Understanding Wedding Costs – Part 4 – Photography

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Jennie Lightle, Executive Wedding Planner of Lucky Day Weddings Inc.

In my career as an event planner explaining and breaking down the costs of Photographers is something I have to do for at least every other couple that I have.  As much as you think that Wedding Photographers only work that one day out of the year and get paid the big bucks, a photographer actually works extremely hard, from editing your photos, scouting your locations and educating themselves on there ever changing industry.  I think it easy to forget that since the world went digital the standards in the industry have been greatly improved, the costs of Camera’s, Computers, Editing Software, Camera Cards and Lens can reach into the six figures.  Not to mention how rapidly anything in the technological industry gets outdated.

The best piece of advice that I can ever give you as a Wedding Planner is to hire reputable, licensed and professional vendors, to do your homework on your vendors before hiring them.  The photography industry is a very tricky industry to navigate through to find the right vendor that you love, meets your budget and you can count on, on your wedding day.

Keep in mind when hiring your photographer that there is no redo’s, re-takes, re-shoots of your wedding day and that you want someone who is capable of capturing you walking down the aisle for the first time, catching eyes with your finance for the first time, exchange your vows, that moment that everyone holds there breath for when you finally get to embrace your life long sweetheart.

Please note that all packages  are average starting prices for Professional Photographers specializing or experienced in Weddings in Red Deer and Central Alberta area and the price will vary based on experience, if there is one or two wedding photographers on site and/or additional items added to the packages such as albums and prints.

Engagement Session                      Starting at $500.00

 I know that Professional Photographers who are experienced in shooting weddings are adamant about doing and engagement shoot and often annex the cost into there packages. The reason they are adamant about doing an engagement shoot is so that they may learn and educate themselves on how comfortable the couple is, how the couple best photographs and to develop a relationship with the Bride and Groom to ensure the Bride and Groom are comfortable on there wedding day with the photographer.

In most cases the engagement session is about 3 hours long, and depending on who you hire there may be one or two photographers present.  The part that is often forgotten about is the editing of the engagement session, which depending on your photographers experience and number of photos taken can take anywhere from 10 – 30 hours.

Now this part will vary from Photographer to Photographer and very well may effect the price of the wedding package you choose from.   Are they offering you prints, designed wedding programs, guest books, professionally designed albums…. the list is really endless.  The time and out of pocket costs of creating these items could range anywhere from 5 hours to 40 hours.

Half Day Photography                   Starting at $2,500.00

(Getting Ready, Ceremony, Formals, Wedding Party Photos not including Reception Photos)

Photo Credit: Melissa Rae Photography

Half Day coverage is a great option for couples who are on a tighter budget and want to make sure that they have good professional photographer capturing the most important day of their life.   Most professional photographer’s will visit and scout out your choice of ceremony and formal locations, preplan where it is best to shoot, where the sun will be at that time, what additional equipment they should have with them to ensure they get the best possible pictures of that location.  This can take anywhere from 3 hours to 6 hours if they have to travel between locations, walk around and shoot different angles.

When choosing a photographer for half day coverage, make sure you understand what your half day package entails.  Some photographers or wedding packages limit the day by the number of hours that they shoot for.  Often half day coverage is subject to between 4-6 hours.  Other photographers and wedding packages may break it down by item, and stay as long as it takes to photograph.

Once again, your photographer’s packages will vary in price based on the additional options within the package you choose.  Whether they are designing and printing you Thank You cards with a preferred picture you have chosen, creating albums, printing large portraits for your home, creating a digital and print image disc.  Once again the list is endless of options that may be included in your package and this will cause prices to vary from photographer to photographer.

Full Day Coverage                           Starting at $4,000.00

(Getting Ready, Ceremony, Formals, Wedding Party Photos including Reception)

Photo Credit: Melissa Rae Photography

You only have one wedding day so why wouldn’t you capture the whole thing.  Every wedding photographer will have a package if not more than one package that covers everything from getting ready in the morning until you step on the dance floor for the first time that evening and everything in between.

