Ask Marvin - What's the Wedding Gift Budget?

Dear Marvin,
How much am I expected to spend on a wedding gift?

Ms. Penny Wise
Dear Penny,
We all know the story, Boy meets girl. Boy loves girl. Boy asks girl to marry him. Then girl plans an extravagant wedding event and you are invited. And so is your pocket book. Weddings are expensive affairs, not just for the bride and groom, but for guests as well. Technically, you aren’t required to purchase anything for the happy couple. However, most of us would feel a bit rude taking this route. A more sensible answer to your question depends on how close you are to the bride and groom. If you are acquaintances or co-workers, purchasing items at the lower range of the registry—around $45 —is generous. If you are a friend or distant relative you should probably aim for mid range of their registry— around $75 —and if you are a very good friend or close family member, shoot for the upper range of the registry –$100 to $150— or purchase a set of their china. However, remember that the bride and groom will be happy you are attending and a heartfelt note and thoughtful gift should be well received regardless the price range.

Marvin

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Discuss Photo Opps With Your Photog

If possible, meet with your photographer before ordering your invitations to determine the best light of day to start your ceremony. For that warm glowing sunset light, you’ll want the photos of the bride and groom to begin at approximately an hour before sunset.

Tip provided by The Memory Journalists
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Trend - Maids Dress Mods

Bridesmaids’ dresses can be made in the same color scheme with style modifications or multi color options with a noticeably similar style. All can usually be modified to fit the needs of each maid. Spaghetti straps, shoulder straps or halter top can be made removable. Some dresses can also be altered into a two piece if necessary.
Trend provided by Alterations by Patina
Photo courtesy of Profinish Design

Trend - DJ Interaction

DJ interaction with style is making a big entrance. Brides have seen what happens when there is no DJ interaction. An MC provides not only direction to the event, but also engaging the guests in activities and (although I hate to use the word) games, ice breakers, and other methods of participation.Trend provided by Music on the Move DJs
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Tip - Ask, Ask, Ask

Ask, ask, ask, and ask again. No question is silly. A couple will want to know: What is included in my package? Are there any additional expenses? How much staff will be available? What are the company policies? Don’t be afraid to ask questions, the answers affect you more than anyone. You could be surprised by “add-ons” that really “add-up”.

Tip provided by Tsakopoulos Library Galleria
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Trend - Glam Up Your Inexpensive Shoes

InStyle Weddings suggests adding a little bling with sparkling faux jeweled clips to an inexpensive pair of wedding day shoes to give them a little touch of glam.

Trend provided by Dynamite Weddings
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Tip - Offer Your Bridesmaids Choices

Can't decide on a bridesmaids dress? Realizing one dress may not be appropriate for all? After you choose the colors for your wedding give swatches to each of your bridesmaids and let me them pick out their own dress. If you have a certain look you are going for (strapless, tea length, satin) let them know and then let them go!Tip provided by Dynamite Weddings
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Manicure Maintenance

Always have your nails done the day of your wedding. All nail technicians would love to guarantee their work but in reality, natural nail manicures are prone to chipping within 24 to 48 hours. Don’t forget the importance of a beautiful pedicure, especially if your honeymoon includes walking barefoot on the beach together!

Tip provided by J Christiaan Day Spa
Photo courtesy of Profinish Design

Trend - Go "Green"

Thinking “Green” is for more than just recycling. Brides opting for “Green” weddings are real trendsetters. You could do something as simple as using recycled paper for your invitations, or use seed packets for favors.

Trend provided by Tsakopoulos Library Galleria
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Tip - Plants As Favors

Try a different twist on wedding favors. Ask your floral designer or local nursery to check into 2” plants to use as favors. Depending on the season, a variety of green and blooming plants may be available. Try planting them in to containers that match your theme. For example, for a garden wedding use mini roses in clay pots or succulents in a glass cube for a more modern feel.

Tip provided by Lilygrass Fresh Floral Design
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Tip - Have Fun With Tradition

When throwing the bouquet or garter, usually the DJ will count to 3 or something like that. As an alternative, why not have the bride or the groom do the counting. As another twist, you may have your guests do the count down. If your groom is a football fan, wrap the garter around a (soft) football and hike or pass it. There is not a guy around that will intentionally let a thrown football become an incomplete pass!

Tip provided by Music on the Move DJs
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Flex Your Floral Colors, Save Your Floral Budget

Colors for weddings are moving away from the mono-chromatic look of repeated use of all one color. Instead shades of color in either warm or cool tones are making a new statement. To give your wedding a fun, tropical and romantic feel use a warm color palette of red, orange, hot pink and golden yellow. To give your wedding an elegant and soothing feel use a cool color palette of blue, lavender, purple and mauve.

The added bonus of using several shades in the same color family is your florist has more flexibility when choosing flowers to decorate your event. This can be a budget saver. It allows your floral designer to choose flowers that are plentiful and at the height of their season. This approach will translate to more beautiful flowers at a less expensive price.

Trend provided by Flourish
Photo courtesy of True Love Photo

Tip - Not Preferred Profiles

While you should always provide your photographer with a list of necessary images, make sure that you also provide them with a list of shots that you don't prefer (i.e. side profiles, guests/party eating, certain guests that always make pictures "inappropriate", etc.

Tip provided by The Memory Journalists
Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photographers

Trend - Magazine Style Wedding Albums

MAGAZINE STYLE wedding albums have become the new standard for wedding albums many photographers have developed a new style of photography that could be called "editorial or fashion style". The latest trend in wedding photography is geared toward a more fashionable approach. The wedding photographer today seeks to make the couple’s fantasies a reality. In the fashion wedding photography approach, the goal of the photographer is to make the wedding couple look their best. Their romantic interaction is glamorized to its utmost expression. The young everyday couple becomes like wedding celebrities for their day.
To create a great album the photographs on each design have to work together to tell the story of your wedding day page by page. It is very also important that the photographs work together visually. A good photographer will anticipate your future album on your wedding day.

Trend provided by Sharpe Photographers
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Ask Marvin - How to Avoid Getting Winded

Dear Marvin,
We are planning our wedding for October and plan to hold our ceremony and reception outside. My girlfriend had her wedding in October last year and was recently telling me how windy it was and that she had to change many details of the reception at the last minute because of how windy it was. I'm getting really nervous that this may happen to me. I've already paid the deposit for the venue and can't get out of it now. What do I do?

WindedDear Winded,
InStyle Weddings recently addressed this question: "You thought you just needed to worry about your veil getting lipstick smudges in the breeze? Hah! Many tents can handle rain better than wind, so always have an indoor backup. "Tents do blow over," says Marcy Blum. "Even if it's built like a log cabin, your tent might not be able to withstand intense wind." So if you wake up to blustery conditions on your wedding day, consult the venue manager or rental company about whether you should risk it. If you decide to go ahead, make sure the tent pro sticks around for the entire reception (even if it means an extra fee)." - InStyle Weddings, Spring 2008.

Photo courtesy of Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals