Your wedding will be one of the most eventful days of your life. There are plenty of things to organize before the big event. It is always helpful to make a checklist of affairs that need to happen prior to your wedding. Below is a list of important events to note when planning a wedding:
1. Announcements/ Invitations
2. Bachelor (ette) Parties
3. Gifts!
4. Rehersal Dinners
5. Wedding/ Engagement Rings
6. Wedding Attendants
7. Cake
8. Ceremony
9. Decorations
10. Food
11. All Formalwear
12. Guests
13. Music
14. Photographer
15. Reception
16. Wedding Shower
17. Transportation
These are all very important bases to touch before the wedding day, make sure that you have everything organized and in order. As long as all of this is covered, your wedding will fall into place itself. Most importantly, make sure you hire trustworthy people. The last thing you need is to deal with someone who will stress you out during your wedding planning process. And remember, the key to having a stress free wedding is to stay positive, stay calm and to surround yourself around people who will keep you happy and sane.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Compare those Shoes
Valentino “Floral Organza Sandal” Martinez Valero “Corrine Sandal”
Valentino shoes range from thousands of dollars, while this pair of Martinez Valero sandals are only $59.95 at DSW!
With just a few of these examples it is easy to see that it is simple to find a great pair of shoes without having to break the bank. Sticking to a budget may be easier than you think. You may find something that you “can’t live without” but try comparing it with another item. You will be surprised at how similar the two will be, and how much money you will save in the long run.
Fun Wedding Themes
Choosing a theme for your wedding is always exciting. It is important to do this before organizing your wedding. Here are a few theme ideas:
1. Beach
These are just a few wedding theme ideas. Deciding your theme will help choose everything, from your dress to venue. Your wedding will take months to organize but it lasts only a few short hours so make sure you pick a theme that you will be happy with for years to come.
1. Beach
2. Horse and Carriage (Fairytale/ Princess)
3. Vintage
4. Winter Wonderland
5. 80s Decade Theme
3. Vintage
4. Winter Wonderland
5. 80s Decade Theme
These are just a few wedding theme ideas. Deciding your theme will help choose everything, from your dress to venue. Your wedding will take months to organize but it lasts only a few short hours so make sure you pick a theme that you will be happy with for years to come.
Compare that Dress
Vera Wang David Bridal
"Devon" "Oleg Cassini"
Vera Wang dresses range from $2000 to $8000, while this David Bridal dress was a whopping $499!
Always find dress options, these two dresses are very similar yet they price difference is HUGE! Be smart when you shop for a dress, and keep an eye out for something similar. Just because you have found a dress that you like, you may find a similar one for half the price. And just think about what you can buy with them money you save!!
How to stick to a budget
Sticking to a budget can be difficult, especially when trying to plan the perfect wedding. Most people don’t want to limit their spending on their special day, but sometimes it is necessary. While our country is in a recession it is important to save as much money as possible at all times, no matter the event. Later I will discuss specific ways on how to best spend your money, but for now I will focus on sticking to a reasonable budget. Below are some tricks to keeping money in your pocket:
1. Make a goal – be reasonable. Your goal should not limit your spending so much that you are unhappy with the outcome of your wedding, but it shouldn’t be excessive either. Once you set your goal don’t alter it, make sure it is something that you can deal with no matter the circumstance. It is also helpful to review this goal with someone. If it is made public, the chances of you breaking it are slim to none, you don’t want to risk embarrassment or going broke.
2. Only buy things that are necessary. Leading up to the wedding there are plenty of things that you can do to help save money. For example pack a lunch rather than going out for a bite to eat. Hesitate before running to Starbucks; you know that coffee maker hasn’t been used in a while. Instead of getting manicures every few weeks, try painting your own nails (But treating yourself to a mani/pedi on your wedding day is ESSENTIAL!). Rather than going shopping, mix up the wardrobe you already own and re-wear a few things. When things get difficult, remember why you are doing this.
3. Decide what is important to you. Would you rather spend more money on a dress and have fewer guests, or would you prefer having an open bar over having your flower arrangements made for you. This process can be difficult as well, but you and your partner have to figure out what is significant.
4. Treat yourself! Sometimes this saving process can feel as if it will never end, but you can prevent this by treating yourself to something special in a time of need. Although you have to make sure you do not over do it, this concept can ensure that you do not grow tiresome. Once a month you could buy yourself a dvd, a new pair of shoes, even a few drinks with the girls.
These tactics will also calm your nerves, which is never a bad thing! Remember sticking to a budget will allow you to buy the things that you truly want and need for your wedding. No matter how stressed you get, just remember that it will all work out in the end!
