Archive for the ‘Wedding planning on a budget’ Category
We have just passed the 3rd of the top three most popular days to get engaged, Valentines Day and with that, the wedding season officially kicks off. Brides everywhere are working on creating that special day that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Here are some interesting facts:
â?¢ The average U.S. Bride will spend $27,134 on her wedding. That does not include the engagement ring or honeymoon.
â?¢ 85% of Brides will plan some or all of their wedding on the Internet
â?¢ The average age of todayâ??s Bride is 27
â?¢ 80% of U.S. Brides are getting married for the first time
Of the 2.5 million weddings (Which makes the Wedding Industry an almost $68 Billion Dollar industry in the U.S. alone), the average Bride is faced with making large dollar decisions and purchases which she has never made before. In fact she is usually spending someone elseâ??s (Her Mom & Dadâ??s, fiancéâ??s, or other close relativeâ??s) money. This can unnerve most of us. (can you think back to the time when you had to buy a dress that cost around $2-4,000 that you would only wear one day, or when you spent a similar amount of money on photography for just you or your family?)
Here are some tips and pointers to help out that Bride and keep her â??Wedding Planning Stressâ? to a minimum:
1. Decide what is important and what is not up front. By doing this, you will not waste time on the trivial and spend you efforts where they are most needed.
2. Communicate up front with your fiancé and those closest to you that you are facing one of the 5 most stressful events in your life and if you snap at them, or have a breakdown, itâ??s the stress, not them.
3. Set down and understand up front what your wedding budget is. This step will help you to Budget the important to the top of the list as well as help you to not create further stress in anyone who is helping fund your wedding.
4. Plan for â??time-outsâ? during the engagement. Have a couple of week ends off or plan a quick get away where you decompress. Plan on not planning for a period of two or more days. This will help to relaxing your â??wedding planningâ? muscles and get you to be able to focus better.
5. Use the internet as much as you can to save travel time, communication time as well as finding the best vendors possible. Emails spend less time than phone calls and are not as urgent.
Keep your eye on the prize-you are marrying the person you love and want to spend the rest of your life together. The most important thing is having the two of you show up and say â??I Doâ?. Everything else is icing on the cake!
Rick Brewer
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/the-2007-wedding-season-has-officially-begun-112271.html
Weddings these days can really cost a fortune, so you might immediately think of all possible ideas on how to save money on your wedding. Fortunately, there are many ways on how to trim down some of your wedding expenditures. One great idea is to think about cheap wedding favors. However, this doesn’t mean you will be giving out unappealing favors at your wedding, making your special day less memorable. Rather with a bit of creativity, you can definitely have great wedding favors that doesn’t cost you a fortune.
You might not mind of what style of wedding you are having, the important thing is you have the wedding favors for all your guests. Since rarely does someone show up without a gift for the newlyweds, it is in good taste to show your taste by having wedding favors. If you have a large number of guests in your guests list, your wedding favor expenditure can be easily out of control. As a result, many brides and grooms make use of the advantages that are in cheap wedding favors.
It is very important to determine the budget before you start to organize your wedding. Within the planning process of determining your budget, you will wish to decide how much money you are willing to spend on each detail of your wedding celebration. So after you have decided, then you will know whether you want to continue with relatively cheap wedding favors or really cheap wedding favors.
The presentation of wedding favors is also one of the most important thing you need to consider. If your creative enough to make the cheap favors look great, nobody will notice that they were not bought expensively. For instance, tiny candies, mints and chocolates can make affordable edible favors, you can make them look great by placing in small fancy favor boxes. You can find a bunch of small cheap wedding favor fold up boxes, put a few tiny treats in them and with just a bit of touch, you have created fancy and elegant wedding memorabilia at a fraction of cost.
