Wedding Gift Guide

It’s always a safe bet that you will please the happy couple if you choose your gift from their wedding registry. In most cases (if you don’t wait until the last minute) there will be a variety of type of gifts from which to choose at various price points – making the process a win-win.

However, what’s a wedding guest to do if the bride and groom haven’t registered? Here are a few fun wedding gift ideas that might hit the mark…

Williams Sonoma has the cutest mini bottles of different champagnes with their names and wedding date on the labels.

Speaking of champagne, a pair of crystal champagne flutes are a very elegant way to say congrats. You can even add them to the mini bottles above if you want to take things up a notch!

If the bride and groom are more of the local pub type, a set of six really nice beer glasses might hold more appeal.

Another wedding gift idea that is always a winner is a beautiful frame for their wedding photo or to hold any number of future photo-worthy moments caught on camera.

If you’re looking for a unique wedding gift, Uncommon Goods always has something interesting to offer. For instance, a customized box filled with a year’s worth of date ideas to keep the fires of love well kindled or an anniversary journal to record memories for years to come.

Etsy has fun wedding gift ideas too, like Mr. and Mrs. beach towels or a first Christmas together ornament.

Or you could focus on comfort with a luxurious bamboo sheet set or velvety soft his and hers spa robes. In fact, a day at the spa works too!

Local Honeymoon Ideas

Beach weddings are amazing for a variety of reasons. They are beautiful, affordable and, when you plan them in Central Florida, they can have a honeymoon built right in!

Many people (myself included) wholeheartedly agree that there is nothing better for honeymooning than basking on a balmy beach or taking advantage of the wide selection of resorts which can be found along Central Florida’s majestic coastline, but there is so much more!

If its romance you’re after (and who could blame you!), spend the day on one of the many wineries peppering the area, including the lovely Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards; step back in time with a visit to Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens; or stroll quaint Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach in search of the perfect antique or piece of art.

If you choose to hold your nuptials in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach or Ponce Inlet, you only have to head a little south to reach Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral and a host of cruise lines, head a smidge north to walk the historic streets of St. Augustine or, for the playful type, just a bit west to enjoy your choice of America’s most popular theme parks including Disney World, Universal and Epcot.

For the more adventurous, swim with the manatees in Crystal River or take an airboat ride in search of gators. There’s the vibrant nightlife of Daytona Beach and live local bands along lively Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, exhibits like the Daytona Aquarium, boardwalks, water parks and nature parks galore, kayaking, shelling, paddleboarding…in fact, the world is your oyster in here in Central Florida.

Traditional vs Modern Weddings

We all understand the value of a traditional wedding. Nothing is more symbolic than celebrating and blessing the sanctity of marriage with a timeless event appealing to guests of all ages; and the inclusion of time honored traditions – such as the father daughter dance and something old to remind us of the past, something new to look toward the future, something borrowed to represent how much we cherish our loved ones, and something blue to represent the purity of love – are comforting and symbolic of a beautiful union.

However, modern weddings – offering contemporary elements or an entirely fresh approach – are becoming more and more appealing to new generations, as well as old. Imagine live streaming your wedding and posting it on social media for those who can’t make it or to simply savor the wonderful memories you created? Or how about a QR code that leads to a wedding website? You could also use a hashtag dedicated to your wedding so that friends and family can track your event process and check out all your photos.

Speaking of photos, many are seeking the services of wedding photographers who can accommodate these types of needs. You might even consider a drone for aerial wedding shots!

And, with our changing times, wedding menus are changing too, many of which include vegan options. There are also more sustainable weddings for the environmentally conscious with biodegradable options such as birdseed or real flower petals as opposed to confetti for tossing. Wedding invitations can also be sustainable if you opt for evites instead of printed wedding invites. Evites can also be a quicker, easier, more affordable wedding invitation option offering more variations too!

Wedding Self-care

We’re all so harried these days and when you are planning a wedding things can spiral a bit more than usual and seem overwhelming. Subsequently, it is absolutely imperative that you practice self-care before, during and after your wedding so that you are healthy throughout your nuptials and you can thoroughly enjoy what may just be the most special day of your life!

