AMAZING WEDDING WITH LITTLE MONEY

Is it possible? YES!

With only one income in my family, no savings, and only 3 months to plan my wedding we DID IT! Yes, our budget was tight and had a limited guests of 80 people which is not too bad. But it worked out. It took a lot of research and a lot of shopping around for bargains but I saved a lot of money doing my own wedding. And i am very proud to share all the cool stuff and not so cool stuff i encountered during the planning process. My wedding came out beautiful.

I set a budget for my wedding gown at $300--- is that unrealistic? No one believed i would find a decent dress for that price. And i have to admit that after looking around at a few places i felt so discouraged. But right before I gave up, I found an elegant yet simple gown with lots of BLING on it. It is spaghetti strap that fits like a corset and its full of sequin on the top, including the straps. My dress was priced $900 but i tried it on anyway. I LOVED IT! it was exactly what i had been looking for. Then the salesperson said it was on sale and i got it for $400!! Tell me it wants meant to be!  

I made my own centerpieces for only $120.00! It is possible ladies! You just have to look and I know a lot of people don't have the time to do it. I found some really amazing deals in downtown l.a. And with your own creativity you can make it happen. Don't think that just because you have a tight budget your wedding has to look like it! 

I even made my own head piece. It cost me $5.00! It looked amazing. Everywhere i looked, they ran about $100 and up-- and i just wasn't in love with the headpiece. Im not a veil type of girl so i decided to give it a try. Everyone loved it on me.

    

Instead of having fresh flowers in my wedding, I used silk flowers. I know silk flowers sound cheap & cheesy, but i found these cool silk flower bouquets for my bridesmaids for only $4.00 each. Everyone complimented the bouquets! I did the same thing for the ceremony. I saved a lot of money! 

Photographers, Deejays and Florist's are very expensive. Always network to see who knows of any good deals. Also, if you know someone who is just starting to do photography and needs to build their portfolio, do an exchange. Use them for your wedding and have them use you to build their portfolio and ask for a CD of photographs. You can get your photographs for FREE! You just saved at least $1000.00. Once you get the pictures, there are many programs you can use to edit them yourself. If you have a friend that deejays, maybe he'll be willing to deejay for your wedding in exchange of getting him more gigs. Everyone loves a great deejay and they will be calling you for their number for their special event. If you know a florist, again, set up a meeting and get a quote. Usually they will give you a friendly discount. Do keep in mind that flowers are expensive. So another alternative could be buying the flowers yourself at the flower mart in Los Angeles, or using silk flowers. 

BRIDAL WEIGHT LOSS

Who doesn't want to look their best on their wedding day? If you are looking to get in shape or lose a few pounds before your wedding day, here are a few ideas:

BRIDAL BOOT CAMP:   http://www.fittobewedlive.com/

Fit to Be Wed Live – West Los Angeles/Beverly Hills, CA – Camp features 60- to 70-minute workouts three days a week for four weeks. Geared toward brides, bridesmaids, mothers of the bride, and grooms, workouts include lots of shaping and toning in those “key wedding gown areas”: the arms, back, and shoulders.

The Healthy Bride’s Boot Camp Workout – DVD – This DVD features four 45-minute workouts, including cardio, abs, and push ups, stretching, and weight training designed for the style of your dress. Get in shape for your wedding – all in the comfort of your own home. $21.95, available at Amazon.com or other retailers

Bridal Bootcamp – Paperback, by Cynthia M. Conde – This book is a fitness and nutrition guide created especially for women, with a focus on looking fabulous on your wedding day. It includes six-month, three-month, and four-week programs you can follow to lose body fat, increase lean muscle, and make healthy lifestyle changes. $14.95, available at Amazon.com or other retailers.

THE BAR METHOD-

The Bar Method integrates the fat-burning format of interval training, the muscle shaping technique of isometrics, the elongating principles of dance conditioning, and the science of physical therapy to create a revolutionary workout that quickly and safely reshapes your entire body. Its unique non-impact exercises target all major muscle groups and improve posture. The result is a recognizable "Bar Method body" featuring long, lean thighs, sculpted arms, a lifted seat and flat abs.

