Gabby Loves Wedding Tips

With the high cost of living,gas,etc. rising one must be smart when spending on a wedding. Remember the cost of a wedding can amount to as high as, well actually the sky is the limit really. This indeed could be a lot of money to spend for just one day and it is not a small wonder that many couples find themselves financially strapped for many years after their return from their honeymoon. Gabby Love offers many tips and techniques to save on a wedding.

One of the main thing to remember is that it’s your wedding so keep control. When paying for items for the wedding like invitations, avoid anything that says wedding on it because it’s cheaper. Get generic items like invitations rather than official wedding invitations. Get prom dresses at a department store instead of formal dresses for your bridesmaid. Hey, you may even find a nice white gown with beautiful lace to be used in a casual wedding. This will save considerable amount of money.

To really save money on your wedding take time during the early planning stages of your wedding plans and decide on the big ticket items of the wedding that will affect the overall cost of the wedding. If you really want to keep the cost down then exchange your vows and cut the cake in front of a few friends and family.

I have a friend who took this advice to heart and took the money that they initially were going to look at paying for a big wedding and placed a down payment on their new home and were married at their home. They were married in the Springtime in their own backyard which was colorfully decorated. The minister was actually a family member of the bride. Remember if you have a large family or friends you may be surprised to find a minister who could definitely cut down the cost. Even the wedding reception was held at their home which was beautifully decorated and food had been provided by both families. Overall everyone had a fun time and the couples saved considerable amount

The key point to remember is to be creative and not forget that even though a wedding is one day , the cost of the wedding could last for years. Why come back home from your honeymoon in debt for years to come?

Wedding Questions

How Important Are Wedding Favors?

The question of whether or not you have to give wedding favors to your guests is a very common one. However, there is no easy answer to this question. While it is true that you technically are not required to give your guests any type of wedding favor at your wedding, it is also true that your guests will likely be expecting to receive a favor. This is what makes the matter more complicated. You may not be obligated to give out wedding favors but your guests may be offended if you decide not to do so. This article will take a look at the question of whether or not you have to give wedding favors to your guests and will provide some tips for giving out wedding favors on even the tightest budget.

As we discussed in the opening paragraph, wedding favors are in no way obligatory but that does not mean that guests still do not expect to receive a wedding favor when they attend a wedding. There are a couple of reasons for this. One of the most obvious reasons why guests expect to receive a wedding favor is that it is such a common practice that the majority of the weddings they have attended in the past have included a wedding favor. The other reason why guests expect to receive a wedding favor is that the purpose of a wedding favor is for the couple to express their gratitude to the guests for attending the wedding and reception. Although the couple will likely still send out thank you cards to all of the guests after the wedding, giving a small wedding favor is another way the couple can thank their guests for their support.

You may wonder why a couple would consider not giving wedding favors at their wedding. In most cases the simple answer to this question is that the couple is on a very tight budget and feels as though purchasing wedding favors for each of the guests will put them over budget. This is a very valid concern as it is important to remember that although wedding favors may be fairly inexpensive, this unit price must be multiplied by the number of guests in attendance. For example you may select a favor which costs only a dollar per favor but you may be expecting 400 guests at your wedding. This means the costs of the favors alone will be $400 which may not even include the costs associated with shipping or wrapping the wedding favors. While we certainly understand the importance of budgets we believe the couple should incorporate a budget for wedding favors into their overall budget before the planning begins. This will help to ensure there is enough money available to give each guest a wedding favor as a token of gratitude.

When the couple is concerned about budget it is important to remember that wedding favors do not need to be expensive or extravagant. One simple way to make wedding favors more affordable is to give a wedding favor of a single flower to each guest. If you are already planning to have floral centerpieces you can discuss your options with your florist beforehand. You will likely be able to negotiate and affordable price for this favor because you are already purchasing your centerpieces from the florist. Selecting one flower used in the centerpiece and having your florist supply enough of these to give as favors is a really nice way to tie the centerpieces and the favors together. Alternately you might want to give each of your guests an artificial version of one of the flowers used in your centerpiece. These can be rather inexpensive and can also serve as a lasting reminder of your wedding.

Another way to keep wedding favors more affordable is to discuss your options with wedding favor distributors carefully. Many of them likely have closeout items available as well as discount items. Closeout items are items which have been discontinued but the distributor may have enough in stock for all of the guests at your wedding. Additionally, they may be willing to offer you a discount if you are purchasing a large number of favors.

Your wedding is one of a kind. Your wedding favors should be, too! Whether you want to provide a favor that represents you and your spouse, or a souvenir that your guests will treasure forever.

