Beautiful Flowers on a Budget

In the last issue we talked about finding the perfect gown for your
special day. In this issue we are going to talk about how to have
beautiful flowers on your wedding day without busting your budget.

DIY doesn't mean that you have to skip on quality for the sake of saving
money. Especially when it comes to having beautiful flowers for your
wedding. Flowers are la must and it's no secret that they can cost a
bundle from your local florist. But there are many little tips and tricks that
you can use that will save you a small fortune.

The first decision to make is whether or not you want silk or real
flowers. I recommend silk flowers because of the ease. However, real
flowers can be a beautiful addition to your wedding.

Keep in mind that real flowers need to be nurtured even up to the
moment you say “I Do”. If you have someone who can monitor the
freshness of your real flowers, by all means, have them!  If you want to
save yourself and your loved ones a little stress, choose silk!

If you do choose fresh flowers, make sure you check with several
florists before you make your final decision. When you speak with the
florist, avoid using the word "wedding" because they will often charge
much more for wedding flowers as opposed to a few bouquets for
around your house. Keep in mind that a professional florist will not save
you any money. They come at a premium price, so make sure you
factor that into your budget.

One way to reduce the cost is to order fresh flowers from an online
wholesaler. You can get some of the best prices around. However, as I
mentioned, unlike at a florist, you will be responsible for all of the prep
work of cleaning and trimming them, and keeping them alive until the
wedding.

If you’re going for a simple look, you might want to contact a local
farmer. Where I live, there is an iris farm who will sell you bulk irises at
a discounted rate. Find your local farmer’s market and pick up some
freshly cut flowers for a simple bouquet. Consider also picking flowers
from your own garden.

Did you know that many local colleges offer courses in flower arranging.
Try giving the colleges in your area a call. For a small fee, they may be
quite accommodating in allowing their students to “practice” for your
wedding for a discounted price, often for the cost of the flowers alone.

Of course, making your own flowers is probably the most frugal choice.
But where do you start?

There are plenty of wholesale stores who will sell silk flowers at a
discounted price.  Working with silk flowers isn't and can be done by
almost anyone. You or a talented family member can put together all the
bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages for you weddings. Just make
sure you give yourself plenty of time to get the job done.

Tips for creating your own flowers are abundant. A beautifully simple
idea for a gorgeous bridal bouquet is to take several white roses,
bunch them together into a bouquet, wrap the bottom with floral tape
tightly, and wrap satin ribbon around the stems. Attach long pieces of
satin ribbon to flow down as you hold the bouquet and it will be
stunning!



You can use this technique with either silk or fresh flowers, and it
doesn't have to be all roses. For a unique look, try out different flowers
in your wedding colors. You can also buy plastic nosegay holders at
many discount stores that make preparing bouquets super easy!

As far as flowers and plants as decorations are concerned, this can be
a great enhancement to your ceremony.  Many churches already have
floral adornments on their altars.  If you get married around the time of a
church celebration, you may be able to buy a few flowers and take
advantage of those that are already there.

For example, around Easter, lilies are the flower of choice in most
churches. Many people will buy Easter lilies in remembrance of their
loved ones. Offer to buy a couple of Easter lilies to add to the existing
ones, and you have a beautiful decoration on the altar.

The same applies around Christmas. Poinsettias are the flower of
choice at this time of year. Offer up a few poinsettia plants to add to
those already there and you'll have some beautiful altar decorations.

Large arrangements on an altar will only be seen from far away. Use
inexpensive flowers such as carnations, or large filling flowers such as
snowball mums.

If you are getting married in a church, almost all have some type of
floral decorations. All you need to do in this situation is to add a few
personal touches and you'll have a beautiful backdrop for your
ceremony.

Talk to your venues and see if any other brides have booked for the
same day. If the two of you can coordinate flowers and split the cost,
you'll save a lot of money. I would imagine both of you wouldn't turn
your nose up at saving a ton of money on church decorations and
flowers!

Some party rental places will rent large potted plants such as tropical
palms or fichus. They visually fill a lot of space, and will help frame your
ceremony site or warm up your reception. Best of all, renting a potted
plant is far cheaper than buying large flower arrangements.

Just make sure that you know what you want, do your research and
there is no reason that you can't have beautiful flowers on your big day
without busting your budget!

