Best of Destination Weddings Locations

It’s summer, and that means it’s wedding season. As people spend increasingly more money on that one day, many couples are turning to far-flung locations to create a unique experience. And, in many cases, a destination wedding can even get you more bang for your buck. If you’ve dreamed of tying the knot in a unique spot, check out some of these most-searched wedding destinations:

1. Hawaii

A wedding in Hawaii can be a simple hotel beach wedding on Oahu or a rainforest tropical locale on Maui. Just outside Waikiki, which is easy to get to and the most crowded beach on the islands, is Diamond Head. On the opposite side of the island are large pristine beaches at Kewala Bay and Waimanalo Beach. Turtle Bay Resort is the major hotel on the north shore of Oahu. While Kauai and Maui are the most popular of the less-populated islands, you can create a more remote experience on Lanai, Molokai, or the Big Island. Use My Hawaii Wedding or Weddings of Hawaii to customize your experience or create original packages with everything from lava rocks to whale-spotting. 

 2. Bahamas

If you want a picture-perfect beach wedding on a Caribbean island that’s easy to get to, then the Bahamas are the perfect setting. Made up of more than 700 islands and islets, which extend from southeast of Florida to the eastern tip of Cuba, the Bahamas has enough white sand and turquoise beaches for more weddings than you’ll have in your lifetimes. The Exumas, an area of over 300 islands or cays known for its clear blue water, and The Abacos, the island chain in the northern Bahamas, are off-the-beaten-path, picturesque wedding locations. Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, and Paradise Island are more common and easier destinations to reach. Hire a company like Weddings in the Bahamas to find low-cost and exotic wedding packages for your special tropical ceremony. Most hotels and resorts also offer wedding packages, including The Atlantis and Pelican Bay Hotel. Sandals even has an all-inclusive wedding plan; let your wedding party enjoy all they can drink while toasting the newlyweds.

3. Anguilla

The British territory of Anguilla makes up just 35 square miles of small islands in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. The actual main island of Anguilla is only 16 miles long. If you’re looking for a secluded island wedding (and a tax haven), then this is the spot for you. Along with the classic barefoot beach weddings, couples in Anguilla also enjoy the historic churches, tropical gardens, and seaside villas. Local planners, like Blue Sea Anguilla Weddings, provide packages for visitors looking to customize their experience. Viceroy Anguilla is the largest resort and possibly the most popular wedding spot on the island. It offers poolside weddings, beach weddings, and reception spots overlooking Barnes and Meads Bays. 

 4. Cozumel

On the Caribbean coast of Mexico, Cozumel sits off the Yucatan Peninsula and is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling – and for destination weddings. The island also has the only pearl farm in the Caribbean and two dolphin sanctuaries. Though it has plenty to offer, Cozumel was voted “The Best Value for Your Dollar” by Fortune Magazine. You can even legally be married in Cozumel during a one-day stop on your Caribbean cruise – as long as you plan in advance. Pick a large resort, like Secrets, for your beach wedding or a smaller boutique hotel, like Playa Azul. Let the natural landscape be your backdrop. Local wedding planners, like Cozumel Wedding Planner, also have arrangements with villas and special locations.

 

5. Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands’ wedding motto is: barefoot elegance. Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac have large wedding venues, plenty of vendors, and luxurious resorts. Or, for something a little simpler, just head to the beach. The unity sand ceremony is a popular Cayman Island tradition to add to your wedding vows. Both the bride and groom pour their containers of sand into a vase, letting the colors blend together into one – also creating a lovely keepsake to take home. But, avoid hurricane season from May to November. The Ritz-Carlton is a popular wedding spot, sitting right on the famous Seven Mile Beach. Along with its own pastry chef and floral designers, the Ritz also lets wedding guests set up their reception on the expansive Great Lawn. Also on Seven Mile Beach are the Grand Cayman Beach Suites (formerly the Hyatt). For something more historic, try the Great House at Pedro St. James. For a casual ceremony and some of the best drinks on the islands, head to Rum Point. 

 6. Florida Keys

A string of islands stretching from the southeastern edge of Florida into the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys are a laid-back and idyllic spot for warm weddings. Key West is the largest city on its own 4.2-square-mile island, where the Chapel by the Sea focuses on stress-free weddings – with sailing. In addition to all the amenities of professional wedding planners and packages right in Florida, there are also remote, smaller islands accessible only by boat. Take photos at historic Civil War forts or beneath the old Seven Mile Bridge. Hawks Cay and Little Palm Island offer luxurious, high-end wedding packages on private cays. Don’t have just your ceremony on a secluded water’s edge; have your whole reception there too.

