
Traditions that come from Irish Weddings

Wedding Gown Shopping?
Wedding Gown Shopping?
13+ Tips for Stress Free Wedding Gown Shopping
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Beware of these 5 Major Budget Busters!
Having a wedding isn’t as simple as saying “I do” — and it can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding in 2020 was over $20,000. Figures are still out for 2021, but probably very close to that amount as well.
Having a Wedding Budget is critical to having a wedding without stress. And even with a budget, these budget busters could happen if you are not careful!
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Exclusive Venues
While recommended vendors are great, having exclusive vendors is much different. This will lock you into their prices, services, and policies. If you find a venue with exclusive agreements, make sure you have pricing from all those vendors before signing your venue contract.
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Venues without Amenities
The venue that is just a building — maybe it has bathrooms (let’s hope) and a “caterer kitchen” (meaning sink, water, and refrigeration). The price is right, so you think you’ve scored. Take a breath — then sprint to your nearest rental service. and get estimates on everything else. Don’t let rentals be a budget buster just because you thought the venue was a good deal.
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The Outdoors
The everlasting trend of Midwest weddings! You throw up a white tent and invite your closest 100 friends and family. It won’t be more than a few grand, right? Wrong! You also need bathrooms, power generators, outdoor lighting, parking, parking lighting, transportation to and from parking, rain plan items, catering tent and equipment, ice and ice trailer, fans or A/C or heat, bug spray, landscaping — and that’s just naming the essential items.
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Unvoiced Parent Opinions
This is why you should include contributors in budget talks. At that meeting, encourage everyone to voice their full, specific opinions. Real-life story: A bride’s dad said steak and decent wine were a must. We got it accounted and budgeted for. Fast-forward a few months to the catering tasting. Dad ended up wanting filets and table service for everyone. As you can imagine, the price of a filet times 350 guests was much different than standard wedding steak. The budget was busted, and guess who it fell back on? The bride. And she ended up having to cut things she really wanted because of it.
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An Untracked Budget
Track every single thing that you and anyone else spends. If you don’t, you will end up going crazy in one of two ways. The first is when you go crazy saying, “I’m spending like a crazy person!” and think you’ve overspent — because when else in your life are you dropping $1,000 deposit checks every other day? The second is when you go crazy saying, “Everything is going to be fine!” and start rattling off those $1,000 checks like nothing. Then you go to add everything up and realize you busted your budget. Then you have to cut things like gifts to your wedding party, alterations, and even hair and makeup
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Tips for Putting on Your Wedding Dress
I love the fun and excitement of getting ready that occurs in the girl’s getting ready room. There are lots of special moments that unfold that beg to be captured by your photographer. Perhaps it is your sister’s special hug or gift, or your best friend’s “something old” that she has given you – all these moments are so very special.
Here is what I hate – bags, shoes, underwear, empty food containers, water bottles and a complete mess all around the room! Your photographer will do their best to capture the events, but honestly, let’s have your girls pick up as they go – and a firm reminder from you, goes a long way. The benefit is that your photos will not have the distractions of the messy environment, and those photos will emphasis the event and the emotion. Remember you will be looking at these photos years from now!
And now for putting on the dress.
Tip #1: Always go potty BEFORE you put on your dress.
Tip #2: Be sure your photographer is there to capture the moment. Don’t put on the dress before he/she arrives.
Tip #3: Putting on your wedding dress can be an incredibly beautiful, fun and captivating moment. Most photographers recommend that you pick one person to assist you, sometimes your mother or your maid of honor. Having less people will make the moment more relaxed, let you enjoy it, and allow your photographer to capture more of you and your dress, rather than a sea of people.
Tip #4: To keep your hair and makeup fresh, if you are putting the dress on over your head, raise your arms up and out to protect your hair and makeup.
Tip #5: Put on your own jewelry. A sea of people – adjusting your dress, adding your bracelet, one adding a necklace – just way to much going on at one time. I see people looking like they are dressing a Barbie Doll, and the bride just trying to accommodate everyone! It’s crazy. Put on most of your own jewelry, but if you have one piece that’s important to you (or hard to get on) have ONE person help you with this. Shoes do require help – who can see their feet in those big fluffy or tight dresses.
And one last, little thing. Why do all girls hold onto their boobs? Really? Once the dress is on, let go! Do you want all your photos to show you holding up your boobs?