Gold is timeless & can add a hint of upscale glamour to any event. Gold is not only in, it is taking over!
Style Watch ~ Gold
Pre-Wedding Fashion Ideas
Sure the wedding dress is important, but what should you wear for other pre-wedding fun like your engagement party or bridal shower, bachelorette party or even rehearsal dinner? Here is a few looks that could work for any of these events.
Elegant Bridal Look
Elegance is timeless. This look features a 1920's inspired floor length gown with sheer caplet sleeves and mother of the pearl style beading. Paired with a vintage crystal filigree and pearl hair comb and vintage chandelier earrings.
Jon Richard hair comb, $80 / Blue Nile diamond engagement ring / Bridal jewelry / Phase Eight wedding dress, $1,045 / David Tutera leather shoes / White home decor, $120
A New Twist on Bachelorette Parties: Glamour!
Who says that a bachelorette party has to involve going out, these days staying in is much more glamorous! What if you can not only have a night of bonding with your gal pals, but also give them a wonderful gift of feeling a little pampered?
Have a favorite salon? Ask about booking services for each of you or reserve the salon for after hours. Most salons will customize a menu of services with special prices for a group, so often you will spend less on each service than you would if each of you were going individually.
You can be as silly as you want, and have a good time talking about anything and everything other than your wedding! You can go out for a nice dinner afterwards since you all will be dolled up, and then even go out on the town if you would like.
Create a theme like Pin-Up for example and have the hair and makeup artists create similar looks for each of you.
pinup
Image Source: LA Bachelorette Party
A few ingredients can make a really fun and memorable night for you and your ladies, not to mention you will have the photographs to look back on (and these are photos that you could show your grandmother without blushing!)
1. Your closest gal pals or bridal party
2. Hair and Makeup artist (this will cost less than a night out on the town in most cities)
3. Reserve a salon, or hotel room big enough for the slumber party bash
4. Photographer (talk to photographers about their a la carte or portrait packages)
5. Refreshments
Whatever you decide to do for your party, have fun and be safe!
Style Watch: Non Traditional Wedding Gowns
In our love for everything wedding, we keep an eye out for styles and trends that are becoming more popular. Lately, some wedding gowns are getting some attention for being a unique and down right drool-worthy!
Image Via Greylikesweddings.com
Image via Elizabethannedesigns.com
Image via Bajanwed.com
Tell Us What You Think: [yop_poll id="2"]
The Cost of Being a Bridesmaid
It is always an honor to be asked to be a bridesmaid or maid of honor in a wedding. Being by the side of your good friend or family member when they stand at the altar on their big day and sharing in the journey to get there is pretty special! All of that aside, it does come with some expenses. We found an infographic on the web aimed to breakdown some of those costs:
Image courtesy of Dimespring.com
Couples should try to keep these figures in mind when planning the involvement of their wedding party and make sure to communicate with everyone in their party to ensure that the expenses are not a hardship for anyone. Being open to cost alternatives makes the experience better for everyone, a $200 bridesmaid dress may not be doable for some so its good to consider choosing a color and material and allowing the bridal party to find a dress that fits their style and their budget.
Are you a bridesmaid in a wedding? Take our poll on the expenses of being in a wedding: [yop_poll id="4"]
Wedding TV Show's You Shouldn't Watch
Okay brides, you get home from work or school and turn on the TV as you flip through the channels you may come across wedding shows like TLC's Four Weddings, Say Yes to The Dress, Bridezilla or even David Tuteras "My Fair Wedding." While entertaining, these types of shows can hinder your planning process more than help; and here is why:
We TV's Bridezilla - Well this one is obvious, just because you are getting married you do not have an excuse to be ridiculous and treat your friends, family or fiancé badly.
TLC's Say Yes to The Dress - The gowns are beautiful and the brides usually do walk away with the gown of their dreams, but it's the idea of bringing your whole entourage with you to judge or comment on your gown that is a real downer. I think the bridal consultant would agree that having a maid of honor or other family member like your mother or grooms mother present is special; the only opinion that the bridal consultant wants to hear is yours. If you feel beautiful and special in a gown, you shouldn't let your 10 friends who came along tear down your choice.
TLC's Four Weddings - Your wedding is not a competition, in real life you will not have a panel of judges with a score card rating each component such as food or atmosphere. Please don't lose sight of what will make your day special to you and your fiancé because you want to please others and impress them with your wedding.
