Dress Up Simple And Cheap Cocktails

We all know supplying alcohol for a wedding can be expensive. OK, let's be honest, it can be VERY expensive. You want to purchase enough to last the night and have enough variety to keep everyone happy. All this while trying to keep some cash in your banking account. You decide to go with the staple liquors - rum, vodka, beer, wine, champagne, and plenty of mixers. They will save you money, but they are soooo boring to the eye.

Well, how about you dress it up a bit. A single piece of fruit hanging off the side of a glass can give a new look to a glass of alcohol. Instead of on the side of the glass for champagne, try floating a few raspberries or strawberries in the bottom. The same is true for sparkling wine. A fruit kabob (strawberry, pineapple, and lime) placed across the top of the glasses gives your guests an option of which fruit they would like to add to their drinks.

This idea is my favorite - coat your rim of the glasses with lemon juice and then dip them into colored sugar. You can even credit a colored sugar with food coloring to match the colors of your wedding. A simple martini style drink does not take a lot of liquor types and is fairly easy to make. Plus, I think it looks quite elegant.

Having a beach or summer wedding? Simply add a cute and colorful umbrella to your drink glasses. I recently saw them on sale in a party supply store, 100 umbrellas for a dollar - what a deal!! I personally get excited when I go to the beach and the bartender gives me an umbrella for my drink.

Many online wedding stores are selling monogram clings you can wrap around the outside of your drinking glasses. You can get them specialized as well, meaning you could even have the bride and groom's name on the clings. This is a guaranteed way to be asked where you got the glasses. But, shh, no one needs to know they are really clings.

So, take your glasses and spruce them up a little but for your next event. Check back in a few days for a post on sprucing up glassware for your event. It is going to be funky, but I like funky! =)

Sweet Shot Desserts....Yes, Please!

Chris (my husband) and I went to dinner with some friends this weekend. Of course, I couldn't just enjoy myself and not think of anything related to weddings or wedding planning. I have no excuse except that I love everything that goes into a wedding. I find inspiration every where I go. Like my friend said this weekend, "When you are an artist, you no longer see a tree as a tree, you see it as a contrast of lights and darks." Wedding planning is the same thing - I see things how they can fit into the style of a wedding.



But - anyway - I was reading the menu and found myself at the dessert section (the only part of the menu I am REALLY interested in anyway) and this particular restaurant has the cutest little shot glass desserts. After thinking how I could have gone for the mini strawberry cheesecake dessert shot instead of dinner, my creative thoughts started flowing.



Why not have a waiter or waitress carry around a tray of different types of shot desserts? They are not near as heavy on the waist as wedding cake, and people can choose from more than one type. A colorful cake, such as red velvet cake, gives off a certain personality that can be blended into a red theme, roses theme, or Gothic theme.



Other yummy flavors of mini shot desserts could include:

--wedding cake in a shot glass

--death by chocolate (chocolate cake with chocolate syrup and topped with chocolate sprinkles)

--carrot cake (instead of whipped cream, try butter cream icing layers)

--confetti cake (so much fun and looks like something you would have at a carnival)

--layered vanilla and chocolate cake with peanut butter filling/icing



The list and creativity could go on and on forever. Before the wedding, purchase basic boxed cakes to try out a variety of flavors. Keep a list of types you would like, as well as a list you think your guests would like.



I am going to leave you with a recipe for a "can't fail if you choose me" flavor.



Chocolate Shots

1 package JELL-O chocolate mousse (prepare as directed on box)

Oreo cookies, crushed ~OR~ crushed chocolate graham crackers

Whipped Cream

Chocolate Sauce

This recipe is so easy that after you have prepared the mousse according to the box, you can assemble the "shooters" any way you would like. You can mix everything together for a "dirt" pudding mix (dirt pudding is amazing!). Or you may choose to make a layered cup with the whipped cream on top. Whatever you choose, it will be fantastic!

Here Comes The....Cowgirl?!