THE CABBAGE SOUP DIET: 

If you want to crash off pounds fast-before you start on that long-term eating plan-the New Cabbage Soup Diet is for you. Featured in Cosmopolitan magazine and USA Today, the Cabbage Soup Diet has been a word-of-mouth phenomenon. This revised and updated edition for healthier, safer weight loss contains true stories from a number of successful New Cabbage Soup dieters, so that readers can find out what worked for them and what didn't. 

WEDDING FASHION TIPS

It is every Bride-to-Be's dream to look flawless on her wedding day. Here are a few tips :

FASHION TAPE:

If you've never used fashion tape, it's basically double-stick tape made for fabric and skin. Why on earth would you need that? Tape down your strapless gown (to keep it from slipping) and use it to keep bra straps from showing. It'll even fix a ripped hemline in a pinch (so that you don't have to fuss with safety pins).

BLOTTING PAPER:

   You want to sparkle (not shine), so keep these 

on hand to use throughout the day and before your 

photographer starts snapping away.

  

FLAWLESS FACE: 

1. Before you begin to apply your makeup apply MAC prep & prime base all over the face to prevent your makeup from smearing or dissolving. 

2. Eye Prep & Prime: MAC's eye prep & prime is fabulous! Don't forget to apply on your eyelids

to keep your eye shadow from disappearing on your special day.

3. For a Smokey look, Sephora Collection, Beauty in a box is easy & excellent!  For beautiful browns                                             

  NARS Bridel pallete is an excellent choice. 

4.  LASHES! LASHES! LASHES! Don't forget your false lashes which will make you look glamorous, especially in your photographs! 

5. Add Mascara to your false lashes- always, for a more dramatic look. 

6. Bronzing powder: I use bronzing powder to highlight my cheek bones, cleavage or shoulders. NARS bronzing is my absolute favorite. 

7. Apply a peachy blush to your cheeks- this color goes with all types of skin pigments.

8. EYELINER! Eyeliner will make your eyes stand out- so make sure to apply some!

9. GLOSS-- for a more natural lip, apply a natural lip liner and apply a tinted gloss. 

10. GLOW: your face should have a sexy glow to it. Apply a high-liter to the tip of your nose, and cheek bones.  

11. FACE MAKEUP SPRAY: always seal your makeup with a makeup setting spray! 

...and now you are ready for Show Time!

  

    

    

  

  

      

     

      

     

      

WEDDING BUDGET

Location Fees and Other Costs to consider

You’d think that working from a budget would be obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people, especially brides and grooms, are unrealistic about what they can afford. Part of the problem is that most people aren’t very experienced with event budgeting and don’t know how to estimate what locations, products and services will ultimately cost.

In the early planning stages it’s a good idea to talk to a professional event planner or wedding consultant to get a sense of what’s feasible and what’s not. You don’t have to make a big financial or time commitment to use a professional; many will assist you on an hourly basis for a nuts-and-bolts session to determine priorities and to assign costs to items on your wish list.

Part of being realistic involves some simple arithmetic. For instance, the couple who has $5,000 for 250 guests should know that $20 per guest won’t go very far. Tax and gratuity combined can consume an average of 25% of the food and beverage budget (the range is 22% to 28%). If you subtract that 25% from $20, you have $15 left. If you also serve alcohol at $6/person, you’re down to $9/person for food. That’s not enough for a seated meal, let alone location rental fees, band, flowers, printed invitations, etc.

Before you make any major decisions or commit any of your funds for specific items, take a serious look at your total budget and make sure it can cover all your anticipated expenses. If it can’t, it’s time for some hard decisions. If you have a very large guest list and a small pocketbook, you may need to shorten the list or cut back on some of the amenities you want to include. No matter who foots the bill, be advised that doing the homework here really counts. Pin down your costs at the beginning of the planning stage and get all estimates in writing.

