Author, nuptials guru and BG contributor Sharon Naylor's daily dose of bridal advice.
By: Sharon NaylorMay 31, 2011
If you're having an outdoor wedding, prevent your veil from flying all over the place by having your seamstress sew tiny weights into your veil hem.
May 30, 2011
The latest trend for favors is to ask valets to leave the trinkets in guests' cars as they exit your reception. Skip it if it’s a hot or humid day, to avoid wilted flowers, melted chocolate or red-hot wine bottle stoppers!
May 29, 2011
One-time-use cameras are always a hit at engagement parties. Guests might not think to bring their digitals to your soirée, so hook them up with cameras and get those priceless photos at the start of your wedding season.
May 28, 2011
Ask your site manager about where you can store you and your bridesmaids' handbags and other personal possessions during the reception, for security reasons. If you don't have access to a bridal suite, they could lock them in an office or store them in a safe.
May 27, 2011
Ice platters are a fun DIY activity for your bridal shower, so practice freezing water in shapes with add-in berries, mint and other accents before the big day.
May 26, 2011
Believe it or not, guests actually prefer formal seating arrangements at wedding receptions, so don’t skip this step and leave them uncomfortably scrambling for seats!
May 25, 2011
Save money on your bar tab by loading up on fabulous non-alcoholic drinks like pomegranate iced tea, organic sodas, and punches.
May 24, 2011
Send your save the dates way in advance if you’re planning a destination wedding or your wedding date is during peak vacation season. Guests will appreciate having about six months of advance notice so that they can plan their trip accordingly.
May 23, 2011
Don’t let too much time pass before sending your bridal shower thank-you notes. One week is ideal, two weeks is acceptable and three weeks is a stretch.
May 22, 2011
Send your bridesmaids to the Bridal Guide bridesmaids section, where they’ll find timelines and tips just for them!
May 21, 2011
Be cognizant of the fact that cameras are everywhere at your wedding, shooting in from different angles. If you have to bend down to fix your shoe or pick something up from the floor, use one hand to cover your cleavage.
May 20, 2011
Pack lots of fabric tape in your emergency bag, just in case you need to keep your straps in place or fix a fallen hem.
May 19, 2011
When it comes to gifts, bridesmaids say they love receiving fashion-related items from the bride. Pashminas are a top gift pick, since they're so versatile. Go with a light, neutral color in spring and summer, and darker tones (like brown, black or deep cranberry) if you're having a fall or winter wedding.
May 18, 2011
In order to get a wide variety of wedding photos from your guests, place disposable cameras with instruction cards on each table. You can request that one group take photos of the centerpiece, another shoots snapshots of the cake, another handles florals, and so forth.
May 17, 2011
Be sure to spend time with your flowergirls and other young girls you've invited during the reception…to them, you’re a princess, and they love getting attention from you!
May 16, 2011
Begin your eyebrow regimen now: get them shaped by a pro and ask the aesthetician for advice on growing out your brows to their prettiest shape and fullness.
May 15, 2011
If you and your fiancé are a jetset couple, ask guests to write notes to you on individual cards, along with their suggestions for locales to visit in your future together, instead of having a regular guestbook. Hang up a sign that explains this request to guests.
May 14, 2011
Buy your mother and/or bridesmaids a fabulous handbag as a thank-you gift. It doesn't have to be from a pricey designer—search for one that has sturdy straps and just looks luxe.
May 13, 2011
Give your rehearsal dinner a theme! It can be inspired by a color, a locale (such as Tuscany), pop culture (you could throw a Mad Men shindig)—anything you’d like.
May 12, 2011
If you’ll have rose petals scattered on your aisle, pre-arrange for a friend to pick up a handful of them for you to dry and save as keepsakes.
May 11, 2011
Before you order flower petals for your flowergirl to scatter during your ceremony, be sure to ask your ceremony site manager if they allow this tradition! Some sites forbid petal-throwing for safety and cleanup reasons.
May 10, 2011
Use a special guest’s modest wedding gift to get your marriage license…they will love knowing their gift was the most important of all.
May 9, 2011
Start practicing your penmanship with a calligraphy pen from the office supply store so that you can write out your own elegant place cards, and send beautiful thank-you notes.
May 8, 2011
Give seniors at your wedding the chance to bring a guest, even if they’re widowed or longtime singles. They’ll appreciate the optionof bringing a date or their aide to keep them company.
May 7, 2011
If you want to amp up the entertainment at your wedding, hire a dance troupe (like on America’s Best Dance Crew), to come in and rock the dance floor for a number or two.
May 6, 2011
Add a twist to your flavored coffees by pairing them with desserts, such as serving a hazelnut coffee with hazelnut cream tarts.
May 5, 2011
A big dessert trend, even for formal weddings: an Italian ice station with lots of fabulous flavors, from lemon to mango to strawberry and grape.
May 4, 2011
At any type of brunch celebration, whether it’s your bridal shower or reception, offer a Bloody Mary bar with lots of fixins like celery stalks and Tabasco sauce for extra kick.
May 3, 2011
Serve bubbly on the cheap! Try Prosecco or Spanish cava instead of pricier champagne.
May 2, 2011
Save paper (and money!) by designing your wedding program as a single-panel card with printed text on both sides.
May 1, 2011
The newest hors d’oeuvres trend: crab cakes, cod cakes, salmon cakes and shrimp cakes, with mild and spicy cocktail dipping sauces.
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!
