Crash a Wedding (Take Notes at a Friend's Wedding)

Ok, don't actually go crash a wedding. But, go to a wedding of a friend & take lots of notes! It's the ultimate "field research" for your own big day.

At Sound Cake, we always tell couples to look past the flowers and focus on the guest experience and logistics.

First, watch the flow of the evening. Is there a long, awkward gap between the ceremony and cocktail hour? Does the transition from dinner to dancing feel seamless, or did the energy dip when the lights stayed too bright?

Second, talk to the photographer...when they're on a break. Find out what they would look for in photographer if they were getting married. What would they ask a photographer? How much would they charge for the length of the wedding you're going to have?

Finally, look at table dynamics. Is there enough space to move, or are guests constantly bumping chairs? These small details are what separate a "pretty" wedding from a "perfect" party.