Winter Weddings

Choosing the time of your wedding is, perhaps, one of the most important decisions you will make. It has implications not only for colors, imagery, dress and themes but also on the wedding cost. Whatever time of year you decide on, you’ll want the day to be perfect so here are some ideas for you to take away. You’ll want to take your time over this decision and think forward to what the implications will be further down the line.

Winter is often underrated as a season for weddings. Most often they are associated with spring and summer warmth, flowers and sunshine. However, if the wedding cost is one of your primary concerns, then a winter wedding might just be what you need. Prices are almost always lower with venues and vendors during these months, as long as you avoid the Christmas and New Year periods - and the Ski resorts. Even then, many venues may struggle to find customers and will welcome a wedding at a much reduced price over what it would cost you later in the year. At the same time you may well find better deals on catering, banquet halls, wine vendors, limousine companies and photographers where these are traditionally their slowest months. It’s definitely a good time to look at for the bargain hunter.

There is no shortage of themes or styles to go around just because it is winter, either. Indeed, it can be a refreshing change to guests as well as the happy couple to experience a wedding in a completely different setting to what they may be used to. From Winter Wonderland to Christmas and New Year to Valentines, the choices can be as tantalising as at any other time of year. Winter Wedding Flowers include deep red, white or pink amaryllis, the beautiful Cymbidium Orchids as well as the more familiar tulips, Gerberas and roses, which, lets face it, can now be bought all year round. The fantastically romantic and heartwarming winter foliage of deep green Holly and Ivy can also add a magical touch to the day.

Traditional winter wedding colors and schemes can range from ice blue, sky blue and navy blue, through purple, plum, burgundy and reds. To the lighter silver, white, gold and cream.

Really - there are no hard and fast rules. Go with your heart and reflect your own personality, winter weddings are far from cold! Match your favors and themes like any other time of the year and have a fabulous time. If you want to keep the wedding cost low - this is definitely something to consider!

To use centerpieces for the wedding tables is to create a romantic feeling for the guests. Bowls of water with floating flowers or candles lit provide the romantic mood while being easy and affordable for the bridal couple. Incorporate the wedding colors for the candles and flower to carry the theme onto the centerpieces. Place the bowl in the center of the table so all the guests can feel the atmosphere the floating sensation produces.

Some money saving centerpieces for the wedding tables include plastic punch bowls etched in frosted glass or plastic. Place flowers in the bowl and around the bottom edges for a custom effect. Decorate it with doves, hearts, bells, and tulle.

Paper mache boxes in the colors of the wedding in different shapes make a classical touch. Use heart shaped boxes with tulle and white flowers to add to the charm of the boxes.
Clay potted flowers draped with pearls and tulle. Set the flowers in the middle of the table in a color doily enhancing the flowers and drawing the eyes to the center of the table. Use flowers matching the colors of the wedding flowers. The flowers do not have to be the same flowers as the rest of the wedding since the purpose of the centerpiece flowers is to continue the colors of the wedding theme.

Candles set in pillars decorated with a chain of pearls gently wrapped around the base of the pillar. Add tulle to the lower part of the pillar for a romantic effect.
Candles in the shapes of hearts, bells, or doves gently floating in a low bowl with confetti placed on the bottom of the bowl set in the middle of the table creates a beautiful addition. As the evening advances, light the candles setting a romantic mood for the evening.

All of the table centerpieces can be purchased inexpensively from dollar stores, craft stores, and department stores months prior to the big day for a less expensive method to decorate the tables with style, elegance, and grace.

To add to the selections for the centerpieces use the online discount stores that has so many more accessories for decorating the reception. Visit the sites to see the discounted items you can use for the centerpieces for the tables. Many sites will even have clearance items that will be inexpensive to add to your centerpieces.

Craft stores have discount areas where you can find great items to use for the centerpieces. There are floral pieces , pearls, lace, and ribbons that will be parts of the centerpieces for the tables at a discounted price saving you money with each attractive creation you make. You can save a lot of money when using the discounted items for your centerpieces.

Many brides have such a hard time selecting the right color for their wedding. They have a color in mind yet all the dresses they see just are not the right ones. So instead of beating your head against the wall looking at dresses, change to looking at shoes.

Using shoes to make the right decision will really help you out since you will be able to envision the dress to match the shoes. The shoes will more or less help you with the dress since there are so many different styles for different styles of weddings and times of year.

Think of it this way, you see this really cute pair of shoes. The girls in the wedding fall in love with them too. Now you take the shoes to the dress shop. You show the clerk the shoes and she will be able to direct you to the dresses that will go with the shoes. This solves the endless dilemma of viewing dresses after dresses that none of the girls seems to agree on for the wedding.

Many brides have used this method for finding their attendant’s dresses. They state if they would have discovered the method they would have saved valuable time in the past. They state they discovered the “buy the shoes first” system after mentioning to the dress clerks about how they are becoming frustrated with not finding the right dress.

