Tips To Encourage Great Toasts At Your Wedding

Most of the wedding planning decisions are made by the bride and groom, but one area that is partially out of your control is the toasts. You can decide who speaks, and for how long, but what your best man and maid of honor say are going to be a surprise to the both of you. Today, Brides of America has a few tips for you to share with the people that will be speaking at your wedding, plus a few great video examples that might give them some creative inspiration. 

The key to a great wedding toast is sincerity, but if if can also entertain the guests along with the wedding couple, then that toast will be a happy and memorable part of the reception for everyone. Here are a few tips to share with your toast makers. 

• Make it personal...
  but not too personal! Including details about how the couple met, how the toast maker met the couple, and funny stories about special moments leading up to the wedding are great subject matter. Do not include anything that is inappropriate for the guests in attendance, and don't mention past relationships or bash marriage in any way. Keep things positive.  
• Plan it into the timeline.
  You can request that toasts are limited to a certain amount of time to keep the momentum of the reception flowing. Plan for them to take place when everyone has a drink in hand and before any guests have had too much to drink already. If your best man or maid of honor is planning something big (like in the videos below) they can tell you how long it will take without having to clue you in on any surprises.  
• Practice makes perfect.
  Strongly suggest that your toast makers plan what they will be saying ahead of time rather than winging it, and that they practice their toast a few times in front of a mirror or in front of someone else.  
• Make sure everyone can hear it.
  Get the guests' attention before beginning the toasts, and have the DJ give the toast maker a microphone so that everyone can hear. The person giving the toast should speak clearly and not rush through it.  

Your best man and maid of honor simply need to speak from the heart. Some simple words about how special you are to them and a few good wishes for a happy future together are all that is needed for a great wedding toast. If you happen to have creative, talented friends that love to entertain a crowd, you may end up with something like this: 

Some people aren't comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. Here is a perfect example of a toast that earns a standing ovation, but the man giving it doesn't have to say a word! 

Another place to find toast inspiration is from popular TV shows, Late Night skits, current songs, or other pop culture references. 

They can always enlist help, too. In addition to creating a personalized song for the wedding couple, this best man brings in a few friends to join him at about 3 minutes and 40 seconds into the video. 

A great wedding toast can be a highlight to any reception and a wonderful memory to take home after the wedding. Great ceremony memories begin when you enter the wedding in your beautiful bridal gown. Choosing a dream dress is a wedding planning decision that you have total control over. Visit us at Brides of America in Miami, or order your wedding dress online through our website if you aren't in the South Florida area. We'll make sure your wedding day fashion is as special as you are! 

The gown of your dreams awaits you.

Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

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6 Tasks To Take Care Of As Soon As You Get Engaged

He asked and you said yes... but now what? There is a lot of wedding planning to get underway, but that can wait a little while. First things first, the following list of things from Brides Of America should be taken care of before you worry about all of that other stuff. 

Immediately after the engagement...

#1 - Celebrate Together 
This is an exciting moment, but there's no need to share it with the world right away. (Unless, of course, it's a public proposal. Then the cat's already out of the bag!) Take as much time as you want, an hour, a day, or even more, to simply enjoy the fact that you love each other and are ready to share the rest of your lives together. Do a little daydreaming about the big day, as well as the "happily ever after." Everyone else will find out soon enough, but right now is all for the two of you! 

#2 - Get Those Nails Done!
It's time to schedule a manicure so that you can start telling everyone about the engagement. Why, you may ask? Because the first thing everyone is going to want to do, after squeals of delight and loving hugs, is to see that ring! 

#3 - Share The Great News
When you are ready to share the news with the world, start with those that are nearest and dearest to you. Your family and best friends may be hurt if they find out from someone else. Make sure the are in the loop, then feel free to blast it all over social media and shout if from the rooftops. 



Soon after the engagement...

#4 - Start A Wedding Binder
With wedding on the brain, you are going to start seeing great ideas everywhere that you like. Designate a special binder or start an online notebook to keep track of all of these wonderful ideas. When you're ready to make decisions, you'll be glad that you have everything together in one place. 

#5 - Schedule Engagement Photos
There's really no big rush to get these done, unless it's going to be a short engagement. Still, the earlier you have the photos taken and back from the photographer, the sooner you'll have them to use for save-the-dates and your wedding website. Plus, it's always fun to have a professional capture your love and excitement about the upcoming wedding on film. 

#6 - Draft A Guest List
Not always the most fun task, but the size of the guest list will determine the size of venue you will need, plus it will have an affect your budget. It will most likely go through a few drafts before you get a final list together, so start early. 

