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CONTENTS
Bridal Guide September/October 2022
WEDDING PLANNING 32 PARTY PLANNER
A sunny bridal shower in Venice, CA.
36 PLANNERS WE LOVE
We’re putting our favorite wedding pros in the spotlight. by Carol Straley
40 PARTY TIME
The intel on showers, rehearsal dinners and more. by Elena Donovan Mauer
44 PLANNING NOTEBOOK
De-stress with these 10 surefire sanitysavers. by Beth Kendrick.
45 ASK DAVID TUTERA
Tips on creating an unforgettable meal.
68 WEDDING ALBUM
Rachel and KC’s Amenia, New York multi-culti nuptials.
NEWS & FEATURES 18 WEDDING Q&A
Etiquette questions and answers.
46 WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
32
See what wedding budgets look like across the U.S. by Daniel P. Smith SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER
Get more online at BRIDALGUIDE.COM
2022
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FALL WEDDING PHOTOS Check out 50 of our favorite photos from autumn nuptials at bridalguide.com/fall
36
COAST TO COAST WHERE TO WED IN OREGON MAINE’S BUZZIEST NEW HOTEL
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EXCLUSIVE:
JUMPING THE BROOM IN ATLANTA: A WEDDING RICH IN CREATIVE STORYTELLING
2022
Dress Shopping in
PHOTOGRAPHY: SHELBY COOK POWELL PHOTOGRAPHY; BRIDESMAID DRESSES: THE DESSY GROUP
Congrats, you’re engaged! You’ve probably been dreaming of this day for a long time—with good reason! There’s no greater feeling than trying on a wedding gown and seeing yourself as a bride for the very first time. While wedding gown shopping in 2022 may look a little different, the experience can still feel just as special as it would have pre-pandemic. Read on for some tips!
Shop at Your Local Bridal Salon
Bridal salons offer the largest selection of reputable designers, styles, and colors. Your consultant will work directly with the designer to ensure everything from the color, to the fabric and the fit, are exactly what you envision. Not to mention, when you buy from a trusted, local bridal salon, you not only support your community, but also small businesses mostly owned by women!
Communicate With Your Consultant
A bridal consultant cannot read your mind, so be vocal about what you’re looking for, give honest opinions, and
tell her if you love a dress or not. You’ll be making both of your jobs easier. Not sure? Bring trusted family and friends—your “YES” moment will be that much sweeter!
ways to shop smart at a local salon. Many brick-and-mortar stores offer discounts at designer trunk shows, and host sample sales annually.
Make the Dress Your Own
If possible, leave plenty of time to shop, and be prepared to say “YES!” if you find a gown you love. Don’t forget to ask your consultant about delivery dates. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and supply chain issues, your dress may take longer to arrive. Short on time? Many bridal salons have off-the-rack sections where you can select a gorgeous gown and bring it home the same day.
The dress you try on in the store is just a starting point. Want to add a sleeve? Lower the back? Elongate the train? At a traditional bridal salon, you can work directly with the dress designer and an in-house seamstress to customize your gown and turn your dream into a reality.
Ask About Special Pricing
If budget is a concern, there are many
Inquire About Delivery Dates
For more wedding day fashion shopping tips, visit bridalguide.com/perfectdress.
planning notebook
ADVICE
4.
DESIGNATE A CELL PHONE wrangler
for the day of the wedding. Guests who are stuck at the airport or lost en route to the ceremony site should be able to ask someone for assistance—but that someone should not be you. “Guests don’t want to bother the bride while she’s getting her hair done, but they might not have anyone else’s HINT: number,” says California-based Set aside time alone wedding planner Melody Walker. (or with your fiancé) to decompress with a “Ask your wedding planner or few gentle, basic one of your bridesmaids to field yoga techniques. last-minute texts and calls.” Namaste... You need to stay focused and calm (and so does your hairstylist!). ASK YOUR LOVED ONES to share stories of their wedding disasters. Bride tripped halfway down the aisle? Flower girl brawled with the ring bearer? Everyone has a tale to tell, because something tends to go wrong at nearly every wedding. Listening to these anecdotes helps you keep your sense of humor and reminds you that these little mishaps make the memories you’ll share with your grandchildren someday. AGREE ON A “SAFE WORD” for family gatherings. Make a plan with stay-calm your groom before the guests arrive. Then, if you’re cornered by his crazy Uncle Gus and subjected to a political rant, you can simply turn to your beloved, murmur “licorice,” and wait for his extraction team to come to your rescue. GO BACK THROUGH your emails and texts and re-read the messages you and your fiancé sent to each other when you started dating. Remember why you fell in love, and dream about the future. And while you’re at it, send him a little love note to remind him that you’re thrilled to be his bride. DON’T GO NUTS—EAT THEM! “Plan to have some protein available in the bridal party’s dressing room,” suggests Walker. She recommends prepping for your walk down the aisle with light snacks that are healthful, filling and non-staining, such as string cheese and raw almonds or cashews. MAKE ARRANGEMENTS to spend the night before the wedding at a hotel near your venue. This gives you a chance to have some much-needed alone time on the morning before the ceremony. A little bit of solitude will make the upcoming celebration that much sweeter. HOP INTO A BUBBLE BATH with a book. The warm water will soothe the aches after all those hours in high heels, and a novel offers a mental mini-vacation. Read only the first few chapters and save the rest for the plane ride to your honeymoon destination.
