Fall/Winter weddings have a lustre all to themselves. Everything is different; the food is heavier, drinks are warmer, colors are richer, etc.

And the flowers, well they can be a challenge this time of year. Don’t get me wrong, you can get almost anything you want. However, the cost can be astronomical this time of year. To save money, I always try to work with blooms that are local and in season. In the winter wedding season, that usually is not an option.

From September to January, the following floral items are readily available and will fit nicely into your budget:

• Snapdragons
• Chrysanthemum
• Gerbera Daisies
• Mums
• Evergreens
• Dendrobium Orchids
• Poinsettia
• Carnations

When hiring a florist, be upfront about your budget.  Allow them to be creative with the use of tulle, greenery and other inexpensive fillers. 

A Few Money Saving Tips! for your winter wedding floral:

• Create ceremony displays that can be transferred to the reception site to serve double duty
• Using seasonal decor such as gourds, Christmas bulbs, and garland can add interest
• Consider renting potteed trees to take up space in a large area
• Using fruit in your large centerpieces adds color and excitement without adding more stems
• Spray paint various branches with silver, gold, crystals, and glitter for filler
• Use floral decor only where the action is- around the two of you!

For more Money Saving Tips! Download a free sample chapter from Your Personal Wedding Planner.

Jo Anna Zaffree is a professional wedding planner and author of Your Personal Wedding Planner- a Brides’ Must Have Companion While Planning The Wedding Of Her Dreams! YPWP contains OVER 275 Money Saving Tips! on everything from attire to transportation. Please visit my website at www.weddingsbythebook.com

When you do this, you have more money to spend on your honeymoon, savings, and a down payment on your new home together.

For the truly savvy bride, saving money on your wedding starts as you begin to choose your date. How you ask?

There are many things to consider when selecting your wedding date. The first money saving consideration is for the season. Depending on where you live, the most popular (read expensive) months are June – September. If you can plan your wedding date outside of the months you can save thousands of dollars.

Wedding venues as well as wedding vendors will be less busy during the off season. You will have your first pick of vendors and they in turn will be more willing to negotiate on pricing and services. In the real estate business this would be called a buyers market.

Holidays are NOT an ideal time for weddings! Many vendors will charge a premium for their services and the price of service staff can double.

When considering your wedding date, you should also be mindful of your A List guests. What date would liken their chances of attending your wedding?

When it comes to you and your fiancee, plan to be away from work during the most “stress free” times. The last thing you want is to be worried about what’s happening at work!

So, now that you are armed with a few Money Saving Tips! Start planning your wedding- start saving!

Ciao Bella!

Jo Anna

Jo Anna Zaffree is a professional wedding planner and author of Your Personal Wedding Planner, a Brides’ Must Have Companion While Planning the wedding of Her Dreams! Containing OVER 275 Money Saving Tips!

As a professional wedding planner, I have saved my brides thousands of dollars while planning the wedding of their dreams. I don’t plan ”budget weddings” but, dream weddings on your budget.

Today I want to share five of my favorite secrets to saving money on your wedding catering – you can spend a mint or save a mint when you employ my Money saving Tips!

1. You Guessed it- cut your guest list. Cutting just 15-25 people can save you thousands of dollars. Wedding invitations should be treated like gold and only given to those who hold a special place in your life. If you wouldn’t invite them to your home for dinner- don’t invite them to your wedding.
2. More expensive foods such as lobster, crab and lamb, can break your budget. Offer these ingredients in smaller amounts by offering as an appetizer.
3. Consider having a kids station- hot dogs, mac ‘n cheese, chips, etc. Really, isn’t this what most kids 12 and under want anyway? Some caterers will offer this at no charge.
4. Theme dinner can add a splash of fun as well as money savings. Think Asia, Mexican, Italian. the ingredients are less expensive and all are very filling and filled with flavor.
5. Finally, consider a wedding brunch. The menu choices are generally less expensive and you will save on the alcohol as well.

I hope that you can use these suggestions and save a lot of money on your wedding planning.

Ciao Bella!

Jo Anna Zaffree is a professional wedding planner and author of Your Personal Wedding Planner, a brides must have companion while planning the wedding of her dreams.

For OVER 275 Money Saving Tips on planning your dream wedding CLICK HERE!

When it comes to wedding Gowns, Romance is in the air!

The wedding gown will reflect a soft, airy and romantic feel. Victorian influences abound with corsets, lace, full skirts and higher collars.

The decollete, which has seen much exposure in the last few years with heart shapes and strapless styles, will show a more modest fashion sense. The “illusion”trend is created by a sheer piece of fabric that veils the decollete and shoulder areas.

White and ivory still are a brides favorite color choice, but there will be soft accent colors such as lilac and pale blue.

A somewhat new and (expensive) trend- due to the recent high profile weddings of British and reality star royalty, is the multiple dress trend. A bride wants the beautiful, ornate gown for her ceremony, then a more manageable dress for the nights festivities.

Whatever you choose, remember these Money Saving Tips:

• Your gown should not exceed 10% of your total budget.
• Shop sales, samples, and closeout sales.
• Purchase one pair of shoes that will work for the ceremony but, also allow you to dance the night away
• Borrow jewelry and accessories from friends and family. You save money and it is more meaningful.
• Inquire about the alterations cost.

