6 Things That Are Worth Splurging on for Your Wedding

Setting a wedding budget can be one of the most stressful parts of the wedding adventure. Once money comes into play, the idea of your dream wedding goes from large scale to practically impossible. Wondering where you should splurge and what you should skip to save some cash? Here are 6 things worth splurging on for your wedding.

1. Live Music
Whether it’s a professional band, a local jazz band, or even friends who play instruments, having live music on deck at your wedding is a guaranteed way to get the party started and have it flowing through the night. Live music is quite the hefty price tag upgrade from a DJ, but it may be worth it to go live for an hour or two during your wedding or even cocktail hour.

2. An Interactive Photo Booth

Most of your guests may be too busy or occupied to pull out their phones and snap photos. Have a photo booth option where guests can get a photo to take home with them at the end of the night and post on social media.

3. Welcome Guest Bags

What better way to welcome guests to your wedding than with awesome treat bags? Invest in these and give guests items they’ll use throughout the wedding: Advil, candy, water, and snacks, lots and lots of snacks.

4. Late Night Snacks

Your guests will thank you for this (and you’ll be happy too, trust us). At around midnight, have some finger foods or even delivered pizza for guests to munch on before they call It a night.

5. Rides Home
Your guests may have found their own ride to your venue, but most will be too tired or even unable to drive home at night. Have options for paid-for transportation, whether that’s a bus or an on-call taxi service guests can use.

6. Yum-worthy Food
One of the most memorable parts of any wedding is the food. Splurge on good quality and tasty food. Your guests won’t stop talking about this for months and even years after your wedding.

See More: How to Get the Wedding Photographer of Your Dreams (and Still Stay in Budget)

Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.

How to Select the Perfect Plus-One as Your Wedding Date

Whether you’re flying solo or just started seeing someone new, if there’s a wedding on your calendar, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be invited with a guest. But if you’ve been lucky enough to score a coveted “Plus One,” your next challenge is to pick someone great to bring with you! Here are a few expert tips to make sure you bring someone the happy couple will be thrilled to have around.

If you were invited with a plus one and are currently seeing someone (we’re talking more than five dates, and someone you plan to continue seeing for a while), that’s the one you should invite as your date. In general, plus-ones are intended to be some sort of significant other, not a friend or sibling.

Single but granted the opportunity to bring a guest? Check with the bride or groom before you ask your BFF to tag along. If they know you’re unattached, they will probably be totally fine with you bringing a platonic friend, but it’s best to confirm with them beforehand.

Before sending back your RSVP card (with both of your first and last names included!), confirm with your intended guest that they 100% will be able to attend. The last thing you want is to tell the couple that Michael will be joining you, only to find out he has a work trip that weekend and to have to call the bride and tell her Sam will be coming instead. And of course, don’t RSVP with an ambiguous “and guest” in the hopes that you’ll find someone between now and the wedding date.

When you’re deciding who you’ll bring along with you, keep the crowd in mind. Don’t invite someone who will cause unnecessary drama (like the bride or groom’s ex, no matter how close you are) or who might embarrass you in any way — a good argument for bringing someone you’ve dated for a while or inquiring about bringing a close friend instead.

And of course, bring someone who will be fun to have at the party! If you’re going to spend the evening with them (and hit the dance floor together!) pick someone who you’ll have a great time with.

See more: Is It Rude to Ask for a Plus-One?

An Urban-Chic Wedding Color Palette Inspired by New York City

New York City Wedding Color Palette

Photo: Gorman Studio; Courtesy of Vendors; Jessica Schmidt Photography; VogueRunway.com; Getty Images

We heart NY. It’s not just a saying on a tourist’s t-shirt, it’s the truth. What’s not to love about this super chic city? Carrie Bradshaw and her Manolo Blahniks called the place home, it never fails to be endlessly exciting, and — oh yeah — New York City also makes for some pretty incredible wedding inspiration. With a built-in color palette of slick shades and an undeniable modernity, consider NYC the perfect Pinterest board for your contemporary, urban-chic nuptials. Just drape your big day in hues of minimalistic white, perpetually-trendy black, and glam gold and you’ve got yourself an edgy-sophisticated soirée in a New York minute.

