Wedding Wisdom Wednesday-Vera Wang Style

Vera Wang—or the Consummate Empress of Bridal Fashion—listed for Women's Wear Daily ten nuggets of wisdom on wedding style and planning. So, obviously, we thought you should know what she had to say:

1. "Feeling comfortable in your appearance is incredibly important. If you feel comfortable with the way you look, you will radiate the most confidence."

2. "Determine what kind of wedding you are having. The volume, silhouette, proportions, amount of adornment, tailoring and other elements of the dress should have a lot to do with not only where you have your wedding, but what time of day it is being held and what the temperature is. [The dress is] not only about how it looks on your body."

3. "It's really important to see the whole look -- the dress, the headpiece, the size of the bouquet and the shoes. I would even go so far as to include the makeup. A lot of girls put a tremendous amount of effort into the dress, but they don't give a lot of thought to the headpiece, tiara, barrettes or other accessories. Very often they are an afterthought."

4. "Go easy on the bouquet. Bouquets that are too large or too loud will detract from the dress."

5. "Hem lengths are very key. You have to make sure you don't see the shoes. The dress should definitely be floating above in the front. If it is too long in front, it's treacherous. In order to make a wedding a success, the bride should not have to lift the dress. Someone tripped in my most recent show. It can be a particularly long walk down the aisle."

6. "Makeup is another thing to think about. I'm not crazy about strong red lipstick with a white dress. If you never wear blue eyeshadow or purple eyeshadow or glitter, why wear it on your wedding day? You want to avoid any makeup that makes you look disguised or that makes you no longer look like yourself. That is huge. It should be the same with the hair. Sometimes stylists can get too elaborate with hair styles and colors. Wearing [hair] accessories and [bobby] pins are very much about editing."

7. "I have to say I prefer a shoe on the quieter side whether it is a fashion shoe (though it doesn't have to be) or something with a bit of a wedding feeling. I like a shoe with a tapered toe box. I'm not someone who is into a full-on Swarovski-covered glittery shoe. I don't think you want that much attention. A little kitten heel is nice if you are marrying someone shorter than you, or a platform if you are marrying someone taller."

8. "It is just as important to have black-and-white photography done as it is to have color. Black and white is chic and timeless."

9. "Step into your dress whether it is large or narrow. There are things no one can compensate for. I once had a bride get red lipstick on the front of her dress when she pulled it on over her head. Keep anyone with colorful drinks, beverages or makeup away from you."

10. "Savor the moment. There's a tendency when people get married to rush down the aisle as soon as the ceremony has ended. I'm not sure if it's relief or what. But you have to remember the guests spend most of the time looking at your back during the service. So much work goes into planning. Take your time when walking back down the aisle. Let them see the dress."

Taken From Article on www.Brides.com

Wedding Wisdom Wednesday

Doing Receptions Right!

When planning your wedding, you have to take a lot of practical things into consideration. For example, choosing the number of guests, booking the venue, and co-coordinating the arrival of the flowers, cake, and other necessary items. But there's another side to wedding reception planning as well- the creative side. It differs greatly from person to person, but that's the beauty of the occasion. You want a celebration that reflects you, your partner, your tastes, and your relationship.

Who?

One of the first things to do when planning a wedding reception is to decide who will be invited. The number of guests you are inviting to your wedding reception will affect many other decisions you make in your planning process. Your budget, of course, plays a big role in this decision, so you, your fiancé, and anyone else helping to pay for the wedding will have to determine a workable number.

Where?

Now that you know how many guests you're having, you can figure out the location of your reception. You'll have to first decide whether the wedding ceremony and reception will be held in the same place, or whether they will take place at separate venues. When choosing a venue, you should ask a lot of questions. Does the place have in-house catering? Does it have a sound system for the band or DJ or will you have to rent one? Is there adequate parking? What is their cancellation policy? Then there are the aesthetic factors. Does the venue look clean and stylish, and does it suit your wedding's theme? Is there anywhere attractive (like a staircase or park) to take your photos? If in-house catering is offered, be sure to taste the food, as even a beautiful venue can produce less than ideal food options.

What?

Wedding receptions can range from very basic to over-the-top glamorous and everywhere in between. Many venues and vendors bundle their services into convenient packages that include many of the basic items most couples want at their reception—a beer and wine bar, DJ, food, basic table linens, etc.—and they will often offer additions and upgrades. You just have to decide which extras you want and which you can afford. This will have a lot to do with your personal preferences. Are you a flower-lover? A foodie? There may be an area or two where you want to go big.

When?

Choosing the right date is important, as is planning in advance. Generally, a small, casual wedding will take less time to put together, but if you're planning a medium to large event, a destination wedding, or any wedding during “wedding season” (typically May through October), you’ll want to secure your venue and wedding services far enough in advance so that you’re not shut out. You may have heard that having your wedding on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon, late in the fall or during the winter months (with the exception of December, which is pretty popular for throwing holiday-themed wedding bashes) will save you a pretty penny, and this is true! The demand for wedding services drops drastically during these times, so why not use them to your advantage? By going against the grain, you will discover that you have more options and flexibility when it comes to dates and rates for venues and wedding services.  

How?

