WEDDING DO's and DON'Ts

Here are a few smalls do's and don'ts that can make a BIG difference!

DO TRY TO INVOLVE YOUR FIANCE IN THE PLANNING.
Even though they may not want to be bothered it is a good time to learn more about one another’s likes and dislikes.

DO TRY TO BRING BOTH FAMILIES TOGETHER-invite each others parents over to talk about wedding plans - if they live in separate cities set-up a conference call so everyone can be together to share the excited! …this will help everyone feel as though there’re all involved in making this wedding very special.

DON’T WASTE TIME WORRYING ABOUT PLEASING EVERYONE …try your best, but remember this is your and your fiance's big day.

DO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE LEG WORK BEFORE YOU REGISTER. It is a
good idea to narrow some of the gift choices before you ask your partner to join you for the final decisions.

DO YOUR GIFT REGISTRY WITH YOUR PARTNER. It’s more fun when your
fiancé can share in the excitement of actually receiving gifts you both chose together.

DO REMEMBER TO SELECT FLOWERS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF YOUR WEDDING. You may have a favorite flower you hoped would be in your bouquet but the seasons play an important role when designing your florals.

DON’T ORDER YOUR INVITATIONS TOO EARLY. Four months before your wedding date is ample time. Wedding invitation companies are constantly coming up with new designs. Ask your stationer for the most current catalogues. Always request a proof in case of last minute changes and to correct any errors.

DO ORDER EXTRA THANK YOU NOTES. It is not expensive to increase the thank you note amount at the time of the initial order. These notes will surely come in handy even after all the notes for the wedding have been written.

DO CHOOSE A SONG FOR YOUR FIRST DANCE THAT IS MEANINGFUL TO BOTH OF YOU. This will make your first dance together as Mr. and Mrs. very special.

DO MAKE ONE OF YOUR FIRST DECISIONS HOW FORMAL YOU WANT YOUR WEDDING TO BE. This will help with later decisions such as décor, menu planning and attire.

DO MAKE A GUEST LIST FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER. This list will enable your photographer and videographer not to leave out specific guest when taking pictures and interviewing for video.

DON’T CHOOSE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND OR VIDEOGRAPHER BASED ON THEIR WORK ALONE. It’s important that you feel comfortable with his/hers personality- a friendly relationship will make for better end results.

DON’T FORGET “SOMETHING OLD.” Allow your families enough time to find something meaningful for this age old tradition. Maybe an old lace handkerchief or a memorable item from their own wedding.

DON’T FORGET TO TEST YOUR BOUQUET FLOWERS FOR COLOR FASTNESS.
Some deep colored flowers bleed, and can stain a wedding dress.

DO TAKE ENOUGH TIME TO PACK FOR YOUR HONEYMOON.
With all the excited of the wedding day, this can be overlooked and important items may be left out of your suitcase.

DON’T TRY ANY NEW COSMETICS OR FACIAL PRODUCTS WITHIN A WEEK OF YOUR WEDDING.

DO HAVE SURPRISES WAITING ON THE CHAIRS AT THE END OF THE AISLE FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE WEDDING. This will make it fun and enticing to get down the aisle for the younger children.

DON’T EVER FORCE A CHILD DOWN THE AISLE. If there is no way of convincing your flower girl or ring bearer to walk down the aisle just give up. There is nothing worse then a screaming child right before the bride walks out.

DO INCLUDE YOUR PARTNER WHEN GOING OUT TO TASTE WEDDING
CAKES. Not only is it fun, come the big event you may be so excited you won’t remember how delicious it was.

DO PRACTICE YOUR FIRST DANCE. Make a room in the house romantic by
dimming the lights, and lighting some candles. When the magical moment arrives at the
wedding you’ll remember the romantic time spent practicing together.

DO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR AISLE WILL BE WIDE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR WEDDING GOWN. A lot of today’s gowns are designed with very full skirts. You don’t want to be caught on anything down the aisle that could have been moved earlier.

DON’T LET ANY UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS RUIN YOU’RE DAY. Stay calm, each problem has a solution. Your calmness will spread to others and everything will work out.

DO TAKE YOUR VEIL OR HEADPIECE TO YOUR HAIRDRESSER. It is always advisable to have a practice run before the big day. Make sure you take your Polaroid and take pictures of the front and back of your new do. Even your hairdresser can get so excited that they may forget what the two of you created.

