Written by Christina Oddo & Yanira Garza | Photography by Ashley Galminas Photography

The flower arrangements are full, fresh and overwhelmingly gorgeous. The band sounds heavenly. And the groom, handsome as ever, awaits his bride. Yet as she heads down the aisle, something seems slightly off…

Hair and makeup are a critical part of your bridal look, but countless brides make the mistake of waiting until it’s too late to test out their desired style. The result of skipping your beauty trials? Unexpected fashion disasters. Whether it’s your bright red lipstick looking more cartoonish than sultry or your towering updo getting mistaken for a bobby pin arts-and- crafts project gone wrong, almost all beauty disasters can be avoided by scheduling a hair and makeup trial three to six months before your wedding. In addition to acting as an interview for your glam squad, trials are a chance for both you and your beauty professionals to work out any kinks before the big day arrives. Still not convinced? Read on to learn more about beauty trials and how they’re essential to perfecting your wedding day look.

FIND A TEAM OF PROS.

You found what you think may be the perfect salon; now it’s time to book a hair and makeup trial appointment.

You wouldn’t head out on a road trip without making sure that your car was good to go, right? Believe it or not, the same logic applies to your wedding hair and makeup. No matter how many inspiration images you show up with on the morning of your wedding, the only way to guarantee you get that perfect Adriana Lima smoky eye (and that you like the way it looks on you) is to test it out way ahead of time.

All reputable beauty stylists should be more than happy to set up a trial or consultation prior to your wedding day. After all, some wedding styles can get really complicated, especially if you want an updo complete with braids, curls or bobby pins galore. In addition to it being proper industry practice, trials actually take a load of stress off your stylists as well. By meeting with brides ahead of time, stylists are able to come up with a look that they know is doable and that you know you love. If you’re working with professionals, your beauty trials should be a fun and informative experience that gets you all the more excited for your wedding day.

START PREPPING.

All hair and makeup trials are slightly different because no two stylists are alike, but there are a few rules that ring true across the board. When it comes to scheduling, give your stylists ample time to test out multiple looks, and block out about one or two hours for the trial. Another important step is to come to the appointment with ideas, but try not to overwhelm your stylists. Bring a few inspiration images for both hair and makeup, but don’t show up with an entire scrapbook of looks. Limit yourself to a few favorites and let your stylists take the lead from there.

If you book a makeup trial, arrive with a fresh, clean face. Put on a little moisturizer if it’s part of your routine, but don’t coat your face in anything heavy or oily. It’s also a great idea to bring some of your beauty staples along with you in a small toiletry bag, especially if you have sensitive skin and are worried about the stylist using new products on you. In addition to giving your stylist a better idea of what your makeup must-haves are, asking him or her to incorporate a few items from your personal stash can give you that extra level of comfort.

If the trial is with a hair stylist, resist the urge to show up to the appointment with squeaky clean locks. Hair styling actually works best on day-old hair, so stay away from shampoo (yes, even dry shampoo) and other sprays the day of your trial. Then again, although most stylists recommend that you come with day-old hair, some prefer to work with clean hair. Make sure to ask your stylist’s preference a few days before your appointment.

Do you have a beautiful hair piece or veil you want to incorporate into your look? Bring any and all crowns, fascinators, veils and other wedding hair accessories you’re considering along to your trial. The morning of your wedding is not the time for your stylist to figure out how to secure your pearl tiara, so make life easier on both of you by giving your stylist a chance to play around with your accessories well before the big day.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

If you’ve ever wanted to experiment with a certain makeup look or hairstyle, consider testing it out during your trial. Now is the time to play around with false lashes, hair extensions and other beauty boosters you may have been too shy to try out in the past. Keep in mind that one of the most important parts of stepping outside of your comfort zone is being able to speak up and be honest. If you hate the way false lashes look on you, politely tell your stylist that you aren’t so crazy about them after all. A professional doesn’t get upset or offended. Instead, he or she is going to see your honesty as a sign of trust, not a knock on talent. Good beauty stylists care about perfecting your bridal look just as much as you do. Both of you want to make sure you feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day. The only way you’re both going to achieve that goal is if you’re open to new ideas, but also comfortable giving honest feedback.

ONE AND DONE … MAYBE.

Not 100% satisfied with your look post- consultation? It’s time to walk away. It’s not always easy, but think of it this way: If you aren’t totally in love with your look on your wedding day, you can’t reschedule the wedding and try again on a different day. The good news, though, is more often than not, most brides find themselves content with how their trial went.

If you fall into this happy category, but want to give your stylists the chance to work with you a few more times before the wedding, consider having them do your hair and makeup for your engagement shoot, bridal showers, bach party or other wedding events. The more your stylists understand your hair and skin, the happier you’re going to be with the way your wedding day look turns out. Whether you’re using your tried and true hairdresser, or you’re testing out a brand-new stylist, giving him or her the chance to work with you prior to your wedding day is essential. No matter how well you think the stylists know you or how highly your friends recommended them, it’s critical that you build a relationship with your stylists and ensure that they’re the perfect fit for your wedding day.

