Holiday Party Decorating Tips

With Thanksgiving over that means one thing, Christmas is just around the corner. I wanted to share some holiday party decorating tips with you. How much or how little you decorate is completely up to you.

When decorating for your party you want to consider safety first and foremost. You don't want to place decoration where they could be in the way. Be careful of placement that people will not trip and fall over the decorations. Be sure the decorations are child friendly for the children that will be visiting.

Use candles to create a warm, homey atmosphere. Candles also help with the lighting. Be sure the candles will not be in a place that someone could knock them over or burn themselves. Also, make sure that if there will be children attending they cannot reach the candles.

You can add a touch of the holidays in every room if you like. Strings of white lights and vases filled with ornaments add a lovely touch. A bowl filled with scented pine-cones is beautiful and gives a holiday aroma to your home.

Holiday flowers are a great way to add a festive touch to your rooms. Be sure if you have pets you get flowers and plants that are safe for them to be around.

If you will be having a sit down dinner party place cards are festive and they help you to plan the seating arrangements. A small party favor is a great way to say thank-you to your guests. They also help to decorate the table.

Decorating for your holiday party can be lots of fun. Get the entire family involved.

Tips For Being A Good Guest

Being a good guest is as important as being a good host. You are being welcomed into someone's home. While they are doing their best to make you feel comfortable you can do your part too.

When you are a guest in someone's home you are to show the host or hostess total respect. This can mean removing your shoes before you enter their home, or refraining from using inappropriate language. What is acceptable in your home may be different from theirs. If the host or hostess does not smoke in their house you should not either.

Don't be a demanding guest. Always use your manners. When eating only take what you will eat. Do not take too much of any food or drink. There are other guests that would like to eat and drink too.

Don't overstay your welcome. When the other guests have left and the host or hostess is changed into their pajamas, you have overstayed. Most parties have an approximate end time. Be a good guest and leave when the festivities are through.

Offer to help clean up. Many hosts will turn you down, but it is still nice to have the offer. Always clean up after yourself. Don't leave drinks sitting around once you are through with them. If you should accidentally spill something tell the host so it can be cleaned up right away. Stains happen after a spill has sat and had a chance to soak into the fabric. If caught and cleaned right away there is less chance of staining.

Bring a hostess gift. You don't need to spend a lot of money on the gift. Just bring a small token showing you appreciate being invited to their house. Some good hostess gifts examples include candles, bottle of wine, ornament if around the holidays, or even something homemade.

Most of these tips are common sense. However, sometimes we can all use a refresher course in etiquette.

Tips For Being A Good Hostess

Have you ever been to a party where you didn't really know anyone so you sat off to yourself feeling uncomfortable? Now think about a party where you still didn't know anyone but you were introduced to several of the guests and had a wonderful time. This is the difference between a good host and a bad host.

You never want your guests to feel uncomfortable while at an event you are hosting. If you have never hosted a party before you may not know what is expected of the host. Here are some tips to make sure everyone has a great time at your next event.

Great all of your guests personally. Meet them at the door. Thank your guests for coming and offer to take their coats if they have one. If your guest doesn't know may people introduce them to some of the other guests. This will help them feel more relaxed. It is easier to strike up a conversation with a stranger if they have been introduced first. You are breaking the ice for them.

Try to have as much of the party preparation done before your guests arrive. You need to be mingling with the guests and not stuck in the kitchen. As the hostess you are going to set the tone for the party. If you are feeling rushed and stressed your guests will pick up on this and feel uncomfortable.

Keep pets locked up during the party. While some guests may be animal lovers, not all people are. You may have someone with an allergy attending the party. Plus guests are not going to want pet hair on them, or Fido begging for handouts.

Use candles to help set the mood. You don't want to overdue it, but a few candles placed through out the room will help create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Always keep candles out of reach of small hands if children will be present.

The main key to being a good hostess is to make your guests feel at home. Even if something unexpected happens as long as the hostess remains calm everyone else will too.

Thanksgiving Table Tips

With Thanksgiving next week everyone is busy planning their menus. Often people forget to think about the table itself. You will have all that delicious food you should have a beautifully festive table to showcase them. Here are some videos that offers some ideas for decorating your Thanksgiving table.









There you have it, several great suggestions for dressing your Thanksgiving table. Don't forget the place-cards to let your guests know where to set. Your dinner is sure to be a hit when you take a little extra time to spruce up the table.

Photo created by David Sinofksy

The Pros and Cons of a Holiday Wedding

The holidays can be a wonderful time to plan a wedding, but there are pros and cons to planning your big day during this magical, busy time of the year.

The holidays can be a great time to have a wedding. Family members are often in from out of town. The beautiful lights and decorations would make any wedding look wonderful. The snow covered ground makes a gorgeous background for pictures. The holiday season provides a magical, festive atmosphere.

However, there can be cons to planning your wedding during the holiday season. The holidays can be very busy. There are parties and school plays. People are out of town visiting their families. Locations and vendors are booked with holiday events. The weather can be too bad for traveling. Many of these cons can be taken care of with enough advanced planning.

If your heart is set on a holiday wedding then go for it. Just make sure you send out invitations early enough to allow for guests to make changes to their plans if they wish to attend. Reserve you vendors and locations before the holiday rush begins. I would recommend touching base with them as soon as you know you want a holiday wedding.

Photo created by Dave Dyet

Bachelorette Party Games

Since we have been talking about bachelorette parties this week I thought it would be fun to share some game ideas. These are lots of fun and will have everyone laughing like crazy.

Happy Veterans Day

I wanted to take a moment and thank all of the men and women who have or are currently serving in any branch of the service. You are all truly heroes for giving your all to protect us.
Thank you!

Have a Spa Bachelorette Party at Home

Earlier in the week we talked about having a day at the spa for the bride-to-be and her guests for the bachelorette party. This can be expensive and everyone might not have this type of budget for the bachelorette party. Well don't fret you can still do a day at the spa at home.

This works well for smaller groups. You can have the guests do manicures, facials, makeup, etc. If the budget allows you could hire a massage therapist to come to the house. Try a finding a student massage therapist. The price will be cheaper and they will get more practice.

Don't forget about food and drinks. You could have the guests bring a bottle of their favorite wine for everyone to share. Serve finger foods such as sandwiches, fruits and veggies with different types of dips, and anything else you think would fit your party.

The main idea is to give the bride-to-be a relaxing fun time. After all this is probably the last time she will get together with the girls before she is married. Make it a time to remember.

Take lots of pictures to help the bride-to-be remember how much she enjoyed herself. You could put the pictures into a scrapbook if you are the creative type. You could also take a pictures of all the girls and give it to the guests as a party favor in a mini photo album.

