Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks Takes the Hotel Block Planning Stress Away With Free Services

With just one phone call, LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks can secure lodging for your guests.

If just the thought of trying to figure out hotel blocks makes you want to give up, look no further than BOLI Preferred Vendor LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks. This completely free service has been helping brides all over the country for the past 10 years. Their expert consultants literally take all of the work out of your hotel block planning.

How Does It Work?

Alexa Guadagno, LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks sales manager, explains that once a bride calls them with initial information about what they’re looking for in a hotel block, their representatives do the rest. “Once we know the wedding date and location, we make the calls to the hotels to find out rates and what amenities they offer, such as a honeymoon suite, bar for an afterparty, etc.,” says Guadagno. All of the hotel information is put into a spreadsheet and sent to the brides within three to five business days from that initial phone call. “And then I help them narrow it down based on what the brides are looking for. Yes, it’s great to have seven good offers, but I highlight the two or three that maybe offer a great suite. And we answer any other questions they may have.”

MORE: 8 Tips for Practicing Mindfulness on Your Wedding Day

Once the bride selects a hotel that meets her needs, Guadagno says a contract is drawn up. LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks representatives read over that contract to make sure everything looks good. “We definitely look over the fine print. We’re the industry experts, and we know what to look for to protect our brides,” Guadagno says. Once the contract is signed, Guadagno says she puts the brides in touch with the hotels, which will provide them with either a weblink or a code for their block.

Is It Really Free?

“It truly is a free service,” says Guadagno. LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks representatives work hard to take that stress off the shoulders of their brides. “Most of these brides have never booked a hotel block before. We’re here to educate them, and guide them through the process, by doing all of the research for them.”

Guadagno explains they are able to provide free services because they are licensed meeting planners that have relationships with the hotels. The hotels pay LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks when rooms in hotel blocks get booked.

Not only is it free, but brides who use the services of LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks could get some perks, such as a lower rate, a bottle of champagne or a suite upgrade. “We have an excellent relationship with the hotels that we partner with for brides. And there are plenty of hotels that do offer extra perks because they’re working with us.” Guadagno adds that any sort of perks depend on the hotel, time of year and availability.

What Are the Hotels Like?

The hotels are based on the location of the wedding. Guadagno says her area of expertise is Long Island hotels. “I go and visit the hotels. I talk to the hotels daily to find out what sort of deals they are offering, if anything has changed and any other information our brides need to know.” Knowing that LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks representatives have actually been to the hotels creates a peace of mind for brides that they are getting the best service available. “They can really trust that we know what we’re talking about when we provide hotel information.”

MORE: 7 reasons to have a destination wedding

How Far in Advance Should I Call?

Guadagno suggests brides call around 12 to 15 months away from their wedding date. “If you call us too far out, we will take down your information and follow up as it gets closer to your wedding date, and when the hotels open their inventory rates.”

And don’t worry if you think it’s too late to call for a hotel block. Guadagno says she has helped brides within six weeks of their weddings. While she doesn’t recommend waiting until the last minute, she understands that sometimes things happen. “I try really hard to get the best rates and hotels for our brides.”

What Is the Affiliation with Kleinfeld?

LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks is a women-owned company, run by CEOs Laura Krueger and Michelle Donson. They have over 30 years experience in the hotel industry. Donson explains that LM Media Worldwide has a 10-year partnership with Kleinfeld Bridal to operate and use their name for all bridal room blocks.

“When working with brides, we do business under the Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks name,” says Donson. “They’re such a reputable company, and it’s so great to be partners with them to offer these free services for brides,” adds Guadagno. And brides do not need to purchase anything at Kleinfeld Bridal to utilize the services.

Are There Any Other Services Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks Offers?

Yes. For one, LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks isn’t just for Long Island hotels. In fact, Guadagno says she recently worked with brides to plan hotel blocks in Spain and London. LM Media Worldwide also helps plan other events, such as reunions, a corporate retreat and so much more. “We even have a part of our business that can source venues, not just hotel blocks.”

And they team up with Liberty Travel for honeymoon services too. “Once I connect brides with their hotels, I always send a follow up email with information on our honeymoon planning service.”

MORE: 5 Beautiful Mini-Moon Destinations That Don’t Require a Passport

LM Media Worldwide/Kleinfeld Hotel Blocks truly cares about their brides and wants to make sure they have all of their hotel needs met – be it for their wedding day, wedding night, wedding weekend and beyond. “Brides have so much to worry about when planning a wedding. If we could take just one aspect of that stressful planning away from them and do all the work, then we’ve done our job. Brides need to be able to truly enjoy their wedding.”

