12 Wedding Myths Busted

One topic in particular keeps coming up with my couples; wedding etiquette myths. Majority of couples think that they must have all the traditional elements of a wedding incorporated into their big day. I have two things to say about this; 

1. What an unnecessary headache if it doesn't mean anything to you

2. What a waste of money if it doesn't mean anything to you

I'm here to debunk some of these rumors of wedding must haves 

1. You don't have to have a flower girl or ring bearer. A lot of people don't have children that are close to them in their family or circle of friends
2. You don't have to have a bridal party. For small weddings, I believe it's best not to have a large bridal party.
3. You don't have to have a floral bouquet. Many brides are opting for non floral options like button and broach bouquets.
4. You don't have to have an aisle runner. There are tons of venues that have a natural aisle that doesn't need a formal runner.
5. Only the bride's father can give her away. I've seen many brides have both parents escort her down the aisle, or even a grandparent. 
6. You don't have to have a bouquet/garter toss at your reception. There are some wedding receptions that have very little single guests and this game can make the guest uncomfortable.
7. The bride's parents are financially responsible for the entire wedding. There is no contractual obligation for anyone to pay for your wedding. However, if you're sticking to tradition, the groom's parents do have a list of things that they are responsible for ( See this post about who pays for what, traditionally speaking ).
8. As taboo as it may seem to address, you don't have to be a virgin to wear white on your wedding day. A white wedding dress may compliment your complexion more than an ivory or blush gown would. 
9. You must have a dinner reception. Many couples find it more cost effective to have a brunch reception. 
10. You have to get married in a church. Many couples may have always dreamed of a beach ceremony, or can only afforded to wed at the same venue holding their reception.
11. The groom does not have to wear a tux. It is perfectly fine if the groom would rather don a chic suit.
12. You don't have to register for gifts. If you're opposed to receiving gifts as a wedding gift, it is perfectly acceptable you ask your guests to donate to a charity of your choosing.

I hope this helps ease some of those feelings that you must go through the whole ordeal of having a lot of things incorporated into your wedding that either don't mean a lot to you or that aren't in the budget. 

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Best Wedding Dresses under $1,000 for 2013

Last year, I compiled a list of the most FAB dresses under $1,000. I've decided to round up the best of 2013 for all you ladies! Enjoy! :)

 

Vera Wang $928

 

Vera Wang $828

 

David's Bridal $699

 

Alfred Angelo $699

 

Alfred Angelo $999

 

Alfred Angelo $799

 

ML Monique Lhuillier $698

 

Sue Wong $448

 

Ted Baker London $825

 

Galina $549

 

Happy shopping! You can be FAB & on a budget! ;)



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Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette FAQ

I've decided to address some rehearsal dinner etiquette questions that I have been asked more & more frequently. It seems that weddings, bridal parties, vendors, showers, rehearsal dinners, etc. seem to need a handbook with all the common rules of etiquette & traditions.

I've said it time & time again; you make your own rules. However, if you are trying to stick to tradition & want to avoid embarrassment by breaking the "rules", I'll answer some of the most common questions I get asked.

Q: Who do I invite to our rehearsal dinner?

A: This is up to you. If it isn't in your budget to have everyone you would like, that is perfectly acceptable. Generally speaking though, you invite immediate family, your bridal party, out of town guests, your officiant & their spouse. You can also extend the invitation to your wedding coordinator.

Q: Do I have to invite every one's spouse in the bridal party?

A: If it is not in the budget, kindly word it in the invitation. You can also personally explain your concern to each attendant. Traditionally speaking, every one's spouse is typically invited.

Q: Do I have to have my rehearsal dinner the actual day before the wedding? Can I have it a couple days before?

A: Absolutely! As a coordinator, I recommend it! You don't want a hungover bridal party, if that's your type of crowd. Don't have it too far in advance though; you don't want your bridal party to forget the rehearsal.

Q: Do I have to send out invitations?

A: Just like any event in your life, the invitation depends on the type of event you're throwing. If you are having a large private dinner at a nice venue, you should probably send out coordinating invitations. If you're having a laid back barbecue, a simple evite will suffice.

Q: Who is responsible for hosting the rehearsal dinner?

A: Traditionally, the Groom's family hosts the rehearsal dinner. It is perfectly acceptable for the couple to host their own rehearsal dinner if it isn't in the Groom's parent's budget.

Q: Is it okay to just serve appetizers & cocktails at the rehearsal dinner?

A: Yes. Just make sure to word it on your invitations.

Q: Who makes a toast at the rehearsal dinner?

