WEDDING NOTES™ – Contemporary Traditional

Do those two terms seem contradictory?  At one time they may have, but more and more couples are looking for ways to place their personal stamp on their wedding plans.  The term “unique” is heard more and more as brides search for ways to make their weddings memorable for them and their guests.

Our consultants have lots of ideas on how to do just that, so do stop in to chat with them about ways to personalize your wedding ceremony and reception.

• Consider replacing the traditional bachelor or bachelorette party with a get together that combines both events.  Consider a hike, beach party, bike ride, cook-out, softball game or evening out at a skating rink or bowling alley.

• Rather than hold the rehearsal dinner at a typical restaurant’s party room, book an art museum, a university facility, a park or a historical building to serve as a special setting for your event.

• Supplement your florist’s handiwork and create reception decor with native wild flowers, leaves, twigs, fruits and herbs from a local grower or farmer’s market.

• Some brides have decided to let their bridesmaids select their own gowns based on a color scheme and degree of formality.  This works well when you admire their taste in clothes.  It is wise to set some guidelines – degree of coverage desired, tailored or fluffy, plain or elaborate, length etc.  But within those parameters, maids can choose their own wearable outfits.  Many bridal salons have several designers who can work to truly individualize a bridesmaid’s gown within the “look” of the wedding.

If you have a unique reception venue chosen, consider hiring a local chef you admire or a culinary school to put a special spin on your reception menu.  Think about including family food traditions that may be important to both the bride and groom.  If you can’t afford a sit down dinner, there is nothing wrong with having a desert reception or a small plate limited cocktail reception and wedding cake.

WEDDING NOTES™ – What About Insurance?

When is insuring your wedding good business?  Who would do such a thing and why?

Wedding insurance has reached national attention after several high-profile instances of severe weather which impacted wedding plans last year.  Think hurricanes and tornadoes.

One insurance underwriter has said, “The average price of a wedding last year hit $27,021, according to The Real Weddings Survey.  In some areas it can cost double that.  Escalating costs are prompting many couples to consider wedding insurance to protect these significant investments.”

When should you consider wedding insurance?

• If you are planning a big wedding that is likely to be expensive, consider insurance to cover your plans.  If you buy an expensive car you insure it.  People are more aware of the need to protect their investments.
• Many venues require large deposits well in advance of the event.  Insurance can protect your investment should the venue not deliver on the contract.
• Couples are urged to have an in depth discussion with their vendors about what would happen if “things go wrong”.  If they are not satisfied with the terms of the contract they should seek to amend it.  Kristin Koch from TheKnot.com calls wedding insurance “the ultimate back-up”.

Insuring your wedding may be the last item on your list, but it exists and is increasing in popularity and use.  An experienced wedding planner can put you in touch with companies that write that coverage and can help you decide if that coverage is for you.  Put that on your list of items to discuss with our certified planners.

WEDDING NOTES™ – New Bridal Trends

This season’s bridal gowns are reflecting new looks that one fashion writer termed “More Kate and less Kim”.  Many gowns are reflecting more traditional looks and a bit of classic charm.

Gowns are showing more coverage.  Not necessarily Kate Middleton’s long sleeves, but cap sleeves are being shown along with illusion necklines for those brides who want more coverage than strapless gowns provide.

Longer veils are back in vogue after being absent for a period.  In a survey of brides 75% reported they plan to wear a veil with preferences for floor length or longer.

Many brides are selecting plainer gowns with less “bling” and focusing on fabulous accessories like jewelry and expensive shoes.  More and more brides are choosing colored shoes with blue a popular choice.

Some brides are including “costume changes” in their selection of the wedding gown.  One gown is chosen for the formal ceremony and either adaptations are made in that gown for the reception and dance or a second and more informal gown is worn for the reception.

We are also seeing bridesmaids in white thanks to Pippa.  All white weddings have been appearing in areas, but more brides are choosing the mono theme for spring and summer.

Brides continue to create a personalized wedding with signature color (s), monogrammed items, and motifs to set and reinforce the theme of the event.

