4 Ways To Honeymoon On The Cheap

You’ve spent so long planning the wedding, but how long have you spent planning the getaway? Once the big day is over, it’s time to switch into relax mode. 

However, you’ve just spent a fortune on flowers, centre-pieces and hiring the music. 

What if we told you it’s possible to have the honeymoon you deserve after spending big on your special day? 

Here’s how you can save on your big day:How To Save Money On Your Wedding Without Sacrificing Style 

Are you worried about how you will be able to pay for a honeymoon after spending so much on a wedding? Here are four ideas that will allow any couple to save money while travelling together after their nuptials. 

1. Take A Cruise From Home 

Cruises are not only fun, but they set the stage for a couple to have some romance. 

This is a popular honeymoon idea because you get so much by paying one price; food, entertainment, fun in the sun and the opportunity to head to more than once destination without packing and paying for accommodations more than once. 

There are manycruise options available so there’s always something to suit your taste and budget. 

If you and your beloved want to save on a cruise honeymoon, consider shortening the length of your journey. It is surprising how much excitement and bliss can be crammed into just a few days on a trip. 

According to the accounting experts at Robinson Accounting, another way to reduce the price of your trip would be to drive to the location of your cruise will sail from. They explain; “Most cruises embark from capital cities such as Sydney which is home to a world-class public transport system across the city. Look for one that is close to where you live. Since most cruises do not set sail until the afternoon, you will have plenty of time to get there from home, which means you can nix a hotel stay”.

2. Combine The Wedding And Honeymoon 

A weddingmoon allows both of these special events to be held at one time. 

Today, there are many resorts that offer free weddings to those who book a stay that lasts at least three nights.Or, pick your dream destination and have a beach wedding to save even more on costs.

Wedding celebrant Darren Moransays combining your wedding and honeymoon is less stressful. He explains; “When you plan your wedding and honeymoon as one, you cut the frustrations, workload, and stress of having to plan two separate events and you also save yourself some considerable travel time”.

A destination wedding is not ideal for all, but if it is, take advantage of the situation and enjoy having your honeymoon and wedding in paradise. 

3. Consider Last-Minute Travel

Weddings and honeymoons are usually planned far in advance. 

The anticipation is one of the things that many couples look forward to. If saving money is really important, then avoid making plans too soon and wait until the last minute. This is when many are able to snag the best deals. 

These discounts apply to airfare as well as the cost of vacation packages. 

The only drawback is that you will have to be flexible since many of the locations you have dreamed about may not have any availability. Keep in mind that your room at the resort may not be the best ever, but letting someone on the staff know that you were newly married may lead to a free upgrade. 

4. Go Camping 

If you are an outdoorsy person, you should consider going on a camping trip for your honeymoon. You can stay overnight at a national park as long as you make a reservation far in advance, so start making plans as soon as you can. 

If you are someone who is unsure about how much you will enjoy cooking and sleeping out in the wild, you can rent camping equipment for cheap instead of making a major purchase. As well as renting equipment, it’s important to wear the right clothes. 

The fashion experts at Tierra Almahave an exclusive tip and state “Wearing the best clothing for camping can make a big difference in your enjoyment of the trip. Camping is a romantic and intimate way to start your married life. Scratch the bikinis for your island getaway and focus on quality clothes that keep you warm, cosy and practical. Remember, there’s no such thing as bad camping conditions, just bad clothes!”.

Or you could still choose tomake it a more traditional honeymoon and spend your last night at a hotel where you can clean up and enjoy the luxurious comforts with your spouse. 

As you can see, saving money for your dream honeymoon is possible. Just because there’s a little less left from the big day, itdoesn’t mean you have to skip this altogether. The idea is to cut corners and reduce costs as often as possible, even if it means you won’t get that dream floral arrangement. 

Before you head to paradise, here are some honeymoon essentials you MUST consider when packing for your getaway: 10 Things To Put On Your Honeymoon Packing List

Author Bio

Charlie Wilson is an Australian writer and uni student living in Melbourne. He is passionate about technology and the latest innovations. Charlie also has a love for animal welfare, regularly taking breaks from work to volunteer with the local pet rescue. 

Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas You Can Always Rely On

Deciding what to wear to a wedding can be quite a nerve-wracking and complicated venture, especially when the invitation is vague and the guest attire is not specified. The most important thing to remember is that while it is perfectly fine to look stylish and striking, you never want to distract from the couple or draw attention for all the wrong reasons. So, here are some fail-safe wedding guest outfit ideas that are as fashionable as they are gorgeous, yet still perfectly appropriate for every season and every wedding style:

An elegant jumpsuit

Unexpected and distinctive, yet still chic, fashionable and entirely appropriate, you can never go wrong with an elegant jumpsuit. It lengthens your physique, makes you look sleek and polished without even trying, and depending on the style and the fabric you opt for, it can be worn to any occasion imaginable. For example, a cotton or crepe culotte jumpsuit is ideal for summer weddings, particularly casual, outdoor ones, while a silk or satin wide leg jumpsuit is the perfect option for more formal ordeals, as well as autumn and winter weddings, especially when it’s paired with a staple blazer or even a chic long coat and a pair of nude stilettos.

A feminine slip dress

When you simply don’t know what to wear, a slip dress is always an excellent idea. It is sleek and sexy, while still being simple and elegant enough to be worn to any type of wedding imaginable. As long as you are mindful of the hemline and make sure it isn’t too short, you can wear a feminine slip dress to a casual soirée or even a formal event, and the best part is that you can easily find your ideal slip dress in any great online fashion store. Whether you wear it alone with a pair of strappy heels and a neutral clutch during the summer, or throw a trench coat or an elegant winter coat over it during the colder months and pair it with some staple stilettos, you can truly never go wrong with a stylish slip dress.

A cute midi skirt

Although more appropriate for semi-formal and more relaxed weddings, pleated midi skirts are always a great option, as they give an air of sophistication and elegance to any look, while still being fashionable and feminine. Easily paired with anything from a flowy tank top or blouse to a classic button-down shirt, or even a chic blazer or a classic trench coat, a cute midi skirt can be worn during any season, as long as it’s styled correctly. Combine it with a pair of high heels and your favorite elegant bag that will tie the whole look together, and you have the ideal wedding guest outfit.

Sleek silk trousers

Elegant and sophisticated, yet stylish and appropriate, high-waisted, wide leg silk trousers are the perfect option for any wedding, especially when you don’t feel like wearing skirts and dresses. Whether you pair them with a silky tank top or even a crop top for more casual events, or opt for a button-down shirt and a classic blazer for formal weddings, silk trousers will always look sleek and polished. Simply add some neutral high heels, an elegant clutch and some statement earrings, and this wedding guest outfit is bound to be a choice you can always rely on.

A beautiful pastel suit

Whether it’s a relaxed outdoor gathering or a conservative church event, a chic suitit always a good idea, especially when it’s in a striking pastel shade. Easily dressed up with a silky top, a pair of chic heels and some statement jewelry, a dashing pantsuit is the perfect alternative to dresses. Just make sure to choose a suit with elegant tailoring, in order to look fashionable and appropriate for any wedding, and this ensemble will undoubtedly earn you the best dressed guess status.

At the end of the day, you can never go wrong by wearing your most trusted smart outfit when you don’t know what to wear to a wedding. It’s your favourite combination for a reason, and it undoubtedly does something that other outfits simply don’t, so never doubt your love for it, or the beauty and confidence that shines when you are wearing it.

How To Save Money On Your Wedding (Without Sacrificing Style)

A wedding is basically a once in a lifetime event. 

But, while it is important to get the day right for both bride and groom, find a lovely gown and the perfect venue, it is probably best to ensure that your wedding day does not end up taking most of your life savings.

It is estimated that weddings cost Australian couples about $65,482 as the national average, which is quite a lot of money. 

