11. Waiting till after the wedding to pack for the honeymoon. If you are leaving for your honeymoon the day after the wedding, pack two or three days before the wedding. If you rush around at the last minute, you will forget something, and you sure don’t want to be doing laundry on your wedding day.

12. Planning to be your own wedding coordinator. On the wedding day you will be so focused on being where you need to be (hair appointment, photos, ceremony, reception) that you won’t have time to find out if the cake was delivered, the DJ has arrived and is set up, the centerpieces are set out, candles are lighted, and all the myriad details a wedding coordinator will handle. Don’t expect your mom to act as the coordinator. She will be busy too and she will want to enjoy spending time with the guests. Hiring a day-of coordinator is one of the best investments you can make.

13. Not considering transportation needs of your guests. It is a courtesy to consider the needs of your out of town family and friends and how they will get to and from the wedding. Check with the hotel where you blocked rooms to see if their shuttle van might be available for a fee to take guests to the ceremony and pick them up afterwards. Alternatively, you might rent a trolley or ask your wedding coordinator to have the phone number of a taxi service available for those who need it.

14. Using an iPod or laptop for your music. This works only if you carefully plan your play list and you have an experienced person to operate the iPod or laptop. You can’t hand it off to someone who doesn’t know how to operate it or who doesn’t know what to play when. A beautifully planned wedding can be ruined by problems with the music. If you are not totally confident in the ability of a designated person to handle everything smoothly, hire a professional and don’t risk ruining your ceremony or reception.

15. Making a seating chart the night before the wedding. Seating charts are a major headache. You need one only if you are having a sit-down dinner with multiple entree choices. If it is a sit-down dinner with only one entree or a buffet, have your caterer or coordinator reserve tables for the wedding party and parents, then allow the other guests to sit where they want.

16. Asking for gifts. It is socially taboo to indicate to your guests that a gift is expected and what it should be. An invitation to a wedding is a request for family and friends to join you in celebrating a joyous occasion in your life. It isn’t about gifts. If you register, and it is helpful if you do, registry information should not appear in your wedding invitation. (A shower hostess may mention it, however.) And it is never okay to ask for money in a wedding invitation. If you prefer money, then don’t register and when people ask, verbally tell them you prefer money, but don’t be surprised if some still bring gifts. If you live in another area, encourage guests to choose gifts from your registry and have them shipped to your home rather than bringing them to the wedding.

Forget about having a money tree; your guests are not obligated to help pay for the wedding or honeymoon. The same is true with money dances. Unless it is part of your culture, you may offend more people than participate.

17. Having a cash bar. This is frowned on in many areas of the country. In Idaho we have a host liability law which makes the event host liable for the actions of guests. Therefore, it is common in this area to host beer and wine or a champagne toast and allow guests to pay for other alcohol if they choose to imbibe. Alternatively, don’t make alcohol other than beer and wine available at all. It is also appropriate, and budget-friendly, not to serve alcohol at all.

18. Not having a hair or make-up trial. Plan to have your hair done about a month before the wedding. Take your veil with you and also take a camera to record the style you like. The hairdresser won’t remember every detail, so the photos will be helpful.

19. Not creating a day-of itinerary. You and your wedding coordinator should create a plan for the day, then she should share it with your photographer, DJ and officiant, so they can work together to make the day flow smoothly just the way you want. If you don’t have a coordinator, you will need to create your own plan before the rehearsal. Nothing frustrates officiants more than being unexpectedly placed in charge of an unplanned or poorly planned rehearsal. With a plan, you should be able to run through your rehearsal twice in less than 45 minutes. Without one, your rehearsal can easily take two hours or more.

20. Becoming stressed out and not enjoying your day. Don’t let all the details get to you. During the months leading up to the wedding, take some time away from the wedding planning; get enough sleep before the wedding; be sure to eat on the wedding day. Your guests don’t know what you planned, so don’t stress the details. Remember, it is the marriage that counts, not what happens on the wedding day. With a bit of pre-planning, you can have a wonderful day free from any major glitches.

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman; all rights reserved

1. Not sticking to your budget. You have a budget for a reason. It is never okay to overspend and then pay for an event for months or years afterwards. Decide what is important to you and where you can compromise. Your guests won’t know or care if you wanted steak but could afford only chicken.

2. Hiring a friend or family member as your photographer or videographer. You are only going to do this once. When the day is over you will have only your memories and your photos. If Uncle Joe spends his time at the bar, not behind the camera, it is your loss. And what if he doesn’t know how to use that camera, pose the wedding party and families, and other issues. Additionally, your family and friends should be your guests, not your employees. If things go wrong or you are disappointed with the results, it can strain relationships for years.

