SOME EASY HOMEMADE WEDDING FAVORS

If you are a bride looking for inspiration for your wedding favors, then you have probably read a hundred or more articles telling you that your wedding favors should be ‘unique’. However this implies favors that are one-offs, one-of-a-kind and definitely something that your guests will never have received before or are never likely to again.

If this was the case then most favor stores would go out of business very quickly! Implying that favors have to be unique will rule out just about everything in the favor stores, from candles to photo frames, coasters to bottle stoppers. With millions of these items sold each year how can they possibly be unique?

So now you’re totally confused! How do you create unique wedding favors? Well first I should explain that when people refer to favors being unique what they really mean is that they coordinate to your wedding. As every bride will design their wedding differently, from their wedding color combinations to the graphics on their stationery, no two weddings will be the same. So in order to make your favors coordinate and therefore become unique you need to make them in your wedding colors, add decorative touches that match or coordinate with your stationery and make them coordinate with the style and/or theme of your wedding. Whilst the favor itself maybe something that your guests have received ten times over at previous weddings, it is the packaging and presentation that make them unique.

For something totally unique, from the favor itself to the packaging, then you have to look at homemade favors. For those who are creatively minded this is an easy job and one which they probably have well underway already. But if you are not very artistic or creative then you may already be about to turn away from this article in search of something else. But don’t, there are plenty of wedding favors you could make at home that are so easy your five years old niece could do them!

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

 Source

Printed scrolls – so easy to produce on your home computer. You can print out recipes, poems or short stories. If you have some desk top publishing software (there are some good programs available free on the internet) you can add stylish graphics or photographs. Choose some nice quality paper to print them out on and roll them up like scrolls and secure with ribbon.

CD’s – these have been a popular wedding favor idea for some years now, what makes them unique is the choice of music you put on them. Copyright is something of a grey area so you should do a little further research on this before committing to making them. Many people can produce CD’s on their home computers, but if you are concerned about time and quality of recordings then find a professional to do it for you. You can also get kits which will give you everything you need to produce your own labels and cases.

DVD’s – you could make up video discs perhaps containing a funny message from you both or compilation of short films. Choose something that interests you both and make a short documentary about it.

Plant seedlings – you don’t have to be green fingered to grow plants from seed and these make lovely wedding favors. Choose something which will be present at your wedding, such as a type of flower that will be in your bouquet or alternatively herbs make a great choice and are very easy to grow. Plant your seeds in large trays and when big enough you can pot them into small terracotta pots. Don’t forget to include some details on what the plant is and how to look after it.

Scented sachets – these little smelly bags are the type of thing you might place in your underwear drawer or even just hang on the bed post! Choose some nice fabric such as silk, lace or linen, and then make a template from card. Your bags can be any shape such as square, heart even flower shaped. You will need to cut two pieces for each sachet, then sew them together – you can do this with a machine or by hand. If you want a finish that hides the stitches then sew with a machine with right sides together, if you want to show the stitches or perhaps have a nice border round the edge, then sew by hand with embroidery silk leaving a small border as you sew round. Sew the bag sides together but remember to leave a small opening at the top so you can put your contents in, these could be pot-pourri, lavender seeds or something else which could be scented with essential oils. Before you sew the top up, add a loop of ribbon so your guests can hang them up if they want.

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Glamorous Wedding Ring Tattoos

Wedding is one of the most important events in the life of a person. It is like a new life where you start your journey with your partner on the foundations of love and commitment. The rituals are an important part of the marriage ceremony and so are the wedding rings that bear the initials of the spouses. Well, these days a new and stylish ritual has made its entry in the wedding ceremonies which is known as wedding ring tattoos. As the name suggests, the wedding ring tattoo is a tattoo in the form of a ring carved on the ring finger as a symbol of love and devotion.

The wedding ring tattoos are not necessarily done on the wedding day, you can get them etched afterwards too. The good part about this tattoo is that you don’t have to fear about losing it like the gold and diamond rings. This is why the trend is catching so fast. If you are looking for ideas on such tattoos then have a look at this post that we have created for people like you. It has 30 wedding ring tattoos that give great ideas for designs. Enjoy.

Name Initials Tattoo

This wedding ring tattoo has got a fresh and pleasing look and always reminds the couple of each other.

Identical Ring Tattoos

The couple have got similar wedding ring tattoos as a symbol of their marriage and commitment to each other.

Heart Ring Tattoo

This wedding ring tattoo represents the hearty feelings associated with the conjugal union of two souls.

Wedding Date Ring Tattoo

Lovely and intelligent wedding ring tattoo that has the date of marriage affixed on the ring fingers of the couple.

Pretty Wedding Ring Tattoo

Golden gear wedding ring tattoos that exhibit a lovely charm and stand for the strong bond shared by the couple.

Names Tattoo

Getting the name of your spouse etched on your ring finger is also a cool way of getting wedding ring tattoo.

Simple And Cool

Having the infinity symbol inside it, this wedding ring tattoo stands for eternal love and commitment.

