10 Secrets About Getting Engaged That Has Never Been Revealed For The Past 50 Years

Getting engaged is such Associate in Nursing exciting time. However, the excitement of claiming “I will” will quickly get replaced by the overwhelming issues encompassing designing a marriage.

I designed my sensible begin series to require the concern out of coming up with your wedding. sensible begin are going to be delivered to your inbox hebdomadally crammed with recommendations on the business and also the art sides of coming up with a marriage. it'll slice your tasks into easy-to-accomplish segments thus you'll be able to fancy the look method.

I’ve written posts before concerning the many price of being a marriage attendant, thus what ar you imagined to do if one in all your chosen attendants can’t afford to square up with you? It’s a perplexity moon-faced by couples everyplace. as luck would have it, there ar a couple of stuff you will do.

1. provide them another job on the large day. There ar lots of roles for vital individuals on your massive day…ushers, guest book attendants, readers throughout the ceremony, toast givers, etc. If your honored guest can’t afford to be Associate in Nursing attendant, supply them another role.

2. cowl the prices for them. If you'll be able to afford to, supply to get their apparel for them and tell them to pass away the marriage gift…them being there on the marriage day is enough of a present for you. you'll even have to hide travel expenses.

3. provide them flexibility on the apparel. take into account lease your attendant wear one thing from their existing wardrobe so that they don’t have to be compelled to invest in one thing new.

4. Book your wedding somewhere close to them. Travel expenses is expensive for attendants. If it’s very vital that you just have somebody with you World Health Organization doesn’t live near  and can’t afford to travel, take into account having a destination wedding close to them.

Don’t let finances get within the manner of getting somebody close to and pricey to you by your facet once it matters most. Do what works best for each of you thus you'll be able to all fancy your massive day!

5 Awesome Things You Can Learn From Wedding Planning Checklist

Wedding planning Checklist can be confusing and overwhelming for a first-time bride.  It’s a tough job.  Even if you have a wedding planner to do most of the work for you, you still need to make some decisions on your own. 

6-12 Months before the Wedding

· Choose a wedding date. 
· Determine the overall theme, location, time of day, number of guests.
 · Reserve the site for the ceremony. 
· Reserve the site for the reception. 
· Book the official for the ceremony.  (Priest, Rabbi, Justice of the Peace, etc.)
 · Determine color scheme. 
· Choose and purchase the bridal gown. 
· Obtain a marriage license, and be sure passports and other documents are in order.

6 Months before the Wedding

· Book a caterer. 
· Book a photographer.
· Choose and inform the wedding party. 
· Buy attire for the wedding party. 
· Book musicians or DJ. 
· Book the videographer.
 · Book a florist. 
· Sign up for the bridal registry.

4 Months before the Wedding

· Reserve rental furniture and items. 
· Book a decorator. 
· Finalist the guest list. 
· Order invitations. 
· Plan the rehearsal dinner. 
· Book a honeymoon suite.
 · Set up accommodations for guests coming from out of town.
 · Plan the honeymoon. 
· Buy gifts for each other, the wedding party, and both sets of parents.
 · Buy all shoes, lingerie, and accessories.
 · Select wedding bands and purchase.

2 Months before the Wedding

· Order a wedding cake.
· Order decorations and party favors. 
· Book the limousine for the wedding day. 
· Address invitations and send them out. 
· Select your ushers, and a guest book attendant. 
· Select a Master of Ceremonies. 
· Mail out invitations to the bridal shower.

6 Weeks before the Wedding

· Keep a list of gifts received for thank you letters.

 · Keep a list of RSVPs. 

· Purchase a guest book, ring pillow, garter, toasting glasses, cake cutter, and other accessories for the wedding and the reception.

 · Send invitations for the rehearsal dinner. 

· Plan a luncheon for the bridesmaids. 

· Get together the traditional wedding ensemble of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

2 Weeks before the Wedding

· Check with the caterer to make final decisions about the food and drinks.

· Make final arrangements with the official, MC, florist, cake decorator, photographer, videographer, decorator, and all others. 

· Plan the itinerary for the wedding day. 

· Have the final dress fittings for the bride and bridesmaids. 

· Contact guests who haven’t sent RSVPs to confirm. 

· Collect wedding rings. 

