Category: Finances

Who and What to Tip at Your Wedding

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tipping

When it comes to a wedding tipping can become quite confusing. The key is to read your contracts closely for gratuity and service fees. When these are applied to a bill, it is not necessary to include a tip. Traditionally, the best man handles all of the tipping on the day of the wedding. However, if the best man cannot do this then assign someone you trust. Envelopes with the recipients name on them will make this job easier for them. Also, remember that tips can add up quickly. It is a good idea to include them in your wedding day budget.

 

Wedding Planner

Wedding planners work for a set fee and do not typically expect a tip. If you feel your wedding planner did a wonderful job, you are more than welcome to tip them. Also, a letter of recommendation or professional photos from your photographers will go a long way!

Tip Expected: No
Standard Amount: 10-15% of the total fee
When to Tip: After the reception

Seamstress/Dress Fitter

It is not customary to tip your Seamstress/Dress Fitter, but if they did an extra special job you may want to.

Tip Expected: No
Standard Amount: $15-$30
When to Tip: After final fitting.

Hair Stylist and Make-Up Artist

This one is one were gratuity is definitely expected. Tip as you would at a normal visit to a salon but add a little extra if they did an extra special job or if there was a crisis.

Tip Expected: Yes
Standard Amount: 15-20% of total bill
When to Tip: At the end of your service

Delivery and Set-Up Staff

If the delivery or set-up fee is not included in your contract, then the staff will expect a tip. Check the fine print of your contract.

Tip Expected: Yes
Standard Amount: $10-$15
When to Tip: Drop off cash envelopes the day before the wedding to the catering manager so the person accepting deliveries can deliver the tip.

Officiant

If your officiant is affiliated with a church or synagogue, you’re often expected to make a donation to that institution. If you’re a member you’ll probably want to give a larger amount than if you’re not. However, if you’re getting married there and they’re charging you to use the space, feel free to give a smaller amount. If you’re using a nondenominational officiant, no tip is required because they will charge you for their time.

Tip Expected:Yes (depending on officiant)
Standard Amount: Donate $500+ to the church or synagogue, or, for a nondenominational officiant, an optional tip of $50 – $100
When to Tip: Before the ceremony

Ceremony Musicians

Typically there is a flat rate for the ceremony musicians, so you do not have to tip. However, if the musicians are volunteering their services or have done an exceptional job you should tip them.

Tip Expected: No (unless volunteering time)
Standard Amount: $20-$30 per person (more if volunteering)
When to Tip: After ceremony


Photographer/Videographer

These guys do not expect a tip. All of their services are included in the price. If you want to repay them for a job well done, then you are more than welcome to tip them. You may also reward them by placing a big print order!

Tip Expected: No
Standard Amount: $50 – $200 per vendor
When to Tip: After reception

Reception Staff

A tip is expected if it is not already included in the price on the contract.r. A service or gratuity charge is almost always built in to the food and drink fee, so check your contract. If the gratuity is not included, tip as follows.

Tip Expected:Yes
Standard Amount:15 – 20 percent of the food and drink fee (based on labor, not the cost), or $200 – $300 for the maitre d’
When to Tip: After reception.

WaiteStaff

It is not necessary to tip the servers if you have already paid a gratuity in your contracted price. Check to ensure whether a service charge is included in the caterer’s contract. If not tip as follows.

Tip Expected:Yes
Standard Amount:15-20%
When to Tip: After reception.

Valets and Parking Attendants

Tip Expected:Yes
Standard Amount: Tips should range from $1 – $2 per car
When to Tip: After reception


Coat Check and Restroom Attendants
Tip Expected: Yes
Standard Amount: Tips should range from $1 – $2 per guest.
When to Tip: After reception

Bartenders

Usually you will find that the bar manager will add a service charge to the bar bill. If this is not the case then you might want to tip the bartenders.

Tip Expected: Yes
Standard Amount:10-15%
When to Tip: After reception

Cake Bakers

Your cake decorator does not expect anything above the contracted price. However, if you would like to give them a little something extra you may.

Tip Expected: No
Standard Amount: 10-15%
When to Tip: Upon delivery

Florists

The same goes for the florists as for the the cake decorator. They do not expect anything above the contracted price. However, if you would like to give them a little something extra you may.

Tip Expected: No
Standard Amount: 10-15%
When to Tip: Upon delivery

Reception Musicians

Whether you hire 12-piece swing band or grooving to a DJ, tipping musicians is completely optional. (Depending on the quality of the job and how willing they were to follow your ideal playlist!) And don’t forget about any sound technicians they bring with them.

Tip Expected: No
Standard Amount:$20 – $25 per musician; $50 – $150 for DJs
When to Tip: After reception

Transportation

Do check to see if a gratuity has been included in their bill as this is often the case with transportation fees for weddings. If not or if you want to reward them for their service on your wedding day then tip as follows.

Tip Expected:Yes
Standard Amount: 15-20%
When to Tip: At the end of the last ride.

source1 and source2

What Everyone Ought to Know about Starting an Online Business

bridalpartytees 3 Comments

Few people enjoy sitting in a drab cubicle for 8 hours a day, year after year. With telecommuting options becoming more popular in the workplace, many Americans have become accustomed to the perks of working from home. Thankfully, the developments in Web 2.0 have made online jobs and business opportunities plentiful. Kiss your cubicle goodbye and learn how you can make your living from the comfort of your living room.

Best Fields for Online Marketplace

Certain jobs lend themselves to the online marketplace and others do not. So the first hurdle you have to clear in determining whether moving online is right for you is to figure out whether or not the web is suitable for your field. The good news is that even if your business has a physical inventory, the web is still an extremely profitable place. Just look at Amazon. Below are some tried and true ideas for an online business start-up.

