Happy Wedding Wednesday-How to Have Wedding Day Fun

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Judy Cohen

Hello fabulous brides! I wish you a happy Wedding Wednesday.  On Wednesday I usually communicate with my twitter followers @help4the bride and my facebook, Brandywine Valley Weddings, fans. Today I want to talk to you on my bridal blog.

As you go about planning your wedding, I want you to think about how you will incorporate FUN into your special day.

One thing to keep in mind, is if you want your wedding to be fun, you have to have fun. The best way to do this is to set an example. When your guests see you on the dance floor smiling and having a great time, there’s a good chance your guests will join in. Everyone loves a good party and this is your first big party as husband and wife!

A big key is having a DJ in sync with the style of your wedding. If the DJ relates well to you and your guests, you’ll have a rocking party. If not, it might be a lonely dance floor and that’s not fun.

A big party yes, is to have your photos done early. When you leave often to have photos taken during the reception, the fun factor goes down. That’s because you are the star of the show and everyone gravitates toward you. Without you, they’re lost.

Another fun factor is to add elements that shares your love story. Personal favors, vows that speak of your love, and special songs are just a few ways to engage your guests.

Stay present, smile, relax and enjoy the day. You’ll have so much fun your guests will talk about your wedding for years to come!

Leave a comment and tell us how you plan to incorporate fun into your wedding day.

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Don’t Have A Cookie-Cutter Wedding: Inexpensive Ideas to Let Your Wedding Day Represent You

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Judy Cohen

I don’t believe any bride should have a cookie-cutter wedding. You want your guests to know that your wedding day truly represents you and your fiance. You want to create an unforgettable experience for you, and one that your guests will remember for years to come. The key to making this come about is to put your personal stamp on your day. It’s all in the details, and you can accomplish this with little or no money.

Start by making a list of your hobbies and interests. Are you into ballroom dancing, do you like a special sport, do you compose poetry, do you make your own beer?

When you have your list, write down ways that you can incorporate your hobby or interest into your favors, décor, music, and ceremony. Do the items that are the most fun, speak to who you are as a couple and will engage your guests. Here are some ideas:

Name Your Tables
Instead of using table numbers, you can name your tables after an interest or hobby. They can be named for your favorite ballroom dances, your favorite sports players on a team, your favorite poets or authors, places you visited together, types of beer or wine, or your favorite flowers.

Have Favors That Tie in With Your Hobby or Interest
You can give homemade bottles of wine or beer, seeds for your guests to plant in their garden, or a framed poem.

Display Your Photos
On each table you can have a collage of photos showing the two of you growing up. You can make your own signature guest book with your photos on the different pages. You can play a montage of photos of the two of you from when your were children to when you became a couple.

Personalize Your Vows
This is one of my favorites. Your guests will love hearing your special vows of love. You can also have your officiant share your love story with your guests.

Hopefully these ideas have you thinking about your wedding day and how you can bring in touches that will represent you.

If you are looking for ideas to fit your hobbies or interests, leave a comment and I will be happy to brainstorm with you.

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Brandywine Valley Weddings on Operation “I Do” Talk Radio

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Judy Cohen

On Saturday, June 4, 2011, at 12:30 p.m., I am a guest on Operation “I Do” Talk Radio for Weddings. I will be speaking on my specialty topic, how to save thousands of dollars planning your dream wedding.

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Don’t Make the Mistake of Planning Your Ceremony Last

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Judy Cohen

Here’s a true story. A couple called me in panic. They found the perfect wedding venue. They were so excited that they put down a big deposit on a date the venue had available. They then went about booking their vendors. They hired a DJ and photographer and were in the process of meeting with caterers.

They were so excited they forgot a crucial step. They didn’t want to have their ceremony at the venue, but hadn’t looked into a church for their wedding ceremony!

