Tag: wedding planning

Posted on by — 1 Comment

How to Involve your Groom in Wedding Planning

19-300x200

We all have a general idea that the bride handles most of the responsibility of planning the wedding, while the groom plays a supporting role. After all, it is always the bride who is super-excited about the wedding, and takes it upon herself to handle the lion’s share of the tasks. But remember, this is not a wedding rule set in stone.

If you want your groom to also be just as interested and involved, here is how you can include him in planning and making your dream wedding a reality.

Discuss your concerns and worries open-heartedly

The best way to spark your groom’s interest in your wedding is to discuss most, if not all aspects of the wedding with him. If there are certain issues you have trouble with, run it by your groom. He may have suggestions to solve it, or help you find a workaround that you hadn’t thought of.

Give your groom a say

Many grooms often feel side-lined and that their brides want them out of the way when planning the wedding. It isn’t unusual, as brides have been dreaming of this day from the time they were little girls. They usually turn to their friends or sisters, who are just as excited about it as they are. So, they go to them for suggestions and advice, instead of asking their groom. If you have been doing this all along, remember that it is your fiance’s wedding too. He will also have opinions and ideas. So, set aside time to ask him for inputs, opinions and suggestions and accommodate them when making your wedding plans.

Give him his share of duties to handle

Encourage your groom to be involved in the wedding planning by asking him what responsibilities he would like to handle. Men usually enjoy planning the wedding music, so give him this task. Whatever be the responsibility you hand over, leave it to him. Don’t micromanage or pester him with details, as this will only kill his enthusiasm. If he has creative ideas, value them. This will make your wedding more interesting for both of you.

Don’t involve him in everything, and don’t frustrate him for his lack of interest

Unlike women, men are usually not bothered with the finer details of weddings. So, don’t be upset if your groom doesn’t share your enthusiasm in deciding between peach and pink for your wedding color palette. Identify what he is interested in, and only involve him in tasks that he should be doing or will enjoy handling. Don’t overwhelm him by pushing him, instead take it easy and he will not feel overwhelmed.

Take a time-out from your wedding planning once in a while, and don’t bring it to the level that all your time together is spent talking about the wedding. Remember that the main reason you are getting married is to celebrate your love for each other. So, don’t lose that excitement in all the wedding planning frenzy.

For more practical wedding planning advice and shopping for your wedding dress, visit us on Best for Bride.

Posted on by — 3 Comments

How to Write Your Own Vows

2

 

Any writer can tell you that facing the blank page can be intimidating. It’s no different when writing your own wedding vows. How can you begin to describe your love for the person with whom you want to share your life? Here are some helpful tips for how to write your own vows.

Before actually writing the vows, talk to your fiance about the tone of the vows. If one of you writes very serious, traditional vows and the other’s are humorous, the humorous vows can seem disrespectful even if there was absolutely no intent to be portrayed that way. You might decide that you will both include a mix of serious and funny. Discuss the options as a couple. Also, decide on a general length. Vows usually are between one and two minutes long.

Looking at the whole project of writing your own vows may be too overwhelming. Try breaking the vows into the sections that you want. Many people start with a very basic statement addressing their loved one. They typically start with the fiancé’s name and a few sentences talking about the person’s strengths, lovable qualities, and caring nature. Close the beginning of the vows with a declaration of love.

An example of the beginning of vows:

“Daniel, you are my one true love. You have an amazing balance of being strong, yet being affectionate, and being focused, yet making me laugh. You have always accepted me for who I am while challenging me to reach my potential. I love you with all my heart, forever and always.”

Traditionally, the second part of the wedding vows include promises. These promises can be statements about how you will show your love and commitment every day. The promises can be general statements such as, “I will always do everything I can to make you happy.” Or, the promises can be more personal and specific.

Wedding vows typically end with statements about future hopes or what you will do together. For example, this part can be summarized as “I will love you through good times and bad.” You may want something more poetic or personal. The ending of the vows usually includes a sentiment about the bond being eternal, such as “as long as we both shall live.”

Take a cue from writers of dialogue. Practice saying the vows aloud. Sometimes, we write things that look good on paper but are awkward when spoken. Hearing it will help you know what they will sound like to your fiancé and wedding guests. This will also give you a chance to time how long it takes to say the vows.

Start writing vows early. You may want to make changes along the way. After you think you’re finished, you might think of something else you want to say or want to change the wording. When you are completely finished, make a fresh copy to practice if you have been writing and changing things on paper.

For more tips for conquering challenges associated with planning your wedding, please browse the Best for Bride blog.

Posted on by — 3 Comments

All you wanted to know about engagement parties

Your engagement is great news; one that has to be shared and celebrated with your near and dear ones. You could always share the news over social media or telephone, but the traditional way of breaking the news to those who are closest to you is with an engagement party.