Similar to the half day coverage you will want to make sure you understand if there is a time limit to the coverage some photographer will cap the day at 8 – 10 hours some will cap the day at midnight and other photographers and wedding packages will state that they are there until the first formal dance’s are completed.

Something that you will want to note in your budget if you hiring a photographer for full day coverage is the costs of their meal.

As in all coverage the price will vary based on the additional items included in the package, if there are one or more photographers present, and the experience of your Wedding Photographer.

Photo Booths                    Starting at $500.00  

Photo Credit: Melissa Rae Photography

 This super fun and popular among guests and Wedding Couples alike is a great addition to every wedding.  With a tickle trunk of props and professional photographer behind the camera these memories will be one your guests will be talking about.

 They often run for about 2 -3 hours.

 Trash the Dress Session / Day after Session         Starting at $500.00

Increasingly more popular with Brides who know that they have no further use for there wedding dress, or just want to have a little fun and get some great shots.  It is definitely a fun for both the photographer(s) and the Bride and Groom to let loose after a few stressful months of planning.

The session often last anywhere between 3 – 6 hours.

If you have questions about the costs of Wedding Photography or would like to set-up a consultation about your wedding budget please contact Lucky Day Weddings at info@luckydayweddings.com or 403-318-0826. 

Stay tuned for Part Five of Understanding Wedding Costs – Wedding Entertainment.

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Understanding Wedding Costs – Part 3 – Wedding Flowers

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Jennie Lightle, Executive Wedding Planner of Lucky Day Weddings Inc.

In this Event Planners opinion Flowers are the number one wedding item that couples do not budget for properly.  The Bride’s Bouquet and Bridesmaids Bouquets always make the budget but often forgotten is the cost of Boutonnieres, Corsages, Centerpieces, and Ceremony Pieces.

Flower prices are also very misunderstood by most and believed to be an item that is extremely market up by there florist.   When a florist places an order for your wedding, they have to take in to consideration that they are working with a very delicate perishable item that have to be rushed shipped and packaged to hold up to the long journey it is going to embark on before hitting it’s destination.  Often, the order is placed in double to compensate for a variety of flowers that will not survive the journey.

Your florist prices will also include expenses such as labor expenses of planning, preparing and arranging you floral pieces.  The expense of running a cooler, and other random supplies such as floral tape, shears, wire, bouquet holders, floral foam, vases, and the list keeps going.  These prices are often budget with the flower costs and not broken down separately.

Bridal Bouquet:                                $200.00 – $350.00

Floral creation by Red Deer Florist Cattleya Chic Inc. Photo Credit: Andrea Wiseman Photography

The price will vary with each individual bride’s style and selection of flowers.  Flowers such as the popular Phalaenopsis Orchids at the higher end of the spectrum and will cause your bouquet to be at the higher end of a typical bouquet cost.  Also take in consideration they shape and style of the bouquet.  If you are considering a cascading bouquet, they will be at a higher cost with the addition of more flowers and labor for your Florist to ensure it hangs properly and will not be damaged with the day’s activities.  Additional items such a feather, different wraps around the bouquet and the addition of sparkle or bling to your bouquet may  increase the cost of your wedding bouquet.

A budget friendly tip when selecting your flowers is to talk to your Florist and find out which flowers are in season for your wedding.

Bridesmaids Bouquets:                 $100.00 – $200.00 each

Typically a smaller version of the flowers utilized in the Bridal Bouquet, the cost is usually about half of what the overall cost of the Bridal Bouquet is.  It is important that when asking Bridesmaids to be apart of your wedding that you consider the costs associated with them.  If you have six bridesmaids you are looking between $600.00 – $1200.00 for there bouquets alone.

