1.  Don’t pay full price for vendor meals. Make sure your hall backs out the alcohol portion as your vendors are professionals and should not be drinking at your wedding.

 2. Don’t assume your banquet hall will fold your napkins brought in from an outside vendor. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t so if they don’t you have a big problem on your wedding day and the job might not get done.

 3. Don’t not order extra invitations and envelopes. A second printing always cost much more than the first batch. It’s better to order more now than pay more later.

 4.  Don’t assume your Catering Manager at the hall is your Day-of Coordinator. They have one goal in mind the day of your wedding and that is to make sure that their responsibilities are being taken care of meaning getting the food out to your guests, taking care of any bar problems, etc. They will not help you fix your bustle, or pack your items up at the end of the night plus many other things in-between that come up.

 5. Don’t assume that your DJ, Photographer or Videographer works alone. They often bring along an assistant and that is an extra meal that you may or may not have to pay for. It is best when you hire that vendor to ask them if they bring along someone so you know if you will need to provide another meal.

 6.  Don’t assume your guests know that they can’t take home your rented centerpieces. Yes, you heard me, often the vases are rented and need to be returned to the florist and your guests just walk off with them not giving a second thought to this. Then you are stuck paying a replacement fee to your florist for the missing vases!

 7. Don’t assume that getting a chair cover for a $1 or so is a great deal. Often these are a mess and not clean or pressed. I have even seen them with holes and rips at the bottom…not very classy for your dream reception. Not to say that you won’t find some chair cover vendors that do take pride in their work and will deliver a nice and clean finished product but you must be careful.

 8.  Don’t assume your Limo Driver knows where he/she is taking you although you have provided directions and/or the address to each location. It is best to type something up and give it to him/her at the first pickup. This way you won’t have to be yelling up every 5 minutes…No turn here, back up, stop!

 9.  Don’t assume your wedding guests won’t come up and bother you at your reception with seating issues. Trust me this is the last thing you want to deal with while you are trying to enjoy your meal. Having a day-of coordinator in charge to trouble-shoot these little issues that often come up will save you a great deal of stress.

 10.  Don’t assume your hall will cut and serve your wedding cake to your guests for free. Be sure to check your contract to see what the charge is and often you can negotiate it.

About the author:

 Tracie Morris has been a wedding consultant since 1999, certified since 2002. Since then, she’s become known as the Bride Guru. Ask her your wedding questions and get free advice by emailing her at tracie@yourethebride.com.

With wedding planning in full gear, it’s time to turn attention to the guys’ attire.
Of course, all eyes are on the bride on the big day.  However, the groom and his closest acquaintances are to receive some viewable consideration as well.  Wedding formal wear for the gentlemen has developed into an array of styles and colors in recent years.  There are now numerous decisions to make regarding what the guys will wear to a wedding.  Turn to one expert who will make the process very easy with superior knowledge and event coordination no matter where your groomsmen live.

A decision on light suits or formal tuxedos starts with color.  What colors does the wedding involve?  What color is the bride’s  dress?  What color are the bridesmaids wearing?  After these prominent wedding  wardrobe colors are defined, they will assist significantly in coordinating the mens’ fashion.  Another deciding factor will be based off the formality of the wedding, time of year, and time of day.

This is where consulting with one formal wear
professional will make all the big decisions very smooth.  And a locally owned and operated, independent tuxedo place is the  perfect formula in acquiring the ultimate in quality of merchandise, fit, price, service, and convenience.

A common myth in the tuxedo rental industry is that because groomsmen reside throughout the country, the bride and groom can only resort to utilize a chain of stores. This could not be further from the truth.  In fact, the chain corporation  immediately dilutes style options and service all the while making the process even more inconvenient for the group.

This is a recent experience of one of our grooms:

“I was looking for a one-button peak lapel black tuxedo, with flat front pants, a lay down collar shirt, light ivory bow tie and vest.  Because I live in New York, the groomsmen live in four different states, and the wedding was in Detroit, I decided to try the (big corporation).

I was guided to a catalog which included exactly one option for me.  The sample on hand was not my size. They had me try it on anyway, which was  obviously useless.  I asked about a few specific modification which I normally need.  They said they “don’t do much tailoring for tuxes.”  So I was  supposed to pick a jacket for my wedding having never tried it on, knowing that it was going to fit poorly, and nothing would be done about it?  No.

