D.I.Y. Or Why Not?

More often than not, I hear the term “D.I.Y.” or “I am really crafty!” during a wedding consultation. While I am happy that the couple (or bride in most cases) is attempting to be budget-conscious by creating certain items for their big day, time and sometimes skill set may not be on their side. The term DIY means to Do It Yourself and although this can start out as a money-saving idea it can definitely turn into frustration and more stress than you are ready for. 

So let’s talk about what’s OK to D.I.Y., when it’s not, and how to decide if D.I.Y. is best for you.

The Perks of D.I.Y.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Money-Saving

This is the biggest perk of taking on a D.I.Y. The money-saving aspect could be the difference between a couple hundred to a couple of thousand dollars depending on the project. That money can definitely help with other wedding expenses, household bills, or go toward the honeymoon!

Shows Off Creativity

It’s super fulfilling and relaxing for some to delve into a craft project they really love. To have the skill to build a centerpiece or to make a nice wedding favor for guests is a blessing. This can even become a side hustle, and turn into a viable business to bring more income to your bank account! And who doesn’t love more cash! *looking around confused* LOL

The Set Backs of D.I.Y.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Craft Knowledge

If you’re not super crafty and you’ve got it in your mind to D.I.Y. it may be time to stop thinking. I know we have all heard everything can be YouTube’d to learn the steps to create something awesome, but honing in on how to make it perfect can be a struggle. Sometimes we can bite off more than we can chew. You might be in the crafting fail so deep that you won't have time to fix it or purchase what you need for your wedding day.

Time

The second biggest issue with D.I.Y.’s honestly. I know I have probably said this in a blog or two before, but time is precious! Not knowing or understanding what it takes to make a bouquet or to make little place-cards can derail other aspects of the wedding because the D.I.Y. project you were creating was important to that piece of the day. Don’t stress more than you have to. Save the time to relax, and let the pros do what they do best.

How To D.I.Y. Right

Here are a few things you can D.I.Y. to make your wedding day more memorable and won’t break the bank:

Bottle Lanterns

Photo Credit: Simply Chic Soirées

If you drink wine like me ( or one of my best friends Jennifer…She’s a teacher…ok) you should have bottles to make the cutest lanterns. All you need is some rice lights/string lights, a Dremel, and a glue gun and you will have the cutest lights around!

Wedding Party Emergency Kits

Photo Credit: HappilyHomeadeCA

Get a cute makeup or toiletry bag and fill it with aspirin, bobby/safety pins, bandages, makeup wipes, breath mints, and all other helpful things to help your wedding party throughout the day.

Flip-flop Basket

Photo Credit: Amy Trinite

I hope I was able to better help you decide if you’re a D.I.Y. Bride or Groom. Now, as I usually say, these tips aren’t for everyone. You may really love to craft and get creative with wedding day projects, and I would never want to deter you from a labor of love. Just be cautious of your timeline, budget accordingly, and pace yourself. If you like what you’ve read, give us a like, and share this blog on your socials. If you’re getting married or have an event to be planned, be sure to contact us today for a free consultation. 

Until next time!

Keep it Chic,

XOXO

Amaris T.

The BIG Deal About Micro Weddings

The first time I learned the word “Elopement” I was 10. I was reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. I loved reading, and it was hard to find me without a book at that age. In the story, the youngest daughter, Lydia, had run off with the mysterious Mr. Wickham and I was wrapped up in the tale of young love and romance. We find out later that it was a plan that Mr. Wickham set up to extort money from Mr. Bennet, father of Lydia (and 4 other sisters). None the less, Lydia was elated over this “grand gesture” of love…or so she thought. Elopements and their meaning have really changed over the years. Now, venues and destination locations are pushing elopement packages and micro weddings to ensure and entice newly engaged couples to still have their dream wedding, just in a smaller capacity. As their popularity grows, especially because of the pandemic, it seems to be a viable option for those still wanting to tie the knot. The hot question on engaged couples minds “Is it for us though?” We try to answer that question today.

