Author, nuptials guru and BG contributor Sharon Naylor's daily dose of bridal advice.
By: Sharon Naylor
October 31, 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.
October 30, 2011
Aisle runners can be more affordable if you order a non-customized one, such as a pretty, unadorned lavender one (www.originalrunners.com.)
October 29, 2011
Avoid post-wedding photo regret by having a friend or relative organize family group photos, such as grandparents with all of their grandchildren, a shot of you and your siblings, and other specialty roundups.
October 28, 2011
Ask your site if your cocktail party can feature both indoor and outdoor cocktail party food stations and food service so that guests can mingle where they’d like and not miss a bite.
October 27, 2011
Vintage is in! One of the most unique décor items in this style is old manual typewriters within décor arrangements.
October 26, 2011
Add some softness to your romantic party with garlands made out of baby’s breath…the delicate look adds European garden charm to your décor.
October 25, 2011
The men can replace boutonnieres with ultra-debonair pocket squares in white for the groom and color for the groomsmen and dads.
October 24, 2011
For your second look at the reception, glam up your jewelry look by adding a dramatic, sparkly cuff bracelet or stacks of blinged-out bangles.
October 23, 2011
At a daytime formal wedding, the groom and his men will look appropriately formal in black or deep gray or navy suits that match. New shirts and matching ties are a must for this stylish budget-saver.
October 22, 2011
Specify stocking shade with bridesmaids so there’s not a distracting variation, and – a new issue! – also say whether or not they should wear stockings with backseams.
October 21, 2011
A big trend for spring and summer weddings: jewelry with feather accents, which can pair with any feather accents in your bouquet.
October 20, 2011
The cure for “Can I bring a date?” requests when you haven’t given +1s to some guests: just say, “We’re only giving +1s when we know and are friends with the date.”
October 19, 2011
Display a digital photo frame at your engagement party, bridal shower or rehearsal dinner to play a slideshow of your childhood and courtship photos.
October 18, 2011
If you have children you’d like to involve, let them help plan pre-wedding parties or the morning-after breakfast. They’ll be so proud when their idea is included!
October 17, 2011
Dads want to get involved too, no matter how much they’re paying. Ask them for song suggestions and let them take a look at the menu options, too.
October 16, 2011
Find ways to include the moms, such as inviting them to the cake tasting and floral design meeting, where they can pick out their own wristlets.
October 15, 2011
It’s cold and flu season now, so protect your health with lots of de-stressing and hand-washing. Wedding stress will dampen your immunity, and you don’t want to be down for the count as a sniffly mess. Increase your self-care now in sick-season.
October 14, 2011
This cool weather means more hot, creamy drinks at the coffee shop, so check the chain’s website for fat gram, calories and sugar content before you make that creamy drink your daily treat. It may be best as a rare treat.
October 13, 2011
Add lots of glass storage containers to your registry, in a variety of sizes with snap-on lids, to keep your married-life kitchen in organized style.
October 12, 2011
Don’t forget to register for cool-weather blankets and cozy throws in great materials. Guests love giving those often-used items as presents.
October 11, 2011
A top new gift for the parents: pretty e-reader cases and stands so that they can enjoy their leisure reading even more, or set up their reader with a recipe on the kitchen counter.
October 10, 2011
Add a line to your invitation response cards asking guests to suggest a song for your playlist…if you see lots of slow-dance songs, tell your entertainers to play more of those.
October 9, 2011
The #1 fall dessert taste: pumpkin. Use it in crème brulees, pies, cake pops, cupcakes, mousses and cookies.
October 8, 2011
A sweet new dessert bar trend: the chocolate mousse bar, with dark or white chocolate mousse, fudge or strawberry toppings, chocolate chips and crushed cookies, and whipped cream for a make-your-own dessert twist.
October 7, 2011
More bakers are offering a fresh replica of your wedding cake’s top layer, so you can eat a delicious new cake on your first anniversary, rather than gag down the freezer-burned one!
October 6, 2011
Looking for a low-budget activity for your out-of-town guests? Take them to a fall festival or family farm for walking through corn mazes, tractor rides, apple-picking and other autumn fun.
October 5, 2011
Fall means football season, so if you’re fans, design your rehearsal dinner like a tailgate party with fabulous grilled foods, sausage and pepper sandwiches, salads, and microbrew beers.
October 4, 2011
For fall weddings and fall pre-wedding parties, add soup shots to your menu: little tastes of lobster bisque, shrimp and corn bisque, clam chowder, and other hearty tastes are crowd-pleasers on a budget!
October 3, 2011
For fall weddings and pre-wedding parties, set up a hot cider bar in addition to a coffee bar.
October 2, 2011
Don’t forget to register for magazine subscriptions! In addition to Bridal Guide, sign up for foodie, travel, home décor, business and entertainment mags that come all through the year.
October 1, 2011
A top gift idea for parents: a book signed by the author. Check bookstores’ events calendars and your mom’s favorite author’s website for book tour stops to perhaps even take her to meet her favorite author!
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!