Have a Spa Bachelorette Party

If you are in charge of planning a bachelorette party consider having a girl's spa day. What could be better than spending a relaxing, refreshing day at the spa with your girlfriends. Any bride-to-be would be grateful for a day of pampering after she has been so busy making wedding plans.

Decide on how much you have to spend for the day at the spa. Then call your local spa to see what services they offer and prices. Ask them if they have any packages available for parties. You would be surprised at how many offer this type of package.

If you spa offers food you could have a brunch or lunch depending on the time of day you schedule the party. If they do not offer food consider having lunch at a nearby restaurant. This doesn't have to be a five start restaurant. You want the day to be casual and fun for the bride-to-be and guests.

Don't forget about party favors. A spa head wrap would make a great favor. The bride-to-be could use it the day of the bachelorette party and again for the morning of the wedding while she is getting ready.

A day at the spa will be a welcome treat to the bride-to-be. Planning a wedding can be stressful, having a day to relax and unwind will help tremendously.

Photo created by Dominik Gwarek

Host a Trim The Tree Party

Decorating the Christmas tree is always lots of fun. Why not host a trim the tree party. You can invite friends and family to help decorate the tree with you. This would be a party that both young and old would enjoy.

When hosting a trim the tree party most people choose to have the lights already on the tree. Most trees come pre-lit so this is not a problem. The lights can take a long time to do, and people might become frustrated or bored while waiting. Having them done can make sure your party is a hit with everyone.

The best part about decorating the tree is hanging the ornaments. Each person can take a turn placing the ornaments on the tree. Make sure to have some ornaments that the children attending the party can help hang on the tree.

It is always a special touch to have a child place the tree topper on the tree. If there are no children attending the party you can save this job for an older adult like grandma.

You'll want to have some refreshments at your trim the tree party. Serving hot chocolate and Christmas cookies would make the party perfect. If you want to include more refreshments you could have finger foods and appetizers. If you really wanted you could have a dinner before decorating the tree. The choice is entirely up to you.

A trim the tree party is the perfect time to add some new ornaments. You could purchase personalized ornaments for the members of your family. Every year after when you hang the ornaments you will remember the fun that was had at your trim a tree party.

Photo created by RAWKU5

Decoration Tips for Your Holiday Party

Since we have been talking about holiday party planning I figured we better include some tips for decorating. Some things to consider when planning your decorations are the location of the party and how much you are willing to spend.

Location can play a large role in how you decorate for your holiday party. If you are having your party at your house then you are free to decorate any way you choose. However, if you are having the holiday party at another location you will have to check with them on what decorations are allowed. Some location may not allow anything other than table decorations such as party favors.

If the location allows you to decorate next you will have to decide how much you want to spend on decorations. If your budget is tight you could with something simple. Candles make a great decoration for holiday parties. They help set the mood with a soft glow. You could also add a few strands of white lights to help make the location more festive. Glass bowls or vases filled with ornaments are a nice touch to add to the center of the tables.

If your party is being held at your house you can decorate any way you wish to. Having several Christmas trees set up decorated in different themes is always a fun way of adding cheer to your party. Again candles can help with lighting and setting the mood. Make sure you place the candles in a safe location. If there will be children attending the party you don't want them to be able to touch the candles. You also don't want to take a chance of having them knocked over.

Decorating for your holiday party can be lots of fun. Just remember the location and budget when consider which decorations to use.

Holiday Party Favors Under $2.00

When you have a holiday party it is a nice gesture to give your guests something to that they can take home with them. With everyone watching their budget extra close they might think they cannot afford any party favors. Here are some fantastic suggestions of holiday party favors that are under $2.00. These would make wonderful gifts for your guests.

The first holiday party favor is a beautiful silver snowflake ornament. What a great way for your guest to remember your party every time they hang their ornament on the tree. Prices start at $1.65 and go down depending on how many your order.

The next holiday party favor is a snowflake key-chain. Every-time your guests grabs their keys and see the glittering snowflake they will think of the good time they had at your party. The key-chains start at $1.70 and the price goes down with the more you order.

The next holiday favor that would be perfect on a cold winter day is a personalized Hot Cappuccino Mix. You can add a personal sentiment right to the package. Prices start at $1.80 and then go down with larger orders. If you are not a fan of cappuccino there is also hot cocoa.

You don't have to spend a large amount on party favors for your holiday gathering. As you can see you can still give your guests something to remember the party and stick to your budget.

Planning your Holiday Party Menu

This week we are talking about planning our holiday parties. Today we are going to discuss the menu for the party. It is not too soon to begin deciding what you will serve at your holiday party.

One of the main things you will want to consider when planning your menu is the time of the party. The time will determine what type of foods will be expected. If you are having an afternoon party sandwiches and finger foods will be fine. If your party is in the evening people will expect dinner type foods.

Whatever food you choose to have it is a good idea to let the guests know in the invitation. You could say something like join us for eggnog and appetizers, or we will be having a buffet style menu. This will allow the guest to prepare.

If you are having a themed holiday party plan your menu to match. Let's say you are having an old fashioned Christmas party. You could serve the traditional foods like turkey, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, stuffing, etc. Serve your guests homemade hot chocolate. Serve foods that will remind them of Christmas spent with grandma.

Try and have something that all guests will enjoy. It is a good idea to have some foods for vegetarians. You want all of your guests to feel comfortable at your party. You could even have some dishes that are gluten free.

Don't forget some light dishes for guests that are watching their diet closely. This goes for drinks as well. Be sure to include drinks that are no or low calorie.

While it is still a little early for holiday party planning, if you start now, you will not feel rushed as the party date approaches.

Start Your Holiday Party Planning Now

It's time to start thinking about your upcoming holiday parties. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before you realize it. Don't wait until the last minute, start now. This will help avoid the stress that can come with party planning.

Start by deciding what type of party you want to have. Will it be a small casual party, or a large formal event? Knowing what type of holiday party you will be hosting will help you when choosing a location, menu, etc.

Start making a rough draft of your guest list. Write down everyone you want to invite. This will give you an idea of how big of a location you will need.

Now you know what type of party you want to have and who you would like to invite, next you need to figure out a budget. You need to know exactly how much you have to spend for your party.

Once you have decided how much you can spend on your party you will be able to see how many people you can actually invite. Don't forget to include the costs for location if having somewhere other than your home, food, drink, party favors, decorations, music, prizes for games and door, and anything else you want to include.

If you will be serving alcohol at your holiday party make sure there is arrangements for taxis/designated drivers, or somewhere for guests that have had too much to drink to spend the night.

While you may think it is too early to be planning holiday parties, it is better to get the planning down before the rush of the holiday season begins. This will save you some unwanted stress.

