Thursday, May 30, 2013

What Does it Really Cost??? Part 1


As more and more people are getting engaged and planning their weddings, there are many aspects where couples exceed their budget. Finding a very similar or almost identical product for a much lower price is much easier than you think!

Even though most women do not get to pick out their engagement ring, there are a few women who get the option to pick out what they want. Your man might not know the difference in styles or cuts but he does notice the price. Many rings are more pricey for a big diamond with a simple band while some may look over the top and pricey when they very reasonable. The images below show the difference in prices in rings with similar looks but with a different carat size.  

The ring on the left looks very pricey but it is actual $1,150 and ½ carat, 14K white gold. While the ring on the right is 14K white gold, 2 1/6 carat cushion-cut engagement ring and looks very similar to the 14K white gold on the left but this ring is $7,690.

While the ring on the left is a simple 14K gold band with a 1 carat for $1,779, the 1 carat, 14K gold ring on the right looks exactly the same but cost $6,500. The only difference is the brand of the ring. Having a name brand ring adds to the cost and increased this rings cost by almost $5,000.

 

Rose gold is becoming more popular and the left ring is a ¾ carat 14K rose gold and is priced at  $1,990. The ring on the right is 14K rose gold 1 5/8 carat with a chocolate diamond and is more elaborate than our right rose gold ring. This ring has almost a carat more which makes the total cost $8,900 and is $7,000 more than the one on the left.


The engagement ring is the first step in planing your wedding while the next step can be different for every bride and her fiancĂ©. Most brides start to look at wedding dress as their next step.  Just like the rings we looked at, many brides can find their dream dress for an inexpensive price with a desinger look but not at the designer price. Let’s look at the difference between big name designers and dresses that look alike but for much less. 

 

The dress on the left is a Dennis Basso while the dress on the right is very similar in style. The Dennis Basso dress is $5,000 while the dress on the right is only $970. The difference is very minimal and can save a bride a great deal who is sticking to a tight budget.



The dress on the left is a Lazaro sweetheart ball gown with a jeweled embellishment for $5,000. The dress to the right is Da Vinci and is only $970 and has similar style with less embellishment but will save a bride around $4,000 and can help you stay on your budget.
 

These charmuse dresses are a perfect fit for any bride that wants a lighter, softer dress on their big day. The dress on the left is a Dina Davos sweetheart A-line for $3,000 while the right dress is the same material but is only $670 by Da Vinci.


 
 As you make those big decisions for your wedding day just remember you can always find a similar product for a lower price. You just have to look in the right place to get the bargain you want!








Monday, April 22, 2013

COLORful Ideas!

A ring in spring can lead to so many decisions and one of the most difficult might just be your colors!

         Here are some fun and helpful ideas to hopefully spark the color scheme inside of you!






Thursday, March 28, 2013

Oh HONEY! MOON Over These...

The Affordable Honeymoon.

Let's get real.... After you have planned and experienced the biggest and most splendid day of your life you want to continue with that feeling into your honeymoon. However, you've just spent a pretty penny and are not too excited any more about that over the top trip you have ahead where you will be dropping a good buck every day. You still want the experience without the price, right? Well, FEAR NOT! Here are a few places to look into with travelling for your honeymoon.



You want Hawaii? Think Honolulu!

This beautiful island is centered on sterling blue beaches and low prices! If you stay away from the tourist spots and follow the locals, you could experience something wonderful that will stick with you forever. No passport required, participate in some hot yoga by the sea, sip on the the local Oeno wine, go whale watching, and so much more for a bargain!






Thinking of Crossing the Atlantic? Let's talk about the Balkan Peninsula.

I'm talking about Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, etc. Think I'm kidding? This area has one of the most flavored histories and is also surprisingly gorgeous!
Where to begin!

Turkey!

Of course you know of the wondrous Turkish Baths! Who wouldn't want to run into the famous folk and belly dancing! Why not explore the rich country or the historical inner city!






How about my winter wedding? Where should I go?

India!

The flight will be the biggest expense you have on this trip. But once you get there, you will be wowed by the culture and excitement of the night!Just around November, India's northern region has cooled down and you can enjoy the TOP spots like the Pink City and the Taj Mahal without the heat!