Browse Atlanta beauty, hair & makeup stylists here.

Written by Stephanie Jewell | Photography by Rachael Schirano Photography

Believe it or not, your choice of flowers may be one of the most impactful aspects of your wedding décor. Flowers have the power to really set the mood and evoke a magical atmosphere. The bridal bouquet is the floral element that everyone is sure to notice — the guests are going to be giving you all of their attention as you walk down the aisle and your bouquet is going to be right there with you, front and center.

Thinking through your bridal bouquet can be a great way to begin the process of determining your overall floral design. But it’s not as simple as just picking out a few kinds of flowers you like and leaving it at that. Did you know that there are several different shapes for bouquets? Are you thinking about any extras you may want to incorporate into your floral arrangements? Do you know which members of your wedding party get flowers? Your florist can walk you through all of these details, but coming in with a few ideas of what you may want is always helpful.

A SHAPE FOR EVERY STYLE

First things first — what style of bouquet do you want? Your florist may tell you that there are many ways to customize your bouquet to your style and shape is one of them. Ask to see examples of different kinds of bouquets and look at plenty of pictures ahead of time to get to know your preferences. Bring several photos to your floral appointment. You may not know the name of every flower or arrangement technique, but a picture is worth a thousand words!

If you’re looking for a larger bouquet, there are several options to consider. For a dramatic look, choose the cascading style, which includes longer flowers and greenery spilling out and down from the center to create a voluminous waterfall effect. Another related style is the pageant (sometimes called presentation) style, which features long-stemmed flowers gathered together, meant to rest in the crook of your arm. You can also opt for the hand- tied style, which features a mix of flowers and greenery loosely tied together with a visible ribbon or twine, achieving an organic “freshly picked” boho look.

For the classic bride, the round shape is timeless, featuring one or two types of flowers gathered in an arrangement that looks good from any angle, with stems wrapped completely in ribbon or with other adornments. Brides wanting a smaller bouquet can opt for the nosegay or posy style, which tends to feature just one or two types of flowers in a small rounded bundle that can easily be held in one hand. This look is popular for bridesmaids, leaving one hand free so they can help the bride with anything and everything in a pinch!

Shape is not the only physical element you have to take into account when thinking about your bouquet. You also have to pay attention to how big the bouquet is in relation to your body. For taller brides, the sky’s the limit — go for a cascading look or an overflowing bundle if you want. For shorter brides, it’s best to go for a smaller look. You don’t want your flowers to overshadow your face or cover up a large portion of your dress!

MATCH YOUR LOOK

Your bouquet never stands alone — it is always seen with your wedding gown as a backdrop. Because of this, it’s important to match your bouquet to the style of your dress. If you are wearing a more ornate dress, full of beading or intricately patterned lace, think about choosing a simpler bouquet so that your dress takes the spotlight. This may mean that you choose one color for the flowers or use fewer blooms. With a more modern, simple gown, you can either match the minimalistic look with a simple bouquet or you can go a bit more dramatic with the flowers. If you’d like the bouquet to take center stage, go ahead and mix many different kinds of flowers or use several colors together.

When you meet with your florist, be sure to bring along fabric swatches or detailed photos from your dress and your bridesmaids’ dresses. That way, he or she can see the exact color palette. For instance, your florist may use a different shade of flower to match a champagne- colored dress than he or she would for a bright white dress. And a pink bridesmaid dress may mean something quite different to you than to your florist.

Besides matching your general aesthetic, you want your flowers to make sense given your venue and the time of day you’re holding your wedding. An outdoor daytime wedding is perfect for bright and sunny blooms like sunflowers, tulips and peonies. The sunlight and open spaces allow those flowers to shine!

In contrast, if you’re having an evening wedding indoors, you need to keep in mind how your bouquet may look under the venue’s lighting and alongside the interior décor of the space. Does the lighting in your tall and spacious church allow all the details in your bouquet to be noticed? Is there colored carpet, tile or draping in your hotel ballroom? All your wedding plans should intertwine in some way or another. While you don’t need to necessarily match your flowers to the design elements of your space, it’s good to be mindful of them so they don’t clash with each other.

SEASONAL BLOOMS

No matter what aesthetic you are going for, the time of year that your celebrations occur play a huge part in your flower choices. If you have your heart set on daffodils, hosting your wedding in the fall is not going to bode well for your floral hopes. While many flowers are available throughout a large part of the year, there are some specialty blooms that you can only get during one season. Talk to your florist about which flowers you have in mind, and be ready to take his or her suggestions for alternative blooms that give you the look you’re going for. For instance, garden roses or hydrangeas can often substitute for peonies, which are beautiful, but only available for a very short amount of time.

