2015 Bridal Planner

Page 8A  Daily Journal ONLINE AT www.dailyjournalonline.com Monday, February 23, 2015

2015 Bridal Planner Establishing your budget is the first step in creating your dream day Here’s some good news: Thanks to the modern miracles of roommates, living at home with their parents and being students, and the low expenses that come with those territories, 18- to 30-year-olds are more likely to have up to five months’ living expenses saved up compared to folks ages 30 to 49, according to a Bankrate.com report. The bad news, perhaps, for these folks who are prime marrying age is that they likely may tap some of those savings to pay for their wedding.

According to the 2014 American Wedding Study from Brides magazine, couples spend $28,000 on average for their wedding, one of the highest totals over the past two decades.

Among the study’s findings: • The reception accounts for 43 percent of wedding costs, with an average price tag of $12,343.

• Outside of the reception, the largest chunks of money are going to engagement rings ($5,002), photography and video ($3,378), music ($1,297) and wedding rings ($1,727).

• Since some items were

Budget

50% Reception 10% Music 10% Flowers/Décor 10% Wedding Attire 10% Photo/Video 5% Stationery 5% Miscellaneous

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more expansive than expected, 79 percent rework the budget.

• To save for the wedding they want, 62 percent of couples say they are willing to have a longer engagement.

Of course, these figures just are the results of large national survey; they’re not spending goals. Today’s couples are more mindful of what they put into their weddings, using savings and on-hand cash – not going into debt – to pay for their events. They’re cautious on how they deploy their dollars. In short, they want to be sure that they and their guests get the most out of what they spend.

Get Budgeting To establish your magic budget number, look at your designated savings, contributions from parents or other relatives, and what of your regular income you can devote toward

Say ‘Yes’ to Having a Blast Shopping for the Dress Your wedding dress should make you look stunning. What

the wedding, without sabotaging your day-to-day budget (including savings).

When you’ve come up with your number, plug it in a budget formula to see how much you have to spend in each area of

1. Give Yourself Time

Start the dress search early – six to nine months ahead of the wedding day, if you can – so you’re not stressed out with last-minute shipping and alterations. Bridal salon appointments typically last from about an hour to 90 minutes, so block out enough time to talk to consultants, take measurements and try on plenty of styles. “It’s always fun to look and try on, but keep in mind you do need to make a decision eventually,” says Ramona Southard, owner of Love and Lace Bridal in Irvine, California.

your wedding. Follow these estimates to get started.

Remember, the figures are just estimates, so adjust as necessary to fit your wedding’s needs: © CTW Feature

Bring on the Bling

2. Go With An Open Mind

it should not do is stress you out.

Follow these tips for having a fun, carefree time

Before the appointment, look at dresses in bridal magazines and websites, and on social media like Pinterest, to see what might suit your style, but remember that dresses may look entirely different once you actually put them on. “You might have an idea of what you want for the day, but you might end up with a completely different dress because it looks fantastic on you,” says Sydney, Australia-based designer Sarah Janks of Sarah Janks Bridal, whose dresses are available in about 18 U.S. stores nationwide. Adds Southard: “In the end, it’s what suits you and what suits your body type.

Be open to our expertise and let us guide you to what looks good.”

Nothing is a longer lasting symbol of your “I dos” than the wedding rings you wear to symbolize your love, so don’t forget to put some effort into the daily reminder of your commitment.

To start, choose the type of metal you’ll be comfortable wearing every day.

Eric Robertson, marketing director of Seattle-based Green Lake Jewelry Works, says that white metals like platinum, palladium and white gold are the most popular metals. Robertson says rose gold (gold alloyed with

See DRESS / Page 9A

See BLING / Page 9A

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Monday, February 23, 2015 ONLINE AT www.dailyjournalonline.com Daily Journal  Page 9A

Dress Continued From Page 8A 3. Choose Shopping Buddies

An entire entourage probably isn’t the best strategy. “Everybody likes to have their experience be small, intimate and personal, so when you bring in a group of 10 people, it takes away from that,” Southard says. “Bring people who mean something to you – your mom, your sister, your close friends – but don’t turn it into a party. Bridal gown shopping should be about you finding a dress.

“Stick to a small group of two or three companions whose opinions you trust.

You want to bring people who tell you the honest truth, or someone who is calming,” adds New York City-based “professional bridesmaid” Jen Glantz, founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. “We all have those friends who tell us we look great in everything we wear; those are people I’d bring to the second dress fitting.”

4. Dress for Success

Slipping into glamorous gowns will be so much more enjoyable if you really feel the part of a beautiful bride.

Wear nice-quality nude underwear (a bright purple thong won’t exactly give the lines you’re looking for) and a good strapless bra. “You’ll get so much better of an idea of what you will look like with good foundation,” Janks says. Also, consider taking it up a notch in the hair and makeup department, whether it’s wearing long and loose waves or a neat chignon (rather than a messy bun), and a touch of mascara and lip gloss. “Look as best as you can, so you can get a good picture of how you’ll look on the wedding day,” Glantz says.

5. Silence Your Inner Critic

Remember that voice you sometimes hear as you’re trying on swimsuits or jeans? The right dress will make you feel gorgeous and glowing, not focused on your hips (too wide) or your tummy (too flabby). “If you’re feeling those things, maybe it’s not the right dress for you, and eventually you will find the right dress. Don’t convince yourself that’s the right one,” Glantz says. Though if the negative feelings persist, “voice those opinions and work through them through the fitting process,” Janks says. “Even if nobody else is seeing it, if you’re feeling that it’s important. You need to feel comfortable on the day.”

6. Add Finishing Touches

Want to really look and feel like a bride? Complete the potential winning look with accessories like a headpiece or veil. “Ask to try on any jewelry they have that’s similar to the style you want to help recreate the picture you have in your head for the day,” Janks says. Some shops will let you take photos, while others may not permit it, so always ask beforehand.

to commit just yet. “We suggest you take time, grab some coffee to get out of the environment or sleep on it. If you still can’t get the dress out of your mind, make a follow-up appointment,” Southard says. Just remember, you don’t need to see every dress -- Janks recommends about five to 10 to get a good picture. And most important, she adds: “Stop looking once you get dress.”

7. Don’t Get Overwhelmed

You found a dress you absolutely love -- maybe.

Some brides are able to make a decision on the spot, but don’t get stressed out if you’re not entirely ready

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Bling Continued From Page 8A

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copper) is increasingly popular with women. And for men, titanium and tungsten carbide are other options.

Sally Ashby, sales manager at Carreras Jewelers in Richmond, Virginia, notes that tungsten carbide is popular with younger men. “It’s durable and not as expensive.” Gold bands can range from $500 to $1000, depending on the style, while tungsten carbide can cost $175 to $300.

Size matters when it comes to wedding bands.

Women typically find bands that are comfortable and incorporate with their engagement ring, but men are a different story. Since most guys don’t normally wear rings, they need to try one on so they can see how it fits on their hand. Typically, men end up with a band that’s anywhere from four to eight millimeters wide. “We sell most in the five millimeter range,” Ashby says. “Each client is different. It just depends on [what they like].”

Couples also can go the custom-designed route, but if you do that, it’s important to “agree on what aesthetic you’re into,” Robertson says. Custom-designed rings can be unique but expensive, with men’s rings starting around $1,000 and women’s rings around $2,000.

While everyone will see the bling you’re flashing, you also can incorporate details on the inside of your ring to make them even more special to you and your groom.

Engrave a note to each other on the inside of the band, or have a gemstone mounted inside that only the two of you will know about.You can even scan your fingerprints and put them onto each other’s ring, Robertson says.

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