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If you’re about to start planning your wedding, you’re probably already thinking about what it’s going to cost you. According to various studies and a lot of research, there are some average costs for various aspects of a wedding. You’ll find those below, which might help you determine what to expect when it comes to paying for your wedding.

Average Dress Cost

On average, a woman will pay approximately $1,099 for her wedding dress. To save, purchase last season’s dress or shop online.

Photo Source: dress2015.com

Venue Cost

The average cost of the ceremony site is about $1,393. You can save money by hosting your wedding at your own home or the home of a family member. Also, booking the venue during the week can save you money as well.

The average cost of a reception site is much more; over $12,000. Of course, this is on average, so not all brides pay this much, and you don’t have to either. Host your reception in the same place as your ceremony or attempt to get a deal from your vendor.

Photo Source: jackiebresslerevents.com

Average Cost of Flowers

The average cost of flowers is approximately $1,988. Brides can save money by choosing flowers that are local rather than having them imported, and by choosing more greenery than blossoms. Also, choosing wildflowers or other flowers that are considered “weeds” but are still beautiful will also help.

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Catering

Per head, the average cost of catering is about $61. You can save money by having a “potluck wedding,” or by cooking your own food. You may also want to go the less traditional route of just serving hors d’oeuvres or dessert. This is becoming more and more popular amongst brides.

By knowing what to expect, you can take steps to ensure that your wedding costs less than average and that you’re saving money!

You may not have a lot of time during your wedding day, and you may have things planned down to the last minute, but there are probably a few things you haven’t thought about! Here are 5 essential tips for your wedding day.

1. Together Time 

Plan just a few minutes for you and your brand new spouse to be together after the wedding and before the reception. You’re married! Take a few minutes to let that sink in. Hold hands, dance or just enjoy each other!

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2. Make-Up Touch-Ups

Before the reception, you’re going to want to touch up your makeup. You may even want to change if you’ve planned to wear something different to your rehearsal.

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3. Eat

You’re probably not going to have a lot of time on your wedding day to just sit down and eat. If this is something you’re worried about, go ahead and eat before you make it to the reception. It will ensure that you have plenty of energy and feel great while celebrating your big day.

4. Consider Changing Your Shoes 

Do you really want to spend the whole reception wearing those heels? Opt for flats or something a little more comfortable so your feet aren’t being tortured all day.

Photo Source: kellydillonphoto.com

5. Double Check 

Do you have everything you need to make it through the reception? Do you have your speech ready? Do you have an emergency kit with all the things you might need? Have you forgotten anything? By doing a double check before you get to the reception venue, you can ensure that the rest of the day will go smoothly.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can make sure the day is a success and that nothing is forgotten!

Just because you’re having a destination beach wedding doesn’t mean you have to decorate everything with seashell and starfish accents. Here are some top destination beach wedding decor themes to make your wedding day stand out.

Most couples planning a destination beach wedding automatically assume they should use a beach decor theme. While it makes sense to use the surrounding environment for decor inspiration, you are not limited to a starfish, seashell-studded beach theme for your destination beach wedding.

Here are some top destination beach wedding decor themes to choose from if you want something other than a traditional beach theme:

Ships lost at sea—A ship theme is one of the top destination wedding decor themes for couples who want something fun with character. You don’t have to go all out with pirates and parrots if you don’t want to. You can focus on the legends, construction, and textures associated with old-fashioned ships once lost at sea. Draw inspiration from historical explorers and famous expeditions around the world’s oceans, and use atlas maps to get ideas for color schemes.

Photo Source: josevilla.com

Sea Treasure—Think golds, teals, and fluorescent greens. Use this color palette to set the backdrop for a sea treasure decor theme. Use gold coin accents, ancient-looking chests with iron latches, and rustic wooden centerpieces to enhance the theme. Compasses, mermaids, and tropical fish are also images you can use to accentuate this theme, as well as rope fishing net and whimsical sea glass.

Photo Source: thelane.com

Photo Source: marthasachserphotography.zenfolio.co

Message in a bottle—East coast style, harbor touches, and the classic message-in-a-bottle idea combine to create one fun, creative destination beach wedding decor theme. If you want to skip the same old beach seashell themes, consider using your own messages in bottles for wedding favors, centerpieces, or even as cake toppers. Add lighthouse and fishermen accents to your place settings and voilà—you have a cozy, warm, and enchanting destination beach wedding decor theme to work with.

Other destination beach wedding decor themes to consider include marine animal or aquatic themes, which can incorporate a variety of ocean-inspired touches into your wedding ceremony and reception decor.

If you’re planning your wedding by yourself or without the help of a professional wedding planner, then organization is a must. Without it, you can quickly begin to feel overwhelmed and stressed out with the planning. Here are a few great tips that will help you get super organized so your wedding planning goes smoothly.

