WEDDING NOTES™ - Tips from Our Brides

These are some ideas from brides who were searching for ways to make their day memorable and more fun.

1.  Make a special keepsake of your wedding invitation by mailing one to yourself.  Don't open it.  Keep it in your wedding guest book and save it for future generations to open.

2.  Ask all friends and relatives to write a favorite recipe on the back of the reply cards.  Keep them in a special box throughout your married life.

3. If you can't decide on a color theme for your wedding, consider using the colors of your birthstone(s)- yours or both.

4. If you plan to "throw your garter" wear two and keep one for your memory box.

5.Buy a new silver dollar with your wedding year on it and add one to your collection on each wedding anniversary.

6.  Pick a charity of your choice that you both support and make a donation on your wedding day.  Then every year, make a donation on your anniversary.  If yours is a second wedding and you really don't want gifts, let guests know that you'd prefer gifts to that charity in lieu of gifts to you.

WEDDING NOTES™ - Manage Reception Costs

The best advice we offer brides on budgets is "Spend where you need to, save where you can".

Couples who come to us for ideas on how to save money without crushing their bridal dreams find wonderful and practical ideas.  Done in the right places, there are many ways to save costs and take nothing away from the wedding they have planned.

Because receptions tend to be the biggest ticket items, major savings can be realized through some minor adjustments.  Consider these!

1.  Find a location that both fits the occasion and requires very little decorating enhancements.  Many spots are fine the way they are.  If a bride is determined to add to the decor, most wedding planners would agree that creating one large decorative element is not only dramatic, but also more budget friendly than a dozen or so smaller elements scattered about the room.

2.  When planning for decor enhancements, always imagine the room full.  We counsel brides not to spend money on decor items that only the first few guests walking in will see.  Don't waste money decorating the skirting of any tables.  Think tabletop and up!

3.  During receptions, caterers will say that people tend to take less food if it is passed by the wait staff than if it is placed on a buffet table.  This also tends to be true about beverages like champagne or a special themed cocktail.  The good news about this factor is that less food and liquor can be ordered and your guests still feel pampered.

4.  If you feel you must serve a sit down dinner, we suggest that you consider instead of ordering one high end entree consider half portions of two main entree items.  For example ordering half portions each of prime rib and chicken breast, you will likely bring down the cost per plate while offering guests a selection with depth.

5.  If you have a band or entertainers, order sandwiches for them rather than full banquet meals.  Have them available in a separate room.  It gives them a chance to "take a break" and provides food that is "grab and go" if it is necessary.

WEDDING NOTES™ - The Safety Check

All the pre planning you have done is in place.  It's going to be a beautiful wedding.  There is one more thing to do - a safety check if you will - hold a pre event meeting with all of your suppliers and venues.  Professional planners do this as a matter of course and you should as well.

Schedule meetings with every one of your vendors.  In person is best if they are all in the same town.

The purpose of these meetings is to insure that there are no surprises.  Review your plans with the florist, caterer, photographer, musicians, location manager etc.  Confirm details.  Bring along your point person or helper or personal attendant you've enlisted to help to make sure everyone hears the same information.  Try to hold these meetings two or three weeks before the actual day.

Remember that you are the client and it is your wedding day.  You've been working on these details for some time and it needs to be delivered in the way that you planned.  It is your vision for your wedding and you have hired these professionals to make your vision a reality.  These pre event meetings will serve as a double check that everything will be done and nothing overlooked.  Ask any questions you want.  Be confident of the answers and then relax and let the professionals do what they've promised.

If you don't have a professional wedding planner assisting you, stop in and let one of our experienced consultants help you review your plans and prepare for your pre event reviews.  Our staff knows the kind of questions to ask and can help you evaluate your plans and vendor promises.We can assist you in your final check of details and help you hand off plans to those who will turn your plans and dreams into reality.

WEDDING NOTES™ - Stress Even in Happy Times

You are to be married.  You are happy.  But with all of the details and decisions you must make, you are also feeling stress.  You ask yourself - "How can I feel stress when this is a special time?"  Guess what - you have the wedding jitters!  And it is not unusual.

To relieve your stress or at least manage it, we suggest the following:

1.  If money issues are causing the stress take the time as a couple to determine and reaffirm your priorities.  Review the items of most importance to both of you.  Make a list of the top 10.  List them in order of most important to less.  Take the top five - in priority order - and know that these are the items on which you are less likely to compromise.  Then review your budget.  You "borrow" from the other items to keep your budget in balance.  If you have your heart set on a particular gown, you can help pay for it by saving money on flowers, revisiting the reception plans or reviewing your plans for wedding favors.

2.  If the stress you feel is coming from family, be clear about the source and then deal with it.  Be honest about your feelings.  Talk out the issues with your parents, friends and those involved.  Be gracious but firm about expressing your views and concerns.  Don't "stuff" the feelings so that they end up hurting the relationship.

3.If the stress is coming from the crush of events and the sense of being overwhelmed by everything you know should be done, SHARE the responsibilities.  Hire a wedding planner, enlist the groom, ask parents to take over specific jobs.  Get yourself a wedding planning book and be faithful about entering plans as they are made.  Be aware of workable schedules that are suggested.

4.  Get enough sleep and take care of your health.  Eat well.  Use your gym membership and exercise away the stress.

5.  When it all seems too much, come in and speak with our experienced consultants.  They can help you put it all in perspective and remind you of what is really important in this wedding you are planning.