How to be a good guest

An invitation is coming your way from a family member or a good friend or both.  It is an honor to be selected to help those close to you celebrate a wonderful part of their life.

If you RSVP with a positive response, you become an official guest at this party.  You will no doubt bring an appropriate wedding gift, but did you know 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 checklist of do’s and don’t that you can follow to insure that your behavior will not cause the couple to grimace on their 10^th anniversary as they recall events from their wedding.

DO

• Make sure to send your RSVP in a timely manner.
• Arrive at the wedding at least 15-20 before the ceremony is to begin.
• Stay standing at the back of the church if you are going to be late.
• Keep your cell phone on silent.
• Dress appropriately.
• Have fun dancing but do not call attention to yourself or your partner.
• Respect the couple’s wishes even if they aren’t what you would choose.

 DON’T

• Change your mind about attending.  Don’t cancel and then show up anyway.
• Sit in a front row.  That is for immediate family only.
• Text or tweet or blog during the ceremony
• Wear jeans or sweats unless requested by the couple
• Get in the way of the professional photographer doing his job.
• Take ceremony or reception photos unless the couple approve.
• Trash talk the couple’s choices.

The role of the wedding planner

If the bride and her family would like a stress free wedding, the best solution is to hire a wedding planner.  If the wedding is to be at an out of town/destination wedding, then dependence on a planner at the venue to which the wedding party will be traveling is a must.  If the bride and groom are planning a small intimate wedding and reception but the couple both have jobs that demand huge time commitments, a wedding planner can take the couple’s wishes and instructions and produce exactly the event they envision.

The term planner can cover a wide range of services.  In general the term refers to services provided by an individual, selected by the bride or her mother, to assist with some or all of the details involved in the planning and implementing of an error-free, stress free rehearsal, ceremony and reception.   A plus feature in hiring a wedding planner or coordinator is that the bride can decide the level of service she desires and pay only for those services.

Brides-to-be should determine the credentials of the planner they are considering.  They should check the training/certification that the planner has earned.  They should ask for references from two or three brides the planner has served and decide on the level of involvement they will require.  Maybe an initial consultation to help identify choices and set preliminary plans and schedules is enough for one couple.  Others may want a comprehensive package, which covers time and advice on all aspects of the wedding plus vendor and site negotiations.

Tips for the bride on a budget!

The results from THE KNOT’S 2011 BRIDAL FASHION STUDY indicate that for the majority of the 9,690 brides interviewed in the survey, the tough economic times “have not stopped brides from buying their dream dress.”  (VOWS, January/February 2012)  Brides seem willing to cut back in other areas in order to buy the gown they want.  

What are some of the ways brides can save?

They need to prioritize.  Figure out what matters most and allocate budgets accordingly.  These items should arise out of honest conversations between the bride and groom and their families.  Such discussions can make sure that what matters most is funded.

Budgets need to be set.  Couples must figure out how much they can pay for individual items like flowers or receptions or photography and then communicate that to the vendors involved.  It works better if a dollar amount is mentioned rather than a price range.

Consider your own resources.  Do you have unused frequent flyer miles that could cover honeymoon travel?   How about an uncle who collects classic cars? Could he provide a unique and elegant ride between the church and reception for the bride and groom?  Do you know someone who “knows someone” who could get you a good price on quality champagne?

Step outside the usual.  Rather than insisting on a Saturday night wedding, could you move to a Sunday?  It has always been an option but few brides used it.  Every time you choose times, places or options that few others are choosing, you’ll save money in various ways.

Rethink what your wedding means.  It is a special celebration for family and friends, not the way to pay back everyone who has ever invited you or your family to a party.  If you are thinking that your wedding is a way to impress people, think again.  Have it your way and keep it personal.

Music to celebrate

Selecting the music for a wedding ceremony and reception is an important consideration.  Music should frame the ceremony – not dominate it.  Picking the music should be considered an important aspect of the planning process.

