Why Wedding Favors?
Some good info from Polly Liu of www.beau-coup.com
Wedding favors are thoughtful mementos given by the newlyweds to their wedding guests as a symbol of gratitude for sharing their special day. The gesture can be traced back to ancient Rome and has become a lovely custom in many cultures. Sugar-coated almonds, or dragées, are traditional wedding favors symbolizing the bitterness and sweetness of married life. Other edible sweets such as a piece of the groom's cake, cookies and chocolates have also been presented over the years. Today, couples are being more creative with their selection of party favors, whether it's for the reception, the rehearsal dinner or the bridal shower. Picture frames, candles, wine stoppers, cocktail shakers, handmade sachets, mini vases, personalized mint tins, seed favors, themed cookies, holiday ornaments, and personalized keepsakes are all popular favor choices. Favors can really be anything. The important thing is to choose favors that reflect your personal style and impart a meaninful message. They are often placed at each guest's place setting or elegantly displayed on a table near the entrance to the reception hall.
Unique Wedding Favors
Unique and thoughtful favors can leave a lasting impression and add a personal touch to the reception. Many couples are choosing favors that celebrate their cultural heritage and reflect their personal style. Favors that accent a wedding theme are also extremely popular. Your guests will especially appreciate gifts that they can use and treasure - like a pair of beautiful chopsticks, a handmade silk sachet or a decorative picture frame. There is tremendous appeal to the idea that the guests will enjoy the favor long after the wedding has passed.
By Polly Liu
www.beau-coup.com
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
From more info, tips, and wedding ideas, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Friday, February 11, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wedding Budget 101
Planning a Wonderful Wedding on a Realistic Budget
A GREAT article by Sara!
Contrary to what they say in the magazines and on-line now, you don't have to spend a fortune to have a wonderful, memorable wedding. I tell my clients and my readers that the most important part of making a wedding memorable is focusing on and prioritizing what you want to achieve. Fortunately, that same focus will help you save money as well!
You can look at all the planning guidelines and timelines in magazines and on websites for ideas of things you might do, but don't get boxed in by them-- real weddings come together in a much different way than magazines and many experts suggest.
You and your fiancé need to sit down and really talk and think about what you want MOST for the wedding-- a certain location, a large guest list, great photography, a really fancy gown and accessories. Start making notes of what you really want and what you can live without. Compare your ideas, and compromise when necessary, to come up with a wedding you'll both love.
When you have an idea of what's most important to you, you can start finding out what those things will cost. Call around, ask around, make notes, add things up. Then when you have an idea of what you'll do, start with the most important priorities FIRST, so you make sure you can afford them. Then you can compromise on, or even omit, some of the less important things as your budget gets stretched.
The following is a compilation of ideas I have sent to various brides who were looking to keep their expenses and/or weddings small, but memorable.
General Budget/Cash Flow Issues--
~ Careful timing can reduce reception costs. Do you have a time set for the wedding? If you don't want to spend a lot on refreshments, plan the wedding and reception at a time other than mealtime. This is tricky because the length of time a wedding and reception takes, but you can work with it a little.
Usually, for instance, it's tough to have a morning wedding early enough to avoid feeding the guests lunch. Even a very short ceremony and reception that starts at 10 am is going to run into "lunchtime" (and some guests may expect brunch, since many morning weddings offer that.)
In the afternoon, you could plan the wedding to start, say, 1:30 or 2 pm, and figure you can have people on their way before 5 if there are no real activities except socializing and limited light refreshments.
In the evening, you can work it the same way, if you wish. Any ceremony after about 6:30 pm (or certainly 7) would be "after dinner" (in most regions), so you could plan to only serve dessert rather than a buffet or meal.
~ Make some things for the wedding yourself. Doing-it-yourself is not always as much cheaper as it used to be, but it still saves you labor charges, if you have creative talents and energy. I encourage couples and families to make garters or bridesmaids dresses, arrange flowers, cook the reception food-- whatever they are good at. It's cheaper, and it's often more meaningful to have had a hand in the preparations personally. Also, many family and friends really ENJOY helping out with wedding prep. Don't be afraid to ask! : )
~ Consider marrying on Friday evening. This is NOT the most convenient arrangement, because people have to get out of work early, etc. It can also be difficult for any out-of-town guests you might have, because it may force them to take an additional day off work to arrive in time for all the festivities. But you can sometimes get discounts on sites and services. If you are *really* tight in the budget, this could be an option worth researching.
~~One other **very important** thing to remember when money is tight--- most of your bills will come due right before the wedding. Usually you pay 1/2 up-front for services, and then the last couple weeks before the wedding, everyone wants their other half paid. BE PREPARED FOR THIS! Try to look ahead so you will have the cash flow you need when all those payments go out at once. If you can, save extra *right away* while you are in the early planning stages, because you will need it later.
Also, plan your budget *smaller* than you think you could really afford. If your wedding expenses come within that figure, that will be great. But if one or two things turn out to be more expensive than you expected, you won't be right at the absolute limit of your funds. It will give you peace of mind.
Location/Guest List--
~ Keep your guest list small. The more people, the bigger the location, the more food, the more invitations, etc.
~ Have the wedding and reception in the same place. It's trendy to have them separate locations, but frankly, as a guest, I really dislike the practice (all that extra driving and parking). And from the couple's standpoint, it's much cheaper to do it all in one place. It's also more convenient and relaxing for everyone involved.
~ Consider an less-traditional location. In most areas, many attractive locations are willing to have weddings-- not just the churches, hotels and country clubs where most weddings take place. Some non-traditional locations will cost you more, but others may cost *considerably* less. So do some research, and make some calls. Likely locations include, parks (local, state and national), bed-and-breakfasts, country inns, restaurants, public gardens, historic homes or monuments, museums, galleries, and private homes of friends or family.
When considering the suitability of *any* location, be sure to find out not just about the price to rent the location, but also about parking, seating, restrooms, food preparation and/or storage, dressing areas, security, electrical hook-ups, restrictions or regulations (on alcohol, attire, photography or videography, decorations, etc.) Anything not provided or conveniently available may cost you more to rent or provide on your own.
Attire--
~ The two best ways to save money on attire are to dress very casually, or to sew your own (or have a friend or relative sew your) gown and/or bridesmaids' gowns. But even casual gowns can be quite costly in the current market, unless you are able to take advantage of sales or other discounts.
Home-sewn gowns are less popular now than they were in the 70's and 80's. However, since the current styles and fabrics are actually fairly easy to sew, it seems a shame that more brides and their families do not make use of this option--especially for bridesmaids and flowergirls.
