Is A Free Wedding Free?

Is A Free Wedding Free?

Ah so glad you thought to ask! Very perceptive…. As with most things in life, little is free and that which is free may often needs to be supplemented with something which is not free, if you get my drift. I specialize exculsively in destination weddings, so I am very familiar with the concept of the “free wedding”, and honestly can say that most every time there is a free offer of a destination wedding it is a very good deal but there are some associated costs, restrictions and upgrades. Most of the resorts that offer free weddings have onsite wedding coordinators. The wedding coordinators offer their services to you so that you will book your wedding with the resort and your guests stay at the resort a good deal for the resort actually. If there are free wedding coordinators at your disposal how or why do I have a business? Planning a wedding can be a very overwhelming event for most. When coupled with the thought of a destination wedding you are really heading into uncharted water for most couples there are many elements of a destination wedding and wedding planning which are unique to getting married far from ones home. The resorts coordinators are there certainly to assist but are again working not for you independently they are there only to maximize the revenue generated for the resort and not neccessarily looking to maximixe your budget, experience and fun… we work only for you our client and your guests, we want to take your budget and help you to spend it in the right places, we find when your resources are maximized and comprimised you will enjoy your wedding experience that much more. The resorts coordinators are overwhelmed in most cases and it can be difficult to get answsers and getting them takes far longer than you think. This is our job and our business to get the answsers so you can do your work and run your business and life, while we work out the fine details involved in planning your destination wedding. We begin by talking to you and listenting to your wish list of where and how you would like to be married, evaluating your budget and other practical matters like travel time for you and your guests to the destination as well as the travel costs associated with travel to that destination. Then we are with you personally each step of the way to insure that everything is done in your best interest and treating you like you are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. So yes, in all honesty our service is not free but what really is free?

Thank you to Janice from Destination Wedding Store this great post!!!!

Destination Weddings

Dot The I's Events... Destination Weddings

Do Destination Weddings cost more than traditional weddings? Destination wedding are no longer for the rich and famous. Destination Weddings have in recent years become accessible to more and more couples looking to add an "exotic twist" to their special ceremony. If your destination wedding is properly planned, save you from breaking your budget. It can also turn your wedding day into an unforgettable "vacation" for you and your guests. Should you purchase air & hotel as a "package"? Even if you think you can negotiate on your hotel price, you will generally be able to save more money by getting it as a package. Unfortunately, brides in the past have come to us when they realize that the negotiated hotel price wasn't as great as they thought - and they realized they were unable to find affordable airfare. It is important to keep your final budget in mind when planning all your details. Who should be involved in the planning of a destination wedding? It is crucial when planning your destination wedding that you keep you guests in mind. Unfortunately, when guests are left to "fend for themselves" it is difficult to make sure everyone will be in the same area for the wedding. Without the expertise of a destination event planner, couples and their guests are often talked into accepting "group rates" when the individual rates would have been better, or stuck with individual rates when group rates may have been available. Leave those details to us. Should couples "negotiate" with hotels without a professional? Although hotels will often give some form of discount for groups of 10 or more, it is important to keep in mind that hotels, are in the business of maximizing the amount of revenue they bring in on the rooms they book. When you work with one of our destination planners you get the experience in negotiating power, we will not only generally receive a better deal for you and your guests - but you will also avoid the costly mistake of going over budget by not knowing some of the "hidden fees". Should you plan a destination wedding yourself or is it too risky? Planned right, a destination wedding is a memorable and unique way to exchange your vows and start a life together. Unfortunately, we've heard many horror stories over the years from couples who chose to plan their wedding entirely on their own. Issues varied from missed flights with no emergency number for help. Hidden clauses in hotel contracts leaving couples financially liable. Reservations being dropped by the hotel - forcing couples and their guests into a not so nice hotel Paradise. This is why Dot the I's is here to help you.

Contact your Dot The I's Events Destination Planner Today For More Details

WWW.Dottheisevents.com

Wedding Tip

Here is a ceremony tip on how to include each guest in your wedding. Not only will it make your ceremony unique it will tug at the heart strings. When making your vows, give every one of your guests a small candle. Wrap each candle in a leaf or some other object so that the candle wax does not drip or spill. Then take the light from the unity candle, starting with the bridesmaids and groomsman, and pass the flame around to each of your guests, each guest lighting the candle of the person next to them. This will symbolize the connective love and spirituality of your family and friends.

