Installation Planning Guide for Beloved Queens

Your installation as Beloved Queen will be an event you and your Triangle will remember for the rest of your lives, its the night to shine for you and your officers!

Set the Date

This is the first thing you should do after being installed as Senior Lady-In-Waiting. Many Triangles have installations on Saturday evenings, and some Triangles choose Friday evenings or week nights. The ideal time to start is 8:00 p.m. for weeknights. 

1. Check the Temple calendar and with your Junior Deputy to see which dates are available.

2. Check surrounding Triangles to see what their dates are, so you don't conflict, as well as District and Statewide events.

Create a Plan for the Evening

Decide on the general plan for the evening. Will there be a dance? A reception? Will you have pictures taken? Will there be a special ceremony? Will there be a vocalist or musician performing? Write your plans down. This will help with the rest of the planning process.

Select Installing Team

You will need to select and Installing Team for your ceremony. The Junior Deputy serves as the Installing Officer. You will need to choose an Installing Marshal and Installing Assistant Marshal, and an Installing Chaplain. Traditionally, Past Beloved Queens are successful in filling these roles. You may also choose to have an Escort Team for your entrance as Beloved Queen. This may be PBQs, Officers, DeMolays, Friends, etc. Follow the guide in the Ritual for Installation Escorts.

Select Assistants

Select individuals to assist you in the following positions:

1. Guest Book Attendants: individuals to greet guests and have them sign the guest book and introduction cards (if used).

2. Program Attendants: individuals to pass out programs.

3. Chair Attendants: individuals to pull chairs as officers are being installed. Be sure to practice with them so they know what to do.

4. Photographer: If you’ve planned the installation well, you’ll want to remember it. Have someone, a professional maybe, take photos. Arrange a time that day, before or after the Installation, to take posed group photos.

5. Musician and/or Vocalist: It is always a nice touch to have someone play the piano or organ during the Installation. You may also want a vocal selection during the program.

Be certain to inform these individuals of the date and time of all practices and, of course, the installation. Call and write them before the installation to confirm their participation.

Make a Budget

Develop a working budget for your Installation. Many of the following have costs.

1. Rent of the Temple

2. Refreshments (include cake)

3. Decorations

4. Music (D.J. or band)

6. Awards

7. Invitations (printing and postage)

8. Programs (printing)

9. Flowers (boutonnieres, corsages, presentations)

10. Gavel

Create the Invitations

Create your invitations and mail at least a month before the Installation if possible. What is most important is that all of the critical information is included:

1. The date and time of the Installation

2. The location

3. Whether a reception and/or dance will follow

4. The appropriate attire

People to invite to the Installation include: family of Triangle members, Senior and Junior Advisory Council members, sponsoring body, Masonic bodies, other Triangles, DeMolay Chapters, Constellations, Rainbow Assemblies, other community organizations, friends, prospective members, and community leaders.

Plan the Reception

You will want to meet with your Junior Deputy  to discuss the details of the reception. You might need to appoint a committee or a few committees to help out. This is a good opportunity to get your family in on the planning, as well.

Things to plan for:

Food: Normally finger food is the best option. Most people will have eaten dinner already. If your Installation is early, plan a dinner afterward.

Drinks: Punch is normally the best option. Some people are creative in putting ice cream in punch to make it more festive. Soda and other options are also recommended.

Cake: Many Triangles order a large cake from a bakery, or ask one of your Supervisors if they are willing to bake.

Decorations: Each Beloved Queen usually chooses colors for her term, and such colors should be reflected in the decorations.

Plates, Napkins, Utensils, etc.: Plates, cups, and napkins are things you should not forget.

Plan a Clean Up Team

Make sure you approach the Installation with a plan to clean the Temple afterwards and put all of the equipment back where it belongs. This is something that is easy to forget when you’re caught up in the excitement of the evening. Assign a committee or group of people to insure that everything is clean and neat before you leave the building for the night, don't leave this up to your Supervisors and Daddies! This will help greatly with your relations with the Masonic Family who uses that Temple during your term.

Thanks Those Who Helped Out

It is very important to thank all of the people who helped out with the Installation. Within a week after the installation, send personal thank you cards or letters to at least the following:

1. Host/Hostess

2. Guest Book Attendants

3. Chair Attendants

4. Installing Team/Escorts

5. Photographer

6. DJ or Band

7. Those who helped with Reception

8. Musician/Vocalist

9. Special guest who attendeds, if any

10. Your family and friends who helped or were present