DIY – Weddings by Wendy Rose

A Thrifty Wedding

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

A Thrifty Wedding

Coco Dietz

As of a 2023 statistic the American Wedding industry makes around 2.24 million dollars annually. While the average cost of a wedding depends on the state that you live in, here in Texas the average cost of a wedding is $30,200 whereas the most costly state to be married in is New Jersey with $53,400.

Although a wedding is a, typically, once in a lifetime event that most brides hold very dear in the planning because they have dreamed of what this momentous event would look like. Planning a wedding on a budget can be stressful with the overwhelming costs piling up higher and higher. Here are some ideas to help cut some costs for your big day.

Fake Flowers:

Having artificial flowers for your wedding day has had a negative connotation associated with it for many years now, but flax flowers have come a long way in the last decade. Flowers are used everywhere in a wedding. Not only do all of the bridal party members need either bouquets or boutonnieres, but they are also used in the decoration all around the reception and the ceremony space as well. Having artificial flowers can cut down on the cost significantly. In 2023 the average number that was spent on flowers for a wedding was $2,300. Whereas the cost of artificial flowers is between $500-$1,000, which is a significant decrease in cost.

No Reception Dinner:

One of the higher costs for a wedding is the cost of catering. Depending on the catering company as well as the number of attendants to the reception dinner will alter the end cost of a reception dinner. However, some brides choose to forego the reception dinner in a way to cut some of the costs of the wedding as a whole. Setting the wedding in the early afternoon and then serving snacks and refreshments at the reception instead of the big dinner.

Venue:

It is generally suggested when making a wedding budget that you should set aside around 30% of your allotted money just for the venue. Your venue will most likely be the most costly expense that you will encounter during your wedding planning. Consider wedding planning having your venue in a local outdoor venue such as a park or in nature, generally the costs are lower than having your wedding in a major venue. Having weddings in churches or other religious organizations buildings has lessened in popularity in the last few years; however, having your wedding in a religious building is much less expensive than choosing a wedding venue.

Cutting costs in the wedding can be stressful and as well as be embarrassing for some brides who might not have their dream wedding budget and having to face those dreaded cuts. But the important thing to remember when planning and cutting as you count down the days till your “I do” is to enjoy this time and find whatever works for you and your fiance and know that at the end of that very planned out day, you will be getting to marry your fiance, and that’s all that really matters.

DIY Flowers

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Doing Your Wedding Flowers at Home

Kara Hyden

Regardless of the size of your wedding, one of the most expensive items in your budget will be flowers. Costs might include your bouquet, bridal party flowers, corsages and even centerpieces for the wedding and reception. Most florist flowers will carry an average price tag of $2,000. So, the question then becomes, do I pay the florist, or do I invest some time and make my own?

Do-it-yourself floral arrangements for your wedding are not only an amazing way to save money, but they are easier than you think. But what goes into making your own flowers for your wedding? Here are some things to keep in mind:

Make a list of all the flowers that you intend to have at your wedding. Be sure to include specific details for the flowers you want to include in each piece, including the bridal bouquet, the bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen, corsages for family members, flowers that will be used for décor during the wedding, and centerpieces for the reception.

Determine your theme (if you have one) and color palette to be incorporated throughout the designs.

Research the best places and prices for purchasing everything you need, including online florists and wholesale florists. If you’re using real flowers, be sure you know the best ways to keep them fresh, so they look their best on your big day.

Create a schedule for crafting each group so you have a rough estimate of the time needed to put everything together before the wedding.

One final thing to keep in mind, recruit friends and family to help you create the different pieces and to help deliver them on your wedding day. You will have plenty of other items on your checklist and don’t need the extra stress!

Bridal Shower

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Bridal Shower

Asdis Spellmen

Your engagement season is a special time that you and your fiance get to spend together celebrating your love and relationship as you plan your wedding to celebrate your life long commitment to one another. This, generally, only comes once in your life and is a unique time filled with different ways to celebrate and anticipate your upcoming nuptials. One of those celebrations is the Bridal shower. The Bridal Shower is the party to not only congratulate the bride on her engagement but also to prepare her for married life and the couple living on their own.

