The Notre Dame Grotto ablaze picture from WSBT.com

Sadly a popular wedding photo destination caught fire early this morning, the Notre Dame Grotto. The damage is minimal and the Grotto is expect to reopen soon. This is the second fire in the Grotto’s history, the first taking place in 1985.  Read more at WSBT.

Click on the monitor icon to view the slideshow full screen.

Don’t forget everyone, the Bridal Spectacular, Michiana’s largest and oldest bridal show is in less than two weeks a the Century Center! Be sure be there to speak with photographers, cinematographers, salons, see our fashion shows, disc jockeys, reception halls, wedding invitations and so many more!

Next to decide, will the ceremony be formal, semiformal or informal? The more formal the more expensive the wedding will be.

So once decided, who pays for what at the wedding? Over the last dozen years the lines between what the bride’s family and the grooms family pays for have begun to blur.  No longer does the father of the bride bear all the responsibility, quite often the parents of the groom share the costs and the bride and groom chip in.

Below is nothing but a guideline to start form, there are no longer any hard and fast rules as to who pays for what.

Wedding Gown, Headpiece & Accessories	Bride’s Family
Wedding Ring for Bride	Groom
Wedding Ring for Groom	Bride
Wedding Gift for Groom	Bride
Wedding Gift for Bride	Groom
Bridesmaid Gifts	Bride
Groomsmen/Usher Gifts	Groom
Bride’s Bouquet	Groom
Bridesmaid Bouquets	Bride’s Family
Mother’s Corsages	Groom
Grandmother Corsages	Bride’s Family
Groom’s Boutonniere	Groom
Groomsmen Boutonnieres	Groom
Usher’s Boutonnieres	Groom
Ceremony/Reception Flowers	Bride’s Family
Altar Baskets/Arches	Bride’s Family
Kneeling Bench/Candleabrahs	Bride’s Family
Rentals for Wedding	Bride’s Family
Rented Items for Reception	Bride’s Family
Invitations/Announcements	Bride’s Family
Wedding Programs	Bride’s Family
Family Napkins/Matches/Printed Items	Bride’s Family
Marriage License	Groom
Church Fee	Bride’s Family
Clergyman/Officiant Fee	Groom
Musician/Soloist	Bride’s Family
Reception Hall Fee	The Bride’s Family
Catered Reception/Professional Services	Bride’s Family
Church Janitor	Bride’s Family
Video & Photography	Bride’s Family
Orchestra/Band/DJ	Bride’s Family
Wedding Cake	Bride’s Family
Wedding Favors	Bride’s Family
Groom’s Cake	Groom’s Family
Bubbles or Bird Seed	Bride’s Family
Rehearsal Dinner	Grooms Family
Bridesmaid Luncheon	The Bride
Bachelor Party	Best Man/Groom’s Attendants
Wedding Breakfast	Bride’s Family
Bridal Brunch	Bride’s Family
Bridesmaid’s Gowns	Bridesmaid’s
Maid of Honor Gown	Maid of Honor
Matron of Honor Gown	Matron of Honor
Best Man Formal Wear	Best Man
Usher’s Formal Wear	Ushers
Groomsmen’s Formal Wear	Groomsmen
Father of Bride Formal Wear	Bride’s Family
Father of Groom Formal Wear	Groom’s Family
Children’s Formal Wear	The Children’s Parents
Limousine Service	The Groom
Honeymoon Arrangements	The Groom
Gifts for the Couple	Guest, Attendants and Family

]]> http://indianabridalspectacular.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=20 0 http://indianabridalspectacular.com/blog/?p=27 http://indianabridalspectacular.com/blog/?p=27#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:05:02 +0000 Brian http://indianabridalspectacular.com/blog/?p=27

The list of exhibiting wedding professionals at the Bridal Spectacular has grown! Just added are:

Wedding Professional Both Number Men’s Wearhouse / MW Tux # 27 & 28 Allie’s Cafe & Catering #32 Platinum Productions #81 Rulli’s Intalian Restaraunt & Catering #84 Mary Kay #85 The Skillet #86 Bridal Boutique By Peg Anne # 88 & 89 Sterling Silver from Taxco #75 Amanda Fales Photography #69 EZ Travel Pad #70 Sunshine Products #71

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]]> http://indianabridalspectacular.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=27 0 http://indianabridalspectacular.com/blog/?p=11 http://indianabridalspectacular.com/blog/?p=11#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:05:49 +0000 Brian http://indianabridalspectacular.com/blog/?p=11 Don’t Rush

The first hour of a bridal show is always the busiest, especially before the fashion show starts. If you arrive at the start, scope out the vendors, mentally note the ones you really want to talk to and relax. Later in the day as the crowds dwindle it will be far easier to ask questions and get advice.

Bring your bridesmaids and Family

Bringing your bridesmaids and family will allow you to have some fun and bounce ideas back and forth.

Labels with Contact Info

Found a vendor you are really interested in but their booth is too busy with other brides to be able to get any answers to your questions? Print off a sheet of address labels with your name, address and phone number and hand them to these vendors. Ask them to contact you after the bridal show.

Bring a notebook and pen

Bring a notebook and pen so you can take notes.  Write down  thoughts you have while attending the bridal show.

Bring a camera

Pictures will help you quickly remember some of the great details you saw at the show. How about that great dress shown during the fashion show or the elegant cake displayed by the bakery. Snap a few pictures to help you remember.

Bring your checkbook

Many wedding professionals offer day of the show discounts. These will help you save money, but keep in mind your wedding budget.

Plan

Know what you need in th form of wedding services before you attend the show. This way you don’t waste time at booths you don’t need. Check out the bridal show’s website to see what vendors will be exhibiting. This will help you frame questions and plan out your game plan.

Make a day of it

Have Fun! Plan on attending the bridal show for several hours.  Have lunch, enjoy the time with your friends and family, and get some great ideas and meet with wedding professionals. This is one of the big times in your life, don’t rush it, enjoy it!

Get red carpet treatment from the Dj’s at Purrfect Occassions Dj’s on your wedding Day.
Visit Tony Jones at the Bridal Spectacular and let him help you plan you wedding entertainment.

Knollwood Country Club
Blackthorn Golf Club
Waterford Estates Lodge
Marriott South Bend
Strongbow