All Things Weddings: Q&A with the Twin Lakes Team - Fireside Chats
Please note: If you would like to hear why we think it’s important for you to be asking your vendors these questions, go to our Facebook page and watch our videos regarding each session!
Questions and to-do’s for HONEYMOONING 5.10.22
1. Travel agent vs. booking your self- What are the advantages of booking with a travel agent?
Here are the top reasons to book with a travel agent that everyone should be aware of before they book a holiday….
You're protected!
You can pay in instalments.
You can speak to someone face to face.
They do all the work, so you save on time and money!
You get expert advice.
Flexibility.
Changes and cancellations.
booking through a travel agent typically won't cost you more,
you'll have a better trip, without the stress of planning your trip alone,
2. When is a good time to start looking at a honeymoon? six to eight months prior to your travel dates,
3. Who is supposed to plan the honeymoon? Traditional the groom. But, if the bride is not helping with the plans, you don’t know where you might end up.
4. Who pays for the honeymoon? Traditionally the groom/parents.
5. What’s wrong with copy anyone else's honeymoon itinerary. Your friends may want a relaxed all-inclusive honeymoon and you want more of an adventurous one. Find what you both like not what others like. That’s the fun of it.
6. Be specific about what you want. When you think exotic destination- does that mean a luxury resort on an island or faraway foreign country?
7. Don't rely (entirely) on online research. Online reviews can paint a picture that doesn't match reality.
8. Set a budget for your honeymoon. On average, wedding ceremonies and receptions lasts six to eight hours, honeymoons last anywhere from seven to 10 to even 14 days. While you'll never forget the memories of your wedding day, there's something to be said for the special memories you'll create on your honeymoon, too.
9. Are there hidden costs? Yes (luggage, insurance, transportation, visas, airport transfers and resort fees) up to an extra $1000.
10. Let your hotel know if you have any special requests
11. Schedule surprises. While it is great to work side-by-side with your significant other to plan your honeymoon, try to sneak a few surprises in there, too! couple's massage, Dinner on the beach, Champagne and watch the sunset on your private balcony.
12.Top 10 best honeymoon locations: This might be your only chance to go somewhere you will never get to go so go big.
1. Maldives
2. Caribbean- St. Lucia, Jamaica, Dominican, Turks and Cacois
3. Greece
4. Italy
5. Thailand
6. Africa
7. South Africa
8. South America
9. Bali
10. Europe Great Britain Scotland, Germany, Ireland, Wales
Cheers to both of you! https://www.brides.com/story/honeymoon-booking-tips
Questions and to-do’s for your prospective dj or band - Playlist tips 4.12.22
1. Is my wedding date available?
This is the most important first step to start with.
2. Backup plan What’s your sick day policy? What’s your backup plan if there’s an equipment malfunction?
Especially with covid, a back up plan is always important. Be sure to claify the plan for power outages, etc.
3. Can you play the songs that are important to bride/groom?
This is your day! be sure to specify songs that will help make your wedding night special. Think of songs that maybe brought you together,
4. BAND: How many musicians are in the band, and available? How many vocalists? Are there different options as far as how many musicians/instruments we can hire?
Having many members in a band can take up great amounts of space within the venue, You want to be sure to plan for this in your set-up.
5. How do you ensure a comfortable sound level for all the guests?
Depnding on if your music is indoors or outdoors, you can adjust your music to the best level.
6. What do you typically wear?
Ideally, you will want your dj to be dressed nicley. This can include shirts with their logos, etc.
7. How do you handle song requests?
When it comes to song request, there has to be a discussion of the type of music you want at your wedding. There may be specfic types of songs you do or don’t want played.
8. How long have you been doing this professionally?
Why you need to know this: Obviously, there's a difference between volunteer gigs and legit, paid performances. Make sure your candidates are seasoned so there are no hiccups on the most important day of your life.
9. Can you help me choose the music for my processional, recessional, father-daughter dance, etc.?
Why you need to know this: If you're having trouble choosing music for a first dance song or father-daughter dance, etc., a DJ or wedding band tends to know a thing or two about choosing the right music. They can definitely be a helpful resource.
10. How do you motivate a shy crowd to dance?
encourage your guest to join you by being the first to get on the dance floor. You could also have your bidal party start the dancing.
11. What is your refund or cancellation policy?
Be sure to Verify this information ay the beginning just in case.
