Atlanta Limousine Blog |

Your wedding dress:

Start shopping right away. You won’t feel rushed or pressured into buying something, and you’ll be able to shop smart.

Simple plain dresses are usually less expensive then the ones with lace, pearls/beads etc..

You could buy a plain dress and add lace, beads etc.. yourself. Or get someone to do it for you.

Rent or borrow a dress. If you like your mother`s, sister`s or friends dress ask them if you could borrow it. But don`t be offended if they refuse as a wedding dress is very sacred to most women.

Look around second hand shops/charity shops. You`ll be surprised at the amount they get given, and they are usually inexpensive.

The venue:

Book the ceremony/reception well in advance you may be able to negotiate a better price then you would if you left it to the last minute.

Have your wedding on off-peak months. November to April rates will probably be reduced. Christmas weddings are more expensive though so if you are planning a Christmas wedding you will have to cut your finances.

Instead of a grand ballroom or banquet hall, think less-expensive venues, like publicly owned buildings and parks, registry office, the church or temple hall, the backyard, the beach, a restaurant’s private room. You may have to get a permit to marry in a public place, but it will be less than a private banquet room.

Catering:

Look around for caterers. Get different quotes before you decide on one.

Choose cheaper entrees, like prawns instead of lobster, vegetables like broccoli instead of asparagus will cut the cost, too.

Cut down on courses. If you’re having a cocktail hour, do you really need an appetizer course? Do you need soup and salad?

Instead of waiter service, have a buffet bar.

Think ethnic! Mexican, Indian, Italian, or Chinese food is fun and much cheaper per person than the traditional wedding menu. See if your favorite restaurant caters.

If you are having a themed wedding create your menu around the theme.

Have the wedding cake only as dessert and eliminate any other sweets (eclairs, pastries, etc.).

Consider a wedding breakfast or brunch (omelettes, muffins, pancakes, French toast), or a tea (a variety of tea flavors, finger sandwiches, scones and jams, etc.) to save money.

The more tiers and decorations your cake has the more expensive it will be.

Buy your own drink it will work out a lot cheaper then paying the caterers or venues prices.

Photos:

Compare hourly fees and package deals to see which is more cost-effective for you.

Give disposable cameras as wedding favours. Then you can get copies of the days events from family and friends.

Have a professional photographer take the formal pictures and shoot the ceremony; have guests take all reception photos.

Visit your local college`s photography department and check out some of the students’ portfolios. They will do your photography a lot cheaper and just as good as a professional

Ask friends and family to video the big day for you.

Flowers:

Use flowers that are in season and/or locally grown they’re less expensive than out-of-season flowers that must be shipped to your area.

Have bouquet with just a few large flowers, like orchids, tulips, lilies, or sunflowers, tied with a ribbon.

If you are marrying at Christmas or Easter, your church may already be decked out beautifully.

Arrange to share the cost of ceremony decorations with the couple marrying directly before or after you that day.

Use silk or dried flowers instead of fresh ones in table centerpieces.

Music:

DJs are less expensive than live bands.

Ask a family member or friends child to sing at the reception.

Hire music for the evening reception only. People are usually to busy chatting to notice any way.

Ask at the local college/university for young musicians.

Invitations:

Send invitations that are light enough when completely assembled to require only a single stamp for mailing.

Make your own invitation cards. They are cheaper and more personal.

If you are having a themed wedding make cards to do with the theme.

Transportation:

Limousines are cheap enough to hire for an hour. Find out in advance how long the ceremony will take.

Only hire a limo for the bride and groom; have attendants driven in relatives’ cars, or have them drive themselves in groups.

You might be able to hire a horse and carriage for just as less. Check the Yellow pages for any in your area.

We hope these are of some use to you. Good luck

Shawn Hickman
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/wedding-budgeting-tips-132137.html

Wedding planning can be difficult enough, but if you are on a tight budget, it can be even more challenging. In this article you’ll find some tips for making sure that you have a great day without spending more than your budget allows.

