Saving Money on Wedding Photography

Weddings are momentous occasions to all people involved; especially the families of the bride and groom. One very important aspect of a wedding is to commemorate the event with beautiful pictures so that the day never really disappears. 

Hiring professional photographers is usually the preferred way for couples to capture the moments of their wedding forever. 

Professional photographers can charge an obscene amount of money for their services at times, but there are a few ways that you can save money on photography at your wedding. 

Here are some of things that you can do to save some of your money for the honeymoon instead. Let’s take a look at what you can do. 

1. Place disposable cameras on tables at your reception and let your guests capture special moments for you. 

2. Ask a friend or family member to take special photos of the ceremony for you or videotape it 

3. Check at colleges and universities who are studying photography and hire a student to do it. You can get professional looking photos for a fraction of the price. 

4. Have your photographs taken before the wedding by having your wedding party to gather together at a professional photographer’s shop 

5. Have your photos taken before the ceremony and keep the negatives yourself so that you can develop them later and make prints 

During one of the most important days in your life, pictures and videos can make the day last forever. The above mentioned tips can also make sure that you will not go broke in the process. 

When it comes to the disposable cameras, you can often find cameras that are decorated with wedding themes. If you can’t, you can have the bridal party decorate them instead. 

Using digital cameras can limit the amount of pictures that you have to take while making them easy to reproduce. Digital camera technology can make even an amateur take professional looking pictures. You can even use the prints to create thank you cards later that are personalized that show the guests and/or the bridal party.

Save Money on Your Wedding Dress

Your wedding is quite possibly the most important day of your life and you've probably been dreaming about it since you were about 12 years old. The dress you choose is ultimately going to be what people look at and remember about your wedding. That being said, you want to find the perfect dress that will make your guest's and husband's jaws hit the floor when you walk down the aisle. Are you thinking that may be unrealistic with your wedding budget? Think again! We have some of the best shopping tips in order to help you save money on your wedding dress. This way you can enjoy your wedding while maintaining a reasonable wedding budget. 

1. Shop Around – Don't assume the first dress you try on is going to be the best deal or look the best on you. There are many dresses to try. 

2. Discount Bridal Salons – Discount bridal salons often have sales of up to 75% off (especially on last year's merchandise) which can save you a lot of money in the long run. If you hear of a discount sale, make sure you know what you are looking for since many women go crazy at these events and dresses are often gone in a matter of minutes. 

3. Have Someone Make Your Dress – If you have a talented friend or family member who you trust to make your wedding dress for you, you can save an enormous amount of money and still have a great dress for your big day. 

4. Look on the Internet – the Internet is a great place to search and explore the many options of styles for your dress and you are guaranteed to find dresses which do not cost a fortune. 

5. Bridal Salons – normal bridal salons (as opposed to discount) sometimes have sales which offer around 30% off last years merchandise. The salons near where you live are definitely worth looking into. 

6. Borrow or Rent – Some women cringe at the thought of borrowing or renting a wedding gown, but others may not take it as seriously. Wedding dresses are really only worn for one day and renting or borrowing can really save you a lot of money. 

7. Seamstresses – Contact a seamstress and ask for a quote. It's unlikely that a seamstress is going to charge you as much as a bridal salon. If you do this, make sure to ask about their experience in this area or past brides who you can contact. This will ensure they are reputable and there won't be any "mishaps" with your dress. 

Finding the perfect wedding dress is important, but paying a ridiculous amount for one dress can be a waste of your money. Finding the perfect wedding dress for the perfect price, now that's a wedding dream come true!

Saving Money as a Newlywed Team

As a newly wed couple, you may not always agree on things; however, when it comes to financial survival, the both of you will need to put your heads together and make some decisions with regard to money management. 

For this reason, it is always wise for a married couple to seek financial marriage advice. A financial planner can help with matters such as whether or not to get a prenuptial agreement, and what percentage of your income to put into a joint bank account, and some wise investments to start out with. 

Other decisions are best made between the two of you. What are your spending habits? Who will balance the checkbook? Who will pay the bills? What investments do you wish to make? What are your financial goals and what is your plan to reach them? 

Another aspect of marriage that may require planning is your wedding budget. That would include everything from the price of engagement rings all the way to the actual wedding cost. 

Planning your financial future together is crucial for a healthy marriage. If the both of you choose to undergo premarital counseling, take a few sessions to communicate about your financial issues. Get started early, and continue with couple counseling after tying the knot, as well.

Saving on Wedding Music

When it comes to wedding music, there are some choices that stand apart from others. During the ceremony, it is getting more popular to avoid the traditional bridal music and use a chosen song of love instead. 

People still are using the traditional bridal song too, but it is just not necessary anymore for those who want to be original or walk down the aisle to a song that best expresses how they feel about their nuptials. 

When it comes to the music for your wedding ceremony and the reception, it is important that you consider your budget above all things. Naturally, you will want to have all of the music that you love available including the music that you want for your first dance. 

Hiring a DJ can be the best way to go, but it is not the only way to go. If you must hire a DJ, there are a few ways that you can save money on it. 

Saving on a DJ 

For starters, you can look to hire an amateur DJ who is just starting out. They are eager for the work and will often cut you a good deal. You can find good amateur DJ’s at local school dances and sometimes just by asking local area high school and college kids about DJ’s that they might know. 

Young DJ’s who are just starting out are also using modern technology like portable computers with downloaded music and this means that they can almost always get just about any song that you might want. 

Young DJ’s are also more willing to follow your precise instructions for what you want to hear and will allow you to have full control of what they do. Many amateur DJs will also make you custom CDs if you ask them and you can give them to the bridal party as gifts. 

To get the best prices from the amateurs, you can let them audition to make sure that they can play your wedding song and then you can let them bid their prices. You simply choose the best of them who has the best price. 

Saving on a band 

Many couples would prefer to use a live band at their wedding and reception. Live bands offer a special tone to the ceremony and it adds some elegance. 

When you want to save money on a band, you can often find great deals when you look to local high school and college bands to get much cheaper prices. You can use the school bands to play music at the ceremony and hire a DJ for the reception. 

You can also look to any friends or family members who play musical instruments to help you out. Just make sure that the band that you do hire knows how to play the song or music that you are hoping to have at your wedding. 

Instruments like guitar, Spanish guitar, saxophone, and piano are always great for weddings and you can often find local musical students who will be willing to play a wedding for small fees. 

Extra Money Saving Tips 

When it comes to the music that you want to hear at your wedding, there are some extra tips that you can use to help and make it just a little bit more affordable. Some of these tips are as follows: 

· Hold auditions with young people who are trying to get some experience and let them come to you. 