  1. eBay : Practically anyone can become a seller on eBay and make lots of money doing it. Create an account, fill up your store, and get started. It just takes a simple Google search to find documented examples of how so many people have made this business model work for them.
  2. Become a Blogger: Today it seems that one of the most hip and popular ways to become a self-sufficient, home-based employee is to put your writing talents out there and become a paid blogger. You can do this by writing for an already-established blog or setting one up yourself. If you have a niche expertise, consider the latter; if not, look into websites like Pay Per Post that encompass a variety of topics.
  3. Be a Reviewer: Believe it or not, you can make decent cash just by spouting your opinion on different products and services. Through sites like Review Me, bloggers are paid well to review advertised offers and products.
  4. Go Custom: Do you have an ability to customize basic products? Often times all it takes is a modest inventory of items like plain T-shirts, coffee mugs, and baseball caps and the tools to inscribe personalized messages on them to turn a profit. This may require more of an overhead investment, but being in a specialized market will allow you to increase sales.
  5. Amazon : The Amazon Affiliate Program lets you to set up your own online Amazon affiliate business through which you help drive customers to Amazon’s website and make a commission on the purchases.
  6. Web Design : If you have technical prowess and an eye for aesthetic design, then one of the more fruitful online businesses you could start is a web design boutique. Today people require websites for pretty much everything, whether it’s their own business or simply their resume. Web developers get paid well and need nothing more than their computer and creative mind to rake in the cash.
  7. Etsy: Budding fashion designers and jewelry artists can sell their goods and get lots of promotion by setting up online stores on Etsy. Etsy is that it’s a heavily trafficked site, and designers can use their Etsy store front to link customers back to their personal websites and a larger selection of goods.
  8. Event Planning: If an attention to detail and an ability to party are your strong suits you might consider starting your own event planning business. This requires little overhead aside from a computer and it’s a service that many businesses, nonprofits, and individuals need. Assemble an online portfolio of past events and services and start developing client contacts.
  9. Sell eBooks: eBooks are downloadable books available online, and there is a big industry around the buying and selling of these digital files. Sellers can access titles for a wholesale fee and then mark them up to sell to customers.
  10. Be an Author: If starting a blog is not exactly your cup of tea, or if you feel your expertise lends itself to a longer format, then become the author of your own eBook or series of eBooks. This course of action can be particularly profitable when linked with a blog that gives readers a taste and leaves them wanting more.
  11. Marketing Consultant: Many small businesses and other self-employed persons do not have the budget to afford an in-house marketing team, but still must market themselves if they want to stay relevant. That’s where you come in with a home-based consultancy business that promotes the businesses of your clients.
  12. Accounting: If working with numbers is your passion, an accounting consultancy business is easy to start online. Aside from the relevant software needed to manage multiple accounts, there is little overhead.
  13. Social Media Consultant : Social media is primarily found online and most of it is new and overwhelming to traditional “take an ad out in the paper” business leaders. If you live on Facebook and other social media sites, promoting yourself as an expert in maximizing the benefits of this arena for un-savvy business owners can be quite lucrative.
  14. Direct Mail Copywriter: Many nonprofits make a large portion of their revenue through direct mail campaigns. But with all the competition in the marketplace and the consumer backlash against junk mail, organizations really need to stand out in order to command attention and donations. If you know the tricks of this trade, you will find lots of consultant positions in the marketplace.
  15. Stylist: While stylists may not be considered necessary in the current economic crisis, their rise in popularity in recent years has undeniably been dramatic. And personal stylists and shoppers aren’t just for people like Britney Spears, women of even modest incomes have been known to pay for a little fashion advice. If you’re a trendsetter in your city, market your talents to the upper crust crowd.
  16. Garden Consultant: If you have a green thumb and the garden to prove it, consider becoming a garden consultant. Most people don’t have the time or patience to plant a garden, but will pay big bucks to have someone do it for them.
  17. IT: One of the best paid and most established consulting jobs can be found in the field of information technology. By setting yourself up as a roaming computer whiz you can solicit business from technophobes in your community and beyond.
  18. Grant Writer: Aside from individual donors, nonprofits and some government agencies get the bulk of their funding from larger corporate grants. If you are skilled at grant writing and have a decent number of nonprofit contacts this is a business easily conducted online.
  19. Publicist or PR Representative: Stars and athletes aren’t the only people in our society who need representation. In fact, many businesses want nothing more than to be covered favorably in newspapers and trade journals.
  20. Editorial Consultant: If it irks you every time a writer misplaces a semicolon, then your obsessive eye for grammar could help you bring in quite a bit of dough. Editorial consultants are used by both major magazines and independent writers alike to help them perfect their prose and polish their product.
  21. Lobbyist: Anyone with a strong expertise in a field affected by government is a good candidate to become a freelance lobbyist. You donÆt have to live in Washington D.C. to make your knowledge work for the good of your community.
  22. Business Advice: Do you have a strong track record of starting or managing successful businesses? If so, your know-how is in strong demand by the thousands of individuals who have great, profitable ideas but no idea how to put them in to action.
  23. Doggie Daycare: Animal lovers with some extra space at their homes might want to consider starting their very own doggie day care center. Set up a website detailing your facility and the services you offer and take it one step further by incorporating an online advice column for people who have questions about their pooches.
  24. Travel Agent: Becoming a home-based travel agent is pretty easy these days, provided that you have some background in the industry. Sell yourself as a travel expert by including interesting travel facts, articles, forums and a blog on your website.
  25. Teaching Green? : Environmental concerns reign in today’s business climate, not only because businesses and other institutions are concerned about being more responsible, but because they’re looking to cut energy costs. Use your green knowledge to help people achieve both of these goals.

Online Networking

Now that you’ve determined what business to go into, you’re going to need to find some customers! In the days of Web 2.0 that is best achieved by getting online and networking with consumers and with your business peers. Here are just some of the social networking sites on which all online business owners should have a presence.

