Author, nuptials guru and BG contributor Sharon Naylor's daily dose of bridal advice.
By: Sharon Naylor
November 30, 2011
Be sure there are enough tables and enough seating for all of your guests at the cocktail party. Some sites say, 'Some guests will stand,' but everyone's more comfortable at tables.
November 29, 2011
Invite both sets of parents to meet at a fun, casual event – such as watching a football game at a sports bar – so that they can bond over their shared interest. This can be way more fun that the formal dinner at a restaurant.
November 28, 2011
Keep your copies of Bridal Guide with your wedding binder, wedding books and other items as a great keepsake collection you’ll look back on years from now.
November 27, 2011
Ask your wedding coordinator which time of day is best to reach her. They have lives outside of work, and you don’t want to call when she’s at her child’s sporting events, or during her rare downtime.
November 26, 2011
Be extra careful not to misspell names on the place cards! This is a task that some couples rush through, and guests do get offended.
November 25, 2011
On your personal wedding website, ask guests to post their song-list selections. You’ll get romantic ideas, and some funny ones, too!
November 24, 2011
During the reception, call or Skype any relative or friend who couldn’t attend due to illness, pregnancy, deployment or other situation.
November 23, 2011
Encourage your bridesmaids and moms to wear full-length body slimmer so that no one gets that ‘roll-down’ tire at their waist from a slimmer that’s supposed to stay up!
November 22, 2011
When you interview potential officiants, ask them to read to you as part of their "audition." You want to be sure they have a great speaking style.
November 21, 2011
You don't have to limit yourself to just two wedding colorsts. Now, brides are choosing three, four or five gorgeous hues for their wedding designs
November 20, 2011
A top new dessert trend: trifles! Choose these cake-and-cream desserts either as single-serve glasses, or as one big scoop-your-own trifle in a large glass bowl.
November 19, 2011
Give your mom her own one-time-use camera so that she can capture great photos during her dress search and other wedding-related tasks like helping to choose flowers.
November 18, 2011
Don’t rule out colors you wouldn’t wear together, like blue and purple, or yellow and orange. In florals, these shades look lovely together!
November 17, 2011
For a beach or under-the-sea themed party, set out ocean blue one-time-use cameras that coordinate with your décor and take great photos.
November 16, 2011
In addition to your labeled tip envelopes on the wedding day, have an extra cash supply on hand for unexpected tips you need to give out, or cabfare for tipsy guests.
November 15, 2011
If your site provides a personal assistant to help you dress, bring you champagne, and assist you, be sure to tip her as well.
November 14, 2011
A new trend for Moms’ dress choices: having a favorite celebrity’s style in mind and bringing red carpet photos to the bridal salon or department store.
November 13, 2011
No tip jars on the bar! Approach the bartender and ask that they be removed. The hosts take care of the tip, not the guests.
November 12, 2011
In addition to your emergency bag, bring a Hair Repair kit with a brush, hairpins, jeweled comb and hold spray in case you have to re-do your do on a windy or humid day.
November 11, 2011
Make your rehearsal dinner dress selection special by going to a department store or boutique that has a free personal stylist who can help you design your look on a budget.
November 10, 2011
For bridal showers and breakfasts, a hot style trend is decorative place mats in the party’s color theme. One hot trend is laser-cut placemats in thick, glossy stock that really packs a color pop.
November 9, 2011
If you decide to wear your dress at your after-party out on the town, you may get VIP treatment such as a great table with bottle service, a free round, and other perks.
November 8, 2011
Create a uniform décor look with matching silver or Lucite frame stands that you’ll find in the craft store at budget prices. These can hold table signs, photos and other display items.
November 7, 2011
If you’ll DIY chocolate-covered strawberries, be aware that refrigerating them can often make the chocolate layer turn white! See if a friend can make these right before the party so they look perfect.
November 6, 2011
The #1 item that guests love to find in their welcome baskets: home-baked chocolate chip cookies. Make them the day-before so that they’re super-fresh, and package them fully cooled in labeled bags or boxes.
November 5, 2011
Don’t worry if you hear that guests will be wearing the same color as your bridesmaids’ dresses; the styles will be different enough not to create a competitive effect.
November 4, 2011
When you’re being fitted for your gown, ask a friend to assess your ‘cleavage view’ from above. When taller guests are standing with you, will they get too much of a show at the top of your bodice?
November 3, 2011
When you’re trying on gowns, also try on coordinating boleros, jackets or wraps if you’re having a spring, outdoor, evening, beach, boat or fall/winter wedding. Ordering now can save money, and the dress may have a matching jacket style.
November 2, 2011
A new dessert bar trend: whoopie pies! In vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, lemon and other flavors, guests go wild for these sweet-filled treats.
November 1, 2011
Remove stress by setting ultra-early deadlines for your bridal party to deliver their payments, sizes and projects – three weeks prior to the actual deadline works very well.
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!
