And the winner is........

Thank you all for participating in this great giveaway. Ann's Bridal Bargains has fabulous items to choose from.

Congratulations to McKay, A.. Thank you for your participation and enjoy your gift card

New Orleans Influence for your wedding

On my wish list of places to visit is New Orleans, "The Big Easy". The big city's nickname brings images of of a slow and relaxing and fun atmosphere. With my love of weddings and my desire to visit this great, historic city I thought it fitting to do a New Orleans Wedding post.

Having your wedding in New Orleans must be very exciting, with it's many traditions and historic locations and culture. However, if you are unable to get married in New Orleans why not bring "The Big Easy" to your guests. I like to share some items that will bring a New Orlean's feel to your wedding.

Fleur de Lis (Flower of the Lily) and New Orleans

Traditionally, it has been used to represent French Royalty, and it is said to signify perfection, light, and life. The New Orlean Saints have had the emblem on their uniforms since 1967. After Katrina the Fleur De Lis, grew stronger in popularity as it came to represent a symbol of hope to a city continuing the rebuilding process. It became a symbol to those away from there home and for those want to rebuild and come back home. The Fleur De Lis became a connection between all that love this great city. The symbol of the Fleur de Lis now flies proudly in New Orleans neighborhoods. In New Orleans you will see the Fleur De Lis on the City of New Orleans official flag, and even on New Orleans Police Department and Emergency Medical Services vehicles.

With all the meaning that this emblem brings it would be great to incorporate in your wedding. A second line in a wedding signifies the new life between the bride and groom. In the French quarter a bride would arrive in a horse drawn carriage as they follow the "main line" parade. They are often followed by the second line parade.

Favors

Fleur de Lis can opener
Invitations

Fleur de Lis Invitation - LetterPress Light


Parasols

Parasols are often used during the second line parade. This is a tradition where a brass band plays livelily music while participants walk behind twirling parasols and handkerchiefs. This band would not be the official band playing with a permit which was called the main line


Fleur De Lis - Pamela's Parasols

Wedding Cake Pulls


The wedding cake pull tradition dates back to Victorian England. Charms were baked into wedding cakes, and then the attendants and bridesmaids all had a chance to pull their charms from the cake. Over time, the tradition has evolved, and it is no longer limited to members of the wedding party. Children, family and guests are often invited to retrieve a charm from the cake. The wedding cake pull is seen more often in southern weddings in modern times, but it is still a quaint and sentimental part of many wedding receptions.

The Meaning of the Charms


Read more: What is the Meaning of Wedding Cake Pulls? | eHow.com

Bridal giveaway 2011

Happy Memorial Day to all of you.

Inspired! will be hosting a bridal giveaway beginning this weekend. For this giveaway you could win a $100 gift certificate to Ann’s Bridal Bargains.

Ann's Bridal Bargains has a host of great items to meet your wedding needs. Items like personalized napkins, invitations, wedding albums, save the dates and more.

These are the entry rules

Visit our sponsor

Comment on this post on this post and let us know how you would use your certificate

Subscribe to This blog via reader or like my page on Facebook

Extra entries

Comment if you have a loved one serving the military

Share! Share! and let us know where

please remember to leave you email address so you can be contactedContest will end on June 26, 2011 at 11:59 pm. Winner will be chosen by Random.org

Royal Wedding Influence for your wedding

With the royal wedding behind us there is no doubt that their are influences that will be used in weddings for years to come.

Here are a few things that I could see a couple incorporating into their wedding:


Charitable wedding gift

Prince William and Kate Middleton set up a charitable fund where guest could donate to in honor of their wedding celebration. Well come to think of it I love this. They have made it so simple to give the gift to well a couple that has it all. Although I was unable to attend, due to a previous engagement ; ), what could I have given the royal couple as a wedding gift? Would anything be adequate for the royals?

For you it simply might be that you both have everything that you need so why not use this wonderful occasion to get a gift that keeps on giving. Decide on a charity that is significant to you both and then set up a link on your wedding page or include information in your invitations.

