Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts

Monday, June 27, 2011

Pick of the Week - June 27, 2011

The summer months are officially here as of June 21st and what a better way to celebrate an event than with the colors, smells, and fruits of the season!  Fruit can be a great way to add a pop of color to your centerpieces while keeping the decor within your budget.  Lemons, limes, and oranges are the most popular as you can see, but certainly are beautiful!  These centerpieces can be simple or elaborate, for home or for your wedding, but either way will add so much for your guests to admire during your event!




 




Happy Planning,

Kristen

Monday, June 13, 2011

Pick of the Week - June 13, 2011

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...
Something blue....something blue....something blue....


Coming up short on ideas for that special "something blue"?  Often this traditional phrase is one of the smaller details that brides can so easily forget.  Something old, new, and borrowed tend to be fairly easy to gather but depending on your wedding colors or themes finding something blue might be rather difficult.  Here are some of my favorite "something blue" ideas that can be as obvious or discreet as you'd like....


This is by far my favorite option...have your wedding date or new monogram stitched in blue thread into the inside of your wedding dress.


Of course, if you're colors are a fabulous shade of blue you could always add a pop of color to your day-of ensemble by sporting a beautiful pair of blue pumps as you walk down the all important aisle. 


This is another one of my favorites, but I also tend to be quite the sentimental type.  The bride would forfeit her white pumps for some time but each of the bridesmaids, parents, etc. would write their blessings for the bride on her big day.



Use your bouquet.  You can wrap your bouquet in a piece of blue silk or ribbon and attach a super cute accessory or to avoid using too much blue, attach a charm that contains a blue stone.


A more discreet way to include the "something blue" would simply be to wear an adorable blue garter under the dress.  Love the big, blue bow!



And of course, you can't let your wedding day lingerie go under utilized!  Use your backside as a way to advertise your new name and still incorporate that blue you've been looking for!

Happy Planning,

Kristen

Monday, May 30, 2011

Pick of the Week - May 30, 2011

I went home during this fabulously long weekend to surprise my dad for his birthday.  My husband and I had a great time with my parents between hitting up the local dog friendly tiki bar and playing a round of golf (note: I didn't say an amazing round of golf...I'm not very good). When we finished golfing my mom realized we didn't have time to bake my father a cake before more family arrived.  Secretly this was perfectly fine with me since I'm not a huge fan of cake anyways.  I'm not really a fan of sweets in general unless it's chocolate.  However, I LOVE ice cream!  Especially once summer rolls around.


Originally my husband and I wanted to have an ice cream cake at our reception but the reception venue assistant had said she'd never had a wedding with an ice cream cake.  We immediately rethought the idea fearing it could be a potentially hazardous mess.  So, we purchased a traditional wedding cake instead.  Later, I found this idea of an ice cream sundae bar and kicked myself for not finding it sooner. Pick your favorite flavors, toppings, and dishes and let your guests design their own dessert!  Talk about dream desserts by design!  Check out the pictures below and let your imagination go wild. 

Happy Planning,

Kristen










Monday, May 23, 2011

Pick of the Week - May 23, 2011

While perusing on Pinterest I've seen so many great ideas!  I'm really drawn to wedding ideas that are not only creative, able to be personalized, and practical, but can be done on a budget as well.  Below are a few examples of  a thumbprint guest book.  Unlike many guests books, this one you can proudly display in your home after the wedding.  I only wish I had seen this version of a guest book when I was getting married!    A thumbprint guest books allow you to choose your picture and what information you would like displayed (and in what format).  Your guests press their finger into a washable stamp pad (most likely in your wedding colors) and place their own unique fingerprint on the picture (make sure you keep some wet wipes near by!).  They then write their name near it.   This creates a great piece of art for your home that is also memento from your big day!



Monday, April 4, 2011

Pick of the Week - April 4, 2011

It's hard to believe April's already here.  While I'm saddened that I'm unable to do Tampa's April Bridal Expo, I'm hoping to attend the July and October shows.  

I posted earlier in the week how I purchased some great wedding books from Borders for some fabulous new ideas or a spin on some old ones.  While reading the first book I was overwhelmed with ideas and the budget bride in me took over.  One of my major pet peeves is spending a lot of money on one part of the wedding that will be either overlooked or underappreciated.  With this in mind I have something to admit....I'm a candle addict.  There...I've said it.  I think that candles can add such a huge romantic touch to any event, especially a wedding!  When I saw a picture while reading similar to this one...

...two things came to mind.

           1.) If you have a fireplace at your reception location make the most of it!  This is such a great way to make something that's usually overlooked into a great, romantic area to sit and socialize with fellow guests or just create a beautiful focal area.

           2.) My inner budget bride immediately thought about using the candles for the ceremony and then have them transported (that's what a great wedding planner and day of coordinator would do for you!) to the reception and have it added to what's already there for more decor. One set of candles that can serve two purposes!


Another great way to use candles and have them serve a dual purpose is to utilize them for not only the obvious purpose of lighting, but either table numbers or escort cards. When the reception lights go down each table number or guest candle will still be glowing.  This eliminates the cost of escort cards or table numbers while adding more lighting to your event. There are plenty of DIY (do it yourself) websites out there that can walk you through the process of doing it yourself which allows you to personalize them to the max and there are also businesses out there that also can do it for you.  (Of course, you should always check out Etsy!).





Monday, March 14, 2011

Pick of the Week - March 14, 2011

A good friend of ours was in town this week with his fiancee.  While the boys were out, us girls were able to talk wedding plans.  I truly enjoy being able to hear what brides are up to and what their ideas are.  We discussed everything from flowers, to her dress, to lighting.  As we continued to talk I began thinking of all those little last minute things one might forget about.  For me, it was escort, or seating cards.  It completely slipped my mind but I fell in love with so many, especially on Etsy.  One of my favorites were the "Cootie Catchers" or "Fortune Tellers".  They can serve as escort cards, wedding programs, menus, etc.  The list goes on and on as the different, creative ways you could use them!  You can make them in your colors, match them to your theme, and fill them with all sorts of fun information for your guests.  Below are a few pictures to give you some different ideas.  




Monday, February 28, 2011

Pick of the Week - February 28, 2011

Looking to personalize your wedding without spending a lot of money while creating a keepsake that will last forever?  Check out the pictures below of photo guest books.  It's a great way to take your favorite pictures of you and your hunny and incorporate them into your guest book.  Then, leave it out for your guests to sign as they enter the reception.  It makes a great, personalized guest book that your guests will love looking at as well as a coffee table book you can keep out in the open in your house for as long as you'd like!  If you're a fan make sure to check out Shutterfly to start your photo book (they're my personal fav but there are numerous other websites like Snapfish) and you can always find great coupon codes at Retail Me Not. There are only certain markers that don't smear on the page but they're about 1.50 a piece.  Shutterfly can direct you to a website where you can order them.  Pick colors that match your wedding colors and make it even more personal!