Make Sure You Don T Make These Wedding-Planning Mistakes!

Make sure you don’t make these wedding-planning mistakes!

When planning their special day, brides tend to put a lot of pressure on themselves, and everyone involved, to make the day absolutely perfect. What you need to remember is that even though your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, it’s just ONE day. Savor the days leading up to your wedding as well. Your engagement is a very special time. Don’t spend it stressed out and anxious! Besides, stressing leads to overeating, which is never good for a bride-to-be.
A lot of brides tend to overspend in a big way. I have seen wedding budgets double over the course of a long engagement. Remember, you do NOT want to start your marriage off broke. Think ahead, and make sure you won’t need the money to buy a house, car, or pay your bills before you spend it.
We hate to say this, but it needs to be said! Too many brides buy dresses that are a size too small. A lot of times, wedding dresses tend to run small, so if you wear an 8, you might need a 10. I know that it would boost your confidence to squeeze into a smaller size, but your fat pockets hanging out just aren’t flattering. You will feel better about yourself if you look good– who cares about a number on your dress. (Just cut out the tag!) Plus, you want to be able to dance the night away with your new hubby without feeling too sucked in!
Once you get your mother and mother-in-law involved, they will have you inviting everyone you’ve ever met and never cared to see again to your wedding!Brides tend to go crazy inviting too many people, which is a bad idea for several reasons. First of all, you will end up spending too much on invitations and postage… especially when you invite those people that you know have no intention of coming. Secondly, you are paying for a plate of foodfor each person you invite. Third, you don’t want to waste an hour of your reception (especially if you are limited on time) greeting people whose names you don’t even remember!
Sometimes,stress causes a bride-to-be tostart obsessing over the small details– the color of the napkins, the font on the placeholder cards, or whether to throw rice or birdseed. Before you start going crazy on the details, ask yourself these question: Does this specific thing really matter to you? Will you remember it in 5 years? Will it make or break your wedding day? If you answer no, then let it slide.
One of the most common mistakes of wedding planning is when brides-to-be become too controlling.Remember– it isyour fiance’s wedding day too! Men act like they don’t care, but they do– and they SHOULD! They most likely won’t care about flower colors or whether or not you curl your hair, but there are certain things that they will want. And they should be at least partly involved in the wedding planning process.
When people get overwhelmed, they tend to put things off. And that is why many brides procrastinate! Take advantage of your engagement to get things done a little bit at a time. Plan ahead, and take care of the major things way in advance so that if there is a problem, you will have plenty of time to deal with it!
A classic mistake brides-to-be make is ticking people off who are involved in the wedding planning. Your wedding planner, mother, sisters, and bridesmaids are there to help you, but don’t let the power go to your head. Remember—you can catch more bees with honey than you can with vinegar!
Some brides will never admit to this mistake… but it happens all the time! They choose ugly bridesmaids’ dresses to make themselves stand out! DON’T LIE… you know it’s tempting! But the only person it really makes look bad is you… and if you don’t want them to steal the show, don’t give people a reason to gossip about them.
It is CRITICAL that you do not make this last mistake… Don’t get so involved about planning your wedding day that it makes you forget what this day means. This is the beginning of your life together. Make this time exciting; you won’t regret it.

Wedding Plan Check List

12 months before your wedding day…

Pick a date and time for your wedding.
Buy a planner with a calendar, to-do list, and place to put all your ideas, coupons, etc.
Begin to discuss your wedding budget with your fiance and family. Look at the average costs of some wedding vendors to get an idea of your budget.
Research local wedding vendors and write down their contact information.
Start looking for sales and deals for wedding dresses & other wedding-related items.
Make sure you don’t start off on the wrong foot by making these common wedding planning mistakes.

11 months before your wedding day…

Start interviewing wedding planners if you are going to hire one.
Begin a guest list draft.
Enlist your groom to help. If he’s not interested, read these tips for getting the groom involved.
Pick out your wedding colors.
Begin looking at ceremony & reception sites.

10 months before your wedding day…

Finalize your wedding budget with your groom and your families. Need tips for saving money? Read about money-smart wedding planning.
Decide on your wedding party. Need help deciding who should be included?
Sit down with your family to work on the guestlist.
Choose a wedding planner.
Decide on a wedding theme if you are going to have one. (Ideas: Romance, Going Green, Winter Wonderland)
Meet with different wedding vendors to discuss pricing options, etc. Read about little known ways to receive wedding discounts!

