Day #5 - One Forgotten Bridesmaid Duty

For the Bridesmaid - Time and time again I see it ... A stressed bride because one or many of her bridesmaids are not being supportive through the wedding planning process.  As a bridesmaid, you have the choice to accept this role in the bride's wedding or you can be a guest.  But to cause unnecessary drama during what can already be a stressful time in her life is truly unfair.  In addition to the financial obligations, it should be your goal to help the bride throughout the planning process and on wedding day.

Now for the Bride - Not all your friends have to be in line to be a bridesmaid.  It's okay to give them other roles or to have them seated as an honored guest.  Trust me, you'll thank me later.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Photo credit - www.rushphotovideo.com

Brides Most Unnoticed Accessory

When wedding gown shopping, brides always focus on their head piece or veil, shoes and undergarments.  But what about that "item" that will hold your lip gloss, lipstick, perfume, compact and breath mints?  This "item" is hardly ever photographed, but I always witness the bride looking for it to make 'touch-ups' throughout the night.  It'll sit lonely on the head table or sweetheart table, or sometimes held by the Maid of Honor.  But at the end of the night, this item is always in the hand of the bride before heading off into marital bliss.

Check out this "item" that can only enhance the wedding gown and it's accessories:

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - http://www.camillelavie.com; www.etsy.com; www.stylemepretty.com; http://www.affordableelegancebridal.com)

Roles of Your Wedding Attendants

I spoke with one of my brides recently who eliminated a couple of women from her wedding party for "failure to act".  Basically, she didn't feel they were doing what needed to be done, and although I know she's been open with the ladies she selected to be in her wedding, do all involved really understand the roles they are to play?  Below is a sampling of the attendants duties.  And please know, everyone doesn't have to stand up for you on wedding day.  There are plenty of other things they can do on wedding day...but I'll save that conversation for another blog post :)

Maid of Honor (Single) or Matron of Honor (Married)

• Attending bridal gown fittings
• Keep bridesmaids on schedule prior to wedding day and especially on the BIG day
• Take charge of planning the bridal shower with the other bridesmaids
• Hold the bride's bouquet at the altar and fix her train and veil during the ceremony, and bustle her train at the reception

Bridesmaids

• Play hostess at any of the pre-wedding parties the couple may be having
• Order and pay for your own attire by order date
• Arrive to the ceremony before time to assist bride

Best Man

• Drive the groom to the ceremony
• Hold the bride's ring during the ceremony
• Give first toast at the reception
• Distribute payments to vendors at the ceremony and/or reception

Groomsmen

• Rent or purchase formalwear by requested date
• Help with pre-wedding tasks such as transportation
• Act as ushers if the couple does not have any on wedding day

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: Rush Event Photography and Video Productions | repost from 6/6/12)

Capturing The Wedding Gown

Not only do you want a memorable wedding ceremony and reception, but you also want the hired photographers to capture all of the details from start to finish.  One of the most photographed items of wedding day is the wedding gown...you know that emotional and expensive garment you purchased to walk down the aisle to your soon to-be spouse  Below are some suggestions of moments you should consider having photographed.

Your gown and your bridesmaids gowns hanging

The amazing details

Your bridesmaids zipping or buttoning the wedding gown

Putting on your veil

The gown with your gorgeous bouquet

The wedding gown hanging by itself

The gown hanging on your personalized wedding hanger

Your mom or family member assisting you with the finishing touches

Immediately after you are completely dressed

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credits - www.vsphoto.com; www.rushphotovideo.com; www.kellybaumanphotography.com)

Hanging Up That Gown

The bridal gown is the most photographed garment in the pre-ceremony/detail shots. You'll see photos all over the Internet of the wedding gown positioned over a bed, in a doorway, hanging in a closet, and from a chandelier. You'll see the bridal shoes and accessories in accompanying photos, but have you ever noticed the hanger from which the bridal gown hangs? I mean think about it, doesn't it show up in all of the shots. Don't allow it to be a non-noticeable...allow it to stand out!

Get matching personalized hangers for both the bride and groom

This hanger speaks volumes

What's more perfect than a hanger noting your new name!

What a GREAT gift for you bridesmaids and a perfect keepsake to remember the day

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.bridefinds.com; www.flourisheventdesign.com; www.weddingobsession.com; www.rushphotovideo.com)
***repost from 1/5/12

NewlyMaid - Shop. Upcycle. Give

In my quest to get back to blogging a regular basis, I stumbled upon this awesome idea on what to do with that used bridesmaids dress you and/or your attendants will probably never wear again.

