Bride By Your Side

Post Secret- Wedding Style

2012-09-16T18:41:00.003+04:00

Hello everyone!

It's been absolutely FOREVER since I've posted! It's because... I've been busy actually PLANNING the wedding rather than talking about it!

Enjoy these wedding secrets...

Goal: To Have a Unique Wedding Ceremony

2012-05-31T14:58:00.002+04:00

I can finally say that we’ve booked our officiant! This was no easy feat as we were looking for something very specific! i.e. 1) not affiliated with any religious group, 2) willing to customize the ceremony however we wanted, 3) have a voice that could grab the attention of everyone in the room, 4) have positive reviews on weddingwire.com, 5) be affiliated with a company that provides a back-up in case of emergency, 6) have a system to help obtain the marriage license (since the fiancé and I live on the other side of the world).

We (I) finally decided on Oscar Limonta from Sensational Ceremonies. Maybe it’s weird to be so picky about the officiant…. Actually, no! It’s not! He’s going to be leading the whole ceremony! Anyway, he has a super deep voice and a thick Spanish accent. Love it. Adds to our Global/International theme. My bridal party is going to look like a Benneton ad, so he will fit right in.

Now onto the ceremony “script”. My aim is to personalize the ceremony as much as possible. The key is to find ways for our ceremony to be unique without being corny/ridiculous/cheesy. Ideas so far…

Parent Vows
The officiant will say something to the parents of the bride and groom to show that they approve of and support the marriage. Something like.. “Do you, as mother and father of the bride/groom, approve of and support this marriage? Do you promise to encourage your daughter/son to the best husband/wife that he/she can be? And finally, do you accept bride’s name/groom’s name into your family and intent to honor her/him as such?” to which the parents would reply “we do” each time.

Best Man/ Maid of Honor Vows
The officiant will say something to both the best man and maid of honor along the lines of “Do you, as the closest confidant of bride’s name/groom’s name promise to remember the commitment that (bride’s name) and (groom’s name) have made to one another today, and to remind them of their love and respect for one another should they fall into hard times?” to which they would reply “we do”.

Ring Warming
The ring bearer passes around rings to all the guest (from the beginning of the ceremony) or select row of guests, to say a silent prayer for the couple, or to pass good energy onto the rings.

Song
My sister will play a song on the guitar and sing

Poetry Readings
One English poem and one Arabic poem will be read at our ceremony

Signing of the Marriage Contract
In front of all the guests, the bride and groom will sign the marriage contract, along with two witnesses and the officiant. This is the actual part where you are considered married, so I don’t understand why it’s never included in the ceremony! We are definitely doing this..

The reason I’d like to incorporate the above into our ceremony is because it gives the opportunity to include so many important people into our ceremony. Our parents, best friends and guests will be an active part of our union, and in addition they will see us actually be married. Now how to figure out how to keep the ceremony under 30 minutes long… hmm..

I'm also considering a sand ceremony, using sand from both Florida and Dubai (since the fiancé and I grew up in different places), but I can’t decide if it’s cheesy or not. I mean… sand.. ? What are we? Sun worshipers?

Another way to make the ceremony unique and different is to set it up in a way that is un-expected. Check out these non-typical ceremony set-ups...

A much more intimate set-up than your typical aisle

Perfect set-up for a Ring Warming Ceremony

This one is great because its circular but also allows the bridal party to stand.

One last way to make your ceremony stand out could be to have it at the end of the night, rather than the beginning. Or it could even be.. cocktail hour, ceremony, reception. That almost makes more sense than to have the cocktail hour and reception right next to one another. It would also be helpful in mine and my fiance's case because then we could ensure that everyone will be on time for the ceremony!

Save the Dates from Moo.com

2012-02-23T15:30:00.000+04:00

The save the dates are done and in the mail! Finally! This was such a stressful item for me because we have friends and family coming from all over the world who will all need to request vacation days, book flights, hotels, and get US Visas (which can take 6 months or more)—so it was very important that I get this done ASAP!

My friend and co-worker, Reem, designed my post-card inspired save-the-dates for me. She incorporated the blush and gold color scheme that I wanted, and understood me exactly when I said that I wanted it to be simple and pretty! I love, love, love the finished product..

After Reem finished the design, I uploaded it to moo.com and ordered 60 postcards (lesson learned—60 is NOT ENOUGH). I was hesitant to order them online, but I’m so glad I did! The paper is super thick and great quality and the color is exactly what I wanted. We wrote the addresses in gold pen to bring in the metallic gold color.

Item: 60 postcards

Cost: Approx $50.00

Review: Moo.com is GREAT! They offer printing for post cards, stickers, labels, business cards, etc.

*Remember, before buying ANYTHING online, always check to see if there is a coupon! I saved 20% by looking online for literally 30 seconds!

Lake Mary Events Center in Lake Mary, Florida

2012-02-23T14:43:00.002+04:00

It's been ages and ages since I've updated! Who would have guessed that planning a wedding and getting a new job would mean that there was no time for blogging! I've finally nailed down a venue... the Lake Mary Events Center in Lake Mary, Florida. I chose this place for several reasons.

1) It has a lawn on a lake, an indoor rotunda with lake view, indoor ballroom with lake view and hello, did I mention its on the lake?
2) LMEC lets you choose from several caterers so it works within every budget
3) The color palette is very neutral which allows for a lot of flexibility with themes/color schemes.
4) It's a city run/owned location so it's much less pricey than venues of the same caliber.

