Setting a Budget for Wedding Favors

Setting a budget for the wedding favors is a very important part of planning a wedding. Many couples make the mistake of underestimating the cost of the wedding favors and not allotting a part of the budget specifically for this purpose. This can be a problem especially if the couple waits until the last minute to shop for favors or is planning to have a large number of guests at the wedding reception. This article will touch upon the important of setting a budget for wedding favors and will provide some tips for making wedding favors more affordable.

The cost of renting a catering hall and paying for food for your wedding are certainly some of the most expensive items to consider when planning a wedding. Additionally, flowers and transportation can also contribute to the high price of weddings. However, these are not the only factors to consider. The cost of wedding favors should also be carefully considered. This is important because the couple should realize that favors are going to be a cost per guest item. This means the couple will be paying a specific price for each favor and multiplying this price by the number of guests at the wedding. This means even if you select favors which cost $1, you will still wind up paying $500 for wedding favors if you are planning to have a wedding which will include 500 guests. You can see how this price can quickly add up and wreak havoc on a couples budget for a wedding.

So the first thing to consider when setting a budget for wedding favors is how many guests you plan on having at your wedding. This is very important because the price of each individual favor will be multiplied by the number of guests you plan to have at the wedding. This is not to be confused with the number of guests you are inviting to the wedding. For example if you have a rather large extended family with many out of town relatives you may feel obligated to invite all of these relatives even if you are quite sure they will not come to the wedding. If you are fairly sure these guests will not be able to come to your wedding you can make an estimate of the number of guest you are realistically expecting to show up at the wedding.

Once you establish this number you can set a budget in a couple of different ways. One way to do it is to determine an amount you can afford to spend on favors and are willing to spend on favors and then divide this number by the number of guests you are expecting. This will let you know how much you can afford to spend on each favor. It is important to include tax, shipping, gift wrapping and all other incidentals in this per favor price. Another way to set a budget for the favors is to begin searching around for favors and seek out estimates on favors which you find appealing. This will help you determine how much you want to spend on each favor to give your guests a favor you think is appropriate. Once you have this number you can multiply it by the number of guests you plan on having at the reception. If you can afford this amount you can plan on purchasing favors in this price range. However, if the total amount is more than you planned to spend you might have to consider less expensive favors.

If you plan on having a large wedding reception with a number of guests there are ways to make buying wedding favors more affordable. One way to do this is to seek out distributors who offer reduced pricing for bulk orders. Contact the distributor directly to ask about these cost breaks because they may not advertise them directly on their website or in their advertisements.

Practical Wedding Favors

A considerate bride and groom may want to think about giving out wedding favors which are practical instead of simply easy, inexpensive or suitable for the theme of the wedding. This is important because favors which are given for other reasons may not be valued by your guests. In fact they may be quickly discarded soon after your wedding and will not serve as a reminder of your wedding. However, if you make the decision to give out favors which are more practical in nature your guests are more likely to appreciate and cherish the favors which you give out on your wedding day. These favors may not be the most romantic but they are much more likely to be appreciated by your guests than more whimsical items such as figurines and potpourri. This article will offer a few tips for practical wedding favors you can give to your guests on your wedding day.

Coasters are one idea for wedding favors which can be romantic or suit the theme of your wedding but can also be very practical. You can purchase coasters in a variety of shapes including hearts to provide for your guests as wedding favors. Heart shaped coasters will be ideal because they are romantic and convey the sentiment of love but they are also something your guests can really use. Another option for using coasters as wedding favors is to give out coasters which match the theme of the wedding. For example you can purchase coasters with pictures of sand or the beach to go with a beach themed wedding. You can also give out coasters with room for the guest to insert a picture. You can include a picture of the bride and the groom in one of the coasters and leave the rest of the coasters in the set blank so your guests can use their own photos if they wish.

Key chains are another example of wedding favors which can be both romantic and practical. Hearth shaped key chains or key chains in the shape of wedding bells or other items related to love or wedding are a good idea for favors. You can select an elegant key chain which is sturdy so your guests will want to use but that is also very romantic and will remind your guests of your wedding for years to come.

Another very practical wedding favor idea is a gift of candles. Whether you choose to give tea light candles, taper candles or candles of another style it is very likely that your guests will be able to use these favors. Most people already have at least a few candles in their house but they can always use a few more. Candles are very versatile. They can be used to set a romantic mood but can also serve other purposes as well. For example in the event of power outages, candles can be used to provide lighting. With so many uses for candles it is no surprise that if you give your wedding guests candles as a favor, they are likely to use the candles in the future as opposed to setting them aside and forgetting about them which might happen with other less practical favors.

Wine charms in a shape such as hearts or another romantic theme are also very practical favor ideas for a wedding. Wine charms by themselves are somewhat romantic but when they are designed in shapes such as hearts, wedding bells or other romantic shapes they are very appropriate for a wedding. They are also a very practical favor idea because many people will not have this type of item but can really use a set of wine charms. Wine charms are simply small charms which can be placed on the wine glass to distinguish one glass from another. This is useful in a party situation where guests may be mingling and may set there glass down for a minute or two while chatting and then become confused about which glass is theirs. Charms which distinguish the glasses help to eliminate this problem.

Do You Have To Give Wedding Favors?

The question of whether or not you have to give wedding favors to your guests is a very common one. However, there is no easy answer to this question. While it is true that you technically are not required to give your guests any type of wedding favor at your wedding, it is also true that your guests will likely be expecting to receive a favor. This is what makes the matter more complicated. You may not be obligated to give out wedding favors but your guests may be offended if you decide not to do so. This article will take a look at the question of whether or not you have to give wedding favors to your guests and will provide some tips for giving out wedding favors on even the tightest budget.

