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Top 6 Wedding Themes to Make Your Big Day Special

One of the hardest aspects of planning a wedding is deciding the best wedding theme to be incorporated into the big day. While you don’t need a wedding theme, having one can take your big day from typical to terrific with just a little extra planning. Here are some wedding themes you should consider.

Rustic:

A rustic theme is a perfect way to let your guests escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life so they can have a taste of the simplicity that farm life offers. You don’t have to live on a farm to adopt this theme as string lights, oak beams, mason jars, and bales of hay contribute to its simple and homey vibe. You could even incorporate country-western cake elements like cowboy boots or horseshoes.

Vintage:

Whether you feel you should have been born in another era or you just want to draw inspiration from the past decade, choosing a vintage wedding is the perfect way to connect to a decade or century. You can go back in time to hold any type of wedding including ancient Greece, the eighteenth century, the 70s, 80s, 90s, and more. Just sprinkle antique touches and other heirloom details throughout your attire and décor to exemplify a vintage-finished wedding.

Nautical:

If you’re a huge fan of the seaside or you just want a destination wedding, a beach theme is a great idea because it merges a destination and a season. When it comes to color for your décor, think blue and white, and the sun and sands will tie it all together. Pristine waters, the smell of the salt hair, and the feel of fresh sea breeze on your cheeks as you get married to the love of your life – is there anything better than that?

Travel:

If you and your partner love to travel as much as you love each other, incorporate a creative travel theme to bring a shared sense of wanderlust to life at your wedding. Think weddings on cliffs, overlooking mountains, waterfalls, and more. You could even get creative with your invitations (like pretend passports).

Garden

If you’ve always liked the idea of an outdoor wedding, a garden theme could be the way to go. Spring and summer are the best seasons to host this kind of wedding, with flowers and lush vegetation being at the heart of your day. If you don’t own a garden, you could easily ask a friend or family to donate a potted land so you can exchange your vows in a natural setting.  

Bohemian theme

If you’ve read to this point and you’re yet to pick a theme, consider opting for a bohemian-themed wedding. With flower tiaras, long flowing gowns, oriental rugs, patterned cushions and more, the boho style has a way of remaining chic with minimal effort.

 Conclusion

If none of the above speaks to you, you can combine any of the themes to create your own unique wedding theme.

How to Become a Successful Wedding Planner with Inexpensive Wedding

Thinking of becoming a professional wedding planner? You can achieve your goal by starting with inexpensive weddings. As you’re probably aware, the job of a wedding planner is to relieve the bride and the groom of the stress associated with planning a wedding. Today, many couples are getting married without spending so much on the ceremony, and helping their dreams come true can easily make you stand out. Here are some ways you can help make things run smoothly within the budget available.

The wedding dress

Most wedding dresses are typically expensive, and ordering one could break any budget. You can help your client cut down costs by offering several options, like renting a wedding dress. Renting a gown makes sense since the bride will wear it for only a few hours. Other options might not always work for all brides, but they can still be explored. For instance, if the bride’s family has a good seamstress, she can assist in making the dress while the couple supplies all the needed materials. Alternatively, the bride can wear her mother’s gown if it has been well stored and shows no signs of deterioration.

The wedding venue

The venue is another budget-buster but, thankfully, there are many cost-effective ways to book a good venue for the wedding. One of them is to suggest to your client to think of affordable venues such as chic industrial spaces, modern lofts, and restaurants, a public part, or even an art gallery. Another option is to hold the wedding on any other day Saturday to get a discount on the fees of the location. Alternatively, you can encourage your client to keep the guest list small, so they can pay for a location with a small capacity.

The wedding photographer(s)

Most couples consider photography as an essential service for a wedding as it affords them the opportunity to relive their happy day. Hiring a photographer can be expensive, but you can keep an eye on the costs by suggesting that their friends use a digital camera or their smartphones to capture the lovely moments of the ceremony.

The wedding invitations

Newly engaged couples tend to dwell too much on the idea of making their invitations look gorgeous, and this incurs extra cost. A cost-effective way to send out invitations is via the internet using email or social media with colorful images.

