Category: Wedding Favors

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Planning an Inexpensive Wedding

Weddings can be very expensive and not all of us have the funds available to pay $10,000 to $20,000 on the wedding of our dreams. However, there are many ways that we can trim these costs and still have a beautiful wedding that doesn’t break the bank.

The Wedding Gown

Sophia Tolli SPRING 2013 Collection - Y11303 Octavia

While this is probably an area that you will want to splurge on, there are still ways that you can save on this important area. For example, you can purchase a dress that has been discounted or consider renting a gown rather than purchasing one.

The Reception

One of the most expensive aspects of the wedding process is the reception. One of the best ways to reduce the amount of money that is spent at the reception, consider only inviting a certain amount of people to the wedding. You can also consider providing less expensive food options instead of a three course meal as well.

Photography

You will obviously be looking to remember this special day and the photos that you take will be important. One way to save money is to shop around for a photographer with a better pricing structure. Most people also have family members who are fairly talented when it comes to photography and you may be able to hire someone you know at a discounted rate instead.

Invitations

There are so many different types and styles of wedding invitations that you will be able to find a beautiful option that is budget friendly. Be sure to look through your options and select one that fits best with your price range. You should also consider choosing an option that is made with less expensive materials as well.

Flowers

Carrying flowers and decorating with them has long been a wedding tradition, but it is also very expensive. You can easily save some money in this category by making a few simple changes however. For example, certain flowers cost more than others and you can save money by selecting a cheaper version.

The Cake

Road To Happiness

Another expensive and crucial part of your wedding is the wedding cake. By cutting down on the number of people that you invite, you will also be able to cut down on the size of this expensive feature. You can also select a flavor that is untraditional to save money as well. While it may not be a traditional tasting wedding cake, it will still taste fantastic.

Decorations

When decorating for your wedding, you can save money if you are a little bit open about the decorations that you choose. For example, you can always make the decorations yourself from scraps of material and items that you find at a discount. Making a different centerpiece for each table is also a fantastic option and you may be able to find discounted single items at wedding shops or online.

Conclusion

When you are planning your wedding, it is likely that you will find many expenses that you are expected to cover. However, there are many ways that you can work your budget so that you will save the maximum amount of money.

Best for Bride

If you are looking for a huge selection of wedding supplies, gowns and décor, you should look no further than Best for Bride. This wedding store offers many different items that will help you to plan the wedding of your dreams. There are four locations to serve the brides of the area and you will be thrilled at the selection that is being offered.

 

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Themed Wedding Ideas

Have you ever thought about having a themed wedding? Having a theme is very popular nowadays and it can be done for large or small weddings, encompassing something that both the bride and the groom really like and feel best represent them enough to be a part of their big day. Whether it’s something as common as a love of coffee or the outdoors, to something unusual like superheroes or the infamous Star Wars films, it’s clear that themed weddings won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Looking for some ideas for themes? We’re here to help you out!

Superhero Theme

Love comics? There are many ways to incorporate that love into your special day. From bouquets made from comic book pages to themed cufflinks and groomsmen wearing their favorite superhero shirt underneath their tuxes, there is no shortage of ideas for a comic wedding. Place cards can be done in a colorful comic style, or you can even have action figures holding name plates — the figures can even double as favours to take home at the end of the evening.

bouquet
Photograph By: Dianne Personett Photography

Beach Theme

Don’t want all the hassle of a destination wedding but want everything to feel beachy and sunny? Try a beach theme. Color motifs could include different hues of blues or greens; a popular shade is seafoam green. Offer themed cocktails at the bar and incorporate shells, sand dollars and starfish into your centerpieces.

Rustic Theme

Many couples are choosing barns as a wedding location with the reception either in the same location or outdoors. Favours for a rustic theme could include jams or jellies with a checkered piece of material tied around the top with a ribbon and your wedding date on the lid. Colors could include coppers, light yellows and purples and you can opt for a bouquet of spring or summer flowers.

pinecone

Winter Wonderland Theme

Getting married in the winter time not only offers competitive rates for many wedding services but can be just as whimsical as a spring or summer wedding. Use berries, pinecones or pieces of evergreens with ornaments to adorn chairs or church pews. Choose a horse-drawn sleigh as your transportation or a cozy cottage for the ceremony. Gifts for your bridal party could include slippers or faux fur stoles. Finally, decorate your reception with cool blues and silvers — don’t forget lots of crystals as well for a shimmering, icy effect.

Don’t forget to check out Best for Bride as your one stop shop for everything you need for your special day. From dresses to invitation, we’ve got you covered.

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Trends in Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are an age old tradition of offering small gifts as a gesture of appreciation to guests at your wedding. Over the years the styles and types of wedding favors have changed and it’s become increasingly difficult to keep up with what’s ‘in’ and what isn’t. It is important to note that although favor trends come and go you should always aim to personalise the gifts. If you have received wedding favors before you may have found that they aren’t always particularly useful and sometimes just end up as drawer fillers at home. For your own wedding day you’re going to want something that they’ll keep as a memento, that is why personalisation is great. Jonathan Goodyear who has worked for a number of wedding planners in Johannesburg says that “don’t look for just another generic gift; look for something that relates to you and the style of the wedding- a little something to remember it by” so bear this in mind when you’re searching for your favors.

