How to Plan Your Cheap Wedding!

A case for the choreographed first dance

You guys know what a big fan I am of the idea of having a choreographed first wedding dance... (See this blog post for evidence: http://www.planmycheapwedding.com/2008/09/rock-the-reception-baby.html) If there was ever a case in support of my assertion, it would have to be this video I found of the web of the most adorable first wedding dance I've seen in a long time! Choreographed to Sonny and Cher's "I've Got You Babe", this dance will make you think twice about shunning the idea of planning the moves for your first public groove as a married couple;) Check it out: http://www.wagesvideo.com/clients/shana_rob/dances.html

Let me know what you think...did I sway anyone's opinion about choreographed wedding dances?

Wedding Fever!

How many weddings have there been in the past week?! We've got Bruce Willis and his beautiful VS model's nuptials, Dave Letterman and his longtime girlfriend (surprised much? I am!) tying the knot after 23 years together, and my personal favorite Danica McKellar (aka Winnie Cooper from the Wonder Years) and her music man got married with both their real parents and TV parents in attendance. Can I get a collective: Awwwwww!!:) Now we all just have to wait for some of the details to see what ideas we can nab to bring a little Hollywood to the best of the cheap weddings out there;)

Peculiar wedding dresses much?

I think most little girls dream of the perfect wedding dress that they'll have one day. Whether they'll be the belle of the ball, barbie princess, Greek goddess, or a vintage bride there is no doubt that ladies out there have some serious preconceived notions about what a traditional wedding dress should consist of. So let's change our perspectives a bit and think out of the box, shall we? 

These wedding dresses are not for the faint of heart! Some may say they're crazy, some may say they're visionary. I say they are interesting at the very least:) Check out a gallery of avant gard wedding dresses and post your thoughts below: http://www.whats-wrong-with-the-zoo.com/10-unusual-wedding-dresses/

A little shell-shocked? This snazzy wedding dress website is a site for sore eyes: www.bridepower.com

 Comments? Let's chat below...

Winter wedding ideas!

Love is the air...despite the sub-zero temperatures most of the country has been enduring lately;) Winter weddings are going to be popping up this season and I'd like to devote a blog post to help anyone trying to plan an elegant sophisticated winter wedding on a budget:)

#1 Show you guests the silverlining: Subtle color schemes are an easy way to show off at you winter wedding! White on white color schemes always look elegant. Add in silver or gold accents and you have a beautiful backdrop for your wedding. You can even design your e-invitations with silver or gold accents. Even Fergie and Josh Duhamel's recent winter wedding went green by sending out top secret e-invites for their nuptials;)

#2 Nothing says winter like a little ice: Have some extra change to impress with? Invest in a breathtaking ice sculpture for your buffet line!

#3 Petal power: While I love the idea of calli lilies, white peonies, and daisies, if you already have a white color scheme a good way to add color is with bright flowers like the ever popular red roses, purple lilacs, and blue hyacinths.

#4 Bring on the mocha: Want a good idea for cute, inexpensive gifts for your guests wedding favors? Make little packages of hot chocolate to go! All it takes is chocolate power, some mini marshmallows, cinnamon, and a cute bow to wrap it together! Bon appetite!

What am I missing? Does anyone have any ideas they used for their own wedding? Or ideas from friends weddings? Post below...:D

Per Glamour.com: Wedding Do or Don't?

Wedding Do or Don't: Skipping the Cake and Serving Pies!

"My friend Tasha decided to skip the big cake at her wedding. Instead, she and her husband served 16 freshly baked pies, including peach, blueberry, cherry, strawberry-rhubarb, lemon, and apple. So, here's my question...

So, my dears, what do you think? Would you serve pies? Or maybe cookies and brownies? I'd love that.... (My friend Brooke served little ice cream sandwiches at her wedding! They were so yummy.) Or are you enchanted by the idea of feeding your new husband a bite of classic wedding cake?"

See the entire article at: http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/blogs/smitten/2008/12/wedding-do-or-dont-skipping-th.html

Wedding bailout?

