5 Things to Consider Before Booking Your Destination Wedding

Destination weddings are one of the fastest growing types of weddings. They can be memorable, intimate and cost effective. But for that they require a lot of research and good planning before booking. Well, here are top 6 things that you need to consider before committing to a destination wedding.

• Prioritize Things: Everyone wants his complete family, close friends and other beloved ones attend his marriage without any complexity. Some people may feel uncomfortable to attend destination wedding on a mountain or other place. So before your commitment to a destination wedding make sure all of your prioritize people are capable to attend this marriage.
• Timing is everything: When planning for a destination wedding right decision about the date and time is very important. You have to consider the weather of the month on which you are thinking to organize your big day. If you will plan your wedding in a wrong month (rainy month) you have to face several difficulties.
• Hire a destination wedding planner: However, destination wedding is extremely special way to start your life as husband and wife, but you should not forget about its challenges. The best way to organize all things in a professional way and with ease is hiring a destination wedding planner expert. He will have a vast knowledge and wealth of resources that will make the process completely seamless, enjoyable and stress-free
• Currency Rate: If you are planning the wedding in a distant country then familiarize yourself with the currency rate of that country. It is really important when booking your vendor team and organizing other important things. Thereby, take some extra cash for unexpected expenses.
• Make it legal: Marriage laws vary country by country, So do your research. Plan to apply for and get your marriage license before or after your trip and research your country’s marriage laws.

The Biggest Wedding Music Trends for 2016

Good music is timeless and an essential part of any wedding. However, selecting wedding music is now not simple as was in earlier days. You will surely want your playlist be entertaining and that can be done by taking inspiration by latest Wedding Music Trends. Here we will discuss 2016 biggest wedding music trends that will help you to select right music for your wedding.

• Band or DJ? Get Both! -> Today’s DJs have been responsible for churning out music’s biggest hits. It is exactly what most of the couples want on their big day. You can make it a nonstop music party by adding a live band. It can play to any crowd and their players can bring energy to dance for all dance loving people.
• Specialty Performance Acts -> These days several people like to organize specialty performance acts on their big day. You can also go with this if you have any great story and theme in your mind. The specialty performance would be in addition to your reception band and can take place during set break.
• Upgraded Audio Service -> One trend that can be easily seen in present time wedding is booking of professional audio service for wedding. Reason any of the best band in the world won’t sound best without a proper audio amplification system. It is a best idea for the couples who want to ensure the maximum value for their dance band. While for some couples this may be an extra expense.
• Unconventional ceremony songs -> In old days some special songs were selected to play on special steps of wedding (like stepped down on the aisle). So, almost same conventional songs were played in every wedding on special steps. But these days you can settle on just about any other song (old or new) which you find meaningful.
• Bride & Groom Take True Center Stage -> Recently wedding models, the bride’s parents as hosts and masters of ceremonies has given way to bride and groom to take center stage. This is really a very good idea as couples can now determine their favorite band, music, playlist and special dances with more ease.

Top 5 Backyard Wedding Ideas

Traditional wedding and/or reception can be costly. That’s why today’s many couples are opting for a backyard wedding. A backyard wedding can opens up endless money saving opportunities for you. There are countless ways that can be used to transform your backyard into a magical outdoor retreat to host your wedding. Some of them are listed below:

1. Make Precise Planning: Backyard wedding is a great way to save money of the venue, but there are several things to consider before making any commitment regarding this area. Like do you have enough big backyard space to organize the big day? Do you want to host the ceremony in backyard or just the reception? You can get right answer to these questions by making exact guest list, selection of right wedding type and dinner or buffet.
2. Preparation Time: Placing up a white tent and setting out a few chairs will not prepare your yard for wedding. You will need several weeks or months for preparation and to ensure that backyard is ready for the big day. Decoration or preparation time will depend on the current condition of your lawn.
3. Pick Your Theme: As you know every theme comes with different flowers, centerpieces, photo frames, chairs, linens, catering choices and more. But by opting backyard wedding you can enjoy every theme with more flexibility. Reason, a backyard wedding is less about perfection and more about being relaxed and getting fun. So you should pick a theme that you think you, your family and guests will enjoy.
4. Light it up: You can light up your backyard with as many (or as few) beautiful lights you can afford or want. You can use stringing lights throughout the ceiling of the tent and wrapping them around trees. Hanging lights on trees and other natural shrubbery can give your backyard beautiful look. You can also place candles on chairs and tables to acquire more sparkle.
5. Separate apartments: Remember it is your wedding day, so come up with creative ideas to make it memorable and unforgettable. Create separate areas or zones in your backyard for every part of wedding. For example, incorporate a casual seated area away from the dance floor and tables that provides guests a little bit of intimacy.

