Archive for April, 2009

Planning Your Own Wedding: Opulence on a Dime

Apr

Planning Your Own Wedding: Opulence on a Dime

According to the Bridal Association of America, the average cost of a wedding runs most couples a whopping $30,375!

Yes, now may be the time for many of us to cut a few corners by purchasing affordable wedding favors, food, and decorations, but this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice beauty and elegance when planning your own wedding. In order to save a few bucks and even reduce overall spending, many brides-to-be are postponing their long-awaited wedding days for more prosperous times. Instead of waiting, however, you could simply scale back your wedding. Fortunately, there are many ways to make your wedding just as special if you hunt around for deals on tasteful yet affordable wedding favors, refreshments, and flowers – in fact, taking advantage of bargains and discounts while planning your own wedding day and doing many things yourself could be the very highlight of your special day.

Simple, Affordable Wedding Favors are Key: For the bride planning her own wedding with little time as it is, envisioning and making 150 affordable wedding favors sounds a little ridiculous (read time consuming), and while many sites recommend you make these yourself, the cost of construction and materials would probably be higher than just biting the bullet and buying pre-made (though affordable) wedding favors. A lot of times you can find favors for well under $1.00 each. A recent check on quality, affordable wedding favors showed charming silver mint tins for $0.52, bride and groom swizzle sticks for $0.75, and place card holders for $0.94.

In addition to purchasing affordable wedding favors, remember always to buy enough the first time around. If in doubt, buy slightly over your estimated head count. And try to order with plenty of time to spare to avoid exorbitant shipping costs, meaning you should start planning your own wedding far in advance to ensure this as shipping on a rush order alone can add well over $50.00 extra. Above all, take full advantage of volume pricing on your order of affordable wedding favors, which helps you avoid paying the lowest (and most expensive) tier price.

The Lovely but Reduced-Priced Dress Route: Finding the perfect wedding dress is considered an epic quest by many brides who are planning their own wedding, but still want to look their loveliest on that special day. Whether the bride chooses hundreds of flounces and tulle or a simple A-line design, the whole ensemble – dress, veil, undergarments, and shoes – can add up rather quickly. To save money while planning your own wedding, you have a few options, most of which present themselves online. Search for dresses on auction sites, such as eBay, or classified ad sites, such as Craigslist, to find previously worn wedding gowns at cheap, bargain basement prices. You can often find name brand or even designer dresses in great condition, along with all the accessories. If you want to take your search offline, contact thrift stores and consignment shops in your town to see what their inventories are like before hitting the pavement.

If you’d rather have something more personalized, you can have your dress made, although this will be a little more expensive. Occasionally, art and design students offer their services for a cheaper dressmaking fee than established places and can create a dress for you at well below market value. You can also have a trusted friend who has time and sewing prowess make your dream dress from scratch.

You can get a visual of your desired dream dress using this helpful online tool while planning your own wedding – the Wedding Dress Creator (http://www.weddingdresscreator.com), which allows you to select from a variety of options, such as dress length, shape, and color.

The Date Matters More than You Think: Oftentimes, the date you choose can be significantly more expensive than another. High-priced seasons, such as the spring and summer, drive up your budget noticeably – caterers charge more for a filet of fish, and florists for miles around only seem to have the most expensive lilies. During the crisper, colder fall and winter months, when most couples are reluctant to schedule or even attempt planning their own wedding, prices come down noticeably. Photographers lower their prices, and holiday decorations (especially ideal for a Christmas or Easter-themed wedding) are already up and in place, meaning you get away with not purchasing pricey flower arrangements, fragrant wreaths, garland, and candles. The venue of your choosing, most likely a church or some other community place, will have all these decorations available to you free of charge (save, of course, for the cost of renting the space). All you need are the discount dress, a budget meal, affordable wedding favors, the groom, and presto, instant wedding!

If you’re dead-set on a spring or summer fete when planning your own wedding, have it outside in a friend’s or family member’s backyard. Or, choose a quiet park and set up a garden arbor and trellises adorned with flowers to complete the look. To get your flowers at a reduced cost, check with your local florist, who might be able to give you a discount on leftover bouquets or arrangements.

You can also purchase from a flower wholesaler to get flowers at deep discounts; however, keep in mind that you will be responsible for creating, arranging, watering, and transporting the bouquets for the wedding day. Above all, ensure that your chosen flowers are in season.