Boutonnieres , Corsages and other Wearable Flowers   $15.00 – $30.00 each

Floral creation by Red Deer Florist Cattleya Chic Inc. Photo Credit: Andrea Wiseman Photography

Typically the Groom and all the Groomsmen will wear a Boutonniere.  You may also want to order one for each of your Fathers, Stepfathers, Grandfathers, Brothers, Ring Bearers, Ushers, Master of Ceremonies and your Officiant.  For the women, you will want to choose between wrist corsages or Boutonnieres.  A wrist corsage is often a safe bet, as there outfit may limit where they can pin a Boutonniere to.  Again, you may want one for each of your Mothers, Stepmother, Grandmothers and Sisters.  If you are looking for an area to be budget friendly consider only getting Boutonnieres or Corsages for the Wedding Party and Parents.

Another great option you may want to consider and budget is doing hair flowers.  Talk to you florist to see what she would be able to create for you.

Centerpieces                     $30.00 – $100.00 per table

Floral creation by Red Deer Florist Cattleya Chic Inc. Photo Credit: Andrea Wiseman Photography

There is a broad range in the price of floral centerpiece that you may choose to incorporate on your tables.  This may be determined by the style of seating, the size of the vase or having multiple vases per table.  Talk with your florist about options that best fit your overall style and theme, but be honest about your budget for your centerpieces, giving them the opportunity be creative knowing there are limitations.

Altarpiece           $200.00 – $1000.00

If you want that extra little something you may consider including a Floral Archway, Urns, or a grouping of vases to decorate the alter for your ceremony.

Aisle Floral Décor            Starting at $50.00            

A big item that your photographer and guests will be snapping photos of is you walking down that aisle for the first time, talk to you florist about what you maybe able to incorporate down the aisle.  A great budget friendly option is recycling your centerpieces down the aisle.

If you have questions about the costs of Weddings Flowers or would like to set-up a consultation about your wedding budget please contact Lucky Day Weddings at info@luckydayweddings.com or 403-318-0826.

Special thank you to both Andrea Wiseman Photography for capturing the beautiful arrangements created by  Cattleya Chic Inc and allowing us to showcase it in our blog post. 

Stay tuned for Part Four of Understanding Wedding Costs – Wedding Photographers.  The number one under budgeted item by brides.

 

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Understanding Wedding Costs – Part 2 – Wedding Attire

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Jennie Lightle, Executive Wedding Planner of Lucky Day Weddings Inc.

Wedding Dress:   $800.00 – Unlimited

2012 Oscar de la Renta Wedding Dress

I think most of us have seen TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” and  have a very realistic idea of how much a wedding dress can cost.  In my experience, I have never had a bride find or make a custom wedding dress for under $800.00.  On average I would say that most Central Alberta brides’ pay upwards of $2500.00 for there wedding dress.

If you are on a tighter budget for your dress the best time for you to shop is in the slower wedding months of November and December when dress shops are trying to clear out there inventory to make room for the new years collections.

Wedding Accessories:   $300.00 – Unlimited

Completing your polished look with the right Accessories

Often missed when thinking of the wedding dress costs are all the little accessories costs that go with wearing such a gorgeous gown.  When it comes to Bridal accessories, items you will want to budget for are Bridal Shoes, keep in mind if you are thinking of wearing heels you may want to have an alternative flats or lower heels to dance in later in the evening. Bridal Slip or sometimes referred to as a petticoat may be included with the purchase of your wedding dress, but if you want to add a more desired shape to your wedding dress you may need to purchase a Bridal Slip.  Bridal Lingerie, Hosiery and Garter, need I say more. Once you have picked your dress you may consider purchasing matching Veil, Jewelry or other details that make your grooms say “Wow” when he finally gets to see you for the first time that day.  You don’t want to forget the cost of getting your dressed Altered to fit you perfectly. As much as we hope the dress will arrive fitted like a glove to your body, everyone is different and you will probably looking at around $100.00 to have your dress Altered.  Talk to your dress shop and see if they included this in the purchase of your dress from there store.

Lastly, and often most forgotten about is the cost of having your dress dry cleaned and preserved after your wedding day.

