Celebrity Wedding Tips: Editing Your Guest List

Happy Friday Budget Brides!!

image via lauren conrad blog Here is a great article that Lauren Conrad wrote about editing her wedding guest list as she plans her big day.  Some snippets we love: * if I haven't had a sit down dinner with you in 2 years, your not invited * plus ones: if your not married, engaged, long-term relationship or don't know anyone else at the wedding you don't get a plus one. "Who knows, they might meet someone special…"
That last one had me cracking up. But hey you never know.
Checkout the full article here.

xoxo

Budget Bride

6 Tips for Being Prepared for Your Bridal Appointment

Happy Thursday Budget Brides!!!
I have not revealed this until now but I am moonlighting as a bridal consultant as I continue to grow The Budget Brides Handbook as well as my event planning company, Sharise Finley Events. As a wedding dress consultant, I encounter brides everyday who come to their bridal appointment unprepared or just a complete mess.
Below are six tips that will help you to be a PREPARED BRIDE for your bridal appointment.

• Pick up a few bridal magazines. If you see some dresses in there that you like rip them out and hold them until you go to your bridal appointment. This will help the consultant to see a visual of your style. (Sometimes brides come in with a style in mind but they cannot verbalize what they want which can waste valuable time.)

• Do your homework!!! I was watching Girl Meets Gown yesterday and a bride came into the bridal store looking for a specific dress. However, that particular bridal store did not carry that particular line. So she spent her bridal appointment time trying on dresses that she really couldn't decide on because she just had to try on the dress that the store didn't have. Lesson: Call ahead and ask the bridal salon if they have the particular dress you are looking for if not keep moving until you find the store that carries that dress.

• It is always nice to bring your whole family to the bridal appointment but it is definitely not necessary. I typically suggest that brides bring the people's whose opinion mean the most and the one who holds the purse.

• If you are going wedding dress shopping on a day that you have made multiple appointments, let the consultant know up front. This will allow the consultant enough time to pace themselves and you while trying on wedding dresses.

• Have some type of idea of what type of wedding that you are going to have. This will help the consultant to be able to pick the right dresses for you. For example, if you are having a morning wedding at the Botanical Gardens, you definitely should not wear a ballgown.

• Never come to a bridal appointment without any money. At least have half the money that you are expecting to spend on your wedding dress. I cannot tell you how many brides I meet that fall in love with their wedding dress but do not ANY money to put down on their INVESTMENT.

So Budget Brides, Do you have any tips to help fellow brides on being prepared for their bridal appointment? If so, leave a comment.

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Deciding What to Spend Your Budget ON...

Happy Wednesday Budget Brides!!!

And Happy 2nd Anniversary to us!!! I have been writing this blog for the past two years and I still love it. My hope for the next year is to attract more readers, attract more Budget Bride stories, write with more consistency and create an online weekly for all of you. Thank you for being loyal readers and cheers to many more years.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Having a plan when it comes to planning your wedding is essential to staying within your budget. However, mapping that plan out allows for you, your finace and anyone else paying for the wedding to understand your expectations. When planning for your special day you must take sometime to determine what is really important to you. Is it food, flowers, decor, pictures? It will definitely be different for everyone but understanding where you want your money to go is essential to have a budget savvy wedding day.

Here are some instructions on how to set-up your budget allocation chart.

In an excel file, create 3 separate columns with the following names EXPENDITURES, PERCENTAGES and DOLLAR AMOUNT.

Under the EXPENDITURES column list all of the categories that you have included in your wedding. ie. Wedding Attire, Photography/Videography, etc.

Under the PERCENTAGES column, begin to assign the percentage of your budget that you envision spending on that particular category.

Under the DOLLAR AMOUNT column begin to input the dollar amount of that percentage for your overall budget.

So Budget Brides, How did you decide what was important to you? How did you budget breakdown look?

New Trend: Pre-Sale Wedding Dresses

Happy Tuesday Budget Brides!!

I know that many of you have heard wedding designers and newlyweds selling their dresses through sample sales or pre-owned wedding dress sites. Well now I have seen it all. There is a new kind of sale hitting the bridal industry called Pre-Sale Wedding Dresses. Yes, Budget Brides you have read it right there are a group of brides out their selling their wedding dress before their wedding has even occured.

Are you stunned because I sure as hell was. I mean let's take a pause.....

Okay, are you back?

I don't know if I like the idea of pre-selling a wedding dress. Many brides sell their pre-sell weddings dresses for less than 50% off the retail price. I think that this is a little deceiving. Most times when a bride sells a used dress after the wedding date, the dress is sold for 50% or more off the retail cost of the dress.

So for instance, Mary buys a wedding dress from Designer X for $6,000. She is reviewing 2 options for selling her wedding dress the first is posting it on a wedding dress site on pre-sale 6 months before the wedding for $4,500 and the other is posting the same dress on the wedding dress website after the wedding for about $3,000. With a difference of $1,500 purchasing the dress after the wedding is taking place is the better option.

