Wedding Caterer Tips

Hiring a wedding caterer isn't always easy, particularly because there are a lot of caterers out there. Then there are the people who call themselves caterers, but are actually not very experienced when it comes to creating a menu, accommodating special dietary needs, or sourcing ingredients. How can you find the best wedding caterer you can afford and make the best use of all they have to offer? We have even more tips we think will help!

When determining a final head count for your caterer, you should include a meal for your entertainer (DJ or Band), wedding photographer, and Wedding Day Coordinator. Note: Always confirm with your wedding vendors that they want a meal before you include them in your head count. It is up to you whether you'll serve them a less expensive vendor meal 0r let them eat what your wedding guests are eating.

Ask your caterer to prepare a "leftover basket" that is a sampling of all the food at your reception. That's for you, i.e., the bride and the groom. It's likely that you and your new spouse will not get a chance to really sit down and eat (and enjoy all of the wonderful food at the wedding reception). Even if you're leaving the next day on your honeymoon, a leftover basket makes for a great late night snack!

Be sure to ask your wedding caterer about "guaranteed numbers." Many caterers will quote prices based upon a minimum or "guaranteed" number of guests, but these counts don't always correspond with reality. Many base their figures on a minimum of 100 guests, for example. If your final guest count is less than a hundred, there may be an additional fee.

Find out what decorations, tableware, and linens (if any) are included in the caterer's price. Ask to see pictures of their table displays if they do include some decorations in their price. If your wedding caterer provides these services, talk to them about your color theme so that all your beautiful decorations and floral arrangements will coordinate.

Be careful as to how many hors d'oeuvres you order. It is so tempting to get one of everything, but waste is never nice. Do you really need eight different varieties of puff, cake, and roll? You'd be surprised -- some wedding caterers will suggest that you need a ton of nibbles, even if you're serving a full meal. If you are doing hors d'oeuvres, four different varieties is usually sufficient.


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Wedding Officiants

Unless you've been a member of a church or other religious institution for some time, you're going to have to find your own wedding officiant. This could be a priest or pastor, a rabbi, a justice of the peace, a Muslim officiant, a non-denominational officiant, a Wiccan officiant, or even (in some states) a friend who is ordained for a day specifically to perform your wedding ceremony.

If you're interviewing officiants in preparation for the big day, there are some questions you MUST ask before settling on the one who will eventually perform your wedding ceremony. Here are some highlights, and a link to the full list will follow.

• Will the officiant be available on your wedding date?
• Do you have to travel to their house or worship or will they come to you?
• Will this officiant allow you to write your own vows or recite contemporary readings?
• Are there photography or videography restrictions in his/her ceremony?
• Can this officiant recommend musicians?
• Does this officiant have rules about which music can be played at the wedding ceremony?
• Can a second officiant also take part in the ceremony?
• Will this officiant marry you and your fiance even if you're of different faiths?
• Does this officiant require that you attend premarital counseling?
• Is there an officiant fee or suggested donation we have to pay in advance?

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Save Money On a Wedding Dress

When your wedding budget it tight, shopping for a wedding gown can be a less than pleasant experience. If the dresses you truly love are priced so as to be available to only the most well-to-do brides, you're going to feel disappointed and maybe even a little angry. After all, everything from wedding movies to wedding magazines has been telling you that you deserve the perfect fairy tale wedding dress.

The reality is, however, that real life often gets in the way of even the most well-established bridal fantasies. You, the bride-to-be, have to work within the realms of your wedding budget even when it comes to your wedding gown. Don't think that means that you have to give up your dream of looking like a princess or wear a shapeless sack! No way! Having a tight budget just means you have to be a little more clever than other brides.

When it comes time to shop for your wedding gown, don't forget to factor in the cost of your:

- Headpiece and/or veil
- Jewelry
- Shoes
- Lingerie
- Alterations
- Garter

Now, if you don't have a vision of the perfect wedding gown lurking in the back of your consciousness, you can start off by looking for wedding dresses that DON'T have lacework, hand beading, or very long trains, as these will almost always be more expensive. Plain sheaths, a-line gowns, and ball gowns will tend to be less expensive. Don't overlook the prom section of your local department store, as many carry beautiful white gowns or can order them if you request they do so.

