DIY Wedding Veils

Have you ever seen the show “Say YES to the dress” or “Found the Gown”?  If so, you know that the finishing touches to your bridal attire are really what can transform a girl in a pretty white gown to an actual bride.  As I discuss ways to save money on weddings, as you brides-to-be start doing research and checking price tags and quotes from vendors, you will know that the devil is in the details.  A lot of times, it is all the little things that take a budget friendly bride over the top.

When shopping for my wedding dress, much like these shows – the bridal consultant dazzled me up with wedding veils and bridal accessories to take me from being on the fence, to saying YES to the dress.  Being that I was shopping for a dress that day, and not additional accessories – I didn’t think to even consider looking at the price of anything she adorned me with, however when I went back for my first fitting to pick up the dress I ordered, I took a look around the store a bit and was taken aback with sticker shock!  I’m sure this has happened to you, but seriously…spending over $100.00 on a wedding veil (for even the most simplistic style) was just NOT something I was comfortable doing – my planned “splurge” was going to be on my shoes (more about this later).  Anyway – it just did not make any sense in the world to me to spend $100+ (up to $250) on a piece of lace/tulle that I will wear only once.  

So, me being me…I started doing a bit of research on how to save costs on this and I uncovered a couple of options for brides like me with a tight wedding budget!  I have found an awesome store where you can save significant $$$ on your bridal veil (simple with the option to add-on) or a DIY option.  Both will be discussed below.

Affordable Wedding Veils can be purchased online or in stores at Joann's.  This is a nationally recognized fabric store that sells ready made veils for as little as $11.00!  Can you imagine that?  They even sell supplies and materials to add lace, rhinestones, beads, lining or anything else to your veil – or completely make it yourself! 

If you are going to make it yourself – plan for an hour or two and then follow the simple instructions below. 

Supplies:

Tulle, Needle, Strong Thread, Comb/Barrette

    Gather Supplies:  The main thing you will need is tulle fabric (found at Joann’s or any other fabric store).  You can typically get this in 72” and 108” widths.  For a fuller veil – use the 108” wide tulle.  Depending on how long you’d like your veil – you can adjust the length of fabric you purchase.  I always suggest buying a little extra just in case – but a general rule of thumb for this veil project is: measure from the top of your head to the point where you want your veil to end, and purchase DOUBLE that amount of tulle in length.  (For example, typical fingertip-length is between 3 and 4 feet, so you’ll need to purchase 6 to 8 feet of tulle <2 to 2 ½ yards>). 

  

     Cut the Tulle: The fabric store will supply you with tulle that is folded in half.  Keep it folded length wise as you lay it out on a clean table (or floor) with the folded edge nearest to you so that it makes two layers of tulle.  Next, fold the tulle in half crosswise so that the edges touch and you have now 4 layers of tulle.  Then you will want to round the top left corner of the fabric (pin to mark it and cut in smooth motion.

     Arrange the layers: Completely unfold your tulle once you have rounded the edge and it should look like a large oval (rectangular).

Once you’ve cut the tulle and unfolded – create a new fold in the tulle by crossing right to left.  If you want a single length veil – fold over completely, if you want a layered look, don’t fold it over all the way.  Like this.  Verify that it’s the length you want, otherwise cut the bottom shorter.  (If you use the layered look, you can use the top layer as a blusher as well).

     Gather the tulle:  You have the option of gathering all, or a portion of the top of your veil.  You have to decide whether you want the edges to combine at the top or not. The picture shows you the two variations.  If you plan on embellishing your veil at the bottom with a ribbon or lace, gathering the entire edge will be very noticeable as well as be puffier at the top. 

 

Once you have decided how much tulle to gather, you will need a strong piece of thread and begin to weave in and out with small stitches.  Pull on the thread to gather the tulle so that it is only about 2 inches wide and knot the thread securely. 

 

     Attach to Comb or Barrette: Once complete, grab the gathered and threaded portion of tulle and securely attach to a comb or barrette (your preference).  I like the comb idea because typically this is an easier way to remove the veil from your hair if you want to during the reception after pictures. 

     Feel free to use a fancy barrette or tiara.  You can either place in front of the fastened veil on your head or depending on the tiara, you can even fasten it directly to that. 
 

Decorating the Veil (totally optional!): At this point, you can wear your veil but you may choose to decorate your veil per your own interest, dress, or preference.  Some people will add rhinestones sporadically throughout the back of the veil, some will sew ribbon or lace to the bottom of the veil.  You have several options and it’s entirely up to you.  Here are some examples of decorative ideas and finished veils.

 

Congratulations!  You are done!! 

Take a look at some of these budget friendly veils that you can change and decorate yourself - saving hundreds for your wedding!

 

 

More on Wedding Sponsorship!

http://www.inc.com/magazine/201209/jess-mccuan/how-i-did-it-inc-500-dave-and-carrie-kerpen-of-likeable-media.html

Check out the link I came across this morning regarding yet ANOTHER couple that was able to get their wedding sponsored!  Wow!  I've attached the article below as well!  Such an interesting concept but it CAN be done!

Company: Likeable Media

2012 Rank: No. 146

3 year growth: 2,225%

2011 Revenue: $4.7 million

Cake by Entenmann's. Booze from Smirnoff. Roses by 1-800-Flowers. The setting: home plate of Coney Island's MCU Park. The guests? More than 7,000 Brooklyn Cyclones fans. Clearly, this was no ordinary wedding. As told to Jess McCuan.