Make sure you look for your next issue soon. We will be talking about
talk about decorating the sanctuary or venue with beautiful bows while
sticking to your budget.


Cindy Lieber
Accredited Event Designer
OC Brides Event Coordination
www.weddingplanneroc.com
Cindy@ocbrides.com
(714) 970-6380


P.S.  Can't decide whether to go with fresh flowers or silk?  Don't know what flowers 
might be in season for your wedding?  Just hit reply to this email.  I can help!

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Selecting the Perfect Gown

In the last issue we talked about making the guest list and picking out
your invitations. In this issue we are going to talk about finding the
perfect gown for your special day.

One of the first things that comes to mind when a wedding is being
planned is the bride’s wedding gown. Finding the perfect gown is very
important to every bride to be.  Most girls want to feel like a princess as
they walk down the aisle to their prince charming!  You can look like a
princess without spending a whole year's salary on your dress!

But there are so many wedding gowns available. How do
you choose the one that is right for you?

Well, there are a few things to think about when you start looking at
wedding gowns. For instance;

- What  time of year is your big day?

The first thing to take into consideration is what time of year you will be
getting married. This will help you to decide on what type of cloth, the
length of your sleeves, and the length of your gown.

- What is your body type?

There are a couple of types of gowns that will work for all body types but
you want to be sure that your gown makes you look the best that you
can. A person at the bridal shop can help you select the dress that is
right for you.

- What is your personal style preference?

Think about what kinds of dresses you like, and that will also help you to
find a good wedding dress. It doesn't matter if they are plain or fancy,
every gown is beautiful. It’s always a great idea to take your mother or
another female relative or friend to help you choose your gown. It’s a
great bonding experience and it’s always a good idea to have a
second set of eyes.

Tradition is always nice, so you may also want to consider wearing your
mother or grandmother’s wedding gown. Can you imagine the pride on
their faces as they watch you stroll down the aisle toward your future
husband wearing the very gown they wore doing the same thing?

If you think that the gown is a bit out of date or it doesn't fit just right ,
consider hiring a seamstress to alter and update it a bit. You can often
find a seamstress or tailor for far less than the cost of a buying a new
wedding gown!

Don't cringe, but why not opt for a second-hand wedding dress? It’s
probably only been worn once or not at all and you can often get a very
expensive dress for half the price. Check out consignment shops or
thrift stores to see what they have to offer. Better yet, check out Ebay.

Another option is to rent your wedding gown.  Often you can rent
stunning gowns that retail for over $3,500 for as little as $75. Of course
you  can’t keep it, but considering that it will likely end up in a vacuum
sealed box that you don't dare open renting may be the perfect option
for you.

If your heart is set on a brand new gown that you can pass down to your
daughter someday make sure that you look around for discount
wedding stores, close out specials, liquidation sales or special events
at bridal shops in your area.

One last optin for you to consider is to pick out a pattern and hire a
local seamstress or someone that you know who sews to make
your gown for you. This probably won't be the most cost-saving route,
but you can have a designer gown for about half the cost.

Make sure you look for your next issue soon. We will be talking about
how to have beautiful flowers on your wedding day without busting your
budget.


Cindy Lieber
Accredited Event Designer
OC Brides Event Coordination
www.weddingplanneroc.com
Cindy@ocbrides.com
(714) 970-6380

P.S. If you need help selecting a gown at an affordable price, shoot me an email.  I would love to help. 

Making a Guest List and Picking Out Invitations

 

In the last issue we talked about how to save money when planning your

perfect wedding. In this issue we are going to talk about making the

guest list and picking out your invitations.

 

After you have set a date it is time to start working on your guest list

thinking about invitations.

 

Ideally, invitations should be mailed out 6-8 weeks before the big day to

give guests time to make arrangements to attend and RSVP back to

you.

 

The first step is to get organized. Begin by making a list of the people

you just can’t stand to get married without them being there. This list

will most likely consist of relatives and close friends.

 

Next ask your parents and the parents of your intended to provide you

with a list of who they would like to invite including accurate addresses

for your guests.

 

As we talked about in a different issue it is a good idea to divide the

guest list into five categories:

 

- bride's list

- groom's list

- the couple's common friends

- the groom's parents' list

- and the bride's parents' list.