· Place an ad in the paper or penny saver that you are looking for wedding bands or DJ’s and let them bid for the jobs. This will have the different players competing for your wedding which will have them all trying to outbid each other for the chance for exposure. Let them audition and tell them that you are taking quotes on fees so that they all know what is going to happen. 

· Use pre-recorded live music tapings at your wedding so that you will get he live music sound but without paying the extra money. 

· Use a stereo at your reception that hosts various different mixed CD’s and plays them all automatically. Many stereos these days will play through dozens of Cd’s in a row so that the music lasts for hours. This can cost you no more than the price of the CD’s. You can also use CDs that you burned yourself from the computer so that you can get all of your favorite music 

· A nice decoration for a reception is to make a collage of pictures of the bride and groom and their families.

Saving Money Using Wedding Reception Themes

Just like weddings, receptions are often theme based as well. Reception themes are often more relaxed than wedding themes because they are meant to be provided in a party atmosphere. There are many affordable themes that can be used and I will mention some of them here as well as some great ideas for them. 

Choosing a themed reception can save you a great deal of money on it, depending on the theme that is chosen. 

Reception themes allow people to get creative with their celebration and express themselves. People often choose to base their themes on hobbies, personal interests, and dreams. It can be very costly to host a reception. That is why the majority of your wedding budget is spent on it. Themes help to cut the costs because you can choose to use a casual theme that doesn’t require a great deal of extras. Choosing themes like beach themes, Mexican fiestas, or toga party is simple and the food is cheap and easy. Take a look at some more themes to lessen the cost of your reception. 

Star Trek 

This fun theme can be extremely affordable. You can decorate the room or hall with stars. You can use black garbage bags like wallpaper and string white lights around to simulate the stars. You can have guests dress up like aliens or star trek characters. 

You can serve appetizers rather than entrees and give them special names that remind them of Star Trek. It is a really fun theme that is great if you are a star trek fan. You can also go with other-worldly music that is downloaded from a computer rather than go with a DJ too. You can also choose to play episodes of the show during the reception as entertainment. 

NASCAR 

This theme has a world of possibilities. You can decorate with checkered flags and checkered flag streamers, toy cars, painted numbers of the different cars and drivers. 

If you would like, you can decorate with a particular driver motif. The best part about this theme is that it is very casual and you can serve regular foods like pizza, large submarine sandwiches, hamburgers and even chips and nachos; pretty much any food that you want. 

In general this relaxed type of theme applies to all sports related theme. This theme is great for receptions. You can also opt to watch a race. 

Movies 

Popular movie themes like the Matrix and Lord of the Rings etc. can be a lot of fun for receptions when the bride and groom are movie buffs. 

Decorations will be based on what the general movie symbolizes such as; if you chose the Matrix, you would use computer data charts and sheets, computers, dress in all black etc. You could serve appetizers rather than entrees for this type of theme as well. Playing the movie during your reception is a cool idea for background scenery. 

Roman theme 

The choices with the Roman theme vary. Togas are always a part of the festivities. Serving fresh fruits like grapes, apples etc. are always good. Serving fresh rotisseries meats or cold cuts are great with this theme too. 

You can generally serve beer and wine for this theme and you can decorate with wreathes, garland, candles and anything else in the Roman fashion. 

Reception themes are a great way to personalize your reception. People often choose their themes based on their personalities and individual character. Some themes are based on hobbies and others are based on hopes and dreams.

Should You Send Save the Date Notices to Your Guests?

You’ve probably heard about Save the Dates since they have become quite popular with brides but you might not know exactly what purpose they serve. 

People’s lives are getting increasingly busier and more tightly scheduled so that’s where Save the Date announcements come in handy. You want to make sure that your guests, especially family and close friends, keep the date of your wedding open when planning their schedules. To ensure this, you’ll want to consider sending out Save the Date notices shortly after you have set your wedding date, especially if it’s several months in the future or around a holiday. 

Proper etiquette doesn’t dictate that these advance notices have to be sent but in today’s world it helps your guests in their planning so they can be sure to be with you sharing in the celebration of one of the most important days of your life. If you do decide to send them out, you are not required to send them to every one of your guests but you’ll probably want to at least include close family members and friends. Guests who will have to travel to be in attendance will find them especially helpful for giving them plenty of travel preparation time particularly if you are having a destination wedding. 

It’s easy to be creative when sending out your Save the Dates since there are so many different varieties and designs available. 

• Magnets have become a favorite selection and why not since your guests can easily stick them onto their refrigerator as their reminder. Some magnets have the option of including a photo and some actually show a calendar of your wedding date month with your date circled for easy reference. 

• Scratch Off Cards are a fun, unique way of announcing your wedding date. Your date will only be visible to guests after they have scratched off the appropriate area on the card similar to lottery tickets. They come in great playful designs sure to make your guests smile. 

• Announcement cards can be as creative or as simple as you like. They come in varying designs, colors and themes from whimsical to more traditional. Some of them even come in creative shapes. 

All designs are printed with your wedding date and names and some even give the option of including the wedding location. Blank white mailing envelopes are usually included in the price no matter which design you choose. Be sure to list at the bottom of your Save the Date the added line, “invitation to follow”, so guests won’t assume that this is the actual wedding invitation. This is also why it’s imperative that everyone who receives your Save the Date will also receive your wedding invitation. 

Wedding invitations play an important role in planning your wedding, and in today’s society, Save the Dates are becoming increasingly popular because of your guests’ busy schedules. You want to do everything you can to make sure family and friends will be able to share in the joy of your wedding day.

Some Advice for Buying Cheap Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are a must have for many brides. Ideas for wedding favors that are not too expensive can run a bit short at times. 

Some people find that items like personalized magnets are a good bargain at $1-$2.50 each. That is a pretty good deal. When you shop for them online, sometimes you can find them for as cheap as 50 cents each. Personally decorated candles are a great idea. You can even carve your candles and then paint the carved area to match your theme. 

Here are some more wedding favor ideas: 

· Bookmarks are cheap to make and easy to print on your own home computer. 

· Personalized shot glasses with Hershey’s kisses in them from Mr. and Mrs. are fun and can run as cheap as $2.15 each for 150 of them 

· Wrapping white spruce trees are a great and unique idea that will cost approximately 50 cents each. 

· Personalized mint tins are a great idea and cost about $1.50 per person. 

· You can get heart shaped wine stoppers in various colors with personal engravings on them for about 75 cents each 

The fact of the matter is that no matter what you hoping to use as a wedding favor, the choices that you have are really only as limited as your creativity. 

It is really important that when you are looking into your wedding favors that you realize that they are not the same as centerpieces or bridal party gifts. 

Wedding favors are generally given to the entire guest list at a wedding; whereas bridal party gifts are only given to those who are attendants in the ceremony. 