  1. LinkedIn: If you haven’t heard of LinkedIn yet, you’ll want to get an account pronto. Designed to be a business and social networking site, LinkedIn connects you to others, sharing your personal and professional information, including your resume (if you choose).
  2. Facebook: Not to belabor the issue, but Facebook is the ?it? social networking website right now, and its not just for college students anymore. Most businesses these days have a Facebook profile and are reaping the rewards from the mass communicative capabilities it brings.
  3. Ning: While you should certainly be out networking on other people’s social networking sites, there’s no reason you can’t form one on your own site. Ning, a cheap and comprehensive service, allows you to create your own social networking site relevant to your businesses niche. The best way to inspire loyalty among your customers is by letting them feel like they are a part of your community.
  4. Care 2: Despite the name, this social networking site isn’t just for charities or big philanthropists. It’s for any person who is interested in making the world a better place. Does your business help improve the lives of others? Does it have a social mission? If so, Care 2 is a place where you’ll meet like-minded people who want the best for the planet.
  5. Plaxo: Plaxo is like an online rolodex, allowing you to organize your contacts and also communicate with them online. It’s the easiest way to keep tabs on all the movers and shakers in your industry.
  6. Ryze: Ryze prides itself as being “the site” for business networking. Set up explicitly to accommodate businesses, Ryze even allows user members to make deals through their platform. Sign up and connect with new and old contacts in seconds.
  7. Xing: Xing’s tagline is “Global networking for businesses,” and it means it. Xing will give you a crash course in networking and put you in contact with the “who’s who” crowd in your industry. Looking for investors or employees? Find them both on Xing.
  8. All Freelance: While not primarily a social networking site, All Freelance is the perfect site for small business owners or start-up online businesses to find employees that you can hire on contract basis. Post jobs, find employees, and get lots of information on self-promotion.
  9. Net Party: Like the idea of social networking, but want some face-to-face contact as well? Register with Net Party and get all the latest updates on business networking happy hour and party events in your city. The best way to establish a true connection with someone is to meet them in a casual setting.
  10. Squidoo: Squidoo bills itself as the forum for experts. By creating your profile page and posting entries on the things you know best, you’ll be able to spread your ideas, meet like-minded (or not) people, and connect with people who can help your business benefit the most.
  11. Digg: Digg is a social news site that lets you stay abreast of the most-read articles relating to your industry, as well as connect with others. Register for an account, start researching, and stay on top of trends.
  12. Reddit: Similar to Digg, Reddit is a social news site that lets readers vote on the value of content, giving you a sense of what people are most interested in relating to your industry.
  13. Delicious: A social bookmarking site that lets you store online articles in one place. You can also share your library of content with others in your network.
  14. Technorati : One of the best ways to drive traffic to your business website is to write a blog. Keep your blog fresh with relevant content and register it with Technorati, a round up of global blog posts, and increase the size of your audience.
  15. You Tube: Promote your business with videos and use You Tube’s wildly-popular platform to get it out to the people. In addition to blogs, video is generally seen as one of the most important marketing tools a business can use to set itself apart from the competition.
  16. Ecademy: Ecademy’s tagline is simple: “Connecting business people.” It boasts over a million users annually, bringing users from over 180 countries together to blog and compare ideas through focused forums.
  17. Mixx : Like Digg and Reddit, Mixx is a content round-up site that lets users rate content with even more customization. It’s a hip new platform that’s taking off in a big way.
  18. 43 Things: Want to be sure that you’ll reach those lofty goals you’re setting for your business and yourself? 43 Things is a social networking site where users set goals and then get advice and encouragement on meeting them from others in their network.
  19. Schmoozii : Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your business is promote it. Schmoozii is a social networking site aimed at marketers and start-ups where the ideas flow like wine.
  20. Wikipedia: Wikipedia is one of the most-used sites on the Internet, and no matter how many criticize it for it’s citizen-written content, establishing a presence on this site is a solid move for any business. Tell people who you really are in your own words.
  21. Flickr: Depending on what your business does, Flickr may or may not be extremely helpful. But this photo sharing site does let you connect with others in a more creative and visual way.

Advertising

While online networking and social media sites will be integral to the success of your business, good old-fashioned advertising is still a necessity and a useful tactic. Here are a few options and information resources that will help you take your ad campaigns to the masses.

