Wedding Planning on a budget – can it be done?
November 25, 2008 by admin
Filed under planning a wedding
Wedding Planning on a Budget – Tips For Not Overspending
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Katie_Harris]Katie Harris
Wedding planning on a budget is not that difficult, so long as you learn how to stick to your calculations and not spending too much. There are many options and decisions to be made, and money can slip from your hand quickly while planning for a large occasion like a wedding. However, it is possible to actually save money, and spend less than your projected budget…I am living proof of that. Below, I will teach you a few of the strategies I learned for planning my own wedding without doing too much damage to my bank account.
It’s Never to Early to Begin Planning
Even if you have just got engaged, and the wedding will probably be at least a year away, why not start planning for it now? Procrastination only leads to be rushed in the end, which can lead to hasty, expensive decision making. Plus, you are more likely to have to pay extra if you didn’t order something early enough to get it done or shipped in the standard amount of time.
Plan your Wedding in an Off Season
There are a few times of the year in which wedding ceremonies are very popular, therefore, wedding services are a bit more expensive. The resolution to this is just to have your wedding during a slower period, say in the hottest summer months and coldest winter months. This really depends on your location as to what the slow time is for weddings. Also, keep an eye on sales at wedding boutiques. They will have more clearance when they are low on business.
Rent your Wedding Dress
Yes, I know this isn’t “traditional,” but do you really want to pay a few $100 on a dress you are only going to wear once?? Besides, your future hubby is going to be renting his outfit, why not do the same. You can rent a wedding gown for your big day for a fraction of the cost of buying one. Also, check with your married friends and family to see if anyone is willing to part with their gown, at least for your ceremony. If you insist on purchasing one, you can always go the used route.
Cut Out the Small Things
Wedding planning on a budget may not allocate for every factor of a wedding. Wedding favors, for example, are one of the little cuts you could make if you simply cannot afford everything. No one is going to notice that they didn’t receive something to take home with them. Your guests attend to share your special occasion with you, not to get free stuff.
As you can see, wedding planning on a budget can be done if you stick to the proposed amount of money you plan on spending. No one has to have a big $10,000 engagement for it to be special!
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katie_Harris http://EzineArticles.com/?Wedding-Planning-on-a-Budget—Tips-For-Not-Overspending&id=1707058
Wedding Planning – Invitations
October 17, 2008 by admin
Filed under planning a wedding
Beach-Themed Wedding Planning: Invitations — powered by ExpertVillage.com
Wedding Planning – Create your own Bouquet
October 14, 2008 by admin
Filed under Wedding Flowers
Creating a Wedding Bouquet — powered by ExpertVillage.com
How to Choose The Perfect Jewellery For Your Wedding
October 13, 2008 by admin
Filed under planning a wedding
You want to look perfect, don’t you?
I would guess that you spent hours poring over bridal magazines, visiting wedding outfitters and trying on wedding gowns so you could find the most magical wedding dress for yourself, right?
Well, I hate to tell you that you have wasted your time if you don’t put the same amount of effort into selecting your wedding jewellery. The wrong jewellery will clash with your gown and leave your guests wondering what exactly was wrong with your look.
Let me give you a few things to think about before you get shopping, but remember that there are no hard and fast rules.
The Style of Your Wedding Dress.
Your jewellery should be in the same style as your dress. If you are being married on a beach in a hippie-style dress then organic jewellery such as a really long strand of beads or pearls will look much better than a rhinestone necklace. On the other hand, if you plan on leaping out of a plane a long necklace will end up hitting you in the face, and that isn’t a good look. For a more traditional wedding think about traditional jewellery made of pearls or crystals.
If your dress is heavily beaded keep your jewellery simple. If your dress is very simple and elegant you have more choices. Keep it delicate with a strand of pearls or a single crystal pendant, or add a decorative effect with a lovely drop-style necklace.
The Colour of Your Dress
Cream dresses beg for gold and pearls. The soft creamy lustre of a pearl will look stunning against the creamy gowns. White gowns will look best with silver, white pearls and clear crystals – think Ice Princess
The Scale of Your Body
Are you a small and delicate build? Perhaps you are more on the Goddess end of the scales. Try to find jewellery that is on the same scale as you. Nothing looks sillier than chunky jewellery on a bird-sized body unless it is tiny little pieces lost against the skin of a large woman.
The Neckline of Your Dress.
