Eat something.You have a big day ahead, and many brides have been known to faint
Take a nice relaxing bath
Have yourself and attendants ready about 2 hours before the ceremony
Have the music start 30 minutes before the ceremony
Have groom’s parents seated 5 minutes before the ceremony
Immediately before the processional, the bride’s mother is to be seated and the aisle runner rolled out
Enjoy yourself!
Buy a beautiful bracelet and use it as a tiara in your hair. Bracelets are much easier to work with than the standard tiara because of their flexibility.
Purchase shoes & accessories from the same place so that everything matches
Serve the wedding cake for dessert instead of having it wrapped to go home
You can put your monogram on the dance floor, wall, cake, invitations, favors, etc.
Invitations are your first introduction to the wedding, choose carefully
Wear your shoes ½ hour each day for a week or two before the wedding – walk only on carpeted floor to avoid scuffs.
Fill holes in hairdo after removal of veil by inserting flowers from your bouquet
Carry wet ones to remove stains from garments
To avoid sweating, apply baby powder over deodorant. Don't apply deodorant after your put on your dress to eliminate white marking on the garment. This applies to your maids as well!
Do not use lipstick or fingernail polish while in your wedding gown
Put welcome baskets in the restrooms stocked with items that your guests may need during the reception.
Send "Save the Dates" to make sure guests save your wedding date.
Bar Chef's are all the rage, creating "signaature drinks" from the bride and groom and creating drink "recipes" that pair with the menu.
Provide late night snacks - guests need a little "pick-me-up" as the night goes on. Gourmet popcorn or french fries served in brown paper cups or mini Chinese containers, after dinner cheese boards, tray passed sweets like cheesecake lollipops, mini ice cream sandwiches, mini root beer floats, and warm chocolate chip cookies with milk shots .. make it fun and sure to remember!
When choosing a day for the wedding, decide on a time when you can both expect to take time off from work.
Make sure parents and bridal party are okay with your proposed date.
When choosing your dress, consider what the temperature will be on your wedding day.
Choose a dress that flatters you and that will be comfortable yet still elegant.
Choose a dress that flatters your complexion.
You should always invite significant others of married guests, engaged guests and couples that live together. Never refer to them as "and guest."
"Black Tie Invited" at the bottom of an invitation will let guests know that the wedding is a formal wedding.
Invitations should be mailed out eight weeks before the wedding with an RSVP date of three weeks before the wedding.
Although cash is acceptable, a request should never be made for cash on an invitation.
At Reform and Conservative Jewish weddings, the families sit on the opposite sides during a ceremony.
If you want your guest(s) to sit on the first few rows of the pews or chairs sectioned off by ribbons, you should write on the invitation "In the Ribbon."
When there is no center aisle, the left side aisle should be used for the procession and the right side aisle should be used for the recessional.
If the wedding is formal, place cards are necessary for all guests, at less formal receptions, place cards are used only at the head table.
Have a beauty consultation.Receive makeup advice from a trained professional and try several different looks before making a final makeup purchase.
Tend to your nails!Photographers and friends will be studying your ring finger, so start several months in advance with regular manicures to make sure nails are healthy and beautiful.
Stay away from orangey makeup colors; they photograph harshly.Stick to shades of rose and mauve, which are lovely against the white and ivory colors of most bridal gowns.
Remember, a light dusting of translucent face powder over finished makeup will ensure that makeup stays fresh
For long-wearing lipstick:Apply lipstick, blot, apply powder.Apply again, blot, and reapply powder.Apply once more and blot for long-lasting lip color.
Buy one shade of lip and nail color for all the bridesmaids so that they look color-coordinated
See a dermatologist if you have a tendency to break out under stress.Begin a regular skin-care regimen to prevent any stress-related skin problems on your wedding day
Meet with your hairdresser to discuss your wedding hairstyle.It may be necessary to reshape your current style to meet your wedding hairstyle goal.If your hair is permed, do it now so that it has a good long time to begin to relax.You may also want to discuss reshaping your eyebrows at this time.
Have your own “dress rehearsal” to time how long it takes you to get completely ready.That way, you’ll avoid rushing at the last minute
Have your teeth cleaned – you’ll be smiling a lot!
TIDBITS
The avertage wedding takes 250 hours to organize.
The average bride spends eight hours per week on it.
The bride is most likely to walk down the aisle on an August afternoon
37 % of women undergo physical alterations, tattoos removed, teeth bleached, breasts enhances .. beforehand:
15% of weddings get called off.
The average bride's top three wedding day worries: zits, rain, embarrasing relatives
The average bride wants to lose 10-20 pounds before tying the knot.
1 in 15 brides stress about not fitting into their dresses.
Queen Victoria started the "white dress" tradition in 1840.
If money were no object, the average bride would go to Vera Wang to design her dress.
The starting cost of a Vera Wang gown is $2,500.
1 in 15 brides cry when they find the right dress.
The average bride tries on 21 dresses before finding the right one.
The average dress costs $1,505.
The average bill for the "big day" is $27,852.
What else a couple could buy for that amount: a shiny new VW Beetle convertible
Cost of the most expensive wedding ever: $44 million
The filthy-rich couple: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Princess Salama in Dubai (May 1981)
30% of weddings are paiid for by the bride's parents: 4% by both sets of parents: 32% by the couple: and 34% by others.
Money is the top gifton the average bride's wish list:.
The average value of all gifts received is $14,000.
The average cost of attending a wedding: is $500.
The average cost to be a bridesmaid is $1,400.
The average number of bridesmaids in the average bride's wedding party is five.:
The average number of guests at the bride's wedding is 165.
Reprinted from Modern Bride
EMERGENCY BAG
Here are some items to have on hand if you do not have a Wedding Coordinator
Sewing Kit
Bobby Pins Safety Pins Kleenex Peroxide Tylenol Bandaids Static Cling Spray Stain Remover Hair Spray Clear Nail Polish Deodorant & Baby Powder Extra Panty Hose (Nude or White) Tampons Wet Ones Umbrella Personal Fan Crackers Makeup
THINGS FOR YOUR GUESTS TO DO AND SEE AROUND BALTIMORE
Include this list in your out of town guests "welcome bag" which should be left at their hotel.
American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy., (410) 244-1900 www.avam.org
The Walters Art Museum, 600 N Charles St. (410) 547-9000 www.thewalters.org
Your Day Your Way is your complete one stop shop for Wedding Planners, Consultants, Coordinators,Wedding Officiants, Planning Guides, Favors, and Wedding Checklists, Wedding Etiquette, Bridal Accessories and Rentals.
Your Day Your Way! 105 Eastford Ct. Baltimore, MD 21234 Charlibertini@aol.com 410-925-1086 phone 410-882-4111 fax
