Cartoonist shows up in ‘Luann’ comic wedding

ngtime followers of the “Luann” comic strip may have noticed a few surprise guests in the audience at Brad and Toni’s wedding in the Sunday morning funny pages.

The color single-panel strip on Dec. 11 showed the bride and groom saying their “I dos” before a crowd of comic characters that included — in the back row on the right — creator/cartoonist Greg Evans, his wife, Betty, and their 37-year-old daughter, Karen.

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The San Marcos cartoonist said he and Karen, who co-writes the strip, made their first appearance two years ago when title character Luann (Brad’s teenage sister) turned 18. But this is the first time Betty has ever been drawn in the strip since he launched it on March 17, 1985. It’s now syndicated in more than 400 newspapers and websites.

The wedding of firefighters Brad and Toni has been in the works since their tearful engagement in April 2013 and began playing out over the past two weeks as the couple arrived at the wedding hall in the nick of time after fighting a remote wildfire.

Greg and Karen Evans have been building anticipation for the nuptials since the summer when they launched an audience-interactive contest. Fans were invited to submit their own designs for Toni’s wedding dress and 600 submissions were uploaded to the luannfan website.

More than 46,000 votes were cast and the winning entry was drawn by Redwood City artist Phillip Gust, who Evans said is active in the online virtual reality costuming world. Gust’s design, which received 2,204 votes, is a white sleeveless dress with a blue flower at the waist. In place of a veil, Toni’s hair is French-braided with flowing blue and gold ribbons.

Besides getting involved in designing and voting, nearly 1,800 “Luann” fans also signed a wedding guestbook that Karen created on the fan site. And 250 more posted their good wishes for the happy couple in the comments section of the strip’s site at Luanncomic.com.

“When Karen came up with the idea for the book I thought we’d get maybe nine people,” he said. “I mean, who would sign up for a fictitious character’s wedding and a virtual invite to a fake wedding? I was wrong.”

Evans said writing and drawing the wedding plot has been harder work than planning a real-life one.

“I think with a real wedding you’re just trying to make it as smooth and beautiful as possible, but when you’re trying to plan an interesting wedding you want hiccups and problems to make it different from all the other weddings you’ve seen in movies and TV shows,” he said.

For the rest of this week, the strip will focus on the wedding reception. To fill out the guest list, Evans said he dug up several characters from the strip’s past who appeared Sunday and will be in a few panels coming up.

They include fellow firefighters, the fire station captain and fire academy instructor and one of Toni’s friends. Orphaned with her brother as a child, Toni was raised by an aunt who appeared Sunday and will be introduced this week. Also pictured Sunday were Luann’s closest friends Gunther and Bernice, Brad’s Aunt Vicki (last seen in the strip 20 years ago) and his first girlfriend Diane.

The wedding is the culmination of a long and often-troubled courtship between Brad and Toni, who first met at an EMT course in a strip Evans drew in 2002. Luann, a character who has only aged from adolescence to college freshman over the past 31 years, served as Toni’s maid of honor.

While Greg Evans continues to draw the strip daily, his daughter Karen has been helping him write the story line since 2012.

Karen, a San Marcos resident who works as a consultant for charter school education programs, was the original inspiration for “Luann.” Her dad said one day he saw 5-year-old Karen — the youngest of his and Betty’s three children — walking around their Twin Oaks Valley home dressed in her mom’s clothing and he thought he could do a lot with a strip about an imaginative girl.

He said he’s been deeply gratified by the public’s response to this month’s wedding.

“Some of the wishes people wrote in the book are so beautiful. They think of these characters as real people,” he said. “It makes me feel very humble and appreciative.”

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カテゴリー: Weddings | 投稿者kuidry 15:07 | コメントをどうぞ

Wedding Trends to Watch for in 2017

It’s that time of year again- time to say farewell to the trends of the past and usher in the new era of what’s “in.” With that, I’ve asked some wedding professionals what they were seeing on the horizon, and it seems like we have quite the exciting wedding season in store for us.