• Make an early meeting with the officiator a must.  Churches tend to have constraints imposed on the kind of music allowed.  It is good to have that information early in the planning process.

• Some churches limit the options by presenting the bride a list of music from which she must choose.  Others may opt to screen her choices.

• If the bride wants a certain music that is important to her and/or the groom, and the church organist can’t/won’t play it, she has the option of diplomatically asking if she can bring in her own musicians.  More and more brides are requesting instruments other than the organ.  Some brides want to be lead up or down the aisle by bagpipes.  Others prefer the sounds of a string quartet.  Allowing sufficient lead-time to clarify any issues around music is a smart move.

• Brides must remember that music needs to be selected for the prelude, the processional, the ceremony and for the reception.  Musicians need to be chosen and booked early in the process.

• Many budget conscious brides are opting to use MP3 players or other electronic media for reception music – either during the cocktail hour or as background music during dinner.

•  The bride should spend time researching her music.  Screen pieces, listen to tapes, CDs, and take advice from musicians you know.  Audition any musicians before hiring them.  Check references. Volumes of advice and suggestions are available online.  Think about your own personal preferences and music that matters to you both as a couple as you assemble your “must play list”.

Many couples are creating a CD of their favorite music and making it available as a thank you gift to their guests.

Wedding etiquette on a budget

Quiet elegance is always in style.  

Consider a few white lilies for the bridal bouquet instead of an elaborate arrangement.

A garden luncheon can be as charming as a 5 course sit down dinner.

Select fewer attendants.  The larger the wedding and number of attendants, the greater the expense.

But no matter how limited the budget, the rules of etiquette still apply.  

Having a reception which serves only punch and cake is acceptable.  Asking guests to buy their own dinners is not.

Having an alcohol free reception is fine.  Having a cash bar isn’t.

Registering for things the couple would like and need is fine.  Asking for money instead of gifts isn’t.

Sending email invitations instead of printed or handwritten ones for a small intimate wedding isn’t OK.

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

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

Attention: 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?

Contemporary vs. Traditional Weddings

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.

• 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.

Gift Registry Ideas

As brides and grooms confer on what and where to register for wedding gifts, here are some items to be included on the registry that are frequently overlooked but are really necessary for a new home startup.

• Cleaning supplies – Don’t be afraid to put a nice vacuum on your gift list.  This is the time to find a model that is easy to use and is durable.  If you have a home with stairs – either a split level or multi story model, consider the value of a vacuum on each floor.  If you already have a terrific model, add a hand held/portable vac for your kitchen area.  There is nothing better for picking up crumbs and the inevitable dry spills.

• Iron – while you may still take shirts and professional clothing to a cleaner, there is always a place for a good steam iron in every household.  Put a good ironing board on the list at the same time. 

• China – always register for more china pieces than you think you’ll need or want.  IF you think the perfect size dinner party is 6, order enough for 8.  Likewise, if 8 is your ideal size, order 10 place settings.  Pieces break over time.

• Kitchen – select and place on your list a set of really good kitchen knives.  One good set will last for years and make slicing and dicing a pleasure.

• Entertainment items – Unless you have every electronic device you think you need, take another look at your camera.  Not every photograph needs to be taken by your phone.  What about a DVD or portable TV?

• Gift Cards – more and more vendors are making room for those on gift registries.  These are a nice way to fill in  items you need or want that you did not think of when completing your registry.

You may wish to include some “off Registry” items for your guests’ consideration .Use your wedding website to let guests know that you’d like donations made in your name to your favorite charity.  This lovely way to celebrate your new life together spreads the joy and makes many people happy.

Questions you should ask your wedding planner

Should you hire a wedding planner or are you preparing to do it all yourself?  Most busy working brides today need the help of a professional planner – for all or part of their weddings.  A professional wedding planner’s advice and expertise can save time, money and sanity so don’t dismiss the idea out of hand. 