If only the wedding industry could get a bailout of their own... or at least a stimulus plan be implemented for all the brides out there trying to plan an elegant yet affordable wedding. Here's the thing ladies, we have a tool that brides ten years ago didn't necessarily have at their fingertips: the Internet! The Internet alone can make planning a wedding in a sluggish economy that much easier!

Here are some quick tips for planning a wedding amidst crashing stock markets:

1. Ask for help: Mom and Dad have been there for you all your life, right? While it isn't theirjob to fund your entire wedding as it was in the 18th century, it may be a possibility that they can help out with one area of the wedding as a whole. For example, securing a venue for the wedding could be their contribution--even if that venue is their farmland in Iowa or summer home in Arizona.
2. Got Talent?: If your friends have special talents, don't ask them to buy you something off the registry, ask for their trades as a gift. Imagine the possibilities: Free makeup and hair, wedding photos, wedding cake, even designing the decor could be a piece of cake with the help of some fab friends;)
3. E-cards for all: Paper invites are traditional and can be instrumental in setting the tone for your wedding, however we live in a cyber society and e-invites are much easier--and cheaper-- to send out to friends and family. Many sites cater to designing wedding invitations at affordable prices while still keeping style a priority. Ditto goes for the "Thank You" cards after the wedding...
4. Along the same vein: Wedding programs and menus can be designed and printed from home which can save hundreds of dollars alone!

Got more money-saving ideas? Post below..:)

Celebrity Weddings, oh me oh my!

Hey folks,

I'm so sorry I haven't posted in a while... as it turns out I've spent the last month moving from the east coast to the west coast, setting up an apartment, and gaining employment! I'm tired, but feeling a bit like Superwoman so all is good;)

Now let's talk about some recent celebrity weddings! In the coming weeks I'm going to be covering the nuptials of Ellen Degeneres and Portia DeRossi, Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds, and T.V. star Beverly Mitchell and Michael Cameron.

Let's see if we can find some new wedding trends that we can fashion into an oh-so affordable reality for all of us thrifty brides! Stay tuned...

Walk a mile in these wedding shoes...

I know it may not seem to be a big deal, but a common last-minute question/concern I've been hearing from brides is: what shoes do I wear on the big day?! I know that it's tempting to go for a beautiful pair of elegant, but extremely painful shoes like these:

But really, it should be about comfortability: 

You'd be surprised how many brides wear decorative flip-flops for their weddings. I'm not kidding! And who could blame them? The average wedding dress is going to be skimming the floor the whole ceremony, so it really doesn't matter what kind of shoes you wear under it. And what about the reception? I don't know about y'all, but I plan to be bustin' many moves on the dance floor and it would be much simpler in some cute ballet flats instead of 4 1'2 inch Jessica Simpson stilettos, no?

What do you guys think? Should brides stay traditional and go for the white satin high heels with no questions asked or does the new trend of wedding flip flops and flats sound like a better way to go?

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Rock the Reception, baby!

Hey all,

So remember when I wrote a wedding trend watch article about the 'fancy first dance'? Well, I was so stoked to finally get a see an episode of the TLC show "Rock the Reception"which features my favorite wedding trend of late: choreographed first dances. I'm amazed that this trend has caught so much speed in recent months that we're actually starting to see reality tv shows crop up to cash in on this pop culture phenom. I think a major pull for the show is the amazing choreography duo: Napoleon and Tabitha! If there are any 'So You Think You Can Dance' fans out there(holla!) y'all will recognize this dynamic team from season 4's line up. I'm super impressed with the show and I think you guys will like it too. Watch it sometime and tell me if it lives up to all the hype;)

Per Brides.com: How to be a Zen bride!

I love any differing views on how to look at traditional experiences (such as weddings) and brides.com has composed an article that I think any bride-to-be can take a few notes from. It's titled "How to be a Buddha bride" and gives ten principles every bride can use to make her wedding experience as serene as possible;) Enjoy:

1. I will be mindful and reverential with all life
Consider kindness a way of being. It's an expression of your love and compassion for others, including the florist who's got three other weddings to contend with on the day you marry and the girlfriends who give up their lunch hours to help you hunt for place-card holders.

