Wedding Planning – Page 2

March 29, 2017

Cute Alternatives to the Standard Wedding Cocktail Hour

A wedding is a time for tradition. That’s why most couples in the U.S. opt for the traditional order of wedding events: ceremony first, followed by a cocktail hour, then dinner and dancing. But what if you want to break with tradition and do something different for your cocktail hour. Or (gasp!) not have a cocktail hour at all? With more and more couples opting for creativity over tradition during cocktail hour, wedding guests are increasingly surprised and delighted by cute options like these that create even more memorable moments.

Play lawn games

Custom wedding cornhole boards

Croquet, cornhole, giant Jenga, giant checkers, homemade Twister — there are dozens of fun lawn-game options to keep your more playful guests entertained. Having games set up for your guests to play at their leisure is a fun and memorable way to make your cocktail hour unique. Etsy is an incredible resource for finding gems for cocktail hour lawn games, like these custom wedding cornhole boards. And, as a perk, you’ll have the games to keep for future parties.

Create a cigar bar

Montecristo

There are plenty of ways to signify a celebration is in order, but two of the most celebratory are champagne and cigars. If you have some cigar lovers in attendance, hosting a cigar bar during your wedding cocktail hour is an impressive and distinct way to make your day even more special. JR Cigar has an incredible selection, including world-renowned Montecristo cigars, and you can add a special DIY flair by creating your own handmade description cards to highlight the distinct tasting notes for each type of cigar.

Do your toasts (or even cake) early

Cava

If your ceremony is earlier in the day, why not forgo the traditional cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and serve cake and coffee immediately following the ceremony? This is a great alternative to the traditional wedding-cake cutting at the end of the night, and it’s a great way to save money. Cutting down on the amount of alcohol served is always better for the budget.

Another cute alternative is to have champagne poured and do your wedding toasts a little early. It’s a less formal way of bringing everyone together in recognition of the bride and groom, but it’s a fun way to kick off the cocktail hour. If your venue allows you to supply your own, stock up on plenty of bubbles from wine.com. (Tip: Go for cava or dry prosecco, rather than true champagne, to save some money.)

Host wine or beer tasting

If you think your guests are going to appreciate an activity that will keep them entertained beyond toasting and mingling, you could offer a wine- or beer-tasting bar. This little addition to a cocktail hour could amplify the festivities, especially if you and your fiancé are avid wine tasters or beer aficionados. A tasting bar could add an adorable touch to share with your guests something personal and special from your life.

Completely mix it up

For nontraditional couples who want to save money, replacing a standard cocktail hour with, well, nothing might be a good option. Replace that hour with late-night bonfires and s’mores, or simply make a quick getaway after the ceremony to greet your guests and kick off the reception.

Or, for a complete flip on tradition, make your wedding reception one long cocktail hour. As long as your guests get plenty of food and drinks, a formal dinner might not be missed — especially if there’s ample music and dancing!

January 25, 2017

Congratulations on Your Engagement! What to Do Next

There are fewer moments more exciting than when that ring slips onto your finger for the first time. After you tell your friends and family the great news, this excitement easily can turn into a frantic realization of how much you have to accomplish between now and your wedding day. But don’t panic! Although it is a rather lengthy to-do list, first things first. Let us break down your top five post-engagement action items so you can kick-start your wedding planning without diving in too deep.

Step 1: Celebrate Simply

Always remember to take time to celebrate this momentous occasion. Traditionally, the parents of the bride host an engagement party for the happy couple. If you happen to be the one hosting, however, keep your workload light with easy engagement-party ideas. Remember: You have a lot of work ahead of you, so pace yourself! Don’t worry about registering for engagement gifts, either. Registering is best left for wedding gifts.

Step 2: Set Your Budget

This may sound complicated, but all we’re talking about is a basic estimate of how much you are comfortable with spending on your wedding. Now is the time to ask your parents and family if they are willing and able to help. Only when you have a general idea on budget can you move on to the next steps.

