40 best cost-cutting tips for your wedding planning

1. Extend your engagement. A longer planning period means a better chance of getting the best vendors in your price range. Plus, you can typically lock in rates that might increase by the time your wedding date arrives.

2. Imbibe wisely. Many sites offer consumption bars (you pay for the liquor your guests drink) or open bars (a flat fee per guest). If your invitees are light drinkers, a consumption bar will save you cash. One caveat: Make sure you trust the establishment tallying drinks.

3. Limit your attendants. You could save hundreds on the boutonnieres and bouquets, not to mention all of the gifts you would need to buy for a large wedding party.

4. Avoid a Saturday night soiree. Wedding pros charge their highest fees for parties that are held on this evening. If you're willing to move your event to a Friday or Sunday night, you'll probably get lower rates-and even better ones for a weeknight wedding.

5. Marry in the off-season. Prime party times are from May to October in most parts of the country. If you instead plan your nuptials for January, for instance, you'll have a better chance of finding vendors who will drop their rates.

6. Steer clear of holidays. A Valentine's Day wedding will mean higher costs for flowers-and for nuptials on New Year's Eve, your site may charge you overtime rates for staffing.

7. Shop strategically. When searching for a gown within your budget, avoid luxe materials and embellishments. Instead, go for textured fabrics like silk organza, crinkled silk and silk faille, which look and feel more expensive than they are.

8. Inquire about freebies. Some sites include a cake, flowers or a honeymoon suite in wedding packages.

9. Pick a multipurpose venue. If you use one site for the ceremony and reception, you'll save on site fees and won't have to pay for transportation to both spots.

10. Keep it to one card. If you can fit all of your reception information on the wedding invitation, you'll save on the materials and printing costs, and possibly even on the postage.

11. Skip the inner envelope. This is a tradition but certainly not a necessity-it costs extra and may even add more to each invite's postage.

12. Use nonfloral fillers. Mix fruit with flowers to create a beautiful centerpiece for half the price of a flowers-only design. Or ask for extra greenery to fill out the arrangement at a lower cost.

13. Be choosy. For a destination wedding, select a hotel with an on-site wedding coordinator so you don't have to pay for an independent planner. Also, choosing an all-inclusive resort can save cash; if there's a reception fee, it tends to be small.

14. Throw a brunch (or lunch) bash. You'll save on the food (breakfast and lunch entrées are cheaper), the bar (daytime tabs tend to be much smaller) and possibly even the fee for the space.

15. Browse sample sales. Twice a year, many bridal salons sell samples of the dresses they carry at a significant discount. You could land a bargain (but first find out what dry cleaning and alterations might cost, so you can take that into account before your purchase).

16. Pare down ceremony decor. Guests will see these flowers for only an hour or two, so stick with the basics. Consider placing one or two big arrangements up front, where all eyes will be, and leaving the rest of the room decorated very simply.

17. Authorize a market buy. Instead of specifying the blooms you want for your wedding, ask your florist to choose the best bargains available in your color scheme on your big day.

18. Eliminate waiting fees. Hire one car to get you and your groom to and from the ceremony, and then another for the end of the night. Often, you'll end up paying less for two cars than for one limo with overtime charges.

19. Have dual-function flowers. Certain types of bouquets, most notably pomanders and nosegays, can surreptitiously be used twice. After they are carried down the aisle by your bridesmaids, they can be placed in vases to grace guests' tables.

20. Cut out a course. If you serve heavy hors d'oeuvres during the cocktail hour, you can get by with a simple soup or salad, followed by a main course and dessert (or just wedding cake) for the meal.

21. Be sly with centerpieces. Choose less expensive flowers that are in season (such as dahlias or local hydrangeas) to use at the base of the arrangement, since they'll ultimately be covered by pricier blooms.

22. Size things up. Play with texture and scale to make all of your centerpieces appear costlier than they really are. Three simple glass cylinders each holding a cluster of stems interconnected with a curly willow, for example, can be just as attractive as a traditional candelabra that's packed with many blossoms-and way more unique.

23. Ask about hidden fees. Before you commit to a venue, inquire about all the little costs-for example, some sites will charge to cut your cake or uncork your champagne. You can save by adding them up and factoring this into your decision about a site.

24. Mark down the meal price. A fancy beef or seafood dish is nice, but a fabulous chicken entrée or even an exotic vegetarian risotto can wow your guests for a lot less.

25. Be a minimalist. Instead of carrying a big, lush bouquet, opt for just a few dramatic flowers, like sunflowers or calla lilies, tied with ribbon. You'll get a chic look for a lower price.

26. Select a well-dressed site. A venue's affordibility depends in part on how much decorating it requires. A grand historic estate, for example, may need only minimal florals for decor-so in the end, this venue might actually cost less than a bare reception hall.

27. Alter the champagne toast. Sites usually charge extra for toasting bubbly, but you can decrease the cost if you substitute prosecco or a sparkling white wine for the French original. Or skip the champagne service entirely: No one will notice it's missing-they'll simply raise a glass of whatever they're drinking.

