Destination Brides: How to Pack Your Wedding Dress
Jennifer Doncsecz, an expert on planning destination weddings, has been President and Owner of VIP Vacations Inc. since 1992 and has over 25 years of travel agent experience. She regularly appears as a travel expert on Fox Philadelphia's "Good Day" and on PBS Tempo, and she has also appeared on The Travel Channel, CNN, and RCN. Jennifer is a passionate advocate for using a travel agent and has been a speaker at many national travel conventions, including The New York Times Travel Show, and Travel Weekly's conferences.
Photo Credit: Meg Courtney Photography
Ever hear the expression, "There are two kinds of luggage....carry-on and lost"? Unfortunately, putting your wedding dress in your checked suitcase and hoping for the best is like playing Russian Roulette. The smarter option is to carry it on with you in a garment bag (either use the one it came in or purchase a heavy-duty bag).
Once you get on the plane, gently fold your garment bag in half and place it in the overhead bin. Some people may tell you to hang it in the first class closet, but that's rarely done. Besides, the closet is only four feet high, so you'd have to stuff it in.
Photo of the Day
Photo Credit:
Why We Love It
We love the mixed reactions from the flower girls during the first kiss!
November 12th
Photo Credit: Melissa McCrotty Photography
Tip of the Day: If splitting up holidays between your family and your fiancé feels stressful, remember that you're not stuck doing it this way forever. Families expect that you'll make adjustments after the wedding, such as alternating whose home you'll visit for Christmas each year. Although your family might be sad you won't be spending every event with them, they'll adjust with time. Make a new tradition to Skype with them during holidays when you won't be able to come over or send them special baked goods or flowers.
Check out more advice on How to Split the Holidays.
Tackle Wedding Stress—5 Minutes at a Time
Confession: I hate being late. If I know I won't make it somewhere on time, I feel like the world will crumble. That usually doesn't happen, but with wedding plans, there could be some serious consequences if you don't stay on schedule.
Etiquette Q&A: "How Much Do We Need to Tip Our Vendors?"
Join us every Friday for our Q&A column, where editor-in-chief Diane Forden answers one reader's biggest etiquette question.
Q. Are there any particular guidelines for tipping wedding professionals? I am not sure whom to tip or how much I will need to give them.
A: Tipping depends somewhat on where you live and, in some cases, is included in your overall fee (especially when dealing with caterers or banquet halls). You should clarify this when you sign your contract. An additional tip of 15 to 20% is generally expected for your maitre d' or banquet manager. Limo drivers also expect to receive a 15% tip, as do many wedding consultants. It is not necessary to tip musicians, florists, bakers or photographers, however, unless they perform an extra-special service. Clergy members are generally given a small "gift" (ask what's typical for your congregation), while civil officiants charge only a flat fee. Other possible people you will need to tip: ceremony assistants (altar boys or girls), organists, powder and coat room attendants and parking valets. Again, many of these gratuities will be included in your overall fee, so be sure to ask.
—Diane Forden
Photo Credit: Susan Baker Photography
Photo of the Day
Photo Credit:
Why We Love It
We love the passion in this romantic, sensual shot.
Couple Hides Camera in Bouquet—Watch What Happens
One groom discovered a way to watch his wedding day unfold from his bride's point of view!
San Diego photographer Ben Horne petitioned his now-wife Lyubov to hide a GoPro HD Hero 2 video camera (often used by skydivers to record footage) in her bridal bouquet for their June wedding.
It captured unscripted moments, both big and small. Watch the heartwarming video above to see guests react to the bride as she walks down the aisle and the couple taking in their reception space for the first time.
"It really is a very unique viewpoint and something we're going to enjoy looking back on 20 or 30 years from now," said Horne.
Horne's video only had about 18,800 views at the time of publication, but we have a feeling this could be one of the hottest new tech trends for brides.
Interested in giving your own bouquet cam a shot? Horne says he made his bride's bouquet about two weeks before the wedding using "Real Touch Flowers," which are artificial. His wife picked out orchids, roses and greenery.
They took the camera out of its housing and wrapped it in white gaffer tape so that it would be protected. Then, they super-glued a stick onto the back of it. He also glued on petals to disguise the power and record buttons, as well as the camera display. Check out this video tutorial for more info!
Photo of the Day
Photo Credit:
Why We Love It
Such a fun photo! We love these curious dolphins taking a peek at the happy couple.
X
Pages
