Wedding Flowers Budget - How Much Do Wedding Flowers Cost?

By Cori Russell

Your floral budget can certainly run the gauntlet. On average you should expect to spend about 8-10% of your overall wedding budget on the flowers. This will include the bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, and any ceremony and reception decor.

While this is a good estimate, you can modify many floral elements to determine the actual amount you will spend on your wedding flowers. Factors such as whether or not the flowers you choose are in season in your area, the number, size and complexity of the arrangements, and the location of the ceremony and reception all influence your final cost estimate.

You should already have an idea of your overall floral budget before meeting with your florist for the first time. That said, there are a number of ways to cut costs without cutting elegance and beauty.

Ways to Save on Wedding Flowers:

Reduce the number of attendants in your wedding party. Less attendants means your florist will have to create fewer bouquets.
Reduce the number of guests at your wedding. Fewer tables means fewer floral centerpieces.

Choose in-season wedding flowers. They are often less expensive and easier to find. For a list of common flowers for each season, visit our wedding flowers by seasons guide.

Choose a naturally beautiful location. A springtime wedding in a garden hardly needs additional floral arrangements, while an ornate church may be breathtaking on its own. Also consider that many facilities are decorated for the holidays, so holding a December wedding may provide you with gorgeous poinsettias and garland free of cost.

Choose less complicated flowers. Certain flowers will run up of the cost of your floral budget no matter what season. Ask your florist to review your options with you.

Flowers that tend to be expensive: Lily of the Valley, Calla Lily, Orchids, Magnolias, Peonies, Gardenia and Hydrangea.

Flowers that tend to be moderately priced: Orange Blossoms, Lavender, Daffodils, Daisies, Chrysanthemum, Carnations, Roses (due to huge variance in kind, quality, and color) and Greenery, such as ivy.

Consider options other than floral arrangements for table centerpieces. Ask your florist for ideas. Scattered flower petals surrounded by votive candles create an elegant effect that won't maximize your floral budget. This list of unique wedding decorations offers even more ideas for alternative arrangements.

FUN SITES

• Wedding Day Essentials at Bare Necessities
• Bath of the Month Club at Smallflower.com (I love this one!)
• Find Personalized Gifts for all Occasions at MemorableGifts.com

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process. Brides can request wedding vendor quotes from top vendors across the nation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Russell


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15 Things You Should NEVER Do When Planning a Wedding

By Kelli Zeigler

While planning your wedding you will experience a rollercoaster of emotions. To prevent yourself from turning into a stressed-out Bridezilla here are some simple ideas what NOT to do when planning your wedding.

Never choose a dress with the idea you will lose weight to fit in it later.

Never pay vendors with cash. Always pay with a credit card. That way you will always have proof of payment and will be protected under federal credit card laws. If your vendor drops the ball you will always be able to dispute the charges.

Never book any reception hall without visiting it several times. Visit around the time of day you plan your wedding. For example if your wedding is an evening affair be sure to visit in the evening to see the ambiance. A hall in the daylight will look totally different than the evening light.

Never put your gift registry information on or with your invitation as that is tacky

Never work with a vendor or pay any deposits until you have a written contract. Remember to get every solitary detail in writing. Oral contracts often don't hold up. Even if you are hiring a family or friend get it in writing.

Never take advantage of family and friends who only want to help you. This sounds like common sense but when feeling stressed it is easy to forget and will add even more stress to your life.

Never start to plan haphazardly. Get your budget organized first. Do not contact a vendor until you know what you can comfortably afford to pay without going into debt. Tell the vendor your budget and stand firm. Plan around the budget not the other way around by planning the event then trying to come up with money to pay for it.

Never ever, withhold the final payment from a vendor with the idea that this will pressure them to show up. Many vendors have the philosophy that if you do not pay them by the due date, they will not be there.

Never plan a receiving line if you have more than fifty invited guests or you will bore your other guests silly.

