THE AVANTÉ BLOG

You’ve spent months-maybe even years-planning your wedding, and the final countdown has begun. The big day is almost here! And all that’s left to do is show up, right? Not so fast! The week leading up to your wedding is guaranteed to be a bit hectic with all the last-minute details to be taken care of. So where do you even start? We’ve put together the ultimate checklist for the week of your wedding so you can make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Bride Tip: Keep track of the list but delegate the tasks as needed. As the bride, you’ll need all the support you can get. 1. Test Drive Your Full Attire: By now you should have all of your attire ready to go, but it’s a smart idea to have a “dress rehearsal” to make sure everything is perfect. Get help from someone who will be getting ready with you on the wedding morning, so they can figure out any tricky details ahead of time, such as a corset back, sleeves, bustled skirt, etc.  Tip: Remove makeup and jewelry when trying on your dress so you don’t stain or rip it. 2. Clean Your Ring: Head to your jeweler to get your bling professionally cleaned so your wedding pieces can be extra sparkly for your special day. 3. Meet With Your Planner or Day-Of Coordinator: If you have a wedding planner or a day-of coordinator, have a final meeting with them to discuss any last-minute details.  4. Practice Your Vows: If you’re planning on writing your vows last minute or the night before, DON’T! If you still need to finalize what you’ll say at the ceremony, now is the time to do it. Once you’ve perfected them, practice reading them out loud to yourself at least once, so that those butterflies at the altar won’t catch you off guard.  5. Finish Packing For Your Honeymoon: Take these last few days to round any miscellaneous things you plan to bring. Double-check that you have all the necessary documents (passports, IDs, confirmation numbers) ready to go. 6. Confirm Last Minute RSVPs: Reach out to anyone who hasn’t sent an RSVP yet and find out if they will be attending or not. Otherwise, those MIA guests might show up and have nowhere to sit.  7. Deliver the Final Headcount: Give the final number of guests to your vendors or caterer at least a week before your wedding (or whenever required by your contracts).  8. Finalize the Seating Chart: Now that most of the RSVPs are in, nail down that seating chart and send a copy to whoever might need it, such as the wedding coordinator, the photographer, and maid of honor. 9. Submit Your Final Shoot List: Deliver this to your photographer and have a designated family member or member of the wedding party regularly check in with the photographer on the wedding day. 10. Check on the Marriage License: Make sure your marriage license is finalized and assign someone to keep track of it to make sure it’s signed correctly and doesn’t get lost during all the excitement. 11. Confirm Honeymoon Logistics: Make sure to double-check your flight times or other travel plans. Confirm your hotel bookings and any other activity or dinner reservations you have. 12. Confirm Vendors: Check-in with your vendors with an email or a call the week before your wedding to confirm arrival time. This includes the hair and makeup team, florist, caterer, and DJ. 13. Answer Last Minute Emails: Read through your inbox one last time and be sure to answer any pressing wedding questions before you head in the weekend of wedding fun! 14. Prepare Payments: Get any checks or final payments ready for your vendors. Also, check your contracts for payment deadlines to be extra sure you’re on time. 15. Assign a Gift Grabber: Choose a family member to collect the card box and any gift your guest brought and make sure they get it home to you safe and sound. 16. Check on the Rehearsal Dinner: If someone else is in charge of the dinner, confirm the details with them. If you’re putting it together, give your caterer a call to go over the schedule details and the menu one last time. 17. Drop Off Items at the Venue: If your venue approves, drop off boxes of decor or other wedding items ahead of time, so that you’re not lugging around extra boxes the day of.  18. Pack an Emergency Wedding Day Kit: This is a must-do! You can learn how to pack this essential item here. 19. Write Your Partner a Note: Take a little time to jot down some words and feelings for your soon-to-be spouse to read the morning of the wedding. It will help get them excited and emotional for the day ahead for both of you. 20. Relax: You’re almost done planning your wedding, so treat yourself! Take time to have a bath, get a massage, watch your favorite movie…whatever it takes to get you relaxed and refreshed for the big day.

