DIY Smores Kit

Here is a fun idea for giving a favor gift that your guests can use. As I was playing around on the internet and wedding sites I came across this neat idea.


Let your guests enjoy taking their personal smores kit home and have fun preparing a sweet treat. You may also offer them an opportunity to prepare them at the venue by creating a smores bar as an additional wow factor.

Here are the details from a past bride:Materials:
1. Hershey's Chocolate Bars
2. Graham Crackers

3. Marshmallows

4. Wire Hangers

5. Cellophane Bags in 3 Sizes

6. Adhesive Paper and Cardstock

7. Labels and Instructions design (downloadable pdfs right here and here.)

8. Kraft Box with Lid 4.75" x 6" x 2.5"

9. Tissue

10. Ribbon

11. Scissors

12. Wire Cutter


STEP 1: Remove the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers from their original packaging and put them in cellophane bags. Here we put six graham cracker squares in a 4" x 6" bag, Three chocolate squares in a 5" x 3" bag, and about 10 marshmallows in a 5.5" x 8" bag.

STEP 2: With the wire cutters, cut off the head of the hanger and then bend the hanger in fourths so it fits the length of the box. Secure it with ribbon.


Original Post: http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-s-mores-kits

DIY: Creative Welcome Letter Alternative

If you are looking for an alternate idea for a formal welcome letter for your out of town guests or for a destination wedding......here is a really cute idea from a destination bride.

Print less and save more by cutting back on the multiple pages of information and create a cute informative trifold filled with great local info.

Check out the photos below and the link to the original blog.

Enjoy!

Original Blog Post: http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-wedding-challege-welcome-letters-for-guests

Champagne and Cake Reception

When most people think about receptions the first thing that comes to mind is usually a formal seated dinner however there are other options able. One of the most inexpensive receptions is a champagne and cake reception where following the ceremony guess what is offered:



Yes, you got it! Champagne and Cake!

This is a slight trend with younger couples that would like to have friends and family around for their first dance, dancing and socializing. If you’re not able to afford a formal reception, this is an option to celebrate at your ceremony venue or another venue with a nominal cost.

Another option is to add cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres, use high top cocktail tables and an open dance floor for all to enjoy the party time.

Let your style reflect you both and your budget.

Savings & Being Organized with Wedding Plans

Planning a wedding as you may already know from talking and getting advice from friends and loved ones it can be pretty pricy. Here a few basic tips that can help you save and be organized during the planning process.

1. Start planning early. Allow yourself time to map out your plans and details. Take the time to research venues, customer service of companies, client reviews, and pricing of potential vendors of interest.

2. Set up a wedding account. Decide on the amount in total that you would like to spend. After researching allocate an estimate for each area and stick to your budget. Don’t go into a marriage in debt for the wedding, it’s the love that counts not the glamour.

3. Enlist assistance early. Planning your wedding day can be overwhelming with details, and may include comments and feedback that you may want or not want from friends and family. Set your expectations and you can hand out areas of responsibilities early. Again tasks should be to your expectations as a couple.

4. Use seasonal products. Using items in season such as flowers, vegetables (great for a green or organic theme), and other items will be less expensive that selecting items that are not in season.

5. Have your ceremony and reception in one location. Automatically this eliminates the cost of transportation or allows you to save and just have a limo transport the couple and wedding attendants once.

6. Have a smaller wedding. Don’t feel obligated to invite everyone that you know. It may not be necessary to invite your close friend’s cousin that you went to a party with once. Keep this in mind, while you plan your wedding on the budget you plan on spending.

Enjoy your planning process it should be a fun time for you both, take your time and think about the details. Don’t make a mistake and overlook the logistics of the wedding day. If financially able hire a planner at least for the day of your wedding. Meet with a few planners to learn about their style and get an idea to see if you three will be a good fit for each other. Don’t assume that planners are expensive; the pricing typically is based on your needs and the packages available.

Tip: If you are planning an April- June you are in prime wedding season and up against proms. Dresses, tuxedos and limos should be reserved within a timely manner.

Let's do Brunch.....

Have a Brunch Reception and the savings will lower your budget.

With the many expenses that are associated with planning a wedding, the most expensive area that you can save is in the reception. Have you considered having an early wedding ceremony followed by a buffet brunch?

There are a few advantages to having your reception earlier in the day:

- The food can be a lighter portion in comparison to a dinner meal.
- Guests typically don’t drink as much during the afternoon as they would in the late evening.
- If you choose to have more than wine and champagne a limited open bar is acceptable
- A brunch reception is shorter timeframe and allows guests to enjoy the rest of their evening after celebrating with you. Some couples prefer this option and enjoy an intimate dinner as newlyweds before they call it a day.
- The cost of a venue is lower to rent during that day than the evening.
- There should not be a need for additional lighting for an afternoon reception; the sun should be still shining bright.
- Your décor of flowers can also be limited and/or fruits may also be incorporated to as centerpieces.

There are several things that you can do to lower the cost of a reception by serving brunch. See a few pictures below for inspiration.

Saving for the Budget

While shopping in the wedding aisle of a store today I overheard a few ladies calculating wedding items needed and determining if the items were in their budget. Needless to say there are many couples that are planning their weddings on budget.

There are several adjustments that can be made to your current lifestyles and spending habits that will prove to help with savings. Open a specific account that will be dedicated to your wedding and practice good habits that can help you save.

a) Bring your lunch to work, don’t spend $5-$8 a day for lunch…pack your leftovers or make a sandwich. This is healthier and saves you an estimate of $25-$40 per week.

b) If your addicted to gourmet coffee, lattés, cappuccino, and other drinks and breakfast this is another area that you can save. Some of these drinks can run roughly $5 for just the drink without the sandwich. If you stop during your route to work a few days to get a morning drink this can save you an estimated $25+ per week.

c) Limit your partying and happy hours this can become expensive and will add up quickly. Still maintain a social life, don’t get consumed and focus strictly on planning it can become overwhelming and stressful if you let it. If you attend an average of 2 social events this can save you an estimated $30+ for the week.

These are just a few tips to get your saving wheels turning; the adjustments will be worth it in the end. You will be amazed on how much you can save with minor changes.

If you are ready for a major challenge, save your receipts from every purchase for one week and add all purchases into two categories: Need or Want.

Analyze the results and see how much money you could have saved.

Happy saving and planning!