  

7. Las Vegas          

Vegas may be known as the place for the quickie wedding, but it can also be a fun-filled destination for the couple and their family and friends. Over 90,000 people get married each year in Vegas and at least most of them have a good time doing it. Any of the hotels on the Strip – Palazzo, Bellagio, Excaliber, Mandlay Bay – have wedding planners and wedding plans that range from the supremely extravagant to the extravagantly tacky. A wedding in Vegas can be as classy as you want it to be. Or, do something a little more uniquely Vegas and visit the Graceland Chapel, where Elvis can sing before, after, or even during your wedding. The King may be a Vegas wedding icon now, but he originated there. The famous landmark has seen its share of celebrities and is a hotspot for couples in love. It’s also, conveniently, just four blocks from the county marriage license bureau.

 

 8. Outer Banks

Outer Banks weddings are not your typical beach weddings. This string of narrow islands off North Carolina is known for its natural windswept beauty and unique landscape. The northern beaches, with Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, are more well-known, but all the beaches are wild and clean. Have your ceremony on a pier, under the historic lighthouse, or among the dunes. Use a classic spot like Sanderling Resort or Tranquil House for a straightforward OBX wedding. Check with the Outer Banks Wedding Association for tips on vendors, locations, and inspiration. The Outer Banks are such a popular wedding destination that the association even hosts an annual wedding weekend and expo.

 

  

9. Los Cabos

A short flight south of California, Los Cabos (also known as Cabo) is a popular spot for destination weddings because of its logistical ease and stunning backdrops. While many couples choose to rent out local villas, Cabo is particularly well known for its all-inclusive weddings. Dreams and Riu Palace both have beachfront ceremonies and plenty of drinks flowing all night for the party. The wealth of high-end resorts makes the choices nearly limitless. The Hilton does full wedding packages, including activities for your guests. For a more personal touch, hire a local event manager. Creative Destination Event Company specializes in Cabo wedding planning at private locations, doing everything from helping you find the perfect villa to designing an elegant décor that you’ll be happy you flew to Mexico for.

 

10. Costa Rica

Yes, there are white sandy beaches in Costa Rica. But a destination wedding in this tropical Central American country is about more than just a waterfront ceremony. Go whitewater rafting or ziplining in the morning, and have your wedding at the base of a volcano in the afternoon. Monkeys, dolphins, or iguanas may even make an appearance during your big event. Event organizers like Our Costa Rica Wedding and Pura Vida Weddings can help with event details from afar – if deciding between rainforest and beach is too difficult. Or, opt for a wedding package from a local hotel, like The Resort Flamingo Beach or The Springs Resort and Spa. The Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort provides a unique setting among the rainforest hot springs at the base of the Arenal Volcano.

Bride Profile: Jenna Fox (Married May 25, 2013 in Breckenridge, CO)

 

 

1. Name & Location
 Jenna - The Lodge and Spa at Breckenridge; Breckenridge, Colorado (live in Denver, CO)

 

 

 

2. What attracted you to your husband?

His wit and sense of adventure

 

 

 

 

 

3. What 3 words would you use to describe your wedding? 

Mountain chic, fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. What was your first dance song choice and why did you choose it? 

Hold On by Michael Buble.  My hubby and I have been fans of Buble for our whole relationship.  We wanted Buble because his music just feels so classic; in 10 years I don't think we'll be cringing about how our wedding song was cheesy/cliche/dated.  In regards to the specific song, the lyrics themselves were incredibly important and we felt they expressed our relationship well, but also the pace/beat of the song was what we were looking for in a first dance.

 

 

 

 

 

5. If you could go back, what would you change about your wedding?

The only thing I would change would be to allow more time for photos/portraits, especially of the family.  My husband wasn't interested in getting every possible grouping for family photos so we rushed through that, but I realized after the fact that I never got a posed picture of just me with my parents, which made me sad.

 

 

 

6.  What advice would you offer to newly engaged couples?

RELAX, focus on the things that are most important to you and your fiance, and don't succumb to the pressure/desire to go overboard.  In the end, as long as you have each other and a valid marriage license, nothing else truly matters.