Step 3: Pick Your Planner

To hire or DIY — that is the question. If you have the funds, a wedding planner is truly invaluable. But if you’re looking to cut costs, all you need is elbow grease and a good wedding-planner book. This planner from Barnes & Noble is a complete workbook designed to be used with your partner to address what both of you want out of your special day. Plus, it comes with Cash Back at Ebates!

Step 4: Get the Venue

Finding your perfect wedding venue will impact not only your budget, but also your wedding date. Many venues are booked well in advance. Once you have the date locked in, you can start booking all the services you need, from photographers to entertainment. But first…

Step 5: Save-the-Dates

Sending out save-the-dates is essential to giving your guests plenty of notice about your wedding day. They are especially useful if you are planning a destination wedding and want to give your guests extra time to book travel and hotels. Take some romantic engagement photos and upload them to Wedding Paper Divas to create your custom save-the-dates.

August 19, 2016

6 Easy Ways to Save for a Wedding

Planning a wedding can be a super fun endeavor but also incredibly stressful — especially when it comes to creating and sticking to a budget. But learning how to save for a wedding and figuring out how to cut wedding costs doesn’t have to be so painful.

As long as you start early, a few small, everyday changes can make a huge difference in your savings. Add in some wedding-budget tips and careful planning, and saving for a wedding will be as easy as a piece of multi-tiered cake. Check out these money-saving tips to help maximize your wedding budget without feeling totally bound by your purse strings. As a special bonus, you’ll earn Cash Back at Ebates at each of the stores mentioned!

1. Stop Buying Coffee: Save $100 per Month

This one is a no-brainer. Skip the daily fancy lattes and set aside an extra $2 to $5 per day. Making your own coffee can swiftly add up to an extra $100 or more per month, depending on your coffee-buying habit. That extra money set aside can help you defray wedding costs such as table centerpieces and other small essentials. Treat yourself to a simple coffee machine and supplies online at Mr. Coffee and build savings for your wedding into your daily routine.

2. Pack Your Own Lunch: Save $200 per Month

Bringing your lunch to work can easily save you $5 to $10 per day, which, over a few months, could add up to enough to cover your wedding place cards, save-the-dates or even your invitations. Invest in some nice packable lunch boxes and use a promo code to save at Bed Bath and Beyond to double up on your savings for your wedding.

3. Cut Out the Fancy Dinners: Save $120 per Month

Dining out is fun, but when you’re saving for a wedding it’s an easy expense to cut that can save you some serious money. A meal for two at a restaurant can cost you $30 or more, and dining in could add up to an extra $120 or more per month for your wedding savings account. After a few months, you could easily save enough for a tux or flowers for your wedding day.

Invite your friends and family to help support your arsenal of ways to save by setting up weekend potluck dinners rather than eating out at restaurants. This is also a great opportunity to up your cooking skills if you can invest in a couple new cookbooks. Check out the great collection available online at BooksAMillion and get ready to impress your friends and family with both your cooking and saving skills. They may even thank you for all the money they save too! Other money-saving tips include making your own brunch on the weekends, which can add up to $50 to $100 extra for your wedding savings account each month.

4. Pregame at Home: Save $120 per Month

Whether it’s date night or time for you and your girls to hit the town, get started with drinks at home rather than at a bar or restaurant. Drinks and cocktails out on the town can cost you $5 to $15 each, so skipping even one drink each every weekend could add up to an extra $120 per month. Just think of your new cocktail fund as your wedding-favors budget and get something sweet for all your guests to take home with them. If you’re not ready to give up fun cocktails altogether, pick up a great guide and start mixing them yourself!

