Before You Say I Do....

Wedding Favors!

2006-11-29T12:46:00.000-08:00

I never wanted to blog about this, because, after all, it IS my business. But after I went shopping for holiday gifts and saw some of the worse, most expensive wedding favors, I have to!

So let's start from the beginning. What's up with having to give a wedding favor anyway? Well, for starters, it says "thank you for coming" to your guests. Secondly, it can really add to dressing up your tables. And lastly, they can be a keepsake for your guests to remember your special day for years to come.

Prices? Oh boy...they range is huge! You can find a "wedding favor"...if you want to call it that...for as little as 25 cents or as expensive as $50 apiece. And you can find every price in between as well as all grades of quality of favors.

And yes, I will, at Designs to Remember, have every type and every price range to suit everyone, except for the 25 cent people. Those favors are so cheaply made, I don't want to be associated with them!

When my 2nd daughter got married, she was marrying an Italian man who's relatives were coming in from Italy. They really wanted an Italian flavor for their favor, so they opted for our signature item - our imported bottles hand filled with herbs and oils. In fact, this is the exact one they chose.<

For her shower, her bridesmaids gave her a "tea", which took place in the afternoon and had hors d'oeurves and petit fors and mini sandwiches. It was just beautiful. Because of the theme, they picked out one of my exclusive items that you will not find anywhere else, our porcelain mini-teapot. I just LOVE this one!

And of course there are the "Love" coasters that is one of my best sellers. You will find these around the web, but not at this price!

Okay...you getting the idea? I could go on and on and on. My favors add such a beautiful touch to your Engagement Party, Wedding Shower, Bridal Shower, Sweet 16, Birthday Parties...just about any occasion that you want to be extra special.

Stop by and visit me. Drop me a note if you have been on my blog. I love hearing from all of you!

And don't forget - the wedding favor is NOT the least of what you have to worry about. Remember, your guests will be spending their entire time at your wedding, staring at it!

Much happiness to you!
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Wedding Gown - HUGE SAVINGS!

2006-11-21T08:43:00.000-08:00

Well, this one is hard to believe! I've done what I'm about to share with you before with other brides, but never has such a savings occurred! Let me explain...

One of the future brides that I'm helping went to try on some wedding gowns. The third gown she tried on, she fell in love with. Well, that is a miracle in itself. She did what I told her to do. I explained to her that even if there isn't a manufacturer's or designer's tag on the inside, to ask the clerk who made the gown. If they won't give you that information, then get out of there quickly. They are not reputable.

She asked the clerk and she told her Allure. Having worked with that designer for many years, I knew to go on their website, AllureBridals.com. She went on the website also and she picked out the gown that she tried on and got the Allure style number. She emailed me immediately, and I started making my calls to the Bridal Salons in her area which were listed on Allure's website.

The original price that was given her was $3700, but they reduced it to $3200. Still pretty steep for this couple. I called the first place. They would not give prices over the phone. No problem...onto the next. Four out of the six places I called gave me prices for that exact gown. They ranged in price from $1050 to $1250!!! That's a HUGE savings. Cross my heart...true story...just happened!

Okay, so what am I telling you? Do not settle! If you want a specific gown and it is way too expensive, find out who makes it, go to their website, get the style number and call around. You can literally save hundreds to thousands!

If you have any questions or would like any help, please visit my website www.designstoremember.com. This young lady just found a gorgeous tiara there for 1/10th of what she was going to have to pay at the Bridal shop! So look around and enjoy and if you need something, just give a holler!

Much happiness to you all,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

BEAUTIFUL WEDDING ON A BUDGET!

2006-10-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

I've been SO busy answering emails, helping brides and finding new and wonderful items for you guys from my website, that I haven't blogged much. But one precious young woman's email provoked me to blog today.

She is attempting to put together a wedding in Los Angeles for under $5,000! Actually, attempting "anything" in Los Angeles for an inexpensive amount of money is a miracle! But especially a wedding.

I answered her comment on the blog post about all inclusive weddings. For those of you who are on a tight budget, there are many awesome tips that you can incorporate into your day. But, this very creative woman had some great ideas herself. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing them here.

She is making and printing her invitations herself. She's renting her gown, and attempting to make the cake herself (I'm sure with the help of others! But I'm using "her" just to illustrate a point). She knows a chef who is going to do the catering. She is buying fresh flowers online and decorating them, again, herself. And what is most impressive, is she wrote to the Los Angeles Parks Department, and she will be having her reception at one of their locations!
Needless to say, this girl should maybe go into wedding planning! Good job Sarah!

And in her email, she left a little note at the end, that she was going to purchase our adorable wedding cameras! Well, I'm glad we were able to be part of your special day in some way!

This is one example of someone who has set her mind to get a beautiful day without going into debt. I have many more to share with you in the coming days. Remember, if you want any help with ideas, just write a comment here, or go to my website www.designstoremember.com and leave a note there. I'll get back to you asap.

Much happiness to all of you,
Bella

Wedding Venue Checklist!

2006-10-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

Deciding on where to have your wedding is probably the most difficult decision you will have to make with regards to your special day. And there are many factors to think about when deciding on the venue.

In the midst of the craziness that you are in the middle of, or about to embark upon, perhaps this venue checklist will help!

