Wednesday, October 2, 2013


Wedding Notes – How Do I?

We gladly help our brides solve awkward problems that can arise when one is giving a party for 150 friends of the bride. No matter how organized one is, it is nice to have an experience specialist – a knowledgeable consultant or certified wedding planner – available for face-to-face problem solving. Every wedding is unique and so can the problems that are presented by the “people factor”.



How do I handle guests who have responded to our invitations and state on the reply card that the number or guests planning to attend is larger than the number we’ve invited?

If your quest count and budget can handle the number of “extras” indicated, chalk it up to bad manners on the part of those quests and just greet them with as much good grace as you can muster. However, if your quest count is already pushing over the budget and you truly cannot absorb the extra bodies, we suggest that you turn to your maid of honor, a tactful bridesmaid or family member who may know the offending guests well. Ask this person to call the guests in question and explain that the bride would love to expand her guest list, but unfortunately it is not possible. The reason? Budget, time, space concerns! If the person is offended – and some will be – they are not true friends. Remember that they are the ones who have overstepped the etiquette boundaries.

If you really want the invitees to attend in spite of their children, and that’s where many overages originate, you might consider adding to the reception card copy that reads “adult only reception”.

If you find that many of your invited guests are bringing uninvited children, you may just arrange for the children to be at a “separate” reception somewhere in the same venue. You can provide “sitters”, large screen TVs, lots of craft items and a separate kid friendly menu that is provided by family members.

For more ideas and answers to questions, phone  909-229-9061 or email babridal@juno.com.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Wedding Gown Styles for You


 


When you are shopping for your wedding gown, selecting a style that is appropriate for your body shape is the secret to looking amazing on your special day.  Shopping for your gown at a store that has the knowledge to make you look fabulous should be your goal.   We have specially trained consultants who do know how to find the RIGHT dress for you.

What to look for!



If you are a petite bride – shorter than 5’4” and small boned, look for gowns that give the illusion of more height  like off the shoulder or gowns with vertical lines.  Your goal is to draw the eyes upward by keeping details at a minimum and focusing the eye to the bodice area.

 
 
 
 
 
If you are tall – usually 5’9” or taller, you can wear a wider variety of shapes.  It is best to emphasize your longer proportions.  Bias cut skirts and straight designs can be fabulous.

 
 
 

 
If you are a plus size consider a gown with a skirt that flows from just under the breast to the floor.  A-line silhouettes and princess lines work well as well as does heavier fabric like satin.

If yours is a triangle shape – narrower on the top and fuller on the bottom, your goal is to create balance.  A V neckline is excellent for you.

 
 
 
 
We can help you find the dress that will be perfect for you. 
Contact us for any questions regarding dress styles or wedding planning
at 909-229-9061 or email babridal@juno.com.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Wedding Myths Dispelled


WEDDING NOTEStm

                                                                                                                                                                                             MYTH 1 – IT COSTS A LOT OF $$ TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING

Absolutely not!  A beautiful wedding depends on the love of the couple and their families and does not depend on the amount of money they spent.  Beautiful weddings happen at all price ranges. I will be starting a series of blog posts on how to make your beautiful wedding happen on your budget.

 
 
MYTH 2 – THE WEDDING INDUSTRY IS FULL OF “PROS” OUT TO CHEAT YOU

While there may be an occasional store that makes the news or a florist, photographer or caterer that fails to follow through, they are vastly outnumbered by reputable, experienced professionals whose livelihood depends on their sterling reputation for honesty, integrity and reliability.  Check out the reputation of a vendor under consideration., as a trained and certified wedding planner we will do this for you or show you how. There are many great resources to check vendor reviews and references. 

MYTH 3 – WE HAVE A YEAR TO GET OUT OUR THANK YOU NOTES

Whoever started that myth was dreaming.  The rule on thank you notes is simple – write them ASAP.  Keep up with them throughout the period of showers, parties, gifts sent to the bride’s home.  If a guest has thought enough to send a gift to celebrate the wedding, he or she deserves a thoughtful response which expresses timely and sincere thanks.  If there is a legitimate reason for a delay in writing personal thank you notes, then gift acknowledgment cards are to be sent immediately and followed up by a personal thank you at a somewhat later date – but NEVER A YEAR.

There are other misunderstandings out there about wedding do’s and don’ts. For answers to your questions, call us at 909.229.9061 or email babridal@juno.com.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

 

WEDDING NOTEStm

Creative ways to personalize your wedding


Because the push to be unique is increasing important to our brides, here are some of the more creative ideas we have seen.

