In other words, you should be happy! But, regardless of the size of your wedding, there are so many details to consider that the impending day can become a burden. When do you send out invitations? What should you ask prospective DJs? Hair up or down? What’s this about a groom’s cake? Don’t resort to researching Vegas wedding chapels just yet. Put your mother’s and best friend’s flow of advice on pause for a brief moment. We’ve gone to some of Phoenix’s respected wedding professionals with these questions and more, and their answers should make planning your day go a little smoother and, it is hoped, save you some time so you can spend it wisely—relaxing!

What is a common mistake brides make when it comes to wedding day makeup?

Too often, they have a too-dramatic look. They should keep their makeup soft and pretty.

Hayley Miller, makeup artist



What is a common mistake brides make when it comes to wedding day makeup?

A common mistake would be not hiring a makeup artist for that special day. I have had many brides who love to do their own makeup and do it well but would never attempt it for their wedding day as nerves and apprehension sometimes lead to a not-so-perfect application. So leave it to the experts! Another mistake is not having a consultation with your makeup artist well before the big day. Remember that not everyone’s skin can tolerate all products; you will need to find this out well in advance. Lastly, remember, you have spent hours looking for the perfect photographer and you want to look absolutely stunning, so spend some time to find the perfect makeup artist.



What are the three must-haves to keep handy throughout the day?

Lipstick, powder, and mascara.

Answered by Donna Parr and the design staff at Par Exsalonce



Current trend:
Simple and elegant, as compared to the very curly updos of the past.



Budget-Saving tip:

Do a trial run of your hairdo before the wedding day. It will save you some stress and the expense of any last-minute changes.



What should a bride consider when deciding between an updo and having her hair down?

She should consider how formal the wedding is, and the design of her dress. The more formal would usually call for an updo. She would also need to consider how comfortable she would feel in an updo.

Answered by Donna Parr and the design staff at Par Exsalonce



Current Trend:
Curly willow arches with floral enhancements; draping crystals from raised, tall centerpieces; and hanging floral chandeliers made entirely from florals.



Budget-Saving Tip:
Incorporate ceremony designs at reception. Use the bridal party bouquets for the head table’s centerpieces. Add ambience to reception with candles. Rose petals bring in color, and can be filtered throughout the reception.



What should a bride bring for her first floral consultation, and how should she prepare for it?

Bring all the pictures you’ve clipped from the magazines: flowers, bouquets, and centerpieces. Remember to also bring along your dreams of what you wish you could have, even though your budget doesn’t go there. Color samples of the bridal party and linens from the reception are extremely helpful in selecting the right flower to use in designs. Don’t worry about how to make it all work out. A professional florist will help you to maximize your budget, and give you options to choose from.



How do you keep the wedding florals fresh all day?

There is considerable time spent behind the scenes preparing your flowers to ensure that they look beautiful all day. The hydration process is critical in the Southwest, and helps to maintain the freshness. An experienced professional will bring extra blooms just in case any become damaged along the way.

Answered by Dianne Bing of Bing’s Floral.



Current Trends:




Budget-Saving Tip:
Watch out for the most costly components. Food and beverage, and the related taxes and fees, should total no more than 40 to 45 percent of your overall budget. Skip the favors. Do it right or not at all. Favors are not required by etiquette and can actually cheapen the experience of your guests if not well chosen and packaged nicely.



What are the two most important things to consider when deciding on décor?

Linens and lighting are the two most crucial areas to consider when designing your atmosphere. With linens, there are hundreds of textures and colors that can customize the look of a space. Lighting, both high-tech and low-tech, can do wonders for décor. Candlelight is always flattering, and today’s technology can infuse tons of atmosphere by pin-spotting centerpieces, color-washing walls, and creating swanky lounge and dance floor areas.

Answered by Aleasha Shelton of A Day to Cherish, LLC



What are the advantages of having the wedding and the reception at the same place versus having each at a different place?

I think that having the wedding ceremony and reception at the same location starts you in the right direction of having a low-stress day. Your wedding day is a busy day, so having the elements for your celebration at your fingertips is key. No worries about transportation to and from each location—let’s not forget the extra cost for that. It also gives the resort or venue the chance to plan all aspects of the wedding for you, and easy for your guests to arrive for the ceremony and know that they are in one location for all your blessed events.

