Your Complete Ceremony Site Checklist Read these seven steps to ensure every ceremony detail is accounted for.
by The Knot

From booking the site to saying your vows, here's every box to check off for a seamless ceremony at the venue of your dreams, whether it’s a house of worship, a botanical garden or a beachfront property.

1. Find and Book Your Site First, you need to find the right ceremony venue. Researching ceremony sites should be one of your first to-dos, so if you’re getting married in 14 months, start the search process about 12 months out. You’ll need someone to perform the ceremony too, so research officiants around the same time to make sure you can score them at the same time as your venue.

Think you’ve found the right spot? Amazing! Before you book, have a chat with the site manager to make sure all your questions are answered and your ceremony needs can be met. Same goes for your officiant—ask them these important questions and iron out all the details before you sign anything. 

Now it’s time to make it official, and, as with all your pros, you should absolutely get it in writing. Along with the basics, like the date, location and time of your wedding, here are specific points to include on both your ceremony site contract and your officiant contract.

2. Rent Ceremony EssentialsNot every ceremony venue will have everything you need. If your site doesn’t include essentials like lighting, electricity, tables, chairs or suitable restrooms, you'll need to contact a party rental company to complete the space. On the other hand, you may only be missing ceremony-specific items, like a ceremony arch, mandap or chuppah. Here are some must-have items you might need to rent for your ceremony:

• Chairs  
• Cocktail tables (to hold floral arrangements, signage or programs, or for standing and mingling guests)
• Chuppah
• Columns or arch 
• Mandap
• Candelabra or candles
• Wire stands for flowers
• Portable restrooms
• Sound equipment (for officiant and musicians—ask them if they’ll bring their own when you interview potential pros)
• Heaters or fans, depending on the season and location

3. Prepare the Actual Ceremony Now it’s time to think about the marriage service. Research readings (get inspiration here and here) and religious or ethnic customs and traditions you’d like (or might need) to include in your ceremony.  
4. Meet With Your Officiant Again Set up a second meeting to discuss any literature you intend to incorporate with your officiant. This is also the time to ask your officiant for any ideas and advice if you’re stuck on which readings or customs to use.
Have your officiant give you a copy of their standard ceremony so you can ask questions, clarify uncertainties and make changes to suit you (if allowed).
If premarital counseling is required, this is the time to schedule it and go. (Here’s what you might expect from a premarital counseling session.)

5. Finalize the CeremonyBy now, you should have a pretty good idea of the overall structure and main elements of your ceremony, including readings, candle lighting, other special rituals and music, as well as who will participate in each. If not, now’s the time to enlist trusted loved ones to do a reading (this is a special way to include a dear friend or relative who isn’t in your wedding party).

6. Gather Ceremony ExtrasDetermine which of the following ceremony items you’ll need and start shopping or make arrangements to have them made or ordered. Don’t forget, your florist or planner may also be able to provide a few things.
General Extras 

• Programs
• Guest book (if you’d like guests to sign as they enter)
• Aisle runner
• Signage
• Bible
• Ketubah or other marriage contract
• Yarmulkes
• Unity candle (or sand for a sand ceremony)
• Glass (if applicable)
• Other traditional or religious elements (such as a broom for the jumping of the broom or crowns for a Greek Orthodox ceremony)
• Ring pillow
• Flower girl basket(s)

For Guests

• Pashminas
• Something to toss (confetti, rose petals)
• Fans (if applicable)
• Umbrellas
• Refreshments
• Shoe or heel protectors
• Bug spray (if your wedding is outdoors)

7. Write Your Vows Writing your own vows? They’re going to be beautiful. Start working on them together at least two months before the wedding to avoid a last-minute scramble and more prewedding jitters. Definitely don’t be afraid to consult your officiant for help on this front as well. Chances are they’ve seen many couples through the process of crafting unique and meaningful vows and will be happy to lend a hand.

Get more wedding ceremony inspiration, etiquette and planning tips right here.

Summer Wedding Myths Busted
We debunk five of the most common assumptions about summer weddings. Get ready to plan outside the box.

by Kate Wood
post credit: Theknot.com

The number one tip for planning a summer wedding? Don't be afraid to break the rules. Forget what you've heard about summer wedding dos and don'ts, and go your own way. Here, we crack open five summer wedding myths for good. 

Myth 1: You have to have an outdoor wedding.

If you live in a cooler part of the country where the lush, green months of summer are precious, it may seem like you absolutely must head outside for your summer wedding. But if an outdoor wedding isn't what you've always dreamed of, an indoor space can be just as summery (and much more reliable). For one, if you're in a superhot climate, an indoor wedding will be way more comfortable for your guests who are dreading the heat. Beyond that, you can use your creativity and design skills to make an indoor space suit the season. Hang summer lanterns or create a summer flower-strewn indoor aisle, and choose a venue with large windows that let in lots of sunlight (or show off the moonlit night).

Myth 2: You need a bright, summery palette. 

While many summer couples look to vibrant colors to reflect the season, it's most definitely not a requirement. If bold and bright just isn't your style, there's no need to force an intensely cheery palette into your look. Opting for a subdued color scheme is unexpected and lovely. For example, icy blue and gray lend a cool, refreshing tone to the atmosphere, and hints of black add an air of sophistication. For a surefire palette that works with almost any style—from black tie to relaxed and natural—consider a combo of white and ivory with green accents. An apple-green hue will give a preppy, fun feel, while a deeper green like loden or moss will imbue your nuptials with a subdued elegance. Peruse more gorgeous color pairings here for inspiration, for both bold and muted aesthetics.

Myth 3: You can't have a formal wedding.

Yes, high temperatures probably mean you should skip the stiff, heavy dresses made of taffeta and brocade, but you don't have to put your bridesmaids in dresses with high hemlines and have your groomsmen don loafers if it's not your style. Decide on a level of formality, and then work with your bridal salon and tux shop to explore your options. For a sophisticated, formal summer wedding, consider elegant silk sheaths for your bridesmaids and lightweight dark suits for the guys. You should be able to find attire that reflects the formality of your event, but won't leave you sweltering.
Myth 4: A city wedding won't work.

Summer is the season when many urbanites head for the hills or beach. But if you've always envisioned a chic city wedding, you can definitely still have it in the summer months. A rooftop ceremony or reception will give you an outdoorsy touch without sacrificing that quintessential urban feel. Loft spaces are also great for summer weddings. Awash in windows, you can avoid high temperatures while still taking advantage of bold sunsets and glittering skyline views.

Myth 5: The heat will ruin everything.

Of course, summers get hot—but don't let the naysayers get you down. If you know there's a decent chance it'll be especially toasty on your wedding day, make plans to avert any weather-related disasters. Avoid wilting blooms in the bouquets and boutonnieres by asking your florist to steer you toward hardier blooms, like orchids and lilies. Consider water-submerged centerpieces featuring Mokara orchids. Because the flowers are completely underwater, they'll keep cool all night long. And as for your wedding cake, get fondant instead of buttercream to avoid a melting mess. If you're set on the rich taste of buttercream, display the cake during your cocktail hour and then have the cake cutting at the beginning of your reception.