Planning Tips :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Accessories

In the final installment of our Wedding Budget Breakdown feature, we're covering the final details! Your accessories are the details that go along with your attire to add that special touch...veil, tiara, undergarments, shoes, gloves, garter, handkerchief, jewelry, handbag, or any other detail you want to add to your wedding day ensemble.

Suggested budget for accessories is 1%, so if you have a $20,000 budget you should be spending $200 on your attire accessories. As with any other area of the budget, if you need more in this category you can shift the other areas around. Take a section of the budget you won't be using all of and move the extra to your accessories category.

Photo by Z Media

Photo by Becky's Photography

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue..." is a good-luck saying originated in the Victorian era. Brides today often incorporate special items into their wedding attire and accessories according to the rhyme.

"Something Old" symbolizes a link to the bride's family and the past. A family heirloom, such as a piece of antique jewelry or a family member's wedding dress can represent the old object. Or, a bride can sew lace or ribbon into the hem of her dress.

"Something New" represents good fortune and success in the bride's new life. A bride may wear a new string of pearls, or use her wedding gown as the new item.

"Something Borrowed" symbolizes the love and support of family and friends in times of need. A borrowed object can be a token from a happily married friend, such as a lace handkerchief.

"Something Blue" is an object that symbolizes faithfulness and loyalty. Brides commonly choose a blue garter or ribbon. 

-Yahoo

Photo by Leach Photography

Photo by Leach Photography

:: TIPS ::

1. Accessories for your wedding day attire are sometimes passed down by family members or loaned to you by your best girlfriends...take advantage! This option is not only sentimental and sweet, but the extra bonus is that it doesn't cost you anything.

2. The bridal salon where you buy your gown will have accessories as well. Sometimes if you buy them at the same time as the dress, you can get a discount that will help you out. See what's available at the bridal salons when you go looking for your dress.

Previous Post :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Hair + Makeup

Planning Tips :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Hair + Makeup

Your wedding day is obviously a day you want to look your absolute best, so hiring a team of hair and makeup professionals is always a good choice to make yourself and your ladies look fab! Suggested budget for hair and makeup is 2%, so if you have a $20,000 budget then your hair and makeup budget would be $400. Depending on how many ladies you're reserving services for, you may need to adjust the hair and makeup budget higher to cover everyone. In that case, just lower the percentage of another section you won't be using some or all of.

Photo by Terra Sol Studio

  

Photo by Terra Sol Studio

:: TIPS ::

1. Try to find a team or service that will come to you. You'll have enough to do getting ready on wedding day. It will really help you save time and not rush if your beauty team comes to you and your 'maids, rather than you all going to a salon.

2. Make sure your team or service includes a trial run so you can see what the final result will be before wedding day. Make sure it's something you're comfortable with and you like the look of! If not, another trial can be scheduled before the wedding. Keep in mind, trials may be an additional charge so make sure to ask.

3. Is the fee per hour, per stylist, or per person being worked on? Be sure to take this into consideration if you have a large bridal party, flower girls, and mothers that you're booking hair and makeup services for. 

Photo by Z Media

Photo by Z Media

Previous Post :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Printed Materials

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.

Previous Post :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Transportation

Planning Tips :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: Transportation

While weddings generally need rented transportation for moving large groups of people, some choose to take it a step farther and ramp it up to make a statement with their choice of transportation! You can choose anything from a classic car, town car, limo, trolley, bus, golf cart, boat, motorcycle, bicycle, rickshaw, horse & carriage, and many more options...

Suggested budget for transportation is 3%. For example, a $20,000 wedding budget should allow $600 for transportation services. Shifting other sections of the budget you may not use could increase this number if need be.

Photo by Trejo Photography

Photo by Terra Sol Studio

Wedding Party Transportation

If you have a large wedding party and multiple locations for events on wedding day, you'll need to look into providing transportation for everyone to travel together and stay on the same schedule. Moving everyone from ceremony to photos to reception always keeps things more on schedule rather than waiting for late arrivers...plus, everyone together in a party limo bus is super fun!

Photo by Z Media

Photo by Z Media

Photo by Z Media

Guest Transportation

It's possible that you may have out of town guests who drive a long distance or fly in for your wedding. If this is the case, look into hotels close to your venue for them to stay at. The hotels generally offer free shuttle service to hotel guests, so you could give the hotel a call and arrange for your wedding guests to take advantage of that.

Grand Exit for Bride & Groom

I've seen so many different endings that drew ooh's, aah's and attention with their choice of exit vehicle! This is a (photographed) moment where an amazing vehicle would be the perfect end to your night! 

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Trejo Photography

:: TIPS ::

1. Be sure to ask about additional charges you may incur; overtime charges, fuel charges, etc... The hourly rental cost doesn't always include everything and anything extra should be taken into consideration before booking.

2. If you're booking services for more than one evening (maybe you're doing bachelorette party one night, rehearsal one night, and wedding one night) be sure to ask about package deals. No matter what vendor, if you book multiple services or multiple packages they're likely to give you a discount.

3. If you have drivers or valet involved with your transportation rentals, be sure to tip the drivers. :)


Previous Post :: Wedding Budget Breakdown :: The Dress

Congrats Maegan + Mike :: November 11, 2017

Maegan + Mike had an elegant affair in black & white...and the silver sparkle accent touches were gorgeous! Speaking of sparkle accents...Maegan's dress was fabulous! I did a double take! Such a sweet couple to work with on their wedding day! Congratulations Maegan + Mike, wishing you a lifetime of happiness!

#SignatureSaturday :: Lavender Champagne

This wine from Champagne gets a twist from Provence with dried lavender, which imparts a delightful scent and delicate flavor, and fresh sprigs of the herb that serves as a pretty garnish.

Makes 16 servings.

Ingredients
                                          

2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon dried lavender

4 bottles (750 mL) dry Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled

Fresh lavender sprigs, for garnish               

Directions

1. Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Stir in dried lavender. Remove from heat. Let cool completely. Strain out lavender. Refrigerate syrup until ready to serve (up to 1 month).
2. Pour about 6 ounces Champagne and 1 1/2 teaspoons syrup into each flute. Garnish each with a lavender sprig.

See the original post at Martha Stewart Weddings.

8 Ways To Include "Something Blue" In Your Attire

The tradition of something blue comes from an old English rhyme. "Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe". The bride is supposed to carry each of these objects with her on wedding day as good luck charms. Here are a few ways to creatively and fashionably incorporate your blue!

1. Your Nails

2. Your Dress

3. Your Jewelry

4. Your Veil

5. Your Shoes

6. Your Handkerchief

7. Your Garter

8. Your Bouquet