A dress with a high neckline will not need any jewellery around the neck. Instead, find a stunning pair of earrings as your decorative feature. If your dress is strapless you can select from necklaces that sit high around the neck such as a choker, or those that sit lower down. A necklace that matches the shape of the neckline is an elegant touch. Y-shaped necklaces look stunning on quite a low neckline, and a simple strand will echo the shape of a curved neckline. Just make sure that your necklace does not extend beyond the neckline (either inside it or out!)
Are you Wearing Sleeves?
Many brides choose not to have long sleeved dresses. If your arms look very bare you may like to wear a bracelet that matches your necklace. Again, remember to match it with the scale of your body. Be careful too, that the bracelet you choose doesn’t catch on the lace or beading of your dress. If your dress is detailed you may be best to choose a simple bangle.
What about Earrings?
If your necklace is elaborate you may need to keep your earrings simple. Too much of a good thing, remember? If you are not wearing a necklace you can choose a more dramatic earring as there will be no clash. There are some stunning sets available which will take the guess-work out of it for you.
Regardless of whether your hair is up or down the choice of earring will fall to personal taste. If your hair is long it is easier to see earrings that dangle, but classic diamond or pearl studs will always look elegant.
Jewellery and Face Shapes
For the most flattering look take care that the shape of your jewellery does not reflect the shape of your face unless it is the perfect oval. If you have a long thin face and decide to wear a dangling necklace and earrings, your face will only look longer and thinner. Try something with a bit of width to it. Round faces look fatter surrounded by round earrings and pendants, but will be slimmed by slender dangling shapes. Take a look at the shape of your face, and consider which will flatter it most.
Fashion or Real Jewellery?
Whether you buy real or fashion jewellery is personal choice. If this is going to be jewellery that you will wear again then it is a good idea to go for real pieces. If you are following a classic style then the pieces that you select will never be unfashionable so it is worth spending a little more on them. If you are the kind of person who will wear the jewels only for your wedding and then put them away as a keepsake, go for costume. There are some stunning costume pieces available and you will be able to buy so much more for your money.
Right now you are probably scratching your head and crying that it is all too hard. It isn’t, really. Remember the main points.
Let your jewellery reflect your personal style
There is no right or wrong, just recommendations.
Don’t let your jewellery overpower your dress.
Make sure that you love the pieces that you buy
You will be a stunning, confident and co-ordinated bride. Have wonderful wedding day to remember forever.
Article Source: http://www.therepozitory.com.au
Article by Anne Maybus, www.cleverstreak.com.au
Wedding Competition
October 8, 2008 by admin
Filed under wedding planning
Media Release: Wedding Photography Competition Thursday 9th October 2008
J [studios], a Melbourne based wedding and portrait studio, is offering one lucky couple the chance to win the wedding photography free of charge. Jessie, owner & principal photographer of j [studios], knows just how important photography is. Through her work with the Australian Community of Child Photographers she has seen countless families of sick children helped by having beautiful images of their families. It is the main reason she became a photographer. Inspired by a photographer in the US it was decided to run a competition to offer one couple the chance to win their wedding photography. Which is undoubtedly one of the most important days of their life.
Announced on the 8th of October on the j [studios] blog, the competition for a couple to win their wedding photography free of charge will run until December 15th when 5 finalists will be chosen, with the winner to be announced on the 1st f January 2009. The wedding must take place in 2009 within 100km of Melbourne CBD and is only available on dates that are not booked already.
J [studios] is looking for a couple who have overcome a lot and may not have the funds to afford a wedding photographer. They are looking for a genuine couple to share their special day with.
The couple chosen will win a full day of coverage (8 hours) with two photographers, a 10in Wedding Album, 16×20in Canvas Print, A DVD slideshow and full digital negatives.
Full details of the competition can be found at the j [studios] blog www.j-studios.com.au/blog/
Wedding Planning – The Secrets The Experts Don’t Want You to Know
September 23, 2008 by admin
Filed under wedding planning
I wrote this article for Ezine Articles and thought that it should probably go on this blog as well!
When planning your wedding things can get out of hand very quickly. Stress and emotions can often cause plenty of friction throughout the wedding planning journey. To combat this stress, follow these tips below.
1) Start well in advance. If you can, try not to leave your planning until 3 months before.
2) Talk with your partner about what parts of the planning process they want to be involved in. I remember sitting down with my partner and asking what he wanted to do and what he wanted/trusted me to handle. This made everything a whole lot easier.
3) Set a budget straight up. Don’t wait until you find out what dresses cost, or roughly how much the reception can cost. Set a realistic budget at the start.
4) Start saving. Put a small amount away each week in a different bank account. Get it taken out of your pay directly before you even see it. You’ll be surprised at how easily and quickly this money adds up.
