Rent To Own Wedding Rings

Today, we’re going to be looking at rent-to-own wedding rings and all the questions you may have when it comes to renting to own jewellery. It may not be a process that you’re familiar with, but rent to own weddings rings are surprisingly common! If you’re unsure of what the process even is, don’t worry, we’ll be covering it all in this post. But renting to own is a great idea if you’re on a tight budget or simply want to break the payments down.

It’s often looked upon negatively, but it’s the perfect solution for many couples who are desperate for their dream ring(s).

How Does Progressive Leasing Jewellery Work?

With progressive leasing, you get to take home the jewellery that you’re looking for today. The process is relatively simple and helps to protect both the customer and supplier. All you have to do is:

  • Apply online or in-store
  • You will receive an instant decision on your query
  • Choose the ring(s) you require
  • Discuss your plan with a sales associate either online, over the phone or in-store
  • Make a down payment
  • Set up payments to be taken at the intervals of your choice (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.)
  • Sign the contract
  • Take your ring(s) home

The progressive programme also allows you to pay off your item within 90 days, which allows you to save money off of your lease. Be sure to discuss this with your sales associate.

Things to Avoid When Buying Rent to Own Jewellery

Some contracts may seem almost too good to be true. If this is the case, it probably is! Be sure to go through the contract with a fine-toothed comb and query anything that you’re unsure of. Some warning signs you may want to look out for are:

  1. 0% APR Introductory Rates. While this seems great at first and you’ll have a certain time period interest-free, if there is anything left to pay after that initial period, you’ll end up paying interest on the entirety of the original balance – which may be quite a hefty sum! If you know you’ll be able to pay the item off before that time period ends, it’s completely okay to go ahead with the deal
  2. Fees. When reading through your contract, there will likely be several instances where they talk of fees. Keep an eye out for the words, “late fees”, “returned payment fees” and “origination fees”. If you’re unsure of what any of the terms mean, please discuss with your sales associate before signing the agreement
  3. Low-Interest Credit Cards. Again, these are great if you have a steady income and know you’ll be able to pay off the amount on every payment date. But missing a payment can make the interest rate jump from 8%-10%, to anywhere between 25%-30%…which doesn’t seem quite as appealing!

Rent to Own Wedding Jewellery Suppliers

You may be wondering the best place to shop for rent to own jewellery, and the good news is, most companies will offer this in some way, shape or form. Even the infamous Tiffany’s have a rent-to-own option! Here are some of our favorites:

  • Tiffany’s (who doesn’t want an engagement ring or a wedding ring from here?!)
  • James Allen
  • Gage Diamonds
  • Blue Nile

Be sure to check your local jewelers, as they may be able to supply you with a better deal than some of the leading brands we’ve looked at. Shopping around for the best deal is really important, particularly if you’re on a strict budget.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to become more familiar with rent-to-own wedding rings. It’s a great alternative to buy your dream wedding ring, without saving a huge sum of money. As long as you’re reading the agreement thoroughly and know you’ll be able to make the payments for the agreed period of time – it’s the perfect solution.

Did you rent to own your wedding rings? Or do you know of anyone who has? If so, please feel free to leave your experiences in the comments below. I would love to read your experiences; positive or negative. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

Can You Finance Jewelery With Bad Credit?

In short: yes. You may not have the same options available as those with a good credit score, but it's definitely possible to with a bad credit score. The best thing to do is to call the jewelers and ask about their qualifications for financing jewellery and ask if they're happy to set up a financial plan with yourself. It's worth shopping around and looking for the best deal, particularly with a bad credit score.

Can You Make Monthly Payments on a Wedding Ring?

Absolutely! Think of your wedding ring like a car, or a mortgage payment on a house. The more payments you make monthly, the closer you get to owning the object outright. The jewelers will often have a range of payment plans to suit your needs, and you pay the monthly amount back every month until the ring is yours! This isn't available at every jeweler's, so be sure to check before you find your dream ring.

What is Ring Rent?

It's much like financing a car, or a new couch - you sign a deal to agree to pay a certain agreed amount of money weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Some stores offer a no credit needed option, so your credit score is of little consequence. However, like any rent, if you miss a payment, the consequences could be catastrophic. So be sure to read through any contract and chat to your jeweler at length before agreeing to a plan.

Can You Lease a Wedding Ring?

Yes! And it's actually becoming increasingly popular, particularly with engagement rings, which are estimated to cost on average, a whopping $5000! It's available in many stores, and a simple Google search will give you instant options nearby - some can even be done online; it couldn't be easier.

Linen Silk Anniversary Gift Ideas: Our Top Picks

Today, we’re going to be looking at our top picks for linen silk anniversary gift ideas and what this particular anniversary represents. With every year of marriage, the traditional gift changes and represents something new. The gifts can actually differ depending on where you are in the world, but don’t worry – we’ll be covering the UK and the US today so both bases are covered! Let’s take a closer look at the linen and silk anniversary.

Symbols For 4th Wedding Anniversary

Symbols and gifts for the 4th wedding anniversary differ depending on where you are in the world. If you’re from the UK, the traditional gift for this anniversary is either silk or linen. But if you’re from the US, the traditional gift for 4 years of marriage is either fruits or flowers.

If you’re looking for a modern gift for this anniversary, it’s quite a random one! It’s electrical appliances – very romantic, right? Green and blue are the traditional colors for 4 years of marriage. The gemstone is blue topaz, along with amethyst and blue zircon.

If you’re looking to buy flowers, the flowers are geraniums and hydrangeas. These flowers represent comfort and appreciation, which are both linked to the four-year wedding anniversary.

