It's the Simple Things: Beauty on a Budget

Creativity within the wedding world is truly endless. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to flowers,colors and styles. Arrangements have taken new heights (literally) and have become a work of art in themselves. While our focus shifts to grand orchids and peonies galore, it's easy to lose sight of the simple beauty within "filler" flowers, more specifically baby's breath.


Baby's breath is a delicate and dainty little flower often found complimenting a gorgeous arrangement of red roses. These little buds bring character to any vintage inspired wedding and a whimsical effect to any tablescape. Costing just pennies a bunch, we adore baby's breath in the budget department and we'll let the following photos explain why we love them just for their delicate beauty:

We hope you've been inspired = )

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team

 

Photo Credits:

Ruffled Blog

Bridal Guide

Wedding Bee



The Flower 411

For many brides, choosing flowers may seem like the most exciting and interesting part of the entire wedding planning process. Bridal magazines often feature gorgeous, lush bridal bouquets of exotic flowers. The important thing to remember, brides, is that along with beauty and price, sustainability and practicality are important characteristics to keep in mind when choosing flowers for your wedding.

Sustainability 

What exactly does this mean? Flowers come in all shapes, sizes, colors and strengths, yes, strengths. Part of the beauty for some flowers is their delicate structures. Considering the strength and structure of a particular flower is important when deciding whether or not to include it in your bouquet or any floral arrangement. The last thing you want is a wilting, or even worse, broken or destroyed bouquet of flowers (and the ceremony may not have even started yet!) Orchids are a great example of fragile flowers who, while very beautiful in a bouquet, may not make it through the night. Flowers like calla lilies and roses are strong and durable and will most definitely last.




Fragrance

Fragrance of a particular flower is also extremely important when choosing your wedding flowers. A person's sense of smell often times plays a role in their opinions and decision making. While you may think Gardenias smell absolutely wonderful in a small arrangement, it's fragrance may be too powerful or overwhelming when used throughout centerpieces and bouquets. In all honesty, it is possible to become sick from an overpowering scent, and you don't want your guests to fall victim to that.

Price

Price is always at the top of the priority list when it comes to designing bouquets. One simple tip- stick to seasonal flowers. There are so many beautiful blooms throughout every season that you are sure to find a handful that will compliment your bouquet. Especially if your wedding coincides with the current season, choosing seasonal flowers will make for a more cohesive design. Not sure what flowers are in season when? Ask your florist when consulting design options with them or you can look here!

**Are you planning on using seasonal flowers to save money?

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team

Photo Credits:

1.Blooms for Business

2. Danisa Flowers

3. LoveToKnow Weddings

100 Layer Cake

And no, we don't mean literally a 100 layer cake = ) Brides, if you have not discovered this unique and informative website, you're missing out! 100 Layer Cake is a site dedicated to DIY projects, inspiration, vendor portfolios and an amazing marketplace filled with unique and sometimes one-of-a-kind items for sale. These items have been used by previous brides who just don't know what else to do with them. You can also post your wedding items to sell on the site as well! Everything from apothecary jars to antique mirrors can be found among its listings.

100layercake.com

The site's vendor guide is a wonderful, resourceful tool for any bride looking for a planner all across the country. It features portfolios for each vendor in all related categories of wedding/event planning.


By far, out most favorite feature of the site is definitely the marketplace. If you're looking for inexpensive or just cheaper alternatives to buying all brand new wedding decor, this it the place to look. The marketplace is updated frequently and even features gowns and bridesmaids dresses. Check out this unique collection of vintage mirrors!

100layercake.com

**We love unique and inexpensive finds! If you know of other great websites or stores to find creative wedding decor, share it with other brides here!

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team

Photo Credits:

www.100LayerCake.com

Honeymooning on a Budget

For the bride on a budget, you may have already found crafty ways to save money on your upcoming wedding. Whether you're taking on DIY projects or just plain going without, there's another way to save money on your wedding festivities all around. While most newlyweds venture off on a honeymoon, few consider their trip into the budget. We say, "Why Not?" If you and your hubby are considering a honeymoon but you're not quite sure how to pay for it, there are ways to save money without skimping.

Honeymoon Registry

Yes! you can register for you honeymoon! Sites such as Honeymoon Wishes, and The Honeymoon are set up specifically for couples to "register" for their honeymoon of choice. Instead of coffee makers and glassware, give your guests the opportunity to contribute to your perfect honeymoon getaway. Guests can search these sites for your registry and put money towards your trip is a gift. In addition, there are no set-up fees, and the site will even keep track of who has contributed to your honeymoon so you can write thank you cards.

Groupon Getaways

Most of us are familiar with Groupon and the many outstanding offers they advertise on their site. Recently, members can sign up to receive Groupon Getaways which include vacation deals so cheap, you just can't help but purchase them! These deals include vacation packages all over the world from all-inclusive resorts to amazing 5-star hotels! Not sure where to honeymoon? Leave it up to chance! Be spontaneous! Let the deals on Groupon influence you with their hard to resist prices!

Ask Questions...