Don’t think about seasonal availability as a limitation — embrace it! Try not to get attached to the particulars. Once you give your florist some inspiration photos and color schemes, let him or her run wild and use their professional knowledge to work floral magic. Chances are, your florist achieves a look that goes beyond your expectations.

WHO GETS WHAT?

After you decide on the shape, size and blooms for your bridal bouquet, you need to think about flowers for the other people who are helping you celebrate your big day. Of course, the bride gets the most dazzling bouquet, but who else gets bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres?

There are no hard and fast rules for this, so choose whomever you would like! But keep reading for some of the traditional guidelines.

BOUQUETS

Typically, each bridesmaid gets a bouquet that mimics or takes inspiration from the bride’s bouquet. You never run out of great photo ops when you and all your friends have beautiful blooms to show off. If your flower girl doesn’t have anything else in her hands (like a basket or a sign), it’s a cute idea to give her a mini bouquet as well. She’d love being your mini-me!

CORSAGES

Corsages are meant for the women in your family or any woman you would like to honor, including ceremony readers and other guests who have a special place in your big day. Whether you give corsages only to immediate family members (such as mothers and grandmothers) or you offer them to all your important cousins and aunts, be sure you are consistent with providing them to relatives on both sides of your families. You don’t want anyone to feel left out.

You may see women wearing corsages in different ways — some pinned onto dresses, mimicking how men wear boutonnieres. Many women pin the corsage on the left shoulder of their dress. But they may worry about snagging or ruining a delicate gown. An alternative is to opt for a bracelet-style corsage that is typically worn on the left wrist. Or you can ask your florist if he or she offers a magnetic option to minimize the risk of damage to expensive fabric.

Both wrist and pinned versions can look beautiful, so it’s best to go with whatever makes your special ladies feel most comfortable. You may find it helpful to talk to the mothers to see which style they would prefer and which option they think would work best for everyone.

BOUTONNIERES

Grooms and groomsmen typically wear boutonnieres, also known as buttonholes, which are pinned to their left lapel. But other men involved in your wedding can receive boutonnieres as well, including fathers and grandfathers of the couple, ushers, other family members and even the ring bearer. This is a special way to give a small thanks to the important men in your life.

SPECIAL TOUCHES

It’s easy to overlook the way your bouquet is held together, but don’t forget the finishing touches. Most bouquet styles have visible stems, which means that your wrap choice matters, and personalizing this part of your bouquet opens the door for creativity and allows you to show off what makes you unique.

The standard option for wrapping your stems is a satin ribbon in the color of your choice. But why not go beyond the traditional look? You can choose other materials to wrap your bouquet. Try burlap or twine if your wedding is rustic, velvet if you’re going for a elegant theme or lace from your mother’s wedding dress for a personal tribute.

Another way to upgrade your bouquet is to attach glitz or family heirlooms to the wrap. Going for a glamorous aesthetic? Ask your florist to attach some sparkly accessories like gemstone brooches or appliques. Or perhaps you’d like to honor your family history by incorporating some heirlooms into your bouquet. It could be a piece of your grandmother’s handkerchief, a locket passed down from generation to generation or even cufflinks from someone special.

After the celebrations are over, consider preserving your flowers so that you can insert them into a scrapbook or keep them as a token from your special day. Of course, there are professionals who can preserve your flowers to ensure the best quality. Do some research for the best professional preservationist that can encapsulate your flowers and wedding day memories for years to come.

Your bridal bouquet is one of the most visible aspects to your wedding day look, so take the time to think through all of your available options! Your florist can be a wealth of knowledge for you as you decide on all of the details. Remember to take advantage of him or her as a valuable resource as much as possible. By putting in extra love and effort, you can add major floral flair to your big day.

Browse area florists here.

Written by Emma Sarran Webster | Photography by Jasko Omerovic Photography

Hitting the Right Note

Music has a powerful way of conveying feelings and emotions. You know that one song that comes on the radio? Yeah, that song. The one that you have to stop what you’re doing to belt out the lyrics, reliving your college glory days? Well, now it’s time to think about what song you want to turn on to take you back in time to your first dance with your new spouse. This significant moment, among many others, will stand out to you as you look back on your big day.

By working closely with the musicians or DJ that you have chosen, you can craft the perfect soundtrack for your special day from the prelude at the ceremony to the last dance at the reception.

PRELUDE

Think of it as welcoming music. This is the music that is played as your guests arrive to the ceremony and find their seats. You should plan for about 30 minutes of prelude music to play in the background before the first person walks down the aisle. Many couples choose selections that incorporate harmonious music, instrumental tracks or soft acoustic songs. As you pick these melodies, remember that the prelude music will be among the first details to set the mood and tone of your big day.

