Porta Potty at Wedding

For me, personally, I’ll avoid them at all cost and I’m sure there’s no need to regale you with tales of some of the worst I’ve ever seen.

Chances are, you’ve seen them too which makes the idea of using them at a wedding all the more unbelievable.

After all, weddings are (mostly) classy affairs, with fancy people, dressed to the nines.

Can you imagine your grandmother, in her Sunday’s best, standing in line waiting on the next available porta-potty stall?

Initially, I couldn’t either but it turns out there are options for better porta-potties out there and things you can do to make sure using a porta-potty isn’t as gross as it was at that campground last summer.

More the Merrier

First of all, it seems obvious that the more porta-potties you have, the better.

No one likes to stand in line waiting for an available stall. Remember all those concerts, standing in endless lines, missing your favorite band?

The more the better and I also advocate spreading them out. Standing in a clump of people, surrounding porta-potties suddenly turns what used to be a discreet affair into a public display. No one’s happy here so if you can avoid it, do it by scattering several portable toilets around the event.

Also, having more on the property will definitely keep them cleaner which is the main thing. However, if space is an issue, consider integrating them into the event by draping the stalls with lace or getting white ones that don’t clash with the rest of the décor.

Use Attendants

Second, some luxury porta-potty companies will send attendants as well to keep the stalls clean and tidy. You may want to consider throwing down some extra cash for this completely necessary service.

Attendants will also keep the portable stalls restocked with all supplies so no one runs out of paper products, an especially annoying and ever-present problem with porta-potties. The attendant could be something of a ‘bathroom butler’ that keeps the place decent during the wedding.

Luxury Restrooms

Third, if you’re unconcerned with price, go for the luxury restroom trailer.

There was one at a concert I once attended sponsored by Charmin. It was cleaner and better maintained than my own bathroom. The luxury level is dependent on the size, but they’re climate controlled (great for summer weddings), more private, and come with a personal sink.

In fact, for a wedding, this is definitely the way to go if you want to keep the ‘ick’ factor away from the restrooms. Also, because of the size, you can definitely make personalize them by adding monogrammed towels, playing the wedding music in the trailer, and decorating the inside with fresh flowers from the wedding.

For many events porta-potties are absolutely necessary and a wedding is no exception. If you’re having the reception, or the wedding itself, on your own property the last thing you want are hundreds of guests traipsing through your home looking for a bathroom.

There are options for keeping the event tasteful and elegant and I honestly believe that this is one of those things that you just pay more for because it’s worth it. You don’t want the lasting memory of your wedding to be grandma standing in line at the portable toilet.

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3. How to Plan a Successful Outdoor Wedding

Are you ready for this?

The engagement party was a blast.

Now comes the best (and hardest) part:  the wedding itself.

Planning for a wedding can be a nightmare if you let yourself become overwhelmed by thoughts of all the costs.

Here is a list of the ten most expensive parts of the process so that you can keep them in mind.

Perhaps you can even find ways to reduce or work around them.

How much do weddings cost?

The Reception Cost

The most expensive part of the wedding; experts recommend allocating roughly half of your budget for your reception.  Think about all the guests who will attend, especially if your wedding ceremony itself was more private.

Some people pay professional musicians to play live, while others hire a DJ.  To save money, some people ask a friend to run an iPod or to create a looping slideshow that combines images and music.

Catering Costs

Include alcohol and champagne in this package and it becomes quite cost prohibitive.  Sparkling wine can be substituted more cheaply for champagne.

Cake Prices

While it may seem like a deceptively simple piece of the wedding, the average wedding cake can cost over five hundred dollars if professionally prepared.

Even if a friend or family member volunteers to bake it, they will still put in a lot of time, energy, and money preparing, especially if your guest list is quite extensive.

Wedding Attire Cost

The wedding dress is usually what breaks the bank, but is the most important piece of a traditional wedding, and what people will be talking about years afterward.  Many men are skipping tuxedos and wearing a jacket with a button-up shirt and tie that they may already own.