·         If yours is a smaller wedding, consider including a personal note with the invitation.

 


           

    Include your parents by having their wedding photos on display at the reception. Include grandparent photos too if they are available.

 



  

 
 

·        Stats have shown that social invitations are opened more frequently on Saturdays.  Time your invitation mailings to arrive on Saturday if possible.  You’ll receive more RSVP responses.

 

    ·         Pick a monogram or logo and use it throughout the planning process.


 ·         Take lots of photos during your engagement and pre wedding planning period and use   them as table decorations at the reception.


·         Create an entrance at the wedding – something that says WOW and let’s guests know they have arrived.

 




·         If you are planning a Dessert Station at your reception, ask family cooks to bring a dozen or two of their favorite treats.  These will add variety to the selection and invest family in the reception.




For answers to your questions, call 909.229.9061 or email babridal@juno.com.



 


Thursday, April 4, 2013

WEDDING NOTES tm


Wedding Trends for the 21st Century

A posting from Emilypost.com lists the following trends as increasing in importance for the weddings currently being planned.

·         Personalized weddings are increasing.  Brides may follow traditional guidelines for the ceremony and reception, but they also want their day to have elements that are unique for the couple and which make the event memorable.  Creating a monogram that is used throughout the process or adopting a signature color or theme are ways they are putting their individual stamp on the event.  Invitations may be the first indicator of a couple’s decision to make the wedding uniquely  theirs.

·         Cost sharing is common.  At one time the bride’s family funded the event, but with couples being older and both employed, wedding costs can be shared or even funded solely by the bride and groom.  What has not changed is the need to have clarity around who is paying for what.

·         High Tech influence is clear.  The internet plays a growing role in registries, vendor research and selection and information sharing related to the wedding.  Maps, instructions and even invitation design are possible with the help of electronics.

·         Color is appearing in more and more bridal gowns.  Color themes are increasing popular and influence all aspects of the wedding –flowers, invitations, attendant attire, reception décor and even food, beverage and cake display.

·         Grooms are more actively involved in wedding planning and choices.  Couples often take mutual responsibility for all aspects of wedding decision making – guest list, financing and even writing thank you notes.

For more ideas how to incorporate these trends into your wedding plans, call 909.229.9061 or email babridal@juno.com.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Do I need a wedding planner?


My event location/ hotel already provides a catering manager and onsite coordinator, why do I need another one?


 

 While it is wonderful that the location/ hotel provides a coordinator, usually the hotel’s onsite coordinator only handles all the responsibilities related to their specific venue and the service of the food. Often they are not responsible in directing your wedding ceremony/rehearsal or assist with of planning of your event. What we offer is a more personal, detailed understanding of your plans; from vendor selections to producing a timeline for the day. We coordinate not only with the food service but with all of your other vendors. We make sure that your flowers are in the right place, that the seating cards are set, that your musicians had their sound test, and that every DETAIL has been checked and checked again.

WEDDING NOTES tm


 Changing Times

Many of the traditions that we follow in weddings today have their origins in Elizabethan or Renaissance eras.  It is no wonder that some changes have occurred.

·        VOWS – the phrase “Honor and obey” has been replaced with various alternatives that reflect equality in the relationship.

·        BRIDAL ESCORTS – More and more brides and couples are having both parents escort them down the aisle.  In some ceremonies, the groom comes down the aisle with both his mother and father, followed by the bride on the arms of both of her parents.  This honors both parents and recognizes each of their roles in preparing their sons/daughters for this day.  In fact, if the bride’s father is not available or this is a second marriage, a bride may choose to walk down the aisle alone or she may choose anyone to escort her.  A sibling, her mother, her grandfather, her son or a friend may do the honors.

·        PARENTAL ROLES – Parents are no longer limited to escort duty.  Many grooms are choosing their father to be the best man and brides are asking Mom to be the matron of honor.

·        RECEIVING LINES - These may still be part of a very formal wedding where the ceremony and reception are at different venues, but for smaller weddings with the same site for ceremony and reception, more and more couples are foregoing the receiving line and instead making it a point to acknowledge and thank each guest at his/her table throughout the evening. 

For more advice about changes you can comfortably make in your wedding plans, stop in and chat with one of our experienced consultants.  We know how to help you make your wedding uniquely yours or tie it comfortably to tradition. For answers to your questions, call 909.229.9061 or email babridal@juno.com