This is the most important thing you will decide. Everything falls into place once you establish your timeline. Give it a lot of thought and plan it out on paper before you meet with the vendors providing flowers, cakes, and Wellers'. Imagine the flow of your wedding from your guests perspective as well. . For instance, you don't want your guests standing around for two hours after the ceremony while your photographer is taking pictures with no food or beverages served. A solution would be to either offer hors or if you are on a tight budget, schedule pictures before the ceremony to shorten the amount time that guests are waitng for dinner. There is always an easy solution if you think it through.

Here is a sample time line. (You have six hours for your event that begins when the bar and/or hors d'oeuvres are served, not when the ceremony begins) Click on the underlined links for more information.

1:00 pm   Decorate Rooms are opened 3 hours prior to hors.
NOON     Hospitality House 4 hr rental
4:00 pm   Ceremony Time Allow 30 minutes
4:30 pm   Bar Opens Allow Six hours from time bar opens
4:30 pm   Hors Passed Allow 30 minutes
5:15 pm   Seat for Dinner Allow 15 minutes
5:30 pm   Bride & groom make grand entrance. DJ announces
5:40 pm   Bread baskets are placed on guest tables
5:45 pm   Toast and/or Prayer Allow 5-15 minutes
6:00 pm   Salads are plated and placed on guest tables Allow 20 min
6:30 pm   Dinner begins Allow 45-60 minutes
7:30 pm   Cake Cutting  1 hr after dinner
7:30 pm   Bridal Dance Allow 15 minutes
7:45 pm   Dancing begins Allow 3 hrs
10:30 pm Bar Closes after six hours. Music must stop.
11:00 pm Banquet room is closed Allow 1/2 hr to remove all belonging and vacate room

WELLERS NEEDS TWO CONTACT PEOPLE to connect with their Banquet Management prior your event. They should not be in the bridal party so they are available to meet prior to your reception.

1. MAIN CONTACT PERSON

• This person should not be in your bridal party or be one of the parents.
• Often he or she is an Aunt/Uncle or a friend.
• He or she should be given a copy of your final worksheet  given to you by Wellers at the close of your final meeting>
• You should go over your timeline so they know what times for each part of your wedding
• He or she should introduce herself/himself to the Banquet Manager upon arrival
• Your main person may also be the person who sets up your favors prior to your wedding/event

2. BAR CONTACT PERSON

• He or she should introduce himself/herself to the bartenders upon arrival.
• He/she will be informed of any guests who should not drive
• He/she will be informed if you run out of any alcohol.
• There should be a transportation option for people who should not drive just in case it is needed. It could just be a friend with a van/car who agrees to take people back to the hotel

ASSIGNED SEATING
I know a lot of planners are against this, but it does work out better for your guests. Of course keep your couples together, but do encourage single guests to get to know others at the reception. I have seen where there has not been assigned seating, a single guest finds his/her way back to their seat to find someone’s coat or purse in their seat with five people talking that all know each other. A bit intimidating. Sample Seating Chart

ENTERTAINMENT
Whatever you choose—a band or a DJ, make sure that they mesh with your personality and the style.. You also want them to reflect the overall theme and formality of the group (for example, no harpist at a country western wedding). When interviewing a DJ, ask to see pictures from prior events, if available. What does their guest pool look like? Is it similar to the one that will be at your own wedding? What does their selection and library consist of? You will need someone who is not too low-key that they put everyone to sleep, and not so over-the-top that they want to rush to the nearest exit. You need a professional to gauge and tempt the crowd. Definitely make sure that you keep music playing through their breaks. The dead silence will definitely murder the fun at your party. If you have rented the Carriage House the Gazebo offers a great venue for outdoor dance party. GAZEBO OPTIONS   

GET THE PARTY STARTED
Nobody likes to be the first on the dance floor. But it is your party! You will be the center of attention, as you should be, and everyone will follow your lead. If you get up and dance, your guests will too. While your DJ maybe fantastic, your guests know you—your excitement will be contagious and they will not be able to resist joining in. Make sure that you are social. Instead of the boring receiving line, you and your new husband can go from table to table to say your “hellos” and “thank yous”.

OPTIONAL RENTAL ITEMS

• Reading stand for ceremony; no microphone $25
• Podium-microphone for ceremony $100
• Floor Easel 25
• Table Easel $5
• 5 ft. Angel statues $50 each; Only available for West Ceremony Grounds
• Champagne glasses $.50 each
• Wine Glasses $.50 each
• All-Glass Bar: $2.25 PP unlimited for 6 hours. Includes tall & short tumblers and wine glass.
• Skirted DJ table $25 each.
• Additional skirted tables: $25 each
• Six Table with six chairs set up under gazebo with linen $25 per table or $150
• Clear square candleholders with votive candles $2.00 each (includes candles)
• Votive table lamps with candles $5.00 each Only available for Henry Ford or Raisin River Room
• Crystal candelabras with five arms each: Includes tapered candles. $20 each

OPTIONAL SERVICES

• Cake cutting service $2.25 pp includes cutting, utensils, china plates, flatware and serving at each table
• Outdoor bar setup $175:
  1. This is set up next to Gazebo: Includes umbrella, portable bar, ice, mixers, plastic glasses, pop, juices.
  2. Make arrangements with A & L for a keg and tap if you want beer served at outdoor bar. Bottled & canned beer is not allowed
  3. No bottled or canned beer can be served at the Outdoor Bar
  4. No glassware is used at the outdoor bar. Plastic glasses are supplied by Wellers.
• Indoor Ceremony Setup: Includes:
  • Henry Ford Room or Raisin River Room
    $200 Includes Silk Florals, 16 chairs set up on each side to create aisle, floor two candelabras with candles
  • Carriage House
    $300 Includes Silk Florals, 16 chairs set up on each side to create aisle, floor two candelabras with candles
    
    

DRIVING DIRECTIONS