Budget Battle

Each and every wedding is different, and requires very special attention...especially to the budget! We have compiled a general list of how the budget should be distributed, and a few tips to help keep you on track! :)

Wedding Budget Breakdown:

·         Reception (Food, Beverages, Rentals, and Site): 40 percent to 50 percent

Flowers: 10 percent

Photography/Videography: 10 percent

Bride's and groom's attire: 5 percent to 10 percent

Music: 5 percent to 10 percent

Planner or Coordinator: 10 percent to 15 percent

Miscellaneous (Favors, Transportation, Etc.): 10 percent

Cushion: 5 percent to 15 percent

Budget No-No’s

1.       Never go into debt to pay for a wedding. Instead, consider throwing an intimate gathering and put off the big reception until you've saved up for it.

2.       Don't charge your wedding bills unless you can pay off the balance in full as soon as you get each statement. Credit-card interest rates and finance charges can add hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to your bill, even if you carry a balance for only a month or two.

3.       Don't agree to any upgrades (colored table linens, fancy chair covers) without first asking if they cost extra.

4.       Don't spend more than you'd planned in one area unless you can cut that cost in another area.

5.       Don't budget for fewer guests than you invited. It's better to overestimate

How to Stay on Budget:

1.       To arrive at a realistic budget, start by researching the price of weddings in your specific area. The average varies wildly across the country—from around $20,000 to $75,000-plus.

2.       If you have your heart set on a specific site, florist, or band, call that vendor to get a sense of their fees. During this preliminary planning stage, you'll also need a ballpark figure for the number of guests you'd like to invite. All this early deliberation and fact-finding will give you a more accurate estimate of how much your fantasy wedding will cost.

3.       You and your fiance need to have an open, respectful talk about how much you can actually afford. Whether to include others in this conversation depends on who will be contributing to the wedding. If your families are willing to open their checkbooks, it's crucial to get their input up front, and to be mindful of your hosts' limits and gracious about their choices.

4.       Once you've settled on a hard number, the next step is setting your top priorities. Perhaps your top priority is a gourmet dinner, a breathtaking location, or mind-blowing live music. Once you can determine that, it will tell you where you should put most of your budget.

5.      Although it's always tough to realize you can't have everything, there are all kinds of creative ways of saving money that don't look like you're saving money. Some of them are sneaky and simple, like cutting down on the number of tables at your reception, which translates into fewer expensive centerpieces. Some of them aren't quite so pain-free.

6.       Remaining within your budget also means staying organized. Track your expenditures by saving receipts and recording your spending. File copies of every vendor estimate in a folder so you can refer to them if need be. And remember to keep a cool head and just say no to things you can't afford.

How to Buy Engagement Rings that are Wallet Friendly

Getting engaged is such an exciting time for a couple! It is something they will remember forever, and a story that will be passed down for generations, so of course it needs to be special. But with all of the expenses that come with starting a life together (wedding, new home, etc) the engagement ring budget can be a stressful thought. People generally say to spend about two month’s salary, give or take, depending on your comfort level. But there are some tricks that can help keep you within your budget, while still scoring your bride to be a gorgeous ring.

·         Put a ring around it- You know the saying, "strength in numbers"? The same holds true for enhancing a stone. A ring with a halo setting (a circle of smaller diamonds around the center stone) can make the diamond in the middle look bigger. And it's not just a great way to create the illusion of additional carats- a halo can also completely change the appearance of diamond by giving it a vintage look.

·         Opt for an Emerald Cut- An emerald cut has fewer facets (the surfaces that reflect light and make the diamond sparkle), so it won't be as shiny, but the shape allows the diamond to cover more surface area than other cuts of the same carat weight do. It will look bigger. And it's a timeless style, so your ring will never seem passé.

·         Skip Eternity Bands- Diamonds all the way around the band are not for the frugal ring shopper. Instead, look for a band that focuses on the center stone, like one that's embellished with twists or engraving. If you still want a little extra sparkle, add baguette diamonds on each side of the center stone for a lower cost.

·         Go Color Crazy- Consider a colored gem for the center stone. Pink sapphires have a similar rosy hue to pink diamonds, while citrine creates the same effect as yellow diamonds.

·         Pick a Prong-Less metal means a lower cost, so go for a prong setting (which secures the diamond like a tripod above the band) over a bezel one (a metal ring holds the gem stone in place). This setting is a great way to highlight the diamond, and there's a maintenance upside to this one too: Since more of the stone is visible, it's easier to clean.

·         Make it a set: Sometimes you can score a deal if you buy the engagement ring and the wedding band at the same time. You might even be able to get the groom's wedding band at the same time for even more savings.

