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Advice on Planning A Wedding During COVID-19 Outbreak

Wedding planning can be very stressful for a bride and groom under normal circumstances, let alone during a worldwide viral pandemic. Unique obstacles have continued to arise for couples planning their 2020 and 2021 weddings with many unanswered questions about what the future will hold short and long term. Hiring a professional event planner can help ease many of your frustrations, and together, they can help you create your dream wedding through these dark times to include a happy ending. First, take a deep breath and follow a few expert advice tips to navigate through this complicated experience. 

Postponing or Canceling?

With advisements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they continue to urge individuals to practice social distancing and limit groups of people to no more than ten and have enforced travel restrictions for months. If you have an event scheduled for this spring or early summer, it will most definitely need to reschedule for a future date. The key to re-planning a wedding during this time is to postpone to another day rather than canceling; to avoid losing deposits since retainer fees can apply to future dates.

First Steps for Re-Planning

If your event was to take place within the next ten weeks, call your designer and florist immediately to freeze your vendors from printing any dates on stationary or from a florist creating an order for fresh blooms. The next line of communication should be with your venue to discuss what options are available for a rescheduled date. It is essential to be flexible and open to the idea of an event being hosted on a different weeknight like Friday or Sunday and considering an off-peak month since many venues will be booked with other weddings previously. It may be safest to postpone your wedding until late summer or fall, maybe even later, if you’re willing to allow the crisis to have time to diminish entirely. Choosing a date too soon may result in having to reschedule a second time, causing additional stress.

Contacting Vendors

Once you confirm with your venue, it is necessary to reach out to your event consultant and other vendors to check availability. A photographer may be the most challenging person for rescheduling due to the nature of their business. Vendors who focus on one client per day, like photographers, get booked quickly and far in advance. Other vendors, such as bakers, florists, linens, and entertainment, are more available for multiple orders on a given day. If your vendor is not available for rescheduling, be sure to review all contracts and discuss cancellations per the policy.

Let Your Guests Know of Changes

Lastly, you will need to contact your friends and family quickly so that they can adjust their schedules as well. Many of them will have additional travel expenses, such as hotel bookings, that will need rescheduling. Sending a quick electronic message through social media or email will quickly allow you to get the word out. Then, it is advised to send postponement announcements through the mail for actual headcounts when needed.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We have access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget. Our team prides ourselves in offering only the highest-quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

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Essential Skills a Professional Planner Should Have

Being an event planner may seem like a fun, carefree job that gets to throw parties all the time, right? It can be quite the opposite; although it’s gratifying to help make people’s dreams come true, event planning can be one of the most stressful careers. Not every individual is cut out for the position and it’s important to find a quality event planner to coordinate the successful outcome that you are looking for. These specific skills and characteristics are essential when hiring a qualified planner: 

Organization

Great event planners are highly organized people who ensure that your special occasion runs smoothly and flawlessly. The profession requires a keen eye for detail and sharp, intuitive pre-planning. It’s the job of the planner to keep a client within timelines and budgets and oversee all aspects from start to finish. They also have a great memory and are able to recall minute details. Keeping track of various vendors and contracts can be overwhelming and the professional planner needs to be able to quickly retain each companies’ practices and guidelines for an enhanced planning process.

Network Professional

The best planners will be the ones who know the ins and outs of networking. The events industry is built upon people-driven and relationship-based qualities. Having the best recommendations for your clients as to which caterers, photographers, entertainment, décor, bakery, and other vendors in the area will help guide your client in making choices with less stress. A strong network of providers will not only help your client, but will also increase the return referral from vendors, and overall will strengthen professional relationships.

