Tips for weddings

Every time I talk to my nieces, on the phone, in person or even via email, no matter what, the first question they ask me is “When are you getting married Aunt Yael? I want to be your flower girl!”

“You will be the first to know” is always my response.

Honestly, I cannot wait to see my favorite girls in their pretty dresses and watch them walk down the aisle at my wedding with flowers in hand and a huge smile on their faces. That’s what every bride envisions right? Their favorite little girls and handsome little boys, behaving perfectly and making the entire room say “AWE” as they walk down the aisle! I know that is what I want! Yet,  sometimes, the ceremony can be a little overwhelming for the little ones that is why I am excited to announce that I have put together “The 6 YPP best tips and tricks for Flower Girls and Ring Bearers.” All I want are my nine nieces and nephews to feel comfortable,  excited and happy at my wedding and if I had to bet, you feel the same way about your favorite little humans!

1. Big Kid Job:

   Children love to feel like they are all grown-up, they want to be exactly like mommy and daddy which means one thing, they want to feel like they have a big kid job! If you emphasize how big and special their job is, they will be eager to do it and do it well! The more you can do to get them excited and looking forward to their job, the more likely they will enjoy it and work hard at it!

2. Practice, Practice, Practice!

   Have them practice several times! Practice makes perfect, even for the little ones! Let them practice as close to the actual processional as possible so it is fresh in their minds! The familiarity of the entrance and walk-way may help as they watch all the ceremony chairs fill up and they start feeling shy or anxious!

   Bonus:  Tie a small, yet pretty helium balloon on a string around their wrists. It will be the perfect way to distract them! As they walk, the balloon will bounce up and down and our favorite little girls and boys won’t even notice that they made it all the way down the aisle!

3. We are not above bribery!

   Bribe them down the aisle. Promise them a treat at the end of the aisle or something really, really special at the reception. Kids of all ages, well, let’s be real, even adults, cannot refuse a good bribe!

4. Don’t forget the Snacks!

   Being Hangry is never fun, specially when you are a little human, in a completely new environment, wearing a dress or a sports coat that might not be as comfy as pajamas… bring snacks! Stick with foods that are easy to transport and don’t make a mess (i.e. string cheese, fruit snacks and animal crackers)!

5. Let them help pick their outfit!

   I know, I know you have a vision of what you want your flower girl and ring bearer to look like as they walk down the aisle, but if you let them pick out one aspect of their wedding day attire, they will feel so excited and will want to show it off! So, let your flower girl pick out her pretty bow and your favorite little guy pick out his cool tie. They will feel important and you get to see their personality come a live!

6. Finally, Thank Them!

   Being at a wedding, and especially a part of the wedding party, is a big deal for a little one, make sure you and your new spouse thank them! Let them know how happy you are to have them be a part of your big day and how much it means to you! Take a moment after the ceremony to give them a big hug or a high five for doing such an incredible job!

I hope with all my heart that you will not need to use your Wedding Day Emergency Kit and I know you are probably thinking “why did you just put these awful thoughts in my mind!”  Don’t worry! Your wedding day will be incredible but I am a strongly believer in being prepared! Think of your Emergency Kit as insurance. Just in case a hair falls out of place or if a hemline so happens to fall, your bridesmaids will be ready.

So grab yourself a cute little tote or make-up bag, take a trip to Target and put together your own DIY Wedding Emergency Kit! Here is the essentials (but feel free to add things that you know YOU will want on your big day).

“Do you know how to do this?” the Best Man asked me as he held up his boutonniere in confusion. I smiled. This is a question I get asked at every wedding I photograph. No matter how many groomsmen there are or how many weddings they have all been to, this (along with the pocket square) is always a question and a debate. There is always that one guy who knows how to do it.

Do you want to be that guy??!

Great! Here is how to properly secure a Boutonniere!

First thing is first… Boutonnieres go on the left. 

Follow these 5 steps to ensure that all the boutonnieres look on point and consistent!

