Good rapport, communication, and a feeling that the bride can rely on her consultant is vital to the   teamwork. A consultant will go the extra mile and resolve disputes that may arise between the bride   and family members. The consultant acts as a couple’s liaison, smoothing over rough spots, that will   inevitably present themselves during the period leading up to, and on the wedding day.

  Stretching the dollar, while staying within a budget, a consultant will alleviate financial anxieties. An   established consultant will have a wide selection of vendors and valuable connections. She/he will assist   the bride by knowing who to book and when, providing price comparisons, overseeing vendor contracts,   avoiding overtime charges, saving on services when guests don’t show, will collectively result in   considerable savings to the couple. A good planner has developed relationships with many vendors,   and because of the harmony that has developed, vendors may provide certain perks without charge.   The couple benefits by getting the feeling of a more   elaborate wedding.

  The extra pair of hands on the wedding day is priceless. A schedule will be orchestrated and   distributed to ensure a smooth-running event. Details such as coordinating and overseeing vendors,   supervising and cuing the wedding party and music, and assisting with seating arrangements are just a   few of the duties a consultant will assume. A bride can rest assured knowing the wedding day will be   handled with care, while she relaxes and enjoys her glorious   day.

  If you want a worry and headache free wedding day, consider hiring a professional wedding   consultant."

  What packages are offered?
  How many photos are included in each package?
  Are the “proofs” yours to keep?
  Is there a set number of reprints you must order?
  What is the cost for additional time or photos?
  How much is the deposit and when is it due?
  When is the balance due?
  Is there a travel charge?
  Are the negatives available to purchase?
  If so, do you have to wait a specified time before you can purchase them?
  Most importantly, view his or her photographs. See if you like the style of photography and you seem   to interact well with the possible photographer. Book as early as possible, some popular dates go   quickly.

  If you decide to do your own make-up, the best advice is prac tice, practice, practice, until you achieve   the look you want. It is not necessary to buy expensive products. Use your regular make-up or consult   a professional salesperson to find what products best suit your skin and features, and how to apply   them. Choose a make-up that is close to your skin tone. If the foundation is too dark, it will create a   mask-like effect. Use a soft brown pencil for liner on the eyes. Apply brown powder using a sponge   tipped applicator on top of the pencil to set the liner and avoid smearing. Pencil in the shape of your   eyebrows lightly with a soft, gentle touch. Use a lipliner pencil and draw the natural lipline, which will   help prevent lipstick from running. Blend with a cotton swab and cover with a pastel lipstick. Add a touch   of lip gloss to the center of your lower lip. Apply foundation smoothly to the hairline. Cover your face   and neck with a fine powder and blend it well with a brush. Apply a touch of blush high on your   cheekbones and blend carefully. Apply concealer with a sponge to cover any blemishes and to hide   circles under your eyes.

  Today’s bridal registries are putting a new spin on tradition. Sure you may register for china, silver, and   crystal, but, you will also register for sheets, towels, cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and appliances. The   things you need for everyday living. Your friends will want to know your favorite colors, the size of your   bed, what pieces of cookware you need, and if you already have a toaster. If you register, you’ll get   one toaster, not five!

  An experienced, professional bridal registry consultant has the product knowledge to help you with your   selections. It can be a little overwhelming when three are so many decisions, so many details, and so   little time to take care of everything. It’s important that you have confidence in your registry   consultant.

  Register about 5 to 8 months before the wedding. This assures that your list will be in place before any   parties or showers. Most companies will maintain your registry for at least one year after your wedding   date When choosing a company for your wish list there are several things to consider. First is customer   service. You’ll want your guests to be treated well, and you’ll want a positive experience while doing   your exchange after the wedding. Next is accessibly. Will it be easy for your guests to obtain your list   and the items on it? Selection, quality, and prices are important too.

  Make an appointment to do your registry. The Consultant should set aside an hour to an hour and a   half for you. It’s best to go in a day or two before your appointment to look around. That way you’ll   have an idea of the things you want on your list, and wont be overwhelmed by all of the questions. The   consultant will answer any remaining questions at the time of your appointment. That’s his or her job.

  Bridal registry is a complementary service. Your time with a registry consult and the servicing of your list   is free. It will be the easiest part of your wedding plans, and the most profitable. Remember, choose   someone you have confidence in . . . and have fun developing your wish list. Your guests will   appreciate the time you spend making their gift selection so easy and convenient.