Obviously, good general sewing skills and a dependable sewing machine are necessary, as well as a reasonable "eye" for fitting. But if you consider that a bride recently commented to me that she was *happy* to find a flowergirl dress for "only" $99 (other similar gowns were as much as $150), it seems clear that sewing should be an option budget-conscious brides at least *consider*.
~ Headpieces and some accessories are very inexpensive to make, as well. Good instructions are available in books and with patterns. If you are creative at all, you might look into this option. Mark-ups on headpieces, especially, are VERY high in most bridal boutiques, so this can net you a big savings from retail.
~ If you will buy your gown "off-the-rack", big discount bridal stores and on-line resources can offer lower prices-- but consider what you may, or may not, get from these sources in the way of quality, personal service, dependability, selection, alterations, etc. Some are excellent; others are not. Working with a company or resource you have personal references for is the best, whenever possible.
~ If you will hire a dressmaker to save money, remember that the talents and prices and quality provided will vary considerably. You might be fortunate to have a very inexpensive, but fabulously talented dressmaker available to you. On the other hand, to get the best deal from a more expensive dressmaker or designer, you might decide to simplify your fabric and detailing choices to include only what's MOST important to you. The other advantage of having a gown made is that, at least you will not have to worry about alterations costs on top of the purchase price.
~ Menswear costs can be reduced by having the men wear suits they own, for example, rather than renting matching formalwear.
Decorations/Flowers--
~ If you will use fresh flowers, try to choose varieties which will be in-season at the time of your wedding date. Skip extra arrangements on the altars, reception tables, etc. If you must decorate these areas, consider using inexpensive live plants (home centers, discount stores, large nurseries, and even grocery stores sometimes have great prices on potted plants.) Be sure, however, that any plants or flowers used near food are not toxic.
~ Keep the bouquets small. Let the bouquets do double-duty for decoration, by laying them out on your tables at the reception. Consider eliminating corsages and boutonnieres for anyone besides your own and your fiancé's parents.
~ Consider arranging silk or dried flowers yourself. The price of professionally-arranged silk or dried bouquets is often about the same as fresh flower prices. However, if you use careful shopping, creative filler options, a bit of patience, and some ingenuity, you can often save money by arranging silk or dried flowers yourself. If you haven't worked with floral arranging before, start with the boutonnieres. They are easy to handle and help you get familiar with the general techniques and products you will use on the larger arrangements.
~ Not all locations need extra decorations. It is not necessary to totally *transform* your ceremony or reception location in order to have a beautiful and memorable wedding. If your budget is tight, do the minimum you are comfortable with.
~ If you really need some color and interest in a really boring reception location (a common problem), I have seen really pretty, classy effects achieved with really simple, inexpensive party materials, like balloons, streamers (especially metallic or pearlized), honeycomb wedding bells, inexpensive fabrics, candles, confetti and glitter.
If you choose to use materials like these, choose your colors carefully so they are not too harsh, and look for ways to combine materials and add small decorative details (silk flowers, ribbons, floating beads, etc.) to create a more complex, customized look.
Refreshments--
~ Your choice of refreshments is very important to how much the reception will cost.
Generally, the least expensive reception is a cake and punch reception. Cake is really the minimum food you should serve. You can cut cake costs, if necessary, by having a very small decorative and/or stacked cake, and supplementing the servings with additional sheet cake in the same flavor. Punch is an easy and inexpensive beverage, and it can be very fun to make (ideas for a custom punch recipe can be found in A Bride's Touch on page 249).
A cake and punch reception usually also includes coffee and perhaps tea, individual sodas instead of punch if you prefer (but that costs more), and sometimes champagne or other alcohol (but that's a pricey item, too.) There has also recently been a trend toward offering other desserts besides cake, so you could have a "dessert and punch" reception for a little more than a standard cake and punch affair.
A pot-luck is next most expensive, because it should be assumed that you and your family will contribute several dishes. In some social circles, this works out very well, and makes for a very fun and tasty reception. There is a lot of variety in the food (something for everyone, usually) and even if some guests are not able/willing to bring something, there's usually plenty. This sort of arrangement works well for family- or church-oriented weddings, where guests feel that bringing a dish is a way to help the couple celebrate. In other circles, guests may consider this in poor taste, feeling that the bride's (and perhaps groom's family) should be treating the guests to a meal. You would have to check around with family and friends to see how they would feel about this idea.
Some hosting families opt to prepare the food themselves. It gives them control over the cost and menu, but eliminates the potluck concept of asking others to bring something. If you have a lot of guests, you could also ask for help from the bridal party members and your closest family and friends.
Cold food works the best for this because you can buy and prepare it ahead. If you have family or friends willing to help, it's not too taxing to have them each make a double or triple recipe of one dish like potato or crab salad, or a platter of cold cuts, or a tray of rolls. Warehouse and food service stores like Price Club and Smart and Final have made this even easier, providing good prices for large quantities, and (at Smart and Final and other restaurant suppliers), low cost serving dishes and utensils as well. I have found that big plastic punch bowls are excellent for serving salads and other large dishes attractively and economically.
Of "catered" options, prices would range from purchasing trays at a supermarket or other deli, to having a restaurant or caterer provide trays or a simple buffet, to having a formal sit-down dinner cooked by the kitchen at the reception site or a private caterer, to really elaborate, multi-course banquets.
Entertainment--
~ Providing entertainment or activities costs extra, generally. If you want to keep the reception low-key, skip or at least limit music and dancing (this will also save you from having to rent a dance floor). If you have access to a small sound system, at the location or through a friend, you can supply your own background music through CDs or cassettes.
You may or may not need a microphone at all, depending on what you choose to include in the way of toasts and announcements. If you keep it really informal, just a chance to chat with guests, you can get away with almost no extra equipment or related preparation. This will also tend to keep the reception short, since guests won't be staying late to dance and party.
Professionals--
~ Hiring professionals, of course, accounts for a great chunk of many wedding budgets. As a professional myself, and speaking for the many fine wedding professionals I know, this is often money very well spent. However, people have married *without* the help of professional dressmakers, florists, caterers, photographers, videographers, musicians, and event planners for hundreds of years. And some couples still do.
If your budget is really tight, pick your professionals with care. Personally, for my own wedding, photography was the most important professional priority (see article); and many couples I have interviewed have felt the same. For you, it might be a particular florist or caterer. But remember you *do not* have to hire every professional suggested in the bridal magazines, or by people you know. You can choose to spend the money you have on what matters most to you.
