-staged emotional moments. A video is a permanent memory.The wedding day that couples plan and save for over so many months or years is gone in a matter of hours. It is the one occasion in your life that you will want to relive. Video captures candid moments. Creating your video is not just the filming. 

Raw video is unexciting.

Creating your video is not just the filming. The finished product is highly edited with just the right music added. It is the editor, spending long hours at a computer that makes the final video so unique and unforgettable. You and your family can relive your wedding for generations to come. Would you like to watch a video of your grandparents wedding? A hi-lite video (3-5 minutes long) is something you can upload to phones, tablets and face book for your family and friends to watch.

Your Wedding is a Blur.

You will be preoccupied and the entire day will be a blur. A wedding video allows you to watch your wedding over and over, even moments that you may have missed. We have been filming weddings for many years. Our prices are very competitive and we provide packages to cater to various styles and budgets.The latest cameras and lighting we use are small and unobtrusive.

We have been filming weddings for many years. Our prices are very competitive and we provide packages to cater to various styles and budgets.The latest cameras and lighting we use are small and unobtrusive.

I hope to speak with you about your wedding.

Sincerely, 

Bobby Doyle

The Wedding Party Rehearsal

You may be wondering why ceremonies require rehearsals. True, you’re not putting on a Broadway show, but there are many questions that you will have, lines to be learned, and a sequence of events to be followed. It’s important that all members of the wedding party know what to expect and what is expected of them. Who will walk down the aisle, where should they stand/sit, who will have the rings. 

You want things to feel peaceful, and to flow the way you expected. 
 No matter what size the group is or how much you think they are prepared you should have a Rehearsal. I once skipped a Rehearsal because the bride and groom were certain they did not need one, and the day of the wedding the parents of the groom did not know where to sit and ended up in the last rows, the flower girl stood right in the middle of the bride and groom until I had to find away to direct her where to sit, and the officiant which was a friend never asked the guest’s to take their seats.
 30 minutes of their time could of prevented all of that.

Key Note

Only let your group know what they need to know - The guys do not need to know the hair and make-up schedule's. It is best to speak by groups with what your wedding party needs to focus on..

Time

Try to schedule your rehearsal around the same time as your ceremony and 2 hours before the actually rehearsal dinner, I do this because if guest's begin to arrive for your dinner they manage to make there way to the Rehearsal of the wedding party and I lose complete focus of my group and you will also. Know where the sun will be on the day of the wedding, you can figure out details like who will be facing the sun, or which areas to avoid direct sunlight .. Never schedule a Rehearsal after dinner .. speaking from experience everyone tends to have too much to drink and it is like talking to, well, nobody..

Who Should Attend?

​I usually say anyone that plays a part of your wedding, your groomsmen and bridesmaids of course, flowers girls anyone that is taking a apart of the processional order. Anyone that is speaking or singing during the ceremony, maybe some one that will be making a speech or that will be a part of a dance you planned. You may want to invite people to the dinner that is not apart of the wedding, and that's ok.

Where to Begin?

* First thing I begin with is showing everyone where they will be standing / sitting therefore when they walk down the aisle they know exactly where to go 
* Then I pair them up and begin the processional walk – (Playing the song helps) 
* Once everyone is in their places, it is good to go over just the basic details of the ceremony 

​
Maid of Honor know’s when to hold your bouquet and fix your dress 
Who will have the rings 
If you are doing sand ceremony or tying the knot, certain readings etc.. It is good to go over those details. 
 – Some brides ask if the should have their officiant attend the rehearsal. If he/she is a professional then there is really no reason to, they do such a great job at guiding you the day of the wedding. If the officiant is a friend / first or second wedding then I would have he/she attend. 


 Here are a couple things you can go over with your first time officiant at the Rehearsal   
* Asking guest to take their seats when it is time 
* Holding the mic right so everyone hears your vows/bride & groom speaking
* Stepping out of the way during the first kiss so the photographer can take that special photo  
 
After the ceremony details I usually go over the overall time line with the group, like where we will meet when it is time for the ceremony, where we will meet after the ceremony for group photos, grand introduction if they have a part in it, toasts if anyone in your group is making one, just things that they should know about and be prepared for.  


Then I take the Groomsmen separately and go over some of these pointers 
* What time are they meeting and where
* Should they shower and get dressed there
* If they have food prepared / Delivered
* The Photographer will be there at ___ time so be prepared 
* What time they should be dressed and ready by


And any other details they need to know about or plan for 
 I also make sure that they stay inside after any photos at a cool location until it is time for the ceremony. You do not want your good looking Sharpe dressed men to be already sweating and red face before the ceremony 


For the Bridesmaids here are somethings we go over 
* What time are they meeting and where
* Should they shower and get dressed there 
* Time line of the Hair and Make-up Schedule
* If they have food prepared / Delivered
* The Photographer will be there at ___ time so be prepared 
* What time should they be dressed and ready by

​
Same thing with the girls after the photos, stay inside until it is time for the ceremony.. You want to look your very best until you step out of that door. 

Photographer

* For photos, inform everyone that you would like photos of to meet in that location so you do not have to chase anyone down the day of the wedding or after the wedding end up thinking of people you would of liked to have a photo of.
Also lay out all of your details, jewel, dress, shoes, invitations, gifts etc.. so when the photographer arrives everything is already set and ready.

Getting Ready

* Try to already figure out getting ready details, food, drinks, meeting location, transportation, so when it is time to go over details you are already all set and do not have other ideas and inputs going around.

Officiant

If you do not have a day of coordinator, place someone in charge of the marriage license to hand to the officiant upon arrival, payments etc.. Also place someone in charge to remind the best man of having the rings (yes they have forgotten)

Ceremony Seating Chart

Create a layout of where you would like your parents/grandparents or any close family members on both sides to sit. Therefore all you have to do is place someone in charge (ushers are great for this) 

Processional Order

Already plan on who you would like to walk and what order.. You do not want to figure this out the day of the rehearsal because then the rehearsal will never end with all the opinion going around.. Actually just make sure all details are covered before the rehearsal so you are not asking your wedding party but informing them of details that are already planned. This creates a smooth stressful rehearsal.