New Bookings only: Book Before 7/30 and receive 16 uplights for the price of 12….a savings of $180.00.

A Couture Bride “Vicky” from Boston sent in this question for us to address. Here you go Vicky, hopefully you’ll like the answer.

QUESTION:
I love children…but not at our wedding!

I’ve been informed by former brides of the nightmares that are still to come. To date, wedding planning has been a breeze (Thanks Annmarie!) My biggest concern, as I think of the months leading up to the wedding, is how to handle “uninvited” guests. We both come from large families and decided together, due to budget restraints, that there would be no children (other than those in the wedding party) invited to the wedding. I’m worried that Mr. & Mrs. will respond Mr. & Mrs. plus their darling three children! How will you or did you address situations like this?

Answer: From us at Couture and a little info from some other industry professionals!
Some couples, for reasons of their own, do not want for children to attend their wedding reception. The reasons for this may range from trying to lower costs by trimming wedding guests from the list, to simply not wanting to put up with potential crying, wailing, or hyperactivity on the part of little ones.

If you are thinking about an Adults Only wedding reception, it is important that you consider the matter carefully and realize that some may find this to be a tad offensive, ungracious, or downright cold. Weddings are not always adult only events – in fact, throughout history, children have played an important role in the symbolism associated with weddings – and therefore some might be offended that you are dictating that they must leave their little ones at home.
Ultimately however, your wedding day is YOUR day and the bottom line is that you have a right to be happy and have it your way on this one day. If, after carefully considering this, you decide that this is the way it is going to be, you should follow the following rules for this delicate situation:
• Indicate that the reception is to be adults only by having the words “Adults Only Reception” or “Adult Reception” printed along with the reception location and time on the invitation.
• Do not use phrases such as NO KIDS, NO CHILDREN, etc. The only correct wording is Adult Reception or Adults Only Reception.
• This information should be printed by the printer on all invitations. You must never write ANYTHING by hand onto the invitation itself – whether it pertains to this or any other matter. Doing so is considered socially incorrect (in other words, tacky!) and inappropriate.
• If you are excluding some children, the rule is that you must exclude all children. There must not be different rules for different people or some individuals will be deeply offended and hurt – and rightly so. The only possible exception to this would be any children who are in the wedding party. However, while some etiquette experts feel that it may be alright to make this exception, there is a stronger belief that if the reception is to be adults only, no children should be included as part of the wedding party. Otherwise, parents of children who were not allowed to attend may feel slighted that clearly some exceptions are being made to allow children, while they were instructed to leave their kids behind.

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If cost issues are the reason you are contemplating the Adults Only route, keep in mind that the cost of feeding a child at the wedding will be considerably less than the cost to feed an adult. Most caterers or reception sites have children’s menus from which they will serve kids under 12 years of age, typically at a drasttically lower cost. Inquire with your caterer about the availability of child’s plates. This may solve the entire dilemma for you so that everyone can end up happy.
And what if someone does show up with their children, despite it all? Do you say something to them? Do you send someone over cuss them out?
Do nothing, What’s Done is done. No sense in creating an unpleasant, uncomfortable situation. Nothing could be more unbecoming of a bride, groom, or host.
Best advice? Take a deep breath, then let it go. Put it out of your mind and get on with having a good time. This day is going to fly by faster than you’ll ever want as it is; don’t waste a single moment of it caught up in negativity. Remember, this is one of the best days of your life!

Bridal Shows. Still the best way to plan a wedding.