4th Anniversary Gift Ideas Silk Or Linen

If you’re looking for ideas for either a silk or linen gift, look no further. Here’s a round-up of some of the best gifts to buy for the four-year wedding anniversary.

Personalized 4th Anniversary Linen Gift Heart

This Linen Gift Heart from A Few Home Truths is available at notonthehighstreet. It’s £39.95, which for a personalized hand sculpted product, seems a very good price. You can personalize the names, the dates, and the message. The heart itself is made from linen and flax, which are said to be the oldest fibers in the world. It’s a square shape and has received 5-star reviews.

Custom Linen Map with Personalized Pins

Paper Anniversary Love on Etsy offers this most gorgeous Custom Linen Map with Personalized Pins. Whether you need a world map, a map of the US, or a single state – all options are available. The pins have wording such as “first home”, “first date”, “honeymoon” etc., and you pin them wherever that important event occurred. It’s super thoughtful and is personalized with your names and “adventuring together since ____”.

This product comes in two sizes: small (10″ x 12″) and large (12″ x 18). The small cost £110 and the large cost around £147. This is such a thoughtful gift and something you can do together as a couple to mark your four-year anniversary.

Fresh Linen – Cotswolds Candle

If you’re looking for a simpler gift that you’ll be able to make good use of, why not something like a candle? One of the most common candle scents is fresh linen, so it ties in perfectly with the anniversary. This fresh linen candle from Home County Candle Co. is currently on offer for £17 and offers free UK shipping. It’s vegan-friendly and has a burn time of around 45-50 hours!

Silk Personalized Family Wire Tree

If you’re looking for a silk gift, I would highly recommend this Anniversary Gift Silk Wedding Family Wire Tree from Digentus Craft, which is a store from Etsy. It’s a completely handmade gift and you can add up to 7 names to the tree. Prices start from £136, and if you’re a family of 7, there’s currently a sale, which makes the 7 name tree, the same price as the 2 name tree!

The wire branches are flexible and can be molded into different positions, depending on where you’d like each name to be. While this is a pricey gift, it’s incredibly thoughtful and something that you and your entire family will be able to treasure forever.

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you some linen silk anniversary gift ideas. Some other alternatives you may like to try are a lovely linen or silk scarf, this would be perfect for a man or woman. Or maybe a pillowcase or two – they can even be personalized. Once you start searching, there’s a huge selection of linen and silk gifts, that can be romantic, and not boring at all!

Have you celebrated your four-year wedding anniversary? Did you follow the traditional gifts for one another? Me and my husband have been married for 6 years this year and I have to say – we very rarely buy each other gifts, let alone specific ones! Please let me know how you celebrate in the comments below, I would love to know. You may be helping out couples with their own anniversary gifts. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

What Do You Buy For Linen Anniversary?

It may seem as though linen is quite a restrictive idea to base your gift around - but it's not as tricky as it may first appear. You can buy anything from luxury bedding, to a new set of towels, to some napkins for the dining room table, a linen notebook, a linen pocket square or even a linen scented candle. No matter what their preferences, their is something for everyone.

Is Linen an Anniversary Gift?

Yes it is. And although it doesn't sound very romantic, the gift of linen actually symbolizes truth and purity. Both of which are very important in any marriage. Paired with silk, which symbolizes strength and elegance - they really are the perfect pair. 

What Year is the Linen Anniversary?

The year in which you gift linen to your significant other is the four year wedding anniversary. It's important to note that this is only relevant to the UK, as the 4th year anniversary gift for the US is fruit and flowers.

What is the Silk Wedding Anniversary?

It's common to have two traditional gifts for each wedding anniversary. And while the main traditional gift is linen for the 4 year anniversary, silk is also the traditional gift too. If you're looking to buy a traditional gift for your partner after 4 years of marriage - silk or linen is definitely the way to go. 

Funny Elopement Announcement Wording Ideas

Today, we’re going to be looking at some ideas for funny elopement announcement wording. Announcing your elopement can feel like a lot of pressure; particularly if your families were set on attending your wedding. The most important thing to remember is that your special day is just for you and your partner, and you can choose to spend your day however you want to.

You may want to keep your elopement announcement light-hearted and funny – so let’s take a look at some of our top picks; as well as taking a look at all the points you should cover in your elopement announcement.

Funny Elopement Announcement Wording

If you’re looking for the perfect “we eloped announcement”, look no further. While you may want something serious and sentimental, that’s absolutely fine – but today, we’re going to be looking at funny elopement announcement wording. Here are some of our favorite ways to word your elopement, to leave your friends and family with a smile on their faces.

  • “Guess what? We got married! And you didn’t need to spend a lot of money on hotels, air travel, childcare, and fancy clothes. We didn’t tell you to take time off or invest in dance lessons, write a heartfelt toast, etc. You’re welcome. (Insert couple’s names, wedding date, and wedding location here)”
  • “(Insert couple’s names, wedding date, and wedding location here). You were not invited to our wedding! But we’d love for you to join us out our reception in the future to celebrate our new adventure together”
  • “We Do. We Did. We Eloped”. Simple. Effective. And gets the message across.
  • “We Eloped. #NotPregnant”. If you’re posting your announcement on social media, this is the perfect way to announce your marriage and make the announcement very light-hearted.
  • “We’ve Anteloped”. There are a few cute announcements out there with two antelopes and the letters “ant” crossed out. This is a fun idea and is funny in a much sweeter way.
  • “Love is Patient…but We Aren’t”
  • “Shit Just Got Real”
  • “Join us for an “I Do”, “Me Too” Barbecue to celebrate the wedding of (insert names here)”.
  • “He said. She Said. Boom. Married”
  • “You can’t come to our wedding. Join us for a dinner reception to celebrate the newlyweds”

It’s worth noting that you should only send these kinds of announcements to friends and family that you know will not be offended. If you know there’s a guest who’s particularly upset about missing your wedding, it may not be the best idea to send them a “you were not invited to our wedding!” card – try to be considerate.