They finally realized their oversight. In a panic, they started calling churches in the area. None of the Catholic churches in the area would agree to marry them because they weren’t members. Other churches were already booked on their date. They called me to see if I could help them. I spent hours on the phone and visiting area churches. The only church available that I could find was far from their venue and had no air conditioning.

The couple had to decide if they wanted to get married in an overheated church at a distance from their venue, or give up their desire for a church ceremony and get married at the venue. They went with the church.

Learn from this couple’s lesson. If you want your ceremony in a location other than your reception venue, make sure the space is available before you book your venue or you might find yourself facing some tough decisions.

If you can relate to this couple’s story, share your story below. Other couples will appreciate your wedding planning advice.

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Should You Hire Amateurs or Friends for Your Wedding Day?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Judy Cohen

If you are pondering the question of hiring amateurs or friends to provide services on your wedding day, the answer is not always yes or no. It depends on the service you want help with. Some areas can be a big yes, where other areas can be a definite no.

Music students could do an incredible job with your ceremony music, plus their fee is less than what professional musicians charge. This could be the perfect place to use an amateur service, save money, and have an excellent result. However, your friend that wants to be your DJ, has never done a wedding before, and doesn’t know how to keep your guests on the dance floor, is probably not the best choice.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a place to include your guests in your wedding day. It is wonderful to have your favorite cousin, with the incredible voice, sing “Ave Maria” during your ceremony and ask your best friend to do a reading. You can even walk down the aisle while your Uncle Joe plays the wedding march on his violin.

But, if your guest are amateurs in the service you want them to perform, don’t expect them to deliver a professional performance. If Uncle John is taking your photos, how will you feel if he misses some shots of important moments? Will there be ill feelings after the wedding when you see the final product? What happens if Aunt Jane offers to be your videographer, gets caught in traffic, and misses filming you walking down the aisle?

If you decide to hire an amateur or friend to provide a service for your wedding day, ask yourself if you could be happy with a less than perfect performance. If your answer is no, then don’t do it. Weigh all of your options. You want to have fond memories of your wedding day.

Are you planning on hiring amateurs or friends to perform a service on your wedding day? Please share your thoughts. It will be interesting to see what you think about this topic.

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What You Need to Know About Wedding Reply Cards

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Judy Cohen

It is very important to include a response card or alternative method of replying, when sending out your wedding invitations. You have spent a lot of time planning your perfect day, and you need to know who will be attending.

The traditional method for collecting RSVPs from guests, is to include a reply card with a stamped return envelope addressed to you. One thing I suggest with regard to the wording on your reply card, is not using the words “number attending”.

Some people actually interpret this statement as an open invitation to bring someone with them, that was not invited by you. If you invite a single person and don’t state that they can bring a date, yet they reply by filling in “2 attending”, you now have to call the person and tell them they cannot bring a guest, or you pay for the additional person. If you invite a couple and don’t want their children to attend, you may get a response that says 4 instead of 2. Don’t create this situation for yourself. Have the M_________ line for the name and have your guests check off “accepts with pleasure” or “declines with regret”, or similar wording.

Don’t forget to include a date when the guest must RSVP. I have to tell you that this is a frustrating area, because you are going to have people who will not RSVP. You will need to call them if you don’t hear from them by the time you need to give counts to your caterer. You can’t assume people are coming or not coming just because you didn’t hear from them.

Another RSVP option that is suitable for a non-formal wedding, is to use a wedding reply postcard instead of a reply card. It will save you money by not having to order envelopes, plus you will save on the amount of postage you need to use. It is easy for the guests to fill out and drop in the mail. Have your return address printed on the front of the postcard. The picture above is an illustration of a reply postcard.

Many brides today use an online wedding website which has the ability to capture guest RSVP responses. However, it is important to keep in mind that some guests may not like this option, and some may not have a computer. If you want to use a website for replies, you should include a reply postcard as an alternate reply option and include the RSVP web address on your postcard.