Check out this Black & White Wedding at LMEC and this Pale Blue Wedding that was featured on Style Me Pretty. A friend of a friend also got married at LMEC, check out her fun Purple & Green affair. I know I said I was changing my color scheme, but we're back to Blush & Gold now for sure! I'm just so happy I've finally booked our venue!

Plum and Gold Inspiration Board

2011-12-11T17:31:00.002+04:00

I almost can't believe I'm saying this... but I'm changing my color scheme! As much as I love and adore my Blush and Gold theme, Plum and Gold suits the venue I'm looking at more. Take a look at the inspiration board I've put together.

List of Wedding Stationary Needs

2011-11-21T14:34:00.000+04:00

Like most DIY brides, I am attempting to cut down wedding costs by tackling what would otherwise be a big ticket item. Fortunatley, I work in an advertising/marketing company that is stock full of graphic designers. I haven't figured out the logistics of how I will get all my stationary needs printed, but when I do, you all will be the first to know! My first hurdle in doing all my stationary DIY was simply knowing what all I would need. Afterall, if you're design obsessed, you want to have some sort of continuity within your stationary, so it's good to know in advanced everything you'll end up needing for the Big Day and the week/month prior. You don't want to end up with menus that look completely different than your invitation, thank you card, etc. I did some research and found this wonderful article written by Sarah Prye. It really helped me to come up with my list of stationary needs.

Wedding Stationery Checklist
By Sarah Prye

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming if you're just starting out and are unfamiliar with this territory. There are things to do before, during, and even after the wedding, so where do you start? Listed below is a brief overview of each piece of stationery that a bride or couple might need for their big day. This is one of the most important experiences of a couple's life, so get involved and really enjoy it. Stick with traditions or throw them to the side; the main thing is to have fun, be creative, and really put your personality into it!
Before the Wedding
Engagement Announcements/Party InvitationsHosting an engagement party is a great way to announce the big news to your friends and family and include them in your celebration. Engagement party invitations can take on a style of their own and do not need to reflect the colors or theme of a couple's upcoming wedding, as most couples will not know these details at this early point in time. When considering the wording of the invitation for your engagement party, it is nice to include some of the actual engagement details (be creative!), then lead into the party specifics. Be sure to include all of the information that pertains to the event itself, such as the date, time, place, city, state, and attire request, if any. If you have had your engagement photos taken, it is nice to include one of these with the invitation or announcement. Be sure to only invite those guests who you plan to invite to the wedding.
Save the Date CardsA "Save the Date" is a card that is mailed to and informs your guests ahead of time of your chosen wedding date. This also signifies to the guest(s) that they are invited to attend your event and should "save the date". This allows for your guests to make preparations in advance so that they are able to attend your event. Generally, this information is mailed out 6-12 months prior to the wedding and is in the form of a card, but Save the Dates can also be in a more creative form of a magnetic keepsake, which guests can remove and hang on display until the formal invitations arrive months later. If the bride and groom have their invitation colors or theme chosen already, it is a nice touch to have the Save the Dates coordinate with those colors or theme. This is a hint of what is to come when the formal invitation is mailed. The amount of information that is included with a couple's Save the Date is dependent on how much they know at that point. Sometimes they send only the basics involved with the upcoming wedding, such as the date, the location, city and state. For destination weddings where the guests will be traveling a far distance, it is recommended that the couple send as much information as possible to allow the guests to make their travel arrangements ahead of time. This information could include, but is not limited to, travel, accommodations, activities, times, events, and more. Formal wedding invitations are then mailed 6-10 weeks before the wedding, which gives all of the information pertinent to the big day.
Bridal Shower InvitationsBridal shower invitations generally hint at the shower's theme or colors and include all of the information pertaining to the party, such as date, time, place, and location. Hosts may also include small "memories" or "wishes" cards, which can then be presented to the bride as a collective gift from the group.
Bachelorette (Bachelor) Party InvitationsBachelorette parties are tons of fun and usually have some sort of a theme to them. Carry this theme through to your invitations and get creatively funky with the designs! Invitations can be wild, vivid colors and should be a wonderfully fun keepsake for the bride (or groom) and her/his closest friends. These would contain all of the information that is needed for the actual bachelorette/bachelor party (date, time, place, etc.), plus any additional information needed for the party goers (travel, accommodations, instructions, etc.) This is (usually) a once in a lifetime experience, so go all out!