1. Will the ceremony be at a Church/Temple/Other or on the venue's property?
2. How large must the venue be - for 50 people or for 500?
3. Will it sit at least 30-40% of that number comfortably for the ceremony?
4. Do you want everything in one place to greatly diminish the need to drive?
5. Does the venue have guest accomodations?
6. Do you want an early wedding to be able to have more time in the evening to yourselves?
7. Do you want an evening wedding to be able to have more time to prepare?
8. Does the venue have a place for guests to be able to retreat away from
the festivities to be able to sit and talk? Do you even want that?
9. Does the venue have its own caterers, or are you able to bring in your own?
10. Does it supply the wedding cake? Anything else?

And obviously, don't forget to stay within your budget. It doesn't matter how beautiful the place is, if you cannot afford it and will spend years paying it off, it just isn't worth it.

Oh and yes, do not forget to check out my website for your unique wedding favors. (And not just wedding favors, SO many other beautiful and affordable items!)

Remember to enjoy the process. It goes by so quickly, that sometimes we forget, these are the most memorable moments of our lives!

Much happiness coming your way!
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

A Shower or Wedding That Gives Back!

2006-10-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

Planning planning planning! That's what wedding's are about. But have you ever thought that in the middle of all the hubub, that perhaps there is a way to have more than just the bride and groom benefit.

This is what we all know. People bring gifts to showers and weddings. And many times, they take great pains in finding the perfect gift for the happy couple. But what if there was a gift that would give to more than the bride and groom? What if there was a way that a charity would benefit as well?

Well, ask no further. There are several, but this one I have chosen to highlight. It's called the "I Do" Foundation. What happens is this; the bride and groom use any or all of these 11 stores for their gift registry. After the gifts are bought, a percentage (depending on the store) is given to the charity of your choice. Not only does it do a good deed, but history has shown that when people know that a charity is also benefiting, they tend to spend more.

Here is the link: Your "I Do" Gift Registry. Just visit the stores listed and explain to them that you want to be part of the I Do Gift Registry, give them the name of the charity or not-for-profit organization that you want to donate to, and they will take care of the rest.

Now...doesn't that feel good? Getting married and helping out the charity of your choice! What could be better?

And, hey, stop by my website and check out the stuff I have on sale! Oh...LOTS of goodies that you will need!!!

Much happiness coming your way!
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

All Inclusive Weddings! Be careful...

2006-09-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I've just had firsthand experience with an all inclusive wedding situation. This is how it's supposed to work...

There are several venues to pick from. You visit each of them, and you choose which one is the best for your particular wedding. Then, you tell the planner how much you want to spend TOTALLY for the entire wedding minus the rings, gown and honeymoon. Those are supposed to be the only things not included. They ask how many people. In this case, it is 120 guests. No problem so far? Great! Now watch what happened.

The breakdown was sent to the future bride and groom. The budget was right on the amount they had told the planner, but there were some omissions. This ALL INCLUSIVE wedding was to include soup to nuts...meaning, cocktail hour, dinner, band, flowers, photography, videography, invitations, wedding favors, limos, etc. all for the budgeted amount.

But what happened when they received their breakdown? Omissions...everywhere. It's too expansive to list here, and it's also personal to the people I am now working with, but let's use this as a learning tool.

When you go to a planner to organize an all inclusive wedding, right from the beginning you have to have in writing what is included for the price you want. And yes, they can make anything fit your budget...they only give you 3 members of the band, no appetizer at dinner, very slim amount of flowers, etc. etc. etc.

So be careful. Better yet, work with someone you know, or do it yourself and get the aid of a consultant that will help you just for buying products from them. That is the wiser way to go, unless cost is not a problem for you. Then enjoy yourself and do whatever you want! But for the rest of you, don't jump into anything too quickly. Search for the best deal with your budget and with those you want to work with. And don't forget, to get the best deals on wedding favors, wedding products, shower and wedding invitations and gifts, stop by my webstore. You will save tons of money. That is one thing I can promise you. And if you have any questions or comments, either leave them here, or write to me on my website. I will help you any way I can and have tons of ideas for a beautiful wedding that can save you tons of money.

Much happiness is coming your way!
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Wedding Gowns - So many choices!

2006-09-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

So, when is the right time to buy your wedding gown? Well, normally, I would say 9-12 months before the wedding date. But, if you are not one that fluctuates more than 10 lbs. up or down in weight, you can take advantage of a couple of ways to save heaps of money.

Just as every day clothing is seasonal, so are wedding gowns. And, the best time of the year to buy a gown is late summer and/or early fall. That is the time that the new year styles come not these wedding gown boutiques, so the shop owners are trying to sell off the last year’s trends. So if it doesn’t bother you if you have on something that came out that year or the year before (I mean, who the heck can really tell?), you can save up to 80-90% on your gown.

Also, check around or Google ‘wedding gown trunk shows.’ A trunk show is what a designer has in order to show the people in a specific area the new styles of wedding gowns that are now available. They will go into a hotel or store and literally ‘take out of trunks’ their new gown collection. What is awesome about these shows is that if you purchase a gown from them right then and there, they will give you a substantial discount. It is very worth it.

Lastly, don’t forget that many cities have wedding gown rentals. I consulted on a wedding which was very lavish, that the bride rented her wedding gown. Why? Because it wasn’t a sentimental thing to her and she wanted a gown that was close to $20,000. So for $2,000, she rented it for the day. I know, I know, that is a lot of money for a rental, but for her, it was worth every penny. And yes, there are VERY inexpensive wedding gown rentals.