Dreaming of the perfect wedding reception is easy; executing all that needs to be done to make it happen is another matter entirely. A good wedding plan is essential to help your day go as smoothly as possibly. The reception is usually the part of the event that requires the most planning, preparation and expense, so being organized is essential. You can make a detailed list of the things you'll need to purchase, book, and plan for your big day. It's usually best to plan a year in advance, if possible, so you can spread the preparations out over a reasonable period of time and not feel rushed. Some brides prefer to hire a wedding planner to help organize the event. The best part is you can decide how involved they will be. Do you have a flair for interior design, but would rather not deal with negotiating rates for wedding services? If this is the case, you can decide to take charge of the décor, while your wedding planner uses their know-how and connections to find you the best deals in town. 

Why?

Because you love each other, of course! But the “why” in this context refers to the “meaning” you want to express through your reception. This gathering is the heart and soul of your relationship, and you want it to reflect that. You should take into consideration any religious, cultural, or family significance you'd like to weave into your reception plan. Think hard about the décor, music, and food. Listen to your intuition on these matters, but be sure to include your fiancé in the decision-making process! 

Regardless of how you choose to arrange the celebration, a wedding reception celebrates the pledge you made to one another at the marriage ceremony. It's a great way to start your new life together with joy and positive energy from all of your loved ones.

Article taken from www.marthastewart.com

Getting creative with wedding favors? Check out these cute ideas from one of the fun blogs we follow http://www.lovelybride.com/blog/index.php/2011/11/16/decor-details-wedding-favors/

Bridal Gown Heaven!

Every Friday on TLC's Say Yes to the Dress, Randy Fenoli makes brides' fantasies come true. He's the ultimate FOB (friend-of-the-bride), one of the most trusted names in bridal fashion and every bride-to-be wants to work with him. But what's a girl to do if her budget doesn't include a trip to New York?

Never fear! It's Randy to the Rescue: TLC's Ultimate Bridal Event!FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, Randy is going where no couture-loving bridal fashion director has gone before - off the runway and behind the wheel of a big rig - to bring his favorite gowns, his unsurpassed dress knowledge, and his signature "head-to-hem" styling approach to you!

Randy will serve as host to a series of the most FABULOUS bridal style events around the country! The first stop: DALLAS, TX!

HUNDREDS of gorgeous gowns from the bridal world's most EXCLUSIVE designers. One chance for a personal consultation with RANDY himself!

Randy will roll into town with his bridal salon on wheels, and kick off each event with a special presentation tailored to the bride-to-be. He'll dish out his top tips on bridal style, do's and don'ts, and the hottest trends for the season. From dresses and accessories to makeup and hair, it's the complete look from head-to-hem.

Plus, The Wedding Guys® have brought together a collection of the best wedding experts to help you with your wedding plans.What could be better?

Join all the fun on December 11th at the Hilton Anatole.Trust us, tickets are going fast, so get yours today at
 www.theweddingguys.com/randytotherescue.html

"Thursday Therapy"-now why didn't I think of that?

Wedding Professionals love to get together and talk about events they haved worked, events they are working on, and to meet some fun individuals in the same industry! I am excited to say I will be attending my first "Thursday Therapy" event next month and am excited to get the chance to meet the girls who run it! My goal is to host one of the next events at the Orion to get this hidden gem the exposure it deseves : )

If you are a professional in the event industry, click here http://thursdaytherapy.net/dallas/ and RSVP for December 1st! Find me so I can talk to you about all the exciting plans I have for The Orion!

Wedding Wisdom Wednesday

As the new Event Sales Manager of the Orion and a newly engaged girl myself, I am always looking to get advice and pass it along to other brides. From this need to know of the dos and don'ts of this vast endeavor called wedding planning, I have created Wedding Wisdom Wednesdays where I plan to post a little bit of expertise I have picked up along the way. So here it goes...

1. Have you seen the weather lately? Consider not getting married outside in May. Unpredictability is not our friend. Venues that can host both ceremony and reception are ideal for brides who do not like things out of their control. Um, hello! When has Texas weather ever been "controlled"? The Orion is a beautiful indoor space that can hold up to a 175 person ceremony and seating for 250 during reception.

2.  Save money and don’t print one wedding program per guest. Try printing just 50. No matter how large your guest count is. That’s all that’s ever used up anyway. I see brides that spend way too much time and money assembling programs that are either left in the church or tossed away by the servers after an outdoor ceremony.

3.  Hire a wedding coordinator. Have I said this before? I understand the need to cut back in areas of your big day that you don't feel are neccessary, but let me stress the importance of having someone for day of. Your mom, your sister, and your best friend do not want to be setting up your engagement pictures all across the venue or lighting candles on every table. Hire someone to make sure every detail is covered and that the DJ sticks to the timeline. Yes, wedding coordinators want everyone to have fun too but we also want to make sure your family and friends get to see you cut the cake or run through the sparkler exit.

4 .  Your wedding photographs can never be redone. Hire a good photographer the first time. They are second most important to hiring a wedding planner. Consider a videographer in the budget as well. Even if you don't have one too many glasses of champange during your wedding, I guarantee you will not remember every word from the Best Man's toast, or the look that your sweet grandma gave you as you were coming back down the aisle. You want these moments captured! (Love to all my photographer and videographer friends, you know your place in my heart.)

5.  That leads me to my next case...If your toast givers (Maid of Honor and Best Man) are likely to be intoxicated half way through your reception, consider sparing them and every single person in the room the embarrassment, and place the toasts in the beginning of the night. Or have your fathers on deck to give a sentimental speech about you growing up. Trust me, you want a Plan B.

Stay tuned for more Wedding Wisdom next Wednesday!

B