By Cori Locklin
Planning a wedding and need to stick to a budget? Here are some common wedding details and extras that you can live without, and neither you nor your wedding guests will be the wiser. As you plan your wedding, you will find that around every corner lies another opportunity for a costly add-on or upgrade. Many brides are quick to nod yes to every seemingly fabulous idea and little extra presented to them. Hey - when you're spending upwards of $30,000 - what's another $300? It's an easy conclusion to make when swept up in the chaotic sea of wedding planning.
But if you're on a budget, the easiest way to stick to it is to just say no. For what seems now like an idea that you absolutely cannot forego will eventually wind up as just another unnoticed wedding detail that buried you further into wedding-induced debt.
Here are some popular wedding details and extras that you can live without, and neither you nor your guests will be the wiser:
The Champagne Toast
Almost every reception site offers to pass a champagne toast to all of your guests for a $200-$400 fee. Don't do it - it's a waste. Many of your guests will simply take a sip and set the glass down - or not take a sip at all. It's best to allow your guests to simply toast with the drink of their choice when the toasts are made.
The Champagne/Chocolate Fountain
Fountains, especially chocolate fountains, have been the rage for the last few years. If you have your heart set on one - fine. But if not - this is another extraneous wedding extra. Your guests aren't going to search your reception site for the chocolate fountain. Really, they won't.
The Groom's Cake
The groom's cake is a southern tradition that has recently been spotted at wedding receptions throughout the country (we all remember the Armadillo cake from Steel Magnolias). No one ever runs out of wedding cake at a reception, so why have two cakes? If you're on a tight budget, lose the groom's cake.
The Bouquet Tossing
Having your florist create an additional bridal bouquet for the bouquet toss has become the norm, but this can tack on an additional $50-$100 to your floral bill. Instead, have a friend or family member pick up some flowers from your local grocery store for a mere $5-$10.
The Extra Hour
Almost every reception site has an upfront overtime fee, and the venue's event coordinator will casually mention that your reception can go an extra hour for, say, $200. Wedding guests are usually ready to call it a night after 4 hours - let them.
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By: Adam O'Connor You can register for wedding gifts even if you’re marrying on short notice, or if you’ve been married before, in fact, registries are an incredible convenience for guests. The following ideas will assist you in choosing registry items wisely and with consideration for your guests: Think carefully about what you want and need
Leave the choice of gifts to your guests
Register for items in various price ranges
When possible, register with national chains and/or catalog services
Don’t register for the same items at different stores
Inform guests of your registries via word of mouth
Don’t include any lists of registries in your wedding invitation The point of a registry is to make the gift selection process easier on your guests, not to bully them or compel them to spend more money than they bargained for. A well-rounded registry should have items in various price ranges, with most costing between $30-$100. Register at more than one store. Because so many couples are now interested in registering for non-traditional bridal gifts, single-store registries are no longer the rule. Below is a list of some popular bridal registries:
Bed Bath & Beyond
Bloomingdale’s
Crate and Barrel
JCPenney
Macy’s
Pottery Barn
Target’s Club Wedd
Williams-Sonoma
When it comes to online gift registries, WeddingChannel can’t be beat, they have partnered with more than 15 major department store chains, including Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn and Federated (owner of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s). Any bride who registers offline at a WeddingChannel partner store automatically receives a free website, where her registry is posted. Your registry is your opportunity to communicate your earnest wishes for your selection of dinnerware, silverware, crystal, kitchen gadgets, linens, cookware, small appliances, etc. Your selections are an expression of your new life as a married couple and will last for years to come. Your wedding planner, bridal consultant or home coordinator will be able to help you in the selection process and pick out items that you may not have considered.
The bridal registry is a wonderful tradition. With a lot of couples now tying the knot for a second time, sharing a home before marriage, or just living more informally, the bridal registry has become a way to make it easier for family and friends to give brides and grooms all sorts of wedding gifts. It’s okay to register and inform people once you’re engaged.
