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Ideas to find the best bridal shower gifts

Unique Wedding Gifts for Every Kind of Wedding - Ideas The Couple Are Sure To Remember!

Most guests choose their wedding gift from the wedding registry . This can limit their options to a certain extent. Being invited to a bridal shower means getting an additional gift for the bride, but this time it is up to you to decide what you would give.

Only those who are very close to the bride are usually included in the bridal shower list. So, this is your chance to give a thoughtful gift, although it doesn’t mean you have to break the bank doing so. Since you personally know the bride, and what she is most likely to love, this is your opportunity to give a personal gift that you know will mean a lot to her.

Here are some tips to help you gift your friend a memorable bridal shower gift.

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  1. It’s not the cost, but the thought that counts

The best gifts do not necessarily have a very high price tag on them. You will anyway be spending a fair deal on the wedding gift, so keep the bridal shower gift simple but thoughtful. If you are good with your hands, consider making a special gift yourself. This could be anything from a necklace to a pair of hand-knitted mittens. Consider adding a personal touch such as a monogram of her initials, or creating the gift in colors that your friend adores, and she will fondly treasure it forever.

  1. Choose something original

We know that not all of us are good at making things, so store-bought is the only way to go. Nevertheless, a store-bought gift can be just as thoughtful and special, when the buyer puts in effort to choose one that will be cherished by the bride. Try to look for something that is not a regular choice, but one that suits the bride’s preferences and taste.

  1. Think of a shower gift that goes well with the wedding gift you get

This is a brilliant idea I found on The Knot,and I am sure it is a winner. Just like the wedding invitations are a sneak peek into what the wedding will be like, you can use the same to get gifts with a theme for the wedding. For example, if you plan to get table linen as your wedding gift, consider matching napkin rings that are personalized with a unique signature for the bridal shower, and it will make a befitting combination.

  1. Wrap it to look elegant and attractive

Unwrapping the gift is a big event at the bridal shower. So, make sure you pack yours up to look inviting and interesting. Choose attractive wrapping paper and add bling with a silky satin bow. If you are giving a ready made gift, consider a DIY wrapping paper for a more personal touch. Add more drama to the event by wrapping up your gift in layers of gift wrap,and throw in an interesting message on one of the covers. Make it a humorous one, and it will be something that all the girls can read and giggle at. You can find some interesting ideas here on the Martha Stewart website.

To choose the perfect dress for your friend’s bridal shower, come visit our online gallery of evening dresses and dresses for special occasions at Best for Bride today.

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Elegant on a Budget: Smart Cost-Cutting Strategies for Your Dream Wedding!

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Weddings are expensive affairs, but with smart planning, you have scope to cut your wedding costs. A few small adjustments that won’t significantly affect the overall picture will help you save money. Even so, you can still have the fantastic wedding you wished for.

Let us look at some ideas that will help you make this possible.

Venue and date

Weekend weddings are the costliest. Consider getting married on a weekday, and you can cut expenses. Make it a long weekend by getting married on Friday instead of Saturday.

Via Flickr
Via Flickr

Summer and spring are peak wedding seasons. Get married in fall or winter, and you can book your chosen venue at an off-peak season rate, and save up to 15%. Use it to splurge on your honeymoon. An added bonus is that it is easier to book your favorite vendors and venue, as there is lesser competition for dates in winter.

Look for venues that already look good with the available details, so you won’t have to spend too much on dressing it up. This is easier if your wedding theme is rustic or casual.

Cut down guests

Excuse children and coworkers from your wedding list, and you will cut your guest list considerably. Keep the ceremony small but meaningful by having those who really matter to you in it. Similarly stick to the essential number of attendants at your wedding. This will help you cut down on bouquet and boutonniere costs, dressing up expenses, favours, accommodation and transportation.

Look for all-inclusive or discount deals

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This may not allow you to have all the details you wanted in your wedding, but remember that all-inclusive packages and discount deals are way cheaper than when you make separate arrangements for everything. If you can get a discount voucher for your wedding accessories when you buy your wedding gown, it is a good deal that will allow you to save some money.

Also check out gowns in the clearance and discount section, and find one that is cheaper, yet works. Similarly, if a wedding venue comes with an on-site co-ordinator, you can have them do necessary arrangements at a reduced cost than if you hired someone just for the job.

Opt for seasonal elements

Where flower and food choices for your reception are concerned, you can snag a better bargain by going for what is in-season and available locally. There are plenty of flowers that make spectacular bouquets and centerpieces, and you needn’t always choose the exotic varieties for it to look attractive. Think out of the box, and you may be able to create a unique statement without breaking the bank. Reduce the height of centerpieces and use colorful and cost-effective flowers like carnations that aren’t expensive, but still impress.