My thoughts are if you are going to purchase a used gown then you should purchase it after the wedding has already occured. It doesn't make since to pay more money for a dress that will have been worn by the time you received it. So in theory if you buy a pre-sale dress your actually paying upfront for a dress that has never been worn; however, by the time you get the dress it's has been worn and your out a considerable amount of money that could have been reallocated to something else.

I am qualifying this as a budget don't. This type of selling practice is risky business. You will not know the condition of the dress once the wedding is over with. If you are looking to buy a pre-owned wedding dress, I would buy a dress from a seller whose wedding has already occured.

So Budget Brides, what do you think of the whole pre-sale wedding dress trend? Is this something that you would do? Why or why not?

Paying For The Wedding... Determining Who Pays

Happy Thursday Budget Brides!!!

Picture It (in my Sophia from Golden Girls voice): It's January of 1999, I am at BBQs with a bunch of my friends. In high school I usually hung with about 7 or 8 girls; however, this particular evening there were other girls from our high school that came along to celebrate a birthday. To make a long story short, we had a great stress-free time ordering our food, great conversation and a room full of laughs then the bomb drops. The check comes to the table and people start putting down $20 for their dinner (for 2 people), others start breaking out calculators to add up their bills (including me because I will not pay for others) and a bunch of head rolling occurs because others are trying to skip out on their bill. I can say that this day goes on the list of days that I wanted to crawl under the table and just die. The lesson learned from this experience always know whose paying and how the bill will get paid.

This rule can be translated to your wedding as well. Before you and your fiance decide to put down a penny of money have a serious conversation about who is actually footing the bill for the wedding. As a wedding planner, it is so embrassing to see newly married couples opening up their wedding day cards in order to pay vendors. Know who is paying, how they are paying and when they are paying. This will help you to 1) create & maintain your budget, 2)acknowledge what checklist items can be crossed off your lists of to-dos, 3)give you a point person to follow up with and 4) Give you a peace of mind on your wedding day knowing that all bills have been settled in full.

If there are a variety of people paying for the wedding, for example, your parents, his parents or others make sure you confirm with them about their finacial participation in your special day. Also be honest and up front with them about your expectations for your wedding day. Have a conversation with them about how you would like items paid for. For example, you would like to have the final payment in an envelope the morning of the wedding so that you can hand it off to your wedding planner/coordinator. If your contributors that not adhere to your reasonable rules then you may have to give them a GIRL BYE and move on without their finances.

So Budget Brides, How did you determine who was going to pay for what expenses for your wedding? Did you have any incidents that day of your wedding when it came to paying vendors?

5 Tips to help decrease your Wedding Day Budget

5 Tips to help decrease your Wedding Day Budget
by Sharise Finley

image from The Knot

1. Always Create a Budget
Before you begin to spend any money make sure you create a budget detailing the total amount that you want to spend and the areas that you want to spend it in. This will help you to keep track of your spending and help you fine tune the areas in which you have saved money and can allocate money to something else.

2. Reception Site
Typically weddings are held on Saturdays which makes most venues slow during the week. Ask your venue Rep. for the cost difference of a wedding on a Wednesday or Friday rather than a Saturday. I know that a wedding in the middle of the week maybe inconvenient but with the right preparation and communication all should go well.

3. Flower Shop
Flowers from a florist are always going to cost. So if you want to decrease your flower budget do your research. Make sure that the flowers you want in your wedding are in the season that your wedding will occur. If you are a DIY Bride, visit your local flower market and purchase bundles of flowers to create bouquets, boutonnières and centerpieces for your special day.
* Extra Tip - Make sure you have a couple of test runs before the wedding so that you can get the look you want.

4. Learn to Love Your MP3 Player
If you're like me you can live without your MP3; however, during this process you will need to learn to love it. Your MP3 player may become one of your biggest assets since you already have the device and all of the songs you love is already downloaded on it.
* Extra Tip - Keep a pen & pad next to every radio in your car, home and at work. When you hear a song you love or would like to hear on your wedding day write it down so that you can download for the wedding reception.

5. Do Your Research
Doing your research is most important. Yes, it may take more time and effort but in the end you can save more money. Before you make a purchase research the costs at competitors or online. You may be able to still use your vendor of choice but at a cheaper price. There are tons of websites that can help you find products and services at a cheaper price. Check Ebay, Etsy and blogs with a classified section for independently made or gently used items.

Cottage Living Article: Garden Wedding on a Budget

Here is an article that I found on CottageLiving.com that gives ideas on executing a Garden Wedding on a budget.

