Wedding Planner 2015 by Times Community Newspapers

Times Community Newspapers Wedding Planner, Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Wedding Planner 2015

INSIDE Finding the Right Vendor Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Weddings Outdoor Weddings Wedding Dress Re-do

Times Community Newspapers Wedding Planner, Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Deciding between a band or a deejay

ew things set the tone for a wedding ceremony and reception better than music. The decision of whether to hire a band or deejay often comes down to personal preference and budget.

Band

Live musicians spend years honing their crafts, and watching a band play at a wedding reception can be akin to attending a concert. A live band can bring with it a sense of sophistication. Performers can tone the

music to the crowd and improvise if necessary to meet the needs of the room. A good bandleader also will serve as a master of ceremonies at the reception. Many wedding bands can competently play songs from various genres of music, while some are especially skilled at recreating the sound of a particular group. Bands tend to be more expensive than deejays, and that’s something couples must factor into their budgets if they prefer a band to a deejay.

Deejay

The deejay is one of the first vendors people think of when they envision a wedding reception. Perhaps because they are less expensive, deejays tend to be more popular than bands among today’s couples. Deejays are advantageous for various reasons. Thanks to the accessibility of digital music, deejays can often procure just about any song a couple desires for

the reception. That’s a significant benefit for couples who want to hear the original versions of their favorite songs. Deejays also can read the crowd and make adjustments to the music at any time. If a particular genre is not working, deejays can easily transition to another type of music to get guests back on their feet. That’s not always possible for bands whose repertoire is exclusive to a particular genre. Many deejays also blend songs seamlessly and may incorporate lights and other effects into their performances, which can encourage guests to loosen up and hit the dance floor. Deejays also tend to travel with less equipment than bands, so they will take up less space in a party room. No matter which road a couple chooses to travel, it’s a good idea to listen to a deejay or band perform live before making a final decision. Couples also should confirm that the performers they meet or audition will be the ones who will perform at their weddings. Make sure this is written into your contract. Couples should provide a list of songs they want to hear well in advance of their wedding day. This affords a ample time to find or learn the songs before the big day.

Times Community Newspapers Wedding Planner, Wednesday, January 28, 2015

he average wedding tends to be one of the most costly ventures in a couple’s life together. Many couples seek ways to cut costs, and negotiating with prospective vendors is one way to do just that. Too often couples overlook haggling for better prices because they may be intimidated by the process or simply want to plan the most memorable day regardless of cost. Many vendors build some wiggle room into their prices, and the key for cost-conscious couples is to find the right strategy to unlock that lower price. • Explore your options. Weddings are big business for vendors, and the competition is stiff. Visit a variety of vendors and compare their services and prices prior to making any decisions. This will give you an accurate range of costs and information for future negotiations. Vendors may be willing to match competitors’ prices, so knowing what the photographer down the street charges can provide you with some negotiating leverage. • Dress modestly for meetings. It’s tempting to want to dress to impress, but very often wedding vendors judge potential clients by their appearances. If you walk in with a designer handbag and driving the latest model luxury vehicle, a vendor may get the impression you have extra money to spend. While you do not have to play the pauper, dress modestly so your appearance doesn’t hurt you at the

Successfully negotiating with wedding vendors

negotiating table. • Never take the first offer. A good business person will tell you there always is room for negotiation. Avoid the loaded question of “What can you spend on this?” by the vendor. Instead, let them

bring up a price first, and realize that this first quote can almost always be negotiated down. Inform the vendor that you would really like to work with them but he or she needs to lower the price. See if they can offer a different package or pro-

3B vide a discount. • Negotiate the big-ticket items first. Discounts on big-ticket items, such as the reception venue, will save you the most money. For example, you will save more by getting 20 percent off at the catering hall than if you save 20 percent on your wedding gown. Once you free up extra money, you may find you don’t have to negotiate as hard with smaller vendors. • Walk away if need be. Always have a Plan B in place. This way if you tell a vendor that their price is too expensive and you have to pass, you really have a fall-back option. Some vendors will sweeten the deal, but others will actually let you walk out the door. And remember, you’re more likely to get a better price by being amenable and well-mannered than making threats or arguing. • Some deals aren’t actual discounts. A vendor may be able to work with you by offering additional services in lieu of actually taking money off of the price tag. Extra photo prints, a dessert bar and an extra hour of time in the limousine may seem like great deals, but that’s only the case if you truly need these bonuses. Even if it’s a great deal, you’re still spending more than you had hoped. Wedding prices can be overwhelming. However, negotiating for lower prices is always an option for cost-conscious couples.

