Wedding Favors Unlimited Advice Blog

This season's hottest colors are without a doubt, coral and tangerine. But coral is certainly a color that hasn't been seen at a whole lot of weddings, which makes it fun to work with this year, as the unused possibilities are endless!

First, you'll want to start with your invites. If you choose coral wedding invitations, you'll want to pick something that not only announces your colors, but announces the formality of your wedding. Your invitations say much more than just the date and time of the wedding, it also eludes to how formal the wedding will be, the colors, the food, and more. And be sure not to include your registry on the invitations, it's poor form.

Next, move onto your wedding decor, you'll want lots of coral color (or actual coral) scattered throughout your venue. You can pair coral with khaki, green, fuchsia, brown, or simply white or black. It's a very versatile color and will look lovely against many different hues.

Coral weddings are absolutely beautiful, but if you can choose a venue that is on the beach or something similar (such as a laid back chalet, or cabin) it's an added bonus. Choosing a venue that goes with your theme is just as important as finding one that suits your personalities as a couple. This is why at times it can seem so hard to choose a venue! But as long as you have a plan, you're closer to completing this task.

Once you've got your invitations, decor, and fashion chosen, you'll most likely want to move on to your smaller details such as wedding favors. To choose something that really goes with your theme, you don't have to necessarily go with something coral-colored but you certainly can! If you think you have enough coral related items, why not extend the beach relation and offer beach wedding favors? They're cute and the subtle variety will go a long way when you look out at your tables.

Here are a few cute options that you could look into for beach wedding favors:

There are so many ways you could go with a coral wedding scheme. Just make sure it is true to you and your fiance's personalities and lifestyle. Your wedding is all about you, so make sure your decor, your food, your music, and everything else is right in line with who you are together and you can't go wrong!

Related Articles:

• Orange & Fuchsia Wedding Ideas
• Planning A Beach Wedding
• Hot Color Schemes For A Beach Wedding
• Beach Wedding Favor Ideas

Choosing friends and family members to be a part of your bridal party can be a difficult decision. That is why it is important to choose bridesmaids who are special to you, and who you want to be included in your wedding. Some brides make the mistake of choosing bridesmaids out of obligation. Remember that it is your wedding, and only you can decide who you want to be a part of it. It is tradition to reward your bridesmaids with a special gift for participating in your wedding. Choosing bridesmaids gifts doesn't have to be a complicated process. It can actually be quite fun. The key is to purchase gifts that not only have a special significance, but that your bridesmaids can also use once the wedding is over.

Don't just purchase gifts that you can get for a reasonable price, or because you happen to think they are cute. Make sure that you purchase gifts that your bridesmaids will like. After all, bridal party gifts are your thank you gifts to all of your bridesmaids. One sure way to let your bridesmaids know just how grateful you really are is to personalize the bridesmaids' gifts. It can really make a difference. For example, if you purchase a handbag from a popular retail store for each of your bridesmaids then they will probably appreciate the gift. But if you purchase a personalized handbag with each of the bridesmaids' initials on separate bag, then they will not only appreciate it - they will love it! A personalized gift shows that you cared enough to put some thought into the bridal party gifts, instead of just choosing something because you got it at a good price.

Being a part of a wedding is quite the ordeal. Bridesmaids have to purchase a dress, stand up in the wedding, and participate in the ceremony in addition to buying a separate wedding gift for the bride and groom. It costs a lot of money to be in a wedding these days, which is why you shouldn't compromise on the bridesmaids gifts. Go that extra mile and personalize your gifts. You'll be surprised at how something so simple can make such a huge difference. After all, you want your bridesmaids to be glad that they were asked to participate in your wedding. You want them to have a good time, and to remember the day in a special way.

Bridesmaids' gifts are more than just wedding favors or tokens of appreciation. They are special keepsake items that will last a lifetime, and they also let your bridesmaids know how special they are to you. When you are planning your bridal party gifts, take some time to sit down and think about the kinds of things that your bridesmaids like and enjoy. Make a list of possible gift ideas. Then decide which one is best for everyone. After you have chosen a gift, think about how you can personalize it for each of your bridesmaids. That little extra step will go a very long way.

