Wedding planners reveal 12 things they’d never have at their own ceremony and reception

One wedding planner said sparklers can be a pretty big safety hazard. Halfpoint/Shutterstock Insider asked wedding planners to reveal what they’d never want at their own ceremony or reception. They said food trucks can lead to hungry guests and flower petals are a tripping hazard.

They also advised against pre-printed seating charts, wedding favors, and sparkler exits.   Food trucks might lead to hungry guests. Food trucks can be a fun add-on for a wedding.

CatwalkPhotos/ShutterstockWedding planner Lindsey Nickel of Lovely Day Events told Insider that food trucks would be a big pass for her wedding.  “The reality is that food trucks aren’t capable of feeding a lot of people at once, which means you end up with a long line of hungry guests,” said Nickel.  Instead of using a food truck for your main reception meal, Nickel suggested surprising guests with one for late-night snacks.

 Flower petals on the aisle may be a hazard — and they usually get messed up. Flower petals can make a path slippery. Sergio Sergo/ShutterstockAndrea Adelstein, wedding planner and CEO of NYLUX Events, told Insider she’d skip having flower petals scattered down the aisle.

 “Flower petals look gorgeous but are actually very slippery and costly,” said Adelstein. “They’re also ruined” by the time people walk down the aisle.  Instead, Adelstein recommended using candles to line the aisle, then reusing them for cocktail hour.

Opt for LED candles or flame candles in safe containers.  Some planners think cash bars are a mistake. If you can’t afford an open bar, consider limiting your alcoholic options.

Alexander Shunevich/ShutterstockWedding planner Hovik Harutyunyan, owner of Harutyunyan Events in Los Angeles, told Insider he would never have a cash bar at his wedding.  “Under no circumstances should guests have to pay for food and beverages at a wedding,” said Harutyunyan. “I would never have a guest to my home and charge them for a glass of wine, and the same basic rule of hospitality applies to weddings.

” If having a full open bar at your event would be too expensive, consider serving only beer and wine or scaling back your guest list. Some couples use sparklers to create a memorable exit from their reception, but sparklers come with safety risks. Sparklers can be a safety hazard.

Sveta Y/Shutterstock”Sparklers look cool, but they can start grass fires, burn hair, or even worse,” said Nickel. “I wouldn’t pass out sparklers to potentially inebriated guests in the dark. ” Bird seed or bubbles can create a unique backdrop for exit photos without the fire hazard.

Fancy seating charts can make last-minute changes difficult to accommodate. You might not want a seating chart that’s difficult to update. TashaSinchuk/Shutterstock”I think pre-printed seating charts are too risky,” said Adelstein.

“Guests can see where they are in the ‘pecking order’ and you can’t make swaps due to absent guests or clashing personalities. “Adelstein recommended assigning seating through classic paper escort envelopes or tabletop cards. This approach makes rearranging guests easier.

  One planner said Mason jars are clichéd. Mason jars may not be super timeless. Visual Intermezzo/ShutterstockMason jars had their moment in the wedding spotlight, but Nickel said their trendiness has passed.

 “Mason jars and burlap were the wedding trend of the early 2010s, but I’d avoid them today,” said Nickel. “There are so many other ways to create a country vibe without being so literal. “Vintage wooden tables, fresh flowers, and vibrant greens are timeless ways to add rustic charm to your reception.

Gift requests can be tacky. If you’re too specific about which gifts you want, it might be perceived as rude. Rachelle Van De Kamp/ShutterstockHarutyunyan said he cringes when he sees wedding invitations with specific gift requests such as “no box gifts” or “cash gifts only.

“”It’s poor manners to request a gift, let alone a specific type of gift from your guests,” Harutyunyan told Insider. “It’s not only incredibly tacky but immensely rude. “Speeches from everyone may bore guests.

Too many speeches can leave guests bored. mapo_japan/ShutterstockIt’s customary for certain members of the wedding party to give short toasts or speeches, but opening the floor to any wedding guest can kill the party mood.  “I’d limit toasts to the couple, parents, maid of honor, and best man,” said Harutyunyan.

“Any other toasts tend to drag and make guests bored or antsy. “Harutyunyan suggested that if many people want to give speeches, allocate those toasts to the rehearsal dinner rather than the reception. Table photos can make guests feel awkward.

Let guests know if they are going to be in a photo. Alexander Shunevich/ShutterstockSending the wedding photographer around to each reception table can result in awkward photos.  “Guests rarely like being made to stand up around half-eaten meals and a table covered in handbags,” said Adelstein.

 Plus, in some cases, your guests may not know everyone they’re seated with.  To make sure you get the photos you want, consider giving your photographer a list of guests who must be included in pictures along with their table numbers. Be sure to inform guests ahead of time if the photographer will be drawing them aside.

 An elaborate wedding cake isn’t necessary. Sometimes a lot of the cake can end up in the garbage. Karen Grigoryan/ShutterstockWedding cakes can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars — so, Adelstein said, she’d skip the fancy cake.

 “I’d have a small, beautiful wedding cake, but not an expensive or elaborate one,” said Adelstein. “Most of the elaborate cakes we serve are left mostly uneaten. “In lieu of a large cake, try ordering a small one for the cake-cutting ceremony and serving a selection of sweet bites at each table.

Avoid asking guests to help set up or break down the reception. Consider hiring a coordinator to help set up or break down your event. Marta HernandezPerez/ShutterstockCouples on a budget may be tempted to enlist guests to help set up or break down their wedding reception, but the DIY approach can feel inhospitable.

 “Friends and family are already taking time off from work, traveling, and buying a gift,” said Nickel. “I think they need to be able to enjoy the wedding without doing setup or breakdown. “Invest in vendors that will be able to handle the setup and breakdown so that every element of the wedding happens on time and according to plan.

  Guest favors can be costly and may wind up as clutter rather than treasured mementos. Wedding favors might end up in the trash. AlexandriaBryjak/Shutterstock”I wouldn’t have favors because they often end up being a waste of time and money,” said Harutyunyan.

“Guests don’t really want shot glasses, mints, or socks with the couple’s names and wedding date on them. “Harutyunyan said instead of favors he’d take the portion of the budget allocated to guest gifts and donate it to a charitable cause.  Read the original article on Insider.