1. Theme – Rather than just the bride, think about what they both would like – their favorite foods and drinks, their personal style, the activities they enjoy, where they like to hang out.  A lot of your friends now have a Pinterest and Facebook accounts filled with things they like…use this!

Theme

2. Venue – Once you have chosen a co-ed theme that appeals to both genders, and you start to think of a venue to hold it consider these questions; what time of day do you want your co-ed party to be, what’s the total guest count, where did the couple meet?

Venue

3. Deligate all tasks – Normal etiquette is the maid of honor and the bridesmaids will chip in for the shower but with a co-ed shower I can actually use the groomsmen’s help too! Some tasks to consider for girls; Invitations and RSVPs (professionally printed is my suggestion so she has something to hold on to in memory), games, favors/prizes, decor, and menu.  Some tasks to consider for men; stock the bar, music, work the grill, anything electronic. Make sure to give everybody your vision and enough direction to get the job done.

Deligation

3. Games – There’s so many fun games to play as couples or even men vs women! Use your tools; Facebook, the iPhone video camera, etc. and coming up with fun co-ed games can be fun.  Some examples I found; Pin the tie on the groom game, Famous couples game, and Name that Flavor Game.

Games

4. Decor – Should be the very last step.  I always stop at a party store the day of or before the party and use whatever is left of my budget. Once you have all the other elements in place your party is guaranteed to be successful!

Being slightly nontraditional is unique and has great benefits! Please visit our Pinterest page for more Co-Ed Bridal Shower ideas and inspiration.

Orange Appeal asked Heather Snively for her top tips on creating a wedding budget and where you can really save some money.  Featured in their January/February 2012 issue, this article, written below, are tips that will  keep you on track.

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!  This is a crucial first step in developing a realistic budget.  This will be the hardest part of the wedding planning and unfortunately the most stressful.  Ask friends and family what their experiences have been.

IDENTIFY WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU; such as serving lobster to a small group of friends or a lesser priced entree to a large group.  Prioritize what details you and your fiance can’t do without and allocate a realistic amount, knowing that if you go over it in one area that you will have to compromise in another.

WHO WILL BE CONTRIBUTING and define exactly what that will mean to the bottom line.   Most couples these days have an established career and we see parents contributing an amount that is comfortable for them.  Then the couple can supplement the budget as their needs and desires increase.

Most brides and their families don’t have an understanding of what a wedding will cost. BE PREPARED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS about specific details before you sit down with parents or other family members that might be helping out.  The average national number is $26,000, so explaining this to Dad is an understandable way is a must.

BE FLEXIBLE and realize that you will have to make some compromises, but marrying your best friend at the end of the day will make it all worth it.

SET UP A WEDDING ACCOUNT AT YOUR BANK.  Doing this at the beginning will keep the funds separate from your personal funds and ensure there are no blurred lines between personal and wedding expenses.

WHO IS THE ULTIMATE DECISION MAKER?  If you and Mother disagree, setting parameters ahead of time can break any hurt feelings down the road.  This day is all about the joy in the room!

Article provided by the Wedding Channel

1. Wedding Dress Alterations

Hidden Wedding Cost: Even though your bridal salon took your measurements, they ordered the dress that was in the next closest size to you. Translation: It probably won’t fit perfectly and you’ll need to have some type of alterations once it comes in.

Avoid It: Ask what the store charges for alterations before you buy the gown. If it’s too much, don’t be afraid to take the dress to a less expensive seamstress for changes. Otherwise, reserve some of your dress budget money specifically for alterations; meaning you’ll buy a less expensive dress and spend the few hundred that you have left over to alter it.

2. Rain-Plan Tent

Hidden Wedding Cost: Does your rain plan involve tenting a good portion of your outdoor wedding reception area? That could cost extra. Depending on the size and style of the tent, could be a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars extra. Often, you’ll be required to make a decision a few weeks before the wedding about whether you want to have a tent on reserve. Even if you don’t end up using the tent, you could lose the 50 percent deposit you were required to put down to reserve it. Of course, if you do use it, you’ll simply pay the balance.