1. Get a firm budget. If you know upfront how much money is available to spend this will allow you to plan a more detailed budget. Just find out what is needed for the wedding, then break the list down with the budget. This way you won’t go over. You also have to remember things like the dress, the fee for the minister or registrar, a church donation, decorations for the ceremony and reception venue, the cake and a wedding planner if needed.

2. Be sure to phone round more than one supplier to get prices. If you know how much the client or you can afford call around to different places and get estimates. This will help you break down the list in number one of all of the items needed for the wedding.

3. Start with what you NEED. For example you need to find a venue for the wedding ceremony and reception, flowers, a cake, a dress and more. But remember you can get a dress at a discount if you shop several stores. You can get married at the same place as your reception. A member of the family or several members can help with the cake, the food and beverages.

4. Ask for help. As mentioned above you can also get friends and family members to help you. You might know a seamstress that can help with the dress. You might be able to borrow or rent tuxedos for the wedding instead of buying them. Someone might babysit any children during times you need as a present for the wedding. You might even be able to barter to get a limo to drive you from the wedding to the reception.

5. Plan ahead. One of the biggest ways to save is to start early. If you start looking for a dress early enough, for example, during the sales, you may be able to get your dream dress at a discounted price. You can get cheaper rates for venues if you plan ahead about a year. This way you won’t end up spending more money because you are booking at the last minute. Remember those who do the wedding such as ministers and such have vacations and other things they must do so be sure to find a minister ahead of time.

6. Have fun. Planning a wedding, if it is your own, won’t be something you will do again. Enjoy the wedding planning and remember that not everything will go to plan. In this world, nothing is ever perfect, so if something goes wrong on the day, remember the most important thing – you are marrying the person that you love.

Suzanne E Morrison
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/budget-wedding-planning-678897.html

Traditionally, planning for engagement or wedding events can be a nightmare. That’s because without the help of technology, everything is done the slow way – manually. In fact, the process can be so painful and cumbersome that many couples choose to outsource the entire event to professionals. Let the professionals do all the work.

Of course, with enough budget, having professionals onboard to lend a helping hand would be really great. But what if there is not enough budget? Does that mean the event should be called off? Well, the good news is, engagements and weddings these days can be planned quickly and easily with the help of the Internet. Here are some suggestions.

Sourcing for merchandise online.

There are many online websites you can start with. You can go to reputable online stores to shop for all kinds of stuff – clothing, wedding favors, flowers, etc. Or you can go to a price comparison website, and choose the vendor that offers the best rates.

Sourcing for engagement or wedding items online helps save time and money. You can check out a few websites to see if there are any ongoing promotions. If there are great deals available, you can easily take advantage of those opportunities. Imagine doing all that in front of the computer. All it takes is a few clicks to get the information you want.

Online niche sites are also good places to start. These websites cater to very specific needs. So if you are visiting a website that is specially built for engagements and weddings, you will find a wealth of valuable information. For instance, you may be able to source for restaurants located in your area, or you may be able to find the perfect piece of jewelry for the event. You may even be able to participate in a community forum and talk about the latest jewelry, fashion, engagement venues, and so on. Ask for referrals if you want. You may find yourself making friends online and end up inviting them to your engagement or wedding event!

Other items you can buy, rent or hire online include tuxedo, limo and music bands.

Using the Internet to help with the guest list.

Nowadays, communications can “fly” half way across the globe with a click of the button. You can always send out invitations online. Online communications are instant, and you don’t have to worry about mail getting lost or delayed. In your invitation, invite your guests to visit an online website, where they can RSVP. That way, you will be able to get a response very quickly. The numbers will come in really handy when you are making reservations for the catering service or for the restaurant.

As you can see, the Internet can really come in useful if you know how to harness the power of the technology. Use it to your full advantage and make your engagement or wedding event a smashing success!

Gen Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/let-the-internet-help-with-your-engagement-or-wedding-plans-700913.html

If you are thinking of the best and the most convenient ride, that would have to be a limousine service in Parsippany. This luxury ride offers comfort and satisfaction whatever weather condition or road situations you may possibly encounter in your trip. It serves as an airport transportation service and prom limousine anywhere in Morristown. Companies offering this classy ride also have the finest taxi service in Parsippany and the best wedding limousine in New Jersey.