2. I will respect others’ property; I will not steal
Others' property includes their time and energy. Asking your friends to help you out with, say, making the favors, is okay; expecting them to be available 24/7 is not. Certainly, your buddies are happy for you, but remember that the wedding is your top priority, not theirs.

3. I will be conscious and loving in my sexual relationship
Sex is about intimacy and trust between two people. It's not about manipulation. (For example, seducing your fiancé to get what you want — the big-band orchestra, the deluxe photo package, the Aspen honeymoon).

4. I will honor honesty and truth; I will not deceive
Your beau wants a wedding at city hall; you've always dreamed of exchanging vows in a church. If you say, “Whatever you want, honey,” but resent it for all eternity, you're cheating both of you. Tell him what's in your heart. You may have to work out a compromise, but it will be an honest one.

5. I will exercise proper care of my mind and body; I will not overindulge in anything
It's all fun, fun, fun — showers, bachelorette parties — with lots of temptations (food, drink, cute bartenders). But if you want to fit into your dress, don't want a hangover, and most of all, want to be able to face yourself in the morning, employ some moderation.

6. I will remember that silence is precious; I will not gossip or engage in frivolous conversation
Even if one of your bridesmaids is behaving badly (refusing to show up for fittings, criticizing your decisions), don't talk about her behind her back. Try to find out what's really bothering her and work around her problem.

7. I will be humble; I will not praise myself and judge others
By getting married, you're becoming part of a big celebration and joining an even bigger family — his. Family members have faults, and even if you can't accept those flaws, accepting the family will make yours a better marriage.

8. I will be generous in the giving of wealth
As all those registry gifts begin to arrive, think of others less fortunate than you by donating your current housewares (coffeemaker, toaster) still in good condition to a thrift shop or charity. Check to see if your reception leftovers can be delivered to a food bank, the flowers to a hospice.

9. I will keep my mind calm and at peace and not give way to anger
Meditate on this: It's not all going to go perfectly. Know that on your wedding day you won't be able to control the weather, traffic delays, or your sister's mood swings. Fretting today won't fix a potential problem tomorrow. Let it go.

10. I will not lose sight of the truth
A wedding is a joyous occasion, but it's not just about having the party of a lifetime. Don't let the planning get in the way of the day's real purpose: to join your life with his.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/25972548/

Wedding Trend Watch: Green Weddings

In an increasingly earth-conscious society (thank heavens), what is a modern bride to do when deciding to incorporate green concepts into her wedding? And on a budget no less?! Well, the good news is that it's easier than you think to make your ceremony a little more eco-friendly while still maintaining a reasonable budget! Here are a few tips:

• Start at the beginning: make a choice to invest in recycled gold wedding bands and if possible conflict-free diamonds.
• Paper basics: choose to use recycled paper to print your invites and wedding programs on. 
• Eco-dresses: your wedding dress can make less of a negative impact on the environment when it's made form all natural materials such as cotton and silk.
• Natural food goodness: Use organic foods and free-range livestock for your guests entrees;)
• Give back: give guests an option to donate to the charity of your choice instead of buying a wedding gift.
• Believe it or not: There are eco-friendly resorts in numerous places that could be possible honeymoon spots for you and your honey!

What am I forgetting? Leave me some suggestions/comments below!

Vote for me!

Hey all! I found a cool site called "Top 100 wedding sites" and I would love it if you all could vote for me to make the list! If you click on: http://www.top100weddingsites.com/scripts/arp/rankem.cgi?id=danip it will automatically add a vote for me and hopefully up my ranking;) Thanks in advance everyone!

