Wedding Planning & Ceremony Guide

Your go-to wedding logistics guide

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! To help your day go smoothly, we’ve put together this guide with everything you need to know about payments, timelines, and planning tips.

Payment Schedule & Important Dates

  • A nonrefundable 50% deposit is due to secure your date.

  • The remaining 50% nonrefundable balance is due.

  • Payment for outdoor chair rentals is due. (All checks will be deposited or credit cards processed after the outdoor chairs have been set up for the ceremony.)

Payment Methods

Checks should be made payable to DeKoven Center and mailed to:

DeKoven Center
Attn: Nicole Miller, Event Manager
2000 Wisconsin Avenue
Racine, WI 53403

Payments may also be made by credit card over the phone. Please note that a 3% processing fee will be applied to all credit card transactions. To submit payment by phone, kindly schedule your call using the following link:
https://calendly.com/dekovenweddings/payment-over-the-phone

Typical Timelines

While event schedules may vary based on your specific plans the following represents a general outline for wedding day timing:

    • Plan out your day: DeKoven Event Manager will help put together a timeline at the 30 day prior meeting.

    • Your rental includes a one-hour rehearsal. Rehearsals should end on time. Extra time is $50 per 15 minutes. We may need to adjust rehearsal times if necessary.

    • If you are getting married outside, plan to practice indoors as well just in case of poor weather.

    • 10am Access to your hall to decorate

    • 12pm Chapel and Getting Ready Rooms Access

    • 12:30 Guest arrival

    • 1:00pm Ceremony

    • 1:30pm Cocktail Hour: Immediately following the ceremony (Extended cocktail hour is usually best). Bridal party & family photos during this time.

    • 3:00pm Grand Entrance of Bridal Party (cake cutting sometimes happens after the Grand Entrance)

    • 3:00pm Chapel doors lock (make sure all items are out of the chapel)

    • 3:30pm Dinner Service: Begins when all guest are seated (Usually one hour of dinner service)

    • 4:00pm Toasts & Formalities: Often conducted during dinner service.

    • 5:00pm First Dances (The caterers will remove buffet tables prior to first dance. The Photographer can request to the bartenders to dim the lights at this time)

    • Open Dancing: Commences after formalities and continues through the remainder of the reception.

    • 8:00pm Late night snacks (Optional with caterer)

    • 10:45pm Last Call

    • 11:00pm Event Ends (cleanup)

    • 12am Doors lock

    • 10am Access to your hall to decorate

    • 3:30pm Chapel and Getting Ready Rooms Access

    • 4:00pm  Guest arrival

    • 4:30pm Ceremony

    • 5:00pm Cocktail Hour: Immediately following the ceremony (Extended cocktail hour is usually best). Bridal party & family photos during this time.

    • 6:00pm Grand Entrance of Bridal Party (cake cutting sometimes happens after the Grand Entrance)

    • 6:15pm Dinner Service: Begins when all guest are seated (Usually one hour of dinner service)

    • 6:30pm Chapel doors lock (make sure all items are out of the chapel)

    • 6:30pm Toasts & Formalities: Often conducted during dinner service.

    • 7:00pm First Dances (The caterers will remove buffet tables prior to first dance. The Photographer can request to the bartenders to dim the lights at this time)

    • Open Dancing: Commences after formalities and continues through the remainder of the reception.

    • 9:00pm Late night snacks (Optional with caterer)

    • 10:45pm Last Call

    • 11:00pm Event Ends (cleanup)

    • 12am Doors lock

Final timing details will be confirmed during your Wedding Finalization Meeting. If available, you can add more time to your day by renting the chapel’s All Day Rental or Early Bird Access. Please contact the Event Manager to see about additional rental.  

Helpful Planning Reminders

    • Confirm your guest count on time—it helps us plan seating, rentals, and catering.

    • Count your vendors who need to sit for dinner.

    • For the bar packages- count guests who are over 21 years old or under 21 years old.

    • Email over outside vendor information prior your Wedding Finalization meeting

    • All caterers need to have prior approval- drop and go style catering is not approved. DeKoven does not provide water service, cake cutting, coffee service or dish washing. Your caterer will need to provide these items. Licensed and insured caterers are only allowed in our catering kitchen to do dishes and prep food.

    • Check to see if your DJ needs a table, chair and tablecloth.

    • The aisle is 60 feet long and 5 feet wide, with six 12-foot sections and two 6-foot pew sections. There is one handicapped spot towards the back of the chapel on the main level.

    • Only hooks on wood surfaces may be used for decorations. No tape, nails, tacks, or poster putty.

    • You provide and remove your decorations, personal items, and trash.

    • After your event, clear tables and pick up litter from guests. Place trash in provided cans; our staff will handle DeKoven-owned items and empty full cans.

    • Only flameless or battery-operated candles allowed, except for altar candles and a unity candle.

    • Tossing items:

      • Outside: real petals & bubbles are fine

      • Inside: only silk/artificial petals

      • Birdseed, rice, or confetti is not allowed

    • All alcohol must be purchased through DeKoven Center. No outside alcohol is allowed.

    • Violations could result in fines, a $250 fee, or event closure.

    • We may sell beverages directly to guests, in addition to your pre-purchased items.

    • An on-site Liaison will unlock spaces, answer general questions, and set up outdoor ceremony seating.

    • The Liaison is not an Event Coordinator—they will not run the rehearsal or ceremony unless approved by the Event Manager.

    • Tips for staff are always appreciated but never required.

    • Leaving a review on Google, The Knot, or WeddingWire is also appreciated!

    • Keep track of payment deadlines and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.

    • Most importantly, enjoy your day! We’re so excited to celebrate with you.