Wedding dresses, wedding dresses, wedding dresses! Sometimes the search can take months. Then you find the perfect dress—it’s got the detail and neckline you so desperately wanted. So you buy it. You spend hundreds or thousands for that one beautiful moment when you walk down the aisle and everyone oohs and ahhs. Then suddenly, your moment is gone! The dress has served its purpose. So what do you do with it? There are many answers to this question. Some keep it for future generations or for the memories. Others may decide to get some of their investment back and sell it. Some even trash the d ..read more

On a typical summer beach outing, you make sure to take along all the essentials including sunscreen, cool beverages, sunglasses, and a good book. The beach is the perfect place to relax, but you have to be prepared in order to make the most out of it because if you don’t, it could mean sitting in the sand sunburnt, wet, cold, and hungry. The same goes for a beach wedding. With the proper preparation, saying your vows on the sand against the sound of the waves is an ocean breeze. Wear Appropriate Clothing If you’re planning a beach wedding, one of the first things on your mind is probably wh ..read more

Let them eat cake! Guests may be happily dancing and toasting to their newly married friends at the reception, but food is always on everyone’s mind, especially cake and dessert. Fortunately, there are several ways you can cut your spending when it comes to dessert at the wedding, without giving up too much. My husband and I knew we wanted to have lots of desserts for our 250 guests, but we also knew we didn’t want it to break the bank. There are a lot of tips and tricks we learned that will ensure you get the most goodies for the smallest price. The Traditional Wedding Cake There are many t ..read more

While most couples don’t even want to think about the chance of rain on their special day, it’s better to prepare for the worst than try to deal with it as it happens. If you’re busy scheduling a spring, fall, or even winter wedding, accept that there might be rain and consider the ways you can handle it. 1. Make Plans Hosting an outdoor wedding can be absolutely gorgeous; full-greenery, blue skies, and twinkling stars complete the perfect backdrop for any occasion. But considering most wedding dates are set months in advance, you can never predict how the weather will turn out. In fact, you ..read more

A bridesmaid’s journey is fraught with hurdles and expectations. As a bridesmaid, you have to constantly balance between the bride’s vision and your own limitations. There are a lot of decisions to be made as a bridesmaid. Where will you get your dress altered? What type of shoe should you buy? Who should you flirt with at the wedding? And lastly: should you take the bride up on her offer of a professional makeup artist? There are ups and downs to getting your makeup done professionally for the big day. Let’s take a look at them. Does a Professional Makeup Artist Fit in Your Budget? Money: t ..read more

Pinterest makes a DIY wedding look simple and easy. From the perfect invitations made by hand to the gourmet food that looks like Martha Stewart made it herself, a DIY wedding can seem a lot easier than it actually is in real life. There are many pros and cons to taking on the task of creating your own fairytale. It could end up being the wedding of your dreams—or you might want to jump out the window before the wedding bells even ring. Here’s some things to consider when it comes to DIYing a wedding. Pro: DIY Keeps Costs Low Not every couple has the means to throw money at all the necessary ..read more

The average wedding now costs about $35,000 a pop, so naturally you might be looking at creative ways to cut costs. Luckily, DIY projects are still a huge trend in weddings and are a great way to save you some major cash and keep you well below max budget. However, just because you can DIY a project doesn’t mean that you should. Don’t go overboard on DIY projects and stay up until 3 a.m. the eve before your wedding to bake your own wedding cake. Keep it simple with these six items to DIY instead of buy, and leave the rest of the wedding up to the experts. 1. Wedding Favors You could buy some ..read more

A lot of couples opt for backyard weddings because of their affordability, intimacy, and opportunity for memorable experiences. Deciding to celebrate your special day in your own backyard definitely has its benefits! However, whether it’s your own house or a friend’s or family member’s, there is a lot to consider. Keep Your Officiant in the Loop on the Venue Be sure to let the officiant you want to hire know immediately that you are planning a backyard wedding. Not all officiants are willing to give you their blessing outside of their place of worship. Ensure the Logistics of Your Space Make ..read more

You’ve just received an invitation to a wedding—congratulations! Most likely, you’re going to have a really good time. However, since you are an invited guest, there’s a few pitfalls possible at any wedding. With high expectations and a specific vision from the happy couple, you have an obligation to help to be part of the pleasant and memorable atmosphere. Here are a few basic ways to be the perfect wedding guest by following some proper etiquette. RSVP as Quickly as Possible After taking a moment to check your calendar and budget, consider your intentions—then let the couple know your RSVP ..read more

It’s often said that weddings are all about the bride and groom: it’s their day. While it’s true that the whole reason for the occasion is the marriage of two people, families play a significant role in the big day as well. From helping to plan and footing the bills to listening and offering support during the stressful process, families are something to be thanked and honored during a time of wedding excitement. Here’s a few ceremony traditions that you can customize for your own special people to honor them during the celebration. Bridal Escort One of the most well-known ceremonial family ..read more