Top 50 Wedding Songs

The perfect first dance song can be as stressful to find as the perfect reception site or cake design for some couples. Thankfully weddingzone.net had outlined the top 50 love songs used at weddings for the first dance! They also include links where you can buy the tracks or hear samples to inspire you. Go check out the list at: http://www.weddingzone.net/p-top50.htm

I suppose you could use the list to find a favorite tried and true song...or...you could use it as a guideline to choose a completely fresh song that could end up a classic;) Personally, I was shocked at the absence of Josh Groban songs ('When you say you love me', anyone?)! See if your fav's made the list!

Have fun listening and comment on your favorite wedding songs in the comments below:)

Definition of a Bridezilla?

Hey folks! Let's explore a little pop culture reference known as a 'bridezilla'...

Wiki describes a bridezilla as: "(a portmanteau of bride and Godzilla) is a generic term used to describe a difficult, unpleasant, perfectionist bride who leaves aggravated family, friends and bridal vendors in her wake. A bridezilla is obsessed with her wedding as her perfect day and will disregard the feelings of the family, bridesmaids and even her groom in her quest for the perfect wedding."

Hmmm...

Then we have a totally cool website dedicated to the ultimate bridezillas, complete with this hall of fame (great,witty read- check it out): http://www.bridezilla.com/2007/03/bridezilla_hall_of_fame_the_mo.cfm

And of course there's the WE tv show that's sure to become a cult classic: "Bridezillas!" which now features the family fighting back against their whiny, demanding bridzillas;) Not sure if you fall under the bridezilla category? Take a peek at the "You might be a bridezilla if..." section at:  http://www.wetv.com/bridezillas/you-might-be-a-bridezilla-if and find out!

And of course, let us know your best (or worst!) bridezilla moments in the comments:D

Worst Wedding Advice?

Hey all! I stumbled across some pretty funny wedding advice per TheKnot.com--enjoy;)

Bad Advice: 
"The worst wedding advice anyone has told me was to sing our vows to each other." —Erin, Richmond, VA
Our Advice: 
We totally encourage personalizing your vows, but unless you moonlight as opera singers, leave the American Idol aspirations for the after-party.

Bad Advice: 
"My mom insisted that I wear my gold-colored junior prom dress as my wedding gown. She thought it was silly to buy yet another dress that I'd only wear once." —Alyssa, Madison, WI
Our Advice: 
While hand-me-down gowns can add a sentimental touch and colored gowns are gaining popularity, most prom dresses should stay securely in the back of the closet for the wedding day.

Bad Advice: 
"I was told that if the groom was unavailable during the toast, the bride has to kiss the best man." —Anonymous
Our Advice: 
Making out with the best man at the reception is a great idea — if your wedding happens to fall on Opposite Day.

Bad Advice: 
"My future father-in-law thought that since we were getting married in an historic home and I'm a costume designer, we should wear hoopskirts and crinolines!" —Abbey, Austin, TX
Our Advice: 
We love historic homes, but unless you're into the idea of a masquerade ball wedding, play up the decor rather than your attire. Likewise, your wedding photos will be around for years to come, so wear something that won't leave your grandkids in hysterics.

Good stuff, eh? It's always nice to read a few funny stories and be thankful that planning your own wedding hasn't gotten as, shall we say,...interesting? :D

So time to dish: what's the worse wedding advice you've ever gotten?

How to include divorced parents in your wedding ceremony

Hey all! I found a great article at: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24955673/?GT1=43001 that covers wedding etiquette on including divorced parents in your wedding ceremony. Topics the article covers include:

• what to do when you have to choose between your bio dad and step-dad walking you down the aisle
• how to write wedding invitations when you and your groom have two sets of parents
• how to seat divorced parents at your wedding when they can't be civil with one another

...and tons more! Check it out and let me know what you think! 

Wedding Photo Frenzy!

