ABS Weddings
Wedding Planning 101
March 1st, 2012 | Amy Francis
While planning your wedding it is always smart to get a crash course in wedding planning. This means that as the wedding planner you will be responsible for everything. It will be tough and stressful sometimes, but if you know the basics it will be much easier. This article will give you a few tips for planning your special day.
Prioritize Your Plans: Before you worry about doing anything for your wedding you must be prepared. Take time to think about what it is that you want this wedding to say and what your budget is. Once you have a budget it will be a lot easier for you to work, you will be able to control your spending better and in turn have a much easier time planning the wedding.
Timing Matters: One of the biggest mistakes that a new bride will make is poor time management. You must start at least 4 months before your wedding date in order for everything to go smoothly. This does not mean that there won’t be hiccups along the way, but rather that having more time allows for issues to arise ands be addressed.
Reservations Must Be Addressed First: Any and all reservations for the venue, catering, music, staff, set-up, cleaning, limo’s and guest accommodations must be done first. The reason this is so crucial is that most catering companies, venue departments and things of that nature are usually booked pretty solid and you may need to make reservations more than 60 days in advance.
Invitations: Invitations to your wedding should go out at least a month in advance so guests can request time off and check their finances. It is also important that all invitations are RSVP, request a response in three weeks time so you will know exactly how many people are attending. This will allow you to check with caterers, venue and other important people in case of any changes to the guest list.
Dresses, Tuxedos and Colors: Once you have set reservations, sent out invitations and done all the other important scheduling for the wedding you need to turn your attention to the creative details. One of the biggest new trends is eco fashion. Organic or eco friendly dresses and tuxedos for the brides and groomsmen will make any wedding fashionable and green. Colors for the wedding need to be picked out as soon as possible. Any decorations must be purchased and stored away and most importantly dresses and tuxedos must be picked out. It is really important that you as the bride obtain measurements for yourself all those in your wedding party. While it is perfectly acceptable to expect your wedding party and the groomsmen to cover their own clothing you should make sure that they all know the selected colors of the wedding and that all alterations must be done in time for the wedding.
This is also the time that you should be paying attention to your dress. You will need to purchase your dress in enough time to allow for fittings and alterations to be finished. Like reservations and invitations the dress should not be put on hold until the last minute, doing so could result in an enormous amount of stress.
Attitude: It is important that while planning a wedding you know your limits. While TV may make a poor attitude look funny you must realize that being mean, demanding and completely insane is a great way to start your marriage off badly. While it is true that this is your special day and you are the center of attention, do not make the mistake of being a dictator. The people helping you do not have to do it and when pushed too far can justifiably leave you to plan your own wedding. It is important that you remember to be a friendly, well mannered bride and treat people with respect.
Now that you have had a crash course do not be afraid to create the wedding of your dreams. Just remember that the framework of a wedding must be completed first and prioritizing things will help you a great deal. One great tip for party favors is by using giving a personalized pen to every guest with both of your names on it. Remember to take care of the venue, caterers and such things first. If you are looking for more party favor ideas – check this post. The invitations and other details come next. If you need more help don’t forget that you can always go to your local library and checkout some other material to help you.
Unique Wedding Favor Ideas
January 20th, 2012 | Amy Francis
When planning your much anticipated nuptials you might encounter a problem: finding the most unique and fun wedding favors, preferably at an affordable price. This is a very important element to a wedding because these are what your guests will take home with them to remember the joyous event. You want them to remember your wedding day as fondly as they love their favors.
First, I would like to point out a few “do it yourself” wedding favor ideas which tend to be the most affordable, and fun to create! When you order your favors premade from a manufacturer you’re stuck with what they give you. Even if you really like them, chances are if you’re a picky bride then there is always something you wish was different. If you make your own favors, you have the liberty to be the designer, and use your own creative expertise so your guest favors are what you want them to be. A few ideas are “do it yourself” jar candles that you can add your own labels to. These are inexpensive, you can do many at once, and they’re relatively simple to do! Another cute idea is to personalize journals for your beloved guests that have attend. Not only can they remember the events at the wedding but also record down new ones!
More great ideas are giving your guests tree saplings or pretty plants as favors. That way you’ve given your family and friends something to do at home that involves getting outside and enjoying nature. They will delight at watching it grow to maturity, remembering how they saw your relationship grow in maturity at the altar. One of the absolute best ways to make your wedding favors memorable is to personalize them. You can choose from a number of websites that will print you quality personalized tags, labels, and even ribbon! You can personalize anything you can think of, napkins, wine and shot glasses, even a matchbook. This is the way to go to insure individuality for your favors.
