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"The Good Idea Place"

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TIPS II INDEX
Attendants | Attire | Beauty & Makeup, the Bride | Beauty & Makeup, the groom | Budget & Finances | Cake | Ceremony | Consultants | Decor | Flowers | Gifts | Hiring Wedding Professionals | Honeymoon | Miscellaneous | Party Favors | Photography & Photographs | Planning | Printed Items | Reception | Reception, Food | Reception, Outdoors | Reception, Toasts

  ATTENDANTS
Bargain Hunter
You needn't rely only on bridal shops for your attendants' dresses. They may well find something suitable in a department store or boutique. Just give them the color and style guidelines.

  ATTIRE
Run Stocking Run
Should you get a run in your stocking on the day of your wedding, clear nail polish works wonders to keep the run from running further. Do remember that extra stockings should a part of your Emergency Kit.
Keep It On
It's preferable to keep your veil on because it not only makes you look more bridal, but also keeps your hair style in place.
Time and Patience
Leave lots of time to shop for and find your wedding gown. You may be surprised to learn how long it takes to order or alter a gown.
Match Me
When choosing your gown, consider not only what looks pretty "in hand" but also the color of your complexion. If, for example, you are very pale, a blush-pink gown might suit you really well.
Break the Shoes or They May "Break" You . . . Make sure to wear-in the shoes you'll be wearing to your wedding. New shoes that aren't stretched a bit before your wedding day, can be a real pain, so spend several hours wearing your bridal shoes around the house in the weeks before the wedding and then dance the night away on your special day.
A Borrower or a Renter Be
Wedding gowns take a bit chunk out of your wedding-day budget. Consider the possibility of borrowing a gown or renting.
Bargain Hunter
You needn't rely only on bridal shops for your attendants' dresses. They may well find something suitable in a department store or boutique. Just give them the color and style guidelines.
Keep Your White Shoes, White by keeping them clean. Winter can be snowy, Spring can be muddy and grass too can stain a bride's shoes. Use two, medium to large sized plastic bags, split in front and in back for easy walking. Two inches of plastic tape (front and back) will keep the bags from slipping off.
Hop, Skip and Jump
When choosing a wedding gown, looks aren't everything. Make sure that your gown will be comfortable to wear throughout a long day. Straps that bind or slip off your shoulder or a waistline that takes your breath away can ruin the fun. Walk around with the gown. Pretend dancing and stooping and other "moves" you can think of. If the gown passes the test, buy it and wear it joyfully.
Happy Feet for the Bride
The bride, the moms and the attendants will all be on their feet for hours on that special day. We suggest they all treat themselves to sneakers to change into after the ceremony. The sneakers can be plain white or decorated (here's a good place to show your creativity) with ribbon shoelaces, sequins, or lace. Whatever the sneaker decor, your feet will thank you when the day is done.
"I Have What On My Face?"
Assign someone to "beauty patrol" to make sure your hair isn't sticking up for photos and make sure that you don't have lipstick your cheek.

  BEAUTY & MAKEUP, THE BRIDE
Squeaky Hair
Beauty experts agree that it's a good idea to not to wash your hair, if you wearing it up the day of your wedding (unless it's very oily). Squeaky-clean hair doesn't stay up well.
Early to Bed and Early to Rise . . .
The night before your wedding should be an "early to bed" night. Resist the temptation to stay up all night gabbing. You'll feel so much better on your wedding day with a good night's sleep under your belt.
Keep Dry Simply
Cornstarch is the simple answer to keeping dry without being concerned with allergies, irritation, staining or stickiness. It has no additives, preservatives, color or scent. It is used to thickens sauces because it has the ability to absorb moisture. It feels like silk on your skin and will allow undergarments to slip on effortlessly. It even works to keep sweaty palms at bay.
Keep It On
It's preferable to keep your veil on because it not only makes you look more bridal, but also keeps your hair style in place.
Long Hair?
If you have long and wispy hair, you might wish to choose a bridal headband, such as a tiara embroidered with cultured pearls or white beads.

White on White
Use a clear deodorant/antiperspirant on your wedding day to avoid white traces on your gown.

