Posts Tagged ‘Wedding Planner’

Reducing the carbon footprint is very important but how do you ensure that you are environmentally responsible when it comes to your wedding. The Wedding Planner School gives their top ten tips for making your wedding not only eco-friendly that will also help to keep it in budget….

1. Keep it Local – Choose a wedding venue that is local to you or to the majority of your guests, which reduces carbon monoxide and other car emissions and saves money on fuel. When it comes to researching suppliers and venues think local and use the internet and telephone to do most of the research for your shortlist.

2. Potted Decorations – Instead of cut flowers that are generally imported from Holland or Africa and die a few days after your wedding, source potted plants & flowers that are grown locally thus reducing your carbon footprint and ensuring fair trade. Consider having organic non-genetically modified plants, which can be used both for decoration and given as favours or gifts at the end of the day. If you prefer the idea of candles adding to the ambience opt for those made from soyawax rather then beeswax.

3. Stationery & Communications – Using the internet and telephones to invite your guests reduces the need for paper, ink and postage. E-reply cards should also make for quicker responses. Where invitations need to be sent in hard copy choose a simple design on chlorine-free paper with organic inks or opt for a postcard design saving paper and money and don’t forget to recycle stationery such as Orders of Service. Consider a wedding website to provide details, directions and a gift list without doing any printing.

4. Wedding Planner – The Wedding Planner School offers a free graduate wedding planner service for brides nationwide.  If you are enjoying planning your eco-friendly wedding so much you want it to last forever book yourself onto a course to learn how to turn your passion into a successful career, money saving tips and how to avoid nasty surprises!

5. Fashionable Green – Vintage dresses are very fashionable so you can be socially responsible and bang-on-trend.  Consider renting or borrowing a dress or alternatively have a dress made to measure with locally sourced fabrics. Charity shops do second hand dresses, which are so popular that in 2007 stocks were exhausted, and you can donate them back afterwards.

6. Rings – Buy antique rings instead of new ones as diamonds, platinum, silver and gold always have to be imported and may contain blood diamonds.

7. Food Miles – Opt for locally sourced, organic food, which is in season. Thus reducing food miles and the use of chemical fertilisers.

8. Gifts – If you have already set up home have an ethical gift list so that your guests can make donations of time or money to charity.

9.Transport – A romantic horse-drawn carriage is a very eco-friendly way to travel to your venue or you might want to walk if it is nearby.  Imagine how beautiful a procession of your guests led by you and new husband would look strolling through town. If you want to arrive by car consider using a regular car rather than a limousine or vintage car, which only do about ten miles to the gallon.

10. The Honeymoon – You don’t have to go abroad to enjoy a wonderful honeymoon so consider honeymooning in the UK or if you do want to head abroad use public transport to reach your destination. Some travel agents will actually calculate the carbon footprint resulting from the honeymoon so you can plant trees to offset the carbon emissions.

 

With more and more couples opting to escape the high costs and stresses of a large and elaborate wedding, which is often expected, particularly in families that come from an Afro Caribbean background, the trend of getting married abroad is an increasingly popular one – with the Caribbean still topping the list as one of the most popular locations for an overseas wedding.

Many fall in love with the idea of the tropical setting and backdrop, which make for the most romantic of wedding photos, but on investigating the possibilities further, find they are overwhelmed on where to start in trying to arrange the kind of wedding they envisaged.

Traditionally many of the couples who travel to the Caribbean to get married have come from a European background, and have opted to travel alone or with just a couple of additional guests to accompany them, and therefore their requirements have been met perfectly by the set wedding packages that many hotels offer. These wedding packages tend to be fairly inflexible offering a set itinerary, location or menu. However, with more couples of color also wishing to join the throngs of couples marrying in an exotic Caribbean location, the wedding packages arranged through most holiday companies do not generally cater for their needs. They are looking for something a little different and more personalized.

