When is the most expensive time of year to get married?

This question popped into my inbox last night from Sinead in Kells and its a question my brides often ask me.

Unfortunately there is no 'set' answer.

Traditionally a Friday & Saturday in the 'High Season' { May to October } was considered the most expensive time to get married with venues often offering mid week and 'out of season' rates to couples who chose to marry Nov - Apr { excluding Dec }.

But now weddings happen all year round and while more do happen during the 'summer' months there is no longer such a difference between a high and low season.

Another major 'cost factor' to consider are flowers. Flowers do get dearer in February & March for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. This is because growers deliberately grow less then there will be demand for in the run up to Valentine's Day and Mother's Day so they will get a better price for them at auction. While their main focus here is Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, this of course has a knock on effect to any floral related occasion that will happen during these months. { Most flowers are bought wholesale, through auctions, in the likes of Brussels and shipped around the world to flower shops or other wholesale units }

Christmas and News Years brings with it its own extra staffing and overtime costs, so you may find that across all suppliers extra 'seasonal charges' and expenses are incurred. And again some blooms can get a little pricer here too, as can cakes unless you've ordered well in advance!

So I suppose if you were to take all the above into consideration marrying in January, April and November are probably the 'cheapest' months with a mid week wedding giving you the most negotiating power. Therefore making December, February & March and May to October, on a weekend, collectively the most expensive time of year to get married.

{ Of course local, regular, ad hoc, sporting and religious events in your area or country can also have an impact on your wedding costs; any demands placed on resources generally results in a price hike! } 

If I had to chose just one single day that was the most expensive to get married on? { Well that is a toughie } But I would imagine, in the majority of areas, its possibly New Years Eve.

6 Great Bridal Party Gift Ideas

By Guest Blogger & Bride Sarah Ellis 

Your bridesmaids have listened to you weigh the options between floral arrangements, whine about the stresses of choosing your reception meal, thrown you engagement parties, wedding showers and bachelorette shindigs, not to mention their help with decorating, advice and more. They’ve done A LOT for you, and all because they love you and want to celebrate your marriage. Of course, you’d do the same for them (and maybe already have), but you want to say thank you in the best way you can. But, as if paying for a wedding and newlywed money talks weren’t enough to stress you out, adding another expense to your to do list is the last thing you want to think about.

How do you strike a balance between giving the proper “thank you” gift and sticking within your budget? Stay away from silly things you wouldn’t want to receive, or wouldn’t know what to do with. You know your friends, so get them something they won’t want to toss! I have a few suggestions for giving a meaningful thank you to your bridesmaids:

1. Give them a gift basket: 

Sometimes it’s hard to find the perfect gift for each of your bridesmaids, but giving them a gift basket (either the same, or unique to each bridesmaid) is a fun way to gather a few small treasures and make it feel like a substantial gift. Use a creative container that they’ll be able to re-use again: a cosmetics case, a cute storage basket, or even a tote bag! Fill with trinkets like lotions, candles, gift cards, candy, coffee cups, journals, or decorative wine glasses. Again, it’s easy to customize with individual gifts for each bridesmaid with colors or the items you choose. It’s a fun thing to put together!

2. Customize something for them: 

Whether it’s a robe, pair of fuzzy slippers, or travel bag, choose a gift that they’ll really use and add their initials. The gesture of adding their engraved or embroidered initial can make any gift feel more personal. However, be warned! This technique can get pretty cheesy! Stay away from picture frames and trinket boxes - they typically get added to the clutter that no one really wants or knows what to do with.

3. Give them something to use in the wedding: 

 Whether the gift is a gorgeous pair of earrings that match their dresses, a clutch purse that they’ll use at the reception, or even a shawl to keep them warm in the evening chill, make sure they’ll be able to use it again. That doesn’t mean it won’t match your bridal party’s dresses, just keep in mind that they’ll want to be able to make use of the gift after the fact.

These gift ideas can be similarly used for the groomsmen. A cheapo flask and beer mug have been wildly overdone. Help your guy come up with something his friends will really get a kick out of. 

