Calling all brides!

It's that time of year again to don your running shoes and attend the famous Filene's Basement "Running of the Brides."

Our local one will take place this Friday, October 14 at Filene's Basement, Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, D.C. from 8AM - 9PM. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. All sales are final.

Below are some helpful tips directly from Filene's Basement.

The key to being successful at the Running of the Brides® is knowing what to expect. When the doors open at 8:00am, brides and their helpers rush to the racks, grab wedding gowns and immediately start trying them on. After this initial frenzy the real sale begins, when helpers roam the floor to trade sizes, colors and designers with the other teams. Once you get in the flow of this unique event, it will all make sense. Here are a few guidelines that will help make your experience at the ROTB more successful and fun.

Before You Go

1. Recruit your team and assign jobs.
2. Create team unity by wearing something matching—for example hats, t-shirts or headbands.
This will also help you find each other in the crowd.
3. Tear out pages from bridal magazines, or print styles from on-line wedding gown sites to
show your team what you’re looking for.

The Day of the Sale

1. Dress smart—wear a sports bra or swim suit so you can change in and out of gowns
anywhere in the store.
2. Leave your handbag at home or pack light for the day.
3. Please, don’t wear make-up. White shows everything.
4. The sale starts at 8:00am, so if you want to be one of the first through the doors, plan
on arriving well before then.
5. Not everyone wants to deal with the 8:00am rush. Starting around 11:00am you’ll see
dresses going back on the racks and the scene will be calmer.

Be considerate. Once you decide you don’t like a dress, put it back on the rack. It just might be someone else’s dream dress.

Happy shopping. If any brides-to-be are reading my blog and you attend this event, please send me your experiences and photos. I will post them on the blog.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

If you are looking for a great charity to sponsor or support, I suggest Brides Against Breast Cancer. You can donate money and even your wedding gown. Find out how you can donate your gown directly on their website at: www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org.

Or, have a Pink Envelope wedding reception. Visit Brides Against Breast Cancer for details.

Looking for a unique favor for your guests? Consider making a pink envelope donation on behalf of your guests. Go to the Brides Against Breast Cancer website to read all about it.

If you would rather participate physically, then run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. In our local area, the race will take place on Sunday, October 23 in Hunt Valley, MD. Call 410.433.RACE(7233) for more information. For the schedule of where and when other races will take place in your area, go to their website at: ww5.komen.org.

Think Pink!

Formula for Determining How Many Guests

Are you wondering how many guests will really attend your wedding reception? Here is an easy formula to help you determine just that...give or take a few.

# of guests invited x .66 x 1.15 = Total approximate # of guests who will attend

Example: 300 guests invited x .66 x 1.15 = 228 guests attending

The .66 is your average RSVP rate. The 1.15 is your unexpected guest "buffer" (e.g. "I invited them but didn't really think they'd show up" guests) but also leaves room for an extra meal or two for that "just in case" situation.

Keep in mind, however, this most likely won't be exact, but it will give you an idea of approximately how many guests to expect.

Ten Tips When Shopping for Your Wedding Gown

After you say, "Yes!" usually the first thing a bride wants to do is shop for her wedding gown. It's fun and exciting, but also could become overwhelming. To ease some of your possible anxiety, here are ten tips to help your wedding gown shopping go smoothly.

1. Definitely begin looking at bridal magazines to find the styles and designs you like. Tear out your favorites and bring them with you to the bridal salon. Show the salesperson so they can see the styles and designs you like. This will save a lot of time and frustration. Also tell them what you do not like so they won't waste valuable time bringing out gowns that you know you are going to hate before you even try them on.

2. Start shopping for your gown as soon as possible, especially if you plan to purchase a designer gown (not off the rack.) It can take up to six months (including time for alterations) to have your gown ready for your wedding day.

3. Know your price point before you step one foot into the bridal salon. Be sure to inform the salesperson to ensure they only show you gowns at or below your price point. Wise advice - do not even think about trying on a gown that is well above that price point. You know what will happen. Have you ever watched, "Say Yes to the Dress?" You know what I'm talking about. You run the risk of going way over your price point. Don't forget to include the cost of accessories (veil, undergarments, shoes, etc.) and alterations.

4. Decide on which bridal salons you would like to visit and call them up to make an appointment. Most require one. Do not assume that you can just show up and expect to be waited on immediately. If they do not take appointments, the best time to arrive is as soon as they open their doors.