When you meet with a wedding planner to talk about how much or how little you need him/her to do for your wedding, here are six key questions you should ask to guide that informational meeting.

1. Here are the vendors and venues I am considering using.  Do you know anything about them?  Who are your favorites and why?
The planner can often give you some good feedback about a particular vendor and/or steer you away from potential trouble.

 2.  How many weddings of my size have you done?

If you are planning on a small intimate gathering and the planner specializes in huge society weddings, you two may not be a good match.

3.  If I hire you for my wedding, what is your role and what is mine?

It is a good idea to have clarity around who is responsible for what and in a tight situation, who has the final say?  Do need to have the planner clear every little detail with you or can he/she make decisions based on early parameters you two have established?

4.  How many weddings do you do each month?  Do you have enough staff to cover all weddings you book?  You don’t want to be one of a multitude in June if the planner doesn’t have the staff to handle all of its commitments.

5.  Ask for a client and vendor list and ask if you may call them for references.

6.   Ask for an explanation of how he/she charges.  Is there a flat rate, a sliding scale, extra charges for add ons?

7.   Do you belong to any professional organizations? Associations such as Weddings Beautiful Worldwide have helped increased the value, and raise the professional standards of wedding planners everywhere.

The goal of all good wedding planners is to save you time and money . . . and most importantly for you to enjoy one perfect day!

Online Gift Registries

While the bulk of wedding gift registries is still run through big box stores, department and specialty stores, there is a growing segment of that industry that is utilizing the reach and specificity of on line communications.  At one time considered somehow “tacky”, on line gift registries have come into their own and have proven to be a real advantage to couples and their guests.

It’s easy to build an online registry.  Your guests can shop from their homes (or phones), which is a huge convenience if they are out of town.  You can select the items you want in stores and then list them on your e- registry.  You can also list your registry on national sites like theKnot.com, weddingchannel.com if your chosen retailer has a partnership with those sites.

Once registered, you can log on to your site anytime to add, delete or change preferences.  You can also see what has already been purchased.  Some sites will include the information about who ordered what.  That will prove helpful when writing thank you notes.  Gift enclosure cards do not always remain attached to the box containing the gift.

There are also new sites that specialize in “non traditional” registry offerings.  While there is still discomfort around the concept of “registering for money”, some couples are utilizing these sites.  For couples who prefer to accumulate cash for a major purchase, there are depositagift.com and myregistry.com. For couples who may prefer a fund for the future, there is a website called weddingfuture.com that specializes in gift stocks and/or mutual funds.

Whichever method you choose for your gift registries, remember that under no circumstances should those sites be included anywhere in your invitations.  Depend on members of the wedding party and family to spread the word about your gift registry preferences.

Don’t forget that although gift registries now include non-traditional items, gifts for a lifetime are remembered most.

Wedding Costs

The answer –as much or as little as you can afford!  You can have a lavish event that tops $100,000 or you can say your vows and entertain your close friends and family for $1500.   It all depends.  If you are planning a wedding on a budget, we offer some dollar saving tips.

• Avoid a summer wedding.  About 70% of US weddings take place between May and October.  As couples compete for vendors and venues, prices rise – because they can.  Depending on where you live, getting married in the “off” season months can save you money on reception expenses, floral arrangements and photography services.

• Choose a day other than Saturday when most weddings take place.  Marrying mid week or Friday night can save rates on room rentals, food and music.

• Look closely at your guest list.  Pare it down to include only those persons who are really close and have meaning in your life.

•  Have your ceremony and reception in the same place.

• Choose an hour when a meal is not appropriate or necessary.  Morning weddings followed by a lovely brunch or a later afternoon ceremony followed by a cocktail reception are wonderful options.

• Use flowers that are in season and fill bouquets with more ribbon and fewer flowers.

• Rather than investing in large floral arrangements in the church and reception areas, consider using rental greenery.  It will fill spaces and create more warmth than large stylized arrangements can.