Photo created by Joel Terrell

Tips for Planning a Baby Shower Menu

If you are hosting a baby shower you might be wondering what to have to eat. Here are some tips for planning your baby shower menu.

When choosing what to include on your menu you will want to consider what time of day the shower is being held. This will help you choose which foods you would like to serve. If you are having a late morning baby shower you could have breakfast/brunch type foods. If your having an early afternoon shower, sandwiches and finger foods would be appropriate. If the shower is later in the day you might want to have a dinner type menu.

Also you will want to consider how many people will be attending the shower. If you are just having a small gathering you may want to have a complete dinner. If there will be lots of people attending you might just want finger foods and appetizers.

Set a budget for the baby shower menu and then consider how many people are coming and when the shower is being help to help plan your menu. Also don't forget the favors for your guest to take home with them.
Photo created by Gözde Otman

How to Make a Diaper Cake

Diaper cakes are lots of fun and a great gift for the mom to be. Here is great video showing you how to make a diaper cake.


This would be a great gift to make for your next baby shower. You can add as much extras(decoration) to the cake as you wish. This would be a great gift for more than one person to go in on. You could make a bigger cake with more accessories.

How to Plan your Wedding Menu

Here is a video offering great tips for planning your wedding menu.



How to plan a wedding menu

Themed Anniversary Party

Having a themed anniversary party can be lots of fun. There are so many themes to choose from. You just have to decide what the guests of honor would enjoy for their anniversary party.

One popular theme for an anniversary party is to recreate the decade or year the couple was married. If they were married in the 70's a Woodstock theme could be used. Try and set the mood with decorations, favors and music from that era.

Another popular theme used at anniversary parties is a luau. This would be a better theme to have in the summertime since it is usually held outdoors. If you were really set on this theme you could still make it work indoors. This is a good theme to use if the couple is going on a cruise for their anniversary. You could host a bon-voyage luau before they depart.

If it is the couples 25th or 50th anniversary you might want to stick to the traditional themes of sliver and gold. There are so many possibilities of different themes you can choose. It is important to consider what the couple will like. You wouldn't want to pick a theme that would make them feel uncomfortable. The idea is for them to enjoy themselves, while remembering the years they have spent together so far.

Photo created by Jonathan Hounshell

Tips for Planning an Anniversary Party

If you find yourself in charge of planning an anniversary party you might feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. Don't panic. Planning an anniversary party is easier than you might think.

Start by choosing a date for the anniversary party. Then you need to figure out a guest list of who will be attending. This will help you get a feel for the size of the location you will need. Then you can start calling around different locations and seeing if they will have an opening for your date.

Next you can decide if there is going to be a theme to your anniversary party. Themed parties are very popular right now. I am going to go over in greater detail some different anniversary party themes later in the week.

Invitations need to be in the mail two to three months before your party if it is going to be a large event. Guests need enough time to plan for the celebration. Not having enough notice is the biggest reason a guest won't attend.

You will have to decide on a menu for the anniversary party. If you are having a themed party the menu should compliment the theme. If there is no theme you could consider recreating the couples wedding dinner, or the meal they had on their first date. Make sure some of the dishes have a meaning the the anniversary couple.

If you are going to have people giving speeches at the party make sure they are short and sweet. People can easily get carried away and ramble on for an hour or more. The guests and couple will become bored.

It can be fun to have all the guests write down some of their favorite memories of the couple. This can also be done through video. Have the guests send in their contributions before the party. Then you can put together a scrapbook for the guests of honor.

Get pictures of the couple from the time they were dating if possible all through the years they have been married. Have these photos blown up and place them around the anniversary party for decoration.

I will be going over more anniversary party ideas through-out the week. Make sure to check back frequently for all your event planning needs.

Photo created by Afonso Lima

Ways to save on Wedding Flowers

Flowers can be expensive there is no two ways about it. The flowers for your wedding could easily take up a large portion of your wedding budget. Here are some tips to cut costs on your wedding flowers.

1.Use flowers that are in season and easy to find. If your florist has to import flowers you are going to spend a fortune. You want flowers that are going to be in season. They will be cheaper.

2.Tell the florist upfront what your budget is,and let them know you will not go over the budget.

3.Try to avoid having your wedding during a time when flower prices would be higher. This would include February when flower prices are higher due to Valentine's Day.

4.Go with fake flowers. You can find fake flowers that could easily pass as live. Using fake flowers where you can will help you cut costs on your wedding flowers.

5.Have your wedding in a area where there is already lots of flowers like a flower garden. This will cut down on the need for many extra flowers and save you money.

6.Go simple. No one ever said there had to be hundreds of flowers at your wedding. Sometimes simple is more. A few roses tied with a beautiful ribbon can be much more stunning than a larger arrangement.

7.Make your own arrangements. With a little practice you can make your own wedding flower arrangements. Have a few friends or family members help you and have fun. You can be as creative as you like, or you can make them simple and elegant. The choice is up to you.

Photo created by Åse Meistad

Ways to Save on Your Wedding Gown

All brides dream of the perfect wedding gown from the time they are a little girl. They may envision themselves looking like a princess with a flowing train on their wedding gown. Then they begin their search for the perfect wedding gown and realize how expensive they can be. Their dreams of having the perfect wedding gown may seem lost. Don't give up there are tips you can use to save money on your dress.

1.Do you know someone that can sew? Having someone you know make your wedding gown for you can save lots of money.

2.Check second hand stores and consignment shops. Wedding dresses are worn for such a short time. Several people sell their dress to recoup part of the expense. There is nothing wrong with wearing a second hand dress. Nobody will even know unless you choose to tell them. You can find wedding gowns for a fraction of the cost this way.

3.There is no rule stating you have to wear a wedding dress. You can wear any dress you want. A nice cocktail or formal gown would be fine to wear.

4.Rent a wedding gown. You are only going to wear the dress for a few hours, consider renting one. This will be much cheaper than buying a wedding gown.

5.Start shopping early for your wedding dress. If you are in a rush you will not be able to spend time looking for a good deal on your gown. The pressure of finding the gown in a hurry might make you overspend.

6.Wear a dress from a family member. If your mother or grandmother still have their gown you could have it fitted for you. Your relative would be thrilled to be passing on their wedding gown and you will be saving money. It's a win-win situation.

You don't have to give up hopes of having your dream wedding gown. You just have to maybe look in unconventional places to find it.

Wedding Photography Tips

You are going to only have one shot at getting the perfect wedding day photos. You want to try and ensure the photos turn out the best they can. Here are some tips to make sure your wedding pictures are what you imagined they would be.