Location Fees and Deposits

If you’re planning far in advance, anticipate price increases by the time your function occurs. Once you’re definite about your location, try to lock in your fees in a contract, protecting yourself from possible rate increases later. Make sure you ask about every service provided and are clear about all of the extras that can really add up. Facilities may charge you for tables, chairs, linens, plateware and silverware, glassware and additional hours. Don’t be surprised to see tax and service charges in fixed amounts applied to the total bill if the facility provides restaurant or catering services. Although it may seem redundant to include the phrase “tax and service charges are additional” in each entry, we find that most people forget (or just don’t want to accept the painful reality) that 23%–28% will be applied to the food and beverage total.

Sometimes a deposit is nonrefundable—a fact you’ll definitely want to know if the deposit is a large percentage of the total bill. And even if it’s refundable, you still need to read the cancellation policy thoroughly. Also make sure you understand the policies which will ensure you get your cleaning and security deposit returned in full and again, get everything in writing.

Food costs vary considerably.

Carefully plan your menu with the caterer, event consultant or chef. Depending on the style of service and the type of food being served, the total food bill can vary dramatically—even if you’re getting quotes from the same caterer. Expect a multi-course seated meal to be the most expensive part of your event.

Alcohol is expensive, too, and you may be restricted in what you can serve and who can serve it. A facility may not allow you to bring your own alcoholic beverages, and if it does, it may limit you to wine or champagne. Many places discourage you from bringing your own (BYO) by charging an exorbitant corkage fee to remove the cork and pour. Other places have limited permits that don’t allow them to serve alcohol or restrict them from serving certain kinds; some will let you or the caterer serve alcohol, others require someone with a license. Make sure you know what’s allowed. Decide what your budget is for alcohol and determine what types you’re able to provide. And keep in mind that the catering fees you are quoted rarely include the cost of alcohol. If you provide the alcohol, make sure you keep your purchase receipts so you can return any unopened bottles.

So how much will your event cost? Facility deposits are usually not large, but sometimes the rental fees plus food and beverage services can add up to $30,000 or more, depending on the site and number of guests. Be sure you have a sensible handle on your budget and read all the fine print before you sign any contract.

Food and Alcohol Quality

Food and alcohol account for the greatest portion of an event’s budget; consequently, food and beverage selections are a big deal. Given the amount of money you will spend on this category alone, you should be concerned about the type, quantity and quality of what you eat and drink. If in-house catering is provided, we suggest you sample different menu options prior to paying a facility deposit. If you’d like to see how a facility handles food setup and presentation, ask the caterer to arrange a visit to someone else’s party about a half hour before it starts. It’s wise to taste wines and beers in advance, and be very specific about hard alcohol selections.

Hidden Costs

This may come as a surprise, but not all services and event equipment are covered in the rental fee, and some facilities hide the true cost of renting their space by having a low rental fee. It’s possible to get nickeled and dimed for all the extras: tables, chairs, linens, glassware, valet service and so forth. You can also end up paying more than you expected for security and cleanup. All these additional charges can really add up, so save yourself a big headache by understanding exactly what’s included in the rental fee and what’s not before you sign any contract.

Wedding cakes vs Wedding cupcakes

Wedding cake

 vs 

Wedding Cupcakes

The decision of having to choose between a wedding cake or wedding cupcakes at my wedding wasn't an easy one. I thought, "who has wedding cupcakes anyway?". But being that I am more of a non-traditional bride, i decided to look into this further. I soon learned that this was something new that brides were doing in 2010. What better way  to WOW my guests! I have to admit that I really had my heart set on a particular wedding cake, but wedding cakes are definitely pricey and very TRADITIONAL. I thought the way to save money on a wedding cake was to buy a cake sheet and a small cake for display. But I wasn't completely sold on that idea. Something about this whole cupcake thing had me curious and very interested. So, I decided to schedule our cake tasting with The Swan Bakery in Cathedral City. After our cake tasting i was sold on the idea of having assorted cupcakes with different types of fillings in them. Yes, fillings! They weren't your typical cupcakes though, these were definitely very unique and special and i knew that it was exactly what I wanted for my wedding day. Now, cost wise I ended up paying the same as I would've with an actual cake. But i placed my order anyway. On the day of my wedding I got nothing but compliments. My guests were amazed at how incredible our cupcakes tasted and how unique the idea of having cupcakes at a wedding was. 