 

Easter done right...

 

 

 

Holy cow! Where has the time gone? Sorry for being MIA there for awhile; baby came and life got CRAZY! Now that I've settled into my new duties and schedules, I'm ready to revisit the blog life. What a better time than Spring? I love Spring... most of the time. As I've mentioned previously, I live in Colorado; spring can bring anything from 70's to blizzards here. Right now it's about 60 out and I'm sitting in my office wishing I could be out in the garden.

Enough about me.. let's get to it. I want to share some Easter ideas with you all!


This first post will go over some ideas to decorate the home and get ready for your Easter gathering. Then following posts will talk about some gift ideas for Easter baskets and hostess gifts, I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes and egg dying techniques (that don't require the expensive kits you buy in the store).

 

Setting The Stage

 

Burlap Wreath  

I love having a decorative wreath hanging on our front door. I almost always have one up, even if it's not a holiday month. It's just a great, warm greeting into our home. Here's a picture of the wreath I created for Easter. I just strolled the Easter aisles at Hobby Lobby for inspiration and this is what I came up with.

Here's a great tutorial for the method I use for almost all of my wreaths - I've found this method to work for just plain ribbon as well the burlap. You just use more with the ribbon. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Burlap-Wreath

Below are some pictures of inspiration for your own Easter wreath.

 

My secret for hanging wreaths on my front door without a bulky wreath hanger:

 

                                         

 

Yes, that's an upside down command hook on the interior side of my door. Then I just string some ribbon around the wreath form, tie the ends of the ribbon and hook it around.

 

 

Decorating

Are you hosting this year's Easter egg-travaganza??  I am not this year, at least I don't think I am, but I still love to decorate for the holidays and be prepared just in case I end of hosting some sort of gathering. And, who doesn't love looking at the bright, cheery spring decorations that come with Easter? There's nothing better to get your spirits up and prepare you for the warm months ahead. 

I've posted some pictures below to get your creative juices flowing. Here's a link to my Easter board on Pinterest as well for some more bright ideas - www.pinterest.com/craftycrystalm/easter/ 

 

 

How pretty is this speckled egg and burlap garland? Clearly I have an addiction...

Get out of town! How cute is this??

Where do I get this??

Comment below with what your favorite things to put out for Easter decorations are, I always love to hear what other people do for the holidays!

Hoppy Easter!!

Cocktail Party Basics

If you'd like to have a party but don't want the hassle of a dinner party, much less a blowout, think "cocktails." Invite up to 30 good friends, stock up at the liquor store, put together the easy appetizers below, and you'll be set to throw an elegant soiree.

Quick Appetizers

Keep it simple but don't skimp on appetizers. If your guests are drinking on an empty stomach, your elegant cocktail party could become a frat-style bacchanalia pretty quick. (Save that for your first-anniversary toga party.) Present your apps with flair -- think unusual containers and unexpected garnishes -- to disguise their humble origins. Some easy, quick hors d'oeuvre ideas:Cheese and Bread
Yep, the classic. The bonus is that this requires absolutely no cooking or preparation, yet it looks gourmet. Offer a variety of cheeses. Colin Cowie, entertainer extraordinaire, suggests serving three ripe cheeses: a triple creme cheese (like brie), a blue cheese, and a goat's milk cheese. Another unusual option is sheep's cheese: It's creamy and subtly delicious. Serve with crusty French bread -- don't cut it into slices, just leave out a serrated bread knife. Set out small jars of different mustards for an additional treat.

Fruit
Don't bother with an elaborate fruit salad: Just display some munchable fruit, such as strawberries or grapes, in a swank bowl. It's a nice break from standard stick-to-your-ribs fare.

Sausages
Cowie also suggests serving sausages with mustard at an elegant cocktail party. Just buy a variety of sausages at a gourmet shop or supermarket (go for turkey-apple or chicken varieties if you want to stay away from ultraclogged arteries). Grill 'em and slice 'em up. Serve with the same mustard and bread you've put out for the cheese.

Olive Paste with Toasted French Bread
Buy an extra loaf -- or six...bread is always good to have on hand -- of the same crusty French bread you're serving with your cheese platter and slice it into bite-sized pieces. Lightly toast in your broiler. In a blender, mix black olives (any pitless variety will do), a few tablespoons of olive oil, juice from half a lemon, and pepper to taste. Voila! Instant olive paste. It looks gourmet but takes less than a minute to make. Make the paste a few hours in advance -- it gets better as it mellows.

