Tag: DIY BRIDE

10 Tips for Moving After You Just Got Married

Whether moving in together for the first time or upgrading to a larger home, moving right after a wedding is relatively common among newlyweds. However, just because others have successfully done it, certainly doesn’t make it any less stressful. After all, with all the stress that came with a wedding barely in the rearview mirror, it can feel a little daunting to tackle a move—especially of the DIY variety.

Thankfully, there is no need to fret. A few key tips are all you need to make sure your move goes off without a hitch.

1. Declutter

If you are moving in together for the first time, there is bound to be some overlap, especially for things like furniture and kitchen appliances. Plus, you probably also got some great new household items as wedding gifts. This is why decluttering before you move is highly recommended.

If you are two households, take inventory of both homes and look for any overlap. From there, decide which item is best to keep, and sell or donate the duplicate. Living together beforehand? Decluttering is still highly recommended. Now is your chance to get rid of everything from old clothes to unwanted media. Remember, the less stuff you have, the less work and money your move will be.

2. Expect Small Squabbles

Jumping from one huge transition to the next can lead to stress and agitation, so make sure that both of you are going into each step of your move with patience and an open mind. For example, it is never easy to get rid of your belongings, but try to see the other person’s point of view and ideally find a balance between give and take. This is easier said than done, so remember to take it slow. Know that small squabbles are perfectly normal, but it is how you handle them that matters.

3. Start Beforehand

If you have possession of your new home before the wedding, you may want to consider moving some boxes over in your spare time. Every little bit done beforehand will make the latter half easier. And a little moving can be useful to work off any nervous energy. Don’t have possession of your new home? You can still start decluttering if you have spare time. However, if you find you get swamped with wedding stuff, don’t sweat it. While starting before the wedding is an option, it isn’t necessary for a successful move.

4. Have Hindsight

If you are planning your after-marriage move well ahead of time, first off, great idea! Secondly, have you considered how your wedding registry can accommodate the needs of your new home? If you are moving in together for the first time, you may want to look to items you are missing, such as bedding and cookware. Or, perhaps you have your eye on a piece of home decor that you would never buy because of the price, but would love to have. Basically, ask yourself what you need and want for the new home and incorporate it into the registry.

Don’t have particular needs? A money fund may also be a good idea, especially if you know your new home requires upgrades or repairs.

5. Make A List

Make a list of everything that needs to be done for your move and ideally assign each task a “due date”. Even if it isn’t an exact date, being able to see approximately when it needs to get done will help get your butt in gear. Plus, seeing everything written down in one place may also help reduce some stress.

6. Don’t Forget About Wedding To-Dos

Your wedding may be over, but don’t forget any residual wedding tasks, like sending thank you notes and returning rentals. Be sure to mix in anything you have to do after the wedding with your moving to-do list or on its own in a day planner or calendar. Moving tends to get pretty hectic, so this will ensure important tasks don’t slip your mind.

7. Pack It Right

The last thing you want is broken belongings, especially all those great wedding gifts. This is why taking the time to learn how to properly box up your home—particularly how to pack fragile items—will go a long way.

A top tip is to use new boxes for anything heavy or fragile. While used boxes are a great frugal option for lighter belongings like linens and clothing, they don’t have the same strength as new boxes. All sides of your boxes should also be padded with packing paper or a similar filler. This means that your items are always touching a layer of padding, never the box.

8. Ask for Help

You may be more hesitant to call in favors from friends and family since they just assisted with your big day. However, moving is a big ordeal and a few helping hands will go a long way. Just be sure to let everyone know how much you appreciate their time and you may also want to consider ordering supper in for your helpers as a thank you.

9. Go Professional

Even if you have decided to tackle the move mainly on your own, you may want to consider some professional help for a few tasks.

Painters: If your new home is getting painted before moving in, hiring professional painters can make it go faster, look more professional, and even give it time to air out.

Movers: You don’t need to commit to a full moving package to use movers. If you have heavy items like a hot tub or find a couch doesn’t fit through your front door, movers have the knowledge and equipment to get these jobs done quickly and efficiently.

10. Celebrate

A move that immediately follows a wedding can cramp the honeymoon stage a little, but don’t let that deter you from celebrating. After all, you just got married! Even if your celebration includes chilling on the sofa with a movie and champagne, you deserve it. Cheers to marriage, moving, and a happy home!

At-Home Spa Day Ideas For The Bride To Be

When it comes to your wedding day, you want your skin to be glowing. Every bride wants to be picture perfect on her special day. Luckily, there are several great at-home spa day ideas for the bride to be to help her look stunning for her wedding.

 Having a spa day isn’t only beneficial, but it is a lot of fun. The bride and her closest friends can all come together for a day of fun, bonding, and of course pampering in preparation for walking down the aisle. Every bride deserves to have an at-home spa day to help her feel her best.

At-Home Spa Day Ideas For The Bride To Be

Going to a spa is a great way to relax and rejuvenate. However, a trip to the spa can cost lots of money. Fortunately, you can have your own spa day at home that is a fraction of the price but just as fun for everyone. 

