This weeks question was inspired by our “I DO” reader Rosella N. She asked “What tips can you share with brides to make sure we are well relaxed on our wedding day?” Well, Miss Rosella here are a few pointers to help assist you in making your day stress free and enjoyable!

Wedding Day Relaxing Tips for the Bride

Every bride has things to think about when she’s planning her wedding, but several tend to forget about taking care of themselves on the big day of their wedding.  It’s important that those small, but mighty, details not escape even the most well prepared bride.

What should be at the TOP of every bride’s list on the day of her wedding is to relax and enjoy it. Whether you’ve been working with a wedding planner or have done all the planning and preparation on your own, it’s now your day and you deserve to have at least as much fun as any of your guests.

Here are 4 simple, but practical tips to help pave the way to truly enjoying your wedding day:

1. Create A Wedding Day Make-Up Bag
14 days before your wedding, do a complete test of your wedding-day look (make-up, hairdo and shoes) Put together a little make-up bag for touch ups that you can take along with you the day of the wedding to keep you looking your best. For your wedding day have a friend, bridesmaid or family member hang on to it or stash it somewhere handy so you can get to it when you need it. Be sure to use waterproof mascara, and don’t forget to pack the hairspray! Don’t forget to take the time to break into your weddings shoes! I can’t tell you how many brides and bridesmaids I see running around shoeless. Wear a thick pair of socks and walk around the house in them. It will help break those hard to wear wedding shoes in so you’re not left bare footed for most of the night. Also take a moment to see if you may want to purchase gel insoles. They come in handy so pack a few with you!  

FYI: When purchasing your make-up, see if you can persuade the sales person at the cosmetic counter into giving you samples of everything you’re buying.  They won’t take up much room and it will be more than enough for the day!

2. Create An Emergency Kit For Those Unexpected Emergencies
Consider an “emergency kit” filled with items you may need on your wedding day. Fill a small bag with items such as a travel size sewing kit, clear nail polish (for panty hose/stocking runs), an extra set of panty hose or stockings, throat lozenges and aspirin. Other ideas for the “emergency kit” include tissues, breath mints, tampons, hand cream, deodorant, tums, perfume, scissors, bobby pins, Tide stick,  and band-aids.

FYI: Most of these items can be found in the travel size bins in your local drug store.

3. Start Your Wedding Day  Healthy, Hydrated  and Nourished
Since most brides don’t get to enjoy the meal served at the reception, you really should consider having something to eat before the wedding, no matter how worried you are about how the dress fits!

While food may be the last thing on your mind on your wedding day, it’s nonetheless important that you start the day with some healthy and filling nourishment. It’s going to be a long day and you’ll want to have plenty of energy so you can keep dancing and socializing for hours! Try not to change to much of your regular diet routine. It’s the unusual or rare items that you rarely snack on that won’t mix well with your nerves or traditional diet.

Also, be prepared with plenty of water or vitawater on site. It will keep you hydrated and cheerful all day long.

FYI: Stash a power bar snack in your purse or “emergency kit”

Pre-arrange for there to be something to eat at your honeymoon hotel (believe it or not, most couples are starving after the wedding day festivities and will want to re-fuel before the wedding night festivities!)

4. Keep Track Of Time With An Itinerary and  a PA
Whether you’ve worked with a wedding planner or carefully planned everything yourself, you should have an itinerary for the big day. Make copies, give them to a few good friends and/or close family members, then choose someone to be the “point person” or “personal assistant”  who will make sure things are running smoothly and on time. You will be able to rest easily knowing at least one of your “little helpers”  will keep track of the time while you’re busy greeting those out-of-town guests and brand new in-laws.

Cayla and Paul’s lighting consisted of par cans that were lit from the ground floor. Damask Gobo’s projected onto the dance floors and walls of the reception which created a warm and romantic ambiance for our birde and groom and their guests.

Did you know by adding simple lighting elements to your wedding, it can create an inertly different look and feel to your event?  How do you know which lighting elements are best for you and your theme of your wedding and what’s the “tech lingo?”

Want to take an illuminating approach to your wedding décor? Flip the switch and create the pizzaz needed to turn your site into whatever theme you wish. Lighting can be quite simple and can truly set the mood throughout your special event.

