Keeping Expenses Down For Your Wedding Party

In the August/September issue of Brides Magazine, 103 bridesmaids participated in a poll and gave some insight.  Among many of the interesting questions such as what a bride should know when choosing her bridesmaids, thoughts about the bachelorette party, and of course the dresses; one thing stood out to me.  73 percent of bridesmaids who were asked what the hardest part of being a bridesmaid was, responded that the expense was the most difficult. As a bride you expect that costs are going to add up because it is your wedding, we may not stop and think about the costs for those involved in our wedding party.  Typical expenses are the cost of the attire for the wedding, travel expenses, time off from work, and shower/wedding gifts.

Here are a few ideas on keeping your expenses down without compromising a good time!

1. Choose an affordable dress line for the bridesmaids to choose from, or allow them to choose their own gown.  Allowing your bridesmaids to choose their own gown may give your girls a little more pocket change as well as feel more comfortable in their dresses.

2. Plan your bridal shower/wedding related projects and events close together in dates if you have out of town bridesmaids so that they can make less trips without having to miss out on the fun.  If you have a bridesmaid or maid of honor who can't attend the final fitting, get creative and see if you can come up with a way to face time or Skype with them in the dress store if the store owner allows.

3. Stay local and plan a night out that won't break the bank.  You may be able to live it up in your home town by saving money from airfare and hotels.  Get a limo or talk to some of the local bars about having your own VIP table vibe without the out of town price tag!

4.  Their presence is gift enough, let your ladies and gents know that you understand they have had to spend money to be involved in all of the events and are just happy they were able to be a part of everything with you!

5. Look for discounts for booking as a group, and try to plan things out in advance. Check for rewards programs and other incentives for travel arrangements.

6. Talk your wedding vendors such as your planner for ideas on keeping your budget in check and you may get some creative tips and advice from vendors.  When you network with your professional vendors you are tapping into a pretty great resource!

Money can be a touchy subject, and sometimes you may think that your bridesmaid is checked out from your wedding planning but in reality she may just be stressed with the thought of the financial aspect.  Just remember that you are doing all of this to celebrate your love and commitment to each other as a couple, and want to share this with your friends and family!

~ Happy Planning~

Teegarden House Event Center - Bridal Faire Recap

We were delighted to be a part of the first Bridal Faire at The Teegarden House Event Center in Yuba City. Not only did we get to meet brides from the area, but we also got to mingle with several talented wedding professionals and businesses. The Teegarden House is a great spot for an intimate wedding or bridal shower celebration, baby shower, birthday party or corporate event. If you missed the event and would like to check out this charming venue just give Cindy at Teegarden House a call to schedule a tour or inquire about hours. Teegarden House Event Center 731 Plumas Street, Yuba City (530) 674-7310 http://Teegardenhouse.com

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You're Invited ~ Teegarden Event Center Bridal Faire 4.11.13

The 530 Bride was invited to be a vendor in the first semi-annual bridal faire at the Teegarden House Event Center, Yuba City. We are excited to be a part of the event, and hope that guests will not only have a great time but also get an opportunity to tour the venue and get some face time with some of our area's premier vendors. Hope to see you all there!

Wedding films and happy tears

By Christina Rafael

Much like my love for all things Nicholas Sparks and Adele, I love a good cry.

Though my fiance makes fun of my ability to shed tears at the start of a sad song (or really good Google commercial), wedding films are the icing on the cake to my cry sessions.

Something about the combination of music to the happiness of vows, change of family dynamics and new beginnings always guarantees a lunge for the tissue box.

So grab a Kleenex and take a look at my top 3 favorite wedding films:

Wiley & Mallory -  lifestagefilms.com

I mean, come on…this man's vows win every award! The way he looks at her during her vow reading, the soft "baby" as she finishes and that crying break at 1:27 had me in tears immediately.

I think what I like most about this film is that the love these two have for one another is apparent in every action captured. Their story wasn't convenient and lacked storybook effortlessness but the couple worked hard to stay together, despite all odds, and had their happy ending. His vows were the structure this film needs to pull the best kinds of heart strings.