Let’s dive into Elopements and Micro Weddings!

Photo Credit: Here Comes The Guide

Elopements vs. Micro Weddings

All over the internet, we have started to see “Elopement Packages Available” or “Micro Wedding Specialist” popping up on our timelines, but what are they exactly? I see a lot of planners and venues using these terms interchangeably, however the differences are bigger than you may think. 

Elopements:

An elopement is when a couple literally takes off to get married. Sometimes they bring a friend or two to witness the nuptials, but for the most part, that’s it. Not a lot of people know, and in the traditional sense of the word, to elope is a super personal decision the couple makes between the both of them. There’s no venue to book or any of the typical wedding elements. It’s simply the couple and an officiant. 

Micro Wedding:

A micro wedding typically involves a guest count of 20 or less. The planner or venue who has presented the package has already received set prices from the vendors involved. Minus some simple color changes to make the wedding a bit more personalized, it’s pretty much all done. Just add a couple, shake, and get married. These weddings, although budget-friendly, doesn’t give much room for customization or more personalization compared to what the couple might be looking for. 

The Pros and Cons

Pros of Elopement

• The cost is very low. Just the travel expense to get where you’re going, and maybe hire a photographer to capture the day.

• No arguments from family and friends saying how you should do this or that on your wedding day. 

The Cons of Elopement

• You’ll be missing out on family and friends who care about seeing you marry the one you love, some may even get mad about the sudden secretive marriage.

• The romance element may not be in full effect, depending on how and when you got married. While some places boast beautiful scenery as a backdrop to your wedding, some may not be so nice. I mean, do all City Halls in this country use the same decorator? UUGH, that ugly wood paneling!

Pros of a Micro Wedding

• No muss, no fuss! Everything is pre-planned, and the price for all vendors needed is packaged in one payment.

• Small, intimate weddings are more desirable due to people limiting their guest count to slow the spread of COVID. 

Cons of a Micro Wedding

• There isn’t much say so on who the vendors are, or the look you may have had in mind for your wedding. You get what is already packaged and the listed vendors can’t be changed.

• The time slots are usually very small. Typical micro weddings are only a few hours versus the typical 5-6 hours of a regular wedding and reception.

How To Do It Right

If you have thought about forgoing the regular wedding route, I suggest (if the budget allows) to do either one of these options as a wedding/honeymoon in one. The Destination Wedding can be lower in cost than a traditional wedding, and just like a micro wedding package, everything is right there for you. Unlike a micro wedding, you will have a bit more say-so over cake flavor, flower choice, and other wedding planning decisions. You can still invite guests, but it’s up to them and their finances to be able to make it to your destination of choice. You can even have your wedding during the week to save money because while on an island, where you would mostly see the destination wedding setting, every day is a vacation day! The pricing can be cheaper during the week, unlike the popular weekend request. If I didn’t have such a large family, I would have definitely gone this route for my wedding hands down! All in all, this is a great way to have the best of both worlds, just make sure your passports are up to date and enjoy!

I hope I was able to better help you understand the differences between these popular styles of weddings. Now, as I usually say, these tips aren’t for everyone. Your wedding may require more or less in the planning process. Remember to take your time, and do your research to see if these options are right for what you and your fiance are looking for. If you like what you’ve read, give us a like, and share this blog on your socials. If you’re getting married or have an event to be planned, be sure to contact us today for a free consultation.

Until next time!

Keep it Chic,

XOXO

Amaris T.

JUST SAVE IT! Savvy Spending For Your Wedding

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Every day I receive questions from couples about items they think they need for their wedding day. A lot of them are really great and creative ideas…some not so much. I am dedicating this blog to you good folks who might be overthinking these things a bit. I want you to know that all of these things aren’t necessary to make your wedding day beautiful. Savvy spending is super important to planning, and knowing the correct items to spend your hard-earned dollars on could keep you out of the red.

Let’s go over what NOT to buy for your wedding day.