Bridesmaids' / Groomsmen's Day InvitationsThe bridal party is generally an intimate group of your closest friends or family and an important part of your big day. A nice way to show your appreciation for their love and support is to host a special luncheon or outing for them. This could be anything from a girl's day at the spa to a boy's day on the golf course. Invitations can be colored and themed to match the special event and should include all of the information needed for that day (date, time, place, attire, etc.)
Bride's Thank You Cards / Personal StationeryDuring the months leading up to a wedding, there are ample opportunities for a bride to send out personal thank you cards. This might be in response to bridal shower gifts or even just a helpful friend. This is generally the last set of stationery that a bride will use with her maiden name, so this set of cards should be designed to be as fun and elaborate as she wishes.
For the Wedding
Wedding Invitation Set
The wedding invitation is a card or set of cards that formally invites a person, couple, or family to a wedding. They are typically mailed out 6-10 weeks prior to the event date. Wedding invitations can be as simple as one invitation sent in a hand-addressed envelope or as detailed as a set of embellished matching cards sent out in a presentation box. The level of formality and detail really all depends on the couple's event, style, taste, and budget.
• Invitation: This card is the formal portion of the set and informs the guests of the details pertaining to the ceremony itself. Couples generally choose wording that flows well with their distinct personalities, the level of formality of their event, or the event's theme. This wording will let the guests know who is hosting the event, the names of the bride and groom, plus the details of the ceremony (date, year, time, venue, city, and state). If the reception is held in the same venue, a line is usually printed at the bottom of the invitation that states "Reception to immediately follow" or something similar.
• Reception Card: A reception card is generally used if the wedding reception does not immediately follow the ceremony or if the guests will need to travel to a different location. The card will list the address of the new location, the time that the event begins, and any details about the reception itself (cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, etc.)
• Wedding Website Card: A wedding website card notifies the guests of a couple's wedding website. These are very popular for destination weddings, as it allows the couple to post their detailed and current travel and accommodations information on the website. Guests can then easily access their webpage to find everything in one place. Guests can also visit the wedding website after the event has passed to view any wedding photos that the couple posts following their big day.
• Weekend Events Insert: This card lets the guests know if there are other activities planned prior to or following the wedding ceremony and reception. This could include such events as a Welcome Party, a Golf Outing, a Wedding Day Luncheon, a Late Night Barbeque, or a Goodbye Brunch. Generally, the specifics of each event are listed with it so that your guests can plan their travels accordingly.
• Travel Information Insert: This insert contains any pertinent travel information for the guests, including directions to a hotel, from an airport, or to a reception venue.
• Accommodations Insert: This insert informs the guests of the couple's hotel and lodging recommendations. This is a great way to notify and instruct the guests on any type of room blocks or discounts that are reserved with a specific hotel.
• Map Insert: Maps sometimes accompany a directional insert and are helpful for guests that are unfamiliar with an area. This provides even more detail about the wedding and reception location and could also include the locations for other venues being used for weekend activities.
• Response Card (with envelope): This card is used to gather information from your guests. The amount and type of information that a couple gathers is up to them and could be as simple as just asking whether the guests are attending or not. Couples that are hosting a large wedding or an entire weekend of activities prior to and following the wedding might want to make their planning easier by asking for more information, such as: the number attending, a choice of entrée, what day the guests are arriving, where they are staying, whether they will attend any of the extra activities that are planned, etc. These details are quite helpful when finalizing plans with caterers and vendors. A response date is determined by the couple; this date guides the guests and informs them by when to reply. Inevitably, there will be some who do not send it back on time. Generally, a quick phone call will solve this problem.
Rehearsal Dinner/Welcome Party InvitationsRehearsal dinner or welcome party invitations can either match the style of the wedding, or they can take on a look of their own, so as not to upstage the wedding invitations. If an event is being held at a themed restaurant such as Italian, Moroccan, or Greek, the invitations can reflect that theme with colors and style. All information pertaining to the event itself should be included, such as date, time, place, and location. It is also helpful to include directional information for your guests in case they are not familiar with the area. These invitations are generally mailed out after the wedding invitations and 3-4 weeks prior to the wedding.
Ceremonial Wedding ProgramsA wedding program is a wonderful way of including and informing your guests of your order of ceremony, plus it provides them with a beautiful and memorable keepsake from your big day. These can range from very simple to very elaborate with the amount of information that is included. The purpose of a program is to let the guests know the exact order of the ceremony, but it can also acknowledge those friends and family that are particularly special to the couple. The basic information includes the couple's names, wedding date, ceremony location, and order of events. Additional information that could be added to make the program even more memorable could be: the names, relationships, and bios of the bridal party, special quotes or poems, family history, name of the officiant, directions to the reception, a thank you to the guests, "in memory of" tributes to loved ones who have passed, and a thank you to the hosts of the wedding.
Reception MenusA reception menu is generally placed at the plate of each guest in attendance and informs them of the details of the meal they are about to enjoy. These can be as simple or as elaborate as the couple would like. Adding details to the names of the dishes not only gives your guests something to read and discuss with the other people while waiting, but also adds to their lovely set of keepsakes from your wedding.
Wedding FavorsReception favors are a perfect way to show your appreciation for your guests' attendance to your ceremony or reception. These can be anything from handmade trinkets to homemade candies and cookies... the possibilities are endless!
Escort CardsAn escort card escorts your guests to their designated table. These are generally placed somewhere near the main entrance to your reception room. Guests look for their names, pick up their card, and take it to their table. These are a wonderful way with which to carry on your wedding theme, as they can be styled and decorated to match the rest of your wedding stationery. Escort cards can also be combined with the wedding favors so that they serve two purposes!
Place CardsPlace cards are placed at the seat of each guest and inform him or her where to sit. Place cards are also a great way to signify to the servers the guest's choice of entrée. This can be done subtly with varying colors, embellishments, or symbols. These cards can also be combined with the wedding favors, so guests would not only know where to sit, they would also have a small gift waiting for them with their name on it!
Table CardsA table card is used to identify the table to your guests, so that when they pick up their escort card, they can immediately recognize a table card that matches it. Traditionally, tables are numbered, but couples can also be more creative with their naming system by using flowers, sea shells, places traveled, pet names, and more.
Wedding Guestbook/ScrapbookA wedding guestbook gives guests an area in which to leave their best wishes and congratulations. These books can range from basic sign-in books to elaborate wedding scrapbooks, which hold not only the guests creativity, but also candid wedding photos, keepsakes, and wedding memorabilia. When all is said and done, this is one of the most treasured keepsakes a bride and groom will have in their collection.
After the Wedding
Thank You CardsThank you cards are the perfect way to let your guests know that you appreciated their attendance to your wedding and any gifts that you may have received from them. This is also the couple's first stationery that includes their newly shared last name. When designed to match the rest of the wedding stationery, these are a wonderful way to finish out your guest's collection of keepsakes from your wedding. Combined with their save the date, formal invitation, program, menu, and wedding favor, the personalized collection is a gift in itself!
Wedding AnnouncementsWedding announcements are generally needed for couples who hosted a small and intimate wedding and were not able to invite all of their family and friends. Announcements are only mailed to family and friends who were not invited to the wedding. These announcements inform people of the couple's recent marriage and they are generally sent out the same day as the ceremony or the following mailing day (if married on a Sunday). Wedding announcements should include the day, month, and year on which the ceremony took place and also the name of the city and state.
Personal StationeryAfter the wedding is over, personal stationery for the married couple is a nice gift, either ordered by the bride and groom for themselves, or given as a gift from a loved one. This stationery generally does not match the couple's wedding theme and takes on a style that represents the newly married couple and their new life together.

