Your Me To You Bear Wedding: A Guide

The Me to You Bear Wedding Planner is a wedding planning book that helps couples organize the celebration of their dreams. It is a perfect engagement gift for a special couple or a great way to ensure your special day runs smoothly. The book includes sections on the wedding, budget, ceremony, reception, wardrobe, and guests, providing checklists and pockets to keep track of all the important details. With a 4.9-star rating out of 5 on Amazon, the Me to You Bear Wedding Planner is a popular choice for couples looking to plan their wedding efficiently and effectively.

Wedding Budgeting

Once you have a total, you can start allocating funds to the various aspects of the wedding. The exact breakdown will depend on your priorities, but here are some of the main areas you'll need to budget for:

Venue and Catering

The venue and catering will likely take up a large chunk of your budget—around 37% to 45% according to some sources. This includes the cost of hiring the venue, as well as food and drinks for your guests.

Photography and Videography

Great photos and videos will help you remember your special day for years to come, so it's worth allocating a decent amount to this area—around 12% to 15% of your budget.

Wedding Attire and Beauty

From the wedding dress or suit to hair and makeup, you'll want to look and feel your best on your big day. Allocate around 5% to 9% of your budget for attire and beauty.

Music/Entertainment

Whether you opt for a DJ or a live band, you'll need to pay for music and entertainment. This usually takes up around 10% of the wedding budget.

Flowers and Decor

Flowers and decor can be surprisingly expensive, so it's important to allocate a decent amount to this area—around 10% of your budget.

Favors and Gifts

Small gifts for your guests and wedding party members are a nice touch. Set aside around 2% of your budget for these.

Transportation

You may need to hire transportation for guests and the wedding party, as well as a getaway car for the newlyweds. Budget at least 3% of your total for this.

Stationery

Save-the-date cards, invitations, thank-you cards, and other stationery will likely make up around 2% to 3% of your total budget.

Cake

If you're planning on having a wedding cake, you'll need to budget for this separately. Cakes usually make up around 2% of the total wedding budget.

Wedding Planner

A wedding planner can take a lot of the stress out of the planning process and ensure your day goes smoothly. Allocate around 5% to 6% of your budget for this.

Extras

It's a good idea to leave a little wiggle room in your budget for unexpected expenses. Aim to have around 5% to 15% of your total budget as a buffer.

Remember, these are just guidelines, and the exact breakdown will depend on your personal priorities and preferences. Happy planning!

Wedding Style and Theme

The Me to You Bear Wedding Planner is a great way to keep track of all your wedding plans and ensure your special day runs smoothly. Here are some tips for determining your wedding style and theme:

Determine Your Wedding Style:

Start by finding bridal inspiration from sources like Pinterest, Instagram, magazines, and bridal websites. Having a clear vision of the type of wedding style you want will be very helpful when meeting with potential vendors. However, don't overwhelm yourself with too much inspiration. Limit the time you spend looking at photos and ideas in one sitting, and make a list of your likes, dislikes, wants, and do-not-wants to help you review inspiration images more effectively.

Construct a List of Wedding Priorities:

Sit down with your partner and decide on the three most important aspects of your wedding. This could be the venue, a specific date, a particular photographer, or a live band. Prioritize these details and be willing to compromise on the rest to stay within your budget and focus your efforts on what truly matters.

Choose a Wedding Theme or Concept:

Consider choosing a concept or theme to design your wedding around. This could be specific wedding colours, seasonal or style inspiration, or a particular theme such as the Roaring Twenties or Festival Chic. Having an aesthetic in mind will make it easier to make design decisions and create a cohesive look for your wedding.

Decide on Formality and Overall Theme:

Have a heart-to-heart conversation with your significant other to determine the vibe of your wedding. Ask each other what's important to you and why, and what you value. Remember that your venue choice will also affect the formality and theme of your wedding.

Select a Colour Palette and Design:

Pull up your Pinterest boards and start gathering inspiration, selecting a colour palette, and creating a mood board. Take your time with this process, and don't be afraid to step back if you feel overwhelmed. You can also involve your bridal party in this process and ask for their input and feedback.

Wedding Venue

Choosing the right wedding venue is an important part of planning your big day. The venue you select will shape the atmosphere of your celebration, influence your guest count, and likely account for a large portion of your wedding budget.

Outdoor Wedding Venues

If you're planning an outdoor wedding, consider hosting your celebration in a park or garden. While some popular locales can be expensive, national parks offer a more budget-friendly option and give you a chance to tie the knot surrounded by nature. For example, you could opt for Bridalveil Falls in Yosemite National Park, California, or Upper Beaver Meadows in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

City Halls

A city hall wedding can be a great option if you're looking for a simple and affordable celebration. While most city halls are designed for more intimate groups, you can still invite close friends and family to attend. Many are housed in historic buildings, providing a beautiful backdrop for your photos. San Francisco City Hall, for instance, offers a luxurious setting for a reasonable price.