Taste the cake, sample the food and listen to the music. “Quality bridal shows and wedding expos continue to provide a one-stop wedding planning opportunity.” Robert Chevalier, Producer of The Original Wedding Expo has produced hundreds of bridal shows throughout Central New England and knows how to bring it all together. “Engaged couples may look on-line for the hottest trends in weddings, but there is no better way to meet, face-to-face with the bridal merchants in their area.” From stretch limousines, to invitations, tuxedos to flowers, bridal shows feature all major categories, under one roof. From a planning perspective, it doesn’t get any easier. Factor in free food and cakes samples, live music demonstrations, fashions shows and prize giveaways, many guests make a day of it. Find a quality bridal show in New England by going to either http://www.originalweddingexpo.com or visit them on facebook at www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/originalweddingexpo

Become a Couture Bridal blog Follower! We will be having Guest posts every week, including you! We will be calling it a Couture Brides Perspective. So join the blog and then message us your thoughts, pictures, questions you may have, or anything you want to rave or rant about and each week we will post a new guest blogger! We will also have Vendor guest postings to help you with your planning!

Loving the new fresh different products we are offering this year. Take
a look at some of some of our new personalized table runners! Full info here
https://couture-bridal.com/products.asp?cat=218

*New Colors include Burgandy, Fushia, Hunter Green, Periwinkle, Lavender, Orange, Periwinkle, Purple, Red, and Royal Blue……..Please see our website at www.couture-designs for more information…..SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

So how fun is this!!!! While TTD (trash the dress) sessions are becoming more and more popular here is another option before you jump in the ocean in that gown after the wedding. Michelle Carpenter from Main Event Weddings www.maineventweddings.com came in one day and borrowed some gowns for a fun photo shoot. Michelle is a great photographer who loves to have fun shooting weddings! She takes amazing photos and has a great eye for unique photo ops. Here is a teaser pic! Will post more as I receive them.

Picking your vendors though networking groups may have some serious benefits when it comes to saving money on your budget…..Not only by having a coordinator can you shave $$ away from the dreaded end result on your bank statements but you can earn more incentives by working with groups. Couture Bridal Company is a proud Member of the Dream Wedding Group, not only do we have the experience of working with the entire RI wedding professional community we also offer package discounting for certain RI vendors!
Visit Dream Wedding Group and their members online at www.dreamweddinggroup.com or visit us this Sunday at Foxboro’s Bridal Expo @ Gilette Stadium from 11-4 PM

Yesterday I went to one of my favorite venues for their tasing! The Cowne Plaza in warwick graciously invited me to do some samples tables for their tasting to give couples some ideas on how to bring their visions to life with colors, decor and linens!
Shows are some pics (sorry taken from my iphone) of a few tables we did.
Shown -chocolate spandex linen with chocoalte chair covers and a Ivory Satin Sash, Ivory Crowne linen with a Ivory Taffeta Ribbon overlay with ivory covers and an Ivory organza sash, Red Irridescent crush floor length linen with chivari chairs and an red organza sash, and my favoriate which unfortuantely did not phoograph well with my phone was a gold sequin overlay…..LOVED the way it shimmered in that room!!! All of these fabrics come in many colors!

A few years ago Couture was the first company to offer a professionally done Candy Station for weddings, since then our “sweet shops” have become a must have for all types of events…..shown is one recently done for an 18th birthday with a winter theme! The kids loved it, and of course the parents also came up to make take home bags of their own!!! Please contact us if you have any questions as we can customize to any theme or event! For other photos of samples we have done please visit our designs site at www.couture-designs.com. We often illuminate them as well!

Chair Cover Rental Special of $3.50 per chair, including your choice of sash color!

Also Reception uplighting special…………….Book both services and get FREE setup & delivery!!!!

Special to last through the month of January. Book Now to Secure your date! Call, Email or Stop in!

Couture Bridal Co.
577 Tiogue Avenue
Coventry, RI 02816
401-615-5470
Couturerentals@aol.com

Shopping the sample racks is a great way to shave some money off the budget!!! We currently have over 30 gowns left in the store in the sample area!! All of these marked just about 50% or more off the retail prices..(shown is one of the Maggie Sottero Gowns currently available in the sample sale)…With savings that much you could get your gown and ALL the accessories for the amount the gown would have cost you regular retail!!! The money you save could go right to your honeymoon expense!!!