March 2014 - Bridal Hot List

Balboa Pier Engagement Session from David Marano Photography

March 31, 2014 Leave a Comment

This California girl is totally in love with this engagement session from David Marano Photography. Growing up in Southern Orange County, California, I spent many summer days at the various beaches, and Balboa Pier was one of my favorite spots. So when I saw the images pop on my computer screen, I soon recognized the scenes, and was instantly hooked. I knew I would fall in love with this session. Image after image, and it was so hard to choose which images to feature. Smiling as I chose, I ended up choosing most of the images! Yes, this is a session you will not want to miss. Your Monday is about to get better. Go ahead, and take a look at the gorgeous photos of this adorable couple in the most beautiful setting.

From David Marano Photography…

I was lucky enough to photograph Jennifer and Aaron for their engagement shoot, I couldn’t ask for a more accommodating couple to work with. We had our date scheduled and location decided at the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach about a month out, and a week before the engagement session Southern California was actually expecting rain. Unfortunately, Aaron is very limited with time since he travels a lot for work so rescheduling was not going to be easy. I asked Jen, if they’d be willing to do the engagement shoot in the rain? She absolutely agreed with my ridiculous but brilliant idea. I gladly started my research, searching through endless amounts of images on Tumblr and Pinterest for rainy day photos. With a shot list scribbled in my journal and excitement in my bones of the unknown (since I had never photographed a couple in the rain), things were looking good. Rain had hit the day before, rain that came down strong and unyielding. Not drizzle. Rain. I awoke the next day, immediately getting out of bed and awkwardly walking straight outside to scrutinize the sky. No rain, just sun, scattered clouds, and wind. Hmmm. I ruminated for a bit; Forecast says rain all day? It will come. Oh well, if not. Shoots not till 5pm anyways. It will come, I know it. As expected in Southern California, when a storm is expected to deliver it typically does not. Regardless, the session must go on rain or shine. If it were any other engagement session, I couldn’t have asked for better weather. Clouds above creating soft light, and a cool ocean breeze. After the shoot, I had completely forgot about the rain. Too excited over the images we had just got. We said our good byes, and sitting in my car peering through my windshield, the spots begin to collect. All of the sudden-cats and dogs.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Balboa Pier, David Marano Photography, engagement session, Newport Beach, southern california

Five Fun Bridal Shower Games

March 30, 2014 Leave a Comment

Bridal showers are the perfect time to be silly and have fun, while still celebrating the bride to be. You want the bride to relax and enjoy some girl time with the special women in her life. Games are always a great way to break the ice and get everyone to interact and have fun together. These are just some game ideas to use, but remember that you can always improvise or make your own! Be creative and don’t be afraid to look funny. Remember that the goal is to be silly, and have it be a memorable occasion for the bride to be.

1. GROOM FAVORITES: It is always funny to see how well couples really do know each other; especially as their wedding day fast approaches! Prior to the bridal shower, ask the groom what his favorites are – favorite food, color, hobby, etc. You can change it up by adding in what his most embarrassing moment was, what superhero he thinks he is, what word he would describe his fiance as, or what animal he compares his fiance to be and why. Asking random questions will get funny responses from both the bride and the groom. Comparing the two answers is destined to get some good laughs out of the bride and everyone at the shower. You can also change it up by asking both the bride and groom things beforehand, and then have all of the girls fill out a worksheet on their own as to what they think the bride and groom have answered.

2. ADVICE: Pick a wedding related word, such as ‘wedding, matrimony, marriage, husband,’ etc, but make sure it is long enough. Type it up on a piece of paper as if it were an acronym (one letter per line, and then a long blank line following the letter). Hand out the worksheet to everyone, and ask them to fill in a piece of advice, based on the first letter of that word. It is funny to see people’s choice of advice when their options are limited to a pre chosen letter. The older women in the group always add to the funny responses as well. Have some people share what they wrote down, and then collect all of the papers and give to the bride for her to read on her own afterwards. Some advice will be practical, some will be funny, and some… well, you’ll just have to play the game to see!

3. DON’T SAY IT: Before the bridal shower, write out certain words such as ‘wedding, bride, honeymoon, grooms name’ etc on pretty cardstock, and place them around the room. Buy a bunch of beads, and hand one or two out to everyone. Announce that there are certain words that you cannot say, or else you will lose your beads to the person who heard you say it. At the end of the shower, whoever has the most beads will get a prize!