Wedding Questions

Planning weddings has never been an easy job and when it comes to your wedding, you want absolutely the best. In order for this to happen, you must make sure to hire a good wedding planner. Merely glowing testimonials and recommendations by others is not enough. You need to see for yourself whether the wedding planner in question will suit your needs.

It’s quite a well-known fact that what worked for your second cousin might not work for you!

Of course, the small matter of verifying whether the wedding planning business does exist must come before asking any questions. Here are three questions that you absolutely must ask your wedding planner.

1.    Do I get value for my money? You need to know exactly what you’re setting yourself up for. This helps to ensure that no “surprise” costs crop up out of the blue after you’ve already hired your wedding planner and there’s only a month left for the wedding! Does the wedding planning fee also include the fee of the assistants on D-day? If not, how many assistants will be required and how much will they charge?

2.    Will you stick to my budget and not push me to go (too much) further? Sticking to the wedding budget is a big part of the wedding planners’ job. But sometimes, your wedding budget seems to increase by a whole lot. It’s not hard to make a wedding go over-budget at all! So make sure you hire a wedding planner who makes the budget a top priority.

3.    Are you familiar with the Venue and Vendors? You may have hired the best wedding planner but they might not be familiar with the vendors you want! Also, you need to ask whether your wedding planner is getting a referral fee from the vendors in question, if one company is being pushed at you from all directions, then you know it’s just a back-end financial agreement which is driving this entire transaction. So you need to be cautious about that!

I’m sure that by now you have understood that you can’t rest in peace after handing over the responsibility of arranging the wedding to wedding planners, so don’t forget to get out that old yoga mat you have and de-stress at times!

Wedding Questions

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You are getting married, so obviously your fiancee thinks you are a beautiful woman! However, there are always little extras every woman can do to heighten her beauty, especially for her wedding day! Some of these things should be done a few weeks ahead of time, to ensure that you are looking your best for your special day! Join a gym, or start walking to get some exercise Start drinking at least eight glasses of water per day to flush toxins out of your system. Also, water helps you feel full, so you may be inclined to eat less! Get a facial every five weeks from now until your wedding. Skin exfoliation provided by good facials remove dead skin cells from your face and makes your skin glow. Start getting regular manicures and pedicures to help to keep your hands, feet and nails in good condition. Book a hairstylist and makeup artist for your wedding day.

We’ve all seen “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” where Tula (the bride) faces a problem on her wedding day; a huge zit on her face. Now, you can try to use her father’s remedy “Windex” or you can try some of these tips and tricks to camouflage the problem and let your beauty shine through.

Oh Nooo..

1. Pimple
If you wake up on your wedding day with a humongous pimple on your face don’t panic, and most importantly do not pop it. Try putting ice on it to reduce the swelling. Also, try a yellow or green based color correcting concealer to reduce the redness. Finish of with your regular concealer.

2. Dark Undereye Circles
All brides want to look perfect on their wedding day, so if you’re faced with dark circles under your eyes here is what to do. Choose a concealer that matches your skin. You don’t want to go too light because extremely white circles under your eyes are not attractive either. Once you have your perfect color, lightly pat (do not rub) the concealer from the inner corner of your eye to the center. Finish with foundation.

3. Dry skin
Bride, bridesmaid, mother of the bride, whoever you are, dry skin can be a problem on a day where you’ll be wearing more make up than usual. The best solution is to keep hydrated well before the wedding day. Also, don’t forget to moisturize twice a day to keep your skin nourished and beautiful for that special day.

4. Freckles
Freckles are not a problem! They are cute and sexy, and they are what your man (the groom) fell in love with. So embrace them! Use sheer foundation to even out any discoloration and let your feckless shine through on your wedding day.

Wedding Questions

Popping the Question: A Guide to Wedding Proposals

The time has come — you’re ready to ask your best girl to marry you and make it official. Unfortunately, Hollywood has brainwashed us all into thinking that popping the question has to be over-the-top and perhaps even expensive. Yes, it would seem that most of us girls want elaborate wedding proposals, just so we can race home and tell our girlfriends all about it.

In reality, popping the question should be an intimate moment that is special to both of you. Whether you decide to ask her during a quiet dinner for two or propose in front of thousands of baseball fans, choosing the right spot and ambiance is important when you ask for her hand.

Unless you know your girlfriend will appreciate a flashy proposal, keeping it romantic between just the two of you is the best approach, one she will remember long after a public proposal. Before asking her to marry you, use this list of tips and hints to dream up fabulous wedding proposals that leave her speechless.