~ Consultants, coordinators and event planners are currently touted by most magazines, and many bridal advisors, as an *essential* element of modern wedding planning. They site money savings, higher quality wedding "results", planning-stress reduction, and more. I think it is important to point out, however, that many, if not most, weddings are planned *without* the help of this type of professional. And most of them are beautiful, happy, fun and memorable.
There *are* situations where a bridal consultant, coordinator or event planner is very helpful-- and still another few situations where one *might* be essential. But if you are planning a relatively average wedding, and you are concerned with keeping costs down, this is a professional I believe you can safely skip-- no matter what the magazines say.
Good advice and information about wedding planning is available from many free or inexpensive sources-- friends and family, your local library, the internet, and many of the wedding professionals with whom you will be working. Don't sell any of these resources short!
* * * *
And don't let anyone intimidate you by making wedding planning seem more complicated than it is. A lot of the people who emphasize the stresses, costs, and frustrations of planning are either selling something, or they have been heavily influenced by those who are.
LOTS of couples plan wonderful weddings without suffering tremendous stress, without going into years of debt, without having horrible fights with their future spouses-- and without losing sight of the reason they are doing all of this in the first place. You can, too! Best wishes to you!!
By Sara L. Ambarian - author/creative consultant/custom bridal designer
Visit her website:
www.frazmtn.com/~ambarian/
www.imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
info@imemoryfilms.com
For more wedding tips, info, and cool stuff, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
A GREAT article by Sara!
Contrary to what they say in the magazines and on-line now, you don't have to spend a fortune to have a wonderful, memorable wedding. I tell my clients and my readers that the most important part of making a wedding memorable is focusing on and prioritizing what you want to achieve. Fortunately, that same focus will help you save money as well!
You can look at all the planning guidelines and timelines in magazines and on websites for ideas of things you might do, but don't get boxed in by them-- real weddings come together in a much different way than magazines and many experts suggest.
You and your fiancé need to sit down and really talk and think about what you want MOST for the wedding-- a certain location, a large guest list, great photography, a really fancy gown and accessories. Start making notes of what you really want and what you can live without. Compare your ideas, and compromise when necessary, to come up with a wedding you'll both love.
When you have an idea of what's most important to you, you can start finding out what those things will cost. Call around, ask around, make notes, add things up. Then when you have an idea of what you'll do, start with the most important priorities FIRST, so you make sure you can afford them. Then you can compromise on, or even omit, some of the less important things as your budget gets stretched.
The following is a compilation of ideas I have sent to various brides who were looking to keep their expenses and/or weddings small, but memorable.
General Budget/Cash Flow Issues--
~ Careful timing can reduce reception costs. Do you have a time set for the wedding? If you don't want to spend a lot on refreshments, plan the wedding and reception at a time other than mealtime. This is tricky because the length of time a wedding and reception takes, but you can work with it a little.
Usually, for instance, it's tough to have a morning wedding early enough to avoid feeding the guests lunch. Even a very short ceremony and reception that starts at 10 am is going to run into "lunchtime" (and some guests may expect brunch, since many morning weddings offer that.)
In the afternoon, you could plan the wedding to start, say, 1:30 or 2 pm, and figure you can have people on their way before 5 if there are no real activities except socializing and limited light refreshments.
In the evening, you can work it the same way, if you wish. Any ceremony after about 6:30 pm (or certainly 7) would be "after dinner" (in most regions), so you could plan to only serve dessert rather than a buffet or meal.
~ Make some things for the wedding yourself. Doing-it-yourself is not always as much cheaper as it used to be, but it still saves you labor charges, if you have creative talents and energy. I encourage couples and families to make garters or bridesmaids dresses, arrange flowers, cook the reception food-- whatever they are good at. It's cheaper, and it's often more meaningful to have had a hand in the preparations personally. Also, many family and friends really ENJOY helping out with wedding prep. Don't be afraid to ask! : )
~ Consider marrying on Friday evening. This is NOT the most convenient arrangement, because people have to get out of work early, etc. It can also be difficult for any out-of-town guests you might have, because it may force them to take an additional day off work to arrive in time for all the festivities. But you can sometimes get discounts on sites and services. If you are *really* tight in the budget, this could be an option worth researching.
~~One other **very important** thing to remember when money is tight--- most of your bills will come due right before the wedding. Usually you pay 1/2 up-front for services, and then the last couple weeks before the wedding, everyone wants their other half paid. BE PREPARED FOR THIS! Try to look ahead so you will have the cash flow you need when all those payments go out at once. If you can, save extra *right away* while you are in the early planning stages, because you will need it later.
Also, plan your budget *smaller* than you think you could really afford. If your wedding expenses come within that figure, that will be great. But if one or two things turn out to be more expensive than you expected, you won't be right at the absolute limit of your funds. It will give you peace of mind.
Location/Guest List--
~ Keep your guest list small. The more people, the bigger the location, the more food, the more invitations, etc.
~ Have the wedding and reception in the same place. It's trendy to have them separate locations, but frankly, as a guest, I really dislike the practice (all that extra driving and parking). And from the couple's standpoint, it's much cheaper to do it all in one place. It's also more convenient and relaxing for everyone involved.
~ Consider an less-traditional location. In most areas, many attractive locations are willing to have weddings-- not just the churches, hotels and country clubs where most weddings take place. Some non-traditional locations will cost you more, but others may cost *considerably* less. So do some research, and make some calls. Likely locations include, parks (local, state and national), bed-and-breakfasts, country inns, restaurants, public gardens, historic homes or monuments, museums, galleries, and private homes of friends or family.
When considering the suitability of *any* location, be sure to find out not just about the price to rent the location, but also about parking, seating, restrooms, food preparation and/or storage, dressing areas, security, electrical hook-ups, restrictions or regulations (on alcohol, attire, photography or videography, decorations, etc.) Anything not provided or conveniently available may cost you more to rent or provide on your own.
Attire--
~ The two best ways to save money on attire are to dress very casually, or to sew your own (or have a friend or relative sew your) gown and/or bridesmaids' gowns. But even casual gowns can be quite costly in the current market, unless you are able to take advantage of sales or other discounts.
Home-sewn gowns are less popular now than they were in the 70's and 80's. However, since the current styles and fabrics are actually fairly easy to sew, it seems a shame that more brides and their families do not make use of this option--especially for bridesmaids and flowergirls.
