Wedding Blog by Constance Denson-Hamilton

How to have a Romantic Beach Wedding in Washington State

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

If you've ever dreamed of a beautiful beach wedding but worry that crowds of strangers and blistering heat will take away from your special day, look to Ocean Shores in Washington State! The Northwest coast offers stunning vistas unlike anywhere else. Three hours from Seattle, the area is a hidden gem for discerning couples around the country. If you'd never considered the idea of beach weddings in Washington State, think again. No matter what time of year you select for your wedding, you'll find this to be an incomparable destination.

Your golden summer: July-September

Our summer months are generally sunny and warm, the perfect backdrop for the classic beach wedding. Slate sands, amber and ochre grasses, with blue skies simply going on forever. It's also the best time to camp, and affordable campgrounds abound. The weather is great for horseback riding, bicycling, moped rides, and kayaking. Rentals for all these and more are affordable and conveniently located. There are numerous sites to explore, including the Catala, Ocean Shores' most famous shipwreck! And you'll have plenty of time to take it all in during the gloriously long days this time of year.

Adventure, made comfortable and affordable

Perhaps you're asking, what about the rest of the year? If you really want something dramatic, the spectacular windswept coastline and breathtaking skies of Washington State beaches will set the scene for a wedding that is as unique and adventurous as you are. You don't even have to worry about getting caught in the rain. Our Washington Beach Wedding packages include locations like the Solarium Tower at Beachwood Resort and the lighthouse at Best Western Lighthouse Hotel. You and your guests will be able to enjoy the unforgettable sights from the comfort of a warm indoor venue- truly the best of both worlds.

The doorway to your honeymoon

After the ceremony, the Pacific Northwest is the ideal place to start your honeymoon. You can stay at one of the many resorts and B&B's near Ocean Shores, look for vampires in nearby Forks, visit the Hoh Rainforest, trek around the Olympic mountains, take a soak at Sol Duc hot springs, travel by ferry to the San Juan Islands, or even set off on a luxurious cruise to Alaska. Whatever your budget or lifestyle, a romantic wedding on Washington’s state beaches is the perfect start to your new life together.

Photo Credits:
Sunset at Ocean Shores: Mik Watson
Rental Surfboards at Ocean Shores: Kathryn Decker-Krauth
Lighthouse Wedding in Ocean Shores: Stuart May
Olympic Mountains: Frank Kovalchek

“I Do” Chocolate – Your Chocolate Themed Wedding

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The days of traditional weddings seem to be fading. The more outrageous trends are in. Couples invent dances, jump out of airplanes, say vows under water and find new and inventive ways to memorialize their special day. And chocolate has been lavishly included, even as a chocolate wedding theme.

For many, the traditional white wedding gown has faded away with the white wedding cake.

The color of chocolate is hot! And if the weather isn’t too hot, a bouquet made of chocolate and roses will carry the theme along. I am positive that there will be more women standing there to catch the bouquet if it is made of chocolate.

You can provide your guests with a large variety of chocolate options. Many give a chocolate candy bar with the couples name and date on the wrapper, but I would like to suggest my favorite... personalized chocolate truffles. To find out more about getting your designer truffle, head to the Chocolate Transfer Sheets website.

Chocolate wedding cakes are common and I’ll let Martha Stewart fill you in on that. Or better yet, look for Chocolate Wedding Cakes and chocolate wedding ideas on Pinterest.

My favorite incredible edible wedding dessert went to the bride and groom chocolate covered strawberries. You just cannot go wrong with this combination.

I live on the Monterey Peninsula in California where many marriages are performed on our beaches. It made me wonder if chocolate could be themed for a beach wedding and I found several ideas, but I fell in love with the white chocolate seashells. They really stood out over others.

And if you want to get people on the dance floor, a chocolate martini is an obvious solution.

So this leaves us with the honeymoon. I’ve done the homework for you. Here are 10 Chocolate Honeymoon Locations. As for what happens next… well, I’ll let you Google that one.

Tell us your Chocolate Wedding ideas!

Our Guest Blogger:

Cocoa Jeanie Beanie, aka Jeanie Wells is a blogger and chocolate afficianado from Monterey, California.

Follow Jeanie's blog: What's Hot in Chocholate!