A new year is on the horizon and will be here before we know it, bringing with it fresh perspective and exciting new experiences, especially if this is the year of your wedding! Your big day may seem far away (countdowns, anyone?) but it’s time to take a look at the up and coming trends of 2022 that are sweeping through the wedding industry. You should expect to see bold colors, non-traditional statements and uniquely crafted details that reflect the couple’s individuality and create an exclusive experience for their guests. #1 Intimate Weddings Guest lists have drastically changed in recent years. In 2022, (and going into 2023) couples are embracing a smaller guest list and choosing to have a more intimate setting inviting only close family and friends. A lessened amount of guests also allows for more freedom to spend in other areas such as floral arrangements and specialty vendors. #2 Weekday events In 2022 there are estimated to be about 2.5 million weddings! Some vendors are already booked well into 2023.  So it’s no surprise that the trend of weekday events is on the rise. Weddings have been postponed and rescheduled so many times that couples are ready to get married no matter the day. And a big perk to that is saving money! #3 Destination Weddings With smaller guest counts, destination weddings are trending once again. Cooped-up couples are ready to get out of town and have a change of scenery. But instead of jetting overseas they’re opting for closer getaways to nearby towns or going down South. It’s a celebration and vacation all wrapped in one! #4 Tossing Traditions In today’s world, there is the freedom to unapologetically express yourself. That being said, brides are using that freedom to ditch old, outdated traditions that don’t fit with their vision for their wedding day, such as the bouquet toss, the garter toss, and even formal introductions. So if you find yourself wondering “why” when it comes to different wedding traditions, that’s your sign to not include it on your wedding day! #5 Gold Tones This metallic color has been in the shadows for years, but now wedding experts are seeing it step back into the spotlight at an alarming rate. Gold in the chairs, in the flatware, in the linens, in the invitations; the hues can perfectly blend with any wedding style, whether classic or modern. Expect to see the glint of gold in almost all 2022 weddings. #6 Bold Color Palettes Color palettes are how your wedding all comes together. Nowadays brides are creating amazing, unique color combinations.  Some of the most popular ones on the rise are: DARK: Black is not just for Halloween anymore. A dark color palette is gaining popularity for fall and winter weddings for couples who want something besides traditional colors. CORAL: Bright and cheery, this palette is a great choice for brides wanting something fresh and fun. Look out for all the shades of this vibrant color in 2022. SILVER, MUSTARD, AND DUSTY ROSE: This current combination is taking over the wedding scene for color schemes, making its appearance in spring and early fall weddings. Brides who are planning a boho, rustic, or garden wedding usually choose this palette. #7 Eco-friendly Wedding Weddings that take care of not only the guest but also the earth are trending right now. With so many wedding vendors and venues offering environmentally friendly options couples have endless options to choose from. Some of these include recycled paper invitations, farm-to-table dining, reusable décor, or biodegradable table settings.

As a bride-to-be you’ve spent hundreds of hours preparing for your wedding day, and the best way to ensure the big day goes as smoothly as planned is by packing an emergency kit ready to remedy any problems that may arise. What is a Wedding Day Emergency Kit? A wedding day emergency kit is exactly what it sounds like: It’s a collection of toiletries and handy household items tailored to you and your wedding party so you can stay one step ahead of each and every issue that comes your way, whether that’s a stain on your white dress, an unexpected headache, or a fashion dilemma.  What should be packed in an Emergency Wedding Day Kit?  Deciding what to put in your emergency kit can seem overwhelming. Although you can’t anticipate every situation, it’s helpful to sit down with your fiancé, maid-of-honor, or wedding coordinator and talk through all the ‘what-if’ scenarios and then pack items that’ll help you solve potential problems then choose the items accordingly.  No matter what you decided to pack in your emergency kit, here are some must-have essentials that every bride will need:    Double-stick fashion tape Sewing Kit Lint roller Pain Reliever (such as Advil) Hair Spray  Safety Pins Jewelry Cleaner  Extra Make-up Stain Remover Pen Bobby Pins/Hair Ties In addition to these essentials you can customize your emergency kit using the following lists: Health and Wellness  Band-aids Travel-size hand lotion  Toothbrush and Toothpaste Floss Mints Tampons and/or Pads Deodorant  Q-Tips Tissues Eye-Drops Small Snacks (like granola bars or crackers) Beauty and Fashion  Extra Nail Polish and Remover Clear Nail Polish Nail File  Static Guard Lip Balm Small Brush or Comb Compact mirror Oil-blotting sheets for your face Extra Jewelry and Earrings backs Eyelash glue Tech Portable Phone Charger Extra Phone Charger Extension cord Mini Bluetooth Speaker Extras Super Glue Sunscreen  Flats or Flip-flops Razor Bug spray A Lighter  Antacids Tweezers Portable Clothing Steamer When should you pack the Emergency Kit? Don’t wait until the last minute to pack your emergency kit. The week leading up to your wedding will most likely be packed with events, so it’s recommended to begin collecting the items you need sooner rather than later. Begin packing your emergency kit a few weeks before the big day so you don’t forget anything.  Who should be in charge of the Emergency Kit? As the bride, you already have enough on your mind during your wedding day. It’s best if you leave the kit in the hands of your maid-of-honor, your wedding coordinator, or a trusted friend who knows the schedule of the day and can be close by if it’s needed.  Although you imagine your wedding day as the most perfect day of your life it’s better to be safe than sorry. Having an emergency kit that is custom-tailored to you and your wedding party gives you peace of mind so you can enjoy your wedding day to the fullest!

