September 1, 2011

Q. My sister is getting married in Oct. We are having an outdoor wedding and therefore having to rent tables and chairs. We have RSVP with the invitations, but we know there are lots of people who do not fill those out. Or will just fill it out and then decide not to come. We don’t want to pay for 200 chairs if only 150 people show up. Not to mention food. This can get expensive. What is the most tactful way of letting people know that RSVP is mandatory and if you RSVP please come?

A. This one is rather tricky, you’re not alone, many of our brides struggle with this situation. Using the term mandatory on a response card can be offensive to some guests there is no right way to go about this so here is my suggestion.
First of all although it’s an additional cost its well worth buying stamps for the RSVP cards that way your making it as easy as possible for them to return to you in a timely manner. My second suggestion is giving them less time to respond the further away the respond date the more likely it will get put to one side for later, this will also give you more time to chase people by phone if they don’t respond. If you still think that you will struggle to get the responses and as a last resort,  I would suggest wording such as all or “the favor of a reply is necessary for attendance” or “this response card will also be used as your escort card for the day of the wedding, it is essential it is returned to us to confirm your attendance.”
There’s no easy way around this, make it as easy for your guests as possible and the key is to leave yourself with plenty of time to chase them. Always give them the benefit of the doubt in case it has been lost in the mail.

Faye Valentine~Conlin
Professional Wedding Planner & Designer
Faye@coordinatingdreams.com
336-473-2944

A. I would first say to create an excel spreadsheet for the guest list and gather all your bridesmaid’s together. Start calling to confirm if they are attending the event. In that phone call I would explain the need of this information to help determine the exact numbers for catering and rentals. Sometimes spreading the word through family will help.

On the day of the wedding, if you still have the issue, (I will say from experience), I would advise the hostesses or your coordinator that for the reception only those that RSVP would be allowed inside first, once those guests have been seated then we can allow others to proceed. For the ceremony it is ok to have a few family/friends standing, I’m sure the men would gladly give up their seat if they saw a woman standing and/or someone elderly. Typically a civil ceremony is only about twenty-five minutes.

Shaunda Eggleston
E’MAGINE weddings & events
336-341-1144
www.emaginethis.com

http://facebook.com/E.MAGINEweddingsevents

September 1, 2011

Q. What is the way to have a nice inexpensive wedding on a shoestring budget?

A. Every bride wants “value for money” and a fortune doesn’t have to be spent in order to have a beautiful wedding, my advice is to spend it wisely! Shop around for prices but remember it should be quality not quantity, don’t take price for face value, check for any hidden costs and make sure they are reliable vendors.

Consider being crafty and make your own favors or centerpieces. Table decor doesn’t have to consist of huge vases filled with flowers, we have created the most simplest of centerpieces by using our imagination.

Renting wedding items instead of purchasing saves a ton of money and if you do purchase items, buy things that are easy to sell/consign after using them.

Finally I would suggest creating a realistic budget that is affordable for you and stay within your means.

Faye Valentine~Conlin
Professional Wedding Planner & Designer
Faye@coordinatingdreams.com
336 473 2944

A. There are many ways to have a nice inexpensive wedding, what is your shoestring budget? What is the number of your guest list? My first suggestion would be to consider an all-in-one venue, to use the same decor from your ceremony be moved to your reception, which would be a great way to cut cost.

 Shaunda Eggleston
E’MAGINE weddings & events
336-341-1144
www.emaginethis.com

http://facebook.com/E.MAGINEweddingsevents

January 20, 2010

Q. What are some good outdoor wedding locations around the triad that are not too expensive?

A. Outdoor locations offer some of the most beautiful settings for weddings, but are a real problem if it rains.  Local city and county parks offer some good options.  There is usually a charge to reserve a specific space and you must be sure to do that in plenty of lead time.  State parks and college campuses are also good choices.  The same need to reserve the space applies.  You might even consider the Yesterday Village at the Dixie Classic Fair.  There are several enclosed options there as well as a very relaxed outdoor space.  There are some banks and financial institutions that have beautifully landscaped grounds and may be worth a looking.  PLEASE remember to have an alternate plan in the event of rain.  Some other things to consider: are restrooms available, do you need electricity, will you need to rent seating, is there sufficient parking, and where will the wedding party dress.  If the reception is also going to be in the outdoor area, that needs to be taken into consideration.  I’ll pray for a sunny day. Hope these help..

Gloria Griffin

Wedding By Design Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College

A. Have you considered Tanglewood or Grace Court Park, Corpening Plaza or Washington Park? All are affordable and have beautiful surroundings that would not require too much decor.

Tonya Hart

Occasions of the Hart

January 20, 2010

 

Q. I need silk flowers for my wedding where can i find the cheapest at in the triad?

A. Some of our good outlets for silk flowers have either moved or closed.  However, A. C. Moore and Michael’s are still operating with good choices and supplies.  If you use the coupons that are usually in the Sunday paper, you can save a little extra, but only on one stem at a time.  Raper’s has relocated to Salisbury, however, it’s not too difficult to find.  Some floral shops, while featuring fresh flowers, have limited selections of silk flowers, so you might check there.  Hope you find what you’re looking for. 