5. Don’t Impulse Buy Pricey Wedding Accessories

Just because you found the most adorable wedding-cake topper doesn’t mean you have to buy it right then and there, especially if it comes with a hefty price tag (products labeled “wedding” often come with a markup). With a little DIY creativity, you can create these flourishes yourself and potentially save $100 to $200 to put toward your other wedding expenses. Get a head start on DIY wedding elements when you check out the awesome wedding DIY section at Michaels. Save a bundle when you order the supplies you’ll need for classic wedding items such as cake toppers, table décor and gorgeous favors.

[ebatesads id=”in-post”]

6. Skip the Travel

Planning your wedding in your local area can help you save on wedding costs before the wedding even starts. Whether you are planning your bachelorette weekend or picking out your wedding venue, keeping things local can help keep hundreds of dollars in your budget to spend on other essentials, such as meals for your guests or that awesome live band you’ve been checking out. You can easily divert the money saved on airfare and hotels to other essentials. Another bonus of a wedding near your home is that it makes getting all the DIY wedding items to your venue even easier when the big day finally arrives.

Planning a Bachelor Party that Won’t Break the Bank

If Hollywood were to be believed, nearly every soon-to-be groom would find their bachelor party to be a smorgasbord of expensive and often risque indulgences. But not to worry if you and your groomsmen have a bank balance with fewer digits than these fictional bachelors of lore. All you really need to host a killer bachelor party is good friends and a little creativity. Ebates makes it easy to snag some thrifty deals on party essentials. Using Ebates Cash Back and exclusive promo codes, you can be sure you and your groomsmen will have a guys’ night out that is truly legendary, without breaking the bank. Read on for some awesome and budget-friendly bachelor party ideas.

Go Camping

So you want to get away, spend a weekend with the boys and have a carefree adventure. If your budget can’t quite carry the weight of a five-person flight to Las Vegas, there’s no reason you can’t still have a truly stellar getaway. You and the guys have always talked about trekking out to that cool campsite a few miles outside of town, hunkering down and enjoying the wide open air, free to do as you please without the constraints of civilization. Backcountry.com has some sweet deals if you need to snag a few outdoor essentials before heading out. Pack some brews and some hot dogs and head out for an inexpensive mini-vacation that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take on your wedding day and the adventure that is life as a newlywed.

Guys’ Night In

What better location to celebrate one last night of bachelorhood than the old bachelor pad? Order some pizzas and pick up some 12-packs. Have the groomsmen pitch in for a couple of bottles of middle-shelf liquor and some mixers, or designate each of the guys to bring a snack or beverage to share. Chill out with some Netflix or DVDs, or fire up the Playstation and enjoy a few rounds of your favorite games. Chill out, reminisce, and say goodbye to the digs of singledom in a way befitting of all the awesome times you’ve shared there.

Karaoke

Karaoke and parties go together like rum and coke. And speaking of the latter, libations are best served plentifully if you go this route, especially if the groom is a bit more reserved. Help him let loose by getting him just short of smashed with some pre-game drinks before hailing an Uber to the nearest karaoke bar. Not only is it a ton of fun, it usually makes for some funny memories all of you can reflect on fondly and laugh about for years to come. Bonus points if you snag a video of the groom belting out some ‘80s hair metal.

Barbecue

This option is one of the cheapest and simplest. All you need is a backyard and a grill. Blast some tunes, fill up the cooler with some ice cold brews, and show off your skills as a grillmaster by cooking up some delicious eats and an equally good time. Pick up some dogs, burgers, and buns at the local Safeway and lay out an assortment of self-serve condiments for a casual celebration. Set up some backyard badminton or volleyball for a little extra fun.

Game Night

So you and your guys don’t quite have enough extra dough laying around to risk blowing a few hundred in a serious high-stakes poker game. That doesn’t mean you can’t replicate the experience on a more wallet-friendly level. Head to the casino and play some penny slots — they’re not just fun for old-timers — or set up your own table at a groomsman’s place. You can go with a classic like poker or pick a few of the groom’s favorite card or board games. Order some deliciously greasy takeout, procure some cigars, and serve up some whiskey sours and White Russians. Remember, if you’re playing for money, pitch in for the groom’s share.