A: Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is more geared toward the Groom & his family. If the Groom's parents host the dinner, they can make a toast. The groom can also toast to his Bride-to-be. It's perfectly acceptable if any close friends/bridal party would like to contribute. Traditionally, the bride does not toast at the rehearsal dinner or the wedding. Pin It

Favor Ideas

 

I was talking about ideas for favors with a friend the other day & it had me thinking; I'm not a huge fan. Let me specify; I'm not a fan of wasteful favors. We all have gone to a wedding or party & received a favor we either forgot to take with us, or didn't leave our car for a month. I'm sure the host didn't spend the money on those favors with the idea that they would be discarded so easily. Honestly though, some favors are just wasteful. If the idea that you are spending money on a favor that isn't being used drives you as nuts as it drives me, let me share a few ideas to make yours a hit.

 

- Food-  Host a candy bar for your guests to help themselves to at the end of the event, jars of homemade preserves from the farm your event is held at, delicious baked goods from an amazing bakery in the area or any type of tasty treat that is cohesive with your event. Guests love something to munch on after a long event.

 

-Favors that Last- Have guests leave with a potted plant that they can plant in their garden, or pictures from a photo booth that can be framed in their home.

 

-Appeal to Adults- Cigars for the gentlemen, unopened bottles of wine with personalized labels for the women, homemade signature drink mixers to bring home, or a hangover cure basket for the next morning (energy drink, alkaseltzer, aspirin).

 

Your guests are sure to appreciate the gesture! 

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Spring Wedding Flowers

 

As I've always said; selecting flowers that are in season will save you a ton of money on your wedding. Are you a Spring bride? Here's a list of beautiful flowers that are in season during Spring:

 

- Anemone

- Casa Blanca Lily

- Peony

- Bells of Ireland

- Ranunculus

- Hyacinth

- Delphinium

- Narcissus

- Lilacs

- Sweet Pea

- Tulips

- Daffodil

I think Spring wedding flowers are my favorite! Such a beautiful selection.





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FREE Shipping On All Orders Over $50

Our first giveaway has come to an end & I really appreciate all the entries! I'd like to share a coupon code for free shipping on orders over $50. Just enter FREESHIPPING @ checkout.

 

 

 SHOP

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Enter to Win!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

US residents only
The winner is: Rachel Marshal

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Where to Stand During Ceremony

Your wedding planner should explain where everyone will stand & how everyone should walk in for the ceremony at your rehearsal. Just a heads up on how you will, more than likely be arranged, I've provided you a diagram. You can pass these out to your attendants for their memory.



This is from the guests view.

I hope this helps! :)

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Tampa Wedding Venues

 

I find one of the hardest decisions to make when planning your wedding is venue selection. The venue can really set the tone of your event. I've compiled a list of great venues in the Tampa area.

The Don Vicente De Ybor Historic Inn

The Ritz Ybor

The Westin Tampa Harbour Island

Cross Creek Ranch

The Florida Aquarium

A La Carte Event Pavilion

The Rusty Pelican

The Italian Club of Tampa

There are so many more beautiful venues; I thought I'd share just a few of my favorites!
 



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Paper Rosettes

One great way to take your event to the next level, visually, is adding a backdrop. One beautifully unique & eye catching way is...you guessed it; paper rosettes!! I'll follow up with a step by step tutorial. Beware! These things are time consuming & require a lot of paper. I definitely think that they are worth it though!

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Winter Wedding Flowers

 

Here are some winter wedding bouquet ideas:

 

- Hypericum Berries

- Pinecones

- Poinsettias

- Amaryllis

- Carnations

- Tulips

- Anemones

- Ranunculus

- Bells of Ireland

- Star of Bethlehem

 

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Some Wedding Color Scheme Ideas

Here are some of my favorite wedding color schemes:

 

 

 Butter cream, grey & mustard yellow is perfect for a summer outdoor wedding!

 

 

 Lavender, purple & canary yellow make great tropical weddings or even winter weddings!

 

 

 Navy, canary yellow & grey make PERFECT nautical weddings! It can be preppy or rustic!

 

 

 

 Coral, aqua & celadon can make a great nautical wedding or a shabby chic reception.

 

 

Green, black & ivory are such elegant fall wedding colors!

 

I hope this helps inspire your choice for wedding colors!
 

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How to Write Your Wedding Vows

If you and your soon-to-be husband/wife have decided to exchange personal vows, you may not know where to begin. I like to pass along a little formula that has proved helpful to get the words flowing. Always write from the heart of course, but this should help keep those vows a little more organized, and a little less scattered.

 

-First, write about how much you love him/her.

