Helpful Advice I got from the Wedding March on Madison!

Here are some things I thought would be helpful to all brides!

From Preston Bailey:
-Don't use only one centerpiece arrangement in the room. He said it is too boring. Either alternate with two designs or have one low and one high.

-If you have many different rooms that your guests will see before the reception (like in Oheka), don't preview the reception flowers. The rooms should have different looks.

-He also doesn't like all white flowers, especially for those getting married in the summer. He also said that you shouldn't use opposite colors in the bouquet (i.e., red and white). He said that the difference is too stark.

- He also emphasized that table linens are incredibly important! He does not like the white and cream linens. He thinks color is better.

-Lighting!!! He said this is incredibly important for people getting married at night. He said that if you have cream or white flowers, you can get away with candlelight. But colored flowers look really dark once night comes.

From Avi Adler:

-He also emphasized lighting! Super important. Especially lights on each centerpiece.

-He likes dahlias for September.

From L'Olivier:
-With very high ceilings (like 30ft), it is hard for the centerpiece to compete with them. So either hang something from the ceiling or use low centerpieces and then have high arrangements some place else in the room.

Sylvia Weinstock:

-Not all ingredients are the same quality. Make sure that baker is using the best butter, cream, etc.

-She does not like fresh flowers. She believes that the chemicals on the flowers seep into the cake. She only uses sugar flowers.

-She says to serve the cake immediately after the dinner. Don't wait until the end of the party.

-She does not like fondant. Buttercream only.

Margaret Braun (cake designer):

-She likes fresh flowers on cakes.

-She likes fondant.

Daniel Boulud (Chef of top restuarants in NYC):

-Consider how many people at the wedding. This should dictate how complicated the meals will be.

-He likes (surprisingly) a buffet for a lot of people.

-Put a raspberry, strawberry or peach in the champagne.

-Use seasonal ingredients/courses (i.e., pumpkin soup for fall).

-If using a more common/less expensive ingredient (like chicken), pair it up with a more expensive/fancy ingredient like chanterelles.

-First course should be cold. People are always walking around and taking pictures during this time, so by the time they get to their seat hot apps are often cold.

-Make sure you ask caterer how the food will be presented.

Vera Wang-

-Less is more.

-Don't change your hair color or make-up style just for the wedding. You should look like how you ordinarily look.

Fashion Show-
-Some fabrics just look so much better than others. In particular, Carolina Herrara's fabrics and designs were unbelievable. I highly recommend checking them out.

Invitations-
-Classic, traditional (in other words boring) invitations are the way to go. They signal a classy, stylish affair.

-However, things are changing. People are selecting more unusual invitations nowadays.

Thank you so much for the outline!

I love the idea of alternating between tall and short flower arrangements. It should look really cool!


Thanks!

Wow, some great advice to plan your wedding by! Thanks!!

Thanks for the advice - it is much appreciated

Thank you sooo much. I wanted to attend but my FI was in the hospital with emergency surgery that weekend. I'm really sorry I missed the wedding gowns!