I’ve been invited over the past few years to several weddings whose theme revolved around color. One of my favorite wedding themes: black and white wedding.
A black and white wedding can mean many things, but usually the idea is that the bride wears white, the groom and the groom party wears black tuxedos with white shirts and black ties, the bridesmaids wear black dresses, and the reception is decorated in black and white, sometimes with a few red accents such as red roses.
Or, if you’re really bold, you can go with yellow accents like the bride in the photo above did!
I like black and white weddings because they always feel so elegant and sophisticated. This theme is especially appropriate for brides who are looking for a clean, contemporary look and would like to break away from pinks, browns and anything frilly. You can even add black accents to your wedding dress, to make the look especially unique and modern and to completely break away from “traditional.”
The black and white look is definitely a nod to Hollywood of the 40s, to classic beauty and stars and unapologetic glamor. Most of your guests are going to love it, and those who won’t – well, you can’t make everyone happy anyway!
One of the best things about a black and white wedding: the bridesmaids are usually happy with their dresses!
Photo by Jessica Higgins
Of course the groom should help! I’m not being naive here: I realize that many grooms feel their job ends with the proposal, or – best case scenario – with choosing a great wedding tuxedo and picking his best man and groomsmen.
But I don’t think you should let him off the hook so easily. After all, this is his wedding too – and there’s so much work to do when planning a wedding, it’s only fair to ask him to contribute.
Realistically speaking, it’s still very likely that you will find yourself doing most of the work – but even SOME help is better than no help at all.
Here are a few areas where the groom can and should help with the wedding planning:
1. Setting a budget. Unless your families are paying for the event, this is certainly something that the two of you need to do together. It is actually good preparation for the many financial discussions you will have during your marriage!
2. Select the wedding attire for himself and for the men in the wedding party and getting everyone fitted for a tuxedo.
3. Purchase groomsmen gifts.
4. Obtain a marriage license.
5. Prepare a toast for the rehearsal dinner and a speech for the reception.
While it may sound like a lot to ask for, really it’s not, especially considering what you have to deal with (lots more, trust me). And anyway, the groom should be happy to help, since this is one way to ensure he gets a to spend his wedding day with a relaxed, happy bride!
Photo by CharlotWest
In our last two posts we discussed tips for reducing the inevitable stress that comes with planning your wedding. We discussed the importance of letting go of perfectionism, of delegating to others, of sticking with a realistic budget and of focusing on the relationship rather than on the event.
Today, in the final part of our “plan a stress free wedding” series, we would like to address two more ways of making wedding planning less stressful.
5. Don’t try to please everyone. Weddings involve family, and families are complicated. Regardless of how much you try, SOMEONE is bound to have something negative to say about your wedding, your dress, your flowers, or about the ceremony itself. Try to let go of the need to please others and of your natural tendency to worry about what others will say or think. After all, this is YOUR wedding.
6. Take care of yourself. The months and weeks before the wedding will be stressful to some degree, regardless of what you do. Make it a priority during this time to exercise daily, eat healthfully and take some time to yourself every day. Even a daily 15-minute power nap followed by a bit of stretching will make a huge difference in how you feel.
Wedding planning is stressful. Take these basic steps to reduce the stress, and you will arrive at your wedding day much more relaxed and far less stressed than if you allow yourself to fret and worry over the little things.
Photo by makelessnoisewo
I’ve been invited over the past few years to several weddings whose theme revolved around color. One of my favorite wedding themes: black and white wedding. 