Here are some websites that can get you started if you choose this option for your wedding:

Justgive.org

Changing the Present


Create a wedding crest


A family crest refers to the image that appears on the helmet of a family's coat of arms, a family symbol that dates back to the medieval time period. It originated in medieval times, when a coat of arms would be granted to an individual. The individual passed down the coat of arms to family descendants, turning it into a family symbol. It would be worn by warriors as they entered battle as a source of family pride. The colors of the crest would represent the families role in their society. Typically crest would come in certain colors such as red, gold, silver, black, blue, green and purple. The color also carried special symbolism. The images on a family crest would symbolize special characteristics of that particular family .

Deciding what symbols represent you as a couple might be a task, so here is some help on meanings of different symbols that might be used.


Be Inspired by the Royals, since you will be the king and queen of your day

Wedding fabulous Etsy finds

I love Etsy, and every now and then I venture into Etsyland to see what is new in wedding products. I came across some very beautiful and useful wedding items.

I love to share with my readers different things that will help with their DIY weddings. I found a very interesting tool on Etsy that will leave your personal "stamp" on your wedding day.

Food Safe Acrylic Stamp - For Fondant, Cupcakes, Brides and Birthdays From Babyjewels. They are wonderful for making your cookies and fondant creations all your own. Brides love them for wedding cupcakes and they are great for birthdays, showers, bar mitzvahs and more. Measures 1.5" and has a wooden handle.

Fee free to change the wording on any stamp you see to make it fit your special occasion.


Jewelry with simple elegance is extremely attractive to me. Sometimes with the fanciness of your wedding hairdo and the bling of your tiara, simple elegant earrings will do just fine. That is what I thought of when I saw these Teardrop Pearl Earrings from CrystalAvenues. She has a host of other wedding stunning wedding pieces and also has a garters with a vintage look.




I gravitate towards anything with earthtones, so it is no surprise that I found this ringbearers pillow very attractive. I could actually see this on my bed or couch ( that's would be pre kids), which makes this a great keepsake that will add to your home decor. This Silk and Satin Floral Ring Pillow for your wedding is perfect for a wedding with chocolate tones. This pillow is from Jwrobelstudio.

So lovely and elegant for your wedding day and destined to become an heirloom that is treasured for years to come. This ring pillow is handcrafted with the utmost care to be the perfect accessory for your perfect day. Handmade rose with 23 satin petals that were sculpt with a bit of heat from a candle flame. The pillow is made from a beautiful coordinating silk dupioni and it is all accented with a chocolate satin ribbon. This pillow measures approx 6.5" wide, 9" long, and 2" tall, not including the additional depth of the rose.


Last but certainly not least , I have the pleasure of knowing some of Etsy's finest artisans. Trudy from Mommagoddess is makes awesome pieces, I have a few of them. This particular piece, the Pearl and Crystal Bridal Necklace made my list because of its wedding wow, it really is a stunning piece for any bride that wants a piece that says wow. It will look absolutely stunning with a strapless dress or one with a low cut back. The pearl and crystal jungle is attached to a sterling silver chain that trails down the back ending with a Swarovski crystal star. You will indeed be the star of the show whether you are entering or exiting the room.



If you are interested in any of the pieces below contact the shop owners they will be happy to work with you to create a customized look for your event.

Enjoy the Etsy inspirations

Green Weddings 2011: Green Centerpiece Ideas

The Best Green Centerpiece Ideas



Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in your life, but there are so many details to attend to that it can seem a bit overwhelming. One of the details that shows off your style the most is the type of centerpieces you use at the reception. Not only should they say something about you and your new spouse, but they should also be beautiful pieces your guests actually want to win and take home with them. Most brides plan some kind of giveaway with the centerpieces at each table, so opt for something with a classic elegance.

One of the most popular trends in centerpieces now is to go green with your centerpieces. If the rest of your wedding is eco-friendly, then it’s best not to skimp on the centerpieces at the reception hall.