Another great affordable option to keep in mind in having cheap wedding favors is to avoid wedding favors that have a wedding subject to them. For instance, purchasing a small box shaped like a wedding cake will be more expensive than other really adorable cute boxes. Aside from these boxes filled with tiny treats, you may also consider cheap favors like candles and soap. These days, many people are crazy on candles, and therefore, candles are perfect for favors thinking how cheap they can be. You you want, and you have plenty of time left, you can make your own candle or soap favors. There are many craft store that offer DIY soap kits, candle kits and others. You can work with yourself alone, or you can bring together a manpower to have a fun bonding while making homemade wedding favors.
Cheap wedding favors are indeed a great help to save money on your wedding. And if you are really on a tight budget, you can always cut cost on some details of your wedding. Why not give inexpensive bridesmaids gifts to your female attendants, instead of giving luxurious wedding gifts that they will most likely display during special events only? You can do the same idea also when it comes to groomsmen gifts. To have a cheap wedding ideas doesn’t mean compromising what you really have desired for your wedding day. Rather, it’s just a matter of giving extra effort to make the ”cheap idea” look fantastic to make your special day worth to be remembered.
Janet R.
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/saving-money-with-cheap-wedding-favors-672352.html
If you are going to plan the perfect wedding free from hassle and without burning a hole in your pocket then you are going to have to be prepared to do a little research and learn how to negotiate a better deal for the services you require. Hiring a wedding planning expert can definitely help you save time but you will be paying for their services which will add to your cost base. Organising a wedding months in advance gives you plenty of time to do your research and preparation without causing you stress. A do it yourself approach requires an investment of your own time. If you want to save money then this is a great way to go. It can actually be fun and a challenge to plan a low budget wedding. For the uninitiated there are eight areas where you can save the most money.
These 8 areas will require to draft up a budget to establish your guidelines. If you have a figure to work with then you can allocate amounts to each of these 8 areas. By working out the essential costs and trading off on non essential areas you can reach a balanced approach.
How to plan a low cost wedding: Focus on these eight specific areas.
Food:
When it comes to food there are a number of creative ways to save on food costs. Wedding venues that cater for the event will build healthy margins into the food they serve as is expected when running a business. They will also charge differently depending on the day of the week and time of the day. By doing some leg work you can pick a venue and establish your cost guidelines that fits in with you budget allocations. Sometimes picking a venue that doesnâ??t break the bank and using your own source of catering can end up being cheaper. Examine the options before you proceed.
Bar:
Buying wholesale will definitely save you money. If you use a reception center this is not likely permitted. By hiring your own venue you may be able to assemble your own team of caters/waiters and supply the alcohol and food. If you find a suitable venue then this low budget wedding tip can save you thousands alone.
Wedding attire:
In general, the more formal you make the occasion the more expensive the cost. Consider employing a less formal approach. You can still look stunning by selecting wedding attire that doesnâ??t cost a fortune. Custom made dresses are often expensive and if you do some research you can often find a discount designer dress at a greatly reduced price.
Flowers:
Select flowers that are stunning in appearance but not as expensive as high end alternatives. There are also other ways to employ decorations that can minimize your investment in flowers. By having one main centerpiece and using other decorations you can greatly reduce the money you need to allocate towards floral arrangements.
Photography & Videography:
This is a major cost and is something you will need to carefully consider. Having a professional do the job is essential because it is something you will cherish for years to come. If you are investigating cost cutting in this area you need to make sure that the person you employ has the necessary professional expertise and experience to be able to deliver a high quality reproduction of the event. You can go for a student to reduce costs but you need to make sure they will be able to handle the job.
Music:
If you are going to hire someone to provide the music this will add additional expense. You can save in this area by using prerecorded music or by hiring a person who is musically talented but doesnâ??t charge professional rates. Asking friends can often produce someone who is talented and can be booked at a greatly reduced cost.
Honeymoon:
Saving money on your honeymoon depends on a number of factors including the time of the year, duration and the honeymoon destination. You will have to be prepared to do extensive online research to find bargains. You can often get a great deal by traveling at the end of the season. Making use of any frequent flyer miles can also help reduce your honeymoon costs.
