Advice Menu
Credited to: Becky
I work in a private club and often work as a server at weddings, and at every wedding, there are always a few things that we wish brides knew, and that I'm so glad I know, from the perspective of the reception staff.
1. This is a little one. Every bride knows to try and eat something before the wedding. I fear that I will spill that something smack dab down the middle of my dress. And that something will contain ketchup. Ask for a small tablecloth to wear as a bib. You'll feel silly, but we do it all the time, and you'll be clean. I've seen brides wearing their "bibs" during in between times, or even during supper.
2. Be nice to the staff. Nice brides will have a much smoother day because we will fix every problem before you see it. Like the time the groom forgot the disposable cameras. The bride never even knew. And the groom was able to live. Also, scary mean brides lead to nervous staff, who do things like drop trays of raspberry iced tea just before the bride comes in with her beautiful white train (the effect crying yelling bride had on staff - see #4).
3. Weddings are fun and special, even if you're only working at them. We want to make everything perfect, so don't hesitate to ask for anything. We may be able to find a mini sewing kit, or some hairspray, and we'll feel all fuzzy inside for being able to help.
4. Be picky. Send us your every thought. Like if you want the tables approximately 7 inches apart, or the cake to be cut into exactly 57 identical pieces, tell us. There is nothing worse than disappointing a bride because you don't know what she wants. Like the bride who walked in, promptly burst into alternating tears and yelling, and went into hiding because she wanted all the tables set for five, not six or eight. This also applies for the evening's timetable. Knowing exactly when you want everything done is important. It's also important to know if it is more important to stick to the times or just the order of things. If cutting the cake must be cut at 10:15 exactly, not just whenever the slide show is over, let us know.
5. THIS IS THE IMPORTANT ONE. IF YOU REMEMBER NOTHING ELSE REMEMBER THIS. Designate some one as the "go-to" person to the staff at the reception. One, and one person only. Many problems arise when the MOB tells you to set tables for six, and Aunt Shirley comes in and says the bride wants eights (see crying and yelling bride above). One person should have all of your final plans, and your approval to make decisions. This ensures that we don't have to interupt the wrong person to find out something important, like what to do about forgotten cameras (see groom who was almost a dead man above).
6. Share cake. There are always leftovers. Not only have I been watching it all night, but I've cut and served it. Consider my cake-lust a testament to your good taste.
That all I can think of. Doing any of the above will probably not cause a noticable difference at the reception, but that is my point. You won't notice any of the problems, because we will have taken care of them before you have the chance. And no one's a big fan of scary-mean-crying-yelling bride, so let's work as a team to prevent that for the good of the world!