Creativity

Another reason many clients choose to hire a professional event planner is that they want someone who can give a wow factor to their guests. They want an event that is cutting edge and unique; that hasn’t been seen a hundred times before. It is important to brainstorm ideas throughout the entire planning process so that the unique features of the event represent the values of your client. Some clients may be able to articulate their vision of the event, but if they can’t, it is up to the planner to bring inspiration to the event. Ideas can be researched meticulously through fashion channels, Pinterest, even from Pantone that releases an annual color of the year to reflect fashionable hues for the upcoming year. Another critical skill to have regarding creativity is the ability to think fast on your feet when unplanned situations occur during an event. The ability to switch to a ‘Plan B’ without anyone even noticing a change is truly the work of a professional planner.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design, and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We have access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget. Our team prides ourselves in offering only the highest-quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion, including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events, and milestone celebrations. More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

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Event Planning Vs. Event Coordinating

The event industry is constantly changing and continues to grow in popularity as people’s lives are on overdrive. They can’t take the extra time to plan an upcoming event, or they don’t need the added stress. Often, in this line of work, there are several terms used that are misunderstood or defined loosely. Certain words or even job titles can mean different things to different people. An easy example of this is the word “event” in which some people will interpret it to be a birthday party, business conference, wedding, sporting game, and the list goes on. These varying descriptions can be confusing in the event industry and so can job titles, such as “event planner” verse “event coordinator.” What is it precisely that separates these two careers?

Choosing an Event Planner

No matter the type of event you are in the process of planning, whether it is a social or corporate gathering, an event planner is not a “party planner.” Throwing a grand party may seem like the profession’s main job goal but it’s not nearly as simple as that. The first step in event planning is to visualize the big picture and understand the purpose of the occasion and how to achieve it. The planner oversees making critical decisions such as who, what, where, when, and why factors of the event. An event planner communicates directly with the customer to incorporate their vision to create an affair that aligns with the client’s needs and budget. After the initial meeting, the planner will select a venue, entertainment, and discuss menu options, among other things. This career holds a considerable amount of responsibilities to ensure that the event is everything the customer is expecting.

Hiring an Event Coordinator

A coordinator, on the other hand, is responsible in making sure all the details are carried out smoothly with each vendor showing up on time and that they provide the services correctly. This specific job is typically a milestone in becoming an event planner down the line. An event coordinator requires skills such as excellent written and verbal communication and the ability to work well with others since the central portion of their job is to collaborate with vendors, their clients, and guests at the party. Once an event planner has completed the vision of the event, the coordinator can step in and provide management to the individual components to guarantee it goes smoothly. Event coordinators are hired for specific lengths of time during the planning process, whether it’s from day one of planning or if needing extra assistance on the actual day for several hours.

Which Professional to Select

Although the two roles are very different from each other, they often work hand in hand. As discussed earlier, many event planners early on are trained as event coordinators and depending on the level of expertise your event requires will help you decide which option will be best for your needs. Both professions have similar skill sets; well organized, creative, and can work well under pressure. No matter if an item turns up missing or a vendor is running late, or if an outdoor event has a sudden downpour of rain – your professional will be able to help guide your event to a successful and memorable day.  

 Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design, and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget, we pride ourselves in delivering only the highest quality event coordination. We promise to give you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion, including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events, and milestone celebrations. For more information, visit https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

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Should My Event Be Inside or Outside?

For any company, throwing a large event can be a very unpredictable experience. It’s hard to gauge exactly how everything will shake out even if you’re the most meticulous planner in the business. Unexpected issues can arise from any area, from troublesome guests to shoddy technology. While a great number of unforeseen issues cannot be avoided or predicted, there are elements of a great event that can be. Choosing to hold your event outside or in an event center can be a big choice that leads to your event being a big success or it can ruin the entire day or evening. There are a few elements to consider when making such a choice.

Visual Interest/Location

Location is a very obvious but very crucial element to holding an event outside. While you can decorate an event to an extent inside, business hotel conference halls and event centers can all look only so visually appealing but may be more than adequate for corporate events. Holding your event outside in a beautiful area of the state or country can give your event a visual splendor that costs nothing outside of a higher booking cost. An event taking place near the Colorado mountains will give a much higher visual quality to any event compared to, say, the farmlands in Iowa. While budgets for any event can vary it certainly helps to plan, if having the event outside, to have it in an area that can lend to the overall visual quality of the planned event.

