PLANNER JUNE 2020
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Tips for storing your wedding dress.
4 Technology brings planning into the new territory.
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Watch for these six hidden wedding expenses.
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Modern or rustic? A guide to selecting the right space.
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Planning for your wedding? Here’s a checklist for everything you need!
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TIPS for storing your wedding dress
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f you receive your wedding dress well in advance or are experiencing a wedding postponement, you may be wondering how to properly store your dress. Gowns are a big expense and keeping them properly maintained can give you confidence that you are protecting your investment. There are some steps to take to ensure your gown is in flawless condition for your special day. Your boutique or local bridal salon will be able to give you specific instructions on best care and storage, but the best guidance is typically in a dark, dry spot that doesn’t have access to direct light. Something else to keep in mind is that humidity and direct sunlight can cause bleaching or fabric decay. Follow the tips below to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your gown in perfect shape.
Closet storage If you plan on storing your wedding dress in your closet, experts recommend you use the hanger straps to keep everything in the best shape possible. You should also utilize a breathable fabric storage bag instead of a plastic bag, especially throughout the warmer months. This will help keep moisture buildup to a minimum, which will help reduce the chance of stubborn odors creeping in.
Storing heavier gowns Some experts provide specifications for even heavier material, which can include ornate beading or structured lace. These extra items can weigh down the dress and damage it if it’s hanging for too long a time period. In that case, you may be better off taking the gown off the hanger, placing a sheet down on your bed and folding the gown into the sheet for flat storage. Once you have it folded it up, you can place it in your closet or under your bed for safe-keeping.
Don’t forget your bridesmaids The same dress storage rules apply for other members of your bridal party. And on top of storage, experts recommend that you try your dress on once per month, every month until the event. This will help ensure a proper-fitting dress come wedding time. This can be particularly important advice if you have a dress that has been altered. ADOBE STOCK VIA GREEN SHOOT MEDIA
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Technology brings planning into new territory
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GREEN SHOOT MEDIA echnology is one of the greatest tools at our disposal today. That goes for everything from working online to educating your kids with videos and lesson plans. If used correctly, it can also elevate the wedding planning experience. There are a slew of online companies offering digital solutions that can bring your wedding planning to the next level, while also making things easier and more convenient for you and your soonto-be spouse.
Book a venue tour
Many venues will let you book a tour ahead of time, giving you a peak into their environment and atmosphere from the comfort of your own living room. This type of digital tour can even get your
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parents, grandparents or friends into the mix. Ask any venue you are considering if they offer a virtual tour and start getting to know your options through the internet. Once you whittle down your list of favorites to a select few venue options, you can devote your time and energy to actually visit them for your fi nal decision-making process.
Try-on services
Take advantage of at-home try-on services for attire. This is a great way to sample the latest trends in wedding dresses, veils, tuxedos, vests, shoes and other options. Search online to fi nd cost-effective companies offering free trials and flexible policies. Renting wedding attire is always the cheapest option, unless you plan on passing down the clothing to future generations. Many companies offer rental solutions that let
you return items when you’re fi nished trying them out with convenient packaging and free shipping.
Digital invitations
One way to save money on your wedding planning is to think digital. Paper printing is expensive, especially if you’re inviting a smaller number of guests and can’t take advantage of bulk pricing. You can fi nd online invitation solutions that send digital invites to your guests in classy, sophisticated designs. You can add animations and design the invite in your wedding colors for a completely custom look. Technology companies have improved their offerings, which may make it easier to announce your engagement and invite faraway guests to experience your ceremony. WEDDING PLANNER
Watch for these
six hidden wedding expenses Y DANIELLE BRAFF, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
our wedding day is approaching, and you’ve budgeted for the dress, venue, music, invites and photographer. But there are plenty of hidden wedding expenses that can pop up as late as the big day. We spoke with wedding experts who exposed those tricky little costs, so you’ll have a beautiful walk down the aisle without financial fears tying you down.
TIPPING Why it’s hidden: You paid for your vendors months in advance, but nothing in the fine print told you about a tip. While a tip isn’t mandatory, it’s expected for good service, said Alison Phillips, president of Engaging Events by Ali. The cost: If your wedding planner did a great job, you could tip 10 to 20 percent of the fee, or up to $500 at the end of the wedding. You could also tip your wedding ceremony officiant up to $100 if he went above and beyond. If your ceremony musicians did a fantastic job, you could give them $15-$20 per musician. Also optional is a tip for the band or DJ, which could be up to $25 per musician or $50-$150 for the DJ. While those tips are optional, the tip for hair and makeup is expected, and it should be about 20 percent. The person who delivers the wedding cake and flowers should also be tipped $5-$10 per person.
