As a bridal consultant, it is my job to plan the wedding details with the couple and then on the day of the wedding carry out the details as perfectly as possible and inconspicuously behind the scenes. It is an honor to be part of a couple’s wedding day. I take it very seriously but also with a sense of humor. I will share with you some of the interesting “mistakes” I have dealt with at weddings.

* I have learned that, when a couple is planning to do the Hora dance, the chair type and chair placement is very important. The Hora is the Jewish traditional dance where the bridal couple sits in chairs. Then they are lifted up in the chairs by the wedding guests (usually groomsmen). The couple are danced around to traditional music and eventually lowered back to the ground. Chairs with arms are best and I have learned to be sure the chairs are placed not under low hanging ceiling lights. I have never had a bride or groom dumped out of their chairs but one bride was “beaned” by a light fixture by overzealous dancers holding her chair. I now coach the chair holders to watch out for the bride and groom’s heads.

* I have learned to remind all brides to thoroughly check all their wedding day apparel before the wedding day. One out of town bride flew in five days before the wedding. I had arranged for her dress to be steamed out right after she arrived. She arrived to the church with all her wedding attire ready to go. Or so we thought! Half an hour before the ceremony she realized that her half slip was still in the vehicle she arrived in. I hurried out to retrieve it from the car and returned with it still in its original bag taped closed. As I opened up the packaging, an odd smell permeated the room. Everyone was looking at the 8 week old baby in the room accusing him of needing the diaper change. The smell was not the baby but the slip which smelled like dead fish. Somehow the slip in its travels had gained a nasty scent. Between scented lotions, body sprays and hairspray, the slip was de-scented….mostly. Up at the altar, a few of the bridesmaid were touching their noses from the scent of the slip. No guests noticed but it was an event I will never forget. Now I carry perfume in my emergency kit and always remind my brides to open everything before the wedding day.

* I have learned to be like Santa and make my lists and check them twice. For every wedding, I have a comprehensive checklist of things to do, items to place at the ceremony and reception, and numerous cues to give to the wedding party and vendors. As I complete tasks, I check them off so I know the item is done. At one reception, I was making it through my list and everything was ready for guests to arrive. The favors were placed, the place cards were laid out in alphabetical order, the toasting glasses were in their spot, and the candles were all lit. The evening progresses and it is time to cut the cake. The cake knife and server were at hand to cut the cake. They cut the cake and suddenly stop and look around. There is no plate to put the slice of cake on. So the couple improvises and uses their hands. I am not able to get a plate to them since they are surrounded by guests. Never again will a plate, two forks and two napkins be missing from the cake table!

A sense of humor and a strong willingness to accept responsibility for mistakes are an important part of my business. I have learned more from my mistakes than from my successes. Humility is a quality much needed to be of better service to brides in the future.