We love our fur babies! Here are 9 adorable ways to include pets in your wedding.

The four-legged members of our family hold a super special place in our hearts, so why shouldn’t they be front and center on one of the most important days of our lives? Many popular venues have no problem allowing your fur babies to be present for the festivities. But even if they can’t be there in person (or in pet-son?) there are still plenty of ways to include pets in your wedding day. Here are a few:

• MORE: 39 Questions to Ask When Touring a Venue

1. Suit them up as a member of the bridal party

Yes, it was hard enough getting your fiancé in the door for their tux fitting. But we promise finding a nice suit for Fido won’t be half as difficult. 

2. Let them inspire your signature cocktails

Will anyone be able to resist a drink that features your pup’s punim? We don’t think so (better stock up on more vodka).

3. Pay homage to them with your clothing 

Get some custom-made socks or even a handkerchief featuring your sweet kitty’s face. Bonus? You can use them long after your wedding day is over! 

4. Pop their pictures into your centerpieces (or other decor)

You can also hire an illustrator to draw their likeness for your table numbers!

5. Have them pose for pictures with you

Be real – pictures of your pet take up half the storage space on your phone. You’ll definitely want to get some professional shots with them!

6. Reserve a seat for them at the ceremony

Even if they can’t be there physically, set up a picture in their special spot!

7. Make them a part of your favors

A matchbook featuring your bunny? A candle with your hamster’s picture on it? Trust us – no one will leave these favors behind at the end of the night.

8. Give them an important job

Listen, there’s a 50/50 chance your 3 year old Ring Bearer will make it down the aisle. But you KNOW your dog will come running if you’re waiting for him by the altar. 

9. Mention them during your vows

Whether it’s a funny story or a sweet memory, including your pets in your vows will make your guests go “aww.”

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In Brides of Long Island’s Monthly “Mrs.” series, we profile some of our members’ unforgettable weddings. This month, we spoke with Danielle Brown about how switching her venue was the best decision.

Almost a year after booking their wedding venue, Danielle and Devin Brown decided to not only change their venue, but also their wedding date – leaving them a little over a year to finish planning. But the couple, who had been dating for about five years, took it all in stride to plan their dream wedding.

A Vacation Proposal

When Danielle started talking to Devin on Bumble, she looked him up on Facebook and saw they had mutual friends. As most ladies do, she of course asked those friends about Devin and got the green light to go on their first date to see The Incredibles 2. She says they’ve been inseparable ever since.

In May of 2021, they were vacationing in Sanibel, Florida when Devin proposed. She says that he got the ring – and a photographer – without her knowing. “On our way to dinner, we stopped at a beach with a lighthouse, and he proposed,” Danielle says. “It was amazing that he had a photographer to capture our special moment.”

Changing Venues

The couple started planning pretty soon after they got back from vacation, and booked a venue for a Thursday night in November 2023. “We were nervous people wouldn’t come on a Thursday night, so we actually changed to a Friday,” she explains. “And then in April 2022, we scrapped the venue altogether and booked at the restaurant Cowfish for May 19, 2023.”

Danielle says they changed their mind when they were actually out to dinner at Cowfish. “We found out they host weddings. And we love it there,” she says. “He and I are a little more laid back and chill, and changing to the restaurant for our wedding just felt like the right thing to do. It felt a little more meaningful.”

They were able to cancel and get all of their money back with no issues. And Danielle says that they hadn’t booked any other vendors yet, so they didn’t have to worry about asking to change dates and venues. They were essentially able to start planning fresh after the switch.

MORE: 39 Questions to Ask When Touring a Venue

More Customization

The wedding venue was probably the most important vendor to Danielle and Devin, which is really why they made that switch. She knew that the food and drinks would be outstanding, and the venue is unique and on the water. “There are so many places that our guests were able to explore if they didn’t want to stay inside or on the dance floor,” she says.

Danielle says she loved that at Cowfish she had the freedom to really customize the menu – from the cocktail hour to dinner. The event planner at Cowfish was extremely helpful in explaining exactly how much food to order based on the number of guests.

As far as the other vendors, Danielle says the Brides of Long Island Facebook group was her lifeline. “I didn’t even meet with a ton of vendors. I’d look for reviews, make a few calls, and if I felt a good vibe, I’d just book with them,” she explains. “I spent countless hours on the BOLI page!”

