Great Recycling Idea… Something Old
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 | Wedding Traditions | No Comments
For something old dig out your grandmother’s costume jewelry, pins and necklaces, and use them as accents in your hair. Not only will they bring part of your heritage to the ceremony, they will be the most unique accessories you will be able to find!
Forget The Strippers!
Monday, October 27th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
The days of bachelor parties involving drinking, gambling and strippers are quickly fading away. Today’s grooms-to-be are much more involved in planning their own bachelor parties showcasing activities they really enjoy.
Some of the latest trends in bachelor parties include: golf weekends, hunting trips and skeet shooting. If you don’t have an entire weekend to spend on your bachelor party, there is still plenty to do for something different.
The local gaming/restaurant lets the guys have a great meal, a few drinks and time to act like youngsters again while they compete against each other.
Or check out your local sports team. Most have private boxes or suites that can be rented so groom and his buddies can enjoy the game in private.
When you are thinking outside of the box while planning the bachelor party, think about safety too. If there is going to be any drinking, rent a shuttle bus or limo for everyone involved. Some charter buses are like party rooms on wheels so everyone can have a great time and still make it to the wedding in one piece.
MTV’s Engaged and Underage - Now Casting!!!
Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 | Cake, Uncategorized | No Comments
Invite MTV to have a front row seat on your special day!
MTV News & Docs is casting for the third season of its popular documentary series “Engaged and Underage.” Let MTV tell your love story - the excitement of the engagement, the ups and downs of the planning, the fun along the way, and, of course, THE BIG DAY! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…
You and your future spouse should both appear to be between the ages of 18 and 22. Best case scenario: you’re getting married in November/December 2008 or January 2009.
To apply for the show, download a casting questionnaire at:
http://www.mtv.com/ontv/castingcall/index.jhtml?castingId=1509138
Or email us to obtain one at:engagedandunderage@mtvstaff.com. (Tell us when and where you are getting married and why this is important to you. Include your name, phone number, email address and a digital photo of you and your future spouse, if possible.
Centerpieces
Friday, October 10th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Here is a money saving tip to kill two birds with one stone.
When planning your wedding decor, think outside of the box, or rather, outside of the candlescape. While most venues have some sort of basic centerpiece you can use, most brides want something more personal.
Here’s an interesting idea. Use cakes or candies. An arrangement of beautifully decorated cupcakes or petit fours in the center of each table with a small tea light (battery operated) creates an unusal centerpiece AND you can use the cakes instead of the groom’s cake or the wedding cake.
Or try using mesh bags of candies for your favors and arrange those in the center of each table as the centerpiece.
One cost, two uses!
Check the Date
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
When planning your big day, check the date. Make sure the “must attend” people are free that day. While it is your special day, sometimes people have other commitments that can’t be moved. You don’t want to force your best friend to chose between being your maid of honor or going to her college graduation, for example.
Also, check with your local convention and visitors bureau to see what public events are going on which may make it virtually impossible to hold your wedding. For example, having your wedding on the same weekend when there is a major public festival, drawing thousands of visitors, is not only going to make it more difficult to find vendors, its also going to make it much more difficult for your out of town guests to find accommodations.
Money Saving Hints
Monday, September 29th, 2008 | Budget | No Comments
As we continue to read about problems with the economy, we are seeing brides being more careful about wedding spending.
There are plenty of ways to have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank. Here are just a couple of tips:
- Consider having your wedding during an “off” time. Most weddings are Saturday afternoons and evening. Think about having a Friday evening or Sunday wedding. You can often get better deals from all your wedding vendors by picking a slower day.
- Reduce the size of the guest list. Seems obvious, but too often we see brides’ guest lists balloon because of the “have to” guests as in, “if we invite the Joneses, we HAVE to invite the Smiths.” Keep a wedding to close friends and family can make the day more intimate and more meaningful.
