January Jones wears dramatic neutrals, Diane Kruger works an understated cat eye, and Mandy Moore is pretty in (grown-up) pink.

January Jones at the FOX Summer TCA Press Tour: Neutrals don’t have to be bland, as proven by January Jones. To recreate her glamorous neutral look, start with a glow-inducing primer and then use a full coverage foundation with mica to help enhance an all-over glow. Warm up the complexion with a coral blush blended into the hollows of the cheeks and give your brows precise definition with an eyebrow pencil and setting wax. Begin creating the moody brown eye by lining the eyes with a brown eyeliner and smudging it out the outer corners of the eyes. Use coordinating medium and dark brown eyeshadows to create depth to the upper lids and smudge a tan shade under the lower lashline. Apply a half strip of faux lashes from the middle of the eye to the outer corners, and then apply several coats of mascara. A terra cotta lip in a matte finish offers the perfect understated drama. Finish off with highlighter down the center features of the face and in the inner corners of the eyes.

Diane Kruger at a screening of Disorder: Diane Kruger’s look is perfect for any low-key wedding, and is anchored by a simplistic cat eye. To achieve the look, start by evening out the complexion with a BB Cream or light coverage liquid foundation and apply a sheer pink blush to the apples of the cheeks. Shape and define the brows with a pencil, making sure they retain a natural look. Then line the eyes with a brown pencil and retrace the line from the center of the eye to the outer corner making it slightly thicker and create a slight flick at the outer corners. Use a matte, taupe-colored eyeshadow from the upper lashes to the crease and apply several coats of mascara. The final touch is a glossy, candy pink lip.

Mandy Moore at The Hollywood Foreign Press Association Annual Grants Banquet: If you love a radiant and feminine look but don’t want to err too much on the sweet side, take a page out of Mandy Moore’s red carpet playbook. To emulate her makeup, start with a light coverage foundation just to even out your skin. Apply a bright pink blush to the cheeks, followed by highlighter just on the apples. Use a shimmery, rose gold colored eyeshadow on the upper lids and below the lower lashes, and then use a matte brown in the crease for added depth. Apply several coats of lengthening mascara to get the most out of your lashes. Next, brush the brows up and out to help them retain a natural look, and fill in any sparse places. For the lips, use a pink shade similar to the blush, and apply it without any liner, to keep the look relaxed.

See More: Wedding Day Beauty — The Top 40 Tips and Tricks

It may be time to put down that price gun. After you’ve added the essentials to your registry, some local options can give in-town (or tech-savvy out-of-town) friends and family a chance to think outside the big box. We’ve rounded up some of the Chicago area’s best alternative registries for one-of-a-kind gifts and more.

Kneen and Co.
With an extensive collection of luxury flatware, glassware, home décor and other goodies from brands like Lobmeyr, Hermes, and Saint-Louis, this private salon may have just what your fancy aunt is looking for — and the attentive customer service to match. Plus, one percent of all online sales are donated to nonprofit Water.org (founded by Matt Damon), so you can feel good about the splurge.

Material Possessions
For the couple that’s looking for something a little different, this shop’s two locations offer traditional and contemporary handmade pieces including bed and bath items, kitchen accessories and more. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Jonathan Adler
Adler may be a national name, but the sculpter and artist’s funky Gold Coast shop has plenty to choose from for an eclectic or artsy Chicago couple. A bud vase shaped like a banana? They’ve got it. Graphic needlepoint ” Mr. & Mrs.” pillows? Yep. You can even design your own geometric throws and rugs.

See More: Learn More About Vendors Near You On Our Local Vendors Page

Marcel’s
This adorable shop, located in west suburban Glen Ellyn, is a foodie couple’s fantasy. Stocked with pro culinary tools, specialty foods and charming table toppers, the store and its friendly staff will help you pick out everything you need to feel like a chef. And you’ll score a $50 gift card for registering that you can use toward one of their in-store cooking classes or that cutting board no one bought you.

Table Compliments
You’ll be ready to host your first big holiday dinner for the in-laws once you’ve received a few items from this Highland Park shop that specializes in table linens and accessories.

Tabula Tua
Registering at one of this home goods’ collection’s three Chicago area locations gets you a selection of international goods sold exclusively at Tabula Tua, but also a bunch of perks like a $50 gift card for every $500 is spent on your registry, 10 percent off anything left on your registry for up to six months after your wedding date and free gift wrap and shipping for items more than $125.

Need some last minute help for you nuptials? Check out our Local Vendors page!