My Fair Wedding - Built on the premise that bride's can wait until months or even weeks before the wedding to get things in order and someone (David Tutera) will magically come in and save the day. At this point the brides have usually made purchases and have deposits with vendors, and David comes in and "rescues" their wedding morphing it into a big (admittedly beautiful) production. (Image courtesy of channelguidemagblog.com)
When you are planning your wedding it is easy to absorb yourself into anything and everything wedding, but you should try to have a healthy balance. Make sure you spend just as much time doing non-wedding things and most importantly focus on communicating and enjoying your soon to be husband. The better your relationship before walking down the aisle, the better it will be in years to come.
Lastly, remember your wedding is not a contest or an excuse to behave badly! Hire professional vendors and you will have no problem staying on track and within your budget for your big day.
~Happy Planning~
Wedding Budgets
Image courtesy of AllWeddingSecrets.com
While every couple has a different priority list when planning their budget, there is a typical break down when it comes to putting your budget together. Your wedding coordinator will have more realistic figures based on the area where you plan to get married. Here are some of the "typical" budget break downs in percent form:
According to TheKnot Here is a basic breakdown of what you can expect to pay:
Reception: 48%-50% Ceremony: 2%-3% Attire: 8%-10% Flowers: 8%-10% Entertainment/Music: 8%-10% Photography/Videography: 10%-12% Stationery: 2%-3% Wedding Rings: 2%-3% Parking/Transportation: 2%-3% Gifts: 2%-3% Miscellaneous: 8%
- To avoid stress, allot about 5% of your budget for a "just-in-case" fund.
- If you're paying for your honeymoon yourselves, remember to budget for that as well.
Looking at this breakdown, it could be very different for a couple with a very small guest list who do not plan on using special transportation or who would like to really splurge on their food and drink vs flowers etc. In the same token, some guest may want to have a larger budget for photos and videography vs entertainment. Every couple is different but it is helpful to have a basic outline to go off of.
Happy Planning!
How to Calculate Your Alcohol Budget
When planning your wedding, the first thing you need to determine is your budget. It may be the least fun part of the whole process but it certainly going to play a huge part in your wedding. You can read more on how to set your wedding budget here. So once you have determined your overall budget, you need to select your wedding venue and your wedding vendors. Doing so will dictate what your needs are. For instance your venue may have exclusive catering and beverage services meaning you cannot bring in a bartender to serve alcohol that you have purchased elsewhere.
If you do determine that the venue does not have exclusive vendors then first talk with your caterer to see what they offer when it comes to alcoholic beverages and serving. Some caterers will supply an extra server at an additional cost to you to strictly man your bar, while others do not have insurance coverage or licensing to do so and you will need to hire your own bartender. So after doing your research and you still determine that you will purchase your own alcohol you will want to look into exactly what type of alcohol (beer, wine, cocktails) that you want to serve and how much you should purchase.
Your guest list should be pretty squared away when it comes time to make this purchase so that you are not buying more than you need. You should also look over your list and think about your guests, are the majority going to want to drink beer vs wine or should you stock up more on hard alcohol for martinis or mixed drinks etc. Also make sure to consult with your caterer to get their opinion on wine pairing with the food menu you have created (white wine vs red wine with chicken vs steak etc)
Here are a few websites that offer calculators designed to help you determine how many bottles of alcohol to purchase for your event. You plugin the number of guests and it spits out the estimated break down of how much wine, champagne, beer and or hard alcohol to buy.
Bevmo Party Planner Calculator
Naturally after you realize how much you will need to buy, your immediate thought is "how do I get the best deal on alcohol?" Hera are some key ways to keep your alcohol budget in check:
1. For wine, take advantage of sales at retailers such as Bevmo & World Market who will often offer a buy one get one sale. 2. Costco offers their Kirkland Signature wines that are not only affordable but also well rated by wine critics. 3. If your venue supplies the alcohol, opt for a limited or no host bar. You can then set a block of time that you will pay for the guests drinks for example during the cocktail hour. 4. Opt for a beer and wine only menu 5. Create a signature cocktail menu, this option limits the amount of alcohol you need to buy so that you are only buying the ingredients to make the signature drinks rather than trying to supply a full bar.
Lastly, please make sure to put some thought into how to ensure that your guests drink responsibly and what steps can be taken to get guests home safely should they "over-indulge." Consider having a shuttle available at the end of the night or have a few business cards for taxi's handy.
~Happy Planning~
Wedding Blues
"Wedding Blues".. is it a real thing? Apparently so. What makes couples fall into this spell of depression after their trip down the aisle, and how do you avoid getting the wedding blues you ask? Our advice is to keep a healthy balance leading up to the wedding so that you don't get consumed by it. Have regular date nights and make plans with friends and family to do non-wedding related activities.
