While you were deciding on your wedding budget, you might have had the discussion with your parents and soon-to-be inlaws about who is able and willing to pay for what for your wedding. While the bride's family pays-for-it-all scenario may still hold true, these days bill-paying tends to be more equitably shared among parents and the couple. Here is a quick rundown of who's more likely to pay for what today:
Pre-Wedding Parties
Traditional:
The bride's family covers the first engagement party (the groom's side can throw one of its own); his side pays for the rehearsal dinner.
Modern:
Each family may throw an engagement party (the bride's family can host the first one, if it likes); anyone can host the rehearsal dinner-even an aunt.
Stationery
Traditional:
The bride's family pays fore very invitation, program, and place card-and even the stamps.
Modern:
The couple can pick up the tab, maybe choosing to DIY the save-the-dates or invites to save money.
Ceremony
Traditional:
The bride's parents take care of the music, venue fee, and aisle runner. The groom covers the marriage license and the officiant's fee.
Modern:
If the wedding is being performed at one family's house of worship,, that family covers the ceremony costs. Otherwise, anyone can pay.
Flowers
Traditional:
The bride's family pays for the big-ticket items like centerpieces. The groom's side springs for the bride's bouquet, boutonnieres, and corsages.
Modern:
All the flowers are paid for together, by the bride's or groom's side, or the couple themselves.
Photo/Video
Traditional:
The bride's family pays to document the occasion.
Modern:
One family pays for the photos for the video Or the couple hire the photog, and the families each buy their own prints and albums.
Reception
Traditional:
You guessed it: The bride's family picks up the entire tab-food drink, decor, and music.
Modern:
The groom's family covers specifics like liquor or music; the bride's family pays for the rest. Better: Everyone pitches in according to what they can do.
So, let's hope everyone is on the same page and comfortable so you can start planning!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
How to establish your wedding budget
You're finally engaged and excited to share the news with everyone! I don't blame you because this is such an exciting time in your lives. In all of the excitement and joys of deciding what type of wedding you would like, the very first thing you and your finance need to establish is your wedding budget.
You will both need to sit down with both sets of parents and decide who is willing and able to pay for what and how much they are willing to allocate to your wedding. There are the traditional roles parents play when it comes to paying for wedding items, but I"ll blog more on that topic later this week! You and your fiance can also decide how much you are willing to allocate to your wedding.
In addition to seeing who will contribute, how much and to which aspects of the wedding (your parents will pay for the ceremony and reception venue while your soon-to-be hubby's parents want to contribute to the food and alcohol,) you can also use this formula:
(# of months you have before the wedding) X (amount you can put aside each month) X (your parents' contribution and any other savings) - (5 percent (set aside for cost overruns))= Your budget!
So, let's say that you are 13 months from your wedding date, you are able to set aside $300 each month ($3900), your parents are going to contribute $15,000, and you allot for cost overruns. Your wedding budget would be roughly around $17,900.
You need to make sure everyone is comfortable with what they are able and willing to contribute. This will definitely keep things from feeling awkward and keep things in perspective as you begin your planning process.
You will both need to sit down with both sets of parents and decide who is willing and able to pay for what and how much they are willing to allocate to your wedding. There are the traditional roles parents play when it comes to paying for wedding items, but I"ll blog more on that topic later this week! You and your fiance can also decide how much you are willing to allocate to your wedding.
In addition to seeing who will contribute, how much and to which aspects of the wedding (your parents will pay for the ceremony and reception venue while your soon-to-be hubby's parents want to contribute to the food and alcohol,) you can also use this formula:
(# of months you have before the wedding) X (amount you can put aside each month) X (your parents' contribution and any other savings) - (5 percent (set aside for cost overruns))= Your budget!
So, let's say that you are 13 months from your wedding date, you are able to set aside $300 each month ($3900), your parents are going to contribute $15,000, and you allot for cost overruns. Your wedding budget would be roughly around $17,900.
You need to make sure everyone is comfortable with what they are able and willing to contribute. This will definitely keep things from feeling awkward and keep things in perspective as you begin your planning process.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Inspired by color: Wedding Dresses
White wedding dresses are still one tradition many brides stick to, colored dresses started hitting the runways in late 2010 and making quite the impression. Reese Witherspoon tied the knot in March wearing a blush gown that was custom made by one of my favorite designers, Monique Lhullier.
I just love the soft colors of these blush pink and peach dresses! Then you add ruffles and appliques and I"m sold!