And lastly, select a gown that flatters your style and body shape. You will feel confident and beautiful. This is more important than a poorly fitting, expensive costume.

Ciao Bella!

For over 275 Money Saving Tips for your dream wedding, visit www.weddingsbythebook.com

Jo Anna Zaffree is a professional wedding consultant and author of Your Personal Wedding Planner.

Also, you have a choice of store bought invitations or custom invites. How does a bride choose? So many choices.

When you have determined the style that is right for you, the following are the peices you will need.

• Save the date notices- If your wedding is more than a few months away, send save the dates’ as they will allow your guests to plan ahead so they don’t miss your wedding.
• Wedding invitations- Your packet will include:

Invitation
Reception Card- if the reception is in a different venue than the ceremony
RSVP
Inside envelpoe
Outside envelope
Enclosures- perhaps map, lodging info, activities, local lore, etc.

All of the above will go into the larger, outer evelope in the following order, starting on the bottom:
*Invitiation
*Reception card
*Enclosures
*RSVP

These will be inserted into the inside envelope, print side up and then you will place this into the outer envelope. Your invitations should be mailed out 6 weeks before your wedding. Maybe 8 weeks for a destination wedding or international guests.

Be sure to put together an invitation package and have it weighed by the Post Office before stamping and mailing. You don’t want any of your invitations returned due to insufficient postage.

I know how busy you are, but it is always best and correct, to hand address your invitations. You can always consider hiring a calligrapher for this task. A calligrapher will also be able to properly address the inner and outer envelopes for each guest.

Don’t forget your Thank you cards. You will want to send them as soon as gifts arrive. This will assure that you don’t have a large stack of cards to send when you return from your honeymoon. Be sure to mention the gift and how you plan to use it- this is a nice touch for the sender and shows your appreciation.

Now you have a place to start with a bit of knowledge of invitations- good luck!

Jo Anna

Your Personal Wedding Planner is now available for instant download! With OVER 275 Money Saving Tips, it will save you both Money and time while planning your dream wedding.

Now that you have agreed to become Mrs. Wonderful, your head is probably spinning at the thought of planning your own dream wedding. Gowns, cakes, caterers, wedding venues, bands, oh my!

As a professional wedding consultant, I know how important it is to keep organized to assure a stress free event. Today I want to share with you some of the ways you can keep organized, which in the long run, can save you both time and money.

First I suggest that you purchase a wedding planning organizer. This book should contain the following:

• 1-2 year calendar

• Budget worksheet

• Wedding countdown checklist

• Wedding day itinerary

• Plenty of room for business cards, fabric swatches, etc.

• Areas for vendor notes and appointments

• It should be lightweight and durable, not a coffee table book.

I suggest using this book as your wedding bible, keeping all things “wedding” inside and taking it to all of your vendor meetings. Keep detailed notes of vendor meetings so there are no surprises on either side.

Secondly, I strongly suggest hiring professional wedding vendors. They have done this many times, they will be organized and in turn, this will help you stay on track.

I suggest following your checklist and doing things in that order. You will have a hard time selecting décor if you don’t have your location yet.

Also, very important is to stay true to your wedding vision. I suggest taking time with your fiancé to discuss your dream wedding. Once you have determined what you want, do not stray from the vision. Purchase only the services and items that will make your vision a reality.

Again, Congratulations!

p.s., Here is a link to Your Personal Wedding Planner it contains everything you need to keep organized. It is now available for instant download. With OVER 275 Money Saving Tips,  Your Personal Wedding Planner will save you time and money during your planning.

Step 1- Adjust the tie’s length so it fits his neck size.

Step 2 – Lift up the collar and put the tie around his neck so the ends hang down in front. One end should hang about one and one-half inches lower than the other.

Step 3 – Bring the longer end across, behind and over the shorter end, forming a simple knot. Pull the knot snugly around his neck.

Step 4 –  Fold the shorter end where the hourglass shape begins to narrow (the widest point of the shorter end), forming a bow shape. The bow shape should be in front. Hold the bow in a horizontal position at his neck.

Step 5 – Bring the longer end over and in front of the shorter end.

Step 6 – Fold the longer end where the hourglass shape begins to narrow, forming a second bow.

Step 7 – Bring the second bow under the first bow.

Step 8 – Tuck it into the space behind the first bow.

Step 9 – Adjust the shape of the two bows.

While some couples cruise, sightsee in a foreign country, or lay by the beach, they are now adding their own personal flair and personality.

There are many considerations when planning your perfect honeymoon, here are just a few:

•  Your personality- adventurous, laid back, spontaneous or schedule driven
•  Your hobbies – biking, skiing, hiking, sightseeing, or scuba diving
•  Destination season- high or low, available activities
•  Your likes and dislikes- food, activities, level of intimacy
•  Budget

Choose a destination that easily contours to your likes. If you would like to visit many ports and let someone else do the driving you may consider a cruise. If you want to be pampered, you could choose a luxury resort to cater to your every whim, such as the Four Seasons, Maui- where a staff member will come to mist you with Evian water as you luxuriate by the pool.

Today’s eco-friendly couples are choosing destinations such as South Africa for eco-sensitive safari’s or Costa Rica where you can take an eco-excursion and the revenues support getting local children out of the fields and into schools.

Wherever your heart leads you, remember this is the beginning of your lives together. Spend it someplace that is Magical for both of you!

Bon Voyage!