Jake & Jordan - www.alealovely.com

I think what really gets me in this film is the family dynamics. From the family members featured on her bouquet to the dad/ bride moment, it's all Hallmark gold. I also loved the idea of writing a letter to your bride/ groom to be read before you see each other and might steal it. ;)

As Jordan reads the lines referencing "the mother to my children" and "the grandmother to my grandchildren" I can't help but wipe away some happy tears. What a sweet idea, great groom and amazing words to capture.

Brandon & Stacey - trecreative.com

I'm a bit partial when it comes to this one because it hits so close to home. From the smile she has when she talks about her groom to cry-heavy vows she uses, it's a mirror image of myself. It also doesn't help that this couple's film was shot by a videographer team from Chico (who just got married, congrats Stephen & Chelsey!).

I lose my cool when she tells her groom that when he told her she was beautiful, she finally believed it. It's such an honest sentiment to spill in a vow and really lets the viewer in on their relationship dynamic. The groom's vows are also highlighted when he reveals the best decision he's made: her.

Book a Videographer If you can swing it budget wise, having a wedding film is definitely something to consider for any couple. In addition to being unique each time, a videographer can capture fast-paced wedding day details and emotions in first-person way, so you (and family members who could or could not attend) can revisit your special day as if it was happening again.

Though trecreative.com was highlighted, there are many more local options to explore.

Research online or book us for an hourly consultation to find the best videographer for your special day!

 

'Real' Wedding Budgets

firstcoastweddings.com Two of the ladies here at The 530 Bride are having weddings this summer!

Kendall Arelleis and her hubby—after having initially eloped—have finally decided to have a reception celebration to share with loved ones; and newbie Christina Rafael is getting hitched in just two short months. Many details will follow on both upcoming local weddings and we thought we'd share their budget-savvy, meaning not $25k, expense breakdown to give you just a taste of how you can have a rockin' wedding at any price.

Up first is Christina's rustic-romantic backyard wedding, (a neutral color palette with hints of blush and burlap), on a Saturday in May. Her guest list is 80-90 people and she has been planning, off and on, since getting engaged in February 2012. She made her dream wedding possible with thrift and antique store shopping, DIY Projects, and discounted services from professional friends.

Below is a rough outline of her budget:

Ceremony & Reception Venues: Free. Family home. Wedding Dress:  $99. Accessories: $65. Hair/Makeup: $130. Tuxedo Rental: $214.98. Rings: $220. Stationary: $263. Cake: $160. Food Services: Gift from family. Catering estimated at $500, not sure on drinks. Photography: $1,000. Florist: $120. Music: $200. Decor: $400. Includes water dispensers, cake stands, fabric for DIY projects, 12 paper lanterns, etc. Rentals: $691.52. Tables, chairs and linens plus out of town delivery.

Cutting that budget and guest list in half, Kendall will be having an Art Deco, gold and pink, Thursday June wedding. Her guest list is around 40, she's been planning for 5 months, and she made her dream wedding possible with saving and recycling item like mason jars, shopping sales, and DIY projects galore; maybe she'll start an Etsy!

Below is a rough outline of her budget:

Ceremony & Reception Venues: $400 Wedding Coordinator: Gift from Veronica here at The 530 Bride! Wedding Dress: $300 + Alterations (pricing TBD) Accessories: $90 Hair/Makeup: TBD, but quoted a discount by Professional Stylist friend for $25/hr Tuxedo Rental: $200 Stationary: $125 Cake: $150 Food Services: $200 Photography: Gift from Professional Photographer friend! Florist: $200 Music: Gift from Professional cousin! Misc Decor: $640 (Includes centerpieces, cake stands, specialty cardstock, votives, ribbon, chalkboard paint, frames, and stencil embosser) Tablecloths & Napkins: $160 Rentals: Labor trade with local vendor!