Earthy and Green Centerpiece Choices



One of the simplest ways to incorporate green options into your centerpieces is to use candles made from an organic material like beeswax. Beeswax smells amazing, and by promoting organic materials in candles, you avoid all the petroleum products that are usually used in the manufacture of candles. If you can find locally made beeswax candles, it’s even better.
Another option (and sometimes the most expensive one) is to find a florist who specializes in locally grown, organic flowers. Most florists don’t pay much attention to what happens to their flowers before they receive them. They just want full color blooms that take your breath away.
It’s important to look for locally grown flowers first because you’re reducing your carbon footprint by not purchasing flowers that have been transported. Organic is important because it means you are not supporting the use of pesticides on flowers. Nature was turning out beautiful flowers before we ever started using pesticides, so there isn’t much reason to support their use now.
If you aren’t particularly interested in floral arrangements, then you could always opt for centerpieces made from organic, locally grown fruit. This is the perfect idea for fall weddings when harvest is often the theme of gatherings. Also harvest time means that local fruit is in season, which means additional points in the eco-friendly category.

Truly Green Centerpieces


There are also many green options for those who have chosen the color green as one of their themes. Green is a great color for spring weddings because it not only symbolizes new life, but also pays homage to all of the greenery that starts appearing during the spring season.

Wheat grass makes for a very simple and usually inexpensive centerpiece option. It offers simplicity while still showing off your eco-conscious lifestyle. Moss orbs are also very fashionable and provide a simplistic, yet elegant way to bring a bit of the outdoors inside your reception hall.

Guest post by Rebecca Parker from The Wedding Planning Guides, a site dedicated to sharing practical (but fun) advice to brides and grooms throughout the ups and downs of wedding planning.

Your Royal Wedding

As we all know the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton are quickly approaching on April 29, 2011. There is something in all of us who get a kick out of fairytales especially if they are beyond the pages of our favorite childhood books.


Every bride is a princess on her wedding day, and while Kate will be a princess beyond her nuptials, you most certainly can implement royal elements for your moment in time.

The Dress
sangmaestro.com

When I think of a princess I always envision the ball gown dress, you can envision the elegant movement of your dress across the dance floor during your first dance as man and wife. You should however keep in mind your body shape and what type of dress will flatter you best. There are always other elements that you can include on your gown to give you the royal feel, in the event that a ball gown wedding dress is not best for your shape.

The Accessories
Wedding Tiara 42956
by SparklyCrystal 34.99

No princess is complete without her crown, tiaras a readily available in a multitude of styles and price points. When purchasing keep in mind any gems that might be on your wedding dress and the color of your dress as well. Remember to have your crown when you are ready to work with your hair dresser so that you pick the perfect hairstyle for your crown.

When choosing your jewelry keep in mind your hairstyle, and the style of your dress. There will be so many options for you, but please resist getting them all. There is such a thing as overdone.

The Venue
Oheka Castle, Huntington,ny

Choosing your venue will of course be tied to your budget, I would not recommend going over budget just for a venue, you have to live beyond the wedding. There are plenty of venues that are beautiful that will work within your budget. However, if your budget can afford a venue specific to your theme, consider a castle.

Take a look at a list of castles in the USA perfect for your royal wedding.

The Invitaions

mydreamwedding.ca

Your invites ushers your guests into your day. It gives a glimpse into what your guest can expect for that day, they build excitement. Princess themed invitations are very popular and you are sure to find the right one for you.

As with any theme there is the possibility to go overboard. Take your time and select unique elements that will stand out and not overwhelm you day. Take your time and look for just the right items, don't buy the first that you see because you are sure to come across something you like better or maybe it is a better value. Enjoy your planning and enjoy your day because you are a princess who has found her prince and when all is said and done it is all about your love story.

Be Inspired by a fairytale...

April Wedding Giveaway

I celebrated my 40th birthday in March and I thought that I should extend my celebration for a couple months. Well I thought that I would continue my celebration by giving away a gift. I recently wrote a blog post on tile wedding jewelry. The creator of the wedding jewelry has graciously offered to give one of her necklaces for an Inspired giveaway. Happy Birthday from me.

To enter for a chance to win, here is what you need to do:

1. Visit our sponsors page Bashful Bliss

2. Navigate through the site, come back and leave a comment about your favorite necklace. (hard to pick just one)

3. Like them on Facebook

4. Subscribe to this blog

Extra
* If you share this giveaway on your blog, twitter or facebook or follow this blog. Make a comment and you could earn extra entries.