Are you unsure about how and when you should plan your engagement party? Here is a round-up of all you have to know, so you can begin planning.

caucasian-84418_1280

Who hosts the engagement party?

Traditionally, this was done by the bride’s parents. Nowadays, there is really no set rule on who throws the party. At times it is the bride’s parents, or otherwise the groom’s parents. It isn’t too unusual to find the couple themselves hosting the party these days or even their friends doing it for them.

When is it held?

An engagement party is the occasion to officially announce your engagement. So, the earlier it is planned, the better. It is good to have the engagement party before you get too busy with wedding planning. This allows you to enjoy it fully, without worrying about the wedding. If you want to keep your engagement a surprise, an engagement party is the best occasion to announce this big news to all those who matter to you. Just make sure that the hosts or those who already know don’t spill the beans before the day.

What kind of a party should it be?

There are no set rules here. You could have a formal party, or choose to go with one that is casual and relaxed. Outdoor garden parties are great for celebrating engagements, but you could also have it at a club or in a hotel if you choose to. Traditional engagement parties were notorious for being serious and boring. But with a little creativity you can transform it into a fun-filled event. To get started, check out this article on The Huffington Post.

Who should be invited?

Engagement party etiquette was that only those in the wedding guest list were invited to this function. But, nowadays it is up to the hosts and the couple to decide who attends. You can either have an intimate gathering of your close friends and relatives, or a bigger affair where you invite co-workers, neighbors and associates as well. Couples may even choose to have more than one party for each group, but this depends on whether you have the time and the budget for it.

What do you wear?

via Best for Bride

Your attire for the day should depend on the formality of the event and the venue. For a formal party choose an elegant evening gown that helps you stand out. For a casual outdoor affair, shorter dresses with interesting details would be a good choice. Your fiance should also choose his attire based on the same factors.

Are toasts part of the engagement party?

Yes, it is customary to toast the newly-engaged couple at the party. It can be done by their parents, or whoever hosts the party. The couple may also choose to raise a toast to the host of the party, if they aren’t hosting it themselves.

Now that you know all that you need to, on engagement parties, get ready to plan it. To find a suitable dress for this fantastic evening in your life, check out our collection of dresses for special occasions at Best for Bride.

Posted on by — 3 Comments

3 mistakes to avoid when planning your wedding in autumn

bench-560435_1280

Autumn is a magical season, perfect for weddings with wonderful natural colors creating a romantic scene and the pleasant weather making an outdoor wedding possible. The months of September and October are peak wedding seasons for precisely this reason.

Nevertheless, there are some factors that can disrupt your wedding plans or make your wedding less exciting. Let us find out what you should consider when planning your wedding in autumn, so you can make sure it is done perfectly.

Never plan an outdoor wedding without a back-up plan

Just like a shower make take you unaware in spring or summer, autumn is a season when you may suddenly see an onslaught of frost. If you are having an outdoor wedding, keep a close tab on weather reports and make sure that you inform your guests about the likelihood of a dip in temperature. This will help them prepare for the natural elements and they won’t be left shivering throughout the function. It is a good idea to always have an indoor venue booked as back-up, should it rain or get too cold. You can still have your ceremony outdoors, but keep the reception inside, so your guests are comfortable. When choosing your wedding dress, make sure that you will be warm in it. If you anticipate a cold spell at the time, make sure you buy a matching stole or wrap to cover up your arms, so you feel comfortable when outdoors on the day.

tab-pics-bridal-fur-capes

Work with the natural colors of the season and not against it

Fall brings a wonderful palette of deep and dark colors to work with. Use this to your advantage. The naturally cool weather creates an ambiance that you can play with, rather than work against. If you are interested in using pastels and other bright tropical shades at your wedding, make sure you add some burnt orange, chocolate or dark reds as accent colors, so you balance out the look and keep it appropriate for the natural setting.

Remember autumn is the season for allergies and illnesses

This report on The Telegraph suggests that autumn is the season for flu and illnesses, and this is something we are all aware of even otherwise. With the cold weather drawing in, colds and sniffles begin their rounds. So, be prepared for it as you don’t want to end up being sick on your wedding day. Exercise and good sleep habits can help you be in better shape. Stay away from anyone who has caught the flu or is ill and practice regular hand washing and good hygiene.

Where your wedding day is concerned, remember to check on the pollen levels at the time, before you finalize an outdoor wedding venue. An outdoor wedding may deter those guests who are allergic to it from attending your wedding.

Autumn weddings are romantic, beautiful and exciting, as long as you have prepared well for it. So, get ready the right way and you will have the fantastic wedding that you always wanted. To find the perfect wedding dress for your big autumn wedding, visit us on Best for Bride, and make your pick today.