A word of caution to those looking to cut corners: Weddings come in different shapes and sizes,and while no budget is right or wrong, not all choices made in the name of budget are a good deal. - Be wary of hiring students, craigslist posters, and inexperienced but well-meaning family. They are not "professionals", and while it may be kind of you to give them the experience to hone their skills, do you really want to risk food-poisoning, blurry pictures, or a coordinator who's even more overwhelmed than you? Make a point with every vendor to not settle on anyone until you've seen their portfolio of work and client testimonials. - If a vendor's price quote is going to make or break whether or not you hire them, be absolutely candid with them about your budget. Don't be afraid to ask if they are willing to make a customized package, a payment plan, or allow you to put their service on your wedding registry. - If you think it's going to be cheaper to buy than to rent, think again. Your purchase may not be of the same high quality that a vendor offers, or may have hidden costs. For example, you may think that buying linens and then selling them after the wedding makes more sense, but consider the that you need to have them ironed or they will be wrinkled on the tables, and if you don't dry clean them after the wedding, they will stain. Not to mention the increase in price for paying rather than renting, the risk of a low thread count or sloppy design, and the difficulty to resell, and at a loss.

As real Brides, we too have budget problems. If we had an unlimited budget, we would pick all the highly sought after vendors (and we know who they are!) Sadly, sacrifices must be made. A trick we learned while planning is to weigh out which aspects of your wedding are most important to you and which areas just aren't. Then you can decide how to allot your budget and which vendors are crucial to your vision.

We hope this gives our readers an idea of how to form a wedding budget with limited financial resources; and know that you CAN have your dream wedding, whatever your budget! Happy Planning!

Posted by Kendall Arelleis and Christina Rafael

Free DIY Resources

Tackling a do-it-yourself wedding project is a great way to add a personal touch to your event while impressing guests with unique ideas and creativity. Though many DIY projects can save money and are fun to create with bridesmaids, they can also be time consuming. Fortunately many wedding websites offer free resources for visiting brides—in the form of print templates and speedy projects —that bring the fun back to crafting your special day!

Here are a few of our recent finds online that we'd like to share with our 530 brides.

Please make sure to follow any copyright or use instructions on the following websites. 

We would love to see your finished creations and feel free to share the resources you have found along your  journey!

~Happy Planning~

Free Custom Monograms.

A Whole Collection of Adorable Mason Jar Designs.

DIY Fringe Cake Topper.

Free Guestbook Fingerprint Tree Print.

Free Printable Table Numbers.

Free Chevron Patterned Print for Invitations, Save the Dates and Inserts Cards.

 

Budgeting and The Elusive "Average"

As wedding coordinators we meet with couples who may be planning a very intimate wedding of 40 people or under, or on the other hand couples who are trying to keep the guest list under 300.  After the engagement is official and the couple begins making selections for their venue and vendors, it becomes a question of where to start.  There are many tools and checklists that are helpful, and we offer our assistance for every step of the way during the planning process even if a couple books us for Day of Coordination vs. Full Service.    The biggest question that I hear brides ask is "what is the average cost of _________?" The reason this question isn't always easy to answer is because there are many variables to cost, therefore the photographer or venue for one wedding may not be comparable to another event due to some of these reasons: ♥ Location ♥ Time of Year ♥ No. of Expected Guests ♥ Specific Package Selections ♥ Demand for Service/Product ♥ Level of Experience of Vendor

Watching the Wedding Programs on TV or flipping through a magazine may have skewed your grasp of what a realistic budget is in your area.  While it is important to understand what is realistic, it is even more important to establish your budget based on what you feel comfortable with.  Even if a $2k floral budget is average in some areas, it may not be a number that you can or want to spend for your event.

When clients contact us, we ask them to complete a questionnaire and rate what the most important areas of their budget is.

We ask questions such as:

From 1 -5 in importance (1 being most important) rate the following:

  • Abundance of Fresh Flowers
  • Extensive Photography and/or Videographer Package (over 6-8 hours of photography and printed images in album)
  • Luxury Linens, Centerpieces & Decor
  • Venue
  • Food & Beverage

If budget was no option we would splurge on: a. Gourmet Food & Premium Drinks for our guests b. Chandeliers, Draping & Up lighting c. Modern Furniture & Lounge areas d. Gift Baskets /Custom Favors e. An over the top Wedding Cake f. Custom Stationary (Invitations, Save The Dates, etc) g. Other(s) ______________________

These types of questions give us insight on helping you establish your budget, and pair you with vendors that can not only provide the products and services you are looking for but also stay on budget.  We can assist clients prioritize the expenses so that all of the major areas are covered and we can identify some of the "extras" to have on standby if budget permits.