Carrie Kerpen: You should have seen his face when I suggested we get married on a ball field—and pay for it by getting sponsors. He knew it was brilliant.

Dave Kerpen: We used to argue about whose idea it was. I wish I could claim it, but it was all her.
CK: I knew that Dave would want something larger than life. And I had been married before, in a pretty substantial wedding, where the marriage lasted all of five minutes. I knew we weren't going to be able to go to my parents and say, "Can I have another big wedding?" So I said to Dave: "I know exactly how we're getting married. We're going to the Brooklyn Cyclones' stadium. We'll get married on the ball field. All of your friends can come. Boom—done."

DK: There were more than 7,000 people watching, but when Carrie and I exchanged vows over home plate, it was very quiet. It really did feel like just the two of us.

CK: I had mud on my dress, but I didn't care. It was a really beautiful ceremony.

DK: It was the birth of both of us as entrepreneurs. After the wedding, we got calls from some of our sponsors saying, "That was great. What are you doing next?" 1-800-Flowers said it was the No. 1 promotion they had ever done.

CK: At the time, Dave was a teacher, and I was a radio sales manager. But I felt we were ready to try something. I said to myself: "You know, we've got to start a company."

DK: We started working on marketing and events for Entenmann's and 1-800-Flowers and Verizon. To throw parties for Verizon, we turned to Facebook, and we found it was pretty good for creating buzz. Then, we realized it was not just building buzz—Facebook and other forms of social media were transforming organizations. The Like button may be trendy, but being likable isn't trendy. More and more, companies need content that's likable. They need to resonate with their customers. We help companies create messages—in the form of facts, trivia, and videos—that people can find on their Twitter feeds and Facebook pages.

CK: Dave is very much the face of the business. He wrote a book about how companies can build their brands, be more "likable," and use social media. He's a commentator on social media in the business world and makes appearances on places like CNN and Fox News, and at trade events. I handle the logistics and operations side. And I'm very active with our clients.

DK: Carrie does all the hard work.

CK: We still tell our wedding story when we talk to new clients. It plays superwell. I think there will always be sneers, especially from people who weren't there. But it was a really magical night of two people who loved each other getting married on a ball field.

DK: We have two daughters, and now we have them to think about—their sponsored bat mitzvahs.

CK: That was a joke. We're not sponsoring bat mitzvahs

A "budget friendly" Wedding Invitation

 

Wedding invitations are a necessary part of any wedding plan.  Obviously you must announce your wedding to your guests and give them the low-down on who's getting married, when, where, how to get there and almost most importantly...how to RSVP.  This is all information that should be included in  your wedding invitation.  

In addition, your wedding invitation is your ability to show your guests a reflection of what type of wedding they will be attending.  Will it be a formal event, country chic, casual back yard barbeque?  If you are having a casual event, your invitation should also reflect that and likewise if you are having a formal event.  Invitations set the tone for your wedding!  Out of the several hundreds of thousands of designs to choose from, it can certainly be exhausting to select a wedding invitation - but keep your personal unique style and your wedding theme/style in mind and this should help narrow it down. 

Because we're here talking about ways to cut costs for budget weddings, I will tell you some ways I've discovered to save money on the oh-so-important paper portion of your wedding planning.  First, let's talk wedding invitation basics and what's included.  You can decide to include or leave out some portions of the wedding invite, but there are some critical components that you should include.  All of these things can really start to add up, I know - I've been there.  Have no fear, we will soon discuss ways to cut the costs with more easy DIY projects and ideas to help save you money!

Wedding Invitation Basics:

• Invite: tells you who is marrying who, when and where
• RSVP Cards and pre-stamped envelope: gives you guest the ability to accept or decline the invitation and tell you how many are in their party (this is essential for planning!!) *Note: You can also include dinner selection (beef, chicken or vegetarian on these cards if need be.

okay...so those are two things that are ESSENTIAL in a wedding invite.  Some extras you may choose to include (which I recommend, however I'll tell you additional ways to cut costs here...):

• Ceremony/Reception Cards: if you are having a wedding ceremony and reception in different locations, include this information as well as driving directions to ceremony (from different starting points) as well as from ceremony to reception
• Within-the-Ribbon Cards: these are sent in the invite to family members and individuals who will be seated at the front of the ceremony and presented to ushers to be seated appropriately.
• Maps: this is a good idea for out of town guests, included with directions or can be combined with the ceremony/reception cards.
• Inclement Weather Plan: if planning an outdoor wedding - make sure to include a back up plan in case of bad weather, if the area is prone to chances of rain/snow.

Now, keep in mind that some of these things you may not need to include in your wedding invitation, and even so, you don't necessarily need to print them all on expensive paper.  You can choose to DIY in some cases and get other portions of your invites professionally done.

Personally, I'm obsessed with making everything just PERFECT - like most brides I'm sure - but on a budget sometimes that can be a little daunting.  When it comes to invitations, if you are doing any research at all - you will realize that invitations can range from $1.00 - $6.00 apiece, just for the INVITATION, not to mention any of the add-on!

Have no fear, I've discovered and excellent way to save money here.  I was walking through Michael's yesterday and I came across an entire wedding section for invitations specifically.  They had bundles of packages that you could purchase at a pretty reasonable cost that included everything (Invitations, envelopes, RSVP cards, Thank You notes, and some extras as well!).  You can take these, within the color theme that you want, and download a software (also included) and print them yourself at home!  Therefore for as little as probably $2.00 an invite, you can get all the goodies and look professionally done to boot!  Of course this takes time and effort - but if it saves you hundreds of dollars I say DO IT!  I mean, I love DIY projects and how fun is it to say that you've personally put in the blood sweat and tears (it's a saying!) into your wedding to make it truly something that is unique and YOURS!

