This is the conclusion of When To Splurge, When To Save Part 1. We all know that weddings are notoriously expensive events and that budgeting for your wedding is one of the most important things you can do.  Last week I discussed about whether you should splurge on bridal gowns and the reception. This week you’ll find out on how to save on the pre-wedding festivities and honeymoon.

Pre-Wedding Festivities

Although it’s generally the family and friends who pay for all the pre-wedding parties, it’s not uncommon for engaged couples to chip in if not fully pay for certain festivities like the rehearsal dinner and bachelor/bachelorette parties. If you’re spending more than you’d like on your wedding, then you might really want to cut back expenses when it comes to the pre-nuptial events.  The good news is that you will find lots of ways to cut corners without cutting the fun! First tip: keep all your parties on the small side. Invite your family, close friends, and, of course, bridal parties.  Another smart tip is to plan a more casual rehearsal dinner.  Instead of holding the event at your favorite Italian restaurant, stay home and serve pizza or lasagna.  If you’re planning on keeping the wedding on the smaller side, then you’ll probably want to splurge a little on at least one party, perhaps the bachelorette party?  Gather your bridesmaids and fly out to Las Vegas or Miami for the weekend where you can indulge in  a little shopping, spa time, and of course catch up with your friends.

Honeymoon

One reason many couples choose to save on their wedding expenses is so they can afford their dream honeymoon, and depending on what your vacation plans are,  it is a smart idea. That said, you don’t want to splurge a big chunk of your savings into one trip so make sure you keep these savvy tips in mind. Figure out what is most important (hotel, dining, nightlife, or shopping) and keep that in mind when planning your trip. If accommodations are the most important, then you’ll want to spend more on your hotel stay. If your budget dictating your honeymoon, try to book an all-inclusive trip which includes airfare, hotel, dining, and entertainment for one low price.

Almost everyone plans their wedding on a budget.  While most of us dream of a huge wedding inside a grand palace with a live orchestra playing the wedding march, we soon realize our modest incomes and have to plan something within reasonable finances. That is not to say that you have to cut back on everything! It is perfectly acceptable to splurge on one or two things, especially on things you deem mandatory. Find out below on what is worth splurging on and what is worth saving on.

The Bride

Many brides spend a big portion of wedding costs on the dress and/or shoes. Even though it may seem a little frivolous to some to spend so much on something you only plan on wearing once it your life, but if the wedding gown makes you feel like a million bucks then it is definitely worth it. What to save on? Add a little bit of sentiment by borrowing a few jewels from your mom or grandmother.

The Reception

When it comes to planning your wedding reception there are so many ways to splurge and save that it is really up to you (and your fiance) to figure out when to budget and when to save.  First off, you need to figure out what is the most important to you.  Do you want an exquisite meal served at your wedding? Is the answer is yes, then you might want to splurge on catering.  Do you want your professional wedding photos in a photojournalistic format? Then splurge on a top-notch wedding photographer. Whatever is most important to you will probably be the thing you want to splurge.

Stay tuned for part 2 of When To Splurge, When To Save.

Every bride-to-be has a vision of how she wants to look on her big day.  From the perfect updo to flawless makeup to elegantly manicured nails, you can achieve it all on your wedding day, even if you’re under a tight budget. Here are the top beauty tips you can really use on your big day!

1- Keep The Hair Relaxed.

Unless you’re getting married in the Buckingham Palace, there is no need to come up with an elaborate updo for your big day.  Instead, take a cue from your everyday look! Do you have long curly locks? Keep the curls frizz free with a anti-frizz serum and style your hair into a loose chignon.  If your hair is short and sleek, gently tease your hair at the crown for a little volume, and then use a light hairspray to hold your hair in place. Add a pretty barrette on the side to give the look something special. Consult your hairstylist for more ideas.

2- Hire A Makeup Artist For Your Big Day

Don’t worry about your makeup; hire a professional makeup artist to do your wedding day makeup. Make sure you meet up with the makeup artist at least a month in advance, and ask if they can show you samples of their work. Even better, ask a recently-married friend is she used a professional makeup artist and if so, would she recommend the makeup artist to a friend?

3- Keep Your Nails Polished

Forget bright colors, keep your nails simple yet elegant. Get your nails done at a professional nail salon at least a few days before your wedding. Think simple nail colors or a classic French manicure. You’ll want something that looks timeless and elegant, not trendy and dated.

