Cape Town Wedding Tips

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Timing

The last thing you want is to be rushed on the day.

You need to work around sunset.  Having your photographs taken in the dark simply does not work and in very bright sunlight also is not preferable. 

Plan for the start of the photographs to be 2 hours before sunset.  Then work everything else around that.  Rather have too much time, remember travel can take longer with heavy Saturday traffic.

Also allow at least half an hour for your photographs to be taken when getting ready.  Most makeup artist plan to have the bride finish when she must depart, leaving no time for photographs.  Getting ready takes longer than you think!

Reception Order of Events

Years of experience has shown that doing your reception following this order of events, leads to the smooth running of your reception.

1.  Bride and Groom enter reception

2. Welcome by Master of Ceremonies

3. Table photographs with couple

4. Starters (served behind table photographs)

5. Speeches
• Father/Mother of the Groom
• Father/Mother of the Bride
• Best man (Toast brides maids)
• Groom (Toasts parents and bride)
It is best to keep each speech to about 5 – 10 min, the time adds up quickly

6. Dinner

7. Cut Cake

8. All ladies on dance floor for photograph with Bride

9. Throw bouquet (straight after photo)

10. All men on dance floor for photographs with Groom

11. Throw garter (again straight after photo)

12. First dance

13. Dancing (party) continues for the rest of the night uninterrupted.

14. Couple leave

Logic behind this order

Getting all the ladies and men on the floor for the photograph, get people up there for the throwing of the bouquet and garter, if left till later, it is very difficult to get a crowd up to catch. Leaving the throwing till later also breaks the momentum of the party.

By doing the first dance directly after throwing means everyone is around for it and ready to join in on the dance floor.

Table photographs taken straight after you arrive means that everyone is at their table and there is no waiting around for people to be found.