Cocktails

As the title "cocktail party" implies, cocktails are crucial to the success of your event. What type of cocktails to supply? First off, forget beer and froufrou frozen drinks, though you can stock up on wine, water, and juices for those who don't want to imbibe too brazenly. Check out our Bartending 101 article for some classic cocktail recipes, but feel free to experiment and create -- and name! -- your own signature drink. Some more unusual choices:Blue Moon
2 parts Finlandia vodka
1 part pineapple juice
Dash blue Curacao
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well until chilled and strain into a martini glass.

Wave Cutter
Equal parts Bacardi rum, cranberry juice, and orange juice
Pour all ingredients into a highball over ice.

Coco Vanilla Martini
2 oz. Stoli Vanil vodka
1/4 oz. dark creme de cacao
1 oz. melted chocolate
Pour vodka and creme de cacao over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well until chilled and strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with the melted chocolate.

Purity
2 parts Finlandia vodka
1 part peppermint schnapps
1 sugar cube
1 mint leaf
Pour vodka and schnapps into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well until chilled and strain into a martini glass. Drop in a sugar cube and garnish with a mint leaf.

Tunes

Go elegant with some classic jazz (you can't go wrong with Charlie Parker) or with some of that Ol' Blue Eyes. Or make it smooth with some cool R&B. See our piece on party music for more ideas. The goal is to keep your guests relaxed and the conversations flowing.

Décor

No need to go overboard with the decorations. You can make your living room look chic on the cheap.

• Buy one bouquet of flowers and distribute the blooms among several vases scattered throughout the room and in the bathroom.
  
• Light a dozen votive candles (a few bucks for 20 at most drugstores) and place them on saucers throughout your living room for a warm and festive glow.
• Buy some cool paper cocktail napkins and coasters. You know, the kind imprinted with martini glasses or tiki gods or perhaps emblazoned with the phrase, "Your place or mine?" They'll do double duty as conversation starters and groovy décor.  

Aloha Summer!

Aloha and welcome to summer! In this post I will go over some ideas to host the perfect luau, without all of the over-done aspects and cheesiness that have become the standard for this ever popular trend.

Food

If you've ever been to a traditional luau in Hawaii, you know that the main event at a luau is the pig roast. You can do this over an open fire pit (for the dramatics) or build a traditional Imu (earthen oven). Here's a link for instructions on how to build an Imu. 

Oh, you don't want to dig a big hole in your backyard and wait hours for a pig to cook? Don't worry, me either.

One of my favorite burgers at Red Robin is the Banzai burger; I feel like this burger encompasses all elements of a luau between 2 simple buns. And I think it's just heavenly.  The burger is marinated in teriyaki sauce and comes with sliced pineapple.... please excuse me for a moment while I wipe the drool from my mouth. Like the Banzai burger, though, your luau food should revolve around tropical fruit. Whether you make a fruit salad full of it, put it on kabobs mixed with teriyaki grilled chicken or make marinades with it. There's no such thing as too much fruit at a luau. Some of the popular choices are: pineapple, coconut, mango, banana, kiwi and papaya.

 

 

 

To go with your yummy food you will of course need some libations! Again, go with the fruit! Pina coladas and mai tais should be staples. Serve up some fruit punch for the kids and put the little paper umbrellas in every glass.

 

 

 

 



Décor

With grass skirts, palm leaves and fresh cut flowers, how could you go wrong? I love to use grass skirts along table edges, who says you have to wear them? Instead of placemats, lay palm leaves or cut up banana leaves on the tables. Scatter some shell necklaces or loose shells throughout. The beauty of the luau is that you can do it up as much as you want or leave it low key and on the reserved style with just a couple tropical elements. Either way, the theme will get across to your guests and it leaves room for adjustment to your personal style. Make your fresh fruit serve double time as food and décor! I love this idea:

 

 

How pretty does that look? Still have some of those old tiki torches just sitting around in your garage collecting dust? Perfect! Use them to provide light, atmosphere and keep the bugs away. If you want some fresh flower arrangements, go with arrangements that  include tropical flowers such as orchids, hibiscus or birds of paradise.