Charming Ring Tattoo

Another knotted design wedding ring carved with yellow and dark shade that looks pretty and represents the ups and downs in the life of a couple after wedding.

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12 Easy Wedding Budget Tips

No matter what your wedding budget, every bride is looking for the best possible price for their wedding day. So if you are looking to lower some costs here are our top tips for saving some pennies on the big day.

• Go for a weekday or Sunday wedding, and consider spring or autumn rather than the most popular (and expensive) summer months.
• Think about what guests will notice. No-one will mind if you don't have favours, but a great band will get the party started.
• Do your research. Looking around and comparing quotes is time consuming, but definitely worth the effort.
• Think ahead. Most couples have at lease a year to plan, so take advantage of sales and offers to find bargain bridesmaids dresses and grooms' suits in advance.
• Go local. It's surprising how much you can save with local companies, plus it gives your wedding a personal feel.
• Think numbers. Catering is one of the biggest expenses, so cutting your guest list is the easiest way to make savings -  just ask plenty of guests to the evening do instead.
• Look out for designer days at bridal boutiques as it's an easy way to save on your dream dress.
• Right from the start, work out which parts of the day are important to you both. This helps a lot when allocating your budget.
• Sign up to wine clubs early and get some amazing deals on wedding drinks.
• Don't be afraid to use your own personal network: your friends and family might well have skills that could help you save cash on the day.
• Photo booths needn't be expensive - ask your photographer if they can provide one as part of a package.
• Go for nibbles instead on canapés with your reception drinks - they're often much cheaper!

Article source : http://www.planyourperfectwedding.com

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Wedding Tips : 5 Ways to Have A Fairytale Wedding on a Limited Budget

In today’s economy everyone has a limited budget, but there are ways to still have your fairytale wedding on a limited budget. Below are five ways to get you closer to your fairytale wedding and not exceed your budget.

01. Choose your wedding date wisely
When setting your wedding date the time and date can save you thousands of dollars. The most expensive time of the year to have a wedding is April through October. If possible when setting your date consider doing it November through April. The other thing that can save you a ton of money is the day of  week and time in which you have your wedding. Saturday evening weddings are the most expensive. If you want to save money book a Friday evening or Sunday evening ceremony and reception. If you want to save a little more money do a middle of the week wedding or an afternoon wedding.

02. Everything is negotiable
When choosing your vendors don’t feel as if you need to accept the first price they give you. Be open and honest with your vendors and let them know what your budget is up front. Most vendors are willing to work with you and within your budget. They understand budgets and if they can’t meet your budget they will let you know in the beginning and you will know to continue with your vendor search. Ask questions your vendors about their pricing and if it is over what you want to spend ask them if there are alternatives that can help you stay on budget.

03. Hire a Wedding Coordinator
Many couples look at a coordinator as an extra expense and a luxury. Wedding coordinators have special relationships with vendors and can get you great deals. Coordinators can also save you stress, put out fires on your wedding day, and generally give you peace of mind. You can hire them for a day, for 10 hours, or for the whole event. They can negotiate contracts, keep you on task, and help you know what to ask when speaking to vendors.

04. Flowers on a Budget
When picking your flowers try and choose flowers that are in reason. Work with your florist to see if they can make your ceremony arrangements also double as some of your table centerpieces. Make sure to reasearch your florist sometimes the largest florist in town is not necessarily the cheapest. Look into some of the smaller florists. Many times they can give you more bang for your buck.

05. Finding a Dress

When looking for a dress don’t let the price intimidate you. There are tons of ways to get your dream dress on a limited budget. Ask the store in which you have found your dress if they have sample sales. Sample sales dresses are when a store or designer decides to sell their dresses that people try on. These dresses are typical lightly worn and will need to be cleaned but you could get a $4,000 dress for $800. Also look for trunk sales and look for dresses that may be an older model from a previous season. Look everywhere and research all your options to find your dream dress.

Having a dream wedding on a budget is within your reach!

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Wedding Budget : Essential Tips on Budget Wedding Getaways

Here are some helpful tips on how you can have your dream wedding getaway with your most special someone without costing so much of a fortune.

• The best way to keep things affordable would be selecting a location that will not be that luxurious to go to. Check out the local airports and research on some real cheap flights and where they are headed. Make a short list of these potential budget island getaways.

• The next step would be to research thoroughly on the list of islands you made. Ask whether they have resorts which offer affordable wedding packages. Check out the costs of the accommodation. How long would it take for you to reach the place? The island of Hawaii for one is popular for offering lots of budget wedding packages. You can start doing your budget computations and total them into a price that you can afford. So that you can adjust your budget ahead of time.

• It can be of so much help too if you would take a closer look on the peak and low season of the island destinations. Low season is defined as when the weather is filled with monsoon rains or any unpredictable weather. Like in the Caribbean, the months of May to November are considered as low season. Yes, you might risk your wedding getaway with a bad weather but you will definitely pay less if you will go during the low season. A lot of other resorts are rendering amazing discounts during the low season and never fail to ask on their latest deals.

