Finding Wedding Dresses at your Favorite Stores

 Budget friendly weddings are all the buzz these days, and we are finding more of our favorite stores are dipping into the wedding scene as well! The Limited, Ann Taylor, Anthropologie and J.Crew all have affordable wedding wear. From the dress to the shoes, they are covering it all. Although some are only available online, which takes away from the shopping experience, some of them are starting to open up stores. J.Crew now has their own boutique in Manhattan and BHLDN just opened one in Houston, sounds like a  good excuse for a "girls only" weekend trip to us! 

Let's talk Bridesmaids. These stores have great dresses that really can be worn again to another wedding or special event.  Not to mention, they are updating their styles every season and having sales! 

MOB's and MOG's will see some classy finds from these sites as well. 

If you don't find yourself shopping for dresses on these sites, they are at the very least great resources for ideas.  Look at the whole picture - colors, hairstyles, and accessories, they might have the look you are going for! 

 BHLDN not only has stylish dresses and accessories, but they have a lot of great decor to use during your Big Day. While you are browsing their site, be sure to take this quiz to find out what kind of bride you are. You will find lots of inspiration browsing through this site, we always do!

Send us an email at info@bigdayplanners.com when you come across a great find! We love to check out our brides' styles and bargains!

Happy Shopping!

Dana &Shannon

The History of June Weddings

Every weekend of the year people are getting married, but what is it about June weddings? It is not only because the weather is getting warmer. Did you realize that there was a history behind bride and grooms choosing June to wed? It actually dates back to Roman times, the month of June is named after Juno, the Goddess of Marriage.

A great musical from the 1950s, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", watched by little girls at their Nana's house while dreaming of their Big Day. This YouTube clip is a song "June Bride" from the musical, perhaps if you are June Bride you can walk down the aisle to it?

Another fun tidbit about June - the first moon after the summer solstice is called the "Honey Moon", it is the season to harvest herbs and honey, in Roman times they would eat honey for a month after the wedding for health and belief of lengthening life. If you're having a June wedding maybe you can give honey inspired favors in honor of this ancient tradition. Check out these sweet options:

1. Meant to Bee Honey Pot

2. Sweeter Than Honey Wedding Favor

3. Sweet as Can Be Honey Candle

We would love to help you plan your June Wedding, or whenever you decide. Book with us by June 30th and receive a free photo montage.

Happy Planning!

Dana & Shannon

www.bigdayplanners.com

Father Daughter Dance

Since Father's Day is coming up we thought it was only appropriate to post this week about the very touching and one of the most memorable moments on your Big Day...the father daughter dance. Picking the perfect song to dance to can be quite difficult so we decided to give you some suggestions. Hope you find it helpful!

Photo by: Craig Metz Photography

 




1. Harry Conick, Jr. - "A Wink and a Smile"
2. Elton John - "Blessed"
3. Van Morisson - "Brown Eyed Girl"
4. Elton John- "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
5. The Carpenters - "Close to You"
6. John Mayer - "Daughters"
7. Paul Simon - "Father Daughter"
8. Amy Grant - "Father's Eyes"
9. Van Morrison - "Have I Told You Lately"
10. Heartland - "I Loved Her First"
11. Christina Aguilera - "I Turn to You"
12. Bon Jovi - "I'll Be There for You"
13. Madonna - "I'll Remember"
14. Martina McBride - "In My Daughter's Eyes"
15. The Beatles - "In My Life"
16. Stevie Wonder - "Isn't She Lovely"
17. Billy Joel - "Just the Way You Are"
18. Fleetwood Mac - "Landslide"
19. Eric Clapton - "My Father's Eyes"
20. Temptations - "My Girl"
21. The Platters - "Only You"
22. Otis Redding - "That's How Strong My Love Is"
23. Frank Sinatra - "The Way You Look Tonight"
24. Faith Hill - "There You'll Be"
25. Joe Cocker - "You Are So Beautiful"
26. Stevie Wonder - "You Are the Sunshine of My Life"
27. LeAnn Rimes - "You Light Up My Life"
28. Josh Groban - "You Raise Me Up"
29. James Taylor - "You've Got a Friend"
30. Louis Armstrong - "What a Wonderful World"

Happy Planning!
Dana & Shannon

Top 5 Splurges for your Big Day

Following up to our cost-cutting tips, here are five ideas we think are worthy of splurging on, if you have room in your budget of course! 

Top 5 Splurges:

1. Wedding Video
It's usually the first vendor to check off a Bride's list to save money, but think of what you are really doing without here. You will never see yourself walking down the aisle or saying your vows if you don't have video of your wedding. We think it's very important to include this in your budget, it's a big day for you as well as your families. Think twice before checking it out of your Big Day!