Limousines are perfect for any occasion though weddings are the topmost priority of this luxury vehicle. It complements the beauty of a bride while prom attendees won’t go unless their parents provide them with a limo service. It is, indeed, the favorite car of many because its air of elegance, authority and importance rubs off on the individual who steps out of it.

Turn your vacation trip with the whole family or gang into an extraordinary event by hiring a limousine company to take you to your choice of place for hibernation.

However convenient traveling in a limo is, you should consider assessing a list of potential limo companies and not just jump at the first company offering its services for a very cheap price. Study their terms and conditions before making your decision.

Check the papers of the limo company you’re eyeing to ensure it is insured and licensed to operate. Always prioritize your safety before a great ride.

Go for a company that offers experienced, certified and courteous chauffeurs who are familiar with every curb and street to avoid the delay in your trip.

As mentioned earlier, don’t be easily swayed by cheap rates because these don’t always guarantee satisfactory service. Let the company clarify every aspect of their rates lest hidden charges irate you afterwards. Ask the number of hours the minimum rate covers so that you have an idea of the amount to prepare.

Before closing the deal, have a good look at the limousine that will drive you around to make sure that it is in good condition. If a limo company refuses to show you the vehicle, this is a clear sign pointing you to a better limousine company.

After signing the contract, ask the company to secure a copy for you. This will serve as proof that you have hired them to be of service to you.

These tips and pieces of advice will undoubtedly get you to the best limousine company in Parsippany.

Andrew Beene
http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/getting-the-best-from-limousine-services-728761.html

Smart airport limo rental choices
WHEN RENTING, EMPLY THESE GUIDELINES!

Never Shop Based On The Best Price!
Companies who have been in business for years and provide service excellence are NEVER THE CHEAPEST. If taxi rates are your priority you are best served hiring a taxi, not a limo service.

Ask to See Corporate References
Ask the limo company for corporate references and contacts. Reliable limo companies will be more than happy to provide references in order to secure new corporate business.

Get A Signed Contract For Big Events
Reliable and professional service will be more than happy to provide you with a signed-contract for service. Companies who can’t supply a contract may not be confident in their ability to fulfill.

Ask About Limo Insurance And Permits
All limousines are required to carry commercial livery insurance and proper permits. Unfortunately, the Yellow Pages and advertising services such as ours do not require the same in order to advertise. To protect yourself from “gypsy companies”, ask for proof of these with your signed contract.

Ask About Limo Industry Assocations
Companies who belong to industry associations usually must abide by special insurance regulations and service rules. Reputable associations such as the National Limousine Association (NLA) and the local livery association are good indications that your service provider does their due diligence. The Better Business Bureau also is a good research source- complaints about limousine services are not far behind auto mechanics complaints.

Mike Lausten
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/few-tips-for-smart-traveler-66856.html

PROM. Terrifying, right?  The cost, the danger of having your son or daughter out into the wee hours of the morning—it’s enough to drive a parent crazy.  When my daughter first approached me about going to prom with her boyfriend, I at first balked at her suggestion to rent a limo.  I figured New York limo rentals would be extravagant and unnecessary.  But then I did some research, and in the end, it wasn’t so bad. In the process, I discovered that hiring a limo service was the best way to keep my daughter happy and safe on her special night. I have boiled down what I learned into 10 simple tips. These should not only help other parents decide whether or not to rent a limo, but also show them how to do it.

Renting a limo = built in chaperone! An implied benefit of renting a lime is RENTING A DRIVER!  Who wouldn’t want an extra adult around your children on prom night?!  They can help to make sure the prom is good CLEAN fun for your son or daughter.

It’s easy. Just type “new york limousine” or “nyc limo” into Yodle Local or Google and you’re barraged with a whole bunch of potential providers.  It’s easy to compare prices and amenities if you’re persistent in clicking.