28. Call upon friends. To free up funds for other areas of your wedding, have craftsy friends (instead of your planner) create your welcome baskets, or ask a relative with neat handwriting to address all of your invitations.

29. Lessen the guest list. Its obvious, but it bears mentioning: Each additional attendee means an extra meal, a bigger bar tab and one more invitation you'll have to pay for. With eight to 10 extra guests, you'll also have to purchase another centerpiece.

30. Limit the liquor. The bar tab can be the biggest budget breaker for many couples. Those in the know make it more affordable at their wedding by offering guests beer and wine only (at least one red and one white), along with a sophisticated signature cocktail.

31. Be your own beauty pro. You can save a lot by doing your own hair and makeup. Get ideas and tips beforehand from magazines and makeup counters, and ask a friend to help on the big day.

32. Bring your own bar. If your site allows, it can be cheaper to buy liquor at a warehouse-style store and pay your site to provide a bartender. You can use any leftovers to stock your home bar.

33. Stick with the standards. Nix premium-brand liquors and instead serve more economical "house" brands. In mixed drinks, it can be difficult to tell the difference.

34. Be frugal with photography. If the photographer you have in mind seems priced beyond your reach, you may still be able to hire him without going over budget. Ask this pro to provide proofs only, then craft your own album out of those. You won't have to settle for a different vendor-and you can always order more prints or a polished album later.

35. Ask for a rough cut. Scale back on videography costs by asking your pro to give you just a very basic edit. You'll get the footage you were looking for, in the style you wanted, and you can always save up to have him edit it further later.

36. Minimize the musicians. For your ceremony, hire just a pianist and a vocalist instead of booking a string quartet-you'll still get the great music you'd envisioned but at a greatly reduced cost.

37. Bypass a live band. Most top DJs charge a lot less than top bands. An added benefit is that a DJ can act as an all-in-one entertainer: He can play the tunes for your ceremony, switch to background music for the cocktail hour, then take the remainder of the party into high gear.

38. Forgo the favors. Your guests will hardly notice that they're missing. Another option: Give one favor to each couple instead of one per guest in order to pay half the price.

39. Craft items by hand. If you have time for this budget-friendly DIY project, make your own favors. (Enlist friends or relatives to help!) A bonus: Since homemade treats are more personal and unique, they're always a hit among guests.

40. Postpone your honeymoon. Consider delaying the trip to your dream destination until the off-season, when rates will be lower. If you can't be this flexible, try to schedule your departure and return on a Monday or Tuesday to secure better airfares.

More Wedding Planning Help for you

How to Understand a Groom
You're about to marry the man of your dreams and life should be perfect, but it's NOT! What has happened to that kind, thoughtful guy you fell in love with? He seems withdrawn, uncooperative and a bit grumpy. What's going on here?

Is it possible that he was thinking home and family, and you were thinking, "I get to be a BRIDE!"?

Back when your groom was a little boy he probably never put on his dad's suit coat and played 'groom'. He didn't have a groom doll. He didn't have groom paper dolls. But somewhere in your past you probably played bride with some lace curtains and one of mom's old slips. You may have had a bride Barbie and spent hours setting up the perfect doll wedding.


Real Brides Views on Wedding Gowns
It's a great wedding dress and is very flattering. I'm a bigger girl so finding wedding dresses to try on that were flattering was a great thing.

So, should I wait and try on more wedding dresses until I find one that makes me cry? I think I'm holding back emotionally until I find *THE* dress, but how do I know when it's *THE* dress??

Sorry if I rambled too much....I'm just really confused".

"I think you should keep trying on more wedding dresses. If you keep coming back to this one, then it's the one. I tried on lots and lots of wedding dresses, and in the end I bought one of the first ones I tried on. After I tried it on, I compared every other wedding dress to it, and none of them measured up".


What You Should Know Before Shopping for Rings
For many couples, the selection of the diamond engagement ring and wedding rings will be their first experience in purchasing expensive, fine jewelry. As with many areas of wedding preparations, this lack of experience may leave you feeling a little bewildered and vulnerable. You'll want to make sure you have a fairly good understanding of what is involved in purchasing a diamond in order to ensure that you receive the highest value for your dollar and in order to avoid being taken advantage of due to your inexperience. Lets's run through a quick crash course!

When to shop for rings Wedding rings should be selected and purchased 6 -12 months before your wedding. This will allow you plenty of time to shop in a non-panicked environment for quality and value in your rings. It will also ensure that your rings arrive in time for your wedding in the event that they need to be special ordered or sized. In my many years of experience in dealing with brides and grooms, I've known of numerous cases where couples put off shopping for their wedding rings for far too long and as a result their rings did not arrive in time for the wedding date. In such cases, other rings had to be substituted, which takes much of the meaning away from the entire ceremony and experience. In many religions, a special part of the wedding ceremony is the blessing of the rings - a ritual for which it is really important to have the actual wedding rings present!