Have you already booked your honeymoon or you've already decided exactly where you want to go? It helps to ask questions when booking or upon arrival. Believe it or not, some hotels and resorts offer discounts and deals to newlyweds! They won't advertise these deals, you have to ask for them. It never hurts to inquire when booking travel plans for honeymoons. More often than not you'll find that people are willing to give you a deal simply because you're a newlywed! Even airlines, upon availability, will bump you to first class simply because you're a newlywed. So ask questions...it's not being cheap or frugal. Honeymoons are a privilege, and if you can afford to go on one, make it the best it can be!

**How are you planning on saving money? Did you get an upgrade or a special deal simply because you were a newlywed? Share your tips and info here for current and future brides!

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team

Photo Credits:

Groupon.com

Honeymoonwishes.com

Something Borrowed & Something Extraordinary!

You've heard the timeless phrase.."Something borrowed, something blue" and for decades brides have followed this age old tradition. Sometimes, however, finding the items to fulfill this tradition are harder to come by than you originally thought. You're in luck! Today, we'd like to introduce you to a site that actually lets brides borrow or rent designer bridal accessories for a fraction of the retail price! Featured designers include Justine M. Couture, Enchanted Atelier, and Stephanie Browne.

For the classy and sophisticated bride who just wants to wear exquisite pieces on her wedding day, but would never dream of actually purchasing these pieces or wearing them ever again, Something Borrowed NY is your saving grace. While their collection isn't extremely extensive, the items featured are gorgeous!! Accessories from veils, jewelry, and headpieces/adornments  are all available for your borrowing pleasure. Not only will you look fabulous on your special day, but you can fulfill the "something borrowed'" tradition and keep your wallet happy.

**Are you planning on borrowing an item for your wedding day? What items do you think are most sentimental for a bride to borrow?

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team

Photo Credits:
Something Borrowed NY

Signature Cocktails

The Signature Cocktail not only sets the mood for your wedding reception, it's also another opportunity for the bride and groom to add their personal touch to the day. No matter how simplistic or complicated it may be, let your signature cocktail reflect you! Does your groom fancy a simple bourbon and coke? Are you a bride who appreciates a good cosmopolitan? Feature them!

The Knot.com has a wonderful and convenient page that features signatures cocktails, both simplistic and elaborate, and organizes them by event type, color and season. They also provide mouth watering pictures for each cocktail.

For couples on a budget, having a signature cocktail is a wonderful way to save money! The concept has been around for years but is gaining popularity in recent years. Ideally, you could serve beer and wine throughout the night, have champagne for toasts (if you'd like), and have your one or two signature drinks for kicks! Make sure your signature drink stars your favorite liquor, it could even match your wedding's color scheme!

Consider placing creative and festive signs near or on the bar to draw attention to your featured drink(s) of the evening. Include a brief description of what is in the drink and give it a creative name!

We absolutely love the idea of a signature cocktail! What a creative and delicious way to personalize your wedding, right down to the bar top!

**Are you planning on having a signature cocktail at your wedding? Share the mouth watering details here!**

Photos courtesy of: Project Wedding, Wedding Rumors, Hindsight Bride, Flickr, Etsy

DIY Friday!!: Doily Chandelier

TGIF!! And we have another crafty but gorgeous DIY project for all of you "go-getter" brides out there! Are you planning a stylish and romantic wedding with whimsical DIY touches? Today's DIY project comes to us courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings. We absolutely love this chandelier! Made from paper doilies, this creative centerpiece truly stands on its own. It's simplistic, eye-catching, but chic.

Here's the low-down on this amazing DIY centerpiece:

via Martha Stewart Weddings

Paper doilies can add high drama (without the schmaltz) and stylish elegance (without the stuffiness) to your reception tables.

Create this chandelier with a waterfall of ruffles out of doilies for a visual high. Make garlands, and tie to a large and a small wreath form. Hang with ribbon, placing the smaller ring lower than the larger. (Use pushpins or adhesive hooks to secure to ceiling.) 24- and 12-inch doublerail wreath rings, Maine Wreath Co.

1. Fold 4-inch doilies in half twice. Open them, and scrunch them up a little at the center to give them the ruffled appearance of flowers. 

2. Thread flowers onto yarn to make strands 12 to 16 inches long, and tie to wreath. Attach extra flowers to wire with double-sided tape to fill in gaps.

***Are you testing out your creative side for your wedding? Tell us all about your DIY project ideas! 

               Love,

             

                    The Emily Weddings Team

Photos courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

DIY Friday!: Free Printables!

In light of today's DIY Friday, what better post is there than one that provides you with FREE, yes I said free, printables! These printables will not only save you  money, they will make your DIY projects so much easier. Everything from save-the-dates, wine labels, and favors are provided in the links below. Most wedding design/inspiration sites provide printables every so often, and sites like MarthaStewartWeddings.com are known for their extensive collection of printables for a variety of projects.

Today, we've done some of the work for you and put all these printable links into one convenient post! So enjoy and get your creativity flowing! Here's to a stress free and fun planning process!