Really fun wedding favors are those that are created from your favorite treats. For example, Hershey’s kissed bouquets or chocolate heart bouquets are great as well. The wedding favors are simply meant to say thanks to your guests. 

They do not have to be expensive and can run you as little as 50 cents per person when you shop around. Buying your wedding favors online can help you find the best deals out there.

The Prenuptial Agreement Dilemma

Should we have a prenuptial agreement? 


OK. You can look at the idea as very cold and unromantic. You can look at the idea as a considerate and practical way to decide before the marriage certain issues having to do with your money. 

It is interesting to note that the custom of creating prenuptial agreements is not the modern invention that it seems to be. During the 19th century, before the Married Women's Property Act of 1848, prenuptial agreements were necessary for women in the United States. Until the act became law, everything a woman owned or inherited was transferred to her husband. If he died or divorced her, she was just out of luck. 

Nowadays it is not so uncommon to execute prenuptial agreements. And these are not just for the famous super-rich couples we read about, where one spouse is much richer than the other. These are couples who want to be upfront about financial issues and get that out of the way before the wedding. 

A prenuptial agreement is a signed and notarized contract that describes how a couple will handle the financial aspects of their marriage. The prenuptial agreement has many positive benefits that are not related to divorce, and although it is not very romantic, it has many positive elements. 

• If a future spouse won't sign a prenuptial agreement, it may be best to discover this before the wedding. 
The financial well-being of children from a previous marriage can be protected 
• Personal and business assets accumulated before the marriage are protected by a prenuptial agreement. 
• A prenuptial agreement reveals financial expectations before the wedding. 
• A prenuptial agreement discloses assets a spouse may want to give to children or other family members in the event of death. 
• In the event of a divorce, the prenup eliminates battles over assets and finances. 
• Signing a prenup does not mean that a couple is anticipating divorce. 
• Prenups address financial matters need to be faced. 
• A well-constructed prenuptial agreement can preserve family ties and inheritance. 

Despite its many positive features, the prenuptial agreement cannot accomplish everything. 

• A prenuptial agreement may be considered unromantic. 
• A prenuptial agreement may give the appearance of a lack of trust between the partners. 
• It is true that a prenup could create resentment between certain spouses. 
• Certain requirements exist so that the prenuptial agreement cannot be declared invalid. These include failure to disclose all assets, evidence of fraud, forcing the agreement upon the other spouse, unfairness, and lack of representation at the time of signing the agreement. 

If you are considering having a prenuptial agreement it is important to remember these things: 

• Don’t wait until the last minute to talk about financial matters. Discuss the agreement early in the relationship. 
• Don’t try to hide your thoughts, feelings, and especially your assets. 


Note that Legal Helpmate Corp provides an easy-to-use, quick, and economical online method for Creating Prenuptial Agreement (Premarital Contract).

There’s More to Wedding Invitations Than You Might Think

Everybody talks about wedding invitations, but what about all the other terms and items that are associated with them. Below are explanations of some of the more common terms and items that you’ll probably encounter while shopping for your invitations. 

Seal n Send Invitations: This type of invitation is mailed to guests as a single-folded piece (without an envelope) having the respond postcard attached to the invitation by a perforation for easy removal. Since the respond piece is a postcard, you will save on postage for the return mailing. Prices for this product normally include seals along with a printed return address on both the back flap when initially mailing the invitation and on the perforated respond postcard. 

Announcements: For those who won’t be invited to your wedding but you would still like them to know about your marriage, you can mail them an announcement card. They can be printed on the same paper as your invitation but mailed on your wedding day or immediately after with the wording stating that your wedding has already taken place. 

Reception Cards: If there isn’t enough room on your invitation for listing the details of your reception or if not all guests will be invited to attend the reception, reception cards can be ordered to match your invitations and then be included as a separate insert. Please keep in mind that this card could possibly add to your mailing cost since postage is based on weight. 

Respond Cards: These cards are essential to planning for your dinner/reception since an accurate guest attendance count will be needed for food and seating preparations. The respond card along with its mailing envelope will be inserted with your invitation. Remember to include a postage stamp on this small envelope which will also have a mailing address already printed on it so all your guests have to do is fill out the card and mail it back by the date you have printed on it. 

Map Cards: These direction cards would be included as a convenience for any guests who might not be familiar with the location of the church and/or reception. 

Printed Invitation Envelope Flaps: This option of having your return address printed on the outside envelope can save you valuable time and ensure that undeliverable invitations are returned to you. There is a small cost involved but it also gives an address to those who might not be able to attend but still want to send you a card or gift. 

Lined Inner Envelopes: For a small charge, you can request your inner envelopes have a colored lining to add a special touch to your invitation ensemble. Color choices will vary depending on the invitation style you choose. 

Envelope Seals: These self-adhesive labels add just the right finishing touch. They are available in many styles and are used on your outer envelope making it look like they are holding the flap down even though it has already been sealed. 

Informal Notes: These are used separately from your invitations but should be included with your original order since they are usually printed on matching paper and this will save you on shipping costs. They are personalized with either your names or monogram on the front with the inside being blank for writing your thank you notes. Any leftovers can be used long after the wedding for other purposes. Blank mailing envelopes are included with them. 

Not all of the above items are necessary to make your wedding invitations complete. Remember, this is your special day, so it’s your decision as to which ones you would like to include as part of your invitation ensemble.

The Value of a Professional Wedding Video

Only a trained and experienced wedding videographer is correctly prepared to capture all the details and finer points of your special day, from the rush of preparations at the beginning of the day, through the emotional moments of the ceremony, and to the excitement of the reception. 

Afterwards, a professional with creative editing skills will polish your tape artistically and professionally to produce a video (or DVD) that not only documents your day, but also is fun and entertaining to watch again and again! 

Because your choice of videographers is so vital to the memories you will have after your wedding day ends, get an early start in the process of selecting your videographer and shop based on quality. 

Placing videography at the top of your priority list also ensures the best chance of securing your first choice, as today's top wedding videographers are booked far in advance. 

Just like professional photography, pricing for professional videography varies widely, even within the same geographic region. Talent, technology, and time are three key factors, which will affect the pricing of your video. 

For example, you may find professional videographers in your area using cameras and editing systems that are similar. However, it will be their skills, experience, style, and techniques in both shooting and editing that will immediately capture your attention and be the distinguishing differences you will notice in their work. 

This is why it is virtually impossible to shop by price alone when selecting your videographer. Professional wedding videography is an artistic, not a mechanical medium and videographers shoot and edit video differently. 

Video styles and quality can vary tremendously even within the same community and in order to make an informed decision about a videographer - it will be the distinguishing differences of style, quality and end results that will excite you. Be sure that your videographer can match your preferences, and ask to see actual samples of work produced by the videographer who will be recording your event. 

