Bemidji Wedding

In Recent years I’ve noticed many weddings are moving outside; And why not enjoy the Beauty of the landscape and the refreshing air?  When planning for your outside wedding; all facilities and ammenities have to be brought in.  Lights, sound, tables, chairs, tents, etc.  But what about Bathroom facilities?  A place to wash your hands before a meal?  Many options are available.   Here are a few questions to think about while planning the big day.

Q.  We’re having a wedding at a private household and just plan on using the bathroom inside the home?

A.  While this seems reasonable and cost efficient; a couple of notes on this might help make the best decission.  Is the home on a municpal wastewater system?  if the answer is yes then no mater how often the bathroom is used it shouldn’t have any negative impact.  (keep in mind there may be a line in the hallway and having to clean up all the dirt that shoes may drag in).  However if the home’s wastewater is served by an individual septic system, unwanted problems may arise.  Septic systems are designed and installed to a certain number of gallons of effluent waste per day.  Large crowds and overuse can cause ponding in the drainfield, “Backup” in the home or residence or surfacing of effluent on the ground near the drainfield area.  Not the most ideal situations during an outdoor wedding.  Bringing in additional Bathroom facilties might be a good idea to facilitate your guests; and ease your worries.

Q.I Have (fill in the blank) number of guests coming,  What will I need?

A.  Contact an area service provider  they will be able to size your event dependant on your guest number to ensure you have the proper number of facilities.

Q.  I’m having my wedding outdoors?  What types of bathrooms are available?

A.  Thats a big one.  In an answer; everything.  You could utilize traditional portable restrooms with holding tanks.  or there are flushable models.  Hand washing sinks are also available; both interior and extrerior stand alone models.  Many Portable restrooms also may be equipped with lighting, hand washing, hand sanitizers, mirrors and shelves.  The best option is of course though is an enclosed restoom trailer.  These units in the most basic form come with flushable toilets, hand wash sinks, climate controlled and maxim privacy and comfort.  Many of these units vary in size and capacity so you’ll be sure to find one to faciliate how ever many attendants you have at your wedding.

Many operators have rental units and packages designed specifically for weddings;  They will help you organize plan and provide the best options for sanitation needs for you wedding.

This article written by

Nathan Johnson
Port-Able John Rental & Service Inc.
www.portablejohn.net
(email) nathan@portablejohn.net
(office) (218)-751-9453
(cell) (218)-766-9491

I’m not a florist and really don’t understand a lot about flowers.  I’m hoping to have a section written by a florist in Bemidji someday.  But until then, here is some helpful information for you from two other websites.

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-flowers/qa/silk-wedding-flowers-vs-fresh.aspx

http://www.wedding-flowers-guide.com/what-flowers-should-i-have.html

I agree with the Knot in this case that real flowers just look and smell so much better.  If your budget is a concern consider reducing the number of flowers you buy and switch to something that is in style.

As for what type of flower, I’m a guy and really can’t name more than one, a Rose.

Are you having a slideshow or thinking about it?  If so great, but remember they don’t just come together by themselves.  Who will be making the slideshow?  If you don’t care to or don’t know how to, you should check with your photographer and see if they are able too.  I know Ntertainment can also make it for you!

Well once you’ve got your slideshow planned remember to keep it to a max of 3 songs.  You should be able to show at least 30 pictures per song and if you need to fit more just make the fade time shorter.  Guests seem to expect the slide show to go about 12-14 min.  After that it’s hard for most guests to pay attention.

Most slideshows have 3 specific chapters, they are “Groom”, “Bride”, and “Together”.  They can be in any order but usually “Together” comes last.  This is great because it allows you to show the bride/groom as children, high-school, and so on.

How will the slide show be shown?  This question is often over looked, but it’s very important.  Does your venue have a projector?  If so can they pipe the sound through the house system?  If they don’t have a projector try the DJ or photographer.  It might costs a little bit of money to rent one but slideshows are becoming the norm.

