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Bridal Show Survival Tips
1. Do not be pressured to sign a contract or put down a deposit at the bridal show! Go home and review the vendor’s printed material from the show and check out their website to learn more about their company before making your decision.

2. If a vendor is offering show discounts ONLY during the show, walk…or run the other way! Most reputable vendors will offer their discount for the week after the show, or longer.

3. While you are at the show, you may want to set up appointments with some of the vendors that you want to find out more about their services.

4. Before the show, print peel off labels that have your name, wedding date, phone number, and email address. Many of the vendor booths will have the opportunity to register for a giveaway. If you have labels, it will save you having to fill out all those information cards.

5. Walking the aisles of the bridal show can be overwhelming. Bring someone with you that can help you collect all the printed material.

6. Separate the printed material into two bags. In your friend’s bag, place the printed items that you are not really interested in.
     a. As you talk to vendors, write a note to yourself on the printed material that they give you to  help you to remember them later.

     b. Focus on the vendors that you still need to hire. If you have already selected a DJ for your wedding, do not spend your time and energy talking to DJs at the bridal show.

     c. Wear comfortable shoes and plan to spend several hours collecting information and  talking to the vendors.

7. If you already have your wedding dress, skip the fashion show and concentrate on the vendor booths.

8. Talk to the vendors! This is a great time to ask the wedding professionals questions that you have about their services.

9. Have fun! Do not be overwhelmed. Remember, you are not making any major decisions during the show. Your goal is to talk to some of the vendors and collect literature that you can read at home.

If you attend the Dallas Bridal Show on January 23-24, please stop by our booth and say hi...and have some chocolate kisses. We love talking to brides!
Karen

When the Venue Closes Before Your Wedding Date...Don't Panic!

Imagine getting a phone call saying that someone had heard that your reception venue was closing…and your wedding is nine weeks away! Last week, this happened to one of our brides.

She called to let us know what she had heard and that she was on her way to the venue with a copy of her contract. We sprang into action contacting venues in the same general area hoping they had her wedding date available.

The past few days, she has visited numerous venues trying to find a good replacement for her original venue that she considered ideal. Not only is there the challenge of finding a venue that is available on such short notice, but she wants to find a location that she loves…and is within her budget. Many brides might visit a handful of venues before making a decision about their wedding location. This organized and resourceful bride visited 40 venues before she decided on her perfect one…and that was seven months ago. And now she is doing it all over again…9 weeks before her wedding. True to her character, she has remained calm, practical and determined.

The good news is that even though her original venue site is no longer available, the catering company is still in business and they will give her a full refund if she is unable to use their services due to her replacement venue’s restrictions.

What are the lessons to be learned from all of this?

1. Try to remain calm. It is human nature that your first reaction will be to PANIC, but take a deep breath and know that the dust will settle, and a solution will be found.

2. Some things are out of your control. This may difficult to accept, but it is reality.

3. Focus on the things that you DO have control over…

4. Rally the forces. If something happens to one of the wedding professionals that you have selected, contact your wedding planner or other wedding vendors and ask for their help. Due to their experience in the industry, they will be able to provide a list of possible replacements.

5. Do your homework. This advice is for newly engaged couples who are just beginning the wedding planning process. Thoroughly research vendors and check their references. If you have connected with a vendor and feel that you can trust their judgment, ask them to recommend reputable vendors. Ask other brides for vendor referrals. They can tell you their favorite vendors and which ones to stay away from. By doing your homework, you can minimize potential pitfalls, but also remember Rule #2.

6. Put things into perspective. You are in love, you have found the person that you want to share the rest of your life with…everything else is secondary.
Karen


Photographer Jon Day

Laura & Mark
are the lastest winners of our free wedding coordination package. Congratulations!