 

 

 

 

Instead of buying those cheap plastic leis that fall apart the moment you touch them, buy fresh flowers and have your guests make their own! They will love to take them home and you don't be stuck with a million fabric leis and no use for them (unless this is an annual party you host and you can reuse them year after year).

 

Check out Oriental Trader for some great buys on party supplies and inspiration!

 

 

That's all the ideas I have for now! Below are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing when planning your own luau! Leave a comment if you have a question or any ideas of your own!!  

 

I love the bamboo wall and coconut shell glasses here!

 

 

 

 

 

How pretty is this??

 

 

 

 

Multi-purposing!!

 

 

 

 

Hello good time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer BBQ Season

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the flowers are in full bloom. Memorial Day weekend was the kickoff to summer BBQ season and the season is now in full swing. In this month's posts, I will go over some fun BBQ ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Let's start off with a good old fashioned country western BBQ.

 

 

 



Food

Food is the most essential part to a BBQ, duh! If you have access to a slow cooker, making authentic, delicious BBQ is a piece of cake. If not, don't worry! It's still doable! Some traditional dishes include pulled pork, ribs, potato salad and corn bread.

Here are some links to some of my favorite BBQ recipes:

Crockpot BBQ Ribs

 

 

 

 



Pulled Pork Sandwiches






















Classic Potato Salad

Buttermilk Cornbread

Not feeling the BBQ sauce slathered feast or looking for something a little easier? Set up a hot dog bar! Grill up a bunch of dogs and assemble a variety of toppings so people can make their own creations. Some favorite creations: The Italian {Pizza Dog}: Pour pizza sauce into a hot dog bun. Add shredded cheese, pepperoni slices, and olives. Top it with a freshly grilled dog, and enjoy. The kids love these!!  The Mexican: This is my favorite – Mix some taco seasoning into your mayo, to make it spicier. Schmear a bit on your bun, add your hot dog, then sprinkle with a mexican blend cheese, jalapenos, and salsa. Sooo good!  The Russian: This is always a favorite with the guys… Spread a  bit of cream cheese on a toasted bun, then add your hot dog. Smother it with a pile of sweet relish, and sauerkraut. It’s messy, but they tell me it’s good stuff!

In addition to the above ingredients, you’ll want to make sure to have basic condiments like mayo, ketchup, and a few types of mustard. I also like to have a crockpot of chili, shredded cheese, relish, sauerkraut...etc. Different bun types also add a nice touch. Stuck on what you want to put out for your hot dog bar? Think about the last time you went to the ballpark and all the options you have there, you can't go wrong.




Décor

The décor element for a country western BBQ can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. I love décor that serves double duty! Bring in the country western flair with bandanas and mason jars and have the bandanas serve as napkins while the mason jars serve as drink ware.

I love this idea; wrap silverware in bandana napkin and place in the mason jar. You can set these out along a table for people to grab up while they're filling their plates or attach a chalkboard tag to mark seating placements at individual's seats.

 

 

I like to make my own citronella candles for summer time as well. There are a variety of ways this can be done to match your personal taste. (Here's my favorite tutorial on making your own citronella candles).  Make these bad boys and pour them into recycled tin cans, mason jars or baby food jars then place throughout your party to help keep bugs away and your guests more comfortable. When the sun goes down, they also help provide lighting. String up some old white Christmas lights or outdoor string lights to add to the ambiance.

 

 

Keep the Party Going

 

What's to be done after everyone has filled their bellies with your delicious BBQ creations? Party! Keep the true country western flair by playing country western music throughout the night. Lay some plywood boards on the grass under the string lights and let your guests 2 step and line dance the night away! 

 

Here's a sample playlist:

 

I Love This Bar - Toby Keith

Friends In Low Places - Garth Brooks

Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett
Boot Scootin’ Boogie - Brooks & Dunn

Any Man of Mine - Shania Twain

What Was I Thinking - Dierks Bentley
Heads Carolina, Tails California - Jo Dee Messina
Achy Breaky Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus
I Feel Like A Woman - Shania Twain
I Like It, I Love It - Tim McGraw
There’s Your Trouble - Dixie Chicks
Two Pina Coladas - Garth Brooks

Chattahoochie - Alan Jackson
Sold! The Grundy County Auction Incident - John Michael Montgomery
This Kiss - Faith Hill
Bye, Bye - Jo Dee Messina

Don’t Rock The Jukebox - Alan Jackson

Boondocks - Little Big Town
Alcohol - Brad Paisley
Beer For My Horses - Toby Keith with Willie Nelson
Redneck Woman - Gretchen Wilson
Save A Hose, Ride A Cowboy - Big and Rich

 

Need to brush up on your line dancing skills?? Go HERE for some step sheets to popular line dances.  