WEDDING PARTY PROCESSIONAL

This processional is played when your wedding party and certain family members, like parents and grandparents, walk down the aisle. The processional music not only helps build anticipation and excitement for your entrance, but also sets the tone for the entire ceremony. A classical song like “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” for example, can set the stage for a traditional Christian ceremony. If you’re planning an upbeat, unconventional ceremony, you can go the route of a modern pop song to let your guests know this wedding will be a more contemporary celebration from start to finish. Of course, you can also land somewhere in the middle, picking a song that holds meaning for you and your loved ones like a mellow, contemporary ballad.

Try to make sure that whatever you pick is different enough from the prelude music (which plays when guests are filtering in) so that everyone knows it’s officially time to start.

PRIMARY PROCESSIONAL

The moment the couple walks down the aisle is an immense one and music plays a big part in conveying the emotion that comes with it. A selection like “Canon in D” beautifully communicates a feeling of romance for both traditional and more contemporary ceremonies. But if you want to personalize this moment even more, you can choose a tune that holds personal significance to you, like the first song you ever danced to as a couple or one with lyrics that really speak to your relationship.

The primary processional music does not have to be different from the wedding party’s processional. If there is one song that speaks to you for both, feel free to stick with it, but consider pinpointing a spot within the music (such as a big crescendo or a key change) that adds an extra “oomph” to your entrance. If you use a song with lyrics, make sure you closely review what they are ahead of time. Plenty of breakup songs are set to beautiful melodies, and that’s not exactly something you want playing at your wedding.

RECESSIONAL

The recessional song, which begins when you and your new spouse walk back down the aisle, tends to be more celebratory and upbeat than the processionals. It’s the score behind the first steps you will take as a newly married couple and it begins the transition from your ceremony to your reception. Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” is one of the most traditional tunes for this occasion as it imparts the importance of the moment with powerful beats.

There are plenty of other directions you can take depending on your personalities and the style of your wedding, though. For example, The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” is a less emphatic, but equally joyful tune, and American Authors’ “Best Day of My Life” is perfect for the couple who loves a contemporary twist.

RECEPTION ENTRANCE

Your first official introduction to your guests as a newly married couple is during your recessional, but your entrance to the reception heralds the true start of the celebration. The music that plays when you and your new spouse walk into the room, and join your waiting guests sets the mood for the rest of the reception. For the rest of the night, your guests will take their cues from you, so if you are sending a message that says, “Let’s party and have fun!” they will heed it and join right in.

FIRST DANCE

Of all the musical moments throughout your wedding day, your first dance is perhaps the one that most clearly conveys who you are as a couple. All eyes will be on you, and while your dance moves play a part in showing your guests

your style, it’s the music that you are dancing to that really sends the message. An upbeat ‘90s classic, for example, can symbolize your quirkiness and lightheartedness, while an emotional ballad may represent your enduring love through good times and bad. Of course, choosing an upbeat song doesn’t mean you don’t have enduring love and vice versa. If you are having trouble deciding on a song, consider the overall vibe of your wedding and which of your top choices may fit that best.

FINAL SONG

After many emotional and joyful hours, your wedding day will finally come to a close. Just as the first song sets the tone for the reception, the last song punctuates that feeling upon your exit. It’s the last thing your guests will hear (and dance to!) before they leave. They may carry the feeling of that song with them as one of the strongest memories of your entire reception.

As with the other song selections, consider your personalities and the overall wedding vibe. You can choose to end the night on a romantic note with a sentimental ballad, such as “At Last” by Etta James, to represent your love. Or, you can conclude on a celebratory note with a high-energy song, such as “Shout” by The Isley Brothers, to get everyone on the dance floor one last time, or you can have the best of both worlds with a cheeky classic, such as “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. Have fun with this one — pick something that will send you and your guests off smiling.

Browse area bands, DJs and music entertainment here.

Written by E. Ce Miller | Photography by Jasko Omerovic Photography

If you have just finished the monumental task of planning an entire wedding, chances are the last thing you want to do is stress over planning and packing for your honeymoon.

After all, those post-wedding travels are specifically for you and your new spouse to kick back, relax and think about nothing other than how much you love one another … and when to order the next piña colada.

Anyone who has ever traveled before knows that things go much more smoothly if there’s been some planning involved — especially when it comes to packing for a trip you not only want to look and feel your best on, but also probably photograph extensively. (You still have that just-wedded glow, after all. No Instagram filter needed.) Knowing what to pack, how to keep everything organized and when to actually set those bags by the door can seem daunting, especially if you’re dealing with wedding planning burnout. But trust us, packing for your honeymoon can be much easier than you think.

WHAT TO PACK

Before we dive into what to pack, you probably want to make sure you have “the where” nailed down — flights booked, hotels reserved and any major activities planned. Make sure you know the climate and the actual forecast for your travel dates.

