Wedding Insurance

Wedding Planning: Wedding Insurance 101

Though you might not want to think about it, disasters can strike your wedding day. From a sudden cancellation to stolen gifts to a damaged gown, wedding insurance can help protect you against the unforseen, and can also afford you great peace of mind. But what exactly is wedding insurance -- and how does it work? Here's the inside scoop.

What Is Wedding Insurance?

Basically, wedding insurance protects a couple's investment from circumstances beyond their control, and reimburses expenses incurred. For example, what if your limo driver doesn't show up and you have to book another one the morning of the wedding -- for three times the price? Or what if the groom's custom-made tuxedo is lost in airport baggage, and he has to buy a new one the day before the wedding? What if your reception space goes out of business a month before the wedding, and you lose your deposit and have to book another space? These are the types of big-day financial losses that wedding insurance can help to protect.

Why Get Wedding Insurance?

Consider these scenarios:

Before you buy wedding insurance, check with your each of your vendors to see how well they're covered.

• Janet and Dan spend months planning their winter wedding. But on wedding day, their reception site is made inaccessible by an ice storm. With the right wedding insurance policy, the couple can postpone their wedding and receive every penny they lost (less the deductible) -- including money for the invites, cake, catering, attire, and non-refundable deposits for ceremony musicians, floral designer, and other vendors.
• The bride's father is injured in a car accident just before the wedding and cannot travel. If the couple has to postpone their wedding, with wedding insurance they could be paid back their expenses to enable them to have the wedding when the father recovers.
• Right before the ceremony, Brittany's gown catches a gust of wind. Unfortunately, the tulle dances right over to the end of Uncle Howard's cigar and the dress instantly goes up in flames. Fortunately, the right insurance policy covers the replacement of the veil and gown.

How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost?

A basic insurance policy that covers loss of photos, videos, attire, presents, rings, and deposits usually costs anywhere between $155 and $550, depending on the amount of coverage you want. General liability insurance, which covers up to $1,000,000 for accidents, costs around $185.

Do You Really Need Wedding Insurance?

Before you buy wedding insurance, check with your each of your vendors to see how well they're covered -- your reception site or your caterer may already have their own insurance, so you wouldn't want to pay for overlapping coverage out of your own pocket. Ask your vendors for a copy of their policy, and then figure out where you aren't fully covered.

When Should You Get Wedding Insurance?

The sooner the better. Let's say you put a deposit on your wedding reception hall 12 months prior to your wedding date and then it burns to the ground a few weeks before the big day. With wedding insurance, you'll be sure to get your deposit back. But note: most insurance companies have limitations on how far in advance you can purchase insurance.

What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?

Problems with the site, weather, vendors, key people, sickness, or injury are the top concerns come wedding day. There is usually a specified maximum amount, which can be claimed under each section, and a deductible also applies. Be sure to find out the details of your insurance plan.

• Site: Check to see if your ceremony and reception site is already insured. If it's not, wedding insurance can cover the cost arising out of unavoidable cancellation (such as damage or inaccessibility to the ceremony site), if your reception hall is unable to honor your reservation because it has burned in a fire, experienced an electrical outage, or just plain closed down. Sometimes this policy covers the rehearsal dinner site, too.
• Weather: Any weather conditions which prevent the bride, groom, any relative whose presence at the wedding is essential, or the majority of the guests from reaching the premises where the wedding is to take place. Insurance covers rescheduling the wedding and all the details involved -- such as ceremony flowers, tent rental, and reception food.
• Vendor No-show: What if essential wedding people -- the caterer or the officiant, for example -- fail to show up? A wedding insurance policy usually covers cancellation or postponement of the wedding for these reasons.
• Sickness or Injury: Wedding insurance may also include sickness or injury to the bride, groom, or anyone essential to the wedding.
• Military or Job: It's true, military personnel may be shipped out at a moment's notice. Wedding insurance can cover postponement of the wedding due to the bride or groom suddenly getting called to military duty. This can also apply to a last-minute corporate move -- i.e. the bride's company suddenly relocates her to another city.

Wedding Insurance Doesn't Cover...

• A change of heart. In other words, cold feet don't count.
• Watches, jewelry, or semi-precious gemstones or pearls (even if they are attached to clothing) may not be covered.
• While your wedding rings may be covered by the policy, your engagement ring probably will not.

Additional Coverage

Couples can take out supplemental policies to defend against damages incured by other wedding-related items such as photography, videography, and gifts.

• Photography: Some policies pay to retake the photographs after the fact if the photographer fails to appear or the original negatives are lost, damaged, stolen, or not properly developed. Some policies will pay to re-stage the event -- with the principal participants so that pictures can be retaken. A policy may also pay costs for rehiring a photographer, buying a new wedding cake, and new flowers.
• Videographer: When a videotape produced by a professional videographer is damaged (he or she used faulty materials for example), a policy usually pays a certain amount to have either a video montage created, a video compilation made of the photographs and other wedding memorabilia, or, if possible, a retaking of the official video at a restaging.
• Gifts: Whether they're mailed to your home or handed to you on your wedding day, valuable items like gifts are something else you might want to consider insuring. Think about a party crasher lifting unattended presents from your reception. Gift coverage pays to repair or replace non-monetary gifts that are lost, stolen, or damaged. A police report is usually required for stolen gifts. The damage or theft generally has to take place within a limited time period (ranging from 24 hours to seven days depending on the specific policy) before or after the wedding, in order to be covered.
• Attire: This coverage pays to repair or replace the bridal gown or other special attire when it is in your possession and is lost, stolen, or damaged (including financial failure of the bridal store). Special attire usually includes the clothing and accessories bought or rented that are to be worn by the bride, the groom, and attendants at the ceremony.
• Personal Liability: Personal liability covers bodily injury or property damage caused by an accident that occurs during the course of the wedding (your best man trips and falls on his way up to the mike to roast you or Uncle Murray suffers a Harvey Wallbanger wall banger).
• Medical Coverage: This covers reasonable medical expenses (up to the policy's limits) for each person who is injured during the covered events from a cause of loss, which would be covered by your personal liability.
• Honeymoon: Your honeymoon can cost as much as a new car. But before buying travel insurance to protect your investment, see if your credit card and/or homeowner's policy covers you if your luggage gets lifted, your trip is delayed, or you have to cancel. If not, you can a buy separate, trip-only policy. Call your insurer, or ask your travel agent for details. Also, certain wedding insurance packages include optional travel insurance for your honeymoon.

Things to Consider

Every insurance policy and every wedding scenario is different. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent -- and have him or her explain the nuts and bolts to you. You want to make sure you and your sweetie understand every detail of your policy.

reposted from the Knot

Wedding dates to avoid

Wedding Planning: Wedding Dates to Avoid in 2013, 2014 and 2015

Ready to set a date? Check this list of dates you might want to steer clear of when booking your wedding.

Personally Significant Days

Check your own calendar for college reunions, family weddings, anniversaries or other events, like big conventions or festivals in your city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual occasions that involve your family or close friends.

Holiday Weekends

Holiday weekend weddings have pros and cons. You've got an extra day for the festivities (and recovery!); plus, a Sunday wedding is often less expensive than a Saturday one would be. However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. And if you're looking to marry around Valentine's Day, be wary of your floral bill, especially if you've got your heart set on red roses -- they'll likely be more expensive than at any other time of the year. Likewise, reception sites often charge a higher fee for a New Year's Eve wedding. Also consider the impact of a holiday weekend on your guest list: Some families have standing plans or traditions that they'd prefer not to miss.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of January 19-21, 2013
Weekend of January 18-20, 2014
Weekend of January 17-19, 2015
Presidents' Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of February 16-18, 2013
Weekend of February 15-17, 2014
Weekend of February 14-16, 2015
Mother's Day (always a Sunday) Make sure your moms are okay sharing this weekend with your wedding. And ask yourself, do you want your anniversary to fall the same weekend as Mother’s Day when (or if) you become a mom?
Weekend of May 11-12, 2013
Weekend of May 10-11, 2014
Weekend of May 9-10, 2015
Memorial Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of May 25-27, 2013
Weekend of May 24-26, 2014
Weekend of May 23-25, 2015
Father's Day (always a Sunday) Like you would with your moms, check with your dads about doubling up on this day. And grooms, make sure you’re okay with celebrating your anniversary the same weekend as Father's Day if you decide to have kids.
Weekend of June 15-16, 2013
Weekend of June 14-15, 2014
Weekend of June 20-21, 2015
Independence Day
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Friday, July 4, 2014
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Labor Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of August 31-September 2, 2013
Weekend of August 30-September 1, 2014
Weekend of September 5-7, 2015