You know she's worth every penny, but you don't have to break the bank to buy a stunning ring. Follow these engagement ring budget tips to get a ring she'll love at a price your wallet can handle.

 

How to choose your wedding colors

The colors you choose for your wedding day set the style and tone for your entire event! What do you want your guests and you to remember?! You can use color in your bridesmaids' dresses, decorations, cake, favors, flowers, accessories, table linens and even the invitations! Choose colors you love, but also keep in mind:

·         Where is the wedding and reception? Choose colors that complement the setting if you can. Consider the carpeting, drapery and decor, etc.

·         What mood do you want to create? Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more romantic atmosphere.

·         What time of year will you marry? The season may influence your color scheme. Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while fall and winter colors are generally darker.

There has been a lot of research done on how colors affect our moods and emotions. Colors mean different things in different cultures, so avoid focusing too much on them, and choose the colors that you like. The following two tools can help you choose a coordinated color scheme.

·         Color Wheel - A color wheel helps you choose coordinating colors. There are three color-choosing strategies that will ensure you pick a well coordinated, beautiful color scheme.

o    "Complementary" colors means choosing colors that are opposite each other on the wheel, such as red and green. The contrast is usually has good visual appeal.

o    "Analogous" means the colors lie next to each other on the wheel, such as red, red-orange, and orange. Since they are so similar in tone, they will blend well.

o    "Monochromatic" means variations of the same tone, such as bright red, dark red, etc..

·         Color Palette Generator Tool - This handy (and fun!) tool allows you to upload your favorite photo and generate an instant color palette. You can then print and select your favorite colors from the chart

Tips: Try to limit your main colors to two or three so as not to look too jumbled and stay consistent with your colors throughout the wedding site. Use a few subdued colors for an elegant look.

2012 Wedding Color Trends

The table below includes popular wedding color choices for the upcoming seasons:

	aqua	tangerine	lilac	mustard	antique blue
	deep red	latte	lavender	charcoal	sage

 

Do Me a Favor

Tired of getting the same old wedding favors? Your wedding guests deserve the cutest favors, from the cutest wedding! Here are some unconventional wedding favors that we know will be a hit.

We love the idea of doing favors that really mean something. If you have guests coming from near and far, how about sending them home with not only a favor, but also a souvenir? This Bride was from Georgia and sent everyone home with a jar of homemade peach preserves and the south's best kept breakfast secret: Grits! 

The perfect hangover kit for your guests the next morning 

Heartfelt favors are something everyone will enjoy and want to take home. This couple sent their guests home with a baseball cap, blackberry jam made by the bride, and coffee from the groom's hometown. 

"Mint to Be"

 These white orchids are beautiful. We've also seen Mint and Thyme favors. ("Mint to Be" "Thyme of our lives"etc.)  Gorgeous, elegant, adorable.  Something guests can enjoy for a long time. 

Sending your guests home with ready to make
chocolate chip cookies: um, YES PLEASE 

 

Goodie box full of herbal tea and shortbread cookies to compliment.

For more unique favor ideas, visit http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/

Happy Planning :) 

To toss or not to toss?

If you are a bride who is interested in forging your own path, and you prefer to avoid the bouquet toss, there are many new alternatives that still engage your audience and will leave a lasting impression! That IS the whole point of throwing your expensive flowers at a group of rowdy girls, right?! ;)

Some brides think that tossing the bouquet comes across as silly and childish, so they'd prefer to do something else, which is totally acceptable. A very popular option is the anniversary dance, which is a very cute way to involve the audience and show the value of commitment! The DJ will ask all the married couples to join the bride and groom on the dance floor. They will play a romantic song (or fun- depending on the mood you're going for) and eliminate couples depending on the amount of time they've been married. The last couple remaining on the dance floor, the one married the longest, would then be presented with your bridal bouquet! Some girls feel much better about passing on their bouquet in this manner.

Another cute idea is to give your bouquet to someone who is extremely special to you, or someone who was a huge impact in your marriage...maybe even the person who set you up! Some brides want to spread the wealth, so they will chose to break up their bouquet into many smaller groups and give them to their bridesmaids or special wedding guests. This is something they will all remember and definitely cherish.

If you want to do something a little less traditional, and are going for a "fun" vibe, you could use a pinata and have all the single guests (or ALL of the guests if you prefer) take a whack at it! The inside can be filled with candy, the bouquet, the garter, party favors....etc, or all of the above! This will be talked about for years to come.

Have fun with it...it's all about engaging the guests and enjoying yourself, so find something that channels your personality and you can't go wrong!!!

Finding the Perfect Place for your Big Day!