OVERTIME Why it’s hidden: Many couples decide to extend the wedding, but they’ll incur
overtime charges from everyone working on the wedding: the venue, the music, the photographer, video, bar, transportation and more, said Cristina Verger, of Cristina Verger Event Planning & Production in New York. The cost: It could be thousands of dollars for just 30 minutes or an hour of overtime. “This is a very important item that should be well thought out on the onset of the planning,” Verger said. “If the couple feels that they would like their wedding night to last longer than the allotted time, it is best to buy overtime at the beginning of the planning stage, as it is often more negotiable.”
magazine spreads dedicated to invitation designs and save-the-dates. And let’s not forget about your thank-you notes. But did you consider postage? The cost: The price of a first class letter is now 55 cents. Multiply that by the number of guests you have and the number of announcements and letters you plan on sending them, and this cost could add up quickly. “Mailing the savethe-dates and invitations can cost a few hundred dollars,” said Camille McLamb, founder of Camille Victoria Weddings in Illinois.
FANCY HARD LIQUOR
Why it’s hidden: Typically, you calculate the numbers for the big ticket items like the venue, caterer, dress, photographer and music ... and you’re golden. But most people forget about the taxes, which can be a significant portion
Why it’s hidden: You paid for a hard liquor package, or perhaps you decided to pay per consumption. But if the moreexpensive alcohol is on display, your guests could choose a drink you didn’t plan for. “You want to make sure the venue has removed any hard liquor you don’t want that resentful cousin or fun-loving friend with costly tastes to see, and run the risk of them ordering a 50-year-old scotch and you footing the bill,” said Ashley Douglas, owner and creative director of Ashley Douglass Events in New York. “It happens.” The cost: Depending on how many people are ordering that top-shelf liquor beyond your package, it could be thousands.
POSTAGE Why it’s hidden: There are entire
ate CelebrHERE
TAXES
• Wedding gown cleaning and preservation with proper storage in an elegant preservation box! • Cleaning and preservation of veils, detachable trains, gloves and more!
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Why it’s hidden: You’ve budgeted for the gown, but you probably didn’t realize the hidden cost of the alterations, which is significantly higher than altering a regular dress, McLamb said. Wedding gown alterations could include adding a different neckline, adding lace or beading, reshaping the silhouette or simply pulling in or taking out the dress — and tend to take two to three fittings over two to four weeks. The cost: Between $300 and $500. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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DRESS ALTERATION
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of the bill, depending on where you live, said Anja Winikka, director of education and industry for The Knot. The cost: Tax and gratuity can add upward of 30 percent, which will throw many couples over budget, Winikka said.
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Planning for your wedding?
Here’s a checklist for everything you need!
Jess DEHAVEN St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
6 to 12 months before the wedding
Determine budget. Decide type of wedding: formal, semi-formal or informal. Choose ceremony location. Discuss dates with clergy or officiant. Choose attendants. Select gown style. Select veil style. Select attendants’ apparel. Compile bride’s and groom’s invitation list. Select reception site. Select caterer. Select wedding planner. Plan details of reception. Select photographer. Have engagement photos taken. Select music for reception. Select videographer. Select florist. Discuss gown colors and styles with mothers of bride and groom. If composing own vows, inform officiant.
immunizations. Buy wedding rings and order engraving. Finalize invitation list with families. Visit hairdresser and manicurist; make wedding day appointments for bridal party. Order all printed items, including invitations, thank-you notes, programs and napkins. Order needed utensils, which may include engraved cake knife, personalized champagne glasses and a box for monetary gifts.
2 to 4 months before wedding
Reserve rental items: candelabra, arches, canopy, lines, etc. Arrange rehearsal dinner. Shop for trousseau and apparel for honeymoon and prenuptial parties. Reserve limousine, carriage, trolley or coach transportation. Review florist’s arrangements and finalize order. Buy attendants’ gifts. 4 to 6 months Experiment with hairstyle and makeup changes. before wedding Buy bride’s and attendants’ Select men’s formalwear and shoes; send to be dyed. arrange for final fitting a few Order wedding and groom’s days before wedding. cakes. Select ceremony musicians and Plan the ceremony and select music. music for the service. Make honeymoon plans. You should receive your Print map to include with invitations at least three months invitations. before the wedding; send them Reserve hotel rooms for out-ofout immediately. Don’t forget to town guests. request a reply date of at least Have physical exams and update five weeks before the wedding.
