Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 3 Comments

How to handle it when others try to take over your wedding

Wedding planning is not an easy feat, with thousands of decisions to make and hundreds of arrangements to complete. To add to all this stress is the fact that every wedding party will have at least one person, if not more, who tries to take over the reins and run your wedding for you. If you are a person who cannot say “NO”, you are in for a tough time when these people begin to run the show.

So, what do you do when you feel things are slowly slipping out of your hands? Do you just bite it down and let it be? Or do you put your foot down, and take back control? Let us look at how you can tackle such situations appropriately.

Tactically saying No

From choosing the wedding colors to fixing the guest list and booking vendors, you will have to listen to hundreds of opinions. Do listen to all of them, but do not commit without thinking it through. The best approach is to thank them for their help, and tell them that you will be in touch if you decide this is the option you want.

Remember that at some point of your wedding, you will have to disagree with someone. So, don’t feel guilty about it. Appreciate their well-intended advice or suggestion, but don’t feel you have to go with it if you aren’t comfortable. This is just how weddings work, realize it and it will be easier for you.

Work together and find middle ground

This is important when the people involved are contributing or very dear to you. For example, it may be your parents or in-laws. The fact that they are contributing may lead them to believe that they are entitled to make certain decisions. They may want to invite more of their guests than you would like to have at the wedding, or they may consider choosing the menu.

Although it is your wedding, in such a scenario you should remember that these people have earned the right to their opinion. An amicable solution is the best approach. Discuss several options where the menu is concerned and find one that both of you are satisfied with. Ask them to drop a few guests, while you too do the same. Compromise on matters that don’t have a huge impact, so that everyone is happy in the end.

Delegate tasks that are not crucial

Hand over few responsibilities to your overly eager friends and relatives, so they don’t feel like you are ignoring them entirely. This may be to follow up on a vendor booking, make a list of entertainment options or to check that the deliveries arrive on time. Even so, keep the bigger decisions to yourself. Make it a point to appreciate their help, and thank them profusely for their involvement. This should keep them happy, but out of your way.

Having a perfect wedding is not only about having a hassle-free day. It is also about the happiness you and your wedding party share. So, let this day be fun for all. Though you can’t please everyone, try to tackle difficult situations and bossy relatives sensibly, so no one is offended.

For more wedding advice and tips, as well as to choose your wedding dress visit us at Best for Bride.

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 1 Comment

Wedding dress selection for Petite Brides made easy

Women come in different shapes and sizes, with no two of them exactly alike. While it is important to find a beautiful wedding dress, it is also necessary that it suits your build if you are to look fabulous on your wedding day. Most dresses, including bridal gowns, are designed for the average woman, who is at least 165cm tall. It is not as easy to find a dress that satisfies your preferences if you are on either end of the size spectrum, than if you are an average-sized woman. However, it is possible.

You may not have too many choices, but you can still find a fantastic dress, if you know what features would look best on you. Here, we will take a look at the dress styles that particularly favor petite brides.

Who is a petite bride?

Petite women have small body frames. They are short, with tiny waists. Petite sized dresses are designed and specially created for women who have a height of 160cm (5ft 3 in) or less.

A petite woman wouldn’t look good in a dress that isn’t designed for petite measurements. This is because, it isn’t easy to alter a regular dress to a petite size without introducing too many tucks and seams. This would spoil the overall finish, and the dress may not look elegant on a small-built woman.

What should petite brides look for in a dress?

A petite bride would benefit from a dress that creates the illusion of few extra inches. This is possible by choosing a gown with a waistline above the natural waist. An empire waist gown, or one that gathers under the bust and flows into the skirt from a cleverly elevated waistline will elongate your torso.

Another pattern suitable for petites is the fit and flare style, where the dress snugly clings to the body all the way from the bust, to your waist and hips and flares out into a layered skirt at the knees. This creates the illusion of height. There is another benefit to choosing such a mermaid-inspired gown. With this pattern, you can flaunt your best feature—a slim, natural waist that many women would die for.

If you are petite, you are born to look gorgeous in a close-fitting sheath pattern. There aren’t many other body types who can carry off this look, like you can.