1.Don't make every pictured staged. Natural pictures look so much better. If someone knows they are being posed they can look stiff and uncomfortable. Catching a pose in the natural setting will give much better results. A stolen kiss between the bride and the groom, or some children dancing together will make lovely pictures.

2.Plan ahead. Make a list of poses you would like to have captured. This will give the photographer time to prepare and make sure each picture comes out perfect.

3.Allow enough time for the photos to be taken. If everyone is rushed trying to fit photos in before the reception begins the pictures are not going to turn out well. They will looked rushed. Schedule enough time before the ceremony and reception to have the pictures done.

4.Leave disposable cameras on the tables during the reception. You will be surprised at all the pictures from different viewpoints. This is also a great way to get tons of free pictures. All you will have to pay for is developing them.

These tips will help your wedding pictures to be what you have always dreamed they would be. Remember to have fun, it is your wedding day after all.

Photo created by Fran Flores

Make a Wedding Budget and Stick to it

Before you can begin making wedding plans you need to make a budget. While planning your wedding it could be very easy to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars. If you have this money to spend, great. Most likely you will need to keep your wedding costs down. Making a budget will help you know exactly how much you cans pend on each item for your wedding.

When making a budget for your wedding you will need to consider several factors. You don't want any last minute expenses right before it's time to walk down the isle. Here is a list of things that need to be included in your budget.

Invitations and Thank you notes
Wedding gown
Hair and makeup for bride
Groom's attire
Photographer
Music at wedding and reception
Caterer
Location of reception and wedding
Gifts for wedding party
Wedding rings
Transportation to wedding and reception for couple if using Limo
Marriage license
Flowers
Wedding favors
Rehearsal dinner
Drinks
Wedding cake
Once you set your wedding budget you have to stick to it the best you can. There will always be something extra that pops up. Allow a certain amount for unexpected expenses. This will help you from going over your budget.

Photo created by Andrew C.

Plan a Fall Wedding

Fall is a great time to have a wedding. The stunning colors, the crisp cool air, and the fall aroma will make a wedding to remember. There can be many benefits to having a fall wedding as well.

* Cooler weather- Most bride-to-be's are looking for a warm sunny day to tie the knot. While the air is cooler in the fall it is still perfect for a wedding. You won't have to worry about your make-up running from the humidity. You will be able to wear that dream wedding gown with the long sleeves without worrying about sweating the entire time.

* Wedding season is over- Most couples choose to marry late spring to early summer. by the time fall rolls around a large amount of the weddings are through. You might be able to find better deals since most places dealing with wedding supplies are not as busy. You can also have a better chance at booking locations and vendors. You will find a much better chance of everyone being available in the fall versus the spring.

* Colors- Fall colors are absolutely stunning. The vibrant oranges, yellows, reds, and browns will give you a beautiful wedding. An autumn background will be wonderful for pictures. You can use things like pumpkins and fall mums for decorations. There are also all types of great fall wedding favors available.

While you may have had your heart set on a spring wedding don't count out a fall ceremony. There are many benefits to having an autumn wedding.

Photo created by Bryan Craddock

Gorgeous Wedding Program Poem

As I was paging around online the other day I stumbled across this gorgeous wedding program poem by Joanna Fuchs. Finding great poems for your programs can be hard, so it's nice to know there are still people out there who are trying to make it easy.

Program/Thank You

Today we begin the rest of our life

Together forever as husband and wife.

Our dreams came true, with love and more

Adventures to have and the world to explore.
We’ll share our joys, we’ll share our sorrows;

We can already see many bright tomorrows.

We’ll share our friends and family, too,

And you are part of that special crew.
Thank you for celebrating our wedding day.

As we share our vows, we just want to say:

These wedding memories will become a treasure,

And seeing you here is part of the pleasure.

By Joanna Fuchs

(This can also be used for invitations as well.)

**Photo found at Project Wedding http://www.projectwedding.com/**

Strange Holidays to Celebrate Your Wedding (or, some of the strangest wedding themes you've ever seen!)

Did you know that today is Elephant Appreciation Day? Or that tomorrow is going to be Checkers and Dogs in Politics Day? Yes, someone took the time to establish a zany holiday for every day of the year, and if you're looking for a one of a kind gem in a world of classic pink, red and gold wedding themes why not consider designing your wedding around one of these one of a kind days? Hey, no one will ever be able to call you a copycat!

No, that doesn't mean you have to dress your bridesmaids in gray or put an elephant in your processional (although it might be cool if you did!). What about fun, elephant printed napkins? Or small elephant favors for your guests? Rearing elephants framing the bride and groom on the top tier of your cake? There are no limits to where your imagination can go when you're talking about wedding themes, so why not check out these fabulous and fun ideas for the biggest day of your life?

FREE Printable Wedding Checklist

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Planning a wedding is a lot of work. There are literally hundreds of minute details that you may or may not think of off the top of your head, which is why I usually suggest to my new brides that they take a few minutes when they start the wedding planning process to go online and find a preliminary wedding checklist to get them started.

If you're looking for a good wedding checklist I found a great, easy to print one online created and available for FREE from Vertex42. Print yours off here!

PRESS RELEASE: Lee Center, NY Wedding Planner Strives to Make Her Services Available to All Brides

An excellent resource for the budget strapped bride:

Lee Center, NY Wedding Planner Strives to Make Her Services Available to All Brides

Seana Taylor of Wedding Belle Blues Consulting is pleased to announce the Rich Bride Poor Bride program. This program was created to allow wedding planning services to be available to all brides regardless of budget. Running for the rest of the 2009 year and all of 2010, the Rich Bride Poor Bride program opens up Taylor's services to all brides.

Lee Center, NY (PRWEB) September 12, 2009 -- Seana Taylor, certified wedding planner and owner of Wedding Belle Blues Consulting is pleased to announce the Rich Bride Poor Bride program, which will allow brides of all budgets to have a wedding planner for her special day.

Beginning September 20, 2009 and running until December 31, 2010, Taylor will choose one lucky bride every other month for a free, full wedding planning package. "Every bride deserves a little extra help to create that beautiful day," says Taylor, "but with the average wedding costing between $15,000 and $30,000, the idea of a wedding planner is one of the first things to go." With the Rich Bride Poor Bride program, Taylor strives to make her services available to everyone.

The full wedding planner package offered, also known as "The Wedding Planner", includes many different services, "but none," says Taylor, "are written in stone. All of the packages that I offer are customizable. After the initial consultation, I take the basic package and mold it to fit the bride's needs."

The new program doesn't just benefit that one bride every other month, all brides are offered packages at greatly reduced fees and Taylor also benefits. "All I ask of my clients is a professional photograph of the couple and written testimony of my services to be used on my website and in my portfolio. It's a win-win situation."