  1. AdWords: Google’s AdWords is a great program if you want to promote your business and stay within a budget. Create online ads that will pop up when ever a user searches for terms that are related to your business. You pay only when people actually click on your ads, and you can cap the amount you spend monthly.
  2. Internet Advertising: If you are wary of the benefits of advertising online, check out this thorough and helpful article from The Economist that spells out how you can best take advantage of this new market to grow your business.
  3. Pop-Up Ads: One way to advertise online is by using pop-up ads, which actually pop up over web pages, forcing the user to close them out if they’re not interested in the content. While not well-loved by Internet surfers, their method of obstruction can be very effective in getting the message out.
  4. Marketing Sherpa: When determining an advertising plan, one resource you’ll want to check out is Marketing Sherpa. Sign up for their free newsletters and read through their scores of case studies to see what has and has not worked for others in your field.
  5. Stromcode: The founder of Glowfoto, a social networking and photo hosting site, gives sage advice on this blog based on his own experience building an Internet business from the ground up with advertising.
  6. Value Click: Value Click is one of the largest companies in the world to specialize in Internet marketing and advertising for businesses, so if you are really looking to do a comprehensive campaign it would be worth it to see if they fit in your budget. Customizable campaigns are the name of the game with Value Click and you’ll be sure that your ads are being placed prominently.
  7. Casale: Like Value Click, Casale offers online marketing programs for business leaders. They claim to have a vast reach in the U.S., Canada, and the UK, with a U.S. audience estimated at 129 million people.
  8. AdBrite: Buy customized text ads through AdBrite, which boasts an estimated 378 million ads per day on more than 70,000 different websites. Consider AdBrite the middle man who will get your ad on some of the most heavily-used sites.
  9. Double Click: Double Click is one of the most-used, most-popular internet advertising boutiques. It’s streamlined method does all the work for you and allows you to easily stay on top of all the campaigns you’re running.
  10. MySpace: Getting your ads out on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook is a great way to promote you business, since each site boasts so many users.
  11. IAB: The Interactive Advertising Bureau is a good resource for a business owner looking for help with internet advertising. The trade organization for companies in the interactive advertising industry, it’s a good starting place for research since IAB members place over 86 percent of all online ads.
  12. O’Reilly Radar: Online advertising is an important to marketing your business, but there’s a lot to learn about the economics behind it. Take a look at this article posted by Tim O’Reilly for a better understanding of how it all works.
  13. Clicksor: Clicksor operates in a mode similar to AdWords, by tying your ads to relevant keywords, and claims it’s the most cost-effective online advertiser û it charges you on the relevance of your keyword.
  14. Web 2.0 Advertising: Jason Calacanis is the successful co-founder of Weblogs, Inc. and Mahalo.com, and according to this post on his blog, the future of online advertising is going to continue to grow, particularly in the arena of video ads.
  15. Banner Report: Thankfully, one obsessive guy had the foresight to spend thousands of hours collecting banner ads from tons of websites and storing them in a single repository for business owners and graphic designers to view. Review the examples, get some insight into your own banner-ad campaign, and joining the discussion boards.
  16. eMarketer: eMarketer is a great resource for any start-up company, because it’s laden with handy information. Check out the numerous analyst reports on different market conditions and get a daily email newsletter with useful tips.
  17. PromoTXT : Internet advertising, at the ripe age of 13, is, sadly, no longer considered cutting edge. While still very effective, some analysts say that text messaging ads is the wave of the future. Check into companies like PromoTXT to see if this tactic will work for you.
  18. Cell It: Like PromoTXT, CellIt will help you connect to customers via cell phone, whether that be by advertising promotions or simply alerting them to your latest blog post. Cellit has helped companies like Remax, Sotheby’s, and the City of Las Vegas increase their reach through texting.
  19. Message Buzz: Message Buzz is a hip company that works independently with customers to find their niche market and draw those customers in. Become a savvy marketer by targeting select consumer groups with different campaigns.
  20. Blast Companies : Another mass-texting marketing company with the capability to personalize texts.
  21. PR Web : Public Relations is the cheapest, and some argue the most credible, form of free advertising. Get your press releases out to millions of customers through PR Web’s services.

General Tips and Resources

Now that you’re on the road to being a business owner, you’ll need to start acting like one. Here are some general resources you can utilize to make sure you have your chips in order.

Magazines, Articles & Blogs

  1. Entrepreneur.com : A terrific resource for budding entrepreneurs, this website covers everything from profit potential to business loans with lots of great advice in between. Even connect with other entrepreneurs and ask the site’s experts questions.
  2. Business Week : This site is consistently updated with the most important information and news stories relevant to business owners.
  3. Online Business Advisor : Access tons of free articles on this popular website and get thorough advice from several experts û a great one-stop-shop for budding entrepreneurs.
  4. CNN Money : To be on top of your game, you’ll have to stay on top of the market. Check in with CNN Money throughout the day for the latest financial news.
  5. Inc.: A hip and popular magazine, Inc. keeps up with the most cutting edge trends in the business world, catering solely to entrepreneurs.
  6. Fast Company: The magazine covers everything an entrepreneur needs to know, and the website goes even further by serving as a catch-all for business-related blog posts, videos, and forums.
  7. Pro Blogging Advice: If you have chosen to go the blogging route for your business, you’ll want to check this resourceful guide with tips and pointers on how to make your blog profitable.
  8. Amazon Affiliate Advice : A great article that will help you significantly simplify the process of becoming an Amazon affiliate. Easy to follow instructions on how to set up your site and start making money.
  9. Small Business Network: The producers of this magazine target managers of fast-growing businesses with lots of advice and insight from industry experts and seasoned columnists.
  10. Entrpreneur’s Journey: Get advice straight from the source. This Australian blogger tells you how to finally get the online business of your dreams up and off the ground.
  11. Home Business IT : If you are still searching for the perfect business idea that will make you money from home, peruse on this company’s website, which lists several ideas and businesses looking for a few good men.
  12. Steps to Starting an Online Business : A helpful blog run by a woman who has had success with her own Internet business.
  13. On Call Geeks: On Call Geeks has put together a list of the 10 steps one must take to start their own online
    business.
  14. Approved Authors : A helpful article on ApprovedAuthors.com about starting a successful online business.

Business Plan Advice

  1. BPlans.com: Need help getting your business plan down on paper? Get inspiration from the sample plans on this site, many of which are free to view.
  2. BusinessPlans.org : A resource with sample business plans from real businesses.
  3. Planware: Planware’s software will help you write a business plan, create financial projections, and craft a marketing plan.
  4. Money Hunt : Download this easy-to-use template and plug in your information.
  5. Scribd : Another easily downloaded Word Document plan û all you need to do is fill in the blanks.

Legal Assistance

  1. Free Advice : Do the legal and bookkeeping issues associated with owning a small business have you confused? Check out Free Advice’s site for all the information you need on the legal implications involved in being a business owner.
  2. Nolo: Nolo provides cheap legal advice for small businesses and a directory of U.S. lawyers, as well.
  3. Law Info: Find both an attorney and free legal advice on Law Info.
  4. Find Law: Another terrific legal resource, Find Law will help you locate not only lawyers and free advice, but the actual text of the laws that will affect you most.