Request the presence of your guests with a minimalist wedding invitation, printed on white cardstock featuring clean typography. But like any New York City girl knows, focus on the fashion. Dress your bridesmaids in glitzy sequined dresses in a modern silhouette and carbon black hue. And as far as your bridal beauty look goes, pretty your pout with a red lippie that’s both a powerful statement and totally classic. A black-and-white stripped stiletto is a welcome (and unexpected!) alternative to the traditional cream bridal heel. Then, keep the rest of your big day ensemble modernly monochromatic with a white bouquet peppered with gorgeous anemones and haute hellebores. You’ll look like the beautiful bridal version of a street style star.

After you and your sweetheart say your “I do’s,” head to your reception (hopefully in true New York fashion — in a classic yellow cab!), where glided taxi escort cards will direct your guests to their seats.

All New Yorkers will tell you that there’s nothing like big city pizza, so put a chic wedding-worthy spin on the snack by offering bite-sized gourmet versions during cocktail hour. And before your guests head off, cut into a minimalist yet still totally pretty wedding cake, adorned with black striping and white sugar blooms. But at what time that’ll be, who knows — this is the City That Never Sleeps, after all!

From top left: “Carmin Escarpin” le rouge lipstick, $36, Givenchy; Bouquet, $350, Michael George; Cake, $12 per slice, AK Cake Design; Mini pizza, price upon request, Peter Callahan; Shoes, $275, VC Signature by Vince Camuto; “Ashley and Casey” invitation, $1,500 for 100 suites, East Six

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See More: A Bright, Bold and Brazilian-Inspired Wedding Color Palette Ideal for a Summer Bash

The 5 Ways to Serve Alcohol at Your Wedding

One of the things guests are most excited for at any wedding they go to is an open bar. Where else can you go on a Saturday night where you don’t have to reach for your wallet to pay for drink after drink? But when you’re the ones paying for it, you will see it costs a pretty penny to have unlimited alcoholic drinks available for guests all night long.

While open bars seem like the only option for you and your wedding, there are other kinds ways you can serve alcohol that might save you cash — and still impress your guests. Here are five ways to serve alcohol at your wedding.

1. Specialty
If you or your partner are big fans of a certain type of spirit or liquor, you can do one or two types of bars that offer just that kind of alcohol. Whether it’s a whiskey-only bar and a red wine-only bar, the choice is ultimately up to you — and your guests will drink whatever you put in front of them.

2. Consumption
Unlike an open bar (where the couple plays a flat price for unlimited choices all night long), this kind of bar lets the couple pay per drink that is consumed by guests. If you and your guests are not heavy drinkers, this option might make the most sense for your wedding budget.

3. Soft
Keep your open bar simple with a soft bar. This option only offers beer, wine, and champagne. While your guests may wonder where the hard alcohol is, they will surely enjoy the offerings — and most likely you will have everyone imbibing at a more refined pace.

4. Signature
Pick three or four signature cocktails for your wedding, and serve only those for the night. While you’re at it, make them complement the theme of your wedding, adding to your wedding branding. Regardless of which type of cocktail concoctions you choose, your guests will enjoy drinking delicious personalized cocktails to celebrate your special day.

5. BYOB
Some venues allow you to bring your own alcohol in, and better yet — have your guests bring their BYOB drink of choice. Serve your own alcohol favorites and offer wedding guests the option to bring a bottle of their favorite thing to drink as well.

See More:
Creative and Clever Wedding Signs for Your Bar

Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.

Corbin Bleu is Married! Here Are All the Details of the High School Musical Star's Romantic Wedding

Corbin Bleu Wedding

Photo: Getty Images

“We’re All in This Together,” especially when it comes to fawning over some particularly gorgeous wedding details! High School Musical star Corbin Bleu is now a married man, after tying the knot on July 23 with his sweetheart, actress Sasha Clements. After a princess-perfect proposal (the Disney Channel alum fittingly popped the question in Disney World, presenting the ring to his now-wife in Cinderella’s glass slipper), we had high hopes for a fairytale-worthy wedding. And Bleu and Clements’ beautiful California nupitals certainly didn’t disappoint.

