Other Details – 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.

History of the Garter Toss

Courtney Dietz — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

History of the Garter Toss

Kara Hyden

When it comes to wedding traditions, there are many for the ceremony and many for the wedding reception. During the wedding reception, there’s a long-standing tradition for the bridal bouquet toss and the garter toss. Have you ever wondered where the tradition of the garter toss came from? Why does the bride wear a garter in the first place? Is there an alternative to the garter toss? Read on to find the answers to all these questions.

What is a wedding garter?

The wedding garter is a piece of fabric-covered elastic a bride wears on her thigh under her wedding dress on the wedding day. The wedding garter most often symbolizes love and luck. It can also be symbolic of family and traditions and is made with heirloom materials and passed down as part of the keepsake wedding dress. Garters are typically made of stretchable fabric and have ribbon, tulle, lace, satin or silk intertwined through the fabric. The garter can also be included in the other bridal tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”.

What is the garter toss tradition?

The garter is worn on one of the bride’s thighs under her wedding dress. During the reception, the groom removes the garter and tosses it to a group of the single men in attendance. It is basically the male counterpart to the bouquet toss. The bachelor that catches the garter is said to be next in line for love and marriage.

Where does the tradition of the garter toss come from?

There are several stories about the origins of the garter toss. In medieval times, pieces of the bride’s ensemble were considered tokens of good luck. Wedding guests would fight to rip the clothes right off her body! This practice would get so rowdy that couples decided to throw a garter for the guests to fight over instead.

Another origin story, and honestly, a disturbing one, comes from the Middle Ages. The bride and groom had to show proof of their wedding consummation. For it to be proven, it was a common tradition to have people like family and friends come into the room with the couple. The witnesses would obtain the garter as proof. This practice was not appreciated by the groom or the bride, so the groom started tossing the garter out so no one would need to obtain it themselves.

What are some alternatives to the garter toss?

While most brides include the garter as part of their wedding ensemble, many choose other alternatives to this tradition. Some brides don’t wear it for the wedding but save the garter to be worn as an accessory for wedding photos or bridal boudoir shoots, a chic heirloom to keep for future generations, or a sexy addition to the wedding night. Some brides skip the tradition entirely and opt for other alternatives, such as:

Toss the bouquet only
Toss the groom’s boutonniere along with the bride’s bouquet and don’t use a garter
Break up the bouquet and give stems to important guests at the reception
Host an anniversary dance with all the married couples
Play a song for the singles and invite all the eligible guests to the dance floor

Regardless of what rituals and traditions you decide to include for your wedding and reception, the garter toss is an optional one. But despite some of the origins of this tradition, the garter toss in today’s weddings is intended to be a light-hearted and fun activity for all involved.

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.

The Send Off

Courtney Dietz — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 21:10:40 +0000

The Send Off

Coco Dietz

“And they Lived Happily Ever After”

One tradition that many people have taken and adapted to fit their unique wedding styles is that of the send off. At the end of the reception after all the dancing, cake cutting, and general merriment all the guests line up outside and give the newly weds a loving send off into their honeymoon. Originally the guests would toss rice onto the couple as they walked past to symbolize fertility and prosperity as well wishes for the couple’s future together. Although sending off the couple into their new life together is not a new tradition, the throwing of rice has faded away and been replaced with more creativity. Here are some common ideas for you and your fiance to consider for your wedding!

Sparklers:

If you choose to have your wedding reception after dark this might be a fun send off to consider! Not only would this light up your evening but the pictures from this moment will have you relive this moment for years to come.

Flower Petals:

A more classic idea that might fit brides who are choosing to have their receptions during the day time so the pictures will be better suited to your time frame. This might be more in line with your style of wedding if you are wanting a more classic and romantic feel.

Bubbles:

No matter what time of day it is, bubbles would be a fun idea that your guests would be sure to love. Not only would the pictures be so much fun but the added whimsey to the day will have everyone enjoying the last moments of the reception.

Confetti:

If you want to go out with a bang then this might be the send off idea for you. Getting confetti poppers for your guests to shower over you as you leave might be a really fun idea. This would add so much excitement into those final moments of the night that will be sure to stick in everyone’s memory.

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

Celebrate Your New Beginning with a Spring Wedding

Courtney Dietz — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Celebrate Your New Beginning with a Spring Wedding

Alice Briggs

Spring is a popular time for weddings with mild weather and beautiful natural scenery. Flowers are in bloom, making it the perfect time to incorporate vibrant colors into your wedding decor more inexpensively than other times of the year. Some popular spring flowers include cherry blossoms, tulips, daffodils, and peonies.

A spring wedding allows for a wide range of outdoor venues, such as gardens, parks, and even beaches. You can also choose to have your ceremony and reception indoors, but still incorporate the beauty of spring through floral arrangements and greenery.

For fashion, a spring wedding allows for a variety of options. Brides can opt for a traditional white gown or choose a lighter, more colorful dress. Grooms can wear a classic tuxedo or a more casual linen suit.

A spring wedding menu can feature lighter fare such as salads, seafood, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Cocktails can also reflect the season, with drinks like mimosas, bellinis, and fruity sangria.

One of the most important aspects of planning a spring wedding is to be prepared for unpredictable weather. It is always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of rain, inclement weather, or the wind in the 806.

A spring wedding is a beautiful and romantic way to start your life together. With spring being a time for new beginnings, a spring wedding is the perfect way to celebrate your love.

Celebrate your Uniqueness with these Non- Traditional wedding Ideas

Courtney Dietz — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Celebrate Your Uniqueness with these Non-Traditional Wedding Ideas

Alice Briggs

Alternative wedding ideas include non-traditional venues, unique themes, and personalized elements to make your special day truly one-of-a-kind.

One popular alternative venue for weddings is in the great outdoors. A nature-inspired wedding can be held in a garden, a forest, on a beach, or in a mountain setting. Outdoor weddings offer a beautiful natural setting, and can be quite cost-effective. Outdoor weddings also offer a lot of flexibility in terms of decor, lighting, and seating arrangements.

Another alternative wedding idea is to have a themed wedding. Themes can be based on anything from pop culture references to favorite hobbies. A Harry Potter-themed wedding, for example, could include elements like a sorting hat ceremony, wizard robes, and a sorting hat cake. A beach-themed wedding could include a seashell cake, a sand ceremony, and a beach-inspired color scheme. The key to a successful themed wedding is to have fun and be creative with it.

A third alternative wedding idea is to incorporate personalized elements into your special day. For example, you could have a family member or friend officiate the ceremony, incorporate a meaningful reading or song into the ceremony, or even include a special meal traditional to your family. Personalized elements will make your wedding feel more intimate and special for both you and your guests.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to make your wedding day reflect who you are as a couple. Whether you choose a non-traditional venue, a unique theme, or personalized elements, the goal is to create a day that is special and meaningful to you.