WEDDING NOTES™ – Questions Brides Have Asked

Our trained consultants have been advising brides on all aspects of their weddings for a number of years.  And while every bride and every wedding is unique and special, the questions brides ask about various aspects of wedding plans are similar.  Here are some the most common questions we are asked about bridal registries.

Should I register both online and in a store?

Absolutely!  Registries on line can be a huge time saver for your out of town guests, plus you can log on to the site anytime to add or delete items.  But be sure to register your preferences in a variety of retail locations as well.  Be sure to select at least one national chain if you have guests from out of town.  In addition, you should provide a range of purchase options for your guests by selecting one high-end store and at least one inexpensive retailer.  Consider expanding your gift options to include items that you would enjoy as a couple - like camping gear or sports equipment.  Some couples are also including information about a favorite charity and will indicate on their wedding website if they prefer gifts to that charity in their name.

How do I let guests know where I am registered?

Count on your website and your wedding party to spread the word about your gift registry preferences.  Every season we have at least one bride who wants to include this information in her invitation packet, but we inform her that it is considered extremely bad form to do so.  Parents, bridesmaids and relatives can spread this information to those who inquire.

Signing up for gifts makes me feel uncomfortable.  It feels like begging.  Do I need to register at all?

Utilizing a gift registry is as much for the guests as it is for the couple.  Invited guests will want to send or bring a gift to commemorate the occasion.  Bringing a gift that they know the bride and groom will cherish makes the effort even more special.  Think of the registry process as a gentle way of assisting the guests to do what are going to do anyway.  Registry gives them a comfortable way to help the young couple celebrate.

WEDDING NOTES™ – Story Time

Some of the most memorable weddings are those that tell a story - a story about the couple themselves, their family, their friends and their memories.  They tell those stories through the themes of their weddings and make the stories come alive through the colors they choose, the venues they pick and the myriad of details they put into place to create their story.

Our trained consultants have the experience and the creativity to help you tell your story in a special and memorable way.

• ·        If you are a history buff your story can be told in the venue you select for your ceremony such as an older home or club or church with a story of its own.  Let that guide your choices.  It is often wise to choose your colors after the venue is chosen.  In that way, color becomes a part of the story.  Our consultants can help you with volumes of ideas about utilizing vintage items - old linens, flea market china, flowers and vases, jewelry, music and items of your paper trousseau.

• ·        If you live for adventure and love to travel, the whole world of maps, tickets, trains, planes, automobiles and luggage can provide inspiration for food and decor.

• ·        Movies and favorite books have inspired many couples' wedding plans from location to the design on the napkins and the cocktails served.

• ·        Music is a very strong influence, whether you are a classics fan or a rock and roller, a country music devoute' or a fan of marching bands, each one can be the starting point for your story on your special day.

• ·        A unique cultural heritage can provide the underpinning for the entire wedding.  Incorporating traditions from that heritage with your partner's will create memories that your guests won't soon forget.

WEDDING NOTES™ – Selecting Your Gown

No one wedding related item is more important to the majority of brides than their wedding gown.  More time and emotion is invested in its selection than in any other part of the celebration.  Because of its importance - both as a practical indicator of the degree of formality planned and an emotional indicator of how the bride sees herself on this her day of days, its selection is important.  And little could be more important than whereit is purchased.

Budget minded brides who may be trying to save money on their wedding, may be tempted to cut corners on their gown by buying sight unseen from an internet source.  An overwhelming number of bridal experts would caution a bride not to take that step.  Brides should be extremely cautious when ordering the gown of their dreams at a discount over the phone, the internet or by mail. 

What can happen?  Listen to the woes of brides who have made that mistake. 

• ·        Receiving a gown that is not the style, color or size dress you ordered.

• ·        Receiving a gown that has obvious flaws, spots and missing parts.

• ·        Getting a cheap copy of the dress you saw in the picture.

• ·        Getting a "look-a-like" made from an inferior fabric from what you ordered.

• ·        Not getting the gown delivered on time.

• ·        Not getting the gown at all.

Most "discount" sources demand full payment in advance and in full, so if there are troubles with the order, you are left trying to solve problems long distance with a vendor who already has your money.  Even if you get it, you will need to arrange local resources to handle the alterations and pressing.

We urge brides to carefully weigh their decisions to buy on line or from a warehouse operation from a vendor with whom they have no relationship versus working with a reputable highly recommended local full service bridal salon that will stand behind every order and promptly solve any problems that may be encountered.

Good consultants will help the bride on a budget find the dress of her dreams AND save her money by suggesting ways to cut costs in a variety of other areas.  Call or email for help with any part of your wedding plans.