Monthly Archives: January 2011

31Jan2011

New, Unique Save-the-Dates Just Added to Ann’s Bridal Bargains

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Jaci Christensen

(507) 386-5848
jechristensen@theoccasionsgroup.com

NORTH MANKATO, MN – January 31, 2011 – Ann’s Bridal Bargains has expanded their selection of affordable save-the-dates to include some new, unique options.

Two new styles of save-the-dates are now available: save-the-date magnets and save-the-date postcards. Brides can feature a fun, unique or traditional photo on their save the date magnets and select cards — an increasingly popular way for couples to announce their wedding. Cost-conscious couples will also have their choice of different sizes to fit their budgets: business-card size and enclosure size.

“Now that couples are expressing their personal style in a variety of ways, Ann’s wanted to offer more than traditional save-the-date cards. The save-the-date postcards, for example, are something different from the norm. They’re printed with a return address, making them cute, clever and efficient. We expect they’ll be a big hit,” says Jean Noren, brand specialist for Ann’s Bridal Bargains.

With save-the-date postcards, brides will also take advantage of a lower postage rate and they’re more environmentally friendly since envelopes aren’t needed.

Ann’s does offer traditional save-the-date cards in a variety of designs and styles, and wedding invitations are available as save-the-dates as well. Couples can change the wording on any wedding invitation to create a save-the-date that coordinates perfectly with their wedding theme.

About Ann’s Bridal Bargains
Ann’s Bridal Bargains is dedicated to bringing couples a complete line of discount wedding invitations, wedding accessories, decorations, gifts and more. Ann’s products are offered in a variety of styles to complement the look and feel of any wedding beautifully. Free samples of all wedding stationery products are available, giving consumers full confidence in the quality of our stationery. Ann’s also offers advice and ideas on planning, shopping, finding the best deals and more at advice.annsbridalbargains.com.

###

31Jan2011

More Colors and Designs Available for Personalized Wedding Napkins

By The 'A' Team Leave a comment

We can’t say it enough! Personalized wedding napkins are your best bet for adding style and color to your wedding without the expense — just $19.50 -$21.50 per 100 napkins!

And now you’ve got even more colors and designs to choose from to coordinate with your theme. Check out the complete selection of colors and new designs below.

Looking for more designs? Just click on the napkin color you want and start personalizing to see the full selection of design choices available.

Happy shopping, Bargainistas!

Posted in Wedding Reception, Wedding Tips | Tagged cheap paper napkins, personalized wedding napkins, reception decoration, wedding napkins | Leave a comment

27Jan2011

5 Ways to Add a Punch of Color to Your Wedding Ceremony

By The 'A' Team Leave a comment

1. Sprinkle colorful, silk rose petals around the guest book table, along the aisle or within

tulle draped along the pews as shown above. Silk rose petals are available in red, pink

and white at Ann’s.

2. Unity sand is a colorful alternative to the traditional unity candle. Ann’s offers unity

sand in tan and white, but you can find a variety of colors at www.invitationsbydawn.com.

3. Colored satin ribbon will soon be available by the roll on Ann’s! So add a touch of luxurious color to anything from the bouquets to the unity candle.

4. Make colorful ribbon wands to replace confetti during the getaway. Find dowel rods at your local hobby (Michaels is a great choice) or home improvement store. Spray paint them a color that coordinates with your wedding and tie a few long strands of colorful satin ribbon or curling ribbon to the ends. Set them out for guests to grab as they leave.

5. Flowers are a classic for adding color to the ceremony, but you want something unique, right? Check out Ann’s botanical pew cones. You can fill them with real flowers, bits of greenery, autumn leaves or silk rose petals for great color and style!

Posted in Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Tips | Tagged how to add color to wedding ceremony, ribbon, rose petals, unity sand ceremony, wedding ceremony, wedding decoration for ceremony | Leave a comment

24Jan2011

Checking it off the list! Choosing the right men’s formal wear for your wedding.

By The 'A' Team Leave a comment

Wedding Planning Checklist: Section 3: Part 5

Is “wedding dress” the first thing that comes to mind when you think wedding attire? Probably, and we fully support that! But you want your future hubby (and his groomsmen) to look super handsome as well.

Photography by Arden Photography via GetMarried.com

Here’s a quick guide to the different styles of men’s formal wear to help you decide which one best fits your wedding.