We support the DIY Couples in their projects and creativity, and can even help you budget for your DIY projects to estimate your savings and cost effectiveness for each project.  Our goal for the DIY couple is to help you organize all of the projects and elements that you have worked on creating, and put them together into a smooth timeline with tasks and detailed information to keep everyone on the same page.  If you would like information on our packages, or our upcoming DIY Workshop please shoot us an email at info@The530Bride.com

We will be seeing our Northern California Brides at the upcoming Bridal Shows!

Yuba Sutter, January 27th at the Yuba City Fairgrounds Chico Bridal Show, February 24th at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico

Want tickets? Shoot us your information from our contact us page to get on the list for fast pass tickets!

DIY Inspiration

Get a great deal on your romantic getaway!

Maybe it's the stormy weather that has us thinking of tropical places, but if you have been looking for a fabulous destination then look no further.  Below are some exciting travel deals that are perfect for booking a getaway! It is hard to choose just one of these beautiful resorts.. decisions, decisons! Barcelo puts the "ALL" in all inclusive. All Inclusive Resorts offer up to $3000 Resort Credit and up to 25% off if you book early. You can enjoy even more of your stay with the additional 5% discount coupon! Enter the promo code: BARCELORESORTCREDIT

Barceló Castillo Beach Resort

The four star Barcelo Club El Castillo is a charming establishment that is located in an unbeatable spot that is directly opposite the stunning beach in Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura.

Barceló Maya Colonial Beach

The Barceló Maya Colonial Beach is situated along the magnificent Mayan Riviera,at the east coast of Mexico. Just 25 km from Carmen Beach and 75 km from Cancun International Airport. The property having 2 km. of private beach running alongside the waters of the Caribbean.

Barceló Dominican Beach

The Barcelo Dominican Beach is located on eastern coastline of the Dominican Republic in Punta Cana. Just 25 minutes from Punta Cana airport. The resort provides outstanding relaxation and recreational opportunities. This Resort contains luxurious accommodation and all the essential elements for a unforgettable vacation.

Barceló Montelimar Beach

The Barceló Montelimar Beach Resort and Casino, a five-star Nicaraguan jewel is located on the western coast of the Nicaraguan Pacific, 40 miles from Managua, and 45 miles from Augusto International Airport.

 

Now that we have passed on the savings, do us a favor and send us a post card!

Does it pay to be a DIY bride?

Some of our most popular pages are related to Manzanita Branches, Wishing Trees and DIY Decor.  If you are considering going the DIY route, make sure to consider the pros and cons of purchasing vs renting and make sure you are making budget friendly decisions.  Some items can easily be resold after your event such as mason jars, tea lights, manzanita branches and linens etc.  Purchasing your own linens and spending the time to hem and sew all of them may be biting off more than you can chew so-to-speak. We recommend meeting with a wedding coordinator and discussing your budget.  Focus on the areas that you feel are most important for you to personalize with a DIY project, for instance if you can't stand the idea of using store-bought escort cards then you should have that on your list of DIY must haves.  Other projects such as cocktail menus or table numbers might not be as much of a priority to you personally, so decide if it would be best to purchase or rent those.  Your coordinator may have some items that he or she includes with their service so it doesn't hurt to ask ahead of time!

A DIY Bride can find items and make things from scratch, or find easy projects to purchase the items and assemble them herself (or hopefully with the help of a small army!) Choose projects that are worthwhile and that will have the most impact on your event.  Making personalized programs, welcome baskets or favors is always a nice touch or focus your efforts on making an awesome DIY photobooth or wishing tree.  The options are endless!