Wedding planning can be stressful, so a spa is a great way for any bride to relax in preparation for the big day. There are many great spa activities you can host from the comfort of your home. From face masks to pedicures and everything in between, it is the perfect way to de-stress.

Face Masks

You can’t have a spa day without using a face mask. Face masks help moisturize and brighten your skin, as well as remove oils and dirt from deep within your skin. There are several different face masks you can use based on your skin’s needs.

You can buy your own face masks or you can make DIY face masks, with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Honey, greek yogurt, turmeric, avocado, and oats are some of the ingredients you can use to make a mask. Most face masks you wear for 15-30 minutes before washing off. 

Lip Scrubs

Every bride wants to have kissable lips for her wedding day. Lips scrubs are a great way to exfoliate and soften your lips, removing any dead skin while also giving them a luscious plump appearance. 

Homemade lip scrub made out of brown sugar, honey and olive oil – Wooden background

You can easily make your own DIY lip scrub at home. By combining one teaspoon of honey and two teaspoons of sugar and one teaspoon olive oil, you can make a simple scrub for your lips. Simply massage the mixture gently onto your lips for 10 minutes before washing off.

Manicures and Pedicures

Young Girls Make-up Before Wedding. Hen-party. Beautiful Shiny Smile. Resting With Bride. Sunny Day. Good Mood. Young And Attractive. Happy Holiday. Making A Pedicure. Pre-wedding Fun Concept.

A manicure and pedicure are a must-have for every bride. Treat the bride to be with a hand and foot massage using her favorite lotion. After that, use her favorite nail polish to paint her nails.

Hair Masks

Every girl wants beautiful, glowing hair on her wedding day. Hair masks can help you achieve gorgeous locks for your wedding day. No matter what type of hair you have, there is a hair mask out there for you.

Healthy fruit concept, edible mask, mixed avocado on a wooden table

You can buy your own hair masks or you can make your DIY hair masks with ingredients from your pantry. Coconut oil, aloe vera, and honey are all great ingredients you can use for your hair mask.

The Perfect Spa Day

You don’t need to go to an expensive spa in order to treat the bride before her wedding. You can make your own wonderful spa from the comfort of your home that is affordable.

Happy bridesmaids and bride in silk robes sitting on the bed and smiling. Celebrating party at home.

Green Living Zone

Donald Giddings is founder and editor in chief at Green Living Zone. A lifelong sustainability enthusiast, Donald is always looking for the best way to live in harmony with nature.  When he is not trying out new eco-friendly recipes, he writes engaging content about green, sustainable ways to maintain your home, body, and soul, readily sharing his abundant experience with other green living aficionados.

Getting help with planning your sustainable wedding

It’s normal to get help with the planning of a wedding, whether it’s eco-friendly or not. Let’s take a closer look at help you can get in the planning stages, as well as advice from experts.

Finding green wedding planners and suppliers

There are dedicated companies who work to ensure events are kept as green as possible. Here’s what you need to know when looking for and working with sustainable companies.

Green wedding planners

There are several wedding planners who specialise in providing a service for people looking to host a green wedding. They’ll take everything we’ve looked at into account, while also helping you to make sure your wedding falls within budget.

The Wedding Planning Institute currently offers a certified course for green weddings. While you shouldn’t look for this as a requirement when making a decision, it’s worth asking about it.

Finding sustainable suppliers

From caterers to furnishers, you’ll want to work with companies who share your eco-friendly vision. Make sure to ask them questions like:

Green venues

We’ve already looked at the kinds of venues which are able to host your special occasion. When it comes to choosing your location, you can use platforms like Venuefinder to narrow down your search.

You can specifically look for green venues, and even specify the type of event, the maximum capacity needed and the location. Always make sure to visit a potential wedding spot before making any decisions. Ask them if they’ve hosted a sustainable wedding in the past, and find out if any special measures need to be taken to accommodate this.

Budgeting advice for your sustainable wedding

Saving for any wedding can be a challenge. The Green Union provide a useful breakdown of roughly how much of your budget you should dedicate to each aspect of planning:

50% – towards food, drink and reception

15% – on your outfits and dress

10% – on flowers

10% – on photography

10% – on entertainment

Think about setting yourself a cap for each area of your wedding. If you find yourself overspending in a certain area, consider how you could cut costs, while remaining sustainable.

For example: growing your own flowers, or renting a suit instead of having a new one made. There are always ways around needing to fork out a fortune, without compromising on quality.

Additional tips and advice

We’ve looked in detail at some of the steps you can take to perfect every aspect of your special day. Let’s take a closer look at some smaller fixes which will help reduce your impact on the environment that little bit further.

Go vintage where you can

While not all vintage products were created with sustainability in mind, it’s better to repurpose them than letting them go to waste. Reuse vintage items of tableware, dress or decoration to cut out the need to have something new produced just for your big day.

