Loving this "unwedding" from Brides.com. If you are not into all the fanfare {or budget} that accompanies a formal wedding, consider holding a wedding at a restaurant and do a wine tasting/pairing style meal. Serve cheesecake instead of a wedding cake and give a useful favor like olive oil as favors...
Even if your budget is not super big, it's always a nice idea to surprise out-of-town wedding guests with a {little} something when they check into their hotel room to welcome them to your weekend! Anything from a great basket with some bottled water and snacks for your weary traveling friends...or even a package of information with a map of the local area and a list of ideas of things to see offers a friendly greeting! Here are some unique out-of-town welcome gift basket ideas from Modern Bride Magazine...
{Photo credits: Brides.com}
{Photo credit: Leigh Miller}
Finding a photographer can be a challenging task—you need to find one that fits your personality, usually lives in your city or is available to travel to you, is within your budget and is available on your date. Photographers typically start booking more than a year out, so don’t hesitate to start looking once you’ve started planning. You might be tempted to find a photographer on listings from big websites (which sometimes charge money to list with), but don’t forget to poke around wedding blogs, ask your friends, look at local publication sites and ask the wedding experts in your area. They can match your style to a photographer. Below are some topics you might have a few questions on, hopefully this will give you some helpful planning advice when approaching photography.
{Photo credit: Angelica Glass}
Film vs. Digital: It's About the Look
A majority of photographers today use digital and brides and grooms are enjoying access to high resolution images. Typically, film photographers scan their photographs into high resolution images, so the choice is more style than function.
Film examples:
{Photo credit: Jose Villa}
Digital examples:
Leigh Miller
{Photo credit: Kate Headley}
Some photographers shoot both...check out photographer Carrie Patterson’s film vs. digital comparison
Packages & Costs
Photographer's rates are based on a number of factors, as is your budget for photography. In the mid-Atlantic/DC area, budgeting $1000 is unrealistic for a well-seasoned photographer; you don’t want to leave your wedding memories to someone without proper equipment and experience. Consider budgeting $3000-$7000. Rates are based on their package contents, their experience and artistic quality. A basic package typically contains digital images and proofs. The higher packages typically contain a high quality album, an engagement session, a second photographer and other goodies.
{Photo credit: Jonathan Canlas}
Photographers typically spend much of the day before the wedding preparing, the entire wedding day with you shooting away and then about countless hours editing, sorting, preparing and delivering your images. Your photographer's time and expertise is valuable, and not to mention the professional equipment they use to document your day. {Tip} Many photographers list a ‘starting at’ rate on their website, use that to get started.Booking
Your contract will cover package details, timelines, copyright {usually held by the photographer} and the deposit, which is due upon signing and is typically non-refundable.
{Photo credit: Jessica Johnston}
The Engagement Session
This is a great time to get to know your photographer and get some creative photos of you without your wedding attire. It’s completely optional, but very fun. Consider trying your make up for the shoot too.
AlbumsThere are tons of different options these days for albums. From coffee table {digitally printed} books to traditional flush mounted {prints pressed to paper}. Albums typically tend to be expensive because they are custom made - not a mass produced book. It’s smart to book a package with the album to reduce the cost of paying for it separately later.
{Photo credits: A Bryan Photography}
The Images
Photographer's packages vary, but many photographers provide high resolution images to their clients {this is often reflected in the rates, as photographers know you will probably make prints yourselves}. Some photographers also offer lower resolution images to print to smaller sizes, like 4x6. Every photographer has a different 'policy' about their images, so be sure to discuss this with them in advance. {Tip: Don't forget to ask how long it takes to get your images back!}
Other must read resources
Making the Most of your Photos from Sweet Monday Photography
{Photo credit: Liz Banfield}
If you are lucky enough to live in L.A., San Diego and now Atlanta {today's the grand opening!} you probably know about how incredible The Bridal Bar is. The Bridal Bar is a boutique that supplies a complimentary peek at the pre-screened best of the best in the wedding industry.
Harmony Walton, the founder, and her staff have searched high and low to compile an extensive group of event professionals who have been invited to display their works based on style, experience, and impeccable reputation in their fields of expertise.
Their experts sit one on one with couples who are at all places in the planning stages. No matter budget, style, or needs, The Bridal Bar is a safe haven for brides to get trusted advice, vendor information, wedding inspiration, and overall a shoulder to lean on {oh, yeah, and it’s all for free!}
The information they offer is only one part of the puzzle, it’s all in one central location, saving couples oodles of time in traffic about town and with their VIB Program, all couples who come in, not only get free advice and recommendations, they also get vendor discounts with all of their talented and highly screened event professionals.
Where else can the engaged go to lounge on a couch, sip complimentary bubbly, pick up free copies of the latest bridal magazines, and get lost in ideas and education to plan for their most perfect day?!?!
Be sure to stop by one of their locations soon!
When two of the most revered wedding industry experts put together a book, you just know it is going to be not only a hit...but also VERY helpful! Alison Hotchkiss is the owner/creative director of Alison Events, a wedding & event planning company that specializes in high-end destination weddings. Thayer Allyson Gowdy is one of the most sought after wedding photographers and took the photographs for this amazing book/planner.
Alison was kind enough to give us some of her top insider tips to couples planning a destination wedding...
1. In lui of favors pay it forward and offset peoples carbon footprint by purchasing everyones carbon footprint to travel to the destination. TerraPass can calculate this for you.