Twitter: @hotinchocolate

Facebook: Whats Hot In Chocolate

Your military wedding ceremony: Five key questions

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Military weddings are steeped in traditions that cover everything from the apparel of the bride and groom to the way the cake is cut. But not every military wedding is a dress-blue occasion; nor are you tied to any particular budget or theme.

Today’s military wedding ceremony acknowledges that one or both of the couple may be on active duty; or that cash and time may be limited; or that a large affair just isn’t feasible. But whether you’re marrying for the first time or renewing your vows, you can create a ceremony that respects tradition while providing personal meaning and fun for you. It just takes some brainstorming.

To make the most of your military wedding ceremony, start with the vital aspects of the event, abbreviated by the familiar phrase, “who, what, when, where and how.”

Who: If you’re wondering “who pays?,” you’re not alone. According to tradition, the bride’s and the groom’s family each pays for specific aspects of the wedding, including the rehearsal dinner, the ceremony and the reception. A military wedding, however, may demand some flexibility in regards to budgeting for basic needs.
What: Deciding what kind of wedding can challenge you. Whatever kind you choose – religious or secular, simple or formal – always incorporate appropriate protocols. For example, commanding officers sit in the front row if the couple’s parents are not present for the ceremony. If the parents are present, the COs sit next to the family.
When: When is the best time to have your military wedding? The most obvious answer is “when you can,” and given the busy life of a service member, that can mean a short lead time from planning to execution. Create a reasonable timeline for the event, especially if you need to fit the wedding around a pass granted by your commanding officer.
Where: The base chapel is a convenient and popular military wedding ceremony location. However, your cultural, religious or personal preferences may find you at a church or wedding hall, in a friend’s home or even on a romantic, windswept beach.
How: What to serve? Where to seat guests? Taped music or live? So many “how’s” are associated with a military wedding ceremony that you may appreciate extra help. A wedding planner who handles the daily details lets you concentrate on what’s most important – creating a lifetime of precious memories that begins with the ideal wedding.

Most of the officiants at Weddings by the Sea have come from a military background and are familiar with and sensitive to the needs of service personnel and their families on this very special day. Whether you decide to have a beach wedding or take advantage of our special Military Wedding Ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, be sure to ask us about any specials for military personnel.

Photo Credit: Jerrene

Discover Your Ideal Military Wedding Ceremony

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

You already took a major step in your life – deciding to be married – and from there the details just seem to pile on. Planning that Big Day is work enough for most people, but for active military members it’s even harder to find the time to pull everything together.

At ease!

The good news is that now you can enjoy that memorable day without sweating the details. You are relieved of the everyday duties of military wedding ceremony planning, so you can concentrate on the aspects that mean most to you: family, friends, fun and fulfillment.

Consider a beach wedding

When it comes to a memorable backdrop for your military wedding ceremony, the roar of the ocean and the sweep of the sand cannot be duplicated. A wedding by the Sea creates simple backdrop that showcases the bride and groom in a relaxed and natural way.

Your beachside wedding can include graceful arches and garlands of flowers; you can opt for a lively Caribbean theme or the ultimate experience of a barefoot beach wedding ceremony. Remember when you have a wedding by the sea, whether it’s in a sunny tropical location or one of our beautiful Washington State Beaches the weather can change suddenly so take into account the comfort of your guests and make arrangements to accommodate them for whatever the weather brings that day.

Many military personnel just can’t get away, even for their own weddings. When you check out a wedding services company like Weddings by the Sea, find out if they will accommodate you and your needs. For example we’ll bring the military wedding ceremony to Joint Base Lewis-McChord if that is your preference.

Learn more

Remember a military wedding ceremony doesn’t have to break the bank. At Weddings by the Sea in Ocean Shores, Washington, we specialize in planning military weddings that are affordable, easy and, best of all, beautiful! We handle the paperwork, like legal completion; and work directly with caterers, music, florists, photographers and other vendors to ensure that your wedding meets every expectation.

Download this free checklist that helps you make the most of your wedding. Then fill out the contact form on the right. From the beach to the base … from toes-in-the-sand to tuxedo … Weddings by the Sea is your choice for the military wedding ceremony of your dreams.