This is it… The final countdown to your big day. And along with settling those last few details — figuring out where to seat your eccentric Uncle Carl, firming up the flowers, deciding on your first dance song — you’re likely also making one last push to make sure the body that will be wearing that gorgeous white gown looks as good as it possibly can. You and nearly every other woman with an engagement ring on her finger. In fact, research shows that an overwhelming 91 percent of brides-to-be are anxious about their weight. But from here on out, you won’t have to be!

Whether you want to drop those last few pounds or look more toned — or both — we’ve got a month’s worth of daily tips (none of which require starving yourself or working out nonstop!) that will help you feel stunning and confident when you walk down that aisle. You know where to send the thank-you card. Let’s get started!

Day 12: Make Your Crunches Infinitely More Effective!

How so? By doing them on one of those big, air-filled stability balls. “In terms of equipment, it’s one of the greatest thing going! It makes just about any abdominal exercise more beneficial,” says Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist and personal trainer in San Diego.

“When you do crunches on the floor you can only lift and lower so far. But when you do the same exercise on the ball, you’ll get much more range of motion, which translates into better results.”

In fact, one study found that doing moves on the ball activates 28 percent more abdominal muscle than the same exercise performed on a non-wobbly surface. And unlike regular floor crunches, the ball also works the transverse abdominis, a small, notoriously hard-to-get-at band of muscle that spans across your lower abs and helps pull them in like a corset. Strengthen it and everything down there (namely, that little below-the-navel bloop a lot of us have) will noticeably flatten out.

You can buy a ball for about $20 at any sporting goods store and it’s amazing for all sorts of other moves, too (you can find how-tos on AceFitness.org).

Tip: Swap it in for your desk chair and you can tone your abs all day while you work.

See More: Quick 30 Minute Workouts for Busy Brides-To-Be

Hours have passed and you’ve nearly worked up sweat scanning and shopping ’til you drop. But wait — you’re not done yet! Most couples are so exhausted by the time they’ve created their wedding registries, they don’t think about the steps they need to follow once they’ve done registering. Follow these simple steps to be sure you’re really able to check this off the never-ending wedding to-do list.

Share the Info
One your registries are complete and you’ve scanned ’til your heart’s content, it’s time to let everyone know! (Subtly and tastefully, of course.) First things first: Let a designated bridesmaid, MOH, or your mom know so they can correctly let bridal shower guests know. Also, if any stores gave you registry cards, pass them along to whomever will be mailing out your shower invitations. But remember, general etiquette states you should NOT include these in your wedding invitation mailings. Instead, head to your wedding website and update your registry information there, too. Then you’re covered!

Head to the App Store
By downloading the retailer’s app for wherever you’ve created a registry, you can have easy access to modify or complete your registries at your fingertips. Rather than having to log in on a desktop, most retail apps provide you with registry access at your fingertips. If you second-guess items, want to double check inventory, or change quantities, you can do so instantly. After all, anything that makes wedding planning easier or quicker is a must!

Cross Check
If you’ve registered at multiple retailers (like many couples do) , take a second to review the printed copies (yes paper! It’s much easier this way) and double check for duplicates. Trust us, it’s not hard to get carried away with the scanners, and having to make returns or exchanges for doubles can be a big pain. (Seriously, housewares boxes can be huge!) Prevent this post-bridal shower by ensuring you’ve only registered for a single item once.

Keep the Element of Surprise
As tempting as it may be, avoid compulsively checking your registries as your bridal shower and wedding date grow near. Especially with some “Thank You Card Manager” features, it only takes a few clicks to see who bought you what, and when — before the party even begins. This can ruin the element of surprise for your shower, and can put a damper on opening gifts that your guests thoughtfully selected and purchased. Instead, appoint a bridesmaid to keep an eye out for the sole purpose of letting you know if you need to add more gifts within a certain price range, or modify any aspects of the registry.

See More: 8 Ways to Avoid Wedding Registry Remorse

It’s your wedding, and you can have your cake and eat it too. You just want to make sure it melts in the mouth and not on the table, right? Right! To help that super cute dessert table of yours beat the heat at your outdoor summer wedding, we asked a few catering and pastry pros to share their genius tips and tricks on keeping sweets nice and cool.

Don’t choose desserts that melt fast.
So yeah, ice cream is probably off the table, sorry brides (unless you have on-site refrigeration that is, then you’re good to go)! Even a candy station needs to take the melt-factor into account too, notes Sarah Hall, President of Joel Catering and Special Events. “Choose classic summer sweets like saltwater taffy and old-fashioned lollipops, macaroons and Jordan almonds. They come in gorgeous colors and are melt-resistant.”