Now, if you want to buy basic wedding invitations from Michael's, you can do that as well.  In regards to the other goodies - you can save altogether if you'd like by taking advantage of the technological world that we live in.  I bet there are FEW people on your guest list that don't have emails and/or wouldn't like to receive a nice letter in the mail with all of the information.  Printing up a letter with the information instead of sending it in a pre-packaged invitation is a good, more affordable alternative to stuffing the wedding invite envelope.  Or, you can take advantage of the fact that people have emails.  You can include a note in your initial wedding invite with direction to check emails within a month of the wedding with the specific details of the event.  That way, you aren't even paying for postage (and at 40+ cents a stamp...postage can get pricey).  Imagine that!  I don't think anyone in your family will mind an email instead of pretty colored paper that will be on their fridge and then in the trash (possibly) after the day is done.

Again, the thing to remember is that once all is said and done...no one will remember your invitation down the road, and therefore it's an easy way to cut your unnecessary spending - so you can put more towards an excellent photographer who will truly capture the moments that people WILL remember.

Also, it's always a good idea to sign up for newsletters and emails with deals from places like The American Wedding as these online companies are constantly having sales where you can purchase your invitations and custom design them online or order samples to choose from.

I hope this helps - feel free to share your invitation experiences or ideas here for other brides to benefit from!

Take a look here, to help you get started! Also - check out more DIY projects here!

DIY Project for the masses!

Any budget bride will know that DIY (do-it-yourself) projects save a ton of money...most of the time.  While there are several tasks that you should let the professionals handle (i.e. Cake, Wedding Dress etc...) I'm going to discuss an idea that will actually make sense, save money and be a fun project for you and your family, friends/bridesmaids etc.

When I met with the in-house wedding coordinator for my venue, she gave me some excellent advice.  So good in fact, I will share with you time and time again.  She said...one thing to remember the most is to spend good money on a professional photographer and that's about it.  Her reasoning...at the end of the day, the music has stopped, the guests have left (some even without their favors), the food is eaten and the flowers are wilted.  All you will have remaining is the memories as captured through your photography (and videography, obviously). 

Flowers, to me, seem like a wedding staple.  I mean, centerpieces...decorations...and BOUQUETS!  It's apparent that most, if not all weddings will have some elements of flowers.  Do me a favor.  Ask any bride you know about how much they spent on flowers and if they think, in reflection and memory, if the flowers they purchased were worth it. The answer is, unless you have a botonist bride, will be NO.  Personally, I have opted to try and use the beauty of my venue, bring in candles (that can be used again or sold to another bride later), and keep my flowers to a minimum because although I love flowers and think it would make for an amazing setting - I ultimately decided that I can do without them (for the most part).

One thing that every bride couldn't and shouldn't live without is a beautiful bridal bouquet.  Also, how fun is it for your bridesmaids to be carrying them down the aisle as well to match!  Many brides and bridesmaids alike will end up preserving the flowers in a memory book or something of the like, so it's not something you should do without. 

Bridal bouquets can cost upward of $100 dollars, well into $250.  To me, that just seems outrageous.  First and foremost, you may be selecting flowers that are typically more expensive, or have to be specialy grown (think, seasonality) and in addition to the actual flowers and mark up, you will be paying your florist for the creative design as well as the labor that goes into creating the arrangement.

Here is an idea for you and your girls to do a night or two before the wedding and save a ton of money doing so!  A DIY Bridal Bouquet. 

What you will need:

1. A variet of flowers (unless you are doing something like all red roses which is also very pretty and easy to boot!)

2. Scissors or pruning sheers (scissors work JUST fine - just make sure it's a good pair)

3. Floral Wire (can be purchased at a local craft store or probably from a flower shop too)

4. Floral Tape (again...see above)

5. Ribbon, twine, lace or anything you'd like to wrap your bouquet in to make it personal to you, your style, your colors, theme etc

6.  Glue Gun or Pins to secure the decorative piece around the stems.

7. Charms, gems, glitter (totally optional!)

8. A water bottle (to spray the bouquet when done)

9. Jar or somewhere to store the bouquet in water, and/or preferably a refridgerator to keep them chilled before the wedding

Now are you ready - let's get started.

Step one:  Preparation

Now that you have your materials ready and together in front of you.  Cut the stems of your flowers at a 45 degree angle at the bottom (ideally under water) so they are nice and ready to begin.  Also, remove thorns and foliage off of the stem (you'll need a nice clean stem to wrap in later steps).

Step two: Create a base

Start with two or three of your favorite (and preferably some of the larger flowers you're working with) as your base.  Wrap those two or three flowers together with some floral tape to keep them together as you begin to add on.  This will help you hold the bouquet as you work to add flowers around the base.

Step three: Continue to build

Keep selecting flowers to wrap around the base flowers you've created.  While holding the bouquet in your left (or right) hand, use your other hand to add the flowers as you go, rotating the bouquet around and keeping an eye on the blooms (not the stems).  Keep in mind that you want to keep crossing the stems so that eventually they are all crossed (again this will help hold them together).

Step four: Build to preferable size

Depending on the bouquet size you want, you'll continue to add blooms until you've reached the desired size.  Also, when adding the blooms and turning your bouquet as you go, continue to add flowers lower each time to make a rounded effect.  Wrap with floral tape as you go to secure flowers in arrangment.