This need has been recognized by one travel company. Culsen Travel is an independent travel company that specializes in Caribbean villa holidays. The company is owned by a couple who have had firsthand experience of marrying in the Caribbean. Two years ago they traveled to the island of Tobago along with 40 guests and enjoyed not only a wonderful wedding day but a memorable large family holiday. “Having experienced getting married in the Caribbean ourselves, we appreciated that it can be very difficult to find anyone who caters for this kind of specialist area. Many couples would like the option of taking a large number of guests with them and perhaps having the kind of wedding they would have had here, but in a Caribbean setting, and at a fraction of the cost, but most holiday companies do not cater for this kind of wedding party”, says Director of Products & Sales, Stephanie Morson.

Culsen Travel have therefore established themselves as a travel company who can recommend the perfect alternative accommodation on the island of your choice for any number of persons within your group – specialising in villas which range from 2-9 bedrooms, and having viewed each on of them personally. As a fully bonded operator, they can also take care of your flight and transfer arrangements too, but they are also able to take care of all your wedding arrangements, from the ceremony, right through to the reception – complete with all the trimmings with the assistance of their on-island personal wedding co-ordinators. “The weddings we arrange are many and varied, therefore we do not offer any set packages. Unlike most hotel wedding packages, we aim to offer a more tailor-made wedding so couples feel that their wedding day is unique and special. We also aim to cater to all budgets.”

Giving some examples of some of the types of weddings they can arrange:

For those on a more limited budget they recommend a stay in Tobago at one of their Seashell Villas. This collection of villas each sleep up to 6 persons and have their own swimming pool and daily housekeeper, and are the ideal option for accommodating wedding guests who travel out to share the couples special day. Costs start from around £658 per adult for a 7 night stay inclusive of flights and transfers for 6 persons sharing a villa. For a low key wedding, the gardens of the villa can provide the perfect setting for a private ceremony performed by a minister, followed by a barbecue or buffet reception with a selection of local dishes provided by a caterer. Or for a more formal affair, the couple can hold their wedding ceremony and reception at one of he island’s most popular seafront restaurants, The Seahorse Inn. A beachside ceremony can be followed by canapés & champagne whilst photographs are taken at sunset. Guests can then move up to the restaurant to enjoy a private reception party where a menu of their choosing is served for larger wedding groups, or for a smaller wedding party tables can be booked and guests can select from the A la carte menu. Entertainment can be provided in the form of a local band or DJ.

Based on a Wedding Packages with ceremony inclusive of all the legal arrangements, minister’s fee and services of the personal wedding co-ordinator, with extras such as a bouquet, groom & bestman’s buttonholes, photographer, and reception party for 20 guests inclusive of 3 courses and a two tier wedding cake, wedding costs start from approx £1,200.

For a more private and elaborate wedding, how about getting married in your very own villa surrounding by acres of tropical gardens. Culsen Travel have a range of villas in Jamaica that provide the most idyllic venue for a large wedding. Many of these villas permit a high number of guests for weddings, but charge a small per additional wedding guest fee for those attending wedding but not residing at the villa to compensate for the additional work that the villa staff will do, and wear and tear on the villa & grounds. Spyglass Hill is a popular choice for a villa wedding. Accommodating up to 19 persons in a beautiful property that is spread over 9 acres of lawns and tropical gardens, and has a main house with 4 bedrooms, and 4 additional bedrooms divided between two cottages situated within the grounds, the villa is fully staffed and well equipped to take care of the needs of a wedding party who wish to be accommodated together in a spacious deluxe property with a large private pool and separate plunge pool and staffed with cook, butler, maids & night watchman.

The wedding, with up to 75 guests permitted, can take place in the villas’ own bridal gazebo located within the gardens set against a backdrop of a stunning ocean. Guests staying at this villa can expect to pay from £933 per person for flights, accommodation & transfers, inclusive of staff gratuities. A budget of around £4,000 can cater a wedding for up to 40 guests inclusive of location fee, decoration of venue, floral bouquet for bride & bridesmaid, set up for sit down reception including waiting service, a 3 course meal, a local bar & DJ for the evening, plus the services a minister & photographer for the ceremony, all legal fees and the services of the wedding co-ordinator to oversee all events. However, weddings can be catered for considerably less for a more casual buffet style reception, depending on the couple’s wishes and guest numbers.

