For less than $250 dollars we got; 1 bridal bouquet, 2 bridesmaids bouquets, 2 corsages, and 4 Attendant boutonnieres!

Most wedding coordinators and bridal planning guides suggest that couples set aside between eight and ten percent of their total wedding budget to cover floral expenses. Depending on a couple’s budget, this may mean wedding flowers cost between $400 and $5,000, but the costs for specific types of flowers can vary widely based on several different factors.

Costs for Specific Wedding Flowers
General figures for wedding flower expenses, on average, include:

•Bride’s bouquet: $50-200
•Bridesmaids’ bouquets (each): $20-50
•Corsages and boutonnieres (each): $8-30
•Head wreaths
 and floral hair pins (each): $15-40
•Toss bouquet for the reception: $20-50
•Church altar flowers (each arrangement): $50-75 or higher
•Pew flowers (each): $10-40
•Reception centerpieces (each arrangement): $40-150
•Flower girl bouquet or petals: $20-35
•Floral cake topper: $30-100
 
Exotic colors can be expensive. In addition to these popular wedding flower arrangements, many couples also opt for more specialized flowers such as a wreath for the church or reception hall door, flowers to decorate a wedding arch, cake table accents, petals or floral urns to decorate the exterior of the church or reception venue, special flowers for the interior or exterior of the limousine, a small arrangement on the guest book table, and even a lovely arrangement for the restrooms at the reception.

There are many different ways to save money on flowers. Some ideas are:

• Less is more. Simple designs cut down on the cost of flowers, and is currently very trendy. Opt for a bouquet of fresh flowers tied together with a ribbon at the steams.
• Fresh flowers for wedding party only. Use vintage pins or cloth flowers to make unique centerpieces or accent decoration. For our wedding reception centerpieces we used feathers instead of flowers.
• Toss the bouquet. Literally use the bridal bouquet as the toss bouquet. Not having to have a ‘throw-away’ flower arrangement will save you money.
• Stay in season. Exotic flowers or selections that aren’t in bloom will cost your wallet. Choose fall flowers for weddings in October and likewise for the other seasons.

Saving money on our flowers gave us extra money to build a photo booth and even start our own business as newlyweds. But we were worried that ‘you get what you pay for’ as any couple typically is. I called Costco a couple of times before the delivery of the flowers to verify that they were not going to be wilted or of poor quality because they were being shipped to our house 4 days prior to our wedding.

Much to my surprise the flowers arrived and were just as promised. I followed the instructional CD to store the flowers in the proper temperature and add water as instructed. Our wedding came 4 days later and all of our party commented on how beautiful the flowers were, and the excellent quality.

My step-father even wrote:

“ I put my corsage (flower) after a week in my suitcase in water and by window and its peaking in bloom today . week and a half later. Its awesome ….”

Just goes to show, that you don’t have to pay a lot to get a lot.

At a recent bridal fair we visited 3 vendors offering photo booth services. Each one boasted how a photo booth at a wedding even can engage your guest, create photo memories and even promotes comaderadery amongst those waiting in line or squished into the booth during a photo. Everyone said that no matter what package you end up choosing that photo booths provide a good value for the experience.

Adding a photo booth to your event can increase the photography budget – somewhere in the ballpark of $500 for a few hours to $1500 for a full day service. But we thought while spending money on a photo booth might be breaking the bank, you can save money by skipping on the table cameras for candid snap-shots, and pair down photography services for the reception as most of your guest will give you a strip of photos for fun. When discussing the photo package with a photo vendor try to understand if it is a complete package or a base with add-on options:

• Is set-up and tear-down included in the cost and time allotment of rental
• Is double strip prints included (do your guest get a keepsake and you get a copy for a guest book)
• Is there a charge for providing your own guestbook or can you purchase one through the vendor
• Is there a delivery charge or distance charge
• Is there an extra hour fee for overage time
• Is there an attendant on-site and will they match personality-wise with your guest
• How big is the booth
• How many prints do you get, and are they archival
• What is the quality of the prints and are they available online
• Are props included or can you add them

After getting all your questions answered, try to assess if their booking schedule is available for the date you have selected for your event. With the growing popularity of photo booths, often reservations are booked early and you may find yourself with the perfect feature of your event but without the date you want.

If budget is a challange for you in preventing you from renting a photo booth, contact the vendor and explain your situation and ask for any promotional rates or reduced time packages to fit it into your perfect event.