Aqueous Bunting Banner - wedding favors

In their earlier days, wedding favors were given among European aristocrats and the gift was usually sugar cubes in trinket boxes. Back then sugar represented wealth and was much more costly than today. This wouldn’t go down too well with your guests in a modern setting but a sugar filled treat will. Chocolates, cakes, and other sweets will always win people over and can easily be customized to match your wedding style and personality. They are a timeless gift that can be enjoyed by anyone.

If you’re looking for a gift that is a little more long term than something like chocolates then succulents are 2013s newest trend. These plants have thicker, fleshier parts than normal meaning that they can better retain water making them very easy to care for. So how can they be personalized? You can swap and match their containers as you choose, or maybe even purchase containers with the individual names of your guests or something unique on each one. The choice is yours. These wonderful gifts will be able to be enjoyed by anyone and won’t find their way into the bin.

This one is a little unusual, but if you’re looking for a unique favor it might be for you. Blankets, throws and pashminas will be a welcome gift for your guests, especially if the wedding is on a cold winter’s day. Conversely if it’s a hot summer’s day, present your guests with fans to keep them cool. To personalize why not try having the bride and grooms initials embroidered onto the blanket, or put onto the fan? This is another gift that can be used time and time again, long after the wedding is over.

On your wedding day give a little something to someone or somewhere that needs it most. You can choose a charity that is closest to your heart and give favors that are symbols of that charity. Many different charities offer different types of favors for a donation, so check what your preferred charity has to offer.

These are just some routes you could go down when choosing your wedding favour, but there are no rules. Try and keep it unique and personal, something you would like to receive on a wedding day and make sure it reflects your wedding!

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How To Save Money While Planning Your Wedding

wedding dresses

Most brides and grooms-to-be must consider their wedding budgets when they plan their nuptials. Weddings can get very expensive, and it’s a rare couple that doesn’t have to worry about the cost of catering, alcohol, music, renting a venue, etc. For many brides, one of the most important parts of wedding planning is choosing the right bridal gown. In most cases, this white wedding dress is incredibly meaningful for the bride-to-be – therefore, it should probably not be a budget item.

In fact, brides-to-be tend to regret buying cheap wedding dresses after the ceremony and reception are finished. Of course, there are exceptions, but quality does show in wedding photos and videos. So, in general, it’s smart to save on other aspects of the wedding, so that you can enjoy getting the dress you really want. It still doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but it should fulfill your fairytale dreams for your special day – you deserve to feel like a queen when you walk down the aisle.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to economize if you’re smart and organized. Planning well in advance can be key – give yourself time to comparison shop on everything from catering to wedding flowers to wedding favors – if you’re rushed and under pressure, you’ll end up buying overpriced items out of desperation. Instead, use the months before your wedding to research deals and plan your strategy.

You’ll be glad you didn’t move too fast when you consider the overall cost of your ceremony and reception. By putting some energy into finding lower-priced items and services, you’ll be able to enjoy your wedding more – after all, no one wants to return from the honeymoon to be confronted with a mountain of debt. Debt creates stress, and it take a lot of romance out of the blissful newlywed state.

Here are some practical tips on saving money at your wedding:

 

Rent His Tux – Unless you have a lot to spend, you should consider tuxedo rental for your groom-to-be. Most men don’t really care too much about whether or not they actually own their tuxedo. If he’s not particularly obsessed with fashion, he’ll probably be glad to rent something nice and return it afterwards. You can outfit him in style when you choose to rent instead of buying. Good tuxedos are actually incredibly expensive.

Make Your Own Invitations And Wedding Favours – Many women enjoy making crafts – they watch Martha Stewart and other skilled crafters and feel inspired. Today, there are ways to get a completely charming and polished result when you make wedding invites, place cards, menus, and wedding favours yourself.

Scrap booking stores will usually have everything you need to do the job yourself. You can use stencils, pretty colored card paper, and stick-on embellishments, such as tiny “crystals”, to make your work look really special. If you’re seriously into crafting, consider investing in a die cast personal cutting machine, such as a Cricut. This type of computerized device can be loaded with cartridges that include pretty borders, letters, hearts, flowers, or whatever you can dream up! Then, you just feed in the paper and the machine creates perfect cutouts.

Choosing a cartridge with a wedding theme can be a great way to make your own decorations, wedding invitations and wedding favours, If you really like making crafts, a machine like this will pay for itself in terms of the pleasure it brings you through the years. It can definitely save you money as you prepare for your wedding.

Keep Things A Little Less Formal –

in general, the more formal and elaborate a wedding is, the more it will cost to plan it and to carry out that plan. By loosening up your wedding ceremony (or perhaps your reception) and keeping it more casual, you can be more creative with cost-saving techniques.

Food will be a huge expense at your wedding, so consider sharing some of the work with your caterer – perhaps the caterer could provide entrees, and you could prepare side dishes, salads, and other foodstuffs yourself. If you’re planning something fun like a beach wedding, consider outdoor grilling and buy great cuts of meat wholesale. Then, hire a cook or chef to take care of things while you celebrate. Look for recipes that are glamorous and high-impact, but don’t contain pricey ingredients. Be a frugal gourmet to save money as you feed your guests.

 

Brides-to-be who follow these smart tips and use their ingenuity to plan a cheaper wedding can reward themselves by choosing the wedding dresses they’ve always dreamed of wearing.