When you stop by to see samples, you will also have an ideal opportunity to discuss your wedding details and style preferences before making your final decision

The Wedding Planning Timeline

The first thing that needs to be considered when planning the ultimate wedding is how much time you will give yourself for the planning. In essence; this means what day that you will set the date of the wedding. 

This may sound like a trivial matter, but it really is important because it will let you know what the time limit is for making your preparations. 

Some weddings can take up to 3-4 months to prepare for and plan. This is pretty typical; depending on how big you are planning for your wedding to be and how fancy etc. 

If you are not giving yourself more than a month, then planning is naturally different. Because of the differences in the time that you are giving yourself to planning the wedding, it is best to give the best planning methods and you may use them or not use them as they apply to your case. 

One of the most important factors that go with planning a wedding is determining who you will be delegating specific duties to. For example, if you are terrible at choosing flowers, who will you assign to do it for you? 

It is always best to try to give different duties to others so that you will not be overwhelmed by them yourself. Let’s take a look at some of the various duties that you can hand out: 

· Catering: Who do you believe would be the best person to handle all of the arrangements for the food and drink at your wedding? 
· Invitations and seating arrangements: This person will be addressing and mailing out invitations and making sure that people are seated in a fashion that will ensure everyone’s mutual comfort and enjoyment 
· Decorations for wedding and reception includes center pieces 
· Rehearsal dinners etc. 
· Music and/or DJ 
· Brides maid and groomsmen gifts and favors 
· Gowns, and tuxedos 
· Bridal showers/bachelor parties etc. 

All of these things are usual must haves when it comes to a wedding, unless of course, you opt not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen in the wedding. All of these things can be murder to try to do on your own as well. 

That is why you have to get in touch with people who are capable of taking over some of the menial jobs for you. All of these things seem small at first, but they can quickly add up to quite a bit of money when they are all combined together. 

After you have delegated the responsibilities, you should next set a specific time period to have all of the tasks completed. Creating a to-do list and time sheet is a great way to do this. That way, when all of the tasks are finished you can easily check them off. 

You should set up specific times and days to discuss the progress of things as well, just in case things are not going so well. In doing this you will be able to help make sure that all things are running smoothly. 

You might be wondering what happens when you have done all of this and are ready to get started. First of all, you have to be willing to follow the general wishes of the couple to be wed; that is unless you are the couple and are planning your own wedding. 

When planning a wedding on a budget you have to lower your requirements just a bit. For example, you can’t try to have to filet mignon if you are throwing the wedding on a fish stick budget. I have broken down the various aspects of the wedding planning to the last details so that you will get a better idea of what I mean. 

Ideally, you would want to have at least a year to plan the wedding, but that is not always possible or desired. For the purposes of this guide, I have set up a 12 month wedding timeline that will certainly make it a little bit easier to host your wedding. 

12 months before your Wedding day: 

· Announce the engagement 
· Set your wedding date 
· Create a budget 
· Hire a Wedding Coordinator (optional) 
· Create your guest list 
· Start brainstorming ideas and themes 
· Reserve your Ceremony spot 
· Book an Officiate 
· Make reservations for your Reception area 
· Book a Photographer and Videographer 
· Book Caterer, Florist and Music (Band, DJ, etc.) 
· Look for a Wedding gown and Tux, allowing time for alterations and fittings 
· Register for gifts 
· Select and call the bridesmaids and groomsmen. 
· Agree on a date to order bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmen's tuxes 
· Choose a destination for your Honeymoon 
· Apply for passports, if required 

6 months before your Wedding day: 

· Finalize your guest list 
· Decide on the timeline and details of Ceremony and Reception 
· Order/make invitations, and thank you notes 
· Make airline and hotel reservations for the Honeymoon 
· Choose a caterer, a florist and place an order for the wedding cake. 
· Book Transportation (Limo, Antique Car, Etc.) for wedding day 
· Shop for any Party rentals 

3-4 months before your Wedding day: 

· Mail out/hand deliver invitations 
· Confirm wedding details and contracts with all wedding vendors 
· Choose gifts for your attendants 
· Set a date and time for the rehearsal dinner 
· Help make travel arrangements for any out-of-town guests 
· Make final alterations and fittings for the Wedding Gown and Tux 
· Set time with your Photographer for the Bridal Portrait or Engagement shoot 

1 month before your Wedding day: 

· Apply for the marriage license 
· Buy your wedding bands 
· Finalize music list and no-play list with band or DJ 
· Attend showers 
· Make insurance arrangements 

1-2 weeks before your Wedding day: 

· Schedule the rehearsal a day or two before your wedding day 
· Make an appointment with a Beauty Salon for day of wedding 
· Send a wedding announcement to the local newspapers (optional) 
· Make necessary arrangements for name & address change, if any. 
· Discuss final details with the reception Site and the Caterer 
· Pack for honeymoon 
· Write out all checks needed for wedding day 
· Send reminders to the rehearsal dinner attendees about the location & time 
· Discuss final details of the ceremony and reception with family and bridal party 

Wedding day or day before: 

· Visit your Beauty Salon for manicure and pedicure 
· Host the rehearsal and dinner. 
· Make sure the ushers have the final guest list.

Tips for A Great Wedding Video

What factors should a bride and groom consider when choosing a videographer? 

How the couple "clicks" with the videographer, the perceived quality of the work, price and value, experience, and professionalism are all important factors when choosing a videographer. 

On the first item, realize that you will be spending lots of time on what is often a rather stressful day with this person. While a personable videographer will help the couple relax and enjoy their day, the exact opposite is also true. 

The nicest videographer in the world, however, will not compensate for poor work. Shooting and editing videotape is an art form. Find someone with the right combination of excellent skills and excellent tools. 

Price and value will always mean different things to couples on different budgets. The tired cliche, "you get what you pay for" is as true here as with any other service. If a couple finds out how much time is really involved in producing a great video, they will realize why prices will often exceed $1500 to $2000. Certainly, none of us will advocate going over-budget like they do in Hollywood, but a video that will hold up to the scrutiny of friends, family, and time will not come cheaply. 

A videography studio that has done work in your facility, or one like it, is an invaluable help. That the videographer is on his 100th, or 500th wedding, is an asset to you. That videographer knows what to expect at the wedding, what questions to ask, and of whom, knows how to interact with the various people he/she will come into contact with during the day. 

What are some questions a couple should ask when choosing a videographer? 

We give out a sheet entitled "Comparison shopping questions" to our couples. This is a great place to start as you shop. 

* Who will my videographer be? Will he/she be the owner, a partner, a full-time employee, a free-lance person, or other? 

* Who will be editing the videotape? 

*To what professional organizations does your studio belong? 

*How do the crew members advance their professional educations? 

