Wedding Tips_Magazine final.indd
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Top tips from wedding professionals
Transcript of Wedding Tips_Magazine final.indd
Top tips from wedding professionals
Bride-to-be and Welcome! This is such an exciting time for you. I’m sure your mind
is racing with all that needs to be planned. It’s all very exciting but I know it can also be somewhat
overwhelming. You’re planning the day that you’ve been anticipating your whole life. By the time
you get the hang of it, the planning is over. The goal behind this guide is to provide you with some
useful, real wedding advice from several wedding professionals, who live and breath weddings. I
am very thankful these amazing wedding industry leaders came alongside me to help create this
guide for you.
We hope this guide is helpful as you plan your best day ever!
Erin
Erin Elaine Photography
When you’re planning a
wedding day timeline,
the best advice I could
give is to schedule
cushion time.
Sometimes the most simplest
things can take an extra 20
minutes and then all of a
sudden, the whole morning
is thrown off. It’s a smart idea
to add in an extra ten minutes
here and there so that you have
some wiggle room to work with.
Your wedding day will go by too fast. Luckily the photographs will
remain long after the party is over, cake is gone, and the flowers
wilt. These photographs should bring back all the emotions
you experienced on that special day for years to come. It is my
responsibility to create beautiful images out of those moments in
a real and honest way. I strive to not only photograph your love on
your wedding day but the love that surrounds you both. Focusing
on your entire wedding day and all the moments, not just the
portrait time, is important to my brides. The time spent laughing
with your bridesmaids, the special moments with your parents,
all the way to the crazy dance moves in the evening, I capture
your wedding day as it unfolds before me.
Create your wedding day
to reflect you both. Do not
be concerned with what
“everyone” is doing or
traditions. Now if you want to
stick with traditional there is
nothing wrong with following
traditions but if you are wanting
something different, do it! I
have had couples opt out of
feeding each other cake, not
doing bouquet toss/garter,
sand ceremonies, recite poetry,
and special dances with
grandparents. It’s your day so
make it what you both want and
enjoy it!
I understand
every couple has
a budget, but if
there is one person
I recommend hiring it is a
wedding coordinator! Either
a full event planner or just a
day-of coordinator. Having
someone who is experienced
be the person to delegate on
the wedding day is important.
Brides realize very quickly that
if they do not have someone
in charge of the coordination
of the day, that responsibility
will automatically fall on
the mother of the bride, the
photographer, videographer or
worse the BRIDE!
Make sure to
meet with the
photographer,
videographer, and
coordinator before
you book them.
Do not hire these
vendors without at
least speaking with them on
the phone, ideally schedule
an in-person consultation
with them. These vendors will
be with you throughout the
entire day! You want to be
able to be yourself especially
with your photographer and
videographer. If you feel
uncomfortable or unhappy I
promise you, it will show in the
photos/video.
Wyndridge Farm® offers an exclusive setting for your wedding.
Our exquisitely restored barn is one of the largest event rooms
of its kind. The vaulted, hand-hewn, wooded-beamed barn
with it glimmering chandeliers is completely climate-controlled
providing a rustic, elegant backdrop for your celebration.
Enjoy being engaged! This is a
once in a lifetime adventure that you
should make the most of. Everyone
will have questions, but this is your
time to bask in the newly-engaged
glow. Make phone calls, post pictures
on Facebook, but don’t forget to live
in the moment.
Make a list. Your friends, family and
coworkers will have opinions on
everything from when you should
get married to how many people
you should invite. Sit down with your
fiance ahead of time and see what’s
most important to you both. Settle
on your top three and make sure you
make those items a priority from start
to finish.
Hire vendors that you love! These are
the people and the companies that
are going to be coming alongside
you for every moment of your
wedding day. If you make sure you
have a team that you fully trust,
you’re going to enjoy your wedding
day that much more! And your
guests will too!
Photo Credit: Erin Elaine Photography | Hannah Leigh Photography
Foster’s Flower Shop is an event florist in York, Pa. We provided
services to south central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland.
We can create any floral arrangement—simple, unique, colorful
or fun—to fit your desire. We work with you to develop an event
that is breathtaking and beyond expectation. Whether simple or
over-the-top, we are committed to providing you with signature
designs and service.
You’re engaged! You
immediately run to pin all
things wedding on 1 board.
Take your time and make
a separate flower board.
I might even love you a little
if you have separate bouquet,
ceremony, and reception boards.
We’ll use your Pinterest boards
as a reference, so if you pin
something and decide later that
you don’t like it, you may want to
delete the pin! You can also pin
by style and/or color.