Those tasks will get you started. Once the excitement has died down a little bit (because it's not going away completely any time soon!) you can begin focusing on a wedding planning checklist. Keep an eye out for your favorite bridal gown styles, and then give us a call to make an appointment at our wedding dress store in Miami to begin trying a few on. Brides of America's goal is to offer the best wedding dresses in Miami as well as online, along with the other fashions and accessories to go along with every bride's special day. 

P.S. Today marks our 100th blog in our series! Thanks to all who've inspired us to continue sharing our expertise with you!

The gown of your dreams awaits you.

Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

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305-620-6606

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Which is Better - Daytime or Evening Weddings?

While the majority of weddings seem to take place on Saturday evenings, there is no set rule saying that they have to. You can get married at any time of day, on any day of the week. The key is to figure out what day and time are most convenient for you and your guests. Brides of America has gathered a few reasons why both daytime and evening weddings can be wonderful. These may help you decide which is best for your special day.  

Daytime Weddings
Some couples prefer to say their "I do's" during the day for a variety of reasons. David Abadi, owner of Brides of America, chose to get married earlier in the day himself. "My wife and I are getting ready to celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary this August. When we got married, the celebration was over by 6 pm. This was great because we had the entire night to relax." 

Here are a few more reasons why you might want to have your wedding during the day:

• Lighter Meals
  Catering is one of the more costly items for a wedding. When you host a reception during the day, you can get away with serving a lighter meal than you would at dinner time. Brunch, lunch, or even an afternoon wedding with only a cocktail hour will most likely be less expensive than a full buffet dinner. 
• Natural Lighting
  Daylight is a photographer's friend, so the natural lighting of a daytime wedding will be wonderful for your pictures. Also, if your ceremony and/or reception will be outdoors, you won't have to worry about lighting up the dark so that your guests can see. 
• Early Ending
  When your wedding starts early in the day, that means you will be done by late afternoon or early evening. Even though weddings at night start later, people usually begin preparing early in the morning, so by midnight, the bride and groom are wiped out both mentally and physically. Ending early means that you can spend the rest of the night alone with your new spouse relaxing, and if you will be leaving for your honeymoon the next day, you won't be tired from a late night of entertaining guests. 
• Guest Friendly  
  You will see this "pro" listed again under evening weddings below too, but that's because, depending on your particular wedding guests, there are good things about both. For daytime weddings, your guests are more likely to stay until the end of the reception. These are also more kid-friendly if you have a guest list with small children that tire easily and early. 

Evening Weddings
Most of the weddings that you are invited to are probably held in the late afternoon-early evening along with a dinner, followed by dancing. Emma, one of Brides of America's blushing brides, had an evening wedding. "We got married in the winter, so it was getting dark early anyway. The candles and twinkle lights made it all seem even more romantic."   

There are plenty of reasons why this is a great time to host your event. A few of them are:   

• More Time To Get Ready
  The later your ceremony starts, the more time you will have to prepare everything, including yourself. Everyone can get ready without feeling rushed, and there is plenty of time to decorate during the day if you cannot the night before. You can also get a lot of the photographs out of the way before it starts, giving you more time to enjoy your own reception.
• Sunsets & Stars
  While your daylight may be limited, your wedding will be going on when the sunset can give you an amazing backdrop. After that, if you have a venue where you will be outdoors, you've got the beautiful evening stars to dance underneath, and in the hottest summer months, the nights are comfortably cooler than at midday. The darkness also allows you to enhance the mood with the lighting.  
• Party Time 
  Most people are a lot more comfortable "letting loose" in the evening than they are in the middle of the day. Nighttime receptions seem to put guests in the mood to really cut it up on the dance floor and enjoy a great night out. 
• Guest Friendly
  Many parents are busy during the daytime with all of their children's activities and might not be able to miss those for a daytime wedding. An evening wedding lets them use your celebration as a date night. Even guests without children will have a fun night out to look forward to. They can take care of their daily activities, then save the evening to celebrate with you. It's also better for guests coming from out of town, because they have all day free to travel. 

Whether you decide to host a daytime or an evening wedding is one of the decisions that can only be made by you. Your situation will determine which one works the best, and at the end of the day, if it makes you happy, then it's the right choice for your wedding! 

The beautiful wedding dresses both in our Miami Bridal Boutique and available through our online wedding dress store will look amazing on you, no matter what time of the day you decide to get married. When you are ready to shop, make an appointment at Brides of America and we will help you find the perfect look. 

