We don’t mind if parents want to bring their kids for the wedding weekend, but we prefer our ceremony and reception to be kid-free. How should we communicate this?
THE PRO Sarai Flores is the founder of Signature Event Consulting & Design, specializing in destination weddings in Los Cabos, Mexico, since 2007. When considering an adults-only event, being clear and informing your guests in advance is the best way to go. If your venue doesn’t allow kids, organizing a welcome party or a farewell brunch at an external location that welcomes children is a nice way to inform guests that while the wedding day will be an adultsonly celebration, children are welcome to other events.
One couple we worked with planned a welcome party where the children of their guests were invited. We had a pi±ata, crafting and painting during the party, so the kids felt like they took part in the festivities. On the day of the wedding, we had a designated spot for parents to drop of their children, complete with certifi ed nannies and fun activities.
QUESTION We’re working with a planner on our destination wedding, but the venue has an onsite coordinator. Can I still bring my planner to manage our big day?
THE PRO Sarah Pease and Sarah Glick helm NYC-based Brilliant Event Planning and have coordinated big days away in Mexico, Napa Valley and other global locales. Always double-check with your venue, but typically the answer is yes! Your planner actually makes life for the onsite person easier because they can focus on the service that the venue provides, like food or staf , while your planner focuses on the big picture and makes sure your vision is a reality. Recently, we had a destination-wedding client with this query.
I explained that an onsite coordinator is great for knowing the ins and outs of the venue, but social needs, such as group photos, are not something they handle. On the big day, the onsite coordinator didn’t arrive until 30 minutes before the ceremony started because her staf came in earlier to set up. However, because of this, the sound checks, vendor arrivals, getting ready, fi rst look and family photos were overseen by my team to ensure everything was exactly the way my clients hoped it would be.
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