Lets talk budget! It
is so helpful if
you have a max
price point you
can share. Those
Pinterest boards might have
your vision, but your budget
will dictate the actual flower
type and look. Most brides
are color specific over being
actual flower specific. If you
covet pricey blooms, make
sure they are at least in
your bouquet. Reuse your
ceremony pieces at the
reception. Remember to
see the big picture.
Communication is key.
I don’t expect you to
“speak flower” but you
can be clear in your
overall vision and color
palate. Provide your florist with
fabric swatches, or paint chips
from your local hardware store,
even a sample invitation. “I’m
having a blush wedding”. Hmm
is that light pink or soft peach?
Photo Credit: Trinity Photography | Tina Jay | Brianna Wilbur
CREATE. CELEBRATE. CHERISH.
Through excellence...we create once-in-a lifetime moments..
everytime! Your wedding will be unforgettable! From
showcasing the incredible and unique couple that you are..
to providing your families and friends with a “Wow!” guest
experience...we make all of your dreams a reality and exceed
your expectations in ways you have yet to imagine. On your
wedding day, we make it possible for you to stay in this once-
in-a-lifetime moment...to focus on being fully present! We give
you two absolute promises...your wedding will be completely
stress-free and we will have an enormous amount of fun
together as we plan it! We do everything possible...and then
some...so you will have complete peace of mind as you enjoy
your best day ever!
Decide on your
wedding day budget
and stick with it. It is
so easy to be tempted
to “add just one
thing”...and...before
you know it, you
are exceeding your budget.
Hiring a wedding
planner will keep
your planning
process stress-
free! From
helping you
to select your
vendor team...to assisting in
bringing your wedding vision
to life...to ensuring the your
wedding day runs flawlessly...
you make all the decisions and
we make them a reality.
While it is easy to
get caught up in
all the details of
planning your
wedding day,
keep first in
mind that you are
marrying your best
friend! That is what the day is
about and what everyone has
gathered to celebrate!
Be sure to
ALWAYS
schedule a hair
trial with your stylist.
This is very important
because it helps
you and your stylist
build a relationship,
work out any issues
that may arise, and
ensures you have
scheduled enough
time for your style on
wedding day.
Photos are great
for inspiration
and to help
guide your stylist with
your vision but please
keep an open mind,
not all hair is created
equal.
Be honest with
your stylist. This
day is about you
and your desires.
We want you to be
happy so speak up if
something is not what
you had in mind.
Do not forget
about your
groom and
the guys! Have
him see a stylist 2-3
haircuts before the
wedding and head
back in a few days
before the wedding for
a shape up, not on the
day of.
Be true to you! If
you have a style
or look in mind
do not let others
influence you. This day
is about you. Of course
you want friends and
family to be happy,
but you should not let
anyone sway you if
you have a style you
are set on.
Salon Blu proudly presents to you, an award winning team of
hair stylists and make up artists that will help create your dream
looks on your special day! Salon Blu can help you with all your
hair, make up, nail and skin care needs. We can accommodate
parties of any size in our dedicated bridal area or our team
will travel to your wedding location. Please call our wedding
coordinator today to schedule your appointments!
Understand what
expectations your
family might have for
your wedding before
you start making too
many decisions; this is
especially important when
it comes to who is paying. If
the brides parents are paying
and have an expectation of
a country club wedding full
of girly details but the bride
and groom want an urban
chic loft reception, things
tend to get sticky. Have those
conversations! It is easier to
have everyone on the same
page before you start instead
of fighting about each and
every decision that needs to
be made.
A wedding is all about
compromise! The bride tends
to run the show but I always
urge my brides to sit down
with their grooms and ask
them three “must haves” for them.
This allows the groom that isn’t
opinionated to feel like they are part
of the planning process or helps the
bride see where she might have to
compromise with an opinionated
groom. Most of my grooms will say
“music, alcohol, and cool gifts for my
groomsmen”. So, when it comes time
to divide tasks the groom should assist
with finding the entertainment, picking
the bar menu, and finding his gifts for
his groomsmen.
If my couples start getting
overwhelmed with the details
of the wedding day I urge
them to stop and think about
the last three weddings they
attended as guests. What
stood out? What do you
remember on that day? Is it
the welcome bag? The way
the napkin folded? Most likely,
no. Focus on the parts and
details that your guests will
remember the most!
Perfect doesn’t exist. As a wedding
planner I will do everything in my
power to ensure you never see
anything going wrong on your
wedding day, but things will go wrong.
Maybe the flower girl won’t make it
down the aisle, the DJ will not pronounce
your bridesmaid’s last name right, or the
limo shows up late because of traffic. It is
important to set realistic expectations around
your wedding day. This day is much bigger
than all the details. This is about committing
your lives to each other and pledging to
spend forever together. Keep your mind
focused on that!