Pricing and Payment
1. What's your rate? Why you need to know this: When talking about the rate, make sure to find out if the rate changes bases on the day (or even time of day) and exactly how many hours that rate buys you. If the rate is in the ballpark (even if it's over budget), great. If it turns out that DJ or wedding band is the one, you might be able to negotiate a discount or increase your budget to be able to use that DJ or band.
2. We mostly have 3 areas that will need to be setup, ceremony, inside for first dances if they choose and outside, is there an extra fee?
3. How much would you charge for overtime?
4. What information do you need from me before the wedding day?
5. Are you insured? Why you need to know this: Ideally, your wedding DJ or band will carry liability insurance. It covers any damage that can occur to the performers themselves and the equipment.
Logistics
1. Can you provide wireless mics for the wedding ceremony?
2. Do you bring backup equipment?
3. How much time will you need for setup, soundcheck, and breakdown on the day of the event?
4. Will we meet again before the wedding?
5. When is our deadline for submitting our music requests and event details?
6. Do you have the music downloaded?
7. Is there anything we should know about your services that we haven't talked about? Why you need to know this: At this point, you've probably covered everything, but it never hurts to make sure. Cover all your bases and see if there's anything that's been left out from the wedding DJ or band's point of view.
8. Do you have any questions for us? Why you need to know this: Now that you know everything you wanted to know, find out if there's any extra info the wedding DJ or band needs.
9. Do you plan to use lighting or any other special effects?
Playlist
1. Don’t Forget Music Creates Emotions, Choose It Wisely (The music you choose creates and enhances the emotions felt by you and your guests whether you’re on the dance floor or having dinner. “Can you imagine eating a nice meal with a Pitbull song in the background?
2. What Would We Dance To? After you’re officially married, what songs will you want to dance to?
3. What Do Your Guests Want? It’s okay if everyone doesn’t love every single song on your playlist.
4. What Style Must Be Played? At your wedding, you’ll likely have a broad list of guests. Keep folks from all ages in mind as you load up songs that are going to ignite their inner ‘dance floor is my stage’ fire and be appropriate for everyone to hear.
5. Remember there are songs you need and songs you don’t think about. Like walking back down the aisle, cutting the cake, bouquet toss/garter, exit song, last dance.
What’s New for 2022! 3.9.2022
1. Bridal Suite – the bridal suite is a room where you prepare both physically and mentally to say ‘I do’ in front of all your family and friends. It’s where the bride gets to relax (as much as one can), get her hair and makeup done, and toast to the day’s events with her bridal party before walking down the aisle.
New furniture
i. We highly recommend that children are not in the bridal suite only for sticky finger reasons. Please know that if there are any damages, the bride and groom are then responsible.
ii. You can make yourself at home but at some point, you must go home so don’t bring the whole kitchen sink and bathtub. Please remember that you want to leave our home, the way you arrived. Our home is your home.
Makeup room
i. We have updated our dream suite to clean and simple vanities to help brighten up the room, almost as bright as the future is with your new spouse!
ii. There is a significant amount of more bright and natural light.
Green Room
i. Take a moment to go into your secluded bridal area to change into your dress, do first looks, and shut the door to write your vows or just take a breath before walking down the aisle.
Kitchen
i. You can bring in food throughout the day, however, we do not allow use of the stove or oven for liability reasons.
ii. You can use the microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker.
iii. You can have limited alcohol throughout the day; however, no liquor and other guidelines are put into place to help ensure you have the most drama-free and seamless wedding day possible. We also want you to be able to actually “walk” down the aisle and remember the day!
Wedding Coordinator Package – Did you purchase this package? Check out some surprising add-ons when you come into the Bridal Suite in the morning of your wedding!
Bridal Assistant
i. If you don’t have a wedding planner or you haven’t booked the wedding day coordinator, to act as your advocate outside the room as you prepare for the ceremony in the bridal suite, designate someone who is not a member of the bridal party to be the manager of communications between the bridal suite and the venue – known as the bridal assistant or lady in waiting.
Don’t forget!
i. A steamer
ii. Robes/pjs
iii. Safety pins
iv. Make sure to check your emails - we will send out an entire reminder list the week of your wedding!
Updated Groom’s Room
a. More seating
b. You can have limited alcohol throughout the day; however, no liquor and other guidelines are put into place to help ensure you have the most drama free and seamless wedding day possible
New Road / New Address
a. 6268 Foster Rd. Ropesville, Tx 79358
Vendor Room inside the main reception hall
a. Created a protected space and rest area for our trusted vendors.
