All New Episodes of My Fair Wedding

Be sure to tune in this Sunday, January 2nd at 9pm for all new episodes of David Tutera's My Fair Wedding on WE tv. Watch as David takes Bride's outlandish ideas and transforms them into a wedding beyond the Bride's wildest dreams.

What Not to Wear to a Wedding

One should never under any circumstance wear jeans to a wedding! For gentlemen, if you're invited to an evening reception a tux, suit, or even dress pants with shirt and tie is in order. For ladies, cocktail dresses and evening wear (suits and gowns) are perfect choices. If you have a specific question about what is acceptable, feel free to leave a post for an immediate response.

How Much Does A Wedding Really Cost?

So really how much does a wedding cost? When meeting with new clients, I like to ask them how much they think the wedding they have envisioned will actually cost them? Here is what you can expect to pay for 150 guests: Venue: $3,000+ Food: $7,000+ Full Bar: $2,000+ Cake: $300+ Linens: $500+ Chivari Chairs: $ 1,000 Favors: $450+ Lighting: $800+ DJ: $800+ Videographer: $1,500+ Photographer: $2,500+ Flowers and Decor: $3,000+ Transportation: $800+ Rings: $800+ Wedding Attire (Gown and Tux): $1,000+ Invitations and Wedding Stationary: $300+ Officiant: $150+ Day of Coordinator: $800+ Total Cost: $26,700 If you want to spend less than this on your wedding, the first order of business is to reduce your guest count. Also, be sure to discuss with your wedding coordinator ways to save money and how to avoid costly wedding planning mistakes.

Alfred Angelo Is Having a Huge Sale

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

In May of this year, I lost my Mother to pancreatic cancer. She was my Rock and my Best Friend. Every day is difficult and a struggle to keep going. I am so Blessed however to have my wedding planning business. My mother was so very proud of me for starting this business and setting off to do what I am truly passionate about. This business and working with my FABULOUS clients keeps me going. Thank you so much for your continual support and I look forward to creating even more fabulous events! In honor of my mother, Paula Blake, for any Bride who donates $50.00 to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, we will take $200 off any of our packages booked between now and November 30, 2010. You can click here to donate. (Proof of donation is required to receive discount)

Lena G - Make-Up Artist

Learn from a Celebrity Make Up Artist Lena G will help you: • Choose my brushes and understand how to maintain them • Determine your skin type and shade • Select eye shadows learn how to apply them • Chose a foundation that is right for you • Understand how you can effectively use blush • Eyelash application demonstration • And much more Bring your make up kit (including skincare, brushes and eyelashes) 4 hour class Refreshments provided Visit lgcdinc.com to learn about Lena G to see full commercial visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6rn4UCz3rI Next available class: November 5, 2010 6:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. REGULAR RATE: 99.00 SPECIAL $50.00

Puff N' Stuff Catering

Absolute Love Photography

I must say, I love Brooke Spencer of Absolute Love Photography, she is an amazing wedding and portrait photographer serving Southern California and the Central Florida area. She is fascinated by all styles of photography, whether it be modern, vintage, photojournalism, natural light infused or traditional with a creative twist.

Brooke's youthfulness and sweet demeanor lends to her ability to develop a comfortable atmosphere for her brides and for often being regarded as a "breath of fresh air".

She loves connecting with her clients to gather their thoughts and to help them further develop their vision. Above all, she loves to capture an everlasting look so the photos will be cherished always, with timeless beauty.

Below are photos taken by Brooke of a vintage chic wedding with lots of DIY and special added touches.

You can learn more about Brooke's awesome work at http://absolutelovephotography.com/.

To Do's Before Your Big Day

1) Book a spa appointment for a relaxing massage, manicure and pedicure

2) Visit your hair dresser for any last minute touch ups to your color or cut

3) Have a make up trial run and purchase the lipstick or lipgloss you’ll be using

4) Plan out all your outfits and your fiance's outfits for around the wedding

5) Make a list of any outstanding payments and write checks. Assign these envelopes to your wedding planner to hand out. (Don't forget about the tips)

6) Write a special note to your fiancé to be delivered the morning of the wedding

7) Practice walking in your wedding shoes

8) Take really good care of your skin and drink plenty of water.

9) Write your vows and write a list of people you should thank in your speech

10) Remember to relax and enjoy the experience!

Guest Etiquette

Many of you are probably receiving wedding invitations left and right. Well there are a few things you should know before deciding to RSVP to attend a wedding. 1. Only RSVP if you know for a fact that you will be in attendance for the wedding. Couples pay anwhere between $40 and $120 per guest for food and beverage alone, not including the cost of each place setting (chair rental, linens, centerpieces, menu and place cards, chargers, etc.). Don't allow your friends to waste their money. If 10 guests do not show at $100 per person, that is $1,000 wasted. 2. RSVP before the deadline. The deadline date on the RSVP card is not the date for you to place the card in the mail. Do return your RSVP card well in advance, so that your friends can give their vendors accurate numbers of guests in attendance. 3. If you do not attend the wedding, be sure to send a gift to the couple. Registry information is located on their wedding website. If you have any doubts, gift cards are always well received. So, let's all do our part and be FABULOUS wedding guests!!!

Insure Your Wedding Ring

Don't forget to add your new sparkle to your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. In the event you lose your new ring or it is stolen, it is a good idea to make sure it is insured. You can do this by adding a "rider" to your renter's or homeowner's policy. The cost of this insurance annually is far less than what it would cost to replace the ring in the event it is stolen .

Great Tip from Aylee Bits!

When planning your wedding, create a separate email account from your personal e-mail account, if you’re planning to sign up or register for wedding-related stuff online, enter contests, attend bridal shows, etc. This allows you to avoid spam clogging your personal email. Great advice from Aylee Bits!

Guest List Etiquette Advice

From the wedding etiquette guru herself, Peggy Post, states that when creating the guest list for your wedding, do note that partners of invited guest must be included in wedding invitations. This includes couples who are married, engaged, or living together regardless of whether or not you or any other member of your wedding party knows them.

Guest Seating

A feature that I love on WeddingWire.com is the guests seating feature. This free online program allows for you to design the layout of your wedding reception and decide where each of your guests will sit. It is one of the best programs that I have found and it makes planning your guest seating a breeze!

Unique Card Box

Absolutely cute card boes from Wedding Main Street.http://www.theweddingmainst.com/default.aspx

Gap Between Ceremony and Reception

I recently ran into a planning situation where a Bride wanted to have her ceremony at 3pm but not start her cocktail hour at the reception site until 6pm. Knowing that the ceremony was going to last no more than an hour, I was left to determine what the guests would do for an hour and a half. Well to be absolutely honest, it is normal to have this break since many churches do not allow the Bride to have a Ceremony later than 4pm. The key is to make sure that your guests are aware of this break. The time to advise your guests of this would not be the day of the wedding, but ahead of time on your invitations. If you have out of town guests attending the wedding, you might consider arranging some sort of entertainment for those guests in function space at the selected reception venue. A great idea would be to have caricature artists, henna tattoo artist, fortune tellers, dancers, or any other form of exciting entertainment. If the break will last for two hours or more, I would suggest providing your guests with an "out of towner" kit prior to their arrival that gives them information about a variety of activities they can do in the area.