A beautiful backyard can be a memorable wedding venue if you plan well. Read these useful tips in this contributed post to make your backyard wedding celebration perfect. If you’ve seen the cost of hiring a wedding venue, you’ll likely have wondered if it’s possible to save the fee and instead host the wedding party in your own yard. Well, there’s good news: you can! But it’s not as simple as just inviting everyone around. You should treat this as serious as you would a party at another venue, and that means planning just as many - in fact, more - details so that everything’s just right. Below, we take a look at a few useful tips which will make your backyard wedding celebration perfect (and save you a lot of money in the process). An Immaculate Yard If you’re not a keen gardener, then do not host your wedding in your yard. We repeat: do not host your wedding in your yard! If you’re going to invite your friends and family to celebrate your love on your property, then the yard has to be inspiring. Making sure the grass is looking trim and healthy is just a starting point. You’ll also want to have colorful flower displays dotted around. Actually, it might be the case that this decision presents you with the opportunity to completely re-landscape your yard. Take it! Not The Dining Table and Chairs You’re saving money on the cost of hiring a venue. Don’t go overboard with the cost-saving measures. This is not a chance to show off your regular dining table, chairs, and cutlery your guests. Instead, work with a table hire company to ensure you’re getting table and chairs that are right for your function. It won’t just look better; it’s also practical. You might have enough tables for everyone, but are they all the same size and the right shape? It’s unlikely. You also want to invest in a fancy cutlery set, too - there’ll also be a great souvenir of your special day. Trim The Guestlist Wedding venues are experienced at hosting parties. They can tell you straight away how many people their place can comfortably accommodate. With your yard, you have no idea. You can make a rough estimate of how many people it can fit, but it’s hard to judge how many it can fit COMFORTABLY. You want people to have space to mingle and dance, and this will be difficult if they’re standing shoulder to shoulder with other people. If you think you might go overboard with the invites, do your best to keep the list trim. Next Door Neighbors The issue with having the party at your home might have nothing to do with you or your guests: it’ll be your neighbors. If you’re planning to party late into the night, they might not like being kept awake, even if it is at a wedding. As such, it’s imperative that you talk with the people who live around you before you decide to host the wedding on your property. If you have the space, then look at inviting them too. They’re not going to complain about the noise if they’re involved in the party!
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Finding the one person for you feels amazing! If you are not sure, consider these signs in this contributed post that they are the one for you. We all hope for the feeling of knowing for sure that the person we’re dating is the one. Not all relationships get to this point, but the ones that do can feel amazing. ‘The one’ also means different things to different people. It might mean something different at age 25 than it does at 30. It might not come to you until you reflect on the person you’re with through and through. Of course, thinking someone is the one may not be returned to you, so we’re often hesitant to apply that label until we’re absolutely sure. Just like any matter of faith, instinct will often lead you to the right answer. There is no shame in falling in love with someone multiple times during your relationship, in fact this shows that life with this person could be truly novel! It may not be long before you’re comparing metal or silicone wedding rings, and walking over the threshold of your home as newlyweds. Until then, consider these signs they are the one for you: Trust If you can trust your partner, you have one of the vital pillars of a strong relationship already constructed. Without this, nothing else functions. You need to trust your partner to be true to you, to keep you aware, and to help you become your best self. In return, you must do the exact same for them. However, trust is not only found in the ways we imagine. For example, trusting a partner could be knowing they can speak to you authentically, that they will not filter their words around you. This could mean telling you when you’re acting out of line, or when they’re worried about you. Just as you expect a close friend to be candid with you, a lover will find a manner to build you up from your flaws, and to help you see them yourself rather than constantly remind you of them. If you trust in your partner 100%, perhaps more than you do yourself, they might just be ‘the one’ material. Responsibility If you can trust them to be responsible with their affairs, and to stand on their own two feet, and to put as much into the relationship as you do, and to keep building a life together with that as their main priority, then it could be that ‘the one’ is within your grasp. We often idealize love with spontanaeity, and for good reason. But sometimes, a little responsibility can help ease us, and know that this is the person we wish to build our life with. Fresh While deep, burning and passionate love can be sustained for long periods of time, it does take work to do. What matters is that this person feels fresh whenever you see them, even after years. If you still get butterflies, if you still wish to impress one anohter with surprises, or if you find yourself trying to be the best you can for the sake of both of you and you’re sure they’re doing the same, you may have just found the one, With these mature and sensible yet loving tips, you may identify the one sooner rather than later.