The Dos and Don’ts of Wedding Proposal Ideas

Personalized wedding proposals: No girl wants a canned version of a tired, old proposal. Above all, don’t do anything you’ve seen in the movies no matter how much she swooned. This is your opportunity to make it special for her and show her that you know and love her! When the time comes for popping the question, choose her favorite spot, as long as it’s quiet, uncrowded, and romantic. She wants a magical day/night that she can share again and again, so it should be memorable. And never just say, “Will you marry me?” Tell her why you want her to marry you; personalize your proposal and let her know why she is so special to you!

Make the ambiance romantic: Most guidelines on wedding proposals agree that no matter how big a sports fan your girlfriend is, asking her to marry you at a game is probably not the ideal way to go about things. After popping the question, there is no time to reflect or even whisper sweet nothings to her. Keep the chaos to a minimum, so that the two of you can properly discuss this momentous occasion. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t ask her at a sports game – maybe she’s the type of girl who would enjoy a thousand sets of eyes on her when you ask.

Furthermore, this doesn’t mean you have to focus on popping the question over candlelight, but the locale should be – at least – semi-secluded, away from loud restaurant music, gawking crowds, and family. (Always remember that asking her in front of her family or yours adds unneeded stress when popping the question.)

Show a little respect: When discussing potential wedding proposals, you’ll probably meet countless people who think asking her parents for her hand is lame and outmoded. Maybe, but it shows you’re responsible and respectful of her parents and family. Sure, it’s not easy to discuss such a big step, but her parents will remember that you approached them long after. Plus, you don’t have to ask for her hand per se – use it as a way to encourage communication between the two newly merging families. It’s a great way to start working on your in-law relationships!

Make it a surprise: You’ve undoubtedly discussed marriage prior to popping the question. The only thing that should come as a surprise is when you actually ask her to marry you. Previous discussions of merging your lives, including evaluating what’s important to both of you in life and love, is vital to the success of your marriage. If you haven’t talked about marriage prior to the proposal, you may want to brace yourself for a quizzical look followed by a hesitant maybe.

Choosing the ring: Please don’t come unprepared to the proposal. Many women expect to have a ring on this night. It’s not that we need something flashy and expensive to make it real; it’s just that it helps cement your commitment and lets us know you’re ready to take the plunge.

However, if your girl is the type who wants to pick and/or design her own ring, you should have discussed marriage well in advance. She knows it’s coming, and is happy to say yes without hardware in hand. But just take her ring shopping as soon as possible after popping the question!

Wedding Proposals from the Heart

Asking your girlfriend to marry you is an exciting time! Sure, you may get nervous, but practicing those all important words in advance will help to alleviate some of those jitters. Don’t worry if things go awry — remember what you’re there to do – ask the love of your life to commemorate your commitment to each other!

Wedding proposals are a great way to incorporate what your love means to the both of you and should be as unique as the two of you. Cherish the time and make it special!

Wedding Questions

Dealing with stepmothers can be a difficult situation. A lot depends on how the stepmother and biological mother get along. If the two mothers get along than the wedding can be planned however the couple wants. However, this is a rare thing. If there is some problem, the guidelines that follow can assist the stepmother in following correct etiquette for the wedding of her stepchild.

Begin by thinking about what the stepmother should wear. Usually, the stepmother should dress the same way as other guests. The bride may want to include her stepmother in the preparations so it is proper wedding etiquette for her stepmother to wear similar styles and colors as the other mothers. However, it would not be proper for her to dress in a manner that will overshadow the bride or the biological mother.

The next question is, according to proper etiquette, where should the stepmother sit? The bride chooses this but usually the stepmother is seated behind the birth parents, about the third row back. Of course it will be awkward to have divorced or separated spouses sit in the same row but the wedding is not about who is the current wife of her father but rather a family oriented event. Stepmothers do not need to feel badly about their placement in the wedding because wedding etiquette has the birth mother sitting without her current husband if she has remarried.

There may be an etiquette problem when it comes to family photos. The majority of photographers will arrange different shots for the birth parents and stepparents. You will not usually see stepparents and birth parents in the same photo. If this does happen however, the mothers should be put on opposite ends of the picture. It is not strange for a stepmother to not be seen in any official wedding photos so do not take this personally if this occurs. It falls in the range of proper wedding etiquette for stepmothers.

During the reception, etiquette again requires that the stepmother take a back seat unless she and her husband are the hosts of the reception. If the birth mother hosted the wedding and the father hosts the reception, it is proper for the stepmother to take a place in the receiving line if the mother is not present. However, if the birth mother is throwing the reception as well, it is best that the stepmother not attend. Remember that all of these little points are only a guideline so they can be changed and adjusted as long as it is best suited for the bride.

