One of my brides called me right before Christmas to tell me that her gown was in the store. She was so excited to see it---we went the next day. When she saw the gown she became very upset and said it was not her dress.

After the sales person searched records etc...it was determined it was her dress---She just didn't remember!

I was not working with this particular bride when she ordered her dress...so I had no records on it.

One thing I always do when I go with a bride to order a dress is to take a picture of it. As long as you are buying it, stores usually do not care if you take a picture.

In this case, she ordered the dress in August ---it is now January -- It is easy to remember things differently then they are.

My advice is to ALWAYS TAKE A PICTURE of your dress the day you order it ---and look at it frequently!!!

Every time I go to a hotel --- no matter where it is -- I see guest bags piled, dropped off by brides for their out of town guests.

While making your guests feel welcome is important, there are better ways then giving them a bag with candy, snacks and water!

I have listed some alternatives to guest bags.

• A hospitality room on the night most of your guests will be arriving with sandwiches, soda, water, cookies etc -- They will appreciate something to eat after a long day.
• Free Breakfast - If your hotel does not offer a free breakfast, you can provide them with one even if it is only a continental breakfast.
• A bud vase with one red rose in their room.
• A fruit basket in their room
• A bottle of wine with 2 glass you can purchase from the Dollar Store or The Christmas Tree Store in their room with a personalized wine opener.

Also, you should always make sure that your guests are provided with a folder including a map of the city, special attractions, names and numbers of spas and some post cards. Most of these items can be obtained at your local chamber of commerce.

Be creative --- your guests will love it!

When we were on one of our cruises, there was a Sangria bar. The bartender was this very cute girl from the Philippines, Mary.

Needless to say, we made great frineds with Mary (ha ha)....it was the best Sangria we ever had!!! Our last day, she gave us the recipe -- I love making it around the Holidays. It is festive, easy to make and the hit of the party!!!

We have also used this recipe at weddings and Events for a signature drink!

SANGRIA

1 bottle of dry red wine
1/4 C. of brandy
1/4 C. of light rum (I use Bacardi)
1/8 C. triple sec
1 liter ginger ale
1 C. sugar (I use 1/2 sugar and 1/2 splenda)
1 apple
1 pear
1 orange
1 lemon
1 lime

Mix wine, brandy, rum, triple sec and ginger ale together in a large jar with a tight lid or a pitcher with a tight lid. Cut fruit in small pieces, add to wine mixture. Cover jar or pitcher with lid and refrigerate for at least 12 hours before serving. Garnish with a fruit slice. (You can also add blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, etc.)

I have taught several Holiday Decorating classes during my career as a Wedding/Event Planner/Designer---The one thing I always "stress" is utilizing materials you already have in your house or something that you can purchase inexpensively at the grocery store or craft store.

Years ago, my mom came up with this great centerpiece that is simple, easy and relatively inexpensive -- A Pineapple Turkey!!

Cut a double turkey head out of brown felt and stitch it together. (I use hot glue) Use red felt for his neck, Yellow or orange for his beak and "google" eyes. (Use image above as your guide).

Lay the pineapple on its side, slip the turkey head over the round end of the pineapple...the pineapple top is his feathers. If you have problems keeping the head on the pineapple, use toothpicks.

Thanksgiving is only a couple of weeks away. Entertaining your family and friends does not have to be expensive.

Make centerpieces from supplies you already have around the house---Large vases with candles and fall leaves, a bowl full of glass or real gords, a container full of leaves, pumpkins and fall ornaments make lovely centerpieces.

Instead of purchasing several types of alcohol, make a signature cocktail such as sangria, pumpkin or Apple Martini's, or Cinnamon Champagne Cocktails.

From now to Thanksgiving I will be posting fun holidays ideas and recipes -- so keep checking back!

I cannot tell you how many times I hear from my clients that they don't want to hire a videographer because they are trying to save money and feel it is not a necessary expense.

This summer one of my assistants was married. Her Mom felt that way as well. After the wedding she told me how sorry she was she did't have a video because she missed so much!

You spend so much time and money planning your wedding that you don't want to miss a minute of it. With so many guests, photo sessions, etc., it is impossible NOT to miss something.

I have been married 22 years and we watch our video every year on our anniversary -- now for us it is a precious memory since our parents, grand parents and other family members are no longer with us. It is so great to remember them so happy!

A videographer can cost anywhere between $1,000.00 and $5,000.00 depending on what services you want.

If you really feel you want a video but can't afford it, look around and find someone that will give you the unedited footage...that will cost MUCH less since the editing takes so much time!!

Also, you may want to think about just having the ceremony taped.

There are options available to you, so don't cross a video off your list until you have researched all of the possibilities.

Tis the Bridal Show season!!

I have had brides hire me after they have hired vendors. I always ask where they found those vendors...9 out of 10 say "A BRIDAL SHOW."

Some brides have hired these vendors right at the show....and haven't even sat down with them to talk....and then find out later that they really can't meet their needs.

A common misconception is that if a vendor is at a show, they must be the best.

Bridal Shows are NOT JURIED! You don't have to be good at your craft to be in a show, you just need to pay the fee associated with the booth!

Don't get me wrong -- some very fine vendors attend shows...you just need to make an appointment with them to sit down and talk about your expectations and find out if the vendor offers the services you want.

NEVER hire a vendor at the show itself....you don't have enough time at a show to interview the vendor properly.

Lets face it --- your wedding is in your vendors hands --- so you need to give the selection process the proper attention it deserves!

If you decide to go to a show -- here are some tips:

• Have address labels ready for the drawings otherwise you will be filling out your information 20 times!!!
• If you see a vendor with great work, get basic info and book an appointment at the show...DO NOT HIRE THE VENDOR AT THE SHOW! Sometimes you get a discount for simply making an appointment at the show.
  
• If you see a gown that you LOVE in the fashion show...make sure you write down the info about the dress, number, designer, etc. If you go to the salon a couple of weeks later and you don't have the info, they probably won' t remember what dress you are talking about.
• If you win a prize, make sure you collect the prize that day. If they tell you that you have to go to their business to collect the prize, make sure you get everything you won in writing. Depending on what you won, if they do not have it at the show is a RED FLAG!
  

Shows can be a lot of fun and very informative if you approach them with an open mind!!

Have a GREAT time !