6 GREAT Wedding Day Tips

Six Tips For A Worry-Free Wedding

Some really good tips for your wedding day by: Karen Sullen of My Wedding Favors

From getting everyone to the church on time to making sure the centerpieces look stunning, planning the details of your wedding day can be stressful. Use these tips for a worry-free wedding day.

Details, details, details! From the perfect menu to the beautiful centerpieces, there are so many details to take care of when planning your dream wedding. But what happens when your perfect wedding is not so perfect? Let’s face it. There are plenty of opportunities for things to go awry. Even with the best-laid plans, things are bound to happen. But don’t worry. Here are some tips to help you panic-proof your wedding.

1. Don’t make any verbal agreements. Have everything in writing. Be specific about the items you want AND the things you don’t want. For example, if you don’t want to see a lot of posed pictures in your wedding photo album, it’s best to be specific about that and request more candid photos.

2. On the day of the wedding, bring along a survival kit for those little emergencies. Include a needle and thread, aspirin, safety pins, nail polish, hairpins, extra pantyhose and some hard candy or breath mints.

3. Do a test run. Practice driving the route to the ceremony at the time of day and day of week of your wedding. Check out traffic patterns, construction delays, etc. That way you’ll minimize surprises and will know how much time you’ll need to get to there.

4. Call all your wedding vendors and verify your bookings two or three days before the wedding. Confirm the time, date, location of the wedding and reception, directions to the sites and the services or items they'll be providing. A good way to know you are both on the same page is to have them read back the instructions from their notes.

5. Assign someone to take care of the last minute details, such as helping the bridal party get dressed, running errands to the store, etc. Provide her with the contact numbers for all of the vendors, just in case someone is running late.

6. Don’t wait until the last minute for anything. If possible, take care of as many details well in advance of the wedding. The night before the wedding is not the time to put together 200 wedding favors. Limit yourself to just a few small tasks and leave the rest of the day to relax.


What’s the best wedding day stress reliever? Realizing that, while you will have a wonderful day, a beautiful day or even a memorable day, it will most likely not be a perfect day. Try not to make a big deal about things and take it all in stride. Sometimes, it’s the quirky things that go wrong that help make your day memorable. Stressing over every detail can take the joy out of the wedding and the planning process. The most important thing to remember is that you are marrying the man of your dreams, and at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.

www.iMemoryfilms.com


818.760.9490


info@imemoryfilms.com

Top 10 Wedding Food Favors!

Having the right food, and guest food favors is crucial to a wedding,...and here is the top 10 best presented by, Karen Sullen who can be found at,
www.MyWeddingFavors.com

Choosing the right wedding favor can be a challenge. There a so many choices, it can make your head spin! From placecard holders to pampering items, there seems to be a gift for every occasion and theme. But how do you know which ones your guests will truly enjoy? Choose a gift with good taste! Food gifts remain the most popular gift choice for wedding favors. Take a look at these mouth-watering wedding favors that top our list!

Chocolate
Anything chocolate is #1 with brides and guests alike. Traditional favorites include personalized chocolate bars and squares, but the latest trends also rank themed chocolates (shaped like wedding bells, starfish, cakes, etc.) and even chocolate puzzles high on the list.

Shaped Cookies
The possibilities are endless with these delicious shortbread cookies. Available in a variety of themes, including hearts, cakes, bells and bride-and-groom, these sweet treats can accommodate most wedding themes, from beach to golf.

Mints
Whether in tins, rolls, pillow packs or “matchbooks,” refreshing mints are always a popular choice. They’re kosher and usually don’t tempt anyone to break their diet. Personalizing them with wedding information makes them a favor to savor.

Coffee & Tea
Beverages are among the top 10 because they’re affordable, practical and lend themselves easily to a variety of themes. Not only popular fall-themed favors, coffee and tea are delightful any time of the year for the couple that’s a perfect blend.

Wedding Oreos
Go ahead. Indulge! The decadent enjoyment that comes with these double-dipped Oreos will give your taste buds a treat. Available in white and chocolate wedding themes, they’re a great way to dress up an old favorite.

Jordan Almonds
This classic wedding favor still makes the list because of its sweet, crunchy, nutty goodness. They’re also a great do-it-yourself wedding favor. You can purchase them bulk and package them yourselves in a variety of elegant wedding favor boxes. “Wedding gown” favor bags filled with candy make a cute bridal shower favor.

Fortune Cookies
Including a message of appreciation inside the fortune cookie makes this a unique wedding favor. Not just for Asian weddings, they can be used to spread good fortune among your guests.

Mini Cakes
Don’t cut the cake! These personal-sized mini wedding cakes let guests have their cake and eat it too—without standing in line to get it!

Covered Strawberries
These tuxedo strawberries add an unexpected elegance to your wedding. Delicious berries are “dressed” in a tuxedo and wedding gown made of chocolate. These “bride and groom” chocolate covered strawberries are a match made in heaven.

