Avoid being a Bridezilla

We all realize that the bride and groom are the focal points of this very special day. The wedding and its celebration are milestones in individual lives and family memories. It is a significant social and personal event that deserves the attention given it.

But what many of us have learned is that the weddings that are most remembered are those which consider the family and friends who will be joining the couple in celebrating the event.

Here are some ways brides and grooms can focus on guests and family.
 Remember to treat attendants like the friends they are – not servants. They are expending time and treasure to celebrate with you. Certainly they are there to support your wishes, but not to grant your every whim. Consideration and gratitude are welcome gifts to wedding party participants.
 When you are developing your gift registries, remember to include items for all price ranges. Friends and family members want to give you as nice a gift as they can. Spend some time making thoughtful choices.
 Select reception food that most guests will enjoy. If you are planning an ethnic specialty, be sure to include an alternative. Not every guest will welcome unfamiliar food.
 If music is to be played during cocktails and/or dinner, make sure it is background music soft enough so that people can hear themselves and others talk.
 If you are having dancing at your wedding, make sure that the band or DJ plays some “golden oldies” so that parents and/or grandparents and their friends can dance too.
 Don’t micro manage everything. Once plans are in place let vendors you’ve hired do what you hired them to do.
 For everyone’s sake, try to limit the time delay between the end of the ceremony and the start of the reception to one hour or less. If it must be longer, arrange something for the guests to do while they are awaiting your arrival. No one wants to go home and come back again.
Remember that this is one of the biggest parties you and your family will ever give. Make it memorable for your guests. Call TriniWeddings at 868 624-4015 or email mwilt@triniweddings.com to have a glitch free wedding.

　

Are Bridesmaids’ Gifts Necessary?

 

If you are wondering whether you NEED to buy gifts for your bridesmaids, the answer is no. But before you heave a sigh of relief, think about what those 3 or 4 or 5 friends are doing for you. They are buying a dress, shoes and maybe a headpiece of some sort. They are giving up a weekend for you. They are attending one or more showers on your behalf and are no doubt also giving you a wedding gift. I believe that you should show your gratitude. If you choose to do this by giving a gift then the gift should be accompanied by a huge thank you for being a part of the most important event of your life.

Appropriate gifts can be jewelry, accessories for their bridesmaids outfits, personal items, monogrammed items or items in their personal favorite colors. These gifts are given either during a bridesmaid’s luncheon, bachelorette party or given at the rehearsal dinner along with the groom’s gifts to his attendants.

More and more brides are electing to host a spa day for all of the attendants. A day of personal attention and luxury is sometimes marred by the conflict of schedules kept by very busy women but most would agree that it is worth the rearranging required to make it happen.

If you have attendants coming from out of town it would be a nice gift to contribute to the transportation if you are able and/or provide accommodations for her/their stay.

In addition, we are hearing of more and more brides sending thank you floral arrangements to the bridesmaid’s place of work once she has returned. People love getting flowers delivered at work, but this of course, depends on the workplace and if such a delivery is appropriate. If the workplace is not an option then the flowers or plant can be sent to her home with a special card attached.

For some wonderful ideas about what to give and when to give it, call us at TriniWeddings.

Is a Wedding Rehearsal necessary?

Unless you are planning to elope or have a Civil ceremony, you and your wedding party should participate in a wedding rehearsal. Even if you have been a bridesmaid in six of your friends’ weddings, this is your wedding and you will need to have a run through.

The things you will want to cover are:
The order of the processional and recessional where you will determine who walks with who and who stands where and for how long.
  The location of the photographer and videographer as well as any musicians who may be part of the ceremony.
 
What music will be played - when will it be played and for how long.
 
Who will cue the wedding party to enter and exit.
 
The offiiciant’s instructions and cues for vows, reading, music and movement.
 
The duties of the flower girl, ring bearer, best man and maid of honor.

Who will run the rehearsal?
It is usually handled by the wedding planner you have been working with and/or the wedding coordinator from the church or synagogue where you will be married.
 
The officiant will have input and the final word.
 
You may want to ask a family member or friend to oversee the rehearsal to make sure all the questions are covered, but be careful not to choose someone who could be at home on a battlefield. These are not orders to be given, but friendly and caring requests.

You are about to star in the biggest “show” you have ever been in. No show goes to Broadway without weeks of rehearsal. You are asking for your bridal party’s attention for about one hour and after which you should feed them and thank them at your rehearsal dinner.

Make an appointment with TriniWeddings for ideas on how to make both parts of the evening festive.

Photo Tips

After all the planning and purchasing and partying, what remains are the treasured photographs of your wedding day.  For many brides, the album and collections of photos are the most important record of the biggest day of their lives.    We have worked with many brides and enjoy seeing their photos when they return from their honeymoon.  We continue to add to the tips we share with brides on how to insure that they love the results of the photographic record of their wedding day.

·         If the ceremony and reception are going to be big, make sure the photographer you hire works with an assistant at least.  Many consultants will say that as a rule, one should plan on one photographer per 100 guests, but a skilled professional with an efficient assistant should be able to handle your ceremony and formal photos without a problem. 

·         Reception photos require a few formal shots and some informal/occasion specific photographs.

·         If you have special photos you want taken, be sure to make a list of those shots and review them with the photograph prior to the ceremony.  If out of town family members are attending and you want large family shots, let the photographer know that as well.

·         Consider having many of your formal and unique shots taken before the ceremony.  Your makeup is fresh, the gown unwrinkled, your hair fabulous and you have the glow of anticipation.

Besides, it will cut down on the time spent on photographs before your reception.

·         Spend time before the wedding showing the photographer some photos you’ve had taken in the past that you like.  He/She will get a sense of your good side and how best to position you.

·         When you are posing for formal shots, don’t just stand there full face on to the camera.  Take a tip from pros and remember to put your weight on your back leg.  It doesn’t matter which one – left or right.  Then place the other leg slightly in front and face the camera.  This will provide a more pleasing angle from which to be photographed.

·         Ask your personal attendant to stay close and have pressed powder and lip-gloss handy for shots.  Keep the shine on your face down and on your lips up.

For other tips and advice on how to look your best for those lasting memories, chat with a TriniWeddings professional consultant.