Bridal Tips From Lidia
Protect those Proofs! Many battles have ensued after weddings regarding the status of wedding proofs. (A fancy term for your wedding pictures in their earliest stages) These stills can be a symbol of your marriage for years to come, so be sure to take care of them, and know who will have them after all is said and done.
Ask About Those Proofs! Ask your photographer how many proofs they will take during your wedding day. For a Wedding day, the average rolls around 300 pictures for complete wedding day coverage. Discussing how many pictures wanted, and when to take them can alleviate some of the stresses associated with watching your photographer chilling at the open bar while the groom is giving you a speech. It's very important to understand who owns the proofs after the wedding is over. Many photographers will retain ownership of the wedding proofs unless it is understood beforehand that the bride and groom would like to own them. Note: keeping wedding proofs can add to your photographers' overall cost.
Break In Those Shoes! For many females, there's nothing quite like buying a new pair of shoes! A new pair of shoes can instantly put a girl in a good mood-that is, if they fit. Your wedding day is probably the most important day to look your best, but many brides neglect the fact that it's just as important to feel comfortable.
Make sure you break in your shoes before your wedding day! First, you want to break them in enough, so you don't get any blisters on your wedding day -What a way to kick-off the honeymoon! (No pun intended) Be sure to wear your shoes around the house for a few hours. Even a trial run around the town (shopping in the mall) would be a good idea, and worth the weird looks. Second, you want to make sure you have good traction on your shoe's bottoms to prevent a wipe-out down the aisle (or along the slippery floors of a reception hall) Take a couple minutes to "scuff-up" your shoes along your driveway. Make sure those shoes fit! Trying them on in the air-conditioned stores without pantyhose is a wedding faux pas. Leave some breathing room for your tootsies-they'll thank you for it! Being comfortable and confident on your wedding day will go a long way towards avoiding those "fake smile" wedding photos that have a way of rearing their ugly head. Be happy, feel comfortable and wear the right shoes!
Choosing Bridesmaids
It's finally happened! Congratulations, you're engaged! Amidst the post-engagement hysteria, many brides-to-be neglect the details. While some of these details take care of themselves, (letting daddy foot the bill comes to mind) other decisions may not be so easily delegated. Such is the case with choosing bridesmaids!
Remember the good old days, when your bridesmaids were going to be the people with whom you played Barbies? It was all fun and dandy 20 years ago. The reality is that given time, people, circumstances, everything changes. You may not even be in touch with anyone from the old Barbie society. Who makes the cut? When choosing bridesmaids, keep these tips in mind.
1. Choose people YOU want as YOUR bridesmaids on YOUR wedding day. This point cannot be more stressed. While you may feel pressured to invite someone who made someone else's list, keep in mind, it's your wedding.
2.Don't pick someone just "for the numbers" If the groom has 5 buddies as groomsmen, and you can only think of three girls you would like in your wedding party, don't sweat it. There are several creative ways of disguising the imbalance, which photographs and wedding planners deal with on a weekly basis.
3.Don't be eaten by guilt! If your future sister-in-law treats you like pond scum, sure, it may be difficult including this person in your wedding party. That is unless your groom is completely in her corner. If the thought of including any one person, such as sister-dearest leads you to convulsions, consider having a talk with your groom, his parents, or even the culprit. Maybe the two of you can come to an agreement where the claws don't come out until after the honeymoon.
4.When deciding whom to choose as a bridesmaid, consider someone who is trustworthy, enthusiastic, knows you well and has enough time in her schedule to accommodate your wedding itinerary. If this fails, go ahead and ask yourself "would this person include me in their wedding party?" If you find you're trying very hard to convince yourself, it might be in your best interest to leave this person behind.
-Lidia Siino