As we discussed in the opening paragraph, wedding favors are in no way obligatory but that does not mean that guests still do not expect to receive a wedding favor when they attend a wedding. There are a couple of reasons for this. One of the most obvious reasons why guests expect to receive a wedding favor is that it is such a common practice that the majority of the weddings they have attended in the past have included a wedding favor. The other reason why guests expect to receive a wedding favor is that the purpose of a wedding favor is for the couple to express their gratitude to the guests for attending the wedding and reception. Although the couple will likely still send out thank you cards to all of the guests after the wedding, giving a small wedding favor is another way the couple can thank their guests for their support.

You may wonder why a couple would consider not giving wedding favors at their wedding. In most cases the simple answer to this question is that the couple is on a very tight budget and feels as though purchasing wedding favors for each of the guests will put them over budget. This is a very valid concern as it is important to remember that although wedding favors may be fairly inexpensive, this unit price must be multiplied by the number of guests in attendance. For example you may select a favor which costs only $2 per favor but you may be expecting 400 guests at your wedding. This means the costs of the favors alone will be $800 which may not even include the costs associated with shipping or wrapping the wedding favors. While we certainly understand the importance of budgets we believe the couple should incorporate a budget for wedding favors into their overall budget before the planning begins. This will help to ensure there is enough money available to give each guest a wedding favor as a token of gratitude.

When the couple is concerned about budget it is important to remember that wedding favors do not need to be expensive or extravagant. One simple way to make wedding favors more affordable is to give a wedding favor of a single flower to each guest. If you are already planning to have floral centerpieces you can discuss your options with your florist beforehand. You will likely be able to negotiate and affordable price for this favor because you are already purchasing your centerpieces from the florist. Selecting one flower used in the centerpiece and having your florist supply enough of these to give as favors is a really nice way to tie the centerpieces and the favors together. Alternately you might want to give each of your guests an artificial version of one of the flowers used in your centerpiece. These can be rather inexpensive and can also serve as a lasting reminder of your wedding.

Another way to keep wedding favors more affordable is to discuss your options with wedding favor distributors carefully. Many of them likely have closeout items available as well as discount items. Closeout items are items which have been discontinued but the distributor may have enough in stock for all of the guests at your wedding. Additionally, they may be willing to offer you a discount if you are purchasing a large number of favors.

Cheap Wedding Favors

Depending on the size of your wedding the budget for your wedding favors can be very important. This is important because you may be planning on allowing for one favor for each guest or one for each couple. Whichever you decide to do, if you are having a large number of guests it may greatly impact the amount you can afford to spend on each favor. If you are only have a few guests you may be able to splurge on more expensive favors. However, if you are having a large number of guests on a limited budget you should consider searching for cheap wedding favor ideas.

Candles are one of the simplest ideas for cheap wedding favors. You can find simple candles available at very affordable prices. You might even consider purchasing personalized ribbons to tie pretty bows around the candles. These ribbons can usually be ordered and may include your names and the wedding date. This may sound like a pricey item but if you purchase these ribbons on a reel instead of precut it can be very affordable. A simple taper candle tied with your personalized ribbon can be placed at each place setting to create a really inexpensive wedding favor.

Candy is another cheap wedding favor idea. You find a number of different ways to give out candy as an inexpensive wedding favor. One way to do this is to purchase a pretty fabric and some ribbon, cut the fabric into small squares, put a few small pieces of candy on each square and pull the corners together and tie with the ribbon. This is not only a very inexpensive wedding favor idea but it is also a very simple idea which can be assembled at the last minute. Another way to use candy as a wedding favor is to purchase small tins and fill them with the candy of your choice. You can purchase the candy in bulk to keep the price down and separate the candy into small portions for each guest. A final way to give candy as a wedding favor is to buy candy bars with personalized wrappers. The wrappers can include your name and wedding date and even a picture of the two of you. This can be very affordable especially if you are ordering in bulk and are only using one design for the wrappers.

Packets of flower or vegetable seed also make great wedding favors which are also very inexpensive. You can stack up a few different types of seeds and tie each with a ribbon to create an attractive presentation which will not blow your budget. Another way to give flower or vegetable seeds as a wedding favor is to put the seeds in a small pot. The pot does not have to be big enough to grow the flower or vegetable it is merely a symbolic gift so it can be rather small. The pot only needs to be large enough to hold the packets of seeds. This is important because small pots can be purchased rather inexpensively while larger pots will be significantly more expensive.

Another great idea for a wedding favor which is also very affordable is pen with the names of the bride and groom as well as the wedding date inscribed on the pen. These can often be purchased for very little and can be paired with stationary and a note encouraging your guests to stay in touch. This is such a great idea for a wedding favor because it is something your gests can really use plus by including some stationary and a note encouraging the guest to stay in touch you are letting them know you truly value their friendship. You might want to even consider including a self addressed stamped envelop with the favor so your guest will be more likely to follow your suggestion and send you at least a short note after the wedding.

Fall Weddings: Splendor Your Event With An Array Of Fall Wedding Favors

So, you decided to take the most anticipated walk down the aisle and you have chosen the Fall as the perfect accent.  Fall weddings are very romantic because the season represents a beautiful transition much like the transition you are about to encounter.   The best way to accent the wedding with the season is to choose from an array of fall wedding favors that are ideal for both sexes.

Most seem to think that the wedding is all about the bride.  Actually, it isn’t especially when it comes to choosing the right wedding favor for your guests.  This is a time for the bride and grooms to come together as one to make practical decisions.  The pair of you has already decided on the season of the wedding, now it’s time to work together in honor of your guests.  Let’s try this out for size…when you think of fall, what comes to mind – the beautiful changing leaves, the cool atmosphere, maybe even cider and doughnuts.  Rest assured, your thoughts were possibly calming to say the least.   This could be reflective in your theme and décor.  This is a good way to narrow down on what to choose for a good fall wedding favor.