 

-Then, write about something he/she has taught you & how it has forever changed you for the better.

 

-Next, write about your future together.

 

-If you'd like, you can throw in a little joke or two about your relationship.

 

-Talk about a big step the two of you have taken & how it has bonded you.

 

-Finally, write what you vow in your marriage; to be devoted, to cherish & adore him/her, to lift him/her up when he/she is down & most importantly, to be his forever.

 

Make sure your officiant is okay with you two exchanging hand written vows. Also, try to stick to 5 minutes a piece.

 

Good luck & don't forget to speak from the heart!

image: here





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HUGE BLOWOUT HOLIDAY CYBER SALE

I rarely do this, but i am going to shamelessly plug my shop. The only reason that I'm making an exception is that I feel that this is a blog on advice for saving money on weddings & parties. I feel that is my frugal duty to report that we are having a HUGE sale! Save up to 50% customized party packages & wedding decorations!

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE SAVINGS

 

Prices are already marked down up to 30% off original prices

Enter FREESHIP at end of checkout to receive FREE SHIPPING!

Enter THANKYOU10 to receive an additional 10% off purchase total!

 

Hurry! These offers expire January 5th!

 

 

 

 

 



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Hidden Wedding Expenses

When couples plan their budget, there are a few little expenses that can be costly, but aren't discussed. Don't forget to stash away some cash for these expenses!

 

-Gratuity. A lot of vendors don't charge gratuity, but it is customary to tip them! 18%-20% off total     bill is a good amount.

 

-Dress alterations. Your dress may cost $1,200, but don't forget ( if you're most women) your dress will need to be altered.

 

-Rentals. Your caterer or venue may supply the table linens, but what about the napkins? Your wedding cake looks fabulous, but what about a cake stand?

 

-Attendants' gifts. Have a huge bridal party? It is customary to spend about $75 on each person in your bridal party (not including bouquets & boutonnieres). That party of 10 can get a little costly if the expense isn't planned for.

 

-Event Insurance. Some venues require you to supply additional event insurance. Typically a policy for $1,000,000 - $2,000,000 can cost you about $150 - $300.

 

I hope this helps prepare you!





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Bridesmaid Etiquette

Weddings have an entire world of etiquette rules that you may not be accustomed to, until in the position of planning your own wedding, or being a bridesmaid in a wedding. Here are some tips, to help your wedding day run smoothly. It also helps to not hurt any one's feelings along the way!

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1. How much should you spend on gifts for your bridesmaids? I always recommend staying within a $30-$100 budget on each person. It is typical to host a luncheon the morning of the wedding and pay for the girls to eat.

 

2. Does my Maid of Honor have to be a relative? Absolutely not! Your M.O.H can be your closest friend, sister or cousin. Your mother may tell you otherwise, just to prepare you! ;)

 

3. Do I have to have someone from his family in my bridal party & vice versa? There are no rules in selecting your bridal party. If you come from a family of all women & have no male suitable to be his groomsmen, it's no big deal. If you & his sister have hit it off, it might be a nice gesture to ask her if she'd like to be a part of the big day.

 

4. My Maid of Honor is a bridesmaidzilla! How do I kindly tell her to back off? Honesty is the best policy, tactfully of course. There's something about weddings and babies that hit an emotion with most people. Either they've been married before, so they are a know-it-all or they can't wait to be, so they're living vicariously through you. Kindly remind your M.O.H that this is an important time in your life that you can never relive. Tell her you want it to go as smoothly as possible & although you love her input, this is something you've been dreaming about your whole life. It might help to give her a job. Put her in charge of favors, or something that isn't a huge deal to you.

 

5. All my wedding plans are in motion, but unexpectedly, a bridesmaid dropped out. Do I have to ask a groomsmen to step down or is it okay to have  an uneven amount of bridesmaids & groomsmen? You do not have to ask anyone to step down. It is perfectly acceptable to have an uneven amount of attendants. You would be shocked to know how common of a problem this is!

 

6. My bridesmaids are fighting & getting me involved. What should I do? You are more than likely these womens' common bond. There are a million reasons why bridesmaids bicker. Try to understand the problem & nip it in the bud as quickly as possible. Just explain each other to one another. If the problem persists, ask them kindly to not include you.

 

7. Am I responsible for my bridemaids' attire? Each bridesmaid is responsible for their own dress and shoes. As a gift, you can get their jewelery.

 

8. Some of my bridesmaids are from out of town. Do I have to pay for their travel expenses? You definitely do not have to pay for their travel and stay. If you want, you can offer to contribute or set up a room block at a hotel at a discount for out of town guests.