No matter where you go, it is going to be the time of your life but it's always nice to not have to worry about how much money is slipping from your pocket.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Valentine Fever!



             Love is in the air and proposals are blooming! What better way to propose than an all out February blow out. Everyone always makes fun of the over the top and cheesy proposal you see in the movies, but sometimes that’s just what is needed. Valentine’s Day is a great day to plan something amazing and unique just for her. Here are some fun ideas that you can think of when planning to pop the big one;

The Nesting Proposal

              Most ladies have sat their man down and made them watch the wonderfully romantic “Serendipity”. Even though Jon stole Sara away by the end, it was quite an ingenious proposal. Here’s how to match it. We like to call it “The Nesting Proposal”. It resembles the Russian Nesting Dolls pattern where you beginning with a large box and as it is opened there are smaller and smaller boxes inside.  Inside the smallest box is the ring box. Nifty right?!


 Flash Mob Proposal

                I’m sure you’ve seen one of these. The popularity of flash mob proposals has jumped in the last year and is great for a public display of your love and creates wonderful memories. You don’t have to be an amazing dancer or have friends who are. There are even groups online that will come help you for free just because they love what they do. This kind of proposal takes a lot of planning and practicing. Also be aware that if you are planning it near local businesses to let them know as a curtsey.

The Media Proposal

               There are so many ways to use the media in a fun and creative way to propose. Just to throw some ideas out there; Skywriting and flying banners are great but you have to be in the right place at the right time. Take out an advertisement in the local newspaper or magazine that she usually reads. This is one of my personal favorites, plan to have a movie date and make a video proposal that is put into the commercials before the screening of the film. Just make sure you get there on time! Stadium proposals have been around forever but they still work wonders! Last but not least, the billboard proposals are such a great surprise. You can even talk to local business about sharing the space to help pay. All of these are great surprising ways to pop  the question!

Friday, January 4, 2013

2013 Never Looked So Good


It’s 2013! Even though it is just another day, it feels like a new wave of life, to refresh our lives and live our lives in a new light. The one thing we have to remember is that what a new year brings us, is not just a way to make goals for ourselves, but it brings us hope. Hope for adventures; hope for excitement, hope for a size 4, but most importantly hope for happiness and a future for success. We may last only a week not drinking sodas or not eating sweets, but what will last is the ability to believe that this year, 2013 will bring us love, joy, peace, and ultimate happiness. We make choices each day, from what to eat, to what to wear, to how we treat others. In the New Year let us restart the way we live our lives each day and make it count from the beginning. So let’s all make 2013 the best, not just for our waistlines, and ourselves, but to help others enjoy each day to the fullest from the start. So, smile, say thank you, or pass along a compliment. Happy New Year Everyone, let’s make it fabulous!  

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

A Veil for Every Season

The veil is one of the most important accessories to a wedding gown, however, most brides aren't aware of all the splendid choices they have. Did you know that there are at least six lengths to choice from and over ten different styles?! So try to find something that fits your personality and gown without sticking to the traditional choices. Have fun with it!



Cathedral: Think Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music.  A long vein to match that long train you’ve been dreaming about. They really complete each other will stun your guests. It’s very formal, but very striking; just make sure you have some flower girls on hand to keep it flowing beautifully!



Chapel: Floor-length, with a traditional touch. These veils work great inside and out and you won’t have to worry about anyone stepping on you!








Waltz: Falls somewhere between the knees and ankles. If you are looking for a veil you can wear all night along, this is the veil for you. It’s perfect for beach weddings and for those Bride’s who like to boogie!






Fingertip: Lines up with the Bride’s fingertips for an asymmetrical silhouette. This is very flattering on a more classical or even vintage style gown and will frame you well.



Elbow: A less formal look that works with any dress that hits below the knee. Elbow says “I’m fun and ready to enjoy myself tonight!” This is a good fit for A line gowns or more slimming styles.





Shoulder: Hits right below the shoulder blades and fits perfectly for strapless or tea-length.







Mantilla: A laced-edge veil that is very elegant and feminine. These veils are gorgeous and work wonders in an up do!
Picture: http://ansoniabridalveils.com/Veils.php









Bubble: Bubbles create a rounded pouf around the bride’s head, perfect for a whimsical look. 









