Wedding Tips & Budget

Are you planning a wedding and wondering if you’re coming in under – or over – the budget of a standard Australian bash? According to a recent survey by WeddedWonderland.com, the average couple is spending $53,168 on their wedding.

While this might seem like a bit of a staggering number, the survey also showed that couples’ priorities are shifting, with a new wave of savvy shoppers bagging their bargains online. Here, we give you a sneak peek into what other betrothed couples are spending on their big day, and share some tips and tricks to help you get big style on a smaller budget.

Cost 1: The stationery and invites    

According to the WeddedWonderland.com survey, the average couple is spending about $784 just to get the word out about their celebration.

When you think about the fact that

When you are planning a wedding in the near to not-too-distant future, the holiday season can be either a help or a hindrance. For some of us, it offers the ideal opportunity to test-drive different family dynamics and crowd combinations before the main event. It can also provide a much-needed break away from your usual schedule to dedicate to planning your big day. But for others it can be a source of frustration - suppliers are busy or closed and it may prove a stumbling block to your wedding planning momentum.

We examine how to use the holiday season to your advantage on your journey to the aisle.

Road testing crowd combinations

You don't get a lot of opportunities to get friends and family together before the big

As the world holds its collective wedding breath for what will undoubtedly be the nuptial event of the new year - the much-anticipated marriage of Prince Harry to his all-American princess-in-the-making, Meghan Markle - we forecast the top wedding trends for 2018.

In the meantime, we'll continue to speculate on which of these trends will be included in the royal wedding celebrations, which no doubt will set a few trends of its own.

Increased customisation

Industry insiders predict weddings will become increasingly personalised and more intimate. Gone are the days of the mass-produced, one-size-fits-all, assembly line, standard wedding. In 2018, couples will be looking at increased localisation including unique locally-sourced produce,

You'll attend all kinds of weddings in this lifetime. Perhaps among the most confronting is when one of your parents marries a new partner. Here a member of our PF family shares with us her recent experience of her father's journey down the aisle, second time around:

My phone beeped, signalling a new text message. As I looked down, a grainy photo of my beaming father and his girlfriend sitting on a gondola came into focus. It wasn't until I zoomed in on the image that I realised my father wasn't trying to show me the splendours of the Venetian canals at all. Instead, he was gesturing toward the sparkling new ring that seemed to have sprouted  ­- as if miraculously ­,

Weddings are seasonal affairs, with trends coming in and out of vogue as sure as winter becomes spring. But some wedding traditions never go out of style. Here we bring you the ten wedding traditions that have withstood the test of time - and we predict will stay with us for many years to come.

Lace

A seemingly obvious one, but what wedding is complete without this romantic, feminine fabric appearing somewhere throughout the celebrations? From bridal gowns to designer décor, weddings and lace are a perfect match.

Flower crowns

From flower girl staples to bridal fashion statements, the flower crown never gets old. While your choice of blooms may vary depending on what's

As a wedding attendee, you are required to fulfil a number of duties. In addition to purchasing a thoughtful, affordable and individualised gift for the happy couple, adhering to a dress code and arriving at a desired destination on time (!), you're also expected to come up with a special, sentimental and sometimes Hallmark-worthy wedding card message in exchange for your attendance. We are the first to admit this is not everyone's forte. As such, we have devised a fool-proof step-by-step formula for writing the perfect wedding card message. The arriving on time part, we can't help you with.

Wedding card DOS

The main purpose of your wedding card message is to congratulate the newlyweds on this

Giving a gift that marks the beginning of a couple's married life together is no insignificant task. So, what can you offer that is personal yet practical, and appropriate to commemorate such a milestone life moment? Or more importantly, what should you avoid at all costs? We countdown the ten worst wedding gifts of all time, to help you avoid these present pitfalls and bestow on every bride and groom a gift worthy of their special occasion.

Re-gifts

Everyone is guilty of a re-gift at some point in their lives. But for a wedding? C'mon! The fact that you are never going to use the three-in-one kitchen appliance Aunt Marge gave you last Christmas, probably means the happy couple wont either, and obvious re-gifts such as this scream thoughtless-ness and poor taste.

