Before You Say I Do....

One of the most painful moments in planning a wedding, is when you are sitting in the florist’s store picking out your beautiful bouquet and church and table arrangements and then the estimate is handed to you. Okay, breathe…breathe…
Remember, there are ways to get around that huge expense. And honestly, if there was one place I would cut to a minimum, it would be with the florist. Why? Because there are many ways to get around it. For example, substitute less expensive flowers for the ones that they put in the bouquets. When my last daughter got married, she wanted roses and she wanted high table arrangements! Very expensive! So this is what we did. Her bouquet was very important to her, so it was full of red roses, but the rest of the flowers were not. The bridesmaids held a single rose and there wasn’t a rose to be found in the centerpieces or church bouquets. We had lots of baby’s breath filler and found flowers that matched her colors but were very inexpensive for the tables. But, the baby’s breath was gorgeous. For the head table, we added a few roses to match her bouquet.
We had the florist add ribbons hanging off each high centerpiece. To save more money, we alternated a high centerpiece with a low one. And really, it looked even better. It gave the room some dimension.
Also, what is a beautiful centerpiece is a gorgeous medium sized glass bowl filled with water (possibly with colored stones at the bottom) and float inexpensive flowers. It really is very elegant. We have a Mikasa bowl, nearly 9” in diameter, which is absolutely gorgeous to do this with. This is it. The picture doesn’t do it justice. Also, you could do something that would serve as a centerpiece and be a wedding favor for your guests to take home. These monogrammed candles (with the first letter of your ‘new’ last name) can surround an inexpensive Mikasa vase (check it out on our website) with a single rose in it. Very elegant and very beautiful. The candles formed in a circle around the vase help form the centerpiece and really are a very unique wedding favor. Your guests will love it and you’ll save TONS of money!
Regarding the church, buy yards of tulle (at a discount fabric store) and drape it along the pews or chairs hooking one to the other on the aisle side. This brings such a beautiful feel and touch to the room, that the amount of flowers you need can be very limited.
Use your imagination. Browse all over our wedding favor and accessory website. I promise you will save tons of money. If you’d like even more money saving ideas with respect to saving money on centerpieces, just email us at www.designstoremember.com and I’ll write you back with more money saving tips! Or comment here and we’ll see what we can come up with.
Hope this helped you save money and tickled your imagination. Have a blessed, glorious day. Hug someone!
Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments

Yes, this is another shot from my daughter's wedding. I love sharing these with you. Okay, enough of that. On to this VERY important topic...Wedding Photographers!

So you announce your wedding and your uncle tells you that he has a friend that has just opened his own wedding photography business and he knows he can get it done for you for nothing or next to nothing. Wow! How can you resist? STOP!!! Be very careful. I love family, but do not fall into the "I can get you such a deal" trap when it comes to your wedding pictures. Why? Because you will never be able to duplicate this day, EVER again! I don't care if you get married 3 more times. You'll never have this specific day again. If your uncle says that to you, tell him you'd like to see his work and speak to others that have used him. If that doesn't go over well...well...you got your answer!

For me, I look at it this way. I have a Wedding Favor and other Bridal Accessory Business. Now I know that I have the most unique wedding favors at the best prices on the web. So why doesn't everyone come to me? I don't have a clue. But sometimes people make the decision to buy something cheaper thinking that they will make out better in the end. Then when they get the wedding favor and it's garbage and the company won't stand behind their product, they not only spent the money for those that they aren't going to use, but now have to spend more money to buy another wedding favor! Now, consider that scenario with photography. The only difference is, you don't get a 2nd chance there. If they blow your wedding, that's it. No regrouping or recapturing those precious moments. So please, for me, don't skimp on this. Skimp on flowers - even on your gown. NOT on the photographer!

Also, please consider having a camera on every table at the reception. This allows your guests to capture moments that you will never see, as well as having photos of every person that was at your wedding. We went beyond that. We handed out several cameras as people walked into the ceremony and had them take pictures, from their vantage point, of different aspects of that time. They handed them back to us after the ceremony was over and when we developed them, some of the most precious moments of the day were caught on film. Take a scoot over to my website. There are many adorable cameras to choose from. This is one of my favorites. Guess it's the hearts on it!