If you want to price things out, Koyal Wholesale is a great place to get started:

Table Settings 10.25" Bulk Dinner Plates - Black from: Koyal Wholesale

PLASTIC CUTLERY - Assorted Fork/Spoon/Knife (288 Pieces) Shimmering Silver from: Koyal Wholesale Comes in other fun colors like magenta, school bus yellow, tropical teal, apple red & more!

Cupcake Stands Laila Large Round Cupcake Tower (Holds 100 Cupcakes!) BEST SELLER! - $29.99 from: Koyal Wholesale

Branches REAL Manzanita Branches (Natural Brown) - 5 Sizes - $13.96 Retail Price: $23.96 You Save: $10.00 from: Koyal Wholesale

Curly Willow Burnt Oak 3-5ft BULK (144 branches) BEST SELLER! - $99.99 Retail Price: $109.99 You Save: $10.00 from: Koyal Wholesale

Centerpieces & Decor 12" Clear Cylinder Pillar Centerpiece Vase (Case of 12 = $13.22/Vase) BEST SELLER! from: Koyal Wholesale

32" Tall Venus Square Crystal Chandelier Tree Centerpiece from: Koyal Wholesale

Regal Table Decoration Personalized Vase Centerpiece from: Koyal Wholesale

Peacock Feather Bouquet/Centerpiece Picks (4/Pkg) - $2.68 from: Koyal Wholesale

Moss Moss, Reindeer Moss Spring Green BULK (BEST SELLER!) - $69.98 Retail Price: $79.98 You Save: $10.00 from: Koyal Wholesale

Votives Hanging Votive Candle Holder w/Wire BULK (72 Holders) BEST SELLER! from: Koyal Wholesale

12 Hour Burn White UNSCENTED Votive Candles (30 Pack) BULK - $11.98 from: Koyal Wholesale

Hanging Crystals Hanging Diamond Crystal Teardrops - 1.5" (BULK 35 Pieces) BEST SELLER! - $19.98 Retail Price: $29.98 You Save: $10.00

Table Runner Damask Flocking Table Runner 12" x 108" Long - Red Damask - $9.98 from: Koyal Wholesale

Aisle Runner Personalized Aisle Runners - Regal Wedding Aisle Runner - $95.00 Retail Price: $105.00 You Save: $10.00 from: Koyal Wholesale

Other popular items: rose petals, paper lanterns, Vintage Burlap Ribbon, washi tape diy bride

These are only a few of the fabulous items that you can find at Koyal, you can get a great deal on bulk items. If price matching is your game, then print out what you find online and ask a vendor if they can price match. You may find that it is cheaper to rent, and less of a hassle because you won't have an abundance of wedding items left over to have to either resell or give away.

Did you find a great resource for savings on event supplies? Share with other brides by leaving a comment with your ideas.

Say 'I Do' Unconventionally!

Who says your wedding guests have to know they are going to a wedding?  Recently, we have seen a spike in Surprise Weddings and we think it is trend that could stick around.  It is perfect for the couple who has gone around and around about where they would want to have their wedding, how much they want to spend, and those who aren't particularly fond of the traditional wedding process. How does one plan a surprise wedding?  Well first thing is first, ..Location!  If you happen to have a spacious home or a large backyard, or know someone who would be willing to host in your honor than you are in luck.  Guests probably won't question a backyard event, so you could use some alternative occasions like an Engagement Party, a Summer Lau, Graduation, or Tri-Tip Cook-off to use as the decoy reason for gathering.  Second, decide who you want to let in on the surprise.  You can choose to tell your parents, maid of honor, best man or whom ever you would like as long as they can keep a secret!  Besides, you will need some helpers to pull this off!

If you do not have the space available, contact some of the local venues for information on the amenities and pricing.  You will need to know your approximate guest count, and a potential date.  Consider asking the venue if they offer lower rates for weekdays compared to Saturday and Sunday rates.

We know a surprise wedding is not for everyone. For brides who have dreamed of their wedding day for years, a more traditional wedding with a set date and invitations may be more appropriate! However, if the thought of a big fancy wedding stresses you out, you may feel relieved by knowing that your guests are going to be blown away by the surprise and it will be a fun and memorable wedding for all!  You can still have a lot of the same elements of a traditional wedding like the bouquet toss, and first dance.  The best part is that it is up to you!