There are so many choices to make for your wedding day. Deciding to do a first look or not can be challenging. We are here to show you some pros and cons of a first look to help you narrow down your decision! Remember, there isn’t a right or wrong answer. Make your decision based on what you want for your wedding day!  Pros: Saves Time Having a first look before the wedding will allow you time to get your bridal photos before the wedding and you’ll have a shorter time in between the ceremony and reception. This gets the party going sooner and ensures there are no bored guests awaiting your arrival!  Moment Together  We all know the day of your wedding can go by in just a blink of an eye! The day is extremely full and the movement of it all can take you away from the fact that you are married to the love of your life. A first look gives you two a moment to have an intimate and sweet time alone together before the day gets started. This will be cherished between the two of you forever.  Personal Letters  Personal letters add an extra touch of sentiment to your day. They’re different from vows, you can share a memory, a quality trait you love about them, your hope for the day, and the rest of your marriage! Instead of reading these letters apart from each other, read them to each other just moments before you go and say, “I do”. A first look gives you this time to speak your hearts to each other in an intimate setting together before you’re surrounded by people for the rest of the wedding day. The best wedding advice ever given is “slow down”!!”  Personal Photos  Having a personal time to see each other before the wedding is often very sweet and capturing this moment holds so much significance. You won’t feel very rushed for these, you can give yourself as much time as you like to soak up moments together before the big day. You’ll capture the genuine excitement to be marrying the love of your life in a few short hours. You can even take this extra time to do some documenting yourself!   Cons:  You Lose your “Moment” Down the Aisle.  Because you had a first look, the big moment down the aisle may not be as meaningful since you have already seen each other. If you’re looking for a grand entrance, a first look may not be  You Aren’t Actually Alone If you feel a little awkward around cameras, or the photographers are the only people around, it might become distracting and take away from your moment “alone”. All the clicking and moving around you could distract from the intimacy of the moment.  Bouquet or Dress Could Ruin Before the Ceremony Because you will be taking photos together before the wedding, there is a small risk of damage to your dress or bouquet before anyone else gets to see it.  You Have to Start Getting Ready Earlier  Because you will have at least an hour and a half of time for the first look and pictures, you will have to be ready earlier which means you have to get up earlier. This could make you more tired for the day of the wedding, we all know how important beauty rest is.    There you have it! Pros and Cons of a first look.  I hope this helped you narrow down your decision. Just know, whatever you choose to do, your wedding will be one of the most beautiful days of your life, full of happiness and unforgettable memories. Remember to take in every single moment of your big day and at the end of all things, this day is about you and your soon-to-be spouse! 