Top 10 Budget-saving Ideas for a Garden Wedding

Get the low-down on having a low-cost but beautiful event.
By Linda Facci


1. Charge it Connect your MP3 player to outdoor speakers instead of hiring a band or DJ. Besides saving money, you’ll have complete control over the music being played.
2. Don’t forget to have and to hold your flowers, tooBuy them at a local market and make your own bouquet. Choose varieties in season and create simple arrangements for the tables. (Don’t pick apart your own garden; you want it to be as lush as ever for your wedding day.)
3. Point and shootHave a shutterbug friend or family member use a digital camera to catch the special moments. Sharing time and talent makes a great gift—and deserves one in exchange.
4. Do yourself a favorPurchase boxes of sparklers, then handwrite place cards and tie them to each box with a pretty ribbon. These also become tokens that will light up the night.
5. Be for the birdsInstead of tossing rice (which can harm birds), fill a decorative container with birdseed. Your guests can grab handfuls. They’ll feed your garden and your feathery friends at the same time.
6. Don’t get stuck on a deserted aisleMake a special entrance: create a pretty, natural aisle with a border of cobblestones or flowering potted plants.
7. Light up your lifeString white lights around trees and on top of arbors and pergolas. Place candles in dark areas. They make any night starry and magical.
8. Let them eat cupcakesServe an assortment on a tiered stand for your wedding cake. Top each little treat with an edible flower. The different flavors and icing will satisfy everyone, and clean-up will be a breeze.
9. Toast the knotCreate a signature drink and make a huge batch of it. Or keep it simple with beer, wine, and champagne (plus a few nonalcoholic options). Store in a barrel or large steel bucket filled with ice. Guests can serve themselves.
10. Make your event fan-tastic!If you choose to have an outdoor wedding in summer, keep colorful paper fans on hand as a fun and practical favor that your guests are sure to appreciate.

Image & Information from CottageLiving.com

NY Daily News Article: 5 Caribbean Escapes for less than $1,000

Hello Budget Brides!

I found a great article in the New York Daily News about inexpensive getaways to the caribbean. The article is titled "5 Caribbean Escapes for less than $1,000". I know that many of you do not live in the NYC area so you may not receive this information so I thought it was our duty to pass it on. The information in this article would be great for honeymoons or a weekend with the bridesmaids.

5 Caribbean Escapes for less than $1,000by Michael Nassar
The Caribbean is a lot closer, and cheaper, than you think. As one of the areas hardest hit by the economic meltdown, the Caribbean is having a serious sale. Even some of the region’s most notoriously exclusive resorts are putting up vacancy signs and making no bones about the deals and discounts being offered to lure timid travelers to the sun — everything from free airfare and free hotel nights to free meals and free spa treatments.
Which means if you’ve been dreaming of a weekend escape, you can make it a reality — and for less than a grand.
Here’s our guide to five quick and easy getaways that will have you on the beach before lunch and being treated like a princess or a prince without making you a pauper.
Sophisticated St. Martin
The Radisson St. Martin Resort, Marina & Spa is nestled on Anse Marcel, one of French St. Martin’s best-preserved and most secluded coves. It’s only four hours nonstop from New York City to an oceanfront resort that’s a quintessential island hideaway of brightly colored plantation-style buildings, lush gardens and lazy afternoons under the swaying palms.
Take advantage of the resort’s comprehensive enrichment program, highlighted by cooking classes with executive chef Bruno Brazier, French lessons and evening tastings of local rums and spirits. Or, head into the nearby village of nearby Grand Case, considered by many to be one of the culinary capitals of the Caribbean. Or both.
As part of the inaugural 2009 season, you’ll save up to 36% with a Winter WarmUp Sale if you book by Feb. 28 for stays through April 18. Rates from about $321 per night include daily breakfast at Le Marché. www.radisson.com/stmartin.
If you go: $107 each way via Continental; http://www.continental.com/.
Bask in the Bahamas
Music lovers will get together and feel all right at the Marley Resort & Spa, the former family vacation home of Bob, Rita and the whole Marley clan.
Undeniably cool, the resort is an elegant microcosm of African and Caribbean style, located on a private stretch of famed Cable Beach in Nassau, Bahamas.
Generations of Marley music infuse the entire resort, and each of the 16 themed suites centers around Bob Marley’s song titles, including Kinky Reggae, Nice Time and Kaya, among others. With sculptured hand-carved doors, mosaic tiles and intricate stonework, the accommodations and amenities are as beautiful and unusual as the setting.
Tropical rain showers and sumptuous whirlpool tubs come standard, as does unparalleled service that begins the moment you’re greeted at the airport.