Here’s what I expect to see:

Digital planning

With today’s interconnectivity, it may not be a surprise that couples are becoming increasingly tech-oriented when it comes to planning their weddings. “Couples aren’t just planning online, but they have gone fully mobile as well,” says Li Zhou of LadyMarry. “Today’s to-be-weds are looking for instant gratification, so they want their wedding planning right at their fingertips at any given moment. Whether they get some inspiration while out for lunch or they meet a potential vendor and want to store their contact information, it’s important for them to be able to do all of that while on the go.” With that in mind, it’s time to orient your business to meet their needs with mobile-friendly sites and active social media accounts.

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Go interactive

This trend is heavily influenced by the guest experience, as couples look for ways to truly wow their guests and give them a fresh, new-to-them experience. While there are many ways to do this, it all goes back to making sure guests feel welcomed and entertained. “Couples are looking for ways to engage their guests throughout the wedding day,” explains Fabrice Orlando of Cocoon Events Management Group. “It could be through ice-breaker games when the festivities start, or they could have their caterer set up interactive food stations for guests.” The possibilities for interactivity are endless, so it’s up to the couples to keep their guests in mind and get creative.

Foodie focus

Food isn’t just for filling guests’ stomachs anymore- it’s a way for couples to customize their wedding day and provide guests with a menu that really showcases their personalities. “We’ve seen that people are adding an additional course to dinner,” shares Kevin Dennis of Fantasy Sound Event Services. “It’s not just salad and an entree anymore; there’s usually an extra course in there to broaden the menu. In addition, late-night snacks aren’t just an add-on anymore–they’re expected!”

Above and beyond

More and more, couples are looking to go above expectations to provide a truly unique and memorable experience for their guests. This could be in the form of luxury accommodations, personalized favors, or a group activity that doubles as an icebreaker. “The wedding industry is heavily focused on guest experience currently and, with destination weddings, there is no better way to maximize guests’ enjoyment than scheduling a group excursion for everyone to get to know one another and explore the destination together,” says Megan Velez of DestinationWeddings.com. “Of course, every locale offers different types of excursions, but those that are especially popular right now include catamaran dinner cruises, mountain treks, snorkeling, and historic tours.”

Switch it up

Today’s weddings are no longer cookie-cutter celebrations with identical details and time lines–this we know. However, couples will continue to go above and beyond with their wedding design in an effort to be unique and plan a day that truly captures their relationship. From the color palette to the actual day of the wedding, there is always room to try something new. “There will always be a place for the traditional wedding cake,” says Jamie Chang of Passport to Joy, an online wedding planning program that takes couples step by step through the entire process. “But more and more couples are embracing alternative cakes and desserts, from cheese to doughnuts to cookies.”

Dynamic decor

Sure, anyone could put a candle in a vase and surround it with flowers. On the note of creating a unique wedding, couples are taking their decor to the next level with creative designs that are anything but standard. “Couples are looking up for inspiration,” expresses Audrey Isaac of 100Candles.com. “They’re using the vertical space above the tables in order to make a statement–expect to see hanging LED lights, tall tapers and elaborate chandeliers.” That’s right–decor can be beautiful and useful!

While some trends may come and go, it’s safe to say that these are here to stay. Today’s weddings are all about blending customization with guest experience, so take note and get ready for 2017!

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カテゴリー: Weddings | 投稿者kuidry 17:25 | コメントをどうぞ

The Worst Day Of The Year To Get Married Differs Depending On Who You Are

Amid all of the decisions that go into getting married, the date of a wedding itself might not seem like a big deal. It turns out, however, that some days are worse for weddings than others. A recent study on the worst days of the year to get married revealed that people who get married on “gimmick” days have higher rates of divorce than those who don’t. So all of those people who went out of their way to get married on November 12, 2013 (aka 11-12-13)? It may not have been such a great idea after all.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne analyzed the marriage and divorce data of couples in the Netherlands from 1999 to 2013, a span covering more than a million marriages. They found that the number of weddings that occur on a given day surges when that day is Valentine’s Day or numerically special. Special or “gimmick” days include those with sequential numbers (like 10-11-12), the same numbers (like 12-12-12), or mirror numbers (such as, in the European configuration, 20-12-2012). On a “normal” day in the study’s test period, an average of 201 couples got married. On a special day, that average skyrocketed to 635. People select these types of dates for a variety of reasons, from ease of remembrance to perceptions of the dates as “lucky.”

