World of Wedding

Wedding ring set styles

To decide on the style first think if you are going to wear your ring set every day. If so, it should not only be beautiful but practical. The style should be elegant enough to go with most of your cloth.

What wedding ring set styles are available to you? Most popular is a set that consists of a classical ring with a single diamond and a ring with channel set diamonds. But there are other possibilities. If you like something more elaborate think of engraved style or a beaded edge style. There are also vintage wedding ring sets and Celtic style bands.

The best way to find a style you like is to visit a big online wedding ring shop. Don’t mind the prices for now, just look at different ring set styles they offer and see what you like the most.

Choosing the right metal for your ring

After deciding on the style, you will have to make up your mind about the material for your ring set. Here you have a choice of gold, white or yellow, platinum and titanium. But even before you go for a particular material asks yourself do you want a yellow wedding ring set or a white set?

If you want yellow, than your only choice is traditional gold. White wedding rings are becoming more popular in recent years, because they look more modern and easier to match with any cloth. Think of the other jewelry you own and wear often, will white or gold go with most of it?

Also think of how much you can afford to spend on your ring set. Most expensive is not necessarily the best. If you go for a cheaper metal, you can have a set with bigger, better quality diamond.

Gold wedding ring sets

Yellow gold wedding ring set is the easiest to find. Yellow is traditional and also it has that warm feeling that is associated with marriage. When looking for traditional gold sets most people think that more carats (more pure the gold) the better. This is not always true.

Gold is a very soft metal, and 24 carats gold ring can get scratches easily. For the purpose of durability 14 carats gold ring sets are the most popular, but if you want more pure gold, 19 carat is a good balance between purity and durability of your ring.

Platinum wedding rings and ring sets

Platinum is an excellent material if you can afford it. Platinum rings have a whiny white look and last forever without a single scratch. Platinum doesn’t come in carats because the metal used in jewelry is pure and not mixed with any other metals.

Titanium ring sets

Titanium ring set is another option. Titanium doesn’t shine as much as platinum or white gold, but it has a stylish modern look, it is very durable and not as expensive as platinum. Titanium wedding ring sets are not as widely available as ones from other metals, so you will have to do a special search online for them.

If you decide on the style, price range and material for your wedding ring set in advance, it will be much easier to find a perfect set. You can look at different jewelry stores and department stores.

Actually department stores often have wedding ring sets on sale, so you can get a good deal. If you don’t find anything suitable locally, search for your ring set online. There a hundreds of jewelry shops online, they offer great selection or rings and the prices are usually better than in traditional shops.

Picking out the man's wedding ring can sometimes be more difficult then picking out the woman's ring. Let's face it; it is just not "manly" for a man to wear jewelry. So how in the world are you supposed to pick out a man's wedding ring? Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing your man's wedding ring.



1) What is the Price?

Men do not like to spend money on jewelry. Money can be spent on a tool set or a big screen television perhaps, but not on a man's wedding ring. Most men are not going to be impressed if you spent a lot of money on a man's ring. They would much rather hear that you got a killer deal on it. Definitely do not feel obligated to spend a lot of money on your man's wedding ring. Anything that does not turn his finger green will probably work just fine.

2) What Size?

How large does you man want his wedding ring? The width of the wedding band is something you should think about. Some men like just thin bands while others like very thick wedding bands. This is something that you need to consider when picking out your man's wedding ring.

3) What is His Style?

What does your husband-to-be like? Is he more of a traditional person or does he like things that are new and unique. This is usually a good indicator of what he wants in a wedding ring. Some men are completely satisfied with the standard gold wedding band; however, others like to find what is new in the market such as a tungsten ring (with a tungsten ring, your husband can basically put his finger through a meat grinder and their ring will survive without a scratch). A man's wedding ring should reflect his personality.

4) Is There a Way to make it Meaningful?

It is always nice to make the wedding ring meaningful. For example, you can pick the style of his father's or your father's wedding. Possibly there is a family heirloom that can be passed on to him or maybe there is something that you can engrave onto his ring. If possible, try to give significance to the man's wedding ring.

5) Should it match my Wedding Band?

In most cases, the man's wedding ring matches the woman's wedding band, but this is not always the case. If you are not sure what to get, it is always safe to get matching wedding bands but make sure to talk to him about it, he could possible have something else in mind.

6) Does he want to be Part of the Process?

This is probably the most important question. Maybe he knows exactly what he wants for his wedding ring and you are worrying about picking one out for him for no reason. It is traditional for the man and the woman to select their wedding bands together. While he may be completely disinterested, let him have the chance to be a part of the decision. This ring will be on his finger for quite some time, so he should get a say in the matter.

Don't let picking out your man's wedding ring become too difficult of a task. Just remember to pick something that fits him and his personality and make sure to invite him to be a part of the process. When picking out your man's wedding ring, it is time to think about what he likes (since he is the one wearing it) instead of what you want for him. Make him happy. The bottom line here is to know your man.

Hair sticks also form a part of bridal hair accessories. These are particularly used to secure hair that is styled in a bun or updo. Decorative hair sticks are used to hold the hair in place. These are also available in various shapes and styles as well.

Bridal hair accessories also include hair picks. These are tiny jewels that can be worn in the hair either in a particular pattern or they can also be scattered throughout the hair.

Bridal hair slides that are bedecked in pearls and stones are also great to keep your hair in place. These are actually simple hair clips that are modified to look ultra glam.

