Carol, Author at Bride St. Louis

Tips to Cutting Your Guest List

September 24, 2020 By Carol Leave a Comment

With many brides opting to have fewer guests at their wedding, the question often arises as to how to cut your wedding guest list without stirring up any tension. You and your future spouse probably know a lot more people combined than you realize. So – here are a few tips on how to cut your list to a reasonable and affordable number without drama or hurt feelings.

Rule #1 – If you haven’t spoken to a relative in years, don’t feel obligated to invited them to your wedding. It’s not a family reunion.
Do you have friends that you’ve grown apart from or no longer speak to frequently – that’s an easy cut.
Your work connections could be huge, so only those who are truly good friends should be invited.
Make your wedding an ADULTS ONLY event. Give couples with kids ample notice to arrange for alternative care for the night. Those couples might really enjoy a kid-free night.
Remove Plus Ones you’ve never met. If you’ve never met the person, why buy them a dinner?

A wedding is a celebration for you and the person you’re marrying – and should be shared with those closest to you.

Filed Under: Invitations, Small Weddings, Tips Tagged With: Invitations, Planning Your Wedding

Tips to Maximize Your Time When Attending our Bridal Shows

July 17, 2020 By Carol Leave a Comment

Bridal Show Tips by Bride St. Louis

Bridal Shows can be fun and exciting, as you put together the pieces of your wedding day. And they are indoors…where it’s cool!

Many brides tell me that they are thoroughly overwhelmed the first time they attend a bridal show, so I thought it might be good to lay out a few guidelines to help you make the most of your time.

Before you go – print several sheets of adhesive address labels with your name, contact information, AND wedding date. Quickly peel off a label and stick it on an inquiry sheet at any booth that you would like to receive additional information.
Bring your checkbook – you just might want to book or hold a date. High demand dates can go quickly. Is your wedding date in May, June or September, October? (These are high demand months.) If you find a vendor you like, and they are available, you better book it now. Photographers book sometimes a year out, and so do venues. They can only host one event on any one day, so don’t take a chance and find them booked next time you inquire.
Bring family or friends you trust, and whose opinion matters.
Invite your groom – but take him only if he wants a voice in this part of the wedding planning. If this is not his thing, don’t torture him!
Know what you are looking for and what’s your budget.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Many vendors will have SHOW specials. This is a great time to take advantage of these deals to help stretch the budget. Be sure to ask questions about their service. Service is what the top professional vendors provide – that’s what puts them in demand. Weddings are a very personal service, and without GOOD service, you might have problems. Not a way to remember a wedding.

Whether your wedding is a few months away or an entire year, a bridal show will help you pull everything together.

Come visit our Bridal Show on Sunday at Windows on Washington, 1601 Washington Ave., St. Louis, Mo 63103. What a great way to start the new year and get ready for your wedding! CLICK HERE to purchase a ticket now.

Filed Under: BRIDAL SHOWS

What are YOUR Safety Plans for Your Wedding?

May 16, 2020 By Carol Leave a Comment

Bride St. Louis and Safety Plans for a Covid-19 Wedding

What are YOUR Safety Plans for Your Wedding?

We have been talking with a lot of brides about their upcoming wedding and a typical topic that surfaces is “What Safety Plans are you putting in place for your wedding.” Now that some weddings will be starting to occur, we wanted to share with you ideas of some brides-to-be and, of course, we would love to hear from you any suggestions you might have.

SCALE IT DOWN

Many of the brides have reduced the number of guests significantly, and some have limited it to just Family Members.

Some brides have “eloped” while rescheduling their “party” reception to a later date. Brides who have married say that it has reduced stress, and in many ways, made it more intimate. In addition, many loved the ideal that they would celebrate TWICE.

PROCEEDING WITH THEIR WEDDING – With Changes or Rescheduling the Date

Brides are asking photographers to keep their distance by using longer lenses.

Rather than talking directly to DJ’s about dance requests, they are asking guests to “TEXT” their request. Those with photo booths have eliminated props from the DJ company and asked guests to supply their own.

Those with buffet style dinners are changing to a plated dinner. Some are adding more tables – limiting seating at a table to just family members, or as few as 4 people. Some have requested that silverware be wrapped – not left open/displayed on the table.

Of course, many have added sanitizing stations, and provided masks for all guests.

To keep the dancing spread out, some plan to place hoola hoops on the floor to scatter guests.

Some have asked their venue to just keep doors open, or have someone stationed there to open the door for guests.

The most important part is GOOD COMMUNICATION by a wedding couple to the venue, the vendors, and their guests. Let everyone know that you care about their safety.

So – brides, what are your plans?

Send your ideas to Bride@BrideStLouis.com. One winner will receive 4 FREE TICKETS to our June 7, 2020 “SAFE DISTANCING” Bridal Show.

Filed Under: Tips, Wedding Planning

Beautiful Outdoor Locations for Romantic Weddings/Elopements – Low or NO Costs

May 6, 2020 By Carol Leave a Comment

With the weather turning nicer, many brides have requested information about LOW COST or NO COSTS locations where they can get married. We put this list together some time ago, but I think it was a great idea to update it, as there are some new additions we wanted to include.