Does the group of guys always hit up a certain concert or sporting event? Maybe snag tickets for the group this year. Something that can be extra valuable to a group of guy friends, is setting aside some “man time.” With the stresses of newlywed life, not hangin’ with the guys 24/7 can take a toll on your man. Encourage him to plan a weekend for his groomsmen. Maybe rent a hotel or a cabin for the group and get the plans going. This can and should be incorporated into his groomsmen gifts, even if he’s not singularly footing the bill. If the group loves camping get an accessory they’ll all use on the trip and use the time to initiate a yearly “dudes” only trip. Plus: Ladies, this suggestion will win you points with your man and all of his buds! It’s also healthy for both of you to get away and reconnect with your friends, apart from each other as a couple. Think of it as an investment in your marriage :-)

Whatever you give them, make sure you include a personal note. Saying thank you with a card that highlights your awareness of everything they’ve done for you (with wedding planning and in your friendship) is the most meaningful part of the gift. Sure, they’ll enjoy the trinkets they receive, but a heartfelt thanks means the most. That will be clear with a handwritten thank you note!

Like mentioned before, the gifts are meant to be a proper thank you for the people who have invested in you as a person and you as a couple. That doesn’t mean you have to shell out the big bucks, but make whatever you give them a gift from your heart. They’ll appreciate that!

Author Bio: I’m no expert, but planning my wedding has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life! Everything from planning our decorations, to our honeymoon has been such a joy. In life outside of wedding planning, I write about useful travel accessories, play with our precious little puppy Luna, and plan up a future (and a mighty cool bucket list) with my FABULOUS fiance.

photo credits: basket, bags, handbag

For my US readers: The True Cost of a Wedding Knot

When I came across this I thought you gals who are state side would really appreciate it; all the facts you need, in a fun easy graphic!

Are any of the costs surprising to you?

Source: divinecaroline.com via Bláithín on Pinterest

Over the next couple of weeks I'll try do one up for the Irish gals so we can do a comparison!

Suit you Sir; Cufflink Gifts for the Groomsmen

Grooms are great! As are their Groomsmen... but we'll all agree that while the devil is in the detail for us women when it comes to weddings, sometimes [just sometimes :) ], men's heads are focused... well elsewhere.

I've had Grooms and Groomsmen turn up in white and brown socks with their lovely black or grey suits/tuxes [ a big no, no]. I combat this by always having a couple of pairs of decent black men's socks in my bag of tricks.

Despite reminders the male contingent of a wedding party can still forget that its black shoes all around - so yes, I have been known to carry a pair or two of black men's shoes in my car. [But I find photo shopping works best here] - not everyone is a size 9 after all :)

And while I can tackle unruly hair with a comb and some gel and snip a few curly eyebrows with a nail scissors, the one area I can't [afford] or keep track of are cufflinks! This is why I always suggest that a great gift to give Grooms and Groomsmen the morning of the wedding [so there is no time to loose or forget them] are a set of cufflinks and when Paul Coyne of Nine Design stopped by the blog earlier in the week to say hello, I just had to feature some of his gorgeous work!

Paul is Irish [aren't all the best designers? ] and he creates some gorgeous handmade, unique modern contemporary jewellery. Don't take my word for it, see for yourself!

 

Gorgeous right?! Not only does the talented Paul make cufflinks but he also makes Pendants, Earrings and Golf Ball Markers too - gifts for the entire Wedding Party 'under one roof' - the convenience of it! 

To check out the full range of cufflinks designed and handmade by Paul at Nine Design [a total steal starting from just €26.77] and all the other gorgeous jewellery stop by The Nine Design Etsy Shop . 

Paul is an extremely busy Irish Designer and things at Nine Design are going from strength to strength. To keep up with Paul's wonderful life as a Jewellery Designer filled with launch parties, trips to international craft fairs and all the exciting new projects he has coming up you have to follow his blog. 

I'm especially excited to hear and [most importantly] see more of his new project: Bog Oak and Sterling Silver Jewellery! Perhaps he might even stop by again and share some of his new designs with us!

20 Tips to consider while shopping for a Wedding Dress.

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Wedding dress shopping is, by far, my most favourite thing to do with a bride!