Biscotti
Chocolate-dipped and personalized, these biscotti wedding favors are a crunchy delight. Guests can enjoy them at the reception or with a hot cup of coffee at home. Either way, the uniqueness of this favor is sure to stand out.


Karen Sullen
MyWeddingFavors.com

www.imemoryfilms.com

Info@imemoryfilms.com

8187.760.9490

For more wedding tips, ideas, and info, visit us at, www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com

"Green" Weddings 101

For those looking to make their wedding much "greener",..heres some info from,

Kristin Ciccolella of WedAlert
www.wedalert.com


Green is becoming the new white when it comes to weddings. Eco-chic weddings are becoming increasingly popular among couples.

Here are some tips when planning an eco-friendly green wedding, which incorporates ecologically and socially responsible products and services.

* Location: The first element to set the tone is the location. Environmentally aware pairs are opting for botanical gardens over ballrooms. Many couples are having their nuptials on untouched terrain, for example nature preserves, the beach, parks or their own backyards.

* Keep it local: Whenever possible, use local resources for your wedding. In addition to saving on transportation, you’ll be supporting small businesses and your local economy.

* Bridal gowns: Wear natural fibers like organically grown cotton, silk and hemp, which are becoming increasingly popular. If you are having a dress designed, make sure that it doesn’t contain any synthetic materials or chemical dyes. Many brides to be are also turning to vintage dresses or pre-worn wedding gowns from their family members which also adds a hint of nostalgia.

* Invitations: Use recycled or tree free paper for your invitations.

* Catering: When choosing your caterer, find one who specializes in organic ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan diets are popular for many reasons including health, ethical and environmental concerns. Speak to your caterer to discuss and create an interesting and delicious menu sans meat, dairy and processed sugars. For example, an interesting and delectable entrée would be herb-roasted seitan with grilled artichokes, Mediterranean grilled vegetables with balsamic glaze and wasabi mashed potatoes. Support local farms orchards and vineyards by buying your produce and wine there. The demand for ecologically responsible and healthy food is a growing trend overall in the catering field. Choose organic wine which is made from grapes and grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or other chemicals which damage soil and water. There are many organic wine vineyards to choose from.

* Wedding cake: Find a baker that will make a cake with organic, natural and fair trade ingredients. Be sure to serve fair trade coffee!

* Transportation: Show up in style, Get chauffeured in eco-chic hybrid limousines or opt for the old fashioned horse and buggy.

* After the ceremony: Have guests toss freeze dried flower petals or ecofetti (biodegradable confetti). Eco friendly Birdseed or biodegradable rice is also popular.

* Flowers: Find a local florist who recycles everything they use from the flowers and foliage. Use potted living plants as centerpieces for the tables instead of cut floral arrangements. Select arrangements that can be replanted, and invite your guests to take them home to replant.

* Favors: Organic chocolates make great gifts with a personalized note printed on recycled paper. Jars filled with organic jams, jellies or honey. Handmade soaps or candles are a nice touch as well.

* Candles: Use soy candles, its romantic and energy efficient. They are cleaner and longer burning than regular candles.

* Photography: When choosing a photographer, make sure you chose a photographer that works in digital format. Digital photos are easier to share and much more environmentally friendly. No harmful chemicals, film or wasted paper. If you are set on film photography, there are less toxic developing methods, discuss this option with your photographer.

* Honeymoon: When planning your honeymoon, consider the rainforest in Costa Rica or an amazing adventurous escape at an eco friendly holistic luxurious spa in Africa or Fiji.

By Kristin Ciccolella
WedAlert Corp.
www.wedalert.com


www.imemoryfilms.com

818.760.9490

info@imemoryfilms.com


Visit our website at, www.imemoryfilms.com,..and for more info, wedding tips & ideas, visit us at: www.imemoryfilms.wodpress.com

Photo & Video Info for Brides!

Wedding Photographers and Wedding Videographers
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF AND THE PROFESSIONAL

David Basher of , "A Magic Moment", has put together a great article for brides everywhere!

At the end of your wedding day, after you’ve eaten the cake, after the flowers are gone and you’ve dry- cleaned and stored your wedding gown thinking to yourself when would be the next time you’re going to look at it, your pictures and your video are the only thing that will define your memories of the big day for the rest of your life. So it's very important to choose the right photographer and videographer. To help you make the best choice, we've compiled a list you should be checking.

PHOTOGRAPHY

1. Research some photos by looking at magazines and/or on the web and define your favorite style of photography -- traditional, candid, or posed? (Seek out photographers whose forte matches your favorite style.)

2. What is the photographer’s approach to shooting weddings? Has the photographer shot many/few weddings? This question will give you an idea of the expertise and passion for his/her work. You want to hire a professional that is familiar with all the in’s and out’s of weddings so he/ she won’t miss any key special moments of your day.

