Getting Married

Traditionally, who pays for what?

As a reference, below is a list of the traditional expenses and responsibilities of the bride’s and groom’s families, the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and even the wedding guests. Keep in mind that these days, all of the following guidelines for family expenses are variable—depending on the particular circumstances of the wedding. Often, expenses are shared by the couple and their families, so assign the responsibilities to fit your circumstances.

Traditional Expenses of the Bride and Her Family

• Services of a wedding consultant
• Invitations, enclosures, and announcements
• The bride’s wedding gown and accessories
• Floral decorations for the ceremony and reception, bridesmaids’ flowers
• The bride’s bouquet (unless it is customary for the groom to pay for it)
• Tent, awning, aisle runner
• Music for church and reception
• Transportation of bridal party to ceremony and to reception
• All reception expenses
• Services of a traffic officer or security, if necessary
• Photographer, wedding photographs, wedding albums
• Videographer and finished DVD
• Transportation and lodging expenses for the officiant if from another town and if invited to officiate by the bride’s family
• Accommodations for bride’s attendants
• Bridesmaids’ luncheon, if hosted by the bride or her family
• Bride’s gifts to her attendants
• Bride’s gift to groom
• Groom’s wedding ring

Traditional Expenses of the Groom and His Family

• Bride’s engagement and wedding rings
• Groom’s attire
• Ties and gloves for the groomsmen, if not part of their clothing rental package
• Accommodations for the groom’s attendants
• Accommodations for the groom’s parents and siblings
• Bachelor dinner, if the groom wishes to give one
• All costs for the rehearsal dinner
• Officiant’s fee or donation
• Transportation and lodging expenses for the officiant, if from another town and if invited to officiate by the groom’s family
• The marriage license
• Transportation for the groom and best man to the ceremony
• The bride’s bouquet (when it is local custom for the groom to pay for it)
• The bride’s going away corsage, if wearing one
• Boutonnieres for groom’s attendants
• Corsages for immediate members of both families (unless the bride has included them in her florist’s order)
• The officiant’s fee or donation
• Groom’s gift to bride
• Gifts for groom’s attendants
• Honeymoon expenses

Maid of Honor’s/Bridesmaids’ Expenses

• Purchase of apparel and all accessories
• Transportation to and from the wedding location
• A contribution to a gift from all the bridesmaids to the bride
• An individual gift or a group gift from the attendants to the couple (if being in the wedding is not the gift)
• Optionally, a shower, luncheon, or hens party for the bride

Best Man’s/Groomsmen’s/Ushers’ Expenses

• Rental or purchase of wedding attire
• Transportation to and from the wedding location
• A bachelor dinner, if given by the groom’s attendants
• A contribution to a gift from all the groomsmen to the groom
• An individual gift or a group gift from the attendants to the couple (if being in the wedding is not the gift)

Guests’ Expenses

• Transportation to and from the wedding
• Lodging expenses and meals
• Wedding gift
  

Children's Fashion

We’re delighted to present Tutu Du Monde Bespoke

TUTU DU MONDE BESPOKE OFFERS A PREMIUM SERVICE FOR OUR MOST DISCERNING CUSTOMERS… YOU WILL HAVE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE YOUR FAVOURITE DRESS SILHOUETTE, AND THE COLOURS AND EMBELLISHMENTS TO BRING IT ALL TO LIFE. WE WANTED YOU TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IT’S LIKE TO CREATE YOUR OWN TUTU DU MONDE PIECE – TO OWN A CUSTOMISED DRESS THAT TRULY EXPRESSES YOUR UNIQUE STYLE, PERSONALITY AND IMAGINATION. 

With a choice of eight silhouettes and a selection of beautiful embroidery, beading and embellishments, customers can now personalise a dress, perfect for that special occasion, be it a wedding, family portrait, or birthday celebration. Experience the magic of frills, flounces and feathers, soft hues and gossamer-delicate tulle.  Junior bridesmaids are sure to steal the show in these gorgeous creations that will effortlessly blend in with the outfits of the bridal party, no matter the style or colour.  All Bespoke garments are one-offs, made to order and meticulously hand-crafted, they are unique, timeless treasures designed with vintage appeal.

