Archive for Weddings

Selecting the right wedding invitations and stationery is so important because that is what sets the tone for the wedding. You and your fiance should sit down and talk about both of your visions of the wedding and set a theme. If you haven’t already, then do so soon or at least before you start sending out the invitations. You will want the invitations to invoke the details of the wedding, which would include the theme and formality. When you purchase your invitations, you probably want to think about other stationery options like save-the-date cards, ceremony programs, and thank you cards. Lets take a look at all your options.

Save-The-Date Cards
Many engaged couples opt to send out save-the-date cards before the formal invitation to remind the guests of the upcoming nuptials. You send them out after you have the official date of the wedding but before the formal invitations are sent out. A save-the-date isn’t mandatory, but it is ideal for those who are planning a destination wedding. Be sure to send them at least 6 months before the wedding day or weekend.

Formal Invitations
After you’ve made the list, you can send out the formal invites about 6 to 8 weeks in advance. That should give invitees enough time to RSVP and let you know if they’ll be there. About three or two weeks before the big day, you should start to take the final count of how many people will attend.

Programs
Once you’ve got all the ceremony details, it’s time to start planning a program. The ceremony program usually outlines the important events in the order that will take place during the wedding. A proper program should include the full names of the couple, officiant, and wedding party.  Many couples also add song lyrics or hymns to give the program a personal touch, but it’s not mandatory.

Thank You Cards
You and your fiance will be showered with gifts, so it’s only fair to send thank you cards. Don’t wait until you receive all the gifts, instead send out a thank you card as each gift arrives-  send them within two weeks of receiving it. Don’t forget to take out the time to write a heartfelt message in the thank you card. Never send out a thank you card that lacks a personal, handwritten message from you or your fiance.

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Bachelor and bachelorette parties are most often held anywhere from one to three weeks before the wedding day. In most cases these pre-wedding events are hosted by the best man and the maid of honor respectively. They tend to be focused on the celebration of friendship as opposed to the celebration of family. With this said, should the parents of the bride and the groom be included on the guest list?

A bachelor party is a time when male bonding occurs. A bachelorette party also provides an opportunity for women to bond as friends in their own unique way. It is also a way for women to celebrate the upcoming union.

There are some men that decide to invite their fathers and/or their fathers-in-law to be to the bachelor party. The decision to do so rests on how the groom feels about this. Many men are nervous about having their future father-in-law at the party because they feel that they must be on their best behavior and must be more restrained than they would be otherwise. On the other hand, inviting the groom’s father may provide him with the chance to feel young again and to really cut loose!

Traditionally speaking, neither the mother of the bride nor the mother of the groom is invited to the bachelorette party. This pre-wedding bash is all about the bride and her closest female friends. It is the bridal shower held in the bride’s honor and not the bachelorette party that both mothers are invited to attend. The two events are different. A bachelorette party is an opportunity for the bride to let her hair down and to relax and have a good time with her closest gal pals. She may feel that this would not be possible if she were under the watchful (and sometimes very scrutinizing) eye of her mother or future mother-in-law.

When the guest list is drawn up for both parties the bride and groom should let the host/hostess know to whom they wish to extend invitations. The final decision to invite or not to invite parents to the bachelor/bachelorette parties rests with the bride and groom. Bear in mind that there are plenty of other opportunities for the parents to be a part of the joyous celebration of the marital union.

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Selecting your bridesmaids can be tough to do, particularly if you have a lot of close friends or come from a large family with a lot of sisters. Getting caught up in the excitement also can make you prone to selecting a maid of honor or bridesmaid that is less than par.  Being a bridesmaid is more than an honor, its also a big responsibility. That is why you cannot choose just anyone, and you certainly don’t want to choose someone who will let you down. How do you select your bridesmaids and maid of honor? Read on.

Stay Local
It just makes more sense to choose bridesmaids that live in your vicinity simply because staying in touch with them is easier, plus they are more able to help you out. But if you insist that your best friend who lives clear across the county become one of your bridesmaids, make sure that she knows and is more than willing to help out with her duties.

Try To Keep The Number Under 6
Choosing five or six bridesmaids is ideal for moderate to large weddings. If you’re having a smaller wedding, you might want to keep that number under three plus a maid of honor. The same applies to those under a strict budget, because having less bridesmaids means less flowers and attendant gifts to purchase. Choose a number wisely and stick with it.

Make Sure Your Bridesmaids Are Reliable
Don’t choose any of your fair-weather friends, and don’t choose anyone that you cannot trust. A bridesmaid (particularly a maid of honor) has to be someone who will help you through the tough times and remain a trusty ally when you’re struggling with wedding related issues.

Remember That You Don’t Have To Choose Your Relatives
Its okay if you don’t choose your sister as a bridesmaid, if you are not that close to her. The same applies to cousins, future in-laws and step-siblings. Only ask your closest relatives that you trust or your sister if you cannot imaging not having her by your side as you plan this dream day. Remember that reliability is still number one with family.