Link: http://www.prye.com/view/wedding_stationery_checklist.html

After seeing how massive this list is, I realized how great an idea it was to start this process an entire year (or more) in advanced. The trap that most DIY-brides fall into is that they take on too much, and try to do it in too short a time frame. If you're planning on doing all your stationary on your own, start early and organize everything before you begin. Check in later for how I'm planning on getting all of this stationary printed in a cost-effective manner.

Happy planning ladies!

BrideByYourSide Joins the Twitter Family

2011-11-01T13:41:00.001+04:00

You know what they say, if you haven't gone social.. well, do it! Follow us on twitter @BrideByYourSide and recieve sweet little tips on how to plan the wedding of your dreams!

How to Hire a Wedding Planner

2011-09-27T14:44:00.001+04:00

Step 1: Visit Wedding Wire and enter in your location, where you will be provided with a list of planners in your area

Step 2: Read ALL their ratings. What I like to do is choose the option to list them in order of worst to best rating, that way I can see any red flags from the get-go.

Step 3: Send information requests to your top three choices.

Step 4: Meet with them in person, (or if that is not an option, like it wasn’t with myself, then have a skype meeting)

Here are some suggested questions from TheKnot.com…

1. Will the consultant commit to your budget and not push you in the direction of things you simply can't afford?

2. Will the consultant devise a master plan mapping out all the little details, from announcement to zebra-striped decor? (This will clue you in to organizational prowess and a willingness to keep you in the loop on every matter imaginable.)

3. Can the consultant name the best and most original locations in your area (that would be suitable to your wedding size, style, and budget)?

The consultant should have plenty of questions for you too, in an effort to determine your wishes, needs, level of maintenance, budget, scope of imagination, and more.

4. Is the consultant familiar with the best florists, photographers, caterers, bands, and DJs in your price range? Can he/she explain their strong points to you briefly? (Ask yourself: Does the consultant seem both knowledgeable and passionate?)

5. Can the consultant score you some discounts with any vendors? (Consultants bring volume to favored vendors; often they'll reciprocate by slashing prices or throwing in extras.)

6. Will the consultant read over the vendor contracts for you? What are some common traps to look out for?

7. Can the consultant create a timeline that tells everyone involved in the planning process -- vendors, members of the wedding party, bride/groom, and families -- what to do and when to do it? How will she/he make sure that everyone sticks to the schedule?

8. Will the consultant handle the invitations, from wording and ordering to the addressing and mailing?

9. Can the consultant counsel you on etiquette matters and alert you to hot trends on the wedding horizon?

10. Will the consultant coordinate delivery, arrival, and setup times with photographer, florist, musicians, caterer/banquet manager, et al?

11. For the day of the wedding, will the consultant be willing to oversee the entire event by supervising vendors, troubleshooting emergencies, and soothing nerves? Can she/he share any anecdotes that required performing above and beyond the call of duty?

12. Will the consultant be willing to step in as your advocate, conveying your visions and desires to vendors when you don't feel up to the task?

13. Will the consultant help plan and book your honeymoon?

Step 5: Get price estimates/quotes from them and a detailed list of the services they offer

Step 6: Hire him/her & start planning!

Eloping in NYC

2011-09-27T13:59:00.001+04:00

Hello everyone! It’s been quite some time since my last post, so here is a quick update… I spent the summer in NYC with my fiancé and enjoyed it so much that my dream of a sunny Florida wedding began to fade into an NYC elopement. (We did not elope, and we are still getting married in FL) But if you too are in love with the Big Apple, then please please please can I live vicariously through you and have a wedding like one of these…

If you’re thinking about getting married in New York City, there are inspiration at your disposal. Just check out this ADORABLE NYC Elopement from Bklyn Bride Online…

http://bklynbrideonline.com/11552/wedding-photos/real-elopement-danielle-gregor/

I also found this link on the Top Ten Reasons to Elope in NYC! Love it!

http://slobodaweddings.blogspot.com/2009/08/top-ten-reasons-to-elope-in-new-york.html

Now that I’m back in Dubai and the summer is officially over, (sigh) it’s time to get down to planning my wedding, for real! This past week I’ve been using Wedding Wire to find an Orlando-based planner to hire. Check back in for more on “How to Find a Wedding Planner”.

