The economy is sluggish. We’re all aware of that fact. But there might not be any who are more aware of the tight budget restrictions than those who are looking to plan wedding receptions. One way in which people attempt to cut costs on upcoming wedding receptions are DIY projects. Doing it yourself can save a lot of money in a lot of areas, but you have to be careful. You’ve got to do it yourself WELL or it’s just not worth the hassle, the time or the money.

This list of quick and easy DIY ideas can make a difference to the look and the cost of wedding receptions:

1. Tackle the centerpieces. They can be a big expense, but they can also be completed quite simply with an elegant result. And there are many DIY ideas that can be taken on by even the most novice of crafters/DIYers.

Start with a simple bowl and a Styrofoam ball. Place the ball in the bowl. Now place nice, silk flowers evenly and throughout the Styrofoam ball. Throw in some longer greenery randomly to give the arrangement a whimsical look. Another option is to gather glass vases of varying sizes and fill them with different types of candy that comes in the colors used at the wedding receptions. Another option is unique to each reception. You could put together a centerpiece that is directly related to the bride and/or groom. One such arrangement we’ve seen consisted of antique vases (a variety, of course) filled with fresh flowers.

2. Favors at wedding receptions can be a big deal…and a big expense. Cut back on the traditional expense they create with a few simple DIY projects: matchboxes, seed packets or CDs.

CD compilations can reflect the taste of the bride and groom. They can be a copy of the music played during the event. They can be meaningful songs to the bride and groom, etc. Matchboxes can be personalized to actually be a record of the event with date, time, venue name, etc. Seed packets are always a classic favor for wedding receptions. They are usable and they’re a great gift.

3. The Guest Book has been eschewed by many. It is sometimes seen as optional. But it is a traditional part of wedding receptions. It’s also usually pretty expensive.

A clever option when it comes to guest book DIY is the matted photo. The matte of the enlarged photo serves as the “guest book” as guests enter and exit they can sign on the matte. The best display option is a large easel. And in most cases the best option for the photo is to enlarge the engagement photo. After the wedding this photo with matte can be framed and used as the couple’s very first family photograph.

DIY projects really lend themselves to wedding receptions because the wedding is such an individual, unique experience. DIY projects actually add something personal to the mix that can make the event stand out amongst the crowd and solidify the day in the minds of the bridal party and the guests as a day to remember. And that’s in addition to the fact that it takes the costs down drastically!

By Rachel Hansen. For more tips on wedding venues, events and wedding planning visit Villa Sienna.

Planning your wedding? Brides and grooms who are planning their upcoming wedding tend to have questions. Sometimes all the questions you need answered come to you at the beginning of this process. However, many times the further along you are in the process of planning your wedding you realize you have more and more questions. That is okay, here are some answers to common questions.

When should the guest list be completed by? The guest list should be done immediately. One of the reasons the guest list is so important is because you really need to know the number of potential guests before making other big decisions. For instance to choose the correct venues for your ceremony and reception you need a maximum head count. It is also important that if you are either having an engagement party or sending out engagement announcements to only invite or send announcements to those who will be invited to the wedding.

When should we reserve the reception and ceremony locations? Again, this is something that should be done right away. The ceremony and reception site can help determine the type or wedding or the feel of the wedding. Because of this it is important to do this rather early in the planning process so you can build your dream wedding around the locations that it is being held.

Should I consider a themed wedding? Of course that answer is entirely up to you. But here are a few things to keep in mind. Themed weddings are becoming more popular in modern weddings; they are seen as a way to make your wedding more unique. Themes can be elaborate, touching every aspect of the wedding, or they can be played down a bit. Having a theme can be as simple as choosing something to emphasize, for instance a beach theme, and using items to match that theme in decorations, favors or the wedding stationery.

When should the wedding cake be ordered? The wedding cake should be ordered at least two to four months before your big day. If you have more time than that there is nothing stopping you from participating in cake taste tests now. You will also want to check out portfolios of different bakeries so you ensure you are hiring a great cake designer.

When should we order the stationery? It is a good idea to order the wedding invitations and other stationery four to six months ahead of time. However, you might want to look into this a bit earlier if you are planning on ordering handmade invitations or specially designed invitations.

