Most Overlooked Wedding Expenses

When it comes to planning your wedding, staying within your budget is likely to rank high on your list. Helping clients stay on budget is one of my top priorities as a planner, which I'm sure has a lot to do with the fact that I'm frugalista at heart. Earlier in the year, I offered a few tips on how to save money on your big day. And, the other day, I was pleased to come across an article on the Savvy Sugar blog listing the most commonly overlooked wedding expenses. Here's an excerpt, but take a look at the full article to make sure you don't break your budget with a costly oversight.

...it’s easy to remember the large categories, such as the venue, catering, flowers, cake, and, of course, the dress. However, there are certain things that often get overlooked and can add up to a hefty sum if not planned for properly...

 Tips

Before you sign any of your vendor contracts, make sure that they specify whether gratuity is included. Vendors who own their own businesses don't expect tips as they've already included everything in their initial negotiations with you. However, when it comes to the reception venue, you should ask the site manager about the policies for tipping the waitstaff, bartenders, and parking valets. Many catering companies already include tips, which they divide up between the workers. If tips aren't included, expect to pay between 15 and 20 percent of the total catering bill. Those who deliver the flowers and the cake should also be tipped between $5 and $10. It's not necessary to tip your officiant, but if he or any other vendor has done an extraordinary job, you can send a note of appreciation and gift certificate later on. Don’t forget to include tips for coat checkers and powder room attendants as well.

To see the rest of the tips, head over to the original Savvy Sugar article.

Custom Wedding & Engagement Jewelry by Laurie Sarah Designs

If you're looking for a wedding or engagement ring and the mass produced selections at your local jewelry store just aren't making your heart skip a beat like a proper engagement ring should, why not go custom?

This past weekend, I encountered custom jeweler Laurie Sarah Designs at a bridal industry event and was in complete and total awe of the beautiful pieces the Laurie Sarah team had on display. The one-of-a-kind peices were not only gorgeous and 100% original, but prices of the quality diamonds, gemstones and precious metals used were a fraction of what you would expect to pay at a store front. And as a jewelry addict myself, I found Laurie Sarah's design and manufacturing process quite interesting. Head over to the Laura Sarah Designs Etsy Shop for hundreds of examples of their work, but here are just a few samples for your viewing pleasure :)

I LOVED this unique design, which is also shown second from the left in the first image

Black diamonds are in high demand these days and Laurie Sarah has access to them in every size and shape

They also make rings with precious gemstones like this purple amethyst

Can we say GORGEOUS!

New Bachelorette Invitation Line from Wedding Paper Divas

Wedding Paper Divas, your one stop shop for all things affordable wedding stationery, has done it again! Last week, the brand announced the launch of their new line of Studio Basics bachelorette party invitations. The Studio Basics line includes more than 30 different designs and layouts with prices starting at less than 70 cents a piece! A few of the new designs are below, but make sure to check out their site for the full selection of all their bachelorette party invitations.

Essence Bridal Bliss: Lauren & Malik

It's always a treat when I get Essence Bridal Bliss delivered to my inbox. Check out the latest couple, Lauren and Malik, and their beautiful May wedding in Washington D.C. Here are just a few of my favs.

Dress Envy

How gorgeous is this Anne Barge wedding dress? Never mind a fiance, I want this dress now simply to play dress up around the house!

Photo by Stephanie Williams Photography

A Match Made In Heaven

Several of you have asked about the winners of my wedding giveaway contest, Blake and Lizzie, wanting to know more about this beautiful couple's love story.

Well, since we're on the topic of personalized wedding websites this week, take a peak at Blake & Lizzie's wedsite.

Personalized Wedding Websites

When it comes to the value of the internet, I'm sure we'd all agree...IT’S PRICELESS. We head online for pretty much everything. And when it comes to planning a wedding, the value of the world wide web is no exception. You found this blog, so I'm sure you're using the internet for things like research, inspiration and shopping for items for your big day, but are you using this online tool to its full potential? If you haven't created a personalized wedding website, the answer is no.

