Tag Archives: Bride Guides

Wedding Gurus Ask, Does Love At First Sight Really Exist?

love-at-first-site

Eyes meet across a room. Music swells as internal temperatures raise. Perspiration beads above his upper lip as she begins to swoon. It must be low blood sugar on a balmy day. But then the music swells as their eyes connect deeper. She’s locked in his baby blues while he’s transported by her heavenly hazels. Oh, how Hollywood has ruined us for real life. Or has it? From the classics on the Silver Screen to modern day rom coms, the cliches remain consistent. And the world eats up the happily ever after phenomena. But does love at first sight really exist? And if not, what’s the point in making wedding plans at all?
Does Love at First Sight Really Exist?
The answer to that question has baffled poets, musicians, writers, psychologists, scientists, and married couples for centuries. You’d really think it was a simple yes or no answer, but as with so many other complex questions in life there are aspects that require deep discussion and exceptions. After all, what topic is more complex than love? Well, perhaps except divorce – which brings this topic full circle.
We all want that once-in-a-lifetime fit. That glass slipper if you will. Certainly love isn’t a fairy tale and it’s not meant to be. Those who expect never ending happiness without any type of challenge or resistance are bound to be miserable, especially in this day and age. Love is simply the beginning of commitment. And commitment is the embodiment of marriage.
But that spark. So many have felt it at the beginning of successful relationships that it can’t be ignored. And therein lies the catch-22. Like so many other things in life, the rules are there but living can’t really begin until those rules thoroughly broken. So then, we go back to the original question: Does love at first sight really exist? According to 58% of Americans, it definitely does… even though only 50% of them have actually experienced it personally. Science is split down the middle – for obvious reasons.
So Who Says What?
Considering Americans spend over $72 billion on weddings annually, online dating and hookup sites have no problem spending big bucks for research and cognitive findings on that first spark phenomena. According to most matchmaking sites, true love is absolutely real and nothing can be proven otherwise. Of course, psychologists claim it’s not quite that simple. While the brain is responsible for emotional behavior and beliefs, the organ is really the thought center of the body.
Psychology leans on the side of that first spark being lust over true love. After all, how can someone truly love another person after a simple glance or chance meeting? And while that makes perfect sense in logical form, thousands of couples still insist they knew their partner was the one from that first glance, hello, or touch. It was something internal unlike anything they ever felt with anyone else.
And those feelings – practically those words verbatim – are repeated time and time again. So then what makes love at first sight real love as opposed to lust? It all comes down to the people involved… how they define love, their belief systems, and what they need and expect out of life. But one thing is for sure. When those feelings are returned, that spark turns into fireworks. That’s what leads even the most solemnly sworn singles to give up their black books in exchange for making wedding plans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How much is the appropriate gift amount for a wedding?

wedding-invitation

The wedding invitation stares at you from the table with all its pastel colors, curly letters and embossments, supposedly unaware of the hours of sleep you will lose over it. Aside from Am I going to attend?’, the real quandary that the innocuous piece of stationery represents is a question of wedding etiquette: How much should I spend on the gift?’

Even with the increasingly popular option of a gift registry being a convenient option for both the couple and their guests in terms of what to get, it presents problems of its own.

Firstly, how will it come across if you select the cheapest few options?

This is rather easily solved – simply augment your choice from the registry with a complimentary addition. For example, if you have chosen the cookware set, a selection of herbs and spices and/or apron and mittens will be a nice touch, and take you over the threshold into what you think would be reasonable.

Of course, reasonable’ itself is the quandary.

One school of thought advocates giving cash or gifts to the near equivalent of what it would have cost the married couple to host you. The trend today is for couples to recoup the expenditure through a preference for cash gifts.

Others would say that the value or cost your choice of gift is best decided by how close you are to one or both of the newlyweds or their parents. In this case, restricting yourself to a price-per-plate calculation would not really be appropriate if the bride is your best friend.

The guide, very generally, is that you should not spend less than $50. An amount of between $50 and $75 would be suitable for a casual work colleague or distant relative. For other relatives and better friends, an amount closer to $100 is more appropriate, and for your inner circle of family and closest friends, between $100 and $150.

Location also plays a part – if the couple lives in a major urban center, it would be prudent to increase the value in the guide above by a factor of 1.5 or 2. As destination weddings become more popular, however, matters are just a tad more complicated. One common perspective is that you could give less if it cost you a significant amount to attend in the first place.