Step five:  Decorate

When your bouquet has reached the desired size and you are ready to finish it off, wrap the stems firmly with floral tape to really secure it as a whole.  Then, use pins (at top and bottom) or hot glue to secure a ribbon that you wrap around the base.  At this time you can add charms or any additional pieces you would like to really personalize your bouquet.

Step six: Finishing touches

When done, cut the stems at the bottom so they are all the same size and even on the bottom.  Spray the bouquet with a light mist of water and put in a jar (tips in water) and store some place cool (your fridge).  Make sure to keep the bouquet away from the fridge racks or sides otherwise you may cause your flowers to brown or wilt.

Now that you have the perfect bouquet, saved probably $100, have a great memory of doing this...go have some fun, or relax and get married!!

Here is an awesome book by my favorite, The Knot that can help give you some idea of planning your wedding flower bouquet!

And some others, if you didn't like that one!

As you try this, please feel free to post your experiences, or any other fun ideas you may have for other brides.  Finished pictures are encouraged!!



Wedding Day Beauty

As I mentioned in my previous post about the Bridal Bazaar about vendors providing discounts or FREE stuff on your wedding day - I did not mention that there are different raffles and things you get entered just by attending. 

To my pleasant surprise, after attending a more boutique bazaar a few weeks prior - I received an email kindly letting me know that I have won a beauty pampering session via Mary Kay for myself and up to 5 additional guests.  This was awesome!  My consultant called me up and asked me a few questions, provided me directions and set up an appointment time that was convenient for me and my guests. Fantastic!

Upon arrival, we went into this really cute studio/boutique that had a kitchen, and several rooms that were set up for presentations . To me, this didn't seem too much like a pampering session at all, it seemed like a sales gimmick.  Nonetheless, the girls were SUPER nice and started chatting with my friends as soon as we arrived, and were pleasant despite us being 30 minutes early.  Once we sat down, the "presentation" started.  She went around the room and put samples in our trays and mirror cases (that were set up prior) that we would be trying throughout the day.  She walked us through an entire beauty regimine and provided us information on skin care, products, what to do and what not to do and encouraged us to take care of ourselves - also providing information on other competitive brands.  She was really in there to help us!

Now, this was Mary Kay.  I know that whenever I think of Mary Kay, I think an old woman with big hair, blue eye shadow and a pink car - driving around delivering the like to women on my block.  That's not really the case at all!  The girls that do this are super nice, very knowledgeable and they actually represent a REALLY good product! In fact, this is a great way for any woman, any age to make a good living.  Apparently the commissions are really good - and it's only $100 to get started (for a starter kit valued at $650!!).  Now that's a deal!

So...obviously, walking into this presentation knowing that they will try and sell the products at the end, I had made up my mind - I'm broke, planning a budget wedding and have no need to replace all my current products with this Mary Kay stuff.  I'll tell you though...after hearing what she had to say about skin care, what makes the products the #1 ranked skin care line in the nation, and how that relates to my skin issues - I was sold.  Not only do these products make your skin feel soft and give you the nutrients you need on a daily basis for good skin care, but what really sold me was the foundation.  It's nice and light, matched my skin perfectly, covered well and still allowed my skin to breathe.  Needless to say - I broke down and bought some stuff.  It's very affordable too!  Reason being, they don't sell it in the stores so they have little to no overhead costs that create a mark up three times over the actual whole sale price of the product.  All in all, it's a good purchase, and you might be hooked for life. 

How this corresponds to a wedding day beauty regime...well let me tell you.  First and foremost, having skin issues that make me self conscious and after using these products for less than a week, I can already see and feel a difference.  (My fiance also says that I'm glowing as well).  Having a good beauty regime prior to your big day will help set the road for good skin on the day of - but also, and I'm still waiting for the 2nd pampering day offered by Mary Kay where I get to test make up, but it's a good way to go if you're looking for good product that will last on your special day for a much discounted rate. 

I'm sure you have all heard of airbrushed make up right?  Well, if not - one of my upcoming posts will be regarding the art of selecting the make up for your special day and if it's worth it to splurge on that supposedly fantastic airbrush makeup that claims flawlessness.

Anyway...Mary Kay is budget friendly premier skin care that can make a huge difference on your wedding day beauty regime, and photographs of your special day.  I suggest taking a look into it. All Mary Kay reps will sample their stuff for free, and guess what's even better?  If you hate it, you can return it - no questions asked!  It's a win-win for everyone involved. 

Now, the rep did mention that beyond a good healthy skin care regimen, you can put whatever make up that you would like.  Check it out!



Bazaar! The bridal show and much more!

 

Planning a wedding can be quite overwhelming at times.  When listing off the different services you need to coordinate....venue, flowers, catering, gowns, bridal party, rehearsal dinner, music (live or DJ), transportation....yikes!  It might, well...WILL make your head spin!  When selecting all of your vendors, it's important to keep some things in mind.

1. Your vision.
2. Your budget.
3. Making sure this vendor can create YOUR vision working within YOUR budget.

This could pose a serious challenge for more brides-to-be, simply because the vast amount of vendors to choose from.  You have a couple of options here.  You can google "local wedding flower vendors" and find a list of all of your local vendors for the specifics that you need and start to call, set up consultations and take up the next 52 Saturdays until your wedding (repeat steps for each vendor) and feel overwhelmed (because for them to be able to really help you with your wedding, they need to know more about your plans, venue, vision, colors, time frame, season and of course...budget.  No vendor will ever really disclose the cost of their services over the phone because it's all customizable and takes time to find the best deal.  That is option A.