· Meet with the musicians or DJ to give them a list of your music choices. 

· Make a seating chart and print seating cards. 

· Pick up tickets for the honeymoon.

1 Week before the Wedding

· Meet with the caterer for final arrangements, and to present the final guest tally. 

· Pack for the honeymoon. 

· Make arrangements for the honeymoon, including having the gas turned off in your home, arranging for mail pickup, arranging a pet sitter or house sitter, etc.

Rehearsal Dinner

· Bring all gifts.

· Meet with the wedding party and be sure everyone has their itinerary.

· Review seating with ushers.

Wedding Day

· Make sure the rings are in order.

 · Double check marriage license and all permits. 

· Wear your engagement ring on your right hand. 

· Go through the itinerary one last time.

The Secret For wedding & honeymoon adventure Revealed in 5 Simple Steps

It seems that the only places people think of when you mention “honeymoon” are Niagara Falls and Hawaii!  But there are so many beautiful and exotic locations that can be just as romantic.  If you’re not a fan of Niagara Falls, don’t fret!

If the two of you are big fans of the outdoors, why not plan a camping honeymoon?  A quiet mountain cabin near a babbling brook, and evenings by a roaring campfire can be just as romantic as any beach! And if the two of you love beaches, remember that Hawaii isn’t the only beautiful location for a romantic honeymoon.  There are hundreds of gorgeous beaches in the United States alone, and many of them are much quieter and more romantic than Hawaii!

If you love crowds, Hawaii might be a great choice, but many couples prefer a little more privacy and intimacy than a major tourist location. Look for out-of-the-way beaches that offer more privacy if you think the two of you would like more alone time.

Europe is a popular destination for many couples.  There are plenty of romantic tours of some of Europe’s most romantic cities.  You could spend a week seeing the sights of Paris, Rome, Venice, Madrid, and London.

A cruise is another great idea.  If the two of you are big fans of the sea, a cruise might be just what you’re looking for!  And don’t expect to spend all of your time on a boat!  Many cruises have several landfall destinations where you can go ashore and spend time shopping and sightseeing.

The honeymoon is something the two of you should both enjoy.  If you love the beach, but your fiancé can’t stand it, a tropical getaway might not be the best choice.  You might be disappointed because you didn’t get your dream honeymoon in Barbados, but the two of you will have a much more memorable honeymoon if you compromise and choose a mutually enjoyable location together!

Your wedding is one of the most special days of your life and both you and your partner should be able to celebrate your love without the stress that comes with excessive debt from taking out loans to pay for your wedding day.

It’s important to think beyond the wedding day, and to begin your married life in a way that enables you both to continue celebrating one another, rather than struggle for years to pay off a loan. 

Set your budget and use my tips and strategies to ensure that you stay within this price range when planning out your wedding.  You can have a beautiful wedding without spending a fortune in the process, if you take your time, stay organized and on track.

The Ultimate Solution For Saving Money on wedding photography & videography That You Can Learn About Today

The Wedding Photographs and video of your wedding day will be keepsakes that you will treasure forever.
The quality of your media, either photographs or video, is dependent upon the person taking the photos or video as well as the quality of their equipment and developing equipment. Photographers and videographers can be very expensive, even for the cheapest packages they offer.

Some photographers will provide video service, but in general if you wish to have both photo and video you will have to hire two different people.

If you want to have professional photographs, perhaps you can have a friend or family member take video of your wedding. Some couples also choose not to have their wedding recorded on video.
Think about your options and what will be best for your wants and budget.

Research photographers carefully as you would everything else in your wedding. Scour the internet and phonebook, and ask your friends and family. Your reception venue and other vendors may also be able to recommend a good photographer.

When you are contacting a photographer, ask what camera they use to take the pictures. Some photographers will only use digital, some will only use film, and then others will use a combination. Also find out if they have an assistant that will be with them.

Photographers often offer package deals. These usually include some combination of printed pictures, digital pictures and CD’s (if the photographer is using a digital camera), photo albums, and hours of service.
Contact several photographers and obtain quotes from them, and then meet with a few of them to view their portfolios. Select a photographer who has a style similar to yours. Maybe you would prefer an artistic sort of album or a posed traditional type.