If you prefer not to spend the cost of a down payment on a home or a new car on your wedding day - whether you’re planning a last minute occasion or you’ve been working to this day your whole life - he 9 tips below can reduce the money you spend.  

Following some of these suggestions will ensure that you don’t start your married life under a mountain of debt.

1.      Don’t Set Your Wedding on a Saturday

Planning your wedding day on a Saturday is the easiest and perhaps most convenient option for your guests. And choosing to get married on a Sunday or Friday could require an additional vacation day off work or reducing the number of guests that can attend

Having your wedding on a Sunday or Friday, however, can help to instantly reduce the overall cost of the wedding. You should check with your preferred venues to find out whether they have either of those days available. You will probably be pleasantly surprised by the difference in price.

2.      Don’t Choose a Venue with Vendor Exclusivity Clauses

You might see the initial price tag on a venue and assume that it is quite affordable, only for you to realise that the price is just for the raw space. You still need to bring in the tables, chairs, a dance floor, place settings, and everything else that’s required for you to get your desired wedding day look.

 If you are building your wedding from the ground up, don’t forget to double check that the venue you choose does not have an exclusivity contract with a particular vendor. If you are forced to use specific vendors your ability to negotiate and get the best price possible will be totally nullified.

3.      Avoid the High Season

Technically, there are never any “off months” when it comes to weddings, but winter months tend to be less popular. You can probably save a bit on vendors and the venue during this time.

 According to the wedding cake experts at Pearl’s Creations, “If you book a date between January and June you could end up saving anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. The most popular month for Australian weddings are November through March, which usually translates to higher prices. Booking out of season can mean big financial savings.”

4.      Use Paperless Wedding Day Invitations

The fact that people are still sending out paper wedding invitations in this digital age is still puzzling. Besides your parents, grandparents, and a few other older invitees, most of your guests probably prefer a digital invite as an alternative. You can find companies that offer lovely options for digital invitations.

The digital invitations simulate opening an envelope and you can quickly add the date to your calendar. You can also RSVP online, which is generally much easier than having to remember to put the RSVP card back in the mail.

 If you still feel attached to the romance of sending paper invites, you can at least consider sending a digital “Save the Date”.

5.      Request People to RSVP Online

 If you feel that it is a bit too tacky to send your invites digitally, you may consider saving some money on your RSVPs. Create a website where people can RSVP and find all the details for the wedding. Rather than sending out stamped RSVP cards with the invitations, simply direct guests to visit the website.

6.      Buy Your Wedding Flowers at the Grocery Store

 Grocery store flowers are the best kept secret for keeping your wedding costs low. You have the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets designed and put together at your local grocery store. The best thing is that they will not only still look artfully done by a fancy florist but they will actually cost less than half the price.

 According to the wedding photography specialists at Strong Images, just like saving money on flowers, being creative can be applied to all your wedding services. They say, “ you can hire your photographer for less time to help you save money.At the same time, you can hand out cheap disposable cameras to guests for lots of candid photos, at a fraction of the cost.”

7.      Minimise the Table Decorations

 In all honesty, tall table decorations may look great in photos, but can be a pain for your guests. People are usually unable to see over them, which means that they end up obstructing the views of people across their table along with the speeches and first dance. Table decorations should be kept to a bare minimum and you will save a lot of money on large vases at the same time.

8.      Be Choosy with Your Guest List

Keeping your guest list small is the best way to reduce the price of your wedding.  For couples with large families or those that have a hard time ranking their friendships, however, this can be a tall order. Still, keeping your guest list below 200 people makes it easier to stay within budget.

9.      Identify the Two Most Important Details to Both of You

According to wedding celebrant Jermaine Clarke, “It can be easy to feed into the craziness that is the wedding industry. Everybody in your life will have an opinion on what is important and how you need to spend your money for that special day. However, you and your partner must identify the two most important things to you.”

 Do you want lovely photos and a killer meal but care less about the dancing? Or do you want to ensure that there’s an open bar with the best DJ around? Whatever matters most to you as a couple is where you need to put more of your budget toward. 

