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.

Blue waters, sandy shores, warm climate….these are just a few reasons why most engaged couples opt to plan a beach or island getaway for their honeymoon. While there is nothing wrong with spending an extended weekend on a exotic Caribbean Island, you can save money and time by vacationing closer to home. From coast to coast, America was blessed with some beautiful coastal cities and towns that are definitely worth looking into, read below for three ideas.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
A true resort town, Myrtle Beach offers plenty of fun in the form of beaches and amusements! Imagine spending a morning on a mini-golf course, working on your suntan in the afternoon, and then catching a live show after dinner. Make it extra special and rent a luxury condo for a week (many condos start at $100 a week during off season).

Miami, Florida
Glitz and glamour on the beach, Miami has it all from high end boutiques, celebrity hot spots, cultural museums, fabulous restaurants, and, of course, beaches! Take your pick from the various suburbs and neighborhoods in and around the vicinity. If you want nightlife, stay in South Beach (SoBe), and if you’re craving a lower-key experience, then head to Coconut Grove. No matter where you stay, though, make sure you spend at least half of your vacation beachside or at the very least spend one night in a swank South Beach resort for the ultimate Miami experience.
Newport, Rhode Island

Most people don’t think of the beach when they think of Rhode Island, but Newport is a treasure. Instead of crowded beaches and high rise hotels, Newport offers a quiet and low-key experience that honeymooners will appreciate. From walking on the beach, take a sailing excursion, or tour a mansion- you’ll find plenty of sights to see.  If you want a little fun in the sun, don’t miss Easton’s Beach, which features a fun carnival atmosphere with a carousel and snack bar!  For the full Newport experience, stay in of the many romantic bed and breakfast inns where you can chat with the owners and get some handy tips on how to make the most of your small-town Newport visit.

Not every engaged couple is going to want fine china, crystal, and a new blender. Many  a couple these days don’t spend much time in the kitchen, and even less time actually cooking. Why make a list of gifts that will probably end up collecting dust in the pantry? If a gift registry is not your (nor your fiance’s) thing, then what options do you have? Aside from asking for money (not a bad idea once you know how to phrase it well), there are more creative options out there.

1. Ask Them to Chip in for Honeymoon Expenses
The whole wedding is pricey, and so is the honeymoon. Why not let them help pay for the romantic getaway of your dreams? With website like Buy Our Honeymoon, you easily can make a list of experiences, accommodations and more. Then your family and friends can select what they want to pay for, which saves you more money in the long run.

2. Have Them Donate to a Meaningful Charity
Perhaps you and your fiance are involved in a charity that means a lot to both of you. Why not politely ask guests to donate money to your preferred charity in your honor? This is truly a gift that keeps on giving, plus they can donate a little or a lot. The I Do Foundation is just one website specializing in charity registries.

3. Ask Them to Purchase the Big Picture
If what you really want is a new couch, who says that a new piece of furniture or maybe a new kitchen appliance doesn’t make a great gift? Now, since these are probably the most expensive and largest of gift idea, you might ask for everyone to pitch in together to purchase that big screen television or new china hutch.

4. Money Is Always Welcome
If you really need financial assistance or just would like to start a saving account, then make sure the word gets out that you would like financial gifts.  One method includes mentioning this on your wedding website, but word of mouth is always best!

Part three (the final conclusion to my Wedding Budget Series)  will show you how to save money for and during your honeymoon. After the long awaited celebration called a wedding, you and your spouse want and need a little R and R. But like everything else wedding related, you have to budget for this. Luckily you’ve got plenty of options and tools to help you plan and book your dream honeymoon, and I am here to share some great tips for budgeting your dream honeymoon. Here they are.

1- Go all-inclusive and pay a package price for the airfare, hotel, meals, and entertainment.  Best off all, many of these resorts have it all in one location, which means you won’t have to rent a car (unless, of course, you want to do some sightseeing or shopping). Some packages even throw extras like free wine, dinner, or massages. Ask before you book.

2- Stay close to home. If you live in the northeast, consider New York City, Martha’s Vineyard, Philadelphia, or Boston. If you live in the west, maybe you should vacation in the Grand Canyon, Los Angeles or Las Vegas.  Not only will you save on airfare, you also will save yourself from having to renew or obtain a passport.

3- Consider a honeymoon registry where your friends and family can chip in to pay for your honeymoon. This is an extraordinary idea if you want to stay in the Caribbean, Pacific Islands, or Europe. Check out TheBigDay.com or Honeymoon Wishes to get started.

4- Seek a travel agent that specializes in the area you want to stay. Sure you have to pay, but a smart agent will not only save you money, they often will give savvy tips on how to snag perks and freebies during your honeymoon. Who couldn’t use that?