Frustrated, I went to The Tux Shop on Woodward in Birmingham, MI.  First off, the  gentleman and his staff that helped me actually knew what they were talking about. They didn’t hand me a catalog.  Instead, we went over to a mirror and I tried on several jackets until I found the style that looked great and fit properly.

And guess what – having groomsmen scattered about the universe is not uncommon – and The Tux Shop has a  plan to handle it.  Apparently, independent tuxedo shops have an informal “arrangement” with each other with a nationwide courtesy measurement. My groomsmen could walk into any tuxedo shop, have measurements taken by a  professional, and have those measurements sent to The Tux Shop on Woodward for our wedding party.

The best part: my guys did not have to travel with their tuxedos therefore risking the
coat getting wrinkled in their luggage.  The Tux Shop on Woodward took care of all the final fittings the day before the wedding (and earlier) once the guys arrived in town.  Talk about convenient!  My guys were also thrilled with the price and the experience.

In the end, I could not have been happier with the knowledge and level of service the staff at The Tux Shop on Woodward provided.  I would recommend them to anyone having a wedding or other formal event.

-John Stanton – wedding October 15, 2011

An independent tuxedo place is always all about full service.  They not only provide quality rental options for the group, they also provide vast purchase options.  The variety in choices also extends to wedding suits.  Often times,
weddings are calling for light colored suits for destination or outdoor
weddings.   There are creative less
formal suits and tuxedo color options available to purchase outside of formal black on black tuxedos.

The wide variety of choices and the assurance of knowing that everything is being handled by one independent formal wear professional will make the gentlemen look and feel their best on your wedding day.

The Tux Shop on Woodward

33423 S. Woodward Ave.

Birmingham, MI 48009

248.644.5055

www.thetuxshoponwoodward.com

You’ve got the ring, you’ve set the date and now it’s time to talk flowers.   How do you find the right wedding florist for your special event?  Choosing the right blooms to decorate your very special occasion requires a few basic decisions and a few realizations.

First, be realistic with your budget and expectations. It’s ok to want your wedding to look like something out of Oprah’s magazine or Martha Stewart’s book, but that is only realistic if you have the bank balances that those two ladies have to work with. And even though there are “calculators” on web sites such as www.theknot.com that are supposed to tell you how much you should spend on flowers, cake, etc., these are only general calculations and are usually very minimal when compared to what young women often visualize for their weddings.

So how do you select the right floral source? Do you go with the well-established “wedding” flower shop or do you trust a friend or associate that likes to dabble in flowers and is willing to help you with yours as a favor?

Basically flowers can come from many sources. The source you select should be based on your expectations and needs.

Do you expect full service with several consultations, delivery, set up and rental items, or are you planning simple bouquets and flowers to wear that you or a friend can pick up the day of the event?

Are your tastes in reception flowers less complicated such as daisies in a simple vase or are you wanting raised and low centerpieces requiring a skilled and talented floral designer? Knowing the answer to these and many other questions requires you have a clear theme or “look” in mind and then selecting accordingly.

Here are a few questions that can help you in selecting the right florist/floral source for you and your budget.

Is the wedding formal or casual? More formal weddings usually require more experience and training of the florist. Their knowledge in design, materials, event planning, venue requirements, and execution of the plans is priceless to insure a less stressful and more beautiful event.

Casual weddings for the most part are not as “detail” oriented (unless it is a casual affair in theme but highly detailed and orchestrated in actuality). They may not require as much floral presence and therefore may only require minimal arrangements of non-structured design.

Are the flowers desired readily available with very few restrictions? If you are getting married in September and you REALLY want tulips, then you need to be dealing
with a professional florist that specializes in wedding and events. Yes, tulips are available in September if you are willing to accept the costs and their limitations.

However, there are certain things that you would need to be aware of when making those decisions that a professional floral designer would be able to assist you with.

If your flower requirements are very open to interpretation and you feel comfortable just going with what is available the week of the event, then you may not require the services of a traditional flower shop.

Is your budget very generous or restrictive?  The answer to this question is highly subjective and relative.

Whether your budget is generous or restrictive, a professional florist will be able to give you many suggestions on how to make that budget give you the most value for your dollar.

Never assume that you cannot afford a big name florist. Most are just as willing to work with a bride whose budget is slim as they are with a big ticket wedding. Simply ask if they have any minimum requirements and what your expectations are. Just remember, keep your expectations realistic.

