Your Rehearsal Dinner

With all the upcoming summer weddings on the horizon, your rehearsal dinner is the last party before your wedding day. And it is an intimate and family oriented affair; a time to be with the closest people in your life before you speak your wedding vows at the ceremony.

Your rehearsal dinner is the time to introduce your family and close friends that are involved in the wedding, to the each other. Many times your attendants come from other cities and it is the first opportunity everyone has a chance to meet one another before your wedding day.

Brandon Scott Photography, Windsor, Ontario -will travel

Traditionally, this dinner is hosted by the groom’s parents, in a restaurant, hotel, private dining facility, or in their home. Today, fewer and fewer weddings follow are following a traditional pattern so it may be paid for by the bride and groom or any family member who volunteers.

Although a rehearsal dinner following the wedding rehearsal is not a necessity, it is a lovely way to begin your wedding festivities and it’s a great way to relax and unwind.

Invitations should be sent out two to four weeks before the wedding. A simple phone call informing the expected guests of the time, location, and perhaps formality of dress is also appropriate. Invite members of the wedding party as well as their respective spouses or guests.

The parents of young attendants should also be invited. Included your clergy and spouse or officiant and musicians and vocalists (if they attend the rehearsal). The guest list can be expanded to include grandparents, honoured guests, or the immediate families as the groom wishes.

Special instrumental music will make this event even more elegant; consider hiring a pianist, a harpist, or perhaps an entertaining guitar duo. Usually the location you have chosen will be pleased to accommodate space for special music unless your group will be in a main dining room where music is already provided.

Use place cards to ease seating arrangements. Decorate the dining area with flowers and candles. These touches will help everyone to relax and enjoy the party.

The night before your wedding is a great time to calm any wedding jitters and to relax and begin your celebration. Since your guest list will be smaller for this event, you will have more flexibility than you have had with your wedding planning.

Enjoy the evening and make it an early night because you want to be fresh and bright-eyed for your wedding day!

June 27th, 2011

Dressing the Groom in Style

Weeks and months are spent by the bride agonizing over the perfect wedding gown. What style to pick? Which gown will accentuate the bride’s best features? How much lace and tulle will make the gown a wow without going overboard? What type of neckline, detail and fabrics go into the perfect gown? Should it be long or short, white, ivory or coloured?

And, then there’s the poor groom. Does anyone pay attention to his wedding attire? He is often left to fend for himself, without having the slightest idea what he is looking for. Certainly he has heard of wing-collars, morning suits and cummerbunds. But does he even know what they are? Or when they are worn? Or what they look like?

Probably not and that’s where his loving bride comes in to help him select the fashions that are not only traditional and proper, but what looks best on him. And don’t forget the groomsmen. Though they too may be an afterthought, the syles they wear will add a sense of elegance to your wedding day.

Tuxedos are instantly classic and although the wearing of them has shown a decline through the last few years, there’s nothing that speaks James Bond for the special day. The trend today is back to the 50′s, vintage glam and retro-style, which themed is  a black and white affair; complete with martini bars and the Clark Gable look of the dashing gentleman. Sign onto this look and, the wedding party will be on trend.

Planning a wedding and including all the bride’ finery, glamour and bling works best when the whole wedding party is in the same formal feel. There are variations in tuxedo styles; one that will certainly work for the man-of -the-hour.

Remember that your picture-taking and memory-making will pay off dividends when everyone is suited up for the occasion in style. And, dad and future father-in-law are celebrating the milestone too. Don’t short-change them by by-passing on the tuxedo. It is a special occasion for two very special people- the bride and the groom and the elegance and style that are added to the day are priceless when they look back 20 years from now with their kids as they view the wedding album.

Until later,

Sheryl Davies

Publisher

May 5th, 2010

Local Counts for Wedding Planning!

Chalet Studio Photography

You may fall in love with a band from elsewhere or a fabulous dress from Toronto or Michigan, but your best bet for price and reliability is to go with vendors in your local area. Most times, local vendors can order in special requests with assurances of getting them on time, in perfect condition, and at a price that your wedding budget can tolerate. It’s much easier to run over to a local boutique to check a colour fabric in person than taking a trip to another city to ensure everything coordinates well with your wedding theme.

If you are going to use special orders with your wedding goods and services, make certain you leave enough time for shipping problems; that avoids any last minute stress waiting for their arrival.

Remember it’s not just a big party… it’s the most important day of your life. From ” I will to ” I do”,  perfect wedding planning removes any anxiety and allows the bride to fully enjoy the many decisions leading up to the big day.

We are big believers in shopping local, working with the people that live and work in your community is a big plus for everyone involved. Remember your attendants and  the time and love they have for you by honouring you by being in your wedding party.  Make it easy for them to procure the dresses they will wear so it is convenient and cost-effective. And, try to also keep it simple for everyone involved.

We are all living busy lives and local just makes good sense. The area professionals are many and the choices you have with them are current, stylish and easy to access for all.

With a little thought, you can mitigate any anxious moments (and there will be some) by staying close to home and supporting the people in your community.

Even if you may have the best-made plans, nothing is a given until you have it in writing. It’s important when organizing the events and vendors for your wedding to check and double check when it comes to facts and figures. Always get written proposals, whether they arrive by e-mail.  fax, or regular mal. Verify the dates, times and costs before signing any contract.

When you are coordinating with friends, family and members of your wedding party, be clear about what is expected of them and when you need them, or certain events and appointments. Use written correspondence whenever you can to make sure to reach everyone with important information, or you have made changes to already existing plans. Not only will your clear communications with everyone help them get it right, it will also give you peace of mind that you have covered all the planning details.

Are you looking for a particular item or service?  Call the experts at The Wedding Guide Windsor|Region. We’ve been assisting local brides for 20 years! www.theweddingguide.ca

May 4th, 2010