Planning Tips :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Printed Material

Invitations set the tone for the entire event. Save the dates, invitations and RSVP cards are all included in the printed materials category...along with escort cards, place cards, menu cards, table numbers, ceremony programs, thank you cards, favor tags, calligraphy, etc...

Suggested budget for printed materials is 2%, so if you have a $20,000 budget you should be allocating $400 for your printed materials. Keep in mind you can shift from other sections of the budget around if you need more in this category.

Photo by Terra Sol Studio

:: TIPS ::

1. Remember to include postage in your budget! The heavier your cardstock is, the higher your postage will run...keep that in mind as you make your invitation selection.

2. Your invitation designer may be able to create a sample or prototype of your invitation selection so you can see the final product before ordering. Make sure to see if this is included, or if there is an additional fee for the sample.

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Planning Tips :: Stay Cool at your Summer Wedding

If your wedding date is during the warm (hot) summer months, there are a few things couples should take into consideration and remember. Keep yourselves hydrated and cool, keep your wedding party hydrated and cool, and keep your guests hydrated and cool!

Paper parasols for the guests to stay cool in the shade

- Useful favors can be applied for the summer months! In the past we've done paper fans that act as ceremony programs, trendy sunglasses, or lovely parasols...give your guests something that's both beautiful and useful!

- Avoid early afternoon when scheduling outdoor activities because that is the hottest part of the day. If the heat is a deciding factor for you, try for morning/brunch or evening/sunset.

- Provide cold bottled water for everyone! Your guests will relish the opportunity to cool off!

Buckets of ice holding bottled water for guests down the aisle

- If your having any portion of the event outdoors, make sure to have a plan for keeping the bugs at bay. Citronella candles are great to use, and you can also provide mini bottles of repellant for guests to use if they see fit. Keep in mind that if you're near water, the bugs will definitely be active!

- Beauty touch ups will be needed in the heat! Keep a bag of touch up makeup nearby, along with hairspray, deodorant, perfume, and fans or cooling methods for yourselves and the wedding party. (Cold bottled water, paper fans, etc...)

Paper fans used as turquoise ceremony programs

- Humidity may have an effect on your hair! Take that into consideration and keep your touch up bag nearby for any heat related mishaps like frizz or sweat. An up-do is also a wonderful way to stay cooler!

- Experts say that clear tents are not great in summer months due to the sun and heat. White tents that block and reflect the light stay much cooler and will be much more comfortable for everyone.

White tent for outdoor summer events - - side walls optional for weather

6 Powerful Ways to Honor Lost Loved Ones at Your Wedding

When wedding day comes around and you're missing someone you always thought would be there, it's definitely a void that is hard to fill. You'll want to acknowledge them on your wedding day. I always recommend including them as if they're watching and you know they'll be thrilled to see your big day! Here are a few great ways you can honor those loved ones at both your ceremony and reception.

LIGHT A CANDLE
During the ceremony, you can incorporate lighting a candle in memory of your loved one. For the reception, you can have a memorial table with a candle that is lit in honor of each lost loved one.


SAVE THEM A SEAT
Provide a chair for them in the normal place it would be if they were in attendance at your ceremony and reception. You can incorporate a single flower, a bouquet, a letter, a sign, or some other sort of remembrance token on the chair in their honor as well.

DISPLAY A PHOTO
You can have one individual photo displayed at your head table, cake table, escort card table, etc... or, you can have a table dedicated all by itself to remembering lost loved ones. Display photos of everyone you'd like to remember, and you can even post framed named and words so others can see them and read about them.


CEREMONY PROGRAM
Add a note about your lost loved one in your ceremony program. It's always nice to look back on the program and see the family's names...so be sure to include them so you can look back and see them too...

WEAR SOMETHING OF THEIRS
Earrings from Grandma, Bracelet from a Friend, Necklace from an Aunt., Mom's Veil...if someone very important to you gave you something that is very important to you, or you can have access to it from a family member, then you can honor them by wearing that on the most important day of your life...your wedding day.


A TOAST TO THEM
The bride and groom are always allowed to speak a few words or offer toasts at their reception if they want to, so a great way to honor a lost loved one is to raise a glass in their honor and provide a toast.