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7 Wedding Tricks To Make The Big Day Easier Wedding planning is no small task. From sending out engagement announcements to gifting guests with take-home favors, a couple will pour over scores of details as they plan their weddings. As if selecting a photographer or choosing the right passed appetizers isn't challenging enough, some unknown variables are sure to pop up on the big day as well. Couples can take their cues from others who have walked the aisle before them with these tricks of the trade, which may help couples' wedding days go smoothly.
1. Host everything at a single location. Couples who want to simplify their wedding day can select a site that can host the ceremony and reception and also house guests. The cost of such facilities may be more affordable than couples think, as transportation costs will be minimal and the venue may offer discounts on group packages.
2. Think about a day coordinator. Couples who cannot afford a wedding planner to handle all of the details often find that a day-of-service provider is within their budget. This person can handle all of the details of the wedding day so brides and grooms can fully immerse themselves in the festivities.
3. Bring extra cash. Unexpected expenses may pop up. Couples may have to feed an extra member of the band or a guest who was able to get a babysitter at the last minute. Brides and grooms may want to offer a bigger tip than anticipated to the waitstaff or deejay who went above and beyond.
4. Learn how to bustle. Walking around with a free-flowing train all day can become tiring for brides. Brides should make sure that one person practices how to bustle the train and will step in to do so for the reception. Also, it may not be the height of fashion, but having a garbage bag on hand can keep the train clean during inclement weather, or if the bride has to trek across grass or soil for photo opportunities.
5. Give an outgoing person a job. Enlist a boisterous friend or family member to wrangle guests for photo opportunities. He or she can be the photographer's helper and give the happy couple one less thing to do.
6. Stock the bathroom. Some venues will have courtesy items for their guests, but couples also should bring their own necessities, such as breath mints, toothpaste, extra pantyhose, hairspray, lip gloss, and/or sanitary pads.
7. Be all smiles. Couples can't predict everything that will happen on their wedding day, but they can help create the mood. Smiling couples can make things better for everyone, even when zippers break or someone gets the chicken instead of the salmon.
Photos By Capture Your Moment Photography
Photo By Capture Your Moment Photography
Local Vendors
Local vendors are often a go-to choice when
couples are planning their wedding ceremonies and receptions. As the "shop local" movement grows in popularity, weddings present a prime opportunity to embrace this movement. Couples may have different ideas regarding where to tie the knot, but local vendors can be hired regardless of geography. Brides magazine says the biggest factor influencing wedding location is the size of the guest list and the number of people who wouldn't be able to attend if the wedding was in a particular locale. Hometowns might be the traditional choice regarding wedding location, but the XO Group says one in four couples now host destination weddings. Once couples choose a town or city to host their weddings, they can begin exploring the benefits of working with locallybased vendors.
FAMILIARITY Local vendors will be familiar with the area and possibly even the location where the wedding will be held. That can help couples avoid having to give directions, discuss venue protocols, and
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handle other tasks that must be worked out with non-local vendors. For example, local photographers familiar with a particular venue will know all of the best places to get shots, and some vendors may have preexisting relationships with venue representatives that could ensure wedding day operations go smoothly.
PROXIMITY Local vendors can meet with brides and grooms more readily throughout the planning process, making things less stressful on the happy couple. This also makes it easier to drop off deposits, attend meetings, make fitting appointments, or attend styling sessions.
SAVINGS Couples who travel for their weddings and employ local vendors will not have to pack as much. Using local vendors eliminates the need to bring along bulky dresses, decorative items, flowers, and much more. Plus, couples needn't pay to transport and house vendors brought along from back home.
CUSTOMIZATION Working with local vendors often translates into getting more personalized service and attention than mass retailers or merchants can provide.
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Photos By Capture Your Moment Photography
What To Do In The Wake Of Cancelled Events Events have been canceled or postponed across the globe in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19. This has caused a disruption to not only commercial events like concerts and sporting events, but personal gatherings as well. Any party with a large number of potential guests has to be reconsidered. This includes graduation parties, weddings and birthdays. People facing the cancellation of such events can follow these guidelines.
Speak to vendors to find out if cancellations can occur with no penalties. Many hotels and other travel services are waiving fees for cancellations, or allowing bookings to be rescheduled at no additional cost. Try to think of some alternative dates for events like weddings and graduation parties as soon as possible. There is no way to accurately predict the path that COVID-19 will take, nor put a firm date regular life can resume, but discussing alternative dates with vendors with whom you're already under contract may put you at the top of the list when gatherings are once again allowed.
¡ Reach out to guests to explain that your plans are fluid. Expect that a good portion of guests, even those who already committed to attend, may not be able to make rescheduled events. Speak with vendors about fluctuating headcounts in the wake of COVID-19. Â
Be patient and keep an open minded about events. These are unprecedented times and many people are learning as they go. Rescheduling events when the threat has subsided may cause a bottleneck effect with service providers. Flexibility and patience can help make reschedule less stressful.
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