Obviously, good general sewing skills and a dependable sewing machine are necessary, as well as a reasonable "eye" for fitting. But if you consider that a bride recently commented to me that she was *happy* to find a flowergirl dress for "only" $99 (other similar gowns were as much as $150), it seems clear that sewing should be an option budget-conscious brides at least *consider*.
~ Headpieces and some accessories are very inexpensive to make, as well. Good instructions are available in books and with patterns. If you are creative at all, you might look into this option. Mark-ups on headpieces, especially, are VERY high in most bridal boutiques, so this can net you a big savings from retail.
~ If you will buy your gown "off-the-rack", big discount bridal stores and on-line resources can offer lower prices-- but consider what you may, or may not, get from these sources in the way of quality, personal service, dependability, selection, alterations, etc. Some are excellent; others are not. Working with a company or resource you have personal references for is the best, whenever possible.
~ If you will hire a dressmaker to save money, remember that the talents and prices and quality provided will vary considerably. You might be fortunate to have a very inexpensive, but fabulously talented dressmaker available to you. On the other hand, to get the best deal from a more expensive dressmaker or designer, you might decide to simplify your fabric and detailing choices to include only what's MOST important to you. The other advantage of having a gown made is that, at least you will not have to worry about alterations costs on top of the purchase price.
~ Menswear costs can be reduced by having the men wear suits they own, for example, rather than renting matching formalwear.
Decorations/Flowers--
~ If you will use fresh flowers, try to choose varieties which will be in-season at the time of your wedding date. Skip extra arrangements on the altars, reception tables, etc. If you must decorate these areas, consider using inexpensive live plants (home centers, discount stores, large nurseries, and even grocery stores sometimes have great prices on potted plants.) Be sure, however, that any plants or flowers used near food are not toxic.
~ Keep the bouquets small. Let the bouquets do double-duty for decoration, by laying them out on your tables at the reception. Consider eliminating corsages and boutonnieres for anyone besides your own and your fiancé's parents.
~ Consider arranging silk or dried flowers yourself. The price of professionally-arranged silk or dried bouquets is often about the same as fresh flower prices. However, if you use careful shopping, creative filler options, a bit of patience, and some ingenuity, you can often save money by arranging silk or dried flowers yourself. If you haven't worked with floral arranging before, start with the boutonnieres. They are easy to handle and help you get familiar with the general techniques and products you will use on the larger arrangements.
~ Not all locations need extra decorations. It is not necessary to totally *transform* your ceremony or reception location in order to have a beautiful and memorable wedding. If your budget is tight, do the minimum you are comfortable with.
~ If you really need some color and interest in a really boring reception location (a common problem), I have seen really pretty, classy effects achieved with really simple, inexpensive party materials, like balloons, streamers (especially metallic or pearlized), honeycomb wedding bells, inexpensive fabrics, candles, confetti and glitter.
If you choose to use materials like these, choose your colors carefully so they are not too harsh, and look for ways to combine materials and add small decorative details (silk flowers, ribbons, floating beads, etc.) to create a more complex, customized look.
Refreshments--
~ Your choice of refreshments is very important to how much the reception will cost.
Generally, the least expensive reception is a cake and punch reception. Cake is really the minimum food you should serve. You can cut cake costs, if necessary, by having a very small decorative and/or stacked cake, and supplementing the servings with additional sheet cake in the same flavor. Punch is an easy and inexpensive beverage, and it can be very fun to make (ideas for a custom punch recipe can be found in A Bride's Touch on page 249).
A cake and punch reception usually also includes coffee and perhaps tea, individual sodas instead of punch if you prefer (but that costs more), and sometimes champagne or other alcohol (but that's a pricey item, too.) There has also recently been a trend toward offering other desserts besides cake, so you could have a "dessert and punch" reception for a little more than a standard cake and punch affair.
A pot-luck is next most expensive, because it should be assumed that you and your family will contribute several dishes. In some social circles, this works out very well, and makes for a very fun and tasty reception. There is a lot of variety in the food (something for everyone, usually) and even if some guests are not able/willing to bring something, there's usually plenty. This sort of arrangement works well for family- or church-oriented weddings, where guests feel that bringing a dish is a way to help the couple celebrate. In other circles, guests may consider this in poor taste, feeling that the bride's (and perhaps groom's family) should be treating the guests to a meal. You would have to check around with family and friends to see how they would feel about this idea.
Some hosting families opt to prepare the food themselves. It gives them control over the cost and menu, but eliminates the potluck concept of asking others to bring something. If you have a lot of guests, you could also ask for help from the bridal party members and your closest family and friends.
Cold food works the best for this because you can buy and prepare it ahead. If you have family or friends willing to help, it's not too taxing to have them each make a double or triple recipe of one dish like potato or crab salad, or a platter of cold cuts, or a tray of rolls. Warehouse and food service stores like Price Club and Smart and Final have made this even easier, providing good prices for large quantities, and (at Smart and Final and other restaurant suppliers), low cost serving dishes and utensils as well. I have found that big plastic punch bowls are excellent for serving salads and other large dishes attractively and economically.
Of "catered" options, prices would range from purchasing trays at a supermarket or other deli, to having a restaurant or caterer provide trays or a simple buffet, to having a formal sit-down dinner cooked by the kitchen at the reception site or a private caterer, to really elaborate, multi-course banquets.
Entertainment--
~ Providing entertainment or activities costs extra, generally. If you want to keep the reception low-key, skip or at least limit music and dancing (this will also save you from having to rent a dance floor). If you have access to a small sound system, at the location or through a friend, you can supply your own background music through CDs or cassettes.
You may or may not need a microphone at all, depending on what you choose to include in the way of toasts and announcements. If you keep it really informal, just a chance to chat with guests, you can get away with almost no extra equipment or related preparation. This will also tend to keep the reception short, since guests won't be staying late to dance and party.
Professionals--
~ Hiring professionals, of course, accounts for a great chunk of many wedding budgets. As a professional myself, and speaking for the many fine wedding professionals I know, this is often money very well spent. However, people have married *without* the help of professional dressmakers, florists, caterers, photographers, videographers, musicians, and event planners for hundreds of years. And some couples still do.
If your budget is really tight, pick your professionals with care. Personally, for my own wedding, photography was the most important professional priority (see article); and many couples I have interviewed have felt the same. For you, it might be a particular florist or caterer. But remember you *do not* have to hire every professional suggested in the bridal magazines, or by people you know. You can choose to spend the money you have on what matters most to you.
