Click Here to E-mail this Page to a Friend.Click Here for Banner Advertising Information
The expression "You've got to have H.E.A.R.T." is the acronym for planning a wonderful wedding that runs smoothly and successfully.
Help yourselves by developing by using organizational systems and schedules. Review your plans and progress often.
Enjoy the process. Make it fun and keep the memories.
Assign responsibilities and Accept Advice. Allow the professionals you hire to do their jobs.
Remember to stick to your budget. Creative budget-shaving and saving tips abound.
Time is your ally. Set aside enough of it so you needn't rush or be pressured.
HudsonValleyWeddings.com has gathered helpful hints from hundreds of wedding couples and added many of its own to the mix. We offer these favorites as our wedding gift to you!
Help yourselves by developing and using organizational systems and schedules.
Design and writing a timetable and schedule. Include a list of activities for your special day. As you hire your professionals, give each of them a copy. Set up a folder in which you keep contracts, schedules, notes, and any other wedding-related items. Alphabetize the folder by subject.
Consider purchasing wedding day insurance. Many insurance companies now offer policies that will cover accidents prior to and on your wedding day.
When making up your guest list , write the names index cards. You can use the same cards for tracking responses, arranging table seating, recording gifts and thanks you cards. Use separate colored cards for the core guest group (your "A list") and for others ("B' and "C" lists), until you finalize your list. Show you care about your guests comfort and respect their budgets by booking a block of rooms for lodging, if possible, at a discounted rate. Prepare a flyer listing the choices and prices. Mail it on request or include it on the reverse of a "Directions" card included in your invitation. Exhibit your awareness of the hazards of drinking and driving by providing sedan cars, limousines or by presetting designated drivers to provide family members and guests a safe ride home.
When selecting gift registries, select at least one national store. That makes shopping easier for those friends and family who live far away. Make certain that there are a wide price range of items to fit every budget.
Make more of your postage value by including your new address (as of . . .) in the invitations you send to your engagement party. Also, have printed cards or a cute flyer available at your shower and rehearsal dinner.
If you'll be having disposable wedding cameras, take paste-on name labels along when you take the film to be developed. This will cut down on the work of writing your name, address, and other information on each film envelope.
Special planning is important for your special day. Forearm.
Keep white bridal shoes white through rain, mud, slush and on grass, by using two mediums to large sized plastic bags, split front to back, placed over your shoes. Use about two inches of plastic tape in front and back so the plastic bags won't slip off.
When choosing a wedding gown, use more than looks as criteria for purchase. Make sure your gown will be comfortable through a long day (i.e., straps that don't bind or slip off your shoulder, a waistline that allows expansion for eating). Walk around with the gown. Pretend you're dancing and stooping. Do all the other "moves" you can think of and then buy a gown that will allow you to have fun.
Perspiration anywhere on your body may stain and ruin your dress. Cornstarch is the trick. It is completely natural, will not cause an allergic reaction, irritation, staining or stickiness, has no additives, preservatives, color or scent. It absorbs moisture and feels like silk on your skin. Your undergarments will slide on.
TIME IS YOUR ALLY. SET ASIDE ENOUGH OF IT SO YOU NEEDN'T RUSH OR BE PRESSURED.
The sooner you can make your commitments, the better. Ideally, you should begin a year and a half before the wedding and schedule right down to the last day. Leave lots of time to shop. It may surprise you to learn how long it takes to order and/or alter a gown and how far in advance the "good people" get booked.
REMEMBER AND STICK TO YOUR BUDGET. CREATIVE BUDGET-SHAVING AND SAVING TIPS ABOUND.
Double up to save by using your bridesmaids' bouquets as the centerpieces for your tables.
The walls of community centers or VFW halls may not be the loveliest. Cover them with drapes of fabric from ceiling to floor. Use colors that coordinate with your flowers and attendants' dresses. The fabric can be used after the reception to make table clothes for your own home or to give as gifts.
One lighter, budget-conscious option for your liquid refreshments is a "White Bar," with vodka, rum, champagne and wine for the base stock.
One eco-safe idea, cost-effective, earth-friendly favor serves as a balloon weight, decoration, and centerpiece all in one — a tree seedling. Seedlings, 6-8 inches tall, can be decorated with Mylar tissue, curling ribbon or tulle for the perfect party favor that will live for years.
