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First things to do after you are Engaged

planning

planningDo we see you admiring the lovely ring on your finger after saying “Yes” to the man of your dreams? CONGRATULATIONS! You are officially engaged! Isn’t it exciting thinking of your upcoming wedding? As the bride-to-be, you will have a busy, but fun time ahead.

Don’t be surprised if you suddenly feel confused. What do you do next? Are you overwhelmed with what to do and where to begin, now that the inevitable has happened? Don’t worry, we can help you get there. Here are the first few things that you should do once you are engaged, and the rest will simply fall into place.

Break the news to near and dear ones, and begin thinking of a wedding date

Great news like this should first be celebrated with the most important people in your life. Share the news with your parents and close friends and let them have a glimpse of the ring that seals your love. The obvious question that the two of you can expect at this meeting is, “ When will the wedding be?” That is because, it is time to think about it, which brings us to the next point.

Think about your wedding; start planning the place, date, time, and everything else

Now that you know you are getting married, how do you want to do it and when? Would you prefer to be wed at your local church, or can you afford an exotic destination wedding? Do you want an outdoor reception, or a stylish indoor venue? You’ll have to plan the time of year, and shortlist a couple of days in order of preference, so it’s easier to get the venue, caterers, photographers and band on any one of these days. At this time, discuss your thoughts about the perfect wedding with your partner, check out books and photos, and then begin organizing everything to make these dreams a reality.

Time to budget

You now know what your wedding should be like. Now, it is time to decide how big or how small you want it to be and budget accordingly. A rough idea at this point will help you plan the rest of the details . If your families are contributing, you can ask them how much and figure it into the budget. Also, draft a guest list, and calculate the cost that this will translate into. Budget for individual components such as the wedding dress, venue cost, photographer etc, so you know how much you can spare on each and stick to it.

Plan your wedding look, and begin your dress search

This is perhaps the most exciting part of all the planning—deciding how you will look at your lifetime event. Remember that you may have to look through hundreds of wedding dress pictures to filter the ones to try on. Wedding shopping takes a long time, so be prepared. Plan early, find the boutique that carries your choice of dresses, and book your appointment. This will help you choose your wedding dress at a relaxed pace, find time for alterations and be ready in time for your big day.

Best for Bride brings you a spectacular collection of wedding dress from the best designers. Browse through our online database and start off on your search for the perfect dress at the right place.

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Planning an Inexpensive Wedding

Weddings can be very expensive and not all of us have the funds available to pay $10,000 to $20,000 on the wedding of our dreams. However, there are many ways that we can trim these costs and still have a beautiful wedding that doesn’t break the bank.

The Wedding Gown

Sophia Tolli SPRING 2013 Collection - Y11303 Octavia

While this is probably an area that you will want to splurge on, there are still ways that you can save on this important area. For example, you can purchase a dress that has been discounted or consider renting a gown rather than purchasing one.

The Reception

One of the most expensive aspects of the wedding process is the reception. One of the best ways to reduce the amount of money that is spent at the reception, consider only inviting a certain amount of people to the wedding. You can also consider providing less expensive food options instead of a three course meal as well.

Photography

You will obviously be looking to remember this special day and the photos that you take will be important. One way to save money is to shop around for a photographer with a better pricing structure. Most people also have family members who are fairly talented when it comes to photography and you may be able to hire someone you know at a discounted rate instead.

Invitations

There are so many different types and styles of wedding invitations that you will be able to find a beautiful option that is budget friendly. Be sure to look through your options and select one that fits best with your price range. You should also consider choosing an option that is made with less expensive materials as well.

Flowers

Carrying flowers and decorating with them has long been a wedding tradition, but it is also very expensive. You can easily save some money in this category by making a few simple changes however. For example, certain flowers cost more than others and you can save money by selecting a cheaper version.

The Cake

Road To Happiness

Another expensive and crucial part of your wedding is the wedding cake. By cutting down on the number of people that you invite, you will also be able to cut down on the size of this expensive feature. You can also select a flavor that is untraditional to save money as well. While it may not be a traditional tasting wedding cake, it will still taste fantastic.

Decorations

When decorating for your wedding, you can save money if you are a little bit open about the decorations that you choose. For example, you can always make the decorations yourself from scraps of material and items that you find at a discount. Making a different centerpiece for each table is also a fantastic option and you may be able to find discounted single items at wedding shops or online.

Conclusion

When you are planning your wedding, it is likely that you will find many expenses that you are expected to cover. However, there are many ways that you can work your budget so that you will save the maximum amount of money.

Best for Bride

If you are looking for a huge selection of wedding supplies, gowns and décor, you should look no further than Best for Bride. This wedding store offers many different items that will help you to plan the wedding of your dreams. There are four locations to serve the brides of the area and you will be thrilled at the selection that is being offered.

