Married at Sea: Disney Cruise Weddings

I’ve never written much about a Disney wedding, which is strange because I’m a blogger both for our Disney and our Marriage categories. But if you read my marriage blogs you know that I’m not a fan of big, fancy weddings, and a Disney wedding would certainly be that. Previous Disney bloggers have written a lot on the topic, so I didn’t have anything new to offer. Until now. I just learned that the Disney Cruise line offers wedding and vow renewal packages. I’m always up for writing about a new Disney thing I didn’t know existed, and we’ve never … Continue reading

Frugal Guest at the Wedding

Wedding season is upon us, and you may be looking forward to attending several weddings in the next few months. Did you know that the average wedding guest spends somewhere between $200 and $500 just to attend a wedding let alone be part of the wedding party? Here are some ways to cut your spending without being cheap. Travel and lodging can be a big expense when it comes to attending weddings. There are several ways to cut costs. The bride and groom may have already made arrangements for lodging and transportation, but if they haven’t there are still some … Continue reading

Luxury Locations for Destination Weddings

Destination weddings don’t come cheap—-for the bride and groom or their guests. I got married in Hawaii—-one of the most popular spots for destination weddings–only it wasn’t considered a destination wedding since I was born and raised in the Aloha State. However, many of our guests considered it a destination wedding given that they flew thousands of miles to attend the ceremony. With Valentine’s Day just a few weeks away many couples are finalizing the details of their February destination weddings. Meanwhile, many other couples that get engaged on February 14th will soon be making their own plans for a … Continue reading

Holiday Travel Deals in Paradise

Are you ready for some football… in Hawaii? The NFL’s regular season is far from over, but travel deals for the 2008 Pro Bowl are already popping up. If you want to watch the best of the best take to the field and catch a tan at the same time you might consider heading to Honolulu in February. Panda Travel is offering a heck of a Valentine’s Day present for your football-loving sweetie. The four-night package includes airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, game tickets and special activities. The package prices range from $799 to $2,999 per person. The higher price … Continue reading

More Tips For Picking Post Wedding Transportation

Congratulations! You’re getting married. Have you decided what type of vehicle you will be riding in to and from the church? Will it be a cherry-red Porsche, a horse-drawn carriage, a stretch Hummer, or a classic Harley? (And you thought picking the perfect wedding dress was difficult.) In my previous blog I discussed some factors that go into picking the perfect post-wedding getaway vehicle. Here now are more tips on what to consider before making your final decision: Ways To Save. If your wedding budget is tight you might consider nixing the ultra-posh post-wedding vehicle and instead borrow a friend’s … Continue reading

Wedding Day Transportation

Do you remember what you drove away in after exchanging vows with the love of your life on your wedding day? Was it a stretch limo, a trolley, a bus, a horse drawn carriage, or a vintage convertible? The type of vehicle a bride and groom takes their first ride in together as man and wife is often overshadowed by the dress, flowers, and reception site, but it is still a critical part of any wedding day. Any bride (or wedding coordinator) will tell you that there are a number of factors that go into picking the perfect post-wedding getaway … Continue reading

The Complete List of Wedding Anniversary Gifts: From Year 1 to 100

  On Sunday my husband and I will celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary. I got to wondering what kind of gift is associated with year 12. I knew year one was paper, the 25th Silver, and (thanks to his grandparents) the 50th is Gold and 60th Diamonds. But what’s 12? Or any of the others for that matter? So I started hunting around. Another blogger had my same train of thought a year or so ago and wrote Anniversary Gifts and Their Meanings, but she only covered anniversaries one through ten. So I dug farther and eventually found what I was looking … Continue reading

Frugal Wedding Ideas: Hiring People

Weddings can be outlandishly expensive, and it is not unusual to spend $20,000 or more for the big day. But, there are some easy ways to save. You can try one idea or all, depending on what your expenses are and where you want to save. The nice thing about these ideas is that they are pretty flexible, so you can incorporate what works for you. Keep reading for the first tip on my list. “Hire” your friends and relatives. This is a time-honored tradition when budgeting for weddings. It is sort of the “it takes a village” mindset. Ask … Continue reading

Why Do Weddings Cost So Much?

Why do weddings cost so much? How can you possibly plan to save up for a wedding when a wedding thirty years ago didn’t require a year’s salary. So how do you plan for it? The first step is to calculate what a mid-sized car costs. That’s about what you can expect to spend on a wedding. Currently, an average wedding costs about $20,000 to $30,000. Thirty years ago, that cost was closer to $3,000 to $4,000. Thirty years from now, the average cost of a wedding could easily be $100,000. Okay, take a deep breath. Remember, adjusting for inflation, … Continue reading

Scrapping Pretty in Pink Moments

Prom is huge deal in the small town in which I reside. Everywhere you go these days you are greeted with marquees and banners advertising sales on prom this and prom that. Discounts on dresses, jewelry, shoes, and flowers are yours for the taking. Even our local scrapbook store is getting in on the action. This weekend the owner erected a display with prom-themed paper and embellishments. The sign hanging above the sample layouts reads: “Scrapping Pretty in Pink Moments.” Interestingly, I wore black to my senior prom, but I digress. Prom scrapbooks are not difficult to put together. In … Continue reading