Although it is less common for brides and grooms to have never left home until saying “I do” this tradition of the community and loved ones of the couple to “shower” the happy couple with gifts and needed items for their new life together. But this is typically filled with fun games, prizes, food, and fun company.

Games:

An idea for a fun game for the guests to play during the Bridal Shower is a Jeopardy style game with questions all about the couple or wedding traditions in general. Everyone plays and the game can get pretty spirited with the competition blooming in everyone, especially if there are prizes involved.

Food/Drink:

A self-serve mimosa bar would be a fun and classy addition to any bridal shower to offer an elegant addition to the food and beverages table. Ever since the craze of the charcuterie board started it has gripped society rather firmly and forever changed the landscape of the food table. Not only is that one option that can serve many people, but they often can cater to a wide variety of dietary restrictions so everyone can have a chance to enjoy it!

Whether you, dear reader, are the community member or friend of the bride and choosing to throw them a bridal shower, or you are the bride anxiously awaiting your chance to celebrate you and your fiance, the most important thing to remember is to have fun and get to celebrating!

A Wedding Budget

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 24 May 2024 05:00:00 +0000

A Wedding Budget:

Ildalynn Elazar

In 2022 the wedding industry made 57.9 billion dollars. The United States alone accounts for 25% of the world in wedding industry revenue. The average wedding in America costs $20,300, as of a study that was made in 2020. Although that number does vary based on what state you live in as well as personal choices. In Texas the average cost is not much lower than the National average, being $19,324 that comes out to around $293 a person to attend the wedding. With numbers as large as those a budget is beyond necessary. No matter the budget that you and your fiance choose for your wedding, a budget is going to be extremely helpful in creating a wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank!

The top five most expensive parts of the wedding are Venue, Catering, Photography, Wedding Attire, and Wedding Cake. The Venue is going to take a large chunk out of your budget no matter where you live. Although that price will most likely go up if you live in a bigger city. The national average for a wedding as of a study in 2022 was $11,200, however, the average cost of a venue for a wedding in Texas is $8,900. The second highest cost in the wedding industry is catering. Some venues will offer in house catering, someone who they partner with to offer their guests special deals as well as offering a reliable company that the venue trusts. The average cost of catering for a wedding is between $1,800 to $7,000. Of course this would vary due to the number of attendees you are planning to have at your wedding.

The third highest is photography. As with all of these categories these are averages, so the prices will, of course, vary depending on where you live and if you can get some bundling deals with venues or other deals to save those precious pennies on your big day. The average cost of Photography is between $1,150 and $3,000. Some wedding photographers will even do packaged deals where you get to have an engagement photo shoot as well as your wedding day. Not only is this saving you money but it can also be a great opportunity to see their photography style to make sure that it is the best fit for the feel of you and your fiance’s wedding.

The fourth highest cost toward your wedding would be the attire that you and your wedding party will be wearing during the celebration. Although the biggest of those costs will be the wedding dress with that price ranging from $1,800 to $2,500. Now if you have ever seen TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress you will notice that that number is smaller than the numbers that are thrown about on that show. This number is that of the average dress, where the more luxurious dresses range between $3,000 to $8,000. Challenging the price of the venue. Another way to cut some of those costs is asking the members of your wedding party to pay for their own attire, saving hundreds of dollars from your budget.

The fifth highest cost to your wedding is the cost of the wedding cake. This piece of art that you and your spouse will cut into generally costs around $500. That cost is as high as it is because traditionally that cake is the one that feeds the entire guest list as well as the bridal party. That amount of people, depending of course on the guest list that you choose, will add to the size of the cake. One way to cut the cost (no pun intended) is to instead serve a dessert bar alongside a moderately sized cake.

No matter your budget the important part of any wedding is staying within the budget that fits the wedding that you and your spouse dream of. Because at the end of the day, it is your marriage that will follow the celebrations.