Ihope, through this post, that I've convinced you of the necessity of a good photographer and making sure your memories are in good hands. Tomorrow I'm going to give you many tips about photography and how to save money as well as make sure you look your best in those treasured photos.

Have a blessed day.
Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments

Okay, okay...now you think Bella is crazy! Well I'm not. Just sometimes a hopeless romantic! But honestly, I think if I had to do it again, I would have a beach wedding. Well, considering my Italian extended family almost ruined my wedding singlehandedly - can you blame me? I think at this point I would just find an amazing beach somewhere in the world - invite all my friends and relatives - and who makes it does and the rest...well...let's just leave it at that!

But seriously, beach weddings are the up and coming thing. More and more people I speak to are opting for either a wedding on a beach close to them, or just flying to an exotic, warm, sunny place where they will honeymoon, and getting married right there. There isn't anything much more romantic than that.These weddings are the most relaxed and casual I've ever been to. And, the setting is so serene and beautiful that it can be a bit overwhelming. And when I say casual, I don't mean that the bride and groom are dressed like a couple of hippy throwbacks and that I attended wearing a swimsuit and flipflops! The "feel" of the wedding is more relaxed probably because the bride and groom are in a setting that allows them to be more themselves and not act like two people who are on display.

If you don't have the money to fly to an exotic island, there are plenty of ways to have a "beach" style wedding right where you are. There are many local parks, small resorts, local hotels on the water that you can rent the property from for the day. Also, if you don't live near the ocean, a beautiful lake wedding can be breathtaking.

Also, your beach wedding should include food and drinks, centerpieces, and of course a unique wedding favor, all in the beach theme. This wedding favor is one of our most popular unique wedding favors for beach weddings. Aren't they adorable? These flip flops are place card holders or picture holders.

But those aren't all we have. Wait, here's one more! This is our Adirondack chair tealight and place card holder wedding favor! I just love this stuff! Okay...enough is enough. Just go to our website. There are TONS more!

So, I've convinced you. You're considering a beach wedding. But where? I've got lots of suggestions here. How about places in Florida, such as Clearwater Beach, Sand Key Beach, Siesta Key, Treasure Island, Tampa, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne Beach Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, and Destin. And that's just Florida. Also, don't forget the Caribbean, Fiji, Tahiti, Southern California, Hawaii...and on and on and on. It would take my entire blog to list them all. And here's a bit of a tip if you're considering it. Many times it will end up less expensive than a full blown wedding in a banquet hall! And don't forget. No airfare to get to your honeymoon. You're already right there. Or if guests have decided to make this their vacation also, it can just be a short drive or quick plane ride to someplace very closeby to allow you more privacy.

Okay, now I've messed up your head. Should you even consider this? Of course! Consider everything. But bottom line...it's YOUR wedding. Do what feels right to you, not what feels right to all the voices around you. And remember, it's one of the most important days of your life. Be happy. Enjoy. Before you know it, this time will have passed and will be nothing but a distant memory.

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 8:40 AM | Permalink | Comments

It’s that time! Many of you ladies have waited much of your life for this moment! No longer just a bridesmaid, you are now the bride! You are ready to shop for the most amazing dress…the ultimate wedding gown that anyone has ever had! So what do you do first? Take it from Bella…decide how much you can afford and STICK TO THAT BUDGET! Yeah, yeah, you all agree. Now wait until you get into the bridal store and then watch how you justify the ‘few hundred dollars’ more. After all, you’re only getting married once right? Well, let’s hope…fingers crossed!

Let me help you by steering you in the right direction and by offering you tips to save some money. And no, I'm not going to tell you that we have some of the best, nicest, highest quality and least expensive unique wedding favors anywhere, so don't worry about that! Okay, back to our regularly scheduled programming!