The endless, wedding planning “to-do” list usually starts with the selection of vendors. Selecting vendors that are of good quality and within your budget can get overwhelming. Don’t waste time communicating with vendors that won’t fit your needs! We have 5 things to help you narrow down your vendor list and help you pick the best for you!  Don’t waste time communicating with vendors that won’t fit your needs!    1. HAVE A BUDGET  This isn’t just important for choosing vendors but should be the first thing you decide. What is your total wedding budget? How much do you want to spend on vendors? The next tip will help you choose what to spend on each vendor! 2. HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND ON EACH VENDOR? WHAT DO YOU VALUE MORE? FLOWERS  PHOTOGRAPHY  VIDEOGRAPHY  FOOD PHOTOBOOTH ETC. Talk with your fiancé about what you value. If you value high-quality flowers over high-quality food, then make your vendor budget based on those things. This will help save you money and make your wedding dreams become a reality.  3. CHECK REVIEWS – TAKE TIME ON THIS Once you have prioritized your vendors and the budget you want, get looking! Once you find a vendor, first check if they fit within your budget! Then, LOOK AT REVIEWS. This is such a crucial step. Without checking the reviews left by others, you could dig yourself into a hole of sloppy vendors. Allow yourself a good amount of time to sift through your vendors’ reviews. The ones with the best reviews within your budget are going to give you the best quality. 4. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHERS  Not only are reviews great to look into, but also asking around in your friend group, community, co-workers, and family. They could have many connections to vendors that do great work at a great price. Recommendations from someone you know is the best resource because it comes from someone you trust!  When you get a recommendation, give that vendor a call and begin your next step!  5. CUSTOMER SERVICE Now that you have found your vendors, looked through reviews, and checked with family and friends for any recommendations, you can now begin communicating with the vendors you are interested in! This last and final step will give you the most comfort knowing you made a good decision. When you contact the vendor, take notice of their customer service. Are they quick to respond? Are they considerate of your needs? Are they kind and patient with you? These are all great questions to ask yourself because the people you speak to are representing the service you will receive from your vendor!    That’s all! These steps will give you direction to narrow down your vendors from the thousands of options to the perfect ONE to fit YOUR wedding day! This day is about you, and the preparations for it are also about you and fulfilling your wedding dreams! Get your dream vendors on your dream day! Don’t settle for less 😉

1. Press your flowers. STEP 1: Make sure to start this process right away so that your flowers are still fresh. STEP 2: Unwrap your bouquet, carefully cutting any ties and tape. STEP 3: Lay the blooms and greenery on wax paper the way you would want each individual stem in your frame. For example, if you want to see the side profile of a bloom or the top profile, make sure to place them in a way you can see that profile of the flower. Once they are pressed you won’t be able to change them. STEP 4: Add another piece of wax paper to the top of the flower and press them in the pages of a heavy book or with something flat and heavy. STEP 5: Leave to dry for 7-10 days under the heavy flat object. Once they are flat and dry, you can arrange them however you want them in your frame. 2. Air dry your flowers. STEP 1: Make sure to start this process right away so that your flowers are still fresh. STEP 2: Unwrap your bouquet, carefully cutting any ties and tape. STEP 3: Hang stems upside down one by one so each stem has the best form possible for at least one week. If the space you are hanging them is colder, leave them for an extra week. STEP 4: Arrange them in a vase or create a wreath with them! You can add the ribbon back into your arrangement! 3. Use silica gel to dry your flowers. STEP 1: Silica gel preserves your flowers true form and is the best way to keep the color of your original bouquet. STEP 2: Purchase silica gel from a craft store or online. STEP 3: Fill the base of an airtight container with silica gel. STEP 4: Unwrap your bouquet and place your blooms in the gel. STEP 5: Gently pour the gel around the petals, being careful to keep the shape of your blooms. Fill all the way to the top and seal with a lid. STEP 6: Make sure your container is airtight so that your flowers don’t mold. STEP 7: After one week, remove the flowers, arrange them how you would like and spray with an artists fixative spray or hairspray. 4. Have your flowers painted. STEP 1: A great way to preserve the memory of your bouquet is to have it painted! STEP 2: Select one of your favorite photos of your bouquet from your wedding day. STEP 3: Reach out to your favorite artist and ask them to paint a depiction of your flowers. It can be as realistic or artistic as you want!

