Because the invitations reflect the tone of your wedding they should be considered early on in your planning activities.  Once you have developed your guest list, selected your ceremony and reception venues and decided on the degree of formality you wish to express throughout your wedding, you can comfortably begin to search for your invitations and other printed materials. Do not be overwhelmed by the myriad of choices that are available for you.  At one time, there were few options in paper and print styles.  Today’s bride has a wide range of both from which to select.

Consider these points as you shop for your paper trousseau.

• Take your business to a store that specializes in wedding papers.  The staff there will have the expertise and experience to help you with paper selections and correct wordings.  Their advice can end up saving you time and often money as well.
• You will likely be ordering more than just invitations so consider these other items as well:

Save the date cards, insert cards (directions or other information) RSVP cards, place cards and table assignment charts, menus, thank you cards, programs and of course the invitations.  Figure in all of the options as you look at pricing.

• When you place your order, be sure to order extras of every item.  Make sure that you send one of everything to yourself when the rest go out so you can monitor the delivery dates.
• Be sure that you allow enough time to order, address and send the invitation packages.  Double check with your print specialist on the time frame required for satisfactory order completion.  Most experts agree that invitations should go out 6-8 weeks prior to the ceremony.
• Consider purchasing special issue postage stamps rather than just ordinary stamps.  Check with your local postal service for the options that may work for you.  Be sure to check on delivery times if you select a personalized stamp pattern.  Always take a sample of your fully “loaded” invitation package to the post office to verify the amount of postage to put on each.  How embarrassing to have it arrive at your guest’s home with “postage due”.
• Always, always double-check the proofs of the invitation copy.  Have someone else double check you as well.  It is easy to skip over and not notice errors in copy with which you are so familiar.  A misspelled name can cause unnecessary delays and expense.
• If children are being invited to the wedding and reception, their names are usually included on the envelope, clearly letting the parents know that the children are invited.  If children are not to be included, just the invited guest’s names are on the invitation.  This lets the parents know exactly for whom the invitation is intended.  If children are not being invited to attend – for whatever reason, plan how you will handle requests from guests who wish to bring their children.  Have alternative plans in place in case this becomes an issue.

When you are ready to begin the selection of your invitations and paper trousseau, be sure to spend time with one of our experienced consultants who can make sure you have a perfect invitation for your perfect wedding.

Hello, Atlanta Brides!

I’m Chelsey, and I have been at Bel Fiore for a few months, and just wanted to introduce myself! I am a 19 year old college student at Southern Poly, and I love it! Working at Bel Fiore Bridal is great; helping brides plan for their big day is always fun and exciting. My favorite part is helping the bride put together the rest of her wedding by helping her pick out the bridesmaids dresses.

So congratulations for all your brides-to-be, I can’t wait to help you with anything that you need!

It’s important to take some time and think about the must-have shots that you’d like your photographer to capture.  While most professional photographers should have this list down to a science, it wouldn’t hurt for you to customize your own list to be sure your special moments aren’t missed.

While helping my best friend prepare for her big day, I used a combination of realsimple.com, theknot.com, and my personal experience to compile this “must-have photo list” for her and her photographer.

Getting Ready/Pre Ceremony

1. Bride getting ready, make up applied and hair styled.
2. Bride’s gown hanging alone.
3. Shots of shoes, accessories, and each of the something old, new, borrowed, and blue.
4. Bride and bridesmaids bouquets.
5. Candid shots of bride and bridesmaids getting ready.
6. Mother buttoning or zipping the bridal gown and dressing her with the veil.
7. Father seeing the bride in her gown.
8. Bride with parents and siblings.
9. Bride with maid of honor.
10. Bride with bridesmaids.
11. Groom getting ready with father and groomsmen.
12. Close up shots of the wedding bands.
13. Groom with parents and siblings.
14. Groom with best man.
15. Groom with groomsmen.
16. Groom and groomsmen putting on boutonnieres or ties.
17. Bride and groom separately making their way to the ceremony.

The Ceremony

1. Exterior and interior shots of the location before guests arrive.
2. Guests arriving and escorted to seats.
3. Each member of the processional.
4. Groom’s expression as he’s waiting for the bride.
5. Close up of bride just before she makes her entrance.
6. Groom reacting to bride as she’s walking down the aisle.
7. FOB giving her away.
8. Bride and groom at the altar, from the guests’ point of view.
9. Bride and groom at the altar, from the couple’s point of view.
10. Special moments – candle lighting, etc.
11. Photos of the readers.
12. Close up of bride and groom while exchanging vows.
13. Close up of hands as they exchange rings.
14. The kiss.
15. Close up of newlyweds immediately after ceremony.
16. Bride and groom hugging family and friends.
17. Bride and groom leaving ceremony site.

