#ISAIDYES, WHAT'S NEXT?

Getting engaged can be the most exciting moment in a couple’s early life. However, a wedding in addition to planning a life together, can be daunting, and let’s be honest, expensive. Here, we’ll give you a few tips on where to start, how to establish a budget, and what to expect financially when planning a wedding and a future.

Start Setting Money Aside ASAP

The truth is, weddings are often expensive. The average wedding will cost about $30,000, which can seem unfathomable. With this in mind, the earlier you start saving, the better. Most people feel the need to start planning immediately after becoming engaged, however, this is not necessary. It’s often wise to take your time planning during the engagement, and spreading out the costs. Anything extra that you can spare and set aside will help you out and get you closer to your dream wedding. Plus, if you have some money left over after your wedding, you can put it towards expenses that will pop up in your newlywed life.

Prioritize Important Details

Your wedding doesn’t have to be “perfect” in the general sense, it only has to be “perfect for you”. Sit down with your partner, and prioritize what details in the wedding truly matter to both of you, and make those your focus. You might have always dreamed of your perfect wedding dress, if so, splurge. Make the appointment to have a custom dress made, and keep it forever as an heirloom to pass down. You might not also care much about the cake, in which case many DIYs and affordable versions are available to you.

Consider What You Can, and Can’t, Afford

Thinking about both your wedding and married life as a whole, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with the cost of living. That is why it’s important to not spend beyond your means. While you may want a lavish 300-plus person wedding, your bank account might say otherwise. It’s also important to think about your life after the wedding. A first home, children, life expenses, they all add up. There is always a way to throw your dream wedding but stay within your budgetary restrictions as long as you’re willing to be flexible.

Remember this is a Transition

Marriage is a true transition period in life and just like any other transition period, it’ll take some adjustment. Your wedding is the celebration part, but after that comes the true change. To make sure you and your future spouse are ready for this new part of life, it’s imperative to know how to talk about money with them. Once you know where you both stand when it comes to finances, you can start your lives together on the same page and determine your joint budgeting system. From there, you’ll be able to make big life and monetary decisions as a unit. 

Once you’ve gone through these steps, established a budget and discussed finances with your partner, you’ll be ready to begin the fun part: the wedding planning!

5 STEPS FOR THE OVERWHELMED BRIDE

While weddings are often the happiest day of a person’s life, planning a wedding can be extremely stressful. The countless details and mounting costs can be overwhelming, which is why it’s incredibly important to be gentle with yorus during this time. From getting enough sleep to carving out more personal time, here are some tips to keep you healthy and focused during this exciting—albeit demanding—time of your life.

1) Before you get started, lay out a detailed budget with your spouse-to-be. Agree on a ballpark figure for what you'd like to spend on your wedding, and create a spreadsheet that helps you categorize costs. If your wedding is a year or two away, set aside money each month to help you save enough to cover everything. 

2) Find ways to scrimp and save. Wedding expenses can add up and before you know it, you’ve tripled your budget on flowers alone, but with a little research and resourcefulness, you can find ways to save in every step of the process. For example, if you’re doing most of your shopping online, be sure to search for coupon codes before checking out. You can even check retailers like QVC for upcoming sales, and see if you can plan your big purchases around those sales using QVC promo codes. By giving yourself plenty of time, you’ll find creative ways to save throughout the planning process.

3) Take time to unplug. Most brides will handle the bulk of their wedding planning online, which requires hours of screen time spent researching the perfect dress, wedding venues, finding the ideal bridesmaid dresses, and reading reviews of potential caterers. While it’s unavoidable, there are ways to mitigate the added screen time and keep yourself sane. 

Set aside time each day for online research, and try to stay within those hours. By establishing a routine for your screen time, you can avoid staring at your laptop or phone late into the night. On a good night’s sleep, you’ll feel more confident making important wedding planning decisions.

4) Practice Self Care. Even the best-laid plans can go awry, so make sure to take time away from the chaos of it all for yourself. This doesn’t necessarily mean blowing your paycheck on an expensive spa day—you can take care of yourself in simple yet powerful ways: eating well-balanced meals, sleeping more, and getting exercise are some of the best ways to stay mentally and physically healthy. Carve out time for yourself, don’t hesitate to turn down other invitations. When event planning gets to be too much, reach out to those closest to you for help. If occasional splurging—an impromptu trip to the salon, for example—is important to you, include it in your budgeting. By setting aside money for self-care indulgences, you won’t compromise your carefully budgeted wedding costs.