Daytime or Evening Wedding, Casual

Style: You’ve got options! Suit with collared shirt and dress pants, blazer with khakis or just a collared shirt and dress pants is quite sharp. Linen shirt and pants for anything beachside looks great!

Colors: Light colors are the most popular for casual weddings, but black dress pants do look nice for indoor, evening weddings. Collared shirts are often white or ivory to coordinate with the bride’s wedding dress, but you can choose any color you like.

Daytime Wedding, Semiformal

Style: Suits with nice shirts and ties in the traditional, four-in-hand knot. (image?)

Color: Navy, charcoal and gray are good colors all year-round in any climate. Khaki and white are better colors for warmer seasons and climates.

Daytime Wedding, Formal

If you’re planning a wedding on a budget, chances are you are not planning a formal wedding. Just in case you can pull it off though…

Style: Gray strollers (semiformal jackets cut like a tuxedo) with ties and vests or cummerbunds.

Color: Dark colors in the winter. Light colors in the summer or warm-weather climates.

Evening Wedding, Semiformal

Style: Tuxedos with bow ties and cummerbunds or vests, or nice dark suits. Shirts should be wing-tipped or with turned-down collars.

Colors: Black tuxedos or dark colored suits with white or ivory shirts to coordinate with the bride’s dress. Cummerbunds often coordinate with the color of the bridesmaid dresses, but aren’t required to. Note: cummerbunds, especially colored, are not a flattering look on shorter, more muscular or broad men.

Evening Wedding, Formal

Style: Tuxedos with ties, cummerbunds or vests. White or ivory dinner jackets are also considered evening formal wear.

Colors: Black tuxedos with white or ivory shirts and black ties, cummerbunds or vests. You may add some color to the ties and cummerbunds or vests.

Money-Saving Tip: When it comes to men’s formal or semi-formal wear, renting is probably your best option for saving money.

If you’re looking for more information on men’s formal wear, check out this great article on WeddingChannel.com:

Posted in Wedding Etiquette, Wedding Planning Guide, Wedding Tips | Tagged attire for the groom, how to dress the groom, style for groom, suit styles for weddings, wedding planning checklist | Leave a comment

20Jan2011

A Quick Guide to Wedding Party Roles

By The 'A' Team Leave a comment

Planning and getting ready for your wedding day is a big task — you’re going to want some help! So we’ve put together a quick guide explaining the traditional responsibilities of each wedding party member.

Photography by VR Vision Photography via GetMarried.com

Maid (Matron) of Honor:

• Helps bride shop for wedding gown, attendants’ dresses and jewelry

• Assists bride in addressing wedding invitations

• Attends all pre-wedding events

• Plans and hosts a bridal shower or a bachelorette party or both

• Records gifts received at showers

• Helps bride assemble wedding favors and decorate ceremony and reception sites

• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

• Helps keep the bride calm

• Holds onto the groom’s ring during ceremony

• Straightens bride’s dress and veil during the ceremony

• Holds bride’s flowers when vows and rings are exchanged

• Signs wedding certificate along with Best Man

• Offers a toast to bride and groom

Bridesmaids:

• Perform any additional tasks assigned by bride

• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

• Assist Maid (Matron) of Honor in planning bridal shower or bachelorette party

• Help bride assemble favors and decorate ceremony and reception sites

Personal Attendant:

• Distributes flower corsages and boutonnieres to honored individuals

• Orchestrates “day of” events

• Takes care of the bride’s last-minute needs

• Assists the bride in dressing

Flower Girl

• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

• Walks down the aisle along with the rest of the wedding party

• Carries a flower basket, small bouquet, pomander or satchel

• Sprinkles flower petals down the aisle (if a flower basket or satchel is used)

Photography by Kara Purtell Photography via GetMarried.com

Best Man:

• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

• Plans and hosts the bachelor party

• Transports groom to the ceremony location

• Presents ceremony officiant with payment

• Helps keep the groom calm

• Holds onto groom’s keys, wallet, and other personal belongings for safekeeping

• Holds onto the bride’s ring during ceremony

• Escorts the Maid (Matron) of Honor during the ceremony

• Signs wedding certificate along with the Maid (Matron) of Honor

• Offers the first toast to bride and groom

• Prepares honeymoon car

• Returns groom’s and groomsmen’s attire to the rental store

Groomsmen:

• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

• Assist Best Man in planning the bachelor party

• Escort bridesmaids during the ceremony

Ushers:

• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

• Light candles as needed

• Hand out wedding programs

• Seat guests on designated side of church

• Assist elderly guests to their seats

• Unroll aisle runner before bride makes her entrance

• Collect ceremony decorations such as pew bows, aisle runner and unity candle after the ceremony

• Make sure that no items are left behind before leaving for the reception site

Ring Bearer

• Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

• Walks down the aisle along with the rest of the wedding party

• Carries a ring bearer pillow with symbolic rings tied to it or rings a bell

Remember that your wedding party is there to support you — don’t be afraid to let them know how they can help.

