Now, I’m not a party person per se, but I have suddenly found myself addressing envelopes, folding place-cards and buying decorations. Apparently that is what one does when one is getting married. Thankfully, my fiancée is a wiz at this, and taking care of all those things I wouldn’t have even thought of (like, what even is a seating chart?), but I think anyone who’s had a wedding would agree, no matter how small, it’s always more work than you first thought. Are you planning a wedding in Juneau? I have some tips that have really beneficial during this whole thing.
First, some basic planning advice that could apply anywhere. Number one: budget is your best decider. That means if you can’t decide between two or more options, take a look at your budget and let it make the decision for you. You want a limo, but you think a nice venue is more important? Get the best venue first, and if there’s enough left over, you get your limo. Now, contrary to what some recent legislative seasons have led us to believe, a budget should be based on money you actually have. It should also be prioritized for that easy decision-making process.
The next best timeless advice I’ve received is this: It’s not how it looks but how it feels. Especially in a place like Alaska, where weather and wilderness encroach on us, untamed and often, we should know that it’s better to enjoy the nature of something as it stands than to pave it, tailor it and move it to fit your needs. How do you want this wedding to feel, years into the future, for you and your partner? Would you rather remember your perfect color scheme or a feeling of serenity in the middle of a hectic party you just threw? My fiancée and I decided we wanted our wedding to be “peaceful” and “whimsical” long before we chose music, venues or guests.
And lastly, and briefly, my favorite advice I’ve received yet: As a couple, do whatever you want. You want it fancy? Go all-out. You want Alaskan Amber and Xtra-Tuffs? Do it. Seriously. Especially if you’re the bride: it’s your day; you’re basically Beyoncé.
So those are the basics. But what about some more specific-to-Juneau concepts? Here are some things I’ve learned.
If you didn’t already know this about Juneau, networking works. No matter what you think your options are, or what you’re limited to, you’ll find that with a little asking around, your horizons will expand exponentially. Looking for an out-of-the-way venue? Ask around—you might just know a guy! Need recommendations on hair or tailoring? You probably know a guy who knows a guy. Need linens? Chances are, the first guy knows a guy who knows a guy who has an aunt who can’t get rid of all her linens. Ask and ye shall receive.
I have a personal note on networking, however. As a musician, I’ve had the chance to play music at a handful of weddings, and all of them were wonderful experiences. However, in your networking make sure to assume that you’ll still be paying your artists (DJs, bakers, musicians) well. “I know a guy” isn’t the same as a business transaction, and you can be shortchanged in the long run by trying to circumvent payment. If a musician does ever give you a pro bono performance, it will be because you’re good friends and they really, really want to.
The next thing you should know, as if it weren’t obvious, is that we’re somewhat limited here. There are only so many caterers, rentals, DJs, and venues too. It’s just like going to Freddy’s, though. You show up wanting to make that special gluten-free, Persian cucumber, kaffir lime, Chinese long bean and lemongrass salad you once had at a restaurant in Seattle, but after a quick survey of the fare, you realize Seattle is probably the northernmost that any of those ingredients have ever been in bulk. So you do what any chef, or anyone planning a wedding does, and you get creative. You replace ingredients. You special order some others. You make sure to plan plenty in advance, and in the end it might even turn out better than it would have if you had unlimited options from the start.
During our planning, my fiancée and I searched hard to find the perfect fit for us when our options seemed limited. We used our networking, our budget-making, and some plain old walking around until we came up with our matches. Venue? We settled on a beautiful B&B called the Jorgenson House. Catering? We chose Breeze In. None of those options were on our minds at first, but had we not been forced to take a closer look, they wouldn’t have even occurred to us. And we’re immensely happy with the result.
One bit of advice I’ve heard a lot during this whole process is this: something is going to go wrong. Let it. Now, you all know what that really means: two things are going to go wrong, and one of them is the weather. Planning to have a wedding outside? Definitely have a backup plan that involves a roof and four walls. Planning to have a wedding inside? Be aware that people might not stay long in a reception if there’s sun to be enjoyed outdoors.
I could go on! But I won’t. I hope you found this helpful, and enjoy your big day, whether it’s black-ties and champagne at Holy Trinity, Xtra-Tuffs and beer on Couch Beach, or, who knows, an ice-cave elopement. Remember, you can’t really go wrong with the person you love, the guests you enjoy and the mountains behind you. Make it yours, and have a blast!
• Guy About Town appears the first and third Sunday of every month and includes seasonal musings on what changes and what doesn’t in a small town. Guy can be reached at unzicker.music@gmail.com.