4. WORD SCRAMBLE: Look up a bunch of wedding related words (difficult ones that aren’t heard of as much) and scramble them on a piece of paper. Hand out a worksheet with about 20 words on it, and set a time limit for people to unscramble them. Whoever unscrambles the most words in 3-5 minutes wins!

5. DRESSMAKING: We all know that the classic wedding game is to make your own version of a wedding dress out of toilet paper. Why not switch things up and use other arts and crafts? Go to an arts and crafts store and buy pipe cleaners, fake flowers, some extra fabric, tulle, or other fun and random objects. Divide the group into teams, give them certain items, and set a time limit. Whoever has the most creative outfit at the end will also receive a prize!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bridal, bridal shower, bridal shower games, bride, creative, fun, game, games, groom, idea, ideas, wedding, wedding dress

Five Beauty Tips for Bridesmaids

March 29, 2014 Leave a Comment

Your friend asked you to be one of the girls at her side for the most important day of her life- congratulations! This is her big day, but you want to be sure that you look good too. We’ve got five beauty tips that’ll keep you looking good on the big day.

Plan for Pictures

You may love the dewy look, but it doesn’t photograph well. Ever. Plan for a matte skin texture to keep you from looking greasy or sweaty. If you’re new to mattes, try out a matte setting powder or spray and use it over your whole face once you’re done up.

Get Blessings From The Bride

If you want to do something big or out of the ordinary, mention it to the bride. She may have a look she wants all her bridesmaids to have (like red lips all around or no smokey eyes). It’s her party, her night, and you should be respectful of whatever she wants. Trust us, it’ll come back around on your big day.

Stick to Long Lasting

It’s going to be a long day- plan for it. You’ll need your face to last through a ceremony, a reception, and a whole lot of love. That’s a lot. Go all out with primer, long lasting foundation and concealer, waterproof eye products and long lasting lip products. We suggest sealing your whole look with a finishing spray and keeping your lip color on hand. We also suggest committing to false lashes for the night to ensure you look doe eyed and adorable all night.

Gel Ahead

Unless you’re planning a mani pedi day with the rest of the bridal party, get your nails done a few days before the wedding. The best way to keep your nails looking good is to opt for a gel mani. Gel manicures can be good for up to two weeks and are smudge-proof. It’s going to be a slightly smaller splurge than a regular manicure, but it’s totally worth it (author’s note: I’m hooked!). As it gets closer and closer to the big day, your schedule is going to be more and more hectic. Take care of your nails while you can ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about them later.

Start Light

The week leading up to the wedding, let your skin breathe! Be sure to go a little lighter (swear off the falsies for a few days- it’ll be ok!) so you don’t risk breaking out or building up product. Stick to moisturizers with SPF if you can. When you do wear makeup, be sure to get all your makeup off and a daily wash. Keep your skin as fresh as possible, and your skin will look as fresh as possible.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: beauty, bride, bridesmaids, makeup, tips

Sneak Peek of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” Season 11 Episode

March 28, 2014 Leave a Comment

The week has flown by, and we can not believe the weekend is here. Friday not only means that the weekend is here, but that it is time for another fabulous new episode of TLC’s SAY YES TO THE DRESS . It is the type of day that has us jumping up and down. When you combine bridal gowns, fashion, brides, and all the gorgeous details, you have yourself a pretty amazing TV show. We are ready to kick off our shoes and watch brides find their perfect bridal gown.

If you are a SYTTD (SAY YES TO THE DRESS.) newbie, then let us tell you a little bit about this amazingly fun wedding TV show. The show all takes place at the gorgeous bridal salon, Kleinfeld Bridal in NYC. The show goes behind-the-scenes and uncovers the various obstacles every staff member faces to make each bride utterly happy and pleased on what may be the most important day of her life. The show features not only bridal experts, but emotional brides, opinionated entourages, and dream bridal dresses. At the end of each appointment, the bridal consultant will ask one very important question, “Are you saying Yes to the Dress?”. The answer to this question? You will have to tune in each week to find out.

On tonight’s episode:

This episode features pageant Queen Anastagia who has always had her dresses picked out for her, but this time, she wants to choose. Will she find the gown without the help of someone else choosing her perfect bridal gown? Bride, Lisa and her mom do not agree on an ivory bridal gown. Will the end up with the gown that her mom chooses? Or will she stand her ground and say yes to the yes she loves? Then there is bride, Christalyne who wants to wear a champagne or ivory bridal gown. However, this is totally opposite of the traditional Indian culture of brides not wearing white on their wedding day. Will she push that culture and wear ivory or champagne on her wedding day? What gown will she say yes to? You will have to tune in tonight and find out!