Photo credit: Jerrene

3 Unique Ways to Have a Great Wedding by the Sea

Timothy Lorang — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Congratulations! You’re engaged and not only thinking about a new life together but also about how you’re going to kick it off, i.e. the wedding ceremony. Planning a lasting memory in the form of a wedding can be overwhelming. You want it to be perfect but there are so many options and opinions out there. Where do you begin? Get out our checklist and start making plans. Whether you’ve been dreaming of this day since you were a child or just started thinking, you might want to consider a beach wedding. Many have found weddings by the sea to be just the ticket! Here are three ways you can make your ceremony at the beach uniquely yours and set the tone for the years ahead.

The first one is to make it a whole day at the beach. Invite your guests to come early for a sand castle building contest or stay late for a bonfire. Put up a volleyball net. Have the wedding before lunch then stay and play with your guests.
Another option is to tie the sea theme into your reception plans. As you move to the reception hall after the ceremony, have seashells or star fish decorate the cake or have it shaped like a sandcastle. Goldfish bowls can act as centerpieces on the tables (guests can take goldfish home) or have salt water taffy as favors.
A third option worth considering is to play up a theme during the ceremony. Throw tradition out the window. Who says white dresses and black tuxedos are required? Ever thought about dressing up like a pirate or wench? Instead you could wear bathing suits, Hawaiian shirts, or wet suits.

Ideas for how to making weddings by the sea unique and special are endless. The great part is you can do whatever you want. When considering a Weddings by the Sea check out our Wedding Packages for more ideas and help making the day one you and your fiancée will never forget!

What are your ideas for a great wedding by the sea? Let us know your ideas below.

Photo Credits: Jerrene, Luvjnx

Have Fun at your Barefoot Beach Wedding

Timothy Lorang — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. You want it to be special for you and your partner. Often, couples wish to share this special day with family and friends. Your wedding should be uniquely planned for what pleases you and your mate.

For those who enjoy the beach, a beach wedding provides a fun, memorable setting for couples saying their vows. Even a barefoot beach wedding, whatever the location, can be as informal or formal as the couples desire. Weddings by the Sea provides everything couples require for their wedding whether the wedding is informal or formal, simple or simply elegant, but it doesn’t have to break the bank.

Fun Beach Jewelry

For a barefoot wedding, those in the wedding party can create ankle jewelry using sea shells to wear, matching them with necklaces and bracelets. The shells can reflect or contrast with the colors chosen for the wedding.

The jewelry can be limited to the wedding party or you can provide ankle jewelry for the guests. Place them in accessible baskets for the guests to choose and wear to help celebrate your special day. All the guests can wear ankle jewelry as they celebrate the barefoot beach wedding.

Barefoot Beach Weddings are Fun

A barefoot beach wedding is all about fun. Choose bright, exciting colors for those in the wedding party to wear. Choose simple dresses and shirts with large colorful scarves that can be used to cover up from a bright sun or cool breeze, but that can also be used as banners of celebration in the wind in a dance of celebration. If you choose monochrome clothing, such as white, for the wedding party, scarves add color and contrast.

It's all about Barefeet

A barefoot beach wedding focuses on feet. Use footprint images to define the wedding area and to direct guests from a parking or waiting area to the beach. On the cake, show footprints up two sides of the cake to meet at the top where the bride and groom image is placed.

Incorporate the footprint image into the design for the wedding invitation and program. Let your guests know what is expected of them and give them the freedom not to come dressed in jackets or high heels.

Entertain children by providing a place where they can have their toenails painted. Give the little ones pails and shovels and let them build sand castles or search for sea shells. Don’t expect children to sit still when they are at the beach.

Use your creativity to plan a fun, cost-effective barefoot beach wedding that will provide memories you will forever cherish. No matter where or when you are having your wedding its important to plan ahead so download our free After you say “YES” Checklist.

Let me know about some of your barefoot beach wedding ideas in the comments section bellow.

Photo Credits: Jerrene; Made in China.com; Nesstor4u2

12 Ways to use Pinterest to Plan your Beach Wedding

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:00:00 GMT

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Whether your wedding is large or small, planning is an important part. My After You Say “YES” Checklist is a way for you to keep track of all the details but a new social media site called Pinterest can help with decisions on everything from what dresses the bridesmaids should wear to where to plan your honeymoon. Pinterest is a combination of an online bulletin board and scrapbook. Imagine flipping through “Modern Wedding,” “Brides,” and “Martha Stewart Weddings,” cutting out the bridesmaid’s dresses you liked, putting them in a scrapbook and meeting your bridesmaid’s for tea to make a decision. All that can be done online with Pinterest. You can set up your scrapbook, called a board, and start pinning photos of bridesmaid’s dresses you like from the internet, from other Pinterest users or from photos you upload to the site. Invite your friends to join you where they can make comments or even pin their own suggestions.