Chocolate Wedding Cakes

2011-08-11T09:35:00.000+04:00

One of my very dear friends has recently (possibly accidentally) offered to make my wedding cake for me. I have an enormous amount of faith in her culinary taste, so I would be delighted if she would make my cake, but regardless of the maker, my cake will be CHOCOLATE. I'm a chocolate girl, every-time, hands down. So what else would it be? Okay... maybe the top tier could be banana-chocolate?

Wedding Movies

2011-08-11T09:22:00.001+04:00

A movie night is fun and easily way to spoil a friend who is about to get married. If you're not one for a wild night out before your big day, a "Last Night Single Sleepover" is a great way to spend some quality time with the girls before getting hitched! Just grab some snacks, face masks, pj's and all the wedding-related movies you can get your hands on. This movie (Bridesaids) was SO funny. I saw it with my cousin a few weeks ago and we both laughed so hard we were in tears. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has wedding fever.Here are some other wedding themed flicks...

1. Wedding Crashers
2. Father of the Bride
3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
4. Monsoon Wedding
5. The Wedding Planner (2001)
6. Monster-in-Law
7. The Wedding Singer (1998)
8. My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
9. Runaway Bride (1999)
10. Sweet Home Alabama
11. 27 Dresses
12. Bride Wars
13. License to Wed
14. The Wedding Date
15. Jumping the Broom (2011)
16. Rachel Getting Married
17. The Hangover (2009)
18. The Hangover Part II (2011)
19. Bridesmaids
20. Made of Honor
21. Four Weddings and a Funeral
22. It Had to be You (1947)
23. American Wedding (2003)
24. I Love You Man
25. Our Family Wedding (2010)

The Kate Effect: Finally, Dresses With Straps

2011-08-02T02:44:00.000+04:00

Before I begin, let me first say that I have nothing against strapless gowns. I think they're beautiful and the brides who wear them usually look fantastic on their special day. However, I personally am hoping to find a gown with ornate sleeves or straps of some kind. It seems to me that our generation has developed a uniform for weddings and it goes something like this; white, strapless, pouffy. Recently, however, (possibly due to a certain Princess) gowns with sleeves are becoming more popular. Check out these gorgeous gowns that have a little something special up top.

The two above are Reem Acra gowns and just scream royalty inspired. And with the price tag, I think royalty may be the only ones able to afford them! Monique Lhullier made the two gowns below. And of course, they too have a hefty price tag.

For a more affordable approach to the non-strapless look, check out these dresses by Nicole Miller.

Real Florida Wedding: Julia & Raul

2011-07-05T14:08:00.001+04:00

This is our first "Real Wedding" entry on BrideByYourSide and I am so honored that it be my friend Julia's beautiful Florida wedding. My favorite thing about Julia & Raul's big day is that the most obvious element is their love and the company of friends and family. Their wedding is proof that celebrating a marriage doesn't have to (and shouldn't) put anyone in debt. It's also a perfect example of how to throw an incredible party on a budget.

I love this picture of Julia and Raul right after they said their vows. THIS is what a wedding is all about people.

Weddings Specs:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Elks Lounge in Winter Park, Florida

Bride & Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Angelo

Flowers: BridalSilkFlowers on Ebay

Photographer: Family

DJ: Family friend

Cake & Catering: The Elks Lounge

Guest Count: 110 people

Budget: $5,000.00

Advice from the Bride:

"Whether you hire a wedding planner or just really utilize the maid of honor, don't try to do everything alone. ESPECIALLY when you are try to save some money and doing a lot of DIY things. Centerpieces and favors for may not seem like a lot when you plan them out, but after hand addressing each invitation and keeping track of RSVP's, things get overwhelming and time consuming FAST! Use everyone you can to make things easier, even if you just give everyone in the bridal party one job that you just have to check at the end, it will help.

Think of venues that aren't popular, the art center or garden yard at local hotels or parks may not be the thriftiest options. If you are planning a wedding indoors, do not pay as much attention to the outside of the building. The pictures and the memories are all indoors, therefore paying attention to the uneven paint of the building's exterior will drive you crazy and force you to use a location that may be hundreds of dollars more expensive. Think about using clubs that a family member or a friend is a member at, this is almost always the cheapest route.

My last piece of advice is for those who are trying to plan a wedding on a budget. This is not the time to try to impress your new in-laws. I was married less than two years ago and I can tell you I do not remember one brand of alcohol at the bar or a single thing that was on the menu other than meatballs (because that's the only thing I specifically requested). When you have choices like top-shelf or well liquors, go with the cheaper of the two. People will still drink vodka and soda wether it's brand name or not. The menu doesn't need to be steak and lobster to be fancy. You can serve grilled chicken with roasted potatoes and a steamed vegetable medley for one quarter the cost of the fancier options and everyone will still leave full, and I PROMISE YOU that no one is going to say, 'nice wedding, but I can't believe they didn't have steak'. I found pasta to be the cheapest and easiest route, and who doesn't love pasta?!

Most of all, enjoy the planning process, because the wedding came will come fast and seem to only last minutes. Most of the memories will be from planning process... trying one million cakes and five million dresses and making eighteen different centerpieces at your house before deciding to use premade ones. Enjoy it, be specific, and get what you want and your wedding day really will feel like a fairy tale!"

