Author, nuptials guru and BG contributor Sharon Naylor's daily dose of bridal advice.
By: Sharon Naylor
January 31, 2012
I love this one! Set out a blank, square table card and a colored Sharpie at each guest table, and let guests name their own table!The table numbers remain, but guests can get creative, funny or sentimental with their own table names!
January 30, 2012
If you’ll have an evening wedding, arrange to visit your sites at night, to see how the grounds are lit up and how the ballroom is lit.
January 29, 2012
When you’re touring potential reception sites, don’t forget to check out the restrooms to assess their décor, style, cleanliness and working order.
January 28, 2012
Mix up the high and low centerpiece trend with high, medium and low to add even more visual drama to your budget-friendly décor.
January 27, 2012
Get more creative with bridal shower prizes – instead of the expected scented candle, give out unique truffles or boxes of chocolate-dipped strawberries, frosted cookies and other edibles.
January 26, 2012
A hot dessert bar trend: offer an entirely gluten-free desserts table!
January 25, 2012
If your parents are still married, surprise them by having the band or deejay play their wedding song as they’re introduced into the reception room.
January 24, 2012
Allow child attendants and junior bridesmaids and groomsmen to choose their own music for when they’re introduced into the reception room! Kids love getting a say!
January 23, 2012
Allow your parents to choose their own entry songs for when they’re introduced into the reception room.
January 22, 2012
Retro drinks are a new hot trend on bar menus – look up recipes for, or request, pink squirrels, sidecars, and Old Hollywood Trader Vic’s mai tais.
January 21, 2012
It’s okay etiquette-wise to write or call people directly to ask for their current address and confirm their guests’ names.
January 20, 2012
Offer a more inexpensive cigar station with boxes of fine cigars and cigar cutters; this lowers the price from the hand-rolled station.
January 19, 2012
Set out pretty, lidded glass apothecary jars filled with colorful beads, feathers, glass stones, sand or other budget-friendly theme décor.
January 18, 2012
Put extra care into wrapping your parents’ and bridal party gifts – ornate wrapping these special presents adds a lot of Wow Factor.
January 17, 2012
Chocolate rolls are the new truffle! These little tubes of dark chocolate have a creamy filling and are a unique dessert treat. Check out www.lilacchocolates.com to see different flavors and stock up!
January 16, 2012
When you schedule your catering tasting, ask the chef to prepare different kinds of sauces for you to try on your entrees and for appetizers. Sensational sauce makes budget-friendly entrees better!
January 15, 2012
At your cocktail party, have your hummus hand-served in little phyllo cups with ruffled edges for a tasty bite that’s prettier than a big vat of hummus on a station.
January 14, 2012
A new trend in cocktail party stations: a pickle bar with lots of pickled veggies, hot pickles, sweet and half-sours.
January 13, 2012
Open your reception with an instrumental performance, such as the high energy of a trio of drummers – a new, hot trend at weddings and corporate parties.
January 12, 2012
Ice sculptures are back in for the cocktail party! Ask your site if they have an in-house ice sculptor, or who they hire, and check out that pro’s website to see samples.
January 11, 2012
In your bridal journal or binder, make notes about the products and services you didn’t get, and why…it’s fun to look back on those details later!
January 10, 2012
More brides and grooms are agreeing NOT to Tweet or post on Facebook during the honeymoon; it’s better to unplug from social media and just focus on each other.
January 9, 2012
If you’re thinking of getting hair extensions for your big day, ask your stylist about the limitations of the more budget-friendly synthetic brands…some can’t be curled with a curling iron.
January 8, 2012
The new trend in thank-you notes: portraits of the two of you on the front and back of the card.
January 7, 2012
Grooms on a budget are giving their brides fabulous, designer perfume, instead of pricy jewelry, as a wedding-day gift.
January 6, 2012
For your after-party’s new look, replace your tiara or veil with a pretty, feathery fascinator.
January 5, 2012
At your cocktail party, have your hummus hand-served in little phyllo cups with ruffled edges for a tasty bite that’s prettier than a big vat of hummus on a station.
January 4, 2012
For an outdoor wedding, sew little weights into the bottom hems of chuppah or trellis fabric drapings, so they don’t blow around in the breeze.
January 3, 2012
Put three extra stocking packages in your emergency bag…stockings often snag on your rings, so it’s best to be extra-prepared for replacements.
January 2, 2012
Everyone loves pie! Check out the hot dessert trend, including mini pies on a stick.
January 1, 2012
The new trend in thank-you notes: portraits of the two of you on the front and back of the card.
For more of Sharon Naylor's advice, check out her special section devoted to bridesmaids, read more about her, or visit sharonnaylor.net and get to know this bridal guru better!