*Is the sample tape I'm viewing the same format (usually standard VHS) and same generation (usually 3rd) that I will receive? Was the sample tape recorded and edited on the same equipment that will be used for my event? 

*Is your main camera a 3-CCD (3 "chip") professional model, or something else? What about camera 2, or your back-up camera? 

*How many wireless microphones will you use during the ceremony? Where will they be placed? 

All the sources of sound should be clean and clear. 

* What happens if an equipment problem occurs during my wedding? 

*What guarantees do you provide? 

*What input do we have throughout the shooting and editing process? 

* How will you light the ceremony? How will you light the reception? 

*Where will the videographer(s) be during the ceremony and reception? 

*How will the crew be dressed? 

What are some indications that a videographer might not be that professional? 

You should think twice before hiring a videographer who 

*Does not allow you to visit their studio 

* Offers no references 

* Avoids answering direct questions 

*Speaks ill of other videographers, other industry professionals, or other couples 

* Shows you a tape that he/she didn't produce, but claims to be able to make one "just like that" 

How can a couple evaluate the quality of a wedding video they are viewing as a sample? What are some indicators that the video is very good--and indicators that the video is not that good at all? 

Here is what I see as the best way to judge: ask yourself "Is this what I want my tape to look and sound like?" If your answer is "no", go on to your next appointment. If the answer is "yes", then it's time to move forward. Start with the questions that I list in number 2 above. Seeing a tape from your facility, under similar conditions, will be a great visual clue as to how your tape will turn out. 

A major ingredient in the evaluation process is how the details show up in the tape. Do the flesh tones look right? Can you see eye colors? Can the brides gown be seen in fine detail? Same for the mothers' dresses. 

Crank up the sound. At high volume, the sound should still be clean and clear, not distorted in any way. 

What information should a couple give to their videographer before the wedding that could really help the videographer do his/her job well? 

Knowing where to be, and when, is the obviously best way to start the day off correctly. Please let us know if anything out of the ordinary is going to happen, such as your sister singing with the band, or Aunt Mildred getting a cake in honor of her 85th birthday. Information that you are sharing with the other vendors, such as the caterer, about the schedule of events, should be shared with us. 

Knowing what you expect of us, so that we can meet or exceed those expectations, is vital. 

What should the couple include in a contract with a videographer? 

The contract should protect both parties, and not be so restrictive that it needs to be referred to during the wedding. Obviously, there should be a clear accounting for what services are being included, and at what price. Available extras, and their prices, should be clear. If the contract is based on hours of coverage, that should be unambiguous, along with definition of and charges for overtime. Any rules about cancellation should be easily understood, along with the requirements for any guarantees. And since we work a very long day, meal breaks should be defined and included in the contract. 

What are some great ideas for videos that the couple could have made that would be played either at the church or the reception? 

Having been a judge for the recent Wedding and Event Videographers International Creative Excellence Awards, I can tell you that some outstanding videos are being produced across the country, and around the world. One award winner was told as an eternal love story, showing how the couple had been together in a previous life. They had Shakespearian-type costumes for that period, and it was shot with a soft-focus filter. The modern portion was shot with regular camera settings. Another entry told a funny "how we met" story, set to music. The Best of Category winner was actually rather simple, but told well. It showed the bride and groom arriving at an old mansion for a picnic, then cut back and forth between actual picnic scenes and posed moments. Those posed moments included the couple lip-synching to the background music, and it was a story told with subtle humor. 

Do you have any suggestions on how a couple can make sure a video made ahead of time (perhaps one of them from childhood on or one highlighting family love stories) turns out extremely well? 

Have a clear idea of what you expect to see before starting the production, and make sure the producer understands as well. View the tape before it is shown. See other works the studio has produced. Ask those people how their tapes turned out. 

How can a couple save money on videography? Are there any ways they can negotiate for a better price? 

This is a very difficult area. Some studios will offer discounts for off-season work. Just recognize that what is in-season will vary by region. A Friday night wedding could also bring savings. Cutting back on the services provided, or on the number of tapes received, can make a difference. Shopping with a friend, where both will choose the same videographer, can be helpful. Ask if the videographer offers a Bridal Registry program. We do offer this service, where friends of the couple can buy gift certificates toward the price of the wedding video. There are some videographers, however, that do not offer discounts of any kind, for any reason. be prepared to hear that answer as well. 

What special effects can a couple request? Do you use any special effects in wedding videos that you think come out really well? 

Most videographers have a bank of hundreds of available special effects. I believe that the best videos have the least intrusive effects. Certainly, the Creative Excellence award winners were F/X minimalists. Certain effects can make a tape look as dated as the fashions and hairstyles will in a few years. The classic film-making techniques, such as black & white, slo-mo, and letter boxing, also look great on video. The latest exploding, picture-breaking, fire-breathing effect will look as bad on your wedding tape in a year or so as it looks now on some late night locally produced cable TV used car lot commercial. 

The best special effect is a well-trained human eye. How the shot is framed, how it's lit, how it's tracked, are all elements much more important than what can be achieved through clicking a mouse button. 

What type of things have you done with wedding video that you feel really came out spectacular? 

A personal favorite is where I assemble the key shots from the wedding ceremony, and edit them together in black & white letterbox. Then I superimpose a scroll of the wedding invitation over that. 

Another favorite is when I had the bride and groom sitting on a bench, talking to each other. I started my shot with an extreme close-up of a tree, then moved the camera out to catch the bride with the most natural laugh you can imagine. While shooting next to a pond at a bed-and-breakfast place, we got some great reflection shots. And that first look always is magical, whether staged or real. 

How can a couple help the videographer on the day of the wedding, so as to be sure the video comes out wonderful? 

Relax and have a great time. If they have hired a professional, put their faith there. If they relax and have fun, that will shine through on the tape. 

What type of equipment should a videographer bring to the wedding? What type of equipment should the bride and groom ask be brought? 

How the equipment is used is as important as the hardware involved. While I did indirectly address the issues earlier, I'll review. 

*At least two wireless microphones, plus at least one extra hard wire mic. 

* At least one 3CCD pro camera, preferably two, and/or a back-up camera 

*Tripod and dolly 

*Proper lights 

* A note sheet, with all the relevant wedding info, and a place to write new notes, if needed 

*More than enough blank videotapes 

What are your best tips for brides and grooms who want a really outstanding wedding video?

*Ask friends, family, and other vendors who they recommend 

*Commit as much of a percentage as possible toward the video in the budget 

*Shop around, and ask the questions in #2 above, so that you can compare apples to apples

* Relax and have fun

Throwing an Anniversary Party to be Remembered

Anniversary parties are a wonderful way to celebrate two people who have been together for a number of years. The most common anniversary parties are for 25 years and 50 years. There are many things you can do to make this day special for not only the couple, but all of their family and friends as well. Many people have shared in the joys and sorrows of the anniversary couple and they help to make this a special day as well. Planning an anniversary party is a huge undertaking, sometimes almost as big as a wedding. 

