The Beauty and Advantages of Winter Weddings
January 11, 2010 by Erica Brooks
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The words “Winter Wedding” evoke visions of snow, sparkles, white, and all things glamorous. Think winter wonderland, and you have an excellent theme for a wedding. There are so many things that you can do with a winter wedding, and better yet is the fact that there is no “norm”. You can be as creative as your imagination and budget will allow.
Some of the advantages to having a winter wedding include the cost. Winter is considered the “off-season” for weddings, making the cost of certain items go down. Some of the items on that list usually include the wedding location and reception hall, both of which you will be more likely to book for your desired date. Since there are fewer weddings, your date is less likely to already be booked. Another advantage to having a winter wedding is the fact that more of your family and friends may be able to attend.
One of the first decisions to make when you are planning your winter wedding is the theme. Do you want to have a general winter theme or something more specific and special? One of the most common themes is the winter wonderland theme. The winter wonderland theme is exactly what it sounds like, whimsical and majestic. Think yards of fabric (organza or tulle) draped on the ceiling and cake table. Twinkle lights lighting the room and gorgeous center pieces. Most often the colors used for this theme are white and silver, or white and pale blue. If you are really adventurous you can use all of the colors together.
Once you have decided on your theme, you need to decide on your floral arrangements. Some of the flowers that work well with winter themes are white tulips, hydrangeas, and orchids. White flowers combined with bright green foliage look beautiful.
Wedding party attire is also a big decision. With a winter theme brides may want to wear satin gloves, a faux fur wrap, or even a tiara. Think princess, and you get the idea. You can make your bridal attire as lavish and fairytale like as you wish. Once you have decided on the bridal attire, next you need to think of the other members of the wedding party. Silvers and light blues look beautiful on both bridesmaids as well as vests on the men.
Wedding favors can be especially fun with a winter themed wedding. There are so many options available. You may want to go with something as simple as a beautiful ornament, or something a little more involved like a wintery snowflake inspired candle holder. Anything that will make you think of winter is a great choice.
Whatever winter theme you may decide to go with, winter weddings are beautiful. Not only are they fun and romantic, but they also give you a great excuse to find a sunny tropical destination for the honeymoon. Using a little creativity can give you a wedding you will remember for a lifetime.
Shop Elegant and Affordable Winter Wedding Accessories
Practical Wedding Gifts That Don’t Break the Bank
November 24, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Attending a wedding this winter? You’re probably looking for a wedding gift. Many people get anxious about finding the “perfect” wedding gift – and some go overboard spending way more than they can afford. Especially in today’s economy that can be a big mistake. Fortunately there are some great wedding gifts that don’t break the bank. Let’s talk about some of the bride and groom’s favorites that won’t be returned or wind up in the back of a closet after the honeymoon.
Personalized Photo Album. This is one of the best gifts you can buy them. Most couples spend thousands of dollars getting the best professional photographs they’ll ever have taken in their lives at their weddings. What better way to enjoy them than in a special photo album. But that’s not the only use for a photo album they’ll have. Remember they are often taking a special honeymoon to an exotic destination, a place where they will take many photographs. This photo album could be the one they use for wedding photos or for the honeymoon. Or get them two photo albums – one for each!
Gift Certificate/Card to a Restaurant. This a perfect gift to get a newlywed couple. Many newlywed couples find that their relationship changes, that they just don’t go out on “dates” the way they used to. Your gift certificate to a restaurant is an easy way to enjoy an evening out without the added expense to the family budget. Pick a restaurant that is near their home so they don’t have to think or plan extra hard about going out. You may be surprised, but this is often one of the bride and groom’s most favorite gifts.
Cookbooks. A cookbook is an ideal gift to get a newlywed. So is a subscription to a cooking magazine. Even if the bride or groom have been living on their own for some time, getting married often means adjusting your cooking styles. A cookbook offers some ideas and suggestions to make new meals together and find great family favorite meals. You could be creating family traditional meals by giving this cookbook!
Genealogical Research. This is a fun gift to give a newly wed couple. You can find professional genealogists and online services. Many brides and grooms are curious to learn more not only about the family they’ve married into, but about their own birth families after they have married. Learning genealogy is a wonderful gift. Especially if they have children or are planning a family. This is something they will treasure as they learn about new and old family relatives.
Gas Card. While this doesn’t sound like a very exciting gift, most bride and grooms would be thrilled to see a gas card as a gift. Gas is a regular expense – and weddings are expensive. Your gas card would offer great convenience and could make the difference between taking a quick family getaway for the weekend – or not being able to do it. Most major gas stations offer gas cards.