Some of the perks of a surprise wedding are a lower overall budget because you won't have a lot of the formalities such as the cost of invitations & postage, venue (if you are having a backyard event), and you may end up with a smaller guest list which will greatly reduce your expenses.  The biggest perk is getting to be creative, and coming up with a plan on how to carry out your scheme and keeping it a secret until the big reveal!

Want to read more about Surprise Weddings?  Here are some related posts: Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla - Surprise Wedding 100 Layer Cake: Marisa + John - Surprise Wedding Surprise..We Got Married! Rebecca & Damien - Suprise Wedding

Whats In Your Wallet?

Chances are you don't have a fortune put away, but you still want to throw one heck of a party to celebrate your lives together as husband and wife.  Knowing your budget is crucial not only to make sure that you don't overspend here and there, but so that you don't start your wedding bliss off on the wrong foot.  Make sure to have open communication with eachother about your wedding budget, and to continually check-in with eachother to make sure that you both have a say on the allocation of funds.  If you are anticapating that your parents or other family members will offer to pitch in, plan a time to talk about it so that you can be sure everyone is on the same page. "The average wedding cost dipped in 2011 to $26,501, BRIDES magazine's 2011 American Wedding Study. In 2009, the last time the survey was published, the cost of a wedding was $28,082." (http://abcnews.go.com/Business/brides-tighten-garters-average-wedding-cost-drops-)

While we have seen many different opinions on the average wedding costs, the point is that you do not have to meet the norm or try to blow everyone away.  The bottom line is that you can afford to get married, but you can't afford to not budget wisely.

We will be covering your budget questions in our premier issue of 530 Weddings, a digital bridal publication launching this spring.  Got a burning budget question? Just Ask The 530 Bride!

 

DIY Resources on the Web

If projects like embossing, or making your own ceremony programs really gets you excited then check out a few of these great resources for all things DIY! Here we will give you the run down of where to find helpful step-by-step instructions. 1. A cozy winter DIY Wedding Favor created by NotMartha.org gives you the instant warm & fuzzy feeling which would be perfect for a winter wedding!

2.  Message in a Bottle Favors  by Beau-Coup - Set the tone of your tropical or beach theme wedding with these mini bottles!

3. Burlap Coffee Bean Favors by RuffledBlog.com - Write a personalized thank you note, and let the aroma of the coffee beans do the rest!

4.This DIY Rustic Cake Stand gives an instant sense of the outdoors found on OnceWed.com

5.  Rice Crispy Heart Favors by MyOwnLabels.Com

6. DIY Moss Letters by PolkaDotBride.com

7. Fabric Flower for Hair Pins, Sashes and Bridal Shower Favors found on ProjectWedding.com 8.  Save the Date Magnets by Project Wedding, Simple and Adorable!

9. DIY Table Numbers in a Bottle by SavvyCityFarmer.com 

10. DIY Hanging Ornaments "Let It Snow" project featured on UnderTheTableAndDreaming.com

To find step-by-step instructions for the projects above follow these links: 1. Ginger Bread Mug Favors (http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2009/12/18/a-gingerbread-house-that-perches-on-the-rim-of-your-mug/) 2. Message In A Bottle Favors (http://www.beau-coup.com/message-in-a-bottle-idea.htm) 3.  Burlap Coffee Bean Favors (http://ruffledblog.com/diy-coffee-bag-favors/) 4.  Rustic Chic Cake Stand (http://www.oncewed.com/514/diy-wedding/decorations/rustic-wedding-cake-stand/) 5.  Rice Crispy Hearts (http://www.myownlabels.com/blog/1-wedding-favors/) 6.  DIY Moss Letter (http://www.polkadotbride.com/2010/02/diy-moss-letters-project/) 7.  Fabric Flower (http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-gorgeous-chiffon-and-tulle-flowers/8) 8. Heart-Felt Save The Dates (http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/save-the-date-magnets) 9. DIY Table Numbers (http://www.savvycityfarmer.com/2010/01/take-number-please.html) 10. DIY Hanging Ornaments (http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/11/vintage-glitter-snowball-ornaments-by.html)

