Every couple learns as they go when it comes to wedding planning but we wanted to put your mind at ease about a few things by highlighting a few common wedding myths and misconceptions.

Myth #1 DIY wedding invitations will save you money.

Don’t get me wrong, they can be cheaper but you have to really research all the materials needed and how much those materials will end up costing. In the end, you might find a simple, professionally printed wedding invitation is similar in cost and A LOT less work.

Myth #2 Response cards are still the norm; there are no acceptable alternatives.

This is no longer true. There was a time when response cards were the most acceptable method for responding to a wedding invitation, but today some couples are choosing online response services or providing email addresses and phone numbers on their invitations. Some couples do both response cards and an alternate response method on the invitation. Do whatever you think you, and your wedding guests, will be most comfortable with. Be sure to be considerate of older guests. We recommend providing them a non-electronic way to respond.

Myth #3 Every guest will respond to your wedding invitation.

People forget and they procrastinate. It’s okay. Just assume you’ll be making some phone calls prior to the wedding. Ask the person in charge of responses to do this for you. If that person is you, ask your mom or a friend to help make the calls.

Myth #4 You shouldn’t have an adult only wedding.

Sometimes the wedding venue is simply not conducive to children, and that’s okay. However, we don’t recommend including “Adult only reception” on the invitation or reception card. Let your guests know children aren’t invited by clearly addressing the invitations to those who are invited. Check out these helpful tips for addressing your wedding invitations.

Myth #5 It’s not okay to invite your exes.

Granted, we do believe you should carefully consider if it is appropriate to invite your exes to your wedding, but we also understand that sometimes your exes become good friends or are a part of your close social network. Most importantly, make sure you and your soon-to-be spouse are perfectly comfortable with the idea. If not, don’t invite the ex.

Myth #6 You have to invite all of your coworkers or none.

There is no reason to feel obligated to invite all of your coworkers. A wedding is for your closest friends and family. The same rule applies to coworkers.

Myth #7 You should invite people who invited you to their wedding.

Just because you attended someone’s wedding doesn’t mean you have to invite them to yours. If you’re already questioning whether to invite them, they can probably be cut from your guest list.

Myth #8 You should include registry info with your invitation.

Wedding guests are not required to give you a gift, and including registry information with the invitation can make people feel obligated. Place registry information on your wedding website and let your closest friends and family spread the word. The same goes for cash gifts. Tell a few friends and family and let them spread the word. It is never appropriate to ask for cash gifts directly.

9. Plan to give one favor to each guest attending the wedding.

Wedding favors can get spendy and sometimes time-consuming if making them yourself, but one way to cut down on the cost and effort is to give one favor to single guests and one favor per couple. The tricky part is handing them out. We recommend having assigned seating and having place cards at each setting. This way you can provide one favor for single guests and you can place one favor between the place settings for couples. That being said, wedding favors are often sold in bulk. So if you want to make sure everyone gets a favor (and maybe an extra or two), you can probably up the quantity for a reasonable price.

10. Guests should not have to pay for drinks.

Sometimes it’s simply not in the budget. Guests aren’t going to refuse to celebrate with you because they have to pay for a drink or two. They are there for you, not the bar…hopefully. Many couples avoid the cash bar by limiting drinks to beer and wine, which can dramatically cut down on costs. You could also consider a cash bar but still provide one or two signature drinks and soda for free.

We hope this helps ease your mind as you’re wedding planning and you run across some of these common wedding myths. Check back often for more helpful advice, or feel free to comment and leave us a question. We’re happy to answer it!

Jackie and I found this silver serving piece at the local thrift shop for $2.99!  It worked perfectly for our cheap candy buffet.  After a little silver polish you can see just how beautiful it looks.  Don’t let a tarnished bargain pass you by…a little elbow grease and voila!

Theme: Rustic/country charm

Colors: Bright shades of green and white

Challengers: Carynn & Jackie

Jackie (our photographer) and I started by scouring local thrift stores. In just two hours we found a variety of “milk glass” containers in all shapes, sizes and textures. We picked up a few utensils to use as serving pieces and spent a total of $34.85 on the glass containers, serving pieces and an old lace curtain that served as our tablecloth.