Last minute weddings can work! Here are some great tips in this contributed post to help you perfect your last minute wedding.
Image courtesy of Image Studio Photography
Who says you need to have a few months between getting engaged and then getting married? Sure, most people tend to spend a good year or so organizing their special day before they do head to the church, but there is no need to plan so much if you don’t want to. In fact, there are now lots of couples who like the idea of last-minute weddings so that the stress of organizing such a big event isn’t dragged on for too long. Think this sounds like something you’d prefer to do? If so, here are some great tips that can help you perfect your last-minute wedding. Sort Out The Dress First One of the first things you need to do is find your wedding dress. Most dress companies will need a couple of weeks at least to make alterations so your choice of dress fits you perfectly on the day. So, it’s a good idea to source a dress before anything else. That way, you know that it will be all ready to go on your wedding day. Forget Save The Date Cards Many people often send out save the date cards at least six months before their big day. These aren’t official invites, and they are just sent out so that guests don’t double book themselves on the wedding day. The invitations are often sent out about two months beforehand. However, as you don’t have this much time, it’s a good idea to forgo the save the date cards, and simply send some wedding invitations instead. Still Look At Different Venues Even though you might not have much time, it’s still worth trying to squeeze in viewing a couple of different venues. This will give you an idea of the style of venue you want, such as a church, event hall, or stately home, and what you will be able to get for your budget. It will also give you a good idea of just how big your chosen venue is and how many guests you will be able to invite. Bake The Cake There probably won’t be time for a bakery to take an order for your wedding cake and bake it for the wedding. But that doesn’t mean that you have to go without a cake. Instead, you just need to bake one yourself. You might even have quite a skilled friend or relative who would be willing to bake a cake for you, so it’s worth asking around. Get Catering From A Local Restaurant Similarly, there might not be time to book a catering company. Thankfully, many restaurants can cater large events at short notice, so it’s a good idea to see which restaurants and eateries in your local area might be able to help you out. Most will be able to supply large platters that can create a delicious buffet. As you can see, your last-minute wedding doesn’t have to be rushed. There are lots of ways it can be just like what you have always dreamed of! How to keep your bridesmaids happy and supportive on your wedding day is the focus of this contributed post. When you choose your bridesmaids, you want to make sure you pick the women or girls (and maybe even the occasional man!) who you want to be stood next to you on your wedding day. It's not just about who you love and who will look pretty, but also about who will support you. Your eight-year-old cousin might not be much help when you're planning your wedding, but your sister or your best friends can be there for you. While it's an honor to be a bridesmaid, it's also important to remember that you're asking them a big favor too. So treating them right is essential. Let Them Have Some Control Over Their Outfits One of the best things that you can do for your bridesmaids is to allow them to have some element of control over their outfits. You don't have to let them wear anything they want, but it can be a good idea to pick a color or style and then allow them to choose what suits them, what they feel comfortable in, and what they can afford. If you go here, you can see several dresses in the same style but available in different colors. You can easily mix and match different blue or pink dresses in different lengths too. Don't Ask Them to Spend Too Much When you're thinking about outfits and other things that your bridesmaids might have to spend money on, keep their budgets in mind. It's not fair of you to ask them to spend too much, so try to resist insisting on anything too expensive. In some cultures, it's normal for the bride to pay for the bridesmaids' outfits - you could offer to if you're feeling particularly generous. Keep money in mind for other things too, from your bachelorette party to any other events. Remember That They're Your Helpers - Not Servants Everyone has heard nightmare stories about bridezillas who have let the power and stress get to them. And everyone swears that they won't be like that. However, planning a wedding can be hugely stressful, and it can get to you without you even realizing it. It's essential to remember that while your bridesmaids are there to help, they're not your slaves. If you're unsure about whether you could end up stepping out of line, appoint a strong-willed friend who can take you aside if they think you're getting too power-mad. Thank Them You must remember to thank your bridesmaids at every opportunity. Yes, you have invited them to be part of your special day, and they will probably thank you too. But they are ultimately doing you a favor and supporting you as you plan your wedding, and through your big day. As well as making sure that you say thank you in the run-up to your wedding and on the day (in your speech if you give one), you might want to give them each a gift. Treat your bridesmaids right, and they will be there to support you when you need them most.