Numerically Quirky Dates

11/12/13 falls on a Tuesday
4/10/2014 (a palindrome) falls on a Thursday
12/13/14 falls on a Saturday

5/5/15 falls on a Tuesday
5/10/15 falls on a Sunday
5/15/15 falls on a Friday

Columbus Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of October 12-14, 2013
Weekend of October 11-13, 2014
Weekend of October 10-12, 2015
Halloween Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume (and embrace it if you want them to!).
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Friday, October 31, 2014
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 28, 2013
November 27, 2014
November 26, 2015
New Year's Eve
MondayTuesday, December 31, 2013
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Thursday, December 31, 2015

Religious and Cultural Holidays

Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (your own and those of your guests) when planning your wedding. There may even be restrictions at your house of worship as to whether you're allowed to marry at these times.
Palm Sunday
March 24, 2013
April 13, 2014
March 29, 2015
Easter Sunday
March 31, 2013
April 20, 2014
April 5, 2015
Passover (begins at sunset the night before)
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset the night before)
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset the night before)
Thursday, September 5, 2013, until nightfall on Friday, September 6, 2013
Thursday, September 25, 2014, until nightfall on Friday, September 26, 2014
Monday, September 14, 2015, until nightfall on Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Hanukkah (begins at sunset)
Thursday, November 28, 2013, until nightfall on Thursday, December 5, 2013
Wednesday, December 17, 2014, until nightfall on Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Monday, December 7, 2015, until nightfall on Monday, December 14, 2015
Christmas
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Friday, December 25, 2015
Kwanzaa
Thursday, December 26, 2013, until Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014, until Thursday, January 1, 2015
Saturday, December 26, 2015, until Friday, January 1, 2016
Eid al-Fitr (dates may vary based on how each family observes)
Thursday, August 8, 2013, until Friday, August 9, 2013
Monday, July 28, 2014, until Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Friday, July 17, 2015, until Saturday, July 18, 2015
Eid al-Adha (dates may vary based on how each family observes)
Monday, October 14, 2013, until Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Saturday, October 4, 2014, until Sunday, October 5, 2014
Wednesday, September 23, 2015, until Thursday, September 24, 2015
Ram Navami
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Krishna Janmashtami
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Saturday, September 5, 2015

Days of Remembrance

We're talking about historically significant days (like the anniversary of September 11) that may be off-limits if you come from a big military family. Or, that could make them all the more meaningful -- it’s up to you to decide.
Patriot Day
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Friday, September 11, 2015
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Monday, December 7, 2015

Major Sporting Events

If you're die-hard sports fans -- or if you're worried your guests might have a hard time choosing between your wedding and the big game -- avoid getting married during popular sporting events. And if a lot of your guests come from the same alma mater, watch out for homecoming weekends and bowl games that might conflict.
Super Bowl Sunday
February 3, 2013, in New Orleans
February 2, 2014, in East Rutherford, NJ
February 1, 2015, in Glendale, AZ
Final Four and March Madness
Saturday, April 6, 2013, and Monday, April 8, 2013, in Atlanta
Saturday, April 5, 2014, and Monday, April 7, 2014, in Arlington, TX
Saturday, April 4, 2015, and Monday, April 6, 2015, in Indianapolis

Unlucky Dates

If you're superstitious, you might want to watch out for these historically inauspicious dates from across several cultures.
The Ides of March
For ancient Romans, an "ides" was simply a date that marked the middle of the month -- until Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15 in 44 B.C. Since then, "Beware the Ides of March" has become the mantra of this superstitiously unlucky date.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Friday the 13th
The unluckiest date of the year has questionable origins. Some historians say it comes from the 13 diners who were present at the last supper, but the famous Code of Hammurabi doesn't include a 13th law, which suggests this superstition is as many as 3 millennia old. And it wasn’t until a successful novel titled Friday the Thirteenth was published in the early 1900s that Friday became part of the unlucky equation.
September 13, 2013
December 13, 2013
June 13, 2014
February 13, 2015
March 13, 2015
November 13, 2015
Leap Years
Greeks and Romans thought that starting any new life event -- from getting married to baptizing a child -- in a leap year would bring bad luck.
Next Leap Year: 2016

reposted from the Knot

Wedding Planning: 8 Wedding Planning Tips to Get Organized

Has planning the wedding left you feeling overwhelmed? Here are eight tips to get yourself organized!

Ask any newlywed couple -- even couples that have been married for a long time -- and they'll all say the same thing: The key to a planning successful wedding (read: a wedding that goes smoothly, without any major glitches) is in the planning. Small things go wrong at every wedding. But keep in mind that you can save yourself from migraine headaches and crying spells by making a plan and simply sticking with it. These simple wedding planning tips will help you take some of the stress away (or at least minimize it!).

Get as much done as possible in the first few months so that the last few months won't be hectic.

Lose the Laziness

One mistake that many couples make is basking in the glow of their engagement until 4-6 months before their wedding date. Then they try to cram all of the planning into a too-short period of time. Of course you should just sit back and be thrilled about your engagement for a while, but then you've gotta get cracking!

Buy a Calendar or Datebook

Once you determine your wedding date, set specific dates by which you want to get things accomplished. For example, you got engaged in June, and your wedding date is April 24. On August 31, mark in that you want to have the ceremony location and reception hall reserved. Try to get as much done as possible in the first few months so that the last few months won't be hectic.

Set Aside Time

Choose a day of the week when you'll focus on the wedding details, or several days if you're pressed for time. Sit down together and plan. This eliminates confusion -- i.e., the groom thinking he's supposed to call and check on hall rentals when the bride already has it narrowed down to what will suit their needs.

Share Duties

This is the best way to get things done. You both should be involved every step of the way. Make a list of details to be taken care of, then divide the list in half. Each of you choose what you want to do. This will make grooms want to be involved, instead of making them feel like they have to help. Sure, your sweetie probably isn't concerned with exactly which flowers you carry. And maybe you're not picky about what tuxedos he and the guys wear (or maybe you are!). But involving your husband-to-be will make him feel that it's his wedding, too -- something he helped plan, not just something he has to show up at. Which brings us to...

Talk, Talk, Talk

We can't stress this enough. Be sure that if you're sharing duties that you're also sharing the details. It's okay to take care of certain things by yourself, just make sure you're telling each other about it so the caterer isn't contracted with twice!

Be Flexible

Okay. So you really didn't want the groom/ushers in those tails and top hats. And maybe he doesn't want the cake to be lemon with pecan icing (!). Each of you is going to want things that the other doesn't care for, but flexibility is a must. Be willing to bend. If you really object to something, let your objection be duly heard and noted. Just give the other person a chance to explain why he/she really wants to arrive at the reception in a hot tub in the back of the limo.

Details, Contracts, and Negotiations

When dealing with wedding professionals (caterers, florists, etc.), be sure to clarify all the details and your expectations during the initial discussions. Make sure you get a contract specifically stating dates, times, and locations. Be sure to include what you feel is appropriate dress, and what you feel isn't. Spell out everything. Try to negotiate the best deal for goods and services, but don't sell yourself short on important things just to get a better price.
Most importantly, be sure to read the fine print on every contract before you sign it, and make sure you're aware of cancellation policies and fees. Also ask if there's a grace period to cancel just in case you change your mind or something happens and you need to postpone the wedding (you never know).

Stay Organized

This one's pretty obvious! The more organized you are, the less chance there is that something will go wrong. Buy a notebook, and keep all your wedding information in it. Receipts, contracts, ideas -- everything. You might also want to get notebooks for your maid of honor/bridesmaids and the best man. Put info such as dates, times, locations, and duties. This will keep everyone organized as well, and minimize the chance of someone missing a fitting date or rehearsal time.

-- The Knot

7 Wedding planning tips

Wedding Planning: 7 Wedding-Planning Tips

Whether you have two years or two days to plan, our guest expert, wedding planner Melody Williams, who's thrown full weddings at Las Vegas' Chapel of the Flowers with just hours' notice, has some brilliant ideas for your nuptials. She took time out just before her show's premiere (catch Happily Ever Faster Fridays at 10/9c on TLC!) to give us her top wedding planning tips.
(Psst: Watch TLC's Happily Ever Faster and you'll also see exclusive planning tips from us!)

1. Think Outside the Bridal Party

Instead of having a lot of bridesmaids and groomsmen, my sister, who's a teacher, had her 25 students surround her and her groom for the entire ceremony. We made sparkly fairy wings for the preschoolers and kindergarteners.

2. Wow Guests From the Get-Go

We once hung 100 red roses from the chapel's ceiling with fishing wire so it looked like the roses were floating. The entire space above guests' heads was covered for the ceremony.

3. Choose a Planner Who's In-the-Know (and Trust Them!)

Work with someone who's familiar with your venue. Rely on their advice and value their knowledge. You're planning one wedding, but they've planned multiple ones, so they really know the site and the surrounding town too.