Shells; particularly the mother of pearl, acts as a great bridal hair accessory as well. These can be used after drilling a small hole in it, which would make it relatively easier to use.

Ribbons and lace can also be used to create an innovative look for the wedding hairstyle. These can be interwoven into the hair. Ribbons can also be used to create pretty bows where as lace can be tied up into small bunches and hair can be wrapped around it.

The amount of bridal accessories you can encounter at any outlet may be innumerable. The trick lies in finding the right one to suit your hairstyle in the best manner possible.

• Don't choose a hairstyle that makes you feel not yourself. Brides often get pressured into certain styles because of "tradition". If a particular style makes you feel uneasy, don't choose it. It does not matter that your mother, best friend or hairstylist like it - what really matters is YOU.

• Before going to the stylist, try to develop a good idea of what type of hairstyle you would like. Cut out the pictures of your favorite hairstyles from magazines and bring them to the stylist. If you can't find any pictures, be prepared to describe exactly what you want.

• Try out the hairstyle in advance, before your wedding day. Schedule the "practice run" with your stylist. If the hairstyle that you envisioned does not look as good on you as you had hoped, you'll be glad you found that out before the big day!

• Walk around with this hairstyle for several hours to make sure it's comfortable. The last thing you would want is to have hair pins hurting you and ruining your fun.

• At the "practice run", bring a Polaroid or digital camera to take instant pictures. Ask the stylist to take pictures from the back and other angles. The pictures will give you a better idea how the style would look to others (as opposed to just looking in the mirror).

• Make sure your hair style does not get completely messed up several hours later. Try moving around and see if the hair stays put. You would not want a hair disaster during the first dance!

• Your hair style should go well with your wedding dress and headpiece. Classic dresses go best with classic hairstyles. Non-traditional dresses might look odd with the formal updos. Buy the dress before you select a hairstyle. Bring your headpiece and the picture of your dress to the stylist, so the stylist can evaluate whether it's a good match.

• Don't have any coloring or chemical treatments done right before the wedding - these can go wrong, and there won't be time to fix them! Do them several weeks in advance.

• Be aware that updos will make you look taller. Depending on your situation, it might work for you or against you. If you are already taller than the groom or are the same height, don't do an updo. If you are short, use the updo to your advantage.

• Don't make your hairstyle too flamboyant - it should not compete with your face and your dress. You would want to avoid the situation where your hair is the only thing that jumps out at people when they look at you.

Have a portfolio or picture selection available for brides-to-be to view along with the bridal makeup used. Often, it is difficult for a bride to express into words the look she is going for. Photographs can help you communicate.

Set up consultation. This should be done a few weeks ahead of time. During the consultation, note the time of day the wedding will take place, flowers, dress style and color, hair color, bridal hair style, eye color, time of year, and personality. If possible, communicate with the stylist to discuss the hair style.

It may also be a good idea to ask to see some of the makeup products that the bride is already using. This will give you a good insight as to what the bride is accustomed to wearing.

Discuss different bridal hair and makeup trends. Allow the bride to get a visual by seeing the photos. Then follow by setting up a second appointment.

It is at the second meeting that you can unveil your plans for makeup. Demonstrate your selection for the bride-to-be. Demonstrate more than one bridal makeup style and photograph the results.

A wedding day is most likely to be one of the most treasured days in a bride’s life. With brides such as Cinderella and Snow White as role models, it is of no surprise that expectations are at their highest.

Therefore, brides expect to look and feel their best. It is what a bride deserves. That is where a makeup artist can enter with the wand and add to the dazzle and elegance of the wedding day.

Bridal hair and makeup should be simple, yet elegant. It is important t remember that the hair and makeup should not compete with the bride’s dress; rather the hair and makeup should complement the dress.

Equally important, is knowing the expectations of the bride. The makeup artist should note that the bride will want to feel comfortable, not confined by her bridal hair and makeup. Being comfortable may also mean keeping the makeup simple, not vibrant.

This may not be the day to experiment with a new style. The bride does not want to feel self-conscious of her new look. She will want everyone to notice her beauty today and for years that follow in photographs.

Today’s bridal makeup and hair is soft and subtle. The effect is sexier, less harsh. Hair can be worn down, flowing with loose curls and waves. The updo that once dominated the bridal hair scene has a much softer look as well.

Today’s updo style is not sprayed, pinned, and tucked to hide every loose hair. The look is pinned and tousled, leaving it soft and stylish. The bridal hair is romantic.

Bridal makeup trends are soft and romantic to complement the hair and latest trends in bridal gowns and bridal hair. No longer do the lips have to be lined heavily and matte foundation with loose powder applied. While this is traditional, today’s bridal makeup is more radiant and natural. Today’s brides want to glow with elegance.

There are some bridal hair and makeup rules and tips that the makeup artist can follow to ensure the wedding day will be a beautiful success.

Your wedding is the one time in your life when you want to look amazing. At your upcoming wedding ceremony and reception, you will be the center of attention, with all eyes on you as you make your way down the aisle toward your groom.

Obviously, you want to look your absolute best. Prior to your wedding reception and ceremony, you need to find time to relax, while doing something special for you. Here are a few tips that will help you look like a fairytale princess on your wedding day.


Facial Care

If you have ever given thought to treating yourself to a facial, now would be the ideal opportunity. In fact, if you want to spend some quality time with your maid of honor, the two of you could enjoy a trip to the day spa together, a perfect way for thanking her for all her hard work and support. In addition to looking great, a facial will help you relax.