The best gift for both sexes is a gift that both can use.  For a fall theme, golden wine bottle stoppers with carved leaf tips are an awesome idea.  Coasters detailed with fall leaves and even photo albums with pressed leaves are great ideas and are great additions to the table décor.  Make an array of this festive event by adding to the table setting place card holders that hold the card in a leaf, a ceramic turkey place card holder or even pumpkin place card holders for that harvest touch.  If you’re looking for something more edible, maple cookies or honey dried in the shape of a maple leaf makes a great ensemble for guests.

For do it yourself projects, try candy corn placed in a silver mint tin with a clear top.  Get a bit fancier and tie a personalized ribbon around the mint tin in a festive autumn color to add more spice to the table.  Speaking of spices, this is a great idea for fall wedding favors. Another idea is to place fall theme kisses in chocolate colored favor boxes or add chocolate shaped leaves to pumpkin centerpieces and place in the center of the table for the guests to enjoy.    A cellophane bag of harvest shaped cookies tied with multicolor ribbon works well with kids.  These ideas are all fun and great for both sexes to enjoy.

Every Bride Must Have It

Wedding favors are quickly becoming a trendy essential of the wedding celebration. Wedding favors are small gifts that are given to each guest at the wedding reception. It says, “thank you” for coming to our wedding and celebrating this most special day with us.

Wedding favors are becoming an important part of the wedding planning process. Before you make or purchase your wedding favors you have to determine the following:

1. How many people are invited to the wedding?

You need to know how many people are attending the wedding to determine the number of wedding favors needed. Wedding favors are usually bought after the RSVPs to make sure there are enough favors for each guest. Therefore, the favors are usually bough one month or closer to the actual wedding day.

2. What is your budget per guest?

You have to determine the budget for your wedding favors. You can buy some very nice wedding favors for about $2-$3. If you are crafty you can make your own favors, but most people leave it to the professionals and buy their favors.

3. What is your theme?

Your theme or wedding location or the time of the year can determine your wedding favors. For example, a beach wedding calls for a beach theme wedding favor such as a dolphin wine stopper, a seashell candle, or a beach chair candle or cardholder.

Just like the bridal gown, wedding favors are a part of the bride’s to do list. The decision on what favors to give to the guest should be made by the bride and groom. You can purchase inexpensive but useful wedding favors that will end up in someone’s home not in trash can of your reception venue. An elegant wine stopper, a pretty candle, a shiny bottle opener, a personalized chocolate bar all have the power say to your guest “thank you” with style and elegance.

Edible Wedding Favors

There is one type of wedding favor which is almost always appreciated by the guests at the wedding. This is an edible wedding favor. Whether you opt for sweet or savory items you and your guests are likely to enjoy your edible wedding favors. The downside to giving an edible wedding favor is it is likely to be consumed shortly after your wedding instead of being saved for years to come as a memento of your wedding. However, you can rest assured that your guests will greatly enjoy the gift. This article will provide a few ideas for edible favors you can give to your guests on your wedding day.

One of the most popular edible wedding favors is a simple chocolate bar with a personalized wrapper. These chocolate bars can be simple milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate are can be filled with items such as almonds or raisins. There are even more options available for the wrapper of the candy bar. This is very important because this is the first thing your guests will notice about your favor. Most brides and grooms opt to have their names and the date of the wedding printed on the wrapper and select a wrapper design which relates to love, weddings or the specific theme of the wedding. However, some brides and grooms may even decide to have their pictures on the wrapper along with their names and the wedding date.

Tins filled with candy are another option for brides and grooms who want to give out edible wedding favors. These tins can be filled with any type of candy you wish. They can be filled with mints, hard candies, candy coated almonds, chocolates or any other favorite candy. There is also typically the option of personalizing the tin by including the wedding date and the name of the bride and the groom. The guests may eat the candy soon after the wedding but they can keep the candy as a reminder of your wedding and use it to store other small items such as change, sewing needles, rubber bands or virtually anything which is small enough to be stored in the tins.

Candy is a very popular choice when a bride and groom are considering giving edible wedding favors. One unique way to give out candy as wedding favors is to use large glass bowls as the centerpieces for the tables and fill the bowls with the bride and grooms’ favorite types of candy. You can give each of your guests a small container which matches the theme of the wedding such as a sand pail for a beach themed wedding or anything else which is appropriate. The guests can fill the containers with some of the candy from the centerpiece at the end of the evening.

Cookies are other options for brides and grooms who want to give out edible party favors. There are a number of different options in this case. You can select cookies which are rather plain in nature but place them in keepsake boxes with the bride and grooms’ names as well as the date of the wedding. They can also give out personalized fortune cookies with each fortune depicting a quotation which is related to love. Another way to use cookies as wedding favors is to give out cookies displaying a photo of the couple. There are many bakeries that can make these cookies for you in a variety of sizes and shapes. You simply need to select a design and give the bakery a photo to use in the design process.

Cocoas, teas and coffees are still another option for couples who want to give out edible wedding favors. You can select specialty cocoas, teas or coffees or you can have the packaging customized to include your picture, an appropriate quotation, poem or other message related to loves and weddings. Putting the couple’s names as well as the wedding date on the package is a good idea as well as including a picture of the couple.

Dos And Don’ts Of Shopping For Your Wedding Dress

DO Shop early! Avoid the “Two Weeks ‘til Wedding Day Attack.” Get your wedding dress early.