Brides would love to know the reply vehicle you are mailing with your invitations. Please share your comments below.

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Tips for Ordering Wedding Invitations

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Judy Cohen

Wedding invitations set the tone for your wedding. Here are some things to keep in mind as you create the design that invites your guests to share in your special day.

When you order invitations, remember that you don’t need one for each guest. Since most of the people you are inviting will probably come as couples, you don’t want to over order. It is however, a good idea to get 25 extra. There’s a minimum fee for the extras and you’ll need them if you are having an A and B list. If people on your A list let you know that they can’t come, you can use the extra invitations to invite people on your B list. (How to manage an A and B list is a topic I will cover in a later blog post.) Also, it’s a good idea to have the extra envelopes in case you make a mistake addressing one.

You can get invitations from many on-line stores. Look at the styles and prices and make comparisons.

If you want a unique look, you can have invitations designed just for you. I use a designer that creates invitations, reply cards, save the date cards, programs, seating charts, etc. specifically for my brides, based on their theme and colors for their wedding. You can check out my invitation page here.

Another way to have a look that’s all your own is to make your own invitations. It allows you to create something that speaks to you. Have an invitation making party with your bridal party, friends and family. Not only will you have fun together, but making your own invitations can really save you money. It’s creative and a nice personal touch.

Don’t forget to include postage costs for your invitations in your budget. Invitations usually weigh at least 2 ounces. When mailing invitations, reply cards and thank you cards, postage can quickly add up.

It’s very important to keep in mind the shape of the envelope you select. If you select an invitation that is a standard size you will avoid additional postage charges. Square envelopes in the U.S. cost more to mail.

It’s wise to put together your invitation mailing and take it to the post office and have it weighed. You want to be certain that you have enough postage on the envelope or you risk having all your invitations returned to you.

I’ve had several brides who mailed one invitation to themselves. If you do this, you will know when the invitations start to arrive and you can see how the piece looks when it is received.

Share with other brides information about the wedding invitations you are using. Leave a comment below. It’s nice to be able to help each other with ideas.

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More Ways To Save Money On Your Wedding Cake

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Judy Cohen

In my last blog post I told you various ways to save money on your wedding cake. Options included a clean design with smooth buttercream and embellishing your cake with simple details such as a Swiss dot pattern, a wide ribbon around the base, adding fresh flowers and selecting one flavor. You can read that blog here: http://www.brandywinevalleyweddings.com/2011/04/how-to-save-money-on-your-wedding-cake/

There are more options for you to consider, so let’s continue the discussion.

You can have a wonderfully decorated, yet smaller cake on display that’s used for cutting, and then have a sheet cake in the kitchen for serving.

Another idea is to have a smaller cake for cutting and small cakes on each table that are not only the centerpieces for the table, but the dessert as well. You’ve now saved money on your centerpieces!

If you do want a tall multi-layered wedding cake, but can’t afford it, you could ask your baker to create faux layers made of styrofoam. The layers will then be iced. Your guests will never be the wiser. You then serve them from a sheet cake in the kitchen. Of course, you’ll need one real layer to cut into for the cake cutting.

Other cake saving options include cupcake trees with a small cake on top for your cake cutting photographs. Guests are then served the individual cupcakes. The fun thing about cupcakes is that you can often have multiple flavors made.

You can also ask family members or friends if they might be willing to purchase the wedding cake as your wedding gift. You would work with your baker and your family or friends pay for the cake.

If you are making your own cake or having your own baker provide a cake, you should inquire as to whether there is a cake cutting fee. Many venues charge an additional fee to cut and serve the cake when a baker who is not affiliated with their venue creates the wedding cake. A cake cutting fee can add an additional cost of $1.50 or more per person.

Pictured above is one of the sheet cakes that one of my brides made for her wedding and decorated with love birds. The photo was taken by Brian Tropiano Photography.