Some Biggest Mistakes Newly-engaged Couples Make

Are you one of the lucky couples who just got engaged? If yes, then like others you may be overwhelmed about from where you should start the planning of wedding. The feeling of overwhelmed is normal at this moment but several couples make critical mistakes due to this during their wedding planning. Here we will discuss some of those mistakes that will help you to avoid in your case.

• Immediate Sharing on Social Media: When you got engaged you may want to share this good news with all of your friends and known’s. Social Media is a great way for that. But do not hurry, first think, do you really want to share the biggest news of your life with all of your social friends? Take a deep breath and try to enjoy these moments first with your fiancé, family and close friends. After that check your social friend list and un-friend the persons who are not important to you.
• Start planning too much soon: Several couples do this mistake. They start the wedding planning process as soon as they wear engagement ring in the left hand. They start browsing web and bridal magazines for wedding ideas and inspiration. However, this is not a good idea. You should take wedding planning process easy and slow. There is no need to plan everything at once. Any decision taken in rush cannot be perfect, especially regarding the wedding.
• Prematurely Choosing a Color Scheme: Some couples make this mistake during their wedding planning. They select their color scheme before selecting the wedding venue. But when you will select a color scheme too soon you may realize that it completely clashes with your ballroom.
• Not Asking for Help: If you have no idea and are feeling stressed about from where you should start the wedding planning process then take help of people around you. You can also take help of wedding consultants or friends who are married already. However, some couples avoid help and take wrong decisions due to less knowledge.
• Saying Yes to Everything: When you will ask people around you to help in the wedding planning they will give you several different suggestions which will be amazing. But avoid saying yes to everything. First set your wedding budget and think about what kind of wedding you want. After that do research and discussion about the big expenditures of wedding.

Best Dress Types for your body Silhouette

Wedding dress or gown shopping is one of the most significant purchases of wedding. Finding the right type and size of your wedding dress is not easy for any bride as she has to buy the dress for her big day. But by knowing the basic dress silhouettes and body types you can find right dress for your body type easily.

• Busty: If your bust is large and hips are narrow then you should go with a scooped neckline dress. Reason, it will open up your face and display your décolletage without showing too much cleavage. This type of body is known as “busty body” and if you have it choose a dress that adds curves to your hips.
• Apple: The apple body type is when you carry your weight by middle; you have slim legs and a shorter undefined waist. If you have apple body shape then you should go with a dress that cinches in at the smallest point on the waistline then flares out into a gradual a shape. A dress with an empire waist or embellished top draws the eye to your upper body. If you like your legs, be sure to show them off!
• Slender: If you have thin frame throughout then your body type is slender. For this type of body you should accentuate your long and lean physique with a fitted dress. If you like you can also create shape with an empire waist, asymmetric neckline, belt around your waist. Or you can wear a dress that has a slit as this will add curves and dimension.
• Hourglass: If your bust and hips are equivalent to each other and your upper body is balanced with the length of your legs then your body type is hourglass. The perfect dress for this body type will accentuate your best asset, which is usually a well-defined waist.
• Pear: If your hips are larger than your bust and your waist is well defined then your body type is pear. When buying a dress for a pear body shape your goal must be to add volume to your upper body, show off your small waist and de-emphasize your lower body to create a balanced silhouette
• Petite: If you are less than 5ft 3inches tall then your body type will be considered as petite. So you can show legs with a short dress or can wear an asymmetrical hemline that can make you appear taller. You should avoid floor length gowns and full skirts and go with slim fitting dresses with a V-neckline or pleating because these will elongate your silhouetteFor more specifics on your silhouette shape and which dress fits you best check out our Dress tips at winterwhitebridal.com

Wedding Planning Checklist! 12 Month Wedding Checklist

Everyone wants to make a perfect wedding planning and that cannot be done without an exact Wedding Planning Checklist. But don’t worry here is your 12 Month Wedding Checklist which will help you to plan everything for your big day smoothly and wisely.