 Scale back on everything else after that. It’s perfectly fine if you want to tap into the most popular wedding trends for 2019, but as long as you and your partner agree on the most important things, you can be sure to love your wedding day since it was you truly desired.

Author Bio

Charlie Wilson is an Australian writer and uni student living in Melbourne. He is passionate about technology and the latest innovations. Charlie also has a love for animal welfare, regularly taking breaks from work to volunteer with the local pet rescue. 

A Guide to Getting It Right: Bride and Groom

You’ve got your wedding checklist sorted, but are you sure it has EVERYTHING on it?

Wedding days can be hectic. Whether you’ve been planning a wedding on short noticeor been dreaming about this day for months, it pays to plan.

You are likely going to be a ball of excitement and stress,  feeling that you have a million things to do. 

You probably won't forget the bouquet or your tux, but here are a few things for brides and grooms to remember on the big day that will help it run smoothly. 

5 Tips for Brides

#1 - Remember to eat

You are going to be busy and running around like crazy on the day of your wedding so it is important to fuel your body before heading to the ceremony. Delivery services are going to be your best friend here so all you have to worry about is opening the front door. Choose something filling and nutrient dense so your body is ready to party and full of energy all day long. 

Eating beforehand isn’t just to make you feel good, it will also save time throughout the day. The photographers at Strong Imagesoften find that “by the time it gets to the photographs after the ceremony, the adrenaline begins to wear off and our brides and grooms often start feeling starving and have to take a break for food because they forgot to eat earlier in the day. Having a meal beforehand or packing some snacks on hand will help you get through the day without the need for a break”.

#2 - Prepare an emergency kit

It pays to be prepared for even the tiniest of emergencies. Ensure to pack a small pouch filled with snacks, bandaids, a sewing kit and other essentials. You can either put one together yourselfor order a premade one online. Make sure to ask your makeup artist to help you put together a small touchup kit that you can pop in the pouchas well.

#3 - Take a few moments throughout the day

It can be easy to get caught up in the craziness of your wedding day. Make sure to take a few moments to recompose, reflect and relax. Find an empty room and take a few minutes before you head out to the ceremony and then later on, grab your partner and take a walk alone as newlyweds. 

#4 - Bring your comfy shoes

Yes, those stunning new heels that you bought are going to look amazing as you walk down the aisle, but you’re going to be crying for comfy flats a few hours into your day. Make sure to send a pair of comfortable shoes to your reception venue in advance so that you have something to slip into when the heels get to be too much. 

#5 - Assign someone to the gifts

Choose someone you trust to pack up and transport your wedding gifts to somewhere safe at the end of the night. Make sure that they have suitable transport arranged and that they will have help moving the gifts if they need. If you are going directly to your honeymoon, it may be a good idea to give this person a house key so that they can return them to your home while you are away. 

5 Tips for Grooms

#1 - Set an alarm 

The excitement and nerves that often come hand in hand with getting married can lead to a restless night sleep the day before the ceremony. Make sure you set an alarm (or multiple if you are good friends with the snooze button) to ensure that you aren’t running behind from the minute you wake up. 

#2 - Know the plan

Your best man is likely going to be in charge of the day’s schedule, but it is important that you are up to date too. Make sure you memorise the schedule and ask your best man how everything is going throughout the day so you are informed of any changes.

It’s really important to plan plan for contingencies. According to the experienced drivers from wedding car hire service, Chevy Red Hire, “we’ve noticed grooms on the way to their wedding are often slightly unaware of the schedule for the day and have to be reminded by their best man about the schedule and when they have to be where. Try printing out a couple of copies of the days itenary and hand them out so no one forgets.”. 

#3 - Stay hydrated 

Not only are wedding days crazy busy for grooms, they are often synonymous with copious amounts of alcohol. You’re going to be running between venues, taking photos, chatting, making speeches and dancing the night away, and may be too busy having fun to even notice that you all this action is making you dehydrated. Make sure that you drink enough water throughout the entire day so that you don’t get a dry throat midway through your groom’s speech. 

