Posted on May 16, 2008 under Wedding Attire |
Getting Deals on the Wedding Clothing
If you are planning to have a full wedding that includes bridesmaids, and groomsmen etc. it could run you a great deal of money to cover your gown as well as the other women and men’s clothing as well. Bridesmaid’s dresses get more and more costly with every extra woman in the wedding party. When you are deciding how much money you can afford to spend on the wedding clothes, you have to consider the fittings and the flowers or accessories as well.
If you can, you might do better to allow for casual wear for the bridesmaids so that they can wear less expensive dresses or skirts. This is particularly good if you are planning an outdoor or beach wedding.
The less formal the ceremony, the less money that you are required to spend. Perhaps that is why outdoor ceremonies are getting more and more popular these days.
You can also save money on the ladies dresses by purchasing them off season from a bridal store. You can always shop for out of season or discontinued dresses as a means of getting great discounts on gorgeous dresses. If you really want to, you can ask that your bridesmaids forget about the wedding shower gifts in favor of buying their dresses. That is a common compromise that is made these days.
If the cost of the dresses is really going to be a matter of stress for you, just reduce the bridesmaids to just having a maid/matron of honor and a best man only for the groom.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Click on the button to the right for everything you ever wanted to know about planning your wedding>>>>>
Posted on May 02, 2008 under Uncategorized |
Types of Venues
Resorts- Are a great place to have a wedding ceremony and reception. It is convenient for out-of-town guests who can stay at the resort. Ask for groups rates if you are reserving multiple rooms. Most resorts will usually throw in a complimentary nights stay for the Bride & Groom. Most resorts will comp the banquet room depending on the head count for dinner. Resorts can be very pricy and tough to book on certain dates. The key is to plan way ahead and be flexible. “Off -Days” can save you a lot of money as well as “Off-Months”. Resorts have better availability on days other than Saturday and “Off-Peak” months. Most resorts are now requiring the vendors to be insured (certificate of liability insurance). Remember, you must use their food and beverage, but you don’t have to use their A/V. Read your contract before you sign and let them know if you plan to use another A/V company. You can save literally thousands of dollars by out-sourcing any sound, stage, lighting, projectors and/or entertainment.
Country Clubs- Many golf courses have a country club with a banquet room and offer great outdoor scenic spots for the ceremony. Like resorts you usually have to use their food & beverage. Be aware that Country Clubs come in a variety of, Private, Semi-Private or Open to the Public.
If you are a member (Private) you should have use of the banquet room at no charge. If you are a member of a “semi-private” (membership not required) you should have use of the facilities and a reduced rate.
Wedding Venues- Designed exclusively for events (weddings, holiday/birthday/anniversary parties) Most of these venues will allow you to use your own catering company and give you much more flexibility than resorts and country clubs and are considerably less expensive. Some wedding venues will have a preferred list of vendors from which to choose from. Some wedding venues, due to their location, have restrictions on the sound level of the entertainment and usually will have a limitation on the duration of your event.
Halls- Usually someone needs to be a member in order for you to rent or use the banquet room. Most halls will allow you to use outside catering companies and might have time restraints.
Types of Venues
Church Halls- Usually someone needs to be a member in order for you to rent or use the banquet room. Some place restrictions on alcoholic beverages and entertainment. There are usually time constraints.
Restaurants/Bars- Having your reception here can save big bucks. Seldom will you pay for the room. You will be required to use their beverages in exchange for the free room. Some will require to use their food but not many. The entertainment (especially if at a bar/nightclub that has their own sound system and DJ) can save you hundreds of dollars alone. Usually they will charge $50-$100/hour for the DJ. (that’s $200-$500 versus $1200 for a DJ company)There are, however, restrictions on days and times when holding your wedding reception at a bar or restaurant.
Outdoor Events-Parks, Beaches and Backyards. There is nothing more exotic and romantic than getting married by a stream or at the beach but remember… You are at the mercy of Mother Nature.