9 months before your wedding day…

Decide on your ceremony & reception sites and reserve them for your wedding day.
Decide on a wedding officiant, a florist, and caterer.
Decide on aDJ or musician. Read about how to choose a DJ that is right for you!
Create a wedding website so your guests can find all the information they need in one place.
Decide on what style wedding dress you want to wear. Not sure? Read about wedding dress styles or take the quiz: Which style wedding dress flatters your figure?

8 months before your wedding day…

Plan your honeymoon and have your groom reserve the hotel rooms, etc. Having trouble deciding where to go? Take the quiz: Where should I go on my honeymoon?
Finalize your guestlist
Go with your bridesmaids to look at their dresses and get ideas
Meet with wedding cake designers and go to tastings
Decide on and hire a photographer. Read about what to look for in a photographer!
Decide on and hire a videographer. Read about why you should hire a videographer!
Rent any equipment like chairs and tables that you may need

7 months before your wedding day…

Order save-the-date cards or magnets
Get all your guests’ addresses
Order bridesmaids dresses & accessories
Decide on a baker and order your wedding cake. Need help deciding what kind? Take our quiz: What type of wedding cake fits your personality?
Think about what your groom and groomsmen will wear. Suits or Tuxes?
Shop around for invitations and work on the invitation wording

6 months before your wedding day…

Make a final selection for a wedding dress
Choose your veil and accessories to match your dress
Decide what your parents will wear
Finalize your honeymoon details
Request off work if you need to
Send out save the date cards
Purchase or rentgroom’s and groomsmen’s suits or tuxes
Finalize the menu with the caterer
Register! All your wedding registry questions are answered here.

5 months before your wedding day…

Order or make your wedding favors. Here are some unique ideas.
Reserve hotel rooms and make accomodations for out-of-town guests
Start thinking about your make-up and hair
Order your wedding invitations
Create a wedding day timeline
Make your wedding night plans & reservations
Begin thinking about the rehearsal dinner

4 months before your wedding day…

Plan your rehearsal dinner; decide on a location, menu, etc.
Reserve a car, limo, or your desired wedding transportation
Think about your wedding music (first dance song, father/daughter dance song, etc.)
Book a hair dresser and make-up artist
Help your maid of honor make a bridal shower guestlist
Shop for your wedding bands

3 months before your wedding day…

Have your wedding shower
Make sure your dress is tailored
Finalize your wedding music
Address the envelopes for your invitations
Buy your wedding rings
Have the maid of honor and best man make sure the wedding party has purchased their outfits and accessories
Designate people to give toasts at the reception
Make sure you have started an exercise routine and diet if you need to lose a few inches before getting into your dress! Here are some tips to tighten your tummy before your wedding day.

2 months before your wedding day…

Buy your wedding party their gifts. Check out some cool wedding party gift ideas.
Write your wedding vows if you so desire. Read about the secret to writing great vows!
Send your wedding invitation 6-8 weeks before the wedding
Start making a final guestlist as you begin to hear back from guests
Fill out any documents needed to change your name
If you are going to have your rings engraved, do so
Fill out any documents needed to change your insurance information after married
Create and print wedding programs
Buy lingerie or undergarments before final dress fitting
Send thank you notes for gifts received at your shower

1 month before your wedding day…

Work on your seating chart
Make or buy placeholder cards
Get anything you need before your honeymoon (passport, shots, etc.)
Do a final fitting for your dress; begin a diet and exercise routine if necessary
Confirm all the details (arrival time, cost, etc.) with your wedding vendors
Get a marriage license
Send rehearsal dinner invitations
Order alcohol
Buy a guestbook

2 weeks before your wedding day…

Take care of all the details like what you will use to cut the cake, toasting glasses, etc.
Prepare welcome baskets for out-of-town guests
Purchase thank you notes
Finalize the menu, etc. for the rehearsal dinner.
Finalize your seating chart.
Give final headcount to caterer, etc.
Do a hair and make-up trial run.
Plan the activities for the night before your wedding.
Help your wedding party plan the bachelor and bachelorette parties if they need it.

