Cheap but Chic: DIY Cake Decorations by Anna Peel
Garnish your wedding cake with something unique and beautiful; make your own cake toppers or decorations on the cheap. There is something quite satisfying about creating your own decorative touches for the wedding, and cake toppers are no exception. Read on to find out how you can make your own cute toppers with style.
1- Wrap Ribbons
Ribbons are cheap but chic. Choose a set of beautiful clean, silky ribbons that match your wedding cake or color scheme. Select long flat ribbons and carefully wrap them over the cake and secure them in the back with a safety pin. . .
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Budget Alternatives for Reception Decor
Budget Alternatives for Reception Decor by Anna Peel
Saving money on your wedding reception can be just as fun as planning the whole event itself. There are virtually endless ways to cut the budget to save money painlessly. Savvy ideas include fewer guests, shorter party, homegrown flowers, homemade food, and more. We’ve compiled a list of fabulous ideas for a budget friendly reception you should consider for your big day.
1- Use Colorful Balloons to Decorate
Balloons are a cheap and easy way to add more color and a pop of youthful spirit to any wedding. Choose balloons in at least two of your wedding colors to make the most impact. . .
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Fresh Wedding Shower Game Ideas by Anna Peel
If you’re looking for fresh ideas for fun wedding shower games, look no further! We have a list of fun games and entertainment ideas that are sure to please the crowd regardless of theme and location.
1- Wedding Pictionary
Make your own version of the classic drawing game and throw in a wedding themed twist. Fill a bucket with cards that have wedding related words or sayings, such as a slice of cake or rose bouquet. Divide the party into two or three groups and have each group take one card out at a time. They can then draw the saying on a dry erase board with markers. . .
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How can we save money on our honeymoon?
Getting married during a recession can be tough. Planning a honeymoon can be tougher – especially if you’re trying to vacation on the cheap. So, how can you get away without breaking the bank? Well, start packing, because it is possible.
First, tell everyone, and I mean every person who’s listening that you just got married. The hotel or honeymoon spot are bound to give you a free SOMETHING. Drinks, room upgrade, maybe a free meal. It never hurts to tell people your story.
Come Fly with Me
Register now for a Frequent Flyer program. Use ‘em if ya got ‘em. If you don’t, mention it to relatives and friends. Maybe they can’t use their points and will offer them to you as a wedding gift.
Book your flights on a Wednesday around midnight (make sure it’s in the airline’s time zone) on your chosen airline’s website. Why does it work? It’s when the airlines try to book up seats that haven’t been bought. BINGO.
Look for layovers. It may sound like a pain, but the more layovers you have the more likely you’ll save some big bucks.
Keep your airport options open. Smaller airports could mean smaller ticket prices.
If you want to plan a last minute long weekend trip, book your flight on a Thursday, that’s when weekend specials become available.
Be sure you are NOT honeymooning during a popular vacation week like winter or spring school breaks. Stay away from popular holidays too. If a Disney vacation is on your wish list, plan to go in September…kids are back to school…leaving you with nearly zero lines and off-season deals.
Search online for coupon codes and special offers. You may find hotel discounts, deals for local restaurants and other attractions.
Flight Delayed
Who says you need to leave right after you say “I do”? Plan a retreat 6 months or more after your wedding. How about a big vacation to celebrate your one year anniversary? It gives you a year to save up, plus you can set aside any wedding gift money in a separate account (hopefully one that can collect some interest). My husband and I love to save our spare change. We just dump the money from our pockets or the treasure we found in the couch (again) into our coin counter. Designate a large jar, piggy bank or basket to start your coin collection. When the container is full, bring it to your bank…you’ll be surprised how much it adds up – and you’ll NEVER miss it. Easiest way to save up ever.
Talk to your Human Resources manager at work. Some companies have corporate accounts with other businesses, theaters, amusement parks and hot spots to vacation. Your workplace may even have major discounts for vacation home rentals. Just be sure you look into it right away. It all can book up quickly.
Alternative Trips
Camp Out
Are you both the outdoorsy type? How about trying a new place to set up camp? If you are campers to begin with you probably already have the tent, sleeping bags/cots and whatever other gear you need (don’t ask me, I am NOT the roughing it type). Some sites boast hiking trails, canoeing, boating, fishing or even white water rafting.
