February 26, 2017
Bride North Atlanta
How to organize wedding planning W
eddings require a lot of planning. Couples hosting large weddings or even intimate gatherings can easily be overwhelmed by the amount of planning they must do to make their weddings into events they will remember and cherish forever. Staying organized when planning a wedding is a tall task. It’s wise to expect the unexpected when organizing a wedding, and the more organized couples can stay, the more fun they can have during the planning process and the better they can handle the unforeseen circumstances that are bound to arise in the months leading up to the wedding.
Create separate filing systems for each aspect of the wedding
Rather than maintaining one massive file with information about various elements of the wedding, maintain separate files for each aspect of the wedding. For example, when receiving quotes from prospective florists, keep all florist quotes in a single folder that remains separate from information about other parts of the wedding. Separate filing systems make it easier to find quotes and contracts when you need to, saving you the trouble of digging through pages upon pages of quotes, notes and other information you store.
Maintain a spending spreadsheet
Many couples plan weddings on carefully constructed budgets. But couples can easily exceed those budgets if they are not routinely monitoring and recording their spending or the spending they are committing to upon signing contracts with vendors. Create a spending spreadsheet that allows you to track how much you have already spent, how much you are committed to spending and when wedding bills are due. Update the spreadsheet whenever you write a check or sign a new contract, and periodically examine the sheet so you can make sure you are still on track to remain at or under budget.
Hire a planner
If wedding planning is proving especially overwhelming or if you simply don’t have time to do all the legwork necessary to plan on your own, hire a wedding planner. Wedding planners are invaluable resources who can help couples quickly connect with vendors who can meet their needs while staying within their budgets. Planners also can advise couples on ways to save money and which areas of the wedding should not be bargain basement. Couples planning destination weddings should inquire about resort-affiliated wedding planners before choosing a venue to host their ceremonies and/or guests.
Bridal Guide presented by
Start early
According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average length of engagement for couples who wed in 2015 was 14.5 months. That means today’s average couples have more than a year to plan their nuptials. By starting their wedding planning early, couples can avoid having to plan everything at the last minute, which can be hectic, nerve-wracking and unorganized. In addition, starting early affords couples more time to find great deals and stay within their budgets.
Staying organized when planning a wedding can make for more enjoyable planning and a happier wedding day
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Select a comfortable wedding gown Many brides-to-be visit bridal shops with specific goals in mind regarding the style of their wedding gowns. Some women come equipped with magazine tear-outs or pull up ideas on their mobile phones. Others may have an entire scrapbook filled with various ideas they’ve been compiling for years. Much consideration is given to wedding gowns. The cost and silhouette of the dress may garner the bulk of that consideration, but brides might want to spend more time considering comfort. Depending on the time of day their weddings take place, brides can spend 12 hours or more in their wedding gowns on their wedding day. However, when shopping for their gowns, brides may prioritize beauty over comfort, even though it’s entirely possible to find a gown that’s both stunning and comfortable. When staff and friends or family who have come along to offer advice start to blush over wedding gowns, brides-to-be may feel pressured to downplay any discomfort they feel. To make sure brides look flawless and elegant but are still comfortable in their wedding gowns, consider the following tips. • Know what to highlight and what to cover up. No two body types are the same, and many women feel certain parts of their bodies are their best assets while they want to downplay others. Try on gowns that play up your best features. If you have shapely legs, consider a dramatic gown with a slit to show them off. Certain gowns can enhance the decollete or show off an hourglass shape. Remember, many gowns can be modified so that you feel secure and confident. Sleeves can be added or fab-
ric placed to cover up any perceived flaws. Confidence and pride are important parts of the comfort factor. • Get sized correctly. Bridal gown sizes do not coincide with street sizes. Depending on the manufacturer, brides may have to select gowns that are several sizes larger than they would normally wear. This should not be a cause for alarm. Brides should go by their measurements. Attempting to squeeze into a dress that is too small will only lead to discomfort on the wedding day. • Purchase the right undergarments. Improperly fitting bras, shapewear and other undergarments can lead to discomfort as well. Some seamstresses can sew in supportive cups to remove the need for separate bras. Brides can explore various options to reduce the visibility of certain accoutrements. • Move around in the gown. Brides should not just stand in front of the mirror and smile when trying on gowns. Put them through their paces. Try sitting, bending and even a little dancing. Make sure the dress is comfortable to move around in. • Try different options. The gown brides have in mind may not be the one they ultimately go home with. Explore different styles and materials. Choose cooler, breezier fabrics and lightweight gowns, like cr pe, georgette or organza, for summer weddings. Heavier fabrics, such as brocade, may be more comfortable in the winter. Wedding gowns can be both beautiful and comfortable for those who know how to shop.