 

 

 



 

10 things to know about the wedding industry

I came across this article online through pinterest and thought it summed up all of the key points in a fantastic manner.

1. “We could go out of business before your big day.”

Wedding spending tumbled 32% during the recession, from an average of $28,730 per event in 2007 to $19,581 in 2009, according to market research firm The Wedding Report. After recovering somewhat, spending now seems to be flattening out — in 2012, the average wedding cost $25,656, an increase of just $25, or less than one-tenth of 1%, over 2011. And the continuing tough economy, experts say, has some vendors languishing in the red. Or worse. Toronto police last month charged a bridal shop owner with fraud for closing without notice earlier this year, taking brides’ dresses and deposits with her. Travelers, an insurance company, reports that of wedding insurance claims filed last year due to “vendor problems,” 21% involved caterers going out of business and an additional 11% were related to deejays going out of business or not showing up. “We do attribute that to the recession,” says Chantal Cyr, vice president of personal insurance at Travelers.

Businesses aren’t apt to announce they’re having financial trouble, so it’s on couples to protect themselves, says Anja Winnika, site director for TheKnot.com. When possible, she says, put deposits on a credit card: The Fair Credit Billing Act offers some recourse for a refund if services or items paid for aren’t delivered. (Just pay off the bill in full to avoid interest charges.) “Smaller vendors may charge a credit-card processing fee,” she says. “But I think it’s worth it for peace of mind.” A wedding insurance policy can also be beneficial, Winnika says. Depending on the coverage and when the problem crops up, an out-of-business vendor might be replaced, your money refunded or the wedding party reconvened for replacement photos.

2. “Inspiration boards? More like unrealistic-expectation boards.”

Couples say the growing abundance of planning websites and online inspiration boards have piled on more pressure for a standout Big Day.

Such sites have become a big draw for brides: On traffic leader Pinterest.com, which received more than 30 million unique visitors in March, two of the 10 most popular boards are wedding-related, with Wedding Gifts (No. 9) and DIY Your Wedding (No. 10) each garnering 2.4 million followers, according to analysis site Repinly. Weddings also represent 4.9% of popular pins, many of them featuring photos that set the fashion and décor bars very high for the soon-to-wed.

Part of the problem: “handmade” favors and decorations that show up on inspiration boards are in many cases crafted by a team of wedding stylists — not the bride, says Meg Keene, author of “A Practical Wedding” and editor of a planning site by the same name. “But the language and the way it’s presented makes you think, ‘I can do this myself,’” she says. A week before her October 2012 wedding, Colleen McKenna was in her parents’ garage in Chicago, “covered in paint and freezing” as she prepared frames to hold reception menus. “Pinterest is the best, but the worst, too,” McKenna says. “You see what other brides have done and you think, ‘Why can’t I get my s*** together?’” The often caption-less images also don’t disclose that a beautiful bouquet or enticing cake were part of a six-figure budget, says Elizabeth Robinson of Denver, who as part of her Edwardian-themed July wedding commissioned double-breasted vests on craft marketplace Etsy.com and designed period labels for bottles of lavender water as a save-the-date. “We’re $10,000 over budget — we’ve lost it here,” she says. But, she adds, “You only get married once.”

Inspiration boards can help kickstart ideas, says Winnika of TheKnot.com, which itself has features that let users save “loved” details and create inspiration boards. But she suggests brides and grooms focus on a few big elements — like picking a talented photographer, or finding a gorgeous venue that doesn’t need much decoration — and avoid getting bogged down in little details for every part of the celebration. “Step away from the inspiration boards when it comes down to knocking things off your checklist,” she says. Couples who want to do DIY projects should also stick to ones that can be completed well in advance. “Anything fresh or floral or baking, leave it up to the pros,” Winnika says. “You don’t want to be doing that on your wedding day.”

3. “We’ll punish you for those heightened expectations.”

