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20 Money-Saving Wedding & Event Planning Tips

So you’re having a wedding or special event, soon to get you going you need to an event venue hire Melbourne. How do I know this? Because you wouldn’t be reading this, if you weren’t! Everyone wants to have a great wedding, birthday party, quinceanera, or special event, and if you can save some money in the process, why not? Here are some easy tips on how to have a fabulous wedding or event, and save money, too!

1. Take your time – Not only is “Take Your Time” a great Country song by Sam Hunt, but it’s great advice! The average length of engagement is 14 months, but it can certainly be longer. Why? The longer your engagement, the longer you have to save money and plan your big day! This goes for planning any event, too.

2. Don’t Get Saturday Night Fever – Though “Saturday Night Fever” was an iconic 70s movie, don’t catch it! Saturday weddings are the norm and venue owners and vendors know this. You’ll always pay the “normal,” premium price for a Saturday wedding or event. Book your event on a Friday, Sunday, or even a weekday, and save some money!

3. Consider the Off-Season – Have a wedding or event in the “off-season” and save lots of money! Wedding season is typically March – July, in Central Texas. Fall weddings are becoming increasingly popular, too! If you have a wedding in December – February, you’ll save a lot of money on your venue and possibly, your vendors!

4. Use Non-Required Vendors – Many venue owners have a written or verbal contract with vendors, and sometimes, they will receive a referral fee, for each booking the vendor gets from this venue. Though this is great for them, it’s not for you! Why? Simply because the vendors are not going to lose that referral fee. Chances are, they’ll raise their prices to cover that fee and you’ll end up paying a premium price for the “preferred vendor.” Some venues will even charge you a fee, if you don’t use their vendors. Feel free to dispute this fee. They want your business, so it doesn’t hurt to try.

5. Shop Around – Always, shop around. With the internet, it’s so easy to get quotes from various vendors. Don’t book the first vendor with the lowest price. Remember to look at the value of what you’re paying for, not simply the lowest price. You may get more value from a vendor who is not the cheapest! Always ask what comes with the service.

6. Book One Venue – Have your wedding ceremony and reception in the same place, if possible. This way, you won’t have to pay the rental fee for two different venues. Many venues offer an outdoor ceremony area and indoor reception area, for one, flat fee. Just ask your wedding officiant to perform the service at your venue. This also saves time and saves your guests from having to travel to different venues.

7. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for More – Weddings and events are great moments, for you, your families and friends, but don’t forget, for venue owners and vendors, though it’s always nice to be a part of someone’s special day, it’s still business. Ask the venue owner/manager, what’s included with the price? Do they offer table linen and chairs with the price, or are they extra? With vendors, ask the same question, what’s included with the price? Then follow it up with “If I decide to book, today, will you throw in anything free or extras?” It doesn’t hurt to ask.

8. Consider a Restaurant – We’re seeing more and more weddings and parties held at local restaurants, versus wedding or event venues. Most restaurants have a minimum person fee, many start at 50 guests. Restaurant managers will simply charge you for the food and drinks, for your guests, and not a venue rental fee. They’ll set up the room, tables, linen, decor, etc., AND they’ll clean up, afterwards, too. Saving you the time and hassle of doing this! You can also ask about hiring your DJ or band to come in and play, for the reception.

9. Take it to the House – The courthouse, that is. Consider getting married at the courthouse, to save a ton of money. You’ll simply pay the filing fee, about $85, in our county. This saves you the time and stress of planning your ceremony, hiring ceremony musicians or a DJ, planning the ceremony, etc. This will leave you time to focus on planning a great reception. This will also mean you’ll save money on your venue, since the number of hours will be less (you won’t need time for the ceremony and cocktail hour).

10. Consider Other Dinner Options – Many restaurants offer on-site catering for phenomenally less than the typical wedding/event catering companies. Call around and get quotes. Be sure to know the number of guests you’ll have. Many weddings we’ve done served BBQ, for dinner. You can save lots of money doing this, and it’s Texas, so nearly everyone loves BBQ! Be sure to have healthy and vegetarian options, too.

11. Reconsider the Cake – Though cakes are traditional for weddings, quinceaneras, and other events, they’re not required. The wedding police won’t show up at your event if you opt to serve something else. Many couples have a small wedding cake for them to cut, and then serve cupcakes, to their guests. Other weddings we’ve done have served cookies, donuts, and even apples! One wedding had decorated apples for the bride and groom, and each table was served a bucket with a variety of chocolate-covered or candied apples. Great idea!

