Unforgettable Wedding

I have always told my friends, that when I get married, it will be a wedding everyone will talk about for ages. And I am sure there are a lot of bride's out there that feel the same way so I thought I would share some of my plans.

Vegas Themed

Sometimes all a girl wants is glitz and gold, and why not show it off on the biggest day of your life. Getting Dealers and getting some dollar store poker chips are easy ways to keep everyone entertained and bringing in a magician is a way to keep people amazed (if you search online its not as expensive as you would think).

Board Gamed Themed

Travel sized board games as gifts, checker piece boutoneers, sorry pieces instead of glitter, an epic taboo tournament, game conversation starters at each table and so much more! I like this theme because it really is guest focused. Despite popular opinion, your wedding isn't only about you. You are bringing together two different families and molding them into one, and your wedding day sets the tone on how these people will interact the rest of your lives.

Home Movie Themed

Pop that popcorn and rent a projector. What can be more intimate and embarrassing than sharing each others past with the new family? Encourage guests to send in pictures or DVDs with their favorite or most embarrasing shots of the bride and groom and have that playing during the reception. Get people to introduce the movies or photos by submitting stories of the bride and groom. Give out mini dollar store picture frames as favors. Its all so simple, but it is sure to make everyone leave with a huge smile on their face.

Circus/Carnival Themed

Now before you runaway with nightmares of clowns, Circuses present the opportunity to use wildly beautiful patterns and one of a kind opportunities for your guests. Things like having each bridesmaid in a animal print or flashy red, giving out animal crackers as your favors, printing out tickets for invites, serving popcorn or cotton candy as hor douves and turkey legs for dinner, and having a ball pit or a jumping castle for kids AND adults. There really is SO much you could do with this unique theme. This is honestly close to my own personal theme for my future wedding. 

I will probably hit this topic again one day, but for now those are some thought starters to help you bring some excitement to your wedding.

Now I'm off to find locations that approve ball pits. 

--The Southside Bride

How to find CHEAP decorations

Instead of thinking of the early bird getting the worm, start thinking the more I save now the more I can spend on my honeymoon. I have told everyone in my life that I would need at least 16 months to plan the perfect budgeted wedding. There are simple staples to a beautiful wedding, that really can be pricey if you don't by them while they're just getting done being popular.

(as a side note, I do not own any of the pictures below)

December-January
I wanted to put December at the top of the list because after Christmas, the BEST wedding clearance begins.

White String Ligths

During the summer- $12/box
Clearance- $3/box
White string lights can be used as beautiful accent pieces for behind the bridal party, against the walls, surrounding the cake table and really wherever you see fit. Always get 5 more boxes than you think you need, you never know when a strand will malfunction or you might misjudge the space of the location.

Power Strips

During the summer- $16.88
Clearance- $4.00

From lights to speakers and everything in between, no one ever plans on their location having a limited amount of outlets and running out that day might be something that is truly impossible or mildly expensive.

Ornaments

During the summer- 10/box
Clearance- 1.99/box
Ornaments are no longer only winter staples, but small pieces of artwork that can even match summer color schemes. I personally recommend solid colors in your color scheme to add to either glass vases or just as accents for the centerpieces. I recently saw someone who threaded blue glass balls through hanging sting lights behind the wedding party and it really was a beautiful touch. Also getting glass stars to hang everywhere is something else to think about.

February
Hearts, hearts and more hearts. Looking for that romantic red wedding, start shopping right after valentine's day.

Heart Shaped Candles

During the Summer- $8/dozen
Clearance- $0.50/piece
Really, heart shaped ANYTHING can be found after the holidays. Heart shaped candles are my personal favorite because they are simple and easy centerpieces. Another is plain heart shaped picture frames are an adorable centerpiece that adds a more personal touch.

Romantic Card stock

During the summer-$3.99
Clearance-$0.89
If you are a bride that wants to DIY our save the date/invites/thank yous, the prettiest card stock goes on clearance after valentine's day. Again, since the holiday is getting trendy, you can really find any color not just shades of red, silver and gold.

March/April

St. Patrick's Day, Easter and Earth day may not seem like the best holidays to find great wedding finds, but if you are a themed wedding dreamer, you will be surprised.

Green Galore

During the summer- $15
Clearance- $5

If you are having a traditional Irish Wedding or if your using green as your main color, head to stores the week after St. Pat's to find the most amazing card stock, tablecloths, green vases, and really anything green your heart desires. I really love simple color accents, like green vases holding the flowers at the tables or green cupcake wrappers or green to go boxes. It makes such a strong color seem a lot less overbearing.

