Cannot afford a dream honeymoon? Think Again…

fiji honeymoonIn these economic times, many couples are wondering if they will have to skip/postpone or downsize a  honeymoon. And for couples on a tight wedding budget, spending money on a lavish trip is that much harder. But it shouldn’t be! After all of the stress of planning, and the fun celebrating with family and friends, every newlywed couple deserves time to celebrate with each other as the new Mr. and Mrs.  As the creators of Honeyfund.com state, “Your wedding day goes by so fast! It’s your honeymoon that creates the memories that last a lifetime.”

Most couples these days already have all the kitchen appliances, china and linens they need, so the need for a traditional registry is minimal, if not totally unnecessary. Honeymoon registries are a great way for your guests to maintain the tradition of gift-giving at weddings, while giving you the honeymoon you deserve. There are many honeymoon registries out there, but few that are free of registry fees…until Honeyfund.com hit the scene.

You can go to their website and see sample registries for places like Italy, Greece, Caribbean and Hawaii.

They have created a site making it easy for couples to register themselves for Honeymoon-related gifts, where guests can “purchase” activities for the couple to enjoy on their honeymoon, help the couple pay for airfare, romantic dinners, or spa treatments, or give just a simple dollar amount to be used towards the couple’s honeymoon. You can personalize your registry any way you’d like, even having the option to donate a percentage or a fixed amount to a charity of your choice. Simply direct your guests to your honeyfund.com registry, and let the fun begin!

With a resource like Honeyfund.com, your dream honeymoon is just a few clicks away

When doing the research for this blog post, we visited many honeymoon registry websites and this was the only one that did not charge a fee. Some other honeymoon registry websites we did look at are :
www.travelersjoy.com – There are fees associated with this registry
www.honeymoonwishes.com – Again fees are associated with this registry
www.thebigday.com – Again fees- they do offer reduced fees if you book the travel with them.
www.honeyluna.com – Again fees…
wedding-bride-groom-kiss-beach

Pooches at Weddings?

All these unique trends are coming out for the upcoming year, but there is one that will always be a timeless unique one, your pooches at your wedding. What an awesome way to bring in your entire “family” in the wedding. It’s the perfect way to incorporate a ring bearer or flower girl, if you don’t have any young children in your family.

                                                                                   

You can even dress them up!! Put a cute little bow tie or even go as far as a dress! Not only will it look cute for pictures but it’s a way to have one less boutonnière (if you are working on a limited budget). Your guests at your wedding will love the thought incorporated with your dogs becoming members of the party. Just make sure your dogs have relieved themselves before they make the walk down the aisle, so there aren’t any surprises for the most special moment of your life.

Customizing your wedding affordably and in style!

Have you been wanting to customize your wedding with a few details you have seen on wedding blogs or websites?

Have you thought to yourself , I probably cannot afford to do those things?

Have you attempted to try and DIY the items and spent many hours surfing for how to videos or instructions to accomplish the misson?

How many trips to the arts and crafts stores to get the correct items to make it happen?

Well.. you are going to LOVE the new vendor we have located in Florida that her misson is to assist you with all of those customizing details you want to include at an affordable price…

Meet Lauren Atwaters from Ten23Designs

Lauren Atwaters

Lauren Atwaters of Ten23Designs

Here is a little about her company

Ten23 Designs specializes in custom & personalized decals & turning your ideas into works of art you can forever cherish. We also offer a line of personalized gifts & goodies such as wedding dress hangers, personalized tumblers, engraved jewelry, embroidery bags and more!

Lauren focus is on two main goals each time she welcomes a client to Ten23 Designs. One, give them what they want. Making custom and personalized designs can be a challenge at times, but my goal to “give them what they want” only challenges myself and my craft.  The second goal is to keep it affordable. Whether my client is decorating their home or adding personalized touches to an event, I put forth the effort to find the most cost effective way to decorate without cutting any corners. 

Lauren also does custom rubber stamps and we have one of our clients using hers this coming weekend for her wedding as a monogram for her paper goods, such as guestbag schedule, ceremony program and escort cards.. it will also be a keepsake that she can continue to use on Thank you cards and Christmas Cards thru their married Life…=)

Ten23designs customized rubber stamps

Ten23 Designs customized rubber stamps

www.ten23designs.com

www.ten23designs.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/ten23designs

www.twitter.com/ten23designs

 

Custom decals for all of your decorating desires

Personalize a wall with a monogram

Jazz up a blank wall with a fun design

Dress up a dance floor with your signature

Mark your territory with your name

 

If you can think it… Lauren can make it!

So who loves Lauren as much as we do?

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

What a great way to ask that special girl to be part of your wedding….. We found these cute gifts at www.favorideas.com   … What women does not love chocolate and it can be personalized in your wedding colors or your gals favorite colors…….  Click on the link below to read more about them….

Will You Be My Bridesmaid? Gourmet Chocolate Bridesmaid: $13.95.

Who Loves Organic Spas?

We came across a great place that is an organic salon and spa called Midori! Its located in Largo, Florida. They offer so many different services to their clients from hair, nails, massages, facials, and waxing. They offer certified organic products that are natural, non toxic paraben, and animal cruelty free! This is the perfect place for green brides! They are involved with green projects in the community. They offer great bridal packages in house and are able to come to your location to get you ready for your special day! Check this place out even if you arent getting married just for a relaxing day. For more information check out Midori Salon and Spa and tell them Special Moments sent you!

Photobooths at Weddings ? Yes Please!