5. Bring your mother and your matron/maid of honor, who is usually your most trustworthy friend. Do not show up with an entourage of people. You will have too many views that may cause you to become frustrated, disappointed and/or baffled. On the other side, don't go alone either. You do want someone else's opinion besides the salesperson's.

6. Trust your heart. You are the only one who truly knows your body and what looks good on you. Listen to yourself. Don't just rely your decision on someone else's thoughts. You will know when it's the right dress.

7. When going to try on gowns, wear neutral-colored undergarments. Do not wear lots of make-up or red or dark lipsticks, and heavy perfume. These elements could damage a gown.

8. We all want to lose weight before our wedding day, but you should still buy your wedding dress that fits you now. It is much easier and less expensive to "take in" a gown versus trying to "enlarge" it which may not always be possible.

9. While you want your gown to be "drop dead gorgeous," be sure it is comfortable as well. When having it altered, be sure to move around (as if you were dancing) and sit in it.

10. As with any major purchase, it is not wise to make an impulse buy, but to "sleep" on it. You want to be absolutely sure this is the dress you have been dreaming about. Most salons only accept a non-refundable deposit and/or may not accept exchanges. So "shop 'til you drop" to find that perfect wedding gown for you.

Happy shopping!

photo courtesy: Martha Stewart Weddings - Gown by Monique Lhuillier, spring 2012 collection

A Few Tips for Your Reception Design

Tired of going to weddings and seeing the same old style of seating - all round tables set in the same pattern?

No need to use the "standard" style anymore. I like to mix things up a bit. Use rounds, squares, rectangles or even ovals. You can also mix small tables with large tables. If you are using a head table for the wedding party, this table should always make a statement by either where it's placed and/or having more elaborate decor.

For larger receptions where some guests will be seated far away from the head table, you could give those tables a more elaborate centerpiece or something that will make them feel special. No one likes to feel they are "lost in the shuffle" so to speak. For those guests whom you know love to dance, seat them closer to the dance floor to get the party started and remember to consider your elderly guests and seat them away from the speakers.

Happy designing!

photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Contingency (Back-up) Plans

For those of us on the east coast, we are preparing for the impending appearance of Hurricane Irene. Fortunately, I do not have a wedding this weekend. But, I was just thinking about east coast couples who have planned outdoor weddings this weekend. Do they have a contingency plan in case Hurricane Irene hits? That made me think about contingency (back-up) plans. So, I thought I would share four of my basic back-up planning tips.

1. When scoping out sites for your outdoor wedding, always ask the venue if they have an indoor space that could be used in case the wedding and/or reception has to be moved inside. This will save you much time and headaches if you have a "Plan B" in place.

2. If you are really set on a particular outdoor venue and they do not have indoor space available, consider renting a tent. Call various tent rental companies and see if one will be available on your date. However, they will not be able to hold one for you and expect to be called at the last minute. This will cost you a little more money, but isn't it worth it to still be able to have your outdoor wedding without you and your guests getting wet?

3. Consider the time of day you plan to have your wedding. If your wedding is in the middle of summer, you may want to consider having a sunset wedding or an early morning wedding instead of in the middle of the hottest part of the day. You won't be comfortable and your guests certainly won't be comfortable. It would just make for a very miserable day. Not a pleasant memory for your wedding day. You also could consider large fans placed around the peripheral of the inside of the tent. If your outdoor wedding is planned for the cooler months, consider renting outdoor heaters.

4. Pests. Yes, you must think about those pesky mosquitoes and other annoying bugs that might take a bite out of your guests. If your wedding is in the evening, you can purchase those citronella torchieres which can double as part of your decor for inside the tent. You also might consider having the area sprayed by a professional, such as the Mosquito Squad.

Planning ahead will enable you to rest and relax knowing your wedding will still go on, whether it's covered with a tent or has to be moved inside. Remember, the only real goal for the day is that you get married to the one you love.

Distinguishing Different Types of Wedding Coordinators

Confused about a church wedding coordinator, venue coordinator or other types of coordinators?

Be confused no more and get educated. I have just written up brief descriptions of what to expect from some of these types of coordinators.

To receive your FREE copy, simply e-mail me at: patti@smoothweddings.com. Just type in "Different Types of Wedding Coordinators" in the subject line. I will send it off to you right away.