Planning Your Wedding Day Timeline

Planning your wedding day timeline is crucial for ensuring that everything runs smoothly for you and your guests, but it shouldn’t be stressful! We’ve put together a helpful guide to help you create a timeline for your big day:

discuss your priorities

Before planning out any wedding day activities, you’ll want to sit down and determine what aspects of your wedding day are most important to you and your partner. Whether it's capturing stunning sunset photos, enjoying cocktail hour with loved ones, or dancing the night away, you’ll definitely want to prioritize these elements in your timeline.

scheduling DINNER SERVICE

Yes, you heard that right - you’re going to schedule your dinner service first! Typically we see dinner service begin anywhere between 5:30 and 7 pm. Plan on doing a grand march? You can make your grand entrance into dinner service or go straight into first dances if you’re looking to take advantage of your guests’ attention prior to dinner being served!

deciding on a ceremony start time

Now that you’ve scheduled your dinner service, you’ll want to work back 1-2 hours from your dinner start time to find your perfect ceremony time. We don’t recommend having more than 2 hours between your ceremony end time and dinner service, we generally see ceremonies start anywhere between 3 and 5 pm.

when to start getting ready

Talk to your hair and makeup stylists right away to determine how much time is needed for you and your wedding party to get ready. Let them know what time you would like everyone to be ready by and ask them what start time they recommend. Need to access the building earlier than 10 am? Talk to your event manager about adding on early access!

planning for PHOTOgraphy

Your photography team should be skilled in quickly capturing key moments throughout the day. Talk with your photographer about all important wedding day details and lean on them for guidance when it comes to creating your timeline. Want golden hour photos? Look up when sunset is and build in 20-30 minutes for photos 1 hour before sunset.

cutting your cake

Doing a cake cutting? If you have a tiered cake that needs to be cut by your catering team, you’ll want to cut your cake right before dinner service so your catering team has plenty of time during dinner to cut your cake and serve it to your guests! If you only have a personal cake to cut, you can also plan for the cake cutting to happen after toasts or before first dances.

preparing for the end of the night

Handling your own take down? We suggest beginning to take down and package your décor at least 30 minutes before last call. Use the catering room to stage boxes for packaging so guests don’t see you loading. You can pull your vehicles up right to the catering door to load at the end of the evening! Remember, everything must be removed by your contracted vacate time. Want to dance til the very end and not have to worry about packing up your décor? Talk with your event manager about adding our Take Down Services!

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additional questions to ask yourself when creating your timeline

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are you doing a first look?

A first look is a great way to not only get rid of some pre-ceremony nerves, but also allows you to get most of your wedding photos done prior to your ceremony! Plan for your first look to take place 2 hours before your ceremony begins so you have plenty of time to get back in the bridal quarters before guests begin arriving 30 minutes before the ceremony.

are you offering a shuttle service?

If you plan on offering a shuttle service, we suggest having your shuttle begin picking up guests from hotels 1 hour before your ceremony start time and then begin picking up guests 2 hours before your building vacate time.

do you want a late night snack?

We love late night food and so will your guests! If you plan on offering a late night snack, you’ll want to account for about 50-60% of your reception guests. We recommend having the late night snack available for guests to enjoy about 2 hours prior to last call. Ordering delivery? You can set this up the week prior to your wedding! Pro Tip: Ask to pay and tip upon ordering so you don’t have to worry about any late night snack details as you’re dancing the night away!

