Wedding Cakes: Our Top Tips

Do you know everything there is to know about wedding cakes? The more informed you are, the better the decisions you will make. We've got you covered with our top tips.

Taste the Cake

As you start setting up appointments, find out when each baker's next tasting is scheduled. At tastings, clients are invited into the bakery to sample exemplary cakes, ask questions, and review portfolios. This is an excellent opportunity to meet bakers and fully understand the range of their abilities.

Select a Style

Deal with the cake after all decisions about dress style and reception decor have been made. These elements can serve as a blueprint for the design and structure of your wedding cake. Choose a cake that's compatible with the style of the venue, the season, your gown, the flower arrangements, or the menu. If you want colorful accents (such as sugar flowers or icing ribbons), give your baker fabric swatches. The cake should be part of the wedding, not a glaring sideshow.

Size

It Up

Generally, three tiers will serve 50 to 100 guests; you'll likely need five layers for 200 guests or more. If the reception is in a grand room with high ceilings, consider increasing the cake's stature with columns between the tiers. (A "stacked" cake is one with its layers stacked directly atop each other, with no separators.)

Price It Out

Wedding cake often is priced by the slice -- the cost varies, but generally ranges from $1.50 to $15 per slice (though this is a very general and loose estimate). The more complicated the cake (based on intricate decorations or hard-to-find fillings), the higher the price tag. Fondant icing is more expensive than buttercream, and if you want elaborate molded shapes , vibrant colors, or handmade sugar-flower detailing, you'll pay for the cake designer's labor.

Find Ways to Save

Order a small cake that's decorated to perfection but can only feed a handful (or even a fake cake made of Styrofoam, but one that's decorated in real sugar) plus several sheet cakes of the same flavor to actually feed the guests. Stay away from tiers, handmade sugar flowers, and specially molded

shapes. Garnish with seasonal flowers and fruit for an elegant (but less expensive) effect. If you'll have a dessert table (or another sweet) in addition to the cake, consider a cake sized for half your guests. Servings will be smaller, but the fee will shrink too.

Get the Facts on Frosting

Buttercream or fondant? That's the main question. Buttercream is often much more delicious. But if you love the smooth, almost surreal-like look of fondant as much as we do, consider frosting the cake in buttercream first and then adding a layer of fondant over the entire confection.

Consider the Weather

If you're having an outdoor wedding in a hot climate, stay away from whipped cream, meringue, and buttercream: They melt. Ask your baker about summer icing options; You might want to go for a fondant-covered cake -- it doesn't even need to be refrigerated.

Mind Your Magazines

Keep in mind, magazines (like ours) have food stylists, editors, and assistants working nonstop to keep the cakes looking perfect. These people spend hours fixing the sweating, dripping, leaning, or sagging that can happen to a cake after it's been sitting for a while. And if what they do doesn't work, they can fix it with Photoshop. They also have the luxury of creating cakes from stuff that isn't edible -- most cakes in magazines are iced pieces of Styrofoam, which certainly doesn't taste very good. So don't expect your cake designer to be able to replicate exactly what you see in print.

Take Note: It's All in the Details

When it comes to decoration, adornment costs run the gamut. The most inexpensive option is fresh fruits or flowers that, in some instances, can be applied by your florist for a minimal fee. On the high end are delicate gum paste or sugar paste flowers, which are constructed by hand, one petal at a time. But here's the bottom line: All add-ons -- including marzipan fruits, chocolate-molded flowers, and lace points -- will raise the rate. (For the record, we think it's worth the cost!)

Encourage Cake Collaboration

If you want to garnish your cake with fresh flowers, find out if the cake designer will work with your florist, or if you are responsible for the blooms. If the florist is running the show, will she have time to adorn the cake? Be wary of elaborate floral accents if your reception space decor is labor-intensive.

Get Him Involved!

The popularity of the groom's cake, traditionally a Southern custom, is on the rise. The bride's cake -- the one cut by the couple at the reception -- is traditionally eaten as dessert. The groom's cake is usually darker and richer (often chocolate) and nowadays crafted to show off the groom's passions and obsessions. Give slices to guests as a take-home memento or cut and serve both for dessert.

Go Mini?