But know this, you will definitely get much better service from a well known, established, full service bridal shop. If you go to the warehouse discount bridal store, you will save money but be careful. You want to make sure you aren’t buying the dress that is hanging there. And if you are, it better be at a very hefty discount and they better guarantee cleaning in writing. Also, DO NOT let their seamstresses altar your gown. Bring it to a private person. Yes, it will cost a bit more, but you won’t be hysterical crying 3 days before your wedding day when you try your dress on and it looks like a Hawaiian Moo Moo!

And buyer beware! It is illegal for these places to remove labels from wedding dresses. They do this so they can tell you it’s from this designer or that designer. It’s the ole “bait and switch”. Do not fall for it! If the store has no labels in their dresses, WALK OUT! It will save you tons of heartache.

Always check either by phone or online with the Better Business Bureau and see if there has been any action taken against the wedding or bridal shop. There are many listed. You would be shocked. But you can’t fool with this. You HAVE to have your bridal gown for your wedding day and have it beautiful and fitting properly. Then, on the internet, check out RipOffReport.com – that will help you decide on where to shop for your gown.

And remember also, you do not need to get your gown, veil, shoes, bra, jewelry, etc. from the same place. You can get your gown from the place that has the wedding gown you love, but then zip over to the discount bridal place for your accessories. Don’t get caught up in the emotions of buying it all right there. The jewelry, shoes, etc. are usually WAY overpriced at a wedding shop. This is a tiara from our website. High quality/low price.


Okay, go for it girl! You are armed and ready with some vital information.

Remember, this is a defining moment in your life. Enjoy it. Don’t rush it. And bring those that you love and love you with you when you go. It can be an experience that you will cherish forever. By the way, that is my daughter and her husband that got married a few years ago. Just wanted to share that with you. :-)

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

So it's time to pick out your invitations. My suggestion is that you do this VERY early; even right after picking out your gown and securing your reception area. The reason being that it is one of the things that can fly under the radar and you'll forget about. And it can't be forgotten about because then you will have no guests to celebrate with you!

There are many beautiful wedding invitations to choose from. Some are very simple. Some are more elaborate. My first daughter that got married had a much more "princessish" (is that a word? LOL) wedding and her invitation portrayed that. My second daughter was more formal but less lavish, even with her gown. So she chose a simple invitation which was made formal because of purchasing a satin lined envelope and having a ribbon adorning the invitation itself. By the way, we have some gorgeous invitations to choose from, and we'll help you with what should be written inside if you'd like also.
What I've posted here are just two of many designs that we have. In fact, one of hundreds. So go and browse and see if there's something that we can help you with. Okay, back to what I was saying!

When invitations get complicated is when there is more than one parent or sets of parents or any other combination. What and how do you write the inscription on the invitation? But do not fear...we have the answer. As a very general rule, the parents who are paying for the invitations (and usually a good portion of the wedding) are the ones that should be issuing the invitation. One way to accomplish both is:

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Ms. Jane Jean Doe
to
Mr. Groom's Full Name
Son of Mrs. New Husband's Name (or) Son of Mr. and Mrs. New Husband's Name
and Mr. Groom's Father's Name (or) and Mr. and Mrs. Groom's Father's Name

The last line is where you can add whomever you choose. This is nice, clean and nobody gets offended or left out.

An invitation is a beautiful thing. It's very personal and should emulate what the wedding will be like and even the colors that the bride and groom may go with for their special day. Don't jump at the first thing you see. Browse through our collection of invitations especially made for Designs to Remember. Hopefully we can help you relieve one less burden, knowing that they will be perfectly done.

Be blessed...enjoy these moments, they pass quickly.
Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments

EVERY bride needs this "Wedding Survival" list. You will poo poo some of what is on here. But heed my words, everything is on this list for a reason, and the old "Murphy's Law" happens at every wedding...unfortunately! The following list is pretty thorough for overcoming any minor emergency that can possibly happen that day. And don't forget to buy a pretty "Bridal Bag" to carry it all in
The "Wedding Survival Kit" is a must for every bride. The following list includes items you will want to assemble and take to your wedding in the event of a "minor emergency." A beautiful hat box makes a great survival kit or you can simply take these things along in your overnight bag.