Here are few questions to ask when talking to an Audio Visual specialist:

1. Tell them the theme of your wedding. What type of feeling do you want your guests to feel once they enter into the ceremony or reception?
2. Do you want the mood to change throughout the evening?
3. Do you want patterns or textures on the wall?
4. Ask them what the labor cost is to set the lighting up?
5. Always tell them your budget otherwise these guys will give you the entire warehouse. Remember they are creative just like the florist or your décor company. There are so many lighting options out there and some of the simple pieces of equipment can truly create the look that you are going for while, other pieces of equipment may require hanging elements from a ceiling which inquires rigging which the cost can increasingly go up.

Here are a few simple terms to familiarize yourself with:

Pin spot: Is a focused beam of light that shines directly onto an object, like a centerpiece, gift table, or wedding cake, as a highlight effect.

Color wash: There are a few different types of light fixtures that can create a “wash,” which is basically a blanket of colored light covering an entire area.

Par Cans: Par cans are fairly inexpensive and less labor intensive and will project from the ground up. Different colored gels can be placed over the lamp to create the ambiance that you are looking for.

Gobos: Circular stencils that are put over a light to project a design or pattern. Popular gobo designs are monograms, dates, or any other wedding motifs. The complexity of the design will affect the gobo’s cost — a simple stencil can be stamped out of steel, while a more intricate design must be laser etched out of stainless steel or a glass that can withstand high heat (costing much more than a stamped stencil).

Led: Short for light-emitting diodes, LED lights are currently popular for weddings because they use much less electricity (and don’t get as hot) than regular, incandescent light bulbs. This means they can sometimes be wireless, so they’re even that much more discreet. LEDs are great for color changes and vibrant colors. They’re also common in strands and good for accent lighting.

How do I know what Ceremony and Reception Site is best for my Wedding?

This is one of the most important decisions to make at the beginning of your planning stages for your special day. Finding the right location for your ceremony and reception is the foundation to begin your wedding planning process. Once the location has been selected everything will fall into place.

There are several factors that go into deciding the best location for your ceremony and reception and usually cost is the first and foremost on your wedding check list. Everyone wants a beautiful setting but the question is can you afford it? Location costs can go anywhere from free at a family or friends residence to $25,000 for a luxury estate. Whether your location is free or costs a pretty penny there are a few items you need to take into consideration before signing your venue contract.

1. How big is the venue?
2. When is it available?
3. What are your peak week days? Most venues will have their peak days for weddings on Friday and Saturdays. Ask the venue if you book with them on an off date if there will be a discount, such as a Sunday, Thursday or a mid day wedding reception.
4. Can the site accommodate a ceremony and reception? Every location will have a maximum capacity. Some separate their capacities by indoor and outdoor events and by ceremonies and receptions. Make sure that this question is at the top of your list. Make sure that they can accommodate for your entire wedding party.

Hotels, Halls, Tents, and Mansions can accommodate the bigger receptions. Wineries, small estates and private residences frequently have limited space.

1. Don’t forget to ask what’s included in their site fee? One would think with a $15,000 dollar site fee several things would be included in that price? Not essentially. The more sought after sites usually will charge more. Often sites will include things like tables and chairs, maybe even white or ivory linens.

Venues that are already set up for catering, such as hotels or community halls usually have thrown

the basics: linens, tables, chairs, plates and utensils.  Private residences and estates are at the top of the list when it comes to high cost receptions. They usually do not have the space or the desire to keep rentals on hand so you have to bring or rent everything for the event and this could cost you a good chunk of change.

1. What are the restrictions? When reading through a location contract you will always see a section of restrictions. This is to protect everyone involved. Some may a little silly, but they are rarely negotiable. Sound ordinance could also be listed in your restrictions area. Make sure you check the times and make sure it corresponds with your desired wedding day timeline.
2. Alcohol: Some site may not allow a full bar and some may only allow beer and wine. These venues have it written on their insurance rider that guests cannot bring outside alcohol onto the premises. Usually you can get away with wine or beer. Just check if you are considering a full bar.  Some venues may insists that you provide a shuttle or valet service as parking is restricted or perhaps that property is hard to get to.

Always come up with a Plan B. No one likes to think about their wedding day not being perfect but make sure the site is set up for changes from Mother Nature or anything else thrown your way. If any part of your event is outdoors make sure you have a backup plan. Can you rent a tent? Can you move the party inside? What is the last date to cancel? If you do cancel, do you get any of your deposit back? You probably won’t need to act on any of these but just in case you’ll be prepared. I always say go with your gut and envision yourself, family and friends and your fiancé being there . If you have the fortunate situation that you can’t decide between two or three locations go with what feels right. Whatever you choose the venue will set the stage of what’s to come.