Category: Expert Advice

Save the bags from your sheet set purchases. Then when you pack for your honeymoon or other romantic weekend getaways, use these bags to stash your shoes! That way, the rest of your clothes will stay clean. I’ve got a collection of these handy plastic bags—an extra large one that’s perfect from my cowboy boots, and petite size that work for my beach sandals.

A good friend of mine recently went to Mexico to begin the planning process for her daughter’s destination wedding. While she was there, she heard a fantastic story I just had to share.
At a recent wedding in San Pancho, Mexico, guests were gathered, awaiting the ceremony. A mariachi band was playing in traditional Mexican style. When the bride appeared, the musicians changed their tune with with fanfare. But instead of ‘Here Comes The Bride,’ the band unexpectedly began to play ‘Happy Birthday!’

Those of us at Here Comes The Guide who are married did not have cookie-cutter weddings: Meredith and her husband had an intimate beach wedding (a.k.a elopement) in Half Moon Bay, Jolene wore a raspberry wedding gown, my husband and I served pizza—old school, unfancy pizza, and Sharon and her husband had their lively reception in a dojo where the black belts in attendance took turns throwing the groom.

These challenging economic times have created a novel wedding trend: The mid-week wedding! While Wednesday-night knot-tying is never going to replace Saturday evening extravaganzas, we’re hearing about wedding couples that opt to celebrate on a non-traditional day of the week. And why not? Since it’s an off-time for wedding vendors, they’re more likely to discount their fees. Same goes for your wedding location—you’re sure to get more for less if you wed on an alternate day. Want to upgrade from community center to hotel ballroom? For sure.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get the perfect shape for your eyebrows, check out this video from our Certified By The Guide makeup artist and eyebrow specialist, Monique Powers. In it, she shows you how to shape your own eyebrows without spending a ton of money at a salon. I love that she uses something as simple as a pencil to do the measurements of where the eyebrow should begin, where the arch should be and where the brow should end. She makes it look so easy!

I just learned that “at traditional Persian weddings, guests may grow alarmed when the bride twice doesn’t answer when asked if she will marry the bridegroom. (He doesn’t get the yes until he presents a gift, often of coins or jewelry.)” Thank you New York Times! The Times’ recent article “Different Rules for Different Cultures: Be Prepared” goes over a few of the cultural differences that might flummox wedding guests. What should you wear to an Indian wedding or Orthodox Jewish one? What kind of dancing is permissible at a Muslim wedding?

Our hot-off-the-presses Here Comes The Guide, Northern California book is now available in retail and online bookstores. No N Cal bride-to-be should be without this handy, portable reference, which features almost 100 new event locations and services. We may be biased, but we think it makes a great engagement gift. Hey, one guy even presented it to his hoped-for bride when he proposed to her!

The teachers at TWU are top Bay Area event professionals, many of them Certified By The Guide. With their expert advice, you’ll learn how to set up a realistic wedding budget, get inspired by the latest trends in wedding decor, and learn practical tips for saving money on your wedding. This is a fantastic opportunity for couples to get up close and personal with some of the best event pros in the wedding industry. Because class sizes are small, you’ll have time to ask questions and gain valuable knowledge on wedding planning.