DIY where you can

In any circumstances where it’s logistically possible, think about creating something yourself. We’ve already looked at the obvious example of flowers. It might also be possible to create handmade decorations, tablecloths and invites (all from sustainable materials). Think about what you can do yourself, or ask others to help you out.

Book a local photographer

Rather than asking someone to travel the breadth of the country to snap your big day, look for someone in the local area. It’s potentially a small touch, but it could make a difference when it comes to the wedding’s carbon footprint.

Have a post-wedding recycle plan

Set up areas where guests can recycle during the event. Also think about having a detailed plan in place for what you’re going to do with anything that’s leftover at the end of the day.

Weddings to support green nonprofits

Speaking of recycling your leftovers, this provides a fantastic opportunity to gift anything which hasn’t been used to a food bank or charity. You could even ask people to make direct contributions to nonprofits on the day itself.

Let’s take a look at a few ways you can help support charities and other green organisations at your wedding:

Gifts from your guests

Rather than asking for presents for you and your partner, instead consider how they can make a tangible difference to a worthy cause. Even if it’s just a cash donation, this is a great way to casually ask for donations en masse.

Charity-owned venues

Some charities are fortunate enough to receive funds from their own venue. Assuming they promote sustainability, think about hiring one of these locations. This helps make what can sometimes be a steep fee feel less like a drain on your finances. You know the money is being used to help others.

Make donations part of the reception

Whether it’s simply by posting donation boxes throughout the venue or having a cut of the bar takings go to charity, there are simple steps which can help you collect funds. Even a tip jar by the bar for loose change would make a difference.

Decorate to promote a nonprofit

If a cause is particularly close to you, consider decorating with their branding in mind. This serves as a constant reminder to attendees, giving your chosen charity free promotion. Encourage guests to follow the charity on social channels, and use banners to show them where they can donate directly.

Donate leftover food

Anything which hasn’t been eaten and won’t perish can be donated to a food bank. Talk to the venue about this beforehand. If you don’t, there’s a chance they might automatically throw the food away.

Planning an eco-friendly wedding isn’t easy. But if you follow the advice we’ve offered here, you’ll find it doesn’t have to be as much of a challenge as you may first suspect.

Eco-friendly décor

You don’t have to compromise on your perfect décor just because you’re trying to make your wedding as green as possible. There are a number of clever techniques you can use to remain sustainable without sacrificing the aesthetic appeal of your big day.

Lighting

Make the most of the daylight while you can. Setting up solar panels during this period can help to make a big difference later in the day. Collecting enough energy at this point could mean your entire evening is lit by a sustainable source.

Failing that, you could employ the use of hundreds of beeswax candles. These can hang from the ceiling and provide natural lighting for the reception.

Place cards

Any form of paper signage which you use can be sourced ethically, or even replaced altogether. When it comes to place cards, bamboo or recycled options are the best way to go.

For your wedding invites, think instead about sending out electronic save-the-dates, and asking people to confirm their attendance online. If you know particular guests are not computer-savvy, reach out to them via the phone.

Confetti

There’s a relatively easy alternative to traditional confetti that comes in the form of biodegradable, dried out petals. These not only retain the aesthetic appeal of the original product but break down naturally in the environment without doing any damage.

Other natural materials

From the tablecloth to your napkins, there are a series of decorations which you can find made from materials like hessian, hemp or pure linen.

When it comes to tableware, consider using rustic natural wood, sourced from sustainable forests. This extends to the likes of tables, bowls and even cutlery.

 

Eco-friendly wedding venues

Yes, even the decision of where to host your big day can have a big impact on how sustainable it is. Once again you have a selection of options to choose from.

Outdoors

Having your wedding take place outdoors means you’ll be able to make the most of natural sunlight. You’ll be able to find botanical gardens and refurbished barns, which offer the perfect venue for anyone looking to ensure their wedding locale is having the minimum impact possible on the surrounding ecosystem.

Centralised location for ceremony and reception

Hosting both events in the same place means there’s minimal need for guests to travel from one place to the next. It sounds simple, but it’ll make a massive difference to your wedding’s overall carbon footprint.

Green hotels

Some hotels are greener than others. They’ll have a strong recycling policy in place, use energy-efficient appliances and operate using a lot of biodegradable products. These are all questions you can ask a potential host venue before you make a decision.

 

Sustainable and organic food and catering

This is another factor we often overlook at a wedding. While it’s common to take guests’ dietary needs into account, not much thought is given to where and how our food arrives on the plate.

If food wastage and sustainability matters to you, you can find a catering company who keep all of the following in mind:

Locally sourced

We’ve already discussed the benefits of localised sourcing when it comes to mileage. But it also helps smaller farming communities to thrive. In the process, it increases the likelihood of others being able to get produce from their local community in the future.

Organically produced

While pesticides have their benefits, they also carry harmful chemical pollutants which can have a negative impact on the environment. Make sure to ask your caterer if their products conform to the certified standards.

