Serious Advice for wedding planning?

Question

Serious Advice for wedding planning?

Answer 1

Two words: Bridal Slippers! They are very elegant and the most comfortable pair of shoes you will ever own. Pretty inexpensive at David's Bridal. I am not a fan of the store, but the slippers are a lifesaver!



Make sure all members of wedding party (especially the men) are aware of what color their attire should be. For example, when the men in my party picked up their tuxes they went separately. The G-men and Bestman were supposed to wear light blue vests and only my hubby to be navy. We ended up with 4 in light blue and 2 in navy. The tux place screwed up and gave 2 g-men navy and everyone else (including my ubby to be) light blue. It made the pics dificult.



Make your wants explicitly clear to all you vendors. Put ALL details in writing. (colors, decor, style...)



Make a list of specific pictures you want from your photographer. In the hustle and bustle of the big day it is too easy to forget. We had a list and still did not get any pics of me alone with my mom or my maid of honor. Very upsetting.



Stay organized. I recommend Bev Clark's planning book. Cheapest place I found it was www.customweddingsolutions.com. They also have free planing guides and just about everthing else you need as far as accessories and gifts go....very helpful



Bring extra t.p. and air freshener for bathrooms.



Have tissus on hand at ceremony for guests.



Don't expect too much help from your fiance' when it comes to making decisions. Mine helped, but many do not. If he does have a specific request try to fit it in to your plans.



If you are having an outdoor wedding or it will be very hot indoors for your ceremony, having bottled water on hand for guests and the wedding party (b4 they walk of course) is very thoughtful.



hmm....that's all i got for now, but i'll keep thinking.

Answer 2

My husband and I went from "will you" to "I do" in just under 2 months. Not that I reccommend this...

but a couple of things that I would suggest from my own experience...

First, DON'T break the bank! Don't spend more money on the wedding than you have, obviously, and do find ways to cut costs that aren't going to cut into celebrating your special day...

(for example, my aunt did my wedding cake, his aunt did our flowers, best friend took pictures...they are all professionals, but cheaper for us)

Second, DO get your MOM (and no one else) involved (particularly if you have a good relationship with her). A little. It will make her feel special, and let her think you love her. :-) Ask her opinion on things...you may not take her advice, but it will score you points.



Okay, here's my expertise: For your photographer...make sure that whoever you get is very good with weddings. They are stressful, stressful, stressful and some people just hate doing them. Look at their portfolio before hiring them and make shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal. Don't have your pro follow you around all day. Get your mom or bridesmaids to help with pre-wedding-dressing pictures...they are great in your book, but you're not going to hang them on the wall. Have your candids of guests taken by a friend that you trust and/or by the guests themselves...put disposable cameras on the tables. Also great in the book. And have someone photograph the gift-opening. (Digital cameras are a blessing!) This will save you tons of cash! When your pro shows you the proofs, see if you can customize the package to what you want. Some will let you. Also, some photographers do not copywrite their images. This allows you to develop and print your own images, also saving a ton of money. If you can find someone who does this, definately go for it!

Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 3

Check out www.theknot.com for checklists and also www.weddingbee.com for blogs of people who are actively also planning, or those who recently wed. Those two sites have been so helpful, from the plain here's what you need and do, to here's a few ideas you might personalize and try.



Most of all, relax!! Your wedding is a good 6 months away and it seems like you're almost done, which is good, but chill out - you've got plenty of time to anticipate the little things.



My sister told me this and I think it's the best piece of advice I've ever gotten - "even if you get married in a trailer park and everyone eats kfc afterwards, it will still be a very special occasion." As long as at the end of the day you are married, that's all that REALLY matters. Best of luck to you from a b2b myself :)

Answer 4

Make sure their is a little "Emergency" kit handy. Nail clippers, needle and thread, clear nail polish *for runs in nylons*, extra pantyhose, hairspray, makeup, deodorant, earrings, tissues. Little things you may need in case something is lost in the rush of getting ready. Have back up transportation*uncle, brother, good friend* in case the Limo is late or falls through. *not that this will happen.* Here is another list that may help you as well. You may not need everything,. This is just a generalized list:







ATTIRE

Wedding Gown

Gown Preservation - Carrying Bag Bridal Tiara & Veil

Bride's Shoes

Hair & Make Up

Groom's Tux

Groom's Shoes

Best Man Attire

Groomsmen Attire

Maid of Honor Dress

Bride's Maids Dresses

Flower Girl Dress

Ring Bearer Suit

Alterations

Cleaning

Pressing

Religous Attire

Jewelry Accessories









PERSONAL WEDDING ACCESSORIES

A Wedding Theme

Wedding Accessories Collection

Something Old

Something New

Something Borrowed

Something Blue

Sixpence for the bride's Shoe

Garter

Tossing Garter

Hankie

Bridal Purse

Emergency Kit









FOR THE CEREMONY

Wedding Bands

Wedding Vows

Jewelry Gifts for Kids

Unity Candles

Unity Candles

Other Ceremonial Candles

Candle Holders

Flower Girl Basket

Ring Bearer Pillow

Guest Books

Pens

Flowers

Aisle Runner

Pew Ribbons

Religous Items

Gifts for Officiant

Honorarium for Officiant







STATIONERY

Save the Day

Invitations

Reply Cards

Location Map

Program

Place Cards

Menu

Thank You Cards

Envelope Seals

Stamps







FLORALS

Bride's Bouquet

Maid of Honor Bouquet

Flower Girl Basket

Bride Maid's Bouquets

Corsages

Boutonnieres

Floral Arrangements

Centerpieces

Cake Table Decorations

Memorial Table Flower







FOR THE RECEPTION

Guest Book & Pen

Champagne Goblets/Flutes Cake Tops

Cake Server Set

Garters

Bridal Purses

Heart Shaped Mirrors

Table Covers

Table Bouquet Centerpiece Gifts for attendants

Wedding Favors

Bells

Ribbons & Balloons

Decorations







PERSONAL ASSISTANTS

and Contact Information

Officiant

Wedding Coordinator

Best Man

Maid/matron of honor

Flower Girl

Ring Bearer

Wedding Attendants

Dress maker

Florist

Decorator

Caterer

Photographer

Videographer

Baker

Ceremony Location

Reception Hall

Rental Agent

Travel Agent

Accommodations

Limo Driver

Bar Tender

Musicians/Soloist/DJ

Calligrapher

Other







REMEMBER TO

Obtain a marriage license.

Arrange for blood tests.

Obtain a passport.

Get Visas.

Notify the following of a name and address change:

Internal Revenue Service

Social Security

credit card agencies

utility companies

banks

your employer

the post office

professional associations

the Registrar of Voters

the DMV - car registration

your insurance companies

the military

academic institutions



GIFTS

Engraveable Gifts

Personalized Gifts

Gifts to One Another

Gifts for Parents

Gifts for Grandparents

Gifts for Kids

Gifts for siblings

Gifts for Best Man

Gifts for Maid of Honor

for Wedding Attendants

for Out of Town Guests

Gifts for Officiant

Honorarium for Officiant

Tips for Service Providers







PHOTO & MEDIA

Newspaper Announcement Wedding Web Site

Videographer

Photographer

Personal Guest Cameras

Film & Developing

Photo Framing

Photo Albums





FOOD/BEV & HOSPITALITY

Engagement Pary

Rehearsal Dinner

Pre-Reception Snacks

Bar

Non-bar Beverages

Wedding Cake

Ceremony Site

Reception Hall

Guest Accomodations







MUSIC



Musicians/Soloist/DJ

Prelude

Ceremony

Reception

Cutting Of The Cake

First Dance

Mother - Son Dance

Father - Daughter Dance

Answer 5

I suggest visiting online website such as



http://www.weddinglenox.com ,weddingvendors.com ,onewed.com



Unlike most yellow pages, they have price comparison for the vendors (DJ,videographer, florist, and photographer) you can choose.



One problem I had with my wedding is that it is hard to locate vendors in most website as most likely they group by states and there are too many of them that's too far from me and I have to look at each site to figure out.



The sites I provide above have a easy to use layout to show you pictures, pricing and location in one page plus, you can send out your inquiry for matching vendor to contact you. That save me lots of time to locate the best vendors with the right price.

Answer 6

i'm planning my wedding for later this year, too... the best favorite tip of previous brides i've gotten is to do your best to plan that day then delegate tasks for the day & ENJOY the day... don't worry about little details... if any vendors screw up, have somebody else take care of it, and know that you can yell at them later (get everything in writing and keep contracts)... i'm using a basic 3-ring binder w/ the clear cover pockets to put pictures in front, plastic sleeves to keep pages of magazines that i've torn out, and keep everything divided into categories like hair, makeup, accessories, dress, 'maids, groomsmen, centerpieces/flowers, etc... much cheaper than those "bridal" organizers... good luck... =]

Answer 7

Plan to get your hair done where you want and see if you like it and that it looks the way you want, this way when you go in on your wedding day first there wont be any huge surprise and mess and second the one doing your hair will already have in mind what they are doing and will make it the best.As well as the makeup test would be great as well, same idea as the hair.

Have a basket or bag that you will keep everything you need to get ready for your wedding day so if you plan on getting ready at someone else house or hotel you will have everything all ready in the basket so you just take the basket instead of worrying if you forgot something at home

Have a check list everywhere you go

Have everyone in the wedding to give you their cell number and home number so you always have it on hand if you need them for any reason

Have a "ready bag" at the wedding, either have a family member hold onto your things but always have extra

-deordant

-perfume

-bobby pins

-hair spray

-comfy shoes/sandles

-extra makeup for touch ups

-getting those oil wipes are great the ones you can dap on your face if you are sweating, it takes the shine away.you can find at any local drug store. they are great for after dancing and work well even with makeup on



Having two bouquets of flowers is great, a lot of girls now keep their orginal flowers and throw the second set usually fake ones to the single girls at the end of the night

Make sure to give all your bridemaids and grooms men the insturctions and orders you want them to do so there wont be any suprises

Remember yous something New, Blue, Old and Borrowed

Answer 8

I have the best wedding planner (book) ever! I have looked through so many of them and they are all the same, but this one is fantastic! The best way to stay organized and on top of things that you wouldn't even think to do. Check out the link. It's great!



http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/imageviewer.asp?ean=9781887169240

Answer 9

One of the most important items to remember is your photographer. Select a good one within your budget.



Also, find a good wedding planning book (I recommend a work book type that gives you a countdown calendar to assure that each month you have accounted for everything in a timely fashion). This should really cover it.



And, don't forget to have gifts for all the people who help out with the wedding. i also recommend having the thank you cards ready to go.



congratulations and good luck!

Answer 10

Well, my glasses broke the morning of our wedding. I advise everyone with corrective lenses to have a backup - extra glasses or contacts. There was no way to get mine fixed that day, and I had no backup. I went through the day kinda blind, and it was nuts.