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SAMPLE TIMELINE WITHOUT A FIRST LOOK

10:00 AM - Hair + Makeup Begins
1:30 PM - Separate Bridal Party Photos
3:00 PM - Guest Arrival
3:30 PM - Ceremony
4:00 PM - Cocktail Hour, Family Formals
4:30 PM - Wedding Party Photos, Bride + Groom Portraits
5:45 PM - Grand March
6:00 PM - Dinner Service
6:45 PM - Toasts
7:15 PM - Room Flip
7:30 PM - Traditional Dances
7:45 PM - Dance Floor Opens
9:30 PM - Late Night Snack
11:30 PM - Last Call
12:00 AM - Building Vacate

SAMPLE TIMELINE WITH A FIRST LOOK

10:00 AM - Hair + Makeup Begins
1:30 PM - First Look, Bride + Groom Portraits
2:00 PM - Wedding Party Photos
3:30 PM - Guest Arrival
4:00 PM - Ceremony
4:30 PM - Cocktail Hour + Family Formal Photos
5:45 PM - Grand March
6:00 PM - Dinner Service
6:45 PM - Toasts
7:15 PM - Room Flip
7:30 PM - Traditional Dances
7:45 PM - Dance Floor Opens
9:30 PM - Late Night Snack
11:30 PM - Last Call
12:00 AM - Building Vacate

(Building vacate time is 10 pm if event is held on a Sunday or weeknight)

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Stressed about wedding planning? No need, the Rustic Manor 1848 Team is here for you and is happy to answer any questions you may have during your wedding planning process! If you’re interested in learning more about our wedding packages or are ready to get the planning process started, visit the Rustic Manor 1848 website. We are excited to discuss your vision and help you plan a wedding that’s perfect for you and your partner. 

Recently Engaged, Now What? Breaking Down the Wedding Planning Process

It's finally here! You've just taken the first step toward starting the next chapter in your life. Planning a wedding can feel daunting, but we’re here to point you in the right direction and give you a helpful planning timeline to help you remain calm, cool and collected during the wedding planning process.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

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soak it in

Celebrate the moment! Take some time to enjoy the newly-engaged life - pop some champagne, celebrate with your loved ones, and show off that ring! You don’t have to start planning right away, especially if you are planning for a longer engagement, enjoy the moment and start planning when you are ready.

take engagement photos

Begin researching photographers that fit the vibe you’re going for and book an engagement session! It’s important to take engagement photos early so you have enough time to receive your photos, decide on your favorites, and create a beautiful Save The Date.

gather inspiration

Start dreaming about your big day! Create a Pinterest board, browse through wedding trends on Instagram, and read through wedding blogs to begin curating your own wedding vision.

draft a guest list + BOOK YOUR VENUE

As soon as your guest list is set, start researching venues that align with your wedding vision, location, and can accommodate your desired guest count. Don’t wait to book your wedding venue! If you have your heart set on a certain month (or even date), waiting to book your venue could lead to unnecessary stress and disappointment.

SELECT a CATERER

We recommend scheduling tastings with at least two caterers so you can compare their menus and pricing. Rustic Manor 1848 works off a wonderful list of preferred caterers who offer a wide variety of food types at different price points. We have no doubt that you will find something that satisfies your tastebuds and fits within your budget!

BOOK any “MUST HAVE” VENDORS

If there are any wedding vendors that you must have to make your wedding vision come to life, book them right away! Desirable vendors can book up quickly, so don’t waste any time if you know you need to have them as part of your dream wedding vendor team.

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MONTHLY MILESTONES

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6-9 months before

• book remaining vendors

• order wedding dress + bridesmaid dresses

• finalize guest list

• mail your save the dates

• build wedding registry

• begin planning day-of timeline

9-12 month before

• Order Save The Dates

• Start Dress Shopping

• reserve room block(s)

• continue to gather inspiration

• conduct research on wedding vendors

• build your wedding website

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2-4 months before

• finalize details with florist

• order wedding cake + dessert

• discuss ceremony details with officiant

• choose songs for ceremony + reception

• send out invitations (3 months before)