Sara from Sara Reynolds Events started planning weddings after
years of planning corporate events and her own wedding day!
I love telling my couple’s stories through their wedding day! I
was born and raised in Connecticut, I fell in love with a fireman
from Virginia and we make our life together near Baltimore,
Maryland with our dog, Mack. I like to think we’re halfway
between the country and the country-club. While planning our
spring wedding in 2014, I wanted to incorporate my husband’s
roots and I fell in love with the charming Southern details that
ultimately converted this Yankee bride to a true belle.
I love any reason to celebrate – marriage, a Tuesday with no
traffic, the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latté – life itself deserves
celebration! Weddings hold a special place in my heart. I adore
the details and thoughtful care poured into each and every one,
but deep down, I am rooting for the long road that you’ll travel
together after you say “I Do.”
Photo Credit: Michael and Carina Photography | Alicia Lacey Photography
X Stella Accardo is a professional certified makeup artist
providing on-location services in and around South Central
Pennsylvania. She was trained at Jean Madeline Institute and
Von Lee International School. She is extremely knowledgeable
in color theory & facial structure which allows her to create an
individualized look that accentuates the best features of every
client. A lover of animals, she uses cruelty-free products in
her makeup kit. Stella loves infusing her own style with her
client’s vision, and is meticulous about her work and creating
a flawless look.
Take care of your
skin - This means
find a skin care
regime that works
for you and stick
to it! Cleansing,
exfoliating, and moisturizing
your skin regularly will ensure
your skin is wedding ready.
Schedule a trial
- This is a time
for you and your
makeup artist
to get to know
one another, to
test things out, and to have
fun! Bring photos of looks you
love, speak up if you don’t like
something, but also remember
to have realistic expectations.
Be on time - Your
makeup artist wants
you to be able to
relax and enjoy your
wedding day. One
way to ensure this is to
stick to your schedule. Be sure
everyone is on time and ready
to go when it is their turn for
makeup application.
Come prepared -
On the morning of
your wedding, you
and your bridal
party should come
clean faced (no
makeup!). Cleanse
and moisturize your face that
morning as you normally
would, but be sure not to
apply a moisturizer with an
SPF higher than 15. Wear
comfortable clothes, ideally a
shirt that buttons or zips so you
won’t have to pull your top over
your beautiful hair and makeup!
Photo Credit: Amanda Naylor | Casey Albright
I am a filmmaker who specializes in weddings and creative mini-
movies. Video is my passion and I am very blessed to be able to
make videos each and every week. The fact of the matter is we
are all limited by one thing - time. Video extends time. It allows for
us to relive extraordinary moments in our lives and remember the
moments that matter most to us.
Don’t do it alone. Work with a
coordinator. Delegate wedding day
details to family members or close
friends. This will help a ton. I PROMISE!
Planning a wedding can be
overwhelming. Move forward with
making decisions - don’t procrastinate.
Book everything as fast as you can.
Many vendors can be booked a year in
advance. It is important to secure your
venue and vendors as early as possible!
Remember to enjoy the
process! You’re only going to
do this once!
Crystal Hagan is a professionally licensed Esthetician with
15 years experience helping women and men feel and look
their best. She provides skin care treatments, brow sculpting,
makeup artistry and lash extensions. She recommends using
natural products as much as possible, and has great results
with Motives Cosmetics because the pigment is mineral and
uses very little filler ingredients, as well as Pai Skin Care out of
London and Laurel Organics out of California. To inquire about
products or services with Crystal at Muse Beauty, please visit
musebeauty.net.
Get monthly facials for 3-4 months
leading up to your wedding to
combat any stress breakouts and
bring a glow to your skin.
Establish a home care routine for your
skin, head to toe a few months before
the wedding. Taking a few minutes
to care for and nurture yourself in
this way feels great and pays off in
glowing skin in your wedding gown.
Don’t pick any breakouts that happen,
just let your body heal it on it’s own.
Drink water! Drink herbal teas! Avoid
too much of anything else. Liquid
intake makes a huge difference
in your skin, as does diet, so less
processed and more fresh foods will
nourish your skin and allow it to be
healthier.
If you have problem skin, see an
esthetician or dermatologist at least
6 months prior to your wedding to
correct more severe issues over time.
a. give yourself a facial treatment by
applying your favorite mask
b. while soaking in the tub
exfoliate all over once a week
c. moisturizing all over daily
What is the benefit of linens?
Linens help create the “wow”
impression and pull together your
wedding décor. Whether you need
to dress that one special table or
thirty guest tables.