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December is here, and not only is it the most wonderful time of the year; it’s also the most popular time to pop the question. Almost 1 million couples will get engaged this holiday season. Need a creative proposal that will deck your sweetie’s halls? Let this list of proposal ideas inspired by favorite seasonal tunes help you pop the question in true holiday style. Silent Night Ah, the first snowfall…the sparkling white silence, the blanketed landscape catching the glow of the twinkling lights and stars above. The season’s natural landscape sets the perfect ambiance for a romantic marriage proposal. Take a moonlit stroll through the new fallen snow, and ask her to be your wife. Jingle Bell Rock Arrange for the two of you to put up the holiday decorations together. Carefully attach a sparkling rock to her favorite ornament, and give it to her once all the rest have been placed on the tree. And a Happy New Year Ringing in the New Year goes hand in hand with a glass (or two) of the bubbly. Make hers extra sweet by dropping a dazzling diamond in her glass, and present it to her at the stroke of midnight. Let it Snow Ask her in a winter wonderland; write “Will You Marry Me” in fresh snow. All She Wants for Christmas If you suspect she may be on alert for a marriage proposal this holiday season, throw her off track during your gift exchange. Give her a typical present, and when she starts to think that it's not happening this time, suddenly remember another gift – and surprise her with the ring. Home for the Holidays Dreading the annual day of airport mayhem required to visit your families for the holidays? If you’ll be traveling together this season, make it a trip to remember. Stowe the engagement ring in your carry-on (un-wrapped of course), and have the boarding attendants announce a message for passenger (her name). Then pop the question just before you’re about to board. Hey, they may even bump you up to first class. Caroling, Caroling Have carolers come to the door and sing her favorite holiday tune – modifying one of the verses to say “will you marry me.” Hooray for Christmas Vacation Plan a night in to cuddle up and watch your favorite holiday film. Make a bowl of popcorn and place the ring at the bottom. When the popcorn’s almost finished, grab the ring and propose. (just don’t eat the ring!) Santa Baby Arrange to play Santa at a family or social Christmas party you’ll be attending with your honey. Have one of your friends convince her to sit on Santa’s lap. Be sure to tell her what Santa wants for Christmas – for her to be your wife! Sleigh Ride Many towns and cities offer carriage rides or tours to view the festive holiday regalia. On a particularly chilly evening, take your sweetie on a ride under the holiday lights. Propose while snuggling together under a blanket on a romantic “sleigh ride” through town.
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For ideas, advice, photos and checklists to help you plan your wedding, visit the complete a Wedding Planning Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for Elegala.com and Elegala Magazine (and a recent bride!). Elegala is a wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding services, along with planning tips, photo galleries and checklists to keep brides in-the-know on today's wedding trends and styles. For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit Elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource. Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Locklin http://merrybrides.wordpress.com http://funweddings.blog.com http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com Clipart from Clipartheaven.com.
Both the centerpiece of your evening and the delicious dessert, your wedding cake is a significant element of your wedding reception. It should be eye-catching and fabulous. (tasty too!) I've narrowed the process of selecting your wedding cake into three easy steps. Follow these, and you will have the confection that suits your personal style and budget. Step 1: Determine your Wedding Cake Style
As the focal point of your reception, your cake should represent the theme of your wedding and reflect your overall vision. Consider the style, shape, color and adornments. Browse and collect photographs of cakes that inspire you. Make a list of qualities you like and don't like. View Elegala.com's wedding cake gallery for inspiring ideas. Make it Last
Don't forget to consider the longevity of your cake when making your selection. It may look like a work of art, but it is still food, and certain types will hold up better in extreme climates. If you will be holding an summer outdoor reception, opt for fondant icing over buttercream. While buttercream is tasty, it doesn't keep well in heat or humidity. Step 2: Factor Cost
Cake cost is based per slice and is determined by how complex the overall design. The typical range is usually $2-$15 per slice. As a result, there are 2 easy ways to keep your cake within budget. The first way is to choose a more simple design with minimal adornments. Fresh fruit and flowers are the cheapest, while handmade gumpaste or sugarpaste decorations are more expensive. If you have your heart set on an intricate design you saw in a magazine, don't worry that the associated cost will break your budget. You can always improvise a complex design. Most wedding cakes featured in magazines use fondant icing, which creates that sought-after smooth look. Fondant icing is more expensive than buttercream, so ask your cake designer to create a similar look using buttercream icing. Many brides can opt for a smaller, intricately designed cake to showcase at their wedding, while the site holds simple sheet cakes in the kitchen to serve to guests. When determining the cost of your cake, don't forget about additional costs such as shipping your confection. Some venues also charge a cake cutting fee of about $1.50-$3 per slice, which can significantly add to the cost of your cake. Step 3: Choose your Baker
Before commencing your search for a cake designer, first determine whether or not your reception site allows an outside baker. If your reception site is the exclusive baker, sometimes the case with country clubs and hotels, you can skip this step - your work is done. If the site does allow an outside baker, pick a few local cake bakers and book appointments to view their portfolios. When meeting with potential bakers, consider look, taste and price. The one you choose should be able to create the beautiful masterpiece you desire at a price you can afford, and it should taste scrumptious as well. Ask to taste some samples to determine the talents of your baker.
