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.

 

 

 

 

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.

Many large weddings this spring have been postponed due to the COVID 19 situation, but some couples are considering having a civil ceremony now and a larger wedding later.  Great!  Civil ceremonies can be presided over by a legal official such as a justice of the peace (right now, probably not) or any person who has become an officiant.

Bride St. Louis has a list of officiants that might be able to assist  (https://bridestlouis.com/listings/officiant). Check with Marry Me Cottage, 9036 Veterans Memorial Pkwy., O’Fallon, MO, 63366 or call them at 636-734-6077.  Tuscany Gallery is an incredibly special and intimate venue that’s designed for small elopements and weddings. They also have a special OUTDOOR package for the St. Charles County area (limited to under 10 people total) for just $350.00. You can reach them at weddings@TuscanyGalleryandEvents.com or call 636-345-1945.

 

To get married you will need a marriage license. You can still get a marriage license at the following locations. With regard to getting a license, here

is the latest that we know:

 

St. Charles County Court House, Recorder of Deeds

Please complete the online application available at www.sccmo.org.  Go to the Administration Building at 201 N. Second Street, St. Charles, MO 63301. Currently hours are 8am to 4:30pm, except they are closed between 10am and 11am. When you go, stay on the first floor and go to the assessor’s window.

 

St. Louis City

We were unable to reach anyone to confirm details. (Probably closed)

 

Lincoln County Court House, Recorder of Deeds

You must CALL FIRST as doors are locked. Talk to JEAN at 636-462-7935. Address is 201 Main Street, Suite 203, Troy, Mo 63379.

 

St. Louis COUNTRY Court House

We were unable to reach anyone to confirm details. (Probably Closed)

 

This information is current as of today, March 23, 2020 and the situation could change.

I would suggest you call first to confirm.

Many of you have questions concerning your upcoming wedding as we are all challenged with the uncertainly of the COVID-19 pandemic.   We are here to help you during every step of your wedding journey and this situation is no exception.

Here is what we are recommending to our LOCAL St. Louis area brides:

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) mandates that no events over 50 people can be held for the next two months, so that takes us until about May 15^th.  Be aware that the time period could change depending on circumstances.  Also, everyone is also mandated by our local city and state regulations.

Therefore, if you wedding is scheduled prior to May 15^th, you have two options:  the first is to contact your wedding venue first, to see if you can reschedule that date.  A second option, that some of you are doing, is reducing the number of guests to just a few close friends and family and having a small intimate wedding….but that needs to be under 50, and you may want to cancel your wedding venue and have the ceremony outdoors.  If you decide to do the second option, every wedding vendor you contracted with generally has a contract, and you need to contact them by email, to see what the situation might be and if it can be cancelled.  Every vendor is different and they are all going to have varying policies.

If you want to re-schedule your wedding, but your wedding venue is fully booked for the remainder of the year, we have requested from our venues to give us their open dates, and these are listed on our web site.  Again, you will need to coordinate any refunds with your booked venue.

If your wedding is later in the year, it is best to not to postpone at this time.

I know for a fact that our community of wedding professionals is banding together to assist in whatever way possible to help you through these challenging times.  We all just need to work together.