Before the Reception/or Ceremony

1. Bride and groom together.
2. Bride with mother.
3. Bride with father.
4. Bride with both parents.
5. Bride with siblings.
6. Bride with parents and siblings.
7. Bride with her entire immediate family.
8. Groom with mother.
9. Groom with father.
10. Groom with both parents.
11. Groom with siblings.
12. Groom with parents and siblings.
13. Groom with entire immediate family.
14. Bride and groom with bride’s family.
15. Bride and groom with groom’s family.
16. Bride and groom with both sets of parents.
17. Bride and groom with bridesmaids.
18. Bride and groom with groomsmen.
19. Bride and groom with entire wedding party.

The Reception

1. Exterior and interior shots before guests arrive.
2. Still life shots of place cards, menus, centerpieces, decorations, table settings, favors, champagne glasses.
3. The cake.
4. Hors d’oeuvres and specialty drinks.
5. Guests arriving and signing the guestbook.
6. Bride and groom arriving.
7. Announcements of bridal party and parents.
8. Close ups of friends/family making toasts.
9. Bride and groom visiting guests.
10. Bride and groom first dance.
11. Both dances with FOB and MOG.
12. Wedding party dancing.
13. Wedding guests dancing.
14. Bride and groom dancing.
15. Cutting the cake.
16. Newlyweds’ vehicle/going away car.
17. Bride and groom leaving reception.
18. Rear of car departing.

Anything I forgot?  Happy Planning!

In spite of all the media attention on weddings big and small, there are still awkward “I’m not sure how to handle this” moments for guests. There are many variations in the “new” wedding traditions. They vary by region, by ethnicity and by what TV show the bride is watching. The “rules” that applied to earlier weddings have been relaxed and while it is good
news for the brides and grooms, it can be tougher on guests.

Stop and see us for answers to the simplest conundrum and advice on the most complicated social question.

The driving force for this is the desire to “be the best possible guest” at the wedding to which you have been invited. The “rules” used to be simpler and clearer. Today’s touch individuality, which enables the couple to have the wedding of their dreams – unique as it could be – sometimes leaves guests in a nether world of “what does this mean”?

1. How do I know if my “partner” or “significant other” is included in the invitation that is addressed to me?
If you are close friends with the bride or the couple, expect the invitation to be addressed to you on the outer envelope, and on the inner envelope expect to see your name +guest (or your partner’s name). If it is a contemporary invitation that has no inner envelope, you’ll need to check the reply card for clues. If the invitation is addressed to you only and the
reply card says, “I will attend or I won’t attend” no guest is included. If the reply card has room for a guest, it will have a line that says “# attending ________”. You send back the reply with a #2 on that line and you have just experienced the now famous “plus one” rule.
2. If I am a friend of the bride and guest at her wedding, to whom do I address the check? I don’t have time to search out the various wedding registries and live by the adage that “when in doubt, send cash”?
You will find “experts” who tell you that you should make the check out to the groom. You will find “experts” who tell you to make the check out to the couple. We advise to make the check out to the bride using both her maiden and new name (depending on her decision about new last names). After all, you are wishing her well in her new life.
3. I received an invitation to the wedding of a college friend. I can’t attend but want to send a gift, even though the “rules” of etiquette say this is not necessary. Should I send it before the wedding to the bride (my friend) or after the wedding
to the couple?
If the bride is your friend, send the gift with a personal note explaining why you can’t attend but including your very best wishes for a long and happy married life. If the groom is your friend, send the gift to the couple via the bride’s home address. Again, explain why you can’t be there in person but assuring each of your good wishes and congratulations. Depending on your relationship to the groom, a personal call to him may be in order.

Robyn, your girls looked great, and so did you!  Congratulations!

With all the planning that must happen, and all the aspects of a wedding to consider, taking pains to keep the process flowing and your planning more joyful, experts advise brides to consider the following.

1. Make realistic plans at the start. While you might dream of a celebrity style wedding, be real. “ Create a day that allows you to reach your goal of marriage without undue stress and complications,” (Wedding Planner Jacqueline Smith). This is accomplished by looking at who you are as a couple, how much time you have to plan and how much money you’ll have for this wedding. Advice from a certified wedding planner can be a valuable up front investment.
2. Be organized and disciplined. With plans in place, stay focused on your objective and you’ll avoid wasting time, energy and resources. Pay attention to the details. Frequently it is the little things that get overlooked. Deal with them early and keep them from becoming major problems later on.
3. Keep a positive outlook. Brides who are positive and joyful at the prospect of their wedding day are pleasant to be around. They remember what this is really about and make this the true focus. All of the rest of the activity is to support this. Don’t let yourself get sidetracked by meaningless issues. Be thankful for and happy with the help others offer to
give you. Remember that you are part of a couple. Share the joy and include the groom on plans and decisions.
4. Make those decisions. Know that this is a milestone event in your life and it requires a myriad of decisions to be made on a wide range of issues. Trust your instincts on many of those decisions, confer when necessary, seek advice on the most difficult, decide and move on (very important to keeping your sanity) to the next item on the list.
5. Be flexible. Remember Murphy? Uninvited, Murphy and his “law” usually attend most weddings. Just be prepared to make changes when needed. Don’t let problems throw you over the edge. Know that even the best plans have ways of coming unglued so be prepared to deal with them as a creative challenge. Let yourself be flexible enough to adjust when
faced with the obvious. This is much easier if you have a “plan B” tucked away “just in case”.
For help with your plans, contact us and talk over your wedding ideas and dreams with one of our experienced consultants. We are here to help you have the memorable wedding you want.