Take advantage of a 50% savings with the Royal Welcome package — starting at $250 per night in a Deluxe Room — and get treated to an Akwaaba Welcome Touch Foot Ceremony for two. The foot massage with rose petals and Royal Rita bath brew will get every visitor jammin’ to the right vibe.
Valid through Oct. 31, excluding holidays. http://www.marleyresort.com/.
If you go: $99 each way via JetBlue. http://www.jetblue.com/.
Awesome Aruba
The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino contains Aruba’s only private beaches on its exclusive Renaissance Island — a 10-minute boat ride via private launch from inside the hotel’s lobby. Flocked with curious pink flamingos on one side and giant iguanas on the other, the island also has a man-grove-hidden Spa Cove that’s just right for side-by-side massages at sunset.
The Sexy & Sultry Package, good through Dec. 21 at Renaissance’s adults-exclusive Marina Hotel, offers a 40% savings — and every third night is free. Also included: a $50 credit at the in-house casino and $50 in cocktail credit, which might come in handy while you watch the sun set at the out-door pool overlooking the harbor.
After dark, the Miami-inspired martini bar lights up to complement the house specialty: blue martinis. Should you accidentally overindulge, a onetime hangover breakfast for two is also part of the package. Rates start at $424 per night through April 16; $245 per night from April 17 to Dec. 20. http://www.renaissancearuba.com/.
If you go: $97 each way via American. http://www.aa.com/.
Seductive St. Lucia
It might be cold outside, but there is one “freeze” you’ll cheer about: the price freeze and rate rollback to be had at the luxury, eco-friendly Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort in luscious St. Lucia. Couple that with “Sun Dollars,” a daily resort credit in effect on all new bookings through Dec. 20, and the savings climb to 50%.
Spread across 60 acres on an island known for its rainforest preserves and soaring volcanic peaks, Windjammer is celebrated for dramatic sunsets over a crescent-shaped, white-sand beach. Yet it’s also an ideal spot for families, featuring two children’s pools, specially designed menus for smaller guests, and a teen program where teenagers and adults can engage in recreational activities together.
Sun Dollars can be used for food and beverage, spa treatments at Serenity Spa, a sunset sail or zip-lining through the rainforest. Lily Suites, with four-poster beds and private terrace or sun deck, are $260 per night (previously $350) with $130 in resort credit. http://www.windjammer-landing.com/.
If you go: $190 each way via American. http://www.aa.com/.
Mayan Hideaway
Cocooned on a private beach and entwined in a tropical rainforest, the Tides Riviera Maya inhabits a pocket along the Yucatán Peninsula coast that’s as lush as its name: Playa Xcalacoco, which in the lyrical Mayan tongue means “twin coconut palms.”
With a select number of private villas, hypnotic spa and cuisine, and one of the best stretches of beach in Mexico, this secluded outpost is full of surprises like personal plunge pools, open-air showers, handmade hammocks and lush jungle flora blooming outside your terrace.
As if that’s not enough to seduce you, a Fly Free package will really get you in the mood. Book a minimum four-night visit by April 30 for stays through Dec. 18, and get a significant reimbursement on your airfare: up to $500 per person (that’s almost enough for business class!).
Simply present your airline ticket at check-in and the credit will be deducted from your bill at checkout. Limit two people per room. Lagoon suites from $570 per night. http://www.tidesrivieramaya.com/.
If you go: From $88 each way via American. http://www.aa.com/.

Article Courtsey of the New York Daily News & Image Taken by Sharise Finley

Essence Magazine is Calling All Brides!!!

Welcome to another day Budget Brides! I have some really exciting news for all of you newlyweds who just can't get enough of all things weddings. Essence Magazine is developing a new feature and looking for newlyweds to participate. See the information below & please be a doll and let them know you receive this information from The Budget Brides Handbook.

Looking for a way to share your big day with the world? Then ESSENCE.com wants you! We are creating an exciting new feature and would like newlyweds from all over to take part. Were you and your beloved both divorced and cynical about getting remarried before you fell in love? Is your new hubby an Iraq vet? ESSENCE.com wants all these stories and more.

All you have to do is send an email to realweddings@essence-online.com with your name, your husband's name, both of your ages, date of the wedding, city of residence and a 150 word description of your special nuptials and why they should appear on ESSENCE.com. Also be sure to include 10 to 15 photos from your big day.

Please note only weddings that have taken place in the last six months will be considered. Feel free to forward this email.

Article: Bubbles That Won’t Break Your Budget

Hello Budget Brides! I am probably relaxing on a beach in Cancun as you read this post. Here is an article that I found in the beginning of this year. So, if you are deciding to serve champagne at your wedding this is definitely an article that you want to read. Enjoy!

Bubbles That Won’t Break Your Budget
Toast the New Year with the fabulous Champagne alternatives.
By Ashley Hymore

New Year’s Eve is a night that sparkles—from the Waterford Crystal covered ball in Times Square to the cocktail dress you wear to the party. Even the bubbly you pour in your glass--for midnight toasts--sparkles. However, with these difficult economic times being what they are, it can be hard to stomach the hefty price tag that comes with a bottle of authentic French Champagne. Luckily, there are quite a few delicious and affordable sparkling wines being produced all over the world, and a lot of them right here in the United States.

You may not know it, but prestigious Champagne houses such as Möet & Chandon, MUMM, Louis Roederer and Taittenger have all made homes in Northern California wine country. These winemakers are all creating ultra-premium sparkling wines that don’t break the bank. For instance, MUMM Napa Blanc de Blanc delivers rich, complex flavors that offer elegant pear, lemon cream and cinnamon, and will only cost you $18. Most of these producers are making sparkling wines in the French tradition, so the quality is often much better than a bottle of Prosecco.