Today, just about every city has a day spa where you can be pampered, even smaller towns. An excellent option is a steam facial, which benefits you by releasing toxins and trapped dirt within the skin’s pores.

Now, one important thing to consider is that a steam facial should be done between three and six weeks before the actual wedding day. The reason is that as the skin is cleaned, a breakout is possible.

Foot Care

In addition to walking down the aisle, chances are you will be standing for long periods of time while going through the wedding ceremony and reception.

Considering that you will be wearing new shoes, standing in front of your guests while exchanging wedding vows, and then waiting to greet each guest as he or she walks through the receiving line, you want your feet to be comfortable. Then of course, remember the dancing and walking you will be doing at the reception as well.

To pamper your feet, we recommend you start by getting a good pedicure several days before your nuptials. By doing this, your toenails will look fabulous, which is especially a good idea if you plan to wear open toe shoes.

In addition, you might want to consider visiting a reflexologist, which is a trained professional that uses a special form of Chinese wellness. With reflexology, pressure is applied to various points on the feet, which then benefits different parts of the body.

Body Massage

You definitely want to make time for several massages before the wedding ceremony. A full body massage is a great way to prepare for your wedding. Most importantly, you want to work with a qualified masseuse to help relieve stress, while making you feel like a brand new person. A massage the day before your wedding will relax both the body and mind, something you could do alone or with your maid of honor.

As a result, you will arrive at your wedding feeling refreshed and ready to face anything ahead of you. In fact, most brides agree that after a body massage, they feel confident and more in charge simply from being stress free.

In summary, it's important to make time for yourself before your wedding ceremony and reception. By following these simple bridal beauty tips, you will look and feel your best on the most important day of your life, your wedding day!

Occupational Hazard



Few things are more flattering than having your friends develop a party around your job. After all, you spend day in and day out there, and what you do is probably pretty important to you.

Is the bride a teacher? Hand out apple-shaped candles as favors ... and place them in brown paper lunchbags.


Give her a chalkboard eraser "to erase any grudges" after she's married: spray paint the top gold or silver, and have everyone sign it with a Sharpie. Sew or glue together a quick clip-on or bandana for her dog's collar that reads, "Teacher's Pet."

Is your bride an attorney? Hire a Judge Judy impersonator (yes, they exist!) to make a showing. Ask each guest to "submit a brief" -- a gift of lacey underwear for the honeymoon, accompanied by a personal note to wish the bride well.

More Ideas for Exciting Showers

Christmas in July: Place the bride's gifts under a big, frou frou artificial tree you've hung the guest favors on. Serve iced eggnog and mocha-cinnamon smoothies. Everyone loves Christmas ... especially when you've had a break from it, and don't have to agonize over what to buy the boss.

Dancing Queens: Dress up in big, pouffy prom dresses from the past (you'll find them at every thrift store), super-glam makeup, even tiaras. Lay on loads of body glitter. Head out en masse to your neighborhood restaurant or karaoke bar and toast the bride as she opens her gifts.

Cheesecake Party: Ask your guests who their favorite hunk is. Serve mini-cheesecakes in lots of different flavors (Baileys and orange, amaretto, chocolate fudge), and place a framed photo of their favorite "cheesecakes" next to each serving platter, with a special label: "Brad Pitt Blueberry," "Creme de Menthe Mel." Get inventive with the descriptions. Borrow or rent the biggest espresso machine you can find, and serve up steaming coffee drinks.

Whatever you end up going with, don't be afraid to be creative. The less you go by the book and the more you think about what makes the bride special, the more fun your shower will be for everyone.

So you're planning a bridal shower -- and everyone says you need a theme. "Around the Clock." "Home and Garden." Yawn!

There aren't many times we get to be silly and girly in this world, so a bridal shower shouldn't be wasted. Make sure it's genuinely fun. It's simple --- just think about what makes your bride special, and let yourself loose with the theme. Here are a few ideas to charge up the noggin and organize something unique.



"Like High School — But Better."

Revive some great times by tipping your hat to the bride's high school days. Look up all those slightly embarrassing hits from the year she graduated -- let's say the 80s.

(Create a gift CD of same for all your guests -- they'll secretly savor them when no one else is around.) Yes, they still make banana clips! Pass them out, along with big, dangly inexpensive hoop earrings and loads of jelly bracelets (remember? You wear about a hundred on each arm, a la vintage Madonna).

Slather on the pink, blue and green eye shadow, metallic nail polish and bright blue mascara. Play the soundtracks from Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles.

Now for the games: segment a flashback classic, such as Madonna's "Holiday," into three or four CDs. Divide your guests into the same number of groups, and challenge them to come up with a dance routine to fit their part of the tune. Bring them back together in 10 or 15 minutes to perform their mini-masterpiece before a video camera you've set up for the occasion.

Tape everyone's routine in order. Give a prize to the best choreographers (actually, give a prize to everyone for being a good sport). Together, you've created a music video that no one could forget. With any luck, it'll mysteriously show up at the reception.

Wine and Chocolate

Sometimes, when you tour a bunch of vineyards in wine country and you're really lucky, you hit upon "wine and chocolate" day. But you don't have to wait to hit the jackpot -- you can organize your own.

Plan an easy afternoon of popular, easy-drinking wines like Merlot and champagne, and ask each guest to bring a creative form of chocolate. Some of our favorites: chocolate croissants, chocolate papaya crepes, chocolate-covered ginger, and yes, jalapeno brownies.