Hope this helped those that are looking for are about to look for their perfect gown for their perfect day. Also, when you get the gown, (or even before) check out my website for tiaras and other hair jewelry. (See, I told you there was more than wedding favors there!) They are absolutely gorgeous and amazingly reasonable.

Much happiness coming your way!
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Wedding Bell Blues!

2006-09-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

And yes, the Wedding Bell Blues is more than a song by the 5th Dimension! The wedding bell blues in this case, is a reminder of the “not so fun” things that have to be taken care of because you are tying the knot. Namely, tax consequences and what that means to you both.

If you’re older and been filing a single, filing a joint tax return can be like speaking in a foreign language. So there are several things that you should do before leaving on your honeymoon:

1. Check into whether an adjustment on your withholding tax is needed or not.

2. Let Social Security know if you have a name change. This is very important and could cause a delay in your tax return refund.

3. Update emergency contact information at your place of business and on any other important or emergency cards that you may have.

4. Decide whether or not you are going to file as singles or a joint account. A joint return, be aware, could push you both into another tax bracket. And, it may mean that couple will forfeit student loan interest and other tax benefits. Also, you can check if you quality for the marriage tax. But there are many stipulations here so go to an accountant and find the ins and outs.

5. Review your retirement plans as a married couple.

6. Change your credit card addresses and name (if it’s being changed) and your license.

Speaking of a license, don’t forget your marriage license! Don’t laugh! It’s happened twice that I know of!

Next thing you have to do? Go to my website and save time. Get your wedding favors and gifts for your wedding party as well as invitations at up to 50% less than any retail store! And if you have a question for me, just write me there or leave a comment here and I’ll get right back to you!

Much happiness coming your way!
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Your Honeymoon - What should I do? Where should I go? Less traditional Honeymoons!

2006-09-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you are the type that likes something new and fresh. You want to find a new experience to share with your new spouse...something that you've never done before and may never do again!

If you know a travel agent, go to them and tell them that and they will have many ideas for you. Also, if you google "exotic vacations" you will get tons of ideas. But if you don't have a clue, I have a few for you.

If you want to be more quiet, travel to northern New England and make plans to stay at a Bed and Breakfast. Speaking of those, you could do the same thing in Canada. Nova Scotia is known for their quiet and quaint Bed and Breakfast Inns.

If you want to be adventurous, try going to the Grand Canyon and hiking or mule down the slopes of the canyon. You can even spend the night or a couple of nights on the bottom of the canyon. Yes, bring a sleeping bag, food and water. You'll need it! And, if that's up your alley, then how about going to an Old West Dude Ranch. They will even teach you how to ride a horse and rope cattle. None of these are for the faint of heart or for those that feel that the Holiday Inn is camping out. LOL

Friends of ours, when they went on their honeymoon, rented an RV and had a cross country trip planned. But that's them. And yes, it was a lot of work. But they loved it and felt it was the best honeymoon they could have ever had. Hey, to each his own...y'know?

You're not going to believe me, but you could even go to Alaska and train and participate in a real dog sled race across the tundra. Hey, for that matter, how about an African safari? If you both love the outdoors and high adventure, one of those might be just perfect for you!

Believe me, whatever you decide to do, as long as you BOTH decide on it, you will love it and have a wonderful time. Remember, you have life waiting for you when you get back! Do a couple of things for me, okay? (That is besides going on my website and checking out my awesome wedding favors!) Do this while on your honeymoon - turn off your cell phone, keep the laptop closed and forget about "real life". You will find yourself back in the rat race before you know it, and if you listen to me, you will come back happy and refreshed!

Have fun. Hope I've helped you make a decision. It will be wonderful, whatever you decide!

Much happiness coming your way!
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Your Honeymoon - What should I do? Where should I go? Part 4

2006-09-09T08:58:00.000-07:00

One of the most amazing vacations I have ever been on, was the first cruise I had ever taken. I didn’t know what to expect and it was so unbelievable and breathtaking…well…let me continue or I’ll be here all day and you’ll never learn about this for a possible honeymoon destination.

Cruises are very popular for honeymoons. Like I had said in another blog, my daughter and her spouse went on a Caribbean Cruise for their honeymoon and then stopped at Walt Disney World for 4 days. They felt it was the best of both worlds.

Basically, a cruise is a floating 5 star hotel. Well, some cruise lines are 5 star! My favorite is Princess, with Royal Caribbean a close second. I’ve been on them all, so that is through my personal experience. The only cruise lines that I haven’t been on are the high end ones, like Crystal Cruises. But they are in a realm all of their own. For what they offer, if you have the money, it may be worth it for you to look into.

There are many different options available to you on a cruise with regards to accommodations. Other than that, you eat the same food, drink the same, enjoy all the ship’s amenities, etc. When you pay more, you are paying more for the kind of room you choose. I personally couldn’t take a cruise unless I had a balcony. Just my preference. But then again, I get a bit claustrophobic…so be it. There are inside rooms that have no window or balcony that can be so much less expensive than staying a week at a hotel with food and activities.

On a cruise, you’ll stop at 2-5 ports of call. This is fascinating to me and can be very enjoyable and very romantic. When you visit each port, there are excursions that you can take (yes, for an extra fee!). If you opt out of the excursions, be very careful where you go. There are some ports (Belize and the port in Columbia) that you have to be very careful. There are taxi’s and others just waiting to prey on unsuspecting tourists to rob them or worse. The ship is there for your enjoyment. They are not there to protect you, so be very wary of doing anything on your own.