NEW
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“Must Knows” When Picking Out a Tux 1. Scheduling: Finalize ALL measurements, deposits, and details no less than 30 days before your Big Day. (April, May, and June weddings avoid prom chaos and finalize by March 15th.)
2. Style: It’s the groom’s day, too! Spare no expense to chose the style that looks and feels best on you. It’s OK for the dads and groomsmen to spend less and still look great
3. Pricing:
What is included in the price you’re quoted? It’s an important question. “Add-ons, Add up”
4. Colors:
When matching colors, fabric swatches are more reliable than your phone screen.
5. Pick Up: Renter beware: No one should leave the store without trying on his tuxedo. Avoid surprises on your wedding day.
6. Returns:
A nice touch to make life easy: Suggest the best man or a volunteer return all tuxedos on the appropriate due date.
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Forsyth Conference Center blank slate for your day The Forsyth Conference Center is the perfect location for all events north of Atlanta. The center offers a versatile floor plan to host corporate meetings, expos, conferences, special events and wedding ceremonies and receptions. Located just 30 miles north of Atlanta off of Ga. 400, the Forsyth Conference Center is a great alternative to downtown Atlanta. A two story foyer with Italian tile and natural wood accents welcomes visitors. The lobby provides an open atrium with comfortable seating areas to host cocktail receptions and receive your guests. The ballroom offers 14,000 square feet that can be customized to fit your needs on your special day. Our flexible wall system allows for a ceremony and
reception to be held here so your guests do not need to travel between venues. Our professional event management team is ready to help assist you in creating a perfect event. Our staff will provide guidance in planning your event and the decorating resources to create your custom look. We provide state of the art audio visual equipment with personnel on-site to assist you with multimedia event needs. A warming kitchen is available for approved caterers to provide you with appetizers, buffets or plated dinners. The Forsyth Conference Center is a flexible and versatile venue to decorate, cater and customize to make it your perfect event.
Customer Reviews:
“It was a pleasure to work with the Forsyth Conference Center team. The facilities are excellent and the friendliness and hospitality of everyone we worked with was outstanding!” “We chose the Forsyth Conference Center after visiting 10 different venues. The parking lot is huge; lots of privacy and the architecture were the factors. The center looks ultramodern and very spacious.”
Carl House will cater to all the bride’s needs Award winning Carl House! The home of “Extraordinary. Memorable. Events.” Why all the buzz? A sterling reputation, lavishly appointed interiors including a dramatic 4,000-square-foot grand ballroom with classic curved staircase, 10 working fireplaces, exquisite gazebo, lush private gardens, dramatic covered porches, 30-plus acres of tranquil pasture land, a charming rustic barn, exquisite culinary prepared in-house chef, inhouse florals, and custom vendor services all designed to assist a busy bride. Carl House also features unique bride and groom suites, as well as inside and outside ceremony options. And now, Carl House is offering offsite catering where we will bring the party to you. Carl House boasts a host of awards, including “Best of Weddings” from The
Knot Magazine, “Best Place for a Wedding” from Gwinnett Magazine, “Best of Atlanta Bridal ” from atlantabridal.com, “Brides Choice Award” from weddingwire.com and “Best of and True Love” from mywedding.com, to name a few. Our team of experts will help you with as much or as little of the planning of your wedding, guiding you step by step. We begin with a relaxed, private planning session with our inhouse planner to best understand your vision, spending and menu preferences and a review of what other services you will be needing. Once your planning is mapped out, you’ll be on your way to putting together the wedding you’ve always envisioned. Visit carlhouse.com for more information. Contact us at (770) 5860095 or info@carlhouse.com.
