-Certified

-Organized

-Is a good fit with your personalityand budget

-Customer service driven

-Creative and effective

-Knowledgeable of top wedding vendors, local businesses and venues that work well with your budget

-Has a genuine love of weddings and brides and enjoys working with a diverse group of people

-Excellent verbal and writtencommunication skills

-Detail oriented

-References

Duties

Maid or Matron of Honor

Your maid or matron of honor is indispensable and a big help throughout your planning and ceremony. Her customary duties include the following:

Helps bride select attire and address invitations.

Pays for own wedding attire.

In charge of bridesmaids being on time to all events.

Helps organize the bridesmaids on the wedding day.

Alone or with bridesmaids, hosts a shower for the bride.

Attends rehearsal dinner

Arrives at dressing site 2 hours before ceremony to assist bride in dressing.

Arrives dressed at ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for photographs.

Arranges the bride’s veil and train before the processional, at the altar, and recessional.

Holds the groom’s ring until the appropriate time in the ceremony, when she will exchange it for the bride’s bouquet.

Keeps bride on schedule.

Bridesmaids

Pays for own wedding attire.

Assist maid⁄matron of honor in planning bridal shower.

Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner party.

Arrive at dressing site 2 hours before ceremony.

Arrive dressed at ceremony site 1 hour before the wedding for photographs.

Precede the bride down the aisle.

Sit next to groomsmen at the head table.

Gifts

What do you need for your new home? List those in your registry.

Keep in mind your guests’ budgets. Have a wide range of gift items listed, from the affordable to very expensive.

Don’t be limited in the number of stores you register at. Some couples register at as many as four or five stores to give their guests plenty of options. Others find everything they need in one or two stores.

Some of the best gifts are the ones the couple did not expect. Allow your guests the freedom to forego the registries if they think they know the perfect gift for you.

Source: Wedding consultant Schaun Morgan of AffordableSplendor Wedding & Event Consultants in Glenn Dale. She can be reached at 301-805-1600 or www.affordsplendor.com.