What to Know When Selecting Your Wedding Musicians
Many brides are overwhelmed by having to make 2,156 decisions in planning their wedding ceremonies and receptions to ensure their absolutely perfect wedding day. What to choose: silver or gold table linens; chicken or salmon; pink roses or delphiniums?

As a professional Chicago pianist and wedding musician for over 21 years, I have been a significant part of thousands of celebrations that included “behind the scenes” negotiations, phone discussions, music selections, rehearsals, recommendations for additional vendors, etc. Particular brides were searching for only the best, and I’d like to share suggestions in how you can do the same to ensure that your special day be memorable, beautiful, and special.


Preserving Your Bridal Bouquet
Every bride dreams of the perfect wedding and spends months, sometimes years, planning - all for that one special day she will remember and cherish for her entire life.

Preserved Bridal Bouquet Traditionally there have only been a few ways to preserve those memories so your children and grandchildren could experience that cherished moment in your life. Recently a new industry has emerged making it possible to preserve a part of your wedding for a lifetime.

Specialists can preserve your wedding bouquet, the same flowers you walked down the isle with, through a space-age process called freeze drying. This process extracts the water from your flowers using a special machine. The flowers maintain their shape, color and smell, and will last for a lifetime. Most professionals will then reassemble your bouquet and mount it in an oval frame with a special dome for you and your family to cherish forever.


Plan Your Wedding In No Time
In the world of wedding planning there are two very distinct types of brides. In one corner we have those that delight in fussing over even the most minuscule wedding details, regardless of the endless time it consumes, seeming to enjoy the process as much as they do the end result. And in the other corner there are those busy brides who either simply don't have that kind of time, or just aren't into obsessing over details - they just want to get the job done so they can get on with the celebration.

Plan Your Wedding... In No Time by-passes the "fru-fru", getting you right down to the nitty-gritty of wedding planning. The average wedding takes about 250 hours to plan, making it rather like a second job for the typical bride-to-be. This presents quite the challenge for many of todays's brides, who are often juggling a whole whack of existing demands on their time, which can range from career responsibilities to children.


Wedding Planning Software:Changing the Way Weddings Are Planned
Wedding planning has come a long way since I got my start as a professional wedding planner in 1991. Back then, few people had ever heard of the internet, or of wedding planning software (software for planning a wedding); now it seems that everybody who has a wedding to plan is using both. At least that's certainly the case for smart and savvy couples who want to simplify the wedding planning process, stay sane and organized through all of those countless details, and avoid those wedding disaster stories we have all heard. Wedding planning software has made wedding planning way easier than it used to be, back in the day.

If there's one thing I've learned through my years in the business it is this - the more well organized a couple is while planning their wedding, the more they enjoy the process, and the less stress they experience. That's how wedding planning should be, but it rarely is.


Wedding Etiquette Issues
With the 21st century well under way, a new wedding etiquette has been emerging out of necessity. The world is a drastically different place than it was in the days of Emily Post and, as such, the rules of wedding etiquette have gradually become modified to conform to common sense in the world in which we now live.

Make no mistake, wedding etiquette is still very much alive, it's just a little different than it was a century ago. In this fast paced world where people are often self absorbed, abrupt, inconsiderate, or downright rude, etiquette remains a necessity to ensure that our social skills do not fall too far out of hand.


Hot New Trend: The Honeymoon Gift Registry
More couples today are getting married after they have lived on their own and are established in apartments or homes. They have many of the household items that are traditional wedding gifts, such as pots & pans, toasters and dishes. Thus the nature of bridal registry has been changing. One offspring solution to this problem is honeymoon registry.

Honeymoon Registry Services offer a solution for these couples and their friends and family wishing to buy them meaningful wedding gifts.

After a couples' honeymoon has been planned, the honeymoon registry service can take those plans and put it into a registry list, just like a registry list that you would find at a department store. But instead of the list containing household items, it contains pieces of a couples' honeymoon. Not only do guests have the opportunity to help them pay for airfare and resort accommodations, but they can also buy romantic gifts, such as a candlelit dinner or an exciting afternoon of scuba diving. The items on honeymoon registry lists can include activities or "extras" that the couple would like to do on their honeymoon, the beginning of their new life together. Gifts are broken down into not only airfare and hotel, but also any activity that couples wish to do on their honeymoon. These activities may include items such as breakfast in bed, a champagne welcome, scuba diving, horseback riding, ski lift tickets, casino chips, tickets to shows and much, much more.


Insurance Advice for Newlyweds
Starting a new life together is exciting, but can also be a bit overwhelming. There's a world of new responsibilities, including newly shared financial obligations. Amidst all the celebrating and well wishes, developing a sound financial plan that includes adequate protection against life's unforeseen risks is extremely important.

