From finding your dream dress to transforming a room into a spectacular venue, My Fair Wedding host and wedding planner extraordinaire David Tutera shares 10 helpful, inspirational and practical tips to help any bride plan her big day to perfection.
1) Have Faith in Your Vendors
When you have faith in the vendors that you have contracted, those vendors will move mountains to make sure your wedding is beautiful for you. But if you micromanage your vendors, even your wedding planner sometimes too, they’ll shut down and only execute the bare minimum they agreed to. Follow Motown bride Sashani’s lead when it comes to working with the experts!
2) Finding Your Bridal Style
The Kate Middleton dress seems to still be in fashion. However, you need to find the style that’s right for your body type. So you may fall in love with Kate’s dress, but it will only work if you’re a size 2 to 6, which is not a dress that many women can wear. Personally, I don’t know many modern-day women that want to wear a dress that has sleeves. The rule of thumb goes here that it’s not about the style; it’s about knowing your body type and whatever silhouette works best for you. And also, I’m a firm believer in you can’t judge a dress on the hanger; you have to put it on!
3) It’s All in the Details
Details, details, details! It’s very simple. Tell the story of who you are as a bride and groom. There are inexpensive details from printed materials, to song selection, to choice of food. You’re basically simplifying the wedding plans by picking things so that the guests will leave knowing more about you as a couple. What else is in store for 2012 wedding trends?
4) Destination Wedding Do’s
The truth is, destination weddings are often far less work than traditional weddings. Most hotels and resorts offer wedding planning packages and services, meaning the details get taken care of for you. Ideally, this destination wedding should be a vacation for you too. Don’t get so caught up in the little details that you can’t enjoy the weekend in a special place. Figure out what’s important to you and label the rest of it small stuff that you won’t sweat. That will free you up to sightsee, relax, play and join in with what your guests are doing. Watch the video for more tips from David!
5) Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
It’s hard to set aside time for yourself during the wedding planning process. If you’re taking on the task of planning your own wedding, it becomes even more difficult. Please remember to take care of yourself. Please remember to have a wonderful time and enjoy every moment; this is the one opportunity you have to plan your dream wedding. Enjoy it! Don’t let the small stuff get to you. Get inspired by My Fair Wedding Couple Heather and Josh who were all about the fun, not stress!
6) Use the Room
Be mindful of your wedding venue. Sometimes, a certain type of carpeting, wood paneling on the walls – the smallest of details can add quite a visual impact to your theme. What special décor detail added the perfect touch to Amber’s Winter Wonderland theme?
7) Keep a Theme Tasteful
You can absolutely incorporate a theme or unique idea for your event as long as you do it subtly and with great taste! Even the most outlandish event ideas can become an integrated element at any event as long as it’s done with style! Learn how David helped Michelle and Josh make a “mini truck” wedding theme work!
8 ) Don’t Do it Alone!
Changing your wedding inspiration is completely acceptable (and to a certain degree, expected!) but it’s important to have your MOH or someone close to you to be a confidant and keep your wedding planning in check. This person is also a great third party to keep you down to Earth when it comes to how your bridal gown and bridesmaids dresses look, décor design, and maybe even your budget.
9) Bring in the Bling
You want bling? You need a slew of crystals. Crystal candelabras, crystal chandeliers, crystal scatters on the tables…you get the idea. In fact, this type of décor is relatively simple to replicate. I recently launched a craft line exclusively for Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts nationwide and one of the many elements within this line includes basic crystal scatters. These scatters are super inexpensive but give you the glamorous look a bling-bride desires! As for other table décor, simple inexpensive tea lights are easy to add some pizzaz to a table if pillar candles aren’t your style. Just be sure to keep as much of the décor elements crystal clear: clear charger plates, clear glassware, clear centerpieces. Sometimes simplicity makes the biggest statement!
10) Best Looks for Brides
A note to all brides regarding the age-old issue of choosing bridesmaids dresses: when picking dresses for your bridesmaids, you want to make a uniform statement. This doesn’t necessarily mean that each dress has to have the exact same cut and color for every girl (we all know that a strapless dress doesn’t work for every body type!). What’s wonderful about the new trend in dresses that I am seeing is that brides are allowed (if not encouraged) to slightly vary the bridesmaids dresses … whether it’s a play on colors (shades of blue in a similar “peacock” or “baby blue” range) or a halter for a bridesmaid with stunning arms, an A-line dress for a bridesmaid that’s pear-shaped, etc. With my line of bridal gowns through David Tutera by Faviana, I have a MUCH greater appreciation for dress shapes that flatter each and every girl. With all the options on the market, there’s no need for any bride or bridesmaid to feel less than stellar when wearing their dresses. Find out how David helped the bridesmaids re-vamp their look for a Phantom of the Opera themed wedding.
What other helpful hints have you retained from watching David on My Fair Wedding? Leave a comment below to help share the knowledge!
Jessica Solloway is a Washington, DC based writer and producer. From wedding planning to work, dating to dieting (and everything in between), she enjoys writing about lifestyle topics women want to know about. Jessica received her degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Check out her blog, The Savvy Mrs.
