Wedding Vacations
June 2, 2010
There are several options when considering alternatives for Vacation Plans after the wedding. When building a life together and looking to the future one economical option for spending an annual vacation with the family is Timeshare. Timeshare has changed in many positive ways over the past 10 years. If you purchase the right type of Timeshare with a future goal in mind and learn how to benefit from the concept, Timeshare can be a valuable tool to take vacations anywhere in the world. If you think buying a timeshare will be a real estate investment as many companies pitch, you will find out that when you get ready to cash in on the rapid increase in value there will be little if any gains. However a well thought out timeshare plan can give you a lifetime of family vacations and give you something to pass along to your children. Just make sure when you buy, you look at three main things. The Location of the timeshare, the trading power of the unit, and most importantly that it is a deeded week that you will own out right once it is paid off. Never take the first price offered or the second or third, and today only means today only. But if you come back tomorrow, guaranteed they will give you the same deal. Money is money and just as green 24 ot 48 hours later. Fortune magazine says a family of 4 can save nearly 25,000 dollars over 40 years by using peak season timeshare instead of renting a hotel. Look into exchanges and getaways. There are several ways to benefit from your timeshare options. Be smart and use what you need, not what you want.
Budget Matters 5
Think small - check into bed and breakfasts in your area and put limits on the guest list.
In or Out - don’t forget to include the cost of tent rental. If it rains, a tent will be worth every penny.
Rehearsal dinner – save by throwing a backyard barbecue or picnic in a local park. Both are much less than dinner in a restaurant. Probably more fun too!
Shorten the reception - every hour you trim will save you money. You’ll have just as much fun in three hours as four or five hours.
Avoid Saturdays - this is the most expensive day for weddings. Thursday, Friday, or Sunday will be much less expensive. An afternoon wedding will cost less than an evening wedding.
Seasons - June is going to be more expensive than January. Consider the season to save money. Off season is the time to get better deals and save tons of money.
Budget Matters 4
May 6, 2010
Budget Matters
City dwellers - get out of the city for a change of pace and scenery. Costs will be substantially lower outside the big city.
Memberships - if you have memberships to organizations or the military you may have access to venues at low or no cost to you. Don’t forget to check them out.
Garden Weddings – these have built in flowers that will save on arrangements. Local gardens are obvious. However, many museums have beautiful gardens as well. Consider renting an historic mansion with a garden. Many are much less than traditional venues and have no time limits. Vineyards can be beautiful as well.
Two for one – hold the ceremony and the reception in the same place. You’ll save multiple site fees and transportation costs from one place to the other.
Destination wedding - this may cost less because the guest list will be much smaller than a traditional wedding.
Look for packages - look for reception packages. A venue that provides catering and food-service items will save you quite a bit of money on rentals.
Budget Matters 3
May 3 2010
Budget Matters
The average wedding in the United States costs a whopping $20,000.00 today. That’s a lot of money for most couples. However, there are countless ways to cut costs and trim the budget to save money. It’s amazing how far you can stretch $5,000.00 with a little time, effort and planning.
Sites and Venues
City dwellers - get out of the city for a change of pace and scenery. Costs will be substantially lower outside the big city.
Memberships - if you have memberships to organizations or the military you may have access to venues at low or no cost to you. Don’t forget to check them out.
Garden Weddings – these have built in flowers that will save on arrangements. Local gardens are obvious. However, many museums have beautiful gardens as well. Consider renting an historic mansion with a garden. Many are much less than traditional venues and have no time limits. Vineyards can be beautiful as well.
Two for one – hold the ceremony and the reception in the same place. You’ll save multiple site fees and transportation costs from one place to the other.
Destination wedding - this may cost less because the guest list will be much smaller than a traditional wedding.
Look for packages - look for reception packages. A venue that provides catering and food-service items will save you quite a bit of money on rentals.
Budget Matters 2
Stick to the budget – decide from the beginning how much you can afford to spend and stick to it! All of the nickle and dime fudging along the way will add up big time in the end! Food, beverage and venue should equal half of the budget.
Don’t be obvious – choose an unusual venue. An aquarium, zoo, gallery, museum, historical site, etc. are unique. In addition, the fees are much less and you save on decor because the ambiance is already built in. Choose one that suits your hobbies or interests. Again, factor in rentals if they aren’t equipped for events.