Tutu du Monde Bespoke – because ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever’

For enquiries please email bespoke@tutudumonde.com

Wedding Parties

Reconciling who you want to include in your bridal party with who you're expected, requested, or even told to include can seem like an ordeal. With friends and family anticipating or assuming they'll be asked, it's easy to get confused and resentful. After all, this is supposed to be your day, your way, right? Relax. Choosing your attendants needn't be a nightmare. Prioritizing what's important is the key to arriving at a list that pleases everyone—even you.

Photo Credit: R.E.M. Video and Photography

Choices, Choices

The most obvious question is how many attendants to ask and who should be your maid/matron of honor. While etiquette books suggest one usher per 50 guests, protocol surrounding the number of bridesmaids is fuzzier (12, however, is the limit). "What's important is that you include those people to whom you feel closest," says Deborah Jones, owner of A Wedding In Minnesota, a bridal consultancy in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Also consider where you'll be standing at the altar or huppah, and how many people can fit on either side of you. Aesthetically, the same number of attendants on both sides looks best, but there is no rule that says they have to match.

Start by writing your wish list of attendants. Next, add your fiancé's picks, and those who would make political sense(your brother's wife to make him happy, for example). See if there are natural groupings that would make choosing easier: all sisters, all school friends, just one sister and one friend, etc. If your list is still unwieldy, consider the following to help you eliminate people or decide their role.

First, think about their responsibilities. The maid/matron of honor is generally the bride's right-hand woman before and on the day of the wedding. Her main duties include planning the bridal shower and helping the bride select her gown and address invitations. The bridesmaids assist the maid/matron of honor and bride. All typically pay for their own dresses and travel expenses.

Second, evaluate your needs and expectations. Is this a gala affair with many details you'll need help coordinating, or a small, no-fuss ceremony? Are you the type of person who surrounds herself with friends and needs a sounding board for every decision, or do you have only one or two close confidantes?

Do you expect your attendants to devote a significant amount of time and money to your wedding? Would you feel comforted knowing that all of your bridesmaids lived in town, mere minutes away for minor emergencies? If someone says she can't afford to participate, can you make up the difference (and not take it personally)? Be honest with yourself: Are your expectations reasonable? Will you get mad if someone can't help out as much as you'd like due to her work or family commitments?

Third, factor in the lifestyle and current situation of those you intend to ask, and how it meshes or clashes with their responsibilities and your needs. For example, what if your sister lives in Alaska and your best friend just lost her job, or if another friend is so swamped with work or a new baby that she barely squeezes in a phone call, much less time to plan a bridal bash. All these circumstances impact a potential maid's ability to do the best job possible. That said, even if someone can't be there physically, she may still provide valuable moral support. So decide what's most important to you.

Popping the Question

Now the fun part—asking people to be in your party. Some brides try to avoid disappointing anyone by asking people they don't really want to participate, assuming they'll say no because they're too busy or won't be able to afford it. Big mistake: This approach can easily backfire. Some people are so honored to be included that they'll move the world to make it happen. Only ask those you'll be thrilled to hear a "yes" from.

If there's someone you want to ask but are concerned she'll feel pressured by time or money constraints, create a scenario in which each of you would feel comfortable backing out gracefully.  Let her know she's one of your top choices but you understand if she has other commitments that make it difficult for her to take part. If you're willing to cover expenses, ask her how she feels about that. If she knows how important she is to you, she'll probably feel flattered, not insulted.

If you expected a friend to say yes and she doesn't, don't be offended. Chances are it's no reflection on you. Your friend is simply doing you the favour of being upfront and honest about the time and money she wants to devote to your event, an occasion she respects enough not to ruin. 

If someone does accept and later seems unhappy with her decision, try to determine what's really going on. 

Blood Ties

Resolving conflicts with parents and in-laws isn't always so simple. Sometimes an edict is handed-down and that's that. For example, you may be told your sister will be your maid of honour, whether you like it or not. If you have a big enough party, it may not matter—a lot of your friends are included anyway. If you were planning on a small party, consider making it bigger to keep the peace.

