Your Budget
Agree on a vision: Sit down with your fiancé and agree on the month, size, formality, and style of your wedding.
Put together your guest list: The number of invitees will determine the size and cost of your event. Create a Guest list in Excell. This spreadheet will allow you to track invitations sent and R.S.V.P's recieved, gifts recieved, and Thank You's sent
Decide on a budget: Agree on how much you're willing to spend and find out if family members are willing to contribute. Create a Spreadsheet in Excell or use a free spreadsheet tool which can be found on many wedding plannning websites. These tools can be customized as not all weddings are the same. Revies the spreadsheet and keep the items you feel you will need. Delete the items from the list that are not needed and add those that are. You can use this tool everytime you recieve a quote, make a deposit or a payment. It will allow you to track the items you have purchased, those yet to be purchased and your overall balance. Be sure to leave 10% of your budget as a cushion on all your expenses and for the bottom line. You are bound to under estimate and over estimate some costs. Treat it as an initial purchase so that it is deducted from your budget immediately. Don't forget to add sales tax and gratuity where appropriate. **The key to watching your bottom line is to make sure you record every purchase, quote, deposit and payment, either by check or credit card. Slacking off in this department is a good way to overspend.
Create a planning notebook: Tear out clippings and print online photos of everything you like, and save them in a binder by category. Take this notebook on every shopping outing you go on it will be easier to tell your florist what you like and do not like if you have pictures to show him/her. Save pictures of gowns, hairstyles, flowers, decorations, cakes, anything for your wedding that you will be looking to purchase.
Also in your notebook should be a copy of all your vendor contracts, a master sheet of your vendor names and phone numbers. Be sure to get cell numbers/pager numbers, an incase of emergency name and numbers (as some vendors will make their deliveries on Saturday and then be done for the day.) The name and number of the person who will be directly responsible for helping you.
Keep a copy of your budget spreadsheet in your notebook. While out shopping you will know your exact allowance for items such as favors at a quick glance.
A list of those in your wedding party with addresses and phone numbers. It is a good idea too to have their measurments (that have been taken by a seamstress or tailor) in case they are needed.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Unique Decoration Item!
Wonderful Graffiti is very thin pieces of matte vinyl that look "printed" when applied to most smooth surfaces. Just tape the transfer paper into place, burnish it down and peel it away. Only the individual letters and graphic elements remain. Wonderful Graffiti removes quickly, and won't harm underlying surfaces. For a fee of $25.00 they will do your own favorite saying, design around your monogram, etc.
Use them on church and reception doors, dressing room doors, restroom mirrors, dance floors, bare walls and limosines.
The places you will find to place these are endless. http://www.wonderfulgraffitiwedding.com
(Below are just a few samples of some of their sayings.)
*Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects. Always trusts. Always hopes. Always perseveres.Corinthians 13:4-7
*Hand in hand we will grow into the promise of tomorrow, taking with us the enchantment of this day.
*flowers radiate from the couple's names at the center of the dance floor.
*Your names, wedding date and time
*Thank You
Our day is happier because you're here.
(your names)
Wonderful Graffiti is very thin pieces of matte vinyl that look "printed" when applied to most smooth surfaces. Just tape the transfer paper into place, burnish it down and peel it away. Only the individual letters and graphic elements remain. Wonderful Graffiti removes quickly, and won't harm underlying surfaces. For a fee of $25.00 they will do your own favorite saying, design around your monogram, etc.
Use them on church and reception doors, dressing room doors, restroom mirrors, dance floors, bare walls and limosines.
The places you will find to place these are endless. http://www.wonderfulgraffitiwedding.com
(Below are just a few samples of some of their sayings.)
*Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects. Always trusts. Always hopes. Always perseveres.Corinthians 13:4-7
*Hand in hand we will grow into the promise of tomorrow, taking with us the enchantment of this day.
*flowers radiate from the couple's names at the center of the dance floor.
*Your names, wedding date and time
*Thank You
Our day is happier because you're here.
(your names)
Neat Color Wheel Tool
Brides.com offers a neat Color Wheel Tool if you are undecided about what colors you want to use for your wedding or for finding colors that complement the color you have chosen, say Pink, this is a neat tool to find 2 complementing colors.
Spin their Color Wheel and you will find 3 colors that complement each other in either an Organic, Haronious or Dramatic way. Sample color combinations you will find are as follows:
Organic: Brown + Pink + Pearl
Pink + Cream + Wheat
Brown + Robin's Egg + Gold
Harmonious: Robin's Egg + Tourqoise + Aqua
Green + Aqua + Robin's Egg
Orange + Gold + Butter
Dramatic: Magenta + Orange + Gold
Lime + Pink + Butter
Orange + Midnight Blue + Butter
Brides.com offers a neat Color Wheel Tool if you are undecided about what colors you want to use for your wedding or for finding colors that complement the color you have chosen, say Pink, this is a neat tool to find 2 complementing colors.
