• The more time you can allocate for planning - the better. You should usually give yourself three to six months to plan your wedding, although Checkers has done complete wedding events in a two week time frame.

• Take into account the projected weather for both inside and outside weddings. Be sure to accommodate elderly and handicapped guests that may require special attention in heat, rain, or other elements beyond your control.

• Prepare an agenda for the day of the event. Assign one contact person, not the bride, to help ensure syncopation between the wedding party and the event staff. A member of the bridal party or family members are usually wonderful liaisons.

• If you are planning to include a large wedding cake be sure the table is sturdy and located out of main traffic areas. If the event is going to be held outside, ensure that the cake has a frosting that will withstand the heat.

• Share all your vendor lists with your event planner. Some technical or logistical coordination can be handled directly through the vendors without bothering you for every detail.

• Be creative with your appetizers, menus and deserts. Individual cupcakes, a specially created set of drinks, an ice cream, frozen juice, or coffee bar complete with plenty of decadent toppings are all ways of bringing your own signature to your wedding reception.

• If you choose a more traditional single plate approach to your menu you might want to consider a “Dual Entrée” that provides a serving of steak along with a serving of your selected fish or seafood all on the same plate.

• If you are planning to have a buffet it is always better to provide a wide variety of food to accommodate the different tastes of the guests.