Guest List:
Keeping the numbers down will greatly reduce your costs. If you have a large guest list then you will need to find an approach that reduces the cost per head. You can also save on your wedding invitations by creating your own. If you add humor to the occasion you can often create memorable invitations that will really strike a chord with your friends for very little outlay.
The above represents some basic guidelines to plan a cheap wedding. The more you research the more creative solutions you will find. It just takes time and a little effort. Creating a memorable wedding that doesnâ??t cost a fortune is attainable for everyone provided you are prepared to do a little leg work.
Claire Edwards
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/how-to-plan-a-cheap-wedding-8-essential-areas-to-focus-on-755410.html
While some couples can make their luxurious dream wedding come true, you and the rest of on-a-budget couples should be contented with a small event. However, you don’t have to feel sorry for yourself because there are plenty of ways and resources that will help you plan and prepare a memorable wedding inexpensively.
Planning to shop inexpensive wedding supplies is probably one of the first thing that comes into your mind if you will be having a wedding on a budget. After you have figured out your wedding budget, you may now think of all the possible ways and ideas on how you can stick to it. Consider a realistic budget and be able to pursue it; this alone can make a tremendous help in planning your wedding. Ask help from relatives and friends, and ideas from online resources. There are some great deals awaits you if you just look in the right places.
The Internet can provide you with extensive affordable wedding ideas. There are thousands of online wedding stores where you can find plenty of inexpensive wedding supplies. They often offer excellent deals on wedding gifts, favors, decorations, invitations, centerpieces, and more. You can also look for coupons or special deals, especially during holidays. Usually, whole sellers will list coupons on their website to get you to buy, this will be a great advantage to customers because they were there to buy something anyways.
If you want to save money on your wedding supplies, you can also think about buying in bulk. This is the most cost-cutting technique when buying wedding supplies, especially when purchasing wedding favors and similar decorations. If you opt for something unique and personal, there are also great web stores that offer personalization for free.
For a wedding that is on a budget, you may consider buying inexpensive wedding essentials. For instance, the bride may choose to rent a wedding gown or purchase a used gown. If she can make her own dress, the better. For the wedding reception, which can be very expensive if will not be given proper attention, you can ask help again from your relatives and friends who have a good taste when it comes to cooking and serving delightful foods. Or perhaps, you will consider a pot-lock wedding reception; ask guests to bring their own menu. An outdoor setting is a money-saving option as well. The nature is a beautiful backdrop of your wedding, which doesn’t need too many decorations. You can spend the money you have saved from decorations to the other wedding details.
Whatever wedding you will have, you will surely give and receive wedding gifts. The help and effort that have shared by your bridesmaids and groomsmen are enough to make a priceless gift for you. In return, you should thank and appreciate them by giving gifts, too. However, this shouldn’t cost you a fortune. You can always give inexpensive bridesmaids gifts and groomsmen gifts instead of spending too much for elegant gifts. You can also give affordable gifts to your guests, consider cheap wedding favors such as candles, soap and edible wedding favors. So stick to your budget, plan ahead and do some research online to make your dream wedding come true at a price you can afford.
Janet R.
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/shopping-inexpensive-wedding-supplies-697229.html
While most of the couple today are thinking of preparing a fortune to spend for wedding day, some might find it hard to believe that planning a low-cost wedding is quite easy to do. Just like planning other kinds of wedding, planning a wedding on a budget is also a great and fun experience, and can be really unique and creative, as well! So if you are one of many couples who opt to have a cheap wedding without compromising what you have been dreaming to have for your wedding, there are several areas in your wedding where you can save money, such as your wedding location, reception and decorations.
One way to trim down your wedding expenditures is by planning of having a cheap wedding location. Planning to have this cheap idea is not impossible to do. In fact, you can have your wedding ceremony in some locations where you don’t have to pay any charges. Consider to have your wedding at a local park, for example. With local parks, you don’t have to worry about the renting fee and they don’t usually require any permit.. just consider checking it with the local city authorities before anything else.