The wedding flowers

Contrary to widespread assumptions, you don’t need to pay a floral designer to get fancy floral arrangements. Simple flowers can be gorgeously arranged in clusters, and these could easily be created by the bride’s family.

The wedding cake

Multi-tiered cakes look great, but they’re not compulsory in wedding ceremonies. Just do research on affordable cakes so you can present a list to your client. If none of the couple’s friends or family can bake a cake, you might have to come up with a list of economical bakeries.

 Bottom-line / Conclusion

Planning a wedding can be quite tedious, especially when you are new to it, but creating a timeline of what needs to be done and when to do them can go a long way to help you succeed in this career.

Top Tips for Choosing the Best Wedding Dress and Bridal Accessories

Buying a wedding dress and bridal accessories can be exciting and overwhelming. It is exciting because you get to see and try them on, but overwhelming because of the many options and pressure to find ‘the right one.’ Here are the top tips to help you make a great choice when choosing a wedding dress and bridal accessories.

Do your research beforehand

Finding a wedding dress and bridal accessories that align with your style takes time, so you might want to start doing your homework early. Pinterest is a great tool for this, as are real weddings. Start a folder with pictures of dresses and accessories that catches your fancy. Alternatively, you can visit a large bridal wear shop to see if any of the dresses and accessories appeals to you.

Make a budget

It can be frustrating to fall in love with a dress or accessories that you can’t afford. If you find a dress that you love but with a lower price, never feel like it’s not a ‘proper’ wedding dress, keep in mind that high quality doesn’t always mean pricey. Whatever it is that you go for, make sure you stick to your budget.

Start your search early

To be on the safer side, it’s best to begin your research at least six to nine months before your wedding since it takes most manufacturers about six months to make a dress. And because your body might change in the months leading up to the big day, you will need to factor in the time for alterations, which takes an average of 2-3 months.

Make appointments

Once you’ve decided where you want to go, you will need to schedule appointments at different stores so you can try on gowns. So be sure to call them in advance and go with a notebook so you can jot down your thoughts about each dress that you try own (photos are usually prohibited until you buy a gown.) To avoid confusion, limit the number of dresses that you will try on to less than seven as exceeding that number might get you confused. If you have questions about any gown, the shop assistants will be glad to attend to you.

Keep your entourage small

One of the mistakes most brides make is to go bridal shopping with all their friends just to keep everyone happy. Inviting too many people can result in conflicting opinions, leaving you confused about what to choose. Save yourself the dilemma of not knowing who to listen to and go with the few people you can trust. A nice suggestion is to invite your mom and your maid of honor.

Focus on fit, not size

You might have been told to always make your pick based on bridal sizes, but you may end up letting go of a dress you adore. Rather than insist on a smaller size because you intend to lose weight before the wedding, ignore the label and order the one that fits now. You don’t want to be under the pressure of losing weight when you’re already trying to cope with planning your wedding.

Less is more

When it comes to choosing the accessories to wear, it’s important to keep in mind the maxim, “less is more.” Too much detail and too many accessories can make you look undone.

Conclusion

While you’re shopping for your wedding dress and accessories, always remind yourself that there’s no need to rush. Visit two stores per day to try on their gowns and accessories, but don’t be in a hurry to make an order.

5 Tips on How to Plan your Dream Wedding Day

Recently got engaged? Congratulations! But, what next? It’s about time you start planning for your dream wedding. Wedding Planning might seem like fun at first, but it can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you’re planning it all on your own. Before you take the dive, here are five tips to help you plan your dream wedding.

Decide the kind of wedding you want:

One of the regrets of most married folks is that they didn’t have the wedding ceremony of their dreams because they didn’t plan well ahead of time. So before anything else, decide the kind of wedding you want. Do you want all your family and friends to share in your special day or you prefer the company of your immediate family and close friends? Do you have a choice location or an important date in mind? Questions like this will help you make concrete plans that are best for you and your partner. 

Make/set a budget:

The next thing to determine is how much you are willing to invest in your dream wedding day. While we all want a fairy tale wedding, it’s important to be realistic and plan with a sum you’re comfortable with. Your budget is important because it will guide your decision-making for everything, including your guest list numbers, venue, honeymoon destination, and more. It also helps to give a clear picture of where the funds will come from so you will know who is paying for what. 