But don't stop with the food -- make an outright bordello of it. Pile lots of velveteen pillows around the room, drape the walls with heavy fabric, burn a bit of incense. Put on some soothing Moroccan music, and arrange a few flowers in plum colored pails or vases you've dressed up with groovy gold fringe.

Now pass out those beverages in pretty glass flutes, dropping a rose petal in each one. Then dig in! (Have doggie bags at the ready for blissed-out guests who want to enjoy the spoils later at home).

While the traditional wedding guestbook serves an important function, more and more couples -- and wedding planners -- are steering away from the time-tested in favor of something more personal.


That's especially true for brides and grooms having a relaxed second wedding, or those who simply enjoy a dynamic relationship and powerful personalities. Traditional guestbooks are great, but one-of-a-kind alternatives can be even better!

So, you’re sold -- you’ve decided to put together a more totally-you memento of your guests than that little quilted journal and feather pen. And yet, it’s a struggle to come up with the perfect idea. Never fear … with a little brainstorming, you’ll find yourself armed with several original choices.

While you ponder, ask yourself questions about what makes you stand out as a couple. What are your hobbies? Do you play any instruments? How do you like to spend your free time? What tantalizing spot did you pick for your honeymoon? Take mental note of your talents and passions … or prized possessions. Answering basic questions like these should help you develop a fresh and personal spin on the traditional guestbook.

Here are a few quick ideas to help you get started:

• Blessed with musical talent? If you play the guitar, keep an eye out for miniature or older, not-necessarily-playable guitars at music shops, thrift stores, and so on. Buy some Sharpies and clear acrylic spray, so the surface can be signed and sealed for years to come. You can make similar modifications to instruments like banjos, mandolins, violins. Actually, with a little creativity you could probably convert almost any instrument!

• Crazy for sports? If so, consider signing memorabilia or sporting goods equipment related to your favorite sports or teams. Hockey players are sure to appreciate a signed hockey stick they can mount in a shadow box or simply hang from a wall. If you’d like to play this down a bit, just frame a picture of yourselves dressed in your favorite team’s jerseys (or going to a sporting event) and leave plenty of ink-friendly matting around the frame.

• Love to travel? Look for artifacts or souvenirs that can be signed and framed or displayed after the ceremony. Fans of the Far East might enjoy a signed kimono. A safari jacket might be perfect for Africa aficionados. Most countries lend themselves to some type of apparel or indigenous piece of art that’s simple to convert into a customized guestbook alternative.

• It’s also worth mentioning that the number of couples going with a Signature Platter is on the rise. Why? Because not only is a signed platter a great way to remember your special day, it’s one of the few "guestbooks" that can actually become part of your daily routine.

These are hardly your only possibilities for novel alternatives to the traditional guestbook. With a little creativity, brainstorming and research, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a "guestbook" that’s as perfect for your wedding as you are for each other.

Looking for ways to personalize your wedding ceremony? Consider incorporating your own carefully chosen words into this momentous occasion, and build the foundation for a life-long relationship.


Writing your own vows is definitely an ambitious undertaking. Not only must you determine the perfect words to say, but those words must be rehearsed and recited in front of your closest family and friends on a day that will be one of the most important of your life. Follow these easy steps to pen and recite beautiful vows from the heart.

Step One - Before you put pen to paper, consider these factors:

Get approval -
Talk to your officiant to make sure personal vows are even allowed. Some religions object to non-secular expressions during the wedding ceremony. Even with the go-ahead, submit your personalized vows to your officiant for review before the big day; he or she may have specific objections or even helpful ideas.

Establish an estimated length -
Your audience will find it odd and even comical if one rambles for 5 minutes will the other says 10 words.

Be succinct -
Overly lengthy wedding vows may lose your audience and will only increase the potential for error. Review them in front of someone else. You can rehearse with each other, or if you'd rather keep them a surprise, read your vows to a trusted loved one.

Step Two - Decide What to Say:

Consult your past -
Time for a trip down memory lane. Start jotting down the details of special firsts in your relationship-first meeting, first date, first kiss, first "I love you," etc. What qualities made you fall in love in the first place? Are there special milestones in your relationship that that have helped bring you here today?

Envision the Future -
What challenges and achievements to you foresee in the future, and how do you expect to meet those things together?

Complete Me -
Sure, it's a line from a movie-but there's a reason for its now cliché status. What characteristics does he/she bring out in you? How does he/she make you a better person?

Use the right words -
Compile your notes, memories and reflections, and begin turning words into sentences. Consult your thesaurus for the perfect expressions to reflect your thoughts. Some words to get you started: love, trust, support, strength, encourage, respect, cherish, admire, value, commit, pledge and promise.

This article offers even more advice on what to include in your wedding vows

Step 3 - Say it With Heart:

Have a cheat sheet -
Even if you plan to memorize them, the nerves may kick in when the big moment arrives. To avoid a potentially awkward scene at the wedding ceremony - bring a cheat sheet just in case.

Although save-the-dates are not absolutely necessary, these cards have increased in popularity with the rise of destination weddings and modern guest lists spread throughout the country.

Since they are a relatively modern concept, no real rules apply - a fact which sometimes causes confusion for brides when planning their wedding stationery. I've sorted through the information that's out there to bring you the real ins and outs concerning save-the-dates…


Who Needs them?
If your guest list includes a number of out-of-towners, or if your wedding takes place during a holiday or other peak time, you are a prime candidate for save-the-dates. Since invitations don't go out until 6-8 weeks before the big day, save-the-dates are the perfect way to give wedding guests a preliminary heads up so they can begin making travel arrangements.

