Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Money-Saving Fridays
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Flower Power on a Budget!
Cost-effective flower fillers like star-of-Bethlehem and sweet william can be combined with more exotic varieties to stretch a budget. {I know I've said this before, but it's worth saying again....don't knock the carnation out of the line-up. There is a large variety and they can be blown out, they look quite chic in rich colors and done well! I will post some great carnation centerpieces in July from my best friend's wedding we're doing. In the mean time...Happy Planning!)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Saving on Your Cake!
Looking for some budget cake tips? Consider a square cake. It will yield 10 to 30 percent more than a round one. Also, choose a small “exhibition” cake. Your caterer can stash a sheet cake in the back, and cut that one for the crowd. Thanks to brides.com for the tip and MARTHA for the pic. Happy Planning!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Compare & Save
Deluxe
The most expensive flowers used here are the cymbidium orchids, hellebores and lilacs, and the silk ribbon alone costs $20. "I used white lilac in this bouquet because it has a ‘drippy’ quality that other blooms can’t replicate," says Yumiko Fletcher, of Hana Floral Design, hanafloraldesign.com, "but, like other blooms, its price spikes during the off-season." Price: $275
Affordable
Fletcher’s first cost-saving move was to use dendrobium orchids instead of cymbidiums (the latter bloom is 20 percent more expensive). Then she replaced the pricey hellebores with white lisianthus. "They both have fluttery, ruffly petals," says Fletcher. She also incorporated inexpensive but good-looking greenery as well
as a standard-issue satin ribbon.
Price: $95
Thanks to brides.com for sharing these tips and images. Be sure to visit them for more cost-saving tips and DIYs!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Budgeting Your Blooms
Three factors determine the cost of your bouquet: the number of flowers, the type of flower, and the hours of labor. But keeping costs down doesn't mean carnations are your only option (not that there is anything wroing with using them. The can be beautiful when done right)! Here's a little bud buying guide to help get you started:
Affordable: dahlias, sunflowers, irises, gerbera daisies
Mid-Range: snapdragons, roses, oriental lilies, freesias
Splurge: calla lilies, stephanotis, sweet peas, peonies
There are many varieties of flowers and it's a good idea you do a little leg work before meeting with your florist. Get to know the flower(s) and the look you like (bring pictures with you) and have an idea if what you like is in season - it will be more cost-effective and you won't be asking for the impossible. Visit fiftyflowers.com to see the many different colors and varieties.
I have a wonderful florist here in New Jersey (Garden Party Sisters), and if you're from this area I suggest you give them a call. They are two sisters who do a great job - honest, cost effective and great work! They are doing my sister-in-law's wedding. (After the wedding in April 2010 I'll post pics). Tell them Michelle Scanzano of All Things Beautiful sent you! Visit www.gardenpartysisters.com Be sure to also check out their blog to see some of the weddings thy have done. Happy Planning!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Saving on Flowers
One great way to save on cut flowers: Splurge on the reception, where people will see the flowers for four to five hours. Ceremony flowers will be seen for an hour, tops. Thanks to brides.com for the tip! Happy Planning!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tips from Preston Bailey...A Planner for the Celebrities
The celebrity planner offers his insights on how you can create your fantasy wedding day...by Anne Chertoff
Preston Bailey has more than a few expert tips to share with brides and grooms. He was asked how a bride should begin creating her wedding theme and palette and some of his favorite budget-friendly ideas.
His first bit of wedding wisdom: Don't call it a theme, but rather your "wedding concept." Keep reading for more of Preston Bailey's top wedding-planning tips.
Preston says, "The first step in planning a wedding is determining how much money you have to spend. Once you have settled on your budget, decide what is the most important element to you—food, flowers, etc...—and invest more in that area."
After collecting wedding ideas from all over, it's important to narrow down your favorites and to choose your wedding colors and overall concept," advises Preston.
