DOWN THE ASILE :: With The Gay Wedding Show this Sunday at The Delta Chelsea Hotel set to introduce same-sex couples to the vendors stepping up to help you do your I-dos right, we asked a few of the many experts out there for their best tips for a perfect day.
The Expert: Malvina Chevolleau
Expertise: Sweet Beginnings Wedding and Event Planner
The Ultimate Tip: “Plan ahead and stay organized! Don’t leave all the small details until the last minute or they will bite you in the butt. Grab your partner and get to work as early as possible on all the tasks that seem most painstaking. From figuring out where you will seat your embarrassing uncle to gluing tiny bows on your menu cards, you’ll be thankful you did it early. As well, it’s your job to look your best; your guests will expect you to bring your A game on the wedding day. That’s hard to do with no sleep and stress levels off the chart, not to mention that puffy eyes are never flattering in photos. Plan to have all the details taken care of 3 days prior to the wedding so you can get some R&R and enjoy the pre- wedding jitters with your partner. It’s also a great idea to hire a wedding planner for the day of the wedding to coordinate all the little details, even if you have done all the planning yourself. This allows you and your families the luxury of sitting back and feeling like pampered guests at your own wedding.”
The Expert: Eddie Stone
Expertise: Newlywed
The Ultimate Tip: “Don’t worry about others, which is easier said than done. But remember: It’s your day.”
The Expert: Jeff Mandell
Expertise: Bandleader (The Bluesual Suspects)
The Ultimate Tip: “Encourage your guests to get up to dance earlier rather than later. A lot of people make the mistake of saving the music for later, but after a long day of being couped up in confined spaces (posing for pictures, sitting during the ceremony) it’s very important to get them up to dance. Rather than wait for dinner and speeches to end, have them get up during dinner between courses! Although this is counter intuitive, the net effect will be a wedding full of energized guests who end up staying longer and partying more.
The Expert: Russell Day
Expertise: Vice President, Daniel et Daniel Catering
The Ultimate Tip: “Do your homework! Ask friends and family who they have used to plan/cater their weddings. Choose reputable suppliers and let them guide you through the process. Listen to them—they have done this before. Stick to your theme and don’t make things too complicated and don’t try to cram too much into your day.”
The Expert: Shaun Proulx
Expertise: Newlywed (catch him hosting Sunday)
The Ultimate Tip: “I’ll offer two. First, it’s all about the photos. All you’ll have after a whirlwind day is the memories captured, so make sure it’s not just whatever gets posted on Facebook. Choose a photographer whose style grabs you immediately and don’t skimp out budget-wise. I’ve seen people spend triple on flowers what they did on the photos – which lasts forever? My other tip is to focus yourself on the Big Day into the moment the minute you get up. Notice the little things, breathe, whatever it takes to keep you staying engaged so to enjoy everything you possibly can.”
The Expert: Joan Brennan
Expertise: Elite Catering
The Ultimate Tip: “The hardest thing for wedding vendors to deal with are last minute changes. They precipitate a series of changes, all of which then have to be dealt with. And gotten right! The chances of problems are magnified if changes and decisions are made late in the process.”
Tickets are $10. Enter online or at the event to win your wedding.
– TheGayGuideNetwork
