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This Article is from the 2009 Bridal Issue
Click here to view the 2010 Bridal Issue
Planning Your Wedding
Advice from Wedding Professionals
Wedding, nuptials, celebration, vows, spousal rites, tying the knot
No matter what you call it, your Wedding Day is a special one and just as each couple is unique, so each wedding is different.
Planning your wedding can be a huge undertaking. Unless you have management experience moving personnel and supplies on a large scale you may want to enlist the services of a wedding professional. Call them Coordinator, Planner, Consultant, Director or Organizer, these professionals are in business to help make your wedding day the best it can be.
To gain some insight on what goes into planning and surviving a wedding, DSS met with two different wedding professionals from Southside Virginia, Frances S. White and Chanikqua Wilson-McCain.
These two professionals were as different as they could be in a number of ways, but they shared some interesting common traits. The greatest thing they had in common was being absolutely committed to giving the prospective Bride and Groom the best, most stress-free wedding day possible.
Frances S. White arranged for us to meet in the Library of one of the larger Churches in Danville. Frances who calls herself a Wedding Coordinator / Director tends toward the more traditional. She has been directing weddings for about 13 years. The first several years she spent as in-house coordinator for the First Presbyterian Church in Danville. With her experience on both sides of the planning stages, Frances has learned many of the things that go into a successful wedding and reception. With lots of printed material and the church facility as a backdrop, Frances gave us some advice to pass along
We met with Chanikqua Wilson-McCain at a Starbucks Coffee Shop. When she arrived, Chanikqua was armed with her Blackberry PDA and was sporting a Bluetooth headset. Chanikqua who went through a mentorship program with the Association of Bridal Consultants, refers to herself as a "Professional Bridal Consultant" and is a current member of the association.
Frances likes to communicate with her Brides in person and by phone.
Chanikqua said she most often stays in touch with her clients via e-mail, voice mail, and text messages. "Many of these young Brides are very tech-savvy", she said.. They are often listed with online Bridal Registries, have Blogs, and even their own wedding websites.
Frances is most often found by referral or word of mouth. While Chanikqua gets a lot of contacts through her website.
Both have choreographed weddings and receptions of all types from traditional and conservative, to modern and creative.
Chanikqua pointed out, it is very important that you connect with your wedding professional. This person is going to be deeply involved with one of the most important days of your life. Both you and they should be aware of your wishes, as well as faith and cultural differences, personalities, and involvement of all the participants in the Bridal Party and immediate family.
If you have a family member who is directly involved with the planning and production of the wedding, have them meet with your wedding professional early to be sure they can connect and communicate.
Frances who has worked with many area vendors told us, your coordinator or consultant will have experience with different vendors for products or services. They may make suggestions about which vendors are likely to work best for what you have in mind, saving you time and money during the selection process.
Both agreed it is possible to plan and coordinate your own wedding, with some help and forethought.
Depending on your needs and budget you may want to have a professional go through from start to finish or just at some phases along the way.
Even if you don't use a professional through the entire process, both Frances and Chanikqua said your wedding will go smoother and be less stressful for you if you get some advice in the beginning and have at minimum someone to take care of the details on the day of the event.
One of the biggest things often overlooked is the breaking down of the venue after the ceremony or reception. This includes furniture, rental items, florals and a number of other things, which need to be dealt with. These tasks often fall to friends or family members who may miss out on part of the event because of it. Your consultant or coordinator will usually take care of these details or make the appropriate arrangements in advance, relieving you and your party from the worry.
Here are a few other tips Frances and Chanikqua were good enough to share.
Dress fitting -
You will want to have your maid of honor or someone else who will be close to you attend your final fitting of the wedding dress so they know how to bustle your gown and help with other accessories.
Venue / Officiate Considerations -
Some Venues may require you to use a particular officiate. Some officiates may be willing to work with those of other faiths, while some may not. Check this before you lock in the facility and the officiate.
Smoking and Alcohol -
Some venues restrict smoking and consumption of alcohol to certain areas, while others do not allow it on the premises at all.
