10 Things To Have Your Groom Plan

While the majority of wedding planning may be tasks the bride will enjoy more (flowers, dresses, jewelry and color schemes) there are a few that the groom will definitely enjoy more than others.    So what are some of the ways a groom can put his personal stamp on the day?

Groomsmen attire.  While brides spend countless hours dreaming of, looking for and trying on dresses, grooms used to go to the store and rent the standard black tux.  Today’s grooms have many more options in color, cut and style; some even electing to don a great suit instead.  Why not have the groom select the suiting for himself and the groomsmen?

The bar menu.  One sure way to get the groom involved in the wedding planning is to put him in charge of the bar menu.  Instead of just the standard liquors, the groom has options when it comes to microbrews, signature drinks and fine wines.  This can be a great way to work in your wedding theme as well, particularly if it focuses on a local theme.

Wedding reception fun.  When grooms take the lead in planning some wedding reception fun, you are sure to get a few surprises.  Shutterbooths, cigar rolling stations, and cocktail entertainers top wedding reception trends.

Groom’s cake.  It’s very common to have two wedding cakes; one for the bride and a separate groom’s cake.  Sports and hobbies are very popular choices for the groom’s cake.  The cake can be served to guests or preserved for your one year anniversary.

Wedding theme.  As more couples plan their weddings together, the groom is putting his spin on the wedding day too!  Color choices, special details and wedding themes reflect more of the couple’s personality than just the bride’s choice.  Be sure to ask your groom if he has any ideas.

The song list.  Many grooms have a definite opinion on what songs they want to hear at the wedding reception.  Choosing the playlist for the wedding reception is a great way for groom’s to get involved.  Work with your wedding DJ to plan the music for the wedding reception you both want.

Rehearsal dinners.  Traditionally, the groom’s family is responsible for hosting and paying for the rehearsal dinner.  More recently, this event has evolved into a special evening for the families.  BBQs, themed catering trucks or sports centered outings can replace formal sit down dinners.

Wedding images.  While we see lots of inspiration images for brides, it’s likely that the groom has an idea of how he’d like to look in wedding day images too.  (Check out this Pinterest board just for the guys!)  Discuss poses that he’s comfortable with (and not) with yourwedding photographer and videographer as you form the plan for yourwedding photos and wedding video.

Wedding day transportation.  If a wedding day is built on dreams, a Ferrari can shift it into overdrive.  When looking for wedding day transportation, a muscle car, Hummer limo or a high-performance sports car are at the top of a groom’s wish list.  Consider self driving the car of his dreams on your wedding day.

Absolute musts.  Even if the groom is comfortable with the bride doing most of the planning, it is important that he be involved with setting the budget, picking the venue, choosing a date and creating the guest list.  The choice between roses and peonies might not be that important to the groom, but the budget should be.  The way you plan your wedding together will begin teaching you how to work on future projects too.  Define some parameters that you both agree on and then let the planning begin!

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Stress Free Wedding Planning

Planning a wedding can be a fun and exciting time, but can also be a source of stress.  Managing stress is crucial to keep the happy in your happily ever after.  So what are the main causes of wedding planning stress and how can you reduce them?

Expectations vs. Reality.  Brides and grooms are bombarded with the idea of the “perfect” wedding day and often compare theirs to the budget-free nuptials of celebrity weddings.  In reality, there is never a “perfect” wedding day.  You can reduce the stress of wedding planning by listing what is most important to you for your wedding and focus your attention there.  If it’s not on your list, you can breathe a little easier at letting the small stuff go.

Becoming uber-focused.  Your engagement should be a happy time as you plan your futures together.  If you spend too much time worrying about budgets, flower arrangements and wedding details, you might forget to spend time focused on your relationship.  Remember to take the time to be present in each other’s lives.

Finances.  Unless you are fortunate enough to have celebrity income, wedding budgets can often be a sore spot.  Disagreements about wedding expenditures, family contributions and the budget in general can impact your relationships with each other and your families.  This is where your expectations versus the reality can get you into trouble.  Open conversation with anyone contributing to the wedding costs, and what that contribution entitles them to is very important.  Look for budget friendly options for your wedding day based upon the things that are most important to you as a couple.

Family members.  In many cases, your parents have had ideas on what your wedding day would be like since you were a young child.  The pressure to live up to those ideas can be strong.  This is when you need to rely on your partner to help you negotiate this potential minefield.  You are planning for your life together.  Make sure you present yourselves as a united front.  Don’t undermine each other by agreeing to things that you know the other many not want.

Bridal party.  Simple things like dress and tux fittings to larger events like the bachelor party can be moments of contention between you and your bridal party.  It is important to remember that your bridal party is making a significant contribution to your wedding party.  Make sure you communicate your wishes and the importance of their roles within your wedding.