Do you know how to find the perfect venue for your wedding day? This contributed post has some great ideas to help you decide.
What do you think the most important part of a wedding day is? I’m sure that most brides will say that their wedding dress is their number-one priority, though most couples will also agree that their venue is equally as important. After all, it will be the setting for the entire day and will also feature heavily in the background of your wedding photography. So, there’s no wonder that getting the wedding venue is something that couples focus on when they are ready to start organizing their big day. Are you ready to search for a brilliant wedding venue for your special day? Here are a few things that you should look for. It Includes Catering Some wedding venues will also cater your event as well as simply host it. Even though some couples prefer to hire a separate catering company to take care of the food, this still means that you will be paying for two firms to come and work on your wedding with you. So, it could be more economically viable for you to find a venue that will include all the food and catering with the venue hire.
It’s Within Your Budget
If there is one word that most people would use to describe a wedding, I’m sure that most people would use “expensive”! And it’s true, the cost of organizing a whole wedding day can be extremely high these days. Before you start looking for a venue, it is really important that you consider your budget and find one that you will be able to afford. After all, if you go for something too expensive, then you might end up needing to restrict your spending on a different area of your big day. It’s In A Convenient Location Next, it’s important to consider the location of your potential venue. Sure, rural venues will look super pretty in all of your wedding pictures, but they could be quite difficult for some of your guests to get to, especially those who don’t have a car. If you do want to get married in a very rural or hard-to-get-to location, it’s worth thinking about putting on some transport for all your guests so that they don’t struggle getting to your wedding.
Image courtesy of Image Studio Photography
The Capacity Suits Your Needs Do you have an idea of how many wedding guests you’d like to invite? Well, this may all hinge on how many guests can fit in your venue! Each venue will have a limited capacity, so it’s important that you find this out before you book. Otherwise, you may end up limiting your guest list a lot more than what you had initially planned. If you are happy to have only a few guests with you on your wedding day, then this point may not be such a big deal when it comes to organizing the venue. So, as you can see, there are quite a few factors that go into making a wedding venue such a special place. Hopefully, this blog post will help you find the perfect one for you!
Follow the advice in this contributed post to ensure you have the breathtaking photographs you desire on your wedding day!
Your wedding day is a day of firsts. It’s the first time you stand in front of an altar and say “I do.” It’s the first time you kiss as a married couple. It’s your first (and hopefully only) wedding ceremony. So, it’s vital that everything goes to plan, and that includes the photographs. After all, you want to document the big day and look back at a later date. Unfortunately, hiring a photographer and asking him or her to do their best isn’t the way forward. To get breathtaking shots, you need to follow this advice. Ask For Permission From the church. A large percentage of ceremonies take place in churches because it’s classy and traditional. Sadly, religions aren’t famous for their flexibility, and some prohibit photographs inside the building. Yes, this rule applies on your wedding day too, so they’ll be zero shots of your first moments as a married couple. Now that you know this is a problem, you can ask the leaders if they will allow cameras inside. Most will say yes, but they may include a few caveats. For example, only the official photographer can take pics and not the guests. This is a compromise which isn’t too much of an issue so agree and warn your friends and family. Choose A Different Location Lots of photo albums include the same style of images. This is because of two reasons: photographers share techniques, and destinations are the same. To snap breathtaking pics, you need yours to stand out from the crowd and to do this, a new location is necessary. It depends on your style. Are you a traveler? If you are, see here for ideas. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, then these may be more suitable. Or, perhaps a beach wedding will make you happy. Whatever the destination, try and make it as incredible as possible. Sanction Action Shots There will be plenty of pics and vids where everyone is stood in position with their best smile. As nice as this is, it’s not real, and the best photos are genuine. With this in mind, speak to your photographer and tell them that you want lots of action shots throughout the day. In simple terms, this means you need them to take photographs of the guests while they’re not focusing! That way, they’ll capture the atmosphere and the experience of the day. Sometimes, posing can be boring and a little stale. Involve The Guests Quality shots come from the professionals most of the time, but that’s not to say your loved ones don’t have their moments. The truth is some guests know how to take a good photo, while others get lucky. Either way, it doesn’t matter who snaps it as long as it looks amazing. Therefore, give everyone at the party a Polaroid or an instant camera and let them go crazy. It takes some effort to sift through them all, yet it’s well worth the effort. Come on – don’t you want memories which last a lifetime? Forget basic! Step