Domaine Carneros was founded by the renowned Taittinger Champagne House, and they are known for producing some of California’s best sparkling wine. Their estate is situated in the Carneros region of Sonoma, California—famous for production of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, two key ingredients in premium sparkling wine. I love their Domaine Carneros Brut 2005 ($20) for its beautiful notes of ripe green apple and lively lemon. Another great thing about Domaine Carneros? Since its inception, the winery has been helmed by the same woman wine maker, Eileen Crane. Having spent more than 30 years in the industry, she is the most experienced sparkling winemaker in the United States.

Whether you are looking for great sparkling wine, or just a great value, I say toast the New Year with something domestic! All of these bubblies will be easy to find at your local wine shop. And for a blow-out event, look for large format versions of these sparklers—called magnums. In fact, sometimes the cost of a magnum is less expensive than purchasing two bottles, and you’ll definitely have all eyes on you when you show up to a party with a bottle that size!

Mumm Napa Brut Napa Valley Prestige NV $19
Creamy, yeasty aromas mix with baked pearMumm Napa Blanc de Blanc 2003 $18
One of the most elegant sparklers out there for the priceRoederer Estate Rosé NV $26
Taste rich cherry, peach, pear and floralDomaine Chandon Brut California Classic NV $22
Apple blossom and citrus lead to crisp and creamy flavorsDomaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs $16
This award winning, top sparkler of the world gives lots of soft strawberry and spicy vanillaDomaine Carneros Brut 2005 $20
Fresh and crisp ripe apple with lively lemon and mineral flavorsPiper Sonoma Brut Sonoma County Select Cuvée NV $17
Crisp and creamy with floral jasmine and citrus

Article found on We.TV

A Wedding for $4,722. Can It Be Done?

Good Morning Budget Brides! I know that it has been a few days since we last convene but I have a great article for you about a bride who planned her wedding on a $4,722 budget. Yes, your vision is not getting bury the wedding cost $4,722. The article is from the New York Daily News wedding section and it through the process of a bride having her dream wedding on a very surprising budget.

The $4,722 wedding: One Brooklyn bride proves it can be done

I've never been a girly girl with visions of a princess gown and grand ballroom reception dancing in my head. So when it came to my wedding, I wanted a day that reflected my husband's and my classic and eclectic tastes, and our love of family, friends and good food in an intimate, nongeneric setting. Most importantly, we didn't want to spend a fortune.

According to The Knot, a leading wedding resource, the average cost of an American wedding is $28,000 - and $46,000 for a New York City love fest. Yet, John and I spent just under $5,000 for our 70-guest Brooklyn affair - a total that included my dress, our rings, the ceremony site, reception venue and food, flowers, photographer, violinist and wedding officiant. Sounds impossible, right? By channeling my Jedi-like knack for finding a bargain and bucking the bridal industry trend to overspend into debt, however, we orchestrated a budget wedding that looked like a million bucks (or at least $28,000).

HERE COMES THE BUDGET BRIDE

Out of curiosity, I went to the Filene's Basement's chaotic "Running of the Brides" sale, but none of the countless dresses tempted me to part with $250. It was a deal for some, but more than I wanted to spend. So I did the next best thing - I checked eBay. And there it was, a simple yet elegant, sleeveless, satiny, ivory sheath with only one bidder and 40 minutes left on the auction. I won the dress for $27. The seller said she'd purchased it from Saks' Off 5th outlet but didn't lose weight in time for her wedding. Fortunately, her diet disaster was my happy ending.

DO IT YOURSELF

We saved hundreds of dollars by printing our own invitations, a silver-and-flower embossed design from Party City ($30); recruiting friends to shoot video footage of the ceremony and reception, and having a photographer friend snap the wedding shots ($200). Flowers are also a huge expense - with bouquets priced at $100 and up - so my matron of honor fashioned my long-stem, white rose bouquet and the groom's boutonniere from a supermarket dozen. Another friend's aunt crafted the requisite Jordan almond favors, using a 5-pound bag I purchased online ($40, www.nutsonline.com), homemade keepsake tags and leftover tulle.

AFTERNOON DELIGHT

A morning ceremony and early afternoon reception was a good fit for us. Between 9-10 a.m. on weekends, several sites at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden can be reserved for a private ceremony ($350 for up to 50 guests). Once we saw the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, with its covered viewing pavilion, manicured shrubs, orange Shinto shrine, wood bridges and colorful koi fish, we were sold.

The reception was at Madiba, a South African restaurant in bohemian, brownstone-lined Fort Greene. We loved the restaurant's sunny vibe and funky details: an old-Coke bottle chandelier, a huge portrait of Nelson Mandela (Madiba is the leader's nickname) fused with the African continent, and Mason jar water glasses.

Because of the early time, Madiba's charming owner didn't charge a rental fee for the five-hour reception (regular dinner service resumed at 5). By having a restaurant reception, we also skipped catering charges for table linens, flatware and flowers. With the bar's front tables removed, there was even room for a "Soul Train" line to an iPod mix of disco, new wave and contemporary favorites.

