Beautiful Weddings

General information

We recommend that if possible, both bride and groom will attend all interviews.

Always carry a note pad and pen to write down important information and questions that may arise during your interview.

Actually, choosing the wedding site location that is just right for you, is a lot of fun.

Before you start looking, you should brainstorm. As you do, take to consideration your wedding budget, your wedding theme, the atmosphere you want at your wedding, your interests, and your guests.

The location is one of the most important aspects of your wedding, so consider carefully what will make yours a special, one-of-a-kind wedding event. You have many option including a do it yourself wedding (friends and family contributing of course.) Following is a list to get you started.

Ideas for wedding sites include:

A Home – do it yourself wedding,

Auditoriums – usually on a rental basis,

Beach – public domain may need permit and or license,

Bed and Breakfast – full service,

Camp Grounds – do it yourself wedding,

Club Houses – do it yourself wedding,

Country Clubs – most offer full service,

Conference Centers- some offer full service, some are on a rental basis,

Convention Centers – some offer full service, some are on a rental basis,

Hotel – Ball Rooms – Grounds or – Gardens. A Gazebo makes a wonderful setting for a wedding ceremony- full service

Houses of Worship – Churches – Synagogues – Temples – Mosques – etc…some offer full service, some are on a rental basis, some can only facilitate the ceremony,

Mansions – full service,

Museums -some museums offer celebration rooms and may even help with special wedding themes, especially historical – usually on a rental basis,

Parks – Great – do it yourself wedding,

Patio – Gardens – do it yourself wedding,

ranches – usually on a rental basis,

Resorts, full service,

Rented Halls – usually on a rental basis,

Stadiums – usually on a rental basis,

Yachts or Cruise Ships – full service,

You can probably come up with some more ideas.

Unless the location is your top priority, choose the dream location and a few alternative sites that will be just right for you, so that if necessary you can be flexible. Some location are natural for weddings and offer all the amanities you need. Others rent the space and leave the rest to you, still others are free but you have to make all the arrangements. So, consider your wedding budget, consider the work involved, consider your guests and choose the site that will afford you your dream wedding. The information you gathered, is actually a wonderful preparation for your interviews.

FULL SERVICE WEDDING SITE and FACILITIES

These are venues that can take care of every little detail regarding your ceremony and reception. You’ll still need to attend to your personal needs. You’ll need to attend to the attire, wedding accessories and wedding gifts for each other, family, and wedding attendants.

SITES AVAILABLE on a RENTAL BASIS

Many wedding sites that are available on a rental basis. Some provide the space, others provide tables and chairs too, while still others provide linens, tableware, flatware and glassware as well. There are also rental based sites that have a working relationship with selected caterers and are familiar with other wedding service providers and vendors.

PUBLIC SITES

Public parks, beaches, gardens etc… make great wedding sites and are perfect for do it yourself weddings. They offer you the opportunity to express yourselves in an unconfined atmosphere. Most are free to use but you’ll need to do the majority of the planning and contracting. Your first step is to find if you need any permits and or licenses. If you do, obtain them.

HOME

Many apartment complexes, condominums, mobil home parke and gated communities have club houses available for residents to use. So whether you choose to have your wedding in a home or a club house, you’ll need to be in charge. Do recruit your family and friends and assign them appropriate tasks. Most will be honored to be asked and excited to be a contributing part of your wedding.

HOW to FIND WEDDING SITES

Once you have chosen the type of wedding site you want for your wedding, do the following:

Ask your family, friends and acqaintances for recommendations.

Attend bridal shows.

search the yellow pages under the appropriate category.

Either call or visit the facility and request a brochure specific to weddings.

You want only the best! Be selective! Before you commit consider the following:

When visiting or calling, were you greeted cordially?

Were you able to obtain the information you requested in a timely manner?

Were the people you spoke with helpful? Too helpful and eager?

Now, check the internet for local wedding sites and go to their websites.

Do you like the look and feel?

Does it provide you with the information you are looking for?

Does it show or tell about unique one-of-a-kind weddings?

Does it offer, Free wedding articles or Free wedding information?

Is the web site helpful?

Did you find a clearly posted name, address, phone and email contact?

If the answer is no to any of these questions, skip it and go to another web site.

Bookmark (favorite) the websites that are agreeable. Place the brochures from facilities you visited in a folder until you are ready to choose a few favorites.

WHAT to EXPECT of the REPRESENTATIVE of the FACILITY YOU VISIT:

A business card of each person you may work with within the facility,

A brochure that explains what is offered and any exclusions, rules, regulations and options,

References,

A tour of the facility so you may check their amenities.

* If you plan not to include children in your reception, do not alienate guests who’d rather bring children than miss your wedding. You should provide a babysitting service for such guests.

For ideas read the article PLEASE – NO KIDS IN OUR WEDDING

Once you made your choice, you need to receive a written contract signed by the person in charge, and dated. The contract must include all of your responsibilities and all of the responsibilities, warranties and guarantees offered by the facility.

Caveat Emptor – Buyer beware!Read each contract very carefully, on, under and above the line.

Be sure that you understand it fully and agree with all the terms.

If you have questions, concerns, or are uncertain, contact them for clarification.

Take into consideration that in most parts of the USA you have 3 days to examin the contract and if you need to, cancel with no penalties.

Copyrights © 2007 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser

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Catering your wedding on the cheap- or at least cheaper than full bore retail is an art in itself. Actually large scale weddings are relatively new on the scene. With smaller family units a wedding so to speak is “instant family”

The average cost an American wedding is now estimated at $ 28,000. Remember that this is the average figure and as such includes small events and elopements on the final calculation. Not included and in addition and on top of the average $ 28,000 wedding costs are the costs and fees for the wedding and engagement rings, the bridal consultant and / or wedding planner. Lastly the essential “honeymoon” vacation is in addition and on top of all of this.