Sound – this is the most under planned thing about slideshows.  You need to make sure this is covered because it will not work itself out.  A poorly planned slideshow could result in one without sound.  If you are renting a projector chances are you will not be able to connect it to the “House” sound.  Which means you need to contact the DJ about the sound for the slideshow.  There are many ways to remedy the sound for slideshows.

You can run cables if it’s not to far, and the guests won’t be walking over them.  You can also burn another copy of the DVD and have the DJ hit play at the same time as the slideshow person.

However you plan on solving the sound dilemma, remember it won’t solve itself.  A seasoned vendor should be asking these types of questions but a rookie would really have a hard time providing you with the service Hollywood has lead you to demand!

When you decide what type of coverage you want and what your budget will allow, start shopping. Make sure to get referrals from friends and family. Look through photographer’s websites and blogs. Compare portfolios between the prospects.

Remember that you’re also searching for a photographer that will add to the experience of your wedding. This person will not only be a huge part of your special day, but they will also be a part of the days before and the days after. Make sure you click well and are comfortable with them.

There are so many things to go over before choosing your photographer. Below are just a few ideas of some of the questions you may want to ask them.

• What other items do they offer? (i.e. digital negatives, album, web gallery, prints)
• Will they have a second shooter?
• How long do they backup your pictures for?
• How long will it take to get your pictures?
• How many pictures do they take/give you?
• Do they shoot digital or film?
• Do they have a sample wedding you can look at?
• Are there any additional costs? (i.e.: tax, editing, traveling fee, extra coverage)
• Is there a non-refundable deposit?
• Do they offer engagement or day-after sessions?

Once you decide on the photographer that is the right fit for you, BOOK THEM! Many photographers fill up more than a year in advance.

Happy shopping!

This post was made possible by Kristen Purrington of Purrington Photography found at http://purringtonphotography.com/

You probably expect me to say that choosing a wedding photographer is the most important decision of your day.  Well, it’s not.  The most important decision is choosing the right spouse.  Then in a close second, is choosing a good photographer.  *smile* In the great words of Aaron Siskind, “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving.  What you have caught on film is captured forever.  It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”  The best way to feel, touch, and experience your wedding day over and over again is to choose the right photographer.

Traditional coverage is just how it sounds. These photographers usually rely heavily on print sales. They might pass up the fun detail and candid shots and aim for just the traditional portraits. Their goal is to take photos that people will purchase for albums or Christmas cards. Sometimes their packages look inexpensive up front, but be careful, you may end up spending more for prints then you did the initial coverage. Just make sure to factor in that cost before you make your final decision.

Photojournalistic coverage is the exact opposite. This trend was heavily introduced by newspaper photographers who were trying to make some extra dough on the side. A photojournalist’s approach to photography is to record events as they are happening. If you want unobtrusive coverage of your wedding with no posed formals, this is the way to go. Just make sure that you’re okay with not getting any posed shots of family and groups.

Portrait journalism is the happy medium. Wedding photography is taking on this trend. It’s a variable blend of both traditional and photojournalistic styles. Portrait journalists are usually unobtrusive but will occasionally ask people to pose for group formals. Many of these photographers now offer the digital negatives of your wedding in a package or at an additional price. I highly recommend looking into that option! You can save thousands by having the prints made yourself instead of through a studio.

Once you decide what type of coverage you want for your day, determine what your budget is. Remember not to skimp on this one. I’ve talked to too many grooms and brides that wished they would’ve spent the money up front to get a good photographer. They saved money by having an uncle or friend take pictures, but ended up paying for it in the long run with dark, noisy and blurred images. If you want to have good, quality, professional photos, look for someone who has the equipment, experience, and portfolio. BOTTOM LINE: years from now, the money you spend on your wedding photos will be irrelevant. What’s important is getting great photos that capture the joy of your wedding day.

***Continued in next post***

I’ve been to a lot of weddings.  And lets be honest most weddings have chicken in some form.  Don’t feel bad if you too are planning on chicken.  It’s a costs effective way to feed 200+ people.  The sides with chicken vary but normally contain potatoes of some kind and a veggie.  Whether it’s a buffet or a platted dinner you can feel confident that guests will enjoy your chicken and potatoes meal and that you won’t break the bank.