2. One more song!
Why not extend your wedding reception? A typical wedding reception is schedule for 4 hours, is that really enough to celebrate the most exciting day of your life? This is not a decision you have to make before your wedding day, this call can be made as the party is going on. Depending on the venue determines the cost of this extra hour. Not every vendor needs to stick around this extra hour, just the supplier of the tunes!

3. Get dolled up
You are already planning on wearing a beautiful white gown, why not get your hair and makeup done to complete the picture? Think of it this way, it's your day-when else will you get pampered by getting your makeup done and hair up? It will also be noticeable in your pictures. Side note: a great bridesmaid gift is to treat your ladies to getting their hair and makeup done they day of the wedding.

4. Play that funky music
It is personal preference if the couple wants a band or DJ to perform at their wedding, but when do you get a chance to have a live band play at a party? Considering your wedding will have a mixed age range of guests, a live band will play to the liking of every generation, and a guarantee to get your guests out of their seats and start dancing. Think about it before totally crossing it off your list.

5. Candid Photos
Nowadays a second photographer is more in demand that ever. The main photographer is there to focus on the couple and main event. Meanwhile, the second photographer can be getting the reaction shots of the bridal party and guests as well as more natural shots of the day as it progresses. On most occasions the second photographer is not there the entire day so you are not paying as much, but it is a great splurge to get more photos and most importantly different types of photos from throughout the day.

We hope you consider these splurges when planning your Big Day, every wedding is different and will have different needs, but don't be afraid cut what you can and splurge when you can!

Here are some links of vendors we work with, check out what you can include on your Big Day!

Video - Iron Bird Studios
Photography - Craig Metz Photo
Hair/Make-up - Fetch Beauty
Wedding Band - The Jersey Joint

Happy Planning!
Dana & Shannon

Top 5 Cost Cutters for your Big Day

Most brides try to figure out ways to cut costs, but sometimes it does make sense to splurge a little.  This blog will explain five ways to cut costs for your Big Day.

Top 5 Cost Cutters:

1.  Trim your guest list
Start out with your A and B list and make sure both sets of parents know that co-workers you never met and distance cousins you haven't seen (or met!) are not allowed! This part of wedding planning can get out of hand. Remember, the more people, the more mouths to feed.  When creating the guest list, picture who would sit with who, this way if you need to make some cuts it can be easier to cut groups of people instead of individuals.

2.  One Stop Event
Think about having your wedding at a venue that has everything you need, Ceremony, Reception and guest rooms to spend the night. Transportation costs can add up when you have to get your guests safely from the reception to a hotel.  Having a venue like this cuts costs in transportation for the bridal party to get to the ceremony and reception too. Steer clear of a la carte weddings because tents, rentals and caterers add up.

3. Blame it on the Alcohol
Open bar - do you know it could add up to $40 per guest when you have an open bar wedding? Why not have a running tab, which on average could end up being only $10 per guest, depending on how important alcohol is to you and your wedding guests. If the venue allows you can limit the bar to wine, beer and a signature cocktail. This is also a good way of saving money on an open bar.

4.  Favor Savers
In lieu of favors, opt to make a small donation and leave your guests a small note telling them about your charity of choice. Another favor saver is making your place card holder double up as a favor. Consider the guest's name and table number attached to a savvy luggage tag or jar of homemade jam - something that ties along with your wedding theme.

5.  Be a DIY Bride
A time consuming but easy money saver is to make your own wedding photo album. It could be pricey getting it done by a professional. There are a lot of free websites that you can upload photos and create a digital album.  If you are a crafty bride, why not make your wedding album a scrapbook?  This allows you not to have any limitations that a professional photographer might have.  Stay tuned for a DIY Blog in the future about more DIY ideas!

Next week check back for our blog about the Top 5 Suggested Splurges for your Big Day!

Happy Planning!
Dana & Shannon

MOB's & MOG's

In honor of Mother's day, we are dedicating this week's blog to all the Mother of the Bride's  and Mother of the Groom's, otherwise known as the MOB's and the MOG's these days. Traditionally they used to have specific duties - the MOB's would be behind all the decisions of the wedding where the MOG would basically "show up, shut up and wear beige". Thankfully, times have changed and tradition is getting a little...untraditional.

My Mom's lighting the Unity Candle

Treat your MOMs to something nice before the wedding, maybe a spa day, get their hair and makeup done. In the end it is your day, but it sure is a Big Day for them too, they have been dreaming of it since you were little too!

What to do with your engagement photos!