Even if you can enforce your will and leave out a family member who expected to be included, consider the effect your stubbornness will have on family harmony. "If you deliberately leave out someone your parents or in-laws want included, you may be making a bigger statement than you intended," notes Claro. Their conspicuous absence is a visible declaration of your rejection. When it comes down to it, would including this person really ruin your wedding day? Or will the repercussions of leaving her out sully family relationships for years to come?

The Flowergirl....

Congratulations – your daughter is a flower girl! Now what are you supposed to do? Being the parent of the most adorable wedding attendant means you have duties, too. Here’s the top line info you need to know:

THE DRESS:

Start collecting your pennies because traditionally the flower girl’s parents pay for her dress and accessories. Selecting the style is up to the bride, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t offer her guidance, especially if she’s not experienced buying children’s clothing. You don’t want your size 6 child to end up with a size 4 dress, no matter how cute the gown may be.

PRE-WEDDING EVENTS:

As a member of the wedding party, the flower girl can expect invitations to all the fun festivities surrounding the wedding: bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, brunches, etc. The one exception: the hen's party. Thankfully, that one is usually held way past her bedtime.

THE REHEARSAL:

Even if she’s worn a hole in your carpet from all her practicing, it’s important for the flower girl to attend the official wedding rehearsal. There she’ll meet everyone involved in the ceremony and will feel like part of the team. The person running the rehearsal will give the flower girl her marching orders, or rather, what is expected of her as she walks down the aisle. Hopefully, all this will help to ease her anxiety and get her excited for the big day.

THE DAY OF THE WEDDING:

Don’t be late! The bride may request that the flower girl arrive early along with the rest of the wedding party. Unfortunately, this could make for a very long and tiring day. Be sure to bring stain proof, low sugar snacks and activities to keep her entertained, like the 

PICTURES:

She’ll be all smiles, if you both are prepared. The flower girl should be included in the formal portraits, which may be taken before and/or after the ceremony. The picture taking process can be long and laborious (it’s tough being a model!), so explain to your child that she will be expected to smile, pose nicely, and follow all the photographer’s requests. Keep hair products on hand for touch ups.

THE PROCESSIONAL:

It’s time for her to strut her stuff. Traditionally, the flower girl follows the ring bearer down the aisle and precedes the maid of honor, but it’s also appropriate for the flower girl to make her entrance right before the bride. She might be asked to toss petals from a basket, hand flowers to guests, carry a bouquet, or perform some other creative task. The goal is for her to make it to the end of the aisle, and most importantly, look cute while doing it.

DURING THE CEREMONY:

To sit or stand, that is the question – and you are probably the best person to answer. After the flower girl completes her walk down the aisle, she can sit with a relative in the front or stand with the rest of the wedding party. You will know which option works best for your child, so be sure to suggest it to the bride. At the end of the ceremony, the flower girl walks back up the aisle in front of the maid of honor.

THE RECEPTION:

It’s party time…but first some formalities. The flower girl is not required to stand in the receiving line, but she may be officially introduced along with the rest of the wedding party. Rather than sit at the head table for the meal, the flower girl dines with her parents. By this point in the wedding, you and your daughter have completed your duties. You did it! Feel free to grab a piece of wedding cake, kick it on the dance floor, and ENJOY!

Know your man !!

The phrases that men hate to hear

Image: © Monkey Business / Fotolia

The phrases that men hate to hear are usually the ones that women use most often (and they are serious).

We don’t know if it is a protective response or they are just tired of hearing it, but men pretend they are deaf or they burst out when they hear these hateful phrases.

Here are some of the most awful phrases for the men’s ears…and how can you say the same thing, but in a different way.

“We’ve got to talk.”

Usually most women keep their emotions down and wait until their patience runs over…then they explode and decide to deal with the problem straight away. It doesn’t matter why you use these words, but they really annoy men, because they make them expect something awful to happen. That is why if you want to start a serious conversation, the best option is to do it when you are making something together with your husband (having dinner, watching TV, laying). Just paraphrase your sentence to make him comfortable.

“I am so fat.”

Here is the problem: He hates it when you say you are fat, because he likes your body the way it is and he accepts every change as a natural process. If he starts complaining about his tummy and his bad shape, you won’t like it, will you? There are for sure plenty of other reasons to love him. It is the same for him. And if he happens to agree with you sometime, it will probably be because of the fact that instead of complaining, you could start training and working on it.