Traditionally, the bridal shower was a small pre-wedding get together that the bridesmaids would throw for the bride-to-be. They would invite family and friends who would shower the bride with domestic gifts such as dishes, bedding, towels, and small kitchen appliances. Unlike most of the pre-wedding festivities, the bridal shower was basically a gift-giving extravaganza and that concept hasn’t change much.  What has changed? Everything else! Today’s bridal showers are themed events, chock-full of fun games, and oftentimes include the groom.  Before you(or your bridesmaids) start planning a bridal shower, take these tips into account!

1- Decide Who Plans It

There is nothing wrong with letting your maid of honor or bridesmaids take the entire task of planning your bridal shower, but these days almost anyone can take part in planning.

2- Dream Up and Finalize The Plan

Start by selecting a theme. A few great ideas include an afternoon tea party, complete with several varieties of hot tea and plates full of European-style pastries and cookies.  Or, make it a movie night and indulge in your favorite chick flicks while munching on popcorn, candy, and soda. If you’d rather have a couples shower, then plan a theme that appeals to everyone like a bowling night at a local bowling alley or maybe a potluck picnic party.  The possibilities are endless as long as you can budget the party. Buy a party planner or notebook in which you can store all your lists, budget plans, and more.

3- Complete Your Bridal Registry Beforehand

The bridal shower usually is eight to six months before the wedding, so that should give you plenty of time to finish adding things to your registry list. Make sure to mention where you’ve registered on the bridal shower invitations and not the wedding invitations.

This is part two and the conclusion of Wedding Etiquette Myths Debunked. Last week  I discussed issues like who pays for the wedding, whether should you invite everyone you know, and if you should cover the guests hotel accommodation expenses.  Read below for more wedding myths debunked.

6- In The Age Of Modern Technology, Thank-You Notes Are Not Necessary.

The time and energy spent on selecting the perfect gift hasn’t changed, and neither should the time and energy spent on crafting a thank-you note.  But that doesn’t mean you should send out pre-made thank-you notes either. Instead, buy a box of  fine stationary or blank thank-you cards, and write up a heart-felt letter to show your appreciation for the gift.

7- Couples of Different Faiths Should Choose One Faith To Base The Ceremony On.

Since a wedding is all about unity, it would only make since to combine both your religious beliefs and traditions into the ceremony.  Make sure that you discuss your plans and traditions with your fiance beforehand and find out if your church/synagogue/other house of worship can acommodate.

8- All Bridesmaids Must Be Female

This rule is as outdated as the rule that states that the bride must be given away by her father.  If you’re a bride and your best friend (other than your fiance) happens to be male, there is nothing wrong making him a bridesman or even a man of honor.

9- If You Can’t Afford Serving Drinks At The Wedding, Offer A Cash Bar

There is nothing more tacky than asking the guests at your wedding to pay for their own cocktails and wine.  If you can’t afford a bar at your wedding, then serve the basics: beer, alcohol, and non-alcoholic drinks. Another option is to offer a cocktail hour before the meal is served, and then serve wine with the meal.

The typical bridesmaid dress has come a long way from the pink poofy gown. Today’s styles are often shorter and much more chic. Today’s bridesmaid dresses come in a rainbow in hues including muted and classic shades, and thanks to the current trends in bridesmaid dresses, selecting the right style of bridesmaid dresses has never been more fun! Lets take a closer look at some of the most current trends and how to make them work for you.

A-Line Dresses The most universally flattering trend is the a-line dress. This silhouette works on all body types so it should be relatively easy to find a dress that everyone can agree on.

Strapless Dresses Another hot trend for bridesmaid dresses is the strapless look.  Whether the dress is short and sweet or long and elegant, this style is sure to be a favorite that they might wear again! A few things to keep in mind when selecting a strapless style — try to find  dress with a little bit of embellishment or detail like a sash in a contrasting tied at the waist and steer clear from dresses that are too short or bright. You want the eyes on you, not your bridesmaids!

Knee Length Skirts Long skirts are beautiful but can sometimes overwhelm the short bridemaids, and short skirts are too casual for most weddings- thats why knee length skirts are so popular! They are long enough without overpowering the bridesmaid wearing the gown.  Dress with knee length skirts are also appropriate and chic for women of all ages from 12 to 60.

Selecting and wearing your dream gown is almost half as fun as the wedding itself. Flipping through bridal magazines, trying on dozens of beautiful gowns, selecting the perfect shoes and accessories– it kind of makes you feel like you’re living in a fairy tale. That is…until you see the price tag. No need to worry or pay more than you can afford, here are just a few ways to save money on a gorgeous gown that you will love!

