Honeymooning During A Recession

We spent $5,000 on our trip to Maui - and saved another $5,000 with a little research and careful planning. With the current state of our economy, you might learn some helpful penny-pinching tips for your own wedding trip!


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Perfect Touch Custom Weddings

Perfect Touch Custom Weddings in Wichita, Kansas offers both bridal consulting services and wedding officiants (this is great for girls who don’t already have a minister, rabbi, or justice of the peace on hand!). They provide many different services for brides – each according to the type of assistance she needs and size of budget with which she’s working.

Officiant services are $125 for most dates, and Perfect Touch has many officiants available. There is a $35 additional fee if a bride chooses to have a rehearsal and a $50 additional fee for weekends in June, September and December.

Consulting service are available by the hour and in both full service and “day of only” packages. The “day of” packages (more like hiring a “director” to keep things running smoothly the day of your wedding) range from $500 to $1,100. Full-service packages (handling planning details, vendors, budget planning, etc.) are available at three price ranges depending upon the amount of service needed, with rates at $1800, $2800, and $4800. They won’t try to pressure you into a package you don’t need, but instead will customize your package to the vision you have for your wedding.


If you’re still not sure if you need a bridal consultant, Perfect Touch offers an informative, no obligation initial consultation at only $35 - a great way to get your feet wet!

Here are a few words from certified bridal consultant Ronni Johnston:

“What sets us apart, besides our training and membership with the Association of Bridal Consultants is our generous benefits program. Our package services include wholesale pricing on ANYTHING we can buy like invitations, etc; the use of our inventory at no fee; and vendor discounts. So our brides are organized, stress-free and saving money all the way through their wedding!”



Visit their website for more information on services, pricing, availability and to browse their gallery!

You can also contact Ronni directly at PerfectTouchKS@aol.com or by calling (316) 524-3131. Their office is located at 330 S. Pattie in Wichita.

3 Hot Deals for Honeymooners or Holiday Travelers!

NCL Cruises: Bahamas from $99, Alaska from $449, Europe from $349 & more! - Expires 12/31/08


Central & South America: Book early and save up to 30%. Air + 4 nights from $422! - Expires 12/15/08


Extended: New York Winter Sale: Save up to 30% on Hotels! - Expires 12/18/08

HUGE SALE! Get Up to 75% Off Wedding Favors and Bridesmaid and Groomsmen Gifts!

After seeing our post on 5 Great Gifts for Groomsmen, The Knot Wedding Shop e-mailed us with a special link to their limited sale running from December 3rd-10th!

Personalized flasks as low as $6.99! Monogrammed lighters as low as $3.99! Cigar cutters, money clips and beer glasses starting at $4.99! Clicking through a couple of the pages, I even found personalized totes, bracelets, cuff links, cameras and wedding favors on clearance. This really is the perfect time to stock up!!!

Click on the box to be taken directly to the special sale section - and check back soon for the unveiling of their "3 Day Sale" items next week!

5 Great Gifts for Groomsmen

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving and survived Black Friday. The only shopping we did yesterday was online - and at Red Robin for dinner. Seriously, guys, ask for Alissa - she rocks the most!

Well, in honor of one of the biggest retail weekends of the year, we're going to touch on the subject of gift buying...for the boys, that is. If your groom is like mine, purchasing thoughtful gifts is as confusing as it is painful. How does he thank his friends for giving up a Saturday to dress like a Maitre D' and make small talk with his extended family? Check out these 5 ideas from The Knot and run them past your hubby-to-be. You'll score points by taking the guesswork out of it and making it look like he put a TON of effort into his purchases ;-)Just click on the image of the gifts that catch your eye to be linked to their page with more info. Each of these gifts range from $7.50-$24.95 and can be combined for a really great "Thank You" package!

1. Flasks. OK, I'll be honest. I only know one person who carries around a flask - but the idea is so cool...especially if your ceremony drags on and gets really boring - just kidding! These flasks can be personalized with his buddies' monograms and are all under $25!







They've even got a few for the girls, as well!





2. Cigar Paraphernalia - Pair a couple of high quality cigars from Old Town Cigar or Cigar Chateau with a personalized cigar cutter, single holder, or humidor!




3. Personalized Beer Mugs or Glasses - Attach a 6-pack of each groomsman's favorite microbrew!





4. Personalized Money Clips - Since girls carry purses filled to the brim with our wallet, make-up, datebook, gum, etc. we don't ever really "get" the idea of a money clip. But guys don't carry a purse and sometimes a wallet is just too bulky or heavy for dress pants. They can stick a few bills and a credit card in their clip and be good to go for the night.