Gold Coins

During the Summer-$5.99/100 ct box
Clearance-$2.99/ 100 ct box

You and Your Sweetie are all set for a fun Vegas themed wedding, but are shocked at the prices for poker chips. A box of these gold coins are an fun and flashy way to work that theme into your tables, AND if you go for the chocolate ones, I am sure you're guests will love you for it.

Baskets

During the Summer-19.98
Clearance- 3.00
Now this one is actually something you can find cheap year round while garbage hunting/Estate Sailing/garage sailing, BUT if you want all the same baskets at each table, after the Easter season is your best chance. I have recently started filling wicker baskets with flowers and attaching little garden charms and giving them as gifts and they really are VERY simple and VERY cheap. Plus you'll need a cute basket for your flower girl.

Think Green

Seeds are always cheep year round, but a lot of organic and nature friendly products tend to be pumped out during the week of Earth day. A lot of retailers give away free trees or seedlings, so if you are looking at a wedding around the 22nd of April, you could easy score some great deals on 'watch our love grow' plants.

MaySome people say that the real start of the wedding season is in May, but what I find to be great about May is the amount of LAST years wedding stuff that goes on clearance in local stores during May.

Go to Walmart

Regular Price- $15.00

Clearance- $5.00

Now I know there are a few people that might think they are too good for walmart, but do you really need to spend more than 10 dollars on a tiny pillow that will only be used once? Will people really judge you on the quality of your guest book paper? Head to your local walmart and you will be shocked at the amount of wedding supplies they have on sale right now.

Memorial Day Outdoor Sales

Regular Price $4/pack of 2
Clearance- $4/pack of 5

Memorial Day is marked as the start of the summer season, and beside grilling tools, all outdoor accessories will be around 20% off or more during that three day weekend. I am a sucker for an outdoor wedding with these paper lanterns strung up around the reception site. But everything from bug scaring tiki lights, citronella candles, to American flags will be on sale this weekend.

June/July

A mix of post prom season dresses and jewelry and fun stars and strips after the 4^th make up some great bridal savings for you!

Bridesmaid dresses

Regular Price-$100
Clearance- $39

The new trend is to just pick a color and let your bridesmaids choose the dress style that fits them best. A lot of brides are even working patterns into their wedding party's dresses and tuxes. I have been getting more and more impressed with the quality of prom dresses, and last year when I was looking around for fun I started to notice that the range of sizes for similar dresses which would perfectly match my colors.

Jewelery

Regular Price-$50
Clearance-$20
You want that bling bling but have more important things to use your budget on? Or are you looking for nice gifts for your wedding party? Beautiful Post prom jewelery and tiara's will be on sale in a lot of prom specialty shops and department stores.

August/September

The end of Summer means clearance on some of the greatest summer themed wedding items

Flip Flops Galore

From getting flip flops for post wedding fun, flip flop shaped candles, to flip flop shaped paper. Flip flops are fun and trendy and CHEAP during August and September. Something cute I would consider is instead of name tags, glam up some cheap flip flops with the names of your guests and you instantly have their gift and their seat marked. If you don’t want to hunt down people's shoe sizes, consider doing it just for your wedding party.

Tiki time

Leis, candles, palm trees in all sizes will go on clearance during these months too. Little Palm trees are my person favorite to create a fun summer vibe at a wedding. A lot of bright island colors will be going on sale during this time too, so if you are looking to be bold, head to the stores now!

Out By The Sea

Off Season- $2.99
Clearance- $1.50
Now I stand by what I've said before in blogs, anyone who spends money on seashells are truly wasting their money. It doesn't matter if you don't live by a beach, nearly every family has someone who has a bag full of seashells from a trip they look before in their homes. (I am that person in my family). If you somehow dont know someone, post an ad on craigslist, you'll find someone. But for seashell shaped candles, little light houses and starfish, the end of summer is the perfect time to stock up because they will never be that cheap again.

October/November

Bubble bubble toil and trouble, start shopping now or you'll have to pay double!

Fog/Bubble Machines

Off Season-$55
Clearance $15
If you want that misty romantic fog during your first dance, or to be surrounded by a sea of bubbles, head to your local Halloween store the day after Halloween to get amazing deals on these fun machines. Just be sure your location allows those things (some places have particle detectors as well as smoke detectors that can be set off by the fog)

Fall-ing in Love

If your colors are in the brown and gold hues, this is your time to look for all of your accents, like tablecloths, ribbon, card stock, plates, and much more.

Black Friday

Regular Price-$50
Clearance-$19.99

I have been celebrating black Friday my entire life and it really is my favorite holiday. Take this time to get great gifts for your wedding party that will really rock their world. Or if you want more practical things, hit up Joanna fabrics or Michael to get their amazing door buster deals.