This entry is LONG overdue. Julia and Raul have just welcomed their first baby into the world, Xander Enrique. And he is adorable. Congratulations to both of you and thank you for being our first "Real Wedding" post on BrideByYourSide!

Paint Chip Escort Cards and Gold Elephant Holders

2011-05-30T22:52:00.000+04:00

If the title of this post had you saying "whhhhat?!", then bear with me for a few minutes. Keeping with the blush and gold theme, I've come up with a plan (inspired in part by oncewed) to use variations of blush colored paint swatches as escort cards! It's free and can be absolutely gorgeous if the calligraphy on them is nice. The writing on the swatches below is terrible, but think of how gorgeous they could be with nice script! Pairing them with gold elephant place card holders would be just lovely. I guess I will be making several trips to Home Depot and Lowes come wedding time. It will have to be a sneaky mission!

Cost:
- Gold Elephant Place Card Holders are approximately 200$ for 100 pieces
- Paint Swatches are free

Arabic Wedding Traditions

2011-05-29T16:08:00.001+04:00

I know it all when it comes to American Wedding Customs. I even know a lot about the way Europeans tie the knot, but I have very little experience when it comes to Middle Eastern Weddings. It's a bit shameful to admit, considering that my father and future husband are both Palestinian. So in honor of the two men in my life, I would like to learn all I can about Arab wedding customs.

My aim is to incorporate as many Middle Eastern traditions as possible, while still retaining the image of my wedding that I've had in my mind since I was a little girl.
Here are a few traditions that MW and I will be following...

1. The Enormous Engagement Party- It is customary in the Middle East that the Bride's family throw a huge engagement party for the couple. This party is very similar to the actual wedding, the difference being that the bride wears any dress she chooses. It is traditional to serve a rose-water drink called sharbat, like the one below.

Click here to check out Dina & Ahmed's Real Dubai Engagement Party

2. Katb el-Kitab (The Marriage Contract)- This is where the bride and groom are officially married in the eyes of God. It can be held in a Mosque, or in the Bride's home. It starts with a Sheikh/Imam saying a few words from the Quran. The groom then repeats the speech and and the father of the bride accepts. Two witnesses sign their names to the marriage contract, and the couple is now officially married. This can happen anytime before the wedding day.

3. Henna Party- This is the Arab version of a bachelorette party. All the women go to the bride's home and a henna artist comes to paint designs on the bride and her guests. There is always food, drinks and dancing. At my Henna Party I would love to invite a belly dancer to come and teach me and my girls some moves.

4. Zaffa (Wedding Entrance)- The bride and groom enter the wedding with a processional of dancers, drummers and/or arabic singers. Talk about a grand entrance!

5. Cutting the Cake with a Sword- I saw this for the first time at a wedding in Jordan when I was only three years old. I think it makes what is usually a boring part of the wedding a little more fun! Below is a photo of Queen Rania of Jordan cutting the cake with a sword on her wedding day.

"Blush Wedding Round Up" by Oncewed & Other Blush Inspiration

2011-05-18T01:25:00.002+04:00

I am absolutely sure now that the color scheme at my wedding will be blush & gold. This post on oncewed.com convinced me that I had made the right decision. So.. color scheme, check. Unfortunately MW and I still don't have a date, venue or budget. Luckily, the most important element (the hubster) is still around. ;)

Here are some blush & gold elements that got me inspired. Enjoy!

Wedding Secrets

2011-04-24T19:13:00.000+04:00

It's PostSecret Sunday again my dears! They're not very positive secrets, but as I like to say, any wedding news is good news.

How to Become a Budget-Savvy Bride (Tips 6-10)

2011-04-20T21:08:00.002+04:00

More tips for the Budget-Savvy Bride (continued from here)...

Budget Bride Tip #6- Flavored Favors

If you absolutely insist on giving favors, at least make sure they're the edible kind. Buy candy (in the colors of your wedding) from the dollar store or supermarket and put them into little fabric bags for your guests to take home. Unless you plan on spending some serious money on favors, no one will remember or treasure them anyway. A small jar full of all one color jelly beans at each place setting can add a pop of color to the table.

Budget Bride Tip #7- Buy, don't rent!

This may seem counter productive to your budget at first, but buying things like linens online and then selling them after the wedding takes place may actually save you money in the long run.

For example: Brown satin linens for a 90" table were quoted at $9.00 each for rental and only cost $10.00 each to buy. Selling them for even half price after the wedding would mean a savings of 4$ on each linen!

This doesn't just work for linens, if the vases for centerpiece are expensive to rent, buy them at discount stores like Ross, TJ Maxx or Marshalls and sell them after the event! It's money in your pocket darling.

Budget Bride Tip #8- Be a Daily Reader

If you're like me and you've been obsessed with ProjectWedding.com, OnceWed.com, StyleMePretty.com, SittingInATreeEvents.com, ForgetMeKnotWeddingsblog.com, TheKnot.com and WeddingWire.com (to name a few) since you knew your fiance was *the one*, then you're well on your way to becoming the ultimate budget savvy bride. This is because you know what's out there, you know the vendors in your area. You know who's worth the money, and who has no business charging such ridiculously high fees. You've got the lay of the land and you know how to work it.

Being an obsessive reader of everything wedding takes dedication, but it definitely pays off. For more on this see the next tip!

Budget Bride Tip #9- Enter. Every. Contest.

