Marriage & Honeymoon
Provides advice and insight to happy and successful marriage. We made the decision to write this blog as part of our love project.

Archive for August, 2006

How to Find Cheap Bridesmaid Dresses

Thursday, August 31st, 2006

Everyone knows weddings are expensive endeavors and this doesn’t stop with the bride and the groom. Chosen attendants often carry the cost of throwing showers, stag nights, and purchasing their wedding attire. Thankfully, there are ways to cut costs for attendants, and one is by allowing them to find cheap bridesmaid dresses.

One of the biggest complaints about bridesmaid dresses is that they can normally only be worn once, and when they cost over two hundred dollars or more, that’s huge hit to the savings or checking account. What some fail to realize is that there are ways to get cheap bridesmaid dresses that will not look cheap, and can be used again and again. Many brides are so busy they chose a style and color, and leave the arrangements up to their bridesmaids. A smart bridesmaid should ask the bride to allow them to search for the dresses, and give the bride the final choice.

Cheap bridesmaid dresses are everywhere; it just takes some time to search for them. Quite often the bride sees something on the rack and falls in love with it, and this can be a huge mistake. Quite often these dresses are full price, and that price can be painful.

Ask to see the discount selection. Most bridal stores have these, though they are no advertised very often. These dresses are normally one or two seasons old, but still new and beautiful. If you aren’t concerned with keeping up-to-date with the latest wedding fashions, this is a great way to find stunning and cheap bridesmaids dresses.

Many also fail to take the time to look online. While the selection may be limited, it’s possible to find fashionable, yet cheap bridesmaid dresses. Sometimes it is just a matter of taking a few hours to sit down and do a thorough search.

Don’t rely on the bridal industry in your search for cheap bridesmaid dresses. Just because something isn’t designed to be a bridesmaids dress, don’t mean it won’t work, and work well! Many major department stores have beautiful dresses that are marked down at the end of the season. You can often find these in various sizes and at a much lower price, and best of all, they can be worn again.

One last option is one that will take some time, so it won’t do for a wedding that is coming up quickly. Go to your local fabric store and search through the patterns they have available. You may find the perfect style and look for the wedding. If you know someone who can sew well, the dresses may cost no more than the price of the pattern and the price of the fabric.

These are a just a few options that can help you in your search for cheap bridesmaid dresses. Remember, just because the price is cheap, it doesn’t mean the dress will look cheap. Allow your bridesmaids to buy more inexpensive dresses and they will a love you for it. It may even allow them to spend a little more on your wedding gift.

Posted in Engagement, For the Wedding, Marriage, Party, Personal, Special Events | No Comments »

Original Wedding Anniversary Presents

Friday, August 18th, 2006

Wedding anniversaries are a time to let your partner know that they are special. It’s a chance to show your romantic side. They only come around once a year and heaven forbid that you forget one!

Some people like to be traditional and follow the set rules for anniversary presents, from paper for the first anniversary to diamonds for the sixtieth. It’s a long time to wait for diamonds. It would be an achievement to follow the anniversary presents list every single year. You may want to use your own imagination and knowledge of your partner, perhaps honoring the crystal, silver, pearl, ruby, gold, and diamonds for the landmark years.

The anniversary doesn’t have to be celebrated by anything tangible. Anniversary presents could include a special outing or experience. Perhaps you could organize a trip in a hot air balloon or a hang gliding lesson. You could put together your own romantic day, with a champagne picnic in a row boat on the river. That will probably be treasured more than expensive earrings or cuff links.

If you don’t want to organize something yourself, you can buy anniversary presents in the form of experience days, where the whole day is set up and you just enjoy. There’s everything from swimming with sharks (divorce is less dangerous), to a day in a health spa. If it’s difficult to decide on something you both like, you could take it in turns to choose.

There are some presents that can’t be gift wrapped but make a wonderful statement. Anniversary presents just need a bit of lateral thinking. A tree can be planted in your partner’s name, maybe in a place that means a lot to both of you. You could go beyond earth and name a star for your beloved. That star will carry that name forever and there will be a certificate of registration, so no one can take the name away. When you promised them the moon and the stars, you sort of did it! While you’re at it, you could have a favorite song played on the radio.

If you do want something that your partner can open and you can see the delight in their eyes when they unwrap their anniversary presents, you could buy a piece of original art. Make sure it’s to their taste and not just yours. A painting, a sculpture, or an antique that your partner has mentioned or hinted at! Why not compose your own poem. Romantic anniversary presents don’t come more personal than that. If your talents don’t lie in that direction, buy a book of love poems to be on the safe side. You can always rely on Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Posted in Family, Gifts, Living Together, Marriage, Personal, Special Events, Wedding Anniversary | No Comments »

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