1. Position the boutonniere on the left lapel.

   The boutonniere should be pined in the middle of the lapel, above the pocket square and lower than the tie or bowtie. If you are pinning the boutonniere on to someone else, it should be to the right of the tie.  People are going to ask you “Are you sure it goes on the left” YES, you are sure!

2. Fold the Lapel over the boutonniere.

   I like to call this “the taco move.” Once you have the boutonniere in the correct place on the lapel, hold the flower in place and fold over the lapel. The lapel should form a taco-like shape, hence “the taco move.” The boutonniere is the beefy delicious substance and the lapel is the shell that holds it all together.

3. Pin starting from the back of the lapel.
   

   
   Once you have your flower taco, take the needle, (which should have been supplied with the boutonniere), and insert the pin into the back of lapel and boutonniere in a downward angle.

4. Pin through the thickest part of the flower. 

   You want to make sure that the pin is going through the thickest part of the boutonniere, which will be the stem flower.  Remember, the thicker the more sturdy it is!

5. Check the boutonniere is secure.

   The best way to ensure the boutonniere is securely fastened is by inserting the needle at a downward angle. Check to make sure it is secure by moving the boutonniere from side to side. Use a second pin if necessary.

With these 5 easy steps the bridesmaids, and more importantly the bride will be insanely impressed by your fabulous boutonniere skills!

Bridesmaids, they are like sisters (or are sisters). Your bridesmaids mean the world to you. I mean, let’s be real, you asked them to be your bridesmaid for a reason! You want your girls to be as happy as possible but you cannot get Katherine Heigl from “27 Dresses” out of your head!

The idea of finding dresses and a color that works for everyone is a little overwhelming… “What if they can’t agree on a style? What if they don’t feel comfortable in their dress?! “First off, I just want to say, you are a sweetheart for being so concerned about your ladies! Secondly, don’t you fret! With the right attitude, time and communication all your bridesmaids will be excited to put on their dress!

1. Talk about the budget!

   I know, I know, talking about finances is never easy, but trust me on this one. Your bridesmaids will feel a lot better knowing that you are being mindful of how much time, effort and money they are investing in your wedding day. Being a bridesmaid is such an honor, and they are SO excited to be a part of your big day, but let’s face it, it can get expensive. So talk to your bridesmaids, remember they are like family. They will appreciate it more than you know!

2. Pinterest and Instagram are your best friends!

   I am a huge fan of research! Knowledge is power! Know what you are getting you and your bridesmaids into before you walk into the bridal shop! Make yourself an excellent source for your ladies. Have opinions, come up with ideas and offer advice as you and your girls are sifting through all the lace and chiffon!

3. Don’t forget about YOUR dress!

   This one seems like an easy one, but I just had to put this one out there. Sometimes, we can get caught up in the excitement of shopping with our girls and forget that your wedding dress is important and must be considered! So before your girls say yes to their dress, ask yourself this “does this compliment my wedding dress?”
   

4. Bridesmaid Dresses are not on Amazon Prime!

   I know, in our instantaneous world, we forget that sometimes, we are actually going to have to wait! Bridesmaid dress shopping should be done 7 – 8 months out! I know what you are thinking… you can’t be serious? Most dresses are actually made-to-order and have a shipment time of 12 -16 weeks. Think about all the necessary steps that have to be taken between finding the dresses and actually putting them on. You have to make sure you have the correct measurements, correct order, have the dress actually made, pick it up (or wait for it to be delivered), make alterations and then finally have it all ready and perfect for the big day!

5. SALES

   Yes you read that correctly! Bridesmaid dresses do go on sale and more often than you think! There are always sales on the major annual shopping days like Black Friday, Memorial day and Labor Day… but there are also sales through out the year. Get on email lists, check websites every so often and keep your eyes pealed for the Magic word “SALE.” Your bridesmaids will be SO appreciative!

Ok, so now that you have some tips, GO have a great time! Sip the bubbly, get lost in all the amazing texture! Shopping with your best friends is supposed to be fun!  Let the stress melt away and enjoy this bonding experience with your girls!