Avoid It: Go with a venue that has a built-in rain plan (read: they don’t charge extra for the tent or they’ve got an indoor space where they can easily move your reception). And if the rain plan means moving you to another room, keep in mind the cost of any extra decor you may want to add there.

3. Non-Approved Vendors

Hidden Wedding Cost: Lots of venues have approved vendor lists — companies they prefer working with — for the major players, like caterers, florists and even photographers. If you’re not bringing in someone on their list, they could charge an extra 20 percent or more.

Avoid It: Before you book, ask whether you’ll be charged extra for using someone not from the vendor list. Otherwise, stick to their preferred vendors (remember: there’s a reason they’ve kept these companies on the list). Or, if you’ve got a favorite caterer or florist, work backward and ask them about the venues they like most.

4. Breakdown and Cleanup Costs

Hidden Wedding Cost: At the end of the reception, you’ll go off and enjoy your first night as newlyweds — and someone else will clean up the party. Most venues require a fee for setup and breakdown that will usually happen the same day as your wedding. If your wedding goes into the early morning, cleanup may be time and a half for labor, meaning it can add on a several hundred dollars extra.

Avoid It: Ask about setup and breakdown costs in your initial quote and make sure that the labor charges are clearly spelled out so there’s no surprise later.

5. Reception Band or DJ Equipment

Hidden Wedding Cost: Typically, your band fee includes paying for the musicians and a minimal amount of equipment. If your reception is in an extra-large space, you’ll likely need more speakers, microphones and even an extra sound engineer to make sure everything sounds great. Those additional items could add on anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Avoid It: Before booking your band or DJ, clearly explain the layout of your venue (or better yet, offer them a floor plan with measurements or have them check it out in person) so they know exactly what they’re up against. And if they’re adding extras, remember that you should be asking extra questions. Have them explain why the equipment is necessary before you sign a contract or agree to pay for anything additional.

6. Postage Stamps

Hidden Wedding Cost: Sure those invites are gorgeous — but that awkward square shape means you’ll be paying extra postage per invitation. Even if it’s just 62 cents per envelope, that can add up pretty quickly: It’s an additional $96 for 150 invitations (and other invites can be as much as $2 each to mail!).

Avoid It: Know your standard mail sizes. (For instance, letters can’t be more than a fourth of an inch thick or larger than 11.5 inches long by 6.125 inches high. You can get the complete list at USPS.com.) If you’re looking to save, consider putting an odd-shaped invitation into a standard-size envelope, so you won’t pay extra. Or skip boxed invitations and cards with multiple layers of paper, which can bulk up quickly and cost more than you have in your budget.

7. Parking

Hidden Wedding Cost: Don’t assume that if there’s valet parking, it’s simply included in the venue quote, because it’s almost always additional. The cost can be per car (if they’re being parked in a paid lot) or simply by the hour for the entire venue parking lot.

Avoid It: Before you sign, ask about parking options and costs. If you’re getting married in an area without public transportation options, check out the cost of hiring a shuttle bus to take guests back to their hotels (it may end up being cheaper than valet).

8. Officiant Fees

Hidden Wedding Cost: If you’re hiring someone to help make it legal, you’ll probably have to pay them. Even if you’re getting married in a house of worship, you may be asked to make a donation. Expect to pay between $200 and $400.

Avoid It: Factor your officiant cost (or the amount you’d like to donate) into your overall ceremony budget.

9. Photo and Video Overtime

Hidden Wedding Cost: When you hire your videographer and photographer, you’ll book them for a certain number of hours. If the wedding runs longer than you expected, or you just want them to stick around to the very end, they’ll begin charging per hour, which can start at about $250.

Avoid It: As you’re planning, factor in extra time for getting dressed and taking photos. Use this itinerary when booking your photographer and videographer to make sure everyone is on the same page. And don’t be afraid to ask up front about overtime charges.

10. Welcome-Bag Delivery

Hidden Wedding Cost: Most hotels don’t add in a welcome-bag delivery fee when you book your rooms. In fact, they may not even mention the rate unless you ask — they’ll simply just add it to the final bill, which can be up to $7 per bag.