While we are on the subject of wedding cakes, many brides wonder if they need to serve dessert. If you are trying to save money, additional desserts are not necessary. If you eliminate the extra sweets, you save extra dollars. Guests have been eating during the cocktail hour and dinner reception and will be served a slice of your delicious wedding cake. They will not feel the need for additional food.

Share your thoughts on how you plan to create your wedding cake.

 

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How To Save Money On Your Wedding Cake

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Judy Cohen

Many brides wonder how they can save money on their wedding cake. The cost of your cake is based on the ingredients used and the decorating. The price you pay per slice is based on your selection. Bakers today offer you the option of many flavors, natural ingredients, less costly cakes, and nice design.

To save money opt for a smooth buttercream frosting instead of fondant. Fondant is a smooth, rolled finish, on a cake. It is beautiful, but expensive, and many people do not like the taste. Right now brides are opting for buttercream icing on their wedding cake. A skilled baker can make buttercream look nice and smooth. It won’t look like fondant, but it will look very pretty.

The cake pictured in this blog uses a buttercream icing. To give it visual interest, my bride used round and square layers.

The good news is that many caterers offer the wedding cake as part of the package. They usually offer a basic buttercream cake with a choice of fillings. The key is not to upgrade the cake and you’ll save money. The cost of a wedding cake is all about the labor, so forget sugar-paste flowers or adding graphic design elements, like a pattern in your dress, in fondant.

You can add finishing touches to your cake yourself. Try using real lace or satin ribbon wrapped around each layer. It costs very little and looks fantastic. If you give these items to your baker or wedding planner, they can place this decorative touch on your cake.

You can also save money when decorating your cake by using fresh flowers vs. sugar flowers. Place a few real flowers on your cake that ties in with your wedding. Your florist can give you extra flowers. Flowers on your cake will tie in nicely with the overall look of your wedding. However, be careful with calla lilies and hydrangeas as they are poisonous. Use wax paper or a liner under the flowers and don’t put the stems directly into the cake.

Also, keep in mind that the more tiers in a wedding cake, the more money it will cost. It takes more time, labor and ingredients to build a cake with significant height.

The key to saving money on a wedding cake is to keep it simple.

What type of cake are you planning for your wedding day? Please leave your comments below.

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Green Weddings and Non-Flower Options

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Judy Cohen

As green weddings become increasingly popular, many brides wonder about alternatives that can be used to replace fresh flowers. I thought it would be helpful to discuss some non-flower options.

If you are having a spring, summer or fall wedding in a beautiful outdoor location that has majestic trees, flowering shrubs and beautiful flower beds, you may opt not to have flowers during the ceremony. Ceremonies are brief and all eyes will be on you. In all likelihood, your guests won’t even notice that you didn’t add flowers.

It can also be fun to think outside the box and add your own creative touch. For example, brides can go down the aisle holding a bible, a family heirloom, an ornate fan, or a gorgeous parasol. The bridesmaids can also carry fans or parasols. Your options are limited only to your imagination. Think of your theme and see how creative you can be.

For a church wedding, instead of decorating with flowers, you can place large potted ferns up at the altar. You can also add candles. These items are inexpensive and very elegant.

When it comes to reception décor there are many alternatives other than flowers. As more brides go green, other options present themselves. Consider plants, such as African Violets, in beautiful flower pots as centerpieces. There can be one for each place setting and the plant can double as a favor. Candles in tall candelabras, glass bowls filled with floating candles, votive candles, and ostrich plumes in eiffel tower vases all make elegant, creative alternatives. Work with your theme and discover your creative options. The only caution is not to leave this to the last minute. Start a week or two ahead of time so that you aren’t stressed with doing centerpieces right before your wedding.

Think outside the box and make a list of your ideas. Having a wedding style that is uniquely yours will add to your special day.

Other brides would love to hear what you are doing for decor at your ceremony and reception site. Leave a comment and help other brides with your creative suggestions.

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