When it came to flowers, she did speak with a few florists, but in the end she found someone on Etsy to make all of the bouquets and centerpieces with a mix of silk and dried flowers. “I sent her a photo of what I was looking for, and she was able to match it.” She loved that she could customize exactly how the flowers would turn out – and the fact that she was able to save the flowers after was a bonus.

MORE: 7 Ways to Save For Your Wedding

Never Empty Handed

When it came to personalization, Danielle says Cowfish was the most important to them as a couple. But they couldn’t forget their pup Jetty! Their signature drinks were the Jetty punch and a Sanibel sangria, based off of where they got engaged. But the drinks weren’t the only place Jetty popped up! His face was on the socks that the groomsmen wore.

Chad from LI Nights Entertainment, a BOLI preferred vendor, really made Danielle and Devin’s night. “He was the best DJ, hands down. He told me as we were finishing up planning to let him know if I needed anything the day of my wedding. And that day, he delivered.” She says that he was constantly checking in, always making sure she had a drink or water. “He really went above and beyond to make sure we were treated like royalty. And the music was outstanding! We let him pick the last song – Mr. Brightside – and the crowd just loved it.”

Those Special Moments

There were two moments that really stood out to Danielle during her wedding day. She danced with her father to a song by Zac Brown Band. “We’ve gone to see them in concert every year. And every time they play this song, my dad and I slow dance to it,” she says. “It was a really special moment for us.”

The other moment? Sitting with Devin during dinner just the two of them and taking it all in. “I remember it so distinctly. It was the first time we were alone the whole day, and we just sat back and looked around at everyone we love and care about. It really was the best part of the day.”

Go With the Flow

Danielle wants to let other BOLIs know that there is a difference in planning a wedding at a restaurant versus a catering hall-style venue. “Cowfish was great in helping me plan, but you have to remember it is a restaurant, so they don’t have a bridal attendant or maitre’d the day-of. You have to be able to go with the flow.”

MORE: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

But going with the flow is important no matter where your wedding is, she says. She adds that it’s important to try not to micromanage. “You’ll have a better time if you’re not expecting so much. If something does go wrong, just go with it, enjoy the moments and your big day.”

Vendors:
Venue: Cowfish
Photographer/Videographer: Duet Photography & Video
DJ: LI Nights Entertainment, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Florist: Etsy
Hair: Crystal Romano
Makeup: Victoria/Makeup by Vic
Transportation: Sir Oliver
Dress: Allure Bridal at Blu Rayne Bridal Boutique, a BOLI Preferred Vendor
Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie
Spray Tan: Water 2 Moon Spray Tan
Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

Get the party started with the best Long Island wedding bands and musicians!

Music plays a huge role in your wedding day – from your walk down the aisle to your first dance. And live musicians add an energy that you’d never get from a playlist on your phone! Check out the 8 best Long Island wedding bands and musicians, sure to make your day even more special.

• MORE: 8 Tips for a Perfect Backyard Wedding

Crossing Midnight

What started as a group of friends in college quickly turned into one of the most popular wedding bands on Long Island! They love feeding off a crowd’s energy and setting a celebratory mood from the very first moments of your reception.

Sunrise

Part of the Crossing Midnight brand, Sunrise is proud to provide couples with high energy, continuous music and killer vocals. Bandleader Malika comes with years of experience and worked directly under Crossing Midnight’s Rudy Valme.

After Dark

Whether you’re looking for a 5-piece band, 12-piece band, or anything in between CME’s After Dark provides power vocals, warm harmonies, and a vast repertoire. This husband and wife-led band know how to bring down the house!

Eclipse

Can’t decide between a band and a DJ? Eclipse gives you both! They’ll combine their live musicians (a 3-part horn section, drummer, and electric cellist) with a killer DJ that caters to your musical tastes – you get the best of all worlds!

Skyline Orchestras

Skyline Orchestras has provided its clients with first class music and entertainment for over 25 years. Their bands can not only reproduce the sounds of any recording artist, but they’re enthusiastic about making your wedding reception the very best it can be. 

VSmusic4U Professional Wedding Ceremony & Cocktail Musicians

VSmusic4U can provide all kinds of ensembles for your ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception. Choose from piano, violin, viola, cella, double bass, flute, saxophone, trumpet, or harp to enhance those special moments of your day. 