3. Does the photographer shoot in color, black and white, or both? Does he shoot 35 mm or medium format or both?

4. Make sure you know who is going to shot your wedding and that you’re looking at his work. If dealing with a one-person operation, find out who would cover your wedding in case of an emergency.

5. Do not make a list of every possible photo combination, you’re dealing with a professional and he or she shoots weddings for a living. Most likely he or she would get the obvious family combinations. Rather, give your photographer a list of must-take photos of unusual combinations: college roommates, co-workers and other pictures you definitely want shot along with your wish-list photographs. Make sure you leave free range for the photographer’s creativity to capture the festivities. This usually will get you the best results. Enlist a relative or a close friend to point out specific people for the photographer. Your wedding coordinator can do that, if you have one.

6. How does the photographer determine price? By the number and kinds of prints you think you'll want, the amount of rolls of film, the hours the photographer spends on your wedding, the developing time, or a combination of the above factors? How many rolls of film will be shot, and how many proofs and final prints will result? Are packages available? Can you get a price list?

7. Does the photographer develop his own film? How long does he keep the negatives? Can you buy your negatives from the photographer? Do you get to see paper proofs or does he show you the proofs on video, CD-ROM, e-mail?

8. Look at each photographer's work. Be sure to carefully examine the technical aspects of his work. Some things to look for:

* photos are framed and centered well
* photos are over- or underexposed
* details are visible
* people look comfortable and relaxed

But more importantly look on the personal level and ask yourself: do I like his/her style? Does this seem like a person you could tolerate throughout your wedding day? You'll want to feel very comfortable around your photographer. If you’re not comfortable with him/her you can rest assure it will show in your photographs. Rapport is important with all wedding professionals, but it's crucial here!

9. Some of the most special wedding moments happen backstage while the bride is dressing, while the family is waiting, or right after the end of your ceremony when you sneak to a private room. Choosing a pro photographer with whom you feel extremely comfortable and don't mind inviting backstage will allow you to capture these moments. Keep your photographer aware of your whereabouts at (almost) all times.

10. Do not ask the photographer for references. After all, he/she would not give you the name of someone that he/she had a bad experience with. Ask to see thank you letters. If your photographer is a professional photographer, and has lots of experience than his/her past clients should have been satisfied with his/her services and would have sent some thank you letters. You can also ask other wedding professionals about your preferred photographer, as a good photographer would be well recognized by other wedding professionals in your area.

11. Once you've found a photographer with the skill set, style, vision, and personality you're looking for, you'll need to agree on a contract. Be sure to schedule a follow-up meeting to talk about specifics. Together, you'll decide how many hours your photographer will spend at your wedding, and you'll discuss your Must-Take List and any photos you don't want (the cake shot or the schmaltzy posed kiss).

12. A mixture of some posed and candid shots will round out and make your wedding album more interesting. If you favor candid, hire someone who specializes in a photojournalistic style, with real talent for capturing emotional, spontaneous moments keeping in mind that many portrait photographers can also shoot candid and most photojournalistic photographers hate to shot portraits. Determine your priorities and choose a professional accordingly. Your photojournalistic pictures will set the overall feel and look of your wedding album. Remember your most valuable photos would be the ones where you can see and recognize faces, like shots of family and friends. There's definitely a trend toward photojournalism and black and white photography at weddings. B&W photos convey more emotions and accentuate the essence of the subjects or objects being photographed. Color photographs capture the overall theme and feel of your wedding, like the room decoration, the bridal party colors and your flowers. If you are not sure whether or not you would like B&W photographs, have you photographer shoot everything in color and ask him to print some prints in B&W. With today’s technology it would be very hard for the untrained eye to see the difference between what was shot on B&W film and what was shot in color. You cannot print a color print from and B&W negative. However if you know you like B&W, have your photographer shoot it on B&W film for a better and a more rich contrast. Your best bet is a combination of both.

13.Make sure the photographer has backup equipment with him/her on your wedding date in case of an emergency. Also, make sure it is the same format and quality as the primary one. The photographer should have backup for all his/her equipment, cameras, flash, lenses, filters, batteries, cables, etc.

14. Always look for a professional photographer to shoot your wedding day. But if you are on a tight budget and are thinking on looking for a talented photography student or you've always admired your cousin's skill as a shutterbug, consider this option. Just keep in mind that if the photographer doesn't have wedding experience, you might not get the great results you want -- and it might not be worth the savings. If you hire a relative and you value your relationship, having him/her photograph your wedding would exclude him/her from your day. Moreover, if she misses some important moments she would feel bad and you would have no recourse. Not to mention it could actually sour the relationship you so cherished before.