The gown of your dreams awaits you.

Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

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www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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The Pros & Cons of Letting Guests Photograph Your Wedding

Nearly everyone has a cell phone, which means nearly everyone has access to a camera and video recorder at all times. A wedding is a day filled with amazing photo opportunities, but there are both good and bad aspects of having your guests snapping pictures all day long. Brides of America decided to investigate a few of the pros and cons of mobile photography at your wedding. 

Lots of couples are perfectly fine with allowing their guests to take all of the pictures that their hearts desire, but a few prefer that they don't. An "unplugged" wedding is one where the bride and groom have requested that no electronic devices are present. The following thoughts may help you to make your own personal decision about this subject. 


The Pros

• Get wedding photos right away.

You have paid a photographer to capture every special moment of the day, but you won't have access to those pictures for weeks. All of the photos that are taken by family and friends can be made available to you almost immediately. 

• Share the day with those that could not attend.

Allowing guests to share the pictures that they are taking on social media is a great way to let the people that couldn't make it to the wedding see what is going on. Even though they couldn't travel to you, they can still see how beautiful you look and how much fun everyone is having. 

• See the moments you missed.

The photographer will mainly be focused on the bride and groom, but there is a lot going on at the ceremony and reception all around you too. When you see the photos that guests have taken from their corner of the wedding, you will be able to see the day from a new perspective.


The Cons

• Guests get in the pro photographer's way.

The photographer and videographer that you hired to record your special day have been paid very well. It is difficult for them to do their job and get the magical shots you are hoping for if guests keep popping up in front of them trying to get the same picture. Flashes from guests' mobile devices and personal cameras can also affect the lighting on the professional pictures.  

• You can't veto a bad shot.

If you guests are taking their own pictures and immediately sharing them online, you won't have time to say "no" to an unflattering photo before the world sees it. Even if they agree to take it down later, the damage has already been done. 

• Photos may get shared too publicly.

Anything that others share online is seen by all of their personal friends, which may be people you do not know, and some people even leave their accounts open to the general public. Friends that you did not have room for on the guest list may see the photos and it could cause hurt feelings. You will not have control over who is allowed to see any photos that are posted by others. 

Other Options

If you are torn on the subject, consider having a "partially unplugged" wedding. Let your guests know that no photos are allowed during the ceremony, but once the dance music starts at the reception, go ahead and snap away. It's okay to limit the time and place where they are allowed to take their own pictures.

Don't forget to come up with a fun hashtag for the wedding so that everyone's photos can be found easily. There are lots of wedding hashtag generators online if you need help coming up with something fun. Also, you can find photo sharing sites online that can be set to private if you would like guests to share photos with each other but not with the general public. 

Show us your photos!

When you are standing there, looking amazing, in your gorgeous wedding dress from our Miami bridal boutique, it's the perfect time to have lots and lots of photos taken. It is completely up to you whether you want everyone snapping them or only the professionals. Don't forget to share some of those incredible pictures with us here at Brides of America after the wedding. We love seeing our brides all beautiful, happy, and in love on their special day. 

The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

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www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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Wedding Dress Codes Explained - Your Guests Will Look Perfect!

Everyone in the wedding party has their wedding fashions picked out for them, so there is never any question as to what they should wear. Wedding guests, on the other hand, aren't always given a lot of guidance in this area.

There are common wedding phrases that can be included on the invitation to let guests know what type of clothing is expected at the ceremony and reception. Unfortunately, many people do not know exactly what is considered "Beach Formal" or "Black Tie Optional." 

Never fear. Brides of America has put together a quick summary of what each of the most popular wedding looks entails. Feel free to share this blog with your wedding guests to help them easily pick out their outfits for your special day. 

Casual

Guests are still expected to look their best, but in a more relaxed way. A casual ceremony usually takes place during the day. Gentlemen can wear a nice pair of dress pants and a dress shirt, but they can probably skip the tie. The ladies should wear a pretty skirt or pants with a nice top, or a sweet sundress is also welcome. If the ceremony will be an evening affair, upgrade your wardrobe to a more business-casual type of look.

Semi-formal

This style is also often referred to as "Dressy Casual." Still relaxed, but a little bit fancier. A dressy skirt and top or a cocktail dress is perfect for women to wear. The men should don a suit and tie in this case. Treat it like a very special evening out with a special date.   