Finding 'The Dress' is probably the one aspect of planning a wedding that each bride, both delights and fears, in equal measure. Wedding dress shopping is most definitely not for the faint of heart, it takes dedication, determination, research and patience! Here are 20 tips to consider before, during and after your Wedding Dress shopping:

1. Start looking a year out from the wedding or as soon as possible. Most bridal shops require an order to be placed 6-8 months out from your wedding date.

2. You will need to make an appointment with a bridal shop to go try on dresses. Some might have a 'walk in policy' on a given day - but my advice if you can, book your appointment and go when its quiet and you will have time and space.

3. You may be expected to pay a small charge to try on dresses. This can be anything from €25 - €50 per appointment - this charge is generally deducted from any dresses/ accessories purchased, but it is an additional wedding cost.

4. Be open to suggestion from the Shop Assistants. These guys know their wedding dresses. They work with them everyday - a really good one will know what will suit you best.

5. Don't bring your entire wedding party with you to a fitting. Yes you want them all to be involved, but Bridal Shops are often small and intimate [1] there wont be room for them all and [2] too many cooks spoil the broth - choosing a wedding dress can be difficult at the best of times, 3-4 other peoples opinions are not going to make it any easier on you! 1-2 additional people -max!

6. Do eat a small meal before you go. Trying on wedding dresses is intensive - you'll need your energy.

7. DO NOT wear fake tan or alot of make up. - Some bridal shops will not allow you to try on dress if you are covered in fake and bake and may ask you to remove your make up.

8. If you already have it, wear your wedding underwear to the fitting. If not, wear nude or white underwear. Wear a good fitting bra and even if you thinking a strapless dress wear a strapped bra. It gives you a better shape and you can always took the straps in.

9. Be realistic with a heel height. One and half inches to three and half inches is where you really want to keep your wedding shoes. Wear shoes, unless you already have your wedding shoes, in this height range - bridal shops will often have a selection of wedding shoes for you to choose from during a fitting.

10. If you need extra padding around the bust to make the dress sit better on you, ask the shop assistant does she have something you could use - they often have padding around for such reasons.

11. Wear your hair so that you can quickly clip it up and down during fittings to get a quick taste for how you might wear it with a given dress. Kirby clips are ideal for this.

12. During initial dress fittings you will be trying on stock dresses - these are normally sizes 10 -14. Dresses are clipped at the back to give a better idea if you a smaller than the stock size or a panel pinned into the back if you are a larger size than the dress - obviously a properly fitted dress with sit and move better on your body.

13. While you may be given a name and cost of the dresses that interest you at the end of your appointments not all shops disclose that they charge additional fees for additional fittings/ alterations [should they be required] remember to ask! These can sometimes be a few hundred euro.

14. Generally speaking, once ordered, the next time you see your dress will be approximately 6 weeks before your wedding when you will have a further fitting. Depending on additionally alternations you will pick up your dress anything from 6 weeks to a few days before your wedding.

15. Wedding dress sizing does not follow traditional clothes sizing. You might be a perfect size 10 when you head out to shops but might find the a bridal shop is ordering you a slightly larger size for your wedding dress - this is normal, do not be alarmed!

17. Bring a camera - ask before you use it, but it will help you remember what each dress was and how it looked.

18. Think of the type of wedding you are having, where it will be, the width of the church/ ceremony aisle. How big the toilets are in your venue. Will you be able to walk/ sit/ stand/ dance in the dress all day?

19. If you a going for a train make sure the bustles are good and strong. Ask about getting additional ones, they always break! I also suggest you invest in some really good 'nappy' safety pins - these can be used to pin up your dress as well. Wrist loops [in my opinion] are useless - they make the dress cumbersome and heavy - avoid at all costs!

20. You should aim to visit between 3 - 5 bridal shops [at least] before deciding on a wedding dress [even if it is the very first one you tried on]. You will most like try on about 5 dresses in each shop. Some shops only let you try on a set number, others it will depend on how many you get through in the allocated time!

Lots to take in there I think! Happy wedding dress shopping! :)

7 Questions to ask yourself before hiring a 'Friendor' for your wedding.

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We've all got them, friends with talents. Some might even be professionals [now they are the real friendors you want!] But, for the most part who I'm referring to here are the kind hearted [well meaning] friends who enjoy taking pictures, baking cakes, sowing dresses and pruning flowers.

