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Hi ,
An undeniable wedding trend in 2012 is lower overall budgets. But how do you cope? Wedding planning is difficult enough without what may feel like unreasonable spending limitations. With a good strategy, you will find a low-budget dream wedding well within your grasp. Read below to see how.
In honor of Valentine's Day, guest blogger Deborah Weltman explores the concept of "What if...nothing is wrong?" when glitches seemingly hinder your planning. This--and her whole deck of "What if...?" Cards--can create a true paradigm shift in how you think about and approach unexpected "roadblocks."
Also today, the next in a series of how to make your own veil videos. This one addresses considerations when deciding whether to buy or make a veil. Read below or click over to view the video.
If you are looking for something specific--either for a client or for yourself--please drop me a line or leave a message through social media, and I can search through inventories of my 300+ merchants for ideas. There is no charge for the service and no up charge on the price (ie, you would get the same price as buying directly); I only ask that--if you purchase--please go through links on the page(s) I send you. My contact and social media information is here
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Enjoy!
Bobette
P.S. Have you downloaded the printable, interactive wedding timeline and budget checklist? If not, you can find out more and download them here.
In honor of Valentine's day, we pulled a card from Deborah Weltman's innovative and motivational card deck:
"A Seeker's Guide to Internal Paradigm Shift...
75 What if...? Cards
to Guide and Bless Your Day"
Below, Deb asks the question "What if...nothing is wrong throughout your wedding planning? What if every glitch is as it should be?" I completely love this train of thought. By shifting how we think and react to situations, we essentially change our lives for the better.
Enjoy!
Bobette
Consider the possibility... that there is nothing wrong... that all is as it should be...that every seeming "glitch" in your wedding preparations is leading you to something that will work even better! What if you trust this...just for today...and, as a Valentine surprise for your fiancée you are able to enjoy Valentine's Day as your most relaxed, peaceful, and loving self?
What if...from here on out...through the wedding prep, the actual wedding day, and on into your married life... you adopt this thought: that all struggle/ all difficulty is really opportunity for something better to emerge...or for learning and growth to take place?
What if... you agree to see life's challenges as bringing you and your future spouse closer? What an amazing relationship you will have! Plus, all the time you would have been investing in non-productive, generic worry can now be harnessed to move you forward... together... into a most loving and enriching relationship!
Happy worry-free Valentine's Day!
Deborah Weltman
To see more "What if...? Cards" and to purchase your own deck, visit the web-site:
www.whatifcards.com
Shop for gifts of blessing at:
http://www.cafepress.com/WhatIfStore
 Lower wedding budgets are today's reality. Can a bride-to-be still have the wedding of her dreams? Absolutely. The secrets are prioritizing and being conscientious about what you spend.
Prioritizing Wedding Expenses
When dreaming of the perfect wedding, there are likely two or three elements you see vividly and are most important. What are they? The gown? Decor? Location? A jaw-dropping Cake? Whatever the aspects, these are where you should put your priorities. Similar to purchasing a dream home, every small detail of your original vision will not likely survive a small budget. But focus on the few elements that make the dream a dream and you will soon forget the insignificant pieces that did not happen as originally anticipated.
Be Both "Penny and Pound Wise"
Most all of us have heard the phrase "penny wise and pound foolish" as a description for someone who watches every little cent, but is wasteful when it comes to larger expense decisions. You can be wise on both fronts! Consistently saving dollars on the smaller expenditures adds up, as does making wise decisions on larger costs. Here are some tips:
Personalized service providers.
Pick and choose what you hire someone to do. Top contenders for personalized services are (1) aspects of your wedding most important to you (as mentioned above) and (2) those things you do not have the time or talent to do yourself.
Cut costs in areas you are less passionate about and/or are able to accomplish without the help of a professional. Before doing so, however, evaluate what quality you will give up by having your cousin do the videography or Uncle Walt running a boom box (for example). Expertise and experience do matter, so scrimp here with your eyes wide open.
Venue & catering costs.
There are two approaches to saving money here: guest count and cost for the space. In 2011, more couples began having their receptions in unconventional spaces like empty buildings, barns, or the outdoors and many used the space for both the ceremony and wedding. That trend is expected to continue for 2012. Depending on the location, this can save on rental fees.
On the guest count side, the average number of guests at the wedding is decreasing. Couples are opting for a more intimate group of family and friends.
The visual details.
Do it yourself is trendy. Making your own chair covers rather than renting expensive ones is perfectly acceptable, as is giving handcrafted and personally meaningful gifts to the wedding party. What you do purchase, harness the power of the Internet to keep costs down. Not only is the selection much larger than what you find locally, but lower priced options are more plentiful as well.
Examples of areas where you can save by shopping online (each link goes to a page of inexpensive online items in that category):
Invitations
Discount Veils
Tiaras
Favors
 In today's economy, many are looking for ways to have the wedding of their dreams while also keeping costs low. If this describes you (or a client), doing your veil yourself (diy) may be an option. Or not. It comes down to personal skills and preferences. Here are some considerations when deciding whether to make a veil:
Pros of creating your own veil:
- You may save money.
- You get the color, length, trims, and beading, etc. you want.
- You also have the option of buying a relatively simple veil, then decorating it yourself.
- Making some types of veils is relatively easy, even if you are "craft impaired" like I am.
- If you are very good at sewing, you can have the ability to create an elaborate, completely custom veil.
Cons related to a diy veil:
- Buying at discount or on eBay may cost about the same or even cost less than making it.
- You save time by buying your veil.
- Elaborate embroidery, embellishment patterns, or multiple tiers may be difficult if you do not sew / are not "crafty."
In the video here, I elaborate on your choices. On the same page, look for discount-priced resources whether you are making a veil, buying one, or dressing up a plain veil. | 
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