Beach Formal

A ceremony in the sand calls for special clothing. You will want to wear something that is sensible in the current weather situation, plus shoes that are easy to walk a beach in. In other words, something comfortable, but dressier than a regular day at the beach. A formal summer sundress and some sandals will work for the ladies. Men should look for a lightweight suit, like linen, or khakis and a linen shirt. 

Black Tie Optional

Some couples may simply call this "Formal" also. Refined fashions in darker shades are generally expected. The gentlemen are welcome to dress in a tuxedo if they wish, but a dark suit and tie will work just fine. Women may wear a formal cocktail-length gown, long dress, or even a dressy suit.      

Black Tie

This type of wedding almost always takes place in the evening. Imagine you will be attending a formal gala or walking the red carpet. Men are expected to dress in a tuxedo with, as stated in the title, a black bow tie, plus a cummerbund. The ladies should put on a stunning cocktail dress or a beautiful full-length evening gown. 

White Tie

This is as formal as any wedding can get. A long, formal ball gown in a dark, neutral shade is perfect for the female guests. Fabulous hairstyles, dramatic makeup, and magnificent jewelry complete the look. The men should wear a long black tuxedo with tails, plus a white vest and bow tie. White gloves for dancing are even acceptable. 

As a wedding guest, if you are not sure what type of clothing you should wear, it never hurts to simply ask. The bride will be happy that you cared to find out instead of showing up in the wrong thing. 

If you will be needing an evening gown for a wedding, our special occasion dresses in Miami will outfit you perfectly. Brides of America will make sure that you are dressed correctly and look amazing at any wedding or other special event that you will be attending.  

The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

Visit our website:

www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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Wonderful Ideas for the Summer Bride

This week marked the official beginning of the summer season on Monday, June 20. All of us here at Brides of America love the beauty, warmth, fun, and playfulness that comes along with this season, especially when it is applied to weddings. Here are a few fun ideas from our Miami wedding dress store to help you plan a wedding in the summer. 

Take the fun outside

Summer simply begs for one to get outside and enjoy the glorious weather. It's a great time of year to take your wedding activities outdoors. It can be the entire event, or you can choose certain parts of the wedding, like the cocktail hour, to have out in the open. Just in case the weather decides to throw a wrench in your day, always have a backup plan in place.  

If there is an open area next to your venue, play a few lawn games to entertain your guests. Everyone loves a bit of healthy competition. Having an outdoor wedding is also a great opportunity to cut back on your decorating expenses by choosing an area that is naturally beautiful. Exquisite landscaping and flowering plants can be breathtaking. As the sun begins to set, light candles and maybe even let off a few flying sky lanterns.     

Keep it cool

As lovely as summer is, it can also get quite hot at times. Whether you are indoors or out, make sure that there are plenty of opportunities for your guests to stay cool and comfortable. Personalized wedding water bottles are a brilliant and practical favor for everyone, and so are wedding programs printed on elegant fans. Provide covered areas out of the sun too. Tents are perfect for this.   

Serve refreshing refreshments

The food that you pick out to serve at the reception is another great way to cool off your guests. Fruits are refreshing, plus they are nice and light. No one wants anything too rich to eat on a hot day. Try to keep most of the appetizers on the cold side, and save the hot food for the main dish. 

Don't forget about dessert! None of your guests will want to say no to a scoop of ice cream alongside their piece of cake. You could even have a tub full of ice set up and filled with refreshing popsicles to enjoy between spins on the dance floor. 

Keep plenty of water on hand for everyone, as well as other non-alcoholic beverages. Too many cocktails in extremely warm weather can be a bad thing. Your guests will want to stay hydrated in all of that heat, and enjoying a glass of tea between alcoholic drinks is a great way to do this.   

Play with color

There are many wonderful choices for color schemes at a summer wedding. Take cues from nature itself and try sunny yellows, vibrant greens like a freshly mowed lawn, or blues inspired by an ocean wave. Take an evening to catch a sunset and you will find an entire palette of gorgeous shades to choose from.  

Dress for the season

You will definitely want to choose wedding fashions in lighter materials when you get married in the summer. Silk, organza, tulle, and chiffon are all comfortable fabrics to wear in warmer weather. Remember the gentlemen too. If the wedding is taking place outdoors, don't force them to wear heavy suit jackets. On the other hand, if the wedding will take place inside with the air conditioning on full blast, you might consider picking out a nice wrap to go along your your wedding dress and the bridesmaid gowns to take care of any uncomfortable chills. 

