The OurWeddingDay Blog

How to Get Classic, Upscale Wedding Invitations on a Budget

OWD — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:54:39 -0400

In these days when jobs and real estate are at a premium, it doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on things like wedding invitations. At the same time, a wedding is an important life event and the invitation, being the first wedding-related thing guests see, makes a crucial design statement.

The good news is that it's certainly possible to get wedding invites with classic elegance and a tasteful design aesthetic at an affordable price. Check out the full article here for six great tips!

Massive Updates to the Las Vegas Wedding Guide!

OWD — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:36:59 -0400

We just updated our Las Vegas Wedding Guide in a big way... with 10 new articles to help you plan your perfect wedding in Sin City!

Check Out Last-Minute Vegas Wedding Planning
Check Out Las Vegas Wedding Chapel 101
Check Out How to Save Money with Las Vegas Wedding Packages
Check Out Wedding Cakes Las Vegas Style
Check Out Planning a Cheap Las Vegas Wedding
Check Out Las Vegas Wedding Dress Tips
Check Out Las Vegas Hotel Wedding Venues
Check Out Unusual Las Vegas Wedding Ceremony Ideas
Check Out Getting Around in Las Vegas
Check Out Packing for Las Vegas Wedding Packages

Check out our complete local wedding guides for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Miami, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Baltimore, Newark, Houston and Chicago.

Is a Videographer Right for My Wedding?

OWD — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:11:33 -0400

Celebrity weddings and glamorous bridal magazines are a lot of fun, but nothing’s more helpful than learning how real brides plan their big day.

Meet OWD's Real Brides: real OurWeddingDay.com Brides-to-be sharing their experiences. It’s not about the “right” way to plan; it’s about each bride planning the wedding that’s right for her

Jenn from Jefferson Valley, NY writes:

To video or not to video? That is the question.

My fiancé is a big "home video" guy. His parents before him were also believers in home video. No one in my family owns one. I’m not the biggest fan of being photographed to begin with, and the idea of being videoed simply gives me the shivers.

Surprisingly, when I broached the subject with my honey, he didn’t really feel strongly one way or the other about having the whole affair videoed. To be honest, I’m still going back and forth on it. Maybe we should tape the ceremony. Maybe we should tape the whole thing. Maybe… maybe… maybe.

I know for sure that we need a still photographer. Over the summer we were invited to a friend’s step-daughter’s wedding. I contacted the bride and asked her for any recommendations. She forwarded me her photographer’s name. Prior to meeting the photographer, I was emailed a link to her Flickr page so I could see her body of work.

Upon meeting with the photographer my fiancé and I discovered that her wedding package was different that most of the others that we’d seen at the bridal shows in the area: Instead of having us select a specific number of poses to have her put together into a wedding album for us, we’ll get a CD of all of the shots that she and her assistant take – between 500 and 700 – along with the rights to use them. Armed with those CDs, we can then make whatever we want using an online service like Shutterfly or Snapfish.

The photographer will be with me and my girls while we’re getting ready at my parents’ house in a town 20 miles away from the wedding. Her assistant will hang out with the men at our house while they’re getting ready. Then both photographers will be at the wedding and reception.

Prior to the wedding we’re to have provided her with a list of all the posed shots we’d like along with the names of the people involved. UGH! Here’s the part I’m not looking forward to at ALL! I’m really not a fan of having my picture taken. I don’t feel like I photograph well. The idea of having to sit/stand for almost an hour is making me itch already! I probably should get in touch with the photographer and tell her, and see if she’s got some words of wisdom or something, huh?

But, as to the first question, I think it’s a "no." Having a still camera follow me around is frightening enough. I think adding a videographer to the mess will just drive me bonkers.

Whaddya think?

Getting Married in New York, Newark, Phoenix, Baltimore or Miami?

OWD — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:54:51 -0500

To make sure you hire the right professionals for the biggest day of your life, check our latest Local Vendor Guides:

Budget Wedding Planning in New York City

Newark Caterers Guide

Phoenix Hairstylists Guide

Baltimore Videographers Guide

Miami Hairstylists Guide

We have great Local Vendor Guides to everyone you need to hire for your wedding, from florists & photographers to limos & reception halls!

And check out our complete local wedding guides for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Miami, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Newark, Houston and Chicago.

Massive Updates to the New York Wedding Guide!

OWD — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:29:26 -0500

We just updated our New York Metro Wedding Guide in a big way... with 9 new articles to help you plan your perfect wedding in NYC!