Even one freebie will cut down on the cost of your wedding. Many of the blogs and websites listed above offer contest or hold drawings for free give-aways. I have already won my invitations from Hello Lucky! through a giveaway on their blog. Below is the invitation that I chose.

My advice is simple, enter. If you win, awesome! If not, you didn't lose anything.

Budget Bride Tip #10- K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Silly!)

Although this may seem completely against everything that obsessed brides everywhere stand for, the truth is that all of this 'fluff' is extra. As long as I leave my wedding married to the man I love, I'll be happy! Not only that but all the people we love and adore will be there, that is the best gift anyone can ask for. Remember what matters and don't stress out about things like not having the perfect color sashes on your chairs because they weren't in the budget. Make the wedding about your love. Love is what you will remember about the day. Love is the most important element. And hey, it's free!

More Wedding Secrets!

2011-04-17T19:02:00.000+04:00

It's PostSecret Sunday! I've gathered more wedding secrets to share with all of you. Enjoy!

Dance Lessons at Arthur Murray Dance Studio Dubai

2011-04-15T20:55:00.006+04:00

This weekend has been awesome. MW and I took a stand-up paddle board lesson with Surf Shop Dubai on Thursday, which rocked. We got an incredible tour around the Burj Al Arab and spent an hour and a half paddling around the Dubai coast in perfect weather. The only downside was that I left the camera at home so we relied on the couple in our group to take photos and send them to us. Nothing yet but I'm still hoping to see them in my inbox soon!

Another fun thing we got to do this weekend, and yes it's wedding related, is take a private dance lesson at Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Souk Al Bahr at Dubai Mall. Arthur Murray has studios all over the world and offers lessons in an impressive variety of ballroom dance styles. We did a forty-five minute session and got to learn the Foxtrot, the Waltz, some Salsa, the Merengue, the Tango and a few basic dancing moves. It was an extremely productive lesson and I don't doubt that they could help us prepare an incredible first dance. Our introductory lesson was only $30.00, but actual lessons run much higher. I'm not sure on pricing within the United States, but here's what we were offered here in Dubai...

Location: Dubai, UAE
Venue: Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Product/Service: 10 private dance lessons at 45 minutes each
Price: $889.00
Verdict: Waaay too steep for our student budgets, but SO much fun!

Tip to Save for the Budget-Savvy Bride: If you're interested in taking ballroom dancing lessons but are worried that it won't be affordable, consider re-arranging the wedding budget. Spending two hundred dollars less on four aspects of the wedding would pay for 10 ballroom dancing lessons, experiences that will last a lifetime. It may sound tough but opting not to put sashes on 100 chairs, at $2.00 each would save you $200.00. Choosing to serve chicken instead of beef can easily save you $4.00 per plate. If you have 100 guests thats $400.00 in savings. There are dozens of ways to save without compromising quality.

If $900.00 sounds completely ridiculous to you, then consider buying a DVD from an online store like this one, which would only run you around $30.00. Other options include; taking a group class at a local community center or hiring someone who knows how to dance to give you lessons at home. Either way, dance lessons are a must if you're a couple who likes to have fun. As for MW and I, nothing will stop us from being able to move it better than anyone on Dancing With the Stars. Now if only I could figure out where Julianne Hough gets her outfits from...

Real Dubai Engagement Party: Dina & Ahmed

2011-04-12T20:09:00.002+04:00

I am so excited to share our first real event on BrideByYourSide! Today we have Dina & Ahmed's intimate engagement party at Raffles Hotel in Dubai. Keep reading to see Dina's advice on planning for future brides.

"Raffles Hotel in Dubai has a gorgeous view of the Dubai skyline from their pool deck. I think the important part of picking a location is if you can see your magical moment happening right then and there, then that’s the place for you. I venue hunted all over Dubai and nothing made me feel more sure than standing up on that pool deck months before. The lighting was exactly what I had hoped for.

I worked with the hotel to choose the cake design and flavor (vanilla caramel) which turned out absolutely delicious. The pastry chef at the hotel is very well known for his cakes and pastries, and with a good price, I went with the hotel chef on this one. Initially we wanted 50 guests but the number went up by the time the engagement party came around. Advice in this aspect: always expect no-shows. And remember to review your guest list more than once.

Originally we were going to put together a playlist of songs and keep it playing throughout, since the event was more of a dinner. But in the middle of getting things ready, there was no time to approve an entire list of music so we hired a DJ. Live entertainment can be pricey, and the last thing you want to do in the middle of constant preparations is sit down and pick out four or five hours worth of music for your special day. Get someone to do it for you to make sure there isn’t a silent moment.Flowers at hotels can be crazy expensive, so I went to a local vendor in Sharjah (Note to those planning events in the UAE: Sharjah vendors are always cheaper and more than willing to come to Dubai. Don’t underestimate them). They had a sample centerpiece done for me from ideas I got online and voila! I had my flowers! Beautiful blue hydrangeas with purple roses, spotted with baby’s breath.

My advice to future bride is, research, keep your eyes open, ask a lot of questions, and go after exactly what you want. It's your special day and you have the right to do everything you want with it. I'm picky and was ready to do what it takes to bring the image in my head to life. It was stressful, but it was worth every minute. I wanted to feel like a Disney princess on my day and I can truly say that after all these years, Cinderella finally had nothing on me." -Dina

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Venue: Raffles Hotel Pool Deck
Guest Count: 60 people
Florist: May Flowers
Photography: Olivier Gallaud
Cake: Raffles Hotel Pastry Chef
Dress: Jovani

Twobirds Convertible Bridesmaids Dress

2011-04-11T23:28:00.004+04:00

I am absolutely in love with the twobirds bridesmaids dress! It allows each girl to have her own style, and it is definitely something that can be worn again and again, because you never have to wear it the same way twice!

