Our Wedding Expert Discusses Wedding Attire!

Wedding consultant Michelle from A Dream To Call Your Own is back on the blog today discussing wedding attire.

Personally, I have seen a lot of “interesting” attire choices at weddings I have attended over the years, I can’t imagine what Michelle witnesses regularly! I decided to ask her if there was such a “thing” as attire rules for weddings, since wedding season is here! I received a most definite, YES!!! Classic, traditional and simple style and colour selections seem to be a great rule of thumb but what NOT to wear is even more critical.

Here are Michelle’s simple rules of what to choose and what to avoid when you are a guest of someone’s special day…

In the past, the general rules of wedding attire consisted of no black or white.  Simple right? Black was seen as dreary, as well as dark and white… well that is just self-explanatory.  However, times have now changed.  You CAN wear white pants after Labour day…winter white suits anyone?! You can also sport your favourite Little Black Dress to a wedding! Yay!

 One of the most common questions that I have many people asking me is…”What is appropriate to wear to a wedding in 2015!?!”

 As a wedding guest there are a few simple rules to follow, to help make your decision.

 Rule #1:

The bride’s colour is white (or off white)…not yours.  Mind you some brides are ok with guests wearing white, I had a guest or two wearing white to my wedding and to be honest with you I was too busy and excited to notice! However, in my days as a wedding planner, some brides are NOT ok with it.  I know it may sound like a bit much but I have been requested by a bride to let a guest know that she was upset that a guest chose to wear white to her day.  To avoid upsetting the bride, (after all you are there to celebrate the couple right?!) it’s best to avoid wearing solid white or ivory. The bride should get to stand out on her wedding day and can do this by being the only one wearing white.

 Rule #2:

Try (as hard as you can) to not wear the same colour as the wedding party.  This will help you to not feel as though you are trying to be a stand-in bridesmaid. J Trust me, it’s almost happened to me as a guest and I was SO glad that I had a back-up dress in my car!) If you don’t want to bring a back-up asking the bride or the groom well in advance what colour the dresses are is an easy way to avoid this! Trust me, they will appreciate the question and are not bothered by it at all! Remember, even if your husband is in the wedding party, best not to match his tie and pocket square with your dress colour or you may find yourself in this situation. There are many other colours that will match well with the bridal colours so that you do not clash with your date.

 Rule #3:

Watch your hem lines and do not test out new fashion forward ideas! There is a time and place for all fashion however someone else’s wedding is not the place to show off your how do I say it properly… assets (no matter how cute you think the best man is!) Also, not the most appropriate time to strut your new $350 jeans either.  Generally, the couple’s wedding invitation will dictate how formal a wedding is going to be! When in doubt, it’s best to be overdressed than under-dressed so make sure that you are wearing enough material or  that you have not dressed too casual for the occasion.

A Rule for the Men out there!

Avoid wearing a tuxedo as a wedding guest.  If the couple desires you to be wearing a tux, they will be asking you to!  Generally tux’s are reserved for the groom, groom’s men, fathers and grandfathers of the bride and groom.  If the wedding is a black tie event, wanting you to wear a tuxedo or white dinner jacket, it will be again indicated on the invitation. In addition, it’s also wise to avoid matching your tie/bow tie to the wedding party’s attire.  The same rule for men applies. If your lady is in the wedding party, it’s best to avoid wearing the same colour tie as her dress.  When in doubt, just ask your lady, I guarantee you, she will know what colour the groom’s men’s accessories are!

Weddings on a budget- IKEA Decor!

Attention all my newly engaged couples! Weddings are expensive, right?! Well, they don’t have to be if you get creative.
The other day I was at IKEA when I stumbled across a few items that would be perfect for a soft, pretty and romantic wedding. The vases and pots are $5 each and the pitchers range depending on the size. They would all make fantastic centrepieces! After your wedding you could sell them if you would like to recoup some of your money.
It is all about looking for ideas in every corner!
Happy planning 🙂

 

 

More than just a hat.

I love this hat. This hat is more than just a souvenir to me, it is a keepsake of memories and “firsts”.

Last year, my husband and I went to New York City for our first wedding anniversary. Neither of us had ever been to the city, but travelling there was a bucket list item for both.

I have always enjoyed wearing ball caps, especially when I play sports or on a weekend with a t-shirt & jeans. A New York Yankees hat was always something I had wanted, but on one condition: I had to purchase it in New York City.

Our first year wedding anniversary gave me that opportunity. The trip ended up meaning a great deal more than just an anniversary celebration. Our trip to NYC was the first time we had ever gone on a trip where we didn’t have an agenda. Nope- nothing planned other than our flights and hotel. My husband and I are planners (to the extreme), so actually letting go of structure was revolutionary to us. We saw so many cool things that I am not sure we would have if we had our typical “check-list”.

In addition to letting go of our typical travelling approach, this trip gave us a chance to breathe after our roller coaster first year of marriage. Our first year of marriage saw both of our careers undergo a whirlwind of change. Change is good, but change can bring a lot stress and emotion all at once.

Every time I put on this hat, I smile and take a deep breath. The hat is a reminder of our growth and strength together.

Time… slow down!

It has been 3 years since this moment… already.

It is remarkable to me how quickly time is passing by. The day my husband proposed to me was one of the most memorable days of my life, he truly put all his heart into that day for me. I couldn’t have asked for anything more incredible. Since my engagement story is LONG… you can read about the day here!

So much has changed since that day. The obvious, we got married 13 months later. The not-so-obvious, 2 months after this photo was taken my husband told me he was quitting his job to start his own business. I am a low risk taker and more conservative person than my husband, so I was having a coronary at such a thought. Everything has worked out though, nothing in the way we had envisioned mind you but we definitely feel blessed.

This was the start of a life time of adventure, I can’t wait to see what we will experience next!

Tips from a Wedding Planner

Our resident wedding guru is back, sharing her tips when planning your special day! There are so many things to think stress about, one often has no idea where to start or who to ask when they run into an issue… trust me there will be issues!

This is what Michelle from A Dream to Call Your Own Wedding Consulting had to say when I asked her about the most commonly forgotten or overlooked items:

A few things couples forget to think about and where a wedding coordinator comes in handy are:

• A pen for the signing of the marriage certificate- it can be noticeable when a regular generic ballpoint is used.
• A cake knife for the cutting of the cake – especially since the cutting of the cake is usually photographed.
• A vendor table and meal – vendors are usually working the longest and hardest at times up to 12- 16 hours on your wedding day. Keep them energized, hydrated, and have a place for them to sit since it’s a long day on their feet.
• Chargers for lap tops, iPads, or phones – I’ve been witness to the impromptu speech that occurred when the original was on an uncharged phone.
• Stay within your budget but prioritize or splurge on the things that are most important to you. For some it’s your photos which will keep your memories, for others it may be food, decor or the dress.
• Skip the rituals you don’t like. For example it’s not for everyone to have a bouquet and garter toss. Just because it’s at many weddings you’ve attended doesn’t mean it’s a must.

Most of all remember, a wedding planner or coordinator works for the bride and groom! Not the venue, not the photographer or any other vendor, but for the couple. We are where you can’t be to make sure your day goes off without a hitch!