2. Arrive at your destination a week early, sunbathe, read a book, get massages and be totally relaxed for when your guests arrive. If you are relaxed, they will be relaxed.
3. Ship all your items to your destination two weeks in advance to ensure they get there on time and ship as much as you can so you don't have to carry it all. Programs, welcome agendas and bags/items, cocktail napkins. If shipping somewhere like the caribbean make sure you work with an importer/exporter as they can ease the process and ensure your items arrive ok.
4. Instead of doing a traditional rehearsal dinner do a meet and greet/beach bonfire with beer, sangria and a firepit with s'mores..... or do a 12 noon beach BBQ or volleyball tournament or beach picnic and provide surf boards, boogie boards, snorkels and munchies.
5. In lui of a cake do a chocolate fondue with all the exotic fruit local to your area.
We highly recommend this book to anyone planning or thinking of planning a destination wedding event! The book is for sale here but Alison has been kind enough to offer one of her books to one lucky reader who comments below by July 12th! One entry per email address, please.
Do you ever wonder where people get inspiration for vintage decor items that can be used for weddings, events & even for your own home? Inspired by some of our recent weddings, we thought it would be fun to partner with our friend Kate Headley to talk about and show items in the coming weeks anyone can find and incorporate with a little creativity...and very little cash!
Searching for these items is relatively easy once you get your mind in gear...all it takes is some patience and an eye to find that fun item...
We spotted this older bicycle for just a few dollars at a flea local market...all it needs is a little basket on the front and it can be used for some fun wedding or engagement photo shots...
From flea markets and thrift stores...to antique shops...there is always something "new" waiting. We also personally love how finding thrifted items can also be green too - buying something previously used is always a bonus!
There are so many things to figure out when wedding planning and we thought we would post a link to a few places that give some great information on figuring out the nitty-gritty details!
We love this post over at the DIY Bride blog on determining what size a tent needs to be to hold everything and what size dance floor too!
Although most couples have their caterer supply the beverages, many others purchase their own alcohol and wonder what quantities to purchase. We posted awhile back this drink calculator that can help!
Many couples we work with get confused on the size of tablecloths they need to order to cover the different size tables they have. Here is a great guide to easily figure out what you need!
As a lover of details...we love how much the right food presentation can add to the look of your big day!
We thought we would share some of the images and budget friendly details featured yesterday on the Fox 5 morning news show. Ritzy Bee Events, RSVP Catering and Daily Candy DC took part in this fun segment on ways to save with weddings.
We love small touches like this tin of pistachios set on a table as part of the table decor! Laura Hooper Calligraphy created the cute sign.
Having a "wow" floral decor piece does not have to cost you tons...this fabulous carnation ball was done by Holly Chapple Flowers. We placed it on top of a tall upside down vase to give it height. We also added a cylinder of candy on the inside to tie it into the favor table. Small muslin bags by Simplesong Design.
Creating centerpieces with unique things can save money on decor! We took these antique books, wrapped them in raffia and placed some bird bookends with them for something simple and inexpensive.
Erin from Daily Candy DC talked about some great ways to save with dresses & accessories. This beautiful ensemble costs less than $800 - including the dress & bracelet from J. Crew and the hair piece by Feather Brain.
If you want to see the broadcast you can click here to Fox 5 or watch the two segments below!
With the average wedding in America costing over
$30,000 most couples can not believe how quickly the costs add up. In these economic times, here are some tips to help you have a budget friendly wedding reception without sacrificing any style... When you have a budget, it is essential to focus on a few excellent
ideas you can execute well than to try to accomplish too much and
spread yourself thin financially. If your pictures are most important
to you and you want a well-known photographer who might be expensive,
think about saving in areas such as buying your wedding dress. Everyone
will think you look beautiful on your wedding day no matter what, and
there may be areas where an extra thousand dollars will make a bigger
difference. {Pick a low-cost venue} Look at private homes {even your own!}, parks, museums, farms and other lower cost alternatives.
These sites can save you thousands of dollars and might even offer more flexibility than a more traditional venue. Often the right outside venue will also cut down on the amount of decorations you need by
providing beautiful scenery and {free} decor.
{Photo credit: Brides.com}
{Do it yourself...but do not over do it} So you think you're crafty? DIY only if it will save
money AND look good! Too many projects will leave you feeling
stressed out and overwhelmed. Select a few things you know you can create and accomplish
well so you do not end up with projects that look too unfinished.
{Bring in the little details} The details of your reception like centerpieces do not have to cost you a fortune...get flowers that are in season and have your florist create smaller pieces. Use things you already own or visit flea & antique markets to find fun items like vintage linens, table settings and other decor pieces. Remember repeating your color
scheme and style throughout your wedding with these little details will result in a pulled
together look. {Splurge selectively} Spending extra on a few key areas will focus your guest's attention
and they probably will not notice other things are missing. For
instance, if you want to have a calligrapher address your invitations
to help set the tone for your wedding, it will be well worth the extra
money.
{Photo credit: Laura Hooper Calligraphy}
{Be flexible} You will be surprised find what areas you can save in if you are
flexible during your planning. Consider dates and times that might not
be as popular for weddings. A Saturday or Sunday early afternoon
wedding might give you a lot of leverage with venues and vendors.
Having a wedding brunch versus dinner will also result in significant
savings. Keeping an open mind during the planning process will help
take the burden of budget stress away!