Weddings are about tradition. But they are also about trends - an evolving ritual that changes with the values, customs and habits of each new generation. Having your photos taken before the ceremony is one such trend gaining a cult following in weddings across the globe. Here we explore how this wedding phenomenon is turning tradition upside down and may just be a wedding evolution that is here to stay.

The tradition of a groom not seeing his bride until the ceremony originates from the custom of arranged marriages - where virgins were sold to the highest bidder in exchange for cows and other productive livestock. Not letting a groom see his bride until after the marriage

Weddings are expensive. Some more so than others; however how hard your upcoming nuptials are going to hit your hip pocket is up to you. Effectively budgeting for a wedding is a matter of percentages. Here we show you how to get your wedding budget 100 per cent right.

Figure out your total spend

The first step in creating an effective (and realistic) wedding budget is figuring out the total amount of cash you can spend. This includes contributions from parents and other generous relatives, as well as your own personal savings (or loans)! Be honest here, as getting this wrong will throw your whole budget out of whack. If you're including a projected savings figure, don't be unrealistic about what you and your partner can put away before the big day. (Eating baked beans on toast every night for the next 18 months may be great for your wedding dress diet, but probably unsustainable in the scheme of things).

From the second that ring is slipped onto your finger, you're faced with the daunting task of sharing your nuptial news with your family and friends, as well as your wider social networks. And news travels fast in this hyper-connected world of ours, so it's easy to understand how your journey to the altar can be tracked, tagged and tweeted via social media every step of the way. To make sure you do it with dignity, we share with you the secrets of this modern-day minefield and help you successfully navigate social media wedding etiquette.

Engagement Announcements:

• Tell your immediate family first.
  While it's tempting to immediately shout your engagement news to the world via your socials, a phone call

According to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)'s latest data, the average wedding in Australia costs $36,200, with the bulk of funds going towards food and alcohol. Results indicate that most couples use their savings to cover wedding costs (82%), with more than half (56%) relying on contributions from their parents to pay for their big day. 60% had to take out a loan to afford their entry into marital bliss, while 18% used their credit card - no doubt accruing interest on their "I do's."

Survey results also revealed that only 43% of newlyweds stayed within their wedding budget, while 18% didn't even have a budget to begin with!

Wedding spend sacrifices

What these findings indicate

We all know about the usual stuff that comes with planning a wedding. Book the venue, draw up a budget, compile your guest list and send out your save-the-dates. Not to mention organising flowers, food, entertainment and well, you get the picture. But what about a few home truths that aren't featured on the standard bridal checklist? We explore some of the lesser known facts every bride should know before her big day.

Try before you buy

And we're not talking about your groom! Make sure you taste test every morsel of food and drink that will be served on your wedding day. This way you know it's up to scratch and gives you a chance to enjoy it all - as you may not get to do so on the night.

Practice makes perfect

Just like your hair and makeup trial, there are a few elements of your big day you may want to run-through before the moment arrives. Decide with whoever is giving you away which side they will stand and how you

Invitations set the benchmark for your wedding and create the initial impression for your family, friends and loved ones about what to expect from your upcoming nuptials. Your invites set the tone for your main event, so here we share our top tips for getting it right with your wedding invites.

Write it right

There are a few key elements of content that need to be included in your wedding invites. These are:

• The names of the bride and groom
• The wedding date and timing
• Location of the ceremony and reception
• RSVP information

Apart from these essential elements, it is at the discretion of each individual couple whether you want to include additional information such as dress code,

  Budgeting for your wedding can be a stressful experience, as unexpected costs seem to occur at every step. To avoid being out of pocket after your big day, we uncover six hidden wedding expenses to watch out for:

1. Wedding entertainment

Clearly communicate with your wedding entertainers about what exactly their quote covers. Many bands and DJs will quote for their time and expertise, but leave out extra costs including hiring of specific music, sound or electrical equipment. Be clear on what they provide and you supply to avoid unexpected extras.

2. Dress alterations and accessories

Your dream dress may have just scraped in under your desired dress budget, so don't get caught out by forgetting to factor

Your wedding day is allegedly one of the happiest days of your life. In the crucial pre-wedding week, with all the last-minute preparations, conflicting opinions, and multiple personalities (and we're not just talking Bridezilla) to contend with, how is anyone expected to still be smiling on their wedding day? Here we share with you our expert survival guide for making it down the aisle intact.