A second option for selecting vendors is to attend a Bridal Bazaar or Bridal Show such as the San Diego Bridal Bazaar where you can go to one easy location - spend a couple of hours and get contact and general information on what's available to you by selected vendors.  Not only is this a place for the vendor to display their capabilities (saving you time from having to make a special trip to their office just to determine that you don't like their service offerings) but really for you to gain a better understanding of what's out there.  As an added bonus, just for attending these types of shows, vendors will typically discount a rate or provide a free service to you for finding them there!  It's a win-win!

My hubby-to-be and I just attended the Bridal Bazaar here in San Diego at the convention center this past weekend.  It was awesome!  There were over 300 different vendors there - pitching their services and even giving us some ideas and insight on what we CAN do.  They conveniently offer you a bag to start collecting vendor information (otherwise it can get pretty hard to carry all of the business cards etc you will pick up along the way).  You get to taste cakes, test DJ's on wedding music information, view beautiful flowers, take pictures in photo booths and even watch a fashion show!  Now, what bride-to-be wouldn't enjoy that?

Here are some of the vendors I met along the way and their contact information.  Keep in mind, I will be checking further into these vendors for ideas and pricing and get back to you all about which of these vendors are the most "budget friendly".

Cakes:
Euro Pastry

Flowers:
Botanic Allure
Art Quest

Photography and Videography:
Eisenhower Photography
NR3 Video Productions

DJ's and Music:
Just Made Custom
Positive Energy Productions
Sleeping Giant Music
Elite British DJ

Officiant/Minister:
Ken Day

Wedding Coordinators:
Julie Scrivener

Catering:
Personal Touch


Honeymoon:
Travel Specialist Susan Ashley
Sandals Resorts

Transportation:
Historic Tours
Rolls Livery
Pink Cadillacs

Invitations:
JMB Stationary

Phew!  Can you imagine the day I had talking to all these vendors and MORE?  To get an exhaustive list please visit this link.

And remember...anything you can do to save TIME and MONEY when it comes to your wedding day...I say...

I DO!  (and you should too!)


Feel free to post a comment or share this blog with anyone else you know.  There's more great wedding ideas and budget friendly planning tips to come!  We're just getting started!  Have a great day!

Choosing a Caterer

One of the biggest expenses a couple will have on their wedding day is catering.  While there are so many caterers out there, how do you know which one to select?  The cool thing about caterers, especially if they are a selected few "preferred" caterers at your venue (where you have to select from only their list), is that they want your business.  That being the case, you'd never want to select a caterer based on a menu alone, or a price point alone.  Make sure you TASTE THE CATERER. 

I will share a personal story from this weekend. 

My hubby-to-be and I have been on the hunt for a caterer since selecting our venue.  We were given a list of three cater choices we could use - one on site and two others.  Since the one on site was the easiest to check out, we decided to line up a tasting with them.  This caterer was Cafe Merlot.  (More to come about them in a minute) and that's been lined up for quite some time.  We went to a local Bridal Bazaar and came across a caterer who said they just got approved as an approved vendor at Bernardo Winery, so we figured why not try them out too?  Although they were a bit more expensive in pricing, we figured it certainly couldn't hurt to have options.  Now let me tell you something about both of these caterers.  Both claimed to meet our budget expectations.  Both said they could make a customized menu for our wedding.  Both were friendly and offered up convenient times for our tastings.  I honestly thought we'd have a difficult time selecting a caterer at this point - especially if more expensive caterer was beyond better than the first. 

For any San Diego brides, I'd like to offer a quick review of both of the caterers we've selected to taste and why this becomes ever so important.

Encore Catering was the first caterer that we tried (the one that we ran into at the bridal show), and we had high expectations based on their price point.  We were asked to select 5 different appetizers to try (and she surprised us with 2 more based on some personal requests about what we wanted for our wedding).  We get there, and we walk into a warehouse that's decorated like various weddings (to give you an idea of how they can decorate).  Then you sit down and the girl started to give us item by item.  She explained, by title what the dish was that we were trying - and asked us questions as we were tasting it.  In my opinion, when forming any ideas of opinions of food or the services you're looking to bring on to your wedding - it is one of those things that you need privacy to discuss out of range of your vendor.  In this case, the girl sat in front of us, asking questions about our wedding, how we met, what we thought of the food etc.  Now, the food wasn't all that horrible - however, if you are paying a premium price you'd expect a lot more - not just something anyone can really whip up on a Saturday afternoon.  While the price point was similar to our next tasting and caterer, Encore Catering - albeit a "full-service" vendor (flowers, dj, coordination etc), they are providing the food and everything else is something that is additional costs.

Now, on to Cafe Merlot.  We came into this catering, expecting something similar to Encore ( I mean, how experienced were we?).  Our caterer (Toni) automatically sits us down and offers us a mimosa.  We're off to a good start at this point.  She proceeded to give us a tasting of about 10 different appetizers (literally full plated dishes) and would bring boxes as we go.  About half way through, she could tell we were getting full but let us know we needed to make room because there were about 6 other dishes coming our way.  The food was amazing.  The home-grown ingredients, succulent flavors and amazing presentation was too much to bear.  We were already leaning towards Cafe Merlot, but after tasting how she brought our menu to life and offered additional suggestions, we were sold.  In addition to the fantastic food - she left us alone at the table to discuss amongst ourselves (but secretly took note of our reactions and shared thoughts).  We walked out of there with 2 full bags of food that will literally last us several days (thankfully because we didn't make it to the grocery store this weekend).  Anyway, beyond all of that having a really realistic price point, Cafe Merlot also provides all of the linens, silverware and glasses (yes, even champagne flutes) at no additional cost - unlike Encore Catering.

