Reminders for your Wedding

April 2011

Planning and keeping on track
Plus flowers and gluten free cakes!

Congratulations!!

We're writing this newsletter to help keep you on track with your wedding planning. If you've got any specific questions, please feel free to email us and we'll answer you and then also answer it in here. We're sure it's something of concern for others too!

Congratulations and remember to have fun as you go through this planning time!

Dora Vela,
publisher, the Wedding Guide of New Mexico

Keeping your bouquet looking good all day long

How can you make your bouquet look good all day? We asked the professionals at Albuquerque Florist and they say that if it is a hand tied bouquet, after the ceremony and photos you should re-cut the stems with a pair of garden sheers and place them in a vase with water. Avoid leaving it in direct sun or near a heat source. Two things you don't want wilting on the wedding day - the bride and her flowers!

If you've got other questions, please send Dora an email from WeddingGuideNM.com

Gluten free wedding cake

Many times there are people in your wedding party who have food allergies. Gluten free cakes can be made and, of course, you want to accommodate guests' needs as much as possible. However, you shouldn't limit your wedding cake choice to meet those needs. You can have a smaller, second cake to serve those guests with special needs and ensure catering staff is aware of the special order and who to serve it to.

Counting for guests who don't RSVP

Question: What do I do if someone brings a guest that they haven't RSVP'd for?

Answer: Yikes! Do they think you have a crystal ball that will show you who is going to be thoughtless enough to do that??? Most reception sites should have food prepared for more than the expected number of guests - again, be sure to ask this when booking the reception site.

If you've got other questions, please send Dora an email from WeddingGuideNM.com

Who carries flowers - do the bridesmaids need to?

Do the bridesmaids always need to carry flowers? Some people choose to give the bridesmaids wrist or pin on corsages. Why not be different? In a recent wedding they carried handbags with flowers pinned on the elegant bag. A single perfect bloom can also be very beautiful, elegant and economical.

A Timeline - are you on track??

Check out what you need to do next!

6-12 months before:
Decide type of wedding                           Decide budget
Choose location of ceremony                 Select type of clergy
Choose attendants                                    Select gown, veil,accessories
Select attendants' gowns                         Compile invitation list
Select reception site                                 Plan details of reception
Select men's formal wear                        Select photographer
Select videographer                                  Select florist
Select caterer                                             Select bridal registry
Select music for ceremony                      Select music for reception
Discuss honeymoon plans                      Reserve limousines
Order wedding favors

4-6 months before:
Order invitations, stationery...              Finalize honeymoon
Shop for trousseau                                   Find a place to live
Shop for home furnishings                     Set appointment for physical
Update immunizations                            Order flowers
Shop for wedding bands                          Get passport

2 months before:
Select attendants' gifts                            Try out new hair styles
Address invitations                                  Get marriage license
Gown fittings                                             Attendants' fittings
Reserve rental items - ceremony           Reserve items - reception
Order wedding and groom's cake
Call local newspaper on announcement deadline
Mail invitations to arrive 6 weeks before wedding

1 month before:
Arrange for final gown fitting                   Attendants final fittings
Have wedding portrait taken                    Arrange lodging for guests
Buy groom's wedding gift                          Buy attendants' gifts
Confirm honeymoon reservations           Check luggage.
Make reservations for bridesmaids' luncheon / rehearsal dinner

2 weeks before:
Record wedding gifts as they arrive.        Write thank you notes.
Review reception seating plans.                Make place cards
Arrange to move to your new home         Finish trousseau shopping
Arrange for name and address changes on accounts, credit cards, licenses, insurance policies, utilities
Schedule hair/manicure appointments
Double check attire and accessories for wedding party
Confirm time & date of rehearsal with members of wedding party

1 week before:
Host bridesmaids' luncheon                      Pack for honeymoon
Have final consultations with caterer, florist, musicians, photographer, and videographer
Give final guest count to reception facility and caterer

Relax and get plenty of rest...the planning is complete, let the festivities begin. Congratulations, enjoy your day!

Historic El Zocalo Plaza for your historic event

El Zocalo Plaza, with its thick adobe walls and brick floors warmly refurbished, is the heart of an 1874 convent is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Come inside. Feel the warmth. Picture yourself and your event at this picturesque venue.

Call them at 505-856-8687 and tell them you saw this special offer here with the Wedding Guide and they'll discount your rental by 10%.

Contact Information
phone: 505-856-0426 or www.WeddingGuideNM.com

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Get in Free!

Check out discounts and prizes awarded at the NM Wedding Expo in January at Sandia Resort & Casino and the Northern NM Wedding Expo at Buffalo Thunder Resort on February!

These are the state's premier bridal events. Get all your questions answered by wedding experts, take a helicopter ride and win incredible prizes - including a honeymoon!

Go online to register and get in free!

For more info, go to www.WeddingGuideNM.com