Planning Tips &Tools
The ‘Bottom Line’ of Weddings - Who Pays for What?
Photo by Emma Dodge Hanson
A few questions always come up in my first meeting with an engaged couple. “Who pays for what?” is one of those questions. We all think we know the answer. At least, we have an idea—sometimes vague, sometimes clear—of who paid for what back in the days when there were ironclad etiquette rules for such things. (I’ll refresh your memory of the ‘traditional’ breakdown of costs and responsibilities, according to Emily Post, below.)
Generally, the best man acts as the toastmaster, and prepares a list of the order in which each person will make a toast. There is an established protocol which the couple may or may not choose to follow.
For centuries male suitors have agonized over how to surprise their girlfriends with a marriage proposal. Should he "pop the question" during a quiet picnic in the country? Or kneel down in a romantic European piazza to pose that surprise question --"Will you marry me?" In recent years, madly in-love guys have conjured up ever more novel ways to ask for their chosen one's hand--ranging from aerial banners flown over crowded beaches to "I love you” signs lighting up stadium scoreboards...
Hiring A Photographer
How soon before your wedding should you hire a photographer?In most cases you should start looking for a photographer almost as soon as you book your reception hall. Keep in mind most of the better photographers are taken a year or more in advance.
What is the advantage of hiring a professional?
A professional takes photographs for a living. As a professional, you can be assured of receiving the highest quality in service and photographs. A professional photographer uses the best equipment and labs to assure your satisfaction.
Julia Nichols Prem - Photographer
Ease, elegance and whimsy says it all. The moment you meet Julia Nichols Prem you can feel her warmth and creative energy. She is not just a photographer but an artist and a humanitarian.
Catering FAQ's
Get all estimates in writing; contracts should state what food and drink is to be served, how many servers will be needed, and a provision to inform the caterer of the final number of expected guests at least a week before the wedding.
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Make sure the caterer is licensed or you may be liable if something happens.
If outdoors, make sure they have refrigeration.
Find out how they dress.
What is the estimated cost per person for a seated dinner? Buffet? Cocktail reception? Open bar? What does the cost include?
What is the staff-to-guest ratio? (For seated meals, the ratio is usually one waiter to 8-10 guests.)
Lisa Light's Advice on...Wedding Insurance
Every life holds great drama, and a few big watershed events: education, marriage, a first home, children. Momentous events such as these do not come without expense, or risk (along with a hopefully much greater set of blessings and rewards!). You wouldn't sink your life's savings (and perhaps some of your parents'...) into your first home without insuring your investment, would you?
Kids, Weddings & Childcare: To Invite, Or Not to Invite Little Ones to Your Wedding
And whichever way you choose, tips for doing it right...
For some couples, deciding whether or not to invite kids to the wedding is not an easy, slam-dunk kind of question. Kids certainly add an air of "unpredictability" to a wedding, But as we all know...unpredictability can go any number of ways. If you are on the fence about whether to include kids or have a strictly adults-only event: read on. Or, worse yet, if you and your fiancé are on opposite sides of the fence on this issue: read on. These are some points to consider, which will hopefully help you make the right decision.
Destination Simchas: Kosher Destination Weddings Now Possible!
Imagine being able to celebrate the day of your wedding exactly where and how you dream of it, without compromising either God's laws or your own vision? Imagine being able to host - nationally or internationally - a celebration that is everything you envision for your sacred, happy event, and entirely Glatt kosher.
PLANNING FEATURE | Photography
GETTING THE BEST SHOT: Tips for Incredible Wedding Pictures
It goes by really fast. Doesn't everybody tell you that? For those at the center of the
whirlwind of festivities the bride and groom, the day can pass especially quickly.
Tremendous photos will be so valuable to you. They'll help you to relive the day with each other ("You missed it when Aunt Betty started the conga line?!"), and with all of your family and friends. With websharing, your photos can be enjoyed by all of your guests as well as those who weren't able to attend.
Whether you are hiring a worldclass photographer, or enlisting the help of a talented friend or family member, there are easy things you can do to guarantee great shots. I've worked with some of the best photographers in the business, for high-profile weddings and magazine photo shoots, and these are some of the tips I've picked up:
New Rules and Roles Defined for Mothers of the Bride and Groom
Things have changed for the mothers of prospective brides and grooms. A decade ago, weddings were planned primarily by the bride and her mother, with the groom and his family playing supporting roles. Now, as more brides and grooms plan and pay for their own weddings without parental help, and with more couples inviting both sets of parents to participate fully, the moms are confused about their roles.
Now you can take our Research with You!
The Destination Bride website offers information and planning resources for many worldwide wedding destinations, complementing Lisa Light’s bestselling book:
Destination Bride: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Wedding Anywhere in the World 
Lisa Light's book takes all the worry out of selecting the perfect spot and helps brides avoid stress and last minute surprises when planning a wedding away from home.
“Light is much in-demand as the authoritative voice about an explosively popular nuptial trend, and her book offers the best of her advice-at a fraction of the price!”
--Kirkus Reviews
Seeing Stars - How Do the Hotel Rating Systems Really Work?
When booking a hotel or choosing a restaurant, sight unseen, many of us rely on a rating system to narrow down our choices. Whether it's the diamonds of the American automobile Association, the stars of the Mobil Guide, or the smiley faces of Travelocity's customer ratings, we know that the more of them we see (usually within a range of one-to-five), the better (and more expensive) the accommodations or meal will be.