Coming Soon: Outdoor, Handicap Accessible Restrooms
Coming Soon: New Decorations
a. Some have already been posted online, others will be posted later once they arrive
Don’t forget your ultimate wedding checklist
a. 12 months from wedding – start determining your budget and find your venue
i. Make a guest list
ii. Decide formality & overall theme
iii. Start researching popular vendors
Questions and to-do’s for an open house & bridal shows 1.12.2022
Is it important to go to these events?
Yes! These events are great avenues to get out and go find which vendors are the best fit for your wedding. These events are also another reason to remember this time as an engaged couple and to enjoy the present!
Should you RSVP?
Yes, the venue or showcase will be able to use your information to help prepare for your arrival and send you any discounts or giveaway gifts that may have been forgotten about!
If there is a caterer is coming, they will be bringing samples based off the RSVP amount.
We try to give every bride that comes to the open house, a chance to win a gift and if you don’t RSVP then you might not get the chance to win anything!
In the comments below, we will provide a link to RSVP to the Twin Lakes Open House and Bridal Show; however, if you do not wish to RSVP then we do not require you to.
Should I register my additional guests?
Yes. Same reason as above.
What should I bring to the open house or bridal show?
Bring labels with your information on it (this saves your time at each booth); wear appropriate clothing (some vendors may be outside); bring a pen and notebook if you need to write anything down; bring a list of questions for the vendors; most bridal shows will give you a bag to put all the vendor information in, but you may want to bring a bag just in case they don’t provide this for you.
Should I put on anything that the open house or bridal show will give me?
Some events will give the bride a beaded necklace, boa, or crown to wear. There are A LOT of people that go through the booths so these items help make the bride stand out so the vendors know who they are talking to!
What kind of questions should I be asking the vendors?
What kind of services do you provide, other than what you are set up for?
Do you require a deposit?
Do you provide payment plans?
Do you do multiple events each weekend or wedding day?
Will I be working with you or your team on my wedding day?
Do you have a backup plan if any unforeseen circumstances arise, and you cannot attend or fulfill your contract obligations?
Do you have a cancellation policy?
Is it important to speak to every vendor?
Yes! You never know what kind of discount or giveaway they may be doing. You might not think that you need a DJ, however, go and speak to that vendor because they may provide other services (such as wedding planning, officiant, dance lessons, etc.)
Should I do a private tour or only come to an open house?
Both! You can come to an open house and view everything that the venue has to offer and then come take a private tour and have a one-on-one consultation and will be able to answer more direct questions that you may have.
What should I expect to get out of coming to an open house or bridal show?
You get to meet the team that you will be working with on your Big Day and create relationships. You get to see how many options there are when it comes to booking vendors. You get a better understanding of how special your wedding day can be.
Remember to always cherish this time as a newly engaged couple. Don’t be overwhelmed at the open house or bridal show and try to enjoy what all is offered.
to do list for after you’ve said yes! 12.8.2021
Start spreading the news.
Tell your loved ones.
Post about your engagement.
GET YOUR RING INSURED!
Discuss your wedding plans with your loved one and what you have planned (make sure to listen to what your partner is dreaming of, as well).
Make your TO-DO list.
Pick a date.
Keep in mind the season that you are wanting. Are you wanting green grass or snow? Is it a holiday or graduation season? Those things will be affecting your guest count, as well.
Consider your budget.
Who will be paying for what? Will the parents pay for certain things, or will they help at all?
This will help to determine how you distribute money out to different vendors.
Figure out what’s most important to you on your wedding day.
What’s most important: your ceremony/reception space, photos/videos, music and dancing, your food and drinks, or your dream dress?
Start picking your IN-DEMAND VENDORS:
Find a venue.
Venues usually get booked out at least a year, if not two, in advance.
Find a photographer.
Do you like bright and airy or dramatic? Search online for what style of photos you like because every photographer’s style is different.
Book an engagement shoot. Sometimes the photographer will give you a discount if you book a package with them.
Find a videographer.
Find a DJ or band.
The photographer, videographer, and DJ will be with you all day so booking them soon is important.
Depending on the season, a DJ may be booked with holiday parties, proms, or graduation parties.
Find a caterer.
Keep into consideration the amount of people you will be having. If you want to have an expensive and plated meal, then you may have to take a second look at your guest count because it can all start to add up pretty quickly!
Find a florist.
Are you going to have real flowers or silk?
Take into consideration your venue’s no-mess regulations because they may not allow polyester or silk flowers outside.
Find your dream dress.