If your budget is pinching, you might try to find wedding service providers willing to barter. Is there something you do that they could use in turn for giving you their services?
ASSIGN RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCEPT ADVICE. ALLOW THE PROFESSIONALS YOU HIRE TO DO THEIR JOBS. When you meet and interview the professionals who will be a part of your wedding day, "pick their brains," and listen to the advice they have accumulated over many years of experience. To avoid misunderstanding, when you have found the locations for your ceremony and wedding, and when you hire your professional services, make certain you have all the details in writing, in your contract. No detail is unimportant . . . number of hours, hourly and overtime rates, arrival and departure times and breaks, special requests, dress requirements, etc. Where possible, see, taste, or listen. Make certain your photographer, videographer and entertainment have backup to cover in case of an emergency. If any of your professionals are not familiar with your reception and ceremony locations, ask them to visit. These location previews can eliminate last-minute, unpleasant surprises for them and for you. Verify that all of your professionals have liability insurance. Make sure you know everything they intend to say and do. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Communicate, communicate, communicate!
Your attendants will be your on-site backup team. Be kind to them when selecting their clothing. Keep in mind the fashion hint of "different strokes for different folks." Consider several styles in the same or coordinating colors as an alternative to one uniform style.
Even the best plans can go awry, so anticipate. Ask you maid or matron of honor to put together an Emergency Kit for your wedding day. Include clear nail polish that works wonders to keep stocking runs from running further. Talcum powder can be used an emergency stain cover. Sprinkle lightly where the stain is and blow off the excess. More of our favorites . . . sucking candies, eye drops (takes the red away), plastic shoulder/dress cover (for use while applying makeup), a large pillow case/cover to slip over your head when you put on your dress, travel iron, masking or sewing tape (great to hold up ripped hems), scissors, copies of directions to your reception, snacks (to ease those butterflies and hunger pains and for a pick-me-up), duct tape (works to repair almost anything), a throwaway camera (to take your own, personal wedding candids).
The less left to chance, the better. Give your photographer and videographer as list of important shots. Include "special" must-shoot people. Identify the "cast of characters" by clothing, distinguishing characteristics, or better yet, with a photo.
It will be helpful if the participants in your wedding, including attendants and professionals, can recognize close family and friends. Make a list and identify people by clothing, distinguishing characteristics, or better yet, with a photo. Have a computer? Scan all the photos, reduce them and print on a master sheet with necessary information.
ENJOY THE PROCESS. IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND CAN BE FUN.
Put a new twist on table numbers by identifying tables with wedding-related words such as Love, Cherish, Honor, Happiness, Forever, Peace, Companion or even light-hearts words like hugs, kisses and cuddles.
Elements of creativity, imagination and just plain fun can be sprinkled throughout your wedding day. For an interesting twist to your wedding cake, have your baker create different flavors for each tiers. Your guests may then be served a slice of each of the flavors. Use individual cupcakes or even donuts arranged to form the cake.
Ask your caterer to pack you a doggie bag. Most bride's and grooms miss most of the good eating because they are so wrapped up in the moment. But, you will get hungry later.
Consider this treat for the bride, attendants and moms. Buy sneakers to change into after the ceremony. Sneakers can be plain white or decorated (here's a good place to show your creativity) with ribbon shoelaces, sequins, or lace. All their feet will thank you when the day is done.
Keep your wedding purse and turn it into a sachet for your lingerie drawer or closet. Fill the sachet with some petals from your bouquet and cotton balls soaked in your favorite perfume.
Reuse your wedding cake knife on special occasions for cake cutting, such as a child's first birthday or your anniversaries. Recycle your wedding handkerchief by making it into a baby bonnet for your first child or godchild. Emulate Queen Victoria romantic custom of including ivy in the bridal bouquet. After the wedding, the ivy can be rooted and then planted as a living reminder of your special day. Perhaps it might even become part of your own daughter's bouquet on her wedding day.
Allow yourself to use, enjoy and refashion whatever helpful hints, tips and tricks available to you. Put and keep "H.E.A.R.T. " in your wedding planning, and you will make and remember it as a happy, loving, wonderful experience. Congratulations from www.HudsonValleyWeddings.com