Bed and Breakfast
Romance, relaxation and quiet retreat, all rolled into one. Pick a place you both have never been too. Plan out a few activities for a long weekend away, it doesn’t have to be extravagant. Walk around the center of town, grab an ice cream, picnic in a park or at a beach. Staying snuggled inside by a fire counts too. Pack some hot cocoa and a few movies for a winter getaway. Don’t forget the popcorn.
All-Inclusive Resort
Eat, drink and be merry. How could you not? All-inclusive resorts are great spots to just kick back and enjoy. Many include meals (with multiple restaurant choices), drinks (alcohol and non), hotel accommodations, even water sports and other activities too. Some spots are just for couples, others cater to adults or families only, so choose carefully.
Cruise
It isn’t the “cheapest” vacation out there but like an all-inclusive resort cruises offer a lot for your money too. Food, entertainment and the ability to see a bunch of exotic places all during the same trip are all great bonuses.
Reinventing the Registry
Don’t need another toaster or tablecloth? Create a honeymoon registry instead. My Bridal Dream Premium Partner, travLBudi, LLC offers that very option, taking the place of traditional shower/wedding gifts. Folks can log in and choose to contribute to your plane tickets, hotel, champagne toast, dining and excursions (like spa treatments or scuba diving) – gifts you and your groom picked yourselves.
“Not every honeymoon client that I book takes a trip to the Caribbean or Europe”; explains Linda from travLBudi, LLC. “Some do long weekends to a mountain lodge, go skiing or have an ‘adventure’ honeymoon.”
If you’re having trouble finding the right romantic getaway, it sounds like Linda has a few ideas up her sleeve.
Happy adventure planning! It will be the first of many to come.
Brides Against Breast Cancer coming to Waltham, MA
Brides Against Breast Cancer
My Bridal Dream says “I Do” to Brides Against Breast Cancer®. Brides Against Breast Cancer® contributes to programs for cancer patients and their families. One of their major fundraising projects is their Nationwide Tour of Gowns. The Tour consists of over 100 shows a year where brides have the opportunity to purchase the wedding gown of their dreams at incredibly discounted prices, more than half of which are NEW designer gowns that arrived directly from designers, manufacturers and bridal retailers. All proceeds from these events go directly to support services that provide support, education and hope to men and women and their families affected by breast cancer.
The Tour of Gowns is coming to the Boston area on January 18 and 19 at The Westin Waltham Boston located at 70 3rd Avenue in Waltham. Say “I Do” to Brides Against Breast Cancer® by supporting this event through your attendance, volunteering, or making a donation.
Click here to register: Additional information is also available through their website www.bridesabc.org.
A New Spin on the Traditional Wedding Guest Book
Guest Book Platter by Museware Pottery
The last thing you’re thinking about when it comes to your wedding is probably your guest book. But it’s one of the “gifts” you pick out for yourself – and possibly the one thing you’ll look back on every day with a smile. I know I do. There’s a real history to the guest book. Way back when, every wedding guest had to sign the marriage document as a witness proving the marriage was legal. Now a “guest book” can mean anything from a matted picture frame to a personal quilt, showcasing the signatures of all the people closest to you and their well wishes in a very sentimental way.
I love pictures so I knew I wanted a frame I could display with the hand-written thoughts scribbled all around our wedding picture (I know – not hugely unique, but I liked the look of it). Well, the frames still sport pictures of us when we were engaged. Oh, details, details. But, it was such a happy time in our lives, I can’t bear the thought of changing them now. A friend of mine also had matted frames, they filled the photo hole with their professional engagement photographs – one of the pictures was actually funny – expressing their personality. A huge mirrored frame was on display at a reception we partied at. Folks signed the shiny glass with a special engraving pen. I could totally picture it above a fireplace or in a dining room. Another spin on the picture idea is to create your own photo book (I love photo books – I’m kind of obsessed) with memories of you both with your family and friends. Invitees can sign on the pages that feature their faces or comment on the moments they remember, captured in a candid.