That's it. This giveaway will end of April 15, 2011 at 11:59 pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Wedding Cake Stands with flair

Your wedding cake is one accessory your guest will be sure to noticed. Whether because of its simple beauty or its dramatic presence, guest will be talking about your cake. What about the presentation? Have you considered what the cake stand will look like? Cindy owns Fabulous Cake Stands Her cake stands stand tall on their own and with a beautiful wedding cake it would make a wow statement. They can be customized so no one stand will ever be the same.When I saw these cake stands on Etsy, I reached out to Cindy to ask if I could feature her stands on Inspired.

Here is a past interview that she shared with us.



Where do you draw your inspiration from?


Living in a city rich with history like New Orleans. Inspiration seems to be hard to avoid. In fact, I have enough ideas to last a lifetime! Specifically, I find inspiration everywhere, the architecture, gardens, nature and even the names of the streets inspire me. Right now, Mardi Gras has put an entire collection of new stands in my head!



After what elements in a wedding can you design a cake stand?


There are so many elements of a wedding that can inspire a stand, the wedding dress, flowers, the general theme of the wedding all can be taken into consideration. We even offer hand-painted designs for a more custom stand. For example, a stand featuring beautiful hand-painted monograms would be lovely as well as an heirloom to cherish.


How can we rent one of your beautiful cake stands?


Visit my website at: www.fabulousweddingcakestands .com and fill out a rental request form or contact me via phone or email. 504-362-3980, cindy@fabulousweddingcakestands.com


Can we purchase a cake stand? Absolutely!


Our stands are built to last a lifetime. Designed to be used not just for weddings, a Fabulous Wedding Cake Stand is not an element of your wedding that would need to be put away in the attic. I've also created a line of embellishments for certain stands to render the stands much more versatile, butterflies, flowers, fleur-de-lis, etc. The embellishments will give the stand a totally different look. Future designs for embellishments will include designs suitable for all holidays. The stand that your wedding cake was placed on can be a part of all of your celebrations, how cool is that?


How long have you been designing?


A very long time! As a decorative artist for 30+ years I have worked with some of the south's most talented designers executing painted finishes, murals and custom artwork. I've also worked in collaboration with Wedding Cakes Across America when they had a partnership with David's Bridal, designing wedding cakes to match bridal dresses. In addition, I have years of experience as a floral designer. So design and weddings have been a part of my life for a very long time.




How can Couples contact you?


504-362-3980 call and leave a message or email me @ cindy@fabulousweddingcakestands.com

Like Fabulous Wedding Stands on Facebook

Thank you Cindy for being inspired to create such beautiful stands.

Music in your Wedding

I hope that this blog is crossing continents with its content.. with that said I would like to introduce Freak Music Wedding band Specialist specializing with musical entertainment in the UK. Their advice for using music to set the mood in your wedding however offers international help to brides.

Here Freak Music shares some tips:

A key ingredient in any successful wedding is the atmosphere, and there are many things a bride and her groom can do to make sure that they establish exactly the mood and tone that they want at their wedding. From solemn religious occasions to tradition-busting YouTube weddings, the decisions made regarding items like decorations, flowers, table settings, food and music will affect how your guests behave and remember your wedding.



Choose A Mood...

Without a clear idea of what they want their wedding to be like, many brides find themselves awash in a sea of numerous, complex choices. Therefore, the first step to take when planning a wedding is to make a conscious decision about the mood and atmosphere guests should experience upon arriving at the occasion. Formal weddings, theme weddings and informal wedding celebrations are all equally valid, and the ideas behind each of these endeavors can be established during the ceremony then brought through to influence the tone of the reception, as well.



Using Music to Establish Atmosphere...

Church weddings often include formal organ music, but what about after the ceremony? With dozens of wedding bands to choose from, couples are often overwhelmed. Some find themselves turning to friends and family members to provide musical entertainment, while others wish to hire professional wedding bands to make sure their guests enjoy a night of dancing and merriment after the wedding ceremony is complete. A professional wedding band should be able to adapt their regular set list to the requests of the bride and groom, and should have a full grasp of the way a new couple wishes to celebrate their special day. By working with the wedding band prior to the celebration, couples can establish the kind of music they want: classic, romantic oldies, new chart-topping hits, or special genres in keeping with the bride and groom’s themed interests!