Noise Levels

The overall size of your event can influence the noise levels no matter how many guests attend. For smaller events, it’s possible to have more guests show up than expected and that can make it hard for guests to hear over the chattering of other guests around you. Even with larger event spaces, the higher ceilings can elevate the sounds to an uncomfortable degree. Holding an event outside can ease the noise levels substantially, as the obvious lack of walls can let voices travel across the abyss of the landscape. Conversely, having a speaker at an event can be troublesome outside as using devices like portable speakers can be unpredictable when outside, causing guests further back to get only mumbling sound.

Weather

Naturally, the weather outside is a large issue for outside events. Not only is the weather incredibly unpredictable but it can be small and harmless or explosive. Events held outside can experience weather that is easy to wait out or weather that can not only cause delays or cancellations but outright destroy property and rented equipment. While the weather can often be seen ahead of scheduled events oftentimes storms or high winds can break out with no warning at all, giving events little no time to prepare or react. The weather might be the most obvious and crucial element to consider when deciding to hold an event outside, no matter how beautiful or visually appealing the terrain around it.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest-quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

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Company Holiday Party Planning Tips

With the holiday season fast approaching, your calendars are sure to start filling up fun festivities. Now is the perfect time to begin planning a company holiday party for your workplace as well. Begin planning early enough to stay organized and make this a party that will create an experience that will boost company morale but also increase employee satisfaction.

Start with the Basics

It may seem overwhelming planning a party, especially when it’s a company holiday one. For this reason, many people will decide to hire a professional event planner to help in this task but depending on the size of the party, it is still something that can be done individually or as a team with a few helping tips. The first step is setting your budget for the party so that you will not over plan and realize what has been chosen will not work with your funds. Next, gather a list of the basic information you will need such as how many people are coming. Is this even going to include all employees or just upper management? Other key questions are what dates are going to work best for the company group, location, and what type of event whether it is a casual or formal gathering. Every good party will need these core elements, but they do not all have to be written in stone but should be considered when choosing different options in relation.

Choosing a Date/ Time

There is no magic day that will work best for a company holiday party, but some will be better than others. People, in general, tend to be very busy during this time of year with other events and obligations that they may need to follow. Asking for employee preference will keep them feeling included and have a better turn out in guest size if the date works for the majority. Hosting a holiday party on a weekday during lunch hour or after work could work however keeping in mind normal work hours is needed. Most holiday company parties are preferred to occur on a Friday night after the workday is completed. A possible option of allowing your employees to leave a little early to get ready even more excited to attend. Choosing a Friday night however will come at a higher cost since this is the most popular option.

Food and Drinks

When selecting the menu options for your company holiday party, several options should be considered to make this party a success. Deciding on a plated meal option will be more cost-effective and can be presented more elegantly than having everyone stand in line at a buffet style. Talk with your caterer or event planner about your budget and look for food options that are suited well for the season since a caterer will have likely experience with serving food for holiday parties. Menu choices can also be chosen is a specific theme is set for the party, so it is not required to rent expensive holiday décor and materials.

Drinks selected for the party can be just as important as the food menu. The holidays are filled with lots of different holiday options such as eggnog, hot chocolate and more. If choosing to provide alcohol, it is best to set limitations on how much guests can consume for a variety of reasons such as budget, to avoid embarrassing holiday party stories and to also guarantee everyone’s safety when departing. Creative ways to minimize alcohol during a party is to offer only signature drinks, having only wine or beer, closing a bar time frame early or only available during dinner. 

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest-quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

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Common Details That Are Missed When Event Planning

There is no doubt that planning an event no matter how large or small will bring a certain amount of stress along with it which can cause you to sometimes forget to prepare for certain aspects of the party. Hiring a professional event planner can alleviate many of your stressful obstacles and being a good reminder for things during the planning process but no matter which route you choose, throwing a party solo or having the help from an event consultant, things will be forgotten or missing guaranteed. To prevent these occurrences from taking place it is best to have an organized event checklist that can be synced or shared with a team that is involved in the event.

