MAKING THE MOST OF A BRIDAL EXPO

A bridal expo is the place to get ideas and meet with potential vendors for your wedding. There are lots of vendors and so little time so you need to go prepared. First, do not go alone. Bring with you a member of your family along with some members of your bridal party to help with critical decisions and help you cover lots of ground. (This is where you bring in your fiance too, so he feels he's actually part of the planning process).

Next you need to be in comfortable shoes and clothing. You'll be on your feet almost all the time so you need not stress about your aching feet or uncomfortable clothes. It is a good idea to eat a small meal before setting out—it will keep you from wolfing down an excessive number of  chicken wings and cake. Over eating will only slow you down.

Find out if the vendor you're talking to will actually be available on your day, as opposed to sharing too much information with someone helping out at the booth. As you'll be giving your contacts out to so many people, why not save on time by pre-printing your own business cards with details of how you'd like to be contacted, either by phone or e-mail.

Look for a vendor who genuinely cares and is interested in your event. You should always feel comfortable with a vendor’s attitude toward your event. Most importantly, have fun. This is where you might get your wedding gown, see your decor come to life an get a good honeymoon deal! Attend fashion shows, relax and enjoy yourself.

SEE YOU @ SAMANTHA'S BRIDAL FAIR

 We're excited to be a part of the upcoming Samantha's Bridal Expo from the 27th of Feb to the 1st of March this year. Come and interact with us for a look at our wedding planning packages, as we share insights on venue selection, selection of gowns, floral designs and much more.

THE MORNING AFTER.......

On Valentine's day, a bunch of guys asked the question, "Will you marry me?" and an equal number replied "YES". After all the buzz around the day and excitement, I decided to take a minute and congratulate all the newly engaged as you begin your journey. The sheer excitement is one you should treasure because it is a moment you won't get back.

You probably want to start digging your heels in and start the process of planning but my advice is, wait for it....... simply, WAIT FOR IT!! You might wonder why you need to do that but take a breath, let your breathing return to normal and for the "edge" to wear off.

Your engagement is something you should savor and bask in before you dig into planning,as the planning process will take your time and mostly drain your energy and most forget that the end process of it is getting to say "I DO" to the person you love as opposed to stressing over the journey.

Most people start thinking about planning a month after the proposal, which is a good enough time, and that's where professionals like me come into the picture. Before then, busk in your proposal and enjoy this time.

THE COMFORT SERIES.....Vol 2: THE GOWN

Now that we've figured out the shoes, let's solve the wedding gown dilemma. I've seen a countless number of brides suffer wardrobe malfunctions on their day simply from picking the wrong type/ size gown for their body type.

Sure we all (mostly) want to lose some weight for that day hence shop around for a smaller size gown with high expectations but exercise is something you commit to months in advance because the results might be slow in coming. Shopping for your gown a month to the wedding with such expectations will not only leave you uncomfortable, but most probably without a dress that fits!

First, know your silhouette. When browsing around, look at photos of real women wearing gowns rather than models to get a true picture. Let's examine the different types of silhouettes. Ball gowns flatter all shapes though may be overwhelming for a short, small bride. They come with additional fabric for volume so might not be the best option if a lot of dancing is involved. They are perfect for a formal ceremony.

A-lines are terrific for those who want to hide lower body flaws. They have no extra bulk hence are excellent for moving around and dancing.

Go for sheaths if you have a slim figure. You will be frustrated if you have flaws to hide as this fit won't do you any justice no matter how good it looks on the mannequin. Your poor choice will remain forever carved in your wedding photos.

Empire waist gowns are slowly rising in popularity. Though perfect for pregnant brides, they can be worn for that casual, not so formal outdoor wedding. Give it a twist by choosing light, flowing fabric.

Consider your bust size when you're choosing whether to have straps or not. Fuller busts often require straps as opposed to smaller types for comfort in moving around and dancing without having to readjust all the time.

THE COMFORT SERIES......Vol 1: SHOES

For the next couple of posts we'll focus on how important comfort is for your wedding day and highlight the different areas that make brides uncomfortable. For today, we'll put a spotlight on shoes. Two very important interests clash on your wedding day. Comfort vs style. Is it possible for both to win? We know that both have a very big impact on your day.



In my opinion, your comfort should be your top priority given that you have invested so much in making sure your guests are well taken care of. This is your chance to look out for yourself!! Of course every bride wants to choose shoes that photograph well and look good when they peek out of your gown. So how do you remain stylish and still stay comfortable?

My first tip would be get the right size shoes. Not too big and not too small. Your feet won't shrink magically on that one day so don't fall for that myth about feet expanding especially if you won't have the time to 'wear them in'. You want to be able to dance with your guests and mingle.

 Remember you will be on your feet 80% of the time, choose shoes that you can stand on for a long time. I would recommend thick heels or wedges. Wedges are good for outdoor weddings because you won't sink in the sand.

With the ever changing trends, shoes are no longer the traditional white we're used to. To show off your pedicure go for a peep toe or a great idea is choosing blue shoes for your 'something blue'. Pick shoes that you'll be able to wear even after the wedding is over so you don't feel bad about spending so much on them.

If style is very important to you, why not go for two pairs of shoes, one to walk down the aisle and photograph in, and a separate 'get down' pair for all the dancing thereafter. Remember, it is possible to be comfortable and stylish without limping toward your honeymoon.