Plates and platters are also a popular pick. You can include your (new) last name initial and a beautiful border design too, like the hand-painted plates by Museware Pottery. Display the glass work of art as a wedding shower guest book, bachelorette party memorabilia or have it handy at your rehearsal dinner so your guests of honor can sign it first. Most of the decorative plates are also food safe. How cool would it be to use it your next party? As guests down desserts, they can read the greetings and reminisce about your day. You can also display the platters in your kitchen or dining room with some plate hangers or stick it on a pretty shelf propped on an easel.
I recently was scouring the internet and found a few amazing and very unique ideas. One I loved was creating a guest quilt! No, you won’t all be sewing during your first dance, no worries. Leave fabric squares on a table with a fabric pen, have your guests write well wishes, advice or just sign their names – then pin the pieces on a clothesline at your reception – it doubles as wedding day décor. After your celebration, give all the squares to someone who can sew (um, not me). Wouldn’t it be cool if your mom or grandmother put together this piece?
Constantly keeping score? If you and your partner both team up for “game nights” with pals and you’re having a small, intimate affair, have guests write notes on Jenga game pieces – such a fun option. Another spin on the game idea is signing the back of puzzle pieces. You can have a personalize puzzle made up with a photo of you two love birds, maybe even a photo collage (you know I love ‘em). Not big into pictures? Your names and the date you say “I do” – will do. Every time you play or attempt the puzzle, you can read all the sweet sayings.
Whether you choose guest books, plates, quilts, games or frames, be sure you pick something that will mean the most to you and your soon to be husband. Warning sad thought ahead: Remember, some of your friends and relatives will pass away. Sorry. But, having something to look back on with their hand-writing is like still having a piece of them with you. Eight years later, I still love looking at our signed matted frames (aka “guest book”) every night before I fall asleep, it brings a smile to my face and a warmness in my heart.
Wedding on the Fourth of July
I can see it now, the bombs bursting in air after saying, “I do”. How romantic! And not to mention, it’s just plain ol’ fun to have your wedding day on a holiday. I didn’t choose 4th of July, because I am not a summer gal. BUT, I thought I’d either have a Halloween or New Year’s Eve wedding (may as well have a meaningful New Year’s for once, right?). The day we actually exchanged vows was September 5th, 2004. Yes, the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. *Enter sarcastic tone here*. We assumed no one would want to make ANY other plans (possibly the most popular weekend along with the 4th of July to go away, especially in New England) other than attending our weekend festivities. I loved the idea, thinking; “Cool! We can have the rehearsal on a Saturday and not worry about folks being late from work and most of our guest won’t have to work on Monday.” Years later, I showed up at a shower that happened to be on a holiday; “The nerve!” I thought, (maybe a little out loud). Then, someone tapped on my shoulder and quickly reminded me; “Um, Cyn, your WEDDING was on Labor Day weekend.” Well, that’s different it was MY wedding, right? Planning a long weekend of wedding bliss may be perfect for your family. But before you dive into the details, take note.
Plan Ahead, Far Ahead
Multiple days of celebrating your “I dos” is a great way to spend a little more time with family members who live further away – if they are willing to bypass their long standing holiday traditions (I mean, who wouldn’t for YOUR wedding). Just keep in mind, attendance may be a little low…but this all depends on your family and friends. We were told only 20% of our invited guests would show, out of 200 guests, I think only 5 people missed our big day (so prepare for either outcome). One sure way to get everyone thinking about your holiday extravaganza is to send out “Save the Dates” a year in advance (include the date, location and hotel info). Folks can mark it on their calendars early enough to reconsider their usual plans. When it comes to the invites, provide handy pocket sized inserts with local events and spots to see, it gives your guests a preview of how much fun they are going to have. If you have the time (and energy), put together your own group activities for the out of town visitors. Craig had friends who flew in from Indiana (to New Hampshire) for our wedding, so we took them on the very touristy duck boats in Boston the day after our wedding to spend some quality time with them. If you decide you’d like a patriotic wedding and plan your nuptials for the fourth, put together a fireworks gathering on the third. Lots of local towns put on amazing displays. Host a casual rehearsal dinner BBQ then head to the show. Or, better yet, get married at a location that will have a firework display the night of your wedding. Can’t get much more romantic than that!