Princess Bride

I know every girl feels like a princess on her wedding day but Cyndi Hill Gomez truly looked like Cinderella. Especially right before the wedding, when she was running down the steps in her sparkling high heels to see Jesse for the first time. She could not contain her joy or excitement for this moment and it made me a believer in seeing each other privately before the wedding. My roots to tradition are being tugged at a lot these days and here is another one where I can see value in choosing either way. There just is not one "right" way to do things anymore. (Sorry Mom!)

I just love this picture right before she put on her veil. I saw her mother beaming at her and called her over and this charming picture was the result.

Since our job is so busy before and during the ceremony I don't have pics at that time....except this one of Bruce our runaway ring bearer..... in gloves. He came back in time for his entrance and he did a superb job!!














Cyndi's little sister was a precious flower girl who you can see enjoyed twirling on the dance floor. She adored her long dress and I could just see her dreaming of the day when she is a bride!

 

One of the sweetest moments of the evening was when Jesse sang to Cyndi








As you can see she was touched also!

Kathy lent her creativity to the decor last night and she always amazes me by adding some touches that just make it look great! Someone said that Love is in the details and if so she added lots of love last night! My partners are amazing and once again I marveled at how our talents blend together so sweetly! More to come later in the week as I introduce you to some of the awesome vendors that we worked with that night!
Blissfully,
Beth

It's Easy to Go Green!

Last week someone asked me how they could add some EASY eco friendly touches to their wedding.

The following ideas were the first things that came to mind because they are
SIMPLE to include:

* create a wedding website and have the guests RSVP on your site

* choose to have your ceremony and reception at the same location

* donate to a charity in the name of your guests instead of giving favors

* have your invitations printed on recycled paper

* create a beautiful save-the-date design and send the image in an email to your guestlist or post the image on your wedding website

* if you decide that you would like for your guests to receive a favor, there are many variations of the plantable seed card made from recyled paper (see picture above)

The amount of green touches that a bride chooses to include in their wedding should be made on an individual basis. Planning a wedding involves many personalized decisions...so do what is best for you and your unique situation.
Karen

The Tribute
Kathy and I braved the cold winds Monday to visit The Tribute with our newest bride-to-be Kelly, her fiancee Mike and her family. This will be our first wedding at the Tribute and we were really impressed with the facility. It has so much to offer. First of all, we met with Bethenny, one of the event coordinators, and she was delightfully helpful. She took us on a tour to see the various choices for the ceremony. Kelly can choose from the ballroom, the outdoor gazebo or the rooftop terrace. In addition to the meeting rooms, The Tribute offers a very manly study complete with flat screen TV, leather couches, fireplace, and video games for the groomsmen (hope you can convince them to leave when it is time!). And for the ladies, well they are in for a treat as they have a huge suite also with couches, fireplace, TV, and a patio with a beautiful view overlooking the golf course. The Tribute also offers a small amount of rooms for out of town guests and a lavish Bridal Suite for the couple on their first night.This eliminates the need for a getaway car although they do provide a getaway golf cart for your departure from the reception.
Beth

Old Red Museum

Cyndi Hill is getting married at the beginning of January. We met with Cyndi and her mother for our final visit to the Old Red Museum. It is neat to be using such a historical location but with that come some restrictions that need to be respected. Since the building is not equipped with fire sprinklers (hard for me to hear since my husband owns a fire sprinkler company!), no candles are allowed. Another requirement that we have not dealt with before is that the caterer has to take all their trash with them…actually put it in their truck as the building does not have dumpsters. Luckily, Cyndi is working with Celebration Catering and they are familiar with the rules at Old Red Museum.

Cyndi has such a sweet heart for people and her emphasis is totally on the true meaning of the ceremony. I am excited to be a part of such a loving couple's wedding! What a great way to start of the new year! Blissfully, Beth

Photo courtesy of Blue Sunshine Photography

Geoff Duncan Photography

It was good to see an old friend today. Geoff is an amazing photographer and I'm so happy that his business is booming. If you are looking for unique, fun, and creative photos for your engagement, bridal, and wedding pictures, you should check out Geoff Duncan Photography.