Next, shop with an open mind. Shopping with an open mind involves trying everything in the salon. Do not eliminate any style. And even if you find a wedding gown that you detest on the hanger, you can try it on just so you can have a better idea of more unique styles and how they will look on you. Do not settle for the first wedding dress you see! Always try on many styles and when you find one you love, go home and sleep on it. If it's a one-of-a-kind wedding gown, ask a manager if he or she will set it aside for you.

Good luck!


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Wintertime Wedding Gowns

Brrrrr! As the weather turns colder -- if you live in that sort of clime -- brides' thoughts turn to wedding gowns that are more appropriate for wintertime weather. So long, strapless dresses! Sorry, tea length dresses! Long wedding gowns are in, and sleeves are de rigueur for all but the bravest brides. We've chosen three gowns that are perfect for those brides getting married in snowy locales, and we hope you love them as much as we do!





















This chic silk chiffon sheath dress with its chapel train is entirely beaded and features a matching jacket with detachable fox collar. The overall look is one of true elegance and toasty warmth.




















This off-the-shoulder a-line gown of Alencon lace and silk taffeta features three-quarter length sleeves and a gathered waistband. The bodice and waist band are adorned with pearls and tiny crystals. The full, gathered skirt extends into a semi-cathedral train with a bouquet centered at the back.




















Elegance, beauty and grace are combined in this spectacular long sleeved bridal gown. The waist features a diamond pattern of Swarovski crystal beaded metallic embroidery, and the cut of the skirt and cathedral train gives fabulous volume and presence to this matte satin dress. The best part? No goose bumps!


Click to learn more about choosing a wedding gown or to shop for a wedding gown

Wedding Blog Roundup

We at Smart Wedding Planning try to follow all the great wedding blogs out there. It's not always easy to read all of them every day, but we read as many as we can. Here are four blog posts from some of our favorite wedding bloggers:

Want to plan an eco-friendly wedding?
Emily Anderson of Eco-Chic Weddings finds the most beautiful earth-friendly wedding accessories, like this week's gorgeous necklace from eco-fabulous Lucina Jewelry.

A wedding planner is a financial investment
Kelly of Tidbits on Weddings reminds us that even though hiring a wedding planning or wedding coordinator costs money, it can save you money in the long run. Look in the potential cost savings before you discount it it as an option.

Plan a bird-themed wedding
Never teh Bride of Manolo for the Brides posted a tutorial from Martha Stewart Weddings that teaches brides-to-be how to create beautiful bird-themed wedding stationery, from invitations to napkin rings to place cards. The directions are totally easy to follow and the materials are inexpensive, so check it out.

Drink up: Cranberry Bellini
Annette of Swanky Tables found a delish recipe for a cranberry bellini that includes cranberry syrup, cranberry juice, Cointreau, and Prosecco. Yum!

Click to read more about wedding planning and tying the knot

Honeymoon Cruises

What is it about honeymoons? Planning a honeymoon can be just as stressful is planning a wedding... mostly because you're planning your honeymoon smack dab in the middle of planning your wedding. Right about when you're trying to make sure that your caterer understands just what a vegetarian is, you have to decide whether to go skiing, go to Hawaii, go to Europe or stay home for a week of relaxation.

There are also hundreds of different types of cruises to choose from for those brides and grooms who are comfortable on boats. Here are some things to mull over if you think a honeymoon cruise might be in your future:

Cruising is considered one of the best vacation values, as it is almost all-inclusive. Your fare usually includes meals, your cabin, on board activities, parties and entertainment. Additional costs can include drinks, shore excursions, photographs, spa services, and of course, shopping. Expect to spend some money in port, even if you don't usually bring home souvenirs. At the very least, you'll probably want to sample the local food and drinks.

There are cruises that take you to just about everywhere. There are warm weather cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Panama Canal, which are always popular. Cooler climate destinations, such as Alaska, are offered between May and September. European cruises are between April and November and to Bermuda, between April and October. You can even cruise to Antarctica between December and March!