I guess the moral of the story is to be sure to check into your options - because you never know what is out there.

Now, here are some questions to ask your caterer when researching for the meal you will serve on your special day!  Good luck!

1.  What is your philosphy on food preparationa and approach/style?
2.  How large is your staff?
3.  How will the waitstaff be attired?
4.  What is your experience like with weddings/events?
5.  When do you need the final count for guests?
6.  What is the cost difference for buffet vs. sit down?
7.  Do you provide alcohol or am I able to bring my own?
8.  How much per head for regular meals, child meals and/or staff meals?
9.  When is the tasting and what does it entail? (Additional Costs?)
10.  How many servers are available during buffet, passing hors d'oeuvres?
11.  What is the cost per person for wait staff?
12.  Are there any standard chefs fees? Tax and tip included?
13.  How are leftovers handled?
14.  Rentals? (if not already provided) and costs!
15.  What is the deposit and when is it due?
16.  What is the cancellation policy?
17.  How much is set up/tear down and are there fees included for this?

Well, that's it folks! That should be enough information to get you started.  Honestly though, from what I've seen with just the two caterers that I've met with so far in planning my wedding - you can tell the difference right from the get-go because a lot of them (seasoned and experienced) will provide this information up front.  But, these questions are helpful when you have one of the girls that I dealt with at one of the caterers.  Get all of the information up front, taste the food and make an objective decision before signing the dotted line!

Again, best of luck!  If you have any feedback - let me now!  Feel free to comment!

Top 10 ways to save money on a wedding

A wedding is supposed to express you and your fiance's individual style.  But does it have to come at such a pretty penny?  The average wedding could cost anywhere between $20,000 - $30,000.   Here are some ways to help you have the wedding of your dreams when you're looking for ways to save money every step of the way.

1. Prioritize:  The first thing you should do, is sit down with your fiance and decide together what's most important for you on this very special day.  There are so many directions you will be pulled when deciding on your wedding and before any outside influences come in between you and your planning bliss, make sure you and your future hubby-to-be are putting what you want first.  This way, for instance, if flowers aren't as important to you - you will resist the urge to splurge on roses at the suggestion of your florist etc.  My suggestion is to make a list of the top 3-7 things that are important to you on your special day and build your budget from there.

2. Guest List: Weddings can cost up to $300 per person to throw.  Yes - I know that sounds outrageous, but if you have a $30,000 wedding for 100 people (which is easy to let happen sometimes when you splurge on everything you want), that is what you might be looking at.  That being said, the easiest way to save money on a wedding is limit your guest list.  I know it's more difficult than it sounds at times, but if your parents or in-laws are trying to invite the entire neighborhood that you grew up on, put your foot down and just say no. 

3. Food and Catering Costs:  Food can be of the most expensive things at a wedding. Some ideas instead of having a full wait staff serve a 5 course meal could be a buffet, or a luncheon instead of dinner.  Some couples will even stick to appetizers instead of a full meal to save on costs and guess what....that's right, your guests will still enjoy themselves.  The important thing to remember, is that they are there for YOU, not the food!

4. Location: There are several beautiful high-cost venues you can select from in any city where you decide to marry.  However, on the flip side - there are also several low/no-cost venues you can select from too.  Find a church that will donate it's space, or use an outside venue in a public park.  Utilize your surroundings and bring in the natural beauty for a one of a kind wedding, with little to no cost.

5. Wedding Attire:  There are several options for selecting wedding attire and dress at low costs.  Many general bridal shops will have designer knock offs at low prices (i.e.David's Bridal) and many styles you can choose from.  There are also outlets and used dresses you can choose from.  When trying on dresses, try on styles that will require little to no alterations as that can get costly too.

6. Flowers and Decorations:  This can be costly if done the wrong way, and affordable if done the right way.  To save on flower and decore costs, choose a venue that is already beautifully decorated and use it to your advantage.  Otherwise, you can find several DIY projects for decorations as well as buy wholesale flowers and create your beautiful displays at a fraction of the cost!

7.  Save the Dates and Invitations: Invitations can be VERY pricey at times.  Save by either making this a fun DIY project with your bridesmaids, ask for RSVP's to a wedding email that you can set up or select simplistic versions and make inclusions yourself.

8.  Photos:  Photography is generally about 8% of a total wedding budget, which can add up.  There are a lot of professional photographers out there and the prices range from inexpensive to very pricey.  The thing you do not want to sacrifice is value and quality - but at the same time, how much are you willing to spend?  Think....will you own the proofs, will you be buying multiple copies to save, do you get digital copies, do you have to pay additional costs for editing the copies?  These are all questions you have to ask yourself when selecting your photographer because good pictures do not have to cost you an arm and a leg.  Here's an idea:  if you live near a local arts college, community college or university, find photography students and get several to come shoot your wedding.  With several "eyes' you're bound to get a lot of good pictures at a discount (as students will often do for cheap because they are trying to build their portfolios). 

9.  Music:  Wedding DJ's and/or bands can get very expensive.  Shop around - I'm sure you'll find a good deal.  Sign up for contests, and go to bridal shows.  A lot of times, when you meet a DJ at a  wedding show they will have discounts included.  Ask around from your friends too - sometimes you will get a discount for being a referral of someone who has used the DJ's service prior to your event and for referring you.