Tableware offered
You can always provide this yourself, but if you are relying on a catering company for everything, make sure they offer sustainable products. That means their cutlery is reusable, recyclable and biodegradable.

Food waste policy
Ask them what their policy is regarding food that is either unused or not eaten after being prepared. Most sustainable catering companies should offer food that hasn’t been cooked to food banks or charities. Meanwhile, food that didn’t get consumed can be turned into compost.

 

Be sure to keep this in mind when choosing your caterers. Ask what their policy is on all of these factors before you make a final decision.

The Guide to Sustainable, Zero-Waste, Ethical Weddings

A wedding should be one of the happiest days of a couple’s lives. The event brings friends and family together in a celebration of love. Drinks flow, food is devoured and, hopefully, everyone goes home having had a great time.

In all the excitement, it’s easy to overlook the impact a wedding might have on the environment. Sustainability is being spoken about more now than ever. Luckily, if this is something you want to take into account on your wedding day, you can.

Let’s find out how, as we explore the perfect way to host a sustainable, zero-waste, ethical wedding. We’ll break down the damage a regular wedding has, before introducing alternatives for you to try.

Introduction to sustainable and ethical weddings

Do you know how much of an impact your big day could have on the world around you? Here are some startling statistics which might make you reconsider how you want your wedding to be.

Waste generated by the wedding industry

Everything we throw away which can’t be recycled has a negative impact on the environment. If something isn’t biodegradable, it could take thousands of years to break down naturally.

Plastic is unsurprisingly at the heart of the issue.

Individually, one wedding can produce as much as 20kg of plastic waste. What’s more, the black bags used to collect the rubbish are themselves potentially harmful. They can take as many as 90 years to break down under the ground.

But it’s not just plastic which has an impact. Food wastage is also a common theme for most weddings. A study from Sainsbury’s reveals the extent of this.

To put the wedding wastage into context, the average family home will throw away roughly £700($867.51) in food in one year. In other words, a few hours at one wedding can account for 65% of a home’s wastage across an entire year.

The carbon footprint of wedding celebrations

Rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere have directly led to warmer global temperatures, as warm air is trapped within the Earth’s atmosphere. As NASA highlight, this has directly led to shrinking ice sheets, warming oceans and a general rise in global temperature.

Sadly, UK weddings are again one of the chief offenders when it comes to CO2 contributions. As many as 14.5 tonnes of the gas will be created during an average celebration.

That’s a startling figure, given annual carbon emission per capita in the UK is just 9.1 tonnes. With roughly 250,000 weddings taking place every year, that’s a net result of 3,625,000 tonnes of gas being emitted.

 

Zero-Waste Wedding: The worst sustainability offenders at weddings

Some wedding troupes are more harmful than others. Here are a few common inclusions which you might not realise are having a negative impact on the environment.

Balloons

Often made of materials that don’t break down, balloons contribute to overflowing landfill sites. They also pose a serious choking hazard for wildlife like birds and sea creatures.

Confetti

Throwing confetti is a common tradition, but have you ever considered where it ends up after the celebrations are over? Unfortunately, this is another example of a material which won’t degrade naturally. That means it often ends up being consumed by animals.

Exotic flowers

It’s not something that immediately springs to mind, but transporting flowers which aren’t seasonal means you’ll need to move them from relatively far away. The net result is a higher level of CO2 emissions, as well as the use of potentially harmful chemical fertilisers which can pollute the soil.

Decorations

Paper comes in handy at a wedding, but it’s still worth considering where you can limit its use. Bunting, banners and even invites can use up resources which might not be sustainable. Either cut down on their use or make sure you’re only utilising sustainable materials.

Don’t worry, though. These are all common aspects of a wedding – which means alternative, eco-friendly options, have already been created. In chapter two, we’ll look at exactly what those options are.

Conscious consumer wedding registry

If you’re asking your guests to come with a gift from a wedding registry, you can give them an entirely sustainable list of options to choose from. Here are a few examples of what you could include:

Earth-friendly gifts

If you want to take a more eco-friendly approach to life beyond the wedding day itself, this is a great opportunity to get a helping hand. You can ask for gifts like solar panel chargers, bamboo toothbrushes, electric lights or even a compost bin.

Fairtrade products

Looking for homeware which could genuinely make a positive difference to the lives of people in developing countries? You can find things like rugs, cutlery and even tables on websites such as Ten Thousand Villages.

These items are produced from sustainable ingredients by people living in third world countries. As it’s fairtrade, they take a healthy cut of all profits made on anything sold.

Small and local gifts

Investing in local communities is good for everyone. But it’s especially handy if you’re trying to reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint. Purchasing from people in your community will mean there’s far less fuel being burned to get your presents to you.

 

The key here is to think about how each item on your registry could have an impact on the environment. Is what you’re asking for going to come from a sustainable source?

 

Organic and low-impact flowers

While all flowers are by their very nature “organic”, sustainability can still be taken into account when it comes to decorating your wedding.