3. Planning your own shower, bachelorette party, or rehearsal dinner. You are the guest of honor; let your bridesmaids, your friends or your aunt do the planning. They should ask your opinion on the date and the guest list, but that is all. They are paying for the party and they get to make the decisions within reason. If they want to plan something with which you are not comfortable, however, (a male stripper, for instance), be sure to say so. If they are your friends, they should know your tastes and respect them.

The same is true for the rehearsal dinner. Traditionally, the groom’s parents pay for the dinner. As hosts, they decide where the dinner will be held, what will be served, and how many people they can afford to accommodate (just the wedding party or additional guests). As the guests of honor, you and your fiancé should relax and enjoy the evening.

4. Choosing members of the wedding party out of “obligation.” Just because you were someone’s bridesmaid years ago doesn’t mean she has to be your bridesmaid. Similarly, if your fiancé has never met your brother and he has several male relatives and close friends, he isn’t obligated to ask your brother to be a groomsman. Your attendants should be your close friends and relatives – people who will still be part of your life many years from now.

5. Arranging your own flowers, baking your own cake, etc. You won’t have time to do these things on your big day. Don’t work yourself into a frenzy trying to do everything yourself. That is what florists, bakers, hairdressers and other professionals are for.

6. Planning an outdoor wedding without a back-up plan. Things happen; it might be 100 degrees; it may rain; the wind could blow. Unless your ceremony and reception will be short, look for a venue with indoor – outdoor options or rent a tent.

7. Acting like a bridezilla. Though you are one of the stars of the day, you don’t have the right to treat others poorly for months leading up to the wedding. No tantrums, no pouting, no trying to control others. Rather, try to enjoy the process.

8. Not planning the ceremony. Even if you will be reciting traditional vows provided by your officiant, you still need to choose music, perhaps a reading or candle lighting, and other things to complete the ceremony.

9. Trying to memorize your vows. Even if you have practiced extensively, you will be nervous and you could be forgetful. Give a written copy of the vows to your officiant. That way, if you need help, he/she will be prepared to assist.

10. Wearing new shoes for the first time on the wedding day. You don’t want to be miserable on your big day, so wear the shoes around the house for a few days to break them in. Scuff the soles with sandpaper so you don’t slip while walking down the carpeted aisle. If you will be wearing a higher heel than usual, be sure you are comfortable walking in them. Bring a comfortable pair of shoes to change into for the reception.

Check back next week for more wedding planning mistakes!

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman; all rights reserved

Gifts

Coats and other valuables – If guests will be wearing coats, bringing purses, cameras or other valuables, provide a coat rack inside the room where the reception will occur, not in a foyer or hall. Ask guests to keep purses, cameras and similar items with them rather than leaving them lying around.

Guests who drink too much – Be careful about providing too much alcohol at your event. You could be liable for the actions of guests who over indulge. Hiring a professional bartender to keep an eye on guests will help, but not if guests have their own stash in a car or another place. You may want to ask a family member or a friend to keep an eye on things, particularly if you know that certain people may tend to over indulge. Better to send Uncle Charlie home in a taxi while he is still reasonably upright than to risk him doing something he, and you, will later regret.

Home events – If your wedding, rehearsal dinner or a shower will be held at a private home, particularly if it will occur in the yard, several security issues may arise. If the event is not occurring in a room near the front door, keep the door locked. Also lock side doors and windows. If you don’t want catering staff coming in and out of the house, set up a work station for them in the garage. The same goes for guests who need a restroom. If you are not comfortable with them in your home unsupervised, rent port-a-potties or in some way limit access to only a certain area of the house. Keep valuables out of sight and don’t allow anyone to linger too long in the house.

If the yard contains obstacles that might cause injury, such as sprinkler heads, hoses, uneven sidewalks, or clothes lines, be sure to point them out. This is particularly important with children, who run and chase each other and can easily trip and fall.

By taking time to assess and plan security measures, you and your guests can have a safe and enjoyable time free from accidents or injuries.

Interested in more tips? Check out our previous wedding security post.

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman; all rights reserved

Intruders – If there is any possibility of an intruder crashing your wedding, be certain to inform your event planner, the staff at the venue, and others as the situation warrants. This might include an ex-spouse or boy friend/girl friend, an angry family member or someone else.

If you or your wedding planner sees someone you don’t know and you aren’t sure they should be at your wedding (you may not know all the groom’s guests), ask how you can help them. Often, just the knowledge that someone is aware of their presence is enough to deter a would-be intruder.

Robbers – At a wedding a few years ago, someone entered the church through the basement while the ceremony was in progress and stole personal items that had been placed in the church kitchen. To prevent similar occurrences, be certain that after the wedding party dresses valuables are picked up and placed in a safe place. Lock outside doors and doors to dressing rooms, if possible, or lock valuables in a car.