Insurance and Loans

  1. Business Finance: Search for loans from over 4,000 lenders and learn what each loan entails.
  2. Business.com : A round-up of small business loan resources from Business.com.
  3. eHealthInsurance.com : Compare health insurance plans for small businesses on this easy-to-use site.
  4. HealthInsurance.org : A nonprofit resource where you can get the skinny on finding affordable insurance.
  5. Small Business Insurance : Find out what you need to do to protect your assets by reading this great article.
  6. The Small Business Insurance Center : Find a variety of insurance quotes from this center.

Miscellaneous

  1. My Own Business: My Own Business is a nonprofit that helps prospective entrepreneurs form a rock solid plan through a 14-session crash course. While you’ll have to pay for the education, this is something true novices may want to look into.
  2. Small Business Administration: The U.S. Small Business Administration is your best source to learn about government programs and tax implications of owning your own small business.
  3. Volusion : If your business will include an online storefront, turn to a company like Volusion for an easy set up and professional finish.
  4. Circle Dog : Seven smart tips for small business owners from Circle Dog, software developers that specialize in solutions for people like you.

Free Wedding Budget Calculator

natasha Leave a comment

 

BPT calculator

Bridal Party Tees is always looking for a way to make your wedding planning easier. Therefore, we have created a free wedding budget calculator. All you have to do is simply change the amount in the budget column and fill out the estimated and actual amounts and the work sheet will do the rest for you! We hope this is just another way we can help you with your wedding planning!

Download here and enjoy! Free BPT Budget Calculator

Penny Pinchers:50 Tips to Help You Pay for Your Own Wedding

bridalpartytees 4 Comments

Some of us aren’t endowed with trust funds or uber-rich parents. If that’s the case, it means preparing for your wedding can be something of a stressful chore. With the average cost of weddings these days topping $20,000, it certainly can cause some worry. But don’t fret – there are many ways to cut costs and still have a fabulous wedding. Here are some tips on how throw a classy wedding on a dime.

Loans

You will clearly need to save, save, save if you’re going to foot the bill for your wedding, but the good news is that some of the costs can be financed. In the unfortunate addition to racking up some credit card debt, you can rack up some old-fashioned bank-loan debt, as well. It may sound somewhat formal and heavy for such a happy occasion, but it’s pretty common to take out a loan to help cover your expenses. And lots of banks have plans to suit your financial needs. But a warning to the wise – while it’s easy to get a loan, it’s also easy to fall into a money-sucking trap. Try to go for loans that allow for a short payback term to reduce the amount you’re spending on interest and stay on top of your payments!!! Don’t let the most joyous day of your life lead you to financial ruin. Loans can get great if used properly, but its advisable to pay with saving for the wedding… be responsible!

  1. Bridal Loans.com: Bridal Loans is a California-based company that offers loans between the amount of $1,500 and $25,000. They also offer payment plans that extend from 12 to 48 months, so you can pay the loan off as fast as you want. With an interest rate at 12.9 percent, it’s better to pay these loans off quickly. But, if you’re in a bind, this company can definitely help you meet your needs.
  2. Bank of America: This mega-bank offers loans of up to $50,000, which can be spent on flowers, cakes, dresses, or food. You won’t have to put up any collateral to qualify and you’ll pay no annual fee. While interest rates fluctuate, they do go as low as 8.99 percent.
  3. American Unsecured: This company makes it easy to get a loan for any amount up to $50,000. You can pay the borrowed amount off over 24 to 84 months. The long loan term relieves the pressure, and the application is easy to fill out. Interest rates here can rival those at Bank of America, going as low as 8.99 percent.
  4. Citibank: Citibank, like many banks, has what it calls a Flex Line of Cash, which works just like a home equity loan. Offered at an interest rate of 9.99 percent, you can take out a loan to spend on whatever your heart desires. The loan term is automatically set at 60 months, but you can change that to make it shorter.
  5. Loan Back: This easy-to-use service offers low interest rates and super-detailed plans. Simply enter the amount you’re borrowing and the reason for the loan and the online tool will calculate your monthly payments immediately and let you know the total amount of interest you’ll pay over the term. Convenient, reasonable, and hassle-free.
  6. Capital One: Capital One provides very flexible personal loans that can be used for whatever you want. Payment terms are flexible and the application can be completed online. The interest rate of 6.99 percent is also pretty low in comparison to other lenders and you’ll be guaranteed to pay the same fixed amount each month.
  7. E Loan: This company provides consumers a variety of personal loans up to $25,000 without homeownership required. The detailed and helpful website allows you to do most of the math online and also fill out the application. No annual fees are required, either.
  8. America First: America First offers flexible personal loans that can be payed off over many different lengths of time. Clearly, the longer you stretch it out, the lower the interest rate. And like most lenders, rates will increase depending on your credit history. But it’s a credible credit union with a plethora of options for the consumer.
  9. Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo is another national bank with a solid reputation for providing flexible personal loans. And if you pay off the loan directly from your Wells Fargo account, you’ll pay even more. Definitely worth some research here to see if it’s the bank for you.
  10. Bank Rate: If you’re still not convinced that any of these options are up your alley, try this website that allows you to see what’s available. Compare interest rates and graph the rate trends all within a few minutes. By using an objective comparison site like this one, you’ll be confident in your choice.

How to Save Money

So now you know that if push comes to shove you will be able to get some financial assistance for your wedding in the form of a loan. But you may want to save that for a last resort. The very first thing you need to do when planning a wedding on your own dime is start saving! You many not think that you’re a spendaholic, but you would be surprised at how many extra costs you can cut out if you just put your mind to it. Here are a few ways to start fattening up your bank account.