Next, be clear on what kind of trip you’re actually packing for. Are you an adventure-seeking couple looking to embark upon some extreme excursions? Are you a foodie duo planning on dining in some of the finest restaurants your destination has to offer? Maybe you are planning to kick back and relax on the beach with some books and beverages. Even if you don’t have a complete daily itinerary arranged, having a general idea of what kinds of activities you would like to do can help you know what items should fill your luggage.

The first items that should make their way into your carry-on luggage are all of your important travel documents. Set aside a folder and store everything in there. Travel documents include:

• Airline tickets and confirmation numbers
• Passports, visas and other necessary IDs
• Credit cards or cash to convert if you’re traveling abroad
• All hotel and activity reservations
• Any medical information you may want to have on hand (including prescriptions in their original bottles)

Now comes the fun part! If there is ever a time to overpack (at least slightly), your honeymoon is that time. This isn’t the vacation to suddenly become stingy with your suitcase. If you’re not sure how many fancy evenings out you are going to be enjoying, pack assuming it is one or two more than you’re expecting. Include both practical and romantic lingerie. (Keeping it sultry 24/7 may seem like a good idea until you’re walking around the Bahamas in 100-degree heat.) Also, don’t forget a cozy airplane outfit and a versatile sweater for any chilly evenings.

The one exception to the overpacking rule is shoes. They’re heavy, they take up tons of space in your luggage and those strappy sandals are not worth honeymoon blisters. Grab activity-specific footwear (i.e., a pair for the beach, a pair for long walks, a pair for nights out and a versatile spare) and leave it at that.

Once you cover the basics, take into account those items that may not immediately come to mind. Is there a beachy book you are longing to read? Do you want print photographs as well as the thousands you undoubtedly take on your smartphone? If so, that nice camera belongs in your carry-on. If you’re not great at sleeping in unfamiliar spaces, throw some earplugs and a sleep mask in your bag as well. The last thing you want keeping you up all night on your honeymoon is the room of college students spring-breaking down the hall. If you’re honeymooning abroad, don’t forget things like outlet converters, basic language guides and any tourist books you may want.

HOW TO PACK

If you’re super-organized, now is the perfect time to put those skills into action. Consider packing for each day at a time instead of taking on the whole trip at once. This may eliminate some of that overpacking, although overpreparing is better than underpreparing. Go through a full day in your mind — from the moment you wake up until the moment you tuck yourself into that soft hotel bed.

WHEN TO PACK

Be sure to pack for your honeymoon well before the last-minute wedding preparations kick into high gear. Aim for two to three weeks before you’re set to walk down the aisle. If you are planning on leaving for your honeymoon straight from the wedding reception or early the next morning, make sure your wedding planner or a member of your bridal party is in charge of getting all those bags exactly where they need to be, so you can easily grab them and hit the road when it’s time. This person can also be in charge of your wedding dress, the gifts and all the other items from your wedding day.

See, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Happy trails!

Start planning your honeymoon here.

Written by Emily Conley | Photography by Photography by Lauryn

When was the last time you planned a large-scale, eight-hour party for 100 guests, including food, entertainment and extensive wardrobe selections? Unless you’re a professional event planner, chances are you never planned such an involved affair. But it can’t be that hard, right?

All in all, a wedding is really a complicated, full-scale party that requires hundreds of decisions and dozens of external vendors working together to pull off one fabulous event. Most of us don’t have the time, energy or expertise to put together a wedding completely on our own. But don’t despair, that’s when wedding planners enter to save the day.

When you hire a wedding planner, you are hiring someone to oversee all the details of your big day so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the party. Something like the electricity hookup for the catering staff is the last thing you need to think about before walking down the aisle to marry the love of your life. Do yourself a favor and take some of the wedding stress off yourself by hiring a professional.

Besides, due to the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus public health crisis, and its resulting restrictions and safety precautions, event planning just got that much more difficult. Wedding planners have the knowledge and experience to build flexibility into contracts while pivoting and adjusting strategy with your vendors if an unforeseen circumstance impacts your big day in any way.

When you’re ready to find your wedding planner, we have some of Chicago’s best right here in the pages of this issue. All you have to do is decide how much help you need. Are you starting to feel less stressed already?

TIERS OF SERVICE

Wedding planners generally offer different tiers of service, priced according to the amount of time involved and services offered in each category. Before hiring a wedding planner, you and your partner should decide how much of your budget you’re willing to spend, and how much help you truly need. Once you understand the volume of work you’re able to take on and how much you need or want to outsource, you can get to work finding a wedding planner who offers the type of assistance you need.