*Touch-up Makeup & Mirror
*Hair Spray and Gel (whichever product you use)
*Nail Glue or Krazy Glue
*Brush Ups (a Godsend!)
*Tampons/Sanitary Napkins
*Bobby Pins
*Extra pair of Panty Hose
*Tissue
*Small Sewing Kit
*Safety Pins
*Straight Pins
*Ibuprofen, Tylenol or Aspirin
*Breath mints and/or Gum

I know it sounds like a lot of things, but trust me, between you and your bridesmaids, you'll probably use every single one of those. And to save space in your Bridal Bag, carry travel sizes of hairspray and the over-the-counter medications.

You'll get through it. I promise. We all did. Then someday you may be writing and sharing your expertise like I am! Oh, and by the way, we've put some amazing unique wedding favors on sale today! YES!

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments

Of course you do! And so did my girls when they got married. Except, when my oldest daughter got married, her youngest sister was 3 years old and was the flower girl who she wanted dressed in the same gown as her (basically the same). She looked adorable and the rehearsal went very well, so we thought we were out of the woods. Yeah right! By the time the wedding ceremony was approaching, she was getting antsy. I fed her, picked her up, played games, did everything we could to keep her in good shape, but a kid is a kid. So the wedding processional music began and down this VERY long aisle the bridal party began walking. The last one to walk down the aisle before my oldest daughter, the bride, was my youngest daughter, the tired, hungry and miserable 3 year old. When it was her turn to go, she refused and screamed in the church. Then one of the younger boys took her hand to walk her down. She screamed even more and threw herself on the floor crying for me. Well, there went the poise of the mother of the bride and she never did walk down the aisle. We never got her in those pictures. My daughter, the bride, was late walking down the aisle and the entire church was stressed. Now how old are the children you want in the wedding party?

You do know that I am kidding. Well, half kidding anyway. Children can be a wonderful addition to any wedding. Just know the rules when dealing with kids and you'll be okay.

Make sure they get lots of sleep, and if it is a night wedding, a nap would be very wise for them. During the rehearsal, allow them to rehearse their part several times more than the adults. If the adults are having a problem remembering what to do, just think about what a little one is going through. Also, if the child is under 5 or 6 years old, have an older child or adult that is in the wedding party walk with them. I've learned through experience that it is an insurance policy. Lastly, put a piece of tape on the floor where the child is to stand after walking down the aisle. They will feel more secure and so will you!

Enjoy the kids. They grow up so quickly. Mine is a young lady now and when I think of the craziness of that day, it puts a smile on my lips.

Enjoy this wonderful part of your life. By the way, the little girl in the above photo is my grandaughter.
Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments

The day you 've been waiting for! You don't know whether to laugh, cry, faint, throw up or run. Relax. Those of us who have gone this route have been there, although many of us refuse to admit it! Hey, if the truth be told, it took me most of the first year for me to catch up with the fact of what I'd done! And now that I look back, 34 years later, I realize it was the best day of my life! But going through this day can be torment! But with preparatin and a timetable, you can really enjoy it...almost...

Now, one thing you have to realize is that you can't take someone else's timetable and fit it into your wedding. You have to come up with your own, customized to each individual situation. But I can at least give you some guidelines to help you figure out your own.

About 2 1/2-3 hours before the ceremony, the bridesmaids should arrive at the bride's home. This time is used for hair (if not done by a salon prior), make-up and then dressing, (unless the bridesmaids came over already in their dresses). This normally takes about 1-2 hours, leaving approximately 1 hour for the photographer to take some formal shots.

During this time, the bride can give her bridesmaids their gifts (groom will do the same on his end) so that if they are something that they will all wear that day, they will have them. Sometimes this is done at the rehearsal dinner (one to two nights before) but if not, this is an appropriate time to give them.

Approximately 1-2 hours before the time of the ceremony, the florist should arrive with the bride's bouquet, corsages and boutonniere's for the bride's father. At this point, photos can be taken.