These days, however, more and more brides send these cards regardless of the time and location of their wedding. Why? Save-the-dates provide a fun opportunity to get the word out and foreshadow the style of your big event.

Rules & Etiquette
Again, few rules apply. The only information you must include is your names and wedding date, although I suggest including location information as well so wedding guests can begin their travel plans. Aim to send save-the-date cards soon after you secure your date and venue, or about 4-6 months prior to your wedding.

Remember, everyone who receives a save-the-date also receives an invitation, so have your guest list finalized prior to sending them. You can, however, always add guests later (there is no rule that says everyone must receive a save-the-date card). Although formal replies are not required, you can get preliminary attendance estimates through word-of-mouth.

Trends & Ideas
These cards will be the first impression of your wedding festivities, so take advantage of this opportunity to build excitement amongst your wedding guests. If you already know the colors and/or theme of your wedding, now's your chance to provide a sneak peak. Or try including a favorite love poem or quote that symbolizes your relationship. Here are some of my favorite ideas and trends:

• Use vibrant colors that will "pop" as soon as guests open the envelope.

• Incorporate graphics that correspond with the season and/or location of your event. If you are planning a fall wedding, try including colorful leaves, or include seashells for a wedding on the water.

• If the timing is right, turn your save-the-date cards into holiday greetings. Incorporate your engagement photo or another photo taken shortly after the proposal.

• Who says they have to be printed stationery? Set yours apart by turning them into scrolls, pens, stickers, magnets or a creative calendar-marker. You are only limited by your imagination!

Wording Samples
The content of your save-the-dates should be short, sweet, and to the point - providing a basic who, what, where and when. There is no standard wording; they may be as formal or as whimsical as you'd like. In any case, make sure to include "Formal invitation to follow" somewhere on the card.

Here is the basic layout for the save-the-date cards:

Save the Date: [bride & groom's name] are getting married on [wedding date] in [city, state]

Here are some wording samples you might want to consider:

• Traditional:
Please save the date:
May 12, 2010 for the wedding of
Bob & Mary in Charleston, South Carolina

• Fun & Cutesy:
We're Tying The Knot!
John popped the question, and Katie said yes.
Please join us on October 17, 2011
Orange County, California

• For a destination wedding:
Please join us in paradise on June 17, 2012
when Lisa & Jay say "I Do"
in Maui, Hawaii

Even low budget weddings can take a huge bite out of savings and often end in huge debt obligations.

Planning a wedding yourself not only saves money but, gives that personal touch that provides lasting family memories.


Personal touches like creating your own wedding favors and planning your own reception can be particularly satisfying.

You will take great pride in your accomplishments when planning a low budget wedding. Not only in your creations but in the huge savings you will boast about.

A low budget wedding will have much the same wedding costs as the higher counterparts, but you can save money in each area to stay within your budget.

The only way to avoid the costs is simply not to have a formal wedding. If you're footing the bill yourself and just can't see yourself starting your married life with a financial burden, you could always opt for a courthouse ceremony and intimate dinner.

A formal ceremony can then be planned well in advance. A re-taking of wedding vows is common practice today, and it's a very romantic anniversary date! Consider this if your funds are extremely limited and you will be financing most of the wedding budget.

However, if it breaks your heart to forego the formal ceremony, and you have limited funds, save as much money as possible using low budget wedding ideas. Here's a real wedding budget saver that can reduce the cost of the wedding reception greatly.

The Wedding Reception

The reception alone will bust your wedding budget if you're not careful. Of course, the most obvious way to save money on the reception is to keep it small.

Where you host this grand occasion could make or break you.

Your low budget wedding remedy? Find a reception location that's free or low cost.

A free location may include, your home, or a friend or family member's home. A low cost option might include the Church reception hall, the local fire department's reception room, and club hall rentals. Most will have a kitchen area for preparing and serving food.

Sometimes you will even find a local restaurant that specializes in low budget wedding receptions. These will likely offer a package for the reception which may include dinner and limited beverage with the rental of restaurant space or banquet rooms. Check hotels in your area for banquet rooms as well. Some may rent the banquet room alone and/or offer reception packages as an option.

Leave no stone unturned in your search! You may happen upon a gem of a deal that will save you a lot of money. Ask around. Get recommendations from friends and family. Do a local search on the internet. We have several plantations in our area who offer wedding reception packages. These are elegant locations and are usually competitively priced; including options for the low budget wedding.

Make a list or chart to record all your findings. Record not only price but services available, and packages available. Then you can compare where you will get the most for your money.

For instance, you may be able to rent a space for a really cheap rate and hire outside catering for the dinner. But, if you find a location that costs more but will offer you a package that includes the catering, it may be the better deal in the long run.

The one big exception to this scenario is if you opt for a potluck reception. Many guests may be pleased, if not relieved, to be given the choice to bring a reception dish in place of a wedding gift. You will find that low budget reception packages usually come with a low budget menu as well.

If you choose this option, you will save greatly on catering expenses. I am certain your guests will be more pleased with the menu selections. This would be your best low budget wedding option and will save the most money.

• Drinks At The Wedding

To have a free bar, or cash bar? Such a difficult question to answer. Of course, it would be fantastic to offer a free bar to all your guests, all day, but with limited funds, it’s not a realistic option for most people.