Did we miss something? Do you know of a place that should be included on the list? Let us know, and we definitely will spread the word.

Alton Gordon Moore Public Park

Bellevue Park, Belleville. It has a beautiful gazebo and a medium size lake.

Forest Park – Waterfall off Lagoon Street, The Muny Entrance (Gazebo and beautiful lake in front of the Muny), General Grounds, the Basin area, and Old World’s Fair Pavilion are my favorites. Don’t forget about the Jewel Box (Outside).

The Muny in St. Louis

Faust Park – By The Village, Outside the Butterfly House, or at the Thornhill Mansion grounds that is behind the Butterfly House.

Missouri Botanical Garden – That’s not free, but it is beautiful.

Kiener Plaza – Recently Updated. (I miss the old waterfall there!)

Carondelet Park

The Water Tower off Grand

Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit. It’s $5.00 per person to enter, but it’s worth it! They have a beautiful lake and in spring 1000 of daffodils.

Oak Knoll Park in Clayton.

Oak Knoll Park in Clayton

Bee Tree Park in South County.

The City Garden has a nice waterfall

The Old Courthouse Steps

Tower Grove Park – Most everyone knows about the ruins, the lily pond, and the many, many gazebos. There is also a “secret” private garden with water feature on the South side hided away.

Tower Grove Park at The Ruins

Castlewood State Park off Manchester Road in Ballwin

The J.C. Stage in St. Charles on the Riverfront. It cost a little to rent, but it’s very nice. They also have two other smaller pavilions.

Why not on The Arch Grounds?

Lafayette Square & Park

Laumeier Sculpture Park

Queeny Park in Manchester

The New Chesterfield City Park

New Chesterfield City Park

St. Ferdinand Park in Florissant – Both Lake & Gazebo.

Various New Town Locations in St. Charles

Drace Park in Des Peres – not well known, but very nice.

Longview Farm off Clayton Road in Town & County.

Creve Coeur Lake Park

Kirkwood Trail Station (Get married inside the train station. A great location when the weather is bad.)

Fort Zumwalt Park

August Busch Memorial Conservation Area – Lots of beautiful Open Space & Ponds.

Weldon Springs Clark Park – This park has awesome views.

Kister Park Gazebo – Great for Photos (That’s the gazebo in downtown St. Charles …and there are bathroom below!)

Why not on the steps of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (It’s beautiful) or at the St. Louis Art Museum.

I know there are many more great locations, so if there is something we missed, let us know and we will add it to the list.

Filed Under: Venue Highlights, Wedding Locations, Wedding Planning

Candle Light for Romantic Outdoor Touches at Your Wedding

April 29, 2020 By Carol Leave a Comment

DIY Candle Projects by Bride St. Louis

One of the most romantic touches to an outdoor wedding is hanging candles. Candle accents done right adds just that special touch to set a mood. You can purchase some beautiful ones online or in stores but that can make for a huge expense. If you budget is tight, sometimes that project just is another idea gone undone.

Here’s a quick and easy DIY project that’s low cost and easy to do! (My kind of project!)

Take mason jars or empty glasses and stretch rubber bands around various points. Use all kinds of rubber bands – thick, thin,etc. Then spray the bottles or jar with white primer. Let it dry thoroughly and then remove the rubber bands. Go to the Dollar Store and purchase low cost candles and add to the inside of your mason jars. Using twine, wire or jute to create a handle by which you can hang your lights. If you are able to secure “fancy” mason jars, you can even do away with the paint. Hang lots of them at various heights for maximum effect.

Other items include adding a base of sand or colored stone to the bottom of your jar.

While many of you are “at home” this might just be a fun project.

So – what other types of creative projects are you doing during this quarantine time – share your stories and ideas with our brides.

Filed Under: DIY Ideas

5 Tips Every Bride Needs to Know about Wedding Dress Alterations

April 3, 2020 By Carol Leave a Comment

5 Tips Regarding Bridal Gown Alterations

Fit is everything, which is why, when it comes to your wedding dress, alterations are everything. You can splurge on a pricey dress, but if it’s not altered properly it won’t look any better than a gown that’s a tenth of the cost.

Here are 5 TIPS when it comes to bridal alterations.

Keep on Schedule: It is best to buy your dress early enough to leave plenty of time for fittings and tailoring. Schedule a fitting 2 months before the wedding and a final fitting no later than two weeks before your wedding.

Budget for Alterations: Bridal Alterations can add up. Some shops charge per service ($200 to shorten your gown, $150 to resew seams, etc.) while others charge a flat fee that covers anything you’ll need to make the dress fit you perfectly. Design changes can cost anywhere from $50, to cut a sweetheart neckline, to hundreds of dollars.

Don’t Buy a Gown to Small: Never buy a too-small dress, thinking you will lose the weight. It’s easier to take in a larger dress, than to let a smaller one out.

Wear your Wedding Shoes: A seamstress will adjust the hem based on the shoes you’ll be wearing at the wedding. If you haven’t picked out your wedding shoes yet, bring a pair with a comparable height. Your hemline should gently graze the ground, so that you don’t trip.

Bring Along Undergarments: Whatever undergarments you plan on wearing bring them along for your fitting. Spanx or the right strapless bra can make a difference.

Filed Under: Bridal Gowns