The personalized wedding website, or “wedsite” as some like to call it, is a rather new phenomena, but has caught on big over the past several years with couples who want to communicate the details of their wedding and with friends and family. Not only can you chronicle your love story with pictures and information about you and your spouse-to-be, but its an especially useful tool for your guests.

At the click of a mouse, your guests will be able to find out anything they need to know about your big day such as location and directions, gift registry and hotel details for out of towners. Most wedsites are even equipped with an RSVP tool that allows guests to RSVP for the wedding online. Think of how much $$$ that will save you on RSVP cards and postage, not to mention the headache it will spare you from  having to listen to your phone go off every hour with people calling to express their intentions to attend or not.

Companies like The Knot, MyWedding, Wedding Wire and Wedding Window, just to name a few, offer great customizable wedsites for free or minimal costs. And as I'm typing this, Wedding Paper Divas just did a post on their blog about their free wedsites that can even match the invitations and stationery you purchase from them!

Your save the dates and invitations are the perfect place to tell your guests about your wedsite, but you can even post the link on your Facebook profile if you want to involve some of your family and friends who may not be able to attend the actual wedding.

Have a wedsite already and want to share? Feel free to post a link to it in the comments section!

Engagement Photo Shoots

In recent years, engagement photo shoots have become all the rage. Gone are the days when engaged couples dressed up in matching outfits and sat in front of a boring studio backdrop to capture a few images that were uninspiring, to say the least. Many couples now consider engagement sessions an essential aspect of their wedding experience and see it as another way to infuse creativity and personal touches into their wedding memorabilia. Take a look at some of these beautiful examples.

 Photo by Onada Photography

Found via Style Me Pretty

Found via The Brides Cafe

Photo by Adrienne Gunde

Found on The Brides Cafe

Photo by Ryan Morck

Photo by Adrienne Gunde

Photo by Barnet Photography

Found on The Brides Cafe

The Signature Drink

Shaken or stirred, blended or on the rocks, top shelf or virgin...a celebration just isn't a celebration without a few tantalizing libations.  I mean let's face it, next to the guest(s) of honor, it's often the bar that attracts the most attention at events, so it's worth putting a little thought and effort into what's going to be served.


While hosting a fully stocked bar may suit some, it's just not practical for everyone since it can add thousands to your budget.  So how do you show your guests a good time, without breaking the bank? Enter the signature drink!


I'm a huge fan of signature cocktails at weddings and events. By serving up one or two customized creations, along with a beer and white & red wine selection, you can avoid the sometimes exorbitant costs of the fully stocked bar.


Plus, beyond just the cost-savings appeal, these customized concoctions are an excellent way to add a personal touch to your event. Signature drinks typically mirror the theme and/or colors of the event and provide an excellent way engage your guests by carrying that theme into not only what they see, feel and hear, but what they taste and smell as well.


Here is one of my favorite summer recipes, the Strawberry Mojito.

Strawberry Mojito

Ingredients

• white sugar, for rimming
• 2 large limes, quartered
• 1/2 bunch mint leaves
• 7 strawberries, quartered
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup white rum
• 2 cups club soda
• 8 cups ice cubes
• 
  
• Directions

1. Pour 1/4 to 1/2 inch of sugar onto a small, shallow plate. Run one of the lime quarters around the rim of each cocktail glass, then dip the glasses into the sugar to rim; set aside.
2. Squeeze all of the lime quarters into a sturdy glass pitcher. Toss the juiced limes into the pitcher along with the mint, strawberries, and 1 cup of sugar. Crush the fruits together with a muddler to release the juices from the strawberries and the oil from the mint leaves. Stir in the rum and club soda until the sugar has dissolved. Pour into the sugared glasses over ice cubes to serve.

Will You Marry Me...With a Twist

I came across this proposal video on Green Wedding Shoes and thought it was just the cutest thing. Take a peak. The groom doesn't actually get down on one knee until around 3:50 into the video, but  the build up is delightfully entertaining. Enjoy!