After several tastings, we refined the $40 per person menu that included pumpkin fritter and vegetable samosa appetizers; a guava juice and Champagne cocktail; ravioli topped with John's homemade marinara sauce, and a choice of salmon or Cornish hen entrée with veggie side dishes. Instead of splurging on a wedding cake that would cost about $350, in addition to Madiba's Jenny's Malva Pudding (a traditional South African dessert served with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream), we served a tiered assortment of red velvet, coconut and yellow cake cupcakes from One Girl Cookies in Cobble Hill ($184; onegirlcookies.com) topped with a mini-lemon and raspberry cake we happily devoured a week later.

Tracy's Wedding Calculator

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden: $350
• Wedding Reception: $2,800
• Groom's suit: Filene's Basement, $180
• Bride's dress: Bride's dress, $27
• Cupcakes: $184
• Photography: $200
• Invitations and favors: $70
• Rings: Zales and Little King, $199 and $90
• Veil: Target.com, $16.99
• Bridal jewelry: Fresh-water pearl earrings and necklace purchased in Florence, $45
• Wedding celebrant: Kim Kirkley, www.ourelegantceremony.com, $350 for basic ceremony
• Violinist: Tia Imani Hanna, www.tiaimanihanna.com, $125 for one hour
• Transportation: local car services, $85

Article & Information from nydailynews.com and was written by Tracey E. Hopkins

DIY: Calligraphy

Happy Friday Budget Brides!

Here is a post that i found on "With this Ring.... Comes A Lot of Hard Work". Almost An Anderson is a 24 year old bride who is planning a wedding in Fort Worth, Texas. She came up with a brilliant idea on how to create custom almost handmade calligraphy without paying a whole lot of money. So Budget Brides, let's all give a big THANK YOU to "With this Ring.... Comes A Lot of Hard Work" by Almost An Anderson for helping us to save money.

Calligraphy: 101

• First, set up MS Word using the mailings feature to print addresses on the size envelope I was using.





• Then I entered the first recipient's address and set the font color to brown, just a few shades lighter than the envelope color. I adjusted the printer settings for my 5.25 x 7.25" envelope, and printed the address directly onto the envelope. This took a little more time and practice envelopes than I expected to get the position right, but I finally wiggled it around and got it centered.


• Then, I traced over the address using my white ink and calligraphy pen. You need very good lighting for this step, because the brown ink on brown paper was difficult to see. The brown-on-brown ensures nobody will be able to see if I don't cover the printed lines exactly (except you guys, of course). It actually took two coats of ink to get the right amount of coverage, since the white ink was a little bit opaque.


• While this shortcut was extremely helpful, it still required a bit of finesse while figuring out how to use the calligraphy pen and bottled ink. You need to position the pen at an angle to produce the thinner and thicker lines within the letters, and adjusting the pressure on the pen controls the amount of ink that's released from the nib. I would definitely suggest a few practice runs before you start on your envelopes.


• This technique would also work well with any other ink and paper color combination, and gives that fancy hand-written feeling without the worry of crooked lines or inconsistent lettering.

Information & Images from With this Ring.... Comes A Lot of Hard Work

A Wedding Under $10,000. Can it be Done? Updated!!!

Editor's Note: The quotes in this layout have always been correct however, the way I layed the breakdown out was incorrect this problem has now been fixed. Please accept my dearest apologies for the confusion. Happy Planning Budget Brides.

  Here is another great article for all of you Budget Brides who are looking to have a wedding for $10,000. The Knot along with Soraya Weddings & Celebrations have got it right. Read the Article below on how it was DONE!

A Wedding in New York City for $10K (and not a dime more!)