Silver or Gold? 

An anniversary party theme is fairly simple to determine. Unless the couple or their immediate family has requested a particular theme (this is unlikely), you should plan a fairly traditional party. A 25th wedding anniversary is traditionally silver, while a 50th anniversary is gold. Use this to plan the majority of your party, everything from invitations to decorations. 

Who to Invite 

An anniversary party can be as big as a wedding. While many people opt for a small get together consisting of family and close friends only, others look forward to a huge celebration with everyone who has touched their lives in past years. 25th anniversary parties tend to be of the smaller more intimate variety, whereas 50 years together definitely deserves more of a to-do. 

If you’re planning a huge bash, it may take quite a bit of time to come up with a guest list. If the happy couple knows about the party the easiest thing to do is ask them who should be invited. Family members and close friends are fairly obvious, but in addition you may want to invite old coworkers, church members, old neighbors, and the list can go on. If you are planning a surprise party for the couple, this can be a little tricky. Rather than getting the input of just one family member, send a tentative guest list to several family members and ask each for additions and deletions. This will help make sure no one gets missed. 

The Invitations 

If you’re throwing a huge anniversary party, sending out invitations can be quite the task. If the party budget allows for it, get them custom made. You can order the invitations online and get everything shipped to you and ready to go. This will save an enormous amount of time. If the party budget is tight and that money would better go to use elsewhere, making your own invitations can actually be quite simple. All you need is a computer and a printer. You can download some great invitations templates that are simple enough to put together. All you need to do is add all the party information and perhaps a beautiful quote on the front and voila your invitations are ready to go. 

Setting the Scene 

Decorations for the party don’t have to be hugely extravagant, but by adding some special touches you will help make the night even more special for the happy couple. Use the anniversary color almost exclusively; this will help make a great effect. Some ways to use either silver or gold are: 
- Use gold or silver pen or ink for place cards, menu, and any other written items 
- Gold or silver balloons make a beautiful yet inexpensive decoration 
- Add gold or silver placemats or doilies at each place setting 
- Gold or silver candles and or candle holders make a great centerpiece 
- Dinnerware and barware should have gold or silver accents 

There are many other ways in which you can incorporate these colors into the party. Just be sure not to overdo it since this may actually have a night club-ish tacky sort of look to it. Add plenty of white to balance it out. 

Favors to Remember 

Many couples will want to send their guests away with a little something to remember the night by and as a thank you for attending. One of the best favors ideas is a small picture frame of the couple. You can use pictures from their wedding day or a more recent photo. If you can find picture frames that hold two photos a nice idea is to add both a picture of their wedding day and a recent one. Friends and family of the couple will love taking this beautiful keepsake home. 

Another great idea is a CD of songs form the era that the couple met and was married. This will bring back great memories for many of their family and friends and is probably one of the most useful favor possibilities. Be sure to check with local copyright laws to determine what type of fees apply to creating and giving away a music compilation. Make sure that all the music on the CD gets played throughout the night to really give guests something to remember. 

A Night of Nostalgia 

A great idea for any anniversary party, big or small, is a slide show. Start the show of with pictures of the couple when they first met and progress through the years of children and grandchildren. Don’t be surprised to see a few eyes get misty during the show. Add some memorable quotes throughout the show, and play some touching music that reminds them of certain times in their lives. 

If you want the slide show to be a surprise, you can ask family and friends for their favorite pictures to add to the show. You’ll probably end up with more pictures than you’ll know what to do with so don’t worry if you can’t get any of the couple’s picture albums. 

As you can see, planning an anniversary party can take a lot of time, so start planning as soon as possible. Since you could be inviting well over 100 people, starting a year in advance isn’t too soon. Don’t try and take this task on by yourself, you’ll probably have plenty of offers from friends and family to give you a hand; definitely take them up on their offer. This will be a night for everyone to cherish and remember, and the happy anniversary couple will be on cloud nine after seeing how much they mean to everyone in their lives

Tips to make your wedding day perfect

If you were like most little girls, your wedding day was something that was forever in your imagination, a joyous event that would mark a new and exciting era in your life. But in all of your daydreaming and waiting for the right partner to come along, did you imagine that planning a wedding could be so stressful? The answer is probably not. 

The truth is that planning a wedding can be exhausting and have a heavy toll on you financially and emotionally. But it doesn't have to be quite so bad. By following a few simple tips, you can avoid most of the hassles and headaches associated with planning a wedding.


Start planning early. In order to ensure that you can hire the best establishments and service providers for your wedding, you need to start booking early. Many of these places are booked for months in advance, and if you don't act quickly, you may have to go with something other than your first choice. 


Investigate your service providers. By asking for referrals and listening to word of mouth commentary on local service providers, you can save yourself a lot of heartache. 


Put everything in writing. Make sure that everything that is agreed upon with service contractors is put in writing and signed by both parties. A written contract is sometimes the only way to prove what services were offered at what price. 


Do a determined, small amount of wedding tasks each week. By starting early, you can take advantage of planning your wedding over an extended period of time. Do not leave everything for the last minute. Doing small tasks over an extended period of time will ease your stress and frustration immensely. 


Watch your budget. Going into debt to pay for a lavish wedding is never a good idea. Remember to stay within your means and use your money for a better purpose. Sure the $5,000 gown may look great on you, but having a home to live in is probably more important. And you cannot wear an expensive gown while you're lying on the beaches of your honeymoon resort, which you wouldn't be able to afford if you bought the over-priced gown. 


While these steps will not make planning your wedding entirely stress free, they will help to make the transition to your new marital status as smooth as it can be.

Titanium Mens Rings – The Contemporary Look for the Modern Man

The wearing of a man wedding ring is a relatively modern phenomenon. So is the use of Titanium in Titanium mens rings. 

One of the newest and classiest of the modern jewelry materials, Titanium is setting a standard in the looks of contemporary mens wedding bands. 

Despite this, mens titanium rings are reasonably hard to find in your local jewelry store. Unfortunately titanium hasn’t quite made it into the consciousness of your local jewelry merchant. So if you want to find the ultimate in contemporary male jewelry, including men’s titanium rings, you have to look further affield. 

Enter the internet. There is a world of choice on the net for the modern couple searching for the ideal contemporary design mens titanium wedding band. 

But first, what is titanium? 

Titanium is a naturally occurring element, not an alloy. In other words it isn’t just a mixture of two or more different metals to produce a third one, as alloys are. That is not to say that Titanium cannot be alloyed with other metals, just that Titanium itself is not an alloy. 