Food for Thought

When choosing food options for your event, there are more considerations to make than just selecting an appetizer, entrée, or dessert.  It may come to a surprise that many of your guests are vegan or have another type of food substitution for guests with allergies and knowing this information before planning the food choices will help to eliminate any additional costs if needing to find alternatives last minute. Not only should your guests be taken into consideration, but also your volunteers or vendors that are working throughout the event to keep them fueled and allow the event to run smoothly from start to finish. If alcohol is being served at an event, it is important to research the venue or location is permitted to allow for it. Licensing laws vary by state and if needing a put in request for permit, this can take additional time that is not always planned for ahead of time.

Communication Is Key

From the moment you begin the event planning process, it is imperative to have written agreements from all vendors, venue, and any other correspondences involved in the event. This will avoid any confusion during the road of planning to all be under the same impression of expectations and guidelines to follow for timelines. Also communicating with attendees is very important so that proper planning and scheduling can be completed on their end as well. Simple ways to communicate with your guests is by formal invitations with the provided details or the newest form of communication is creating an event website or social media group for further interactions.

Prepare for The Unexpected

Having the best planning in the world will not stop mishaps from occurring during your event. There are certain aspects that will always be out of a person’s control such as weather conditions, unexpected health issues, and more. A professional event planner is always prepared for event changes so that the event will continue to go as smoothly as it was designed, even when some of the details have to be manipulated. Having a mindset that is relaxed and flexible will make the event more enjoyable not only for the party host, but everyone involved. It is wise to have a type of emergency kit accessible with first aid, extra supplies, and especially a back up plan in case things need to be changed with little to no notice.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

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Is Event Planning Software Right For Me?

Planning an event is hard. An obvious statement but planning an event has so many factors of which to keep track that it can not only be stressful on the planner, but stressful on those who attend should anything go wrong. Event planning is a serious juggling act, but there are tools to help any planner manage all the elements that go into kicking off an event that nobody will forget.

One of the most popular and convenient tools is actual event planning software itself. Whether you are planning a personal event or something in the corporate space, there exists planning software for all occasions. But the question is, what do you need to look for in event planning software?

Can I Plan an Event From Scratch?

If you’re about to start planning a meeting from scratch, you’ll have to understand exactly what steps to take in planning the event with which you may need software aid. Long before the event is kicked off you should have a website made for the event that also includes a way for attendees to register. This, if done well, can eliminate any headaches over people showing up with no actual accreditation. You’ll need to market the event somehow, and there exists software to help get the event out there to audiences who may be a direct target for such an event. Even deeper, depending on the size of the event you may want to incorporate building maps or integrate the software with the systems of the building. The software you choose should make your job easier, not add on nifty features that could end up overwhelming the planner.

What if I already have ideas?

If you’ve planned events before and have an overall template with which you work, consider event planning software to help fill in the cracks. If you’re planning a large corporate event and want to keep track of who attends and overall attendee engagement, consider using software to create an event application for your phone that can give each attendee his own virtual badge. That way not only are you saving money on badge-printing costs, but also leaving less of a mess when these badges are inevitably strewn about on the event floor.

Email marketing is a powerful tool when planning an event, and such software exists to help blast invites out to targeted audiences. Mailchimp and Slack are two ways to send out invites and information not only to the targeted audience but also professionals in the industry who may not be on your radar at the time. Software exists to bring that data to you, so you’re never left in the dark with knowing exactly who is attending. Eventbrite is also a great tool to let people not on your radar discover your event and decide whether to attend, and such tool also makes it easy to RSVP within the same resource.

One tip when using software to plan an event is to make sure attendees have a way to express questions/comments/concerns after the fact. That way, you can keep track of feedback and adjust your next event accordingly.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

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3 Characteristics to Look for In an Event Planner

Celebrating any occasion with friends, family, and business coworkers is always an important part of our lives to take a moment and appreciate the changes that life continues to have for us all. Attending these types of parties always is something to look forward to however hosting or throwing the party can be a completely different story. Often during wedding planning, a bride and groom can get very stressed and overwhelmed with all the planning for instance. Weeding through the hundreds of vendor options and spending endless hours trying to be sure that you are getting the best value for every dollar spent since we all know that large events can be very expensive. Choosing to hire a wedding coordinator is a perfect solution when

Management Skills

With a job title of Event Coordinator, one would expect the individual to be a professional in leadership tasks. One of the main requirements given to an event coordinator is to lead a team of vendors or team of individuals in the party itself to work together to get from point A to point B with as little amount of stress in the proper amount of time that has been provided. Planning a party or event can have a lot of pressure involved since a lot is at stake to reach certain expectations and deadlines are not very flexible. Certain leadership qualities to look for include effective communication, ability to delegate to others, responsible for his or her actions, and a positive attitude since in life things can go wrong and it’s the coordinators job to make this event as enjoyable as possible no matter what obstacles are thrown at it.

