Make Your Wedding Inexpensive

Whenever I attend a wedding reception one thing that I always do as soon as I get the opportunity is to run over and take a good look at the beautiful wedding cake. I absolutely love looking at what most times, is an incredible creation that is a complete work of art and I must admit that I’ve seen some pretty nice ones in my day. I’ve tasted and relished both very expensive and some very inexpensive wedding cakes as cake is one of my favorite dessert items.

If you are trying to make your wedding inexpensive you are going to very quickly realize that the wedding cake can take quite a chunk out of your wedding budget. Most folks spend up to 2.5% of their wedding budget just on the wedding cake. Now 2.5% may not look like much on paper, but when you run the numbers it can really add up and remember that’s only for the cake!

Our goal here is to help you make your wedding inexpensive so we’re going to take a look at some alternatives to keep you from busting your wedding budget and help you save money on a wedding cake since not every bride and groom has the budget to order the most expensive cake available.

Now I’m not much of a sweet eater but I do love my cake and I will be the first one to tell you that just because the cake is expensive and looks like something out of a fairy tale, it doesn’t always mean that it’s going to taste great. I’ve had some inexpensive wedding cakes that have completely blown away some of those expensive creations.

So what is the secret? How does one have a magnificent wedding cake on a budget? Well here are a few cost cutting measures that will help you keep your wedding inexpensive and keep your wedding guests happy too.

First I must prepare you. You really need to go into this with the right attitude and mind set. By that I mean take a common sense approach. In reality the cake is going to be raved about for a relatively short time during your celebration before it gets cut up and everyone begins devouring it. The most important part to you should be the top layer which is traditionally frozen and then enjoyed on your first anniversary together.

Wedding cakes can require a lot of labor to decorate, so where you purchase your cake plays a tremendous role in what it’s going to cost you. The fancier the wedding cake is, the more time it will take to decorate that cake. If you choose to have a wedding cake bakery make one for you it can end up breaking your budget just because of the labor involved in decorating it for you.

Many wedding venues will offer to do your wedding cake for you however you should exercise caution when dealing with them. Unfortunately in many cases they will usually start out with a very basic wedding cake and by the time they get done hitting you with all the fees for enough upgrades to have the wedding cake of your dreams, they can very easily end up being even more expensive than the bakery.

A good recommendation would be to look at some alternative options to the bakery. Don’t take me wrong, the bakery is my preferred choice. Those guys are very skilled professionals, but if you are wedding planning on a budget it is usually not an option.  One good choice you may not have thought about is your local supermarket. Yes, they do make wedding cakes!

I would advise you shop around at several of them just browsing their cakes. The skills and abilities of the staff that bake and decorate the cakes can vary greatly between stores. Keep browsing around at different stores until you find one where the cakes look like the store has a staff with enough skills and talent to make and decorate the cake that your heart desires. I have enjoyed many of these cakes at weddings and believe me the vast majority of them have tasted equal to or better than a lot of the more expensive fancier cakes that I’ve had.

Even if the budget is extremely tight we can still find ways to make your wedding inexpensive. Most of us have at least one friend or relative who is a great baker. In my case I lucked out because my future brother in law at the time was a teacher in a culinary school and he baked us the most beautiful and tasty carrot cake that you could ever imagine. How much did it cost? Not a thing because it was his wedding gift to us. Both you and your beau should do a mental inventory of your friends and relatives with baking and decorating skills and you may just luck out like we did. He was happy because it was his gift to us and we were happy because we didn’t break our bank.

Tomorrow in part two of Save Money On Your Wedding Cake we will be exploring some really cool tips and techniques that you can use to get the most from your wedding dollar when buying a wedding cake. Yes I’m saving the best for last!

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During the day I operate a number of my own niche websites. I also do some freelance and consulting work as I enjoy helping other people and businesses get their websites off the ground.