Bridesmaids Dresses/Junior Bridesmaid Dresses:  $100.00 – $300.00 per Dress

Keep in mind that it is proper etiquette that the Bride and Groom pick-up the cost of the Bridesmaids Attire.  Although more than often this etiquette seems to be forgotten, if you are asking your wedding party to pick-up the cost of there Dresses, Shoes, Jewelry,  Hair, Makeup or any other costs, they should be aware of this when asking them to stand next to you.

Grooms Attire   $250.00 – $5,000.00

In most cases, a groom will rent his Tuxedo which will vary in cost based on his taste and additional items added on.  It is also possible that the groom will choose to purchase a nice suit or tux for the wedding.  Often attending more events in which it will be expected for him to dress up the investment may be worth the additional cost.

Groomsmen’s Attire:     $250.00 – $500.00

As it is proper etiquette that the Bride and Groom pick-up the cost of the Bridesmaids Attire the etiquette holds true to paying for the Groomsmen’s Attire.

Additional Attire:            Optional

Dependent on your style on overall budget you may want to budget for a dress change after all the formal evening events have completed and you just want to enjoy yourself and dance without a large heavy dress wearing you down.  If you are having a Grand Exit at the end of your reception you want to consider a going away outfit, as you are whisked off to the airport.  Other additional Attire that you may want to include in your overall budget is clothing for your honeymoon.

If you have questions about the costs of Weddings Attire or would like to set-up a consultation about your wedding budget please contact Lucky Day Weddings at info@luckydayweddings.com or 403-318-0826      .

Stay tuned for Part Three of Understanding Wedding Costs – Wedding Flowers.  The number one under budgeted item by brides.

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Understanding Wedding Costs – Part 1 – Ceremony Costs

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Jennie Lightle, Executive Wedding Planner of Lucky Day Weddings Inc.

As an Event Planner in Central Alberta I have found that one of the largest aspects of my job has been educating couples on the costs of a wedding and how to have a wedding within there means.  It has really lead to the inspiration behind writing this multi series of Understanding Wedding Costs.  I hope you enjoy.

The first step to planning any wedding is setting a budget.  Before you ask your wedding party to stand next to you, before you begin looking for a wedding dress or venue, you need to set a budget.   One thing that is important to know when setting a budget is the maximum number of guests you anticipate to attend your wedding.

Who is paying for the wedding?  Is it you and your finance?  your parents?  a combination of both you and your parents?  It is important that all those involved with the payments of the wedding are involved in the discussion of budget.   You may want to hire a professional event planner to sit in on this meeting and help determine the realistic costs of items, so that you may set a realistic budget, and understand where to allocate your money to best achieve the overall look and theme that you are going for.

The average cost of an urban area wedding in Canada is approximately $25,000.00 and in a rural area is about $20,000.00.  In my experience these numbers hold true in Central Alberta but are dependent on the number of guests you invite.

Let’s begin breaking down the budget:

Ceremony Costs:

Location Fees:   $500.00 -  $1000.00

This really comes down to your style, religious beliefs and availability.  If you are choosing an outdoor location on a family farm, local park or just a backyard wedding,  the overall cost for the venue may be minimal but you will want to have a back up plan for rain, whether it be another location or renting a tent large enough for all your guests to be seated comfortably out of the rain.  If you are considering a Church or Synagogue for your wedding the cost will vary from church to church but it is often safe to budget around the $800.00 mark in Central Alberta for these costs.

Officiant Fees:  $200.00 – $400.00

If you have chosen a non-religious ceremony you will be looking at hiring a Marriage Commissioner to perform your wedding.  On average there fees run between $200.00 – $250.00 with the option of adding on of a rehearsal, leading up to the wedding date, which will typically range between $50.00 – $75.00.  If the marriage commissioner is required to travel outside there city or town limits, travel fees are also added to the total.  Budget for approximately $0.50/kilometer they will need to travel.

If you have chosen a religious ceremony the cost will vary from Religious Entity to the next.  You will want to contact your preferred location and discuss there fees.  Ensure to ask if there are additional regulations, such as pre-marriage counseling, ceremonial religious items that may need to be purchased, or other additional fees you should be aware of.