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However, divorce statistics suggest that special wedding dates might not be so lucky after all. The study reports that, after three years of marriage, couples who got married on Valentine’s Day were 45 percent more likely to be divorced than those who got married on ordinary days, and people who got married on same-number dates (e.g. 08-08-08) were 30 percent more likely to be divorced. By the fifth anniversary, failure rates for marriages started on Valentine’s Day and on same-number dates were 41 percent and 28 percent higher, respectively, than those begun on normal dates. People who got married on sequential number dates (e.g. 06-07-08) also had higher divorce rates over longer periods of time. Divorce rates for those who married on mirror dates (e.g. 20.01.2001) were mostly on par with folks who had ordinary wedding dates.

Obviously, the dates themselves are only numbers — they aren’t responsible for people’s marriages falling apart. So why do gimmicky wedding dates so often correlate with divorce? Study authors Jan Kabátek and Professor David Ribar suggest that it has to do with the types of people who choose to get married on Valentine’s Day and numerically special dates. “People who got married on special dates were more likely to have been married before and more likely to have children already,” Ribar said in a press statement. “We also found that spouses who married on special dates were less alike, in terms of education and ages, than spouses who married on ordinary dates,” Kabátek added. They also found that couples who got married on Valentine’s were more likely to already be expecting a child than those who got married on ordinary days (though the study suggests that might be a seasonal issue).

The authors say that people who get married on special dates might have higher divorce rates because their relationships — and their decisions surrounding marriage — may be influenced by external factors (like wanting a particular date), rather than the internal workings of the relationship itself. “Couples who marry on ordinary dates may be more strongly influenced by characteristics of their relationships and their compatibility than couples who marry on special dates,” Ribar explained.

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カテゴリー: Weddings | 投稿者kuidry 18:04 | コメントをどうぞ

Big Fake Wedding bridal show comes to town Nov. 3

Hundreds of future brides will gather at Park Crest this month to watch a “fake” bride take a walk down the aisle.

It’s part of The Big Fake Wedding, a bridal show that travels the country with a different approach to showing off its vendors’ work. The show is coming to Park Crest Events, 2030 Little Valley Road, Nov. 3.

Marketing Director Johna Castro said The Big Fake Wedding was created in 2008 by Callie Murray, a wedding photographer looking for a new way to show her work. Rather than sitting at a convention hall booth, she decided to gather a group of wedding service vendors and put together an actual ceremony. Castro said they now host about 30 events a year.

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“They [Big Fake Wedding attendees] are able to really experience the vendors in live action. They’re able to taste the cake and try the flowers and listen to the bands,” Castro said.

About 30 vendors come together to build the 20-minute ceremony and the dance party and reception that follows, including florists, caterers, DJs, musicians and photographers. Vendors for Hoover’s event include Southern Bridesmaids, I Do Linens, Facetime Photobooth, Cakes by Kim, Exchange Vintage, pianist Jenn Brooker, Southern Cotton Photography, TheBirminghamBride.com and Black Sheep Bride.

Each fake wedding has its own theme for the vendors to design around. The theme for the Hoover event is called “Crisp Copenhagen,” focusing on minimalism, light and a color palette based on snow, birch trees and pine needles. Castro compared it to a “walk through Pinterest in real life.” There is time before and after the wedding itself for couples to talk to the different companies in the “Tunnel of Love,” where the vendors set up booths.

“It’s a lot more organic way to really get a real glance at the vendors,” Castro said.

This is the third time The Big Fake Wedding has come to the Birmingham area, but its first outside of downtown. Castro said Park Crest was chosen as a good nontraditional venue that’s close enough to pull interested couples from throughout Birmingham. While the event is a chance for local businesses to show off their talents, Castro said The Big Fake Wedding staff wants to give couples inspiration not only for their wedding ceremony, but for their marriage as a whole.

To that end, the couple chosen for the ceremony is always a local married couple. They do a vow renewal instead of wedding vows, and Castro said it can be an emotional time for the future brides and grooms in the audience to reflect on their commitment.