Never get bogged down in the tiny details or you will not be able to relax and enjoy your wedding. Just let small things go. You can't make everyone happy with your decisions. Plus if something does not go quite as planned your guests probably will never even know the difference anyway.

Never treat your hired professional help as your slaves for the day They are there to help make your wedding special so just let them do their job. Treat them with respect.

Never believe everything you see on those reality bridal tv show. You can maybe get some ideas but those are staged weddings and often far from reality.

Never be afraid to speak up to your vendors. If you have questions or complaints with some of their plans/ideas, be sure to tell them so. Even though they are professionals that does not mean they know what is best for you. All weddings are unique and there are no set rules.

Never forget to take care of yourself in the weeks preceding your wedding. Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, and try to get some exercise. Not only will you look and feel better but also when you feel well you can respond to stress better.

Fun Deals

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• Choose from over 900 wedding invitations at FineStationery.com

Kelli Zeigler is the editor of Fun Weddings and Merry Brides which will provide you with daily ideas and tips to help you plan the perfect wedding while staying within your budget.


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MerryBrides on Twitter (Check us out!)

To Champagne or not to Champagne?

By Kelli Ziegler

Though we commonly refer to any sparkling white whine as champagne, only the wine made in the Champagne region of France deserves this title. As you might expect, you will pay more for the real thing ( how does $60 a bottle sound) - whereas you can pick up a decent sparkling wine for around $10.00. Unless you have a champagne connoisseur on your guest list, nobody will know the difference, and you will be saving yourself a bundle by buying "fake." If you're like most people, you will only want enough champagne to fill everyone's glass once for the opening(best man's) toast. If your caterer is responsible for procuring the champagne and other liquor, all you have to worry about is the bill; if you have to buy it yourself, assume that each bottle of champagne will yield seven glasses

Fun Deals

12-bottle wine packs at a great value, from MyWinesDirect. This pack ships free!

Personalized Wedding Gifts from PersonalizationMall.comSave big on flights to Europe.

Additional Wedding Advice:

MerryBrides
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Great Wedding Advice

In-House Caterers

By Kelli Zeigler


If you're lucky, the reception site will have an in-house caterer that fits your budget, serves great food, and knows how to work with you. All hotels offer such services, as do most country clubs. There are several advantages to an in-house caterer, the main one being that you don't have to go through the trouble of finding one yourself. The in-house caterer is already familiar with the particulars of the room, which can carry many advantages (for instance, linens and dinnerware that really compliment the overall atmosphere.)

But the in-house picture is not all roses. In-house catering is usually more expensive than independent catering, often charging you for lots of little extras; often things you don't want or need)as part of one all-inclusive package.

Fun Sites to check out

• A Great source for Bridal Lingerie HerRoom.com
• Personalized Gifts for Wedding's! I love this site! : )

How to Plan a Stress Free Wedding Reception

By Kelli Zeigler

Planning your Dream wedding reception does not have to be as stressful as you may think;

Here are some general guidelines to help plan your reception while keeping your sanity. Some of these suggestions are so obvious you may just forget to even consider them

* If you plan to have more than fifty guests think twice before you decide to have a receiving line.

* Have a realistic concept of a budget and guest count and know your reception site before asking for a proposal from a caterer. Be up front from the beginning as to what your budget is; if you really don't know, then allow the caterer to present you a proposal based on your dream wedding, with suggested ways to pare it down if necessary.

* Note that hotels nearly always charge a city and state tax on the entire bill, along with a service charge, and they also tax the service charge; technically, though some call it a gratuity, legally it is a service charge and not a tip. Don't forget to figure this extra cost in your contract agreement before signing any contracts so you will not have any surprise expenses later on.

* Provide seating for your photographer/videographer in the room where dinner is being served so they do not miss something important while eating back in the kitchen somewhere.

* Figure that each guest will have from tow to three drinks during the reception. That does not mean they are drinking a lot; some people set their drinks down to dance or go to the washroom, and return not remembering where they left their drink.