Wedding Belle Blues Consulting already offers four unique packages, all which are customizable to any bride's wishes. The mission of the company is to make a wedding planner available to every bride. To learn more about the company or about the Rich Bride Poor Bride program, please visit http://www.weddingbellebluesconsulting.com, write to Seana at 6455 Stokes Westernville Road, Lee Center NY 13363, or call 315-264-5268 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm EST.

**PR found online at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/09/prweb2862674.htm

Remember those that went before, celebrate those yet to come: Remembering 9-11

Today, we look back and remember the day that changed a nation and made an impact on our nation and its people that won't soon be forgotten. Take the time today to remember the men and women who lost their lives in the 9-11 attacks, the rescue workers who gave their lives to save the ones they could and the future, free of fear, that we're determined to give our children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDh_pvv1tUM

We will not be made idle with despair. They had no understanding of who, and what, they were dealing with when they sent those planes crashing down. They do now.

The Most Popular Wedding Songs of 2009

Butterfly Kisses. Pachelbel's Canon. The Love Theme from Titanic. Hundreds of songs have made their way onto "Weddings Most Wanted" over the years! Here's a sneak peek at the most popular wedding songs of 2009:

1. At Last, by Etta James
2. The Way You Look Tonight, by Frank Sinatra
3. It Had to be You, by Harry Connick, Jr. (I guess the classics never die!)
4. Unforgettable, by Natalie Cole
5. Let's Stay Together, by Al Green
6. You are My First, My Last, My Everything, by Barry White
7. Better Together, by Jack Johnson (This is one of my favorites.)
8. Lucky, by Jason Mraz
9. Everything, by Michael Bubble
10. From this Moment, by Shania Twain
11. A Moment Like This, by Kelly Clarkson
12. All My Life, by K-Ci and Jo-Jo

Time Management Techniques for Your Wedding Planning

Have you ever looked-really looked-at the sheer quantity of "stuff" you have to do before you can say your "I do's"? Seriously? It's longer than my college Spanish Vocab list! It's terrifying! Trying to swallow that all in one gulp is going to make you choke, so learning how to apply effective time management techniques to your wedding planning process is a must if you're going to come through with your sanity intact!

First and foremost, make a list for yourself. The lists they provide in those planning books are for huge society weddings and tend to cover just about anything you could ever have, hope to have or think about having at your wedding. If that's not for you, that's fine! Make a to-do list for yourself ranging from today until the end of your honeymoon, and if it's three to five pages long don't worry about it!

Once you have the list in hand, make due dates for yourself. Most places like reservations ten months to a year in advance, so booking the location early makes sense. On the other hand, bridal shops don't do your final fitting until a week or so before the big day anyway, so you technically have until two to three weeks before the big day to find the perfect dress. (Not that you shouldn't be looking anyway, when you have time. We're just talking about crunch time here!)

With (realistic) due dates in mind make yourself a month-by-month "calendar" showing you what you need to have done when. This breaks the wedding into manageable pieces and lets you relax because you're not trying to plan a wedding in one fell swoop! With bits and pieces done each month you're guaranteed to have everything ready to go once the big day rolls around!

Wedding dress: Jewel, from Priscilla of Boston. Found at www.PriscillaofBoston.com

In my last post I mentioned the need for practicality in shopping for a bridesmaids dresses, which led to a slew of e-mails on how, exactly, brides could cut their costs to keep the price of their bridesmaids dresses reasonable. Here's what the experts have to say about how to save money on bridesmaids dresses:

1) Choose a color and let your bridesmaids find their own dresses in that color in their price range.
2) Shop at department stores that carry formal wear and order multiples when they're on sale instead of custom ordering a dress.
3) Pick a designer and style and let your bridesmaids pick their own dress out.
4) Have a friend make your dresses instead of buying them off the rack.

Those fairy tale weddings with your perfectly gowned, matching attendants are nice in principle, but the price tags can be atrocious! Remember, your wedding is one day out of your life. Friends are forever-and if you want them to continue speaking to you that long, it pays to keep their budgets in mind when it comes to your bridesmaids dresses!

Should Your Bridesmaids Buy Their Own Dresses?

Okay, here's a question for all the brides and bridesmaids out there. Should you ask your bridesmaids to buy their own dresses, or is that a cost the bride should pick up? This has actually been a huge topic of debate between some of my brides lately. Some of them were firmly in the camp that said that their bridesmaids didn't ask for the extra expense, so it wasn't fair to drop it on them. Others said that since their bridesmaids were keeping the dresses, they should be the ones to buy them.

Traditionally, bridesmaids have paid for their own dresses, shoes and wedding attire. If you're going to ask your bridesmaids to buy their own dresses, however, make sure you're keeping the cost of the dress in mind. Asking your friends to pay for a $400 bridesmaid gown out of pocket that looks like it should be worn to a high school prom (and will probably never be worn again) isn't the best move you could make in terms of future friendly relations.

Not to mention the payback they're going to dish out when it's their turn at the altar!

Choosing a Wedding Location

If someone were to ask what the hardest thing about planning a wedding was, what would you tell them? For most people, it's picking a location. Especially because just about everywhere that's big enough to hold a full wedding party books months or even years in advance!

That's why it's a good idea to start thinking about where you want to have the wedding as soon as you decide you're getting married. If you're planning on getting married in a church, be sure to speak to the pastor well ahead of time. For another location, however, you're probably going to have to do some scouting to find one that's going to suit you.

I always recommend my brides (and grooms) look for five things when choosing a location:

1) Find a spot that will host the reception too. That way no one has to travel, pictures don't become a hassle and everyone's happy.

2) Make sure it's not too far out of town. You don't want your wedding party to get lost en route.

3) The owner should allow you to rehearse and set up the day before, so you're not cramming everything in the day of the wedding.

4) There needs to be a kitchen. And bathrooms.

5) Find someplace pretty! This is going to be your big moment. The last thing you want is to remember that your wedding was marked by eau du garbage dump and the captivating sight of mud and burned down fields.

Remember, you're (probably) only doing this once. It's important to make sure you're creating the memory of a lifetime, not a memory you're going to spend a lifetime trying to forget!

The Long Distance Maid of Honor

As ideal a society as it would be if we all lived right next door to our best friend, sometimes life takes us in other directions. Which is great when it comes to seeing the world and coming back with some great stories but not so great when you're trying to be the Maid of Honor for a bride that's hundreds of miles away! So how can you still do your duties as the MOH when you can't actually be there to get them done?

First and foremost, accompany the bride on virtual shopping expeditions. Whether you use a cell phone camera or the Internet to look at catalogs, this lets you weigh in on things like bridesmaid's dresses, flowers, decorations and oh, I don't know…her wedding gown?