4. Do Your Homework Before You Book Your Site

If you're hosting a destination wedding, take virtual tours, get comfortable with the staff (via email and phone calls), look at tons of pictures, and check reviews from past brides.

5. Don't Fear a Short Engagement

Putting a wedding together in a short time can be a good thing because you're forced to make decisions instead of having six months to figure something out. You end up accomplishing more because you must be decisive. But you may have to sacrifice things like specific exotic flowers or certain menus. Otherwise, just give us three hours!

reposted from the Knot

Wedding Planning: Lucky Wedding Dates

If you're superstitious, you might want to book these historically auspicious dates from across several cultures for your wedding. Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments below!

Any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday

Ever heard the old English proverb that says that the days at the beginning of the week are the luckiest and the ones at the end of the week are the unluckiest? “Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday is no day at all.” Jews also consider Tuesday a lucky day because in the Torah's story of creation, there are two mentions that “G-d saw that it was good” on the third day.

New Year's Eve

The Irish believed that the last day of the year, New Year's Eve, is lucky because the couple will wake up on the first day of the New Year for their first day of married life together.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Thursday, December 31, 2015

Any Day in June

The sixth month is considered a lucky month for weddings because it's named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage.

Chinese New Year

The luckiest dates on the Chinese lunar calendar, which include Chinese New Year, change annually based on complex calculations of lunar and solar solstices and other astronomical events.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Check out our calendar for the rest of this year's lucky dates.

Any Date With an Eight or a Nine

The Chinese consider dates that include the numbers 8 and 9 to be fortunate -- the Chinese word for "eight" sounds like the word for "wealth" and "nine" rhymes with "long-lasting."

reposted from the Knot

Wedding Planning: 12-Month Wedding Calendar

Just engaged? Starting to envision your wedding? Wondering about all the things you'll need to do and when? Our month-by-month snapshot of all your wedding to-dos will steer you in the right direction.
>> For an interactive version of what to do when, go to The Knot Wedding Checklist.

12+ months before

Date: ______________________

• Envision your wedding and draw up a budget.
• Assemble your "planning team." Consider hiring a wedding consultant.
• Pick a wedding date and time. Select several options, then check with your venues, officiant, and important guests before finalizing.
• Start planning the guest list.
• Look for and book ceremony sites and reception sites.
• Ask friends and relatives to be in the wedding party.
• Optional: Have an engagement party. You may want to register beforehand for gifts.

8-10 months before

Date: ______________________

• Bride: Think about, shop for, and order your gown.
• Envision reception food.
• Decide what type of entertainment you want. A pianist for the cocktail hour, strolling violinists, a DJ, or band?
• Think about your floral decor.
• Research and book your wedding professionals. Interview vendors: photographer, videographer, reception band or DJ, florist.
• Research a wedding insurance policy to protect your deposits.
• Research and reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests.
• Register for gifts.
• Contact rental companies if you need to rent anything for ceremony/reception, such as chairs, tables, and tent.

6-8 months before

Date: ______________________

• Book ceremony musicians.
• Order bridesmaid dresses.
• Start planning honeymoon.
• Send save-the-date cards. This is a particularly good idea if you're marrying during a tourist or holiday season or having a destination wedding.

4-6 months before

Date: ______________________

• Attend prewedding counseling, if required.
• Shop for and order invitations and wedding rings.
• Shop for formalwear.
• Renew or get passports, if necessary.
• Envision your wedding cake and research, interview, and book a cake designer.

3 months before

Date: ______________________

• Order wedding cake.
• Hire a calligrapher, if you want your invitations professionally addressed.
• Attend your shower. (It may be earlier, depending on when hosts decide to have it.)
• Groom: Rent the men's formalwear.
• Hire wedding-day transport: limousines, other cars. Look into transportation sooner if you're considering renting streetcars or over-the-top travel.

2 months before

Date: ______________________

• Mail your invitations.
• Write your vows.
• Purchase gifts for parents, attendants, and each other.
• Book your stylist and try out big-day hairstyles.
• Book a makeup artist and go for a trial run.

1 month before

Date: ______________________

• Apply for a marriage license. Check with the local bureau in the town where you'll wed.
• Bride: Have final gown fitting. Bring your maid of honor along to learn how to bustle your dress. Have the dress pressed and bring it home.
• Call all bridesmaids. Make sure they have their gowns ready for the wedding.
• Make last-minute adjustments with vendors.
• Create a wedding program to hand out to guests.
• Order and plan in-room welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.

2 weeks before

Date: ______________________

• Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet sent a response.
• Deliver must-have shot lists to photographer and videographer. Include who should be in formal portraits and determine when portraits will be taken.
• Deliver final song list to your DJ or bandleader. Include special song requests and songs you don't want played.
• Bride: Get your last prewedding haircut and color.

1 week before

Date: ______________________

• Give reception site/caterer final guest head count. Include vendors, such as the photographer or band members, who will expect a meal. Ask how many extra plates the caterer will prepare.
• Supply location manager with a list of vendor requests such as a table for DJ or setup space needed by florist.
• Plan reception seating chart.
• Print place and table cards, or finalize list with the calligrapher you have hired to do so.
• Call all wedding vendors and confirm arrangements.
• Give ceremony and reception site managers a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times, plus contact numbers.
• Groom: Get your hair trimmed.
• Attend bachelor/ette parties.

2-3 days before

Date: ______________________

• Bride: If you need to, have your gown pressed or steamed.
• Groom: Go for final fitting and pick up your formalwear.
• Groom: Ask the best man to make sure all groomsmen attend fittings and pick up their outfits.
• Determine wedding-party positions during ceremony and the order of the party in the processional and recessional.
• Hand off place cards, table cards, menus, disposable cameras, favors, and any other items for setting the tables to the caterer and/or reception site manager.
• Reconfirm final details with all vendors. Discuss any necessary last-minute substitutions.
• Call the limousine- or car-rental company for pickup times and locations.
• Arrange for guests without cars to be picked up from the airport or train station. Ask friends, attendants, or relatives to help.
• Deliver welcome baskets to the hotel concierge; make sure to include names and delivery instructions.

Day before

Date: ______________________

• Provide all wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding.
• Write checks and/or talk to wedding hosts (usually your parents, if not you) about any final balances to be paid at the end of the reception.

Night before

Date: ______________________

• Rehearse ceremony. Meet with wedding party, ceremony readers, immediate family, and your officiant at the ceremony site to rehearse and iron out details.
• Bring unity candle, aisle runner, yarmulkes, or other ceremony accessories to the site.
• Give your marriage license to your officiant.
• Attend rehearsal dinner.
• Present attendants with gifts at the rehearsal dinner. You'll want to do this especially if the gifts are accessories to be worn during the wedding.

Day of

Date: ______________________

• Present parents and each other with gifts.
• Give wedding bands to the best man and the maid of honor to hold during the ceremony.
• Give best man the officiant's fee envelope, to be handed off after the ceremony.
• Introduce your reception site manager to your consultant or maid of honor for questions or problems during the reception.
• Assign a family member or attendant to be the photographer's contact so he knows who is who.

Postwedding

Date: ______________________

• Prearrange for someone to return any rentals.
• Preplan for attendants to take the bride's gown for cleaning and return the groom's tux to the rental shop.
• Write and send thank-you notes to gift-bearing guests and vendors who were especially helpful.

reposted from the Knot

Wedding Planning: Biggest Wedding Regrets

Married brides reveal their ultimate shoulda, woulda, coulda moments.

What bride doesn't want her wedding day to go exactly as she planned with a minimal amount of drama? The truth is you can plan your heart out, but things may not always work the way you hoped they would. We asked newly married brides to be up-front and honest about their biggest preparation regrets so others could learn from their mistakes. Here's what they had to say.

About Receptions

"I would not have combined a chocolate fountain at our wedding reception with six flower girls. Thank goodness for Shout Wipes -- they were the only thing that managed to save my dress."
Tip: Even if you aren't having small children or messy foods at your reception, pack a bridal emergency kit. Items like aspirin, clear nail polish (for stocking runs), and a miniature sewing kit are musts. If you're worried you'll forget it, ask your maid of honor to be in charge of gathering the little things you might need.

"I would have ordered three times more shrimp. My brothers-in-law and a few of the other guests thought we were offering an all-you-can-eat shrimp buffet."
Tip: After sitting through the ceremony and waiting for the wedding party to arrive, many guests will work up an appetite. Beautifully prepared appetizers may not always be the most filling. If you have big eaters on the guest list, you may want to add to your food budget or plan a meal with lots of options, especially if you're having an evening reception. At dinnertime, guests expect dinner-sized portions.
"I would have driven the route to the reception myself instead of just going by an online map. A lot of people got really lost on the way, and I'm still hearing about it to this day."
Tip: If your ceremony and reception sites are not the same, include directions in the invitations. Don't rely on online resources because there can be glitches. If guests get lost and frustrated, it's likely to show in your photos. Map the route yourself and then have a family member on hand with a cell phone for anyone who's lost and may need clarification.

