WEDDINGS
Planning Time Table
Wedding plans should naturally be made as far ahead as possible and especially so if you are planning a spring or summer wedding. As soon as the date has been set and the type of wedding and reception decided upon, confirm the availability of your clergyman and the place where you will hold your reception. In some areas, reservations for a reception room may have to be made as much as a year in advance. You will want to contact your wedding rental coordinator as early as possible. He will have most if not all of the items you will need for your ceremony and reception. Abbott Party Rental's experienced staff will assist you will all of your wedding planning including: selection of your Chicago wedding rental needs, and helping your wedding and reception to go as smoothly as possible. Chicago weddings can be especially memorable with the area's large selection of unique venues.
As soon as possible, bridesmaids should be selected and the bride's gown and bridesmaid's dresses ordered. Be sure to take into account that the bridesmaids pay for their own dresses. Tuxedo rental arrangements should also be made at this time. A department or specialty store should be contacted and your choice of silver, china and crystal patterns registered for the convenience of your friends and guests.
No matter how large or small your wedding reception, you can rely on Abbott Party Rental for your Chicago party rental equipment and Chicago party supplies. Our Chicago canopy tent rentals can ensure your outdoor reception is a success even with unexpected weather. Consider our Chicago chocolate fountain rental and champagne fountain to add excitement and appeal to your reception. Our Chicago chocolate fountain rental packages will create an instant conversation starter for all your guests and they're sure to enjoy the delicious dipping treats too!
We know it can be overwhelming to plan a wedding and wedding reception. Our experience staff is happy to provide you with professional service as you decide on the Chicago wedding rental selections that best fit your reception needs.
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Wedding Reception
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Another step in the wedding planning is the wedding reception which can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose. The simplest could entail a buffet table with assorted sandwiches, the wedding cake, assorted nuts and mints and punch or coffee. Floral arrangements and candelabra are generally used to make the table more attractive and to set off the other items. A more elaborate buffet would include two or three cold dishes and possibly two hot dishes in silver chafers or casseroles. A separate table might then be used for the wedding cake-- a 4 foot round table would be a good size.
A seated wedding breakfast or dinner is, of course, the most formal type of wedding reception. The tables are arranged so that the bride's table is the focal point of the room. The wedding cake is the center of attraction at this table. A dance is generally included at a reception of this magnitude. Our catalog of Chicago party rental supplies and equipment includes dance floors which can accommodate any size venue.
The wedding reception is traditionally begun with the receiving line, which is composed of the bride and groom, the bridesmaids, and the parents of the couple. The order of receiving is generally the bride's mother, the groom's father, the groom's mother the bride's father, the bride, the groom and the maid of honor followed by the bridesmaids. The best man and groomsmen are not generally included in the receiving line.
Traditionally, the wedding cake is served to the guests after the bride and groom have served each other the first piece, symbolizing their first meal together. You want to be sure to have someone available who is familiar with the usual reception process. This person will guide you through, making sure that no cherished moment is forgotten.
Planning a wedding is no easy task Many things will need to be arranged. Start early to avoid last minute frustrations. Make contact with each professional as early as possible for the best service. One of the first, most beneficial stops you will make is Abbott Party Rental. Our professional staff have a wealth of information and services to make your planning easier. Organizing your planning through one source helps relieve the pre-wedding tensions. Our large inventory of party rentals is a great resource for checking items off of your To Do List.
This is an important day in your lives. With careful organized planning, it will be a most pleasurable memory.
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Guest List
You should begin compiling your guests list at least three months prior to the wedding date. Be sure to obtain a guest list from the groom's mother. She will depend upon you to suggest the size of her list. It will be helpful to keep your list in alphabetical order on file cards with each card indicating whether the guest has been invited to the reception (R) or the ceremony (C) only. Those to whom announcements (A) only are sent should also be included.
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Wedding Invitations
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Your wedding invitations, announcements and other stationery should be ordered two to three months in advance. Addressing of both inner and outer envelopes is always done by hand. Invitations should be mailed out about one month before the wedding date. Allow about two weeks for replies and then give your caterer the final number of reception guests expected. Announcements are mailed the day after the ceremony.
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Caterers, Photographers & More
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On the basis of your guest list, give your caterers, whom you should select at least three months in advance of the reception date, an estimated number of guests expected at the reception. Generally, you can expect about 75% of the number of people invited.
A month in advance is not too soon to complete your final arrangements with your florist and photographer. Since you are arranging for once-in-a-lifetime pictures, a professional photographer is best. If you are planning to have music at your reception, these plans should be finalized at least three months in advance. An advantage of Chicago weddings is the large network of professionals who cater to all styles and needs.
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Rehearsal Dinner
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Wedding planning is a full-time job in many senses as it requires consideration for events leading up to and immediately following the ceremony. The rehearsal dinner is step in the process. The wedding rehearsal is most often held the afternoon or evening of the day before the wedding. It is customary for the groom's parents to give the rehearsal dinner for the bridal party in conjunction with the rehearsal.
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Wedding Checklist
Number of Guests:
Invitations, Response Cards, Reception Cards, Informals
Style:
Quantity:
Rehearsal Dinner:
Wedding:
Reception:
Florist:
Jeweler:
Caterer:
Bakery:
Photographer:
Music:
Decorations:
Party Rentals and Canopy/Tent:
Tuxedos:
Gowns:
Transportation:
Parking:
Gifts:
Favors:
Ceremony Appointments
Arch:
Candelabra:
Candles:
Type:
Color:
Aisle Runner: Length
Other:
Rehearsal Dinner
Tables: Size
Chairs: Style
Tablecloths: Size
Style:
Napkins: Color
China: Pattern:
Flatware: Pattern
Glasses: Style
Style:
Style:
Serving Pieces:
Chafers: Style
Decorations:
Other:
Reception, Dinner, Dance
Tent: Size
Location:
Head Tables: Size
Buffet Table:
Diner Tables: Size
Number:
Registration Table: Size
Gift Table: Size
Tablecloths: Size
Color:
Napkins: Color
Chairs: Style
China: Pattern
Flatware:
Glasses: Style
Style:
Style:
Beverage Fountain:
Punch Bowl:
Coffee Service:
Chafers:
Trays: Size
Size:
Candelabra:
Candles: Style
Color:
Decorations:
Cake Knife/Server:
Cake Fountain
Serving Pieces
Dance Floor:
Bar:
Bartender:
Liquid/Mixer:
Type/Amount:
Type//Amount:
Other:
Information on Party Rentals
Rehearsal Dinner:
Delivery Date:
Delivery Time:
Return Date:
Return Time:
Wedding:
Delivery Date:
Delivery Time:
Return Date:
Return Time:
Reception/Dinner/Dance:
Delivery Date:
Delivery Time:
Return Date:
Return Time:
CORPORATE EVENTS
Conferences
Are you having a meeting for ten people or 200 people? Are you teaching your staff about new products or are you going over this years goals? We can help you get the message across the whole crowd, even the people in the back.
Corporate Parties
Is it employee appreciation day? A retirement party? Holiday parties, luncheons, or a summer outing? If you want to make your staff have a great time at your next outing we can help you spice it up and actually have your staff want to come to the next party.
Employee Fun Days
You can have a fair, beach day, or a million other ways of having a company outing. There are always fun and new ways to get together, do something different, and have a great time. Fresh and fun is our middle name!