Visit. Often. And plan on coming back into town for at least two weeks before the wedding for the flurry of bridal showers, bachelorette parties and last minute preparations that are going to mark the event. That way you can be there to calm your best friend down when she panics because things are going wrong, gets cold feet two days before the wedding, or decides she hates her in-laws and tries to book a flight to Canada to get out of the event!

Remember, just because you're not right there next to her doesn't mean you can't take part. Let modern day technology work its miracles to make you the world's greatest long distance Maid of Honor.

How to Choose (or Create) the Perfect Wedding Planner

One of the most important investments you're going to make when you're putting together the pieces for your big day is your wedding planner. No, I'm not talking about the woman who steps in and puts everything together for you (although she's great to have around too!). I'm talking about the little three ring notebook full of lists, checklists and well intentioned advice for today's bride on a budget who's decided to take the organizing of her wedding into her own hands!

Choosing the right wedding planner is an important part of making your wedding planning process flow smoothly, saving you hundreds of dollars in Excedrin and helping you overcome the irresistible urge to elope as the big day gets closer! Why? Your planner's going to keep everything in one place, help you keep all the information you need at your fingertips and keep you from getting overwhelmed by letting you break the process down into bite sized pieces!

A poorly chosen planner isn't going to do any of that, so here's the advice I give my brides when they come in looking for wedding favors and panicking because the day is coming and they feel like they're farther away than they were when they started!

1) Choose a planner that has the different pieces broken into categories and has a place to prioritize by date so you know what has to be done, what you have to do to accomplish it and when you have to have it done to keep from losing thousands of dollars in deposits.

2) Pick a planner that gives you some basic guidelines, but leaves you plenty of room to personalize it for your plans. I've met some wedding planners that made me feel like I might as well be working with the real thing, because there was no wiggle room and I was left feeling more overwhelmed than I felt when I started! Online wedding planners are great for this, because you have access to a huge library of articles whenever you want without having to flip back and forth. Just keep in mind you can't take an online planner with you when you go wedding shopping!

3) Pick a planner that gives you information, not just lists. I love planners with practical advice on writing your own vows, choosing dresses for your bridesmaids and getting your flower girl and ring bearer down the aisle without tears, tantrums and a magically disappearing wedding band!

4) Choose a planner with pockets. Big ones. A three ring binder would be better. (You can also use a three ring binder to make your own wedding planner if you don't like the ones in the stores.) Some consultants recommend keeping a separate folder for receipts, etc. I say an extra folder is just one more thing I'm going to lose! Get a notebook that keeps it all in one place.


With a well organized wedding planner you'll have all the details under control and be able to sit back and enjoy the big day.

Deciding to Have a Civil Ceremony

A couple generations ago there was no such thing as a civil wedding. You either got a reverend, pastor or priest to do the ceremony or you weren't married! (Of course, that was also when common law marriages were considered legal. I think we should go back to those days sometimes!) Now you have a lot more choices than the local reverend, and the birth of the civil ceremony has sparked outrage in some families.

This is a touchy subject, so let me start by saying this: If you and your affianced share a religious background and want to be married according to your religion's statutes, that's fine. The number one thing you have to remember is that your wedding is all about you, and should be done according to your beliefs. The conflict that usually arises is when the couple either doesn't share religious beliefs (for example, a marriage between a member of the Islamic faith and a Wiccan) or when neither is particularly religious and doesn't want religion in the ceremony.

The conflict over a civil ceremony doesn't usually arise from the bride and the groom but from the family members who raised them and are shocked and appalled that religion isn't going to be a part of the most important day of their life. Many couples have compromised on this conflict, most by having a prayer luncheon/etc. prior to the wedding so they can be blessed in their family's religions without making it a part of their ceremony. Others have incorporated their religious beliefs into a joint religious/civil ceremony that makes everyone happy.

Remember, however, that this is your wedding. If you've decided that a civil ceremony is the right choice for you, stick to it. It's legally binding, and when you get down to it it's what's between you and your spouse that matters.

Don't Forget to Take a Break in Your Wedding Planning!

Is there anything that consumes our lives quite so completely as trying to plan a wedding? We spend all week going to work to be able to pay for the caterer, the DJ, the location, the dress, the bridesmaid's dresses…you get the idea! By the time you're done planning the wedding you don't care whether you get married or not, you just want it over with!

Don't forget to take a break in your wedding planning and have a little fun! Take your maid of honor out dancing, treat the parents of the bride and the groom to a barbeque and grab the groom and sneak away for an evening out on the water. Yes, your wedding is your big day, but it's not going to be your only day. When you boil it down to its roots it's really just a party to celebrate the beginning of your new life.

You wouldn't stress yourself out planning a casual party for all your friends in your living room. Don't let the fact that it's your wedding do you in! Toss away your planner and kick up your heels for the weekend. You'll be relaxed, refreshed and ready to go when Monday rolls around.

Planning a Wedding with Your In-Laws in Tow

One of the hardest things for any couple planning their wedding is setting the boundaries for the decisions their parents can (and can't!) make. They have your best interests at heart, but they've spent their entire lives planning your life and don't see much reason to stop now! Rather than tearing your hair out (or giving in to the temptation to elope after all) be proactive. Pretend you're dealing with small children-encourage them to participate, but give them small tasks that are going to be exclusively their domain and get on with what you have to do.

Moaning in agony at the thought of your mother or mother-in-law planning your wedding? Is there something she does extremely well? For example, could she handle creating the invitations, decorating the reception hall or organizing the wedding buffet? You've got a lot on your plate, and handing over those little tasks can take off a lot of the stress off you and give your family the opportunity they need to participate in your wedding planning-which is all they really want in the first place.

You're in the Spotlight! Is Your Best Man Speech Ready to Go?

There is, in my humble opinion, nothing cooler than having the opportunity to be front and center when someone you love ties the knot. I personally have been maid (and matron) of honor for a number of friends' weddings, and while I always enjoy being able to stand up at the altar with them my favorite part is the moment I get to put down my bouquet, pick up the microphone, and promptly humiliate someone I've known since I was a child.

It's a great moment.

Seriously though, the best man speech is one of the most important parts of the ceremony. It's the moment that the wedding party has the opportunity to promise to stand behind and support the bride and groom as they begin their new lives together. You're representing everyone else that was standing up at that altar, so it's important to make sure you do it right!