Plan Ahead...

Although there is plenty of room to tailor general wedding possibilities to a specific occasion or crowd, perfecting the atmosphere at a wedding requires whoever is in charge of planning it – whether it be a professional planner or the happy couple – be clear and reasonable about their desires throughout the planning stages. Finally, once plans are complete, it’s important that the guests of honor – be able to let go, sit back and enjoy their day. Nothing spoils the perfect wedding more than a grumpy bride or groom!

Submitted by Freak Music Wedding band specialists

Enter for a chance to win a $500 Shopping Spree

Ann's Bridal Bargains has an amazing array of products to add to your special day. They host a large selection of discount wedding invitations. On this site you can also find accessories such as ring pillow, baskets, picture frames albums and more.

Item Number AWF11505D

From now through December 31, 2011 you could be selected to win a $500 Shopping Spree. Winners are randomly selected every month. To enter this sweepstakes and be eligible to win participants are asked to: navigate to the Ann's Bridal website, and register as a new Account Member.

Honeymoon Destinations: Dominican Republic

With it's turquoise waters and pristine beaches the Dominican Republic is one of the most beautiful and affordable vacation destinations in the Caribbean. Whether you want to lay back on your honeymoon or partake in exciting outdoor activities, you will be sure to find something to meet your honeymoon dreams.

Punta Cana

On Punta Cana there are many places to stay for every kind of budget and taste as well, from quaint villas to luxury hotels and resorts. Punta Cana occupies 30-mile of sugar white coastline. Punta Cana could be considered the new Dominican Republic with dozens of all-inclusive resorts opening, each trying to outdo the last.

Resorts on Punta Cana

NH Real Arena on Bavaro Beach

Casa De Campo

The North Coast

A beauty along the Atlantic Ocean filled with enticing beaches and resorts. On this coastline you will find, Playa Dorada which held the title of resort capital before Punta Cana. You will find alot of outdoor adventures and an active nightlife on this part of the Caribbean Jewel.

Santo Domingo

The capital city or the Dominican Republic satisfies your need for old world. It was the first city in the Americas, you can fine the first Cathedral dating back to 1520. If you are interested in spending your honeymoon in history, consider the Hostal Nicolas de Ovando. It was once the home of Spain's first colonial governor.


Other Luxury resorts

Secrets Resort and Spa

http://www.dominicanrepublicvacations.com/?source=google

Honeymoon Destination: Florida's Anna Maria Island

This is honeymoon week here at Inspired. I have picked out some pretty romantic locations all over the world. These locations are great inspiration for a great honeymoon, destination wedding or romantic getaway.

Our first stop, miles of white sand located off the Gulf of Mexico.... Anna Maria Island. Anna Maria Island, offer miles of pristine white sandy beaches with crystal clear blue waters. Whether you want to lay back on your honeymoon, or enjoy outdoor activities such as boating, sailing, jet-skiing, fishing, or biking. Anna Maria Island also offers activities for the "green" at heart which include Eco tours.

Explore the luxury vacation rentals found on pineapplefish.com . Anna Maria Island offers a wonderful backdrop for wedding ceremonies as well.

Anna Maria Island's Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual wedding festival, although this year's festival is gone, The Wedding Festival website offers great information for couples.

Be Inspired by a white sand jewel

Bridal Tile Jewelry

Came across a unique find, Bridal Tile Jewelry from Bashful Bliss . These beautiful necklaces are artfully created with glass tile. You will find designs for the bride-to-be and they also makes a great budget friendly gifts for bridesmaids.



Each necklace is hand-made with a 1 inch square glass tile attached to a silver bail that sits on a color coordinating ribbon cord approx. 18 inches long with lobster clasp.




Be Inspired by Bashful Bliss for a unique bridal gift

And the winner is........

I want to thank all of you who stop by and entered Inspired's giveaway. I was pleased by all the comments and love that you were all inspired to add something new to your wedding day.

The winner of the Couple shower cards is Ashlee W.

The winner of the Wedding Receptions Cards is Making it in Madison.