DO Research before your buy. The quickest and easiest way to research is by searching online. There are many Web sites dedicated do wedding dresses where you can get a ton of useful information about styles, designs, trends, etc.

DO Go to a wedding dress specialist. You should visit several wedding boutiques, and learn from the pros. Of course, keep in mind they are selling, so you should take everything with a grain of salt.

DO Expect minor alterations. Even the most expensive designer wedding gowns might need a few adjustments. If you buy your gown well in advance, you may need to alter the dress again a couple of weeks prior to the wedding.

DO Keep an open mind while you shop for your wedding dress. Try lots of things on. Often the dress you thought you’d never like is the one that makes you look and feel the best.

DO Bring shoes with the same height as your wedding shoes are going to be on your special day.

DO Slip a bustier, a control-top panty hose into your purse.

DO Have Fun!

DON'T panic if you have to special order! Wedding dress salons can special order your dress faster than you can say "panic."

DON'T put up with unfriendly sales people. This is your wedding day, your big purchase. The sales person who sells your wedding dress to you should share in your enthusiasm and make it exciting for you.

DON'T shop after you’ve bought. Instead enjoy the rest of your wedding planning journey.

DON'T give up! Finding that perfect wedding dress is going to take some work.

DON'T take too many people with you on your hunt for your wedding dress. You shouldn't take more than five people with you on your shopping trip.

Don’t Get Married Without It!

It is true that weddings are wonderful affairs; proper preparation requires a great deal of down-to-earth paperwork. The written contracts with all the vendors you take into service to carry out the biggest day of your life. Contracts are legal documents that define specific terms and conditions of the service to be done, keeping misunderstandings to an absolute minimum. A properly prepared contract should protect you and the vendor you hire.

Most commonly wedding vendors provide you with formal contracts that may have been drawn up by an attorney. Contracts are not fun to read, and may be difficult to understand. You can pay an attorney to help you understand it, or you can spend the time to decipher it yourself. It is your responsibility to understand everything included in the contract. If you are unsure of something is included in the contract have it appended. If there are several things you are concerned about, you may need to append a detailed list of important points.

Most importantly include the exact date of the wedding day. The exact time of you event must also be included. Many reception sites have multiple events, even multiple weddings on the same day. The total cost and itemized rundown of what is included in the prices is important to avoid last minute surprises and expenses. You may assume certain accessories are part of the price until you are told on the big day that it costs extra.

Make sure that accessories such as tables, chairs linens, etc. are included in the price.
What specific decoration is included? What areas are decorated? If you agreed on specific colors, be sure to include it in as much detail as you can.

Insist on including the date and dollar amount of your deposit and the date of when the total amount is due. Include the exact address of the venue. You don’t want to send out invitations without having the exact address in writing. If the company has multiple rooms for events, make sure the name of the room is included in the contract.

Make sure you understand the cancellation and refund policy of the venue. You have to understand you options in case you must change the date or change the venue altogether.
You should be provided with name and phone number of the emergency contact person.
Room capacity, to make sure the site is big enough to accommodate your wedding party.

Contracts are a serious matter, and they require careful attention. They are legal and binding, so you might want an attorney or a wedding professional review it for you before you sign it. You may save a lot of money by investing a little in some professional help. Before signing the contract read it over carefully. Don’t allow it to be rushed into signing the contract until you have understood it entirely.

Never pay the entire amount in advance, but many companies will ask you to pay half of the total amount upon closure of the contract. Others may ask only for a down payment. Be prepared to pay with cash or a personal check, and always get a receipt. To protect yourself, try to pay with a credit card. When reading the contract and before signing, find out what your obligations are. If you guests drink a bit too much, find out who would be responsible should anything happen. Make sure the place is insured; get detailed information about their coverage.

Once you made your decision, you have to receive a written contract signed and dated by the person in charge. The contract must include all of your responsibilities and all of the responsibilities, warranties and guarantees offered by the venue.

Creative Wedding Gifts And Ideas

Many new couples receive more picture frames, candy dishes and candle stick holders than they can possibly use. While these are all lovely gifts, they are also very common and not likely to stand out very much to the new couple. On the other hand a gift that is truly creative is likely to be well appreciated by the bride and groom.

A collection of board games can be a very creative and useful wedding gift. Many couples enjoy entertaining and having a number of their friends over for dinner, drinks and conversation. While this in itself is a great deal of fun, introducing board games can be a competitive way to spice up the evening and bring laughter into the gathering. Everyone enjoys playing their old favorite board games and many people also enjoy experimenting with new games. Giving the couple a collection of board games as a wedding gift can lead to many nights of fun for the couple and their friends.

Theme baskets also make wonderful creative gift ideas. In creating a theme basket you are only limited by your imagination in what to include in your basket. You could create baskets that are cooking related, sports related or travel related. The key to creating a theme basket that is not only creative but also appropriate for the couple is to keep in mind their likes and dislikes. The couple that eats out every night of the week may not enjoy cooking and would therefore not appreciate a basket full for recipes and kitchen utensils, however, the couple with season tickets to a particular sport may enjoy a basket filled with DVDs from a championship series as well as memorabilia from their favorite sports team.

A couple is likely to receive countless picture frames on their wedding but you can put a twist on the idea of giving a picture frame to turn it into a more creative wedding gift. One way to do this is to purchase a large frame and insert an inexpensive print that the couple will appreciate or a blown up picture of the two of them. This creative gift stands out from the traditional picture frame because it includes a photo and is ready for immediate display. Many picture frames remain in the box for years while the couple tries to decide on the perfect picture to display in the frame but giving the couple a framed portrait or print eliminates this dilemma.