5) Find some friends to keep you grounded. Tell them your budget for things and ask them to help you to stick to it. So if you have a budget for your dress at $800, they can help you when you feel tempted to buy the $1500 dress! And trust me, it will happen!
6) Organise your reception, photographer and place of ceremony early. These are the things that book out well in advance.
7) Ask for help if you need it! Don’t be afraid or think that you might be ‘imposing’ on friends if you ask for help. Many will be glad to be involved.
I also highly recommend getting a DIY organiser. These can help keep all of your papers and information in order. They also include table seating plans, budget plans, essential photographer list plus so much more.
Have a fantastic Wedding!!
Planning a Wedding? Plan a Wedding Planning Checklist First
September 17, 2008 by admin
Filed under wedding planning
Article sources from Ezine Articles, written by Asheesh Mani
A well-made wedding planning checklist can do wonders for any wedding day. It’s just that some people don’t realize its importance and later regret. Is your wedding on the cards? Have you really found the love of your life and have decided to settle down? Well, that’s obviously great news and calls for a wonderful celebration, isn’t it? The excitement mounts as the days pass by, once you get engaged. But, honestly ask yourself, ‘Are you all set for the day?’ If you have doubts, that means you need to create a wedding checklist.
Priorities Really Matter, So Act Accordingly
The wedding planning checklist should be such that it covers all the ‘major to minor’ aspects of the marriage on a priority basis. You can set your priorities first, with the help of your spouse and both the families. This would help you to think over the issues you might slip out on, if you plan alone. An ideal list should first mention the exact date and time of the ceremony, followed by the exact budget, venue and number of guests. The attire comes next to be worked on, along with drinks and delicacies for the invitees. The music, being part and parcel of any occasion should not be missed out. Also, you can add other sources of entertainment for your guests.
Follow Your Budget
For some, preparing for marriage is a matter of sheer excitement as they have many people to look after the arrangements. But everybody is not that fortunate. There are people who have to make all arrangements on their own. Some have limited budget whereas some have shortage of time. So, it is always advisable for everyone to come up with marriage planning checklist. The most common cause of concern for anyone can be the budget under which he has to make all the things done. If you too are losing your sleep over this issue, you can get back your peace of mind by preparing a wedding cost checklist. It will help you to stick to your budget.
It is most important to keep in mind that the best is possible only if you have enough time and patience. While preparing the checklist, don’t overload your list with tasks that are not easy. Moreover don’t waste time just thinking, strategize the great event by means of a wedding planning checklist and have a blast!
A well-made wedding planning checklist can do wonders for any wedding day. It’s just that some people don’t realize its importance and later regret. For more information visit weddings-marriages.
The Key to Effective Wedding Planning
September 8, 2008 by admin
Filed under wedding planning
written by Amanda Jane
Wedding planning calls for many hands. You would need to apportion the tasks amongst many people and follow up each to ensure that nothing is going amiss. Unless, you have a consultant doing the job, you need an elaborate checklist to bring your event to a successful end. We provide some hints on what you can do to organize a marvelous ceremony.
The date precedes all other planning elements in a wedding. It marks the reference point from which all services are procured. You need to choose the date with great care. It has to be one on which many people would be available. It must not coincide with a holiday, popular event or working hours. The date must conform to the theme of your wedding.
First, make a list of all that needs to be done. Next make another list of all who can help and then match the tasks with the helpers. For example, your sister can help with the decoration whilst your mother assists the caterer with the choice of food. It is helpful if you have people close to you assisting. They know your preferences, that of the family and have more at stake in the event than any other person. They therefore make the best associates as far as planning is concerned.
Start organizing early. You have nothing to lose if you book your transportation three months ahead of time. You need to secure all services ahead of time so you do not suffer any disappointment. Early booking can also save you some money through low season discounts.
Many couples would book a service and then discard the receipt or invoice. This habit must be avoided. You need to keep all evidence of contract so you can reasonably argue about any dispute that may occur. You would need the receipt to prove obligation in case a change in management occurs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Jane http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Key-to-Effective-Wedding-Planning&id=1239140
10 Things an Usher Should Know – Wedding Boot Camp
September 2, 2008 by admin
Filed under wedding planning
10 Things an Usher Should Know by The Wedding Boot Camp
1. All ushers should be at the location about 45-60 minutes before the ceremony will begin. Upon their arrival, they should put on their boutonnieres if they haven’t already. Boutonnieres can be tricky to put on (especially for nervous fingers) so, it’s a good idea to have someone there to help them.