* If you are having a buffet, make certain there is enough seating at least for the guests not able to easily juggle a drink, plate, napkin, and silverware.

* Provide some food and non-alcoholic beverages for your musicians. Musicians who are treated to a meal are in a better mood, which can translate to better music.

* A full bar isn't necessarily more expensive than a wine/champagne/beer/non-alcoholic bar.

* In addition to the bar, have some drinks (wine.champagne and non-alcholic )beverages served butler-style for those who find it difficult to go get their own drinks.

* Be specific on your RSVP card about the kind of reception you are having.

* Always find out specifically who on the catering staff will be coordinating the the reception with the band, photographer/videographer, and wedding consultant. Make certain all these people are in communication with one another and go over the schedule for the event in advance.

* Some food items (especially for a reception) are cost out according to rate per count (that is number of pieces per item)

* Don't be too creative with your RSVP cards when offering a choice of entrees (most people do not know that boeuf is French for beef. You don't have to go to the other extreme and just say "meat"; most people know the terms filet mignon or rib eye. Remember to offer a vegetarian choice.

Here are some fun sites you might want to check out

• The Bridal Necessities: Everything you need to know about bridal underpinnings

• Wedding invitations that are easy on your pocketbook. Shop Seal N Sends now at Ann's Bridal Bargains.

Additional Wedding Advice:

You can catch some great wedding planning advice at Merry Brides on Twitter. Stop by for some quick planning ideas.

Delicious Hors D'Oeuvres ideas for your Wedding Reception

At a Wedding Reception where a full meal is to be served, hors d'oeuvres may be offered to guests during the first hour of the reception. However, at a tea or cocktail reception, hors d'oeuvres will be the "main course".

There are may options for hors d'oeuvres, depending on the formality of your reception and the type of food to be served at the meal. Popular food that can easily be picked up and eaten with one hand are best.

Here are some delicious hors d'oeuvre ideas you may want to consider

* Chinese Won Tons with a plum Sauce
* Chicken and Shrimp Egg Rolls with a plum sauce
* Pot Stickers with a Sesame Sauce
* Glazed Chicken Drumettes
* Swedish Meatballs
* Italian Meatballs
* Seafood Salad Mould with assorted crackers
* Petite Cocktail Quiches
* Stuffed Deviled Eggs with choice of: coconut and chutney, traditional or topped with caviar
* Imported and Domestic Cheese Display with assorted crackers
* Fresh Fruit Fantasy with Strawberry Chiffon Dip or Chocolate Fondue
* Warmed Spree of Brie Cheese topped with brown sugar and nuts, served with French bread
* Teriyaki Ribbon Chicken or Beef
* Italian Sausage Marinara
* Salmon Mousse on toast rounds
* Cascading Vegetable Display with a fresh dill dip
* London Tea Sandwiches
* California Baja Rolls
* Taquitos
* Tomato, Cucumber and Green bean Salad
* Tomato, Mozzarella and Bermuda Onion Salad
* Rumaki
* Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Sun Dried Apricots
* Fresh Melon Wrapped in Honey Baked Ham
* Mushrooms Stuffed with Spiced Cream Cheese
* Sautéed Mushrooms in a pastry shells

Hors d' oeuvres may be set out on tables "buffet style" for gues to help themselves, or they may be passed around on trays by waiters and waitresses.

When selecting hors d' oeuvres for your reception, consider whether heating or refrigeration will be available and choose your food accordingly. When planning your menu, consider the time of day. You should select lighter hors ' oeuvres for midday receptions and heavier ones for an evening reception.

Tips to Save Money:

Tray pass hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour and serve a lighter meal.

Avoid serving hors d 'oeuvres that are labor intensive or that require expensive ingredients. Compare two or three caters; there is a wide price range between caterers for the same foods.

Consider serving hors d'oeuvres "buffet style" . Your guests will eat less this way than if waiters and waitresses are constantly serving them.