5.
SANITY SAVERS
A
mid the whirlwind of those seemingly endless lastminute preparations, take time to relax and reflect on what matters most: friends, family, and of course, fun! Whether it’s a moment of Zen by your lonesome or happy hour with the girls, every bride needs a few strategies to step out of the spotlight and enjoy the moment.
1.
LOAD UP YOUR PHONE with a “Wedding Countdown” play-list to keep you energized and positive. Think of this as your emotional pacifier—it’s basically impossible to be in a bad mood while lip-syncing to “Uptown Funk.” If all else fails, break out the heavy artillery: ABBA and old-school Britney Spears. SET ASIDE FIVE MINUTES every day for some “lite yoga.” Minneapolis-based yoga instructor Catherine Justice recommends the following visualization exercise: Sit cross-legged on the floor with your back against a wall in a cool, quiet room. Send out kind thoughts to someone you love deeply, someone you’re having conflict or emotional difficulty with—and yourself. “Your wedding is exciting, but it’s also stressful,” Catherine says. “While you’re trying to accommodate everyone else’s needs, remember to also take care of yourself.” “WINE DOWN” WITH YOUR BFFS. Hit the local wine shop and stock up on vino with whimsical labels. Suggestions: True Love Riesling, Bliss Chardonnay, or Princess Moscato. (If you’re feeling feisty, try Wit’s End Shiraz!)
2.
3.
44 BRIDALGUIDE.COM Sept/Oct 2022
6.
7.
8. 9.
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Beth Kendrick is the author of The Week Before the Wedding (New American Library) and eight other novels, including Nearlyweds.Visit BethKendrick.com.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ELITE ISLAND RESORTS
Shake off your to-do list overload with these strategies. by Beth Kendrick
ADVICE
ask david
incorporate into your menu flavors that have meaning for you that you’d like to share with others. It’s a wonderful way to make your wedding your wedding.
A MARRIAGE OF TASTES I have planned many weddings where a bride and groom from different cultures served food that “married” their heritages. One way that I like to do it is by setting up two buffets, each dedicated to food from one of the countries. I did a wedding with one buffet of dishes from Venezuela and the other from Ukraine. I thoroughly enjoyed the way this helped guests interact. Another suggestion: Perhaps you both love Thanksgiving dinner—go ahead and serve your version of Thanksgiving-style food at your wedding. On your printed menus you can explain the personal meaning behind your food choices, so that guests can get a taste of your wedding story. Another way to do this is through food favors; perhaps you’ll give your favorite childhood cookies (with a recipe), wrapped in a small tin, or apples in a bag with a family recipe for apple pie. No matter what kind of cuisine you have in mind, be sure to schedule a tasting with your caterer.
ON THE MENU
Y
Celebrations and wedding expert David Tutera serves up his best tips on how to create an unforgettable meal.
ou probably already know that food and drink will add up to a large part of your overall budget, so the question is, how can you make your wedding repast worth every bite? I feel strongly that what you serve can and should be special. When you carefully and thoughtfully create your menu, you will find that food can: • Contribute to the telling of your personal wedding story • Complement the overall design and color scheme of your wedding
• Recreate, through visuals and flavors, special memories
PHOTOGRAPHY: (FROM TOP) RAFAEL PAIVA; MARING VISUALS
FOOD FOR THOUGHT As with most families, many of my family’s traditions began at the dinner table. I’ll always remember my grandmother’s meatballs; I loved them, and to this day I miss them very much. One time, while on vacation in Positano, Italy, I ordered a dish of meatballs at a restaurant. When I took my first bite, something came over me. The taste made me feel wonderful. It was as if Nana were in the kitchen and had cooked them just for me. Flavors of food, like the sounds of music, can release powerful feelings. So at your wedding, be sure to
DELICIOUS STYLE When we see something visually appealing, we react differently than we do to something that isn’t attractive. No one wants to eat a meal that’s all brown and beige, with no thought given to how it looks. Your food should look as good as it tastes so that your guests “eat with their eyes first,” as I like to say. Start things off with a course that makes a beautiful statement. I recently devised a color-cued first course for a lavender and purple wedding: purple raviolis! It was not only unique and beautiful but delicious. Bon appetit! ¢
GET INTO THE SPIRITS Specialty drinks can provide color, drama and flavor to your wedding. Going with a pink color scheme? Serve a rose-colored martini. Red sangria is great for an Italian-style wedding. Use your nicknames to name your specialty drink or the name of a favorite place or something else that tells your story. In addition to serving it from the bar, waiters should pass trays of your specialty drinks and be prepared to explain what its name means. Hint: Don't forget the garnishes!