“You don’t do this anymore.”

Researches show that women are more emotional, but men are more sensitive. This means that if you tell him that he is wrong and that he is acting unreasonable, he will probably shut to himself or he might just respond aggressive to you. If, for example you tell him that he isn’t so nice lately and he doesn’t do any nice things for you, you practically tell him that you are unappreciated.

More effective way of expressing your complaints and accusations is to do it by using a particular reason for an excuse. For example, “I know that you don’t remember any dates, but the fact that you forgot about our anniversary makes me feel that you accept our relationship for granted.”

“When do you think you will be ready to become a father?”

This question is almost the same as “When will we get married?” Family and fatherhood are both a serious step which shouldn’t be taken in an irresponsible way. Men realize that. In both cases they will feel pressed against the wall, because the initiative is yours. And it is very likely that they hurt your feeling if you ask them something like that.

This is why, if you feel that your biological clock is tic-tacking, while your partner keeps putting off this important step, you should have an honest conversation with him. Tell him about your worries, concerns and visions about the future. Find out what he thinks. You should better know these things now, than when it’s too late.

“Not tonight, darling”

Men hate to be rejected. They realize that they could be in the same situation, but the fact that you suppress their libido, makes them angry. The best thing you should do when you are not in the mood of having sex is telling your husband how much you love him and how much he turns you on. But after a tough day at work, you feel really exhausted and uncomfortable. Your partner should know that you are not rejecting him, but the physical contact in this particular night.

And which is the phrase that your husband hates to hear?  

Maid of Honor Duties

Weddings are hard work, and it falls to the maid of honor to help handle some important details. She's the go-to person for the bride when it comes to guidance, a fresh perspective and, well, some of the heavy lifting. Being tapped as an honor attendant can be a chore, but it's also a tremendous compliment and a lot of fun. If you're on the lookout for fresh information you can use for your own wedding, participating in a friend's arrangements can be an eye opener that may save you time and some potential gotcha moments later, too.

Helping the Bride

The temperament of the bride and the scope of the wedding will have a big impact on how much or how little of the planning and organization the maid of honor will be responsible for. When assisting the bride, the maid of honor may be part facilitator, secretary, delivery person, counselor, decorator, or just about anything else. This partial list will give you an idea of some helpful ways you may be pressed into service:

• Scout wedding locations.
• Select invitations and help with invitation prep.
• Explore floral options and other decorative choices.
• Help the bride shop for her wedding dress and choose bridesmaids' dresses.
• Oversee delivery of the dresses, monitor fittings and assist with other wardrobe functions.
• Encourage the bride to register for gifts, spread the word about where the bride is registered and answer any gift questions that may arise.
• Help with honeymoon planning.
• Help with seating chart details.
• Attend the cake tasting and make recommendations.
• Attend the catering meetings or tastings and make recommendations.
• Host the bridal shower.
• Host the bachelorette party.
• Maintain timetables and be of general assistance to keep things moving forward.
• Attend the rehearsal dinner.
• Keep a list of gifts received.

Maid of Honor Duties for the Big Day

The maid of honor also has some specific wedding day duties beyond wearing a big smile and keeping the bride happy:

• Help the bride dress and deal with her hair, jewelry and the unavoidable wedding day jitters.
• Check the last minute details, like instructions for the photographer and deliveries to the hall.
• Act as a messenger between the bride and groom (and various and sundry family members).
• Handle dress and veil issues. Maneuverability could be important here, even in the restroom, so this is an important and sometimes unexpected duty involving lifting, fluffing, arranging and rearranging.
• Hold and protect the groom's ring.
• Hold the bride's bouquet for the duration of the wedding ceremony.
• Witness the marriage license signing.
• Be part of the receiving line at the reception or act as a greeter.
• Toast the bride and groom.
• Participate in the first dance at a formal reception (partnered with the best man).

If the bride has help from family members, the groom or lots of bridesmaids who want to pitch in, the maid of honor's responsibilities could be limited to wedding day ceremonial functions and a few other helpful contributions.

