Regardless of the dreams, they do cost money and no discussion on dream wedding ideas will be complete without some detailed information, pricing and recommendations pertaining to themed weddings. Here is a themed wedding sample that should help you to plan an excellent DREAM wedding of your very own!

The WINTRY, SNOWY, COLD - Ice Princess Theme

winter celebration with a story and a twist, setting and icy backdrop, colors and beauty all come together under one roof, for one event – YOUR DREAM THEMED WEDDING. This is a sample of a combination, plot, weather and season-type theme. It offers beautiful blue hues and different shades of white and silver. Grandeur, elegance, style are all possible with the right combinations, favors and decorations.

A favorite of many a bride-to-be, wedding planners and other wedding enthusiasts, this poses great promise and challenge tied into one event, with lots of planning, creativity, budgeting and improvisation to pull it off! (*yes, luck and timing to!)

GET EVERYTHING RIGHT HERE that is needed for a spectacular event – MAKING YOUR DREAM WEDDING A REALITY HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER! WITH THIS GUIDE, IT IS AS EASY AS 1-2-3.

Choosing a theme?
Knowing the budget?

Which one comes first? That is entirely up to you and personal preference and means will most likely dictate, as will whether you are hosting and staging it yourself (DYI) wedding or utilizing the services of a wedding planner or planners, niche specialty providers, packages or customizing it from A to Z. Quality, affordability, themed décor, color, menus and other, might make discussions about financials actually a little easier – especially if things are tight. It is easier to talk about other things that the actual price tag – but if you deal with all these issues in the same unthreatening context, like provided here, many a family will attest to this under-sung and underestimated value of THEME WEDDINGS.

Extravagant or shoe-string and everything in-between and beyond is possible. Some set limits, others go all out and do not care how much they spend or need. This ONE example carries a budget of a meager $ 7,500 dollars all-inclusive for 150 guests! Sounds too good to be true? Stay tuned.

Having a detailed and itemized budget, with a contingency or shoulder fund for emergencies is an important must have even before the shopping starts! Take the guess work out and calm all fears on cost and overspending , nipping arguments and disagreement, avoiding and keeping fights about this delicate topic in check, having all calm and collected – couple, bride, groom, parents on both sides, best-man, matron of honor, wedding party and others. Prices may vary and need to be confirmed depending on your location, local suppliers, stationery and preferences.

HEADCOUNT, SIZE AND STYLE OF THE WEDDING WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE BUDGET – DECIDE EARLY, BETWEEN THE BOTH OF YOU - HOW MANY GUESTS TO INVITE AND WHO TO INCLUDE AND NOT

• Cost for and of the invitations will depend on design, color, nature of printing, quality of ink, paper, process, supplier pricing, taxes, envelopes, stamps etc.
• Invitations are traditionally paid for by the parents of the bride
• Menu items should be listed to provide the caterers with the idea of how much of each entrée to serve
• Name cards that have to be made to seat the guests.
• Places of registry for wedding gifts.
• Should be sent to the printer well in advance (about 1 month) in order for the guests to receive them and R.S.V.P.
• Theme, place and time of the ceremony

** NOTE: do not forget the programs, maps and other inserts that you might want to include – in the quotes, pricing and order

Marriage Licenses and paperwork

• Not all states require a blood test.
• The groom and pastor, wedding officiate will take care of these aspects.
• This process usually takes approximately 3 days.
• To obtain a marriage license the couple must bring their identification and proof of termination from any other past marriages to the nearest City Hall. There may be a short wait as blood tests may be required.
• Typically runs you out-of-pocket in the vicinity of around $25.00 US $.

Donation to Minister or wedding officiate

• Best-man will usually take care of this payment and administrative task. Couples can give more or less, even for a themed wedding officiate (Vegas Elvis impersonator Officiate)
• Can be as little or as high as $100.00, depending – sometimes they have a fixed fee, other times it is at your discretion.
• They can attend the reception, invite them , most will likely not stay very long and just out of courtesy.
• This is the individual whom performs the rite, rituals and actually marriage – the officiate, the ceremony center-stager.

Hall Rental, location, destination (church/ceremony location & reception)

• Fees for both will apply, if held in different locations, package deals can make it cheaper (or more expensive if set-up, labor, clean-up and special requirements demand MORE).
• Approximately $300.00, normally with a deposit well in advance, booked and confirmed, linens, furniture, rentals etc. will at be determined at that time as well.
• Pick from multiple, multi-functional spaces, your perfect room (ballroom), outside set-up, tent, space etc. ensuring no construction, noisy disturbances etc. nearby, planned on in the vicinity that could damage or interfere with your perfect themed setting
• Try to choose a room with a pale or white backdrop for decorating purposes. The hall may add services such as waiters and may provide the catering for you at an added price. They will also offer other different services for you , for instance alcohol servers and entertainment. If you can locate a package deal for everything with the budget allotted you have definitely scored big.

