Keeping Expenses Down For Your Wedding Party

In the August/September issue of Brides Magazine, 103 bridesmaids participated in a poll and gave some insight.  Among many of the interesting questions such as what a bride should know when choosing her bridesmaids, thoughts about the bachelorette party, and of course the dresses; one thing stood out to me.  73 percent of bridesmaids who were asked what the hardest part of being a bridesmaid was, responded that the expense was the most difficult. As a bride you expect that costs are going to add up because it is your wedding, we may not stop and think about the costs for those involved in our wedding party.  Typical expenses are the cost of the attire for the wedding, travel expenses, time off from work, and shower/wedding gifts.

Here are a few ideas on keeping your expenses down without compromising a good time!

1. Choose an affordable dress line for the bridesmaids to choose from, or allow them to choose their own gown.  Allowing your bridesmaids to choose their own gown may give your girls a little more pocket change as well as feel more comfortable in their dresses.

2. Plan your bridal shower/wedding related projects and events close together in dates if you have out of town bridesmaids so that they can make less trips without having to miss out on the fun.  If you have a bridesmaid or maid of honor who can't attend the final fitting, get creative and see if you can come up with a way to face time or Skype with them in the dress store if the store owner allows.

3. Stay local and plan a night out that won't break the bank.  You may be able to live it up in your home town by saving money from airfare and hotels.  Get a limo or talk to some of the local bars about having your own VIP table vibe without the out of town price tag!

4.  Their presence is gift enough, let your ladies and gents know that you understand they have had to spend money to be involved in all of the events and are just happy they were able to be a part of everything with you!

5. Look for discounts for booking as a group, and try to plan things out in advance. Check for rewards programs and other incentives for travel arrangements.

6. Talk your wedding vendors such as your planner for ideas on keeping your budget in check and you may get some creative tips and advice from vendors.  When you network with your professional vendors you are tapping into a pretty great resource!

Money can be a touchy subject, and sometimes you may think that your bridesmaid is checked out from your wedding planning but in reality she may just be stressed with the thought of the financial aspect.  Just remember that you are doing all of this to celebrate your love and commitment to each other as a couple, and want to share this with your friends and family!

~ Happy Planning~

Real Bride Feature: Christina & Jorge's Backyard Wedding

Blogger Christina Gutierrez wed Jorge Gutierrez on May 25th in front of 80 friends and family members. Both her wedding ceremony and reception were held at her grandfather's home in Los Molinos, CA.
 

Vendors: Kara Stewart Photography (Shown), Chanie Bee Photography (Not Shown-Reception Photos), We Do Designs (Chandeliers/Vintage Windows), Upper Crust Bakery (Cake), Makeup by Brittany (Makeup), Los Mariachis Mexican Restaurant (Food) and A&J Party Center (Rentals). {Click to enlarge photos}

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Wedding Planning Tip: Transportation

Post by: Alisha Rouland, Event Coordinator Depending on the logistics of your wedding, your ceremony and reception sites may differ. Many couples choose to offer a shuttle type of transportation from point A to point B (and sometimes even to point C.) Providing transportation for your guests will most likely be a welcomed service. However, to prevent delays in your wedding timeline, consider the following:

  • The number of guests that can safely ride in one limousine or shuttle.
    • For example, if one trip can accommodate 15 guests, and your guest list has 100 persons, you are looking at a minimum of 7 trips. This may or may not include a separate shuttle for the groom, groomsmen, the bride, her bridesmaids, and mothers.
  • The estimated time for round trip transportation, from location A to location B.
    • For example, for  a 4:30 p.m. ceremony, with a 15-minute round trip shuttle carrying 15 guests at a time from your 100 person guest list, you should begin shuttling guests a minimum of 1 hour and 15 minutes before the start of your ceremony.
  • The scheduling of other events, such as concerts, fairs, or graduation. Check local event calendars to see if  there are any large events that may affect your pre-determined travel time. Also consider day of the week and the time of day - weekday weddings during rush hour may pose a delay to your start time. Arming yourself with this knowledge will help you choose the best route, with the least amount of outside interference.
  • The age and mobility of your guests. For example, parents with young children may need to use an extra seat for a stroller or other baby items, while some elderly guests may require extra space for special need items (walkers, wheel chairs, etc.)
  • Give yourself some leeway in your travel time. Trying to coral all of your guests may take longer than you think, giving yourself a few extra minutes can help ease your mind, and ensure proper flow of your wedding day timeline.
  • Once you have figured out the transportation to your site, consider returning your guests. You may want to offer an early shuttle (for those with young children for example), and then a later shuttle to accommodate those who wish to stay until the end.

