4
July
2009

In the current economy, a young couple tying the knot would do well to watch their purse strings.The wedding gown is the centerpiece of the bridal accessories, and perhaps the single most significant clothing purchase of your life. All the same, that doesn’t mean you’ve got to go into debt to look your finest. Today, affordable bridal gowns can be obtained by choosing vintage wedding dresses or shopping for discount bridal gowns online.

Assorted online shops abound with chances for a inexpensive wedding gown. Locating a winter wedding dress or plus size wedding gowns require a little more perseverance, but the lower demand for these items tends to keep the prices low.

A Cautionary Tale

A lot of Bridezilla stories have roots in a friend or family member overestimating their tailoring ability, and creating a generous but misestimated offer to sew a bridal gown from scratch.  The result can be an embarrassingly poor fit, the amateur seamstress feeling imposed upon, and in many cases, a permanent rift between longtime friends.

My bride to be friend picked out a sexy strapless wedding dress which complemented her well-endowed figure. The dress was part of an ensemble including a lace jacket which would provide a little more modesty, but $800 for the jacket alone seemed excessive.  I suggested that my 21-year-old daughter, who makes her own clothes, could make the jacket for $200.That constituted my first error.  

Once the bride turned up for the fitting, she did not bring the wedding dress (which was at the bridal shop being altered, so the jacket was outfitted over her street clothes.  After my daughter finished it the day before the wedding, it turned out to be so loose and ill fitting that the bride started crying and threw it away.  My daughter had already cached and spent the bride’s check, and made the excuses that she had never worked with lace before, and that the bride was at fault for failing to bring the wedding dress to the jacket fitting.

She wore the bridal gown without the jacket. I overheard a bridesmaid comment that she was worried the bride would pop out of the top of her dress. At my boyfriend’s encouragement, I ended up writing the bride a check for $200. It is difficult to specify who was at fault, but for the interest of a friendship I valued, I took on responsibility.


3
July
2009

Cheap Wedding Favors Under $2

Fridge Magnets

Fridge magnets don’t have to be tacky. They can be classy as well as humorous and you could even get customized ones. Tasteful fridge magnets make useful cheap wedding favors to be used at home or at the office. They are ideal favors for informal outdoor weddings when you want the tone to be casual and light-hearted.

 

Care should be taken to match the colors and designs in the magnets to the accent color and theme of your wedding. Remember that even the most casual wedding favors should include a ‘thank you’ for guests. You could attach a little card to the magnets that reads something like “Love attracts the best people. Thanks for sharing our special day with us. Megan and Max.”

 

Mints in Sheer Fabric

White net, mesh or organza squares filled with mints and then tied with ribbon are classic wedding favors, but they are also cheap and look nice on reception tables if you take care to gather the material attractively and use pretty ribbons.

 

You could tie a silver-colored metal bell on each end of a ribbon bow. Alternatively, ribbon roses or a silk flower that matches your wedding flowers could be used to decorate a ribbon tie around the neck of each bag of mints. Classic white round mints look appealing, yet are inexpensive.

 

Heart-Shaped Note Pads

Stacks of heart-shaped or heart-themed note pads wrapped in pretty, sheer fabric or organza bags tied with sheer ribbon make nice cheap wedding favors. You could use co-ordinating grosgrain ribbon to attach a heart shaped tag that reads: “Our hearts shape the day. Thanks for sharing our wedding with us. Emily and Collin.” You could also use an organza favor bag and/or have two heart-shaped cookie cutters hanging from the ribbon.

 

Seed Packets

Ideal for garden weddings, little flower pots or miniature watering cans with a few seed packages and maybe a mini garden tool make cute cheap wedding favors. Gauzy sheer ribbon in a pastel wedding accent color can be the perfect finishing touch. The thank you card you attach to the sheer ribbon could read: “Our love grows stronger every day. Thanks for sharing today with us. Vanessa and Shane.”

 

Pails of Candy

Miniature silver-colored or white metal pails with wire handles look just like tiny versions of the real thing. It’s fun to fill these little buckets with candy that matches the tone, color and theme of the wedding. For example, for more elegantly toned outdoor weddings, use white pails and include fancy foil-wrapped chocolates or truffles. Colorful gumballs or jelly beans are best for informal, light-hearted weddings. Tie a bow made from sheer or opaque ribbon on the handles and attach a small ‘Thank You’ card with narrower ribbon to complete these fun, cheap wedding favors.