Approximately 30 minutes prior to the ceremony, the boutonniere for the ushers and for the groom's father are handed out at the place of the ceremony, in the room that the groom and his ushers are waiting in.

Depending on how long it takes to get from the home to the place of the ceremony, the bride and her bridesmaids should arrive exactly on time. All the pre-wedding photos should have been completed at the bride's home.

At this point, nerves are jangling. I can remember this moment almost like it was yesterday, so the best thing to do during the ride to the ceremony, is to put on some very relaxing music in the car or limo. Believe me, it helps! Also, a glass of wine doesn't hurt either...again J/K...LOL

Right before the ceremony, the best man should make sure that the marriage license has been given to the officiant (if this didn't happen at the rehearsal) and that the ring bearer in fact, does have the ring!

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the ceremony, music should be played, either live or track. The ushers should be available to great the guests which usually arrive 15-30 minutes prior to ceremony time.

5 minutes prior to the ceremony, the head usher escorts the groom's mother to her seat. The groom's father walks behind the mother and usher and sits with his wife. The head usher can also be another son or brother or someone special to her. Also, if grandparents or any other special people are to be escorted to their seats, this is the time to do it.

Then the bride's mother is escorted to her seat in the same way. The ushers then take their place in the back with the rest of the wedding party.

Processional music begins.
If there is a candlelight ceremony, the candles should be lit now. The minister, the groom and the best man step into their places at the front of the church or chapel. the wedding party enters either as couples or singly, whichever is your choice. The groomsmen take their place on the right side, the bridesmaids on the left. The maid of honor follows the bridesmaid and the flower girl and ring bearer behind her. Everyone takes their places at the front of the church. The music changes to the chosen bridal entrance music. The congregation rises. The bride and her father walk down the aisle. The father (or designated person) gives the bride to the groom and then takes his place next to the bride's mother.

Well, if you reached this point, you've arrived and you are now Mr. and Mrs. You're beginning a brand new chapter of your life. Congratulations!

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

P.S. Big tip! Don't forget to have either your wedding planner, the banquet rep. or someone you are close to, get to the reception to put out all of your unique wedding favors that you bought for a gift for your guests. It just happened to someone I know. Don't overlook this! Have fun! You're going to have a gorgeous wedding!

Posted by Bella Bridal at 6:50 PM | Permalink | Comments

Yep, that shower can turn into a downpour! Ask me! At my daughter's Bridal Shower, on a hot, humid day in August, the air conditioning in the restaurant broke! Yep, God's honest truth! So when I go to Bridal Showers now, I have to take a prozac on the way! J/K - LOL - (Cute mint tin Shower favor though...no?)

Okay, even though that is a true story, let's get down to business here - the business of the infamous shower. Traditionally, bridal showers are given by the maid/matron of honor or the entire bridal party or even close friends. It usually is not given by the family. They have enough to worry about with the wedding!

To be perfectly frank, there is great purpose for a Bridal Shower. They help the couple furnish their new home with many useful household items. And showers nowadays, are centered around a theme. You can have a kitchen shower, lingerie shower, greenback shower (all money), etc...the possibilities are endless.

It is the job of the hostess (whoever that is) to decide on a theme and then plan (hopefully with help from the bride's friends) the entire day. If there is more than one shower, those that are the hosts need to check with each other not to duplicate the theme and guests. What is very popular in many parts of the country is to have one large Bridal Shower and then, for closer friends and family, have a 'personal' Bridal Shower where the bride receives gifts of lingerie and more intimate gifts.

Showers, more often than not, are informal get-togethers that take place during lunchtime on Saturday or Sunday, or even during a mid-afternoon tea. (Speaking of an "afternoon tea," take a look at this very unique wedding favor that is just yummy for just that!) Recently, what has come into vogue is a co-ed evening shower, called "Jack and Jill," which consists mostly of and other single men and women.

During many shower, games are played which can be a lot of fun. One of my daughters loved having games. The other one made it known that she really dislikes that, and asked if we could pass on playing games. So, to each his own in that case.

