Last-Minute Tips
<b>Q</b>: What time should we start getting ready, and when do we need to be at the ceremony site?
<b>A</b>: Whether you'll get up wedding morning and hop right into your gown or tux depends on what time the festivities begin, of course. The bride should allow about forty-five minutes to get dressed, plus forty additional minutes for hair and makeup (depending on whether your dress goes on over your head or not, you
might want to do hair and makeup first). lf you must go to a salon or makeup counter, tack on another thirty minutes for travel. The groom needs about half an hour to get dressed and groomed, and he should be at the ceremony site about forty minutes before the wedding starts. The bride should try to arrive about twenty minutes in advance. If pictures will be taken before the ceremony both of them should be there an hour before.
<b>Q</b>: What if the wrong flowers or cake arrives on wedding day-or worse yet, someone or something doesn't show up?
<b>A</b>: First, try not to wig out. There's not a lot you can do once the day is under way, so in the short run, let the right person know if the order is wrong or do your best to track down a missing vendor. lf the professional can provide a quick fix (a rush back to the florist shop or local farmer's market for extra roses, for example), have him or her do so. If not, ask yourself whether you can live with what you've got, and talk to the professional about getting compensated financially for what didn't arrive. Remember that if you have a signed contract that clearly states what you ordered, you're okay; you can either get reimbursed or, if you paid with plastic, have your credit-card company dispute the charge. lf someone important-the DJ, the photographer-doesn't show this scenario is pretty rare, so don't lose sleep over it), ask talented guests to spin some CDs (someone can run for a boom box if necessary) or shoot your ceremony and reception. Do whatever it takes to keep the day running smoothly. You can be angry later; for now, focus on the fact that you're getting married.
Courtesy of <a class='navitem2' href='http://theknot.com'>The Knot </a> via <a class='navitem2' href='http://scrippsmedia.com'>Scripps Media</a>