The average amount spent on a wedding gift in 2015 was about $120. That is just right to maintain wedding etiquette and enough to give a unique gift that the couple will use, and remember you when they do.

What kind of unique gift? Well, that’s a whole different article altogether.

 

Top 5 Most Popular Honeymoon Destinations for your Wedding

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What a diverse, exciting and absolutely gorgeous world we live in! And your honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to indulge your senses of sight, sound, taste, smell and touch with your partner in exotic new locales that will leave lasting memories of this wonderful start of your life together.

Some vacation destinations are inherently romantic and have developed stellar reputations for hosting weddings and honeymoons over the years. We have compiled a list of five, in no particular order, that have not only retained their popularity but continue to grow from strength to strength.

Italy
There are few names that inspire blissful daydreams of love more than Italy. Venice and its famed waterway gondola rides; Verona, the setting for Romeo and Juliet; and Rome, for its magnificent awe-inspiring architecture create an ideal romantic destination that has an almost magical ability to intensify your romantic feelings.
As it is part of Europe, amenities like transport and accommodation are first rate, and sampling authentic Italian fare in its native homeland is a gastronomic highlight you will remember.
Hawaii
Hawaii is, in fact, the largest of a chain of eight islands, called the Hawaiian Islands. Recognized for its almost unreal beauty of sky-high mountains and waterfalls, and beautiful volcanoes best seen from the air, scenes from the island have been featured in countless films, posters and on TV.
Hawaii offers endless choices of world-class entertainment and adventure from all water sports to sky-diving, and excellent, fresh cuisine to match.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is the sole Hindu island in the muslim nation of Indonesia. That it has retained its heritage is most evident in the beautiful, ancient temples that are still visited by its inhabitants and tens of thousands of tourists every year. Together with the crystal clear waters, they form the perfect backdrop for amazing honeymoon photos.
Bali is a great cultural getaway from the hustle and bustle that allows your partner and you to indulge in meaningful quiet time in picturesque settings.
Fiji
Another island known for its picturesque ocean views is Fiji, home to the original ‘Blue Lagoon’. Ringed with pristine white beaches that border lush green vegetation, Fiji offers the ideal cocktail of perfect weather, paradisaical vistas and excellent amenities that make for a memorable honeymoon adventure.
The food, the weather, the activities- they all come in huge helpings in Fiji and contribute to an exquisite honeymoon experience.
Mexico
This amazing country is a study in contrasts – from shimmering waters foaming on flawless white beaches to dense rainforest inhabited by exotic wildlife to ancient archeological sites, Mexico has something for everyone. The night and party scene is among the most vibrant anywhere in the world.
Choosing Mexico for your honeymoon vacation presents one huge problem – it will be torture when you have to leave!

No matter where you wind up, be sure to make the most of your time away. Your honeymoon should be a time that you reflect back on with a wistful smile and sigh of satisfaction.

Make it count!

 

 

 

 

Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

If you’re thinking of having your big day at an exotic location away from home, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are a few tips for planning a destination wedding:

Timing is everything. Depending on what destination you choose, the best weather dates may correlate with tourist season – which means higher rates for everything. If you’re scheduling your wedding for tourist season in that area, you’ll want to reserve hotel rooms and the venue about 11-12 months in advance.

Scout out the destination. Visit the destination prior to planning the wedding to scout out the area, venues, and hotels. Schedule tastings with the caterer and scout out fun local activities for your guests.

Research local marriage requirements. Some countries have “residency requirements” prior to your wedding. Turks and Caicos requires you to be on the island for at least 24 hours prior to your ceremony where France requires you to arrive at least 40 days before.

Only DIY small things. It’s important to make sure these items are small and will be easy to travel with like reception chair signs, seating cards or guest books.

Ask for help from someone who is already at the destination. Many resorts have on-site wedding planners that can help coordinate and do the legwork for you.

Check airline carry-on rules. Sometimes it’s actually cheaper to ship all of your wedding DIY items to your destination than it is to carry them on yourself.

Make your destination wedding your theme. There are so many ways you can have fun with a destination wedding and incorporate it into your theme for all of your wedding events. Your invitations could be faux airline tickets or passports. Your favors can be suitcase tags. Be creative!