Here are some tips to help you through it all. First (and this cannot be emphasized enough), plan, plan, plan! What I’m saying is that the further in advance you start planning and the more planning that takes place prior to your wedding, the smoother the entire process will go. Now, of course we are biased, but it truly is a great idea to employ the services of a quality wedding planner to ensure that all the days leading up to your wedding as well as the ceremony itself and your reception are all effortless and joyful for you.

Next, don’t forget that the days leading up to your wedding can become a whirlwind of events and responsibilities. However, this is one of the most important times of your life, one which should be savored. So, take the time with you, your spouse to be and your besties to relax and enjoy it. Make your cake tasting a fun date, dance until you can’t dance any more when you are checking out bands for your bash, and schedule a spa day with your bridesmaids to buff and bubble it up and rejuvenate your soul.

Then, when your wedding day arrives, take a breath and revel in the moment. This day is yours and should be relished with your whole heart and soul. Afterwards, kick off those shoes, dig your toes in the sand and take pleasure in knowing your wedded future is only just beginning.

Health & Safety Tips for a Beach Wedding

The first thing that comes to mind when we think of a beautiful beach wedding may not be health and safety, but in a venue which can be affected by Florida sun and heat, we have to take it into consideration. So, here are some tips to keep you and your wedding guests safe and healthy throughout your nuptials!

Sunscreen

First-off, for skin that may be exposed to the UV rays a little longer than usual, sunscreen is vital. Some couples even provide gift bags containing tiny tubes of it at the sign-in table for their guests.

Hydration

For any day at the beach, wedding or not, proper hydration is certainly key. Having bottles of cold water on hand for you and your guests is definitely a good idea.

Dress for Success

Wearing breathable fabrics, such as cotton, to a beach event is also a great step to take if you want to keep cool. Don’t forget that appropriate shoes, such as flats, can also help you navigate the sand and keep you more comfortable for the duration.

Shade

A shady respite, especially for elderly guests is also a welcome addition to any beach wedding. Consider a strategically placed canopy to keep your guests cool and comfortable.

Weathering the Day

Of course you will want to watch the weather and respond accordingly to keep you and everyone you love safe on your special day.

Cute RSVP Ideas

You can set the tone for your wedding celebration with so many things, like whether it is formal or casual, with your décor and the colors you choose. Oh but wait, you can also set the stage for your special day with your RSVP!

While you can certainly use photos, seasonal graphics or beautiful scripty fonts to convey your wedding theme, you can also make your potential guests laugh or give them an enormous case of FOMO!

For instance, you could give funny reasons for accepting or declining your wedding invitation such as:

Of course I will attend because there is cake; because someone always does something ridiculous at a wedding and I want to see; or because (fill in the blank) is making me go. Your decline to come options could be something like, I cannot attend because I am a lame or I cannot attend because I am not lame.

Or how about, I can’t wait to attend, I can wait, but will attend or I regretfully decline or I am marginally bothered that I will not be able to attend.”

I personally like this one, I will be there with my party pants on; I will attend, but will not be wearing party (or quite possibly any) pants, I am not coming because of this whole party pants thing and what are party pants?

You can even have fun with your meal choices by having your potential wedding guests check off a picture of a cow or a chicken. Of course, it is always a good thing to be nice, so you could opt to say something like, “We can’t do it without you,” or “Nothing would make us happier…” You can also choose an elegant tact and ask them to simply please accept or regretfully decline your wedding invitation.

For more RSVP ideas or any wedding ideas, feel free to set up a consultation with the Daytona area’s premier wedding planners – Affordable Beach Wedding.

Budget-Friendly Wedding Ideas That Don’t Sacrifice Style

There are so many ways to save money when you are planning a wedding, from opting for a brunch instead of dinner, to using your own playlist instead of booking a band.

Reception venues can get pricey. So, getting creative with your wedding venue can be much easier on your pocketbook too. For instance, what about a fancy, outdoors afternoon tea? Or…

There’s gorgeous foliage in Florida. So, why not take advantage with a garden party? From a casual affair to a formal evening event, a garden party can be whatever you make it. Imagine an expansive, wooden, farm-style table topped with colorful, fruit filled pitchers of sangria and strewn with wildflowers. Showstopping! 

Or your wedding, wedding reception or both could be held in a local park that is not only brimming with nature’s majesty, but may hold special meaning for you.

Instead of spending a fortune on a designer gown, there are also some stunning secondhand vintage dress options available. Plus, you might want to scale back your guest list to just close friends and family. 