alentine’s Day evokes strong emotions in so many people. On the official day of all things love, many eagerly anticipate the chance to spend time with their sweethearts. Couples who already have hearts in their eyes and are enamored with all things Valentine’s Day may want to tie the knot on this special holiday, and few can argue when a couple decides to become husband and wife on this day devoted to love and affection. Valentine’s Day is a popular day to tie the knot, as more than two million people choose February 14 to walk down the aisle in the United States alone. Valentine’s Day is an easy day to remember, meaning it will be hard for husbands and wives to forget their wedding anniversaries. Another benefit to getting married on Valentine’s Day is the ambiance may already be taken care of by various establishments in the community. Reception halls may be embellished with flowers, balloons and other décor, while businesses may already be displaying hearts in

Times Community Newspapers Wedding Planner, Wednesday, January 28, 2015

their windows and twinkling pink, red and white lights for Valentine’s-focused customers. Couples who may not know which colors to choose for their wedding parties and table linens can just go with the colors and themes of Valentine’s Day if they decide to tie the knot on February 14. Chocolate brown, red, lavender, and pink are primary hues for the season, and any combination will complement the festivities and ceremony - whether they’re the color of the napkins or making up the bouquet. Valentine’s Day treats and trinkets make for great wedding favors. Guests can take home individual boxes of chocolates or crystal candle votives, while buffet dessert tables can be embellished with vases filled with chocolate kisses or candied hearts. Couples looking for a special day to tie the knot need not look any further than Valentine’s Day, a day devoted to couples and the affection they share for each other.

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Times Community Newspapers Wedding Planner, Wednesday, January 28, 2015

After party planning pointers Nowadays, many wedding guests are not ready to call it a night after the deejay plays the last dance at the reception. After parties have grown increasingly popular, but planning an after party is not necessarily as simple as pointing guests to a nearby watering hole. After parties can be anything a couple wants them to be. They can be a bunch of friends toasting marshmallows over a fire pit or a night of dancing at a club. • Choose a place within walking distance or close by to the reception hall or hotel. Guests have likely been indulging in alcohol during the wedding, and safety should always be a priority. If only a few people are going out, you may be able to pile into a cab, but if it’s more than a handful of guests, choose a close venue. • Limit the food and drink choices. Ask servers to bring a few pitchers of beer or sangria and finger foods. This will help avoid disagreements over the bill. • Go comfortably. If you’re ready to get out of wedding finery, by all means change into something more comfortable. • Take advantage of hotel services. Many hotels have conference rooms or attached bars and restaurants that make perfect gathering places for an after party. Make arrangements with the hotel concierge or

The timing of when a couple cuts the wedding cake can have a specific meaning. Long ago, the cake was usually cut at the very end of the reception and would signal to the guests that it was the end of the festivities. Today, cutting the cake is an unspoken signal that represents that the formal wedding is nearing a close, and guests who would like to leave can do so without worry of being rude. Many couples will cut the cake right after dinner as a courtesy to older guests who may want to get started on their trips home. This affords them the chance to make an earlier exit, rather than staying through the dancing that could extend into the wee hours of the night or missing the cake entirely. Cutting the cake mid-reception also serves another practical purpose for couples who are paying a photographer by the hour. Photographers typically go home after the cake-cutting, so a mid-reception cutting can save couples a substantial amount of money the front desk in advance. • Delegate responsibilities. A busy bride and groom may not have the time or the inclination to plan another party. If guests want to continue celebrating, put the task in the hands of a third party or volunteer. • Leave whenever you want. Partygoers will eventually need some sleep. Feel free to leave the after party whenever you want. Usually once a few people begin to disperse, the rest of the group will call it a night. After parties are growing in popularity. Those planning on celebrating into the early hours of the morning can start thinking creatively.

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Times Community Newspapers Wedding Planner, Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Working with Mother Nature for a successful outdoor wedding Outdoor weddings are romantic when done right, and a growing number of couples are exchanging vows amid an expansive garden or with the splendor of the pounding surf providing a picturesque backdrop. If Mother Nature cooperates, outdoor weddings can go smoothly. But even if the weather does not cooperate, there still are ways couples can enjoy a memorable ceremony. Preparation and planning help keep outdoor weddings moving along. Weather can be unpredictable and unforgiving, so it is always best to account for various scenarios. The following are some tips to consider. • Be mindful of hot weather. As anyone who has had to sit outdoors in the blazing sun for an extended period of time can attest, it can grow quite uncomfortable, especially when everyone is dressed to the nines. Advise guests in advance that the wedding will be taking place outdoors and to dress accordingly. Arrange to have shaded areas for guests who may struggle with the heat. Keep chilled bottled water nearby so guests can stay cool and refreshed. Ask the officiant to keep the ceremony brief so that guests are not melting away in their seats. • Keep wind in mind. A stiff breeze can upset tents and wreak havoc on hairstyles.