If you’re looking for more funny elopement announcement cards, Etsy has a great selection, featuring many of the ideas we’ve taken a look at today.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you with some funny elopement announcement wording ideas. It can be a tricky minefield to navigate when trying to find the correct wording and the right way to make the announcement. But don’t compromise on anything, and be sure to stand your ground. Your wedding is about you and your partner – no one else. It may feel tempting to compromise on what you want, but try to always choose what’s best for you and your partner.

Did you elope? If so, how did you go about making the announcement? If you decided to keep the announcement funny and light-hearted, please let me know in the comments any other suggestions you have. You may be helping out future couples with their own elopement announcement wording. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

What Do You Say in an Elopement Announcement?

When you're announcing your elopement, there are a few details that should definitely be included, no matter where you're sharing the announcement. If you're making the announcement by post, be sure to add the following information: the host's names, the couple's names, the wedding date, the wedding location, and it's also a nice idea to add a photo of yourself as newlyweds. If you're not including a photo, it may be a good idea to talk about your dress, or even talk about where you'll be going for your honeymoon - the more personal, the better.

How Do You Announce Elopement on Social Media?

In more recent times (especially with the ongoing pandemic), it's become increasingly popular to just pop up a social media post, rather than sending out individual elopement announcements. Or maybe you've posted a few out to your nearest and dearest, but also want to announce on social media too. There's no real guidelines to follow, but one of the best ways is to post a photo of your wedding day. Or make use of the many cute elopement signs available, with wording such as "We Do. We Did. We eloped."

Should You Announce You Are Eloping?

There are no guidelines as to how and when you should announce that you are eloping. If you don't want to share your news to the world, you don't have to! You've likely made this decision because you want something intimate together, as a couple. Be sure to wait until you're both ready to share the news, rather than when you feel as though you "should" be telling people. 

How Do I Tell My Family I Want to Elope?

In more recent times, eloping has become far more popular, so the majority of guests should be more than understanding. However, there will no doubt be some offended family and friends who want to spend your special day with you. There's a few tips to make the elopement as easy as possible. If you're comfortable telling your nearest and dearest before the elopement, that would help to lower the shock massively. Be sure to explain your feelings and your reasonings behind why you want such an intimate wedding - it is your day, after all. And finally, try to get them involved. There's no reason your mom can't come dress shopping with you, or help you to arrange a reception to celebrate the wedding at some point in the future.

Wine Glass Party Favor Ideas

Today, we’re going to be looking at wine glass party favor ideas and the best wine glass wedding favor sayings to add to your wine glasses to make them the perfect gift for your guests. When you’re planning your wedding, it feels like the list of decisions is never-ending. One of the decisions you’ll need to make is for your favors (if you’re having them).

Personalized wedding wine glasses are something I highly recommend considering having. They’re an amazing keepsake from your wedding, that guests can re-use again and again. But where to get them? What do you personalize them with? Do they need a gift inside? Let’s take a look.

Wine Glass Wedding Favor Sayings

Personalized gifts always go down a treat at weddings and favors are no different! Whether you’re looking for something sentimental, celebratory, or funny – we’ve rounded up some of our favorite wedding favor sayings for you to use. Let’s take a look.

  • Cheers to love, laughter, and happily ever after
  • Happily ever after
  • Sip, sip, hooray
  • Wine – because it’s not good to keep it bottled up
  • All you need is a wine
  • You had me at merlot
  • Drinking because covid-19 postponed my wedding
  • Let’s toast
  • Pop fizz clink
  • Thank you
  • Personalized wedding date and names
  • Eat, drink, and be married
  • Mr. and Mrs. / Mrs. and Mrs. / Mr. and Mr.
  • We decided on forever

Wine Glasses Wedding Favors

If you search online for wine glass wedding favors, there are a plethora of options available to choose from. But we’ve rounded up some of our favorites to share. If you’d like to share your favorites, please feel free to let us know in the comments below.

Eat Drink and Be Married (Hitched Shop)

This is definitely one of my favorite choices from Hitched Shop. Hitched Shop has a huge selection of wine glass favors, but my favorite is the Personalised Stemless Wine Glass Wedding Favor. Eat, Drink, and Be Married is my personal choice of the logo – but there’s an extensive range of decals to choose from. You can order a sample for as little as £0.79. And prices start at just £1.99 per favor – you can even add a window box to each glass too!

What I also love is that you can choose from a variety of colors for the decal and see a mock-up version before you make any final decisions – this is great to get an idea of what it may look like.

Vintage Belle Wedding

Vintage Belle Wedding is a store on Etsy that’s home to a great selection of Custom Wedding Favor Small Glasses. This shop is particularly good for making the glasses completely your own. You can not only choose the color and font of the wording but there are a staggering 49 designs to choose from! Prices start at £2.19 per glass, no matter which design you choose. For the amount of customization you’re receiving, I think this is a really good price.

All Gifts Shop

All Gifts Shop has a range of gifts available, including wedding favors. They sell their Personalized Stemless Wine Glasses in sets of 24 pieces. For 24 glasses, it’s just over £80 and again, they’re fully customizable. Each glass holds 9oz and is completely dishwasher safe. Unlike Vintage Belle Wedding, All Gifts Shop is based in the US, so this is a great option if you live in the United States.

Facebook Marketplace

A place that is definitely worth checking out is Facebook Marketplace. There are always some amazing deals if you take a look around, and places like Facebook are much more likely to do deals on larger quantities. Not only that, but it’s also helping out local small businesses – so you may be able to save on postage costs too (which can be expensive for something like wine glasses). Plus, there’s no worry about any breakages on the way, if you pick it up yourself!

