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5 things you should do to make your out-of-town weddings guests comfortable

It is likely that every wedding will have at least a few guests who travel from far for the ceremony. As a couple, you should appreciate the time, effort and money they spend to be part of your big day. The least you can do is to make sure they are comfortable and enjoy their stay while they are in-town. Here are some simple ways in which you can make their visit worthwhile and easier.

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Inform them early

As you may be aware, air ticket charges peak as the date nears. Since your guests will be footing their travel expenses, make sure you notify them of the date well in advance so they have enough time to find a good deal. “Etiquette on Out-of-town Wedding invitations” on Map happy suggests giving four to six months advance notice, as this will allow your guests to research their travel options and plan their trip so that it doesn’t cost them dearly. It would be helpful if you could provide them an itinerary of the various events they have to attend, so they can pack for it accordingly. This would also give them enough time to plan their trip.

Be considerate and do what you can to help them

Your out-of-town guests go through a lot of trouble and spend a lot of money to make it to your wedding day. So, the least you can do is to be considerate and help them with what you can. While you are not responsible for their accommodation, they would find it helpful if you could provide a list of affordable hotels and arrange the bookings on their behalf. If possible, visit them once they are in town or at least call and make sure they have arrived safely and are comfortable. Make sure to mention how you appreciate their presence, as these thoughtful gestures go a long way in making them feel the trip was worth it.

Suggest options so they stay occupied

Unless your wedding itinerary is action-packed with events, your guests will have plenty of free time to themselves. It would be a good idea to provide them suggestions on how they can spend this time. If there are local museums or tourist attractions, recommend them. If they are in town at the time of your rehearsal dinner, consider including them. Assign the responsibility of these guests to one of your bridesmaids or groomsmen, so they have someone to turn to should they require any help.

Small treats go a long way

Arrange for a small bag or basket of treats to welcome your out-of-town guests. You do not have to spend a huge amount on it, but they will appreciate your thoughtful gesture of remembering them when they find a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates in their hotel room. After your wedding day, don’t forget to send them a thank you note. Besides thanking them for their gift, specifically mention how pleased you were to have them at your wedding.

If you are wondering about what party favors would be good for your out-of-town guests and also all the others at your wedding, visit us on Best for Bride for some fabulous ideas.

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A quick and simple tip to help you pick your rehearsal dinner dress

Isn’t wedding shopping funny in a way? You have always dreamed of going on this shopping spree, where you buy beautiful dresses that will help you shine. Then the time is finally here and you are soon getting fed up of choosing the many dresses to wear to all your wedding-related events.

Many brides are exhausted by the time they have picked their wedding gown, accessories and bridesmaids dresses. And then, there is the added job of choosing your hen party dress, bridal shower dress and the rehearsal dinner dress. Nevertheless, your rehearsal dinner dress is an important outfit. As this article on the Huffington Post mentions, it is a part of the wedding dream and shouldn’t be overlooked.

So, if you are in this situation, we have a quick and easy tip to help you choose your rehearsal dinner dress without stressing too much over it: Match your outfit to the type of party you have planned.

Here are some ideas for what dresses would be suitable for different types of parties.

Formal dinner party

If your rehearsal dinner is to be held at a posh hotel or at a country club, you should ideally wear an evening gown which is sophisticated and elegant. Going by the venue, you can assume that your guests will be dressed their best, so you do not want to risk looking too simple. Go for a bold color, or for a stunning silhouette. If your gown is simple, dress it up with bold and big accessories. Just remember to keep the look elegant, as you want to look beautiful and not flashy.

Semi-formal

Two things to remember: err on the side of elegance, and don’t aim for simplicity. There are plenty of splendid cocktail gowns that are suitable for a semi-formal dinner. Choose the length to show off your best features and make sure that you camouflage the features you are not so proud of. Find a dress silhouette that is best for your body shape and a color that enhances your facial features. Make sure you stand out from the rest of the women at the party by choosing great accessories and doing your hair and makeup very well.

Casual

Opt for either a bold colored and chic short dress or a patterned gown with ruffles or interesting textures. You can also choose a skirt and blouse, but match them so the look is effortless. Just because the affair is casual, don’t dress up in anything too revealing.

This is an occasion when you may be meeting many of the groom’s relatives for the first time and this is your chance to impress. Play with patterns and textures, and add just the right amount of bling to stand out from the crowd. Add interesting accessories, like a statement necklace or chandelier earrings, that emphasize your best features, and you will nail the look.

To choose a splendid dress for your rehearsal dinner, whatever be the type of party, visit our Evening Dress section at Best for Bride, and you are bound to find one that you love.

