Moments Imagined Blog

Of course your wedding will go off flawlessly. You and your family and your consultant have thought about and planned for every eventuality. However, on the off side chance that the unexpected should happen, a professional wedding planner will always have the following emergency kit available.

What should go in your kit? Here are items some that brides everywhere have found helpful. Add your own items as you see fit.

1. A small sewing kit. At a minimum be sure it has thread to match your gown, the bridesmaid gowns, the mothers dresses, and the tuxedos.  There should be a variety of needle sizes, small scissors and a collection of extra buttons for your gown (if appropriate) for shirt fronts, safety pins, and hemming tape just in case.

2. A roll of Hollywood tape - used to keep low cut necklines in place among other handy uses. If you can’t find it in your area you can go to www. hollywoodfashiontape. com.

3. A small medical supplies box - aspirin or Tylenol,Tums or other antacid, band aids, smelling salts, breath mints and some Pepto Bismal tablets.

4. A box of personal grooming aids - hair brush (for touch ups), hair spray (for hair and for eliminating static cling on fabrics)hair or bobby pins, hat pins (for securing boutonnières), your make up, mouthwash, deodorant.

5. Scotch tape rolls,white gaffer’s tape (secure at hardware stores) to be used on emergency fabric tears and on bouquets that “come undone” and a couple of sticks of white chalk to cover up stains on your white gown.

6. Other miscellaneous items: lint brush, a pair of white or ivory ballet slippers for when your feet scream out for comfort , a small hand towel and wash cloth, a couple of zip top plastic bags, Kleenex and a bed sheet (to cover the floor in the dressing room to protect your gown as you step into it).

Knowing that you can cover most emergency situations gives you peace of mind. And of course, when you are prepared emergencies are less likely to occur.

Most respected wedding experts agree that there are no hard and fast rules on who pays for the wedding expenses. At one time it was likely that the parents of the bride would pay for most if not the entire wedding, but with the costs of today’s ceremonies and receptions, the costs are likely to be shared.  Today’s guidelines offer several options. It may be as simple as whoever is financially able and/or most willing to pay the expenses or whoever is inviting the most guests. Whatever arrangement the bride and groom reach, discussing the options with both families early in the planning process is a must.

Here are some ways that creative couples have found to fund their wedding celebrations:

• If the couple is financially secure – both are working – they may opt to pay for the entire wedding themselves.
• Some families are more comfortable splitting the expenses with 1/2 being paid by each – the bride’s family and the groom’s family.
• A workable solution can be to fund the wedding three ways – 1/3 bride’s family,1/3 groom’s family and 1/3 the couple themselves.
• Some families would prefer to fund specific activities or events. Bride’s family may cover the reception food and the groom’s family the reception beverages and decorations. Or the bride’s family covers the ceremony costs, both families split the reception costs and the groom’s family covers the rehearsal dinner. The bridal pair covers photographs, the music at church and reception and the cake. The mix is endless.
• A unique take on sharing the reception costs happens when families agree to pay for their own guests.  Some couples agree on a per person guest cost and then assign that amount to each guest each family invites.

Whatever method you choose, it is important to remember that civility, respect and affection govern
those choices. This wedding is about creating a new family unit. The love and support of the two families
of the couple are a wonderful support for this celebration.

For more ideas on how to handle wedding budget issues, make an appointment to talk with a wedding consultant.

I get very excited and (perhaps a bit unduly) proud about friends and family who pursue a long-time goal or dream.

My hair stylist (and you know you’re friends with yours!) just announced that she, along with a partner, is opening her own hair studio!  It’s called Moxy Hair Studio, located at 3703 SW Burlingame Road, Suite 400 (next to Mommy and Me).  Their Grand Opening is Saturday, November 8 at 6PM.

I wish them the best of luck in their new endeavor!

This has prompted me to start a ‘Family & Friends’ page to this blog.  So, check it out! And check back often.