Wedding Favor Etiquette

Favors are not essential and you definitely don’t need to adhere to this tradition, but it’s a lovely way to thank your guests for coming. And also a lovely memento for your guests to keep from the wedding. There’s no real etiquette to follow when it comes to wedding favors, but the most important aspect to remember is that each gift is presented at each place setting. And if your favors are per couple/per family, be sure this is very clear and labeled so.

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you some wine glass party favor ideas. Whichever favors you opt for, guests will be thankful for any gift they receive, but making it something memorable will be something they can treasure forever. And always be reminded of your wedding day. Personalizing favors makes the gifts even more loved – and what better way to thank your guests than a wine glass they can use again and again?

What favors did you have at your wedding? For mine, I had personalized M&M’s in Bride and Groom candy cases. They were super cute and went down a treat with all the guests (especially the children). Feel free to let me know in the comments below any ideas, I would love to know. And you may be helping out future couples with their own favors. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

What Do You Put in a Wine Glass as a Gift?

If you're choosing to use wine glasses are your wedding favors, you may want to feel them with a gift to surprise your guests. This can be anything from a miniature bottle of alcohol, to a mini bag of chocolate truffles. Or maybe you'd prefer to fill the bag with candy, so your guests can unleash their inner child. Another idea is personalized wine glass charms. These go round the bottom of the glass, but can be tailored to each guest, and can be re-used many times after the wedding, alongside their glass. Be sure the gifts are personal to you and your partner as a couple.

Can You Wear Pants To A Wedding?: Do’s and Don’ts

Today, we’re going to be answering the question: can you wear pants to a wedding? And taking a look at other do’s and don’ts when choosing the perfect wedding guest outfit. When you receive an invite to a wedding, one of the first decisions you want to make is what you’ll be wearing. And if there’s no dress code, it’s tricky to even know where to begin! Let’s take a look at whether wedding etiquette says it’s okay to wear pants to a wedding – and other do’s and don’ts to follow when choosing your outfit.

Do’s and Don’ts of Outfits at Weddings

There are a few do’s and don’ts to follow when choosing your outfit to ensure you choose the perfect attire for the occasion. Here are a few of our top tips to follow.

Do’s

  • Do think about the dress code. If there’s a dress code for the wedding, this is the easiest way to choose an outfit. And it’s considered rude to not follow the dress code if there is one
  • Do consider the venue choice. If the venue is a barn, it’s probably not best to turn up in a floor-length gown with 5-inch stilettos – plan your outfit around the location of the wedding
  • Do check the weather. It may be a summer wedding, but you can’t predict the weather, so be sure to check your local weather station, and have a backup outfit ready, just in case
  • Do wear layers. Weather can change at the drop of a hat. Too hot? Too cold? Be sure to bring a jacket or shrug.
  • Do wear comfortable shoes. I know it’s tempting to adorn your highest heels and strut your stuff, but you’ll likely be in the shoes for the majority of the day, and you don’t want to be suffering.

Don’ts

  • Don’t wear white. It seems like an obvious one but wearing white is completely unacceptable and should only be worn if the dress code allows it.
  • Don’t wear the same color as the bridal party/groomsmen. If you’re unsure of what the color scheme is, check in with the couple before choosing your outfit.
  • Don’t wear jeans. I know you want to be comfortable and jeans may feel like a great choice – jeans are far too casual, even for a casual wedding.
  • Don’t wear all black. Black pants are okay, but avoid wearing all black. It’s a wedding, not a funeral, after all.
  • Don’t wear anything too revealing. You don’t want to be remembered for the wrong reasons when choosing your outfit. Avoid anything with a low cleavage or anything that shows too much leg.
  • Don’t wear anything too bold. Avoid wearing anything with too much glitz and glam. You don’t want any attention to be taken away from the bride.
  • Don’t wear a black tuxedo. It’s also important not to upstage the groom too. Avoid wearing anything too groom-like. You also don’t want to be mistaken for the groom, or one of the groomsmen.

If you’re wondering what the perfect outfit looks like, check out this article from the Evening Standard of the 50 Guest Stunning Wedding Guest Dresses. This is perfect for some inspiration and the best places to shop for your outfit.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question: can you wear pants to a wedding? And helped to identify the other do’s and don’ts when it comes to choosing the perfect wedding outfit. The most important thing to remember is to choose a comfortable outfit that fits the dress code. As long as you’re following the dress code and wearing something comfortable – you can’t go wrong!

Have you worn pants to a wedding? If so, which ones did you go for? I would love to know, so please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

What Should You Never Wear to a Wedding?

The main rule to follow when choosing your outfit (as a female guest) is to never wear the color white, unless the dress code allows you to. White should be the bride's color from her engagement, all the way through to her wedding day, if that's what she chooses. And it's seen as terrible wedding etiquette and unlucky for the bride to wear white to her wedding. Another no-go when it comes to choosing your outfit is dressing outside the dress code. It's tempting to not follow the dress code, particularly if it's not your color or style - but it's always best to respect the couple's wishes, and decisions for their wedding.

Is It Acceptable to Wear Trousers at a Wedding?

Absolutely! As a guest, as long as you're not wearing anything too casual, and trousers that don't look too much like office wear - it's completely fine to wear trousers to a wedding. However, it is best to stick to dress pants, and a wide leg trouser if you're choosing to wear trousers. If you're unsure whether the couple would be happy with you wearing trousers to the wedding, just ask! That way, you won't need to worry about your outfit choice.

Can You Wear Pants to a Casual Wedding?