Parking lots and other dark areas – If your guests may need to park in a dark area or along a busy street at night or park some distance from the reception facility, ask someone to escort them to their cars rather than risk an assault or injury, particularly in bad weather. You might also provide flash lights.

Water safety – If your reception will occur near a lake, pond, or river, ask a responsible adult to keep an eye on things. This is particularly important if children will be present.

Fire – Fire in any form can be a hazard. I have had fires caused by careless guests who placed items too close to votive candles. Pillar candles, even those enclosed in glass, can be knocked over. If you plan to use sparklers, they will emit embers that can burn people and clothing. Be particularly careful about children near fire.

Animals – If you are planning a wedding or shower at a private home and the homeowner has a dog that is easily excitable and might bite, better to board it at a kennel than risk injury to your guests.

More Security Tips in a couple of weeks – check back soon!

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman; all rights reserved

Myth:

Reality: The coordinator can only control so much. If you have hired merchants who are new to the wedding scene or you have chosen a less than desirable location, your coordinator will do what she can to make your dreams a reality, but she can’t control the behavior of unskilled merchants, the leaking roof, the overflowing toilets and other issues.

Whether you are hiring a coordinator to help with all the planning or just for the day, she should be available to advise you throughout the planning process. Though a day-of coordinator won’t visit merchants with you, she should give you advice on questions to ask and what to look for so you make informed decisions. She should offer referrals to dependable merchants who have a reputation for providing quality service at an affordable price and who are willing to work with you and your budget.

You need to meet with your day-of coordinator several times before the wedding, often enough to develop a relationship. You should feel comfortable with her and she should understand your personality and tastes. That way, any decisions she needs to make will be ones you would have made.

Your day-of coordinator should help you create a timeline for the rehearsal and wedding day and she should be at the rehearsal to supervise activities in cooperation with your officiant. If your officiant doesn’t attend rehearsals (and many don’t), she should be prepared to conduct the rehearsal.

Hiring a day-of wedding coordinator is one of the best decisions you can make to assure your wedding day is as flawless as possible, but don’t wait until the last minute to hire her. Do it while she is available, then trust her to handle the details so you, and your mom, can enjoy your big day.

Interested in seeing more Wedding Coordinator myths revealed? Check out our previous post!

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman, all rights reserved

Can Mom do it? No, she will be in the photos and you want her to enjoy the day. Can Aunt Martha do it? Maybe, but will she want to miss the festivities to spend her time rushing around in the background? So, your best option is to hire a day-of wedding coordinator. Right? Maybe.

Myth: A day-of coordinator can be hired shortly before the wedding, after all the details are in place.

Reality: If you wait, you may not be able to find a knowledgeable and experienced coordinator. (Beware the person who is hoping you will be her first client.) Coordinators book months, sometimes a year or more, in advance. They book day-of events just like they book events at which they are assisting with the planning. If her calendar is full, you are out of luck.

Myth: A day-of coordinator will take your plans and make them happen.

Reality: In most cases, unless you have planned numerous events in the past, the coordinator will need to tweak your plans to fit the realities of your location, weather, time of day and other considerations. For instance, if you are planning an outdoor wedding, those tall, skinny centerpieces may look pretty, but they won’t remain standing long. The slightest breeze and they will topple, leaving your linens soaking wet and the centerpieces unusable. Or, you plan to use paper plates at a windy location. If you do, your guests may end up wearing their dinner rather than enjoying it. Or how about those bees or the fruit flies at the winery that love to crawl around on your food? Ick! A knowledgeable coordinator will know about these issues and many others and will recommend solutions.

… more Wedding Coordinator myths in two weeks, check back soon!

Submitted by:

Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC
www.memorable-events.com

©2011, Glenna Tooman, all rights reserved

First of all – take pictures. If you’re at another wedding that you like – take a picture. If you’re shopping and see the perfect color of a dress that you love – take a picture. If you’re inspired by nature and love the flowers that come out during summer or spring, take pictures. If you’re planning your wedding more than a year out, make sure that you take pictures of the same time of year your wedding will be – even better if you can get pictures at the same venue.

Use your pictures to make an idea board – collage together your photos and magazine clippings, etc. to see what colors you are drawn to and what color combinations you like.  Chances are you’ll start to notice a trend in the colors you are drawn to.

If you find one particular photo that you are drawn to and want to develop your wedding colors around that inspiration – check out this great tool. You can upload one photo and it will automatically create a color palette from your photo. Click here to create your custom color palette.

Consider standard colors for weddings during the time of year for your wedding. For instance, summer weddings will typically use bright and bold colors (torquoise, fuschia, violet) while a spring wedding will tend to be more pastels. Typically, “traditional” wedding colors take their cues from nature – look at what colors the plants and flowers are displaying during the time of year for your wedding. Of course, this is only a guideline. Your wedding colors should be a reflection of yourself and your personality.