If your kid can scrounge up a lot of friends, it’s pretty cheap. Trying to convince my daughter to invite her friends wasn’t hard at all, and that way, they all split the price.  Other parents were excited to go in with me on the price because it meant their kids would be safe.

However, you should have a say in who is invited. If one kid pukes in the car or breaks the stereo, the credit card holder is charged!  Make sure both you and your kid trusts all the invites.

Renting a limo means renting an adult, professional driver. There was NO WAY I was going to let my daughter be driven by her boyfriend at night, no matter how much I like him.  Just think of how many irresponsible drivers are on the streets on Prom night.  I felt much safer knowing there was a licensed professional at the wheel.

Don’t overfill the limo! When a limo company says that their load capacity is 10, that means 10 MAX.  Remind everyone that they will be all dressed up, and they won’t want to sit on each other and ruffle up their flowing dresses and tux tails, especially when they’re trying to look pretty.

Be sure to get a contract. If you don’t have one, there is no way to insure that your limo will actually show up.

Call early! Keep in mind that it’s Prom season.  A lot of kids will want to rent limos.  Call early for the best deals.

Pricing is available. There are all different kinds of limo services out there.  Some have stretch Hummers and some have old jalopies.  It all depends on the image your kid wants to project.

Your kid will be happy. This is their night.  Usually, it’s their last real blow out before their childhood is effectively over (unless they go to college).  You’re guaranteed to make it a night they won’t forget if you’re flexible on their transportation there.  It’s all the details that go into making an incredible experience.

And after you’ve braved the New York limo rentals waters for your child’s prom, consider renting a limo for yourself!  There are tons of New York limousine tours that you could get info on—to casinos, around town—pretty much anywhere!

Alex Levin
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/limos-for-prom-a-parents-guide-to-keeping-kids-safe-on-their-special-night-715816.html

PROM. Terrifying, right?  The cost, the danger of having your son or daughter out into the wee hours of the morning—it’s enough to drive a parent crazy.  When my daughter first approached me about going to prom with her boyfriend, I at first balked at her suggestion to rent a limo.  I figured New York limo rentals would be extravagant and unnecessary.  But then I did some research, and in the end, it wasn’t so bad. In the process, I discovered that hiring a limo service was the best way to keep my daughter happy and safe on her special night. I have boiled down what I learned into 10 simple tips. These should not only help other parents decide whether or not to rent a limo, but also show them how to do it.

Renting a limo = built in chaperone! An implied benefit of renting a lime is RENTING A DRIVER!  Who wouldn’t want an extra adult around your children on prom night?!  They can help to make sure the prom is good CLEAN fun for your son or daughter.

It’s easy. Just type “new york limousine” or “nyc limo” into Yodle Local or Google and you’re barraged with a whole bunch of potential providers.  It’s easy to compare prices and amenities if you’re persistent in clicking.

If your kid can scrounge up a lot of friends, it’s pretty cheap. Trying to convince my daughter to invite her friends wasn’t hard at all, and that way, they all split the price.  Other parents were excited to go in with me on the price because it meant their kids would be safe.

However, you should have a say in who is invited. If one kid pukes in the car or breaks the stereo, the credit card holder is charged!  Make sure both you and your kid trusts all the invites.

Renting a limo means renting an adult, professional driver. There was NO WAY I was going to let my daughter be driven by her boyfriend at night, no matter how much I like him.  Just think of how many irresponsible drivers are on the streets on Prom night.  I felt much safer knowing there was a licensed professional at the wheel.

Don’t overfill the limo! When a limo company says that their load capacity is 10, that means 10 MAX.  Remind everyone that they will be all dressed up, and they won’t want to sit on each other and ruffle up their flowing dresses and tux tails, especially when they’re trying to look pretty.

Be sure to get a contract. If you don’t have one, there is no way to insure that your limo will actually show up.

Call early! Keep in mind that it’s Prom season.  A lot of kids will want to rent limos.  Call early for the best deals.

