Photo Credit: LewChan Photography 

Navigating your way through wedding planning can be a daunting task. There is a lot more to planning a wedding ceremony than just to walk down the aisle and saying “I do.”  Read on to help you get a clear picture for planning your perfect wedding ceremony.

Do plan on extra time to get ready. Bridal hair and makeup take about 45 minutes to an hour for each person. Be prepared to go a little over that time allotted to be safe. Schedule time between two and a half to three hours for beauty. The more time you allow, the better since being behind can affect the entire day.  If you do not use the full scheduled time for hair and makeup, it is an opportune time for extra photos or time to relax with friends before the wedding day truly begins.

Photo Credit: Jessica Scott Photography 

Don’t choose a ceremony site that is too far away from your reception. By selecting a ceremony location close to the reception, it simplifies the planning process and cuts down on logistics. This will be one less part of the planning process you will not have to worry about; you will not have to find a way for the entire bridal party to get from the ceremony to the cocktail hour. Selecting sites closer to each other provides more time for family photos. Choosing a venue that has ceremony locations on the property can also cut down your budget. You would not have to pay for transportation from the ceremony to the reception if you chose an onsite ceremony. Photographers and videographers may also lower their prices if they do not have to travel between the two locations for the wedding.

Do have a Plan B in place if your ceremony is taking place outdoors. As much as you would love to have a sunny day for your wedding that is not always the case when you book your venue months in advance so having a backup plan needs to be in place. When going through your walkthrough with your venue and planner, discuss your backup plan to ensure your wedding will go as planned, even if the weather does not want to cooperate.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Hunter-Drago

Ma Maison has three beautiful and romantic outdoor areas available for ceremonies, held under shaded stately live oak trees, against our lakefront backdrop, or in our antique reclaimed French gazebo.  Ma Maison offers The Trellis for your cocktail hour and a welcome backup site in the event of inclement weather. Schedule a tour to see with your own eyes, the perfect wedding venue with the countless amenities we can offer you for your wedding