Recently we have had some brides that are looking for ideas on non-floral pieces that their bridesmaids can carry down the aisle. Whether you’re wanting to express your style or you’ re wanting to be different these 5 unique ideas will help you reach your goal.
The Clutch
Your bridesmaids will be walking in style down the aisle. With the clutch you can leave it as it is or add a little floral to the mix.
Parasols
Parasols are not only a great way to block the sun but they can add an extra pop of color. Your photographer will also love to use them for a prop during pictures.
Twine Balls
If you are going for an organic or rustic look these are for you. Theses are great because you can make them your own by adding something to the inside. Whether it is floral or lighting these can become uniquely yours.
Candle Light
Using candle light is always a romantic way to incorporate something for your bridesmaids to carry. You could use lanterns, mason jars or a simple votive and candle combo.
Balloons
Using balloons is such a fun and colorful way for your bridesmaids to walk down the aisle. When thinking about using balloons make sure it fits into your concept and venue for your wedding. Balloons add a great touch for an outside wedding in the spring and summer months. I like the giant 17inch round vintage balloons the best. They look sleek and simple.
Of all of the wedding shows on TV one of my favorites is Four Weddings on TLC. Brides attend each others weddings and rank their competition’s wedding on dress, venue, food and over all experience. At the end of the show the bride with the most points wins a honeymoon to some tropical place. One thing I have noticed on every show is that the other brides have strong opinions on which way the food should be served. There are advantages and disadvantages to both but most importantly it depends on the event and the ambiance you are trying to convey.
1) The Buffet
Most casual bridal couples prefer a fun and relaxing reception by having wedding guests serve themselves from a variety of foods. This is a great option for wedding reception food because the nature of a buffet offers something for everyone.
Pros-
Food is generally less expensive
No need to pay for a wait staff.
More causal
Wide variety of food choices
Cons-
The fear of running out of food
Long wait lines
To causal for some couples
Helpful Hints:
Have two buffet lines to cut down on wait time
So that it doesn’t look as causal, use nice polished aluminum to add a more formal presentation
Use different shape and size tables to look less causal
Release the room in sections to cut down on lines
2) The Sit-Down Dinner
Elegant traditional bridal couples often take the opportunity to have waiters serve their guests so that everyone eats and finishes at the same time which allows more time to socialize.
Pros-
Will appear as if you went all out
Considered to be more formal
Less chaotic
Guests don’t have to do much work
Cons-
Fear the food will get cold
Fear that dinner will seem to “stuffy”
Limited on what you can eat
More for the bride and groom to figure out beforehand ( specific guest count, place cards, who is eating what, etc..)
Helpful Hints:
Hire a caterer that will prepare the food during the reception so food will be fresh and hot
Give a variety of menu options for different taste buds
3) FOOD STATIONS
Most adventurous bridal couples like the style of this reception because it provides a lot of fun and variety for guests to sample foods from each station. One thing’s for sure–wedding guests will rave about this party for years to come!
Pros-
Will get your guests to mix and mingle
Stations offer many food options for a variety of guests
No need to pay wait staff
Cons-
Each station will need its own china and silverware
Serving dishes and presentation can get expensive
Helpful Hints:
Stations can be positioned across the venues to maximize flow
Use polished aluminum to add a formal feel
Spend a little extra money and have people behind the stations to explain the food or cook it live
We are excited to announce the 2012 BRAVO! Bridal Expo! The event will be held at the Florence Civic Center on Sunday, January 8th 2012. The expo will include passed appetizers, fabulous giveaways, musical entertainment, fashion shows, and most importantly a chance to meet with vendors and brides-to-be.
"You guys were so organized and on top of things in the weeks leading up to the expo. Very Supportive!"
"Wonderful job!"
"Everything was very professional!"
"This was a very classy show. You did a fabulous job BRAVO!"
"I am very pleased with this event. I have listened to the comments from the brides and all of them were wonderful. We booked parties and met great potential clientele. Thank you. Can’t wait to work with you again at the next one."
If you did not participate in the Expo in 2011, the vendor feedback was exciting -100% were either extremely satisfied or satisfied of that 25% were satisfied and of that 75% were extremely satisfied with the results of the event- 100% said they would participate again and would recommend the Expo to another vendor. We are moving the Expo in 2012 to the Civic Center as it will be bigger than 2011. We have added surprises in the planning stage so register early!
"Planning, coordination, advertising, and helpful friendly planners help make the expo successful!"
"This was my first expo and I enjoyed myself very much!"
"This was a very classy show. You did a fabulous job BRAVO!"
"I have never attended a show where we had a vendor networking hour. I thought it was very informative."
"The show was amazing, the best Florence has seen in the 10+ years I have been participating in shows. Thank you again for giving Florence the show they deserve!!"
Our website, BRAVOBridalExpo.com will be live later this week. You will be able to register and pay online. In the mean time you can request vendor forms by e-mailing Bridalshow@ BRAVOeventrentals.com.
*Quotes above are from our 2011 survey results and not from the people reflected in the pictures.
When the bacon-wrapped scallops have run out, when the band has stopped playing, when the bouquet has long-since been tossed, what remains? Your eternal love and your wedding photos.
It can be tempting to enlist Uncle Joe or Journalism Student Cami to point-and-click your big day in order to save a couple thousand bucks, but free/cheap won’t look so appealing on the other side of your wedding, when Uncle Joe forgot to remove the lens cover or Cami didn’t use the flash and all of your pictures look like they were taken in an underground bunker at midnight.
Given that your photos are one of the few services that have a life beyond your wedding day (can we say multi-generations?), it is important to entrust this task to a professional photographer. Not just a photog with a current business license, but one who is capable of delivering what you want—gorgeous photographs that perfectly capture the essence of your wedding day. Courtesy of The Bride’s Maid and Myrtle Beach area photography professionals, here’s what to look for when investing in a wedding day photographer:
Experience
An experienced photographer knows a great photo op when she sees one (like your mom looking misty-eyed during the father-daughter dance, your grandparents trying to jitterbug, or that stolen glance you and your new hubby exchange). Experienced photographers also know what lighting styles and angles flatter. They know not to chop off heads or feet in full length shots and to vary poses so your photos don’t consist of three basic looks.
Professional photographers are certified, meaning they’ve gone through extensive technical training and passed a number of challenging tests. Says photographer Brooke Christl (www.brookchristl.com), “[Professional photographers] know what to do in any situation, have back up equipment, and back up plans in case of bad weather or any other problems that may come up on your wedding day.” She adds that it is not unreasonable to ask to see your photographer’s credentials.
An Eye for Style
You wouldn’t dare wear Grandma Eugenia’s wedding gown if it wasn’t your style, would you? The same should be true of hiring your wedding photographer. Look for someone whose style suits you. Study several photographers’ websites, blogs, and albums until you find a photographer whose photos look like something you would want resting atop your mantle or gracing your coffee table. Today’s photographers offer fewer posed pictures, in favor of photojournalistic ones that offer a real, candid account of the day.
Personality
Personality, really? It’s not like you’re marrying your photog. Well, it kind of is. Your photographer is going to be your wedding day third wheel, so to speak, hanging by your side from the moment you zip up your breathtaking gown until you and Darling Hubby drive off into the night. You’ll work closely with him for nearly eight hours, taking direction and doing tons of smooching in front of him; therefore, likeability and comfort are key. Kip Beech of Middle Child Photography (www.middlechildphotography.com) points out that “on your wedding day, you’ll be filled with so many emotions… it’s really important that you are comfortable being yourself around your photographer.” He recommends meeting with several photographers in person to see who you and your fiancé click with (pun intended!).
Another facet of the photographer’s personality that is important: her ability to direct. Brooke Christl advises, “Make sure [your photographer] isn’t too bossy but can give good direction. You want to love your pictures and also have a great time capturing them!” Get a feel for this by meeting with your potential photographer or asking if she knows of a client that would be comfortable letting you observe a shoot briefly to see her in action. You don’t want to spend the bulk of your wedding day with an order-barker or someone who doesn’t tell you (gently) that your tilted head makes you look like you have a broken neck. We’re not all trained models, so having someone who can help you settle into natural postures is important. You don’t want to look slouchy or hump-backed in your photos!
Attention to Detail
Just like the cleanliness of someone’s car tells you something about how clean her house is, checking out a photographer’s portfolio will tell you how detail-oriented she is. If photos don’t have pesky distractions in them (like electrical outlets that could easily have been cropped without interrupting the photo subjects, or a random guest’s foot in an otherwise strictly bride and groom shot), then chances are, she pays attention to these details, either when she takes the photos or during the editing process.
Fine Print
Fine print abounds during the wedding planning process, and there’s no exception here. Before you hand over your deposit, ask to see everything in writing, so you understand what’s included and what’s not. Expect to pay a sitting fee for the photographer’s time. Many photographers provide a disc of all of your images, while others may have a separate fee for this. Often actual prints of your photos are sold separately by the sheet. An enlargement or two may be included in your package; make sure you know exactly how many enlargements, what sizes, and styles (are they flat or wrap-around canvas?).
Given that you’ll have your wedding photos until your 50th wedding anniversary and beyond, a wedding photographer is one of the most worthwhile investments you will make. Choose wisely, Blushing Bride.
Happy Planning.
Sara Wise
Sara Wise owns The Bride’s Maid, a wedding planning company in Myrtle Beach! Visit Sara on her website or on facebook.
As an event consultant we get asked lots of questions about events that people not in the event industry don’t know. Here is a list of our top 5 most frequently asked questions:
5. How many glasses will I need for my event?
We usually suggest 2-3 glasses per person per hour. But even this rule of thumb doesn’t apply to everyone’s glass needs.
We then ask a series of more specific questions to get an idea of a more realistic number ..
What kind of drinks will you be serving?
Will there be alcohol?
Do you want a red and a white wine glass?
Of your guests how many do you think will be drinking alcohol?
Are you going to have a specialty drink?
Are you serving beer in a bottle or a glass?
Bella Lyse Event Designs
BRAVO! Event and Party Rentals
TIPS to remember: Some people will hold their one glass the whole night and some will get a new glass every time they go to the bar. It’s always better to have more than you need than not enough.
4. How many chairs does a certain size table sit?
36" Round sits 2-4 chairs
48" will seat 4-6 chairs
60" Round sits 6-8 chairs
72" table will seat 8-10 chairs
6' tables will seat 6-8 chairs depending if you put chairs on the end
8' tables will seat 8-10 chairs depending if you put chairs on the end
3. What size dance floor do I need?
It depends on how many guests you expect to dance. We suggest having 3 square feet per person.
Bella Lyse Event Designs
Bella Lyse Event Designs
2. What size linen do I need?
For a 36″ round table you need a 96″ round linen
For a 48″ round table you need a 108″ round linen
For a 60″ round table you need a 120″ round linen
For a 72″ round table you need a 132″ round linen
For a cocktail table you need a 120″ round linen if you are not tying it, if you are tying it you need a 132″ round linen
For a 6′ banquet table you need a 90X132″ linen
For a 8′ banquet table you need a 90X156″ linen
For a 60″ square table you need a 132″ round linen
1. What size tent do I need?
It all depends on how many people you are expecting, if there will be a band or DJ, if there will be a dance floor, etc. This is the chart we use to help figure out what size tent you need:
See are Tent Basics Blog article to find out more about our tents
There are many details to pay attention to. There’s the guest list, the venue, the food. Do you have a theme? How does that play into the decorations? Is there too much or too little?
So how do you handle planning everything?
Give yourself some time and ask for help.
The best thing you can do is to begin planning early. As soon as you have determined the number of guests and the date, start planning. I suggest hiring an event planner. However if this is something you would rather do on your own, do your research and recruit friends and family to help. You don’t have to do everything on your own.
Ensure you have enough time to get everything accomplished. If you try to do too much too quickly, your event will become very stressful. It is also easy to overlook things when you don’t give yourself enough time.
Use a checklist
There are a lot of things to remember when planning an event. Having a checklist will help ensure you don’t miss something. If you are planning a wedding, The Knot has a great checklist that is interactive and customizable for your wedding date. You can find that here.
Take a break
Remember your life does not revolve around this one event. Take a break; do something completely unrelated to event planning.
On this season of My Fair Wedding (one of my favorite shows,) David Tutera has taken each of his brides on a non-wedding related adventure a few days before the wedding. They went on roller coasters, hot air balloons, and rock climbing, and it is a great idea. Do something you enjoy, something exciting to get your mind off the planning. Stop worrying and just enjoy yourself. That’s what parties are for anyways. Remember that!