A good way to save money with a professional photographer is to find someone who uses digital and purchase their cheapest package that includes all of the digital photos on a CD.
If you have all of the photographs on CD without a copyright, you will be able to print them at a printer, online, or using your home

computer, and only pay for what you need. Also be aware of the number of hours you will need a photographer.

If you want professional photos of getting dressed in your gown, you may have to pay extra for their extra time and travel.
You may save money if you have a friend or family member take photos throughout the day, and use the professional photographer only for the ceremony and reception.

The same advice goes for a videographer – research your choices well, choose someone with a style similar to your own, and pick the least expensive package that will provide you with what you need.
If you are looking to save as much money as possible, you can investigate other sources to find a photographer and/or videographer.

New companies that are start-ups will often photograph or video your wedding at a very cheap price, because they will be able to use your photos/video in a portfolio.

You can also try to locate students at art schools, colleges, and local community colleges that have an interest in photography or videography. They will be willing to work at a cheaper pay because they are looking to gain experience and good references.

Saving Money On Your Wedding Music

Depending on the type of wedding you are having, you may want to have music played during your wedding as well as the reception and dance.  Choosing a DJ is always a far more affordable option than hiring a band unless you know someone who is experienced and willing to do this for you.
If you are having your ceremony in a church or temple, check with them to see if music will be provided and what the fee is for the provided music. Some couples choose to have outside music played, for example a soloist or violinist, at their own expense.

Hiring an outside musician to play music for your ceremony may cost quite a lot of money. If you want to have something special played at your ceremony but would like to save money, check in with your friends and family to see if anyone is an experienced musician and would be able to provide their services for you.

If your ceremony is not being held in a church or temple, but at the same location as your reception, you may be able to have a DJ or band play music for both your ceremony and reception.

A DJ will bring his or her own equipment and music, or you can provide music for them to play. A band can vary from a few people to a stage full depending on the type of band.
In general, a DJ is less expensive than a band because you are only paying one person. If you do not have your heart set on live music, a DJ is a great option because they will provide emcee services along with any music you require.

When contacting your musicians, ask them the following:

· Do you charge a flat rate or an hourly rate? 
· How early before the ceremony/reception will you arrive to set up your equipment?
· Do I need to provide any music? 
· Do you have the ability to play special songs that we wish to have? 
· During the reception will you have a set list, or will you take request? 
· May we provide you with a list of songs that we do not wish to be played?

When you have selected the DJ or band that you wish to use, keep the contract with all of your wedding paperwork.

Saving Money On Your Wedding Invitations

When it comes to preparing and mailing out your Wedding Invitations, you will want to try to send them out within 6-10 weeks prior to your wedding with an RSVP date of at least 2 weeks prior (preferably 3-4 so that you can prepare).

This allows for your guests to respond and let you know whether they can make it or not, and gives you time to determine just how many guests are likely to attend, in the event you need to follow up with your reception vendor.

Start by creating a “potential” guest list and then if necessary, weed through the list and determine just how many you can afford to invite. If you are having a sit down dinner, you will need to pay for each plate so keep this in mind when creating your guest list.

Don’t feel pressured to invite everyone you know. This is your day and you should invite only those who are most important to you, especially when working within a restricted budget. 

Once you have your guest list worked out, you will need to purchase invitations as well as stamps and envelope inserts so that those receiving your invitations can respond indicating whether they are able to attend or not.

When it comes to purchasing your invitations, they will range in price from very affordable for basic invitation packages, to incredibly expensive if you are interested in fancy, customized invitations.

If you have a larger guest list, consider choosing a simple yet elegant design that will cost less per package and may include return envelopes as well.
If you really want to save money, you could create your own invitations by using paper stock and your home computer with printer. 

You can download gorgeous invitation templates from online websites for little or no cost, or if you are the creative type, you could even design your own invitations using scrapbook elements, although this may take some time if your guest list is a lengthy one.

Check with your local stationary store for affordable card stock, and if printing your own invitations at home, use a high quality laser printer for best results.

Money Saving Tip: Rather than include a return envelope with a stamp, consider including your telephone number or email address to save on postage costs.

Save on Wedding Flowers

Wedding Flowers can be a very expensive part of a wedding.  Many people spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on the flowers for their wedding.   But there are some tricks you can use to make sure you get beautiful flowers without spending too much money.

