WEDDINGS Consultants offer planning secrets

Little touches and attention to details can make your event extra-special.
SCRIPPS HOWARD
Ever wonder what the pros know that you don't? When it comes to weddings, quite a bit, as it turns out. The Knot picked the brains of the best bridal consultants from coast to coast and convinced them to share their smartest wedding-planning secrets:
"Be mindful that not only is this a most important day for the bride, it is also equally important to the groom and his family. Take care not to forget to share all details with the groom and his family and include them in all the special moments." Carolyn Hefner, The China Closet, Michigan
"Try to make the most of a limited budget by putting the money where it will make the most impact for the greatest length of time. For example, chair covers or a specialty table linen will be more visible, and for a greater length of time, than favors. A great band or DJ will make the reception more memorable than would an extra course at dinner." Jean Picard, Jean Picard Wedding Consulting, California
"Always open a separate checking account to handle the wedding expenses." JoAnn Gregoli, Elegant Occasions, New York, N.Y.
"When reserving hotel blocks for your guests, make sure to offer at least two or three options in price, from budget to luxury ... and watch out for hotels that have attrition policies which leave you on the hook for any unbooked rooms." Melissa Paul, Melissa Paul Ltd., Philadelphia
"I always suggest that my clients create one alphabetical list that includes all guests. We generally provide a chart with the following columns: response, number attending, table number, gift, date received, date acknowledged and special columns for rehearsal dinner or showers. This might be a little more work in the beginning, but it makes it much easier to keep track of the responses." Sheila C. Weiner, The Event Group, Pittsburgh
"Make sure you weigh your invitations at the post office before stamping them. If possible, have them hand-canceled to avoid the Postal Service's bar coding on the envelope. It will look much nicer when your guests receive them." Joyce Scardina Becker, Events of Distinction, San Francisco
"Make sure that the family and friends who are to sit in reserved seating know that they are to do so, and have them prepared to tell the ushers where they are to sit -- don't expect the ushers to know who all of your honored guests are. If possible, have at least one usher from each family who will recognize the special family members as they arrive." Louise Hanlon, Classic Weddings of Buckhead, Ga.
"Do not allow the rings to float free in someone's pocket. Make sure the best man and maid of honor slip the rings on their little fingers until the officiant asks for them, or keep the rings in the ring boxes in a pocket." Bobbi Hicks, Weddings by Bobbi, Sarasota, Fla.
"To keep the energy of the bouquet and garter tosses fun and not tacky, select in advance special upbeat songs for your band or disc jockey to play during these events -- with no drum roll. There should never be silence; just move from one song to the next." Bonnie Kowar, Creative Weddings, Aspen, Colo.
"To pin on the boutonnihre, hold it over the buttonhole of the jacket while you turn over the lapel and pin it through the flower. This way it's secure and the pin doesn't show. Be sure the same person pins all of them so that they are all pinned the same way." Betty Crosby, Elegant Events, St. Augustine, Fla.
"Serve guests a specialty drink as they arrive at the reception. A festive cocktail like a Kir Royale, Bellini or a Lemon Drop Martini (sugar, lemon juice, triple sec and vodka) welcomes guests with a special touch and is very refreshing on a hot summer day." Nina Austin, The Bridal Salon at Stanley Korshak, Dallas
"When scheduling your formal photographs outdoors, try to remember that the best natural light occurs two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset. That's when you will have that wonderful golden, amber lighting that makes us all look fabulous." Melissa Paul
"Many vendors require payment in full before the big day. Write out all of your checks for your vendors at least two weeks in advance of the wedding. Assign someone responsible to discreetly pass them along to anyone who requires payment at the event." Nina Austin
"Before the bride and groom head off to their suite or honeymoon, don't forget the finishing details of the evening: Who will take home any wedding gifts or envelopes? Who will inventory the leftover alcohol and make sure it gets returned to the vendor for a refund? Who will collect the cake-cutting set? Who will return the tuxedos?" Melissa Paul
"Before going to the rehearsal, make a game plan. Map out who will stand where at the altar. This allows the clergy person or the coordinator to call upon people by name as they are positioned in the processional and at the altar." Carolyn Hefner
"The rehearsal is very important so that no one has to think on the wedding day. The bride makes her wishes known to the one PIC (person in charge). The PIC begins with everyone in place: the parents seated and the wedding party in front. Then practice the recessional (including parents). Then seat the parents, practice the processional back in and go through the maybe-slightly-abbreviated ceremony (including speakers) -- and back up the aisle again." Betty Crosby
"A bouquet of balloons and white satin bows displayed at the front of the bride's home on the morning of the wedding indicates a festive occasion and provides a nice background for photos." Joyce Scardina Becker
XHeading down the aisle? To find a wedding consultant in your area, visit www.theknot.com/local and choose your city.