Though not a topic most newlyweds want to spend a lot of time thinking about, the chance of dying prematurely and leaving behind a loved one is a risk that no married person should ignore. So how do young couples know how much and what kind of life insurance they need? The best way to determine your individual insurance needs is to carefully review your financial situation and objectives with an insurance advisor.

Wedding Planning Help

What Is a Wedding Consultant... And Do You Need One?

A professional wedding consultant is a wealth of creative ideas and insider's know-how. She's got connections with the best vendors in town and has learned to become an ace negotiator to get you the best value or 'deal' for your money. She's oozing with imagination, and knows where to find all of those unique and dazzling touches to transform your wedding into an absolute fantasy. She knows the tips and tricks to avoid trouble - but she also knows how to trouble-shoot when the need does arise. She knows what needs to be done when, and she knows the "whos" and "hows" to make it all happen. She's an organized, people person with a penchant for detail and a superb sense of style. She is the bride's advocate and adviser, her counsellor, and her buddy, all rolled into one.

Ask anyone who has been involved in planning a wedding and they'll quickly tell you that the process can be like a full time job. So much to do, so much to learn - and so little time to do it all! Few brides-to-be are experienced in orchestrating an event as large and important as a wedding. There are endless details to arrange, many logistics to organize, large numbers of vendors and service providers to hire, schedules, time-lines and budgets to manage... and as a result, so much room for oversights to occur and for things to go wrong. The reality is that few couples have the level of time in their schedules required to successfully plan, manage, and execute such an event effectively; unfortunately, however, many couples don't realize or acknowledge this until it is too late, when parts of their wedding dream have already disintegrated into disappointment.

The Best Man's How-To Guide

The best man is the person selected to "stand up for the groom" at the wedding. The best man must be of legal age because he also serves as a legal witness to the marriage. (Remember, apart from all the wedding hoopla, marriage is a legal contract!).

During the ceremony, the best man stands next to the groom (to the groom's right side). If there are other male attendants (ushers or groomsmen), they will stand to your right side.

If there is no ring bearer for the wedding (the little guy who carries that frilly little pillow onto which the rings are sometimes tied), the best man may be asked to hold the rings during the ceremony until the moment comes for the couple to exchange vows and rings.

Since the best man serves as a legal witness, towards the end of the ceremony you will accompany the bride, groom, and maid or matron of honor (who is also a witness), to witness the signing of the legal documents.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the best man escorts the Maid or Matron of Honor up the aisle, following directly behind the bride and groom.

As you exit the church, you will stand with the bride, groom, and other bridal party attendants to pose for photos.

If all of this seems a little overwhelming or difficult to remember, don't worry - it will all be carefully explained - and you'll get the chance to practice it, and ask any questions you may have - at the wedding rehearsal, a day or two before the wedding.

All About Receiving Lines
A receiving line is always seen at a truly formal wedding. The purpose behind the tradition is to allow the hostess - usually the Mother of the Bride, regardless of who is paying for the wedding - to personally welcome the guests into the reception.

Traditionally, the host - usually the Father of the Bride, regardless of who is paying for the wedding - mingles nearby, introducing guests to one an other, pointing guests in the direction of the bar and hors d'oeuvres, and so forth .

Sometimes, when the reception will be quite brief, or in the case of a less formal wedding, the couple might opt not to have a receiving line. Some reception sites and halls may actually encourage that in order to keep everything on schedule.

A word of caution about this, however... if you are foregoing the receiving line with the thought that you will instead visit each table of guests after dinner (an unquestionable must if there is no receiving line), you are very likely to find your own fun and enjoyment of your wedding reception to be cut down by all the required table-hopping. Instead of hitting the dance floor, you may find the night to be quickly consumed by your obligation to "make the rounds".

The Kindness Trend in Weddings

More and more couples right now are incorporating a charitable element into their big day – and it’s not just celebrities who are doing this. A wave of couples everywhere are making the choice to do something generous for a good cause as part of their wedding celebration.

Weddings have always had a self-indulgent element to them, and so it’s exciting to see couples generously opening their hearts to others on their wedding day. What a wonderful way to celebrate the love they share – by sprinkling some of that love out to others by doing good.

With any trend, the more people see of it, the more likely they are to adopt it. But a lot of people really feel inspired by the good deeds of others. It makes them want to do something good too. When you think about it, it’s a really beautiful way for a couple to start their new life together. You've got to admit, it’s got a good vibe to it.

We predict that the kindness trend will continue to pick up momentum over the next 12 months, but unlike other trends that fade completely after reaching their peak, the concept behind this one has some staying power. Trends, by their very nature, are flaky. One day everyone’s doing a particular thing, and before long it’s never seen again. But fortunately kindness never completely goes out of style. Chances are this current trend will show people how easily charitable elements can be incorporated into weddings, and those ideas will continue to be seen at weddings long after this is no longer the ‘it’ thing of the moment.