Embrace Holiday Casualness
Another bonus? Wedding wear can be lax like a vacation too (and your wedding party will love ya for it). Guys sport their khakis and white button downs with boat shoes and the gals can be cool in casual up-dos, tea length, light weight dresses and step into flats or a kitten heal. Red and white roses or white and blue hydrangeas are great ways to compliment the patriotic palette. Sparklers are great wedding favors – folks may even start lighting them before the night is done. With some creativeness and enough time to really plan ahead (I mean, I just planned the entire event for you, didn’t I? *wink*), you could pull it all off and please everyone at the same time. Shocking, huh?
Convinced or Conflicted?
So, did you change your mind about your wedding date? Is planning your biggest day on a holiday a “yay” or a “nay” in your book? My fam rarely goes away in general so they were pleased to have plans over a long weekend. But, enough about me, I’d love to hear what you have to say.
Mangagements – not your traditional engagement story
In this day of ever increasing women’s liberation, a new trend is taking over, mangagements. Yes, you heard it right. Mangagement is the term for women proposing to men and buying them a ring.
Now, I’m a traditional kinda girl so I have a hard time getting behind this. However, I am also a woman who waited for 7.5 years for my own husband to pop the question so I can tell you; a mangagement crossed my mind a time or two.
My idea was a little different though. You may have heard of Sadie Hawkins Day but if not, here’s the idea. February 29th only appears every four years. It’s actually my birthday which would have made my idea extra special. On this one day, it is an old tradition that, women can reverse roles with men by asking them on dates or even asking them to get married. The tradition started in the 1930’s at a time when it was unheard of for women to ask out men never mind asking for their hand in marriage so it was a big deal. It seems that this tradition really hasn’t taken off…but keep watching, it may be the newest idea in Bridal Dreams.
Wedding Color Inspiration
Choosing your wedding colors is one of the first things you’ll do when planning. It will decide the mood, what your bridal party will wear and what decorations you will need. That being said, it’s not always an easy choice. I like to look in everyday life for inspiration. When you are walking around the mall, see what color combinations you are drawn to in clothes, pictures and decorations. Search the web for house decorating and see what works with the type of room. If you want a formal wedding, look at pictures of formal home decorations. If you want a club atmosphere, look for pictures of cool clubs and see what they are using to create their appeal.
Be sure to pay attention to your facility colors too. If you have a “blank canvas” facility, than your colors have no 
boundaries. If your function room has maroon carpeting or green walls, you will want to keep that in mind when you are choosing the colors that go with it. Either way, think out of the box. Not every wedding has to be shades of blush and rose. Remember, it’s your wedding, make it your own Bridal Dream come true!
Inclusion – the key to a happy family wedding
So, you’re engaged and now everyone wants to help plan your big day! It can actually be the difference between a happy pre-wedding time and an all out family brawl especially when it comes to the groom’s mother. Many times, this particular position is put on the back burner, not intentionally, but none the less. Most women have dreamed about their wedding from the time they were small and have shared these thoughts and dreams with their own mother and sisters. What you didn’t think of is the “other” woman who is so excited her baby is getting married and wants to participate, after all it’s not just the bride’s day it’s also the groom’s. But she might not be on the same page as you. In some instances, your mother isn’t either. So what’s a good bride to do?
First, make sure everyone has a role. Remember these people are so happy for you, all they want is something to do to help you and to feel like a bigger part of your wedding. So, if someone’s asking, put them to work. You will end up appreciating it in the long run. It’s amazing how much there is to do.
Second, think about the individual person and their strengths. Maybe your mother has a green thumb, put her in charge of searching for different flowers in your colors. Your future mother-in-law used to be an interior decorator, ask her to decorate the ceremony area. Your sister has an eye for style; have her help pick out the wedding party attire. Having everyone utilize their skills will ensure they are helping instead of just getting in the way.
Third, make sure you give direction, after all, this is your (and your fiancés day). These people want to help but likely don’t want to mess it up. So, make sure you share some ideas, even pictures with them, in order to keep in line with your vision.
Having a team of women who love you and want to make this the best day of your life is a blessing and will only help to make your Bridal Dreams come true!
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