About Being the Bride

"I would have lost weight. After all, I had the time and the equipment."
Tip: If you're gown shopping and you're not thrilled with the figure you see in the mirror, it's the perfect indication that you might want to begin a prewedding workout routine. While you don't have to lose weight to be a beautiful bride, it's important you feel comfortable and at your best that day. You'll love your pictures so much more if you're not obsessed with little flaws. Most weddings are at least a year away, which gives you plenty of time to improve on body issues.

"I would have searched the dress shop on the Internet before putting down a deposit. When I went to the designer's website and found two stores in my area, I should have checked on them both. The Better Business Bureau would have shown me the complaints made against the one I chose."
Tip: When you're spending major cash at a bridal salon, check references. Impulsive purchases very often don't work out well when it comes to wedding planning.
"I would have taken pictures of my bustle at my final dress fitting. When I was 'bustling up' before the reception, we couldn't quite figure out how to get it right."
Tip: Arranging the bustle is indeed a not-so-easy task. Bring a member of your bridal party with you to the the bridal salon when you go for your last fitting. She can learn precisely what needs to be done for the wedding.
"I would not have worn those ghastly fake eyelashes. They work on some people, but I'm not one of them."
Tip: Try out new beauty products a few times before the wedding day. It's better to know how they work and what you can expect.

About the Wedding Party

"I wouldn't have worried about what everyone was wearing. Instead, I would have given the maids and moms a swatch of fabric and said, 'Don't clash with this.' I'm glad they choose their own dresses, but having to coordinate colors between three different designers was more stress than I needed."
Tip: Always remember that when dealing with bridesmaid attire, being flexible comes with a price. Allowing the ladies to pick something that works for them won't always work for you. If you insist they have options, find a designer that offers multiple dress styles in the same color: You won't have nightmares about clashing colors, and they'll get a style in which they feel comfortable.

"I wouldn't have jumped so quickly to choose my bridal party. I would have taken more time and given it more thought since I hurt quite a few people in the process. I realize now that out of sheer excitement, I hastily selected the people who were closest to me at that time, neglecting the people that were with me for many years before."
Tip: When it comes to picking your bridal party members, give it some time before you contact anyone. There may be conflicts between who you'd like to ask and who expects you to ask them. You'll want to identify those problems before you make any announcements. In most cases, it's inevitable that you'll have to do some damage control, but you'll most likely feel better if you ask after having thought long and hard about your choices.

About the Planning

"We wouldn't have done DIY invitations. The amount of money we saved just wasn't worth the time it took us to make them."
Tip: It's important to understand the nature of the projects that you're taking on before you or your loved ones commit to something you ultimately just won't want to finish.

"I would have hired a day-of coordinator. It got irritating when people would ask questions like, 'Where should I put the extra programs?' after the ceremony."
Tip: The one thing most brides don't get on their wedding day is a break. If you want to enjoy individual moments more and deal with questions and disasters less, hiring day-of help should be a high priority on your to-do list. The quality time you'll gain is well worth the fee.

reposted from the Knot

Wedding Planning: 30 Expert Tips and Tricks

Want to be certain all your wedding planning bases are covered? Read the tips that no bride should be without.

When planning your wedding, there are things that are nice to know, like that mermaid silhouettes are all the rage or that purple is making a comeback. Then, there are things you need to know -- advice so essential that any bride who's lucky enough to hear it thinks, "I'm so glad someone told me that!" If you're wondering whether there's something you may have missed (or even if you've got everything under control), check out our indispensable planning secrets.

1. Guests Come First

Get a grip on the approximate number of guests you'll invite before settling on a venue. This will ensure there's ample space for your crew. As a rule of thumb, allow for 25 to 30 square feet per guest. That may seem like a lot, but it's not if you count the space you'll need for the tables, bustling waiters, the band, and the dance floor. > Start your wedding guest list here.

2. Investigate Wedding Blackout Dates

Know ahead of time if your wedding date falls on the same day as a trade conference, charity walk, or other local event that could affect traffic and hotel room availability.

> Click here for wedding dates to avoid.

3. Listen to Mother Nature

Heed the weather and other potential annoyances. Guests have been known to skip out early from hotter-than-hot summer tent weddings and improperly heated winter loft receptions. Bugs (gnats, deerflies, and no-see-ums) also swarm in certain areas during certain seasons. Consider renting pest control tanks to alleviate the problem or including bug repellent in guests' gift bags. And if you want a sunset ceremony, make sure you know when to say your vows by checking SunriseSunset.com.

4. Check Your Credit

Take advantage of the high cost of weddings and sign up for a credit card with a rewards program. Whether it gives you airline miles or great shopping deals, consolidating all wedding-related purchases to this card will help you accumulate thousands of rewards points (which could be used for your honeymoon).

5. Pay It Forward

Let one vendor lead you to another. Your wedding photographer can tell you which florist's blooms really pop, and your reception manager should know which band packs the dance floor.

Let one vendor lead you to another. Your photographer can tell you which florist's blooms really pop, and your reception manager should know which band packs the dance floor.

6. Lighten Your List

The easiest way to trim your wedding budget? Cut your guest list. Remember, half of your wedding expenses go to wining and dining your guests. If it's costing you $100 per person, eliminating one table of 10 can save you $1,000.

7. Ask and You Might Receive

Request an extra hour for cocktails or for your band to throw in that Frank Sinatra sound-alike before you sign on the dotted line. Most vendors would rather secure the reservation than nickel-and-dime you early on and turn you off. Later on, though, they may have less of a motive to meet you halfway.

8. Make a Meal Plan

Another unforeseen expense? Feeding your wedding day crew. Before you sign the contracts, make sure you're not required to serve the same meal to your vendors that guests will receive. Otherwise, you could be paying for 20 additional lobster tails. Choose a less expensive (but equally hearty) meal for them instead. You will have to let your wedding caterer know a couple of days before the wedding exactly how many vendors you need to feed (don't forget photography assistants and band roadies) and what you want them to serve.

9. Get Organizationally Focused

In a three-ring binder, compile all your correspondences with vendors, notes you make during meetings, and photos or tear sheets from magazines you want vendors to see. Set up a special email address dedicated to your wedding, and store important vendor numbers in your cell phone.

10. Tend to Your Bar

Typically, you need one bartender per 50 guests to keep the line at a minimum. But if you're serving a signature cocktail that cannot be made ahead of time (or in large quantities), consider adding an extra server designated to this task.

11. Leave Some Room in Your Wallet

Your wedding budget should follow this formula: 48 to 50 percent of total budget to reception; 8 to 10 percent for flowers; 8 to 10 percent for attire; 8 to 10 percent for entertainment/music; 10 to 12 percent for photo/video; 2 to 3 percent for invites; 2 to 3 percent for gifts; and 8 percent for miscellaneous items like a wedding coordinator. It's essential to allocate an extra 5 to 10 percent of your money for surprise expenses like printing extra invites because of mistakes, additional tailoring needs, umbrellas for a rainy day, and ribbons for the wedding programs. Go to TheKnot.com/budgeter for an interactive budget allows you to add your own items.

12. Don't Be Afraid to Ask

Your wedding vendors should be your go-to, most-trusted experts during the planning process. When working with them, you should feel free to really explore what it is you want -- maybe it's serving a late-night snack instead of a first course or doing a bridal portrait session rather than an engagement session. The bottom line is that you should feel like you can have an honest conversation with them about what it is you want. Their job will be to tell you what you can and can't make work given your wedding budget.

13. Wait for a Date

Sometimes, last-minute planning can work in your favor. The closer your date, the more bargaining power you have. Since most people book their wedding sites at least six months in advance, calling for open dates two months prior to your desired time can save you up to 25 percent. And, Friday and Sunday weddings should cost about 30 percent less than Saturday weddings.

14. Manage the Mail

Of course you want the perfect stamps for your wedding invitations. But not all stamps are widely available at every post office, especially in large quantities. Save yourself scouting time by ordering them online at USPS.com. And be sure to weigh your invitation and all the additional paper products before you send them out so you can attach the right amount of postage. Ask your stationer about the need for additional postage for odd-shaped envelopes.

15. Prepare for Rejection

Know that as a rule, about 30 percent of the people you invite won't attend. Naturally, this depends on the location of your wedding (destination weddings are harder to attend), how many out-of-towners are on your list, and the timing of the event (some guests may have annual holiday or summer plans). On the other hand, everyone could accept -- knowing your wedding will be the can't-miss party of the year!