Cruise locations can be in the U.S. traveling up the Mississippi River or through the glaciers of Alaska, to the far reaching points of the Orient and everything in between. Although just about everything is included in the cost of your honeymoon, just be sure and ask what is not. That way there will be no surprises.

Tomorrow I will discuss all inclusive destinations. But check out the cruises first. And don’t worry about getting sea sick! With today’s sea bands and medications, you’ll be fine. And if you’d like to know exactly what I use, write to me at my website and I’ll let you know personally. Oh yeah, and while you’re on my site, check out my unique wedding favors! You knew I had to throw that in! What can I tell you? Wedding favors is my middle name!

Much happiness coming your way!

Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Your Honeymoon - What should you do? Where should you go? Part 3

2006-09-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

Another great honeymoon destination is located in Pennsylvania in the Poconos Mountains. My niece went there several years ago when she got married and loved it. Why? Well first of all, it’s away from civilization pretty much and gives you some alone time if that’s what you are looking for. If it’s during the winter, there are all kinds of sports: skiing, sledding, skating, etc. If it’s summer time, there are gorgeous lakes there with water sports. Also, you are only a couple of hours from Niagra Falls and the Canadian border.

There are a ton of resorts in the Poconos which have been known for their Honeymoon packages for decades. For the most part, they are very romantic and peaceful, giving you time to get to know each other as man and wife.

But, make sure that you check the reviews from people who have gone there. I know that many of the Poconos Hotels have redone their rooms, bathrooms, swimming pools, etc. But I also know that there are a couple that are very run down. Again, just make sure that you check on sites like Expedia for reviews by those who have stayed there recently.

For more information about wedding favors…WHAT? How did that get in there? Just kidding! LOL For more information about a Pocono Honeymoon, just call 1.800.POCONOS. You will get all the information you need to discover if this is your honeymoon destination.

Tomorrow’s blog will cover more exotic honeymoons…also more expensive! Have a great day!

Much happiness coming your way!

Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Your Honeymoon - What should you do? Where should you go? Part 2

2006-09-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

Interestingly enough, one of the most popular honeymoon destinations is Disneyworld. I know, I know, you probably don’t believe me. But what a couple usually does, is incorporates this place with another destination. For example, my daughter went on a 7 day cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and then spent 4 days in Orlando. They then came home toward the end of the week and had a few days to chill out and settle into their new home together. That worked very well for them.
Also, there are couples who go to Disneyworld and spend their entire honeymoon. Disney has a list of Fairy Tale Honeymoons in many of their themed resorts that are amazing. The package also includes park hopper tickets for all of their theme parks. And, they also have packages that includes meals. Just make sure that you like the food that they are offering, or the restaurants that you can eat in so that you don’t ruin your honeymoon because of food neither of you like.
And don’t forget, that you can make your honeymoon a Florida trip. Miami Beach and the Keyes are gorgeous and very romantic. And there are islands off of southern Florida that you can visit on a one or two day excursion.
If you want more information about Disney Special Honeymoon Packages, just call 407.828.3400. The operators are real dolls and will help you with putting together a package that is perfect for both of you.
Don’t miss tomorrow’s blog! I’m going to cover another wonderful honeymoon destination!
And don’t forget about purchasing your unique wedding favor! Yes, wedding favors are important! And check out the fun honeymoon ideas that are on my website also!
Much happiness coming your way!
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Your Honeymoon - What should you do? Where should you go? Part 1

2006-09-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

Usually, not as much time is spent on the honeymoon as the wedding, which seems odd to me. The honeymoon is the time that you celebrate the beginning of your married life. This is the one time, probably for at least a year, that you will be away from everyone and all of life’s stresses and can really concentrate on each other.

But this doesn’t mean that you need to spend your life’s savings on this either. After all, it really is a vacation, so be frugal and wise when choosing where you want to go. That is, unless you’re independently wealthy! Then have a ball!

Traditionally, the honeymoon is paid for by the groom. But today, more than not, it’s a joint expense, so start planning what you both would like to do months ahead of your wedding date. Also, if you start early, and you need airfare, it will be much cheaper.

Okay, first things first. Where do you want to go? Don’t just name places, think more generally. Do you both love the ocean? Mountains? Lavish hotels? Bungalow beach huts? An all inclusive vacation? A cruise? You see…there is so much to think about.

After you’ve decided on “what” kind of honeymoon, now you have to decide where to go. There are many places that I will cover in my next blog which are very traditional honeymoon places and some not so traditional. There will be some that are expensive and some that you can enjoy yourselves with much less money.

Either way, you both have to make a decision and stick to it so that you can make concrete plans. But remember, compromise. If one of you really hates the beach and the other person loves it, I would suggest you not go there and find a place that you both love.

Tune in tomorrow! You’ll be glad you did!

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Important Wedding Information!

2006-09-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

There are a few things that sometimes go under the radar when planning a wedding. I felt they were important enough to include, before I get off on another topic and they are forgotten!