Posted on Apr 17, 2008 under Uncategorized |
Saving Money Using Reception Themes
NASCAR
This theme has a world of possibilities. You can decorate with checkered flags and checkered flag streamers, toy cars, painted numbers of the different cars and drivers.
If you would like, you can decorate with a particular driver motif. The best part about this theme is that it is very casual and you can serve regular foods like pizza, large submarine sandwiches, hamburgers and even chips and nachos; pretty much any food that you want.
In general this relaxed type of theme applies to all sports related theme. This theme is great for receptions. You can also opt to watch a race.
MOVIES
Popular movie themes like the Matrix and Lord of the Rings etc. can be a lot of fun for receptions when the bride and groom are movie buffs.
Decorations will be based on what the general movie symbolizes such as; if you chose the Matrix, you would use computer data charts and sheets, computers, dress in all black etc. You could serve appetizers rather than entrees for this type of theme as well. Playing the movie during your reception is a cool idea for background scenery.
Posted on Apr 15, 2008 under Wedding Stats |
Wedding Statistics
*After the wedding…
72% of all Brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.
Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.
During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site, photographer and caterer - reception entertainment is the least of their priorities. Within one week after the reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority!
When asked, 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about the wedding is the entertainment.
65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding reception, said, if they had to do it all over again, they would have chosen a Disc Jockey (DJ).
A reception is by definition an “Entertainment” function. Don’t cut corners on the Master of Ceremonies!
More info is available by clicking the button on the right > > > > > > >
*These statistics were published in St. Louis Bride and Groom Magazine in 2003. Sources include: Simmons, 2001; USA Today, 2002; National Bridal Service, 2001; The Knot, 2002; Brides Magazine, 2001 www.SoundProEntertainment.com
Posted on Apr 14, 2008 under Wedding Venues |
Renting a HallIf you prefer to rent a hall or space for your reception, you must consider many things before making this decision. You will have to think of the prices for the hall rental, the cost of using their servers (most halls include servers in price and they are not negotiable), decorations, flowers, meals, drinks etc. When you wish to rent a hall for your reception there are some things that the hall will include in your rental that you can’t avoid paying for such as: servers, decorations, and wine. However, some halls will give you the option to pick and choose the extras that you want.Depending on the type of hall that you choose to rent, the costs can vary greatly. For example, if you rent a large hall, you could pay more than if you rented a legion hall.
You might also want to consider that if you are starting with a small budget, that renting a hall might not be worth the effort and money, or it may leave you with less options.
There are a few tips when renting a hall that could keep a great deal of your costs down. Let’s take a look at them.
1. You should only consider renting a hall if you have invited 50 or more people to your reception.2. When renting a hall, you have to decide if you are opting for a cash bar or an open bar. A good compromise is to purchase a few cases of beer on your own and host a cash bar for those who want mixed drinks if you are trying to keep costs down.
3. Rent a hall that you can decorate yourself
For more information click on the button to the right>>>>>>>
Posted on Apr 10, 2008 under Wedding Etiquette |
WEDDING ETIQUETTE (Do’s and Don’ts)
Glass Clinking- Bride and Groom must stop what they’re doing and KISS!
Bride and Groom should buy each other a wedding gift.
Attendants should cover their own expenses which include: Travel, Bridesmaids Dresses, Tuxedo Rental, Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties, Bridal Showers.
Once the Bride and Groom have finished eating dinner, walk around to each guests table and say Hi!
Best Man should start the Toast, Father of the Bride should say a few words followed by Maid of Honor (if she wants to). Groom & Bride should end the toast with a “Thank You” to all the guests for coming.
Tipping- (Tipping is a personal expression of gratitude) Remember gratuity is built in the Food and Beverage bill (if at a resort.) It also may be added to the final bill of the limo company. Check with the catering contract to see if they add gratuity.