First of all, don’t choose roses or other expensive flowers unless you are really certain you want them. Many brides choose roses simply because they believe it is traditional or expected.  But these days almost any type of flower is acceptable for a wedding. You can always opt to add cheaper flowers such as carnations into a bouquet with a few more expensive types. Or, you may choose one beautiful flower as an alternative to an entire bouquet.

Be careful with color choice.  Some colors of flowers are rare than others, and those colors will be more expensive.  Discuss with your florist the prices of different colors, and choose one that is affordable, but also one that will make you happy.

You do need to coordinate the flower colors with other colors in your wedding, so that it certainly a consideration.  But the flowers don’t have to match the color of the bridesmaid dresses  or other elements, as long as they don’t clash.

Candle arrangements also make lovely centerpieces and can be inexpensive if you buy candles in bulk, on clearance, or using coupons.

If you are not using a florist, you can arrange the flowers yourself. It may be easier to use silk flowers in this situation because they can be arranged far in advance, and they may be purchased at discount or using coupons.

If you do choose to work with a florist, discuss with them the best flowers to use for the season of your wedding. Flowers in season will not only be cheaper, but they will hold up better. 

· Money Saving Tip:
When hiring a florist, never mention the fact the flowers are for your wedding until the price has been negotiated!  The word “wedding” often will cause a hijack in price, so keep that in mind when considering the use of professional florists.

Planning Catering for Your Wedding

Catering is certainly an important part of the wedding reception.  You will want to work closely with the caterer to choose a menu that will work well for both the bride and groom.

You will also need to keep in mind the tastes of any potential guests. Traditionally there would be a couple of different main courses to choose from, but these days you must also keep other dietary requirements in mind.  Although you can’t be expected to provide for every dietary need, you may need to provide vegetarian alternatives if you know there will be vegetarians at the reception.

Ideally you would want to know well in advance if anyone attending has special dietary 
requirements.  If possible, ask guests to alert you to their needs when they RSVP your invitation.
Discuss these needs with the caterer well in advance so they can make arrangements.  Sometimes they will need to make special accommodations, so they need to know about this in plenty of time to set everything up properly.

People will special dietary needs are usually used to bringing their own food to events or to going without, so don’t panic if a vegetarian shows up unannounced.  It’s not the end of the world!  But it does help to be prepared in case this happens.  It’s always a good idea to urge your caterer to at least provide one vegan appetizer so any vegetarians can have something to snack on at the very least.
When choosing appetizers, it’s best to pick finger foods that aren’t very messy.  Guests will probably be wearing very expensive clothing, and you don’t want them to have any unnecessary cleaning bills!  Foods like barbecue and shrimp cocktail are almost certainly off the menu.  Cleaner foods like pâté and finger sandwiches are good choices.

The main course can generally be messier, but remember to have at least two courses to choose from.  You and your fiancée may enjoy steak, for example, but you should have a chicken or fish dish for those who don’t eat red meat.

Weddings should be focused on the bride and groom, but the other guests should be made to feel as happy as possible.  The happier the guests are, the more joyous the day will be for everyone.  And that will all be preserved on film forever!

Wedding Reception Dinner Budget Saving Tips

When you must use an in house caterer, there is not much you will be able to do to save money other than choosing less expensive food items. A buffet tends to be cheaper than a sit down dinner, and a soda only reception is cheaper than a reception with a full bar.

Discuss your options with the venue’s caterer prior to finalizing your menu details. Many caterers offer a wide variety of services, ranging from hot and cold appetizers, to buffet or served dinners, your choice of bars and some caterers will even include the cake.

The actual food served can save you money as well. Cheaper dishes such as pasta or chicken can be just as lovely, but less expensive than pricey cuts of meat or expensive seafood dishes.
If you want some of the expensive meat or seafood dishes, work with your caterer to see if they can do a seafood appetizer instead of the main course. Your guests will enjoy mini-crab cakes rather than having them as a meal and you will save money. 

Being able to hire an outside caterer will give you a lot of room to compare services and prices. Research caterers in your area; the reception venue should be able to recommend caterers that other brides have used, or you can search on the internet or specialized wedding websites.
Word of mouth is also a great resource – talk to people you know who are newly married, or who have attended weddings recently. Make a list of caterers that you are interested in, and ask them the following:

· Price per Person – get an idea of their price per head for a buffet dinner, a served dinner, including/excluding appetizers, with/without a full bar, etc. You want to get a price quote for every scenario to really compare prices to other caterers. Many caterers will supply you with a printout listing of their prices.