• A good wedding planner can save you time as well money; and most importantly help assure you of one perfect day.

Be honest about your budget and stick with it.  Look for ways to economize but know which items are the dearest to you.  Always remember that it is the marriage that is important – not the entertainment.  

Gifts to Remember

Selecting locations for the gift registries for one’s wedding is important and fun.  For your guest’s sake, it is wise to select at least three different resources.  Your purpose is to give guests a variety of options and price ranges when it comes time to select your gift.  To that end, experts recommend that you choose at a minimum, one “high-end” store, one moderate/lower priced retailer and perhaps one “non traditional” resource like a charity.  Idofoundation.org  is a good place to start as it can help you register for donations to a variety of charities.

As you peruse items for your gift choices, most consultants would remind you to expand your vision of gifts to include items beyond the “usual”.  Many couples end up realizing that they have the best equipped kitchen in town, but have no bedroom furnishings.  Seek input and advice from friends and family before you sit down together to develop your list of preferences.  Their ideas may help you to include items that would be helpful that you would never have considered.

REAL SIMPLE magazine asked brides to identify items for the “Things I Wished I’d Registered For” list they were compiling.  Here are some of the items that made the list.

•  Extra Wine Glasses

• Oven to table bake ware – one or two casseroles that can go to parties and events and look good.

• Fine China – too many couples are selecting only something practical to use now.  Brides miss having some fine china to use for special occasions and to “pass on”.

• Bar B Q Grill

• Art pieces for home décor (consider including an art gallery in your list of registry locations)

• A cordless drill

• Decorative pillows and throws for the living room – a quick and effective way to add dash

• Christmas decorations – something special and classic that the couple could bring out each year

• Outdoor gear and equipment like Coleman stoves, backyard hammocks or lawn chairs.

Non-Traditional Wedding Site Ideas

When a bride asks about ideas for a non-traditional wedding site, before we offer suggestions, we ask how flexible she is.  Planning a wedding at an outdoor site requires arranging two sites.  One is the prime location and the other is the alternate.  The weather has been known to ruin many original plans.  Don’t let that discourage you from having the wedding you want, but do have backup plans in place.

An outdoor site can be a perfect spot for those of different religious faiths.  It is a perfect choice for couples who love the outdoors or have families with extensive gardens or grounds.   Often outdoor sites are less expensive than closed venues.

The intimate setting of a chapel, beach, park or backyard offers the freedom to add personal touches to the ceremony.  The location choice will set the theme for your wedding celebration and once selected make many subsequent choices easier.  Canopies, tents and gazebos may be rented and needed.

Once you have secured plan A and plan b, other plans and decisions will flow more easily.   Decorations, food, refreshments, entertainment and guest list will all be governed by the location decisions you have made. It is good to have another viewpoint and advice on the unusual celebration you have in mind.

Don't Be A Bridezilla!

We all realize that the bride and groom are the focal points of this very special day.  The wedding and its celebration are milestones in individual lives and family memories.  It is a significant social and personal event that deserves the attention given it.

But what many of us have learned is that the weddings that are most remembered are those which consider the family and friends who will be joining the couple in celebrating the event.

Here are some ways brides and grooms can focus on guests and family.

• Remember to treat attendants like the friends they are – not servants.  They are expending time and treasure to celebrate with you.  Certainly they are there to support your wishes, but not to grant your every whim.  Consideration and gratitude are welcome gifts to wedding party participants.

• When you are developing your gift registries, remember to include items for all price ranges.  Friends and family members want to give you as nice a gift as they can.  Spend some time making thoughtful choices.

• Select reception food that most guests will enjoy.  If you are planning an ethnic specialty, be sure to include an alternative.  Not every guest will welcome unfamiliar food.

• If music is to be played during cocktails and/or dinner, make sure it is background music soft enough so that people can hear themselves and others talk.

• If you are having a wedding dance, make sure that the band plays some “golden oldies” so that parents and/or grandparents and their friends can dance too.