Are you intimidated yet? Don't be. After all, this is obviously someone who knows you well enough to ask you to be their best man in the first place. You should have no problem writing a speech that says the things you want to say...but if you are having a hard time, here are some tips to get you started:

1. Start by writing about your relationship with the bride and groom. This isn't your final copy, so don't pull your punches! How did you meet? How did they meet? What kind of relationship have you had with both of them from that day to this?
2. What are your favorite memories of the bride and groom, either separately or together? This can be good times you shared as children, memories as teenagers or opportunities you've had as adults.
3. What are your wishes for their future? This is a tricky one, because even if you don't wholeheartedly approve of the marriage you have to make it sound like you do! If you're married, share a little advice and some good wishes. If you're not married....stick to the good wishes, unless you have some great advice for the bride on how to deal with your best friend!

Now that you've got your notes, it's time to put it all together. Most groomsmen like to give their speeches sequentially, from the day they met to the day of the wedding. Don't forget to toss in a little humor! There's nothing like a dry, endless wedding speech to put you down in history as the worst best man ever. (That said, don't go overboard either. You don't want to embarass either one of them.)

The most important part of any best man speech is to say what you mean and mean what you say. As long as you're sincere your speech is going to be everything that you want it to be.

The Gluten Free Wedding Cake War Rages On...

The gluten free wedding wars rage on around here. The subject? Whether or not the bride should make all of the wedding cake treats gluten free or whether she should offer the regular, wheat filled variety for her guests who might be a little squeamish about dining on gluten free substitutes.

I think we finally found an acceptable solution to the gluten free wedding cake dilemma. She's going to toss the wedding cake aside altogether of favor of...are you ready for this?...wedding cupcakes! Apparently there's a company just outside of Washington, D.C. (the bride lives in VA) that offers a huge variety of flavors of wedding cupcakes-including gluten free. So they're going to do a couple of tiers of gluten free cupcakes for the bride and anyone else on a gluten free diet and a large selection for everyone else.

Weigh in with your opinion: What would you do with a gluten free wedding?

**Photo found at weddings.lovetoknow.com.

Gluten Free Wedding Cakes

Hi y'all! This is going to be a short post, because things are absolutely crazy around here, but do you remember that wedding I told you about earlier? Well, the bride has gluten problems, so we've been looking for a solution to the fact that she can't eat wedding cake. I was amazed to discover that there are a number of places across the country that now offer numerous gluten-free options when it comes to wedding cakes. Check out the directory!

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/resourcesforceliacs/a/weddingcake.htm

Should You Buy Your Wedding Cake?

For most brides out there this is going to sound like the easiest question in the world. Of COURSE you're going to buy your wedding cake! Why wouldn't you? Buying a wedding cake definitely takes a load off your mind. If you're getting married in a hurry or can't afford the often atrocious cost of a wedding cake, or you have bakers in the family and can't possibly settle for a store bought cake, you have some alternatives.

Baking your own wedding cake isn't as hard as it sounds. It's going to take some time, of course, but it can be a great way to settle your nerves the day or two before the wedding while everyone else handles their own last minute details. You can also ask a family member to make your cake, especially if you have bakers in the family. This is a great way to get mothers and in-laws involved without going crazy!

Calming Those Pre-Wedding Jitters

You're happy to be getting married. You really are. So why are your knees knocking on the way to the altar?

Getting married is one of the biggest events in your life. Some pre-wedding jitters are to be expected. As a matter of fact, some people say it's bad luck to get married without them! Here are some great tips for putting a lid on your jitters and walking down the aisle with a smile on your face.

1. Do something the morning of the wedding that has nothing to do with the wedding-working out, for example. http://www.ehow.com/how_2278780_calm-prewedding-nerves.html
2. Sip wine (white) and play calming music while you're getting dressed. Classical music, music meant for meditation and other instrumentals are great for this one. I like Celtic music myself.
3. Burn some scented candles or other aromatherapy tools http://www.ehow.com/how_2278780_calm-prewedding-nerves.html
4. Enjoy being single for a night. Don't do anything foolish, but remind yourself that life doesn't end just because you're getting married. Go out by yourself or with some girlfriends and have a good time. Leaving the wedding planning behind and kicking back will leave you a LOT more relaxed. http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/love-sex/calm-those-prewedding-jitters-1398221.html
5. Tell someone! Your fears always seem bigger when you keep them to yourself. Telling someone else can help you let go and move forward with confidence.

Is It PC to Have an Alcohol Free Reception?

You know, a few decades ago the idea of a wedding reception that didn't feature a champagne supper and at least one relative getting drunk and throwing up in the bushes would have been all but unheard of. Today, however, more brides are opting for family friendly wedding receptions that include not leaving parents scrambling to find baby sitters for their children-or cover their eyes as the drunken karaoke begins! Check out this community board for some great advice about the alcohol free reception and how to deal with guests that disagree.

Where Should You Have the Bachelorette Party?

So, I've got a bachelorette party that I'm hosting in just a few months, and I'm struggling to come up with a place to host it. You'd think it would be easier-after all, offering up suggestions for bachelorette parties is what I do best! For this particular bride, however, I'm waffling over whether I should have the party at home or take her out, and if we do end up going out where we should go.

Instead of going on and on about the million ideas I have for this party, I thought I'd open the floor to all fo my readers. What was the coolest bachelorette party you've ever gone to? Where was it? And what was it that made it unique?

Thanks!

How Long Does It Take to Find a Wedding Dress?

If there's one question that almost every bride asks at some point or another, it's how long it's going to take to find her wedding dress. Let's face it, when you're the bride finding the right dress is probably the most fun, least stressful part of your wedding. It doesn't feel like it at the beginning though!

How long it takes to find a wedding dress is actually entirely up to you. Have you been out looking? How many wedding shops have you looked at? The more looking you do, the better the chances are that you're going to find the right dress quickly.

If you really want to narrow down the amount of time it takes you to find the right wedding dress, have some idea of what you want in the first place. If you have a good idea of what style and cut you want before you go out shopping you're going to be able to quickly narrow down the number of options and help you hone in on just what you're looking for.

Sometimes you're going to look for months, sometimes the right dress is going to just jump out at you. It's all up to chance.

The Hen Party vs. The Bachelorette Party

We're all familiar with the concept of a bachelorette party, but have you ever heard of a hen party? Believe it or not, it's the exact same thing. When you hop across the pond to visit Mother England you're going to find women having bachelorette parties, or "hen" parties, all the time! Some of their traditions are very similar to ours, but some are very, very different!


For example, hen parties are generally hosted by one or more members of the wedding party and is strictly a "girls only" event (and you thought you got rid of the "No Boys Allowed" policy when you got out of grade school!). It's very common for the members of the wedding party to split the cost of the hen party so no one is left to shoulder the cost alone.