Other great alternatives are beaches, a friend or a family member’s home, and at your own backyard. These are free places where you can held your wedding that will help reduce your wedding expenses drastically. If you and your partner are a nature-lover, a local zoo, nature reserve, or even at flower conservatory may be a free or inexpensive wedding location idea.
Another area where you can save some money is your wedding reception. If you are on a tight budget, you can always go with cheap wedding reception, and believe or not this is not too difficult to do either. One of the most popular cheap reception is idea is to have a pot luck meal. You can ask each of your guests to bring their own dish. But if you’d rather not ask guests to bring food for your wedding reception, then perhaps asking a few family members to get together and cook food as a wedding gift for you can lighten the burden.
Wedding decorations are not only fun to deal with, but they can also cut down your wedding expenses.
You can’t basically proceed without them completely done, though, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a big amount of dollars, rather you just need to use your creativity and imagination. Example, buy only few fresh flowers for the flower arrangement, just finish it by inserting silk flowers. Or, you can make your own decorations such as streamers and decorative balloons. Purchase a few spools of ribbon at your nearest craft store. Grab few balloons and tie them together using the strips of the ribbon and make a bow.
Other ways where you can save money on your wedding is to purchase cheap wedding favors, inexpensive bridesmaids gifts, and discount groomsmen gifts. Giving wedding gifts to your guests and attendants doesn’t give you any reason to overspend your budget. After all, it is not the cost that is being valued, rather the thought behind it.
Janet R.
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/wise-and-budgetfriendly-wedding-ideas-725693.html
While most of the couple today are thinking of preparing a fortune to spend for one of their most memorable day - wedding, some might find this hard to believe that planning a cheap wedding is quite easy to do. Just like planning for an extravagant wedding celebration, cheap wedding ideas are also great and fun, and can be really unique and creative, too! So if you are one of many couples who opt to have a cheap wedding without compromising what you have desired to be in your special day, consider saving money on your wedding location, reception and decorations.
One way to trim down your wedding expenditures is by planning of having a cheap wedding location. Planning to have this cheap idea is not impossible to do. In fact, you can have your wedding ceremony in a variety of locations that are completely free. A great example could be a local park. Usually, going to a local public parks doesn’t require any fees, and so planning a cheap wedding ceremony there doesn’t give you any cost. They don’t usually require any permits of other fees too. However, just make sure you have double checked it with your local city authorities before anything else.
Beaches are also a free place where you can held your wedding. Other ideas may include: having your wedding at a family member’s home, or having it in your own backyard. If you and your partner loves nature, it may be free or very inexpensive to have your ceremony at a local zoo, nature reserve, or even at flower conservatory also.
Another area where you can save some money is your wedding reception. If you are on a tight budget, you can always go with cheap wedding reception, and believe or not this is not too difficult either. One of the most popular cheap reception is idea is to make a pot luck meal. You can ask each of your guests to bring their own dish. But if you’d rather not ask guests to bring food for your wedding reception, then perhaps asking a few family members to get together and cook food as a wedding gift for you can lighten your burden.
Planning a cheap wedding receptions should also involve choosing cheap location for the reception too. Example, if you’d like to have your wedding ceremony in the gazebo at the park, then perhaps the best reception option could be a barbecue or picnic style in that same park. Another easy and cheap option is of course, having your wedding ceremony in your own home. Then you can have your reception in your home as well, or out in the backyard if the weather agreed.
Wedding decorations are not only fun to deal with, but they can also cut down your wedding expenses.
You don’t have to go without them completely though, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a big amount of dollars, rather you just need to improvise. Example, instead of buying expensive flowers for instance, try decorating with balloons and streamers instead. You may purchase a few spools of pretty ribbon at the nearest craft store or fabric store. Grab few balloons and tie them together using the strips of the ribbon. Also tie the ribbons into bows themselves, then tape the ribbon bows around for decorations by themselves.
