Wedding Style Inspiration

When you’re thinking of the perfect style for your wedding, you can draw inspiration from just about anything. Check out Style Me Pretty. This blog is all about wedding style. There are tons of posts that show that wedding style inspiration can be found in the simplest things. We love “Garden Chic” and “Social Design”. Check ‘em out!

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Planning the Ceremony

So you’ve decided to take the plunge! Often we forget that the whole Wedding Day is in fact the Wedding Day because you’re getting married, not just because you’re having a huge party the same day to celebrate. Indeed, the wedding itself is the reason for the day, so make sure you take a lot of care in planning for it.

Below, we have listed some things to consider. But keep in mind that the tidbits we mention relate to the traditional Christian-American wedding. The white dress, the flowers, etc. But! Maybe that’s not at all the wedding you’re going for. We admire that! Let us know about the unique things you are doing or tell us about some of the religious traditions you plan to incorporate. We want to hear about it!

Let’s begin!

Ceremony Budget: This is usually about 2 percent of your total budget. Remember, Flowers and Décor come to about 8 percent of your total budget, so you don’t have to squeeze bouquets and boutonnieres into that 2 percent.

Faiths to Incorporate: Maybe you’re Jewish and he is Catholic. Perhaps your family is something else but you want to honor them by incorporating some of their ideals into the ceremony. Write down all the faiths you want to consider.

Ceremony Date Options: Sometimes the date you want the most won’t work because of the officiant or the ceremony or reception site, so have a few back-up dates in mind.

Officiant Options: Likewise, perhaps your childhood Priest is unavailable on the date or unable to travel to you. Consider your other options.

Ceremony Setting: Perhaps you have always dreamt of marrying in the church or in a garden. Or, maybe logistically, the best place for you to tie the knot is at your reception site. Or perhaps the idea of saying “I do” is most attractive to you while jumping out of an airplane or scuba diving in the ocean. Where you get hitched will affect the overall day, so consider it carefully.

Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil?

Vows: Traditional or Your Own?

Traditional Elements You Wish To Incorporate
Procession – Everyone walks in!
Opening – “Welcome…”
Main Body – A little talk your officiant gives, about marriage, love, etc.
Vows – Do you’s and I do’s
Exchange of Rings – “I, Your Name, give you, His Name, this ring as a symbol…?
Unity Rituals – Lighting the unity candle, taking your first steps as Husband and Wife, etc.
Pronouncement of Union – “I now present to you…”
Closing Remarks – Often a prayer or blessing
Recessional – Everybody walks out!

Personalized Ceremony Elements or Rituals You Wish to Add: These might come from meshing together different faiths and rituals or just something personal you want to add.

Special Persons to Honor – Maybe there is a special person in your live that you wish to remember on your special day. There are many things you can do, such as flowers on the alter or leaving an empty seat in the front row and placing a flower on it. Think of the special people you would like to honor and the ways in which you can do so.

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The Horror!

Check out these horribly hideous bridesmaids dresses we found on People Magazine’s website.

Prepare yourself.

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9 Questions You MUST Ask Your Videographer

Not everone choses to have videographers at their wedding, but videos are a great way to relive the day. With the ability to highlight special moments and cut out the not-so-exciting times, videographers have a lot to offer. When you look into hiring one, ask him these questions. We have given you some things to look for in his answers.

Are you the one that will be videotaping the wedding?
The person with whom you speak should be the one actually recording the wedding. You don’t want to get to know a videographer and then find out that he’s not the one actually recording.

How many cameras will you use? How many people are on your team?
You want at least 2 cameras and people to operate them. This way you can get more than one point of view. You may want more than two depending on the space and number of guests, just make sure you don’t have too may!

What type of cameras will you use?
The higher the lines of resolution, the better. Digital cameras have 530 lines of resolution (compared to super VHS and Hi-8 with 400 lines of resolution and VHS cameras with 230).

What kind of lighting do you use?
This will depend on the videographer, his equipment, style, and your venue. Ask to see some examples of video shot in places with similar make-up as your venue.

How many and what kind of microphones do you use?
The groom and other performers/readers should have a microphone during the ceremony. Anyone giving a toast, blessing, or announcement should have a microphone during the reception. Discuss this prior to the event with your videographer and how the microphones will be transferred from person to person if necessary.

How do you edit the video?
Non-linear editing on a computer is the most recent form of editing. The longer it takes to edit the video, the more expensive it will probably be. Taking 40 hours to edit an entire video on computer is no unusual.