• Booze Budget Cost Saving Tip:

The ideal in this instance is to use a venue where you can bring your own booze. I was lucky enough to be able to do this at our wedding and managed to pop across to France and buy 180 bottles of wine and 240 beers, plus Pimms and cassis for under 1500$. We had stacks left and our guests were restricted to beer, wine or soft drinks, but no one seemed to mind.

Another option is to come to an arrangement with the hotel regarding corkage. A friend got married in a hotel, which charged 20$per bottle of wine. She arranged a flat fee of 1500 for all of her beer and wine opening. Although it seems like a lot, it meant that she could afford to supply beer and wine for her guests.

• Bridalwear

With most bridal dresses starting around 1300 and running into thousands of dollars, this is a huge expense.

• Bridalwear Cost Saving Tip:

You can still look fabulous for a fraction of the price and feel that you’re minimising the eco-footprint of your wedding by buying a ‘pre-loved’ wedding dress.

Many charity shops have specialist ‘bridalwear’ departments where you can purchase new and designer dresses that have been worn once. You can try the dresses on before buying and you’ll get a warm glow from doing something for ‘Charidee’.

If you’re a little braver, you can venture online, where there are some fantastic bargains to be had in the ‘pre-loved’ lines. Take a look at some of the ‘For Sale’ forums of the popular wedding websites and you’ll see bridal dresses, veils, tiaras and those Jimmy Choo shoes that you know you want for a fraction of the cost.

• The Wedding Photography

Many couples feel that photography is a major part of the day and are prepared to pay upwards of 4000$ for a beautifully presented wedding album. Photographers have confirmed that it isn’t the actual photography, which is the major part of this expense, but printing and preparation of the formal wedding albums.

• Wedding Photography Cost Savings Tip:

Many photographers are prepared to attend your wedding day and then provide you with a DVD of your photos for around 1000. With the DVD, you can then use some of the fantastic online services to prepare your own ‘Photo Book’ - costing much less. Or, as many guests will no doubt have digital cameras with them, combine place cards with little notes asking them to share their wedding photos on your online directory.

Another excellent tip for having a photo keepsake of your wedding is to use several Instant Photo Guest Books, which combine Polaroid Instant Photos and hand-written sentiments from your guests. These photo guest books are ready to enjoy the "instant" your wedding is over -- and creating them adds great fun to the wedding reception!

With the average wedding now costing 20000, many couples are now looking for ways to have a ‘celebrity’ stylish wedding, without the celebrity price tag. The first tip is simple – ask for a discount.



The worst that can happen is that they say ‘No’. You might be a bit embarrassed, but what have you lost? We’ve pulled together 5 other top tips to help you create your dream wedding on a shoestring budget.

• Choosing The Wedding Venue

Your venue is probably going to be the single biggest wedding expense that you’ll have to pay, with many of the more popular venues charging 2000 upwards. But you don’t need to spend this sort of money to have a fabulous venue.

• Wedding Venue Cost Saving Tip:

Many village halls, golf and rugby clubs have suitable rooms available for a fraction of the price. The trick is to see past the existing décor and imagine it sprinkled with hundreds of fairy lights or candles – think of Ross’s wedding on the hit show Friends that Rachel ruined!

If you’ve found the wedding venue of your dreams, but it looks as if it will be out of your budget, don’t despair. Many venues offer significant discounts for mid-week or ‘out of season’ weddings which can run into thousands of pounds.

• Food At The Wedding

Deciding what kind of menu you want to offer for your wedding can be difficult enough without having to see the price tag that goes along with it!

• Food Budget Cost Saving Tip:

There are lots of ways to cut back on your food budget, and still have a memorable day. Selecting a venue where you can bring in your own caterers is often a much better value than using the existing venue catering. You can even go as far as preparing all the food yourself, though be careful of taking too much.

If you don’t have a choice about which caterer you use, there are still ways that you can trim your spending costs. Try replacing the starter course with canapés, instead of having both. Or, replace dessert with your wedding cake – so often wedding cake gets forgotten about because guests have already had so much to eat.

A new idea that brides are buzzing about is the wedding ‘cheese’ cake. Literally, it is three slabs of cheese turned into a wedding cake for that special ‘cutting of the cake’ photograph and ceremony. Why not combine the two instead of having a separate cheese and cake course? Or serve this with crackers, chutney and pate for your evening guests?

• Shop Sales Racks:

This is a no-brainer. Retail stores will discount up to 70% of the original price of the mother of the bride dress, depending on how desperately they want to clear the racks of the current season's clothing to make way for the new season.



Spring/summer lines start showing up on the racks from January through April, while fall/winter dresses are introduced between June and September. Therefore, you will get bargains around these times as well for the last season's mother of the bride apparel.

• Shop Early:

The mother of the bride should start shopping for her mother of the bride outfit as soon as she knows the colors of the wedding. All too often she takes care of all the details that go into the wedding, while forgetting her own needs.

She should spend this time with the bride going over styles, fabrics, accents, accessories, etc. Late shopping only brings on more stress and possibly more money spent on things that were purchased in haste and then returned with "buyer's remorse".

Quite a few bridal shops do not take back returns or offer refunds once the mother of the bride walks out of the store with her dress.

• Shop Online Stores:

There are tons of reputable and traditional bridal boutiques out there that have an online store on the immense "world wide web" nowadays. The costs of running and up keeping a brick-and-mortar store are escalating and definitely cut into profits.

Any savvy shop owner knows full well that they will have to own a "web store" to fully maximize their sales and therefore, profits. Check their Better Business Bureau record or see if the site has a BBB online reliability logo, if you are still not comfortable shopping online. Once you start using your fingers to do the shopping, you will never stop!