16. Make a Uniform Kids Policy

You have four choices: You can welcome children with open arms; you can decide to have an "adults only" wedding; you can include immediate family only; or, you can hire a child care service to provide day care either at the reception space, in a hotel room, or in a family member's home. To prevent hurt feelings, it's wise to avoid allowing some families to bring children while excluding others (unless, of course, the children are in your bridal party).

17. Prioritize Your People

Pare down your guest list with the "tiers of priority" trick. Place immediate family, the bridal party, and best friends on top of the list; follow with aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends you couldn't imagine not being there. Under that, list your parents' friends, neighbors, coworkers, and so on. If you need to make some cuts, start from the bottom until you reach your ideal number.

18. Take It One Step at a Time

Put together a wedding planning schedule and do things one by one, in a logical order, so you don't take on too much too fast and end up with everything snowballing around you. Don't hire any vendors before you've confirmed your date; don't design your cake before you've envisioned your flowers; and don't book a band before you've settled on a space.

19. No Ring, No Bring

If your guest list is bursting at the seams, assess the plus-one scenario. Do a faux seating chart in your mind, and imagine whom your single pal would sit with. If it's a table of singles that she knows pretty well, then you're all set. If it's a table of couples (making her the odd one out) or if it's a table of singles where she won't know anyone, consider bending the rules. If asked why you're not allowing single friends to bring guests, size constraints or your parents' never-ending guest list are always good fallback white lies.

20. Release Rooms

As soon as you have picked a date, start to look for hotels in a wide variety of price points. Many hotels allow you to reserve rooms for guests under a special wedding block and a reduced rate. You can then release any unbooked rooms a month prior to your wedding. If the hotels you contact insist upon contracts with cancellation penalties, just say no -- you don't want to be responsible for rooms you can't fill.

21. Provide Accurate Driving Directions

Make sure guests know where they're going. As easy as online map programs are to use, sometimes the directions are wrong -- or there's a quicker, less traffic-prone route to take. Ask your ceremony and reception sites for printouts of recommended driving directions, which they often keep in stock for weddings and will give to you for free, and test out the routes yourself.

22. Keep a Paper Trail

Get any nonstandard changes to your agreements in writing or send the vendor a confirmation email saying, "Hello, just confirming that you'll keep the venue open until 2 a.m. versus midnight." Don't take anyone on his word -- by the time the big day rolls around, your contact may no longer be working there to vouch for you.

23. Schedule the Setup

You must make sure there's ample time for setup. If you're renting a venue and bringing in outside help, ask, "What time can people come in to set things up?" Preston Bailey, author of Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings, recommends seeing if they can do it the day before, or at the very least the entire wedding day, before the event starts.

24. Learn About Marriage Licenses

You can check your state's license requirements online, but confirm with a call to the county clerk's office to see when they're open. Even if it's open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., they may issue marriage licenses only during slower times like, say, Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Give a copy of your marriage license to your mom or your maid of honor (just in case you lose yours during the final days before your wedding).

25. Go Over Ground Rules

Be prepared! Ask the manager of the house of worship or site where you'll be married for the list of restrictions (if any). For instance, is flash photography or bare shoulders prohibited? Or, if you're exchanging vows outdoors, are you allowed to plant tent stakes in the lawn (which is often a no-no)?

26. Classify Your Cash

Wedding budgets are all about balance. Start your budget planning by making a list of the crucial details, like the music, your wedding gown, the invitations, the flowers, and the photographer, and assign a number to each -- one being the most important and three being the least. Invest your money in all your number ones and cut corners on your number threes. (But everything can't fall into the number one category!) For example, if a designer gown and fabulous food are what really matter, you may have to choose simple invitations and smaller floral arrangements.

27. Help Guests Pay Attention

Make sure your guests can see -- and hear. If people are seated farther than 15 rows back from your ceremony altar or podium, consider renting a mic and a riser. This could range anywhere from $50 to $100, depending on the equipment used. You'll need to coordinate the delivery and setup with your ceremony space, so put your wedding planner or best man in charge of this task.

28. Write Down Your Digits

Carry an emergency contact sheet on your wedding day. Keep the paper with names and phone numbers of all your vendors in your purse -- it may come in handy in case your limo driver gets lost or you decide you'd like your photographer to take some behind-the-scenes shots.

29. Call the Fashion Police

Don't go dress shopping on your own -- all the gowns will start to look the same after a while and it will be harder to recall which style you really loved. But be careful about who you do bring. If your mom or sibling can't make the trip, ask a friend who is truly honest. This is the time when you really need to know which dress looks best.

30. Be Realistic With Your Time

When it comes down to the last month of your planning (and when you're particularly harried) look at your mile long to-do list and cut three things. Yes, cut three things. Not crucial things that you just don't feel like doing, such as picking a processional song or confirming final details with all of your vendors. Eliminate only the over-the-top tasks like hand-painting "Just Married" signs, or baking cookies for all of the welcome bags. Make a pledge to not think about them ever again.

-- The Knot

Wedding Planning: 10 Biggest Prewedding Mistakes

Even the smartest, most on-top-of-things couple can make mistakes during wedding planning. Here are the 10 things you should keep an eye on before saying I do.

1. Blowing off your wedding budget.

It costs a lot of money to throw a wedding. Many times, excited brides start booking vendors and making purchases without having a real budget and then are shocked to discover they've already spent all of their money (or parents' money) and don't yet have half the things they need. If you bounce checks or don't have the money to pay your deposits or make your final payments on the wedding day, your wedding will not happen. Trust us -- the band is not going to play all night if you don't pay. Planning a wedding is serious business. Make a budget and keep track of your expenditures so you won't be walking naked down the aisle. Need help? Use our wedding budgeter for an interactive tool that does it all for you.

2. Messing up the marriage license.

There are so many rules surrounding marriage licenses. For instance, if you get your license 61 days before your wedding in Pennsylvania, you won't be able to legally marry on your wedding day because a license is valid there for only 60 days. Go to obtain your license the day before your wedding, and you may not get it in time because some states have a three-day waiting period. A common mess-up for those marrying for a second time is not bringing official divorce papers when you go to get the certificate.

3. Ordering your wedding dress too late.

If your heart is set on a couture wedding dress, be sure to order by the six-month mark since your dress will be custom-made and, many times, made overseas. In addition, most off-the-rack wedding dresses will require alterations, so make certain that you have enough time to get the gown fitted properly. You'll want to leave plenty of time for shipping and for your fittings. The same goes for the bridesmaid dresses.

4. Booking hotel rooms too late.

Brides often leave blocking out hotel rooms for out-of-town wedding guests until the last minute. If you're marrying during a busy time and you don't investigate hotel availability in advance, you can end up with literally not a single room for your guests to stay. Your wedding will go on -- but no one will be able to attend. Reserve rooms as early as possible. Begin your research up to a year in advance, and make sure your block is booked at the eight-month mark. Be sure to include hotel information in your save-the-date cards or invitations. This doesn't mean you will have to pay for the rooms, you are just setting them aside -- your guests can put down their credit cards when they call to book their rooms.

5. Inviting too many wedding guests.

Make sure your guest list and your reception site capacity match up numbers-wise. You can't invite 400 people assuming only 250 will accept, because if you end up with 300 acceptances, you may have to turn 50 guests away at the door. Most wedding venues can't just add 10 more tables -- fire laws limit the maximum number of people allowed in any room at one time. Analyze your guest list from the get-go, assume 80% will respond yes, and limit your guest list accordingly.

6. Partaking in last-minute beauty treatments and crash diets.

Many brides think that scheduling a facial the day before the wedding will leave their skin looking angelic on their big days. Thinking of tanning the day before your wedding? Think again: you may end up with blisters instead of sun-kissed skin. Last-minute beauty treatments can lead to breakouts, mistakes or, even worse, serious infections. Same goes for crash dieting in the weeks leading up to the wedding -- after all those gown fittings, your dress may not fit! Stick to a long-term beauty regimen with lots of rest, a good diet, and safe over-the-counter beauty products like sunless tanners. Save the heavy-duty beauty treatments for at least two weeks before the big day or you could risk ruining all the hard work you've done to make your wedding -- and your photos -- perfect (never mind putting your health and happiness at risk for the most important day of your life)!

7. Underpaying invitation postage.

You'd be surprised how many brides just stick a regular stamp on their invites and drop the whole batch into a mailbox. All but a few wedding invitations require additional postage -- sometimes up to .55 cents. The postal service will not take pity on you -- your invites will be returned, rubber-stamped with that ugly "insufficient postage" sign, and it will take at least three weeks (never mind the additional $$) to get those invitations back out the door. Get one invitation weighed -- at the post office -- before purchasing your stamps. Note: square invitations require additional postage not only because of the weight but the shape -- so don't try to figure this out by yourself.