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The Ultimate Guide to Rehearsal Dinners

Typically, it is up to the groom’s family to plan and pay for the rehearsal dinner. Because the bride and her family will be mostly consumed with the wedding planning process, this is normally planned by the mother of the groom.

Some brides do not see the rehearsal dinner as an important part of the wedding. However, this is a great time to celebrate with the wedding party and to enjoy each other’s company before the big day. You will also need the time to practice for your wedding as well.

Budget

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The first thing that must be decided when planning a rehearsal dinner is the budget that you have to work with. This will help to guide the remainder of the planning process. Usually, the more people that are planning to attend the rehearsal dinner, the larger your budget will need to be, so make sure that you have a guest list in mind when planning the rehearsal dinner.

Theme

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Some decide that a theme is necessary for the wedding rehearsal, but this is not a requirement. If you are choosing a theme, you should select one that works with the wedding, but does not overshadow it. It may be helpful if you talk the theme over with the bride, because she may prefer something that completely contrasts with the theme of her wedding.

Venue

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Next, you should select a venue. Sometimes, the best place to have the rehearsal dinner is at the wedding venue because this will make it easier for practicing purposes. However, many people also choose a location that is separate from the wedding planning process in order to make the rehearsal dinner special and unique. You may even make the decision to simply rent a special room at a local restaurant as well, but remember to plan ahead if this is the case.

Food

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Finally, you should decide what food will work the best for the dinner. You will probably want to talk this over with the bride so that you can make sure that the food you select will be something that she enjoys. Choosing a restaurant is a simple process because you will not need to worry with preparing food or having it brought in. However, if you choose to cater the event or prepare the food yourself, make sure that you have plenty for everyone and that there are plenty of dishes and serving utensils available.

Conclusion

The rehearsal dinner can be a fun event to be enjoyed by the entire wedding party. If you are planning a rehearsal dinner, be sure to consider the items above when you are going through the planning process. By planning ahead and developing a to do list, you will be able to eliminate much of the stress that is normally associated with rehearsal dinner planning

Don’t forget to stop by Best for Bride for all of your wedding day needs. They will be able to help you select the perfect attire for the wedding day and even a special dress to wear for the rehearsal dinner.

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Perfect Prelude: Expert Tips to Select the Ideal Dress for Your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner!

Just when you were done with your wedding shopping, here’s one more detail you have to look into—the wedding rehearsal dinner!

This is normally the occasion when all the important family members and friends on the groom’s side meet the bride for the first time, and so it is important you dress to impress.

Choose your rehearsal dinner dress with care, accessorize and makeup well, and you can nail that first impression. Here are some tips to help you choose a good rehearsal dinner dress.

Match your dress to how formal or casual the evening is

via Best for Bride

Choose a dress that is appropriate for the formality of the evening—but don’t try to look too casual, even if you have previously met all the attendees. Remember that you are the bride, and you have to look more special than all the other women there.

Aim to look elegant, and choose a dress that flatters your figure. Even if it is a casual evening, choose a dress that is slightly sophisticated and definitely elegant. You don’t need a fabulous ball gown for an intimate gathering, but choose a dress that everyone will appreciate and you can use again in the future.

Bring out your personality through your dress

via Best for Bride

Your rehearsal dinner dress should reflect your personality. If you prefer simple dresses without too many details, choose one that flatters your figure and falls gracefully. If you are a fashionista, go for a trendy dress that you can carry it off beautifully.

Make sure the dress doesn’t resemble your bridal gown in any way. This will allow you to keep both looks distinct, and not spoil the surprise of how you will look on your wedding day. Choose a different neckline, sleeve length and skirt length, and you can look entirely different. Also do your hair differently for your rehearsal dinner, so your bridal look will be distinct.

Choose a flattering color

via Best for Bride

Save the whites and lights for your wedding day, and opt for bold colors that complement your skin tone, for your rehearsal dinner. One dress you surely want to avoid is the classic Little Black Dress. Stay away from it, as you do not want to risk resembling five or ten other women there.

If you are not a fan of pastels or bright hues, go for a striking neutral. Accessorize well to play up your look. It is your special function after all, so add statement jewelry and beautiful accessories to grab everyone’s attention. You can also use this occasion to step into those high heels that you have to avoid on your wedding, for lack of comfort. Your rehearsal dinner is a shorter function, so you can afford to wear it and not get hurt.

Make sure the dress fits perfectly

Your rehearsal dress should look perfect on you. The neckline should be stiff, the shape should flatter your curves. When you buy a dress off-the-rack, it may need a few touches to fit you perfectly. So, buy it early and get it altered in time for your rehearsal dinner. It should fit you like a glove on the day.

To find the perfect evening dress for the occasion, as well as to shop for your wedding dress and accessories, visit us at Best for Bride.