Other ways where you can save money on your wedding is to purchase cheap wedding favors, inexpensive bridesmaids gifts, and discount groomsmen gifts. Giving wedding gifts to your guests and attendants doesn’t give you any reason to overspend your budget. After all, it is not the cost that is being valued, rather the thought behind it.
Janet R.
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/cheap-wedding-ideas-saving-money-on-location-reception-and-decorations-673444.html
Also I am going to cook the food for my reception what kind of foods would you recommend and do u have a recipe for bulk?
I need tips for music, flowers, centerpieces, dresses for bridesmaids, where to get a cheap tux and pretty much everything without breaking the bank?
Also our pastor is doing some pre marital counseling and what exactly is all that and how much should I pay him? Because he told us to pay him whatever we think is fair.
Thank you for all the answers I need all the help I can get.
well on the food side.. just a bufay of food would be good.. like.. a trifle that you can make yourself.. keash < i dnt no how u spell that LOL some sweet stuff.. like diff types of cakes and things for the kids.. little snacks.. like sum sandwiches cut into triangles .. just cheap little snacks.. people would prefure to eat these.. and the children will love it! im assuming the after party the adults will want to have a drink to celebrate.. maybe some none alcoholic punch for the children.. its easy to make.. and looks nice in a bowl on your food table..
the bridesmaid dresses.. maybe you could buy the material.. and make them up yourself get sumones help and have fun doing it.. my nanan isnt very good at making dresses and all that but she once made ma a Halloween costume.. otherwise.. have a shop around on some online stores maybe second hand?
you can get a cheap suit online.. or try second hand shops.. mens cloths shops thats got 50% off.. thers alot of sales going on now..
i think cheap weddings are best.. because shows you’r not snobby and you can have a fun time.. without money.. im sure you’ll have a great day, that you’ll remember for the rest of you’r life..
hope my answer helped as its taken me ages :L
wish you well x
While most of the couple today are thinking of preparing a fortune to spend for one of their most memorable day - wedding, some might find this hard to believe that planning a cheap wedding is quite easy to do. Just like planning for an extravagant wedding celebration, cheap wedding ideas are also great and fun, and can be really unique and creative, too! So if you are one of many couples who opt to have a cheap wedding without compromising what you have desired to be in your special day, consider saving money on your wedding location, reception and decorations.
One way to trim down your wedding expenditures is by planning of having a cheap wedding location. Planning to have this cheap idea is not impossible to do. In fact, you can have your wedding ceremony in a variety of locations that are completely free. A great example could be a local park. Usually, going to a local public parks doesn’t require any fees, and so planning a cheap wedding ceremony there doesn’t give you any cost. They don’t usually require any permits of other fees too. However, just make sure you have double checked it with your local city authorities before anything else.
Beaches are also a free place where you can held your wedding. Other ideas may include: having your wedding at a family member’s home, or having it in your own backyard. If you and your partner loves nature, it may be free or very inexpensive to have your ceremony at a local zoo, nature reserve, or even at flower conservatory also.
Another area where you can save some money is your wedding reception. If you are on a tight budget, you can always go with cheap wedding reception, and believe or not this is not too difficult either. One of the most popular cheap reception is idea is to make a pot luck meal. You can ask each of your guests to bring their own dish. But if you’d rather not ask guests to bring food for your wedding reception, then perhaps asking a few family members to get together and cook food as a wedding gift for you can lighten your burden.
Planning a cheap wedding receptions should also involve choosing cheap location for the reception too. Example, if you’d like to have your wedding ceremony in the gazebo at the park, then perhaps the best reception option could be a barbecue or picnic style in that same park. Another easy and cheap option is of course, having your wedding ceremony in your own home. Then you can have your reception in your home as well, or out in the backyard if the weather agreed.
Wedding decorations are not only fun to deal with, but they can also cut down your wedding expenses.