Well, I’m right now on wedding #3…my son and his fiancée have now approached me re: their future wedding. Well, being originally from the east coast, now living on the west coast, they have many friends and relatives that will have to make a trip to be part of their special day. So, in essence, they are having a “destination wedding” – well, not for them, but for almost everyone else. So I told them that as soon as they decide on a venue for the reception, that they have to send out “Save the Date” postcards. What that is, is a postcard that has the picture of the bride and groom and/or the venue on the front of the card and the date and other pertinent information on the back of the postcard. These need to be sent to everyone that will be invited to your wedding and should be sent as close to a year ahead as is possible. This allows people to save money and possibly make this their personal vacation as well as attend your wedding.

Another announcement that needs to be made is to the local newspaper. This traditionally is the responsibility of the bride’s family. It’s very simple. You just put in a recent pic of the bride and groom and their wedding information.
Don’t forget, wedding invites can go out up to 2 months ahead of time. If you have a “B” list, you’ll want to send them out around that time so that when you get “no’s” you’ll be able to invite others from your secondary list.

Okay, that’s all I’m going to load you up with right now. Just a couple of important pieces of information that are hard to fit in under any other topic! Don’t forget to get your wedding favors early (had to slip that in) and all your other wedding items that you need beside that unique wedding favor. Don’t forget to check my site! I will save you tons of money. The link is below.

Have a wonderful week and take it slow…

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Who Foots the Bill for the Wedding? Part 2

2006-09-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

Here is your last option on who pays – YOU do! And honestly, nowadays, this is more the norm. In fact, 75% of weddings are paid for by the bride and groom. Much of the reason that this happened is that people are getting married much later in life, so they sometimes have more money than their parents saved. Or their parents are elderly at this point and they feel they should shoulder the responsibility themselves instead of saddling a large bill on their parents that are at a point where they need the dollars themselves.

There are pros to this – in fact, many. YOU are now in charge and you don’t have to feel guilty about it or end up in a war with relatives over who does what, or where it will be, or what about this and what about that! You are the final say, and believe me, that is worth every penny. The old saying goes like this “he who does not open their wallet, cannot not open their mouths”…don’t you love it! LOL Also, you can invite whomever you choose and don’t have to invite those that you don’t want to. Now, of course, you have to be gracious and invite Aunt Emily who you’ve only met once and smells to high heaven of perfume and gags you! Mom loves her, so you need to do it for mom. Yes, you still have to compromise in certain areas!

But there are cons to the bride and groom footing the bill. You are spending all of your money on this day and it will deplete your savings or run you up a really nice bill. Also, depending on the type of parents you have, you could offend them by not allowing them to help out financially, especially on the bride’s side. If that’s the case, make a couple of concessions. Let them pick out the wedding favor and purchase that – (from my website of course!) By the way, show your mom or dad this one! This is my Champagne Gel Candle! I can’t tell you how many people go crazy over this one. It says “we are celebrating!” And many people hang a personalized label around the stem. It’s very, very special and at a great price. Check it out under the term unique wedding favor.

Well, from here on in, you’re on your own re: this topic. But if you’d like more advice, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I’d love to help!

Everything will work out…it always does!

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Who Foots the Bill for the Wedding? Part 1

2006-08-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

Well, we are in the middle of my 3rd child’s upcoming wedding plans. And what is amazing, is that it has even gotten MORE expensive then it was nearly 3 years ago when my last child got married. So, now we are trying to figure out how the heck to pay for this one! And, this brings me to this blog topic. Who is going to pay? Not the best topic, but we have to discuss this.

Nowadays, probably because people get married much later in life generally speaking, the bride and groom pay for much of or all of the wedding. But, there are other options, and there are pros and cons to all of them.

Traditionally, the bride’s parents pay for the wedding. What’s great about this is that they pay and you don’t start your lives with a huge bill or savings-less. BUT, (look at the caps!), normally, the one that pays, usually gets what they want. So, if you want a smaller wedding and they want more guests, guess who wins? This will help your wallet, but it may do you in emotionally. And the worse thing you want at this point in your life is to have issues with your parents or have it cause problems with your fiancée and/or future in-laws.

Okay, I’ve talked you out of that one. Another option is that it’s split between the two sets of parents and the happy couple. This works really well if you have parents that can compromise. The key to this is the personalities. This can work amazingly or it can be a disaster. Only you both know that.

What’s great about this idea is that you may be able to get more of what you want. And this will help you save money. But there is a downside to this also. Any amount of money that people put in will give them a say. That isn’t always a problem though. Many times this causes them to help out and takes pressure off the bride and groom.

There is another option though. So tuned in to tomorrow’s blog and find out!
Much happiness coming your way,

Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Avoiding Wedding Disasters - Part 3

2006-08-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, now that you have read the first two installments on avoiding wedding disasters, here is the 3rd and last one.

Yes, your wedding is a celebration, but it’s also a symbol of putting childhood things behind and becoming an adult with all the responsibilities that come with that. Again, and I’ve said this several times already, remember, it is your wedding. You’re an adult, and you need to (nicely!) take control of your own life. Do what feels right to you. Get people’s suggestions, but make sure that they now, right from the getgo, that you have specific ideas and you’d like to make sure that they happen.

That being said, don’t get “stuck”. Listen to parents, relatives and friends. Give it some thought, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Embrace their ideas, then dispose of them if, after awhile, you still don’t want to go that way. And if you respect who is saying, weigh it heavily, especially if it is suggested to you out of first hand experience.