8. Ignoring religious restrictions.

Inappropriate attire for the church or temple, or skipping the pre-canae, may keep your officiant from marrying you when the big day comes around. Take your religious restrictions seriously. To avoid any day-of disasters, be sure to meet with your officiant within one month of getting engaged. Your house of worship may perform ceremonies only on specific days, so settle on a date with your clergyman before you start to book vendors and put down deposits. Be sure to ask him or her about religious rules, such as: Do you need to complete a pre-cana course? Can you write your own wedding vows? Do you need to cover your shoulders? Is secular music permitted?

9. Trying to go it alone.

If you are a bride lucky enough to have been offered help by friends or family members, by all means take it! Too many brides try to do it all -- and this isn't a good idea. Delegate and use all the resources that are available to you. When people offer to assist -- like your mom, your future mother-in-law, or your best friend -- find something for them to do, like researching a vendor or addressing invitations. On that note, it's important to keep in mind that these volunteers are not hired help -- be sure that you accept their contributions graciously.

10. Forgetting to focus on what's important.

Keep in mind that you are getting married and starting a life together, not just planning a wedding. Brides, be good to your grooms. And grooms, be good to your brides! Some tension between the two of you (and among members of your family) is inevitable due to the sticky topics that weddings stir up, but don't ever let things get out of control. Remember why you decided to take this leap in the first place!

-- The Knot

Wedding Planning: Tech-Savvy Weddings

Upgrade your wedding planning with these tips for plugged-in couples.

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You're constantly IM-ing everyone you know, your entire life is stored on your PDA, and you consider your iPod a fifth limb. If technology already rules your daily life -- or even if you're tech-shy -- check out these wired advances in the world of happily ever after.

Get Chatty

The high-tech trend: Coordinating everyone's evening availability for phone conversations about dresses and parties can be a full-time job, especially when your busy maids are spread out all over the country. Take advantage of the fact that during business hours on either coast, you pretty much know where your girls are. Schedule an online meeting with them during lunchtime, or use a Listserv to get down to business at a time that's convenient for them and their busy, girls-on-the-go schedules.
How it works: To do an online chat, pick a mutually convenient day and use your instant messaging program to discuss the issues of the moment in a free chat room. On your AOL IM, go into "People" and then select "Send a chat invitation." Enter in all your maids' screen names and voila -- a cyber town meeting. On MSN IM, start chatting with one bridesmaid and then click the "Invite" icon to bring the rest of your crew into the conversation.
Alternatively, get a Listserv together on a portal such as Yahoo (using Yahoo Groups) so that all your maids can plot and plan around their hectic schedules. The group enables you to custom create an email list with all the important participants accounted for. Your attendants can elect to get email messages as they come in, or as a once-a-day digest. Either way, as everyone weighs in on details and schedules you can upload pictures of dress candidates and actually enjoy being at your desk for once!

Say Hello From Cyberspace

The high-tech trend: Keep your guests in the loop by making sure that at any time, from anywhere on the planet with a working Internet connection, they can log on to your wedding website and get details of your event, navigate through hotel choices, or even RSVP. Using one will save you and the other default go-to person, the overworked mother of the bride, hours better spent gown shopping. Does your justice of the peace need directions to the ceremony site? Email him your URL. Is your dad's secretary trying to figure out where you're registered? A few clicks and she's buying you a chrome toaster.
How it works: One thing's for sure, you don't need to employ a dedicated IT department to have your own site. Many companies are offering professional quality wedding web-sites that allow you to create multiple pages with photos, quizzes, interactive guest books, and even RSVPs. A few that we like:

• TheKnot.com (free!): We offer a wide range of chic, modern website designs with cute illustrations that tailor to your theme or wedding season. You can upload an image of yourselves to kick off your site and you can get all your guests to RSVP online. We also allow you to email your guests every time you've made an important online update, and the site will send out save-the-dates. And did we mention that it's free?
• eWedding.com ($89 for one year): eWedding.com gives you many choices for your site style, ranging from more traditional designs to kitchy faux newspaper fonts and fall foliage. Some designs even feature flash animation when you first arrive on the home page.
  For your yearly fee, you get a personal domain name (BobandMary.com, for instance), you can upload your own music and video or choose from their selections, and you can include up to 1,000 pictures. (That's a lot.) The site also includes fun things like wedding polls ("should I serve white or chocolate cake?") and quizzes. Your friends and family will stay busy for hours.
• WeddingTracker.com ($70 for one year): This company gives you a series of different designs to choose from, tending toward the elegant side. You get a personalized domain name here and the ability to upload many photo albums.
  In addition to the usual information pages you also get a bonus page, which you can dedicate to such important subjects as the bachelor/bachelorette party details or perhaps a photo essay on the family basset hound. WeddingTracker.com also throws in a bunch of easy-to-use planning software for your yearly fee -- the guest list and thank-you note managers are particularly helpful.

Be a Film Star

The high-tech trend: Personalize your parties (rehearsal dinner, cocktail hour, reception) by screening a custom-made video -- including photos of you both as babies and video of your life together until this point -- all set to music. Sure, you can get your DJ to announce your married names as you saunter onto the dance floor, but think how much more meaningful it would be to dim the lights and treat your guests to an emotional five-minute film of your journey to this day instead. We promise that grandma, and even the groom's new boss, will be in tears by the credits.
How it works: There are two ways to go about it. A simple slide show can run off basic photo programs preloaded onto most home computers. Upload the photos you want to use, set them to music (or have your DJ play something while guests watch), burn the images onto a CD, and using a laptop and a rented digital projector, project the slide show onto any white surface (walls work great).
Fancy yourself a budding Sundance winner? Try your hand at editing a short video. User-friendly video editing software like iMovie (on a Mac) or Dell Movie Studio can walk you through the process of taking those eight-millimeter tapes and translating them into your masterpiece complete with soundtracks. All that's left is to burn them onto a disk (and the programs help with that too). Projecting the video works the same way as the slide show: Find a plain white wall, hook up a laptop to a digital projector (you can rent these), put the DVD in, and press play.

Give The Gift Of Digital

The high-tech trend: Cumbersome favors that end up forgotten in the backseat of a car aren't worth giving in the first place. Make yours memorable by giving a digital gift guests can access from the comfort of their desktops long after they're home.
How it works: In a small envelope (which can double as a seating card) provide guests with a website and an access code or gift card to receive their downloadable favor. What they get is up to you -- a book from Audible.com, an album from iTunes.com, or a cell phone ring tone from Ringtones.com.
Knot Note: With these, packaging is everything. (On their own, gift cards aren't so attractive.) Invest in some petite envelopes with oversize flaps or decorate the front of your envelopes with your monogram or logo.

Beam Yourself Up

The high-tech trend: Don't make people wait for the edited version. Instead, have your videographer stream your destination wedding in real time to a website (or better yet, do it yourself). Let your coworkers, stuck at their desks while you're walking down the shell-strewn aisle in the Florida Keys, take a good look at that sand and sun -- oh, and your dress, too.
How it works: Some hotels and resorts are now offering this high-tech service as a ceremony option (either included or for an additional fee) in their wedding packages.
If you're not getting married at a place that provides real-time video for your friends and family back home, take matters into your own hands. Station a video camera somewhere central -- at the top the aisle perhaps, on the arch or huppah -- and work with a company like MultiMediaPros.com or StreamAce.com.au to stream the video live on the Internet. (Prices generally start at around $200 to $300 per hour.)

reposted from the Knot

Wedding Planning Basics: Tips On How To Splurge and Save On Your Wedding

Our top tips on how to plan and pick your wedding priorities.

When it comes to planning your wedding, there's no bigger reality check than looking at your wedding budget and realizing the harsh truth -- you can't have it all (ouch!). But don't hit the panic button yet. We've uncovered plenty of spending shortcuts that won't make you feel like you scrimped. Of course, how much you decide to spend on each element is ultimately up to you. Figure out what's most important to you and go from there.