Most photographers include an engagement photo session with their packages. Most of the times the photos are just a nice picture of the future married couple that they will probably frame and post on Facebook. Why not put those photos to good use! Here are some ideas of how to do just that!

1. A common but sometimes overlooked idea is Save the Dates. Some photographers might be willing to work with you on creating the perfect Save the Date. If you know the inspiration for the wedding you should try and portray that in your engagement photos. Maybe it is a color scheme or even a theme. For a garden wedding you can take pretty pictures in a garden, or have fun with it and get dirty....as in actually get out the gardening tools and get your hands dirty in a playful way.

2. As previously mentioned, having your engagement pictures portray the inspiration behind your wedding can make them even more useful on your BIG DAY. Use them as table numbers. Take the picture and photoshop a number on it, (if you are not familiar with Photoshop - We can help!) or forget table numbers and give your guests a wallet size photo same as what is on the table they are sitting at. You can have them alphabetically in a photo album for your guests to easily find theirs.

3. Another use of them on the BIG DAY is to use them in your guestbook. There are a lot of variations on the "guestbook" these days(keep your eyes open for our future post on guestbook ideas), but if you are keeping it traditional and using a book why not adhere a small photo from your engagement session to each page. Maybe it will inspire your guests while they write you well wishes.

4. Another common but sometimes over looked idea is for your Thank You cards. During your engagement session bring along a thank you sign to hold up in one of your shots, or maybe your photographer already has one.

5. Last but not least, use them in your looping slideshow or photo montage used at your rehearsal dinner or on the BIG DAY. This is something that Big Day Planners can help you with so check out our add-ons page at http://www.bigdayplanners.com/ .

Don't let those beautiful engagement photos go to waste!

Happy Planning!
Dana & Shannon

How to RECYCLE....a Wedding!

In honor of Earth Day - here are some tips that will not only save our planet, but will save you $$ in the bank! Not every wedding as to be as royal as William and Kate's (although you know we are all dying to see what her dress looks like!) Planning a wedding doesn't have to break the bank - yes, it might be the biggest party you will ever throw...but why not make it sensible, and using items that can be used again...if you think about it, they will just remind you of your Big Day whenever you see them!



Let's start with the dress - you love the Vera Wang you saw in the magazine, but it's WAY over your budget, Recycled Bride has a variety of gently used wedding apparel, you are only wearing it once right?

Invites - Etsy I can be on this website for hours.. not only is that a page full of eco-friendly invites, but they are all hand-made and you are supporting a local artist. 

Centerpieces - We mentioned them in our blog before, and we plan on blogging about them again - Mason Jars! Flowers, candles, herbs, spices - fill them up with everything and anything and use them for centerpieces and/or favors. After your Big Day use them to hold your pasta, grains or flowers!

Place cards - These Seed Paper ornaments are perfect for place cards - picture them hanging from a ornamental tree or clothesline.. you can even give them away for favors at the shower or wedding - the guests will get to plant them and always have a memory of your Big Day when they look at the flowers!



So as you think about what kind of wedding you want, consider these ideas. If you need help along the way - just contact us, Big Day Planners!

Happy Planning!
Dana & Shannon

Bridal Show - April 20th

Why should you go to a bridal show? It is a one stop browsing experience of various wedding vendors. You will meet photographers, videographers, entertainers, invitation companies, bridal and tuxedo companies, and the list goes on. Of course you will also have the opportunity to meet wedding consultants too. If you come out to the WeddingSetGo bridal show this Wednesday (see details below) you can meet US, Big Day Planners! We will be handing out coupons for our services and also a few of our preferred vendors. We also will have a guestbook and if you sign it we will enter you in a drawing to win one of our packages with absolutely no cost to you! If you can make it please stop by and say hello.

Versailles Ballroom at the Ramada

2373 Highway 9

Toms River, NJ

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Doors Open at 6PM

Want to register for this event? http://www.weddingsetgo.com/view-showcases-and-register/april-17-2011-ramada-inn-toms-river/

Hope to see you Wednesday!

Dana and Shannon

What's Your Bridal Style?

Maybe you have been planning your BIG DAY since you were a little girl, or you just got the ring and don't know where to begin. Either way you have a style that will inspire one of the most important days of your life. So what kind of bride are you?

Are you a Traditional bride? Do you imagine...

• Ballgown with tasteful embellishments
  
• All white bouquet with a tight round shape
• Ceremony at the church/temple you grew up going to
• Banquet hall with elegant chandeliers
• 5 course sit-down dinner
• Drinking wine and champagne
• 10 piece wedding band
• Sister reading a poem at the reception
• A 3 tier wedding cake
• Personalized candy bar or box of treats for favors
  
• Honeymoon in Hawaii
  

Are you a Bohemian bride? Do you imagine...