Many bakers agree that the idea of a mini cake (where each guest gets his or her own) is a great idea -- in theory but not always in practice. Not only does each cake require its own decoration (often as intricate, if not more, than one that's four times its size), each will require its own box. Unfortunately, boxes don't come in mini-cake sizes. Often the bakery must construct individual boxes in which to transport these cakes. Multiply by however many guests you'll be having, and you'll see what a costly, time-consuming feat this actually is. That said, if you can swing it, they look amazing being passed around by waiters on sleek silver trays (and of course, they taste just as great too).

Get It On Display

Your cake will likely be on display before it's cut and consumed. Make sure there is a designated cake table that allows the most elegant presentation possible. A round table is perfect for round cakes, but a linear cake design may call for a rectangular table. Figure out your options. Once you have a cake table, have fun dressing it up: Drape it with sumptuous fabrics and decorate it with motifs, colors, and flowers to match the cake (your florist can help).

Top It Off

There are many beautiful and unique ways to top off your cake, so you can avoid plastic figurines (unless you're going for cool-kitsch). If you have an heirloom piece -- especially a fine porcelain antique -- work with your baker to integrate it into an appropriate design. A pair of sugar or gingerbread cookies can look charming atop a country wedding cake. Finely sculpted maple sugar or marzipan figurines are quaint. Other alternatives: a bouquet of sugar flowers, a cascade of icing ribbons, or even a sugar block carved out to reveal your new monogram.

Lock Down Delivery Details

Cake delivery takes coordination. Complex cakes may not necessarily be delivered in final form. Allow time and space for assembly, if needed. Refrigeration may also be required. For more on last-minute details, review our Points for the Contract.

After the Wedding...

Avoid freezer burn! Even if you take the most painstaking packaging measures, eating the top tier of your cake on your first anniversary sounds far better than it tastes. Think about indulging on your two-week or one-month anniversary, and treat yourself to a fresh cake in the same flavor when you've survived the first year. If you must adhere to tradition, wrap the cake in plastic wrap, then bag it in an airtight baggie. Stay away from aluminum foil -- it might not protect against freezer burn as well as plastic wrap because it's not an airtight material.

Ideas For A Perfect Wedding

Do you believe that you can have a perfect wedding? You can achieve whatever you believe and, having a perfect wedding can certainly be accomplished. Perfection and success are synonymous and, it is possible for you to plan a wedding that will not disappoint you. There are many aspects to a wedding and it is vital for you to put everything into perspective. Planning can prove to be a huge challenge only when you do not have the right information. Therefore, it will all begin with empowerment. You have to know not just what you are doing; but how to do it well. Planners play a major role to make sure that the event turns out perfectly. If you really want to make things superb, it is good to look into a good planner. They will come with a wealth of experience and all you have to do is tell them what you have in mind. If you do not have money for this, you can always plan the wedding with help from friends and family.

A perfect wedding will be just like you have it in mind. Therefore, it will be good to have a clear picture of what you wish to have. If you have a particular venue or destination in mind, share this with people who are planning and look for workable ways to make it possible. If you really want to have a winter wedding, you can have the perfect wedding you wish to have. If you are looking for a summer wedding, you can also work with it well. The kind of theme you choose will enhance the wedding to make it perfect. For example, if you are a cowboy person, you can have all elements that announce this fact and to you, it will be perfect. Perhaps it is vital to mention that you are looking for a wedding that will please you the most. Guests will appreciate your ideas and when you personalize them, they will see the kind of person you are and what you love. Therefore, pleasing the guests in attendance is important but, pleasing yourself as the bride or groom is more important.

Unlike what many think, a perfect wedding does not have to be an expensive wedding. However, money goes a long way in making a wedding perfect. All you need to have is focus on what you want to achieve. For wedding supplies, you can look for cheap places to shop at. Look for discounts and achieve accessories at a much lower price. Creativity will play a major role to make the wedding perfect. Do things differently so that they can appear to be more elegant. For example, invent your very own decor and style. You can also look in magazines to see how you can improve it. Wedding resources will open your eyes to new and different possibilities. When you have done all you can to make the event perfect, it is time to let everything flow. You will be happy to know that all worked out perfectly; just as you planned it.