5- Use these two little words that can save you money, “We’re newlyweds!”. Now this is no guarantee to anything, but you could receive a few discounts or freebies by just mentioning these two words.

When it comes to packing for your honeymoon, you may have stars in your eyes but don’t let your excitement cause you to forget something important such as your passport! Here are some suggestions for packing for your dreamy honeymoon with your new spouse.

Make sure you keep all of your valuables with you at all times in your purse or carry-on luggage. This means your passport, camera, cell phone, jewelry, your glasses and your medication. It is also wise to pack at least one change of clothes (or perhaps just a pair of underwear, socks and a shirt) in your carry-on in case your luggage does not arrive at your destination at the same time that you do. It is also smart to have some toiletry items and your cosmetics in your carry-on for the same potential reason.

When choosing what clothes to bring, coordinating solids are your best bet. Leave your clothes with prints and patterns at home. Think simple and basic. Pack clothes that are wrinkle-resistant. Examples of these are microfibers such as Lycra, spandex, nylon and Tencel (or blends of such). If you will be honeymooning in a warm location, then pack more light colored fabrics than dark. While light colored materials do tend to show stains much more readily than dark colors, they are also cooler.

Bring versatile footwear that can be worn with more than one outfit, but make sure your shoes will be comfortable. If possible, bring shoes that can be worn for more than one occasion. Do not bring shoes (or clothing) on your honeymoon that has never been worn before.

Instead of folding your clothing in your suitcase, roll it. This allows more room and also cuts down on any wrinkles in your clothing. To save on space, place your socks and pantyhose inside of your shoes when you pack them.

When buying luggage for your honeymoon, buy two separate bags instead of one big one for the two of you to share. You might want to place a few items of yours in his suitcase and vice versa in the unfortunate event that one of the two bags gets lost in transit or is delayed. This also prevents either one of you from hurting your back when moving the suitcase from one place to another. Whatever you do, always buy luggage that has wheels! This is with the exception of your carry-on luggage.

Enjoy your honeymoon!

When it comes to planning your wedding you want to find information anytime, anywhere, and fast. That is the beauty of the Internet. You can find the latest styles of bridal gowns and other wedding attire with the click of a mouse. However, Google isn’t without flaws, and searching for local vendors can become a bit tricky if your sole reliance is on a search engine. That is why websites that specialize in weddings are probably your best bet!  All your information, one website. Here are the best wedding information sites.

The Knot.com
Chances are you’ve seen (and maybe even purchased) a local edition of The Knot Magazine, but the website version is much more comprehensive, as they offer a mix of local resources, wedding ideas from recent brides, honeymoon information, and more. Essentially The Knot’s website is a wedding portal. They also have videos and a community with message boards.

Brides.com
Like The Knot.com, Brides.com is a wedding portal owned by a magazine (well, in their case, three including Brides, Modern Bride, and Elegant Bride). The highlights of this website include their Essential Guide, which are easy-to-follow guides to help you plan everything from selecting a wedding gown to planning a destination wedding. And, as an added bonus, the Wedded Bits Blog is chock-full of fascinating and useful wedding information.

Weddings from About.com
Now this is not a website per se, it is a section of the larger About.com information search portal. Here you will find plenty of interesting articles and information tips from experienced experts on the topic. On this website you will find much more detailed information on planning the whole event.

In the end,  you will want to visit all three of these websites for the vast and varying  information that each one offers. Of all these websites, which one do you like the best?

Last week, I wrote a post about romantic honeymoons in the United States of America-this week is part 2 and the conclusion.  I’ve already mentioned beach getaways and big city vacations. In this post I include ski trips, all-inclusive vacations, and more. Read on for more ideas.

Are you looking for an adventurous winter getaway? Check out Colorado’s mountain ski town resorts, such as Aspen or Vail.  While there are plenty of ski towns in the state of Colorado, Aspen and Vail offer a mix of small town charm with modern luxuries, such as high end boutiques, nice resort hotels, and nightlife. In both cities you can ski, snowboard, ride a Snowcat, dogsled, and more. Another good resort town is Park City (in Utah) which is a lot like the former. You can choose from about  5 good ski resorts, including the stylish Deer Valley and the child-friendly Park City Mountain Resort, both of which are the most popular choices.

All-inclusive resorts aren’t just in the Caribbean, you can find a few good ones in the Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania. Stay at Caesars Poconos Resort or Penn Hills Resort where you pay one price for almost everything including hotel, food, entertainment, and activities. Caesars has several packages and special activities just for honeymooners. Both offer winter sport activities and golf as part of the package deal.

Looking to get away from it all and have a little fun? Go to Orlando, Florida- the land of theme parks including Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios. Better yet, spend some time in the actual city of Orlando, and discover some of the beautiful parks and other nature reserves around the area.