About the Author
By Jill Renee, President of DanforthDiamond.com, a leading authority on diamond engagement rings and fine jewelry and writes about wedding planning. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING
Visit A Practical Wedding for interesting discussions on having a practical wedding and married life.
Practical Wedding Gifts Ideas
The Dos and Don’ts of Planning a Theme Wedding
November 9, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Theme weddings are extremely popular and they can be a lot of fun. Sometimes the theme is subtle, such as a carefully coordinated color scheme or a unique motif, whereas sometimes the theme is highly developed, along the lines of a tropical wedding. Whichever approach you take, there are some tricks of the trade that will make the difference between a wedding theme that is expressed to perfection or one that is either underdeveloped or over the top. These are the dos and don’ts you need to know when planning a theme wedding.
Do: Give your guests an introduction to your wedding theme with your invitations. This could mean designing custom stationery that features a motif across the top in letterpress. It could be making up invitations in a distinctive color scheme like aqua and chocolate. Or it could even be that your invitations feature an image related to your theme, such as a beach scene for a tropical wedding. Since the wedding invitation is your first chance to make an impression, be sure to take advantage.
Don’t: Require that your guests play a role in a theme. In other words, it is really not kind to insist that everyone dresses in red or that all the men wear Hawaiian shirts to your luau themed bash. Anything that would inconvenience your guests or cost them money to further your wedding theme is a bad idea.
Do: Choose attire for your attendants that ties in with your theme without looking costumey. Going back to the tropical wedding example, tan linen suits on the groomsmen would be handsome and beach appropriate, but having each man wear a pair of shorts with a tropical print would be too much. If your wedding is inspired by the a particular time period, the men could wear a tie that harkens back to that time, such as ’60s style skinny ties for a Rat Pack theme wedding.
Don’t: Expect your bridesmaids to wear a period dress from a specific era; it is much more chic to choose styles that are inspired by a theme than costumes that are better suited for a play than a wedding. For instance, if your wedding has a Renaissance theme, please do not ask your attendants to dress like wenches at the RenFair! Instead, select dresses with details which refer to that period, such as the appropriate neckline or color palette.
Do: Select bridesmaid gifts which tie in with your theme as long as they are beautiful enough to be enjoyed later. A bride having a Winter Wonderland wedding could select Swarovski crystal snowflake earrings for her bridesmaid gifts. They would both suit the theme and be a style that her friends would enjoy wearing again. Avoid any gifts that are so narrowly focused on your motif that they have no real use after the wedding. The same goes for the wedding favors.
Don’t: Overlook the reception menu when designing a theme wedding. This can be one of the best ways to tie everything together into a neat little package for your guests. Research the food, drinks, and desserts which can enhance your theme (or in the case of a color motif, design a cake in your signature shade). Guests always remember the food at a wedding, so this is a terrific place to really bring your theme to life for them.
About the Author Bridget Mora
Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Bridesmaid gifts which have a timeless elegance will be cherished by your attendants.
Theme Wedding Favor Ideas
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Unique Wedding Favors – 8 Ideas
November 6, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Wedding favors often evoke a “been there, done that” response from wedding guests. Looking for something a little more memorable than a bag of Jordan almonds? Here are our top choices for a few inspiring guest thank-yous.
Late night munchies
After dancing for hours, rolling out individual snacks like mini hamburgers with a fixings bar are a big hit
Photo shop
Rent a photo booth and let your guests take turns posing for the camera. Set up a DIY station with mini-frames so they can take home their favorite shots.
Escape the Elements
If you really want to impress, give your guests something sublimely stylish yet useful to keep them smiling through the elements: stylish sunglasses (to deflect glare), sleek umbrellas (in case of rain), or cashmere scarves (should a breeze pick up).
Personalized Thank-yous
Place small journals at each place setting, and write every guest a personal thank-you note on the front page.
Make some noise
Liven up the party, and hand out maracas, small horns, or even kazoos – a great idea for a relaxed affair or a particularly festive bunch.
Family-favorites
Gather a collection of favorite family recipes from both sides into a small recipe book or box printed with your names and wedding date.
Final Farewell
Send guests away with a final parting gift, and enlist the parking attendants to place a flower with an attached thank-you note on the dashboard of each car. If you’ll be providing guest transportation, be sure to place a basket of these favors at the front of the bus for guests to take prior to departure.