1. Make a goal – be reasonable. Your goal should not limit your spending so much that you are unhappy with the outcome of your wedding, but it shouldn’t be excessive either. Once you set your goal don’t alter it, make sure it is something that you can deal with no matter the circumstance. It is also helpful to review this goal with someone. If it is made public, the chances of you breaking it are slim to none, you don’t want to risk embarrassment or going broke.
2. Only buy things that are necessary. Leading up to the wedding there are plenty of things that you can do to help save money. For example pack a lunch rather than going out for a bite to eat. Hesitate before running to Starbucks; you know that coffee maker hasn’t been used in a while. Instead of getting manicures every few weeks, try painting your own nails (But treating yourself to a mani/pedi on your wedding day is ESSENTIAL!). Rather than going shopping, mix up the wardrobe you already own and re-wear a few things. When things get difficult, remember why you are doing this.
3. Decide what is important to you. Would you rather spend more money on a dress and have fewer guests, or would you prefer having an open bar over having your flower arrangements made for you. This process can be difficult as well, but you and your partner have to figure out what is significant.
4. Treat yourself! Sometimes this saving process can feel as if it will never end, but you can prevent this by treating yourself to something special in a time of need. Although you have to make sure you do not over do it, this concept can ensure that you do not grow tiresome. Once a month you could buy yourself a dvd, a new pair of shoes, even a few drinks with the girls.
These tactics will also calm your nerves, which is never a bad thing! Remember sticking to a budget will allow you to buy the things that you truly want and need for your wedding. No matter how stressed you get, just remember that it will all work out in the end!
Helpful Wedding Shows and Magazines
Often when planning a wedding, it is helpful to have resources. One way is to watch shows on TV. Channels such as Food Network, FLN, TLC and Style Network are great sources for fun wedding ideas. They provide shows that vary from cakes to dresses, to florists and unruly bridezillas. Some of my favorite shows include:
1. Say yes to the dress(TLC)
2. Flowers uncut (TLC)
3. Who’s Wedding is it Anyway? (TLC)
4. Ace of Cakes (Food Network)
5. Bridezillas (TLC)
Magazines are another helpful source. They can be used as indicators of the latest wedding trends. Although there is a wide range of magazines, here are my top five favorite Bridal Magazines:
1. Bride To Be
2. In Style Bride
3. Martha Stewart Weddings
4. True Bride
5. Cosmopolitan Bride
I hope you all find these magazines and television shows resourceful. Mixing and matching different ideas is always a fun thing to do. Once you see the kinds of styles and themes you like, you can better create your own dream wedding. Then when you choose the theme of your wedding, you will find it easy to use your creative side.
1. Say yes to the dress(TLC)
2. Flowers uncut (TLC)
3. Who’s Wedding is it Anyway? (TLC)
4. Ace of Cakes (Food Network)
5. Bridezillas (TLC)
Magazines are another helpful source. They can be used as indicators of the latest wedding trends. Although there is a wide range of magazines, here are my top five favorite Bridal Magazines:
1. Bride To Be
2. In Style Bride
3. Martha Stewart Weddings
4. True Bride
5. Cosmopolitan Bride
I hope you all find these magazines and television shows resourceful. Mixing and matching different ideas is always a fun thing to do. Once you see the kinds of styles and themes you like, you can better create your own dream wedding. Then when you choose the theme of your wedding, you will find it easy to use your creative side.
How to stay CALM
Leading up to your wedding you may experience a lot of high pressured events. For example your catering company booked you for a Fillet Mignon dinner rather than the Salmon meal that your mother-in-law demanded. Or your bridesmaid painted her nails ‘Something Sweet’ rather than ‘Go Go Pink’. When things like this happen DON'T FRET! Before you let any of these problems affect you, make sure that you are being healthy at all times; eat healthy, get a lot of rest, fit in time to relax and stay sane! Drink a glass of wine here or there. Take some Yoga or Pilate's to find your Zen.
Besides feeling extra beautiful on your special (wedding) day, leading a healthy life helps one deal with stressful events. After you make sure that you are leading a healthy lifestyle some of the following tips can be helpful for when problems arise. The first thing you should do is:
(1) Take a deep breath- count to ten if you have to- Take a few minutes to regain your stability.
(2)Then remove yourself from the situation-- remember what is important here. It is YOUR wedding day! You are in all control!
(3) Next you should stop what you are doing! Go do something to clear your mind, something that makes you happy.
(4) Last but not least, stay positive! Don’t surround yourself with negative energy. Spend time with friends and family who will encourage you and keep your mind in high spirits.
Remember your wedding is an event that you will remember for the rest of your life, fill your memories with positive events rather than negative ones. The chance that everything you planned will happen perfectly is not likely, but that doesn’t mean that the memory you have of your wedding day doesn’t have to be perfect.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
