Shoes. I love them. Most all women have a love for shoes, so choosing fabulous heels for your wedding day is a given. But even the most seasoned wearer of the high heel can have some aching feet by the end of a wedding day. From pre-ceremony photos to dancing the night away, your feet will take a beating. Does this mean you shouldn’t have stylish shoes on your wedding day? Of course not! Just follow this practical advice to keep the pain and swelling at bay…
Before the Wedding Day:
1. Do some moisturizing treatments so that feet are cracked or dry on your wedding day. A couple of my favorites are from Bath and Body below…
2. Wear your wedding shoes around the house to break them in.
3. Place some stylish insoles in your wedding day heels.
Day of Your Wedding:
1. Wait to put on your heels until you have to – standing around can cause your feet to swell.
2. Consider taking a pair of flats or flip flops to wear during the per-ceremony photo session, especially if you’re walking to several different spots with your photographer. It’s a little bit of a pain to take your shoes on and off when you’re in a wedding dress, but that’s what your bridal party is for. Ask for help!
3. Have a bin of His and Hers flip flops near the reception dance floor – this has become quite a popular practice these days, and both you and your guests can dance the night away in comfort.
After Your Wedding Day:
Just one thing to do – have that incredible new husband of yours treat you with a relaxing foot rub – you’ve earned it!
Should we see each other before our ceremony? As a Phoenix wedding planner, this is a question I get from a lot of my brides and grooms, so I thought it might be a good thing to talk about since wedding season is in full swing here in Arizona!
The bottom line is that it’s your decision, of course, but I’m personally a big fan of couples seeing each other first.
The biggest reason to see each other before the ceremony is so that the photographer has a good amount of time for a photo session with the two of you. You both will be fresh faced and excited, which always makes for great photos. These photos can be done after the ceremony, but make-up retouches are often needed, and the time is often limited because you have the rehearsal to get to. Plus, you will also have to add in family photos at this time with the two of you.
Another reason to see each other before the ceremony is that it allows the two of you to have some last moments alone before making your promises to each other as husband and wife. We always set the meeting moment up in a special place where no one else (except your photographer) is around. The wedding day is full of activity and people, and it’s a nice way for you both to stop and breathe together.
The last reason is that it helps the jitters go away, while still being a special moment when you first lay eyes on your future spouse. You still get that experience of taking each others’ breath away, but can relax and talk before you do it in front of all your guests.
As more of our military men and women are being called up for active duty to serve our Country, many are choosing to solidify their commitment in holy matrimony before they go. A military wedding is steep in tradition, and following are a few guidelines and tips for those who wish to incorporate those into their marriage ceremony.
If both the Bride and Groom are members of the military, they have the option of wearing their uniform or wearing traditional wedding attire. Choose what feels most comfortable based on how traditional the military wedding will be. Full ceremonial-dress uniform of the service and rank is often worn – blue in winter, white in summer – including white gloves and swords (for the Navy and Coast Guard) or sabres (for the Army and Marines). If members of the honor guard are also wedding attendants, they must wear military dress. No one not wearing full dress uniforms can carry a sword or sabre. Military decorations replace boutonnieres on men’s uniforms; a bride in uniform may choose to still carry a bouquet. If the Bride will not be in uniform, she should complement the very formal style of the military uniforms by wearing a long, elegant dress. Non-military groomsmen dress in traditional formalwear (ie, tuxedos or suits), as do non-military bridesmaids or attendants wearing equally formal long dresses.
For the ceremony, you may choose the military chapel or your own church or synagogue. If you attended a military academy, you may marry there if you are a graduate (active or retired), a child of a graduate, or a member of the faculty or staff. Each academy and military base has its own guidelines. It is well recommended that you verify your plans well in advance with the proper military authorities, and don’t forget to get permission for flowers, music and photography from the chaplain. For an overseas wedding on or off base, determine what papers are required before a spouse-to-be leaves the United States.
For invitations, choose one with either gold-braided edges, an ink drawing of crossed swords, or the insignia of the branch of military you belong. When wording the invitation, the only difference is that the groom and/or bride’s rank and service are indicated. When rank is captain or higher in the Army, or lieutenant senior grade or higher in the Navy, the bride’s, groom’s, or guest’s title appears before their name. A lower rank would be listed after the name: Max Smith, Ensign, United States Navy. Mr. is never used to refer to an officer on active duty. When in doubt, contact your wedding coordinator or the military chaplain or protocol officer at your base for more information.