Communication and connection

It's normal and more common than not, for both the bride and groom to feel a mix of nerves, anxiety, stress and excitement in the lead-up to their wedding day. To survive your pre-wedding week, communicate clearly with one another about how you're feeling and be mindful of the pressures on both of you. It might help to take some time out from the wild ride of wedding

For some couples, no nuptials would be complete without including their favourite four-legged, furry member of the family (and no, we're not talking about Aunt Edna -- think instead the one with the waggly tail). If your pampered pooch, feisty feline, or even precocious piglet is a must in your wedding day celebrations, we offer the following tips to make sure you don't go barking mad.

1. Propose with your pooch

Some grooms say they included their furry friends in their proposal because they thought it would increase their chances of getting a positive response! They don't call them man's best friend for nothing. All jokes aside, if your furry sidekick helped your groom pop the all-important question, chances are this may reserve them a spot in

Like most aspects of your wedding day, choosing the right month to get married comes down to your individual personality, desired theme and preferences as a couple. According to Business Insider, March is the busiest month for couples to tie the knot down under, closely followed by November. Choosing the best month to get married depends on a number of individual factors. Here we share with you our top five tips for timing it right.

1. Is the price right?

When planning a wedding, do your research about when is considered 'peak season' for different destinations. As a general rule, spring through to autumn is peak wedding season, with the exclusion of mid-summer due to extreme temperatures in certain areas. Planning a wedding in the off-season (July being the quietest month for weddings in Australia), may help to reduce your costs and give you free range on venues that may be booked during

If you're planning a wedding and your budget is starting to resemble the Gross National Deficit of a small nation, then it's time to get smart about ways you can save money without sacrificing on style. Here we offer 13 shrewd ways to help you get hitched without your debt going global.

1. Do your research

When contemplating a trip down the aisle, it definitely pays to do your research. Explore different venues and options that are a good fit for your personal preferences and investigate pricing for different seasons, sizes, and wedding styles.

2. Plan your timing

Getting married on a weekday, or either side of peak season can almost halve your wedding venue costs - not to mention that certain wedding suppliers

What is it that you remember most about the weddings of friends and loved ones? While a designer gown, 5-tier cake and 10-carat diamond rings are impressive; it's the intimate details that leave a lasting impression.

What are wedding favours?

Wedding favours add a personal touch to your celebrations and express your gratitude to guests for being a part of your special day. These days wedding favours are both practical and personal, offering guests a keepsake that can continue to be used long after the last remnants of butter-cream frosting have been devoured.  

Use wedding favours to complement your individual style

Wedding favours need to reflect the unique personality of the bride

You've been invited to the wedding of the couple that has it all. Successful in both love and life: they are financially astute, have already taken a sizeable chunk out of the mortgage for their tastefully furnished abode, are escalating upward on their respective career ladders, not to mention being irritatingly gorgeous and crazy about each other. Sigh. So the question is; what do you get the bride and groom who already have everything?

Make it personal

This couple is clearly not going to settle for your standard run-of-the-mill wedding gift. Chances are they probably already have it anyway. So before you thoughtlessly toss some cash in a card (they don't need your money), or hand over the standard DJ's voucher, why not purchase something

Wedding trends are like flowers. They grow, bloom and die out every season. Some return the next year with a fuller crop, while others only maintain a scattering of blooms. We look at which blossoms are expected to reappear in 2017 and those that may have had their day in the sun.

Colours

Metallics are still tipped to be the front-runners for wedding colour palettes in 2017. However popular opinion is moving away from the glittering golds and sparkling silvers to softer, more muted metallic tones. Experts are also tipping khaki to make a comeback in wedding colour schemes in the new year.

Invites

Continuing with the metallic trend, couples due to tie-the-knot will be setting the scene with

We all know one. Or maybe you are one? The bride who is known for her style and fashion-forwardness and her wedding is no exception. If this sounds like you, or someone you know, we take a look at ten wedding ideas that will help keep the style-obsessed bride ahead of her game.

1. Metallic palettes Your wedding is your time to shine. And shine you will with metallic colour schemes featuring silver, gold and gunmetal hues that add sparkle and sophistication to your celebrations.
    