Avoid It: As you’re checking out hotels, make sure you ask about their policy on receiving, holding and delivering welcome bags. You can also skip the charge altogether by handing out the bags at the rehearsal dinner.

11. Holiday Weekend Fees

Hidden Wedding Cost: Sure, it seems like a great idea at first to hold your wedding over a three-day holiday weekend because everyone already has the day off work. But what you don’t know is that venues might raise the price of everything, since they have to pay their employees extra to work on a holiday.

Avoid It: Ask your venue to quote you for a few different weekends, and compare any price differences before committing to a wedding date.

12. Corkage Fees

Hidden Wedding Cost: Think you’ll end up saving by picking up some cases of wine and liquor from a discount warehouse? Think again. Like the cake-cutting fee, your venue might charge you to bring in booze — anywhere from $1.50 to $3 extra per bottle — that isn’t their own.

Avoid It: Unless you want a very specific type of champagne or top-shelf liquor, it’s probably best to let your venue or caterer stock the bar. If you simply must have a particular vintage, ask the venue first they may be able to order it specifically for you so you can still avoid the corkage fee.

13. Bartender Fees

Hidden Wedding Cost: Maybe you paid for your open bar with your catering fee — but that doesn’t always mean a mixologist is included. Bartenders can run an additional $250 an hour.

Avoid It: If your caterer will be providing the booze and bartender, ask for the total cost — including all waitstaff and bartenders — in your initial quote. You should have one bartender for every 50 guests during the cocktail hour and one bartender for every 100 guests during the wedding — anything less and you can expect long lines and annoyed friends.

14. Rental Transport

Hidden Wedding Cost: Just because there’s a delivery fee doesn’t mean that rental companies will be up-front about the number. Dropping off all of the chairs, tables, linens and other rental items can be $50 to over $500 of your overall rental fee.

Avoid It: Ask the rental company what its shipping and packaging fees are before you book. If the price is too high, don’t be afraid to look around. You may end up picking a more expensive company that includes delivery at no extra charge.

15. Taxes

Hidden Wedding Cost: Just about everything that you need for your wedding will have taxes added, so even though that may not be a hidden cost, it can definitely add on an extra couple hundred very quickly.

Avoid It: There’s no getting around paying the taxes, so it’s best to build this into your budget from the start with a little estimating. You can also try paying the entire bill in one lump sum, which can help lower the overall price.

16. Cake-Cutting Fee

Hidden Wedding Cost: Usually, reception sites offer you the choice of providing the cake themselves or going with an outside cake baker. The catch? An outside cake baker can often bring the venue price up $2 to $5 per slice, since now the staff is responsible for slicing and serving each piece. (And do the math: $5 for a wedding of 150 means an additional $750!)

Avoid It: If you can’t live without having a certain cake baker, ask about cake-cutting fees before you sign your contract so it’s built into your budget. Otherwise, go with your reception site’s cake baker. They’ll likely be able to work with the vision you have in mind.

17. Coat Check

Hidden Wedding Cost: When you book the venue in May, it’s tough to remember just how cold December can be. Coat check for all of your guests can start at about $200, depending on the size of your guest list.

Avoid It: When booking your venue, have a good approximation of your guest list so you can factor in the cost of coat check.

18. Gratuities

Hidden Wedding Cost: While you might think the “service charge” is actually a tip for the event staff, it’s really an additional fee that the catering hall charges to cover their own cost of hiring servers, typically 15 to 20 percent of the food and drink fee.

Avoid It: Once you get the proposed fee from your vendor, add in the service charge percentage so it’s already accounted for and in your budget. For the less expensive fees (like your hairstylist or chauffeur), make sure you have cash (including smaller bills, like $5, $10 and $20 bills) handy on the day of the wedding.

19. Overtime Costs

Hidden Wedding Cost: Most of your vendors — the venue and the bartender included — are booked for a certain number of hours. If your wedding runs late or longer than you expected, they’ll start charging per hour — anywhere from $250 an hour and up.

