04.27.08
Children at Wedding Tips
The Wedding Planner in Ireland advises that when planning a wedding where children are included some extra thought needs to be put in. Here are The Wedding Planner’s top child friendly tips:
Invitations: Etiquette says envelopes should be addressed to everyone invited, children included.
If sending invites by e-mail you need to make it clear if you kids are welcome.
Baby-sitting: Have professional sitting services available during the ceremony and the later hours of the reception.
Diversions: Consider setting tables with paper placemats and crayons, stocking a table with games during the dancing, and leaving gift bags with small toys and snacks (healthy ones – not lots of sugar!) available for ushers to give out to parents at the entrance to the ceremony.
Are they cute?: Think twice about including children in the ceremony, They could freeze or have a tantrum. Some adults almost pass out from the anxiety of being in a wedding, so it’s no wonder that kids get anxious.
Assistance: Parents should be prepared to walk down the aisle with their child, if need be.
While I do think having children at a wedding is a bonus as they make it a truly family affair, I find it annoying if parents when parents don’t take extra care and responsibility to make sure they don’t spoil the day.
Some advice for parents:
Plan an escape route: Sit near an exit and be do not hesitate to use it as soon as your child is getting in anyway vocal. I am not just talking about crying but talking loudly or laughing loudly too during the vows is not on. This is the couple’s special moment and they should not have it disrupted by a child in the background no matter how cute their voice is!
Designate an adult to each child: Especially if you’re in the wedding party, make sure your child has a trusted adult with whom to sit, and play, if need be. Hand the friend a bag of small (quiet!) treats, with instructions to dole them out slowly not all at once.
Child free: Even if your little one is invited consider leaving them with a relative for the evening so you and your partner can enjoy a night out together child free.
04.26.08
Choose The Perfect Wedding or Honeymoon Caribbean Island
TheWeddingPlanner.ie in Ireland advises: The Caribbean Plate consists of over 7,000 islands but only a fraction of these are inhabited, however for those who are not familiar with the region there is still a confusing amount to choose from for the ideal wedding or honeymoon location.
While you can only choose one for your wedding, remember, if you marry in the Caribbean you have the perfect excuse to go back for your annual anniversary to discover the others!
Whether you want a formal tea high reception on a plantation or a relaxed steel band beach wedding, you’ll find it in the Caribbean.
The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos are not officially part of the Caribbean islands, but they share a common sea, the warm Cerulean sea and the time zone: “island time”, so I have included them in this article.
Everyday life can vary hugely from island to island depending whether they are either independent or fly the flag of their discoverers, be it French, Dutch, English, Spanish or American (the island of St. Martin/Sint Maarten is split down the middle between the French and Dutch).
There is huge variety so whether you are going for, white sandy beaches, lush forests, activities, or seclusion there is an island for you.
Notes: There is a difference between the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. Also the Dominican Republic and Dominica are two very different islands more than 500 miles apart.
British Territory (British West Indies) or Ex-British Colony
Cricket, afternoon tea, jackets for dinner – these islands are more formal than their neighbours. Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Briths Virgin Islands (ie. Mainly Tortola and Virgin Gorda), Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Tobago, Trinidad .
Dutch Territory (Netherlands Antilles) or Ex-Dutch Colony
These are the isalnds with the pastel-coloured, gingerbread-houses
Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Maarten, St. Eustatius (also known as Statia)
French Territory (French West Indies)
Perfect for lovers of fine French food and wine.
Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barts, St. Martin
Ex-Spanish Colonies
Historic sights and lively nightlife
Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico
Peace & Quiet
Anguilla, Nevis, St. John, Tobago, Virgin Gorda
BVI resort islands (Guana, Peter Island, etc.), Dominica, Little Cayman, Mustique
Best Deals For Those on a Budget
Bahamas, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saba, St. Eustatius, Trinidad
Islands with the Most All-Inclusive Venues
Antigua, Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia
Lots of See & Do Activities
Jamaica, Nassau, Puerto Rico, St. Martin/Sint Maarten, St. Thomas, Trinidad
Best Nightlife
Aruba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten
Learn to Dance!
