The larger part of all wedding budgets is spent on catering and asides from the music, the food is the one thing all guests will remember. Taking the time to sample their wedding day feast before making their choice allows brides and grooms to avoid unwelcome surprises.
Every reception venue has different specialty dishes; the veal may have been an excellent choice at the last wedding you attended, but for your chosen reception hall the duck may be the better option. The only way to know for sure is to try it out yourselves; you’ll find that more often than not, caterers will offer a free tasting (but even if you have to pay, the peace of mind it brings is well worth it).
Be wary of banquet managers that dazzle you with stylish pictures of well presented food while refusing to allow you to sample it – we live in the Photoshop Era and “buyer beware” means a lot more today than it did in the past.
We all dream of a fairy-tale wedding but sometimes wanting it too much is detrimental to how things will turn out. Involvement in each part of the preparations is important in order to maintain quality control, BUT!, it is even more important to not become overbearing.
The vendors you are dealing with are professionals and have been in the industry for many years. Be it a photographer, DJ, caterer or florist, they've had dozens of weddings before yours, and will have dozens more to come. They've seen weddings from an angle you will never see them at and have a good understanding of what works and why they work. Trusting them, once they've understood your vision, is crucial in order to receive the best possible service.
The key is finding vendors you can communicate properly with. Once you're on the same page and you've clearly set the direction you wish to pursue, it's time to let go. Constantly watching over their shoulders and second-guessing all of their decisions will hamper their work and lessen their enthusiasm (and has a good chance of earning you the Bridezilla label!)
Keep in mind however that not every bride/vendor combination is meant to be. Some vendors are very traditional and will always suggest the safe route while others tend to be more eccentric. If you find yourself in a position where you dislike everything a vendor suggests, then no amount of micro-managing or trust will have a positive outcome. At that point, you're better off dealing with somebody else.
It is often tempting to fall into the competition trap when it comes to planning our wedding – this is our moment and we wish to have the most lavish wedding of all.
During her preparations for world wedding domination, a bride should keep in mind that getting too caught up with outdoing her friends can easily make her lose focus of what this moment is really about: a reflection of her personality and a celebration of her relationship with her significant other.
Getting creative, going all out and aiming for the sky are all perfectly acceptable (and encouraged!) - just remember to keep the focus on you and your new life with your husband instead of making this day about your friends.
"I swear I'll make her eat those words!"
We don't get to choose our in-laws. Sometimes we get lucky and we perfectly get along with them; other times, well, see above!
Establishing strong relationships with your husband's family can be a little overwhelming at times, but doing so can prevent a lot of unneeded arguments and make for a much smoother living environment. At the end of the day, your in-laws are still your husband's parents and a new, regular part of your life; they'll also have a hand in raising your children - do you really want to keep fighting over the next 20 or 30 years?
A little finesse, a little understanding, and a little give and take will go a long way towards making your in-laws feel that their presence is important to you (and if it's not, pretend!), and more often than not, that's all it takes. After all, their hearts are in the right place, and though they may not know how to properly express it, they're just trying to keep a little spot in their son's new life.
Planning the perfect wedding takes a considerable amount of time and energy and can be a daunting event. If a bride is not careful she could end up being consumed by the process. No matter how perfect her wedding turns out, a stressed-out bride won’t enjoy it to its fullest.
Preventing relationships form faltering is also important; friends and family still need to be catered to (as does sanity!) and should not be cast aside. Staying in touch with the people that matter most and involving them in the preparations will lessen the workload, make room for creativity and reduce stress levels all around. Taking a night out with the girls (with no marriage talk aloud!) will further ensure a relaxed state of mind come wedding day.
Not signing up for a registry is sufficient for letting your guests know that money would be appreciated over traditional gifts. The majority has gone through the marriage process already and will understand the meaning of an absent registry. While there is no shame in wanting to receive money (weddings can get a tad expensive after all…), imposing it on your guests, even in the most tactful manner, will often create at atmosphere of unease.
Brides and grooms will often cut their cake in the sole presence of the photographer. You’ve spent time (and a small fortune!) choosing the perfect cake, so why not flaunt it a little before it gets served? Doing the cutting in the middle of the dance floor to an appropriately chosen song allows you to connect with your guests by involving them in a moment that too often goes unnoticed.
The all white wedding is definitely beautiful but sometimes we’re looking to break from tradition. Mixing colors that complement each other elegantly can add that extra touch to your special day.
Brides shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with color - having all the bridesmaids wearing green dresses, with a blue ribbon and flowers, while the maid of honor is wearing a blue dress, a green belt and green flowers is sure to turn an eye or two (and make for splendid pictures). A sense of harmony can also be created by extending the color scheme to invitations, centerpieces, party favors and room lighting.
Having only the bride and groom comprise the greeting line is an alternative to consider in order to up the momentum of your reception. Your guests are primarily here to congratulate you and most won’t know your extended family, bridesmaids and ushers. Reducing the size of the greeting line ensures the festivities begin earlier and sustains the energy levels of your guests.
The latest fashions tend to influence our clothing selection for the big day. One thing to keep in mind when choosing that perfect dress is how it will hold up 20 years from now – will it lead to a ‘what was I thinking’ moment?
A clean hairstyle, a dash of makeup in your natural colors and a dress that brings out your best features can still be trendy without being extravagant and will always stand the test of time.