Looking For Wedding Packages

As your wedding plans get underway, you seek for good wedding packages that will serve you right. Wedding packages can prove to be very helpful. You will have your mind relax and let the worry out. Good packages can prove hard to find. However, with the right search, you will be in a position to get great offers and packages. The best thing to do is to look for an all inclusive package. It will save you not just a lot of heartache but your money also. An all inclusive package will need to cater for all the wedding vendors, coordination and handling of all event detail. You need to know the right time to look for good packages. For example, when there is a public holiday, you are bound to bump into good offers. Keeping your ear on the ground will ensure that you get to know of the new packages. When you have an all inclusive package, you will have dealt with florists, photographers, caterers, minister, locations, set up crew, cleaners, entertainers, servers, all rentals and the list goes on. I'm talking about every detail of your wedding being catered for.

However, all inclusive wedding packages may not suit all people. You still have the option of going for wedding packages that are partial. For example, you can have one that will deal with caterers and florists. You can also have a package that will cater for the reception alone. This is where they get to coordinate the venue, cleaners, music, food and many others. There are packages that will help you ease your burden in this regard. Therefore, look for information on them. The best place to start is online. Here, you will learn a lot at the comfort of your space. You will not just have the opportunity to learn about the great offers but, you will also compare different packages and go for those that please you most. For more information on this and more, you can visit Wedding Vendors. It is a site dedicated to providing you information on all packages that will suit you.

As you look for wedding packages, you will also have the opportunity to learn more about modern trends in weddings. This site will provide great insight and ideas on how you can make your wedding elegant. If you wish to learn about ideas for favors of centerpieces, this is your one stop shop. Plus, you will get to enjoy numerous tips on how you can make your wedding look fabulous for less. If you are about to wed, visiting this resource center will not just leave you inspired but, it will give you a list of packages which you can choose from. Many wedding companies offer the packages and, when you search for the companies near your area, you will get to know what is available for you. Therefore, put your mind to rest and look for packages that will suit you. The companies will assure you that success of your wedding will be achieved. Their experience will guide them to create something that will definitely please you and your guests.

Wedding Invitation Wording Examples for Every Scenario

Gone are the days when wedding etiquette mandated that the bride’s parents, and the bride’s parent’s only, hosted the wedding. Today anyone can foot the bill, and with modern familial arrangements often anything but nuclear, there is no straightforward rule for wording invitations. Below is wording samples for some of the most common arrangements.

Have a circumstance not addressed here? Visit the complete list of wedding invitation wording examples at Elegala.com – Elegant Galas Made Simple.

Bride’s Parents Host – traditional
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe Smith
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Marie
to
Thomas Allan Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Bride’s Parents Host – variation mentioning groom’s parents
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe Smith
invite you to share in the joy
of the marriage uniting their daughter
Jane Marie
to
Thomas Allan Johnson
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe P. Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Bride’s Parent Deceased, Remaining Parent Hosts
Mr. John Doe Smith
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of his daughter
Jane Marie
to
Thomas Allan Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Bride’s Parent Deceased, Remaining Parent Hosts with New Spouse
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe Smith
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of Mr. John Smith’s daughter
Jane Marie
to
Mr. Thomas Allan Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Both parents and Bride/Groom Host
Miss Jane Marie Smith
and
Mr. Thomas Allan Johnson
together with their parents
request the favor of your presence
at their marriage
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Bride and Groom Host
The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Miss Jane Marie Smith,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Doe Smith
and
Thomas Allan Johnson
son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe P. Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening

Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Joint Hosts – Multiple Friends and Families
Please join family and friends
in celebrating the Marriage of
Jane Marie Smith and Thomas Allan Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Reception to follow at
the home of Dave and Carol Murphy
543 Main Street

Divorced Parents are Jointly Hosting
Mrs. Mary Peterson
and
Mr. John Doe Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jane Marie Smith
to
Thomas Allan Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Bride’s Remarried Parent & New Spouse Hosts
Mary and Bill Peterson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Jane Marie Smith
to
Thomas Allan Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Bride’s Divorced Parent Hosts Alone
Mrs. Mary Peterson
requests the honor of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Jane Marie Smith
to
Thomas Allan Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Both Parents Deceased, Invitations Issued by an Elder Brother
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan H. Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage his sister
Jane Marie
to
Thomas Allan Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Both Sets of Parents Host
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe Smith
and Mr. and Mrs. Joe P. Johnson
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Jane Marie Smith
and
Thomas Allan Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
Two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Groom’s Parents Host
Mr. and Mrs. Joe P. Johnson
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Miss Jane Marie Smith
to their son
Mr. Thomas Allan Johnson
Saturday, the sixteenth of July
two thousand and eight
at six o’clock in the evening
Peachtree Presbyterian Church
3434 Roswell Road
Atlanta, Georgia

Wedding Invitations - Tips to Remember

Wedding invitations are probably one of the most important items on your wedding checklist so you want to be properly organized. With so many things to remember when planning, preparing and mailing your wedding invitations, here is a short list of tips to help keep you on track.