For those desiring something a little different they can also arrange wedding ceremonies in the rainforest or by the waterfall in St Lucia, at a beachside chapel in Barbados, or on top of a world heritage site in St Kitts. With 10 Caribbean islands to choose from, whatever the size of your wedding party or your vision for an idyllic tropical wedding day, Culsen Travel can recommend the island, property and ideal wedding venue to suit, and put the arrangements in place for your special day. They also have a selection of villas and hotels which they recommend for a Caribbean honeymoons. Check out their website on www.culsentravel.com, or call them 01582 729333

Bali Island of GOD for The Best Wedding Venue

As you all known that Bali is one of the best places for leasure, and now we are Bali Holidays Wedding and Bali Wedding Options will extend our service not only on leasure, but you also can planning on your holidays and also will get a special day of your Wedding in the Island of God.

The good time for planning to get Marriage in Bali start from April until October every years.

Having a destination wedding is an amazing way to start your life together as a couple. Your destination wedding will not just be a one day celebration with your family and friends but instead vacation filled with memories. If planned well, you can create a vacation that is both affordable for your guests and unforgettable.

Working with reputable vendors like us in Bali Holidays Wedding will help you deter these potential problems. If you are not good at this sort of thing, or don’t have the time to invest in research and planning, we recommend hiring a wedding planner.

Because destination weddings mean traveling far away from home, you and your guests will need plenty of time for planning. We also recommend that you spend more time researching than you would with a traditional wedding in Bali. You must deal with the local way of doing business as well as the legal requirements for marriage in our country that you plan to wed. Once you have decided that you want to get away to “tie the knot” destination style, where do you start?

American Idol: Carrie Underwood’s Surprise Honeymoon
American Idol season 4 champion, Carrie Underwood, is gearing up for a wedding sometime soon and nearly every detail is in place. Underwood admits she has a wedding planner taking care of most of responsibilities, but one thing has been left up to Underwood’s fiance, Mike Fisher: making the travel arrangements for the honeymoon. Keep reading [...] SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “American Idol …

Read more on Reality TV Magazine

Each time you add a name to your invitation list, you’re increasing your budget significantly. It’s not just the catering costs, but also the extra centerpieces, favors, rentals, etc. Don’t invite anyone you haven’t talked to in five years. Don’t feel obligated to let single people bring a date. Avoid feeling pressured to invite all your work colleagues. And don’t let your friends bring their children. You can also decide to eliminate categories like “relatives more distant than first cousins” or “friends from volunteer work.” By not inviting anyone from that group, you’ll help avoid hurt feelings.

For religious weddings, consider having your wedding near a major holiday. The church will already be decorated, saving you lots of money on flowers. On other days, look for simplicity. A candlelit ceremony can be romantic, gorgeous, and inexpensive.

Unlike many types of clothing, wedding dresses don’t get much wear- so they’re the perfect used item of clothing! You’ll also want to check out the huge selection of gowns on eBay. If you go with eBay, get yourself measured very carefully to make sure the dress fits. Even better, visit a local store and find a few dresses that look fabulous on you– and then look for the same gowns on eBay in your correct size. Who’s going to know it’s used– and who cares?

You may be dreaming of the perfect, fairytale wedding. However, if you do not have the time and money needed to create such a wedding, trying to do so will only cause financial hardship and unneeded stress. So, if you have lots of money to spare and can afford a wedding planner and all the other luxuries, then go ahead. Otherwise, you will need to keep the wedding small and simple so that you and your friends and family can take care of the various arrangements yourself. Even a simple wedding will provide you with plenty of memories to cherish for a life time.

