Friday, October 21, 2016

WEDDING NOTES™ - When?



Congratulations!  You are engaged to be married.  Exciting times.  Busy times ahead.  Decisions to be made.   The biggest - setting the date!  As you consider various dates, times and places for your wedding, here are some points to consider.
  • ·         Think about your budget!  It is true that weddings in some months can be more expensive than in other months.  (Think about the Law of Supply and Demand that you learned about in Econ 101).  In popular months - May through September - some bands, florists, photographers and reception venues may charge more than in other off season times.  If you can pick a different date and time you may stage the same wedding and save money doing it.
  • ·         Think about the season.  If you are determined to have a Christmas wedding in spite of potential weather issues, go for it.  Just plan well in advance and try to be flexible about venues and the possibility that many guests may not be able to travel in winter weather.
  • ·         Consider scheduling your wedding around a holiday.  If you have family in another state, planning a wedding over a long weekend may make it possible for more members to attend.
  • It can give you a theme for the wedding as well as weekend celebration rather than just one day.
  • ·         If you are in a job that requires huge time commitments and blocks of your time, you will want to schedule around those requirements.  It may be the best move you make to hire a professional wedding planner to assist you.
  • ·         If you are planning on a destination wedding, you will likely need to be more flexible in your choice of dates and times.  You may have to choose between a dateor a place.
  • ·         If you are determined to have your wedding in a very special place to you and the groom, you will definitely need to be flexible.  If that is THE PLACE then you work within the dates it has available.

If you need help with ideas for locations, be sure to chat with our experienced planners who are used to working with schedules and helping busy brides create a schedule for the event.  Plus they can help with all of the details necessary to create a day to remember for you and your guests.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

WEDDING NOTES™ - Guest Etiquette



You have received an invitation to the wedding of a good friend or family member.  Consider it an honor to be selected to help those close to you celebrate a wonderful part of their lives.

Once you have sent an RSVP with a positive response, you become an official guest at this party.  You will no doubt bring an appropriate gift, but did you realize that another gift you give to the couple is the knowledge of how to be a good guest and the wisdom to use that knowledge.

Here is a check list of do's and don'ts that you can use to insure that your behavior will fit the occasion and not be a reason for the couple to grimace on their anniversary.

DO

  • ·         Send back your RSVP in a timely manner.
  • ·         Arrive at the wedding at least 15-20 minutes before the ceremony is to begin.
  • ·         If you are unavoidably delayed, stay standing in the back of the church.
  • ·         Keep your phone on silent.
  • ·         Dress appropriately.
  • ·         Have fun dancing at the reception but do not call attention to yourself or partner.
  • ·         Respect your host's choices even if they aren't what you would choose.
  • ·         Send your gift to the bride or the couple at least a week prior to the event.

DON'T

  • ·         Change your mind about attending once the RSVP is sent.  Don't cancel and they decide to show up anyway.
  • ·         Sit in the front rows.  They are reserved for family.
  • ·         Text or tweet during the ceremony.  Don't take and send photos of the bride before she does.
  • ·         Wear jeans or sweats unless specifically requested by the couple.
  • ·         Get in the way of the professional photographer hired to capture the moments of the wedding.
  • ·         Trash talk the couple's choices.
  • ·         Don't take ceremony or reception photos without the couple's approval.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

WEDDING NOTES™ - Great Shape



All brides search for a wedding gown that has the "look" and features they want.  Whether it is simple or ornate, there truly is THE GOWN for every bride.  The guidance of an experienced consultant who knows each designer's specialty can put her in the perfect dress.  The hands of a skilled alterations expert can make the gown of choice fit beautifully.  But even those professionals can't change body shapes without help.

Some designers construct a wedding gown with built in bras or corsets.  That can come as a surprise to a bride from a generation that thought corsets disappeared with the end of the Civil War. But the designer who adds the proper "infrastructure" to a gown knows what he or she is doing.

If your gown of choice does not have a built in minimizer or enhancer, rely on the skill and advice of a trained consultant who can help you find the proper undergarments to make the most of you and your gown.  The proper bra and slop and other "control" items like Spanx can help you feel and look your very best on this special day.

Be sure that the undergarments you choose are neutral or skin toned.  You don't want a surprise color peeping out our showing through.  Be sure to try on the undergarments with your gown and have a friend or relative take photographs front, back and side so you know all is secure.

Far from being uncomfortable, today's undergarments are designed for both comfort and camouflage.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

WEDDING NOTES™ - Elegance on a Budget



Quiet Elegance is always in style.  And no matter your budget, you can have a "proper" ceremony and reception.  A wedding that is perfect for the two of you is just that - perfect!  Here are some tips to consider.

  • ·         A garden luncheon or a wedding brunch can be just as special as a five course sit down dinner.

  • ·         One or two special attendants are really all you need.  Remember that the larger the wedding and number of attendants, the greater the expense.

  • ·         Having a reception that serves only cake and punch is certainly acceptable.  Asking guests to buy their own dinner is not.

  • ·         Hosting an alcohol free reception is fine.  Having a cash bar isn't.

  • ·         Registering for items the couple want and need is fine.  Asking for money instead of gifts isn't.

  • ·         Sending email invitations instead of printed or handwritten ones for a small wedding isn't.

  • ·         Limiting the number and size of bouquets for the wedding party works well.

  • ·         Neglecting to send thank you notes within acceptable time frame is not appropriate.


Every part of a wedding, even one done on a very limited budget, can and should be done with style and good grace.  An affordable wedding can be as memorable as a lavish one.  Guests will remember the beautiful personal touches, not how much money you spent.