Your Wedding Dress Style

Makeup SAVE This might come as a shock, but you shouldn't look like a completely different person on your wedding day. Translation: It's completely fine to apply it yourself or have a beauty-savvy friend help.
Wedding Dress SPLURGE Okay, so this isn't a free ride to remortgage your home so you can walk down the aisle in a $25,000 dream gown. But your dress -- the dress -- is a definite "spend" when it comes to your budget. Sure, you'll save more money with a cheaper fabric and less beading, but those extra bucks are worth getting what you really want.
Wedding Veil SAVE Putting a huge dent in your budget so you can have the dress of a lifetime? We get it. Whipping out your credit card for a veil that's almost the same price? Not so much. Stick with a basic design with minimal lace and beading to cut costs.
Wedding Shoes SPLURGE You might not need Manolos, but comfy shoes are a must. Go with a pair in a metallic shade that you can wear again (say, on your honeymoon).
Accessories SAVE Borrow a necklace, bracelet or earrings from the women in your family. Added bonus: If it's a sapphire, you'll have your something borrowed and your something blue! Now that was easy
Wedding Dress Alterations SPLURGE Even a couture gown can look cheap if it doesn't fit properly, so don't skimp on the alterations. Once you have the right fit in the bodice, there's wiggle room with the hem. If you only need the dress raised an inch or two, wear higher heels -- as long as you can walk comfortably in them!

The Flowers

Bridal Bouquet SPLURGE You shouldn't settle for flowers you don't love if you have your heart set on a soft bouquet of pricey peonies. Still looking to save? Have your bridesmaids carry bouquets of fringed tulips or garden roses to get a similar romantic feel with a much more reasonable price tag.
Flower Girl SAVE Instead of having her carry a posy or pomander bouquet, the youngest member of your bridal party can scatter rose petals in your wedding colors down the aisle. Better yet, buy fabric petals at a craft store. Your guests will be admiring the little lady too much to notice that the flowers she's throwing are actually fake.
Centerpieces SPLURGE The centerpieces are a major part of your reception look, so if your venue has high ceilings and calls for tall arrangements, don't downsize. Instead, choose locally grown flowers to cut down the cost, along with cylindrical vases, branches and even feathers to add some height.
Ceremony Chairs/Pews SAVE Adorn pews or chairs with small clusters of blooms and long ribbon every few rows. If your wedding is in an ornate house of worship, you might be able to ditch these accents altogether.
Alter Arrangements SPLURGE The altar is the focal point where you'll exchange vows, which is kind of the whole point of the day. Spruce things up with two eye-catching arrangements.
Entryway Decor SAVE Instead of marking the entryway to an indoor ceremony with elaborate, expensive wreaths, hang pomanders from the door handles. You'll only need two, and you can use them again at the reception to decorate the doors or hang from the front of your bridal table.

The Catering

The Bar SAVE An open bar, though a favorite of wedding guests everywhere (and why wouldn't it be?), is expensive. Only offer wine, beer and a signature cocktail that matches your color scheme, like an orange-colored mango mojito or a chocolate martini.
Late-night Eats SPLURGE If you're hosting an after-party, feel free to treat guests to burgers, fries, milkshakes or other yummy bites to keep the party going. This isn't required, but they'll love the laid-back menu.
First-course SAVE After chowing down on a few appetizers, guests don't need a soup and salad. Cut out one of these starters depending on the season. For winter months, serve butternut squash soup, or go with refreshing greens for the summer.
Entree SPLURGE You could save money if you serve spaghetti as your main dish, but that's just no way to start a party. To control costs, instead of letting guests choose from steak, chicken and fish, serve two or three options together: Think small filet mignon and crab cake or lobster tail on each plate.
Dessert SAVE Cake not your thing? Satisfy your sweet tooth by having a dessert table filled with cookies, macaroons and pastries, or an assortment of chocolate truffles. If you're having a cake, skip the extra sweets completely or box them as favors for guests to take home after the reception.
Hors D'oeuvres SPLURGE You want your guests to eat -- especially if your cocktail hour includes, well, cocktails. This is often a favorite part of the day for guests (who will likely be starving after the ceremony), so have food stations ready and offer passed bites as well. Oh, but you might not need that ice sculpture by the raw seafood bar.

The Wedding Cake

Cake Baker SPLURGE Your cake isn't a DIY project, so if your best friend swears she can bake like a pro, unless she is a pro, take a pass. Not only do you want someone who knows what they're doing, the cake also needs to be transported to the venue properly -- as in, not in the backseat of a Jetta.
Tiers SAVE A six-tiered cake looks formal and expensive because, well, it is. Order a cake with fewer layers, or add faux tiers of frosting-covered Styrofoam if height's a must. Then you can serve sheet cake in the same flavor and frosting to guests. Trust us, they'll never know the difference!
Flavor SPLURGE Fancy fillings will cost you, so talk to your fiance about whether to spend on a fresh filling or to forgo fillings altogether. However, when it comes to your actual cake, don't skimp and get a basic vanilla taste when you covet green tea, white chocolate raspberry or cappuccino.
Frosting SAVE While fondant has a smoother, porcelain look, it's pricier and has a chewy texture and not-so-pleasant taste. Buttercream might not look quite as smooth as fondant, but it tends to taste better and, if done right, you can barely tell the difference in appearance. Only caveat: Since buttercream spoils faster, stick with fondant if you're having an outdoor wedding…in Florida…in August.
Display SPLURGE Add drama to your display by going all out on a cake stand in your wedding colors, LED lights under the table or a mirror beneath the cake. Surround the stand with fresh flowers or create a glowing backdrop with votives. Another way to dress up your display: custom cake toppers! Order cute (and okay, slightly kitschy) figurines in your and your groom's likenesses online.
Accents SAVE Sugar flowers may look pretty, but those mini, edible blooms take a lot of manpower to make, which will cost you. Go with a simple design (think: white icing dots or ribbon bands) and spruce it up with fresh blooms matching your bouquet.

The Reception

Table numbers SAVE Embrace your inner DIY diva and make these on your own. Personalize each table number with engagement photos, postcards of places you've been together or funny childhood snapshots.
Music SPLURGE Pick the wrong band or DJ, and you might as well just send your guests home after dinner. We know $5,000 sounds like a lot, but music dictates the mood of your reception -- not a task for amateurs.
Lighting SPLURGE A sea of hanging lanterns can turn a tent into a romantic venue. We also love spotlights on dramatic centerpieces and an ultra-modern, illuminated monogram projected on the dance floor.
Favors SAVE In lieu of favors, donate to your favorite charity on behalf of your guests. Print a note about the donation on your escort cards. Most guests will be happy to help a good cause rather than take home a mini frame or bag of almonds.
Photography SPLURGE You'll cherish your photos from the wedding forever, so check out different photographers' websites and choose someone who suits your style -- even if they're a little expensive. Our advice: Hire a photographer with an assistant so you have two roaming lenses on your big day.

reposted from the Knot

Wedding Planning Basics: How to Prevent Wedding Gift Theft

A real couple shares their story, plus 7 things you can do to avoid the same fate.

Photo: Andrew McCaul

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Michael and Tricia DelGaudio had a perfect wedding day. But the day after their wedding reception at a bistro in Brooklyn, New York, the couple realized something was amiss. "When we opened the card box, we realized that there was a tear in the top, and only six or so cards were inside," Michael says.

How it Happened

The couple began to retrace the evening and remembered a well-dressed man who everyone assumed was a guest -- after the wedding, they learned that he even chatted up other guests, telling one person he was a friend of the groom's family, and another that he met the bride at an art exhibit. The mystery man had stolen most of the couple's wedding gifts, and despite the fact that he showed up in numerous pictures taken during the evening, police closed the case due to lack of evidence, and the presents were never recovered.

An Unhappy Pattern

Michael and Tricia soon discovered that wedding gift theft is far from unheard of -- Michael's cousin and his best man's mother also had presents stolen from their weddings. Though it's unpleasant to think you're vulnerable at your own reception, the reality is that a wedding crasher or staff member can all-too-easily get away with stealing your gifts when everyone else is distracted and having fun.

What You Can Do

• Create an online registry and have the presents sent directly to your house (or another family member's house, like your mom's). The best way to ensure nothing is stolen is to spread the word that you'd prefer presents mailed to your residence rather than brought to the reception.
• Place your gift table far from an exit to make it more difficult for anyone who's trying to steal your presents, or...
• Forgo having a gift table all together. Instead, visit each table during the reception so that guests have the opportunity to hand you envelopes of cash or checks -- but only if they wish to do so. You should never ask for cash.
• If you spot a wedding crasher, don't be polite and ignore them. Ask your day-of coordinator or an attendant to ask the crasher to leave.
• Ask a trustworthy friend to act as gift attendant. Ask him to store the gifts in a secure place (like a locked room) rather than displaying them in the open.
• If your reception is large (over 300 people) and the site is in a high-traffic area (like in any urban setting), consider hiring security, both to prevent theft and to quash any other rowdiness that might transpire.
• Think about buying wedding insurance. Coverage from a company like WedSafe will cover stolen gifts as long as it's reported right away.

What if It Happens to You?

