Wedding planning isn’t difficult but there is lots of research and planning to do. From weekends away with the girls to cakes and stationery, you will be constantly challenged with coming up with the best answers for the two of you.
We appreciate that you are busy with school or work and planning your wedding is sandwiched in between your regular routine. When picking your vendors, make sure that they not only understand what you want and how you wish it to be delivered, be very certain that you can work together well to achieve the goal that you are looking for.
Bachelorette Weekend
Jaques Scheepers Photography, Windsor, Ontario
What used to be one last night of the single life has turned into a weekend trip with the girls! Many brides are finding a group getaway a great alternative to girl’s night out. Though the main idea of any celebration is to have fun, the destination is as different as each bride-to-be. Las Vegas, Toronto, New York or Chicago are always popular choices with their abundant night life and package pricing. Another alternative is a destination spa weekend. Though you may opt to fly to a famous spa resort for a few days of pampering, there are now well-regarded overnight spas in most areas as well as in upscale hotels. You can even make your own weekend get-away; settle in at a friend’s cottage, on or off season, and organize all types of activities. Get manicures and pedicures from a traveling spa, have a chef visit for a cooking class, or plan a day of shopping at the local boutiques.
A note from the two of you
The time when you are ordering your wedding invitations and announcements is also the perfect opportunity to order your own personalized stationery ensemble. Some items you may want to include are thank you notes, correspondence cards and letterhead with coordinating envelopes printed with your return address. You may want a set in both your names, as well as a set for each of you separately. Some wedding invitation packages may include some of these items such as personalized thank you cards. Take time to browse through the many options that are offered before making your decision-there are so many beautiful colours, papers and styles available to choose from. Pick something that expresses and complements your own unique personalities! If you can’t make up your mind or don’t know where to start, ask for guidance from the invitation expert that you are working with.
It’s His Ring Too
Take some time for the two of you to shop for your wedding bands, at least a few months before the wedding. Since many men end up forsaking their wedding bands sometime after their “I Do’s”, perhaps a little more input from your groom on the style and design of the bands will result in a choice of rings that you’ll both love. You might want to start at the jeweller where your engagement ring was purchased; someone that you are both comfortable working with. Choosing a family heirloom ring that has been passed down from generation to generation means much more emotionally than purchasing a new ring, but you’ll still need to have it sized by a professional jeweller and maybe personalize it even more by engraving it with a special message or your wedding date, inside the band.
Choose wisely
One of the more important decisions most couples have to make after they become engaged is figuring out who they want to include in their wedding party. Family politics may play a part in the choices but it’s usually best to let your own intuition guide you. Probably the best advice you’ll hear is to choose attendants that have played an important part in your both your life and in this special relationship. And be sure they are people that you can rely on. Be clear with your attendants on what their responsibilities will be; especially in terms of what expenses they will be expected to bear and what costs you will pick up.
Getting to know each other
Jaques Scheepers Photography, Windsor, Ontario
Some wedding officiants offer or require pre-marital counseling programs for couples that wish to be married in their house of worship. Take advantage of this great opportunity to know each other better under the tutelage of professionals. Many couples believe the communications skills they learned in these sessions and weekends have helped them through difficult times in their marriage. Though some couples come away from this time with the realization that they may not yet be ready for marriage or are not suited to their intended, most find they are better prepared for what lies ahead in their relationship and have a more realistic vision of what married life will be like. There are often other married couples that have been through the same program available to provide wise advice that can last a lifetime.
The Icing on the Cake
In the cake portion of your wedding celebration, many avant-garde options have become available to today’s couples thanks to the creative minds and efforts of pastry chefs everywhere. Often, instead of one large wedding cake, guests are now treated to their own individual mini wedding cake, complete with layers and elaborate décor. For the bride with decision difficulties, there can be a cake for each table, decorated to order and each featuring a different flavour. For the young-at-heart, cupcakes, macarons and mini pies have emerged as a popular alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Cupcakes of varying flavours and icing are decorated to match the theme and atmosphere of the wedding itself and are displayed in grand style. Dessert bars and elaborate sweet tables have also become popular.