If you have a lot of time to plan your wedding really use all of the year to your advantage!

Happy Shopping!
The Southside Bride

Out by the Sea

It's been getting warmer, and the idea of a beautiful beach wedding is starting to sound better and better. But where do you start?

Locations:
You can really have a beautiful beach wedding anywhere from the beaches of Lake Michigan to the ocean front of Hawaii. Again it comes to the decision between a local and destination wedding. In reality a lakeside beach wedding is a lot cheaper and will still provide you with the sandy landscape of your dreams. Be sure to research your beach carefully because sometimes there are a lot of little rules and regulations youll need to account for, like parking restrictions and clean up costs.

Photographs:
Be sure to ask and see your photographers work with beach weddings. It really is an advanced skill and not all photographers are good at it. A lot of Brides become very disappointed when they see how washed out their pictures look.

Shoes:
This seems like a no brainer, but I can think of quiet a few angry bridesmaids who nearly broke their ankles walking in sand in heels for the bride because "later they would be on land". Brides, be good to your girls. Make flipflops or cute flats a part of your gift to them. They can change into the heels on land if you really want that tall look.

Guests:
Again a lot of beaches might put a limit onto how many chairs you can rent/bring, so be sure to ask ahead of time. Also be sure to have strong ushers, because if grandma is going to make it through the sand to her sinking chair with a walker, she'll need that extra support both in and out of the ceremony.

Quick Tips:
Lint brushes and mini vacs are going to be your best friend post ceremony, especially if you are getting a limo after because they will charge you extra fees if you get sand in their limo. If you can look into alternate means of transportation: a little boat or a trolley are both fun weather appropriate get aways. Also have someone bring a few bottles of water so you can rinse off you feet after you leave the sand.
If you plan on wrecking your dress by running into the water, bring a few people with you, because that dress will get even heavier and you don't want to fall face first into the sand on your special day.
Have someone bring a tiny first aid kit. Even on the cleanest beaches there can be glass or sharp sea shells, and no one wants to remember your wedding as the time they cut their foot open.

My mash up below includes a lake side beach wedding of 150 people at the Promenade in Chicago and music, video screen and lighting.

All of the above is only about 7,800

I can't wait to feel some sand between my toes
--The Southside Bride
(as always I claim no rights or ownership to any of the beautiful pictures above, they were all found on various websites via a swagbucks search)

Irish Weddings

There are many ways to give a wedding an Irish touch from a little piece of jewelry to an all out traditional celebration. My advice is to pick and choose the traditions that mean the most to you and your partner because having a traditional ceremony simply to say you are really will just cause headaches in the future.

The Ring-Claddagh

(from http://www.thecountiesofireland.com)

The claddagh ring is known across the world as an Irish symbol of love, but few know the meaning behind the symbol or how to properly. The ring is composed of a heart being held by a pair of hands. The heart is also wearing a crown. The heart represents the wearers love and when worn with the point pointing out on the right hand the hands seem to be pushing love out to the world. This position tends to mean that the wearer is single. When worn on the right hand with the point in, it means that the person is in a relationship. When the ring is moved to the left hand, point out means engaged and point in means married. The crown on the ring stands for God, and it is thought that when you wear the ring pointed in the crown is on the outside sealing and protecting the heart.


The Dress-A little Something Blue

(from: http://img.alibaba.com/)

Before white, blue was the color of purity. A lot of Irish brides will work in a blue sash or pendant to represent this. Brides in blue used to walk to the church with their groom and people would recognize the marriage colors and throw everything from rice to pots and pans to bring luck to their journey.

The Flowers-Lavender or Belles of Ireland

(from gardenflowers.com)

Depending on your color scheme, both lavender and green belles are popular at Irish weddings. Lavender stands for loyalty, love and devotion. Also Irish brides tend to wear these flowers in their hair or a flowered headpiece. The Belles of Ireland are great for a green wedding but tend to be a bit expensive, so mixing them with other flowers would be best.

Traditions- Hand Fasting and Bells

(from: http://weddingbycolor.com/)

Two popular Irish traditions include the binding of the bride and grooms hands and the blessing of the matriomnal bell. The hands are bound by various colored cords that have various meaning. It is a physical and visual symbol of the bonds on marriage being created. The bell is blessed during the ceremony and placed in the newlyweds Home to reprsent their wedding vows. It is also said that during a fight the bride or groom can choose to ring the bell and the topic is dropped for the day. But it is only used in serious occasions.

I hope you're wedding and lives together are lucky!
--The Southside Bride