Even as the industry pushes couples to obsess over details, more vendors are charging for those heightened expectations. Prices often have a 20% to 25% “marriage markup” compared with the cost to, say, rent the same space for a Sweet 16 or to buy floral centerpieces for an anniversary party, says Alan Fields, co-author of “Bridal Bargains.” “It’s lose-lose,” he says. “The industry creates this bridezilla character and encourages that behavior, and then says they have to charge you for it.” In some cases, the fee is more explicit. Loring Pasta Bar in Minneapolis has a “bridezilla clause” in its contract, charging overly detail-oriented brides and grooms $5 per email or $12 per 15-minute increment of time required to respond, whichever is less.

The restaurant did not respond to requests for comment, but in 2011 Loring told MarketWatch the clause, which had yet to be enforced, was a safeguard against couples taking up too much of employees’ time. “A bride once called my cell phone with an emergency: To ask what potatoes go with pork loin,” Jamie Radich, Loring’s sales and events manager, said at the time. “She wasn’t getting married for another year.” Florists, venues and other vendors have expressed similar observations about the frequency of communications from betrothed clients compared with others, Fields says. Fair or not, the markups and fees make it all the more important for couples to compare costs at several vendors.

4. “Tax and tip not included.”

At a venue tasting earlier this year, Wayne Gurnick, owner of Los Angeles-based event planning service Moments by Wayne Gurnick, had to give his client — who was considering a $12 per person menu upgrade — a spoonful of bitter budgeting reality. “I said, ‘You know that’s plus-plus, right?’” Gurnick recalls. As in plus sales tax and plus service charge, making it, in that client’s case, a $15.72 per person charge. The combo can raise total cost by as much as a third, depending on the state and vendor, but it may not enter the conversation until it’s time to sign a contract. “When you start adding all these little components together and you’re thinking only about the base price, that plus-plus adds up to thousands of dollars,” he says. Service charges can also be confusing. Although they are automatically added to many vendors’ contracts, only sometimes are they a gratuity, Gurnick says. It’s on the couple to ask, or risk a last-minute scramble for cash to tip the banquet manager, servers and bartenders.

5. “The ballroom you chose only permits ‘approved vendors’ — that cost more.”

Searching for an Indianapolis wedding location in 2010, Holly Little and her fiancé noticed a trend: “All of them had some sort of approved vendor list or exclusive vendor list.” But Little says they didn’t see it as a problem until, after paying a $500 venue deposit, the exclusive caterer refused to budge on its price. “The location also had an exclusive deejay, an exclusive baker and an approved florist,” says Little. “We had no negotiating leverage.” After assessing the numbers, the couple decided to forgo their deposit and plan a more budget-friendly destination wedding in Savannah, Ga., instead.

As Little found, arrangements between wedding vendors can push costs higher, by reducing couples’ ability to negotiate or by adding fees that one pro might charge another for the referral. “Sometimes it’s because somebody is getting a kickback, unfortunately,” says Danielle Bobish, founder of Curtain Up Events in New York. Bobish says she doesn’t pay or receive commissions, referral fees or other such charges -- and suggests couples be blunt in asking planners and venues if they do, and how they source the vendors they work with. “We refer our vendors because we love to work with them, they’re team players, and we stand behind the quality of their work,” she says. Sometimes, there are logistical reasons, too. For example, a venue that has unusual acoustics may make an exclusive deejay arrangement to ensure the right equipment is used and avoid client complaints, she says.

6. “Hope you’re running on schedule. We’ve overbooked.”

Brides and grooms may like to think theirs is the only wedding that matters on a given day, but that may not be the case — particularly during the peak summer wedding season. Couples filing insurance claims over no-show vendors (see No. 1) don’t specify what led to the problem, but overbooking is one contributing factor, says Cyr of Travelers. Among the other problems that can cause: You might not get the quality expected, if a florist throws together the centerpieces, say, or a cake baker hands off decorating to an assistant, Winnika says. With venues, schedules can also be surprisingly tight, Gurnick says. For example, if a hotel has other events, your vendors may not be allowed to arrive well beforehand to set up. And if there’s another wedding at that church or ceremony location afterward, there may not be much wiggle room to delay the ceremony if guests are delayed by a traffic jam, say, or the wedding party has a fashion emergency. Failure to hold to the schedule could result in overtime fees or simply less time spent actually celebrating, he says.

To keep such small snafus from becoming big budget problems, ask how many weddings a vendor takes on per day or weekend, says Kim Forest, the editor of review site WeddingWire.com. “Vendors know their own workload,” she says, and some can legitimately do several weddings a day, with serious organization and help from assistants. Read reviews or ask for references to ensure that such wedding jugglers haven’t dropped the ball in the past.