Happy Planning!

Style Trend~ Watercolor

We always keep an eye out for the latest trends and new decor/theme ideas for couples to tap into.  Watercolor is a refreshing trend that can be used cohesively throughout your event or just as an accent on details like the table numbers, menu cards & signage.  Visit our pinterest board for some of the ideas that caught our eye! Pinterest Board

You can view the rest of our Pinterest boards here

What is your take on this emerging trend? Leave us a comment here or submit a link to your Pinterest board if you are all about watercolor!

~Happy Planning~

Three Tips To Successfully Creating Your Guest List

Posted by: Alisha Rouland, Event Coordinator Creating a guest list can be a daunting and confusing task! Should you invite all 500 of your facebook friends, your parent's college friend whom you've never met, or your favorite middle school teacher? Usually the size of the guest list is determined on your wedding budget. It is also helpful to consider the size of your wedding venue - a backyard wedding may not accommodate your 400 person guest list. Below are three tips to assist you in creating your wedding guest list.

1. Compile an initial guest list

Traditionally, half of the guest list goes to the bride's family, and half to the groom's family. Ask that each family create their own list of guests. Think of groups of friends or clubs of which you belong (example: church, co-workers, recreation leagues, etc.) Finally, go through your address books to make sure you did not forget anyone. Once you have your initial list compiled, the hard part begins...

2. Separate names into categories

With the help of your groom and family, begin to place people into three categories. Placing guests into categories, as terrible as it sounds, will be very helpful in getting your guest list count to an acceptable budget-friendly number. Let's say your wedding budget allows for 200 guests, and in your Group A and Group B you have 200 guests to invite, and 50 in your Group C. Typically 70-80% of guests invited attend, so as you receive a "No" RSVP from someone on the A or B list, you can send someone from your Group C an invitation.

1. Group A (Definite Invites): Examples of guests on this list would be those involved in the wedding (parents and bridal party for example) or immediate family members (grandparents and siblings.)

2. Group B (Probable Invites): Examples of guests on this list would be other family members and close friends.

3. Group C (Optional Invites): Examples of guests on this list might include friends you haven't seen in years, work acquaintances, distant relatives or children. While it is appreciated by single guests, if your guest list is overflowing, it is not necessary to invite all single guests to have a plus one.

3. Check your list for any duplications

Double check your list to eliminate any overlap that may have been caused during the formation of your guest list. It would be unfortunate to invite the same person twice and eliminate another potential guest.

Special Note: If you haven't already, consider sending RSVP Cards along with your invitations. Caterers and bakers require an accurate head count to make sure there is sufficient food for your guests. It would be a shame to run out of food before all guests are served or be costly if you have an overabundance of food. In addition, having an accurate list of guests helps when creating the seating arrangements. If this sounds overwhelming, remember that the Event Coordinators at The 530 Bride can help!

Happy Planning!

Teegarden House Event Center - Bridal Faire Recap

We were delighted to be a part of the first Bridal Faire at The Teegarden House Event Center in Yuba City. Not only did we get to meet brides from the area, but we also got to mingle with several talented wedding professionals and businesses. The Teegarden House is a great spot for an intimate wedding or bridal shower celebration, baby shower, birthday party or corporate event. If you missed the event and would like to check out this charming venue just give Cindy at Teegarden House a call to schedule a tour or inquire about hours. Teegarden House Event Center 731 Plumas Street, Yuba City (530) 674-7310 http://Teegardenhouse.com

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