Do not underestimate the value of schedules. It is so easy for time to escape you on your wedding day so keeping a very tight schedule will allow you to enjoy your celebration so much more and keep your guests from being bored between activities. We at DRV maintain the master schedule for our clients but we also provide them with call sheets on wedding day to handle the often long task of hair and make-up. And every sista knows how long the hair process can be for us.
Although unfortunate, sometimes this happens. Your job is to make sure that you have confirmed all contracts and your vendors have accurate times, addresses and instructions for your wedding. Designate someone to keep emergency phone numbers to contact all of your vendors and a well thought out plan in case one of your vendors is MIA.
Choosing your bridesmaids should be as carefully thought out as choosing a spouse. I’ve seen so many friendships dissipate over the planning of a wedding. Be clear about what your expectations are and share that up front. Be considerate because agreeing to participate in your wedding will certainly be a costly experience for them. Most importantly, remember that it is your day and although your girlfriends are happy for you, it’s still your wedding, not theirs.
There is no such thing as a flawless wedding. What if you break your heel just before the wedding? Maybe Uncle John has just a little too much to drink? You could wind up stuck in a major traffic jam. Keep in mind that you are marrying the man of your dreams and nothing else could ever trump that. Relax, enjoy the journey and smile.
Your weight will fluctuate some during the planning of your wedding so be sure to schedule a final dress fitting as close to your wedding as possible. I suggest one week before your big day and make sure to wear all of your undergarments and shoes. After the fitting, make sure to have your gown pressed one last time and it’s not a bad idea to also pack a portable steamer in your emergency kit.
Sometimes even the best-made plans are shut down by the rain, or in the case of the Tumbaga’s on my new show “I Do Over”, a tsunami. Any outdoor wedding should always have a rain contingency plan. It is wise to have an indoor location already set and on hold with a cut-off time to make this final decision. Please don’t fool yourself into believing that you can control the weather. Mother Nature tends to have a mind of her own!
Most women will shed a tear or two on their wedding day. After hours of primping in the make-up chair the last thing you want are photos with smeared make-up, right? Consult with your make-up artist about waterproof options for foundation, eyeliner and mascara because you’re going to need them.
The costs associated with a wedding can quickly escalate, but avoid the urge to start asking friends for favors. Even with the best of intentions, favors cannot always be relied upon because the unexpected happens. Dana Santini in our Striptease episode on “I Do Over” learned the hard way when a colleague promised to make her bridesmaid dresses and never showed! After delaying the ceremony by over two hours, her bridesmaids walked down the aisle in a very conservative church wearing only the groomsmen’s tuxedo shirts.
Although it could save you a few extra bucks, you should never consider asking someone to pick-up your wedding cake. Let the pros handle it! Plus. assign someone from the catering staff to keep a close eye on the display table all night. Kids have a way of sniffing out sweets in the most crowded rooms and given the chance they just might decide to have an early bite.
With the rush of emotions on the wedding day there are bound to be a few minor mishaps. We always pack an emergency kit stocked with everything from safety pins, needle and thread, breath mints to an extra pair of Spanx. (Seriously!) Be sure to purchase and pack your kit at least a week prior to your wedding and place it with all of your wedding attire so you’ll be ready.
The incredibly sought-after and admired Valentine is the creative genius behind the jaw dropping weddings of Usher, Martin Lawrence, Toni Braxton, Kelis and Nas, Lela Rochon, just to name a few. Valentine is also the author of Weddings Valentine Style: Rich Inspiration For Every Woman’s Dream Day. Catch Diann’s new show “I Do Over” on WE tv Sundays nights at 10pm EST.
