After the Wedding - Clean Up
By Glenna Tooman
The reception is over; the bride and groom have left for their honeymoon. Now,
who is going to clean up the reception center? If the bride and groom didn't specifically
appoint someone, it may not get done, since everyone thinks that it is someone
else's responsibility, so nobody does it.
Most reception centers require that the bride and groom pay a cleaning deposit
when the facility is rented. The couple will forfeit the deposit if someone doesn't
clean up properly and in a timely manner. Most facilities, including churches,
have activities scheduled for the day after a wedding, making timely and adequate
clean-up imperative.
To insure that the facility is cleaned and that you get your deposit back, several
days before the wedding ask someone to be in charge of clean up activities. Choose
someone that you know will understand the finer points of cleaning. Usually, a
young, single brother does not have the same standards of cleanliness as a more
mature aunt or an older friend or relative. However, don't ask the parents of
the bride or groom to handle clean-up unless they specifically volunteer. They
will be tired after several long days.
The necessary cleaning may include the following activities:
- removing decorations
- removing linens and centerpieces
- tearing down tables and chairs
- stacking rented items in a special place for pick-up or returning
rented items the following day
- cleaning the kitchen, including caring for left-over cake and
other food
- sweeping and mopping
- checking rest rooms and dressing rooms for trash and personal
belongings
- emptying trash
- turning out lights and locking doors
Be certain that the person in charge knows what you want them to do with decorations
and other items. Be sure to provide containers for decorations, particularly breakable
items, and for food. If any decorations are to be given to the facility, or belong
to the facility, note which ones. Also provide information on how to handle rented
items - when will the items be picked up and where should they be stacked? If
you are uncertain of the facility's policies, be sure to ask, and if possible,
get a written list of cleaning instructions. Most facilities will hold your cleaning
deposit until they have had time to inspect the facility, then it will be returned.
A few minutes spent delegating activities can save you money and headaches in
the long run.
© Copyright Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC; all rights reserved
Glenna Tooman is the President of Memory Makers Event Planning, located in Boise, ID.
|
