Manhattan Beach Quinceanera | Verandas | Graham and Graham

This wonderful video was created by Jeff at Graham and Graham.  Jeff is an awesome photographer/vidoegrapher.  I recommend Jeff for your next event.

Shopping for "The Dress"

Don't wait until you go to a bridal show, start now looking at photos for "the dress" inspiration.  It will be very helpful if you had some kind of idea of what you like before you go to a bridal show or before you step into a bridal salon.  

By no means am I an expert on wedding dresses or even on how to shop for one, but there are some basic rules that will apply to most aspects of wedding shopping.  Buying “the dress” can be one of the most stressful parts of the wedding-planning process, yet it’s also one of the most important.  It’s the one thing at least half of the guests will notice immediately and remember forever.  You can mess up on the wedding hall, blow the church, and skimp on the food, but “the dress”, as the centerpiece of the wedding, has to be done right.  In short, when picking out "the dress", the pressure is on.

Still, don't stress out about wedding dress shopping or turn into that Bridezilla that everyone talks about if a dress doesn’t look, feel or fit the way you like.  "The dress" is out there waiting for you to find it. 

Determine a realistic budget as there is a wedding dress out there for every bride whether it's a second hand dress or a designer dress. Set the price you can afford and give yourself enough time and resources to find “the dress”. Make sure you think about all of your options as, unless you are strictly traditional, there are lots of options for wedding dresses these days. For example, brides that are getting married on a beach or in a tropical location may forgo wedding dress shopping altogether and wear a simple white dress.  This kind of dress can be worn on many other occasions.

Allowing enough time to find “the dress” can actually save money during wedding dress shopping because it eliminates the pressure to settle for a more expensive dress because time is running out to find something. Remember, you’ll need at least six months just for alterations if you plan to have “the dress” made.  You want to be able to think clearly about each dress and how you feel about it without having a time crunch influence your decision.  Be ready to put down a deposit just in case you find “the dress”.

Good luck and, more importantly, have fun!

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

Another awesome venue!

Today I spent sometime looking at venues.  This one venue in particular I really liked, Ambassador Mansion & Gardens located in Pasadena, California.  It took approximately a half hour for the awesome, Sylvia Noland to show me around.  I couldn't believe what I saw, my imagination went wild.  Call me and I'll setup an appointment for you to see the grounds.  You won't believe it!

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

What a unique venue! Love it!

More Help with the January & February Wedding Planning Checklist

A friend has hinted around at being your maid of honor—yet you have no intention of asking her. How do you break the news without ruing the friendship?

You should express how you feel in a way that doesn’t hurt her feelings. Say something like, it’s a difficult decision and that you value her friendship. Carefully explain why the other person is a more logical choice. Maybe she introduced you to your fiancé’ or helped you through a particular tough time. Let her down easy.

What are your thoughts?  Add a comment or if you have a question, send it through the  Formspring form on the sidebar.

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

Wedding & Engagement Announcement Submission Process Tips

In order to help assist with your wedding planning "TO DO" list, I will provide tips and recommendations throughout the planning process.  Below are tips on submitting your wedding-engagement announcement to local publications.  

• Select one or two newspapers in your area to which you will submit your wedding/engagement information.
• Ask if there is a standard form for you to fill out that will cover the basic details.
• Your information should be typed neatly.
• Provide relevant details such as your engagement  date, wedding date, location, the bride's maiden name, your parents names and city of residence and where you will live once you are married.
• Consider including the names and cities of residence of your wedding attendants and where you will go on your honeymoon.
• Add background information such as where you each grew up, where you went to school and where you now work.
• Include a daytime and evening phone number and email in case the editor has any questions or wants more information.
• Include a photograph with your name, phone number and email address on the back. Ask the paper what size and quality of photograph they prefer. Some accept only black and white, while others will take color.
• Provide a stamped self-addressed envelope if you want your photograph back. (Since photographs can easily get misplaced in the newsroom, it is best to send a copy, not an original.)

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist

10-12 Months Before the Big Day!

You got engaged for the New Year and you've had a couple of weeks to relish in the occasion.  Now what do you do?  It doesn't matter if you've known each other for three years or three months, getting engaged is one of the most exciting and busiest times of your life.  The first step is to share the news with family and friends.  Once the news is out that you're going to get married, parties and lots of decision-making will follow.  Understand that the way you and your fiance' negotiate with each other and with your families to plan your celebration, honeymoon and new home now is the best "dress rehearsal" you have for marriage.  

Now the planning process begins.   Your families begin voicing their opinions, your friends begin giving advice, and the workload at work didn't disappear just because you got engaged.  This is where you begin to get overwhelmed.  Don't panic,  I'm going to walk you through the 12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist as if I were your wedding planner.  Take a deep breath and follow my plan.  Of course this is going be a 12 month process so you won't get all the information in one blog post.  Stay tuned each month for the next step.  In the meantime, let's get started with what you should be doing for January and February. Also, remember you can ask questions as we go along by filling out the Formspring form on the sidebar.  I'll respond within 24 hours.

• Introduce both families to share the good news. (The way this is done is based on relationships)
• Publish the news. (After you've told relatives and friends about your engagement, you can choose to announce your engagement in local newspapers, magazines and newsletters)  
• Discuss who's paying for what and then set a budget amount. (The wedding planner can help with putting together a budget as well as help manage it)   
• Create a guest list. (This can be managed the wedding planner)
• Choose your wedding party. (I suggest people that have played a meaningful role in your life.  Don't feel guilty or obligated to choose people that you're not really close to, but they feel that you are)
• Create a website to share your engagement and provide information about the wedding.
• Consider whitening your teeth for engagement parties and photographs.
• Hire a wedding planner.  (Trust me, this is the beginning of the planning process, you're going to need one.  Call me at (310) 487-9698 for details)
• Decide if you want premarital counseling.
• Start looking at photos of wedding dress for inspiration.
• Begin thinking about where you'd like to go on your honeymoon. (This is a project you can give to your fiance' so he feels involved.)
• Begin researching venues for the reception and ceremony, if they'll be in different locations. (Sit down with your fiance' and make a list of priorities.  When weighing locations, first consider the number of guest, activities (dancing, eating---buffet, finger food, or a seated meal?), budget limitations, and a proximity to your home or honeymoon site) 
• Create a Save-The-Date guest list.  (This can be managed by the wedding planner)

Remember, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (310) 487-9698 or submit your question(s) on the Formspring form on the sidebar.  A response will be provided within 24 hours. If you'd like to know when a new post has been posted, you can subscribe by entering your email address above.

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698