Check out this local vendor for Utah Photo Booth Rental: Vintage Photo Booth Rental in Utah

1. Destinations typically cost LESS than a traditional wedding
   The average American wedding cost $27,000 for the event. Traveling to a destination to host your event can save you sometimes up to $20,000 on your wedding, and you get a mini-vacation as well. Couples looking to create a unique wedding experience can plan their own DYI wedding in Moab, Utah with our easy to use Wedding Planning Guide that features everything you need from wedding checklist, to links to cost-saving tips on were to purchase your wedding dress for under $250 dollars, and more creative ideas for themes, wedding favors and an adventure reception idea.
2. Delegate what you need
   You only have so much time and only two hands – so recruit help. Assign tasks to your bridesmaids with expected delivery dates. Follow-up on items with reminder emails, notes and THANK-YOUs for the work done. Print a to-do task list and assignment chart so that you know every one’s part in making it a perfect wedding.
3. Don’t change who you are
   If you are a jeans and t-shirt girl, now is not the time to find your inner princess. It will only cause you stress and uncertainty. Instead opt for a casual event where you feel most at ease, and let false expectations from others fall to the side. Don’t experiment with a new hairstyle or make-up. Instead select waterproof mascara and lip staining lipstick that doesn’t need retouching all day.
4. Save money at the bar
   Instead of having an open bar with every imaginable drink, set up a soft bar that serves; wine, beer and champagne. If you have your heart set on serving a cocktail, then select your favorite and offer a signature special with a fun name like, “Jill and Justin’s Romantic Refresher”. You guest will think it is a fun and unique idea, and your budget will thank you for the savings on drinks for strangers cost you might have had to spend.
5. Lastly, be organized and put everything in writing
   It is hard to always remember the details for vendor agreements, or what was promised a year ago when you booked the event. Getting it in writing makes it easy for you to refer back to the agreement and know exactly what will and won’t happen on your wedding day. A three-ring binder can be your must valuable wedding planning friend for reducing stress and making sure everything goes perfect. Add clear slip covers in the back so that you can easily drop paperwork into them as you receive samples, ideas or contracts from vendors as you are planning your event.  Having everything in one place puts wedding planning at your fingertips.

Above all enjoy your wedding and planning the event in which you will celebrate your love for one another. This too should be a wonderful beginning to the next chapter in your life.

Vampires are as old as fashion according to True Blood and this last few weeks we saw a return to vintage fashion.  From Rachel Wood’s character Queen Sophie-Ann who reminds us that elegance is a timeless look, to the season finale, we are brought back to that silver screen sexiness that is vintage fashion.

The season finale of True Blood had a bizarre wedding between Mary Ann and her to-be God husband, but in true fashion it was the Grandmother’s wedding dress that stole the scene.  We saw a return of the vintage wedding dress and it was pure fashion brilliance. Only Mary Ann could make something time stamped seem completely relivent and timely.  So it ask the question, “Is vintage wedding the new black?”.

Stunning hair, beautiful woman and the ability to make a classic dress look as it was a fresh design by Vera Wang.  Stunning.

With all things fashion you see that the classics often reintroduce themselves as new designs.  Vintage wedding gowns have become another sales stradegy for “unique” or “non-traditional”, yet they are the timeless beauties that will always be elegant and glamorous.  Beautiful brides are timeless.

I have found a great source of affordable vintage bridal gowns at Unique Vintage that range in formal to flapper and all price ranges in between.

My favorites include:

Whimsical Antique Dress

$1,050.00 – Whimsical Antique Style

$198.00 – Antique Gold & Mocha Wedding Dress

$150.00 – *Exclusive* Stop Staring 40′s Wedding Dress

See full line of wedding gowns at Unique Vintage and bring back fashion that is timeless and stunning for every new bride.

The SOLD OUT dress is a shorter version of the two toned wedding dress worn on the SATC movie, and it is more contemporary in style with the knee length cocktail style:

I love the champagne color and style of the dress. The shorter dress is just perfect for a fall wedding or a destination wedding.  Since this dress is sold out and the price tag is just a bit out of my reach, I have found several options that might work as replacements.

The original Vivienne Westwood is a romantic beautiful creation with two tones and some jewel embellishments on the neckline, the shorter dress did not (maybe that is where the savings is), but it is practically the same as the full length gown that retailed for over $25,000.

Let me introduce you to Sarah Danielle who has a full length dress that is so similar that you can feel like Carrie Bradshaw in full wedding fashion on your day for only a fraction of the price.

One catch, you will need to travel to get the dress, as we don’t have any stores in Utah – but what is an extra trip for the perfect dress, right?

The  Sarah Danielle dress retails for an affordable $1,125 and is similar in design including the designer neckline. It is only one color but with the $20,000 in savings you can buy a sash to add to the dress or even take a much needed honeymoon to NYC.

Reviews of venues, vendors and lots of tips and tricks to save money for the perfect day.