Avoid It: Making a reasonable timeline and sticking to it is key. Not only can it prevent overtime costs, but it helps to keep everyone else (your caterer, officiant) on schedule as well. Once you’ve worked out a timeline, book your vendors for a realistic time frame and make sure you get any overtime costs in writing in your contract.

20. Building Fees

Hidden Wedding Cost: If you’re getting hitched in a loft or a tented venue, you may have to pay extra for services like garbage removal (up to $250), security (up to $500), freight elevator use to get your decor and tables up there (up to $150) and other little things like fire permits and loading dock fees.

Avoid It: Most full-service venues don’t charge for each individual item like this — they’ll just wrap it into your overall quote. If you’re not going with a full-service venue, just make sure you get all of the costs carefully itemized in your quote so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

How can you show the woman of your life that you want her to be with you for the rest of your life? What is the most beautiful way to do that? I always taught how would I want to be proposed and decided that I have to make life easier for men who are entering in this fabulous jurney. I found many interesting and unusual, but unfeasible and unrealistic ways. Here are my choices of most applicable 50, and some original that are my own.

Traditionally, a man propose his girlfriend by offering her an engagement ring. If she proposes him, she can give him a piece of jewelry (bracelet, watch) as a sign of her love. You should never forget that she or he will retell story to friends, acquaintances, and even children and grandchildren. So it has to be something worth speaking about. We all know that nobody likes stories without plot and interesting content. You really should want more of that proposal than, when you speak about it, say that you decided to get married in ordinary, nothing special way. Prove your love by making up interesting way to propose, it doesn’t even have to be expensive..just a little love and good will!

5th Sometimes it does not matter how you propose, but where. Propose her in the place where you had your first kiss, or where you first met … every couple has their own special place. Your lady will always remember how you rememberd your special place.

6th Tie a red satin band on the doorknob and on the furthest places in the flat (satin tape can be purchased in the textile trade, hobby shops, bookstores, …). On the tape tie the card on which you have written some nice memories or thoughts about your relationship that she will be happy to hear. She will be following the band and reading cards that are tied to the red ribbon. At the end of the band you should be waiting for her, your soul mate, with a ring in your hand.

7th You do not have to buy a ring. Buy a bracelet, an hour or so and ugravirajte on the back, “Marry me!”

8th With the help of your friends, record proposal with video camera. Organize movie night watching films you two, and instead inserting a movie from your DVD rental stores, insert yours.

9th Take her digital camera and bring a friend. Write cards with words (separately) WILL, YOU, MARRY and ME. Pose with each carton separately and take pictures.  Ask her later if she can transfer images to your computer.

10th Modern way for lovers of text messages: text  her enigmatic instructions, which will  bring her to where you will wait for her with a ring.

11th For the real internet surfers: create a web page with your proposal! Free web site can be done at each step (eg Yahoo Geocities has even a simple tool) and then you should just send her a piece of paper (or send an e-mail) with an address of the site as “something very important that you find for her on the internet and she could be interested in it. “

12th To general surprise, get a big cardboard box of a large televisions or refrigerators. Cut the bottom, wrap the entire box with wrapping paper, put a big bow and a not that says ‘What’s in the box you get for a life time. ” Bring the box to her work or home, and pack yourself  before she comes.

13th Organize travel surprise. Pack your bags and hide them, put her a bandage on her eyes and take her to a romantic place with a hotel. Arrange special welcome, champagne, some beautiful music and it is the best time to propose.

14th Does she sound sleepy? During the night put the ring on her finger, and in the morning wake her up with a romantic breakfast with strawberries and whipped cream. It will seem like romantic gesture until she discovers the real surprise, the ring on her hand!

15th If you live or you are on vacation on the beach, take her to walk on the beach. Take her to the place where you have hide a bottle with a note saying, Marry me.

16th On the beach, build a tower from sand (at a safe distance from the sea). At the top or some other place on the tower put a little box with a ring and ask your sweetheart to come to admire your architectural skill.

17th While your girl is sleeping on the beach, a few feet from her write a marriage proposal in the sand or assemble words from shells and twigs.

18th Hire a plane that will carry a tape with the words “Marry me …. (Her name) … (your name)”

19th Take her to a romantic private evening panoramic flight by plane (achievable through travel agencies). While flying propose, and after the flight celebrate with some champagne, which you have already prepared.