15. Ask to see an actual album of an entire wedding and if possible a proofs album to see the photographer’s raw material. Many photographers have put together sample albums of their best shots from many weddings. Look at pictures the photographer shot at a previous wedding to see if he connected with the couple and captured the mood of their day.
WHAT IT COSTS

A Photojournalistic photographer will take many shots just to get the one special moment, and therefore would normally cost more than a portrait photographer. A photojournalistic photographer shoots between 1000- 3000 images at a wedding, while a good portrait photographer shoots on average 300-500 images. A good basic package could cost $1000-$1500, but you can easily spend three or four times that amount. You're paying for the photographer's time at your wedding, hours spent developing your pictures, the finished product -- the prints and albums you order-- and for the artistic aspect and creativity of the photographer. If your photographer is in high demand expect to pay dearly for his services documenting your wedding. You may think you do not need that many photos but chances are that once you get to see the proofs you would want more than you first ordered. Especially if your photographer is a great artist!

VIDEOGRAPHY

Videotaping a wedding is an artistic profession as is photography. Therefore, if you think you could use a family camcorder to videotape your wedding, think again. A good wedding cameraman requires more skill and professionalism than any other moviemaker in the video business. He/she should be familiar with the technical specifications of the equipment, and with all aspects of how weddings unfold. He/she should be an excellent documenter, and needs to be constantly ready to videotape, after all there is only one take and it has to be a good one. A good videographer will connect with you, capture the atmosphere, the excitement, feelings, and emotions at your wedding and preserve it for life on tape. A videotape account of your wedding captures the uniqueness of your wedding and you would want it be according to your taste and style.

* Just like photography take it upon yourself to find a professional videographer with whom you feel comfortable, someone you feel you can spend a whole day with. Meet with several candidates to compare, shop for prices, styles, and packages offered. If you're having trouble finding someone, contact WEVA (Wedding and Event Videographers Association) for a list of professional Videographers in your area.. Always view a tape from a prospective videographer.

Use this checklist when reviewing different tapes:

* are the images clear?
* is the lighting right (not too dim or too harsh)?
* how is the sound quality?
* was the tape edited well? Is it smooth and well put together? Does it flow or is it choppy?
* does the tape look professional, or is it something you could do yourself?
* do the special effects and transitions look professional?
* is it fun? Is it entertaining to watch?

But the most important element has to be the style and personality of your prospective videographer. Go with your gut feeling and taste.

Also check the following:

1. Has the videographer done many weddings at the location where you’re getting married? Ask to view a tape shot at the same location.

2. Is he/she a member of any national and local videography associations such as WEVA (http://www.weva.org) or AVP? These associations are dedicated to improving the industry and final products delivered to married couples.
Has the videographer won any awards?

3. Has the videographer worked with your photographer before?

4. How many other weddings is the videographer doing on your wedding day or weekend? Make sure there are no time constraints.

5. Will the videographer you're speaking to be the one who will be shooting your wedding? Is it his/her work you are watching?

6. What types of cameras, tapes and microphones will the videographer use? Ask to see the equipment and ask around. Equipment is important, but using the most expensive camera does not guarantee the best result.

7. How much light will they use? Much of the ambiance and atmosphere of your event will be lost if room lights are on during the whole evening. Although, today’s cameras require very little light to get good picture, expect your videographer to use at least one light on the camera.

8. Will a backup camera be on hand for the event? How about back ups for the rest of the equipment?

9. How long does he/she keep the footage on file before recycling it?

10. Cancellation and refund policy.

Make sure to be specific about the following:

* number of cameras to be used. Many videographers shoot weddings with multiple cameras but most weddings are shot with one camera. The number of cameras does not affect editing capabilities or quality. Skilled videographers can make a one-camera wedding look to have been shot with multiple cameras. Let your videographer know what you want to have covered with more than one camera, if you’re having a multi-camera shoot.
* number of videos you'll receive, and complete package details.
* overtime fee, if applicable.
* reorder prices, if you should decide to order additional videos later.

Once your contract is definite, meet with your videographer and discuss the important events of your wedding day that you think may not be common to other weddings: For example, any special readings, songs during your ceremony, blessings, or dances during your reception. Let him/her know if your hair dresser is a good friend. Have him/her film the limo ride to the chapel. Those kinds of moments will make your video more unique.

WAYS TO JAZZ UP YOUR VIDEOTAPE

PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE VIDEO
Gather some childhood pictures, and snapshots of you (bride and groom) together and give it to the videographer to include in the final edited tape. Give your videographer a list of favorite songs to be use in the editing. Most professional videographers will give a song list from their library of CD’s to choose from.

SHORT VERSION VIDEO
Ask your videographer to include in the package, if it is not already included, a short version of your wedding video. If your final edited video turns to be longer than an hour long chances are you’re not going to watch it often with your friends and family. The short version tape would serve to entertain your family and friends in all kinds of casual gatherings and the long version would be for your family archive and more sporadic occasions. You would find yourself watching and enjoying more your wedding video with a short account tape and you’ll appreciate your video investment more. Believe me, no matter how good The Green Mile was, after the fifth time watching it you can feel that it is three hours long.

