- by Lisa
Congratulations to all of our new readers who got engaged over the holidays! We hope you enjoy this special time in your life. Planning the kind of wedding you want can be so much FUN, but it can also be quite a challenge in today's economy. Here are some suggestions for cutting your wedding costs.
1. Trim the guest list - if possible. Sometimes it's not possible due to family situations etc. This is the number 1 way of cutting costs.
2. Consider a freelance photographer – A great “freelance” photographer might fit the bill. Often, the wedding is looked through a fresh and creative lens. Expensive back-end costs are often reduced. Warning – if a professional album is your goal, this might not be a viable option for you. Tip - one might even reduce their cost, for a chance at getting a great wedding in their portfolio!
3. Buy a custom-made dress as opposed to a gown from a bridal salon. I had a bride who loved a $3,500.00 dress. We got a dress made out of "real" silk satin, a cathedral veil which was lined in the same fabric, and a bolero jacket - all for $2,000.00. If that’s not cost savings, I don't know what is.
4. Trunk shows and sample sales are great!
5. Opting for a smaller "show" cake and offering sheet cakes in the back.
6. Cutting the alcohol out of your bar (they will survive one night, I promise). Nobody is saying that you have to offer, but if you offer it - in my opinion, you should pay for it.
7. Choosing a venue that has table, chairs, glassware, silver, etc. Covering the chairs is not as expensive as renting ones (if you find an economic rental solution. Don’t rent the covers through the venue).
8. Choosing a venue you are happy with, decor wise - choosing a venue that you do not like because it’s inexpensive, and then paying twice the rental fee in decor - is not a good plan.
9. Cutting out favors, or combining favors and place cards into one offering.
10. Make every aspect of your wedding matter. Follow this rule of thumb, “don’t just do it because you think you “need’ to do it. Do it because it has a significance to you, your fiancé, your families (collectively) and your guests”. Make the significance known to everyone.
11. Downsize your wedding party (or have no wedding party at all).
12. Have your ceremony and reception in one place - no need to transport yourselves or your guests.
13. Rent instead of buy. Check prices. You will only use this stuff once, and renting will eliminate the need to sell afterwards.
14. Get married during the “off” season. Many vendors would love to work early December, January and February - when things are typically quiet. They might even offer you a terrific deal if you give them your wedding!
15. Create a realistic budget and prioritize. Be honest to yourself and your vendors about how much you can and/or want to spend on your big day.
16. Hire a planner who has a strong network of vendors that they always use. This will save you time and money.
I hope this list will offer you realistic ideas on not only helping you cut costs, but also on maintaining the spirit of your day!
Happy planning!
Keep Your Wedding Costs Down
Caribbean Splendor on the Chesapeake
- by Lisa
This year, I have been blessed with lots of firsts. This was my very first beach wedding – and it was fabulous! What a beautiful site on the Eastern Shore - light filled, airy, spacious and beautiful – the most perfect setting for a most perfect wedding! This sophisticated bride wore the most perfect gown for a beach wedding – it was a nice, light and simple - ivory in color. She finished off her look with a simple yet sophisticated cage veil. 
Celebrating her Caribbean heritage she walked down the aisle to the sound of steel drums. She looked absolutely stunning as she exchanged vows overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. The ceremony was short but meaningful - the highlight being the Sand ceremony – which not only represented two souls being joined as one, but the coming together of two families. 
While the newly married couple took pictures on the beach, their guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres, and the sounds of steel drums, as they watched the sun reflect from the water’s edge. 
As their 150 guests moved from the cocktail hour which was draped in pink, to the light filled reception which was draped in crisp ivory, they were treated to a robust meal and live music. 
The festive evening moved quickly (as it always does) and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye. As they did at each moment of their wedding day, the couple said their goodbyes in grand style – waving from a yacht which brought them to their wedding night hotel.
Photography by ImaginePhotographyOnline.com
Flower Power
- by Lisa
Ah… floral arrangements. One of my favorite subjects! I just love to decorate with flowers. Fresh flowers make a wedding so romantic. The right blooms in the right amounts can also make your wedding stand out from all the others.
When I plan a wedding, I could go on and on and on with flowers! The right flowers can really enhance a theme. Of course, decorating with flowers alone, can be, and is – a very expensive proposition. I am going to talk about how to use flowers to your advantage to set off the feeling and theme of your wedding – without breaking the bank.