With many great and unique ideas floating around out there, every bride will find exactly what they want to give their family and friends attending the special day. If the bride decides to order her gifts and indulge in the convenience of time saved, or make her own gifts to add personal touch and express creativity, personalization can make anything more unique and memorable!
5 Different Types of Wedding Dresses
December 3rd, 2011 | Amy Francis
When it comes to our wedding day, we want it to be just as we imagined. From having all our close friends and family members there to looking our best, there are so many expectations we have set for the big day.
Once we start planning for our wedding, it’s important to decide which type of wedding dress we’d like. Now, in order to figure that out, we need to first be familiar with the different types.
5 Different Types of Wedding Dresses:
Hourglass: One of the most popular wedding dress styles is the hourglass dress. This dress looks just as it sounds and resembles an hourglass. This dress looks best on someone with feminine hips, larger breasts and a thinner waist.
Mermaid: There is also the mermaid style that is becoming more and more popular each day. This dress also looks just as it sounds. It usually tends to hug a woman very tightly on top and doesn’t start to poof out until it hits the height of their knees. These dresses are very popular amongst celebrities and anyone that wants to really show off their figure.
Empire waist: This dress is another beautiful choice and is great for someone with a smaller bust line. These dresses are very tight on top and fall right down while staying the same width. This is also great for someone wanting to look taller and slimmer.
Sheath: Though these aren’t the most popular dresses, they are still a nice choice for something less formal like a beach wedding. These dresses are made to fit a woman’s frame and are shorter than traditional wedding dresses that have a train or drag on the floor. Sheath dresses are great for women that want to show off their legs since they end at about the knee.
A-line: Again, just like the name, A-line, this dress is shaped like an “A”, is fitted on top, grabs the hips and then flows toward the bottom. This is a very classic and traditional dress that is great for anyone and especially those who would like to hide a few pounds in the waist and hip area.
As one can see, there are several different types of wedding dresses to choose from. So, whether someone would like to frame their hourglass figure or they’d like to try a mermaid style, every dress is beautiful and they all add something nice.
Most Exotic Honeymoon Destinations
December 17th, 2010 | Amy Francis
When it comes to choosing where to go on your honeymoon, you should try to come up with an unforgettable destination, one that will be remembered always. It is nice to make it something exotic and different, instead of the same traditional vacations everyone seems to choose.
When thinking about the most exotic honeymoon destinations, one place that seems to immediately come to mind is Africa. Quite a few hotels in Africa are consistently listed among the most romantic in the world. There is so much beauty in Africa, and so much to explore. A few days at one of the luxurious hotels would be wonderful and a few more days on a safari would round out the honeymoon. Not many people get the chance to visit Africa or go on a safari. A honeymoon is a once in a life time event, a honeymoon safari is a once in a lifetime vacation that befits the special occasion.
Turtle Island in Fiji is another unforgettable honeymoon destination. The views are stunning. It would be hard not to be romantic is such a beautiful place. You can both relax in double hammock right on the beach. When you’re done relaxing and are feeling more energized, you can explore the island using either bikes or riding horses. You can hike the amazing hillsides. Or if water sports are more to your liking scuba dive in the crystal clear water, or take a boat out to go sailing. There are so many different exotic adventures to partake in when you plan a Fiji honeymoon.
Samoa is an often overlooked destination when planning a honeymoon and it really shouldn’t be. What could be more romantic than a bungalow on stilts over the water. It is like being on your own private island. Samoa is both laid back and explosive. The fire and knife dancing is not to be missed. The diving and surfing is great. The people of Samoa are friendly and welcome visitors. Food prices are low and tipping is not a custom. It’s a place you will look back on fondly.
If winter is more to your liking, you could always spend some time in your own private tent in the Swiss Mountains. You will have total privacy, sheep skin rugs, and a wood burning stove to keep you warm. Well as warm as one can get in a tent on a snowy mountain. If you like skiing, this is definitely the place for you.
As you can see, there are many choices when it comes to planning a honeymoon. Try to think of destinations that are unusual and that offer activities that you can both enjoy. For your honeymoon you should find a place that offers plenty of activities and fun, but also a lot of privacy. You will not want to be around crowds every minute of your honeymoon. This is a time for the two of you to bask in your love for each other. A time to spoil each other. Plan activities that you each like so you will both have a great time. If one of you enjoys lying on the beach and the other is a more active person, why not sign the more active partner up for surfing lessons, or hang gliding, while the other partner stays on the beach and watches. Compromise is one important key to a happy marriage, and starting it on your honeymoon is a wonderful start. Being considerate and thinking about each other’s feelings is a very good habit to get into. The most important part of your honeymoon is not so much where you go or what you do, but the fact that you are doing it together.