10.  Open Bar:  While it's always fun to make sure your guests enjoy themselves, you can limit this expense by allowing only a select number of hours, or a selective (instead of full bar) be the choice for guests.  If you'd like, you can even select the liquors, beer, or wine that you'll be serving as part of open bar - and provide additional choices at an additional costs that your guests incur.  Chances are, your guests won't bawk at this, and to be even more honest - guests won't miss having premium liquor as well especially if there is other options provided at no cost to them.  If allowed to build your own bar and bring your own alcohol, (don't quote me on this) but I think that your local BevMo has a pretty good return policy (though you should plan accordingly to avoid major returns). 

I hope this helps!  I know that it certainly helped me to cut back when planning my own wedding.  I mean, these days...who isn't on a budget? 

Happy savings!

Couple Sells Ads to Pay for Wedding

Talk about a marriage of love and money. Tom Anderson and his bride Sabrina Root paid for their $34,000 wedding this weekend by selling advertising space at the ceremony and reception.

Everything from the wedding rings to a week at a penthouse in Cancun, Mexico, were donated after Anderson got 24 companies to sponsor the nuptials in exchange for having their names appear six times from the invitations to the thank-you cards.

Anderson, 24, a bartender, did cough up his own money for his wife's $1,400 engagement ring, while Root, 33, a hair stylist, paid $1,600 for her dress.

The groom got the idea of corporate sponsorships while working in a small struggling animation studio that often had to barter for services.

"So I was in a sales mode, and I got to thinking," he told the Philadelphia Inquirer, which ran a photo of the couple sitting among their corporate-sponsored wedding "gifts" in its Sunday editions.

The bride drew the line at having advertising banners draped across the aisle. But her perfume came from a local distributor, and coffee was provided gratis from a neighborhood supplier.

Advertisers had their names appear on the invitations and thank-you cards, on cards at the buffet, on scrolls at the dinner table, in an ad placed in a local independent newspaper and in a verbal "thank you" that followed the first toast.

The Inquirer said the groom had bought two addresses on the Internet's World Wide Web, namely: sponsoredwedding.com and weddingsponsors.com.

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Find a Wedding Sponsor

Want To Save On Wedding Costs? Try Sponsorships - Photographers, Caterers, Dressmakers Could Be Convinced To Sponsor Weddings

The average wedding these days costs about $30,000. How would you like to save some of that money? Sponsors could be the answer. A bride in Egg Harbor Township is trying to do just that. "I'm writing to offer you a proposal I hope you can't refuse, I'm a bride-to-be planning a dream wedding and I want you to be part of it," Stephanie Walsh wrote to prospective vendors.

For Walsh, part of planning her wedding involves how she is going to pay for it, so she is sending out solicitation letters to area vendors for donations in return for advertising. "Basically, just proposing to them that I'm willing to advertise their services at my wedding," Walsh said. She learned about the idea of sponsored weddings in Modern Bride magazine. "I'm hoping that I can get the food sponsored, maybe the limos, maybe photography," Walsh said.

Judith Ann Graham, author of My Bride Guide, says that sponsored weddings can be a great way to save. "The whole point of getting things that are economically more feasible to us is very appealing," Graham said.

Retail experts say the idea will be appealing to sponsors, too, especially smaller, newer companies. "What a wonderful way to get your card, your logo, your brand out there to the general public," said Scott Krugman, of the National Retail Federation.

Welsh had some success with her quest. She thinks that she now has a photographer and videographer and a local eatery all interested in sponsoring her wedding. "I wouldn't mind business cards. I want it to be tasteful. I'm pretty much open to any ideas that someone would bring me," Welsh said.

Bride Sponsors

Bride Sponsors

DJ - Best in Class Mobile Music

   

Invitations -  Tony Wheeler

 

Wedding Gown - Provided by David's Bridal

  

Catering - Provided by Cafe Merlot

Venue - Provided by Bernardo Winery

 

Cake - Provided by The San Diego Culinary Institute

Open Categories

DJ - Email to Contact - Category Open

Photographer - Email to Contact - Category Open

Decorations - Email to Contact - Category Open

Bridemaid Dresses - Email to Contact - Category Open

Tuxes - Email to Contact - Category Open

Honeymoon - Email to Contact - Category Open

Rehersal Dinner - Email to Contact - Category Open

Photo Booth -  Email to Contact - Category Open

Travel -  Email to Contact - Category Open

Hotel Accommodations for family -  Email to Contact - Category Open

Brides Hair/Makeup -  Email to Contact - Category Open

Registry #1 - Schools And Financial Aid 

Save The Dates -  Email to Contact - Category Open

Registry -  Email to Contact - Category Open

Planning the Honeymoon

While you're in the thick of wedding planning – listening to dozens of bands, sifting through flower varieties, deciding whether to say the traditional words or write your own vows – you can hold on to one thought in the back of your mind. You're going to go on a honeymoon with your fiance that will be the vacation of a lifetime.
To make your honeymoon memorable, start planning early.