Be sure to read your contract regarding gratuities
People to tip- DJ $50-$150, Officiant $50-$75, Priest, Rabbi, Clergy $75-$100 donation, Organist/Musician $50-$75
The dance floor should be on the small side. Reason is, your guests will be more likely to dance on a smaller vs. larger dance floor and once the crowd gets dancing it gives the illusion of a packed happening party spot. It makes great stories the next week when your guests tell their friends that it was so packed at your wedding, people were dancing on the carpet!
Turn the house lights down when the dancing starts. Darker is more intimate and will keep the dancing going longer.
Make sure the bar is in the same room as the dance floor. Bars are like kitchens, everyone tends to gravitate there.
Posted on Feb 25, 2008 under Weddings On A Budget |
Why should something small like money put a stop to your dream wedding when it doesn’t have to? These days, just about every wedding that you will see (unless the couple is rich) is going to be held on a budget.
Some weddings are even held on a budget as little as $1000. Just because you can’t afford to pay thousands and thousands of dollars for a wedding doesn’t mean that you can’t throw a wedding to be admired by others.
With this guide , you will learn how to:
Get deals on flowers
Get deals on catering
Get cheap decorating tips
Hire the perfect DJ
Delegate responsibilities
Save money on bridesmaid gifts
Save money on photography/videography
Save money on wedding venues
Shop for wedding attire
Create a timeline for the reception
Speak the language of wedding vendors
Understand contracts
Find the right vendor
There are so many aspects to throwing a wedding that it can cost you an arm and a leg. Nobody wants to spend every dime that they have on their wedding, yet they still want the best wedding that they can possibly get.
With this guide/planner, that is exactly what you will get and at rock bottom prices too! This guide will be your comprehensive tool to saving money on all of the costs for your wedding.
We will explore themes and extras and how you can save money on all of them.
Click on the button on the right and let’s get started!
Posted on Feb 19, 2008 under Friends & Relations |
Getting married? Want to save a few bucks? Then listen to this…….
DO NOT HAVE A FRIEND OR RELATION HANDLE THE ENTERTAINMENT, PHOTOGRAPHY, CATERING OR FLOWERS…
Unless of course you like Vegas, which means you like to roll the dice. Hey, it’s only the most important day of your life. Why not take a chance on your Big Day and let your cousin’s friend (who hasn’t done a wedding in 3 years) handle your entertainment and coordination.
Think how much money you’ll save??
I have seen everything from film running out, to the DJ hitting on the bride, to contaminated food. Should I continue?
Bottom line….Read the Exclusive Wedding Guide. Click the button on the right and in minutes, you will have more information than you thought possible plus you will save money with professional wedding vendors, who do this for a living!>>>>>>>
Posted on Feb 18, 2008 under Catering |
When it comes to catering services for your wedding, there are options to make it affordable. Generally for larager receptions, catering companies will offer discounts on their own.
Saving money on your food and drinks can be very easy, but it really depends on how large your reception party will be and what you are planning to serve.
The Exclusive Wedding Guide has 10 tips that will keep money in your pocket.
I have also included in this extremely valuable guide…12 questions that you absolutely, positively must ask a catering company in order to avoid the 10 mistakes commonly made by most brides and grooms who, by the way, have never planned a wedding before…kind of like…YOU!
Just click on the button to the right, plus click the “Free Gift” button for an instant Free Gift!>>>>>>>
Posted on Feb 17, 2008 under wedding planning |
I meet with way too many brides whose fiance is very indifferent about the whole planning process.
Usually the first consultation is with the bride…no groom. This is not healthy for several reasons:
1. The bride meets and makes a decision based on the professionalism, experience and services provided.
Once the groom hears how “expensive” these vendors are, he usually brow beats the bride and vehemently opposes anyone that “charges that much”. Had he met with these professionals, he would understand that you get what you pay for.
But he, of course knows more about the wedding industry than the wedding vendors and unfortunatley most brides loose their spines and submit to their future husbands. What a shame.
Don’t let this happen to you. Be armed and in control with this 98 page guide full of more information than even your knowledgable future husband knows. Just click the button on the right >>>>>>>
