By Sharon Naylor, Wedding Planner, Author

Planning a wedding in these tough economic times is a big challenge. But don’t panic! There are plenty of smart strategies that you can use to plan your dream wedding for half the price, including scoring some free elements worth hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars for your Big Day. Here are the Top 5 smart steps to take to save big:

Ask for Add-Ons. Wedding experts need to stay competitive in this economy; too, so many are happy to add on some extra elements to your chosen wedding packages for free. All you have to do is ask – politely, of course – and you might get an extra station at your cocktail party, a free bridal bouquet, an extra dessert station, champagne service at the reception, an extra hour tacked on to your photography, videography or limousine packages. Wedding vendors want to make you happy so you’ll tell all of your friends how great they are, and they then might gain new bookings through your referral.

Negotiate Out Extra Charges. Take the time to read your vendors’ contracts carefully, and see if you discover some extras charges that you can ask to be eliminated. Some of these include cake-cutting fees (sometimes $2 per slice!), corkage fees (a few dollars for each bottle of wine the bartender uncorks), charges to have a red carpet rolled out from the limo door to the sidewalk (you can do without that!), and some jaw-dropping ones: charges for having the air conditioner turned on at the ceremony site, and charges for ice used at the reception. Ask to cut those hidden fees out and save hundreds

Borrow! Today’s biggest trend is a form of ‘recycling,’ in which brides ask their recently-married friends, sisters, and cousins if they can borrow their veils, tiaras, bridal purses, wraps and shawls, gloves, ring pillows, aisle runners, and other items for a savings of over $700.

Visit consignment shops, where previous brides ‘recycle’ their wedding gowns and recoup some of their money. You’ll also find tiaras, veils, wraps, and accessories for less than 30% of retail prices. Visit www.resaleshopping.com and www.thethriftshopper.com to find consignment shops near you, or save big at outlet stores: www.outletbound.com.

Enter contests! Brides are so lucky to be eligible for so many terrific contests during their engagement phase. At www.diamondlightperformance.com, for instance, you’ll find out how to enter for a $10,000 value prize package including:

1 Carat Diamond Ring, certified by GemEx for superior Brilliance, Fire and Sparkle
Round trip airfare to New York City for two, anywhere within the continental US
Two night stay at Loews Regency Hotel on Park Avenue
Lunch and Dinner at The Palm, Classic American Steakhouse
Meeting with America’s foremost wedding planner, Sharon Naylor and a collection of her Wedding Planning Books
‘VIP’ appointment with a Bloomingdale’s Personal Wedding Registry consultant
Imagine winning such terrific wedding elements and being treated to a VIP celebration weekend! Looking ahead to life after the wedding, you could win an entire free designer bedroom, a new treadmill, and cash prizes, among other great items, at www.bhg.com, and www.hgtv.com, among others.
Since so many wedding practices and rituals are based on ‘good luck,’ try your bridal luck with a great wedding contest! You could win fabulous, free wedding and honeymoon prizes.

Alfred Angelo has a wonderful collection of rental gowns and dresses to choose from

Something old, new, borrowed and blue – that is the wedding tradition - but this wedding season getting something new may be a struggle. According to industry research firm IBISWorld, spending on rented bridal gowns is expected to grow 7.5 percent to $43 million - up from $40 million in 2008.

With brides renting dresses, sales of new wedding gowns are expected to decrease 2.8 percent this year, reaching just $973 million. While the decline is not as steep as the 4.2 percent drop experienced in 2008, the industry has seen declines since 2001. Brides who do purchase a dress will more likely buy their garments in high-end department stores, formal clothing stores, or online – like PreOwnedWedddingDress.com – opposed to a bridal store.

The one thing couples will not be renting this year is wedding planners. Compared to 2008, the amount spent on wedding planners is expected to drop 4.2 percent to $785 million. In fact, the average cost of a wedding is expected to drop eight percent in 2009 to just $20,000 – in 2007 the average was $30,000.

“The recession is expected to exacerbate the already declining marriage rate, as couples put off the ‘big day’ until the time is right financially,” explained Toon van Beeck, senior analyst with IBISWorld. “Spending will undoubtedly be impacted by such postponements, and these cost cutting measures will start from the purchase of an engagement ring, all the way to the end of the honeymoon.”

