(The author is a Reuters contributor. The opinions expressed are his own.) By Mitch Lipka BOSTON When you go to as many weddings as Stephanie Wong does, you need to come up with some guidelines for gift-giving. During the past two years, Wong, 32, who works in marketing for a book publisher in San Francisco, has been to about a half-dozen weddings. She expects to attend three more this year. The amount Wong spends is all about her relationship to the people getting married, how fancy the wedding is going to be and whether she brings a date. At a recent wedding of a close friend where she did a reading and went alone, Wong gave the couple $300. At another wedding in her social circle, she skipped the reception and gave $75. As the wedding season gets into full swing, guests from coast to coast are confronted with the same question: How much should you spend and how should you give it? THE ETIQUETTE Wedding experts agree on a couple of things: the closer you are to the bride or groom, the more you are expected to give, and do not give more than you can afford just because of the expectations. Defying the "cost-of-the-meal" school of gift-giving, where guests give a gift roughly equivalent to what it cost to host them, Kristen Maxwell Cooper, deputy editor of the wedding-focused website TheKnot.com, says location and cost of the reception should not be the burden of the guest. She offers these guidelines to wedding-goers wherever they might be: A distant relative or co-worker should give $75-$100; a friend or relative, $100-$125; a closer relative, up to $150. If you are wealthy, are you expected to inflate the gift? No, Cooper says. "If they do, it's because they're just generous people." Meghan Ely, who has been in the wedding industry for a dozen years, says it is reasonable to give on the lower end if you had to spend a lot to get there. And, she and Cooper agree, buying items off a registry, where there is one, is a good idea. "These days, couples are statistically older and more established in their lives so when they register, they are truly asking for things that they need," Ely says. "It really takes the guesswork out of it for the guests." That's about how it worked out for Melinda Parrish, a 30-year-old model from Washington, D.C. who got married last year in Annapolis, Maryland. Her guests spent an average of $115 off her registry, and most of her friends gave $50-$100. Some who had financial obstacles made gifts or framed photos. One made a charitable donation in their name. Most of all, she was surprised that about 40 of the 200 guests who attended gave nothing. ALTERNATIVE REGISTRIES Some experts note a trend of couples registering for various elements of their honeymoon, including a night at a hotel, a dinner or an evening of drinks. It's a request that runs afoul of some, including Peggy Newfield, founder of the American School of Protocol in Atlanta, who recently attended a wedding where the bride and groom solicited unusual presents. "You could check whether you wanted your gift to cover champagne on the plane or in their suite at the hotel, their limo service, dinner in the evening, or whatever," she says. Her way of responding to the request: "We sent just a congratulation card. There is no etiquette today that defines how crass our society has become." Cash has even taken a more modern twist - you can send a monetary gift with your credit card. Websites like Tendr.com facilitate the process (for a 5 percent cut of each gift). The 4,000 gifts given in Tendr's just-completed first year in business averaged $125 nationwide, the company says. Connecticut wedding-goers were the most generous, with an average cash gift of $230. (Editing by Lauren Young, Beth Pinsker and Andrew Hay) http://www.reuters.com/article/us-money-weddings-gifts-idUSKBN0NZ16U20150514
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Destination weddings aren't just for second marriages, celebrities and eloping. Many couples are opting for intimate nuptials in exotic, tropical or romantic locations all over the world instead of the traditional hometown ceremony. Once all of the work is done, destination weddings can be less stressful for the bride and groom. Hotels and resorts often offer wedding packages and services, meaning they take care of everything so you can relax and enjoy your mini-getaway with your guests. Many, but not all, couples transition to your honeymoon without leaving the resort. And, with some careful budgeting, it might turn out to be the cheaper option than having a huge wedding at home. Here are four tips for planning the perfect destination wedding:
Think ahead Give yourself plenty of time. You may not be able to swing your dream wedding in the Caribbean if you only give yourself two months to plan. Popular places book fast, and you don't want to make compromises from the beginning because you were crunched for time. Create your budget and examine your options. Keep in mind that your guest list will probably have to be small. Commit to working hard and being organized. Remember that it is your wedding, so it should end up the way you want it to. Consult with your bridal party way ahead of time Once you know how big of a wedding bash you will be throwing, explain your plans and the subsequent costs to those closest to you. If you decide to have a bridal party, keep in mind that not everyone can afford to take off from work and fly to Greece for a few days. Keep everyone in the loop, even if you have yet to decide on or finalize the details. Make sure you lay everything out so there are no relationship-breaking misunderstandings or surprises. Send out your save-the-date cards at least five months in advance to give your guests enough time to make their travel arrangements. Look into group deals for hotel rooms and airline tickets. Get your paperwork in order Paris may be the city of love, but complex paperwork and residency requirements, along with the fact that religious ceremonies are not considered valid on their own, mean that France isn't the easiest place to get married. If you get married in another state or country, you will need a local marriage license and may need to enlist the help of an interpreter to contact the local city call for permission. Make sure you have a valid passport and any other necessary certificates. Research the requirements well ahead of time so you can ensure that you are ready to legally exchange vows when the time comes. Bring or recreate your team Work with an on-site coordinator, and consider hiring a professional planner. You may not be able to afford to fly out to your location a few months before the wedding to taste the food and see the place, so