You don’t have to go without them completely though, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a big amount of dollars, rather you just need to improvise. Example, instead of buying expensive flowers for instance, try decorating with balloons and streamers instead. You may purchase a few spools of pretty ribbon at the nearest craft store or fabric store. Grab few balloons and tie them together using the strips of the ribbon. Also tie the ribbons into bows themselves, then tape the ribbon bows around for decorations by themselves.
Other ways where you can save money on your wedding is to purchase cheap wedding favors, inexpensive bridesmaids gifts, and discount groomsmen gifts. Giving wedding gifts to your guests and attendants doesn’t give you any reason to overspend your budget. After all, it is not the cost that is being valued, rather the thought behind it.
Janet R.
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/cheap-wedding-ideas-saving-money-on-location-reception-and-decorations-673444.html
With all of the celebration surrounding your wedding, it is easy to get a little sidetracked. Choosing your favorite flowers, favorite songs and favorite foods can create a self centered mindset. When it comes time to choose the wedding favors it is time to shift your mindset to the guests. Many brides strive to find that perfect â??somethingâ? that will be both impressive and memorable. This can be a tall order, but choosing a unique and different wedding favor helps to ensure that your guests will remember your wedding day for some time to come. So, how to choose wedding favors that will make you stand out?
Coordinate with your theme - One way to pick wedding favors that stand out is to choose something which ties in with your wedding theme. If you are hosting a spring wedding, consider flower bulbs; a winter affair? Holiday ornaments. By complementing your theme and choosing a gift that goes along with the wedding, you show creativity, thoughtfulness and a sense of style. The favors can even serve as part of your reception decorations or table centerpieces.
Shop early; do not wait until the last minute - If you put off shopping for favors until right before your wedding, you may be disappointed with what you find. Finding the perfect favor is just as important as choosing the right flowers or food, and you should allocate time to find exactly what you want. By starting early, you will also leave yourself enough time to personalize your favors if that is an available option. Some favor ideas require assembly, so be sure to leave enough time (or get enough help!) to have all the favors ready by your wedding day.
Consider all your options - It is not so much what you choose as how the item is finished and presented. For example, you may want the most unusual and fantastic wedding favor ever, but with a budget that really can only afford â??mintsâ?, you might have to get creative. Do not take any option off the table. Chocolates, mints and other edibles can be great favors especially if you dress them up in colorful gift boxes or sheer gift bags with ribbons and personalized tags. It is easy to get sidetracked when you are planning a wedding. With so many things to concentrate on, the perfect favor may be far down on your list. But you can find special and personal wedding favors in all price ranges if you take the time to look.
Ask for advice - With all of the planning and stress surrounding a wedding, it can be difficult to make any decisions, let alone a good decision. In fact, you may be tired of being constantly asked to make choices about every detail of the wedding. Because it is easy to be overwhelmed by the decision making process, it makes sense to solicit advice. Whether you ask your fiancé, your mom, your bridesmaids, or a trusted wedding consultant, seek out an opinion on the wedding favors that you are considering. After you have looked at so many choices, it may be hard to remain objective when determining what is actually a special or unique idea versus what is just another trinket. Once you have narrowed down your list of potential favors, ask someone you trust to help make the final decision.
Set a realistic budget - When you finally find something that you love, and want to give as your wedding favor, it is important that you make sure it fits into your budget. The price of these wedding favors adds up quickly depending on how many people you are expecting. Set a total dollar amount before you begin shopping for wedding favors, and divide that number by the number of favors you plan to buy. Be sure to subtract on any charges for personalization, taxes and shipping from your total budget, or you may be in for an unpleasant surprise when you place your final order. This lets you know how much you can spend on each favor. Once you have this number, stick to it. It is difficult to do when you see the perfect gift, and it is only 75 cents more than your set price. But multiply that 75 cents by 250 guests and you will see how quickly you can blow your budget. Once you have determined what your maximum price per favor is, do not shop outside of that price range.
