As the Holidays approach, many of you may be anticipating the joy of being engaged.   It’s an excitement like no other, but it can also be overwhelming, thinking about how to plan the wedding of your dreams.

One of the first questions you will be asked is, “Have you set a date?”  The date you choose is key to your entire event.  If you are on a tight budget there are some dates you will want to avoid and if you choose a date around a Holiday, you might find your favorite vendor already booked.  To save money, go for a Friday or Sunday wedding as many vendors will offer a reduced price on those days.   We also listed the 3-day weekends – these are great for guests who need to travel.   In our area, October is a very busy wedding month.  If fact, it ranks up with June as one of the most popular wedding months.

PLANNING THOSE 2021 WEDDINGS – DATES TO CONSIDER

January 1^st – It’s a Friday this year.  (Some of you might want to opt for a 12/31/20 end of year wedding.  And besides it will save money on taxes if you file as “Married”).  Many companies will be celebrating a 4-day weekend, so this could be a great time to say those “vows” especially if you have out of town guests invited.

January 2^nd – As easy date to remember!  What I call a Novelty Date. 1-2-2121 (Saturday)

January 9^th & 10^th – Okay – it’s not a unique wedding date, but it is an important date to mark on your calendar.  It’s our HUGE, 2 DAY BRIDAL EXPO.  This is your opportunity to plan your entire wedding in one weekend.  Look for more information on our web site at BrideStLouis.com.  Buy your tickets early so you don’t miss out on some of the great, FREE, seminars that occur at this event.

January 18^th – It’s a Monday.  A 3-day weekend for many to celebrate Martin Luther King’s Day.

January 24^th – Our Second Bridal Show of the Year at The Christy Banquet Center in O’Fallon, MO.

February 7^th – Super Bowl – If your guy is a sports fan – forget about this date!

February 12^th – Lincoln’s Day is a State Holiday in Illinois.  It’s a Friday.  (Could be a 3 Day Weekend for some.)

February 14^th – Valentine’s Day (Sunday).  Florists will be super busy, and you might pay more for those red roses.

February 15^th – President’s Day (Monday)

February 16^th – Marti Gras (Tuesday)

February 17^th – Ash Wednesday (Catholics usually don’t marry in Lent.)

February 28^th – BrideStLouis’ Bridal Show at the Foundry Art Center in St. Charles

March 14^th – Daylight savings time begins.  (Longer Days)

March 17th – For You Irish Lads. (It’s a Wednesday. Wear those kilts!)

March 20th – First Day of Spring – Vernal equinox. (Saturday)

March 21^st – Another Novelty Date (Sunday)  3/21/2121

March 27^th to April 4^th – Passover

April 2^nd – Good Friday

April 4^th – Easter Sunday.  Most couples avoid that date.  Many churches will not perform weddings the Saturday before Easter – April 3^rd)

April 11^th – Bride St. Louis’s Bridal Show at Moolah Shrine.

May 9^th – Mother’s Day.  (Be sure to check with your Mom’s about that weekend.)

May 28-29-30-31 – Big Wedding Weekend – Memorial Day Weekend.  If you are thinking about one of those dates, you need to get your contracts signed NOW.  Photographers and favorite venues may already be booked.  Vendors know that they can book these dates – so don’t look for price deals.

June 20^th – Father’s Day.

July 3-4-5 – (Saturday, Sunday, Monday) This could be a busy time for many places so get your reservations in early.  If you have folks who need to travel this could be an ideal time for them to come.  It’s generally HOT so consider an indoor wedding.

(July and August can be very hot in St. Louis.  It is best to plan for an “indoor” ceremony/venue.)

August 15^th – Bride St. Louis Bridal Show at Water’s Edge Banquet Center in St. Peters.

September 4-5-6  – Labor Day Weekend.  Book quickly if you want this date.  Good again for those with out-of-town guests.

September 6 – 8  – Rosh Hashana Begins (Monday-Wednesday)

September & October Weekends

Extremely popular in the St. Louis area.

Great time for those Wine Vineyard Weddings.

Ties with June as the most popular month.  Book EARLY for weekends in these months.

October 9-10-11 – Columbus Day Weekend.  Another good long weekend.

October 31^st  – Sunday.  Halloween.

Nov. 7th – Daylight Savings Ends

November 11^th – Veterans Day  (Thursday)

Many in the military choose this day.

November 21^st – Novelty Date Again (Sunday) 11-21-2121 (All 1s and 2s)

November 25-26-27-28 – Thanksgiving Weekend. These dates book fast.

November 28 – December 6 – Hanukkah

December 25th – Christmas (Saturday)

December 31^st – January 1^st, 2022 – End the year married!  (Friday & Saturday)

 

Also, be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, Christmas, and Kwanzaa) when planning your wedding.  There may be restrictions at your house of worship.

And if your family is deeply involved in sports – avoid weekends with the Super Bowl, Final Four March Madness, and perhaps some local college games as well.

And finally, for number “13” fans – you have (on weekends):  February 13^th (Saturday), March 13^th (Saturday), June 13^th (Sunday), August 13^th (Friday), and November 13^th (Saturday).   This is for Friday, Saturday or Sunday events as noted.

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.

1. 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.
2. Do you have friends that you’ve grown apart from or no longer speak to frequently – that’s an easy cut.
3. Your work connections could be huge, so only those who are truly good friends should be invited.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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.

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.

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).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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.