Next we went online and purchased candy in bulk from www.candywarehouse.com where you can shop by color, flavor, occasion, brand and candy type. We happen to LOVE the stripes in the candy sticks and marshmallow puffs. Since we were able to score a free shipping discount, our candy total for the buffet came to $95.65.

We decided to throw together some DIY decorations to jazz up the buffet table. I created a “SWEETS” banner to hang behind the candy buffet. I printed the letters out, cut them down and adhered them to green patterned scrapbook paper. I punched out holes on the top two corners of each pennant and ran white ribbon through them to create the banner. Super easy, very cute and since I used ribbon and paper we already had, it was $0.00!

Finally, we needed treat bags for guests to put the candies in so we went with the White Favor Bags from Ann’s and personalized them with names and wedding date. 100 bags came to $49.98.

Our grand total was $180.48 for 100 people!

P.S. The glass containers will be great additions to your new home décor or for future parties after the wedding. Although you may need to borrow them out to other brides/friends who loved your idea!

Check back tomorrow to see our Bargain Tip: Restore silver for your wedding!

A bride will need to schedule on average 2-4 fittings for her wedding gown. If the dress is store bought, two fittings are likely. The wedding gown should be complete at least three weeks before the wedding. Most bridal shops and alteration shops recommend you pick-up your gown a few days before the wedding. You might be tempted to pick it up earlier, but if the dress is at the bridal shop it’s less likely to get damaged in any way.

The Bridesmaid Dresses

Since the bridesmaids are responsible for picking up their dresses and having them altered, the bride can rest easy for this task. Bridesmaids should try on their dress when they pick it up and request any alterations needed. Most bridal shops will do the alterations in store, but your bridesmaids may choose to take their dresses elsewhere for alterations. That is just fine, as long as all dresses are finished by at least 2 weeks before the wedding.

The Groom and Groomsmen Attire

Tailor-made tuxedos and rented formal wear should be ordered at least three months prior to the wedding. The groom or groomsmen will have to schedule a fitting if purchasing a tailor-made tuxedo or suit. If renting, groomsmen who don’t live locally should get professionally measured and send their measurements to the rental facility at least 1 month before the wedding. Typically when renting, the groom and groomsmen will try the full tuxedo or suit rental on sometime during the week before the wedding. Even though most rental shops are great about ensuring you receive a quality product, the men should still keep a lookout for the following things when trying on their attire.

• Is it the correct style and color?

• Are the jacket sleeves the right length?

• Are all buttons accounted for and button properly?

• Is the tuxedo or suit too big or too small?

• Are buttons in place for attaching suspenders?

• Is the shirt sleeve length correct?

• Is the neck a comfortable fit?

• Do cuff links fit properly into button holes?

• Is the tie, cumberbund or vest provided?

• Do the shoes fit? match?

• Does everyone have the proper socks?

• Do the pants zip and fasten properly?

• Are there stains, holes, cigarette burns or frayed edges.

Note: You will want to designate someone to return all rented formal wear the day after the wedding. One person can return multiple tuxedos or suits. Usually this is the duty of the best man, but choose whomever you would like.

The Ushers and Ring Bearer Attire

The ushers normally rent the same attire as the groomsmen, but some couples choose to let the ushers wear their own suits. In this case you will want to tell them the color of suit, shirt and tie you would like them to wear as well as what color/style of pants to wear. The ring bearer’s outfit traditionally coordinates with the groom’s attire, but does not have to match exactly. Parents may choose to purchase or rent an outfit for the ring bearer. This usually depends on how formal the outfit needs to be. Suits may be used again, but tuxedos are less likely to be reused.

There you have it, a few pointers for picking up your bridal party attire before the wedding. We’re certain the ladies will look gorgeous and the gents will be dashing! Enjoy the day and the company.

When you’re planning a wedding on a budget you’re going to need all of the help and tips about cheap wedding invitations online that you can get, but cheaper rental prices and catering discounts can be hard to get if you don’t know somebody.  These money saving bits of advice can work for everybody, so get ready to pay attention if you’re ready to save some real money on your wedding costs.

Plan Accordingly

Almost every person reading this is going to want to plan their wedding during the weekend.  But if you want to save money and have a weekend wedding you should avoid the most popular weekend wedding date: Saturday.  Saturdays are by far the most popular day to have a wedding ceremony and reception, and the venue you plan on having them at knows that.  Booking fees tend to go up on Saturdays, so consider having your wedding on a Friday or a Sunday.