The couple, who fatefully met in a Toronto grocery store back in 2011, tied the knot on Saturday night in front of 160 guests in Santa Barbara, California, People magazine reports. “Getting married to Sasha today was the best moment of my life,” said the groom, making us instantly swoon.

“I have to say my favorite part was the feeling that started in my toes and went all the way to the top of my head when Sasha came through the gate to the entrance of our venue and walked down the aisle. From the flowing veil in the wind as she walked, to the big smile on her face, it suddenly hit me that this stunning woman that was looking at me was going to marry me and make me the happiest man in the world,” You have to give it up for the guy — Bleu definitely has a way with words! But our jaws dropped too when we saw Clements in her wedding dress — well, in the sneak peek of her wedding dress at least, when she tried on frocks at Kleinfeld on Say Yes to the Dress. This illusion back number (see below) had us seeing stars.

The ceremony was just as romantic for the Disney Channel star’s new wife. “Today was the most perfect day,” she gushed. “There is not one thing I would change. Corbin’s vows were incredibly beautiful and it was truly the best day of our lives.”

After the “I do’s” were said, it was time for the bride, groom, and all of their guests to get down and dance as if they were — you guessed it — in a High School Musical! The couple’s first dance was uniquely salsa-themed and choreographed by Dancing with the Stars pro Karina Smirnoff, Bleu’s partner during his stint on the reality show. And guests dined on Italian fare and a classic three-tiered wedding cake. The newlyweds even provided late night snacks at the reception — from In-N-Out, of course!

Now it’s time for the honeymoon and we’re totally voting for a Disney vacay. Hey, if the glass slipper fits, right?

She said yes!

A photo posted by Corbin Bleu (@corbinbleu) on Oct 16, 2014 at 8:34am PDT

See More: Memorable Vows from the Best TV and Movie Weddings

BRIDES Seattle: Best Local Boutiques for Wedding Jewelry and Accessories

Nothing makes your wedding gown sparkle (literally and figuratively) quite like the perfect jewelry and accessories. Even if your dress choice leans towards the understated and classic, the right type of jewelry and accoutrements are crucial for creating a wedding look that’s head-to-toe gorgeous. These Seattle stores offer tasteful, elegant jewelry and accessories for even the most discerning bride.

Essenza

This ultra-charming boutique on N. 35th Street is a wonderland of baubles, trinkets, and other girly musings. Not only will you find coveted Jamie Joseph gemstone rings or signature earrings by Melissa Joy Manning to complement your wedding day white, but brides can also browse the unique perfume section for a special scent your groom is sure to love. (P.S.: Essenza also serves as a delightful place to seek out fun, thoughtful gifts for bridesmaids!)

Luly Yang
Luly Yang’s bridal salon specializes in sophisticated, truly luxurious gowns, with the accessories to match. Even if you find your perfect dress elsewhere, Luly Yang can help you style it to the nines with their stunning selection of jewelry, hair pieces, and veils. We are especially taken with her airy floor-length veils paired with whimsical butterfly hair combs. Read real brides’ reviews here!

See More: Check Out Some Of The Best Local Make Up Artists On Our Local Vendors Page

Blue Sky Bridal
For the eco-conscious Seattle bride, Blue Sky Bridal is a godsend. This different type of bridal salon recycles bridal gowns to promote eco-awareness while offering budget-friendly options to brides. You’ll also find a plethora of feminine accessories to accent your look, including belts, sashes, veils, and baubles. The staff creates a cozy, welcoming environment where you’ll feel at home while playing dress-up with all of their wedding goodies. Read real brides’ reviews here!

Pretty Parlor

If retro glamour is more your style, Pretty Parlor is your one-stop shop. This high-end vintage boutique boasts a special bridal area, where you can browse breathtaking heirloom style accessories to go with your wedding gown. If you’ve been secretly pining over the idea of crystal brooches or a Kate Middleton-esque tiara for the wedding, Pretty Parlor has you covered, and then some.