Other Ceremony Costs:  $150.00 – $2000.00

Other ceremony costs you will want to consider are items such as a Ring Bearer Pillow, Flower Girl Basket, Guest Book, Signing Pen, Chair Rentals, Chair or Pew Décor, Aisle Décor, Ushers, Unity Candle or Sand, Gratuity, and Childcare for guests who wish to enjoy the ceremony with young ones present.

Often Overlooked Costs:  $60.00 – $1000.00

Would you like music as you walk down the aisle?  The inexpensive spectrum would be to have an iPod hooked up to a speaker with an appointed start and stop person, other options include asking your Dj to be present at the ceremony, or hiring a pianist, harpist or guitarist to play at your ceremony.

Often when asked couples tend to avoid having a microphone system present on there wedding day, but all things considered, all your guests are there to hear you exchange your vows, and I am confident that they would like to hear you.  If you are hiring a musician or renting a speaker system inquire about an additional microphone that the officiate may hold during the ceremony.

If you have questions about the costs of Weddings Ceremonies or would like to set-up a consultation about your wedding budget please contact Lucky Day Weddings at info@luckydayweddings.com or 403-318-0826.

Stay tuned for Part two of Understanding Wedding Costs when we go in depth about the costs and hidden costs of Wedding Attire. 

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Weddings Giving Back

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Jennie Lightle, Executive Wedding Planner of Lucky Day Weddings Inc.

With the average wedding in Canada being just over $20,000.00, wouldn’t it feel good to know that you are giving some of that money to your favorite charity?  Whether in memory of a lost one or the pureness of your heart, it always feels good to give back.  There are many ways that you can incorporate giving back to the charity of your choice and include your guests in the giving.

Charity Favors

With so many choices of wedding favors now, and many of them being priced in the $3.00 to $5.00 mark it is not easy for a bride on a budget to give there guests a wedding favor that they are going to actually keep, so why not consider a gift that you are going to feel good about giving.  Charities such as the Canadian Cancer Society have a wedding tribute program that allows you to choose the amount you wish to donate and have personalized table top cards for your guests tables.  This a great favor option for a bride on a budget.  If you have 200 guests and you donate a dollar each you have given $200.00 to the charity of your choice.

Charity Gifts

Now a days, many wedding couples already own there home, are settled into a career and don’t need many of the traditional gifts that are given at a wedding.  Instead of registering for gifts you don’t need, how about putting a little donation card in with your invitation and ask that your guests make a donation to a charity of your choice.   The Canadian Cancer Society will offer you free cards to included in your invitation at no cost to you, and you can feel good about this decision and your guests can feel good to.

Charity Cash Bar or Twoonie Bar

If you were already considering a host bar/open bar, why not sell drink tickets for a twoonie and let your guests know that the full cost of a drink ticket is going to the charity of you choice.  This will promote that your guests drink responsibly, and others who are not drinking may buy tickets, just to support your charity.  If you were not able to afford a host bar, you could consider doing this only for the cocktail hour.

Charity Kisses, Dances and Pictures

Tired of “clinking” glasses or “ringing” bells forcing you to kiss, why not tell your guests that if they want to see you kiss, that the more money they put in the charity box the better the kiss will be.  You could always sell dances with the bride at $5.00 each.  As a bride you are going to be asked over and over again to dance, so why not make your feet hurt for a good cause.  A special treat to your guests could be to get personalized picture with a Polaroid camera or your professional photographer snapping pictures of you and your guests together for a few dollars going to the cause. 

Whether you choose to support a charity in memory of a loved one or for your own personal reason, your contribution can go along way, so please help support your local charities and make a difference.

We encourage you to check out the Canadian Cancer Society and there wedding tribute program, for more information on how you may be able to donate to this cause.

