So, you’re gettin’ hitched? Well, buckle up, buttercup! Planning the dreamiest day of your life takes more than love and lipstick – you need smarts, sass, and a whole lotta lists. But don’t worry, doll. Cherry Pop’s here to give you the lowdown – retro-style. 

💄 THE BRIDE’S BACKSTAGE EMERGENCY KIT (AKA: Don’t Let a Run in Your Stockings Ruin Your Happily Ever After) 

You never know what wedding day shenanigans might pop up. A runny nose? A busted zipper? Heaven forbid – a frizzy bang! Be a cool cat and pack your bride-on-the-go bag with these essentials: 

• Painkillers, antacids & a calming tab for pre-aisle jitters
• Baby wipes (not just for babies, sugar) 
• Dancing shoes (flats, because heels + swing = disaster) 
• Hair dryer, brush, and a whole can of hairspray – helmet-style! 
• Clear polish for snags, nail glue, emery board 
• Your peepers’ backup (contacts & solution) 
• Spare earring backs (because one always disappears) 
• Extra copies of the schedule (and one for your scatterbrained cousin) 
• Eye drops, full makeup kit, and blotting papers 
• Double-stick tape & masking tape – MacGyver in a clutch 
• A sewing kit with all the right threads – white, black, bridesmaid brights! 
• Smelling salts (for the drama queens or faint-hearted grooms) 
• Stain stick & chalk (lipstick on your dress? Poof!) 
• Spare stockings – because runs happen 
• Straws for sippin’ without smudgin’ 
• Bow ties, studs, cufflinks – in case the fellas fumble 
• Feminine products (because Aunt Flo never RSVPs) 
• Dental do-gooders: floss, brush, paste, mints – kiss-worthy breath only 
• Tweezers, crochet hook (you’d be shocked where it helps) 

🍸 BOOZE-O-METER: How Much Liquor for a Rockin’ Reception? 

Throwin’ a bash for 100 party animals? Here’s how to keep the bubbly bubblin’ and the gin fizzin’ for a four-hour open bar. Don’t forget: 1.5 pounds of ice per person – 2.5 if you’re chillin’ bottles like a boss. 

Liquor Cabinet Essentials: 

• Vodka – 6 liters (make it dirty, baby) 
• Gin – 5 liters (for the highballs and the dames) 
• Scotch – 4 liters (gentlemen prefer it neat) 
• Rum – 2 liters (for when Aunt Gertie feels tropical) 
• Tequila – 1 liter (¡Olé!) 
• Campari – 1 liter (for your fancy-pants guests) 
• Vermouth (dry & sweet) – 2 bottles each 
• Whiskey (blended) – 1–2 liters (smooth talkers only) 

Beer & Bubbly: 

• Beer – 2–3 cases (the cold kind, obviously) 
• Champagne – 1.5 cases (for toasts & tears) 
• White Wine – 1.5 cases 
• Red Wine – 6 bottles (because someone always insists) 

Mixers: 

• Club soda, cola, ginger ale, juices, tonic – all the fizzy fixin’s 
• Straws with style (see above for lipstick-saving tips) 

💃 SPACE IT, BABY! How Much Room for All That Romance? 

You need enough square footage so nobody knocks over the cake doin’ the Lindy Hop. 

Event	Sq. Ft. per Guest
Ceremony	8 sq. ft.
Cocktails (no dancing)	8 sq. ft.
Cocktails with boogie	10 sq. ft.
Hors d’oeuvres with sass	12–13 sq. ft.
Sit-down + dancing	13–15 sq. ft.
Dance floor alone	3 sq. ft. per dancer (the real shakers)

🎀 TABLECLOTH TANGO: Size Matters 

Don’t let those banquet tables show their legs, honey. Here’s your classy tablecloth cheat sheet: 

Table Size	Floor-Length Cover
60” round	120” cloth
54” round	114” cloth
48” round	108” cloth
36” round	96” cloth

🧑‍🍳 SERVER SQUAD: Who’s Bringing the Chow? 

Hire the right crew so no one ends up chasing down a shrimp cocktail: 

• Formal, multi-course meal: 1–2 waiters per 10–12 guests 
• Buffet, baby!: 1 waiter per 25 guests 
• Cocktail hour: 1 bartender per 50–75 guests + wine-wielding waiters 

📱 WEDDING PLANNING GIZMOS WITH GLAMOUR 

We might be vintage, but we love a good gadget. Here are our go-to apps for brides who mean business: 

• iWedding Deluxe: Budget like a bombshell. 
• Paperless Post: Invitations with charm – no postage required. 
• miWedding: Keep the crew in the loop. 
• Social Tables: For seating charts that slay. 
• MissNowMrs.com: Name changes without the headache. 

💰 BUDGET BRIDE? NO BIGGIE, DOLL. 

You can have your cake (or donut wall) and eat it too. Here’s how a savvy sweetheart like you saves coin: 

• Pick a weekday wedding – vendors love a slow Tuesday! 
• Shop off-the-rack or rock a vintage gown (cue Audrey Hepburn vibes) 
• Skip the frilly flowers – try fans, parasols, or candy bouquets 
• Stick to beer, wine, and one glam signature drink 
• Forgo the five-tier cake – serve a dessert bar full of bite-sized bliss 
• Use your playlist! Elvis, doo-wop, swing – on your own terms 
• Lose the favors – make a donation in your guests’ names instead 

🌿 GOING GREEN WITHOUT GOING BROKE 

Eco-chic is the new bling: 

• Ditch the paper – go digital! 
• Thrift your dress or rent like a retro queen 
• Local food = fresh and fabulous 
• Use potted plants for décor – take ’em home as souvenirs 
• Recycle gold for rings with a story (and sparkle) 

👑 ETIQUETTE FOR THE MODERN MAIDEN 

Good manners never go outta style, sugar. 

• Spell everything out on your invites (no nicknames – this ain’t summer camp) 
• No “& guest” unless your budget allows 
• Don’t invite everyone at work – this ain’t the company picnic 
• Spell “honour” if you’re sayin’ your “I do’s” in a church 
• Leave the registry info off the invite – that’s for websites, dollface

Want a wedding that’s vintage, vivacious, and totally you? Cherry Pop’s got your back, baby. Now grab your girdle and let’s get this love story rolling!