- Think small & elegant vs large & extravagant for everything. Having bridesmaids carry one beautiful bloom can be more effective than large bouquets. A well-prepared simple entree can be more delicious than an unusual dish that many guests may not enjoy anyway.
- Keep it “in season.” From the food to the flowers, focus on what is in season and you are bound to save money.
- Use professionals. Its all too easy to think you are going to save money by having Uncle Joe do the photography or Mom’s garden club do the flowers or your brother’s buddy do the music with his boom box. While these ideas may seem like money-savers, all too often the problems they bring with them negate any savings. Go with the professionals and ask how they suggest you save money.
One of the most important ways to save money on your wedding is to keep track of your money. Set a budget and stick to it. All too often we run into couples who don’t total up the bills until AFTER the big event and only then do they realize how much over budget they were.
Making The Most of Bridal Shows
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 | Bridal Events | No Comments
It is that time again! Time for the Bridal Extravaganza. This weekend (Sept. 14) we’ll be in Austin (neither wind, nor rain, nor hail… well you get the drift) will stop us. Next weekend (Sept. 21) we’ll be in San Antonio.
The Bridal Extravaganza is the perfect place to plan your wedding. Whether you are at the beginning of your planning cycle or nearer the end, you can still get a lot of help and great ideas at the shows. Here are some tips to make the most of your show experience:
- Be prepared. Have as much information regarding your wedding as possible. Know your date, how many guests you are thinking about and most importantly, your budget.
- Don’t come alone. Bring a friend, family member and most definitely your groom (or bride as the case may be).
- Dress comfortably. You are in for a lot of walking.
- Bring your credit card/check book. Most (if not all) the professionals at the show will be having day-of-show specials. If you can make a decision during the day, chances are you’ll save some money.
- Bring a camera. You’ll many stunning displays and you may want to take photos to look at later when you are making a decision. Always ask the professional first.
- Bring a great attitude. This is one of the most exciting times of your life. Come to the show and enjoy it!
So don’t miss the Bridal Extravaganza. Tickets are still available. We’ll see you there!
It’s A Dog’s Day
Thursday, September 4th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Can’t decide which friend to have as a groomsman? How about man’s best friend?
More and more pet lovers are including their dogs into their wedding parties. Not sure how or where to best outfit your pet pooch? Contact one of the newest wedding professionals: canine stylists. But be prepared, in some cases outfitting the pup can run up to $500!
Three Days Left….
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 | Bridal Events | No Comments
There are only three days left to get registered for your chance to win $50,000 in cash at the Bridal Extravaganza in Austin on Sunday, Sept. 14 or in San Antonio on Sept. 21.
Go to austinweddings.com or saweddings.com and register. You’ll receive a personalized postcard in the mail the week leading up to the show. Bring that card to either show and if you have the winning number, you’ll receive $50,000 in cash. Several other prizes will also be awarded.
Register today! Registration closes Aug. 29, 2008.
Out-of-Town Guests
Friday, August 22nd, 2008 | General info. | No Comments
If you are going to have guests flying in for your wedding, in addition to booking a group of rooms for them, consider hiring a car service to do airport pick ups and drop offs.
While it may seem like just one more expense, it is one that is well worth it. It is easy to arrange.
As you receive reservations from out-of-town guests, ask when they will be arriving.
Ask the limo or car service you have hired for your wedding day if they can offer a package deal to include airport transportation.
Be prepared with at least an estimate of how many trips will be needed and for how many people. Using your list of when everyone is arriving, you may be able to arrange for a shuttle to do the driving.
Make the same arrangements, consolidating as many trips together as possible, for getting guests back to the hotel also.
Another nice thing to do for your out-of-town guests is to arrange from transportation from the hotel to the wedding and reception and then back again.
Not only will arranging transportation show your out-of-town guests how much you appreciate them making the effort to share your special day, it will also relieve you and your immediate family from making multiple trips to the airport during those last busy days before the wedding.