12 or 12+ months before

• Envision your wedding and draw up a budget.
• Hire a wedding consultant or assemble your “planning team.”
• Start planning the guest list.
• Pick a wedding date and time with several options then check with your venues, officiant and important guests before finalizing.
• Find ideas for your big day by browsing bridal blogs, magazines, and Real Weddings websites to decide your wedding style and color palette.

8-10 months before

• Think about, find, shop for, and order your wedding gown.
• Establish a fitness routine and skin care/beauty routine.
• Decide what type of entertainment you want then book ceremony music, band and DJ for reception
• Reserve ceremony and reception venues.
• Order wedding cake and Book Honeymoon
• Hire your photographer, videographer and florist
• Mail your Save the Dates.

6 to 8 months before

• Search best suited wedding hairstyles, bridal makeup products and wedding dress accessories
• Pick out and order wedding invitations
• Start dance lessons if you want a rock dance in your wedding
• Order for Rings
• Register for gifts

4-6 months before

• Select bridesmaids’ dresses
• Shop for groom’s suit
• Take pre-wedding counseling, if required.
• Select prayers, readings and music
• Create formal photography list
• Start gathering addresses for guest list
• Organize wedding transport

2-3 months before

• Send invitations to your all guests
• Categorize gifts for parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen and each other
• Book a makeup artist and go for a trial
• Write your vows.
• Book your hair-stylist and take a trial

1 month before

• Try your wedding dress and go for fitting or alteration if required
• Apply for a marriage license
• Order and plan in-room welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.
• Plan a wedding day timeline
• Make good planning for last-minute adjustments with suppliers

5 Ways to Include Family and Friends in Your Wedding Ceremony

Wedding is a time of celebration for the entire family and your loved ones. Today’s’ many couples try to involve their family and friends in the wedding ceremony by using different ways. If you also want to do this on your ceremony and seeking for some unique ideas, then stop your search. As here, we will discuss 5 unique ways that you can use to include family and friends in your wedding ceremony.

• Perfect use of AISLE: The walk up the aisle is a momentous event for the bride as well as the groom. All guests are excited to see what the bride and groom wearing of. You can easily involve your parents, brother or sister or best friends in this journey. They will really feel happy at this moment and you will also enjoy your event.
• Ring True: This is really a fantastic thing to do during the ceremony to include friends and family members. But don’t make it more stressful by including every single guest in the ring game. However, you can include the niece, nephew, cousin, mother, father, little kids of family and best friends to pass out the right to bride and groom.
• Opening or closing with a musical loved one: If you have a talented friend or family member who is perfect in singing or playing music, that’s very good for you. As, you can ask him to sing a song or play his beloved music at your wedding opening or closing ceremony. This music will really give your wedding a personalized feeling.
• Readings: Recently, many wedding ceremonies include readings (handwritten poems, old letters or favorite love quotes) which are unique and meaningful to the bride and groom. Your friends or parents will surely want to contribute to the ceremony and this is the best opportunity for them. You will need to consult with your wedding planner to find best timing for readings.
• Photo Season: It is also a good way to embrace your happy moments with friends and family members and make them feel special also. You can take some group photos in different styles, in different backgrounds with your family and friends.

Bridal Wedding Dress Fashion Trends Forecast for 2016

Are you getting married in 2016? If yes, then your wedding planning will probably well under the way. There are several different wedding trends that you can apply for your wedding. But if you want to know bridal wedding dress fashion trends forecast for 2016 then browse through the listed below information.

• Off-the-shoulder styles: It is true that a classic strapless dress is not suitable for everyone. If you also want to avoid this type of dress on your big day, then you should consider Off-the-shoulder style. It will give you a timeless, elegant feel to the most romantic day of your life.