Related Articles

Top 5 Most Popular Bridesmaids Gifts

Personalized Bags - 'Tote'ally Awesome Bridesmaid Gifts

Get more bridesmaid gift ideas in this video:

Choosing the Best Man for your wedding may be a difficult task, or it may be easy, depending on whether you have several good friends or just one. The Best Man in your wedding is a very special position that carries an amount of honor with it. It is an esteemed privilege to be asked to be a Best Man at one of the most special events of your life. It also has a certain amount of responsibility attached to it as the role can extend in many directions.

The Best Man's role includes making sure the groom doesn't forget anything, most notably the ring. He is responsible for the bachelor party and ensures that all details have been handled, to ensure the wedding goes smoothly and without any mishaps. For his important role in your wedding, you will want to get him a special best man gift - just for him - that will show your appreciation and help him to remember the special day forever.

You want a unique gift for your Best Man - something that will speak volumes to him and carry a personal distinction that it is from you to him. It will show him how much you value his friendship. Gifts that will do this don't have to come with a huge price tag. Many great groomsmen gifts can be purchased for quite reasonable prices that will fit your sentiment nicely.

Because your Best Man is probably one of your best friends, you probably know his favorite hobbies, sports teams, likes, dislikes, passions, etc. That will help when you are looking for just the right gift. Does he like to grill out? Is he the "Grill Master" of all his backyard BBQs or tailgating parties? If so, then an ideal gift might be a personalized chef grill apron. You can often get free personalization on gifts you purchase, and there's nothing more unique than having a special item that will mean something to him with his name emblazoned on it. Personalized gifts show how much your friendship means to you.

Maybe your Best Man is an avid golfer. If so, you could choose from a wide variety of golf accessories including a personalized multi-function golf tool that offers a magnetic ball marker, a groove cleaner, a divot repair device, knife, brush, and key tag - then place it all into a golf gift basket. There's also a golf shoe bag that can be personalized. Whatever his favorite hobby or passion, you can find a unique gift and have it personalized to commemorate your special occasion. He will always know and remember how much you appreciated his being there for you on your wedding day.

Is your Best Man a poker player? Does he like to down a few in a bar at the end of a long work week? He might just really enjoy a vintage pub sign that is personalized just for him to hang in his home. Pub signs are made with a variety of hobbies in mind, including fishing, golf, motorcycles, and the classic "Texas Hold-Em" poker variety.

With such options available from which to choose, you're sure to find a unique thank you gift with just the right price tag for your Best Man. It's a special occasion; commemorate it with the friend that stood up with you on your day to remember.

Related Articles:

• Creative Groomsmen Gifts Are the Best
• Best Man Gift Ideas

$27,800.

That is the average cost of a wedding, according to a survey conducted by bridal resource, The Knot.  If that figure leaves you speechless – and more than a little scared – you’re not alone!  But remember, this figure is driven up by lavish nuptials costing $40,000 and more.  People can, and do, have lovely, unforgettable weddings for less.  Regardless of your specific budget, however, it is important to create a wedding essentials checklist to keep costs from spiraling out of control.  It can also help keep your emotions from spiraling out of control by giving you increased peace of mind.  So, how do you start?

At the beginning, of course.  Take a look at your budget and how much you have saved for your wedding.  Traditionally, certain parts of the wedding and ceremony have been paid for by the bride’s family, while the groom’s family assumes other financial responsibilities.  If you have family that is willing and able to help, this is what is traditionally paid for by each side:

Bride:

• Groom’s engagement ring
• Gifts for groom and brides’ attendants
• Groom’s tuxedos and accessories

Groom:

• Bride’s engagement ring
• Gifts for bride and groomsmen
• Boutonnieres for groom, fathers, grandfathers, and groomsmen
• Corsages for mothers and grandmothers
• Bouquets for bride

Bride’s Family

• Invitations
• Announcements
• Postage
• Wedding stationary
• Bride’s gown and accessories
• Flowers and décor for ceremony and reception
• Flowers for bridesmaids
• Ceremony location fee
• Wedding reception location fee
• Food and beverages
• Photographer/videographer
• Transportation rentals
• Entertainment for reception
• Wedding cake
• Engagement party

Groom’s Family:

• Officiant’s fee
• Marriage license fee
• Rehearsal dinner

If you notice, the bride’s family has a long list!  This is a “traditional” list that may be too outdated for modern couples.  But if you do have family who are eager to help, this can give you direction. The bride’s family does not have to pay for all of the items on the list, but if they could take care of, for instance, the flowers or the wedding cake, that is an expense you can check off your list.