Guest Post: This post was written by Jon Klein a travel blogger. Currently Jon blogs for A travel insurance website, Free Travel Insurance and leading air travel blog, Airline Tickets.
Destinations Weddings 101
November 12th, 2010 | Amy Francis
The dream of a sandy beach wedding with the sun setting in the west is beautiful and achievable by those who live near the beach, but for those who may live in a state like Colorado, a beach is everything but close by. Many couples who want to have a wedding in a different place other than where they are located at has been done by a lot of couples. Most of the couples are married within their hometown, but have a mock wedding when they arrive at their dream wedding spot. It is hard to get married in other countries when there are citizenship issues. If the wedding is within the country and the same laws apply, then being married on that sunset beach is possible. The downfall of this is many families cannot travel to the wedding destination to be present, so a follow up reception can take place to gather everyone together for the celebration.
Once the couple is married and they want an exotic honeymoon in some far off country, where they would choose to go, could be anywhere. The destinations are numerous and it is not always the fine resorts or the sun kissed beaches where couples choose to spend their honeymoon. Places like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, the Caribbean, Hawaii and other exotic places are common, but there are a lot of off the beaten path places too that honeymooners love to spend time at.
For some couples it is not where they go, but how much it will cost to get there. Sales on traveling to other countries might better fit the financial budget for the honeymoon getaway to a place they never thought of originally. Every country has its own uniqueness about it, whether it is the food, the landscape, the culture, or the history. Finding those unique qualities within other countries can make couples enjoy any place they go. Visiting places where a family member came from knowing that is where they grew up and now the couples can see the same place can be quite an experience for many.
If a couple chooses to go to a foreign country there may be shots, or vaccinations required to have before allowing them into the country. Make sure to check into this prior to booking flights and making arrangements so everything is in order before getting to the airport. Passports are required when going to other countries and may take awhile to process. Be sure to do this ahead of time so the wait time does not ruin the plans. Another thing to take into consideration is how that specific country is. If there have been diplomatic problems, couples may want to consider another place to go. The laws are different in every country and in that country; you would be a foreigner to them. If something does go wrong, it may not be as easy to resolve a simple misunderstanding.
No matter where couples may decide to go to on a honeymoon, do some homework. Know what food items are that are going to be on the menu so you have an idea of what you will be eating or ordering. For those who have allergies, this could be a life saving idea. What you eat at home will probably not be the same kind of food as where you will be. If they serve goat and you would not want any part of it, know what the proper name for that meat is in that country. Couples may find that they love the foods that are a part of that country, but have an idea of what you will be finding on the menus, to help to make the right choices.
Wedding destinations can be anywhere on the globe, but before couples decide where to go, do some checking into that country and find out what requirements are necessary before doing any booking. Be sure not to spend all your money on your honeymoon. As a newly married couple, you’re going to want to plan for the future and keep in mind that you may have a mortgage payment coming up if you buy a home. The perfect wedding and reception will not guarantee a perfect marriage, but doing some checking will help to ensure a happy and safe honeymoon that will make it a honeymoon to remember. Destinations Weddings 101
How to Choose a Wedding Decorator
September 12th, 2010 | Amy Francis
The day you have always dreamed about is finally becoming a reality: your wedding day. You have probably thought about it for years. Imagine your dress, your hair, the flowers, the people, and the place. It is one of the most important and exciting events that will happen to you in your lifetime and it should be perfect. A lot of people may offer you ideas, suggestions, tell you how their wedding was, how they wanted to do things. But this is your day, the day you will look back on for years to come. One of the keys to getting to the altar with a minimum of headaches is to get competent help, someone who can take a part of that stress off of your shoulders so that you can shine on your beautiful day. A professional wedding decorator can be a big help in that area. But how do you choose the right one? Here are some tips to ensure that you get hitched without a hitch.
Do I Really Need A Professional?
Of course you do. Not only can a professional wedding decorator take a big burden off of you, but they can help in many other ways as well. First of all, they are highly trained and experienced in etiquette, color, fabric, correct placement of reception rooms, and many other areas that you might not have thought you needed to be concerned with. They also usually have many good contacts and recommendations in other areas such as catering, flowers, music, photographers, and can often get discounts on goods and services to help minimize the cost as well. A good wedding planner should also be good at handling stress, and thinking on their feet in the event of an emergency. Anything can happen at the last minute, and you will want someone on your side who can handle pressure and last minute details with ease and confidence so you won’t have to. The time and expense and headaches they can save you will more than mitigate whatever fee they might charge for their services.