 

Beautiful Boxes of Candy

Plain white favor boxes may be cheap, but they won’t look it if you dress them up with color-rich, beautiful bows made of sheer ribbon. You may want to add a silk flower to each bow or attach little charms found at craft stores. These cheap wedding favors can look pretty at each reception place setting. Add bulk wrapped candy inside each box and have the candy wrapper color coordinate with the ribbon color and your wedding colors.

 


2
July
2009

For many individuals, having a record of their wedding that is permanent is important, and they will hire a professional wedding photographer who can get the job done. Many people may be curious as to the costs of having professional level pictures taken.  Here is how the money gets divvied up when paying off these individuals.

Maybe you’ve heard of candid photos, which is a fancy way of saying regular pictures which are taking at both the wedding and reception.  These are usually put into albums.  These types of photos are usually put together not only for the couple themselves but also for the parents and some of the attendees.  Albums are a significant cost consideration when having pictures taken.

Albums are also another cost consideration that factors into wedding photography charges, with the best albums being made by Art Leather, Capri, and Leather Craftsmen.  These major brands of wedding albums come with a lifetime guarantee and the pictures are permanently affixed to the booklet.

The reason you may want to splurge and go all out and purchase one of these expensive wedding albums is that photographers who use vinyl albums with plastic covered pages will usually find that these pictures will be damaged as the years go on.  If you’re serious about preserving your wedding memories it is a good idea to go for a very expensive model of wedding album which will preserve a photographic record of your wedding forever.

Other individuals who want to preserve their wedding memories decide on digital albums, where photographs are printed directly onto the album itself, so there are very few expenses that a wedding photographer undergoes, and these types of albums can be produced en masse for wedding guests.

The third factor in wedding photography costs includes those pictures which are taken before the wedding like a bridal portrait.  In the South, bridal portraits will usually be taken about a month before the wedding starts.  Many couples also decide to have engagement portraits taken of themselves, and the two costs that will be incurred are fees for the session and fees to have the photographs developed.

A sitting fee is a charge for the photographers time, and the print charges are the actual costs that it will cost in order to have the pictures edited and developed.  So how much in fees does a wedding photography pro charge?  It really depends on quality and a amateur can be had for a couple hundred dollars while a professional photographer with a reputation can charge more than five figures. $1500 would be a good average price. Keep in mind that you will almost always get what you pay for, but try not to go overboard. A professional photographer for under $1500 will usually do you just fine.

To find out more about Wedding Musician take a look at my Wedding Reception web site.

 


1
July
2009

Plan to get out of town and do the preparations to make sure everything is a lot of fun for everyone.Todays couples like the idea of marrying out of town. Why not get married close to where the honeymoon will be.  If you plan on doing this there are some things that you will want to think about including how you will get friends and family there to share your big day with you, how you will carefully transport your wedding jewelry and attire, and how you will securely store your wedding jewelry during your stay.  All of this may take some effort, but it is worth it if you really want to get married away from home. 

Getting your friends and family to the site may be something that you want to think about.You may not be able for to pay to get everyone at the out of town site , so invite everyone but tell them that you will understand that they may not be able to attend the wedding.If Somebody shows up, Why not ask for their assistance to help with the transportation of your dress and wedding jewelry. 

If your friends do come they can definitely help you out with the security of your things.Carrying your dress means that you will want to be careful so pack everything carefully in boxes to make sure everything looks terrific when you need it.  Wedding jewelry should definitely be carried with you on airplanes, trains, or any commercial transportation system.  This is the safest way to carry anything with value, as you probably well know. 

If your friends and family will be coming for the ceremony and then going home before you, you may want to entrust your wedding jewelry to them when they go home.  This will allow you to not focus on the safety of your jewelry during your honeymoon; instead you can focus on your honeymoon as well you should be!  If you cannot do this, you should definitely check your jewelry and other valuables into the hotel safe to ensure that you can have a good time and keep your things safe!  Getting married away from home requires a lot of thought about what seems like simple things, but for most it is worth it!


29
June
2009

Bridal shower favors are addition crucial factor for your bridal shower. Bridal shower favors are souvenirs given to the bridal shower guests in order to appreciate their coming to a bridal shower. If you are in doubt what to select for your future bridal shower favors, just check at the information below.