"If you are working with an event designer it is his job to make sense of all the inspiration you have gathered." When working with a bride, Preston will take all the information she has gathered and interpret it into three concepts for the couple to choose from. If you're not working with an event designer, here are three questions Preston suggests you ask yourself to help you create your wedding's look and feel:
1. Do you want a traditional or contemporary style?
2. What are your favorite colors?
3. What flowers do you not like?
Once you have answered these simple questions you can begin to get a general idea of what your wedding's color palette and concept will be.
Saving on flowers: "Don't be afraid to use silk or paper flowers in your arrangements. These flowers can be given away or saved after the wedding is over and will be less expensive than real blooms. You may also want to discuss with your florist the idea of incorporating fruit into your centerpieces which can either be enjoyed by your guests or donated."
"Don't be afraid to create an unusual flow to the event. For example, hand out wedding favors as guests enter instead of when they leave." Preston says, "Brides shouldn't be afraid to take the rules and twist them, surprising guests throughout the night."
Here are Preston's suggestions for a few ways you can save money on your wedding:
Serve a more casual buffet instead of a formal sit-down meal. A buffet-style meal will give your guests an opportunity to walk around.
• Hire a DJ instead of a 10-piece band
• Shop around for your dress
• Work with your baker to create an inventive wedding cake
Preston advises that it's really important that your vendors share their information with you so there are no surprises at the ceremony or reception. "A bride should trust the people she is working with and not micromanage her staff. And while she should plan every detail—including rain plans!—on the big day the bride should let it all go. She should enjoy her wedding and focus on the things that matter."
Preston's last bit of advice: "A wedding is a celebration, a moment of joy—don't ruin it by focusing on things that don't matter."
{Photos courtesy of Preston Bailey}
Preston Bailey has more than a few expert tips to share with brides and grooms. He was asked how a bride should begin creating her wedding theme and palette and some of his favorite budget-friendly ideas.
His first bit of wedding wisdom: Don't call it a theme, but rather your "wedding concept." Keep reading for more of Preston Bailey's top wedding-planning tips.
Preston says, "The first step in planning a wedding is determining how much money you have to spend. Once you have settled on your budget, decide what is the most important element to you—food, flowers, etc...—and invest more in that area."
After collecting wedding ideas from all over, it's important to narrow down your favorites and to choose your wedding colors and overall concept," advises Preston.
"If you are working with an event designer it is his job to make sense of all the inspiration you have gathered." When working with a bride, Preston will take all the information she has gathered and interpret it into three concepts for the couple to choose from. If you're not working with an event designer, here are three questions Preston suggests you ask yourself to help you create your wedding's look and feel:
1. Do you want a traditional or contemporary style?
2. What are your favorite colors?
3. What flowers do you not like?
Once you have answered these simple questions you can begin to get a general idea of what your wedding's color palette and concept will be.
Saving on flowers: "Don't be afraid to use silk or paper flowers in your arrangements. These flowers can be given away or saved after the wedding is over and will be less expensive than real blooms. You may also want to discuss with your florist the idea of incorporating fruit into your centerpieces which can either be enjoyed by your guests or donated."
"Don't be afraid to create an unusual flow to the event. For example, hand out wedding favors as guests enter instead of when they leave." Preston says, "Brides shouldn't be afraid to take the rules and twist them, surprising guests throughout the night."
Here are Preston's suggestions for a few ways you can save money on your wedding:
Serve a more casual buffet instead of a formal sit-down meal. A buffet-style meal will give your guests an opportunity to walk around.
• Hire a DJ instead of a 10-piece band
• Shop around for your dress
• Work with your baker to create an inventive wedding cake
Preston advises that it's really important that your vendors share their information with you so there are no surprises at the ceremony or reception. "A bride should trust the people she is working with and not micromanage her staff. And while she should plan every detail—including rain plans!—on the big day the bride should let it all go. She should enjoy her wedding and focus on the things that matter."
Preston's last bit of advice: "A wedding is a celebration, a moment of joy—don't ruin it by focusing on things that don't matter."
{Photos courtesy of Preston Bailey}
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wedding Cost Calculator
How much do couples pay for flowers, food, and invitations? Find out in this state-by-state wedding budget breakdown. Click here to check it out! Thanks to Real Simple for the info! Happy Planning...
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