The most affordable cruise times are non-holidays and during school sessions. However, with so many new ships and cabins to fill, there are excellent values to all destinations available year-round, including summers and holidays. You may get a better deal if you book your cruise through a travel agent, but don't be afraid to try your hand at booking your own trip if you have the time.

Finally, there is a wide selection of cruise ships to select from to suit all tastes, including size of ship, number of passengers and onboard ambiance, such as casual and casual elegance. You may choose from an intimate yacht to the latest floating resort. Some cruises even have themes, so if you love Disney or fine cuisine or reading, consider choosing a cruise that revolves around your passions.

So if you're thinking about cruising into the sunset with your new spouse, how do you choose which is the right honeymoon cruise for you? To help you make a decision, you should take into consideration the price of the cruise, the itinerary of the cruise, the size and age of the ship, the accommodations and amenities onboard, the other sorts of passengers you may encounter, the length of the cruise, and the destination.

Happy cruising!

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Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremonies

Maybe you adhere to the beliefs of the Greek Orthodox church. Maybe not. But whatever your religion or belief system or lack thereof, the wedding traditions of other cultures and faiths can give you some great ideas when you're planning your own wedding ceremony. You may notice that the Greek Orthodox wedding is a bit different than other weddings you've attended in the past -- that's because the traditional wedding ceremony is less about the bride and groom and more about the church itself.

The Beginning
Guests wait with the groom outside of the church until the bride arrives, though sometimes sneaky wedding guests do manage to get in. Some of the guests may actually be there to watch an earlier or later wedding, as the church can host many weddings in a single day. Those who love to look at the wedding gown will often get a treat in the form of seeing multiple brides!

Meanwhile, the groom waits for the bride at the entrance to the church, often with her bridal bouquet in hand. He gives it to her as they enter the church, where the guests sit down or stand where they like. There is no separation between the bride's side and the groom's side.

The Service
The wedding ceremony itself is comprised of two parts, the Service of Betrothal and the Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage.

The exchanging of rings is the focus of the Service of Betrothal. The priest blesses the rings by holding them in his right hand and making the sign of the cross over the heads of the bride and groom. The rings are then placed on the third fingers of their right hands. The Koumbaro, the couple's religious sponsor, then swaps the rings over between the bride and groom's fingers, three times.

The Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage consists of several key parts. First, several prayers are said and then as they come to an end, the priest joins the right hands of the bride and groom. Their hands remain joined until the end of the wedding ceremony, which symbolizes the couple's union.

The Crowning
The bride and groom are crowned with lovely thin crowns called stefana, which are joined by a white ribbon and have been blessed by the priest. The crowns symbolize the glory and honor that is being bestowed on them by God, and the the ribbon symbolizes their unity. The koumbaro then exchanges the crowns between the heads of the couple, three times.

The Common Cup
The crowning is followed by a reading of the Gospel, which tells of the marriage of Cana at Galilee. Wine is given to the couple and they each drink from it three times.

The Ceremonial Walk
The priest the leads the couple, who are still wearing their stefana, three times around the altar on their first steps as a married couple. The Koumbaro follows close behind the couple holding the stefana place. At this point the couple (and anyone standing nearby) is usually showered with rice, which was earlier handed out to the wedding guests. The priest will often make use of the bible he is holding to give himself some protection!

The Removal of the Crowns
When the ceremonial walk has ended, the priest blesses the couple, the crowns are removed, and he then separates their previously joined hands with the bible, reminding them that only God can break the union which they have just entered into.


Click to learn more about Greek Orthodox weddings and other wedding traditions

Saving On Wedding Decor

If you haven't been touched by these tough economic times, we here at Smart Wedding Planning envy you! But if you're like most people and you're feeling the pinch, you may be looking for ways to save money on your wedding. It's not easy -- many ceremony accessories and reception accessories are heavily marked up by vendors who know that brides- and grooms-to-be are willing to pay a premium for "the best."

One way to save money on your wedding is to embrace the do it yourself spirit. Yes, putting together wedding favors or making your own bridal bouquet takes time, but the end product is often more beautiful and more interesting than anything you might buy in a shop. We've put together a short list of ways you can save money on your ceremony and reception decor without having to become a master crafter.