What is your view of your ideal wedding gown?

WEDDING NOTES™ – Guest Tips

Your college roommate is getting married in June. Your cousin is getting married in July. A co-worker is planning an August wedding. While the bridal couple may be knee deep in planning, guests have a role to play in helping the couple have a wonderful wedding. Guests are invited to provide public witness to the legal ceremony taking place and to help the newly wedded celebrate the importance of the steps they have taken. Marriage is a public statement indicating the new legal status of the couple. 

While there aren’t many “rules” about what it means to be a wedding guest, there are some time honored expectations and one question - what should I wear to the wedding - is real. While our culture may seem more casual than in decades past, this is still an important event that one honors by dressing appropriately. Check the web page of the couple for clues to how formal the wedding is likely to be. Ask members of the bridal party if you know them. Here are some guidelines to help you decide.

• Don’t dress to stand out. Remember that the bride and groom are the stars of this production. 
• Men should wear a tie (unless the wedding is at a beach somewhere). 
• When in doubt, it is usually better to overdress rather than under dress. 
• Avoid any low cut, tight and/or skimpy dress. Watch the sequins and the glitter. 
• A black cocktail dress is ok, while white can be iffy. If one does choose white, it is necessary to make sure that it looks nothing like a wedding gown. Creamy white and simple style that is totally different from the gown is better. 
• If the wedding is to be “informal” nailing down appropriate apparel can be tough. Ask around to get a feeling of what other guests are planning. Take a cue from where the ceremony is being held. If it is in a large cathedral that will tell you one thing. If it is in a party room at a horse ranch, you know that informal means something else. If you get no clue from the ceremony location, try the reception spot next. A country club cocktail reception will mean something quite different than a reception where beach volleyball will be the main entertainment. 
• If the wedding is semi formal, it means that men should wear a suit and tie. At one time dark suits were indicated, but that is relaxed now and tan or khaki suits are OK. Women should wear a suit, a tailored dress or pant suit. She could add some “bling” but don’t overdo it. 
• If a wedding is clearly a formal affair, men should wear tuxedos and women should wear cocktail dresses – long or short. 

Whatever level of dress a guest decides upon, the other item to include is one’s best manners. This is an important day in life of a couple and one honors them by behaving well. Wearing one’s best behavior is always in style.

WEDDING NOTES™ – Your Green Wedding

More couples are choosing to have an eco friendly wedding.  And while the idea seems appealing, many do not know how to go about staging such an event.  We have some excellent ideas to share with our brides who want to “go green” on their big day.

1.        Plan to stay local.  Choosing a venue that is closest to the majority of your guests enables a maximum number of people to save gas and commuting time while helping you to celebrate.  I f you also work to utilize one location for both ceremony and reception, you save even further.

2.       Check with one of our Certified Wedding Planners for help in identifying Eco friendly venues.  The planner will know about energy efficient locations that practice recycling and other green procedures.

3.       Search out organic, local catering firms that specialize in serving in season foods and beverages.

4.       Your planner can also help you locate organic gardeners who specialize in locally grown flowers and greenery.  Choose in season flowers and consider repurposing the floral pieces you’ve chosen for the ceremony site and using at the reception.

5.        We can help you choose Eco friendly print items.  We have resources that specialize in 100% recycled paper and use non toxic inks.

6.       A number of wedding gown designers have included Eco friendly fabrics in their designs.  Fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo and peace silks are available and lovely.  Some brides lucky enough to have access to heirloom gowns are choosing to wear them and updating them with headpiece and accessory items.  

7.       Many couples are choosing natural gift items for favors.  Currently popular are tree seedlings, organic bulbs and plants.

8.       Wedding gift registries are showing gardening, lawn and recycling equipment in the couple’s choices.

9.       Even wedding rings can express concern for environment.  Many couples are seeking the origin of the engagement diamond – refusing to purchase stones that are from areas that practice unsafe mining or which export “blood” diamonds.

Our experienced wedding planners can offer plenty of ideas to help you marry in green.