The biggest difference I've noticed between the UK traditions surrounding a hen party and those in the traditional U.S. bachelorette party is that hen parties are generally held in someone's home and almost always end in humiliating videos you wouldn't want to pop up on YouTube! Whether this is actually a matter of tradition or just pure chance because of who I was at the party with remains undetermined, however! Feel free to offer up your own opinions on the difference between a Bachelorette party in the U.S. and a Hen Party in the UK and Australia!


In the meantime, if you visited this blog post for academic purposes (i.e. you REALLY want to know the difference between a hen party and a bachelorette party and aren't here for idle speculation) check out this book by Deirdre Brennen:


The Hen Party

Fun Wedding Facts for Bridal Shower Games

One of the best parts of the bridal shower is getting to toss out wedding trivia to your guests and see who's as smart as they think they are and who's going to be wearing a pointy yellow cap at the end of the night! Here are some fun wedding facts from The Knot that will make a great addition to your bridal shower games:

a) According to Greek culture, you should tuck a sugar cube into your glove to sweeten your union.
b) The British believe that a spider found in the wedding dress means good luck. (Might want to think twice before you tie the knot in Salisbury!)
c) Wednesday is considered to be the "best day" to marry across the pond, although Tuesday is for health and Monday is for wealth.
d) Ancient Romans studied pig entrails to decide when the luckiest time to marry would be.
e) Believe it or not, according to the Hindus it's actually good luck when it rains on your wedding day.
f) It's tradition for a Swedish bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her mother in each shoe to make sure she and her husband never have to do without.
g) Egyptian women pinch the bride for good luck on her wedding day.
h) The reason you wear your engagement ring and your wedding band on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once believed there was a vein in that finger that led directly to the heart.
i) Popular wedding bands in Victorian time weren't traditional gold bands. Instead, they preferred snake rings dotted with ruby eyes because the circle was believed to be a symbol of eternity.
j) Smelters in the United States transform seventeen tons of gold into wedding rings every year in the United States.

The Hen Party vs. The Bachelorette Party

We're all familiar with the concept of a bachelorette party, but have you ever heard of a hen party? Believe it or not, it's the exact same thing. When you hop across the pond to visit Mother England you're going to find women having bachelorette parties, or "hen" parties, all the time! Some of their traditions are very similar to ours, but some are very, very different!


For example, hen parties are generally hosted by one or more members of the wedding party and is strictly a "girls only" event (and you thought you got rid of the "No Boys Allowed" policy when you got out of grade school!). It's very common for the members of the wedding party to split the cost of the hen party so no one is left to shoulder the cost alone.


The biggest difference I've noticed between the UK traditions surrounding a hen party and those in the traditional U.S. bachelorette party is that hen parties are generally held in someone's home and almost always end in humiliating videos you wouldn't want to pop up on YouTube! Whether this is actually a matter of tradition or just pure chance because of who I was at the party with remains undetermined, however! Feel free to offer up your own opinions on the difference between a Bachelorette party in the U.S. and a Hen Party in the UK and Australia!


In the meantime, if you visited this blog post for academic purposes (i.e. you REALLY want to know the difference between a hen party and a bachelorette party and aren't here for idle speculation) check out this book by Deirdre Brennen:


The Hen Party

What Kind of Bridesmaids Gifts Should I Get?

With all of the decisions you have to make about your wedding right now finding the right bridesmaids gifts might be so far down the list that it's almost laughable! But finding the right tokens of appreciation for the women who are coming together to make this wedding happen (especially if you've managed to rope your bridemaids into helping out!) is just as important to making this a day to remember as booking the right church or making sure the groom actually gets there on time!

(Actually, statistically speaking, it's the bride that's almost always late to the ceremony-but no one else needs to know about that!)

So what kind of bridesmaids gifts should you get? You have two choices. You can go with the classic elegance of personalized bracelets, jewelry and cosmetic bags that scream "This is for my wedding!" or you can choose something that symbolizes the relationship y'all have shared up until that point. For example, if you met your friends on the basketball court tickets to the season playoffs aren't out of order, and they're no more expensive than many of the jewelry choices you're going to stumble across.

If your budget won't stretch to season tickets and you need to find cheap bridesmaids gifts that aren't going to look incredibly tacky, consider making them yourself. Every woman loves a basket put together from Bath & Bodyworks or your favorite chocolatier and topped off with a $10-20 giftcard, and these can usually be put together for $30-40 apiece. Not to mention the hundreds of little bridesmaids novelties available on the market!

Shopping for your bridesmaids gifts is only as hard as you want to make it.

Some Traditional Groomsman Gifts (Just to Get You Started)

Not to toss around stereotypes here, but when you spend your entire day doing wedding favors and wedding accessories and helping brides get ready for their big day you begin to notice a few things. Like the fact that most of the grooms would rather be fishing, cycling, vegging in front of the T.V. or getting a root canal than shopping for their wedding!

As the man of the hour the job of picking out the groomsman gifts falls squarely on you. If you actually like to shop and pick out meaningful presents for your best friends that's not going to be a big deal. If you're the type of groom that believes the Internet exists for a reason (so you don't have to deal with the mall!) and you prefer to do all your shopping in five minutes or less, this could get ugly.

Since buying a keg and calling it a day probably isn't on the table (unless you want your mother in law to skin you alive) here's a look at some of the most popular groomsman gifts on the market.

1) Personalized. Anything. If it has their name on it, and maybe the date of the wedding, it immediately becomes a keepsake and a classy addition to their collection. Personalized Zippos are great for this.

2) Gift certificates. No, it's not tacky. Treating your groomsmen to a tux-free day on the town is always appreciated, so as long as it's not a gift certificate to Bloomingdale's you're probably all right.

3) Pocket watches. Hey, the classics never die!

And if you're still looking for ideas check out what the Art of Manliness has to say about it. We loved their take on "Thinking Outside the Flask"!

Personalized Gifts are the Hottest Bridesmaids Gifts on the Market

When you're gearing up for one of the most important days of your life you want to make sure you remember the people that worked so hard to make it happen. That goes double for the bridesmaids you roped into filling out invitations, standing for countless dress fittings and attaching hundreds of streamers to chairs.

You want your bridesmaids gifts to let them know just how much you appreciate everything they've done. But how can you do that without completely blowing your budget?
The good news in the land of cheap bridesmaids gifts is that personalizing doesn't cost an arm and a leg anymore, and a personalized gift is guaranteed to become an instant keepsake.

Cosmetics bags and bracelets are a favorite, but let your imagination run wild! Remember, this is you celebrating your special day with the women who mean the most to you. Don't let a little thing like not knowing what on earth you're going to buy stop you from making it the most amazing day of your life.

**To add a little extra style to your bridesmaids gifts consider personalizing with the packaging. This WatchDoIt video on gift wrapping was designed for Christmas, but it's got some great tips your bridesmaids will love!**