Wedding Rings Made of Wood - A Unique Alternative

Wood may seem like the least romantic material for your wedding bands - that is until you actually take a look at the dazzling array of handcrafted wooden wedding rings from Simply Wood Rings that feature inlaid work and even stones. At a fraction of the cost of traditional wedding rings, wood rings are made from salvaged wood and recycled metals, which should set eco-conscious minds at ease. And if this still reeks a little too granola for your tastes, your tree-hugging groom may jump at the chance to have a tree hug him back.

Learn more about these unique wood wedding rings and the Unveiled Wedding Blog.

Looking for more wedding ring advice? This complete wedding rings guide will walk you through the entire process of choosing, shopping for, and purchasing your rings

Looking for Wedding Hairstyles?

So you've found your wedding dress and planned your accessories. The final ingredient to looking amazing on your wedding day is the perfect hairstyle to complement your bridal look. The key is to choose a style that suits your personality - if you've always been a breezy, no-fuss type of gal, sporting a super high maintenance look on your wedding day may not be the way to go.

Regardless, the best way to start planning your do is to browse as many options as possible. Not sure where to look? This complete gallery of wedding hairstyles has tons of options - from classic, to romantic, to modern and chic. Happy hunting!

10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Ceremony Officiant

Before the big day, you will meet with your ceremony officiant or potential officiants to discuss the ceremony and any pre-ceremony requirements - and ultimately decide if the three of you want to work together. It’s best to come prepared with some questions to help you determine whether s/he is open to your ideas. Here are 10 must-ask questions to help you get started:

1) Are there any pre-wedding requirements, such as counseling?
2) What is the ceremony fee?
3) Is the officiant open to any personal ideas for ceremony? For instance, is he or she open to non-secular wedding vows, wedding ceremony readings or wedding songs?
4) Will the officiant give a sermon or a speech?
5) Will you have input in the ceremony, and will you be allowed to review the sermon or speech beforehand?
6) Are there any ceremony site restrictions such as flash photography, videography, music, dress code, decor, tossing items?
7) What items does the ceremony site/officiant provide, and what must you bring yourself? (pews, isle runners, microphone, etc.)
8) What will officiant wear?
9) What time will he/she be available for rehearsal?
10) Should you bring your marriage license to the ceremony, or will you sign it beforehand?

Looking for advice to help you plan your ceremony? This complete wedding ceremony guide has everything you need to know - from suggestions for unique ceremony sites, to creative ways to personalize your ceremony.

The Anatomy of a Wedding Invitation - Guide to Invitation Components and Enclosures

Wedding invitations can include a number of enclosures, depending on the nature of your wedding and your stationery budget. (obviously more enclosures means higher costs). Here's your guide to the wedding invitation components.

Outer envelope: Holds all enclosures, formally addressed to the recipient.

Inner envelope: Holds all contents of the formal, third-person invitation for protection during shipping.

Reception card: Specifies where and when the reception will be held - usually included only if the ceremony and reception take place at different locations.

Response card: On which your guests indicate acceptance or regrets. In self-addressed stamped envelope. Make sure to include an RSVP deadline.

Map/Directional: Optional insertion to help guests navigate and arrange for accommodations.

Looking for more? This complete guide to wedding invitations offers even more tips, trends, etiquette advice, and ways to save on your invites.

5 Ways to Find Cheap Wedding Dresses That Look Anything But

Your wedding gown is arguably the most important garment purchase in your lifetime. No other dress comes with more anticipation – and will be more photographed - than this one. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend like royalty to look like a princess on your wedding day. With these smart strategies, you can still walk down the aisle feeling like a million bucks (without having to spend just that).

Something Borrowed
Today, anything retro screams chic. So consider donning your mother’s wedding gown. You’ll not only honor a family legacy, you’ll save a pretty penny too. With vintage lace overlays and crystal embellishments making a comeback, you won’t have to worry about looking dated. With a few simple (and inexpensive) alterations, you can make it your own.

Avoid Added Adornments
Beading, pleating, stitching, embroidering…all of these trimmings add up and are going to cost you extra. Consider a dress that is simply embellished, yet still elegant.

Shop Savvy
Be on the lookout for sample sales, trunk shows, and outlet bargains. Bridal shops are trying to rid their racks of the previous season’s styles to make room for new ones in the late-summer/winter months. Get ready to brave the crowds for super savings.

Don't Name Drop
Sure, designer duds are nice – but if you’re on a budget – you may want to skip the sought-after label. The good news is that you won’t have to sacrifice on style. If you find a look you like from a high-end dress designer, you can almost always find something similar by another name in your price range.

Be Honest
Just because your wedding dress budget doesn’t match your elaborate vision doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the look you want. Approach this shopping decision with an open mind. When stepping into a bridal boutique, tell them exactly what you can realistically spend, and let them take care of the rest. They are the experts, and you might be surprised to see what they can come up with—the perfect wedding gown exists at every price point.

Think Outside Traditional Tulle and Lace
There’s no written rule that says your wedding day attire has to be an official bridal gown. The look you are going for is often available through another avenue. For instance, many bridesmaids’ dresses come in white or ivory, offering a less expensive, less fussy alternative to the traditional wedding dress.

Get even more tips on finding cheap wedding dresses in this complete wedding dresses guide and photo gallery.

Alternative Ceremony Readings for Unconventional Couples

Traditional ceremony readings peppered with “thou shalts” and “whilst ye’s” aren’t for everybody. If you cannot bear another rendition of “love is patient, love is kind…” at your wedding ceremony, you’ve come to the right place.

Consult this list of alternative wedding ceremony humorous readings and wedding ceremony readings inspired by modern literature, songs, and poetry that pack a slightly edgier punch than traditional wedding readings.

Wedding Invitation Printing Options

Before you go shopping for your wedding invitations, become familiar with the invitation printing process and lingo; this will help you determine your needs in advance and avoid unnecessary costs. Price is determined per invitation, so if your guest list is huge - be prepared to designate a significant portion of your budget to wedding invitations. Costs can range anywhere from $1-$50 each. Bulky papers, colored inks and unique graphics all increase the cost. Custom designs can also be pricey.

Printing options also affect the cost:
Engraving - most formal and most expensive - results in raised print that is pressed through the back.

Thermography - less expensive than engraving - results in raised print that does not press through the back

Lithography - less expensive than either engraving or theromography - results in print that is neither raised nor pressed through

Laser printing - the least expensive option. - produced on a laser printer and results in print similar to that of lithography.

When factoring total costs, don’t forget to consider postage as part of your budget, including stamps for the response card envelopes. Looking for ways to save? Keep your design simple, sticking to one color. Use lighter weight papers and include less inserts. Use response postcards instead of cards with envelopes.