When you shop for shoes, you will look for the style and the comfortable shoe. The attendants will be wearing the shoe for more than four or five hours so the shoes need to be very comfortable for them. The shoe needs to be stylish as well as functional for the day and most of the evening. Select shoes with comfort inserts.

Forget the pointed toe shoes. They are uncomfortable. If you must have that style, allow your attendants to have a spare pair of shoes for the reception. Just as you will be on your feet for several hours and need the comfortable shoe, so does your attendants. After so many hours in the pointed toe shoe they will be sore and that will not be any fun for them at all.

You can add to the shoe that is plain accessories to the toe areas such as clips with jewels to add to the appearance of the shoe. This can turn a plain shoe into a work of art that has the appeal of the higher priced shoes. The clip can be removed at the reception and worn in the hair if desired.

To find the clip accessories, check with the wedding dress shop, shoe stores or online for the accessories. There are wide varieties to select from to really change the appearance of the shoe.

Having a wedding that everyone remembers is one of the main goals of every couple. They want to have a wedding everyone will enjoy as well as talk about for a long time. They go to great measures to have the best possible wedding and reception they’re capable of.

Planning the perfect wedding and reception is easy as well as possible for any budget. Whether you want a formal or informal wedding, you can make the wedding of your dreams affordable with sticking to a budget and planning early for the special day.

For the wedding invitations, make a beautiful home printed design filled with your imagination by using your computer, your printer, and colored ink. At most stores are card stock or decorative invitations you can customize with your message and theme of the wedding. Save money on the printing fees by using the homemade invitations you create.

To have a unique wedding, purchase an antique style dress from a consignment shop. Get all of the bridal party together and change the current design of the dress to fall into the theme you have selected. Buy the embellishments at the craft store such as lace, floral appliques, and sequins. Add the new decals to the dress. Change the hemline and sleeves to be the dress of your dreams. If you remove any material from the dress, use the extra material for a head piece that matches the dress. Use fabric glue to adhere the decals onto the dress.

Disposable digital cameras set on the reception tables are a great way to get candid shots during the reception. Save the costs of the professional photographer by letting all the guests take the pictures on the special day. They will have fun and make a point of taking different pictures throughout the time of the reception. That is something a professional would charge a large price to do. Save money and allow all your friends and family help make the memories last a lifetime with the photos they will take.

For the reception decorations, place potted artificial flowers in pots on the tables wrapped with a strand of pearls and lace. Use the same color for the flowers that are used in the bridal bouquets. The same type of flowers will not matter as much as the colors. Place the potted creations on the different tables. Leave little pads of paper on the tables for the guests to write their good wishes to the new couple. Decorate the cover of the pads with white lace and material. Add the words “things you remember the most about  xxxx and xxxx.” This little keepsake will be cherished when the new couple reads the different memories of the friends and family.

The first steps of planning the wedding and the special day is to know the colors you want to incorporate for the day. If you do not have any ideas to the colors to use, there are some times to consider. It is important to include your partner in this decision since it is a day for both of you, so make a joint decision for your special day together.

Think about the time of year you are getting married. Typically, summer weddings use pastels for the colors where winter weddings use the rich bright colors. Spring and fall weddings use the same designs for the colors with pastels then bright colors of the season.

Think of where you became engaged for the possible theme of the wedding and reception. You may enjoy the country setting so you incorporate the lace or cowboy boots and hats for the theme and decorations. If you were engaged at the beach, you may use the seashells, water, and waves for the decorations. This could be the theme you use on the invitations and for the decorations.

Decide if you want a formal or informal wedding. Where is the reception to be held? What kind of meal will you be serving? All of this is part of creating your special day. The wedding and reception does not have to be huge to be something everyone will enjoy. The point of the day is to share the new beginning of the joining of the couple. Friends and family will be happy to share the day with you anyway you decide to have your day.

When you select the theme, you will create the mood of anticipation for the day with your wedding invitation. The invitation uses the theme you have selected within the print and design of the invitation. It is your first contact with your guests stating how the day will designed and how you will be celebrating your new beginnings.

Traditional weddings include champagne but you can still have a different type of wedding with the champagne. You can use the champagne for the main toasts then have other alcohol served keeping with the traditional toasts serving the drink of etiquette. Most weddings will have the champagne with wine or an open bar for the guests. Based on your budget you may opt for the bar for your quests.

Use the theme of the day for your cake. You want to incorporate the theme into the cake as a stylish fashion statement. Use real flowers around to the cake carrying the theme of the bouquets make a very nice touch to the cake table. For the beach theme wedding, adding seashells and sand spread on the cake table provides the feeling of being at the beach.

If you like roses or lilies then use them in the wedding, as decorations at the reception, and on the invitations. The flowers are beautiful and refreshing providing an added touch to everything you will use them with for your special day. Use place cards on the guest tables at the reception hall with the flowers as an added touch of decoration.