How do you stay up-to-date in the videography business?
Staying current on what’s going on in videography is very important. Ask if he attends conventions and is a member of professional organizations. Big points go to a videographer that belongs to the Wedding and Event Videography Association.

May we see some samples of your work?
When you view samples, make sure the person you are talking to, who should be the person recording your wedding, actually shot the samples you’re seeing.

What other services or special effects do you offer?
Some videographers offer packages that include rehearsal coverage, montages, and love story videos. They may also be great at certain special effects. Get a complete list of what they can do so you know their limitations.

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Let Us Hear It!

Thanks for checking out our blog! We hope you’ll look around and stay a while.

We want to hear from you, our readers, about the things you would like to see on WeddingFanatic. Would you like more DIY videos? About what? Want more green wedding tips? Do you have questions? Send your ideas to us. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Email us at weddingfanatic{at}gmail{dot}com.

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Sharing the Good News

The question has been popped. The answer was a yes. You’re beaming with happiness. You’re engaged!! Congratulations! But oh, who to tell first? Before you tell a single soul, sit back and soak it all in.

While there are no hard and fast rules about who to tell and in what order, there are a few things you might want to consider. Generally, the people closest to you are the ones who get let in on the big news first. Maybe these people are your parents, maybe they are your friends. Let yourself and your own situation be the guide. Here are some people to think about:

your kids (should you have any)
Hopefully your kids will know about your significant other long before you get married and have gotten used to the idea of having this other person around. This can be a tough task, so be careful. Remember, they have feelings and opinions too!

your parents
Back in the day, when the man asked the woman’s father for her hand in marriage, the parents already knew about the whole popping of the question before it took place. Any more these days, asking the father or parents is less common. But! Even if they were asked before the proposal, it is still nice to formally announce your engagement to them, with your sweetie, or by yourself if you feel they might be a little uneasy about the news. You be the judge.

grandparents, siblings, and close relatives
You must let these people in on the great news! Who do you tell first? A good rule of thumb is just to go in order of closeness…or in order of who would be most hurt if you didn’t tell them first.

close friends
Family by choice, surprise these people with a visit, phone call, or a party!

your late spouse’s family (againg, should you have one)
Let this part of your family in on your new plans. If you don’t think you can stomach a visit in person or a phone call, a nice, handwritten letter would be nice.

your ex
No need to rub it in if you parted on sour terms! If you won’t be able to hold yourself back with a meeting in person or a phone call, a polite letter should do the trick. He or she might not be thrilled, but be big and be nice about it!

Everyone else!

How do you spread the news? In person is generally the nicest, so that hugs and joyful tears might follow. But if this isn’t an option, like we mentioned above, try a phone call or letter in the mail. Or, you can tell everyone all at once with a big surprise engagement party. You know what works best for you!

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Top 20 Dos and Don’ts

Wedding season is here. Glamour Magazine just ran a show on the Style Network about the top twenty Dos and Dont’s for brides, grooms, wedding parties, and guests. Here we’ve listed those things and added a little to them. Enjoy!

20.Brides: DON’T make your bridesmaids spend a lot of money on a dress they hate.
It’s just mean to make your very best friends shell out a ton of cash on a dress that may be the most hideous thing the have ever set eyes on. Not only will they never wear it again, but they’ll hate the fact that they have to wear it at all and my resent you in the end. If you want a dress that is out of everyone’s budget or that no one else likes, be a good bride and buy the dresses for them.

19.Brides: DON’T go over the top with hair and makeup.
We don’t think you want to look scary on your wedding day! Trying some new “look” you’d never wear on a normal day or even to a special event definitely shouldn’t be worn on your wedding day. Your guests will look at you and think, “Whose wedding are we at?”. Go for a look that’s timeless and classic, not just trendy and chic at the time. You want to look back at pictures and not think “Oh my goodness, I can’t believe I wore my hair like that.”

18.Brides: DO test-drive your hairstyle.
You don’t want to leave your hair to the last second. Meet with your stylist along
with any items you want in your hair (like your veil and other head pieces) long before the big day and figure out exactly what you want to look like. Take pictures of the finished look so you and your stylist can have something to look back on.