Next, when you have an idea of what resources you have, and what others are going to contribute, you can start nailing down specifics.  Find a wedding budget checklist format online that you can print out.  They are widely available, but here is a good one.

Take a look at each expense and cross off those that do not apply to your wedding.  For instance, if you are having your best friend do the photography, you do not have to worry about that fee (though a nice gift would be a thoughtful gesture).  Likewise, if you plan on doing your own hair, makeup, and nails, you can cut those off the checklist immediately.

Next, it is important to do some preliminary research, and this is why people start planning their weddings a year in advance!  How much are typical reception venues in your area?  How much are typical dresses, cakes, flowers, and professional services (photographers, DJs, etc.)?  How much will your officiant charge?  Call around, look at your local wedding supplements, or go to area bridal shows to get a sense of how much things cost.

ProjectWedding has a great expense checklist on which you can enter in your zip code.  It displays the average overall budget for your area, as well as a breakdown of expenses.  You can delete subcategories that do not apply to you, add those that do, and record what you have spent thus far. The breakdown by category and subcategory can help you keep spending in check and even cut down on extraneous costs (Can you eliminate a full bar?  Can you have a backyard BBQ in lieu of a formal rehearsal dinner?).

Having a wedding that fits your preference and your budget is possible.  You just have to plan, prepare, and keep your expense checklist updated!

Related Articles:

• Planning A Wedding - Tips and Timelines
• The Typical Timeline For Planning Your Own Wedding

Do you ever watch shows like Say Yes to the Dress in awe? It’s not just the gorgeous creations of designers like Pnina Tornai, Alita Graham, Lazaro, and Kenneth Cole that produce this feeling, but the budget many brides seem to have!  $5000, $10,000 - for just the dress!  Many of us have to work within a much smaller “price point,” as they say.  How do you determine what you can afford to spend?  It’s time to look at the “B” word: budget.

The average wedding in the United States is over $26,500 – but that doesn’t mean your budget has to match that.  It can be more, certainly, but rest assured it can also be less.  Let’s take a look at average costs before we delve into budgeting for your wedding.  According to the Brides American Wedding Study, the reception eats up 36 percent of the total wedding budget, costing an average of $13,367.  Photography/videography, wedding rings, and flowers are also sizeable chunks.  The cake typically costs a bit under $500.  The average engagement ring is $4,647, almost four times as much as the average gown.

One way to determine your wedding budget, as suggested in the blog, AWeddingtoDreamof, is to calculate the number of months before the wedding by how much you can save each month (as soon as you’re engaged, start setting money aside! It’s time to save in earnest).  To this, add contributions from parents and other savings.  Subtract 5 percent for unexpected expenses, and this is your wedding budget.  While this tradition is eroding, many brides’ parents still contribute to the wedding, while many grooms’ families pay part or all of the expenses for the rehearsal dinners.  If your family is going to help out, factor that in. Otherwise, plan for the amount you have saved.

Say, all told, you have a budget of $20,000.  You may not be able to get a Pnina Tornai from Kleinfeld’s but you can have a great wedding.  Start by listing the elements which you must pay for (we have also listed a suggested portion of your budget for each). While these items will vary, they typically include:

• The ceremony, including location fee, officiant fee, license, ceremony music, and ring pillows (3 percent of total budget).
• Reception including cake, wedding favors, food, drinks, rentals, and location (48 percent of total budget).
• Attire, including dress and veil or headpiece, undergarments, shoes, accessories, jewelry, hair, makeup, tuxedo, shoes, bow tie, cuff links, and suspenders (10 percent).
• Rings. His and hers and engraving (3 percent).
• Flowers (8 percent).
• Music, sound system rental (8 percent).
• Photography (12 percent).
• Transportation for wedding party and/or parking attendants (2 percent).
• Stationary, including invitations, response cards, postage, guest book, and thank you notes (3 percent).
• Gifts for bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, and welcome baskets for out-of-town guests (3 percent).