Another creative gift for a wedding is a personalized calendar. Many office supply stores will create a calendar for you if you provide them with the twelve pictures that you would like to include in the calendar. This creative gift idea can be created by an office supply store for a relatively low price or the wedding guest may opt to create the calendar themselves on their own computers. It is very simple and many word processing programs offer calendar templates. This creative gift idea is sure to be appreciated by the new couple for its practicality and originality.

There are many companies that will create a print that has the appeal of a watercolor painting from a photograph. Giving a gift certificate for this service can be a very creative gift idea. You may choose to give the gift certificate with instructions for the couple to redeem the gift certificate to have a water color likeness created from one of their favorite wedding pictures. If you have a copy of a picture that is flattering to both the bride and the groom you may want to arrange for this service using the picture you have in lieu of giving the couple the gift certificate. The one caveat to giving this gift is to allow enough time for the print to be created and returned to you so that you don’t have to present your gift to the bride and groom after their wedding date. If you plan to attend the wedding in person, it is appropriate to have the gift for the bride and groom either at the wedding or else scheduled to arrive via shipping prior to the wedding date.

A couple that already has children may appreciate a gift certificate stating that you would be willing to baby-sit for the couple’s children once a month for the first year of their marriage. This creative gift is extremely useful for the couple because it allows them one night a month to go out and enjoy themselves.

Creative wedding gift ideas don’t have to be expensive but they are often widely appreciated. A creative wedding gift is likely to stand out from the more traditional gifts. Creative gifts are also likely to be greatly appreciated by the new couple.

Cost Cutting Ideas For Your Wedding

Don’t leave your shopping to the last minute. The more time you have to shop around, the more you can negotiate. It’s difficult to find bargains under pressure, so leave plenty of time to work with wedding vendors. Never hire the first vendor you meet. You should always make your decision based on several vendors.

Avoid a Saturday wedding. Saturday is the busiest wedding day of the week, and the most expensive. If you can try to have a Sunday or Friday wedding.

When you pay your bills use a credit card with a reward program. You have 30-days to pay the bill, in addition, you might earn enough miles to cover your flight to your honeymoon destination.

Avoid the busy summer wedding season. You might be able to get better deals during the fall and winter months.

You might be able to wear your mother’s or your grand mother’s wedding dress. In addition to saving a bundle, but you also might make you mother very happy. Buy a sample wedding dress or rent your wedding gown.

Hire businesses you know to get a great deal. If you have a friend who is a musician, a photographer, a caterer, try to work out a deal with them.

If you want to save a lot of money, hire a non-wedding photographer. Almost any good photographer should be able to do a good job photographing your wedding.

Buy your wedding accessories from non-wedding professionals. Many of your wedding accessories might be available at non-wedding vendors. Shop online. You can more effectively comparison shop online than trying to visit your local bridal shops.

Work with a wedding reception venue that allows you to provide your own alcoholic beverages. In addition to the obvious savings, you can return the unopened bottles to the store.

Work with an airline to get a group discount on the plane tickets for your wedding guests. Your wedding guests will appreciate the savings, and you might save on your plane ticket to your honeymoon destination.

Concept Of Cold Feet Or Wedding Jitters

The concept of wedding jitters or cold feet (leaving the bride or the groom at the altar) is not a new phenomenon but has been around for as long as anybody can remember in some form or shape.

Movies like “runaway bride” and the recent news in the media about brides walking away from their pending nuptials has captured our attention in more than one way.

What is behind this “Cold Feet” concept? I am sure the root cause is some psychological reason for both men and women which terrifyies them to take the plunge into holy matrimony. Leaving the Bride or Groom at the alter and undoing months of wedding planning and expense is far more serious than the normal anxiety attacks suffered by an average person.

As many studies and surveys show that contrary to the popular perception of happy bride or Groom to be before the wedding many women and men find this time of transition a very trying and stressful period in their life and some go to the extreme of not going through with the wedding at all. Our Society has experimented with many ways to cope with the fear of commitment, the most popular and now an accepted norm is living together before any kind of serious long term commitment.

The point is if there is more than normal panic attacks involved here then the whole relationship needs to be examined carefully before taking the plunge into marriage(and before the pending Wedding day).

If the both the parties involved sit together and take a look at the practical aspect of the relationship as opposed to emotional then this anxiety and concern can be addressed in a much more constructive way and will save loads of heartache and embarrassment for everybody involved. To have a long lasting and fruitful union in any form it is best to get the little issues out of the way and then the big issues will be resolved in the same manner. The key is communication. If you communicate your fears and concerns beforehand, there will be no body alone at the altar on the Wedding day.

Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Many couples get so caught up with planning all the obvious details of their wedding--such as the cake, the wedding decorations, the gown and gifts for members of the wedding party--that they often overlook the importance of selecting the right wedding photographer. It’s important to remember that the photographer you choose will be responsible for capturing the moments and memories of what may be the most important day of your life! With this in mind, you'll want to take great care in selecting a wedding photographer considering there are no second chances.

As you might imagine, wedding photography is one of the most challenging types of professional photography. The wedding photographer has to make everyone look beautiful, shooting in a multitude of locations in all kinds of weather conditions--and accomplish all this in minimum amount of time. At the same time, your wedding photographer should have the personality to complement you on your most joyous day. Take your time and follow some of the simple suggestions discussed below, and you will most certainly be satisfied with the outcome.

Where Do You Begin?

Personal referrals or asking friends, relatives and co-workers for suggestions, is a great place to start. Typically, people who have had positive experiences with photographers are more than willing to share that information.  In addition, you’ll already have some insight about the photographer’s personality before you actually meet.  After compiling a preliminary list, visit each photographer’s web site and thoughtfully review his or her online portfolio. If a portfolio looks appealing you, chances are, that photographer might be a good fit. Next, call or email each photographer on your list.  Through this initial contact, you can determine the photographer’s availability, the type of work they specialize in (candid or traditional) as well as an estimate of the cost and what you’ll receive for that fee.

