Top bridal worries that you should forget about!

As a bride, it is hard to just sit back, relax and forget all the worries that you have regarding your Brides. It is the biggest event you will ever organise and you are mostly doing it all by yourself. Your Brides day should be enjoyed to the maximum by your family, guests and most of all by the bride and groom as it is their day. So here's some top bridal worries that I have been looking it and ironing out. Do not stress about the smallest things that really aren't relevant in the grand scheme of things!

The bridesmaids

Bridesmaids have specific jobs to help the bride on the Brides day, that is essentially what they are there for. When choosing your bridesmaids ensure that you pick the right girls that will carry out their duties without you having to check up on them. Bridesmaids can also create drama (the day is not about them!) so either pick your non dramatic friends or speak with them beforehand so you have a stress free fun day!

Making the mothers happy

Mothers of both bride and groom look at their son or daughters Brides almost as a second Brides for them to organise. Involve them as much as you like but if you don't want their opinions on something make your decision without them, it is easier this way. Mothers are great but they can interfere to an extent and no one wants any familial conflict before the big day.

The weather

Yes this is easier said than done but literally forget about the weather!! There is nothing you can do. Even summer days can be poor. No one has the power to ensure you have a sunny dry warm day. Create a contingency plan for bad weather so that everything will run smoothly if it does happen to be an awful day! Photographers say that this is one of the things that they wish they could get bride's not to worry about. They will capture the best moments whether it is under an umbrella or in the basking sunshine!

 The groom and his part

Are you finding that your groom has very little interest in the planning of your big day? This is normal. Most men don't want to pick flowers or pretty invitations. Leave the car hire and music to him and take care of the rest yourself. If he utters the words 'do what you like' , take it as gospel as he is telling the truth, it doesn't mean that he has no interest in the day or marrying you!

The groomsmen

The stag party is organised and you are in a panic. There is very little you can do except attend the stag party to ensure that it is how you want it to be. Yes it is likely to be crazy, but it is a big occasion let it be marked with no stress or nagging!

The best man speech is another fear. If the man in question has respect for you and your groom he isn't going to say anything atrocious. If anything he will embarrass the groom but it will be lighthearted and comical. Your guests won't judge but just laugh along. Give him his right to freedom of speech!

Are your guests having a good time?

If you provide everything for the guests that they could possibly need i.e. great food, flowing drink and quality entertainment it is certain that they will have a great time. People make their own fun with the people in their surroundings in a great setting which is exactly what your Brides is so make sure to enjoy it with them!

The perfect dress and shoes

Have you tried on 50 dresses and nothing yet?! Keep looking as the dress is a very important part of the Brides day! You will find it and you will know when you put it on. Try and show as less people as possible any photographs as their opinions will start affecting your own. Keep it to the bridal party at most.

Try not to worry about your shoes. If your dress is floor length and most are no one is going to see your shoes. They are an added expense for something that may not be seen. Ensure that they are comforatble and the right height first and foremost. If you are wearing a short dress however invest some more time and energy into finding the right shoe.

The guest list

Probably one of the biggest worries of them all as this controls your budget. If you parents want to invite a certain amount of guests you should take control of this. Give them a set number and leave it at that. Don't feel obliged to invite people you don't know too well. The last thing you want is a room full of guests half of which you wish you hadn't invited.

So try and have a stress free run up to the Brides and take into consideration my thoughts above. Easier said than done but there are some things that are best not worried about!!!

Credits: Stressed bride via Brides Journal Online, Couple under umbrella via Inspiredbythis, Escort cards via Bridess and Events Republic. 

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Unknown bridal party, Brides Dress, Brides Stress, Guest List, weather

Post Ceremony Pre Dinner - How to entertain your guests during the Drinks Reception!

Every Brides is unique. Different styles, different people with a huge array of options to choose from. However, something that doesn't tend to differ much is the run of the day when it comes to Bridess, especially those in Ireland. Firstly it's the ceremony, then the photographs and drinks reception, dinner, band and DJ. If you ask guests about their experiences of Bridess, something that is always reported on is the drinks reception.....was it too long, was their entertainment or music, were people starving by the time dinner came around? No one wants their guests feeling bored or hungry!! So here a few things to consider to ensure a successful, enjoyable and a just fabulous drinks reception!

 

 

Photo Credit: ilovemymarriage.nl

 

 

Food & Drink

 

Let's be realistic here - your guests won't have had lunch and the stretch to dinner is far too long, especially for people who are going to start drinking alcohol early enough. Scones and biscuits will not suffice. If canapés are an option at your venue, opt for these and ensure there are plenty to go around. It is wise to point out someone should set some aside for those having their photographs taken as the food will go very fast.

 

It is wise to limit what can be drank at the drinks reception. When the complimentary drinks are over, people do head to the bar. Perhaps discuss with your venue what can and cannot be served during this time. A big 'no' to shots or cocktails, in my opinion. Guests with very little food with a long day ahead of them aren't going to come out the right end if they are drinking heavily early on. Heavy drinking can also result from boredom and waiting around,  this is why the next step is the most important!
 