Food and Refreshments that Don’t Break the Bank: Feeding 75, 100, or even 250 guests can get pretty expensive, even if you scaled back with an inexpensive wedding dress and affordable wedding favors. Even estimating $10 at the very least for each dinner can send your budget skyrocketing. And you obviously do not want to forego delicious food to help cut costs. Fortunately, you have a few options when planning your own wedding: the modern bride has realized that feeding her guests an elaborate, three-course dinner is not necessary and certainly not required. After all, guests are there to celebrate the happy couple’s special day and should not be coming for ‘hand-outs.’ So, why not consider serving satisfying, but light hors d’oeuvres? From fruit and cookies to mini tea sandwiches and crudités, you can keep your guests’ stomachs full on just a few dollars. By making a number of refreshments in large quantities, you can drive down the price. A few brides have even been known to serve fondue – of either the chocolate or cheese kind – both of which can be accompanied by a tasty selection of ‘dippable’ foodstuffs.

Instead of spending thousands of dollars on catering, you can also re-introduce a concept that used to be popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries when planning your own wedding: a pot-luck reception. Sure, it may sound a little folksy, but it’s what the brides of yesteryear used to do to avoid spending a lot of money when wallets were essentially empty. Etiquette dictates, however, that the couple consider these offerings of food comparable to a wedding gift or at least a significant part of it. Even if you choose this option, decorating the tables is still a necessity – set the mood with freshly ironed tablecloths, polished candelabras, and those affordable wedding favors you purchased earlier.

And finally, we come to the cake. Remember that research conducted by the Bridal Association of America? The survey found that the cake alone cost $543. You could feasibly cut that number in half or even by two-thirds if you make the cake yourself.Have your mother, sisters, female relatives, or bridesmaids help you with this task; purchase a book on the topic or research tips on the Internet. If this sounds like it could be a huge disaster and take time away from planning your own wedding, try something easier instead: wedding cake cupcakes. Simple, easier to decorate, and just the right portion, cupcakes bake fast and are a break away from the usual.

From Discount Decorations to Affordable Wedding Favors and Beyond

Cutting corners when planning your own wedding doesn’t mean your big day has to look cheap. Far from it! Focusing on little details, like simple yet affordable wedding favors, pretty, discount decorations, and delicious but homemade food, incorporates your own personal spin and infuses your wedding with character. Think planning your own wedding and showing your guests a great time on a limited budget is still impossible? Just remember that they’re there, first and foremost, to celebrate the love and commitment of the happy couple.

About the Author

Cherie Johnson is the founder and owner of Creative Bride, a one-stop shop for personalized, unique baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, anniversary, and wedding favors, helping countless couples and families make their big events a success. Before she launched the company in 2006, Cherie worked as a professional wedding photographer, capturing the most special moments of the bride and groom’s big day. For more information on Creative Bride or to find a variety of colorful, customizable gifts and favors, please visit www.Creative-Bride.com.

Posted in Planning | No Comments »

How NOT to choose a wedding photographer

Apr

How NOT to choose a wedding photographer

You have seen it on practically every wedding photographer’s web page and in bridal magazines. It seems that everyone wants to give the bride and groom advice on how to choose a wedding photographer. Most of what I have read is sound and useful advice, but I thought it might be helpful to write an article that explores this in more detail. So lets look at the mistakes brides and grooms often make in choosing their photographer.Over the past 25 years as a wedding photographer, I have had the opportunity to speak with well over a thousand engaged couples. I am always surprised by some of the criteria many of them use to choose their wedding photographer. Here are the top 7 mistakes I feel many brides and grooms make when selecting a photographer for their big day:

1. RELYING ON WEDDING VENDOR REFERRALS. This may be the worst mistake of them all. Many wedding vendors trade referrals with other wedding professionals with no real knowledge of the other’s work. And yes, many times it’s an honest referral based upon working a few weddings with one another. But how much can a DJ, for example, really know about the quality of a wedding photographer’s work? Often times this type of referral is just based on the fact that the DJ has worked with the photographer at a number of events and liked him or her. Did the DJ ever see the final result? Did they see the wedding album? Probably not.

2. JUDGING A PHOTOGRAPHER BASED SOLELY ON A “GREATEST HITS” WEDDING ALBUM PORTFOLIO. There is nothing more misleading regarding a photographer’s talent than looking at a sample wedding album that is a compilation of their best shots at 50 different weddings. An album such as this may be useful in understanding just how great an image they are capable of producing, but that’s really all it tells you. Ask to be shown an album of one entire wedding from start to finish. A good wedding photographer should be able to produce a number of complete albums, which will give you a better idea of how your own wedding will be photographed. Virtually anybody with a decent camera can get one great shot per wedding!

