Budget Bride Guide Pt 1: How to save money on a venue

I decided to begin a series on CDTA entitled Budget Bride Guide, where I will tackle some questions that I've received via email.  To start this off, the most frequently asked question is "How to save money on a venue?"

Before looking for a venue, draft up a guests list so that you'll have a rough idea as to how many people will be in attendance.  Using this information will help tremendously in picking a venue to accommodate your guests.  Keep in mind that a larger guests list would mean a larger venue hence a higher fee.  So, if possible, trim your guests list in order to scale back on cost. Now, let's get to saving!

1- Church wedding?  If so, find out if your place of worship has an attached or affiliated hall or ballroom big enough to accommodate your guests.  Why? They almost always costs way less than hotels and banquet halls.

2- Choose a date during off-peak wedding season which is between November and April. Why? Spring and summer are the most coveted seasons for weddings which hikes the higher costs of renting venues.

3- Don't hold your wedding on a Saturday. Consider Friday or Sunday which is also off peak and less expensive.

4- Choose venues that specialize in weddings-whether destination or local.  They more often then none, offer all-inclusive reasonable packages consisting of cake, food, flowers, decorations, and more!

5- In the military or part of a club or professional association?  Use that status to score a low fee location.  Some military sites can be rented inexpensively by veterans and current members of the armed forces.

6- Select a reception site that allows you to bring your own alcohol and caterer. Many sites will mandate that you use an affiliated caterer for your event.  Chances are, the caterers on the list are more pricey then ones you would have chosen for yourself. Therefore, inflating your overall venue costs.  Throw in an open bar and you may exceed your budget. Being able to hire your own catering vendors helps scale down on the overall costs.  This also pertains to alcohol.  You can save a lot of money by purchasing your own alcohol from liquidators instead of using theirs which will have a significantly higher markup.

Have more tips to add, comment below. Have a budget bride question, email me!

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Veil vs. Blusher

After crossing out the tedious feat of finding a wedding dress, I thought finding a veil couldn't possibly be that demanding. Boy was I wrong! Veils are just as time consuming and there is a plethora of styles out there. Whether you prefer a customized version from Etsy, or a designer piece, be ready to shell out a few hundreds for it.  Needless to say, after dishing out hundreds or thousands on a dress, you want to ensure you take the same care and effort to picking the right finishing touches.

As for me, I can't decide on whether to do a traditional veil (cathedral length is my preference) or a blusher (so uber chic with a twist of vintage).  Think I'm making this into more than it should be? See for yourself. Ive compiled a list of amazingly beautiful veils and blushers and fascinators below.

Preston and Olivia Hand made Veils

Flower Halo Cap Veil from Preston and Olivia 

French Blooms Crown Veil from Preston and Olivia

Real Size Brides Variety of fascinators

So, on your wedding day, will you be a veil wearing bride or a blushing blusher bride?

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TLC's Say Yes To The Dress-To Be or NOT to be on the show

So I was contacted by the casting person for TLC's "Say yes to the dress" show. If you've never watched it, it's basically a reality show that takes place in the mega bridal boutique, Kleinfelds.  It showcases brides in search of their perfect wedding dress-the ups and downs, the tears of joy and sadness, and of course their entourage.  After being a fan of this show for years, I was beyond ecstatic to be asked to be on it!!

Positives:

• My curvy and plus size brides get to see a fellow thick girl representing.
• My dress shopping will forever be captured on television
• Once in a lifetime experience

Negatives: 

• Long taping day (5hours+)
• No compensation-monetary or discount
• Possibly being overwhelmed by the amazing gowns and not knowing what to choose
• Paying nearly 50% more there than at another bridal boutique

With that being said, what do you guys think? Should I do the show?

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I am currently revamping this blog. Please bare with me as I decided to undertake this myself, without a designer.  In the meantime, feel free to keep up with me on my fashion blog, CurvEnvy

THANKS GUYS!

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Wedding Planning: How to Lose your Cool

It's mid March and as of now, the following items have been checked off.

• Caterer
• Chairs
• Photographer
• Venue
• Tables
• Linens

My fiance seems to think we're ahead of the game. As for me, I'm freaking out.  Call it my OCD, but I feel severely ill prepared.  I started having nightmares about my wedding day this week not to mention, insomnia.  Perhaps this is the time to get a wedding planner?  My in-laws, fiance and I have taken the DIY way and did a lot so far but at this point, I'm spent.  I still need:

• Invitations 
• DJ
• Flowers
• Veil
• Ring pillow
• Wedding cake
• Hair Stylists
• Bridesmaid dresses
• Flower girl dresses
• Wedding shoes
• Reception decor
• Rental vendors
• Hotels
• Vehicles (limo, buses, etc)
• A wedding shower date
• Honeymoon destination

Do you now see my reason for my freaking out! Therefore, I've taken time to research and look for a wedding planner.  She needs to be my fairy god mother now and on the day of the wedding. I want everything to go without a hitch. I want to walk into my reception and be blown away seeing my "vision" in fruition. Is that too much to ask for?