The last step, finally, is to relax. Shopping for the perfect wedding favors can be extremely stressful. Of course we want the people we care about to like what we give them, it is human nature. But in the big picture, the wedding favors are only one part of a special day. Do not let a tight budget or other set back keep you from enjoying your wedding day. You can stand out with personalized wedding favors no matter your budget.
Arianna Jordan
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/stand-out-with-personalized-wedding-favors-695111.html
Wedding planning is an intensive process, and it usually requires plenty of help. Whether sampling cakes, choosing flowers or providing moral support on the big day, the wedding party in an integral part of the success of any wedding. Wedding tradition dictates that you present the members of your wedding party with a gift, as a token of appreciation for their participation in your big day.
Although it is expected that you will present all the members of your wedding party with a gift, there is no reason to blow your budget doing so. Make a list of all the members of your wedding party, including the flower girl, ring bearer and any other helpers such as guest book attendants. Once you know how many people that you are shopping for, it is easier to come up with a budget. Let the groom shop for the ring bearer and groomsmen, and the bride shop for the bridesmaids and flower girl if you like, but both the bride and groom should participate in choosing the gifts for each set of parents.
It is clear that there is no gift that can adequately express your appreciation for the help provided by an efficient and organized best man or maid of honor. You certainly do not want to insult them by gifting them with a token that appears cheap, or like an afterthought. This is, however, an expensive and stressful time in your life, and every choice can seem overwhelming. So, what are some popular gifts for members of the wedding party?
Gifts for the bridal party: Your bridal party has a lot of responsibility and probably some expense when it comes to buying dresses, planning the shower, and other wedding responsibilities. While you are making yourself crazy planning every last detail, your bridesmaids are keeping you from going over the edge. It is important to give each member bridal party a gift that shows them how much you appreciate what they have done for you over the months leading up to your wedding day.
If it is in the budget, jewelry is always nice, but it is not necessary. Totes, spa kits, personalized tee shirts or tank tops or a nice key chain are all special gifts for the members of your bridal party. You may want to provide a special gift for your maid of honor. If so, this can be done privately.
What about the flower girl? The flower girl is easy to buy for. Most little girls love the idea of being in a wedding, and are easily pleased. A necklace, doll, or personalized tote bag are all gifts that the flower girl may cherish.
Gifts for the groomsmen: There are many choices available when shopping for your groomsmen. What direction you go really depends on your relationship with these guys as well as your budget. If your relationship is casual and your budget is tight, gifts such as beer mugs or pocket knives are nice gift ideas. If you have a long standing relationship with these men and can fit it into the budget, a gift such as monogrammed cuff links or some type of electronic device is a nice way to show your appreciation. Again, the groom may wish to provide a little extra for the best man, but that gift can be exchanged in private.
What about the ring bearer? The ring bearer certainly deserves a special gift. Piggy banks, candy jars or a personalized football all make gifts that your ring bearer is sure to enjoy.
Shopping for the parents: It is a nice gesture to present your parents with a gift that expresses your thanks for the job that they did raising you, and their support on your wedding day. Your parents, of course, love you and do not want you to break your budget buying them a gift, but it is possible to keep an eye on your budget while shopping for your parents.
Photograph frames, including digital frames that allow your parents to display a rotating group of pictures, a vase, handkerchiefs and cigars are all popular gifts for the parents of the wedding couple. This is probably the first opportunity that you have to present a gift to your parents from you and your new spouse, so it can be an emotional occasion. Take your time shopping so that you can choose a fitting gift.
The bottom line is, wedding party gift ideas are not limited to bracelets and key chains (although todayâ??s fashionable selections still make these nice gifts!) In addition to travel bags and totes, there is a wide variety of t-shirts, sweat shirts, hats and other â??bridal gearâ? for both girls and guys, even for your pets. The sky is the limit when it comes to showing your appreciation to the friends and loved ones who such a big part of this special event in your life.
Arianna Jordan
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/popular-ideas-for-wedding-party-gifts-693560.html