As you watch your wedding budget slowing creep up to the equivalent of the deposit for your house, or even the mortgage itself, it can be tempting to wonder if 'getting a mate to do it' might be cheaper and it might seem that it would, initially. Or you might even have a number of [generous] friends offering their services. If so here are 7 questions you should ask yourself before hiring a friendor:

1. Are they your 'insert appropriate wedding vendor category here' or are they your invited guest who happens to be taking your photos/ driving your to the church/ baking your wedding cake. - There is a difference - a big one!

2. Do they have the proper skills/ talent/ experience to preform/ produce the wedding service they have so kindly offered? [ A wedding isn't a dress rehearsal - if they forget the extra camera battery or to bake the cake for the correct length of time, your wedding might not be the fairy tale you dreamt.]

3. Are you paying them for their service or is this a gift?

4. What happens if you are not happy with the results of their work? They are a friendor after all, how will you complain and or ask for more, or something different [and still remain friends if they get offended?!]

5. Do they have insurance - most likely they don't - what happens if they inadvertently [or even directly] cause an accident causing harm to you, the venue, property or a guest? Who pays up? -Most likely you!

6. Will you have a contract, or a formal agreement for what they are providing - if your hired a professional you most certainly would!

7. Do you have a back up plan if they get sick or can't come? They're [most likely] not a professional/ working in the industry so wouldn't have a partner/ back up vendor they would use regularly.

Lots to ponder there... and I'm sure I've left some things out too... I suppose what I am really saying here is, professionals are [in my opinion] the route to go, but I appreciate that that may not always be possible or within budget for everyone, and that's ok - but if you have gone the friendor route - for what ever reason, be prepared, be realistic, and don't be a afraid to make things a little formal... a little contract wouldn't go astray - I suggest you include:

• The date, start and end times of the service, leaving time for setup and breakdown.
• The address of where the wedding will take place.
• The exact service provided, with a breakdown of goods or specifics. 
• The fee [if any], and when and how it should be paid
• What you are required to supply them with and when.
• A Plan B if they can't make it.

And as always [even without friendors] make sure you have Wedding Insurance! 

Gorgeous DIY Wedding Table Centrepiece

I love quick easy ideas, that are simple and cost effective to produce for weddings. 

So what do you get when you take:

A box of drinking glass

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A selection of unusual glasses in different sizes

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Some cream church candles

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And a few bags of peachy-cream rose petals?

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You get this amazingly romantic centrepiece which is not only perfect for your wedding reception but the idea can easily be replicated for your wedding ceremony or even a delicious dinner party at home!

See for yourself!

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Simply gorgeous!

10 Wedding Mistakes YOU do not want to make.

Image from Big Wedding Tiny Budget

1. Misunderstanding what a wedding budget is and how it works.

Having a budget for your wedding does not mean that you are having [what has been become known as] a 'Budget Wedding' [i.e. wedding on the cheap]. A wedding budget is the specific amount of money you have, will save or have set aside to spend on your wedding. Before finalising what you budget will be, it is very important to establish what are your priorities for your wedding and also to have a rough idea what various wedding suppliers in your chosen area charge. Just because you have allocated €500 for a wedding dress doesn't mean one exists. Know your wedding market.

2. Booking 'Weekend Warrior' Wedding Suppliers

The Wedding Industry is an industry that generates billions worldwide each year. Many weddings take place over the weekend and over the years 'Wedding Weekend Warriors', who have full time paid jobs as Accountants, Shop Assistants, Engineers etc brush up on their hobby skills and book themselves out as professional Photographers, Videographers, Planners, Chauffeurs [and much more]. Many of these 'Wedding Weekend Warriors' [on the face of it] seem like excellent value, often charging up to half the price as their professional counterparts - an attractive proposition to any cash conscience bride. But what few brides realise that these [mostly] unqualified 'wedding suppliers' lack the proper resources, experience, connections, insurance and equipment to provide the service they have advertised and brides only discover this when its too late: after their wedding!