A wedding based around a theme can be so much fun to plan, and your guests will instantly understand the personality you are attempting to assert through your wedding details. A popular theme within the past few years has been the Western theme. If you are dreaming of having a Western style wedding, these little details could put the finishing touches on your dream wedding:

Cowboy and Cowgirl Boots
I think this would be absolutely adorable for photos. Imagine this picture -the bride putting on her brown (or for a more "eye-widening" experience, try red) cowgirl boots with her white wedding dresses flowing around her ankles. Beautiful, huh?

Or after the ceremony, the groomsmen, bridesmaids, bride, and groom all show off their cowboy boots while standing in a field with green grass surrounding them. It all revolves around the boots!

A Horseshoe Wedding Cake Topper
The wedding cake is the most focal point of reception decor. Every guest will take a look at your cake sometime during the reception. A horseshoe cake topper will certainly put a Western feel into your reception. Not to mention, you could add lassos or other Western themed items on the cake table to really drive the theme home to your guests.

Feedbag Guest Gifts
Burlap bags are easy substitutes for feedbags, and they will hold a nice amount of candy too! If you are looking for something with humor, you could purchase pieces of candy corn, so they fit the feedbag feel!

Ding Dong Dinner Is Done
Instead of allowing guests to tap on the glasses for you two lovebirds to smooch, place small Western style dinner bells. Think of the old movies where the wife would ring the bell hanging from the rafters of the front porch and all the kids would come running. Except at your wedding, people will be ringing it for you to land a good one on your husband's (or wife's) cheek!

There are hundreds of other things you can do for a Western themed wedding. Watch old tv shows or movies for ideas. Take notes on things you like, didn't like, and how you can successfully incorporate the ideas into your wedding.

Add A Personal Touch And Have A Backyard Wedding!

I do not think there is anything more romantic than inviting your wedding guests to join in the union of you and your future spouse in the comforts of your backyard. Imagine a night of dancing, laughter, and tears with the family dog roaming around to greet everyone.

More and more engaged couples are looking for ways to personalize their weddings. They want their guests to leave learning something new about the couple. By inviting your guests into your home and backyard, you are making a promise of a lifetime to not only your fiance, but your guests as well! Your guests are guaranteed to leave feeling as if they have known you forever, even if you only met them a year ago.

If you are looking for additional little touches to make your backyard wedding even more personal, consider incorporating some of these details:

A Table Of Memories

Put out a table full of memories from your side of the family and your fiance's family. You can add photos of both of your parents' weddings with little notes explaining the dates, times, and locations of their marriages. It is a good idea to include photos of your pets, children, or other things dear to your heart. There may be a guest that did not know you and your fiance are avid snorkelers. Oh, and did I mention that photos are excellent conversation starters?

Use Fresh Flowers From Your Garden

A few simple stems of flowers from your garden can be used as personal accents to your backyard wedding. You could carry a single rose from your favorite rose bush down the isle. You may decide to have a simple vase in the middle of your tables with a few flowers from your garden as centerpieces. If you grow some of your own vegetables, you can create a veggie plate of yummy vegetables from your garden. All of this ideas are personal, save you money, and are Earth friendly. There isn't anything better than that.

Homemade Baked Goods

This is something that I recently saw at a wedding, and I fell in love with the idea. Instead of purchasing expensive guest gifts that they will probably throw away after the wedding, bake your favorite treat to send them home with. Another idea is to bake something relevant to you and your fiance. Let's say your first date included indulging in triple chocolate cake. Well, you can personalize the thought, and bake little triple chocolate cake petit fours! Send a cute note with them, "Our love is so sweet," or "Indulge in some love".

One thing I absolutely love about backyard weddings is the intimacy you feel from the event. Anything you add as a personal touch will reach someone at your wedding. Just remember to take lots of pictures and have a ton of fun!

Mistakes You Do Not Want To Make When Planning Your Wedding

There are little mistakes you can make when planning your wedding that most guests would not even notice as a mistake (forgetting to order the pew bows, for example). However, the mistakes I am going to list are harder to fix once you have made them. Try to stay clear of these common mistakes when you are in the planning stages of your wedding.

