Laura Weatherly, founder of Washington wedding planning company Engaging Affairs, dishes with associates Sara Muchnick and Amy Guthridge about tying the knot in style.

How can a couple stick to a tight budget without sacrificing style?

LW: “Have a Friday wedding, or pick an off-season date. Don’t pick a Saturday night in June. And look for deals.”

SM: “Try a dessert and hors d’oeuvres selection instead of a traditional sit-down dinner.” She adds that brides should look for venues with historic details or interesting design elements: “The more character your venue has, the less decorating you have to do. All you have to do is highlight the decor, not create it.”

What’s the No. 1 secret to planning a successful wedding?

LW: “If budget is an issue, realize that you have to make choices — you can have a very simple wedding for all your family and your 70 friends, or you can have the wedding you REALY want for 50 people.”

What’s the most important detail not to overlook?

LW: “Photography, without a doubt.” She adds that some photographers let brides defer ordering an album, which helps spread out the expense.

AG: “I have my grandparents’ wedding album from 53 years ago, and I still look at it. So not only will you have it, but also your kids and grandkids.”

For the ultimate stressed-out bride, what’s your best advice?

SM: “Get on a timeline. If you know what you’re doing and when it needs to be done, you’ll be able to calm yourself when you wake up in a cold sweat. You have things you need to accomplish each day, each week, just like a work schedule.”

LW: “Break down the big things, like choosing a band — break it into smaller tasks, such as ‘get proposals from bands,’ etc.” And remember not to get lost in the planning. I had clients that did ‘No-Wedding Wednesdays,’ where they had to go out and do something fun and NOT talk about the wedding, not even once. It’s easy to get lost in the planning and miss the point of getting married.”

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LOS ANGELES - Supermodel Gisele Bundchen was the picture of tradition at her hush-hush Catholic wedding to football phenom Tom Brady, sources told the Daily News.

The Brazilian bombshell - famous for modeling barely-there bikinis and Victoria’s Secret lingerie - wore a flowing fairy-tale veil over a long, ivory lace dress by Italian luxury designer Dolce & Gabbana.

Grainy footage of Bundchen walking outside St.Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica - featured in the 1944 film “Going My Way” - was posted Friday on the celebrity news Web site TMZ.com.

Bundchen, 28, and Brady, 31, had no immediate comment on reports of the intimate Thursday night nuptials.

The ceremony was so secret guests didn’t realize they were attending a wedding until they arrived. Instead, they “thought they were going to a christening at a church,” an unnamed source told celeb TV show “The Insider.”

The bicoastal newlyweds holed up in their Brentwood manse Friday, celebrating with friends, reported People.com.

The genetically gifted couple shelled out a reported $11 million for the California house to be near Brady’s 18-month-old son with ex-girlfriend Bridget Moynahan.

source: nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/02/28/2009-02-28_gisele_bundchen_all_covered_in_lace_for_.html

It was once considered recession-proof, but the tight economy is putting the squeeze on the wedding industry.

More couples are now planning their big day on a budget.

But at bridal shows, the business of love and marriage is on display.

“We bring together dozens and dozens and dozens of wedding related businesses so that it is sort of a one stop shopping experience for the bride who is planning her wedding,“ said Mark McIntosh of Washington Bridal Showcase.

It’s an experience that requires a lot of looking, and there are a lot of things to decide on: the dress, the tux, the cake, the pictures, the china and the honeymoon.

“I’ve been grabbing things at every booth so that we try to remember when we eventually make decisions a couple of months down the road,“ said groom-to-be Ryan Colaianni.

But while couples are still spending for their special day, the recession has many trading in the extravagant for the economical.

“They might be doing a little bit smaller of a cake, maybe a sheet cake to go along with it. So that cuts costs big time,“ said Alexis Hilley of Cakes Plus.

Wedding vendors are certainly feeling the pinch.

“We’re cutting back on the costs of things and trying to offer them a package that fits whatever they’re budgeting,“ said Jeff Schofield of Washington Talent Photo & Video.

In 2007, couples spent an average of $28,700 on their wedding.

Last year, they spent $21,800, which is 24% less.

And a recent survey showed 62% of couples say they will spend less this year on the honeymoon.

There are ways to save on your wedding.

Avoid marrying between October and May when wedding services cost more, or book reception halls during the day as they cost more at night.

