Expert Advice
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Start with our Wedding Checklists, download our free wedding printables, and be sure to check out our "Questions to Ask…" series for guidance on finding your wedding venue and hiring your wedding vendors! Plus, there are a TON of helpful, expertly-written wedding planning articles down below.
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12 Tips for Planning a Multicultural Wedding
Trying to plan a wedding is complicated enough, but add different religions, cultural customs, and traditional formalities into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a whole ‘nother layer of complexity! To help you navigate through it, we’ve come up with our Top 12 Tips For Planning A Multicultural Wedding.
My Big Fat Multicultural Wedding
My father is Middle Eastern, my mother hails from Louisiana’s Cajun country, and I’m proud to say that both cultures have always been an integral part of who I am. We’re also Texans, so that means we all can whip up a mean barbecue, too. When I became engaged to Jon, who has Nordic and German roots, we just sprinkled a few more ingredients into our family’s melting pot.
Rethinking Rehearsal Dinners
Instead of making it an extension of the wedding, consider the rehearsal dinner a chance to host an event that's fresh and unexpected. Here are 9 ways to make your rehearsal dinner an epic event in its own right.
Wedding Inspiration Overload? Organize your Pins!
Let’s hit the pause button on the endless wedding inspiration obsession, and do something that’s more productive—what I like to call “purposeful pinning.” This Pinterest strategy streamlines your focus, reduces idea overload, and helps you zero in on your most authentic couple style.
Protect Your Wedding: Get it in Writing
We don’t have to tell you that planning a wedding is never simple. There are so many grey areas to navigate: Ecru or bright white wedding dress? Buttercream or fondant on the cake? DJ or live band for entertainment? We could go on…That said, there is one aspect of your wedding that should be as clear as black & white: the contracts you sign.
This Little Wedding Invitation Secret Will Save Your Sanity
Getting ready to send out your wedding invitations? Here’s a little secret for you to help you keep your sanity once those responses start rolling in...
Shhh...Private Estate Wedding Secrets
Whether it’s on a faraway tropical island, at a secluded wine country villa or at a seaside manse, weddings at signature private properties top the charts for couples tying the knot—and we’re not just talking about celebrities.
7 Extras You Might Need for Your Private Estate Wedding
You’ve visited a lot of potential wedding venues, and the private estate you’re considering for your Big Day has it all: it’s gorgeous, romantic, and, of course, totally private—truly your dream location! However, while it’s great to get swept away by the beauty of the place, make sure you’re aware of all the extras you’ll need to provide to turn your vision into reality.
A Crafty Way to Ask Your Bridal Party to Stand Up With You
I’m a lover of all things DIY, and a graphic designer with a teensy addiction to paper crafting. And I’m also a bride, so naturally I’m incorporating my obsession into my wedding details. Here's the creative DIY way we asked our bridesmaids and groomsmen to stand up with us at our wedding.
Wedding Food Donations
Weddings often generate recyclable materials and leftover food that the bride and groom don’t want to take home. Nowadays, you and the caterer can feel good by donating the excess, and recycling plastic bottles, glass, metal and paper. An added benefit is that food donations are tax deductible for either you or the caterer.
Behind the Scenes at a Wedding Dress Trunk Show
Next to playing with my dogs and sharing a chocolate soufflé with my husband, browsing wedding dresses is one of my favorite pastimes. Are you with me on this? I thought so. Then believe me when I say that one of the best ways to indulge your fashion passion is by attending a wedding dress trunk show.
It's A Nice Day For A Green Wedding: Advice for the Eco-Conscious Couple
When it comes to preserving Planet Earth, everyone wants to do the right thing. But when it comes to planning the Big Day, we worry that being environmentally correct will mean sacrificing our cherished wedding vision. Luckily, you no longer have to wrestle with your conscience to have a celebration that is both beautiful and "green."
Hiring Wedding Professionals Pays Off
Yes, you will save money by hiring the cheapest vendors you can find or doing things yourself. But the old adage, “You get what you pay for,” really comes into play here. Skimp on services and you could end up paying a big price anyway. We give you all the reasons hiring seasoned wedding professionals pays off, plus tips for finding the right vendors for your wedding.
Brides Want To Know: Do We Have To Split The Guest List Fifty-Fifty?
Dear Here Comes The Guide: We are planning a fairly upscale and costly wedding for our daughter. It is a destination wedding for our guests, but more local for the groom side. Therefore, our guests are not as likely to attend as the groom side. Do we have to split the guest list fifty-fifty? What is the norm?
Your Out-of-Town Wedding Guests
One of the most endearing aspects of your wedding is how loved ones come together from the four corners of the world to celebrate. By adding a few thoughtful details to your wedding festivities, you can return the favor and make your out-of-towners feel like VIPs.
Brides Want To Know: Destination Wedding Thank-You Notes
Dear Here Comes The Guide: I had a destination wedding. Should I send a thank-you note to those guests that came to the wedding, but did not buy us a gift?
Brides Want To Know: Destination Wedding Etiquette—Who Pays?
Dear Here Comes The Guide: My fiance and I are considering a destination wedding somewhere in California. We aren’t sure what the expectations are in terms of covering the costs of our guests. Also, what do you think is the best place for a California destination wedding?
Brides Want to Know: A Question of Religion
Dear Here Comes The Guide: Neither my fiancé nor I are at all religious despite our upbringings, though we do share a broad-based spirituality. Our families are much more traditional, and might be offended if our wedding ceremony is entirely secular. Is there a way to honor the belief systems of our parents without being hypocritical?
Wedding Budget: Venue Fees and Other Costs
You’d think that working from a budget would be obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people, especially brides and grooms, are unrealistic about what they can afford. Part of the problem is that most people aren’t very experienced with event budgeting and don’t know how to estimate what locations, products and services will ultimately cost.
Brides Want to Know: Hors d'oeuvre Dilemma
Can you tell me how many hors d’oeuvres per person is the norm for a cocktail wedding reception? I’m not having dinner, just hors d’oeuvres and cocktails for about four hours. I need to figure out my menu and am at my wits end trying to find the answer!
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