After 1,000+ ceremonies, here are the surprises that come up most often, and the easy fixes for each.
1. The processional song is too short (or too long). Walk the aisle at rehearsal pace. Time it. Then pick a song with the right runtime, or talk to your DJ about an entry point and a fade.
2. The signing of the register takes longer than you think. Plan a short song (instrumental or live) to fill the 2 to 3 minutes while you sign. Otherwise it gets quiet fast.
3. The sun is in your eyes. Outdoor ceremony? Walk the site at the same time of day, the day before. You'll spot exactly where the light falls.
4. Wind eats the vows. A small wireless mic for outdoor ceremonies is a small investment for huge insurance. Most officiants travel with one.
5. Nobody told the photographer about the kiss line. Tell them. They want to know.
6. The flower girl freezes halfway down. Have a parent at the end of the aisle waving her in. Kids respond to familiar faces, not strangers.
7. Rings get handed to the wrong person. Decide in advance who holds them. Best person? Officiant? Ring bearer with a backup pair sewn on?
8. The recessional song hasn't been queued. This is a DJ job, but confirm it.
9. Guests don't know when to sit, stand, or applaud. A brief welcome from the officiant ('Please be seated… please stand for the bride…') solves all of it.
10. The two of you forget to look at each other. This is the only one I can't fix from the front. But when you're up there, look at each other. Not the crowd. Each other. That's the wedding.
