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Wedding Planning in Winter

December 23, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Even though June may statistically be the most common month for weddings, it does not mean it is the only appropriate time of the year for a great celebration. Winter weddings are a popular option that can create a magical memory that is unlike any wedding held any other time of the year. Before anyone commits to a wedding during this time of year, there are many things they should consider first.

Just a quick visit to any party planning site will reveal that there are an endless amount of ways to decorate and plan a winter wedding. The decorations for this time of year are available everywhere, because a lot of Christmas and New Year’s Eve decor is perfect for a wedding celebration. Banquet halls with warm fireplaces and silver and blue or red and gold decorations are all perfect backgrounds for some stunning wedding photos.

During the winter, families are often in town visiting already because of the holidays. This makes it more affordable for out of town guests to attend weddings since they will not have to make a second trip in the summer for the event. However, holiday parties and busy schedules may make it difficult for friends to attend, and that should be remembered when making plans.

Money could be another issue because many are financially strapped during the winter. There are higher heat and utility bills, the holidays and an upcoming tax season. This is important for the bride and groom to consider too, because it could eventually restrict how they are able to celebrate their winter anniversary in the future.
Another concern, at least for those in northern climates, is winter weather. Just as a rain storm can ruin an outdoor summer wedding, snow and sleet could cancel a winter event. It could cause guests to be delayed or have their flights cancelled and could even lead to a honeymoon departure being delayed.
Winter weddings may not be for the excessive worrier or the faint of heart, but when they are planned correctly and make full use of the beauty of the season, few summer weddings can compare. Make certain to be aware of the pros and cons and use all of the party planning tips available to make a winter wedding a party that no one will ever forget.

Good Luck!

Party Planning Tips To Enjoy Your Own Party

December 21, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Pulling off a fantastic event can be done with careful planning, a fun venue, and a pinch of luck. Really enjoying your own party is often a matter of personal sacrifice. Your own fun often goes by the wayside with all of the stress and last minute details that come with planning and coordinating a party. The thing is- it doesn’t have to be this way!

With some specific party planning tips, you can throw the party of the year while still enjoying the festivities yourself.

1. Be Detail Oriented
One of the main reasons that a good hostess can enjoy their own bash is because they thought of different scenarios- and planned ahead. Make a list of party must-haves, from food prep to decorations. Writing it on paper or taking notes on your phone or computer can help organize your thoughts. Make sure that you have an accurate body count and plan for several extra guests. You never know who will bring a plus-one unannounced. It is also a good idea to check with your guests beforehand to see if there are any dietary restrictions that you should be aware of such as gluten allergies.

2. Keep it Simple
If you are running the show solo, simplicity is key. Food choice and preparation is going to be a big factor in whether or not you are able to enjoy your party. Making as much of your menu ahead of time as possible is going to help enormously. Another tip is to choose simple, yet elegant appetizers to serve your guests. Sticking with one or two ingredient dishes will ensure a quick prep time. Have food arranged on sturdy trays ready to set out when necessary. Food that does not need to be kept extremely hot or cold is another way to keep it simple. As far as decorating goes, choosing elegant black or white is a great way to make a chic statement without a lot of fuss.

3. Let Yourself Relax and Have Fun
Choosing to relax and let things play out how they may is one of the hardest things for a host to do. Problems will arise but if you planned ahead, they most likely won’t end in disaster. Talk and laugh with your guests. If they see you enjoying yourself, they will too. Take pictures or better yet, designate someone else to! With careful planning and a great attitude, you will be sharing party planning blog worthy pictures of a successful event of your very own!

By following the above party planning tips, you should definitely be able to make your cake and eat it too!

Have Fun!

Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

May 30, 2015 admin Leave a comment

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.

Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

May 26, 2015 admin Leave a comment

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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 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.

Unexpected Wedding Expenses to Watch Out For

May 12, 2015 admin Leave a comment

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

May 7, 2015 admin Leave a comment

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

May 5, 2015 admin Leave a comment

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.

28 Questions You Should Ask Your Wedding Venue Before Signing a Contract

April 30, 2015 admin Leave a comment

When comparing wedding venue options, it’s important to make sure you understand all the details of each offer so you can compare wisely and choose the best option. After all, choosing the cheaper venue only to be later surprised by a bill with unexpected costs is no fairytale.