This month, we're challenging wedding and event planners from across the country to come up with a plan for a gorgeous wedding on $10K. In a city where the average cost of a wedding happens to fall around the $50K mark (not including the honeymoon!), the task of planning a chic and elegant wedding on $10K in New York City seems close to impossible. With her insider knowlege and creativity, the talented New York City-based wedding planner Soraya Jollan of SORAYA Weddings & Celebrations proves it can be done...
A $10K Wedding in New York City
The SettingOpen air ceremony on Summit Rock in Central Park at 11 a.m. on a Saturday anywhere from late spring through early fall.
Wedding Ceremony: Guests will gather pre-ceremony in the rustic amphitheater of Summit Rock for self-serve "Thank you for getting up so early on a Saturday" doughnut holes and orange juice. In case of rain (or very strong sun), two-person umbrellas (from GolfUmbrellas.com) will be provided for guests to shield themselves since the ceremony will be held on Summit Rock rain or shine. The umbrellas would also serve as the wedding favor. If the weather does not require the umbrellas, they can be brought to the restaurant and displayed with a sign thanking guests for keeping stormy skies at bay during the wedding.
Ceremony Flowers: The gorgeous park background along with the colorful umbrellas will eliminate the need for ceremony decor. Bouquets and BoutonnieresThere will be four boutonnieres (for the groom, best man, and two fathers) and two bouquets (for the bride and maid of honor). The bouquets will be paper fans embellished with flowers in lieu of traditional bouquets and everything will be made by the talented designers at Inbetween Greens.
Ceremony Officiant: In my experience, most families have at least one clergymember in their midst. If so, the officiant should register in NYC (cost is $15) to legally marry the bride and groom in the state of New York. If no such person exists for the couple (or they prefer to have a friend marry them), they should go to the City Clerk's office on Friday to be married civilly (and legally) and have their chosen friend or officiant lead them in a spiritual ceremony on their wedding day.
Ceremony Music: A lone trumpeter from the Julliard School of Music will herald the arrival of the groom, his parents, the best man, the maid of honor, the bride's parents and the bride. The ceremony will take place in the round with guests encircling the happy couple as they exchange vows.
Transportation and First Dance: At the end of the ceremony, the trumpeter will lead the newlyweds and their guests and the photographer Pied-Piper-style down the winding path at the south end of Summit Rock out of Central Park to the subway stop at The Museum of Natural History. This subway station has wonderful tile mosaics that provide a great backdrop for candids as well as the couple's first dance on the subway platform as they wait for the "C" train to take them downtown.
Reception Setting and Menu:The trumpeter will continue to serenade the guests on the ride down and then walk them from the 14th Street station to The Park for the wedding brunch in the restaurant's Penthouse. The wedding brunch will run from 12:30-3 p.m. and will consist of a 2-course menu with a juice bar and coffee service. At the juice bar, guests can take their juice straight, "Add Fizz" (seltzer), or "Add Buzz" (prosecco or cava).
Reception Music: The custom mix of tunes on the couple's iPod will be played through the restaurant's sound system. The highlight of the reception will be "Roast or Toast" style speeches sprinkled thoughout.
Reception Centerpieces:Individual 2"x2" cube vases wrapped in ribbon with one large floating bloom (think vibrant gladiolas!) at each place setting. These double as placecards with the guests' names on imprintable stickers attached to the vases. To control costs, the couple will pre-buy the vases, ribbon, and stickers. They will also wrap all the vases and attach the name stickers. The morning of the wedding (early!), crafty friends of the bride will deliver the vases to the restaurant, add water, drop a bloom in each vase and arrange them on the tables according to the seating chart.
Table Names and Numbers: The Couple will make accordion table name signs from inexpensive decorative paper. Two places for reasonably priced paper are Pearl Paint and Paper Presentation. Tables can be named for things that signify their relationship or the day (think TRUST, LOVE, FAITH, JOY, FUN, LUCK, DREAM, etc.) Since there are only 80 guests we will forgo escort cards and encourage guests to mingle as they look for their placecards on the tables.
The Photographer: Hire a professional photographer who is building his or her event portfolio (meaning they might be a fine art photographer or photojournalist primarily but are looking to do more work in events). Because this event is during the day and would require 4 hours of shooting time (10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.), a photographer can be a bit more flexible on pricing. The fee should include a DVD of high resolution images, but keep in mind that these will be color-corrected, but not retouched. A terrific photographer for a job like this would be Michael Kirby.
The VideographyThe couple's best bet is to register for a Flip Ultra video camera (holds up to 60 minutes of video and is easy to use) and then hand it to their most tech-saavy friend to record the ceremony and speeches.
Invitations One word -- ETSY!!! A great shop to try for vibrant, but modestly-priced invitations is Decadent Designs. A simple invitation plus a reply card and envelope in the wedding colors does the trick.
The Gown:This is a day-time wedding that begins in a park... this calls for a flirty, gorgeous dress with sandals and slightly messy, casual hair (think half-up, half-down and held with a large flower pin -- check out Lo Boheme on Etsy for gorgeous hairpins. Great sources for just such dresses are Calypso Christiane Celle and Nordstrom. Another great resource is Once Wed for new or nearly new wedding gowns at all price points.
The Formalwear Casual and daytime, but still his wedding, so I suggest a navy or tan suit that's already in his closet and splurging on a new shirt. No tie...!
The Bride's Hair: The bride should get a blow-out on Friday evening at the ultra affordable V2 Salon on the Lower East Side ($25 including tip) and then loosely style it herself the morning of the wedding with a clip. A few twirls of the curling iron and spritzes of hairspray and she's good to go.
The Bride's Makeup: Make an appointment at one of the Bloomingdale's makeup counters for a free makeup application... The bride should plan on buying a couple of products (powder and lip color are ideal) and ideally will have done a trial earlier to know that she will get a look she wants day-of.
BUDGET BREAKDOWN