1 week before your wedding day…

Get checks ready to give your wedding vendors.
Make sure you have something old, something new, something borrowed, and (most importantly to us) something blue.
Make sure you have a garter.
Get a manicure, pedicure, hair cut, eye-brow wax, etc.
Pick up your wedding dress and the bridesmaids dresses
Confirm all the details with your florist.
Give the members of your wedding party their tasks for your special day.
Pack for your honeymoon!

The day before your wedding day…

Go to the spa to get a massage!
Hold the rehearsal dinner.
Give your wedding party and parents their gifts.
Attend the bachelor or bacheloretter party.

After your wedding day…

Have someone take your wedding dress and keepsakes if you are going straight on your honeymoon.
Keep the top layer of your cake for your 1st wedding anniversary.
Go on your honeymoon.
6-8 weeks after: send thank you cards.
Start your life with the one you love!

How to Save Big on Your Wedding Favors

September 15, 2009 by Jennifer
Filed under Decoration

In an attempt to cut down the expenses for their wedding, some brides decide to forego the wedding favors, thinking that these are just small details anyway. While you agree that skipping this will not ruin your big day, a part of you still wishes that your guests would have something that they can remember your memorable wedding by.

Well, if you are crafty and creative enough, you do not have to give up entirely the concept of giving small tokens of appreciation to the people who joined you in the celebration of your big day. With these simple but practical suggestions, you will surely be able to come up with fantastic wedding favors that will not leave a major dent on your savings.

Be Crafty

You do not need to have a degree in Fine Arts or be a Martha Stuart or Rachel Ray to be able to come up with fabulous wedding favors. Homemade soaps, scented candles, handcrafted accessories, small boxes filled with chocolates, and bath salts—these are only few of the many things you can make at home and that you can give away as souvenirs for your wedding day. Check procedures online if you have any doubt on your handcrafting abilities.

Hit Two Purposes with One Souvenir

Two-for-one souvenirs are practical and cost-effective. One example of such kind would be mini photo frame souvenirs that can double as table cardholders. Another option would be a platter of small votive candles, each tied with raffia ribbon that can serve as table centerpiece. After the reception, each guest can take one home.

Go for Edible Sweet Treats

Do you have a knack for baking sweet treats? If so, you can round up your bridesmaids for an afternoon session of baking cookies, cupcakes, or whatever sweet treat you can think of that can be a good memento for your wedding day. Wrap them up in nice and colorful food paper and tie with a satin ribbon to complete the look.

Trim down the List

Even if you have a very inexpensive favor, let us say each favor only costs $1, but if you have about 500 to 600 guests, then the expenses will still blow out of proportion. The best way to solve this is to invite fewer people.

Make some Music

Personalized music CDs are becoming a popular choice for many couples today who want to give out souvenirs that have a personal touch but do not cost that much. Make a list of all the songs that you and your loved one hold close to your hearts, and have a friend record this in blank CDs. Do not forget to have a nice cover for the CD case, preferably a photo of you and your spouse-to-be.

Think Green

A small-potted plant, a bracelet made from recycled magazines, or flower seeds placed in a little mason jar wrapped with handmade paper—just few of the many eco- and budget-friendly take-home mementos that you can provide to your guests.

Whoever says that you need to spend a lot for wedding favors is either extremely rich or has no creative juice in her body. If you want to give away wonderful wedding favors without having to chase your money away, be sure to consider practical and helpful tips mentioned in this article.

Source: Andrea Winter is an expert article writer on the topic of weddings. This article was sponsored by Stylish-Wedding-Favors.com, a wedding blog for beach Weddings specializing in trendy beach wedding favors and stylish beach weddings in general.

A Shopping Guide for the Elegant Bride

January 14, 2010 by Ingrid
Filed under Planning

Source: MyDreamWedding.ca

Shopping has always been a woman’s favorite hobby. When you are happy, you shop. When you are depressed, you shop too! But while shopping during ordinary days usually gives your spirit a lift and relaxes your mind, you did not expect that doing it for a precious event like a wedding could be nerve-wracking experience. Even for someone who is as elegant as you may find it difficult to put things together as there are just so many things to take care of when it comes to weddings. To help you with this matter, here are some practical bits and pieces of information.