8 Wedding Guide
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
P re p a r e fo r t he r eh e ar sa l d i n n er Planning floral arrangements
O
any couples find their wed-
ding rehearsal dinners to be
relaxing respites from the
whirlwind of wedding planning.
Such dinners enable the happy cou-
ple to slow down and enjoy them-
selves in a relatively casual gather-
ing with their closest friends and
family members.
Rehearsal dinners typically take
place in the night or two before the
wedding. The couple, members of
their wedding party, the parents of
the bride and groom and others
involved in the wedding typically
attend this dinner. The couple gener-
ally takes the time at the dinner to
thank everyone for their contribu-
tions to the wedding and to offer
some small gifts of appreciation. No
rules govern rehearsal dinners, so
couples have the freedom to plan the
dinners as they see fit.
Rehearsal dinners often come
immediately after the ceremony
rehearsal, when the wedding party
and the officiant go over the timing
and details of the wedding. Make
arrangements with the ceremony site
and officiant prior to making dinner
reservations.
Parents of the groom traditionally
host the rehearsal dinner, so they will
be integral in planning the event.
That means couples should keep an
open and gracious mind. Remember,
M
the rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to
be a lavish affair, and it can be cus-
tomized to any budget or preference.
Some couples feel that hosting
rehearsal dinners in casual settings
can make the dinner more comfort-
able for members of the wedding,
who can use the dinner as an oppor-
tunity to mingle and get to know one
another before the wedding. This
will help to tame nerves and enable
the wedding party to loosen up and
enjoy themselves even more. Some
people may be more inclined to
socialize and have fun when they’re
not worried about putting on airs.
Restaurants that have special
meaning to the couple often make
for great places to hold rehearsal din-
ners. The bride and groom can sug-
gest their ideas, but ultimately it is
the person handling the bill who has
the final say. Couples who want
greater control over the rehearsal
dinner festivities can suggest hosting
it themselves.
Despite its name, the rehearsal
dinner doesn’t actually have to be a
dinner, as couples can opt for meals
at a different time of the day, like
brunch or lunch. An earlier occasion
gives guests plenty of time to get
home and rest up for the festivities of
the wedding to come.
See
REHEARSAL page 11
ne of the big decisions
couples must make when
planning their weddings
concerns their floral
arr-angements. The
right flowers won’t
break the bank but
will add substantial
aesthetic appeal to
ceremonies
and
receptions.
It can be difficult
for couples to
achieve that balance of cost and
look on their own, so the follow-
ing are a few helpful hints for
couples when choosing their wed-
ding day floral arrangements.
Work with a florist you
trust and like
All florists are not the same, so
finding one you can trust and will
enjoy working with can make all
the difference. Many couples
have little or no experience with
floral arrangements prior to plan-
ning their weddings, so it can
calm couples’ nerves to work
with someone they trust in such
situations.
Florists with significant wed-
ding experience will no doubt
make a host of recommendations
based on couples’ budgets and
preferences, so couples might be
more inclined to listen to that
advice if they are working with
someone they trust. Ask relatives,
friends or coworkers if they can
recommend any florists whose
wedding work they are familiar
with.
Choose in-season or
native flowers
Couples working with tight
budgets may want to choose in-
season flowers or those native to
the area where they will be tying
the knot. In-season and native
flowers won’t need to be ordered
or shipped in from afar, which
can be costly.
In-season and native flowers
tend to be more abundant as well,
and the greater their
availability the less
couples are likely
to pay for them.
Go big
Some
flowers
simply bloom larg-
er than others, and
choosing
such
flowers may help
you save money since you won’t
need to buy as many flowers as
you would if you were to go with
smaller blooms.
Once you find a florist to work
with, discuss your options with
regard to doing more with less.
Many florists embrace the chal-
lenge to be creative within a
budget, so you might just be sur-
prised and impressed by what
they come up with.
Repurpose floral
arrangements
Another way to save on floral
arrangements is to repurpose
flowers throughout the day.
Once bridesmaids no longer
need their bouquets, use them to
decorate gift tables or cocktail
areas. Floral arrangements on dis-
play during the ceremony can be
removed once you have both said
“I do” and moved into the recep-
tion area where they can be
enjoyed through the night.
Go over any repurposing you
plan to do with your reception
hall manager prior to your wed-
ding day so he or she knows
where and when to move the
arrangements.
Floral arrangements can set the
mood for a wedding ceremony
and reception, and even couples
with little or no experience choos-
ing arrangements can end up with
stunning displays. —Metro