PHOTOMONTAGE
Present a video montage at your rehearsal dinner or at your reception. Give your videographer childhood photos, slides, family films and videos, and ask your friends to give you some photographs they took of the two of you and give it all to your videographer to edit together along with a list of your favorite songs. You can make the video to be sentimental or comic and present it on a large screen or monitor. You can also loop in a corner throughout the cocktail hour and/or reception; your guests will get to know you even better, and it's a great conversation piece! It’s guaranteed to make your family and friends laugh and cry, all in the course of a few minutes.

FILM THE MAKING OF THE CELEBRATION
Have your videographer, or one of your friends videotape the making of your wedding. Have him/her document the preparations, planning, dress fitting, hairdresser meeting, meeting with the caterer, making of the cake and all the madness the morning of. Create a short documentary of the making of your wedding. It'll definitely make everyone laugh -- especially you!

YOUR WEDDING ONLINE
Find out if your videographer and photographer have the capability to upload a short version of your wedding video on the web, and/or post your photos. If they can stream it even better! Make sure to inquire about that option. If that is a possibility they will most likely be able to do the same with some of your pictures too. This is a great option to consider. You’ll be emailing your wedding images to everybody regardless if they were there or not.

By David Basher
A Magic Moment
www.amagicmoment.com

www.imemoryfilms.com

info@imemoryfilms.com

818.760.9490

For more wedding tips, ideas, and info, visit us at: www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com

Wedding DJ 101

How to Hire a DJ for your Wedding

A informative article from DJ Kazmere of Starr Productions!
So your getting married soon and you and your future spouse decide it’s time to start planning for the big day. Besides the venue, the caterer, photographer, wedding gown, rings, cake, flowers, and more, you have to get a DJ or a band for your musical entertainment. Let’s say you decide to choose a DJ over a band. A lot of top-notch professional wedding DJs get booked anywhere from 6 months to 18 months in advance, so start looking early especially if your wedding date is in May or June.

Now that you know when to start looking for a DJ you need to know where to find them. You can find DJs from a variety of sources, friends, family, the internet, print ads, from other vendors, etc. A common mistake by most people is that they tend to believe that all DJs are pretty much the same, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Just about every DJ has their own
unique style and level of professionalism which they bring to the table. When looking for a DJ, look for one that specializes in weddings. If they do other types of events to, that’s fine as long as they have substantial experience performing at weddings (At least 100 weddings). Also, a large variety of music is important, everybody has different tastes, and more than likely so will your guests.

Now that you know where to find a DJ, and the basics of what to look for, it’s time to start contacting DJs and start making appointments for interviewing. Keep in mind you want a professional for your wedding, not a hobbyist, this is your wedding day, and you only get one chance to do it right. As soon as you start to contact DJs you’ll know very soon which are professionals, and which are just “weekend warriors”. If no one answers the phone when you call, or they don’t return your inquiry promptly (no later than 24 hours) move on to the next one. Why? If a DJ can’t return your phone call or e-mail promptly, that shows a lack of reliability and professionalism. If they’re too busy to return your inquiry, more than likely they may be too busy for you when you have questions, plans, or issues which will arise. Now you have to look at your budget, what percentage of your wedding budget should go towards your musical entertainment? On average most brides spend about 5% on a DJ, but numerous articles in bridal magazines and the internet stated that most brides said that if they could do it all over again they would have spent probably 10%-15% of their wedding budget on a better DJ. So the price of a DJ shouldn’t
be your only factor in choosing a DJ.

Make sure that the DJ has references, is willing to meet with you, see the venue, has quality equipment, and probably most important, has a written contract. I receive about 5 phone calls a year from brides whose DJs never showed up, or cancelled at last minute, and the bride never had a contract with the DJ to begin with. Before signing a contract, discuss any overtime
fees, your plans for your wedding, special songs, their back-up plans for personnel, transportation, and equipment, etc. After signing a contract with any DJ, the key to a successful wedding reception (and sometimes the ceremony) is communication. I can’t stress this enough, don’t wait until the last minute to inform your DJ of exactly what and how you want something done. Most professional wedding DJs do much more than just play music, some are pretty much the wedding coordinators also. They make sure that everything goes smoothly and all your “wedding events” such as the cake cutting, toasts, garter and bouquet toss, special dances, etc get done in a reasonable time frame. So stay in contact with you DJ, keep him/her informed, and this way you’ll both be on the same page for your special day.

By DJ Kazmere of Starr Productions

www.imemoryfilms.com

info@imemoryfilms.com

818.760.9490

For more info, wedding tips, and ideas, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com

Wedding Favors 101

Why Wedding Favors?