Etsy.com

Moustache Save the Date by Stefanie Astronaut	Coral + Blue Save The Date Card by Camille Chung
DIY Love Birds CD sleeve by Green Apple Paperie	Personalized Printable Wine Label by Divine by Design
Printable DIY petal cone template by I Do It Yourself	Custom Cute Pink Save The Date by Crafty Folk

Etsy.com

Mini Pillow Box Damask Collection by Posh Pixels 
Candy buffet labels by Green Apple Paperie
 All printable favors shown can be found HERE



 **Are you using printables and DIY projects throughout your wedding? Tell us how creative you are!

                      Love,
                          The Emily Weddings Team 

A Royal Wedding on a Budget

AmericanIdolizing.com

Now, here's something we all can relate to...saving money! Who doesn't want to these days?  And what better time than your wedding! In light of the upcoming royal nuptials, many brides might be inspired by the wedding's elegant and timeless feel. They will not, however, be more inclined to spend an upwards of $48 million dollars on their wedding! So how does a bride on a budget achieve the same elegant aspects of her wedding without breaking the bank?

While your wedding is a rather costly expense, it doesn't have to burn a hole in your pocket or your parents. These ideas will cut costs in the most simplistic ways without compromising the overall effect of your wedding (and that's the important part!)

[Brides.com]

1. Extend your engagement. A longer planning period means a better chance of getting the best vendors in your price range. Plus, you can typically lock in rates that might increase by the time your wedding date arrives. Extending your engagement allows the bride and groom to allocate expenses effectively overtime and find exactly what their looking for.
2. Imbibe wisely. Many sites offer consumption bars (you pay for the liquor your guests drink) or open bars (a flat fee per guest). If your invitees are light drinkers, a consumption bar will save you cash. On another note: Make sure you trust the establishment tallying drinks. When considering which packaged bar will work best for your wedding, simply think your guests. The last thing you want is a surprise balance at the end of the night for an unexpected amount of drink consumption.
3. Avoid a Saturday night soiree. Wedding pros charge their highest fees for parties that are held on this evening. If you're willing to move your event to a Friday or Sunday night, you'll probably get lower rates-and even better ones for a weeknight wedding. The same goes to your individual vendors.
4. Marry in the off-season. Prime party times are from May to October in most parts of the country. If you instead plan your nuptials for January, for instance, you'll have a better chance of finding vendors who will drop their rates. Vendors are always looking for jobs throughout the year, and while wedding season is the most prosperous for them, they still do business in the off-season. Not to mention, it may be easier to find a particular vendor for your wedding date.
5. Steer clear of holidays. A Valentine's Day wedding will mean higher costs for flowers-and for nuptials on New Year's Eve, your site may charge you overtime rates for staffing. If you are planning a destination wedding, consider travel costs during the holiday season as well as hotel room rates, as all will be affected.

6. Shop strategically. When searching for a gown within your budget, avoid luxe materials and embellishments. Instead, go for textured fabrics like silk organza, crinkled silk and silk faille, which look and feel more expensive than they are. Word to the wise, only ask to see gowns in your budget and don't deviate. There are many beautiful dresses by very talented designers but falling in love with the gown and not the price is such a disappointment.
7. Inquire about freebies. Yes, it's okay to ask! Some sites include a cake, flowers or a honeymoon suite in wedding packages. They, of course, won't mention it if you don't ask, but there are freebies out there! Do your research before inquiring at a particular venue.
8. Pick a multipurpose venue. If you use one site for the ceremony and reception, you'll save on site fees and won't have to pay for transportation to both spots. While this isn't always possible for couples, it is a big money saver on site related costs. Some venues will even waive the site fee if you plan on hosting your reception there as well. They can also discount reception costs or include freebies for the bride and groom.

These are just a few way to cut costs on your wedding budget without sacrificing the overall look and feel of your wedding. And the money that you do save can contribute to a honeymoon that's truly fit for royalty!

**Read 30 other tips for saving money on your wedding here!

How do you plan on saving money on your wedding? We want to hear about it!

     

        Love, 

          The Emily Weddings Team

Escort cards that double as favors

Trying to find ways to save money while not compromising on the beauty and feel of your wedding day? A great way to to do this is to have your escort cards double as favors. Think about ways to incorporate your style, theme, and colors into your favors and have them double as the seating cards.

I had one bride and groom choose a plane-shaped luggage tag. They placed each guest's name inside the tag. It was their escort card and favor. He flies in the Navy, and they had their ceremony and reception at the Military Aviation Museum. It was so perfect...so fitting for them.

I have another bride who is getting married next March, and she LOVES the spring! One of her colors is pink. She likes the idea of giving her guests a flower and thus is looking at escort cards that the guests can plant later and watch grow into cherry blossoms. Click here to see the escort cards/favors.

There are plenty of ways to make your budget stretch. Planners are perfect for knowing all the little ways to add to the look of your wedding without adding to the cost. Don't settle for less than what you've always dreamed of; have a planner guide you through all of these decisions!

Emily Petersen