Creativity

Event coordinators not only have to manage a team to allow an event to go smoothly but also have the task of implementing the party hosts’ vision of what the event will become. Event planning is a constant challenge of searching for new ways to complete old tasks to make things more time-efficient. All 5 common senses come into play when creating the perfect event. Having a outside of the box thinking strategy will allow a planner to create unique qualities about an event that will leave a lasting impression on the guests. New technologies continue to change the world we live in and keeping up to date with these new tools will help to stay current with new trends and make events more personal.

Organization

From beginning of the planning process to the very end, it is important for an event coordinator to be on top of every detail associated with the event. Some people hire a planner to help with all the vendor choices and venue locations where others only hire the planner for the day of event to make sure the actual event itself goes accordingly hour by hour correctly. No matter the longevity of time needed by your planner, they will be in charge of any activities, coordinating with the vendors, negotiating contracts, and reporting back about progress and timelines needed for the event during planning process and the day of.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

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Summer Weddings Tips

Summer is always a season that people are looking forward to. It’s one of the best times of the year to enjoy the outdoors. Many brides and grooms love the sound of having a summer wedding.  With all of the positive aspects to a summer wedding, every season comes with its fair share of things to consider. Hiring a wedding coordinator to help overcome these obstacles can save you a lot of stress. Learn a few important do’s and don’ts when planning your summer wedding below.

Protection from The Sun

The warmth of the sun does feel great but too much of a good thing will make any event a disaster. Give your guests opportunities to escape the heat.  This will make your wedding more enjoyable. When choosing an outdoor location, locate shade options as well as an available air-conditioned space if it is needed.

If you cannot escape the sun at times during the wedding, be sure to supply guests with sunscreen.  Sunburn and overheating can become very serious and no one wants memories of friends or family having medical emergencies during their event. Prevent these situations by placing water bottles in accessible areas during the ceremony and reception, use misting fans, and have multiple cooling stations. Once the party begins, dancing heats things up even more, place cold water near the action. Wedding coordinators can help locate the perfect vendors for even more options for refreshing cold beverages.

Get Those Save The Dates Mailed

Summer time is very busy for a lot of families. With school being out of session, many families choose to plan their vacations during these months. Letting your friends and family know of your upcoming nuptials will allow your guests to plan.  This will ensure their calendars are earmarked early enough to plan around your big day. Many couples tend to forget about the save the dates and are not sure the proper etiquette on mailing them.  It is always a good idea to consult with a wedding planner for help in this area.

Choose Lighter Food Options

When thinking of food to serve at a summer wedding, it is best to stay away from anything too heavy since it will not mix well with the heat. A few good options would be to stick with a main course that is grilled or a local option to provide a fresh selection for a variety of appetites. A playful in season fruit or appetizer or using pie or popsicles instead of traditional cake will sure to please all your summer guests.

The Right Time of Day

With summer temperatures peaking mid-day, it is wise to begin your celebration in the late afternoon or early evening.  The sun’s heat will not be as intense and make your guest more ready to dance and have fun. Not only is the sunset a beautiful back drop for your wedding, it will also be perfect lighting for photos.

Summer Attire

The last thing you want on your big day is to be hot and uncomfortable the entire day. A bride should choose a dress that has a lighter material that allows it to breath such as silk. Many brides are skipping the traditional look and switching to shorter more adventurous gowns. If you have your mind set on a large ballgown, try wearing it only to the ceremony and then change into something smaller or a cocktail dress for dancing at the reception.  As for the grooms, choose lighter color suits such as light gray or a beige will provide the perfect casual, beachy look for any summer wedding.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.