17.Brides: DON’T feel like you need to wear a huge veil just because you can.
We know, you’re finally the bride! But that doesn’t mean you should hide in a veil that makes you look like the Abominable Snowman. Get a veil that compliments your dress. A large princess ball gown needs a simpler veil. Something too big will make you look cluttered! If you simply must have a huge veil, pick a more simple, form-fitting dress. The look will work much better.

16.Brides: DON’T make your bridesmaids look like a parade of look-alikes.
You want a look that’s simple, elegant, and classic. Glamour says to think of it like a fashion show, where everyone looks their best. And looking her best for one girl is totally different than another. Bridesmaids dresses are more about color and tones and fabrics than a particular style of dress. Cookie cutter dresses are out. If you want happy and comfortable ‘maids, let them pick their own dresses (within your guidelines) or at least have a say in what they wear.

15.Brides: DON’T go broke on your wedding dress.
You want to buy the best dress that you can afford, but that doesn’t mean spending 50 percent of your wedding budget on a single dress. In fact, you probably shouldn’t exceed ten percent of your total budget. Look on Ebay or pick through sample sales. Or, spend your money on a personal trainer, so that no matter what dress you’re wearing, you’ll look fabulous in it.

14.Brides: DO be yourself with your wedding dress.
Just because you’re a bide doesn’t mean you have to wear a big, white, princess dress. Though lots of ladies dream of that dress, it’s definitely not for everyone. If you want a short dress, wear it! If you want a pink or purple or red dress, wear it! Wear a dress that fits your body and style tastes. Be true to yourself.

13.Grooms: DON’T rent your tux, just buy it!
As the people from Glamour put it, it’s one of the most important days of your life, don’t wear another man’s pants. They really do have a good point there! When you rent a tux or suit, chances are those same pair of pants have been worn thirty times already. Formal can be affordable! Look into purchasing your tux, or buying a really nice, tailored-just-to-you suit. Not only will you look like a million bucks, but you’ll have a great suit or tux that you want wear over and over again.

12.Grooms: DO let your guys put a bit of their own personality in their ensemble.
When you go to pick out your groomsmen’s and ushers’ ensemble for “the big day,” pick something that the fellows would feel good about wearing. Let them spice their ensembles up a bit by letting them wear their own cuff links, tie, or shoes. There is no need to let them go over the top, but letting them be their selves is a must.

11.Guests: DO give some thought to your outfit.
This is not the time for the mini skirt and mega platform shoes. In regards to your outfit, be a little on the conservative side. The attention should be on the couple, not on you. After all, it is their wedding day. If you have an outfit that you’re questioning, call up the bride and ask her what she thinks! And just remember, sequins are not for daytime.

10.Brides: DON’T feel like you need to wear a tiara just because it’s your wedding day.
You simply don’t need to wear one. Once upon a time, tiaras represented hope, magic, glamour, and wealth. But now, wearing a glitzy tiara with a huge, elaborate dress might just be a little too much. It a tiara is a must for you, consider a more discrete or understated look. Remember that more is not always better. Again, make sure that your whole look works together.

9.Wedding Party: DON’T get crazy with tanning or fake baking.
Hello! Fair skinned brides can be gorgeous! In fact, it’s kind of a misnomer that because you’re wearing white or ivory, your skin will be washed out. Wearing those colors and tone will in fact enhance your skin’s natural beauty. If getting a few shades darker is a must, try spray tanning an bronzers. And remember to always do a test run, and never get it done on the day of or before the big day. You want to look like a bride (or pretty bridesmaids), not like a pumpkin.

8.Brides: DON’T make the ‘maids wear the same hairstyle.
Just as with dresses, the same style on everyone is simply not flattering on everyone! If forced the wear the same hairstyle, girls will be girls and there is no doubt that they will compare themselves to each other. Work with your bridesmaids’ individual styles. And remember, they are not there to compete with you, so let them feel their best!

7.Brides: DON’T be too trendy when it comes to your gown, hair, accessories, and the rest of your look.
The trick is to go timeless! We all love to be fashionable, but something that’s simply trendy won’t look all that great in the years to come. You know what we mean. Think back to the 80’s brides. Just plain scary! If you choose a dress that’s elegant and works with your body, you can’t go wrong. Enjoy the time you spend looking! And a tip that we here at Wedding Fanatic love, which came from WeddingBee: When looking for “The Dress”, start with the cheapest ones and work your way up. That way, you might just fall in love with a dress that’s only 500 bucks rather than having your heart set on one that’s $5,000.