 

 

Photo Credit: It's A Bride's Life

Entertainment

 

Bridess are a day out for your guests so they should be entertained to ensure that they enjoy the day just as much as you do. There are plenty of options for your entertainment at this time. Here are a few of my favourites:

 

Harpists - For a traditional Irish feel to a Brides you are sure to get that with the beautiful harp. Harpists do book up fast however. A lot will do a deal incorporating the Church and the drinks reception. Check out Seana Davey and Ceoltoiri Carolan.

 

Swing/Jazz Band - This will ensure that your guests are jiving and feeling in the party mood. Some of the top bands of 2013 are Bugle Babes and Trio Royale.

 

Choir - Currently loving The Dublin Gospel Choir, they are without a shadow of a doubt hugely entertaining and an alternative style gospel choir. You can have your pick of singers and choose how many you would like at your drinks reception.

Magicians or Comedians - This is a great ice breaker for when families don't know each other that well. Seems like a little off the wall but this type of entertainment is becoming hugely more popular more recently. Check out Ruairi O'Connor.

 

The Bugle Babes

Bridal Party

The bridal party will be required for a few photographs but it will majority be the Bride and Groom who will be gone for the longest time. Nominate your bridesmaids and ushers to take care of particular aspects of the drinks reception. Bathroom baskets will need to be taken care of if they haven't already, the honeymoon suite will need decorating if you are doing this also. It is important to ensure the VIP guests have drinks, that the Granddad's and Grandma's are being looked after and that someone is watching over the children! Before the dinner venue staff may have questions regarding the Brides so would be useful for someone to know any special requirements. Bridal Party members can make sure that the drinks reception runs smoothly.

Dinofa Photography

Make sure your drinks reception is enjoyable for you and your guests as it is the start of your big day and is sure to set the tone for the rest of the festivities ahead!



 

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Unknown Bands, bridal party, Drinks Reception, entertainment, Harpists, Magicians

Through The Eyes of a Bridesmaid - Part 2 - Here Comes the Bride!

 

When I woke at 6.30am on the morning of the 7th September all I could hear was wind and rain outside....our worst fear. I didn't look out the window in hope things would clear up as the day went onwards. And they did....thankfully!

We launched into our beauty preparations as our hairdresser Sian Sharkey and makeup artist Alyson Smyth began the job of making us the most beautiful bridal party there ever was! I cannot recommend both ladies highly enough. Each bridesmaid had a picture of their hair and Sian completed each style to perfection. Our makeup was flawless and natural looking, just stunning! Time was on our side that morning, everything ran smoothly and the bridesmaids started getting dressed by 12 to leave by 1.20pm latest. This gave us plenty of time to dress the bride, relax, sip some bucks fizz and eat some of the gorgeous sandwiches delivered by Wilde & Greene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I said in my last post, its important that you nominate someone to take care of the small things that morning. As Emma lives in an apartment, a lot of people had to be let in the door downstairs, so I got dressed last. Everyone had my number and I had the keys. It worked better this way....so no added stresses on the Bride. The only glitch we experienced that morning was when the flowers were delivered. We were so excited to see what they looked like but to our disappointment they weren't exactly what Emma had ordered. After a phone call to the florist the flowers were sent back and re delivered two hours later the way that they were meant to be. It is important on your Brides day that everything is the way you intended it to be, you are paying for a service and it should be right. Always, no matter which supplier it is ensure everything is correct. It would also be advisable to ask your florist to deliver as early as possible to your house just in case this happens to another bride.

 

 

 

The photographer Paul Kelly and his assistant arrived around 12pm to take some pre Brides shots. They spent about 45mins with us photographing make up and hair, Emma's different pieces of bridal attire, flowers and took many natural shots hopefully capturing the excitement that filled the apartment. 

 

On arrival of Father of The Bride and the cars we proceeded to leave the house. A quick clean up was required to make sure the newlyweds wouldn't be coming home to a gigantic mess of lunch and half full glasses of champagne! The bride's gorgeous car and the two bridesmaid cars decorated in cranberry ribbon to match the theme set off to All Saint's Church. Needless to say we were running a little late....but that is tradition after all isn't it!!

 

Lining up outside the church was slightly surreal, I can't imagine as a bride how nervous you must be as a bride walking through those doors, all eyes are on you! Even as bridesmaids it is overwhelming walking down the aisle before the bride enters. It definitely seemed to be the case when it came to the flower girl (Lili, aged 4) and my son, the page boy (Rian, aged 2 and a half)  when they walked through the doors hand in hand to immediately halt for the other bridesmaids to take their hands and walk them down. Once I got to the end of the aisle I remained on 'babysitter duty' for both children. Armed with a pack of jellies, they sat still for the entire ceremony.

 

The picture below is undoubtedly one of my favourites of the day, depicting pure happiness in both Emma's and our dad's eyes. I wish I had a photo of the groom at the exact same moment to see the delight in his face also, but I can only imagine. A beautiful ceremony was ahead of us and a great day of Brides festivities ahead of us..........................!

 

 

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Unknown bridal party, florist, hairdresser, makeup artist, morning of the Brides