By Erin Frank

Yesterday I got an education in wedding planning from Bay Area bridal professionals at Wedding University, presented by Wedding 360 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Silicon Valley.  Wedding University, now in its second year, is a new and different take on bridal shows.  Rather than a ballroom filled with vendors who inundate you with business cards, samples, inspiration, and temptation and leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed, Wedding University provides advice and guidelines from industry insiders with years of experience.  The goal is to educate and empower you, not to sell you services (though, of course, they are always happy to have your business).

Topics covered include photography, music and entertainment, decor and design, and much more.  It’s a full day of “classes” with frequent breaks during which the Four Seasons catering staff plies you with tasty treats.  From the mimosa brunch to the sliders and cake it’s a day chock-full of food and information.  Always a star student, I made sure to take notes and from them I’ve compiled my top tips from Wedding University. Sharpen your No. 2 pencils and get ready to learn!

Top Ten Tips From Wedding University:

1) Consider a bridal planner, says Mary Dan-McNamee, author of Wedding Wisdom. “We get married 20 or 30 times a year” compared to your experience as a newbie.  It helps to have a seasoned veteran on your side.

2) We all want that “glossy magazine” look for our wedding.  But know what you are looking at, says McNamee, “The weddings you see in magazines cost $700-$1000 per person.”  Suddenly your guest list is looking shorter, right?  Don’t worry, with good help and a creative eye you can host a similarly lovely wedding for roughly $300-$500, or even less if you are willing to compromise.

3) Define your wedding style clearly—you may want a “modern” wedding, but what does that mean?  “Pop modern,” “sweet modern,” “glam modern,” urban modern?”  Bring stacks of magazine pages with the style you like to any initial vendor meeting.

4) Avoid photography trends like coloring the bouquet or a fish eye lens, says photographer Kevin Chin.  In just a few years they can make your photos look dated.

5) Paul Kuhn, Director of Catering at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley, had great suggestions for the bar: “Don’t be afraid to ask about pricing,” Kuhn says, “at some venues soft drinks and juices can be a surprising $6 to $8 per glass.  You’ll want to be prepared for that.”

6) Don’t assume anything about a venue, advises Kuhn—be sure to ask if refills will be given if people drink too quickly during toasts, and ask about a venue’s policy on tip jars or any other details.

7) When it comes to your wedding soundtrack, DJ & Master of Ceremonies Ron Grandia warns:  Avoid horns during cocktail hour and speeches.  Did you know that a saxophone occupies the same space in your head as conversation does?  This makes voices more difficult to register.

8] Give your Master of Ceremonies the keys to succeed.  Your parents names’ may be Robert and Kimberly and their last names Wilson, but introducing them as “Robert and Kimberley Wilson” will make folks uncomfortable when “Mr. Robert Wilson and Ms. Kimberly Wilson and her husband John” is more appropriate.

9) Thinking of hair extensions for the big day? What looks great then might look a mess after a week on the beach.  Stylist Armando Sarabia recommends clip-on extensions to avoid newlywed bed head later.

10) Tuck aloe-free baby wipes in your emergency kit, suggests Gabrielle Medrano-Contreras of Gabrielle’s Bridal Atelier.  They’re great for removing a multitude of smudges and stains on wedding dresses, even lipstick.