Well believe it or not this week I helped out a client who just so happens to run a wedding limousine service and he does a good majority of his business through his website. My task was to write and also re-write some of the content on some of his pages and in the process I had to do quite a bit of research on wedding limousines. Well needless to say I learned a lot and had some fun so I figured that I would share a little bit and help you folks out with some of the info that I gleaned from this experience.

You just said “I Do” and you know that there is a beautiful white limousine outside the church waiting to whisk you and your new husband or wife off to your reception

Most people can not imagine a wedding without that classic stretched white limousine
Having some photo’s in your wedding album with the wedding limousine in the background and the wedding party standing in front of the limousine with you is a wedding album classic.

With that being said one of the first things that really jumped out at me was just how important that wedding limousine really is to the success or failure of your wedding day. It is really a vital part of your wedding ritual so you really need to be sure that you find reliable professionals to handle the various aspects of one of the most important days in your life.

So what do we look for in a wedding limousine company and how do you go about finding someone reliable that will cater to your needs?

Well my advice is to first look for those with a longstanding reputation of reliability. It is very crucial that they have a record of being on time. You are only going to get one chance at having a wedding so it has to be done perfectly the first time through. If your wedding limo is a half hour late it could really be disastrous to your wedding day so check around and make sure that they are reliable..

Another thing that you need to make sure of is that the limos are of high quality and are the latest model vehicles. Since you will be paying quite a price for luxurious and comfortable vehicles, you will want to make sure that you will actually get one!

The drivers should be experienced, licensed and insured. They should be courteous and it’s always nice if they have a little bit of personality too. That can really add to your wedding experience. Their responsibility is to ensure your safety and to bring you to your destination safely and on time.

Many local companies are run by one owner who may be unable to answer the phone, or may be in his car on a mobile phone while he’s taking your information. You want to be able to communicate well with your chosen limousine company, in case of any last minute changes to your plans. If you can afford it stick with the bigger, well established companies.

With the power of the internet, renting a wedding limousine is just one click away. Log on to Google or a car rental site and choose a limo service that fits your specifications and budget.

Whatever package you choose keep in mind that a wedding limousine is often used more during the day than you may think. The Bride and the Bride’s Maids are usually picked up and taken to the wedding place before they dress up which means some time out of the package will be used here unless you make other arrangements. After the wedding you have some photo time and then the newly weds are off to the reception. Later, the couple either goes home or to wherever they want to spend their wedding night. Now if it’s in your budget, all of this traveling at least for the bride and groom should be in some exceptional car to make them feel special. Wouldn’t you agree?

Aside from the feeling of luxury the vehicle brings, it also makes the event more memorable Dressed up in all the wedding regalia for the most momentous of occasions, stepping out of a chauffeur-driven beautiful vehicle amidst people, can be one of the most satisfying moments for the bride and groom.

As we know on this site, weddings are expensive. There are plenty of places to cut costs, but the limousine service shouldn’t be one of them. Going with the cheapest company might sound like a good idea, but you might trade the cost saving for service which you know by now is crucial on your wedding day. A late limousine, inferior or faulty vehicle with foul odors and stains from the night before, and an inexperienced driver can all cost a lot more than you can save by going with a second rate limousine company.

Sure, you will always treasure your wedding, but with a limo, not only are you going to remember the events on that day, but also the smooth and stylish ride you had inside a very elegant vehicle. On that one day, you will experience the life of the rich and famous by simply riding in a luxurious limousine. The day depends on you and your loved ones and friends safely getting to your destination on time and this will all happen for you with the right wedding limousine.

Today I have an informative article for you by Rose Smith on a topic that you really must make yourself aware of when trying to make your wedding inexpensive.  Rose  has a really great website I know you’ll love called Wedding Themes and More. Please check it out in the link at the end of this article. Enjoy!

The title of this article is… Avoid Wedding Rip-Offs

Planning a wedding can be a stressful event. The last thing you need is to be ripped-off by an unscrupulous wedding vendor or planner. Here are a few tips to help avoid this problem.

