Brides USA

PLAN LIKE A PRO

WEDDING PLANNER

ARE YOU HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER? Book her first. You

want her on board as early as possible to help you with big

decisions, like the venue. A lot of brides come to us later in the

process, and I think, “Oh, gosh, why did they pick that place

and hire that person?”

WHEN INTERVIEWING PLANNERS, make sure to ask, “Have you

worked at my venue before? How many staff will be working on

the day of? How do you prefer to communicate, and how often

will we talk?” And finally, “What duties are included in your fee?”

LIMIT THE SOCIAL-MEDIA REVEALS. If you’re going to your

florist, post a teaser photo of the storefront, not the mock-up

of your wedding table. And make your Pinterest page private

or you may get feedback you’re not looking for.

FEEL FREE TO BREAK SOME RULES. I love bridesmaids in white

dresses, like Pippa Middleton in her Alexander McQueen. And it’s really OK to do the first look before

the actual wedding. It will help calm your ner ves, and you’ll have more time for photos.

ONE OF MY BIGGEST PET PEEVES? People who take photos with iPads at weddings. It’s intrusive,

and it blocks other guests and the photographer. It’s even worse if they use it at dinner. I don’t care

what game is on!

ALSO, GUESTS WHO SWITCH TABLES. It can cause crowding at some tables and leave others looking

empty. Plus, the caterer will have to change her ser vice plans. Sit at the one you’re assigned to, please.

AVOID THE RECEPTION-AS-BANQUET THING. Try creating a restaurant vibe with tables in different

shapes and sizes and a handful of banquettes. At a recent wedding, I added a raised space along the

back, so even though those tables were farthest from the dance floor, they almost felt more VIP.

DON’T HANG OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS ALL NIGHT. Make a point of greeting your parents’ friends

too, as well as all the other guests who’ve taken time out of their lives to come to your party.

—As told to Claire Coghlan

When she’s not throwing celeb-studded Oscar after-parties, NYC-

based ANNIE LEE, founder of Daughter of Design, is working on her

first love: weddings. Here, she preps you for your day.

“When we

look back,

Solange’s

minimalist

Humberto

Leon for

Kenzo is

going to

be the

wedding

dress of

this era.”

“I love a pear-shaped diamond’s

throwback vibe.” Ring,

Jade Trau for Forevermark.

“My

favorite

after-

party

snack:

truffle

fries!”

“I’m into long,

dramatic tables

with a few state-

ment pieces.

These are by

Fleurs NYC.”

304 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

DETAILS

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: ROEY YOHAI PHOTOGRAPHY; ROG WALKER; JADE TRAU FOR FOREVERMARK; ANNABELLE BREAKEY/GETTY; CARLOS ANDRES VARELA