Bridal Shower Favors on a Budget

Excessive or pricey bridal shower favors is not a necessitate. Uncomplicated bridal shower favors are welcomed and wanted since you need to think about your budget. You could buy several fun unusual gifts at the Dollar Store. Perfumed candles are always a welcome favor; almost everyone realizes the quality of aromatherapy. Be careful; guests who are affective to scents or chiefly sensitive may not welcome a bridal shower favor that is scented.

A beautiful notebook with a special new pen - a journal - is another great bridal shower favor idea. You could write a unsusual note on the first page of each guest’s journal, telling them how much you appreciated their coming to the party.

Bridal Shower Favors Guests Can Eat

If you want yummy bridal shower party favors, you could give bridal shower cookies and cupcakes. You are able to make or buy sugar cookie dough and use cookie cutters to shape your bridal shower favors
based on your bridal themes: cakes, rings, gowns, tuxedoes, and umbrellas. You may also beautify cupcakes in the color scheme of the wedding. To reflect your bridal shower theme, you can discover colorful toppers to place on the top of your cupcakes, or get a little bride and groom to top each cupcake, just like on a real wedding cake.

Fun Bridal Shower Favors

You could also create the other fun bridal shower favors. Such as you could also give special traditional statue, traditional fan, or magnet in various shapes as your bridal shower favors. If you are able to make the bridal shower favors by yourself, any idea would be accepted too.

You should give the bridal shower favors to your guests when they are about to disappear, on their way out the door. If not, your guests will have to bring their bridal shower favors around with them throughout the whole shower.

Modified Gifts

To sum up, bridal shower favors is a kind of important souvenir given to your guests as the symbol of your thanks for their coming. You could choose one out of those ideas above. To prepare your bridal shower elements, you could also ask for advice from a professional. Okay, it is the time to enjoy deciding the most suitable bridal shower favors for your special day. Have fun!

Thus, does the above-mentioned information still not satisfy your need in knowing about bridal shower favors? Explore more the suitable information herein!


28
June
2009

The big question is… wedding ribbon kinds used?

Your wedding favors will surely be finished with ribbon in some form or another. But with such a wide choice of ribbon & wedding favor ribbon available, how do you go about choosing the right one for your favors? Well, the main thing to consider is how a particular ribbon will accentuate your finished favors & how will they compliment your favors decorative style.

Here are 11 different styles of ribbon to consider for your personalized wedding ribbon:

0. Double faced beaded edge satin ribbon is the most popular personalized ribbon to use for wedding favors by far. When Specialtyribbon.com was asked what their most popular personalised ribbon was, this was their number 1 choice. Next there is…

1. Curling ribbon - An inexpensive option which is usually available in 500 yard rolls. You will get a wide choice of colors & finishes such as metallic & pearlized, as well as a choice of widths. It is very versatile & is particularly good for attaching tags & bows to wedding favors. Popular with florists, it is called curling ribbon because if you drag a scissor blade down it it will curl in to little ringlets.

2. Gingham ribbon - This is great for adding some color & a touch of vintage charm to your guest wedding favors. There is a choice of colors & widths so you can match it to your wedding theme.

3. Grosgrain ribbon - This stylish ribbon is finely woven & has a ribbed feel to it. It is very versatile & its textured finish means it holds it shape, such as bows, really well.

4. Jute ribbon - A natural looking ribbon with an open weave. Most commonly available in a neutral color, but more colors are becoming available. It is ideal for tying to bottles, bags & around boxes. It is also a nice choice for adding charms & tags to your wedding favors.

5. Organza ribbon - Probably the most widely used ribbon for wedding favors. It is remarkably versatile & available in a wide range of colors & width. You will also find versions with wired edges which will hold there shape once tied. This type of ribbon looks very pretty tied around favor boxes & finished in a bow.

6. Raffia ribbon - For a natural look choose raffia. This straw like ribbon looks lovely tied in a knot with the ends left loose. Perfect for casual & relaxed weddings alike.

7. Sheer ribbon - Similar to organza ribbon & another popular choice for wedding favors. It is very soft & easy to tie, but can be pricey.

8. Swiss satin ribbon - A very elegant ribbon to finish boxed wedding favors.

9. Velvet velour ribbon - Use velvet ribbon for a traditional feel. It is perfect for a Christmas themed wedding & looks lovely adorning wedding favors in bows.

10. Tulle ribbon - Again similar in style to organza & sheer ribbon but more cost effective. Tulle is very soft & will pleat & shape easily.