Some good info from Polly Liu of www.beau-coup.com

Wedding favors are thoughtful mementos given by the newlyweds to their wedding guests as a symbol of gratitude for sharing their special day. The gesture can be traced back to ancient Rome and has become a lovely custom in many cultures. Sugar-coated almonds, or dragées, are traditional wedding favors symbolizing the bitterness and sweetness of married life. Other edible sweets such as a piece of the groom's cake, cookies and chocolates have also been presented over the years. Today, couples are being more creative with their selection of party favors, whether it's for the reception, the rehearsal dinner or the bridal shower. Picture frames, candles, wine stoppers, cocktail shakers, handmade sachets, mini vases, personalized mint tins, seed favors, themed cookies, holiday ornaments, and personalized keepsakes are all popular favor choices. Favors can really be anything. The important thing is to choose favors that reflect your personal style and impart a meaninful message. They are often placed at each guest's place setting or elegantly displayed on a table near the entrance to the reception hall.

Unique Wedding Favors

Unique and thoughtful favors can leave a lasting impression and add a personal touch to the reception. Many couples are choosing favors that celebrate their cultural heritage and reflect their personal style. Favors that accent a wedding theme are also extremely popular. Your guests will especially appreciate gifts that they can use and treasure - like a pair of beautiful chopsticks, a handmade silk sachet or a decorative picture frame. There is tremendous appeal to the idea that the guests will enjoy the favor long after the wedding has passed.

By Polly Liu
www.beau-coup.com

www.imemoryfilms.com

info@imemoryfilms.com

818.760.9490

From more info, tips, and wedding ideas, visit us at www.imemoryfilms.wordpress.com

Wedding Budget 101

Planning a Wonderful Wedding on a Realistic Budget


A GREAT article by Sara!

Contrary to what they say in the magazines and on-line now, you don't have to spend a fortune to have a wonderful, memorable wedding. I tell my clients and my readers that the most important part of making a wedding memorable is focusing on and prioritizing what you want to achieve. Fortunately, that same focus will help you save money as well!

You can look at all the planning guidelines and timelines in magazines and on websites for ideas of things you might do, but don't get boxed in by them-- real weddings come together in a much different way than magazines and many experts suggest.

You and your fiancé need to sit down and really talk and think about what you want MOST for the wedding-- a certain location, a large guest list, great photography, a really fancy gown and accessories. Start making notes of what you really want and what you can live without. Compare your ideas, and compromise when necessary, to come up with a wedding you'll both love.

When you have an idea of what's most important to you, you can start finding out what those things will cost. Call around, ask around, make notes, add things up. Then when you have an idea of what you'll do, start with the most important priorities FIRST, so you make sure you can afford them. Then you can compromise on, or even omit, some of the less important things as your budget gets stretched.

The following is a compilation of ideas I have sent to various brides who were looking to keep their expenses and/or weddings small, but memorable.

General Budget/Cash Flow Issues--

~ Careful timing can reduce reception costs. Do you have a time set for the wedding? If you don't want to spend a lot on refreshments, plan the wedding and reception at a time other than mealtime. This is tricky because the length of time a wedding and reception takes, but you can work with it a little.

Usually, for instance, it's tough to have a morning wedding early enough to avoid feeding the guests lunch. Even a very short ceremony and reception that starts at 10 am is going to run into "lunchtime" (and some guests may expect brunch, since many morning weddings offer that.)

In the afternoon, you could plan the wedding to start, say, 1:30 or 2 pm, and figure you can have people on their way before 5 if there are no real activities except socializing and limited light refreshments.

In the evening, you can work it the same way, if you wish. Any ceremony after about 6:30 pm (or certainly 7) would be "after dinner" (in most regions), so you could plan to only serve dessert rather than a buffet or meal.

~ Make some things for the wedding yourself. Doing-it-yourself is not always as much cheaper as it used to be, but it still saves you labor charges, if you have creative talents and energy. I encourage couples and families to make garters or bridesmaids dresses, arrange flowers, cook the reception food-- whatever they are good at. It's cheaper, and it's often more meaningful to have had a hand in the preparations personally. Also, many family and friends really ENJOY helping out with wedding prep. Don't be afraid to ask! : )

~ Consider marrying on Friday evening. This is NOT the most convenient arrangement, because people have to get out of work early, etc. It can also be difficult for any out-of-town guests you might have, because it may force them to take an additional day off work to arrive in time for all the festivities. But you can sometimes get discounts on sites and services. If you are *really* tight in the budget, this could be an option worth researching.

~~One other **very important** thing to remember when money is tight--- most of your bills will come due right before the wedding. Usually you pay 1/2 up-front for services, and then the last couple weeks before the wedding, everyone wants their other half paid. BE PREPARED FOR THIS! Try to look ahead so you will have the cash flow you need when all those payments go out at once. If you can, save extra *right away* while you are in the early planning stages, because you will need it later.