Lastly, what about the family dance? What does wedding etiquette say about this? Proper etiquette has the stepmother bowing out gracefully and allows the bride to share this day with her biological parents. The bride’s father would dance with her and the groom’s birth mother would dance with him. Sometimes if a family dance is provided, stepparents can dance with their own mates.

These stepmother etiquette hints will hopefully allow the stepmother to deal with wedding plans without making mistakes that could hurt or embarrass their stepchild.

Suggestions To Personalize Your Wedding Gifts

Weddings are a very special event. The couple being wed is looking forward to a bright and wonderful life and they want everyone to be happy with them. The main issue as a guest is the wedding gift. If you want to get the bride and groom something unusual and personalized you have to work for it. So if you want a personalized gift for the wedding couple or great wedding gift for the parents of the groom or bride, make sure that you give yourself enough time to find that perfect gift. Let’s discuss some items you can personalize for you friends wedding.

Personalized Jewelry

Jewelry is a nice item to give. If the bride is your friend you can present her with some wonderful jewelry. You could personalize it by engraving her name and her groom’s name on a necklace or if you are presenting a ring you can get their name’s first alphabet letter engraved on the ring. It would be a beautiful surprise for the bride and groom.

Personalized Bed Covers

Another unique gift you could consider are the bedcovers. By personalizing their bed covers you could have them printed with pictures of the bride and groom, for a bit more you could get ‘HAPPY MARRIAGE’ monogrammed on the linen. It will be a memorable gift for a friend’s wedding.

Personalized Coffee Mugs

Coffee mugs are also a great choice especially if they are coffee lovers. You can take plain mugs from the market and have them written on or do it  yourself with the help of paints and really personalize your wedding gift. You can write the names of the wedding couple or you can also get them printed with their pictures. It will be great fun for them and they will remember you whenever they have their coffee in those mugs.

Glass Painting For The Wedding Couple

If you are an art lover and you have the skills to paint glass you can portray the couple on glass with the help of glass paints. It would be a very unique and totally different wedding gift. The wedding couple will love it and it would be in their home forever.

You can see how many ideas there are to create wonderful wedding gifts and this has been only a few.

Wedding Questions

Wedding Reception Halls – What to Ask Before you Book

Every bride has an idea of the perfect location for her wedding, whether it’s under snow-capped peaks, barefoot on a beach or in a bustling city. There is an abundance of wedding reception halls that cater to every need and desire. So the question is, how do you choose the right wedding reception hall for your big day? The following are a few things you may want to consider before breaking out the checkbook and committing to a wedding reception hall.

When picking a location for your wedding, it is crucial to determine how large your wedding is going to be. Some wedding reception halls limit the number of guests to 60 or less whereas others easily accommodate 150+. Make sure the reception hall you pick not only pleases the bride but will also be sufficient to fit all of the attendees.

Ask yourself if privacy is important. If you are holding your event at a hotel wedding hall it is very likely that you will have to deal with hotel traffic. Often wedding reception halls in hotels are not very separated from the rest of the hotel so guests are checking in or arriving for other conventions. Private venues are successful in limiting the attendees to invited guests.

It is essential to find out what the wedding reception hall is including in their costs. Is food part of the package? Do you need to bring your own caterer? Is liquor part of the package? Do they even have a liquor license? Without a liquor license, raising a glass of bubbly may prove to be difficult.

Because photography is such an important part of a wedding you should ask a few questions first. How is the scenery? Are there interesting or beautiful views? Is there unique architecture? How much time will the wedding hall allow you to take for photos? Additionally, find out if there are alternate plans in the case of inclement weather. Can a tent be set up if needed?

Will a representative of the wedding hall be available during the festivities? Some wedding halls are simply buildings that are rented without staff being provided. Determine if you would like a staff to attend to the needs of a wedding or someone from the wedding party. Keep in mind many wedding reception halls have wedding planners that can assist as much or as little as you would like. Wedding planners are incredibly useful as they deal with wedding details everyday and can help you make the best decision for yours.

It is also important to determine if the wedding reception hall you select has sufficient parking for all of your guests. Additionally, find out if it is covered parking and if the guests will have to pay for parking. Will a valet service be available? Find out these things and let guests know.

Without question a wedding is the most momentous occasion in the lives of many individuals, it is certainly not an event to find yourself ill-prepared. Take advantage of the information in this article and ask the right questions to ensure your wedding day is as wonderful as it should be.