Casual weddings are tricky, as how casual is too casual? It can be a real minefield to navigate. But you can definitely wear pants to a casual wedding. Tailored, wide-leg trousers and pastel colors are the best choices to opt for when choosing your pants. And remember not to choose pants that are too casual - sweatpants are definitely not acceptable! 

Is It Okay For a Woman to Wear Black Pants to a Wedding?

Black pants are completely okay to wear to a wedding - although opt for tailored or wide-leg if you can. And definitely do not pair with a black top. Be sure to add colorful accessories, or a bright top. Some couples will not be happy to see guests wearing all black on their wedding day. But black pants, paired with another color is absolutely fine. Again, if you're unsure - be sure to ask the couple.

New Year’s Eve Wedding Favors: Our Top Picks

Today, we’re going to be looking at our top picks for new year’s eve wedding favors and discussing all things weddings on new year’s eve and new year’s day. Weddings can happen any time of the year, but when a wedding happens on new year’s day, whether you’re a guest or part of the happy couple, it may feel tricky when planning for the big day! But don’t worry, we are here to help. Let’s start by looking at some unique favor ideas for a new year’s eve wedding.

New Year’s Eve Wedding Favors Ideas

If you’re stuck for ideas and want something unique for the favors for your new year’s eve wedding – look no further. Here are some of our top picks.

  1. Champagne Flutes. Whether they’re adorned with glitter or are personalized with your names and wedding date, it’s the perfect keepsake from your wedding. Toast for the wedding, and toast into the new year with this very apt wedding favor idea
  2. Hand Sanitizer. While a few years ago, this may have seemed odd – we’re all used to carrying around a mini bottle of hand sanitizer in our purses now. These “Spread New Year Cheers, Not Germs” labels from Etsy are fantastic – and guests can reuse them after the wedding
  3. New Year’s Eve Recovery Kit. Weddings are often a time where you’re feeling worse for wear in the morning, but pair that with new year’s eve too – and you may be feeling pretty awful. These kits could hold Advil, Alka-Seltzer, mints, band-aids, and anything else you may need to get you through the night before
  4. Bottle Openers. I love favors that you can re-use after the wedding. So what better favor than a personalized bottle opener? Whether it says Happy New Year or is personalized with your wedding date – this makes for the perfect wedding memento
  5. Party Poppers. New Year’s Eve is always a popular time to let off party popper’s, so why not incorporate them into your wedding? These Push Pop Confetti Paper Poppers from Etsy are brilliant and will make for some beautiful photos if you’re having a photographer

Tips For A New Year’s Eve Wedding

Here are some tips to make sure your wedding does gown with a bang!

  • Book Early. It’s a popular time for a ceremony, so be sure you secure your date as soon as possible
  • Notice. Let people know as soon as you can before they make other plans for the new year’s, you wouldn’t want guests to have to let you down
  • Bar Time. Your reception will no doubt be going on later than 12 am, so be sure to extend the bar (this will be pricey, so make sure you budget enough)
  • Countdown. Be sure to have a countdown ready for the guests and yourselves to celebrate the new year – your wedding is going to be two celebrations in one!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped with ideas for new year’s eve wedding favors and given you all the help you may need when planning or attending a new year’s eve wedding. A double celebration is the best kind of celebration!

Did you have a wedding on new year’s eve? Do you have any tips for future brides and grooms? If so, please feel free to share your experiences in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

What Do You Wear to a Wedding on New Year's Eve?

It's new year's eve, so you may feel the desire to adorn yourself in sparkles and glitter and while it's seen as impolite to take any of the shine away from the bride at a standard wedding, on new year's eve, it's the perfect time to add a little glitter or beading to your outfit. New Year's Eve is a formal event, after all! Try not to go too overboard with the sequins; it's important to remember it's not your wedding. And if there is a dress code, be sure to follow it, as it's important to respect the couple's wishes.

Is It Expensive to Get Married on New Year's Eve?

Yes. Any holiday that you choose to have your wedding on will incur extra charges. And new year's eve is one of the biggest holidays of the year! Another aspect to bear in mind is that you'll be celebrating past midnight (which may not be the case for standard wedding dates), and this will likely mean additional costs - so be sure you're budgeting enough if you're planning for a new year's eve wedding! It's also important to give guests as much notice as possible, as people often make new year's eve plans early.

Is It Appropriate to Wear Black to a New Year's Eve Wedding?

Any other time of the year, it's not seen as appropriate to wear black to a wedding - but this is not the case at a new year's eve wedding! As long as there's some sequins, glitter or beading, black can absolutely work. If you're unsure, check with the couple as I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help. While it may be appropriate to wear black to a new year's eve wedding, it's still not appropriate to wear white (unless the dress code calls for it), so be sure to avoid wearing white! 

Can You Get Married on New Year's Day?

In short: yes. But consider carefully if you're planning a wedding for new year's day. New Year's Eve is one of the most common times to go out and enjoy alcohol a little too much, which probably isn't the best the day before your wedding! You may have a few no-shows at your wedding. However, as long as you give guests plenty of notice of the wedding date, they have plenty of time to prepare. New year's day is actually considered a lucky day to get married, and what better way than to start the new year than with starting a new chapter of your lives together?

Ways To Pay For A Wedding: How To

Today, we’re going to be looking at the best ways to pay for a wedding. Let’s be honest, a wedding will likely be the most expensive event of your life. It’s a day you’ve probably been dreaming about since you were little and you want everything to be perfect. But the biggest problem most couples face when planning their wedding is financial ones. So what’s the best way to pay for a wedding? How much is the average wedding? What’s the best way to save? Let’s take a closer look.

How Much Is The Average Wedding?