Wedding Photographer Prices

This is an expensive option because the photographer is the person who will allow your memories to live forever, which is why so many people spend a large portion of their planning time interviewing photographers or visiting a variety of studios.  You don’t need to pay for proofs, however, as many photographers will offer you a CD that contains the high-resolution images of your wedding.

Rehearsal Dinner Cost

Renting the hall and paying for the food cause this to be a potentially pricey option.

Invitations Prices (and save-the-date cards)

This includes the price of envelopes as well as stamps, which many people forget about.  An increasing number of people are sending out e-vites or creating websites that provide the guests with the information about date and place.

Wedding Ring Prices

Diamonds are the recurring favorite jewel for wedding rings, but many people are using their engagement rings to double for the wedding ring itself or are having them engraved.  Still others are considering options such as utilizing ancestral jewelry, like a grandmother’s ring.

Transportation Cost

Paying a limo to escort you and your intended to the ceremony racks up a chunk of change.  The wedding party may also need escorting.

Flower Prices

Flowers provide a splash of color and class to the ceremony and the reception, but they can also cost an arm and a leg, since they need to be fresh and purchased from a florist.  Choosing flowers in season means that they don’t need to be flown in and will cost less.

Related posts:

1. Top 5 Overlooked Wedding Costs
2. The Definitive Wedding Budget Guide
3. Wedding Invitation Postage

Trashing the Dress

But what separates good photography from great photography?

If you’re having trouble deciding between a few good photographers, then this article is for you.

This year brings a lot of cool and funky wedding photography trends.

Are you ready to make a statement?

Evaluate each to determine which suits you best, then you’ll be ready to find a photographer that matches your personality.

Tell me the story

In the style of photojournalists, many newlyweds are eschewing forced poses and cheesy smiles in favor of a series of shots that actually tell the story of your wedding from the beginning of the day until the end.

The more unique the shot – with the most amount of “characters,” a cast that includes friends and relatives as well as you and your partner – the more interesting the story being told.

Ask your photographer to focus on spontaneity while remaining as unobtrusive as possible.

Haute couture

Many wedding parties are emulating the styles captured in high fashion magazines, focusing on glamor and glitz.  The work your photographer puts in in the editing room can make even the most ordinary couple look like a pair of fashion models.

Hybridization

Not just for cars!  In a way to compromise with the artistic and the pedestrian, many couples are looking for photographers who can mix experimental or artsy techniques with more traditional wedding shots.

Some photographers combine the photojournalistic style by shooting un-posed photos throughout the day with posed or semi-posed photos or group shots.  This approach also applies for couples who can’t decide between color photos and black and white.  Ask your photographer if they can do both.

Trash the dress

Taking pictures of the bride as she runs amuck in her wedding gown in a unique location, literally destroying what she will probably never have the occasion to wear again, has become quite the craze as of late.

Usually these shots include the bride using dirt or water for the “trashing.”  Photo effects in the editing room make these shots look pretty artsy, so if you’re worried about actually destroying your wedding dress, discuss this possibility with your photographer and see how much real ruining (if any) is necessary to achieve the desired effect.

The day after

Because you may feel a little frazzled on the actual day, many couples are opting to have their photographer do the shooting on the day after the ceremony, when no one has to worry about ruining their hair or makeup or dirtying their dress.  One added benefit is a lessening of stress, while many brides just want another excuse to wear their wedding gown again!

More Wedding Photography Trends

During the reception, many couples are running slideshows on a laptop that document the event leading up to the ceremony as well as the ceremony itself. You can also use digital picture frames to create this same effect.

One of the more creative efforts some couples are trying involves the installation of an old-fashioned, black and white, three-to-four shot photo booth at the reception.  The happy couple can be photographed in their wedding clothes or casually, and guests can be encouraged to include their shots in the guest book with a personalized message.