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Easy Guide On Wedding Attire

Its wedding season and you know what that means, our confusion about what proper attire is for the vastly different events.  The wedding coordinators at Event Planning DC are here to help with this easy guide on wedding attire.

When the Invitation Says: White-Tie Wedding Dress Code

This is attire for the most formal event you can think of.  Attire you would wear to attend a White House reception dinner.  Ladies should wear a formal, floor length gown with conservative jewelry, high heels, and an elegant clutch.  There are no exceptions to this.  Men should choose a tuxedo with tails.  A formal white shirt should be worn with a simple colored vest and bow tie, think white, gray, or black.  Formal footwear should be worn as well like derby shoes or oxford styles.

When the Invitation Says: Black-Tie Wedding Dress Code

A step down from formal, but still incredibly dressy, black tie weddings most often occur in the evening.  There are a few more options for men and women alike at a black-tie affair.  Ladies can choose from a formal gown or a classy cocktail dress.  Dressy heels or flats can be chosen. 

If you are uncomfortable in a gown or dress a dressed-up pants suit is acceptable.  Men must wear a tuxedo, but it doesn’t have to include tails.  A black tie, vest or cummerbund are completely acceptable. 

Patent leather shoes can be worn.  If the wedding is in the summer, men may consider a white jacket with black tuxedo trousers.

When the Invitation Says: Formal or Black-Tie Wedding Dress Code Optional

This is the trickiest of tricky invitation to receive, let us help decode.  This means that the occasion is slightly less formal than black tie, so a tuxedo is not necessary, but it is still formal enough if you want.  Ladies can dress as they would for a black-tie wedding.  Men however can choose a tuxedo if they want but can also be appropriately dressed if they show up in a formal dark suit, white shirt, and conservative tie.

When the Invitation Says: Semi-formal or Dressy Casual Wedding Dress Code

This is when the time of the wedding really plays a role in how people dress.  Darker is better for evening events and lighter colors and fabrics are better for the daytime.  Ladies should choose a cocktail dress or dressy skirt and top.  A floor length gown is inappropriate. 

Heals, wedges, or flats are acceptable.  If an event is outdoors, then it is best for ladies to avoid traditional heels as they are likely to get stuck along the way.  Men should wear a suit and tie, again depending on the time of day it can be light colored or dark.

When the Invitation Says: Festive Attire Wedding Dress Code

This one is new and has a lot of leeway.  Attendees can have fun and play with their look or choose cocktail attire that is a bit more playful.  Ladies can choose a cocktail dress or super fun party dress. 

Funky accessories are okay and bold colored shoes as well. Men should wear a suit jacket however it can be jazzed up with a colorful tie and jazzy pocket square.

When the Invitation Says: Casual Attire Wedding Dress Code

This is usually the case for weddings that are outdoors or on the water.

It will be a laid-back occasion and attire is simple.  Of course, you should NEVER, let me say it again… NEVER, wear jeans, shorts, or a tank to a wedding.  Not even when it is noted that it is okay.  Ladies should opt for a sundress and wedges.  If you think it may be chilly a sweater can be worn.  Sandals and sneakers are still off limits.   Men are free to wear dress pants or khakis.  A collared shirt is recommended but a tie and sport jacket are optional.  T-shirts and tennis shoes are off limits.

When the Invitation Says: Tropical or Destination Wedding Dress Code

You must dress appropriately for the weather.  Always err on the dressier side if you aren’t sure however you want to be comfy for the weather.  Ladies can choose a sundress with sandals or wedges.  If it is super sunny a hat that blocks the sun is just fine as an accessory.  For men a sport shirt or lightweight jacket is appropriate.  Short sleeve button downs are a great option as well, consider a guayabera style shirt. Khaki pants are appropriate for men as are dock style shoes. 

Think Casual when dressing for this type of wedding.

Wedding attire is always a little tricky.  It is always better to be over-dressed verse under dressed EXCEPT in situations where you “out attire” the bride and groom.  If you have any doubts reach out to the couple.  If you are close enough to be invited to their special day they will have no problem at all telling you how you should dress for the occasion.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, wedding planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at https://www.eventplanningdc.com.