In the US, the average wedding is around $25,000. The venue will no doubt be the most expensive part of your wedding; alongside the photographer and videographer, if you decide to have one. I’m from the UK and was on a particularly tight budget and managed to have my wedding at just over £5,000 (around $6,500) but it took a lot of time and effort to find such good deals!

Tips For Cutting Down The Cost Of Your Wedding

If you’re still struggling with how to keep the costs down of your wedding, try some of these foolproof tips.

  • Set a Budget. If your budget is $12,000 and you want to get married in a year’s time, divide 12,000 by 12 and you’ll on average need to be saving $1,000 a month. If that’s not viable, consider pushing back your wedding date or using one of our ideas above (asking for monetary wedding gifts in advance, asking friends and family for help, personal loans, etc.)
  • Use Savings. Most people have some kind of savings. If it’s something you’re comfortable doing, dip into your savings to pay for some of the weddings. Although you’re still technically paying for the wedding, it’s money that you would never have touched usually!
  • Time of the Year. The time of the year you have your wedding will affect the price massively. Try having your wedding on a weekday (as they’re much cheaper than weekends) and try to avoid busy months such as July and August
  • Scout Out Vendors. I spent days upon days trawling the internet for the best deals, receiving quotes from various suppliers and I managed to take hundreds of my wedding just by putting extra time and effort in
  • Party at Home. If it’s possible, have your reception at home, or later down the line so it doesn’t have to be paid in one whole chunk. Sacrifices like this will make the wedding significantly cheaper

If you’re looking for more advice for weddings on a budget, check out this fantastic article. From hand-me-downs to haggling, there are some great tips!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to discover ways to pay for a wedding and how to make whatever budget you have stretch to your dream wedding day. It may take some extra time and effort but it will most definitely be worth it!

Do you have any other tips and tricks on how to pay for a wedding and stretch your budget further? Please feel free to let me know any suggestions in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

How Do You Pay For a Wedding With no Money?

If you have no money, it's almost impossible to have a wedding. But there are ways to make whatever budget you have stretch further. For example, if you get married in a religious venue such as a church, or somewhere like a court - that will cut back on venue fees massively. Another way is to ask friends and family for help if they're financially able to, and you feel comfortable doing so. Parents are usually more than happy to help. Another suggestion is to ask for your guests if you can have your wedding gifts in advance, and ask if they can gift money towards the wedding. If you choose to do this, ensure each guest knows what their money is going towards.

What is the Cheapest Way to Have a Wedding?

The quickest and easiest way to make your budget stretch as far as possible is to limit your guest list. Although you may want to invite lots of people, adding more guests means substantially more money. An intimate wedding is definitely the cheapest way to have a wedding. Another way is to do everything you can yourself (with or without friends and family's help). While this takes more time and effort, it will significantly lower the price. For example, a candy bar can be hundreds of dollars - but borrow a table from your venue and buy the candy in bulk; you'll save a lot from doing things yourself!

How Does a Wedding Get Paid For?

If you're following tradition, it is the bride's family's responsibility to pay for the majority of the wedding. However, in more recent years, the groom's side of the family contributes towards the wedding too. Or if you're like me and my husband, although our families gifted some money, we saved for most of the wedding ourselves. Saving for the wedding can take a while and you may have to have your wedding later than originally planned - but I was happy to wait a little longer and have the day of my dreams.

How Can I Get Money For My Wedding Fast?

If you simply can't wait for your wedding (it's understandable), there's a range of ways to get money fast - but most of them will require you paying the companies back for several years, so only choose these options if you must. If you have a steady income, a personal loan could be an idea - you can usually borrow anywhere from $1,000 to $100,000 (depending on your credit score). Credit cards are another quick way to get money - however, be careful with interest rates! If these aren't options for you and you have a social media platform, why not try something like crowdfunding, getting sponsored or entering a competition? You have to be in it to win it! 

The Best Old New Borrowed Blue Gift Ideas

Today, we’re going to be looking at the best old new borrowed blue gift ideas. No matter how familiar you are with weddings and the traditions that go hand in hand with marriage, you’ll no doubt know of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Even today, it’s still one of the most common traditions that brides follow on their wedding day. My wedding day wasn’t very traditional, but it was something even I did!

If you’re a bride and struggling with ideas yourself, or you’re looking for something to gift a bride for one of the old, new, borrowed or blue parts of the tradition – look no further! But first, let’s take a look at some examples, and where the tradition began.

Old New Borrowed Blue Gift Ideas

If you’re looking for gift ideas, you’ve come to the right place! Online sites like Amazon and Etsy are perfect for finding perfect gifts that you can order last minute. Let’s take a look at our favorite for each category.

Something Old

The Bride’s Sixpence Coin and Card is the perfect affordable gift that will cover the “silver sixpence for her shoe” part of the tradition, and the “something old”. It comes beautifully presented in a card for just $6.95 and will be something small that the bride can treasure after the wedding. The coin itself will be over 50 years old, making it the perfect gift for “something old”. The silver sixpence is said to symbolize love, wealth, happiness, and health on a wedding day – so it’s also a very thoughtful gift too.

Something New

If the bride is somewhat of a bookworm or feeling particularly anxious about her upcoming wedding, the book “Something New: Tales from a Makeshift Bride” by Lucy Knisley is a perfect idea. It’s currently $11.87, making it very affordable – and also a truly unique gift too. You may want to gift this graphic memoir prior to the big day, as it’s said to have some brilliant ideas and provides a great deal of comfort when planning your wedding.

Something Borrowed

With something borrowed, it’s better to borrow something from a close friend or family member. Whether that be the dress or something smaller like a piece of jewelry or a handbag. However, if you’re really struggling and are unsure whether someone will let you borrow something for your wedding, there’s an amazing film that was released in 2011 called Something Borrowed. While it’s slightly cheating…it’s the perfect way around it!