Rent a vacation home – even if you are charged a week’s worth of rent for the day, it may still be equal to or less than renting a traditional venue.
Consider family – if a family member or close friend has a scenic property find out if you can use it. It will be unique and cost conscious.
Budget Matters
The average wedding in the United States costs a whopping $20,000.00 today. That’s a lot of money for most couples. However, there are countless ways to cut costs and trim the budget to save money. It’s amazing how far you can stretch $5,000.00 with a little time, effort and planning.
Sites and Venues
Alma mater – don’t forget your alma mater. They may have a great location available on the cheap for alumni.
Budget Matters
Mon April 26 2010
Budget Matters
The average wedding in the United States costs a whopping $20,000.00 today. That’s a lot of money for most couples. However, there are countless ways to cut costs and trim the budget to save money. It’s amazing how far you can stretch $5,000.00 with a little time, effort and planning.
Sites and Venues
Create a comparison chart – this will help you track each venue and what is included in the price of each venue you are considering. One may include linens and the cake, while another may not. Keeping them all straight and knowing who is providing what and for what price will help save money and keep costs down.
Public Places – these places, like parks, village greens, etc., may be available at a low fee. Make sure, however, that they are equipped to handle events. Otherwise, you’ll end up renting everything from tables and chairs to napkins and not actually come out ahead.
Think small – check into bed and breakfasts in your area and put limits on the guest list.
In or Out – don’t forget to include the cost of tent rental. If it rains, a tent will be worth every penny.
Things that Can Wait
Renting the formalwear. Except for the bride, everyone has time when it comes to wedding attire. Bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, and even the groom can take more time when it comes to getting their duds. Don’t worry about this until about three months before the ceremony. Tuxes and suits usually don’t have to be picked up until the week of the ceremony.
Picking your attendants. Attendants who are less involved in the pre-wedding prep don’t need to be chosen for a while. While you can decide your wedding party earlier in the planning process, you can wait until a week or two before the wedding day to appoint ushers and other ceremony helpers whose tasks won’t take a lot of prep.
Things That Can Wait
Finalizing seating chart. Don’t stress out now about who should sit next to your Aunt Millie. No need to worry, you’ve got time to decide. Yes, you can really wait even a few weeks before your wedding date to nail down your seating chart and get it to the reception site manager.
Ordering wedding bands. You don’t need to worry about ordering the rings until four or five months before your wedding. The main thing to remember is to make sure you have enough time to get them sized in case they don’t fit when they arrive.
Things That Can Wait
Things That Can Wait
We’ve discussed the important things to do once you are engaged. There are, however, some things you don’t have to feel guilty about putting off. These are a few things you don’t have need to be in such a hurry to do.
Getting a marriage license. A week or two before the ceremony is plenty of time. Most states don’t require more than a 24 hour waiting period. So, there’s no rush in getting one. However, Florida requires more time so check your state to make sure of the rules and wait times.
What Date is Best
Winter
Fewer people get married in November than in summer or fall. This allows popular locations to be available. This is also true for caterers, florists, musicians, etc., who are all too happy to spend extra time with you in the slow month before the Christmas holidays. Believe it or not, December is an age-old favorite for nuptials. Many brides find the idea of a candlelit chapel with snow falling outside very romantic. The scent of pine, yuletide spirit, holiday feasting, it all lends itself perfectly to a wedding celebration. Many hotels and restaurants are already lavishly decorated for the season, so you may be able to save on decorations of your own and still have a festive occasion. Families and friends traditionally get together for the holidays anyway, so planning and scheduling should be easier for everyone. The last day of the year, according to Irish folklore is an especially lucky day on which to wed.
Scottish lore has it that January 1 is the most fortuitous day for getting married. Having your wedding in January or February has the same advantages as doing so in November, with many sites and services more readily available to you. These months are also good for honeymoon weddings. In quiet winter months, family and friends will welcome invitations to travel to ski villages or exotic ( and probably warmer) locales. And don’t forget that February has the most romantic date of all, Valentine’s Day.
So whatever date you choose, just remember to think about what time of year it will be. Imagine the style of your wedding in the season of your date and how the mood and weather of the month you choose may affect things. There are a lot things to consider, including the season.
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