Plan your wedding just before or right after another wedding and get the other couple to split the decorating cost, use more greens than blossoms in your bouquet, or save on paper postage with single sheet invitations.

Another trend for couples is to trade in the traditional gift registry for a honeymoon registry to help pay for their trip.

But while the bargains are good, some say love is priceless.

Bride-to-be Brook Gries said, “I figure a little bit of debt for a lifetime of pictures and memories is alright.“

source: wsav.com/sav/news/local/article/bargain_weddings/9478/

There’s nothing better than receiving an invitation for the wedding of a friend or family member, and although there are a number of wedding etiquette rules the bride and groom have to stress over, wedding guests have their own sets of rules to follow.
First things first, make sure you RSVP. The bride and groom do not send the invitations to impress you with the fancy lettering.
Whether or not you plan to attend, the wedding party is trying to gauge exactly how much they will be spending … on you.
Secondly, don’t bring a date to the wedding unless the invitation offers you a spot for him or her.
According to weddings.about.com, the cost for each party to attend the wedding is usually high, so bringing an unforeseen guest could wreak havoc on the bride and groom, something you do not want to see on such a special day.
As far as gift-giving goes, it is not required to bring a gift on the day of the wedding. It is actually acceptable to send a gift up until a year afterward.
For the college student who is not so financially endowed, there are plenty of gift ideas that will not empty your pockets, but will still show the bride and groom you care.
Many couples will be registered for gifts all the way up and down the price spectrum. If a registry does not fit in your price range, individual kitchen appliances are always a great gift for newlyweds.
According to frugalbride.com, if you’re more of the artistic type, try putting the wedding invitation or a memorable poem in a frame.
This is a gift that is inexpensive, but something the couple can hold onto long after their wedding.
Nowadays, many weddings are offering their guests what is known as an “open bar.” No, this does not mean stand on top of a table to have a beer chugging contest.
The open bar is a luxury the bridge and groom have chosen to provide to you, in moderation and with good taste of course, to help you save money.
Although many guests feel as though they should celebrate as much as the bride and groom, this is their day, not yours, so keep the drink count between three and five.
Sites like ourmarriage.com and theknot.com are also available for guests to sharpen up on the dos and don’ts of attending a wedding.
You can also check out amazon.com’s list of wedding etiquette books.
At the end of the day the bride and groom have invited you to their wedding because they want you to share in this significant day with them. Though there are some rules guests should follow, be yourself and enjoy this day with the people you love.

source: thenews.org/features/proper_wedding_etiquette_for_guests

First, some history on the lover’s holiday: Though sending cards and love notes only dates back to the 1840s, Valentine’s Day has been around since 496 A.D. Flash forward hundreds of years, and you’ll find that this year Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, making the most romantic day of the year the perfect time to say I do. Not sure how to pull off a Valentine’s Day wedding with style? We’ve got 10 tips to help you plan.

Show Your Love

To get started, think about Valentine’s Day and what it means to you. Look for inspiration from your own love story — if you met on the ski slopes of Vail, incorporate cool blues and other wintry hues. Or take your decor cues from an ultraromantic destination you’ve been to, like Paris or Venice.

Find Your True Colors

Valentine’s Day is synonymous with pink and red. Depending on your style, you can go with this traditional palette or do something unexpected. For example, choose a classic black and white palette and subtly add hints of red or pink. Do so by carrying a deep red bouquet or wrapping pale pink satin ribbon around the tiers of an all-white cake. Another way to make these romantic hues stylish is to go for contrast. Think deep crimson paired with ballet slipper pink.

Seal It with a Kiss

For a semiformal affair, get guests in the mood by sending save-the-dates decorated to look like vintage Valentines. Instead of a guest book, you might leave out Valentines for your guests to send to you with their well wishes and words of advice (make sure there are extras in case they want to give some to each other too!). For a formal wedding, flocked paper, whether for your invitations or escort cards, makes a luxurious statement with its rich, soft texture.

Create Room for Romance

Speaking of texture, use it to your advantage to create a romantic vibe. Lots of candlelight will shine even brighter if you choose table linens that have a silky sheen. For lounge or cocktail areas, a few faux fur pillows or throws will create a comfy, cozy mood (as well as a perfect spot for guests to snuggle). And if a fireplace or fire pit is an option, by all means, light it. Any frosty February chill will be forgotten thanks to its comfort and warmth.