 

9. My bridesmaids do not have the funding to throw me a bridal shower. Can I throw my own? I do not recommend hosting your own bridal shower. It doesn't sit well with people; it's like asking for people to bring you gifts. A bridal shower isn't a necessity. Try to remember why you asked these ladies to be a part of your wedding day. They hold a special place in your heart & it shouldn't matter what they can afford. I do recommend outlining the responsibilities of being a bridesmaid when asking your attendants. Knowledge is power & a lot of people don't know wedding etiquette until they are planning their own wedding.

 

10. How many months out should I ask my friends/family to be in my wedding? You want to give them an appropriate amount of time to save money & take off work for special events. I recommend asking 12-9 months before the big day.



 

Good luck!

 



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Trending Reception Venues

 

Are you a bride that likes to stay on top of the latest trends? If so, you may want to consider these alternate options for reception venues. Ballroom & country club receptions will always be beautiful, but couples are getting more and more creative when selecting their venues!

 

-Historic Home

-Museum

-Aquarium

-Zoo

-Barn

-Plantation

-Theatre

-Garden

-Riverboat
 



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How to Throw a Chic Kids' Party

There is no formula to throwing an incredibly chic party for your little ones' special day. I do have a few little tricks that are sure to make your childrens' party the most chic on the block!

 

Don't be tempted to buy the character plates & cups if you are having a character inspired party. More often than not, this can make the party, despite your best efforts, look cheap & ordinary.

 

Use little props to dress up the tables & space. Is your angel having a Cinderella inspired party? Place little pumpkins & large spools of thread on the dessert table & buffet.

 

Decorate tables using Threes. Three cake plates or three large centerpieces on a banquet tables is more visually appealing & creates more balance than two or four (that's a little interior designers' tip).

 

Have at least one framed picture of the birthday boy or girl displayed proudly for all the guests to see. You can even step it up & do a photo banner with pictures from each month.

 

Think of the event space as a triangle. The two focal points should be parallel on the sides of the space & the main focal point should be the first thing you see, directly in front of you. The main focal point is typically the dessert table.

 

Pay special attention to the menu. Go beyond ordering pizza & a sheet cake. Get creative with miniature pizzas & cake pops.

 

Be sure to add height to your tables. An easy way to add height is so stack cake plates, or stack things on gift-wrapped boxes. Height is much more visually appealing.

 

Backdrops behind a focal point can really take your party to the next level. Hang table cloths or wrapping paper on the wall, behind the dessert table or buffet & your childs' party just became beyond chic!

 

Paper products tie it all together. Birthday banners, cupcake toppers, water bottle labels, straw wrappers, etc. really tie the entire event together & give it a cohesive feel. There are many shops on www.etsy.com that do customized party packages. Click HERE & browse some pre-made themes or send a message for a customized party with a theme of your choice.

 

I hope this helps! Have fun; your little birthday boy or girl is sure to!

 



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Who Pays For What At A Wedding?

 

Want to know who pays for what on the huge list of expenses for your wedding day? I've provided a list, traditionally speaking of who pays for what. These days, statistics say that over 75% of couples pay their own way. However, if you are one of the traditional brides, I hope this list helps you!

 

 

Bride & Groom:

-Attendants' & Parents' Gifts

-Rings

-Bridesmaid Luncheon

-Bachelors' Dinner

 

Bride's Parents:

-Engagement Party

-All Stationary

-Ceremony Venue

-Ceremony Musician

-Ceremony Flower Arrangements

-Bride's Gown & Accessories

-Bouquets For Flower Girls, Bridesmaids & Corsages

-Reception Venue

-Reception Flower Arrangements

-Photography

-Transportation

-Caterer & Cake

-Musician or DJ

-Additional Reception Decor

 

Groom's Parents:

-Host an Additional Engagement Party(totally optional)

-Marriage License

-Officiant's Fee

-Groom's Outfit

-Bride's Bouquet, Boutonnieres For Men, & Corsages For Mothers' & Grandmothers'
-Bar Fees For Cocktail Hour & Reception

-Honeymoon

-Rehearsal Dinner

 

Attendants' & Friends:

-Host an Additional Engagement Party(totally optional)

-Their Own Outfits & Shoes

-Bridal Shower

-Bachelorette Celebration

-Bachelor Celebration



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Wrist Corsages Are Making A Comeback!

There was a time, not so long ago, that wrist corsages were very outdated. Good news; they are so back in! People are getting very creative with their corsages. Some couples opt. to have corsage-wearers even don a floral purse!

 

 

Floral Design: www.astylishaffairbyjessie.com





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