Do consider outsourcing your dessert table entirely.
Instead, find a dessert food truck where everything can be kept at ideal temps until it’s served, suggests Hall. “In New Orleans, for example, we have a gourmet liquor popsicle truck that is always a hit.” You can do snow cones, ice cream or whatever your little heart and sweet tooth desire.

Don’t forget to think about the frosting.
Turns out, high heat and frosting don’t always mix. While your cake should be chilling in the air conditioning prior to being served, that doesn’t mean it won’t be exposed to brutal temps during transport, warns Hall. Thus, it’s important to pick the right kind of frosting and filling (ask your cake designer about this!) and, if temps are really high and you’re displaying it outside, steer clear of whipped cream and maybe even buttercream. “You could also have a faux cake for display, then serve sheet cake from the kitchen.”

See More: 6 Creative Ways to Serve Pizza at Your Wedding

Do use vanilla to keep the bugs at bay.
Did you know that insects don’t like the smell of vanilla? According to Food Network Cupcake Wars Champion pastry chef and owner of Ava’s Cupcakes, Michelle Spell, it’s true! She recommends diluting 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract with 1 cup of water and wiping it on your tablecloth to prevent mosquitoes, black flies and ticks from tasting your sweets on the big day. “Some additional natural bug repellent options include spraying the table with white vinegar diluted with water (2 parts water, 1 part vinegar). This solution can be used all year round,” she tells us. “Or simply use citrus and herbs. Slice into a lemon skin so the juice drips out. Add a sprig of mint or rosemary. It looks pretty, and bugs don’t like it.”

Do serve up fresh (and drip-free) fruit.
There’s nothing like biting into a big slice of watermelon on a hot day! To keep the juices from dripping down your guests’ dresses and suits though, Spell offers this advice: “First, cut a thin slice off the side to create a flat surface. Then, cut 1″ slices horizontally and vertically so you’re left with popsicle-sized slices. Kids (and adults) will be able to pull out pieces and enjoy without the juices spilling all over their mouths and hands.” Another scrumptious idea? Choose fruit pies, crostatas and other delicious pastries that celebrate summer produce yet can stand up to the heat, advises Emily LeSuer, Catering Chef, Saltbox Kitchen Catering.

Don’t dismiss dry ice.
Dry ice is your friend! If you can’t imagine summer without a frozen treat and aren’t down with a full-on dessert truck, then make it happen by setting up a cooler or bucket with dry ice and individual ice cream sandwiches, popsicles or mini sundaes, suggests LeSuer. “Replenish them as they are eaten and everything should stay cold.”

It’s no secret that most Americans carry some kind of debt. But we often don’t think about how those hefty bills affect anything beyond our bank accounts. It turns out that big debt such as student loans can put a big dent in our plans, including our ability to get married.

A recent survey of U.S. adults, conducted by the Boston-based nonprofit American Student Assistance, found that 21 percent of respondents, whether male or female, are postponing marriage thanks to their seriously big school loans. And 28 percent says they are pressing pause on starting a family until they pay their debts down. “The findings indicate that despite the fact that millennials view parenthood and marriage as more of a life priority than career and financial success, many with student debt seek financial stability before marrying or beginning a family,” the report states.

The fact that so many couples would put off tying the knot while they pay down debt is no surprise to Elle Kaplan, finance expert and founder of LexION Capital. “Ultimately, plenty of marriage goals are tied to couples’ finances as well as their emotions,” she explains. “Just as you’d want to make sure you’re on the same page about having kids, you’ll want to ensure you’re both eager to eliminate debt so you can afford them. What’s just as important as the debt details is that partners are able to work together to pay it off.”

See More: Opening a New Credit Card to Pay for Your Wedding: The Pros and Cons

If you’re faced with choosing between paying down debt or paying for an engagement ring or a wedding, Kaplan encourages you to look at why you or your partner are in debt in the first place. “Is this debt is a one-time obstacle, or stemming from a behavior that will happen over and over again?” she asks. “Having student loan debt, for instance, is understandable. But if your would-be-spouse goes into credit card debt monthly at the mall, that’s a major red flag.”

That being said, debt isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, nor should it mean that you must automatically put off your plans to marry. “If couples can come up with a game-plan to tackle debt, it can bring them closer together and closer to their relationship goals,” Kaplan says.

