Monday, September 26, 2016

What's the one thing you spent money on for your wedding that you'd take back if you could?

Pic courtesy Classicfm.com


We asked some married ladies this question as fodder for the blog. Here's what they had to say about wedding expense regrets!

"Disposable cameras on all the tables. We have many, many duplicate amateur pics of our professional ones." - Maribeth Baker, Pennsylvania

 (Ah, yes, 90s brides will remember those disposable cameras well! How many pictures do you think are out there of wedding guests partying in sunglasses and leis?)

"Everything! I love the couples I officiate for who have small, low or no-cost weddings. If I were young and getting married today, I would take whatever might be budgeted for a wedding and make a down payment on a piece of property." - Amy Jo Garner

(Hear, hear! NJ Wedding on a Budget approves of this wise statement!)

"I wouldn't bother with the videographer or hire a better one then the one I had. 3 hours of my father in law having a great time. I just need a highlight reel. Ceremony, speeches, first dance, dance with parents, comments from the tables." - K. Wilder-Bichler, Fair Lawn, NJ

"First time? Everything and it wasn't a big wedding. Second time nothing. It was perfect. I wish we had had more money. I wanted a hearse to drive us!" - B. Bossons, Pennsylvania

"Getting my hair done by a place I wasn't familiar with. We got married in Vegas at the Venetian and one price covered photos, minstral, location, flowers. We then had the reception at a separate site. The only thing I regretted was that my hair really didn't come out the way I would have liked and the same place talked me into getting my eyebrows waxed the SAME day as the ceremony!" - Nicole Bandes

"I wish I had spent money to have food catered instead of having friends and family help so that I could have enjoyed my time with them more." - Jessica Sellers

"I think I went nuts with the flowers, honestly, who remembers what arrangements were on the tables?" - Angela Sulla, Pennsylvania

"Nothing. I did a totally low budget wedding because I think so much of the wedding stuff is a huge marketing scam, including the diamond advertisements. Actually, I wish I had been more generous and spent more money on booze. I like travel and food - it's always been my thing to go low budget on cars, home decor and the like so I can eat and travel well." - Ann Zuccardy, NYC

Good thoughts from brides who have been there! Thanks for the input, ladies. Everyone else, feel free to add your remarks in the comments section of this post.

We Love Fall Wedding Hair!

Remember, frugal NJ brides... you don't have to pay upwards of $100-200 on your wedding-day up-do. You can always ask a friend who's attending beauty school or is just good with hair, to help create an unforgettable look for your fall wedding. Below, some inspiration I found on the Googles :)

Lovely basket braid found on shortlonghairstyles.net
Boho braided beauty for your wedding day. Found on Pinterest.

Perfect up-do for medium length hair... is it me or should all red heads get married in the fall!? Found on Fashiongrapher.com

Romantic hair seems to be the wedding trend this autumn. A flower crown adds the perfect touch for long, tousled locks. Found on Brides.com   
This one is my favorite! 



The braided crown, in beautiful brown. From Brides.com


Sunday, September 25, 2016

Bride Gets Her Mug Free - Bride Tribe Glitter Mugs

Need a gift for your bride tribe? 

This personalized glitter mug set from J Crafts & Gifts makes the perfect group gift for your bridesmaid besties.
Photo property of J Crafts & Gifts.

 The bride gets her mug free when you place your group order online. Sets of 3 to 10 mugs are currently available.

Check out other great gift ideas from J Crafts & Gifts on Facebook.

Use the code FALL16 for an additional 10% off!

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Send Us Your NJ Wedding Ad, We'll Run it For Free!

Happy September! We're looking for small biz owners who market their services or products to the wedding set. Come up with a simple promo, PM the details to us on Facebook. If we like your idea, we'll publish your ad at no cost.


Examples of how to pre-package your business for the wedding market:

  • Private yoga class for the wedding party- book yours before the big day
  • Hot sauce favors for a hot couple
  • Complimentary wedding-hair test drive if you choose us as your wedding-day stylist
  • Bride's pedi is free when you sign up the bridemaids
  • 20% off his and hers night-before-the-wedding massages

Try to think creatively and don't doubt the wedding-marketability of what you sell. Some bride or groom out there might be delighted to have your stuff as their wedding gift! Let's use one more example. How about motorcycles? Ride off into the sunset!

Facebook us with all necessary content, and of course a pre-written ad.



Thursday, September 15, 2016

Wedding Day Nails Idea - French Manicure With Flower Decals

I really like the simple, romantic approach of the French manicure with dainty flower decals, for wedding day nails. You can replicate this look at home by following the video tutorial, below. Note that as a busy mom, I did the bare minimum of a manicure for myself on my wedding day. But then, I barely do my nails in regular life! Here's the video... cute and easy.