• plan bar + beverage selections

4-6 months before

• book wedding day transportation

• research rehearsal dinner options

• order wedding stationary

• book honeymoon accommodations

• purchase wedding rings

• shop for SUITS / TUXES

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FINAL WEEKS

• CREATE SEATING CHART

• CONFIRM FINAL DETAILS WITH VENDORS

• PICK UP WEDDING RINGS

• PACK FOR WEDDING DAY

• ORDER LATE NIGHT SNACK

• PICK UP DRESS + MEN’S FORMAL WEAR

1-2 months before

• hair and makeup trials

• finalize timeline + floor plan

• order linens

• get marriage license

• finalize menu with caterer

• CONFIRM REHEARSAL DINNER PLANS

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Stressed about wedding planning? No need, the Rustic Manor 1848 Team is here for you and is happy to answer any questions you may have during your wedding planning process! If you’re interested in learning more about our wedding packages or are ready to get the planning process started, visit the Rustic Manor 1848 website. We are excited to discuss your vision and help you plan a wedding that’s perfect for you and your partner. 

Tips on Choosing Your Wedding Vendors

choosing your dream team

Your wedding is arguably one of the most important days of your life, which is why it is so important to have a vendor team you can trust to bring your vision to life. Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start? We’ve curated a list of tips that is sure to make the process go smoother and ease your wedding planning, anxious mind!

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tip #1 - determine your priorities

First things first, you’ll want to sit down with your partner and prioritize your wedding vendors. Create a list of all important wedding details you must have to make your dream wedding vision come to life! Have you been admiring a photographer for years? Are you obsessed with flowers or will candles do just fine for décor? What about food, videography, or music? Once you’ve prioritized your vendors, you can begin to set a budget, which is crucial before you start researching and talking to vendors!

tip #2 - set your budget

Creating a budget for your wedding day is not the most fun thing to do, but it is oh-so important to do before booking your vendors! Starting with the top of your priority list, begin to allocate how much of your budget you are willing to spend on each vendor. Of course this can be modified as you continue wedding planning but it doesn’t hurt to have a starting point! There are so many wedding vendors out there, you’re destined to find ones you love and are within your budget.

tip #3 - do your research

Spending time browsing wedding directories, viewing vendor websites, and scrolling through vendor social media pages is a great way to start the research process! Using wedding directories will allow you to search for vendors by category in your desired area, view their price points and read through reviews. After finding a few vendors that you like in each category, you’ll want to meet with each of them to see if they are a good fit for you. You’ll want to choose vendors that are transparent with their services, pricing, and are easy to communicate with!

tip #4 - ask for referrals

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when choosing your wedding vendors! Asking industry professionals, friends or family who recently got married, and your venue for referrals can all be great ways to find your vendors. You’ll definitely want to reach out to your wedding venue to see if you have to work off a preferred list of wedding vendors. The last thing you want is to have your eye set on your dream DJ and later find out that your venue has an exclusive vendor list you must choose from when selecting your DJ. Getting married at Rustic Manor 1848? No need to stress, the only vendor we need to approve is your caterer!

tip #5 - don’t wait to book your vendors

Most importantly, don't wait to book your vendors! Soak in the newly-engaged bliss while you can but if you have your heart set on certain vendors, waiting to book your them for your special day could lead to unnecessary stress and disappointment should they not be available for your date.

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some of our favorite VENDORS

Looking for custom, one-of-a-kind rental items to make your wedding vision come to life? We love our friends over at Vintique Rental, a family owned and operated local boutique rental company. Their vintage, antique, modern, natural & rustic items will add character and style that will enhance your event and make it a day to remember.

Jane Kelly Floral provides exceptional service and dedication to creating unique floral expressions for every event. Their multi-generational wedding floral business offers the perfect mix of interior design and floral expertise to give every couple beautifully curated floral designs for their special event. 

Looking for a photography team that knows our venue and surrounding grounds like the back of their hand? Manor Studios 1848 is the wedding photography division of our parent company, Rustic Manor 1848 specializing in shooting with natural light and getting our feet dirty if it means capturing that genuine moment.