Curacao (tumba), Dominican Republic (merengue), Guadeloupe & Martinique (beguine and zouk), Jamaica (reggae), Puerto Rico (salsa), Trinidad (calypso, soca)
Best Shopping
Bahamas, Grand Cayman, St. Martin/Sint Maarten, USVI
Best Lush Tropical Islands
Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Vincent
Best Beaches
Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Cuba, Grand Cayman, Grenadines, Jamaica, St. John, St. Thomas, Turks & Caicos
Best Rain Forests
Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Eustatius, St. Lucia, St. Vincent
Best Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Anguilla, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Saba, St. Lucia, St. Eustatius, Tobago, Turks & Caicos
Best Sailing
Antigua, BVI, St. Lucia, St. Martin/Sint Maarten, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, USVI
Best Windsurfing
Antigua, Aruba, Barbuda, Barbados, BVI, Puerto Rico
04.25.08
Designer Dress Sale Reminder!
REMINDER! The designer bridal sale is taking place in Tallaght Plaza Hotel, Dublin on the 26th and 27th of April 2008, the event will feature brand new gowns by renowned bridal designers including Alan Hannah, Ian Stuart, Paloma Blanca, David Fielden, Bronte Bridal, Jesus Peiro, Adele Wechsler and others. Gowns originally priced at €1,200-€4,000 will be reduced to €100-€500 with no dress over €500. All of the dresses are brand new and have only been used as stores samples.
The sale will feature 70 bridal gowns with the majority in sizes 12 or 14, the dresses can easily be altered down up to two sizes. Dresses are sold as seen and as this is a one off event, independently organised there is no return. The sale will also feature a range of designer bridal accessories including shoes by Filippa Scott, Rainbow Club and Paradox, tiara’s, veils and jewellery with all accessories only €25.
Full details and images of some of the dresses on sale at
Date and venue: Tallaght Plaza Hotel, Dublin from 11am-5pm on Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of April 2008.
The dress featured here is San Patrick (Romantico) Size 12. Fitted lace sheath gown with straps, fishtail skirt and small train, was €1250 now €200.
04.24.08
Planetary Alignment Stall Weddings
To all the photographers, videographers, cake designers and everyone else involved in the wedding industry, say is say thanks to the heavens that you are not based in Mumbai, India.
The wedding industry there has stalled to a halt as planetary alignments are unfavourable for May and the following three months.
Family priests are advising couples against weddings during this time so has brought a halt the wheels of the entire wedding industry there. This includes over 10,000 service providers in Mumbai engaged in the business of renting out banquet halls, caterers, flower shops, jewellery, honeymoon organisers, bridal sari drapers and hair stylists.
Usually, marriage halls are overbooked in May but this year many haven’t received a single booking for that month.
In a news report in the local DNA newspaper the Siddhivinayak Temple priest Ajit Joshi, said: “According to our panchang (calendar) this year, May is not auspicious to solemnise weddings. The planetary conjunction is not right.”
Politicians in the area were also feeling the impact of cosmic forces. If there is a wedding in the area a minister can’t miss the event so as there was an influx of marriages happening in April politicians have been rushing to their constituencies to attend functions. As a result, the current budget session saw less than 50% attendance in the budget session.
For brides marrying outside India in the next four months, please don’t be concerned as one of the luckiest days of the millennium in the Chinese calendar falls during this time too (see my blog titled 08/08/08) so it really depends where you are in the world!
04.18.08
To Do: The Week Before the Wedding
THE LAST WEEK
- Pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits.
- Do final guest count and notify your caterer or reception coordinator.
- Gather everything you will need for the rehearsal and wedding day as listed.
- Review the schedule of events and last minute arrangements with your service providers.
- Confirm all honeymoon reservations and accommodations. Pick up tickets and travellers cheques.