Getting Started with Pinterest

It is very easy to start using Pinterest. Set up an account, setup boards and start pinning. We won’t get into a discussion on how to set it up here because Pinterest has a great guide in thier Pinterest About Guide. Unfortunately you need an invitation to join Pinterest, but that can be taken care of by sending us an email at oceanshoresweddings@gmail.com and we’ll send you an invitation. Once you have set up your account be sure to install the Bookmarklet in your browser to make it easier to pin things you see while surfing the web. It is easy to set up and you can find directions on Pinterest's Help Page under “Pinning and Repinning.”

Using Pinterest to Plan Your Beach Wedding

Once you have set up a board, invite the friends and family you want to involve in your wedding planning. They need to be part of Pinterest and they should be following you and you should be following them. This makes it easier to collaborate and work together. If you would like others to contribute to one of your boards click the Edit button in the top, (when you are looking at all your boards the “Edit” button is at the bottom of each board). Change the setting from “Just Me” to “ME + Contributors.” You must be following at least one of their boards in order to add them as a contributor. Type in their username and click “Add” when their name comes up. Be sure to “Save Board Settings” when done.

Now that you’ve set up your board and invited your fiends what can you do? Here are some suggestions:

Wedding Themes: We are of course partial to Beach and Garden Weddings and have seen everything from Hawaiian Shirts and leis to Tuxedos with sandals, but you may have other ideas. When you see something you like pin it to your board and ask your friends and relatives for their opinions and contributions. Now you have all the themes in one place where it will be easier to make a decision.
Hair Styles: Whether the hairstyles are for you or your mother-in-law set up a board to compare and contrast.
Wedding Locations: Pin anything from scenic parks, awesome beaches, inspiring churches or banquet halls and start choosing the best place for your wedding.
Bridesmaid’s Dress: We’ve talked about this above and Pinterest is especially useful when all the bridesmaids cannot get together for tea.
Wedding Gowns: Share your favorites before you buy.
Wedding Invitations: Assuming you will not be using Facebook to invite your guests pin an example of each type of invitation to see what will fit your style.
Centerpieces: Are you going to have a big reception? You will want to consider shopping around for centerpieces.
Cakes: One of my favorite parts of any wedding and the photos you can find on the internet are so beautiful.
Bouquets, Boutonnieres and Floral Arrangements: When you start seeing the floral arrangements next to the theme and the bridesmaid’s dresses it is easier to make the right choice.
Catering: Pin the menus from the banquet hall or caterer and get input from the meat lovers and the vegan’s in your wedding party.
Honeymoon Destinations: Maybe you only want to share this with your fiancé or get suggestions from everybody.
Bridal Registry: Why make everyone trudge down to the department store to order your gift. If you have something set up already with a store that has an online registry then pin an image from the registry page and send people right to it. Do you and your fiancé need something to start out your life together that Macys doesn’t have? Then pin it to your board. When people click on the image it will bring them through to the website where they can order it. HINT: When you type the £ or $ symbol followed by a number the price will be displayed as a banner on your pin’s image.

Finally you should follow other great wedding sites and boards on Pinterest for ideas and inspiration. We think it would be awesome if you followed our Pinterest Board at Weddings by sea. Explore and find your own inspiration. If you are getting started here are a few great wedding sites:

Let us know what you think and share your wedding board in the comments below.

Five Steps for Planning Your Perfect Beach Wedding

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

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Even If You Don’t Live Anywhere Near the Ocean

If you have always dreamed of having the romance of a beach wedding for your special day, but you don’t live anywhere near the ocean, don’t give up the dream. A beach destination wedding can be closer than you think. Here are five steps that can make your beach wedding a reality.

Step One – Find the perfect beach for your beach wedding. If you don’t know the location of the nearest beach, search the internet and your local tourism board for parks, campgrounds, and resorts that boast lake or riverside locations. These places usually feature beautiful beaches as part of their amenities.