1. Prepare your master guest list once you have gathered everyone's list of guests. This will provide you with the correct number of wedding invitations you need. Be sure to include bridal party attendants, parents, the officiant, etc. Remember, your invitation count will not exactly match the number of guests on your list since you will only mail one invitation to married couples.
   
2. Avoid paying for faster shipping methods and last-minute rushing by shopping and ordering early.
   
3. When placing your order, be prepared with all the dates, times, names (correct spellings) and location addresses that will be printed on your invitations.
   
4. Order a few extras to prevent running out and having to order only a few more later. If offered, purchase a few more envelopes, too, to allow for addressing errors.
   
5. Have printed or handwrite a return address on the outside of your mailing envelopes (traditionally on the back flap) so any undeliverable invitations will be returned by the Post Office.
   
6. Enclose a response card if you need an accurate guest count for food and seating arrangements. Remember to place a postage stamp on your response card envelopes as a courtesy to your guests. If you happen to be using a respond postcard, there will be no envelope so the stamp will go directly on the postcard (postcard postage is cheaper). Be sure to keep a copy of your guest list so you can check off guest names as their replies arrive.
   
7. Insert a direction or map card as a convenience for any guests who may not be familiar with the area of your wedding location.
   
8. Save on shipping costs by ordering your thank you or informal note cards along with your stationery instead of at a later date.
   
9. Carefully proof all information that will be printed on your wedding invitations AND have another person also proof before your order is finalized.
   
10. Address your mailing envelopes before inserting your invitations so you have a smooth flat area to write on.
    
11. Have one of your ready-to-mail wedding invitations weighed at the Post Office to make sure you affix the correct amount of postage.
    
12. Send them at least 4-6 weeks before your wedding - even sooner if you are having a destination wedding that requires guests to travel or if your wedding date is near a holiday.
    
13. Mail all of your wedding invitations at a Post Office rather than at a drop box.

These tips highlight just some of your invitation planning. To be truly organized, you may want to follow the guidelines of an actual wedding invitation checklist. This can be used as a guide when you select, order, prepare and mail your wedding invitations.

For Stress Free Wedding Planning, Treat It as a Project

Ask most married couples about what lessons were learned while planning their wedding and you'll get an earful of stories about what worked and what did not. Mostly what you'll find could be summarized into a list of things to watch out for. But what if we could ensure that the wedding experience was great without any costly mistakes?

The trick is to approach your wedding as a process. A project or process that has a clear start and end and to schedule out all the project tasks with deadlines. If you never managed a project before - fear not. Here are the tips for planning your wedding day.

Start by beginning your wedding and reception preparation as early as you can. And while some of the wedding planner software is very cool, all you really need is an inexpensive monthly planner that you can put note paper in. An ample purse or tote that you carry with you at all times is a good idea as well. That way you can place the monthly planner and pictures or other visual items in it and have them with you at all times.

Next, calculate how much you can afford. Most weddings these days run over $25,000. A good rule of thumb is that a traditional wedding with a formal meal, drinks and music at the reception, you will spend at least $125 per attendee. Of course there are methods to reduce that number by half or more. For now, start with setting your budget. Then you'll work out the rest later.
Having set what you'll spend you now need to set a date. The funny thing is that the date will be determined primarily by where you get married (e.g. the church's availability) and where you hold your reception. You'll need to check the availability of each place and since the reception hall (if they also provide the food and drink) will be the biggest impact on your budget, you can see why you needed to set the budget up front. In no case book a reception (with food and drink) that will end up being more than half of your wedding budget.

Keep to your plan. This is harder than it sounds. You'll be tempted with every purchase to outspend the budgeted amount but you need to approach this with firm resolve. Keep an open mind and you'll be surprised at how much you can save and still have the wedding of your dreams.