2. Casual chic Many couples are ditching the rigid formalities of a traditional affair for a more casual, fluid event that encourages guests to relax and enjoy. This includes rustic seating arrangements for the ceremony from hay bales to milk crates to wooden pallets. Informal dining options are also being encouraged, with open smorgasbords and

There's nothing that will pop your engagement buzz faster than the realisation that your dream wedding and your wedding budget are not in fact aligned. Or even really remotely in the same universe.  

So before you give up your dreams altogether (or threaten elopement), let's look at some ways you can save when planning your big day.

What is your dream wedding?

First of all, you need to decide as a couple the kind of wedding you want. This includes the major elements such as size, style, theme and timing. Then consider how this relates to the amount of funds you have available. Whether it be barefoot

It can be a big decision for many couples planning a wedding - do you take a chance on Mother Nature and plan your perfect day outdoors or search for an indoor venue that suits your needs? Here we investigate the pros and cons of both options to help you decide what is going to work best for your big day.

INDOOR WEDDINGS - ADVANTAGES

No weather worries There are many advantages of an indoor wedding; most of all not having to worry about the weather. Murphy's

When you're still bubbling over with excitement like a freshly popped champagne bottle at your newly engaged status, friends and well-wishers may begin to enquire if you're planning an engagement celebration. This is no cause for alarm. Before you launch into full swing Bridezilla panic mode (save this for the wedding), we have a few tips and tricks that will help you host a successful engagement soireé.

The ideal time

The ideal time to host an engagement party is shortly after you've said yes - when the excitement is still fresh and you are just bursting to show off that diamond dazzler strapped to your digits. As a general rule of thumb, engagement parties shouldn't be any closer to the wedding than six months out.

When selecting your ultimate wedding playlist, it's important to pick a mix that will not only appeal to your possibly eclectic assortment of guests (think Aunty Edna to your cousin's bikie boyfriend), but also choose a range of tunes that showcases your unique identity as a couple. Here we take a look at some factors that might influence the musical persuasions for your big day and recommend some wedding favourites for every genre.

Party package

Just like finding the perfect partner, finding the perfect wedding dress can sometimes take a little time, and for some brides can prove a major source of stress before their big day. We offer the following four top tips for picking the perfect wedding dress, to help take the strain out of shopping and put the fun back into fittings.

The happiness of any bride in the lead-up to her big day can sometimes rest solely with those she has asked to stand by her side for the most important day of her life. We share some tips on how to prevent bridesmaids becoming a burden, before it is too late.

1. Choose wisely

While this sage advice may be too late for some, bridesmaid selection is crucial to your overall happiness and level of drama in the lead-up to and during your big day. Choosing someone due to a misguided sense of responsibility (just because you were their bridesmaid several years back or because you promised your cousin Chloe when you were six) is a recipe for disaster. Think about the friends in your life that have celebrated

These days the majority of couples find themselves in the 'try before you buy' scenario. Most people live together to test out how the relationship survives under one roof before even contemplating the notion of marriage. Before the distant sound of wedding bells begin to chime, many couples have bought a house together or made other significant financial investments, and may even have a couple of kids together before making it official.

Image Sourced from Pinterest

Your wedding reception is a unique room that you can style to reflect the love and personality of you and your new husband or wife. Whether it be extravagant, simple, modern or rustic, the theme of the room will be you. Styling your wedding tables can often be tricky. You don't want to 'over-style' and clutter the space your guests have, but your don't want them to look bare either. What you really should be doing is opting for a simple, but unique look. Think innovative, engraved and and fresh - your guests will appreciate the artistic side to your wedding decor. Wood Vs Mirror - Check out our top tips for styling your wedding tables:

Table Numbers

Table numbers ca

Congratulations, you both nailed it. Boom, you’re married!

Countless hours of planning, maybe some tears and quite a few champagnes and now wonderful memories to look back on. As quickly as it comes, it’s over which is the sad part. The honeymoon was bliss and you’re now both rocking it as the best husband and wife team.

While you gear up for life as husband and wife, there are often some tasks that get overlooked. You know, the ones that make us go “Aw that’s right, that has to be done..”Updating your details can be a drawn out process which many of us leave on the back burner for a while. Preserving our wedding memories are just as important but these tasks can also get lost among our busy schedules.

What do you do with all the left over wedding things? Don’t forget about your ‘Thank you’ cards but we will get to that later.

Let’s take a journey with an after marriage to-do list! We will try and make this as exciting as humanly possible.