12. Flower Power – The power of flowers is real, (especially their amazing smell) except you don’t get to throw fireballs at things, unless you’re Mario or Luigi, from Mario Bros. Real or fake flowers? Depending upon which kind of flower you choose, real or fake flowers can cost nearly the same. If you’re dead set on real flowers, always choose in-season flowers. If you choose fake flowers, scent can also be added! Keep in mind, roses will always cost more, so consider other types of flowers. We’ve done many weddings without flowers, except the bouquet, and to be honest, no one came up to us and asked “Where are the flowers?” No one will really miss them, honestly.

13. Second Beats First, Sometimes – Though second place is rarely seen as better than first, it can be with décor. Go on Craigslist, and look for wedding décor. You’ll see lots of recent newlyweds selling décor and other items from their wedding. You can save a lot of money buying items second-hand, and no one will notice!

14. Don’t Forget the Grocery Store – Don’t forget, your local grocery store sells flowers at a fraction of the cost! Give them a plenty of notice, and you can get a great deal on flowers, versus the local florist. You can also get great cakes, much cheaper, too!

15. Be Your Own DJ – You can certainly “be your own DJ” for a fraction of the cost. Simply create a playlist of your favorite music, hook up your laptop or iPod to the venue’s sound system, and you’ll hear your favorite tunes, all night! Don’t forget that your guests have a variety of musical taste, so include various genres. If your venue doesn’t have a sound system, rent one from a local musical instrument rental store. Keep in mind, your playlist will not change, take requests, mix the music, or “read the crowd.” Your playlist won’t know when to change genres, like a good DJ will. You will need to have someone “MC” key moments, so you may have to hire someone or have a friend/family member do this. You’ll need dance floor lights, to create the fun atmosphere, too.

16. Know When You Need a DJ – Plan out your timeline and find out when you actually need your DJ to start playing. Keep in mind, DJs charge for their time, hourly, so be sure to ask if set up and break-down is included with the price, or charged separately. If the wedding or event is small, consider only using the DJ for the reception. Often times, we’ll be booked for the ceremony and reception, but the officiant didn’t really need the microphone, since the venue was so small. Think about dinner, too. You can create your own playlist, as mentioned above, and bring a good stereo system to play it during dinner, saving you the cost of having the DJ play music during that time.

17. Make Your Own Photobooth – You’ll need to buy all the props from Amazon or your local party store, buy your backdrop, a few stands to set up your backdrop, and you’ll have an open-air photobooth! Guests can take pictures with their phones. Set up an Instagram wedding account with whatever hashtag you choose, ask your guests to tag your wedding account and voila, your guests pictures will all be there! Your guests won’t be able to have their own photo strips to take home, though. You’ll also have to set up and break-down the photobooth area.

18. Deposits & Payments – Ask about the amount of the deposits, when they’re due, cancellation policies, etc. Many vendors charge 50% of the total cost, for the deposit. Though this is okay, be sure to ask if this is flexible. Can you pay 25%? Why not? Can you pay the total amount in payments? Is there a charge to do this? Get receipts for everything you pay, and always correspond via email, so you have it in writing, too. Vendors sometimes require full payment, before the event happens. Be careful when doing this. Sometimes, the vendors can be late, not fulfill their end of the contract, etc., and you’ve already paid them. Ask if payment can be made the day of the event.

19. Get it in Writing – Though this doesn’t seem like a tip to save money, it actually is. I can’t tell you the number of times we’ve received calls that their DJ or photobooth service won’t return their calls, and they’ve already paid the deposit! These customers lost their deposit, and then had to hire us, anyway. Be smart, get it in writing!

20. Do Your Research – Do your research on vendors, the venue, planning tips, etc. Look for reviews. Remember, no business can have 100% positive reviews. You can’t please people 100% of the time, it’s just not possible. Look at the date of the reviews. Look for different sources: Google, Wedding Wire, Yelp, Facebook, The Knot, etc. If you’re reading this, then you’re obviously doing your research! Way to go! Certainly feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need any advice, and we’ll be happy to help!

Have more questions or need more advice? Contact us!
http://www.Austinsbestdjs.com
http://www.Facebook.com/AustinBestDJs
[email protected]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jason_Rubio/1720307

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9211382

When You Want To Bring The Fun Back Into Traveling

Welcome to the exciting world of traveling! There are a multitude of fabulous places to visit. It can be a remarkable adventure. You will surely want to ensure you can to get the most out of your trip. The advice shared below will help you enjoy your travels. All of our Canada ski packages are customizable to meet the needs and desires of your group.