Sept/Oct 2022 BRIDALGUIDE.COM 45
WHERE DOES THE
MONEY GO? NO MATTER WHERE YOU HOLD YOUR WEDDING, YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO TOE THE BOTTOM LINE. HERE, PLANNERS SHARE REGIONAL BUDGET BREAKDOWNS ALONG WITH SAVINGS TIPS THAT CAN BE USED ANYWHERE.
PHOTOGRAPHY: PHOTOGRAPHYBYPAULINA.COM
BY DANIEL P. SMITH
46 BRIDALGUIDE.COM
Trim your budget with the expert advice at bridalguide.com/budget
NORTHEAST BUDGET BREAKDOWN
VENUE: 16% When deciding on the right locale, Brooklyn-based wedding planner and designer Jove Meyer calls “getting clarity on costs” the first order of business. “Some venues have no rental fee, just a food and beverage minimum, whereas others don’t do food and only make money on venue rentals.” A full-service venue that includes food, beverage, staff and space often helps the budget, Meyer says.
Average wedding cost NYC metro • $42,831*
FOOD AND BEVERAGE: 31% Outside of reducing the guest count, Meyer suggests exploring other creative cost-saving measures. For instance, forego appetizer stations in favor of passed appetizers during the cocktail hour or downsize from a fully stocked open bar to a limited bar featuring select beers and wines. PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO: 16% Meyer suggests couples book an eight-hour minimum for photo and video coverage. “But 10 hours if you want full coverage of getting ready through dancing,” he notes. Booking one company that shoots both photo and video rather than two separate teams can spur savings. ENTERTAINMENT: 5% Entertainment costs will shift dramatically if couples select a live band over a DJ. For those dead set on a band, which can cost about five times more than a DJ, Meyer recommends sticking with the core band members and being mindful of their time.
SOUTH PHOTOGRAPHY: (FROM TOP) TSASITHON PHOTOGRAPHY; (BOTTTOM) HALEY SHEFFIELD
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Average wedding cost Charlottesville VA metro • $24,768*
VENUE: 25% Charlottesville, VA-based wedding planner Alana Futcher of Chancey Charm Weddings urges couples to take advantage of the region’s many venues capable of accommodating the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. “You can give your guests different experiences at one location and often capture some savings, too,” she says. FOOD AND BEVERAGE: 35% Futcher recommends couples carefully review the caterer’s proposal to see if there are any menu items that require special equipment for prep or extra staff for serving—both of which add extra costs. PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO: 15% While couples might initially balk at allday coverage, Futcher often finds it’s the better way to go. “Couples often need more time and booking extra hours on the day-of instead of beforehand can be costly.” *Source: TheWeddingReport.com
For the ceremony and cocktail hour, for example, couples might pipe in a playlist through the venue’s speakers instead of having live music. RENTALS: 16% Rentals like tables, chairs and linens can be both functional and decorative. For the budget conscious, Meyer suggests chairs that work for both the ceremony and dinner, favoring on-site rentals. And, for those really seeking savings, consider disposable dinnerware for buffets or beach weddings—chic options abound, from sustainable bamboo to glossy acrylic. “Just keep the glassware,” Meyer says. FLOWERS: 16% A living product requiring staff, storage and transportation, flower costs frequently surprise couples. Meyer offers these tips: Instead of full bouquets, have your ’maids hold a single bloom, a fan or other pretty prop, and avoid any floral arrangements that require on-site construction.
ENTERTAINMENT: 7.5% Go for entertainment that does double duty, Futcher says, such as those who can play music and serve as the evening’s emcee. Booking a band? Then, inquire about additional music options for the ceremony and cocktail hour, which will often be more affordable than bringing in a separate entertainment provider. And don’t forget to ask about the inclusion of sound systems. “You don’t want to have to rent a sound system at the last minute,” Futcher says. RENTALS: 10% As with catering, the guest count can intensify rental costs—more chairs, more linens and so on. A venue with chairs, tables and the like included in the price frequently spurs savings compared to renting such items. “See what equipment rentals are already included in your venue and, most importantly, clarify what needs to be
brought in,” Futcher says. FLOWERS: 7.5% It’s a universal, often-overlooked floralbudget truth: “The more bridesmaids and groomsmen you have, the more bouquets and boutonnieres you need,” says Futcher. “And the more guests you have, the more table centerpieces you need.” Ask the florist for ideas on what pieces from the ceremony can be repurposed for the reception—just be sure to monitor the fees for moving flowers between locations. ➺ 47
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
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JUMPING THE BROOM IN ATLANTA: A WEDDING RICH IN CREATIVE STORYTELLING
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