Find a friend in your travel agent: A travel agent can be a great help when it comes to planning your dreamgetaway. Some travel agents even specialize in honeymoon planning. They take into account your wants and needs, and help you plan the romantic, relaxing honeymoon you have always wanted.
Obviously, the Internet is a great source of travel information. But when it comes to putting those plans into action, such as booking plane tickets and making reservations, a travel agent can help make sure all the details are covered.
A good place to starting looking for a travel agent that you like and trust is to gather references from family, friends. Ask them to recommend someone that they've worked with so that you can get an idea of an agent's personal style.
Before visiting your travel agent, or exploring the many sites on the web, keep the following in mind:

• What is your ideal dream getaway? Have you always envisioned going to Europe for your honeymoon? Or lying on a beach? A travel agent can help make what you've dreamed about come to life.
• How long do you plan on being gone? If you work and can't be gone very long, you can still do a lot with well planned days. If you can take a longer vacation, there may be some destination options available to you that you hadn't considered.
• What is your honeymoon budget? Your budget certainly has an effect on where you go and how long you'll be gone. When you plan your overall wedding budget, don't forget about your honeymoon. That way, you'll be able to see how it fits into your big picture planning.
• What do you like to do? Whether you want to spend your honeymoon sitting on the beach, skiing down a mountain or relaxing in a spa, there is a destination that can provide all the activities you desire.

Desirable destinations: Do you want adventure or relaxation? Theme-park fun or old-world charm? The following list of suggestions might contain a honeymoon destination that is just right for you.
The adventure zone: Hiking, biking, swinging and surfing, these adventurous locales have it all:

• Costa Rica is truly an adventure zone. It offers hiking, white water rafting and even swinging from tropical trees.
• Hawaii, the islands of Aloha, offers many activities for the adventurous spirit. Here, you will find waterfalls, canyons, volcanoes, scuba diving and snorkeling. There are also bike tours available – even one where you ride in the moonlight down the side of a mountain.
• In Cancun, you can tour Mayan ruins and bird sanctuaries, not to mention great beaches and Oceanside resorts.

Be a pampered pair: Almost any destination in the United States, as well as Mexico and the Caribbean, has a spa-like resort. Not only do these resorts offer recreational sports like golf and tennis, but they also boast a full-service menu of spa treatments. From manicures and pedicures to warm stone massage therapy, you can experience an array of relaxing and beautifying services.
Some resorts offer packages tailored to couples. Some also have classes such as massage therapy and yoga so you can take the relaxation techniques home with you.
Pick destinations that you're interested in, and search forbest spa resort in the area. You can be pampered from head to toe!
Old-world romance and charm: If you're looking for romance, history and a lot of sightseeing, Europe may provide the honeymoon destination for you. Keep in mind that to properly tour Europe, you may want 10 days to two weeks. Consider these European locales:

• England offers fun and relaxation with its small villages and big city sophistication in London. Get the best of both worlds by spending time in each locale.
• Ireland, the beautiful emerald isle, boasts historical castles and manor houses. And the Irish are famously laid-back and friendly to tourists.
• France has a beautiful countryside full of vineyards and gardens. And then there's Paris. Visit the Eiffel Tower, stroll the pathways next to the River Seine or share a glass of wine at a neighborhood bistro.
• Italy offers plenty of both romance and history. Tour Rome, the eternal city. Experience the beauty of Tuscany. Take a gondola ride in Venice. Every region offers its own distinctive flavor and atmosphere.

Feel like a kid again: A lot of couples go to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., for their honeymoons. With luxurious hotels, plenty of daytime activities, and a nightlife all its own, Disney truly satisfies the child in all of us. Be a kid again on Space Mountain in Disneyland proper or on the coasters of California Adventure.
A little of everything: Where is the one destination that offers a little bit of everything? The good-time capital of the United States is located in fabulous Las Vegas, Nev., of course.

• Bungee jump at the top of the Stratosphere. Ride the roller coaster around the "skyscrapers" of New York, New York. Relax near the glistening beaches of Mandalay Bay. Fall into lap of luxury and dance with the fountains at Bellagio. Tour Europe – past and present – at Paris, the Venetian and Caesar's Palace. And don't forget to bring some gambling money.
• Vegas also boasts fine dining – almost every world-class chef has a restaurant somewhere on the strip.

"Insure" your good time: Every couple wants this dream getaway to go smoothly. But what happens when something goes wrong? It's a good idea to look into travel insurance to protect the investment you've made in your honeymoon. Unfortunately, it's impossible to predict accidents and acts of nature.

• There are resorts with hurricane and sunshine guarantees that give you the opportunity to come back to the hotel at a later date if the weather turns ugly.
• Different types of policies are also available to cover you while traveling. If you think you may need to interrupt your trip, ask your travel agent about the different types of travel insurance available. Even if you can't take your honeymoon at the time that you've planned it, you will still be able to enjoy it at a later date.

Packing for paradise: Whether you're skiing in the mountains or basking on the beach, you'll need to pack appropriately.
Your travel agent or airline website can provide reports from federal government on any luggage or carry-on restrictions.
When packing your carry-on luggage, don't include items that could be considered dangerous, such as knives or scissors. If you do, you will be stopped by airport security and the items will be confiscated. These items, as well as golf clubs, should go with checked luggage.
Your carry-on: Of course, there is always the chance that the airline could misplace your luggage. To make sure you still can have a good time and function normally while your luggage is being located, pack the following items in your carry-on:

• Important travel papers, such as tickets, hotel confirmations and rental car information.
• A change of clothes (weather appropriate for your destination) and swimsuit (if appropriate).
• A change of intimate items, such as underwear.
• Any money or travelers checks.
• Any forms of identification, including your driver's license, passport and/or social security card.
• Personal items, including cosmetics, medication, and contacts (don't forget solution) or glasses.

From the Article: Plan a honeymoon with personal style
Copyright 2010 The Daily Herald