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Who to Tip and How Much By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher of Brides & Weddings Signup for Bridal Buzz newsletter Weddings can be expensive, and while tipping vendors is not mandatory, it’s a great way to show appreciation for their hard work and dedication to making your big day special. However, knowing who to tip and how much is appropriate can be hard. Here is a breakdown of industry norms for tipping wedding vendors. Officiant Most clergy in a house of worship will ask for a donation of $200 to $500 or more, depending on your house of worship. If you are getting married in a less traditional setting, the officiant should be tipped $50 to $100. Wedding Coordinator A typical gratuity for an event coordinator is 15% of their bill. Hair and Makeup Artists On average, this should be about …

by Lisa Beth Miller Brides meticulously select the style, color, and length of their wedding veil, but nobody really tells you exactly when to take it off. We are here for you, and ready to tackle this major conundrum! Love the look of your veil and feel totally comfortable wearing it? It is totally ok to just leave it on for your entire reception. This is especially true if your whole hairstyle is centered around the veil, or if it is a high-impact statement piece that enhances the look you want to achieve. For example, a quirky birdcage veil might look amazing with a retro tea-length dress; why remove it? If you do decide that you want your veil to go bye-bye, there are a few appropriate times to take it off. The first idea is right after the ceremony. …

By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher of Brides & Weddings Signup for Bridal Buzz newsletter  Traveling with a partner is a beautiful way to explore the world, make memories, and deepen your bond. Whether you’re newlyweds or have been together for years, countless destinations offer romance, adventure, and relaxation. Andrea Savich of Unique Travel Events shares some of her favorite destinations for couples. Paris, France  Known as the City of Love, Paris is a classic destination for couples. Paris has something for everyone, from the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the charming neighborhoods. Enjoy a romantic stroll along the Seine River, savor a croissant and coffee at a sidewalk cafe, and indulge in the city’s world-famous cuisine. Quote: “Paris is always a good idea.” – Audrey Hepburn Santorini, Greece  With its stunning blue and white architecture and crystal-clear waters, Santorini is one …

Provided by Tangs Bridal and Alterations Train fluffing is an art. If you are in a wedding, whether as a bridesmaid, a mother of the bride, or a guest, this is a great tip to help you be of assistance to the bride on their big day. Have the train prepared on a flat surface Grab every layer of the train within both of your hands. The train should be treated as a full circle, so adjust the placement of your hands accordingly — not too far apart, and not in the center Gently toss the train up in a wave-like motion. Let the train grab the air blow, causing the fabric to pillow and balloon as it falls to the ground. Do not throw the train down. Let the fabric settle and adjust accordingly. This should help you in your …

By Lisa Beth Miller Serving a full dinner meal at a wedding reception is a traditional choice, but honestly, it isn’t for every couple! Some want to simplify the reception, or even host it at a time of day when a huge formal meal wouldn’t seem appropriate. For these couples, there are so many fabulous options! Here are some ideas. For the sophisticated couple who wants to mingle all night, consider a cocktail reception. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails can create a perfect party. Have your caterer include tray passed hors d’oeuvres in addition to a few mini-stations (try sushi or an olive bar). Create a bar area that features some signature cocktails in addition to the standard fare. This format allows guests to try lots of different morsels, plus makes socializing all night a breeze. For the romantic couple …

By Lisa Beth Miller Some of the most amazing girl-bonding memories (and pictures) are created while getting ready on the day of the wedding. Many brides arrange to have their hair and makeup done with the bridesmaids in a common location. If this is your plan, be sure the room is prepped properly so that this fabulous beauty-fest is everything you’ve dreamed. Hairstylists and makeup artists will do their best work if they are in a room with good lighting- preferably natural light. There should be an abundance of mirrors, including full length, magnifying, and standard makeup mirrors. If the beautifying is taking place in a hotel or at a venue, request bar stools for your girls to perch upon while they are being made over. Also, be sure there is ample table space for your beauty squad members to …

It’s your big day. You have a beautiful dress. You paid for a photographer and a makeup artist. You should have the best “canvas” to work on. Here are some products we tried that were sent to us from client  Cheryl Fischer, Arbonne Independent Consultant to get your skin “picture perfect”!   Cleansing Polish Formulated with exfoliants from lingonberry and apricot to gently buff away dull surface skin cells, makeup, and excess oil. This polish was easy to use and left our skin baby soft, and ready to absorb other products. Makeup went on smoother and overall texture felt improved.           Micellar Water No rinse, no hassle. Simply soak a cotton pad with this cleanser to instantly remove daily impurities. Micelles (tiny bunches of molecules) in this formula trap dirt, makeup, and daily grime while coconut …

by Lisa Beth Miller Your wedding adventure isn’t truly complete until the last thank you note has been dropped into the mail. We all know how important it is to be gracious and show wedding guests that we appreciate them! As couples tackle the task of writing notes of gratitude, it is important that they avoid a few possible etiquette mistakes. Most Common Thank-You Note Mistakes: Taking Too Long To Send Them I get it.  You’re busy.  After you get married, your life usually goes through a lot of changes.  First you’ve got the honeymoon.  That’s at least two weeks. Maybe you’re moving in together or to a different city altogether. It matters not.  You have to find the time to get those thank you notes in the mail. Your guests bought you gifts, and helped to make your special day special.  Sending …

How to travel now   Join our Publisher, Rebecca Barnes as she talks with Dana Franklin, Honeymoon and Wedding Specialist with Divine Destination Weddings & Honeymoons about travel in today’s world. Learn about safety protocol and what are the deals and hot destination right now! 703-282-8178 – office dana@divinedw.com www.divinedestinationweddings.com Featuring: Destination Weddings, Romance Travel, Fiji, Tahiti, Mexico, Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, Asia, Africa…we sell the world!

A group of Prince William/Manassas area wedding professionals have come together to give away a wedding in reaction to the COVID-19 crisis.  Their goal is to find a deserving couple who has been impacted by the pandemic and can’t have their “dream wedding” whether due to financial, emotional, or health-related setbacks. The DC Love Gone Viral giveaway launched on May 11th at http://dclovegoneviral.com . Couples have until August 1st to submit their stories and a photo. After collecting entries, the team will choose the winning couple and plan an upscale wedding for them, which will take place on Thursday, March 11th, 2021. Some limitations will be in place, such as a cap of 100 guests and set parameters for the types of services included and catering cuisine. However, the mission is to lend love a helping hand to make one …