Schedule appointments with the photographers who seem most appropriate and ask to view their portfolios in person and discuss more details. Ask each of them to show you a complete portfolio of a single wedding--this will give you a much clearer sense of what you can expect than a collection of choice shots from several different events. Pay attention to whether the photographer is adept at portraying individual expressions and personalities. Ideally, these meetings should include the bride and groom as well as the bride's parents since you will all be interacting with the photographer.

What Questions Should You Ask?

Be sure to write down all of your questions beforehand, and take thorough notes during the meetings. Although most professional photographers will provide you with a clear outline of their services and fees prior to your meeting, you will, in all likelihood, still have a large number of questions to ask. Remember, the more information you have, the more confident and relaxed you’ll feel on your special day.  The following are some questions, courtesy of http://www.iqphoto.com, you may wish to consider asking:

•How will you show me pictures for selection (e.g., electronic, proofs, contact sheets, online gallery, etc.)?
•Will you help me choose the final pictures?
•How will you make it easy for friends and family to order reprints?
•What are the costs of the various levels of coverage?
•Are there different degrees of coverage?
•What is your photography style; photojournalistic, traditional, mixed, etc.?
•How much for the duplicate prints, albums, folios, enlargements, thank you cards, etc.?
•What’s your time frame for preparing the pictures for my selection?
•How about engagement session?
•How long do I have to make up my mind as to which pictures I want and how many?
•How long have you been in business?
•What kind of guarantee comes with my hiring you?
•What’s your philosophy for photographing weddings?
•Will you have an assistant?
•Do you have travel fees?
•How much is your overtime fee?
•What do you plan to do at my wedding to make my wedding photographs unique and personal to me?
•Do you have a backup?
•Will you be shooting my pictures personally?
•Will you use film or digital?
•What's your payment policy?
•Do you give any guarantees on your services and photographs?
•What is the possibility of the pictures fading?

How Much Will It Cost?

The following are some points, courtesy of http://www.elegala.com, that will help prepare you for what you might expect to pay for your wedding photography:

•Plan to allocate a significant portion of your wedding budget to ensure photographs are perfect. Expect to spend at least $1000 on a professional wedding photographer to document your event. Albums and prints are usually extra. Other extras that may increase your bottom line include additional hours, additional photographers, custom albums etc. etc. Add on too many extras – and your photography budget could quickly creep to $5000 and beyond!

•Cut the extras and purchase a basic wedding photography package from a skilled photographer. By paying for the photographer’s expertise only, you will ensure great images – and you’ll buy yourself some time to save up for the custom album and prints after the wedding.

•Get the proofs! To that end, try to find a photographer who will let you keep the proofs. Many photographers consider themselves to be photographers only - artists not in the business of selling photographs. After the big day, they’ll hand over your proofs and be on their way. They’re yours to keep – you can print them in any manner you please or save them for printing after you’ve saved up some cash.

•Enter the digital age with digital photography. It’s less costly than film, and with technological advances in equipment – digital images are no longer a sacrifice in quality. Many photographers have taken the digital plunge – which results in savings for you!

•Cut the timeline…the longer your event, the more it will cost to document it. Since photographers often charge based on the number of hours they will spend at your wedding, a shorter/smaller wedding celebration will yield big savings in your photography budget.

Making a Commitment

At this point, you should have a relatively clear idea of which photographer is best suited to capture your wedding day memories. Once you have made a decision, be prepared to leave a deposit to reserve the date. You may still wish to reassure yourself by asking about a few final details. For example, find out what the photographer's policy for wedding-date changes is and what the alternatives are if he or she is not available on the backup date. Also, ask about their policy for an unexpected cancellation. If you feel the photographer is right for you, then relax and make the commitment with the confidence that you’ve made a well-formed, intelligent decision in planning the most important day of your life.

Catering And Weddings

Hiring a catering service provider is part of your wedding planning strategy. A caterer generally provides food and beverages and they have a significant role in your wedding. If you have experience with caterers, you are at an advantage. But if you have never taken a caterer into service before, don’t worry.

Often the wedding reception venue offers catering service, so you may not need to worry about hiring a caterer. Even if catering is not offered by the reception venue, they may be able to suggest one to you. Even if your reception site manager, recommends a catering service you should still do your homework. Just like any other wedding vendor, a caterer has to be able to provide you professional references. Part of your job is to always contact the references.

Because so much rides on the caterer, make sure the business is: experienced, reliable, trustworthy, and they provide a quality product and service. Don’t think that a caterer recommended by someone if the best possible solution for your wedding. One caterer may work great for one event, but be insufficient for others. A caterer may be experienced in smaller events, but not experienced with events with two hundred invited guests. One may be experienced with weddings and another with conventions.

There are two different styles of catering:
Seated Dinner - Seated dinner setting will usually require more servers than a buffet dinner. Serving the food requires more staff. With a seated dinner, you need more tables and chairs for most of the guests will eat at the same time. A seated dinner offers less flexibility for your guests, because they usually have a couple of options to choose from. To make it easier on you and your caterer, menu options ought to be included with the wedding invitations so your guests can choose which selection they prefer. The pre-selection process enables you to work with your caterer on the final count.

Buffet – With this option, you may be able to get away with less chairs and tables. Buffet gives your guests more options, and they don’t all have to eat at the same time. A buffet dinner gives your wedding reception guests more alternatives to customize their food selection. The buffet requires a smaller staff, and your guests can pick and choose what they like. In addition to the clear advantage of a more flexible buffet dinner, your hungrier guests can go back for seconds. Because buffet dinners require minimal service staff, you should be able to save money with this option.