Master the art of DIY

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You shouldn’t attempt some things, like altering your wedding dress, unless you know what you are doing. But, you can do plenty otherwise, and save some money without hiring someone to do it for you. These include your makeup and hairstyle, finding party favors and writing thank-you notes. Ask your friends or family to pitch-in and help. Search for bargains and bulk deals for party favors, customize them yourself and avoid spending a fortune.

For more wedding tips and advice, visit us on Best for Bride.

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Beautiful DIY Wedding Reception Centerpieces

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More and more couples are creating their own centerpieces. Some buy vases, candleholders, or glass bowls and transform them into fantastic centerpieces. Others create unique centerpieces that are like unexpected surprises for the guests. Whether you want a classic centerpiece or something unusual, these ideas for beautiful DIY wedding reception centerpieces may inspire you.

A gorgeous wedding reception centerpiece can be created with large, shallow glass bowls that hold water with flower blossoms and floating candles on the surface. Some people add stones or colored glass to the bottoms of the bowls. While this is a easy DIY reception centerpiece, the design is very common. If you want something new and exciting, you may want to consider other ideas.

Hanging centerpieces can be incredibly innovative and unique. While some people take the typical hanging flower pot and place them over the center of the table, some approach the hanging centerpiece in a whole new way. Tying flowers and twigs with ribbons so they hang from the ceiling along with hanging candleholders create a romantic fantasy atmosphere.

Upcycled bottles are a popular choice for DIY centerpieces. The bottles can be painted, tinted with food coloring, or etched with the couple’s names or “LOVE.” Each bottle in the centerpiece can hold a single flower or small bouquet. Tissue boxes can be upcycled centerpieces by covering them using decoupage glue and newspaper or scrapbook papers. If you add printed photos of the couple, spray them with a fixative like Mod Podge spray so that the decoupage glue doesn’t smear the ink. Add plastic or styrofoam cups inside the tissue boxes to hold small flowers.

A vase decorated with black and white photos of the couple can be part of an interesting and fun centerpiece. The vase can be decorated with ribbon or craft embellishments as well. The vase can hold flowers in the wedding colors, white flowers, or a combination of both along with twigs or foliage.

How about a centerpiece floating in the air above each table? Large helium balloons can be tied to a vase or champagne bucket in the center of the table. The string can hold table numbers or light decorations like a cluster of smaller helium balloons. Use balloons in white to reflect colored lighting or the wedding colors.

A bowl of fruit is an easy and unique centerpiece for wedding receptions. If there is in-season fruit that is the same color as the wedding colors, that would be the perfect choice. The bowl can be metallic or contrast with the color of the fruit. A bowl that matches the wedding colors and a fruit that contrasts well with that color can be used if fruit in the wedding colors cannot be found. A small cluster of leaves with a flower blossom can be a great little accent for the bowl of fruit.

The DIY wedding reception centerpieces can be recreated as described or personalized by adding objects that reflect the wedding colors or theme. The internet is a wonderful resource for finding DIY wedding decor tips. Browse our blog at Best for Bride for more sensational DIY wedding ideas.

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Delicious DIY Wedding Favours

When thinking about your wedding, many brides and grooms don’t think much about the wedding favours. While beautiful wedding favours can be purchased, it will always mean a lot more if wedding guests know that the couple made the favours with love and with them in mind. Even better is to give them a favour that they can take home and use instead of letting it sit on the shelf and gather dust. That said, where would someone start when it comes to making favours? Here are some easy ideas.

Cake Pops

These are the big new thing at parties, baby showers and weddings. You can make them yourself with cake mix and frosting, as well as some decorative items like sprinkles. You can make them your wedding colors, or you can decorate them like little bride and grooms. A delicious treat for every wedding guest!

Herb Plant

The plant that can keep on giving. You can decorate a clay pot that the herbs will grow in and this would be a great addition to anyone’s kitchen. You can even add a name stake into the plant and it can double as a place tag. If you have a lot of people coming in from out of town though, make sure you take into consideration the transportation of the plant.

Olive Oil

Gather bottles, olive oil, corks and some herbs and you can make your own olive oil. Guests will love this and it’s something practical that they can use. A week or two before your wedding, add your selected herbs to the bottle so that it has time to add flavour to the oil. Make sure to add a custom label on the bottle with your names and the date of your wedding for an added touch.

Chocolate Spoon

All you’ll need is bakers chocolate, plastic spoons, bags and ribbon. Melt the chocolate and dip the spoon in it; place on wax paper to cool. Once cool, package the spoon and tie with a ribbon that represents your wedding colors. Make sure to also add a tag with your names and wedding date. You can also package the spoon with two mini marshmallows and a package of hot chocolate for a hot drink treat.

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.