  1. Track Your Spending: All debt gurus will tell you that you can’t start being smart about your money until you understand why you are so bad with it in the first place. For one entire week, write down everything that you spend money on. You can use a simple piece of paper or go more formal with software like Excel or Quicken. At the end of the week, study your habits and make notes about where you can cut out the extra dollars.
  2. Cut Out Extras: Now it’s time to tighten the belt a little. Stop going out to eat so much and start cooking at home, rent movies instead of hitting up the theater, make coffee in the morning instead of stopping at Starbucks. While you don’t have to totally deprive yourself, if you are spending money on entertainment or unnecessary items every day you can save a fortune by taking a more frugal route.
  3. Conserve Energy: Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that energy costs these days are through the roof. There are so many things you can do to shrink your utility costs. Make sure all of your lights and fans are turned off when not in use, turn the heat and air conditioning down, and unplug appliances when they’re not in use. Making small changes like this will impact both your billfold and your carbon footprint.
  4. Bike: Another way to save bukus of money is by changing your transportation habits. Park that old gas-guzzling clunker in the garage and hop on the bus. Or take your bike instead and get some exercise while helping the environment.
  5. Be Responsible: A lackadaisical outlook toward your existing debt can wreak havoc on your finances in the form of astronomical late fees. Examine your credit cards and other financial accounts and see what the late fees and interest rates are for not being on top of your payments. They will add up fast and can easily sneak by you if you are not vigilant.
  6. Go Vintage: Forgo shopping trips to Neiman Marcus and Saks. If you need some new garments, check out the local second hand thrift stores and vintage shops in your area. You’ll spend less on clothes and amass a fashionable and unique wardrobe at the same time.
  7. Hide Your Credit Cards: You may not want to go totally without credit cards, but you may definitely want to think about at least hiding them or not keeping them on your person. Credit cards encourage indiscriminate spending and will only help you wrack up more debt. Spend money you actually have and you’ll stay above the water, financially speaking.
  8. Get a Roommate: If you have a little extra space in your home, consider taking on a boarder to generate some extra income. Or if you live in an apartment or home that is way too big and expensive, move into a more humble abode until after your wedding. Living with other people will cut all of your current expenses in half.
  9. Have a Garage Sale: Make some money on the stuff that’s cluttering up your house by holding a garage or yard sale. And don’t fall into the trap of under pricing everything – if an item is special, people will be willing to spend. Plus, haggling is a common occurrence at yard sales, so make sure you start on the high end.
  10. Ebay: In the same vein as holding a garage sale, you can also make money by hocking your wares on the internet. Place some high dollar items that you don’t need anymore on Ebay and hold out for the highest bidder. Lots of people make their entire living doing this. Just think what an entire annual salary could do for your wedding budget.

D.I.Y.

Doing it yourself could not be more hip these days. And honestly there are so many things you actually can do yourself. While it may sound daunting at first, armed with a few simple guidebooks and instructions, you can essentially make anything that you would possibly need for your wedding even if you aren’t the craftiest bride. Making things yourself will help you cut costs, while also earning you the admiration of all your guests.

  1. Bouquet: Making a wedding bouquet is one of the easiest things to tackle on your wedding accessory list. You may have to wake up extra early on your wedding day, but assembling and wrapping up some flowers is not difficult and actually might be very therapeutic. Stick to flowers that are in season or cheap by nature, like daisies, sunflowers, freesia and Sweet William, to keep costs down even more.
  2. Veil: Do you have any idea how expensive veils are these days? If you don’t, you may not want to risk a heart attack by looking into the matter. If you do, enough said. The good thing for you is that veils are extremely inexpensive and pretty darn simple to make, and there are dozens of resource guides to be found online and in fabric stores.
  3. Programs and Placecards: If you are planning to have paper items like programs and place cards at your wedding, you don’t have to spend a ton on some fancy graphic designer. These items are just as easy to design and print yourself if you have even the most basic color printer. If you’re artistic abilities are really bad, look for templates online and plug in your personal information!
  4. Hair Accessories : So you want some nice beaded accents or ribbon-laced barrettes for you and your bridesmaids? No sweat. Make them yourself by buying the raw materials and a glue gun. Just look for photos of examples and copy it. If you’re having trouble, enroll in a weekend craft workshop and ask the instructor for help.
  5. Seat Covers: This one may be a bit adventurous for some and you will definitely need a sewing machine, but it is possible to make your own seat covers and avoid rental fees. However, it may be less hassle to find the basic covers for cheap and then tie on your own ribbons or decorations. Some rental companies loan sheaths for as low as $2 a pop! Do some research and find what’s right for you.
  6. Invitations: Just like your programs or other paper products, it’s very easy to make your own wedding invitations. If you are dealing with a large quantity, you may want to outsource the printing, but designing the concept can be done for free. Bring your costs down by using recycled paper.
  7. Jewelry: If there’s anything we’ve learned from the plethora of bead stores around, it’s that anyone can make their own jewelry. The same goes for wedding jewelry. As long as your not looking to be covered in diamonds – and given your budget, we’re assuming you’re not – then you can follow any pattern of your choice to make your own earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. This could also be a fun activity for your bachelorette party – everyone makes the jewelry they plan to wear!
  8. Bridesmaids Gifts: You’ve got to get them something, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Plus, a homemade gift is always more special than something store bought. Now that you know how to make jewelry, you could make them earrings, hand paint or decorate some nice picture frames, or make a personalized scrapbook for each friends with details you’re your friendship.
  9. Dresses : This money-saving option is not for the meek. Making your own dress requires a lot of time, patience and skill. But if you have those it can be done.
  10. Make Your Own Accessories: All you need is a needle and thread to make your own pillow for your ring bearer. Brainstorm about other non-complicated accessories you can cobble together yourself and get a bit crafty.

General Tips to Keep Your Costs Down

Cutting back on the amount of hired help at your wedding is one solid way you can keep costs down. Here are some general rules to employ so you can pull off a great wedding without working too much overtime.