So you’re engaged, now what? First things first…where are you going to get married? Finding the perfect venue is usually the first step in the planning process, and then the rest of the wedding details will easily fall into place! When you are looking for a venue, there are a few things to keep in mind:

·         A Roomy Fit. This may seem like such a logical concept, but having a room that is large enough to hold your guests is essential!  It’s important to keep in mind that a space looks much larger empty. All of the wedding details- dance floor, bar, tables, chairs, cake tables, etc-take up a lot of space, and you want to allow the guests to have some extra room to move around. The best way to judge the size of a room is to see it set up for an event similar in size in the same room. Many times venues will allow you to stop by early on the day of a wedding to see how it looks all set up.

·         Areas for eating, drinking, and dancing. There should always be separate places for these activities to take place. When you’re standing in the space, try to imagine where each activity would take place. You want the party to flow. If the room is a strange shape, or it is just too small, the wedding will feel cramped! Try to think of what would block guest’s views, or what activity should be located next to another.

·         Privacy. This is something that is more important to some people than to others. If you would like to have your wedding in a public park or on the public beaches, it is important to keep in mind that people may be walking through during your wedding. If you prefer something more private, opt for a private beach or pay for a venue that is exclusive for events.  Some restaurants and smaller venues may allow you to buy-them out, to accommodate guests only. Also, make sure to ask about the security they provide, if any. Some venues hold more than one event at a time, and you may hear them. If this is something that you prefer to avoid, try to schedule your big day when there isn’t something else going on next door!

·         Lighting. This may seem to be a very miniscule detail, but lighting can make or break your wedding! If you’re getting married during the day, make sure that the venue has lots of windows. If it is taking place in the evening, make sure that the room isn’t too dim and check to see if the lighting can be controlled for the big entrance, dancing, and dinner. If the wedding is outdoors, are candles allowed? Where can you put them? Always be sure to visit the site the same time of day as your wedding. You want to make sure that you are pleased with how it appears visually to both you and your guests.

·         A Great View. It is always a plus to have a beautiful backdrop. Guests will love it, and it makes for beautiful pictures to remember your special day! If there isn’t a view necessarily, look at the place’s décor or architectural details- all of these things give the venue a little something special.

·         Ample Outlets. Be sure that you do a walkthrough of the room to make sure that there are plenty of places to plug things into. The entertainment will use the majority of the outlets, so make sure that their area of the venue has plenty of places for them to hook up. If the venue doesn’t host many weddings, be sure to find out their policy on bringing it outside electricity!    

·         Good Acoustics. Make sure the venue doesn’t echo too much. That could cause the band to sound funky, and it could also make it difficult for the guests to hear each other speaking! It’s good to remember that a tile or wood floor tends to amplify sounds, whereas thick carpet will muffle them.

·         Plenty of Parking. Make sure the site is near a parking lot, garage, or big empty street that allows parking. If parking is a problem, look for other ways to get everyone to the party. Can a shuttle bus or vans take guests from the ceremony to the reception?

Good Luck Venue Hunting! Have fun with it. This is where you'll spend the most important day of your life :)

Introducing: Honeymoon Pixie

Besides the joy of seeing the bride walk down the aisle, the anticipation of waiting for the couple’s first dance, and eating unhealthy amounts of cake, one of the most traditional parts of wedding preparation is selecting and giving a gift to the new bride and groom. These gifts normally center around household accessories and kitchen gadgets. Something we seldom think about, however, is this: Unless it's something the couple has expressed really needing, chances are they already have it or have no need for it. 
Many brides I know are still trying to find room for the plethora of wedding gifts they received. 

So let us ask you this: Why not give something they bride and groom can cherish forever? 
...how about an awesome honeymoon? Yes please.  

Introducing Honeymoon Pixie, a honeymoon gift registry. 

Honeymoon Pixie is just like any gift registry, however instead of registering for household items, you register for gifts to go towards your honeymoon. These can include things like a bottle of champagne, a romantic dinner for two at a restaurant on site, or even resort activities like parasailing or snorkeling. The list goes on. 

Your wedding guests visit your unique registry website and purchase gifts for your honeymoon. If you choose not to use a gift you receive, you can request to have the gift funds be sent to you at any time! 

When Honeymoon Pixie's founders, Andrew and Gina Marino, got married, they said they decided on a local honeymoon to help keep costs down and to stay within their budget.  While this was romantic and memorable, they wished they could have splurged on a more exotic honeymoon. 

Looking back, they say they would have preferred a monetary gift to take that honeymoon that they always dreamed about instead of receiving gifts they didn't really need. From there, the Marinos decided they wanted to ensure that other couples had an easy solution to this common dilemma-and Honeymoon Pixie was born!

We love love love this idea! Visit Honeymoon Pixie today to start your very own registry. Soon, you can be on your way to the honeymoon of your dreams.
http://www.honeymoonpixie.com

Happy planning :)