Photo Courtesy: Toftrees Golf Resort
Weddings are a momentous occasion. Not only is your wedding day a time to celebrate a new beginning with you and your spouse, it’s also the largest event most of you may ever need to plan. Putting together a huge celebration can be taxing on your energy and your wallet. Fortunately, it’s possible to plan your dream wedding without breaking the bank or relying on credit. By combining a mixture of smart planning strategies, DIY projects and budget-conscious choices, you can have the wedding that you want without an unwanted price tag.
Seven Tips for Budget-Conscious Wedding Planners
1.) Cut the size of your guest list
The fewer people you need to feed and accommodate, the more flexibility you will have in planning the event. Confine the event to just close family and friends, and request that people not bring dates unless specifically invited.
2.) Plan an informal wedding
A black-tie event will usually cost more than a more relaxed, casual wedding. You can have it outside and take advantage of beautiful natural scenery to save money on a venue, or dress in clothes you may already own like a lacy tea dress to cut down on costs.
3.) Have your wedding in the morning or afternoon
If the reception occurs in the morning, you can cut down the reception costs by serving a light breakfast brunch and mimosas. You can cut alcohol out of the reception entirely for hefty savings as well.
4.) Rent what you can
Photo Courtesy: Cory Doctorow
Some things can be rented for a fraction of the cost of buying them. See if you can rent wedding supplies for your ceremony or reception. You may also want to look into renting a dress or tuxedo rather tan buying one.
5.) Make things at home
DIY weddings are a huge trend, and you can recruit your wedding party to help make decorations, favors or invitations. You can search online for inspiration or browse wedding supply stores to get an idea of the sort of things you can replicate.
6.) Invest where it matters
Figure out early on what is most important to you, and budget around that expense. For example, if the venue is the most important part, you may want to save money on decorations and let the beauty of your chosen venue shine through.
7.) Offer buffet-style food
Photo Courtesy: savv
Food served in a buffet will be much less expensive than a sit-down fare, and the money you save can be invested in buying the best possible food for your budget. Focus on a handful of delicious dishes rather than offering a larger menu, and be sure to offer a self-service appetizer platter.
Planning a wedding can be expensive, but people on any budget can afford the wedding that they want if they plan it carefully. By incorporating these tips, you can start putting together the wedding of your dreams no matter what your budget.
If you’re planning your wedding and are looking to save money, visit Stylish Weddings Melbourne. Offering a range of classy yet affordable wedding accessories, jewellery, decorations and just about everything you need for a wedding.
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A beautiful wedding taking place at Zephyr Cove on Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Photo Courtesy: Whit Scott
Are you planning a dream destination wedding in Lake Tahoe? There are many decisions to make, from the food to the flowers to the photographer and on and on. With so much on your plate, one thing you shouldn’t have to worry too much about is where your guests will be staying. Before you run to the nearest hotel, give some thought to vacation rentals as alternate lodging for your wedding guests. Here are just a few of the many reasons why Lake Tahoe vacation rentals are a great idea.
Private Gatherings
If you’re planning a destination wedding, you’re probably envisioning your closest family and friends spending time together celebrating. When wedding guests have more space than just a box of a hotel room, then private gatherings are all of a sudden a possibility. How about sunset cocktails or a late night glass of wine? Vacation rentals will allow your guests to spend more quality time together.
Great Value
Whether you’re planning a summer or winter (or somewhere in between) wedding in Lake Tahoe, your guests might want to make a real vacation out of it. For some people, this might stretch their budget, but a vacation rental could make an extended trip a reality. Your wedding guests can join together to split the cost of a bigger rental, maximizing the value out of their trip. By having families, couples, or groups of friends all pool together their funds for a rental, the shared value is guaranteed to be better than what you would get at most hotels.
Comfort and Convenience
When you ask people to travel for your wedding, you want them to be comfortable. A vacation rental provides all the conveniences of home, from kitchens to laundry facilities to living spaces with big fireplaces. You could surprise your family members by stocking the fridge at their vacation rental or sending over champagne to thank them for coming. A rental will also give your family members privacy, allowing couples and families to have their own private time too.
