Author, nuptials guru and BG contributor Sharon Naylor's daily dose of bridal advice.
By: Sharon Naylor
June 30, 2011
Design or make themed card boxes to set out at the engagement party, shower and wedding. Some popular designs include tiered hearts, a wedding cake, shopping bags, jewelry boxes and more. Visit www.creativecustomcardboxes.com for more ideas.
June 29, 2011
If your wedding is outdoors, provide several types of sunscreen lotions and sprays in the restroom pampering basket for your guests to use, along with breath mints and other essentials.
June 28, 2011
For your summer wedding, create a water bar. Set out pitchers of ice cold spring water along with stylish glasses and tong-served fruit slices, berries, mint and fruit spears.
June 27, 2011
Make sure you book extra valets so that guests aren't waiting in a long, frustrating line at the end of your reception — it's worth the expense.
June 26, 2011
If guests make desserts or dishes for your engagement party, shower or other party, label them with cute signs that say the name of the cook.
June 25, 2011
Can't find a place for cultural menu items? Serve them at your after-party! Guests will love late-night souvlaki, pierogies and other tasty treats.
June 24, 2011
The salad course is back! Gourmet it up with goat cheese, watercress, champagne vinaigrette, pine nuts and other add-ins that guests don't get all the time.
June 23, 2011
For an outdoor wedding, don't display the cake outside, or gnats and bees might swarm it and get stuck in the frosting. Keep it cool indoors, then wheel it out at cutting time.
June 22, 2011
Create a second wine list for the dessert hour at your reception, serving fabulous dessert wines to pair with your sweets.
June 21, 2011
'No gifts, please' bridal showers work much better when you make them 'donation' showers, asking guests to bring jackets, canned foods, kids' books and more. Guests enjoy bringing something, and this is a do-good idea.
June 20, 2011
Add cookbooks and magazine subscriptions to your bridal registry — these are gifts that keep on giving.
June 19, 2011
Don't let cranky bridesmaids or snappy moms-in-law get you down. Everyone has drama going on in their lives, and it might have nothing to do with you. Just smile and focus on what makes you happy!
June 18, 2011
Grooms say they love positive feedback. "This isn't my world," says one groom. "But I want to do all the right things to make my bride happy." Don't forget in this hectic time to simply say, "Great job, honey!"
June 17, 2011
Child attendants need practice! Some sites don't allow you to rehearse the night before your ceremony, and it's becoming a trend to skip the rehearsal. But make sure you walk the kids through what they're expected to do so that they don't panic or freeze.
June 16, 2011
Electronics are the new MUST for bridal registries. Sign on for a hot new digital camera or camcorder to use on your honeymoon (they also make great group-share gifts that more bridal parties are giving now).
June 15, 2011
Make it a rule to respond to e-mailed questions from your bridal party or vendors within 24 hours, tops. Flag their e-mails for your follow-up so you keep all of your plans on track.
June 14, 2011
Yellow is IN! This sunshine shade can be incorporated into your shower or wedding plans as the main hue, or as a bright accent for neutral décor. A popular trend right now is combining gray/slate with yellow and a tiny hint of black.
June 13, 2011
When designing your bouquet, make sure to ask about its weight. Many larger bouquets filled with blooms can weigh a lot, which may cause your arms to shake as you pose for photos. Ask to hold a sample bouquet for feel before you sign the contract on your order.
June 12, 2011
Borrow Princess Catherine's regal reception look by wearing a sparkly belt. Try on thin belts and thick ones to find the width that works best with your gown style and shape.
June 11, 2011
For your second look at the reception, try adding a colored headband with a bit of sparkle in it. You might wear a pastel headband to match your flowers, or go bright with one that is sunshine yellow. A sexy red headband is perfect for late-night partying.
June 10, 2011
For a light, elegant dessert, treat your wedding guests to Napoleons—also known as mille-feuille—flaky French pastries filled with a rich cream. Keep things classic and simple with a plain cream filling, or try adding creative flavors and swirled designs on top.
June 9, 2011
Try serving ice cream sandwiches at your summer wedding. Go traditional with vanilla ice cream and a chocolate cookie, or use color, such as a strawberry or pistachio ice cream with a vanilla cookie. You can even set up a custom ice cream sandwich bar with an attendant and lots of flavor combos.
June 8, 2011
Make sure that you register for every season. Add cold-weather blankets and throws to your list along with lightweight sheets and comforters.
June 7, 2011
Don’t forget to register for several serving trays for your home entertaining and holiday-hosting in the future. Trays are one of the most-forgotten items in a gift registry!
June 6, 2011
Look at tablecloths and runners that have a bit of shimmer in the fabric. This catches the room’s light and candlelight, creating a magical, yet subtle sparkle effect.
June 5, 2011
Ask your gown stylist or seamstress to make your train detachable if you don’t like the bustle look or feel; with secure hooks, it can be done!
June 4, 2011
Do a wedding shoe test before walking in them on your big day. For comfort, yes, but also to see if your slip-ons make those awful heel-slapping noises while you walk (strappies can solve the problem).
June 3, 2011
Summer flower of the month: kalanchoe! These little star-shaped flowers in bright colors make great bud vase florals, accents to larger centerpiece arrangements and bouquet ‘pops.’
June 2, 2011
June 1, 2011
Have a pro do your makeup for your daytime ceremony, then be on-hand to re-style your look for evening. For night, try dramatic faux lash application and a new lip color that pops!
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!