~ Consultants, coordinators and event planners are currently touted by most magazines, and many bridal advisors, as an *essential* element of modern wedding planning. They site money savings, higher quality wedding "results", planning-stress reduction, and more. I think it is important to point out, however, that many, if not most, weddings are planned *without* the help of this type of professional. And most of them are beautiful, happy, fun and memorable.
There *are* situations where a bridal consultant, coordinator or event planner is very helpful-- and still another few situations where one *might* be essential. But if you are planning a relatively average wedding, and you are concerned with keeping costs down, this is a professional I believe you can safely skip-- no matter what the magazines say.
Good advice and information about wedding planning is available from many free or inexpensive sources-- friends and family, your local library, the internet, and many of the wedding professionals with whom you will be working. Don't sell any of these resources short!
* * * *
And don't let anyone intimidate you by making wedding planning seem more complicated than it is. A lot of the people who emphasize the stresses, costs, and frustrations of planning are either selling something, or they have been heavily influenced by those who are.
LOTS of couples plan wonderful weddings without suffering tremendous stress, without going into years of debt, without having horrible fights with their future spouses-- and without losing sight of the reason they are doing all of this in the first place. You can, too! Best wishes to you!!
By Sara L. Ambarian - author/creative consultant/custom bridal designer
Visit her website:
www.frazmtn.com/~ambarian/
www.imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
info@imemoryfilms.com
For more wedding tips, info, and cool stuff, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Wedding Shoes 101
Considerations as You Shop for Wedding Shoes
A GREAT post by Bobette!
As you search for just the right wedding shoes, there are other attributes to consider besides their style. Here are some tips to help you create a perfect wedding-day experience in no small part because of your choice of shoes:
Comfort counts. The phrase "to die for" takes on new meaning after standing in excruciatingly uncomfortable shoes for several hours. Comfortable wedding shoes don't have to be dowdy or boring. You can find a wonderful selection of low heels, slippers, and sandals online. You may also consider buying two pairs of wedding shoes -- a fashion-conscious pair for the ceremony and slippers or tennis shoes for the reception.
Heel height affects the length of your gown. If your gown is floor-length, shoe height determines whether the hem falls above, at, or on the floor. As you shop for gowns, try on different heel heights with each dress. When you go for the final fitting, be sure to bring your wedding shoes so your wedding dress can be altered to perfection.
A balanced look matters. Consider how elaborate or simple your gown is when choosing shoes. The key is a balanced look, which you can achieve by wearing understated shoes if your dress is heavily embellished (or vice versa). Choosing the same accents for your shoes, gown, and/or jewelry (pearls, beads, crystals, rhinestones, etc.) can also create a beautiful, balanced look.
Outdoor sites can trip you up. Outdoor or beach weddings call for more stability in your shoes. Consider satin bridal flat shoes, ballerina shoes, sandal bridal shoes, wedding tennis shoes, or going barefoot.
Bobette Kyle-Wagner
MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more tips, ideas, and stuff on weddings, visit us at, www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
A GREAT post by Bobette!
As you search for just the right wedding shoes, there are other attributes to consider besides their style. Here are some tips to help you create a perfect wedding-day experience in no small part because of your choice of shoes:
Comfort counts. The phrase "to die for" takes on new meaning after standing in excruciatingly uncomfortable shoes for several hours. Comfortable wedding shoes don't have to be dowdy or boring. You can find a wonderful selection of low heels, slippers, and sandals online. You may also consider buying two pairs of wedding shoes -- a fashion-conscious pair for the ceremony and slippers or tennis shoes for the reception.
Heel height affects the length of your gown. If your gown is floor-length, shoe height determines whether the hem falls above, at, or on the floor. As you shop for gowns, try on different heel heights with each dress. When you go for the final fitting, be sure to bring your wedding shoes so your wedding dress can be altered to perfection.
A balanced look matters. Consider how elaborate or simple your gown is when choosing shoes. The key is a balanced look, which you can achieve by wearing understated shoes if your dress is heavily embellished (or vice versa). Choosing the same accents for your shoes, gown, and/or jewelry (pearls, beads, crystals, rhinestones, etc.) can also create a beautiful, balanced look.
Outdoor sites can trip you up. Outdoor or beach weddings call for more stability in your shoes. Consider satin bridal flat shoes, ballerina shoes, sandal bridal shoes, wedding tennis shoes, or going barefoot.
Bobette Kyle-Wagner
MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more tips, ideas, and stuff on weddings, visit us at, www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Hillcrest United Church of Christ-La Habra
One of our FAVORITE places to film a wedding!!! If your looking for a venue with drop dead backdrops, and gorgeous sanctuaries,..this is it!! Give these folks a call and book your wedding here,..you will LOVE everything about the place!
http://www.hillcrest-church.org/wedding-chapel.html
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
For more wedding tips, ideas, and info, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Caring for your Veil 101
Choosing & Caring for Your Veil
TRADITIONAL VEIL DEFINITIONS
BLUSHER - is traditionally short, shoulder length or shorter and is worn over the bride's face to hide her from the groom until after they are wed when it's pushed back behind the head. It is usually combined with another layer sometimes a different length. Despite tradition, blushers of today can be any length as long as they cover the face. Blushers can
be worn in formal or informal weddings.
ELBOW LENGTH - is usually worn with a gown without a train and is a little less formal.
FINGER-TIP LENGTH - is usually for formal and semi-formal weddings.
CHAPEL - is for a more formal wedding. A chapel veil falls to or near the floor.
CATHEDRAL - is for formal weddings. A cathedral veil extends on to the floor like a train and is usually worn with a dress with a train.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR VEIL
The great thing about being a bride today is that anything goes! Whether you want to do everything traditionally or just choose the style that looks best and suits your personality. The following are a few tips to help you in making your decision.
* Choose a simple veil and headpiece if your dress is very ornate.
* Consider the back detail of your dress. If you want to show off the back of the dress, you may want to choose a short veil (blusher or elbow length) a veil with less fullness to it (72" width, pony veil, or the ballerina headband and side veil).
* If your gown is very simple, you may want a very ornate headpiece and or veil to attract attention to your face.
* OR if your gown is very simple and your style is very simple and elegant, you may also want to wear a simple headpiece and or veil with minor details.
* Be confident in your decision! This is your day. If you feel confident, you'll beam with beauty. Congratulations!
CARING FOR YOUR VEIL
When you first receive your veil in the mail, immediately take it out and hang it up. The only way to ship your veil to you is to box it which will cause it to first appear very wrinkled and unattractive. We recommend that you hang your veil from the center so that it will hang straight down. Most of the wrinkles should come out over time from just hanging however, if you don't have time or it's still too wrinkled for your taste, try the following methods:
* Steaming the veil with a steaming iron
* Hot shower method - steaming the veil by hanging it in the bathroom with a hot shower on for several minutes to steam up the room.