6.Guests: Don’t wear white to a wedding.
Would you like it if you spent a small fortune on a dress you’ll wear one time, then someone shows up on your special day wearing something similar? We didn’t think so. It’s the bride’s turn to wear “the dress” so let her wear white. A Wedding Fanatic tip: Sometimes a couple might want you to wear white (think: simple beach chic nuptials), but if this is the case, it will be noted on the invitation or included in other information that you’ll receive.

5.Guests: DO know that you can wear black to a wedding.
A while back, it was considered kind of morbid to wear black to a wedding, but today, it’s a perfect color to wear. It’s slimming and looks good on most everyone. Some brides today are even choosing black for their bridesmaids dresses.

4.Groom: DON’T not get your haircut the day before the wedding.
Getting your hair cut the day before or the day of your wedding is just not a good idea. You should do this one to two weeks earlier. And just like we tell the brides, don’t do anything that looks drastically different than your normal self! You want to look like a cleaned up and dressed up version of yourself, not someone else. Brides, it will do you good to talk with your groom in advance and make sure he doesn’t wait to the last second to get his hair cut!
Brides: DON’T get a facial the day before your wedding.
You need time for your face and body to get back to normal after you’ve had a facial. If you have one done the day before, you’re likely to have red blotches all over your face. And that’s just something you don’t want in those wedding pictures!

3.Brides: DO consider comfort for your wedding dress and accessories.
While a little pain won’t kill you, you don’t want a dress you can breathe or move in, or a train that you have to drag around during your whole reception. While there is no need to wear something that is just plain ugly for the sake of comfort, you do want to take it into consideration.

One thing you DO want to take comfort seriously with are your shoes. Don’t get a pair you can’t walk in or make your feet hurt as soon as you put them on. And idea we like: get a fancy pair for the ceremony and your first few dances. Then when you’re ready to get your groove on, slip on some comfy yet cute ballet look-alike slippers. For the crafty bride: dress them up with some ribbons and embellishments for something you can wear around the house later on.

2. Brides: DON’T drink too much!
Do we really need to spell this one out? There are few things worse than looking your absolute best, but then stumbling about and slurring your words. It just isn’t pretty. A Wedding Fanatic tip: drinking a lot of alcohol the day before your wedding could leave your face a little flushed and red. If you can, encourage your wedding party to take it easy on the drinks the night before.

1.Brides and Grooms: DO just be yourself.
Like some of the other points have said, you want to be the best version of yourself on your wedding day. You don’t need to compete with other couples and try to “out-wed” them. You want to look your personal best and treat your guests to an even that reflects you as a couple, not just the trends of the day. You can’t go wrong being yourself!

And always remember, your wedding day isn’t the end! While it does mean no more wedding planning, it also means the beginning of your new life together. Enjoy the planning, the wedding, and most of all, the rest of your lives.

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Who Pays For What?

These days, who pays for what in the wedding get-up can be however you want it to be! Often, the bride and groom pay for the whole thing themselves. But! If you are the traditional type and like to stick to the books, here is a breakdown of who traditionally pays for what in the grand scheme of things.

The Bride and Her Family
Bridal Consultant Fees
Invitations and the rest of the paper ensemble
Floral decorations for the ceremony and reception, bridesmaids’ and bride’s bouquet
Wedding day photography
Music for ceremony and reception
Transportation for wedding party to and from ceremony
All reception expenses
Bride’s gifts to her attendants
Bride’s gift to the groom
Groom’s wedding ring
Sexton’s service fees
Cost of soloists
Parking attendants if needed
Transportation and lodging for officiant if invited by the bride’s family
Accommodations for the bride’s attendants
Bridesmaid’s luncheon

The Groom and His Family
Bride’s engagement and wedding rings
Groom’s gift to the bride
Gifts for the groom’s attendants
Ties and gloves for the groom’s attendants, if not part of their clothing rental package
The bride’s bouquet (if tradition in that area)
The bride’s going-away corsage
Boutonnieres for groom’s attendants
Corsages for immediate members of both families
The officiant’s fees or donation
Transportation and lodging for officiant if invited by groom’s family
The marriage license
Transportation for the groom and best man to the ceremony
Expenses of the honeymoon
All costs of the rehearsal dinner
Accommodations for the groom’s attendants
Bachelor dinner/party, if he has one
Transportation and lodging expenses for the groom’s family