I’ve read somewhere that almost no one remembers what was for dinner at your wedding even just a month later.  Does this mean the meal is unimportant?  Certainly not, but you shouldn’t be stressing about the figs on the salad either.  Some questions to keep in mind are:

1. Buffet or sit-down dinner
2. Finger foods or hearty fare
3. Catered or cooked by relatives or friends
4. Indoors or outdoors
5. Any appropriate themes for cuisine, i.e. Polynesian, SouthernBBQ, Coastal seafood, etc.
6. Dietary restrictions
7. Mobility of your guests (elderly people may have a harder time at a buffet)
8. Cultural traditions
9. Cost
10. Number of guests
11. Time of day
12. Decor (flowers, candles, ice sculptures, or whatever you fancy)
13. Logistics of serving and/or buffet lines
14. Beverage options
15. Wedding cake and/or other dessert

There are cheaper ways to serve food to hundreds of quests at one time.  For instance pasta if home cooked is always a cost effective way to serve quests.  It can also be really tasty with little to no added ingredients.  You could also cut the meat out of the equation and serve more sides to make up for the loss.

Perhaps one of my favorite weddings meals was a large croissant that we were able to make into a sandwich.  It was delicious and i’m sure cost effective.  The toppings were sliced deli meat, cheese, and other sandwich items.  I also always enjoy tacos, while perhaps not the most elegant meal you’ll be sure to have something your quests haven’t had in a while if you serve tacos.

I’ll post a second to this hotly asked question.

(A lot of information was taken from http://hubpages.com/hub/Wedding-Food)

This question is perhaps the hardest question you will never ask.  I’ve been told that magazines put the national average at $20,000.  That’s a lot of money here in Bemidji.  While some weddings I have DJ’ed easily met this limit, most of them didn’t.  I would say average for in the Bemidji market is $5,000-$15,000.  I’ve given you a sliding scale because the venue and food can effect your pricing more than anything.  If your reception is to be at an upscale place it would be hard to get by spending less than 10k.  Most nicer places have minimum requirements on food and beverage and charge quite a premium for alcohol.  They make a lot of there money on alcohol sales.  What should you expect for 10k in the Bemidji market?  I competent photographer, a skilled DJ who will lead many things, and a venue with at least 5 staff members serving and clearing dishes from you.  If you want to have chair skirts and the whole shebang, plan on spending more like 20k in the Bemidji market.

A ruff sliding scale for upscale services could be as such:

1. Photographer $1,200-$3,000
2. Disc Jockey $800-$1,200
3. Venue rental $1200-$3000
4. Dress $800-$3,000
5. Flowers $700
6. Cake $550
7. Dinner $15 per person

All of these are for the Bemidji market with some information taken from http://www.costhelper.com/cost/wedding/wedding.html.

You can see how having a wedding is a big expense and you should plan wisely.

If your having a wedding outside, good they are a lot of fun.  You of course wouldn’t want one outside any earlier than April or later than October.  It can still be cold the other times of the year, but don’t let this deter you.  You should of course have a backup.  Again you should of course have a backup.  I have seen weddings moved last minute because of tornado warnings.  Be careful about planning a backup and take it seriously.

Outdoor weddings are picturesque, beautiful, lively and full of mosquitoes.  That last item was a joke, but if it’s going to be anywhere close to water, better yet if it’s in Minnesota; there will be mosquitoes.  You can spray, provide bug spray, and/or get those mosquitoes magnets.  Your guest will all appreciate all the planning ahead.

You will have to provide food somehow.  Soon i’ll right a post on catering services.  Until then you’re stuck with weeding through the good and the bad.  I would think year of service are a good benchmark for comparison.  And again private companies should be chosen over conglomerates or large corporations.

Weddings outside in the Bemidji area have seen a rise in the past 10 years.  People are realizing we have an amazing location for weddings, in the future i see people from Florida coming here for a destination wedding… Not really but it’s pretty amazing the yards and lake shore people own around here.  Good work Mom, Dad.