3. PAYING TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO THE SALES PITCH. Every photographer can tell you great things about themselves and so they should. But in your initial wedding consultation, look for photographers who are interested in YOU. A good photographer will want to know the types of photography styles you are interested in and what you are looking for in a wedding photographer. A photographer who asks you lots of questions about your wedding and your preferences will probably also be more likely to listen to you and have a better sense of what you
want. If the wedding meeting is just one long lecture from the photographer, move on to the next photographer. Find someone who cares.

4. NOT ASSESSING THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S PERSONALITY. This is a biggie. You will spend the entire day with your photographer. If you don’t get along with him or her, it can ruin what should be the happiest day of your life. Rude and bossy photographers can also cause problems with your guests. Find a photographer who is easy to talk to and who you can establish good rapport with.

5. CHOOSING “UNCLE BOB” TO SHOOT YOUR WEDDING! With digital cameras now in practically everyone’s hands, there seems to be a lot more “wedding photographers” out there. The fact that a friend or relative is good with his new digital camera does not mean he can handle a wedding. And what about file backups? Does your family
photographer know how to do a correct backup, or even have the proper computer hardware to do it? In my business, I bring a portable hard drive to every wedding and the images are uploaded and checked on the spot. When I get back to my studio, the images are uploaded to my main computer and then backed up on an external hard drive. Once that is complete, 2 back up DVD’s are burned. Only then will I erase the cards I used for the wedding. You don’t want your memories to go up in smoke along with a burnt out hard drive.

6. CARING ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS TYPE OF CAMERA EQUIPMENT. In this day and age, a photographer can make great images with any medium to high quality camera. Wedding photographers who spend an inordinate amount of time discussing the type of equipment they use may not be the right person for you. What you really want to know is what type of images they can produce and if they can show you plenty of samples. It’s the final result that matters. If you are happy with what they show you and everything else checks out OK, you can assume their equipment is adequate for the task.

7. CONFUSION OVER PRICING. If you can’t understand the pricing or packages, keep looking. Package pricing, if flexible, is the best way to go. It allows you to have a better idea of what your final bill will be. Ala carte pricing can confuse and be misleading. You may assume that something you though was included in their coverage costs extra. Like a wedding album! However, a photographer who only offers strictly structured packages should also be avoided. Ultimately, you want to find someone who will work within your budget and give you exactly what you want. If you don’t see a package that fits your needs, ask the photographer to let you design your own.

This list was not intended to intimidate people in the market for a wedding photographer. It should, however, help you understand what’s important. Find a photographer with a style you prefer and who shows you images that you love. Use that initial consultation as a way to get to know your photographer and develop rapport. Talk to some former clients to get a sense of how the photographer behaved at the wedding. If everything looks good, you are ready to make your decision!

by Mike Dubnoff

Dubnoff Wedding Photography

www.dubnoffphotography.com

Posted in Photography | No Comments »

Bridesmaid Gifts that Delight

Apr

Surprise Your Bridesmaid with Gifts that Delight

Bridesmaids, usually special friends or relatives, are chosen to be an integral part of planning your wedding day and to help make your day a little easier, which is why presenting them with beautiful, thoughtful bridesmaid gifts is vital. Planning a wedding is a time-consuming endeavor, and this is exactly why the role of bridesmaid was created. There are many perks to being a bridesmaid, including bonding with the bride on her special day and helping her make the necessary choices about colors, themes, food, and apparel.

The downside you ask? Being a bridesmaid can be expensive. Your bridesmaids must purchase a number of items just to be included in the wedding party – from her dress and jewelry to her travel expenses, your friend will have to foot the bill. And not only does she take care of the many menial tasks involved in planning a wedding, but she does them gladly. One of the most important decisions you have regarding each bridesmaid are the gifts you’ll give to each friend thanking them for their participation, assistance, and patience in planning the wedding day and the entire event.

Personalized bridesmaid gifts are always an excellent choice, but there are a number of other thoughtful items you can present your bridesmaids with that they will cherish. Just remember to keep in mind the type of girl you’re purchasing for, and by all means, don’t buy the same kind of ‘cookie-cutter bridesmaid gifts’ for everyone. Think about what each girl likes, and you’re sure to find something she’ll love.

Thank Her for Her Help in Planning Your Wedding

Here are some time-tested bridesmaid gifts that continue to be crowd-pleasers no matter the season!