  BEAUTY & MAKEUP, THE GROOM

  BUDGET & FINANCES
Simply FANtastic is what lovely paper fans are when used as, or in a centerpiece. The bonus is that they can be the favors that your guests take home.
No Less Luxurious is what a Town Car can be as an alternative to a more pricey limo, or strecth limo. Ask your limousine company to make suggestions.
Hitch a Ride with your Best Man, back to your hotel, or to the airport. That will avoid having to pay the limousine company to wait around for you during your reception.
A Bubble is a Bubble and one kind (sparkling grape juice, or wine) can take the place of its more expensive alternative, champagne.
Share the Cost of flowers and decorations for your wedding with the wedding before, or after yours, in your church, or synagogue. Ask the other bride if she'll split the cost with you.
Fill 'Er Up with ornamental grasses and green foliage, a budget-wise choice to beef up your centerpieces and they can take the place of additional flowers.
Double Duty your ceremony flowers by moving them in to be used at your reception.
Behind the Eye of the Beholder is a fake styrofoam layer as a part of your cake. One layer less makes less expensive and, when it's covered with frosting, no one will know.
For a Sweet Alternative that is less expensive than fondant, have your wedding cake deocrated with buttercream. The latter is less labor-intensive, so will be less expensive.
Take the Cake to the next level. In lieu of an expensively decorated wedding cake, see if your caterer can decorate each individual cake plates with a drizzled sauce, or edible confetti.
iPod in a Crunch can take the place of hiring a DJ, or band for your reception music. This alternative works best in an intimate space like a restaurant.
Rubber Stamps can be used for any number of decorative tasks. They can be used to jazz up a plain, or a dyi invitation, to enhance table cards, or rev up a program. They can even be used to personalize your table cards by spelling our the name of each guest.
A Sea of Chairs is what everyone will see as they enter the place where your reception will be held. If you are renting chairs, try to find ones that have interesting design elements. In that way, you'll be able to cut back, or eliminate the need for other room deocrations. Consider attaching satin bows, or a few flowers to the backs of chairs.
Two for the Price of One will be what you get if you hold your ceremony and reception at the same location. In that way, you eliminate one site fee.
A Borrower or a Renter Be
Wedding gowns take a bit chunk out of your wedding-day budget. Consider the possibility of borrowing a gown or renting.
See CIA. If you happen to be near the Culinary Institute (or another cooking school), consider having a student make your wedding cake.
"Flower Budget Tip" Tighten your flower budget by using large wrist corsages, rather than bouquets, for the bride's attendants. Daisies and carnations are inexpensive and go with everything, if you get them in white. Thanks for this tip to Sarah Liberatore.
"Centerpieces on a budget"
Collect used bud vases from family and friends (everyone has at least one). Buy white silk flowers from the local "dollar store" (1.99 each). Put two flowers in each vase. At the same type of store, buy Angel figurines in ivory ($1.99 each) to go next to the bud vases.
Buy white pillar candles (99 cents each) and inexpensive gold ribbon ($2.19), straight pins (79 cents) and bows from the craft section (77 cents each). Use the ribbon and bows on the candles. Hold them in with straight pins.
Thanks to Anne Little for her cost-cutting tip
I'll trade you . . . If money is tight, you might try to find wedding service providers who would consider a barter arrangement. Is there something you do that they could use in turn for giving you their services?

  CAKE
When the Bride Cuts the Cake An elegant option for cake cutting music is violins and flutes played in a semi-circle around the newlyweds, a more romantic presentation than "The Bride Cuts the Cake."

  CEREMONY
An Alternatives to Throwing Rice
With heightened awareness of the environment, rice throwing is falling from fashion. (Click Here to "expose" the rice-throwing myth.) Instead guests might be given a doily cones filled with confetti, little bags of bird seed, potpourri, or even bottles of blow-bubbles for a festive touch that everyone can have fun with and is gentle to the environment.
Come-on Light My Fire
Light a pretty outdoor pathway by placing small votive candles (do not use freestanding candles) inside partially sand-filled white paper bags.

  CONSULTANTS

  DECOR

  FLOWERS
"Ahhhh Choooo"
Check on any allergies to the flowers you choose for attendant's bouquets and corsages.
"Flower budget tip"
Tighten your flower budget by using large wrist corsages, rather than bouquets, for the bride's attendants. Daisies and carnations are inexpensive and go with everything, if you get them in white. Thanks for this tip to Sarah Liberatore.
A Living Bouquet
Queen Victoria started the 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.

  GIFTS

  HIRING WEDDING PROFESSIONALS
In Writing, Please
When you have found the place for your ceremony and wedding, book it. Make certain you have everything, all the details, in writing.
Information Please
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.
"No Surprises, please"
Make sure you know everything your wedding professionals intend to say and do. Last minute surprises in the officiant's speech or a photographer who "doesn't believe in" family shots can be very unpleasant. So, communicate, communicate, communicate!

  HONEYMOON

  MISCELLANEOUS
Just to be Sure
Consider the purchase of "wedding day insurance." Many insurance companies now offer policies that will cover accidents prior to and on your wedding day.
Run Stocking Run
Should you get a run in your stocking on the day of your wedding, clear nail polish works wonders to keep the run from running further. Do remember that extra stockings should a part of your Emergency Kit.
No Fasting Allowed
Even though you'll probably be nervous and not have much of an appetite, the few days before and the morning of your wedding should not be "no eating" days. It's important that you have nutritious food in you to keep your strength. Fainting at the altar is very unattractive.
Out Out Darn Stain
You can use talcum powder as an "in case of emergency" stain cover. Sprinkle lightly on your wedding gown (where the stain is) and blow off the excess.
Rain Rain Go Away
Better safe than sorry . . . prepare for rainy weather with several emergency, back-up supplies: a raincoat, umbrella, slip-over boots or extra shoes, and a plastic tarp (for walking "to" and "from").