Don’t use public computers for anything that requires your password while you are on vacation. There may be malware on the computer that takes your information as you type.

Do not expect an airline to cater to your whims when you as comfortable as necessary on a flight. Bring your own blanket, blanket and headphones if you think you will need them. You should also pack snacks to ensure that you won’t go hungry if you do not like what the plane.

Do your research before making a booking. Find reviews online about the locations you plan to go. Ask other people that have been there before. This will give you to anticipate everything that you will encounter.

Take clothespins when you on your trips. While not on your typical travel list, clothespins can come in very handy.

Try getting in some physical activity before you board the plane.This will help you avoid the tediousness of a long flight. Sitting the same way for a long time can cause your legs and back.

Travel can be used as a great way to educate your family. As long as you are careful, the developing world can be a good place to visit, and it can show your kids how life outside of your home country is.

A motorcycle is a good mode of transportation for short travels. It can be quite a bit of fun to travel this way.

You never can predict what the weather has in store for you. A raincoat can also serve as a windbreaker when the weather is cold, along with the bathrobe in the hotel.

Sometimes you wind up at a less than nice hotel. Bring along a rubber doorstop to stay safe. You can use this under your door at night to add security beyond the chain and lock.

Check the dates on when your passports. Many countries have rules concerning your passport. Many will not allow you enter their country if your passport expires in a certain window of time.

Find out if you need a visa to get into the country you are travelling to. Sometimes the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly, so it is always a good idea to begin the process of applying for one as soon as you can.

If you are flying for several hours, bring snacks.

Road trips can get very boring so it is a good idea to plan some activities along the trip. Breaking up your trip can make for some fun during the ride. Provide children with a copy of stops you plan to make.

If you experience a problem, it can be frustrating. You may experience a delay in your flight may be delayed. The discussion is between you and an employee that likely did not make the agent in charge. Make sure that you work towards solving the problem, otherwise it could be bad. Keep calm and remain polite. You won’t be as stressed out and will get more accomplished this way.

You can always decide not need to carry luggage when you are going on a plane.You will save lots of time and frustration. You can have your belongings to your travel destination via FedEx or UPS. This may cost a little more.

If you plan to go to a remote or exotic location, you might want to buy insurance that pays for search, rescue or search costs. This is a real lifesaver if civilization you get.

Before you fly in, find banks nearby that exchange currency, and you will receive better rates.

This can help provide insurance against any luggage is lost. If a person’s bags go missing, then they can access their belongings placed with others. Another way to guard against disaster is to have an outfit of clothes on you with your carry-on bag.

You might find yourself stranded late at night with no way to exchange the currency if you need it after business hours. You can also visit a major bank and exchange foreign currency before you go to the airport.

If you are going abroad and transiting through different countries, inquire about needed visas. There are numerous kinds of visas, and some countries are very strict about who they let in. Consult with a travel agent, as well as the embassy’s website corresponding to the country in which you are going.

Frequently, but not always, though occasionally it is not an option. After you have booked your flight, keep checking the booking website for seat-picking optoions as soon as they become available. This can have a big difference over taking whatever is available.

Split up your valuables into multiple places. You definitely don’t want to have everything all in one spot. Put your cash, checks, passports, and other important items into different bags. If you have one bag lost or even stolen, you’ll still have other items to rely on.

Use lens case to bring lotions or gels with you on your trip. These tiny containers have lids that are leak proof, are made to be portable, and hold up to a week’s worth of product. They are also cheap to get at your local grocery store or drugstore.

Make sure your kids you travel with carry identification. Give your kids enough cash to call a little money so they can use a payphone if they get lost.

A recreation area can prevent your kids something to do during any long waits. This can make your delay easier to manage and your traveling bunch a less stressful delay.

You should now have some great tips that you can incorporate into your own travel plans. Naturally, you’ll want to make sure your trip is fantastic. Take advantage of this advice on your next vacation. Welcome to the travel club! Your chosen destination is calling you now why don’t you click here for your packages!

Quality Coating Systems

Car paint protection Sydney is important in restoring your auto paint to its past glory. It likewise shields it so you auto has fantastic look for several years ahead. Numerous auto treatment items exist on the market today and all of them assert to provide defense to your automobile paint. However the truth is that not all of these items are the same, similarly not all cars are comparable. While every vehicle can basically acquire you from factor X to Y, there is still a substantial distinction between car designs. The exact same applies to car wax, paint protection and polishes. Every one of these items provide particular amount of sparkle, yet that is as comparable as they can obtain.