A cosmetic bag is incredibly practical for the bridesmaid who loves her makeup and grooming tools. Available in all sizes, fabric options, and shapes, cosmetic bags can be personalized as well. Plus, they’ll not only come in handy later on, but your bridesmaid can carry her makeup here and there while planning your wedding and getting ready for your big day.

Nothing is more useful than a personalized tote bag. Popular in any season, personalized totes come in every color, shape, and size under the sun. Whether you choose a smaller polka dot tote bag ideal for running errands around town or a large canvas duffel or laptop bag, you can choose to have the bridesmaid’s initials embroidered on the front in a variety of different thread colors and font choices.

What’s better than enveloping yourself in a plush, luxurious robe? Few things are as comforting as a warm robe on a cold night, and your bridesmaid will undoubtedly love the little details, like her name or initials embroidered on the front pocket, and the cozy warmth of terry cloth or velour. You can also pair this gift with comfy bathroom slippers that match the robe and give her the gift of pampering so she can wind down from the busy time spent planning your wedding.

For timeless, elegant bridesmaid gifts they’ll be able to use long after the ceremony, you may want to consider the understated sophistication of an engraved compact. With different shapes (the classic round to the fun, contemporary heart) and finishes (satin, silver, and embellished), even the hardest-to-please bridesmaids will find compacts useful companions in their handbags.

Whether you go bright, bold, and chunky or dainty and chic, costume jewelry not only looks great but is wonderful for those special occasions. From hip, vibrant brooches to rhinestone encrusted hair combs, the bridesmaid who loves to dress up will appreciate a new or vintage piece of sparkling faux finery.

No longer an ideal gift just for a groomsman, colorful, feminine flasks are gaining popularity as bridesmaid gifts. Discreet enough to be tucked in a pocket or purse, flasks can be engraved and often come in more feminine colors and patterns, such as pinks, blues, and plaids. Your outgoing, fun-loving bridesmaid will get a kick out of her new flask and appreciate your inventive way of thanking her for her help in planning your wedding.

Stationery is always classy and always in style. There are literally thousands of card stock options, such as note cards, lined note pads, correspondence cards, and letter sheets, as well as colors and fonts to choose from. Personalized stationery is a professional, stylish way to say thank you or let someone know you are thinking of them regardless of the situation. Creative bridesmaids who love to write will certainly appreciate these types of chic bridesmaid gifts.

For the reflective bridesmaid, a photo album is an excellent choice to thank her for her assistance in planning the wedding day. Engraved with her initials (or name) or by simply selecting a pretty, leather-bound album, she can store her memories for years to come. If you have time, you could fill it with pictures of you and her at fun events in the past or leave it blank so she can make her own memories.

Finding a Gift She’ll Cherish

If you’re still not sure which direction to go, look to the bridesmaid herself to get inspiration for the right kinds of bridesmaid gifts. But most of all, do not give the same bridesmaid gifts to everyone; make it special and personalized and she’ll appreciate it that much more. With all the help they’ve been giving you throughout this hectic time, it should be an honor to present them with a unique gift they’ll cherish long after the time spent planning the wedding is over.

About the Author: Cherie Johnson is the founder and owner of Creative Bride, a one-stop shop for personalized, unique baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, anniversary, and wedding favors, helping countless couples and families make their big events a success. Before she launched the company in 2006, Cherie worked as a professional wedding photographer, capturing the most special moments of the bride and groom’s big day. For more information on Creative Bride or to find a variety of colorful, customizable gifts and favors, please visit www.Creative-Bride.com.

Posted in Gifts | No Comments »

Top 25 In-Law Dance Songs

Apr

The past year we have noticed several searches for songs to dance to between a groom and his new mother-in-law at a wedding reception. In addition, we have also seen an increase of requests for suggestions of songs for the bride and groom to dance with their in-laws at a wedding reception. As a result, we created a current list of our top 25 dance songs for the bride to dance with her new father-in-law and the groom to dance with his new mother-in-law at a wedding reception.

We’ve included a couple current hits such as Jason Mraz’s Life Is Wonderful and Rob Thomas’ Little Wonders. We’ve included family themed songs such as Dolly Parton’s Family and Sister Sledge’s We Are Family. You will also find songs with a theme of being there such as I’ll Be There, Lean On Me and Stand By Me.

There’s no stopping us from increasing the number of songs past 25. If you have a suggestion, please click on the Contact Us link on the bottom of any web page and we will review it for our next update. Don’t forget too that all the songs in the list have lyrics page links and links to listen and buy on Amazon.com and iTunes.

Posted in Music | No Comments »