QOTD 5/2

minionlover

What are your top must-haves for the wedding?

trawas01

Our #1 was a live band.

Heath66

Mine was to have my father's choir sing at the ceremony. My Father was in an all men's choir for a very long time, they have since broken up but they will be singing at my ceremony.

aimee58

Definitely our color scheme! Fall colors, including my fave: orange.

Also....carmel apple favors. I'm obssessed with that idea.

brainybrunette

Top priorities were food and photography...that's where we splurged.

Also, FI and I were adamant that the wedding not be in a church (my grandmother is not happy about this, but it's not her wedding).

islandmonkey8

Awesome photographer was #1. 

achiduck

1) String quartet at the ceremony
2) Ceremony in the church where my parents got married
3) Good phoographer
4) Good food.

PetalPockets2012

FI's was an open bar. Mine was probably having vendors that take care of everything. I don't want to set up anything or make many things. It's worth the extra money to me.

minionlover

My #1 was a ceremony on a beach that was not in the North East.  After that it was that where ever we got married we wanted to get legally married there, (we were thinking about getting married outside the country).  Lastly was photographer.

Bryan&AmyC

Our top priorities were fantastic food and drinks and a great photographer.

ivedonethisb4

My biggie was a photographer. Fi just wants to not go broke or take out any loans so everything has to be paid in full. So we're skimping on A LOT that I'd like to do differently like the food. FFIL said not to worry about it that they'll take care of it but me and FMIL wanted to have it fully catered. Instead appearantly FI his dad and a friend are going to cook everything. We're having simple bbq slaw potato salad etc but it still worries the HECK outta me! I'd rather spend the extra and not worry but technically I have no control since the inlaws are paying for it and FFIL doesn't care that his wife isn't even happy with the decision he thinks he knows best....

tamrahelmer

My top was getting a date at the church where the pastor that married my parents is. Success!

Second was a photographer. I've been looking at photo blogs for years, and it was a must getting someone who I knew would do well!

mrshall1027

If I had to pick something, it would be the location.  We wanted an all inclusive place that allowed us to not worry about finding a caterer, bartender, alcohol, tables, chairs, etc.  We also wanted it to be in downtown Austin because so many people are coming in from out of town.

Next on the list was good photographer and DJ.  I've had horrible experiences with both and I wanted to make sure that we hired professionals with a reputable backround and good reviews/references/testimonials.  I am so happy that we have some of the top rated vendors in our area!

aimee58

Oh! another priority was our florist. She has a bunch of connections to my family (my aunt used to work at the shop, her kids went to school with my cousins, she did my parents' wedding and all of my friends' weddings). Her prices are average, maybe even higher than others, but it was important that we went through her vs anywhere else, even if it was cheaper.

snuff9861

FI's was food. He picked the menu, and coincidentally his aunt will be cooking it as she is the sous-chef at the venue ( didn't know that until after we booked it since at that time they werent speaking). For me, it's the photography. Specifically the getting ready pictures. Those are always my favourite from any wedding.

CFM102012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_october-2012-weddings_qotd-52?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:56b9bcef-1e34-456e-81f5-cfaa107456b2Discussion:e6b9b3e3-f77a-4318-8900-f5e9904697ddPost:6f3c99d6-0dcb-4be4-9b78-a3914ff0a4f8">Re:QOTD 5/2</a>:
[QUOTE]My biggie was a photographer. Fi just wants to not go broke or take out any loans so everything has to be paid in full. So we're skimping on A LOT that I'd like to do differently like the food. FFIL said not to worry about it that they'll take care of it but me and FMIL wanted to have it fully catered. Instead appearantly FI his dad and a friend are going to cook everything. We're having simple<strong> bbq slaw potato salad </strong>etc but it still worries the HECK outta me! I'd rather spend the extra and not worry but technically I have no control since the inlaws are paying for it and FFIL doesn't care that his wife isn't even happy with the decision he thinks he knows best....
Posted by krystlelynn212[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Is there a way to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold at your venue?  You (and FIL's) don't want to be held liable for accidentally giving someone food poisioning.  You and your</div><div> FMIL could use this as leverage for getting even some simple catering.</div><div>
</div><div>
</div><div>My priorities were 1)Atmosphere and 2) reception music.  One of my biggest fears is that we'll have all these people there but no one will want to dance and party.  I went with a well recommended DJ in town.  We got his least expensive package but I have confidence in his ability to motivate my guests to party and have fun. </div><div>
</div>

SteveAndSara2005

MY # 1 is a good bridal party! We have the BEST friends, we love them all so much!

tamrahelmer

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_october-2012-weddings_qotd-52?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:56b9bcef-1e34-456e-81f5-cfaa107456b2Discussion:e6b9b3e3-f77a-4318-8900-f5e9904697ddPost:6f3c99d6-0dcb-4be4-9b78-a3914ff0a4f8">Re:QOTD 5/2</a>:
[QUOTE]My biggie was a photographer. Fi just wants to not go broke or take out any loans so everything has to be paid in full. So we're skimping on A LOT that I'd like to do differently like the food. FFIL said not to worry about it that they'll take care of it but me and FMIL wanted to have it fully catered. Instead appearantly FI his dad and a friend are going to cook everything. We're having simple bbq slaw potato salad etc but it still worries the HECK outta me! I'd rather spend the extra and not worry but technically I have no control since the inlaws are paying for it and FFIL doesn't care that his wife isn't even happy with the decision he thinks he knows best....
Posted by krystlelynn212[/QUOTE]

<div>We are doing the same thing with food. FIL's offered to buy a pig, so we are doing a roast and I need to figure out the side dishes. I admit, it scares the heck out of me too, but I keep telling myself it will be okay. lol</div>

Heather613

My must have was a great photographer and a photo booth.

LDubHawksFan

A location that has natural beauty was our number one.  I want a good photographer and just as many of my family members there.  My FI really wants a string quartet at ours too, so I've tried to contact the local college to find out about students playing since we don't really have the $1000 budget for 30 mins of music.  Fingers crossed it works out because I know it's important to him.

rachel1840

1. Wedding Planner
We live in Tucson, but the wedding is in Philadelphia.  Could not do it without the planners!  Love them!

ccarrion77

1) Outdoor ceremony
2) Good Photographer
3) Good DJ
4) Good food

#1 is #1 by FAR, I will be so sad if it rains... outside of actually getting married to my FI there is nothing I want more in our day then to have an outdoor ceremony. TG he agrees on this point haha

violakat03

1 - Outdoor ceremony. This was not even up for debate, so I'm really glad FI feels as adamantly about it as I do.

2 - Reception venue. It's downtown in the city FI lives in and every time we drove past it, I couldn't help but stare at how beautiful it was, so I knew that was going to be our venue. Luckily, it's in a city park, so we are able to have the outdoor ceremony within walking distance of the reception.

3 - Photographer. We knew who our photographer would be the day we started planning, as he's a good friend of ours. He actually asked if he could shoot our wedding when we first announced our engagement, so that worked out beautifully.

4 - Horse-drawn carriage. I've been in love with the idea of riding in on a horse-drawn carriage for years and I'm so excited that I'm actually getting my dream!!

NRod70

1.  The ceremony HAD to be at my church...I grew up in that church

2.  Full open bar and fantastic food!!