Spin their Color Wheel and you will find 3 colors that complement each other in either an Organic, Haronious or Dramatic way. Sample color combinations you will find are as follows:
Organic: Brown + Pink + Pearl
Pink + Cream + Wheat
Brown + Robin's Egg + Gold
Harmonious: Robin's Egg + Tourqoise + Aqua
Green + Aqua + Robin's Egg
Orange + Gold + Butter
Dramatic: Magenta + Orange + Gold
Lime + Pink + Butter
Orange + Midnight Blue + Butter
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Yummy Fall Desserts!
Brioche Berry Puddings
(For 4 individual puddings ; inspired but adapted from an idea by Julie Le Clerc)You need:
4 slices of stale homemade brioche
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup fine sugar
4 Tbsp heavy cream
4 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Berries
Steps:
Cut the brioches slices in long sticks and divide them between the molds lined with parchment paper (1 slice per mold, I used popover molds but you can use tall muffin molds).
Add a few berries, fresh or frozen.
Melt the butter and pour 1 Tbsp per mold.
Whip all other ingredients together in a bowl — eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla and cream — and divide between the four molds.
Let the puddings rest for 20 to 30 min.
Preheat your oven at 330 F.
Place in the oven to cook for 25 to 30 min.
Remove and serve preferably lukewarm (but cooled is also good) .
Love the idea of little brown paper wrapped cupcakes for a wedding. You can wrap them in any color paper to acent your wedding colors. To view them on her site go to: http://www.latartinegourmande.com
Brioche Berry Puddings
(For 4 individual puddings ; inspired but adapted from an idea by Julie Le Clerc)You need:
4 slices of stale homemade brioche
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup fine sugar
4 Tbsp heavy cream
4 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Berries
Steps:
Cut the brioches slices in long sticks and divide them between the molds lined with parchment paper (1 slice per mold, I used popover molds but you can use tall muffin molds).
Add a few berries, fresh or frozen.
Melt the butter and pour 1 Tbsp per mold.
Whip all other ingredients together in a bowl — eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla and cream — and divide between the four molds.
Let the puddings rest for 20 to 30 min.
Preheat your oven at 330 F.
Place in the oven to cook for 25 to 30 min.
Remove and serve preferably lukewarm (but cooled is also good) .
Love the idea of little brown paper wrapped cupcakes for a wedding. You can wrap them in any color paper to acent your wedding colors. To view them on her site go to: http://www.latartinegourmande.com
A twist on the traditional boutonniere
Instead of flowers pinned to the lapel, a pocket square boutonniere features several small flowers and is worn in the pocket of the jacket, much like a pocket square handkerchief. The pocket squares are made on a card, which is easily slipped into the breast pocket of the suit or tuxedo. ( In some cases, the pocket will still be sewn shut. Ask the tux shop to make sure the pockets are cut open.)
Instead of flowers pinned to the lapel, a pocket square boutonniere features several small flowers and is worn in the pocket of the jacket, much like a pocket square handkerchief. The pocket squares are made on a card, which is easily slipped into the breast pocket of the suit or tuxedo. ( In some cases, the pocket will still be sewn shut. Ask the tux shop to make sure the pockets are cut open.)
Your Engagement Ring and it's fit
Does your engagement ring spin or flop to the side of your hand? Does it Drive you nuts? Did you add those sizing balls only to find out that they are uncomfortable? Here is a great alternative that I have found.... http://www.fingermate.com
For your Wedding Website or e-mail
Free Wedding Countdown Timers
Create your free wedding countdown clock, which you can embed in e-mail, use in your forum signature, or add to your wedding webiste. Choose from a number of different designs, completely free from When Is My Wedding.
For a different style of countdowns, have a look at Daisy Path's free wedding announcements. Instead of a countdown, these are more of a timeline to your wedding day. You choose from several different timeline styles (such as the sunflower below), one of three markers , then add some text and even a small image of your own. These also can be used in e-mail, or forum sigs, etc.
Free Wedding Countdown Timers
Create your free wedding countdown clock, which you can embed in e-mail, use in your forum signature, or add to your wedding webiste. Choose from a number of different designs, completely free from When Is My Wedding.
For a different style of countdowns, have a look at Daisy Path's free wedding announcements. Instead of a countdown, these are more of a timeline to your wedding day. You choose from several different timeline styles (such as the sunflower below), one of three markers , then add some text and even a small image of your own. These also can be used in e-mail, or forum sigs, etc.
Fall Wedding Ideas:
*Pick warm colors to decorate theceremony and reception venues. Decorations in any of these shades are great suggestions: Burnt sienna, red, orange, and mustard. A modern fall color scheme is chocolate brown with light blue accents. However, all the fall colors compliment each other, so it is also very easy to mix all the colors of the season without going overboard or have color overload.