Destination Weddings - Top Trend in Weddings
Perhaps you've heard some buzz about destination weddings recently, but you're still not clear on the concept. Destination Wedding essentially means "eloping with a crowd". It's a modern version of eloping. When a couple eloped in the past, they ran off alone together. Now they may still run off to get married, but they take their closest family members and friends with them to share in the celebration.

Destination weddings are sometimes also referred to as "Honeymoon Weddings" because they combine a wedding and honeymoon all in one. "Familymoon" is another term we are starting to hear used interchangeably with the destination wedding because it is, in essence, a honeymoon that the whole family (and often close friends) goes along on.

Wedding Gown Preservation - How Prevent Permanent Wedding Gown Damage
If you're like most brides, after the wedding you are going to feel extremely sentimental about your wedding gown. After all, you paid dearly for it (how often do you shell out that kind of cash for something you wear only once?). But this is about much more than money. You wedding gown will have an almost magical ability to bring back amazing memories every time you see it, touch it, or hold it in your arms. Suddenly, all the visions, sounds, and smells of your wedding day come flooding back with precious clarity when you spend spend a sentimental moment with your wedding gown in the years to come.

Your wedding gown also has major heirloom potential, and that's why you need to start thinking about wedding gown preservation right now.

You may be asking, "Why are we talking about this now?. Isn't wedding gown preservation something that gets done after the wedding?". Yes, indeed, but we're talking immediately after the wedding if you are going to do it right, and that means you need to have a plan in place long before then. While wedding gown preservation could be done anytime, say, weeks, months, or even years after the wedding, to prevent permanent, irrepairable damage to your wedding gown, you'll need to move on your wedding gown preservation plans quickly once all the hoopla of the wedding is over.

Wedding Favors: Ideas to Add Style, Personality to Your Wedding
It's customary to give wedding favors (small gifts or keepsakes) to each wedding guest as a token of your appreciation for their attendance. Afterall, they took time out from their busy lives to spend with you on your wedding day, didn't they? So a small but thoughtful expression of your gratitude is appropriate.

This charming and gracious tradition offers you yet another ideal opportunity to express your individuality as a couple, reflect your personality, and show off your great taste and personal sense of style. The right wedding favors can help add fabulousness to your wedding reception.

Like with all of the other details of a weddings, most couples take some time and care to select wedding favors that will be just right for their wedding.

Well chosen wedding favors demonstrate your attention to detail - and guests find that impressive. Your wedding favors are yet another way for you to really make a statement. They can inject uniqueness and character to your wedding.

Who Gets Gifts?
As your wedding draws near, you've undoubtedly felt a glimmer of anticipation at the thought of the mountain of gifts you are likely to receive from guests and well-wishers on your wedding day. Kind of makes you feel like a kid at Christmas time, no?

But what about all those fine folks to whom you, as the bride and groom, need to give gifts? Yes, that's right - in case you've forgotten, apart from being the recipient of gifts as your wedding approaches, proper etiquette requires that you'll need to give a few, too.

Put your most gracious foot forward and show your appreciation to every individual who deserves it with our clear-cut gift giving guide. Read on to ensure that you don't overlook anyone who should be on your gift list. And if you start feeling a little frustrated and exhausted at the mere thought of having to shop for gifts, worry not -- we've got some excellent tips and ideas which will take the guess work out of gift giving, making it much easier than you likely ever imagined it could be.

What to Know Before Choosing a Wedding Photographer
Many couples approach the selection of their wedding photographer almost as an after-thought. They tend to get so caught up with all the really fun wedding details their guests will see - like the cake, the wedding decor, the gown, etc. - and they often don't consider, until its too late, that selecting the right wedding photographer is just as important.

Why? The photographer you choose to capture the moments of your wedding on film will play a very significant role in what is likely to be the single most important day of your life. Consider this: Long after the band stops playing, the guests have gone home, the flowers have wilted, all that will remain are memories and photographs.

With this in mind you'll want to take put some care into selecting a wedding photographer. Many couples underestimate the importance of carefully selecting a good photographer, randomly picking a name from the telephone book, believing that one wedding photographer is as good as the next. Later, when the day they have waited a lifetime for has come and gone, and the pictures are developed, sometimes disappointment begins to set in.

Wedding Customs, Traditions, and Rituals...
Traditions and customs... weddings are filled with them. "Something old, something blue..." and all that stuff! It's more than just trivia; Have you ever stopped to wonder what on earth all of these wedding traditions and rituals actually mean and where or how they originated?

Most of these rituals and traditions have endured the test of time, having emerged centuries ago. How fascinating is that? How is it that they survive?

These wedding traditons and customs have historically been maintained over the years and handed down through the centuries because such traditions carry with them the promise that they will bring happiness and good fortune to the couple at this transitional time in their life - and who could be brave enough to tamper with that?

But more than this, by including wedding traditions, customs, or rituals in your wedding, you can make it more meaningful by choosing traditions that speak to you in some personal way. It's almost magical to include traditions and customs in your wedding that date back hundreds of years, knowing that couples for generation upon generation before you have included the same rituals in their weddings. These traditions are the thread that ties us to history. They are like a gift from the past. Incuding some of these wedding traditions in your wedding will enhance your wedding experience, and at the very least, reading about them will fascinate, amaze, and maybe even amuse you...