• Flowing Goddess Gown
• Bouquet of wildflowers with various shapes and colors
• Ceremony and reception at a garden
  
• A fancy barbecue reception
  
• Sipping on Spiked Lavender Lemonade
• 2 guys playing acoustic guitar
• Variety of pies and cookies
• Smores at the end of the night
• Card detailing the donation made in lieu of favors
• Backpacking through Europe for your honeymoon
  

Are you a Unique, but Sophisticated bride?

• Lace gown with A-line silhouette
• Modern bouquet of a single calla lily
  
• Ceremony and reception at historic mansion or estate
• 5 hours of small bites and fancy drinks
• Frozen martini bar
  
• DJ playing the classics and hits of today
  
• Photo-booth filled with costumes and accessories
• Venetian table
  
• Bottle of wine for couples to take home
  
• Tahiti and Bora Bora for your honeymoon
  

Are you a One of a Kind bride?

• Tea length wedding dress with pockets
• Bouquet of a single variety of flower, such as hydrangeas
  
• Having a clam bake reception
  
• On a farm under the stars
• Gin and Tonics in mason jars
• Playlist from the iPod or New Orleans style jazz band
• Choreographed dance performed by you and you bridal party
• Bag of sweets from the candy truck
• Chocolate dipped strawberries for favors
  
• Honeymoon in Thailand
  

So now do you know what kind of bride you are?

Dana and Shannon

10 things that make us think of Spring!

Now that April is here, Spring is in the air, and everyone knows April showers bring May flowers, which is #1 on our list.

1. Spring flowers include tulips, lilacs, hydrangeas, poppies and peonies just to name a few.  You don't have to restrict your Spring wedding to Spring blooms but seasonal flowers are the most affordable and also healthier and more substantial during their time of the year.  For centerpieces consider fresh cut flowers or even potted plants, both cost effective options and something your guests can take home.

2. Moss is very versatile, it's not just a filler, but can be the center of attention! Look how moss inspired us for a centerpiece. We love to use moss in our #10 favorite, terracotta pots.
 
3. Everyone needs a watering can to help their gardens grow, why not include some cute little ones for place card holders or favors filled with your favorite candy or seeds. You can even use one for a centerpiece filled with fresh cut flowers!

4. Raffia is the perfect added touch for a rustic garden feel, you can use it as accents around napkins, vases, favors and more!

5. Also a great accent to a garden wedding is herbs! Look at what we did with the raffia and rosemary to dress up a place setting, you can steal it right from your garden! A great favor idea is to fill a tin with your favorite herb or spice.

6. Purple, yellow, green and pink are colors that remind us of Spring - focus on one using a light to dark spectrum of a single color, similar to how we used purple in this tablescape. Use this graduated color scheme for your bridesmaid dresses as well.

 7. Mason jars are an affordable, reusable and versatile option. As shown here they make a perfect vase and you can use a variety of sizes. The smaller mason jars are great for votives and tea lights to add that ambiance your table needs. Have your guests sip on one of Martha's suggested herbaceous cocktails from a mason jar, our favorite is the Tequila-Thyme Lemonade.  Last but not least fill them up with something savory or sweet for your guests to take home as a favor.

8. Twigs are a natural accent to a centerpiece. It works lovely on a long banquet table laying across to create an earthy look.  For a round table they can be a great accent to floral arrangement.

9.  We love burlap! It's simple and affordable. You can dress it up with any accent color, and fits perfectly for the setting of a garden wedding. You can wrap it around a vase, use it as a table runner or use small strips instead ribbon or raffia.

10. Another simple and affordable item we love are terracotta pots. Leave them their original color or paint them to your liking. Whether it's potted centerpieces or mini pots used as place card holders, they are a perfect touch to a Spring wedding! In addition to a garden and outdoor wedding, they are also great for a Mediterranean themed wedding.

Stay tuned for a future blog about our Mediterranean wedding ideas!

Happy Spring!
Dana & Shannon

A Big Day Wedding Video

Marry Me - Wedding Video

Have you heard the song by Train, "Marry me"? It's possibly the most perfect wedding song for 2011. Maria & Tom chose to dance their first dance to it, and BDP decided it would be the perfect anthem for their wedding video. Take a look - and take a listen to the other song - another great wedding anthem for 2011!

Spring = Wedding Season!

Happy Spring and welcome to our Blog!

Be sure to visit our website at www.bigdayplanners.com and check our blog often with updates on the weddings we are working on!

xoxo,
Shannon & Dana