If you want more ideas check out this book


Additional Wedding Advice:

MerryBrides
Fun Weddings
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Sparkling WeddingsCreate Your Own Wedding Website- Great way to keep your guests updated on your wedding!

33 Best R&B Songs For Your Wedding Reception

By Cori Russell


If you're looking to set a sensuous vibe at your wedding reception, look no further than a playlist full of R&B wedding songs. With smooth bass lines and sultry lyrics, R&B songs of love and devotion are perfect for moving, grooving, and romance on the dance floor. But with decades of songs to choose from, the only hard part is narrowing your playlist down. Consider this list of the best R&B wedding songs your starting point .

R&B Wedding Songs

These passionate R&B wedding songs have fitting lyrics and sultry melodies that will suit every component of your wedding from walking down the aisle through to the last dance.

• Never - Jaheim
  
• Forever My Lady - Jodeci
  
• Sweet Love - Anita Baker
  
• Caught Up in the Rapture - Anita Baker
  
• Spend My Life with You - Eric Benet & Tamia
  
• Nice and Slow - Usher
  
• You Got It Bad - Usher
  
• Ribbon in the Sky - Stevie Wonder
  
• You Mean the World to Me - Toni Braxton
  
• Always and Forever - Heat Wave
  
• On Bended Knee - Boyz II Men
  
• Never Let Go - Faith Evans
  
• Angel of Mine - Monica
  
• For You I Will - Monica
  
• The Sweetest Thing - Lauren Hill
  
• No Ordinary Love - Sade
  
• You - Jesse Powell
  
• The Cool in You - Babyface
  
• By Your Side - Sade
  
• I Swear - All-4-One
  
• Make it Last Forever - Keith Sweat
  
• Here and Now - Luther Vandross
  
• Every Beat of My Heart - Brian McKnight
  
• Back at One - Brian McKnight
  
• Saved the Best for Last - Vanessa Williams
  
• Crazy Love - Aaron Neville
  
• All My Life - K-Ci and Jojo
  
• Suddenly - Billy Ocean
  
• No One - Alicia Keys
  
• Hello - Lionel Richie
  
• Saving All My Love for You - Whitney Houston
  
• Everything - Mary J. Blige
  
• Family Affair - Mary J. Blige

Fun Site you might want to check out:

• Create Your Own Wedding Website- Great way to keep your guests updated on your wedding!

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process. Brides can request wedding vendor quotes from top vendors across the nation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Russell

Additional Wedding Advice:

Fun Weddings
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MerryBrides

How To Make An Affordable Wedding Cake Topper

As a bride you will want your wedding cake to stand out above the rest. Why go with the cheap plastic topper when you can make your own unique topper. In addition to the simple idea of adding fresh flowers to your wedding cake, here are some other affordable cake topper ideas:

* Wine Glass with Flowers

Stand a wine glass on a round mirror for stability; fill it with silk flowers and tufted netting; tie the stem of the glass with a bow and add swirls of tulle netting around the edge of the mirror.

* Tiny White Basket with Flowers

Use the same idea, only with a basket instead of a wine glass.

* Framed Photo of the Bride and Groom

The trick to this simple cake topper is to round up an elegant white ceramic or lacy crystal
frame for the couple's photo; set it on a five-inch by one-inch base of white Styrofoam covered with silk flowers, tufts of white tulle netting and strings for white seed pearls , one of which drapes over an upper corner of the frame.

* Bride and Groom Figurines (Precious Moments)

Surely you know someone who collects Precious Moments figurines; ask if you can borrow one for a bride and groom, setting the bisque figurine on a mirror with sprigs or white silk stephanotis sprinkled around the edge of the mirror and at the feet of the bride and groom.

* Blown Glass

There are dozens of traditional blown glass figures that work as well, from two hearts entwined, to a wishing well, to a pair of love doves, to a wedding bell suspended from a heart.