Hot Wedding Planning Tips!

Ask your caterer about the availability of children's plates. This is a practical and sensible way to reduce wedding expenses. Many couples aren't aware that, at a reduced cost, most caterers can create smaller portions for the little people on your guest list, who normally don't eat as much as adults. In fact, often you can request something which will have more appeal to the little guys anyhow, such as cheese burgers or chicken fingers and fries instead of the more fussy food you and your adult guests will likely be dining on. Children's plates are typically available at dramatically lower costs than your cost per plate for adults. While children's plates make a great deal of sense from a couple of different stand points, particularly that of your budget, many caterers will not mention their availability unless you specifically enquire or request such a thing. This is because they will make greater profit on adult plates.



'Tis the season.... Looking for affordable bridesmaid dresses? Try shopping for them during the holiday season - but not in expensive bridal salons. Department stores such Sears, for example, generally carry an excellent selection of glamourous cocktail and evening dresses as the season for parties approaches - but at much lower prices than what you'd pay for similar "bridesmaid dresses" in a bridal boutique. With just a quick look though a local department store before firing off this tip, I was able to find an array of gorgeous styles priced at a mere $49! An entire world of fabulous finds can definately be found for well under $100. So when the season of good cheer rolls around, it's time to grab your girls and hit the mall! If rock bottom prices are what you have in mind, here's an even better suggestion: Scour the stores towards the end of the holiday season when prices are being heavily marked down, and cash in on the clearance sales for even greater savings!

Number those reply cards! Many a bride has a huge headache on her hands when, as sometimes happens, the occasional reply card is sent back with no names filled in. Clearly an oversight on the part of the guest who sent it, but how do you figure out who on earth it came from? Here's a little trick which will ensure that you avoid this problem all together - place a small, inconspicuous number on the back of each reply card before enclosing it with the invitation. Use a list to record each guest's name along with the number on the reply card you are enclosing for them. That way, if someone should forget to fill in their name, a quick glance at your list will tell you precisely who the reply belongs to.

Making your own invitations? Save money by using reply postcards instead of the usual reply cards with envelopes. Postage rates for postcards are about 13 cents less than the rate for stamping envelopes (Remember, you must pre-stamp the reply cards for your guests!) Plus, by using postcards you'll also save the expense of envelopes. Simply print the response information on one side of the card, and your address on the other side.

Make sure your florist includes at least a little bit of ivy in your bouquet. This lush green climbing vine symbolizes fidelity and is traditionally used in bridal bouquets for that special symbolism.

Be sure to "break in" the shoes you will be wearing on your wedding day in advance. If your new shoes aren't stretched a little before the big day, your feet may be killing you before you even make it to the reception. This has been an unpleasant distraction for many a bride on her wedding day, don't let it put a damper on yours! Spend several hours wearing your bridal shoes around the house in the weeks before the wedding and you'll have no problem kicking up your heels long into the wee hours when the big day arrives.

Be sure to have pictures taken of your reception site before your guests arrive, while everything is still in place and looking fabulous! Later, you'll love looking back on these pictures which will so perfectly capture the way in which everything you envisioned for your wedding was transformed into reality.

This piece of expert advice comes to us from Ann, a wedding consultant with over 30 years of experience - and the owner of the bridal consulting firm of Bergin-Bryant, Inc. in the New England area. Check out the insider information she provides about booking a limousine for your big day...

"I have a few questions I always ask limo services before booking them for my clients:

1. Are the drivers properly attired in livery and cap....or are they inappropriately attired in tuxedos? To be technically correct according to traditional etiquette, drivers should wear livery and cap, but many companies send them out in tuxes instead.

2. Aside from the usual vanity license plate, is there any advertising on the limo...such as in the rear window? If so, is it a cling that they can pull off?

3. What brand of champagne do they serve...usually its pretty cheap.....so ask!"

The Games Photographers Play...
Everyone knows that before booking a photographer one should visit his or her studio to view their work. What you may not know is that the photos you are viewing may not be the work of the photographer you are considering hiring! Some photographers purchase beautiful wedding photos from photography industry suppliers and wholesalers, which they then hang in their own studios. This understandably leads the prospective clients inevitably to believe that they are viewing the work of the photographer in question. This practice is far more common than you might imagine, and although it may be misleading, in most jurisdictions there is nothing illegal about it as long as the photographer doesn't explicitly and specifically tell you he took the particular photo(s). So what can you do? How will you know? ASK! That's right, ask the photographer specifically if all of the photos on display were taken by him or her. Unless you are dealing with someone really unscrupulous, most will tell you the truth if asked this question directly - although there are never any guarantees. So buyer beware! As always, exercise caution and ask a lot of questions. When booking a photographer, you should always insist on references from previous clients, and check those references! You should also ask for the names and telephone numbers of the couples in the photos you are being shown, and do a very careful reference check to ensure that they are legit!