We cannot talk about flowers without talking about theme because everything must compliment the theme of your wedding. This would include flowers, linen, food, invitations, number of guests –everything. If everything does not compliment, your event becomes jumbled and non-cohesive. You also must look at your budget realistically. A black tie wedding with heavy- upgraded linens, 5 course meal, and elaborate flower arrangements for 200 people – is not going to work with a 30K budget – at least not in the DC/Baltimore area. Also, you must realize that you do not have to have a black tie wedding to have something extremely nice and elegant. Any themed wedding can be very nice and elegant – as long as it’s cohesive from beginning to end.
For a more casual fun affair, think about fun arrangements in vibrant colors. Some flowers choices that may work would be Sweat Peas, tulips, Baby’s Breath, lily of the valley and a variety of grasses. Think about Gerber Daisies to add some color, and Peonies, Hydrangea, Dahlias to add some girth. Put your blooms in fun containers (a basket for a country affair, a seashell for a beachy theme, a fresh pot for a springy theme) and feel free to play with different shaped containers, tables and the like. For instance, submerge cut fruits and other tropical fruits in glass vase, with some lighter blooms protruding out of the top. Opt for a floral headpiece rather than a formal veil. Keep things light, airy, fresh – but always coordinated throughout.
For a Fall affair, I like to use darker flowers, with vegetables, husks, wheat, and hay – to honor the harvest. For winter, try some Manzanita branches, or curly willow, hypericum berries, holly, wreathes with white and blue florals – or maybe red and orange for the holiday. For spring, wild flowers are great for a fresh wedding. Tulips are beautiful fully blown open and make a stunning presentation. Peonies are great. For summer, try something colorful, but more formal – like roses of all varieties. Gardenia is very nice – would work well as a floating bloom – but also offers lots of fragrance. If you are sensitive to smells, then this bloom is not for you.
For a more formal affair, try roses, ranunculus, all varieties of lilies (calla, etc), orchids, stephanotis and the like- in darker more subdued colors. Hydrangea also looks very nice as its size makes arrangements fuller. For a formal space that could use some height, think about tall or tall and short more formed arrangements (less airy – more roundy moundy) and incorporate elegant and elaborate candlelight.
I have total respect for floral designers. I wish I had the creativity and ability to work with, arrange and store flowers properly. Make sure you find a floral designer who has the ability to work with lots of budgets. I say this lightly, most designers I know work on the same principle – the more you get, the more you pay. The less you get, the less you pay. You have to be realistic.
Flowers are expensive- but much of the expense comes in the design and handling. I can see very clearly the difference between professionals and amateurs in the way the flowers are designed, and the way they last through the day.
The additional cost is worth it. With the right choices, you do not need a lot. Do you want my opinion? Flowers are a pain to work with-I know from experience. Leave it to the professionals.
Floral arrangement is designed by Randy Woods of Wicked Willow.
Friday Flashback: Veiled Bridesmaids
We're starting to think today's bridemaids have it easy. Well... when it comes to wardrobe, anyway. Even if they don't like the dresses or shoes, at least they don't have to contend with a veil. A veil for bridesmaids? Apparently, it was commonplace not too long ago.
Take a look at this picture, pointed out by GlobetrottingBride .
And here's a Bruce Davidson photograph of bridesmaids at a wedding in Harlem in 1962.
Does "Simple" Mean Inexpensive? Not Necessarily!
- by Lisa R. Nelson
Simple and Minimalist does not equal inexpensive
Martha Stewart has featured many beautiful weddings in the last 6 years. There was one, that was featured 4-5 years ago that stands out n my mind. It was uncomplicated and easy. It took place in a small room, around a long rectangular table. There were only about 10-15 guests. Everything was draped in white. The flowers were simple but beautiful - oranges, yellows and browns. They had a few large wispy arrangements and then smaller arrangements placed elegantly down the center of the table with candles surround. The chairs were covered with white chair covers - which looked to be custom (I didn’t say the wedding was inexpensive). On the back of only the Bride and Groom chairs was an embroidered monogram. The design was effortless and minimalist. It was absolutely brilliant. This wedding was of the most beautiful weddings I have seen featured in a magazine.