• Don’t micro manage everything.  Once plans are in place let vendors you’ve hired do what you hired them to do.

·        For everyone’s sake, try to limit the time delay between the end of the ceremony and the start of the reception to one hour or less.  If it must be longer, arrange something for the guests to do while they are awaiting your arrival.  No one wants to go home and come back again. Remember that this is one of the biggest parties you and your family will ever give.

Centerpiece Inspiration

Seen at current weddings – a wide variety of centerpiece options which complement the theme of the wedding and/or reflect the couple’s search for “something unique”!

For fans of traditional floral arrangements, there is the assurance that given the right color combo and size, guests will feel right at home with the idea of flowers on the table that complete the look of elegant special occasions.  Flowers work beautifully as long as the arrangements are either low enough (under 12-14 inches) or high enough (at least 30 inches) so that guests can converse across the table – or at least see each other.  Formal arrangements in glass or silver containers send one message, while daisies or sunflowers in canning jars send another.

With the changing view of wedding cakes, many brides are opting to make desert the centerpiece of guest tables.  Cupcake trees, lollipop cakes, cookie and dessert bar assortments and miniature versions of the bridal cake make perfect centerpiece options.

Guest favors artfully arranged on clear plastic or glass trays work well when accompanied by thank you notes from the bride and groom.

Candles of varying height and shape arranged on mirrors make a wonderful centerpiece for each table and their accumulated impact is wonderful.  However, be sure to check the reception hall’s heating/cooling system.  If a lot of air is going to be blowing over the tables, your candles won’t last long.  If your reception is in a tented area, think about LED tapers that look almost real.

Some brides have made the wine being served with dinner an integral part of the centerpiece.  With some greenery and/or wrapped cheese miniatures the different bottles make an intriguing focal point.

Collect a variety of glass serving pieces and fill them with beverages (or water) the theme color of the wedding.

Photos of the bride and groom as children framed and grouped in the center of the table, work well as centerpieces and conversation starters.

Ceremony Time!

He asked you to marry him and you said yes!  Congratulations!  If you know that you will be married in a church ceremony, as soon as you have shared the good news with close family members, it is time to think about when and where you will be married.

Once you have determined when, lock in the ceremony site and the reception venue.  Then other plans can fall into place.  As soon as possible, meet with the officiant and/or his/her representative to determine the “rules” guiding ceremonies in that church or synagogue.  With that information in hand, you can begin to formulate your own personal touches with the goal of creating a beautiful setting that helps to establish the mood for your ceremony to come.

As guests arrive, the setting – candles, lights, flowers and music can create a lovely atmosphere.

Instruct ushers to make friendly small talk with guests as they arrive and as they are escorted to their seats.  

 This is truly welcoming and helps guests to feel at ease.  If yours is a small wedding, ushers can present a single flower to female guests along with a note from you welcoming them to the wedding.  A welcome flower can also be presented along with the programs.

Consider having ceremony hosts welcome guests at the entrance doors.  Choose one from each family – someone who is likely to recognize the majority of the guests as they arrive.  Your parents may be mingling with guests at this point or may be needed with the wedding party.

If you have music playing as guests arrive and are seated, be sure someone is ready to cue the music to change tempo or volume or both so that special music plays as the parents of the bride and groom are seated.  More and more couples are choosing to have a card or note from them along with a single flower or small wrapped gift waiting in the pew for parents as they are seated.

Consider having the music change again as the groom and his best man take their places.  Then as the processional begins, the music should change again for the bridesmaids and flower girls.

The bride should make an entrance cued by more dramatic “announcement” music.  If the church or facility can manage it, consider dimming the house lights and turn on pre placed lighting aimed at the aisle just before the bride begins her walk to the altar.

Above all remember that the ceremony is the cornerstone of the day and the reason the guests have gathered.  The reception celebrates what has happened in that church.

Something old, new, borrowed, and.....BLUE!

