Is a Destination Wedding for You?

If you’re at the beginning of the wedding planning “process”, let me offer a little advice.

Being a recently married man, this gets expensive very quickly. With a destination wedding, you can avoid this hassle. You only have to invite a small group of people (parents, siblings, a few close friends), and though their transportation costs something, many people will pay for it themselves instead of a wedding present. Also, destination wedding resorts have everything planned for you. They ask you a few quick questions, get a couple of ideas, and do the planning for you. No seating charts, no picking the type of chair covers, none of it.

Consider a destination wedding. Now you may be thinking, “Isn’t that expensive?” It may sound like it, but think about it; if you were planning a traditional wedding, you are obligated to invite every relation you have and every relation that your significant other has, and then feed them, entertain them, give them favors, etc.

I can’t tell you how much better your marriage will start off if you go the destination wedding route.

Add a comment April 29, 2010

Inexpensive Dates Can Be Fun

Inexpensive dates can be a fun and ultimately rewarding experience. The ultimate goal for an inexpensive date is to get to know one another. Many dates that aren’t expensive can promote an environment that often leads to more personal and intimate connections with one another.

In a world that has been hit badly by bank failures and a deep recession, there is something to be said for finding ways to save money yet still infuse some joy into our lives!

The prospect of paying for a date to win the affection of that special girl can really take the excitement out of those first few hours together. If this is something that has been bothering you, then just remember that a good date doesn’t have to be a costly one! You could try taking that special girl for a picnic. A bottle of wine is much cheaper from a supermarket and some simple sandwiches and dishes prepared at home will be much cheaper because you put them together. Maybe even precede the event by doing some “window shopping” at her favorite stores, you don’t have to buy anything simply showing an interest and utilizing some great conversation can go a long way without damaging your bank balance

Add a comment April 28, 2010

Romance on a Budget

Being single and, for the most part self employed, I need ways of wooing girls cheaply without seeming to not care about how they feel on that first date.

Let’s face it. Everything nowadays is tough on everyone’s budget. So the question remains, how does a couple plan a romantic rendezvous without breaking the bank?

A very romantic idea may be to invite your potential girlfriend on a walk through the park. Not only is this super romantic, but it cost nothing for this date. Getting coffee is a great way to show a girl how sophisticated you are and not worry about how much you are spending. At fewer than five dollars per drink, this may be a good choice for that first date. Take her to a wine tasting. You will socialize, learn about wine, and not spend anything. You can find the date for these wine tastings at your local grocery stores that sell wines. With three great, low budget date ideas, you are bound to find the romance you need.

Sometimes simplicity is the highest form of romance.

Add a comment April 27, 2010

The Perfect Bridesmaid gift

Most bridesmaids do not know what to give to their friend for their wedding. Which is the best route to take? Make sure the item is expensive enough? Make sure the item is practical? Or is just paying for your friend’s costly bridal shower enough?

Whether it’s your best friends, sisters, nieces, aunties (or even all of them!), they are there because they care. That’s what makes choosing your bridesmaid’s gifts so important. With a million-and-one things to do, just how will you cope with another thing to decide? There are options to suite all tastes and budgets out there, from cards to jewelry, from teddy bears to trinket boxes.

Just remember: The personal touch is worth its weight in gold. It’s worth putting some thought in to making those gifts meaningful. Whatever happens, it will be a day your bridesmaids will never forget, let them know that as you move on to your new life, you’ll never forget them either!

Add a comment April 26, 2010

Things To Do During Wedding Planning

For many people, wedding planning is the final test in a relationship before the commitment of marriage. There are so many little items to think of and every little thing should be as perfect as possible because more often than not, the bride to be has been planning this day for a very long time. There aren’t many girls who haven’t imagined what their perfect wedding day would look like.

Too often today, weddings become an excuse to show off and show up. Brides become ‘bridezillas’ in the pursuit of the ‘perfect’ things. Grooms end up feeling rejected by their fiancées and detached from the wedding. The stress of the entire affair causes rifts in previously solid relationships.

The key to getting through a wedding planning is staying true to yourselves. Do not fall as a victim to the pressures of tradition, family and friends. Remember it is YOUR wedding, YOUR special day for you to share with friends and family and not just a dog and pony show. Why drive all over looking at unity candles if you don’t want unity candles? Spend that time out on a date with your intended instead! Don’t invite people if it is only out of obligation. Don’t watch reality television shows about weddings and become fixated on an almost unobtainable ideal. Talk openly and honestly with your partner about what you both want. Set goals together and stick to them. By helping each other stay realistic and grounded you can both get through the planning of your wedding with your sanity, your pocketbook, and your relationship intact.