3. Taking forum advice as gospel!

Image from Zankyou

Wedding discussion forums are a terrific resource. Brides and grooms share great insights, ideas, advice, feedback and recommendations at will. Forums greatest advantages and disadvantages is their anonymity.

Competing wedding suppliers and vendors often register as brides and grooms and belittle and in some cases write slanderous views and posts about competitors. If you ask for advice or recommendations or read something that appears to a 'fact' - do not take it as gospel. Do your own research too.

4. Your wedding is not your life.

A wedding is but one day of your life. Yes, you've possibly dreamt of it all your life, but don't loose sight of the fact that your life will continue afterwards, as will all your friendships and relationships [hopefully]. Don't strain friendships because your bridesmaids aren't as excited about your day as you are, or that they aren't willing to drop everything to run over and see if the latest shade of nail vanish you have bought will bring out the colour of our eyes at the Rehearsal Dinner. Be considerate, remember why you are getting married and don't sweat if those who you were sure would attend can't you have the rest of your life to spend with them.

Be a gracious bride, not a grumbling bride.

Image from Perfect Wedding Dress

5. Starting wedding dress shopping too late. 

A designer wedding dress can take between 6 - 8 months to order through a designer or bridal shop. The average bride will visit between 3-5 wedding dress before she orders a wedding dress and will have some 1-4 additional fitting and alternation appointments, collecting her finished wedding dress 3-6 weeks before her wedding.

With this in mind, realistically you want to starting wedding dress shopping some 9-12 months before your big day. Of course there are 'off the peg' dresses, and seamstresses who can make the dresses in a shorter space of time but these are all things to bear in mind when you start to look for that all important dress!

6. Do not keep your guests waiting for you at the ceremony. 

It is often said that a Queen is never late, that everyone else is merely early. It is also said that it is a brides prerogative to be late. When you are the ruler of your own country you can [pretty much] 'get away with murder', it is not the same when you are a bride, - remember this. 10 minutes is the ideal length to keep your guests waiting, anything beyond 15 minutes is plain rude.

7. Having a facial the day before the wedding. 

If you plan on have a facial or treating yourself to some nice beauty treatments in advance of your wedding day, do so a minimum of a week to 5 days out from the wedding. The last thing you will want to wake up to on your wedding day is a break out that would give any pizza a run for its money, which is what could have if your have a facial too close to your wedding day.

Image from Humor Post

8. Going on a crash diet the month before your wedding. 

Of course we all want to look our best on our wedding days, and for some of shedding those last few pounds will give is that extra confidence and boost we need.... remember though, wedding dresses are not as easily [or cheaply] altered as a normal dress and if you drop a dress size before your big day, you could have some serious wardrobe malfunctions the day of your wedding if your wedding dress does not fit the way its suppose to.


9. Not telling the Grooms-men what colour shoes and socks to wear.

Men are great. I love men, but lets face it, sometimes they can get it wrong. White socks and brown shoes with the grey pinstripe trousers might look great in their eyes. And they probably wont see your eyes bulge and widen when they reply to your 'What the hell were you thinking' - 'Sure it'll do' [a common response I got]. Take the time to tell them what will be supplied for them and what [exactly] they will need to bring. One way of getting beyond all this is to buy black underwear and socks for them all, even the novelty grooms-men/ best-men range and look at hiring shoes through your Tux hire if you are particularly concerned.

Image from Brooks Video

10. Not hiring a Videographer. 

Your wedding day is but 24 little hours. You wont get to see it all. I'm sorry, you just wont. You'll be off having your photo taken, being nabbed by Auntie Doris in the hotel lobby, wrestling in the loo with your layers of taffeta and taking a moment with your new husband in the bridal suite and everything else will be going on all around - all part of your wedding day. Have a videographer - see the extra things that are happening on your big day, here those messages your loved ones will leave you, capture the silly dance your granddad thought no-one else saw - you'll be sorry, after - when its too late - trust me.

Christmas inspired Wedding Bouquet

Christmas is over and the shop shelves are littered with mismatched Christmas bubbles. You've already stored yours safely away for next year but the 'buy one, get three free' offer is too good to pass up.... but what could you do with all those extra bubbles?

Why not make a wedding bouquet?

Image from Lafete