Using your budget of $10,000, you figure out what you can spend on each aspect of the wedding. Using this formula, though, you’ll see that you pay $1,000 for the bride’s and groom’s attire.  Is that enough?  Could you “borrow” from another category?  Say you cut your own wildflowers or enlist friends to do so: can you use some or most of that 8 percent for your attire?  Could you borrow jewelry and do your own hair and makeup and use more of that allotment for your dress?  Could you use your backyard and forgo the venue fee?  Can you slim down your guest list?

There are many ways to cut down on costs or at least readjust them so you can spend more on the elements that mean most to you.  Setting a budget does not have to dampen your wedding; in fact, it is one of the first things you do after you get engaged – after you call your best friend.  The best advice is to start saving and stick to your budget.  Today’s couples are doing more with less and starting their own traditions that are thrifty and fabulous.

Related Articles:

1. Cheap Bridesmaids Gifts
2. Fake Cake Budget Secrets
3. 20 Great Ways to save Money on your Wedding

What is the most useful gift you could receive for your wedding?  It's cash, of course!  But when people ask if you need anything or look at your registry, cash isn't going to be mentioned at all.  Why?  Most of us are hesitant to discuss money, and we don't want to appear greedy or seem gauche by requesting cold hard cash instead of a toaster, mixer, or duvet cover.  But today's couples are different; many are older, and many live together before marriage, which makes traditional gifts somewhat irrelevant. They already have their housewares, china, and linen.  What they need now is money. So how do you ask for money as a wedding gift?

According to Emily Post, etiquette guru, almost half of brides and grooms cited how to ask for money as a gift as their most pressing etiquette concern.  But there is good news: almost 80 percent of consumers prefer to give cash.  The trick is to make sure those consumers are at your wedding!  No, the trick is not appearing rude.  Guests are not, and should not feel, obligated to give gifts.  Instead of writing on your wedding invitations, “In lieu of gifts we don't need, give us money,” try a more subtle approach.

• You could tell your close family members and wedding party that you prefer cash for your down payment (or home improvement or honeymoon, etc.), should anyone ask.  People will always ask your mom, your sister, or your best friend what you need/want.  You can ask that they say that any gift would be welcome but cash is a top wish.
• People don't want to pay for your wedding.  Not directly anyway.  But they do want to help you and your new spouse have a happily ever after.  Give their cash even more value by saying it will be put towards a specific item or expense.  This poem, found on Mag.weddingcentral.com does this in a cute way:

If you were thinking of giving a gift, to help us on our way

A gift of cash towards our house would really make our day.

However, if you prefer to purchase a gift, feel free to surprise us in your own way.

• If you create a wedding website, you can work your request into your gift section.  Why shouldn't money be on your registry?
• There are some sites, including Wedistry.com, that allow guests to contribute money towards a specific item.  For instance, if you want a fancy new oven, your guests can chip in.  This isn't cash, but it's the next best thing.
• TheKnot.com allows you to create a registry into which guests contribute money.  The money is then given to you in the form of a gift card so you can choose the items you want and need. SunTrustBank has created a bridal registry that allows guests to put money into a trust dedicated to a house down payment.  You can also find sites that allow guests to contribute to a honeymoon in the same way.  Always check out these sites before to determine their legitimacy and safety. After that, register!

The bottom line is that, though weddings and marriages have changed, there is still no good way to come right out and ask for money.  There are guests, particularly from older generations, who will want to purchase a gift.  They will honor a registry, but they may find it rude to be solicited for cash.  This is what a registry is for; go with a home improvement store, a supply store, or another useful site that has what you really need.  Your guests will get the hint.

Never, ever mention wedding gifts or money in your invitations. There is no question: this is rude. You can spread the word through your family and friends; you can register for cash or specific items; you can let it be known that you are saving for a down payment or a home improvement project.  Ultimately, though, it is up to the guests to decide.  And it is up to you to thank them.

Related Articles:

• 20 Great Ways to save Money on your Wedding
• Tips For Planning A Wedding on a Budget