Related posts:

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2. Wedding Trends to Watch for in 2011
3. Fall Wedding Photography

You can create your wedding website.

Many are opting to give their family and friends an alternate way to enjoy the big day by setting up a personalized wedding website.

Personalized websites allow friends and family access to see photos, videos, and updates pertaining to the nuptials.

And if your interest in the world of wedded bliss extends beyond your own front door, you may even be looking to start a wedding blog.

You could even build a business that revolves around your wedding (many brides do).

But in order to obtain any of these goals you’re going to have to take on the arduous task of creating a website.

Odds are that you don’t have the cash on hand to shell out for a professional web designer.

So here are some tips to help you create your own wedding website with less hassle.

What’s Your Purpose

The first thing you need to settle on is your reason for creating a website, whether it’s for personal use, to reach an audience, or with the goal of earning money.

And keep in mind that your objectives may change over time.  For example, you may start out with the lofty notion of using your own experience planning a wedding to offer advice to other brides (via a blog).

But at some point you might decide that your readership has grown enough to allow for monetization.  If you think it’s a possibility, you should plan with that eventuality in mind since it could affect the types of services you choose as you go along.

Web Hosting

Once you’ve settled on your basic goals, it’s time to consider web hosting services.

Some are aimed at the amateur set, with free service (although they may be annoyingly ad-funded), tutorials to get you acclimated, and even templates in place so that all you have to do is plug your content into pre-arranged boxes.

If you’re simply putting up a personal site aimed at friends and family, this is probably good enough (and best of all, free).  Ditto on writing a blog that is mainly meant to keep family and friends apprised of what’s going on with your own wedding.

But if you’re looking to sell consumer goods or reach a larger audience, you should definitely check out the more professional paid services in order to find one that offers all the options you’ll need for storage and versatility, as well as a good reputation (including limited blackouts on service).

Domain Name

Finally, it’s time to select a domain name; and this could be the single most important choice you make, especially if you’re seeking monetization through your blog or website.

There are plenty of sites out there that sell domain names and you may have to search a few to find a name that suits you.

From there it’s just a matter of filling in the blanks, and this is made easy with programs like WordPress (for blogs) and Dreamweaver (for websites), although these are just a couple of the many options available.

Related posts:

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Pick your flavor.

This is especially true for your ensemble.

Once you have picked the perfect dress and veil, and decided if your ‘do will be up or down, you can begin thinking about accessories.

Adornments should not only complement your dress and suit your personality, but also provide for a unified whole.

So if you’ve dealt with the details like flowers, cakes, food, and place settings (amongst other things) it’s time to turn your attention to the elements of your ensemble.

And there’s only really one major choice you need to make: do you want diamonds or pearls to go with your wedding dress?

Ask Yourself

You might think that finding the answer to this question is as simple as closing your eyes, pointing your finger, and wearing whichever option you land on.

But since you probably want to look your best on your one and only wedding day, you should put a little more thought into how you adorn your outfit.  And there are a few things that bear consideration.

For instance, do you have heirloom jewelry on hand?  Which type of jewelry would better complement your dress?  Which suits your personality?  Until you answer these questions you may have a hard time choosing between diamonds and pearls.

Start with what you have

Start with what you already have.  If it is traditional for women in your family to wear Great Aunt Mathilda’s pearl earring and necklace set, then you may opt to use them simply because your mother wore them before you and her mother wore them before her.

Weddings aren’t just about two people coming together; they’re about two families blending, so you’ll likely want to carry on the time-honored traditions that make your family happy.  Or perhaps your mother, grandmother, or other family members would like to provide your something old, something borrowed, and so on in the form of precious gems for your ensemble.  You could end up with some really nice pieces in the deal and save a lot of money on accessories.