  PARTY FAVORS
Another Eco-Safe Idea
An earth-friendly favor that also serves as a balloon weight, decoration, and centerpiece all in one is a tree seedling. The seedlings are 6-8 inches tall and can be decorated with mylar tissue, curling ribbon or tulle for the perfect party favor that will live for years.
"Made in the home, from the heart."
For decorating on a budget . . . decorate the hall yourselves. Helium balloons on the dance floor, with long sparkling strings, make a great effect. Ivy garlands for the head table may be purchased from a craft store. (Thanks for this tip to Sarah Liberatore.)

  PHOTOGRAPHY & PHOTOGRAPHS
Keep It On
It's preferable to keep your veil on because it not only makes you look more bridal, but also keeps your hair style in place.
Back Up Back Up Make certain when booking a photographer or videographer that he or she has a back-up team to cover for them in case of emergency. It's unusual, but if there is an emergency, he or she gets hurt or sick, or something catastrophic happens, you could be out a photographer/ videographer, and miss capturing these memories.
Negatives Can Be Positive
Some photographers will sell you their negatives. If you plan to have duplicates made, any additional cost will be well worth it.

  PLANNING
Togetherness Is Best
Make the process of arranging the seating plan, a joint effort between you, as the bride and groom, and your respective parents.
Never Too Early
Start planning your wedding early. Your long-range plan should begin on the day you become engaged.
Writing a List, Checking it Twice
Write up a wedding day timetable and include all the details of scheduling for your big day. Give each of your wedding professionals a copy, so that everyone will really be on the same page!
Bride AND Groom
Talk to one another and discuss your wedding style dreams. Decide what kind of wedding you would like.
It's all in the Timing
Allow yourself enough time before your intended wedding date. Popular locations get booked up early.

  PRINTED ITEMS
Keep it In Place
In place (no pun intended) of ordinary place cards, reserve your guests' seats with votive candles labeled with handwritten stickers with each guest's name.
Invitation Tips:
  • No words are capitalized except proper nouns, such as place names, people's names and titles, and names of the day and month.
  • "Doctor" is usually written in full unless the name following it is quite long.
  • The address of the place of worship is not usually included, unless it's in a large city and all guests may not be familiar with the location.
  • For an invitation to the wedding ceremony only, an R.S.V.P. is not included.
  • The wording of the RSVP card can read either "RSVP" or "The favor of a reply is requested."
  • There is no punctuation in a wedding invitation except for commas in the day of the week and periods after abbreviations such as Jr., Mr., and Mrs.
  • All dates and times on an invitation are spelled out.
  • A.M. and P.M. are never used. Complete times with "o'clock." It is also acceptable to write "in the afternoon" or "in the evening" after the time, such as in "four o'clock in the afternoon" or "seven o'clock in the evening."
    Keep it In Place
    In place (no pun intended) of ordinary place cards, reserve your guests' seats with votive candles labeled with handwritten stickers with each guest's name.

      RECEPTION
    When the Bride Cuts the Cake
    An elegant option for cake cutting music is violins and flutes played in a semi-circle around the newlyweds, a more romantic presentation than "The Bride Cuts the Cake."
    Time Saver Photo Idea
    If you're lucky enough to be including disposable wedding cameras in your budget, when you take them to be developed, take along paste-on labels. This will cut down on the work of writing your name, address, and other information on the film envelope.
    Please Avoid DWI With the rising awareness of drinking and driving, more families and wedding parties are riding home safely and in style with limousines. Elegant sedan cars instead of limousines may help trim costs to enable more family members the consideration of being provided a safe ride home.
    Togetherness Is Best
    Make the process of arranging the seating plan, a joint effort between you, as the bride and groom, and your respective parents.
    Come-on Light My Fire
    Light a pretty outdoor pathway by placing small votive candles (do not use freestanding candles) inside partially sand-filled white paper bags.
    "Bride & Groom Doggie Bag"
    Have the caterer 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.
    A New Twist on a Wedding Guest Album
    Write to all the people attending the wedding and ask them to send a you a recipe. Enclose one blue card (4" x 6") on which they can place their recipe and a white card (5 1/2" x 8 1/2") to decorate after they have glued the recipe onto the white card. It's fun to see how each guest will decorate the card and which recipe are selected. Enclose a self-addressed envelope to encourage people to respond. With thanks to my cousin Chrissy from Portland, Oregon.

      RECEPTION, FOOD

      RECEPTION, OUTDOORS

      RECEPTION, TOASTS

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