Make Your Wedding Arrangements and Bookings As Far In Advance As Possible

Most facilities, vendors, and planners can be booked more than a year in advance. If possible, take advantage of this window of opportunity. Should something go wrong, it will provide you with more time to make alternate arrangements. Also, be aware that some vendors will actually charge you more if you order or book things at the last minute.

Shop Around and Deal With Trustworthy People

Before booking anything you should shop around and get an idea of current prices for each category of your wedding. Don’t just hire the first caterer you meet with. Ask around with family, friends, co-workers, etc. and get their recommendations about services they may have used. If you want to be extra safe in this regard, you could also call your local Better Business Bureau. They can provide you with any problem information they may have received regarding a particular company.

Get Everything in Writing

It would seem obvious to do this, but a lot of couples tend to go on “faith” of what a vendor says, then are shocked with the vendor doesn’t follow through. Get everything, down to the smallest detail, in writing and be sure both you and the vendor agree on all points before signing any contract. Include exact descriptions, such as if you are ordering flowers: how may bouquets, the exact type and color of the flowers, etc.

Be Aware of The Fine Print

Read any contracts over very carefully. Pay particular attention to their cancellation policy. You want to make sure it includes a provision for a refund of the deposit if you cancel or change your wedding date by a certain time period before your wedding. Of course, reasonably, you would not get a deposit back if you cancelled two days before the wedding. Be sure to also include a written statement on the contract that you will not pay for services and will expect a complete refund on any deposits if the company does not deliver exactly as specified in the contract. A reputable company will respect this clause.

Regarding Photographers/Videographers and DJ’s

When booking these services with a company, often you may wish to have a particular photographer/videographer and DJ for your wedding because you have seen their work or heard their play style and really like it. Make sure this is detailed on the contract with the person’s name. Again, also include the clause that if that particular person is substituted, you will not pay for the service and will receive a refund on all deposits.

This happened at our wedding with the DJ. The one we were told was coming and who knew how our ceremony music was laid out did not show up, and the substitute DJ that showed had no idea how the wedding service was to proceed with the music. There was a mess up with some songs during the ceremony and we had no recourse, as we didn’t include that provision in the contract. So be aware of this. Don’t pay for a last minute substitute (unless you were thoroughly happy with their service).

Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you plan your perfect theme wedding. Visit our site at: http://www.wedthemes.com/ for more wedding planning help and advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Smith
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In a previous post I mentioned the importance of having a wedding planning checklist. I even had a few of you on my list ask about where you could find a good one online. Well I have something I think you’re going to like.

First check out this short video (less than two minutes) and you will discover exactly what should be included in the ultimate wedding planning checklist and it also includes a couple of important tips that are very easy to forget.

Now check this out! I’m not involved with all that social media stuff yet. I just never had the time to get involved I guess. However my online friends keep twisting my arm to get involved and maybe someday I may just do that since everybody seems to be tweeting these days. I hate to admit it, but I have never tweeted in my life! I guess eventually I will have to catch up with the times.

One of my online buddies did tell me that I should check out a site called Twellow. Twitter, Twellow it’s all the same to me, you know. I guess it’s supposed to be like the yellow pages of twitter. Nice site though.

Well I did venture over there to see what he was making all the ruckus about and I think I accidentally stumbled across a little gem for ya. I was perusing through the wedding category and I came across a site that offers you a free download of a wedding planning checklist.

Now I have no idea who this person is, the download page says her name is Amanda, but I took a gamble and downloaded it to check it out anyway  (No opt in required). It was actually pretty good. It’s a very detailed wedding planning checklist and timeline and one of the things that I found interesting was that it had lots of links inside to different sources of products and things you’ll need as you go down the list. I wish I had thought of that one myself.

It’s all of about 9 pages but very well put together and in addition to the checklist it also includes a little Bride’s Emergency Kit near the end. You can check it out here:

http://www.weddingchecklistguide.com

Go grab it while it’s still there! No, I don’t make any money for referring you to this link, but I’m 99.9% sure that whoever put this wedding planning checklist together makes some change if you click on their links and ads in the Checklist. Check it out, it’s free (which we like on this site) and it’s good. Let’s thank Amanda for a job well done!

