Plans for a Perfect Wedding
Ten Kentucky Brides share the secrets that allowed them to create a successful and memorable wedding.
Amy Vanderbilt of Louisville: My fiance and I couldn't decide who to exclude from our wedding. We could only invite one hundred guests, but we had nearly two-hundred names. We didn't want to insult anyone or cause any hurt feelings. First, we indicated on the invitations, "no children" and included a note explaining that we couldn't invite everyone we wanted if they all brought their children. That brought the number down to a hundred and twenty. It was difficult to eliminate the other twenty names, but we made up a miniature photo album afterward and sent one to each of them. They were so delighted by the album that no feelings were hurt.
Linda Moreland of Lexington: Before you set out to find a photographer, sit down with your fiance and make a list of all the photos that you would like to have after the wedding. When you interview the photographer, show him the list and see if he has any interesting ideas about how to make the photos memorable. If he doesn't have some fascinating ideas right off the bat, look somewhere else for a photographer.
Jery Wise, Bowling Green: Attend a bridal show. They will present a wealth of information for you to digest and you will see gown styles that you never knew existed. A good show will change your mind about how that gown you found in a magazine will look on you.
Kathy Redding, Owensboro: Take at least one dance lesson before your wedding. If the dance instructor is good, he'll show you how to walk out on the floor and at least look like you know what you're doing, even if you don't. You only have to learn a slow, waltz-type of dance, and it's incredibly easy. We were inspired to take a few swing lessons, and now we can both really dance!
Teresa Norman, Paducah: If you decide to write your own wedding or ring vows, start by sitting down with your fiance and talking about the things that are really important to you. Make a list, then expand on it. Read your vows aloud and edit them so they don't sound too stilted. They should sound casual.
Elizabeth Farlow, Shelbyville: Hire a consultant. If it's within your budget, get the advice of an expert. You will be surprised at the changes you will make in your wedding ceremony. A consultant knows every wedding service in your area, and the best and worst reception sites. The money you spend on the consultant will be well invested because you won't spend frivolously or unwisely on the wedding. The difference in what you save could easily pay for the consultant.
Ally O'Reilly, Lawrenceburg: I discovered that another bride was having a wedding in the church just before mine, and I arranged to split the cost of the flowers with her. We saved a bundle!
Jennifer Smith, Versailles: Remember to move your head around and have different expressions when you are being photographed. Smile, look serious, tilt your head to one side and try not to look frozen. Practise posing ahead of time until you find your best angle, both for your face and your body. It will make a world of difference in your photos.
Emily Brinks, Elizabethtown: I've known brides who froze the top layer of their wedding cake and then were unable to eat it at their anniversary because of freezer burn or because it was so stale. My baker gave us a free gift certificate for a mini-version of our wedding cake in the right colors one year later. It tasted better than we remembered the original!
Tricia Moore, LaGrange: Allow enough time between your wedding and your reception for the photographer to get all the pictures you need of your family and wedding party. This will typically take at least a half hour, sometimes longer. We didn't allow enough time and ended up missing most of the food at the reception.