Something Blue

Something blue is certainly the easiest one to gift. I was lucky as blue was the color scheme for my wedding, so was very easy to slip into the wedding! However, if your color scheme isn’t blue, you don’t really want to be wearing or holding something that doesn’t match your wedding – I have the perfect alternative! This gorgeous Something Blue for Bride anklet from Amazon is $32.99, and something she can wear throughout her wedding (and afterwards too!). It’s customizable in gold or silver, to match the bride’s tastes and comes in a beautiful presentation box. The anklet itself is stunning and comes very highly recommended!

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you inspiration for the best old new borrowed blue gift ideas. When buying the gifts, consider the bride’s interests and it’s always lovely to gift something they can use or wear later in life. My mother gifted me a pearl necklace for my “something new”, and it’s something I still wear regularly and look at with fond memories.

But just remember, you don’t have to follow any traditions at your wedding if it’s something you’re not comfortable doing – just be sure your wedding is 100% authentically you and your partner.

Do you have any other ideas for something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue? I would love to hear any suggestions you have, or what you used for your own wedding. If you’re comfortable sharing, please let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

What are Examples of Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue?

There is no set guide to follow for this tradition, it really can be absolutely anything! For example, your something old could be a vintage car that takes you to the ceremony, an old bible if you're religious or a family heirloom. Your something new could be your new name (little effort needed for this one!), a new perfume or a new piece of jewellery. Your something borrowed could be your dress (if it's a dress that has been passed down for generations), a handbag, or a piece of jewellery. Your something blue could be your garter, your bouquet or even your dressing robe as you're getting ready.

What Do You Get From Old New Borrowed Blue?

There are no rules you need to follow when planning the gifts, and they can even be aspects that are already incorporated into your wedding (such as the car and the bouquet), that way the cost of following the tradition is much lower. If you're looking to gift the bride and are unsure what to get, they'll be plenty of ideas within this article. 

Why Do You Need Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue?

It's a tradition that's been around for a while and each item is said to represent something important in your new marriage. Something new shows optimism and hope for the future. Something borrowed shows borrowed happiness. Something old shows continuity and growth together. Something blue shows love and purity. 

Do You Have to Wear Something Old New Borrowed Blue?

Absolutely not! You can pick and choose which traditions you have at your wedding. What's important to remember is that it's yours and your partner's day. You do whatever makes you both happy. While some brides believe it's bad luck not to follow this tradition, if you don't feel the same - it's totally fine to skip it! Don't feel under any pressure to compromise on anything on your special day. 

Who Should You Invite To A Bridal Shower?

Today, we’re going to be looking at who should you invite to a bridal shower? Upon your engagement, they’ll be plenty of events to plan and celebrate – your bridal shower being one of them. One of the tricky things to navigate is who you should be inviting to which event. But don’t worry, we’re going to be covering all things bridal shower and the people that should definitely be receiving an invite!

What Is A Bridal Shower?

If you’re unfamiliar with bridal showers, they’re an event that happens during the daytime – unlike a bachelorette party. It’s a celebration of the bride’s upcoming nuptials. Gifts are often given to the bride to mark this new chapter of her life. It’s typically only female relatives and friends who receive an invite to this occasion.

When Should A Bridal Shower Be Held?

There is no “perfect” time that you should be having your bridal shower, but typically it’s held anywhere between two weeks, to two months prior to your wedding date. The bachelorette party should happen before the bridal shower. A bridal shower is a way to get yourself and your wedding guests excited for the big day, so the closer to the wedding – the better.

Where Should A Bridal Shower Be Held?

If you’re following traditional wedding etiquette, the bridal shower is held at the host’s home. However, nowadays, a bridal shower can occur anywhere of your choosing. A restaurant, a spa, a church, a picnic in the park – a bridal shower should be tailored to whatever the bride’s interests are; it’s her day of being spoiled after all!

Can I Have Multiple Bridal Showers?

Yes. You may have several groups of friends or family members you’d like to keep apart, or simply just want to celebrate as much as you can. It’s totally acceptable to have a few bridal showers, but try not to invite the same people to multiple bridal showers – there are only so many gifts you can expect them to buy! For example:

  • A Bridesmaid organizing your shower? Invite close friends and bridal party only
  • An auntie organizing your shower? Consider inviting extended family members and females you’d like to catch up with before the wedding
  • In-Laws organizing your shower? Invite females from your partner’s side of the family and your immediate family too – it’s the perfect time for them to mingle

What Do You Do At A Bridal Shower?

If you’ve not attended a bridal shower before, you may not know what happens. Typically, the attendees bring a gift for the bride to be and watch her open them. It’s usually a time to socialize with drinks and food and catch up before the wedding day.

It’s common to play games at a bridal shower. The games should be fun, lighthearted, and give the bride a chance to relax before the big day. If you’re struggling with game ideas, Brides has an incredible article of 28 Bridal Shower Games Ideas you should definitely check out! From Vow Mad Libs to Charades: Wedding Edition, there’s something for everyone.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question: who should you invite to a bridal shower? I think the easiest way to navigate the guest list is who not to invite. Anyone that does not have a wedding invitation, should not receive a bridal shower invitation. As long as their on the wedding guest list, you can really invite whoever you want and have your bridal shower wherever you wish.

Who did you invite to your bridal shower? Did you opt for an intimate gathering or a large one? I would love to hear about your experiences. Please feel free to let me know your answers in the comments below.

FAQs

Do You Have to Invite Every Woman to Bridal Shower?

