How to Set Up a Wedding Budget


Every wedding has a budget. And some necessary steps should be kept in mind while planning any wedding. All your preparations and arrangements should be covered in decided budget. The only way to keep your wedding expenses to go out of control, is to create a realistic budget for every element of your plans about the wedding. Sticking to a budget is not so easy, with a wedding, but you can take the sting out of controlling your expenditures by taking these smart first steps in setting up a budget that will work for you instead of against you. While planning any wedding you should thing as a professional wedding planner.
You my start planning your wedding with the below given steps:-

  1. Make a final list of things you need most importantly. Think about that what is most important for you, such as the venue, decoration, catering or a designer wedding gown, the flowers, a great photographer. Those categories are going to be where you’ll devote a greater part of your available budget, since they are vital parts of your dream wedding.
  2. Make a list of what is not very important. Keep them in the list of less necessary things. If at last you save some money you can add to these less important things.
  3. Check out the cost of each and every thing. No need to rely on others. Try all the costs by yourself and from different places and then final the best based on quality and reasonable cost.
  4. Divide all the items on your budget list according to who is taking on which portions of the plans, and then find ways to get the best product or service for less. You can share the information with family and friends.
  5. Venue decision is the main part of wedding planning. Venue should be easy to find, comfortable to enter with a wide entrance and a nice decoration as per your budget. A good parking space is necessary. Sitting arrangements should based on number of guests.
    Creating a smart and flexible wedding budget is a team effort, so work on it together with your family and friends. Just make all the arrangements with a confidence that you can arrange and manage everything within the desired budget. Do not take wedding planning with stress, instead you can enjoy it.

Perfect Bridesmaid Dresses For a Cocktail Wedding


Cocktail Wedding Bridesmaids Dresses
Despite the color of bridesmaid dress that a bride chooses, she may opt to purchase the dress in a cocktail style rather than a floor length gown. This is usually due to the fact that cocktail style dresses tend to be cheaper.
However, this does not mean that this style is any less flattering. Furthermore, cocktail wedding bridesmaid dresses stand a better chance of being reused by their wearers for other events in the future. The premiere style for cocktail wedding bridesmaid dresses for the 2010 wedding season is the trapeze style. This style of dress is quite forgiving, and it flatter a myriad of body shapes. Other emerging trends are those of one shouldered and spaghetti strap dresses.
Cocktail wedding bridesmaid dresses are being seen, most often, in shades of purple. The most popular hues of this color are dark, vibrant shades of violet. Fortunately, this is a color shade that appears to be flatter on a variety of skin tones. Unless the dress is of an inferior design, the color is quite slimming on most body types. Lavender hues are quite popular this season too. However, this is a color hue that must be worn carefully. If it is paired incorrectly with a poorly designed dress, it may become reminiscent of prom gowns in the 1980’s.
A popular trend from last year that has reemerged is that of the bare shouldered look. These gowns do not have sleeves, or else very minimal ones. There are generally accompanied by a shawl for the bridesmaid to carry. The shawl can be simple or it can be adorned with semi precious stones, rhinestones, or sequins, according to the bride’s preferences. It is believed that the recent economic downturn has affected the styles of bridesmaid gowns. Less has become more. Cocktail wedding bridesmaid dresses in shades of black are being seen more and more often. These dresses can be reused for multiple events. If budget constraints are a concern for a bride or her bridesmaid, she and they may want to consider renting their gowns from a bridal shop. This will allow a bride and her attendants to be stylishly attired at minimal cost.
Another key component to your completing your bridesmaid’s looks are the accessories and shoes. Generally speaking, you do not want to over-do it in this area when wearing a short, cocktail style dress. Strappy style sandals are most complimentary and the jewelry should be kept minimal; for example – a pair of long earrings and a necklace. She color will be mostly dependent on dress color, however silver shoes tend to work with any color combination.

Tips to Picking the Perfect Wedding Photographer


Choosing the perfect wedding photographer for your special day is not as difficult as some would have you believe. However, it does take some time and preparation on your part. Talk to your family and friends to see if they have any recommendations on someone they trust. Check the internet and try to do some comparison shopping to narrow down your search. Look through your local yellow pages to see who is listed there. Put together a good list and narrow it down to at least three of them that seem like someone you’d like to work with. Now you can move on to finding out more about those chosen few in more detail.
Talk to your fiancĂ© and come up with a list of some of the things you both want to be sure to capture on film or video during your wedding. When you finally do choose your wedding photographer, give them this list of requirements and wishes so they have an exact blueprint as to what you want. Of course, they’ll likely add their own touch to things, but you’ll be sure to at least get the things you want out of it.
When you meet with them, there are many things you should ask them about. Some of these include:

  • Do you have any albums of weddings done in the past you can look at?
  • When is the deadline for any changes you may want to make? What about cancellations?
  • Will they charge you for overtime or is your wedding photography a flat fee?
  • Do they take color only or do they offer black and white photos?
  • Do they come prepared with extra film, video tapes, and cameras?
  • Will they offer photography sessions before or after the wedding?
  • Are there are any travel fees that will be charged?
  • Will they give you the negatives or CD of the photos?
  • Do they offer any kind of guarantee or contract?