Five Biggest Wedding Preparation and Planning Mistakes

Just as with any big show, your wedding day will not be perfect – but that's okay. While you cannot plan ahead for every little detail or problematic situation that may arise, you can arm yourself with some helpful advice to be prepared at all times for any potential wedding mistakes. But before you begin planning your special day, consider these five biggest wedding preparation and planning mistakes that amateur 'wedding planners' often make.

1. Not Budgeting Costs
It's hard to believe, but true – many couples do not create a budget when it comes to wedding preparation and end up in a deep hole of debt. The very first thing you should do to avoid disastrous (and bankrupting) wedding mistakes is devise an itemized budget, allowing for the necessary requirements, such as a venue for both the ceremony and reception, food and drinks, flowers, favors, decorations, etc. If anything is left over, either use this money for your honeymoon or spend it on something a little more frivolous, like a horse drawn carriage for your departure from the reception.

Budgeting ahead of time also involves your acknowledging the fact that you may surpass the total by at least 10%. Surprises do happen, so cutting back on other needless things will ensure that you don't go over budget too much. In these initial wedding preparation stages, you and your fiancé need to discuss who will be paying for what. It used to be that the bride's parents paid for everything, but this ideal is slowly fading away. If you're still coming up short on funds, there are literally hundreds of ways to cut costs for your wedding day, including having fewer guests, choosing an off-season date, selecting flowers that are in season, and having friends and family play a bigger part by making the wedding cake or trying their hand at photography.

2. Not Giving Yourself Enough Time
The image of the harried bride has been engrained into the psyche through a number of television shows that hype up the combination of little to no time and a 'my way or the highway' attitude. This is why giving yourself ample wedding preparation time is necessary to ensuring that your wedding flows seamlessly. If you want a large, extravagant wedding, you need to begin planning at least a year and a half in advance; for a smaller, more intimate wedding of about 50 guests, eight months to a year is fine. You need to take into account what your plans are for your wedding and adjust your schedule accordingly to prevent costly wedding mistakes from occurring.

Giving yourself more wedding preparation time allows you to order your cake, dress, wedding favors, flowers, decorations, etc. well in advance so that you don't come up empty-handed from last minute rushing. Allotting enough time also applies to your wedding ceremony and reception. Don't keep your guests waiting at the reception venue while you and your wedding party are taking hundreds of photos – consider taking a majority of the pictures before the ceremony and the all-important couple, wedding party, and family pictures after the vows have been exchanged.

3. Not Delegating Responsibilities
Delegating responsibilities, wedding preparation tasks, and roles is vital – you cannot do everything! For brides, their bridesmaids are there to help them with the important duties of the wedding day, so creating a short list of responsibilities for each friend is not unexpected. Mothers, family members, and friends are also glad to help run a few errands or make calls for you if you ask. Just make sure you ask someone you know will get the job done on time.
Part of the wedding experience also relies on a number of people who require detailed wedding preparation directives from you, such as the caterer, photographer, florist, transportation and/or drivers, and DJ. Discussing your ideas with them ensures that you can work together on the same wavelength and avoid embarrassing wedding mistakes during the actual reception. You should also arrange for the wedding party to meet at the church or the wedding ceremony location at a specified time. Corralling so many people at the same time is what leads many couples to pick up the wedding party members at their homes. Late arriving wedding party members is one of the most frequent and sometimes uncontrollable wedding mistakes a bride and groom have to deal with.

4. Not Hiring a Wedding Planner or Someone You Trust
Many brides swear by their wedding planners, and yes, it's true that they take care of just about everything involved in wedding preparation and planning, preventing a number of the more common wedding mistakes brides make. It's kind of like you and your fiancé are the stars, while the wedding planner works behind the scenes for your big performance, seeing everything from start to finish. Wedding planners know all the ins and outs of great wedding preparation and planning and can help the couple find reliable caterers, bridal attire and supply stores, transportation, and DJs at lower prices. Before signing any contracts, however, talk with the wedding planner to see if it's a situation you're happy with.

While incredibly helpful, wedding planners can also be pricey, unfortunate for the bride who is trying to cut costs. This scenario goes back to delegating responsibilities – ask someone you trust to help you make wedding preparation arrangements and appointments with each wedding supply store and/or vendor. You can even scale back operations and have a simplistic wedding that you plan or DIY completely to save money.

5. Not Fully Considering the Reception Venue and Details
Sending your guests on a wild goose chase to find the reception venue is something that happens more often than you'd think and is one of the biggest wedding mistakes couples overlook. For out-of-town guests, this is confusing; for in-town guests, it's an annoyance. Choosing a reception venue that's close to the wedding site is a must, unless you provide the transportation to and from the reception. More than 15 – 20 minutes away is a hassle, and some guests may not even bother going if it's farther than that.

