Our panel of experts gives guidance on everything from rehearsal dinner trends to first looks.
My husband and I are planning the rehearsal dinner and we’re curious about the trends! Are slide shows in? Do you have to decorate for a rehearsal dinner?
Three top trends in rehearsal dinners are:
1. Slide shows: It’s the thing to do now. More times than not, there is music associated with it as well. It consists of pictures from throughout the couple’s relationship. We’ve seen slideshows put together by the maid of honor, the bride, the groom’s parents, the bride’s parents, etc. There is not a set rule. Sometimes they are a surprise to the couple, or the bride and groom can be heavily involved. It’s up to the couple!
2. Post-dinner cocktails: If you’d prefer a more intimate dinner with just attendants and close family members, this is a good way to involve out-of-town guests and other wedding guests. They can come after dinner to mix and mingle. It’s almost like a warm-up reception.
3. Flower arrangements: Traditionally, the groom’s parents are the ones throwing the rehearsal dinner. They usually take full advantage of handling every single detail, especially with the flower arrangements.
—Matthew Huntsman, operating partner at The Place at Perry’s
How do I know what range of price points I need to include on my registry? Is there a guideline?
Choose items in every price range so your guests have a wide variety of options. Be sure that you register for the $500 item and the $50 item. Groups of friends often go in together on expensive items where the less expensive item is suitable for guests on a tighter budget.Don’t forget about registering for gift cards. They’re totally acceptable and should be included on every registry. They’re great for guests who prefer to let the couple choose their own gift or fill in where they need to. Finally, a bride should constantly monitor her registry before and after showers and parties. When items are purchased off the gift list, the bride needs to update her registry accordingly. It is important to maintain the range of price points as well as add more items, if necessary.
—Janie Sellers, bridal manager at Belk
I have my first meeting with my floral and event designer. What do I bring? How do I prepare?
It’s important for the bride to come in with an idea of the feel and style of the wedding so we know the direction we need to go in. Where is your ceremony and reception? Have you picked your dress or the bridesmaids’ dresses? All of these questions are a great way to learn about the bride and wedding. Brides can prepare by looking through magazines, Pinterest, etc. for colors that stick out, flowers they love, centerpiece styles, and overall looks of the wedding/reception. But our main priority is to create a unique wedding style that reflects your personality and not simply repeat a previous wedding. With the right inspiration, we can help you from beginning to end, choosing your overall color palette, designing your layout, creating different centerpiece styles, planning the ceremony decor, designing what the flower girl will hold, and much, much more.
—Lucy Diaz-Flores, creative director of Bella Flora
What are the pros and cons of the “first look” picture?
The “first look” session started about a decade or so ago. Brides wanted a way to finish all the formal photos before the wedding but still be able to enjoy the reaction of the groom seeing the bride for the first time. Doing a first look gives your guests almost no waiting time at the reception. Another plus? The couple gets to enjoy the cocktail hour with their guests because all the formal photos are completed before the ceremony. I also find couples choose to do a first look when they have a lot of anxiety about walking down the aisle. This way they can keep that special moment personal.
However, it does break the tradition of the groom seeing the bride for the first time when the chapel doors open. For some couples, this is one of the best parts of the ceremony. I like my photography to reflect the couple’s personality, so I think it’s a personal decision. Your photographer should respect that and should accommodate to your needs. Remember: It’s your wedding, so decide based on what will make you cherish the day the most.
—Amy Herfurth, owner of Amy Herfurth Photography