From a DJ to a Videographer and everything in between, David Charles Productions is an experienced, dedicated, motivated and goal-oriented professional celebrating over 20 years of providing DJ/MC, lighting, sound, coordination, planning and audio/visual aspects for weddings and events. You’re guaranteed to have a simple planning process and a celebration that is truly a reflection of you.

Lake Country Rehearsal Dinner Restaurants

Your rehearsal dinner is a special wedding event as it provides an intimate and relaxed setting for you wedding party and family members to meet and get to know each other better before the big day! Gathering prior your wedding day creates a more comfortable and cohesive atmosphere for the wedding day itself.

Though there are plenty of restaurants in the Lake Country area, we wanted to highlight some of our favorites. Our list below includes a variety of cuisine types, price points, and atmospheres so you’re sure to find one that fits within your vision and budget!

Weddings can be overwhelming and the rehearsal dinner serves as a way to alleviate some of the pre-wedding jitters! Relax, unwind, and enjoy each other's company before the big day by sharing a meal together and fully enjoy the moment!

How To Run Your Wedding Rehearsal

A wedding ceremony rehearsal is an essential part of preparing for the big day, but it shouldn’t be complicated. A rehearsal gives the couple, their families, and the wedding party a chance to walk through the ceremony and ensure that everything runs smoothly on the actual wedding day. Here are some tips to help you run a successful wedding ceremony rehearsal:

plan out the details

Create a Detailed Plan: Before the rehearsal, make sure you have a detailed plan of the ceremony. This should include the order of events and the roles of each person involved in the ceremony. This plan will serve as a guide during the rehearsal, helping everyone stay on track and ensuring that all the important details are covered!

Choose a Location: Contrary to popular belief, your ceremony rehearsal does not need to take place at your wedding venue! Especially if you’re getting married in peak wedding season, it may be tricky to get your venue as a rehearsal location if other weddings are booked on the days leading up to your special day. If you’re wedding venue isn’t available - don’t worry! You can have your rehearsal basically anywhere. Think about using a nearby park, your backyard, or even the parking lot of your rehearsal dinner to do a run-through of your ceremony.

Create Your Processional Order: Decide who will be walking down the aisle, if they’ll have a walking partner, and the order in which they will be walking in. While everyone remembers to include the wedding party, don’t forget about the groom, the mother of the bride, and the grooms parents. Some couples also like to include their grandparents in their processional! Your processional order should be written from first to walk down the aisle to last - don’t forget to provide this to your officiant and wedding planner! Here’s a processional example:

1. Officiant (do you want them walking in first to lead the processional or should they already be standing at the alter?)

2. Grandparents of the Groom

3. Grandparents of the Bride

4. Parents of the Groom

5. Mother of the Bride (don’t forget her escort!)

6. Groom

7. Bridesmaids + Groomsmen (decide who is walking together and the order!)

8. Maid of Honor + Best Man

9. Ring Bearer

10. Flower Girl

11. Bride + Father of the Bride (or person of significance)

At the end of the day you want to create a processional order that feels right to you.

The officiant is in control

You’ll definitely want to make sure that your officiant is in attendance as they are the ones who will be running your ceremony. Finalize your ceremony details with them, give them the processional order as well as your reader’s names. Don’t feel like you need to rehearse everything before your wedding. What do we mean? We mean, don’t have your officiant read their entire ceremony script; you only need a taste to know what to expect on your wedding day!

rehearse with your ceremony music

It will be extremely helpful to rehearse to the music you plan on using for the ceremony. If you aren’t having your rehearsal at a location where a speaker is available, think about bringing your own Bluetooth speaker and pre-download any music that will be played during your ceremony so everyone knows what music they will be walking to!

practice THE PROCESSIONAL

Yes, anyone included in your processional will want to practice walking down the aisle! This will help everyone figure out what pace they should be walking, one that isn’t too fast or too slow. If you don’t have someone coordinating the processional, you’ll want to decide how far each couple should get down the aisle before the next couple starts walking.