These are just a few of the many types of wedding favor ribbon available. Take just as much care & thought into selecting the right ribbon as you did when you picked your wedding favors & their packaging. Your wedding favors should be as memorable for the outer covering & presentation as they are for the favor itself.

Personalised ribbon and  guest wedding favors, wedding gifts and personalized wedding favors combined makes your wedding reception a memorable one.

 


28
June
2009

Wedding favors for creating your own unique wedding favor style.
Are you are having a traditional wedding, then you are probably looking for traditional packaging for your wedding favors. It is important never to overlook the packaging for your wedding favors, no matter what the style of your theme wedding. The perfect packaging will create your wedding theme or style & will add a personal touch to your wedding favors. Beautifully presented favors make for memorable keepsakes for your reception guests.

When thinking about wedding favor packaging it is small boxes that will immediately come to mind. These are available in a range of styles, shapes & sizes. You will also find them made from a range of materials such as printed or textured card & transparent plastic, some boxes can be personalized. They are widely available & most favor stores will carry a wide range to choose from, often with choices in color & size.

Wedding favors that are best suited to put in these boxes range from candies to chocolates, bracelets to cufflinks. The trick is to purchase your wedding favors before you choose your packaging. We’ve found that specialtyribbon.com does a good job in pricing their wedding favors.

Another way to present your guest wedding favors is with pretty tulle nets. This works best for chocolates, almonds or candies, but could also be used for small candles. These nets are circular & after placing your favors in the middle you simply gather the tulle up & tie with ribbon. There is an art to getting these to look right, but if you get it right they look fantastic. Don’t worry though if you feel they are beyond your capabilities, as you will find people online or maybe at your local bridal store who can put them together for you.

Other ways to present your favors include wrapping them in pretty papers, satin or organza wraps or even sinamay envelopes. Experiment with wrapping your wedding favors in pretty handmade papers with ribbons & a personalized tag to finish, this usually produces an elegant & stylish favor. Items which are probably best wrapped this way include almonds, fortune cookies, cookies & wine bottles.

If you wanted to present your favors in a really unique way then try bottles or jars. These are relatively inexpensive when bought in bulk & provide your guests with a useful container long after the favor has gone. Best suited to edible favors such as candies, chocolates or preserves, but you could use them for things such as bath salts, loose tea or coffee & even liquid soaps. You will find bottles in a range of shapes & sizes as well as finishes such as textured glass, colored glass & transparent or opaque versions. Another trend these days is to go green or eco-friendly wedding favors that may be such things as personalized seed packets, your guests bring them home and they are plantable.

 

Your choice of packaging will enhance the beauty & unique wedding favors so you should take some time & thought over your final choice.


26
June
2009

A marriage ceremony is truly a once in a lifetime event. If you are a best man of this special day, then it’s certainly a huge pleasure and privilege in your part. You will be given a unique project for this event and that is to deliver a best man toast. If you feel like you reached dead end when it comes to preparing your best man speech, you can always turn to the Internet for some great resources on how to prepare.

It is a good thing that you can find useful information online when you want to get help in preparing a best man speech. But it is important that you add your own personal touch on your speech. Do not duplicate the entire best man speech sample that you find online. Add your personal feelings and style.

If you are having trouble getting started, you can also check online for some best man speech samples. This would simply teach you how to prepare your own speech. You can also check out some questionnaires that would be useful in creating your own best man speech. For example, you may be asked, “what are the special times that you shared with the bride/ groom”, “what is your message for them?” There are various tactics on how you can write a best man speech. You can make a funny one or you can deliver something classic. However, what is important is that you speak from the heart and give your own advice to the couple

Another thought that can help you is to use some best man wedding jokes. You can find a handful of these on the Internet too. You can find something short and romantic and share it to the couple and the audience. You can also find funny wedding poems that can help you get a few laughts during the event.

The moment you find a high-quality best man speech sample, the next step is to alter it so it becomes very special and something that’s really from your heart. Do not forget that these examples should only serve as your guide. Read your speech again and again and practice saying it so that you are confident on the day of the wedding.