Laura & Russell's wedding

                

Photos courtesy of Allison Davis Photography                                                                 

Truth in advertising...
things are not always what they seem.

Southern Weddings discusses why it is important for brides to be aware of the fact that vendors often pay for favorable reviews or for the opportunity to post on a blog. Check out their article, New FTC Regulations: Explained. Many thoughts come to mind concerning this concealed business practice...misleading, deceptive, untrustworthy...


I want to know if someone is singing a vendor's praises because they think they are incredible...or because they were paid to say it. Wedding Day Bliss does not accept any advertising, nor do we receive any compensation for products or benefit from the vendors that we discuss on our blog. We write about fabulous vendors, great merchandise, and subject matter that we feel is helpful to our readers...and we write it from our hearts.
Karen

Invisible Children Benefit

Wedding Day Bliss sponsored a screening of the latest Invisible Children video, "The Rescue". It was a heart wrenching update on the war in Uganda and its effect on the innocent children.

Now I know that doesn't sound very wedding-ish, but this is an organization that the three of us personally and professionally support. We have decided that a portion of our profits will be donated to this worthy cause.

Nov 17th, we were hosted by Judy and Steve Blaising in their lovely University Park home. Taylor Murdoch is the leader of the Texas Team of IC roadies. They drive all over the USA teaching people about the war in Uganda.

After the screening, Taylor told us about what is currently happening in Uganda. He saw firsthand what IC is doing to improve lives when he visited Uganda this fall. He was overwhelmed by what he saw. The people have nothing yet they know their way out is for their children to get an education and for the adults to learn a trade.

Through their schools for schools programs, they have been able to build new schools, get supplies and teachers for many of these children. They also have taught many of the women to make bracelets and MEND bags and purses. These are available at www.invisiblechildren.com. If you are interested in helping out, they have a program called TRI where you donate $3 a week. That is one less Starbucks for me!

Since this a wedding blog I guess I can best tie this together by saying, you can help IC two ways:

1. Consider making a donation to Invisible Children in lieu of giving favors (that usually end up in the back seat of the car anyway...sorry...it is true!)

2. Consider hiring us as your wedding consultants and know that part of your money is going to help the children of Uganda.

Oh and finally, that roadie that we love so much...he also happens to be my son, in whom I am well pleased (spoken like a true mom!!).

Blissfully,

Beth

Winning Bride is Revealed

Martha Evans is our latest winner of a FREE wedding coordination package. Martha and Josh, we look forward to working with you during this exciting time in your lives!

Photo courtesy of Allison Davis Photography

Green Living

We had a wonderful time exploring all the Earth-friendly treasures at Green Living's store in the Lakewood area. I was like a kid in a candy store! President and CEO, Tom Bazzone was so gracious to take us on a personal tour of this amazing store.

The store is full of eco-chic items for brides-to-be and newlyweds. I was blown away by the stunningly beautiful, recycled glass dinnerware and glassware products. My pictures do not do justice to the transluscent effect of the recycled glass products that are of the finest quality.                                                                    

Welcome your out-of-town guests with gift baskets filled with spa products, Equal Exchange coffee and tea, chocolate bars, and lavendar sachet.

Wine bottles have found new life as beautiful goblets and tumblers.

This beautiful table was made from reclaimed Longleaf Pine floorboards and provides a perfect setting for the lovely dinnerware. I could not pass up the attractive pale-turquoise splash candle in the bottom right corner of the picture. These would look striking at the base of a floral centerpiece.

Check out the Earth-friendly stationary and cards.

Yes, I bought an Elephant poo notepad, and no, you would never know the origin of the paper unless you were told. "The paper is really just fiber and vegetation." See, the paper has a pretty linen look.

Green Living carries Seed Paper that is embedded with wildflower seeds...great for Save-the-Date cards, favors, and Thank-you cards.

Beer bottles have been converted into tumblers... a groomsman's gift that they will actually use!