Add Some Mood Lighting

Think about lighting to set the mood. Splashes of soft pink light will warm up a space and make everyone look great in photos. While you may not want hearts everywhere, a heart-patterned gobo spotlight would look quite modern dressing up your dance floor. And, of course, nothing says romance like a candlelit dinner. Go for ornate, flower-draped candelabras or create a more contemporary vibe with frosted glass votives.

Say It with Flowers

Roses on Valentine’s Day are a given. But other blooms can be just as romantic and stylish. Amaryllis is one showy winter flower that’s dramatic and gorgeous. For a rich contrast, mix deep red calla lilies and cockscomb. Another option, no matter what your budget: Experiment with adding nonfloral elements, like feathers or crystals, to your centerpieces for a rich and luxurious look.

Toast Your Love

A Valentine’s Day wedding calls for its own special signature cocktail. A pink sugar-rimmed cosmopolitan or a flute of champagne with gold flakes will play up the romance factor. A chocolate martini is another delicious option. You might also consider having small bowls of classic Valentine candies, like Conversation Hearts and red cinnamon hearts, at the bar for a sweet but subtle touch.

Have Your Cake and More

Valentine’s Day is a day to indulge. Consider serving decadent desserts like individual-size flourless chocolate cakes drizzled with raspberry syrup or dark chocolate-dipped dried fruits. For the actual cake, a modern heart pattern embossed into white fondant is a great option, or choose a red filling (like red velvet cake or fresh strawberries) so that each slice will have a hint of color.

Play Sweet Music

It’s more than likely your first dance will be to a love song. But if you want to keep the mood romantic all night long, ask your guests to fill in their first dance song (or simply the name of their song) on their RSVP cards. Mixing some of these tunes into your playlist is a lovely way to honor your guests and help them relive loving memories.

Give ‘Em Some Sugar

Don’t forget to let your guests know how much you love them. Leave them handwritten messages — love notes, if you will — in glass bottles at each place setting for a fun favor. Or send guests home with something sweet, like chocolate truffles or chocolate-covered espresso beans, packaged in a creative way. Add a personalized card with a cute saying like, “We’re in love…with you! Thank you for coming.”

source: ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9784676

Does anyone hear just one wedding bell? That’s right, even brides-to-be are reevaluating their budgets in this recession. About 25 percent of couples plan to slice their wedding budgets in half, and 1 in 10 intend to cut back costs by 75 percent, according to a nationwide survey recently released by retailer David’s Bridal. Does that mean open bar for just 20 minutes?

The “What’s on Brides’ Minds” poll also revealed that 53 percent do not plan to spend more than $25,000. The Association for Wedding Professionals estimates that in 2008 the average wedding cost $21,000 to $24,000, although the Association of Bridal Consultants puts the figure closer to $35,000. A significant 34 percent of brides-to-be have a much lower figure in mind, telling pollsters that they do not plan to spend more than $10,000 on a wedding.

The wedding industry always has had the brides by the veils when it comes to costs, but maybe the cake tables are turning? Clearly, the planners, DJs, caterers and florists also will have to make adjustments to meet the needs of couples on a budget.

“They’re offering more value instead of modifying their prices. For instance, a photographer recently added another album to a lower-priced package,” says Harmony Walton, founder of the Bridal Bar, a Los Angeles boutique. “I’m also seeing more invitation designers offering promo codes for 10 percent off.”

Over at SellMyWeddingDress.com, a used — once, presumably — Vera Wang size 8 gown of tulle and satin that sold originally for $4,800 is priced at $1,500. And there are alternate routes to outfitting. I spent a mere $175 on my vintage 1970s Mexican wedding dress. (My splurge was on Valentino platform peacock sandals instead.)

At the end of the big day, experts agree that cutting the head count is the best way to save money. Fewer fourth cousins means fewer tables, which means fewer peony centerpieces. Even the wedding planner becomes less expensive.

“Most consultants base their fee on how much a wedding costs,” says Jean Picard, California state coordinator for the Association of Wedding Consultants. “For some, it may not be the time to have dinner and dancing for 300 of your father’s business associates.”