Match your dress

Of course, you may want the freedom to select your own pieces, and the first thing you’ll want to consider is how they look with your dress.  While you will probably want drop earrings to complement a high neckline or studs and a necklace to go with a strapless number, this doesn’t necessarily dictate whether diamonds or pearls are preferable.

In truth it depends more on the feel of your dress.  If you’ve chosen a gown that is modest (with lace sleeves, for example) or classic in appearance, pearls would probably mirror that sentiment.  Or if your dress is already heavily embellished, pearls won’t leave you looking like a disco ball.

If, however, your dress is a bit more modern (read: strapless) and chicly simple, then diamonds are definitely the way to go.  They will add sparkle and visual interest to an otherwise understated ensemble.

How do you feel?

Don’t forget to consider how your selection makes you feel.

Some girls want to feel like the belle of the ball and highlight their effervescent personalities with flashy diamonds, regardless of the style of their dress, while others would rather keep it simple and classic with traditional pearls. 

Either is acceptable and you could even mix and match, as long as you feel comfortable and beautiful on your special day.

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To Retain Your Sanity...

Wedding planning can be one of the most overwhelming things you will ever have to do in your life.

Unfortunately, most of us cannot hire a wedding planner to take care of every single detail of our wedding.

Still, we want every last feature of the big day to be nothing but perfect.

And that makes us think that stressing out over our wedding is almost unavoidable…

So here are some tips on what not to do when planning your wedding day.

Maybe these will help you to keep your sanity.

Wedding Do Nots

DO NOT start without a budget.  Money is most commonly the most stressful aspect of wedding planning.  It is up to you to decide up front how much your total budget will be.  Also, find out who will be contributing to the costs of the wedding and for what.

DO NOT go over your budgeted amounts.  A wedding lasts for one day, and while it is a very important day, it is just as important to remember that you and your spouse do not want to start your new life in crucial debt.  If you ignore your budget the one day event that was your wedding will be a five year reminder in the form of bills.

DO NOT forget to get it in writing.  Oral agreements with vendors are a no-no.  The fact that everything is not spelled out on paper is a huge cause for stress.  For both your records and the vendors, make sure there is a written contract.

DO NOT do it all yourself.  Wedding planners exist because planning a wedding is a full-time job.  Don’t try to plan everything on your own.  Ask for help and delegate different responsibilities to trustworthy friends or family members.  If you have ever helped someone with their wedding planning ask for them to return the favor.  Most people will be more than willing to share in the load.

DO NOT make it your way or the highway.  Compromise is so important.  Whether it is between you and your soon-to-be spouse or even the florist, remember to let go of the smaller things.  If you have your heart set on peonies, but they are out of season, compromise with the florist on a similar style flower with a smaller price tag.  Keep in mind too, it’s your soon-to-be’s day as well.

DO NOT go with cheap photography.  After your wedding ends, the only things you’ll have left are your memories and your photos.  Make sure to talk to your photographer about whether they will have one or two assistants—usually depends on size of the wedding—to help capture the event.  Also, be sure that you have scheduled the photographer for enough time.  You don’t want your photographer to head out right after the toasts and miss the dancing.

DO NOT sweat the small stuff.  If you worry yourself with every small detail, you really will go crazy.  There is no need to stress over things like if ribbons are celadon or celery colored.

DO NOT forget to say thanks. Thank any and everyone involved in your wedding.  From the wedding party to those who helped you with any of the planning details.  Also, thank those who gave you gifts promptly.  When the thank you notes pile up, so does stress.  Make life easier by writing the note as soon as you receive the gift.

DO NOT save things until the last minute.  This makes sense, but so many people (brides especially) save things until the day before the wedding.  Putting together favors, printing programs, and last minute details should all be done prior to the day before your wedding.  You should take this day to relax and even pamper yourself.

DO NOT get your hopes up.  Nothing in life is ever absolutely perfect, even a wedding day.  Rain happens, people run late, and groomsmen wear the wrong colored socks.  Set reasonable expectations for your day.  The main purpose is to get married.  Looking back on your wedding day with your spouse, you will not even remember the color socks the groomsmen had on.