In this page, we enlighten you, whether you are a brand-new vehicle owner or a not-so-new one, on the crucial realities about paint protection items that are readily available in the market. In this manner, we believe you could make the ideal option when selecting the best security for your beloved vehicle.

Are all car paint protection products the very same?

Naturally they are not. There are several types of paint protection products and they have differing top quality and price. However, when getting car paint protection Melbourne people should not make the blunder of basing their choice totally on the rate of that defense item. As an alternative, your decision on the kind of security you choose must be educated by exactly what it is that you intend to accomplish. A product that supplies protection versus UV rays, bird falling road salt, acid rainfall and bug deposit all rolled into one is definitely much more expensive compared to a product that only offers short-lived shine.

One more thing is that different items provide varying degrees of luster. If you wish to buy a product that offers you a much longer beam but needs much less maintenance, be prepared to pay a couple of added dollars for it. Majority of protectants that are available in the market currently supply just minimal amount of security against the components pointed out over. Many of them do not provide enduring luster and need reapplication. It is really crucial that you be cautious of just what you select for your auto.

Can car paint protection aid maintain your auto s worth and also resale worth?

The paint work and look of a car will certainly aid in keeping not only its worth yet additionally resale value. An auto that is well kept with a mirror surface paint, has an increased resale value. It likewise conserves you cash and time now. With a good paint protection, a great deal of time is saved on cleaning it since crud and dirt are effortlessly removed. Additionally, it succeeded t call for waxing to keep its look.

Exactly what are some of the things you can expect from a great car paint protection?

One of the primary benefits of car paint protection is that it includes genuine value to the car. A proper paint protection application can give your car unbelievable glass shine along with keep its worth. For these reasons, individuals are typically ready to component with $1000 just to get good paint protection. When done properly, there will certainly be much less shaving and the cleansing will certainly be much easier in case your car obtain grimy and needs to be cleaned. This translates to much more financial savings in future.

Can your vehicle s paintwork be harmed by merely bird going down?

The answer is of course. Possibilities that your vehicle is obtaining ruined daily without you probably noticing are quite real. Most people just assume that the best danger to their automobile s paintwork is UV rays. While this holds true, the damages follows numerous years. Bird droppings are however much more prompt threat. They create damage in simply a matter of days.

Bird droppings, as you recognize, are the product of a bird s intestinal system. Without going too much into biology, droppings can have higher levels of acids which can ruin the paintwork.

Lots of people are surprised by the amount of damage that could arise from a bird going down. While it can go unnoticed to an inexperienced eye, a specialist who recognizes exactly what he wishes in automobile will easily see it.

Is car waxing the most effective option?

Although auto waxing is recognized to supply immediate luster, it is not the most effective remedy. The reason it is called wax is considering that it is made of wax. And as you know, polish will certainly melt when exposed to warmth. When waxed paint is utilized on your auto, it becomes soft when exposed to warmth. This loosens shine as well as makes your automobile a lot more prone to alluring pollutants. It is fantastic for show cars considering that these do not sit in the sunlight for a whole day each day.

Additionally, by its extremely attributes, wax rarely stays with the vehicle surface. Wax can not stick well to any sort of area. Just try sticking wax to any sort of area and you will view this. In the same way, wax eventually cleans off of your vehicle, which will leave your automobile with much less or no security in any way.

Just what are the various other points that you need to understand about car paint protection?

The have to effectively care for your auto, that is, describing and washing, can not be overemphasised. Choosing reliable car wash outlets and detailers is not only imperative however likewise shields your auto from harm. Simply put, treat the paintwork of your auto the same way you would certainly take care of your skin. Anything that gained harm your skin succeeded t harm your car s paintwork.

Another important thing is a top quality car hair shampoo. This reduces surface scratching that results from friction when the car is being cleaned. You likewise need a soft heap clean mitt or sponge and it must be of excellent quality. If you wish a streak-free drying out, you have no alternative yet to demand a terry towel or a leather-made chamois to dry your vehicle.

Conclusion

Just like anything else, you simply get just what you have actually paid for with car paint protection. Consequently, it is important to select the ideal place to clean or specific your car. This should be assisted by the period of time it takes to cleanse your vehicle securely and effectively. For older cars that are in need of extra protection, click here.