“A lot of our guests have just said that it’s an experience like no other,” Castro said.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the ceremony begins at 7 p.m. It is followed by a dance party and reception with light food and desserts with a grand exit at 9 p.m. Tickets to The Big Fake Wedding are $25.

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カテゴリー: Weddings | 投稿者kuidry 15:20 | コメントをどうぞ

Groom carries bride down the aisle after car accident weeks before wedding left her in wheelchair

It was a touching scene as a bride, confined to a wheelchair after she was seriously injured in a car accident weeks earlier, was carried down the aisle by her doting groom.

Hannah Kyle, 23, told InsideEdition.com that when she found out she suffered a broken pelvis and ribs, a concussion and a punctured kidney in a car accident before her August ceremony, “I thought my wedding day was going to be ruined.”

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Kyle and her childhood sweetheart, Stuart Peterson, 25, both of Northern Ireland, knew changing the date was out of the question.

The pair were hosting their wedding in Ontario, Canada, where they now live, but have planned for friends and family to fly in for the big day.

Sure enough, her groom reassured her that everything would be okay, and even though Kyle was in recovery for the crucial weeks leading up to the wedding, loved ones gathered to finish last-minute details.

On the big day, Kyle’s father planned to wheel the blushing bride down the aisle, but, her groom instead met the pair by the aisle, and carried Kyle in his arms the rest of the way.

“When I saw Stuart heading toward her, I was momentarily confused… and then overcome with emotion,” said photographer Emily Harris, who captured the touching scene. “It was such a touching moment. [Stuart] showed us all the true meaning of love that day.”

Kyle told InsideEdition.com she had met the love of her life when she was 4, and he was 6.

“Obviously, it wasn’t love at first sight,” Kyle joked.

She and Peterson started dating in their teens, and eventually spent much of their relationship oceans apart after Peterson moved to Canada with his family five years ago.

They were reunited when Kyle moved to Canada to be with Peterson, and they were engaged after Peterson surprised her with a ring last year.

Despite being in constant pain, and even standing on one leg during most of her wedding day, she said she was able to enjoy the big day with her new husband by her side.

“I was glad to be able to sit the rest of the evening,” she said.

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カテゴリー: Weddings | 投稿者kuidry 11:04 | コメントをどうぞ

The Ruby Dolls present The Brides of Bluebeard

Feminist cabaret sirens turn the murderous French folktale into a close-harmony theatrical delight. Touring September to October 2016.

“Highly unorthodox, highly imaginative… boisterous, sharp, witty and inventive.” Scotsman (on Fabulous Creatures)

The Brides of BluebeardIn their signature style of sophisticated cabaret infused with close-harmony singing, comedy and a feminist kick, The Ruby Dolls are returning with their fifth full-length show, re-wiring centuries old French folktale of marriage, death and female curiosity for 2016. This disturbing tale of a powerful man who exists above the law and murders his wives will be performed with a heady mix of original songs across different genres, including folk, beat poetry and blues, alongside well known music from Nick Cave, Amy Winehouse, Beyoncé and Rage Against the Machine, all sung in original arrangements with a Ruby Dolls twist.

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The Brides of Bluebeard takes inspiration from Perrault’s folktale Bluebeard and Angela Carter’s seminal 1970s version The Bloody Chamber. In 2016 the Dolls explore the societal roots of coercive relationships and how women can escape controlling structures through collaboration. The show examines how female lives have changed over centuries by setting different wives’ stories in contrasting time periods, and crucially gives its heroine agency – asking if the transgressive woman is ever rewarded in our society.

Returning to the ‘Calm Down Dear’ feminist performance festival at Camden People’s Theatre (following the success of their show Fabulous Creatures in 2014) they have been invited to perform at HighTide Festival and Paines Plough’s Roundabout space at Lincoln Arts Centre, as well as London and regional tour dates. The Ruby Dolls’ work is intimate and immediate: at its heart it is four women, four microphones and a pianist. Using the subversive political power of cabaret as well as theatrical storytelling, spoken word, comedy and intricate close-harmony singing of both original music and well-known songs, at every turn the Dolls ask questions about contemporary feminist issues, and challenge traditional, reductive expectations of the genre: pretty women in pretty dresses, singing pretty songs. Their ‘doll’ personas reflect the real interplay between the performers and create an atmosphere of honest, open dialogue live each night. Their coming together in harmony is a powerful metaphor.