Bella DeNapoli Music 

A born and raised Long Islander, Bella loves to perform recreated cover songs and originals for your friends and family. This alum of NBC’s “The Voice” will bring her talent, enthusiasm, and professionalism to your wedding day.

Andrew Gabriel Guitar and Vocals

Andrew Gabriel specializes in taking your favorite songs and adapting it to his style! He understands and appreciates the importance of music on your wedding day, and takes pride in collaborating with couples to make a set list that matches their vision. 

• MORE: Start planning your wedding with Ring Leader

Andrew Theodorakis, owner of BOLI Preferred Vendor Yellow House Images, believes change is on the horizon. Here’s why.

“Your wedding photographer is the most important vendor you’ll hire.” It’s a common refrain heard from countless former brides and for good reason – once the vows have been said and the party has been thrown, your pictures will be one of the only tangible ways to remember all those beautiful moments from your big day. 

While it’s of the utmost importance in 2023, one BOLI Preferred Vendor thinks pictures alone are not enough. Trends are moving in a direction where reels and videos are just as important to share as traditional wedding photography. Not only that – with the right wedding photographers who are well-versed in both shooting photos and videos, still images can be taken directly from the videos themselves. This may mean hiring one less vendor for your wedding.   

Finding the right wedding photographer that can create gorgeous, emotional still imagery while also mastering the nuances of filmmaking is difficult. But it’s Yellow House’s bread and butter. 

Andrew Theodorakis, owner of Yellow House Images, believes that photography plus videography is the wave of the future. With more than fifty combined years of experience, his team’s expertise in the current technological advancements of both photography and videography translates to more benefit for the investment. 

• MORE: 40 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Photographer

“All my videos look different because each wedding is different.”

As a Pulitzer Prize-nominated photographer with an extensive background in journalism, Andrew’s main focus is to document without intrusion. “If you watch a good documentary, it’s very cinematic and emotional because people feel natural,” he explained. “If you want that ‘big budget cinema’ look, you can do that, but that’s a big project – there’s giant tripods in the aisles, there’s cameras and lights in people’s faces. And the thing is, every single one of those videos look the same. All my videos look different because each wedding is different.”

That photojournalistic style requires a strong sense of empathy from the professionals behind the lens. “We’re with you for 14 hours on your wedding day, so you have to have enough self-awareness to read rooms,” said Andrew. “My team can lay back almost as guests and make everyone comfortable, so that at the end of the night they forget that there’s someone even shooting.”

And though he recognizes that some couples may want to trade a sense of discretion for lots of photography and videography equipment, Andrew finds that most shy away from that idea. “We’re candid shooters, otherwise we’d just be a big presence in your day. You might be into that, but a lot of people come to me and don’t want video because they think I’m going to be on their dance floor with a giant light in their face. But I’m 40 yards away with a high-end telephoto lens, using natural light.”

“You can’t get photography alone. That’s not the future, I don’t think.”

Along with their low-profile approach, Yellow House Images also prides itself on chronicling your day with a unique combination of available technologies. “The way I do things is kind of a hybrid plan –  a little state-of-the-art,” Andrew described. “I use 8K cameras that can shoot videos and photos at the same time. With 8K, the resolution’s so high that you can pull stills from the video that are good enough to blow up to an 11×24 image.” 

“The way I see it in the near future, everyone is shooting video and I’m pulling the still images from their video,” he theorized. “I’m doing it for people now, as a backup. I’m not shooting with the intent to take a still, but sometimes I catch a moment on video and that split second I can turn into a photo. When everyone starts shooting in 10K, I might have one sole photographer that’s there to just give direction.”

What does that mean for the industry in the years ahead? “You’ve got to be doing both now,” Andrew surmised. “You can’t get photography alone. That’s not the future, I don’t think.” 

• MORE: 16 Must-Have Photos With Your Bridesmaids

“You’ve got a one-stop shop.”

Andrew laid out distinct advantages to a photography-videography fusion. “You’ve got a one-stop shop. You don’t have to deal with two vendors. If you’ve hired two people with two different styles – and I’ve been in those situations – it’s not easy. One of your things gets compromised.”

In fact, Andrew is so confident in this eventual shift of procedure that it has impacted his hiring process. “Every person I hire now has to shoot photography and video,” he said. “But I’ll teach photographers video because if you know photography, you don’t need to learn much for video besides holding the shot. Everyone who was a photographer initially I was able to train within a year or two at least. And then we’re not getting in each other’s way.” 