Alternative Theme Ideas

Courtney Dietz — Thu, 23 May 2024 23:01:00 +0000

Having Your Dream Wedding

Ajna Hacker

Many Brides get so wrapped up in planning their wedding that they have a tendency to forget to consider having a theme. A theme can help to guide the look and feeling of your wedding that you want to convey. Here are three ideas for you to think about when planning your wedding!

Holiday:

A common thought process when planning a wedding is picking your date before planning your theme. Instead consider planning your wedding around a Holiday and let the date inspire what your decoration style will look like. If you choose to have your wedding close to Christmas, you could add a deep red, dark green, and gold in your wedding colors while adding subtle additions to your decor to add to the theme such as evergreen and pine as greenery. Or for our more alternative brides, you could plan your wedding around Friday the 13th. Some venues might offer discounts for the date due to the lack of popularity on those days. Leaning into the spookier side of things you might wear black and other dark colors. For decor you could add Victorian looking items to add a haunted yet classy look to it.

Regency Era:

For every Jane Austin fan out there, consider having your wedding themed after the Regency Era. This time period, although short, has the underlying connotation of romance due to the many love stories that have been set during this period. Choose a dress that has an Empire waist line, having pastel colors added in your wedding colors, and adding regal feeling decor items. If you want to go with the classic wedding cake, consider also having delicate desserts as well such as scones, petit fours, or even Turkish delight to add that feeling of delicacy.

Celestial:

Themes can be anything that you and your finance have an interest or enjoy. Adding subtle stars and moons into small details of your wedding can add to the celestial theme. Such as into your jewelry, or designs into your wedding dress, ties, pocket squires, veil, etc. There are even matching rings that fit into the theme. Hanging stars from the ceiling with fairy lights will give your guests the feeling that they are under the stars even while they are tucked away in the warmth of indoors. For this theme there are many options for you to choose from in terms of wedding colors. These colors are going to be darker in nature, such as purple, black, navy blue, and pink. Or if you would like to mirror the colors after the northern lights you could choose green, blue, a light purple, and pink.

Having a Fairytale Wedding

Courtney Dietz — Wed, 22 May 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Fairytale Themes in Your Wedding

Zay Burry

Having a fairytale wedding is a common theme that many couples consider when trying to decide what they want their wedding to feel like and look like. A fairytale wedding is a fairly ambiguous term, it very much depends on what type of fairytale you would like to embody during your wedding. Here are some examples of fairytale weddings to help inspire you!

Cinderella:

A classic and traditional for wedding themes due to her being one of the more classic princesses that comes to mind when you think of princesses. Choosing your wedding colors is an important place to start with the theme. With Cinderella having blues, silvers, and even a light pink color would be perfect colors drawing inspiration from the Cinderella fairytale. Adding elements into what the bride wears can further his concept as well. Having a choker style necklace, sleeves that have more puff to them, or having a bun updo that would be similar as well. The decor is going to be pivotal in creating that fairytale feel. Having decorations that have a regal feeling to them will be of the utmost importance. Something along the lines of candelabras with dinnerware that has a more elevated look. Speaking of dinnerware, finding classic looking china to add to that royal feeling at dinner is a great way to feel more Cinderella-inspired.

Peter Pan:

The story of Peter Pan, although it starts in England, the majority of the fairy tale takes place in Neverland. So in order to maximize the Peter Pan feeling, focusing on the Neverland aesthetic will be key. Since the Lost Boys live in the forest in a tree mimicking that feeling by having your wedding decorated as if it is in a forest will be an excellent place to start. For your wedding colors having an evergreen color, a light blue, and a dark chocolate brown. For decor items, having cut pieces of wood, lots of greenery, and flowers will help to make that forest feel.

Beauty and the Beast:

Another classic princess, so having an elevated regal feel is going to be imperative. Starting with the colors, again, gold, blue (either dark navy would work as well as a light powder blue), and maroon. Gold should be more of an accent color where you sprinkle it through your decor and wardrobe as opposed to a more prominent color in your theme. For decor items, having gold frames and mirrors, gold candelabras, again, and china would be on theme. Of course having a teapot or tea cups as table pieces would be a cute touch.

