Signature Grand Wedding Budget Tips

In today’s tough economy, copious spending and lavish consumption have lost their appeal, as more and more brides scale back their wedding plans to meet strict budgets. Savvy spending has become all the rage – in fact, being “in the black” couldn’t be more fashionable. If you’re planning a wedding and think elegance and thriftiness can’t peacefully coexist, think again! Below are a few sensible tips for hosting a budget-minded celebration that will have your guests raving long after the last dance.

The Date. Caterers, DJs, rental companies, florists, and reception locales operate full-tilt from May – October, and are especially busy during prom season. Many vendors will offer discounts during their off-season months (November to April).

The Invitations. While engraved vellum invitations may be exquisite, they bear a hefty price tag that’s not easily justified when you’re planning on a modest budget. Save big while presenting an elegant first impression by printing invitations at home with a high-quality printer and professional cardstock.

Wedding Budget Planning

York & White Explains Wedding Cake Boxes

Wedding cake boxes might seem useless to you, however, they’re a great way to keep your preserved wedding cake safe from harm in your freezer. It’s become a tradition that the bride and groom preserve a slice (or the top tier) of their wedding cake for a year. The couple then opens and eats the cake (from the freezer) to celebrate their 1 year anniversary. The cake should be wrapped in saran wrap and then placed in a cake box in the freezer for safe keeping.

Most brides are very picky about their cake box as they want it to be decorative – the perfect keepsake to their wedding night. Here are some tips for selecting your wedding cake box?

Type Of Boxes

You want to add special touches to all that goes to your guests and towards the wedding day party. So you will have to decide on the very perfect cake and a wedding cake box for it. Before you decide on anything, you need to know the products available in the market.

• Personalized cake slice favor boxes- This is a nice way of saying thanks to all your guests. These boxes can be taken away so that your guests would be able to enjoy the slice later. Also, if few of your guests are not able to attend the function, they still can taste your wedding cake. Send your guests a slice of the cake with your choice of design or monogram and maybe with few text lines, thus making it more personal.
• Keepsake memories box or Bridal shower cakes top freeze storage box- You will be amazed to know that at few places it is a tradition to preserve a part of wedding cake and eat it on the first anniversary. These boxes are wonderful to meet such a requirement. They are specially made to keep the cake fresh and preserve it from freezer burn.
• Decorative cake boxes- You may order a bridal shower cake with a wonderful wedding cake recipe, sized as per your expected guest list, decorated as per your bride's choice but it all is a waste if your creativity can not be stored, transported and presented well. Hence you require a cake box which can do it all. These boxes are tailor made and suit the size of your cake. Designer effects are added to make it more presentable. At times, special plastic layers are added to keep the cake preserved for a longer duration in case more traveling is involved.

Wedding Cake Accessories

Arlene Pecora Dishes on Bridal Shower Planning

Arlene Pecora, co-founder of the Signature Grand, has attended and hosted many bridal showers in her time at the catering venue. Need a little bridal shower advice? Ms. Pecora is happy to dish on some Bridal Shower Planning Tips:

A: Who will plan the bridal shower? Generally, the bridal party is thrown by the bride’s maid.
B: Who Pays? The bride’s maid usually pays, however, it is not uncommon for the brides family to assist with the expenses.
C: Create the Guest List: If the party is not a surprise, go ahead and ask the bride and groom. If it is a surprise, get creative by asking family for close friends and family information! Now is the time to decide if it will be a “girls only” celebration!
D: Select the Invitations: Invitations can be casual (i.e. phone calls) or formal (i.e. printed invitations)
E: Decorations and Theme! This is often the most fun for planning! Don’t worry about selecting a theme – if you can’t pick something, ask the groom or family members!

F: Location: Do you want the party to be in a hotel? Home? Catering Hall? This all depends on budget, but all are perfectly acceptable!

G: Menu: This is also according to your budget plan. Finger foods and snacks can be served, or an entire dinner!

Bridal Shower Planning

Discount Save the Dates at York & White

Save the Dates are traditional methods to let your guests-to-be know that you have selected your wedding date and they should “save the date!”. Created by Cathy’s Concepts, these Save the Date magnets are Our “Save the Date” Magnets are perfectly sized and can be personalized as desired! Magnetic Save the Dates will look great displayed on all your friends and families’ refrigerators, creating a daily reminder of your well anticipated day! These accessories are “Do it Yourself” and are great ways to avoid additional professional printing costs. Each packet includes: 50 “Save the Date” magnets 50 envelopes Test Printing Sheets, Instructions & Template Information Details

Cathy’s Concepts “Save the Date” Magnet Kit

Bellacroft's Baby Shower Ideas

If this is the first baby shower that you’re planning, you’ll quickly realize that food is an important aspect!

If you have thrown parties or baby shower’s before, then you already know the types of food to serve. This is the first step. The main thing to remember is that the food at a baby shower needs to be easy for the guests to snack on while ‘mingling’. This means small finger foods, snacks such as nuts and potato chips.

A good event incorporates several types of snacks and foods. Remember – not everybody eats meat or fatty items. It’s smart to have a few light, veggie snacks as well. This way everybody is happy!

Although all you really need to get is normal every day party snacks, it is also fun to have a few unique, baby shower foods as well!

As far as drinks and beverages go, you just need to make sure you have a small selection of different drinks. You can either go down the route of providing individual drinks or providing something like a punch for the entire party.

Baby Shower Favors