Jodi Bukowski had just two weeks to reinvent a Muhlenberg bride’s dream wedding after her New Jersey venue was damaged in Hurricane Sandy. The woman behind Simple Soiree shares her professional tips to get hitched without a hitch.
Down to the Minute
An accurate timeline helps turn the abstract wedding day blur into a concrete set of pieces that need to coalesce, but it’s something Bukowski frequently sees brides overlooking until the last minute. A client made her own elaborate floral centerpieces for an outdoor reception, but didn’t realize the caterer wouldn’t be setting up tables until an hour before the party. “You don’t think to ask, nine months in advance, ‘what time are you going to set up that day?’”
Get organized
Wedding day magic doesn’t happen on its own. Get an online guide like The Knot or hire an event planner to help maintain a checklist to ensure no detail is overlooked. A non-traditional venue may call for extras, like chairs, lights and even shrubs. A good wedding planner can save you money, with discounts and expertise. But even do-it-yourselfers can benefit from a wedding coordinator the day of the ceremony to deal with last-minute crises.
DIY...
The popularity of Pinterest has spawned many a “Dream Wedding” pin board. Take copies of yours along when you approach the florist and other pros, Bukowski says. A picture of the ideal fondant masterpiece will go a long way in making it a reality. “Share it with all your vendors. They’re going to love it, too.” But don’t get too hung up on specifics. Bukowski wanted lilies of the valley for her wedding day, but a wise florist flagged the choice because the delicate buds would have been pricey and prone to wilt faster than you can say, “I do.”
Know Your Limits
The DIY trend is popular for crafty and budget-minded brides. “Stay in touch with reality,” Bukowski warns. “Pick one or two things that are important that you want to do, but don’t overdo it. And have a back-up plan.” One bride’s cocktail tables were crafted from giant slabs of an oak tree that had been near her childhood home. Her fiancé and her father worked to slice, sand and finish the tables, which were perched on top of wine barrels, all before the big day.
Must-haves
The average Berks County couple spends about $10,000 to $20,000 on their dream wedding. “Create and stick to a budget!” Bukowksi urges. “Decide how you will pay for it. You don’t want to wake up married and in debt.” Focus on the parts that mean the most to you, whether that’s the dress or a particular band. And splurge on a great photographer to capture the best memories from your big day. “When the wedding is over, that’s what you have left. If you have great photos, you’re going to cherish that for the rest of your life.”
Most importantly, when you wake up on your wedding day, try to relax. “Make sure you don’t lose sight of what’s really important, which is you and your fiancé. This is your day and the only thing you should have on your ‘to-do’ is ‘Just Be the Bride (or groom, if you will)!’”