Also, plan your budget *smaller* than you think you could really afford. If your wedding expenses come within that figure, that will be great. But if one or two things turn out to be more expensive than you expected, you won't be right at the absolute limit of your funds. It will give you peace of mind.

Location/Guest List--

~ Keep your guest list small. The more people, the bigger the location, the more food, the more invitations, etc.

~ Have the wedding and reception in the same place. It's trendy to have them separate locations, but frankly, as a guest, I really dislike the practice (all that extra driving and parking). And from the couple's standpoint, it's much cheaper to do it all in one place. It's also more convenient and relaxing for everyone involved.

~ Consider an less-traditional location. In most areas, many attractive locations are willing to have weddings-- not just the churches, hotels and country clubs where most weddings take place. Some non-traditional locations will cost you more, but others may cost *considerably* less. So do some research, and make some calls. Likely locations include, parks (local, state and national), bed-and-breakfasts, country inns, restaurants, public gardens, historic homes or monuments, museums, galleries, and private homes of friends or family.

When considering the suitability of *any* location, be sure to find out not just about the price to rent the location, but also about parking, seating, restrooms, food preparation and/or storage, dressing areas, security, electrical hook-ups, restrictions or regulations (on alcohol, attire, photography or videography, decorations, etc.) Anything not provided or conveniently available may cost you more to rent or provide on your own.

Attire--

~ The two best ways to save money on attire are to dress very casually, or to sew your own (or have a friend or relative sew your) gown and/or bridesmaids' gowns. But even casual gowns can be quite costly in the current market, unless you are able to take advantage of sales or other discounts.

Home-sewn gowns are less popular now than they were in the 70's and 80's. However, since the current styles and fabrics are actually fairly easy to sew, it seems a shame that more brides and their families do not make use of this option--especially for bridesmaids and flowergirls.

Obviously, good general sewing skills and a dependable sewing machine are necessary, as well as a reasonable "eye" for fitting. But if you consider that a bride recently commented to me that she was *happy* to find a flowergirl dress for "only" $99 (other similar gowns were as much as $150), it seems clear that sewing should be an option budget-conscious brides at least *consider*.

~ Headpieces and some accessories are very inexpensive to make, as well. Good instructions are available in books and with patterns. If you are creative at all, you might look into this option. Mark-ups on headpieces, especially, are VERY high in most bridal boutiques, so this can net you a big savings from retail.

~ If you will buy your gown "off-the-rack", big discount bridal stores and on-line resources can offer lower prices-- but consider what you may, or may not, get from these sources in the way of quality, personal service, dependability, selection, alterations, etc. Some are excellent; others are not. Working with a company or resource you have personal references for is the best, whenever possible.

~ If you will hire a dressmaker to save money, remember that the talents and prices and quality provided will vary considerably. You might be fortunate to have a very inexpensive, but fabulously talented dressmaker available to you. On the other hand, to get the best deal from a more expensive dressmaker or designer, you might decide to simplify your fabric and detailing choices to include only what's MOST important to you. The other advantage of having a gown made is that, at least you will not have to worry about alterations costs on top of the purchase price.

~ Menswear costs can be reduced by having the men wear suits they own, for example, rather than renting matching formalwear.

Decorations/Flowers--

~ If you will use fresh flowers, try to choose varieties which will be in-season at the time of your wedding date. Skip extra arrangements on the altars, reception tables, etc. If you must decorate these areas, consider using inexpensive live plants (home centers, discount stores, large nurseries, and even grocery stores sometimes have great prices on potted plants.) Be sure, however, that any plants or flowers used near food are not toxic.

~ Keep the bouquets small. Let the bouquets do double-duty for decoration, by laying them out on your tables at the reception. Consider eliminating corsages and boutonnieres for anyone besides your own and your fiancé's parents.

~ Consider arranging silk or dried flowers yourself. The price of professionally-arranged silk or dried bouquets is often about the same as fresh flower prices. However, if you use careful shopping, creative filler options, a bit of patience, and some ingenuity, you can often save money by arranging silk or dried flowers yourself. If you haven't worked with floral arranging before, start with the boutonnieres. They are easy to handle and help you get familiar with the general techniques and products you will use on the larger arrangements.

~ Not all locations need extra decorations. It is not necessary to totally *transform* your ceremony or reception location in order to have a beautiful and memorable wedding. If your budget is tight, do the minimum you are comfortable with.

~ If you really need some color and interest in a really boring reception location (a common problem), I have seen really pretty, classy effects achieved with really simple, inexpensive party materials, like balloons, streamers (especially metallic or pearlized), honeycomb wedding bells, inexpensive fabrics, candles, confetti and glitter.

If you choose to use materials like these, choose your colors carefully so they are not too harsh, and look for ways to combine materials and add small decorative details (silk flowers, ribbons, floating beads, etc.) to create a more complex, customized look.

