Determine Your
Wedding Style
Early
in the wedding planning process, you must decide on your wedding style. Your
wedding style shouldn't have anything to do with how much money you have, your
occupation, or your age. Your wedding style is simply a reflection of who you
are, and how you feel comfortable as a person. Don't let anyone dictate what
style you ought to have. It is your wedding and it is your decision. You may
choose to have a formal, informal, or something in between wedding style. All
of them can be enjoyable.
Borrow from the classics: I'm seeing a shift
back toward brides expressing femininity and classic sophistication.
Thoughtful Details - A few inexpensive, personal touches will make a great
impression and add greatly to your reception. Spend a few minutes putting
together some personal items to beautify and equip the restrooms. Be sure to
include a scented candle and a basket with hand lotion, hair spray, band-aids,
bobby pins, safety pins, Rolaids, aspirin, feminine products, spot-remover
wipes (like “Shout”), and individually wrapped candy mints. “It's also nice to
display a note in a frame to let your guests know that these amenities were
provided by you and your groom for their convenience during your celebration.
Personal Touches - My brides and grooms want to put a
mark on their memorable day. Couples can stand above the rest simply by
personalizing the details. For example, a small "logo," such as a
monogram embedded in a seashell for a couple that loves the beach, can be
carried throughout all printable items. Add personal touches through floral
arrangements, event lighting, ice-sculptures, favors, dove releases, chair
covers, linens, invitations and other elements to make your wedding unique and
memorable.
Location,
Location, Location - Ceremony/Reception
options can include: historic parks and squares, public gardens, museums,
beach, hotel, public hall, under a tent, historic homes/mansions, your own
back yard or that of someone you know, Inns/Bed & Breakfasts—the
possibilities are endless.
- Guest List - Determine
guest list/number of people early in the decision process. Some
couples divide the list in 2, and each partner can invite half of the total number. Some
couples have their parent’s invite one-third of the total number. Just
remember--it is your wedding, so
be sure you can include the people who are really important to you!
- Get organized - Create a
"wedding binder" of your own, buy a ready made one or use a wedding
planning computer program to keep your entire wedding
planning organized. You can keep your to do lists, contracts,
samples, brochures, information, menus, and quotes from florist,
photographers, caterers and such in one place. This will help you to
be able to refer and compare things promised to you at a later date.
- Get It In
Writing - If the vendor doesn't have a formal
contract, just write down the details as you understand them, and ask the
vendor to sign and date it. Have a copy made so you both will have a
written record of what is being provided and/or discussed.
The
importance of this detail cannot be overestimated; without written information,
you are dependent on the memory and kindness of the vendors.
- Check References -
Ask for referrals for entertainers and disk jockeys from recent brides and
from the vendors you consult for all of your other wedding services. Any
service provider that you are considering should be able to provide recent
client names and phone numbers for you to contact, so ask for them and
then check the references.
- Financial
Safeguards - Wedding Insurance – Consider a
wedding insurance policy. This is a specialty insurance package with
clearly defined sections that provide financial protection for certain
types of potential losses (e.g., postponement, theft of rings or presents,
damage to dresses or wedding attire, and loss of deposits), during the
period leading up to and including your wedding day.
Other
Useful Tips
- Hair Trial Run - Take
your veil and headpiece with you for your trial run to ensure a complete
and accurate look. If a trial run is not possible, take several pictures
of hairstyles that closely resemble the look you wish to have. A
professional hairstylist and make-up artist should be able to recreate your
desired look. Relax and focus on the joy of the day celebrating your union
as husband and wife. Your inner beauty will always influence the outer
you!
- What about your
Makeup? - Since you want to look your very best on
your wedding day, you are probably wondering how much makeup to wear, what
brand of cosmetics to use, and what colors photograph best, among other
questions. What you need is the services of a professional makeup artist
to help you achieve the look you want. To find a good one, ask lots of
questions,
Experience is the most important factor. A
competent, experienced artist will know what makeup works best—what is
camera-ready—for both color and black-and-white photography. "With the
quality and detail of high definition digital photography, makeup must be color
correct and perfectly applied.
Ask the artist about her training and
experience with bridal makeup. Ask to see a portfolio of the artist’s work. Ask
about hygiene and the cleanliness of tools and brushes in her applications. Ask
for references and then call them. Then, have a “trial run.” Have your makeup
applied by the artist and wear it for a full day to see how it feels and how
long it lasts well before your actual wedding day.
- Avoid Confusion - Ask
your floral designer to label all of your boutonnieres and corsages with
the name of the intended recipient before delivery to your wedding site.
Also ask a relative or friend who knows everyone in your bridal party to
help your floral designer distribute the flowers to the right people. This
tip will help avoid confusion and save time on your wedding day.
- Bridal Emergency
Kit - Be prepared for those untimely little
incidents that can ruin a lovely day, I advises my clients to “build an
emergency kit” to bring on the day of the wedding. I send a suggested list
of things to bring to the rehearsal and have on hand on the day of the
wedding. Have your maid or matron of honor assemble these items for you.
A great idea is to pass on the emergency kit
to the next bride among you friends. That way, it becomes a small keepsake that
gets passed from one friend to the next and gets a lot of use.
- Musical Magic - Music creates the atmosphere for your wedding, so
consider carefully the mood you want to set. Add an elegant, personal
touch to your wedding with live music. For example, you can set the mood
with beautiful piano concertos—classical music or popular love songs. With
live music, you can decide where and when to add a special musical
interlude to enhance the exquisite moments of your magical day.
- Setting The Mood - With so many talented entertainers and disk
jockeys in, you won’t have trouble finding one for your wedding. In making
your selection, carefully consider the professional services and
personality of each specific disk jockey. Take notes during consultations
with prospective entertainers to determine how he or she makes you feel.
"Are you at ease with the plans and ideas for your wedding that the
DJ offers? When you tell him how you envision your day, will he work with
your ideas or give you suggestions to improve your ideas?
- Your
entertainer will be the master of ceremonies for your wedding reception and his
personality will affect the whole day. It is important to choose someone who
will work with you to create the atmosphere that you desire.
- Perfect Pictures – Tell your photographer about your special
relationships and family dynamics so that she will capture the images you want
of the special people in your life. With prior notice, your photographer will
be on the look out for unique moments. A well-informed photographer makes for
photos that capture priceless emotion in relationships you treasure that might
otherwise go unnoticed. SIDE NOTE: Don’t
go to the tanning bed or lie out in the sun the day before your wedding. Lobster
red is not a nice color for the bride or wedding party. Go a couple of weeks in
advance to give your skin time to tan and not burn.
- Fabulous Food Cuisine - A number of brides
and grooms are now including international fare in their wedding buffets. Whether
due to increased world travel, the preponderance of fine restaurants in the
area, or more cross-cultural unions, more and more couples are asking for a
variety of ethnic foods.
Adventuresome
couples are having food stations at their reception. “You may want to have an
Indian or Moroccan table, an Asian Sushi bar, or a South American or Mexican
station. Don’t leave out the taste of Authentic Savannah cuisine, known as a
melting pot of food styles and flavors.
As
long as your caterer is comfortable preparing authentic dishes from other
countries, you should have an interesting and flavorful feast that won’t soon
be forgotten!