The 2012 wedding season is upon us. Here are some tips from experts in the field to help as you plan your special day!

CHOOSING A DRESS

“It is never a good idea to take a large group of bridesmaids or relatives with you to shop for a wedding gown. You will hear so many opinions that you could easily be talked into a gown that you don’t like...or talked out of a gown that you love. Trust your own judgement. You are going to be the one wearing it.”
– Ellen Clark of Jingles

“Since many dresses are now made overseas, make sure you allow time for your dress to be shipped and have the proper alterations. You should begin shopping for your dress six to eight months before your wedding date.”
– Tina Johnson of TJ’s Bridal

INVITATION ETIQUETTE

“A wedding invitation is the most formal and personal mailing you will ever send. Therefore, etiquette guidelines state that they should be hand addressed. Mailing labels, or computer printing of guests names and addresses should not be used.

Brides often order many more invitations than they need, because they mistakenly order based on the total number of guests they plan to invite, rather than ordering based on the number of household mailing addresses they need to mail invitations to. Brides should order 10-15 extra invitations above the number of addresses on their list.”
– Elizabeth Howard of Cordial Cricket

COLOR SCHEME

“Instead of sticking with one color for the wedding, it is wise to pick an accent color just in case the type of flowers that you want don’t come in the exact color of your wedding.”
– Erica Hutchison of Black Creek Flowers and Sweets

CAKE

“Limit your cake to one or two flavors. Sometimes, when offering a wide variety of flavors, guests will want to taste more than one flavor and you will end up running out of cake.”
– Brandi Palmore of Baker’s Kitchen


UPCOMING BRIDAL EVENTS

February 19th from 1-4pm
Richmond Elegance in Bridal Show
Holiday Inn Select, Koger South
www.eleganceinbridalshow.com

February 26th from1-4pm
The Greater Virginia Bridal Show
The John Marshall Ballrooms
www.vabridemagazine.com

July 22nd from 1-4pm
Richmond Elegance in Bridal Show
CenterStage Richmond
www.eleganceinbridalshow.com