  Perfect for a flower girl may be a silk headwreath made of ribbon, tulle and tiny flowers, which can be   enjoyed by the wearer after the wedding as well as on the special day itself. This wreath is sometimes   hung on a wall with the brim of a straw hat, to be worn or displayed in the home.

  These are just a few ideas for maximizing your floral budget. The most important thing to remember is   that careful planning is essential if you hope to get the most for your money, without compromising the   beautiful, romantic setting that flowers can add to your wedding day.

  HOW DO I STOP MY KNEES FROM SHAKING?
  I won't tell you that you won't get nervous, because the plain fact is, you probably will. But you should   know this: most people do. In fact, if there's no adrenalin, it probably won't be much of a speech. The   important thing is to keep it in perspective. Just use these tips, and you'll find that there's nothing to   worry about.

  For starters, remember that you're not taking an exam, you're talking to your friends. Your friends and   family are the warmest audience you'll ever have. They've come to your wedding, and they're on your   side. Think of it as a bigger dinner party than usual - and it's your turn to tell a story. Just relax and   remember how comfortable you would be back at the dinner party - then go ahead and tell your story.

  Here's another tip. It's the waiting that's more likely to make you nervous. Once you're on your feet,   and you've started talking, as long as you know what you're going to say, it's suddenly a whole lot   more fun. So remind yourself of that as you're sitting and waiting, and make it easier by repeating   your first line to yourself. That way when you get to your feet, and the room goes silent, you won't   suddenly freeze. Instead, you'll just say that line you've been repeating to yourself over and over. And   with that out of the way, you'll find the rest just follows.

  WHAT ARE ALL THE RULES I NEED TO KNOW?
  The usual routine is this:

  •A welcome by the master of ceremonies, •who introduces a friend of the family or close friend of the   couple, who makes a speech leading up to a toast to the bride and groom, •followed by a speech in   reply by the groom, or bride, or both, who thank everyone who has helped organise the wedding,   usually ending with a toast to the bridesmaids, •who have toasts made on their behalf by the best man   who then makes a toast to the hosts - who might or might not be the bride's mother or father or both,   •who reply.

  But you don't have to do any of that. It's all a question of saying the things that matter to you, and   having the people who matter to you involved. Choose the people who you would like to say   something, decide who should be recognised and thanked, and then work out an order that suits you   best.

  It's always a good idea to have a master of ceremonies, because they can keep it all in order, and you   really should have someone to introduce all the speakers. But apart from that, choose what seems   right for you.

  One of the ways you can make it particularly interesting is to make some unconventional toasts. For   example, each speaker could choose a year that they think is particularly appropriate to toast. (For   example "1976, because that was the year that..."). By taking this approach, you give people the   chance to think about things in an original way, and have more of a chance of steering away from   making speeches that recite all the usual platitudes.

  HOW SHOULD I PREPARE?
  Write a speech to practice as soon as you can. That'll give you more time to hear how it sounds, and   adjust it so it sounds like your usual style of speaking rather than your usual style of writing. And,   more   importantly, it'll make you so familiar with the speech that by the time you stand up, you'll   know just what you want to say.

  Once you have it written, practice whenever you can - in the car, in the shower. The more you prepare,   the more confident you'll be.

  WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR SPEECHES?
  You can have the speeches at any stage you like, but generally, they tend do be most successful   before you eat, and after people have had some time to mix and drink.

  WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
  Be yourself, and speak your mind. This is a chance to say some things that mean a lot to you about   people you care about, in front of all your friends and family. That's not a chance people get very   often, so make the most of it.

  DIAMONDS: Most consumers have difficulty choosing a wedding ring because of the many variables   involved in diamond quality and value. Diamond grading is broken down into “Four C’s” carat, clarity,   color and cut. All of these add up to a "Fifth C," cost. Ask how the "Four C’s" apply to the ring or rings   that you are considering.

  AFTER THE DECISION: Before reaching a final decision on your rings, there are several other   consideration that you should take into account. How long will it take to have the ring sized? If the ring   is being ordered from an outside jeweler or manufacturer, how much time will be required for delivery   and size adjustments, if necessary? Allowance of sufficient time in advance of your wedding date is   essential.

  THE BOTTOM LINE: Ask questions? Good salespeople like to share their knowledge and experience.   Visit a number of jewelry outlets. Take good notes and compare them as you shop. Don’t make snap   decisions. Think about it overnight. Are the financing terms competitive? Trust yourself and your own   eye. If something doesn’t look right it probably isn’t. Make the choice that is right for you, not what   someone else wants to sell you. Don’t rush. Enjoy this special occasion.