Give Back
Yes, this idea has been done – but altruism is at an all-time high, and we’re jumping on the bandwagon . Donating in the name of your guests to a charity, one that holds special meaning for the two of you, adds another sentimental personal touch to your wedding.
Get even more ideas for unique wedding favors at the Elegala.com wedding favors and gifts guide.
About the Author
Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete weddings and wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to walk brides and grooms through every step of the planning process.
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12 Inexpensive Winter Wedding Favor Ideas
January 5, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Elegant collection of inexpensive winter wedding favor ideas for your special day.
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10 Inexpensive Wedding Planning Ideas
January 5, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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10 Inexpensive Wedding Planning Ideas
by Erica Brooks
Weddings are supposed to be a celebration of a joyful union between two people, yet there are many stories around of young couples paying off loans taken out to fund a big wedding for years into their marriage. Rather than just grin and bear the hefty cost, you might consider a few ways to enjoy your big day without the hassle of a big price tag.
Here are 10 inexpensive wedding planning ideas that can help reduce the cost of your wedding.
1. Trim the Guest List
It’s become fashionable to tell tales of a grand wedding with hundreds of guests, but do you really need to invite your second cousin twice removed on your aunt’s side if you haven’t seen them for 12 years? Keep your guest list to immediate family and friends. These are the people who love you and want to celebrate with you anyway, so trim down your list to just these people and you’ll save a bundle.
2. Have Your Wedding on a Weekday
Weekend weddings have become a standard, but prices for everything from the church to the caterer are always much higher on weekends. Consider having your wedding on a weekday instead. A Friday celebration means lower prices and your friends will thank you for the extra day off work which gives them a long weekend.
3. Cut Out the Alcoholic Beverages
One of the bigger costs of most weddings is the alcohol. While you can still offer the celebratory champagne, you might consider cutting out the open bar in place of cheaper options.
4. Create Your Own Invitations
The advent of modern computers and printing equipment means you can create fabulous, professional looking invitations on your own. Definitely a great cost saver.
5. Have Your Wedding Ceremony and Reception at the Same Location
Many reception locations have stunningly beautiful gardens or scenery that would make an ideal wedding setting. When you hold the ceremony and the reception at the same location, you won’t need expensive cars to get you to your reception.
6. DIY Crafts
Floral arrangements, decorations, favors and even place settings and name tags can be created on your own at reasonable prices. You can check your local craft store for inexpensive craft projects or the internet for free wedding templates that you can print yourself on your computer.
7. Rent a Luxury Vehicle Instead of a Limousine
Renting a luxury car and asking a friend to drive you instead can save on expensive limousine hire as well as chauffeur costs.
8. Buffet Dinner
A formal menu with a three course dinner can be expensive. Make your wedding more of a fun party atmosphere celebration that people will remember by serving a buffet type selection of foods.
9. Wedding Cake
You can save on your wedding cake by ordering a plain white cake with no trim from your baker. When you get it, buy a wedding cake top and decorate it yourself with silk flowers or ribbon.
10. Wedding Gown
Buying a brand new wedding gown can be costly especially when you know you’ll only wear it once. There’s nothing wrong with seeking a wedding gown from a consignment shop or even from an auction on eBay. You know the dress you’re buying has only been worn once and should have been dry-cleaned before it’s sold to you. This makes it in brand-new condition at a fraction of the cost of a new dress.
Your wedding day can be magical and unique without costing a fortune. Take some, or all, of these suggestions, pair them with your own money saving ideas and enjoy the day of your wedding as well as the loan free years afterwards.
Visit Stress Away Bridal for more inexpensive wedding ideas.
5 Great Ways To Cut Wedding Costs
January 2, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Make Your Own Wedding Crafts – 5 Great Ways To Cut Wedding Costs
By Abhishek Agarwal
Weddings, though extremely joyous occasions, can become expensive very fast. If you want to hold the prices down as well as add a personal touch to your wedding, you might consider going to wedding crafts.
1. It isn’t all that tough to create your very own wedding veil. For this, you will require a particular length of a bridal illusion that you decide on. Along with this you will require a comb and a headpiece or hat to attach the veil to your hair and hide the comb. You start by sewing large inch long running stitches from one end of the illusion and tightly gather it. Follow by sewing the comb to the veil. Cover the whole with a headpiece or hat. Alternatively you could also use silk flowers, pearls and ribbons to decorate a straw hat that has a wide brim.
2. You can also personally craft the floral arrangements and the bouquet. If you are having a wedding that is simple and outdoor, you can use wild flowers. They have a charm of their own and are free of cost. Arrange the bouquets in large clear vases and tie a bow elegantly around.
