Archive for September, 2009

Planning a wedding can be fun but not when you watch your money dwindle down to low numbers. In this tough economy that we’re living in, it seems that everyone is on a budget these days. And even if money is no object, it’s still wise to cut corners so that you can save money for things that really matter, like a down payment on a home or maybe an investment fund. Even if you’ve already created a budget, here are some savvy tips to help you save even more.

As this is a three part wedding budget series, I will start with the reception. The entire reception will no doubt be the biggest expense in your budget, so it’s important to look at effective cost cutting ideas.

• Don’t plan a Saturday wedding, almost everyone plans a weekend wedding which means you will pay more.
• Keep the guest list on the small side, only invite the people you are closest to. The fewer people you have, the lower your catering, invitations, and rentals should be.
• If possible, try to hold both the ceremony and reception in the same place. That will save on expensive transportation fees alone.
• Use minimal décor with a large impact. Think pretty neutral colors, greenery, and perhaps non-flower decorations as the centerpiece. Try a candle or Chinese lantern centerpieces.
• Grow your own flora and fauna at least three or four months before the wedding. If not, find a friend who does and is willing to teach you how to grow your own flowers that you can use specifically for your wedding day.
• Search for affordable wedding linens and décor at craft stores like Michaels. True, it’s not the most glamorous place to find wedding necessities, but you can find some truly good bargains like clear plastic goblets or white linen tablecloths.

Next up? How to save on bridal gowns and wedding attire.

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Have you ever heard the saying, “What’s old is new”?  This saying is definitely resonating in the minds of today’s engaged couples, and vintage is in full swing. Maybe you want to give a nod to your parents’ era when tying the knot, or maybe you just love the style of a particular era. Whatever your inspiration may be, adding that vintage touch will indeed make the big day unique and memorable. Here are some ideas on how to add a little old-fashioned style to your wedding.

1- Instead of buying a brand new wedding gown, why not wear a vintage wedding gown, or a vintage white dress? Some vintage boutiques specialize in wedding gowns, try to find one in your city. You also could have the groom and/or groomsmen don vintage suits.

2- Walk down the aisle to an older love song that has significant meaning. If you don’t have a talented (and close) friend to play the piano, make sure that you hire a professional musician or group to perform the song during the ceremony or perhaps reception.

3- Go with vintage décor. Scour the flea markets or perhaps ask one of your mothers if she has any vintage item that she could loan on your wedding day. As a bonus, using a vintage heirloom not only will add something special, it also will save extra money.

4- Ride in style, and rent a vintage convertible or other car for the big day. Caution, it might be a bit costly, so check to see if you can rent a fairly new automobile that looks vintage.

5- Another fabulous and affordable option that your parents probably will love is to use your great-grandparents’ (or perhaps even grandparents’) wedding bands or engagement rings in your upcoming nuptials.

6- Take a few cues from the more romantic Victorian era with lots of elegant lace details and décor. Or perhaps you could have all the invitations and coordinating wedding stationary designed by a good calligrapher.

When it comes to weddings, the possibilities are endless.

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The decision of whether or not to change your name after you marry is a big one for a woman. A name is very much tied in with a woman’s identity and her family history. There are a variety of options when it comes to what to do in this area.

Some women choose to change their names but still go by their maiden names when it comes to their profession. For example, Kelly Cummings marries Mark Lively. In her professional life Kelly may use Cummings as her name, but to everyone else in her life and her social circle she is now Kelly Lively.

There are other name options to consider. For our purposes we will continue to use the example of Kelly Cummings and Mark Lively.

The most common choice is for the wife to drop her last name and take her husband’s name. In this case, Kelly Cummings would become Kelly Lively. (Mark and Kelly Lively)

Another option which is popular is for both individuals to retain their birth names. (Mark Lively and Kelly Cummings)

Some women decide to take their husband’s name but to use their maiden name as a middle name. This probably will not be the best option for someone who already has a long middle name or for someone who has two middle names. In our example, it would look like this- Kelly Cummings Lively and Mark Lively. This option is becoming more popular all of the time.

Another option that is seeing a rise in popularity is for the husband and wife to use both names but to hyphenate them. (Kelly Cummings-Lively and Mark Cummings-Lively) For some people, however, this might do nothing but create confusion. It also means that both individuals must legally change their last names.

If a married couple decides that they want to keep their own last names, they might decide to use each other’s last name as a middle name. This can confuse some people and can present a problem depending on the middle name your parents gave you from birth. However, it is a viable option. (Mark Cummings Lively and Kelly Lively Cummings).

Other options that are slower to catch on including choosing a new last name all together, combining the two names together to make a new one, or the husband taking his wife’s name.

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No doubt you and your fiance want to share your personal taste in food with your guests at the ceremony. However, deciding on the meal and refreshments served at your wedding can be quite tricky, as it seems the options are boundless and you really need to maintain a budget while selecting options with wide appeal. In the end, you and your fiance need to decide what is the most important when it comes to selecting the menu and bar options. Below are a few clever ideas to inspire you.

Easy To Eat Appetizers: It doesn’t matter if you’re serving an elegant three course meal or just throwing a simple cocktail reception, appetizers are pretty much considered a staple at most weddings. However, guests like to eat and mingle, and sometimes they can run into literal sticky situations. Try to serve tiny appetizers in little shot glasses and/or with spoons. This method should make guests more apt to relax during cocktail hour knowing that they don’t have to rub their greasy fingers on a napkin.

Serve Comfort Food: If you don’t like foie gras, that is okay. If your fiance loves a simple meatloaf or macaroni and cheese, that’s perfectly fine, too. Revamp your favorite dishes from childhood with the help of a caterer to wow your guests with more modern versions of classic home cooking.

Dessert Bar: Everyone loves sweets and candy! Why not share some of your favorite candy from childhood with your guests? Leave out large bowls of a wide array of candy like jelly beans, gummy bears, or even chocolates. Don’t forget to leave extra goody bags and clean plastic scoops so guests can take extra candy home.

Wine and Dine Them: Serving your guests wine ensures that they will have their drinks, all while saving you extra. If you can, ask your caterer if you can buy your own wine to serve. If you get the green light, buy boxes of different discounted wines in bulk ahead of time to serve at the reception. That way they can enjoy themselves, and you’ll still save.

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