CEREMONY TOTAL $1501. Officiant registration $152. Marriage License $353. Summit Rock permit $254. Pre-ceremony snack $75
RECEPTION TOTAL $7,059 (incl tax & gratuity)1. The Park non-alcoholic brunch $6,162 ($60++ per person)2. Sparkling cava or prosecco $8223. Additional staff $75
FLOWERS / DECOR $6181. Personals & reception materials $4632. Inbetween Greens (for personal flowers) $1343. Cab to restaurant to deliver flowers $20
MUSIC $3001. Trumpeter for 1.5 hours $3002. Reception iPod $0
PHOTO / VIDEO $7501. Photographer for 4 hours + DVD of high res unretouched images $7502. Video $0
STATIONERY $1881. 50 Invitation sets from Etsy2. Postage $51 for invitation & reply
ATTIRE $5501. Wedding dress $3502. Bride's accessories (shoes & hair clip) $1003. Groom's shirt $100
HAIR & MAKEUP $701. Blow-out $252. Makeup products at free application $45
FAVORS / RAIN PLAN $3151. 45 60" golf umbrellas $350
GRAND TOTAL $10,000!
Where applicable, NYC sales tax of 8.375% has been included in the budget and the gratuity has been included in the reception total. In other words, the cash outlay really does come in at $10K (not $10K ++). Image from Jason Groupp Photography & Article from The Knot.com

A $6,000 Dollar Wedding: Can it be done?

I came across this article today via Essence.com and I thought that it would be great to share with all of my Budget Brides. Tavon Fergeruson, a 25 year old from Altanta, GA explains to Essence.com writer Bridgette Bartlett just how she was able to plan a wedding on a $6,000 budget. See article below and don't forget to make comments.


Essence.com: "I Designed My Dream Wedding on a Dime!"

Admit it. No matter how cynical you might be about love and marriage, you've fantasized about your dream wedding at least once. But with the average American wedding costing nearly $30,000, most of us quickly put those dreams on the back burner. Meet Tavon Ferguson, a 25-year-old sister who managed to pull off her fantasy nuptials—complete with a fly gown and gorgeous reception—for $6,000. ESSENCE.com spoke to the graduate student to get the scoop on how to not become a bridezilla, using the Internet to find free labor, and what really counts most when tying the knot.

ESSENCE.COM: Congratulations, newlywed! So, were you one of those little girls who started planning her wedding at 12?
TAVON FERGUSON: I really didn't even think I was going to get married until I met my husband. It wasn't until we started dating that those dreams actually came about. I had ideas of things I wanted to do, but I hadn't been to a lot of weddings so I was very open to the things that I wanted to have for my own.

ESSENCE.COM: So spill the beans, because sisters want to know-how did you pull this off?
FERGUSON: (Laughs.) I live every part of my life with the motto: I'd rather have more for less. So, whether it's shopping for clothes or the house or even tuition for school, I follow this and the wedding just became an extension of that motto. I was able to get my photographer and deejay for free. I found the photographer, another graduate student, on Craigslist.com. He was trying to get his name out as a wedding photographer. Our engagement and wedding pictures were free. The deejay was the boyfriend of a friend and he was also trying to get into weddings. A lot of people don't realize that most vendors will work for free when they're just starting out as long as they're able to reference you. A friend of mine is a makeup artist and she did my makeup for free that day as my wedding present. One of my husband's friends is a caterer and he hosted our rehearsal dinner for free as well.

ESSENCE.COM: Amazing! What other ways did you save money to jump the broom?
FERGUSON: I purchased my wedding gown from Craigslist.com. I got a $650 David's Bridal dress for $200 with the tags still attached! I was able to purchase 100 invitations from Party City for $30. I hosted a party with dinner and drinks one night and had my bridal party help me assemble them. I got my flowers from Costco and rented a cake for my pictures but served sheet cake to my guests at the reception. We held the ceremony and the reception in the same place and everything: the food, linen, drinks, chair covers, the cake-cutting fee, wait staff was all $5,500. Everything else was only $500. And I even saved on our honeymoon. It was $1500 for the entire trip; eight days and seven nights at an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. Our airfare was included. [Editor's note: The honeymoon costs are not included in the $6,000.]

ESSENCE.COM: Very impressive, but it seems like it was a lot of work. How did you avoid becoming a bridezilla to your friends and family?
FERGUSON: It is a blessing for people to agree to be in your wedding. I didn't think that it was a privilege for my friends to participate. I didn't want my bridesmaids to spend $200 on a dress that they would never wear again. Knowing that people may not have a lot of money, I went out of my way to find a dress they would all like. I knew I had succeeded when one of my bridesmaids asked if she could wear her dress before the actual ceremony. They were from Delias.com on sale and I got free shipping. I also purchased their bridemaid's gifts, sterling silver engraved bracelets, for $8 from Weddingchannelstore.com.

ESSENCE.COM: What do you have to say to brides who still think they need a year's salary to plan their own dream wedding?
FERGUSON: I think the biggest thing is that your wedding should be more about you and your husband and not about the price tag of the things you think you have to have. If you focus more on it being the perfect day for you and your husband, you will have a lot less stress. You won't compare yourself to your friend that just got married or Star Jones or some other celebrity. That way you're able to add and subtract and create a wedding that is really your own. The type of wedding where people leave and say, "Wow, those two really love each other." Concentrate on making it about you and your husband.

This article marks the start of our Real Weddings section. If you have a Real Wedding that you would like displayed on The Budget Brides Handbook website, please send information and pictures to realweddings@thebudgetbrideshandbook.com.

Article and images from Essence.com