When I'm delivering a wedding ceremony, I'm mindful from start to finish.......of bringing everyone's minds into what's going on. Guests are not there to just watch you do something.............if it was that simple we'd just send them a You Tube link after the event! Each of them are with you because you decided they should be there.........and each one of them needs to feel your emotion on the day.
Your guests and how they feel about the ceremony..........is just as important as the vows you make to each other......and how you yourselves feel afterwards. What your guests say long after the celebration, will be a tribute to how you made them feel part of it!
I'm always thinking of the senses!.......hear, see, feel, smell and taste. And as much as I write to hit all of those senses, the venue plays a big part.
So before you turn the key in your car to go off in search of the ideal venue, here are 3 top things to mull over. They're little things........but they'll make such a huge difference for you, your guests and how your ceremony's perceived!
- What's so good about looking at the back of your heads?
Why do people think that guests just want to look at the back of your heads? We want to see you smile, laugh and cry.......We want to feel what you're going through! We want to see your lips move to the words you say!...........Make sure your venue can seat your guests so that they can see you............Try the 'horseshoe' style!...........But whatever seating arrangements you go for.........we want to be able to smile with you......we want to cry when you do!
- Why do you want to look at a blank wall?
When you're taking your vows with the love of your life...........why do you want a wall staring you in the face? Wouldn't you much rather look out to beautiful scenery, a bright blue sky.......frost covered fields.............or tumbling snow? Our minds work differently when we can visualise ............when we can imagine. Walls block out your thinking!........And yet I've seen so many licensed venues who position their couples facing walls.......it's just lazy and poor event management skills!
- Why are you in a room with no natural daylight?
I've seen this in Register Offices and licensed venues too! Everyone is escorted into a room with closed walls and no natural daylight........The only thing that lets you know that there's an outside.....is the exit door!
Natural daylight provides energy, even if we can only see it. It makes us breath differently. It helps us to visualise. If I was offered a room at a venue with no windows, I would turn that booking down. I've done enough training functions in my time, to know just how exhausted and depleted people feel when they're 'boxed in' ......no matter how long or short the event is. Your ceremony is only half an hour - you owe it to everyone to make it the best half hour that you can!
So if you're off to visit a venue for any kind of ceremony, try following these three top tips! Baby Namings, Vow Renewals, Weddings and Funerals......are all about emotion. And what triggers our emotional button is the senses..........let them see light!
Carole