Pricing is available. There are all different kinds of limo services out there.  Some have stretch Hummers and some have old jalopies.  It all depends on the image your kid wants to project.

Your kid will be happy. This is their night.  Usually, it’s their last real blow out before their childhood is effectively over (unless they go to college).  You’re guaranteed to make it a night they won’t forget if you’re flexible on their transportation there.  It’s all the details that go into making an incredible experience.

And after you’ve braved the New York limo rentals waters for your child’s prom, consider renting a limo for yourself!  There are tons of New York limousine tours that you could get info on—to casinos, around town—pretty much anywhere!

Megan Herrold
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/limos-for-prom-a-parents-guide-to-keeping-kids-safe-on-their-special-night-748042.html

This depends on the type and number of vehicles you are planning to rent. Please understand that most limousine services have a rental minimum of 3 hours. Generally, in Toronto, the limo market is very competitive, so they will have a pre-set limit of 3 hours for guarantee reservation.

Most services do not offer “pick-up” and “drop-off” service as this only consumes 1 hour of time. Limousines are costly business assets; it is not cost effective for limousine services to offer their service for 1 hour.

In the Toronto wedding landscape, typically a 1 hour rental would consume more than 3 hours when considering travel times and vehicle preparation.

You cannot rent a hotel room for 5 hours; limo service is similar. A typical Toronto wedding rental package runs from $200 – $400 for 3 hours of service depending on your vehicle preference. Exotic vehicle choices cost much higher. For example, a standard white 8-passenger stretch limousine would rent in the $250-$350 range while an exotic vehicle, such as a Stretch SUV Excursion would rent in the $500-$1,000 range – a big price difference!

In the end, the Toronto wedding services including limos, allow you to add value to your incredible day, however, make sure you do not spend too much!

How many passengers do you have and are they all going to fit? How do you know to decide what size of vehicle you want? First think what type of occasion is this. For example, if the occasion were to be a wedding and you as the bride had a big princess dress. Would you not want anyone to sit on it or step on the dress in the limo? For something like that make sure you think about how much room each person needs. This bride may have ten people total in her party, but needs to count her dress as 2 passengers to protect it. You do not want to be upset on your wedding day because someone in the limo spilled something on you because you were all tight inside. Toronto limo companies will be able to provide a limo to fit your needs of size and space.

Rafi Michael
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/what-should-you-budget-for-your-wedding-limo-in-toronto-91417.html

Well, my wedding could have gone a lot smoother, and it’s pretty much all owing to the limousine rental company.  In an effort to both vent my personal sufferings and prevent potential future ones for innocent and ignorant brides, I’ve compiled the following list of things to be aware of when renting a limo for your wedding.  First off, I’d better tell you that I’m pretty cheap.  I wanted the least expensive service possible.  I didn’t think that would also imply the least competent service possible.

Limo services don’t rent for just one hour. I thought it would be a great idea to rent a cheap limo for an hour’s service during my wedding.  It was a small ceremony, and I basically just wanted a big white car to be sitting out in front of the church for Steve and me to run to while being pelted with bird seed.  What the limo service didn’t tell me was that not only was I to pay for my own personal use of the limo, I had to rent it for any time period that the car may be waiting—or not being rented by someone else.  Most limo companies, I have learned, ask you to reserve at least 3 hours for a wedding.  That was how long my rental ended up being.  Paying triple the amount I was expecting was NOT what I had in mind.

If your wedding is in the spring, plan FAR in advance. I thought a springtime wedding would be beautiful, with flowers blooming and birds singing.  However, I didn’t think about the springtime being PROM season.  By the time I got around to renting a limo, around 5 months before the wedding, I had an excruciatingly difficult time even finding a limo service, let alone at a reasonable price.  Rentals skyrocket during Prom season, and I was not prepared.  When I finally found a service that could take me, I jumped on it.  Subsequently, I ended up with by far the worst possible limo I could have dreamed of.  –Not good on what’s supposed to be the best/happiest day of your life.  I learned later that most limo companies suggest that spring marriages plan at least a year in advance for securing the limo.