Congratulations!!!
If you are the winner please contact me at aleximanievents@yahoo.com.


Thank you Write on Riot for your sponsorship of this great giveaway.

Green Weddings 2011: Jessica Charles

Hosting a green wedding is definitely socially and environmentally responsible. One thing that "green" weddings do not have to be is dull.

There are so many products available that offer a "green" option with style. One such company is Jessica Charles formerly Jessica Iverson;
who has just unveiled their 2011 Spring Collection from their Terra Amore line. Santa Barbara-based wedding dress designer Jessica Charles has set out to make eco-friendly gowns chic and even more luxurious and beautiful than traditional gowns. She has made "green" chic and elegant.


As with her designs Jessica has gone above and beyond by donating 3% of the profits from each dress to Alma Terra, a non-profit children’s charity that provides an “oasis of happiness” to less fortunate children in Africa. How fulfilling to create elegant "eco-friendly" gowns and giving back at the same time. Jessica Charles definitely embodies the green movement.

Jessica Charles has created a Facebook page for brides to receive invites to exclusive sample sales, parties, and events. Like them on Facebook.

Be Inspired by "green" and fabulous.

Shower Ideas: Write a wish Bridal Giveaway 2011

For as long as I have been planning showers. I have always loved the idea of sending good wishes or offering advise to the new couple or expectant parents. I sometimes suggested using a journal that everyone could write in and present to the couple or mom to be at the end of the shower. Or sometimes I provide decorated or colored index cards to write messages on. This giveaway..the first for 2011 is sponsored by Write on Riot , a company offering unique products to add creativity to your weddings, showers and other events.

I am pleased to feature the products and host this wonderful giveaway. I love products that inspire me to be more creative. I was excited that they contacted me to sponsor this giveaway. Writeonriot.com has a wide array of products to allow your guest to have an interactive and fun experience at your event, whether it be a wedding, shower, or engagement party.

There will be two winners to this giveaway. Here is what you do to win.

To win the Wedding reception cards
1. Make a comment on this post
2. Visit the host site

To win the Couple shower invitations:
1. Visit the sponsor's site
2. Pick your favorite phrase
3. return to this site and write in your favorite RSVP phrase.

This contest begins Sunday February 27, 2011 at 12 am and ends Sunday March 6, 2011 at 12:00 am. You may enter as many times as you can and feel free to post on twitter or other social networking sites, (be sure to mention if you did, it can earn you an extra entry). Winners will be selected using Random.org. They will be announced on Monday March 7, 2011.


Wedding reception cards are a great replacement to your wedding guest book and a bit more personal. The cards can be placed at each reception setting or artfully placed on a table in your cocktail area or entry of venue.



Couple shower invitations: Guests fill out the secret statement about the bride-to-be and send it back with the RSVP. At the start of the shower, the host places all of the game pieces portion of the RSVP in a hat or basket. The bride-to-be reads each of the completed secret statements aloud and tries to “guess the guest.” To see all of the RSVP secret statements visit writeonriot.com.



Fill in the fun with Write On Riot tees, coasters, name tags, cups, napkins, cards, magnets, buttons, gift bags and more. You can contact if you are interested in a particular product you do not see on their site.

Austin Cake Lady

Outside of the bride, the wedding cake will probably get a lot of attention. For some brides it is more than just the dessert served after dinner with coffee and tea; it is has to be a show stopper. Knowing how to choose the right cake for you is another important must in wedding planning. Remember that this is another extension of personalizing your wedding so take time to search for what you really want.

When is your wedding?

Why should the date matter? Well all wedding cakes are not created equal in terms of their ability to survive certain temperature conditions. Wedding cakes can be covered in a variety of icings, however not all will sustain the heat during summer months. Make sure to speak to your baker about the best choice for you. You would not want your cake wilting as your guest arrive.

How big will the cake be?

When meeting with your baker you should provide the number of guests that will be presents. This information will help the baker decide if the cake you have in mind is too small or too big for your occasion. Sometimes that will not matter too you if you are going for a particular look, however budget wise is does not make sense to pay for more cake than you need, just for looks. Your baker should be able to work with you to create a cake that meets your visual requirements as well as your guest’s servings. Keep in mind that most bakers charge per slice.