Floral -
Some venues have rules about how many florals may be used and the location.
Make sure whether you can use live or artificial florals depending on your plans this may be important.
One thing both mentioned is the use of flower pedals on the floor. In some places they may require the use of a runner to prevent stains.
Pets -
More weddings today are including pets. These pets may be a pre-wedding gift or a special companion. It is important to be aware of the special considerations involving your animal friends.
Themes -
It is a good idea to coordinate the look and feel of all the parts of your wedding. Invitations, monograms, decorations, linens, and lighting should all blend into a unified theme.
Photography & Video -
Both Chanikqua and Frances placed emphasis on the photography for your wedding. Stressing that years down the road, the decorations, the cake and most of the props will be long gone, but the memories will live on through the pictures. Be sure to allow enough in the budget for recording the event, and to make sure your photographer/videographer is aware of and can take care of your wishes in this important area.
After selecting your photographer/videographer, there are some other things to be aware of.
Check to see if there are restrictions on the number of cameras or photographers. Some venues do not allow flash.
Some venues have specific areas where photographers are allowed, and some areas where they are not.
Check to see if photos may be taken during all parts of the ceremony or if a reenactment must be considered for some pictures.
Check with both the venue and the photographer to be sure if family members or guests may take their own pictures. Often, well-meaning friends or family can interfere with the primary photographer. Make sure everyone understands and can work together.
Marriage Counseling -
Some Churches or officiates may require the couple to participate in some form of counseling prior to getting married.
Make arrangements to do this well in advance. It there are any issues, finding out early is important.
Discover Southside would like to thank Frances S. White and Chanikqua Wilson-McCain for their time and generosity of information. Both of them presented themselves as caring, knowledgeable and professional.
If you are considering the use of a planning professional for your wedding, you may wish to contact them for information about their services through the information below.
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Frances S. White
Wedding Coordinator / Director
Danville, VA
434-799-9066 / 434-334-6685
Your Special Day deserves special Attention - Let me help you make it happen.
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Chanikqua Wilson-McCain
Professional Bridal Consultant
Oh So Chic!
434-429-4089
www.oh-so-chic.com
Bridging the Gap Between "Yes" and "I Do"
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Products & Services
For Your Wedding |
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Beauty Consultants / Cosmetics |
Pam Pruitt
Future National Sales Director
Mary Kay
336-388-0721 (Office)
434-548-8377 (Mobile)
www.marykay.com/ppruitt1
Ask me how to get free facials for your wedding party.
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Bras / Lingerie |
The Bra Lady Boutique
1085 Piney Forest Rd.
Danville, VA
434-793-5239
32A - 52FF Bridal & Prom Strapless Bras
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Lovely Lady Lingerie
2363 South Boston Hwy
(2 Mi East of Danville Airport)
Ringgold, VA 24586
434-822-6156
Lingerie - Novelties - Bachelorette Party Supplies
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Cakes |
Creative Cake Shoppe
1224 Peach Ave.
South Boston, VA 24592
www.creativecakeshoppe.com
434-575-7379
Cakes Custom Designed for Your Event
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Cakes & More
By Sharon of In Good Taste
443 Main St.
Danville, VA 24541
434-799-3351
Dream Cakes for Your Dream Day
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Catering & Catering Supplies |
Creative Cake Shoppe
1224 Peach Ave.
South Boston, VA 24592
www.creativecakeshoppe.com
434-575-7379
Catering Tailored to the Size of Your Event
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RiverWalk Party Store
721 Lynn St.
Danville, VA 24541
434-792-9255
Party Supplies - Catering Supplies - Special Occaision Rentals
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Cleaners |
Coachman Cleaners
503 N. Union St.
Danville, VA 24541
Branch - 1793 Memorial Dr.
434-793-5431
Cleaners & Alterations
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Elliott's Cleaners, Inc.