Asscher Cut Engagement Rings – A Patented Design


Asscher cut engagement rings are an exclusive cut of diamond. The first one was made in 1902 by a pair of brothers from the Asscher family of Amsterdam in Holland. This is a square cut that has the corners cut. Also placed into each stone are several parallel cuts that resemble a hall of mirrors. This is why they are so well thought of because of this special set of cuts that help each stone set on fire the light with a spectacular beauty.
The most famous Asscher cut diamond is the Cullinan Diamond. This diamond is so spectacular with brilliance that the English Royal Family made it part of the Crown Jewels this past century.
For an Asscher diamond to be authentic it must be cut by the Asscher family or business. Each one has the Asscher family crest on it along with an ID number. To authenticate a diamond as an Asscher, it takes a jeweler to find and identify this unique marking.
The Asscher diamonds have been cut for only a limited number of years. From 1930 to 1945 there were none made because of the world wide crisis. The older ones can be distinguished from the newer style because of the heavily beveled corners. In 2001 the design was changed with smaller corners and a larger center. The numbers of facets have also been increased from 58 to 74. This has increased the diamonds luster and brilliance when looked at by the common person. Each Asscher cut diamond stone comes with a certificate of authenticity. If the place that is selling you your Asscher diamond does not have the certificate, there is a good chance it is either stolen or a forgery.
Because of the squareness of these rings, a four prong setting is sufficient to secure the diamond for any of the many Asscher cut engagement rings.

Tips for Finding Lovely Contemporary Wedding Dresses


Whether your desired look is traditional or fashion forward, super-sleek or buried in an ocean of tulle, immaculate whites or antiqued beiges, long or short, fit or flare, you’re sure to have your work cut out for you finding the perfect gown to wear on your special day. With a virtually endless array of wedding attire available on the market, and new entries popping up from every corner of the fashion world, there have never been more options available to brides-to-be for whom fashion represents a vital and highly personal statement.
You can narrow down that pool by focusing on newer designs that pay homage to traditional cuts and colors. Make sure to focus stubbornly on exactly what you desire in a fantasy wedding gown – because, the truth is, with such a generous variety available for browsing, you can enjoy the luxury of going for perfection. So keep your standards high, your mind open and your maid-of-honor on hand for trusted advice and encouragement. The possibilities are practically limitless. Here are just a few special gowns to get your search off the ground.
Taffeta Ball Gown with Organza Underlay
The Taffeta Ball Gown with Organza Underlay is a highly dramatic gown straight out of a fairy tale. It is just right for the bride-to-be whose wedding fantasies have been exactly that – fantastic. The gown’s flattering bodice features exquisite beaded embroidery along its classic strapless neckline. A peek-a-book organza underlay adds dimension and movement to the full skirt while offering a striking contrast with pick-up detailing at the waist.
Observe the careful placement of a glittering bow just above the skirt of this gown – a subtle, feminine touch that sets this dress apart from the pack. Its chapel train makes you appear to practically be floating down the aisle. This dress is available in petite sizes, so smaller-framed bride-to-be can rejoice – no tailoring required. Your dress, your size, the perfect look for one of the most important days of your and your beloved’s new life together. Strike a romantic figure at your wedding in a pure-yet-modern celebration of American matrimonial styling.
Satin Fit and Flare Gown with Bow Detail
The Satin Fit and Flare Gown with Bow Detail is a radiant choice for the brides who seek sophistication with a modern twist. This fit and flare gown follows your figure to mid-thigh and then bells gently into a remarkably flattering silhouette that your assembled witnesses and beloved guests are not likely to forget. Classically feminine from neckline to hem, this gown starts with an alluring sweetheart bodice and finishes in a modern bubble hem – a subtle grace note that you’ll relish like a secret as you make your way down the aisle. While fit to flare at bottom, this dress features a high empire waist that flatters any bride’s natural contour while celebrating vintage inspired fashion. It’s a stunning choice for the modern bride. Choose between classic White and creamy Ivory.
Short Sleeve Lace and Organza Knee Length Dress
Ultra-feminine, dynamic in dimension and one hundred percent gorgeous, this short 60’s-inspired wedding dress is perfect for an outdoor summer wedding among beloved friends and family. The Short Sleeve Lace and Organza Knee Length Dress’s cheerful lace bodice provides extra coverage for the modest bride. A stylish panel of lace has been incorporated to draw the eye upward. At waist level, the ruched satin band establishes an elegant silhouette that is both slimming and shape-defining. Organza pleating below the gently flared skirt provides just the right amount of volume, hitting just below the knee to achieve a playful, vintage appeal. Order yours in Soft White and pair it with pearls to enhance the vintage look of this gorgeous and unusual wedding dress.
Satin Off-the-Shoulder Side Draped A-Line Gown
The Satin Off-the-Shoulder Side Draped A-Line Gown features clean lines, immaculate white layering and a neckline so timeless, you can be sure that this very special gown will span generations of brides-to-be. Its off the shoulder bodice is a sweet declaration of feminine style that universally flatters the shoulders and upper arms. This bodice is enhanced even further by an exquisite beaded pattern across the bust. Choose a classic A-line cut for your wedding gown and enjoy the benefits of its figure flattering lines and simple movement – priceless qualities that have been turning heads for the better part of a century. Meanwhile, the real twist comes when you turn your back to launch that bouquet – it’s a dramatic deep-V that you’ll just love. Available in White or Ivory with a chapel length train that will create a floating effect as you walk down the aisle toward your beloved.
Consider these timeless styles as you shop around for the dress that will complete your special day perfectly.