Super Large Wedding Cakes

Photo Credit: Pintrest.com

Cake…my arch-nemesis. I have a love/super hate relationship for over the top wedding cake. I guess you can say it makes me biased, but I would not be doing my due diligence as a planner if I didn’t talk about cake. Don’t get me wrong, I love cake, but huge wedding cakes are a wasteful option for a couple to spend money on, especially if you have a smaller guest count. Think about it folks, we have cocktail hour with appetizers, then a reception with at least 3 courses, then regular beverages. Trust me, half of your guests won’t want to eat dessert after all that. So, you have this big ol’ cake that looks amazing during the reception, and whatever isn't eaten has to be tossed out. Don’t get me started on saving the top layer for your one year anniversary, it never comes out tasting as good. LOL. If you’re not leaving for your honeymoon right away Save the top layer for after dinner the next night because I can assure you you won’t even have a chance to eat it during the reception!. I recommend having a 6-8 inch cake to cut for the reception, and then do an assortment of cupcakes for your guests to take home. I personally love the idea of getting some small boxes from the baker or from Amazon.com for your guests to transport their dessert in. That’s less cake you have to worry about getting trashed and your guests will love it.

Expensive Save the Dates

Photo Credit: Brides.com

Save the Dates are a great way to let your guests know to do just that, SAVE THE DATE! With that being said, don’t believe that you have to take super dramatic engagement photos to have displayed on an informal invite. If you have the time and cash to do it, rock on! A super cute and simple Save the Date is also just fine to use to alert people of the incoming wedding invite. I always recommend that you send the save the dates out after you book your venue. I would spend the extra on making that Save the Date magnetized. That way, people can take them out of the envelope and BAM right on the fridge so they don’t get lost. I don't know where anyone else places their Save the Dates, LOL, but all of mine go right to the one place that I and the hubs go to equally…the kitchen!

Invitations With Multiple Inserts

Photo Credit: Wedding Invitation

With the growing popularity of the wedding website, long gone are the days for the need of an RSVP card, the meal selection card, and so forth. Save the extra stamp and money on the extra paper inserts, and send the invite with info on how to get to your wedding website online. Apps like Zola, and Wedding Wire are free and easy to use. You can easily track your RSVPs, add your registry, post info about hotel stays, and any other information you need to get to your guests with ease. You can even send web links o your family and friends in case they lose their invite. It’s just a more efficient way to get everyone together.

Guest Personalized Favors

Photo Credit: personalizationmall.com

I love a cute wedding favor, but Thomas, Angela, William, and any of your other guests don’t need a wedding favor with their name on it. You can keep favors low cost and personalized with you and your fiancé’s name and wedding date. Popular favors gifted at weddings are stemless glassware, candles, or candy tins. I think it’s totally appropriate for you to have something personalized as a gift for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to say thanks for being there for you, but beyond that, it’s not necessary for everyone to have them.

Programs

Photo Credit: Ann's Bridal Bargains

One of the biggest waste of paper EVER! I can not begin to tell you how many programs I have picked up off the reception floor. Let’s just say if I had a dollar for each one I collected, I’d have a couple thousand dollars. Although programs are nice, people honestly don’t read them or care as much about them to carry them around. Remember, info like this can always be posted on the wedding website you’ll create to share info with your guests. The best thing about the site is you’re not limited on space, and you can create as many pages as you want to make sure your guests know all the details for your nuptials. 

I hope I was able to set your mind at ease about items you don’t need for your wedding day. Now, as I usually say, these tips aren’t for everyone. Your wedding may require a program or invitation suite and that’s totally fine. As a planner, I am here to reassure you should you be a budget-conscious bride or groom its ok to cut corners in these areas to save cash. It’s your day, personalize it to the way you want it. If you like what you’ve read, give us a like, and share this blog on your socials. If you’re getting married or have an event to be planned, be sure to contact us today for a free consultation.

Until next time!

Keep it Chic,

XOXO

Amaris T.