 
NewlyMaid is a fab site in which you can purchase a new black dress and give a dress to a girl in need + free up some space in your closet.  How can you go wrong with that?  Check out below how it works:

1. Buy yourself a new little black dress. We'll send you a free pre-paid mailer to send us a bridesmaid dress you won't ever wear again.
2. Send them an old bridesmaid dress using your pre-paid mailer. NewlyMaid will donate your dress to charity or recycle it.
3. And if you don't have a dress, no problem! You can purchase a little black dress & NewlyMaid will send a dress or item in your name to their designated charity.  

Now what girl can't use a new little black dress...plus feel good about giving a dress away to someone who really needs it.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Loving The Wedding Day Clutch

 

Now that your wedding gown is ordered, you are on the hunt for those fab accessories to accent your dream dress. Of course your first thoughts are the veil, shoes, jewelry and undergarments, but what about the bag you will carry your personal items like lip gloss, breath mints, etc. Instead of the satin money bag, who's usefulness is for collecting cards, what about a glamorous, but dainty clutch.

Clutches also make awesome attendants gifts! And for the more contemporary bride, consider adding a fresh flower to the clutch and have your bridesmaids carry the that instead of a bouquet.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credits - Melissa Wedding Art, www.weddingobsession.com; www.thebridalwishlist.com; www.orangeandblossom.com; www.xomba.com)

Some Wedding Don'ts!

Every bride wants the perfect wedding day, but becoming a bridezilla isn't very attractive to your fiance', family, friends or vendors.  Going on almost 13 years of planning fab weddings and events, I have seen a thing or two.  Below are a few ways to eliminate that unwanted stress from your wedding planning process:

1. Don't be a "SuperBride"!  You can't do everything.  Enlist help from your attendants, family and friends for those special projects.  They'll feel included and you won't have those tension headaches.
2. Please do not include registry information on your wedding invitation.  Simple...it's just tacky.  Get the word out about where you are registered on your wedding website, bridal shower invites or through word of mouth.
3. Don't boss your bridesmaids or wedding party around.  They are adults and spending both money and time to be apart of your special day.  Being disrespectful isn't the path your want to take when planning your wedding.
4. Don't have those gigantic breaks between your ceremony and reception.  Having guests wait longer than 2 hours before your reception begins is a sure why to loose guests.  And having them travel from one side of town to the next to get to the reception is another guarantee you paid for an empty seat.
5. Don't alienate your fiance'.  Include them in on the details even when you think they aren't listening or won't have any input.  It's not just your day, but his also.  Plus, this is a way to start developing negotiating skills ;)

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit: www.vsphoto.com)

Useful Wedding Planning Blog Posts

I just concluded my last wedding & event for 2012!  I'm so very thankful for my Dejanae Events team, professional vendors, my loving clients and social media supporters for taking the time out of their day 3 times a week to read my blog!!!  Well today is a recap of some of the more informative blogs that have been written this year.  Check out the topic and click into the blog as they are sure to assist you with your wedding planning.  I'll be back on Wednesday with a few more :)

Once you have your WEDDING GOWN altered, this blog post shares some options on what to do with the scraps -  http://wedologize.blogspot.com/2012/04/what-to-do-with-dress-scraps.html

When selecting your WEDDING PARTY, make sure to let them know their roles. This blog is very helpful when it comes to those plaguing questions - http://wedologize.blogspot.com/2012/06/role-of-wedding-vips.html

When planning out the WEDDING CEREMONY, check out this blog post for the proper sequencing - http://wedologize.blogspot.com/2012/08/sequencing-wedding-ceremony.html

When planning your WEDDING REHEARSAL, make sure that you enjoy yourself, but also complete these tasks - http://wedologize.blogspot.com/2012/10/wedding-rehearsal-to-do-list.html

When selecting FLOWERS for your wedding ceremony and reception, make sure you armed with the basics presented in this blog - http://wedologize.blogspot.com/2012/04/flower-basics-101.html

If you have taken on the roll of stocking your RECEPTION BAR, check out this useful blog when determining quantity - http://wedologize.blogspot.com/2012/07/wedding-reception-bar-basics.html

You may or may not have a wedding planner (I hope you do :), make sure to pack your very own EMERGENCY KIT to avoid those mishaps on wedding day -  http://wedologize.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-wedding-emergency.html


Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - Rush Event Photography and Video Productions)

...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday!