Congratulations! You’re engaged! Now the real drama of planning the wedding begins. Or not. It’s really up to you. If you want the ultimate low-stress guide on how to start wedding planning, then read on! Planning a Wedding Without the Stress Weddings can get as big, bad and stressful as you’ll let them get. So take control early by defining your limits, booking the right venue early, and getting the expert advice you need. You’ll only do this once in your life, so the smartest thing you can do is rely on the advice of professionals who plan and host weddings every other weekend! Some people thrive on stress and get off on the nervous energy of planning a wedding in the most convoluted way possible. If you’re like the rest of us, you’d rather a relaxed stress free planning affair. If you’re up for some tips on keeping your wedding stunning, but stress-free, we’ve got you covered. MAKE A PLANNING TIMETABLE Plan to plan? Yes. There are so many details to plan, that a wedding can get totally overwhelming. So what you want to do, is break it down into manageable parts. Excel is your friend here. Work out at what point you need to plan each aspect of the wedding, and schedule it in the calendar. That way, you plan each detail at the adequate moment, and can avoid developing a nervous tic for the next few months! Wherever possible, outsource to friends and professionals to help the planning go more smoothly. This is one of those moments in life where you need to accept you cannot do it all. ASK FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO CONTRIBUTE A wedding is a family celebration. It’s a rite of passage, and a way to firm up the support network that holds this couple up. A beautiful way to reflect that in the wedding is to involve friends and family in the design. If your cousin is a great photographer, and your soon-to-be sister-in-law has a stunning voice, bring their skillsets to the wedding! Ask great-aunt Martha to help with the tables, and your best friend to lead the dancing. This isn’t so much about saving money – though it’ll help, as it is about making the event a real inclusive affair. It probably goes without saying, but it’s worth being clear on this detail. Only ask reliable, stress-free family and friends to fill these important roles. If Uncle Frank sometimes shows up and often doesn’t, don’t give him a job. ELECT A ‘FIXER’ FOR WEDDING WEEK There is a classic dilemma the week leading up the wedding. Friends and family from all around land at the venue location. The one thing they all have in common is you. So if they want advice on where to eat, where to fix their broken high-heel or where to get a last minute haircut, they call you. This final week also happens to be the most stressful of the whole planning process. So, early on, elect a practical, problem-solver friend or relative to be the ‘fixer’, and redirect any issues people have to them instead. OUTSOURCE! FIND A GREAT WEDDING PLANNER A good wedding planner is worth their weight in gold. You can send them your Pinterest boards or scrapbook for the sorts of wedding theme you want, and they’ll jump in with suggestions and advice. If they’ve been in the game for a while, they’ll score you discounts and hook you up with the real professionals. A wedding planner will know who does the most stylish makeup, hair and the best wedding banquet in town. Wedding planners will often offer several different packages with ranges of support and responsibility for the event. If you know people who’ve recently married in the area you might hit them up for some wedding planner recommendations. LOCK IN A GREAT VENUE EARLY To stay stress-free, get the basics organized early. It’s hard to invite guests when you haven’t locked in the venue yet. For the reception, look for a wedding banquet with a lot of experience and lots of different options so you can make your wedding truly unique and memorable. At Avanté Banquets, we offer exquisitely landscaped grounds and a distinctive style that your guests will just love. We like to say that it’s your day, so we do it your way. Which brings us to the next point. REMEMBER WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT With budgets, timelines, RSVPs and your gown and styling, it’s easy to get caught up in the stress of wedding planning. Friends or relatives might try to persuade you to do things the way they want them. You love them, you want to please them, and sometimes it feels like the easiest thing to do is to cave in. Don’t give in, because you’ll regret it. This is your special day, and it’s about celebrating that the two of you found each other. Celebrating that you’re about to embark on a long and happy marriage. If you’ve locked in a great venue early and involved a professional wedding planner, you can scale down the stress a bit. Some brides even tell us having a calming mantra can help! Find a phrase that reminds you this will be a special day, that things will work out just fine. When you’re feeling overwhelmed take a moment to repeat it silently in your head. And breathe! Now You Know How to Start Wedding Planning There you have it: how to start wedding planning without the stress. Ask for help, outsource, and plan the planning early. If you’ve got helpful, responsible loved ones, give them planning jobs, and make use of their skillset! The best bit about stress-free wedding planning is it keeps you focused on what’s important. The marriage you’re about to begin. With the love of your life. Stay focused on the romance and the joy, and do your best to leave the stress behind you. One of our stress-free planning tips is to get the venue sorted early on. If you’re ready to book the perfect