 

This will help you sort everyone out and narrow down your guest list!
Don't worry if the list is too big at first. It often takes several revisions
before you come up with the perfect guest list.

 

Word of caution: don’t think that you have to invite everyone you know.

For instance; if you haven't talked to your high school study partner

since graduation, they probably don't need to be invited. Try not to get

all caught up in possibly offending someone by not inviting them to your

wedding.
 

A good rule of thumb is if they aren't family and you don't talk to them

frequently, chances are pretty good that they won't give it a second
thought when your invitation doesn't arrive. The goal here it to end up
with a concise list of must have people at your wedding. Once you have
your guest list, you'll have an idea of how many invitations you'll need.
 

Next, it is time to pick a design.

 
Wedding invitations shouldn't be a big expense for you. Yes, when it’s
delivered all pretty in its customized envelope and small tissue square
inside, it can make an impression for about a minute, but the simple
fact is that most people only read it once, note the date, take out the
RSVP card and throw the invite away. So, while you want your invitation
to make a statement and reflect your vision of special day you want to
keep your spending to a minimum.
 
If you are crafty you can save a great deal of money by creating them

yourself on your personal computer.  You can use Microsoft Word or

Publisher to create beautiful invitations that are ALL you!
 
There also are inexpensive programs specifically made for creating

invitations and greeting cards. You can buy a wide variety of beautiful

card stock at any craft, office supply or discount store. You can also find

complete kits including embellishments by doing an Internet search for

"wedding invitation kits" to make the job even easier.
 
Did you know that you can even design your invitations on your home
computer and take them to a specialized copy shop or office supply

store so that you don't have to use up all of your own ink.

 
The traditional practice for wedding invitations is to put the invitation
inside an envelope and then place that envelope inside another

envelope.  When you are trying to stretch your budget why not consider

one envelope and have your guests RSVP with a prepaid postcard, by

email or phone. This will be easier for them and cost effective for you.

 

Consider printing reception information directly on the invitation

itself. That way you'll have all the information right there for your guests
to refer to before the big day instead of them having to save a separate

reception card.

 

You can use labels to print out addresses on your computer. I would

suggest clear labels because they look better.  The most prominent

label maker is Avery.  Their website offers free templates to print out

your labels, so you may want to check that out before struggling with a

software program.
 
If you don’t like the impersonal nature of address labels, address the
envelopes by hand. You can get information about calligraphy online or

just use your best handwriting!

 

Now if you don't like the idea of do-it-yourself invitations don't get

discouraged, just make sure that you shop around. Check out local
businesses and look online for the place that offers the most savings.
 
When it comes to wedding invitations, one of the biggest expenses is
going to be the postage. You really don't have any control over that,
unless of course you hand deliver invitations to guest that live locally.
Your guest will appreciate having you personally handing them their
invitation. It tells them that they are special to you and saves you money

at the same time!

 

Make sure you look for your next issue soon. We will be talking about

finding the perfect gown for your special day.

If you need any help finding a source for your invitations or for supplies to make them, feel free to contact me for suggestions and referrals.  Just Hit Reply to this email! I look forward to hearing from you!!  

Cindy Lieber

Accredited Event Designer
OC Brides Event Coordination
www.weddingplanneroc.com
Cindy@ocbrides.com
(714) 970-6380

How to Save $ Planning your Wedding

In the last issue we talked about how to plan the wedding of your
dreams without going crazy or going broke. In this issue we are going
to talk about how to save money when planning your perfect wedding.

When it comes to planning your own wedding there is so much to do, it
can be mind-numbing.  Good planning is essential, so I have put
together a nice checklist  for you. You can download them here:

DIY Wedding Checklist
DIY Budget Checklist

You should also invest in a folder to keep all of your notes in order.
Print out the checklists included in the file above and keep them in that
folder along with any receipts, quotes and notes that you have!

As I mentioned in the last issue, you will need to decide who will pay for
the wedding. Typical wedding etiquette dictates that the bride’s parents
pay for the wedding. These days that isn't always the case.

More often couples pay for most of the wedding themselves or the cost
is divided up into sections and shared between the couple and their
parents.

