Summer Weddings can be a LOT of fun as we all know...hustle, bustle and get everything done for the BIG day.  But to ease a little of the stress, eBay can actually make your wedding a little easier and LESS STRESSFUL.

   You can sit at your desk, with your master shopping list on any given day or night, 24 hours a day, and shop for virtually anything from invitations to your own wedding gown.  Just be sure to know EVERY measurement of your body for your wedding gown!   Wedding gowns do not run in size like your normal everyday attire.

   For example,  if you are a size 18,  you may be a size 2x wedding gown even though in a pair of jeans, you are a 1x.  Veils must fit your head tightly and properly.  Your wedding gown must be the proper length and you may need a little time to shorten it or bring the dress to a skilled seamstress before your wedding day.

   I found at eBay, my gown, my flower girl basket, petals for the basket, my jeweled (handmade, mind you) head piece, my ring bearer's pillow, ribbon, a great trellis and music that I pre-recorded beforehand for the reception. 

Being forty one years old,  I didn't go for the huge and fancy wedding.  My husband and I wanted just a small gathering of friends and family to witness our special day.  It wasn't our first time around and my sister, my daughters and my best buddy helped with the wedding.  Also helping with all of the food, our Moms helped tremendously both preparing and serving.

   Our wedding cake, behind us in the photo of our first dance as man and wife, was made by my bestfriend's friend at a special discounted price and was more beautiful than expected.  I was so impressed by her skill,  anyone wanting to know her name and number and lives in my neck of the woods...I would be more than happy to push business her way. 

   My sisters stood up with me, my best buddy was my maid of honor, her husband was the bestman and my stepbrother's children were ring bearer and flowergirl.  We bought the flowergirl's gown-it was gorgeous!-on eBay also.

   Don't forget, for the smallish wedding, to ASK for assistance from family and friends.  I hate to ask for favors from anybody...but most of your family will be thrilled with your news and more than willing to help.  Women love to show off their special dish, desserts and the like.  Tips from your grandma will come in handy, your friends' experiences will surface and you can follow the good, the bad and take the best advice that everyone offers.

   Save your money for your honeymoon!  Your wedding should be beautiful...but remember it IS only ONE DAY.  If you are paying for your own wedding,  cost does count and believe me, even the most simple wedding can be quite expensive.  Offer to pay, if you can, for your maid of honor's dress, your bestman's suit rental if he doesn't have one, your flowergirl's gown and accessories and don't forget your little ring bearer's accessories.  You don't have to have the children assisting.  Some of us have grown children ourselves--teens can be a BIG HELP.

   If your wedding is your first,  try to save some cash by getting a friend to do your music.  A lot of people claim they can DJ or sing--tell them you want to hear them.  My youngest sister and her bestfriend performed a special song for us.  I had started writing a song, her friend perfected it--set it to music and shazam...they sang us a song set to guitar and a conga drum.  Small special touches make a huge difference.

   Ordered from an eBay seller,  we ordered napkins with our names and wedding date printed on them.  These are an extra that a lot of brides to be want--I cut corners and saved our money and our wedding was not in a "fancy" place...but it was in summer and was beautiful to my husband and I.  We shall always remember it...my husband's parents took photo's and my husband's Dad video-taped it.

   I thought of an idea...seen on eBay at the last moment...wish I had done it--put "throw away wedding camera's" on the reception tables.  Let your guests get some shots of random people for you.  Not only will you have your own photographer, professional or "almost pro"...you will have some surprise pictures to look at later!  We used, purchased from an eBay seller,  PREDICTION CARDS...put them on your reception tables and let your guests fill them out as to where you might be in five years together.  Those cards have not been read yet--we have three years to wait.  My friend read them and said some are comical and some are quite serious. 

   Hmmm,  I guess that is all I can think of at the moment...I am sure there are a few things I missed.  This was almost two years ago.  My sister really was the biggest help...she thought of virtually everything.  She made my bridal bouquet and helped with flowers.  Remember, if you are using real flowers, they are very pricey.*

   Best wishes for your upcoming wedding and hopefully, you will look on eBay for some of your bridal needs.  Often times, the eBay sellers are cheaper and definately more convenient than going from place to place...especially if you don't live very close to bridal shops.  Second hand stores carry gowns,  but at eBay, you can often get one BRAND NEW for about the same price. 

  Thankyou for reading this review.

   Sincerely,

   broomrider789

   broomrider789 Collecting Castle *