Before Kim K., few ever used this word. The news said that she had to cut 50 of the previously invited wedding guests due to “space issues”. How is this possible? How awkward is this! But it has happened to brides before, but it doesn’t usually happen this close to the event day. Kim K’s solution seems to have been to cut from her stepfather’s extended family and to review those now famous “plus ones”.

Making these calls to the guests involved are hard. Maybe the bride herself could do some, maybe her mother or the groom’s mother could call or even the maid of honor could make the calls on behalf of the bride. Someone in the wedding party who knows the guest (s) who are about to be “disinvited” should deliver the bad news.
Family members – extended or not – can usually be counted on to be the most understanding and accommodating. Guests to whom a “plus one” has been extended may find it a bit awkward. “Plus ones” refer to single guests who have been given the approval to bring a guest of choice unknown to the bride or groom.

This situation can be complicated when brides enthusiastically order lots of “save the date” cards as soon as they get engaged and set a date but before they have done any serious thinking about venues or budgets. Save the date cards imply that an invitation will follow as the date gets closer so many guests begin to think of them as “mini invites”. We recommend that key decisions be made before the cards are sent out and that a preliminary guest list or at least rough estimate of guest counts be set prior to sending out these cards.
We also recommend that the bride send save the date cards only to those persons they know they must have at their wedding and reception and who may have to travel to attend. They really shouldn’t be used as excited “I got engaged and need to tell the world” cards.

The key is to be sure to have an actual conversation with the “un-invitee”. Don’t  just assume they will “get the message” when you don’t send them an invite. That’s the rudest possible way to let them know. As stated already, most will be understanding, but only if you approach the subject in an honest and friendly manner.

A possible option is to just eliminate the “plus ones” so that the ones closest to you will be able to share your special day with you.

If you have questions regarding invitations and all they imply, please let us know. We can help you avoid lots of awkward moments.

Join Bel Fiore at the Pavilion of East Cobb Open House

The Pavillion of East Cobb invites you to our next Open House featuring
bridal gowns by Bel Fiore Bridal and a champagne bar with food from Avenue Catering concepts.
Come meet some of our friendly staff members, sample award-winning cuisine and
speak with an event planner about your next special event.

Date
Sunday, March 11th 2012

Time
1 pm – 3 pm

Location
The Pavillion of East Cobb
736 Johnson Ferry Road
Marietta, Ga 30068

RSVP
(required)
Suzanne Cagle (770) 217-5590 voice mail

Click here to view invite.

Here are some ideas from brides and grooms who were searching for ways to make their day more special, more unique, and more fun.
1. Make a special keepsake of your wedding invitation by mailing one to yourself. Don’t open it. Keep it in your wedding guest book and save it for future generations to open.
2. Ask all relatives and friends to write a favorite recipe on the back of their response card. Keep them in a special place throughout your married life.
3. When unsure about what color(s) you want for your wedding, consider using your birthstone colors for the wedding’s color theme.
4. Some grooms buy lottery tickets for their attendants and have them placed in one of the pockets of each groomsman’s tux as one way of saying thanks for being in my wedding party.
5. If you plan to “throw the garter” at the reception, wear two. Throw one and keep one in your memory box.
6. Buy a new silver dollar with your wedding year on it and add another one to your collection on each wedding anniversary.
7. Pick a charity that you both can support and make a donation to it on your wedding day. If you are marrying for the second time or really don’t want guests to bring gifts, let it be known that you prefer gifts to this charity in lieu of gifts. Then every year, make a donation to it on your anniversary.
For more ideas on how to make your wedding more “yours”, give us a call, our trained consultants have lots of ideas.

Congratulations to our beautiful Bride Whitney Maxwell, who has be selected as the nationwide winner of “The Doctor’s” Get Heathly Challenge!

She was surprised by “The Doctors” themselves, and will be provided with a personal trainer and meal plan to help her prepare for her big day (and to be healthier!)!!  While we know ALL brides are beautiful, we’re so excited for everything she’s going to do and learn – we’re hoping she can give us some tips!!!

She will air on Friday, February 24th’s episode and we can’t wait to see her!!!

Congrats on your Engagement to Aaron AND for winning!  Best of Luck (although we know you won’t need it)!!!

Any tips you have for starting healthier living habits/planning for your wedding day?