If you’ve settled on one color but aren’t sure how to use it – consider using a color wheel.

• Complimentary colors – are those that are opposite each other on the color wheel. These colors will provide a “pop” – as when you pair together blue and orange.  This color scheme can tend to add a traditional feel to your wedding.
• Analagous colors – are those colors that lie next to each other on the color wheel. Using analagous colors will help to give you a range of colors while still maintaining a similar “hue” or color feeling through your decor. This color scheme can add a personal and casual touch to your wedding.
• Monochromatic colors – are those that are in the same “wedge” on the color wheel. Using monochromatic colors allows you to highlight the properties of the color you have chosen, all the way from a very vibrant deep saturated color to a grayish-black version of the color and very light pastel-white version of the color. This color scheme can help to lend a modern touch to your wedding.

Refer to the color chart below to help you determine your wedding colors.

Alternate Wedding Dessert Ideas - Utilize Eye Candy!

If you’ve been to a Wedding lately you may have noticed that instead of a cake, there was a whole table dedicated to several desserts and a variety of candy. These displays are a growing trend and have several different names; candy buffets, dessert displays, dessert tables and candy bars. A dessert display is a table filled with trays of desserts and ornate glass jars full of candy that coordinates with the colors of your event or Wedding.

The options for making these displays unique to your Wedding are endless. Not everyone loves cake, so why not try a dessert display full of cookies or pies? You can make your display unique by adding custom candy tags, a table linen that matches your Wedding colors, or your favorite childhood candy. A dessert display also doubles as a favor for your guests to take home. Providing candy scoops and treat bags that can be customized to match your Wedding are a perfect way to get your guests involved and they are a fun, do-it-yourself favor.

Dessert displays are gaining momentum in the Wedding scene and it looks like they are a trend that is here to stay. Presenting your treats in this whimsical way will make your guests feel like a kid in a candy store and it is sure to be the hit of your party. Try a dessert display for your next Wedding or event, it will make a lasting impression and leave everyone talking…when their mouths aren’t full!

Submitted by:

Ashley Carlson
Eye Candy Event Design

208.869.8333
www.EyeCandyEventDesign.com

Consider a Theatrical Theme for your Idaho Wedding

Are you in the beginning stages of planning your wedding and don’t want to have just a typical traditional wedding? Though you may be an Idaho bride, do you tend to have a flair for theatrics? Maybe you love Vegas and would love to have a destination wedding there, but aren’t sure about the logistics and costs of getting your guests there. Well, consider an extreme-theme wedding going Theatre Style!

This could be a fun theme that you could carry as far as your imagination (or budget) will allow. You could ask everyone on the guest list to arrive as dressed for a costume ball. Encourage your guests to be lavish and wear masks. You can even have some great masks for the bride and groom and wedding party! Thinking “Phantom of the Opera, anyone?”

Check with your local wedding rental location, or even with a theater department at your friend’s or family’s school. There might be some great props you could utilize as wedding decorations and photo backdrops.

Consider this theme when choosing your wedding venue and reception location – don’t rule out schools and studios, or maybe you could even rent out a theater and hire a local acting guild for some interactive entertainment.

Don’t forget music and lights! Whether you choose to play recorded movie soundtracks or broadway show tunes, or you hire a symphony your music will help to set the mood of your “theatrical ball”. Also, if you’re outdoors consider going overboard on mini LED lights, rented uplights and maybe even touch lights for the reception tables. If you’re indoors, consider a spotlight or renting a beautiful chandelier to serve as your photo focal point.

Whatever your fancy, a theatrical style wedding theme will certainly make your wedding day memorable for not only you and your groom, but also for your guests.

Do It Yourself Weddings and Favors can be fun and budget savers

Modern Choices:

A contemporary, modern wedding is still big in 2011.  Brides can opt for non-traditional dress choices, such as: beautiful hues instead of usual white or ivory; shoulder instead of strapless; and short cocktail dresses instead of a long gown.  The modern trend can also continue through the décor of your wedding as well, couples can steer away from the customary 10-person round table and opting to mix table shapes and sizes. Couples can also incorporate bright and bold colors, cool lounge setting and after parties; choosing cupcakes instead of a wedding cake and having the bridesmaids choose different styles of dresses in the same color or souvenir photo booth picture strips instead of traditional wedding favor trinkets.

DIY weddings:

“Do it yourself” is a big trend continuing into 2011.  Personalized touches and little details are very important; couples can incorporate their favorite interests, hobbies, places and even sports. It’s a great idea for a couple to plan every detail of their entire wedding. Then on the wedding day assign a trustworthy relative, friend or wedding coordinator, to help with the details so the bride and groom can relax and enjoy their big day.

Contributed by:
Dawn Rising   – Delicate Designs – www.delicatedesigns-coord.com