Don't forget the fun factor. Yes weddings can be stressful but if you have the plan done up in advance and don't spend more than you can afford, you'll be amazed at how much more relaxed and in control you are as compared to the thousands of 'bridezillas' who have gone before you.

Wedding Photo Do's & Don'ts:

Top 10 Ways to Ruin Your Portraits Without Even Knowing

Photography Expert Dan Creviston Shares Things to Avoid
and Tips to Ensure Flawless Photography on Your Special Day

After months of planning the finer details of your special day – the dress, the location, the guest list and more – your head will likely be spinning. But with so much to think about, it is important not to overlook your only opportunity to permanently capture your special day - your wedding photography.

According to the Bridal Association of America, each year couples spend nearly $5.2 billion on wedding photography, but your investment could fall short if you don’t plan ahead. Without realizing, there are 10 easy ways that you can take your photography from perfect to forgettable.

Top 10 Mishaps of Wedding Photography:

1. Not carefully choosing your photographer
Before choosing your photographer, take time to review their portfolio. If you don’t have someone with experience and skill, your photos will pay the price. Studios should provide album examples to review before you make your choice. If the studio does not allow you to choose your photographer, quickly move on!

2. Not chatting with your photographer a week in advance
It is important to discuss everything in detail with your photographer prior to the wedding day - don’t be afraid to be up-front about your expectations. Do your check in one week prior to the wedding so all instructions are fresh in the photographer’s memory. If you have specific requests, ideas to explore, or important don’ts to cover, express them. This is especially important because churches, synagogues, mosques and chapels may have specific areas that cannot be photographed. You don’t want any unwelcome surprises!

3. Not creating a photo "wish list"
Have you always dreamed of a romantic photo on top of a hill, in the middle of a field, or on a median along a busy street? Show pictures in magazines, old family photos, or any other visual to convey this to your photographer. From there, your wedding photographer should make your “wish list” happen.

4. Taking only stiff, posed pictures
Every album must have formal photos of the wedding party, but don’t let it stop there. It is important to have shots in a more relaxed setting – whether on the dance floor doing the electric slide or strolling around the reception.

5. Shooting at high noon
The sun is shining, the sky is bright, but what you may think is a perfect time to shoot is far from it. High noon sunlight creates harsh shadows on the face and doesn’t cast you in the best light – wait until the afternoon.

6. Sweaty, shiny photos
Of course it will happen - standing close together in full formal gear can turn up the body temperature. But don’t let shiny faces and (eek!) sweaty armpits take away from the special occasion. Be prepared with powder, anti-perspirant deodorant and paper towels!

7. Not scheduling enough time for the
photo sessions and driving time
It takes time to shoot pictures of the entire family, arrive at several different shoot locations and get all of those perfect shots with you and your hubby. Make your life easier – allot extra time for photography! As a plan of attack, get the large group shots finished first, starting with children and the elderly. Next, take pictures with the families and bridal party. Lastly, spend some alone time with your man and the camera, while the impatient herd heads towards the cocktail hour. After all, it is your day!

8. Badly positioned hands and feet
After several shots, you and your wedding party may become antsy – tapping fingers, leaning on one foot and fidgeting. It is important that your photographer works with you to keep everyone photogenic, focused and above everything else – comfortable.

9. Missing the small moments
There are signature special moments in a wedding – the bride and groom’s first kiss, the first dance between a father and new bride, the garter ceremony and cutting of the cake. But small moments - such as the flower girl smiling from the pew, a proud moment between the mother and father, grandma on the dance floor – cannot be missed!

10. Stopping photographs before the reception is over
Many couples want to turn the cameras off at 9 p.m., but some of the most memorable and interesting photos happen when the party really gets going. Keep shooting!

10 Wedding Mistakes To Avoid

On Bended Knee Wedding Coordination out of Los Angeles wants to help you avoid these common wedding pitfalls.

10. Don't Rock the Cash Bar - When it comes to alcohol at your reception, what you serve is entirely up to you. Whether you choose to serve a full bar, limited cocktails, Beer and Wine, or no alcohol at all will be based on various factors including budget. The one option that is not recommended is a Cash Bar. Your guests should be gracious enough to accept what is being offered to them. If however a guest feels the need for a drink selection that is not offered, chances are that he or she will be resourceful enough to find it.

