Hot event planners/experts spilled their party pet peeves to Biz Bash, we’re sharing some that will help make your wedding amazing, not crazy-making. Amy Sacco, founding partner and creative director, LDV Hospitality Nightlife, listed four points, three of which translated perfectly to weddings. Today, we cover Amy’s irritant number two*.
Overcrowding. It’s annoying to move around and especially with all the tilting glasses when one is in a fabulous outfit—and then you can’t even get a drink as you can’t get to the bar!
Do you hear that, people? Don’t pack your guests like sardines. Venues say what the maximum capacity on a space, but that number was picked out by a fire marshal thinking about best escape routes. If you asked her how many people she’d want in there for her son’s wedding reception, you’d likely get a completely different answer.
Fix: Know your headcount and be realistic about your venue’s capacity. Don’t talk yourself into a too- small space, no matter how much you love it. It’s very easy to justify things, so take someone along who will remind you that 20 people will not stay on the balcony all night in November.
Amy is correct in that there is nothing worse than putting on your favorite dry clean only dress and winding up wearing the (hot pink) signature cocktail all night after bumping into a bridesmaid. And then when things are so crowded you can’t get a drink at all? Awful.
Fix: See above about headcount and venue capacity reality checking. Then make sure you account for décor elements and staff that will also eat up real estate. If you think there’s going to be a wait for the bar, tray-pass drinks to offset. Oh, and your signature cocktail? Make it clear (or near) with a colored garnish – less tragic if perchance one does spill. No maraschino cherries, please.
Live well, and love well.
-Dinah
*Note. Amy’s Biz Bash quote started with this:
“I loathe the following, in no particular order…” ergo this party fail is no more or less loathed than the others we will cover.
To see the seating chart project click here.