5. Pocketknives - Boys love guns and knives. That's all that needs to be said.

More Wedding Cake Toppers...from Wal-Mart?

So, on Saturday I was at Wal-Mart for nail polish remover. Recently, my WM has undergone a major overhaul: virtually everything has moved to the most inconvenient and unintuitive location they could possibly imagine. However, as I wandered aimlessly through what used to be the cosmetics section (now home to bath towels and shower curtains) I spotted it. The wedding section. A couple of years ago, Wal-Mart was still one of the leading cheesy wedding crap distributors in town - but now it seems they've realized the potential for matrimonial parafanalia. Their products are still inexpensive, but many of them are REALLY cute! In fact, they've got an entire line of Martha Stewart DIY projects, accessories, and stationery!

Anyhow, what truly surprised me were two cake toppers. Read some of my thoughts on wedding cake toppers here. The first one is from Wilton, the famous cake decorating company.
See how fun non-tacky toppers can be???

Then there was this one from Martha Stewart. I admit, I don't quite get it. A bell hanging from a flowery branch? Whatever. But it's different, and that's what I appreciate. That and the fact that all of Wal-Mart's cake toppers are super inexpensive - not a one was over $30! Here's a link to all of their wedding cake toppers - some are even able to be personalized.

Mike Seltzer Jewelers 50% Off Sale

Mike Seltzer is once again having a 50% off Christmas sale! From now until December 24th, take 50% off almost any piece in the store! The discount can't be applied to estate pieces or diamonds over 1 carat - but there will be a smaller discount applied. If you haven't chosen your wedding bands yet - or are just beginning the engagement ring shopping process - swing by and see if they've got anything you like. Be sure to price pieces of equal quality in other shops or online stores before you purchase, though, just to make sure you're getting the most for your money.

Mike Seltzer also offers layaway and financing options, so don't let a smaller budget scare you off! Their hours are Tuesday-Thursday 10:00-5:00 & they are located in northeast Wichita at 2929 N. Rock Rd. (the intersection of 29th and Rock).

Click here to view the current sale flyer.

Wichita Bridal Expo in January!

Hey, ICT Brides-To-Be! Sorry I've been out of the loop for a while. We've had a family emergency that has been both time consuming and saddening. I promise to pick up blogging again soon when my mind is a bit clearer.

In the meantime, be sure to check out the new additions in our Wedding Vendor section and mark your calendars for January 10th and 11th for the Wichita Bridal & Prom Expo at Century II!

Wichita KS Wedding Ceremony Venue: East Heights Methodist Church

East Heights Methodist truly has one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in Wichita. Though many churches in Wichita do not offer their facilities for non-members' weddings, East Heights does. This shot from the outside shows the elegant stonework and gorgeous columns on the outside (the corner of Douglas and Crestway in College Hill). The next photo (taken in the 60s - sorry, it was the only one I could find!) is a shot of the santuary from the balcony. This room is much larger than it appears, and the columns lining the perimeter are breathtaking. It really does look like something right out of a movie!

Speaking of movies, do you remember Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner? East Heights has the most amazing Wedding Coordinator I have ever worked with! Like J.Lo's character, she comes alongside her clients with as much enthusiam as the brides themselves, and she doesn't miss a thing! If you are considering hiring a wedding coordinator, I cannot reccommend her highly enough. Her name is Charissima Albright, and her e-mail address is ccralbright@sbcglobal.net. Though she is the exclusive coordinator for East Heights, she is also the owner of Tie the Knot and is available privately for wedding and reception consulting. Actually, she rocks so much that she deserves her own post. I'm not joking. I'll work on that this week.

Not sure you need a wedding planner? Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have time to do all the leg work? (Calling vendors, sites, musicians, etc.)

Do I have the money? (Yes, you will save money doing it all yourself, but to some, it's worth the cost to avoid the headache)

Am I brave enough to be firm with unruly vendors, wedding guests, etc.? (Some brides are just naturally timid or don't have a family member willing to play "sherriff")

Do I have an understanding of the inner-workings of wedding ceremonies and receptions? Can I corral family members and friends to be in the right place at the right time? (It's a lot more complicated than you might think - if you're not detail oriented and don't have time to research, you might have more peace of mind outsourcing the role of "director")

Many churches will already have a staff person available to you for the reasons listed above, you can choose to use thier services or not. You may also choose to hire an additional bridal consultant - it's totally up to you!

