Loose ends

The reception is over. The happy couple has left the building! But, now what? Who will stay to clean up? Who will take the gifts and left over cake? There are many loose ends following the reception. Don't forget to put someone in charge of each of them. Your best bet would be a professional coordinator. Paid help will be more knowledgeable about what needs to be taken care of. Especially if you rent a venue where things need to be left as they were found! Paid help is also more likely to follow through. Family and friends are usually exhausted from the rehearsal dinner, parties, a day of photos, and a night of eating and drinking! Also, they are often not aware of what is yours and what is rented.
Will you leave the dress at the reception or leave in it? Who will pick it up from the hotel and take it to be preserved?

Are the vases rented or can they be given away to family? Who will take home the extra centerpieces?

Here are some loose ends to consider...

Gifts and cards

Food and cake

Favors and programs

Guest book, pen, toasting glasses, cake knife and server, cake topper, candles, other decor items.

Have someone recheck the dressing rooms for items left behind (lip stick, cell phones, cuff links)

Decide how you will return the groom's tuxedo

Who will pick up your dress and bouquet for preservation?

Does anything need to be returned to the cake baker, florist, rental company?

Most venues are rented for an allotment of time. Exceeding that time can be costly. Be sure your coordinator knows the end time so that everything can be cleaned up without you being charged extra! Often you can arrange pick up of rented items for a fee. Items such as floral vases, linens, cake stands, etc. can be returned rather than picked up to save money. However, if something gets damaged you will be responsible. One example I can think of is a helpful groomsman who was going to return the vases. He broke several of them before he made it to the store. It cost the bride and groom over $300 to replace what was broken.

Although it sounds like a small task, making sure the loose ends are covered will save you time and money. You don't want your sister calling you on the honeymoon to see if the vases are rented or yours to keep. You don't want to get back from the honeymoon and find out that things were not cleaned up at the reception or something did not make it back to the rental company.

Happy planning!

Planner Girl:)