Gorgeous veils handmade in Spain.  Check them out at www.ChristinaGarcia.net

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For the Do-It-Yourselfers:  For many newlyweds, it’s all about the personal touch.  Both Hewlett-Packard and Epson (click on the “Learn and Create” tab and scroll to “CreativeZone”)  offer complete photo book packages – such as Epson’s Storyteller – that includes software, photo paper, a pre-bound book, and even a book cover.  You put the elements together on your home computer and printer, voila! – a custom-made wedding book that will last a lifetime.

Calling In The Pros:  If you’re less PC-savvy, there are a number of companies that will create a hard-bound wedding photo book for you.  Graphistudio and CustomPhotoBook (my favorite, btw) offer gorgeous custom books, such as 12 by 16-inch leather-bound volumes and four by five-inch mini books perfect for family and friends.  All are available in several different layouts and assembled and printed from your photographer’s digital images.  Options abound, such as hard leather carrying cases and sleeves, cloth or metalic covers, and a host of glossy, textured, or matte papers of various thickness.

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If I were getting married again, I would find my topper here -   Cake Jewelry.

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*This* site has oodles of glove designs:  Great Gloves Online

And for designer (read “expensive”) wedding gloves, peruse Perfect Details and designer Caroline Amato

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http://www.guestbookstore.com 

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 Years ago I stumbled upon a professional wedding photography marketing forum online hosted then by a prominent wedding photography marketing guru whose name escapes me at the moment.  I began to comment online about what I considered to be deceptive marketing in the wedding photography industry and was rewarded with a lawsuit threat by this marketing expert if I did not cease to quote her.   Wow, I must have touched on a tender nerve!  Anyway, I ignored the vaccuous threat and many of these Buyer Beware notices are the result.   The following is just one of many deceptively clever contract clauses that can be found in wedding photography contracts which is designed to put the control of what photos the client receives with the photographer and not the client.

 ”While every reasonable effort will be made to produce and deliver outstanding photographs of the wedding events, PhotoFred’s entire liability to Client for any claim or loss, or injury arising from PhotoFred’s performance is limited to a refund to Client for the amount paid services. Because this is an uncontrolled event, PhotoFred cannot guarantee delivery of any specifically requested image(s). However, we will make every effort to capture requests prompted by an individual at any moment of the wedding event.   “

The entire purpose of this clause, according to the marketing expert,  is to prevent check lists of images or the bride giving the photographer a list of images to be taken at the event.  It specifically releases the photographer from any obligation to have captured on film the important elements of the wedding day.  This is an unacceptable contract clause because it places the decision as to what are important photographs with the photographer and not with the consumer. 

And note that last sentence,  However we will make every effort to capture requests prompted by an individual at any moment of the wedding event.  In other words, to get the photos you want, someone must be ad hoc prompting the photographer during the entire event.   This photographer would not want me as the coordinator because I’d hang on him like a bad conscience constantly whispering to him to go there or take that photo.  Or I’d hire a minion to do it for me.  Either way, that would be one photographer prominently placed on my “never hire this cretin again over my dead body” list.

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2.  Forego that limosine and use personal cars. 

3.   Schedule your wedding during the non-peak wedding dates.  The prime time for renting facilities and securing vendors is Saturday and therefore the prices are higher as a result of supply and demand.    Instead, marry on a Friday evening or Sunday when fewer people are likely to and you should be able to negotiate much lower prices for facility usage, catering and photography. 

4. When the guest list must be minimized to save money,  refrain from inviting children, co-workers and an automatic “and guest” for every single adult guest.   Invite the significant others by name but do not put “And Guest” on the invitation. 

5.  Popular wedding magazines will suggest asking talented friends or relatives to help with your wedding but the Etiquette Hell position is that it is improper and presumptive to ask people to give you a free gift of labor and talent.   You can ask for help with the caveat that you are offering to pay for their services and then follow through and pay up.   By all means accept offers of help but with an eye towards not presuming too much on these volunteers.   And be sure to express your gratitude, both verbally and with note, as sincerely and frequently as you can.

6.  Think outside the reception box and consider having your reception at a county or state park pavilion.  Check out local and state owned parks and facilities for their reception potential.  One county park near us has a lovely meeting room lined with glass doors overlooking a lake with a large deck system over the water.   It’s a great value.

7.  A deejay is always cheaper than a live band. 

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The post at www.thekitchn.com is entitled “DIY Inspiration: How To Make Your Own Wedding Cake (Without Losing Your Mind).  The comments section alone has great suggestions. 

The Gâteau au chocolat fondant de Nathalie cake made by Orangette for her wedding is not only outrageously delicious but an outstanding example of thinking outside the traditional wedding cake “box” to serve something truly unique, delicious and cost effective.  Follow the links in the article to Orangette’s cake posts on her blog.

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 2.  Choose in season flowers.   Exotic and out of season flowers can be both difficult to find and very expensive.   Sometimes eliminating one type of expensive flower like calla lilies from an arrangement can significantly reduce the price of a centerpiece or bouquet.

3.  My favorite flower when the budget is tight but there is a need for drama is the gladiola.  They come in numerous colors and can be bought at very good prices by bulk.  Grouped in a tall, clear vase, the effect is elegant, brings height to the table but without breaking the budget.  Plus they have the advantage that they are a hardy flower with stamina that looks great for days.

4.  Think outside the flower.  Centerpieces can consist of non-floral arrangements of fruit, favors grouped together, even food like individual cakes for each guest at the table.  Berries, pinecones, pumpkins, small potted evergreen plants are all viable alternatives. 

5.  Floral arrangements should do double duty as ceremony florals and reception decor.  I did this with my own wedding where I and my bridesmaids carried long-stemmed red roses mixed with greens and baby’s breath and tied with ribbons during the ceremony but at the reception, they were placed in waiting vases for table decor. 

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