Create a Wedding Binder

The first thing you want to do is create a wedding binder. You can get the binder at any supply store, and make sure you get some tabbed dividers as well. This will allow you to section off the binder for different aspects of your wedding planning. You might want to label them with sections like décor, attire, venues, etc.

Photo Source: southernweddingstyle.tumblr.com

Create a Timeline

Nothing will help you more than a great timeline of your wedding day. While it can be impossible to make sure everything goes according to the timeline, it will certainly help you as you plan. You’ll want to start several hours before the wedding so you can plan time for getting ready, pictures, etc.

Checklist

You will want to create a checklist early on so you know exactly what is taken care of and what still needs to be done. There are plenty of sample checklists available online, but yours might include things like:

• Book the caterer.
• Interview DJs.
• First dress fitting (date).
• Bridal Shower (date).
• Confirm the caterer.
• Place deposit on the venue.
• Etc.

Photo Source: savvysugar.com

Phone Numbers

Finally, in the back of your binder or somewhere where you can access them easily, keep a list of phone numbers. The list should include all of your vendors and the venue phone numbers so that you can easily get in touch with them if you have a question or you’re worried about something.

By using these tips, you can really take advantage of good organization to make your wedding planning easier.

Are you the type of bride who would never be called traditional? Do you love odd customs, plenty of color and lots of fun? Well then take some inspiration from these whimsical and fun additions you can include in your beach wedding.

Kites

Have kites flying with the couple’s names present, or with words on the kites like “I do.” Alternatively, you can provide super thin strips of paper and markers, and have guests write a wish for the couple on the paper. These can be tied to the tail of the kite and then the kite will take off, bringing the wishes into the air. This has a lot of great symbolism and is really fun for everyone.

Photo Source: flyawaybride.com

Bubbles

A bubble machine can make a beach wedding a ton of fun. It’s whimsical and reminiscent of childhood, and it can make a beach celebration extra charming. Alternatively, you can purchase small bubble wedding favors and then instruct all the children present to blow bubbles for the wedding pictures or during the celebration.

Seashell Wedding Favors

Seashells are the perfect beach-y wedding favor, and it’s even better if they hold place cards on the reception tables. Guests can take these kinds of favors home and use them as picture frames long after the ceremony.

Photo Source: weddingfavors.org

Just a few fun additions to your ceremony can really take out the stiffness and provide a lot of charming and whimsical elements for your wedding. Guests will love these ideas long after the ceremony is over.

Even if you’re planning to get married in the middle of winter, there are some great ways that you can have a beach-inspired wedding. This is also great for those who don’t live near the beach and would still like to have a beach-themed wedding. Here are some fantastic tips and ideas:

Go with beautiful beach-inspired table décor for your beach-ish wedding. These colors are fantastic; deep blue paired with coral and taupe to mimic the natural ocean colors. These can be used no matter where you live to give the venue a very beachy feel.

Photo Source: foreverfriends.carlsoncraft.com

A beach-inspired wedding cake is an absolute must, even if your wedding will take place nowhere near the beach. You can also do tropical flavors like pineapple and coconut. This really brings a tropical feel to your winter wedding!

Photo Source: foreversweetheartsbridal.blogspot.ca

Bright colors are a must if you’re having a winter beach-themed wedding. It’s the perfect way to bring the sunshine into your ceremony and reception, even if it’s really super cold outside and the sun is taking a vacation!

Photo Source: kristenweaverblog.com

Place sand in a container and use starfish, origami or sand dollars as escort cards. This is a great way to literally bring the beach to you!

These are just a few ways that you can have a beach inspired wedding even if it’s winter. Who says you can’t change the seasons and make the world revolve around you…at least for one day!

Large centerpieces can certainly add a dramatic flair to your wedding reception. If you’re not quite sure what sort of large centerpiece you want, these 5 examples of dramatic and beautiful centerpieces may help inspire you.

This striking centerpiece is simply done; the tall glass vase extends the flowers over the diners’ heads, so there’s no problem seeing who they’re sitting across from. Surrounding this centerpiece are smaller centerpieces featuring the same flowers. It’s pretty and very dramatic.

Photo Source: mdturnerphotography.com

Golden branches are what this centerpiece is made from, and it’s the focal point of the table. Smaller centerpieces stretch out from the sides, creating a beautiful grouping that ties together everything.

Photo Source: principalplanner.blogspot.ca

An unbelievable amount of fuchsia and red flowers make up this large and stunning centerpiece. The bulk of the flowers, again, are over the diners’ heads and allows them to converse at the table without interference. There’s no doubt that this beautiful table setting is an eye catcher.

This “tulip tree” is another example of a large centerpiece, but it’s a little more unusual than the ones you see most brides choosing. The look is feminine and elegant and it accomplishes the task of creating a beautiful focal point.

