IF YOU BEEN HERE BEFORE SCROLL DOWN FOR NEW TIP

Every year around this time thoughts of marriage pop into the minds of  lovebirds. 

Potential grooms will spend hours thinking about the perfect diamond for that special someone, and that lovely lady will read every magazine in site on the subject. Weddings are booked and all the fun of planning begins

 Instead of getting in your car and schlepping around from store to store, dealing with pushy salespeople why not grab a cup of coffee and sit yourself down for a wonderful experience from diamond buying to planning the perfect wedding and honeymoon.

EBAYING can be your one stop shopping.

From Diamond buying , to wedding bands, gifts for your attendants, party and wedding supplies, and even attire, you will be able to shop within your budget, around your timeline, all in the comfort of your home, and isn't emailing your future inlaws so much easier.

, I am a retired wedding planner and I will share my years of experience to help you plan a stress free,low cost, wedding from start to finish.

Tip number 1 -remember this is your wedding, make it about your likes and feelings. its very easy for lot of family and friends to offer opinions...but if you think of it ....who will remember it years later, only you and your spouse.

The best way I found in dealing with people who want to help or give guidance or the old OPINION  is to come up with things ahead of time for them to be responsible for

Some ideas that I am sure you wouldn't mind giving up; Have the two moms get not only there guest lists but all the addresses. You can lower your list later but that will keep them busy in the beginning

Also have a close friend that wants to help. have her get all the friends addresses and correct spellings of your friends

Aunts gramas any others tell them you want to honor their favorite baking cookie at the reception, most places will allow you to bring these in. Ask them to decorate them on their best dishes and makes lots so everybody can take them home. They will be so busy trying to outdo themself they will leave you alone

Have a small party at you home well ahead of time and invite whomever you want to make favors.

I have a few favorites:Are you the outdoors type, there are lots of teeny started trees in there own bottle of water, I have even seen them here on ebay. Give each one a pretty little ribbon with a card attached with some type of saying   (As you watch your plants or tree seedling bloom think of our love- blooming and growing.) 

Are you a gardener, how about fresh herbs dried in little toile bags, maybe a favorite recipe attached, if you use  fresh rosemary with a chicken recipes (maybe even in one of you entrees) not only will it be delicious but prior to dinner your room will smell wonderful, You can also do this with potpourri,

Photos can be stressful - trying to get all the proper pictures but hardly having any time to enjoy your own wedding. Be realistic. Extended Family pictures can be done at the rehersal, or even before the wedding. Long gone are the days of not seeing the bride. Or after the wedding and after the main reception take a little time, but do not forget it is your day....dance smile have fun. You can take a picture with cousin sue at her wedding.

A great favor is a wrapped small candle, wrap in toule with a pretty ribbon accent. Vanilla or rose will make the whole reception room smell wonderful

IMPORTANT- A locked box with a slot for cards is a must, in my many years as a planner unfortunatley I have seen my share of wedding card theft...yes it happens and yes it is people you usually know.

Prepare a head of time a list of items that you must gather at the end of the reception, cake knife, cake topper and top of cake, ect,and put someone in charge of this list so you will not be running around looking for stuff on your wedding day end. Also put a couple of people in charge of getting all gifts to the place where you want to store them untill your honeymoon return. (people who own suvs or vans are perfect.)

Have someone make up a goody basket for your wedding night of snacks and drinks-cheeses fruit ect, you will be suprised how hungry you will be, This is a perfect item to ask for from a good friend who wants to help, or someone in the wedding party  . They will have fun making it and you could use it as a centerpiece of the gift table.

Also make sure your reception hall gives you each a piece of cake for later

Come back and I will update this with new ideas   SEE YA SOON     don't forget ebay has all these things to help and how much easier can that be....