The wedding dress the only article of clothing everyone will really notice the day of the wedding. The wedding dress is the one area the clothing selected for the day needs careful consideration. Use the same theme of the wedding for your dress. Use the dress as a main focal point to announce the theme and have it incorporate the theme with style and grace.

You will be happy with the results of the day when you feel you have made everything right into place so take time to go over every little detail to make your wedding the one you have dreamed of since childhood.

Think about all the weddings you have attended and you will realize there are several ways to hold the bouquet. Depending on the design of the bouquet, there are specific ways to hold them. You have seen at some weddings the attendants holding their flowers in different manners instead of all the same way. It looks strange when comparing the rest of the details of the wedding plans that were done with such care.

It is important how the flowers are held. The guests will notice if an attendant is hugging the flowers as if they are uncomfortable. This detracts from the rest of the beauty of the wedding. Having an attendant hold the flowers with poise and confidence will make all the differences in the world.

Think about the planning and cost of the flowers for the wedding. Any bride will agree that she wants the flowers to be displayed in a certain manner. The bride knows how she wants the flowers displayed just as she knows how she wants the girls to walk down the aisle and how to stand during the ceremony.

Here are some ideas for the wedding flowers. Avoid designing the flowers so they are too heavy. The lighter designs will be better for the attendants when having to hold the flowers for the pictures and the ceremony.

Hold the flowers at the belly level when carrying them. The elbows are slightly bent and relaxed. This creates a more comfortable level for the attendants and it will present a uniform appearance if everyone uses the same level for the flowers. It is also a great way to hide any shaking hands from the extremely nervous time of being on display.

Hold the blooms of the flowers towards the guests. Allow the guests to see the beautiful flowers you have taken the time to design and select for your special day.
If the designs of the bouquets are a sheaf of flowers, rest the bouquets in the elbow area of the arm such as cradling a baby. This is easier for the long time the attendants will be holding the flowers. This is how pageant members carry their flowers if you need another example.

During the ceremony if the flowers are too heavy or in the way, have large sturdy vase set near the front of the area of the ceremony to place the flowers. This helps to avoid thinking too much about the flowers instead of enjoying ceremony. If this is not something the bride wants to use, have the attendants pass the flowers from one to another with the maid of honor holding the brides flowers. The attendant on the end of the line can place her bouquet on a chair until the ceremony is over and the flowers will be returned to the right attendants.

Make a point to be prepared with ideas regarding the bouquets so all of the hard work and planning for the wedding includes the right displays of the beautiful bouquets.

Many couples do not talk about their personal finances before they get married. They are caught up in the moment of becoming engaged, the planning the wedding, followed by being adjusted to living together, and joining all of their finances. It is at this point many discover financial secrets or issues their partner failed to mention before getting married.

The biggest mistake anyone can make is to fail to disclose their true financial situation with their partner. This can lead to trust issues since the other party will wonder why you failed to mention a debt when there were times in the past money was discussed. It is always best to talk about all the debts and true financial status before getting married so both parties know about any possible issues or problems.

Not having a budget is one thing many newlyweds fail to establish from the beginning. They need to merge all their assets and debts so using a budget to maintain the savings and proper spending habits is required. Naturally there will more bills and expenses yet there is now another income to pay for the new bills and expenses. Do not panic when seeing the joint bills, it can be worked out with using a budget to plan how the bills will be paid and how the savings will be added to with each payday.

Deciding who will be in charge of paying all the bills and creating a savings plan. The two of you are now married so it is time to allow someone take over the position of the head bill payer unless you can reach an agreement with both sharing the responsibilities. If you decide to share the responsibility, then make a date where the two of you sit down together, pay the bills, and keep the budget on track. Remember to merge all the accounts so each person has access to the money in the savings and checking accounts. Also if there is a 401K, add the new spouse as a person who will get the account if something happens resulting in death or other accidents, this includes the car titles and house title if one owned a home prior to the marriage.

Once you have married, the debts such as credit cards and car payments should remain the original owners name on the titles. This is to avoid having the partner’s credit damaged if in the past the debt was delinquent or late at any times. Determine the spending habits so both are aware of excessive spending that may affect the goals of savings and paying the required bills and expenses.

The most important thing to remember is marriage is about compromise. Let the small things slide such as he leaves the toilet seat up, and she squeezes the toothpaste from the middle of the tube without pushing it down and wrapping the used end upwards. The small things are not worth fighting over. What matters is to reach a common stand on issues and money is one of the common issues to have within the marriage.

Finding common ground means learning to save and spend money together. When you go shopping for groceries, learn to talk about the items you both want to buy. Realize she might be a stickler for a name brand while he likes the generic brands. Reach a common point of agreement for the groceries you purchase. Sit down before going to the grocery store and discuss the buying habits and preferences.

The final issue for married couples is failing to plan for emergencies. You are so busy trying to pay the bills and enjoying your new life together that you fail to have a cash reserve for emergencies. Make a point of making a savings account for emergencies providing for financial security as well as the cash needed for future car repairs and vacations.