I just love the texture and color of these dresses!
I just love the soft colors of these blush pink and peach dresses! Then you add ruffles and appliques and I"m sold!
I just love the texture and color of these dresses!
You would definitely make an entrance into the reception wearing this:
Thursday, April 14, 2011
What they're saying
I had the great pleasure of working with Lindsey and Tanner on their March wedding. I've said it before, but what a wonderful and fun couple!! I received this from Lindsey: "I could not have asked for a better wedding planner for my big day then Shannon with A Party to Perfection. Whether it was helping me with a layout of my programs, organizing the breakdown of the reception, or offering to give me the back of her earring due to my wedding earrings not staying on, she truly is AWESOME at what she does and makes a bride feel so special and less stressed. :-) I loved every minute of our special day and she was right there to help me get through it and make sure everything I wanted was taken care of. Thanks so much for everything and making our wedding day such a breeze!" Of course, you're only as good as the vendors you work with and Lindsey picked great vendors for her fun and oh-so-her wedding day: Catering: Kruton's Catering Photo booth and lightning: Dancenhance Entertainment DJ: Brock Entertainment Florist: Candy Bouquet #1445 featuring Designs by Suzanna Photography: Blair Photography
Friday, April 8, 2011
2011 Trends: Rainbow
If you are like me, you may never think of creating or incorporating a Rainbow theme into your wedding. Images of Rainbow Bright just doesn't give me that "wedding" feeling!
However, trends and ideas can always be tweaked to your every whim!
While you do not necessarily have to dress your besties in rainbow dresses, per se, you can definitely dress them in a rainbow monochromatic scheme (think dark pink to light pink, dark blue to light blue.etc.)
Or, you can dress them in complimentary hues that cover the colors of the rainbow 
Delight your guests' senses both visually and tastefully with a rainbow inspired cake
Delight your guests' senses both visually and tastefully with a rainbow inspired cake How fun would this be to dig into as a guest?!
Rainbow themed signature drinks, dessert buffets, bow ties (they're making their comback!) and who doesn't want to add that special touch with fabulously colored shoes?!
Or you can have each bridesmaid wear a different color shoe to "pop" in a less obvious rainbow theme.
These are meant to mimic the French Macaroons and could be fitting as decor
Love the look of these colorfl Macaroons
I don't know if I could choose just one!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Arkansas Marriage License
While you are staying plenty busy with all of the wedding planning details, the most important thing to do is to remember to get your marriage license! You do want to make the months and months of planning official, right?! In the state of Arkansas, you can obtain your marriage license within the 30 day period prior to your wedding date. Although I highly recommend getting it early, you can even obtain it the day of your wedding. The main details: You and your soon-to-be husband both have to be present You need to bring state issued identification (birth certificate, military I.D., Passport, etc.) $59-Cash only!! You can obtain your license at the County Clerk's office To find out where to register within the state of Arkansas or more details, check out the formal details here!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Spring Blooms
We are officially into Spring in the south! While the weather has taken a turn and it still feels like winter, these gorgeous blooms will assure us all that Spring will be here in the south very soon! I love spring blooms and these are sure to be show stoppers in your bouquets and centerpieces!
http://www.coolflowerpics.com/
Wow your guests with this soft pink.
Anemones
These are easy to spot with their black centers. In spring, these typically come in white, pink, purple and red. These are certain to stand out especially, against a white
dress!
http://www.coolflowerpics.com/ Tulips
French tulips are ideal for large arrangements, while Dutch tulips work great in your bridal bouquets. Their availability begins in November but peak in early spring (they are beginning to sprout up across Northwest Arkansas now) and they come in any wedding worthy color!
I love the beauty and elegance of the peach French Tulips!
Ranunculus
Ranunculus is my second favorite wedding flower! We will cover my first one in just a bit. :-) I love the fullness, texture and dimension that a Ranunculus has to offer. They are available in an array of colors too, most notably pink, orange and yellow. However, I chose to highlight the beauty and softness of the light pink and white!
Peony
We now come to my favorite wedding flower and quite possibly, the most striking and lucious flower, the peony. While the peony is breathtaking in its appearance and smell, it also is on your wedding budget! But, every bride needs a splurge somewhere, right?
This deep pink will add beautiful drama to your wedding.
A beautiful elegance with white and light pink.
Wow your guests with this soft pink. Other bouquet worthy spring blooms:
Cherry Blossoms
Hyacinth
Daffodils
Sweet Peas
Gerberas
Lily of the Valley
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