After you have answered these questions, shop around. Do an on-line search of florists in your area and look at their web sites to get a feel for what they can do and have to offer. To what professional organizations and associations do they belong? What is their educational background and how many years experience do they have? Select the three that most fit what you are looking for and then contact them about setting up an appointment to meet with them.

As you meet the floral providers, treat the consultations like you would job interviews. Is this shop right for the job? Does their “look” reflect your style? Does the person you are speaking with understand your expectations?

Do they have a good reputation in the area for excellent work, personal service and professionalism? Are they able to provide references and vendor information besides just floral? What other services do they provide that may make it easier for you, such as linens, invitations, cakes, etc.?

Finally, go with the florist that you feel understands your desires, that are willing to work with your budget and with whom you feel a personal connection. When it really get down to it, when comparing apples to apples, most floral shops of comparable abilities, products and levels of service, will have comparable prices. It really does boil down to finding someone with whom you connect.

Once you find that floral shop, trust them and listen to their recommendations.
They are the professionals and have a professional stake in your wedding. Yes,
it is your day, but it is also their name on the flowers. Communication is crucial. Allow them to guide you in what flowers are in season, what designs are going to look best for a given situation, and how to make your wedding day as beautiful as possible.

Once you do that, relax and allow the professional to do what they do best. Enjoy
the day and know that you have selected the right florist for the job.

Aretha Franklin Is Engaged to Longtime Friend: MyFoxDETROIT.com

For the bride and bridesmaids: The main issue with the bride and bridesmaids will be keeping their look in place. Between crying, dancing, eating, drinking and taking photographs, makeup will smear, stains will happen and feet will hurt. Here’s a few essentials that can solve some of these problems:

Clear nail polish (for manicure touchups or a run in pantyhose), an extra pair of panty hose, tampons or maxi-pads, hair spray, brush or comb, hair dryer, curling iron,  bobby pins and hair elastics, tissues, makeup, mirror, mini sewing kit, safety pins, antacid or aspirin, lint brush, earring backs, stain remover (a Tide stick, for example), toothpicks, toothbrush and toothpaste, straws (for drinking without ruining your lipstick), baby powder, deoderant, eye-drops, and an extra pair of shoes (probably flats).

And make sure you bring a large enough bag. Keep it in the car or back room until needed. Hair dryer seem a bit much? Maybe, but in a sudden downpour before the pictures you might be happy you have it.There’s no shame in toting around a giant doctors bag full of your essentials, after all, it is your wedding day.

Extras to bring for the groom and groomsmen: In general, the groom and the groomsmen have less to worry about. Stains are not going to be as apparant (they’re usually dressed in dark colors) and they don’t have to worry about makeup, manicure touchups or their hair falling flat. There are, however, a few things they might need.

Bring black or brown socks (you never know when one of the guys will wear the wrong color), band-aids, an extra pair of shoes (their new shoes might be killing their feet too), deoderant, and tweezers.

For everyone else: By no means is it your responsibility to be in charge of the entire bridal party being covered, but hey, if you’re going to be bringing a giant bag full of useful stuff, might as well have your bases covered, right?

Pack a disposable camera, batteries, breath mints, moist towelettes, wrist watch, list of vendors contact information, cell phones and cell phone chargers, an umbrella, and snacks.

Trust me on the snacks; between getting ready, the ceremony, photos, and doing the meet and greets at the reception you might not have a moment to sit down and eat. You might find yourself extremely thankful to have an extra power bar in your bridal emergency kit.

]]> http://theweddingshoppe.net/wedding-day-emergency-kit/feed/ 0 http://theweddingshoppe.net/8-weird-origins-of-wedding-traditions/ http://theweddingshoppe.net/8-weird-origins-of-wedding-traditions/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:07:13 +0000 WeddingShoppe http://theweddingshoppe.net/?p=727 Continue reading →]]> TresSugar / June 14, 2010 8:00 am

By Cat Cenedra

Moms: super helpful in so many ways!

 

Over the last few months I’ve come face to face with the fact that the shape that my wedding is taking is completely different from what I originally thought it would be. Most of that evolution was the product of the sharp learning curve of wedding planning. Until now I had absolutely no need for information such as the price/shopping locations for linen rentals, bubbles, or peacock feathers. I knew that weddings were expensive, but I thought the expense was attributed to pricey perks like dresses made out of Swarovski crystals and 500lb twelve-tier cakes, not the sheer cost of simply feeding your guests.