1. Going Over Your Budget

I can't stress enough how important this one is. Setting a budget is the first thing you should do when you become engaged (even before setting a date, because you can choose a weekday or a Sunday if you have a smaller budget). It is not worth putting your marriage in debt from the beginning just for one day! The easiest way to stick to your budget is by doing a lot of research to find vendors and products within your price range.

2. Planning Your Wedding On An Event Date

Before you pick a date for your wedding or the location of your wedding, research the local area for any events that may be taking place that same day. I have a friend who planned her wedding the same day as a national race in the same town she was being married in. She could not find ANY hotels for her guests, and the guests ended up paying double the price of a hotel to stay at a Bed and Breakfast. If you are certain on a date, look for places centrally located with no local events happening the day of your wedding.

3. Not Going For The Last Fittings

Believe it or not, this pertains to the bride, groom, and wedding party. Brides are encouraged to get their dresses 4-6 months before the wedding, because there are numerous fittings to attend. Grooms, on the other hand, are normally required to attned 1-2 fittings. It is natural for people to gain or loss weight, so it is essential that all members of the wedding attend the last 2 fittings. Also, keep in mind - it is easier to take fabric out than to put it back in. Do not make an assumption that you will be a certain size before the wedding. It is perfectly fine for the seamstress to have to make the most adjustments after the last fitting.

4. Waiting Too Long To Get A Passport

With all the stress of planning a wedding, applying for a passport is often over-looked and forgotten. By the time the couple remembers, it is too late. It is never too early to register for your passport. Even if you wedding is not for many months, your passport will be valid. Your local library, post office, and travel agency will have applications for a passport. I do not know the time frame, because new regulations have been passed on passports this current year.

5. Letting Family Make All The Decisions

It is a tricky situation when you and your fiance are not paying for the wedding, but married couples often report allowing family to make all the decisions as a regret of the wedding. The family may want you to have a formal affair when all you really want is a backyard get-together. It is best if you set out your desires with the person(s) offering to pay for your wedding before starting the planning. Ask what they visualize your wedding as being, and tell them how you would like your wedding to turn out.

Did you make a mistake when planning you wedding that you would like to share with other people? If so, add your comments in the box below! I would love to read what you have to share!

Nobody Will Notice If You Purchase A Used Wedding Gown

Tip of the day: Purchase Your Wedding Gown Used To Save Money!

There are so many places where you can purchase really nice wedding gowns for almost no money at all! Even if you need to have alterations done to the dress, it will not cost as much as purchasing a brand new dress.

Think of it this way - it was new at some point. You are probably buying a dress that was worn one time for a wedding, and the bride decided she did not have a use for it any longer. You will be able to put the money you save from purchasing a used wedding dress into another element of your wedding.

Here are some places to look for used wedding gowns:

1. Yard Sales - Not many people think of looking at yard sales for a wedding gown, but you can find bargains on different types of wedding supplies there, including wedding dresses. The only con to shopping yard sales for wedding dresses is you have no where to try the dress on. If you are really into a dress you see, ask the seller to try it on in their bathroom.

2. Consignment Stores - I was recently in an upscale consignment store (Yes, there are such things!) and I noticed there were about 50 dresses for sale. Every dress was clean and in excellent condition. The average price per dress was about 150 dollars! Plus, they sold veils to match the wedding dresses. I would highly recommend looking at used wedding dresses the next time you are in a consignment store.

3. Classifieds - Your local newspaper can be a good source for locating used dresses. Read the paper everyday to look for people selling dresses. You may also decide to put a "Wanted!" ad in the paper. It is a sure way to get a dress, because brides are constantly looking for ways to make money off their wedding dresses.

And let me tell you a secret about used wedding dresses - no one will ever know you are wedding a used dress to your wedding. It will not even cross your guests' minds. You can make any dress, new or used, look stunning on your wedding day!