This next suggestion is very important. After spending days upon days planning and working toward your wedding, take a weekend and get away, either alone or with a couple of friends. Honestly, this is not only good when planning a wedding, but under any stressful circumstances. You can’t imagine how your perspective changes when you get in a different environment.

Keep a sense of humor. Laugh when you want to scream. If you can do that, you will sail through this time of your life and enjoy every moment.

Don’t just plan the wedding, plan your life together! Remember, the wedding lasts one day. Hopefully, your marriage will last forever. Get together with your future spouse and promise not to discuss the wedding. Talk about your future together – if/when you’ll have kids, your careers, if you want to buy a home and when, where you’ll be living, etc. Actually, that’s more important than that swift 10 hour day.

Last but not least, get your unique wedding favors early! You don’t want to have that stress you out last minute! Hey, take a look at this one from my website. This letter opener is one of my most popular wedding favors. People will have it and think of your special day for years to come.

I got married many years ago, married off two daughters, and I’ve been an integral part of over a hundred weddings. If you listen to my advice that I have given you over the last 3 blogs, you will be shocked at the stress that will be alleviated.
Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Avoiding Wedding Disasters - Part 2

2006-08-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Okay – let me be pretty frank here. This is part 2 right? So I’m going to get right into it.

Mom and Dad are paying most of the bills for the wedding. They feel that since they are “dishing it out”, they are allowed to do and say what they want. This can result in the worse kind of power struggle for a young couple about to embark on a new life together. To the parents: if you’re going to pay for the wedding, then PAY for the wedding. Don’t expect doing that to give you free reign over everyone and everything. To the bride and groom: if this is what it turns into, RUN! Get married in a field of flowers on somebody’s farm before you should allow yourself to go through this torture. It’s not worth it…believe me.

Let’s talk a little bit more about money. Unfortunately, finances has probably caused more marriage breakups than any other issues. Don’t start out with yourselves in debt. If you have to charge a few things here and there, that’s fine. But make a decision how much you are going to spend and stick to it! Come up with a budget and consider that your ultimate guideline. You will thank me for this piece of advise in years to come.

To family and friends: give the future bride and groom the best gift you can give – let them be. Please be understanding. Please let them have “their” day. It seems to me that most people use those words, but truly don’t understand the meaning. Don’t try to live through them or dictate to them what you happen to want for their wedding. If they’re old enough to get married, they are old enough to make these decisions. Guidance is not dictatorship.

Yes, I know. For those that are parents and loved ones, this blog was not the most subtle. But please understand, as a wedding consultant, I’ve seen too many weddings go sour because of people’s interference. Don’t let it happen to you. Avoid this wedding disaster.

And tomorrow, besides Part 3 to this topic, I will discuss unique wedding favors. Promise!

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Avoiding Wedding Disasters! Part 1

2006-08-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

Oh boy…what a topic! If I wanted to, I’d spend the time sharing with you of my own wedding disaster over 25 years ago. Thank God the marriage didn’t turn out like the day did! Now that I think of it, that’s probably why I do what I do…to stop that from happening to anybody else’s wedding!

Look, the process of planning of wedding invites all kinds of disasters. It can lead to arguments with your future spouse (usually over finances), it can cause discomfort between you and those you chose for you wedding party, future in-laws issues, blah blah blah. And believe me, it happens to everyone, so for the next 3 days, I’m going to dedicate this blog to this topic. Honestly, I don’t know why I hadn’t done this sooner!

First things first – let’s talk about you, the bride. There is a reality show on TV right now called “Bridezilla”. OMG! I want to smack those girls silly. Watch this show and just do the opposite of everything they do. That in itself will alleviate tons of potential disasters.

Secondly, be careful who you give control over to. You don’t need to please anyone. This is your special day – not your mother’s, aunt’s, sister’s, friend’s or future mom-in-law’s day. It’s yours. To avoid problems, don’t say yes to everything IF you don’t agree with it just to be nice and get everyone involved. You will regret this and you will resent those that take over. Be nicely firm. You’ll be happy you did when your day rolls around.

On the other hand, ask your family and friends to help with some of the planning and running around. Those that love you will want to help. Just make sure that you keep control, especially when it has to do with the moms. I love them…in fact I am one. But I’ve seen too many weddings ruined because of in-law battles. If your mom is different, you’re blessed. Then involve her all the way, along with the aid of those that will do what you really want and not what they want.

This “bullying” from mom (and dad) can occur when they are paying for some or all of the wedding. If this begins, you need to have a ‘heart to heart’ with them. If they don’t get it, take out a loan. I promise you, you will be happier that you did in the long run.

Lastly, speaking of finances, make sure you have a budget. I broke this down in one of my archived blogs, regarding how much things will cost, etc. The average wedding today (okay, sit down) costs between $20-25,000. And, that’s the “average.” Yes, some are less, but many are more. So you have to know exactly what you want to spend and stick to it, or you will end up paying for this for many years to come.
I promise I’ll bring you Part 2 tomorrow. I’ll “see” you then!

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors
P.S. Hey, I didn’t talk about my unique wedding favors not even once! I’m slipping……………..

Father/Daughter Wedding Songs

2006-08-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

Well, the time has come. You have to pick a song for the dance with you and your daddy! For a close family, this is a very touching and heartfelt time. For the opposite, this is probably drudgery, but hopefully this list will help find the appropriate song for that kind of relationship also. Definitely stay away from “Butterfly Kisses”, and lean more toward “The Way You Look Tonight”. At least that won’t get so mushy.