For Wedding Professional Wednesday this week  I want to feature the coolest element you can add to your wedding and event- a PHOTOBOOTH!!

A lot of people never know what to do as favors for a wedding, because well candles and chocolates are so outdated, so what’s a better way to have your guests interact and have a take away from your wedding.

In our area, there are many  photobooth companies, but one that really stands out in my eye is Shutterbooth. Monique’s awesome customer service and her staff’s personality by far surpass anyone else’s we have ever worked with.

Not only can your guests go inside this retro chic photobooth, but they even have props to dress up with. Some of their packages even include a red carpet. How cool is that??

Now if that wasn’t enough, they can even design a custom logo for your event. The pictures are printed out within seconds, whether it be a film strip style or just a normal picture size. You can even choose color, sepia, or black and white.

So if you want to add some personality to your event, Shutterbooth is the way to go!!

shutterbooth guests having fun

Look at how much fun our couples have in the Shutterbooth

Check out their website to read more about Shutterbooth and what they have to offer.

www.shutterbooth.com

Here is a link to a video done by Voila Cinematic about Shutterbooth

http:/vimeo.com/8488497

What is your opinion ? Yes or No?

Why a Rehearsal Dinner?

What is it?

A rehearsal dinner is typically an informal meal after a wedding rehearsal, which takes place the night before the actual wedding. It’s a chance for the wedding party to get to know each other better, and most importantly, it’s a chance for the bride and groom to thank all the people who have helped them out with the wedding planning.

Do I have to have one?

You don’t have to have one, but there are very few reasons not to. You’re going to need to eat on that night anyway, why not eat with your loved ones?

Who pays?

Traditionally the groom’s parents pay but nowadays you’ll often see couples include the cost in their overall wedding planning budget. Another scenario is for both parents to host it together.

Who plans it?

It is traditionally the realm of the groom’s mother. Check in with your mother-in-law and see if she is willing and able to do so. If she wants to, it’s a good idea to let her – it gives her a role in the wedding and even if the rehearsal dinner is completely different from your taste, guests will presume that you didn’t plan it.

What happens at a rehearsal dinner?

Along with eating, of course, the bride and groom offer up thanks and toast their families and the wedding party. There are often many other informal toasts. Sometimes this toasting becomes a roasting of the bride and groom – but it’s all in good fun.

Best Man Speech at Rehearsal Dinner

Best Man Speech at Rehearsal Dinner

You may also plan ice-breaking games or other activities including poker, pool, darts, a short funny home-movie, or backyard games. If you’re not having a bridesmaid’s luncheon, this is also an appropriate time to give bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts. Groomsman Gifts- Source Andre Charland on Flickr

How do I invite my guests?

Typically, printed invitations are sent a few days after you send the wedding invitation. These don’t need to be elegant and expensive – the easiest thing to do is to get the templates to print on your home computer. Rehearsal Invite- Source Wedding Paper divasDo I have to invite out-of-town guests?

Once upon a time, a rehearsal dinner was only for the wedding party and the immediate family of the bride and groom. Now, wedding magazines will tell you that you have to invite all of the out-of-town guests. Here’s my opinion: it is a nice gesture, so that you don’t leave them at loose ends in a strange town the night before the wedding. However, if you don’t invite them, you can include a list of restaurants or things to do in the area on your wedding website. Also, you can hold the rehearsal dinner on the early side, and then include a note in your invitations saying “If you’re in town the night before the wedding, we’d love to see you! We’ll be at the East Side Pub after 9 pm – please join us if you can make it.” A nice touch is to get the bar to provide pub snacks and appetizers to your guests, which will still be less expensive than providing them dinner.

What if I can’t afford a rehearsal dinner?

First, reexamine your expectations – it doesn’t have to be some grand formal thing at a restaurant or catering hall. Some of the best rehearsal dinners I’ve seen are relaxed backyard barbecues which allow people to really get to know each other. Set up a volleyball net or get a game of touch football going. It can even be a potluck. But do have one – it’s your opportunity to thank all the people who made your wedding day possible.

Backyard BBQ - Source The Man Registry

What are your ideas for a great rehearsal dinner?

Blue and Purple Enchanted Garden Wedding

We got to help with a beautiful wedding at the Davis Island Garden Club on December 30, 2011. Silver lanterns decorated the tables with pops of purple and blue. The flowers were stunning purple, blue, and white from Debbie with The Bride’s Bouquet. The guests enjoyed a delicious catered meal by Delectables. The best part was instead of a traditional wedding cake the couple chose to have banana’s foster and cherry jubilee. The party was non stop with fabulous music from Ward with Grant Hemond.

 

With Andy Martin Photography every moment was captured with stunning photos of the night. The night was a great success and we would like to congratulate and thank Jillian and Colin for letting Special Moments help create their special moment!

Planning a Green Wedding??

If your planning a green wedding and need some tips, Special Moments can help! We have partnered up with Green Bride Guide and are able to share the best kept secrets of having a green wedding. We even offer a registry to buy green items from or just register for your wedding. Click here on Green Bride Guide and you will be able to shop through all of the latest and greatest Green items that are stylish and sustainable for your wedding. Also on the website they have a section to learn about how to make your wedding green, and tips on planning so every detail will be accounted for. Its a great tool to use! If you would like more information about the Green Bride Guide Registry just contact us on our blog, Facebook Fan Page, or visit our website http://eventsbyspecialmoments.com/….we would be glad to assist you and have more information to mail out if needed!


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