The Ruby Dolls are a female cabaret ensemble established in 2009. They have spent 7 years re-defining cabaret as a genre through their particular blend of disciplines; politically conscious storytellers who sing in intricate four-part harmony. The Ruby Dolls have created four critically acclaimed productions: Ein Abend Mit Ruby (Soho Theatre/Tour), Rubies In The Attic (sold out run Riverside Studios & Edinburgh Festival co-produced with Assembly), Rubies In The Smoke (sold out St. James Theatre Studio) and Fabulous Creatures (Shoreditch Town Hall, Assembly Edinburgh Festival and Calm Down Dear Festival at Camden People’s Theatre).

The Brides Of Bluebeard is written by critically acclaimed cabaret ensemble The Ruby Dolls, with original music and arrangements written by the company. Directed by Iain Johnstone (Told By An Idiot, National Theatre Scotland) and Musical Direction by Benjamin Cox (Heritage Opera, Tooting Arts Club’s Sweeney Todd) this production is funded with the help of Arts Council England.

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カテゴリー: Weddings | 投稿者kuidry 15:10 | コメントをどうぞ

Five Charming Ways To Reuse Your Wedding Dress

You’ve had your big day, you looked and felt amazing, now what to do with that beautiful wardrobe filler?Here are a few ideas for you:Trash The DressOur inspiration for this article was spotting these fabulous trash the dress photographs:

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I was always under the impression a ‘Trash the dress’ shoot meant exactly that, trashing the dress with paint/water/mud etc. I had no idea it could be about such beauty and elegance.These were taken from a very talented photographer called Nathalie Talka Rychetnik who has been in the photography business for over 11 years.We asked Nathalie to let us in on her secrets:Where does your inspiration for such beautiful images come from?My inspiration for all shoots comes from a place between being a fashion photographer and being a huge day dreamer! I love putting little magical touch to every photoshoot I do and I always question if I wanted photo like this, before I speak about the idea with the model/bride.What’s been your favorite ever photoshoot?It’s too hard to choose my favourite ever shoot, but the trash the dress shoot with the horse and campaign for ferrero rocher when we kept throwing boxes of chocolates at models faces were definitely amongst my favourite!How much do you charge for a ‘Trash the Dress’ photoshoot?My prices for any portrait session range between £79 – £249.

I wanted to make sure that everyone can afford their very own photoshoot!Any last tips for a bride about to go before the camera?The best advice I can give anyone who is going to stand in front of camera is – breathe and practice your poses! I know how silly this sounds but trust me, even professionals do it! Just have a look in magazines and online and then when no one is looking, stand in front of the mirror and try them all. The more you do this, the more normal it will feel when you have a photographer rather than mirror standing there!I personally love this and would love to do something similar. If anyone read my last blog ‘Why you absolutely definitely need a professional wedding photographer‘ you’ll know that I didn’t end up with a single good picture of my dress! I think this would be a great idea for anyone else in a similar position to make sure they have photos of their dress that they can treasure – or if you just want another excuse to put your dress on!Here are few more ideas for you:Daughter of the brideIf you have a young daughter, put her in your wedding dress, depending on her age it will probably be draping across the floor but this will add to the cute factor! Let her put on your wedding shoes or a pair of your highest heels and snap a photo! Print it and keep it safe and then give this to her on the morning of her wedding, wouldn’t this be a lovely gift?If you can’t wait this long, save it for her 16th of 18th birthday party and have it blown up and put at the front of the party room! I’m sure this will cause a good giggle, especially if it is being seen for the first time!