3. Another appropriate wedding craft are wedding favors for the invited guests. A well-received and simple favor is a refrigerator magnet. It would be a good idea to make the magnet a picture frame and place in it the couple’s picture. For this, you will want to cut out a frame from craft foam in a suitable color and arrange the photo over it, gluing the whole into a cardboard backing. Magnetic self-adhesive tape can be placed on the cardboard’s back. Finish by decorating the frame with a foil of heart stickers including the couple’s last names on a monogram.
4. Another simple wedding craft are bows that are often placed at the end of rows and pews. For a winder or fall wedding, you can use wide velvet ribbons. If yours is a summer or spring wedding, you might want to go for satin ribbons. You can also loop in some flat lace along with the ribbons. Then attach some pearl sprays and silk flowers to the center of the bow, with the help of some hot glue.
5. You could also try to decorate your own cake. Look for pans and other gadgets of different types in the craft section at your department store, to assist you in creating a cake you will never forget. Don’t forget that you need a steady hand for this. Don’t start on the real cake unless you have practiced first.
Wedding cakes are an expensive business, but with your wedding crafts, you can save up a lot. Early planning is the best as it takes time to make favors for people and for looking into all the other details that have to be taken care of. Maybe when you create wedding crafts, you might even get rid of some of that nervousness. At any rate, when you make your own wedding crafts, you add a beautiful and personal touch to it without loosing out on too much money.
Abhishek is a Wedding Planning expert and he has got some great Wedding Etiquette Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 93 Pages Ebook, “Wedding Etiquette Made Easy!” from his website http://www.Wedding-Stars.com/144/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.
Visit our weddings ideas video showcase for more wedding craft ideas.
Inexpensive Wedding Ideas to Help You Plan Your Dream Wedding on a Budget
November 24, 2008 by Wedding Ideas
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Planning Your Dream Wedding on a Budget
by Juhlin Youlien
Having the perfect wedding day is every girl’s fantasy. It is one of the most important days of your life and of course you want to make it special and memorable. Contrary to what they say in magazines you do not need to splurge to achieve this dream. There are so many ways that you can do to work on a tight budget. But staying on a cheaper note does not mean you have to give up on sentimentality or fashion. It means you have to use your imagination and originality to come up with ideas to make your wedding an unforgettable one.
The first step is to prioritize and focus on the things you want to attain. When planning a wedding, coming up with a good checklist is a smart strategy. It is an essential part in organizing all of the work to be done beforehand. It is easy for time and money to get away once you have started the preparations and a good checklist will keep this all under control. Here are some guidelines which you can consider in planning that perfect day with a budget in mind.
• Wedding gown. There are two ways to save money on your wedding dress, it’s either you buy your gown “off the rack” or hire a dressmaker to make it for you. Check out bridal sales at places like Bridal boutiques because they usually offer gowns at a much lesser price. But if you plan to hire a professional dressmaker, remember that price and quality may vary considerably. To get a great deal, it is much better to hire a more expensive dressmaker but decide on a much simpler fabric and detailing for the gown.
• Accessories. You should decide on to making your own headpieces and wedding accessories. Books are available in the market with a mixture of different patterns.
• Cake. Choosing cupcakes as a substitute for a wedding cake is a good idea. It can be arranged in a three-tiered cake tray and decorated with color icings and sprinkles to match your theme.
• Videography. An important professional priority in any wedding is wedding videography. If your budget is really tight, then a good option is to hire a videography student. They are usually creative and will do a great job for much less than a professional.
• Reception Hall. Consider having the wedding reception in your backyard if the yard is big enough and the weather permits it. Set up a few canopies or tarpaulins in the possibility of rain.
• Flowers. Choose flowers varieties which will be in season at the time of the wedding. You should also explore other ideas in decorating the church and reception area. Use scented candles, balloon bouquets and inexpensive live plants.
• Rings. Jewelry stores usually offer a variety of low cost golden rings with the type you are looking for. Sometimes, they also hold clearance sales for rings.
Wedding planning on a limited budget can be stressful and overwhelming. You have to remember so many things at once that it can also be a little confusing at times. Although this may happen, do not let yourself caught up in the all the drama of choosing the right gown or wedding videography to match your style. Take a deep breath and just keep in mind all of these guidelines and you will have a wedding you’ve always dreamed of.
Get prices on wedding videography for your wedding by visiting http://www.memoriesputtomusic.com
For more Inexpensive wedding ideas visit Stress Away Bridal.