“Say Yes To The Dress” premieres tonight at 9/8c. So set your DVR’s, or watch it live tonight!

Special Preview

http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/say-yes-to-the-dress/videos/absolutely-no-white-dresses.htm

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bridal gown, bride, bride day, Kleinfeld Bridal, NYC, Say yes to the dress, TLC TV show, wedding

Top Ten Must Know’s for Planning a Destination Wedding

March 27, 2014 Leave a Comment

We are always looking for ways to make things easier for couples and their wedding day. At BHL, we love to share all the fabulous wedding tips to make your wedding planning a bit more simple. Are you having a destination wedding? Planning a wedding can be stressful and hard work, but having a destination wedding is another story. We are talking new sights, cultures, foods, etc that are added to the list of things to do. We really wanted to know the insight of what is means to plan a destination wedding, so we asked our dear friend, Eric Acuña to share some tips. Eric had a destination wedding at a beautiful resort in Cancun, Mexico, and knows first hand about planning from far away. Here are his top ten tips for planning a destination wedding. Oh, and some amazing photos from his wedding day! Super lovely and gorgeous day. Enjoy and happy planning!

Budget, Budget, Budget!

When planning your destination wedding, there may be a few close friends and family who may not be able to attend due to funds. Make sure to budget a reserve fund to help those important to you who may need some help. My fiancé and I ended up budgeting for the few people who couldn’t afford to make our joyous event. Money should never separate your from the people who matter the most to you.

Give yourself time

Planning a destination wedding takes time. With a background in the wedding industry, I made sure not to get myself stuck in a pickle. I took advantage of my 16 month engagement. This made most things run seamless and effortlessly. Nothing was rushed and my artistic side had plenty of time to create the perfect wedding. Plus, you may need to give your guest time to request vacation and plan their budget.

Don’t rain on my parade!

Playa del Carmen is beautiful. However, there’s a time of year when Playa may not be the hot spot for a special event. When planning my wedding, I researched the best time to visit. I wanted to make sure my guests didn’t endure a storm, flood, or hurricane. Bad weather can truly effect your wedding. So, make sure to google the weather history of your wedding date.

Red Carpet Event?

Check the calendar for your destination of choice. Don’t plan your wedding during the Cannes Festival or anything else that attracts tourists and inflates prices. On the flip side, consider tourist accommodations during the off-season. Your guest wouldn’t enjoy a destination when half the restaurants are closed and there’s nothing going on?

Vacation Anyone?

Hire a travel agent!!! Yeah I know, it sounds very 1990’s but, they make everything easier. When I was in Playa del Carmen, my hotel accommodations were not in order due to the hotel’s mistake. So, I called my travel agent (www.sunsettravel) and told them my dilemma. Kelly calmed me down and told me she’d take care of everything. In only 10 minutes, my agent not only fixed everything but, she was able to make a few upgrades for the mistakes made by the hotel. Most destination hotels depend on travel agents to book their rooms, which is an advantage.

Know the laws

Traditional wedding? Same sex marriage? Make sure you understand the laws of your destination. After much investigation, we were informed Mexico City was the only town in Mexico at the time who legalized same sex marriage. This allowed us to come home knowing we still needed to file the appropriate paper work with the State of California. Some countries, regardless of traditional or same-sex marriage, requires the two to be a citizen for a period of time before they can marry legally in their country.

Who’s my vendor?

Having a destination wedding is a once in a life time experience. My family and friends will remember our week long getaway for the rest of their lives. This is why picking the right vendors will be even more important than planning an event close to home. Could you imagine hiring a photographer who you never met? If I’m not fond of their work, do I have to pay them? Hiring vendors from the states maybe more expensive up front but, it will give you an opportunity to pick the best fit for your overall theme and look. Plus, there’s perks to flying your photographer out with your guests. I was able to negotiate with my photographer (www.petracalling.com) to take photos of the entire trip with all my friends and family. It was money well spent.

Scout your photo opts

When you get to your venue, make sure to scout the best photography spot with your photographer. This will help ensure your photos will be PERFECT on your special day. This will be everything you’ll look at for the rest of your life.