The dynamic between the bride and the maid of honor will impact how the planning process unfolds. It's a sure bet, though, that if you're a maid of honor it couldn't hurt to have a sympathetic ear, limitless patience a day planner and a sense of humor.

Did You Know?

The maid of honor's role isn't gender-specific anymore. Honor attendants can be men as well as women, and it isn't unheard of to have more than one honor attendant sharing the privilege of serving as the bride's trusted confidante and aide. Actually, this is a great way to split the labor and bestow the honor on more than one trusted friend or relative.

Choose your Wedding Flowers...

"How to choose your Wedding Flowers" 

Among all the other details you have to plan, choosing your wedding flowers is one of the most important decisions you are going to make.  They carry your own personal theme through, from fragrance & colour, to mood and style, and finally to precious memories in your photographs.

Your wedding bouquet is the finishing touch to your gorgeous gown, and a well designed, beautiful bouquet will enhance your dress, and bring out your best features and compliment your bridesmaids.

It can seem overwhelming to begin with, so here are some tips from your local florist, to help make choosing your wedding flowers a little easier.

It will save you time, and make you feel a lot more confident talking to your professional florist, if you do a little bit of homework before your consultation.  Google Images, wedding blogs (Click here to go to our portfolio of photos of real wedding flowers), bridal magazines and photos from other weddings are a great source of ideas and inspiration.  Take along any pictures of bouquet styles, special flowers, accessories, or anything else that catches your eye.

Think about if your wedding has a theme, and how you feel flowers will carry that through.   I.e. including shells in the bouquet for a Wedding on the beach is perfect!   A popular look for Waitakere Weddings is to include Paua or ferns and palms to bring through the Waitakere bush and beach feeling.

Have a swatch of your bridesmaids' fabric for colour matching of flowers and ribbons.

Pick at least one or two types of special flowers that you would like to feature if they are in season.  Blooms may be included because of their special meaning or they could hold personal memories to the bride and groom.  For more information on the meanings of flowers click here for our meaning of flowers page.

Work within the seasons.  Although many popular flowers like roses, lilies, Singapore orchids etc are white hydrangea bouquets with mauve bridesmaids dresses available all-year round, many other flowers are seasonal, so prices fluctuate depending on which month you are getting married in.  Flowers can be imported, however this becomes very costly, so it is better to be in-tune with nature and plan your wedding bouquets around the season you are marrying in.

And, PLEASE remember that Valentines Day, although romantic, is a very expensive time of year for flowers!

Know your budget.  It can be extremely helpful to the florist if you are armed with a budget.  This allows you both to discuss the best way for you to get the best value for your money.  We have more information on prices for bridal bouquets and wedding flower budgets here.

Don't skimp on the bride's bouquet – it is your special day and you are worth it!

-But you can certainly be creative with the bridesmaids' flowers – a popular trend today is 3 or 4 showy large blooms like gorgeous lilies or gerberas, which gives you real bloom-for-your–buck!  We have lots of suggestions of ways to stretch your budget and to give you WOW wedding flowers.

You can also consider doing the reception table flowers yourself – armed with a team of willing helpers and some champagne of course!    A glass bowl with floating rose heads, or a single Singapore orchid in a bud vase is a lovely effect and certainly achievable for the novice floral artist, however do be aware, that doing their own flowers often takes a lot longer than many brides anticipate, and adds a huge amount of pressure and stress to the last days before the wedding - let alone the damage to your fresh manicure! Think about it - Is it really worth it?

Your professional florist is a real asset to you on your big day, and you should feel confident when booking with them, that they understand you, your needs, and can help turn your dreams into reality, to create that magic you are looking for.

How to choose your bridal party

Decisions, Decisions: Choosing your bridal party

Choosing your bridal party can be one of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding, but it can also be one of the most stressful. If you choose pink flowers instead of purple, the purple flowers will get over it. However, if you pick one of your best friends to be a bridesmaid, but not the other, it can lead to hurt feelings. The group you choose should represent your closest friends, family members or loved ones who will be there for support, guidance and help plan for the big day. Here are some helpful tips to consider when selecting your bridal party:

Think long-term

Heavily weigh the importance of the people who have been in your life for a long time. It’s probably best not to pick somebody you like to gossip with at the gym or your favorite barista unless you see your relationship evolving into something more meaningful. It’s important to select people who have played an important role in your life leading up to your wedding and that will remain just as important in the future. Who will you choose to be your baby’s godmother or will you invite to celebrate your 50^th birthday? Facebook allows you to classify your contacts into groups. Do you consider the person to be a ‘close friend’ or just an ‘acquaintance’? Play it safe and choose from the ‘close friends’ list. Keep in mind that the people you choose will forever remain in the photos from your wedding day. Don’t let yourself open your wedding album in twenty years and ask…”what was her name again?”