And if a scaled-down wedding just doesn’t appeal, here’s a recession-proof proposal: “Honey, will you elope with me?”

source: tdn.com/articles/2009/02/03/this_day

There are many budget mistakes you can make. For me, these are the three biggies:
Don’t bother to make a budget. You have put money aside, you may or may not be sure exactly how much. There are a bunch of things you want, and so off you go planning the wedding of your dreams. Then halfway there you find out that not planning means that your cash only extends to half a wedding. Avoid this: Make a budget.
Overspend your budget. You set a budget and you checked out the magazines and books to get all the recommended percentages and then you pay no attention to any of it. You spend a little over here, a lot over there, and you get halfway through and oopsie, money’s gone and you don’t have a celebrant or a dress. Avoid this: by sticking to your budget and rearranging it when you save in one column or overspend in another.
Don’t base it on your values or your lifestyle. It’s way too easy to be seduced with what’s fashionable in weddings. Celebrities have certain songs or ritual moments and everyone wants to emulate them. You wind up spending money on things that have nothing to do with who you are and what you believe in. Avoid this: Base your budget on what is important to you. (Your wedding will be beautiful because it will reflect who you are, how you love one another and what you believe!)

Budgets are one of the most important parts of your planning, if you have no idea how much you can spend you will definitely over spend. Try to be mindful of spending and shop around as much as you can to get the best deal you can. For help planning or ways to save money please refer to my other blog entries or you can contact me by email natasha@thechoclatier.com.

Happy Planning,
Natasha

Party favors with a conscience: Instead of spending money on bags of Jordan almonds and pencils and notepads emblazoned with the newlyweds’ names, some couples are opting instead to donate to a charity in the wedding guests’ honor.

The personal touch: Couples are sharing interesting tidbits of biographical information about themselves with their guests. For example, the wedding program may include brief bios about the bride and groom. Or instead of table numbers at the reception, each table may be named after a particular flower or significant dates in the newlywed’s lives.

Footing the bill: No longer is the wedding tab solely the burden of the bride’s parents. Now, anything goes. One professional couple who had married after they’d been away from their parents’ homes for a number of years decided to pay for their wedding themselves, Renick says. Sometimes, the bride’s and groom’s families decide to split the bill right down the middle.

Flowers: Move over roses and hydrangeas. Make way for thistle, amaranthus and curly willow. Traditional wedding bouquets and tabletop centerpieces at the reception now come with a new twist: funky flowers and even tree bark.

House of worship decorations: Pew decorations were once used to mark the pews reserved for the bride’s and groom’s family. Not anymore. Now, all of the pews may be festooned with decorative adornments such as kissing balls.

Seeing green: Many couples are going green with their wedding plans. When it comes to weddings, green comes in many shades. For some, it means using paper products made of recycled materials, using local vendors, recycling family jewelry, recycling their wedding attire, serving locally-grown produce and organic foods or using flowers that haven’t been treated with pesticides or herbicides. Just remember, says Renick: Going green may cost you more greenbacks.

New venues: Couples now are often thinking beyond the traditional church wedding. Now people are choosing new settings for their nuptials, such as Rustic Manor in Newberry, Kanapaha Gardens, the Austin Carey Forest and even the Hippodrome Theater and area museums.

New photo ops: Many couples are now opting to pose for their wedding pictures either before or after the day of the ceremony, and in places that have meaning to them, such as the place of their first date.

source: gainesville.com/article/20090129/MAGAZINE01/901290886/1004/LIVING?

Getting hitched in 09? Think lean, green, and customized for your nuptials, according to Lynn Easton Andrews of Charlottesville’s venerable events planning agency Easton Events.
After leaving a television production career in New York City for the high-energy field of wedding planning, Andrews has worked in New York and Charlottesville’s planning industry for nearly 12 years– planning over 200 weddings throughout her career. As the president of Easton Events, with clients in NYC and C’ville, Andrews– alongside her team of event planners Dickie Morris and Kennon Ibbeken– has planned weddings from the highest economic tiers to those of couples working with more modest budgets of around $35,000 to $40,000.
“The Easton team loves using the wonderful venues that abound in and around Charlottesville,” says Andrews, “but have also planned weddings as far afield as Italy, in a villa out of a fairy tale to a private, ethereal affair amidst the beautiful gardens of a client’s childhood home.”
With the buzzwords of 2008 revolving around sustainability and economic instability, Easton offers brides three major tips and trends for weddings in ‘09.

