Tips For Brides

• Remember, this is your day.  Enjoy it.  It will pass quickly.
  
  
• If possible, shop for flowers, music and favors early.  These are the things that always seem to cause a problem.  Be very specific about the flowers that you want.  If you are general, you will get whatever they have on hand at that time.
  
  
• When putting together your wedding list, have an A and B list.  The A’s being “have to” invite, and the B’s being “if there’s room”.
  
  
• Get invitations out very early.  At least 2 months in advance of the date.  This way, if people decline, you can invite some people from your B list.
  
  
• Don’t spend extra money on a lavish wedding cake, unless you have the money to do so.  Most of the guests will never remember what it looked like anyway.
  
  
• Don’t forget, what is usually remembered at a wedding is the food, music and of course, the favor.
  
  
• Make sure you have contracts and agreements for everyone you’ve hired.  Also, make sure you are very specific about your wants, i.e. you want a lot of ballads and oldies, but not hard rock, or whatever.  If you have the patience and time, it is wise to ask the DJ or band for a list of what they do, and then cross out what you definitely don’t want them to play.
  
  
• Secure your marriage license early.  And don’t forget to have it on you the day of the wedding.  Yes, I’ve seen it happened, where the bride and groom could not be married because of this!
  
  
• MAJOR TIP!  When speaking to banquet halls, florists, limo companies, photographers, etc. ask them if you can be advertising for them.  If you don’t mind, tell them that they can put their cards on the guests table, or they can use you to advertise their product.  Many times you can secure a nice discount if they agree.
  
  
• Always, unless absolutely impossible, accompany bridesmaids to their fittings.  This will insure that they do not alter the dresses to be too tight, short, loose, etc.
  
  
• If you have children under the age of 4 in your wedding party, please make sure that you couple them with someone older that can walk with them.
  
  
• Be careful not to stay up too late the night before the wedding.  Especially if it is a morning ceremony.  Stress can keep you awake.  If you are unable to sleep, and wake up with circles or bags under your eyes, try a little Preparation H rubbed on the area, then cover with a slice of cool cucumber.  Lie down, close your eyes, and place the cucumber slice directly over your eye.  Breath deeply and lie there for 15 minutes.  You’ll wake up a new person with bags gone!
  
  
• Make sure you tightly secure fake rings to the wedding pillow.  Then make sure that the best man has the real thing!
  
  
• A few days before the wedding day, call all the hired vendors and verify the day of your wedding, the time of the ceremony and any other pertinent information.
  
  
• Have attendants arrive at least 30 minutes before the photographer is due to arrive.  People are always late, and you don’t want to miss any important shots.  Also, for those that arrive early, have coffee and bagels, rolls or muffins on a table for them as they wait.  Don’t buy donuts or pastry with powdered sugar or jelly inside.  You will run the risk of them getting it on their tux and gowns.
  

• Be careful with your bridal gown.  Never iron it.  If there are wrinkles, call the center where it was purchased and they’ll have you bring it in to steam it.  Also, never eat in your gown, or apply make-up with it on.  It should be the last thing you do before your photographer arrives.
  
  
• Always have a panic bag!  This should include a needle and thread, hair pins and clips, an extra pair of panty hose, nail polish, hard candy, gum, mints, extra make-up AND a headache remedy and stomach antacid!
  
  
• The day has arrived.  Don’t sweat the small stuff.  Everything doesn’t always go the way they were planned.  Don’t let it ruin your day.  Usually, no one notices but you anyway.  Laugh it off and enjoy.  Before you know it, you’ll be planning your kids wedding!