Social (media) pressure. Pinterest and Facebook can help you get inspired and keep in touch with family, friends and even wedding vendors. But it can also bring on a whole new level of stress as you compare your wedding day to someone else’s (or a controlled photo shoot). It’s important to remember that you are planning the perfect wedding for you, not Pinterest.

Not having a contingency plan. Things will go awry as you plan your wedding. You’ll forget to include items in your wedding budget plan (click here for hidden wedding expenses), you’ll change your mind and need to purchase a different something, the weather will be too hot/cold/wet…the list goes on and on. But so can your contingency plan.  You can take comfort in knowing you’ve kept some budget on reserve, planned for inclement weather and are working with pros who also have backup plans.

Some simple ways to reduce the stress of wedding planning:

• Stay healthy.  Make sure you start or continue to practice healthy habits like a balanced diet, exercise routine and plenty of rest.
• Find a non-wedding activity you enjoy like yoga, gardening or reading to keep stress at bay.
• Admit when you are overwhelmed and ask for the help you need.  Delegate tasks that you don’t feel the need to micromanage.
• Remember that you have a partner in the wedding planning.  Your fiance should be involved in the process.
• Keep a realistic vision of your wedding day.  It may not be “perfect”, but you are marrying the perfect person for you.
• Hire professionals to work with you.  They are experts at what they do and can help you through the planning process.
• Make a planning schedule to stay on track.
• Make detailed planning lists that allow you to feel a sense of accomplishment when you finish a task.

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Wedding Facts: The Wedding Ring

Nearly all married couples exchange wedding rings in western wedding ceremonies. Have you ever wondered why?  We have the story behind the wedding ring and what you need to do with yours.

Wedding ring trivia:

The history.  Wedding rings were historically worn by women to indicate that she was the property of her husband.  The wedding ring indicated that she was no longer available to potential suitors.  Over time, the engagement ring became a a betrothal gift from a man to his bride to signify his ability to care for his future family.  The size and the precious nature of the stone indicated his social and financial stature.

The engagement period.  Pope Innocent III declared that there should be a waiting period between the engagement and the wedding.  During this time, the bride could not wear the wedding band as it was to be used only for the wedding ceremony.  To indicate that she was off the market, the engagement ring was born.

Caring for you ring:

Insurance.  Your jeweler may offer replacement stone insurance, but that will not protect you in the case of loss, theft or damage.  It is a good idea to get your ring appraised and insured as soon as possible.  Most homeowner’s and renters insurance can add it to your existing policy for a nominal charge.

Proper Fit.  Most showcase rings are size 6.  Unless that is the perfect fit for you, ask your jeweler to fit the ring to your hand.  Your ring may feel tight on warm days and loose on cold.  When having your ring sized, give yourself time to adjust to the store temperature, you can use that extra time to look at jewelry for your wedding day look.

Proper Care.  Some metals and stones require special care.  Your jeweler can advise you on the best care practices for your engagement ring.  A mild soap and water is usually sufficient to keep your ring sparkling.  It is a good idea to remove your ring before putting on lotion, cleaning with harsh chemicals or other damaging activities.  You can also ask about having the ring steamed and polished – especially before your wedding day!

Safekeeping. For the few times that you will remove your ring, keep it in a safe place.  A jewelry box or bag, ring holder or any other place that it won’t get knocked over or misplaced.  Next to the sink is not a good idea unless you have a plumber on speed dial.

Showing it off.  As soon as you announce your engagement, people will ask to see the ring.  Treat your self to a manicure so you can show with confidence!

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Wedding Cake Ideas

Cutting the wedding cake is one of the most iconic moments of your wedding reception.  We have some tips for your wedding cake from the design, cutting and preservation.

Designing Your Cake.  Before contracting with a baker, check your venue agreement.  Many venues require you to use their in-house baker.  If you will interview bakers, here are some questions you might ask:

• What flavors of cake do you offer?
• What fillings are available?
• Do you offer a gluten free option?
• What shapes do you offer?
• Do you specialize in a particular flavor or design style?
• How early should I order?  Deposit requirements and final payment dates?
• Is there a delivery charge?  How much setup time is needed?
• Do you offer tasting sessions?
• Will you supply the cake stand?  Cake knife and server?
• Will you provide storage box for the top tier?

How To Cut The Wedding Cake.  When it comes to cutting the wedding cake, many newlyweds don’t know where to begin. Follow these tips to cut your cake like a pro.