Leave out the drama

With women involved in a wedding it’s likely that drama will arise at one point or another. As a bride, the best way to avoid unnecessary drama is to exclude those that create it! You may want to re-think including those who can’t hold their liquor, are on bad terms with their ex-boyfriend (the best man) or refuse to wear the lovely shade of pink you selected for their bridal gowns. The biggest blunder would be to choose somebody who disapproves of the upcoming marriage. The bride and groom’s love for one another is the entire reason the wedding is happening. A saboteur has no place in your bridal party.

All or nothing

If you are a bride with a large family and group of friends, you may be feeling pressured to squeeze everyone into your bridal party. This doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of ways to ensure that your loved ones can be involved in your wedding day. For example, if you have a large group of friends and cannot have them all in your bridal party, why not find another role for them such as giving a reading or handing out booklets at the ceremony? If anyone is musically inclined you can even invite them to sing during the celebration. Regardless of how you decide to incorporate friends into the planning, remember that ultimately it is your day and you should be able to choose who and how they will be involved. There are plenty of other opportunities to make others feel included in the details of your big day such as holding an engagement party, inviting them to your bachelorette party or even just having a dinner date with a few friends to celebrate your engagement.

Family matters

Since family is forever (both your own and your new family to be!) it is likely that their presence will be most important to you on your wedding day. When two families are joined, it can often result in a bridal party comprised mainly of brothers and sisters (depending on how large the immediate families are). If you have a large group of siblings, you can either include some or all of them, but avoid singling out one person (this is where feelings get hurt and issues arise). While a bride and groom may make independent decisions about whom they choose for their bridesmaids and groomsmen, if they are including family members in the wedding party, those decisions should be made together.

Since it is common to choose a sibling to be your maid/matron of honor or best man, it should be noted that there’s no rule against having more than one. If you are a bride with two sisters, why not have two maids of honor? Additionally, if you are a bride and have no sisters, rather only a brother or a close male friend, it is perfectly acceptable to make them your “man” of honor. Hey, Patrick Dempsey did it (or at least tried to)! The same works for the groom. Regardless of the situation, gender should not be a deciding factor.

What about kids? As with other members of the bridal party, deciding on whether children should be included in a wedding should be something that the bride and groom discuss together. As a couple you may have nieces and nephews or children of close family friends of age to serve as ring bearers and flower girls. However, do not feel obligated to include kids in your wedding if it does not meet your plans. Children who are an important part of your life can still be invited to celebrate your wedding.

Wedding Check List

Planning a Wedding...so much to think of....

Planning a wedding can be an incredibly overwhelming task for someone who has never planned one before. So much planning and so many details are involved in a wedding that it is difficult to know where to start. Rather than diving into the whole affair without a plan, make time to put together a wedding checklist so you know what you have to do.

To begin, sit down with a pen and paper and make a list of everything you need to do. The first step to maintaining wedding planning sanity is to draw out the plans for everything you will need. This includes coordinating details ranging from the bride’s dress to bridesmaids gowns, tuxedos, location of both the wedding and reception, officials, decorations, reception food and entertainment and much more.

Step one on the wedding checklist should be to have a clear understanding of what your vision is for your special day. A good place to start is finalizing colours for both the wedding and the reception.

Once the overall vision for the affair is settled and a date is nailed down, it’s time to move on to step two on the wedding checklist: the venue. Before you can plan decorations or anything else involving the ceremony or reception, you have to know where both will be held. With the date, call around to some possible places, including country clubs, reception halls, parks and more. The possibilities are nearly endless depending on your vision for the day. Enlist the help of the bridesmaids in checking out a variety of reception venues. 