New York Wedding Photo Keepsakes
New York Wedding Warm Weather Tips
New York Wedding Cold Weather Tips
Where to Get Married in NYC
New York City Wedding Trends
New York Wedding Floral Trends
New York Wedding Planners
New York Wedding Dress Shopping Tips
Hiring Wedding Bands in New York

Tips for Visiting a Bridal Spa

OWD — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:17:40 -0500

Spas offer clients a variety of beauty and health services in one convinient, relaxing location. Planning on preparing for your wedding at a bridal spa? Whether you're new to spas or you're a seasoned pro, use these tips when visiting and selecting the bridal spa for your wedding preparation.

Start looking for local bridal spas and bridal salons at least six months before your wedding. Popular bridal spas book quickly, especially during the peak wedding season.
Visit the bridal spa before you book your appointment. Ask for a complimentary tour. Take a look at the treatment rooms and try to get a feeling for the vibe and atmosphere. Look for cleanliness, a calming atmosphere, and attentive employees. Don’t feel obligated to make an appointment if you’re not completely happy with the spa.
When booking your appointment, schedule plenty of time for treatments. Try beginning your day with an aromatherapy massage, hot stone massage, or body scrub. To avoid surprises, remember to ask about all fees and additional costs while booking your appointments.
If you’re having your hair and makeup done at a bridal spa, meet with your aestheticians beforehand for a practice run of your hairstyle and makeup. Have a friend take pictures so you can see what the makeup looks like on camera.
Coordinate with bridesmaids well before the wedding so that you can make simultaneous appointments for attendants who would like to join you as you prepare at a bridal spa.
Call the wedding spa two weeks before your visit to confirm that the appointment is on the books and your preferred technicians will be available.

Getting Married In Las Vegas, Baltimore or Philadelphia?

OWD — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:22:21 -0500

To make sure you hire the right professionals for the biggest day of your life, check our latest Local Vendor Guides:

Las Vegas Hairstylists Guide

Baltimore Reception DJs Guide

Philadelphia Videographers Guide

We have great Local Vendor Guides to everyone you need to hire for your wedding, from florists & photographers to limos & reception halls!

Check out our complete local wedding guides for Baltimore, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Houston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Miami, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Newark and Chicago.

Meeting with Wedding Florists All Week

OWD — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:29:18 -0500

Celebrity weddings and glamorous bridal magazines are a lot of fun, but nothing’s more helpful than learning how real brides plan their big day.

Natalie from Irving, TX, writes:

Since last week, we decided to fore-go the Day of Coordinator (because it's already included in our venue contract) and we decided to ask for a few more quotes from other florists, upon receiving our last quote.

So, each day this week at 2pm, I will be meeting with florists in order to find the best one for the best price. Yesterday I met with who I think will become our photographer; however, today I received another quote from a photographer but then realized they did not have as much bang for my buck as the one from yesterday in regards to the overall package.

Today I am trying to work with a local spa in order to have pedicures done all at the same time with my bridal party but I'm running into a dilemma of that they can only fit 6 at a time and there is no room for 2 additional sitting chairs to be brought in the room...this way at least the other 2 ladies can be part of the conversation while waiting for a chair to open up. Guess I better start looking at other spa locations in order to make this happen; bummer that my first choice couldn't have been THE choice. The wedding invitations that I custom designed and ordered from MyGatsby.com arrived today; they turned out perfect. Now I need to deliver these to the Calligrapher so that I can receive them back in time to start stuffing the envelopes and place them in the mail....all while going to school full-time! Whew!

Happy Planning!

Massive Updates to the Chicago Wedding Guide

OWD — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:44:15 -0500

We just updated our Chicago Wedding Guide in a big way... with 10 new articles to help you plan your perfect wedding in the Windy City!

Chicago Wedding Dress Shopping on a Budget
Chicago Bachelorette Party Ideas
Chicago Winter Wedding Tips
Chicago Warm Weather Wedding Tips
Chicago Wedding Dress Guide
Chicago Wedding Planner Advice
Chicago Wedding Photography Advice
Chicago Makeup Artist Tips
Chicago Weddings: Weather Guide
Chicago Weddings: Metropolitan Style

Check out our complete local wedding guides for Baltimore, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Houston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Indianapolis, Los Angeles,Philadelphia, Miami, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Newark and Chicago.

Asking a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding: What You Should Know

OWD — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:06:01 -0500

While most couples have a traditional clergy person or justice of the peace marry them, some couples prefer having a close friend or relative take care of the honors. While you probably can’t go this route if you’re having a religious, formal ceremony in a house of worship, it’s a perfectly acceptable idea for a more casual affair, like a backyard or beach wedding. The most common reason couples decide to have a loved one make it legal is the feeling of closeness you get from someone you know personally, especially someone who’s been a wonderful friend for years.

Click here to learn more about this lovely tradition, including the legal requirements.