Brides Dress

• Add magic and fantasy with quaint touches
• Adding glitter, rhinestones, pearls and sequences can make all the difference here , affordably so!
• Bridesmaids and mother of the bride ensembles, including purses, shoes and other needed items can carry the theme even further, without being too overwhelming. Dyes are popular too – colors for this Ice Princess theme are Ivory, Pale Blue, Silver, and Pale Gray tones.
• Light will reflect and shadows dance from reflective surfaces of jewels, ribbons and lace.
• Pick something that will not only reflect your own personality as best as possible but also underline your theme – you are in a sense brining your theme to life, when you wear that dress down the aisle!
• Price ranges will vary – for something simple and elegant, rental or self-made budget about $150.00 on shoestring, or borrow a dress!
• Show off your best characteristics and strengths, go for something elegant, flattering and practical, comfortable to wear, move in , sit down, get up etc. Essential part of the ceremonial wardrobe
• Small hints of blue, creates the subtle illusion of ice and water, snow and cold.
• This will take center-stage and as a focal point, should get some additional consideration, especially for a themed wedding

Personal care and grooming for the couple and wedding party, Hair and Nails, accessories and final touches

• Budget and book them/these treatments early
• Ensure there are no setbacks or emergencies
• Hair and hand bouquets should match and carry the same theme and colors
• Price it out and confirm your appointment in advance – discuss haistyling to suit your theme, but nothing too elaborate or drastic that can end in disaster!
• Tiara’s, hair-jewels, pins, even artificial flowers (in this case, white and pale blue) as well as subtle added touches, coordinated and understated, for her and the bridesmaids will round out the picture more, in accordance with the theme.
• Veil should match gown

Groom Tuxedo Rental

• Black or white are recommended.
• Colors of the cumber buns and choice of ties should be matching the bridesmaids dresses in either Pale Gray or Pale Blue.
• Even patterned vests (silver and grey) emphasizes and inspires the theme and its overall impact.
• Groomed takes on a whole new meaning once seen through these eyes! The groom and the other gentlemen in the wedding party arrange this prior to the event, well in advance, fit, buy, rent and arrange for pick-up/delivery, taking care of any alterations, emergencies and contingencies, including ties, shoes, socks and underwear!
• Just as important as the bride get-up and in feeling with the theme.
• Small details like cufflinks and cologne is personal prerogative.

Gratuities for Bridesmaids and Ushers (Optional)

• Gifts from bride/groom can include cufflinks, necklaces to wear
• Watches to keep etc. ,
• Gift-certificates or personalized notes,
• Some, any or all of the above
• Depending on your budget

Caterer

• As far as costs go, you are entering the thousands territory now. Unit costs and per head pricing is very common.
• Buffet saves money is the rule of thumb, especially for the side-dishes and the rest of the meal is served to you at the table.
• Combination-style seating and eating is most popular and most affordable
• Seated, plated, served dinners are typically MORE expensive
• There is the option of serving stations, serving from both sides, having someone dish out the food at the buffet etc. to ensure that all guests are taken care of, costs kept down
• This is a major expense for any wedding, headcount drives that number, so take care with keeping accepting guests, adding to the list of requests and additional requirements – as this will increase the costs – especially if you are having a themed wedding – every seat needs whatever you are adding and even at $0.25 per unit, x 150 (amount of guests) will make a difference!
• Typically the order of food and drink would be appetizer, for example, penne and wine, then salad and rolls, entrée then tea, coffee. Desserts will be served buffet style as cake will be served later in the evening with the champagne (traditionally speaking).

Cake, Flowers and Centre Pieces

• Ensure that you have a good knife to cut the cake, serving plates
• Lights, special treats and flowers can all add up.
• Pre-cut , boxed cake, pieces of wedding cake, can also be placed on the table
• Stick to the colors and budget and you should be fine on all fronts

Photographer, video-grapher, video-diaries, one-shot table-top, disposable cameras etc.

• Choose a package and also get family and friends to take some pictures, just to be on the safe side.
• Ensure you get references, referrals and the best deal for your money
• Family and other volunteers, amateur photographers can enhance your memories, without interfering with the formal pictures being taken
• Professional mastery can serve you well on this special themed dream wedding day!
• Take as many pictures outside as you can, white fur, snow, ice, lights etc. make for some great pictures. Props and backdrops indoors can also do the job

Décor & Decorations

• Setting the stage, tone, atmosphere, creating the space and world you want this wonderful to take place in will take some additional attention, time, money and creative flair
• You can do it yourself or get someone involved to make it happen – there are many professional stagers, wedding outfits, planners that can see to it – they do it for a living and may have lots of things and know-how that you might not otherwise be able to tap into or have to pay a lot more out-of=pocket to take advantage of.
• Make the most of white netting and
• Include and consider a lighted trellis for the bride and groom, with attached flowers and netting
• White candles in room and on the tables can create great ambience and warm/light an otherwise icy, cold setting and world – spreading the warmth and love around (watch those ice-sculptures!).
• Draping walls, windows, tables, nooks and crannies with netting, fabrics and lights can create the feel of ice caves. Sprinkles of sequins, rhinestones and confetti on all the tables with ribbons tied on the champagne flutes. Balloons and ribbons, banners, streamers all work well too. Satin, silk and lace make great companions to this theme too.

Entertainment, Champagne, DRINKS AND BAR

• Toasts, selection and limits are what counts here
• Best man will start the speeches and thank you’s off, introduce the groom
• State the bar costs and procedure, times on the invitation to prepare people on what to expect
• Normally for the groom and his family to pick up the tab
• Cash bars work well, open bar for a little while
• Watching that guests do not drink too much and NOT drive under the influence *you might be liable!

Limo and ground-transportation

• Book in advance
• Compare shop and get a package deal that suits your purposes best
• White, stretch, quaint and personalized, ribbons in the color of your wedding are appropriate too

Extras and favors are great ways to stretch your wedding, dream theme event dollar!
There are numerous examples of great wedding favors. For this theme, you might be able to find items like:

• Snowflake Shaped Wine Stopper – ($2 range)
• Flared Shot Glass - Set of 6 ($10 range)
• Classic Round Place Card Holders - Set of 12 ($25 range)
• Opt for snowflake candle holders with votives, snowflake candle holders or crystal snowflake shaped glass coasters for table decorations ($ 3 - $5 range per unit)
• Colored, textured, themed napkins, rings, place setting cards also adds some ambience

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