A good idea while you are wedding planning is to print this list and put it somewhere you can see it daily as a reminder.  Weddings are fun, and planning them can be as well.

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Winter Wedding Bliss

The natural winter landscape provides a lot inspiration.

Let’s examine the most important elements to give you some useful wintery wedding design tips.

Start with Color

Picking up on the color palette available in nature at this time of year is quite easy, just look around!

Blue hues and white are the core colors during this time of year that can inspire.

Brown and other neutrals offer a subtle palette to play from.

Festive reds and wintry sages are also classic colors for this time of year.

As the bride it’s your special day – so go ahead and choose the colors you look best with. Red not in your color wheel? Choose a tone that will play up your natural beauty, not wash you out. Perhaps an easy to work with color palette of silver and white with blingy accents.

Expert tip: Ensure that whatever colors you decide on will be used throughout the ceremony and reception – flowers, table linens, seat covers, runners, candelabras, etc…

Choose Flowers Wisely

During winter months in some parts of the U.S. it can be hard to find flowers that won’t cost more than an arm and a leg. That’s why you should choose flowers that are in season. Choices like red roses, calla lilies, and amaryllis are traditional winter flowers. Other choices that will likely be available at a nursery near you are: orchids, gerber daisies, tulips and chrysanthemums.

Foliage in lieu of flowers can be a good choice, especially for weddings on a budget. Ivy and holly are traditional during the winter season, but also using plant or tree stems, dogwood, or even pussy willow stems can add height to a table display.

Expert Tip: Try embellishing flower or foliage displays with crystals or other bling. For a classic look just tie a large solid colored ribbon.

Venue

The location for your wedding is right up there in importance to choosing the right wedding dress. A lot can go wrong if you find a bad venue. Don’t forget what time of year you’re planning your wedding for. Icy roads, spontaneous blizzards, and power outages aren’t uncommon during this festive time of year.

Make sure the venue of your wedding is easily accessible via car, has nearby accommodations, and is close to an international airport for your guests flying in from out of town. Rural areas are great for weddings, but hard to get to for traveling family. Do everyone a favor and choose a venue that is easily accessible.

Expert Tip: When choosing a winter venue make sure the location has proper heating, snow & ice removal, and proper parking for guests. Snow and ice can make it difficult on wedding attendees, that’s why it’s so important to make sure guests are warm and safe.

These are just a few areas you should be concerned with for your next winter wedding. Are you planning a winter wedding? What color palette did you choose?

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The Perfect Slice?

When it comes to your wedding you want everything to be perfect, especially the wedding cake.

There are a lot of different themes that can be used for the cake and a lot of different styles to choose from.

Finding the perfect wedding cake can take a bit of hunting, but when you find it you’ll know it’s the exact one you’re looking for.

A lot of people think of the wedding cake as being an ornament only.

While it is an important decorative feature of your wedding, you also want it to taste fantastic.

To find the perfect wedding cake you need to make sure that it tastes as good as it looks.

How to Find the Perfect Wedding Cake

One of the new and popular trends for wedding cakes is basing the design on the wedding dress style. White, cream and ivory cakes are becoming more popular and can be seen decorated with pieces of fabric and jewelry that mimic the dress. There are even some cake makers that work with high end dress designers to make cakes that have been inspired by designer collections.

Flavors

Traditional flavors like vanilla sponge or fruitcake have been more or less replaced by new and exciting flavors. You can have your choice of caramel pecan, raspberry, white chocolate and beyond. Basically, any flavor is accepted in a wedding cake nowadays.

Remember that a lot of guests that are not able to make it to the wedding will be sent a small piece of cake as a remembrance of the day. This will be the only impression they will get of your wedding so make it the best it can be.