Alyssa Milano's bridesmaids wore twobirds at her 2009 nuptials and many non-celebrity brides are following suit.

This convertible dress comes in twenty different colors and in varying lengths. It can also be wrapped in dozens of ways, so no two bridesmaids have to look alike. This photo from their website says it all...

Although I may want to purchase one of these lovely gowns for myself someday, I don't know how I'd feel about asking my bridesmaids to purchase a $310.00 dress-- no matter how many times they could re-wear it. Fortunately, many other designers are making convertible dresses at the moment. Keep on the lookout here at BrideByYourSide for a post on how to get your hands on a convertible dress for less.

Item: Twobirds Convertable Bridesmaids Dress

Price: $310.00 for the long version & $270.00 for the short version

Verdict: Lovely, but pricey! Hmm.. Does it come in white?

How to Become a Budget-Savvy Bride (Tips 1-5)

2011-04-06T17:05:00.000+04:00

Planning a wedding can be the most exciting, romantic and enjoyable time of your life-- it certainly has been for me, but it can also put you and your husband-to-be in debt from the get-go. The average cost of a wedding in the United States is $24, 066. Let me repeat that. Twenty Four Thousand and Sixty Six dollars. And many of us will end up spending more than that.There are multitudes of ways to cut costs and still have a beautiful wedding. Follow these tips and you too can be a budget savvy bride!

Budget Bride Tip #1- Start Early!

Even before our first kiss, I knew my fiance and I would end up engaged someday. When he proposed, I was on cloud 9. I'd never been so happy. We decided to make our engagement a long one in order to have a little more stability before we settle down. This has worked out wonderfully as far as wedding planning goes because I feel very little pressure to get things done 'in time'. We have years to organize everything, but I've already done the bulk of the planning. I've made more lists than you can imagine, and thought through every detail that can be done in advance.

Not only will this greatly reduce the level of stress the week of the wedding, but it will also greatly reduce the cost. If you have plenty of time to plan then you can wait around for semi-annual sales, buy when you happen to have coupons, and sometimes get a discount for booking early. It's never to early to save! Leaving things to the last minute often means that they will cost more.

Budget Bride Tip #2- The Comeback of Carnations (and buying in bulk).

Buying in bulk may be the most money saving trick any bride can come up with. Ordering flowers online can be more risky, because you can't sure of what you'll end up with, but if you do your research and find a place with a good reputation you should be happy with what you get. It's extremely easy to make centerpieces and bouquets on your own, if you need help there are plenty of youtube videos to watch for instruction.

I understand the stigma that goes with carnations ("oh, they're so cheap looking"), but carnations are making a serious comeback these days! Check out these centerpieces made entirely out of, you guessed it, carnations! A budget-savvy bride could save a bundle from using carnations instead of a more expensive peony or hydrangea.

Budget Bride Tip #3- DIY (duh!)

There couldn't be a more obvious way to save money, do-it-yourself! Don't try to do everything on your own, that will just lead to stress-- but taking one or two large tasks and leaving the rest to professionals is often manageable. Never underestimate yourself. If you can bake a cake, then you can bake a wedding cake (assuming you want a simple design). If you can use a computer and printer, then you can make your own invitations. Although your budget may be tight, the sky is the limit when it comes to creativity ladies!

Budget Bride Tip #4- Get a Planner

Having a wedding planner may seem like a luxury that a budget-savvy bride cannot afford, but the truth is that the right planner will be able to help you score discounts by using vendors that work often with him or her. A planner will also be able to give advice on where to buy the cheapest (fill in the blank)-- but most importantly they will help keep you on budget!

Budget Bride Tip #5- Timing is Everything

Consider having your ceremony in the morning, followed by a brunch or lunch reception. This will save you some serious cash simply because you won't have to serve a full dinner, and no one will expect a full bar at one in the afternoon. Baby quiche appetizers and belgian waffles are delicious and cost no where near the price of king shrimp appetizers and filet mignon! If the reception finishes by four o' clock, then you can even have an after party and still come in under budget. Check out these baby blueberry pancake apps! Adorable and delicious.

Check back in for Budget-Savvy Bride Tips 6-10 later this week!

Happy planning ladies!

PostSecret on Weddings

2011-04-05T21:15:00.001+04:00

I love PostSecret! And I love weddings. So today I've decided to gather some wedding secrets and share them with you. Enjoy!

Florida Wedding Venues

2011-04-03T19:11:00.001+04:00

MW and I decided on Florida for our wedding for a few reasons. One of the major contributing factors was that it's a place where people can come for our wedding and a great vacation. Our guests can visit Disney World, Florida Beaches, NASA, Universal Studios, Sea World and many more interesting places.

Last summer I visited the Royal Crest Room in St.Cloud. It looks like an excellent venue, and the prices are extremely competitive. Jamie, the woman who showed my mom and I around, was friendly and answered all of our questions. Here are some photos...

Another venue that I'd like to see on my trip to FL this summer is Casa Feliz. Arthur's Catering is the exclusive caterer for Casa Feliz, and is said to be the absolute best in FL. I will definitely have to check it out. It looks incredible in photos.