Wedding celebrations are packed with emotions – it’s easy to let the night roll through quickly, and not have a second to absorb the meaning of it all. Our guests of honor are feeling and experiencing, their friends and family are feeling and experiencing…we want to make sure we allow space for our members to stop right in the moment, take a close look around their room, and share an intimate moment to embrace how special this occasion is for them.

We want to give you a breakdown of everything that transpires, from the end of your ceremony all the way up to the seconds before your first dance, to show just how quickly it can all happen – and to emphasize how strongly we feel about making sure you take in all of the little “in-between” moments…

You just made a promise to spend the rest of your life with the person you love. Your recessional song plays out, and you can finally take a deep breath: cocktails, food, and celebration are up next. This is a solid transition period for both you and your guests. You are still on a high from your ceremony, but you know that you’ll be expected to greet each one of your friends and family. While guests are enjoying some refreshments, your photographer may use this time to take some additional formal shots.

The very first moments after your venue doors open are vital – this immediately sets the tone for the rest of the event. As guests find their tables and catch up with loved ones, your entertainment team is already working diligently to create the ambiance you dreamed of.

How do they make this happen?

An experienced team will open the night with an arrangement of old disco/funk, top 40, or vocal house at an intro volume to keep guests engaged, while still allowing them to say their hellos and get settled. As your event DJ gets the music and vibes rolling, your event host establishes their presence and begins interaction with guests by delivering formal announcements, personally and elegantly.

Once guests are seated, the DJ continues to play music as your host starts lining everyone up for introductions. Once everyone is settled, the reception is officially ready to begin. Alongside the specific tracks you have selected to narrate introductions, your host formally introduces their team and the event itself to break the ice. The host reminds everyone of the reason they are there…for YOU!

One Of A Kind Events loves to have everyone rise up out of their seats for the entire introduction. Why? Because we love to jump start the event with high energy and make sure everyone is involved. At this point you’ll be ecstatic, maybe a little nervous, but most of all: ready to be formally introduced as a married couple for the very first time, outside of your ceremony.

As we announce grandparents, parents, and the entire wedding party, we make sure to keep it fun and interactive. Nothing at 1OAK is cookie cutter – each part of introductions has a personalized touch. Especially for your intro. As you hear your names called, your song of choice booms out, everyone cheers and claps – the entire walk to the dance floor will seem like it’s in slow motion. Besides your ceremony, this is the only time you’ll be formally announced as a newly married couple. Breathe every motion in, have fun with it, and SMILE!

As quickly as everyone joins in to share the moment with you, it’ll be time to clear the floor and transition into your first dance. One Of A Kind devotes this transition period to slowing things down again – giving you a second to scan the room, look at your guests, and really feel the moment. We spend this time sharing your love story: how you met, your first kiss, first date, meeting each others families, the proposal. All of the seemingly small moments it took to lead up to this hugely life changing one. Let’s not rush the celebration. We allow you to slow it down and embrace it, so you never forget it.

You just had the moment of a lifetime – your proposal. Whether you were the one to get down on one knee, or your partner did for you, the celebration has already begun.

After the initial excitement dies down, the very next step begins – planning!

Where do we start? How are we going to plan an entire wedding? We’ve never even thrown a birthday party!? With the right team and the right experience, this process doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Our team has found throughout years of experience that there are two concrete ways to go about choosing the right vendors for your event.

Personal experience or reference from a friend. Have you ever attended a family member or friend’s wedding and said to yourself, ‘Wow, I have to have this type of atmosphere at my event. I need those florals in my venue – and I absolutely need that type of music and entertainment’. Seeing the work vendors do first hand is one of the best ways to find your perfect team. You’ve gotten a taste of what they can offer, and you know you’ll want it for yourself! Getting vendor references from a trusted friend is also key. They will lead you in the right direction and be able to tell you openly and honestly about their experience with different vendors.

Wedding showcases. It’s pretty safe to say that this is a unique time in the world for wedding showcases. The majority of this year has consisted of virtual showcases, with in-person slowly making a comeback. How do we continue going about these showcases? This can be an intimidating experience, especially for couples who haven’t hosted a formal event before. Our first piece of advice: Start the process early. This allows you to take your time, removing that (very avoidable) feeling of pressure and chaos. Each showcase will have different vendors, providing a variety of personalities and experience in the industry. Speaking with a few vendors will give you a solid feel for what they offer. The last thing you’ll want is to feel flustered during a time when you should be excited! Be sure to ask questions. Really dive into a conversation with available vendors – is there a genuine connection there? Do they seem as though they truly care about their work and their clients’ stories? Will they be able to translate your vision into reality? There is something truly special in the difference between vendors who do this work for income, and those who do it with passion for the people they serve. Your vendor should be as invested in your big day as you.

Here are a few additional questions to ask:

• Has this vendor done events at the venue(s) you’re interested in?
• Does this vendor have samples or testimonials to show you?
• What is the vendor’s cancellation policy? Do they accommodate rescheduled events due to COVID-19?

Your key takeaway:

Enjoy each planning piece, and let your vendors take on the heavy lifting. Before you know it, you’ll be waking up on the morning of your wedding day – more than satisfied that you had the right people helping you throughout the entire process – embrace it!