With this said, I vote for Cupcakes all the way! 

A Beautiful poem for your wedding program: The art of a good marriage

The Art Of A Good Marriage
by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.

DIY Elegant wedding Centerpieces

If you go to Michaels or any craftstore these vases cost approx $40.00 each. This is a 14" square crystal vase (top picture). The crystals and Silk flowers vary in price.




If you chose to use silk flowers for your wedding centerpieces, you can do something like the picture to the right. Buy floating candles at the Dollar tree for $1.00, and add crystals to the vases to give it that elegant, romantic look. You may also use this as the main centerpiece for the bride and groom table.




After massive research online and long walks in downtown Los Angeles, I learned that the square vases are more expensive than the round ones. I came across a few stores that sold these vases wholesale to the public. Some require the purchase of 10-12 minimum order for $18.00 each vase. Thats a lot better than $40 each! But i found a place that sells them for $7.50 each! How exciting is that! 


Also, Moskatels in downtown L.A. has tea lights and bags of crystals for cheap!


The bottom picture is a 24" round crystal vase that i got for $7.50. I bought the silk orchids there for $2.00 each. If you choose to do real orchids, they vary in price- however, if you go to the flower district in downtown L.A. you can get them really cheap.

I personally prefer the silk flowers over real because the centerpieces will last longer if your guests take them home at the end. Mine is the last picture to the right. If you need to know the names or addresses to the stores i visited, please leave a comment. Enjoy!

Non-traditional wedding songs for the modern bride

I searched and searched for weeks while making a song list for our deejay and it was very frustrating to know that every site suggested the same songs. I, on the other hand am not. Here is our song list- more songs will be added soon. This is a mix of spanish and english music.

For our grand entrance, we had each couple enter to their own song, including our parents and the ring bearers with flower girls. This was so much fun! Each couple got introduced and came out dancing to their song. It got the guests going, laughing, and everyone had fun doing it. This made our grand entrance incredibly memorable. 

Bridal Party Grand Entrance Songs: 

• Cumbia sobre el rio by Celso Pina (spanish)
• EL MARIACHI LOCO by Mariachi Vargas (spanish)
• EYE OF THE TIGER- ROCKY THEME
• i gotta feeling- black eye peas
• magdalena samba- sergio mendez
• Im the ish- dj class
• matador- los fabulosos cadillacs
• krazy- pittbull ft lil jon
• strangle hold - ted nuget
• shots- lmfao
• calabria 2007
• Bride and Groom: lets get ready to rumble intro with let the bass kick

Dinner Songs: 

you are so beautiful-babyface

lovers rock- sade

fortunate- Maxwell

moby-porcelain

ascension-maxwell

que me quedes tu- shakira

everytime i close my eyes- babyface

all i want is you- miguel ft j cole

sadness part 1- enigma

angel- weekend players

lady in red-  chris de burg

you look wonderful tonight- eric clapton

cuando me enamoro- enrique iglesias

samba pa ti- carlos santana

Me vuelve loco tu forma de ser- los teles

i wanna make it with you- Marc Anthony

contigo- Luis Miguel

fade into you- mazzy star

im yours Jason Mraz

Bouquet toss: 

Dont cha- pussycat dolls

Nasty Girls- Vanity 6

Kiss- Prince

dress you  up- madonna

like a virgin- madonna

buttons- pussycat dolls

single ladies- beyonce

diva- beyonce

naughty girl- beyonce

First dance: 

Dangerously in love- Beyonce

Love song- Jes (acoustic)

Unthinkable- Alicia keyes

At last- beyonce

I wanna know what love is- mariah carey

amor del bueno- reyli (spanish)

by your side- sade

kiss of life- sade

when a woman loves- r kelly