What to avoid in your wedding dress

While details add splendor and sophistication, you should restrict the amount of embellishments if you are a petite bride. A detailed bodice would be great, but be wary of huge waistbands, bows or too many details in the skirt.

Avoid a dress with a dropped waist, or a heavily layered skirt that will drown you. Instead, look for ruffles that cascade down the side, or add texture to the bodice.

Your wedding day is all about looking glamorous and feeling so. Show off your best features—your well-toned shoulders, slim waist and huge smile, and you will be the perfectly petite bride.

For dresses that are exclusively designed for petite brides, check out our Perfectly Petite collection at BestforBride and make your pick.

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 1 Comment

Reception Dinner: Plated VS. Buffet

One of the first things a couple has to decide on while choosing a venue is what kind of food service they’ll be having during their wedding reception. This is a debate for many couples, and something that wedding planners are asked repeatedly about but when it comes down to it, there’s no right or wrong answer. What may be perfect for one couple in a certain setting may not be what another couple wanted in another setting. We’ve broken down the advantages and disadvantages of both plated and buffet service to help you decide.

Plated

Advantages

– Provides an elegant, upscale dining experience
– Easier service for those with children and the elderly
– Portion control (numbers of guests are calculated in advance and enough food is provided)
– Set menu allows for wine pairings if desired

Disadvantages

– The cost associated with plated dinners is usually higher when factoring in wait staff wages
– Not all meal cards are returned by attending guests
– Some meal items your guests may not like

Buffet

Advantages

– Easier to plan if you do not have a wedding planner
– Offer a variety of foods for different tastes
– No (or minimal) wait staff required by the venue

Disadvantages

– Need a large area to accommodate a buffet-style set up
– Buffets can sometimes appear tacky or ‘cheap’ to attending guests
– It can be a long line for the buffet and it can be hard on those who are differently abled, elderly or with children
– If you have too much food you are wasting money but if you don’t have enough food you risk your guests going hungry and you looking like someone who couldn’t provide adequately for their guests

Once you’ve chosen your wedding party, your date and your venue, it’s onto choosing your dress! Check out Best for Bride for all the latest fashion trends.

Posted on by Olga Pomeransky — 2 Comments

Wedding Registry Checklist

One of the most exciting times for a bride and groom is registering for gifts for their wedding. However, it can also be a stressful time because it is likely that the couple will not truly know all the items that they really are in need of to get their new life started in the right direction.

In order to keep from forgetting any of the most crucial items that you need for your home it is a good idea to make a list so that you will not forget anything when you are going through your registry planning. Below are some of the most important areas of the home and some of the items that you will need to include on your registry.

Kitchen

This is one of the most crucial areas that you will need to focus on when you are planning your registry. You will need to add dishes, cups and silverware to your list as well as cooking and baking supplies. Don’t forget to add small cooking appliances, like a toaster and a microwave to this section as well.

Bedroom

For the bedroom, you should add bedding and sheet sets. It is also a good idea to add additional blankets as well as window coverings and shades if you already have your home picked out. Lamps and rugs may also be something that you would like to add to the bedroom section.

Bathroom

One of the most common things to receive at a wedding shower is towels and you will need plenty of them. Here, you can choose the designs and colors that you most enjoy and that fit with the décor of your bathroom. Shower curtains and rugs are also items that you will not want to leave off your registry as well.

Living Room

While there may not be many items that you can add for a registry that will be placed in your living room, it is an area that deserves to be included on your list. Rugs, decorations and lamps are all important additions to your wedding registry and can be very helpful if your guests purchase them for you. Picture frames and albums are also something that are a good idea to add to a registry.

Extra Tips

While the majority of the items that you receive at a wedding shower will be items that can be used in the kitchen, there are many other areas that you should include on your registry. It is a good idea to include a variety of items so that your guests will have several items to choose from.

Conclusion

Although it is unlikely that you will receive everything on your wedding registry, planning ahead before you create one will help you to create a registry that is beneficial to your needs and the budget of your guests. With your guidance, your guests will be able to find the perfect gift that you will both love and cherish for years to come.

Best for Bride

Shopping at Best for Bride for all your wedding planning needs is a great decision. You can easily find everything that you need to make your big day special and to help make the planning process much smoother.