#4 - Double check your best man’s speech 

It’s classic movie trope that we have seen time and time again. The best man gets up and gives a terrible speech that offends half the guests. Unfortunately for you, it doesn't only happen in movies, so you may want to double check that your best man isn’t going to mention anything that you don’t want your partner’s grandmother to hear. 

#5 - Bring the rings 

The exchanging of rings is arguably the most important part of the ceremony, and for that to occur, there must be rings to exchange. It is usually the role of the groomsmen to bring the rings but with the hustle and bustle that will be going on, even the most trustworthy of groomsmen can become forgetful. Don’t take any chances and triple check that he has them before heading off to the wedding venue. 

There’s one more thing we forgot to mention...

The most important thing to remember on your special day is to just relax and have fun. 

You’ve likely been planning this day for months and need to trust that you have everything under control. If things do go awry throughout the day, just take it in stride and try not to let it affect your celebrations. 

Practicing mindfulness can make all the difference on the day. This is reinforced by life coach, Renee McDonald, recommends “making sure you remain present and practice mindfulness throughout busy situations, as this will allow you to feel greater positivity and can improve your memory”, both will definitely be needed on your big day!

Make sure to remain focused on the true meaning of the day and feel joy in that you will be marrying the love of your life!

Charlie Wilson

Charlie Wilson is an Australian writer and uni student living in Melbourne. He is passionate about technology and the latest innovations. Charlie also has a love for animal welfare, regularly taking breaks from work to volunteer with the local pet rescue.

Pampering Activities to Share With Your Bridesmaids

The wedding day is approaching and you are starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. Of course, you are more than thrilled to finally say “I do” to the love of your life, and to celebrate with your loved ones till the morning, but there is so much to be done until the big day. Preparations for a wedding day are in no way easy and you have a million and one things on your mind, the dress, the venue, the flowers… Your girlfriends know how much you need some stress-free time and they would also love for all of you to enjoy some pampering time. 

That is why we bring you a few tips on how to unwind with your bridesmaids so that all of you could look and feel the best on the wedding day.

Girls’ night in

Cute matching pajamas, a couple of favorite romantic comedies and a lot of homemade popcorn are an absolute must for a proper night in with your favorite girls. To relax even more and rejuvenate your skin (which has also been suffering from all the stress), make sure to include some skincare time. So, get the movie playing, get the popcorn ready and grab those refreshing face masks and nourishing body scrubs.  

You can go with the face masks that you have already tried out and loved or you can give a go to some simple and all-natural DIY masks. You can find really great ones that are easy to make and include ingredients such as coconut oil, honey, and organic bananas. In addition, don’t forget about refreshing eye patches, so that all the puffiness and dark circles can be erased. An additional plus is most certainly that these patches look a bit funny when on the face, so making a group photo of all the girls with them will spark much laughter. Finally, apply brightening vitamin C serum and a hydrating moisturizer to finish off the face skincare process.

As for the body, have some fun and make DIY body scrubs, which have an incredibly soothing effect on your skin. Just the process of making these scrubs will be an adventure of its own, filled with laughter and joy. Get some old-school pop music playing in the background and don’t forget to Instagram a couple of photos so that you and your bridesmaids would always have a reminder of this lovely and special night.

Girls on a wellness retreat

Your body, your skin, and your mind need time to reenergize and be at their best for the wedding. Therefore, calming meditation hours, uplifting yoga classes and luxurious spa treatmentsare exactly what you and your best friends need. You can opt to go to a wellness retreat that is nearby, or you can decide for a bit more exotic destination. In Hong Kong, for example, it is incredibly easy to book a spa treatment, as everything is technology-oriented and all you need is an app and a few taps on your smartphone. Additionally, you can use the time on this trip to explore this futuristic city and get an insight into how Asian women achieve having such beautiful skin. Moreover, if you are a fan of Asian cuisine, do not miss to have a group lunch and try some of the amazing local food.