Platinum Wedding bands embedded with diamonds is the perfect choice for engagment rings

Platinum is pure, rare, and eternal. Unlike gold, it is almost impossible to discover the qualities that make platinum the precious metal that it is. Whether you are choosing to make platinum a part of your jewelry collection. Or for that very special moment -such as an engagement. We have got some Platinum 101 Facts to let you know why platinum is your choice of fine jewelry.

Platinum and diamond Distinction Bridal engagement ring. With matching platinum Identity Pavé wedding bands for her and him

Platinum is Pure

Platinum’s purity makes it hypoallergenic and ideal for those with sensitive skin. And with that brilliant white luster, purity endows within it. This pure reflection also helps to show the true radiance of diamonds. Because it is generally 95% pure (18 karat gold is 75% pure), platinum jewelry does not fade or tarnish and keeps its looks for a lifetime!

Platinum is Rare

Platinum is rare, the coveted treasure of discerning individuals. There is very little platinum on this earth and it is found in very few places around the world. This exquisite metal is 30 times rarer than gold. Platinum’s rarity makes it exclusive and distinctive - a celebration of your individuality!

Platinum “Delicate Leaf Wedding Set” with diamonds

Platinum is Versatile

In addition to its strength and density, platinum has another remarkable quality - pliability. This quality has enabled jewelers to create some amazing versatile platinum mesh accessories, which could not be fashioned from other precious metals.

To find out more about platinum jewelry visit www.preciousplatinum.com for your exclusive insight and personal showcase!

Source: preciousplatinum.com

Article by © Jacqueline H. - Senior Writer & Editor, West Coast 2009

Even here in Florida, Jack Frost is in the air and my thoughts can’t help but turn to winter. If you’ve recently become engaged, then I’m sure that your thoughts are on nothing but the wedding. But if you are still stumped on color scheme, location and even your date, then maybe a traditional wedding isn’t for you. Set yourself apart from traditional crowd and opt instead for a Winter Wedding!

A White Wedding can be fun and elegant if done correctly. If Christmas has always been your favorite holiday, then this may be the perfect option for you. And it’s all so much easier than you think. Read on for some great inspiration on how to turn your wedding into a white winter extravaganza!

Color Scheme

A bride’s color scheme is super personal, but a winter wedding can help you narrow down your color choices. If you want to go with an icy wedding, then choose shades of blue, white and silver. If your winter wedding is going to be more of a Christmas theme, then red and green are obvious accent choices. Or you could go the uber chic route and make everything a crisp white with hints of silver and gold.

Gown

Top off any traditional wedding dress with a white fur capelet, stole or hooded coat to create a romantic wintery look. Add accent colors of red or silver in your hair or choose a dress with your corresponding colors.

Cake

Choosing the theme of your cake could be the most fun and challenging part of your wedding planning. Depending on how far you want to go, you can use poinsettias, candy canes, snowflakes, white doves, gift box shapes, bows, sprigs of pine and more on your cake. A gingerbread house shaped cake is a fun option for a Christmas themed wedding.

Decor

Red roses and poinsettias are obvious flower choices for a winter bride, but you can think outside the box based on your theme. Build your bouquet and floral decor with pinecones, sprigs of pine and other winter foliage to create a warm winter look. Snowflake garlands, fake white doves, silver and gold candles, and of course, decorated Christmas trees, wrapped gift boxes and other traditional Christmas decor is also a great option. White lights, ornaments and candy cane accents are also ideal.

Invitations

You can have a lot of fun with this too…icy themes can use a die cut snowflake design for their invitations, or a gingerbread man for a Christmas theme. Christmas cards with winter scenes or simple silver and gold accents on a traditional invitation are also elegant.

Whatever you do, if you decide that a Winter Wedding is for you and your fiancee, have lots of fun with it. Your guests will be sure to talk about it for years to come, and it will make this time of year even more special. Be sure to bank on after Christmas sales this year (or the year before your wedding) to get some great deals.

Have you ever had a White Wedding? If you were a December bride, leave a comment and let us know some of the “cool” things you did!

Burnt out bridezilla? Anxiety-ridden bridesmaid? Wedding 2.0 at Bluefly.com has got you covered…whether you are a bride-to-be, part of the wedding party, or simply an excited wedding guest, Wedding 2.0 is the perfect place to get all the swanky goods you need for the big day. From gifts to attire, this is the perfect destination for the savvy fashionista to get bridal gear you won’t find just anywhere.