Bridal Shower Party Advice

The bridal shower is the prewedding party organized by the bridesmaids or close female friends. Its purpose is to shower the bride with good wishes. Obviously, the bride is the center of attention at the bridal shower. Although it should not matter who is hosting organizing the event, traditionally, family was discouraged from hosting bridal showers, because it may look like they are digging for gifts.

There is no rule on who is to host the shower. The bridesmaids, friends, or family usually hosts it. The place of the party is usually someone’s house, but bridal showers can be held at restaurants. One of the most important aspect of planning a successful bridal shower is to only invite guest who will be invited to the wedding too. Anyone invited to the shower would have every right to be expecting an invitation to the wedding. To avoid embarrassing mistakes, always consult the bride and key decision makers about the guest list.

The bridal shower, just like your wedding, should be on a day that is easy to attend. Therefore, Saturday is probably the best day to have the party. It enables your guests to attend. The bridal shower should be close to the wedding day but not less than a couple of weeks before.

Bridal shower favors are an important part of the event. Some of the most popular bridal shower favors are personalized chocolates, or personalized bath gels. If you have a beach theme bridal shower, your favors can compliment it. For example, dolphin wine stoppers, or seashell candles are very popular beach bridal shower favor ideas.

Written invitations are not mandatory. Most people have an e-mail address, so einvitations may be the most cost effective option.

If the party is at someone’s home, usually finger food is served. Pizza is another popular choice of food. Bridal showers are informal event, and you don’t need to make a big fuss about the food.

Booming Wedding Market

According to a recent survey entitled "American Wedding Study 2011," conducted by The Conde Nast Bridal Group, concludes that the average amount spent on weddings has increased to almost $28,000.

It is predicted that 2.3 million Americans will get married this year, and there will be more than 44,000 weddings each weekend with 380 million wedding guests attending.

With an average age of 27, brides are becoming more mature than ever. About 70 percent are paying, at least partially, for their own weddings. Unexpected costs are common as over one third of couples are spending more than planned.

"This authoritative survey shows that the wedding industry is not only vital but is in fact thriving," says Daniel Lagani, vice president and publisher of The Conde Nast Bridal Group. "Couples are entering this 'Wedding Lifecycle' from the engagement to the reception right up to the honeymoon in ever growing numbers flush with happiness and optimism," Lagani says.

Approximately 16 of all weddings are destination-weddings. Destination-weddings are still expensive, but, on average, cost a couple of thousand dollars less than traditional weddings.

Destination-weddings are expected to have an average of 63 guests while traditional weddings are estimated to have 165 guests.

The most popular time for engagements are still the winter holidays with December being the busiest month of engagement. The time frame between engagement and marriage is 14 months.

In light of significant cost increases and a considerable delay in getting married, expect "The Echo Boom," children of the Baby Boomer generation who make up 71 million men and women to emerge. "They are the next big generation to move into the 'engagement zone,' as the oldest in the group will reach the marriage age of 27 in 2015," Lagani says.

The top three growth categories in wedding spending are wedding photography, attendants’ gifts, and wedding rings.

Asian Wedding Traditions

Incorporating ethnic traditions into your wedding can create a more intimate environment for you and your family.

While we most associate the color white with wedding in this country, the color red is the color of weddings in China. Red is the color of luck and joy, and it makes perfect sense that it is such an important color for weddings. You can incorporate the red color in a variety of ways such as the tablecloth, candles, napkins, and other decorations. You may change into a red dress during the wedding reception. You may choose red wedding flowers, or your bridesmaids may wear a red dress. You can create a Chinese feel without red by dressing in a tradition Chinese dress. White is not a color used in Chinese traditional weddings. White is used at funerals, so avoid white on your invitations, decorations or bridal clothing. Do not use red ink on white paper, because white implies death and is used at funerals. Gold on reddish paper or cream color paper works well.

Chinese couples honor their ancestors with a tea ceremony. It is not only a beautiful ceremony, but it could be very educational and entertaining for your guests.

Another Asian tradition, from India, is having the brides and groom’s hands and feet painted with henna. The tradition is normally performed by a henna professional. The hand and foot henna stains the skin for up to a few weeks.

Japanese weddings include a sake ritual. It is also know as the sake sharing tradition. This ritual represents building a strong bond between the families. The sake ritual can be part of the wedding ceremony or the wedding reception. Sake cups can make great wedding favors for a Japanese wedding ceremony.

There is no law that you have to have an ethnic wedding, but it may add sentiment to your big day.

Add A Personal Flair With Wedding Favors To Any Wedding

Celebrating the unity of two people for eternity is the foremost purpose of a Wedding Ceremony. It has been this way and will continue to be this way for as long as the tradition lives. Wedding Guests are invited to share not only in the joyous occasion but also to bear witness to the union. There is something spiritual about standing before all those who are special to you and make a lifelong commitment to someone for others to hear, which is what really transforms two people into a married couple.

To show an appreciation for their guests, for the time they have taken out of their busy lives to be part of the Wedding, the bride and groom shower their guests with Wedding Favors. These Wedding Gifts or Wedding Favors have been the tradition to thank the wedding guests for their thoughtfulness, their gifts and help in any way given to the couple in making the wedding a special occasion.

Wedding favors traditionally are given to all of the guests that have been invited to the wedding reception, of course, more expensive wedding favors are available and there are many weddings for which these higher-priced wedding favors are appropriate, but . these are typically inexpensive gifts, averaging in the $1 - $2 price range. Numerous wedding favors are available in just about any category one could imagine, from sterling silver picture frames, to personalized edible chocolates, and even fragrant bath soaps.