For East Hights pricing information, rental guidelines, and available dates, call the church office at 682-0375.

Wichita Wedding Ceremony Venue: Gazebos!

A bride recently asked me where in Wichita she could have her ceremony that was both outdoors and provided a gazebo. While I'm pretty sure what she had in mind was more akin to the one found in the Stars Hollow town square (above) I was able to brainstorm and come up with a few that Wichita offers. Granted, you probably won't get the Gilmore Girls look unless you find it on private property or in a smaller outlying town. Gazebos are a great structure for use in an outdoor ceremony because they can still offer that "churchy" feel and add to the beauty of your wedding without going overboard.


This one is next to the Lily Pond in Central Riverside Park. See this post for more on renting City Park facilities.


My personal favorite is the gazebo in Heritage Park downtown. Many of you may not know what I'm talking about - it's on William behind the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Musem. The courtyard area is bricked with wrought-iron fencing, and it's beautiful! It's also a bit small, though. If you're planning something intimate, this could be a great spot.


Another great location is the Victorian-styled Naftzger Park gazebo. This park also has a darling pond and a fun location in Old Town right across the street from Eaton Steakhouse. Even if you don't decide to have your ceremony here, I'd add this location to the top of your wedding photo list - the setting is absolutely perfect.


Longview Park - not one of my favorites, but a gazebo nonetheless.


And this one is available for ceremonies at Wyldewood Cellars (the Mulvane location, I think, but I'm not sure because I've never been there).

I don't have a photograph, but there is also an outdoor gazebo at Cowtown - though the rental fees will be a bit more expensive.

Feel free to comment if you can think of any I missed!

Pachelbel Schmachelbel

I know not a single music major (or minor, for that matter), who asked for Pachelbel's "Canon in D" to be played at their wedding. That includes me. Before you get offended (it's a perfectly lovely song!), here's why:

Bridal Open House at Eberly Farm

Eberly Farm (at 13111 W. 21st Street in West Wichita) is hosting a Bridal Open House two weeks from today on Sunday, November 16th from 1:00-4:00 pm. If you're looking for a scenic location for your wedding ceremony and reception, this is the spot! Admission is free, so bring your mom, bridesmaids or bridal consultant and ALL your questions!

Refreshments will be served and several vendors (listed below) will be on hand. Rental items (linens, centerpieces, chairs, arches) will be on display, as well.

Vendors scheduled to appear:

Advanced DJ Service
Bradley Paper
Chocolate Cascades
The Flower Factory
Woolf Photography
J&J Fine Liquors: 316.722.1222
Dan's Country Carriage: 316.796.0127
The Archbold Duo: 316.295.0448

For more information, e-mail info@eberlyfarm.com or call 722.3580.

Wichita KS Reception Venue: The Boathouse

The Wichita Boathouse is definitely one of my favorite places for parties, so wedding receptions are no exception. Currently serving as a Visitor Center, it is perched on the river in Downtown Wichita - about 15 minutes from anywhere in the city. The two-story building has gorgeous hardwood floors and even offrs a piano - perfect for cocktail hour as your guests arrive. Additionally, they have a kitchen and an open-catering policy. Six-foot table are available to rent, but you'll have to go elsewhere for linens, chairs, place settings, etc.

Call Connie Clark at (316) 462-2787, ext. 796 for additional information on fees and availability or click here for more info from the City's site.

Wichita KS Wedding/Reception Venue: Central Riverside Park

Riverside Park in Downtown Wichita is a great spot for an outdoor wedding and reception. The park itself is over 100 years old and has just undergone a major rennovation. I have seen weddings performed in 3 areas: in the middle of the lawn, in the gazebo, and in the grandstand/stage area. Granted, it takes an especially brave bride to plan an outdoor ceremony and reception in Kansas - the only thing certain about the weather is its unpredictability! Fortunately, there is also a sheltered facility available. The Park Villa (pictured above) is located nxt to the gorgeous Lily Pond and offers an 800 square foot room for a ceremony or reception. Since it is a municipal property, you may have to get additional licenses for tents, fireworks, etc. However, one of the great things about using one of our city parks is that the rental fees are a fraction (and I mean only 10-30%) of what you'll pay for some of the other ceremony or reception sites in town. More information on rental guidelines is here.

Downloadable Application for Wedding/Rehearsal