My bridesmaids live all over the country. How can they get involved in planning?

July 16, 2015

For most of you, there is a bridesmaid or two who lives across the country or even across the world. Having a team of bridesmaids is a perk, because you get to enjoy planning together and have little helpers who always volunteer their services with a smile on their faces.

But what if you really need (or just want) the help but it just isn't plausible for them to get here in person to help you plan? Here are some of our favorite ways to get your bridesmaids involved, from anywhere in the world!

Vendor Research

This is the not-so-fun part of planning, because it isn't an easy task narrowing down hundreds of thousands of vendors to just one! So assign each bridesmaid the task of getting packages and pricing from potential vendors, checking their date availability, and narrowing that list down to 2-3 option for you to then choose from! Then all the legwork is done, and you get to stick to the fun part :)

Just make sure you give your bridesmaids a list of questions to ask so they are properly narrowing your list down for you.

Party Planning

The engagement party, the bridal shower, and the bachelorette party are all fun events for your bridesmaids to plan. And it really is a lot of fun to be surprised!...at least it was for me. So let your ladies plan away and keep your little hands out of it.

Make sure you plan these parties far in advance, so there is enough time for everyone to make their travel plans and get the best travel deals.

The DIY's and the Small Stuff

Who likes making escort cards anyways? I sure don't and I've never met a couple who does. (Maybe you're the exception?) If you trust the artistic abilities AND you know that they will not forget to bring them on the wedding weekend, assign your bridesmaids all of the little crafty things!

Facetime

Isn't technology just crazy? Facetime your bridesmaid into your venue appointments or your dress appointments. They can ask questions that you may forget to ask, be there as a second pair of eyes to help make your decision, and just make it so they are actually there with you, as you always imagined they would be!

Group Messaging

Have a Facebook group or text group just for your ladies so everyone can get in on the action. Text everyone when you book your photographer so they can look up their stunning work, or when you finally choose a date so they can mark their calendars. Little updates along the way make it more fun for everyone!

Choosing Your Wedding Meal // Do guest opinions matter?

July 15, 2015

There are so many factors that go into choosing your wedding meal, and depending on your likes and dislikes (and pickiness), you may be stumped when it comes to choosing your food. You may HATE chicken but know that most guests are going to like it. And while you may be considering giving your guests the option, you then come to the realization that it is far too pricey to add on that second or third option for your guests to choose.

A plated meal is more formal but there are more options in a buffet. Your head is swirling 'round and 'round and there are just too many decisions to make!

So I am going to help you get there by laying down all of the facts. And before we get stared, I will first tell you the answer to my first question:

Yes, guest opinions DO matter. You want them to enjoy their meal just as you want to enjoy yours!

What is more expensive: A Buffet or A Plated Meal?

Now this is a trick question, because it really depends on the catering company or venue you choose.

Some venues will charge more for a buffet because there is more food being cooked for guests, in order to ensure there is plenty for everyone to fill up their plates and go back for more.

However, some will charge more for a plated meal because more staff is needed in order to get all of these meals served to your guests in a timely fashion. And with more staff, comes a higher cost.

And then there are even some companies who say, "Take your pick! They cost the same!"

So that is your first step in determining which you will choose: You have to just ask!

Things to think about:

Remember, it is not just you and your spouse that need to be pleased with the food, but hopefully every single guest in attendance. Because who wants a guests biggest memory of your wedding to be how they starved all night because none of the food was tasteful to them? No one.

So here are the top things to think about when choosing your meal options:

- Allergies: There are more allergies out there than you can imagine, so make sure there is some way to accommodate those guests with dairy, peanut, gluten, or any allergies they may have. Because wouldn't that be a disaster!

- Pregnancy: Expecting mothers cannot have uncooked fish (and even then they are limited to how any times they can eat fish a month), cannot have any red in their meat, and have many other dietary restrictions. So keep them in mind!

- Vegetarian or Vegan: There are also guests who will be coming with self-choice dietary restrictions. So even though they CAN eat any food if they wanted, you need to make sure they have an option too in order to respect their lifestyle choices.

- Kids: Young children and even some older children are not going to want to have anything to do with the adult meal you choose. So make sure there is an alternative option for them as well.

What are my options?

Here are the different options you have:

- One Choice Plated Meal: Everyone gets the same meal and it is served to your guests. Typically with this option, guests can also indicate a vegetarian option or a kids meal at no additional charge.

- Optioned Plated Meal: This is when your guests get to indicate on their RSVP card which food option they would like. It can be 2 or 3 options (I wouldn't go more than that) in addition to the vegetarian and kids meal options.

- Buffet: We all know what a buffet is and how much variety it'll give your guests. Every company gives different options for their buffets but there will be far more options for each guest, and they'll get to go back for seconds! Please keep in mind that due to food laws, there is a maximum amount of time a buffet can stay open (it cannot be sitting there all night long, as most couples hope). Usually this ranges from an hour to an hour and a half but just ask your venue or catering company and they can give you specifics for your city or state!

- Family Style: This is a great mix of plated and buffet, because the food is served to the table but there are options just like a buffet and guests serve themselves!

- Guests get one thing, and you get another: This is not very common but I have seen it done! One of my couples wasn't into formality but wanted a formal wedding. They served their guests plated meals and had burgers made for just the two of them! Just remember, your guests may be a bit jealous if you do this, but you're the prince and princess for the day!

What you MUST Ask Potential Wedding Vendors (and there are only 3)

July 14, 2015

I cannot STAND the millions on millions of blog posts that list out what you need to ask your potential wedding vendors...and yet, I am writing one now. Ironic?

Forget about the type of camera they have or how many times they have coordinated a wedding at your venue.

And reviews?? Yes, if you see terrible reviews, then head for the hills. But only a couple reviews is definitely not a red flag, because every vendor has to start somewhere right? The best photographer in the world had zero reviews at one point in their career. Get my drift?

Because let me tell you, all of those lists of questions really don't matter. No matter how many blogs tell you so, can you please just ignore them this once?

So I am going to keep this one short and sweet.

These are the ONLY things you need to ask (and learn) about potential wedding vendors:

1. Is the price right?

2. Do you like their past work? Like not just one photo, but a lot of it?

3. Do your personalities mesh well?

That's all you need to know. It's a lot less complicated than you thought, huh?