THE FORUM CATERERS
Why Should you use The Forum Caterers?
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Here are a few things to help brides and grooms-to-be with the initial stages of wedding planning. 1. Set your budget. Finances will give parameters for many of your wedding planning decisions. Create a firm budget. A wedding planner can also help with creating a customized so you can decide what is most important to you and what you’re willing to spend for what. At The Forum, we can help with giving ideas for much of your wedding costs. 2. Determine your wedding size. Based on your budget and how many guests feels good to you, decide the number of guests you’d like to have. A small intimate wedding with only the closest family and friends or a large casual wedding that includes all of your family and friends. 50? 100? 200+? Next, make a guest list in an Excel document to see where you are. You can always cut back or add on to the list. Make sure that you have the list from your parents included. 3. Venue. Your guest count will also help you decide which locations will work for you and identify additional costs based on the location. Have you thought about where you want to have your wedding ceremony? What is your wedding vision? Here’s where we come in. Your venue will help shape the style and design of the wedding too. Our beautifully appointed ballrooms are conveniently located and can graciously accommodate from 50-500 guests for your wedding celebrations. You can also take The Forum’s fabulous food and services off premise anywhere throughout the MD/DC/VA area. 4. What Time of Year. Consider these as you decide when to get married: What is the average weather and temperature, especially if you’re dreaming of an outdoor wedding? When does the sun set? Will you have a full day of light or will it get dark early? Does that matter? Is it a holiday weekend? There are often discounts available for our services during holidays for weddings. Contact our event consultants for more information. 5. Your Wedding Style. Did you want more of a casual wedding? Do you want your guest to wear semi-formal or black-tie apparel? Your wedding style will also affect your budget and guest count. For instance, a formal wedding will usually increase your wedding costs.
There are so many people that you know you want there, but then, you might find yourself really unsure about other guests. We can become worried about guests’ feelings and start evaluating the relationships. Here are a few tips to help alleviate the stress of creating and narrowing down your wedding list. 1. Ask yourself, “Do we really ‘know’ each other??” How long have you actually known them? How well do you know them? We all have made “fast friends” but that doesn’t mean that they are to be invited to your wedding. If you cannot remember the last time you even saw them, perhaps they shouldn’t receive an invite. Evaluate your relationships. If you haven’t seen them in the last year or two, think twice. Of course, some family or longtime friends may bend this rule, but go with your gut. 2. Be gentle but crystal clear with your parents. When you’re paying for the wedding yourself and trying to stay on budget, you will have to provide your parents with guidelines. Giving them a certain number of invitations can help because their guest list isn’t always yours. Be firm but respectful. You can always add other guests later if things change. 3. Ditch obligation. Refuse to feel obligated to invite everybody for your wedding celebrations. Just because someone invited you to their wedding doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Your wedding invitations come down to the connection you have with the person and whether or not you want them to share in these moments with you. Let go of any guilt or obligation. Make joy and celebration with family and friends your focus. Have people there that you can’t imagine starting your new life without. With that in mind, your list will almost write itself. Happy planning! Our experienced Event Consultants can help you every step of the way in creating the wedding celebrations of your dreams. Give us a call today at 410-358-1101. Newly engaged? Get our special checklist to help you get started here The Forum Caterers ~ Where Great Celebrations Begin!