Aside from the carbon footprint you accrue when transporting flowers from across the world (most flowers used in Western Europe are grown in Kenya, Colombia, Vietnam and Ecuador), there can also be issues of exploitation in the supply chain.

There are steps you can take to avoid funding these kinds of enterprises:

Buy local and seasonal flowers

Using a website, you can search for the exact type of flower you want, even specifying by things like pesticide usage. This allows you to make a conscious and measured choice about the distance your flowers have to travel and the impact you might be having.

Grow your own

A tried and tested method, there’s no harm in cutting out the middleman and growing your own. Even if the finished product isn’t as polished as what you might get from a professional florist, there’s a certain charm to self-grown decorations at a wedding.

Find a sustainable florist

As with most sectors, there are a growing number of florists who are making sustainability a priority. You can spot a sustainable supplier by looking for those who:

  • Don’t use floral foam or plastic
  • Source local or ethically certified flowers
  • Are transparent about how they work and where their flowers come from

 

Who would have thought so much consideration went into something as simple as a flower? Make sure to keep all this in mind when choosing your bouquets.

 

Planning an ethical and sustainable zero-waste wedding

We’ve seen what some people are doing wrong, but how can you combat that? Hosting a zero-waste wedding doesn’t have to be hard. Let’s discover how you can make each aspect of your big day more eco-friendly.

Eco-conscious wedding attire

Looking good at your wedding is a must. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise when it comes to your sustainability efforts. There are a handful of ways you can take a green approach while still looking the part.

Eco-friendly materials

It’s easier than it’s ever been to find a wedding dress or a suit which have been manufactured from sustainable materials. Thankfully, satins, hemp-based silks, organic cotton knitted lace and general fairtrade products are all common bases of modern dresses.

Renting your attire

Renting your dress or suit for your big day is also a viable option. There are loads of branded designs available, and this means you won’t be responsible for the construction of a garment which isn’t made from sustainable resources.

Choosing alternative attire

If you’re not too hung up on having a traditional wedding, there’s also the option of dressing in something which you know is eco-friendly. Encourage your guests to do the same if you really want to hammer home the sustainable theme of the wedding.

Ethical conflict-free rings

Whether it’s your engagement or wedding ring, there are ways you can ensure the precious stone you’re using has been sourced ethically.

Research the jeweller

Find out as much as you can about a jeweller before you purchase from them. If you’re not sure what to look for, try to find signs like:

  • Funding for projects in communities where diamonds are ethically sourced
  • The supporting of initiatives which ensure the safe production of diamonds and precious gems
  • Open promotion about the fact their gems are sourced ethically

Speak to them first

If you can’t find any signs of their ethical nature, there’s always the option of reaching out and directly asking a supplier where their diamonds come from.

Consider asking them to be direct with their answer. If they aren’t clear about the origin of their product, it might be wise to turn elsewhere.

Avoid areas of conflict

While most countries have developed a fair and ethical production of diamonds, some areas remain questionable.

If you want to be completely sure you’re buying a diamond from a conflict-free zone, avoid producers like Zimbabwe, Angola, DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Liberia.

You don’t have to compromise on the quality of your ring just because you’re choosing an ethical option. Many diamond retailers have made this a priority in recent years, so you’ll have plenty to choose from.

How to Deal with the Financial Impact of Delaying Your “I do”

Planning your dream wedding can be stressful under normal circumstances. In the blur of picking floral arrangements and finding the perfect music, many couples don’t account for unforeseen events that can impact their plans. Those who planned to get married in 2020 have to navigate the added stress of the coronavirus. As large gatherings contribute to the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that gatherings of more than 10 people should be cancelled.

For those who don’t want to host a virtual wedding or exclude guests, postponing the wedding is a likely outcome. Unfortunately, rescheduling a wedding means that months of planning are uprooted, family members must cancel travel plans and money is lost.

Postponing a wedding is a big deal. Use this article as a starting point to take charge of your finances and make the best of an unexpected situation.

Financial Implications of Postponing

In 2019, the average wedding cost $33,900, with the ceremony and reception costing, on average, $28,000 and the ring averaging $5,900.

Unfortunately, postponing a wedding will most likely add to what you originally paid. Depending on how close you were to your original date, you might lose money on things like retainers, non-refundable goods, and services. If you didn’t budget for unexpected roadblocks along the way, you may find yourself in a bit of a bind.

Typical Ways to Finance a Wedding

  • Parental Funding
    According to a Weddingwire survey, 52% of parents end up paying the majority of their children’s wedding expenses.
  • Credit Cards
    Instead of charging wedding expenses to a high-interest credit card, take advantage of 0% APR offers and make a plan to pay off your balance.
  • Crowdfunding
    A growing trend, crowdfunding allows guests to contribute money to your wedding. Many people are opting out of gifts or honeymoon contributions for this unconventional method.
  • Savings
    Many people lean on their savings to pay for their wedding. Keeping your wedding fund in a high-yielding savings account gives you the opportunity to earn interest.