Another advantage? Price. “Right now, I sit at about the average for both photography and videography,” Andrew detailed. “I actually make my prices a little lower for each, for the incentive that you’ll book them together. So no, you’re not necessarily going to get a better deal if you book them separately.” 

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If you haven’t already, when you get engaged, you’ll want to talk about combining your finances.

The dreaded money conversation. At some point in your relationship, you’re going to have it. If you haven’t had the talk during your courtship, your engagement is the time to start thinking about combining your finances. And it doesn’t have to be scary at all. In fact, as long as you are open and honest with your future spouse, combining your finances should be relatively easy.

Full Transparency
Take some time to really lay out any concerns you may have. Talk about any debt or loans that you both currently have. Talk about your credit. Your spending habits. Anything and everything is on the table during this discussion. If you talk about it all from the very beginning, it will hopefully help you navigate the best way to combine your assets and pay off any loans together.

Budget
Figure out a budget that works for both of you. Remember to include the obvious things like rent or mortgage, bills (electric, heat, water, cable, etc), groceries, etc. If you know you like to go out to eat or for drinks weekly, make sure to factor that in.

Things to consider: Do you both have a Netflix account? Get rid of one. What about that Spotify account? Get a family plan. All of these things add up in that monthly budget.

Explore Your Accounts
Look at both of your individual bank accounts – checking, savings, money markets, and CDs. Anything where you have money saved. If one of your banks has higher interest rates, consider switching over and combining accounts. Open some joint accounts. Remember, not everything has to be a joint account. It’s OK to have separate accounts, even at separate banks. Just be transparent about that money. If you are planning to have children (or already have children), remember to have some accounts for them. You’ll need to start saving for college (or future weddings).

If you have the means, open a high-interest CD for a year or two to have your money make money. A long-term investment like this will help you save for the immediate future.

If you have separate accounts, it’s a good idea to list each other as the beneficiaries. Keep this in mind with any retirement accounts you have as well.

MORE: What to Expect When Moving in With Your Fiancé

Paying the Bills
Once you have your accounts squared away, figure out how the bills will be paid. If you have separate accounts, perhaps a joint account that you both contribute to can be used to pay utilities and other bills. Some couples do consider the amount of income they bring in when splitting up the bills. If one person brings in significantly more, they could consider contributing more to the bills. Once you’re married though, you might just want to consider all incoming money equally. But, you need to do what works best for you as a couple.

Debt
If either of you have debt – credit card balances, student loans, car payments or a mortgage – create a plan of how those will be paid. Include the debt in your budget if you plan to pay them off monthly. If you have the means, look into how much it would be to pay off some of your loans in one lump sum, or increase the amount you pay in principal to pay them off sooner.

Emergency Funds
Yes, it’s important to make sure you have enough money in your accounts to pay your monthly bills. But you also need to make sure you have enough money in your savings or money markets for an emergency. It’s important to make sure you always have enough funds to live off of for six to nine months with no income. The way to figure this out is to add up all of your monthly bills – don’t forget about gas, food, etc. – and multiply it by six to nine months. Pad it a little bit for anything else that arises. While we never want to think about losing our income, things can happen and you need to be prepared.

Retirement
You may think because you’re young, you don’t need to worry about retirement. But the time to start saving is when you’re young. For example, if you start working at 22 and you contribute 10 percent of your income into a company-sponsored retirement account like a 401k, you could have around $250,0000 saved by the time you’re 40. And bonus if your company matches up to a certain percent. If you and your future spouse both contribute to some sort of retirement account when you’re young, you’ll have enough funds to retire and live comfortably.

Obviously, it’s important to contribute what you can now. Not everyone is comfortable with 10 percent, and that’s OK. Some people choose to contribute up to what the company matches. And if your company doesn’t offer a retirement account, consider opening an IRA with an accountant or bank. However you do it, you need to make sure you’re saving for your future retirement.

MORE: 7 Ways to Save For Your Wedding

Entertainment & Vacations
If you both like to travel, consider opening an account (bonus if it’s high interest) that is specifically for vacations, concerts, etc. Both of you should be contributing to that account – this way, when the time comes to splurge, you’ll have enough to really enjoy yourselves. Remember, this account should be separate from the account you use for monthly bills and day to day expenses.

Planning For the Future
You need to plan for the future, and not just your retirement. If you don’t own a house already, it’s important to start saving for that. If you already own a house but plan to do some home improvements, save for that.