Most of all, this is the best wedding destination for the fashionable bride who’s in the know…if the thought of another generic cake cutter makes you want to wretch, then this is the place for you. You may not be able to afford the Vera Wang wedding dress, but you can still invest in some swanky serve-ware that you’ll be able to use well past the big day:

Vera Wang “Chime” 3-piece Set, $39.19i

Your bridesmaids will love you when you choose a dress that they may actually wear again, and this one from Nicole Miller fits the bill:

Nicole Miller Taffeta Bubble Dress, $167.99

But I think that the best thing about shopping for your wedding is getting together the honeymoon trousseau…bathing suits, sandals, floppy hats. And you need a chic tote to stash it all in, and this one from Stella McCartney for LeSportsac just has honeymoon written all over it:

Stella McCartney for LeSportsac Check-In Case, $285.00

So whether you are looking for an upscale wedding dress, fashionista-friendly bridesmaid gear, or simply all of the goodies you need for your Tahitian honeymoon, then you have to check out Bluefly.com. Just be warned…you’re good taste may get you invited to weddings more often.

As we all know today is really a special day. 8.8.08. What does it all mean? Well firstly, the Olympics have kicked off in China, and according to statistics nearly 8000 brides-to-be are tying the knot today! Superstitious? Well just maybe!

In Chinese culture, the number “88” resembles a popular Chinese design that means joy and happiness. And, with many brides-to-be among the population’s superstitious, it should come as no surprise that the same date is one of the top picks for tying the knot. In fact, it’s the most popular Friday wedding date of the entire year.

But if you are still planning that special day. It is a great day for fashion! And David’s Bridal really offers a great array of gowns for you to feel lady like in.

I actually love the Oleg Cassini collection. Quite aptly titled by David’s as their “timeless couture style”. Here are a few of my favorite couture picks.

The Couture Bride - Chooses the strapless sweetheart beaded lace trumpet with a shirred tulle bodice gown.

The Traditional Bride - Dons a satin A-line with beaded embroidery gown. Accented with a satin belt, brooch detail, and organza skirt. Just beautiful!

The Celebrity Bride - Wears this satin gown with cinched bust, beaded lace bodice, and a peek-a-boo lace hem. Gosh! The bride will be blushing!

The Princess Bride - Wears a satin ball gown with a pick-up skirt and beaded metallic embroidery on the bodice. She’ll be the belle of the ball.

For your unique style and designer consultation visit David’s Bridal.

Source: David’s Bridal

If you are preparing your special day for summer, then we have got some tips for you in the wedding gown department. This is probably one of the most important days of your life. And the dress that you choose is truly a reflection of how you feel. And how you exude your confidence to family, friends and close associates on your wedding day. Create a dynamic atmosphere with CYMBELINE of Paris. This luxurious designer will give you haute couture all the way.

Cymbeline was founded over 30 years ago by three highly creative sisters-Evelyne, Chantal and Monique who decided to revolutionize the bridal industry. Their goal was to provide wedding dresses for modern women, which would express her unique sense of style and personality. While ultra feminine and luxurious, Cymbeline dresses also flirt with modernity through avant-garde cuts and elaborate use of the finest fabrics. Their design studio is like a research laboratory, with thousands of swatches of the best fabrics in France and throughout the world, including Calais lace, Thai silk, organza jacquards, embroideries and taffetas.

Aladin - create a classic and dynamic look that know one will ever forget!

Belene - Viva La Spain! Create heat with lace in this beautiful cream colored gown.

Bleuet - Go classy with this beautifully designed dress, with an over flowing trail.

Belinda - You won’t want to be the runaway bride in this gracious number, highlighted with a siphon lining and silk cover.

Heracles - Be divine in the sun, with pure white lace and embodied siphon.

Agadir - Have fun in this clean and simple lace wedding gown. Perfect as that second dress at the party reception.

The CYMBELINE boutiques are located all over the USA. So locate your nearest boutique for a private review.

Source: CYMBELINE of Paris

Beautiful Bride Makeup Kit

There’s nothing worse than a bad makeup job, especially if it’s a bad makeup job on your wedding day. Luckily, Bobbi Brown has come up with this amazing Bridal Kit to avoid any disastrous beauty mishaps.

This all-in-one cosmetic set comes with everything the bride will need to look natural and gorgeous on her big day and beyond. The sleek white case contains makeup suitable for all skin types, with neutral eye shadow, a pink lip gloss and a smudge-free mascara, for those tearful moments. Which means it’s not only perfect for a bridal shower, but it also makes a lovely bridesmaids gift.

Bridal Kit starting at $75.00

Source: Gift Rap Blog