Have a project that you want to share? Contact us at features@the530bride.com

The Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner may sneak up on you if you aren't careful, how to avoid this? Planning!  These days the lines are blury on who pays for what, so try to address this with your families early on so that you do not have any surprises.  The in-laws may, or may not be planning on taking care of the rehearsal dinner, but do what you can to keep it affordable and organized.  Here are some questions to start with: Does your wedding/reception venue include your rehearsal time within your contract? Many venues are booked solid, so you may not be able to rehearse your ceremony on-site the night before.  Easy fix? If all of your wedding party members live in town, ask your wedding planner to set up another site visit earlier on in the week or month so that you can take photos and get familiar with the layout.  If this will be difficult to arrange, ask your wedding coordinator to assist you in creating a floor plan or layout that you can easily refer to when giving your wedding party the breakdown of where they will be entering from, and where to line up.  You can still practice walking down the aisle, even if it is just in your backyard!

Does your caterer offer rehearsal dinner packages? If your caterer has a restaurant or storefront they may have the option to hold your rehearsal dinner function in their facility.  Some caterers that have on-site banquet halls may offer affordable rehearsal dinner packages for their clients.  This could be anything from simple taco bars, pasta and/or salad bar, or tri-tip and chicken buffet.  It doesn't hurt to ask!

Which nearby restaurants or venues can accommodate rehearsal dinners? If you have a favorite restaurant or know of one that has a large banquet room, call ahead to inquire about reserving the space.  Make sure to ask if there is any special pricing available for large groups, and if there are any menu limitations due to the number of people.  Many restaurants will opt for a special menu that offers family-style servings, taco bars, or platters to simplify ordering and keeping cost down. 

Are +1's in our budget? If your bridesmaid has asked if her boyfriend can come along for the rehearsal dinner, you will need to make sure that you can accommodate this in your budget.  Not sure how to say no?  Politely explain that this time is for the wedding party and family members only, to spend time together and to also keep costs down. 

Backyard Rehearsal Dinner Many couples are opting for the backyard rehearsal dinner not only to keep the cost down, but to also create more of a casual environment and make the most of the time you have to visit with your friends and family before your big day.  This is a great time to have your family members participate by bringing side dishes, or consider hiring a caterer to serve the meal in your home.  The cost of renting tables and chairs may be less than eating out, so it is a great option if you and your fiance are paying for your rehearsal dinner.

Have a sticky situation with your rehearsal dinner plans? Ask The 530 Bride!

WeDo Designs Showcase August 19th 2011

If you were one of the many brides who attended the WeDo Designs showcase at The Palms Pavilion, this will be a fun recap for you! If you weren't able to make it to the event we will let you know what you missed!  WeDo Designs offers affordable decor including luxury linens, centerpieces, dishes & flatware rentals, chair covers, uplighting, wall paneling and more.  For brides still in their planning stages, visiting a showroom that displays many different colors, textures, table settings and centerpieces will give you an idea of what you are drawn to. When guests arrived at the showcase they signed up to be entered into a drawing for luxury linens for up to 100 guests, provided by WeDo Designs.  There were also photo albums full of beautiful photos of designs and decor by WeDo Designs, that really shows the creativity and versatility of this company.  Guests enjoyed tasty treats by Bacio Catering and some refreshing punch provided by Holiday Inn.

Peacock feathers and deep blue tones grabbed the attention of guests right away! Every inch of the room had something interesting for your eyes, and I couldn't count how many times I heard brides say "Oh, I love that!"

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When it comes to linens, WeDo Designs carrries a multitude of colors and textures that can fit perfectly with any decor and color scheme.  One lucky showcase guest will win a set of luxury linens for up to 100 guests for their bridal shower or other event, so ladies and gentlemen make sure to stop by WeDo Design's Facebook page tomorrow evening at 5pm to find out who won! (Click here to visit the WeDo Designs Facebook page.)  The 530 Bride will keep you posted on other local events, and other chances to win great prizes and services.

Which table setting was your favorite? Let us know by leaving a comment here!