Refreshments--

~ Your choice of refreshments is very important to how much the reception will cost.

Generally, the least expensive reception is a cake and punch reception. Cake is really the minimum food you should serve. You can cut cake costs, if necessary, by having a very small decorative and/or stacked cake, and supplementing the servings with additional sheet cake in the same flavor. Punch is an easy and inexpensive beverage, and it can be very fun to make (ideas for a custom punch recipe can be found in A Bride's Touch on page 249).

A cake and punch reception usually also includes coffee and perhaps tea, individual sodas instead of punch if you prefer (but that costs more), and sometimes champagne or other alcohol (but that's a pricey item, too.) There has also recently been a trend toward offering other desserts besides cake, so you could have a "dessert and punch" reception for a little more than a standard cake and punch affair.

A pot-luck is next most expensive, because it should be assumed that you and your family will contribute several dishes. In some social circles, this works out very well, and makes for a very fun and tasty reception. There is a lot of variety in the food (something for everyone, usually) and even if some guests are not able/willing to bring something, there's usually plenty. This sort of arrangement works well for family- or church-oriented weddings, where guests feel that bringing a dish is a way to help the couple celebrate. In other circles, guests may consider this in poor taste, feeling that the bride's (and perhaps groom's family) should be treating the guests to a meal. You would have to check around with family and friends to see how they would feel about this idea.

Some hosting families opt to prepare the food themselves. It gives them control over the cost and menu, but eliminates the potluck concept of asking others to bring something. If you have a lot of guests, you could also ask for help from the bridal party members and your closest family and friends.

Cold food works the best for this because you can buy and prepare it ahead. If you have family or friends willing to help, it's not too taxing to have them each make a double or triple recipe of one dish like potato or crab salad, or a platter of cold cuts, or a tray of rolls. Warehouse and food service stores like Price Club and Smart and Final have made this even easier, providing good prices for large quantities, and (at Smart and Final and other restaurant suppliers), low cost serving dishes and utensils as well. I have found that big plastic punch bowls are excellent for serving salads and other large dishes attractively and economically.

Of "catered" options, prices would range from purchasing trays at a supermarket or other deli, to having a restaurant or caterer provide trays or a simple buffet, to having a formal sit-down dinner cooked by the kitchen at the reception site or a private caterer, to really elaborate, multi-course banquets.

Entertainment--

~ Providing entertainment or activities costs extra, generally. If you want to keep the reception low-key, skip or at least limit music and dancing (this will also save you from having to rent a dance floor). If you have access to a small sound system, at the location or through a friend, you can supply your own background music through CDs or cassettes.

You may or may not need a microphone at all, depending on what you choose to include in the way of toasts and announcements. If you keep it really informal, just a chance to chat with guests, you can get away with almost no extra equipment or related preparation. This will also tend to keep the reception short, since guests won't be staying late to dance and party.

Professionals--

~ Hiring professionals, of course, accounts for a great chunk of many wedding budgets. As a professional myself, and speaking for the many fine wedding professionals I know, this is often money very well spent. However, people have married *without* the help of professional dressmakers, florists, caterers, photographers, videographers, musicians, and event planners for hundreds of years. And some couples still do.

If your budget is really tight, pick your professionals with care. Personally, for my own wedding, photography was the most important professional priority (see article); and many couples I have interviewed have felt the same. For you, it might be a particular florist or caterer. But remember you *do not* have to hire every professional suggested in the bridal magazines, or by people you know. You can choose to spend the money you have on what matters most to you.

~ Consultants, coordinators and event planners are currently touted by most magazines, and many bridal advisors, as an *essential* element of modern wedding planning. They site money savings, higher quality wedding "results", planning-stress reduction, and more. I think it is important to point out, however, that many, if not most, weddings are planned *without* the help of this type of professional. And most of them are beautiful, happy, fun and memorable.

There *are* situations where a bridal consultant, coordinator or event planner is very helpful-- and still another few situations where one *might* be essential. But if you are planning a relatively average wedding, and you are concerned with keeping costs down, this is a professional I believe you can safely skip-- no matter what the magazines say.

Good advice and information about wedding planning is available from many free or inexpensive sources-- friends and family, your local library, the internet, and many of the wedding professionals with whom you will be working. Don't sell any of these resources short!

* * * *

And don't let anyone intimidate you by making wedding planning seem more complicated than it is. A lot of the people who emphasize the stresses, costs, and frustrations of planning are either selling something, or they have been heavily influenced by those who are.

LOTS of couples plan wonderful weddings without suffering tremendous stress, without going into years of debt, without having horrible fights with their future spouses-- and without losing sight of the reason they are doing all of this in the first place. You can, too! Best wishes to you!!

By Sara L. Ambarian - author/creative consultant/custom bridal designer
Visit her website:
www.frazmtn.com/~ambarian/


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