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SCHEDULE & TIMETABLE

• Check HudsonValleyWeddings.com's Regional Bridal Show Schedule for expos and shows in your area, or in the area where you wish to hold your wedding. Make time to go to the shows, because you'll find lots of information and many wedding professionals who will be more than happy to help you in any way that they can.
• 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!
• Make yourself a wedding folder. Keep contracts, schedules, notes, and any other wedding related items in the folder. Want to be even more organized? Place things in the folder alphabetically by subject.
• When selecting your wedding date (and other associated events), make certain not to conflict with dates that are "no no's" (e.g., Roman Catholics: no Marriages during Holy Week. Jewish: No Saturday or holy day weddings) or which will make attending the affair more difficult. You might avoid a holiday weekend if many your guests live far away.
• Check with your employer and other people you work with about scheduling.
  
  WEDDING STYLE
  
• Parties work best and are the most fun when they follow the style of the people making them. Don't try to imitate. Don't try to outdo. Don't try to show off or be who you're not. Look at yourself and decide what kind of event you enjoy attending and what makes you comfortable. Then, go ahead and plan an event that reflects who you are.
  
  YOUR GUESTS
  
• When making up your guest list, write the names of prospective guests on index cards. That makes it easier for you later if you need to eliminate some guests, or when you are doing your seating arrangement.
• Use colored index cards just for the core guest group. Those are the people who are absolutely on your "A list." That will also help with reducing the number of guests, should you need to.
• If your guests will be paying for their own accommodations, you can often pre-book a block of rooms for a discounted rate. Prepare a flyer showing a choice (including prices) of the hotel's accommodations available in your area. Include the one where you have made special arrangements. Guests may prefer to be in a hotel with others invited to your event. Send the flyer to those who request it, or include it on the reverse of a "Directions" card included in your invitation. Confirm who is riding with whom and where people need to be when.
  
  YOUR ATTENDANTS
  
• When selecting your attendants, make sure you take into consideration the people you would like to honor in both families. This decision often sets the tone, positive or negative, for all future arrangements.
• Especially for the attendants, weddings can become extremely expensive, so, when planning your wedding, keep in mind that your plans impact on the budget of people you love and care about.
• Try to be creative and practical when buying gifts for the attendants. Not all the gifts need be the same. Your gift will be much more appreciated and treasured, if it's not "packaged" and shows some extra effort.
• When selecting clothing for attendants, keep in mind "different strokes for different folks." Consider several styles in the same or coordinating colors as an alternative to "everyone wears the same thing."
  
  EXTENDING THE FESTIVE EVENT
  
• One of the nicest ways to extend a happy occasion is to consider having a select group of guests join the wedding party at the bride or groom's parents' home, after the wedding. A light dinner, an easy, dress-down barbeque, or even a pot luck can really be fun.
  
  PRINTED MATTER
  
• When ordering printed materials, try to make it one-stop-shopping. The quantity you order will often be reflected in the price. So, try to anticipate all your needs, in advance.
• An alternative to handwritten invitations is a professional calligrapher.
• Yet another alternative is having the invitations run from a computer, using a fancy font. Think of using a computer to make printed materials less expensive. This is one of the best places to shave, if you are on a limited budget.
• Writing invitations, if you are doing them yourself, can be part of a social get together. There is no law that says they all need to be in the same handwriting.
• If hand written, invitations must be legible. It is better to print than write illegibly in script.
• Get thank you notes out as soon as possible. Nothing irritates people more than getting a thank you note months and months after giving a gift.
• Check with the post office about how long before you move a change of address should be entered.
• Consider including your new address (as of . . .) in the invitations you send to your engagement party. Have them (e.g., printed cards or a cute flyer) available at the shower, rehearsal dinner, etc.
  
  GIFT REGISTRY
  
• When registering your "wish list," 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.
  
  CLOTHING FOR THE EVENTS
  
• Keeping white bridal shoes white through rain, mud, slush and on grass, can be a neat trick. The solution is to take two medium to large sized "Baggies" and split them front and in back for easy walking. Put about two inches of Scotch tape in front and back so the plastic bags won't slip off. The maid of honor can easily slip the "bootie-baggies" on and off over the bride's shoes . . . and the bride needn't even bend over!
• Many bridal gowns have a stiff mesh petticoat to keep a big skirt shape. Because it's so stiff, the petticoat may rub unmercifully on the bride's legs and thighs. It may even tear her nylon stockings or pantihose. An inexpensive solution is a full-length slip, slit up the front and back to allow movement dancing and allow access to her garter.
• If you perspire anywhere on your body, you may stain and ruin your dress (even with an expert dry cleaners' attention). Cornstarch is the trick. It is completely natural and will not cause an allergic reaction, irritation, staining or stickiness. It has no additives, preservatives, color or scent. It is used to thicken sauces because it absorbs moisture. It will feel like silk satin on your skin. Undergarments slip will slip on effortlessly.
• Clothing shopping is a bit tricky if you're prone to weight changes. If your weight tends not be stable, alert the person who waits on you. There are some clothing designs that are more forgiving and easier to alter than others.
• Your budget will thank you, if you make purchases that can be worn again. Some wedding gowns have trains that detach. Some gowns can be hemmed, died and worn again, as evening clothes.