Another think you should seriously consider is providing sound for your ceremony if that too will be outdoors.  I have attended a few wedding with and without sound.  The ones with sound are way better.  It’s nice to hear everything, regardless of where you are.  For one outdoor wedding i was in the back, and honestly had no idea what was happening in the front.  It was unfortunate.  There are DJs that will provide sound reinforcement, and they are reasonably priced.  Look for them…

Make sure you have a tent, if it sprinkles even a little you’ll be glad you did.  A pole shed or large building counts too.  Check with the photographer and see if there is anything you can do to make it easier for them to take photos in the tent.  Parking, it’s a big concern.  You can use a yard, it might get scuffed up.  You can use the street, but be conscious of how far some people will have to walk, and consider handicap parking.

In conclusion outdoor weddings are a lot of fun, but be careful with the cold, mosquitoes, sound, and parking.

Your wedding reception location and dinner will be your biggest cost.  I enjoy playing at the Hampton Inn and the Country Club the most.  The staff at both locations in competent and helpful.  They provide superior service in the Bemidji area and have good food.  Both have things that could be changed about them, mostly layout of the rooms, but all in all are the best places to have your wedding in Bemidji.  This does however come at a higher costs than other alternatives.  Here is a list of some places in Bemidji to have your reception, I’ll add an average cost to each place soon.

• Hampton Inn
• Country Club
• New City Ballroom (Not recommended)
• Event Center (Availability unknown)
• Eagles Club
• American Legion
• Elks Lodge (Not recommended)
• Armory
• Curling Club
• Diamond Point Park
• Outdoor Reception
• Church Fellowship Hall

I don’t recommend New City Ballroom because they have a huge room, but didn’t plan any space for the DJ.  They do offer amazing screens for the slideshow but your slide show will last about 10-15 min your DJ will be at your entire reception.  To build a room of that size and quality and to not allow a specific spot for the DJ is poor planning.  They also don’t have a view of anything, except for the back of Home Depot.  For the kind of cash you will spend book the Hampton, Event Center, or the Country Club; You’ll have a much better view!

I don’t recommend the Elks Lodge because they don’t have an elevator, this makes it nearly impossible for wheelchair bound guests and is hard on your vendors such as caterers, and DJ’s, who both have a lot of equipment to bring up.

If you have your reception at the following you will need to hire a catering service:

• Elks Lodge
• Curling Club
• Armory
• Outdoor Reception
• Diamond Point

Choosing a Disc Jockey is an important task.  It may or may not be high on your list of things to do, but it should be.  Your DJ is important because they will more than likely be the coordinator for your wedding day unless you have a wedding planner.  They will probably not be at your ceremony unless your wedding is outside and you would like sound reinforcement.  But once the reception has started almost everything will involve the DJ.  Most DJ’s in our market will also be your MC.  They should Announce the wedding party when they arrive, make general announcements, and guide your guest from dinner to dancing.

A good DJ will cost anywhere from $600-$1000 in the Bemidji market.  For this price you should expect to receive some form of light show, a talented MC, and a trusted reputation.  If your not looking at spending this much you might not receive any of the above.

If you are looking at skimping a couple hundred dollars on the DJ just think about this, a good DJ may be able to sell your garter for more than a bad one and make up the price difference.  You should also consider that a DJ will be in front of all of your guests more than once, so make sure what your guests see is someone professional.

When comparing price quotes you should be looking at what is included in the service, don’t compare just numbers.  Maybe a DJ has old equipment and so they can charge less, maybe one carries insurance and must charge more.

Some things you should look for are,

• Reputation
• Insurance
• Lighting package
• Hours that they will work
• MC skills
• Quality of equipment
• Professionalism
• Appearance
• Referrals
• Website

A good DJ will have all of the above and be able to tell in you in depth about any one topic you choose to hone in on.  Choosing a DJ is hard work.  A professional DJ shouldn’t let you come to another wedding and see them working.  How would you feel if your DJ was trying to sell services to someone else, at your wedding?  In the Bemidji market you should be booking DJ’s for wedding season (April – September) at least 9 – 12 months in advance to ensure you get the service you want.  And in the slow time of the year (October – March) you should be booking from 3-6 months in advance.