Planning Your Wedding - Advice from An Insider
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=LJ_Stewart]LJ Stewart
As a floral designer for over 10 years- I have seen the stress of planning a wedding can take on the bride- and her family. Whenever there is high emotion and money involved- stress is sure to follow. There are some strategies that can help relieve the anxiety involved with planning your wedding and working within your budget.
Find out first who is paying for what and how much. Keep in mind that anyone who contributes money will feel entitled to express their opinion- sometimes loudly! So try and make clear what expectations are. Your future mother-in-law may want to help out- but she also might want her second cousins daughter in your wedding party. If possible try and pay for as much of the wedding yourself and not rely on anyone else.
Take a realistic look at how much money you have to work with- avoid going into debt. Most important- Have a budget!
Be honest with your wedding professional- tell then how much you want to spend and have them help you give you the biggest bang for your buck. They know their field and what is possible and affordable. I know from experience that most creative people want to do their best work for you- and want your wedding flowers to be spectacular or your wedding dress to suit your body type. It is a business but most bridal shop owners, wedding photographers or florists I have met all have pride in their work- if you are getting a sense that they don't or feel like just another dollar sign then move on and find some one else.
Ask their advice- they know their stuff! They have seen hundreds if not thousands of brides and have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. I remember one year when a famous Kennedy got married- and pictures of his bride were all over newspapers and magazines of her holding a wedding bouquet of solid lily of the valley. I had DOZENS of brides walk in wanting this exact look. This is great if your are getting married in the 3 week window in June when lily of the valley is available. Any other time it is imported from Holland and packs a staggering price tag. For a 1/10 th of the money I could have given those brides stunning wedding flowers.
Take a look at your budget and decide which is important to you. For some brides it might be the dress; others the wedding flowers or wedding cake. Maybe you have always dreamed of a live band at your wedding reception. With a limited budget you will have to make choices. If you want to have 350 people to your wedding- you may have to have chicken and not surf and turf for your guests. Something will have to give. Some good advice- you will be looking at your wedding photos for the next 50+ years. I would invest money into anything that shows up in those photos. Get the best photographer you can afford- do not give this job to your brother or friend who took a Learning Annex course in Photoshop. Good hair and makeup. I suggest nothing TOO trendy in a head piece unless you want to suffer the jibes of your children… and grand children. Do not skimp on your bridal bouquet. This will be staring back at you for years in an 8x10 glossy. Your wedding attire- gets a lovely dress and something nice for your groom.
Anything else is really is just icing on the cake.
Trust me - you may regret spending all your money on a custom designed wedding cake. You will not regret beautiful and professional wedding photographs. It varies from person to person- but certain things really don't matter and some do- I will share my opinions on this. Your dress, wedding photos, your bridal bouquet, location, grooms attire MATTER. Bridesmaid dresses, bridesmaid's flowers and other wedding flowers, wedding cake, head table flowers, table centerpieces, food do not! If it’s not in the wedding photo that will be above your mantle- it probably doesn't matter.
Find our how much money you have to work with, who is responsible for what- make a plan and stick to it. Remember all weddings are beautiful and all wedding days are perfect- Try not to let the stress of money ruin the panning process for you. Best Wishes on your Wedding Day!
LJ Stewart was award winning floral designer and owner of successful floral studio for over 10 years. For more information on wedding flowers please visit [http://www.theperfectweddingguide.com/flower_decor_ap.html]Toronto Wedding Flowers and Toronto Wedding Decorations. She now works as freelance writer based in Toronto, Canada.
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Tips For Making Floral Arrangements For the Table to Be Perfect
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Walter]Jennifer Walter
At every wedding occasion, their first attention will be that of the bride and the groom. This is what every guest will be coming to see. The second point will be given to the floral organization. This will particularly be the table arrangements. Remember that most guests will be sitting directly in front of these flowers and will be able to directly throw in their appreciation or rejection of what has been done. Always remember the following if you intend to make the table floral arrangement perfect for your wedding:
A lot of people fail to understand that designing the tables at every wedding event with special floral designs seem to be perfect just like making general floral arrangements for the wedding venue. Remember that these will also go a long way to link up the theme, color as well as the atmosphere of the wedding into one unique event. Coming up with something perfect is not an easy thing. There are so many considerations which will be brought into play. Whatever you decide on should be something that should be pleasing and attractive to the eyes as well as to the minds.
What Considerations Should You Think Of?
When thinking of floral arrangements on the tables, it may not necessarily be considered on every table. This will depend on what you envisage. But remember that too much floral arrangements may end up spoiling the whole atmosphere. For this reason, you may consider making such arrangements only a few tables and these tables should be those at strategic positions. Why not think of the table of the newly wedded couple, the table of the cake and the dining table. Floral arrangements of the cake table should be simple. A circlet of flowers can simple be placed round the cake or even on a stand near the cake.
Floral arrangements on the table of the newly wedded couple should be something that will bring in some sense of admiration for the couples. Why not think of putting the bouquet of both the bride and her maid on the table? This should be striking. You may also decide to dress the candle stands or holders with flowers and this should also be thought of when thinking of the guests' tables. But make sure that the candle stands or holders are tall enough so that the flowers do not shade the faces of anyone.
You can also decide to adorn the guests' tables with flowers either in the form or centerpieces or making small floral designs on their chairs. But you may not have the budget to provide for every table. In such a case, you can place a small rose flower or any other flower that is striking for every female invitee. This is not only something extraordinary, but this is also something that may be taken home as gift by the guests.
Guidelines for Making Floral Designs on the Tables
One of the best places to position table flowers is at the center of the table. But you should make sure that the flowers are not too large. Remember that they may occupy a greater portion of the table if they are too large. You may opt for tall flowers. This will give much space to the table. However, it may block views to the end of the hall. Always think of the size of the hall and the positioning of the bride and the groom while making considerations on what flowers to include in your decoration list.
If you have to position flowers where food and drink is kept, make sure that they are not poisonous to the food or drinks. Do not give in room for errors.
Learn [http://weddingflowerspictures.com/how-to-alter-a-wedding-dress-a-unique-wedding-dress-for-a-unique-body]how to alter wedding dress as well as tips on getting the right wedding flower photos from Jennifer Walter, the owner of most successful resource site on wedding tips and photography at http://weddingflowerspictures.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Walter http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-For-Making-Floral-Arrangements-For-the-Table-to-Be-Perfect&id=1777102