We love getting rooms dressed for weddings, galas, parties and
special occasions. Because table linens are one of the most
transforming elements in your event space, it is important to be
creative and choose wisely. Our rental company focuses on quality
and customer service. We offer design services that will help you
create the right look for your wedding day. Give us a call or e-mail.
It’s easy to make that important first impression with table linens!
I have a limited budget, are linens
something I can afford?
Every bride has a budget and a
vision. Just a few specialty tables
can make all the difference such
as your head table, sweetheart or
cake table. Just a few linens can
take it up a notch!
Do I have to pick up the linens?
Once you make your linen choices,
we can either deliver the linens to
your venue, send them via UPS, or
have them ready for pick-up at our
showroom in Lancaster.
Why should we rent linens when
we can purchase linens at a
similar price? Rental linens do
all the work for you. Our linens
arrive clean, pressed and ready for
installation. They are sustainable
and do not require you to store,
wash or iron. And, it supports a
local business!
Tamzen’s Bridal is your premier, specialty bridal boutique in the
heart of downtown Carlisle, Pennsylvania, featuring wedding
dresses and bridal wear for bridesmaids, flower girls and ring
bearers, tuxedos, special occasion dresses, veils, accessories
and gifts. At Tamzen’s Bridal, you’ll get attention to detail and
personalized care you won’t find at other stores in the area. Our
clients are always our number one priority. We are dedicated
to making this part of your wedding story a positive and happy
one. Our goal is to provide you with the choices and designers
that you can’t find nearby so you’re sure to feel special on your
special day.
From the moment you walk through the door at Tamzen’s
Bridal, you’ll be greeted with a warm and cozy feeling that
sets your mind at ease and allows you to enjoy your wedding
shopping experience.
Once engaged, it is
never too early to shop
for your wedding gown!
Because ordering a
wedding gown is a
custom experience, it
can take between four and seven
months for your wedding gown
to be delivered to your bridal
boutique. For this reason, you
should aim to choose your dress
and have placed your order eight
months prior to your wedding
date. Many bridal boutiques, like
ours, are willing to rush a gown
for an additional fee but, just
think of all the other ways that
money could be used to perfect
your big day. You’d be surprised
how far that additional fee would
go in costs for alterations or
bridal accessories. Similarly,
bridesmaids dresses and mother
of the bride or groom dresses
should be ordered three to four
months before the wedding date.
Wedding gowns
come in various
sizes depending on
the designer and
manufacturer of the
dress. Often times
wedding gowns run smaller than
everyday dress sizes so there’s
no need to fret if your wedding
dress is a size or two larger than
you normally wear on a daily basis.
This is a normal occurrence. In
our boutique we carry a variety
of wedding gown sizes in order to
accommodate all of our brides.
Every bride deserves to feel
beautiful on their wedding day!
We always recommend
our brides browse
Pinterest and other
social outlets
before setting up an
appointment. There are
countless colors and styles of
gowns so narrowing down the
type of dress you’re looking for
ahead of time can make your
first bridal appointment less
overwhelming. Once you’ve found
a few styles you’re interested in,
just bring photos of the selections
to your appointment and share
the photos with your consultant
to assist in the process. This step
is a great tool for guiding your
selection when trying on wedding
gowns for the first time.
Always remember to
keep an open mind
when trying on
wedding gowns.
Many of our brides are
surprised when they say,
“yes” to a gown that they
never pictured themselves wearing
on their wedding day. You may
find you absolutely love a shape
or style you never envisioned
yourself wearing or vice versa. If,
however, there is a fabric or feature
you are positively certain you do
not like, we recommend our brides
do not try on gowns with those
characteristics.
Weddings is where it all started for Klock Entertainment in 2004.
While understanding the hospitality, client care, true DJ talent,
and overall production of a wedding day, Klock can help each
couple achieve their vision through music and all of our additional
unique services.
The first dance -
Many couples have
asked me when the
best time to do
the special dances
is. My reply is always “right
after introductions.” My
favorite order of events is a
highlight introduction of the
wedding couple, first dance,
parent dances, toasts, and
the blessing.
In every wedding I’ve done,
I’ve always found that
having your first dance right
away after being introduced
is a great transition. You
have everyone’s attention
and you’re dancing right into
the dance floor. The energy
and attention level is high if
you’ve hired a professional
experienced DJ. They’ll be
able to help aid special lighting
for photos, a first dance remix,
or inviting married couples or a
wedding party to join.
Parent dances/
Special dances
- When I get to
recommend the
timing for the parent
dances or any other special
dances, I like to do these
immediately following the first
dance. From a photographer’s
perspective, the lighting will
now be the same for all the
highlight moments on the
center of the dance floor.