How can one save costs and charges for their wedding without appearing to be too much of a cheapskate? After all your wedding day is said to be “The Most Important Day in Your Life”, to be remembered long after. Especially brides will be scolded if they are brave enough to put the wedding day event in full perspective that “I thought like you and then on that day I realized that it was “My Day in the Sun”. And all of those people were there for me.” “Name of Bride to be – Not a day goes by without me thinking and remembering my wedding day, fondly”. There sure is a lot of less than subtle pressure on both the new bride and groom to be.

What can be done to reduce the costs of the wedding meal and meals?

First of all it all comes down to supply and demand. Many weddings are held in preference in the spring. Caterers are busy during this peak time. If the time of year is not crucial an off peak time wedding can afford better negotiating in dealing with caterers and florists. It is not unlike shopping for a car at the end of the month where the car dealer is more than amenable to make a deal better than otherwise in an effort to meet his production quota. If possible host your wedding in an off peak wedding period.

Next in terms of catering look at the size of your wedding party. If the party is smaller then perhaps the wedding reception and meal can be held in a restaurant.

Restaurants often have “party “or large “meeting rooms:” for this purpose and will more than generously accommodate you for a booking if you ask. It’s found guaranteed business for a restaurant to pay its bills and they will more than gladly book it. If your meal is held offsite another possibility is have the meal catered by restaurant as well.

If the meal is larger often caterers will give discounts (if asked) for larger events.

There costs are less – one event rather than many, less transportation costs than to a number of small events. Economies of scale in terms of purchases of supplies and cooking as well are entailed. If Wal-Mart can lean on their suppliers for volume discounts why can’t you.

Extras such as extra serving personnel and place settings can be reduced or even eliminated. If possible have the food or supplies (such as chairs and tables) picked up by yourself, a friend or agent (who is dependable)… You may well find that by renting a van at weekend rates and hiring a reliable neighbor for the task may save you money instead of having the caterer plus other suppliers all charge you delivery, setup and pickup fees. In addition you will reduce the chance of late fees of late returned items as the deliveries and pick ups are at your control.

Watch out for extra costs that may be “slid in”. You cannot blame the catering companies and hotels if they don’t tell you of cost saving means if it is not in their favor.

After all this is their livelihood. For example the costs of beverages can be quite a major hit in the pocket book of the wedding reception, Inquire as to the liquor laws of your state and the rules of the hotel, You may find that you are able to purchase and serve your own wines and liquor at the reception as long as you satisfy the local liquor and hospitality regulations. This often entails obtaining a permit from the local liquor control or restaurant authorities. These rules vary from locale to locale.

With the correct liquor or wine permit you may be able to purchase your wine or liquor less expensively, Again it all depends on the rules of the hotel, hall or restaurant.

You may be charged the cost of bartenders and serving personnel, you may be charged nothing. Sometimes the procedure is to charge a “corkage fee”. All in all it’s a matter of discussion and negotiation; it all comes down to an evaluation of what is the best overall deal for you.

A wedding is a major milestone and event in most people’s lives. It is also a major purchase in their life. As with any purchase it never hurts to plan ahead and comparison shop. You would plan and shop for a car purchase of $ 28,000. Why not for your wedding?

Bells have become a great tradition at weddings and putting out some stunning bell favors will certainly add to the entertainment of your wedding. Whenever the guests want to see a loving kiss between the bride and groom they can ring these bells that you have placed at their seats for them to take home and remember your special day forever. Bell wedding favors come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles anywhere from traditional to unique and contemporary. Placing some shining bells around the tables at your wedding reception will certainly brighten the mood of the party with the light they shed all over the wedding hall. Each bell represents the special loving bond between the bride and groom that is so palpable in the atmosphere at a beautiful wedding party. Here are a few product suggestions to help you make your wedding more beautiful and to get your guests involved in the events of your wedding.

Gold Toned Favor Bells:

These are very simple golden colored bells that will add elegance to your wedding reception. Each bell has a solid handle at the top with a whole through the center that can be used to tie on personal tags or to even hang the bells from walls, ceilings, or anywhere else you can think of. The tag that comes with the bell states “The air will fill with a joyous sound when the jingling bells are passed around. Ring as a signal to toast and cheer, Celebration Bells bring luck to all who hear!”

Bride and Groom Silver Plated Bell:

The contemporary style of this bell will add some culture and panache to your wedding tables. The handle of these wonderful bells are crafted into the forms of the bride and groom looking into each other’s eyes as they share a loving dance on their wedding day. The curving form of the bell and handle really make this an eye-catching wedding favor that your guests will appreciate and praise you for.

Tie-on Wedding Bells:

These small bells can be stringed and tied to anything form wedding favors to bubbles to centerpieces. The little bells are a golden color and have a unique twinkling sound when they are shaken and clanged together. Your guests will love these adorable additions that you tie onto anything you desire at your wedding reception.

Silver Bell Heart Place Card Holder:

This is a unique bell because it doubles as a place card holder. The sheer good looks of this wedding bell will add style to your wedding table while also serving its use as an indication of where each guest is to be seated at your wedding reception. The heart at the top is a simple tribute to the love shared between the bride and groom.

When choosing wedding bells as a wedding favors for your reception party guest, always try in keep in mind the wedding theme you are going with. You can then choose the pretty bell wedding favors that matches your theme celebration. Following these simple tips to help ensure your special day is a memorable one!