1 Butterfly Kisses
2 Wind Beneath My Wings
3 Unforgettable
4 Because You Loved Me
5 You Decorated My Life
6 My Girl
7 Through the Years
8 The Way You Look Tonight
9 My Special Angel
10 What A Wonderful World
11 You’re the Inspriation
12 Daughter of Mine
13 Hero
14 Isn’t She Lovely

There are many more, but these seem to be the most popular ones. Like I said, this can be a difficult moment for families, especially blended families, but you’ll get through it. We all did!

And don’t forget, check out my website. Remember, I am not just about unique wedding favors! There are so many great gifts that you can buy dad for a little thank you gift, and/or for your ushers. And the prices are amazing! Drop me a line when you visit on my site. I’d love to get to know you all better!

Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Bride's Beauty Basics (nothing to do with wedding favors! lol)

2006-08-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

Do I really have to tell you that most brides cry at some point during their wedding? Do I have to tell you that you will be kissing, kissing, kissing all day long? If you know this and more, then you will need the following tips to get your through the day looking fresh and beautiful.

I’m sure you read my tips on carrying your ‘emergency bag’ with you at all times, so I won’t repeat that. But there will be other emergencies throughout the day, from smearing your lipstick to having your bustle stuck after you went to the bathroom! Don’t shake your head, it’s happened!

So, first things first – you must assign someone to be your checker. What do I mean by that? Make sure that you have someone that will keep an eye on you all day and let you know if there is something wrong or if you need a touch-up. I would suggest it’s not someone in your wedding party because they will be very involved in the wedding. Choose someone that is very observant and is sitting fairly close to the dais table so they can see you. But, please, from experience, do not choose someone that will want to bother you every second because she wants the attention. That will totally ruin your day worse than a stuck bustle!

Make sure if you do your own make-up or if you have a make-up artist apply your make-up that you/they use waterproof make-up. You “will” cry during the day. You don’t want to have to reapply your eye and face make-up all day long. This will save you tremendously. Do the same with long-lasting lipstick. Apply it at the beginning of the day and then touch-up as needed. Before buying, just make sure it says “all day” lipcolor or something to that affect.

Lastly, the most important beauty tip is to do a ‘dry run’ with make-up and hair. If you are doing both of those yourself or having a friend do it, then it will be easy. If you are having a professional do your hair and make-up, then speak to them and see if they will do this. Normally, this is included in the price.
Hope this helps! Relax. Stress causes dark circles and bags under your eyes. So last little tip…use cold cucumber slices placed under your eyes.

Also, don't forget that my website is not just about unique wedding favors. There are many last minute emergency items on that site as well as beautiful hair ornaments! Go check it out.

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

OMG! I forgot about the wedding song!

2006-08-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Don’t fret, there are a million of them Just go into any record store and there are compilation cd’s that have 20 or more on them. But how did all of this start anyway?

The concept, (obviously), came from couples having a special song that was “our song” and when it came on, they would make goo goo eyes at each other! So usually, couples already have their own special song. But if you don’t, do what I said. Go to a large, record store and buy one or two of the cd’s that will list the top wedding songs. Listen to the words as well as the music, because that is what talks about the two of you and your relationship. But be careful. Go to http://www.lyrics.com/ and check out the exact words. Many songs are about breaking up and getting back together again. That just doesn’t seem to be the best song to dedicate to your new life together!

Below, is a list of ten of the most used wedding songs for that first dance for the newly married couple:

1. Nothing Compares To You - Sinead O’Connor
2. Close To You - Maxi Priest
3. Power of Love - Jennifer Rush
4. Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
5. I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You - Elvis Presley
6. Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
7. When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating
8. From This Moment On - Shania Twain
9. You Made Me Love You - Al Jolson
10. How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees

Of course there are many, many more, but those seem to be used a lot of the time.

Now, you need to move onto the songs for Father/Daughter dance. This one is a tear jerker and there are many out there that are very popular also. Tomorrow, we will discuss that and I’ll give you some great suggestions.

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my website for unique wedding favors and so many other amazing and incredibly priced bridal necessities! And drop me a line while you’re on there and say hello!

Bridesmaid's problems! What do I do?

2006-08-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

In a perfect world, all of your bridesmaids are supposed to be there for you. They help you through gown fittings, the Bridal Shower, cold feet, ranting about expenses, etc. etc. etc. But sometimes that support system breaks down. This blog will help you navigate through the muddy waters of bridesmaid’s meltdowns. And don’t think they won’t happen to you. They will. This will help you be ready for it!

Problem #1: One of your bridesmaids (or 2 or 3 for that matter) hates the dress that you picked out. What do you do? You obviously love these girls, or you wouldn’t have chosen them for such an honor, so you don’t want to lose them as friends during the most important time of your life. So, if you aren’t totally in love with the dress, see if you can find a dress that everyone at least likes. But sometimes that’s easier said than done. Another solution is everyone having a different style dress but in the same color and fabric. This can really be very beautiful. Just please enlist the expertise of the bridal sales people who will steer you the way that it would look the best. But in the end, remember, it is your wedding and your decision. You can say this dress or no dress, and only you know how far you can go with that without losing friends. My suggestion…always try compromise first. You have many years after that one day that you will be friends with these girls, so try to work it out amicably.