7. “This award isn’t exactly an Oscar.”

Couples searching for a great venue, stationer or cake baker may be pleasantly surprised to find they have a number of award-winning candidates to choose from. WeddingWire.com has “Bride’s Choice Awards,” The Knot.com has “Best of Weddings,” and local chambers of commerce and bridal vendor guides also often bestow awards. But winners aren’t necessarily the best. “What the industry doesn’t tell you is that vendors can in some cases buy those awards,” says “Bridal Bargains” author Fields. The pool of entrants may be explicitly limited to advertising vendors, or cultivated that way through the use of “editor’s picks” rather than votes from brides and grooms. Even if the vote is based solely on wedded couples’ votes and reviews, as with other fields, fake ratings abound, he says.

At TheKnot.com, awards go to vendors that have regularly received positive reviews from real brides on sister site WeddingChannel.com, says Winnika — which can result in a lot of award-winners. “That’s not to say that just because someone has an award, that they’re the perfect vendor for you,” she says. Keep looking, she advises. “You haven’t hit the holy grail of wedding vendors yet.” WeddingWire.com says its awards are limited to the top 5% of vendors, based on recent reviews from couples that have signed contracts with those businesses. “It’s good for engaged couples to see those badges,” says a spokeswoman – but the site encourages couples to delve into individual reviews as well.

8. “Do sweat the small stuff — or at least the price tag on the small stuff.”

Weddings have become increasingly stylized, with magazines and planning sites pushing small details like monogrammed petite four, elaborate place settings and letterpress invitations. Too much attention to detail can quickly become a budget buster, though, says Keene. Couples spend an average of $322 on table centerpieces, $294 on reception decorations, $206 on favors and $70 on escort place cards, according to The Wedding Report. On resale site Tradesy Weddings, former brides and grooms try to unload past purchases, recently including a window-pane seating chart ($500), a birdcage to hold well-wishers’ cards ($125) and decorative twine balls ($400). “There are lots of layers of tradition, fake tradition and wedding-industry-sell-job,” Keene says. The way “weddings are presented is in a lot of these little details, because that’s what you can sell.”

Just as with couples who are overwhelmed by inspiration boards, the best approach may be to simplify and focus on the big picture. “Let the rest go,” Keene says. If family members are helping foot the bill, it’s worth having a conversation about their expectations and the resultant costs for including “traditional” must-haves like a designated “toss bouquet,” a unity candle or favors.

9. “We’re eying your bling.”

A flashy engagement ring can lead to a bigger wedding bill. “Sometimes there aren’t price tags, and vendors craft the proposal based on what they think you need,” says Fields. “They judge you by your ability to pay, and perhaps steer you toward more expensive things.” Or they decline to work with you, if they see richer prospects. Marissa Palin of Davis, Calif., thought a $10,000 budget for her September 2013 nuptials was “a huge amount of money to spend on one day.” But although she and her fiancé want a family-reunion vibe — with beer floats in recycled mason jars and home-sewn napkins —Palin had a hard time finding vendors willing to work within her low-key expectations. “They sort of snubbed me because my budget was so low,” she says.

Even if you aren’t driving up in a beater or wearing designer clothes, says Fields, vendors can get a sense of your finances from the church or reception site you’ve picked. Plus, many buy data on your finances from companies you’ve done business with or bridal shows you’ve attended, where welcome forms often include questions about income, wedding budget and who’s paying. Fields advises couples to keep their personal finances out of the conversation, and be firm about what they are expecting to spend.

10. “Every artist was first an amateur, and many still are.”

Just about anyone can hang out a shingle as a planner, photographer, florist or other wedding pro. That means there’s a good chance that some of the vendors couples will come across in their hunt haven’t worked many weddings or have little or no professional experience, period. Review each vendor’s resume, looking for details about years in the field, training completed and professional associations joined, insiders suggest. Ask for recently married couples to speak with as references and meet the vendors face to face before you sign any contracts, Gurnick says. “It’s too easy these days to put up a beautiful website that looks professional,” he says. “It’s always best to meet in person.” On the other hand, even relative newbies can be a great option, if they know their stuff, says Winnika. “Oftentimes the price reflects that [lack of experience], and that’s fine.”