DIY Aisle Flowers

   Nothing but a simple DIY flower aisle vase to get the ideas flowing about how to save on your wedding day decorations.  This fabric cover flower vase by Ashley Meaders  is so simple to put together.

Supplies Needed:

Bygel IKEA container

Spray Mount

Fabric 

Twine and/or ribbon

Scissors

Flowers 

   1. Cut fabric 14"x19"

   2. Spray outside the container & rim

   3. Tightly wrap fabric against the container and smooth out air bubbles. Tuck the fabric 

       around the top of the container. Cut any excess fabric in the back making a smooth line.

   4. Add twine/ribbon around the back of the container.

   5. Add your flower arrangement.

For detailed instructions, visit the  original post from OnceWed.com 

Inspiration: Wedding Dress

I just love this Paloma Blanca wedding dress! The little lace details are what really make this dress.  And even better - it's from the Recycled Bride. Originally $2000, this silk trumpet dress was worn once and the seller is now asking $1500. 

DIY on Design Sponge

A cute little DIY project courtesy of Design Sponge! This is a great website with a whole bunch of interesting design ideas for you personal space.  I thought this do-it-yourself project would be a cute option for center pieces at a reception. You can customize each center piece by adding photos or other memorabilia.

Cost of A Wedding

   Ok so most couples planning a wedding don't always know where to begin.  And my advise on that is to start with a budget - a realistic budget.  In other words, you don't want to put yourself in debt to have a wedding.  The marriage itself is always more important then the wedding day in the long run.

   So how much does a wedding cost?  The national average for a wedding in the US is around $20,000.  And I recently found a great website that will help you out with a realistic number for your wedding.  If you know where you think you want to have your wedding, this site will give you an estimate of the average cost in that area.  This site provides a detailed wedding checklist, a wedding cost estimator and a break down of the average cost for the different parts of the wedding.  Check it out!

Cost of a Wedding

Submissions

Did you have the most fantastic wedding that all yours friends are still talking about? Or  were you the photographer, florist, invitation designer  etc for one?  Do you have a fantastic DIY (do-it-yourself) you would like to share with others?  If so, we would love to hear about it!  Please submit your wedding or event ideas, inspirations and photos with a descriptions, (ie. vendor list & links) for the chance to be featured on the blog.  We would love to hear from you!  All your submissions can be emailed to artfulbride@gmail.com 

images provided by Laura B Scott Photography

Wedding Budget

     Planning a wedding seems like an enormous task. One important thing to remember is to make a budget & stick with it. Never go in to debt to pay for your wedding day. And always be careful about using credit cards to pay for your wedding bills. Paying off the balance as soon as you receive the statement prevents you from having to pay finance charges. Be aware of upgrades & how much extra they will cost. If you spend more in one area then you anticipate, you should cut back in another. And remember having a smaller, more intimate wedding day is a better solution then having to pay for your wedding for the next three years. And to help with this, here is a breakdown suggest for dividing up your budget:

Event Planner/Coordinator 10-15%

Photography/Videography 10%

Flowers 10%

Reception (Food, Rentals & Location) 40-50%

Music 5-10%

Miscellaneous Expenses (Invitations, Officiant, Transportation, Party Favors etc.) 10%

And it's always a good idea to leave 5-15% available for little extras & incidentals.

*Remember, this is just a guide to help you along. It really is up to you on what is most important on your wedding day & should always be a reflection of your personal style as a couple.* 

Photo by Laura B Scott Photography

Money-Saving Tip of the Week

Instead of providing a full bar for your guest, why not create a signature drink, cocktail or punch. You can also limit the alcohol choices for your guests by serving a only few different wine and beer choices you think your guests will enjoy. A third option is to buy the alcohol yourself, rather then having the location provide it. You may have to pay a cork fee, but purchasing wine & champagne in bulk (10 bottles or more) often saves you a great deal when you purchase from a whole sale company.