The Big Day
Vacation rentals can be very convenient on the big day. Spend the morning getting ready with your bridesmaids with all the space and comfort you had envisioned for your big day. With multiple bathrooms to use to get ready and plenty of space for hair and makeup, everyone will be ready right on time (ideally!).
The happy Bride & friends dancing to beats of some thrilling music – Photo Courtesy: Whit Scott
Vacation rentals aren’t just handy for before the wedding; they’re handy for after too. Not ready for the party to end? Take the festivities back to a rental! Pop another bottle of champagne and keep the dancing going. Or simply gather with your best friends or family to reflect on the memorable day. If people have a place to gather, they will be less likely to just retire to a hotel room and go to sleep.
Start the Honeymoon Early
Another benefit is starting the honeymoon early. Choose a luxurious rental with a soaking tub for two, a steam shower, a fireplace, or whatever else will help set the romantic mood for the newlyweds. After all, who wants to get on a plane the day after their wedding? When you wake up, you will already be in a gorgeous destination. Rentals will also allow you to spend more time with friends and family after the blur of a wedding is complete.
Make Some Memories
No one wants their wedding to just blend in with all the others. Ten years down the line, you want your nearest and dearest to recall the details of your big day. Choosing vacation rentals will set your wedding apart from all the other cookie cutter weddings. You will always remember the fun you had in your elegant home away from home in Lake Tahoe, and odds are your wedding guests will too.
Laura Hoot is a freelance writer and content manager for HomeAway. She manages HomeAway’s Travel Ideas site as well as a full house with three dogs, a cat, two chickens and a baby boy. She’s written for USA Today’s travel site, GirlsGetaway.com, Cheapo Air, Travels.com, Trails.com, eFilmCritic.com, The Budget Fashionista, Travellogged.com, and many more sites.
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There’s no doubt about it — You are a couple that is constantly on-the-go. Whether it’s driving across the country, flying to Europe or strolling on the beach, you are always doing something. You both love to travel and experience new sights, scenes and cultures. Travel themed wedding favors would be the perfect idea to commemorate your happy day! Below are some tips and suggestions for deciding on travel themed wedding favors.
Take-Alongs
Think about you need and what you like to take away with you. Everyone needs a luggage tag. What about water bottles for hot days on the beach? Maybe you like to take a travel alarm clock so that you don’t miss out on your cruise excursion. Do you like to play cards while waiting to board the plane? How about a travel candle for those romantic evenings where you just stay in? Hand sanitizers, sunscreen, lip balms, soaps, cosmetic bags, and even pedicure sets might be good ideas. All of these items can be personalized and reflective of you.
Little travel bottles of vodka as wedding favors – Photo Courtesy: Regal Ribbons
Travel Destinations
Where do you guys like to go? The beach, choose seashells or wind chimes. Enjoy going to Europe; give out candles designed as Eiffel Towers. Hawaii is your destination of choice, have cookies in the shape of Hawaiian shirts made. If you are going for a more Asian theme, fortune cookies, small take out boxes, chopsticks or wedding fans are options. Love Las Vegas; choose something with dice or horseshoes. Go to Disney every year, the ideas for favors are truly endless. Enjoy traveling the world; a small water globe may be a good idea.
Activities
You can also chose wedding favors that reflect what you like to do on vacation. Have golf balls or a picnic basket personalized. Go to wineries on your trips, select a bottle stopper or a wine glass. Enjoy fishing, sailing, snorkeling – have wedding favors that reflect these themes. Give out bubble bath to show your love for spas or small travel totes if you enjoy shopping. Like to go for helicopter rides, on a cruise, or hiking, chose favors based on these themes.
The options for travel themed wedding favors are endless. Check online, go to craft stores, or look at craft magazines and books for more ideas. Select favors that reflect who you are as a couple and your love for travel. And remember, when choosing travel-themed wedding favors, the sky really is the limit.