*Add a unique detail to your ceremony substitute dried leaves for petals in your flower girl's basket. If fall foliage isn't abundant when you wed, you can order pressed leaves online (from drynature.com). Line a pint-size basket with a cotton fabric. Using scissors, cut a large round of fabric and a slit on opposite sides to accommodate the handles, then place in basket. Wrap silk ribbon around, and tie in a bow.
*For something really cute and unique, find or rent an old-fashioned flower cart and use it for your gifts.
*You can use pumpkins carved with the names of the couple as table centerpieces. White or blue natural pumpkins will add an elegant and unique touch. Autumn colored candles or votives tied with ribbons in harvest colors also make great fall centerpieces. (Remember to use unscented candles at indoor events. Fall is a popular time for allergies. Scents will make allergies even worse.)
*Add cinnamon sticks and cloves to the wedding punch or drinks for a simple fall touch!
*Hollow out a white pumpkin, encrust it with jewels and pearlized glitter; fill it with dip for crackers. You can also add these jewel encrusted pumpkins to centerpieces and fill with candles.(Make cuts in the sides for extra candle light glow.)
Look to the season for inspiration! I am sure you will be amazed at what you can incorporate into your wedding day.
*Pick warm colors to decorate theceremony and reception venues. Decorations in any of these shades are great suggestions: Burnt sienna, red, orange, and mustard. A modern fall color scheme is chocolate brown with light blue accents. However, all the fall colors compliment each other, so it is also very easy to mix all the colors of the season without going overboard or have color overload.
*Add a unique detail to your ceremony substitute dried leaves for petals in your flower girl's basket. If fall foliage isn't abundant when you wed, you can order pressed leaves online (from drynature.com). Line a pint-size basket with a cotton fabric. Using scissors, cut a large round of fabric and a slit on opposite sides to accommodate the handles, then place in basket. Wrap silk ribbon around, and tie in a bow.
*For something really cute and unique, find or rent an old-fashioned flower cart and use it for your gifts.
*You can use pumpkins carved with the names of the couple as table centerpieces. White or blue natural pumpkins will add an elegant and unique touch. Autumn colored candles or votives tied with ribbons in harvest colors also make great fall centerpieces. (Remember to use unscented candles at indoor events. Fall is a popular time for allergies. Scents will make allergies even worse.)
*Add cinnamon sticks and cloves to the wedding punch or drinks for a simple fall touch!
*Hollow out a white pumpkin, encrust it with jewels and pearlized glitter; fill it with dip for crackers. You can also add these jewel encrusted pumpkins to centerpieces and fill with candles.(Make cuts in the sides for extra candle light glow.)
Look to the season for inspiration! I am sure you will be amazed at what you can incorporate into your wedding day.
Are you tired of the same old wedding format?
There are no hard fast rules as to what order the day should follow.
Let your wedding day be as unique as you are!
*Play with the placement of the expected moments!
Fore example, don't schedule the ceremony first. When guests arrive, there will be a cocktail hour, a sitdown dinner and then the ceremony. Serve desert and then start the dancing. (While the party is now in full swing and guests are busy dancing, you can quietly slip away with your photographer to take pictures and then rejoin your guests)
*Making your first dance memorable
Hold your first dance during the middle of the cocktail hour. The music can change suddenly, and as you and your groom walk forward, the floor will open up. Your guests will discover that this is not going to be like every other wedding they have been to.s
There are no hard fast rules as to what order the day should follow.
Let your wedding day be as unique as you are!
*Play with the placement of the expected moments!
Fore example, don't schedule the ceremony first. When guests arrive, there will be a cocktail hour, a sitdown dinner and then the ceremony. Serve desert and then start the dancing. (While the party is now in full swing and guests are busy dancing, you can quietly slip away with your photographer to take pictures and then rejoin your guests)
*Making your first dance memorable
Hold your first dance during the middle of the cocktail hour. The music can change suddenly, and as you and your groom walk forward, the floor will open up. Your guests will discover that this is not going to be like every other wedding they have been to.s
Place Card and Favor in One!
I love place cards. It’s a chance to add another punch of color to your table and express some creativity at the same time.
A place card holder and bud vase all in one. Eight different designs and colors to choose from and double sided printing means you can pick and choose and alternate to your heart’s content!
It's a place card and favor in one! http://www.blumebuds.com
I love place cards. It’s a chance to add another punch of color to your table and express some creativity at the same time.
A place card holder and bud vase all in one. Eight different designs and colors to choose from and double sided printing means you can pick and choose and alternate to your heart’s content!
It's a place card and favor in one! http://www.blumebuds.com
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