In short: no. You can invite whoever you wish to you bridal shower. You may feel as though you need to invite every woman who's attending your wedding to your bridal shower, but you can make it as intimate or large in size as you wish. If you do choose to have a large bridal shower, it would be nice to invite as many female friends and family as possible, but you are under no obligation to do so! 

How Many Guests Should Be Invited to a Bridal Shower?

There is no real guide as to how many guests should attend your bridal shower. The people that should most definitely receive an invite are your bridal party (bridesmaids, maid of honor, flowers girls if you're allowing children etc.). The next group of people to invite are close female family members (mother, sisters, aunties etc.). And finally, close female friends. But you don't need to invite everyone if you don't want to - it really can be an intimate gathering with just a few of your nearest and dearest. 

Should You Invite Someone to a Bridal Shower and Not the Wedding?

Absolutely not! If you're following traditional wedding etiquette, it's seen as impolite to invite someone to your bridal shower, who will not be in attendance of your wedding. If you're having a "work bridal shower" with your work colleagues, this is the only time this rule will not apply (I had a work bridal shower myself!). But be sure that only wedding guests receive an invite to your bridal shower, as not to cause offense to anyone. 

Does the Groom go to the Bridal Shower?

The groom does not usually receive an invite to the bridal shower. However, if you're having a joint wedding shower, having male guests and your fiancé there is totally normal. If you're sticking to the tradition of females only and would still like your groom to be there briefly, get him to make an appearance at the end of the bridal shower. That way, he has a chance to say hello to everyone and thank them for the gifts they've bought you both too! 

Getting Engaged Without A Ring: Is It Okay?

Today, we’re going to be looking at getting engaged without a ring and whether it’s okay or not. Wedding traditions are constantly evolving and changing. Whether it be having a man of honor, walking down the aisle alone, or wearing a dress that isn’t white, there aren’t many weddings nowadays that follow every tradition. So let’s start with changing a tradition from the engagement – do we really need a ring to show off our engagement? Let’s take a look.

Why Do We Propose With A Ring?

Did you know that the tradition of engagement rings goes back to Ancient Egyptian times?! We’re led to believe that they saw circles as a symbol of eternity – so what better way to use a circle for our engagement rings and our wedding bands? It’s quite a romantic gesture really!

Ways To Propose Without A Ring

There are plenty of just as romantic ways to propose without a ring. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites.

  • In Writing. We just spoke about the power of words. A love letter declaring how you feel, and how you wish to spend the rest of your life with your partner is the perfect gesture for a proposal. And something they can treasure forever
  • A Pet. Getting a pet together is a huge commitment, much like a marriage. So why not ask your partner to get engaged with a pet? It’s the perfect way to show your commitment to your relationship, and the next step in the new chapter of your lives
  • An Heirloom. While not every family has an heirloom, if yours does, what better way to propose than with such an important part of your family’s legacy? Your partner will see that you already think of them as part of your family, which is incredibly important
  • On Vacation. While you’re sunbathing on the beach, get down on one knee in the sand and simply tell them how you feel and ask them to spend the rest of their life with you. It’s romantic and extremely memorable
  • Get Creative. Are you an artist? Do you like to write music? Use your creative skills to create something unique for your significant other like a painting or a song, and then gift them it while you’re proposing. It will always be a beautiful memento of your engagement

Can A Woman Propose?

While we’re talking about knocking off traditions – why should it be the man that always has to propose?! Nowadays, it’s becoming far more common for women to propose than it once was. If you’re a woman and want to propose to your partner – there is absolutely nothing stopping you! If you’re wondering how to propose and the best ways to do it, check out this super informative article from The Knot.

While I didn’t propose to my husband, he did want an engagement ring like me once he had proposed – and I was more than happy to oblige!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to answer the question of whether getting engaged without a ring is okay. In short, it most definitely is! But it’s something I suggest chatting about to your significant other first. What’s important to you, may not be important to them and vice versa. Communication is key to every part of a relationship, including engagement.

Did you get engaged without a ring? If so, what did you receive? I would love to hear your experiences and stories. If you have one you’d like to share, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

FAQs

Is it Okay to Propose Without a Ring?

Although we've all grown up believing a proposal must go hand in hand with a sparkling diamond ring - this is absolutely not the case! It's perfectly okay to propose without a ring. You may be proposing to someone that doesn't often wear jewellery, or doesn't like to wear rings. Or maybe just thinks the engagement ring tradition is outdated. Whatever the reason, it's best to discuss if a ring is important to your significant other when discussing marriage - just because it's not a deal breaker for you, it may be for them. 

What Can I Do Instead of an Engagement Ring?

There are plenty of ways to propose instead of using an engagement ring. The most common way is to buy a piece of jewellery more suited to your significant other. They may prefer necklaces, bracelets, anklets - whatever their preference, another piece of jewellery is a great idea. Another popular replacement is a simple ring box. If you know your partner is particular fussy, or you want to propose but are saving for the perfect ring, the gesture of a ring box can be enough - and you can shop for the ring as a couple.

Why Would a Man Propose Without a Ring?

The most common reason is financial issues. The cost of an engagement ring could be a huge help to your wedding planning budget. Some couples may prefer to spend the money on the wedding itself, than a ring. Another reason is that your partner may know you don't wear jewellery and may feel a proposal is better suited to your preferences, with something like a letter or flowers - we'll be looking at ways to propose without a ring later in this article! 

How Do You Show Commitment Without a Ring?

Commitment can be shown with objects like an engagement ring, but more importantly - commitment is shown by words and actions. Showing commitment with words is one of the most powerful ways of showing your significant other how much you care. Give each other a token of your own love, that's important to you. Every couple is unique, so you can show commitment any way you wish to. Another popular idea is to have tattoos on your wedding fingers - that way they can never get lost!

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