DON’T FORGET TO TELL YOUR MAKE-UP ARTIST IF YOU ARE WEARING YOUR HAIR UP OR DOWN. It will make a difference. Always have a trial make-up run. You want your guests to be able to recognize you on your big day.

DO GO WITH YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND TO CHOOSE HIS TUXEDO. He may not know that there are specific tuxedos for day and for evening. It’s more important that the groom gets the right one for him and then choose a coordinating one for his
groomsmen.

DON’T ORDER YOUR WEDDING GOWN A SIZE SMALLER IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO LOSE WEIGHT. Order your current size. Your dress can always be taken in.

DO PRACTICE YOUR WEDDING VOWS. If you are planning on writing your own vows it is a good idea to try and memorize them. There is nothing more romantic than being able to look into the eyes of your loved one instead of a piece of paper.

DO CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING PARTY GIFTS EARLY. This will give you time to creatively wrap them and to write each member of the wedding party a personal
note.

DO PRACTICE WALKING AROUND IN YOUR WEDDING SHOES. If your shoes are feeling tight but looking great it is a good idea to have a comfy pair waiting
under your chair at the reception.

DO BE PREPARED WITH AN EMERGENCY WEDDING KIT. Bring an extra pair of stockings, safety pins, breath mints, bottled water, aspirin, nail file, nail polish for unexpected chip and tissues.

DO HAVE FAMILY MEMBER OR BRIDESMAID GO WITH YOU ON YOUR LAST FITTING. This is the time to learn how to bustle the back of your dress. You’ll need an extra pair of hands for this task. Have your helper practice a few times so it can be done quickly at the reception.

DON’T FORGET TO TAKE OFF YOUR WATCH. On the day of your wedding…
Time Stands Still.

DO GO LISTEN TO YOUR BAND OR D.J. Before you hire them make sure they know and can play your favorite songs.

DO TAKE ALL YOUR BRIDESMAIDS INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN CHOOSING THEIR DRESS. You may not find one dress that will make everyone look great but try to choose a style that compliments a thin or overweight woman.

DO REMEMBER TO HOLD YOUR BOUQUET LOW AND WITH STRAIGHT ARMS. This allows for your waist to show and in turn look very shapely in the pictures.
(This is also a good tip for bridesmaids)

DO JOT DOWN SONGS YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO ON THE RADIO. Keep a pad in your car or bag. Traffic is a great time to remember oldies and present hits.
Make sure you make an extensive list for your band or D.J.

DO ASK YOUR FLORIST FOR A SAMPLE CENTERPIECE. Your vision and the
florist could be totally different.

DO ORDER A FEW EXTRA BOUTONNIERES. Sometimes the groomsmen will take
off their jacket while they wait for the ceremony to begin and crush the flower.

DO PLAN YOUR HONEYMOON EARLY. This will guarantee good prices, good seats on an airline and preferred rooms at hotels.

DO ASK YOUR OFFICIANT WHAT HIS SCHEDULE FOR THE CEREMONY WILL BE. Ask him/her what to expect and the length of time.

DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE. You can get your license as early as 2 months. Often couples wait to the last minute….


DON’T FORGET TO GIVE YOUR GROOM A LITTLE EXTRA ATTENTION.
Often the bride is the center of attention. Send him love notes or even roses! Let him know you are counting the days until you are husband and wife.

DON’T FORGET WATERPROOF MASCARA. Test the mascara first so there are no reactions.

DO MAKE SURE YOUR UNDERGARMENTS ARE AS COMFORTABLE AS YOUR WEDDING DRESS. Nothing worse that a fidgety bride.

DON’T TRY A NEW FRAGRANCE JUST FOR THE BIG DAY. Some scents are ultra sensitive to sweat glands. This can make the fragrance become stronger. You don’t want to experience any headaches—and you want your groom to smell the familiar scent of his bride.

DON’T BE SHY TO SUGGEST THAT THE “MOTHERS” OF THE BRIDE AND GROOMS DRESS COMPLIMENTS THE COLORS OF THE WEDDING PARTY. It’s a good idea that they each talk to one another to coordinate what they are wearing.

DON’T LEAVE ANYTHING TO THE WEEK OF THE WEDDING. This week should be devoted to pampering yourself. Nothing is better than an organized bride who can relax days before her big moment. Last minute changes will not seem so drastic if
that is all you have to deal with.


DON’T WORRY ABOUT BIZARRE DREAMS BEFORE THE WEDDING.
Everyone has them and they never come true