don’t overthink your wedding party placement

While you don’t want your wedding party to be too crammed or spaced out, it isn’t necessary to go to great lengths to figure out where each member of your wedding party needs to stand. Start by having all of your wedding party lined up near the altar as if they already walked down the aisle. Now, since the wedding party members who are furthest from the bride and groom will be walking down the aisle first, they will want to remember the distance in which they are standing from the couple. Then when each wedding party member walks down the aisle, they can fill in next to the person who is already at the altar! While it may feel necessary to curve the wedding party to see the bride and groom easily, you will instead want to have your wedding party stand on a flat angle. This will allow your photographer to capture all of your wedding party in one shot!

PRACTICE THE RECESSIONAL

Finally, practice the recessional, or the exit of the wedding party at the end of the ceremony. Make sure everyone knows where to go and when, so that the exit is smooth and coordinated. If you’re taking wedding party pictures immediately following the ceremony, plan on having a location for everyone to meet at so no one gets distracted after the ceremony and pictures can start right away.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your wedding ceremony rehearsal runs smoothly and that everyone feels confident and prepared for the big day!

The Best Places to Host Your Bridal Shower in Wisconsin

Your bridal shower is such a special day and is one that you’re going to remember for the rest of your life. Bridal showers give your loved ones the chance to celebrate you and the love you have found with your partner, and because this is such an important day, you should host this event somewhere memorable.

Though there are hundreds of venue options for you to choose from in Wisconsin, we wanted to make it easy for you and highlight some of our favorites. No matter if you’re looking to sit back and enjoy a delicious meal with your girls or want to do something a little artsy - we know that you’re going to LOVE hosting your bridal shower at one of these incredible Wisconsin venues.

Rustic Manor 1848

Location: 3115 State Road 83, Hartland WI 53029

Why We’d Love To Host You: Spring is the perfect time to host an intimate celebration here on the RM1848 grounds. We have plenty of space both indoors and outdoors for you and your guests to enjoy. We offer rentals by the hour or fantastic packages that include unlimited soda, juice, coffee and even wine and beer! If you have kiddos joining our outdoor games are a great way to keep them busy while you and your girlfriends socialize.

Pieper Porch Winery & Vineyard

Location: S67W28435 River Rd, Waukesha, WI 53189

Why We Love Pieper Porch Winery & Vineyard: This family-owned winery is an excellent place to host your bridal shower. You can reserve their rental space, sit back, and enjoy trying out some delicious wine with your loved ones. In our opinion, you can’t go wrong with tasty wine and a beautiful vineyard setting, all while being showered by your closest friends and family.

The Farmhouse Paint Bar & Banquet Hall

Location: 4511 S 6th St, Milwaukee, WI 53221

Why We Love The Farmhouse Paint Bar & Banquet Hall: Gather your squad and get ready to bring out your creative side at The Farmhouse Paint Bar & Banquet Hall. This fun and charming venue is a fantastic spot to host your bridal shower. You and your loved ones can participate in a fun art class, all while sipping on delicious beverages and making memories that will last a lifetime.

The Confetti Lounge

Location: 17700 W Capitol Drive, Brookfield, WI 53045

Why We Love The Confetti Lounge: The Confetti Lounge is the perfect spot to host your intimate bridal shower (it can hold up to 50 of your closest friends and family). This adorable venue can be rented by the hour, or you can choose to go with one of their event packages. The best part? They can also provide fun decorations, event planning or coordination, bartenders, and wait staff. 

The Loft on the Lake

Location: 221 W Wisconsin Ave, Pewaukee, WI 53072

Why We Love The Loft on the Lake: With breathtaking lake views and a gorgeous interior, Loft on the Lake is truly one of a kind. If you’re looking to host an elegant bridal shower, this is the place to do it. Drinking mimosas and being showered by your loved ones, all with an incredible view surrounding you, sounds like the perfect day to us

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The Chef’s Table

Location: 500 S 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Why We Love The Chef’s Table: Having your bridal shower at The Chef’s Table is an experience like none other. You and your loved ones will be able to celebrate your upcoming nuptials, all while being served an extraordinary meal. We promise that having your bridal shower at The Chef’s Table will leave your hearts and stomachs full.