Make welcome bags. Your guests have traveled a long way to attend your big day so assembling welcome bags for them to receive in their hotel rooms is a nice touch. If you’re putting these together yourself, send all the items to the destination ahead of time and make sure you arrive at your destination a few days early so you can put them together without stressing about time.

Embrace the local culture of your destination. Your signature wedding cocktail can be a local-made liquor or you can choose to include music from your destination in your reception.

How to book your destination wedding. There are many sites that can help you with choosing where to go and booking your destination wedding. If you’re focused on exclusively Caribbean beach wedding locations, IslandBrides.com might be helpful and it’s free.

Creative “Something Blue” Ideas for Your Wedding

Creative something blue ideas for your wedding day

Everyone knows the age old saying “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Not only does your wedding dress and reception décor style speak volumes about your personality, but what you choose for “something blue” can be a fun way to show your creativity as well.

We’ve rounded up our favorite creative “something blue” ideas for your wedding to help light your spark for creativity:

A ribbon around your bouquet.

Blue ribbon around the bridal bouquet is a creative "something blue" idea for your wedding day.

Sew your wedding date on the inside of your wedding dress.

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Sew a heart on the inside of your wedding dress.

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Sew your initials on the inside of your wedding dress or on the groom’s cuff.

Sewing your wedding date or a heart or initials inside your wedding dress is a creative "something blue" idea for your wedding day.

Blue “I do” on your wedding shoes.

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Or on both of  your wedding shoes.

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Better yet, why don’t you  just make your wedding shoes blue.

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Blue nail polish.

creative-something-blue-wedding-day-ideas-tiffany-blue-nailpolish

Or just blue nail designs.

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Blue Garter.

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Blue intimates.

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Blue Necklace.

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Blue charm bracelet. 

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Pins.

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Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

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Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life – not the day that drove you into the ground financially at full speed. Whether your budget is little or limitless, there are few ways you can save money on your wedding without compromising what you really want.

Wedding Calendar

Get married on a Friday or Sunday.
Saturday is the most expensive day of the week to get married – especially in the Spring and Summer. If you get married on a Friday or Sunday you could save yourself some big bucks – especially if you schedule your wedding in the late Fall or in the Winter.

Champagne Toast

Skip the champagne toast.
People can toast with anything they’re drinking. If you’re not keen on ditching the classic toast, you can also opt for prosecco which is still bubbly but less expensive than champagne.

Wedding Flowers

Stick to seasonal items.
Choose fruits that are in-season to save yourself some money on the catering. Thinking seasonally is also important when choosing your flowers. You’ll be surprised at how much choosing in-season items will save you!

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Serve signature cocktails.
Alcohol is one of the biggest expenses of a wedding. Most wedding venues have a “you open it, you bought it” policy which will leave you paying for a bottle even if you only had one sip out of it. Consider offering a limited bar with signature cocktails that all use one type of liquor. You can also choose to serve just beer or wine.

Wedding Dresses

Shop designer or sample sales.
You can save up to 70 percent on wedding gowns, veils and accessories by shopping at sample sales. Your favorite designer’s websites might have a touring list of their sample sales or you can contact a local bridal gown salon to inquire about events.

Double up your escort cards as your favors to save money on your wedding

Combine place cards with the favors.
Add guests’ names to the favors to save on the cost of printed escort cards.

DIY Wedding Favors are a way to save money on your wedding

Make your own favors.
Making your own chocolate covered almonds and bagging them as favors is an inexpensive and delicious way to save money on favors.

Rent a house to save money on your wedding

Rent a house for the wedding and lodging.
Renting a house can act as a wedding venue, housing for out-of-town guests, and a secluded honeymoon venue for when the guests leave.

Wedding Vendor Booking Timeline

Wedding Timeline for Booking Vendors

Once you’ve decided on the basic details for your wedding day, it’s time to start researching and booking vendors. After all – without them in place, your wedding timeline may fall apart. We’ve put together this wedding vendor booking timeline so that you don’t miss anything in the craziness of planning your big day.

12 Months

  • Ceremony venue
  • Reception venue
  • Wedding planner

10 Months

  • Photographer
  • Caterer
  • Florist
  • Videographer
  • Band
  • DJ

 

8 Months

  • Ceremony music
  • Officiate
  • Wedding dress
  • Stationer (save the dates)
  • Guest accommodations

 

7 Months

  • Cake baker
  • Bridesmaid’s dresses
  • Honeymoon travel consultant
  • Stationer (invitations)
  • Party rentals (chairs, linens, etc)
  • Hair stylist
  • Makeup artist

5 Months

  • Men’s attire
  • Bridal accessories
  • Transportation

3 Months

  • Wedding rings
  • Favors

Unexpected Wedding Expenses to Watch Out For

Unexpected wedding costs to watch out for.

