All Inclusive Weddings! Be careful...
Well, I've just had firsthand experience with an all inclusive wedding situation. This is how it's supposed to work...There are several venues to pick from. You visit each of them, and you choose which one is the best for your particular wedding. Then, you tell the planner how much you want to spend TOTALLY for the entire wedding minus the rings, gown and honeymoon. Those are supposed to be the only things not included. They ask how many people. In this case, it is 120 guests. No problem so far? Great! Now watch what happened.
The breakdown was sent to the future bride and groom. The budget was right on the amount they had told the planner, but there were some omissions. This ALL INCLUSIVE wedding was to include soup to nuts...meaning, cocktail hour, dinner, band, flowers, photography, videography, invitations, wedding favors, limos, etc. all for the budgeted amount.
But what happened when they received their breakdown? Omissions...everywhere. It's too expansive to list here, and it's also personal to the people I am now working with, but let's use this as a learning tool.
When you go to a planner to organize an all inclusive wedding, right from the beginning you have to have in writing what is included for the price you want. And yes, they can make anything fit your budget...they only give you 3 members of the band, no appetizer at dinner, very slim amount of flowers, etc. etc. etc.
So be careful. Better yet, work with someone you know, or do it yourself and get the aid of a consultant that will help you just for buying products from them. That is the wiser way to go, unless cost is not a problem for you. Then enjoy yourself and do whatever you want! But for the rest of you, don't jump into anything too quickly. Search for the best deal with your budget and with those you want to work with. And don't forget, to get the best deals on wedding favors, wedding products, shower and wedding invitations and gifts, stop by my webstore. You will save tons of money. That is one thing I can promise you. And if you have any questions or comments, either leave them here, or write to me on my website. I will help you any way I can and have tons of ideas for a beautiful wedding that can save you tons of money.
Much happiness is coming your way!
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors
Sorry for the delay. I've been very busy. I will be contacting you with more questions within the next couple of days. I'll help you work something out!
Bella <3
Posted by
Bella Bridal |
3:09 PM
Hi,
I have many ideas on how to save big money on a wedding, but you have to help. What I mean by that is you need to be realistic about the number of wedding guests if you want to significantly decrease your wedding budget. But either way, here are a few ideas that will aid you.
Wedding Cake - Use cupcakes and stack them in tiers. Decorate with fresh flowers. Or you can buy wedding cake pans and bake your own. Buy a frosting decorating tube and trim, then decorate with fresh flowers. Also, you can have a local baker make a plain tiered wedding cake and have them frost it, then you can decorate with fresh or silk flowers.
Bridal Flowers - As the bride you can hold either one rose or one cala lilly, or the bridesmaids can hold one and the bride holds several with baby's breath. You can buy the flowers yourself, cut the stems on an angle and tie them with silk or satin ribbon.
Centerpieces - If you'd like something fresh, you can use a potted flowering or green plant. Or, if you'd like something more romantic, go to my website www.designstoremember.com and look a the wide mouthed mikasa vase. You buy one for each table and float candles in it. For a more dramatic effect, you can color the water in the vase. At the end of the night, you give it to the couple at each table that has been married the longest. Nice touch! And the lit candles bring such romance to the room.
Wedding Gown - I just found an amazing gown for one of the young girls I am personally working with for $100. And it was gorgeous! What did I do? I called all the area Bridal Gown shops and asked them if they had gown samples for sale. I sent her to several and she found the gown for $200. I told her to ask them if she ordered all of her bridesmaid's dresses there, could she drop the price to $100. And she did! Sample gowns are nothing more than the gown that was used for girls to try on. More times than not, they are perfect. They just need to be cleaned. Also, if you know a seamstress that you trust, pick out a gown pattern, find some bridal fabric on sale and have her make it. You then can buy appliques, rhinestones, pearls, whatever and apply them yourself. It's easy and actually a lot of fun! And don't forget, if you buy a sample gown and it's very plain, you can glue gun or sew on appliques, etc. to make it more BAM!
Photography - Cheapest way? Have a friend of family member do still shots and video. If that isn't possible, then call your nearest college and ask if they have photography students that do it for credit or for a small fee. Caution: check their work. The last thing you want is pics of you and a cut off groom! And of course, make sure that you have a wedding camera on each table. I have very inexpensive and adorable ones on my website.
Wedding Favors - Obviously, go to my website. I beat or match all competitors pricing and we guarantee your satisfaction or you return them, no questions asked. And we have some of the least expensive wedding favors on the web!
Music - Rent a karaoke machine and ask a friend to play D.J and that's there gift to you. Also, you can do the same thing as with photography. Call your local colleges and ask for the music department. They may know of bands or individuals who would love to play at your wedding for a small fee. Again, hear them first.
Transportation - Use a rich uncle's car! BUT, if that's not available, then lease a continental ONE WAY for the bride to get to the ceremony. And if the ceremony is at the same place as the reception, then you are all set. If not, the bride and groom can hop into the back seat of a friend who will play designated driver for them for the day. Saves tons of money! Everyone else is on their own.
Invitations - Again, go to my website. Look around. You'll find we have some of the most beautiful and inexpensive invitations. And right now we are running a special. If you spend at least $100 on a wedding favor order, you'll get $40 toward a wedding invitation order. It's our way of saying thanks!
Bridal Gifts - You won't find any cheaper than www.designstoremember.com! In fact, we have people ordering some of the jewelry on our pages for Christmas gifts because they are so beautiful and are so inexpensive! I thought it was odd at first when someone told me that, but now so many are doing it, it's become common!
Reception - Have it in someone's home or backyard. If that's not available, then a club, park or even a fire hall. Many people have receptions at the Elks and clubs like that. And to dress those places up, hang sheer fabrics on the wall (on sale of course!) which gives the room a very elegant look. Dim the lights and add candles to that, and voila! You have a very inexpensive wedding venue!
Also, I went to a wedding not long ago that only served hor d'oeurves and desserts and it was one of the most memorable to me. And yes, you can save tons of money by only serving beer and wine.
I hope this helps. If you have any specific questions, write again to either here or my website. And to get more specifics, I'll need more specifics.
Much happiness to you,
Bella
P.S. I also sent this to your personal email address. I wanted to make sure that you received my reply one place or the other! <3
Posted by
Bella Bridal |
9:26 PM