After a venue is chosen, plan the decour. If it’s just the venue for the ceremony, plan how you will decorate or plan seating options, the aisle itself, the altar and more. The decorations can be as extravagant as you – and again the budget – dictate, or simple. Flowers are a must, regardless of the size of the affair, and for this you will need to once again coordinate with a florist who can make that dream come true. 

 

The florist will come into play again in planning the reception’s decor. All receptions have flowers, whether they are just on the registration table or make up centrepieces on each and every table as well as decor around the room. Make sure the bride likes the arrangements, and that they are elegant and do not in any way prohibit guests from getting around the room and conversing easily.

The reception will also involve food, and you must coordinate with the venue, if it provides menu options, or a caterer. You may choose to simply have finger food and drinks while others wish for full meals. Make sure the invitations, which you must also keep tabs on, dictate which will be available. Entertainment at the reception is also a must, since this a celebration of the couple’s new life together. Choose either a DJ to spin records or a live band in whatever genre is appropriate.

 Overall, your job is made significantly easier by simply following the wedding checklist. It will enable you to fulfill all of your wants while at the same time ensuring you stick within your budget. This entire process can become overwhelming for anyone, and if this happens there is no shame in suggesting the bride employ a wedding planner. A wedding planner is experienced in providing perfect days for couples, and can pick up where you left off and finish the task with excellent results. After all, the best part of the day will be knowing that the bride and groom had the wedding of their dreams, regardless of who planned the affair.

Choosing your wedding car

Choosing the Right Wedding Car

 

There are many parts of a wedding that must be planned. Choosing the right wedding car is important. It is the main way that a couple can arrive in an elegant manner to the reception venue. The right choice will depend on needs, wedding theme, and budget. Here is a closer look at what to consider in order to select the perfect wedding car.

Things to Consider

Every couple will have different requirements. For example, a bride with a large dress must find a car that has plenty of room. It must also be easy to get in and out of the vehicle as well.

It is also important to consider the weather. If the wedding will be held at a hot time of year, it will be vital to hire a car with air conditioning. Nothing will be worse than showing up filled with sweat.

Getting a convertible top will be a decision as well. Most fancy and expensive cars have the option of having the top open. If the wedding is formal, and the bride has spent a lot of time and money on a hairstyle, it is best to stay away from a convertible.

One final thing to consider is the amount of people that will be transported. If the car must fit the entire wedding party, it is smart to choose a larger vehicle, such as a limo. If it is just for the bride and groom, a small, classic car can be used.

A Few Popular Wedding Vehicles

• Limousine: Chrysler Stretch Limo
  A wedding limousine is ideal to transport a large wedding party. The Chrysler 300 limo is a popular option that can accommodate up to ten passengers in style and comfort. There are many benefits that come with using a limo. Most services will offer champagne. Typical limos are filled with televisions, fancy lighting, and a great sound system. A Chrysler stretch limo is perfect for any contemporary wedding theme.
  
  
• Classic Car: Rolls Royce Silver Cloud
  If wedding budget is flexible, and the couple wants a special effect on the wedding day, it will be nice to hire a classic car. These cars tend to be expensive. One of the most popular classic wedding cars is a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. It will add great elegance to pictures. It is perfect for the couple who is having an intimate wedding with an old fashioned theme.
  
  
• Vintage Bus
  When a bride and groom want something different and can carry the entire wedding party, a vintage bus will be the ultimate choice. A 1960s bus that has been totally restored will add whimsy to a wedding. It will work well in summer months for a wedding that is taking place in a classic or historic town. If the wedding is small, this type of bus may be able to transport all of the guests from the church to the reception site.
  
  
• Horse and Carriage
  Even though this form of transportation will not actually get a bride and groom very far, it is a great picturesque moment to be driven off as husband and wife for the first time. If a couple is having an outdoor wedding in a park or other tree lined area, this mode of transportation will be very memorable. There is nothing more romantic than a ride in a horse and carriage.

A wedding has many details to plan. Hiring a car is just one of the numerous tasks that comes with the big event. There are many choices to pick from that will make the wedding special. It is important to weigh individual needs and budget in order to make the best decision.

About the Author

Naomi Gregg is a freelance writer with a love for all things weddings. From wedding invites, to flowers, transport, catering and amazing wedding dresses; Naomi enjoys taking the time to reflect on all the little details that contribute to making the special day a unique and memorable experience for all.

 

Vintage Weddings

Vintage weddings are inspired

by styles from the 1920s to 1960s

Generally speaking, clothing which was produced before the 1920s is referred to as antique and clothing from the 1920s to 1960s is considered vintage. Retro (retrospective) or "vintage style" refers to clothing that imitates the style of a previous era. Repro (reproduction) clothing is a newly-made but faithful copy of an older garment. Clothing produced more recently is usually called modern or contemporary fashion.


At times, the cycle of fashion design turns

to history for inspiration.

We have received this vintage wedding image from one of our readers, Kelly Woolley, and decided to share it with you as it has an insightful newspaper article to the style of the past.


The wedding of Miss Hilda Waverley

Fairthorne and Mr S. H. Mudge in 1937

A completely different style of bouquet

and baskets from the bride and flower girls

The wedding above was featured in the local newspaper.

A somewhat more modern wedding from 1959

of Norma Lane and Roderick Barker

The bride is holding a shower or cascading Bouquet in one hand and a horseshoe in the other. The bridesmaids are seen holding cascading ribbon bouquets.
Carrying a horseshoe or a bouquet in the shape of one is considered lucky for the bride, but only if the horseshoe is carried with the open end up so the luck does not 'fall out'.

The bride and groom cutting into a beautiful 3 tiered wedding cake complete with cake stand ornate floral decorations and vase topper

Wedding Day Hair Inspiration

On your wedding day it is an opportunity for you to wear your hair in a style that is different, more elaborate or perhaps just more suitable to accommodating your veil.

We have searched through our Real Wedding archives and found some beautiful hairstyles for your review.

Some of our brides had a wedding day hair up do that they could change easily for their reception. That's a fantastic idea!

 

Amanda Smith by Next Exit Photography

Claire has a Classic Hair for back veil look

Front view of Claire (Infinity Photography)

Emma Kaveney (Mint Photography)
with a beautiful hair up do!

Just added the veil on a comb for the day
and then easily removed the veil for the reception!

Oliva (Calli B Photography)
Added a jewelled hair piece

 

Stephanie Sarta (Featherstone Photography)

Alexis Hemphill by Elizabeth Messina Photographer

Carrie Lynch with a long hair style by Infinity Photography

This gorgeous Flower Girl for Cate Raynor wearing a classic flower wreath - so simple yet beautiful!  (GM Photographics)

Monique Mellor with bridesmaid's matching hair up dos
by Karen Visser Photographer

 

Beautiful symmetry photography of  Monique Mellor's Bridesmaids and of course Monique looking stunning with her hair down and wearing a veil!

 

Alice Baxter by Paper & Lace Photography

 

Carey's classy hair style and hair piece

Photography by Aaron Delesie

Leah wearing a lacy hair piece that stands out on her dark hair
by Anna Rose Photography

Megan Crockett by Lens to Life Photography

Rachel Siemring by Calli B Photography

Kate Stockwell by Samm Blake Photography

 

Kylie Hackett wearing an elegant hairpiece

 with long hair by Thurtell Photography

 

Sally Ryan started with a veil and changed to a hair piece later

Adrian Tuazon Photography

Zoe and John by Jose Villa Photography

Zoe and John by Jose Villa Photography

	This beautiful braid from Project Wedding http://www.projectwedding.com/

This beautiful braid from Project Wedding

http://www.projectwedding.com/

Just love the flower piece in the hair. A great alternative to a veil!
This piece is available from
The Prancing Fox- Style Inspirations for the Fashion Conscious Individual.

This amazing hair up style from LA Girl Secrets
http://www.lagirlsecrets.com/

This beautiful gown with matching hat from Gowns of Elegance is a great alternative or addition to a wedding day hair up do
http://www.gownsofelegance.com

Here is a video from Lilith Moon showing how to create a French fishtail braid for short medium and long hair

We hope you enjoyed these images and feel inspired with ideas on ways to wear your hair on your big day. We would love to hear your thoughts so please comment below!