* Dry cleaning - have an experienced bridal dry cleaner press or steam it.
By Peggy Mead
The Blissful Bride
GREAT article Peggy!
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
for more wedding tips, ideas, and cool stuff, visit, wwww.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
TRADITIONAL VEIL DEFINITIONS
BLUSHER - is traditionally short, shoulder length or shorter and is worn over the bride's face to hide her from the groom until after they are wed when it's pushed back behind the head. It is usually combined with another layer sometimes a different length. Despite tradition, blushers of today can be any length as long as they cover the face. Blushers can
be worn in formal or informal weddings.
ELBOW LENGTH - is usually worn with a gown without a train and is a little less formal.
FINGER-TIP LENGTH - is usually for formal and semi-formal weddings.
CHAPEL - is for a more formal wedding. A chapel veil falls to or near the floor.
CATHEDRAL - is for formal weddings. A cathedral veil extends on to the floor like a train and is usually worn with a dress with a train.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR VEIL
The great thing about being a bride today is that anything goes! Whether you want to do everything traditionally or just choose the style that looks best and suits your personality. The following are a few tips to help you in making your decision.
* Choose a simple veil and headpiece if your dress is very ornate.
* Consider the back detail of your dress. If you want to show off the back of the dress, you may want to choose a short veil (blusher or elbow length) a veil with less fullness to it (72" width, pony veil, or the ballerina headband and side veil).
* If your gown is very simple, you may want a very ornate headpiece and or veil to attract attention to your face.
* OR if your gown is very simple and your style is very simple and elegant, you may also want to wear a simple headpiece and or veil with minor details.
* Be confident in your decision! This is your day. If you feel confident, you'll beam with beauty. Congratulations!
CARING FOR YOUR VEIL
When you first receive your veil in the mail, immediately take it out and hang it up. The only way to ship your veil to you is to box it which will cause it to first appear very wrinkled and unattractive. We recommend that you hang your veil from the center so that it will hang straight down. Most of the wrinkles should come out over time from just hanging however, if you don't have time or it's still too wrinkled for your taste, try the following methods:
* Steaming the veil with a steaming iron
* Hot shower method - steaming the veil by hanging it in the bathroom with a hot shower on for several minutes to steam up the room.
* Dry cleaning - have an experienced bridal dry cleaner press or steam it.
By Peggy Mead
The Blissful Bride
GREAT article Peggy!
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
for more wedding tips, ideas, and cool stuff, visit, wwww.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Personalizing Your Wedding 101
Injecting your big day with a little creativity to personalize your wedding can be one of the most rewarding activities you undertake throughout the planning stages. Start by elaborating on your mutual interests or focus on the things that brought you together. If you met in a coffee shop, serve up some home-brewed, gourmet coffee during the reception or as unique wedding favors. If you were engaged while on a skiing trip in Colorado, decorate your reception tables with snowflake-themed elements. Though you have a lot of choices to make in the coming months, making your wedding day your own should be a special collaboration between you and your new partner.
Customizing your wedding day will always link your special day with you and your soon-to-be in your guests' minds. Though there are many things that happen behind the scenes, many of your choices will be dictated by your theme, color selection, and wedding date or place. Engaging your guests on your wedding day with relevant activities, dress code requests, menu selections, and unique wedding favors ensures that your families and friends will be talking about your wedding for years to come!
Select Customized, Unique Wedding Favors. The wedding favors you select are important because it's the memento your guests take home. Choosing a favor with utility in mind guarantees your guests will use the favor long after your wedding day. Coasters, candles, wine bottle stoppers, luggage tags, and personality boxes are all popular with the savvy bride who mixes and matches unique wedding favors to suit her guests' needs and interests.
Your own unique wedding favors can all be decorated with your colors or themes, tying your day together flawlessly. The decision to personalize wedding favors is always a big hit with crowds, with items that include photo albums, sticky notes and notepads. Personalize your wedding using favors such as tasteful crystal flutes, ribbons, luxurious fabrics, and boxes.
Choose a Theme Based on Your Interests. A theme is an excellent way to personalize your wedding and a fun way for guests to participate. Though they range from the eccentric – fantasy and sci-fi – to the elegant – seasonal and destination, a theme, complete with food, decorations, colors, and unique wedding favors, makes your wedding day a cohesive event that guests will long remember.
Say you and your new partner are big fans of bungee jumping; personalize your wedding by taking it to an extreme level – do a jump just after your first kiss as husband and wife. Or, for a more traditional touch, wear your grandmother's lovely silk wedding dress from the '40s and throw a big, vintage wedding bash complete with a live swing band.
A destination event is another idea that brides are using to personalize the wedding day. It's more like a vacation within a wedding, which gives your guests an opportunity to get away, see a new place, and attend your big day. Many couples decide to exchange vows in tropical climates, though this is by no means a requisite. Though destination weddings are a bit pricier than their traditional counterparts, it's an exciting adventure for both you and your guests. If you're short on money, turn your ceremony and reception into an homage to a destination or locale you both love. Serve inventive cocktails, unique wedding favors, and require everyone to show up in Hawaiian attire.
Use Colors, Flowers, and Food to Great Effect. Personalize your wedding by designing the menu with both of your favorites in mind, treating guests to a smorgasbord of decadent appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts. For the main, anticipated dessert, some brides have elected to personalize the wedding cake by serving flavorful cupcakes with the couples' new monogram. You can also decorate the cake with unusual wedding toppers, bake with new flavors, or add colorful, vibrant frosting options.
If you are throwing a beach-themed wedding, for instance, your colors will consist of rich caramels, honeys, blues, and baby yellows. You can use these hues on the decorations at both your wedding and reception – drape chairs with silky honey fabric, place unique wedding favors in the shape of seashells strategically by the plate settings, and top your reception tables with sky blue table covers.
The colors you use to personalize your wedding will underscore your theme if used effectively, and flowers, too, can be useful if placed appropriately and will continue to echo your theme throughout the night. Though the most popular flower choices remain calla lilies, gardenias, and hydrangeas, all of which you can order to match your colors and theme, many other flowers, such as roses, birds of paradise, tulips, and hibiscus, will capture the romance and style of your wedding day as well.