A lot of planning and budgeting goes into organizing a wedding. But the budget you set initially may not be able to accommodate unexpected costs due to unforeseeable events like COVID-19. Scrambling to find funding can seem like an impassable barrier. A personal loan can help cover additional costs.

Getting a personal loan

If you don’t have any other financing options, a personal loan can help you pay for the added costs. However, a personal loan is not something to take on lightly. While there is a wide range of wedding and personal loan options, you should only take one on if you can pay it off in a reasonable amount of time. Otherwise, you could end up in debt for years to come. There are both advantages and disadvantages to a personal loan for a wedding.

The stronger your credit score, the lower your interest rate on your loan will be. Before you decide to choose a personal loan for your wedding, make sure it is the best option for your situation. Loans have fixed monthly payments and allow you to build credit over time, but the fees and interest rates can add to your balance and make it hard to pay off.

If you’ve determined that a personal loan is the best choice for you right now, use this personal loan calculator as a starting point.

How much do I need to finance my wedding?

If you don’t have enough saved to cover unexpected wedding costs, how much should you borrow?

What to Do If You Have to Postpone

If your wedding plans are on hold because of the coronavirus or an unexpected circumstance, don’t lose hope. We’ve put together a list of tips you can use to manage unanticipated costs and mitigate the stress you feel.

1. Give yourself time and space to process

Choosing to postpone your wedding isn’t an easy decision to make. Months of planning and budgeting come unraveled, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. A time that was supposed to be a celebration can morph into something very stressful. It’s okay to give yourself some time to be sad about it. Lean on your loved ones and allow people to help.

2. Talk with your vendors

Start the conversation with your vendors as soon as possible. You’ll need to figure out who will be able to accommodate a new date and the costs. Remember, wedding vendors deal with unexpected changes more than you do, so they may be able to give you advice and help you through the process. Review the contracts you signed and contact your vendors one by one to ask about their postponement procedures and any available dates they have for the future.

You may find that not all of your vendors will be able to work with a new date, which most likely will result in a lost deposit. All you can do is attempt to negotiate and be flexible. Jocelyn Voo, an NYC wedding photographer and owner of Everly Studios, said, “Most vendors have a Force Majeure clause that includes government emergencies and acts of God. They may be willing to waive any reschedule fees due to the unprecedented nature of COVID-19. For all my couples, I’ve allowed one reschedule to a new date within one year of their original reservation. Trust that many vendors will be in favor of postponing your event rather than outright canceling it.”

3. Notify guests and update your website

Once you speak with your vendors and pick a new date, make sure every single guest knows the plan. Email blasts and new save-the-dates are some of the most popular ways to notify your guests. If you’ve maintained a wedding website as a way to relay information, you should update the date and any necessary information there too.

4. Help your guests make changes

Beyond just telling your guests that your wedding is postponed, think about ways in which you can help them with the plans they’ve made. Some of your guests have most likely made travel arrangements that will need to be either canceled or rescheduled. If you’ve reserved rooms at a hotel, contact the hotel and see what accommodations they are willing to make for guests who have booked with them.

5. Consider wedding insurance

Every insurance policy and situation is different. If you had insurance prior to the coronavirus, you should check with your insurance provider to see if you have any level of coverage. Given the changing circumstances surrounding the coronavirus, many insurance companies may not be able to provide coverage.

While you may not be able to obtain coverage during the coronavirus, you should consider getting wedding insurance for your new date. Also known as special event insurance, it gives you both postponement or cancellation and liability coverage. Wedding insurance helps cover the money you would lose if you had to postpone or cancel.

6. Revisit your budget

Once all the dust has settled, and you have a grip on which vendors you’ll be able to work with for your new date, it’s time to revisit your budget. More than likely, you lost money along the way through deposits and additional fees. Take these fees into account and work them into your new budget. Even though postponing a wedding results in added fees, that doesn’t mean you have to let it blow away your finances.

Look for ways you can cut out unnecessary expenses or cut costs. If it turns out that a considerable number of guests aren’t able to make the new date, you could downsize supplies and catering. You can also save by using wholesale sellers for your decorations and then going down the D.I.Y route.

7. Act quickly

How long you decide to postpone your wedding is up to you. But once you make the decision to reschedule, you have to act quickly. Letting time go can result in even more money lost. As the pandemic has left many couples in the same situation, the need to act quickly and secure vendors and dates is all the more important. You don’t want to lose out on your backup plan because someone got there first. Even though vendors are used to dealing with changing wedding dates, they do put a lot of work into your special day. Don’t damage the relationship with them by not telling them right away.

Tips From the Experts

It’s easy to feel overrun with information on what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to postponing a wedding. To make sure you get the best information, we spoke to vendors and wedding planners about their experience and what advice they have for couples who are managing wedding finances during the pandemic.

