Stylish Ways To Leave The Ceremony

You've planned and planned for months and months, now the day is finally here.  You've walked down the aisle to your fiance, exchanged vows and rings and the moment you have been waiting on, "I now pronounce you husband and wife!"  You're finally one and your smile is beaming.  Now, it's time to get the party started with your family and friends.  If you just exchanged your wedding vows at your church and your reception is in a different location, how are you getting there?  You simply can't foot it, unless it's around the corner.  So how do you and your husband plan on leaving your ceremony?? Look below for some options:

The Classic White Limousine

All of the bridal party can leave the ceremony together.

Antique White Car

Having a vintage themed wedding? Perfect for just you and your husband.

Party Bus

Perfect way to get the party started with your bridal party before arriving at the reception.

Trolley

Yes, you can actually rent these!

Horse-Drawn Carriage

Most suitable for destinations with short distances.

The above options, all has its pro's and con's.  It's best to do research and see what is suitable for your budget.  Majority of places offer discounts for Friday or Sunday weddings.

Thank you for checking in on today's blog!

*Zee*

Where Should I Get Married?

You've said yes, you've set a wedding budget and you've probably chosen a wedding planner (hopefully), so what is the next step in the wedding planning process? Choosing a venue.  The venue that you choose sets the tone of your entire wedding and honestly, becomes difficult to move forward with anything else if you do not have a set venue location.  I like to put it as, "No venue, no wedding date."  It just goes hand in hand.  You can either have your ceremony and reception at the same location or you may opt to have your ceremony at a church and use a very nice reception location.  Don't know where to start your search?  Listed below are some venues located in the Chicago-land area and neighboring suburbs.  We will discuss in another post what questions to ask when visiting venue sites and what to look for.  Until then, enjoy the start of your research.

Stan Mansion

(www.stanmansion.com)

Patrick C. Haley Mansion

(www.patrickhaleymansion.com)

South Shore Cultural Center

(www.chicagoparkdistrict.com)

Chateau Bu-Sche'

(www.chateaubusche.com)

Odyssey Country Club 

(www.odysseycountryclub.com)

Jacob Henry Mansion Estate

(www.jacobhenrymansion.com)

Chicago Cultural Center

(www.cityofchicago.org)

These are just starter points to get your mind running; there are numerous of locations to choose from on where to have your ceremony and/or reception.  Narrow your choices down, see what your budget allows for and take it from there.  Be sure to make it a joint effort with your fiance! :-)

Thank you for checking in on today's blog.

*Zee*

What Am I Paying For?

You're engaged.  You start spending, buying, and booking vendors, thinking that you're almost done.  You realize how much you've spent thus far and then remember that you have to get this and that and still have to book something else.  To brides that are newly engaged, weddings aren't cheap.  Depending on what you want, where you have it and the time of year your wedding is taking place, be prepared to spend.  Weddings cost on average $25,631 and remember that is just the average.  You can always spend less than that.  Whatever budget that you choose, is perfectly fine.  But it is also good to know, what costs you must take care of.  I am going to list items that are included in the overall average cost of weddings:

*Attire & Accessories:

• Dress accessories
• Headpiece and/or veil
• Tuxedo/suit/rent/purchase
• Wedding dress(es)

*Beauty & Spa:

• Hair service
• Make-up service
• Manicure & pedicure (this won't necessarily be considered a cost, if you do this on a regular)

*Entertainment:

• DJ
• Live band

*Flowers & Decorations:

• Boutonnieres & corsages
• Bridal bouquet
• Bridesmaids bouquets
• Ceremony decorations
• Ceremony flower arrangements
• Flower petals
• Reception decorations 
• Reception flower arrangements
• Reception table centerpieces

*Invitations:

• Ceremony programs
• Guest book
• Invitations & reply cards
• Postage** (people tend to forget about this one a lot)
• Reception menus
• Save-the-date cards
• Table numbers and place/escort cards
• Thank you cards (people forget about this one as well)

*Gifts & Favors:

• Gifts for attendants
• Gifts for parents
• Tips (for all services)
• Weddings favors

*Jewelry:

• Weddings bands
• Bridal jewelry can be included here or under attire

*Photography & Video:

• Engagement session (find a package that includes this versus a separate cost)
• Prints and/or enlargements
• Wedding photographer (Rule of Thumb: You get what you pay for)
• Wedding videographer

*Venue, Catering, & Rentals:

• Ceremony accessories
• Ceremony location
• Ceremony officiator
• Hotel room for after reception
• Limo rental
• Reception accessories
• Reception bar service (open or cash)
• Reception food service (plated dinner, buffet, family-style, cocktail-style reception)
• Reception location
• Reception rentals
• Rehearsal dinner
• Wedding cake/dessert

(all information obtained from www.costofwedding.com)

You don't have to break the bank to have the wedding of your dreams.  You just have to be extremely mindful of all things that it takes to put a wedding together.  When in doubt, contact a wedding planner!

(dudewalker.org)

*Another divine blog*