Don’t forget that the Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Ponce Inlet areas offer some of the world’s most beautiful beaches…and fortunately, Affordable Beach Wedding, Central Florida’s premier wedding planning company, provides a wide array of cost-effective beach wedding packages from intimate occasion to an elaborate celebration.

In fact, the experienced professionals at Affordable Beach Wedding can manage your event from start to finish – no matter what the venue or details! Call 386-428-0777 to learn more.

 

Wedding Decorations From Aisle to Arch

As my mother used to say, “It’s all in the presentation.” To be honest, I’m pretty sure she was talking about how you present yourself to the world, but a beautiful wedding celebration is also definitely hard to beat!

With Affordable Beach Wedding premiere wedding planning services, you can be certain your special event will be a memorable one and all types of wedding decorations, such as aisle markers from lanterns to driftwood, flowing ribbons made of high quality material on guest chairs, your wedding canopy, welcome flags, seashells and petals on the sand may be included. 

…and, with 28 color options from Victorian gold to the colors of the sea, we do a great job at matching your wedding color choices. At Affordable Beach Wedding, we can help you reflect your personal style and set the tone for your entire wedding day. 

Maybe you live out of state and are wondering how you might coordinate all your wedding details from your officiant, to flowers, your cake, music, invitations, table linens, centerpieces, place cards, the perfect wedding and more. With an extensive network of reliable vendors and years of experience, we can help you with all of it and bring your vision to life.

We work hard for you here while you enjoy peace of mind there. So, whether your wedding is an elaborate celebration or an intimate one using the natural beauty of the majestic ocean as your backdrop, the professional wedding planners at Affordable Beach Wedding can take care of every detail so that you may focus on enjoying one of the most important days of your life.

Weddings: What’s Trending

Weddings…everyone wants theirs to be unique, reflecting their own style; and there are a bunch of things that are currently trending which achieve exactly that!

Let’s start with first things first. Many brides are opting for gemstones or lab grown diamonds (which are engineered to match the visual quality and physical properties of mined diamonds, but can be half the cost to up to 70% less expensive) to replace the traditional diamond engagement ring.

Some very cool offerings, which may surprise and delight your guests, are chef assisted fire stations where you can grill your own fruit, zero-proof beverage bars where you can order your favorite mocktail or dial it up for any of your personal favorites with options like a cannoli cart, a shrimp tower or a wall of donuts!

Channel the celebrities with a wild, late night after party for those who dare to attend. Drone photography for candid aerial shots is big now too.

Environmentally conscious? Have an eco-friendly affair where you local source things like food to lower your carbon footprint and then donate leftover food to charities after the event.

Find the next day brunch ho-hum? Offer an alternative such as a wine tasting or pickleball tournament!

And how about off-beat bridal party gifts that they can all appreciate – like maybe custom sneakers or courtside tickets?

Shoes Can Make the Dress: 2024 Wedding Shoe Trends

If you’d like to add just a touch of rebellious flair to your bridal attire, consider making a bold statement with your choice of wedding shoes. Plus, imagine how much more fun the removal of the garter will be when your guests get an eyeful of your pretty kicks. Here are some of the wedding shoe styles that are trending in 2024…

You may have heard that wedding décor with an abundance of flowers is all the rage. Well, the flower-packed wedding theme has – you guessed it – reached bridal shoes. So you may want to opt for a wedding shoe in a floral design or adorned with floral ornaments such as pretty rosettes or 3-D petals.

Brides are also choosing comfort over pain this year, with everything from adorable ballet flats, to stretchable mesh, extra soft cushioning and even bridal sneakers with sequins, beads and bows are big! For high heels, everything from sexy stilettos, to edgy platforms will do.

As far as color, metallics including rich gold and shiny silver are trending in wedding shoes too, as well as romantic blush tones and – believe it or not – bold, cherry red. If you’re looking for something blue, how about a blue insole?

Retro 60s and 70s beads and tulle are in, as well as the 90s-inspired wedding mule with a cone heel. Today’s brides are maximizing with sparkling crystals, rhinestones, pearls, French lace, bows and even feathers and ruffles, and minimizing with elegant silks.

Don’t forget that all those beautiful beachside wedding venues here in Florida scream for bedazzled flip flops and strappy sandals!