Wedding Questions

Wedding Gift Ideas

Weddings seem to be popping up every weekend for my husband and me.  Choosing meaningful, interesting, and useful wedding gifts is sometimes difficult depending on how well we know (or don’t know) the couple getting married and our limited budget.  If you find yourself strapped for ideas here are some gifts that I’d suggest.

One of my sister’s best friends is getting married in a couple months.  She, her fiance, and her family are all very much “party people” who enjoy socializing.  Thinking about her happy-go-lucky, hanging with friends’ personality inspired me for their gift: an ice cream maker and a book of ice cream recipes.  Fortunately, I knew exactly which brand and model of ice cream maker I wanted to get her since my husband and I had received one for our wedding which we love.  The personality and habits of the couple are a great starting point when thinking of a gift.  If they enjoy a special type of cuisine or sport, get them a gift that reflects that passion.

One gift that seems the most difficult to give especially when you are looking for several weddings is money.  While many wedding experts recommend giving money if you are on a tight budget it seems the “cheapest” gift since you can’t give a lot.  This is where shopping smart can get you further.  For example, have you ever seen the deals that Target or Sears run; where if you buy a certain product or amount of merchandise you get a free gift card?  Save the gift card and use it as a wedding gift.  Groupon.com and other “local deal” sites are another great way to frugally purchase a gift card to use as a wedding gift.  “If you still want to give a personal wedding gift, combine the two: attach a check to a beautiful picture frame, a kitchen gadget, or a long letter detailing your wishes and advice for their marriage.”

One gift that my husband and I received for our wedding was a set of engraved champagne flutes.  This lovely gift is incredibly meaningful and we use them every year on our anniversary.  An engraved or personalized gift is always an appropriate choice even if you don’t know the couple well because it is tailored for them to remember their special day.  A camera is another great gift to send with them on their honeymoon to allow them to capture all the special memories of the day.  If you are especially close to the couple or daring, an x-rated couple game or a condom sampler might be a useful gift that definitely stands apart from the crowd of usual gifts.  Wedding gifts don’t have to be really expensive in order to be meaningful, interesting, and special to the bride and groom.

Wedding Questions

Great Wedding Gift Ideas

Personalized wedding gifts that can be used, appreciated and help commemorate their special day make the best kind of gifts to give. Weddings can be a tricky occasion to buy gifts for.

There are so many things to consider when choosing a gift:

Is this the first time getting married or are the bride and groom merging two households into one?
Do they already have everything they need in the house or are they just starting out?
Ask yourself these questions when shopping for that perfect gift and proceed from there. Of course if they have a gift registry you can use the gifts on that, but the problem sometimes with that is the couple ends up with duplicate gifts.

Following are some thoughtful gift ideas that are sure to delight both the bride and groom.

If the happy couple is just starting out they will need various household items to furnish their new home with. Silverware sets, dish sets, glasses, and personalized serving dishes make much appreciated gifts that are probably wanted and needed. Don’t forget the blenders, toasters, crock pots, and various pots and pans to cook the food in. And last but not least they may need a new table and set of chairs to enjoy their home cooked meals.

If you really want to spoil them, maybe they need a whole new bed set up. Of course they’ll need a new set of sheets and a new comforter set to go with the new bed. This however can be tricky as you might not know what their individual styles are, so this present will require a little digging to make sure you get something they both will enjoy. The same goes if you decide to buy a new set of towels for the bathroom. Find out what colors they like and buy accordingly.

The rest of these gift ideas will work for both 1st time marriages and for those who are getting married again.

Because they are probably consolidating two houses into one and already have everything they need you need to make the gifts more personal. Personalized photo frames and photo albums make wonderful little memorabilia that will be displayed for years to come. Best of all they can be tailored specifically to the bride and groom, so you’re sure to give a one of a kind gift.

Wedding time capsules make fun gifts to give that help bring back the magic of their special day.

Personalized blankets and pillows with pictures of the happy couple make a nice addition to any home and are perfect for snuggling on the couch.
Or try giving them a set of personalized bar-ware, glasses or vases engraved with the date and their names.
One more idea would be to give a certificate for a romantic dinner for two to the restaurant of their choice. That way after everything has calmed down; they can relax and enjoy time with just the two of them.

In my opinion personalized gifts make very memorable gifts that are guaranteed not to be duplicated and will always be appreciated. Not only are they one of a kind, but they also speak of how thoughtful you are and how well you know the happy couple. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that they will be used and enjoyed for many years to come. Happy shopping.

Wedding Questions