Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Weddings and....

Here are some things I've learned about wedding planning. I'm not an expert. Just a few tips from the trenches.   


1.  No matter what colors you pick, you won't find bridesmaid dresses or fabric in that color. Pick the dress or fabric first, and work the entire wedding around that.  Great advice from a friend...  a little too late.  


2.  When it's time to proof read the wedding invitations before printing --  have at least 20 people help you. Really.  Apparently 8 or 9 isn't enough.  


3.  Something is bound to go wrong (see #2).  No amount of excellent planning can prevent it.  Good advice from my daughter's future father-in-law.  It's ok...  we're laughing about it already.


4.  Men don't really have any interest in helping plan the wedding...   except for the food. They definitely care about the food.  


5. You will alternate between feeling totally on top of things one day, and in a hysterical panic the next.


6. What the bride and groom want and will make the most memorable day for them is more important that tradition, what you want, what the magazines say, etc...


7.  The only thing that really lasts from the wedding (besides the marriage of course), is the photographs.  You can find an excellent photographer for a very reasonable amount (with some detective work), but don't skimp on the quality or quantity of the pictures.


8.  Ask everyone you know for referrals for everything.  The best resources/people are usually the ones your friends  have given rave reviews.  


9.  A beautiful wedding can be done for relatively very little money.  There's no need to scale everything down and do without if you just use some creativity and good prioritizing (although I appreciate her willingness to give up the childhood dream of having doves released at the reception...  maybe some things have to give!)


10.  Pumpkin Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream are TO DIE FOR.  I realize that has nothing to do with weddings (unless you want to serve them at one), but I can't stop thinking about them.  If you try one, you won't either.