Posted in Wedding Articles, Wedding Gifts, Wedding Tips | Tagged quick wedding guide to wedding party roles, wedding favors, wedding invitations, wedding party duties, wedding party roles | Leave a comment

17Jan2011

Get this wedding reception look for cheap! Ann’s shows you how…

By The 'A' Team Leave a comment

Our design team has put together a few of our inexpensive wedding reception decorations to create a look that’s adorable, romantic and cheap! Here’s what we did:

The Place:

Outdoor weddings are a big favorite of brides on a budget since public parks are usually very inexpensive, oftentimes free, to reserve. We chose a nearby public park with a charming, lakeside gazebo — the perfect place for performing nuptials or for highlighting the cake table (as shown here) during an outdoor reception.

The Décor: We’ve chosen four basic wedding reception decorations from Ann’s to create the look: (1) tissue bells , (2) tissue garland, white tulle and colored (3) table covers. We’ve also highlighted a few coordinating items not shown in the gazebo setup, such as ruffled (3) table skirts, (4) colored paper plates, paper cups and personalized napkins for that perfect finishing touch! And, let’s not forget the clear acrylic cake stand.

The Look:

We wanted to create a look that was soft and romantic, yet popped with color. By using white tulle as our foundation, we were able to add touches of pink and fuchsia without over saturating the décor. We placed small and large tissue bells in clusters alongside the gazebo entrances to create a welcoming and romantic feel. Plus, we lined the white tulle with strands of tissue garland to add another level of texture. If you’re planning an evening affair, accent the white tulle with strands of elegant white lights.

For coordinating reception tables, browse the table covers, table skirts, dinnerware and napkins for the perfect colors to coordinate with your wedding. Not only will you impress guests with beautiful wedding reception decorations, they’ll love your perfectly coordinated reception tables.

By the way, bringing this look indoors is simple. Drape tulle and tissue garland along the head table and/or over reception hall entrances. Then place small tissue bell clusters on each end of the head table, one above the bride and groom and one at each entrance for a look that’s oh-so-cute!

Of course, these are just ideas. A beautiful wedding on a budget is all about creativity, so let your imagination do all the work.

Posted in Budget-Savvy Ideas and Tips, Wedding Reception | Tagged cheap decorating ideas, decorating a wedding on a budget, paper decorative garland, paper tissue bells, personalized wedding napkins, plastic table covers | Leave a comment

14Jan2011

Congratulations, Stefanie! You’re the Shopping Spree Winner for December!

By The 'A' Team 1 Comment

Stefanie G. is the lucky winner of Ann’s monthly shopping spree giveaway. She’ll receive $500 to use anytime on anything site-wide, and she is more than excited for the opportunity.

“Now that we’ve won this shopping spree, I can’t wait to redirect our budget. I was settling for less with wedding decor and memory items, and I had significantly cut the budget on my dress, which was devastating. Now we can afford the extras we wanted and get the dress I dreamed of!”

Stefanie and Anthony became good friends about two years ago, supporting each other as each went through difficult separations. By August of 2009, they had started dating and by that following May, Anthony had proposed!

Both Stefanie and Anthony love the winter season and have decided on a winter-themed wedding. The wedding will be small with a best man, maid of honor, flower girl and ring bearer. Stefanie and Anthony are very excited to include his daughter in the celebration as the flower girl and Stefanie’s little step brother as the ring bearer.

Stefanie is planning a beautiful wedding on a tight budget due to losing her job in October. With help from their church, parents and siblings, they’re confident the wedding will be wonderful. And, of course, with a little help from Ann’s their wedding day can be even more special.