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Tips for Looking Great and Getting the Most From Your Wedding Portraits

Posted on May 18, 2011 by C.L. Photography - Cheryl Law

Before the Wedding

1)      Have a dress rehearsal with your dress.  I have seen too many brides whose dress felt perfect in the bridal store, but on the wedding day they found it to be too long  and they trip on it or it is hard to sit in. (See the information on bridal portraits to discover a great way to do this.)

2)      Focus on your skin. Shiny skin will show up in your wedding photos. Typically, a little makeup and light powder works well for women.

3)      Dark eye makeup looks stylish, but less eye makeup tends to open your eyes more.

4)      Iridescent or pearlized lipsticks and glosses make lips look thinner. Matte and low-gloss lipsticks look best, especially if they match the color of your flowers.

5)  Have your eyebrows done at least one week before the wedding.

6)      It is always a good idea to do a trial run in your makeup and hair. Then, have pictures taken from all sides so you know what it’ll look like from any angle.

7)      Posing Suggestions:

A Turn your body so it’s on a 45-degree angle to the camera

B Lift your chin slightly up and out. This will reduce the look of double chins.

C If you’re standing in your photo, put your weight on your back leg and bend your front leg. Lean your leg and hips out.

D Lean a little forward with your chest to increase your bust’s visibility

E Create triangles with your body — create more interesting areas for the eye to follow

F Don’t keep your arms right at your side — keep a little space between your arms and body. This will give you a slimmer appearance.

8)  Make sure the room you’re getting ready in is large and has lots of natural light.   Free it from clutter and anything that might show up in your images.

9)  Ideas to make those getting ready at the church images better:

A Drape fabric over old tattered furniture

B String some white Christmas lights around the room to help make the room twinkle.

(The extra light never hurts either.)

10) Check to make sure there aren’t any photographic restrictions at the church or reception venues. Also check what liability insurance your suppliers (like your photographer) carry. You would hate to find out at the last minute that your photographer isn’t allowed on-site due to liability insurance!

11) Do an engagement photo shoot — this is a great way to make everyone, including your fiancé, is more comfortable on your wedding day, It’s also a great trial run of your photographer to determine which photos you like. This will let you give your photographer feedback prior to your big day. The newest trend is for a fusion engagement session (See engagement portraits for more info.)

12) Plan your gift for your wedding party ahead of time. Think of things you can also incorporate into the wedding and images, like custom sunglasses in your wedding colors.

13) Check your tuxedos before you leave the tux shop.  Be sure everyone has the right size and color.

14) If you’re having an outdoor wedding, go to the venue a few days prior at the same time of the ceremony and have someone stand where you will be for your photo. They’ll want to check to make sure the sun isn’t too bright, that the area isn’t speckled with shadows, and so on.

15) If you’re planning a candlelight ceremony, plan for a spotlight on you so the images aren’t too dark. The same goes for receptions.

16) Don’t be afraid to call your photographer and ask for a quick coffee appointment to go over details ahead of time. The better kept “in the loop” your photographer is, the better your photos will be.

17) Remember to fill out the photographer’s questionnaire so special details don’t get overlooked.

During your portraits

1)      Don’t tilt your head when kissing or only one side of your face will be seen. Hold your head straight up and make your noses go side-by-side.

2)      When kissing your spouse, do so slowly and hold it for a few seconds. Some of the most romantic pictures are right before the kiss!

3)      Be yourself have fun! Do what you feel, be romantic, be silly, and just enjoy it.

4)      Don’t stop and pose because you saw the camera. Your photographer may be seeing one special, candid moment. Let the day unfold as it’s going to.

5)      Don’t be afraid to laugh.

6)      Be sure to take a few moments away with your closest friends and family to reflect on the day.

7)      Don’t be upset if the sun doesn’t shine — a cloudy day or post-storm sky can provide striking images.

8)      Prepare a beautiful thank-you sign to hold during your pictures — it makes a great thank-you card.

9)      Most photographers are always looking for new ideas — speak up about poses and special photo wishes you have. Some brides make a scrapbook of images they find that they like and use it as a guide for their own photos.

10)  Designate a family member to be the go-to person for the family pictures, to round up everyone, and to point out those special people you wanted images of.