Purple is one stunning wedding color...always has been.  But I'm in awe of this bride because she wasn't afraid to create a monochromatic color palette!!!  Bridesmaids gowns and flowers are in deep, rich, regal PURPLE!!!  And the WOW FACTOR comes into play when you learn that the bouquets...yes with the BLING...are actually made of feathers!  AHHHHHHMAZING!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(photo credit - LaPlumeEthere)

The Role of Wedding VIPs

I spoke with one of my brides recently who eliminated a couple of women from her wedding party for "failure to act".  Basically, she didn't feel they were doing what needed to be done, and although I know she's been open with the ladies she selected to be in her wedding, do all involved really understand the roles they are to play?  Below is a sampling of the attendants duties.  And please know, everyone doesn't have to stand up for you on wedding day.  There are plenty of other things they can do on wedding day...but I'll save that conversation for another blog post :)

Maid of Honor (Single) or Matron of Honor (Married)

• Attending bridal gown fittings
• Keep bridesmaids on schedule prior to wedding day and especially on the BIG day
• Take charge of planning the bridal shower with the other bridesmaids
• Hold the bride's bouquet at the altar and fix her train and veil during the ceremony, and bustle her train at the reception

Best Man

• Drive the groom to the ceremony
• Hold the bride's ring during the ceremony
• Give first toast at the reception
• Distribute payments to vendors at the ceremony and/or reception

Bridesmaids

• Play hostess at any of the pre-wedding parties the couple may be having
• Order and pay for your own attire by order date
• Arrive to the ceremony before time to assist bride

Groomsmen

• Rent or purchase formalwear by requested date
• Help with pre-wedding tasks such as transportation
• Act as ushers if the couple does not have any on wedding day

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.dscphotobiz.com)

The Cost of Being a Bridesmaid

Brides have so much fun with the creation of ideas on how to ask their family and friends, "Will You Be My Bridesmaid"?  But I'm suggestion you also go a step further and give the ladies an approximate budget.  This kind gesture will alleviate you from hearing later on down the line..."I didn't know I had to pay for all this!"  Although being selected to be apart of your friends big day is truly an honor, you don't want to ask your bridesmaids to tap into their 401k if you don't have to :)

Bridesmaid Budgeter
(from www.The Knot.com/Chicago)

Average Costs

Engagement Gift - $25-$75

Bridal Shower - $100-$500

Shower Gift (if you are not contributing to the shower) - $25-$75

Bachelorette Party - $50-$500

Dress and Alterations - $200-$400

Shoes and Jewelry - $75-$200

Hair - $50-$200

Make-up - $50-$150

Wedding Gift - $50-$150...
...although I feel that being apart of the wedding party is gift enough!

Travel Expenses - $200-$1,000

Of course, not all of these costs will apply for each bridesmaid because every bride's request is different.  But if for nothing else, you will still need to pay for your attire, alterations, shoes and accessories and possibly make-up.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit: www.vsphoto.com)

Hanging Up The Gown

The bridal gown is the most photographed garment in the pre-ceremony/detail shots. You'll see photos all over the Internet of the wedding gown positioned over a bed, in a doorway, hanging in a closet, and from a chandelier. You'll see the bridal shoes and accessories in accompanying photos, but have you ever noticed the hanger from which the bridal gown hangs? I mean think about it, doesn't it show up in all of the shots. Don't allow it to be a non-noticeable...allow it to stand out!

Get matching personalized hangers for both the bride and groom

This hanger speaks volumes

What's more perfect than a hanger noting your new name!

What a GREAT gift for you bridesmaids and a perfect keepsake to remember the day

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.bridefinds.com; www.flourisheventdesign.com; www.weddingobsession.com; www.getmarried.com)

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

Getting engaged is such an exciting time in a woman's life! When you finally find the man of your dreams...the one you want to share your life with...you literally want to shout it from the rooftops and share it with those closest to you. After making the announcement to your families, it's now time to select those closest girlfriends or family members to play an integral role in your wedding. Instead of making a simple phone call, I've listed some ideas for you to think about when asking your friend - "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?"



Photo credit and website:
Tiffany blue box w/ paper weight - http://www.favorsbyserendipity.com/;
Bridesmaid cookies - http://www.weddingish.com/
Necklace - http://www.penelopepoet.com/
Bridesmaid notecard - http://www.weddingstand.com/

Until next time...WEDologize!