It is in fact often alloyed with other metals for jewelry making to make it harder, although all Titanium including pure Titanium makes a fine jewelry material. 

For the more chemically minded amongst us, Titanium is listed in the periodic table as a natural element, atomic number 22. 

It was named in 1795 after the god Titan. 

Titanium can even be found in space rocks. The Apollo 17 mission brought back rocks with up to 12% Titanium in them. 

Because of it’s natural properties Titanium has been primarily used in the aerospace industry, and only more recently applied to jewelry making. 

But why is Titanium such a great material for making mens wedding bands? A number of reasons. 

Firstly it is very hard, much harder than traditional ring materials such as gold and silver. It is extremely lightweight, corrosion resistant and very strong. It is so strong in fact that rings are fashioned out of a solid block of metal, so make sure that you get your size right as resizing is usually not an option. 

It is hypoallergenic, meaning that it cannot produce skin reactions or allergies as can be found with some other ring materials, though rare. 

But the real reason is that it looks great! Titanium can be shaped into a wide variety of styles. It can also be colored into a stunning range of colors which can be mixed and matched. 

For this reason the range of choices in mens Titanium wedding bands is much greater than for a more traditional material such as gold for example. Although gold can be altered to offer a small range of different colours, it is basically gold colored. Titanium offers a much wider range of choices in color. 

Titanium also offers a choice of finish, most commonly satin, matt or polished. 

Black Titanium mens wedding rings are amongst the most eye catching of all the Titanium rings. Black Titanium rings are usually a mix of black Titanium coupled with another color as an all black ring can be overpowering. But a contemporary style mens black Titanium ring is almost the ultimate in chic for the man who wants to make a statement. 

Mens Titanium rings can be coupled with a wide range of precious gemstones, including diamonds, to add effect. And as Titanium is so strong it is also possible to buy tension set titanium rings. 

What are these? Well the strength of the material is used to suspend a gemstone, say a diamond, between the two ends of the ring so that the gemstone is almost hanging in space in the ring. A totally modern look. 

The strength of the Titanium keeps it there. 

And for the more creatively minded amongst us it is possible to design your own mens Titanium ring. There are online jewellers who offer the option of making up a design for your Titanium ring that is unique only to you. You decide exactly what style, color or mix of colors you want. 

Want to add a gemstone? Or more than one? Where do you want to put it in the ring? It’s all up to you. 

There is no doubt that the older traditional materials used for making rings make beautiful rings. Gold or silver rings are still high on the list of choices for many men, and modern ring designs in these materials are also impressive. 

But the modern man who has decided to wear his marital status on his finger shouldn’t buy a ring before he looks at the range of 
Titanium mens wedding rings. 

The only difficulty is making up your mind which one!

The Wedding Party

In ancient times, brides were thought to be particularly vulnerable to evil spirits, so in order to protect the bride, her friends were richly dressed in costumes similar to the bride's and acted as decoys to confuse the evil spirits. 

It was once common for the bride and groom, as well as their friends, to walk to the church on the morning of the wedding. Afraid that a spurned suitor would try to place a curse on the bride and groom, their friends would garb themselves similar to the bride and groom in order to trick the evil wishers. 

Today, the function of the bridesmaid is to be a support to the bride as well as her confidant and friend. 

Have you ever wondered about the purpose of groomsmen? Legend has it that this came about during ancient times when women were in short supply and a man had to literally kidnap his bride from her village, clan or tribe. The groom-to-be would bring along his 'best men' to help fight off angry family members or from competing suitors. 

The best man of days-gone-by was responsible for more than the wedding ring. Since there remained a threat of the bride's family attempting to forcibly gain her return, the best man stayed by the groom's side throughout the marriage ceremony, protecting the bride and groom from any threats. He also served as a sentry outside the newlyweds' home. 

It is believed to bring good luck to the groom if the best man arranges for the groom to carry a good luck charm in his pocket on his wedding day. It is also considered good luck for the best man to pay the officiant's fee in an odd sum. 

Nowadays, the role of the groomsmen and best man has been confined to the honorary positions

The Wedding Veil

The veil dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. They were wary of evil spirits and demons, and bright colors were believed to scare off these unwanted spirits. Occasionally, a Roman bride was completely covered in red veils to protect her from evil spirits. Others believe wearing the veil stems from the time of arranged marriages. The father of the bride may have feared the groom would not want to marry his daughter if he found her unpleasant to look upon, so the bride would be heavily veiled and she would not be revealed to the groom until after the ceremony. 

Many believe the tradition of the 'unveiling' stems from Biblical story of Jacob and his two wives. Jacob's father-in-law, Laban, tricked him into marrying Leah instead of his true love, Rachel. Leah was heavily veiled and Jacob did not realize he had married the wrong woman until after the ceremony. Thus the Jewish tradition of Bedeken was born, where the groom lowers the veil before the ceremony and raises it prior to the kiss. 

The veil became popular in England during the 1800's and signified modesty and chastity. In the Christian tradition, the veil is lowered by the father before the processional and is raised by the groom prior to the kiss. 

In some Eastern ceremonies, the bride is veiled throughout the entire ceremony and is not unveiled until after it is over. 

The wedding veil has evolved over the centuries, and has signified youth, virginity and modesty. Roman brides were married in swathes of brilliant red or yellow, while Viking queens wore metal skullcaps. Many Japanese brides still wear the traditional tsuno-kakushi, a white hood that supposedly hides the horns of jealousy. Veils made of lace were made popular in the United States by Nelly Curtis, the adopted daughter of George Washington. Legend has it that Major Lawrence Lewis, her father's aid, saw Nelly standing behind a filmy lace curtain and he was so taken by her beauty that he asked for her hand in marriage. She then wore a lace veil on her wedding day in order to preserve the effect for her groom.

Save Money on Your Wedding Dress

Your wedding is quite possibly the most important day of your life and you've probably been dreaming about it since you were about 12 years old. The dress you choose is ultimately going to be what people look at and remember about your wedding. That being said, you want to find the perfect dress that will make your guest's and husband's jaws hit the floor when you walk down the aisle. Are you thinking that may be unrealistic with your wedding budget? Think again! We have some of the best shopping tips in order to help you save money on your wedding dress. This way you can enjoy your wedding while maintaining a reasonable wedding budget. 

1. Shop Around – Don't assume the first dress you try on is going to be the best deal or look the best on you. There are many dresses to try. 

2. Discount Bridal Salons – Discount bridal salons often have sales of up to 75% off (especially on last year's merchandise) which can save you a lot of money in the long run. If you hear of a discount sale, make sure you know what you are looking for since many women go crazy at these events and dresses are often gone in a matter of minutes. 