While not all couples experience these post-wedding blues, it is common among couples that were under a lot of pressure for their big day. If you are taking on the planning process you might want to reconsider, and look into having in the very least a Day of Coordinator to handle the logistics for you so that both bride and groom get to have an amazing experience. The last thing you want to do on your wedding day is fold napkins or tie chair sashes on 150 chairs, when you could be spending more time with your ladies and a nice bottle of bubbly getting "beautified!"
Another idea is to have dedicated time after the wedding, even if you aren't going out of town for a honeymoon you can have an at home honeymoon just the two of you. You can rest your tired feet from all of that dancing you did out on the dance floor, and just relax together as husband and wife.
If you are still in the planning stages for your big day, head over to our vendor directory where you will find local wedding professionals to help with all of your wedding needs.
Free Wedding Printables
We always recommend hiring a professional when it comes to weddings & events so that you can trust that it will be done right the first time. If you are a bride looking for creative stationary and custom wedding collateral, you definitely need to head over to The Idea Emporium for inspiration. If you are Maid of Honor trying to be the hostess with the mostess on a budget, these free printables are for you. Word of advice, printing from home may have its challenges and may not turn out as desired. Try these out ahead of time, so that if you aren't happy with them you will still have time to contact a professional. Photobooth Props - Six Months to Mrs.
Bows and Tags - PrintableWeddings.com
Chevron Invites and Favor Tags - The Tomkat Studio
Printable Bridal Shower Game - ElegantWeddingInvites.com
Just remember, for the best results contact a professional rather than printing from home.
Happy Planning!
Social Media & Your Wedding
As the new iPhone 6 and 6+ is released, we see more and more apps created out of convenience and our need to be constantly connected to the world around us. We share tidbits of our daily lives, (some share more than others) but when it comes to your wedding you should consider how much you want to put out there. Documenting your wedding in social media has it's definite pros and cons, according to SocialMediaWeek.org, Social Media has "intensified the pressures for wedding perfection." Images courtesy of mediashower.com, venuesafari.com
To share or not to share...
The main issue that I come across is when couples have a limited guest list and a friend or family member get upset when they read via Facebook that others were invited, and they weren't. This can be avoided by only sharing event information via private messages, or by phone or speak with anyone you think may be offended by not getting an invite to explain your limited guest list.
For those who are looking forward to sharing all of their wedding details online, social media can serve as a tool to help you not only post your information but to connect with others who want to share pictures or communicate. Here are a few different ways to use social media.
1. Create a Wedding Website Access tools like sharing your inspiration details, gather and share photos, post your registry link or event information such as directions or local attractions for out of town guests. You can create your own free site at TheKnot.com, MyWedding.com, WeddingWire.com or design a premium site at Sittinginatree.co. (Image courtesy of http://designmodo.com/wedding-website/)
2. Hashtags You can create a hashtag for your wedding, and put the information on a sign at your reception notifying guests of how they can post pictures or well wishes. Dress it up by adding coordinating flowers or décor. (Images courtesy exclusiveweddingtales.com)
3. YouTube
If you have a dance number planned, or funny toast you can share these must watch moments on youtube to share with guests who couldn't attend.
4. Pinterest Pinterest offers a Privacy option for your board allowing you to make the board "secret" or choose to can view/submit pins. This would allow your bridal party to be in on things without putting it on social media if needed.
At the end of the day, it is completely up to you if you want to keep your wedding information private, or share with the world so make sure to communicate your wishes with your friends and family.
Happy Planning
With This Ring
Choosing Your Wedding Rings
So you are engaged and you can finally go longer than 5 minutes without staring at your shiny new ring, but it is time to think about your wedding bands. Do you plan to pick out your husband's band on your own, or go together? What type of metal or style would he like, as there are more options than one might think! If your engagement ring came as a set with a matching band then you are all set other than deciding if you want to solder your rings together or not. If your engagement ring was not part of a set, you can check with your jeweler to see if there is a matching band or decide if you may want to have a band custom made.
There is also a trend of just wearing a band rather than an engagement ring and wedding band, which is a nice option for women who work with their hands a lot and want to keep things more simple. { Image courtesy of Brides.com } Of course, you could choose not to solder your wedding ring and engagement ring, wearing both or just one or the other if you would like.
Now when it comes time to choose your groom's band there are some things to consider:
- Budget
- Lifestyle (Type of work, if rough on hands will need a stronger metal)
- Metal Type: (Gold, Silver, Platinum, Tungsten Carbide, Tungsten & Palladium)
- Style, men's bands have evolved into some very stylish options!
See the breakdown on the pros and cons of each metal type, courtesy of Larson Jewelers.