Bridesmaids’/Honor Attendant’s
Purchase of apparel and all accessories
Transportation to and from city of wedding
A contribution to a gift from the bridesmaids to the bride
An individual gift to the couple
A shower or luncheon for the bride (optional)

Ushers’/Best Man
Rental of wedding attire
Transportation to and from the city of the wedding
A contribution to a gift from the groom’s attendants to the groom
An individual gift to the couple
A bachelor dinner/party, if given by the groom’s attendants

Out of Town Guests
Transportation to and from city of wedding
Lodging
Wedding gift

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Old-Fashioned Romance for Modern Relationships

Need some romantic ideas? Perhaps you’re searching for the love of your life or just looking for a way to put a little more passion into the relationship you already have. The author of romancetracker.com, Phil Van Treuren, has started a blog to help you along your way.

Started about four months ago, the site has gown and acquired quite the following. Phil writes on a number of romantic topics, from how to live a romantic single life, attract a romantic person, and even how to encourage a more romantic attitude in your sweetie.

Wedding Fanatic loves the age-old yet somehow refreshing content of romancetracker.com. Being an old-fashioned romantic takes a lot of work, but Phil makes it look easy. For example, in a post about helping out your sweetie be a little more romantic, he says “A single rose, if presented properly, can be much more romantic than a dozen roses.” Truer words were never spoken!

So how does this tie into weddings? Well, of course, getting married can be perhaps the most romantic statement you’ll ever make. Showing everyone that you love and care for a person so much that you plan to spend the rest of your life with them. But how do you get from “Nice to meet you” to “Will you go out with me?” to “Will you marry me?” Let romancetracker.com help you get there!

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Bridezilla? No Joke.

PEOPLE magazine recently had an article about Katie Masters, a bride with five fabulous bridesmaids. While doing some wedding work, she came across a “Bridesmaid’s Contract” on theknot.com. She found it hysterical, so she sent it to her ladies as a joke. Seems funny, right? Consider this. The contact had “clauses” that restricted the ‘maids from changing their hairstyles or gaining weight before the wedding.

Sounds funny enough, but some of her ladies didn’t get that it was just a joke. Through emails, the somewhat private joke turned much too public. It got to the point where Masters was receiving hate mail and having vendors cancel on her.

So a word to all of you brides out there. It’s one thing to ask your bridesmaids to do a few nice things for you. It’s something completely different to basically have them sign their lives away to you. A sense of humor is vital during your wedding planning period, but make sure your family and friend know when you’re just joking!

Just for fun, we made up our own “Bridesmaid’s Contract”. Check it out below.

Bridesmaid’s
Contract

Hello ladies of the Couple’s Last Names Go Here, Bride’s First wedding party. It is our understanding that you have accepted the offer to be a bridesmaid. As such, please read the following. Sign and return back to us at Address Goes Here. Upon your signature, it is understood that you have read and commit yourselves to the guidelines stated below. Thank you for you cooperation.

I will not change the style, color, length and texture of my hair prior to the wedding

I will not gain more than five pounds than the weight at which I weighed when asked to be a bridesmaid.

If I weigh more than one hundred seventy (170) pounds, I will be sure to loose the weight required so that I will weigh less than or equal to one hundred seventy pounds.

I will not break any bones prior to the wedding date, nor will I engage in any reckless behavior that could possibly result in injury.

I will devote least five (5) hours every week to planning for the wedding, helping the bride, or completing the tasks she assigns me.

I will not become pregnant or have any major body-altering surgeries prior to the wedding day.

I will not fraternize with groomsmen before the wedding day so as not to interfere with my wedding duties.

Whenever a meeting between the bridesmaids or between the bridesmaids and bride, I will wear the proper attire, which consists of black dress pants or a black skirt which does not pass three (3) inches above or below the knee, and a pink button-up or polo shirt. Pink or black shoes with a two and a half (2.5) inch heal required.

I will refrain from consuming salty foods and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol one week prior to the wedding as to prevent the retaining of water and redness of the skin on facial areas.

Whenever speaking with the bride, I will address her in a polite and cheerful tone.

Above all, I will not forget that the wedding day of Bride’s and Groom’s Name Goes Here is their special day and I will do nothing to disrupt it or prevent their happiness. It is my duty to serve them.
………………………………………………………………………………………

Bridesmaid’s Name, Printed:

Bridesmaid’s Signature:

Witness’ Signature:

Date:

 

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