We all know how the quintessential wedding "nursery rhyme" goes..."Something old, something new; something borrowed, something blue..."  Over the years this has become a very important part of planning the accessories for the bride on her wedding day.  A grandmother gives an antique hankie; a best friend gives a new bracelet; the mom loans a veil...and someone ensures the bride is wearing something blue on her big day!

Ever wonder where this tradition came from?  So did we!  So I looked it up and the history and found some really fantastic information!  According to Ask Yahoo!, each item that is given to the bride represents good luck. "Something old" represents the bride's family and past.  "Something new" represents the hopes that the bride has a happy and fulfilling new life ahead.  "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a married family member or friend who whose good fortune in marriage is hoped to carry onto the new bride.  It also reminds the bride she has family and friends to count on.  And "something blue?"  Blue has apparently always been held as a color of virtue and and purity, hence why the Virgin Mary is always portrayed in blue.  There is a proverb the goes "Married in blue, lover be true."  And the rhyme apparently goes:

"Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe."

So what's the deal with the sixpence?  A bride puts a sixpence, or a piece of silver worth 6 pennies, in her shoe to represent wealth and financial security.  While many believe that this originated in Victorian England, where sixpences were minted, others maintain it is derived from a Scottish tradition of the groom putting a silver coin in his left shoe for good luck.

Wherever, and for whatever reason, the tradition was started, it has stood the test of time and brides everywhere make sure that on their wedding day they have...."Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!!"

Take a look at some blue accessories we've found!

 Lave shoe style 2470 - Prevue

 Mariell garter style G1255

Mariell necklace and earring style 1003S-AQ

Famous Weddings!

Time for some fun!

There have been a lot of famous brides and grooms over the years and one thing is certain, celebrity weddings are often national, if not international, events.

What makes a terrific celebrity wedding?

• A famous name, for starters!  Think Grace Kelly, Chelsea Clinton, Carrie Underwood; famous faces, famous names!
• A whirlwind romance preceding the wedding.  Remember the excitement that swirled around Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston before they married?  America's best "Friend" marrying America's hottest actor!
• A gorgeous dress.  Who will ever forget Kate Middleton's wedding dress??
• A celebrity guest list.  Only a handful of people, including Macaulay Culkin, attended Natalie Portman's recent nuptials.  Who DIDN'T attend Princess Diana and Prince Charles'??

Celebrity weddings are multimillion dollar events that garner tons of media attention.  And over the years, as famous couples marry (often more than once...) people everywhere turn to their televisions, magazines, and more recently, the internet, to get the scoop on every wedding detail!

Who is your favorite celebrity bride or couple?  (I'm partial to Grace Kelly myself!)

 Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco

 Prince William and Duchess Kate (Second in wedding infamy perhaps only to his mother and father!)

 Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied

 Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston (No long married, but such a beautiful bride and groom!)

 Princess Diana and Prince Charles (Perhaps the most popular wedding couple in the world!)

 Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky

 Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher

Lace Gowns - Classic and Timeless

Lace has always been a popular choice of bridal gown fabrics for brides over the years.  It does seem, however, that the trend has been growing in the past couple of years.  While satin A-line skirts will always be a common bridal gown style, lace is often considered a more classic and elegant style.  With celebrities today, such as Ellie Kemper from "The Office", making lace bridal gowns more and more popular by wearing them in their own weddings, it is safe to say that lace will be around for years to come!

Mori Lee style 1813

Maggie Sottero style Camden

   Allure style M480

What are your thoughts about lace?  Do you think it's a classic and elegant look, or do you prefer the more modern fabrics and looks that come with satin, chiffon and taffeta?

Great Spring Colors for Bridesmaids

Now is the time to start shopping for those bridesmaid dresses if you wedding is next Spring!  Not only do you want to allow yourself plenty of time to search for dresses, you also want to give your bridesmaids enough time to have alterations done before the wedding.

We have gathered together some dresses that are perfect for Spring weddings!