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For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource. Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for http://www.elegala.com/ and Elegala Magazine. Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding services, along with planning tips, photo galleries and checklists to keep brides in-the-know on today'>http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Locklin http://merryrides.wordpress.com http://funweddings.blogspot.com
While much of the wedding planning process focuses on the reception, don't forget that your ceremony is the reason behind the big party! Before the big day, you will meet with your officiant or potential officiants to discuss the wedding ceremony and any pre-ceremony requirements. Discover whether the officiant is open to your ideas, and ultimately decide if the three of you want to work together. Here are the questions you must ask: • Are there any pre-wedding requirements, such as counseling? • What is the ceremony fee? Is the fee a donation? • Is the officiant open to any personal ideas for ceremony? For instance, is he or she open to non-secular vows, readings or songs? • Will the officiant give a sermon or a speech? • Will you have input in the ceremony, and will you be allowed to review the sermon or speech beforehand? • If you don't already have a ceremony site, can the officiant make any recommendations? • If the officiant is the site officiant, are there any ceremony site restrictions such as flash photography, videography, music, dress code, décor, tossing items? • What items does the ceremony site/officiant provide, and what must you bring yourself? (pews, isle runners, microphone, etc.) • What will the officiant wear? • What time will he/she be available for the rehearsal? • Should you bring your marriage license to the ceremony, or will you sign it beforehand? Important Things to Consider Demeanor – His or her personal demeanor should reflect the mood you envision for your wedding. Some ceremony officiants may be light and jovial — often interjecting sermons or speeches with bits of humor, while some have a more formal and solemn style. If you don't already have a relationship with this person —consider whether you like his/her style and whether you would enjoy working with this person. Remember — your ceremony officiant performs the most important service at the wedding. He or she is the one who will officially pronounce you man and wife, which is the sole reason for the big event in the first place (don't lose sight of this!). You should feel comfortable inviting this person to share such an intimate moment in your life. Your officiant can offer guidance along the way, spiritual and non-spiritual, such as resolving family conflicts etc. Don't hesitate to speak with your officiant regarding these personal matters. Also consider inviting your officiant to your rehearsal dinner as well. It's a nice gesture that will be appreciated, and if your family does not already have a relationship with your officiant - this is a great way to introduce everyone.
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For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com/, your ultimate wedding planning resource.Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for http://www.elegala.com/ and Elegala Magazine.Source: http://EzineArticles.com/? expert=Cori_Locklin http://merrybrides.wordpress.com http://funweddings.blogspot.com http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com
Even though it’s a great tradition with a long history, some couples choose not to greet their guests in a receiving line fearing that this might take too long. Frank Gregoli, a top New York party planner says realistically, one should allow 30 minutes for every 100 people in the line. If this time allotment fits within your plans and you’d like to be certain that you personally welcome and thank each of your guests, read on. Know the Basics Being familiar with the basics of what a receiving line is all about will immediately help you to feel comfortable with this elegant formality. Exactly when and where the receiving line is formed is really based upon your particular situation. In general, people like to form their line either in the vestibule right after the ceremony or at the entrance to the reception area. With the exception of the groom, this is really a lady’s affair. Here’s the lineup: first in line is the bride’s mother, followed by the bride, the groom and, next to him, his mother. Dads, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and children in the wedding party generally are not a part of the receiving line. If for some reason you choose to include any of these people, keep in mind that every person you add will cause the line to proceed slower. Short and Sweet Once everyone is in position, the rule should be to keep greetings brief yet warm and sincere. This will avoid a bottleneck. If there is time before your wedding day, review your list of guests with the groom and parents. A little homework never hurts. Since your mother and you are the first in line, it’s expected that relatives and friends of his side of the family will introduce themselves to each of you. As your relatives and friends proceed, you should introduce them to the groom and his mother. Include the Pleasantries Consider adding a few pleasantries if your receiving line will not be in a house of worship. This will liven up everyone’s mood, get conversations going, and make waiting in line easier for your guests. For instance, you could: Include music—Have the band or your dj positioned close enough so that there is music in the background. Plan ahead though. You don’t want to have to take time to make these arrangements at the last moment. Pass the tray—Ask your caterer to set hors d’oeuvres and champagne on a table nearby or have a waiter offer these on a tray. Receiving Guests Like a Pro There are always instances where, for one reason or another, a person’s name is not ready to roll off your tongue. You can handle these moments as if you’ve been in receiving lines all your life by saying something like: "I’m so glad you came. (Groom’s name) and I hope you’ll have a wonderful time." Or you could say, "It’s great to see you again. Please say hello to my husband, (Groom’s name)." Or "Thank you so much for coming. (Groom’s name) and I feel lucky to be with so many good friends."
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. This books brings to light the true meaning of love and commitment, whether you are newly engaged, recently married or reflecting on the years of married bliss. Makes the perfect bridal shower gift! 