Another fabulous option, especially for wine connoisseurs, is to visit California’s wine country which includes Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino. Spend a few nights in a romantic B&B, tour various wineries during the day, and cap off your nights at a fabulous restaurant.

From small towns to big cities: the United States has it all. Why not stay here for your honeymoon?

After months and months of stressful wedding planning, a honeymoon is a relief. Jetting off to Europe or the Caribbean is something that most engaged couples look forward to. However, with the recent economic downturn, it seems that we now have to focus on budgeting for the honeymoon. A fun way to save money on your honeymoon is staying right here at home- the good ol’ United States of America. Here are some fabulously fun honeymoon destinations to consider.

If you crave a cosmopolitan beach getaway, consider Miami, which is a mix of glamorous nights on the town and sun-filled days on the beach. Stay at the newly renovated Fontaineblue, which used to be more of a hotel suited for the business crowd and now has become a hotel for partying with a  30,000 square foot nightclub.  Want to visit an island? Go island hopping in Hawaii: enjoy the beauty serenity of  Kaihalulu, which a hidden gem in Maui, the glitz of Honolulu, and learn to surf the waters off of Waimea Bay.

Some honeymooners want to escape to a big city where the culture, shopping, and nightlife is abundant. Visit New York City (also known as the Big Apple) for the best of everything a city has to offer. Check out the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), rent bikes and navigate your way through Central Park, and just revel in a city that is forever on the move. If you want to take the more hedonistic route, then head to Las Vegas.

Only in Vegas can you live like a rock star (stay at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino) and gamble all day if you want. You can take in a few good entertaining shows and relax at a spa- many of which are in your hotel).

Stay tuned for part two

of Honeymoons In The USA.

Destination weddings used to be what fairy tales were made of, but these days destination weddings are becoming more commonplace. Many resorts and hotels all over the world offer wedding packages that save you time and money, making the whole process that much easier. Whether you dream of getting hitched in the Caribbean or maybe back at home, here are some tips to consider when planning a far-flung locale.

Whether you’re getting married here in the United States or in another country, you need to get a valid marriage license to make it legal. Find out where and how to get the license before you start planning the wedding because each country has its own rules and regulations.

It is also a good idea to find out if your guests are going to plan to take the time and spend the money to come to the wedding, especially if it’s far away from home.

Research resorts not only to find the best deal, but to find out if they have the amenities you want, and what is included in the package deal. If you can, try to arrange a three-day getaway to evaluate the resorts or venues before you actually sign an agreement.

While you’re there, you will have to choose the vendors(caterer, florist, disc jockey, etc.) for the wedding locale. If you can, seek assistance in a local wedding planner, or take advantage of a wedding coordinator(if your resort offers one). They will help you with the planning and details of your destination wedding, and they also should help you add a little local flavor to the reception.

Keep the location in mind when shopping for your wedding gown. It wouldn’t be wise to wear a ball gown on the beach.

Don’t forget that you should arrive to the location at least several days early to finalize and prepare everything.

If you are a shoe lover, then making sure that the shoes you wear on your wedding day are just wondrous is of great importance. Before you attend the first fitting for your wedding gown, you should have picked out the shoes you plan to wear (or at least have an idea of which pair you plan to purchase).

The reason for this is because the heel height needs to be known before your dress is fitted. In that way, the gown can be altered in such a way that it will work well with the shoes you choose. You don’t want to trip on your walk down the aisle. That is one unpleasant memory that no bride wants to be left with!

Here are some important tips to keep in mind when you shop for your bridal shoes:

-If your wedding has a theme, then choose shoes that fit well with it. For example, a beach wedding might be the perfect time to don wedding flip flops.

-The season of your wedding is relevant as well. For example, sandal-like wedding shoes or strappy open-toed shoes are more appropriate for late spring or summer weddings as opposed to autumn or winter weddings.

-The most comfortable heel height for most brides is two inches or lower. Remember that you will be wearing these shoes for the duration of the ceremony and the reception. (Also, if your groom is not especially tall, then you do not want to tower over him!).

-White or ivory colored shoes are standard fare, as they are well matched for a wedding dress. However, depending on the time of year when you are getting married, it may not be easy to find a suitable pair of white shoes. As well, you might not be a fan of white and would prefer a little more color in your shoes. Metallics such as bronze, gold or silver are excellent alternatives. You also might want to choose a color that matches your wedding color, such as pastel pink or light blue. Dying your shoes is another option worth exploring.

-Add embellishments to your shoes, such as small flowers or lace if you like. However, make sure they will not interfere with your ability to walk!

-Light colored shoes tend to make the feet look larger. If you are bothered by your foot size, then select a wedding shoe with a rounded toe.