Selecting wedding favors is not that difficult at all, nor is it necessary to purchase these well in advance of the wedding date. Most are readily available at online and retail outlets that specialize in these kind of wedding accessories. You don't want to wait until the last minute however, as that is a particularly hectic time, and you will need to allow ample time for personalization, or if you select an item that requires special ordering, for example, an unusually large quantity, or an exclusive item. To be on the safe side, two to three months prior to the wedding date is a good time to make your wedding favor selections. Once you have them in your possession, the only other thing you need to worry about is getting them to the reception before the guests arrive and presenting them in a unique and beautiful manner appropriate for the occasion

Online shopping has made finding appropriate wedding favors very easy. Type 'wedding favors' into your search engine and you'll get pages of web sites offering every type of wedding favor you could ever want. So where do you begin? It's definitely a good idea to consult your budget worksheet first so you know the price range to focus on. From there, think about what makes you and your partner unique. Do you both love golf? Are you wine connoisseurs? What about a theme? If your wedding has one, there's sure to be a favor to complement that theme. Do you want the favor to be the place holder? If so, select one that allows you to write the person's name and table number. Creating your own wedding favors is another option and can end up being the most unique wedding favor of all and one that your guests are sure to treasure!

Wedding Favors most suited to the occasion are the ones that reflect your personal style and personality. So select something that you personally enjoy and that your guests will appreciate and remember your wedding and you for a long time to come.

A Tradition Of Giving Wedding Gifts

A long standing tradition at weddings is a gift given by the bride and the groom. A popular say about gifts that its better to give than to receive might not be agreed to by a newly wedded couple who probably received some of the nicest gifts ever on their wedding day..

The purpose of giving Wedding Gifts to wedding guests is to show your appreciation. A specially picked out Gift shows that you put thought and consideration into the gift. Including a personalized note with the gift or personalizing the gift itself to thank the person for whatever role he or she played in the wedding is certainly a nice touch that shows extremely good taste and thoughtfulness. The Wedding Gifts need not be very expensive so as to break your wedding budget but should be well thought out and consider the personal taste and likes and dislikes of the person on the receiving end of the gift. Also the packaging and presentation goes a long way in showing how much you care and appreciate the people in your life.

So who should be at the receiving end of the Gift by the bride and the groom? Members of the wedding party have always topped that list, which includes almost everybody, the best man, maid or matron of honor, bridesmaids, ushers, groomsmen, junior bridesmaids, flower girls and ring bearers.

Although it is not mandatory, but it is a nice gesture for the bride and the groom to give gifts to each other. These days both the bride and the groom include each set of parents on the gift giving list. It is also a nice gesture to give a gift to someone who did something special during the occasion for instance someone who did a special reading at the ceremony or to step in for the bride’s father and walk the bride down the aisle. It is good taste to give gifts to acknowledge the contribution these people made and include them in gift giving.

Gifts should be purchased about four weeks prior to the wedding date, which will give you enough time to have them engraved and to create personalization messages etc.

To help the gifts make an even greater impression on the recipient, take special care in packaging the gifts. Use tasteful wrapping paper and embellishments using colors that complement the wedding colors. The best time to give your gifts is during the rehearsal dinner as it is intimate and the people to whom you're giving the gifts are all present at the occasion.

Last but not least need some gift ideas? Well first check your wedding budget to see how much you have allocated to this category. You have more than likely spent quite a bit of your money by this stage, so it is important to take a realistic look at the your remaining budget.

Brides typically give each member of the bridal party a piece of jewelry or a hair accessory that can be worn on the wedding day. Other gift ideas include bud vases, picture frames, bath oils, a collectible item or a gift basket.

The men in the wedding party like to receive engraved pens, pocket watches, cigars, business card holders, clocks for their desk, or key chains. For the parents, a professional wedding photo in an engraved frame is perfect or a personalized letter detailing your appreciation. For each other, anything that conveys your love and devotion is ideal.

The tradition of giving wedding gifts makes the wedding day more special and personal for every couple and it will be alive for as long as there are weddings in one way or another.

A Brief History Of The Bridal Veil

Since mediaeval times, Anglo-Saxon and Anglo Norman women’s attire included veils. The tradition of wearing a veil was part of most married women. Historically unmarried girls wore no veils. The veil had a practical purpose for it had covered the woman’s hair, their neck and the chins. Veils had served a functional purpose, protecting women’s skin from wind and sun damage. By the 15th century, hoods become prevalent, and veils became less widespread.

Historically, brides wore their hair flowing down their back on their wedding day to symbolize their virginity, now the white veil is often said to symbolize purity.

The bridal veil may have a place in mythology. Ishtar, ancient Goddess of Love, came from the depths to me her betrothed; the vapors of the earth and sea covering her "like a veil". According to folklore, the tradition of the veil changed to include a blusher after Jacob was tricked into marrying his beloved Rachel's sister, Leah, who was distinguished under the full veiling. It seems there is much to be said for scrutinizing the bride before it is too late!

The development of the wide loom and silk tulle in the 19th century gave women a sheer covering that enhanced their attractiveness. The wedding veil signifies modesty, privacy, youth and virginity. That way of thinking still has significance on bridal etiquette, as only a first-time bride wears a veil.

Remember, your bridal veil supposed to complement your bridal gown. The most popular colors are white, diamond white, and ivory. Diamond white is an excellent choice if your bridal gown has a sheen. The lifting of the veil at the end of the ceremony symbolizes male dominance. If the bride takes the initiative in lifting it, thereby presenting herself to him, she is showing more independence.

White bridal veils symbolize the bride’s purity and modesty. Moreover, veils are used to add to the final touches of a wedding dress and to frame the bride's face.