Keep in mind the timing of receiving your dress. You may have to go out of town to find your dress and then after that, it typically takes AT LEAST 6 months for the dress to come in. THEN you must consider how long it will take for alterations to be completed.
Start your wedding guest list.
Some people think that you must invite everybody, but remember that this day is about you and your soon-to-be spouse. Nowadays, (thanks to COVID) only about half of your guest list may actually show up.
Remember that at the end of the day, it is about YOU AND YOUR FIANCE. You aren’t going to be able to make everyone happy, so sit down with your future spouse and communicate to each other. Make a promise to each other to enjoy this process and to keep patient with each other and each other’s family/friends.
ENJOY THIS TIME AS A NEWLY ENGAGED COUPLE.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of wedding planning. But remember, the wedding day is only the beginning, and what comes after is more important. Don’t forget to take some breaks from wedding planning and spend some quality time together to build a stronger relationship.
Guess what?! It is normal to come out and tour the venue, even if you HAVEN’T gotten engaged yet! Popular vendors book up quick so if you just want to get the feel of things and start saving up, then you can always go tour a venue and start planning before you are engaged.
SO what does Twin Lakes do to help you get through this to-do list, when you book your wedding with them?
we offer both a wedding day coordinator and decorator package that helps you with creating a stress-free wedding day.
we send a confidential informational sheet that helps breakdown every aspect of your big day: from budget planning and wedding day timelines, to a vendor contact sheet.
we help you and your soon-to-be spouse keep centered on each other, rather than stressing you out about all the things that you have to do in order to have the best day ever!
Questions you should be asking your CATERERS before hiring them: 11.10.2021
How far in advance do couple’s need to book?
If you hire a mom and pop, or smaller catering company, and they have an emergency come up, ask your caterer what their backup plan is.
Does the caterer have a license to make sure that they are liable for any mishaps?
Is the caterer working any other weddings or events on the same weekend or same day?
Does the caterer specialize in certain types of food, such as organic, locally sourced, ethnic or gluten-free?
Does the caterer work with fresh or frozen food?
Does the catered meal come full service? Or does it cost extra? Any hidden fees?
Make sure that you FINALIZE your choices with the caterer, so nothing changes when the Big Day finally comes.
Does the caterer offer tastings before being they’re hired?
Will the caterer provide plates, napkins, silverware, and salt and pepper shakers, tea/water, cups, drink containers, ice & tablecloths? Are they extra? FINALIZE if they are bringing tea AND water or just tea.
Will the caterer provide a waitstaff? How many are included in the package and what’s the fee for additional waiters?
How do delivery, setup and breakdown work and is there an additional fee? How much time will the caterer need to set up?
Does the caterer have extra charges, such as a security deposit, sales tax or service fees? What, if any, are the expected gratuities/tips?
Do they have liability insurance? If they aren’t licensed, please make sure that they at least have liability insurance for any unexpected issues arise.
Will they simply be dropping off food, or will they be helping set up & serve too?
What happens to the food after the wedding? Do you provide containers for leftovers? If you leave it with your venue, they may take it and donate it somewhere for you!
What is their refund or cancellation policy?
*Disclaimer: We are not licensed vendors and this information is strictly based on our opinions.
Unique Wedding Ideas
Invitations - on your RSVP cards, put a line for a requested song (they get excited that their song came on), request for guests to wear color palette.
Sign in - corn boards, puzzle, photo booth before the ceremony - have guests sign their name on the picture or have all pictures on a flash drive
Ceremony - Speech over before wedding starts, as you are walking back down the aisle have your guests pop streamers.
Unity - Time capsule unity, if you are a whiskey couple what about getting a whiskey barrel and pouring your favorite whiskey into it. Planting a tree in a small bucket then replant when you get home. feet washing, we have the pond have you thought about two fish and putting them in our pond.
Announced into reception or during the reception - Live reception painting, Mariachi band, mascot coming in first, dance off
First dances – mixture of different dances (something that brings your guests onto the dance floor to get the party started)
Reception Traditions - like out with the rusty nail, assigned seating how about sticky tape the back of the name card sticks it to the board with the name on the front table on back, as each person takes name card there is a picture of the couple behind the complete board.
Garter/bouquet - Kids bouquet hand out candy, if you are uncomfortable with taking off the garter put a box or something and put a foot on it. Give your grandmother the bouquet.
Exits - Pinata, Pop Out Tubes, lighted balloons,
After the wedding – if you said your on vows then every anniversary read them to each other to remind each other what you promised.