My Fair Wedding with David Tutera Sundays at 10pm|9c

Choosing a Venue

• The most important tip I can give a bride is do your homework when choosing the location for your wedding and reception. You can’t trust pictures on a web site...you need to visit the real location to make sure the space will work for the number of guests you plan on inviting. Tour the facility, taste their food, ask all the questions...how long you will have the site? Are there any other weddings there that day? Even better, try to talk to some brides who have had their weddings there to see what they did and didn’t like about the place. Venues can be expensive, so you want to make sure they’re worth it.

• Also make sure there is enough parking and that arriving and leaving the venue doesn’t mean getting stuck in a traffic jam. If you want photos taken at your reception venue, make sure there is a place where you, the bridal party and photographer won’t be interrupted by stray guests.

• As the bride, you and your groom are the hosts for the day which means you want all of your guests to feel welcome. So, when greeting them, look them in the eye, make physical contact and let them know how much you appreciate them coming to your wedding. Also, make sure that you visit each and every table and don’t spend too much time with any one person or group. It’s important to acknowledge all of your guests throughout the evening and make each and every one of them feel special.