· Staff – find out how many staff will be in attendance on the wedding date. This is usually dependant upon if your dinner is seated or buffet, if you will need a bartender, and how many guests you are having.

· Cake – find out if cake is included with the catering services. If cake is not included, find out if your caterer will charge a fee to cut and serve an outside cake.


· Linens – will the caterer provide table linens? Is there an extra cost for linens for a gift table, etc?

· Centerpieces – sometimes a caterer will provide their own centerpieces at no extra charge
· Alternative meals – instead of a buffet or seated dinner, are they willing to accommodate a cake and champagne brunch, or an appetizer only event?

When researching your catering options, also take into account if you will be serving alcohol.
Once you have narrowed down your choice of caterers, set up a time with each to see them at an event and to taste their food. Bring your fiancé or another person close to you while tasting, and take notes while you are there.

Choose the caterer that best fits your needs and budget

Wedding Reception Cash Saving Tips

Of all the costs associated with your wedding, your reception can be one of the biggest costs of all, especially if you are renting space or using in house caterers.  Discuss what your ideal reception venue would be and then research potential spots in your area, by phoning the venues and asking for prices, availability and included items.

When using caterers that are provided by the venue, you can expect to pay 35% more than if you hire an outside caterer, however there are many venues that require you use their in-house vendors so be sure to ask about this when calling each location. 

One great way to begin your research is by using the Internet and scouring through different areas in your location. Quite often, reception halls will post details regarding caterers, availability and pricing and in the event this information isn’t available, you can choose to contact the management by email prior to calling, to see if it’s feasible for your wedding based on your allocated budget.

Create a listing of potential reception spots paying attention to the following:
Schedule And Availability Are these locations available for your wedding day? Cost: Determine whether the price is a flat fee or on a per person basis (flat fees are usually cheaper depending on how many guests are included)

Decorations & Inclusions: Determine whether decorations, including centerpieces, table clothes, flowers, candles and other décor are included in the price.

Capacity: Ask how many guests the venue can accommodate, as well as the various seating arrangements that may be available. Certain venues can hold more guests depending on whether they include longer tables versus round.

Restrictions: Find out whether there are any specific requirements or restrictions in order to reserve and use the hall.  For example, certain venues will not allow candles due to fire hazards and insurance costs, while others will not allow certain seating arrangements for the same reasons.

Catering: Determine whether you are able to bring your own catering service to the venue or if you are required to use their on-site staff. If so, determine the overall costs for your reception.  If you must use their staff or recommended caterers, request a full list of available caterers and contact each one individually with your questions. 

Parking: Make sure that there is sufficient parking based on the number of guests attending your reception as well as ensuring that there is wheelchair access if required.

Time Frame: You will want to determine how long the venue is available for and more importantly, whether there is another wedding taking place on the same day.  This can have a huge impact on how well your reception goes, especially if you are under a time crunch or the venue needs to prepare for an additional reception after yours. If another wedding is taking place on the same day, make sure that it ends or begins two hours after yours, to ensure that you, your partner and your guests have plenty of time to enjoy your event.

If possible, try to choose a venue that hosts only one wedding a day.

Once you have explored your options and have a list of potential venues, it’s time to get in touch with each one directly. You can choose to do this yourself or delegate it to a close friend or family member. 

Write down the list of questions that you have and make sure you cover it all before agreeing to book your reception at any venue.

The list should include:

1) How many staff members are allocated to your wedding?
2) Does the venue provide all seating arrangements including tables and chairs or do you need to rent them?
3) Does the venue contain a dance floor, bar and where will the DJ or band be located?
4) Does the venue contain a bridal room or area where you can change from your wedding gown into your reception outfit after dinner?
5) Is there a minimal hour restriction on your reception? Certain venues will require a 4-5 hour minimum where you pay per hour.

Regardless of the type of venue that you choose make sure that you visit it in person before agreeing to book it!  A venue can look significantly different in person than in photos and you really need to get a feel for the location, ensuring that it is spacious enough (or intimate enough based on the number of guests), as well as whether it looks clean, is well maintained,