Questions for Stacy: Home for the Holidays

Question:

Hi Stacy.  My fiancé and I recently got engaged, and will be spending time with our families over the holidays.  We’d like to use some of this time to get started on the wedding planning.  What sort of questions should we plan  on discussing with our families?

 Answer:

First off, congratulations! What an exciting time for you, your fiancé and your families. Tending to some wedding business while enjoying your family’s company sounds like a very smart plan.  Here are some topics I’d suggest you try to cover while you’re home for the holidays:

1. Who would we like to invite?  (We encourage couples and their families to make an A, B and C invitee list, as the venues’ capacity may dictate which list you are able to work from). This is also a good time to chat about whether or not you will invite children to the wedding.

2. What is the ideal wedding month/date for both families? While you won’t be able to run the date by everyone, we recommend coming up with a list of at least three dates that work for both families, just in case your venue of choice already has several dates booked, you’ll have a few back-ups.

3. Where is our ideal venue?  (If you have no idea where to begin, think of some locations that are special to your family ~ such as a summer vacation spot or venue in your hometown ~ or locations that are special to you as a couple such as the place where you first met, had your first date, got engaged etc.)

4. What is our overall wedding budget?  How much will each party plan on contributing (Bride’s family, Groom’s family, Bride & Groom)?

5. Who do we want to be in our wedding party?  Do we want to include children in the ceremony?

Photo by Saskia de Laat

Happy Holidays!

Cheers,

Stacy

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Questions for Stacy: When and Where Should I Set up my Registry?

Question:

Hi Stacy.  I am recently engaged and am wondering when I should set up my registry.  Additionally, with how many companies do you suggest I register?

 Answer:

Congratulations!  Setting up your registry is one of the most fun activities you and your fiancé get to do together, because it allows you to dream big and start to piece together the way you want your new home to look.  It’s a good idea to get your registry underway before you send out your Save The Date , as your friends and family might want to send you an engagement gift when they receive it.  It’s also a good idea to determine which companies you’re going to register with before you set up your wedding website, as this is where this information should live (registry information should never be included on any of the wedding-related mailed pieces, except for any showers that are thrown in your honor).

I think it’s wise to keep your registries to a maximum of three companies.  Some of our favorites are Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, REI, and Amazon.  An alternative option for the bride and groom who already live together or feel that their kitchen and bedroom are already well-situated is to register with a company such as HoneyFund or Wanderable, which allows guests to purchase dining experiences, adventures and overnight stays that a couple hopes to enjoy over the course of their honeymoon.  We’ve also had some clients sign up with a company such as JustGive, which works like a registry to send funds to the philanthropic organization of their choice.

Your registry should be as unique as you are as a couple, so have some fun putting it together!

Cheers,

Stacy

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Questions for Stacy: Who should I invite to the rehearsal dinner?

Question:

Hi Stacy.  My fiancé and I are in the beginning stages of planning our Rehearsal Dinner. As far as guest list goes, who is typically invited?

 Answer:

Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner includes the Bride, Groom, their immediate family members and the members of their bridal party.  For many couples, this has evolved over time to include extended family and out-of-town guests.  It’s also a tradition for the Groom’s side of the family to pay for the rehearsal dinner celebrations, so the final guest count often depends on their budget for the evening.

A good solution for those couples who want to include more of their wedding guests is for them to host a welcome reception or coordinate a place for everyone to meet up after their rehearsal dinner.  That way they are able to enjoy a more intimate rehearsal dinner before meeting up with the larger group in a more casual setting.

Cheers!

Stacy

Photo by Gertrude & Mabel

Click here to read our last helpful Questions for Stacy blog entry, which explains the difference between Escort Cards and Place Cards

Questions for Stacy: Escort Cards versus Place Cards

Question:

What is the difference between an Escort Card and a Place Card?

 Answer:

Good question: this is a common misunderstanding.  An Escort Card, which lists a guests name (and sometimes their date), is used to direct people to their assigned dinner table.  A Place Card, which lists each guests name individually, is placed at a specified seat at the assigned table  to indicate each guest’s seat.  When a guest has pre-selected their dinner entree, it is particularly helpful to use Place Cards at the event.  Place Cards indicate their entree choice to the waiters, who will easily know where to place each dish.

Cheers,

Stacy

Escort Card Station – Photo by Gertrude & Mabel

Place Setting that doubles as a Menu – Photo by Gertrude & Mabel

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Questions for Stacy: Hair & Makeup Services for Bridesmaids

Question:

What is the protocol for providing hair and makeup services for my bridesmaids?  As much as I’d like to pamper my bridesmaids by providing both services, my budget does not currently allow for it.  Do you have any suggestions for a good compromise?

 Answer:

Good question.  It all depends on whether or not you have a specific look in mind for photographs, as well as what you think your bridesmaids’ needs will be.  If there is a more specific hairstyle you’d like each of your bridesmaids to have, it would be wise to hire a hairstylist to achieve that look.  In our experience, women feel more comfortable applying their own makeup while leaving the hairstyling to professionals.  You might suggest that your bridesmaids pay a visit to their favorite department store makeup counter prior to the wedding for some tips on achieving their ideal look for your wedding.  To save money on makeup artists, you could check to see if anyone within the bridal party feels comfortable applying eye makeup for the other bridesmaids, allowing each bridesmaid to take care of their own foundation and powder needs.

Another alternative to taking care of hair and makeup for all of your bridesmaids is to let them know you’ll take care of one of their services – either hair OR makeup.  This way, they can let the professionals take care of the one service with which they need the most help.  You could also give them the option to pay for the other service on their own.  This will allow all your bridesmaids to look and feel their best while standing beside you on your big day, without breaking your budget.

Cheers,

Stacy

Photo by Gertrude & Mabel

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