Add a comment April 25, 2010

Advice on Planning a Bridal Shower

Bridal shower is an important part of every wedding. When planning a bridal shower, it is important to consider a variety of things, the people you want to invite, the type of shower you want to have, whether it will be a surprise for the bride or organized by her.

When selecting activities for the bridal shower, you should make sure that they are the things enjoyed by the bride (and that won’t make her uncomfortable). Also, there should be good group activities that everyone can enjoy.

Consideration should also be given to the theme of a shower – some brides enjoy classical themes, while others may enjoy more risqué or “naughty” showers.

Finally, you should consider packaging some “party favors” to give out to the guests attending when planning a bridal shower. These small tokens are an excellent way to say thanks and show that you appreciate and value the friendship of these important girls on your special day.

Add a comment April 24, 2010

The Ideal Common Groomsmen Gift

Groomsmen gifts have always been common in every American wedding. Traditionally, the groom’s parents will pay for the groomsmen gifts. Groomsmen gifts have changed greatly throughout history, with different items coming in and going out of style.

A gift for the groomsmen in your wedding party should be fun, useful, and also must reflect your personality. A gift that can be worn for the ceremony, such as shoes, is practical but also useful. Generally, depending on the style of shoes chosen, they can be worn long after the wedding.

These can all create a lasting reminder of the special day they shared with you. Try to think of something you would enjoy receiving yourself- you may someday be a groom’s man in their weddings.

Add a comment April 23, 2010

How To Save on Wedding Flower Arrangements

One of the most enjoyable parts of planning a wedding is choosing for the right flowers. They can really help set the mood and tone of the ceremony and reception. They can range from sleek and elegant to fun, carefree and bursting with color. They can be expensive, depending on the florist used and the type of flowers and whether or not they are in season.
Another money-saving idea is to use the same flowers for the ceremony and the reception. Use sturdy vases to line the aisle, and then use the same vases as centerpieces at the reception. Another alternative is to use faux flowers, which can sometimes look very realistic.

Another option is to find someone who is good at wedding flower arrangement. This person should be willing to provide lessons and a chance to “do it yourself’. This can save a lot of money, and allow you to express your own creativity.

These can be prepared ahead of time, and you don’t have to worry about them wilting before the wedding is over!

Add a comment April 22, 2010

Duties of a Matron of Honor

So you’ve been selected to be the Matron of Honor? Congratulations! This is an important role in every wedding, and your selection shows that the bride to be really values you as a friend.

As the matron of honor, you (and the maid of honor as well if there is one) are running the show. You are responsible for coordinating the invitations and responses, booking the locations and making other necessary reservations.

After you have completed your pre-wedding matron of honor duties, there are also responsibilities during the wedding day. Above all, on the wedding day, your job is to keep your bride calm and get her down the isle! At the actual ceremony, it is important that you should be vigilant with your bride’s gown, straightening and laying her train flat. You may also be asked to hold your bride’s flowers when she and the groom need both of their hands.

Finally, you may be asked by the bride to carry the groom’s ring. While a ring bearer who is cute in his tuxedo, definitely he is not the person she will want to trust with such an important item! When the time comes in the ceremony, you will hand it to her. Once the ceremony is completed, your final responsibility will be a toast at the ceremony. After your kind words and toast, your matron of honor duties are complete!

Add a comment April 21, 2010

A Single’s Perception of Wedding Toasts

I have actually never been to a wedding where they have done the typical wedding toast. I’ve seen a lot of them done on television and in the movies – but never in real life.

I actually would not mind doing a wedding toast – they seem to set the mood for the evening and generally sum up the bride and groom and the wedding itself. If I ever had to give a wedding toast – I’d have to prepare ahead of time. It’s not that I’m nervous or not good at improvising – it’s just a lot of pressure to say the right thing and more importantly – not the wrong thing! I wouldn’t want to say anything that would upset any of the guests and yet I would want the toast to be funny and memorable at the same time.

When I get married I’ll find someone that knows me well to give the wedding toast.

Add a comment April 18, 2010