Have you ever thought about your send-off after the wedding and reception? Do you want to quietly sneak off for a romantic getaway letting your guests take the last few dances under a pavilion of twinkle lights? Perhaps borrow from the past tradition of throwing your bouquet from a special place in the venue as the grand finale and then run for you romantic evening? Shower the evening with sparklers as you depart under their canopy of lights running from a chic barn for your get-away drive?

Maybe cascade through a mirage of bubbles around the gardens and run to start you new life chapter as husband and wife? There are so many ways to make it a perfect end to the very special day and all of them should have run at the end! Even if you linger and want to say goodbye to every guest who made your day so wonderful giving them the last hug and kiss, run. Don’t finish the day doing the clean-up pack-up and haul away. Planners, friends and family can take that on and would be happy to as their send off gift to you. Early in your planning process get this task nailed down and don’t forget to re-check with those who are assigned to do this job a month before and then again, the week of the wedding.

It significantly helps if the venue, like Stepping Stones Garden, does the clean as part of your package. A trick is to have labeled boxes to put each of your decorations and table settings in at the end of the reception so you don’t have to worry about something being misplaced or damaged.

Help those helping you by having a doll available for those heavier items (it probably came when set up was being done). Now RUN and go find a wonderful bed and breakfast (oh geee don’t forget, we have the Inn at Stepping Stones Garden just for that!) to finish that most special day off.

Cheers, Kendra