Wedding Wise Wednesday – September 8

Every Wednesday, I bring you the coolest wedding stories, events and deals in Los Angeles, and around the web. And we call it Wedding Wise Wednesday. Welcome!

The Events:

Thursday, September 9th, 7:00 – 9:00pm
The Couture Bride Workshop
Alina Pizzano, one of my favorite dress designers, is holding a workshop in her salon, where you can get advice and tips from a variety of high-end wedding vendors. Alina Pizzano couture bridal, 235 east Colorado blvd, Pasadena, CA, 91101. Admission is free, but click on the link and RSVP!!! Good chance I’ll be dropping by this one, as well.

Sunday, September 11 and 12
The Great Bridal Expo
Two shows this weekend, Saturday in Century City, and Sunday in Anaheim. Tickets are $7 online, and $9 at the door.

Sunday, September 12
Here Come the Brides Expo
Even more Wedding vendors you can shake a stick at. I go for the cake and the crazy photo booth pics, myself. Tickets are $8 with a coupon from the website.

The Deals:

The Knot continues to bring the good deals, even past the summer. This week’s specials? Reception accessories. Napkins, matches, coasters and, ooh, parasols! All available for personalization, all up to 15% off.

The Wedding Outlet is bringing the reception deals – cake server sets are up to 25% off on their website. And don’t forget to use the code Ship75 to get free shipping on orders of $75 or more. You’re welcome!

And here’s an article I wrote for Marriage.com, on the essentials of not just having a DIY wedding, but pulling it off on the Big Day. If this seems a little daunting, and you’d like to get a little bit of help, email me at liz@silvercharmevents.com, and we’ll figure out a time to talk or meet. And, hey, I’m only 7 followers away from having 400 followers on twitter, and #400 gets a $10 itunes card, so, you know, follow me on twitter!

Behold my brilliance:

You’ve got this.

You’re making your centerpieces, making your own bouquets, heck, maybe you’re even catering your own reception – and more power to you, if you are. But even though the time you’re spending may take place of the money you’re not spending before your wedding day, it’s going to be a lot of work! But if you plan accordingly, you will still have the wedding of your dreams. Here’s the plan I always use with my couples to make everything on the big day go a little easier:

There are three questions you need to ask your venue(s) the week before your wedding:

1. Setup Time- How much time you have to set-up for your wedding and how much time you have to get everything out of there at the end of the night? Most venues will give you at least two hours of set-up and an hour to break down, but it might be less than that. And, not only do you have set-up everything, but you have to get ready for your wedding, too, so don’t be a hero – get help. If you absolutely cannot afford to hire a team, nail down which of your family and friends can show up early, and then stay a little later. Shoot for four extra people other than you and your fiancé – more hands mean less time.

2. Storage- Ask your venue if it’s possible to store anything on site the day or night before, and/or leave anything there until the next day. The less time you can spend transporting stuff to your wedding, the more time you have to set it all up when you get there. Speaking of which, make sure that you have at least as many transportation vehicles coming as you do going.

3. Trash facilities- Do they have any? What’s their capacity? Or do you have to take everything you brought in, out with you? This is not something you want to find out at the end of the night. And make sure you bring extra trash bags just in case.

Once you know how much time you’ll have, get organized at home. Try to avoid having to construct anything on-site by assembling as much as you can, as close to your wedding day as possible. That way, all you have to do is get it over there and set it down. Make sure that it is all clearly labeled, and not with post-its!!! They fall off. While you’re doing that, decide what you’re going to do with whatever is left over at the end of the night, and assume that there are going to be leftovers of everything. What can be tossed? What needs to be saved? And as far as what’s getting tossed, can you throw it out in the same container that it came in, in the same way it came in? I’m thinking about stuff like leftover cake, favors, flowers, which are usually displayed in one way, but have to be disposed of in another.

What can be tossed, what needs to be saved? Write this all down beforehand and put the list someplace where you can get to it easily at the end of the night, so all you have to do is pull it out and check it off. Believe me, you are going to be exhausted, and not in the mood to do any of it at that point. The checklist will save your sanity, and help you get out of there and to your honeymoon suite a lot faster.

And do me a favor during your wedding, would you? You did all this work, and it’s all gorgeous and just wanted you wanted. You’ve got a plan, and you’re going to pull it all off. Relax,your wedding is going to rock. So, this means that you don’t have to worry about what’s going to go where, or how and at what time. So, don’t. At some point, take a minute to stand with your new spouse and soak up the love and joy of the day. You did it. Enjoy!

(excerpted from my guest post on Marriage.com. Check out the website for more expert advice and tips on engagements, weddings and marriage.)

See you at the end of the aisle,

Liz Coopersmith
Silver Charm Events
310-801-3602