3. Have Someone Make Your Dress – If you have a talented friend or family member who you trust to make your wedding dress for you, you can save an enormous amount of money and still have a great dress for your big day. 

4. Look on the Internet – the Internet is a great place to search and explore the many options of styles for your dress and you are guaranteed to find dresses which do not cost a fortune. 

5. Bridal Salons – normal bridal salons (as opposed to discount) sometimes have sales which offer around 30% off last years merchandise. The salons near where you live are definitely worth looking into. 

6. Borrow or Rent – Some women cringe at the thought of borrowing or renting a wedding gown, but others may not take it as seriously. Wedding dresses are really only worn for one day and renting or borrowing can really save you a lot of money. 

7. Seamstresses – Contact a seamstress and ask for a quote. It's unlikely that a seamstress is going to charge you as much as a bridal salon. If you do this, make sure to ask about their experience in this area or past brides who you can contact. This will ensure they are reputable and there won't be any "mishaps" with your dress. 

Finding the perfect wedding dress is important, but paying a ridiculous amount for one dress can be a waste of your money. Finding the perfect wedding dress for the perfect price, now that's a wedding dream come true!

Planning Your Wedding Reception

Great deals can be found when you know how much money you are working with. It really doesn’t matter how small your budget is for the reception because all budgets can be accommodated. 

Your reception budget should consist of approximately 30% of your wedding budget or more. Most wedding receptions are so expensive due to the fact of providing meals, decorations, hall rentals etc. 

For the purposes of this guide, I will give two different examples of common receptions and an idea for cutting costs on the food and drinks as well as give you the best tips for throwing your reception on a budget. 

Renting a Hall 

If you prefer to rent a hall or space for your reception, you must consider many things before making this decision. You will have to think of the prices for the hall rental, the cost of using their servers (most halls include servers in price and they are not negotiable), decorations, flowers, meals, drinks etc. 

When you wish to rent a hall for your reception there are some things that the hall will include in your rental that you can’t avoid paying for such as: servers, decorations, and wine. However, some halls will give you the option to pick and choose the extras that you want. 

Depending on the type of hall that you choose to rent, the costs can vary greatly. For example, if you rent a large hall, you could pay more than if you rented a legion hall. 

You might also want to consider that if you are starting with a small budget, that renting a hall might not be worth the effort and money, or it may leave you with less options. 

There are a few tips when renting a hall that could keep a great deal of your costs down. Let’s take a look at them. 

1. You should only consider renting a hall if you have invited 50 or more people to your reception. 

2. When renting a hall, you have to decide if you are opting for a cash bar or an open bar. A good compromise is to purchase a few cases of beer on your own and host a cash bar for those who want mixed drinks if you are trying to keep costs down. 

3. Rent a hall that you can decorate yourself 

4. If you must have servers, rent a hall that includes servers in the price of the rental or go with a hall that lets you bring your own. 

5. Choose a hall that will cater to whatever your needs or budget is. 

6. When it comes to the food, you should go with a hall that will allow you to bring your own food if you would prefer to not pay extra for catering. 

7. Serving vegetable and fruit trays, as well as finger foods like finger sandwiches will be of great value in accommodating vegetarians 

8. Opting for a casual reception will allow you to serve your food buffet style which will be predominantly cheaper. 

9. Opting to tell people to forego giving you a wedding gift and serve a completely cash bar is a great way to accommodate guests and recover some of the money for the hall. 

10. Opt for non-weekend dates because these are not peak hours for the hall and the prices may be cheaper 

11. You should choose to host your event during the winter for the best rates 

12. Negotiate a special discount by paying cash instead of credit card. Most reception halls will do this 

13. Choose to go with a non-dinner reception offering instead snack foods and munchables 

Hosting a wedding reception at a hall does not have to cost through the nose if you know how to get around the basics which I have just mentioned. 

Most people would like to host their reception at a reception hall because they feel that it is more elegant than hosting it outdoors, however, this is not always the case. Sometimes, hosting your event outdoors is more fun and it is also much cheaper.

Planning your Wedding Decoration Budget

When it comes to your decorating budget it really depends on where the ceremony and reception will be on what decorations need to be present as well as what if any; themes that you are choosing. 

For example, if you are planning an indoor dinner, you have to include centerpieces etc. The most common decorating choice for weddings and reception are flowers, and streamers. 

While the streamers and various other decorations are generally inexpensive, the flowers can kill you. It is best when choosing your flowers for a wedding service and reception to use false flowers or paper machete flowers as they are cheap and reusable. 

For those who would much prefer to use real flowers, it can be much cheaper to go with wild flowers and/or hand picked flowers. It is also a good idea to use them sparingly. 

For example, rather than going all out and decorating everything with flowers just use a simple arrangement for the center of the table and place them in small vases or hand made crafts. 

Of course you can also opt to keep the flowers strictly in the ceremony. Paper machete flowers re getting more and more popular as well as hand made roses that were created from tissue paper. When they are placed on green pipe cleaners or wires that are covered in green tissue paper they are quite attractive. It is a nice way to save money and spend some time with your friends and family in creating them. 

When it comes to the decoration budget, this is a time when you will want the church, chapel or hall for the ceremony to cover them for you. 

If that is not possible, the ceremonial decorations can be limited to those involved in the ceremony, such as their clothes. If you must, you can pin balloons to the areas where the guests will be seated or create some flowers out of tissue paper. 

Streamers are always used, but there are other ways to decorate that are just as appealing. Here are some good tips for decorating at your wedding on a budget. 

· A really unique idea is to use glass containers and putting baby fish in them. It is very unique and attractive, and it is also cheap because the glass containers can be purchased at Wal-Mart and even a dollar store. The fish can be as cheap as you want them to be 

· Good old candle holders and candles are always a romantic addition to any wedding decor 

· If your reception is at night it is nice to add fireflies to a glass container with holes for air or even butterflies during the day 

· False flower arrangements in a bamboo pot are a very nice addition and keepsake for guests 

· Using white Christmas lights streamed through greenery is a beautiful decoration and is one that you likely already have available 

· Chocolate and candy flower bouquets are sweet accents to the décor and they can be souvenirs for the guests later. 

· Balloons, balloons, and more balloons are always fun 

These are not the only decorations that are available but you are getting the idea. The best thing that you can do before choosing your decorations is to choose a theme first. Themes for weddings are just like choosing themes for anniversaries and birthdays. Once you can decide on a theme, you can decorate around that theme. 

For example, if you are choosing to have your theme be tropical romance, you can use glass containers with sand etc. as centerpieces to your reception. Some extra and easy to afford themes include those that will be listed in the table below as well as some of the things that usually accompany them. 

These are common wedding ceremonial themes that are used as opposed to the reception themes mentioned above; of course they can be used as reception themes too