Here are some questions you should ask your wedding venue before signing a contract:

How many people can this location accommodate?
What dates are available in the month I’m considering?
What is the cancellation policy?
Do you have a weather contingency plan for outdoor spaces?
How much is the deposit? When is it due? Is it refundable? Is there a specific payment plan for the entire bill?
Is there an added charge for using my own vendors? Sometimes wedding venues have their own coordinators, caterers and other professionals that are already included in their cost. It’s vital that you clarify these details so you know which responsibilities fall on you as well as to avoid double booking the same professionals.
Can I bring my own food, drinks and cake? If you have the option to bring your own, discuss how it affects the price they first quoted you. Do they charge extra for this option or does it bring the original price down?
Are party rentals included in this package? Chairs, tables, tablecloths, etc. Also be sure to ask what color linens are available so that you know when planning your colors and theme.
Are there set up fees?
Is there a charge for parking? If there is valet parking or a parking garage you should decide if you or the guests are responsible for the charges.
What time can my vendors start setting up on the day of the wedding? How early can my deliveries be made?
Does the venue provide assistance getting gifts or décor back to a designated car or hotel room?
Is there a time limit? If so, what’s the cost of going over? Most venues only allow you to utilize the space for 4-6 hours.
Is there a coat check service?
What are the tax rates and other fees? State and local sales tax, hospitality fees, included gratuities, etc.
Price per person. If you are charged per person, make sure you clarify how they will arrive at the final number. Your hired professionals (photographer, videographer, band, etc) will also need to eat. You need to know if and how they will be counted. Do you get a discount rate for these vendors? Make sure you are aware of all taxes and service charges per person.
Do children have different pricing?
Can we do a food tasting prior to finalizing our menu selection? Is there an additional charge for this?
Do you provide cake cutting utensils?
Do you offer on-site coordination? If so, what services are available and is there an additional charge for them?
Do you offer any security services?
Do you have liability insurance? If the venue doesn’t provide it you should look into getting your own in case someone gets injured during your reception.
Do you provide overnight accommodations? Is there a discount for booking multiple rooms? Do you provide a complimentary room or upgrade for the newlyweds? What are the nearest hotels to the venue? (Some venues have partnerships with local hotels that offer a discount if you block rooms off).
Do you have signage to direct guests to my event?
What is the last possible date that we can make changes?
Do you have sound equipment and speakers or will they need to be rented?
Are there decoration limitations such as candles?
Who will be our point person before the wedding? What about the day of the wedding? Can we meet them now?

12 Mistakes Brides Always Make

April 28, 2015 admin Leave a comment

The journey from getting engaged to saying “I Do” is filled with hurdles and mistakes. Here 12 mistakes brides always make and how you can avoid them.

You announce your engagement on social media too soon. Tell your family and closest friends first, and in person, if possible. Grandma and Grandpa will be more appreciative of finding out in person than through a distant relative who happened to see your engagement first on Facebook.
You don’t account for hidden costs. Sales tax, cash tips and last-minute extra charges can wrack up hundreds in extra fees.
There’s a large time gap between the ceremony & reception. Do your best to minimize the in-between time between the ceremony and reception. If this isn’t possible, make sure your guests are entertained or have a place to lounge and mingle, like a cocktail hour.
You cheap out on wedding party gifts. It’s definitely not cheap being a bridesmaid. Make sure you don’t skimp when buying the bridal party their gifts. A rule of thumb is to spend between $75 and $200 to show gratitude for their time and money that they’ve spent helping you with your big day.
You don’t consider your guests. Friends and family who are traveling to attend your wedding are spending a considerable amount of money. Be sure to arrange group activities the night before and the morning after the wedding. Go the extra step and make sure you block out hotel rooms for them and provide transportation.
Don’t spend all your time greeting guests. One of the biggest regrets brides have is spending a majority of their day greeting guests. Long post-ceremony receiving lines and table rounds at the reception can drastically reduce the time you’re actually having fun. Be sure to make the most of your day – don’t get held up at one table for too long.
You don’t do your flower research. Make sure you research floral costs. Don’t put strong scented flowers like lilies on your table since they can overpower the food. Hydrangeas may wilt in the hot summer heat if you’re having an outdoor wedding. If flowers aren’t in season they could cost you more than you think.
Don’t purchase your gown before choosing a venue. It’s your day and you can wear whatever you want. However, if you choose to book The Plaza for your wedding venue, you’ll most likely regret buying a low key wedding dress fit for a rustic outdoor wedding.
You don’t consider your venue when planning your décor. If you’re having an outdoor wedding at a venue that’s already graced with gorgeous landscaping you may be able to forgo spending a large sum on flowers.
You don’t leave schedule enough time for your hair and makeup. The last thing you want to do is be overwhelmed and rushing to get to the ceremony. Or worse-be hours late to your own wedding!
You opt for a trendy bridal look. Skip the trendy seasonal look when it comes to your big day. Today’s red carpet look is tomorrow’s awful wedding photo regret.
You get carried away with Pinterest DIY ideas. Sure, Pinterest is a wonderland for geniously-creative ideas. However, make sure you’re being true to your talents. Remember that tackling your own décor can also mean that you’ll be arranging details up until the last minute before you walk down the aisle!