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One very important aspect of your wedding planning that can make or break your wedding is the entertainment that you plan to have at your reception. You will spend anywhere from 2%-10% of your wedding budget on the entertainment. You ask, “Why such a big disparity in the percentages?” Well the difference comes in whether you have live music with a wedding band or whether you decide to go with a DJ. We’ll take a look at both options and see how it will affect our wedding and our budget since we are trying to make your wedding inexpensive.

Choosing the wedding music can be a difficult task. Trying to please everybody with your choice of music will be hard enough because not everyone shares the same taste in music which can sometimes leave you in an awkward situation. I remember reading somewhere once that the type of music that you choose to play in your wedding should be an expression of the bride and groom’s personality, personal taste, and the overall theme of the wedding. Well, I think that since you are usually dealing with broad ranges of age groups at a wedding reception you should be sure to include plenty of the classic wedding songs in that mix as well. Do you remember “Rock around the clock?” Including tunes like that on your play-list is proper wedding music for any reception. Most experienced wedding bands or DJ’s should be very familiar with these.

Having live music at your reception will usually be more expensive. Usually the larger the band is, the more expensive the cost is to you. If you can fit them into your budget wedding bands can be great and well worth it! There is nothing that sets the mood for your big wedding bash better than the thrill and excitement of live music. The guys on the stage are going to be leading your party. If the band is having fun on stage, so will you and your guests on the dance-floor.

Before choosing a band you must be sure that there is adequate room at your venue to support them. You may also need permission from your venue before having a band so be sure to check this out in advance so that there are no surprises.

When choosing the actual wedding band, ask them if you can listen to their music first. Hearing them at a live gig is always better than a demo tape or CD. This way you can get a better feel for their energy. Also don’t forget to have a chat about the emcee duties. Keep in mind that a wedding gig is a long day for a band. To get the very best from them it is going to be important to make sure they are comfortable and well cared for, especially during their breaks. After all, they are the party.

Before signing any sort of contract with a wedding band, don’t forget to check them out. How long has the band been involved in wedding entertainment? Can you talk to a “satisfied customer,” possibly a couple who used the band for their wedding and were, happy with them? Remember to always do your due diligence.

Even though the cost of a DJ will be less than a live band you should still try not to skimp in this department if you can help it. A good, well experienced DJ can really make your event magnificent. Since you will be saving a few bucks by not having a band, I would really suggest that you not skimp on the DJ just because he’s ten dollars cheaper than the next one. Just as you are doing with all of your other arrangements, make sure you do your homework!

You want to be sure that your DJ is personable and will ensure that everyone has a good time. They should have a lot of personality and be able to get people dancing. That’s really important! Be sure to let them know exactly what kind of music you want, so that they are prepared. Ask how they’re prepared to work with you to make your day extraordinary. Understand that not all DJs are alike, and that a good one brings as much to your wedding as any premium florist or baker will. They are the party!

Look for a full-timer who shows their commitment to their profession. Look at their promotional photos and videos. Are they wearing tuxes? Do they look sharp? Take a look at their sound systems if you can.

Once you’ve settled on a DJ, have a one-on-one discussion with the DJ. Just to explain what type of entertainment and mood you want to have during the reception. Also discuss, the selection of music that you have in mind. A good DJ with experience on weddings will also entertain in between breaks. They will also keep the music going at all times with a little background music in between intervals to avoid that dreaded silence when the music suddenly stops playing.

The best thing about opting for a DJ is the fact that the guests can request their favorite songs and you also have the ability to request all of your favorite songs in the play-list, plus you save a few dollars and keep your wedding inexpensive at the same time.

“When you look back on your wedding reception in years to come, you’ll want to remember what a fantastic time everyone had. Remember, the music at your party is going to play a huge role in that. Make sure that you pay extra special attention to this one detail and I’m sure that your wedding will stand out as being remarkable in your mind as well as your guest’s minds forever.