Whatever you do, don’t sweep your debt under the rug so that you can move forward in your relationship. “By treating debt honestly, and looking at it as something to tackle to enjoy a future together, couples can move on to doing better things with their lives,” Kaplan says.

After spending months planning a one-of-a-kind wedding celebration, planning a honeymoon can fall on the back burner. Exhausted from bargaining with caterers and picking out floral arrangement, you’ll settle for a generic island getaway crawling with other tourists and full of unoriginal activities.

With that in mind it’s time to plan a honeymoon that’s just as one-of-a-kind as your big day! The same craving for unique experiences that you had while planning your wedding should be brought to your honeymoon planning, because this is the trip that will set the precedent for your future adventures as husband and wife. Looking for an alternative honeymoon destination and don’t know where to start? We did the leg work so you don’t have to. Here, our favorite little-known, non-traditional honeymoon destinations, ranging from luxury treks through Peruvian ruins to playing in a cage with tigers in Thailand.

North America
Austin, Texas
Austin is quickly becoming one of the trendiest cities in Texas, especially with hard core foodies. This city is the perfect combination of historic, trendy, and outdoors-y, so each day of your honeymoon can be vastly different than the day before. Go on a romantic moonlight cruise through Lady Bird Lake, visit one of the many art or history museums, or take a tour and tasting at a nearby winery. When you need a break from sight seeing and exploring the local nightlife, that’s the time to go on a food crawl through the city. You certainly won’t regret fully immersing yourself in Texas culture at one of Austin’s incredible barbecue and Tex-Mex restaurants, because you will not be able to find food like this anywhere else.

Memphis, Tennessee
Known as the Las Vegas of the south, Memphis is a great location for couples looking for an adventurous honeymoon location with plenty of nightlife that hasn’t already been done to death. We highly recommend checking into the Madison Hotel before venturing through the city streets, for their gorgeous luxury suites, some even include in-room Jacuzzi tubs! If you ever leave your room, there are plenty of places to explore throughout Memphis, like visiting Graceland or taking one of the city’s many themed bus tours. When the sun goes down and the city comes alive, stop by Beale Street to bar crawl and listen to live Blues music or board one of the famed Memphis Riverboats for dinner and dancing on the Mississippi River.

South America
Machu Picchu, Peru
This Peruvian destination may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you think about a romantic honeymoon, but hear us out. Besides hiking and exploring Machu Picchu’s gorgeous and infamous ruins, you can spend some couple time in Aguas Calientes, a town near the ruins that is known known for its thermal pools (aka natural hot tubs). If you’re too overwhelmed with wedding planning to look too much into your Peruvian honeymoon, you’re in luck. Peru Honeymoon Tours has various luxury Machu Picchu tour packages you can buy, so that someone else can help you plan the perfect excursions, day trips, and romantic dinners throughout Peru.

Europe
Seville, Spain
Barcelona may be the current hot spot in Spain, but Seville is the place for newlywed couples to escape the crowds and still enjoy everything that Spain has to offer. Start your honeymoon with a stroll — or even horse-drawn carriage ride — through Plaza de España, Seville’s gorgeous and historic town square, or a romantic boat ride through the Guadalquivir River. After a relaxing day of exploring, embrace the nightlife by seeing some authentic flamenco dancing or eating and drinking your way through the city’s rich restaurant and bar scene.

Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck is the ideal destination for couples looking to enjoy a European winter wonderland, and the gorgeous natural landscape is definitely the main draw to this city. Grab your skis and hit the slops at Patscherkofel mountain, or wander through the streets of Innsbruck to see ruins, museums, gardens, and gorgeous old castles. Your honeymoon photo albums will be almost more gorgeous than your wedding album…almost.

Africa
Cape Winelands, South Africa
Any couple would be lucky to spend their first vacation as husband and wife on a real African safari, but what about those couples who don’t want animal adventures to be their entire trip? Spend part of your trip in Cape Town visiting the Cape Winelands, the scenic district of South Africa focused on wine and wildlife. First, there are plenty of gorgeous luxury accommodations to choose from. Check out SA-Venues and you’ll feel like you’re booking a reservation in the pages of your favorite high-end travel and home decor magazines. After that, your time will be split between sipping your way through local vineyards, and craft markets and finding ways to explore mountains and nature reserves that surround you.

