How to Plan a New York Style Wedding

There's nothing like a New York Wedding. Follow these tips and you will surely throw a party that everyone will remember.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Lots of Money, in New York, spending $30,000 is not considered over the top.

1. First you should be officially engaged.
   
   Send out an announcement of your engagement in all the local papers.
2. Pick a date..or a couple of dates
   
   Check with the place you are planning on having your ceremony first. Your reception site should follow.
3. Buy some Bridal Magazines for ideas on everything from dresses to cakes.
   
   Recommended Publications:
   Martha Stewart Weddings
   Town & Country Weddings
   Modern Bride
   Brides
4. Book your reception site.
   
   Typical New York Venues Include:
   Mansions, Castles, Museums, Vineyards, Manhattan Roof Tops, Specialty Catering Halls and Estates.
   
   To be a true New York Wedding, the food should be incredibly good and the service should match.
   
   A dance floor is a MUST even for a tent wedding on an Estate.
   
   Cocktails are a must and it should be an open bar, your guests should not have to pay for a drink or their preferred drink.
5. Go dress shopping immediately. It often takes 6 months to get the dress ordered and shipped.
   
   Vera Wang in Manhattan is the first place to go.
   Kleinfelds in Brooklyn is the second place to go.
   
   You may save time by buying off the rack and possibly even having the dress made by a dress maker. Some designers also have trunk shows once a year. Very often, these three options are also cheaper than buying a dress from a bridal Shop.
   
   A Vera Wang dress can cost upwards of $8,000.00
6. Pick out your shoes.
   
   I highly recommend Vera Wang and Stewart Weitzman but you can find cheaper shoes at Nine West that are also very nice. However, there is nothing like coming home with a Vera Wang box from Saks Fifth Avenue.
7. Pick a back-up shoe.
   
   At the reception some women wear sneakers or slippers under their dress for comfort but you wouldn't find this bride wearing them under her dress! I say go check out some on-line stores for comfortable shoes and have them match your formal dress.
   
   I bought my second pair at www.myglassslipper.com and they were GORGEOUS as well as comfortable.
8. Get your veil. This is when you decide your hairpiece. Tiara, comb or headband?
   
   Shop where you are purchasing your dress first. You can also find them online for cheaper than a bridal shop. However, you will not know exactly how its going to look with your dress until the last minute.
9. Send out the Save the Date announcements.
   
   Never send them out until all deposits have been made reserving the ceremony and the reception.
   
   New Yorkers send out note cards and creative couples are sending out magnets, coasters and other tokens with the couple's picture and wedding date.
10. Pick a color theme and style.
    
    What color will your bridesmaids dresses be?
    What color flowers will be your center piece? (what flowers are in season)
    What will the cake look like?
    What season is the wedding?
    
    Everything should be tied in together with the them somehow.
11. Shop for Bridesmaids dresses and Flower Girls.
    
    The color of the dresses should follow suit with your theme.
    
    Consider buying dresses off the rack at a large department store like Macys, Saks, Nordrom or Bloomingdales if you are having trouble finding a bridesmaid dress that you like.
    
    Often Flower Girl dresses are cheaper at department stores than in a bridal shop.
12. Shop for Tuxedos.
    
    Vests should co-ordinate with bridesmaids dresses.
    
    All groomsmen should be measured by a professional if they cannot be present at the time of shopping.
13. Reserve your transportation to and from all sites. A limo or classic car is a must for a New York wedding.
    
    Do you have a large bridal party? You may want to rent a bus.
14. Find the right music. Will it be a DJ or a Band?
    
    A band is far more classic than a DJ. However, a DJ will play all the songs as they are meant to be played and will cost far less.
15. Picking the menu.
    
    The cocktail hour should be elaborate including some of these fine foods: sushi, baby lamb chops, fine cheese assortment
    
    Wait staff should be passing trays in addition to the stations for the following reasons: The elderly have a difficult time getting up and standing on lines. Some guests are busy talking and will never leave the conversation to walk to a station.
    
    The main course should include a choice of fish, chicken or meat.
    There should also be a vegetarian option. A sit down dinner is preferred over a buffet
16. Send out your invitation two months in advance of wedding date.
    
    New Yorkers go with a classic style.
    
    Do not send out your invitation with graphics of children dressed in wedding gowns and tuxedos, this is considered very tasteless.
    
    Always include the tissue paper separator in the invitation. Although new printing technologies do not require this blotter, it has become a symbol of elegance and taste.
17. The wedding favor.
    
    The top wedding favors are chocolates, champagne and wine.
    
    Many New Yorkers are forgoing the trinket and making a donation to their favorite charity. If you should decide to do this, you should have some sort of written announcement either on the dining table or the place card table.

Tips & Warnings

• David's Bridal Warehouse has a $99 dress sale at least once a year. Where you can purchase a dress off the rack.
• Have your dress altered at a reputable seamstress. Last minute alterations could cause major headaches and stress, possibly even nausea.