Other than a Guest Book

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 22:27:19 +0000

Other than a Guest Book

Coco Dietz

One of the most common themes throughout many new brides is the want to take traditions that are more old-fashioned and give them a fresh new life. One of these is the idea of a guest book. It’s not that the idea of having memorabilia to encapsulate who was there to celebrate your big day is the issue. No, it is more about giving the idea of a stall guest book a new and fresh take that brides can see in their day-to-day life or when looking back.

The Painting/Artwork:

Probably the most popular and most adaptable to fit into any taste or style that the couple may have, is the signing or addition to artwork or some item of decoration. These are meant to be hung up in the couple’s home to commemorate the festivities of the day as well as the well wishes of the guests who celebrated with them. This can be as simple as a sign cut into the shape of the bride’s new last name or as elaborate as everyone adding an element to a painting that was created by the guests as a whole. Whatever your idea is, it can add a unique and sentimental addition to your future household.

The Video Diary:

The most modern take on the traditional guest book is the video diary. Many couples choose to have a videographer in addition to the photographer so that they can have a well put together and clearly shot video of the well wishes of all of their loved ones. This can be a special way to commemorate moments at your wedding that just a picture might not be able to capture as well.

Leaving a Note for the Couple:

They have gone as far as to have writing prompts for the guests to fill out for the bride and groom to read later. Some might include, “Give some advice to the bride and groom for when they have their first fight.” or “What are your words of wisdom for the couple’s first year together?” There are limitless opportunities for your creativity to flow and let your guests have fun giving advice or even funny responses!

The most important part of the guest book is to, yes, to immortalize who was in attendance at your wedding but also to have fun and let who you and your future spouse are shine through tradition and into today.

Thank-You Notes

Courtney Dietz — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Thank-You Notes

Coco Dietz

What some might consider an outdated tradition is that of writing thank-you a note to the people that give you something to help start your new married life and celebrate your nuptials. Although you might feel this is one extra step in between your marriage and enjoying married life, this is still something people appreciate and a special way to show your appreciation to those involved with your big day.

Homemade:

If you enjoy crafting and would like to add a more personal touch to your thank-you notes, you can choose to make the cards yourself. Something to consider is how many attendees you had at your wedding. Depending on the number, making every one by hand may not be possible. There is certainly no shame in bulk ordering your cards. But if you had a more intimate wedding, then making the cards might go perfectly with the more personal wedding vibe.

Photos:

If you either have too many guests and the thought of adding one more thing to your to do list is causing panic or if you are not crafty and would prefer to outsource, here is an idea for you. Once you have at least one wedding picture back, print one for each thank-you note. You can type up and print out a generalized thank you note, or write one on the back of each photo and send them on their way! This is a fun way to share the memories that you made on your big day. If you would like to spend the time to find a personalized photo for each person, that would add a nice touch.

Fresh Vs Fake Flowers

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Fresh Vs Fake Flowers

Alice Briggs

Fresh

Among the many decisions involved in wedding preparations, a key decision is if you will use real flowers or artificial flowers for your floral arrangements. While real flowers have many advantages, there are also some downsides to consider.

One of the biggest cons of using real flowers for a wedding is the cost. Fresh flowers can be expensive, especially if you want a large number of arrangements or rare blooms. This can quickly add up and put a strain on your wedding budget.

Another downside of using real flowers is their short time frame. Fresh flowers can wilt and die quickly, which means you’ll need to order them close to your wedding date. This can be stressful, and it also means you’ll need to be careful with the flowers in the days leading up to the wedding to ensure they stay fresh.

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However, there are many pros to using real flowers at a wedding. One of the biggest advantages is the way they smell. Real flowers have a natural and lovely fragrance that can add an extra special touch to your wedding. This can create a romantic and memorable atmosphere for you and your guests.

Real flowers are also incredibly beautiful and can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding décor. They come in a wide range of colors and styles, making it easy to find the perfect blooms to match your wedding theme and color scheme.

Fresh flowers also have a certain vitality that artificial flowers can’t match. They can create a natural and organic feel that is perfect for outdoor or rustic weddings.

It’s important to consider the special storage needs of real flowers. Fresh flowers need to be stored in a cool and dry place, and they require careful handling to ensure they stay fresh and undamaged until the wedding day.