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The basics of shopping for wedding rings Engagement ring purchases are usually a solo endeavor, with the groom having an idea of the ring style and color his bride-to-be prefers. But couples usually shop for their wedding ring sets together, and such excursions can be special and meaningful. Like many decisions couples make when planning their weddings, choosing rings comes down to personal preference. There are no steadfast rules when it comes to purchasing wedding rings, but some guidelines can make shopping far easier. As couples prepare to shop for rings, it can help for each person to list the attributes he or she would like in a ring. This should include the type of metal, color, width, and even cost. Couples may find they have different preferences, and this is perfectly fine, as wedding rings do not have to match. A wedding band should complement the engagement ring but not be a perfect match. An ornate engagement ring might look better with a simple band, and viceversa. Similarly cut gemstones also can complement an engagement ring. If the bride chooses to wear both her engagement ring and wedding band together on the same finger, she should choose a band that will accommodate the curves of uniquely shaped engagement rings. Couples can make some early choices even before they visit jewelry stores. Narrow down your options so the
experience will not be overwhelming. When the time comes to shop, give yourselves at least two months to browse and then choose the rings you like best. Lifestyle and daily routine should be considered at all times. These rings will be worn daily, and no one wants to fret about a ring being too delicate to stand up to everyday wear and tear. Also, think long-term. Trendy rings can be fun, but will they still seem like such a good idea when you are celebrating your twentieth wedding anniversary? When getting rings sized, both the bride and groom should go when their fingers aren’t swollen from exercise or early in the morning after they may have
retained fluid. Shopping should take place when hands aren’t too hot or cold. This will allow the best size so the bands fit comfortably and will have enough wiggle room should fingers swell or shrink a little bit. People can protect their investments by keeping the ring on as much as possible and only removing it when engaging in demanding physical activity or when working with chemicals. Store the ring in a safe spot when you are not wearing it so you are less likely to lose it. Wedding rings can be purchased from any number of retailers. Just be sure the rings are of good quality and sellers stands by the craftsmanship.
Clever takes on the ‘something old, new, borrowed, blue’ tradition Wedding day tokens of good luck come in many forms, but “the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue (a sixpence in your shoe)” adage remains one of the most popular luckenhancing wedding traditions. According to the bridal resource The Knot, this tradition stems from an Olde English rhyme. Something old represents continuity; something new is for optimism for the future; something borrowed stands for borrowed happiness; and something blue is for purity, love and fidelity. The sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity, but this is not a tradition widely celebrated outside of the United Kingdom or British territories. These traditions can add some creative flair and personality to wedding ceremonies. There’s no end to the inventive combinations of items brides can carry to increase their good fortunes.
Something old
Something old is one of the easier mementos to obtain. There is a good chance that someone in the family is willing to pass an item down to the bride that she can include in her wedding wardrobe. It also can be something the bride may have in her own memory box. Beads taken from a grandmother’s dress or a swatch of fabric from a beloved toy doll are creative ideas that can be sewn into inconspicuous places on gowns.
Something new
Brides already purchase many new items for their
wedding day looks, so “something new” should not be too hard to find. Couples may want to work together to find something new they can both carry so they have a matching set upon tying the knot. Interlocking charm bracelets or keychains may work. What about the groom carrying a small padlock and the bride the key? Quirky couples can each wear one sock from a pair. Get clever and have fun.
Something borrowed
Much like something old, something borrowed is yet another way to pay homage to a friend or family member. It’s also one way to add a sentimental twist to everyday items. Borrow a grandfather’s handkerchief to wrap around the stems of the wedding bouquet. Exchange vows with the
original rings used by a distant relative at their own wedding. Flatter a close friend by wearing the same veil she did.
Something blue
There are many ways to incorporate “something blue” into your wedding ceremony. Brides can paint their toenails blue or wear blue shoes under their gowns. Sew a patch from a pair of denim jeans into the bodice of the dress. Paint the bottom of your shoes bright blue so they stand out when kneeling at the altar. Blue sapphire or topaz jewelry can add an exotic look to the wedding wardrobe. With a little ingenuity, brides can easily incorporate “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” into their wedding ceremonies.
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A location almost as beautiful as a blushing bride. Wedding from 15 to 150 guests. Newly renovated hotel. Full service catering and bar menus. Ideal for destination weddings, rehearsal dinners and bridal brunches. Lodging included hotel rooms, cabins and camp sites.
90 miles from center city Atlanta, 15 miles from downtown Dawsonville, 19 miles west of Dahlonega and 23 miles east of Ellijay on Hwy 52 in Dawsonville, GA. For Wedding or Lodge information, Call 706-265-8888 or 800-573-9656 or email l.vansickle@amicalolafallslodge.com