Baleen
Some brides prefer an understated, less-is-more approach when it comes to the styling of their wedding day attire. For this, we recommend Baleen. The Seattle design duo is known for their minimal yet impactful shapes that lend just the right amount of finish to your modern bridal ensemble.

Need more sparkle for your big day? Check out other jewelry stores on our Local Vendors page.

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10 Ways to Bring an Outdoor Wedding Look Indoors

Always dreamed of having an outdoor wedding but now that your big day is getting closer and closer you’re becoming scared of the great outdoors? Whether it’s the fear of a rained out celebration or you just don’t want your guests to be overheated, there are still ways to make an indoor wedding feel like it’s rooted outdoors.

Here are 10 simple ways to make your indoor wedding feel like it’s outdoors.

1. Hang Stars
Want a fun outdoorsy feel? Hang paper stars from the ceiling, especially above the dance floor. It’ll make your guests feel as if they are slow dancing under a starry night.

2. String Twinkle Lights
Lighting is key for establishing an outdoorsy vibe. Use twinkle lights and string them around the walls of the venue and over the dance floor.

3. Use Wooden Chairs

Incorporate old rustic wood wherever you can. Whether that’s finding table bases that are made out of trees or using older wooden chairs for your ceremony and reception.

4. Skip the Roses
Instead of having centerpieces that are filled with brightly colored roses, use different colored branches with tiny flowers on the ends for a natural feel.

5. Go With a Floral Chandelier
Want to spice up the venue with a pop of color? Instead of having flowers as centerpieces, use them as chandeliers that you hang above each table or behind you during the ceremony.

6. Bring Trees Inside
For a “I’m getting married in a forest vibe,” line the aisle with candles and a few indoor trees as accents.

7. Switch up the Bouquets

Instead of having plump and carefully designed bouquets, use freshly picked wild flowers. Don’t bunch together a ton of them, but just a few will make the look feel more natural.

8. Pick a Place With Giant Windows
Love the outdoors but don’t want to have your wedding outside? That’s okay. Pick an indoor venue with large windows so that your guests have a great view while spending the night under air conditioning.

9. Create a Moss Wall

Take one wall of the venue and cover it with moss and flowers. It’ll be a great picture backdrop and bring nature to your indoor venue.

10. Have a Natural Color Scheme

Pick neutral colors and use lots of green accents whenever you can for an outdoorsy and woodsy look to your indoor wedding.

See More: The Dos and Don’ts of Outdoor Fall Weddings

Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.

Grimm Co-Stars David Giuntoli and Bitsie Tulloch Are Engaged! See the Bride's 100-Year-Old Ring

Bitsie Tulloch and David Giuntoli

Photo: Getty Images

A sparkly new engagement ring? Well, that’s anything but grim! Grimm co-stars David Giuntoli and Bitsie Tulloch have officially taken their on-screen love to the real world, as they just announced their engagement at San Diego Comic Con this weekend. Now that’s seriously something to fangirl over!

The pair first made headlines with their relationship back in 2014 when Tulloch revealed their off-screen romance to Zap2it. “It’s pretty public now that I’m dating David, so that’s kind of out of the bag,” Tulloch confirmed in an interview. “We were hiding it for a long time, but now everybody knows.” And now everybody knows that these two cuties are taking their relationship to the altar!

While there was tons to see at San Diego Comic Con, our eyes were only on the mega-watt rock the bride-to-be was wearing when she showed up for a Facebook Live chat with Entertainment Tonight and her Grimm co-stars (which included her new fiancé!). “It’s over a hundred years old,” Tulloch said of her gorgeous vintage sparkler. “The diamond is from the 1890s, and the setting is from 1915, which is the year my grandfather was born.” Too sweet, right?! Kudos to Giuntoli — this is one guy who definitely knows how to pick out jewelry! “I had to dig it out of the grave,” the groom-to-be quipped.