If your wedding is at a time of year in which flowers bloom readily, consider using flowers from your garden, or from assorted friends and relatives. This could be a little risky, so you may need a Plan B, in case nature interferes with a sudden harsh hot or cold spell, or locusts attack or the dog digs up all the flowering plants etc! With a bit of research and planning (and a Plan B) you might even try planting seedlings, far enough in advances, to bloom for your wedding. These can even be used in their pots for stunning displays, and picked for bouquets. Using beautifully toned foliage for a lot of your displays, maybe with just a few accent flowers, can be magnificent. These can often easily be obtained from trees and bushes of friends and family for no cost.

Sometimes saving money can be as simple as celebrating your individuality or taking into account unique attributes of your venue. Instead of a guestbook full of names that might be meaningless in 50 years, we decided to take a group shot of our entire wedding party and guests. Seeing how everyone looked on that wonderful day is so meaningful to us — and we saved on the cost of a guestbook, pen and other accoutrements that add to the bottom line.

Wedding Tip – Planning Essentials

Just got engaged and planning a wedding?  It can really be quite overwhelming organising every step involved to ensure your wedding is a success for you and your guests.

It is important to get down to basics.  Guest numbers will play a large role when planning you wedding reception.  When booking your venue and services including catering, keep in mind that as many as 10-15% of guests invited will be unable to attend.  Look for a venue that will be perfect for your reception without compromising on space. 

How much space will I require?  Allow sufficient space for guests, entertainment, caterers and a bar setup.  Once you have an idea of the space you have for decorations and centrepieces, you can really picture how your wedding will look.

The style you select should be a reflection of yourself, and is a very personal decision.  A wonderful first impression will make your guests feel welcome and comfortable.  Working with a wedding planner will ensure you and your family can relax knowing little details are being taken care of.  If you have the time and would like to decorate your wedding reception many items can be viewed and ordered directly online. 

Special needs and dietary requirements

We all know a vegetarian or a celiac, a diabetic or have a cousin who will only eat chicken. Ensure that you know in advance if anyone of your guests has any special (or out of the ordinary) dietary requirements. Your caterer will design your menu accordingly.

Enjoy your wedding preparation.

If you are on the Sunshine Coast check out the range of ideas and products at The Schnitzel Bin

Source Article:(http://bridal-dresses-online.com/preparing-your-wedding-tips/)

There is nothing worse than stress on your wedding day. Your wedding day should be the most beautiful and fulfilling day of your life, not like another day at the office. When it comes to your wedding day there are some simple and logical tips to keep the day running smoothly. The first rule to abide on your wedding day is to know that something will go wrong so when it happens just laugh. That is how you will need to deal with it, because really, what else can you do? IF you are prepared with this thought then your wedding will run much more smoothly. Then, let someone else worry for you. If you do not want to have any stress, then let a wedding planner but himself or herself in charge of all the muscle work. On the day of the event, he or she will be making all of the tough decisions and making sure everything is in its place.

However, if you do not have a wonderful wedding planner, some of these wedding tips may prove to be extremely beneficialwhen time comes near to your wedding day.

•Make sure you have left yourself enough time to plan your wedding. The time you leave depends on the size of the wedding. If you have a smaller event, you can plan about 6 months ahead. For larger weddings, you may want to start planning about 10 months to a year ahead of time. If you do not leave these time frames, then you may run the risk of making your wedding appear to be thrown together, even with months of planning and more mistakes can occur, creating more stress on the day of the wedding.

•Holiday weddings often tend to be cheaper but are also a lot more stressful. During the holidays, there is always an aura of holiday cheer. However, florists are busy with multiple holiday parties and gifts and catering companies are busy catering holiday parties. This means that it is much easier for you orders to get lost or mixed up. This mistake is not acceptable at a wedding and will create immense amounts of stress. Just steer clear of holiday dates, in the long run planning a wedding around a non holiday date will cost a lot less money and stress.

You do not need to make your day stressful. Have fun, it is your wedding!

Related Article:Wedding Tips – Getting ready for the big day