MARCH/APRIL 2024
AMERICA’S TOP WEDDING MAGAZINE
What weddings really cost + ways to save big! Fast-track your planning! (here's how) Let's do this! Dreamy dresses, Perfect palettes and Chic Details
Tons of real wedding inspiration
BRIDALGUIDE.COM
CONTENTS
Bridal Guide March/April 2024
WEDDING PLANNING 17 BODY FILE
Registered dietician Mandy Enright offers her tips on healthy eating for two.
18 PARTY PLANNER
Europe meets Idaho in this chic celebration.
22 PLANNERS WE LOVE
We’re putting our favorite pros in the spotlight. by Carol Straley
30 PLANNING NOTEBOOK
Here’s how to plan in record time.
31 ASK DAVID TUTERA
Our guru’s thoughts on holding your wedding over the holidays.
54 WEDDING ALBUM
Feast your eyes on Victoria and Will’s epic Colorado ranch wedding.
NEWS & FEATURES 9 WEDDING Q&A
Etiquette questions and answers.
26 WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? What do weddings really cost? A coast-tocoast guide. by Daniel P. Smith
SPECIAL SECTION IN BACK
22 Get more online at bridalguide.com PG 00
• ELOPING?Learn how to make your big day extra special at bridalguide.com/elope
PG 00
• OREGON’S BUZZIEST NEW HOTEL • WHERE TO WED IN VERMONT
54
• WELCOME BAG Treat your beloved guests right with the ideas at bridalguide.com/ welcomebags • IT’S PARTY TIME! Pack your dance floor with the ideas at bridalguide.com/dancing
18
GET THE LOOK
cover style
THE DIAMOND LIFE
PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID DUNAN, HAIR: FERNANDO TORRENT USING LIVING PROOF, MAKEUP: DEANNA MELLUSO USING DIOR FOREVER FOUNDATION
Right on trend, our sparklingly beautiful cover girl, BECCA SABOL, dazzles in the diamanté dipped, hand-beaded Everly gown with ruffled, off-the shoulder neckline by ENAURA. Her jewels? None other than DAVID YURMAN’s Starburst Triple Drop Earrings and Infinity Full Pavé Halo Engagement Ring. No wonder she’s smiling! Because we love diamonds as much as you, we went to the OG of the jewelry industry for a true insider look into diamond trends. JEN CULLEN WILLIAMS, Founder of Jen Cullen Williams Communications has worked with the world’s leading jewelry brands, retailers and organizations for 15+ years. Jen takes the ring question head on, “An engagement ring isn't just a ring—it's a canvas for your unique style and the life you’ll build with your partner. The ever-changing realm of diamond wedding trends of today are marked by a fusion of personal expression and timeless elegance. Personalize your engagement ring look with a distinctive diamond ring stack by incorporating different shapes and styles of diamond bands or opt for a ring with the center stone surrounded by diamond accents in varying shapes.” And wedding jewels? “When the big day arrives, let your style speak volumes. Whether you're rocking maximalist statement earrings or channeling a “stealth wealth” look with diamond studs, choose pieces that vibe with the sentiment of your personality and aesthetic of your wedding.” What about sustainability? A conscious mindset continues to prevail as antique and vintage jewelry gains popularity. Embrace the allure of the past for exquisite vintage diamond pieces like old mine or rose-cut diamonds or anything from the romantic Victorian era. Shop for quality vintage at places like JewelersCircle.com. It's time to rock the past in a way that's so now!
“Choose pieces that vibe with the sentiment of your personality and aesthetic of your wedding.” —JEN CULLEN WILLIAMS
Founder of Jen Cullen Williams Communications
ON THE COVER: Everly floral hand-beaded gown with ruffled, off-theshoulder neckline, $5,175, by ENAURA BRIDAL. Starburst Triple Drop Earrings and Infinity Full Pavé Halo Engagement Ring, both by DAVID YURMAN. March/April 2024 BRIDALGUIDE.COM 7
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
26 BRIDALGUIDE.COM March/April 2024
NORTHEAST
BUDGET BREAKDOWN Average wedding cost NYC metro • $46,756*
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.
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
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.
PHOTOGRAPHY: (FROM TOP) TSASITHON PHOTOGRAPHY; (BOTTTOM) HALEY SHEFFIELD
BUDGET BREAKDOWN Average wedding cost Charlottesville VA metro • $28,088*
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
ENTERTAINMENT: 7.5% Favor entertainment that performs 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. ➺ 27
Bonnet by HONOR. Reflection mini dress, just seen, by INES DI SANTO.
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Glittery fitted corset dress with high slit, $4,950, from ALLURE by LEE PETRA GREBENAU. Kanas Earrings with Diamonds and Faiyaz Ring with Diamonds, both by MODERN MOGHUL. 00 000
romantic
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• OREGON’S BUZZIEST NEW HOTEL • WHERE TO WED IN VERMONT