5) Delegate Tasks. For type A brides, delegating is nearly impossible. While it may seem safer to make every decision on your own, you’ll run out of time and energy if you insist on doing everything yourself. Ask for help from friends and family—they’ll likely help shorten your to-do list and may even have great ideas to make your wedding even more special.

If it’s in the budget, consider hiring a wedding planner. A great planner will be a helpful resource and reduce your stress, which can allow you to focus on the more exciting elements of getting ready for the big day with friends and family.

As you prepare in the months and weeks leading up to your wedding, be sure to keep an eye on your mental health. Maintain your self-care routines and reach out to your support network if you need help. With careful budgeting, you’ll have the wedding of your dreams without compromising your life savings.

6 NATIVE FLOWERS PERFECT FOR YOUR L.A. WEDDING

Contributed by Olive Dawson

Whether you’re using a florist for your upcoming nuptials, or plan to grow your own bouquet, there are plenty of gorgeous native flowers to choose. Southern California is home to some of the most vibrant and unique styles of flowers not available to other brides across the country. Using native flowers, or those that already grow naturally in the L.A. area is the best option for your budget as well. Check out these six native flowers perfect for your L.A. wedding:

1. Monkey Flower

This bloom is a native staple in Southern California. There are plenty of varieties to choose from, ranging in colors from red and orange to yellow, and white. The flower has a long season from winter through summer, making it a natural choice for any L.A. wedding. Monkey flower would look stunning as an accent in a bridal bouquet as well as in centerpieces. It's easy to grow your own in the backyard. For best results, plant monkey flower in any type of well-drained soil in a partly shaded spot of the garden.

2. California Aster

This perennial herb is part of the sunflower family, making it a bright and cheery addition to your big day. The California aster is a small bloom that features a beautiful yellow center and slender white petals. It flowers in the summer and goes great in bouquets and in hairpieces. They grow fast, so plant them in the spring in a partly shaded area, and they'll be ready for your summer wedding.

3. Buckwheat

Who needs baby's breath or other fillers when California gardens are full ow buckwheat? There are so many varieties in the area, making it a great choice for any L.A. wedding. This delicate flower grows on a larger shrub that blooms from spring through fall. The flowers grow as a cluster and can come in a variety of colors from white, cream, pink, and yellow. Use any type of buckwheat as a delicate hair piece or in a flower girl bouquet. The intricate flowers can also fill in spots of your bridal bouquet. Make sure you give the flower plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil when planting your own buckwheat.

 4. Bush Poppy

This is the perfect California native for winter and early spring weddings. This delicate flower grows in a solitary bloom on a larger bush and features yellow teacup-sized flowers. Bush poppy may get folded or damaged in a bouquet, so it's best to use it in a large centerpiece or tablescape. It's a little tougher to grow at home and does best on rocky clay soils with excellent drainage.

5. Showy Penstemon

You'll find this native flower growing wild in woodland areas throughout Southern California. This gorgeous flower features elongated pinkish-lavender petals with erect stems. Showy penstemon is an excellent choice when cut long to make a rustic bouquet as well as cut short to fit into larger centerpieces. The flower packs a punch when in bloom because of all the flowers that line the stems. It prefers dry and arid conditions, but you can grow it in your L.A. garden as long as the soil is dry and fast draining.

6. Golden Yarrow

This native beauty features small bright yellow flowers for a stunning but simple bouquet. Golden Yarrow comes from the daisy family and can be either an annual or perennial plant. This gorgeous flower can make a statement in a centerpiece given the many blooms that cluster together at the end of the stems. Use it as a filler for a bridal bouquet or arrange a few stems together to add both height and drama to a reception centerpiece. Golden yarrow blooms in the winter through summer.

 Choosing the right flowers for your wedding can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be with these native options. From simple to dramatic, you'll find plenty of blooms to add to your big day.