1. Use candles for centerpieces instead of flowers. DIY is easy with candles.

2. Decorate with balloons -- this is fun if you're having kids at your wedding. Let each child take home one or more balloons at the end of the evening.

3. Use silk flowers. They always cost less than fresh flowers, plus they can be rented. If you want to make your own bouquets, it's a lot easier to do so with silks.

4. Bridal and bridesmaid bouquets can double during the reception as decoration for the head table, cake or gift tables. Just make sure you have vases ready.

5. To really save costs, have each bridesmaid carry a single bloom.

6. Make your own pew bows instead of purchasing them. See Making Pew Bows.

7. Use more greenery, tulle, and baby's breath for decorating, and less actual flower blooms. Green bouquets and centerpieces are hot right now!

8. Use only flowers that are in season, and consider choosing less expensive flowers like carnations.

9. If your ceremony site is having more than one wedding that day, contact the other bride-to-be and talk about sharing decoration expenses. The worst she can say is no!

10. Purchase candles, white lights, and other white and silver decorations after the holidays when everything goes on sale.


Click to learn more ways to plan an inexpensive wedding

Wedding Planning Books

Planning a wedding isn't easy and, let's face it, those magazines with all the pretty pictures don't do much to actually help you plan your wedding from start to finish. Wedding planning books, on the other hand, are a lot more useful...especially the ones that take you through the entire process from start to finish or help you put a unique touch on your wedding.

Here are four of our favorites:

In Style: Weddings (In Style)helps you create your unique expression of what is a timeless ritual. A world of inspiring options is shown in exquisite detail, from invitations to dresses to flowers to music to cakes. Tips from today's top wedding planners on how to make it all come together in a way that's personal, meaningful, and just right tie everything together. If you're looking for inspiration, this is the book for you.

Offbeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Bridesserves as inspiration for those who are interested in a vegan buffet, avoiding bouquet tossing, doing away with the elitist guest list and being a control freak without becoming a Bridezilla. Filled with sidebars, tips, tricks and planner encouragement (all taffeta-free) to help you figure out your special day, this book is perfect for those who think the traditional wedding is a little bit tired.


iDo: Planning Your Wedding with Nothing But 'Net is great. From venues to videographers, from bouquets to boutonnières, author Christa Terry has put together a treasure trove of resources that give you the freedom to plan a wedding from anywhere, at any time, using your computer. This guide is much more than a list of links, though -- it will help you plan your entire wedding, it addresses issues of wedding etiquette, and it offers reassurance to eclectic brides-to-be.

The Everything Wedding Organizer; Checklists, calendars, and worksheets for planning the perfect wedding features everything a frazzled bride-or groom-needs to get organized. Complete with dozens of worksheets, checklists, pockets, and loads of helpful hints, this handy planner can help you develop a working strategy to create the wedding of your dreams. This wedding planning book is especially good for less organized brides-to-be!


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Wedding Gowns ... With Flair

Sick and tired of seeing the same old wedding gowns in wedding magazines and on wedding web sites? So are we! It's all strapless A-line dresses and princess pouf skirts and beads, beads, beads. Choosing a wedding gown can become positively boring when you're confronted by the same choices over and over again, so sometimes it's good to check out some wedding dresses that defy the stereotypes.

Here are three gowns from Emerald Bridal that are unlike anything you're going to see in the pages of your wedding magazines:




















Get shorty! Richly embroidered lace on organza, completely sprinkled with crystals and tiny glass beads, forms the bodice and the two tiered ruffled skirt that ends above the knee. A gathered ruffle of illusion peeks from under the bottom tier and adds both style and youthful appeal. This is obviously a gown that can be used for multiple social occasions.




















How about sexy? This three piece silk crepe set takes you from the ceremony to the reception in true fashionista style! The off-the-shoulder midriff top features long sleeves with deep lace bell ruffles. An inset panel of lace creates a fabulous train on the skirt and lace panels accent each pant leg.




















Forget the beads and lace! Handmade camellias trim this matte satin mermaid gown where the organza skirt meets the modified sweetheart long torso bodice. Separate organza arm bands with camellias give an off-the-shoulder look. A matching cathedral veil is included to give the final touch.


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