Location Location Location

One of the most important decisions in the entire wedding planning process is the location of your ceremony and reception. This can be as broad as deciding to have your celebration locally, out of town, out of state, or even out of the country. This also refers to finding the right venue to allow your dream to come true. There are many factors that ultimately play an important role in this decision and none of them should be overlooked. Here is a check list of questions to ask yourself and your significant other prior to signing any contract for a venue.

1. What is your budget? This is the first and most important question. The reception is going to cost approximately half of your budget. This percent includes the rental fee for the facility, food and drink cost and decor.

2. Approximately how many guests are you planning to invite? This question is just as important because it is going to determine not only your food costs but also how big of a space is needed. If planning for an small and intimate wedding, the number of venues available will be greater. If your dream is to celebrate with guest list of over 200, the amount of venues that can safely and comfortably hold that number of people will not only be more costly but your choices will be more limited. Ensure that your guest count is priority when searching for ideal venues.

3. Local, Out-Of-Town, Out-Of-State or far far away? In order to assess what is the best option for you, it is good to ask yourself, "Who do I want at my wedding? Can my budget afford the extra costs?" There are many reasons to choose an away wedding but often this can and will limit the number of guests that can afford to travel. Remember that your travel and lodging must also be calculated into your budget.

4. Time of year? Ensure that you research what the location's weather is typically like during your goal wedding date. If a beach wedding is your dream, planning around the rainy season is crucial. If an outside wedding is your dream, perhaps the winter months are not the right time.

It may be best to write down your vision and compare it to your day of priorities. One of the easiest ways to lower costs include limiting the number of guests and being flexible with your venue. This does not mean making sacrifices but it does mean being creative and doing the research to make cost efficient decisions.

From a backyard bash to a grande soiree, the most important factors are your happiness and sanity. Weigh out the options with the goals and remember to be practical when determining the right venue for you.

The Charitable Bride

Engagement party, bridal brunches, bridal shows, bridal showers, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, the reception, the honeymoon, and not to mention all of the wonderful gifts, fill approximately one year of a bride's life. During this time, she is blessed with an abundance of love & presents. Thankfully, there are more ways than one for today's bride to give back.

As we reach the middle of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I would like to introduce my newest favorite way for a humble bride to give back. Brides Against Breast Cancer, LLC (BABC) is a non-profit organization which contributes to programs assisting cancer patients and their families. Their Nationwide Tour of Gowns provides donated dresses by not only former brides, but also directly from designers, manufacturers, and stores. The gowns range from $80- *$799 with some gowns valued in the thousands. They even offer layaway for brides on a strict budget. 

 So how can a bride help this charity? 

One way is to purchase your dream gown from BABC during one of their bridal shows. The next one within the Tampa area is November 3rd and within the Los Angeles area (Studio City) is November 9th. Below is a full list of dates and locations:

October 19th – 20th, 2012 – Bakersfield, CA
October 20th – 21st, 2012 – Myrtle Beach, SC
October 26th – 28th, 2012 – San Diego, CA
October 26th – 28th, 2012 – San Francisco Area – Emeryville, CA
Dress Dash – November 3rd, 2012 – Tampa/Brandon, FL
November 4th, 2012 -Hill Country Wedding & Event Fair (Comfort Texas) 
November 4th, 2012 – New York, NY
November 9th -11th, 2012 – Studio City, CA
November 10th & 11th, 2012 – Cambridge, MA
November 11, 2012 – Albuquerque, NM
November 16th – 18th, 2012 – Omaha, NE
November 16th – November 18th, 2012 – Salt Lake City, UT
December 7th & 8th, 2012 – St. Louis, MO
January 11th – 13th, 2013 – Houston, TX
January 11th – January 13th, 2013 – Jacksonville, FL
January 12th – January 13th, 2013 – Pittsburgh Area, PA
January 18th – 20th, 2013 – Portland, OR
January 25th – 26th, 2013 – Milwaukee, WI
March 29th – 30th, 2013 – Anaheim, CA

In addition to buying your wedding dress from BABC, after you say those two big words, "I do" you can donate your gown and receive a tax deduction.

Other ways to help this wonderful organization include volunteering your time or making a monetary donation. Check out their website for additional details: www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org

Often today's bride and groom are already living together in a house full of towels, pots, pans, bedspreads and other essentials that make their home, well, their home. In these cases where material gifts are just unnecessary, the bride and groom can now include a charity within their registry.

www.justgive.org or www.idofoundation.org are fantastic sources to provide guest an opportunity to bring joy to not only you & your significant other but also to the charity of your preference. 

These organizations also offer an option for the bride and groom to donate in honor of their guest in place of wedding favors and not to mention tons of suggestions on how to keep your wedding green.

Another way to incorporate charitable organizations within your big day is to utilize a company named OneHope. At www.OneHopeWine.com you can supply your bar with your favor type of wine and a portion of the proceeds go to the charity of your choice. They have also have an assortment of gift options as a special way to say thank you to either the wedding party or perhaps a gracious family member.