Because shower gifts are usually very practical and for the home, it is wise to register at your favorite department or gift store. Just make sure that you choose items that are all prices from inexpensive to expensive, allowing all kinds of gifts for women to purchase, or join together to get a larger gift. My daughter's wedding party knew of a dinnerware set that she really wanted, so instead of all of them buying her smaller gifts, they put their money together and purchase the service for 8 dinnerware.

Oh yeah, and don't forget the Bridal Shower favor and thank you cards. Both of these (oh my, you should see the cutie shower favors we have...I really love them!) are available on my website http://designstoremember.com. That is the link to the shower favor and from that site you can link to the site with the invitations.

And regarding thank you cards - one very cute idea for getting addresses for sending out thank you cards is giving away a door prize. What happens is this. At the door, everyone is given a card where they have to fill out their name and mailing address. They are all put in a hat and at the end of the shower, one card is picked. That person wins the prize and now the bride has all the addresses for thank you cards!

Also please remember, whoever you invite to the shower, should really be invited to the wedding.

That's it for this post. Hope you got the Bridal Shower thingy down! Have a wonderful day!

Much happiness coming your way!
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments

Oh boy! This is so difficult. It's like hitting a brick wall. Okay, here is the scenario. You decide on the women to ask to be in your Bridal Party. You've talked to all of them. They realize that it is your wedding and the only time you'll ever do this (hopefully!) and since it is YOUR wedding, you're going to pick out the colors and style of the bridesmaids dresses. And it's not an issue for any of them. (Yeah right...just you wait!)

You all decide on which day you can all go and look at the dresses and try them on. the day arrives, you carpool together and you arrive. You're a very diligent bride, so you've gone in advance and you've chosen 5 colors and styles of the dresses you really like. Your wedding party consists of many different types and shapes and colors of girls. One is olive-skinned, 5' tall and 5' wide. One is lily white, 5'10" and is reed thin! Another is African-American, average weight and height. The last one is Asian, medium dark skin and 5'7" tall. Your maid of honor is your sister who is medium skinned, average height, but just found out that she is pregnant and will be due for the baby 3-4 weeks before the wedding! Have fun! This may sound "over the top"...but trust me, if it isn't this scenario, it's one very similar to it. Just change the names to protect the innocent!

I know, I know, it's your wedding day. I know that, but do they?

One of them likes the burgundy fitted dress. Why wouldn't she? She looks like a stinkin' model, or so says the 5' tall young lady. The shorter girl likes the champagne colored empire waisted dress. Your sister will never be able to wear anything other than empire waist, so that throws out a couple of the dresses that you picked out! And it goes on and on and on.

STOP THE INSANITY!!! This is where you come in. Look, you want to make everyone happy. I can understand that. But you HAVE to make a decision that is right for you, with their opinions being considered.

Really look at the way the dresses look on them and the colors. Compromise. You're never going to make everyone happy. And honestly, you should consider your maid of honor and her opinion the most. And since she will be big and pregnant, maybe give her a darker, more slimming color and then go from there. Just accept it. You're not going to please everyone. And when you've finally decided on a dress, there will be those that think it's too expensive! Ahhhhhhhhh!

Do this early. Get it out of the way. This is one of the most frustrating parts of wedding planning so don't leave it until everything else is falling apart. And also, call around before you go to these places and find out how much lead time they'll need to order the dresses and do alterations.

Breathe! This part will be over soon! Smile. That's about all you can do...

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments

Checklist item to never forget! Our "Love" Coaster Wedding Favor...what fun!

Okay, so you got through the first part of my checklist! Good for you! So, do you think you're up for the 2nd half? I told you there were a lot of things to consider and discuss! And do it all ASAP! Once this wedding snowball starts rolling downhill, it takes on a life of its own, so you don't want to be caught trying to chase it! Take control of this list from the beginning, keep good records and you'll do fine!
Whew! Okay, wedding checklist continued:

11. Discuss Bridal Shower arrangements - You have to decide where the Bridal Shower will be held (don't forget to check out my Bridal Shower favors and unique wedding favors and also Bridal Shower other cute things on my site and on my affiliate sites!) AND who is going to pay for this? In some areas of the country, it is customary for the girls in the bridal party to pay for the shower, in other areas, it's the groom's mom and in some parts, it falls on the bride's mother (so what else is new?). I'll spend another blog just on bridal showers, cute ideas, games, etc. (Obviously at this point, you have chosen your maid of honor and bridal party...haven't you?). Oh yeah, by the way, a Bridal Shower usually happens 4-8 weeks before the wedding.

