Will You Marry Me 2009
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 2009 WYMM Winners!

2009 WYMM: Wedding and Honeymoon Tips


LOOKING FOR A BREAK FROM TRADITION? HERE ARE THREE DISTINCTIVE WAYS TO CUT THE COST — AND THE FUSS — AS YOU CELEBRATE YOUR SPECIAL DAY

A WEDDING BRUNCH AT HOME
Small wedding receptions with 50 or fewer guests are becoming a popular alternative to larger, more extravagant affairs. They're economical, and they also let you customize your special day to reflect your own tastes and imagination. Prefer an intimate setting? A continental brunch reception at home -- yours or a close friend or relative's -- is an ideal way to go.

  • SETTING: Look for a place that's roomy enough to accommodate a buffet spread, cake table and beverage station, as well as mingling guests and small tables with chairs for seating. To create more space, consider removing unneeded furniture from areas where guests will circulate.
  • DÉCOR: Simple yet beautiful accents -- colorful doilies, ribbons and silk flowers, all available at craft stores -- add a sweet touch. Borrow fine china, flatware and serving dishes that suit your color scheme from family members or friends instead of purchasing or renting them. It's okay to mix and match.
  • PLANNING THE MENU: Ask friends and family to help with preparations; pitching in can be their gift to you. Homemade foods are easy to prepare ahead of time and freeze well. Muffins, pastries, fruits and juices are favorites and economical.
  • THE WEDDING CAKE: An alternative to a traditional cake is cupcakes! Beautifully decorated and displayed on tiers, everyone will want one. If you have a friend or relative who loves to bake, ask her to bake them as a wedding present

AN OUTDOOR CELEBRATION

Imagine holding your reception in a space that offers incredible panoramic views under a gorgeous sky. An outdoor locale provides this dramatic backdrop, yet feels informal for kick-off-your-shoes fun. To keep costs and anxiety levels down, plan a simple menu, such as dessert and champagne.

  • SETTING To find a location, check out local hotels and museums; many have areas for outdoor entertaining. As you research different options, be sure to ask what safety measures are in place, such as guard rails or fencing, advises Diann Valentine, owner of an event-planning firm in Pasadena, California. Valentine also recommends preparing for inclement weather by renting a tent or reserving some space indoors.
  • LIGHTING Valentine, whose book, Weddings Valentine Style (Atria), offers a wealth of ideas for planning an unconventional wedding, says you should always look for a venue that has ample electrical outlets and places to hang lights or lanterns. Votive candles in decorative containers are another great light source.
  • DESSERT AND CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION Indicate on the invitation the type of reception you're having. A simple wording of "Cake and Champagne Following the Ceremony" will let guests know what to look forward to and allow them to plan accordingly. For the menu, offer a show stopping wedding cake, a buffet of sweets (homemade and purchased) and champagne. Be sure to have alcohol-free drinks on hand.

A DESTINATION WEDDING

Holding your ceremony and reception at an island resort or on a cruise ship that caters to weddings is perhaps the most fuss-free option. A destination wedding is also easy on the pocketbook, especially when combined with the honeymoon stay, as many all-inclusive packages are.

In her book, Intimate Weddings: Planning a Small Wedding That Fits Your Budget and Your Style (North Light Books), Christina Friedrichsen says there are six steps to choosing a suitable location:

  • Start planning early, six months or more in advance, so guests have time to schedule the trip. If possible, send out save-the-date notices.
  • Learn about legalities. Each region has its own marriage laws and document requirements. The on-site wedding coordinator can assist you with filing paperwork.
  • Find a place and time of year that fits your budget. A wedding that's planned for the off-season is less expensive than one held in peak season.
  • Inquire about wedding packages and coordinators. Many hotels and resorts offer these services.
  • Research the location for detailed information: When is the rainy season? Is the drinking water safe? What are the sightseeing options for guests?
  • Get it in writing, because a hard copy of the agreement holds more water than a verbal one.
  • Pamper your guests. Event planner Diann Valentine offers these tips to make guests feel welcome:
    • Make your own welcome basket with information about the locale and suggestions for activities guests can do on their own. You might also include items that reflect the cultural customs or traditions of your destination.
    • Negotiate perks into the room rate, such as a free continental breakfast or personalized turn-down service, where you include a special note to your guests.
    • If the resort hosts a free manager's cocktail reception during your stay, arrange to have a reserved section corded off for your wedding party at no additional cost.
    • Let your invitation serve as your wedding favor. A message-in- a-bottle invite, for example, can be filled with cocoa powder or bath salts.


OTHER WEDDING RESOURCES


Looking for more inspiring ideas? Consult bridal books, magazines and Web sites like those listed below. Family and friends are also a great resource for word-of-mouth recommendations. Here we've highlighted a few of our favorites:

BOOKS
Cater Your Own Wedding (New Page Books, $14.99) by Michael c. Flowers and Donna Bankhead is great DIY guide. Visit chefmike.com for additional recipes and tips.
Jumping the Broom (Jump At the Sun, $19.95) by Harriet Cole is the ultimate guide for planning a wedding with cultural details.

HONEYMOON TIPS


You jumped the broom and now it's time to enjoy your first days of wedded bliss together. To make sure you start on the right foot, here are some basic rules-of-thumb you should follow to help keep your dream honeymoon a reality.

Pick your "love nest" – Your first inclination may be to leave all the planning to your sweetheart but to avoid any love spats plan your journey together. Whether your sippin' a Bahama Mama while on the beach or sailing around the world, you and your honey should agree on the type of honeymoon you want to experience. A simple Google search can lead you to a list of honeymoon hot spots.

Create a budget – With the increasing costs of weddings, a honeymoon budget can help you to avoid any overspending. It's a sure bet to avoid getting into debt. Trust us, you'll be thankful later.

Visit a travel agent – A travel agent can help ease the stress of booking travel accommodations. Besides, their expertise may get you additional concierge services.

Make your own package – To help cut back on cost, you can book your own honeymoon package. Search for e-deals on travel sites for all-inclusive packages.

Do your homework – Purchase travel books, magazines or call the tourist board of the location you're visiting and request brochures on what to do or see before you hit your destination

Travel insurance – Honeymoon travel can be expensive so you may want to consider travel insurance. Make sure you research insurance companies, shop around for the best deal, and read the fine print before purchasing.

Spread the word – Don't be shy! When booking travel, let people know you're on your honeymoon, it could score you some great deals or upgrades.

BY NAZENET HABTEZGHI