If you are planning to start a family, remember this when opening accounts and making savings plans. Check your health insurance for what is covered as far as hospital stays and doctors visits. Make sure you have enough saved to cover any out-of-pocket costs. Remember to adjust your budget accordingly as you plan for children.

Insurance
We’re not just talking about health insurance here. We’re talking about all kinds of insurance. Factor in the cost of home insurance, car insurance and life insurance. Those can be monthly or yearly expenses. Oftentimes these insurances go up every year, so consider shopping around for a better rate every few years.

And when it comes to health insurance, definitely look into both yours and your future spouse’s insurance options to see which is more cost efficient. Some couples keep their own, others just bundle it all into one. Usually companies have good family plans to explore.

Credit Cards
Some people can fall into overspending with credit cards. If you know you or your future spouse may do this, maybe skip them. If you are good with your spending, consider opening a card together or adding one another to your cards.

MORE: 15 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Gown

Wedding!
And we can’t forget to create that account for your wedding! If you’re paying for your wedding yourself, make sure to open a joint account specifically for wedding expenses. When the wedding is over, put all of the gifts into that one account and turn it into your vacation account or future home account.

Ultimately, it’s important to always keep the lines of communication open at all times when it comes to money. Download apps to track your spending together. Ask questions. Adjust your budget as needs arise. Schedule a meeting with a certified financial advisor. There’s no right or wrong way to spend. But as long as you’re honest about your spending habits, you’ll be able to figure out what works best for you as a couple.

Taking the mic for your best girl, but don’t know where to start? Here are a few tips on how to give a great maid of honor speech

You’re the bride’s right hand gal (or guy!) and you couldn’t be happier. And after the bridal shower, bachelorette, and morning-of festivities have passed, you’ll be tasked with one last job: making a speech at the reception.

But speaking to a room full of people can be super intimidating. What in the world should you say? How long should your speech be? What if you completely forget what you wanted to mention? 

If trying to answer these questions is enough to make you hide out in the catering hall’s bathroom, don’t worry. Here’s how to write a maid of honor speech that’s meaningful, memorable, and heartfelt.

• MORE: 24 Bachelorette Party Ideas on Long Island

Think about your relationship

Chances are, you’ve known the bride for a pretty long time. That means you’ve made tons of memories together through college antics, summer trips, or unforgettable nights.

When you think about the bride, what memories come to mind? Write all of them down, along with the emotions you experience as a result. This is a great starting place for your speech!

AVOID including any awkward or scandalous specifics in your actual speech. It’s okay to think about those moments and laugh about them in this stage, or even incorporate a private joke that only the bride will understand, but remember – you want to celebrate the bride and her new spouse, not embarrass her in front of family and friends (and her new in-laws!) 

Think about the couple

It’s also likely that you knew the bride BEFORE she met her fiancé. What was she like in those days? And how has she changed since meeting her new spouse? 

Do you remember meeting her fiancé for the first time? What were your impressions then, and have they changed since getting to know them more? 

While you’re probably closer to the bride than you are to her spouse, you want to make sure you’re honoring both of them and the start of their new life together. So don’t forget to talk about the two of them! 

AVOID mentioning the bride’s past relationships, or any rocky moments the two of them experienced through the years. You’ll also want to avoid mentioning any negative feelings you’ve had towards her new spouse. Keep things positive!

Organize your thoughts

Once you’ve made some notes, organize them in an order that makes sense to you. Many speeches will go chronologically, starting with early memories and finishing up with more current thoughts and observations. But it doesn’t HAVE to be chronological! Take a look at what you’ve written and think about how your speech will flow. It may be helpful to write each individual memory or thought on an index card, so you can shuffle the order and try a few things out.

AVOID a lengthy rehashing of your entire relationship. We know you’ve got A LOT of great moments to share, but keep your speech at around two to three minutes. This will keep your audience engaged and listening without “tuning out.”

Practice!

When you’ve solidified your speech, it will be time to practice it some before the big day. You can elect to write everything out word for word, or just make a few bullet points and speak more freely. Whatever you decide, you’ll want to make sure you go over it a few times – the more rehearsed and prepared you are, the more confident you’ll be when it’s your turn to take the mic!

AVOID just “winging it.” Yes, a good speech will sound natural and from the heart, but a bad speech will sound unorganized and rambling. And you’re much more likely to sound unorganized and rambling if you try to speak totally off the cuff. Even if you don’t want to rehearse your maid of honor speech a million times before you make it, at least go over it in your head some before the big day. 