make your requests as specific as possible. Do make sure you visit the location before you walk down the aisle, even if it is only the day before. It would be ideal to bring your hairstylist and wedding photographer from back home to your destination wedding. If this is not an option, review the photographer's portfolio before you hire him or her and find someone whose work lines up with your vision. If you are worried about hair and makeup disasters because of a language barrier or cultural differences, bring pictures of the look you want so the stylist can copy it. This may mean getting your hair and makeup done at home and taking those pictures with you, or showing the stylist magazine cutouts for the up-do you want. http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/03/03/four-tips-for-planning-destination-wedding.html Spring wedding will always be popular.Ask any girl and she will most likely tell you that she would love to get married in spring. There is certainly some magic and romance about the way in which nature comes to life with a showcase of lovely flowers at this time of year. In fact, for a long while, they were the most popular season in which to have a wedding. Although other seasons have raised the bar, brides and grooms are still drawn to this time of year for many reasons. Check out the top five reasons you should consider having a Spring wedding. 1. Flexible Dates The great thing about spring weddings is that the dates are rather flexible. You can have an early spring weather, which will save you a few bucks on the venue, flowers, and other costly parts to planning the big day. Or, you can choose to have your wedding later in the spring, which is considered the peak time by most. If you choose the later spring wedding the prices may be a bit higher. 2. Comfortable Weather Spring is known for its lovely weather. Depending on where you live the climate is more than likely going to be super comfortable. As opposed to summer, it won't be too hot or humid. Temperatures can range anywhere from the low 60s to up to 80 degrees-perfect for any wedding gown and your bridesmaids. Check out theknot.com article to find most comfortable places in the US to have a wedding. Also, if you choose an indoor wedding, you mostly likely won't have to worry about finding a place with air conditioning. The only thing to watch out for is rain. It is a slightly rainy season, so be sure and have a backup plan if any part of your wedding is outdoors. 3. Keeps with Tradition If you are a tried and true traditional bride or couple, a spring wedding is a way to go. It is known to be the most sought after a time of year from way back in the day. Spring weddings were, for the most part, the only choice that brides made, as spring symbolizes growth and new beginnings, as does a marriage. So, if you are sentimental, this time of year is just perfect. 4. Gorgeous Flower Choices Everyone knows that with spring comes the blooming of the buds! Flowers are just starting to come to life and boy are they abundant! Most spring weddings call for bright or pastel flowers, and spring will deliver that in lots of ways with lots of different types of flowers. For example, tulips are a perfect flower, and they are simply stunning in the spring. The best part is the array of colors in which they are available. Pick one color or mix and match for a whimsical feel. Also, talk to your florist about other buds that are available and get creative! 5. Many Venue Choices So you are planning a spring wedding, and you want an outdoor venue? No problem! You are planning a spring wedding and want an indoor wedding? You got it! The great thing about spring weddings is that you can have virtually any venue you want. Las Vegas wedding chapels are good in the spring since it hasn't got super hot in vegas yet. Garden venues are popular for the ceremony, and then you can have the reception inside. Or, just keep it all inside. Venue choices are abundant, no matter what you desire. When you think of a fall wedding, what comes to mind? Rich harvest colors orange, yellow, crimson + burgundy; perhaps burlap or flannel accents? Well, today weve got a new + fresh take on the traditional autumn wedding! This one is brimming with color, clean lines and exciting twists!! First off, Catalina Garden Views served as the location; with the leaves on the vines just starting to turn, it couldnt have been a more suited venuefor a fall-inspired wedding editorial. To complement thestunning views of the harbor, garden and vines, Nicole Alexandra Designs wanted to combine modern lines and textures with the lush + organic elements of the environment. To refresh the color palette, soft blues and fuchsia were introduced, which paired perfectly with the traditional autumn hues. From the naked cake to the adorable mini apple pies, the dainty desserts added just a slight element of a rustic vibe! Lets take a look at all the autumnal goodness, photographed by Krista Mason! How gorgeous are those florals byThe Bloemist? We love the rich hues + loose and leafy greenery! The back detail on the dress byMadeleine Fig is so good! Delightfully playful and modern, at the same time. OH LA LOVE!! Were seriously crushing on this modern take on the floral arch. THIS LOUNGE!! We would definitely like a few of those Anthropologie pieces in our home How fun is that dress switch up with the layered lace skirt?! Gorgeous hair + makeup by Face It Sugar. Were BIG, BIG fans of the ghost chairs fromClassic Party Rentals. That table runner is so pretty with all the vibrant florals!! Create your own version of this tablescape with tabletop pieces from Crate & Barrel. Jasmin Michelle Designs crafted those sweet menus + escort cards. How yummy does this dessert spread byThe Sugar Philosophers look?! Who else loves this modern + fresh take on the fall wedding?! We certainly do!! A huge thanks to the dream team behind this shoot for sharing all their creativity + inspiring work! photography: Krista Mason Photography // venue name: Catalina View Gardens, Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA // event design: Nicole Alexandra Designs // planning: Nicole Alexandra Designs // florals: The Bloemist // wedding dress: Madeleine Fig // hair stylist: Face It Sugar // paper goods: Jasmin Michelle Designs // cake: The Sugar Philosophers // desserts: The Sugar Philosophers // tabletop rentals: Tabletop, Pillows: Anthropologie // furniture rentals: Classic Party Rentals // specialty rentals: Tabletop: Crate & Barrel // models: Stephanie Turek and Chaz Ahern http://greenweddingshoes.com/a-fresh-fall-wedding-at-catalina-view-gardens/ Sign Up
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