• Shop Bridesmaid Dresses:

The "youthful" mother of the bride can opt for a bridesmaid dress which are normally priced less expensively than a mother of the bride gown. Seek the tailoring expertise of a bridal dress seamstress to add on beads, sequins, and other exotic trimmings to create a uniquely appealing look.

• Search for ' Discount' Dresses Online:

The mother of bride can open up more options for herself if she is computer literate and able to do a search using the keywords "discount" or "cheap". Example, search for discount mother of the bride dresses.

These words can conjure up an image of herself in a cheesy, polyester dress but you will be surprised what will show up online that are not quite cheesy despite being made of polyester. By the way, there are 40 blends of polyester and almost all synthetic fabrics for special occasion wear are made of some type of polyester.

• Shop Regular Evening Wear:

Add on a shawl or jacket or buy fabric to make a unique, one-of-a-kind jacket to cover the shoulders and arms for modesty or for providing warmth.

• Wear a Teal Length or Cocktail Dress:

These are priced less than the floor-length gowns and are more versatile, as you can surely wear them again at another special occasion.

Weddings performed during and immediately following the medieval era were often more than just a union between two people. They could be a union between two families, two businesses or even two countries.

Many weddings were more a matter of politics than love, particularly among the nobility and the higher social classes. Brides were therefore expected to dress in a manner that cast their families in the most favorable light, for they were not representing only themselves during the ceremony.

Brides of an elevated social standing often wore rich colors and expensive fabrics. It was common to see such brides wearing bold colors and layers of furs, velvet and silk. Brides of a lower social standing often copied the elegant styles of wealthier brides as best they could.

Over the centuries, brides continued to dress in a manner befitting their social status—always in the height of fashion, with the richest, boldest materials money could buy. The poorest of brides wore their best church dress on their wedding day. The amount of material a wedding dress contained also was a reflection of the bride's social standing and indicated the extent of the family's wealth to wedding guests.

Today, there are wedding dresses available in all price ranges, and Western traditions have loosened up to include a rainbow of colors and variety of lengths, which are now considered acceptable. Women may purchase ready-made gowns, wear a family heirloom, or they may choose to have a dressmaker create one for her. In addition, today many bridal salons have samples of wedding gowns in their stores where the bride selects a certain style and orders one to be made to fit.

Wedding dresses have traditionally been based on the popular styles of the day. For example, in the 1920s, wedding dresses were typically short in the front with a longer train in the back and were worn with cloche-style wedding veils. This tendency to follow current fashions continued until the late 1940s, when it became popular to revert to long, full-skirted designs reminiscent of the Victorian era.

Although there has always been a style that dominates the bridal market for a time, and then shifts with the changes in fashion, a growing number of modern brides are not choosing to follow these trends. This is due in large part to non-traditional and non-first-time weddings, and women who are marrying later in life.

Today, Western wedding dresses are usually white, though "wedding white" includes creamy shades such as eggshell, ecru and ivory. Philippa of England was actually the first documented princess in history to wear a white wedding gown during a royal wedding ceremony: she wore a tunic with a cloak in white silk bordered with grey squirrel and ermine).

White did not become a popular option until 1840, after the marriage of Queen Victoria to Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Victoria had worn a white gown for the event so as to incorporate some lace she owned. The official wedding portrait photograph was widely published, and many other brides opted for a similar dress in honor of the Queen's choice.

The tradition continues today in the form of a white wedding, though prior to the Victorian era, a bride was married in any color except black (the color of mourning) or red (which was connected with prostitutes). However, in Finland during the 19th century, it was popular for brides to wear dark colors, especially black.

Later, many people assumed that the color white was intended to symbolize virginity, though this had not been the original intention. (It was the color blue that was connected to purity.) The white gown is in fact a symbolic Christening gown.

The are a variation of the white surplice worn in the Western Catholic tradition by members of the clergy, church choirs and servers and the gowns worn by girls making their first communion and at their confirmation and also by women making religious vows. Today, the white dress is normally understood merely as the most traditional and popular choice for weddings.

• Bring the entourage, but don't buy.

It's fun and useful to bring your mother, friends or sisters on the dress-shopping expedition. It gives you a buffer against an overbearing sales staff, and it's fun to see if your impressions of perfection are shared by your loved ones, not to mention how they'll love being part of such an important decision.


But no matter how enthusiastic everyone gets over a certain dress, don't buy in the heat of the moment. Give yourself time to reconsider and buy with a cool head later, alone. The vast majority of dresses are non-returnable, so when you've bought it, you've bought it.

• Don't buy too early unless you must.

Bridal gowns can take four to ten months to come from the manufacturer, but there's no reason to buy over a year ahead of time, unless your chosen style is going to be discontinued. Give yourself some time to sit on your decision. Once you pick a gown, you'll see a hundred others nearly like it. You'll become a walking encyclopedia on that style of gown. All the better if you still have room to choose.

• If you've bought "The One," stop shopping

Any more window-shopping at this point will only lead you down the road toward the dreary land of Two-Dress Brides. What you need to do instead is remember that blissful feeling of having tried on The One. Go get The One out of the closet, put it on and stand in front of the mirror. You'll remember exactly why it's The One.

• If you've bought "The One" and can't stop shopping, get a second opinion.

Show your first and second choices to other brides. Be honest -- tell them you've already remortgaged your condo for the first dress, but you think this second dress might be it. They'll be truthful, too -- the first one was better. You'll feel reassured.