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Register for wedding gifts at the stores of your choice. Decide on reception menu and select beverage options; decide if there will be an open bar.
1 to 2 months before wedding
Final bridal fitting. Final attendants’ fittings. Confirm honeymoon reservations. Select reception decorations: balloons, candles, table favors, etc. Select ceremony accessories: unity candle, ring pillow, guest book, etc. Select personal accessories: handbag, garter, engraved goblets, guest mementos, etc. Finalize arrangements with officiant. Finalize arrangements with musicians taking part in the ceremony. Arrange bridesmaids’ lunch or brunch. Finalize arrangements with photographer and videographer. Discuss any special shots you want. Finalize arrangements with musicians, disc jockey and master of ceremonies for the reception. Finalize arrangements with florist, specifying time and place of delivery. Finalize transportation arrangements. Make sure all clothes for bridesmaids, groomsmen and
Final consultations with florist, musicians, photographer, videographer, etc. If you are having a rehearsal, present attendants with gifts. Men have final fitting two to three days before the wedding and pick up formalwear and 2 weeks shoes. before wedding Make a wedding day schedule Invite guests to rehearsal dinner. and give everyone copies at the Move your belongings into new rehearsal dinner. home. Relax the day before; keep Review reception seating and personal appointments; finish place cards. honeymoon packing. Confirm lodging for out-of-town guests. Day of the wedding Record gifts as you receive them Give payment envelopes to the and write thank-you notes. best man, who will deliver them Arrange for gown cleaning and after the ceremony and at the bouquet preservation after the reception. wedding. Go to hairdresser, makeup artist Finalize arrangements with hall and manicurist. and caterer, confirming final Make sure the car keys, wedding number of guests (preferably in rings, marriage license, keys writing). to the new house, airplane Finalize arrangements with tickets, hotel confirmations and baker regarding cake. honeymoon spending money are Pick up wedding dress and all assembled. bridesmaids’ dresses. Arrange for your car, your going Groom or best man arranges away outfits and your luggage final fittings for men in the to be delivered to the reception wedding party. hall. Prepare envelopes with Arrange for someone to bring payments for the officiant, tissues, lipstick and any other reception hall, musicians, disc personal items to the reception. jockey, etc. Be dressed and ready for the Ask officiant when he/she would picture-taking two hours before like to receive your marriage the ceremony or according to the license. arrangements made with your Begin packing for honeymoon. photographer. 1 week before wedding Relax and enjoy your big day. Pick up wedding rings and check engravings and sizes. ushers will be ready on time and that they have the appropriate accessories. Apply for marriage license. Formally inform employer of leave of absence.
WEDDING PLANNER
Modern or rustic? A guide to selecting the right space
Consider the guest experience Before landing on a specific venue, think about how the day will unfold. Will you want the ceremony and reception in the same location? Will you be allowed to design and decorate the space the way that you want? Is the cost of the venue within your budget? These are all critical questions that can help you narrow down your choices to a select few.
Talk to a planner first
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hen it comes to your wedding reception venue, there’s plenty of creative options to make sure all of your needs are met. From churches to barns, boutique hotels or restaurants, your options are limitless. And while large-group restrictions may be a barrier in being able to secure one of these venues at the moment, it’s never too early to start mapping out how you’d like your perfect day to go.
If organization is not typically your thing, you may consider talking to a wedding planner about getting these key details ironed out. Planners are likely more familiar with the capabilities of a space, the layout and the requirements needed to decorate it according to your needs. Planners likely have information on the decision makers within each space, as well, and are more likely to have a history with negotiating costs with them.
Consider your goals If you’re planning a modern wedding, look at venues that fit your vision. Places like art galleries or warehouses can be transformed to fit your design specifications. If you’re planning a more natural or rustic wedding, outdoor venues such as parks or a stylish backyard may be a better fit. Never settle and always research every option to make sure you can secure the best venue for your budget and goals.
Know your accommodations There is no need in securing a giant venue if you’re planning on keeping your guest list small. Alternatively, if you choose a venue that is too small for your guest list and more guests attend than you were originally expecting, you may be caught in an awkward situation. The number of expected guests should be a key factor in researching the size and layout of your venue.
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