Tasting the cake

Once you have looked at different bakers get your choices narrowed down to only three. Arrange a tasting session with bakers that are able to produce the cake design you want, and then follow these tips during your tasting session.

1. Taste the icing and the cake separately to enjoy the flavors and make sure you get the full benefit of them.
2. Always taste cakes that are lighter before tasting the heavier cakes. Make sure that you sip some water between cakes to rinse out your mouth so that each one can be evaluated separately.
3. If you are mixing different flavors together in your wedding cake try each one separately first, and then mix them together to make sure that the tastes work well when combined.
4. Take along a friend when you are going to taste test these cakes to get another opinion. There are going to be a lot of different people eating this cake so it is nice to have someone along to confirm that you’re making the right choice.

Themed cakes

If you want to structure your cake according to a certain theme you’ll have to find a cake designer that can produce the kind of results you looking for. Here are some ideas of common cake themes just to get the ideas rolling at your end.

Vintage wedding

The possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to cakes for a vintage wedding. An example of a perfect wedding cake to suit this theme would be a white cake with antique jewelry, dark pink or red flowers and gold ribbon as an accessory.

Informal wedding

If you’re having fun with your wedding and it is an informal and cute affair you may want to consider a cupcake tower. On the top tier would rest a regular cake on a pile of cupcakes. This gives the couple a cake they can still cut at the top.

Traditional wedding

This type of wedding calls for a structured stand holding up a white cake with multiple tiers that has been decorated using flowers. Roses may be stacked to hide the look of the supports as an option.

Garden wedding

If you’re planning on having your wedding in a garden setting the cake could be iced using brown and green colors to give it an earthy feel. Decorations can be anything from a garden theme including butterflies and flowers.

Monochrome weddings

If you are looking for a black and white look why not accessorize your wedding with a cake that is black and white as well? These cakes often look striking and you can add a pattern of polka dots, diamonds or stripes to make a bolder statement. Flowers made from black fabric are also quite appealing on this type of cake.

Wedding cakes on a budget

You can still find that perfect wedding cake even if you have a limited amount of funds to spend on it. One thing you can consider is serving the cake for dessert. You may be able to strike a deal with your caterer and save some money by not having a dessert made. This extra money could go towards the cost of the cake.

It is perfectly acceptable to serve the wedding cake as a dessert. You will need to make sure, however, that you have done the proper taste testing as mentioned above to make sure that the cake is suitable for consumption as a dessert at your wedding meal.

Make it appear bigger

If you are having a small group of guests but want to have a large cake you can have it made as a partial cake with a few fake layers to make it appear larger. Nobody will be poking at your cake so it will be your secret only.

Pre-made cakes

You may be able to find a cake at a baker that has already been made that you absolutely fall in love with. One thing to keep in mind with these cakes is you can decorate them on your own to make them fit in with your wedding theme. You can make great use of cake stands to stack cakes with a different size, one on top of the other. You can save a lot of money by buying a pre-made cake and then working with it to make it your own.

Ask your florist if he can provide some small arrangements that will coordinate with the wedding flowers you have chosen to put on your wedding cake. If you order these with your wedding flowers it will be more affordable than purchasing the decorations separately.

Ice cream cakes

These are great to serve at summer weddings. Your guests will not be able to take cake pieces home with them so it will have to double as the desert. This is a strategic way to save by not serving dessert with the rest of the meal supplied by the caterer. Most guests will also greatly appreciate the ice cream if it is a scorching hot day outside.

Dare to be different

Bold patterns and strong colors can now be used as an alternative to the traditional white wedding cake. Using a bold shade of the color of the bridesmaids dresses blends in nicely with the wedding theme, but you can also have fun by adding polka dots and dark stripes to the cake for a unique effect.

The perfect wedding cake will be something that makes you feel complete when you see it. You’ll know that it’s something you want for your wedding day once you have the concept developed and start designing the cake itself.

Related posts:

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3. The Definitive Wedding Budget Guide