Step Two - Contact the locations. Ask for details, i.e how big is the beach, what kinds of reception facilities do they have or that might be located nearby. Don’t overlook the possibility of using a bathhouse, barn or picnic pavilion. When you have narrowed down your choices, you should visit these places if possible. Seeing them will give you a better idea of how they might work for your beach wedding.

Step Three – After you have found the venue for your perfect beach wedding it is time to find the right person to assist you. Consider working with a local wedding service, planner or coordinator. They can help you with regulations, permits and finding vendors who will save you all kinds of stress, time and money.

Step Four – Find a back up location for your ceremony for use in the event Mother Nature is not in a cooperative mood. This can be the same location as your reception if it is indoors. Your wedding coordinator can provide valuable information in this area.

Step Five - Start planning your perfect beach wedding. Keep in mind wind, sun, and terrain

Here is a great blog on planning the perfect outdoor wedding.

When people think of beach weddings, Hawai’i, Florida or California often come to mind but there are some fantastic beaches on all three coasts and the Great Lakes. I officiate over beach weddings in Ocean Shores, Washington where it may not always be sunny but the scenery is always spectacular and the weddings memorable. Be a little adventurous, you won’t regret it.

Photo Credit: Jerrene

Destination Weddings Close to Home

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:14:00 GMT

A destination wedding could be closer than you think. If you’ve always dreamed of a destination wedding, but flying off to the Virgin Islands, Jamaica or even Las Vegas is not in your budget or those of your friends and family think about an affordable destination wedding closer to home.

Whether it’s an ocean beach wedding, a lake resort or a mountain retreat, destinations can be as close as a few hours drive from where you live.

Destination weddings close to home offer the same benefits as destination weddings far, far away, like:

Beautiful backdrops
You can spend your special day focusing on nothing but your special day
Planning and execution can be delegated to local wedding providers and officiants who will take care of every detail. All you have to do is relax, show up and enjoy.
You can combine your wedding and honeymoon.

And without the expense of airfare more of your family and friends can attend your wedding and perhaps enjoy a mini vacation of their own.

When planning your destination wedding on a budget you can save even more money for you and your guests by:

Planning your destination wedding for the off season, for example go to the mountains in the summer time or ocean beach in fall or winter.
Book rooms in blocks, this can often result in additional discounts on both the rooms and other services like banquet facilities and food.
Engage local planners and providers, because they know who and how to get you the best quality and the best deals.

If you’ve ever said, “I want to go there someday,” as we all do when a location is close to home, this could be a candidate for your destination wedding venue. No idea what’s available? Ask friends and family members where they have been saying they would go someday. Also visit local hotels and check out the lobby brochure racks and contact the tourism bureaus for your state and nearby states.

With a little imagination and research you can find your perfect destination wedding right in your own backyard.

Best Wishes and Congratulations

Constance

For information about affordable beach wedding destinations in Washington State visit our Beach Wedding Locations page.

Photo: Stuart May Photogrpahy

Not only for Santa Claus: Your Wedding Checklist

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:00:00 GMT

Making a list and checking it twice is not only for Santa Claus. A wedding checklist is absolutely the only way to manage the myriad details necessary for putting on a wedding.

Whether you’re an iPad bride and call it a Task List or a pad and pencil bride, and call it a To Do List, after you say “yes,” start making and sharing your wedding checklists with the people who will be helping you put on your fabulous day. Making wedding checklists will relieve some of the wedding stress for you and your helpers. It also exponentially increases the chances that nothing gets missed on the big day.

Wedding Checklists work best if you keep them organized in a way that makes sense to you. In order to be useful they should also be active. This means as each task is completed, cross it off your list. And as you think of new things add them to your wedding checklist or start a new list. If friends and relatives have offered to assist you, make sure they get a list of what you want them to do. Doing this can go a long way toward cutting down misunderstandings later. Remember after you say “yes,” start making your wedding checklists and check them frequently.

To help you get started we have created an e-book called: After You Say “YES” Checklist. This can serve as a guideline to which you will add your many personal lists, because every wedding is as unique as the bride creating it.

Congratulations!
Best Wishes

Constance

Photo Credit: Rondo Estrello-flickr Creative Commons

Wedding Elopement Packages

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:00:00 GMT

When you hear the word elopement do you get a picture of some guy throwing a ladder up against the side of a house in the middle of the night, a girl handing him a suitcase and shinnying down in saddle shoes and a poodle skirt? Things have changed a lot since then and the modern elopement package can be the perfect wedding solution. Why? Because a wedding elopement package can save you bundles of cash, time, and hassles.