Your bridal shower is an incredible time in your life and one that you’ll always cherish. That’s why it’s essential that you choose a venue to host your shower that fits your style and personality. We have no doubt that no matter what venue you decide on, your bridal shower will turn out as amazing as you are.

Why Having a Wedding Planner Is So Important

Having a planner to help guide you through the wedding planning process is extremely important. Many steps go into planning your perfect day, and having a professional by your side ensures that you don’t forget anything along the way. Your wedding is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life, and the last thing you need is to be stressed out about every little detail. Instead, let our Rustic Manor 1848 wedding planners take the lead and help you plan the wedding of your dreams.

From gaining professional expertise to leaving the small details to your wedding planner and more - here are some reasons why having a wedding planner is so important:

You Gain Their Professional Expertise

Our team of wedding planners has years of experience in the industry and can help provide some really valuable knowledge. Whether you need input on decor, your timeline, vendor organization, or anything else wedding-related, our planners will be happy to help share their expert opinion with you.

They Take Care of the Small Details

There are a million details that go into planning your perfect day, and it can be hard to keep track of them by yourself. This is where your awesome team of wedding planners comes in! Your Rustic Manor 1848 planning team will write down everything that needs to get done and will take care of each detail, so you don’t have to.

They Do Things Behind the Scenes

There are a number of things that our wedding planners do behind the scenes that you may not have thought of yourself. We’ll provide tissues to wipe those happy tears, make sure that you have plates and napkins for late-night snacks, and even bring along zip ties to straighten out any hanging decor. We are constantly moving and working hard so that you can sit back, relax, and focus on making memories that last a lifetime.

They Take Stress Off Your Shoulders

Your wedding planner will do everything they can to help take any stress off your shoulders. We will be there to answer any questions you may have, walk you through all of the final details, and will ensure that everything is set and in place. In return, all you have to do is focus on enjoying your special day.

They Handle Any Unforeseen Circumstances

Though our wedding planners will do everything possible to ensure that your wedding goes off without a hitch, there are times when unforeseen circumstances may occur. For example, if your ceremony was scheduled to be outdoors, but the weather forecast now says it’s going to storm, your ceremony will have to be moved indoors. Instead of you having to worry about what to do next, our planners will see that everything is taken care of.

Ready to talk to one of our Rustic Manor 1848 professional wedding planners and start planning your perfect day? Take a look at our wedding planning packages, and then contact us to schedule your consultation. We look forward to helping make your dreams come true!

Why you should book with Rustic Manor 1848’s preferred caterers?

One of the major considerations for your reception is your food choice. So whether you are looking for a cocktail hour with passed appetizers, a buffet-style dinner or a full, sit-down dinner it needs to go off without a hitch. At Rustic Manor 1848, we know the importance of choosing a wedding caterer for your wedding day. That is why we offer a list of preferred caterers, who we trust and recommend. While you are not obligated to use these vendors, our preferred caterers are easy to work with and provide the following advantages

Pro #1: It will save you hours of researching

The team at Rustic Manor 1848 can provide you a great overview of each caterer related to their food and service. Plus, you will have fewer questions and coordination between the caterer and Rustic Manor 1848 because they have already worked the venue.

Pro #2: Great service, because they know the venue

Our preferred caterer listing includes caterers who provide high-quality service. We have worked in tandem on countless events with these caterers and know how they work and they know how we work at Rustic Manor 1848. They are well organized and have proven event after event that they can handle their role in your big day.

Pro #3: One vendor for both food and linens

In addition to helping you figure out the menu, our preferred caterers offer linen packages ensuring you will have what you need for your reception.