Olive Dawson is a gardening and landscape design writer and environmentalist. She is always searching for new ways to reduce waste and grow food organically. She is most proud of her native flower and vegetable garden.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR WEDDING POP

We’re days away from the official winter solstice (I may have just shivered as I typed that) and while we can expect to see the standard soft wedding palettes this season, there are no rules against a splash of color. No matter if you’re the one planning your wedding or just attending a few on your own, here are some ways to liven things up for an extra colorful ceremony.

Colorful Furniture

You’ll need it anyway, why not add some bright furniture pieces to your event. You can have the furniture match your wedding palette or incorporate new hues to complement the chosen colors. Chairs might seem obvious, but vibrant pieces like this purple velvet loveseat from Wayfair or even a dramatic floral printed chaise for the bride. Plus, these colorful seating arrangements lend themselves to even nicer pictures!

Show Off Your Body Art

Gone are the days of being ashamed of your tattoos! If you and/or your partner have tattoos, especially colorful ones, show them off on your wedding day! Some wedding dresses cover up more skin than others but depending on where your tattoos are located, find the wedding dress that will show them off. The same can go for the groom. If your partner is planning on wearing a suit and has tattoos on his arms, instead of wearing long sleeves, he can opt for short sleeves or rock rolled-up sleeves for the big day.

Amp Up Your Hair

Who said your hair has to be predictable on your wedding day? Over at Rebellious Brides, they’ve given us plenty of non traditional wedding looks for inspiration. Don’t be afraid to add some color to your hair, companies like oVertone have created at-home hair color products that make it easy to dye your hair any color of the rainbow, as vibrant or as subtle as you’d like!

It’s in the Shoes

The shoes make the outfit (or so we’re told). Gone are the days of satin beige pumps, brides are going for sparkles, silver, gold, metallic, sneakers, etc… We particularly love it when a bride incorporates her “something blue” into her shoes, (like these ones!). Don’t be afraid to let your true personality shine through on your wedding day!

BACHELORETTE BASH ON A BUDGET

by Aimee Lyons 

Your BFF just called to tell you the news: he proposed! More importantly, she said yes. Now, as the maid of honor in her upcoming big day, you're taking your relationship to the next level.

While the maid of honor's responsibilities run the gamut from emotional support to bouquet-holding, one of the most important traditions is the bachelorette party. Fortunately, there's no single right way to celebrate your friendship and her imminent nuptials. And contrary to popular fears, a raucous bash — or serene spa day, or wilderness weekend — doesn't need to cost a small fortune. From location to entertainment and more, keep these considerations in mind to give your girl a spectacular sendoff into the wild and wonderful world of marriage. 

Location, Location, Location

The single most important factor in your budget will be where the bachelorette party is held. A major city during the peak season will rack up bills much more quickly than a more overlooked destination, and the market for hotels may vary quite a bit by region. Do your research, and consider an option like renting an affordable vacation property where you can easily cook some of your own meals, or having the party during the local off-season.

While you can often save money by staying farther away from the center of a popular destination, keep in mind that you may end up spending more on transportation. Be sure to include this in your budget and take care of those arrangements in advance, if needed.

Events and Entertainment

Every bride is different. For every bridal party that's dancing the night away, there's another exploring the art at the Met or escaping to nature on a weekend camping trip. You know your BFF better than anyone, so don't be afraid to ditch the usual suspects for the activities she'd enjoy the most. Of course, for some, indulging in the rowdiness of the traditional bachelorette party is half the fun. Keep the communication open in order to make sure you and your friend are on the same page so you can give her the party that will mean the most.

Regardless of the main event, however, you'll want to bring your own streaming device for endless entertainment options. Finding a device with an abundance of content options means you can keep the theme going with an afternoon marathon of The Bachelorette or celebrate with a film that mirrors your own friendship. Even if you only want some background tunes while getting ready, a streaming device can be your one-stop shop for all of your media needs, and you'll avoid having to pay for premium channels or movies offered by the hotel.

 Don't Forget the Details!