What is your groom's style?
Just think,soon you will be exchanging rings at the altar! ~Happy Planning~
Wedding Planning Tip: Wedding Day Photography
When you meet with your wedding photographer, make sure to discuss what is included in your wedding photography package. From how many hours are included, if second shooters or assistants will be used, what the turnaround time will be for your photos etc. Haven't found your wedding photographer yet? Use this handy planning sheet provided by Martha Stewart Weddings for your consultations!
Your photographer will likely recommend meeting at your wedding venue to walk through and cover some of the logistics for your wedding day. You will want to know where you plan on having the ceremony, where you are walking down the aisle from and how long the ceremony will be (including any special readings or traditions) so that the photographer can gauge how much lighting/time will be needed and also where the best spot to shoot from will be.
Before your walk through your venue with your photographer, you may want to consider going to your venue at the time you believe you would like the festivities to begin so that you can observe the lighting. If the sun is already going down, you may want to start earlier so that you don't miss out on optimal lighting for your photos.
To better estimate the time of sunset for your wedding date, you can look up your location and the date online at websites such as this one: http://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/usa/chico
Happy Planning!
Related Posts: Planning Engagement Session Photos
**** Image courtesy of http://www.wedpix.com/articles/011/graphics/brian-tsai-working.jpg
Is Your Wedding Right Around the Corner?
Recently, I received an inquiry from a couple who will be getting married in just a few short weeks, and were starting to feel the pressure of getting everything together for their event. The bride thought it was too late to find assistance, and the groom just wanted to make sure the wedding was everything his bride to be dreamed about.
I reassured the couple that it is never too late to get organized and work out the details for their big day. As a wedding planner I work with couples with various needs when it comes to their wedding day, some need a Day of Coordinator to handle the overall logistics and timeline of their day while others need assistance with their wedding from start to finish.
If you (or someone you know) are only months or weeks away from your wedding day, and find that you would like to have a coordinator help put all of the final details together please give me a call! In addition to your complimentary consultation, you will also receive a free toolkit to help you organize all of your information.
~Happy Planning~
Wedding Planning Tip: Draping & Lighting
If you have attended events at a local venue several times, you know what to expect when you walk in and in your mind the venue will always look the same aside from table decorations. What if I said that your venue could be completely transformed by using elements like fabric draping and uplighting? These elements will add a touch of personality and flair to your event, making it stand out from other events that guests have attended there. Adding decor elements such as draping and lighting gives your event a personal touch and will stand out in your photos. Before you meet with your decor vendor, discuss the limitations of your venue space with your wedding coordinator or site coordinator. This is to ensure that you are allowed to either use staples, tape or nails etc on the walls of the venue. Otherwise you will have to use pipe and draping around the perimeter of the room so that nothing is physically attached to the walls. You will also want to get the measurements of the venue space so that you can accurately get a quote for the draping panels and determine how many up-lights you would need to achieve the look you are going for.
You may have seen a previous post about my own wedding at the Card Center in Chico, where the talented WeDo Designs and Lisa's Flor Decor absolutely transformed the room by using draping and uplighting. In case you missed it, here is the before and after pictures:
https://the530bride.wordpress.com/tag/the-card-center/
WeDo Designs recently used draping at the Elks Lodge in Chico and transformed the outdoor space. The vivid colors caught the guests eyes and tied in the walk way with the rest of the event space.
For an indoor ceremony setting, jaws would certainly drop with this dramatic ceremony entrance!
Image courtesy of http://venuesafari.com/dreamy-drapes-using-fabric-draping-at-your-wedding/
Pin spot lighting on the cake, and uplighting throughout the reception hall adds a very rich element to the overall atmosphere.
Image Courtesy of http://www.avantdecor.net/gallery.php
I also recommend saving some images that you find inspiring and showing them to your planner and or decor vendor so that you can give them an idea of the look you are going for. Just remember, the options are endless and don't be afraid to step outside the box and show your personality!
Happy Planning!
Throw the Ultimate Bridal Shower
Bridal Showers are a fun event to throw because let's face it you mix a little champagne with some pre-wedding excitement and everyone has a good time! Besides, the design options are endless so get creative with your theme. Note: You do not have to stick with the colors the bride has chosen for the wedding! I consider the bridal shower as an event that the bride really shouldn't really have to much input it other than the guess list. She has enough on her plate with the wedding, so let this be something that even she will be surprised when she walks in! However, if your bride to be is very hands on, this approach may not work so play it safe if need be.
Suggestion: Contact a local wedding coordinator if you need assistance getting organized or getting vendor suggestions for food, rentals (such as tables, chairs, linens) or even fun favors!