Now, assuming that you want a traditional wedding, the first decisions
to be made include: the date, your attendants, and the venue.

Traditionally, couples choose a Saturday for their big day, but they don't
realize that you can save a lot of money by having your ceremony on a
Thursday, Friday or a Sunday service on a holiday weekend.

When you are searching for just the right date you will be surprised to
find that there are many more open dates on these days and you'll save
big by choosing a less traditional day.

You may also want to consider an early wedding and reception.  For
instance a wedding at 1:00pm with a reception immediately following
can lead to a great deal of savings. Most guests will have already had
lunch before your ceremony and the reception will most likely be over by
dinner, so all you'll have to provide is some light finger foods instead of
a full meal.

Did you know that you can also save by planning your wedding between
the months of November and April. These months are less busy for
most wedding related services and locations. They are also more apt
to offer you extra discounts during the off peak season.

Where your reception will be held is another huge decision that has to
be made early on in the wedding planning stage.  If you want to opt for a
traditional reception hall, you'll have to book early to be sure you can
get the venue of your choice.

If you or someone in your family is the member of a benevolent
association (The Elks, The Moose, The American Legion), consider
these as viable options. They often give discounts to members and you
will probably have access to a huge area for your wedding reception
instead of Aunt Martha's backyard!  Just remember to book early!

If your budget is extremely tight you can look for a free place to hold
your reception such as a friend’s home, a church’s reception hall, the
local fire department’s reception hall!  Maybe even a local park, art
gallery, or your own home.

Make sure you look for your next issue soon. We will be talking about
making the guest list and picking out your invitations.

Cindy Lieber
Accredited Event Designer
OC Brides Event Coordination
www.corporateweddingplanner.com
Cindy@ocbrides.com
(714) 970-6380

P.S.  If you need help creating that timeline for your day of events, let me know.  I would be happy to help.  Just click here and let me know!


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Stay comfortable on your special day!!

Planning a Wedding Without Going Broke

Did you know that statistics show the average wedding costs $20,000 or more. Most young girls dream of the fairytale wedding including the long white gown, bridesmaids, a sit-down dinner, and a band that everyone will want to dance to.

In fact most brides have been dreaming about their wedding day since they were a little girl. However these dreams can often come with a a big price tag and the realization that their fairytale day may never happen. Even though weddings are very costly, rest assured that your dream day can come true.

By taking the time to plan every detail, you will be amazed at the amount of money that you can save and how it will help make your wedding a day to remember for you and all of your guests!

It's only natural to want the Cinderella fantasy wedding, complete with ice sculptures, a heavenly cake, and hundreds of guests who've flown in from all around the world to enjoy the festivities and it's only human to cry at the bill that this dream can come with.

It's no secret that the cost of the perfect dream wedding can add up fast. Especially when you factor in the cost of the dress, flowers, photographer, food, drinks, music, decorations and the venue your wedding can seem like an unattainable dream. But it doesn't have to be that way.

So, how can the average person have a beautiful wedding with all the bells and whistles without going into debt or going crazy?

Perhaps these three little words say it best!

They are "do it yourself" (DIY).

When you do it yourself you can have the elegant, beautiful wedding of your dreams without going crazy or going broke.

Don't panic, having a do it yourself wedding doesn't mean giving up style and flair. It means using your imagination, using your own hands as well as recruiting the help of family and friends.

So where should you start?

One of the first things to consider is the budget.The question of how much is available to spend and who is paying for what are two of the important questions when it comes to setting the budget.

Once the budget is set, the next step is creating a timetable. Some important factors to consider include honeymoon, work schedules, holidays and family occasions, and day of the week.

Then you will want to start looking at rings, making announcements, choosing invitations and planning the pre-wedding activities such as; engagement parties, a dinner for the families of both parties to get acquainted, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and so on.

After making the wedding known to everyone, the next step is the guest list. This list usually affects several aspects of the wedding especially the budget and the size of the party.

Here is a quick tip: Try dividing the guest list into five categories:
a) bride's list;
b) groom's; c) couple's common friends;
d) groom's parents' list and;
e) bride's parents' list.

This will help you sort it out effectively! Don't worry if the list is too big at first. It often takes several revisions before you come up with the perfect guest list.