Pick a wedding date (range):

The next thing to do is to pick your wedding date or choose a date range that you are ready to lock-in. Selecting a wedding date (or range) can help you draw up a timeline of important dates, including when the invitations should go out, when to fix the alteration appointments for the dresses, when to confirm the final numbers with the venue, etc. It will also help in situations where you have to book a venue several months ahead.

Find a wedding venue:

Now that you know what you want and the date range for your wedding, you can get an idea of the appropriate options for venues. You can ask for recommendations from friends and loved ones as well as search on Google for popular local venues. However, be sure to tour the options before you make your choice. Photography and recommendations can make things look fantastic when they’re not. 

Choose helpers:

Couples often think they can do everything by themselves, but a wedding can be quite demanding for even the most experienced wedding planners. Decide who you want to help you out so you can delegate some tasks to them. Confirm that they have the time and enthusiasm to help you out and then communicate your vision to them. 

Conclusion

Planning for a wedding is hectic and can get tiring, but keeping in mind that it’s all because of the person you love the most can keep you going. Now that you know what you should do, get ready, and start planning now.

How to Save Money on your Wedding Transport

Your wedding day is the happiest day of your life – but it’s likely to be the most expensive one too. And as well as the obvious expenses like the venue and the dress, there are countless smaller costs that will probably take you by surprise. And before long, you might find yourself worryingly over budget. But don’t panic! There are some areas where it’s relatively easy to make savings – such as hiring your wedding car.

Like many aspects of your wedding, transport can be cheaper when booked out of season – so consider having your celebration in autumn or winter to keep costs down. Also, many hire providers also supply vehicles for events like proms or graduations, so choosing a date that doesn’t fall during these seasons will help you get the best price.

Already settled on your date? Don’t worry, there are other things that you can do to help cut costs. For example, do you really need to provide luxury transport for the whole bridal party? A common money-saving trick is for the groom to travel with other guests to the ceremony, while a wedding car picks up the bride and her party. Then, once the ceremony is over, the happy couple can travel onwards in the vehicle – eliminating the need to hire multiple wedding cars. And if you do need to organise transport for a larger party, a minibus or coach is obviously a more affordable option than a fleet of luxury limousines.

If you’ve already got your heart set on your dream car, there’s limited flexibility, but it’s still worth shopping around for the best deal. In some cases, even choosing a different colour or a slightly older model can make surprising differences in the hire cost. And if you haven’t decided yet,
you’re in luck! Obviously, the most popular wedding cars like Rolls Royces and Bentleys are the most in demand, but if you’re happy with a more unusual choice there are some fantastic savings to be made.

Finally, you can slash the costs of wedding car hire if you only need a vehicle for a few hours, rather than a whole day. So if you’re on a tight budget, why not hire something just for your grand entrance and the photographs, then catch a taxi or to any later engagements? It might not be as glamorous but it’s convenient and affordable, freeing up your finances to spend money elsewhere.

Want To Buy A Wedding Dress Online? Savvy Pointers To Find The Perfect Gown

If you’re nervous about buying a wedding dress online, rest assured that you’re not alone. Many brides find it hard to make up their mind about ordering their gown from an online store but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are a few tips to guide you in buying the perfect gown.

·   Know the fabric you want

Unlike brick and mortar stores where you can run silk through your fingers, you won’t be able to physically examine the type of fabric you want to buy. It’s best to keep in mind the type you want and pay special attention to the description section to know the fabrics used. You don’t want to select a gown that looks nice but uncomfortable to wear.

·   Have a realistic budget

It’s pointless admiring a bunch of gowns out of your price range. And while you set a budget, keep in mind that you’d probably need to purchase a veil, petticoat, shoes, underwear and jewellery as well. That’s not all; you also have to consider other factors such as shipping, tax and alterations.

·   Affordable or cheap

Much like every other item, you get what you pay for when you buy a wedding gown online. While it’s a great idea to look for ways to save, going for a ridiculously inexpensive gown can cost you in the long run. Items that sell for such crazy low prices often have a quality that falls way below average. So if you notice that the gown you’re interested in is super cheap, you might want to look elsewhere.