Frame itIf you choose to keep your dress, you could have it framed and hung on your bedroom door, I loved this idea after I married, although the 50+ underskirts meant it would probably be a bit too difficult to get it flat enough! Still; a gorgeous way to keep your dress on display if you didn’t go for a huge princess style gown!Box ItI therefore had mine cleaned and boxed and it lives in the spare room. As happy as I am to know I can keep it and it will be kept safe, it is so tempting to just tear the box open and put it on! I’d happily wear it at home all day everyday! I’d only be tidying up and doing the washing in it – but at least I’d be a princess whilst I did so!Turn it into the most precious gift you could ever giveThere are also the generous charities that take donated wedding dresses and turn them into beautiful tiny dresses for babies who are tragically born asleep or who lose their lives shortly after birth.On average, a single wedding dress can make 12 or more little gowns for angel babies.I believe this idea needs it’s own article entirely, I have been in touch with several charities who do this so that I can bring you a detailed article dedicated to this very soon!What are you doing with your dress? Leave a comment and let me know! I’d love to hear how you’re reusing your treasured wedding dress..This September The Huffington Post UK Style is focusing on all things sustainable, for the second year running. Our thirst for fast fashion is dramatically impacting the environment and the lives of thousands of workers in a negative way. Our aim is to raise awareness of this zeitgeist issue and champion brands and people working to make the fashion industry a more ethical place.

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カテゴリー: Weddings | 投稿者kuidry 18:11 | コメントをどうぞ

Bride who wore no makeup to her wedding speaks out

Bride who wore no make-up to her wedding is Nigerian and has spoken out on why she chose to go bare-faced.

In August, a beautiful ‘Ghanaian’ bride was trending because she wore absolutely no make-up to her white wedding. Now, the bride has been revealed and confirms she is actually Nigerian.

bride no makeup (7)

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Her name is Bisola Umoren. She was born and raised in Lagos State and her husband is from Akwa Ibom. Bisola said the reason she went bare-faced to her ceremony is because her husband loves her without any make-up. She said: “When my husband first met me, I had not had my bath, but he saw and fell in love with my natural look. “My hair was due, my face looked way older, I was even tying nylon on my hair when he came to me on that fateful morning, yet he loved what he saw. So, who am I supposed to be making all that up for on my wedding day?” “Secondly, For a good start, I’m not the make-up type. I don’t even wear ear-rings or like to drop my hair. I don’t like any form of inconvenience or discomfort on my face, my neck and entire body. It is not a church thing, it is just me and my personal decision.”

On her love story with her husband, she said: “We met last year, December 16, 2015 after I was robbed besides Abiola Garden, Lagos at about 9am. The robbery was a horrible experience; I lost my Blackberry phone, tab and some money. A close friend then volunteered to come help me massage my leg when he heard what happened to me.”

“When he was coming that morning, he came with his long time friend (who is now my husband). After the first visit, he (my husband), came back alone on December 26, to see me and that was how our relationship started. Few weeks later, he proposed because he was scared that if he wasted more time, another man would take over. (laughs).” “He is very caring. He showered me with his love and care that I had no choice but to succumb. But his tribe was almost a barrier for us; he is from Akwa-Ibom while I’m from Lagos State. We had our court registry in February 2016, barely three months after we met.”

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カテゴリー: Weddings | 投稿者kuidry 17:26 | コメントをどうぞ

How to Save for a Wedding: A Four-Step Guide

Getting engaged is no doubt a reason to celebrate, but once the excitement wears off, many couples face the oft-dreaded task of saving for a wedding. These days, the average cost of a U.S. wedding is roughly $30,000, though in some parts of the country, it’s considerably more. Take Connecticut, for example, where the average wedding costs close to $44,000, or Massachusetts, where the average wedding comes in at just under $40,000. And if you live in or near a major city, you might be looking at double those figures. The average Manhattan wedding, for instance, costs a whopping $88,000.

If those numbers are enough to make you book the next flight out to Vegas and elope, worry not: Saving for a wedding is often a matter of careful planning and prioritizing. Here are four ways to do it.

Wedding

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1. Come up with a budget

Your first step in saving for a wedding involves coming up with a realistic budget. Start by looking at venues, meeting with vendors, and collecting pricing info. Next, break down your costs by category (such as venue, photographer, band, florist, and so forth), and prioritize the categories that are most important to you. If, for example, you care more about your band than your photographer, you can leave yourself room to spend extra money on music as opposed to pictures.

Once you have all of your numbers, add up your anticipated costs to come up with a grand total. Don’t forget to include smaller expenses that might add up, like tips for your wait staff and transportation to and from your wedding. If that figure is one you can afford based on parent contributions and your current and anticipated savings, you’re all set. If not, you’ll need to work backwards toward an amount you can swing. Otherwise, you risk taking on wedding debt, which is not a great way to start off a marriage.