So I'm definitely convinced that one of the sweetest and most inexpensive additions to a wedding is the video photo showcase that some couples add to their wedding's reception! Not all couples take advantage of this opportunity to show their guests their humorous sides by adding funny childhood photos leading up to pictures of the happy couple in the present day. Every wedding I've attended that's had this addition in it has seen it go off without a hitch and engage their guests in a positive way by inviting them into the couple's personal world in the past and present. You could even add a theme to the showcase if you wanted and/or add background music to it which will only add to the hilarity of the presentation;) I mean, think of the possibilities: adding old school music like 'Parents just don't understand' by the Fresh Prince during the childhood pictures slides, then later segueing into 'I'm a Believer' by the Monkees when the couple's photos begin, etc. 

***Wedding photo savings tip: Hire a professional photographer only for the wedding party photos and the ceremony itself. For the reception, add disposable cameras to each table's centerpiece with a note asking your guests to help save the memories of your reception by becoming freelance photographers for the night:)

Better yet, after the ceremony is over and you get the pictures back from the wedding and the reception, it'd be ideal to be able to put those photos together into a video showcase of their own for future viewing (or perhaps to send to family and friends who weren't able to make it to the wedding). And then there's the honeymoon photos and anniversary photos... My point is I'd definitely look into getting a video photo slide program for your events that deserve a polished, professional look for those times when you're traveling down memory lane or showing off to new neighbors (lol) and don't necessarily want to whip out a large, dusty photo album on your bookshelf that rarely gets attention. The best and cheapest program I've found on the Internet is called the Video Showcase Creator. The've got samples up of what their program can do on Youtube along with testimonials and all that jazz. It looks really good and only costs about as much as dinner at Olive Garden for you and your honey;) Check it out here:   

Click Here!

Glamour.com's Wedding Do's and Dont's

New marriage trends:

Are they a Do or a

Don't?

Here's what glamour.com readers had to say.

Walking down the aisle pregnant: It's a Don't, say 71%.

Having a crazy-decadent wedding like Tom and Katie's: It's a Don't, say 70%.

Having a life-size cake of you: It's a Don't, say 98%.

Having guests donate to a charity instead of buying gifts: It's a Do, say 42%.

Having an eco-friendly wedding: It's a Do, say 45%.

Singing as you walk down the aisle: It's a Don't, say 95%.

Having the photographer spend the entire weekend with you, including the morning after: It's a Don't, say 89%.

Wedding Trend Watch: Fancy First Dance

Maybe it's from the mainstream popularity of dance reality shows like 'So You Think You an Dance' and 'Dancing With The Stars' or maybe it's from wedding guests growing tired of seeing recently married couples dance like they're awkward 6th graders at their first school dance, but whatever the reason may be we are now seeing a new trend of fabulous (and sometimes choreographed) first dances at weddings! I for one am very excited to see this new wedding trend grow some momentum. After all, how amazing would it be to be able to show off at your wedding by surprising your guests with some foxy moves they didn't realize you had! It wouldn't be that hard to plan either:

1. Choose a song with a good beat or theme: go for a traditional piece that can be waltzed to, dare to be dramatic with a tango, or shake your groove thing with a disco routine!

2. Start practicing around six months in advance: save money and ask a friend with dancing experience for help with the choreo, otherwise take a group couple's dance class offered at a local ballroom studio to get your feet wet.

3.  Add in your own personal flair: don't be afraid to throw in dips, lifts, spins, poses, and more! It's all about showing off your flair as a couple and giving your guests something to cheer about;)

Wedding Trend Watch: Groom's Cake

So being a recent Southern transplant, I hadn't heard of the Southern tradition called the 'groom's cake'. Apparently, this wedding tradition is spreading from the South and finding popularity all over the country including swanky Hollywood. The idea is to present your groom with a personal wedding cake that reflects his personality and perhaps uses it as an amends for all the wedding planning and bridezilla behavior he's been exposed to over the past several months;) There's some folklore that goes along with the cake too...

It seems that the single ladies at the wedding are supposed to take a slice of the groom's wedding cake home and sleep with it under their pillow. Messy much? However, the mess is supposed to be rewarded with a dream revealing their future husband's face. In any event, I'm not sure how practical the groom's cake is as an addition to a frugal wedding; however it's definitely something to ponder adding to your ceremony to make your groom's presence and personality a part of the big day too.