While summer months remain the most popular time for couples to get hitched, don't overlook getting married in winter. In Australia, we have mild wintery days. Temperatures average around 12-15 degrees in the middle of the day (depending on location).

Winter weddings ooze glamour and style (and gorgeous long sleeve wedding dresses!). They are timeless and opulent showing off gorgeous lodges, country estates vineyards, ballrooms and/or intimate restaurants.

Planning a wedding is not an easy feat. There are so many things to consider and more often than not, it can be a stressful experience. As the Mother of the Bride, the best thing to do is to acknowledge how hard it can be planning a wedding and to be as helpful and supportive as possible.

Here are some helpful responsibilities Mums can take care of:

• Help find & get quotes on ceremony locations
• Help the bride choose her wedding dress
• Assist the bride with the guest list.
• Determine what the bride wants you to wear on the special day. Then consult with the mother of the groom so you can both coordinate your elegance.
• Attend and help organise the bridal shower/hens night
• Assist with preparing and organising wedding

According to the number one wedding planning gurus in Australia, Wedded Wonderland, the next big thing in invitations is acrylic. They all agree ( as do we ) - acrylic is everything. Unlike the usual card or paper invitations, acrylic is hard-wearing, luxurious and versatile, coming in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours.

So, why is acrylic so unique and what is it?

Acrylic is a piece of plastic also known as Perspex. The 3mm sheet of acrylic is laser cut and engraved by our production team to create a custom and unique invitation design. Acrylic is lightweight and available in a range of terrific colours such as Black, Mirror Gold, Mirror Silver, Clear and Frosted.

Sun, surf, sand and a ceremony - doesn't it sound blissful! Beach and coastal weddings are forever a popular choice among brides especially in Australia. Beautiful locations, pristine beach coastlines and amazing views.  When planning your wedding it is important to take certain elements through the entire wedding so your ceremony and reception all link in style. Your wedding stationery is another important element and does not have to be a daunting task.

Your wedding stationery sets the tone for the wedding and should reflect you both as a couple. Beach weddings are often associated with earthy natural elements that make up the beauty of your surrounds. Wooden invitations and save the dates are a perfect example of incorporating natural elements into your wedding.

Made from Alder wood and pro

This week we have been focusing on Rustic Wedding Favours. If you dream of getting married in the countryside, on a farm or in a beautiful garden - this post is for you! We have put our thinking caps on and compiled a list of our top favourite ideas you should consider when planning a Rustic Wedding.

Floral Ceremony Structure

If you are having an outdoor wedding, you will be spoilt for choice when choosing the best location. Florals structures, combined with natural timber, lace and lanterns are the perfect décor to have at your wedding ceremony.

A favour is a take home gift that should be Personalised to leave a long lasting impression on your guests. It is a tradition for many western cultures for guests to receive favours at weddings, baby showers, engagement parties, retirement parties, anniversary parties and birthdays. A favour is a thank you gift for your guests and a keepsake of your special day.

Your bridal party and parents play an important role in creating a wedding day that is truly special. Even before the wedding preparations begin, your bridesmaids, groomsmen and parents have been with you throughout the ups and downs of life. Say Thank You with some of our unique and personalised bridal party gifts. Not only are they unique - they are also affordable!

For the Girls:

Your girls will love a little gift they can use while getting ready and a glass of bubbly is a MUST when getting dressed for your big day. We have a selection of great gifts for your bridesmaids, and no, you wont have break your bank. All our gifts can be uniquely personalised to suit your wedding theme. Here are our top 5:

1. Bold Series Champagne Glass

Choosing your bridal party can be a difficult task. For some its easy, brothers or sisters fill the roles of your groomsmen and bridesmaids. For others, its your best friends. The size of your bridal party is purely up to you and your budget. The average size of a bridal party is 3 bridesmaids and 3 groomsman, but there have been many bridal party's a lot larger and smaller. The size of your bridal party will determine the roles and responsibilities each person has.

I love details. It's the little touches or "details" that make a wedding extra special. When planning a wedding the "details" often come last. They are something that are planned at the end and unfortunately they can sometimes be over looked.

The big details are things like center pieces, flowers, the cake, the dresses and the bouquets. However it is the little details that get your guests talking and gushing over. The little details can be different