* Wired Ribbon Bows

I saw a wedding cake recently that was beautifully adorned with affordable wired ribbon bows. The top layer had a large three-inch wired bow "Sitting up" on top. The remaining layers each had five smaller one and one-half inch wired bows placed evenly around each layer. Each of the bows had their "tails" draping gracefully down onto the next layer by about two inches. The bows were in the primary wedding color--a soft , dusty pink. What a simple, affordable, yet elegant way to decorate a white wedding cake.

* Nested Votive Candles

By "nestled" I mean that the shallow votive candles are pressed down into the frosting so that the sides of the candles are hidden from view. This would look lovely in an evening wedding with all the lights dimmed and the candles are lit. The trick is to make your reception feel like a magical romantic setting. Besides putting candles on the cake you could place votive candles in bowls filled with water on each table. Light all the candles and dim the lights and your venue will be romantically lit by candlelight.

* Rotating Music Box

Borrow a music box that compliments your theme; set it to a mirror, surround the base with silk flowers and narrow acetate ribbons and the appoint someone to be in charge of winding the box off and on during the reception. It will be a real conversation piece.

My recommendations for Online Wedding Favors:

• The Knot Wedding Shop has the best selection of wedding favors. Make them unique for your wedding with free personalization.
  



• Make your dreams come true with these magical wedding favors from My Wedding Favors.
  

Jasmine MacDonald is the editor of Fun Weddings and Merry Brides which will provide you with daily ideas and tips to help you plan the perfect wedding while staying within your budget.


Additional Wedding Advice:

MerryBrides
Fun Weddings
Great Wedding Advice
Sparkling WeddingsCreate Your Own Wedding Website- Great way to keep your guests updated on your wedding!

Engagement Rings - Guide to Ring Settings

By Cori Russell

When it comes to shopping for engagement rings, it's best to come equipped with a little savvy. Ring settings, the mountings that attach the diamond to the ring's band, are an integral component in achieving the right look for your ring, as some are more appropriate for certain diamond shapes. Here is a complete rundown of the most common engagement ring settings.

Prong

Prong settings usually have six or four prongs (or claws) that cradle the diamond. Prongs allow the maximum light to enter the diamond from all angles, making it appear larger and more brilliant. The prong setting with a solitaire round brilliant stone is the classic engagement ring look.

Bar

A variation on the prong setting, rather than individual claws, prongs on each side of the setting are fused into elongated bars to hold the stone in place. This option highlights more metal without obscuring the stone as much as bezel or channel settings might.

Bezel

The diamond is set with a metal rim around the perimeter of the diamond to hold it in place. A bezel setting can be a full bezel, or a part bezel. In a part bezel setting, the metal only partially surrounds the diamond, leaving the top and bottom of the stone exposed.

Tension

The diamond is held in place by the pressure of the band's metal, resulting in the startling appearance of the diamond being held in midair. The result is a highly contemporary, fashionable look.

Channel

Diamonds of similar size and shape are lined in a row between the band's two horizontal sides. A variation of the channel setting is the Channel End setting - which features thin vertical bars in between each of the stones.

Pave

This design coats the entire surface of the ring with gems, each set into either a minute depression or secured with thin, unobtrusive prongs. Because of their vintage antique look, pave settings are becoming increasingly popular.

Cluster

This setting surrounds a larger center stone with several smaller stones. It is designed to create a larger ring from many smaller stones.

Baguette

Setting Baguettes are rectangular shaped diamonds that can be added to the sides of a larger stone, adding dimension to a solitaire setting.

Three Stone Setting

This setting features a trio of stones (symbolizing yesterday, today and tomorrow). The stones can either be of equal size or the center stone slightly larger.

Our Recommendations for Great Online Diamond Deals

• Zales - Nothing says Love like a Diamond from Zales Blowout Sale

• Save 50% on All Classic Solitaire Engagement Rings!

• Diamond Jewelry at Mondera

Author: Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a comprehensive wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Russell


Additional Wedding Advice:

MerryBrides
Fun Weddings
Great Wedding Advice
Create Your Own Wedding Website- Great way to keep your guests updated on your wedding!