Answered by KT Thompson of the FireSky Resort & Spa, A Kimpton Hotel, in Scottsdale.



Current Trend:
Asymmetrical dropped waistline made famous by Miliani Trump. Form-fitted mermaid-style dresses. Lace is back for that romantic look. Color is also back this year for the bride who wants to put her personality into her weddings, and is also popular for destination and second weddings.



What are the top three things that a bride should consider when purchasing her gown?

The time of day her wedding will take place, the location where the wedding will be held, and her personal style.



How long before the wedding should the gown be purchased and altered?

The wedding gown should be purchased a year before the wedding date. A wedding gown can take up to eight months to arrive after it has been ordered. Alterations should be started about eight weeks before the wedding.



What’s the best way to store my wedding dress before and after the wedding?

The best way to store the gown before the wedding is in a muslin garment bag, which allows the fabric to breathe. After the wedding, the gown should be professionally cleaned and heirloomed so the fabric won’t age.

Answered by Eunice of Brides by Demetrios



What should every bride ask entertainment companies before hiring them?

Making sure you know what you are getting and what’s out there can make all the difference on your special day. Some companies outsource DJs, and others have part-time employees with little to no experience. Price is also a big issue in our industry—you can have pricing from $400 up to $4,000, and it’s all based from experience, attention to detail and, of course, demand.



Some questions to ask are:

Who will be my DJ? How much experience does he or she have? Do you have insurance, backup equipment, a written contract? Do you have references that I can call? How much music do you have? And is it radio-edited? What do you wear? What time do you arrive to set up? Are there any additional fees?

Answered by Mike Euper of Creative Touch Entertainment



Budget-Saving Tip:
Always, always count the addresses or households you have rather than the number of people you are inviting.



When does a couple need to order invitations, and how early should they send them out?

To allot yourself enough time and to save your wallet from paying any additional rush fees, plan to start your invitation process at least four to five months before your wedding date, especially if you are opting for a custom design suite. Typically, you want to send your invitations out six to eight weeks before your wedding date. However, if you have a large amount of out-of-town guests, you may want to push it back to eight to ten weeks before the date.

Answered by Rikki Hernanskey of The Invitation Lady.



Budget-Saving Tip:
Plan your wedding for the summer or the winter on a weekday. Many photographers will be available for discounted rates on off-season or nonpeak days in the year.



Should I pick a traditional or photojournalistic photographer?

Traditional wedding photographers are mostly known for staging moments during the wedding day and focusing most of their attention on the family portraits. Photojournalists by contrast spend the bulk of their time capturing documentary images from the wedding day that tell your story. While still taking time for family pictures, these wedding photographers work to capture candid emotion, from the ceremony to the reception.



Should I receive the film or the digital negatives from my wedding?

Selecting to purchase the digital negatives can be an excellent choice and a worthwhile investment. Having your own copy to post on your wedding Web site or on your desktop can be cool; however, nothing beats a professional print from a pro lab!



Should we do our wedding pictures before the ceremony?

This is an option that everyone should consider. Many brides and grooms are choosing to see each other before the wedding, for several reasons. First, this allows for a smooth and efficient photography session with all the family and attendants. Rounding up family for pictures before the sun sets is a challenge that should be avoided. Second, many couples decide they would rather spend time enjoying their guests during the cocktail hour directly following the ceremony.

Answered by Stuart Thurlkill of Eyes 2 See photography.



Current Trend:
I’m starting to see the trend turn back to simplicity. Simple and elegant but stylish cakes are making a real comeback. A few years ago, it wouldn’t have been uncommon to see vibrant colors and edgy designs. Many couples are bringing it back to basics with their own personal styles.



Budget-Saving Tip:
Not into the tradition of having a wedding cake? Try cupcakes with your favorite assorted flavors. Who could say no to warm chocolate chip cookies and milk? These ideas are fun, and could be the hit of the celebration and save you some dough in the long run!



What are the benefits of having both a wedding cake and groom’s cake?

Groom cakes are just fun! These cakes give the groom a chance to show his personal side to those attending the couple’s celebration. Whether it’s a passion for golf, music, or travel, a groom’s cake can identify the things that are important to the man of the hour.

Answered by KT Thompson of the FireSky Resort & Spa, A Kimpton Hotel, in Scottsdale.