FULL-SERVICE WEDDING PLANNING

If you have an incredibly demanding job, chose to have your wedding in a location where you don’t live, or feel completely overwhelmed about how to start planning such a big event, then a full-service planner is probably the best choice. The investment for comprehensive wedding planning generally ranges from 10% to 20% of your total budget. In return, your planner helps you pick a wedding date, secure a venue and hone in on the specific style and vibe you want for your big day.

They will guide you through selecting your vendors, including a photographer, DJ, caterer, and florist. With his or her knowledge and recommendations, you can save hours of scrolling through reviews. Furthermore, your planner attends all vendor meetings with (or for) you and can assist with pricing negotiations. Depending on the wedding planner you work with, you’re probably going to receive at least one wedding planning assistant in addition to your full- time event planner. Full-service wedding planning typically begins shortly after you get engaged and runs through the day of your wedding.

PARTIAL WEDDING PLANNING

Wedding planners may have their own term for partial wedding planning, such as month-of planning, but it generally falls between full-service planning and day-of coordination. If you already booked a venue and have a general idea for what you want your wedding to be like, partial wedding planning services are perfect for you. You get help with establishing a wedding day timeline and narrowing down your design choices, while still maintaining control of the details. You’re probably going to have one or two sit- down meetings with your planner in the days leading up to your celebration, not to mention email access to your planner throughout the process.

If you decide partial planning services are right for you, be prepared to make some big decisions (like where and when to host your wedding) on your own, but feel confident knowing you have a professional to help you with the details.

DAY-OF WEDDING COORDINATION

The term “day of” is a bit misleading, as no one could come in only on your wedding day, and effectively manage all of the details and vendors. Day-of wedding coordination usually begins at least eight to 12 weeks before your big day. Your wedding coordinator meets with you once you’ve hired all of your outside vendors, and takes over to finalize details and confirm their coverage times for the actual day. You can expect your day-of coordinator to provide you with a timeline of events and manage the logistics of your wedding day. They also generally attend your rehearsal and coordinate any outstanding payments or gratuities.

WEDDING PLANNER OR SUPERHERO?

Most wedding planners are expert event planners with a touch of superhero thrown in. Weddings involve a lot of people and large numbers of people generally mean a few disasters are inevitable. Most planners have already solved every kind of crisis and most usually occur without the couple even knowing what had happened. From a grandparent passing out during the toasts (they were completely fine after getting some hydration) to a melting wedding cake, wedding planners are innate problem solvers. If they have been in business for a while, chances are there are very few issues they haven’t handled.

Imagine you’re in the stunning wedding dress of your dreams, you just married the love of your life and you are on your way to celebrate with everyone at your reception. You step out of the limo and straight into a spilled cherry slushie on the sidewalk. There’s red liquid staining your white dress and you are about to walk into a room full of people who are going to be looking right at you. If you hired an experienced wedding planner, there’s no need to cry. They’re going to whip out some of the white chalk they carry around for just this moment (who knew?) and color right over the glaring stain. No one’s ever going to know the difference. That moment right there is worth every penny you spent to hire a planning pro.

MONEY MATTERS

Weddings are not cheap. Even small, seemingly simple affairs require a significant investment. It can seem daunting to spend a chunk of your wedding budget on a planner, but not hiring a professional can end up costing you even more. Planners know the ins and outs of the local wedding market, which means they know which vendors you can trust and whom you should stay far away from. The expert advice and knowledge your wedding planner brings to the table can help you avoid expensive mistakes. A good wedding planner double-checks every contract and every decision to make sure all of the details are correct. They ensure you don’t end up with a room full of gardenias when you paid for peonies.

VISION AND REALITY

You may have dreamt of your wedding day for years. Maybe you know exactly what you want the room to look like when you walk in hand in hand with your new spouse to be introduced to your guests for the first time. Or perhaps you have a Pinterest board with thousands of ideas, overflowing with inspiration. While it’s fun to imagine things in your mind or look at them on a Pinterest board, bringing that vision to life is a challenge. One of the greatest benefits of a good wedding planner is his or her ability to look at your inspiration, talk to you about your desired style and vibe, and then turn those ideas and dreams into something magical.

A good wedding planner also knows the difference between Pinterest and reality. Your budget may not line up with your Pinterest dreams. He or she can help manipulate your budget and offer creative solutions to design your dream wedding, while keeping things realistic and within your budget. (However, one common misconception is that wedding planners can save couples money when it comes to negotiating contracts. While your planner may have a working relationship with a company that could cut costs a bit, a discount should never be expected.)

Wedding inspiration can quickly become overwhelming and impossible to wrangle. How do you pick a color palette that evokes the timeless, elegant vibe you know you want, but can’t really describe? How do you make sure you’re staying within your budget? A wedding planner has the expertise to take your dreams and intangible ideas, and turn them into a cohesive, gorgeously styled wedding day.

