Every bride wants the best wedding-planning advice, so along with all the great info you get from Bridal Guide, you should also check out this fab new book from author and wedding expert Diane Warner, the Complete Guide to a Traditional Wedding: Everything You Need To Create Your Perfect Day: Time-Tested Toasts, Vows, Ceremonies and Etiquette (New Page Books, $16.99).
This step-by-step guide covers every aspect of wedding planning — from engagement to the honeymoon. Each chapter not only spells out just what you need to do throughout the planning process but also offers money-saving tips and invaluable etiquette advice. I especially love Chapter 12, “Sticky Situations,” in which Diane addresses very real concerns about money problems, gift problems and people problems. (Who takes charge if a guest gets drunk during the reception? answer: Commission the best man and groomsmen ahead of time to discretely take care of the situation.)
There’s also advice for grooms (hey, guys, we know you’re a part of this wedding planning, too, so listen up!). As Diane says, “Although your bride and her mom may carry the biggest load, you will be drawn in by default.” Here, Diane’s top tips for grooms:
1. When you and your bride are establishing gift registries, don’t hesitate to register for your honeymoon with a travel agency or honeymoon website. Even if only a few friends and family members contribute, that’s money in your pocket.
2. Be the one in charge of the play lists for your reception, whether you hire a band or a DJ. In fact, create a “Do Not Play” list, as well as a “Must Play” list. While you’re at it, have a discussion about the volume of the music.
3. Once you’ve met with your officiant, you’ll know whether or not you and your bride are allowed to write your own vows. If you are, don’t leave it until the last minute. Begin composing your vows now, even if only writing down words or phrases that come to mind. The more you collect your thoughts, the easier it will be to write them in full later on.
4. You may be legally responsible to see to it that your reception guests don’t drive home drunk. Therefore, you may elect to pay your limo driver an extra fee to be available after the reception for any guests who need a ride.
5. Unfortunately, there have been times when well-dressed thieves crash wedding receptions unnoticed and walk away with gifts or the card box. Provide paid security or have a trusted friend keep an eye on gifts and the card box.
6. Think up ways to ease the stress your bride is feeling as the big day approaches: Buy her an afternoon at a spa, or plan special times together such as an all-day getaway, a dinner and theater date or an evening at a concert. If you both enjoy a round of golf or a day surfing at the beach, go for it! Your goal should be to break the stress cycle with a little R&R.
7. If you feel uneasy around your future mother-in-law, or vice versa, one solution is to invite her to lunch. Take her someplace nice, where the ambience is conducive to having a good talk. By “good talk,” I mean saying things like, “Ashley and I really appreciate all your help with the wedding plans.” Butter her up a little. Establish a genuine friendship if you possibly can. She should appreciate your attention and tensions should ease considerably.
8. Instead of rushing from your wedding reception to the airport to catch your honeymoon flight, consider spending your wedding night in the bridal suite of a local upscale hotel or resort. As exhaustion sets in after a practically flawless wedding day, the mere thought of waiting in security lines at the airport and fighting to cram your carry-on luggage into an overhead bin will cause you to appreciate a quick drive to your luxury suite.
9. Book your bride’s airline reservations in her maiden name. Although she’ll be a married woman when she goes through the checkpoints at the airport, all TSA wants to see is that the name on her ticket matches her driver’s license.
There’s a lot more great info in Diane Warner’s Complete Guide to a Traditional Wedding, including tips for pre-wedding parties and every type or religious or civil ceremony, ideas on how to personalize your wedding and more. Go to amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com to get your copy. You’ll be planning like a pro in no time!
—Diane Forden
- from-dianes-desk's blog
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