Feb2016
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NUPTIALS<br />
by W.E. Brower Jr.<br />
Look BeforeY ou<br />
Research Each<br />
Member of Your<br />
Leap<br />
Team As You<br />
Plan Your Big Day<br />
Imagine this: It’s the big day and just moments ago you made<br />
that first step into married life. The guests are still drying their<br />
weepy eyes while bestowing various compliments about<br />
the nuptials to you and your loved one. Following all the photo<br />
sessions and a scramble to your vehicles, you arrive at the<br />
reception, once again greeting everyone with joy and pride.<br />
Then the DJ you hired calls you to lead your first dance and<br />
soon, to your surprise, you hear Dionne Warwick asking why<br />
you have to be a heartbreaker. And there’s more! Along with the<br />
music being off topic, picture your shock at the realization that<br />
“chicken 10 cents per pound” was referring to chicken wings<br />
instead of chicken Francese.<br />
Almost 2,000 catering companies<br />
and 5,000 DJs are available in<br />
the tri-county area to create a<br />
memorable event for you. But<br />
before setting a date and cutting<br />
the check it’s beneficial to work<br />
with them on a team effort, inquire<br />
about their experience, and make<br />
sure they are knowledgeable of<br />
your needs and can see to them in<br />
a timely manner. Does this mean<br />
spending more time than originally<br />
planned at this appointment?<br />
More than likely yes … but it’s<br />
far better to be safe than sorry,<br />
and with moments like these you<br />
have enough hats to wear. When<br />
spending time with the catering<br />
company it’s equally important<br />
to review the meal courses and<br />
inform them of any food allergies<br />
or certain dishes needed because<br />
of religious traditions; granted,<br />
some of you are probably reading<br />
this nodding in agreement, but<br />
surprisingly that single course of<br />
action is often overlooked.<br />
Location is<br />
always a vital<br />
choice, but<br />
before you<br />
decide, contact<br />
the property<br />
first and inquire<br />
of any policy<br />
it might have<br />
that would run<br />
counter to your<br />
needs. A limo<br />
service is a<br />
splendid way to<br />
make a grand<br />
entrance to the<br />
venue on the<br />
big day.<br />
Look BeforeYou Leap Look<br />
Wedding attire is a topic in and of itself. Once<br />
the style of the wedding is set, be sure to have<br />
yourself properly fitted and remain relaxed during<br />
the process. If you are a broad build, don’t take a<br />
breath to hide the stomach (unless you don’t mind<br />
paying for missing buttons that fell off the rental).<br />
And don’t forget to coordinate with the other party<br />
as a last-minute gesture before providing the final<br />
sign-off and confirmation.<br />
As a final effort, it’s important that a few days prior<br />
to the event you perform a final review between all<br />
the hired parties. This provides the needed time to<br />
alter any selections without the additional burden<br />
of doing so the day of the ceremony. Although<br />
the pressure is building at this point and stress<br />
levels are soaring toward heart palpitation levels,<br />
remember to remain calm and provide enough time<br />
for the parties to follow through on your requests<br />
in an efficient manner. While you face the task of<br />
creating a dream wedding, they bear the burden of<br />
ensuring your needs are met.<br />
Once everything appears to be in order and up to<br />
standards, it’s time for the most important stage of<br />
the entire planning process … sit back and savor<br />
the moment around you! P<br />
26<br />
FEBRUARY 2016