So How Do I Make Sure I Find a Good One?
A good place to start is with friends or family. Have you ever been to a wedding and thought “Wow, this is beautiful. I wonder who planned this? Get names. Find out how your friend felt about working with their wedding planner. Would they hire this person again? The best ideas and contacts are usually found closest to home. You may also be able to get referrals from rental halls. Florists, etc. They work with most of the wedding planners in your area on a regular basis, and may be able to steer you in the right direction.
Once you have a list of names, call and set up appointments to meet with them. It is important to sit down with them face to face, to find if your vision and personalities are in sync. Bring a note pad with you, and have a list of questions in mind. After you have met with what you feel are enough wedding decorators to have a nice selection, take a day or two to make a decision. Make certain that you get references when you meet with them, and check those references. Don’t hire the first planner you meet with. Make sure that you hire someone who shares your idea of your special day, someone that you can work well with, and feel comfortable to let take the initiative when needed. This is your big day, and you want to be able to start your marriage happy, confident, and stress-free. Congratulations and good luck in the future.
How to Choose a Wedding Videographer and Photographer
August 21st, 2010 | Amy Francis
There are significant things to consider when choosing a videographer or photographer for your wedding. Identify your particular expectations and requirements. Decide how much you are able to spend. Determine how much time you want to have a videographer or photographer present on your wedding day. Take care to choose a vendor that will produce high quality work. Confirm that each vendor will honor your specific requests for your wedding day photographs and video. How to choose a wedding videographer and photographer becomes a less daunting task when you remember these simple guidelines.
Consider what you want from a videographer or photographer on your wedding day. Imagine how you want to showcase memories of your wedding. Videographers and photographers have different production styles. Some videographers record every minute of a wedding and edit the video down to a shorter final product that can be a romantic music video or a short movie. Some videographers produce documentary style wedding videos, others create dramatic cinematic style videos.
Photojournalism is currently a very popular shooting style in terms of wedding photography and videography. Many photographers opt to shoot in this way because they prefer to capture their subjects in a candid, relaxed fashion rather than spending a lot of time posing people for portraits. It is a matter of preference. Some brides favor the look of strategically posed wedding photographs. There are photographers and videographers that use traditional techniques or a mixture of different styles.
Before choosing a photographer or a videographer it’s a good idea to become familiar with the look of each production method. The Internet is a great place to start. Take a look at different wedding pictures that are taken in a photojournalistic style and envision your wedding recorded using that same technique. Watch some wedding videos and take note of which ones you prefer and remember to convey your wish list of ideas to your potential videographer.
Decide how long you want to have your wedding recorded. Estimate the number of hours you want each vendor to be at the wedding and be sure to factor in the cost of additional time. Plan your wedding budget making careful financial allowances in each area. Your list of wedding categories such as music, clothing, favors, etc. should each dictate a specific amount that you can spend. Establish a price range for each area and stick to that plan. Remember your specific budget for a videographer or photographer when searching for vendors. Call, email, or take a look at the vendor’s website to see the range of their fees. You want to choose the vendor that will provide the best service for your special day. You don’t want to choose a vendor that completely destroys your wedding budget.
If you plan to spend a specific amount in your wedding budget and you commit to spending more than that amount on a photographer or videographer, you might end up having to make a financial sacrifice in other areas of your wedding planning. Remember that most vendors don’t accept credit cards, so be sure to bring cash or a check. Also note that if you pay in full up front, you may get a discount. It could be traumatic to spend too much on a photographer and have less in your wedding budget for your gown or music for your ceremony.
Your wedding will be a once in a lifetime experience. You want your video and photographs to reflect that monumental importance. In order to do that, you’ll need to rely on vendors that are experienced and have proven that they can produce a first-class product. Naturally, many videographers and photographers choose to show their prospective clients a prepared selection of photographs or video that illustrates their best work. It’s a good idea to see more than that. Ask to look at a diverse selection of wedding videos instead of one sample wedding. That way you’ll get a much better idea of what the videographer can produce. Similarly, when interviewing wedding photographers, ask to see several weddings from start to finish. You want a comprehensive understanding of the photographer’s ability to produce flattering and artistic photographs. That’s more difficult to decipher if you just see the very best photographs from only one wedding.
Guest Post: This is blog post has been provided by Blair Blange. Blair runs a Karaoke Songs Bar based in San Antonio Texas.