Scrimping and Saving
Despite the current economic downturn, no bride should fear she’ll have to have a bare bones event. The biggest trend in cutting wedding costs comes from the increase in the use of wedding websites, rather than sending out various mailed reminders. Still looking to cut costs? Using an iPod rather than live music during cocktail hour and skipping the traditional in-room gift bags allows brides to focus their economic energy on more memorable aspects of their wedding day.

Green weddings
With the increase of green living and a rising awareness of sustainable practices, brides are also looking to add some green into the traditional white-gloved affair. While some brides find the grandest ways of touting their green-ed wedding with hemp gowns and recycled silverware, there are many smaller but nonetheless effective ways to go green, according to Andrews.
“Most brides are now conscious of not wasting during their weddings,” says Andrews. “A really big trend this year is in using recycled products and trying to offer transportation to guests.”
Along with the increasing popularity of the wedding website– a paperless wedding trail is always a sustainable practice– Andrews recommends thinking local when choosing flowers and selecting vendors. Providing group transportation to guests, so that not every couple is driving from the ceremony site to the reception site needlessly is a growing green bridal trend.
The brand-ed wedding
The biggest trend for modern brides, however, lies in the details. According to Andrews, the little details that tie a wedding together are all the rage for 2009. Whether it be a themed wedding or just a unifying monogram or phrase, brides are packaging their day together in a profound way.
“We did a wonderful wedding where the bride’s theme song was ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered,’ so we went out and got antique stamps and postcards,” says Andrews. “It’s the concept of finding some element– whether you’re doing a wedding on the sea, or there’s something you love about UVA– in some way you want to create a thread through all the elements of the wedding.”
If you’re not “branding” your wedding, other trends seen by Andrews include the rising popularity of speciality drinks, the use of vintage cake toppers and dessert bars, providing late night food– grilled cheese sandwiches and mini hamburgers– for guests to chow down on between dances, and skipping guest favors in favor of contributing to charities instead.

source: readthehook.com/stories/2009/01/29/Wedding-Eastonevents.aspx

These times are tough for everyone and the key here is to recycle recycle recycle. Try shopping around in thrift stores months before the wedding hit the yard sales and flea markets there are hidden treasures out there you just need to keep a sharp eye. Remember do not try looking 2 days before the wedding spend a good time before looking around for items you could use in different areas of the wedding. For more ideas or some help planning feel free to email me.

Good luck and Happy planning!
Natasha

When you’re about to take the big plunge, nobody wants to hear the words “cheap wedding.” But the truth is, it’s an expensive endeavor, and some strategic thinking about the big day can make it less painful to the pocketbook.

We talked to two custom caterers, Joan Pistone of J. Pistone Market and Gathering Place in Shaker Heights and Pamela Waterman of Duet Catering in Rocky River. We asked them to tell us exactly where to find the wiggle room in the big day’s budget.

Both specialize in weddings for under 250 people and tailor their menus to the bride, groom and family members.
Pistone works with her brother, John Pistone, who is a chef. They have been catering weddings for nearly 10 years; Waterman is a former chef at Lockkeepers who opened her own catering business two years ago.

Here are some of their tips:

Have the wedding at home. You may have to rent a tent, tables and chairs, but you might save a lot on the cost of a hall.

Have the reception where you’re having the ceremony. A church or the municipal courthouse can offer a schedule without interruptions, plus supply tables and chairs.

“You can save both time and money not having to worry about what to do with out-of-town guests [between the ceremony and reception],” said Waterman.

Have a smaller wedding than you planned. “You don’t have to invite everyone you’ve shaken hands with in your lifetime,” said Waterman.

Smaller is more intimate, said Pistone. “Guests want to be able to talk to the bride,” she said. “You don’t want it so big that, five years later, you forget half the people who were there.”

Offer wine and beer rather than an open bar. If you add mixed drinks, you’ll need an extra bartender.

Choose a buffet over a sit-down dinner. Plated dinners require more servers.

Think more about what you want than what is trendy. Put your mark on it rather than get tied to a big packaged deal with little room for variation.

There’s nothing wrong with choosing barbecue food over beef Wellington, if you pick a quality caterer.

“Food can be simple and still be tasty,” said Waterman.

source: cleveland.com/cooking/plaindealer/index.ssf?/