20th Hire a balloon, while flying propose her. (Do not drop the ring).

21st In the style of the film, hire a limo and give the driver a card with a note saying  “Will you marry me?”, to give your girlfriend when she gets out of the house. The main surprise will be you and the wedding ring inside the limo.

22nd Do not forget the classic version that goes with every occasion: a bouquet of flowers and a little box with a ring that is put in the arrangement in the central location.

23rd In the winter, make a big snowman in the yard, make sure about the details (neck scarf, carrot nose) and scoop a hole in snowmans belly. A moment before you show her your masterpiece, put in the holl box with a ring.

24th In the bookstore buy a little book of love poetry. On the first page write romantic dedication, and below the ring tightend with a tape.

25th If you do not have privacy anywhere, you can rent a room in a nice hotel in your town. Prepare in the room champagne, roses and rose petals, candles and chocolate delicacies. The perfect setting for a marriage proposal!

Did you find anything for yourself among these ideas? If not, the second part of Article 25 new ideas to propose is yet to come …

Orlando Wedding magazine just came out with their premiere issue for  Fall/Winter 2010 and I had the pleasure of joining fellow industry planners to contribute some of my wedding expertise to the new publication.  Please see below for full article!

Q&A with Wedding Planners

OW: Why should couples use a planner?

HS: A bride and her mother should enjoy the day to the fullest and not worry about a thing.

OW: What were the most expensive and least expensive weddings you’ve planned?

HS: We’ve done weddings for $1000 to $5 million.

OW: What are some of the new trends in weddings?

HS: Color, color, color.  Also, traditions and heirlooms passed down from earlier generations, eclectic food and comfort in wedding gowns and shoes.

OW: When is the popular season to be married in Orlando?

HS: It used to be the fall and spring, but now it seems to be year round.  With the economy, brides are taking advantage of the off-season here when rates for venues are lower.

OW: What are some ‘dos’ when it comes to Orlando weddings?

HS: Always plan for the sun and rain!

OW: What are some common wedding myths that you have busted?

HS: That the groom can’t see the bride before the ceremony. Couples are breaking from tradition by having the groom see the bride before the ceremony during a special ‘private moment’ or ‘first look’.  This time allows for tears to be shed in private and for photography to be done ahead of time so the new Mr. and Mrs. can join the cocktail hour fun! Another myth is that the planning process is a lot of stress and work.  It should be a special time for parents and the fiance.

Another amazing find on Etsy.com!  These kits come from the QuickKits on Esty or on their main website www.qkshoppe.com.  These kits are adorable and provide you with the necessities to get you through any minor mishaps during the event.  Packaged in a white “to-go” box and decorated with a colored ribbon, these are the perfect gifts to give to your wedding party.

Bridesmaid kit contains: pain reliever, a moist towelette, stain remover wipe , a band-aid, a tampon , a maxi pad, a nail file , breath mints, cough drops , a bobby pin, tooth picks , safety pins, tissues , life savers and sewing kit

Groomsman kit contains: a comb, pain reliever, a moist towelette, stain remover wipe, a band-aid, shoe shine wipe, breath mints, cough drops, tooth picks, boutonniere pin, safety pins, life savers, sewing kit, a tissue, a date and time, reminder card

Head out to your local bookstore and get this book!  Cooking with your new spouse is a great way to strengthen the bonds of your relationship, this book provides great recipes to keep your bodies and relationship strong and healthy… Plus you can read a little note from me! 

All brides take note:

On your wedding day you will be photographed more than any other day in your life! Truly beautiful with your sparkling ring, the dress of your dreams with your hair and makeup — perfection! And stained teeth… No way!

Check out having a professional aesthetic dentist whiten your teeth. It is quick, painless and inexpensive. I recommend Dr. Deanne Rife in the Orlando area. She is sweet, efficient and a perfectionist! Her staff is fabulous too.

Visit www.winterparkdentist.com or call her at (407) 628-0200.

When you get your photos back from the wedding you will be glad you did!