OneHope has over 8 causes which they aim to help to include:

•  End Childhood Hunger
•  Fight Against Autism
•  Fight Against Breast Cancer
•  Fight Against AIDS
•  Supporting Our Planet
•  Supporting Our Troops
•  Supporting Children's Hospitals
•  ONEHOPE Many Causes
•  Medal of Honor Foundation

Of course there are countless ways a couple can spread their love & wealth, but I find the above options are really simple alternatives to the traditional approach of donating towards a cause. Although it is easy to get caught up in the midst of your gala, it is important to remember that as you celebrate the joining of your lives, you can find easy ways to pay your good fortune forward. 

Embrace the Moments and Enjoy Your Timeline

Whether you are recently engaged or almost down the aisle, let me start by saying congratulations! I also would like to remind you to breathe. All too often, future brides and grooms get overwhelmed in the abundance of details involved in planning their dream like day and can very easily forget the aspects of true importance. The following guide is a resource created by Heavenly Affairs, Costa Mesa California and is geared towards reminding eager bride to be’s to remain healthy mentally and emotionally.

He put a ring on it… so now what? First, ensure that you spend quality time with your future mister. Embrace the moment, cherish your love for one another and make certain that he feels appreciated. 

Share your happiness with your loved ones. Invite your near and dear to a celebration of your engagement. Traditionally, your parents may volunteer to host this dinner but often lately this particular festivity is arranged by the the future bride & groom. It is okay to know have all of the answers regarding your special day by this time. People may ask about the venue, the date, the wedding party and the answers will come in time. This moment is not a informative meeting, it is a moment to share your excitement for your commitment to one another. Take a deep breathe and remember to be thankful for being able to share your future with your loved ones.

          Now is the time to finalize all of those daydreams about your future together and make them reality. Plan a date night at home with your handsome fiance and discuss both of your desires, expectations for each other, must-have's, can do without's and most importantly the budget. This may be the biggest test for your relationship as uncontrolled dream weddings can often lead to stressed bank accounts. Do not fret as your dream wedding is in your reach no matter what your budget. The important factors that make up a grand event include intimate details, subtle personal touches and love... lots of love. No matter where the venue, how many are on the guest list or even the amount of flowers, your wedding can be heavenly and a dream come true. Take a deep breathe and sort out your priority list. 
          Once you have your tentative wish list (this list will change through out the process, I promise) begin finalizing as many of the big details as possible. Create easy yet thoughtful ways to ask your wedding party to be a part of your big day. For instance, invite all of your prospective bridesmaids over for cocktail hour and present each with a small token of your appreciation of their friendship. Requesting that they soon contribute many hours assisting you in preparation, money (for multiple gifts, dresses, shoes, accessories and often even travel expenses), not to mention the countless hours of assuring you during your times of indecision, can really place a strain on relationships. Ensure your dear friends that you are grateful for their friendship now. Each friend will play a vital role in assisting you to maintain your sanity and you should be honored to have such wonderful friends.

In order to set the date, a venue for the ceremony and reception must be locked down. Remember to stay within your budget. A healthy and sturdy budget will elevate stress. The following is a breakdown  from Carol Marino, of A Perfect Wedding in Fairfax, Virginia on how to distribute your funds:


Reception (Food, Beverages, Rentals, and Site)
40 percent to 50 percent
Flowers
10 percent
Photography/Videography
10 percent
Bride's and groom's attire
5 percent to 10 percent
Music
5 percent to 10 percent
Planner or Coordinator
10 percent to 15 percent
Miscellaneous (Invitations, Officiant Fees, Favors, Transportation, Etc.)
10 percent
Cushion
5 percent to 15 percent

Theknot.com or Marthastewartweddings.com provide easy do-it-yourself budgeting tools but if the numbers begin to overwhelm you, do not hesitate to speak to a professional wedding planner who can advise where some upgrades are recommended and where some cuts are necessary. Once you have divided the budget, now the fun begins!

Create a display of the your relationship. What colors, objects, sayings represent your love of each other? Utilize your individual & collaborative personalities within the details of your wedding. Surprisingly, you may see the items that symbolize you the most are easier than you thought to obtain as they are already incorporated into your daily life. These items are what make your special day memorable to your family and friends. A wedding should be the moment when love unites, shared by the dearest of family and friends. Remember it is more important to express yourself than your budget within your decor. A magnitude of fresh ideas can be found on Pinterest or TheKnot.

The planning process should be fun. Remember to breathe. This event is a celebration of your love. Ensure that you find time to show your appreciation to your family, friends and fiance. Not because they complete your "essential to-do list" but because you love them and are able to share one of the most important days of your life with them. The key to a smooth wedding process is flexibility, personality and love. Instead of relying on the shoulders of family and friends to ensure your day is flawless, rely on their shoulders to be your dance partners. Allow a wedding coordinator/ planner to assist with your special day and elevate the unnecessary burden of a day that is supposed to be about happiness and love.

Follow us for additional guidelines, tips and creative brainstorming on ways to have a heavenly affair. For further wedding ideas, follow us on Pinterest too : pinterest.com/heavenlyaffair/