Use your notes

Don’t be afraid to use a cheat sheet when it’s time to speak – hey, even celebrities pull out a slip of paper when they win awards! Having your notes to reference means you won’t be pressured to memorize everything. And if you slip up or forget something during your speech, you’ll only have to look down to get a quick reminder.  

AVOID reading directly off the page. Part of what will make your maid of honor speech meaningful is a connection to the audience, and it’s hard to connect when your eyes are glued to your paper. Make eye contact a few times during your speech – especially with the bride!

Be yourself

Remember – the bride loves you for YOU! Give your maid of honor speech as if you were sharing memories over dinner, or recounting funny stories at a party. Let the great parts of your personality shine through!

AVOID forcing humor or deeper meaning into your maid of honor speech if it doesn’t feel natural. This isn’t a stand-up set or a dramatic monologue – you don’t HAVE to be funny or sentimental if it doesn’t feel right. 

• MORE: 12 Ways to Propose to Your Bridal Party

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From pulling a prank to private letters, these fun, unique ideas will make your first look memorable.

Many brides and grooms choose to have a first look on their wedding day for many reasons – to save time for photos, to calm their nerves or to have a moment just for each other. Whatever the reason, having a first look can be a special moment between you and your future spouse. Some photographers or venues may have suggestions of where to have your first look, but it’s important that you and your future spouse choose a location that’s important to you.

Close your eyes and picture where and how you want to be when you see each other for the first time on your wedding day. If you’re drawing a blank, here are 10 unique first look ideas to help you get started.

Your First Date Spot
Obviously you’ll need time for photos to get this done, but it can be done. If it’s at a restaurant, see if you can get some space for just the two of you at the location. Just make sure to call ahead or get permission to take photos.

MORE: The Pros & Cons of a First Look vs. Meeting at the Altar 

Blindfolded
Have someone lead you to each other blindfolded (or just have one of you blindfolded). You’ll get to kiss and hug before you remove your blindfolds to see each other.

Read Each Other Letters First
Before you see each other, either go back to back, or next to each other in a different room, and read each other letters about what you love about each other. Or anything really. Just something to make the moment special before seeing each other.

Pull a Prank
OK, this isn’t that unique. But, hear us out. Make that prank unique to you as a couple! It doesn’t have to be the best man in a wedding dress. Maybe it’s the dog coming out first to kiss your future spouse or something that is an inside joke.

Give Your Significant Other Boudoir Photos
If you’re still hesitant to see each other before you head down the aisle, why not give your future spouse a photo book of boudoir photos? It will be something fun for just the two of you to share before you say ‘I do’ without actually seeing each other.

MORE: I’m a Shy Bride – How Do I Handle Being the Center of Attention?

Have a ‘First Dance’
Why not have a short little ‘first dance’ together before you walk down the aisle? Have a special song that means something to the two of you playing as you see each other for the first time (it doesn’t have to be your actual first dance song).

And remember, first looks don’t have to be just for you and your future spouse!

Bridal Party
Sure, you can do your hair and makeup with your bride tribe, but surprise them later by walking out in your gown! Or have a first look with your groomsmen. Those photos will be priceless when you show your future spouse.

Your Parents
Why not create one more special moment with your parents? Either have a first look with your mom or your dad or both (and don’t forget step-parents)! Don’t forget to bring tissues.

Your Siblings
This can be a fun moment, whether you have one or several siblings. If you are close, creating this moment will be a great memento to look back on for years to come. Bonus points if you frame a photo or two for your parents as a keepsake.

Your Grandparents
Sure, your grandparents may be more traditional, but getting them on board with a first look will create lasting memories for both of you. Once again, don’t forget those tissues.

MORE: How to Honor Your Step-Parents During Your Wedding 

Remember, first looks can be as elaborate or as simple as you want to make them. The key is, make the moment something that you’ll look back on and remember as a special memory between you and your spouse or family members or friends.

In Brides of Long Island’s “Am I a Bridezilla?” the BOLI team weighs in on an anonymous submission asking that dreaded question. What do you think?

Dear BOLI,

I’m getting married next year and my fiancé and I have decided to have a dry wedding. I’m newly sober, and my fiancé isn’t really that big of a drinker. I’m in AA, but I’m not being public about that fact. It’s important to me to keep this part of my life private, really the only people who know are my fiancé and my parents.