 

 

 

At the Reception

 

1)      Plan your cake-cutting: What will you do? Where will you stand?

2)      A great way to personalize your wedding is to use gift tags, placecards, or guest books. You could even add a fusion video.

3)      Instead of confetti, consider throwing sparkles — it’s a fun idea for entering the reception and makes great photos.

4)      Be sure you watch how dark the reception room is — mood lighting is great but can negatively affect your images.

5)      Talk to your photographer about a spotlight for the dance.

After the Wedding

1)      Before you clean your dress, consider doing a Trash the Dress session. Go places and do things you would never do on your wedding day. Click here for Trash the Dress session info.

2)      Give your photographer time to retouch and edit in the digital world we expect everything now, this is one time to be patient.

Article Written by Cheryl Law

C.L. Photography

www.clphotos.ca

www.clphotographyblog.com

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Felt, Button and Broach Wedding Bouquets

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Jennie Lightle, Executive Wedding Planner of Lucky Day Weddings Inc.

These adorable, craft creations are the perfect eco-friendly look to go with any wedding, adding both personal and unique touches to your wedding.  Dump out your button jar, ask your grandma for a couple of broaches, check your craft drawer for some felt and beginning creating. 

Have a look at the awe-inspiring creations:

Adorable felt and button bouquet. Choose your color and match your theme with this crafty creation.

A great use of both felt and buttons to create this unique wedding bouquet.

Add a personal touch by creating this broach bouquet with elements that include you, your loved ones, and remembering a special grandma that may not be able to be there with you on your wedding day.

This great eco-friendly button bouquet is perfect for a wedding bouquet and the perfect keepsake to be passed on to your children when they marry.

Have a girls weekend use your felt, button or broach bouquet as the inspiration for you wedding.  Not sure you are crafty enough to create these gorgeous bouquets, then check with local craft artists for a helping hand in creating the perfect bouquet.  Happy Planning and Creating!!!

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Destination Ireland

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Jennie Lightle, Executive Wedding Planner of Lucky Day Weddings Inc.

Ireland or the “Emerald Isle” is a beautiful green country known for its forty shades of green, gorgeous castles and of course it’s beer.  Whether you are considering tying the knot or honeymooning in this “lucky land”,  you will have lots to see and lots to do while you visit.

Tying the Knot in the Emerald Isle

If you are dreaming of getting married in a Castle, then Ireland is your destination wedding heaven. Any region of the country you choose will have an elegant and story telling castle for you to get married in.  The hardest part is choosing which one.  Check out  www.castlesinireland.com for detailed list of castles.

If Ireland is where you choose to say “I do”, then you need make sure you contact the registration office at least 3 months prior to the wedding and provide them with Photo Id, Birth Certificate and application form.  The Registration Office will need to know the wedding date and location, type of wedding (religious or civil), names and dates of birth of witnesses and information about the officiant.  If you cannot get to Ireland to complete this application you can request to do this process by mail.

 

Honeymooning in Ireland

Ireland is the perfect escape after all those hard months of planning, with a dozens of castles to visit, Irish city tours, the must see Guinness Factory and train tours all over the country side just waiting for you to discover.   Don’t forget to check out the Brazen Head for a night of great food, folklore and fairies.

Don’t think the man in your life will whisk you off to visit castles and search for leprechauns and pots of gold, one word should change his mind “golf”.  Ireland is a golfers paradise, the only question is which shade of green is the “green”?

For more information on tying the knot in Ireland or honeymoon packages contact us today at info@luckydayweddings.com.

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Destination Belize

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Jennie Lightle, Executive Wedding Planner of Lucky Day Weddings Inc.

If you are looking for a unique wedding destination look no further.  Belize has everything on your list and much more.  With ancient Maya sites, lush rainforest, waterfalls, miles of beach front and hundreds of little private islands. This unspoiled location is located on the Caribbean Sea coast between Mexico and Guatemala. The locals are extremely hospitable and with there national languange being English it will make your journey that much easier.