What's your flavor or color?

There are limitless possibilities on the flavors that you could have for your wedding. While traditionally cakes have been white, many couples are choosing cakes that match there overall décor. With cakes that have different tiers you could even have all of your favorite flavors.

DIY or bakery?

As a planner I do not usually recommend DIY unless you are a professional baker. Not to mention that with all the stress of planning, adding this to your list of things to do is not advisable. Even a family member who has the best intentions if not professionally trained can yield unfavorable results. This is such a prominent part of your wedding that the idea of Aunt Betty’s cake leaning slightly to one side is not very appealing. Money savings might be your goal, one lesson that I have learned is value or economy. The economic end of a DIY cake might yield some savings. However, the idea of the DIY cake not being delivered or not coming out to your liking may not be the most valuable experience for you.

Gradeur Affairs

Extra Tips

o Cake should be ordered 6-8 weeks in advance. Unless you are ordering from a very popular baker and/or require a lot of details, in this case you should even consider 6 – 12 months.
o Carry swatches, pictures, etc. to help present your vision to the baker
o Get the details in writing! Find out the details about delivery, set up and any additional cost

Get some inspiration for your wedding cakes

Wedding giveaway

Long are the days of throwing rice at couples as they depart from the church. New Eco-friendly options are available (i.e bubbles, biodegradable confetti).

The Kansas City Etsy team is hosting a giveaway of Wedding 50 Hand Rolled Wedding Ceremony / Reception Exit Sendoff Streamers with Finger Loops. I have never seen these before, however my minds eye envisioned a great photo opt with all of the streamers in mid air. i love when guests say "This is so unique, I have never seen this before". Christina of Extravagant Exits, has indeed created an extravagant exit with these ceremony streamers. I will definitely keep this product in my file for future brides

Check out the Kansas City Etsy blog for more details on this giveaway. The giveaway will run January 4th through January 10th. Also visit Christina and her Etsy shop for more Extravagant Exits.

Be Inspired by an Extravagant Exit at your wedding

Top 5 things to do when planning a wedding

Congratulations you are engaged! You have undoubtedly been on cloud nine for the last few days or weeks. As you gradually come down from that cloud excitement gives way to panic when realize the magnitude of planning a wedding. All of the small details, all of the big ones and everything in between. Where do you start? Here is a list of items you need to address first.

1. Set a Date

Setting a date will give you an idea to the time of year that you will be working with. Time of year can direct cost, colors, locations and so much more. Also consider that mid week and non wedding season dates are good for your budget. Consider the season that works best for you. A month that is special to the two of you. When you start looking for a venue, the date will be the number one questioned asked by the event coordinator.

2. Set a Budget

Now that you have an idea of when you will be getting married decide how much you will need to pay for this magnificent event. Also, how you are going to pay for it. Scary I know, but very necessary. Remember there is life after the wedding and you don't want to be paying for your wedding on your 5th anniversary. The average wedding cost will be over $28,000.

First, find out where your funding sources will come from. Will you and your fiance pay for everything? Do you have family members that will contribute to the wedding? Did you start saving already? Traditionally, the brides family have absorbed most of the cost of the wedding. Today, that is not always possible; however, you could request that family contribute towards items (i.e flowers, limos, invitations).

Once you are clear of where the funding is coming from, you should then decide what you want to spend on each aspect of the wedding. The average breakdown is as follows:

* If you are budgeting 3$0,000 for this events

40% percent is usually allocated to the reception. This will include site fees, catering costs, bar and beverages, wedding cake, etc.

10% is usually allocated to Music

15% is usually allocated to flowers

15% is usually allocated to Wedding Attire

10% is usually allocated to Wedding Photography

5% is usually allocated to your Stationary

5% should be left of additional items such as bridal party gifts, marriage licence, wedding transport.

Remember that if you spend a little less in one are it could be applied to another area you may want to spend more on. A budget will help you keep focus and not overspend.

Set a Style

Decide on the type of wedding that you like, formal, semi-formal, casual. Where would like to have it? What colors do you like? All questions that you should ask yourself when selecting your style.