If you're a victim of wedding gift theft, report it to the police as soon as possible. Get in touch with your reception site to see if there are any security cameras that may have caught the crime on tape.
Perhaps the toughest part will be explaining the situation to your guests (after all, you really can't write thank-you notes for gifts you never received). One approach is to send an email to as many guests as you can and give them a rundown of what happened; ask them to spread the word to those whose email addresses you don't have. And then send handwritten notes to every guest expressing your thanks for his or her attendance. If your wedding was on the smaller side, you could call each guest individually, though be prepared for lots of questions about the specifics from concerned friends and relatives.

reposted from the Knot

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Wedding Planning Basics: Ceremony Seating 101

Families are complicated. So is figuring out where they'll sit during the ceremony. Until now: we're here to help.

Family, friends, and family friends: Where should they sit during your big moment? With parents, stepparents, divorced parents, grandparents, and extended family, all in attendence, you'll need a plan. Here are our guidelines.

Ushers: Who Are They?

You can enlist a few of your groomsmen to play ushers, or you can ask some relatives or friends to seat your guests. The rule of thumb is one usher for every 50 guests. If you're having an intimate ceremony, you may not need ushers, but you might want to put someone in charge of "sensitive" seating issues -- like keeping your mom and stepmom apart.
Ushers really need to know where everyone's supposed to sit -- so print out a list for them! Traditionally, female guests are escorted to their seats; the usher offers his right arm to the woman, and her male companion follows them down the aisle. (With a group of women, the usher might offer his arm to the oldest woman.) These days, it's fine for ushers to simply greet guests at the door and lead them to their seats, saying, "Please follow me."

Taking Sides

Ushers needn't ask guests whose "side" they are on. (In Christian ceremonies, the bride's side is the left side of the church when looking from back to front, and the groom's side is the right; for Jewish services, it's the opposite.) But should someone express a preference for one side or the other (many guests will say they are friends or relatives of the bride or groom), they should be seated where they want to sit. If one side of the family will have more guests than the other, ushers should try to even things out, explaining that everyone will sit together so guests can get the best view possible.

Who Sits Where?

Quick answers to your most frequent seating questions:

• Elderly guests should be seated near the front.
• Guests in wheelchairs or on crutches should sit at the end of a pew.
• The first four or five rows may be reserved for immediate and extended family (like aunts, uncles, cousins, and godparents) and other special guests (like the parents of a child attendant) by tying ribbons across those rows.
• Immediate family is seated just before the ceremony begins. Siblings (if they're not in the wedding party) are seated before grandparents and great-grandparents. They sit either in the first row with parents or in the second row with grandparents. Start seating with the groom's side.
• If you have step-relatives, make sure ushers know who they are. Step-relatives should be escorted to their seats first -- for example, step-grandparents precede birth grandparents. You may want to reserve a few extra rows directly behind immediate family for step-grandparents and stepsiblings.
• If the bride's or groom's parents are divorced, seat the parent who primarily raised the bride or groom in the front row with his/her spouse, and seat the other parent and his/her spouse in the third row. Alternatively, birth parents may sit beside each other in the first row, or they may share the front row with stepparents. Discuss this in advance to avoid awkward moments.
• The bride's mother is always seated last at a Christian ceremony; the groom's mother is seated just before her. (In Jewish ceremonies, parents stand under the huppah with the couple). The seating of the bride's mother signals that the ceremony is about to begin.
• Brothers of the bride and groom usually seat their mothers; the head usher can do it if the brothers are in the wedding party, or a brother can seat his mom and then take his place with the other groomsmen.

reposted from the Knot

Questions to ask a wedding planner

Wedding Planners: 13 Questions to Ask

Strongly consider handing the planning baton to a wedding consultant if a) neither you nor your families have time to plan your wedding; b) neither you nor your families have any desire to plan your wedding; c) you're planning a wedding out of town; or d) you simply prefer -- and can afford -- professional help. They'll do the legwork, hire vendors, negotiate contracts, and may even cut you some money-saving deals. Expect to pay them 10 to 15 percent of your total wedding budget. Need a referral? Check out our guide to wedding planners listed by city. Here are key questions to ask.
1. Will the consultant commit to your budget and not push you in the direction of things you simply can't afford?
2. Will the consultant devise a master plan mapping out all the little details, from announcement to zebra-striped decor? (This will clue you in to organizational prowess and a willingness to keep you in the loop on every matter imaginable.)
3. Can the consultant name the best and most original locations in your area (that would be suitable to your wedding size, style, and budget)?

The consultant should have plenty of questions for you too, in an effort to determine your wishes, needs, level of maintenance, budget, scope of imagination, and more.

4. Is the consultant familiar with the best florists, photographers, caterers, bands, and DJs in your price range? Can he/she explain their strongpoints to you briefly? (Ask yourself: Does the consultant seem both knowledgeable and passionate?)
5. Can the consultant score you some discounts with any vendors? (Consultants bring volume to favored vendors; often they'll reciprocate by slashing prices or throwing in extras.)
6. Will the consultant read over the vendor contracts for you? What are some common traps to look out for?
7. Can the consultant create a timeline that tells everyone involved in the planning process -- vendors, members of the wedding party, bride/groom, and families -- what to do and when to do it? How will she/he make sure that everyone sticks to the schedule?
8. Will the consultant handle the invitations, from wording and ordering to the addressing and mailing?
9. Can the consultant counsel you on etiquette matters and alert you to hot trends on the wedding horizon?
10. Will the consultant coordinate delivery, arrival, and setup times with photographer, florist, musicians, caterer/banquet manager, et al?
11. For the day of the wedding, will the consultant be willing to oversee the entire event by supervising vendors, troubleshooting emergencies, and soothing nerves? Can she/he share any anecdotes that required performing above and beyond the call of duty?
12. Will the consultant be willing to step in as your advocate, conveying your visions and desires to vendors when you don't feel up to the task?
13. Will the consultant help plan and book your honeymoon?

Knot Note:

Remember that the consultant should have plenty of questions for you too, in an effort to determine your wishes, needs, level of maintenance, budget, scope of imagination, and more. You're both trying to assess each other and how well you'll work together. The consultant will probably initiate discussions -- take this time to consider manner, personality, confidence, warmth, whatever you're looking for. Whomever you enlist, do not hire a consultant who doesn't want to listen, is bossy, tries to convince you of what's best for you, critiques your ideas, has no references, and won't sign a written agreement.

-- The Knot

Wedding Keepsakes: How to Preserve Your Gown

Keep your gown around with this handy guide to dress preservation 101.

A gown that gorgeous deserves safe-keeping. Here's how to make sure your gown's greatness will live on:

What It Is

Preservation provides a means of maintaining the quality and appearance of a gown through customized cleaning and appropriate storage. Methods range from savvy self-storage (in a temperate, dry, dark location) to museum-quality preservation.

Beware of any vendors that tell you their warranty is void if you open the box in which your gown is stored.

How It Works

Professional preservationists analyze the fabrics, dyes, weaves, and ornaments of your gown, as well as the composition of stains in order to formulate a customized cleaning plan. In removing invisible soils and other stains from the gown, they remove the potential fabric damage that results when these substances embed in the fabric and undergo chemical reactions. After cleaning, the gown is carefully wrapped in stable archival materials and packaged in an archival Coroplast box (the storage box of choice for most major museums) and should be protected from extreme temperatures, moisture, and exposure to direct sunlight.

Cost

The price of cleaning and preservation will vary with the complexity of a gown's beadwork, train length, and stain damage. A local high-end dry cleaner will charge as much as $100 for standard dry cleaning. Specialized gown preservationists will normally charge between $250 and $500.

Why Do It

Preservation is a fab idea for any bride who spent big for her couture-quality gown, and is recommended if the gown will not be used for more than three years. If a dress is not going to be worn ever again, it may seem silly to save it, but consider the amount of time, love, and money that you invested in choosing a gown for your wedding. Preservation can maintain the integrity of this important piece of memorabilia. Also, while you might not agree with your family's fashion sense, you can give them the chance to benefit from your good taste by keeping your gown in beautiful condition so that a future bride -- a sister, daughter, or niece -- can wear it at her wedding.

Tips

Before committing, question several establishments regarding their pricing, procedure, and warranties. Your gown should be preserved as soon as possible after the wedding; however, it is generally safe to wait as long as six months after the ceremony. Until you do send your gown off for preservation, be sure to store it in a dark and dry place, rolled or folded in a clean white sheet.

Shelf Life

Beware of any vendors that tell you their warranty is void if you open the box in which your gown is stored. With professional gown preservation, you can freely remove the gown from the archival box without fear of damaging it in any way -- just wear gloves so the oil from your hands doesn't get on the fabric, and repack it carefully when you're done. Many preservationists claim the gowns will keep for 50-70 years, and some companies even offer a warranty.

reposted from The Knot