Belo Sur Mer, Madagascar
Get the tropical island experience you’ve always dreamed for your honeymoon without the crowds of tourists at Belo Sur Mer, a small fishing village on Madagascar’s western coast. Here you can enjoy complete serenity and seclusion thanks to the town’s naturally laid back vibe, as well as beautiful beaches and fresh, delicious seafood. When you feel like having a day that is more up beat and active, take time to venture through the rest of Madagascar by car or schedule a day excursion with a tour group.

Asia
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Adventure-seeking couples will love honeymooning in Chiang Mai. Immerse yourselves in the city’s rich culture by visiting the golden temple Wat Phrathat, or wake up early to catch Alms procession, a daily spiritual ritual performed by monks. Quest your thirst for adventure by visiting the Elephant Training Center Chiang Dao, where you can ride through the jungle on an elephant’s back, or play with tigers at Tiger Kingdom. If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, check out the honeymoon package at Four Season Chiang Mai, where you can enjoy romantic dinners and beautiful views from your room’s balcony.

Luang Prabang, Laos
Become a part of the rich culture of Laos by spending time in Luang Prabang, a city on the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers that is known for it’s many Buddhist temples. Walk through the city and explore the temples and natural scenery before booking a hiking or kayaking excursion. If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, Selective Asia has a variety of luxury Luang Prabang honeymoon packages that will allow you experience the culture of the city, explore it’s wildlife, and retire to your high-end lodge suite at the end of the night.

See More: These Are the Most Pinned Honeymoon Destinations on Pinterest

Buckle your seat belts, brides, because this modern-day love story is totally out to prove that finding “the one” can happen in the most unexpected places, in the most unexpected ways.

When Ben, who lived in San Francisco at the time, began searching for a place to stay in Tel Aviv in 2014, he turned to the popular tech startup Airbnb for a comfortable, homey space to call his own (at least for a little!). And the room he came upon was none other than Noa’s, who just so happened to be traveling in Brazil at the time. Having his mind set on Noa’s place, Ben even tried to offer some treats from his San Fran company, The Good Chocolate, as a way to persuade her into letting him stay in her home. But, what Ben didn’t know was that Noa had accidentally forgotten to list the room as “unavailable” while on her Brazilian adventure.

Feeling pretty crummy about the mix-up, Noa offered to meet with Ben for a cup of coffee while he was still in Tel Aviv (he managed to find another place to hunker down in during his stay there). And the rest they say is history! According to Apartment Therapy, “Noa learned that Ben was a calm, thoughtful, curious person who makes delicious chocolate. And Ben learned that Noa was an accomplished singer and artist who asked lots and lots of questions.”

For the next year or so the unexpected couple kept in touch nearly daily, and even visited each other several times throughout those love-filled months. Clearly smitten, it was only logical that the pair would see a wedding in their future. But because their families are from two separate parts of the world, they decided to do a civil service in San Francisco right in the Airbnb headquarters to make such a small ceremony mean a more.

See More:Can We Have a Civil Ceremony Now and a Traditional Wedding Later?

As the two said their “I do’s” Airbnb employees filled the atrium space and looked on as Ben and Noa proclaimed their undying love for each other. When they exchanged rings and kissed, the crowd roared and cheered in delight. And that’s not all, Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia “surprised the couple with a $5,000 Airbnb gift card to put towards their [honeymoon] travels,” according to Apartment Therapy. Awww!

Ben and Noa met each other when traveling on our site and are now tying the knot….at our office! What you can't see are the hundreds of team members cheering from the atrium balconies. Congrats you two! #Airbnb

A photo posted by Joe Gebbia (@joegebs) on Jul 6, 2016 at 4:03pm PDT

When actors Genevieve Gearheart and Matthew Bamberg-Johnson enrolled in CalArts’ MFA acting program in 2010, their pals introduced them with the assumption that the two would develop a quick friendship. They were right, but the bond was stronger than anyone could have guessed: What started off as a casual friendship quickly turned romantic and in March of 2014, Matthew popped the question in Palm Springs, California.

“It was very helpful for us, coming from creative backgrounds, to view the whole wedding planning process as putting on another show starring us!” Genevieve says. With help from planner Davia Lee Events, this couple invited 150 guests to Firestone Vineyard in Los Olivos, California, for a wedding full of creativity and fun. Photographer Anthony Hoang of Lover of Mine captured all the artsy details of their wedding day.

Genevieve took her time finding a wedding dress, and it’s a good thing she did. On her third shopping trip, she fell in love with a cream-hued lace gown from BHLDN with a v-neckline and open back. She paired the figure-hugging dress with a freshwater pearl headband, blue satin Badgley Mischka sandals, and vintage earrings that once belonged to Genevieve’s great, great grandmother.