Wedding Party Etiquette

This is one question that we often get asked as wedding planners...What does the wedding party actually do? Let us shed some light on that question. The maid of honor is usually a close friend or family member who not only organizes and hosts a shower for the bride, but also helps her get ready on the wedding day. She is there to help and support her through out the planning process and will also help keep the bridesmaids organized. She usually wears a dress that coordinates with the bridesmaids, and she sometimes carries a slightly more elaborate bouquet than the other attendants. It is customary that she pays for her own dress. The bridesmaids are also a close friends or family, they are usually about the same age of the bride. They attend pre-wedding parties and also help out in anyway the bride requests. There dresses are coordinating dresses (usually paid for themselves) to the ceremony. Although mixing up the dresses with style and color is a nice way to have your wedding be more uniquely you. Again tradition is that the bridesmaids will pay for there own dress. The best man is often the groom's best friend or a close family member. His formal wear matches the ushers', although there may be something slightly different with his attire. Something as subtle as a different boutonnieres or his vest may be a shade different. He pays the rental fees himself. He hosts the bachelor party, holds the ring during the ceremony and leads the other men in helping out the groom. Ushers are also close in age to the groom. They too are usually friends or family and their primary function is seating guests at the wedding. They each wear and pay for matching formal wear. These guys should also be on hand to help the groom with any errands he needs throughout the day. Children between the ages of 9 and 14 are best suited junior bridesmaids or junior ushers. These attendants wear coordinating dresses or formal wear. Flower girls are usually family members, or a friend's child between the ages of three and nine, and they carry a small bouquet or basket down the aisle in the ceremony. The ring bearer is often a boy under age four. Parents pay for their children's attire when asked to be in a wedding, unless otherwise notified by the bride or groom. Keep in mind as the Bride and Groom it is customary to purchase you attendants a "Thank You" gift of appreciation for participating in your wedding. There is no monetary amount that you should spend. Just make the gift personal and something that your giving from your heart!

Put Some Spring Into Your Wedding...

We are coming upon the spring wedding season. When I think of spring I think of pastel colors and delicate flowers. This is a wonderful time of year when everything is in bloom. When planning a wedding most brides first start thinking of a color palette. Spring colors can vary and there is no right or wrong. You can choose the pastels with white or you can be a little daring and think brighter. If you choose to be bold... the grassy greens with lemon yellow is stunning. For a touch of elegance go with a light mocha and a pale blue. Either way show off your unique style.

For your spring centerpieces avoid dark containers and focus on light and airy glass vases or baskets. Whatever you do, don't be stuck on just flowers in the center of your tables. Some of the most beautiful elegant centerpieces are those of fruit, candles, herbs, or berries. Also, Spring is a great time of the year for accenting your centerpieces with ribbon. And as I always say...Mix it up! Not every table has to be the same. Although, one thing to keep in mind with your centerpieces is that you want to make sure it is not a distraction to your guests when it comes to being able to see each other. Of course there is only one rule to follow... Have Fun and Get Creative.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Have you ever wondered where where that saying came from? Why is it that you run around on your wedding day looking to borrow something that hopefully will be blue. Is it to stress you out or give you the luck you need on your wedding day. Well let me shed some light on this tradition for you. "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe" is an Old English rhyme. Yes, this British Custom is supposed to be your good luck charm. Something old represents continuity; something new offers optimism for the future; something borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness; something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity; and a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity. If you choose to partake in this custom you can look to your mom, bridal attendants, and family for some of these items. Keep in mind the "Something New" you can buy for yourself. That's right girls, one more reason to go SHOPPING!!!!

Brides Helping The Community

Dot The I's Event's is CALLING ALL BRIDES!!! You heard right, we need your help. Tough economic times call for everyone to join in together to help our communities. We are asking our brides, family, friends, and neighbors to bring a nonperishable food item to our shop. We want to help out our local food pantries. These food pantries are at an all time low and really need our help. If you are looking for other ways to incorporate a donation into your wedding, let us help you. There are many invitations and favors that donate a percent of the total to a charity. Go to www.TheFavorBoutique.com and order your donation favors today. They will also price match the donation percent in your name. So you to can be In Favor For A Cure! Ask us for details on this opportunity to let your wedding make a difference. Here is an example of a breast cancer favor. The ivory-lined pink ribbon is embedded with wildflower seeds that, when planted, blossom into a glorious garden of brightly colored wildflowers your guests are sure to enjoy. You can find this item and more at The Favor Boutique. You can locate them on our links page.

Have No Fear...Color Is Here!

That's right... color is back. Be bold, be daring, be you! This season you will see a wide variety on the wedding color pallet. Mix, match, and have fun. Incorporate your color in your flowers, fabrics, favors, and invitations. Here are a couple colorful ideas that will give your wedding a little WOW.