• The two-piece: If you want to wear something different on the wedding day? Then two-piece wedding gown will be the perfect solution for you. The two-piece usually consists of a crop top and a skirt to go with it. It will give you an elegant look and full comfort on your big day. It will be one of the most popular wedding dress fashion trends of 2016.

• Sleeves: This type of dress is ideal for the brides who are confident to show off their body shape. Recently, many varieties of sleeves have been incorporated into wedding dresses. Strapless wedding gowns were popular for a long time as they were suitable to all body types. But today different wedding dresses with full sleeves become popular because now designers are starting to balance long sleeves with more body-conscious cuts.

• Non-traditional Colors: Some people think white color is best for wedding dress to all time brides. But this is just an old tradition. You can wear any color which you like most on your big day. There are no strict rules that the bridal gowns are always be white.

How to Sell your Wedding Dress Online

 

Do you want to recoup some money by selling your beloved wedding dress? But don’t know where to start or even how to sell it. You should consider online selling which will help you to get right price and will help another bride to save on her wedding budget. Well this guide will describe how to sell your wedding dress online.

• Dress Cleaning: Have you cleaned your dress immediately after the wedding? If no, then you should get it cleaned as soon as possible. Reason, old stains are more difficult, and sometimes impossible, to remove without damaging the dress. Take the dress to a specialist if you want right and quality cleaning.
• Use Great Pictures: When selling your dress online, some great pictures are essential to grab the attention of potential customers. You should include:

1. A full length photo of the front and back of your dress (preferably on a person or mannequin with not alot of stuff in the background)
2. Close-up picture of any detailing, beading or embellishments on your dress
3. Avoid small or less than 500px photo, because a small photo will make it hard to see details and can hurt your chances of sale.The better the image, the more you will increase the chances of selling the dress.
4. Avoid blurry and low quality photos. All of your dress photos should be visible and clear.

• Right Market Place: There are several bridal marketplaces where you can sell your wedding dress. But you have to find the best one. It is necessary for you to acquire right value and sell the dress quickly.
• Describe all the details:You have to describe all the details of your dress besides the image when selling online. Write a good description of the dress that includes all important details like size, model, color, fabric, silhouette, neckline, and current condition of the dress.
• Be Prepared to Sell:Have you posted or listed your dress for selling with great pictures and all the details? If yes, then be prepared to sell it and make contact to the potential buyers. Make time to meet buyers although if you are selling online make sure you have all of your questions answered to avoid any mishaps when buying your wedding dress.

5 Wedding Expenses That Cost More Than you’d think

Are you just engaged? Congratulations! Now you have to set the wedding budget. Here, be realistic about the actual costs associated with the products or services you want in the wedding. So, that you aren’t surprised later on the extra costs. Here are five wedding expenses that are surprisingly pricey but many of the couples are not aware about them.

• Wedding Band Equipment: Wedding Band or DJ is among the most expensive expenditures of marriage. The wedding band cost includes fees for the musicians’ time and the minimum amount of equipment needed. If your reception space is extra-wide, additional microphones and speakers could be required to provide the best sound quality. Many of the couples forget about these extra band equipment costs.
• Dress Alterations and Steaming: Many of the wedding dress retailers do not offer free alterations with the purchase of a gown. So you have to spend extra cash on your wedding dress alterations and steaming. Several brides don’t consider this cost while setting their wedding budget.
• Photography: It is one of the most important and largest expenses of the wedding. You book the videographer for just a certain amount of time. But if the wedding runs a little longer than you expected, you have to pay them for all the extra hours.
• Cake: Spending money on the cake is really a good idea to add more fun and joy to your wedding. If you use the cake provided by your reception site then charge is usually wrapped into the cost. But for a more beautiful, big and delicious cake you have to spend money from your own pocket.
• Cleanup and Breakdown Costs: Most of the couples spend so much time on planning the actual day and forget about the cleanup & breakdown costs. However, a full-service venue will not charge you for these things. But if you are paying flat fee only for the rent space then, garbage removal and cleaning costs will be extra for your pocket.