Also, request that bartenders not put out tip jars. If you are hosting the bar, tell your catering contact that you are happy to pay gratuity to the bartender(s) but that you do not want your guests to feel obligated to tip.

9. Go flat! A huge number of brides give feedback that they wish they had worn flats, having kicked off their heels during the reception. As a bride you can expect to be standing for 8-12 hours on your wedding day. Be sure to break in your shoes well in advance. Even when wearing flats, unexpected blisters can form after a few hours on your feet.

8. Have a little faith. D.J.'s are perhaps the wedding vendor most micromanaged by couples. Too many song requests may actually impede the flow of your party. You hire your D.J. to judge when to play what music. You wouldn't instruct your Caterer step by step on how to prepare food, or your Photographer on what angles and lenses to use. Limit your D.J. request list to a few favorites and a do-not-play list of only the songs you cannot stand. Do not get carried away and have some trust.

7. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. What really matters most to you, the photographer, the music and dancing, the food and wine, the decorations, or being able to accommodate a large guest list? Put your money towards what you care about. You will have regrets if you skimp on what really counts. When you, the Bride and Groom are not footing the bill yourselves however, you may have to forfeit some financial decision-making. If this is the case you will need to compromise on certain priorities or if you really want that pricey photographer offer to pay for one yourself.

6. Bibbity Bobbity Boo. Wedding Dress shops are notorious for having your dress shipped in at the last minute. Think about it, if you owned a Wedding Dress Boutique you wouldn't want every brides dress held at your shop for nine+ months before their weddings. Schedule your first fitting well before your wedding. Your final dress fitting should be no less than 1 week prior to your wedding so that alterations can still be made.

Tuxedo rentals for all attendants must be tried on, that includes Dad. Whether the Tailor seemed to take precise measurements or not, too many men still show up at weddings with high waters or baggy tuxes.

5. Don't hit the road, Jack. Your wedding day is one of the biggest, most important days of your life. You will be exhausted and a bit disorderly the following day. Going away is the last thing you will want to worry about. Wait at least a couple of days before venturing on your honeymoon. Your wits will thank you.

4. Last night of single life. DO NOT hold your Bachelor or Bachelorette party the night before your wedding! This may seem like a no-brainer but many brides and grooms still practice the archaic ritual of drinking all night on that fatal evening. It is simply not worth it, as the Bride/Groom and your attendants will no doubt feel tired, look tired, have a hangover, or worse be sick walking down the aisle. If necessary, request that any out of town attendants arrive a day earlier to help you to prepare and celebrate a different night.

3. No Guidance. With no Director there are too many details left to too many people at your ceremony. Having a Wedding Coordinator allows for one person to coordinate your wedding party processional, music, minister, seating guests and to resolve any unexpected last minute complications. A Coordinator will ease the stress level of everyone, including you, tremendously on your wedding day. So if your location does not include a Wedding Day Coordinator who also directs your rehearsal, hire your own. A Wedding Coordinator may be much more affordable than you think.

2. Stretching yourself too thin. As the bride you will make everyone around you crazy by waiting until the last minute in planning and finalizing details. If you have a hard time planning and prioritizing on your own then get help. You don't want to be remembered as “one of those brides” that put everything off and then expected her friends and family to pick up the pieces, do you?

Do not commit yourself to social events the day before your wedding. This day is meant for you to wrap up loose ends, beautify yourself, attend your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner in many cases, and most importantly get some amount of rest for the day ahead. You are going to need it!

1. High demands. Try to keep in mind that although your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen may offer you extra help, these friends can become taken advantage of. The only "official obligations" of wedding party members are emotional support, the financial expense of wedding attire and travel, participation in the rehearsal and the obvious role on your wedding day. In the case of the MOH or BM, reception toasts are traditional as well. Other help that these individuals may offer should not be viewed as duties, but rather as acts of kindness including: setting up/tearing down, transporting ceremony goods, throwing a bridal shower or other party, distributing gratuities, and any other help that is offered.

Remember to be thoughtful towards your attendants. Bridesmaids may not be comfortable in 4 inch heels, purchasing new jewelry or paying to have their hair or makeup professionally styled. Do not forget to personally thank any bridal party members for taking part in your wedding, as well as family members who gave you assistance. A small thank you gift is always appreciated.