• Don't tell yourself "I'll sell the old dress and choose a new one."

This old saw of the Two-Dress Bride just won't work. You'll never get more than a fraction of what you paid for your first dress if you bought it new.

• Don't be afraid to aim high -- no matter what your budget.

Some brides knew from the start they wanted a designer label, but life just didn't cooperate by making them heiresses. Yet all is not lost if you're willing to shop courageously. At any given moment, a better-heeled bride is selling her once-used St. Pucchi or Ulla-Maija on eBay. She paid thousands upon thousands, but you, smart shopper, will pay half that or less.

To take this road, you must shop earlier than other brides so you'll have a choice of gowns. Always pay with a credit card so you'll have recourse if the dress doesn't arrive in acceptable condition, and again, shop early so you can buy another if necessary. Shop courageously, but not recklessly.

• Shop online, but never send a check.

Bridal gown businesses sometimes have a way of disappearing overnight. No matter what the proprietor tells you, never make a purchase as large as a wedding gown without the chargeback protection of a credit card. If they say they can't take plastic, move on.

• Don't hold out forever for The One.

Some brides never find The One. What they do find is a few dresses they look beautiful in. If you're this bride, try starting your planning from the theme instead of the dress. You'll probably eventually get sick to death of dress shopping. When that happens, "good enough" really will be good enough. Concentrate on other aspects of the wedding that mean a lot to you, like the venue, the food, or the inevitable adoration of your soon-to-be husband.

Your daughter’s wedding is announced. She has butterflies in her stomach and one thousand and one things to do. Her "butterflies" becomes yours and your thoughts are racing just like hers.

You, as her mother, will help her plan her dream wedding, just like your mother planned yours. At the back of your mind……"What am I going to wear? Will I look just as beautiful as my daughter on her wedding day? So many people are going to be looking at me as well…."

Fret no more. Here are the RULES but like all rules, they may be broken or should I say improvised and revised to suit you. I say….whatever makes you and/or your daughter happy!

1. Confer with your daughter. She will come up with a color scheme for her wedding.

2. Ask her whether she wants the color of your dress to complement her wedding color/colors or almost match it. Examples of complementary colors to a red color theme is burgundy, wine, claret red, dark pink, and purple. As for a "match", it would certainly be difficult to have an exact match of the colors, as your dress will be of a different manufacturer, style, fabric, and dye. So, do not stress over this.

3. You, as the mother of the bride, will decide on a color or colors, after consulting your daughter. Suggest to her to be flexible on the choice of colors—perhaps two or three choices would be great. Mother of the bride dresses are not made like bridesmaid dresses, the latter being preordered and tailored months ahead of time for the occasion. Shopping for a mother of the bride dress can be a headache and nightmare rolled into one, especially for the plus size woman or if you live in a rural city.

4. Do not forget to involve the mother of the groom. After you have an idea of what color you would or should be wearing, inform her. She will definitely appreciate that as she will be in a panic mode as well, going through the same motions as you will soon be, looking for that perfect "mother’s" dress.

5. Shop as soon as you can. Finding YOUR dress is important too. Understand that you are shopping for a specific style that you like and look great in, a specific color, and then a specific size.

Then, you will need to allow sufficient time for professional tailoring of the dress, to get it to fit just right! Also, what about the accessories like shoes and jewelry.

6. Shop bridal or department stores first. You can get a first hand look at the styles out there and the type and quality of fabrics. Do not ignore online formal wear stores. Visiting an online store is easy and stress free as they are sources of good ideas of what you would like to wear on that special day.

7. Take care of yourself in these nerve-wrecking times of preparation. Remember, you need to look good as well, although it is your daughter’s wedding.

8. Now, sit back and relax. You have found your most perfect mother of the bride dress and have a few more weeks to spare. Give yourself a big pat on the back!

Casual settings for wedding are gaining ground due to many reasons today.

As per tradition, formal weddings were definitely the order of the day but today, a lot of new ideas are being incorporated to make the entire process of planning a wedding an easy task.



Brides-to-be no longer wish to have long trails of cloth behind them; many young girls wish to bend the rules towards finding something more wearable!

Most couples prefer elegant casual weddings for many reasons. With hectic schedules and increasing work pressures, one hardly has any time to plan elaborate traditional weddings. Besides, with inflation, planning for a lavish or stylish affair often remains a dream for many.

Well, couples today have smartened up and have realized there is no point lamenting over this issue and have found an alternative solution, which is an equally fun affair!

So, how does a would-be bride fulfill her desire to be the most stunning woman on her wedding day? A set budget may not really be flexible enough to accommodate those gorgeous and elaborate wedding gowns!

Thanks to the efforts of many creative geniuses, women need not fret about not having the best of gowns. With casual wedding dresses gaining prominence, these have opened up a whole new world of trendy, stylish and beautiful gowns and dresses that are dazzling yet do not deflate the pocket!

From the traditional venues to the beautiful beaches or backyards, wedding venues have changed and so have dressing styles. You need not cringe with the thought of casual wedding dresses simply because there are many reasons you can be happy about opting for the same.

If you take a peek into your local store, you can definitely find a plethora of options from the sunny yellows to the sultry reds in a variety of styles.

Although ivory white is the most preferred color, a beach wedding for example, can allow you the option of trying something new. It need not be elaborate, you can choose something stylish and casual; an ensemble you can even wear later for any special occasion.