Read your contract

Aimee Palifroni, owner of Prisma Events

Read through your contracts carefully before making the first call. Couples should be well aware of what they have agreed to with each of their vendors and be sure to understand their policies around cancellation and rescheduling.

We’ve seen a great deal of flexibility and willingness from vendors to work with couples on a case-by-case basis to reschedule and move payments to new dates. However, don’t forget that everyone is in the same boat right now. Your vendors are small business owners who are scared of losing everything, and they are under the same amount of stress, given the current circumstances. Everyone’s ability to work together through this will make things much easier.

Reschedule, don’t cancel

Tracy French, destination wedding planner coach

As a destination wedding specialist, I am strongly advising couples to reschedule vs. canceling their weddings. From what I am seeing, the couples that have simply canceled their weddings instead of rescheduling them, they leave the majority of their friends and family miffed, shocked, surprised, and mad. It is impossible to meet everyone’s ideal rescheduled date, but your friends and family planned to travel with you to this destination and were all looking forward to it. Most guests are looking forward to this [pandemic] passing and having a future travel date to be excited about.

Take on DIY projects

Marie Kubin, J.D., founder & CEO of Rent My Wedding

The best trick is to see if you can get the same things you planned on, but pay less. How? Opt for do-it-yourself rentals instead of full-service professionals. There are so many aspects of a wedding that couples don’t realize that they can do on their own. For example, wedding lighting, backdrops, photo booths, and arches/canopies are traditionally done by specialty vendors. However, you can actually rent all these items and set them up yourself. By setting up the decor yourself, you will save thousands of dollars. The best part is that there is no experience required!

Set your nonnegotiables

Lauren Alexander Weddings, a UK based wedding planner and events designer

Be kind, be understanding, be open. Communication is key, and so is managing both your and your supplier’s expectations. Consider writing a list of things you actually don’t mind losing out on and some things that are a permanent no.

Ivy Summer, certified wedding planner 

Couples should discuss among themselves which wedding vendors they’re willing to spend more on. Couples should also establish what their non-negotiables are so they can understand what types of wedding aspects they’re not willing to budge about versus where they’re willing to be flexible. This exercise helps the couple establish a set of guidelines that help them make decisions in their planning process.

The Lasting Impact on the Wedding Industry

The coronavirus has an impact on more than just the couples who have had to postpone their wedding. Joshua Gabrielson, owner of Wedding Photography and Films, said, “From current estimations based on our data, it looks like 15-20% of wedding vendors could stop existing all together. Fortunately, we have some savings for bad wedding seasons which has softened the blow to our business, but it’s still 80% down from this time last year.”

Some wedding vendors and event planners are at risk of going out of business or going into debt just to make it through. In an attempt to mitigate the loss, vendors have to make hard decisions about their clients, even if it damages their reputation. Summer suggested, “One of the biggest implications of the pandemic on the wedding industry is that there’s a betrayal of trust in some vendors. Namely the venues that have pulled the rug from underneath couples who paid in advance and have no way of getting a refund due to the impact of the pandemic on wedding businesses.”

Postponing a wedding is no one’s dream, but it’s a possibility that shouldn’t be ignored. Adding an extra cushion with a personal loan into your wedding budget can save you a lot of heartaches in the long run. Rescheduling a wedding date has a lot of moving parts, but these tips will help you replan your special day.

(Blog Contributor: Taylor Leamey / Writer)

The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Backyard Wedding

Getting married is a major life event that you’ll never forget. If you’re planning to walk down the aisle with that special someone, a backyard wedding is a great way to say your vows and tie the knot on a budget. Whether your outdoor space is large or small, it’s easy to plan a backyard wedding if you know where to start. From summer celebrations to a beautiful autumn ceremony, read on to learn how you can plan your wedding for a special moment right in your own backyard.

How to Get Started: Review the Logistics

Before you pick out favors and décor, start with the logistics. How successful your wedding is will depend on where you live, the time of year, and the weather. Try to nail down a date where you feel confident the weather will hold out for a glorious day. You should also determine whether or not you need a special license to get married in your backyard, as some locations still require a permit to perform official ceremonies in a private space.

You’ll also want to find out how to get the right amount of power for music, lighting, and more. An extension cord might do the trick but be aware that it also poses a trip hazard. Determine how much equipment will be needed for the wedding so you can get the proper power source set up. You’ll likely need a generator to create power for things like speakers and catering equipment.

In addition to permits and power, now is the time to clean up your yard and get it ready for the big day. Get rid of old dead plants, tree branches, and weeds to create a clean slate for your ceremony and reception. Come up with a layout for seating and the stage now so it will be easier when it’s time to set everything up.

Another crucial thing to keep in mind is wedding insurance. You might not think you need it in your own backyard, but it’s good to see what’s covered in case a guest gets injured on your property. Other things to consider include parking, notifying your neighbors in advance, and creating your official wedding program.

Once you’ve listed all of the logistics, the fun part begins. Think about the special features you’ll want to include in your backyard wedding. From a specific theme to your flowers, write down a list of ideas and tweak them as you go.