2. Establish a savings timeline

The average U.S. engagement lasts 14 months, which gives you a fair amount of time to save money for the big day. That said, it’s important to map out a savings timeline to ensure you stay on track. If, for example, you have a year to save for your wedding, your estimated costs total $30,000, and you only have $15,000 coming from savings or parental gifts, you’ll need to save $1,250 a month, on average, until your wedding date arrives.

Furthermore, you should create a schedule of when you need to pay your vendors so you’re not caught off guard down the line. You might, for example, need to give your band a deposit three months before the wedding and pay the balance shortly after the fact. In other words, even if your wedding is a year away, you may not have a full 12 months to save up all the money you’ll need to pay for it.

3. Look for extra sources of income

If saving a chunk of your salary will only get you so far in financing your wedding, your next move should be to seek out additional sources of income. You could try selling some unwanted furniture, electronics, or collectibles to bring in extra cash. Another option is to take on a side job to generate more income. While the extra work might be a lot to juggle, it’s something you’d conceivably only need to do for a limited time.

4. Take advantage of discounts and lower-cost alternatives

If you’re willing to compromise on certain aspects of your wedding, you could wind up slashing your costs significantly. Some venues, for example, charge less for weeknight weddings than they do for weekend events, while others charge less during what’s considered the off-season. If you have 150 guests and can knock your cost per head down from $100 to $90 by postponing your wedding for a month, or getting married on a Thursday evening, you’ll save $1,500.

You also have the option to bypass certain vendors to cut costs. Have a friend take a video rather than pay a videographer, or skip the fancy limo and ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen for a ride. Finally, sending out electronic invites versus paper ones could easily save you close to $1,000, and you might have an easier time tracking responses to boot.

No matter what steps you take to save for your wedding, the key is to avoid overspending and starting your marriage off in the red. An estimated one-third of couples go into debt to pay for their weddings, and at a time when you’re supposed to be enjoying the newlywed phase, you don’t need that burden weighing you down.

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カテゴリー: Weddings | 投稿者kuidry 11:57 | コメントをどうぞ

Indian wedding market has evolved with Bollywood

Celebrated designer Manish Malhotra, effected the startling makeover of many screen scorchers in Hindi filmdom, says the Indian wedding market has evolved with the change in Bollywood’s fashion story.

Manish Malhotra, cinema, Indian wedding, Bollywood fashion, news, FDCI India Couture Week, Bollywood news, latest news, India news, national news, Urmila Matondkar, Karisma Kapoor, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Sonam Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone“The wedding market has evolved a lot over the years through styling in movies that showcased modernity of Indian clothes,” Malhotra told IANS in an email interview from Mumbai. During his 25 years as a stylist in the film industry, Malhotra has designed looks for Urmila Matondkar, Karisma Kapoor, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Sonam Kapoor, Alia Bhatt andDeepika Padukone. The designer feels “brides are also changing”.

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“They are a lot more social media savvy and have great global influences. They want more contemporary, versatile and diversified looks,” he added.

After showcasing his collection at FDCI India Couture Week (ICW) 2016, Malhotra is now a part of the Vogue Wedding Show 2016 – a three-day exhibition which will start from Friday here. Malhotra is “delighted to be a part of the wedding show. The response has always been overwhelming and I am really thankful to everyone for being so loving towards me and my work”.

“I am looking forward to an interactive and exciting session,” he said.

What about upcoming fashion trends for brides and grooms?

“I see the designs being more intricate, experimental and a greater respect to old craft, handloom and textile,” Malhotra said. He came out with a talk show titled “The Manish Malhotra Show” in 2005. But there are no plans to comeback with a talk show.

“That was 11 years ago. I did 50 episodes. There have been many offers after that but I really have too much happening and cannot give the time to it,” he said. For now, his focus is “on improving my work and changing the business of Indian fashion”.

See more at http://www.queeniewedding.co.uk/wedding-dresses

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カテゴリー: Weddings | 投稿者kuidry 18:09 | コメントをどうぞ