You know who did know some of this stuff? My mom.

Eventually I came to realize that her advice, which at times irritates the hell out of me, is not an attempt to rain on my parade or rein in my creativity, but can be a little sprinkling of reality.

She tried to tell me, but it took me forever to hear her. That’s because I was too busy rolling my eyes at her shock over some of my choices, deleting the emails she sent with pictures of big poofy dresses, and dismissing the idea of wedding packages.

Eventually I came to realize that her advice, which at times irritates the hell out of me, is not an attempt to rain on my parade or rein in my creativity, but can be a little sprinkling of reality. That’s not to say that her advice is always correct, and shouldn’t be taken with a grain of salt, but sometimes my rebellious heart needs to slow down a little and actually listen. I need to calm down the sixteen-year-old me that comes out whenever my mom tells me something I don’t like, and rationally weigh my options.

Here are some things my mom was right about:

• Knowing your budget and costs really is important. Yes love is free, but everything else costs money.
• It rains sometimes. So, if you’re looking at an outdoor venue, you need to either be okay with it raining or have a rain plan. Or, if it’s not worth the risk, make another plan.
• Finding a wedding dress isn’t like finding a party dress. You can’t just go find a full-on wedding dress on the rack. Unless what you are looking for is the kind of dress that lives on racks, you need to plan ahead to allow for time for alterations or the time it takes to have something custom made.
• There are a lot of pieces to even a simple wedding. You don’t have to think about them all at once, but they exist.

So, okay okay, sometimes my mom is right. And my learning curve has led to a complete evolution as I realized that the simple backyard wedding I initially dreamed of was actually pretty complicated when I factored in catering, rentals, tents, lighting, etc. And it’s completely exposed to the elements. I am indeed better off with my Meat and Three barn venue with a full rain plan, my more realistic budget, my dress ordered with plenty of time, and a checklist of to-dos (tailored to me and my priorities).

The lesson for me is to not block out messages I don’t want to hear, and to not be hasty to dismiss advice. Don’t get me wrong: I still stand my ground, I will respond to situations/limitations in my own way, and there are many aspects of my wedding that are 100% my own and I expressly do not want input on. I drew a few lines, and communicated those lines with my mother, to avoid confrontation and to also make sure that when we discussed other parts of the wedding I would actually listen without becoming defensive.

Because, in the end, I know that she is telling me these things because she loves me and because every once in a while she is indeed right.

Because your wedding will be one of the most memorable days of your life, your behavior needs to reflect this. Learn what to do — and what not to do — on the big day from David Tutera of WE tv’s The Wedding Planner and author of My Fair Wedding: Finding Your Vision… Through His Revisions! It’s simply important that you come across to your guests as appropriate, sincere, and genuinely thankful that they are there to celebrate with you. Trust me, being a graceful bride will keep you from having any regrets five, ten, or fifty years from now. It will also keep your guests filled with memories of you as nothing less than charming, beautiful, and blushing. Remember, this party isn’t only about you; it’s about the bride and groom — and, of course, your guests! Follow these tips to ensure that you are the picture of elegance and grace at your wedding:

• Walk down the aisle with poise, and hold your bouquet by the stems with flowers tilted forward.

• Practice your wedding kiss and make sure it’s sweet, not raunchy.

• Make a mental note to avoid arm-pumping after the ceremony is complete. You’re getting married, not cheering for a high school football team! Walk back up the aisle together as the happy, elegant couple you are.

• Attend your own cocktail hour! When couples schedule photos during this time, they miss out on sharing those first few moments of newlywed excitement with their family and friends. Also, consider that couples often enter the reception room fifteen minutes after guests have entered, so missing cocktails as well as the start of the reception means a lot of time away from guests.

• Make a point to look into the eyes of your guests when talking to them – this is good etiquette anytime.

• At the reception, visit each table and greet guests individually. If possible, try to visit with each guest at least twice during the evening. It’s no different than if you were hosting a dinner party at home — you want everyone to feel welcome.

• Always mingle with guests with your new husband at your side.

• Neither you nor your groom should ever be seen smoking or drinking beer from a bottle rather than a proper glass. You’re not at a sports bar!

• Pace yourself when drinking wine or cocktails – no one wants to see a tipsy bride or groom. You don’t want to wind up on Brideszillas!

• Hold your champagne glass by the stem, not the bowl to keep the champagne chilled. And always have a glass within reach for toasts.

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