Getting Married in Belize

If you are choosing to tie the knot in Belize you will need to reside in Belize for three days and then on the fourth day you may apply for your marriage licence.  You will need to provide your passport stamped with an entry date, original birth certificate with your parents names, proof of divorce or death (if applicable), and two witness present at the ceremony.  The cost of the Marriage licence is approximatly $100.00 USD.

The hardest part about getting married in Belize is choosing what you would like set as the backdrop of your wedding. Would you choose the ancient Maya Temple, a gorgeous waterfall, or on a private island with just you and your guests looking out at the turquoise water of the carribean. There is so much to do and see in Belize this adventure will have you coming back every year just to discover a little more.

Honeymooning in Belize

The natural beauty of Belize is the perfect setting for a Honeymoon or getaways between October and March.  Belize is on CNNmoney’s top 10 honeymoon destination spots.  Although, not yet as popular as some other neighbouring destinations it has an unimagineable beauty and peacefulness about it.  Great for the adventurest couple who would enjoy ziplining through rainforest, or are passionate about having an eco-friendly getaway.

If you would like more Honeymoon or Group Information on Belize please contact us at info@luckydayweddings.com and we can begin creating your perfect destination experience.

 

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The Marriage between Weddings and Travel

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Jennie Lightle, Executive Wedding Planner of Lucky Day Weddings Inc.

The bond has been evident for a long time between the travel world and the wedding world.  Where do you want to get married?  The world is our oyster and we get to choose where we want to live, sleep, eat, vacation and get married.  Location can often prove to be difficult to choose as family and friends may be scattered throughout the world and no matter if you choose your backyard or a warm tropical location people will need to travel to see you say “I do”.  

Getting married is an exciting adventure that you are taking yourself on and the stress at times can be overwhelming, it can be even more confusing when you are considering getting married in another country.   There are marriage requirements, travel arrangements and a wedding to plan.  Which is why at Lucky Day Weddings we combined the two worlds together our certified Wedding Planner and licenced Travel Agent can assist you with your wedding planning and book any and all travel for you and your guests.

Destination Weddings:  

Destination weddings can be as far or as near as you choose them to be.   You do not have to limit your destination wedding to running down south to a resort and following the guidelines that exsist within the confinements of the resort, you can step off the beaten path and rent out an entire restaurant, create a menu exotic to the location, ethnic music and live in the moment as traveller and not a tourist.  You do not have to go south when there are beautiful Irish castles, Roman cathedrals, Egyptian pyramids to set as the backdrop to your wedding.  This is your journey into marriage you choose the location and we will show you how to get there and make it happen.

 Honeymoons:

Honeymoons are the getaway every wedding couple needs after stressful months of planning a wedding and once again the sky is the limit as to where you may want to go.  There are the romantic cook islands surrounded by coral reef creating miles of calm ocean water, you can explore china, or even an african safari, no matter where you choose to go, its nice to have a travel agent who knows you and your likes and dislikes when planning a honeymoon, who can look at packages of exciting trips and know how to plan for you, a person who has been there since day one helping unfold the wedding plans and working with you on the details of your honeymoon.

If you are considering a destination wedding, honeymoon or a local wedding, we at Lucky Day Weddings are here to help you navigate through all the details and plan the wedding of your dreams.  Our combination of Wedding Planner and Travel Agent is going to take the stress off your shoulders and make life easier on your guests.  If you are interested in learning more about our destination wedding packages, honeymoon packages or a wedding services please contact us at info@luckydayweddings.com or check out our website at www.luckydayweddings.com .

Today is our last day of giveaways and we wanted to say a big thank you to all those who have supported our blog, left your comments and to those vendors who helped kicked off the blog in a “Lucky” fashion, we couldn’t do what we do without all of you.  So to end our giveaways we are giving away a $1,000.00 travel voucher towards your honeymoon or destination wedding that must be used through Lucky Day Weddings Inc. to one lucky person who leaves there comments and feed back below.  ****Winner is Katherine Hehr*****

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