I’m not opening my own retail chain. I promise!

Can I bring my custom gifts? For my wedding, I provided an exclusive swag bag filled with must needed items. When I traveled through customs, they thought I was bringing my wedding items through the Mexican border to sell them in a retail store. They delayed me for an hour and asked me to pay a tax for each item. Looking back, I’d have all the items delivered to the resort during my stay. This would have saved me tons of money.

Playa, Woohoo! Now what?

Most guests love to use a destination wedding as an excuse to take a well needed vacation. So make sure they have all the local hot spots lined up for them. As the host, I investigated all the local touristy sites. I knew Grandma Rosie would like to see Chichen Itza. While my college daring brother, enjoyed taking a sea-doo around the bay to swim with the Bull sharks. A simple “Local things to do list” can truly make their trip, a once in a life time experience.

Photography by Thamer Bajjali from Petra Calling Photography

Filed Under: General Tagged With: cancun, destination wedding, destination wedding groom, groom, Mexico, wedding day, wedding planning tips, weddings

A Bridal Blogger’s Photo Shoot by Jaime Davis Photography

March 26, 2014 1 Comment

Good morning lovelies! It probably comes to no surprise that I am obsessed with all things wedding. I mean, I get to write about pretty wedding things all the time. From viewing gorgeous images on my computer screen, and swooning over each and every image, to attending some of the most fabulous bridal shows in town. Oh, how I love my job! Today, I am doing things a bit different. I am viewing the images from the mini shoot that I recently had the pleasure of being a part of. Do you want to know how a bridal blogger’s mini photo shoot looks like? You are about to see how much fun this bridal blogger had with this photo shoot.

My husband and I have not had professional photos of us since our wedding day, and that was nine years ago! I wanted this shoot to be perfect. Perfect for my husband and I. It had to be set in nature, and somewhere quiet with breathtaking views. The photographer also had to be perfect in capturing the images in nature. So, I reached to brilliantly talented photographer, Jaime Davis from Jaime Davis Photography , and when I told her this, she was so excited to be part of this photo shoot. Jaime knew exactly where to go, and as soon as she showed me photos of this location, I knew that was the place. It was perfect!

Let me tell you, getting ready for this photo shoot, and then arriving at location seemed like a dream. I still thought that I was there to be behind the scenes of someone else’s photo shoot. I was not used to being the subject of the shoot. After the first few shots, it still felt a bit strange, and then soon after I was super comfortable and we started to have some fun! Thanks to Jaime who knows how to make a girl feel totally comfortable in front of the lens. My husband and I felt like it was our wedding day all over again. Without the white dress and tux, but the feeling of overwhelming love for each other. We truly had a great time. Can you tell how much we love each other? I think these images speak for themselves. Ready to see the gorgeous images from a bridal blogger’s photo shoot?

Hair and Make Up: Laura Cavanagh of Star Beauty by LC

Photography: Jaime Davis Photography

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bridal blogger, Bridal Hot List, husband, Jaime Davis Photography, love, minishoot, nature, photo shoot, wedding blog

Scott’s Restaurant & Bar’s Bridal Open House Recap

March 25, 2014 Leave a Comment

Modern Glam never looked so good. Hosted in the heart of Costa Mesa, California, by Scott’s Restaurant & Bar, this bridal open house was all glammed up. Glammed with the most fabulous details from Orange County’s top wedding professionals. If the venue at Scott’s was not enough gorgeous and elegance, then add some brilliant talent, and you have yourself a pretty amazing wedding open house. Perfect for brides and their loved ones to enjoy and get really inspired! If you missed this lovely wedding open house, we’ve got some of the details right here. So, grab your cup of joe, relax, and get ready to get your pretty little eyes ready to view some of the most gorgeous wedding details.

Gorgeous table designs featuring elegant and beautiful details. When you walked into the room, all eyes seem to go to the lovely tables.

A closer look, and the details seem to get better. Each and every table with it’s own unique design, had some pretty amazing details to offer. And all of them with impeccable taste! Oh my goodness, can talent get better than this? Imagine you and your wedding guests dining with these fabulous details. It will surely be a place to want to dine and enjoy the night!

As guests walked in, they were greeted by this lovely lady from Sofia by Francis Ford Coppola Winery, pouring from some pretty bottles.

