A Distinct Wedding Through Personalization

As you plan your wedding this year, chances are many of your friends and family members are planning their weddings as well.  There are roughly 3 million weddings a year in the United States.  How can you make your wedding stand out from the rest?  Here are some ideas:

Idea #1: Wedding Logos

Brand your wedding in a sophisticated and unique way.  Forget the stale initialed monograms of yesteryear, instead create interesting wedding logos.  Much like company logos, your logo will come to symbolize your wedding.  You can hire a graphics designer to design one for you with a symbol of where or when your wedding will take place. For example, you can put the sun and beach in your logo if you are having a beach wedding, or you can have autumn leaves if your wedding is taking place in the fall.  Then add your wedding date, initials, name or whatever you’d like.  You can have your logo professionally stenciled onto an aisle runner, spotlighted unto the dance floor/wall using a gobo projector, or even have it carved on a pumpkin.  And by imprinting them on all your wedding stationery (such as the program cover, menu, wine bottle label, thank you card, etc.), you can tie all the elements of your wedding together with your wedding logo.

Idea #2: Concert Tickets

Announce your special event with customized concert tickets! There are many specialty printers on the internet that print tickets using an actual thermal printer like the ones used to create authentic concert tickets. Have them customize the tickets to create cool save-the-date announcements. Or use the tickets as creative invitations to your wedding, engagement party, rehearsal dinner, “day after” brunch, bachelorette party, or bachelor party just to name a few.

Tickets can even be assigned unique numbers on the back or on a perforated side. That way you can use the personalized concert tickets as your RSVP cards by having the guests tear the right side of the ticket and mailing it back to you!  Or have your guests hand them in when they arrive at the bridal shower or wedding reception at which point their tickets become lottery tickets for special door prizes.

Idea #3: Wedding Labels and Hang Tags

Packaging for wedding favors is usually bland and blank.  Make them pop with custom wedding labels and hang tags.  Available at many stationery stores or even office supply stores, personalized labels are available in many styles.  Pick one that closely matches your style and wedding color palette, then personalize further with your names, wedding date, a personal message or even the previously mentioned wedding logo.

Ten Cost-Saving Ideas for Your Wedding

With the tough economic times we are experiencing, many brides find it necessary to reevaluate their wedding budgets.  The list below will assist you in reigning in your wedding budget and stretching your hard-earned dollar.

1). Purchase flowers that are local and in-season.  Incorporating orchids into a winter wedding is going to cost you a pretty penny.  Instead, visit your local flower market and select seasonal white Calla Lilies or deep red roses to form your bridal bouquets or table centerpieces.

2). Have your wedding favors double as your place cards or guest escort cards.  Indicate the guest’s name and table assignment on a label or hang tag and attach it to the favor box or bag.  Place the wedding favors / place cards on a central table at the entrance of the reception room.  Guests will learn of their assigned seats as they pick up their unique wedding favors.

3). Avoid couture bridesmaids’ dresses and instead peruse through the clothing racks of popular national clothing retailers.  By choosing a style and color that your gals can wear again, you increase the longevity of their dresses while stretching their hard-earned dollars.  Best yet, your bridesmaids can shop at their convenience at their local retailer.

4). Consider a Friday evening or Sunday day wedding.  This alone can save you tons of money.

5). Craft the wedding invitations yourself.  Many discount stores now offer stylish wedding invitations, thank-you cards, and wedding ceremony programs that you can print yourself in the comfort of your own home.  Shopping for reasonably priced embossed wedding invitations are now as easy as shopping for pencils and printer paper.

6). Have several family and friends arrange your bridal bouquet, bridal party bouquets and boutonnieres as well as table centerpieces.  Beware:  arrange flowers no later than the night before or else the flowers will wilt.  If you have an eager and willing group of people who you trust and who understand your style, you can easily save hundreds of dollars by delegating these tasks.

7). If you know someone who is just starting out as a photographer or videographer, they may be willing to cover your wedding for free in an effort to build their portfolio and gain some experience.

8). Using an irregular-shaped invitation increases your postage so try and use standard-sized inviations.

9). Apply your makeup yourself, and style your own hair.

10). Limit the size of your bridal party to family members and best of friends.  Involve the others in other important tasks like passing out wedding ceremony programs or ushering guests to their seats at the ceremony.