If you want to take strategic planning a step further, try to avoid having your wedding during the “wedding season”.  Most people believe that wedding season starts in April and ends in late June and early July.  A lot of brides plan their weddings during this time because they want to weather to be warm and nice for their ceremony.  You can have the same great warm weather if you have your wedding during August or early September, and you won’t have to pay the high booking fees that come along with planning your wedding during the popular marrying season.

Decorate With In Season Flowers

A lot of couples end up spending hundreds of dollars on their floral arrangements because they choose flowers that aren’t in season.  Flowers have growing seasons just like your favorite fruits and vegetables do, and if you choose to decorate with a flower that isn’t in season you’re going to end up spending far more than you have to on your floral costs.  This website can help you learn which flowers are in season the month you’re planning your wedding so you can ensure you pick a flower that won’t break your budget.

Scale Back the Reception

The Association of Bridal Consultants did a survey on the average costs of an American wedding, and people spend the most on rental fees, venue fees, and catering.  The average couple will spend $2,207 on bar services and $4,339 on food services, that’s a little more than $6,500 on feeding your guests.  There is a way you can save money on your reception without having to sacrifice having the reception you want.  Instead of serving your guests a full meal, have the caterer serve an array of tapas.  The tapas will give your guests a lot more menu variety than a meal would, and they’re much cheaper than full dinners.  You can also save a lot on your bar budget if you cut out hard liquor and only serve beer, wine, and champagne.

Every bride wants her wedding day to be special, and finding the perfect dress is crucial. Most of today’s brides can’t afford to pay big money for one gown, so many are turning to the internet to find wedding dresses for a price they can afford. Buying a wedding dress online can be risky though, so here are tips to ensure you don’t end up with a less than impressive dress.

1. Give yourself plenty of time to shop, purchase and get alterations for your wedding dress.  If you end up ordering your dress, it can take months for it to arrive.

2. Shop bridal stores first to try on various dress styles. Write down the designer and style number of the dresses you like so you can find them online later.

3. Only buy from online retailers authorized by the dress designer. You can find a list of authorized retailers on the designer’s website.

4.  If you can’t find the website in the list of authorized retailers, consult a list of websites to avoid like this one from Allure Bridals or this one from Mori Lee.

Here are some websites that are authorized retailers for many popular wedding gown designers:

http://www.weddingshoppeinc.com/BridalGowns.aspx

http://www.plussizebridal.com/Default.asp  But Not http://www.plussize-wedding-dresses.com/

http://www.victoriasbridalcouture.com/index.html

http://www.newyorkdress.com/connect/about.html

http://www.houseofbrides.com/

http://www.bestbridalprices.com/

5. Before you purchase your dress online, make sure you are aware of the website’s policies on sizing, defective merchandise and returns.

6. Keep documentation of all communication with the website, including questions you ask prior to completing the purchase, order confirmations, website policies, etc.

7. Upon receiving your order, inspect the dress thoroughly and try it on. Many websites limit the number of days you have to make a return.

Following these simple guidelines can help protect you from a bad online purchase, but buying online isn’t the only way to save big on your wedding dress. Read our post, Checking it off the list! Finding the right wedding dress for the right price for more tips on how to shop and save. You might also like, Shop, Save and Support! Check out favorite charities recommended by Ann’s brides.

Packing for your wedding night may seem like one of the easier tasks on your list of wedding to-dos, but we recommend starting a packing list 2-3 weeks before your wedding. This will give you time to think of all the things you will need plus time to purchase things you don’t currently have.

If you’re planning for just one night, your packing list will be fairly minimal and you can focus on remembering the things that will make your wedding night special. These things could include lingerie, champagne, chocolates and any other items you might want for such a special occasion. We won’t bore you with a checklist of regular travel items since you probably already have that figured out.

If you’re packing for your wedding night and honeymoon, you have quite a bit more to think about. Wondering where to begin? Here’s a great checklist from The Knot, and you’ll also want to read 10 Helpful Tips for Packing Light to get you started.