Get a contract! Thank goodness I had this thing.  I’ve heard that if you don’t get a contract with your limo provider, there’s no insurance that they’ll actually show up.  And who wants to ride away from the relatives in a Volvo with tin cans tied to it?  Nobody, that’s who.

Multiple limos require advanced planning. This wasn’t an issue for me, but if you’re planning to have multiple cars to transport everybody, you should MAKE SURE that your selected rental company can handle that far in advance.  Think how odd it would look if you had a caravan of a stretch limo, a stretch Hummer, and one of those bus things riding down the road to the church or reception.   Unless you’re going for that kind of look.  Plus, the different cars are priced very differently.  Stretch SUVs can come as much as $1000/rental, where the regular white cars are usually from $250-$350.

Consider the size of the limo. Fortunately, my bridal party was really small.  The service said the car could hold 10 people, but that didn’t factor in the mountains of tulle and bouquets that are built into your typical wedding party.  We barely got 6 people in there.  If your wedding party is large, plan accordingly.  And remember it gets hot when everyone’s overdressed.  So, you should probably just assume that the rental company is embellishing the truth a bit and opt for the bigger limo if you have any doubts as to whether you’ll all fit.

Well, that’s what I learned through the whole fiasco.  In the end, despite a few setbacks, my wedding really was the happiest day of my life.  You can’t let the little nuisances get you down.  But hopefully, this list will help any future couples out when they begin planning for their big day.  I mean, it can’t hurt.

Megan Herrold
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/renting-a-wedding-limo-tips-from-someone-whos-been-there-715864.html

Prom night for most students is a memorable occasion. It marks the ending of one stage in life and the beginning of another. For most graduating 18 year olds, getting to the party in style is a priority. The prom limo perfectly compliments prom night.

Normally, the prom limo list reads, Ford Excursion stretch limo carrying up to 18 passengers, Jaguar S-types, Chrysler 300 C stretch limo, BMW X5, Audi Q7, and Mercedes S-Class, not forgetting the massive Hummer H2 limo luxury. If one would like to stand out of the crowd and be unique, they could hire from a choice range of ultra luxurious prom limos, like the Bentley, Rolls Royce, and even stretch Lamborghinis. There is prom transportation to suit budgets and tastes across the board. For larger prom night parties, hiring a limo luxury bus may be one of your choices, as they seat fifty and include features such as digital dance floors, dancing poles, fiber optic strobe lighting, plasma TV screens, surround sound systems, video game consoles, karaoke machines, virtual video interactive experiences and smoke machines. When picking a prom limo for prom night one needs to ensure that the limo best represents his or her style. The make and color are some of the important aspects to look at.

Additional benefits for renting a limo for prom night students include automatic confirmations of all reservations, special prom event coordinators for large parties. All prom limousines are well maintained and covered by comprehensive insurance covers. Limo luxury includes the aspect of space and many of these limos can accommodate anywhere from one couple to 20 prom night students. Cheap limos for prom are mainly those that can accommodate more people as the cost of transportation for prom night is shared. The group is guaranteed limo luxury from the moment they step into their prom transportation. This includes complimentary soft drinks for the prom goers.

For most parents, the fact that the prom limousines are chauffeur driven is a plus. They provide a safe means of transportation for the students and the parents do not need to worry about their children driving at night. When it comes to co-coordinating prom transportation the group needs to have a pickup point where they can be dropped by their parents. They should arrive early enough to incorporate a photo session to commemorate prom night.

Prom night can be very expensive, as one has to take into consideration the cost of a dress or tuxedo, shoes, getting ones hair done, and dinner among others. However, prom transportation if well thought-out and coordinated can reduce the cost as pooling enables groups to get cheap limos for prom. Tips for hiring prom transportation that guarantee the greatest limo luxury are to compare prices offered by different companies before committing to pay any of the upfront fees. Price comparing and harmonizing works best to get a good deal on cheap limos for prom. This in itself guarantees limo luxury for a fraction of the cost and makes for a stylish entrance to ones prom.

Rafi Michael