Matthew wore a charcoal gray vest and matching pants by Calvin Klein, a custom white button-down shirt from Trumaker, and a sage green striped tie. His groomsmen wore deep gray suspenders and pants paired with similar sage green ties. All of the men wore matching air plant boutonnieres and custom-made tie pins.

Genevieve’s bridesmaids were given color choices to point them in the right direction, but each woman personally selected their pale blue ensembles for the day. “It ended up being an eclectic, but cohesive mix!” the bride says. The women all carried mismatched succulent bouquets, featuring a variety of plants in different hues.

The couple’s outdoor ceremony was held on the vineyard’s lawn beneath a massive tree, with views of the vines in the distance. “Matthew loved the outdoor ceremony location,” the bride says. “The venue was the best of both worlds for us. I loved the barrel room where we had the reception.”

Genevieve was escorted down the aisle by her father while the Cure’s “Love Cats” played. “We opted for recorded music so that our musician friends and relatives could enjoy the event as guest,” says the bride. The couple enjoyed a reading from one of their favorite plays and exchanged personalized vows with a wine barrel as their altar.

The bride and groom knew they wanted a reception to remember. “We really tried to make it feel like a larger party that we would host at our house, to make everyone feel comfortable, welcome, and at ease,” Genevieve says. Guests enjoyed a family-style dinner by candlelight in the venue’s stunning barrel room.

For their long tables, the newlyweds envisioned a New York City bistro-vibe, with brown paper instead of linens and lots of candles in tons of different sizes of mason jars. At each place setting, guests found a linen napkin with a fresh sprig of rosemary and a dinner menu. Since Genevieve and Matthew wanted their meal to shine, they served up a selection of local meats and cheeses, roasted lamb with a Mediterranean salsa verde, and Mediterranean prawns.

For dessert, the couple cut into their vineyard-appropriate Citrus Sauvignon Blanc wedding cake before serving an assortment of different flavored cupcakes.

Since Genevieve and Matthew own an acting studio together, it’s no surprise that their group of friends are the creative type, too. For their big day, their friends led a choir singing “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher” and started a flash mob to “What Does the Fox Say,” which they planned with the rest of the wedding guests through secret online rehearsals. “It was incredible to see, and it was exactly the kind of creative expression that we wanted to encourage at our event,” the bride says.

Genevieve’s biggest advice from one bride to another is this: “Don’t be afraid to reach out to your network of friends for support and help. They’ve probably got a lot to bring to the table!”

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Firestone Vineyard || Wedding Planner: Davia Lee Events || Bride’s Wedding Dress: BHLDN || Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Eli’s Jewelry || Flowers: Renae’s Bouquet || Invitations: Minted || Other Paper Products: Antiquaria || Music: Gavin Roy Presents || Catering: Seasons Catering || Cake & Cupcakes: Enjoy Cupcakes || Rentals: Ventura Party Rental Center || Videographer: Him & Her Films || Photographer: Anthony Hoang of Lover of Mine

Loving this couple’s beautiful wedding? Then check out another vineyard bash in the video below.

Whether it’s an open bar, a specialty cocktail, or a selection of your favorite beers, there’s nothing guests look forward to more than hitting the bar at your wedding (aside from seeing you get married, of course!). But eventually, the party has to stop. So when’s the best time to close the bar? Our experts weigh in.

While you might think the bar should be open until your party ends, think about last call at your favorite late-night spot. If they close at 2:30, last call is usually at 2:15 at the absolute latest, giving patrons time to finish their drinks before the lights come on. The same should go for the bar at your wedding, too. If the band is ending at 11, close the bars at 10:45. This will signal to guests that the evening is about to end — and push them toward the dance floor, since they can’t get a drink! This is a particularly great technique if you MUST be out of your venue by a certain time.

Closing the bar tells guests it’s time to go home, meaning you’ll have fewer stragglers finishing up their last few sips of champagne when the doors are supposed to be locked. If you think your crowd might be a little slow to move, you could close the bars more than 15 minutes in advance to ensure that every drink is done and everyone is ready to go when the lights come on.

If your venue has a less strict curfew policy, you’ll still want to talk to your caterer about how late their staff can serve. If you’re contracted until midnight, there’s probably not much flexibility in keeping the bartenders around any later.

Having an after-party? Make sure the bartenders know when and where it will be so that, when they do start wiping down counters and putting bottles away, they can let your guest know where to head to keep the festivities going.

See more: Should We Put a Tip Jar on the Bar?