2. Ushers should smile, be friendly, and greet the guests as they escort them to their seats.
3. Traditionally, the usher offers his right arm to the woman (the oldest woman if a group or family is being escorted). Another option: the ushers can walk the guests to their seats rather than offering their arm.
4. Family and friends of the bride are seated on the left side of the aisle (facing the altar) and the groom’s family and friends on the right. If one side of the church becomes more full than the other, the ushers should begin seating guests on the other side.
5. Based on the guest list, you should have a good idea of how many to expect on both sides. If you know one side of the family will have more guests, then instruct your ushers ahead of time to “fill in” the more empty side.
6. After all the guests are seated, the parents of the groom are seated. Sometimes the groom’s mother is escorted by the groom. Next the mother of the bride is escorted in, sometimes by the best man or the head usher.
7. The first pews are reserved for immediate family of the bride and groom, and the parents sit in the front pew. Be sure to instruct the family and the ushers ahead of time on who should be sitting where, especially when it comes to divorced parents. If the parents are divorced, the father is seated in the row behind, or if the parents get along well they can be seated in the same pew.
8. Once the groom and best man are in place at the altar the ceremony is ready to begin.
9. After the ceremony is completed and the wedding party has recessed, two ushers will escort the mothers back down the aisle. Some mothers prefer to walk back with their husband – in this case, the usher will simply lead the couple out.
10. Then, the ushers will help escort or direct the rest of the guests out of the church beginning with the front pews and working their way back.
Alternative: Some couples now go back down the aisle and release each pew after greeting their guests, in lieu of a receiving line.
Article Source: http://www.therepozitory.com.au
Wedding Planning by the Zodiac – Aries
August 31, 2008 by admin
Filed under wedding planning
Previously I found an article on wedding planning using the Zodiac. I have another article to share with you written by Bridget Mora – this time for the Star Sign – Aries.
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Looking for fun inspiration in your wedding planning? A great idea is to plan a wedding based on your astrological sign. For the bride born under the sign of Aries, this means full speed ahead!
As the first sign of the Zodiac, Aries is a natural leader. You can be headstrong at times, as well as impulsive. In the hurry to get things moving, sometimes the Aries can forget to make a plan first. This is balanced out, however, by your natural enthusiasm and contagious sense of adventure.
An Aries bride will not be a wallflower. She will be happiest with a wedding that is bold and exciting. It should express her personality and zest for life. If you are the sporty type, a unique adventure type of wedding might be just your style. When you see a bride who is getting married while scuba diving or hang gliding, she is probably an Aries!
Assuming that you decide to have your wedding in a more conventional venue, look for ways to make the room sparkle and come alive. Bold and interesting elements will make the reception feel like you. Consider things like: an Asian theme with red and black lacquer decorations, an evening reception bedecked with rented crystal chandeliers to match your crystal bridal jewelry, or a sports themed wedding highlighting your favorite activities.
Aries likes it hot! For the menu, ask the caterer to create a menu of spicy foods, like Mexican, Southwestern, Indian, or pan-Asian. An around-the-world themed reception would suit the adventurous side of an Aries bride. It would be like traveling the globe without leaving the room.
Since an Aries loves to be in motion, great dance music will be a must for the reception. Pick a band or d.j. that will keep the party jumping all night long. A fun idea is to start off with more classic wedding music and then bring out a d.j. to play dance hits into the wee hours of the morning.
Because she likes to move, an Aries bride will not want a wedding gown that is restrictive or cumbersome. Forget about dresses with skirts so straight that you can barely walk, or skirts so full that it practically requires a team of horses to drag you around the room. Look for a gown that is easy to move in, and you will feel great. To add some drama, spice up your ensemble with flashy crystal bridal jewelry.
The toughest thing for an Aries is going to be staying on track and planning the wedding in a methodical fashion. An Aries will have a tendency to jump from point A to point D, while skipping over points B and C entirely. This sense of adventure will serve an Aries well in many parts of her life, but when it comes to putting together a wedding, sometimes you need to do things in a certain order to ensure that no detail is overlooked. The headstrong Aries may also find herself clashing with her mother over matters of taste and decorum. If you encounter these issues, it could be a great idea to hire a wedding coordinator, both to keep you on task and to keep the peace in the family!
You want to plan your wedding in a way that will really reflect who you are. That is what makes the affair memorable for the guests, and enjoyable for the bride. For the Aries bride, be sure to use your wedding to highlight your great sense of fun, adventure, and love of life.
Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids jewelry at SilverlandJewelry.com – [http://www.silverlandjewelry.com/swarovski_crystals.html]Crystal bridal jewelry will delight any bride with a dramatic side.