Gloria Griffin

Wedding By Design Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College

August Wedding Question

Q. My friend is looking for outdoor gardens to have her bridal portraits taken, but we haven’t been able to find many – besides Tanglewood and Reynolda Gardens, any ideas?  Thanks!

A. Tanglewood and Reynolda are great places for a portrait. You could also try Grace Court Park on Fourth Street or Corpening Plaza in downtown Winston Salem. The fountains at Corpening are lovely and a bit of a change from a tradional garden. Blessings!

Tonya Hart

Occasions Of The Hart

A. If you can go outside of the Winston-Salem area there are several of choices all over North Carolina. Check city parks and gardens online for beautiful places like Castle McCulloch’s Crystal Garden and several other places. Check our website under Ceremony and Receptions at http://www.wxii12.com/weddings/index.html. Congradulations!

Melissa Pena

WXII12.com Weddings Page

Follow us on Twitter at WeddingsHealth@twitter.com

June 2009

Q. I just moved to Winston-Salem and my fiance and I are planning on getting married here. I would like to hire a wedding planner to help with the process, but don’t know where to begin to look for one. If you have any suggestions I would be very appreciative!! Right now we are looking into having the wedding at Reynolda Gardens and the reception at Forsyth Country Club – any other suggestions would be great as well!!! Thank you SO much for your time and help.

 

A.  A wedding planner is valuable resource for every bride, but especially a bride in a new town. You have already found one good source, this web site, www.wxii12.com, is a good place to begin. Click the link on Planning to find many options. I am listed as Weddings By Design, 765-6331, and am available, along with others who will give you good advice. If you have any questions about any wedding service provider, be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau for cautions about recent problems. A smart bride plans, organizes, and communicates. You are off to a good start with definite plans for the ceremony and reception. A word of caution, be sure to have a Plan B in case of rain for the ceremony. Best Wishes. 

 

 Gloria Griffin

Wedding By Design Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College

 

 

 

 

June 2009

Q. I have a budget of $5000, how can I give my soon to be wife, a somewhat lavish wedding?

A. To have a wedding budget of $5000 will require some major planning, friends who can and are willing to help, and most of all, remembering it is the marriage that is most important.  First, you must set priorities and expect to make some changes to them during your planning.  An hour or two spent with a wedding planner may be your best first investment.  Planners can help identify vendors and make suggestions that you may not have considered.  Are the rings included in this budget?  What about the wedding dress for the bride?  Some brides spend more than your budget on the dress alone.  Having limited knowledge on where you are with plans, this is as far as I should go at this time.  Give me a call, and I’ll be happy to guide you in the planning of your special day.  Good luck.

 Gloria Griffin

Wedding By Design Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forysth Technical Community College 

June 2009

Q. A friend is the wedding director, what is the appropriate fee that we should pay? How much to you pay the officiator of the wedding?

 

 A. Someone once said, “You get what you pay for.”  There is no easy answer to this question. How much time is your friend spending on planning, are they using their car to run errands for you, how much time will they spend helping you on the wedding day, will they needing lodging, is this part of their business?  Without answers to these and other questions, my best advice is to consider the total amount of time they are “giving to you”, attach an amount to each hour, write a check to them for that amount and a note offering your most sincere appreciation for their help. My personal experience is to make sure I don’t come up short in this kind of situation.  Be generous, you may need their help again. Begin with $100. If they have given marriage counseling, you will want to include an additional amount for their time and expertise. Counselors receive from $50 to $100 per hour. If they must travel more than a reasonable distance for the wedding rehearsal and service, you should include an amount for gas. Best wishes.

 

Gloria Griffin

Wedding By Design Instructor, “Planning My Wedding”

at Forsyth Technical Community College

 

January 2009

Q. My daughter is getting married in an evening wedding in September of 2009. Her colors are black, white and purple. What color should I wear? I am the Mother of the Bride.

A. You could certainly wear any shade in the purple family. You would want to avoid white as that is reserved for the bride.

Tonya Hart

Occasions of the Hart

A.  Mary, fall weddings speak of rich, jeweled toned colors. Your first option is to consult your own color pallet to choose a color that fits you. If you have trouble finding which one, look in your closet and see what colors jump out at you, that’s a good clue. Also, what colors do you wear that bring compliments from friends. With black, white, and purple as the wedding colors, you may find that mauve, raspberry, or sapphire blue might be options to consider. Congratulations on an upcoming special event.

Gloria Griffin

Wedding By Design

Instructor, “Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College

 

Q. Where are some nice wedding ceremony and reception sites for under $1000.00 around lexington, NC?

A. I wish I had a good list for you, but not living in the Lexington area makes it difficult for me to have a current list of venues and their current price list.  I would suggest contacting the local Chamber of Commerce for some ideas of where to begin to look.  Depending on the time of year, you may find an outdoor site that would be less expensive.  Public parks may offer choices, but be alert to how private the site may be for the wedding ceremony.  If you plan for something outdoors, be sure to have a backup plan in case of rainy weather.  Churches in the area may be your best choice.  Be sure to check their requirements and rules before you get too involved.  Best wishes.

Gloria Griffin

Wedding By Design Instructor

“Planning My Wedding” at Forsyth Technical Community College