BRIDAL RESCUE 911

by Hazel Bowman, Publisher, PrescottWeddings.com
Not every bride has six to eight months to plan her wedding. But what if the bride only has four to six weeks to plan her wedding? Is it possible to pull together a beautiful wedding within a matter of mere weeks? Never fear. We have some great suggestions and tips.
Ceremony/reception site. Hotel or banquet rooms will likely already be booked with other events. Consider having your reception at an art gallery or museum. Granite Dells, Goldwater Lake or Lynx Lake are beautiful venues for an outdoor event. See PrescottWeddings.com’s guide to “Where to Get Married” in the Prescott area.
Your wedding gown. Call bridal salons and ask if they have any wedding gowns off the rack or mannequin model showpieces. Many do. Also look at the bridesmaid dresses. There are a number of styles that when ordered in white or ivory are perfect to wear as a wedding gown.
Invites. People need to know quickly, so they can make their plans. Stationery and office supply stores sell wedding invitation kits. These kits will allow you to design your own invitation on the computer and print them. When asking for an RSVP, include your phone number for responses. Don’t send your invitations by email. Not everybody checks their email in a timely manner. If there is not enough time to mail invitations, it is perfectly acceptable to call guests to invite them.
Décor. Choose flowers that are in season. They’re less expensive and they look great in bouquets and corsages. Use a lot of greenery such as ferns or ornamental reed grasses. Greenery is totally underrated when it comes to the beauty it brings to centerpieces – and best yet, it’s very affordable.
Caterer. It might be difficult to find a caterer on such short notice. If that’s the case, take your silver platters and bowls to a deli shop. They can load your trays with tempting appetizers, tasty salads and delectable entrees (ranging from chicken to enchiladas) for your guests’ enjoyment.
The wedding cake. In vogue this season are personalized wedding cakes adorned with colorful sugared candies. Cake tops are the bride and groom’s initials, replacing the standard floral arrangement or wedding bell. Doughnuts and cupcakes are very popular in creating a “wedding cake” look.