 Allure Bridal style 1257 - Full Length

 Allure Bridals style 1279 - Full Length

 B2 by Jasmine Bridal style B4033

 Da Vinci Bridal style 60038

 Pretty Maids by House of Wu style 22466

Light colors and pastels are often the most popular color choices for Spring weddings, but don't hesitate to mix it up and try something different, especially if it matches your wedding theme!

Under It All

All brides look for a wedding gown that has the look and features that they want.  Whether simple or ornate, there truly is a gown "out there" 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.  We all sometimes need help with that.

Some designers construct a wedding gown with built in 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 added the proper "infrastructure" to the gown, knew what he/she was 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 the gown.  The proper bra and slip and other "control" items like Spanx can help you feel and look your very best on this important day.

Be sure that the undergarments you choose are neutral or skin toned.  You don't need a surprise color peeing out or showing through.  Be sure that you try all of the undergarments on under your gown and have a friend take photographs from the front, back and side so you know all is secure.

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

Matching Bridesmaids?

There is a new trend sweeping the bridal fashion industry and it has all to do with bridesmaids!  The norm in the past has always been to have your bridesmaids in matching gowns and matching colors.  Lately, however, more and more brides are doing things a bit differently.  Here are some alternative options:

• Choose a different style of dress in the same color for each bridesmaid.
•  Give your bridesmaids a designer and let them choose their own dresses.  If you want to have some control over their decisions, tell them a specific fabric they have to get it in, or a certain length of skirt.
• Have your bridesmaids all wear the same style, but let them choose from several different colors.  This is a great way to incorporate some color into your wedding theme!
• Want to really leave the decision up to the bridesmaids?  Tell them a color (for instance, black) and let them get whatever dress they want!  This allows them to stick to their own price range and possible choose a dress they know they'll wear again and again.

The great thing about mis-matching the bridesmaid dresses is it gives a different look to the wedding party and allows each bridesmaid to be a little unique.  Of course, don't hesitate to your your bridal powers in your favor and make them wear whatever dress you choose...it's your wedding after all!

                                     Impression Bridal styles from left to right: 1774, 1775, 1773

                                 Impression Bridal styles from left to right: 20043, 20042, 20048

Photo Tips

After all the planning and purchasing and partying, what remains are the treasured photographs of your wedding day.  For many brides, the album and collections of photos are the most important record of the biggest day of their lives.  We have worked with hundreds of brides and enjoy seeing their photos when they return from their honeymoon.  We continue to add to the tips we share with brides on how to insure that they love the results of the photographic record of their wedding day.

• If the ceremony and reception are going to be big, make sure the photographer you hire works with an assistant at least.  Many consultants will say that as a rule, one should plan on one photographer per 100 guests, but a skilled professional with an efficient assistant should be able to handle your ceremony and formal photos without a problem.
• Reception photos require a few formal shots and some informal/occasions specific photographs.
• If you have special photos you want taken, be sure to make a list of those shots and review them with the photographer prior to the ceremony.  If out of town family members are attending and you want large family shots, let the photographer know that as well.
• Consider having many of your formal and unique shots taken before the ceremony.  Your makeup is fresh, the gown unwrinkled, your hair fabulous, and you have the glow of anticipation.  Besides, it will cut down on the time spent on photographs before your reception.
• Spend time before the wedding showing the photographer some photos you've had taken in the past that you like.  He/She will get a sense of your good side and how best to position you.
• When you are posing for formal shots, don't just stand there full face on to the camera.  Take a tip from pros and remember to put your weight on your back leg.  It doesn't matter which one - left or right.  Then place the other leg slightly in front and face the camera.  This will provide a more pleasing angle from which to be photographed.
• Ask your personal attendant to stay close and have pressed powder and lip gloss handy for shots.  Keep the shine on your face down and your lips up. 

Remember, these pictures are to capture one of the most important days of your life, a day that will, at the time, fly by!