25
June
2009

A golf themed wedding should be as simple or elegant as you choose. Even though you want to enjoy the golf, you don't have to give up enjoying to special feeling of wearing a white gown. It means that the traditional long flowing train and a full skirt is probably not a very good coice. Rather, a simple straight elegant white dress that allows you to easily move with a detachable train would be the best possible choice for your gown, especially if you're going to swing a club as part of your ceremony. Use special bridal jewelry to enhance the simple elegance of your dress. Imagine the reflections off the crystal in the sun, or pearl accessories for the gown.

 

Perhaps, you want to have your wedding be more informal, and then the choice of clothing is simple. A white golf outfit for the bride and bridesmaids' outfits that match the wedding colors are the best selection. Dress up a white visor with a veil and beads and that's all you will need for the wedding. The groom should stand out from the crowd, perhaps with the addition of a tie to his golf attire. Don’t forget to add elegance by donning  special crystal wedding jewelry purchased just for this special day. You can use the savings from your dress that will allow you to give great wedding jewelry gifts to your wedding party.

 

The wedding can be on the course, if it’s allowed, and the reception right in the clubhouse. If you want to step up the elegance, and price, consider a vacation site for your golf wedding. Las Vegas golf resorts have a range of prices that will fit any budget and the cost spectrum is similar to the costs of most other types of weddings. Some provide bundled deals that can provide you with considerable savings. If you want to up the ante, consider places like the hotel at Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Banff, Canada. The beauty of the golf course with the contrast of the beautiful Canadian moutains in the background is even more enchanting with the hotel that looks like a scottish castle. It is nearly impossible to find a comparable setting with such a scenic impact. For guests who are not golfers, there are excursions to the glacier and also a trip on a gondola up the mountainside which is a real special treat if the wildflowers are blooming.

 

The reception can be the most fun to plan for this type of wedding. Why not choose special golf gifts for the guests? They will add to the theme. A golf ball with your names and wedding date is one way to catch the eye of everyone that walks through the door. Golf tees with your names and the date is also a great way to have everyone have a remembrace of the event that they will appreciate. Delightful chocolate golf balls and mints in golf themed tins are another way to make sure that your guests never forget your special day.

 

If you have the reception at the club, normally they handle the food. You can keep with the golf them with a catered reception outside if you like you would like to be outside. You can choose to have a meal or keep it simple with finger food that the crowd can carry with them on the course. There's no use wasting a perfectly sunny day sitting inside while a day of golf is only a few steps away. If you are serving alcoholic drinks, you should have a special champagne punch and a few drinks a lot of people will like as well as some beer. Don't forget to have enough champagne for a toast to the bride and groom. Use a couple of golfers as a topping on your wedding cake or have a topping that has a golf club or golf bag. Take time to enjoy your reception and then play your first round of golf as a married twosome.


24
June
2009

Handcrafted Bridal Jewelry

As soon as the excitement of the engagement annoucement has calmed down, it is time to begin the wedding plans. If you are like most people, you may have set a budget for what you plan to spend on your wedding. Among the many things to consider, it is important that couples start shopping for wedding jewelry as early as possible. Even if you are not prepared to make a purchase right away, an early start will give you lots of time to explore your options. Additionally, you will have time to adjust your budget if your initial one is unrealistic.

 

Many couples have attested to the fact that having a wedding takes a lot of careful planning. Memories of the jewelry will outlast other items purchased for the wedding. This is why shopping for bridal jewelry takes time and careful consideration. If you are working from a tight budget, an early start will be a big advantage. Starting early gives couples the advantage of having plenty of time to get the best prices. Couples who wait until the last minute run the risk of exceeding their budget by making hasty decisions.

 

Weddings can be quite expensive depending on the location and the style. Statistically, the average couple spends approximately $28,000 on their wedding. Of this $28,000, approximately $2000 is spent on wedding jewelry. One factor in planning a wedding is to determine how much you are willing to spend. After determining how much you are willing to spend you should then determine how much you could actually afford to spend. There is a marked difference between the two. Setting a budget will allow couples to set reasonable boundaries and avoid post-wedding debt.

 

Before making any purchases, couples should do a little comparison-shopping. Keep in mind, there are several places that offer bridal jewelry. Couples should compare prices between local jewelry shops and online dealers. Some couples have found online wedding jewelry dealers to be more affordable.

 

Planning a wedding is not an easy task to undertake. Furthermore, setting a reasonable budget and sticking to it, makes the task even more difficult. The wonderful part about planning a wedding is the time that is shared between couples as they shop for wedding jewelry. Buying jewelry is a momentous occasion for a bride and groom and should never be done hastily.