The procession for a military wedding is standard according to your faith, but the recessional is dramatized by the traditional arch of steel swords or sabres. The arch is formed by an honor guard made up of commissioned officers and symbolizes a safe passage into marriage. It may be formed outside the church or synagogue, in front of the chapel, or both, depending on house of worship rules, branches of service, and personal preference. On command, swords or sabres are raised with cutting edges facing up. The couple enters the arch, kiss, than pass through. The newlyweds, in uniform, salute the honor guard. Officers then sheath the swords or sabres and return them to carrying position.
For the reception, the Bride and Groom may wish to feature regimental decorations and music, including miniature flags and the theme song of the Groom’s and/or Bride’s branch of service. At a seated reception, military guests are shown to their places in order of rank. The highlight of the celebration comes when the Bride and Groom cut the cake using a sword or sabre.
Remember, a professional wedding consultant can be a tremendous asset in helping the Bride & Groom plan their perfect military wedding celebration.
Arizona is becoming one of the most popular places in the United States for outdoor weddings, both for locals and destination bound brides and grooms. From our beautiful desert scenery in the Valley, to the mountains up north, we are making our mark as a wedding hot spot, and we’re not just talking about the weather.
Even though you can have an outdoor wedding in Arizona just about any month of the year, the most desirable months are in the spring, fall, or early winter. The weather is often just about perfect during these months, with mild temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and very little humidity. Take note, because of this, Phoenix area wedding venues tend to book out a year or more in advance for a Saturday wedding. Though you can never predict what Mother Nature will do, you can feel pretty safe planning your outdoor wedding in the Phoenix area during these months.
It used to me that weddings in Arizona only occurred September through May, but with incredible rates offered in the summer, we’re seeing more and more weddings booked year round. This can be risky especially during monsoon season (July-August), but the deals are pretty significant.
One of the best things about Arizona is that it’s not too far of a drive to get out of the summer heat and drive north for a wedding in either the Sedona or Flagstaff areas. The scenery up there is breathtaking, and makes for an easy destination wedding from the Phoenix area.
I want to thank Phyllis Lane for all of the amazing photos below, perfectly capturing the beauty of these Arizona outdoor weddings!
Suzanne and Steve were married in December at Silverleaf and enjoyed their evening reception at the prestigious DC Ranch Country Club.
Ashley and Scott were married at their private residence in December.
Carina and Drew’s wedding took place during the month of March at the famous Royal Palms in Phoenix.
Laura & Bryon wedding took place in the month of November with breathtaking views of Sedona as their backdrop.
A crowd of hungry for love, single women standing in a circle to elbow their way to catch the ever coveted bridal bouquet is a tradition that has stayed strong for many years. It’s mostly just for fun, and often pretty entertaining for the rest of the wedding guests, but what if you don’t have that many single women at your wedding? What if this tradition doesn’t fit with the overall feel and atmosphere of your wedding? Fear not – it’s your wedding and you can ditch or keep any traditions you want!
Here are a few alternatives to the traditional bouquet toss:
1. Dedicate your bouquet to someone special in your family, like your mom or grandmother. I was at a wedding several years ago where the bride did this, and it was incredible. The bride’s grandparents were married for 52 years before her grandfather passed away. The bride prepared a short but heartfelt dedication to her grandmother, thanking her for setting an example of how to have a lasting love and marriage. There wasn’t a dry eye among the guests, and it was a special moment for grandmother and granddaughter they’ll never forget.
2. Have an “Anniversary Dance” where couples who are married come to the dance floor and are eliminated by years married until the longest married couple is left, then present the bouquet to them. This will often be the bride or groom’s grandparents, so again can be a special moment for the newlyweds and a couple they look up to.
3. Dedicate the tossing bouquet to a close friend or family member who is engaged, wishing them well on their wedding planning and wishing them the kind of love you have with your new husband.
4. Throw a “break-away” bouquet. This is a bouquet of flowers loosely tied together. Just before tossing, the bride will untie the ribbon so that the bouquet of flowers separates and showers the girls. Everyone gets a flower! You can even have your wedding florist tie special notes around each stem with well wishes for finding love.
5. Just skip it altogether. This seems obvious, but I’ve come across brides who worry very much about what people will think if there is no bouquet toss. Guess what – no one will notice! Your guests are there to enjoy themselves and celebrate your special day.