12. Select the photographer/videographer - Be very careful here! This is what you will be looking at for many years to come. Check out LOTS of photographers and look at their work. Ask him for a couple of references and if you feel to, call them.

13. Flowers - This can run into some big time money! Flowers are gorgeous at a wedding, but be careful. This can tip your budget totally out of hand! Decide what kinds of flowers the bride will hold and what the bridal party will carry. Again, if you want to stay in budget, a single rose is very elegant. If budget isn't an issue, then go for it girl! Skies the limit! Also here, be careful. Ask around. References are very important for this one! Once you walk into the reception and the flowers are on the table, you're stuck with them!

14. Limos - You have to decide if you will be driven to the ceremony and reception by a limosine service or will family/friends drive you. Also, if you go for limos, do you also want one for the bridal party and parents? Decisions decisions decisions...

15. Wedding Cake - You want to make it easy? Find a banquet hall that includes the cake at no extra charge. Many of them do. They'll just want to know the colors you want on it. Some places allow you to pick from photos of different cakes. There are also upgrades. Be careful with your spending! When you're looking at the gorgeous cakes, you'll say, "But it's only another $100." Remember, $100 here, $100 there...watch it all add up!

16. Reception Music - Band or D.J. - totally your preference and pocketbook. Bands are generally more expensive, but some people wouldn't consider anything but a live band. Others could care less. But if you are considering a band, go to wedding band sampler nights. Go to many of them. And then speak to the group after. Ask them if they can play your "wedding song" (yes,you have to pick that!) and other types of music that you like. And of course, ask them their price and if they expect to be fed. I know that's tough to ask, but with prices per person anywhere from $40-300 a head, you better know if they expect that or not.

17. Honeymoon - Ah...finally...some peace and quiet! Well, perhaps, if you've decided to go to a desert island. Be very careful when booking this. Get recommendations from your friends and family. This beautiful event can turn into a nightmare without the right planning. I will do a complete blog just on this in the future!

Well, that about wraps it up for the checklist...ummm...oops I forgot a couple of the most important things. First of all, your gift to your guests - the Wedding Favor!!! Secondly, your gift to your attendants!!!


18. Wedding Favor & Wedding Attendant Gifts -
I know people don't think a lot about having a unique wedding favor, but it is so important, that it is one of the reasons I went into this business. When I was looking for the perfect gift for our guests (not just throwing anything at them because it was easy and cheap!) I couldn't find what I wanted for the amount I wanted to spend. So I figured I'd start my own business, knowing that others felt just the way I did. So, do me a favor, okay? Go on my website, www.designstoremember.com and check out my favors and prices! The quality is guaranteed and the prices are the lowest you'll find everywhere. I'm not going to skin you alive so I can buy a Mercedes! LOL - Also, go to my affiliate websites for your attendant's gifts. There are really beautiful things there (of yeah, invitations and many other items you'll need)that won't break the bank for you.

That's the list! I'm sure you will have your own set of "todos" that I didn't even include that is personal to you. Just remember, keep good records. Write down everything anyone says to you, because you will forget it in the midst of the chaos!

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments

Okay, the wedding day excitement has worn off and you are now living in reality! So, what's next? Well, considering that you probably have between 3 months to one year to get this all done (depending on your rush to get married!), you need to start immediately. It sounds like a long time, but for some reason when you're planning a wedding, time rushes by! It really does! Ask anyone who has been there. Just not enough time in the day.