#4: No need for prior approval to book your caterer

All preferred caterers are approved to operate at Rustic Manor 1848, so go ahead and book.

Pro #5: No additional fees with Rustic Manor 1848

When booking with a caterer contracted outside of Rustic Manor 1848’s preferred list, there is a $350 Service Fee. All outside caterers must have full service teams, sorry no “Drop and Go” food service permitted. Reminder, all caterers not on our preferred listing must be approved in advance. For additional information on catering policies and Rustic Manor 1848’s non-preferred catering waiver form: http://www.rusticmanor1848.com/nonpreferred-caterer-waiver

Our intention is for every couple to have a stress free time planning their wedding. We work with some of the best catering companies around and would love to help you in your wedding planning. So eat, drink, and be married!

Getting Married During COVID-19

Many spring wedding plans have been thwarted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with summer brides feeling their nervousness creep in as well. While there is always the option to cancel or postpone, many couples are deciding to get creative and still get hitched, despite the situation at hand. 

A couple in Madison decided to move up their May 2nd wedding date, wanting to ride out this chaos as a married couple. They were able to have a ceremony at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, adhering to the 10 person limit for gatherings, with about 100 friends and family members watching via Zoom. They exited to a surprising and thoughtful gesture, a mobile receiving line, 18 cars honking and waving to wish them well. 

Another couple in Green Bay decided to press on with their March 21st wedding date, but with a drastically different plan. What was originally going to be a 150 person wedding in Texas, was now only a gathering of immediate family (and hundreds of friends and family members tuning in on Facebook Live), with chairs spaced 6 feet apart, in Green Bay. 

So What’s Plan B? 

Those couples were both able to secure a marriage license in time, before circuit courts began limiting hours and access to certain departments. If you already have a marriage license, it's easy enough to pull your big day off, just in a very different way than Plan A. Companies like Married Livestream and My Streaming Wedding do the connecting for you and allow you to broadcast your nuptials with your friends and family watching from the safety of their own home. 

There’s also always the option to do an intimate outdoor ceremony somewhere meaningful to the both of you, with proper social distancing measures being followed. As long as you have your marriage license in hand, an officiant is easy enough to track down, even in these times, or ask a friend or family member to get ordained online. With an intimate gathering, they will probably be more likely to say “yes” than if they were marring you in front of 200 people!

No marriage license? With new information on COVID-19 coming in daily, and new and/or loosening restrictions to boot, court websites are changing hours and available services everyday. Most Wisconsin courts are still issuing marriage licenses but it varies by county, so check the court website of the county you reside in for modified procedures and hours. Milwaukee County, for example, has created an online option to both apply and receive your marriage license.  If your county courthouse is still processing licenses, a one stop shop like WebWed may be the way to go for you to limit an already stressful undertaking. You can go through them to obtain your license through your county of residence courthouse (again, as long as they are open and processing marriage licenses), perform your virtual ceremony, and stream it live for your “guests”. 

Keep in mind rules for gatherings when planning your new guest list. If your state’s current mandate only allows for no more than 10 persons in a room at once, that doesn’t mean you get to invite 10 guests. That means that you and your fiance count as 2 people, your officiant is your third person and a witness is a 4th person. That leaves you with 6 spaces left and assuming you’ll still want a photographer to capture your special moment, you can invite 5 others to witness your “I Do’s” in person. Still using your venue as your ceremony location? Count in at least 1 person from the venue since they’ll need to be there to open the doors, turn the lights on and help make the magic happen!

Don’t forget to include a few fun extras to keep your day special. Place an order for take out of your very favorite food. Many restaurants are offering drinks, wine or growlers to go too! Couples forging on and insisting on tying the knot, despite the chaos, is quintessential romance. Adapting to a truly unpredictable and unprecedented situation like this, puts things in perspective and makes couples and guests remember what weddings should really be about. You know, that “ In sickness and in health, for better or for worse”-stuff.