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AND THE VENUE IS...

As much as we love to travel, we ultimately decided to have our wedding here at home rather than at an island destination.  Though it might not be cost efficient; having a majority of our relatives present at the most significant day of our lives is priceless.  Once that was finalized, the tedious task of finding a venue began.

After weeks of research, price comparisons, phone calls and meetings, we decided to forgo the "outdoor" wedding theme since finding a venue large enough to fit our towering 250 guest list was a challenge.  In the end, we decided to go a little more traditional route with a church wedding.  The cost difference is exponential to accommodate such a massive wedding guests list. Over all, financially it just made sense. So our wedding ceremony will be held at my fiance's family temple and reception at it's neighboring ballroom.

I'd be lying if I said a part of me isn't yearning over a white sand beach wedding, but overall I am happy with our selection.  The temple's aesthetic is gorgeous not to mention large enough to seat our guests.  The Star of David ceiling light fixtures are remarkable.

We won't be having a Jewish wedding per se, however, we do intend to add a few Jewish traditions into it. Next task, to learn about said Jewish wedding customs-chuppah, horah, etc.

My future grandfather :)

My daughter lying where the chuppah will be located

'til next post...

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Destined for Destinations

Since we got engaged on an island, we feel it suitable to get married on one-at least that's our justification.  Now, the challenge is which palm tree, white sand, clear blue/green water location holds our fate.  In my research, I realized much goes into choosing one: location, inclusive or non-inclusive, average flight rate/flight time, international or domestic, and lastly budget.

Location:
You know you want a beach wedding, but where?  You can either pick a date and search from there or choose a location, then pick their available date.  If you're destined for the Caribbean, it is imperative to familiarize yourself with their seasons.  Stay away from hurricane season (obviously), and the hottest set of months (think of your elderly relatives sweltering under the sun).  Also, it is key to wed towards the afternoon and not near high noon when at it's hottest.  You both are already excited and anxious. Throw 95 degree weather into that mix and the aftermath may not be pretty-for you or your wedding party.

All Inclusive or Non-Inclusive:
Clearly choosing this option relies on your budget.  However, the positive reason of going with an all-inclusive resort is that you can choose a wedding package you can afford and what comes with it, all pre-paid.  The last thing we want to do, is dish out money the day of.  Besides, where would we keep our credit cards? Having your special day at an all-inclusive resort provides your guests with amazing amenities, comfortable accommodations, a range of activities, not to mention succulent cuisine (hopefully).  After all, it may be your wedding day, but for many of your guests, it's a weekend getaway at the beach. 

Flights
If your destination wedding is at another continent (Europe, Africa, South America), I suppose both of you are realistic that the wedding party and guests will coincidentally be the same group of people.  If it is important to you who makes it to your wedding, picking a location who's flights are let's say over $1500 will come with it's challenges. Don't get me wrong, I'm not implying to make your choice based on relatives' budgets, but be be prepared to possibly add mom and/or dad, your bestie and/or grandparents flights into your wedding budget. Relating to that, long flight hours can also place a wrench in your plans when dealing with anxious flyers.

International vs. Domestic
Who wouldn't want a romantic international wedding-whether in the islands or Europe? For those of you more inclined to keeping it in the good old  U.S of A, believe it or not there are a fair amount of domestic destinations.

Florida

-Quit possibly the most used state for destination weddings and elopements.  It's clear why, it's known for great weather (minus hurricane season), and there are a plethora of beaches to choose from.  My own best friend is marrying on the white sand beaches in Sarasota Florida this summer.

 

California

Southern Cali and San Diego seem to be the go-to areas for outdoor beach weddings, and rightfully so.  With thousands of miles of beach front locations and west coast temperatures, it's the suitable year-round domestic state.  Read here for a guide to California beach weddings.

Texas

The lone star state boasts many beach side islands like Port Aransas on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, to Galveston Island near Houston. A little over 3 hours flight and no passport necessary. 

Puerto Rico

Besides amazing food and equally amazing weather, Puerto Rico is passport-free Caribbean island.  I can go on and on about their beach weddings but you can see for yourself here.

In all, I've come to the realization that planning our wedding comes with accommodating our guests more-so than ourselves.

to be continued...

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