1. Using her right hand, the bride will usually hold the handle of the knife and the groom will put his hand over hers. Begin cutting the bottom tier of the cake using the pointed part of the knife and make two cuts. Making a vertical slice at the junction of those points will allow you to cleanly remove the small slice and place on a plate. From there, the bride and groom will then feed each other as a sweet start to their new life.
2. If you will be serving the cake as dessert, cake cutting is usually performed after the grand entrance, before toasts begin. This will allow your serving staff to clear and cut the cake during dinner service. If you will give the cake to guests as they leave, cake can be cut at any time of the evening. You will likely need to order cake boxes if this is your plan. (For more on reception timelines, click here.)

Preserving Your Cake.  Traditionally, most couples keep one cake to celebrate their first anniversary and this means storing it in the freezer for one whole year. More recently, bakeries have begun to offer a replica cake tier on your one year anniversary. If you will be storing the top tier, the following can help to preserve the flavor.

• Remove the decorations such as flowers and toppers from the cake and make sure the cake board is wrapped with a foil paper.
• Place the cake in the freezer for about 20 minutes so as to make the icing hard.
• Once hardened, wrap the cake with an airtight plastic wrap. Wrap it with two or more layers of foil to prevent the frozen taste and store in a freezer storage container.

Some sweet ideas:

• Discuss in advance if you will feed the cake to each other at the same time or alternate.  It is your choice to use fingers or forks!
• Let your serving staff know if you plan on keeping or giving away any tier of the cake, otherwise, they may serve it to your guests. Don’t assume everyone knows.
• Many couples have the serving set engraved with their names. They can be used later for birthdays, anniversaries or your children’s weddings. Your serving set can become a family heirloom passed down to every generation.
• Share your plans for cake cutting with your photographer and videographer so they can decide on the best camera angles for this special moment.
• Your DJ can suggest the perfect song to accompany your cake cutting.
• Many couples choose to highlight the groom’s hobbies or interests with a groom’s cake.  The groom’s cake can feature his favorite team, alma mater or any other interest he has.  This cake is often placed near the wedding cake and can be served as a dessert option, wrapped as guest favors, or kept for the one year anniversary.

For cake inspiration, check out our Pinterest board of Wedding Cakes and Cupcakes.

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15 Money Saving Ideas For Your Wedding

More brides and grooms are paying for or contributing to the cost of their wedding than any time before.  This has helped fuel the shabby chic, vintage and DIY wedding trends as couples look to create their dream wedding in the most affordable manner possible.  So how can you have the wedding you want while sticking to a wedding budget?  These 15 tips can help you get started.

Be selective with invitations.   It’s a difficult task to decide who makes the guest list “cut”.  With the average wedding reception cost per person of $100, this can be a wedding reception budget saver though. When considering a wedding reception venue, it’s a good idea to ask the guaranteed minimum.  The minimum number is the amount of guests you will pay for, even if your wedding guest list is fewer than this number.  The minimum number may be negotiable if your wedding reception will be during non-peak dates.

Reduce the number of attendants.  Each person standing up in your bridal party is a dear friend – and an expense.  While you may not be paying for their attire, you will purchase their flowers, attendant gift, transportation and more.  Consider limiting your bridal party to siblings and closest friends.

Bundle services.  It can be a huge savings to bundle multiple services with a single company.  Centerpieces, attendant’s flowers and ceremony decorations with one florist.  Invitations, wedding programs, and personalized stationary with one printer.  (Click here to learn about bundling DJ, Photography and Videography with Mike Staff Productions.)

It’s all about appearances.  It is common to have a display cake for the cake cutting ceremony, with one layer for cutting, and a sheet cake in the kitchen for dessert service.  You can also display a fine bottle of champagne at the head table, but have a less expensive sparkling wine for the toast.  No one will be the wiser.

In season means in budget.  Choosing flowers that are in season can result in major savings.  Instead of telling your florist what bouquet you want, ask for recommendations using less costly blooms for your time of year.  If you want something out of season, ask to use them as accent flowers rather than the primary.

Choose one location.  There are multiple benefits of combining your ceremony and reception location.  In addition to the convenience, you can reduce the cost of multiple venues, transportation and decor.

Make it twinkle.  Candles create a sense of romance.  Whether you use exquisite candelabras for an elegant feeling or simple hurricanes for a rustic reception, candles can be a beautiful and inexpensive way to make a statement.

Personalize the venue.  Using photographs from your engagement session or courtship as wedding reception decor accents allows you to tell your story as a couple (and you’ve already paid for them).  Select images of your lives separately and together for your welcome table, cake table or centerpieces.  You can also share a photo montage with your guests during the cocktail hour or during your first dance.

