It's natural that you won't get things done unless you ask! A summary of common yet often unconventional staging methods on social media.
2024.11.01 published
It’s a classic, but things you won't get unless you ask.
When you look at the Instagram of brides or wedding venues, there are so many wonderful productions, right? ♡
For example, the touching moment of the first meet where the groom sees the bride in her wedding dress, or the jacket ceremony where the groom is helped by his mother to put on his jacket.
I believe there are many heartwarming and lovely productions out there. ♡
However…!!!
In reality, both the first meet and the jacket ceremony have started to become popular only in recent years (maybe about 5 to 10 years). They are not traditional or classic wedding productions that have existed for a long time.
Because it seems like everyone is doing them as if it's the norm when looking at Instagram, you might assume that they are naturally included in the progression of your wedding, thinking everyone will do it without saying anything... but in fact, they are arrangements that need to be specifically requested, and they are often not included in the standard progression.
Therefore, if you want to incorporate such productions, you need to individually request the wedding venue by saying, "I want to do the first meet!" and "I want to include the jacket ceremony!"
(I believe it’s rare for planners to suggest, "Are you going to do the jacket ceremony?" It’s more about saying, "The groom wants some sort of production during the ceremony," which might lead to a proposal.)
If you think something will be done for you, only to find out it wasn't after the event, you realize, "Huh?! It's not happening!? It's already over!" You often won’t notice until then.
To avoid the disappointment of not having it done, make sure to review and confirm things in advance!
Things you'll not get unless you ask at your wedding production 1: First Meet
The first meet on the day of the wedding where the groom gets to see the bride in her wedding dress.
Recently, it has become common to incorporate the first meet even in photo plans. The first meet photos are now seen as a staple in wedding photography... that’s the impression, right?
It’s such a wonderful time that there are brides who are so dedicated to ensuring the groom is moved by the dress that they strictly don’t show the dress in photos during the fitting stage.
Although it’s an emotional and popular production, it often isn’t included in the wedding venue’s progression, so one must be cautious.
You need to secure the time (after the preparations of the bride and groom and before the ceremony and introduction of family) and space (bride's room, chapel, garden, etc.) for the first meet, and if requested just before the wedding, there’s a possibility that it may not be accepted.
Make sure to convey during the initial meeting, "I absolutely want to do the first meet!" ♡
➡ Click here for a list of articles about how to do the first meet and ideas! ♡
Things you'll not get unless you ask at your wedding production 2: Jacket Ceremony
The veil down, which is the last preparation before marriage where the mother puts the veil on the daughter.
The jacket ceremony was born from the idea of the groom wanting to do something with his mother, who has lovingly raised him, at the milestone of his wedding.
(By the way, the jacket ceremony is a production conceived by one bride for her own wedding. It's amazing that the original idea of just one bride could spread so widely across the country and become standard!)
Although it is a popular production on Instagram, it seems many wedding venues and planners are still unaware of it!
Unlike the first meet, the jacket ceremony is not a grand production that requires securing space and time, so if you request it, they are usually willing to incorporate it*
➡ Click here for a list of articles about how to do the jacket ceremony and ideas! ♡
Things you'll not get unless you ask at your wedding production 3: Dozen Roses
The classic dozen roses at weddings 🌹
An event where the groom collects 12 roses from guests and proposes to the bride with that bouquet. ♡
It’s also called the bouquet and boutonniere ceremony*
Although it has been a classic production for a long time, you won't have it unless you request it.
The dozen roses ceremony can be performed during both the ceremony and the reception*
During the ceremony, the groom often has specified guests bring roses to him.
At the reception, after changing outfits, the groom usually enters first and collects flowers from each table to present to the bride who enters later, which is the traditional way. ♡
Since it's a production that requires careful planning about which guests will hand over flowers and whether the flowers carry specific meanings, be sure to consult with your planner in advance. 🌹
➡ Click here for a list of articles about how to do the dozen roses and ideas! ♡
Things you'll not get unless you ask at your wedding production 4: Guest Participation Wedding Certificate
Canvas ceremony, wedding tree, sand ceremony, and other guest participation wedding certificates must also be prepared upon request.
Most venues have simple wedding certificates (ones that have the vows written on them and a space for the signatures of the bride and groom) available (purchased or included in packages), but the guest participation wedding certificates seen on Instagram are mostly supplied by the couple themselves.
👇 The wedding certificates prepared by the venue are typically simple like these.
Therefore, if you want an original guest participation wedding certificate, decide what you want, and share with the planner what you plan to bring! *
Recently, popular options include:
🔸 Wedding canvas (to create art)
🔸 Engraved wedding certificates (using leather or brass)
🔸 Fragrant wedding certificates (creating perfumes or aroma stones)
These are getting popular. ♡
➡ Click here for a variety of wedding certificate articles! ♡
Things you'll not get unless you ask at your wedding production 5: Closing Kiss
At the very end of the ceremony, just as the doors close, having a kiss or hug during the closing kiss/hug. ♡
It’s an exciting production that invites a "yay!" from the guests witnessing the couple's affectionate moments. ♡
This playful production is, of course, not included in the ceremony's flow.
Although it might seem possible to do it without discussing it with the planner, it’s better to talk in advance to confirm the positions of the bride and groom and the speed at which the doors close.
Be sure to let the photographer know as well, so that they don’t miss the perfect shot! ♡
➡ Click here for the closing kiss article! ♡
Things you'll not get unless you ask at your wedding production 6: Escort Card
An escort card/item instead of (or in addition to) a seating chart to inform guests of their seats.
This card has the guest's name and table number written on it, which they pick up in the welcome area and use to find their seats based on the table number indicated.
Since escort cards are common items, the venue might ask, “What would you like to do?” but it’s not something that's absolutely necessary for the progression, so it’s normal not to be offered.
You also need to request from the bride and groom, "We want to do escort cards!" *
If you don’t say anything in particular, the seating chart will just be provided without escort cards, so if you want them, make sure to request and create/purchase them yourself!
➡ Click here for a variety of escort card ideas! ♡