1. Decor Choose a playful or glam color scheme with fun pops of color or textures. Save yourself time by finding coordinating paperie/decor packages that include invitations, banners or signage.
Minted's "Wildflowers" theme uses graphic prints and an understated color palette which allows you to throw in mixed textures and metallics for accents.
Wildflowers Party Decor - $1.70
from: Minted
You can mix textures like glittered champagne flutes to add a little sparkle. Catch the How-To Project on DIY Champagne flutes here.
Create a simple floral arrangement and spruce it up by adding the glitter element on a variety of glassware.
Photo Credit: http://studioblush.com/blog/blush-floral-design/bridal-shower-2/
"Botanical Wreath" Mixes a variety of colors which gives you a lot of options for decor. You could easily choose a cream or blush linen to keep it light, or add a hint of formality with a black linen.
Botanical Wreath Party Decor - $1.70
from: Minted
Botanical Wreath Circle Garlands - $1.70
from: Minted
Botanical Wreath Table Signs - $1.70
from: Minted
2. Refreshments
Lets face it, a party just isn't a party without yummy treats! Depending on the time you plan on starting the event, you can choose to serve light refreshments, heavy hors d'oeuvres or a full meal/dinner. We found a few inspirational ideas:
Photo Credits: www.Bridal Detective.com Photo Credit: Rochebros.com Photo Credit: Themeaningofpie.com Photo Credit: http://www.madiganmade.com
3. Entertainment
Choose the entertainment based on the group, usually a couple of games will get the party going and the crowd to mix.
Bridal Shower Bingo
Exclusive Personalized Things in a Bride's Purse Game
Exclusive Personalized Why Do We Do That Game
If you know the bride well, and want to create a little spicier of a party: Ask the guests to each bring a pair of panties (you can call each guest and tell them what size the bride is and explain the game) so that the bride will have to guess who brought what, and turn a few shades red..
Check out this blog post from "Skip to the Details" where we found the game (it looked like a fun bridal shower!)
There you have it, the bride will be sure to remember this day as a time when her friends and family threw her a kick *** party! Send the bride home with some treats, and of course the list of who gifted what so that she can get started on those thank you cards!
Happy Planning! Related Articles: 50's Theme Bridal Showers
************************ Affiliate Disclosure: The 530 Bride is a member of Minted Affiliate Marketing and may receive compensation for products purchased via links on our site.
Wedding Party Thank You Gift Ideas
Some couples choose to give their wedding party members gifts or tokens of appreciation for being a part of their special day, though it is not required it is usually customary to do so. These gifts can range from the inexpensive, to the ultra luxe it just depends on your particular tastes and budget. Popular items for the bridal party are jewelry, photo frames/keepsakes, personalized robes or tote bags etc. For the groomsmen, cuff links, flasks, pocket knifes or mugs are among the most popular gifts. Can you venture outside of these parameters? Absolutely!
Here are some fun ideas to get you inspired:
1. Welcome Boxes
Fill with small items that are personalized for each member of the wedding party. For instance their favorite candy, a perfume scent or nail polish color you know they would like, mini bottle of their favorite adult beverage, or a new cd by their favorite artist? The options are endless.
Photo Credit: www.weddingpartyapp.com
2. Sports Tickets/apparel
If the best man is a hard core fan of the local team, take advantage by seeing if you can snag some good tickets or official apparel/memorabilia that will be sure to be appreciated.
3. Handmade Goods
If you are gifted with craftiness, put your skills to good use and make things like scarfs, jewelry, coin purses, throw pillows or artwork. Not only will they be original gifts, but will feel more personalized for your wedding party. Not so crafty? Not to worry, Etsy to the rescue! Photo Credit: www.watermelonwishes.com
4. Individual Gifts
Who says everyone in the party has to get something similar? If a groomsmen is big into gaming, and a bridesmaid has been wanting to try a new lunch spot who says gift cards or individualized gifts aren't the perfect solution. If you have a wedding party that is difficult to shop for or is very involved in the community, you could also consider making donations in each bridal party members name to a special cause, like the local animal shelter etc.
5. Gift your talent/services If you are in the service industry or have a side passion such as gardening or painting you could offer your services such as a haircut/color, massage or day in the garden. Not only is the service appreciated but it is a great excuse to get together and do something non-wedding related!
Keep in mind that thank you gifts do not have to be expensive and are often best when they come from the heart, so don't be afraid to do something different if you would like to. Of course a personalized flask or shot glass can always come in handy down the line so if thinking outside the box isn't on the agenda you will be fine either way!
Happy Planning!
