One of the highlights of the recent Bridal Extravaganza at the George R. Brown Convention Center was the presentation given by Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. She shared wedding advice and trends with the room full of eager brides-to-be. The focal point of her wedding wisdom were five tips guaranteed to make the big day go smoothly.
* Get organized and stay organized
The details of wedding planning are countless from such major decisions as budget and that special gown to the wedding minutia of what to give the flower girls and ring bearers. The only way to control the mammoth undertaking is by staying organized.
* Pick a palette
Miller advises that brides should choose a pair (or a narrow range) of wedding colors, a move that will facilitate tying the details together. For palette inspiration, she suggests starting with colors that are already present in the wedding venue, such as blue if it's an oceanfront wedding or the dominant wall color in the room where the marriage will be performed or even what flowers will be in season.
* Make it personal
Little details that are meaningful to both the bride and the groom can be incorporated into the festivities in order to reflect the couple, making their wedding more than a cookie-cutter event. For example, Miller recalled a bride who loved elephants so much that she commissioned a cake topper in the form of an elephant. A couple married in Ireland had a wedding cake made from Baileys Irish Cream, Irish biscuits (cookies) and chocolate fudge.
* Keep your guests in mind
The wedding is not just about the bride and groom. It is about all who attend. Guests should be cared for in style, well-fed and comfortable. No one has fun when too hot or too cold. (Like those outdoor weddings in Houston in summer when it's blazing or the Carmel destination wedding in August when it's freezing.)
* Be in the moment
On the wedding day, the bride should let go of the details (hopefully all the planning is done). Don't sweat the little things (i.e. your sunset wedding is clouded over). Keep in mind that at the end of the day, you will be wed to the one you love, surrounded by loving friends and family.
Be in the moment on your wedding day as were Kevin Kushner and Brittany Sakowitz Kushner at their destination wedding.