  1. Money Tree: Let your guests help pay for the celebration. Instead of registering for gifts, register a money tree. Have your guests give you money instead of unnecessary pearl-encrusted picture frames. The money tree makes gift giving easy for your guests and beneficial for you.
  2. Keep the Guest List Small: This may be easier said than done for some of you, but one way to do this is to limit the affair to close friends and immediate family. Don’t worry about offending your great Aunt Pearl – it’s your day! One way to get around hurt feelings is to hold a very simple reception at your home after the wedding for those who couldn’t come to the ceremony. And if you do have a big list, don’t let friends bring random dates. Cut corners any way you can by eliminating the people who don’t really matter.
  3. Be Your Own DJ: With all of the music technology out there today, you really, really don’t need to hire a DJ for your reception. Make a few playlists appropriate for the different settings you will have at your ceremony, have someone press play, and don’t give it another thought. Why pay someone for something you can get for free?
  4. Bake Your Own Cake: While catering your own wedding may be asking a bit much, one thing you could easily do is bake your own cake. How hard is it to mix up some batter? You may need some assistance or lessons on how to do the icing skillfully, but there’s lots of resources available online and in bookstores for you to be your own teacher.
  5. Get a Cheap Dress: There are plenty of dress merchants who specialize in cheap, affordable gowns that look like they just fell off a designer’s frame. When it comes down to it, you can even find a great, stylish, white dress in your local mall. Keep it simple and no one will even think twice about who you’re wearing on your wedding day. Have a seamstress in the family? Ask them to copy the dress of your dreams for a fraction of the price or in lieu of a wedding gift.
  6. Stay Home: Cut out those monstrous event location rental fees by holding your wedding in your living room or your backyard. If you live in a nasty apartment building, consider your parents’ house or the home of a friend or relative. If you can’t think of anyone, hold your wedding at a local state park or other outdoor location that won’t charge you a fee.
  7. Make Your Own Favors: Don’t spend a dime on fancy favors – take the chance to make your own! Maybe you’re a knitter and can cobble together some cool coasters or beer koozies? Or maybe you’re just an Average Joe with no real creative abilities. In that case, make a mix CD of the songs that mean the most to you and your hubby.
  8. Save on Photography: Ask a friend or remote acquaintance who’s handy with a camera to shoot your wedding and save bundles on expensive photographers. Don’t know anyone off hand? Try inquiring at local photojournalism programs about seniors or grad students who have impressive portfolios. Chances are they’re still looking to add more work to their resume, so you can often get a student to do it for completely free.
  9. Compare Prices: If you’re trying to have a cheap wedding, you cannot be lazy. Be super vigilant about comparing the prices of every vendor in town and in surrounding towns. Hit up internet chat boards and ask other budgeted brides what they ended up paying for various services so you’ll know exactly when you’re being scammed or overcharged.
  10. Cancel the Wedding Planner: While having a wedding planner may reduce your stress and stand to reassure you that you’re not missing anything important, they’re really not necessary unless you have little-to-no time to do any planning. If you do, however, check out any number of wedding websites. Most offer free online workbook tools and checklists that you can use and follow as a reference for free. Having everything documented will calm you and ensure everything is on track.
  11. Online Invites: Save money on design, printing, and postage by sending online invitations to your guests. There are so many web services that make this process easy and that offer fun designs. Also, using online invites saves you a lot of work, because the site will keep a running tally of who is coming to your wedding, who is not, and why. You can also link your invite to your registries, send reminders, directions, all of which make it easy on your guests as well.
  12. Do Your Own Hair: Forget the expensive stylists – you’re not Angelina Jolie. But you can still look fabulous for free if you do your own hair. Many hairstyle websites have step-by-step instructions for different styles or you can go chic and simple by wearing your hair down and natural. Even ponytails are now popular options for wedding dos, so don’t sweat the small stuff.
  13. Do your Own Makeup: You do your own makeup every day, and chances are you don’t look hideous. What special magic is a makeup artist really going to pull beyond making you look like someone you’re not. Study up on some techniques and do your makeup yourself. If you’re really struggling, enlist the help of your mom or another friend.
  14. Have a Brunch: Eggs are so inexpensive they’re almost free. In general, breakfast foods cost a fraction of the cost of hearty, gourmet dinner foods. By hosting a morning wedding, you’ll not only get to take advantage of cheaper rental rates, but you’ll save a bundle on your food bill, as well. And you’ll also fare well on your alcohol bill since people are less likely to drink in the morning.
  15. Cheap Flowers: When ordering flowers, remember a couple of things: stay in season and stay common. Exotic flowers will cost you a pretty penny. But you can also cut costs by ordering from wholesale distributors rather than local florists. Try to avoid extra fees if you can.
  16. Embrace the Odd Hour: One way to avoid the issue of food all together is to hold your ceremony and reception at an odd hour. Try 2 p.m. or late at night. That way most people will have already eaten and likely not be concerned about food. All you have to worry about are the beverages.
  17. Cash Bar: Cash bars at weddings are often thought to be no-nos, but frankly, liquor, wine and beer will end up comprising about 25 percent of your total bill if you pay for an open bar. It’s totally acceptable to make people pay for their own alcohol. To make this less of an issue, have an afternoon ceremony so people won’t be focused on drinking as much. Another option is to offer a cheap wine and beer for free but charge for the hard stuff.