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes… THE BILL… (Input dramatic music here). A common mistake that most couples make is not leaving a little extra wiggle room for unforeseen wedding expenses.

As you prepare your wedding budget, avoid getting heart palpitations upon receiving that hefty bill by being prepared for the unexpected. Here are the top unexpected wedding expenses to watch out for:

Uncle Sam. When checking all your vendors’ estimates, clarify if the sales tax is included in that price.

Delivery Fees. Almost anything and everything you need on your big day can be delivered – for a price. Be sure to ask what the deliver fees are ahead of time so you can budget wisely and be prepared.

Gratuities. Most of the time gratuities are not included in the initial wedding budget. Make sure you read the fine print in your contracts and estimates to see if your caterer is already adding that extra 20%. Make a list of all the people you need to tip included the band, DJ, photographer, florist, caterer, hairdresser, coatroom attendant, drivers, bartenders, servers, etc. Also make sure you have cash on hand on the day of your wedding. It’s a good idea to prepare tip envelopes ahead of time in order not to forget anyone.

Postage. Special envelopes – like the kind you’re probably sending your fancy invitations in – usually have an extra surcharge. If you’re including stamps for the RSVP envelope that’s also another added expense most couples forget about. Don’t forget about the stamps and envelopes for the thank you notes!

Wedding Party Gifts. It’s customary that you show gratitude to your bridesmaids and groomsmen for all their time and hard work. On average, it’s recommended that you spend between $75-$150 per person. This can quickly add up, so include this cost in your budget.

Set-up fees. Even if you’re bringing your own liquor you’re still likely going to end up paying a bar set-up fee or a cork fee. If the venue is helping set up your event on the big day, ask if they have a set-up fee as well.

Cake Cutting Fee. You can have your already overpriced cake..but if you want to eat it too, you’re probably going to have to pay a cake cutting fee first. These costs are a provision for the plates, forks and servers.

Tips to Save Money on Wedding Flowers

Planning a wedding on a budget? Here are some Tips to Save Money on Wedding Flowers

Flowers are one of the biggest expenses when it comes to your wedding. However, you don’t necessarily have to waste a majority of your budget in this category. Here are a few tips to save money on wedding flowers without compromising the decor you’re dreaming of:

Look for wholesalers. When purchasing flowers, search for wholesalers or a flower farm for the best prices.

Choose a naturally floral setting for your reception. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, there are probably tons of beautiful flowers and landscaping details in place already.

Choose in-season flowers. Opt to decorate with flowers that are in-season since they tend to be cheaper.

Artificial flowers. Faux flowers tend to be cheaper and are a great option if you’re looking to save money. If you opt for this, you can also always rearrange them and re-use them in your new home!

Choose an alternative. Who said centerpieces always have to be flowers? You can always choose an alternative centerpiece such as framed photos, desserts, candles, favors, etc.

Song Guide for Your Wedding Day

A guide to choosing wedding music

No matter what style or type of wedding you’re planning, there’s a list of major categories that you’ll need music for. You’ll need to decide on different songs for specific parts of the day. Here is a song guide for your wedding day to make sure you don’t forget a soundtrack to any of your special moments.

  • Processional. You need to pick a song for your bridesmaids to walk down the aisle to, and then another for when you walk down the aisle yourself.
  • Recessional. After you say your “I Do’s” you’ll need to have another song for your big exit.
  • Cocktail Hour. If you’re hosting a cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception, you’ll have to have a playlist of songs ready.
  • Reception entrance. A song to mark the bride and groom’s entrance as well as the wedding party. This is a good chance to set the tone for the reception.
  • The first dance. We’re sure you didn’t forget this one.
  • Father-daughter dance. You’ll need a song for the mother and son dance as well.
  • Reception playlist. Give your DJ an idea – and perhaps a list – of the music you do and don’t like.
  • Cake cutting. This song can be cute, sweet and upbeat.
  • Bouquet toss. This should be a fun and upbeat song.
  • Garter toss. This should be fun as well.
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