 

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Paying for the Wedding – What to Expect

Alfred Angelo 2014 Collection - 2457 - Modern Fit

A wedding can be very expensive and there are many different areas to consider when planning a budget. The costs can be overwhelming when it comes to one or two people paying for the majority of the wedding fees, and for that reason certain traditions have been set up in regards to who is expected to pay for certain portions of the wedding.

Below, you will more about these traditions so that you will understand what is expected of each of the members of your family and wedding party. Knowing this information may help you to select certain members of your wedding party and will help everyone who is involved with the wedding determine the costs that are related to their specific responsibility.

The Rings

This is one of the lasting memories that comes with a marriage. While it is standard for the groom to purchase both the engagement ring and the wedding ring at once, the bride is typically expected to purchase the wedding ring for her husband later.

Gifts

It is also typical for the wedding party to receive small gifts when they become a member of a family member or friend’s wedding. Usually, the groom purchases gifts for the bride’s attendants and the bride purchases gifts for the groom’s. The bride and groom also normally purchase a gift for each other as well.

The Bride’s Family

Most of the expenses that are related to a wedding are paid by the bride’s family. Below is a list of some of the main items that are typically paid for by the family of the bride:

  • Invitations
  • Announcements
  • Attire for the Bride and the bride’s family
  • Flowers and decorations
  • Fee for the ceremony venue and reception
  • Food and Beverages
  • Photographer
  • Entertainment
  • Limo Rentals

The Groom’s Family

Hera

In order to make the cost of a wedding more affordable for everyone involved, the groom’s family usually takes care of quite a few important elements as well. Here are some of the items that can be expected of the family of the groom.

  • Tuxedos for the groom and his family
  • Flowers for the bridal bouquet
  • Boutonnieres for the grooms attendants and family
  • Corsages for the mothers
  • Rehearsal dinner

The Bride and Groom

There are also some items that are specifically taken care of by the bride and groom. For example, the groom usually handles all of the honeymoon arrangements. Many make the decision to make this a surprise for their bride.

The bride, on the other hand, usually pays for the accommodations for her attendants if the wedding requires hotel rooms. However, the attendants are expected to cover the costs for their travel arrangements and attire on their own.

Conclusion

The costs of a wedding can be very expensive, but with everyone working together, it is more manageable to arrange a suitable wedding for the happy couple. When planning a wedding, it is best to sit down with everyone involved and set up a budget before anything is chosen. This way, no one will receive any surprises when they are expected to pay for a certain portion of the wedding.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride can help keep your budget in place by offering you a wide range of wedding supplies that fit any budget. You will easily be able to find everything you need for your wedding in one of their four convenient locations.

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5 Tips For Planning A Wedding On A Budget

budget wedding

You don’t need a lot of money to plan a beautiful and elegant wedding! In fact, you can still plan the wedding of your dreams on a budget. Many brides make the mistake of going over budget because they fall in love with an idea and want it no matter how much it costs. If you’re determined to stay on budget and even come in under, here are a few money-savings tips to keep in mind as you’re planning your wedding:

1. Choose an off day

Everybody chooses a Saturday for their wedding, but did you know that by having a Friday or Sunday wedding, that you can save almost 30% or more? Many venues offer steep discounts for having functions on off days, so why be like everyone else? Change things up and have your wedding on a different day, which will say you in the end.

2. Go with a buffet

Flickr
Flickr

Having a sit down formal dinner can end up costing you more in the end, so if you’re trying to make budget, why not try a buffet style? This way, your guests can get up and mingle with each other and pick out food options that they want. Also, opt for chicken rather than beef and go with seasonal veggies since those choices are usually less expensive.

3. Trim the guest list

It’s understandable that you’d want to invite everyone you know to share in the joy of your wedding, but if you’re trying to save money, you’ll have to trim the guest list a bit to only those that you actually want there. If you have friends you’ve never seen or family that doesn’t come around anymore, axe them from your guest list. Also, let your parents know that space is limited and they can’t invite all their own friends no matter how much you’d like to extend them an invitation.

4. Sample sale dresses

Best for Bride
Best for Bride

If you still want a designer dress, but don’t want to pay a designer price tag, research for sample sales in  your area. You’ll be able to get amazing brand name dresses for nearly a fraction of the original cost! Just make sure that you examine the dress for any defects since you can’t usually return sample sale items. Or, go to a bridal boutique and ask to see their sale dresses. Most of the time, they’re from last season and still just as beautiful as this season’s styles.

5. In-season flowers

Best for Bride
Best for Bride

Flowers that in season are less expensive than those that aren’t, which have to be imported. Also, roses and carnations are always inexpensive options that are beautiful and will look great in your bouquet or center pieces.

Best for Bride has everything a bride needs to make her special day amazing! With prices that will fit every bride’s budget, our store offers brides a complete solution so that they don’t need to go anywhere else. We offer everything from dresses, flowers, invites and more, making it a one-stop bridal shop!