Wedding Planning Tips from NYC Vendors

Yesterday was all about wedding fashion for the little ones, the bridesmaids, and the brides. Today will be filled with wedding planning tips and ideas. A few weeks ago I took the train down to NYC to attend the Wedding Bootcamp put on by The Wedding Salon. It was held at NY Wedding Dance and what a beautiful dance studio it is. The event featured wedding vendors who presented their tips and top trends to a packed room of brides and grooms who then later got a mini dance lesson from the staff members of NY Wedding Dance. Below is a round-up of the tips I gathered in my notebook as the speakers presented their material. {photos showcased are those from the featured vendors}

Wedding Flowers {Ariston Florist}
1. Growing trend is monochromatic with classic flowers that are minimal, low and compact/tight
2. You will want to work with flowers that are in season to save on cost
3. For those with allergies, you will want to stay away from lilies as they have the biggest pollen stems

Wedding Cupcakes {Crumbs Weddings}
1. Cupcakes can be presented in boxes as wedding favors for guests
2. A newer trend in cupcakes is having your wedding monogram or a photo on the top. The scanned image is printed on edible paper, placed on the cupcake and then frosting piped on outer edge.
3. At Crumbs, they have a staff of artists that present ideas to you within your budget and you select what best fits your style
4. Cupcakes can be cheaper than a large wedding cake with the cost not exceeding $8 per person.
5. For your flavor choice, you want to pick something that you want, not what you think your guests will want.
6. At Crumbs, you can either rent or purchase display stands for cupcake bars or towers

Wedding Photography {Brett Matthews Photography}
1. With many people claiming to be a photographer these days, it can be hard to choose. Keep in mind that some don't have the foundations that are critical for photographing your day.
2. Ask to see a proof set from your photographer, don't just look at a sample album. You want to see an entire wedding as it was shot.
3. Be sure to provide your photographer with a standard shot list as they aren't going to know who your aunt and uncle are. Photographers only know what you tell them, so you need to tell them who to concentrate on when photographing your special day. That way, by the time the reception rolls around, they will know who to focus on.
4. Second shooters are great in that they provide another point of view

Wedding Dance Lessons {NY Wedding Dance}
1. Popular reasons for taking dance lessons is to either have a choregraphed first dance for the bride and groom or for the couple looking to make an entrance, you can have the entire wedding party come down the aisle dancing
2. Taking dance lessons isn't just for the wedding day, you will now be able to know how to move together at other parties you attend