Grimm Engagement Ring

Photo: Getty Images

And then the bombshell… The couple has actually been engaged since April, but have been keeping the nuptial news under wraps until now. “We’ve just been quietly enjoying it,” the actress explained.

And the best part of the engagement between these two co-stars? “My little joke was because we were boyfriend and girlfriend on the show, everything in the marriage will be a tax write off,” Giuntoli joked. Sounds like a plus to us!

See More: Memorable Vows from the Best TV and Movie Weddings

How Can We Tell Guests About Our Alternative Wedding Reception?

From a brunch wedding to cocktail-style small bites and food stations, the options when it comes to the style of your wedding reception are nearly endless. Chances are, however, that even if your plans lean toward the non-traditional, guests will assume you’re hosting a more traditional event (ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing). So how can you spread the word that your celebration will be a break from the norm? Our experts have a few ideas.

Announcing your alternative wedding reception plans all begins with the invitation. Hosting a brunch instead of a sit-down dinner? Opt for an invitation design that’s a little more casual, as a black-tie style invitation will imply that the event is formal and in the evening. When it comes to wording, request your guests’ presence at your marriage and, below the time, date, and address, include “Brunch Reception to Follow” or “Please Join Us for Cocktails, Hors D’oeuvres, and Cake Following the Ceremony.” This will start to let guests know about the style of reception you’ve planned, and of course if you’ve selected a non-traditional time, that will start to clue them in, as well! You could also have the invitation solely address your ceremony, and include an insert with the reception details where you can more fully invite guests to join you for a luncheon celebrating your City Hall union at a different venue, for example.

This is also a great use for your wedding website. If you’re having an afternoon ceremony followed by drinks and appetizers (but won’t be offering a full dinner), include suggestions for spots in the area where guests can head to dinner still dolled up after your reception ends. Planning an evening ceremony followed by just champagne and cake? Let guests know here that they should head to dinner before joining you for your wedding.

A big trend in wedding receptions is a standing reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and dancing. These events usually have more than enough food to satisfy as dinner, but the flow is a significant change from the usual seated dinner. While you don’t necessarily need to let guests know that you’re having food stations instead of a plated meal, you will want to make sure you have some seating available, particularly for older guests. Mix a few small tables with chairs amongst the cocktail tables and lounge furniture so guests who would rather eat with a fork and knife than pop mini-quiches intp their mouths on their way to the dance floor will be comfortable.

See more: The 5 Things to Consider Before Booking a Brunch Wedding

WATCH: Go Inside One Couple's Woodland Wedding in Oregon

As you get ready to dive headfirst into a weekend jam packed with wedding planning, we figured you a healthy dose of big-day inspiration to get the creative juices flowing. One of our favorite ways to do just that? By seeing the ideas that other couples dreamed up! And lucky for you, our real weddings video channel is packed with just the kinds of events that will leave you dizzy with incredible wedding inspiration. Each week we’ve been sharing one of our favorite new love stories, and today we’re taking you inside Britt and Tim’s wooded ceremony and reception in Portland, Oregon.

Cork Creative documented every ultra-cool moment of this couple’s Pacific Northwest bash — everything from the couple getting ready straight through to their ceremony and reception was captured to remember forever. And trust us, this is one wedding you will want to revisit again and again. For starters, the couple’s venue offered the best of both worlds, offering a scenic, woodland backdrop while also being in super close proximity to the beach. That meant the couple swapped “I do’s” surrounded by hundred-year-old trees before heading down to the coast for adorable seaside portraits.

See More: The Top 23 Wedding Trends for Summer 2016

One of the things we love most about Britt and Tim is how unbelievably cool they are. Case in point: Their impeccable personal style. The bride’s boho-chic wedding dress featured crocheted details that paired perfectly with her organic bouquet and dainty flower crown. But she wasn’t the only one that stole the show! Tim looked dapper in his fitted navy suit and unique floral boutonniere.

We couldn’t get enough of how intimate this couple kept their day. They exchanged vows with just their closest friends and family in attendance, making their celebration even more personal and sweet. And with a backdrop that gorgeous, you don’t need much to make the celebration incredible!

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