Don't Be Afraid to Get Creative. Remember that, after all, it is your day. This is your time to plan an event your guests will never forget and a prime opportunity to let your personality and interests shine through. Use your creativity to select unique wedding favors, rich, vibrant colors, and exotic decorations. Don't be afraid to personalize your wedding by mixing the old traditions of the bride and groom's families with your new ideas. Though the day may be hectic for you, with your own blend of personalization and sophistication, it will be a day that you and your soon-to-be will never forget.
Cherie Johnson
Creative Bride
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
Customizing your wedding day will always link your special day with you and your soon-to-be in your guests' minds. Though there are many things that happen behind the scenes, many of your choices will be dictated by your theme, color selection, and wedding date or place. Engaging your guests on your wedding day with relevant activities, dress code requests, menu selections, and unique wedding favors ensures that your families and friends will be talking about your wedding for years to come!
Select Customized, Unique Wedding Favors. The wedding favors you select are important because it's the memento your guests take home. Choosing a favor with utility in mind guarantees your guests will use the favor long after your wedding day. Coasters, candles, wine bottle stoppers, luggage tags, and personality boxes are all popular with the savvy bride who mixes and matches unique wedding favors to suit her guests' needs and interests.
Your own unique wedding favors can all be decorated with your colors or themes, tying your day together flawlessly. The decision to personalize wedding favors is always a big hit with crowds, with items that include photo albums, sticky notes and notepads. Personalize your wedding using favors such as tasteful crystal flutes, ribbons, luxurious fabrics, and boxes.
Choose a Theme Based on Your Interests. A theme is an excellent way to personalize your wedding and a fun way for guests to participate. Though they range from the eccentric – fantasy and sci-fi – to the elegant – seasonal and destination, a theme, complete with food, decorations, colors, and unique wedding favors, makes your wedding day a cohesive event that guests will long remember.
Say you and your new partner are big fans of bungee jumping; personalize your wedding by taking it to an extreme level – do a jump just after your first kiss as husband and wife. Or, for a more traditional touch, wear your grandmother's lovely silk wedding dress from the '40s and throw a big, vintage wedding bash complete with a live swing band.
A destination event is another idea that brides are using to personalize the wedding day. It's more like a vacation within a wedding, which gives your guests an opportunity to get away, see a new place, and attend your big day. Many couples decide to exchange vows in tropical climates, though this is by no means a requisite. Though destination weddings are a bit pricier than their traditional counterparts, it's an exciting adventure for both you and your guests. If you're short on money, turn your ceremony and reception into an homage to a destination or locale you both love. Serve inventive cocktails, unique wedding favors, and require everyone to show up in Hawaiian attire.
Use Colors, Flowers, and Food to Great Effect. Personalize your wedding by designing the menu with both of your favorites in mind, treating guests to a smorgasbord of decadent appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts. For the main, anticipated dessert, some brides have elected to personalize the wedding cake by serving flavorful cupcakes with the couples' new monogram. You can also decorate the cake with unusual wedding toppers, bake with new flavors, or add colorful, vibrant frosting options.
If you are throwing a beach-themed wedding, for instance, your colors will consist of rich caramels, honeys, blues, and baby yellows. You can use these hues on the decorations at both your wedding and reception – drape chairs with silky honey fabric, place unique wedding favors in the shape of seashells strategically by the plate settings, and top your reception tables with sky blue table covers.
The colors you use to personalize your wedding will underscore your theme if used effectively, and flowers, too, can be useful if placed appropriately and will continue to echo your theme throughout the night. Though the most popular flower choices remain calla lilies, gardenias, and hydrangeas, all of which you can order to match your colors and theme, many other flowers, such as roses, birds of paradise, tulips, and hibiscus, will capture the romance and style of your wedding day as well.
Don't Be Afraid to Get Creative. Remember that, after all, it is your day. This is your time to plan an event your guests will never forget and a prime opportunity to let your personality and interests shine through. Use your creativity to select unique wedding favors, rich, vibrant colors, and exotic decorations. Don't be afraid to personalize your wedding by mixing the old traditions of the bride and groom's families with your new ideas. Though the day may be hectic for you, with your own blend of personalization and sophistication, it will be a day that you and your soon-to-be will never forget.
Cherie Johnson
Creative Bride
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
818.760.9490
Friday, January 21, 2011
Preserving Your Wedding gown!
Tips for Preserving Your Wedding Gown...
After the wedding, many brides struggle with what to do with their precious wedding gown that so fondly represents that special day. Since most brides prefer to treasure the memories of their wedding day by keeping their wedding dress (possibly handing it down to a daughter, special niece, god child or grand daughter, or even re-wearing it to renew their vows), it is important to understand the proper methods of cleaning and storing your gown so it can last for centuries to come.
Should I have my gown cleaned?
Whether you decide to keep your gown, donate it or sell it, it is important to consider having it cleaned and preserved as soon as possible to maintain its beauty and value. Caramelized sugar stains from cake icing, white wine, champagne or soft drinks will leave unsightly brown spots/stains if they are not thoroughly removed from the fabric in a timely manner. Perspiration, deodorant, hairspray, perfumes, body lotions and cosmetics can cause discoloration as well. Most of these are not readily visible to the naked eye can also cause damage to the fabric of the gown. Left untreated they can be difficult to impossible to remove over time. As a result, it is highly recommended that you have your gown cleaned and preserved by a reputable professional as soon as possible after your wedding.
What is the difference between dry cleaning and preservation?
Dry cleaning provides a basic cleaning of obvious dirt and stains. However, it does not protect against the long term yellowing, fabric deterioration, or invisible stains that can surface over time and ruin your precious gown. It is important to find a highly reputable and experienced preservation service that will carefully examine each gown individually under special lighting and hand treat all stains with gentle yet effective chemicals. They should also treat the fabric with against yellowing and other discolorations with an anti-sugar treatment. Proper cleaning and preservation will permanently remove both visible and invisible stains, as well as protect the fabric from deterioration, so your gown will look just as beautiful as the day you first tried it on.
How much will it cost?
Top quality preservation by a highly reputable company does not have to be expensive. Although some companies will charge upwards of $800 for museum quality preservation, you can get the same high quality for around $150 - $250 if you do your homework. Most dry cleaners will charge as much, if not more, for just basic dry cleaning alone.
How long can I wait to have my dress cleaned and preserved?