Another great choice for a faraway wellness retreat is Los Angeles. Although at first, you may associate this city with entertainment and Hollywood, Los Angeles is actually also famous for its holistic centers. The approach which has in its focus the health of not only your body but your mind and spirit as well could be much helpful for you and all your friends to recharge and regain your balance. You can use the time in LA to enjoy infrared saunas, sound bath, acupuncture and more. This wellness retreat will help you to relax and also have lots of fun with your bridesmaids. You must take a few photos while on the trip, so why not use the time to have a group selfie in front of the well-known Paul Smith’s Pink Wall and also pay a visit to a few other Instagram-worthy spots in Los Angeles. This way, you will get the most out of your trip, both unwinding during spa treatments as well as having the best time while exploring a different city.

Ultimately, whether you opt for a night in, a day at a close-by spa or a relaxing, but at the same time adventurous wellness retreat, the time you spend with your bridesmaids will be beneficial for your well-being. All the positive energy and love will make you feel exceptionally pampered and lucky to be surrounded by such amazing friends. 

About The Author

Sophia Smith is a fashion and beauty blogger, a graphic designer and a DIY enthusiast. Design plays a huge role in her personal expression. Also, she focusing on minimalism and good quality. Sophia love sharing content that inspires people. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Viva Glam Magazine, Just Haves, Secret Garden, Cause Artist, How to Simplify and Carousel.

You can find out more about her writing by following her on: Facebook  Twitter  Google + 

6 Tips for Wedding Planning on Short Notice

Everyone’s wedding tale is different, and not everyone has the luxury of time when deciding on details. If you find yourself with limited with time before the big day, don’t worry! It’s still possible to pull this off and put together your dream day. Here are a few tips to help make that happen as effortlessly as possible:

Set a Budget

First off, you and your soon-to-be husband or wife should sit down to figure out how much you are willing to spend on your wedding and how to financially planfor that. Then talk to the immediate families involved to make sure everyone is on the same page going forward. Having this conversation will help to avoid conflict or awkward money related issues during the planning process. 

Shorten the Guest List

A smaller number of attendees will simply make things easier to manage when you’re under stress and crunched for time. Not only will this save you money, but working with fewer people offers more opportunity to invest in other aspects of your wedding and concentrate on quality over quantity. Once you have the trimmed list, it’s time to start sending out invites to get a concrete number to begin planning.

 Prioritize Your Decisions

When wedding planning it is key to make your biggest decisions first. Leaving the critical choices until the last minute may result in you not getting everything you had hoped for. Start with deciding on what dream venue you and your soon to be spouse envisioned. Then work down to the more granular details that require less attention like attire, flowers, and decorations. Also consider what is most important to you and your spouse. For example; maybe you both are most concerned with booking a quality photographer or videographer. Making this choice well in advance ensures that you’ll get who you want without settling for your second choice. 

Stay Organized

Managing all the countless tasks in the months leading up to your wedding is crucial in order to be sure everything is secure going into your big day. Keep a planner with dates, ideas, vendors information, and daily checklists to be sure you are staying on track and in contact with people in a timely manner. There are even various wedding planning appsout there to download if you prefer staying organized via smartphone.

Hire a Wedding Planner

If you have the budget and resources, hiring a wedding planner could save you major headaches and cut down on your responsibilities for figuring out, and keeping track of details on your wedding day. Not only is it an extra set of eyes on making sure the process goes smoothly, its someone experienced with weddings offering insight to help you make your most confident decisions. 

Book Your Honeymoon in Advance

After your wedding day, it is ideal to have honeymoon details secured and ready to go, regardless of whether you are postponing for a few months or taking off right after celebrating. Take time to discuss what type of trip interests both of you, and book sooner rather than later. Keep your honeymoon easy with something like an all-inclusive cruise where you and your new spouse can just relax and be catered to.

There is no reason to panic if you are short on time with wedding planning. The best way to get going is to start with a positive can-do attitude and an organized plan of attack. Take these tips into consideration and you will be on your way to the perfect wedding day!