Otherwise, if your reception venue is outside (or exposed to the elements), rain and windy conditions may appear so you should always have a back up in cases of inclement weather. A rained out wedding reception is one of the more common wedding mistakes brides have neglected to plan for. Part of the wedding preparation necessities should also include your requesting the venue's landscaper to spray for bugs so your guests aren't being bitten by mosquitoes and gnats.

Learn to Laugh Off Those Wedding Mistakes
Pre-wedding preparation, while helpful, will inevitably miss some little detail of your big day. These wedding mistakes (or, more likely, minor 'blips') are to be expected and may even provide a funny moment for you and your fiancé to laugh about in the future. Wedding mistakes do and will happen, but you shouldn't be bothered by them. Simply go on with the show and smile – no one will know the difference!

Hot off the Press

Marry Me Productions has been featured in the current issue of Ottawa at Home magazine.

Stacey was asked to contribute her expert opinion on a ‘modern day wedding’. The article speaks about destination weddings, registries, involving guests at the reception, food and guest favours.

Check out the entire article with photos beginning on page 10 at:

http://www.ottawaathome.ca/imgs/dynamique/cahiers/OAH_JULY-AUG_2009_2.pdf

Popular Mini Prom Dresses & Jovani prom dress collection 2009

Prom or a promenade as it is referred to in the United States and Canada is a semi-formal, black tie dance held at the end of an academic year. In the United Kingdom, the prom is referred to as a season of classical concerts or “proms”, which was founded in 1895 and today run by the BBC. It is the largest classical musical concerts held in the world.

If you are looking for the perfect prom dress then there’s is a lot to take into account, including your skin tone, hair colour and body shape. Make sure you choose a dress that gives you a lively look and not a dress which looks great in the window shop.

Once you have purchased a Prom dress for yourself, look for some acessories to match your dress. Handbags, Jewellery, Lingerie, and Shoes should compliment your dress. Dress your hair properly and wear your make-up. You are ready to go to the prom.

Girls going to proms love to wear mini dresses. Mini dresses have become a favourite choice among girls. The most popular choice for mini dresses includes:

1. Beaded Neckline Mini Dress
This ladylike little white dress is very ordinary. The beaded, glittering neckline mini dress is sure to attract the attention of the crowd at the prom. You can wear this dress with a classic pair of vintage sequin studs and an equally-elegant kitten heels.

2. Black & White Mini Dress
A black or white mini dress looks exremely gorgeous for the prom. You can cash in on the chic trend with this breezy patterned-hem mini dress. The soft A-line shape is stunning, while the short length of the dress allows you to showcase your legs.You can wear it with a black peep-toe stilettos and extra-long jet black drop earrings.
3. Bubble Mini Dress
The bubble mini dress reminds us of the ’80s pouf-hem prom dress. This sleek mini dress is magnificient yet has a very low-maintenance. The large bow in the center is the trend this season. Wear this dress with a d’orsay pumps and vintage button earrings.

4. Floral Print Mini Dress
This flowery print mini dress is feminine, surpasses time and can be worn in every season.Wear with patent leather heels and gypsy-esque chandelier hoops.
5. Baby Doll Mini Dress
The baby doll mini dress with a sweetheart neckline and a sugary sweet empire waist hemline looks absolutely stunning. Mini dresses should balance the short length of the dress with a conservative neckline. Wear this dress with mary jane pumps and a satin bow hairband.

Jovani is a well known designer of prom dresses and Jovani dresses which radiate classic elegance and beauty. Beautiful prom dresses, sophisticated gowns and dresses are available at the Jovani prom dress Collection and Jovani fashions at Promgirl.You will find a unique 2008 Jovani Prom Dress collection perfect for you.
Jovani has been doing very well in the Prom dress industry for more than two decades now. Every year Jovani designs the most sought after prom dresses under the inpirational guidance of its chief designer, Sherri Hill. The Jovani Prom collection includes a wide range of dresses which is suitable and appealing to the taste of a large number of people. Jovani has a great collection of dresses varying from soft “A” line skirts to full-skirted ball gowns, each with a wide variety of necklines and hemline. Jovani uses novel fabrics like matte jersey, soft silk chiffon, creamy satin and rich lace overlays and tulle that provide volume without any comparison. Go for Jovani prom dress collection 2008 and you will make your prom night a memorable one.
Consider Jovani to be a great destination for your 2009 Prom dress selection. You can choose beautiful prom dresses that goes with your personal style at Jovani. You can get anything from bright bold colors, exotic fabrics, sequins to classic lines and a variety of stylish gowns for your prom night.

The new 2009 Jovani collection includes a wide selection of the most stunning Jovani dresses for prom, homecoming and graduation. If you are appearing at a Quinceanera or Pageant and require a fashionable designer gown you will surely find it at Jovani.

All Jovani creations are produced with the highest standards in style, quality and fitness. For every special occasion in your life you would love to look your best. Thus the spectacular Jovani dress collection is worth giving a try.