·   Scan through policies of the online boutique

Most online stores offer a return policy but some don’t. You don’t want to order a gown online only to discover that it doesn’t meet your expectations and you can’t return it. Also, it’s important to check their restocking fee so you don’t end up parting with a significant sum when you return a gown.

·   Make the purchase well in advance

Unlike other items like gadgets, wedding gowns can take some time before they get to you. In fact, some labels state that their delivery time takes as long 4-6 months, largely because of the manufacturing. When shopping, make sure the estimated delivery time works for you so you can avoid disappointment. This tip is also applicable to those who are picky shoppers.

·   Know your measurements

Since you can’t try on the gown on-site, you will need to know your own measurement so you can easily find the perfect fit. You need just three: your bust, waist and hips. If you need to, get a friend to help. But should you find yourself debating between two sizes, it’s safer to go for a bigger size as you can get your tailor to adjust it accordingly.

·   Ask for clarifications

Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you have any. A good sales representative will never make you feel like you’re asking too many questions because they know how hard it can be making a purchase online. Be sure to ask lots of questions before buying a wedding dress.

Summary

You will agree that nothing beats browsing through wedding dressed with your bridesmaids and mother. The tips above can make your experience less daunting and help you find the gown that meets your expectations.

What to look for in a Wedding Videographer

Your wedding day is one of the happiest days of your life and it’s important to hire a videographer that can help you get the most out of your wedding film. Deciding to hire a wedding videographer is easy but narrowing down the selection can be overwhelming. If you’re looking for tips for hiring a wedding videographer, here are a few things you should look out for.

·   Experience is critical

A videographer might be a professional that knows how to do the job well but lack of experience can be a major issue. The reason is that wedding ceremonies move quite quickly and split decision have to be made based on past experiences. A videographer without a good level of experience might find it hard to plan his schedule, work around unexpected hiccups and placate uncooperative relatives. You don’t want to hire someone who will learn with your wedding and deliver disappointing results.

·   Type of equipment

The quality of the film you will get largely depends on the kind of tools your wedding videographer uses. You will need to research the latest industry-standard so you can quiz him to know how well-equipped he is. Apart from using the right tools to cover your special day, you don’t want to hire a fellow with big bulky cameras and tripods as this may cause distractions. It’s critical for your videographer to use small, portable equipment that’s unobtrusive so he can blend into the background without any trouble.

·   Aerial photography

The popularity of drones for wedding ceremonies is constantly rising as it helps capture your monumental day from pretty much any angle. However, you need to check whether your wedding venue permits drones on site as well as confirm that your videographer is licensed and insured. Using a videographer without the correct license and insurance can cost you and your venue, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.

·   Someone whose style aligns with yours

With a variety of filming styles now available, it’s important to pick a videographer whose style and personality clicks with yours. Much like photographers, wedding videographers take a different approach and style to how they interpret each scene. It can be quite tricky to find someone that meets your expectations but a good way to do that is to watch a few wedding videos they filmed for their previous clients to see which one connects to you before you sign the contract.

·   A proven track record

Videography is one of those things that should be done perfectly, especially since your wedding day is a one-time event. As a result, it’s important you do your homework before you settle for a videographer. Don’t just look at just their portfolio; look at their reviews on multiple sites. You can also rely on referrals but avoid recommendations from paid advertising sites for obvious reasons. The most trustworthy referrals are from loved ones and staff at the venue of your wedding ceremony.

 Final Thoughts

Because you will be parting with a significant amount for your wedding videography package, it’s important to find the right videographer that will deliver a quality job. With the key qualities above, you should have no troubles choosing a professional that will deliver a video that you’d love and cherish.

Wedding Ideas: Tips And Tricks To Help Make Your Day Perfect

A lot of efforts go into planning a perfect wedding and it can be quite stressful since there are so many little details to finalize. Thankfully, you can avoid stress and enjoy the day by being prepared with the following tips and tricks.