Why Purchasing the High Resolution Disc is Important

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photo book 

When picking a wedding photographer the one thing that can coast the most is the wedding album. Some photographers do not even offer this as an option for the lower packages. So, if you are on a budget or just don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for your album, you may want to check out the blurb.com. This is an online book publisher. They offer many options of books that you can choose from starting as low as $12.95. All you need is the high resolution images from your photographer and you can design your own book with there templates. I highly recommend getting the high res. disc of your images for a few reasons. The first is that you are able to make prints for whoever you want whenever you want without going back to the photographer—which prints are a lot cheaper this way! Also, in case the studio goes out of business or a natural disaster happens you have a hard copy of all your images. The last reason is you are able to make tons of things with the disc and totally utilize all of your pictures. You can make calendars, thank you cards, and many other items for half the coast the studio would charge you. Another idea is to get the high resolution disc of your engagement session and go onto the blurb.com and make your own guest book. You can have your engagement pictures on the pages that everyone will sign and have them do it yearbook style or add lines for them to sign on. It makes a truly unique guest book that you will want to look at! Check out blurb.com! 

Repurpose Your Bouquets!

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If you are looking for a way to save money on your flowers for the reception, here is a great idea. Instead of buying flowers especially for the bride and grooms table repurpose the bouquets from the wedding. Have vases set out along the table and place the bridesmaids’ bouquets and your wedding bouquet in the vases. Decorate in-between the vases with tons of votive candles. Another option is to pile all of the bridesmaids’ bouquets in the middle of the table and place your on top. It will become a beautiful mound of flowers. You would also surround these with votives, to make it blend with the rest of the decorations. This is a great way to repurpose your bouquets and get your money’s worth! Idea from my girls at the Knot!

mound of bouquets

flowers in vases

Real or Faux Pearls?

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pearl 

Pearls have become almost a staple for brides around the world and deservedly so. Pearls are a symbol of purity and elegance. However, buying pearls can be a tricky thing. Faux pearls are often very well made, which makes it very hard to tell if you are buying the real thing or not. Faux pearls can be distinguished by their name: simulated, faux, glass, plastic, resin, artificial, manmade. There are two kinds of real pearls—natural and cultured. Natural pearls are very rare and very expensive; one of the only ways to tell a natural from a cultured is with an x-ray. Both kinds go through the same process, however the cultured pearls has a little help from man. That said cultured pearls are still real pearls and they make up the majority of the market. Cultured pearls can be freshwater or saltwater. Typically saltwater pearls are more expensive. Freshwater pearls are available in a far wider color range than saltwater, including purple, violet, orange, blue and gray. They are cheaper to produce as each mollusk can yield up to 30 pearls per harvest! To further confuse things, there are also shell pearls and genuine pearls which have had treatments applied to them, such as coatings or faceting. In general, the highest prices will be paid for large, round, well colored, unenhanced gems. Factors that influence value in pearl jewelry pieces would add to these general considerations, quality of stringing and degree of matching in size and color. To get the most out of your money, you need to make sure you know the quality of the pearls you are buying. Here are some ways to tell. 

How much do they weigh?

 Real pearls are heavier for their size than plastic, resin, or hollow glass pearls. Good glass fakes will have the same density are real pearls. If you have a light pearl, it is defiantly a fake. Since good fake pearls are made the same weight as real pearls you need a few more ways to tell. 

What do they look like?

Faux pearls tend to look ‘flat’ in comparison to the real thing. There are exceptions, of course, with beautiful simulated pearls. However, real pearls tend not to be perfect and may have bands in their nacre, bumps, ridges, or pits. They vary in size and shape from one to another. Real pearls come in many shapes, but they tend not to be perfectly round, so a perfect sphere should be suspect. Expensive genuine pearls may be round, but you will have other clues to help you make a determination. Some fakes are made to look irregular, and glass pearls often have flattened ends or slightly oval shapes. 

Do they warm to the skin?

Genuine pearls tend to warm to the skin much faster than glass pearls. Resin or plastic pearls tend to feel somewhat warm upon first contact.  

Hold them under the sun.

Take your pearls out into the sun or hold them under very bright indoor lighting. Unless they are very expensive, genuine pearls won’t be perfectly matched under the sun. You will be able to see variations in their iridescence (orient) and color. If the pearls are perfectly matched for color and overtones, they are most probably faux. 

What kind of settings does it have?

Real pearls are more likely to have settings of gold, silver, or platinum than faux pearls. You can examine clasps for stamps or engravings in the metal or for magnetism (indicating the clasp or setting contains iron as opposed to a precious metal). Clasps tend to have safety mechanisms, like fish hooks, but some real pearls are sold with other types of clasps, usually as an accommodation for a person who would have difficulty opening/closing the more secure clasp. However, insecure clasps are not usually seen on good pearls. It isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Some fakes have high quality settings. Some genuine pearls have cheap settings. Even so, the setting can provide clues to help you reach a conclusion 

Caring for your pearls

Pearls are sensitive to heat, chemicals and abrasion, they should be stored in a cloth bag or their own box away from contact with other materials. They should be protected from chemicals such as hairspray and perfume. Wiping them with a damp cloth after wearing and occasional cleaning in mild soapy water is all that’s required.

Check out my source for more valuable information on pearls!

Who Pays for the Flower Girl’s Dress?

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flowergirl

Traditionally the little one’s parents pay for the dress. However, times have changed and sometimes the bride and groom fit the bill as an act of gratitude. If the parents are paying for the dress try to keep the dress in their price range. You may offer a choice of a few dresses so that they can choose one that is more in their budget. Keep in mind that the Bride and Groom do pay for the flower basket, any petals for the basket, and any flowers that you want in her hair.

An Atmosphere of Romance

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Warm up a winter wedding by creating an atmosphere of romance. A ton of candles will create this atmosphere with a far less coast than flowers. Arrange tea lights around your flowers or on your tables. Have pillar candles in various heights in special spots around your wedding. Use floating candles in a bowl with Rose blossoms, is a striking centerpiece. A great and unique way to make an impression is to light the pathway of your guests with candles. Arrange candles in Plexiglas boxes on the porch deck and hang then from the roof with ribbon, lighting a scenic path for guests departing the reception.

candle pathway

flowers

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