These topiaries in silver holders accomplish that dramatic and beautiful centerpiece look without all the blossoms. It’s perfect for brides who aren’t into the whole cut-flowers look but still want the striking look.

Photo Source: stylemepretty.com

Overall, there are a lot of different ideas for tall centerpieces so there’s something for everyone and every theme.

A wedding is a special, joyous celebration and will be one of the best days of your life. However, it can be a bittersweet event if you’re missing special people in your life. Whether it’s a grandparent who has passed or a parent who is divorced and can’t make it to the wedding, there are several things you can do to honor those individuals and make sure they’re a part of your wedding.

Bouquet Pictures

Tiny picture frames with your deceased relatives can be pinned to your bouquet so you’ll have them with you on the most important day of your life! You can ask your florist about this or simply order the lockets yourself if your florist doesn’t have them available. It’s a sweet and touching way to remember a loved one.

Photo Source: joshelliottstudios.com

Reserve Them a Seat

Keep a seat free for your deceased loved ones. You can place a frame on the chair with a picture of your loved one, and include a single rose or a bouquet of flowers if you wish. This is a lovely way to symbolize how that person is still very much with you on your big day.

Photo Source: luminairefoto.com

Prepare a Table for Them

Another great option, especially if you have several departed relatives who can’t be present, is to prepare a table full of their pictures. Light candles around the table and include a sign that says “In Loving Memory” or something similar.

Let Them Walk with You

This bride attached mini picture frames of her loved ones to the backs of her shoes on her big day. This allowed those beloved individuals to walk with her although they weren’t present.

Photo Source: emmalinebride.com

These are just a few ways that allow you to have special individuals with you on your wedding day, and to remember them while you’re celebrating with your friends and family members that are present.

Ruffled wedding cakes are becoming more and more popular. They have a very feminine, elegant look to them that makes brides just go crazy for the look. Check out these 5 brilliant and beautiful wedding cakes to see if this might be the perfect wedding cake style for you.

3 Tier Champagne Masterpiece

This outstanding 3-tier cake features brilliant ruffles along the bottom tier. These were done by a master designer and because they’re absolutely jam packed onto the cake, the result is a very elegant and couture look.

Photo Source: cakecentral.com

Ruffles and Roses

This beautiful 3-tier cake is an off-white that features large and elegant roses that cascade down the side of the cake. The ruffles are very shabby chic on this one and the result is a vintage look that’s fantastic.

Photo Source: cakespirations.com

Pleasantly Peach

This remarkable 3-tier peach wedding cake incorporates a lot of different texture into one cake. The top is smooth and elegant while the middle tier features pearl luster dots and the bottom boasts gorgeous ruffles. They’re a little different from the regular ruffles, though, as these resemble rose petals. To finish it off, a large poppy sits between the top and middle tiers. This one is breathtaking!

Photo Source: cinnamondreams.org

Teal Beauty

Another 3-tier cake, this one is a deep teal and features white filigree and a subtle ray design, but the bottom tier is the real beauty. These ruffles aren’t completely horizontal like the others, but move in patterns that are almost floral. The result is a fantastically textured cake that is truly beautiful.

Photo Source: cakecentral.com

Peonies and Ruffles

This vintage-inspired ruffled cake is champagne in color and features huge and beautifully bright peonies as embellishments. The bottom tier boasts an ombre design in chunky ruffles. This one is really magnificent!

As you can see, there are so many different designs that can be created with ruffled cakes. Use the ones above as inspiration to create your own unique ruffled wedding cake!

For brides who are looking for wedding jewelry that is absolutely unforgettable, vintage aurora borealis might be just the thing you need! Aurora borealis refers to a finishing technique used by jewelry companies to make their jewels sparkle fiercely – reflecting a rainbow of colors back at the viewer. These beautiful jewels were very popular in the 50’s and finding vintage pieces is as easy as visiting eBay.

Photo Source: etsy.com

Beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings are very popular and look absolutely stunning for any event. This is especially true for weddings, when all eyes will be on the bride as she walks down the aisle. As the light shines upon the jewelry, it absolutely catches fire and shines brilliantly!

Photo Source: etsy.com

It’s also easy to find brooches that are created with aurora borealis jewels or beads. Picking up a few of these can be the perfect way to fill out that beautiful brooch bouquet – or simply to add a little sparkle to your dress.

Photo Source: etsy.com

The earrings are relatively easy to find, but it can be difficult to find pierced earrings in aurora borealis. Most are clip-on or the screw-back type. If you don’t care whether it’s vintage, then finding aurora borealis pierced earrings will be easier.

Photo Source: etsy.com

Few things are more beautiful than vintage aurora borealis. If you’re looking for the most sparkly, glittering jewels you can find, purchase a few good aurora borealis pieces and you’ll be good to go.