Downsize centerpieces.  Selecting smaller centerpieces allows your guests to converse easily and pass food items around the table; 14 to 20 inches high is ideal.  A smaller arrangement will allow you to save on your floral budget, or add more of an expensive bloom due to the smaller scale.

Be a DIY bride. Before taking on any DIY projects, you should calculate the cost of materials and time versus hiring a professional to handle the project.  You should also consider how close to your wedding you would have to complete the task.  Many brides elect to make and print paper products such as programs and table cards, but leave centerpiece creation to the pros due to timing.

Hire Professionals.  It is sometimes tempting to use a “Friendor” for your wedding.     A “Friendor” is a friends who you use for wedding services.  They may or may not perform this service as a career.  Sometimes a “Friendor” works perfectly; you get exactly what you wanted for a price you can afford. But other times working with a friendor can cause more stress than it’s worth and put a strain on your friendship. A “Friendor” can also cost you more in the end if they aren’t in tune with wedding trends, cost savings opportunities such as in season flowers and lost chances to bundle services for savings.  Additionally, if you want professional results, it may be best to use aprofessional service.

Double duty decorations.  Repurpose the flowers from your ceremony for your wedding reception.  Altar arrangements are perfect to flank the head table.  Bridesmaids bouquets double as centerpieces for the bridal table when placed in a simple glass vase.

Kids at receptions.  If you choose to invite children to your wedding reception, consider asking for budget friendly children’s dinner options such as chicken fingers or sliders.   For more tips on kids at your reception, click here.

Guest favors.  Small tokens of appreciation for attending your wedding can add up to big budget busters.  Consider making a charitable donation in their honor or a simple favor, such as chocolates.

Shorten the cocktail hour.  If your timeline allows you to shorten the cocktail hour without negatively affecting your guests, you may be able to negotiate a lower price due to the decreased volume.  You can also limit the cocktail offerings to a signature drink, requiring fewer liquors.

We can create a custom package that fits within your wedding budget.  Click here to learn more.

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What budget friendly ideas would you add?  Leave a comment below or on ourFacebook fan page.

30 Wedding Budget Tips

Wedding dreams can have no limit, but the budgets usually do.  Here are some ways you can save a few dollars and still have the wedding you want.

Figure it out.  Once you have decided how much money you have to spend on your wedding, it’s important to know where it will go.  On average wedding budgets are broken down as:

45% Reception venue, dinner and drinks

35% all other wedding items including dress, decor and professional services.

Prioritize.  One of the biggest mistakes brides make, is not prioritizing their wedding budgets.  If you have your heart set on a particular wedding item, it should be listed as a top priority.  This allows you to cut other expenses as necessary to keep that element.  (Click here to learn about other top wedding mistakes.)  You should also consider other elements that are low priority and cut them immediately.  Most people won’t notice if you don’t offer personalized cocktail napkins and matchbooks, but your budget will be better off.

So where do you make the cuts?  Here are 30 ideas for saving on your wedding day.

Reception

• Cut the guest list. This will save money on catering, invitations, guest favors and centerpieces.
• Think off-peak season and save thousands!
• Hold your ceremony and reception in one spot — it will cut travel time for vendors you pay by the hour and eliminate the need for bridal party transportation.
• Consider a Friday wedding – or Sunday for even bigger savings.
• Have bigger tables so you need fewer centerpieces and tablecloths.
• Shop the off-season for extra decor — get red vases on sale after Christmas and pretty pink ones after Valentine’s Day.

Flowers

• Use more greenery than flowers.
• Swap out costly flowers
• Stick to just one or two kinds of flowers.
• Buy flowers that are in season.
• Include non-florals, like lanterns, mirrors and candles in your centerpieces.

Food & Drink

• Skip midnight snacks.
• Shorten your cocktail hour to a half-hour.
• Offer beer, wine, and a signature cocktail instead of a full bar.
• Serve comfort foods like barbecue chicken, mac and cheese, and corn. It’s fun and often cheaper.
• Skip the champagne toast.

Cakes

• Order a small one or two-tiered cake and then supplement cake with a larger sheet cake (hidden back in the kitchen).
• Keep the add-ons simple.
• Use fresh flowers, not sugar ones.
• Reuse ceremony flowers for the cake table.
• Skip exotic fillings like guava and mango.

Stationery & Favors

• Get single-page invites to save on postage.
• Give out one favor per couple.
• Make your cake the favors.
• Have favors double as escort cards.
• Email your save-the-dates.
• Make your own menu cards, escort cards, and wedding favor packaging.

Photo, Video & Music

• Hire a photographer who will give you a copyright release which will save printing costs.
• Hire a single maned camera videography team.
• Hire a DJ who can do both the ceremony and the reception.

Ready to learn about budget friendly wedding services?  Click here. 

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