As I mentioned earlier, when it comes to planning the perfect wedding there are many things to consider like the ceremony, reception music, flowers, wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and the groom’s attire, photographers and more.

Inside each issue of the Your DIY Wedding newsletter I will do my best to provide you with the best tips and tricks from the experts to help you cut costs without cutting class and sophistication. We will explore different ways that you can plan and save on all aspects of your wedding.
Make sure you look for your next issue soon. We will be talking more about how to save money when planning your perfect wedding.

What are you stressing about most about planning your wedding? Click here and let me know!

Cindy Lieber
Accredited Event Designer
OC Brides Event Coordination
www.weddingplanneroc.com
Cindy@ocbrides.com
(714) 970-6380

Insider Tips to Help You Relax and Enjoy Your Day

Once you’ve spent all that time planning the look, the feel and they style of your wedding, it makes sense that you want to enjoy the day, right?

Talk to pretty much any bride after her wedding and she’ll tell you, “It all went by so fast!”

Here are a few wedding insider tips that will help you relax and enjoy every moment.

SECRET # 1 – Allow lots of extra time in your wedding day.

Wherever you can, allow for extra time. Think it will take you an hour to get ready? Give yourself two.

Most brides forget to allow enough travel time. It takes longer than 5 minutes for your girls to pile into the limo; remember to allow time to arrange dresses, gather   bouquets left in the church and take a quick bathroom break.

You can never have too much time on your wedding day. Those breaks and gaps will be a welcome chance for you to relax, breathe and take it all in.

SECRET #2 – Leave your cell phone at home.

•  Be unreachable on your wedding day. Give your cell phone to your mother or Maid of Honor and let them run interference for you.

• Make sure they have a complete list of contacts, but don’t carry it on you. They don’t make wedding gowns with pockets for a reason. 

• You’ve hired the best wedding vendors and planned for everything. Now let everyone else take care of it so you can relax and enjoy.

Nobody’s going anywhere without you! You can let go and let everyone else take care of the details.

SECRET #3 – Take your photos before the ceremony.

I know it’s traditional to not see each other before the ceremony. But it also means you’ll have a very tight timeline between your ceremony and reception.

A tight schedule means you’ll be rushed, stressed and anxious.

Arrange for a romantic “first glimpse” before the ceremony with just the two of you. Your photographer can capture those private moments from a discrete distance.

Then you’ll have time for a relaxing, fun photo shoot in the location of your choice. And at the ceremony, that “first glimpse” will have a whole new and special quality with your friends and family watching.

If you can do it, take your photos before the ceremony. It will have a HUGE impact on making your day more relaxing and stress-free.

SECRET #4 – Visit the “important” tables first.

A lot of couples want to do the “right thing” and visit each table at their wedding reception. The problem is that visiting 10 – 20 tables can take a very long time!

Before you know it you only have 45 minutes until the end of the party and your wedding day is over.

Rather than visit every table starting with #1, jot down the tables where your relatives and older guests will be seated. These are the people who will throw a fit if you don’t say hello.

Visit those tables first and then skip the rest. Your friends will meet you at the bar or on the dance floor.

It’s your wedding day; use your time for having fun!

SECRET # 5 – Stop and “take a moment” throughout the day.

It’s really easy to get caught up in the rush of your wedding day. Before you know it, it’s last call.

Grab your honey throughout the day and night and steal a quiet moment. Look out at the party, look over at your guests and enjoy the moment. Remind yourselves that this is really happening.

   True Story:  One of our couples made a pact before the wedding. Whenever one of their special songs was played, they would stop what they were doing and meet on the dance floor.

These quiet moments will help you remember how amazing your wedding day was. Take them throughout the night to enjoy it even more.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these insider tips! I’ve gathered them from my own experience, the advice of past brides and other wedding professionals.

As a way to thank you for reading these emails, I have a special free gift for you! Visit OC Brides Free DIY eBooks and select any or all of the following eBooks ....

Wedding Planning Simplified

A Brides Guide to Hiring a DJ

Wedding Budget Checklist

Wedding Speeches for the Bride

Wedding Speeches for the Best Man and Groomsmen

If you have any questions about what other brides have done to enjoy their day more, just let me know. I’m happy to help.  Contact me now!

Happy planning!