BRIDAL SHOWER

Along your journey to the altar, there are bound to be several parties along your way. Some couples choose to have engagement parties, along with the other traditional celebrations. Other parties celebrate you as a couple but the bridal shower is specifically designed for the bride. This doesn't mean that you should rush off to start organizing your shower, it simply means that you should pass this along to anyone ( close friend, relative or best friend) who might be willing to throw you a bridal shower.

It is important to pick a theme separate from the wedding theme since you still want to surprise the guests on the wedding day. Some themes include; breakfast at Tiffany's, slumber party, time era ( 80's, 90's), movie theme, and so on. Keep it simple and intimate since most resources should be targeted to the wedding budget anyway. When sending out invites, avoid sending out emails, these are the bride's closest friends and loved ones, and they reflect on her. Something printed will be appreciated.

Games are a popular shower activity so research on a few to keep guests entertained. Visit pinterest for a few ideas ( follow our INSPIRATIONS board on Zuri Bridal). Remember, timelines are important so plan early in advance and have some fun!

CREATIVE "I DO"

You've thought out everything, or almost.... about your ideal day, but still want ways to make it even more personal to fit your personality and tell your story creatively. Saying your own composed vows is one way, and it's extra special to you because your partner will appreciate the extra thought and swoon even more for you :).

How about having your guests write their guest book wishes on the back of puzzle pieces that you and your partner can enjoy putting together later? or better yet, having them write their best wishes for you and putting them in labelled anniversary bottles so you literally have your own 'message in a bottle' to read for every anniversary?

Take it a step ahead and instead of the traditional bouquet throw, give your bouquet to the longest married couple, your parents, or a sibling who's also married in honor of the years the couple has spent together. there are so many ways you can make your day better, go on, get creative and have fun!

B FOR BRIDESMAIDS

He asked and you said ‘Yes’. Before you say I do, there are lots of things to be considered and among the important questions to ask yourself is, who do I want standing next to me on my big day? Choosing the right bridesmaids might seem easy to some but we all know or have an idea of how daunting the task can be.

Do you choose family, or friends? How long do you need to have known your friend for to make her a potential bridesmaid or why one over the other? These are no doubt questions that ran through the bride’s mind but it is always important to bear in mind that your event is just one day, while relationships are a lifetime. My best advice is, stick with dependable people.

Stay true to yourself and your vision for your day and make all your friends feel included by assigning different tasks even to the ones who do not make the cut. You’ll definitely need your friends around to help keep some things in check (or people) and your planner though might want to be super woman for you, there’s only so much she can do about your more outrageous demands.

WEEKEND LONG WEDDING?

Imagine if, your day long lunch, dinner, cocktail or evening party celebrations, could last all weekend!! Not your typical destination wedding, but somewhere all your guests can access and share in the festivities all weekend long?

A weekend get-away allows you to spend more time with your guests in an intimate way without rushing through the whole ceremony and worrying about time. Your guests are saved the pressure of rushing to and from their homes to beat traffic, they wake up refreshed ready for your big day, (or should I say days....)

If you have the budget to spare, want to spend more time with your family and friends and want a memorable experience for both you and your loved ones, why not do it over the course of a weekend?

2015 TRENDS

The biggest trend so far this year is individualism. Couples want to break away from the norm and showcase who they are as opposed to conforming to the current patterns. we see this as far as decor is concerned, infusing rich African themes in favor of flower centerpieces, and choosing color palettes with bolder accents.

Classic elegance is making a come back. Formal tablescapes, soft lighting, formal flower arrangements as well as lavish fabrics. Centerpieces are not confined to tall floral arrangements, but rather to short intimate bouquets, or better yet hanging them like chandeliers. No more playing peek a boo with fellow guests!

Florists are taking it a notch higher by mixing different flowers with non floral items such as fruit, berries, brooches or paper cut outs. The finished look is nothing short of magical. Wedding stationers saw lots of vibrant colors last year but so far, elegant, minimalist designs are taking over.

With color palette changes, decor or venue selection to suit your needs, we will make your experience in trend, memorable and fun too!

THE 'B' WORD

Wait for it........ It honestly isn't about what you think. Follow along as we talk about your wedding budget. This is core to your big day. Your budget will determine whether or not you get the wedding of your dreams. Many elements go into the budget and these include;

1. The planners fee, (if you're getting a planner)
2. Catering
3. Vendor fees
4. Floral
5. Entertainment
6. Gown..........

The chart below better illustrates all that needs to be budgeted for.

It is important as a couple to highlight the things that are most important to you and spend the bulk on these.  Knowing the type of wedding you want then allows you to calculate a per-person budget. Remember, location is key. Different venues come with different prices. Caterers, decor and entertainment are definitely the big-ticket items.  A significant slice of your budget is directed and dedicated to the catering.

A wedding planner will keep you within your budget since she has worked with different suppliers and knows the market very well. Of course some costs overlook the budget and this is where the planner is also instrumental.

These include, but are not limited to wedding dress alterations, overtime costs in case you ran past the agreed upon time with vendors, clean up and break down costs, just to mention but a few.
the most important thing is to be smart, plan wisely, and of course get a planner.