1- Consider A Second-Hand Wedding Gown
Why pay an extraordinary price for a dress that you will only wear once? There are more than a dozen websites that specialize in second-hand designer dresses for a fraction of the original price. Now you can buy your dream dress and save money for things that really matter, like your honeymoon!

2- You Could Also Wear Your Mother’s Wedding Dress
Now here’s an idea your mother will love. Wearing the same wedding dress she wore on her big day is a great way to add a little sentiment and meaning to your big day, but its also a smart way to save money considering you’re wearing her dress gratis. You could also consider wearing the same dress your grandmother or great-grandmother wore.

3- Get Creative With Any White Dress You Love
There is no rule that you have to wear a long white poufy ball gown, especially if you don’t want to. You could wear any dress you want to, as long as its comfortable, makes you feel special, and is something you can actually imagine walking down the aisle in. So go ahead and wear that knee-length white silk dress that costs just $50 off the rack.

4- Shop For Your New Gown At A Specialty Discount Shop
It could be a bridal chain (e.g. David’s Bridal) or a designer discount warehouse. Only one caveat– what you save in price, may also sacrifice in service and frills, so decide what is more important to you.

Choosing the perfect hairstyle for the big day really depends on a few things, including your personal taste, the vision or theme of the wedding, and your entire look. Traditional brides often choose a classic chignon, bohemian brides often opt for long romantic waves, and uptown brides prefer elegant up-dos. Once you settle on a hair style that complements the dress and veil, you’ll probably want to try re-creating the hairstyle a few times before the actual big day. This can be done with the help of a professional hairstylist or your friend. Still haven’t found your ideal look? Here are some top tips for inspiration!

1- Find A Style That Works With Your Hair
If you’ve got long curly locks, then maybe a super straight and sleek up-do isn’t such a good idea, at least for your wedding day. The ideal hairstyle should not only make you feel beautiful, but it also should complement the style and texture of your hair. The last thing you need to worry about on your wedding day is your hair frizzing out.

2- Consider A Half-Updo
Can’t decide between an up-do or leaving your hair down? Try a half-updo! This look is relatively easy to create and maintain. It’s also a romantic style that works with virtually all hair types and textures.

3- Trade The Veil For Accessories
Instead of covering up your glamorous hairstyle, why not play it up with a tiara, pretty comb or barrette? Don’t just use any hair accessory, you want something with timeless elegance. Choose just one accessory and make sure it complements the rest of your jewelry. And if you do opt for a hair accessory, remember to keep the rest of jewelry minimal.

Your bridesmaids are always there for you. From helping you select the perfect pair of heels to addressing and mailing the invitations to just lending an ear when you need to vent, your bridesmaids are donating time, patience, and sometimes money. Planning a wedding is no easy task for you, your fiancé, or anyone else involved in the planning and production.  While it’s always a good idea to buy your maid-of-honor and bridesmaids a gift to thank them, why not go the extra mile and do something special for your bridesmaids? Read below for ideas.

1- Ditch The Cookie-Cutter Dress
No bridesmaid wants to wear a large poofy frock that looks like a prom dress reject! It’s perfectly fine if you’d like to coordinate how the bridesmaids look on the big day, but your friends will thank you if you give them a little leeway in creativity. Select a shade and let them choose a dress that flatters them best. You even can make it a fun shopping day by hitting designer department stores and helping them find the perfect looks. You also could consider coordinating separates so each woman can find a style that works for her.

2-Plan A Girls-Only Getaway
Get away from all things wedding and go spend a weekend at a spa retreat or maybe a road trip. A small trip will refresh everyone and re-establish the bonds of your friendship. Plan this a few months of advance and surprise them with a fun trip.

3- Fufill A Dream
If your maid-of-honor or bridesmaids go beyond the extra mile for you, why not consider a gift certificate for the experience they’ve always dreamed of? Has she always wanted to learn how to cook French cuisine? Sign her up for a gourmet food class. Does she dream of surfing the waves? Give her a gift certificate for a surfing lesson.  Although these types of gifts are often on the pricey side, they are the most memorable.

As any engaged couple and wedding planner know, planning a wedding is a time-consuming activity. Unfortunately for some brides-to-be, planning a wedding can consume much more than time. There are a few smart moves to make to make this process easier and more manageable.

1- Plan From A Realistic Point Of View