When does the florist need to be booked? The florist is another vendor which should be chosen and hired as soon as possible. I recommend at least 6 months prior to the wedding. This is especially true if you are getting married in wedding season as there will be many wedding parties that need the services of the florists, as well as any other services they may provide.

When should I purchase wedding favors? At least four months prior to the wedding. Make sure you do not order them before you are sure of your wedding theme (if you are having one) or the wedding colors. The favors are one of the areas in which you will have a wonderful opportunity to showcase your theme or colors.

Pamela Kazmierczak is an expert in the wedding industry. She enjoys writing articles to help brides plan their perfect wedding. Check out her website Wedding Ideas today for more ideas and planning help. Or get answers to your specific Wedding Questions today!

categories: wedding,marriage,relationships,woman,society,love,dating,shopping,flowers,favors,ceremony,reception,wedding cake,invitations

Do you know those little figures that are on the top of the wedding cake? What are they called? For those of us who refer to them as “figures”, there is a more formal name. They are called wedding cake toppers, and the wonderful world of the special wedding cake toppers was started off by the more traditional. In this article we will explore their world. Here are four particular designs that we like a lot:

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Pick #1) One of our favorites, the “Contentment” Calla Lily Porcelain Cake Topper is very traditional. It depicts the bride and groom on the “big day”, and the love that the couple has for each other is clearly depicted by the bride’s hand upon the groom’s face. Note the groom as he holds his new bride’s waist. The bride is elegantly dressed in a strapless wedding gown, and the groom is handsomely dressed in tux and tails. Complimenting the design is a handmade bouquet of calla lillies. The specifications of this traditional piece are:

a) Dimensions: 7″ x 3″

b) Wonderful hand-painted piece.

c) Handcrafted. Made out of fine porcelain.

d) Weight: 0.75 lbs.

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#2) The “Ebony Enchantment” Porcelain African-American Cake Topper shows a beautiful princess who has found her Prince Charming. This enchanting African-American cake topper will make a lovely addition to any wedding cake. The bride is dressed in a flowing white gown, with “off-the-shoulder” ruffles, lace trim, and a flowing veil. The flower additions of a beautiful pink bouquet, and roses in her hair, add a splash of color. Complementing the bride, the groom is wearing a black tuxedo and bow-tie with a pink boutonniere. This fairy-tale couple is the perfect complement to a wedding cake. The features and facts are:

a) Overall Dimensions: 6 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

b) Beautifully hand-painted.

c) Handcrafted porcelain.

d) Weighs in at 0.55 lbs.

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Pick #3) The “First Kiss” Traditional Wedding Cake Topper depicts the new couple sharing their first kiss as husband and wife. Just looking at this piece will have you dancing on a cloud!!! The couple’s slim bodies are positioned in a graceful embrace. You can see their hand and lips, but their hearts too are connecting with the incredible beauty and joy of the moment. Soon they will be partying like mad, greeting their family and loved ones, and dancing the night away. The bride is beautifully adorned in a stylish white strapless wedding gown and shoulder-length veil. The groom is decked out in a black tuxedo. Sure to be a highlight on any wedding cake, it reflects the contemporary spirit of a new couple starting out.

Additional specifications are:

a) Made from poli-resin.

b) Measuring in at 6″ tall.

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Pick #4) The “Sweet Embrace” African-American Cake Topper is a wonderful piece. It depicts a happy African-American bride and groom sharing their first kiss together as bride and groom. Soon they will be greeting their family and friends, and dancing the night away! The bride is beautifully dressed in a stylish white strapless wedding gown and shoulder-length veil. The groom is handsomely suited in traditional attire…a dapper black tuxedo. Both bride and groom exude the modern contemporary spirit of a happy couple, starting out on the journey of a new life together. Here are some more specifications and details:

a) The material is poly-resin. The design is contemporary.

b) This topper measures 6″ tall.

We hope that this little tour of the traditional wedding cake topper has both informed and inspired you. If you would like more information on this, and other special wedding cake toppers , please visit us on our blog.

Want to find out more about Traditional Wedding Cake Toppers, then visit Sue Toliver’s site on how to choose the best wedding cake toppers for your needs.

categories: special wedding cake toppers, cake topper, wedding, ceremony, bride, groom, husband