When I told my parents our dry wedding plans, they suggested I include it on the invites. To be honest, I was appalled at that suggestion. I don’t feel like I owe anyone an explanation on why we’re not having alcohol, and if that information is on the invites I know I will be bombarded with uncomfortable questions about it. 

My sobriety is important to me, more important than alcohol at my wedding. I don’t feel like I need to justify my decision, and I don’t feel like I need to include that information on my invitations. Am I a Bridezilla for wanting an alcohol-free wedding?

Signed,
Dry Wedding Distress

• MORE: I’m Not a Bridezilla, I Just Know What I Want

Dear Dry Wedding Distress,

First of all, I want to congratulate you on your sobriety. What you’re going through is an incredibly difficult journey, but such an important one. You have my utmost respect.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a dry wedding. As we say over and over again, your wedding is YOUR DAY and you get to call the shots. Your health is far more important than serving alcohol at a party, and if a scenario where alcohol is served will put your health at risk, then you have every right to demand an alternative.

For better or for worse though, most of us have come to expect alcohol at wedding receptions.  For that reason, I think it would be wise to let your guests know ahead of time that your wedding will be dry. If doing so ON your invites makes you uncomfortable, consider listing it on your wedding website or including a small note with your invitations. A lot of guests will make plans around their anticipated alcohol consumption (like taking Ubers for transportation, booking hotel rooms close by, and arranging for extended childcare). Knowing that your wedding will be dry could save them a lot of money and hassle.

• MORE: 10 Bachelorette Ideas that Don’t Involve Alcohol

I understand not wanting to disclose your sobriety. That’s entirely your business, and you get to choose what you make public knowledge and what you don’t. You also don’t owe anyone an explanation for having a dry wedding. If someone asks, you can respond simply with “we feel more comfortable having an alcohol-free reception.” That’s all you have to say.

I think it’s also worth mentioning that, unfortunately, I don’t think excluding this information from the invites would prevent anyone asking questions. Guests may ask you where the drinks are during the reception, or why the bar is only serving soda, or when they can expect the champagne. Personally, I’d rather not have to field questions like that during the party.

Ultimately – as with every aspect of your wedding – it’s your choice. You’re not a bridezilla for wanting a dry wedding, but giving your guests a heads up in whatever way you see fit is probably a good idea. 

Wondering if you’re a bridezilla? Submit your questions to us via DM @thebridesoflongisland, or via email to jennifer@bridesofli.com

Considering a Thursday wedding? Or even a TUESDAY wedding? Here are 4 reasons to get married on an off-day!

There’s no denying that weekends are made for weddings – most of us are off from work and ready to party, with fewer responsibilities than we have during the week.

But while choosing a Saturday or Sunday may make the most sense for a lot of reasons, having your wedding on a weekday comes with a few big benefits. Here are 4 reasons to get married on an off-day.

• MORE: The Pros and Cons of Weddings by Season

1. It’s cheaper

This is a BIG one. Most everything related to your wedding will, more likely than not, be cheaper during the week than it would be on a weekend. This includes venues, photographers, hair and makeup artists, hotel block rates, you name it. So if your dream venue is just outside of your price range on a weekend, be sure to ask for off-day rates – you may not need to sacrifice your budget for your vision!

Getting married on an off-day may also save you a few bucks in some other ways. If you’re paying for food and alcohol based on consumption, a weekday wedding may mean your guests take fewer trips to the bar (you wouldn’t want to go to work hung over, would you?)

2. Vendors may have more availability

Wedding vendors can fill their calendars very easily, especially from May through October. But chances are, they’ll have more openings during the week than on the weekends. This is important to keep in mind if you’re looking for a date 6 months to a year away, or if you want to have your wedding during a popular season. 

• MORE: 5 Reasons to Have a Short Engagement

3. Fewer conflicts for guests

Most of us like to fill our weekends, and sometimes that means trips out of town or making plans with friends and relatives. A weekday wedding may mean your guests won’t have as many previous engagements lined up – another aspect to keep in mind if you’re planning your wedding within a shorter time frame (6-12 months) or want a summer date.

4. It gives your guests something to look forward to!

Having fun on a Saturday? Psh, child’s play. Having fun on a Thursday? Now, that’s something to brag about! Let’s face it – we could all use a little something to look forward to during a long work week. What’s better than clocking out early, slipping on a nice dress, and celebrating the love of a beautiful couple?