up your game and throw your friend a bachelor party he will never forget (and for great reasons, not because he was too drunk to remember it) Read more in this contributed post. Bachelor parties are, by nature, wild. But if the bachelor’s already a wild guy with high demands then there’s even more pressure on the best man or the bachelor’s group of friends to throw an insane party. Forget strip clubs or bars. That’s the stereotypical formula for a bachelor party, and it’s too basic. You need to step up your game. If you want to leave your party-animal friend speechless then you need to give them a night that’ll almost top their wedding day itself. Here are some crazy ideas to give you some inspiration. A road trip. This is the perfect option for the indecisive party planner. If you’re struggling to think of a single thing that’ll make your bachelor buddy happy on their bucks night then why not do everything? You could even surprise them by only telling them this once you get in the car. They’ll ask where you’re going, and you can tell them you’re heading out on the open road. Try to keep each destination secret so as to make it even more special when you see the surprised look on their face as you arrive at different places. You could even hire a cool car for the trip. Maybe you could get an RV if you’ll want to be able to crash into bed at the end of a long night/morning. Or if you think your buddy will want to look cool as you cruise from destination to destination then you could hire a sports car. Whatever the vehicle, the point is that you and your buddies will head off on a fun journey together. With snacks in the car and great tunes on the radio, you’ll have the makings of a great party before you’ve even reached any destinations. A boat party. Why drink beers in a bar or a club when you can drink them on a boat? Your friend will expect you to go big or go home when it comes to organising their last night as a free man. There’s no better way to do that than by hiring a boat for the evening and having a wild time out on the ocean, a lake, or even a marina. You might want to check out local charter options for bucks parties in your area. The cooler the boat, the cooler the evening. You could have a night of playing poker, drinking, or even enjoying entertainment that you hire for the boat (that doesn’t have to involve a stripper, of course). Go camping.
Away from the bright lights of the city with its loud bars and clubs, you might think that there’s no way you could throw a wild bachelor party in nature. But the best parties only need a group of close friends (and maybe a few packs of booze). That’s why you should organise a camping trip for your friend’s big night. Forget the smartphones and all other aspects of the modern world. Have a tipsy night in a forest. You could play drinking games around a fire, tell each other funny stories, and just have a great night. If you are not sure what wedding flowers you will need, read this contributed post on wedding flowers 101 to help you make the best choices for your wedding. Wedding flowers are an important part of your wedding day. Not only do they help to add color and fragrance to the day, but they can be a great way to add class and elegance to your wedding. Apart from ordering the occasional bouquet, you might not have much experience of dealing with flowers. But luckily for you, you’ll find everything you need to know about your wedding flowers right here. Take a look at our wedding flowers 101 to help you nail your wedding day florals. Get a feel for what you like With so much choice out there, it can be hard to decide what to go for in terms of wedding flowers. It’s a good idea to start with no preconceptions and simply start looking at styles. Create some Pinterest boards and start adding designs that suit your tastes - you’ll soon see patterns emerging. Meanwhile, check out bridal magazine and websites for elegant flower ideas that will give you further inspiration. Find the right florist Finding the right florist can take some time, especially if you have specific ideas on how you’d like your flowers to be. As a creative industry, you’ll find that many of your local florists will have social media accounts and websites that show off their style - helping you see if it can reflect more of your own tastes. Meet with several florists and get some quotes to make sure you get the best value for money. Make a checklist There is more to wedding flowers than you might have initially realized, and while you can go all-out with your flowers, there are some basics that you need to include. A wedding flower checklist includes a bouquet for the bride and bridesmaids, buttonholes for the groom, flowers for the ceremony and reception decor, centerpieces and more. Make sure you include everything you need, and then set a budget for everything. You might find that some elements are more important to you than others, so you might want to consider a mix of real and artificial flowers to keep costs down. Add floral details to other parts of your day Florals are a simple way to add elegance to your wedding day, and they can extend beyond the flowers themselves. Bridesmaids dresses with floral prints and floral accessories like flower crowns are particularly popular at the moment and look great when using your own color scheme. A floral tie for the groom and ushers can also look great with the right colors, adding something a little bit different to a standard, plain tie. Remember to include floral details on your invites to so that guests can get a glimpse of your wedding theme early on. Now that the flowers are taken care of, what’s next on your wedding planning list? Photography? Make sure you get the right photos to capture your special day with these great tips for hiring a wedding photographer. Make wedding planning simple by