ADVICE AND MEDIATION

Weddings tend to cultivate unique conflicts. Bringing together two families is inherently tricky and, when you throw in all the logistical details and personal feelings involved in a wedding, the situation can get sticky. One of the best parts of having a wedding planner on board is that he or she can act as a mediator. Maybe you’re too scared to tell your future mother-in-law that you think her favorite flowers are tacky and ugly, but your wedding planner can tactfully inform her that you’re using specific floral arrangements without it feeling personal. If you have a particularly challenging bridesmaid who questions every decision, you can direct her to your wedding planner who always has your back.

Then there’s the plethora of advice you receive when you hire a planner. Not sure if a venue is big enough for your guest list? Your planner can tell you. Can’t decide if you should have live music or a DJ? Your planner can give you a rundown on the pros and cons of each, and help you make a decision. Completely lost when it comes to wedding gown styles? Your planner has seen every body type walk down the aisle and knows what gown is going to impress. Wedding planners live in the wedding world — they know what is trendy, tacky and tasteful.

WEDDING DAY DETAILS

It may seem obvious, but perhaps the biggest service a wedding planner provides is coordinating the actual wedding day. From what time your hair and makeup should be completed to sending the wedding party down the aisle, a planner has the knowledge and skills to make your day run flawlessly. Hiring a wedding planner also frees up your family members to enjoy your day instead of working to make sure everything goes to plan.

Your mom deserves to relax and enjoy your wedding day, too. You cannot coordinate your reception setup while you’re busy walking down the aisle and exchanging vows. It takes a lot of work and expertise to pull off a once-in-a-lifetime event. Even the most organized of couples can’t successfully enjoy their big day if they are simultaneously trying to manage it. Plan to hire a wedding planner and make sure there is room in your budget to cover the level of service you need before you make any other decisions.

Browse local wedding planners here.

Written by E. Ce Miller | Photography by Rachael Schirano Photography

Well, you’ve done it. You have finally settled on your guest list, sent out all those invitations you so thoughtfully designed and diligently gathered the RSVPs that came flooding in. It sounds like you, my friend, are smack dab in the thick of wedding planning. At this point, if there’s one task on that big day to-do list that you’ve been putting off, it’s probably the seating chart.

Compared to dress shopping, cake tasting, ring designing and floral arranging, planning the seating for your wedding reception can seem like a total snooze fest. But it’s also one of the more important elements of the entire day. How you choose to handle this task can either lead to a room full of smiling, dancing guests or an evening ending with awkward encounters between estranged family members. So, for better or for worse, it’s a task that you must complete.

The good news is that you don’t have to plan your seating chart alone. From that fantastic wedding planner you hired to your ever-helpful parents, there are plenty of people who will be more than happy to assist you as you take on the job ahead. Get started with these tips and tricks for a successful seating arrangement.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.

If you are waiting for those last, lingering RSVPs to trickle in — don’t. If you have already followed up with your invited guests who haven’t responded and you still haven’t heard back, it’s the kids’ table or the highboy beside the DJ booth for them. (And honestly, even Miss Manners would say it serves them right.)

Putting off your seating chart until the last minute is a definite no-go. It’s a fairly substantial undertaking and just ask any wedding planner: They’ll say it’s something you’re going to want to get settled and off your mind sooner rather than later. (All the more energy you can spend focusing on veil length and custom cocktails — am I right?) If the deadline you gave your guests to RSVP has passed, and you’ve heard from most of the family and friends you are going to share your “I dos” with, it’s time to get cracking on the seating chart. So grab some of your favorite snacks — and your fiancé, of course — and start planning.

START WITH CATEGORIES.

Think: family, college friends, high school friends, office buddies, distant relatives, friends of your parents and — if they make the cut — all the kiddos. Organizing your guests by categories, whether that means making a list, an Excel sheet or labeled piles of RSVPs, will not only help you determine whom you want sitting where, it’ll also help you figure out which of your guests will be the most comfortable sitting next to each other.

While it may be tempting to sit your college roommate next to your BFF from grade school (you’ve always wanted them to become better friends and what better way to bond than over their mutual love of you, right?), if they’ve only spent a few passing moments together, neither one is going to appreciate an evening of inescapable small talk, especially if all their own friends are sitting elsewhere. This isn’t speed dating; it’s your wedding. Seat your guests next to the people that make them comfortable and whom they’re guaranteed to have the most fun with.

MAKE AN OFF LIMITS LIST AND THEN STICK TO IT.

Yes, off limits as in: These people can in no way sit within earshot, eyeshot or arm’s length of one another, under any circumstances. Put aside any dreams of your wedding day becoming the occasion upon which your estranged in-laws finally make peace and put those folks at opposite ends of the room (or at least opposite sides of a very large table) from one another. Nothing about too much champagne and a few sappy love songs says: “Maybe it’s time to reconcile.” You’ll thank us later!

