The Bride's Last Hoorah!

 

10 Easy Steps on How to Plan her Bachelorette Party!

                You have been honored with the title of “Bridesmaid” or even “Maid-of-Honor”.  With this title I’m sure that you have been busy helping her pick out the perfect dress, picking out your own dress, and maybe have even gone to a few tastings.  Yes these items are very important, but the most important responsibility in the Bride’s eyes, is planning her Bachelorette Party! Stuck on how to plan this special, fun & crazy night?  I have listed out ten easy steps that will make planning a lot less stressful and will guarantee that the Bride will have the time of her life!

1. Whose in the Bridal Party?

Knowing who is in the Bridal Party will definitely be the first step! Request a list of the Bridal Party and their contact information from the Bride.  Also, ask the Bride who she wants there.  A lot of the time the Bride will want other close friends, family members and maybe even her and her fiancé’s mothers. 

2.   Decide the Theme!

This is the fun part!  Being one of her Bridesmaids means that you and the others know her the best.  Knowing her personality and what her favorite things are can help you decide what you would like the theme to be. Also, remember to consider your guests when choosing the theme.  Some might not as be comfortable in certain situations as others may be.  With this all being said, here are some examples of Bachelorette Party Themes:

·         Summer/ Themed: Beach, Pool, Spa Day

·         The Year She Was Born: If she was born in the 80s, have an 80s themed Bachelorette Party

·         Pretty in Pink

·         Las Vegas: Whether your in Vegas or want your theme to be Las Vegas, either way will guarantee a great time for all!

3.  Discuss Budget with the Wedding party Ahead of Time

This information is key.  Include all costs involved during the whole event, including food, travel & cover chargers!  You do not want to plan an extravagant day/night and then come to realize that everyone is not on the same page as you regarding the budget.  You will either end up wasting a lot of time or you may even be stuck with the bill!

4. Decide on the date & location of the event

Know that you know the theme and everyone’s budget, it is now time to choose your location(s) and the date.  Availability will most likely determine your date! Just remember not to schedule the event the night before important days: the bridal shower, engagement photos and definitely not right before the Wedding day!

5. Transportation

Transportation is something that is forgotten quite often.  Knowing where you’re going and how you’re getting there is key.  Since alcohol is most likely involved, make sure you plan ahead and hire a form of transportation.  Transportation options can range from limos, buses and trolleys.  Make sure to secure transportation early, it books up fast!

6.  The Bride’s Accessories

The Bride will want everyone to know that she is the Bride the night of her Bachelorette Party! So make sure to purchase fun wedding accessories for her to wear so everyone will know it’s her special night.  These accessories can be anything including a sparkly tiara, a sash or even a wedding veil!  Also, consider the other ladies attending the party!  They may also want to wear something special to stand out from the crowd, like a feather boa!

7.  Don’t Forget the Themed Décor!

Whatever theme you choose needs to have plenty of décor!  We highly recommend Pinterest for great and fun décor ideas!

8. Games, Games & More Games!

Games are the best part of the Bachelorette Party!  Make sure to come up with plenty of games for you, the Bride and the other guests to play!  These games can be scheduled any time you have down time.  Examples of fun games can be found all over the internet, but here are some I love and suggest:

·         A Scavenger Hunt: Played throughout the day/night

·         Bride Trivia: Either who knows the Bride Best or if the Bride knows the Groom Quiz

·         Pin the tail on the Male: You Get the Hint

9. Don’t Forget to Invite Your Guests

Be sure to purchase invitations  that match the theme of the party and make sure to send them out to give guests enough time to RSVP and free their schedules!  Also, if this is a surprise for the bride, remind your guests that it is a surprise and inform them of any cover fees or costs that they will need to come up with.

10. Pay Ahead

Ask your guests to pay ahead of time for all of the Bachelorette Party Expenses.  To make things less confusing and easier for you, ask that your guests pay in cash… This way it will be easier to pay your vendor/venue the day of and you won’t have to sort through checks/credit cards.   

When planning this amazing night for one of your dearest friends/family members, just have fun with it!  Like I previously said, just remember to consider their personality, the guests and what they would love to do, and I guarantee she will have the best time and remember it for the rest of her life! 

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

Silhouette to Buttons: Trends for your Wedding Party!

Today, we have team member Sayira Khokhar sharing some Bridal Party trends with you.

So much effort is spent on picking the bridal gown and the groom's tuxedo, one almost looks at the groomsmen and bridesmaids as an afterthought, but they are just as important as the flower arrangement on the reception tables!

When scouting dresses and suits for the bridal party, keep in mind the theme of your wedding. They will need to compliment the bride and groom.

Open any magazine and flip to the wedding pages, you will see they all have several components in common. While we don't encourage you to copy everything you see, we hope you'll find inspiration you can put your own unique stamp on.


In bridesmaid dresses, think bold & solid colors. The colors of the season range from the a light sage green (at the lighter end of the spectrum) to vibrant colors such as a red orange. I am loving the more exotic and non-traditional colors, such as rust or bright yellow.


The silhouette most popular this season is the “A” line dress. This is a very flattering silhouette for women with curves because the fabric glides over the hips. The top is more fitted to reveal a nice waist. To accentuate the slimmer waist, a wide sash is added. It can be of the same, or a contrasting, color.

The fabrics vary depending on the length of the dress. For example, stiffer fabric is made for something above the knees such as mix of cotton-silk faille or silk organza. These are lightweight but crisp and clean. The sharp and clean lines add an element of modern or abstract design.