“I love Ann’s because of the versatility and wide selection of invitations. My fiancé and I ordered some samples and the quality was amazing! We are planning to use the $500 to pay for our invitations, announcements, guest book, some reception decorations and I’m sure tons of other odds and ends I’ve forgotten!”

Congratulations, Stefanie and Anthony! We wish you a wonderful wedding and a long, happy life together.

Sincerely,

The Ann’s Bridal Bargains Team

P.S. Sign up to be a member at Ann’s Bridal Bargains and you could be next month’s $500 Shopping Spree winner!

Posted in Ann's Shopping Spree, Contests and Giveaways, Real Weddings | Tagged Ann's Shopping Spree Winner, budget wedding ideas, free stuff for weddings, wedding bargains | 1 Comment

13Jan2011

Top 5 Wedding Accessories for 2010

By The 'A' Team Leave a comment

Ann’s counts down our most popular wedding accessories from 2010 — find out if these proven best sellers will be great additions to your wedding.

5. Double Heart Cake Top Pick

A little shimmer makes a wedding cake really shine, which is exactly why this silver, double heart cake top with sparkling faux rhinestones is a best seller.

4. Glass Tankard

Proven to be a great gift for ALL the guys, from groomsmen to grandfathers, this personalized glass tankard is our most popular gift here at Ann’s Bridal Bargains.

3. Personalized Favor Ribbon

Brides can never go wrong with adding personalized satin ribbon to favors, bouquets, wedding reception decorations and so much more. Add White Favor Cards to your favorite candy favor for an extra special touch. Using ribbons and tags is a inexpensive way to add a touch of luxury throughout your wedding.

2. Matches

Always a top-seller, matches come personalized and make great stand-alone favors. You can also combine them with other items, such as votive candles, to create coordinating favors or gift sets.

1. Napkins

Napkins are #1 for a reason. They’re inexpensive, they add a tremendous pop of color and they come personalized, which adds a level of detail to your wedding that’s sure to impress guests.

Posted in Wedding Bargains, Wedding Tips | Tagged cake toppers, favor ribbons, favor tags, groomsmen gifts, Top wedding accessories, wedding matches, wedding napkins | Leave a comment

10Jan2011

Top Shops for Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses

By The 'A' Team Leave a comment

Wedding Planning Checklist: Section 3: Part 4

Saving your bridesmaids some cash is top on your list of priorities, so we’re sharing five of our favorite places to visit for dresses that say ooh-la-la without the cha-ching!

The Place: David’s Bridal

The Price Range: Prices start at $80.

The Reason: You just can’t beat David’s Bridal. They have proven quality, dependable service and a great selection of styles in a range of prices.

The Tip: Create an account on DavidsBridal.com and you can get special coupons and offers sent to you!

Photography by David’s Bridal.

The Place: The Limited

The Price Range: $25 to $100

The Reason: If you like short-length and tea-length bridesmaid dresses, The Limited is an excellent option. You’ll find stylish, affordable dresses that will look fantastic on your bridesmaids.

The Tip: Check the website of your favorite clothing stores, like Maurices. Their dresses are stylish, affordable and many are totally bridesmaid-worthy!

Photography by The Limited

The Place: Milanoo.com

The Price Range: $50 to $110

The Reason: Milanoo.com is one of our favorite finds this year! This super affordable, online apparel retailer carries a huge range of dress styles, and almost all of them are under $100. And, Milanoo.com gives clear measurement instructions in their Size Chart beneath each dress, which helps eliminate some of the worry associated with ordering apparel online.

The Tip: Shop accessories, too! Milanoo offers jewelry, shoes and more.

Photography via Milanoo.com

The Place: Amazon.com

The Price Range: $50 to $150

The Reason: Why else? Amazon is so easy! Just type in “bridesmaid dresses” and you get a large selection of affordable bridesmaid dresses in a variety of styles.

The Tip: Shop other search words also, such as “formal dresses,” “prom dresses,” “evening gowns” and “cocktail dresses.”

Photography via Amazon.com

The Place: Department Stores

The Price Range: Varies

The Reason: Department stores offer incredible variety and good quality. Best of all, since they serve such a wide clientele their price ranges are just as wide. Obviously, the price range will vary depending on where you shop. Macy’s will be higher-end whereas JCPenney will be mid- to low-end.

The Tip: Check the sales racks — like you don’t already! If you’re letting your bridesmaids choose their style of dress in a color you’ve chosen, department store sales racks are the way to go.