Additionally, it is an awesome
photo and moment to have the
bride or groom hand off their
spouse to a mother or father for
the following dance.
Modern twist on traditional
dances - I advise to keep the
song(s) chosen shortened.
A professional experienced
DJ/Emcee can help make a
great edit or transition. There’s nothing
wrong with combining a special
dance Father/Daughter, Mother/
Son at the same time to a special
song. Additionally, you can do fun
things like special slide shows in the
background of specific photos of the
relationships, make a mix and have
a blend of upbeat and slower music
to shock your guests and show your
personality. If you’re not the type of
person that isn’t the center of attention
there’s never anything wrong with
coming up with your own tradition or
not doing either of these dances at all.
It’s your wedding. Hire vendors that
support that and have the experience
to make your vision become a reality
with a smooth flow and positive
energy guest involvement.
When to Do a Toast?
When you’re asking a Maid/
Matron of Honor, Best Man,
or Relative to speak on your
behalf I always recommend to
do toasts earlier rather than later. Not
everyone is a public speaker and that’s
ok! A true professional has pro-grade
gear to aid that. Additionally, most
receptions offer some form of alcohol
consumption. The sooner someone
gives the toast, the less alcohol they’ll
have consumed during a four or five
hour open bar. Depending on the
inside jokes and teenage/college
stories, that may be a good idea.
Through these moments, you’re
retaining the attention of the
guests by doing everything at
once. Remember that later in
the evening you’ll have a group
at the bar, maybe out for a smoke,
you may have a guest leave early, etc.
Typically at the time of introductions
everyone is in the room and no
one will miss one of these highlight
moments.
The Couture Cakery is an award winning boutique bakery,
specializing in wedding cakes, cupcake & dessert tables serving
Central Pennsylvania. 2011-2017 Knots Best Pick, The Knot Hall
of Fame, Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Winner 2010-2016.
How far in advance should
I book my baker?
If you are getting married
during wedding season
which is between May
and the end of October,
I would suggest starting
your research and meeting
with bakers 8-12 months
in advance. Many of the
boutique bakeries in the
area only do a limited
number of weddings each
weekend and the popular
bakers will book up quickly.
What are some of the
trends for 2017?
Buttercream cakes with
rustic finishes continue
to be popular along with
naked cakes. Also, a smaller
wedding cake with a
beautiful cupcake display is
also a popular choice.
What is a way to save costs
on my wedding cake?
You could always do a
smaller wedding cake for
presentation and have extra
cake for cutting to serve
the guests. The extra cake
is in the catering area and
not seen by the guests and
is generally less expensive
than the wedding cake.
Photographer | ErinErin Elaine Photography
erinelainephotography.com
114 Hellam St. | Studio 2 | Wrightsville PA 17368
Instagram: @eelainephoto
Facebook: Erin Elaine Photography
Florist | MarcyFosters Flower Shop
fostersflowershop.com
27 N Beaver St. | York PA 17401
717-650-6009
Esthetician/Makeup | CrystalMuse Beauty
musebeauty.net
615 Country Club Rd. | York PA 17403 (rear entrance)
717-586-3608
Hair SalonSalon Blu Studio
salonblustudio.com
2983 E Prospect Rd. | York PA 17402
717-650-6126
Videographer | Shawn Shawn Fisher Productions
shawnfisherproductions.com
Instagram: @shawnfisherproductions
Linens | CherylSpecial Occasions & Queen Street Linens
specialo.com
863 N. Queen St. | Lancaster, PA 17603
717-299-4642
Makeup | StellaStella Maria Makeup
stellamariamakeup.com
717-891-1795
Bridal Gowns | TamzenTamzen Bridal
tamzenbridal.com
11 S Hanover St. | Carlisle PA 17013
717-713-4629
Wedding Planner | SusanThat’s It, Wedding Concepts
thatsitweddingconcepts.com
717-645-5700
Wedding Planner | SarahSarah Reynolds Events
sarareynoldsevents.com
203-520-9926
Venue | ShaylaWyndridge Farm
Wyndridge.com
885 South Pleasant Ave. | Dallastown PA 17313
717-244-9000 | Option 1
DJ | JasonKlock Entertainment
klockentertainment.com
[email protected] | 717-836-7366
1310 Crooked Hill Rd. | Suite 100 | Harrisburg, PA 17110
Bakery | JasmineCouture Cakery
couturecakery.net
829 State Street |Suite 1010 | Lemoyne PA 17043
(State Street Plaza)
717.991.3885
Twitter: @couturecakery
Instagram: @couturecakery