tackling one task at a time to help make planning your big day stress-free and fun. You don't have to be ashamed of your second wedding. Make it memorable! Read this contributed post for some ideas. Getting married should be a time to celebrate. However, some people find it difficult to enjoy their second wedding as it can often feel like their first set of nuptials overshadows this latest ceremony. It can also be difficult if your family has been split ever since the breakdown of your first marriage - you might find that some of your relatives do not share your current joy and excitement about your upcoming wedding. You might think that a second wedding needs to be very demure and not as elaborate as your first. That really isn't the case, though - it’s still OK to have the special day that you have always dreamed of, even if you’ve had one before! Here are some tips that will help you organize your next marriage. You Can Still Wear White Some brides think that they can’t wear a white wedding dress for the second time. After all, the white traditionally stands for innocence, and you might not be so innocent the second time around! But you shouldn’t listen to the traditionalists - you can wear whatever you want at your wedding. So, if you have your eye on a gorgeous white wedding dress, go for it! Involve Your Kids As second weddings often occur later in life, you might have children with your first partner or a previous relationship. If this is the case, you should involve them in the ceremony. For instance, your daughter could be a flower girl and follow you down the aisles in a pretty dress with a gorgeous mini bouquet. Boys will enjoy being page boys or ushers. It Doesn’t Have To Be Modest As I’ve previously mentioned, most people think that a second wedding needs to be fairly modest and demure. However, this really isn't the case. Just because you’ve already had one elaborate ceremony and reception doesn’t mean that you can’t go and do it all again! Of course, this time you might know just how stressful planning such a day can be. So, you might want to get details for a wedding planner who can help you with all the organization. There’s no point being super stressed for a second time and trying to do it all yourself, is there?! Consider A Prenup You’ve been here before and you know just how awful it is when a marriage starts to break down. Not only is there a lot of emotional stress to go through, but you will also have to deal with the legal aspect. If you don’t have a prenup in place, you will find that you might have to battle it out in court to get your share of all the family's finances. Are you sure you want to go through all of that again? I doubt it! So, it’s a good idea to discuss a prenup before you do get wed again. This will detail how your finances will be split in the event of a divorce, and will make all the potential legalities a lot easier to handle. Enjoy your return to the altar! Planning a destination wedding? Here are 4 simple tips outlined in this contributed post to help you plan your dream wedding. A destination wedding is a dream for a lot of people. You get away from home, and you can often combine the wedding with your honeymoon. It gives you the option of marrying on a beach, in a castle, or wherever you might feel like it. However, they can get very expensive, even when your guests are paying their own way. If you're determined to have a destination wedding, you don't have to give up on your dream because you're on a tight budget. There are ways to save and get the wedding you both want without overspending. Pick the Right Location Choosing the right location is the first step you need to take to make sure your destination wedding isn't too expensive. This works best if you're not already set on going to any one place. You might have a certain type of setting in mind, whether it's an island or a mountain location. This still allows you plenty of flexibility to find a location that's right for you. If you are set on somewhere in particular, you can often still save money by choosing the less popular places or by going at the right time. Think about not just where you're going but whether the legal marriage process is expensive too. Keep Your Guest List Small Keeping to a small guest list is seen as an advantage for many people who want to have a destination wedding. In fact, it's the reason some people choose to go away to get married. You're not obligated to invite everyone, or you can bank on a lot of people not wanting to come. You probably still want close friends and family there, but you can avoid having to invite extended family members who you haven't spoken to in years. Draw up a small guest list, and you'll be able to save money, and perhaps even pay for the most important people to make it. Choose a Package Wedding One of the ways to save is by choosing a wedding package that gives you everything you need. It's an affordable way to plan your wedding, but it doesn't have to look cheap. Take a look at SweetHawaiiWedding.com to see what you could be picking if you choose to have your wedding in Hawaii. A package wedding doesn't mean you have no control. You often still have a choice of elements, and you can still make your own choices for things like your outfits too. Get Group Discounts If you're traveling as a group, it's a great way to make some savings. Using your power as a group booking, whether there's 15 or 50 of you, you can negotiate with everyone from airlines to hotels. You don't necessarily have to pay for everything for your guests, but if they're making an effort to come to your wedding, they'll appreciate you getting them a discount. Your destination wedding doesn't need to be expensive at all. You can make it affordable and get the dream wedding that you want. |
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