Here is the basic checklist you should begin with:

1. Announce the engagement - this can be done personally, through mailed announcement cards or even with a release through your town or city newspaper.
2. Select the wedding date - this is going to take some thought. Remember, Friday and Saturday wedding receptions are the most expensive. Holiday weekend days are the least expensive, and holidays is much, much less - i.e. Labor Day or Columbus Day.
3. Determine how many guests and make an A and B list. A list are the people that have to be invited with B list being those that are maybes and can be invited if A list doesn't come. I know. This doesn't sound great, but again, reality has to play into this. Be sensible. The girl you met doing your nails who is a distant cousin of your sister's friend does NOT have to be invited! :-) (Also, what about kids?)
4. After making your list, decide when the invitations will be sent out. The date should be early so that if you get cancellations, you can invite others. You can send out the invitations from 6-8 weeks before the wedding.
5. How will this be paid for? Who is paying for what? Decide on this right up front to spare problems down the road!
6. Develop a record keeping system for payments made! What I did is to have a notebook with a title on the top of every few pages and I kept all record keeping and notes in that notebook. Any receipts were saved in another accounting type notebook. Every word, every decision, every change, whatever, needs to be logged into that notebook. Don't think you'll remember! By the time the wedding is close by, you will be so jammed that all of your minds will be blank!
7. Select ceremony site and officiant.
8. Select bridal gown and headpiece. Honestly, most times, the first place you go is where you will go back and end up buying the dress. And many times, it's the first dress you tried on. Do this early. It will wear on you if you don't.
9. Decide the color scheme for the wedding. What is very nice is matching it to the season of the year. Then also, you can match your flowers and wedding favor to your theme also!
10. Make sure you get your passport (if needed for the honeymoon) and marriage license, or there will be no marriage!!!

Well there is your first installment of TODOS! Tomorrow is another day and another blog. You don't want to miss the next group. They are doozies! And when you get a chance, stop by my site and say hello. Drop me a "hi" or leave a comment here. I love hearing from all of you. Weddings are a happy time! I love my business!

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 8:25 AM | Permalink | Comments

Please, first things first! Let me send heaps of congratulations to you! If you are reading this blog, you either just got engaged, are about to be married, are about to marry off a child or have a wedding fetish! Well, whatever one it is, let me just say a couple of things - YAY! YAHOO! WOW! CONGRATS! Okay, now that that is over, you have a HUGE job ahead of you! More than you really can imagine! But, this blog is being written to help you out; to get you beyond the mistakes, problems, disasters and near cancellations of that infamous wedding day!

So, where do we begin? How about at the beginning? For some of you, you’ve already gone beyond these initial wedding plans, but for others, they need to catch up, so just bear with me. There will be blogs up and coming that will aid you where you are right now!

But let me introduce myself, okay? Yes, my name is Betty. And for the purpose of this blog, I’m calling myself Betty Bridal. Sounds appropriate enough, huh? I’ve married off two children and I’m about to marry off one more.

I wish I could say it was all wonderful. Y’know what? Let me say it anyway. It was all wonderful! Now I’m going to repent because I’m such a liar! LOL
It was very difficult! Oh, not at the beginning. Then it was so much fun! I told everyone I knew. We had a dinner celebration. We toasted the happy couple, etc. etc. etc. Then it began!!! All the work!

If you are the bride or groom, there is tons of work. If you are the mother of the bride there is tons of work. If you are anything close to either the bride or the groom or even just coming to the wedding, there is tons of work! Whew! Can you tell I’m “weddinged” out! Again, I’m exaggerating to make a point.

Just know this. I’m going to help you guys find an easier route to all this wedding and marriage stuff than we had. Even my own wedding was a near disaster. The only thing that ended up good about my wedding, was my marriage! And 34 years later, we’re still going strong! I told you I’ve had lots of experience.

Well, there’s my introduction. Hope you come back. We’re going to talk about subjects that no one else will touch! From information about bridal gowns to what to do when bridesmaids get upset over gowns they don't like, to honeymoons and of course, finding that perfect unique wedding favor! Every day stop by and let me help you save money and save time and save relationships!

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella

Unique Wedding Favors

Posted by Bella Bridal at 10:12 PM | Permalink | Comments