When looking at competitors websites, I came across one that said “simple is boring”. Hhmmmm? I don’t agree - or maybe I am too protective of my style and way of life. One of the biggest trends this year is simplicity of design and style. As both men and women are marrying older, they are looking for a more mature look and style that reflects their maturity in life. Couples are looking for something different - different color combinations and textures, but are looking to simplify. Simple A-line dresses are definitely in. Brides are looking for shed the excess fabric so that their true beauty and sophistication shine through. The make -up is getting much lighter (just to enhance the natural beauty that exists) and the veils much more simple – Cage veils exude class.
Many of the brides who contact me mistakenly say that they want something simple. What they really mean is they want to save money. Simple and inexpensive are not synonymous. Simple is timeless. Have you ever looked at your parents wedding pictures? You can tell the wedding happened n the 70’s or 80’s, because of the feathered hair, the big sleeves and the style of dresses. Simplicity lacks trends. When you take a look at a wedding, it could have taken place at any place or time. This is one of the reasons I love this style.
2009 Wedding Fashion and Style Trends
-by Erica
Smaller Weddings
A funny thing happened on the way to the altar: The economy veered into the ditch. But we rediscovered something very important. Necessity really is the mother of invention. Some of the most memorable weddings we've seen in the last year have been relatively small or medium-sized affairs. Can you do it, too? Yes, you can.
Simple Dress with Ornate Veil
As we showed you a few weeks ago, the veil is no longer an afterthought in a bride's ensemble. These days, the veil may very well be the centerpiece. One of the newest trends has women buying simple or "destination" style dresses, then pairing it with an ornate veil. Designers are responding by creating pieces with lots of embroidery, beading, and gorgeous netting.
Hair Fascinators & Headpieces
Have you ever noticed how one trend seems to instantly give birth to its opposite?
While some ladies are going all out for a veil, others are opting out. Instead they're choosing dazzling hair fascinators and headpieces. These options are often as intricate as veils anyway because of feathers, pearls, fabric flowers, or just the hint of a birdcage veil.
Photojournalism
This one comes from our resident wedding planner Lisa Nelson who says, "Couples are shying away from the traditional and opting for something more documentary in style. They are also moving away from the “picture in the frame” style Art Leather album to a modern Magazine type layout."
Ultra Personalization
Just a few years ago, it was en vogue to showcase your nationality or background. But now, brides-to-be are cutting out the middle man and going strictly with what they themselves like- no holds barred, no consultations with Miss Manners- from the invitations to the newlywed send-off, even if they have to design their accessories themselves. For some women cookie-cutter just doesn't cut it anymore, especially with the trend toward DIY.
Vintage Fashions
Perhaps it's just "the times" or a yearning for quality items out of the ordinary. For whatever reason, vintage styles are as hot as if they'd just come out yesterday. Chintzy, homey, quaint. Whatever you call it, it's a definitely creative way to bring back what has already worked in the past. This is showing up in everything from gowns to caketoppers to the groom's wardrobe.
Colored Shoes
Statistically speaking, most brides-to-be still choose white as the color of their bridal shoes. But in 2009, you'll see that more and more are taking the opportunity to add a pop of color on their feet. Some of the most popular photographs on wedding blogs are candid shots of brides who have a flash of hot pink, green or blue peaking from under their gowns.
Short Hair and Medium Length Hair
Malonda Richards courtesy of Essence Magazine
OK, we saw this one coming. Things had to change. There was just too much pressure on women with neat hairstyles to grow their hair long enough for an updo before the wedding. And why not look like yourself on your wedding day? Now we're getting lots of photos of brides wearing sassy short or medium length styles. And you know what? They look absolutely fabulous.
Did we leave anything out? Set us straight! Tell us about the trends you've been seeing!
Veils Unveiled
So, what's new in veils? If you've visited a wedding boutique lately, you've probably seen a lot of veils doing their best impression of the pricey Pnina Tornai veil in that top left picture. Many designers no longer see the veil as just another accessory. (In fact, there is a new trend of brides buying a simple affordable gown, and then splurging on an ornate veil. More on that later this week.) The point is, many veils are now designed to becoming the centerpeice of a bride's wardobe with beading, crystals, piping, and embroidery to be showstoppers on their own. What do you ladies think of this? Just to give you some more ideas, take a look at more of today's popular veil styles.
ArtikalNYC on Etsy 
Winters and Rain
Orange Blossom Cage Veil
Erica Koesler
VeiledBeauty on Etsy.com
Online Bridal Store
BellaBridalVeils
Next week, we'll show you the hip, funky accessories some modern brides are wearing instead of veils. You do NOT want to miss that, ladies!