The most beautiful gowns and models showing off the prettiest of details. These jaw-dropping gorgeous gowns all from Casablanca Bridal Boutique showcased throughout the bridal event. As they walked past, it was hard not to stop the model and ask more details of the bridal dress. Can you saw WOW?

One word: Sprinkles. Do I need to say more? Sprinkles showcased some pretty yummy cupcakes with cute wedding style designs. As cute as the designs were, it was hard not to dive right in and take a bite!

Scott’s not only showcased their beautiful space, but some of their mouthwatering foods as well. Talk about fresh and tasty!

Lovely cake and desserts by Simply Sweet Cakery . Oh my. Not only are these sweets beautiful to look at, but pretty amazingly tasty as well.

Serving some up some coffee art with a side of yummy pastries was a special treat. Create a heart shaped coffee art for you and your guests at your wedding. It will surely impress!

Pretty bridal jewelry made to impress and doll up any bride or girl. The perfect accessory to compliment any bride and her bridal look.

Vendors:

Venue: Scott’s Restaurant & Bar

Photography: LAN Photography

Wine and Champagne: Sofia by Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Cake and desserts: Simply Sweet Cakery

Cupcakes: Sprinkles Cupcakes

Rental Furniture: Baker Party Rentals & Archive Rentals

Paper Goods: Where’s the Party?

DJ: Invisible Touch Events

Linens: Wildflower Linens

Bridal Gowns: Casablanca Bridal Boutique

Coffee and pastries: I Do Coffee

Flowers: Studio La Fleur

Bridal Jewelry: 31 Bits

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bridal open house, bride, Costa Mesa, groom, modern glam, Scott's Restaurant and Bar, wedding, wedding venue, weddings

The Lime Truck & Weddings

March 24, 2014 Leave a Comment

On this lovely Monday morning, all I can think about is mouthwatering food. I can taste the goodness of this post right about now. If you are hungry, actually even if you are not, you are about to be, because, it is about to get all yummy in here! Two words: Food Truck. Yep, today’s post is about a catering company that is on wheels and makes stops at weddings. You know the food trucks that we love so much. The uniquely delicious foods which always wants us having more. I do not know about you, but I am kind of a foodie, and when it comes to amazing, and special plates, I am all on board. Combine it with weddings, and it is all over. Introducing The Lime Truck, offering fresh, uniquely tasting cuisine, right at your doorstop. Literally! Bring some fun to your wedding, and you and your guests will not be disappointed! Enjoy this Monday morning with some succulent and fabulous food, ready for any food fan. Hungry now?

Photography by Justin Lee Photography

About The Lime Truck…

With 300+ weddings and like events under our belt, The Lime Truck offers a fresh and alternative take on catering for the modern-day bride and groom. At The Lime Truck, we love the concept of marrying the old with the new. So, while we do offer some more traditional services such as buffet catering and tray passed hors d’oeuvres, we also provide the full food-truck experience with our window service. Whether it’s appetizers, dinner, or even a late-night wedding snack, enjoy the novelty of having an award winning food truck cater your special event!

Since its inception in June 2010, The Lime Truck has whipped up a whirlwind of palate- pleasing new American cuisine that have earned them a bevy of local and national accolades and a band of loyal followers to boot. Owner and visionary, Daniel Shemtob, aims to keep mouths watering with a foolproof formula for foodies seeking satisfaction: local, organic and sustainably sourced fresh ingredients, paired with hip, inventive recipes, make for the most delectable dishes in town. The Lime Truck is not only convicted by award-winning taste, but convenience, consistency and accessibility. Enriched by experience (and a win!) on The Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race,” this dynamic team has attained a new benchmark in culinary vision and execution.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: catering, food truck, the lime truck, trendy, wedding, wedding food, weddings

Five Ways to Save on Your Bachelorette Party

March 23, 2014 Leave a Comment

You’re going to be spending a whole lot on your wedding, and that should be the only night you’re saving for. Your bachelorette party is going to be a great night too, but it doesn’t have to be an expensive one. Here are a few of our tips on saving on your bachelorette party.

Start at Home

If you’re doing drinks, start slow and start at home! Pick up a few bottles of bubbly and a flat of strawberries and let the night start at your own pace. You’ll all save big bucks versus bar prices, plus you don’t have to worry about standing in lines or waiting for servers.

Do Your Research

If you’re doing a girl’s night out, do some research on any bars or clubs that may do specials for groups. One of the best ways to find a new place to go is to check out local deal sites for deep discounts. You may find a hidden gem that does an awesome girl’s night or a new favorite with an awesome dance floor!