As a wedding planner in AZ, I’m noticing more and more that the trend of a Spa Day for the bachelorette party is becoming more and more mainstream, as bridal parties are often looking for an alternative celebration to the traditional rowdy night. And what better place to be able to choose a fabulous spa day than in the Phoenix area? There are so many fabulous spa resorts! It’s the perfect way for all the girls in your bridal party to get away and relax, and spend some time together in a pampering environment.
Some popular spas in the Phoenix area include The Willow Stream Spa at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess; The Spa at Camelback Resort, VH Spa at Hotel Valley Ho; and Spa Avania at the Hyatt at Gainey Ranch. For a little adventure, you could even take a drive a bit out of town, up north to The Four Seasons, and add in a hike up Pinnacle Peak, followed by some relaxing spa time.
Outdoor sitting area at The Hyatt's Spa Avania
This is a great time of year to hit the spas in Arizona, especially with Spa Week coming up April 16-22! Another perfect time of the year to plan a spa day is in the hot summer months – many resort spas offering amazing deals to locals who need to get out of the heat!
It’s such an honor to be asked to stand up next to the bride and groom on their wedding day, however it also involves some extra time, money, and attention. For this reason, as a bride and groom, you should put some thought into the personal gifts you will give your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Think about your bridal party, and also think about your budget. Not all wedding budgets are created equal, so we’re giving ideas from practical to extravagant, and a few in between. Maybe one of these will work perfectly for you, or will spark some ideas of your own!
BRIDESMAID GIFTS:
Purchase, or put money toward, the bridesmaids’ dresses
Personalized robe, slippers, cosmetic bag (click photos to view links)
Custom jewelry from local designer, Designs by Claudia
GROOMSMEN GIFTS:
Pay for the tuxedo rentals
Personalized cuff links from Red Envelope
Personalized Garment Bag or Leather iPad cover (click photo to view link)
As Murphy’s Law goes, absolutely anything can happen on the day of your wedding from the wedding dress zipper breaking, snags in bridesmaids’ dresses, buttons popping off tuxedos, forgotten rings or vows – the list goes on. But how to you ensure your day goes off without a hitch? Be prepared! Below is a list of items to pack in a “survival kit” for your wedding day. Better yet, this is a great project to delegate to someone in your bridal party!
WEDDING DAY SURVIVAL KIT FOR THE BRIDE:
Clear nail polish
Stain stick
Sewing kit
Double-sided tape
Deodorant
Breath mints
Bobby pins
Pain reliever and antacids
Extra set of vows
Feminine products
Hairspray
Drinking straw
Earring backs
Nail file
Safety pins
Oil blotting papers
Dental floss
Shoe insoles
Visine
Super glue
WEDDING DAY SURVIVAL KIT FOR THE GROOM:
Extra black socks
Shirt buttons
Sewing kit
Extra him/her rings
Double-sided tape
Deodorant
Breath mints
Pain reliever and antacids
Extra set of vows
Hair product
Nail clippers
Safety pins
Shave cream
Razor
Dental floss
Lint remover
Visine
Super glue
Below are links to some of my favorite products to include in your kits – they are fashionably packaged, useful, and affordable! (Click on each photo to go to the product site).
In the last couple weeks, I’ve talked about key questions to ask when hiring a few important wedding vendors – your photographer, florist, and cake designer. Today we’re going to finish out the series in talking about my favorite, hiring a wedding planner!
Remember that anyone can call themselves a wedding planner, so understanding what kind of experience potential planners have is a must!
KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL WEDDING PLANNER:
One of my favorite elements of any wedding is The Cake. These days, wedding cakes can be such works of art, and with shows like Cake Boss and Cupcake Wars, we’re seeing more and more over the top creativity in wedding cake design.
But all cakes are not created equal, so do your research…..TASTE them. Pretty on the outside does not always equal delicious on the inside. What better research could there be than eating cake?
KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL WEDDING CAKE DESIGNER/BAKER:
Can you do a custom cake design or are there designs to choose from? If they will do custom, ask about pricing differences for custom design
What is the cost per person (or per slice)? You should have a good idea of how many guests will be attending your wedding before ordering your cake.
How far in advance do I need to order my wedding cake?
What flavors and filling flavors can I choose from? This is the fun part….you can taste them.
How many cakes/fillings can we try at our tasting?
Can I choose different flavors for different tiers of my cake?
Are you a licensed baker?
Will you provide a cutting knife and cake server?
