On the Seventh Day of Christmas

On the seventh day of Christmas my wedding planner gave to me...

A wedding registry!


The months leading up to your wedding is that fun time when you can walk into stores and indulge your shopping spree whims without worrying about your bank account (or your wedding budget). But more than just the ultimate shopping spree and a fun outing with your hubby-to-be, setting up a wedding registry is a great way to let your guests know which items you want to start your new life together. Your wedding registry will also be a great aid in keeping track of who bought what (in case cards go missing from gifts). Having a wedding registry will reduce your likely hood of receiving duplicate gifts. 


While china, flatware, glassware, cookware, table linens, bed linens, and bath linens are traditional items to register for it is absolutely acceptable to add other non-traditional items as well like luggage, outdoor grills, and even sporting equipment. These days couples are even registering for their honeymoon. 


Some of your friends and relatives might want to get you gifts as soon they hear about your engagement so it is best to begin your registry early on. Even if you start with just a few items, you can always add on. You will want to register at least a month before your engagement party and/or first shower. 


Stick to two to four stores that you love. Choose at least two to three that are large department stores or chain stores (i.e- Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate and Barrel, William Sonoma). 
*Get your registry started with our ultimate registry list ($2)


When it comes to letting your guests know where you are registered, proper etiquette dictates that you should never include registry information on your wedding invitation or in your wedding invitation suite. Rather rely on family members and your bridal party to spread the word. It is completely acceptable to put your registry information on your wedding website, which we highly recommend. 


Happy shopping/registering! 


Photo from Martha Stewart

On the Sixth Day of Christmas

On the sixth day of Christmas my wedding planner gave to me...

The bridal party!


You've hired a wedding planner, came up with a budget and put together a checklist, found that perfect dress, booked the venue(s), and hired someone to capture the special day. Now it is time to ask your attendants to stand up for you, and delegate their duties. 


When choosing who would like next to you think of your very closest friends and family. And don't forget each other's siblings (i.e- his sister, if the two of you are close). Consider the size of your wedding, if you are anticipating around 100 guests than 4 attendants on each side is ideal (4 bridesmaids and 4 groomsmen). If you are having a larger wedding, let's say 300-400 guests, than you can "get away with" having a much larger bridal party (such as 8-12 attendants on each side). 


Yes, anything goes these days when it comes to weddings, but it can be nice to follow traditions. Here is a brief run down of who should do what, according to traditions. You can most certainly put your own spin on the traditional roles, just be sure to let attendants know what you would like them to do and make sure that they can follow through. 


Maid of Honor- Your maid of honor will organize and host the bridal shower. She will sign the marriage license as a witness. You may want to have her help you with your attire, before and after the ceremony...holding your train while you walk, bustling your train after the ceremony, helping you with your veil, etc... During the reception you can have your maid of honor look after your purse and personal items. 


Bridesmaids- Trustworthy friends who are your support system. As well as the support team for your maid of honor. Your bridesmaids will be there to help you with pre-wedding tasks when you need them. Bridesmaids are often expected to hit the dance floor and help get the party started. 


Flower Girl- A little lady (typically age 2-8) who walks down right before the bride. Either with the ring bearer or right after he walks down. Have her scatter flower petals from a basket, or she can carry a pomander. 


Best Man- Aside from planning and organizing the bachelor party, your best man will also sign the marriage license as a witness. He can help your hubby-to-be with his attire before and after the ceremony. Your best man will carry the bride's ring. He should make the first toast, after your parents. 


Groomsmen- Trustworthy friends who will help your hubby-to-be with preparing for the big day. Aside from helping plan and pay for the bachelor party; they may decorate your getaway car, dance with dateless ladies, and act as ushers if you are not having separate ushers. 


Ushers- Ushers ensure that guests are seated before the ceremony. Your ushers will escort guests, and any family members who are not in the processional, to their seats. You can also have your ushers hand out your ceremony programs to guests as they arrive. 


Ring Bearer- A young boy (age 4-8 recommended), who will walk down the aisle after the bridesmaids and groomsmen and just before you and your dad. He can either walk with the flower girl or right before her. Ring bearers carry a pillow with rings tied to it (we recommend fake ones so that your rings do not get lost). 


Happy planning! 

Photo by Shaun Menary Photography, is from a recent wedding we did. 

On the Fifth Day of Christmas

On the fifth day of Christmas my wedding planner gave to me....

Someone to capture the day!


After all of the thought, planning, and hard work that you have put into your special day, you will want someone to photograph every moment. You will want to look back and reminisce on all of the love and fun you shared with your family and friends. Here are just a few of our tips on finding someone to capture your day.


1. Make sure you hire a professional. Someone who comes highly recommended by your wedding planner (you can ask us for our recommendations), or ask your close friends and family who they used. While there are a lot of photographers out there some are more experienced than others. If you want quality images that you will be proud to show off, and images that truly capture the raw emotion and beauty of your wedding than you will no doubt want to hire an experienced professional wedding photographer.


2. Be sure that the photographer you hire specializes in wedding photography. And you will want to look for someone whose style of photography matches the look and feel of how you want your photos and wedding album to turn out. Be sure to ask if you can see their portfolio before hiring them. The key is to ask to see one whole album of a wedding they've done and also sort through an additional album with several different weddings in it to get a good feel for the photographer's style.


