Tips from a New Bride!

Hello Brides!

Being the co-owner of a bridal boutique, I am frequently asked questions and advice about the "big day". Now that I am recently married ~ since February 26, 2012 ~I would love to share some ideas & insights with you!

1. "Stage" your house: Everyone wants to have their home photog-ready, but it is nearly impossible (and impractical) to redecorate your parents' entire home. Instead, choose rooms that have the best features (a bedroom, a room with a beautiful mantle or fireplace) and "stage" them. By repositioning furniture, adding fresh flowers, bringing in your favorite keepsakes, and changing your curtains, you can breathe life into any room. I kept my room neutral, using cream and gold colors, and I also brought in some of my favorite books and photos as well as a reproduction painting that my husband bought for me while we were dating. The finishing touch was my wedding gown perfectly positioned on a mannequin in the room, instead of hanging lifeless on a hanger. A well arranged room certainly does make a difference in your finished photos!
   
2. Consider Rentals: If you really want to knock peoples' socks off, consider using crystal table top rentals in your floral arrangements. The company I used was Regal Candelabra, which is based in New Jersey. I was able to work with their delivery service for complete set up and removal of the candelabras. My guests were amazed by how beautiful they were and they elevated the already stunning floral arrangements. Find a dazzling array of products at www.regalcandelabra.com.
   
3. Keep it Simple: If you REALLY need to drive all over God's Kingdom after your ceremony to take pictures, then go ahead. However, consider your timing, extra limo fees, and rush hour traffic. My suggestion: choose one spot that means a lot to you and limit it to you and your new husband. There really is no need to drag an entire bridal party (with fussy little ones) to every hotspot you can think of. Our favorite spot? Gracie Mansion in Manhattan!
   
4. Have a Theme: When we think of a "theme" we tend to think Sweet 16. Your wedding shouldn't be "Arabian Nights" or "Venetian Masked Ball", but you should be able to come up with three or four adjectives to describe the overall look and feel you wish to achieve. For me, it was "classy, timeless, refined & romantic". Narrow down all of your design options by asking yourself if the elements work for or against your theme. And while I love anything that is over the top, sometimes less is more. You don't need to have every bridal chotchky as long as you are detail oriented in what you do have.
   
5. Finally, Ask for Help: While you shouldn't rely too heavily on one person, or over-burden a bridal party member who already has enough on her own plate, you should feel like you can ask for help & receive it. The point of being in a bridal party is to honor your relationships, so it should be easy for you to rely on people to help with small aspects. Picking up the cake topper or dropping off some color swatches at the florist (as long as you yourself have taken care of the fine print details) are small tasks that once delegated to a trusty friend, help alleviate your own to-do list.

My wedding was simply amazing, and it could not have been so without a thorough exploration of all of my ideas & inspirations. So, think out of the box, search the web and ask a trusted professional (like us) for suggestions ~ we love to talk weddings!

Visit Crown Elegance Bridal at 131 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, New York.