Problem #2: One of your bridesmaids is knock out gorgeous with a body to boot. You are insecure. What do you do? Okay, this one is really easy. First of all, you are the bride and all eyes will be on you…PROMISE! But, if you are really insecure about this, put the girls in muted colors and not so revealing dresses. I’ve seen it done before and the bridesmaids are not the wiser. Just remember, white makes a woman glow, so you really have nothing to worry about.

Problem #3: You overhear your bridesmaid saying how they don’t have enough money for this dress. Be sensitive. They are only going to wear the dress for a few hours, and probably will never wear it again. Try to compromise. See if you can find a dress that you love that is less expensive. Also, if the dress is pricey, make sure the color will work with black shoes so that will save them there. And, make their bridesmaid’s gift a piece of jewelry so that everyone will match and it won’t cost them anything. Speaking of bridesmaid’s jewelry, you do know that my website is not just about unique wedding favors…although we are about unique wedding favors, there is so much more! Here is one of the sets that is perfect for a gift from you and makes the bridesmaids look very uniform without costing your wedding party any money.

Well, that’s your first 3 solutions to problems with bridesmaids. There will be 3 more tomorrow that will help aid you when these problems arise. Just remember, life happens…but it all passes in time.

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Tips to help with wedding COLD FEET!

2006-08-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

Okay, so now it’s just a few weeks until the wedding and your questioning if you should be getting married. First of all, just know this – THIS IS NORMAL! Everyone gets cold feet…everyone! These feelings of anxiety, worry and concern are very normal prior to a wedding, and both the bride and the groom may experience this. Don’t concern yourself because before you know it, those feelings will pass. Reason for this is that sometimes tension and anxiety looks for a reason other than the obvious which is putting together the biggest day of your life. That in itself can blow you up! But as human beings, we look for something else. Bingo! We question the decision of saying, “I do”.

First tip – relax – breathe – go to the beach or the spa or wherever it is that you relax the best. Listen to music that helps calm you and talk it out with a parent or close friend. But, please make sure it’s someone that will be objective and realizes actually what is happening, not someone who is trying to thwart your special day. Just know that your feelings are completely normal and natural. For some reason, just thinking about that helps.

A good test of your anxiety is to take out a piece of paper and write down all of the things that are making you nervous and you are sweating over. You will soon find that they are all normal things that everyone gets concerned about and not really directed at your future spouse.

Also, if you have a married friend that has been through it, speaking to that person especially helps. They have gone down this road, and if they are completely honest, they will tell you that they went through it also. Something about knowing that others have felt the same way and understand you gets you through this time much quicker.

Next, make a list of all your fears and then all the reasons why you are marrying your partner. Normally, that puts this thing to bed. After doing this, write a love letter to your future spouse. Whether you give it to them or not is not an issue. Just do this to help you get in touch with your real feelings. Soon, they’ll come flooding out and you’ll know that this is all anxiety and it soon will pass.

Lastly, get away for the whole wedding process. I tell people that I consult on their weddings, that at least one or two days during the last few weeks, they need to walk away…go shopping…drive to the ocean…do something that will totally take them away from the craziness. You will come back a different person. That I promise you.

But, let me please take a moment here to say this. If there is any form of abuse in your relationship – emotional or physical abuse, any addictions, etc., then you have every right to call the wedding off. You are a future spouse, not a dormat, and you don’t want to enter into a permanent relationship with tons of baggage.

Please, if you have any questions, (even about your unique wedding favor *wink*), please don’t hesitate to write me at my website below. I will help any way I can.

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors

Keep Your Wedding Organized!

2006-08-16T14:13:00.000-07:00

So you’re probably wondering what I mean by keeping your wedding organized. There are many factors involved in this and remember, the more together you are with all of this from the beginning, the easier your entire planning will go.

First things first, so you need to put together a “to do” list. This should consist of everything that has to be done and priced out including your gown, tux rentals, place for the ceremony and reception, band or DJ, flowers, transportation and of course, your own unique wedding favor. (By the way, take a look at this - very classy for the bride and groom with the utmost of taste!) This personalized champagne flute unique wedding favor can have your names and wedding date engraved on them in many different colors at no extra cost. Ah, they are a thing of beauty!

Anyway, once that list is compiled, make sure you get a notebook or ledger and put each item to be tracked on the top of each page. So now, when a payment is made for the banquet hall, flowers, whatever, you will have a running total available to you. Also, on the top of each page, put the total amount due the vendor, the contact person’s name and phone, fax and email address.

Next, almost immediately, you need to prepare a guest list. Now obviously, over the months of preparation, this will change. But if you have a pretty good idea of who you want to invite, you can now compile addresses so you’ll have them for invitations for the Bridal Shower (to give to those that are giving it to you), for the wedding and for thank you cards.

Lastly, you should have a one year calendar which is broken down into months and days. This will act as your “countdown planner” and you should fill it up with what has to be completed by what date. This is indispensable and I could never do what I do without it.

Please remember, the bride and groom (especially the bride) should not feel like they have to compile these lists on their own. Ask family and close friends to help, especially if you have some that are administrative and organized. They will steer you correctly.

You have no idea how these suggestions will help you. I promise, you will drop me a note and thank me once your wedding has passed. Just know, generally speaking, that the more organized you are in the beginning, the easier time you will have at the end.

Much happiness coming your way,
Bella
Unique Wedding Favors