Sports

With tasty wings, beer by the pitcher, and big screen TVs, sports bars are practically designed with male bonding in mind. And what better way to solidify your friendship than by sharing in the excitement of cheering on a favorite sports team? Head down to your favorite local haunt and take in the big game for a cheap night out with built-in entertainment.

Paintball or Laser Tag

Looking for a game day that’s a little more physical? Don your war paint and head to your local paintball range or laser tag facility for an action-filled time that will be sure to get your heart pumping. Take advantage of group rates and Groupons to save a few dollars. You can spend your savings on some celebratory brews at the pub afterward.

March 29, 2016

DIY Bride Guide for a Budget Wedding

Congratulations! Getting married is cause for major celebration! If you’ve already begun planning your big day, or even if you are just helping out, you probably know that wedding planning can be an expensive endeavor. But with these DIY wedding ideas and tips, you’ll be on the path to your happily-ever-after with some awesome savings along the way, thanks in part to Cash Back at Ebates.

Be Your Own Wedding Planner

Hiring a professional wedding planner generally comes with a jaw-dropping price tag. Spend that money elsewhere and rely on your own planning skills to make your budget wedding a reality. With some proper planning, the right online resources and some DIY wedding moxie, you can easily plan the gorgeous wedding of your dreams without compromising your bank account. Have a dedicated notebook, like The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner, or digital document to keep yourself organized. Make a timeline of the tasks that need to get done early, like picking a venue and sending out save-the-dates to your friends and family. Try to tackle your to-do list consistently to keep the ball rolling and to make your wedding planning workload manageable. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to your friends and family if you’re feeling overwhelmed and make sure to allow ample time in anticipation of the inevitable challenges and hiccups along the way.

Print Your Own Paper Products

While many folks go straight to a calligrapher or a fancy print shop for their wedding invites and place cards, this is one of the easiest ways to save money with some well-planned DIY. Rather than shelling out an arm and a leg for paper goods subject to the dreaded wedding markup, shop cardstock in pre-cut sizes and print it yourself. If you have any inclination to buy a new printer, this is a great time to do it. You’ll be able to print professional looking invites, place cards, DIY save the date cards and DIY wedding invitations. Plus you’ll have a new printer when it’s all over! Staples has a fantastic selection of high quality printers and wedding paper products that won’t compromise style and will keep your budget wedding on track. Start early and keep an eye out for a printer or wedding invite promo code online at Staples and earn Cash Back from Ebates while you shop!

Save Big With DIY Centerpieces and Wedding Décor

Building your own centerpieces and other wedding decorations may seem like a daunting task but you can do it! How-to blogs on design and Pinterest are going to be your best source of inspiration and information to help you determine what you like and how to make it happen. Considering creating your own flower arrangements? You can save a bundle by shopping for vases or other unique containers at thrift stores. Head online to craft stores like Michaels to check out the selection of wedding decorations and DIY wedding centerpieces, plus get Cash Back from Ebates on your purchase! Michaels is also a great resource to get supplies for a DIY bride hanger and other wedding essentials. Save on your wedding décor by starting to plan it out as early as possible and cashing in on deals like a wedding centerpiece promo code or seasonal sales as they pop up.

Fashion Your Own Wedding Favors

Wedding favors help show your gratitude to each of your wedding guests for being there to help celebrate your special day. DIY wedding favors are an awesome way to say thanks and to help keep your budget wedding on target. Making something special for your guests is a big task so this is a great place to enlist the help of friends, family and the wedding party. Check out go-to DIY wedding favorites like Jo-Ann Fabrics for photo favor supplies and save a bundle with a frames promo code to give each guest a classic keepsake. Whatever wedding favors you pick, be sure to get Cash Back at Ebates to save even more on your DIY wedding. Over the course of the next few months, you and your helpers can easily make all the favors during just a few crafternoons. Enjoy the wedding prep process, it will be over before you know it!