Perks of Hosting a Friday Wedding

Long ago we learned the best secret of a Friday wedding, and surprise - it’s because they are just as awesome as any Saturday wedding you may have originally set your sights on! Let’s break down why a Friday wedding might be the one thing you haven’t considered, but absolutely should.

Pro #1 - Venue Pricing

Here at Rustic Manor 1848, we’ll be honest - we are happy to plan a wedding at a moment’s notice (ask us about our Quick Hitched or Intimate Ceremony options!) and we are happy to be your first big planning decision: the venue! Picking a Friday date, for many couples, often means the rental price is a bit less. For us, our Friday venue rental is $300 less than Saturdays in peak season, and $200 less than Saturdays in off season. That’s a lot of extra desserts for your dessert bar!

Pro #2 - Vendor Options, and Lots of Them!

The truth is, Saturday weddings do come at a premium. This is true in how quickly they book and even truer in how far out they get reserved. If you have your heart set on a certain venue or vendor that’s booked up for Saturdays, ask about their Friday availability while doing your research. Many venues and vendors are absolutely able to more than one wedding in a weekend, making them available again for your Friday inquiry. Similar to venues, overall pricing for other vendors may be less on a Friday too! The perks and the savings are adding up!

Pro #3 - A Magical Wedding Night

The timeline of your wedding day is key to keeping things running smoothly! Consider starting the ceremony after “work hours” (think 5PM or later) - cue the sun slowly setting as you say ‘I do!’. This allows for local guests to comfortably make it to your ceremony, even if they were stuck working earlier that day. Additionally, any out of town guests can have plenty of time to get settled or sight-see before the festivities begin. Talk with your photography team about all the pictures that can be done before the ceremony. Take your time getting hair and makeup done. Schedule in plenty of time for a first look. Even better, you can sleep in (well maybe depending on your excitement level) on the morning of your wedding day! You also have more control in the pace of your timeline meaning, if your ceremony and reception are at the same location, do not leave large gaps of time between the evening’s events. No one likes a drawn out wedding timeline and the more drawn out, the more guests drink and trust us when we say, that’s not always the best option. Cocktail “hour” is that for a reason so a later ceremony means you keep your timeline flowing at a healthy pace without a ton of down time.

Pro #4 - Hello, Three Day Weekend

Personally, a three day weekend is music to my ears, and I’m sure your guests would be willing to say the same! A fun perk to your three day weekend: you can tailor a list of events or activities to do on Saturday and Sunday. Gift opening and an afternoon cookout on Saturday, maybe? A mimosa bar and brunch on Sunday? Sounds fun! Heck, take Saturday for just you and your new spouse to let the fact that you’re finally married really sink in before meeting up with friends and family again. This gives a great opportunity to catch up with out of town family and guests at a relaxing pace after your special day. Lastly, if you’re open to having your ceremony start a bit later on a Friday night, that gives you and your wedding party ALL day to relax and prepare for the special night ahead.

Pro #5 - Rehearsal & Set Up

At Rustic Manor 1848, we offer rehearsal time to be booked at your One Month Meeting - happening four weeks prior to your big day. With Friday typically being the first wedding of our weekends, you’ve got dibs to book rehearsal time on a Thursday night. Rehearsals are great to incorporate into your wedding weekend as it allows your wedding party to know where to stand, in what order and to practice any special talking points throughout the ceremony. A great bonus to booking a rehearsal is you can use part of that time to get a jump on bringing in decorations and actual set up. If you need a rehearsal dinner suggestion, let us know - we love to share our favorites! Rehearsals can be secured for $150 an hour based on how much time you need.

We hope you consider us for your wedding here at Rustic Manor 1848. Our Availability Calendar is always up to date for you to take a peek at our current available Fridays! TGIF is about to be even more exciting with your wedding to look forward to!