7 Tips For Planning a “Signature Wedding” on a Small Budget

There is no direct correlation between your budget size and having a fabulous and stunning wedding.  Truth be told, many a brides have managed to plan the most beautiful weddings on small budgets with no one being the wiser.  The key to pulling off this feat is lots of planning, research and planning.  Below I have provided some tips you can use to make your budget (no matter what the size) work for you!

Tip #1 – Request quotes from a few florists and price compare. There are florists out there at various price points, and it is good to see what is out there and which florists are willing to work with you.

Tip #2 - Choose flowers that are in season because that will help reduce extra costs.

Tip #3 - Hire a planner! Wedding Planners have longstanding relationships with vendors and venues, and can really assist in bringing down the costs.   A good planner will ultimately pay for him/herself in the end.

Tip #4 -If the venue has their own white linens, use them, and accent them with great napkins and flowers. If you can afford to rent linens from an outside vendor, make sure you request quotes from a few companies.  Just like florists, there are varying levels of price and it is important to see what is out there so you can make the best choice for your wedding.

Tip #5 -Try skip using flowers all together and invest in something more creative for a centerpiece.  Think vintage chandeliers (which you can buy from a flea market), or a few hurricane candles or vases filled with unique items. You can also try reworking the tables to form long tables instead of traditional rounds, possibly reducing the number of centerpieces you actually even need.

Tips # 6 -Integrate your personality and style into the small details which really define a “Signature Wedding” such as place cards, table numbers, ceremony details, etc. It is in the details where your style really comes out and you can add this feel with little touches.

Tip # 7 -Instead of having a large cake to feed all your guests, opt in favor of having a fabulous but smaller cake, and using a sheet cake to feed your guests. This will save you a substantial amount of money and your cake will still be the stunning one you want.

Great Holiday Cocktails

Tis the season to be jolly! Try these festive cocktails at your next holiday party. I’m sure they will brighten the spirits of your guests.

Candy Cane Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 candy cane, crushed for garnish

• 2 oz. strawberry vodka

• 4 dashes of white crème de menthe

• 2 ½ oz. cranberry juice

• Ice cubes

Directions

1. Place the crushed candy cane on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, rotate the rim to coat with candy.

2. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, crème de menthe, cranberry juice and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass; serve immediately.

Photo and recipe from Martha Stewart

Pear and Sparkling Cider Cocktail

Ingredients

• 2 cups pear nectar, chilled
• 2 cups sparkling apple cider, chilled
• 2 cups seltzer, chilled

• 4 oz. (1/2 cup) bourbon whiskey

• 1 Bosc pear, unpeeled, cored and cut lengthwise into 8 wedges

Directions

1. Stir together pear nectar, cider, seltzer and whiskey in a pitcher. Divide pear wedges among glasses and pour in cocktail. Serve immediately.

Photo and recipe from Martha Stewart

Gingerbread Apple Cocktail

Ingredients

• 2 oz Domaine de Canton

• 1 oz vanilla vodka

• 2.5 oz apple cider

• A few drops of lemon juice

• Orange zest

• Agave syrup

Directions

1. Line a chilled martini glass lightly with agave syrup on a dish followed by spiced graham cracker crumbs.

2. Place all ingredients except for orange zest in a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into glass.

3. Freshly grate orange zest on drink and serve immediately.

Photo and recipe from Delish

And it all started with the tree...

Looking for a unique was to add some pizzazz to your holiday season? This Christmas think about adding an unexpected twist to this joyous occasion by having a colored Christmas tree. Then check out Treetopia for a fabulous selection of trees. From the traditional tree to the cool and colorful (think Pink tree) to everything in between, they’ve got it. Here are some of our favorites:

White

Champagne Gold

Orange

Our Favorite this year...Candy Apple RED!

Pretty in pink

Tuxedo Black

Custom Card Boxes - A Bride's Best Friend

While planning her own wedding, Marni Gold, creator of Creative Custom Card Boxes was searching for a unique and secure way to store cards during her wedding reception. Frustrated with the limited selection of card boxes available at the time, this DIY bride rolled up her sleeves and loaded her hot glue gun and went to work. The final product was a beautiful custom card box that was simple, elegant and most importantly - it went along with her wedding day decor. What started out as a simple project to create something custom fro her own wedding has now turned into a successful business.



Today while looking at Marni's site I found 3 custom card boxes that I am absolutely in love with for the fall wedding season.

Champagne and Chocolate Brown


Chocolate Brown and Orange

Ivory and Chocolate Brown

So if you are looking for a unique way to store your wedding cards, check out Creative Custom Card Boxes.