We absolutely adore summer weddings at Brides of America, but then again, we love them in them in the fall, spring, and winter too. In our opinion, every season is wedding season! No matter what time of year you decide to say "I do," know that you can find the best wedding dresses online when you browse our website, and if you are in the Miami area, make an appointment to come in and try them on. We have the gown of your dreams waiting for you.  

The gown of your dreams awaits you.
Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

Visit our website:

www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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Vendor Spotlight - Events By Elle

The best wedding dress store in Miami is very aware of the fact that a LOT goes into the planning of a wedding.  Occasionally we like to spotlight the amazing vendors that help to make these special events incredible.  Today we are featuring the wonderfully talented Elle Becerra of Events By Elle.  This high-end wedding and event planner in Miami spends her time helping many couples enjoy the entire process of wedding planning, from start to finish.  

Elle's photo by Michelle Citrin Studios                                                                wedding photo by Simply Captivating

Elle realizes that it's the little things that make the biggest difference.  The full-service coordination of Events By Elle delivers the most wonderful and memorable celebrations imaginable.  The experience is sure to be a memorable event for both you and your guests.  

As the home page of her website states, 

"The best thing about memories is making them.  We'll handle the rest."

Brides of America's owner, David Abadi, says, "The weddings that I have seen with Events By Elle's help are the most gorgeous, most organized weddings in Miami. We love Elle because she is as picky as I am about the tiniest details, and we both make sure the customer is our #1 priority."  David recently had a chance to talk to Elle, and this is what she had to say.      

How did you first get involved with wedding and event planning?
According to my family, I've been doing this in some form my entire life!  From organizing bake sales to planning prom and working on student council activities, I have been doing some type of planning ever since I can remember.  At one point my dad asked me if I realized that people get paid to do this sort of thing and I could actually make a career out of it.  I sort of laughed it off at the time, but he was right!  I have now been involved in event planning for 6 years, and I opened my own company, Events By Elle, a little over 2 years ago.  

photo by Gregory Paul Photography

What type of training did you receive?
I went to college at the University of Alabama for a major in Communications Studies and a minor in Public Relations.  Both of those are very helpful in this business, but I fell in love with event planning over a summer internship at a PR and event planning firm in Miami.  I thought that I would be more interested in the PR side of things, but once I got a chance to try my hand at the event planning side, I fell in love with it.  

What is your favorite thing about this business?
Getting to help people truly enjoy the important moment they are celebrating is my favorite part.  I want to make sure that they have fun during the entire planning process in addition to the event itself.  I have met some great people along the way and formed some wonderful relationships.      

photo by Gregory Paul Photography

What sets you apart from other companies?
I am often told that my clients greatly appreciate how calm I remain under pressure.  If anything unexpected happens, I make sure it is taken care quickly, calmly, and discreetly.  Also, I make sure that I am very accessible.  When someone calls or emails the company, I am the person they will talk to.      

What have you noticed about weddings lately?
Many people aren't planning as far ahead as they used to. Rather than a year before the wedding, a lot of couples come to me a lot closer to the wedding date.  I had a 500-guest wedding that asked if I could help them plan a wedding in 3 months!  I told them, 'Of course!' and then we planned a very successful celebration!     

photo by Michelle Citrin Studios

Describe yourself in three words.  
Elegant, grounded, and dedicated.

Do you have any interesting stories about an event? 
I once worked a wedding that took place outdoors.  It began pouring rain, but the entire group of wedding guests kept partying all night long!  Those people had the most fun that I have ever seen a group have.  

What is one thing that people may not know about being a wedding planner?  
A lot of people see my team all dressed up at the event and assume that this job is just one great big party. What they don't see is how early we started, sometimes before 6 am, or how late we are there, often well past midnight.  It's a lot of work, but I truly love this job, and my team and I put our heart and soul and a lot of effort into every event that we plan so that it looks effortless.        

photo by Simply Captivating 

Our bridal gown store in Miami highly recommends Events by Elle to all of the Florida brides out there.  Many people think that a wedding coordinator is an extravagance, but if you want to truly relax and have the time to enjoy your very special day, then a coordinator is a necessity.  Knowing that the details are being taken care of by a talented professional allows you to focus on the important part of the day - marrying the person you love!  When you visit us at Brides of America to find your dream wedding dress, we can tell you all about Elle and the other amazing vendors that we are honored to work with.  



Blog author:  Deanna Powell - WhereBridesGo.com

Brides of America is an authorized retailer of all Mori Lee Bridal Lines.

Visit our website:

www.BridesOfAmerica.com
305-620-6606

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Miami & Online

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