Dress your new nest with these lush organic cotton towels and sheets.                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Here's a unique gift idea for a guy...bicycle chain picture frames

I did some Holiday shopping while I was there...handmade tree ornaments, sari wristlet, and a Texas shaped cutting board for my son who recently moved to Chicago. We do not want him to forget where he is from!

Through their Fair Trade partnerships, Green Living offers products that benefit communities in need. I love purchasing items that have a far-reaching effect and I think the person receiving the gift is also blessed.

The angel ornaments made from soft drink cans are made by Zulu school children Angels Against Crime. The beautiful fabric angel ornament is made by Guatemalan women who are trying to pull their families out of poverty Hope Wear. The cute gingerbread couple are made in Nepal Fair Trade Holiday.  

Remember, just because an item is eco-friendly, it does not mean that it cannot be gorgeous...as evidenced by the products at Green Living.

Happy shopping, Karen

Resourceful Tips for the Savvy Bride...Is it possible to have the wedding of your dreams without going into debt?

Yes, but it will require preplanning and discipline. Many brides do it, and you can too!

Most people do not enjoy discussing budgets, and things may get a little tense around the house when determining the ultimate budget...The Wedding Budget. It will be less stressful for everyone involved if good communication and a sense of humor is maintained. The first step is to determine who is contributing to your wedding expenses and how much.

The next step is for the couple to envision what will make their wedding special and meaningful to them. Mindy Weiss, a celebrity wedding planner, says, “No matter how big or small their budget, every couple has to make decisions about their priorities. Here’s one good way to gauge how essential something is: Ask yourself, ‘Will anyone notice if we don’t have it?’”

Know the total amount of your wedding budget and stick to it. You can customize your budget according to the things that are the most important to you....for some couples it is photography, for others it is flowers and decor. Everyone has their own preferences and priorities.

Record ALL of your wedding expenses on a regular basis to help keep you on track. An EXCEL spreadsheet is an easy way to total up your expenses as you make purchases and submit deposits.

How do you know where to start when making a wedding budget if you do not know how much everything will cost? Real Simple Weddings provides a good starting point: Average Wedding Costs in Texas.


Another easy way to calculate your wedding budget is to use the basic guideline below. If you are planning a $20,000 wedding, the percentage listed for each topic will show you the budgeted expense. The percentages are just a guideline, customize them according to your priorities.


Reception                   50%-$10,000
Photography                9%-$1800
Flowers                          7%-$1400
Dress                              6%-$1200
Miscellaneous              6 %-$1200
Day-of Coordinator     5%-$1000
Reception Music          3%-$800
Cake                                3%-$600
Ceremony Music          2%-$400
Invitations                      2%-$400
Ceremony Site              2%-$400
Favors                             1%-$200
Hair, makeup                 1%-$200
Transportation              2%-$400


You have the opportunity to personalize your wedding by creating a budget that will reflect the areas that are the most significant to you as a couple. It IS possible to have a beautiful, unique, meaningful wedding without breaking the bank...and remember that clear communication and a sense of humor will see you through.
EXCEL is your friend!
Karen

Wedding Day Bliss at the City of Garland vendor fair hosted by The Atrium

GREEN WEDDINGS

The terms "eco-friendly", "green", and "eco-chic" are being thrown around by celebrities, politicians, and environmentalists, but what does it mean to the bride-to-be? Making the decision to have an eco-friendly wedding is easier than you might think. One simple option is to ask your guests to RSVP on your wedding website. It conserves paper, and saves you from buying RSVP cards and paying for postage. If you want to incorporate several green alternatives, a eco-chic theme wedding may be right for you.

In the Dallas area, brides are fortunate to have access to a store like green living which offers many earth friendly goods for your wedding and home decor. At their online store, they offer recycled glass vases, natural fiber napkins, beeswax candles, compostable serveware, recycled note cards, Fair Trade coffee, jewelry, organic cotton towels, etc.

Winner Is Announced!