·   Write your vows ahead of time

While there’s nothing wrong with using the pre-written vows from your officiant, you can make the moment special by writing your own wedding vows. Every love is one-a-kind. Writing your wedding vows allows you and your partner to personalize the moment and celebrate how incredibly unique your love is. However, writing your vows at the last minute might make you forget some lines that you’ve always wanted to say due to the pressure of the planning. So be sure to write them ahead of time.

·   Delegate responsibilities

No matter the amount of time and efforts you put into planning your wedding, there’s still a good chance that there are plenty of little details that still need to be worked out on that day. However, it’s your special day; don’t be brought down by questions and concerns. Decide on a point person that you can trust and let them make the decisions without you. You want to enjoy this day because it goes by in a blink.

·   Don’t forget to eat and sleep

Most people find it hard to sleep on the eve of their wedding and this can potentially ruin the big day. If you think you could do with some help to get some rest, you might want to explore available solutions like warm milk, sleeping pills or any other trick you know. Also, don’t forget to eat as skipping meals can make you feel queasy and lighthearted. Whatever you do, be sure to get something in your stomach when you get the opportunity.

·   Choose your photographer and videographer

The benefits of these professionals might not be obvious on your special day but you will appreciate their presence after your wedding. While these professionals are important, you don’t want to hire an amateur to cover your big day or someone who lacks the essential qualities of that profession. Be sure to do your homework so you can choose a person whose works moves you.

·   Create a shortlist

Your photographer and videographer might be good at what they do but you know best what memories you want them to capture before the day is over. Give your photographer a list of moments to take note of as well as the list of people you want him to capture. It also helps to designate someone as a photo wrangler to help corral your guests for a picture. Because you don’t want anyone missing in any of the shots, you might want to pick someone who knows the family and your guests.  

·   Appreciate your guests

Your visitors come from far and near to be a part of your special day, so ensure it doesn’t end without appreciating them. You can meet them individually to appreciate their participation in your happy moments and you may want to give them some useful gifts also.

 Conclusion

Your wedding day is one that you should enjoy and the tips above can make everything go smoothly to help you enjoy every moment of your day. 

Questions To Ask When Picking Out Wedding Venue

One of the critical things to put in mind when planning your wedding is the venue. However, finding the perfect venue can be quite difficult as you need to make sure that it meets all your requirements. You might visit a few different venues but knowing the right one to pick largely depends on the kind of questions you ask. To make sure you don’t forget to ask all the important questions about the venue, here’s a list of questions you will want to ask before you book.

·   Is the venue available on the date I need it?

Should the answer be no, this question helps you determine whether you should check for other locations or you should be flexible with selecting a date. It also helps to confirm if there’s a waitlist for dates.

·   Do the rates differ for different times of the week?

Some venues are more expensive on certain days than others. Others offer a discount for a Sunday through Friday wedding. You might also want to ask about off-season dates as the prices are typically lower.

·   How many guests can this location accommodate?

This question will help you and your partner determine if the location can accommodate the number of guests you’re expecting. If it can’t you might have to consider opting for another venue.

·   How many hours does the rental fee include?

Ideally, most people prefer to rent the venue for exclusive use as having other events in the same location can be confusing for your guests. If you’re not planning a complete buyout, this question will help you know how early you can arrive and how late you can stay.

·   What’s the payment plan for the entire bill?

 Most venues have a payment structure that accommodates the payment of a deposit so the balance can be paid in instalments before the big day.

·   Do I have to use your recommended vendors?

Quite a number venues supply a list of their recommended vendors and this can be a plus since they’ve worked with several clients before in that venue, meaning they can make your planning easier. However, it can be limiting and may not work with your budget.

·   Is parking available on-site?

If you anticipate most of your guests travelling by car to the venue, check the parking situation. Also, confirm the number of spots available and whether there’s a cost to park.

·   Do you have accommodation on-site?

If the answer is no, ask if they partner with local hotels. Be sure to also ask for the rates, check-in and out times, dates to pay by, discounts for a block of rooms and the availability of reliable taxi service.

·   Are there décor restrictions?

Some venues come with décor built-in, so you don’t have to do so much work. Other venues require a ton of added décor but also come with a list of items not allowed.

 Wrap-up

With the needed information at your fingertips, you can easily choose the perfect venue that accommodates all your needs.