So what should you consider when deciding on a wedding elopement package?

Do you want a simple wedding ceremony with the two of you, an officiant, and witnesses or a small gathering with close friends and family members? Just because you’re having a small wedding doesn’t mean you have to give up additions like flower decorations, music or unity ceremony with sand or candles.
How much effort do you want to put into your wedding elopement? Elopement packages, while economical, also free you from planning or worry. All you have to do is show up, license in hand, and say I do.
Location, location, location; should not be overlooked for your elopement package. A place that is beautiful, special, fun or meaningful to you as a couple can provide a perfect day and many great memories and pictures of your wedding.

As you can see an elopement wedding no longer means sneaking out in the middle of the night to get married by a justice of the peace in a dingy courthouse. You can have a romantic elopement for just the two of you or with a small group of your family or friends. I would suggest something like our Simply Elegant wedding package; it’s inexpensive, romantic and fun. For a really simple wedding elopement our Sweet and Simple Ceremony is an inexpensive wedding that can’t be beat. I realize that not everyone reading this blog can travel to Ocean Shores, WA to get married. On the other hand when you consider all that you are saving when you elope perhaps a trip to the beach isn’t out of the question.

Beach Weddings Can be Anything You Wish

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:00:00 GMT

What is it about the beach that makes us feel happy and content? I’ve heard all sorts of theories, from the constant sound of the waves, to the ozone soaked atmosphere. Whatever it is, it works. In addition the beach with its sand, surf and sky is the most beautiful backdrop you could hope for.

What kind of wedding can I have at the beach? Beach weddings can be anything you wish, from the most formal occasions, a full flowing gown, tuxedos and classical music, to shorts, flip flops and Caribbean steel drums. The complete and total flexibility of this awesome setting is why beach weddings are the choice of so many brides and grooms.

Combining elements to make your beach wedding uniquely yours is what it’s about. Formal gown and fashionable flip flops, tuxedo tails and board shorts, guests decked out in flowered leis and sun visors, throwing flower petals from sand pails, while they sway to the Hawaiian wedding song or you sashay down the aisle to Smashing Pumpkins’ Luna, this is the beach, baby, and whatever you can dream up can happen.

Most importantly you don’t have to fly away to Hawaii, Florida, California, or some exotic island, where you have to leave half your friends at home, to have your dream beach wedding.

Right here in Ocean Shores, Washington, the beach and your dream beach wedding is only a few hours away.

For a truly awesome beach wedding that is as unique as you are take a look at some of our beach themed weddings such as our Barefoot in the Sand Ceremony, or the Tropical Tiki Beach Ceremony. Even if you can’t join us in Ocean Shores, WA our beach weddings should give you some ideas for your special day. Let us know about the best beach wedding you ever attended in the comments section below.

5 Easy Steps to Planning the Affordable Wedding

Constance Denson-Hamilton — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:48:00 GMT

Brides to be everywhere sat glued to the television watching the glamorous fairytale wedding of Prince William and Katherine Middleton. But let’s face it what constitutes an affordable wedding for a prince is way far and away out of reach for most of us. So how do you make your fairytale wedding affordable? It can be as simple as five easy steps.

Decide which elements are the most important to you, i.e. is it a dress or great photographs? These are the elements to which you will allocate the largest share of your budget.
Make a budget and stick to it. There is nothing more stressful than discovering you have to reduce or eliminate one of your most important elements because you overspent elsewhere.
Shop, shop, shop around. Craigslist, Ebay, and friends who were recently married are all good sources. Remember most wedding accessories from candleholders to cake cutters, are used only once. Another alternative to consider is a pre-packaged affordable wedding that includes planning, decorating, and the ceremony for one price. These packages can keep costs in check and free up your time and money for other things.
Give yourself lots of lead time. Like airline tickets, most things purchased in a hurry or at the last minute are going to cost you more.
Be prepared to compromise and remain flexible. Keep the big picture in mind, not the minute details when deciding what to buy and how much to spend. If you come across something that is close but less expensive, jump on it. You would be surprised how few people will actually remember whether or not you had the right shade of pink napkins or the perfect candle holders.

Following these simple rules will give you the perfect affordable wedding.