Cindy Lieber
Accredited Event Designer
OC Brides Event Coordination
www.weddingplanneroc.com
Cindy@ocbrides.com
(714) 970-6380

HOw to Guarantee Your Wedding is Fun

Pretty much every single one of our clients wants their wedding to be FUN.   Nobody wants a boring party and yawning guests.

So this email will focus on what you can do to guarantee that your wedding is fun. When your wedding is fun...it's the dream wedding you've always wanted. Your guests will talk for years about how great your wedding was and compare it to all others that come after.

First of all, I'd be lying if I told you that you can do something to "make" your guests have fun. You can't. If your guests have their hearts set on pouting in the corner, there's nothing you can do to stop them.

But you CAN guarantee that YOU have a fun time. And if you take these actions, it all but guarantees that if your guests want to have a good time, they WILL.

1) Set An Example Of Fun.

If you want your wedding to be fun, YOU have to have fun. Your wedding is all about you. Your guests will be looking to you for guidance. You're the star of the show. If you aren't having a good time... chances are they won't, either.

On the other hand, if you're having the time of your life, your guests will be compelled to join you. When you incorporate humor into your day, they will laugh along with you.

If you want your guests on the dance floor...go to the dance floor. Your guests will be drawn to you like moths to a flame. (It's the white dress.) The party goes where you go.

Making sure you have fun at your own wedding is the number one way to guarantee a killer party.

2) Create A Comfortable Environment for You and Your Guests.

What do I mean by a "comfortable" environment? A big piece of this is selecting an entertainer who "gets" who you are and the vibe you want for your party.

If your guests are naturally shy, and your entertainer tries to drag them onto the dance floor...they will NOT feel comfortable.

No comfort, no fun.

On the other hand, if your entertainer's style matches your own and meshes with your guests...they'll feel comfortable enjoying themselves in whatever way is natural for them. Comfort leads to relaxation...which translates to FUN.

Guests feel comfortable when they know what's going on and what's expected of them. Make sure your entertainer guides the flow of events so that guests know where to go and what to do. This sets them at ease and sets the stage for a good time.

3) Be There.

This one sounds obvious, right? Unfortunately, that's not always the case.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen the bride and groom DISAPPEAR from their own wedding reception. Maybe they step outside for a smoke, or they decide to chat with guests in the hall.

When the bride or groom leaves their wedding celebration, it's like the air gets sucked out of the room. People are lost without their host and hostess; they wander around like lost puppies.

If you want your party to be fun, STAY IN THE MIX.

4) Get Your Photos Done EARLY.

Work with your photographer to plan your formal portraits so that you can join your guests for as much of your cocktail hour as possible...and for ALL of your reception.

If you leave your reception for a photo session, the party dies without you. It's YOUR wedding and they NEED you to have fun.

It sounds like the ultimate co-dependent situation...but it's true. Do yourself a favor and allow plenty of time for a leisurely photo session BEFORE the reception. Occasionally, a rowdy group will keep on partying without you...but that's the exception to the rule.

5) Share Your Story With Your Guests.

Your guests will have the most fun when they are ENGAGED and INVOLVED in your wedding. The best way to engage them is by sharing your love story and the interests, hobbies and quirks that make you who you are.

There are lots of ways to do this. Personalize your vows. Have your entertainer tell your love story to your guests. Take the microphone and tell them yourself. Share your story in your program or on a card at each table.

If you have a sense of humor, play it up. Ask your entertainer for assistance and ideas. The more laughs, the more engaged your guests become...the more fun.

Find a way to share your story that fits you. It will have a huge impact on how much fun your guests have at your wedding.

I hope you've enjoyed my Top 5 Tips to bring the fun to your wedding. My years as a wedding professional have proven that these methods  WORK time and time again.

Brides who follow these guidelines have fun, unforgettable parties. Brides who choose to ignore them...well, they don't have nearly as much fun.

Happy Planning!

Cindy Lieber
Accredited Event Designer
OC Brides Event Coordination & Planning
www.corporateweddingplanner.com
(714)970-6380
CIndy@ocbrides.com


P.S.  If you feel overwhelmed and could use some help with creating and keeping everything on schedule, visit our wedding planning page ....

www.corporateweddingplanner.com