KEEP YOUR BESTIES NEARBY.

While you won’t be spending much of your wedding reception seated (you’ll be greeting guests, circling the room, dancing, taking tons of photographs, etc.), you are going to want to sit down and actually eat the food you spent so much time sampling at some point. By placing a table of your BFFs between you (and your well-deserved meal) and the rest of the room, you won’t feel obligated to make casual conversation with your parents’ work pals while your chicken piccata gets cold. There will be plenty of time to chat with them later. Meanwhile, let that table of friends run interference while you eat.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR SOME INPUT.

Speaking of your parents’ work pals, unless you’ve been dropping in to visit your parents at the same office every week since you were a kid, chances are you don’t have a clue what the interpersonal dynamics of your parents’ workplaces are like. When it comes to seating the guests your parents invited to your wedding, enlist their help. I guarantee they will be more than happy to tell you who gets along best with whom and who has been fighting over replacing the photocopy paper for the past decade. Don’t be afraid to delegate.

REMEMBER: NOBODY LIKES A SINGLES TABLE.

While weddings were once a one-stop- shop for matchmaking (at least, that’s what the rom-coms from the ‘80s seem to portray), nowadays nobody — and that means nobody — likes a singles table. From the perspective of your guests, it can definitely be both a little bit embarrassing and a whole lot of boring. Seat your guests by the people they already know and love, and they’ll be guaranteed to have a good time.

Think your cousin and your coworker would totally hit it off? Find the time to introduce them before your wedding — maybe your instincts are spot on and they’ll end up as each other’s dates. If not, they won’t be forced to spend an evening awkwardly trying not to bump elbows as they cut into their beef Wellington.

ON THE FLIP SIDE: EVERYBODY APPRECIATES A KIDS’ TABLE.

Have the rug rats you know — and, OK, generally love — made the guest list? Then it’s definitely worth thinking about having a kids’ table. Not only will all of their parents have more fun with their littles stashed away in their own kid- approved space, the kiddos themselves will definitely have more fun seated with others their own age. It’s a win- win situation. Plus, if your caterer is featuring a few kid-friendly options on the menu, having all those little eaters seated in the same place will make your servers’ evening easier as well.

WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUALLY ARRANGING: WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER.

So, you’ve thought about it all, now it’s time to actually diagram who belongs in what seats. Do so in a way that makes sense to you. If that means digital, snag a PDF of the reception floorplan from your wedding planner and start clicking keys. Does your brain run better on old-school technology? A giant bulletin board and some color-coordinated Post-its should do the trick. Are you a lover of lists? Then number (or name) each table and line up the guests accordingly.

Definitely keep the overall flow of the room in mind, too. For example, give your favorite guests the best seats in the house, put the kiddos closest to the bathrooms and don’t seat the grandparents next to the DJ’s giant speakers.

HAVE FUN WITH THE BIG DAY DISPLAY.

Now that the hard part of your seating chart is done, it’s time to have some fun! The seating chart is just one more fun and festive way to show off your big day style — so be sure to get creative (while keeping things organized and easy for your guests to understand, of course). A table lined with numbered cards is a simple and classic approach, but that’s definitely not the only way you have to go these days.

Want to welcome your guests by inviting them to imbibe that fancy bubbly you bought? Consider listing their table numbers on champagne glasses, alongside pretty, personalized glass tags. For a rustic wedding, string some rope across a few picket fence posts and attach your guests’ place cards with colorful clothespins. Is travel a trend in your relationship? Name each table after a location from your globetrotting lives and pin each place card to a giant map. Hosting your reception beneath some starry skies? Constellation-themed table numbers with corresponding place cards may be the way to go. If you’re celebrating all things vintage on your big day, a display of vintage picture frames, each featuring a different table, is cute and creative.

Have way too many guests to work in that much whimsy? Something as simple as an alphabetized board (in calligraphy, of course) may work for you.

STILL NOT INTO ASSIGNED SEATING? NO PROBLEM!

If assigned seating — and all the charting that goes with it — is just not for you, don’t worry. Assigning guests to a table and then letting them determine their own seating from there is a great way to keep all your guests organized without micromanaging every single detail. Is hosting a formal dinner not really the big day vibe you’re going for? In that case, consider some more creative seating, such as a mix of high and low tables, some couches and cushions, and a blend of indoor and outdoor arrangements (weather permitting). Pair more casual seating with hors d’oeuvres and a passed dinner, and your guests will be free to mingle, move around and change seats as they please.

No matter how you decide to seat your guests or what creative seating chart you incorporate into your big day, the most important thing to keep in mind is that seating arrangements are a great way to show your guests just how much you love them and appreciate their presence as you proclaim “I do.” Thoughtfully arranged seating will not only ensure success on your big day, but it will also tell your guests you thought about them and you are really glad they are there.