1027 South Boston Rd.
Danville, VA 24540
434-792-8542
4019 A Halifax Rd.
South Boston, VA 24592
434-575-5868
Cleaners & Formal Wear
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Event Planners |
Elegant Design
327 East Church St.
Martinsville, VA 24112
276-632-2736
www.shopelegantdesign.com
Floral Design - Event Planning
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Frances S. White
Wedding Coordinator / Director
Danville, VA
434-799-9066
434-334-6685
Your Special Day deserves special Attention - Let me help you make it happen.
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Oh So Chic!
Chanikqua Wilson-McCain
Professional Bridal Consultant
434-429-4089
www.oh-so-chic.com
Bridging the Gap Between "Yes" and "I Do"
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Event Rentals & Supplies |
BearFly Designs, LLC
32 Gayhead-Earlton Road
Earlton, NY 12058
518-731-3344
info@bearflydesigns.com
www.bearflydesigns.com
Lighting - Design - Sales - Rentals
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RiverWalk Party Store
721 Lynn St.
Danville, VA 24541
434-792-9255
Party Supplies - Catering Supplies - Special Occaision Rentals
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Taylor Rental
140 Arnett Blvd.
Danville, VA 24540
434-799-1532
Wedding Fixtures and Furniture
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Florists |
HW Brown Florist
431 Chestnut St.
Danville, VA 24541
434-793-9122
brofloco@comcast.net
www.hwbrownflorist.com
Wide selection of wedding flowers and bouquets
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M & W Flower Shop
20 N. Main St
Chatham, VA 24531
434-432-8614
1-800-582-3918
www.mandwflowershop.com
"Chatham's Best Kept Secret"
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Puryear's Florist
213 Main St.
South Boston, VA 24592
434-572-2322
www.puryearsflorist.com
Serving Halifax Area - Family owned for 3 Generations
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Formal Wear |
Elliott's Cleaners, Inc.
1027 South Boston Rd.
Danville, VA 24540
434-792-8542
4019 A Halifax Rd.
South Boston, VA 24592
434-575-5868
Cleaners & Formal Wear
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Wood's Menswear Limited
332 Main St.
Danville, VA 24541
434-799-9400
"The Preferred Menswear Store"
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Gifts |
Awards & Trophy Shop
& Custom Framing
761 Piney Forest Rd.
Danville, VA 24540
434-792-5355
www.awardsandtrophyshop.com
Wedding Gifts - Engravable Gifts - Portrait Framing
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Gown & Veils |
Joan's Wedding Rentals & Gifts
102 E. Main St.
Martinsville, VA 24112
joansbridal102@yahoo.com
276-632-7178
Gowns - Equipment - Gifts - Accessories
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Bridal Veils & More
Sue Sage
Danville, VA
For Appointments Call
434-836-3288
Over 40 Years Experience
Custom Veils - Alterations
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Jewelers |
LeRave Jewelry, LLC
2209 Wilborn Avenue
Hupps Mill Plaza
South Boston, VA 24592
http://www.leravejewelry.com
434-572-4349
Fine Jewelry - Designed by Family - For Family
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Photographers |
Memories by Melissa
1556 Fall Creek Rd.
Ringgold, VA 24586
822-5494
www.memoriesbymelissava.com
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Salons & Stylists |
All About Style
150 Tower Dr.
Danville, VA 24540
434-797-1650
Full Service Salon - Wedding & Event Packages
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Kids Have Style
2615 Riverside Dr.
Danville, VA 24540
kidshavestyle@gmail.com
www.kidshavestyle.com
434-791-3316
Family Salon Specializing in Children
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Linda Seamster
At Styles R Us
449 Short St.
South Boston, VA 24592
434-517-0766
Wedding & Prom Styles
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Venues |
Courtyard Conference Centers
Stratford Conference Center:
149 Piney Forest Road
Danville, VA 24540
Phone: (434) 792-2672
Mount Hermon Conference Center:
2725 Franklin Turnpike Suite C
Danville, VA 24540
Phone: (434) 836-5009
courtyardconferencecenters.com
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Wine & Champagne |
Southern Gourmet
220 Mount Cross
Danville, VA 24540
434-799-0523
1-866-278-4450
southerngourmet@hotmail.com
Cafe` - Fine Wines - Gourmet Foods - Custom Baskets
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