CYNDI HILL
of Plano, TX won the FREE Wedding Coordination Package (valued at $975) from Wedding Day Bliss!

Congratulations
Cyndi!!!

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed Something Blue:

Traditions are old-fashioned to some and a loving connection to the past for others. I think that I see a trend of women being drawn back to traditions. Look at the retro and vintage craze in decorating, clothing and even cooking. People seem to yearn for a time when things were more family oriented and so this sweet tradition allows many generations to contribute to the Bride's special day. I fondly remember my mother giving me an embroidered handkerchief that my grandmother had used on her plantation in Tennessee.  I wrapped it around my bouquet right before I walked down the aisle .

I found this explanation of what the symbols mean and if  is true, then that family heirloom must have worked..... because I just celebrated my 28th anniversary!


Old as a guarantee that the love and affection she enjoyed before her marriage will endure,

New for success in her new life,
Borrowed as a symbol that friends may always be helpful when needed,
Blue to designate her loyalty and devotion to her groom.


Oh, and we are so excited by the response that we have had to our drawing that takes place tomorrow. You have one more day to enter to win FREE Wedding Coordination.... Valued at $975.00 !!
Blissfully,
Beth

Wedding Guests Complaints

Meredith Bodgas' article, Wedding Guests Secret Gripes, suggests some issues for the bride and groom to consider. First of all, it brings up the main question - should the bride and groom plan their wedding for themselves or for their wedding guests?

Disclaimer: The comments below are Karen's personal opinions and are not necessarily the opinions or policy of Wedding Day Bliss.

Guests Gripes:

1. "Your Timing Stinks"

2. "You Picked a Bad Day"
Karen - Quit complaining that the wedding is on a holiday weekend or on a weeknight. The bride and groom have probably given a lot of thought to their wedding date. They have good reasons for why they selected that particular date and they should not feel the need to justify it to their guests.

3. "You're Boring Us - Showing us a really good time is the least that you can do to thank us for giving up our free day, traveling, and getting you an expensive gift."
Karen - Wow, why were these people invited to the wedding?!

4. "The Food Isn't Great - We want a delicious meal way more than we want pretty centerpieces. You don't know this, but we actually think of that $200 gift as a contribution to a great meal."
Karen - Reception/food costs typically account for 50 percent of the entire wedding budget. Please be kind to your host and nibble on something BEFORE you go to the wedding!

5. "You Make Us Pay?! - When you have more than 300 guests and a cash bar, we wish that you would've just cut the list and paid for our drinks instead."

Karen - Most weddings have at least a few complimentary drink options. If you choose to drink something else at an additional cost, please don't complain.

6. "You Sat Us Here - Please give us plenty of places to sit. Cocktail hours are great, but it's pretty tough to balance our plates, drinks, and purses while standing — in heels no less!"

Karen - transitional cocktail hours are currently very popular. Most people are not uncomfortable standing for a short period of time. It is not just the expense of renting tables and chairs, but the cost of decorating the tables with linens, overlays, centerpieces, etc. that add up.

7. "You Don't Invite a Plus-One"

Karen - When trying to cut wedding costs and stay on budget, trimming the guest list is the quickest way to achieve it. A spouse or fiance should be included with the wedding guest, but it is not necessary to include dates. Brides and grooms want to be surrounded by people they know at their wedding.

8. "You Put Us to Work"

Karen - Agree with this one. Please allow your guests to be guests.

9. "You Don't Say Thank You"

Karen - This is a no brainer. Please send your guests a thank you card in a timely manner.

I believe wedding decisions should be determined by the preferences of the bride and groom. Certainly, they should try to make their guests as comfortable as possible, within reason. However, you cannot please everyone all the time. Planning a wedding can be very stressful. Many brides and grooms struggle with all the decisions that need to be made. So, wedding guests, please give the bride and groom a break! They are doing the best they can. As an invited guest, you should be supportive and rejoice with them on their special day.