Floor length dresses are typically made of feathery fabrics such as, my favorite, silk chiffon. Again, depending on the theme of the wedding, this would add the classical accent to the ceremony. It has a feather light look. It adds a beautiful whisper in the light breeze.

Another trend is exposed shoulders. There are many halter necklines and strapless dresses. The shorter dresses tend to have the exposed shoulders whereas the longer dresses have a halter neckline.

The most interesting trend is ballet flats! This adds a very cute, flower girl look to the bridesmaid. They are also less painful and fun to dance in when the night is long!

Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the groomsmen.

The piece that has grown in fashion is the tie. It is no longer the traditional black or gray. We are seeing the bold splash of color, to compliment the bridesmaids. Usually the breast pocket napkin is the same color but I have seen many mismatching ties and handkerchief.


Depending on the theme, a 3 piece suit gives the feel of the traditional English country wedding, however, the fishtail is not always present. The most fashionable twist is using difference shades of the same color in the men's ensemble. The vest might be a light heather gray, the coat a medium black with matching pants, a white shirt and a white bow tie to contrast the vest. The combinations are endless! (Within reasonable limits of course.)


Buttons. Yes, groomsmen, buttons. Add them to your attire. We like to see different shaped buttons, such as diamonds or squares. Sometimes they are darker or lighter than the coat to accentuate the style.

Enjoy shopping for your favorite ladies and guys, and be sure to give them the chance to personalize their look to show the personalities you love so much!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Always a Bridesmaid, how to win an award as “Best Supporting Bridesmaid”

Whether it’s your sister, grade school friend or college roommate, some important woman (or man) in your life has invited you to be a part of their bridal party. If you’ve ever been part of a wedding party you know this role comes with fun times, and responsibility.

Here are my top 5 tips on how to best support your bride to be:


1. Start Saving – There is no getting around it, standing up in a wedding is going to cost some money (dress, shoes, showers, etc.). If you say yes to being in a wedding, you are saying yes to the cost of being in the wedding as well. Be realistic about your budget, and if you have any concerns talk to the bride to be before accepting the role. Once you’re on board, spend with a smile. This is someone you love, and she would do (or has done) the same for you.

2. Offer an Opinion – when asked to do so. Respect the decisions the bride feels confidence in making on her own, and offer honest opinions when she asks for them (also remember that she may not take ALL of your suggestions)

3. Lend a Helping Hand – A bride’s to do list is never-ending, or so it seems. As her big day approaches reach out to her, see what you can do. It may be tying ribbons, sorting through contracts to make a contact info. sheet, or going out for a glass (ok, bottle) of wine to de-stress. The bride might not want to ask for help, since you’ve done so much already, but she will appreciate you offering more than you know.

4. Run Interference – Unfortunately there are always going to be people involved in a wedding who cause a bit of trouble. We all have the complaining cousin, opinionated sister-in-law or friend who forgets this day is not about them. Be a buffer between the troublemaker and bride. She has enough to worry about. You may end up with a headache from listening to all that complaining, but someday karma will send the favor back to you.

5. Have Fun – Be her right hand (and left, when necessary), through her wedding day prep, ceremony and all of the formal activities. When it comes time for the reception, kick back and have fun. The bride will most likely be most relaxed during this time, and will take away many happy memories of her guests celebrating the love between her and her new husband.

Abide by all of these guidelines and you are sure to win “Best Supporting Bridesmaid” in our book!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

The Skinny on Your Bridesmaid

Your engagement has been announced, you are in wedding planning bliss, the wedding date is sort of picked out and now is the time to pick your entourage. The tradition began in ancient times, bridesmaids were used as decoys to confuse evil sprits wanting to harm the bridal couple. The role has evolved into their modern day role as the brides’ assistants. As a bride-to-be, your “Girls” will play a key support role in planning your wedding.

A wedding is a production of many details. As the producer and director of this big day, an organized bride with clear direction will be much appreciated. Beyond selecting the bridesmaids’ dresses, partying at your bachelorette party, and dancing with groomsmen, there are few “bridesmaid duties” that can be delegated to your helpful bridal party.

Calling upon Venues
List a few venues for your bridesmaid to call. Have her check on the availability of the date, space and wedding packages. As a bride you may be interested in as many as 30 venues. This will alleviate the overwhelming pressure of countless calls.

Bridal Shows
Designate one of your bridesmaids to register you for bridal shows, special events or special offers. Set up a “Couple’s Wedding Email” address so that all the information can be directed to your wedding inbox.

Favor Party
Have a bridesmaid troll websites looking for trendy favor ideas. Have her email you pictures or website links to view these products. Have her organize a “Favor Party” if you select a product that may require personalization.

Rehearsal
Bridesmaids can execute administrative duties by creating a “Rehearsal Packet” for the bridal party. The packet should include information such as the timeline, photo schedule, when and where they need to be. This information can be organized and emailed to the bridal party. A copy should also be made for distribution at the ceremony rehearsal.


Out of town guests
One of your bridesmaids can organize “Things to do in our Town” information for your out of town guests. Information can include places of special interest, popular restaurants, shopping malls, transportation and contact information in case of any emergency.

Placecards
Most venues will set up your placecards on the day of the wedding. Have a bridesmaid cross check your master guest list against the placecards. Once they are double checked, place them in alphabetical order, and have a box ready for delivery to the venue. Do not forget to include you master guest list.


Your bridal party is there to assist you with your wedding day. It is an honor for them to be part of your special guests. They understand that you may reach out to them beyond just planning bridal showers and the bachelorette party. Go ahead, get them involved, you will be pleasantly surprised how much support they can lend to their bride and her big day.

BBFN, (Bridal Bliss for Now)
Olivia