It's easy to overlook the small things, but often it's the details that make the event. Banners and other decorations are a cheap and easy way of ramping up the party, while a sash, tiara, or other standout accessories for the bride-to-be will likely be the gift that keeps on giving throughout the night — no matter where the agenda takes you. If the guest list includes friends who haven't met before, consider fun and easy ways to help everyone learn names, whether that's an icebreaker at the beginning of the weekend or personalized hats.

 A bachelorette party holds the potential to be one of the most fun and symbolically significant events in your friendship. Whether you and the bride are tearing up the dance floor at the hottest club in Vegas or throwing an old-school slumber party, it's bound to be a night to remember — and it doesn't need to break the bank to bring everyone together.

POPPIN' BOTTLES PARTY FAVORS

Let’s face it, guests love something they can take with them to remember your wedding night. Usually it’s the centerpiece flowers (or whatever some guests can get their hands on!), but what if you had personalized party favors at every table that were also useful! Luckily we’ve partnered with Forever Wedding Favors to help you with your party favor needs.

A Key shaped Bottle Opener:

The Key to your heart or the key to a raucous night full of success by keeping the wine bottles flowing. Let your guests take home this high quality metal, vintage varnished, bottle opener to commemorate your special night. Let’s be honest, the pretty packaging doesn’t hurt either!

A Wine Bottle shaped Bottle Opener:

Very meta but also very cute and useful! The best part of this gift is that you can personalize the label with a sticker or tag!

Salt and Pepper Bears:

We’re suckers for cute, and these little hugging porcelain bear salt and pepper shakers got us right in the feels.

These are just a few ideas of gifts you could have sprinkled on each table, all of which you can find on foreverweddingfavors.com, let us know in the comments if you have any other fun ideas!

ERIN + LUCAS

We’ve been anxiously waiting to share these pictures of our stunning bride Erin with you, and now we finally can! We always love designing custom dresses with our brides, but this process was especially wonderful, seeing as the fabric we used for Erin’s dress has been passed down for three generations of brides in her family. Erin and her event coordinators at All Occasions Event Planning, put together a gorgeous ranch wedding teeming with flowers, and rustic vibes. Congratulations Erin and Lucas!

Dress by: L’ezu Bridal // Photography by: Burgundy Blue Photography // Venue: McCormick Home Ranch // Florals: Yamaguchi’s Flowers // Event Coordinators: All Occasions Event Planning //

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HOW TO GET YOUR WEDDING PARTY THE GIFTS THEY DESERVE

Gifts for your wedding party. It seems like a simple task, right? Well, in some cases, it can be difficult, from wondering what kind of gift to give and what you can afford, to whether or not they’ll like it. It can cause some unnecessary stress if you overthink it, so just make sure to give yourself plenty of time to decide and it’ll be smooth sailing all the way to the honeymoon!

For the ladies:

 First things first, think long and hard about the women in your wedding party. Are they girly girls, bohemian, adventurous, athletic? Would they appreciate a sentimental gift, a funny gift or something more classic? For a gift to be successful, it has to be as personal as possible, so consider tailoring your gifts to the women in your life.

Once you’ve thought about the personalities within your your wedding party, then it’s time to start looking for the appropriate gift. There’s so much to choose from, but here are a few ideas:

❖ A Customized Candle - Original and sentimental, it’s something they will cherish!

❖ A Pair of Sunglasses - A unique gift, sunglasses are something they will get excited about!

❖ A Knot Ring - You’ll be tying the knot, with your fiancé and your bridesmaids!

❖ A Wine Glass - Fun and useful for a toast on the wedding day!

For the Gents

 When it comes to gifting the groomsmen, it’s a little more simple; just try to think of something that they will find useful. In most cases, the guys will appreciate something unique and practical, rather than sentimental. These original gifts will show your buddies how much thought you put into showing them with your appreciation:

❖ A Customized Flask - Something they will love to use all of the time!

❖ A Watch - Something stylish that they will be excited to wear!

❖ A Belt - An accessory they can use on the big day and every day after!

❖ A Personalized Cooler - A unique gift that they’ll use all year round!

There’s something perfect out there for any wedding party; you simply need to take the time to figure out what is right for yours! Just remember that no matter what you give them, they will love the gesture as it’s a wonderful way to ensure they feel appreciated for supporting you on your big day! Happy shopping!