Faux

When it comes to wedding flowers, many couples choose to use artificial flowers rather than real ones. While there are certainly some benefits to using fake flowers, there are also some drawbacks to consider.

One of the biggest advantages of using faux flowers at a wedding is the cost. Artificial flowers are typically less expensive than fresh ones, which can be a big draw for couples on a tight wedding budget. Additionally, fake flowers can be reused in the future, which makes them a more sustainable option for environmentally conscious couples.

Another benefit of fake flowers is that they stay fresh forever. Unlike real flowers, which wilt and die within a few days, artificial flowers can last for years with proper care. This means that couples can use them for decorations in their home or reuse them for other special occasions.

On the other hand, there are some downsides to using fake flowers at a wedding. One of the biggest disadvantages is that they don’t have a natural scent. While some couples may not mind this, others may feel that the lack of fragrance takes away from the ambiance of their wedding.

Another con of using artificial flowers is that they can look cheap if not chosen carefully. Poor quality or poorly arranged fake flowers can appear tacky and detract from the elegance of a wedding. However, there are many high-quality fake flowers available, so couples should take their time and choose wisely to ensure a beautiful and tasteful arrangement.

One of the benefits of fake flowers is that they offer a wide range of options. Because they aren’t limited by the seasons or availability, couples can choose any type of flower they desire, regardless of the time of year. This allows for more creative and personalized wedding décor.

Real flowers can be expensive and have a short time frame, they offer a range of benefits that make them a popular choice for weddings. Their lovely fragrance, natural beauty, freshness, and special charm are hard to replicate with artificial flowers. Fake flowers offer some advantages, such as being less expensive and having a long lifespan, they also have some disadvantages to consider, such as a lack of fragrance and the risk of looking cheap or fake. Ultimately, couples should weigh the pros and cons and choose the type of flowers that best fit their budget, preferences, and wedding style.

Wedding Websites

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Wedding Website

Alice Briggs

A great way to be sure your guests have all the information they need is to create a wedding website. Include the following on your wedding website for a stress free day for everyone:

Who’s getting married: Start by introducing yourselves! Include a photo of the happy couple and a short bio about each of you. This will help guests get to know you and your relationship.

The wedding date and time: Include the date and time of your wedding ceremony and reception. This will help guests plan their schedules accordingly.

RSVP date: set a deadline for guests to RSVP so you can get an accurate headcount for your wedding. Include a link to your RSVP page so guests can easily let you know if they’ll be attending.

Venue locations and maps: Include the name and address of your wedding venue, along with any relevant details such as parking instructions or nearby public transportation. If you have many out of town guests, it’s especially important to provide them with detailed information about the location. Include maps and directions to the venue, as well as any information about local attractions or activities.

Accessibility of the venues: If your wedding venue isn’t easily accessible, include information about stairs or other obstacles guests may need to navigate.

Anticipate questions guests may have: Think about questions your guests may have and address them on your website. This could include information about the dress code, whether children are welcome, or any other details guests may need to know.

Catering and drinks services: Let guests know what kind of food and drinks you will serve at your wedding. If there are any dietary restrictions, have a way to collect that information as well.

Accommodations: Let guests know about nearby hotels or other accommodations they can book for the wedding. If you’ve negotiated a group rate at a hotel, make sure attendees have all the details.

Creating a wedding website is a great way to keep your guests informed and excited about your special day. By including all the important details, you can help ensure your guests have a memorable and stress-free experience.it. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Free sites to create your wedding website include:

Joy
- Withjoy.com
- Guest management, RSVP, APP, Registry, Travel Info, Customization, wedding party bio, multiple editors, map integration, matching printables
The Knot
- Theknot.com
- Guest management, RSVP, Registry, matching printables, livestream
Minted
- Minted.com
- RSVP, matching printables
Zola
- Zola.com
- Guest management, RSVP, Registry, Customization, matching printables
Wedding Wire
- Weddingwire.com
- Guest management, RSVP, Registry
Wix
- Wix.com
- Registry, Travel Info, Customization