Call Ahead

Speaking of waiting in line, if you were planning on going out to a hotspot plan for it. You may be able to get a cover waived if you milk the fact that it’s going to be a bachelorette party (clubs and hotspots love groups like bachelorette parties). It’s worth a shot and could save you time and money at the door.

Don’t Splurge on Specialty Items

If you’re dressing up or doing a theme at all, don’t shop for new items to wear. Try your best to shop your stash to save on going out clothes (those shoes alone can cost more than the whole night out). If you and your girlfriends want to do a theme brainstorm together to figure out what you can all pull off. If you’re going to do something wacky, at the very least check out second hand stores first so you can get a deep discount on an outfit.

Designate a Driver

Not only is this smart, but it could save you a boatload in cab fees. You can get a few of the groomsmen to volunteer if a few of your bridesmaids offer to drive for the bachelor party. If you’ll be having a few drinks, you absolutely cannot be driving at all. Just remember, if you ask someone else to DD for you, you’ll have to repay the favor.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bachelorette, bride, girls, party, savings, wedding

Five Tips for Charging Your Wedding Expenses

March 22, 2014 Leave a Comment

For many people their wedding will be one of the most expensive events in their life. Chances are, you may not have the cash on hand to pay for it all up front. If you do end up having to charge parts (or even, all) of your wedding, we have some tips on how to do it the smart way.

Pick Your Card Wisely

It’s easier to use a card that you already have rather than opening up a new one. Look at your cards and weigh out which ones have the highest limits. You may not use your entire credit line, but it’s good to have the cushioning of a high limit. If your cards don’t have limits as high as you’d like, go ahead and call your credit card company and ask for your limit to be raised. As long as you’re in good standing, there really shouldn’t be a big issue. You can even mention that you’re getting married soon and have lots of expenses coming up. If you do plan on opening a new card, shop what’s out there. It’s easiest to pick cards that don’t have annual fees, so you don’t get extra charges just to spend your money.

Know Your Extras

When you’re picking out your card, know what the card’s benefits are. Most cards have some form of rewards or cash back programs associated with them. If you play these rewards right, you can use your rewards for fun things (like a honeymoon!). For example, some cards do a higher cash back percentage when you spend money on gas than it does on groceries. If you use one specific card to pay for all your gas (or even offer to pay for gas as your cut for your bachelorette party), you can use those rewards later. There are lots of travel-based cards that offer great rewards that are redeemable on hotel stays and airfare. Just don’t get caught up charging everything because you get a percentage back- remember you’re not saving money by spending it. Before you pick a card to match with an expense, do some research on your card’s website to make sure your purchases will qualify for the most rewards possible. Some cash back rewards extras may also cut off after a certain amount (i.e., 5% cashback up to $1000 in purchases), so keep that in mind in your budget.

Be Realistic

Once you’ve shopped around for your wedding, you’ll probably have a ballpark idea of how much you’ll end up spending. With this budget in mind, realistically figure out how long it will take for you to pay off. By realistically, we mean give yourself some leeway in case you can’t always pay off as much as you’d like. If you have these numbers in mind you may be able to haggle with your bank for a better interest rate. Banks are most concerned with getting their money back, and if you are able to present a plan of action to get them paid, they will be more likely to help you out too (author’s note: by presenting a plan to my bank I was able to get my interest rates lowered before I put school charges on my credit card!).

Know What To Charge

Even if you have a high credit limit, try not to be tempted to max it out. Ideally, you want your credit utilization to be around 10-30% (if you have a credit card with $100 limit, you want to keep your spending on that card to $10-$30). That’s a safe range that won’t hurt your credit score. Plan what you will be paying for with plastic before you checkout. Stick to only charging the expenses that you planned on (and not that 2nd sugar-free energy drink of the day or spontaneous snack- all those charges really add up!) to keep your spending and payments on track.

Pay As You Go

If you can afford to pay off your credit cards a little more than you anticipated- go for it! If you plan on paying off $800 a month but have an extra few dollars lying around, put it towards the cause. You can even do little side projects to help pay off your credit cards, like selling your old clothes to consignment stores or old furniture on craigslist. Even small amounts like recycling cans can add up and over time take a serious chunk out of your credit card debt.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: bride, finance, groom, money, save money, spending, wedding