Do you want an outdoor dance floor or stage? How about separate tables and chairs for the reception?

Think of planning your backyard wedding the same way you would in any other venue. If you love music, add outdoor speakers so everyone can dance to your favorite tunes. A beautiful fountain can add a nice touch to an outdoor wedding, too. Brainstorm several different features you’d like to see so you can start planning ahead as early as possible.

Benefits of a Backyard Wedding

While a formal venue is always nice, there are plenty of awesome benefits to getting married in your backyard. First and foremost, you’ll save a ton of money on the cost to rent a venue which can run you into the thousands of dollars. That fact alone makes considering a backyard wedding worth the effort! Aside from saving money, here are some other benefits of hosting a backyard wedding:

  • If your pets are part of the family, you can enjoy their company at the wedding. Most venues won’t allow pets, but you can certainly enlist your pooch to be the best man if you decide to get married DIY.
  • Aside from the wedding itself, you can also host a backyard rehearsal dinner. Have casual food like barbecue catered in, or just cook some food on the grill for your wedding party to enjoy.
  • Since your backyard probably has limited space, that means you can keep your guest list small, too. The fewer guests you have, the less money you’ll need to spend on things like food and entertainment.
  • Backyard weddings give you the flexibility to choose any date you want to get married. Instead of planning around the “wedding season” to find an open slot, you can pick any day you like when you host your own backyard wedding.
  • You might be nervous about getting married but doing it in a familiar place is a great way to calm those nerves and help you feel more relaxed and at home.

Have A Plan B in Place

There’s no way you can predict the weather to a T, so be sure you have an alternate “Plan B” in place just in case the storms roll in. Weather can change in an instant which means you might end up dealing with unexpectedly cold temperatures or a dangerous rainstorm. Draft up a reasonable Plan B where you can move everyone inside your home. If you’re insistent on keeping the celebration outside, reserve a tent that you can use in case of an emergency. Make sure someone can pick the tent up just in case you need it in a pinch. Ensure that the sides of the tent are covered to protect everyone from the rain. If the weather happens to be unseasonably hot, have plenty of fans available to keep the air circulation. If it’s cold, stock up on outdoor heaters. Having these safeguards in place will keep your stress level low and the wedding moving along.

Timeline

Wedding planners are experts at creating the perfect timeline. If you’re doing everything on your own, it’s crucial to make sure you create a timeline that works. Do your best to schedule the ceremony somewhat early so the skies don’t get dark before you’ve said your vows. Try to avoid too much downtime between the ceremony and reception since the guests won’t need to travel between venues. If possible, try to schedule your wedding photos before the ceremony begins so you can mingle and visit with guests directly after the ceremony is over. If you can’t get pictures beforehand, consider a few fun backyard games or activities to keep everyone entertained while they wait. Finally, remember to be mindful of your neighbors and try to agree on an official time when the reception is over. You can always move the party to a local bar or another hot spot later in the night.

DIY Décor and Inspiration

If you’re planning a backyard wedding, you’re likely already working on other DIY ideas when it comes to themes and décor. Doing everything yourself gives you the freedom to create almost any style décor using any theme imaginable. Here are some suggestions to inspire you and prompt you to create a memorable theme with beautiful décor that’s all done DIY:

  • Hang outdoor string lights throughout your backyard to create a warm, magical glow when the sun goes down.
  • For autumn weddings, focus on beautiful colors like orange, red, and gold for décor, flowers, and bridesmaid dresses.
  • Place clear glass vases on each table and fill them with freshly cut flowers you picked from your own yard.
  • Laminate some of your favorite photos of you and your better half to protect them from the weather, then display them on rope or string and hang them from a tree or around a fence line.
  • Consider jewel-toned plastic goblets in lieu of glassware. It’s a great way to serve beverages in a beautiful way without having to worry about broken glass.
  • Use texture and patterns outdoors by adding beautiful printed tablecloths or runners over tables. A pair of sheer curtains can add a gorgeous, romantic touch to the stage, too.
  • Get creative with seating and place a few vintage sofas and chairs outside. You can also use some hay bales as seating if you’re aiming for a wedding with a rustic or farmhouse theme.
  •  Instead of paying tons of money for custom invitations, consider printing some at home or through a local printing service. Create the layout and design using a simple program, then print them in full color on heavy cardstock paper.

 Sentimental Value

Besides saving money and enjoying a smaller guest list, having a backyard wedding carries quite a bit of sentimental value, too. Imagine saying your vows right in the place where you grew up. If you don’t still live in the same house from your childhood, you likely still have plenty of wonderful memories from this special place. Your guests will probably feel sentimental as well, especially if they’ve spent a lot of time at your home and in your backyard. Have your furry friends join in the celebration, which is another great way to make this day more sentimental and special. Getting married in this place can create a very meaningful moment for you and your new spouse. Remember to enjoy the moment and capture the memories with lots of photos, family, and friends.

(Blog Contributor: Isabella Caprario)

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