Flyaway:  For the playful and trendy Bride, flyaway veils have several layers of different lengths and work well with less formal gowns. Fit and Flares and cocktail style wedding gowns pop with a flyaway.
Picture: http://youniqueboutique.com/marielle/veils.html






Blusher: For those who want no veil, this style is very trendy, yet classic. These can be any length or shape and can be personalized to any one style. Whether you love a double comb, across your whole face, or just above the eyes, it will be one of a kind no matter how you wear it.



Saturday, October 6, 2012

Planning Your Dream Wedding: Where to Begin!

It is pretty common knowledge these days that planning a wedding is hard work! As we have mentioned in other blogs, there are many details that need to be addressed: venue, catering, finding your dress, hiring a planner, etc. With this crazy to-do list looming over you, you might be thinking "Where do I even begin?"

Of course, hiring a planner will help because they will create a detailed timeline for you of all the aspects of planning and when each should be started and completed but what about actually hiring a planner? How far in advance should that be done??

Many wedding websites offer free Wedding Planning Timeline templates but some are better than others. If you stumble across a timeline that includes many details you didn't even want to include in your wedding, it can make the process overwhelming and confusing! Here we have taken some of the basic wedding planning to-do's and outlined the best process for getting started (and finished) with them.

Hiring A Wedding Planner or Coordinator



This is the biggest one to think about because once you have a planner booked, they can help you with all the other details. In most cases, the best time to hire a planner is 8-12 months before your wedding. This gives enough time to space out all of the planning tasks so that you aren't stuck pulling everything together in the last two months. You can begin with tasks such as generating ideas for themes and decor and then move on the the more tangible tasks such as going on site visits or to tastings.

Finding and Ordering Your Dress





Choosing a wedding dress is one of the most fun parts of the wedding planning process and we see women in our shop come in as early as 1.5 years before their wedding and as last minute as a few months before. Wedding gown designers vary in production time but it is safe to assume 6 months for production and delivery and 1 month for alteration. That being said, the best time to order your dress is 7-8 before you need to wear it. If you plan on getting a bridal portrait done, make sure you order your dress in time for the portrait date, not just the wedding date. Keep in mind that you may need to shop around a little before you find THE dress, so start looking a few months to a few weeks before the date that you'll need to order.


Hiring a Caterer




You can begin scheduling tastings as far in advance as you like or as your engagement period permits. Ideally you'll want to have the caterer BOOKED 10-12 months before the wedding to be sure they won't become all booked for that day.  Remember that food is going to be one of the details of the wedding that your guests will remember the most so you want to be sure it is good! Some venues will require you to use their house caterer or one from their preferred vendors list. This can help to narrow down your choices, which can be a good thing, but if you have your heart set on a particular caterer that is not on the preferred list, check with your venue; sometimes they will allow outside caterers for a fee. It can't hurt to ask! In addition to choosing a caterer and menu items, you will need to decide what kind of set up you want; buffet or seated dinner, action stations or butler passed hors d'oeuvres, etc. As far as knowing how much food to order,  caterers usually allow you to change your guest count up to a month or so before the wedding, with a final head count given a few weeks before.


Choosing and Booking a Venue




 Venues are more busy during peak wedding months so if you are getting married between April and October, you will find that venues are booked several months or even over a year in advance.  It is best to have the venue booked as early as possible because other vendors will need to know the venue set up for their purposes, for example a caterer needs to see what kind of kitchen and prep area is available. If you can book 8 months before your wedding date, that is ideal but it is best not to wait any longer than 6 months before the date. Keep in mind that popular venues and dates will book very early so it may be necessary to book much earlier.

Hiring a Florist





You can begin thinking about the types and colors of flowers that you may want as soon as you begin your planning process. However, you do not need to meet with and book a florist until about 4-5 months before your wedding. If you plan on visiting several florists before you make your decision, allow yourself an additional month for choosing time. Be sure to ask if the florist is available for your wedding date before you even see them for a consultation. You don't want to be disappointed if you love their work but they already have 4 weddings on your chosen weekend! Like with any vendor, if a florist is very much in demand, they may be booked very far in advance.