Cutting Wedding Costs Tips

When we first say "yes", we usually have no real idea about what the dream day will cost; of course many of us are surprised at how quickly expenses can add up. Keep that happy smile and joy in your heart because there are lots of ways to cut costs and still have Your Dream Wedding. This is a series of tips for cutting costs based expert strategies and recently married brides and grooms.

Are you really saving by stocking up on sale items you might need? Absolutely Not! Don't get carried away thinking you are going to save money by stocking up on gadgets you see online or elsewhere. By all means, if you have a real need for seventy-five do-hickies, then buy them, but don't buy with a vague plan in mind, it is wasteful and eats at your budget, and creeps you closer to going over budget and not having the funds you need for that centerpiece.

Every cent counts! Start saving change in a jar, you will be pleasantly surprised and how quickly the loose change grows. I once started taking all my change (small and large bills and coins) and put in a jar. The goal was to buy a new phone and wanted to see how much I could save. I was quite surprised when I tallied up the bills and coins in a short 6 month span; over $130! Start your change savings.

Must you invite your best friends, sister's uncle's cousin that you have not seen since you were five? You may not know what the person look like. A wedding is about sharing your special day with family and friends, usually people you socialize with frequently. However, if you have platinum dollars, invite them, if not, consider a small guest list. On average, ten percent of guest invited do not attend. Use the money to splurge on reception favors or whatever you like.

Vera Fernandes
Owner, Certified Wedding Specialist
Weddings Simply Unique LLC
203-583-6702
vera@weddingssimplyunique.com
http://www.weddingssimplyunique.com/

Member Weddings Beautiful
A Division of National Bridal Service

Have A Seat

The best way to describe the changing nature of receptions is to notice that they have evolved into more than just a formalized event as the term “reception” implies. More and more couples are choosing the term “celebration” to describe the party atmosphere and events they are planning for themselves and their guests. Instead of having the day slip away in a blur, brides and grooms want to have a good time at their party and take away wonderful memories. This is one of the biggest parties that most couples will ever give. They want everyone to have fun – themselves included.

Whether the celebration will be in a church basement or outdoors, one thing that is changing is the seating of guests. Reception “rules” have had the bridal party sitting at formal head tables, lined up according to one’s role in the wedding. But more and more couples are choosing not to have a head table and instead seat themselves with special family members or friends in the center of the eating area. Sitting in the middle of things – among family and friends – not apart from them, will help the couple to better enjoy their first meal together as husband and wife.

The remaining people in their wedding party and families are scattered at tables with other guests to encourage the celebration tone. They can talk about the wedding and events leading up to it that other guests may not know. It can make good mealtime conversation and is a way to involve guests more intimately with the event. You may still choose to have special place cards/table numbers for guests. For some brides and their mothers, trying to engineer the “perfect” mix of guests at each table is the hardest thing they do for the party. Others give up and let groups find their own places. Whether you are having a formal sit down dinner or a buffet, the best bet is to select round tables. These always allow an easier flow of conversation among guests. Providing a centerpiece for each table also places each guest at a decorated space at your party.

If you can’t have round tables and must use rectangular ones, request that they seat no more than six per table. At least with this number, everyone can hear everything that is said and conversation can flow. There is more space for each person to enjoy his/her food and beverage. For more celebration ideas, stop in and talk with one of our experienced consultants. We have party plans we know you’ll love. Ideas on music, cakes, decorations and favors can help you plan a party to remember.

Vera Fernandes, Owner, CWS
Weddings Simply Unique LLC
203-573-6702
vera@weddingssimplyunique.com

Member Weddings Beautiful Worldwide
The American Academy of Wedding Professionals

Guest Seating

Guest Seating

Here at Weddings Simply Unique, LLC our brides ask lots of questions about how certain wedding traditions came into being. We are happy to share the source for many of the unique and time-honored customs all of us have come to know. A recent bride asked us why her parents/family/friends were to sit on one side of the church and the groom’s family/friends sit on the other. She asked us “Does it matter?” The answer is that while the seating “rules” are generally followed, many couples choose to provide balance to the church seating arrangements rather than adhere to the guidelines that have been in use for a very long time.

Here’s the history of that tradition. Brides can decide if they wish to maintain it. In ancient times, brides were often abducted or stolen or sold. To marry for love and by mutual consent is a relatively contemporary idea.  When warring tribes decided that they would no longer battle, peace was generally arranged through intermarriage. That act made them family and they would not/could not fight and cause bloodshed.  Members of both tribes would attend the marriage to witness the joining, but they maintained a little distance between groups so that a fatal interruption to the ceremony could be avoided.

Now when the bride’s family sits peacefully on the left hand side of the church and the groom’s on the right, you know the origin of the tradition.

Vera Fernandes, Owner, CWS

Weddings Simply Unique, LLC

203-583-6702

wedplanlady@me.com

Member Weddings Beautiful Worldwide.

To Toss of Not To Toss

We know it has long been a tradition for the bride to toss her bouquet and allow her garter to be removed by the groom and tossed to his bachelor friends – or even auctioned off. These traditions came from our English cousins, where long ago spectators at the wedding would attempt to tear off the bride’s clothing, believing it allowed them to share in the couple’s happiness. While the bride was fleeing her attackers, she would toss her flowers to the on lookers to placate them. Tradition says that those catching the bouquet and garter will be the next to marry – though not necessarily to each other. This tradition is changing. A modern version of this is to ask their attendants to sign the bottom of the bride’s shoes. The last names to be erased will be the next to marry. Today’s bride often opts to present her bouquet to the grandparents or to the couple in attendance that has been married the longest. She may also reject having her leg exposed, garter removed and tossed to a group of men. For couples who still wish to follow the tradition, an extra garter is purchased. We have many more ideas for couples that would like contemporary versions of old traditions that they can use.