Juliana M. is a wedding planner with a passion for travel. That’s why she loves helping those on-the-go couples bring a little of their globe trotting personalities into their weddings with details like travel wedding favors. Juliana’s travel wedding favors can add the zing your wedding needs to stand out.
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Let me start by saying that as a former bridal salon manager, I am not usually a proponent of purchasing a bridal gown over the Internet. Accessories like bridal jewelry, shoes, and headpieces, sure, but online wedding dresses have always made me nervous. I have always believed that it is critical to try on wedding gowns before making a selection. However, some of the newest designs from well-respected companies may yet make a convert out of me. Learn where to find absolutely stunning wedding gowns online:
First things first
A bride should only consider ordering her bridal gown online from a reputable retailer who accepts returns. Never ever buy a designer knock-off from overseas; too many brides have had their hearts broken by dresses that never arrived or gowns that did not meet their expectations. The exciting crop of Internet bridal gowns to which I am referring are made by established American companies, specifically Ann Taylor, J Crew, and BHLDN (part of Anthropologie). All accept returns on un-worn non-sale wedding dresses as long as specifics are met regarding tags, time frame, and receipts. J Crew even permits wedding gowns to be returned to their stores for convenience. Naturally, confirm the return policy on any wedding dress before buying it online, since you don’t get to try it on before purchasing.
Ann Taylor Wedding Gowns
Silk Strapless Vintage Wedding Dress by Ann Taylor
I haven’t heard much about Ann Taylor wedding gowns, but it turns out that they have some fabulous silk wedding dresses on their website. The prices range from about $425 – $895 (excluding some lower priced short dresses), which is a great value for real silk gowns. Many of their wedding dresses are very romantic, with pretty yet un-fussy fabric treatments. One stand out from the collection is a strapless silk gown with a U-shaped neckline and an intricately ruched bodice. Best of all, it even comes in petites! Ann Taylor also has wedding dresses made from lovely materials like softly gathered lace, silk Georgette flutter, silk taffeta, and tulle flowers. I could imagine many of these dresses for an afternoon garden ceremony. A romantic bouquet of garden roses and delicate pearl jewelry for the bride would complete the lovely style of these wedding dresses.
The J Crew wedding collection
Serena Gown by J. Crew
The J Crew wedding collection is another place to look for elegant wedding gowns that can be purchased online. Their wedding dresses range from about $350 – $3000, depending on the fullness and construction of the gown. The collection features the same clean lines for which J Crew ready-to-wear is well known, and is made primarily from silk and silk blended with other natural fibers. This would be a great place to find a simple, sophisticated wedding dress, such as their polyester tricotine or silk crinkle chiffon Sophia dress. It has a graceful drape and a flattering V-neck that would be as lovely on a bride in her 40s as one in her 20s. My personal favorite of the current collection is a more exuberant strapless mermaid wedding gown called Serena, which is made from a fabulous silk-linen blend with shimmering jacquard polka dots. It is a great combination of preppy and sophisticated, and would be fantastic with a hot pink peony bouquet.
BHLDN by Anthropologie
Swirling Platinum Gown in SHOP The Bride Wedding Dresses at BHLDN by Anthropologie
One of the online bridal collections that has received the most buzz is BHLDN by Anthropologie. These gowns are unabashedly vintage in inspiration, and some of them are downright breathtaking. BHLDN wedding dresses will tickle your fancy if you adore antique styles, elaborate detailing, rich textures, and lots of layering. The gowns range from about $600 – $6000, with the majority of them coming in at under $3000. The dresses are utterly unique and definitely have a distinctive flair. If you are looking for a true fantasy gown for your wedding, the BHLDN collection is worth your consideration.
Bridget Mora is the former manager of a fine bridal salon. She now writes all about wedding fashion and wedding planning for Silverland Jewelry. Find the most beautiful bridal jewelry for your wedding at Silverland Jewelry today.
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