3. Tell your photographer what it is you want. Be very specific and detailed about the photos you do not want your photographer to miss. Do you prefer black and white, color, or both? Formal poses, candids, or a combination? Be sure to vocalize these wants with your photographer. We highly suggest you create a "must shoot list" for your photographer to reference on your wedding day. Some poses you might want to include; mother of bride with bride, groom with bridesmaids, bride and groom with ring bearer and flower girl, groom with brides parents, etc... It may seem obvious but during the photos some of the most important "poses" may get missed unless your photographer knows exactly what you want and has a list to refer back to. 


4. Consider doing a first look. A first look is when you and your hubby-to-be see each other for the first time prior to walking down the aisle and have a special private moment together . A first look is a beautiful moment, and allows your photographer more one-on-one time with you and your groom for photos. A first look also means you will have less post-ceremony photos to do and can spend more time with your guests. 


Whether you want posed or candids, formal portraits or no formal portraits, a vintage romantic feel or a high fashion feel, etc... there is a photographer out there for you. For more tips and ideas as well as a list of photographers we recommend, contact us for a FREE consultation at info@deaniemichelleevents.com or 214-810-4024. Please be sure to mention the 12 Days of Christmas when emailing or calling. 

On the Fourth Day of Christmas

On the fourth day of Christmas my wedding planner gave to me...

A venue!


Looking for that perfect venue (or venues) to exchange your vows, become Mr. & Mrs., and party the night away is an exciting process and can be exhausting all at the same time. You will want to look for charm, personality, and roominess. Here are our top 5 things to consider while out on venue tours.


1. Ample Space - Make sure the room is large enough to accommodate the number of people on your guest list. The space make look roomy when it's empty, but keep in mind that you will need enough room for tables, chairs, buffet, the band or DJ, the dance floor, possibly a lounge area or a photo-booth...and each of this things can take up a lot of space. The best way to assess the size of a site is to ask to see the venue when it is being set up for another wedding. 


2. Privacy - Privacy varies widely from place to place. If you are getting married in a park, on a golf course, or in a botanical garden be prepared for some on-lookers and possibly even a few smiles, waves, and well wishes from passer-byers. If this bothers you, consider a lawn at a private estate. Be sure to ask the banquet hall or hotel if they book more than one wedding a night and if they have another wedding booked for your desired wedding date. If it will bother you to hear the noise of another party or for another bride to share your venue, than consider trying to book your wedding on a date when there won't be another one next door. 


3. Color - If you have your heart set on a particular color palette or theme make sure the colors of the carpet, walls, curtains, and chairs do not clash. If you have your heart set on a spring pastel palette of rose pink, ivory, and sage green then that brown carpet just might wreck the effect. The venue doesn't have to match exactly, but it shouldn't clash with your mood or theme either.


4. Outlets - Make sure to take a good look around the room to see if it has a lot of outlets. Especially if your venue is not a regular host to weddings. The main user of the outlets will be the entertainment and lighting, so take note of where the outlets are located. And be sure to ask your entertainment vendors (i.e - band/DJ, lighting, photo-booth, etc...) how many outlets they will need. Be sure they are dedicated outlets so that they don't blow a fuse. 


5. Parking - You will want to make sure that the venue has a well light parking lot or garage nearby, or enough space on the street for parking. If parking is sparse at the venue than consider a shuttle bus to transport guests from a better parking location to the venue.


If you would like more ideas or help on finding the venue for you, please contact us at info@deainemichelleevents.com or 214-810-4024 for a FREE consultation. Be sure to mention the 12 Days of Christmas when emailing or calling. 


Happy venue hunting!



Photo from a wedding we did at Arlington Hall, taken by Katie Mosley Photography

On the Third Day of Christmas

On the third day of Christmas my wedding planner gave to me...

A Wedding Dress!

You have found “the one”, that special man in your life who you are embarking on this amazing journey with. And you’ve got that beautiful bling on your finger. Now....it is time for you to find “ the one”, that perfect wedding dress! For many it is the most anticipated and exciting part of the wedding planning process, for others it is the most dreaded part of planning their wedding. Where-ever you fall in the desire to find your dress, we are here to help with a few simple tips on finding the dress for you. 

1. Go in with an open mind. Yes you probably have an idea of what you do and don’t like; lace, no lace, strapless, straps, long, short, beaded, no beading, etc... But be open minded, try on several different styles and looks...you just never know what will be the most flattering on you, and what you will end up falling in love with. 
2. Bring just one or two close friends and/or your mom along with you. We do not suggest bringing your entire bridal party along for the ride when you are dress shopping. You know the saying “too many cooks in the kitchen”, well if you bring any more than one or two people with you to dress shop than you are bound to have way more opinions (and differing opinions) than you really want. Also, most of the wedding dress shops are on the smaller size and showing up with an entourage can cause for a cramped experience. 
3. Just like yesterday when we recommended you create a budget, we recommend you have a set budget in mind before you step out to go dress shopping. It is completely okay to have a range, but stay within that range and do not break your budget on your dress. In fact, we highly suggest you do not try on any dresses are that over your budget.
4. Begin thinking about the style, look, and feel that you want for your wedding. Your wedding dress should echo this style. If you want a modern wedding you probably won’t want to wear a very traditional dress and vice versa.
5. Have fun! Even if the thought of trying on dresses makes you cringe, have fun with it. This is (hopefully) going to be the one and only time you are a bride....embrace it and have fun! 

                                                                      Photo from www.juddwaddell.com