Backyards

Hosting your wedding in your backyard or the backyard of a friend or family member can be a cozy and comfortable option. It also gives you a convenient place to get ready and allows you to revisit the spot where you tied the knot. However, be sure to check with your local authorities about permitting and insurance, and consider renting luxury portable restrooms to avoid overloading your home's plumbing system.

Beach Wedding Venues

If you've always dreamed of a seaside soirée, there are a few ways to make it happen. You can book a venue directly on the beach, though this may come with a hefty price tag. Alternatively, you could ask friends or family members with beach access for help, or look for a vacation rental on the beach that can accommodate your group. Beach venues are also great because you can use the natural scenery as your backdrop, saving you money on wedding décor.

Courthouses

Getting married at a courthouse doesn't have to be dull. There are some stunning architectural options out there that will make your special day memorable. For example, the Santa Barbara Courthouse in California offers a beautiful, historical setting for your nuptials, surrounded by lush gardens.

These are just a few ideas to get you started on your wedding venue search. Remember to consider your budget, guest count, and the overall atmosphere you want to create for your big day.

Wedding Catering

If you're serving alcohol, this will also add to the cost. A full open bar is the most expensive option, while a cash bar is the cheapest. A limited bar, offering beer, wine, and a couple of signature cocktails, can be a good compromise.

When it comes to the food itself, there are many options to choose from. If you want to include a sit-down meal, a plated service is the most expensive, while family-style or buffet service can be more cost-effective. For a more casual feel, you could opt for a cocktail-style dinner with hors d'oeuvres, or food stations/bars such as a baked potato station, mac and cheese station, or noodle bowls.

For a unique twist, consider a food truck—a fun and often budget-friendly option that can be customized to fit your wedding theme. If you're having an outdoor wedding, a BBQ cookout can be a memorable experience, offering a more casual dining option with a fun, smoky atmosphere.

For something more elegant, a sushi station during cocktail hour will be a hit with guests, offering a variety of rolls to cater to different dietary needs. If you're looking for a more interactive dining experience, a build-your-own dim sum plate or DIY crostini station will keep your guests entertained and well-fed.

For a rustic wedding, a comfort food buffet with dishes like corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese will be a crowd-pleaser. If you want to incorporate your cultural heritage, a Chinese cuisine spread with fried wontons or a traditional Italian antipasti station will add a personal touch.

Don't forget to consider the time of year! For a summer wedding, a refreshing beverage station and watermelon and feta cubes as appetizers will keep your guests cool. In the winter, a hot beverage station with hot cocoa or mulled wine will warm your guests up.

Finally, don't be afraid to think outside the box. From late-night soul food to a fast-food bucket surprise, there are endless ways to make your wedding catering unique and memorable.

Wedding Invitations

Design and Theme

The design and theme of your wedding invitations should reflect your personality and the style of your wedding. If you're having a casual ceremony, a fun and light-hearted invitation suite with playful fonts and colourful illustrations might be perfect. For a more formal affair, consider elegant calligraphy, sophisticated fonts, and a minimalist design.

You can also incorporate the "Me to You Bear" theme into your invitations. Use illustrations or caricatures of the famous grey bear with the blue nose and patches, adding a whimsical and charming touch to your invites.

Destination and Location

If your wedding has a destination or a specific location that holds a special meaning, you can incorporate this into your invitation design. For example, include a map of the area or create a motif inspired by the locale, like sun motifs for a destination wedding in Sun Valley. This will not only delight your guests but also give them a sneak peek of what's to come.

Creative Inserts and Shapes

Think beyond traditional rectangular inserts and explore creative shapes like fan-style inserts or foldable invitations with multiple inserts. These unique formats can be used to provide guests with important details about the wedding weekend, such as schedules and dress codes.

Illustrations and Art

Artwork and illustrations can add a touch of whimsy and creativity to your wedding invitations. Consider commissioning a graphic designer or illustrator to create a line-drawing caricature of the happy couple or merge your individual personalities into a charming illustration.

Paper and Printing Techniques

The type of paper and printing technique you choose can also enhance the overall aesthetic of your wedding invitations. Here are some options to consider:

• Vellum paper: Adds a touch of modernity and minimalism to your invites.
• Letterpress: Creates an elegant and timeless look with a tactile impression.
• Embossing: Adds a luxurious and dimensional effect to your invitations.
• Laser cut: Allows for intricate designs and patterns, creating a unique and sophisticated appearance.
• Foil stamping: Offers a glamorous and shiny finish, perfect for elegant or formal weddings.

Timing and Quantity

It's recommended to send out your wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding date, giving guests enough time to plan and RSVP. For destination weddings or events requiring extensive travel, consider sending invitations eight to twelve weeks in advance.

As for quantity, a good rule of thumb is to order 10-15% more invitations than the number of guests on your list. This accounts for couples or families receiving a single invitation and allows for last-minute additions or keepsakes.

In conclusion, your "Me to You Bear" wedding invitations should be a reflection of your style and the tone you want to set for your special day. Get creative with designs, themes, and paper choices, and don't forget to include all the essential details your guests need to know. Happy planning!

Frequently asked questions