Blog

A bridal shower is a lovely way to celebrate the bride-to-be before her big day. The rehearsal dinner, or “the party before the party,” is the perfect event to kick off the wedding celebration. But how do you plan these two traditional wedding events? Ashley Fonzo, director of sales and events at Irem Clubhouse, has some tips for you.

You’re midway through the wedding planning process and you feel like pulling your hair out. What is a bride to do?

Most wedding venues offer a tasting menu in order for the couple to pick out different food options and make sure they like them for their reception. The tasting typically includes a first course and main course, along with a wedding cake, if it is included.

You’ve gotten engaged and set a wedding date – congrats! Now, what’s next? Do your homework with your fiancé and set a ballpark budget. Then start looking for vendors for the big day. “You want to look at your overall budget, what’s affordable for you, and divide the total number into vendors and how you want to split them up,” said Ashley Fonzo, director of sales & events at Irem Clubhouse in Dallas, Pennsylvania.

When you’re shopping for a bridal gown, it’s important to make sure you have key people in attendance, which may include your mom, maybe the groom’s mom, one or two bridesmaids or the maid of honor. Too many people in the room means too many opinions, and that can make what’s supposed to be an exciting time for the bride very stressful, said Ashley Fonzo, director of sales and events for Irem Clubhouse in Dallas, Pennsylvania.

Once a couple announces they are engaged, they are inevitably and almost immediately asked the all-important question, “So, when is the big day?” Choosing a wedding date is no longer as easy as just randomly picking a date and starting to plan your dream wedding. There are some critical things you need to consider when you’re making the big decision.