Since stains can cause damage to a fabric over time, it is recommended that you have your dress professionally cleaned and preserved as soon after the wedding as is practical. Generally, you can safely wait up to six months after the ceremony. Some brides have waited longer, but it is not recommended as it may start to yellow, the fabric may begin to deteriorate and some stains may not come out at all as they settle into the fabric. Until you send in your gown to be cleaned and preserved, it is best to keep it in a dark (unexposed to sunlight), dry place, folded or rolled in a clean white sheet. Hanging your dress on a hanger is not recommended as it can cause stress to the fabric and create distortion. Do not store your gown in plastic such as a garment bag. Plastic can emit gases that will tend to yellow the fabric.
Will my dress be vacuum sealed if I have it preserved?
Vacuum sealing is never recommended for preserving fabrics of any kind. Professional textile curators always recommend that a fabric be allowed to "breathe". Vacuum sealing traps moisture in the box, promoting mold and mildew growth, which will stain and weaken the fibers of your dress. If stored in plastic that is not acid free, as time passes it can accumulate gasses that will harm the fabric, causing it to yellow and deteriorate. A reputable preservation service will use special acid-free or PH balanced breathable cardboard and tissue, or museum quality muslin, to package your gown, as well as an acid free window (to see your gown) for these reasons.
How should I store my gown after I have it preserved? Once your gown has been cleaned and preserved by a reputable professional it is also important that you continue to store your gown properly. Your gown should be stored in a room where the temperature and humidity levels are constant, such as a guest room or spare closet. Never store your dress in the attic or basement where there are extreme changes in temperature and/or humidity. The storage box should also lay flat if possible. If you decide to remove your gown from the preservation box, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when handling the gown to protect the fabric from natural oils on your hands. Check on your gown once a year to make sure it is still in good condition. Most companies will provide a guarantee against yellowing and will restore your gown for free if you have stored it properly.
Other Options Although most brides keep and treasure their wedding gowns for a lifetime, if should you decide to part with your precious gown, below are some resources for selling or donating your wedding dress that may help contribute to making someone else's dream wedding come true.
Donations:
Making Memories - Brides Against Breast Cancer
I Do Foundation
Heavenly Angels
Sale of Used Gowns:
Sell Your Wedding Dress.com
Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses.com
Consignment Shops
Craig's List
Author: Madelaine Melberg, Affordable Preservation Company, www.affordablepreservation.com
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
818.760.9490
After the wedding, many brides struggle with what to do with their precious wedding gown that so fondly represents that special day. Since most brides prefer to treasure the memories of their wedding day by keeping their wedding dress (possibly handing it down to a daughter, special niece, god child or grand daughter, or even re-wearing it to renew their vows), it is important to understand the proper methods of cleaning and storing your gown so it can last for centuries to come.
Should I have my gown cleaned?
Whether you decide to keep your gown, donate it or sell it, it is important to consider having it cleaned and preserved as soon as possible to maintain its beauty and value. Caramelized sugar stains from cake icing, white wine, champagne or soft drinks will leave unsightly brown spots/stains if they are not thoroughly removed from the fabric in a timely manner. Perspiration, deodorant, hairspray, perfumes, body lotions and cosmetics can cause discoloration as well. Most of these are not readily visible to the naked eye can also cause damage to the fabric of the gown. Left untreated they can be difficult to impossible to remove over time. As a result, it is highly recommended that you have your gown cleaned and preserved by a reputable professional as soon as possible after your wedding.
What is the difference between dry cleaning and preservation?
Dry cleaning provides a basic cleaning of obvious dirt and stains. However, it does not protect against the long term yellowing, fabric deterioration, or invisible stains that can surface over time and ruin your precious gown. It is important to find a highly reputable and experienced preservation service that will carefully examine each gown individually under special lighting and hand treat all stains with gentle yet effective chemicals. They should also treat the fabric with against yellowing and other discolorations with an anti-sugar treatment. Proper cleaning and preservation will permanently remove both visible and invisible stains, as well as protect the fabric from deterioration, so your gown will look just as beautiful as the day you first tried it on.
How much will it cost?
Top quality preservation by a highly reputable company does not have to be expensive. Although some companies will charge upwards of $800 for museum quality preservation, you can get the same high quality for around $150 - $250 if you do your homework. Most dry cleaners will charge as much, if not more, for just basic dry cleaning alone.
How long can I wait to have my dress cleaned and preserved?
Since stains can cause damage to a fabric over time, it is recommended that you have your dress professionally cleaned and preserved as soon after the wedding as is practical. Generally, you can safely wait up to six months after the ceremony. Some brides have waited longer, but it is not recommended as it may start to yellow, the fabric may begin to deteriorate and some stains may not come out at all as they settle into the fabric. Until you send in your gown to be cleaned and preserved, it is best to keep it in a dark (unexposed to sunlight), dry place, folded or rolled in a clean white sheet. Hanging your dress on a hanger is not recommended as it can cause stress to the fabric and create distortion. Do not store your gown in plastic such as a garment bag. Plastic can emit gases that will tend to yellow the fabric.
Will my dress be vacuum sealed if I have it preserved?
Vacuum sealing is never recommended for preserving fabrics of any kind. Professional textile curators always recommend that a fabric be allowed to "breathe". Vacuum sealing traps moisture in the box, promoting mold and mildew growth, which will stain and weaken the fibers of your dress. If stored in plastic that is not acid free, as time passes it can accumulate gasses that will harm the fabric, causing it to yellow and deteriorate. A reputable preservation service will use special acid-free or PH balanced breathable cardboard and tissue, or museum quality muslin, to package your gown, as well as an acid free window (to see your gown) for these reasons.
How should I store my gown after I have it preserved? Once your gown has been cleaned and preserved by a reputable professional it is also important that you continue to store your gown properly. Your gown should be stored in a room where the temperature and humidity levels are constant, such as a guest room or spare closet. Never store your dress in the attic or basement where there are extreme changes in temperature and/or humidity. The storage box should also lay flat if possible. If you decide to remove your gown from the preservation box, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when handling the gown to protect the fabric from natural oils on your hands. Check on your gown once a year to make sure it is still in good condition. Most companies will provide a guarantee against yellowing and will restore your gown for free if you have stored it properly.
Other Options Although most brides keep and treasure their wedding gowns for a lifetime, if should you decide to part with your precious gown, below are some resources for selling or donating your wedding dress that may help contribute to making someone else's dream wedding come true.
Donations:
Making Memories - Brides Against Breast Cancer
I Do Foundation
Heavenly Angels
Sale of Used Gowns:
Sell Your Wedding Dress.com
Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses.com
Consignment Shops
Craig's List
Author: Madelaine Melberg, Affordable Preservation Company, www.affordablepreservation.com
www.imemoryfilms.com
info@imemoryfilms.com
www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com
818.760.9490
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