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Most engaged couples choose a spring or summer wedding, but there are still plenty of people who choose to get married during winter.  A winter wedding can be just as romantic as a summer one, perhaps even more so, not to mention that tying the knot off peak season thoroughly has its advantages, like off-peak discounts and the chance to coordinate your big day with a holiday, such as Christmas, New Year, or even Valentine’s Day! That said, there are a few disadvantages to be had, like selecting the floral and fauna. Fortunately, you still will find a lot of terrific ideas and options, even if you don’t live in Florida. Read on.

Go With the Classic Choices
Many of your favorite flowers are available in the winter. Go for the classic rose, the popular daisy, the unique snowball, or even the flower that’s not really a flower- the poinsetta. Other great options include tulips and jasmine. Talk with your local florist which are local and/or in season, so they can help you make a wise choice.

Have Fun with Color
While there may be an abundance of wedding flowers, the color choices? Not so much. But this is when creativity really pays off! If you’re going for a theme, of course you will want the flowers’ colors to reflect this. Regardless of choice, the hottest flower color choices include reds, deep purples, and creams/white. And don’t forget to add a touch of greenery with the flowers or décor; winter’s top picks in greenery include pine cones, holly, ivy, and magnolia leaves.

Add More Than Flowers to Your Centerpiece
Stretch your budget by incorporating other décor options for the centerpiece. Try candles- red or deep pink candles look fantastic for a Valentine’s wedding.  Or maybe try faux snow in vases for a holiday themed wedding.

Use Flowers That Have a Meaning
A flower is never a flower as each flower (and sometimes a certain color of flower) has a different meaning. Ivy means fidelity, a red rose means passion, and a purple tulip means royalty. If you want, choose a couple of flowers for your bouquet that mean something significant.

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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!

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There are many reasons to host your wedding at home (or perhaps at the house that belongs to your parents, relatives, or a close friend). For one thing, you will save quite a bit if you don’t have to pay extra for the ceremony and/or  reception locations. Another reason may be you want a rather small and intimate reception at home. Whatever the reason for your at-home wedding, there are some basic things to know that will help make planning this special day easier.

1- Make Sure Your House Is Ready
Other than the obvious like cleaning, make sure that there will be enough space for all your guests to move around and have a good time. If you know children will be attending, make sure that your home is child-friendly and take extra precautions for their safety. As always, make sure that there are at least several clean bathrooms and make sure that the guests know about them. If you don’t, see if you can rent a few extra portable bathrooms.

2- Enlist A Wedding Planner
If you’re planning to hold your nupitals at home, it would not hurt to hire a wedding planner to help assist you and to guide you through this process.

3- Check The Laws
Depending on where you live, it would be a smart idea to check with local ordinances to see if your house or yard need safety or fire inspections. Don’t forget to find out about your local laws on noise regulations. You might need to apply for a permit at least 6 to 9 months in advance.

4- Plan For The Inevitable
It happens. You finalize all the fine details and then something goes wrong either the day before or on the day of. While you cannot predict the future, it’s a good idea to come up with backup plans should such occasions arrive. Discuss various scenarios (like a rainstorm on the day of your backyard wedding) and come up with alternative plans. In the end, it is best to be prepared no matter what situations arrive.

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Part two of the Wedding Budget Series- the guide that gives you simple ways to save on everything wedding. Last week it was all about saving on the costs of the wedding reception. This week it’s all about saving on bridal gowns and attire for the wedding party.  Why pay full price for dresses and suits that everyone will only wear once?  Here are some tips that should save you valuable money.

• Are you seeking a wedding gown by a particular designer? Avoid eBay and search for a locally owned discount bridal boutique that specializes in designer gowns.  Try to ask recently married friends or a wedding planner for their recommendations.

• Looking for local consignment boutiques that specialize in used bridal gowns is another fabulous option. Once again, do your research before you purchase.

• Another good option is to purchase a beautiful  but simple wedding dress. A wedding dress made with silk organza is often a better budget option than an overly embellished dress.

• If you have to spend a lot on the wedding gown, then spend lightly on the accessories, like shoes and jewelry. If you’ve already got some beautiful pieces of jewelry, then feel free to wear them on your wedding day.

• Even though the wedding party generally pays for their own attire, shoes, and accessories- it would be a smart idea to keep their budgets in mind when choosing the outfits for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, and ring bearer. However, you are responsible for the flowers and boutonnieres.

• Try to check local tuxedo rental shops for discounted rentals for the groom and groomsmen. Sometimes, you’ll find special discounts when there are 4 or more rentals from the same shop.

Coming up next? Part 3 of the Wedding Budget Series:  Saving money on your honeymoon!

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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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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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