- Finish packing your suitcases for the honeymoon.
- Have the Post Office hold your mail while you are away on your honeymoon.
04.17.08
Getting Organised
Wedding Planner Ireland advice: Keeping a wedding organizer or planner file can make things a lot easier for you. You don’t have to purchase a fancy wedding organizer, a binder with separators to keep all your things organized will do just as well. Keep your contracts, estimates, business cards or contact info for all the vendors you’ve visited in case you need to change someone at the last minute. Also save pictures from magazines of wedding dresses, flower arrangements etc, that you can take with you to your vendor meetings for inspiration. If you are not one to be organized, assign the task to your maid of honor, bridesmaid or close friend. At the end you’ll have your notes, contracts and visions that can become a nice keepsake.
04.16.08
To Do: 2 to 6 Weeks Before Wedding
TWO TO SIX WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING
- Confirm ceremony details with your celebrant.
- Arrange final fitting of bridesmaids’ dresses.
- Have final fitting of your gown and headpiece.
- Finalise rehearsal dinner plans; arrange seating and write names on place cards, if desired.
- Make final floral selections.
- Make a detailed time table for your wedding party and a lot jobs for the day ie. Mary looks after photographer - call him in the morning and call him if he hasn’t arrived at X by X time.
- Make a detailed timetable for your service providers.
- Confirm details with all service providers, including attire.
- Start packing for your honeymoon.
- Contact guests who haven’t responded.
- Pick up rings and check for fit.
- Meet with photographer and confirm special photos you want.
- Meet with videographer and confirm special events or people you want videotaped.
- Meet with musicians and confirm play list and music to be played such as first dance.
- Continue writing thank-you notes as gifts arrive.
- Remind bridesmaids and ushers of when and where to pick up their wedding attire.
- Plan reception room layout and seating with your reception co-ordinator or caterer. Write names on place cards for arranged seating.
- If you haven’t been having regular facials have one now – do not leave till week of wedding as it can bring out blemishes.
- Order currency and travellers cheques.
04.15.08
Wedding Abroad – Certificate of Freedom?
The Wedding Planner in Ireland answers your questions: I’m getting married abroad and I have been requested to get a Certificates of Nulla Osta – What is this and where do I get it in Ireland?
A Certificate of Freedom to marry (also known as ‘Civil Letters of Freedom’, “Certificates de Coutume” or “Certificates of Nulla Osta”) which states that a person is not married, may be needed for marriage in some foreign countries. Irish citizens living in Ireland wishing to obtain such a Certificate should apply to the Consular Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs, 72/76 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Tel.: (01) 4082568. Irish Citizens living abroad should contact their nearest Irish Embassy. Apply for it as soon as you have your wedding date set and allow plenty of time for them to respond.
04.14.08
To Do: 6 to 8 Weeks Before the Wedding
SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING
- Mail invitations. Include accommodation choices and a map to assist guests in finding the ceremony and reception sites. Also include details of your gift registry.
- Maintain a record of RSVPs and all gifts received. Send thank-you notes upon receipt of gifts.
- Have a hair and makeup trial.
- Schedule to have your hair, makeup and nails done the day of the wedding.
- Finalise shopping for wedding day accessories such as toasting glasses, ring pillow, guest book, etc.
- Set up an area or a table in your home to display gifts as you receive them.
- Check with your local newspapers for wedding announcement requirements.
- Mail invitations to rehearsal dinner.
- Find “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a six pence (or shiny penny) for your shoe.”
- Decide on your readings and vows and do up your order of service booklet for your stationery supplier.
- Finalise your menu.
- Call all wedding specialist suppliers on your contact sheet and confirm date and requirements.
04.12.08
Wedding Ring Tip
Wedding Planner Ireland Tip: During the summer months skin often swells up, and people may have trouble with the fit of the rings. I tell brides to put a little bit of lotion on their finger before they walk down the aisle.