• Usually, honeymoons would just involve the two of you. But there are couples who plan to bring with them their closest couple friends as well. So if you are like these couples, you might want to do further research on the food or possibly, group packages. This will also help you take it easy on the wedding budget that you have been striving to manage.

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Wedding Tips : 7 Steps for Setting (and Following!) a Wedding Budget

Setting a wedding essentials budget is a smart way to stay on track with spending during your wedding planning. Here we offer a practical step-by-step guide to help keep things sailing smoothly toward your big day.

Step 1: Take a Realistic Look at Your Finances

If you and your fiance are handling to the bulk of the wedding costs, figure up how you can each comfortably contribute to the budget without going into the red (starting a marriage in debt is not a wise decision!). Money is a touchy subject, and being honest and upfront about how much you have to spend on your wedding will not only squash confusion, it will also lay the foundation for how to resolve money issues once you’re married.

Step 2: Be selective with the guest list
An important step in setting your wedding essentials budget is to determine how many people you will want to invite to your ceremony and reception. The guest list dictates the amount of space you’ll need to accommodate your well-wishers, the quantity of food caterers must prepare for the reception meal, and other key budgetary considerations. Besides, it’s a no-brainer that the less people you invite, the less you’ll need to spend!

Step 3: Verify if others plan to constribute to your wedding expenses

Families of the bride and groom will  often offer to pay for some – if not all – of the wedding essentials expenses. If you’re uncomfortable asking your parents for cash, how about asking them to purchase certain items like the wedding cake, or let them pick up the tab for the rehearsal dinner. Whether your family pays a portion of your wedding costs or foots the entire bill, having others contribute to your wedding budget will certainly relieve the stress of limited cash flow.

Step 4: Open a separate “wedding” account to track spending

Once you’ve pulled your wedding funds together, you’ll want to place them into a bank account solely devoted to paying wedding expenses. This way you won’t mix everyday money with your specially allocated fund.

Step 5: Determine where you want to spend the most/least

Some wedding essentials – centered items and services automatically come with a hefty price tag. Point blank. Period. But knowing where to shell out the big bucks and where to cut costs can make all the difference in your planning. Create a list of wedding services that you don’t mind spending more money on, and those that you’ll be fine with scaling back from. For example, you might want to hire a pricey, but renowned wedding photographer to snap every moment of your wedding day, but opt for a beer and wine only reception instead of an open bar. No matter where you choose to save or spend, it should be something you can both agree on.

Step 6: Pick a financially-feasible wedding essentials date

Certain times of year are more expensive for having a wedding. Holidays generate the most money in the wedding industry (Labor Day weekend, Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years). Vendors are also in higher demand, so expect an up-charge in services if you’re setting a date around these times. However, if you’re able to show flexibility with your wedding date, you’ll find some great deals. And never be afraid to negotiate – many wedding essentials vendors are willings to work around your budget.

Step 7: Resist the urge to splurge
It’s easy to get swept up in all things opulent when dreaming of your wedding day. You want everything to be perfect…but not at the expense of a small fortune. As step 5 states that while it’s OK to pay a little more for big ticket items (i.e. food and beverage, photography, floral design), you should still remember to impart good judgement with your spending. For instance, as much as you’d love to give each for your bridal attendants Swarovski crystal picture frames as “thank you” gifts, there are less-expensive options they’ll appreciate just as much as the pricier versions. Remember to shop smarter when selecting items for your wedding; you’ll soon find that most everything under the sun has a less-expensive counterpart.

 Setting a wedding essentials budget is the best way to manage spending as you plan your wedding. Knowing exactly what you can (and can not) afford will help you better communicate with vendors, and each other, as you prepare for the wedding day of your dreams.

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Wedding Ring Tattoo Ideas for Alternative Brides

Wedding rings a vital part of many wedding ceremonies, and that eternal reminder of the vows you make on your wedding day. When choosing wedding rings, the important thing is to find a ring that not only suits your personality, but is one you had feel comfortable wearing every day. Depending on your style, you might find a really match ring that works for you, but generally you are looking for a slightly plainer piece that still expresses your unique style.

If we use real ring it will look so attractive and shinny because of metals and gems that might be placed there. Did you ever imagine your eternal love exists on the ring that cannot be lost? Wedding ring tattoo is the answer. Buying ring may little bit expensive for some couples, they chose to call a tattoo artist to incise ring on the fingers skin. It makes a timeless ring that will never be lost or stolen. Many people use ring tattoos as a complement for their married life.

With having this ring tattoo, couples can show their real loved towards partners that they can get any pain for your love. Coupled people can get this ring tattoo at any time of life to show their love to their life partners. The wedding ring tattoos are not necessarily done on the wedding day, you can get them etched afterwards. The good part about this tattoo is that you don’t have to fear about losing it like the gold and diamond rings.

Some advantages to wear a wedding ring tattoo are Eternal, never lost, cheap and cannot be stolen. This is why the trend is moving so fast. Wedding ring tattoos ideas for alternative brides is one way for couples to have a minimum budget to buy a wedding ring. Whatever you choose to do, remember that your wedding ring will be with your forever, so make sure it’s something you love wearing every day.

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