Be sure everything outdoors is properly secured and weighted down. Avoid light fabrics on a wedding gown that will get swept away by wind. A short, blusher veil may be more appropriate than a sweeping train. Couples should advise their hairstylists that they will be getting married outdoors, and looks should be well secured by bobby pins and gel to keep hair in place. Stick to real dishes for food service, as plastic or lightweight materials may get blown away. • Check for power sources. Choose a wedding location with easily accessible power outlets. Guests will certainly want to hear the vows, and that may require the use of microphones and a sound system. Having power available also makes it easier for bands and musicians to set up their equipment for an outdoor reception. If the wedding will be stretching into the evening hours, electricity will be needed to power supplemental lighting that illuminates the festivities. • Ensure accessibility. Outdoor terrain can prove tricky, especially for older guests or those with mobility issues. When scouting locations, select a wheelchair-accessible spot that can be easily traversed. Understand that turf can become waterlogged and challenging to walk over should

it rain the day of the wedding or prior. Plastic or fabric runners may make things easier. Also, choose a location that isn’t too far off the beaten path. It should be close enough to a parking lot and not require guests to have to take an extended hike through nature. • Face away from the sun. Glares can make it difficult for guests to see the ceremony. Be sure to arrange seats so that guests do not have to look into the sun. This is best achieved by having the sun behind everyone for the ceremony. • Ensure food is properly chilled or heated. Dining outdoors means keeping food safety in mind. Food that is supposed to

be kept cool should remain on ice or be refrigerated until served. Hot foods should remain hot. Food in chafing dishes or served buffet-style also should be protected from insects. Improper handling of food can result in foodborne illnesses. • Use fresh flowers in potted plants. Cut flowers tend to wilt prematurely in hot weather. Rather than waste money and beautiful flowers, choose potted plants that will thrive if well-tended. Guests can then take the plants home and continue to cherish the wedding long after it is over. • Budget for a tent. It is always better to have a contingency plan. Even if you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding, have a backup plan in place if the weather is uncooperative. A tent with surrounding sidewalls may be sufficient. Otherwise, determine if there is an indoor location that can be kept on standby. • Mix up the candles. Intersperse citronella candles with the decorative ones to help keep bugs at bay. You can also consider placing small bottles of insect repellent on the tables. Guests will appreciate the gesture. Make sure Mother Nature doesn’t rain on your outdoor wedding. Plan for all the possibilities so that an outdoor ceremony or reception goes as smoothly as possible.

Times Community Newspapers Wedding Planner, Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Why not say “I do” to repurposing that wedding gown? Estimates suggest the average wedding gown costs $2,000. A designer dress can cost upward of $5,000. Even the most expensive dress will only be worn once. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways brides can recycle their wedding gowns.

Heirloom

One of the easiest ways to get more from your gown is to pass it down to another bride after your wedding day. Brides frequently save and preserve their gowns with the intent of passing it down as an heirloom to a daughter or another family member. Maintain the beauty of the gown by hiring a professional dry cleaner or wedding gown preservation service to treat and package the gown before storing it for some lucky lady’s future use.

Religious ceremony

If you feel the style of the gown won’t keep up with the times, the fabric of the gown can be repurposed into a baptismal outfit or a communion dress or suit. Christian children are welcomed to the faith in white clothing, which is a symbol of purity and cleansing of sin. Seamstresses can fashion beautiful dresses or suits from original wedding gowns.

Dress-up

Many little girls and boys like to play dress-up. And rather than have a gown sitting in the closet, use it to make play clothes for little ones. The gown can be turned into a dress for a fairy princess or an ice queen.

Ornaments or favors

Lace from gowns can be turned into doilies, accents on other clothing, undergarments or decorative pieces for the home. A lace-covered lampshade can commemorate your wedding day for years to come.

Anniversary tablecloth

Measure out the length of a dining table, and cut and sew the gown into a special occasion tablecloth. Use it each year on your anniversary and special occasions.

Donation

Some less fortunate people cannot afford a gown. Work with a church or shelter and find out where you can donate the gown to be used by someone who normally would not wear something so lavish.

Art

Theater

Many plays and musicals feature wedding scenes. An upstart theater company would benefit from having a wedding gown in their costume department.

Wedding Handkerchief

Cut out a piece of the gown and sew the hem. Offer it as the “something old” or “something borrowed” for a loved one’s wedding. Wedding gowns don’t need to be relegated to a closet once a bride has said “I do.”

Tailorland

Use the gown as a background for artwork. Simply stretch it across a wooden frame and staple on the back. You then have a handy canvas at the ready.

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Decorate a baby’s nursery with a portion of the wedding dress, which can be turned into a crib skirt or pillow. The dress can also be used to create frilly curtains. A white dress will blend with just about any pattern.

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Times Community Newspapers Wedding Planner, Wednesday, January 28, 2015

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