Bridesmaid Dresses

A new trend in the wedding world is to dress each girl in the color theme but different styles. I like this ideas, just based on the fact that your skinny girlfriend and the chunky girlfriend can't possibly both look good in the same dress. What we need now is for the major companies in the market to allow you to upload a virtual you to their website and you can try on from the convenience of your computer. Seriously, gone are the days that everyone lives in the same town and can get together to try on dresses. Many brides are waiting till well into their 30's which supports the theory that our friends would be more spread out. I played with the one found on www.seventeen.com/fashion/virtual-model . But think it would be best if each company had their own and when you went to the site you could actually try on the dress. What do you think?

What is the Difference between a $1000 and $5000 Photographer?

Good Question! We meet with three different photographers and that was the range. It was hard to tell any specific skill difference between each. But, what they did do is add ons and whether or not you need them changes the price tag. I also was concerned with not getting full use of the pictures that they took. What if the bride didn't pick a picture and 5 years later decided she wanted more of her grandmother or something. We decided we did not need a photographer with a flashy studio, nor one that could create a 200 page leather bound book. We wanted someone who showed energy and good attitude. One of the photographers was 300 pounds and talked like Minnie Mouse...I'm not sure that would have worked all day long. With all the albums you can create on line your self you really need someone with good equipment, good pictures, good energy and not a lot of fluff!

Temptations

There are so many little items that are cute but not necessary. It is tempting to blow a budget on stuff. You see a bracelet that would be a nice bridesmaid gift, so you buy six. Then a few weeks later you see shoes for the bridesmaids that are perfect, so you buy six. Oh my overstock.com just sent you a sales alert and you found the perfect earrings, so you buy six. See my point. At this rate you should have paid for the dress which would have been appreciated more by the bridesmaids than all the matching accessories. Keep your budget in focus and the big day will be more enjoyable, less stressful and you will be appreciated!

Timelines

We are planning a wedding that is on the other side of the country from where we live, so logistics can be a challenge. I have found the map quest tool very valuable. I put in all of the vendors we need to visit in one trip and then rearrange them to make travel sense. Most vendors will need 1.5 hours of your time and plan on 20 minutes to get to next location. The typical day will be 9am for your first appt. and 5pm will be your last. This allows for you to meet with about five vendors per day. In our case we squeezed a few more in by asking them to meet us on location one day. Make a list of the questions you have for them and email them in advance. This will save you time in the meeting and allow them to be prepared. An example would be, when meeting the photographer, do you want to see the equipment she will be using.

Customize...even the stamp!

Love how everything can be customized just for your wedding. We all know about the gadgets like napkins, candy boxes and matches. But, the new cool thing is stamps. You can customize them to say things like Bride and Groom or RSVP to mention a few. Here is a great website with a good selection.

http://www.zazzle.com/dazzle+stamps

Enjoy!

Floral doesn't have to be expensive

It was a surprise to me to investigate online florists and find out they were using the local florist to full fill the order. I had been in conversation with a local florist and turned the same order into an online company, to find out I could save about 25%. Then when I called the local florist and mentioned this, she communicated that they would get the order from the online company and full fill it. The difference in price was her time on site to set up the flowers and remove them at the end of the event. I called the venue and the event manager said they would take care of placing the flowers and suggested we give the arrangements away to the guests. What a great idea. To recap, saved 25% ( $500 ) and a gift for the guests.

Design the Day

The details are flowing now. The Gazebo, where the ceremony is , 35 feet octagonal! Wow, that is a lot of space and the bride only wants the wedding party in the gazebo.....oh that is a lot of room. I tried suggesting all the guests sit out of the NC sunshine but that didn't fly. Then I suggested the families sit in the gazebo, that didn't fly. What to do with all of that room. TREES! That is right buy trees from Home Depot and decorate them.....then donate them to the local Habitat for Humanity. They even said they would come pick them up on a Saturday. She gets her look. I get to bring the space down to a comfortable environment. I get a tax credit for the donation. Habitat gets trees! That works for me. It just one more way to go green.

MOB Dress time

Thankfully, we have chosen the wedding dress. Now I can start looking for MOB attire. I have seen quite the collection and most of them are long...so not interested! Here are some of my Do's and Dont's:
DO NOT
Match the color or style of the bridesmaids.
Wear any version of white.
Pick a dress that is not age appropriate.
Wear bold prints or bold color.
Over dress, you want the guests to feel comfortable.
DO
Pick something you can wear for 10 hours
Accessorize
Buy the one that you think you shine in.

After all this is a big day for you also!

Paying for the Dress

We have come to a decision....the beautiful choice is made. But, have you heard about those cute little dress shops closing there doors and never getting your dress? This is actually a concern for more than you would think. A few tips:1. Use a credit card that has purchase protection, for me American Express is the best. 2. Check with the BBB before you hand over the funds. They can tell you how long they have been in business and any complaints. Remember just because there website says they have been in business for 25 years might not mean it is the truth. 3. Don't be afraid to ask for reference and call them!!! After all it is your dream day and your Money.

Stay on schedule

It is easy looking 12-9 months down the road till the big event to feel like you have a tremendous amount of time...but beware. Some of the tasks are more challenging then one would assume. A good example of this is hiring and officiant. Now granted my daughter is getting married in a smaller town..but. The list had 12 officiants on it and 2 are available. WOW! I am making these calls 11 months out, who would have thought. Stay on schedule so the curve balls are manageable.

The Family Bond

Do you have a strong sense of what would work and look best at your daughters wedding. Are the conversations between the two of you showing a drastic difference of opinion? The art of sharing your opinion without being overbearing, is based on how well you listen. Really listen! Listen for her to tell you how she pictures the ideal event and then be specific in your suggestion. My daughter wanted live daisy's to line the aisle (individual stems stuck in the ground), this would have cost $1800.00. I complimented her on her grand idea and suggested either containers of daisy's or some fake. She heard me and understood the impact would be the same and the cost savings tremendous. Success!

Make a timeline

One of the overwhelming items on a brides list is how to organize all of the TO DO's. Spend some time with her and outline the list by months. Keep a copy close. Then when she panics you can reminder her that this decision is not due yet!

Making the to do list fun

There are so many details even in the beginning that the the tasks can become just another set of to do's. Change that feeling by adding special touches to each outing. Ideas such as: If the bride is coming over to your home put rose petals on the walkway to welcome her. Break up the day with a celebration at her favorite lunch spot. When driving to vendors listen to the radio and start making the music list for the reception. All the attention to the little things will make her feel like royalty not just on errands

Think carefully before you speak

After the excitement of the engagement turns to planning. I suggest you pick 2-3 areas that are very important to you and have a conversation that lets your daughter know them. Then the other areas you will need to allow her the decision making. For me - venue and music were a priority. The dress and colors all her!