Start writing your packing list and gathering necessities. Packing early means less stress in those final days before the wedding and more time to enjoy the wedding

Finally, what you’ve all been waiting for! We’ve gathered some excellent tips and advice about how to keep costs down when planning your destination wedding. We hope this information is helpful.

• Book your wedding in the off-season. Every destination has a peak travel season, but that will be far more expensive. Do your research on the destination and its weather though. You may have to contend with less than desirable conditions.

• Plan an on-site wedding, meaning the wedding will take place at the lodge or resort you are staying in. Planning something off-site gets to be difficult and expensive.

• The more events you plan in one location, the more you can negotiate prices and special requests. This is something to consider when choosing a lodge, hotel or resort. Choose one that has a variety of venues for dinners, the ceremony and the reception.

• Choose a location that’s naturally beautiful and doesn’t require a lot of decorating.

• Work with local vendors rather than importing anything.

• Keep the wedding party small.

• All-inclusive resorts and cruises provide you with accurate costs right away, which is very helpful for planning a destination wedding on a budget.

• Try to do as much planning as possible in one pre-wedding trip. If you can’t afford a planning trip, do some serious research on destination locations that are reputable and have excellent wedding packages.

• Ask your phone service provider if they offer an international plan, or what the charge will be per minute. You don’t want to incur phone charges while in a foreign location.

• Choose a location that provides as much as possible, such as decorations, table cloths and wedding favors. You want to avoid shipping charges if you can.

• Pack as light as possible to avoid baggage surcharges.

• Many hotels charge a delivery fee for welcome baskets or favors. Deliver these things yourselves, place them at the front desk or hand them out at the rehearsal dinner.

Well, that wraps it up. Are you sad that our destination wedding series has come to an end? Don’t be. Now is time for the fun part…shopping!

Keep Your Bridal Party Informed

A week or two before the wedding, inform the bridal party about their wedding day responsibilities to ensure everyone knows their role and your big day will go smoothly.

Here’s a checklist for keeping your bridal party informed.

• Finalize the rehearsal and wedding-day schedule and provide an itinerary to your bridal party 1- 2 weeks before the wedding. We can help you, just read “Putting Together Your Wedding Day Itinerary.”

• Create a list of every member’s contact information, along with the names of people you’ve asked to perform specific tasks and deal with vendors should problems arise.

•  Give a copy of the contact list to your personal attendant, wedding coordinator or whoever you have appointed to take care of wedding day logistics so they know who is responsible for what tasks.

• Explain any special ceremony seating arrangements to the head usher.

• Choose someone to take care of the gratuity envelopes for the officiant and reception vendors. These envelopes should be delivered after the ceremony and reception.

We don’t recommend going overboard on communication. The goal is to make sure everyone is informed of his/her role without making anyone feel overwhelmed. So put together a casual itinerary for the bridal party. They’ll appreciate feeling informed and prepared.

Organize Ceremony and Reception Items

Use a convenient portable container to keep day-of ceremony and reception necessities all in one spot. Talk with your ceremony and reception venues to see when these items can be dropped off: one week before? 2 days before? day of? Then designate someone to take care of bringing the items to the venue at the appropriate time.

Here are a few things you may need for the ceremony:

• marriage license
• unity candles
• ring pillow
• flower basket
• guest book – be sure to personalize the first page by filling in the blanks!
• card box
• gratuity envelope
• bird seed, rose petals, bubbles, etc., for your send-off to the reception
• your emergency list of all wedding vendors with phone numbers
• Read Last-Minute Items You May Have Forgotten for more items you may need.

Here are a few things you may need for the reception:

• guest book from ceremony location
• card box from the ceremony location
• photo props
• toasting flutes
• cake server and knife
• toss garter
• toss bouquet (if delivered to the ceremony site with other flowers)
• bouquet holders

image: ultimate emergency kit, from www.weddingbee.com

Assemble an Emergency Kit

Also be sure to prepare an Emergency Kit of various items that may come in handy. Your personal attendant or Maid of Honor may already have this ready, so check with her to find out for sure. We’ve seen brides purchase cute clutches and create an “emergency kit” for each bridesmaid as a unique and useful gift.

Putting some effort into planning a week or two before the wedding will surely pay off! You’ll feel so much more relaxed the day of and you’ll be able to enjoy what really matters, each other.